Prime Minister Han Seong-sook speaks during a meeting on official development assistance, Thursday. Yonhap The government finalized a budget proposal for official development assistance (ODA) for 2027 at 6.3 trillion won ($4.6 billion) on Thursday, marking an increase of 871.2 billion won from this year. The budget proposal was part of the comprehensive ODA plan for 2027 approved during a meeting presided over by Prime Minister Han Seong-sook. The budget will be finalized after a review by the ministry of planning and budget and then approval from the National Assembly. Next year's plan, drawn up based on a mid-term ODA strategy that the government…
AI & Machine Learning All ›
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Korea proposes 2027 ODA budget at $4.6 billion
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How to set up a yoga or pilates studio in Spain
Yoga and pilates have become very popular in Spain. If you have a dream of setting up your own studio, here's everything you need to know, from the legal requirements to what else you need to consider. Many foreigners move to Spain hoping to set up their own business as a way to earn a living without competing against locals for jobs, particularly with such high unemployment rates. One type of business venture that is popular and is a dream for many people is to set up a yoga or pilates studio, but how easy or difficult is it to actually set one up here? Yoga and pilates are already popular pastimes in Spain and there are many studios, especially in…
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Alibaba unit says 5-in-1 AI gives robots unified brain, body and limbs
Alibaba Group Holding’s mapping unit has unveiled an upgrade to what it calls the world’s first technology framework that unites a robot’s “feet, hands, brains, central nerves and motor nerves” into a single system. Amap’s ABot system marks the latest move in Chinese tech players’ race to harness artificial intelligence models to make robots more capable. Referred to as embodied intelligence, the effort aims to equip machines with the “brains” and other elements required to navigate and complete tasks in complex physical spaces. With five new specialised foundation AI models working together, ABot aimed to address a systemic problem in the industry,…
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(LEAD) S. Korea proposes 2027 ODA budget at $4.6 billion
(ATTN: UPDATES with Han's remarks in last 2 paras; CHANGES photo) SEOUL, July 23 (Yonhap) -- The government finalized a budget proposal for official development assistance (ODA) for 2027 at 6.3 trillion won (US$4.6 billion) on Thursday, marking an increase of 871.2 billion won from this year. The budget proposal was part of the comprehensive ODA plan for 2027 approved during a meeting presided over by Prime Minister Han Seong-sook. The budget will be finalized after a review by the ministry of planning and budget and then approval from the National Assembly. Next year's plan, drawn up based on a mid-term ODA strategy that the government announced in…
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IAU Students experience Singapore's Aviation Ecosystem with ERAU Asia
As the global aviation industry continues to evolve, the demand for highly skilled aviation professionals is greater than ever. Staying relevant in this highly specialized and rapidly evolving field requires more than academic excellence—it calls for opportunities to learn beyond the classroom, engage with industry leaders, and experience how the world’s leading aviation systems operate. Guided by this belief, Indiana Aerospace University (IAU) continues to create international learning opportunities that prepare students for the evolving demands of the aviation industry. From May 18 to 23, 2026, IAU brought a delegation of students to Singapore for…
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Korea proposes 2027 ODA budget at $4.6 bil.
Prime Minister Han Seong-sook persides over a meeting at Government Complex Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap The government finalized a budget proposal for official development assistance (ODA) for 2027 at 6.3 trillion won ($4.6 billion) on Thursday, marking an increase of 871.2 billion won from this year. The budget proposal was part of the comprehensive ODA plan for 2027 approved during a meeting presided over by Prime Minister Han Seong-sook. The budget will be finalized after a review by the ministry of planning and budget and then approval from the National Assembly. Next year's plan, drawn up based on a mid-term ODA strategy that the government announced…
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Xi Jinping warns of ‘new historical injustice’ in AI. What does he mean - and can it be prevented?
SHANGHAI: Chinese President Xi Jinping’s warning against a “new historical injustice” in artificial intelligence (AI) is a message that the next technological revolution must not repeat past patterns of inequality, say analysts. That injustice, they say, would come if developing countries again supply data, resources and labour while others capture the wealth, influence and rewards created by AI - a divide that already appears to be forming. Xi made the warning on Jul 17 in his very first keynote address at the World AI Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai, where he also outlined a vision of China as a steward of global AI governance. Analysts say Xi’s…
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S. Korea proposes 2027 ODA budget at $4.6 billion
SEOUL, July 23 (Yonhap) -- The government finalized a budget proposal for official development assistance (ODA) for 2027 at 6.3 trillion won (US$4.6 billion) on Thursday, marking an increase of 871.2 billion won from this year. The budget proposal was part of the comprehensive ODA plan for 2027 approved during a meeting presided over by Prime Minister Han Seong-sook. The budget will be finalized after a review by the ministry of planning and budget and then approval from the National Assembly. Next year's plan, drawn up based on a mid-term ODA strategy that the government announced in May, calls for focusing on healthcare, culture and artificial…
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Using AI To Find Loopholes In Legal Restrictions On AI-Powered Mental Health Chats
Using AI to find loopholes in laws and safety mechanisms underlying AI for mental health. getty In today’s column, I examine ways in which people are using AI to find loopholes in the legal restrictions and AI safety mechanisms associated with AI-based mental health chats. This is a somewhat oddish effort in the sense that it amounts to using AI to outsmart various protections that are intended to guard the public from untoward mental health advice generated by AI and large language models (LLMs). Some users would prefer not to be bound by the rising tide of limitations. They believe that people ought to be allowed to use AI in an unfettered manner.…
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Fu Bao's baby sister celebrates 50 days since birth
A baby giant panda at Everland opens both eyes and begins crawling as it reaches 50 days, Thursday. Courtesy of Everland Just 50 days after making her quiet debut at Everland theme park, a newborn female giant panda is undergoing a dramatic change, offering a vivid portrait of early development as she reaches key growth benchmarks. Born on June 3 at a delicate 171 grams, the unnamed cub — the fourth female giant panda naturally bred in Korea following the celebrated births of Fu Bao in 2020 and twins Rui Bao and Hui Bao in 2023 — has transformed into a robust 2.3-kilogram infant. The 13-fold weight gain reflects both the formidable maternal instincts…
Tech & Gadgets All ›
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Why your wait for a bus in Singapore feels so long even when it is on time
Is your bus really late, or does it just feel like it? Inside Singaporeâs bus network We collected data on waiting times for millions of bus rides using the LTAâs bus arrival data. Hereâs what we learnt about waiting for the bus.
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AI trade keeps capital – and risks – flowing to emerging markets
For the most dramatic change in a benchmark index in financial markets in recent years, look no further than the stock markets of developing economies. Just over a year ago, mainland China and India had a combined weight of 50 per cent in the MSCI Emerging Markets Index. Fast forward to today, and it is South Korea and Taiwan that account for over half of the gauge. At the end of last month, the weight of South Korea in the index stood at nearly 24 per cent, four percentage points more than that of China, whose economy is almost 10 times the size of South Korea’s. The weight of Taiwan’s economy alone stood at 27 per cent. That’s double the weight of…
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Britain isn't considering datacenters' thirst for water in its 'AI superpower' ambitions
ON-PREM Britain isn't considering datacenters' thirst for water in its 'AI superpower' ambitions Grand compute push could end up as dry as England's reservoirs unless ministers act fast The UK government's blueprint for turning Britain into an AI superpower largely ignore the water datacenters need, prompting warnings that these facilities could end up competing with homes and businesses for supply. The warning comes as parts of southern, central, and eastern England move closer to drought, putting the pressure on water availability firmly on the agenda. MPs were told earlier this year that official forecasts of England's future water needs excluded…
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Andy Burnham's plan to collaborate with social media creators
Another key strand of Burnham's campaigning strategy has been connecting with and organising grassroots social media activists. Among the politicians and staffers invited to stand outside Number 10 to watch Burnham become prime minister on Monday were teenage TikTokers whose video edits have brought him to a new social media audience. Between them, Will, Lottie, Megan, Ellen and Poppy, all aged between 17 and 19 have racked up millions of likes on TikTok, and across platforms share memes, trends and nostalgic edits of New Labour footage, including of Burnham's time in office. The Labour activists were invited to canvass with him and make edits of his…
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Your next WHOOP could be free, courtesy of this fancy platinum credit card
Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority TL;DR Robinhood now includes a yearly WHOOP Peak membership as a credit card perk. WHOOP users will be eligible for a $239 credit for an annual membership, hardware included. The offer is only valid if you make the purchase through your Robinhood Platinum Visa card. Despite newer alternatives, such as the Fitbit Air, cropping up recently, WHOOP’s screenless bands still take the top spot for people who care about fitness metrics more than anything. The companion app, however, is somewhat of a sticking point, not because of what it offers, but the subscription wall WHOOP puts up to let you access your health data.…
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Does your home look cheap and outdated? These affordable finds made my plain flat look so much more expensive - from high street homeware to marketplace steals
Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn more I had carefully curated a Pinterest board called ‘new home’ over the duration of a year. It consisted of dark wood furniture, stylish sofas by iconic designers of the 80s and luxury furnishings, like sheer floor-to-ceiling draped curtains and grand marble top dining tables. I've been determined to recreate my dream interior design. The only problem is my budget, which is as little as possible. Writing for esteemed homes \& interiors magazines such as Homes \& Gardens, Ideal Home and Living…
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Gentera Second Quarter Net Income Rises 11.6%
Mexico · Companies Key Facts —Net income. MXN 2,353 million (about US$127 million), up 11.6% year-on-year. —Loan portfolio. MXN 94,682 million (about US$5.12 billion), up 13.1% year-on-year. —Return on equity. 25.0%, at the top of the group’s 24%-25% target. —Net interest margin. 29.8%, in the elevated band typical for microfinance. —Clients. About 6.8 million, with new borrowers added across Mexico, Peru and Guatemala. Gentera second quarter net income reached MXN 2,353 million (about US$127 million), an 11.6% increase from a year earlier, the Mexican microfinance group reported in late July. The result was underpinned by a 13.1% expansion of its…
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Samsung promises even more software updates for the Galaxy Watch 9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2
Zac Kew-Denniss / Android Authority TL;DR Samsung will seemingly provide the Galaxy Watch 9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 with five major OS upgrades and five years of security patches. The watches launch with One UI 9n Watch based on Wear OS 7, and you can expect software support until 2031. This marks the best software update commitment in the smartwatch industry, beating the likes of Pixel Watch and Apple Watch. According to a report from SamMobile, the new Galaxy Watch 9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 will receive five major OS upgrades and five years of security patches. The new watches launch with One UI 9 Watch based on Wear OS 7, and you can expect…
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DIY home security vs professional systems, compared for your home
Home security and alarm systems are generally split into two categories. One includes DIY systems that can be installed by the customer without any outside help, and the other covers systems that require professional installation. Both types of system aim to protect your home by using motion detectors, cameras, door/window sensors and a range of other devices, then sound the alarm with a siren, plus phone notifications to keep you informed. DIY systems are often cheaper to get started, since you can buy only the bare essentials at first, install them yourself, then gradually build out a larger system over time. Some DIY systems store security camera…
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Orbia Second Quarter Swings to Profit as EBITDA Jumps 56%
Mexico · Companies Key Facts —Q2 2026 net revenue. US$2.352 billion, a 20% increase year on year. —Q2 2026 EBITDA. US$467 million, a 56% jump versus the same period in 2025. —Back to profit. Net income of US$15 million, reversing a US$126 million loss a year earlier. —Full-year outlook. Orbia now expects 2026 EBITDA of at least US$1,200 million. —Main drivers. Polymer Solutions (Vestolit), Building \& Infrastructure (Wavin) and Fluor \& Energy Materials. Orbia second quarter results marked a turnaround for the Mexican chemicals and materials group, which swung to a US$15 million net profit from a US$126 million loss a year earlier. Net revenue rose…
War & Conflicts All ›
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UNESCO urges Japan to disclose wartime forced labor at Sado mines
A plenary session of the 48th UNESCO World Heritage Committee is under way at BEXCO in Busan, Wednesday. Yonhap The UNESCO World Heritage Committee on Thursday adopted a resolution calling on Japan to reflect the "whole history" across all periods of mining exploitation in on-site interpretation and displays at the Sado mines. The adoption supports the Korean government's demand that Japan mention the mine's history of using wartime forced laborers from the Korean Peninsula and other Asian countries on signposts located in the heritage site. During the 48th session of the World Heritage Committee held at BEXCO in Busan, member states adopted the…
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Korea prepares its multicultural diaspora for military draft
A young Korean-Vietnamese dual national completes his mandatory military health screening at the Daejeon-South Chungcheong Regional Military Manpower Administration, Thursday. Courtesy of Military Manpower Administration Growing up in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City with one Korean parent, military service in a distant homeland often feels like a foreign obligation. Korea’s Military Manpower Administration set out to change that Thursday, opening its doors to a group of multicultural Korean-Vietnamese youth for an immersive trial of the nation's draft system. South Korea enforces a mandatory military service system requiring all able-bodied adult men to…
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Surrounded by militias, Sudanese fear endless cycle of war
KHARTOUM – In Sudan’s capital, young militiamen, some no older than 15, ride around in pickup trucks mounted with missiles: a familiar sight to civilians who remember how the current war began. Three years ago, a powerful militia that had come under the auspices of the state — the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) — turned against the army, sparking a conflict that has killed more than 200,000 people by some estimates. Now, with Sudan’s army relying on a new coalition of militias to fight its battles, many fear it is repeating the same cycle.
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US air campaign against Iran running out of steam — Politico
WASHINGTON, July 23. /TASS/. The US air campaign against Iran is running out of momentum, and the conflict is unlikely to shift decisively without a major escalation, including the deployment of ground forces, Politico reported, citing experts and sources. The news outlet noted that the United States has been conducting airstrikes against Iran for nearly two weeks after the latest ceasefire collapsed over alleged Iranian attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that the United States would destroy one bridge or one power plant in Iran in response to every attack on a vessel in the Strait of Hormuz.…
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Houthis say they attacked Saudi tankers in Red Sea, threatening new chokepoint in Iran war
Students march over U.S. and Israeli flags during a rally supporting the Houthi-imposed naval embargo against Saudi Arabia in Sana'a, Yemen, July 22. EPA-Yonhap CAIRO — The Iranian-aligned Houthis said on Thursday they struck two Saudi oil tankers as part of a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia, threatening to create a second chokepoint on global oil supplies alongside Iran's near-closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile the U.S. military completed a new round of strikes on Iran at President Donald Trump's direction, marking a 12th successive night of American attacks and prompting further Iranian retaliation. Iran said it attacked U.S. missile systems,…
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School student seriously injured in wild gaur attack in Kerala’s Idukki
In protest against the gaur attack, local residents stage a road blockade on the Marayur-Udumalpet highway on Thursday, demanding action to mitigate the rising number of wild animal attacks \| Photo Credit: special arrangement A Class 8 student was seriously injured after being attacked by a wild gaur while waiting for transport to school at Marayur in Idukki, Keraal, on Thursday morning. According to local residents, the incident occurred around 8:30 a.m. at Pallanad on the Munnar-Udumalpet highway near Marayur. The victim has been identified as Karthik Pandi, a student at a nearby school. The boy was waiting for an autorickshaw to take him to…
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How Israel used Venezuela earthquake response for propaganda in Caracas
On 24 June 2026, a deadly twin earthquake spread havoc across Venezuela, destroying 80 percent of buildings in the coastal state of La Guaira alone. Multiple reports put the death toll above 5,000 amid widespread devastation across the nation. The international response was prompt, with aid packages, engineers and rescue workers arriving from many countries. Despite the absence of diplomatic relations since 2009, the State of Israel also sent a delegation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Israeli military's Home Front Command to provide “aid and disaster response.” Led by Yoed Magen, Israel’s ambassador-designate to Mexico, pro-Israel…
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Houthis claim attack on Saudi tankers while US keeps hitting Iran
Yemen's Houthi rebels claimed Thursday that they attacked two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea as the U.S. launched a 12th straight night of strikes on Iran, escalating the battle over key shipping lanes. The Houthi attack in the Red Sea threatened to open a new front in a war that has roiled the global economy, sending prices for fuel and other goods surging across the world. With the standoff in the Gulf deepening, there were no signs of progress in diplomatic efforts to end the conflict. U.S. Central Command said its strikes were designed to "further degrade Iran's ability to threaten civilian mariners and commercial vessels transiting regional…
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Man dies days after arrest in Thoothukudi; family alleges custodial torture
Alleging police brutality, family members of Arunachalam, who died on the night of July 22, stage a protest in front of the Thoothukudi Government Medical College on Thursday. Former DMK Minister P. Geetha Jeevan is also seen \| Photo Credit: N. Rajesh A 24-year-old man, who was arrested by the Thoothukudi South police on Friday (July 17, 2026), died at the Thoothukudi Government Medical College Hospital (TKGMCH) in the early hours of Thursday (July 23). The deceased was identified as Arunachalam, 24, a habitual offender from Amutha Nagar in Thoothukudi. He had previously been arrested in connection with the possession of contraband. During a recent…
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What the papers say: Thursday's front pages
Budget 2027 and the wildfire in Tipperary are among the lead stories on Thursday's front pages. The Irish Times and Irish Examiner lead with stories on Budget 2027 following the Government’s Summer Economic Statement. The Irish Independent leads with the wildfire near Slievenamon in Co Tipperary. The Echo leads with a story on flooding concerns in Co Cork. The Irish Daily Star and The Herald lead with a man committing another murder after previously being found guilty of killing his sister. Amid the criminal legal aid dispute, the Irish Daily Mail reports a solicitor is to receive €31,000 for a day's work of 'free legal aid'.
Disasters & Emergencies All ›
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Who qualifies for the ₱2,000 Uplift assistance?
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Selected residents across the country may receive ₱2,000 in government assistance under the expanded Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (Uplift) Program. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), one of the agencies implementing the Uplift program, said the assistance is intended for around 7.5 million households affected […]...Keep on reading: Who qualifies for the ₱2,000 Uplift assistance?
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Sarangani town orders forced evacuation on riverbank dwellers
INQUIRER FILES KORONADAL CITY — The local government of Glan, Sarangani ordered Thursday the forced evacuation of residents living along Riverside, Barangay Poblacion, as the river continued to swell, raising fears of flooding and riverbank erosion.Glan Vice Mayor James Yap Jr., who personally inspected the area, led the evacuation after authorities found that the situation had become too dangerous.Yap said water levels could continue to rise, putting more houses in danger, as rains poured in various parts of the Soccsksargen region. READ: Sarangani resumes regular gov’t work, classes after major quake During the inspection, he saw several coconut…
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Homes designed for easier upkeep could mean lower maintenance fees for owners
SAVINGS EXTEND TO COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS The same approach is also being applied to commercial developments. One example is the redeveloped Shaw Tower at Beach Road, where features to make the building easier to maintain were incorporated into the design. An integrated track allows a single crane to clean or replace external glass panels, while permanent access systems such as cat ladders allow cooling towers to be serviced without erecting temporary scaffolding. Mr Darren Burrows, senior associate director for building services at engineering consultancy Beca – which worked on the project's building services and sustainability design – said such…
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Sea World pilot ‘likely mildly impaired’ by cocaine
Sea World pilot ‘likely mildly impaired’ by cocaine Rex Martinich July 23, 2026 — 6:19pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. AAA A helicopter pilot in a fatal midair collision during a theme park scenic flight was likely impaired by cocaine, alcohol and little sleep in the days prior, a coroner has heard. Sea World Helicopters pilot Ashley Jenkinson, 40, and three tourists were killed when his aircraft struck another chopper near the Gold Coast theme park on January 2, 2023. Sea World Helicopters pilot Ashley Jenkinson died in the 2023 crash along with three passengers.AAP, Nine…
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Public housing completed in Ishikawa for Noto quake victims
NANAO, ISHIKAWA PREF. – A ceremony was held in Nanao in Ishikawa Prefecture on Thursday to mark the completion of public housing built for people hit hard by the powerful Noto Peninsula earthquake in January 2024. This is the first time that construction of public housing units for victims of the earthquake has been completed in the prefecture. A total of 14 public housing units were built in a complex, with residents set to begin moving in next month. The complex consists of two- and three-story buildings and offers three types of layout, including one wheelchair-accessible unit. A community space has also been provided in the three-story building.…
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Teenage girl and woman in her 40s die after several people get into difficulty off Essex beach
Teenage girl and woman in her 40s die after several people get into difficulty off Essex beach By ELEANOR MANN and ED HOLT Published: 04:12 EDT, 23 July 2026 \| Updated: 04:13 EDT, 23 July 2026 A teenage girl and a woman in her 40s have died after several people got into difficulty at an Essex beach. It is believed they might have found themselves cut off from the beach after walking out to a sandbank. West Mersea Coastguard Rescue Team said in a post on Facebook: 'We have responded to a tragic incident on West Mersea beach. Our thoughts are with the family involved.' This morning, the beach has reopened to the public. Yesterday at least six…
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From ear popping to ankle swelling: What flying really does to the body – and how to manage the effects
Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story. The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political…
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Russian forces strike over two dozen vessels carrying cargoes for Ukraine since July 11
MOSCOW, July 23. /TASS/. Since July 11, Russian forces have officially struck 28 vessels at Ukrainian ports and at sea that were carrying military cargoes and fuel for the Ukrainian armed forces, according to TASS estimates based on data released by the Russian Defense Ministry. The ministry reported on July 12 that two dry-cargo vessels and a sea ferry carrying cargoes for the Ukrainian armed forces, as well as a patrol boat were hit in nighttime strikes on the Chernomorsk port. In addition, overnight to July 13, the Russian Armed Forces struck in Chernomorsk two RO-RO ferries and a container vessel that were carrying cargoes for Ukraine, as well as…
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Bengaluru cylinder blast: 10 migrant workers from West Bengal injured in suspected LPG leak explosion at Bommasandra PG
According to police, nine workers employed at M Engineering Company were staying in a room on the second floor of the PG. \| Photo Credit: Special arrangement Ten migrant workers sustained serious burn injuries after a suspected LPG cylinder explosion ripped through a paying guest (PG) accommodation in Bommasandra on the outskirts of Bengaluru early on Thursday (July 23, 2026) morning. The incident occurred at around 6.30 a.m. at Jai Sai Comforts, a PG accommodation located within the limits of Hebbagodi Police Station. The building is owned by Nagaraj Reddy and had reportedly been leased to another person. According to police, nine workers employed…
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Roughrider fans grapple with deaths ahead of game
REGINA – Some Saskatchewan Roughriders fans are heading into Thursday’s matchup against the Edmonton Elks with conflicting emotions, after a player and another man were killed in a highway crash. For longtime Roughriders fan Kerri Ludvigsen, it’s the first time in decades a friend has told her she doesn’t feel like going to the game. “She said, ‘It’s going to be so hard and my mind is split about it,'” Ludvigsen said Wednesday. “I told her that just because something is hard or a challenge or difficult doesn’t mean you walk away from it.” The players and coaching staff need all the support they can get, Ludvigsen added. “(They) are grappling with a…
Science All ›
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'James Bond lair' private island once owned by pioneering Brazilian butt lift surgeon on the market for £75 million
Brazilian butt lifts, Hollywood stars and even a former US president all feature in the history of a 75-acre private island that has been listed for sale. Pitanguy Island was once owned by world-renowned plastic surgeon Dr Ivo Pitanguy, the pioneer behind the iconic BBL. He died in 2016 aged 93 and left behind his exclusive abode which his family have been reportedly taking care of since. Located off the coast of Rio de Janeiro, Pitanguy Island is now up for grabs and has a hefty price tag of $100 million (£75 million) – among the world's most expensive private islands. The cosmetic surgeon, beauty and skincare specialist used the retreat as a private…
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Science word of the day: Abiotic
Science word of the day: Abiotic Pronunciation: Ay-bye-AH'-tik What it means: Abiotic means "without living organisms." Scientists typically use the term when referring to nonliving aspects of an ecosystem that affect organisms' growth or reproduction. Some abiotic factors might be light, water, fertilizer, nutrients or chemical elements, such as oxygen or sulfur. Others include the tides or rain. Sometimes, "abiotic" is used to describe the origin of a particular chemical. Abiotic methane, for example, comes from chemical reactions between rocks and water in Earth's crust, unlike biotic methane, which comes from decaying organic matter as well as…
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Japan’s deadliest fault line shifts, frustrating megaquake forecasts
A Japanese study has found that the locked zone in the Nankai Trough is not permanent but changes over time, further complicating the task of predicting megaquakes along the fault line. A locked zone is where tectonic plates merge, allowing stress to build up until it is released in an earthquake. In the case of the 900km (560-mile) long Nankai Trough off Japan’s Pacific coast, it is where the Philippine plate meets the Eurasian plate. The Philippine plate is slipping under the Eurasian plate at a rate of 4-6cm (1.6-2.4 inches) a year, according to a report of the study by The Mainichi newspaper. Earthquakes happen when the plates lock, causing…
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Himalaya’s birds grapple with a seasonal drop in insect prey
A black-throated parrotbill, an inhabitant of the eastern Himalayas \| Photo Credit: Dibyendu Ash As spring approaches in the hyper-biodiverse Himalayas, birds that are accustomed to cooler climes migrate to the north. This is driven not just by temperature or precipitation alone, but also the availability of prey: arthropods (insects and spiders). But climate change is altering the rhythm of this dynamic. Scientists at the Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, set out to study the phenomenon in Arunachal Pradesh’s Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary and understand the changing patterns in insect availability and…
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7,500 children waiting for first contact from disability teams
Figures from the HSE show 7,500 children are waiting for first contact with a Child Disability Network Team (CDNT) at the end of April. This is a drop from the 8,200 children who were waiting for first contact at the end of March. Of the 7,500 children waiting for first contact at the end of April, 4,776 are waiting for over a year. The Regional Healthcare Area (RHA) with the highest number of children waiting for first contact is HSE Dublin South East, with 1,946 children on waiting lists. Of those children, 1,381 are waiting over a year for first contact. This RHA covers Carlow, Kilkenny, South Tipperary, Waterford, Wexford, and most of Wicklow. HSE…
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Woongjin Foundation holds summer mentoring for math scholars
Woongjin Foundation Chairman Shin Hyon-ung, front row sixth from left, Woongjin Group Chairman Yoon Seok-keum, front row center, and former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, front row fifth from left, pose with students during a mentoring event of Woongjin Foundation's summer scholarship program at the Korea Press Center in Seoul, Thursday. Courtesy of Woongjin Foundation The Woongjin Foundation held its annual summer mentoring session for math scholars at the Korea Press Center in Seoul on Thursday, marking the foundation's 18th anniversary. Established in 2008 by the Woongjin Group, the organization provides academic support to high…
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4 myths cause us to abandon science. Here’s the path back.
There are a lot of people who think they know what science is, what science tells us, and how to evaluate claims based on their scientific merits. But are their assessments accurate? How do you, yourself, conceive of science? Do you do what most people do, and default to what you learned about science across a variety of classes in school, with a layer of cynicism and skepticism layered atop it? That’s understandable, as many of us remember being taught “facts” in our science classes that later were shown to be — if not completely incorrect — at least “not as they seemed” at the time. It’s as though, somewhere along the lines, many of us were taught…
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Killer whales: orcas blow fish to bits 'for fun', study finds
SYDNEY — A group of killer whales have been documented blowing a sunfish to bits in an unusual underwater escapade offering never-before-seen insights into orca behavior, according to research released Thursday. Video released by the US-based NGO Beneath The Waves shows one orca holding the tail of a sunfish, with its fellow whale then charging with full force into the rotund mola, which explodes into pieces. The sunfish is already dead — this isn’t an elaborate murder ritual. READ: Killer whales spotted grooming each other with seaweed Instead, it might be an attempt to turn the fish into smaller bite-sized […]...Keep on reading: Killer whales: orcas…
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Science minister to promote investments from big tech firms on U.S. trip
SEOUL, July 23 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's science minister expressed willingness to promote investments in local companies from U.S. big tech firms, ahead of his planned trip to Silicon Valley later Thursday. The key point of the visit will be to "strengthen cooperation so that big tech companies can invest in South Korea," Minister Bae Kyung-hoon told reporters after a meeting with chief executive officers (CEOs) of local telecom operators held in central Seoul. Discussions will center on artificial intelligence (AI) cooperation and market expansion, AI data centers and semiconductors, he added. Bae also said he plans to use the trip to promote South…
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Quality research and ethical publications key to academic success, says CUK Vice-Chancellor
Central University of Karnataka Vice-Chancellor Prof. Battu Sathyanarayana addressing newly-admitted research scholars at a seminar on Research and Publication Ethics, in the university on July 22, 2026. \| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT Honesty, integrity, originality and ethical conduct are the cornerstones of quality research and the foundation of a successful academic career, Vice-Chancellor of Central University of Karnataka (CUK) Professor Battu Sathyanarayana said on July 22. He inaugurated a workshop on Research and Publication Ethics (RPE) organised by the Central Library for newly admitted research scholars at the university’s Central…
Space & Exploration All ›
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A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is expected to crash into the moon this August
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is expected to crash into the moon this August Astronomers will be able to observe it from our planet. SpaceX On August 5 at around 2:35 AM ET, the upper stage of a Falcon 9 rocket is expected to crash into the moon near the Einstein Crater. As Gizmodo reports, it will likely be observable from certain locations on our planet using ground-based telescopes. It was Bill Gray, the creator of Project Pluto desktop planetarium program, who first determined that the rocket will hit the moon next month after feeding data into his program to predict the rocket's orbit and future path The upper stage that will be crashing into the…
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University to roll out screenings at pharmacies to uncover osteoporosis cases
The University of Hong Kong will roll out a screening programme at pharmacies across the city early next year to identify people at high risk of osteoporosis and prevent bone fractures. The institution’s Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine on Thursday launched the city’s first community pharmacist-led osteoporosis screening programme. The scheme will use a screening algorithm that allows pharmacists to identify high-risk patients during routine visits and refer them to family doctors for bone density scans and diagnosis. Osteoporosis affects about 30 per cent of women and 8 per cent of men aged 50 and older in Hong Kong. But up to 80 per cent of cases go…
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NASA whistleblowers claim 'alien presence' is hidden in altered moon photos
NASA's most famous astronauts secretly claimed that they encountered an alien presence on the moon and were told to keep it quiet for decades. Physicist Maaneli Derakhshani told the American Alchemy podcast that multiple Apollo missions allegedly captured photos of UFOs around the moon during the 1960s and 1970s, only to have those images altered before the public saw them. Derakhshani, who researches lunar and Martian surface anomalies, detailed instances where famous NASA photos taken by astronauts on the surface of the moon had been clearly altered when compared to public copies of the same images. The scientist said: 'One scan from the Lunar and…
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Lavrov reaffirms Russia’s commitment to Alaska agreements at meeting with Rubio
MOSCOW, July 23. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reaffirmed Moscow’s commitment to the agreements reached with Washington at last year's bilateral summit in Alaska during a meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Manila on Thursday, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement. "Lavrov reiterated Russia’s readiness to resolve the [Ukraine] conflict through political and diplomatic means and reaffirmed Moscow’s commitment to the proposals put forward by the United States at a meeting between President Vladimir Putin of Russia and President Donald Trump in Anchorage, Alaska, which were accepted by the Russian leader," the…
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Pakistan hits back at India's attempt to 'distort facts', says holding IWT in abeyance 'simply illegal'
Pakistan on Thursday rejected India’s attempt to “distort facts” about the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) at a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) open debate, saying that New Delhi’s actions in the aftermath of the attack in occupied Kashmir’s Pulwama were “simply illegal”. At a UNSC debate on natural resource governance, Pakistan’s Permanent Representation to the UN Asim Iftikhar Ahmad had highlighted India’s unilateral decision to hold the treaty in abeyance, saying that “no state should be permitted to abuse shared water resources as an instrument of coercion or political pressure, much less when it breaches solemn treaty obligations”. Subsequently,…
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Karnataka rain: Holiday declared in Joida, Dandeli taluks
A holiday has been declared on July 23 for anganwadis, primary and high schools in Dandeli and Joida taluks of Uttara Kannada district in Karnataka because of heavy rainfall. The respective tahsildars issued the order as a precautionary measure. Deficit monsoon in Karnataka Overall, Karnataka seems to have received less rain than normal. The cumulative storage in the four reservoirs in Karnataka’s Cauvery basin – Harangi, Hemavati, KRS and Kabini – accounts for just 52% of their full storage capacity as of now. Of this, the storage at KRS is particularly poor as it accounts for a mere 35% of its full capacity. The inflows too are poor as KRS reported…
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City that never sleeps: Seoul opens Han River banks to overnight camping
Yeouido Hangang Park Swimming Pool / Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government As summer temperatures peak across the Korean peninsula, the municipal government is taking a bold gamble on the economic potential of the midnight hour. On Thursday, city officials unveiled a major initiative to transform the banks of the Han River into a bustling, 24-hour cultural ecosystem, anchoring the capital’s broader bid to build a thriving nighttime economy. At the center of the initiative is "Han River Bamping"—a portmanteau of the Korean word for "night" and the English word "camping"—a monthlong pilot program launching in August that will place up to 200…
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Moon is drifting 3.8 cm away from Earth every year. What happens next?
Over the next several hundred million years, Earth could face numerous unexpected consequences, all due to the distance slowly yet steadily developing between the planet and its only moon. In what is coming to be defined as one of the most precisely known physical quantities in all of contemporary planetary science, the Moon is moving away from Earth at the speed of 3.83 centimetres annually, with a formal uncertainty of approximately 0.09 millimetres. The number is based on the current best interpretation of five decades of lunar laser ranging data. It has been directly measured, thousands of times over, from multiple observatories on three…
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Butterfly city blooms in shadow of office blocks
Sarah Duell, head of sustainability at the Land Registry, said the staff "really love it". Initially, there were concerns that the land might "look a bit of a mess". "But we got together and talked about the fact that it's going to be pieces of the grass rather than the whole grass," she said. "Once it got going, we had a little look around and started to see some of the insects and some of the butterflies coming to the areas that we have left to go wild. "It was really, really exciting for us and for the office in general." Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North.
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Total solar eclipse books out hotels two years in advance in New Zealand city
Hotels are booking out two years in advance in the New Zealand city of Dunedin as it prepares for the region’s first total solar eclipse in more than 850 years. At 4.17pm on 22 July 2028, the moon will pass in front of the sun, casting a roughly 100km-wide shadowy band across parts of southern New Zealand. Everywhere within that band – from tourist hotspot Queenstown in the west to Dunedin city in the east – will be plunged into daytime darkness for 2 minutes and 51 seconds. Despite there being two years still to go, hotels are already fielding booking inquiries, including the Dunedin Leisure Lodge, which by Thursday was fully booked for its “solar…
Health & Medicine All ›
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I have 100% chance of getting cancer: Tracy has a terrifying gene mutation which switches off the body's defences against ALL cancers - and has already lost half her family to it
Tracy Hutchinson was 14 when her big sister Rebecca became sick. Until then, life in New Zealand, where the family had moved from Hounslow in west London, had been idyllic. There were barbecues, bare feet and all the ease and freedom life in the sunshine had promised. ‘Rebecca was 21 and she started to get very tired and bruise really easily and she’d feel cold even in hot weather,’ recalls Tracy. Doctors initially thought it was glandular fever, but the symptoms persisted and eventually the girls’ mum, Jan, insisted on taking Rebecca back to the GP. She was sent straight to hospital where blood tests confirmed the worst. Rebecca had acute…
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13 best supermarket butters to slather on your toast, taste-tested by a food writer
An easy way to make even the simplest dishes taste delicious, butter can be enjoyed slathered on bread like its own topping, melted over a jacket potato, or used for a delicious homemade baked treat. As versatile as it is tasty, the best slabs of butter belong everywhere from lunchbox sandwiches to the more sophisticated butter boards. Like other food items, the cost of butter has risen around 19 per cent in the past year alone, so it's worth knowing which brands are worth their salt. These days, it’s rare to find a block of butter (not counting the spreadable tub varieties) for under £2, with most hovering just a few pence shy of £3. Butter is no…
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1.6 million eggs recalled over health fears as stomach illness cases surge across America
Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story. The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political…
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8 best supermarket sourdough loaves, taste-tested by a food editor
Rivalling your nearest bakery, the best supermarket sourdough loaves still offer that signature tang and airy crumb. From Waitrose premium selection to Sainsbury’s own bloomer, which store-bought sourdough is best? I sliced my way through dozens of loaves to find out. A naturally leavened bread, sourdough rises thanks to the activity of wild yeast rather than added raising agents. You know it’s a good loaf when the bread is soft, springy and the texture inside the bread is crumbly, with air pockets that are evenly spread throughout. Fermentation is key: when the baking process isn’t quite right, it can result in what bakers call ‘tunnelling,’ where…
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NHS rolls out ‘life-changing’ drug to help multiple sclerosis patients walk
Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story. The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political…
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He baked potato in aluminium foil, and ate it next morning after microwaving it. Hours later, he was paralysed, doctor explains why
A routine kitchen shortcut, wrapping a baked potato in foil and leaving it on the counter overnight, turned into a medical emergency that left a man paralysed and fighting for breath in the ICU. The case, shared by Internal Medicine resident Dr. Priyam Bordoloi, has gone viral for exposing a danger most people have never even considered. The Case That Started It All According to Dr. Bordoloi, the incident echoes a case she encountered during her first year of residency. A man baked a potato, wrapped it in foil, and left it on the kitchen counter overnight. The next day, he simply reheated it in the microwave and ate it, a habit repeated in several…
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'Do not consume' warning issued for milk sold in major supermarkets - it's laced with 'veterinary antibiotics'
'Do not consume' warning issued for milk sold in major supermarkets - it's laced with 'veterinary antibiotics' By CIARAN FOREMAN, HEALTH REPORTER Published: 03:26 EDT, 23 July 2026 \| Updated: 03:36 EDT, 23 July 2026 Britons have been urged not to drink a popular milk over fears it is contaminated with animal medicines including penicillin. Health chiefs have announced that Graham's Family Dairy is recalling batches of its semi-skimmed milk, with a best before date of July 31. The recall noticecovers England and impacts one pint cartons, one litre cartons, and two litre cartons. Graham's supplies major supermarkets such as Tesco, Morrisons, Waitrose…
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Scientists reveal maximum age humans could live to if we can cure ageing
Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story. The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political…
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I’m president at home – Fashola on contesting for Nigerian Presidency
Former governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola, has dismissed any form of insinuation that he might contest for the Presidency of Nigeria. Fashola disclosed that he’s the president of his home and can’t run for the highest political office in Nigeria. The All Progressives Congress, APC, chieftain, who spoke on Beyond The Headlines on TVC, also noted that he doesn’t miss public office. Asked if he would contest for the president of Nigeria, Fashola said: “No, president of what, I’m president at home. I don’t miss public office because I have seen and done it. “There is a sense now that one can look back and say you were lucky to have done it when…
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When to worry about your beer belly... millions of men ignore their paunch but DR PHILIPPA KAYE reveals the signs that it could be dangerous - and the 30-second test you must take now
The World Cup is sadly over and while it was a glorious five weeks of excitement, it's no doubt left many people – mostly men – concerned about their beer bellies. As a nation, we love a drink, but football turns the dial up on our consumption. During each England game around 8million pints were consumed across the country. For many, this will have added to the merriment of the occasion, but it will have also put a strain on livers, mental health and, crucially, waistbands. Beer, after all, is filled with calories. But just how dangerous is a so-called beer belly? And is it any worse than carrying weight elsewhere on the body? As a GP, there is one…
Cybersecurity & Privacy All ›
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Nigeria Customs disowns fake recruitment advert, warns applicants
The Nigeria Customs Service has debunked a social media recruitment advert and warned criminals to desist from scamming individuals through dubious means. It also advised members of the public to disregard the fake recruitment advert on social media platforms in the name of the Nigeria Customs Service. In a statement issued on Thursday, the Service urged members of the public to rely only on information released through its official communication channels for authentic updates on its activities, including recruitment. “Recruitment scams have become a recurring challenge in Nigeria, with fraudsters often exploiting public interest in government jobs by…
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Japanese firm transferred S$6 million in email impersonation scam; director of recipient company jailed
SINGAPORE: A man agreed to set up a company in his name in exchange for money, but the company's bank account was used to receive S$6 million (US$4.7 million) from a Japanese firm that had been duped in an email impersonation scam. The bank account was seized by the police, but only S$3.4 million was recovered and returned to the victim company. Rian Rahim, a 26-year-old Singaporean, was sentenced on Thursday (Jul 23) to two years and five months' jail, with one stroke of the cane. He was also disqualified from being a director of any company for five years. Rian pleaded guilty to three charges: having his company possess criminal proceeds owing to…
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Check Point warns of SmartConsole zero-day exploited in attacks
Israeli cybersecurity firm Check Point Software has addressed an actively exploited zero-day flaw in the company's SmartConsole graphical user interface (GUI) admin panel. Tracked as CVE-2026-16232, this authentication bypass vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to obtain an application login token that can be used to authenticate with administrator privileges. After gaining access to a vulnerable Security Management Server or Multi-Domain Security Management Server (MDS), attackers can change the security configuration and security policy. Check Point added that successful exploitation requires no restrictions on Trusted Clients (GUI…
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UK airports increase drop-off fees by a third – these are the most expensive
Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story. The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political…
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Courts ordered to scrutinise unregulated rehabs after Herald reporting
Courts ordered to scrutinise unregulated rehabs after Herald reporting Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. AAA Judges will be warned to investigate rehabilitation centres before they allow accused criminals to be released there on bail, after the Herald revealed criminal activity, poor supervision and inadequate health services at one controversial centre run by a pastor. But the government has ruled out regulating the sector, even after the founder of Connect Global, pastor Ross Pene, admitted to providing glowing court references for clients – including television star Andrew…
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Personal and banking details among customer data stolen in Origin Energy hack
Origin Energy customers’ addresses, phone numbers and partial bank account data have been accessed in a hack, the company has confirmed. The company has 4.8m customer accounts in Australia, providing electricity, natural gas, LPG, and internet services to homes and businesses. Origin has yet to confirm which and how many customers had been affected. In a statement to the ASX on Thursday, it said it would tell customers once it confirmed they had been impacted. Origin said impacted data may include customers’ names, addresses, dates of birth, contact phone numbers and Origin account information, as well as the last four digits of a credit card, or the…
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Forget passwords: ExpressVPN now lets you sign in with your face or fingerprint
ExpressVPN has launched passkey sign-in for passwordless logins Passkeys are more resistant to phishing, but passwords remain a backup The feature arrives as part of a redesigned ExpressVPN+ dashboard One of the best VPN providers is retiring the password, at least as a requirement. ExpressVPN has added passkey sign-in, giving users a way to get into their account without typing anything at all. Instead of a password, you sign in using the screen lock already on your device, such as a fingerprint or face scan. That means nothing extra to remember and nothing to key in each time. The change was announced on Tuesday (July 21) and is part of a wider…
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Hong Kong police officers lose appeal over framing homeless man, evidence cover-up
Four disgraced Hong Kong police officers have lost their appeal against convictions and jail terms for framing a homeless man for drug possession and destroying evidence of the cover-up six years ago. In a written judgment on Thursday, the Court of Appeal said the officers must have intended to pervert the course of justice when they tried to obstruct surveillance cameras while colleagues fabricated evidence against a street sleeper during an anti-drug operation on February 4, 2020. The three presiding judges rejected the officers’ claims that they did not intend to prejudice subsequent legal proceedings and that tampering with surveillance footage…
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World Tequila Day: Can dedicated agave bars change how India drinks?
On a sultry Saturday evening in May, I took the elevator to the 18th floor of The Ritz-Carlton, Pune, home to Agave Lounge, touted as India’s first bar dedicated entirely to agave spirits. Opened in January 2025, the plush, mood-lit space overlooks the city’s skyline and neighbouring golf course. Most guests had gravitated to the hotel’s rooftop bar, Aasmana, leaving Agave Lounge surprisingly quiet. It only reinforced the question I had come to answer: Is India ready for a bar built around a single spirit? The Agave Lounge at The Ritz-Carlton, Pune \| Photo Credit: Special arrangement According to the International Wine and Spirits Record (IWSR),…
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Cops declare alleged threat at Tacloban school a false alarm
Police have dismissed a reported online threat against a Grade 6 pupil of the Sto. Niño Special Education (SPED) Center in Tacloban City as a false alarm, the latest in a series of incidents that have heightened security concerns in schools across the city following a deadly campus shooting last month. INQUIRER FILES TACLOBAN CITY — Police have dismissed a reported online threat against a Grade 6 pupil of the Sto. Niño Special Education (SPED) Center here as a false alarm, the latest in a series of incidents that have heightened security concerns in schools across the city following a deadly campus shooting last month. The Tacloban City Police Office…
Gaming & Esports All ›
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Germany news: FM Wadephul wraps up Africa tour in South Africa
Elite players and amateurs alike are gathering for Germany's Chess Summit in Dresden from July 16-26, 2026 (file photo) [FILE: August 2023]Image: Meurer/Beautiful Sports/IMAGO Chess players from around Germany gathered in Dresden this week for the annual Chess Summit, as the sport is enjoying unprecedented popularity in Germany. "Our membership numbers are growing at an excellent rate. We are on the verge of surpassing the 100,000 mark," Paul Meyer-Dunker, President of Germany's National Chess Association, told the dpa news agency in Dresden. Many of the 2300 clubs across Germany are feeling the surge. According to Meyer-Dunker, some clubs in cities…
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Alas Pilipinas women, men face tough draws in Asian Games 2026
MANILA, Philippines — Alas Pilipinas women’s team has been drawn in Pool B with defending champion China in the Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 volleyball tournament. During Thursday’s draw, the Philippines landed in a group with China, which is eyeing a third straight Asian Games title, and Kazakhstan. China has won nine Asian Games women’s volleyball gold medals and has reached the final in every edition since 1978. Alas is currently training under Japanese coach Taka Minowa, assisted by his wife and former Philippine national team star Jaja Santiago, who was among the country’s top players the last time the Philippines […]...Keep on reading: Alas…
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Stalker 2 developer refutes claims by studio founder that Xbox paid more than game's development cost to make it exclusive
Earlier this week, GSC Game World studio founder Sergiy Grygorovych made a bombshell revelation about the development of Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl. Grygorovych said in an interview with YouTuber OLDboi that Microsoft paid a significant sum to keep the then-upcoming open-world shooter a timed Xbox exclusive. According to Grygorovych, Microsoft paid the Ukrainian studio more than it cost to develop the game in order to release it on Xbox, and not PlayStation. "It paid for itself before the first day," Grygorovych said, via machine translation. Watch on YouTube GSC has now itself responded to those claims, saying they don't paint an accurate picture.…
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Seven-Eleven Japan warns stores over unauthorized character item resale
Convenience store operator Seven-Eleven Japan has warned franchise owners across Japan after some popular animation and game character products were found to have been resold without authorization at some outlets, sources said Thursday. There were reportedly cases where owners and employees bought up or set aside such products before putting them on store shelves and reselling them, people familiar with the matter said. The warning sent to franchise stores on July 13 said that at some outlets, sales of such products before the dates and times announced in advance through promotional materials and other means, as well as stockpiling and reselling by…
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You won’t need an emulator to play Pikmin on your phone or PC
TL;DR GameCube launch window title Pikmin has been 100% decompiled, opening the door to unofficial ports of the game. Pikmin joins recently decompiled games like Twilight Princess, Mario Party 4, and Animal Crossing. Decompiling a game is typically a prerequisite for it to be (unofficially) ported to modern platforms, allowing people to play it without using an emulator. The decompilation process takes plenty of time and effort, but we’ve already seen a few GameCube titles reaching this milestone. Now, we can add another prominent title to this list. The GC/Wii Decompilation Discord group has announced that popular first-party GameCube game Pikmin has…
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Commonwealth Games 2026 schedule, start times and how to watch
Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story. The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political…
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India's first CWG 2026 medal is already assured before the opening ceremony - Here's how
NEW DELHI: India has secured its first medal at the Commonwealth Games 2026 even before the opening ceremony, with Olympic medallist Lovlina Borgohain guaranteed at least a bronze in the women's boxing competition. The Assam boxer received a direct entry into the semifinals after being handed a bye in her weight category. As all losing semifinalists receive bronze medals in Commonwealth Games boxing, Lovlina is now assured of a place on the podium before stepping into the ring. She will begin her campaign on July 31, when she takes on T.K.B.P. Taafaki for a place in the gold medal bout. Lovlina's assured medal gives India an early boost ahead of the…
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Lenovo’s new thin-and-light handheld leaves out one crucial detail
Lenovo has revealed more details about an upcoming Legion gaming handheld that could be among the thinnest and lightest devices in its category. The Legion C700 will measure just 14.99mm at its thinnest point and weigh approximately 556 grams, or around 1.25 pounds. By comparison, Lenovo’s Legion Go S is 22.6mm thick and weighs about 730 grams, while the ASUS ROG Ally X measures 24.7mm and weighs 678 grams. Trimming these figures down should make the C700 much easier to hold for long periods and carry in a bag. But all of this portability comes at a cost–and that’s cloud gaming. Plenty of controls in a surprisingly thin body Lenovo The Legion C700 has…
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‘Makes me sick to my stomach’: Students speak out about strapping scandal
‘Makes me sick to my stomach’: Students speak out about strapping scandal Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. AAA Boarders at a prestigious regional school at the centre of a “strapping” scandal were pressured to keep quiet about the claims, an independent investigation has found. Ballarat Grammar last year expelled two senior boarders over allegations that junior students – some as young as year 7 – were assaulted as part of a hazing culture going back decades that included beatings with straps. Ballarat Grammar School.Joe Armao On Thursday, the school released a report by workplace…
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Media executives urged to amplify PWDs voices during elections
Ahead of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State, media executives and other stakeholders have been urged to create platforms that amplify the voices of Persons with Disabilities, PWDs, on political participation and increase media content focusing on their rights and electoral privileges. The appeal was made during a reflection meeting on media inclusivity in Osun State, organised by the Centre for Media and Society, CEMESO, the International Press Centre, IPC, TAF Africa and the Nigerian Women Trust Fund, NWTF, in Osogbo on Wednesday. The gathering brought together media executives, regulators and leaders of PWDs to discuss inclusive…
Dev & Open Source All ›
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The WhatsApp generation made today’s BJP; the Instagram generation is challenging it
In recent days, numerous protesters declared online that they were leaving their family WhatsApp groups, which had become dens of bigotry and thought control \| Photo Credit: Shashi Shekhar Kashyap The WhatsApp generation were Hindutva natives while the Instagram generation is insurrectionary. The BJP has had the toolkit to tame the WhatsApp universe and make it dance to its tune; in the Instagram universe, the BJP is like a deer in the headlights, left with nothing other than brute force in response. Parents who have sent a message to their kids on WhatsApp and noted that they don’t even see it will recognise a disconnect. Then they discover that…
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Cebuana Lhuillier rises above Asia-Pacific Competition as Most Awarded Philippine Company at the Content Marketing Awards 2026
Cebuana Lhuillier reinforced its leadership in content marketing excellence by earning five awards at the Content Marketing Awards Asia-Pacific 2026, hosted by MARKETECH APAC, making it the most awarded Philippine company at this year’s competition. The recognition underscores the company’s success in delivering impactful campaigns that strengthen brand engagement, advance financial inclusion, and drive measurable business results. “At Cebuana Lhuillier, every campaign begins with a clear purpose—to create meaningful value for the Filipinos we serve,” said Jean Henri Lhuillier, President and CEO of Cebuana Lhuillier. “Whether we are advancing…
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New Viva Cruises sailings will include André Rieu concert
Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story. The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political…
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Talking smack about a doctor got him access to private medical files
SECURITY Talking smack about a doctor got him access to private medical files Who needs a working security badge when you know how to talk your way into the records room? PWNED Welcome back to PWNED, the weekly column where we focus on security own-goals so you can avoid them. This week’s topic involves serious problems in the healthcare sector, specifically the very human problem of compromised gatekeepers. Have a story about someone leaving a gaping hole in their network? Share it with us at pwned@sitpub.com. Anonymity is available upon request. Our legend of lameness comes courtesy of red teamer Dahvid Schloss, who shared so many great stories with…
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Orchestral conducting game Maestro is coming to Switch
Amanda Yeo is an Assistant Editor at Mashable, covering entertainment, culture, tech, science, and social good. Based in Australia, she writes about everything from video games and K-pop to movies and gadgets.
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4 ways to steal the style from exotic holiday getaways
Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story. The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political…
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What is a 'Dystopian Nightmare'? The psychology behind the viral trend
Scroll through Instagram Reels or Reddit for five minutes and you're bound to spot it: a video of a packed metro car, a facial-recognition camera on a street corner, an AI chatbot writing someone's breakup text, or a child staring blankly at a screen, all captioned with some version of "we are officially living in a dystopian nightmare ." The phrase has become one of the internet's favourite punchlines, hashtags, and think-piece openers. But behind the meme-speak lies something more interesting: a genuine psychological pattern in how humans process rapid, unsettling change. First, What Does "Dystopian" Actually Mean? A dystopia is the opposite of a…
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Meta Ports React Compiler to Rust for Faster Builds and Tighter Toolchain Integration
React, Meta's open-source library for building user interfaces, has merged a Rust port of the React Compiler into its main repository, a move aimed at faster builds and tighter integration with the wider Rust-based JavaScript toolchain. The React Compiler, formerly known as React Forget, automatically memoizes components and hooks so developers no longer need to reach for useMemo and useCallback by hand. The pull request rewrites that compiler from TypeScript to Rust, and the team describes it in the PR itself as "an experimental, work-in-progress port." The headline figures relate to performance. As a drop-in Babel plugin the Rust version runs around…
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Vijayapura MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal seeks action against fake news
Vijayapura MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal felicitated journalists on Media Day celebrations in Vijayapura on July 19, 2026. \| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT The Karnataka Union of Working Journalists’ district unit celebrated Media Day in Vijayapura on July 19. Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, MLA, inaugurated the event. He spoke against the menace of fake news. “The trend of some journalists spreading fake news on social media platforms is increasing. They are a danger to society and need to be regulated. I have written a letter to the Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting urging action against journalists who are spreading fake news on online…
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Pip 26.2: –only-deps solves 16 years of app deployment hacks
This has been one of my biggest annoyances working with Python and pip when dealing with projects where that are not meant to be installed as a package, how do you handle dependencies? Think projects like application backends, python scripts, REST APIs etc If you’ve ever struggled with this, you’re going to love this: a PR by Sebastian Höffner opened #13895 will add a new global flag to pip such that you can directly install any dependencies in your pyproject.toml without installing the package itself. pip install --only-deps . This is going, for me at least, be a huge boost in the way that I manage and distribute my projects on servers. Vastly…
Business & Finance All ›
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Meliá Exits Cuba as US Sanctions Bite Tourism
Latin America · Business Key Facts —Meliá’s Cuba footprint. The group managed 34 hotels with 14,053 rooms across the island. —Exit date. All management services end on 24 July 2026. —Reason given. US sanctions made minimal operational stability impossible. —Trigger event. President Trump’s Executive Order 14404 designated military conglomerate GAESA on 1 May 2026. —Tourism collapse. Cuba’s hotel occupancy fell to 18.9 percent, with Meliá’s own properties at 34.1 percent in early 2026. Meliá Hotels International, the Spanish hospitality group that has operated on the island for more than three decades, will complete a full exit from Cuba on 24 July…
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Brazil CVM Settlement Ends 2017 XP Case
Brazil · Business Key Facts —Regulator Brazil’s Comissão de Valores Mobiliários (CVM), equivalent to the U.S. SEC —Parties XP Investimentos and founder Guilherme Benchimol —Total Payment R$ 2.685 million (\~US$ 526,470) to the CVM and an investor —Case Origin Irregularities reported by XP itself involving an autonomous agents’ office —Legal Effect Closes the 2017 case without a merits conviction or admission of guilt Brazil’s Comissão de Valores Mobiliários (CVM), the country’s securities regulator, accepted a CVM settlement with brokerage XP Investimentos and its founder Guilherme Benchimol on July 22, 2026. The agreement closes an administrative…
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Qualitas Second Quarter Profit Holds Near US$75 Million
Mexico · Companies Key Facts —Net Written Premiums MXN 17,070 million (\~US$922.7 million), down 1.9% year-on-year —Net Income MXN 1,378 million (\~US$74.5 million) for the quarter —Combined Ratio 95.7%, up 2.9 percentage points from the prior year —Return on Equity (ROE) 21.4% for the period —Investment Income MXN 1,200 million (\~US$64.9 million), generating a 7.4% ROI Qualitas second quarter net income reached MXN 1,378 million (\~US$74.5 million), the Mexican auto insurance giant reported on July 21, 2026. The result was underpinned by a strong investment performance and a combined ratio that remained within the company’s full-year target range,…
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EasyJet profits plunge 70 percent as soaring fuel prices hit budget airline
Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story. The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political…
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Booked 2 plots, got no agreement: Delhi consumer panel orders builder to refund Rs 19.73 lakh
NEW DELHI: A Delhi consumer commission, on July 6, ordered a developer to refund Rs 19.73 lakh to an Indian Air Force officer after finding that the company never signed a formal agreement with him despite collecting the money over several years. The commission held that as there was no signed agreement, there was nothing binding the buyer to the developer's terms on possession dates or payment interest, and he could not be made to wait indefinitely for a home. Why did the IAF officer approach the consumer commission? As per the order, Air Commodore Pradip Kumar Routa and his wife, Anupurna Routa, booked two plots in a housing project advertised by…
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The cheapest family holidays in Europe this summer, according to experts
Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story. The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political…
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These 3 charts show where Trump's new tariffs could have the biggest impact
Listen to this article Estimated 3 minutes The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results. U.S. President Donald Trump’s latest tariff gambit is the most sweeping trade threat Canada has faced to date. With an unprecedented 50 per cent duty set to hit a wide swath of Canadian-made goods on Aug. 19, the clock is ticking for businesses across the country. These three charts break down which sectors are in the crosshairs, which provinces will be the hardest hit and how the tariffs will be felt on both sides of the border.…
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Panama Debt Refinancing Pushes US$3.3 Billion to 2031
Panama · Economy Key Facts —Total operation size EUR 2.9 billion (\~US$3.3 billion), including EUR 500 million (\~US$570 million) in new financing for 2026. —Debt repaid early Approximately EUR 2.4 billion (\~US$2.7 billion) of existing sovereign loans were refinanced ahead of schedule. —New maturity profile The refinanced debt maturities were extended to 2031, smoothing the government’s repayment schedule. —Tranche details Santander provided EUR 1.2 billion at a fixed 4.83%; Bank of America/Merrill Lynch provided EUR 1.7 billion at a fixed 4.67%. —Fiscal backdrop The Panama Canal reported record nine-month FY2026 toll revenue of US$4,802 million, a…
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Bank of Russia buys $61.4 mln worth of yuan with July 22 settlement
MOSCOW, July 23. /TASS/. The Bank of Russia purchased 4.8 bln rubles ($61.4 mln) worth of yuan on the domestic market with settlement on July 22, 2026, according to data published on the regulator's website. The volume of foreign currency purchases on the domestic market with settlement on July 21 also totaled 4.8 bln rubles. The Bank of Russia conducts foreign currency purchase and sale operations on the domestic market in the yuan-ruble instrument in the currency section of the Moscow Exchange.
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Gruma Second Quarter Profit Falls 12% on US Weakness
Mexico · Companies Key Facts —Q2 net sales. About US$1.62 billion, up 5% year-on-year, led by operations outside the US. —Q2 EBITDA. US$261.9 million, down 5%; EBITDA margin narrowed 170 basis points to 16.1%. —Q2 operating income. US$189.2 million, down 13%; operating margin fell to 11.6%. —Profit. Majority net income fell about 12% in the quarter and 16% in the first half, per its BMV filing. —Main driver. Weaker US demand and higher costs at Mission Foods, partly offset by Central America, Europe and Asia. Gruma second quarter profit fell about 12% from a year earlier, as the world’s largest corn-flour and tortilla maker absorbed weaker demand and…
Politics & Government All ›
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Further strikes on the cards as teachers insist fight isn’t centred on their pay packets
Further strikes on the cards as teachers insist fight isn’t centred on their pay packets Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. AAA Victoria’s powerful education union has kept alive the prospect of further strike action as its leadership pushes its message that the battle with the government is not just about pay but improved funding for state school students. Thursday’s industrial action, the second walkout this year, saw about 20,000 teachers, principals and education support staff clog Melbourne’s CBD in a river of red that flowed to Parliament House. Thousands of Victorian teachers…
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How Macron narrowly averted his environment minister's resignation
Monique Barbut, who said she intended to quit the government on Tuesday, July 21, after an agricultural law she contested was adopted, ended up staying on in her role on Wednesday. The twist added a colorful note to the political crisis.
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Minister refuses to rule out 'wealth tax' at Budget - as Gary Lineker leads 'virtue-signalling' millionaires demanding raid on assets despite warnings from economists
Minister refuses to rule out 'wealth tax' at Budget - as Gary Lineker leads 'virtue-signalling' millionaires demanding raid on assets despite warnings from economists By JAMES TAPSFIELD, UK POLITICAL EDITOR Published: 04:24 EDT, 23 July 2026 \| Updated: 04:29 EDT, 23 July 2026 A Treasury minister today refused to rule out a 'wealth tax' after calls from millionaires including Gary Lineker. Chief Secretary Emma Reynolds merely said announcements would be made at the Autumn Budget as she was pressed on Left-wing demands for a raid on assets. However, she also pointed out that the former footballer and other rich people could simply donate money to…
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Petrobras Diesel Subsidy Passes US$900 Million in 2026
Brazil · Business Key Facts —Subsidy Amount The federal government pays R$1.12 (\~US$0.22) per liter of road diesel sold by enrolled producers and importers. —Program Duration The subvention runs from June 1 to December 31, 2026, under Provisional Measure 1,363. —Price Cut Petrobras reduced its average diesel price to distributors by R$0.3515 (\~US$0.07) per liter to R$3.30 (\~US$0.65) on June 1. —Cumulative Receipts By July 6, 2026, Petrobras reported cumulative subsidy receipts of approximately R$4.7 billion (\~US$922 million). —Reimbursement Mechanism The government reimburses companies within 30 days after fortnightly reporting and verification by…
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PM Shehbaz speaks to Saudi crown prince, condemns 'unacceptable' Houthi attack on vessels in Red Sea
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday condemned Houthi attacks on Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea in a telephone conversation with the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. “Such actions are unacceptable, violate international law, threaten freedom of navigation and undermine regional peace and security,” PM Shehbaz said in a post on the social media platform X. Hostilities in the Middle East flared on Thursday as the Yemen’s Houthis said that they attacked two Saudi Arabian oil tankers in a military operation. A Saudi news agency confirmed one of the two vessels was ablaze after an assault while sailing in the Red Sea. In his post on X, PM…
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Supreme Court will intervene if nearest metro station is not reopened by afternoon: CJI
Chief Justice Surya Kant said on Thursday that the Supreme Court will intervene if the metro station nearest to the court complex is not reopened by afternoon, Bar and Bench reported. Kant made the comment after Supreme Court Bar Association chief Vikas Singh informed the bench that lawyers and the court staff were facing difficulties because of the station being closed. The Supreme Court metro station had been closed by the operator citing “security reasons” for the second consecutive day. On Wednesday, the station was reopened in the evening. This came amid youth protests in the national capital demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister…
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India protest movement holds capital sit-in as police crack down on demonstrators
Supporters of India's Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) hold flags and signs during the ongoing protests, a few days after thousands of protesters marched towards parliament demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) examination paper leaks, at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, India, July 23. Reuters-Yonhap NEW DELHI — Thousands of young protesters were camped on the streets of India’s capital New Delhi on Thursday, defying new restrictions in the latest show of strength for a movement that has become one of the biggest challenges to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government. India’s…
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Rubio, Lavrov discussed Ukraine war in Manila, Moscow says
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio attends the 33rd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), part of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Foreign Ministers' Meeting. \| Photo Credit: AP Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed the Ukraine conflict and the normalisation of U.S.-Russia relations in a meeting in Manila on Thursday (July 23, 2026), the Russian Foreign Minister said. Mr. Lavrov “reaffirmed Russia’s readiness for a political and diplomatic settlement of the conflict,” the Ministry’s statement said, and told Mr. Rubio that Moscow remained committed to proposals put forward by…
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Gov't budget deficit widens to P264.3B in June
MANILA, Philippines — The Marcos administration’s budget deficit widened by 9.4 percent to P264.3 billion in June as government spending outpaced revenue collections, according to the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr). Latest data showed expenditures rose 5.5 percent to P578.7 billion, driven by higher National Tax Allotment shares for local government units, increased subsidies to state-run firms, and payments to suppliers and contractors for transportation infrastructure projects. READ: Gov’t logs wider P198.5B budget deficit in May This outpaced the 2.46-percent increase in revenues, which reached P314.5 billion in June. Of the total, tax collections…
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SONA 2026: Marcos enters final two years with key bills pending
INQUIRER FILE MANILA, Philippines — Nearly a year since the start of the 20th Congress, only one of the 52 bills identified by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (Ledac) as priority legislation has been enacted. Dr. Alicor Panao, an Inquirer data scientist and associate professor at the University of the Philippines, made the assessment in a July 19 analysis, a little more than a week before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fifth State of the Nation Address on Monday, July 27. The measure signed into law was Republic Act No. 12317, which reset the first parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao…
Sports All ›
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Live: Crows and Magpies out to shake up AFL finals race at Adelaide Oval
Good evening and welcome back to ABC Sport's live blog coverage of the 2026 AFL season. Tonight we head to Adelaide as the Crows play host to the Magpies. These are two teams who each have put themselves among "dark horse" conversations, though their ladder positions suggest different realities. The Crows are only 0.6% out of the top four currently, and could go level on points with second-place with a win tonight. Meanwhile the Magpies are a game and a half out of the top six, but there is great optimism of a run from a wildcard spot. We're into the business end of the home and away season now, and these sorts of games can become defining. Should be…
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Derby dislike: Why Harley Reid will be centre stage
Derby dislike: Why Harley Reid will be centre stage Justin Chadwick July 23, 2026 — 6:34pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. AAA West Coast firebrand Harley Reid is being backed to dish out as good as he gets when he lines up for what’s expected to be a fiery western derby against Fremantle on Friday night. Harley Reid looms as the key to West Coast’s victory hopes.Getty Images The 16th-placed Eagles (4-14) have lost nine of the past 10 derbies - including four in a row - and coach Andrew McQualter has already publicly stated his team are keen to take Fremantle’s scalp. The Dockers…
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AFL LIVE: Daicos locked in as Collingwood Magpies, Adelaide Crows battle at Adelaide Oval; Tony Modra on the mend
AFL great Tony Modra says he’ll never be able to adequately thank people for their support in the aftermath of his near-fatal accident. The former Adelaide and Fremantle forward suffered facial injuries on June 18 and was initially in a critical condition in hospital. Modra was hurt when a fallen tree branch crashed through the windshield of a truck he was driving near his cattle property south of Adelaide. The 57-year-old posted a heartfelt message on Instagram on Tuesday, accompanied by a photo of him with his wife and two children.
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WAG Ellie Watkins stuns in plunging pink halter neck top as she enjoys family holiday with her husband Ollie and children
WAG Ellie Watkins stuns in plunging pink halter neck top as she enjoys family holiday with her husband Ollie and children By KIRSTEN MURRAY, SENIOR SHOWBUSINESS REPORTER Published: 04:01 EDT, 23 July 2026 \| Updated: 04:17 EDT, 23 July 2026 Ellie Watkins looked sensational as she shared snaps from her family holiday with her footballer husband Ollie Watkins on Wednesday. After a hectic month over in the US for the World Cup, the couple and their children headed on a luxury holiday to make the most of their time together. And Ellie wowed in a plunging pink halter neck crop top and matching skirt as she shared her evening look with fans. She posed with…
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Back and forth
North couldn’t help but bid a slam after South opened the bidding. South had a dead minimum, however, and slam was a tricky proposition. The first sight of dummy told South that he only had nine top tricks and he needed three more. The club suit had a reasonable chance for development, needing a 3-3 split or for East to hold the queen. That would only give him two extra tricks, however, and he needed three, so he decided to play on hearts first. He won the opening spade lead in hand with the king and led a low heart toward the dummy. West had to play low or South would have four heart tricks, and dummy’s queen won the trick. Had East held the king,…
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PBA: Coach admits Converge defense effort still 'lacking'
ANTIPOLO—Converge coach Delta Pineda believes his team’s defense still leaves plenty to be desired after being handed its first loss in the 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup by San Miguel Beer on Wednesday. The FiberXers fell 128-122 to the Beermen at Ynares Center here on Wednesday that put a halt to their unbeaten run in the group phase after going 3-0. While Converge got good offensive numbers, with PBA Press Corps Player of the Week Justin Arana leading six players in double figures with 29, Pineda is hoping that can be as good down on the other end. “We’re still lacking, […]...Keep on reading: PBA: Coach admits Converge defense effort still 'lacking'
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Noah Caluori set to miss start of season after undergoing surgery on long-term injury
Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story. The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political…
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This is how the Hawks could pull off a heist for the ages
This is how the Hawks could pull off a heist for the ages Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. AAA All the pieces are coming together for Hawthorn – but plenty of questions and intrigue remain. The Hawks have re-signed in-demand free agent Mitch Lewis and resurgent veteran Jack Gunston in the days since this masthead revealed that Gold Coast spearhead Ben King was set to accept Hawthorn’s six-year restricted free agency offer. Lewis could have earned more money if he went to Collingwood, but never met with any other clubs or entertained rival offers. Gold Coast star Ben King wants to…
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Strictly bosses signs second youngest professional in show's history - as social media sensation Maddie Ingoldsby, 21, joins the roster
Strictly Come Dancing bosses have signed the show's youngest ever professional designer, with social media sensation Maddie Ingoldsby, 21, joining the roster. Maddie, who boasts an eye-popping 43.5k followers on Instagram, turned 21 in February and is just months older than former star Chloe Hewitt, who was the youngest signing when she joined in 2016. The six-time World Amateur 10 Dance Champion in competitive ballroom, has been dancing since she was six and is also an actress and is among five new pros joining. The announcement of the new line-up is imminent and The Sun reports Maddie has been added to the list in the wake of the BBC show's…
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More delay in NSB formation; Sports Ministry extends deadline for applications
Olympic bronze-winning former shooter Gagan Narang and weightlifting great N. Kunjarani Devi are also in the five-member committee. File \| Photo Credit: PTI The formation of the much-awaited National Sports Board (NSB) will take some more time after the Sports Ministry extended the deadline for submission of applications for the selection of its chairman and members by 15 days, to August 8. “The original deadline for submission of applications expired on Wednesday (July 22, 2026). "It is hereby informed that the last date for submission of online applications has been extended by 15 days' i.e. from July 22, 2026 to August 6, 2026 up to 20:00 Hrs.,"…
Film & TV All ›
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Tang Wei gives birth to second son at 47
SEOUL, July 23 (Yonhap) -- Chinese actress Tang Wei has given birth to her second son, her agency said Thursday, a day after the star announced the news herself on social media. A representative for the 47-year-old actress told Yonhap News Agency that Tang Wei had recently delivered a son, but did not disclose further details, including the exact timing of the birth. Tang, who is married to South Korean film director Kim Tae-yong, shared the news on her social media account on Wednesday, posting a photo of the family's hands clasped together. "Summer said, 'A family of four's journey begins with foal,'" Tang wrote, referring to her first daughter and…
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Yoo Ah-in signals acting return amid Galaxy contract talks
Actor Yoo Ah-in arrives at the Seoul Central District Court in Seoul's Seocho District, Sept. 3, 2024, to attend his first-instance sentencing hearing on charges of habitual drug use. Korea Times photo by Hong In-ki Actor Yoo Ah-in has fueled fresh speculation about a possible return to acting after making a rare public appearance alongside director Jang Jae-hyun at the VIP premiere of the movie "Hope." Following his career-halting drug scandal, the actor had largely stayed out of the public eye until he appeared before audience members and industry peers with Jang, prompting speculation over whether he is preparing to resume his professional career.…
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More brutal, more human: actor Lee Dong-wook on 'A Shop for Killers' Season 2
A scene from "A Shop for Killers" Season 2 / Courtesy of Walt Disney Company Korea For Lee Dong-wook, returning to Disney+’s “A Shop for Killers” meant more than reviving a once-presumed-dead uncle who runs a clandestine weapons mall for assassins — it meant quietly adding 8 kilograms, guzzling water to “not look older” and rethinking what it means to be a guardian. Lee plays Jeong Jin-man in the Disney+ action thriller, a former team leader for the mercenary company Babylon, now the operator of a clandestine shopping mall, fighting to protect his niece Ji-an and push back against Babylon’s network. The first season drew strong international acclaim,…
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Strictly host Josh Widdicombe ‘whacked’ in row over plane seat
Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story. The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political…
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Sky Sports presenter reveals she was incorrectly diagnosed with cancer after being given the ‘all-clear’ years earlier
Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story. The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political…
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'Drowning' singer Woodz joins Lee Byung-hun in historical action film from 'Exhuma' cinematographer
Woodz / Captured from his Instagram Woodz, widely recognized for his hit song “Drowning,” is set to join the cast of a historical action film scheduled to begin shooting in the second half of the year. The singer’s participation was announced Thursday by Hive Media Corp., the production company behind the tentatively titled film “Nambeol,” or “The Southern Campaign” in English. Set in Korea during the 1392-1910 Joseon Dynasty era, the film is billed as a hard-boiled, wuxia-style action feature. Its story follows nine warriors of disparate social backgrounds and talents who embark on a campaign to Japan’s Tsushima Island to rescue Korean captives held…
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Tom Holland sets himself huge challenge for Fred Astaire biopic: ‘I have so much work to do’
Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story. The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political…
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How to watch Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 4 online – stream sci-fi prequel from anywhere
As Star Trek: Strange New Worlds continues its journey toward The Original Series, the USS Enterprise crew returns for another set of galaxy-spanning adventures. Season 4 will be the show’s penultimate season, bringing the story closer to the events of the iconic 1960s series, with the tagline promising fans it will go “one step closer to where it all began.” Paul Wesley’s James T. Kirk is set to return as the series moves closer to his eventual command of the Enterprise, adding another chapter to the character’s evolution before he takes over the captain’s chair. Wesley has already put his own spin on the legendary role, following in the footsteps of…
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Love Island stars Molly Smith and Tom Clare are married! Bride stuns in a white minidress as they tie the knot in stunning legal ceremony
Love Island stars Molly Smith and Tom Clare are married! Bride stuns in a white minidress as they tie the knot in stunning legal ceremony By LILY JOBSON, SHOWBUSINESS REPORTER Published: 03:49 EDT, 23 July 2026 \| Updated: 03:54 EDT, 23 July 2026 Molly Smith and Tom Clare have tied the knot in a stunning legal ceremony. The couple, who met on Love Island All Stars back in January 2024, announced the joyful news in an Instagram snap on Thursday. 'Husband and wife', Molly captioned her post. The bride looked flawless in a white minidress as she kissed her new husband after saying 'I Do' in the registry office. Tom and Molly won the All Stars series of…
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‘Jana Nayagan’ review: Vijay’s new film is extremely lazy and incredibly tacky
Designed to be an element in Vijay’s campaign in the recent Tamil Nadu Assembly election, delayed by the censor board, widely available on pirate sites for months and now finally out in cinemas after the superstar became the state’s chief minister: the story behind Jana Nayagan is infinitely more interesting than anything that takes place in the movie. H Vinoth’s action drama is such a barely disguised extended poll propaganda video and so reliant on Vijay’s proven ability to command the screen that the director doesn’t even try to deliver a basic viewing experience. For a movie touted to be Vijay’s final offering now that he has a state to run, Jana…
Music All ›
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Wasia Project unveil new single 'Whale Call' as featured Netflix film 'Heartstopper Forever'
Wasia Project, the alt-pop musical duo formed by siblings Will Gao and Olivia Hardy, have released new single “Whale Call”, a soaring, deeply intimate ballad that meditates on lost love, memory, and the self left behind. The track marks the latest preview of the duo’s highly anticipated debut album, ‘Nocturne’, set for release on September 18th via AWAL Recordings. Fans can listen to the single HERE and pre-save the album HERE. One of the album’s most emotionally arresting moments, “Whale Call” was formed from fragments of a voice memo Olivia recorded when she was just fifteen, particularly the line, “I’ve spent a while / Looking up at the moon“.…
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Spotify goes full MTV with new music video charts
Akshay Gangwar / Android Authority TL;DR Spotify has launched a new “Music Video Charts Global” playlist. The new playlist will contain the top 50 most-streamed music videos. The playlist will be refreshed every day at 6:00 PM ET. Spotify started showing music videos to its premium subscribers back in 2024 and brought the feature to the US towards the tail end of 2025. Now, the company is taking things one step further in its effort to get more loyal YouTube fans to switch to the music streaming service as their go-to music video streaming solution. Spotify today announced that it is bringing music video charts to its users with the launch of its…
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Ali B cancels talk amid fears of media spectacle
Ali B cancels talk amid fears of media spectacle July 23, 2026 Photo: Ramon van Flymen/ANP See more DutchNews articles in your Google search results See more DutchNews articles in your Google search results Add as a favourite source on Google Add DutchNews as a favourite source on Google Rapper and convicted rapist Ali B has pulled out of a business event where he was supposed to be speaking on Thursday in Vinkeveen. The Missing Pieces entrepreneurial event has also been postponed until a later date. “Due to the exceptionally large number of media applications for the Missing Pieces event, the evening is in danger of becoming a media spectacle. That…
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Jensen Huang made his $172 billion fortune on AI chips. His family’s $75 million gift to Vanderbilt argues art decides what technology is for
© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy \| CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice \| Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.
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Ransom Canyon season 2 ending explained: are Staten and Quinn back together, who is Yancy's secret wife, Double K and Fuller Ranch feud explained and possible season 3 predictions
Spoilers for Ransom Canyon season 2 ahead. I shouldn't love Ransom Canyon as much as I do, but theVirgin Rivermeets Yellowstone Western drama always has a way of hooking me back in. In season 2, we've explored a lot of overarching storylines that were first established back in season 1. The land feud between the Double K and Fuller ranches has become more ferocious, local bar owner Quinn (Minka Kelly) has left for New York despite her on-off relationship with rancher Staten (Josh Duhamel), and mysterious newcomer Yancy (Jack Schumacher) has revealed to new love interest Ellie (Marianly Tejada) that he has a secret wife. Latest Videos From But by the…
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Behind velvet curtains: Incheon arts center opens its hidden stage engine
Visitors explore behind-the-scenes areas of the Incheon Culture and Arts Center during a backstage tour. Courtesy of Incheon Culture and Arts Center For most theatergoers, the magic of the performing arts exists entirely on stage, where a curated world of soft spotlighting, flawless acoustics and synchronized cues are enjoyed by the audience at a distance. To close that gap, the Incheon Culture and Arts Center will invite the public to enter the complex, high-stakes engine room behind the spectacle on Aug. 19. The center said Thursday that it will host its 2026 Backstage Tour, offering ordinary citizens unprecedented access to the hidden architecture…
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A perfect storm: Kaze Fujii fans flock to Fuji Rock
The xx, Khruangbin and Massive Attack are set to headline Fuji Rock Festival this weekend. But don’t be surprised if Kaze Fujii steals the spotlight. Held annually at Naeba Ski Resort in Niigata Prefecture, Japan’s premier summer music festival has increasingly embraced homegrown stars alongside its international lineup. Last year, city pop legend Tatsuro Yamashita transformed the main Green Stage into the weekend’s hottest destination ahead of U.S. headliner Vulfpeck. Fujii looks poised for a similarly defining moment this Saturday. Shortly after this year’s lineup was announced in February, Fuji Rock’s website briefly crashed due to a surge of…
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Roysten Abel’s A Hundred Charmers returns to Bengaluru
From Roysten Abel’s A Hundred Charmers \| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement Bejewelled howdahs on stately elephants, ornately patterned flying carpets and the simple snake charmer with his commonplace basket housing terrifying cargo. India of yore had a romance that has since faded into fables, but one can catch an echo of that past with Roysten Abel’s A Hundred Charmers, which will be staged in Bengaluru onJuly 26. The musical which debuted in 2014, features 100 snake charmers performing classic and contemporary tunes on the been, the traditional wind instrument of their profession crafted out of a hollowed-out gourd and bamboo reeds. According to…
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Boy group Cortis' 2nd EP tops 3 mil. copies in sales
K-pop boy group Cortis / Courtesy of BigHit Music The latest album from K-pop boy group Cortis has sold more than 3 million copies, its agency said Thursday, making it the second triple million-seller among albums released so far this year. BigHit Music said Cortis' second EP, "GreenGreen," recorded cumulative sales of 3,099,000 copies, citing data released by Circle Chart for the week of July 12-18. It took 11 weeks for the group to hit the milestone since the album was released May 4. "GreenGreen" became the second album released in Korea this year to become a triple million-seller, following BTS' fifth studio album, "Arirang." The album's lead…
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‘Her fearless pursuit of capturing truth, even when it was grotesque, was a revelation’ – Fiona Apple’s Tidal turns 30
Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story. The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political…
Climate & Environment All ›
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Burnham offers 20% cut in business rates for pubs, clubs and live music in England – UK politics live
Key events Iain Hoskins, owner of Ma Pub Group in Liverpool, said that an extra 20% relief on business rates would go some way to “chipping away” at the rising cost but cast doubt on how many venues would be covered by the change. He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: double quotation markThe worry has been, obviously, in recent years, I mean, when our venues from last year to this current year got revalued, we saw increases of between 100% and 150% on the rates that we pay. So that just goes to show how much they went up by. And while 20% – particularly if that 20% is on top of the 15% and other help that’s there – that can be very meaningful for…
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Thousands evacuated as deadly wildfires continue to rage across Europe
Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story. The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political…
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France recorded over 5,700 excess deaths in June due to heatwave, say authorities
France recorded 5,764 more deaths than usual during the heatwave in June, AFP quoted the country’s health authorities as saying on Wednesday. The authorities described the excess mortality among persons aged 15 years and above as “unprecedented”. The data pertains to the time period between June 17 and July 2, and accounts for deaths due to “all causes”, AFP quoted the country’s national public health agency as saying. No deaths have been clearly linked to the heat as of now, and final figures will be released in the autumn, the agency said. People aged 75 years and above accounted for around two-thirds of the excess deaths, while less than a fifth…
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Firefighter dead and residents evacuated as wildfires ravage Sicily
An Italian firefighter died on Wednesday while battling flames in southern Sicily, where dozens of forest and bush fires are raging, authorities said. Around 100 residents, as well as 22 patients from a clinic in the inland town of Santo Stefano Quisquina – where temperatures have exceeded 40°C in recent days – were evacuated on Wednesday, according to the fire service. The blaze, which has been raging for several days, has temporarily cut off the drinking water supply to around 20 municipalities, according to the local water supplier. “6,000 personnel have been deployed and 20 aircraft are in operation,” said the region’s president Renato Schifani on…
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Emergency services called to ‘tragic incident’ off Essex coast
Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story. The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political…
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Save our town: Lancelin residents take coastal erosion fight to city centre
Save our town: Lancelin residents take coastal erosion fight to city centre Updated July 23, 2026 — 5:23pm,first published July 23, 2026 — 5:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. AAA Dozens of Lancelin residents poured into Forrest Place on Thursday morning, armed with signs and banners with one message: “save our town”. Almost 100 residents aged seven to 80 chanted “no surrender, no retreat” as they peacefully protested in Perth city to try and raise awareness of their coastal erosion fight. Lancelin locals jumped on a bus on Thursday morning to take part in the Lancelin Rescue…
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With a dune as its last defence, a WA town buses into the city to demand action
With a dune as its last defence, a WA town buses into the city to demand action Updated July 23, 2026 — 5:23pm,first published July 23, 2026 — 5:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. AAA Dozens of Lancelin residents poured into Forrest Place on Thursday morning, armed with signs and banners with one message: “save our town”. Almost 100 residents aged seven to 80 chanted “no surrender, no retreat” as they peacefully protested in Perth city to try and raise awareness of their coastal erosion fight. Lancelin locals jumped on a bus on Thursday morning to take part in the Lancelin…
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A. Udhayan appointed Tamil Nadu’s new Head of Forest Force
The Tamil Nadu government has appointed senior Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer A. Udhayan as the new Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Head of Forest Force), the highest post in the State Forest Department. Mr. Udhayan, a 1991-batch IFS officer of the Tamil Nadu cadre, is currently the Director of the Advanced Institute for Wildlife Conservation (AIWC), Vandalur, a position he has held since June 14, 2022. Before taking charge at the institute, he served as Chairman of the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) from October 2021 to June 2022. According to a government order issued by the Environment, Climate Change and Forests Department…
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One of the oldest Cunard cruise ships is set for a revamp this year
Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story. The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political…
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'Bite incidents every day': Delhi HC takes up stray dog issue, launches suo motu PIL
NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Thursday initiated a suo motu public interest litigation (PIL) to oversee the implementation of the Supreme Court's directions on the management of stray dogs in the national capital. "I don't know about Delhi, but in Rajasthan, there are two groups - one against pets and the other dog lovers. We have to strike a balance. These days there is a big fight between dog lovers and dog haters. The common man is really troubled. There are dog bite incidents every day. The monkey menace is even more serious," the bench observed. A division bench of Justice Dinesh Mehta and Justice Rajneesh Kumar Gupta issued notices to the…
Crime & Justice All ›
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FIR against Instagram user for allegedly abusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi over student protest in Delhi
According to the complaint, the accused allegedly shared an Instagram post containing abusive words directed at the Prime Minister over the protests by students in New Delhi demanding resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan for the NEET paper leak. \| Photo Credit: Dado Ruvic Banaswadi police in Bengaluru have registered an FIR against an Instagram user, identified as Hudson, for allegedly posting abusive remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media. The FIR was registered on July 22 based on a complaint by Abhilash Reddy M (38), president of the BJP unit in Sarvagnanagar constituency. According to the complaint, Hudson,…
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A mosque is being attacked in the UK ‘every five days’, British Muslim Trust warns
Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story. The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political…
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This book suggests that saying yes to everything and avoiding conflict is making you unhappy
A young monk decided, “To keep peace, I’ll agree with everyone.” First, a villager said, “Tea is better than meditation.” The monk nodded, “Yes, absolutely.” Another said, “Meditation is better than tea.” The monk nodded again, “Yes, absolutely.” Soon, two villagers argued: “Life is suffering!” “No, life is joy!” Both turned to the monk. He smiled, “Yes, absolutely.” Finally, the Zen master asked, “Is agreeing with everyone the path to peace?” The monk grinned, “Yes, absolutely.” The master laughed, “Then you’ve agreed to nonsense. Peace is not in saying yes – it lies in knowing when to say no without anger.” Blind agreement does not create peace – it…
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Mafia fugitive or innocent son? Italy seeks to extradite Ontario man over mob ties
Comfortably settled north of Toronto in a five-bedroom, six-bathroom family home on a sprawling estate with a movie theatre and space for nine cars in the garage, Carlo Bruzzese doesn't appear at first like a man on the run. A married father of four, public records show he lives at the same address as his mother and owns a business in the construction industry. But in his native Italy, prosecutors consider Bruzzese a high-ranking criminal operative — a fugitive wanted for 16 years — in the Calabrian 'ndrangheta, a powerful syndicate known for drug trafficking, bid-rigging and extortion. The son and son-in-law of purported mob bosses both expelled from…
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Mexican authorities probe alleged scam that wiped out Canadian couple’s retirement savings
Mexican authorities are probing an alleged condo fraud scheme in the tourist hot spot state of Quintana Roo that wiped out a Canadian couple’s retirement savings. The couple, Cindy Thompson and Glenn Brown of Curve Lake, Ont., sent $280,000 Cdn to a company co-owned by a British and Mexican national who promised big returns on a condo-flip play in Playa del Carmen that never materialized. Thompson and Brown’s money vanished, along with their retirement plans. "I’m just overwhelmed by it all," said Thompson, 62. "We’ll have to work until we die," said Brown, 63. While the couple hired a local lawyer who filed a criminal complaint, the case seemed to…
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'Will book you in drug case': Mumbai cop threatens student protesters on cam; inquiry ordered
MUMBAI: Mumbai Police on Thursday ordered an inquiry into a viral video purportedly showing a police driver threatening student protesters with fabricated criminal cases if they returned to agitate. The widely shared video allegedly shows the driver warning students that drugs would be planted on them and that they would be booked under narcotics laws, forcing them to spend the rest of their lives in jail if they took part in further protests. A police official said an inquiry had been ordered into the incident. âAfter verifying the facts, the driver concerned has been removed from his present posting till the completion of the inquiry,â the…
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Man charged after Malvern East rampage, chainsaw siege
Man charged after Malvern East rampage, chainsaw siege Eleanor Campbell July 23, 2026 — 5:53pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. AAA A Malvern East man was arrested following a three-hour siege after he allegedly smashed several cars, assaulted a driver and threatened police with a chainsaw before barricading himself inside his house. Christopher Egan-Lee, 43, was charged with several offences including unlawful assault and criminal damage after he allegedly went on a violent rampage around the suburb on Saturday night. Footage seen by this masthead shows Egan-Lee repeatedly…
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Woman, 31, dies while scuba diving off popular Malaysian island
Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story. The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political…
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Raja Raghuvanshi murder case: Meghalaya police file 790-page charge sheet
Family members of Raja Raghuvanshi, who was allegedly murdered during his honeymoon in Meghalaya, cut out the picture of his wife Sonam Raghuvanshi from a poster of their marriage after she was accused of plotting his murder, in Indore. \| Photo Credit: PTI The Meghalaya police have filed a 790-page charge sheet against five persons in the case related to the murder of Indore businessman Raja Raghuvanshi at Sohra on May 23. Vivek Syiem, the Superintendent of Police of the East Khasi Hills district, said the charge sheet filed in the Sohra Subdivision Court is against Sonam Raghuvanshi, the wife of the deceased, her alleged lover Raj Kushwaha and three…
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Multi-millionaire master tailor sues over claim leaky fridge let his £1m wine collection go ‘mouldy’
Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story. The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political…
Crypto & Blockchain All ›
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Woman recovers $32,000 worth of valuables left on bus with SBS Transit staff’s help
SINGAPORE – A woman who left a bag containing $32,000 worth of valuables on a bus earlier in July was able to get it back on the same day, thanks to the help of SBS Transit staff. In a Facebook post on July 22, the bus operator said the commuter, identified only as K, had alighted from service 853 at a bus stop in Ang Mo Kio before realising that she had left her bag on the bus. It contained her passport, $2,000 in cash and $30,000 worth of gold jewellery meant for her daughter’s wedding, SBS Transit said. K then approached the SBS Transit team at the Ang Mo Kio interchange for help. As service 853 is not operated by SBS Transit, senior assistant…
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Home invasions became most common crypto wrench attack in H1 2026: CertiK
Home invasions became the most common form of crypto wrench attacks during the first half of 2026, rising to 20 publicly reported incidents from just one a year earlier, according to blockchain security firm CertiK. On Thursday, CertiK said it verified 52 wrench attacks worldwide in the first half of 2026, up 33.3% from 39 incidents during the same period in 2025. Kidnappings rose to 16 from 12, while robberies declined from five incidents to one. CertiK said the recorded financial exposure linked to the attacks reached about $124.1 million, up from $10.5 million a year earlier. The figure is not limited to confirmed thefts and may include ransom…
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BitMEX to shut down after 11 years in crypto derivatives
Cointelegraph is committed to providing independent, high-quality journalism across the crypto, blockchain, AI, and fintech industries. All news, reviews, and analyses are produced with full journalistic independence and integrity. For more details on our standards and processes, please read our Editorial Policy.
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La Comer Second Quarter Profit Falls 16% as Costs Rise
Mexico · Companies Key Facts —Net sales. MXN 12,933 million (about US$699 million), up 5.7%; same-store sales up 2.9%. —Net income. MXN 671 million (about US$36 million), down 16.4% from MXN 803 million a year earlier. —EBITDA. MXN 1,331 million (about US$72 million); margin fell to 10.3% from 11.7%. —Operating profit. MXN 932 million (about US$50 million), down 9.2%; margin 7.2%. —Store network. 94 units: 39 La Comer, 23 Fresko, 17 City Market, 14 Sumesa and one City Market Cafe. La Comer second quarter profit fell 16.4% from a year earlier, as the upscale Mexican supermarket operator spent heavily on new stores, wages and advertising. Net sales…
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Meet Gigatoken: A Rust BPE Tokenizer that Encodes Text at 24.53 GB/s, up to 989x Faster than HuggingFace Tokenizers
Tokenization is the one part of the language modeling stack that almost nobody profiles. Gigatoken, released by Marcel Rød (a PhD student from Stanford) under an MIT license, argues that this was a mistake. The library encodes text at gigabytes per second on a single machine, against baselines that are already multithreaded Rust. The GPT-2 tokenizer benchmarking yields remarkable results: evaluated on the 11.9 GB owt_train.txt corpus using a 144-core AMD EPYC 9565 dual-socket setup, Gigatoken processes data at a staggering 24.53 GB/s. In comparison, OpenAI’s tiktoken achieves 36.0 MB/s, while HuggingFace tokenizers registers at 24.8 MB/s on the…
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What's the deal with peptides? The hyped market under U.S. review
Glowing skin, deeper sleep, stronger muscles, an alert mind? Such are the enticing promises of peptides, an increasingly buzzy class of substances touted by influencers and celebrities as the key to an optimized life. Starting Thursday, a US review panel convened by the Food and Drug Administration is to consider whether seven of these peptides should be recommended for compounding -- when pharmacists or outsourcing facilities create custom drugs -- as interest in them surges. Many medical experts have warned against that recommendation, citing a lack of evidence. "There's just not enough clinical data to say whether these peptides are safe and…
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Mirae Asset completes Korbit acquisition, becomes largest shareholder
Cointelegraph is committed to providing independent, high-quality journalism across the crypto, blockchain, AI, and fintech industries. All news, reviews, and analyses are produced with full journalistic independence and integrity. For more details on our standards and processes, please read our Editorial Policy.
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[EXPLAINER] Why real estate remains one of Korea's most sensitive issues
Participants raise their hands to speak during a televised public discussion on real estate policy, presided over by President Lee Jae Myung, at the KBS Annex in Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap A live, nationally televised housing policy forum led Thursday by the president himself, a rarity in many countries, highlighted the outsized role real estate plays in Korea’s economy and society. Experts say housing has become more than just shelter for Koreans, serving as a primary store of wealth, a means of securing retirement and a pathway to social mobility amid scarce supply in the Seoul metropolitan area. President Lee Jae Myung convened the public discussion…
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Cybercrime trial: Sowore moves to subpoena Onanuga, DSS DG
Human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja for time to obtain subpoenas compelling the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, to testify in his ongoing cybercrime and criminal defamation trial. The request was made during Wednesday’s proceedings after a prosecution witness, DSS official Uwem Davies, told the court that he acted on the directive of the agency’s Director-General when he wrote a letter directing Sowore to remove social media posts concerning President Bola Tinubu. Counsel to the defendant, Adeyinka…
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What the hell is Pax Silica and what can we do to stop it?
Malacañang wants us to believe it will protect our country’s interests in light of Pax Silica, but this government consistently chooses profit over people...Keep on reading: What the hell is Pax Silica and what can we do to stop it?
Automotive & EVs All ›
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Top Gear driver The Stig claims he nearly died in Freddie Flintoff car crash: ‘I have no idea how I survived’
Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story. The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political…
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VIDEO | Getting a driver's license in Korea, recognized in over 140 countries
VIDEO Four days from application to license In many countries, obtaining a driver's license means waiting weeks between separate appointments. Korea consolidates the process into a single facility. Applicants complete a pretest traffic safety education, a written exam, a practical test and an on-road test — a sequence that can be finished in as little as four days for a Type 2 automatic license. Korea has signed mutual recognition agreements with more than 140 countries and territories, allowing holders to exchange their license for a local one without retesting. Standardized procedures, automated scoring Examiner assignments are drawn at random each…
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Philippine auto sales down 11% in H1
MANILA, Philippines — Philippine vehicle sales extended their slump in June, falling 8 percent year-on-year to 37,231 units, even as stabilizing fuel prices and improving supply helped the market rebound from the previous month. This brought the total automotive sales to 204,557 units as of the first half, down by 11.4 percent from 230,912 in the same period last year, based on data released on Thursday by the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (Campi) and Truck Manufacturers Association Inc. READ: Auto sales picked up in May on steadier fuel prices In June alone, sales rose 11 percent […]...Keep on reading: Philippine auto…
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India’s solar push idles factories unable to shake reliance on China
NEW DELHI/BEIJING – Indian makers of solar panels are being forced to shut factories as they face waits stretching up to eight months for domestic components to replace Chinese imports as the government pushes to beef up domestic manufacturing, industry sources say. The disruptions, triggered by rules that took effect on June 1, threaten thousands of jobs and investment of nearly $4 billion, manufacturers and analysts said, while imperiling India’s 2030 target to boost solar energy capacity. “We have suffered a lot due to the domestic cell unavailability for the past three months,” said Shailendra Shukla, chairman of Icon Solar, a module maker, who…
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Cagayan town suspends supplier for allegedly selling gov't seeds
For selling inbred rice seeds packed in sacks with the markings “DA (Department of Agriculture)” and “Not For Sale,” a commercial farm supplier that does business in Sanchez Mira town was directed to cease operations for three months. INQUIRER FILES TUGUEGARAO CITY- For selling inbred rice seeds packed in sacks with the markings “DA (Department of Agriculture)” and “Not For Sale,” a commercial farm supplier that does business in Sanchez Mira town was directed to cease operations for three months. Sanchez Mira agriculturist Ridel Cabulisan earlier received complaints from farmers that a commercial supplier was selling them government-distributed inbred…
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SILOY IS WATCHING: Reckless driving of public bus in south Cebu on video
CONSOLACION, Cebu – Another alleged case of reckless driving on a Cebu highway has been caught on camera. A concerned ka-Siloy shared with CDN Digital a video showing what appeared to be a public utility bus dangerously overtaking several vehicles along the roads in San Fernando town, southern Cebu, on Thursday morning, July 23. Based […]...Keep on reading: SILOY IS WATCHING: Reckless driving of public bus in south Cebu on video
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Solar cell shortage forces Indian manufacturers to cut production
Indian makers of solar panels are being forced to shut factories as they face waits stretching up to eight months for domestic components to replace Chinese imports as the government pushes to beef up domestic manufacturing, industry sources say. The disruptions, triggered by rules that took effect on June 1, threaten thousands of jobs and investment of nearly $4 billion, manufacturers and analysts said, while imperiling India's 2030 target to boost solar energy capacity. "We have suffered a lot due to the domestic cell unavailability for the past three months," said Shailendra Shukla, chairman of Icon Solar, a module maker, who expects production…
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Tesla profit falls as AI, robotaxi spending accelerates
Tesla said Wednesday that its profits fell last quarter as the car company run by Elon Musk shoveled more money into research and development, cutting into profits from a sharp increase in vehicle sales. The Austin, Texas, company reported second-quarter net income of $1.11 billion, or 32 cents per share. Excluding certain items, earnings were 33 cents per share, well short of the 53 cents per share forecast by Wall Street analysts, according to FactSet. Revenue rose 26% to $28.24 billion, beating analysts’ forecast of $26.42 billion. While the core car business had a solid quarter, Tesla is now focused on building out the infrastructure and AI…
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(LEAD) Hyundai Motor's Q2 net falls 11.2 pct on high costs, production losses
(ATTN: RECASTS throughout; ADDS photo) SEOUL, July 23 (Yonhap) -- Hyundai Motor Co., South Korea's leading automaker, said Thursday its second-quarter net profit fell 11.2 percent from a year earlier due to higher costs and production losses. Net profit for the three months ended in June declined to 2.88 trillion won (US$2 billion) from 3.25 trillion won a year earlier, the company said in a press release. "Higher raw material costs and production losses caused by a fire at a major parts supplier weighed on quarterly earnings," the company said. Operating profit fell 20.8 percent to 2.85 trillion won from 3.6 trillion won a year earlier, while sales…
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Hong Kong gears up for city’s first test run of fully driverless vehicles
Hong Kong has approved its first trial scheme for fully driverless autonomous vehicles, with the technology to be tested on Airport Island without a person at the wheel as a backup for the first time. The Transport Department announced on Thursday that it had expanded the scope of a pilot licence for autonomous vehicle trial schemes in North Lantau, after concluding that earlier remote-operation tests had met safety requirements. “We are pleased to confirm that the autonomous vehicle tests have been ideal, safe and operating smoothly,” Commissioner for Transport Winnie Tse Wing-yee said. Since February, autonomous vehicle trials on Airport Island were…
Energy All ›
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EasyJet profits plunge 70% as fuel costs soar amid Iran war
The low-cost airline easyJet has revealed a 70% slide in profits because of soaring fuel costs and later bookings as a result of the conflict in Iran, only weeks after it agreed to a £5.7bn takeover. The carrier reported a pre-tax profit of £85m between April and June compared with £286m during the same period a year earlier, as its fuel costs increased by £105m after the outbreak of hostilities in the Middle East in late February sent energy prices rocketing. It came as two US investment firms vie to buy easyJet. The airline’s board originally accepted the fifth bid from Castlelake, worth £5.5bn, but then recommended a higher bid from Apollo Global…
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Ride-hailing platforms extend temporary fuel surcharge on rides until Sep 30
SINGAPORE: Grab, Gojek, ComfortDelGro's CDG Zig and Tada will extend their temporary fuel surcharge until Sep 30, amid elevated fuel prices. In a Facebook post on Wednesday (Jul 22), the National Private Hire Vehicles Association said that the four ride-hailing platforms would maintain their driver fee and fuel support measures following the association's continued engagement with the operators. Fuel prices in Singapore have remained elevated since the war on Iran started in late February. According to online car marketplace Motorist Singapore, pump prices for 95-octane petrol in Singapore on Thursday ranged from S$3.36 (US$2.60) to S$3.37 per litre.…
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Nigeria’s solar boom bypasses national grid as utility-scale investment stalls – Report
Nigeria has emerged as sub-Saharan Africa’s fastest-growing market for small-scale solar systems, but weak investment in utility-scale renewable energy projects is preventing the country from translating the boom into large-scale improvements in electricity supply. These are the central findings of a new report published by BloombergNEF (BNEF) on Wednesday. The report, titled “Sub-Saharan Africa Renewable Energy Market Outlook”, projects that Nigeria will dominate the region’s small-scale solar additions through 2035, while South Africa will remain the continent’s leader in utility-scale renewable energy deployment. The findings underscore the…
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Husic says Labor ‘allergic to dissent’ as he breaks ranks on key government positions at party conference
Outspoken Labor MP Ed Husic claims the party has become “allergic” to dissent and dispute, warning the unity on show at its tightly controlled national conference could backfire. The former industry minister broke ranks with the government on the first day of Labor’s 50th party conference to support a gas export tax, endorse Indigenous truth-telling and press for more criticism of Israel’s conduct in Gaza. As factional powerbrokers negotiated behind-the-scenes to avert contested debates on the conference floor, Husic hit out at the party’s culture under Anthony Albanese. “This whole thing of being allergic to dissent [and] dispute, I don’t think that…
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Argentina Trade Surplus Hits Near-Record US$13.9 Billion
Argentina · Business Key Facts —First-half surplus. Argentina’s trade surplus reached US$13.923 billion in January–June 2026, according to the national statistics agency INDEC. —Energy engine. Fuel and energy exports from the Vaca Muerta shale formation generated a surplus of almost US$6 billion, the highest this century. —Export jump. Total exports rose 24.4% year on year to US$49.454 billion, while imports fell 3.9% to US$35.531 billion. —Monthly peak. May 2026 delivered a record monthly surplus of US$3.5 billion, before easing to US$2.194 billion in June. —Reserve gap. Despite the trade windfall, the central bank’s net foreign-exchange reserves…
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From symbolism to substance: a roadmap for Pakistan-Russia ties
The world is entering a period of rapid geopolitical realignment. The conflicts unfolding in the Middle East and along Russia’s borders with the West are not merely regional disputes; they are symptomatic of a deeper contest between two poles of global power — China and the United States — over the shape of the emerging world order. In this environment, smaller and middle powers risk being viewed simply as territory to be absorbed into one bloc or another. Russia and Iran are two states that deserve closer attention in this context. It would be a mistake to assume that their geopolitical weight can simply be written out of a new order defined by…
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EU approves scaled-back sanctions package against Russia
European Union countries on Thursday agreed a new watered-down round of sanctions on Russia over the Ukraine war after weeks of haggling, freezing the level of an oil price cap. The package - the 21st by the EU since Moscow's 2022 invasion - was held up by a raft of objections by member states to various proposed elements. "Our 21st sanctions package targets the sectors with the highest impact: energy, financial services, crypto, and trade," European Council head Antonio Costa posted online. Diplomats said the final hurdle was overcome after Greece was granted an exemption allowing one of its shipping firms to carry on transporting Russian liquefied…
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PBBM leads inauguration of Palawan's largest irrigation dam
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. inaugurated the Ibato-Iraan Small Reservoir Irrigation Project (SRIP) in Aborlan, Palawan, on Thursday, July 20, 2026. The Ibato-Iraan SRIP is Palawan’s largest irrigation facility and the island-province’s first reservoir-type irrigation project, which Marcos described it as a major investment in food security that will provide farmers with a stable […]...Keep on reading: PBBM leads inauguration of Palawan's largest irrigation dam
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The European country whose state oil company has been one of the biggest winners of Iran war
Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story. The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political…
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British Gas owner to cut 1,300 jobs over two years in major overhaul
Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story. The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political…