Euronews •

Fuel: government ends duty discount and waits for EU

The Meloni government has neither renewed the fuel excise discount nor launched the mooted tax rebate scheme. Brussels awaits the 15-16 October European Council, while EU capitals move ahead in a haphazard fashion.

UK man buys vase for £1; finds it's a Chinese imperial Qianlong piece and sells it for £484,000
Times of India •

UK man buys vase for £1; finds it's a Chinese imperial Qianlong piece and sells it for £484,000

In a heartwarming tale of luck, a man acquired a simple yellow vase for just £1 at a charity shop. Upon listing it on eBay, he was inundated with inquiries, prompting him to seek expert appraisal. Experts revealed that it was an imperial piece crafted for the Qianlong Emperor, leading to a whirlwind auction. In a stunning twist, the vase fetched £484,000, transforming the man's financial fate trem...

Anti-terror arrests in Indonesia highlight challenge of combating ‘virtual’ groups

Anti-terror arrests in Indonesia highlight challenge of combating ‘virtual’ groups

SCMP •

The recent arrests of 11 suspected terrorists by authorities in Indonesia underline how terrorism remains a persistent security challenge, with analysts warning that militant networks are communicating online through smaller and decentralised cells despite stronger enforcement. The Indonesian National Police’s counterterrorism force, Special Detachment 88 (Densus 88), said on Sunday that 11 suspec...

Mining millionaire paid $50,000 for land that became LA’s Griffith Park 14 years later

Mining millionaire paid $50,000 for land that became LA’s Griffith Park 14 years later

Times of India •

In 1882, mining magnate Griffith J. Griffith acquired a vast ranch in the Santa Monica Mountains, later donating much of it to create Griffith Park in 1896. This park provided vital recreational areas and cultural amenities for the people of Los Angeles. While Griffith's personal life may complicate his legacy, the park remains a cherished asset for the community, showcasing its enduring value as ...

Badenoch delivers speech on final day of Tory conference – UK politics live

Badenoch delivers speech on final day of Tory conference – UK politics live

The Guardian •

Conservative leader is addressing delegates in Birmingham Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, is speaking now at the conference. He described Nick Timothy as the “Bob the Builder” of the next parliament on the basis of the Tory pledge to build 50,000 prison places.“Can he fix it? Yes he can,” Philp said. He went on:I know we didn’t get everything right in government, but we now have a plan to ...

Paramount wraps up mega Warner Bros merger to create Hollywood powerhouse Skydance

Paramount wraps up mega Warner Bros merger to create Hollywood powerhouse Skydance

France 24 •

Paramount Skydance completed its blockbuster $110 billion takeover of Warner Bros Discovery on Tuesday, creating a Hollywood heavyweight that hands CEO David Ellison control of one of the world's ​largest entertainment and news businesses. The deal brings together the studios behind "Mission: Impossible," "Harry Potter" and DC Studios alongside major television and streaming networks such as CBS, ...

‘Ensuring dignified life’: how an app keeps advanced cancer patients out of hospital

‘Ensuring dignified life’: how an app keeps advanced cancer patients out of hospital

SCMP •

Advanced-stage cancer patients could spend half as long in hospital and avoid more than a third of unplanned admissions if a symptom-tracking mobile app is added to their routine care, according to new research from the University of Hong Kong. The SUPPORT+ mobile app, developed by HKU’s clinical oncology department, provides symptom-management information and a direct line of communication with h...

Israel marks three years since Hamas's October 7 attack

Israel marks three years since Hamas's October 7 attack

France 24 •

Israel marks the third anniversary of Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack on Wednesday, just weeks before an election in which the deadliest day in the country's history will be front and centre. Memorial events are planned throughout the day to pay tribute to the scores of people killed by militants led by the Islamist movement during their assault from Gaza. For more, FRANCE 24's Stuart Norval is joi...

Three years since Hamas October 7 attack: What did Netanyahu know?

Three years since Hamas October 7 attack: What did Netanyahu know?

France 24 •

Israel marked the third anniversary of Hamas's October 7 attack on Wednesday with intense political debate, weeks before elections in which the country's deadliest day will be front and centre. Accusations that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu failed to stop Hamas's October 7 attack have threatened to poison his campaign, particularly since reports emerged suggesting the United Arab Emirates and...

Houthis attack Aden airport as fighting intensifies in Yemen

Houthis attack Aden airport as fighting intensifies in Yemen

France 24 •

Yemen's Houthis attacked Aden's international airport with ballistic missiles and explosive-laden drones on Wednesday, the country's Transport Ministry said, as fighting between the Iran-aligned group and Saudi-backed government forces intensified. Fighting has been focussed in recent days on areas around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a shipping route that has become more crucial for energy exports si...

Trump to speak to Putin on plague as US, UN urge transparency

Trump to speak to Putin on plague as US, UN urge transparency

France 24 •

US President Donald Trump said Tuesday he would speak very soon with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the reported plague death of a laboratory technician, as Washington and the United Nations called for transparency from Moscow. Russian authorities denied that they were imposing anti-plague measures and played down the reports of an incident at a plague research institute in Siberia's Irkuts...

Cancer cases rising among young people, research finds

Cancer cases rising among young people, research finds

France 24 •

New major research has found that cases of several different types of cancer have risen sharply among young people in England, the United States, and the Netherlands. Researchers are not exactly sure why there has been such an increase, but say it could be linked to a growing rate of obesity, poor diets and a lack of exercise.

IMF chief urges governments to tighten belts as global debt levels soar

IMF chief urges governments to tighten belts as global debt levels soar

The Guardian •

Kristalina Georgieva says big economies will have to make ‘very touch choices’ as soaring bond yields hit budgetsBusiness live – latest updatesThe head of the International Monetary Fund has called on governments across big economies to tighten their belts as soaring bond yields hit budgets.Speaking in Singapore, the IMF’s managing director, Kristalina Georgieva, said global debt-to-GDP ratios wer...

Like father, like son: Chinese duo build mini national engineering marvels in home lab

Like father, like son: Chinese duo build mini national engineering marvels in home lab

SCMP •

A Chinese father-and-son duo established a home laboratory to create miniature models of China’s significant national strategic hardware, captivating many online with their skill and passion. Duan Yanjuan, a 13-year-old second-year junior secondary school student in Shanghai, has already replicated turbojet engines, pulse detonation engines, and an electromagnetic aircraft launch system, with assi...