Many of Iran’s demands ‘already agreed to’ by US in June MoU
France 24 •

Many of Iran’s demands ‘already agreed to’ by US in June MoU

Iran on Saturday issued a list of demands for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, which have been characterised as “new” preconditions. Reporting from Washington, FRANCE 24’s Fraser Jackson notes that many of the demands were “already agreed to by the US in the [Islamabad] Memorandum of Understanding that was signed back in June” between Iran and the US. “The difficulty was that the language th...

‘Watch The Odyssey for free online’: scam targets film fans with fake streaming sites
The Guardian •

‘Watch The Odyssey for free online’: scam targets film fans with fake streaming sites

Those tempted to access fake websites run risk of phishing scams and having computer infected with malwareThe Odyssey is the hottest release this summer and you have been looking forward to seeing the much-acclaimed adaptation of Homer’s epic ancient Greek poem. But you have been unable to go to the cinema, so when you spot an ad to watch online, you jump at the chance.There are positive reviews p...

Sweet, soft and strong: TikTok turns Japanese milk bread into latest UK food craze
The Guardian •

Sweet, soft and strong: TikTok turns Japanese milk bread into latest UK food craze

Natto toast, fresh fruit sandwiches and soufflé pancakes all part of growing interest in east Asian cuisineGolden brown and glistening with melted butter, a tray of freshly baked bread fills the screen in a TikTok video. The camera lingers on the glossy tops before one bun is gently pulled apart, revealing a cloud-soft interior.The clip is one of countless videos of Japanese milk buns that have ra...

Russian family denied asylum in Finland fear reprisals for pro-Ukraine activism
The Guardian •

Russian family denied asylum in Finland fear reprisals for pro-Ukraine activism

Nikita and Olga Belov say they will be persecuted on return to Moscow but are yet to convince Finnish authoritiesA Russian family faces deportation from Finland after repeatedly being denied asylum – despite the threat of arrest, imprisonment and potential torture for their pro-Ukrainian activism.Nikita and Olga Belov fled their homeland in 2022 after attracting the attention of Russian authoritie...

Costa Rican diplomat emerges as strong contender to be first female head of UN

Costa Rican diplomat emerges as strong contender to be first female head of UN

The Guardian •

Rebeca Grynspan seen as continuity candidate with tacit support from current secretary general, António GuterresA Costa Rican diplomat and former vice-president whose parents were refugees from the Holocaust has become the surprise frontrunner to lead the United Nations as its first female secretary general.Rebeca Grynspan, whose parents emigrated to Central America from Poland – and whose materna...

Budapest’s low Danube exposes two German soldiers and a DKW motorcycle buried for 80 years

Budapest’s low Danube exposes two German soldiers and a DKW motorcycle buried for 80 years

Times of India •

Unusually low water levels in Budapest’s Danube River have exposed Second World War remains hidden for around 80 years. Recovery teams found the bodies of two Wehrmacht soldiers, their well-preserved identity discs, a German military motorbike, anti-tank mines and other wartime objects near Batthyány Square. The finds could help identify the soldiers and reveal more about Budapest’s final wartime ...

Mega-events drive HK$5.8 billion spending in first half of year, Paul Chan says

Mega-events drive HK$5.8 billion spending in first half of year, Paul Chan says

SCMP •

Visitors to major events in Hong Kong have spent HK$5.8 billion (US$739 million) during in the first half of the year, averaging HK$3,314 per head, the city’s finance chief has said. In his weekly blog on Sunday, Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po said about 1.75 million visitors were drawn to more than 130 events between January and June, generating around HK$5.8 billion in spending and contribu...

Mega-events drive HK$5.8 billion visitor spend in first half of year: Paul Chan

Mega-events drive HK$5.8 billion visitor spend in first half of year: Paul Chan

SCMP •

Hong Kong visitors spent HK$5.8 billion (US$739 million) during major events in the first half of the year, averaging HK$3,314 per traveller, the city’s finance chief said. In his weekly blog on Sunday, Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po said about 1.75 million visitors were drawn to the city’s more than 130 events between January and June, generating around HK$5.8 billion in spending and contrib...

Biologists tagged an 87-pound paddlefish in 2007; 18 years later, the fish weighed 98 pounds

Biologists tagged an 87-pound paddlefish in 2007; 18 years later, the fish weighed 98 pounds

Times of India •

An impressive paddlefish, initially tagged in 2007, made headlines when an angler recaught it after an astonishing eighteen years. This ancient species revealed invaluable long-term growth data to scientists, adding eleven pounds and increasing its length by three inches. Such recaptures are pivotal, offering critical insights into fish survival and migration, underscoring the necessity of sustain...

Infantino denies affair allegation, FIFA slams ‘concerted’ effort to weaken him

Infantino denies affair allegation, FIFA slams ‘concerted’ effort to weaken him

France 24 •

FIFA on Saturday issued a statement defending its president, Gianni Infantino, against what it called a “concerted and ongoing effort” to undermine his leadership of the organisation. It came a day after a British newspaper accused the FIFA boss of paying off a fomer lover while at UEFA, allegations Infantino has categorically denied.

Infantino denies affair allegation, FIFA slams ‘concerted’ effort to weaken him

Infantino denies affair allegation, FIFA slams ‘concerted’ effort to weaken him

France 24 •

FIFA on Saturday issued a statement defending its president, Gianni Infantino, against what it called a “concerted and ongoing effort” to undermine his leadership of the organisation. It came a day after a British newspaper accused the FIFA boss of paying off a fomer lover while at UEFA, allegations Infantino has categorically denied.

Police dismantle alleged triad group that ran account centres to launder HK$600 million

Police dismantle alleged triad group that ran account centres to launder HK$600 million

SCMP •

Hong Kong police have arrested 147 people after uncovering a triad syndicate suspected of setting up centres to coordinate bank accounts and handle HK$600 million (US$76 million) in allegedly illicit proceeds. Police said on Sunday that they had conducted a citywide operation code-named “Rapidhorse” over the previous two days against the syndicate allegedly operating drug and illegal gambling dens...

DPD temporary workers may have missed out on sick pay and pensions, internal documents show

DPD temporary workers may have missed out on sick pay and pensions, internal documents show

The Guardian •

Missing payments suggest employment laws may have been breached by recruitment agencies used by courier companyLow-paid temporary workers at one of the UK’s top courier businesses have missed out on entitlements to sick pay and pension contributions, internal documents suggest.The payments – typically included in the “charge rate” that large brands pay recruitment companies to supply them with tem...

Maldives’ plea to restart South Asian bloc hits India-Pakistan brick wall

Maldives’ plea to restart South Asian bloc hits India-Pakistan brick wall

SCMP •

The Maldives recently called to revive a South Asian grouping, which has been suspended for over a decade. But given the tensions between two of the most influential countries in that region – India and Pakistan – that request is likely to go unheeded, according to observers. Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu said on July 26 that his country was ready to help resume the South Asian Association for...

Sydney gardener fined almost $200,000 for removing 287 trees to improve harbourside mansion’s water views

Sydney gardener fined almost $200,000 for removing 287 trees to improve harbourside mansion’s water views

The Guardian •

Local council described incident as ‘worst act of environmental vandalism in Lane Cove history’Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastIt began with a gardener being hired to trim grass at harbour-side mansion in Sydney – and escalated to payments being left in a shoe for the unlawful felling of hundreds of native trees in protected bushland.Now a court has fined Yi Wang $187,50...

China cancels flights, issues evacuation orders as Typhoon Dolphin makes landfall

China cancels flights, issues evacuation orders as Typhoon Dolphin makes landfall

France 24 •

China's National Meteorological Centre on Sunday issued a red typhoon alert, its most severe warning, as Typhoon Dolphin made landfall in Yuhuan in the southeastern Zhejiang province. Flights in and out of China's densely populated eastern coast were cancelled and nearly 100,000 people were relocated to less risky areas, according to authorities. 

China cancels flights, issues evacuation orders as Typhoon Dolphin looms

China cancels flights, issues evacuation orders as Typhoon Dolphin looms

France 24 •

China's National Meteorological Centre on Sunday issued a red typhoon alert, its most severe warning, as Typhoon Dolphin barrelled towards the country's densely populated eastern coast. Flights in and out of the region were cancelled and nearly 100,000 people were relocated to less risky areas, according to authorities. Typhoon Dolphin is expected to make landfall late Sunday or early Monday.

‘Like a fridge’: families cool off in snow parks, malls as helpers struggle in record heat

‘Like a fridge’: families cool off in snow parks, malls as helpers struggle in record heat

SCMP •

Hong Kong families sought relief from the scorching heat on Sunday, with some cooling off at a snow park, while domestic helpers said they had little choice but to remain outdoors as the city endured its hottest temperatures in 142 years. The city recorded the highest temperature since records began in 1884 in the afternoon under the influence of Severe Typhoon Dolphin. The Hong Kong Observatory s...

Hong Kong records hottest day in 142 years as Typhoon Dolphin brings extreme heat

Hong Kong records hottest day in 142 years as Typhoon Dolphin brings extreme heat

SCMP •

Hong Kong has recorded the highest temperature since records began in 1884 on Sunday afternoon under the impact of Severe Typhoon Dolphin. According to the Hong Kong Observatory, the outer subsiding air associated with Dolphin brought generally fine and extremely hot weather to Guangdong province. By 1.30pm, the maximum temperature at the Observatory reached 36.8 degrees Celsius (98 Fahrenheit), t...