Hong Kong bus operators seek fare hikes of up to 17.7% amid fuel price surge
SCMP •

Hong Kong bus operators seek fare hikes of up to 17.7% amid fuel price surge

Four Hong Kong franchised bus operators have applied to raise fares by up to 17.7 per cent, citing “significant financial pressure” from soaring fuel prices driven by the Middle East conflict. Citybus has sought the steepest increase, at 17.7 per cent, followed by the KMB Company at 16 per cent. Long Win Bus and New Lantao Bus have applied for rises of 8.1 per cent and 9.8 per cent respectively, a...

Polyethylene Microplastics And Liver Risk: Texas A&M links exposure to fatty liver signs; questions remain for human health

Polyethylene Microplastics And Liver Risk: Texas A&M links exposure to fatty liver signs; questions remain for human health

Times of India •

New research from Texas A&M University indicates that polyethylene microplastics may affect liver health negatively. The study observed significant signs of fatty liver disease linked to polyethylene exposure and a high-fat diet. Researchers found changes in gene activity related to fat metabolism and tissue repair. Future investigations will focus on whether these pollutants contribute to mor...

Two Arizona brothers, aged 10 and 12, vanished into the desert; a helicopter-assisted search found them safe after eight hours

Two Arizona brothers, aged 10 and 12, vanished into the desert; a helicopter-assisted search found them safe after eight hours

Times of India •

On October 11, a frantic search ensued for two young brothers, Atom and Jack Ward, who vanished while playing outside. Their worried father alerted authorities when they didn't return home. A collaborative effort involving local businesses and rescue teams, along with aerial support from the Arizona Department of Public Safety, led to their discovery six miles from home, with one boy still barefoo...

NASA’s Perseverance rover breaks Mars driving record, covering 28.1 miles in five years

NASA’s Perseverance rover breaks Mars driving record, covering 28.1 miles in five years

Times of India •

NASA's Perseverance rover has set a new distance record on Mars, traveling 28.10 miles in its mission, eclipsing the previous record of 28.06 miles set by Opportunity in nearly 15 years. This remarkable feat, achieved over five and a half years, showcases Perseverance's advanced autonomous navigation system as it investigates ancient geological structures and collects rock samples to enhance our s...

Ukraine live: EU sees 'no indication' US intel-sharing halted as Kyiv slams Starlink restrictions

Ukraine live: EU sees 'no indication' US intel-sharing halted as Kyiv slams Starlink restrictions

France 24 •

The EU on Wednesday said it had no indication that Washington had halted intelligence sharing with Ukraine after Kyiv complained it had not been warned of incoming Russian strikes. An adviser to Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier said that unannounced restrictions to the Starlink satellite system were “depriving” the country of its means of defence. Follow our liveblog for the latest u...

Ukraine live: EU sees 'no indications' US intel-sharing halted as Kyiv slams Starlink restrictions

Ukraine live: EU sees 'no indications' US intel-sharing halted as Kyiv slams Starlink restrictions

France 24 •

The EU on Wednesday said it had no indication that the United States had halted intelligence sharing with Ukraine after Kyiv complained it had not been warned of incoming Russian strikes. An adviser to Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier said that unannounced restrictions to the Starlink satellite system were “depriving” Ukraine of its means of defence. Follow our liveblog for the lates...

Small acts, shared dreams: students find purpose in helping children in need

Small acts, shared dreams: students find purpose in helping children in need

SCMP •

About 300 Hong Kong students applied this year for roughly 30 places on an overseas programme to help children in need, up from about 50 applicants last year. Dream Compassioneers co-founder Chan Yik-yeung said the response also showed what students could achieve when trusted with responsibility. Founded in 2020, the organisation runs local and overseas service programmes and is a member of the In...

Russia batters Ukraine’s power facilities amid Kyiv’s growing strain with US

Russia batters Ukraine’s power facilities amid Kyiv’s growing strain with US

SCMP •

Ukraine on Wednesday accused Russia of wilfully flouting Donald Trump’s purported “energy ceasefire” and passing up an opportunity to ease hostilities, after a renewed wave of deadly strikes across the country that also hit vital power supplies. Kyiv in particular faced a barrage of powerful ballistic missiles and attack drones targeting energy facilities and critical infrastructure, despite the U...

Russian strikes kill 6 in Ukraine, knocking out power across Kyiv

Russian strikes kill 6 in Ukraine, knocking out power across Kyiv

SCMP •

Heavy overnight Russian strikes killed at least six people in Ukraine and cut power to large parts of the capital Kyiv, authorities said on Wednesday. The attacks on multiple regions came after President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine had received no advance warning from Western allies before a Russian strike on a Kyiv power plant. Ukraine relies heavily on Western intelligence to detect incoming...

Europe Today: Spanish FM on Euronews, Black Sea drone attacks, EU-China reset

Euronews •

Spain is under pressure on multiple fronts: war in Ukraine, a housing crisis, snap elections, and tension with Morocco over Ceuta. Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares tells Maria Tadeo how Madrid is coping. Plus: Drone attacks in the Black Sea, an EU-China reset, and Ireland's EU budget plan.

Businesses could be barred from non-essential water use amid supply threat

Businesses could be barred from non-essential water use amid supply threat

The Guardian •

Golf clubs, private schools and car washes may face tighter rules from water companies as England’s drought continuesThree water companies are seeking to impose severe restrictions on businesses as the drought continues across most of England, putting rivers and wildlife under huge pressure.Golf clubs and private schools could be barred from using mains water to irrigate playing fields and courses...

Ukrainian soldier to go on trial over sabotage of Nord Stream gas pipelines

Ukrainian soldier to go on trial over sabotage of Nord Stream gas pipelines

The Guardian •

Special forces officer Serhii Kuznetsov denies involvement in the 2022 blasts that left pipelines badly damaged A Ukrainian soldier is to go on trial in Hamburg accused of taking part in one of the most brazen acts of sabotage in postwar European history – the 2022 attack on the Nord Stream gas pipelines between Russia and Germany.Serhii Kuznetsov, a special forces officer from the Ukrainian milit...