Hungary expels 10 Russian diplomats, Moscow vows ‘painful’ response
SCMP •

Hungary expels 10 Russian diplomats, Moscow vows ‘painful’ response

Hungary ⁠expelled 10 Russian diplomats on ⁠Tuesday, saying they had acted in ways incompatible with their diplomatic status, in a stark reminder that the pro-Russian years of former prime minister Viktor Orban are over. Russia’s foreign ministry ‌said it would retaliate and its response would be painful for Hungary, local media reported. “The response to the Russophobic lobby in Budapest will be h...

Richard Alston, trailblazer and guiding light of British dance, dies aged 77

Richard Alston, trailblazer and guiding light of British dance, dies aged 77

The Guardian •

Akram Khan among those paying tribute to ‘pioneering’ choreographer of intense musicality and grace who inspired generations of dancersSir Richard Alston, the British choreographer and teacher who took contemporary dance into new directions with his elegant and intelligent creations, has died at the age of 77. A former artistic director of Rambert and the Place, where he made more than 50 pieces f...

UK pays highest borrowing rate since 1998 as pressure builds on public finances – business live

UK pays highest borrowing rate since 1998 as pressure builds on public finances – business live

The Guardian •

Saudi authorities said operations at some energy facilities have been attacked ‌by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis Gas prices are rising this morning, putting pressure on European countries who need to stock up their storage levels before the winter.The month-ahead UK gas price is up around 1% at 184p a therm, close to yesterday’s highs when gas hit its highest since January 2023. Continue reading...

New York is building a bridge with recycled glass: $21.2 million project to divert 106 tons of glass from landfills and prevent over 72 tons of CO2 emissions

New York is building a bridge with recycled glass: $21.2 million project to divert 106 tons of glass from landfills and prevent over 72 tons of CO2 emissions

Times of India •

A New York bridge initiative is making headlines by incorporating recycled glass into its concrete mix. This project effectively diverts waste glass from landfills, significantly cutting down on carbon emissions. By transforming unwanted glass into a sustainable alternative for cement, this pilot demonstrates forward-thinking in construction materials. The expected completion of the project, inclu...

Why Harry and Meghan were caught off guard by King Charles’ latest letter

Why Harry and Meghan were caught off guard by King Charles’ latest letter

Times of India •

King Charles III has clarified Prince Harry and Meghan's status as private citizens. The royal family confirmed they remain non-working members, which was previously agreed. This clarification came shortly before a letter was sent to senior officials. Harry and Meghan continue their commercial and charitable work in their private capacity. Their security arrangements remain a separate and ongo...

China’s highest court sets out new AI red lines with rules on deepfakes and privacy

China’s highest court sets out new AI red lines with rules on deepfakes and privacy

SCMP •

China’s top court has issued new guidance on how judges should handle civil cases involving artificial intelligence, setting out rules on liability for deepfakes, voice cloning, hallucinations and violations of personal rights. Although Beijing has yet to pass a dedicated AI law, the guidelines expand the country’s legal framework governing the technology. The Supreme People’s Court’s 24-article o...

In Ukraine, teens try to heal from trauma of war at summer camp

In Ukraine, teens try to heal from trauma of war at summer camp

France 24 •

The psychological impact on the Ukrainian population of nearly five years of full-scale Russian onslaught is hard to overstate. Children and teenagers are particularly at risk of trauma. With support from foreign philanthropists, one Ukrainian NGO is trying to help at least a few teenagers cope better, via summer camps that mix therapy and fun. Our correspondent Gulliver Cragg reports.

The couple who saved The African Queen now own a £3.9m Scottish castle

The couple who saved The African Queen now own a £3.9m Scottish castle

Times of India •

An American couple has purchased Carbisdale Castle in Scotland. They plan to transform parts of the historic property into a boutique hotel. This venture follows their successful restoration of the famous African Queen steam launch. The castle, once known as the 'Castle of Spite,' will offer short-term stays initially. Their vision includes creating a unique Scottish hospitality experience for gue...

Indonesia knew a volcano was erupting. Could it have prepared better?

Indonesia knew a volcano was erupting. Could it have prepared better?

SCMP •

The eruption of Anak Krakatoa in Indonesia has tested the country’s disaster preparedness, disrupting nearly 3,000 flights carrying more than 340,000 passengers as volcanic ash spread across the region. Authorities say they are monitoring the volcano, which remains under the country’s second-highest alert status. According to scientists, the event’s exceptional scale makes its impact hard to antic...

Indonesia knew a volcano was erupting. Could it have prepared for it?

Indonesia knew a volcano was erupting. Could it have prepared for it?

SCMP •

The eruption of Anak Krakatoa in Indonesia has tested the country’s disaster preparedness, disrupting nearly 3,000 flights carrying more than 340,000 passengers as volcanic ash spread across the region. Authorities say they are monitoring the volcano, which remains under the country’s second-highest alert status. According to scientists, the event’s exceptional scale makes its impact hard to antic...

Fourteen men go on trial in Paris over deadliest small-boat Channel crossing

Fourteen men go on trial in Paris over deadliest small-boat Channel crossing

The Guardian •

Sinking of inflatable dinghy in 2021 resulted in 31 people dead or missing, including a seven-year-old childFourteen men will go on trial in Paris on Tuesday over the deaths of at least 31 people in the worst mass drowning from a small-boat crossing in the Channel on record.The accused men, alleged to be linked to people-smuggling networks, face charges including manslaughter and facilitating ille...

US port pledge ups China rivalry in Pacific but island nations stick to own course

US port pledge ups China rivalry in Pacific but island nations stick to own course

SCMP •

The United States is stepping up its presence in the South Pacific with new funding and a reinforced diplomatic footprint, as its competition with China intensifies across the region. Yet the effectiveness of the push is tempered by Washington’s deep cuts to its main overseas aid agency, leaving doubts about the consistency of US commitment among Pacific leaders, according to analysts. The Pacific...

‘Everything is against us’: Jaguar Land Rover suppliers voice fears amid carmaker’s cutbacks

‘Everything is against us’: Jaguar Land Rover suppliers voice fears amid carmaker’s cutbacks

The Guardian •

Firms warn of impact of company’s decision to to axe 4,000 jobs and call for government to support sectorJaguar Land Rover confirms plan to cut 4,000 jobsDavid Roberts is not in an optimistic mood. The chair of Coventry-based Evtec may preside over a business with 900 highly skilled employees, multiple sites and precision machinery, but the outlook for the manufacturer appears tricky. “Everything ...

Russia says it will give a ‘harsh and painful’ response after Hungary expels 10 diplomats - Europe live

Russia says it will give a ‘harsh and painful’ response after Hungary expels 10 diplomats - Europe live

The Guardian •

Moscow’s foreign minister issues warning to ‘Russophobic lobby in Budapest’ after diplomats expelled for ‘unacceptable’ activitiesBut the tone coming from Moscow is very different, as Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Russia was very confident that victory in its war against Ukraine is “very near.”“Yes, we are ​confident, and we ⁠are ​sure that ​victory ​is very near,” ​Peskov...

MTR Corp reports mass fare evasion after video goes viral, vows more patrols

MTR Corp reports mass fare evasion after video goes viral, vows more patrols

SCMP •

Hong Kong’s rail operator has reported a suspected mass fare evasion incident to police after online footage showed more than 30 people tailgating through barriers at Tsim Sha Tsui station, with no station staff seen intervening. A viral video last week appeared to show a woman, believed to be a tour guide, tap her card at an exit gate in Tsim Sha Tsui station. As the gates opened, several men and...

MTR reports mass fare evasion after video goes viral, vows more patrols

MTR reports mass fare evasion after video goes viral, vows more patrols

SCMP •

Hong Kong’s rail operator has reported a suspected mass fare evasion incident to police after online footage showed over 30 people tailgating through barriers at Tsim Sha Tsui station without paying the correct fare, with no station staff seen intervening. A viral video last week appeared to show a woman, believed to be a tour guide, tap her card at an exit gate in Tsim Sha Tsui station. As the ga...