Stocks Fall on Weak China PMI; Aussie Dollar Falls: Markets Wrap
Stocks declined after disappointing China services data added to concern over the nation’s fragile economic recovery. Australia’s dollar
2023-09-05 14:46
Ukraine war – live: Putin accused of trafficking Cubans to fight for Russia in his invasion
Cuban citizens are being trafficked to fight for Russia in its war in Ukraine, the country’s foreign ministry said. A human trafficking operation was being run by criminals working in both the Caribbean island nation and thousands of miles away in Russia, the Cuban government said, adding that they were being incorporated into the military forces participating in war operations in Ukraine. Authorities are now working to “neutralise and dismantle” the network. Russia has yet to comment on these allegations. It comes as North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was expected to travel to Russia and meet Vladimir Putin this month to discuss the possibility of supplying Moscow with more weapons. In a rare trip abroad, Kim would most likely travel by armoured train from Pyongyang to Vladivostok, Russia’s Pacific coast, where he would meet Putin, the New York Times reported on Monday, citing US and allied sources. On the battlefield in Ukraine, Russian forces have been pushed back in the south as well as along the eastern front near Bakhmut, the Ukrainian military said. Read More President Zelensky nominates Rustem Umerov as Ukraine’s new defence minister Russian cyber-attacks ‘relentless’ as threat of WW3 grows, expert warns Ukraine ‘targets critical bridge’ built by Putin as counteroffensive ‘breaks through on southern front’
2023-09-05 13:29
UK to Lift Effective Ban on New Onshore Wind Farms This Week
The UK will announce new planning regulations that will lift an effective ban on new onshore wind farms
2023-09-05 04:52
WTO Chief Criticizes Rich Nations for Protectionism
The head of the World Trade Organization sharply criticized western governments for embracing protectionist policies and shifting toward
2023-09-05 03:18
Luton Airport buses arrive in Ukraine to help fight war against Putin
Buses from Luton Airport have arrived in Ukraine to help troops on the frontline in the war against Vladimir Putin. The buses, operated by Go-Ahead, were used until March this year to shuttle passengers between Luton Airport and the nearby railway station. They will now be used as rest areas for soldiers in Eastern Ukraine and to transport supplies for front-line troops after being donated to a charity supporting the Ukrainian war effort. Go-Ahead donated the vehicles to local charity, Swindon Humanitarian Aid Partnership, which provides vehicles to Ukraine that can be used as field hospitals and rest areas for troops or for transporting supplies. The buses, which still have their Luton Airport livery intact, will be fitted with shower and toilet facilities. One of the buses is likely to be used as a mobile exhibition in Ukraine showing the devastation brought about by the Russian onslaught, Go-Ahead said. A spokesperson for the company said: “These vehicles have done years of duty shuttling holidaymakers and suitcases. They’re now retired from airport duty and we’re glad they can be put to good use – as a small contribution to Ukraine’s war effort.” Last month, Sheffield-based bus firm First donated two buses to Ukraine, loaded with medical aid. Mercy mission organiser Craig George, of Ukraine UK Aid Volunteer Group, said they would be used by volunteer medics in freshly targeted areas. Read More ‘Our own front line’: Ukrainian surgeons see wave of wounded soldiers since counteroffensive began Ukraine’s defence minister submits resignation to Zelensky after biggest shake-up since invasion Ukraine war troop deaths and wounded nearing 500,000, say US officials
2023-09-05 00:17
Top Green Fund Backs Deforestation-Free Crops With $189 Million
The world’s biggest global climate fund has approved a $189 million commitment to &Green facility to support agriculture
2023-09-04 23:55
Fifteen people a day attacked by fish in Benidorm as people with moles warned
Holidaymakers in Benidorm have been warned of fish attacks as more than 15 people a day are seeking first aid after being attacked by “piranha-style” fish. Obladas fish are reportedly attacking holidaymakers, Spanish newspaper Informacion.es reported. The fish are said to be attracted by moles, warts or small wounds on the skin - especially on older people, and can draw blood and leave teeth wounds on their victims’ arms, legs and backs. In recent days there have been several cases on Poniente beach in Benidorm, according to Informacion.es. Very warm weather has raised the temperature of the sea and has increased the metabolism of the fish, increasing their appetite, according to experts. The sea temperature is currently between 29 and 30 degrees, according to the Climatology Laboratory of the University of Alicante. The phenomenon was first reported to the Alicante rescue and first aid service in mid-August 2017. A spokesman from Spain’s Department of Marine Species said: “This is a fish used to being fed. There may be a high population density and they do not run away from people, hence they peck at wounds.” Swimmers are also being advised not to go in the sea with jewellery that shines because this can lead to attacks from species such as pomfrets, golfer fish or bluefish. Obladas are a small grey fish with a black spot on their tail fin and can reach about 30cm in length. Read More Whale hunting returns to Iceland despite hopes ban would last forever Shark attacks swimmer in shallows of popular Spanish holiday beach Fisherman airlifted to hospital after shark bite off coast of Portugal Pregnant woman in Greece for anniversary among thousands now left stranded abroad ‘It will take a long time’ for flights to return to normal, says Nats chief Aerial footage captures partially collapsed bridge after torrential downpour in Spain
2023-09-04 22:54
Ukraine-Russia war – live: Putin’s forces pushed back in the south as Moscow launches kamikaze drone attack
Russian forces have been pushed back in the south of Ukraine as Moscow has launched a kamikaze drone attack. On Monday, Ukraine reported that its troops had regained more territory on the eastern front in Bakhmut, making further advances in the south of the country. Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar also reported “success” in the direction of the villages Novodanylivka and Novoprokopivka in the southern region of Zaporizhzhia, but did not add any details. Ukraine has now recaptured approximately 47 square km of territory since it launched its long-awaited counteroffensive in June, Ms Maliar added. Meanwhile, on Monday, Ukraine’s defence ministry said Russian kamikaze drones had exploded on Romanian territory during Moscow’s strike on Odesa. But Romania’s Ministry of National Defence said in a statement: “The Ministry of National Defence firmly denies the information circulating in the public space with regard to a so-called situation occurred during the night of 3-4 September, when Russian drones would have fallen on Romania’s national territory. “The Ministry of National Defence reiterates the fact that these attacks targeting the Ukrainian sites and civilian infrastructure are unjustified and break all international humanitarian rules.” Read More President Zelensky nominates Rustem Umerov as Ukraine’s new defence minister Russian cyber-attacks ‘relentless’ as threat of WW3 grows, expert warns Ukraine ‘targets critical bridge’ built by Putin as counteroffensive ‘breaks through on southern front’
2023-09-04 22:50
New iPhone, new charger: Apple bends to EU rules
A European Union law will require portable devices to have a common charger by 2024.
2023-09-04 22:26
Germany’s Olaf Scholz pictured in pirate-style eye patch after jogging accident
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Monday tweeted a pirate-style picture of himself with a black eye patch and dark-red bruises on the right side of his face — the result of a jogging accident on the weekend. “Am excited to see the memes," the chancellor wrote in the caption. To deflect any possible worries about his health, on the photo, which appears to have been taken at the chancellery, Scholz smiled slightly and also wrote: “Thanks for the well wishes, it looks worse than it is!” Scholz fell while jogging on Saturday and sustained bruises to his face, prompting him to cancel some appointments this weekend, the government said. His spokesperson told reporters in Berlin later on Monday that the chancellor was doing well considering the circumstances. “He was in quite a good mood this morning, but still looks a bit battered,” Steffen Hebestreit said adding that the photo was published “so that everyone can get used to how he will look in the next week or two.” On Sunday, the 65-year-old German leader canceled appointments in the central Hesse region, where a state election is being held on Oct. 8. However, he was expected to attend public appearances later on Monday in Berlin. Local media reported that Scholz fell while running in his hometown of Potsdam which is located 28 kilometers (17 miles) southwest of the German capital. Scholz has led Germany since December 2021. He previously served as the country’s finance and labor minister, and as mayor of Hamburg. In a profile on his party’s website, Scholz says that he hated sports when he was at school but acquired a taste for it from his wife, Britta Ernst. “Today I jog as often as I can,” he says. Scholz says he tries to find time for jogging, rowing or walking two or three times a week and also enjoys cycling. Read More Bavaria's governor leaves his deputy in office despite a furor over antisemitism allegations German Chancellor Olaf Scholz falls while jogging and bruises his face Scholz dismisses talk of keeping nuclear energy option open in Germany
2023-09-04 21:48
Europe to decide within weeks on when to restart space launches
By Tim Hepher PARIS (Reuters) -European space officials said on Monday they face crucial timing decisions in the coming weeks
2023-09-04 20:55
Five arrested after British woman ‘gang-raped in Cyprus hotel room’
A British tourist has said she was raped by five men in her hotel room while on holiday in Cyprus. The 20-year-old said told Cypriot police she was attacked by five men in her hotel in the city of Famagusta. Cypriot police have since arrested five men from Israel. A spokesman at the island’s police headquarters in Nicosia said on Monday: “The five were detained overnight in a cell following the charges. They will appear today before Famagusta’s district court. We have not released their ages but can confirm that they are all young.” The news comes after last year a British woman won her appeal to overturn a conviction for ‘lying’ about being gang-raped by 12 tourists when she was 18 in Cyprus, On Friday Cyprus police arrested 20 people after a march against migrants and refugees on the island’s second-largest city, Limassol, turned violent with mobs vandalising property. Five people were injured during the unrest on Friday evening after about 500 people took to the streets for the march, the police said. Rubbish bins were set alight and some shops were vandalised, police said. Witnesses quoted by Cypriot media outlets said some foreigners were attacked during the march. Asian delivery drivers were assaulted and storefronts belonging to migrants were smashed as the violence continued until the early hours of Sunday, according to Reuters news agency. Police used water cannon to disperse the protesters, some of them hooded and holding a banner that read “Refugees not welcome”. Overnight Saturday to Sunday, three people from southeast Asia were attacked and robbed, state media said. Among the victims were a group of visitors from Kuwait, according to social media accounts of witnesses. Senior diplomat Kyriakos Kouros said a protest was filed by an ambassador of an unnamed Arab state on Saturday after tourists were targeted. “They cut short their visit. I doubt they will ever return,” Kouros, permanent secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, wrote on the social media platform X on Sunday, posting a picture of the departure of a group at an airport. One member of the group was in a wheelchair. “It is the first time I have felt so embarrassed about such an incident in our country,” he wrote. “This isn’t the Cyprus I was born, raised, had a family and am getting old in,” he said. Read More Israel's prime minister pitches fiber optic cable idea to link Asia and the Middle East to Europe Greece: Firefighters rescue 25 migrants trapped in forest as massive wildfire approached Greece further reinforces firefighting forces in massive wildfire in northeast burning for 13th day Massive wildfire in northeastern Greece persists for 11th day despite European firefighting efforts Official says the UN remains committed to helping reach a deal healing Cyprus' ethnic split Greece reinforces firefighting forces to tackle massive blaze in the country's northeast
2023-09-04 18:54