October 7, hour by hour: How the Hamas attack on Israel unfolded
France 24 •

October 7, hour by hour: How the Hamas attack on Israel unfolded

On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a series of deadly attacks on Israeli towns and military sites near the Gaza border in a massive, coordinated assault. We look back, hour by hour, at how the events unfolded that day and how it has become known as the biggest massacre that the Jewish state has ever seen.

Trump-backed Ken Paxton reportedly blames Iran war and high gas prices for midterms struggles as president heads to Texas – live
The Guardian •

Trump-backed Ken Paxton reportedly blames Iran war and high gas prices for midterms struggles as president heads to Texas – live

Leaked audio shows state’s attorney general tell fundraiser affordability is his campaign’s biggest problem; Trump due to speak in Texas on WednesdayCalifornia to ‘actively monitor’ possible threats after Trump said Iran could ‘take out’ LA and San DiegoSign up for the Breaking News US emailKen Paxton, aware of just how competitive his race for Senate is, acknowledged that high gas prices as a res...

French wine output set to hit historic low after record summer heatwaves
France 24 •

French wine output set to hit historic low after record summer heatwaves

The French agriculture ministry on Wednesday forecast a historic low wine output this year after a summer of record high temperatures and a reduction in cultivated areas. The total harvest plunged 14 percent below the 2021–2025 average, with the Champagne region hit hardest due to an early harvest after the heat increased a sugar buildup.

Tories accused of prioritising rich voters as Badenoch lays out inheritance tax cut plan

Tories accused of prioritising rich voters as Badenoch lays out inheritance tax cut plan

The Guardian •

Party hopes to win over affluent middle-class voters as Badenoch rejects calls to ‘unite the right’ in conference speechUK politics live – latest updatesKemi Badenoch has announced the Conservatives would abolish inheritance tax on family homes if elected, prompting immediate criticism that she was prioritising cutting taxes for the rich.The Tory leader also said that couples would be able to leav...

Sri Lanka’s ex-first lady arrested in charity corruption probe

Sri Lanka’s ex-first lady arrested in charity corruption probe

SCMP •

Sri Lanka’s anti-corruption authority arrested former first lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa on Wednesday over allegations that her charity misused donations collected for a children’s hospital. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s government has revived long-dormant corruption investigations involving members of the once-powerful Rajapaksa family, which dominated Sri Lankan politics for nearly two decade...

India-born US citizen drives research into light at sanctioned Chinese school

India-born US citizen drives research into light at sanctioned Chinese school

SCMP •

“Science has no borders,” Arup Neogi, an India-born scientist who works at a US-sanctioned university, told Chinese state media. Neogi’s speciality is photonics, the study of generating, controlling and detecting light. At the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC) in the southwestern city of Chengdu, he leads a team exploring the interconnection between light and sound. ...

Ohio neighbour ordered to pay $11,523 after cutting down 15-foot spruce during fence work

Ohio neighbour ordered to pay $11,523 after cutting down 15-foot spruce during fence work

Times of India •

A court decision in Whitehouse, Ohio, underscores the necessity of neighborly communication after Michael Meier unlawfully removed a 15-foot spruce tree from the Longs' yard. The Lucas County Court imposed treble damages totaling $11,523.87 for the loss, while a higher court dismissed the Longs' adverse possession claims. This case serves as a reminder of the repercussions of negligence and the im...

'Time doesn't heal': Parents of October 7 attacks victim Aner Shapira

'Time doesn't heal': Parents of October 7 attacks victim Aner Shapira

France 24 •

The parents of a 22-year-old Israeli man who was killed when Hamas attacked the Nova music festival on October 7, 2023 have told FRANCE 24 how they can still feel him surrounding them even though he's no longer here. Shira and Moshe Shapira say that time doesn't heal, but they are learning how to live with their loss. Their son Aner managed to throw seven grenades back towards Hamas fighters, befo...

Hong Kong and Indonesia can deepen green finance ties, Jakarta envoy says

Hong Kong and Indonesia can deepen green finance ties, Jakarta envoy says

SCMP •

Hong Kong and Indonesia can deepen cooperation in green finance as their ties strengthen, the country’s special envoy for international trade has said, adding that the city’s common law expertise can support the nation’s efforts to attract family offices. Hong Kong also played a vital role as a conduit channelling mainland China investments to Asean, Mari Elka Pangestu told reporters before delive...

Ontario court banned backyard burning in 2023; 3 years later, man loses barbecue rights

Ontario court banned backyard burning in 2023; 3 years later, man loses barbecue rights

Times of India •

An Ontario man has faced restrictions on using barbecues and fire devices after smoke complaints. The Superior Court of Justice ruled against the man following numerous violations of a fire injunction. Initially, he was allowed to use a barbecue, but soon it became a source of nuisance. The judge noted the man's behavior as intentional disruption to his neighbors' enjoyment.

‘Now is the moment’: housing activists at Madrid encampment pin wary hopes on Spain’s early election

‘Now is the moment’: housing activists at Madrid encampment pin wary hopes on Spain’s early election

The Guardian •

Campaigners set up in more than 1,200 tents in Puerto del Sol square say challenge now is to translate a groundswell of public support into concrete changeAt a makeshift lunch counter tucked within a maze of tents at a housing protest camp in Madrid, Sélpide San Luis pointed to the dizzying pace of change.“We built a city in a week,” said the 26-year-old, whose videos documenting day-to-day life a...