Single shark bite led to death of woman off California coast, autopsy shows
The Guardian •

Single shark bite led to death of woman off California coast, autopsy shows

Erica Fox left Lovers Point near Monterey in December alongside group of swimmers but never made it backA single, devastating shark bite was fatal for an ocean swimmer whose body was found on a California beach in December, a new autopsy report confirmed.Erica Fox, 55, drowned after that shark bite broke her pelvis and severed a major artery, according to the findings of the autopsy, which were fi...

Single shark bite led to death of woman whose body was found on California beach, autopsy shows
The Guardian •

Single shark bite led to death of woman whose body was found on California beach, autopsy shows

Erica Fox left Lovers Point near Monterey in December alongside group of swimmers but never made it backA single, vicious shark bite was fatal for an ocean swimmer whose body was found on a California beach in December, a new autopsy report confirmed.Erica Fox, 55, drowned after that shark bite broke her pelvis and severed a major artery, according to the findings of the autopsy, which were first ...

Unknown number of people missing after Indonesian ferry fire kills 5

Unknown number of people missing after Indonesian ferry fire kills 5

SCMP •

Indonesian rescuers searched for possible missing passengers on Monday after rescuing 231 people from a ferry that caught fire the previous day off the main island of Java, leaving at least five people dead. Passengers described leaping overboard and staying afloat for hours before rescue. The Mutiara Sentosa 2 ferry was travelling from Indonesia’s second-largest city of Surabaya in East Java to t...

What’s a Burmese python doing in Causeway Bay? Expert links reptile to rain

What’s a Burmese python doing in Causeway Bay? Expert links reptile to rain

SCMP •

A Burmese python has gone viral on social media after it was spotted along a busy road in a Hong Kong shopping district on Sunday evening, with an expert saying heavy rain over recent weeks may have forced wild animals into urban areas. The snake was caught on camera by a passing jogger near Causeway Bay’s Jardine Noonday Gun at around 11pm that day. In the clip, the reptile, which appears to be a...

One renter and 175 years of creaking floors: Inside Calista Hill’s unusual new home

One renter and 175 years of creaking floors: Inside Calista Hill’s unusual new home

Times of India •

Calista Hill recently became the only resident of a beautifully restored eight-unit brownstone, moving in just before others purchased their units. While some social media commentary hinted at ghostly presences, Hill attributed the unexplained sounds to the vintage architecture. Open house viewings are in progress, and soon, new neighbors will join her in this historic building.

UK jails man for claiming late mum’s benefits while keeping her body in freezer

UK jails man for claiming late mum’s benefits while keeping her body in freezer

SCMP •

A British man who kept his mother’s ⁠body in ⁠a freezer for nearly ⁠three years while he received almost £80,000 (US$108,000) of her welfare benefits was jailed on Monday. Christopher Phillips, 60, had admitted preventing the lawful and decent burial of his 89-year-old mother Sylvia Phillips after ‌she died in March 2023 until his arrest at their home in Porthcawl, south Wales, in February this ye...

France slams hard-right Reform UK party's plan to use navy to stop Channel migrants

France slams hard-right Reform UK party's plan to use navy to stop Channel migrants

France 24 •

The hard-right Reform UK party on Monday revealed plans for "the largest military operation" in the Channel "since World War II", which would deploy Britain's Royal Navy to return small migrant boats to France. France was quick to slam the proposal later on Monday, calling it "a violation of French sovereignty". 

Hard-right Reform UK proposes navy-led operation to stop small migrant boats

Hard-right Reform UK proposes navy-led operation to stop small migrant boats

France 24 •

The hard-right Reform UK party on Monday revealed plans for "the largest military operation" in the Channel "since World War II", which would deploy Britain's Royal Navy to return small migrant boats to France. The proposal – which experts and other political parties promptly rubbished – comes as Reform and its leader Nigel Farage are embroiled in a series of scandals. 

After Donald Trump's latest U-turn, uncertainty remains over talks with Iran

After Donald Trump's latest U-turn, uncertainty remains over talks with Iran

France 24 •

Between the U-turns, the posturing, the denials and the flexing of military might, it's hard to know exactly where negotiations between the US and Iran are actually at - if they have gone anywhere. While US President Donald Trump says negotiations are underway, Tehran has denied that any are planned but that it is in talks with Oman.

Farage admits he discussed returning as Reform leader months earlier than previously stated

Farage admits he discussed returning as Reform leader months earlier than previously stated

The Guardian •

Admission may undermine Farage’s account of circumstances surrounding £5m gift from crypto billionaireUK politics live – latest updatesNigel Farage has admitted he held talks about the possibility of returning as Reform UK’s leader months before the 2024 general election, potentially undermining his own account of the circumstances in which he received a £5m gift from a crypto billionaire.It was r...

Singapore jails man who had secret sexual ‘relationship’ with niece, 13

Singapore jails man who had secret sexual ‘relationship’ with niece, 13

SCMP •

In getting into a sexual relationship with his 13-year-old niece, a man sexually exploited her, raped her during staycations and “punished” her with sex acts when he grew jealous about a schoolmate she was dating. The 38-year-old Singaporean man, who cannot be named to protect the victim’s identity, was sentenced to 21 years’ jail and 16 strokes of the cane on Monday. He pleaded guilty to six char...

Chinese military unveils AI system to plan and coordinate mass air strikes

Chinese military unveils AI system to plan and coordinate mass air strikes

SCMP •

The Chinese air force is using an AI-enabled system to draw up battle plans for operations involving more than 100 units, according to a state television documentary. The “intelligent strike planning system” was designed to help commanders and pilots by prioritising targets, coordinating attack waves and allocating specific tasks to units, the CCTV programme broadcast on Sunday said, adding that i...

Iran war could still alter Beijing’s policy calculus: economist

Iran war could still alter Beijing’s policy calculus: economist

SCMP •

With the US-Israel war on Iran entering its sixth month, Chinese policymakers have a multitude of questions weighing on their minds, with two proving particularly thorny according to a prominent economist: how much longer the conflict might last, and whether it will necessitate adjustments to previous plans. While the continuing impact on China might remain “small”, said Mao Zhenhua – co-director ...