US consumers faced more high prices in August as Iran war raised energy costs
The Guardian •

US consumers faced more high prices in August as Iran war raised energy costs

Annualized inflation rate was 3.4%, same as July, and core inflation, which omits energy and food prices, rose to 2.4%US consumer prices remained stubbornly high in August as the end of the ceasefire between the US and Iran pushed energy prices up, according to data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics released on Friday.The annualized inflation rate was 3.4%, the same as it was in July. The mos...

US consumer prices stayed high in August as Iran war pushed energy costs up
The Guardian •

US consumer prices stayed high in August as Iran war pushed energy costs up

Annualized inflation rate was 3.4%, same as July, and core inflation, which omits energy and food prices, was up to 2.4%US consumer prices remained stubbornly high in August as the end of the ceasefire between the US and Iran pushed energy prices up, according to data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics released on Friday.The annualized inflation rate was 3.4%, the same as it was in July. The m...

UK chancellor urged to remove ‘hidden taxes’ from energy bills
The Guardian •

UK chancellor urged to remove ‘hidden taxes’ from energy bills

Businesses, charities and other groups sign letter calling for levies to be paid by the governmentMore than 120 organisations including big businesses and charities have called for the removal of “hidden taxes” added to energy bills to help reduce costs for consumers and prevent businesses closing.In a letter to the chancellor the signatories – including Energy UK, business trade body the CBI, End...

RNLI reports ‘significant’ donations boost after being targeted by far right over small boats

RNLI reports ‘significant’ donations boost after being targeted by far right over small boats

The Guardian •

Charity condemns ‘disgraceful’ intimidation and insists it will continue core purpose of saving lives at seaUK politics live – latest updatesThe Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has had a “significant” boost in donations since becoming a target of far-right agitators protesting over small boat crossings.The charity’s staff and volunteers have been subjected to “online and physical abuse”...

After husband’s death, she ensured their 215 acres stay protected

After husband’s death, she ensured their 215 acres stay protected

Times of India •

Becky Shelton made a conscious decision to prioritize land preservation over lucrative offers from developers. By securing her properties in King George and Stafford with legal protections, she ensures these areas remain untouched for future custodians. Shelton views her role as a temporary steward of the earth, taking action to prevent the encroachment of subdivisions and data centers on the natu...

Beijing can rewrite China’s property rules, but it can’t undo the damage

Beijing can rewrite China’s property rules, but it can’t undo the damage

SCMP •

Financial markets are notoriously prone to mistaking a fundamental institutional shift for a temporary liquidity crisis. The futurist Roy Amara is often credited with the observation that people tend to overestimate the short-term effect of a transformation while underestimating its long-term impact. China’s real-estate sector is furnishing a textbook case of an analogous dynamic. On August 28, Ch...

A San Francisco house worth $4.4 million changed hands through disputed deeds in little over a year

A San Francisco house worth $4.4 million changed hands through disputed deeds in little over a year

Times of India •

In a dramatic legal move, San Francisco authorities have initiated a lawsuit to annul eight contentious deeds associated with a luxurious $4.4 million property in the prestigious Sea Cliff area. This case has been characterized by officials as a complex scheme aimed at seizing control of the estate. After over a year of dubious ownership transitions, the city aims to rectify property records and r...

Sweden’s PM channels Trump saying he wants to ‘make Sweden great again’ ahead of election – Europe live

Sweden’s PM channels Trump saying he wants to ‘make Sweden great again’ ahead of election – Europe live

The Guardian •

Ulf Kristersson’s comments come ahead of the parliamentary election taking place this Sundayin BrusselsThe European Commission has said it is assessing whether Ukraine has a funding shortfall, amid renewed pressure to use Russia’s frozen assets to aid Kyiv.“That [frozen assets] is not a primary focus. We have worked extensively on this and now the focus is somewhere else.”“So we’ve got to carry ou...

‘Rest in eternal peace’: veteran horror actor, filmmaker Simon Loui dies at age 62

‘Rest in eternal peace’: veteran horror actor, filmmaker Simon Loui dies at age 62

SCMP •

Veteran Hong Kong actor and filmmaker Simon Loui Yu-yeung, better known to fans as the “King of Ghosts” for his prolific work in horror films, has died at the age of 62. Long-time friend and fellow actor Frankie Ng Chi-hung revealed the news to reporters on Friday. He said Loui’s wife, TV and radio personality Ma Li, had confirmed the filmmaker had died in a hospital in Guangzhou on Monday after l...

9/11 families gather at World Trade Center and Pentagon to remember victims on 25th anniversary – US politics live

9/11 families gather at World Trade Center and Pentagon to remember victims on 25th anniversary – US politics live

The Guardian •

Victims of those killed in September 11 attacks honored at memorials across the USOn 11 September, 25 years ago, Osama bin Laden drove with a small number of al-Qaida retainers and aides to a remote location in eastern Afghanistan. His convoy of SUVs was accompanied by a minivan converted into a makeshift communications centre.The van’s rudimentary equipment did not allow Bin Laden to watch the 19...

Russia targets Kyiv petrol stations for first time with jet-powered drones

Russia targets Kyiv petrol stations for first time with jet-powered drones

The Guardian •

Three facilities in two days struck as bombardment of Ukraine’s capital enters new phase of intensityEurope live – latest updatesPetrol stations in Kyiv have been hit by jet-powered drones in a wave of targeted Russian attacks as the bombardment of Ukraine’s capital enters a new phase of intensity.At least two people were killed and six injured in strikes on two petrol stations on Friday morning, ...

Fresh photos offer clearest view yet of China’s ‘WZ-X’ spy drone

Fresh photos offer clearest view yet of China’s ‘WZ-X’ spy drone

SCMP •

Fresh clues are emerging about a new type of Chinese drone being developed as a long-range intelligence and surveillance platform intended to operate deep inside contested airspace. New photographs circulated on Chinese internet forums earlier this month that appear to show the massive drone in the air, offering much clearer views of its wing shape than earlier images. The original source of the p...

How Ron DeSantis politicized Florida’s higher education by placing his loyalists at the top

How Ron DeSantis politicized Florida’s higher education by placing his loyalists at the top

The Guardian •

Term-limited, hard-right governor instituted an ideological infiltration of universities by placing allies in powerful postsIn fewer than four months’ time, Ron DeSantis, Florida’s hard-right governor, will be termed out of office, and what critics saw as his relentless eight-year, “anti-woke” assault on higher education in the state will finally be over.But while DeSantis himself will be gone, nu...

Montana seals 20 hazards at five abandoned uranium sites that once supplied US defence program

Montana seals 20 hazards at five abandoned uranium sites that once supplied US defence program

Times of India •

Several abandoned uranium mine sites in Montana’s Pryor Mountains have been closed after assessments found physical hazards, radiation and chemical contamination risks. The project addressed 20 mine features across five historic sites, while also protecting bat habitat, rare plants and cultural resources. Officials said continued monitoring will be needed because erosion, gravity and vandalism can...

Iran’s Houthi allies capture strategic island on vital oil shipping route

Iran’s Houthi allies capture strategic island on vital oil shipping route

The Guardian •

Rampant Yemeni rebels take control of island in narrow point of Bab al-Mandab strait, which Saudi is relying on for oil exportsViolence in Yemen: why it matters and how it is linked to the US-Iran warYemen’s rampant Houthi forces have captured a strategic island in the Bab al-Mandab strait, expanding their control of the narrow waterway, one of the ​world’s vital shipping routes.The Iran-aligned H...

From 2017-19, Japan recycled 6.21M phones into 5,000 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic medals

From 2017-19, Japan recycled 6.21M phones into 5,000 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic medals

Times of India •

Japan embarked on a groundbreaking initiative ahead of the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, gathering millions of used electronics and phones. This effort resulted in the extraction of significant gold, silver, and bronze from these devices by recyclers. The recovered metals were then transformed into the medals awarded at the events, reflecting a nationwide commitment to sustainability and inno...