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International News

China, Taiwan play high-seas ‘cat and mouse’ as drills wrap up

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China’s largest-ever military exercises surrounding Taiwan were drawing to a close on Sunday following a controversial visit last week to the self-ruled island by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Beijing has raged at the trip by Pelosi – the second in the line of succession to the US presidency – ripping up a series of talks and cooperation agreements with Washington, most notably on climate change and defence.
It has also deployed fighter jets, warships and ballistic missiles around Taiwan in what analysts have described as practice for a blockade and ultimate invasion of the island.
Those exercises were set to end Sunday, though Beijing has announced fresh drills in the Yellow Sea – located between China and the Korean peninsula – to take place until August 15.
Taiwan’s transport ministry said six of the seven “temporary danger zones” China warned airlines to avoid ceased to be in effect as of noon on Sunday, signalling a drawdown of the drills.
It said the seventh zone, in waters east of Taiwan, would remain in effect until 10:00 am (0300 GMT) local time on Monday. “Relevant flights and sailings can gradually resume,” the ministry said in a statement.
Taipei said some routes were still being affected in the seventh area, and authorities would continue to monitor ship movements there. Earlier on Sunday, Beijing conducted “practical joint exercises in the sea and airspace surrounding Taiwan Island as planned”, the Chinese military’s Eastern Command said. The drills were focused “on testing the joint firepower on the ground and long-range air strike capabilities”, it added.
Taipei’s defence ministry also confirmed that China had dispatched “planes, vessels and drones” around the Taiwan Strait, “simulating attacks on Taiwan’s main island and on ships in our waters”.
Beijing also sent drones over Taiwan’s outlying islands, it added. In response, the democratic island said it mobilised a “joint intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance system to closely monitor the enemy situation” as well as sending planes and vessels.
China’s defence ministry did not respond to a request for comment about the expected conclusion of the drills on Sunday. To show how close China’s forces have been getting to Taiwan’s shores, Beijing’s military released a video of an air force pilot filming the island’s coastline and mountains from his cockpit.
And the Eastern Command of the Chinese army shared a photo it said was taken of a warship patrolling seas near Taiwan with the island’s shoreline visible in the background.
The drills have also seen Beijing fire ballistic missiles over Taiwan’s capital, according to Chinese state media. Taipei has remained defiant throughout China’s sabre-rattling, insisting it will not be cowed by its “evil neighbour”. Taiwan’s foreign ministry urged Beijing on Saturday to “immediately stop raising tensions and taking provocative actions to intimidate the Taiwanese people”. But experts have warned the drills reveal an increasingly emboldened Chinese military capable of carrying out a gruelling blockade of the self-ruled island as well as obstructing US forces from coming to its aid. AFP

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International News

Zelensky condemns Russian ‘terror’ after damage to nuclear plant

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Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday accused Russia of using the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant “for terror” after the operator of the facility reported major damage at the site.
Energoatom, operator of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in the south of the country, said Saturday that parts of the facility had been “seriously damaged” by military strikes and one of its reactors was forced to shut down. Friday’s strikes had damaged a station containing nitrogen and oxygen and an auxiliary building, Energoatom said on the Telegram messaging service.
As hostilities raged on in the east and south of Ukraine, pro-Moscow authorities in the Russian-occupied Kherson region reported another assassination attempt on a senior official. And the head of Amnesty International’s Ukraine office announced she had resigned from the organisation over the group’s publication of a controversial report that accused the country’s military of endangering civilians.
Kyiv and Moscow have blamed each other for the attacks on the Zaporizhzhia plant, Europe’s largest atomic power complex.
Zelensky, in his nightly address on Saturday, once again accused Moscow of terrorism, saying, “Russian terrorists became the first in the world to use the power plant… for terror.”
The European Union’s top diplomat Josep Borrell condemned the attack “as a serious and irresponsible breach of nuclear safety rules and another example of Russia’s disregard for international norms”.
The head of the UN’s nuclear watchdog also expressed alarm. The strikes underline “the very real risk of a nuclear disaster”, said Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Another assassination bid An official with the Russian occupying authorities in Kherson was gravely wounded Saturday in an attempted assassination, local Moscow-backed officials said.
Vitaly Gur “is in hospital with multiple gunshot wounds, in a critical state”, an unnamed official told Russian state news agency TASS. Gur is the deputy chief of the Kakhovka district, some 80 kilometres (50 miles) east of Kherson city.
This was the latest in a series of reported assassination attempts against officials in Ukrainian regions controlled by Russia. Although Russia has seized a large swath of the Kherson region and part of nearby Zaporizhzhia in recent months, Ukraine’s forces have reclaimed some territory.
In his address Saturday, Zelensky hit out at Amnesty International, comparing the rights group’s accusations against Ukraine’s military with its silence on Russia’s actions.
Referring to the strikes on the Zaporizhzhia plant, he said that although they represented “one of the most dangerous crimes against Ukrainians and all Europeans… for some reason, there’s still no report or even just a simple message from Amnesty International about it.
“It’s a very eloquent silence, which points out, once more, a manipulative selectivity of this organisation,” he added.
Amnesty sparked outrage in Ukraine with the report published Thursday that accused the military of endangering civilians by establishing bases in schools and hospitals, and launching counterattacks from heavily populated areas. AFP

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Football Sports

Messi turns on the style as PSG begins Ligue 1 title defense

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Lionel Messi scored twice in the second half, including with a stunning overhead kick, as Paris Saint-Germain began their defence of the Ligue 1 title with a 5-0 demolition of Clermont on Saturday.
Neymar was also in outstanding form for a PSG side who did not miss the injured Kylian Mbappe, with the Brazilian opening the scoring in Clermont before setting up Achraf Hakimi and Marquinhos for further goals before half-time.
Messi then exchanged passes with Neymar before sidefooting in the visitors’ fourth goal with 10 minutes left.
Yet Messi saved the best for last, darting into the box four minutes from the end to control a Leandro Paredes pass on his chest with his back to goal, before converting with an acrobatic overhead kick.
That goal had the crowd at Clermont’s Stade Gabriel-Montpied singing the name of the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, who endured a difficult first season in Paris.
PSG’s victory in new coach Christophe Galtier’s first league game in charge was achieved despite Mbappe missing the trip due to an adductor injury.
Mbappe also missed last week’s 4-0 defeat of Nantes in the season-opening Champions Trophy due to suspension.
Messi had opened the scoring in that game, while Neymar netted a brace.
The duo therefore already have six goals between them this season, with PSG looking in ominous form.
“There is no denying we have lots of talent but what I retain is the collective desire to win the ball back very early, to play with intensity, to never let up,” Galtier, who replaced the sacked Mauricio Pochettino, told broadcaster Canal Plus.
“The squad have been very receptive since I arrived. They like to work hard together, have fun together. But the season is long. This was just the first game.”
‘No risks’ for Mbappe
Galtier said he would have no trouble finding a place in the line-up for Mbappe, who is expected to return next weekend and play his first competitive game since turning down a move to Real Madrid to sign a new three-year deal in Paris.
“Kylian is an essential part of this project. For a coach, it is not very difficult to integrate a player like him into the team,” Galtier said.
“He had a little alert and so we didn’t want to take any risk.
“Obviously if we had a difficult game, or a Champions League match, maybe Kylian would have played. We preferred to delay his comeback but he should be back against Montpellier.”
Neymar fired in the opener in the ninth minute after Messi was unable to control Pablo Sarabia’s cutback, and it was Neymar who set up Hakimi to blast in the second in the 26th minute. AFP

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Sports

Thompson-Herah, Kiplimo celebrate golden Commonwealth doubles

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Jamaican sprint great Elaine Thompson-Herah and distance runner Jacob Kiplimo of Uganda sealed Commonwealth Games doubles by winning the 200 metres and 5,000m on Saturday.
Thompson-Herah has made sprint doubles her speciality — she is a two-time dual Olympic champion — and she did it in style in Birmingham by setting a new Games record of 22.02sec.
“I was going for a Games record in the 100 and it didn’t work so I said, ‘I must get it in the 200’,” said the Jamaican star.
“I must say I’m just grateful to claim that gold today, the day we celebrate Independence Day in Jamaica.”
Kiplimo emulated compatriot Joshua Cheptegei in 2018 in achieving the distance double, timing 13min 08.08sec.
As he danced over to his team in the stands and did a lap of honour, the loudest roars were heard for Solomon Islands athlete Rosefelo Siosi as he completed his race more than four minutes after Kiplimo had finished.
“It was a wonderful performance for me,” said Kiplimo. “I have two (gold medals) and I’m so happy about it.”
Oliver Hoare earlier became the first Australian to win the 1500m title, timing 3min 30.12sec to break Filbert Bayi’s Games record, which had stood since 1974.
The 25-year-old produced a perfectly timed run down the finishing straight to breeze past first world champion Jake Wightman and Kenya’s Timothy Cheruiyot, the world champion in 2019.
Trinidad and Tobago’s Jereem Richards lit up the evening session as he successfully defended his 200m title, timing 19.80sec to eclipse the great Frankie Fredericks’ 1994 mark of 19.97.
Hoare’s win was one of three Australian golds.
Kurtis Marschall retained his pole vault title after the event eventually got under way after some of the competitors’ poles were late being delivered to the track.
Jemima Montag added the women’s 10,000m walk to her 20km title in 2018 wiping tears from her eyes as she revealed her late grandmother Judith, a Holocaust survivor who died last year, was her inspiration.
“She teaches me to take one step at a time and it also puts things into perspective,” she said.
‘Everybody went past me’
The Kenyans may have come off second best to Kiplimo but they still won two golds — Abraham Kibiwot in the men’s 3,000m steeplechase and Mary Moraa in the women’s 800m.
Moraa thought she had blown her chances by running far faster than she planned in the first lap.
She dropped back at the bell but incredibly found a second wind to come again, winning in a time of 1:57.07 and inflict more silver misery on England’s Olympic and world runner-up Keely Hodgkinson.
“I am so happy with this win,” said the 22-year-old. “When I reached the 500m, I think everybody went past me.
“But with 200 to go, I closed the gap and then I knew I had to push myself right until the end.”
Scotland’s Laura Muir took bronze on the line — clapping her hands together after a photo finish confirmed first Commonwealth Games medal.
“I wanted to come here and get a medal and I’ve done that,” said Muir, who could still win gold in her marquee event, the 1500m, on Sunday.
It was deja vu in both the women’s and men’s 400m hurdles — Jamaica’s Janieve Russell and Kyron McMaster of the British Virgin Islands retaining their titles.
For both it was a bright moment in a season blighted by injury. “It sounds amazing, it sounds very good,” said McMaster of being a two-time Games champion.
“As an athlete you always want to repeat what you started off with.” It was difficult to tell who wore the biggest smile between McMaster and Alastair Chalmers, the 22-year-old taking bronze and giving Guernsey their first-ever athletics medal at the Games. AFP

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Opinion

Pakistan: Under the Harrow

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MUHAMMAD UMAIR

On the 14th August, 1947, a country named Pakistan carved on the map of the world. Muslims of Indian sub-continent put their efforts to get a separate homeland, where they can practice their religious, social and cultural norms. After gaining independence, they had a bright picture of their future in their minds but they and their generations has failed to pursue their goals. This has led to more severe challenges of beloved country in the form of population explosion, water crisis, climate change, economic crisis, unemployment, inflation and many more. Political leadership is messed up in the regime game, while public is bearing the brunt of this shit. Sincere and God-fearing ruleis the Hobson’s choice to save the nation from being a beggar-nation.

Historically speaking, the united India’s Muslims got independence to break the chains of slavery. But nobody knew that this will further push them into the more complex slavery i.e. they would be a separate nation but any outsider would have full fledge indulgence into its matters. Current scenario, after 75 years of creation, is depicting the same, incumbent finance minister ‘Miftah Ismail’ has stated that world is not ready to give us money. The question arises here that why beloved country is on the brink of destruction? Who did this? Yes, incompetent and selfish leadership which brought the country to this extent.

In the same context, economic dependence has pushed the nation to slavery. For instance, International Monetary Fund (IMF) has put some severe conditions, including rise in fuel price, to implement in order to get $1.2 billion loan. The so called leadership has named these conditions as ‘mushkilfaislay’ and since the inception, such kind of intervention has compromised the nation’s integrity. Besides this, inflation in the country has reached its highest rate i.e. more than 21pc, says Pakistan Bureau of Statistic.

Additionally, the beloved country has also messed up with population explosion crisis. According to census of 1951, the country had 75million population but latest figure has reached to 225million. Ultimately, depleting the natural resources rapidly. Likewise, water crisis with current per capita water availability of 1050 cubic meter has exacerbated. In case of urbanization, 60pc population resides in the urban centers. Economically, current account deficit has swelled to $17.4bn, says DAWN. Though, natural resources are in abundance, including human resources i.e. 64pc youth bulge, but political chaos and turmoil has made it failed to exploit these resources appropriately.

While keeping aside the political and individual interests, leadership should pay its sincere and public interest based efforts to pull country from the ongoing crises. Adoption of one-child policy as of China, crops; taking less water, construction of dams, implementation of policies to limit urbanization, strengthening export based economy, afforestation and reforestation in order to prevent soil erosion and climate change issues should be taken into consideration on priority bases. Such wise and serious measures are needed to prevent country from further destruction.

Upon considering all the facts, it is obvious that Pakistan was created to live independently, but ongoing crises have pushed the country under indirect slavery. Loan based economy has paved the way for foreign elements to intervene in the country’s matter. Foreign policy has been compromised due to political incompetency of leaders. Rather, paying attention to national issues, political leadership is putting its efforts to save its vested interests. Public is facing severe inflation due to whicha large chunk of population is unable to afford its basic needs including education, health and proper food. Right now, for political leadership, it is the time to take good decisions to save the country, otherwise it will be too late to make the country prosperous.

______________________________________________________________________________

Engr. Muhammad Umair

*Lahore based Analyst.

umair1150@gmail.com

Twitter: @uumii1569

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Sports

Arshad Nadeem of Pakistan believes he will win the javelin medal at the 2022 CWG

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Pakistan’s top athlete Arshad Nadeem will compete in the men’s javelin throw final at the Alexander Stadium today hoping to earn his first Commonwealth Games medal (Sunday). It will start at 11:40 p.m. (Pakistan time).
Neeraj Chopra, the silver medalist from the most recent World Championship and the gold medalist from the Tokyo Olympics, has chosen to skip the quadrennial competition owing to a groyne ailment, giving Arshad the best opportunity to place third in Birmingham.
Arshad followed up his fifth-place finish in the Tokyo Olympics from the previous year by placing fifth with an 86.16-metre throw in the most recent World Championship hosted in the US.
This was also his third personal best throw; his previous two best throws were 86.38 metres in Iran and 86.29 metres in the 2019 South Asian Games in Nepal. Anderson Peters, a two-time world champion, is present in Birmingham and in excellent condition. He just made a fierce defence of his world championship in the US with a magnificent throw of 90.54 metres.
It will be interesting to observe how Trinidad and Tobago’s gold medallist from the 2012 London Olympics, Keshorn Walcott, performs. He fell short, though, in the US World Championship. Despite only managing a throw of 78.87 metres, he was unable to advance to the finals. Despite this, he might be tricky due to his extensive experience.
Kishorn has two medals to his name: a bronze from the 2016 Olympics in Rio and a silver from the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014. In Birmingham, it will be intriguing to watch how the trio performs. In the quadrennial competition, Arshad is certain to provide his best performance. Yes, InshaAllah, I’ll try my hardest, Arshad assured the journalists.
I’m in excellent form. Yes, I have an elbow injury and am still playing. It bothered me in the US as well because I was in discomfort during the World Championship, but I’m handling it well.Dr. Ali Bajwa was with me in the US and gave me excellent care. He will most likely be with me here as well because, from what I understand, his services have been engaged for a few days,” he stated. When asked if he would compete against Peters, the finest in the world, Arshad replied that he would do his best. I’m not in it to win against anyone. I challenge myself. I’ll make an effort to give it my all.
The training, according to him, had been fair in Birmingham. Yes, a few productive sessions took place here because of the location’s excellent weather, according to Arshad.
He played without a coach in the US as well, and he will do the same here. Due to health issues, Terseus Liebenberg, Arshad’s South African instructor who had coached him in Johannesburg, was unable to travel to the US. Arshad stated, “There is no coach with me.”

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Janhvi Kapoor calls Alia Bhatt ‘unparalleled talent’ as she showers praise on ‘Darlings’

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By Web Desk

Janhvi Kapoor took to her Instagram handle to join the bandwagon of celebrities who have showered praise on Alia Bhatt starrer ‘Darlings’.


Sharing a still of Alia from the movie, Janhvi wrote in her appreciation post, ‘Another winner! No words for you @AliaBhatt a film to be proud of and another performance that leaves in complete awe of your unparalleled talent! @shefalishahofficial you are beyond mesmerising. Wickedly colourful and deceivingly tragic. @itsvijayverma a humanised villain. You are brilliant. Loved hating you throughout. @jasmeetkreen congratulations on a home run.

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Last but not the least @baidnitin The maestro strikes again. Congrats Mr Baid on your consistency and your genius. This one is a winner. (sic).’

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‘Darlings’ marks Alia’s maiden production venture. The film is also co-produced by Shah Rukh Khan. Directed by Jasmeet K Reen, ‘Darlings’ also stars Shefali Shah and Vijay Varma in lead roles. The film was released on an OTT platform on August 5 and has been receiving rave reviews from the audience and the critics alike ever since.

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Tyler Perry criticised for calling Meghan Markle princess

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Thousands of people liked actor and director Tyler Perry’s tweet which he posted to wish his friend Meghan Markle on her 41st birthday.

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The actor’s tweet received mixed reaction in the US and the United Kingdom.

While Meghan’s fans were happy to see her pal publicaly wishing her on her birthday, royal fans criticized the actor for calling the Duchess of Sussex a princess.

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Taking to Twitter on Friday, Perry wrote, I’ve had a front row seat in your life for the past few years. I’ve watched you endure things that would have broken a lot of people. I’m so incredibly proud to see how happy you, your husband, and your kids are now. It fills me with joy to say Happy Birthday Princess Meghan.”

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“I’ve had a front row seat in your life for the past few yrs. I’ve watched u endure things that would have broken a lot of people. I’m so incredibly proud to see how happy u, ur husband, & your kids are now. It fills me w/ joy to say Happy Birthday #PrincessMeghan.” – Tyler Perry

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“I’ve had a front row seat in your life for the past few yrs. I’ve watched u endure things that would have broken a lot of people. I’m so incredibly proud to see how happy u, ur husband, & your kids are now. It fills me w/ joy to say Happy Birthday #PrincessMeghan.” – Tyler Perry

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Will Smith’s daughter justifies dad’s attack on Chris Rock

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Days after Will Smith apologized to Chris Rock for slapping at Oscars, the actor’s daughter opened up about the incident.

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Willow Smith said during a recent interview with Billboard that the ensuing media reaction after his dad slapped the comedian “didn’t rock me as much as my own internal demons.”

“I see my whole family as being human and I love and accept them for all their humanness,” she added. “Because of the position that we’re in, our humanness sometimes isn’t accepted, and we’re expected to act in a way that isn’t conducive to a healthy human life and isn’t conducive to being honest.”

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Willow previously shared a cryptic message in some tweets shortly after her dad resigned from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. “The meaning of life is found in challenge,” Willow wrote, adding: “Life is a series of reactions.”

Will Smith attacked Rock after he made light of Jada Pinkett Smith.

“Jada, I love ya. G.I. Jane 2, can’t wait to see ya,” he joked.

Chris Rock has not accepted Will Smith:s apology and his fans are convinced Willow Smith’s remarks would add fuel to the fire if his humanness allows him to avenge his humiliation.

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Beyoncé’s Renaissance debuts at number one

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Beyoncé has earned her fourth UK number one album with Renaissance, a heartfelt love letter to house and dance music.

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The album outsold its nearest competition by three-to-one to reach the summit, said the Official Charts.

It follows the star’s previous chart-toppers, Dangerously in Love (2003), 4 (2011) and Lemonade (2016). She also made number one as part of Destiny’s Child on the 2001 album, Survivor.

Renaissance was also the week’s biggest-seller on vinyl.

The album has also topped the charts in Australia, Ireland and France, and is predicted to have the biggest opening week of the year in the US.

In the singles chart, the album’s lead track Break My Soul reaches a new peak at number two – making it Beyoncé’s highest-charting solo song since 2008’s If I Were A Boy.

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Two further songs from Renaissance debut inside the Top 20, with Cuff It at 14 and Alien Superstar landing at 16.

Chart rules stipulate that no more than three songs from the same artist can qualify for the Top 100 at the same time, otherwise the total would be higher Released last Friday, Renaissance has been praised for its fusion of six decades of black and queer dance music, from disco and funk, to Chicago house and Afro-beats, Jamaican dancehall and Detroit techno, via New York’s ballroom scene.

“Renaissance is Beyoncé at her loca-motion best,” wrote Jason King for NPR. “The kinetic album seems to rarely let up or stop, or take a break. It’s bursting over with musical and sonic and lyrical details and ideas.

Rolling Stone’s critic Mosi Reeves agreed, calling it: “a sprawling testament to the beauty of the dancefloor”.

“Every song is an uptempo track that has the potential to joyously redefine dance floors, living rooms, and car singalongs in 2022 and beyond.”

New Beyoncé album a dance-floor hit with critics
Beyoncé, Drake and the revival of 90s house music
Beyoncé revises Renaissance album after complaints
Beyonce’s has stated that Renaissance is the first instalment of a three-album project recorded during the pandemic.

“Creating this album allowed me a place to dream and to find escape during a scary time for the world,” she wrote on Instagram.

The singer dedicated the record to her uncle Jonny, saying: “He was my godmother and the first person to expose me to a lot of the music and culture that serve as inspiration for this album.

“Thank you to all of the pioneers who originate culture, to all of the fallen angels whose contributions have gone unrecognized for far too long. This is a celebration for you.”

However, the album did not arrive without controversy.

Disability activists criticised the use of a derogatory term for people with spastic cerebral palsy in the song Heated, while R&B singer Kelis complained that elements of her song Milkshake had been borrowed without permission in another track, Energy.

Beyoncé quickly revised the album on Tuesday night, replacing the offensive lyric and removing references to Milkshake entirely.

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Ukraine war: Wembley exhibition shows ‘beauty’ of country

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By Web Desk

The “real beauty of Ukraine and its people” is being showcased in a public art display in north-west London.

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Visions of Home is a collection of photographs, installations and digital works by artists from the country.

It forms part of an annual art trail just outside Wembley Stadium, which is visited by millions of people a year.

The exhibition aims to showcase a “resilient and hopeful country”, and to keep the war in Ukraine in the public conscience, curators said.

Ukrainian-born artist and photographer Ira Lupu, who curated the exhibition said she was worried the “abundance” of news coverage may have left some people “desensitised and distant to the tragedy” resulting from the conflict.

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A large digital installation urges passers-by to remember the victims of the war in Ukraine
“My dream is to develop something that opens up the real beauty of Ukraine and its people – a different take to the casual display of Ukrainian bodies we see in the global media,” she said.

The display includes a series of photographs capturing people living in the Ukrainian city of Odesa, where 21 people were killed in a Russian missile strike in July.

Families feeling war in Ukraine arrive at Luton Airport

This collection features a seven-storey high portrait of Anna Domashyna – a Ukrainian woman who stayed in the country to help people in need throughout the conflict – which has been installed on the side of a car park.

‘Remember Ukraine’
A giant digital screen installation has also been erected, urging passers-by to “remember Ukraine”. It is displayed across two supersized screens at the entrance to the Wembley Park development, which is hosting the public gallery.

Wembley Park launched its summer art trail in 2020, which it says is part of a year-round arts and culture programme, supporting local and international artists.

“As a curator, it is my honour and duty to enable artists to tell stories, especially about marginalised people and neglected places,” Josh McNorton, cultural director of Wembley Park, said.

“News about the war in Ukraine has been ubiquitous for months now, but I hope Wembley Park’s summer exhibition showcases a new insight into this resilient and hopeful country. Ukrainian artists have a powerful perspective, and their stories need to be told now more than ever.”

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John Legend on abortion rights: ‘Government should not be involved’

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BY WEb DESK

John Legend has spoken out on abortion rights – saying government should not be involved in this “personal” matter.

In particular, the award-winning musician said it was “offensive” and “nasty” for people going through a miscarriage like his own to run the risk of investigation over abortion.

Two years ago his wife, model Chrissy Teigen, lost their baby at 20 weeks.

His comments come as millions of women in the US face losing their constitutional right to abortion.

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On Friday, Indiana’s Senate took a vote paving the way for it to become the first US state to tighten abortion laws since Roe v Wade – the ruling which underpinned the constitutional right to abortion – was overturned in June.

The bill – which needs to be signed into law by the state’s governor – would mean a near-total ban on abortions, with exemptions for cases of rape and incest, albeit limited to 10 weeks, to prevent serious physical risk to the mother or fatal foetal abnormalities.

The Biden administration has labelled the decision in Indiana “devastating”. In a statement on Saturday, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said: “It’s another radical step by Republican legislators to take away women’s reproductive rights and freedom, and put personal health care decisions in the hands of politicians rather than women and their doctors.”

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Other states are also expected to tighten their own restrictions on abortion, while others have enacted pre-existing restrictions already, leading to fears of what it may mean for women who have suffered a miscarriage and may need medical intervention.

Already, stories have emerged from states with strict abortion controls, with one doctor telling the BBC she had already seen emergency departments turning women away.

Speaking to CNN’s The Axe Files podcast, hosted by David Axelrod, Legend said decisions around pregnancy should be made by a mother and her doctor, along with family members if she wishes.

Chrissy Teigen posts moving blog about losing baby
Legend – whose son, who they had named Jack, died when Teigen was 20 weeks pregnant – added that he was horrified at the thought of law enforcement being involved”after all of that trauma, after all of that pain, after all those tears we went through”.

“To have the government involved in that conversation in any way is so offensive to me,” he said. “It’s nasty. It’s evil. It should not be even a discussion. The government should not be involved.”

Abortion has been a divisive issue in the US for many years, with many Republicans pushing for strict limits – or even total bans.

However, a June poll from NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist found that 56% of Americans were opposed to the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v Wade, while 40% supported it.

In early August, the conservative state of Kansas voted to uphold the constitutional right to abortion.

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Judith Durham: Former Seekers lead singer dies aged 79

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Australian musician Judith Durham, best known as the lead singer of folk music group The Seekers, has died aged 79.

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Her band sold more than 50 million records and had hits including I’ll Never Find Another You, I Am Australian and Georgy Girl.

She left the group to go solo in 1968 and went on to release a number of studio albums.

Anthony Albanese, Australia’s prime minister, paid tribute to Durham, calling her “a national treasure”.

“Judith Durham gave voice to a new strand of our identity and helped blaze a trail for a new generation of Aussie artists,” he wrote on social media. “Her kindness will be missed by many, the anthems she gave to our nation will never be forgotten.”

Durham was honoured multiple times during her lengthy career, including being awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for services to music in 1995 and the Centenary Medal in 2003.

She was also named the Victorian of the Year in 2015.

Born in Melbourne, Durham rose to international fame after joining The Seekers in 1962 alongside Athol Guy, Keith Potger and Bruce Woodley. She became the band’s lead singer the following year, aged 20.

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A year after becoming joint recipients of the Australian of the Year award in 1967, the group officially disbanded, but reunited to perform on multiple occasions – the last time being 2014.

Durham married the British pianist and musical director Ron Edgeworth in 1969, who died less than 30 years after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease.

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National

Pant top scores as India defeat West Indies by 59 runs in fourth T20

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United States :India advanced their preparation for the next Twenty20 World Cup with a series-clinching 59-run victory over the West Indies in the fourth fixture of a five-match series at the Broward County Stadium in Florida on Saturday.

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Defending a formidable total of 191 for five in front of fiercely partisan Indian supporters at the United States venue, Rohit Sharma’s side dismissed their opponents for 132 off 19.1 overs.

India take an unbeatable 3-1 lead in the series ahead of the final match at the same venue on Sunday.

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Arshdeep Singh led the bowling effort for India, the left-arm medium-pacer continuing to impress with his clever combination of swing and seam to take three for 12, finishing off the match with the wicket of Obed McCoy.

For McCoy, who established a new West Indies bowling record in T20Is with figures of six for 17 in the second match in St Kitts last Monday, this was an especially forgettable experience.

Despite taking two wickets, the left-armer was belted for 66 runs across his four overs, the most expensive spell ever by a West Indies bowler in this format.

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India continued with their policy of all-out attack after being put in to bat with Rishabh Pant leading the effort for the top order with 44 off 31 balls.

Each of the top five got starts and while none was able to carry on for a really commanding innings, their pace of scoring ensured the final total was always going to be challenging on a surface where free-flowing strokeplay became increasingly difficult.

“We knew it was not going to be easy because of the conditions,” said Sharma after the match.

“I thought we had a good score on the board but just could not take things for granted. Our bowlers did extremely well to keep making crucial breakthroughs.”

For West Indies captain Nicholas Pooran, the margin of the defeat was just another reminder of the amount of work required by the two-time former champions ahead of the qualifying phase for the T20 World Cup in Australia in October.

His dismissal for 24, run out after carting left-arm spinner Axar Patel for a succession of boundaries, typified West Indian frustration.

“The series may be over as a contest but the final match gives other players a chance to put their hands up ahead of the World T20,” said Pooran in hinting at a number of changes for Sunday’s finale.

“They had

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Entertainment International News Latest News

Runners take on Swiss glacier race despite melt

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Les Diablerets (Switzerland) Hundreds of runners braved a lung-busting ascent into the Alps in Switzerland’s Glacier 3000 Run on Saturday, albeit on a shortened course due to summer heatwaves melting the ice.

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The event’s 14th edition was back without limitations after being cancelled in 2020 due to Covid-19 and run in 2021 with restrictions imposed due to the pandemic.

The race is normally run over 26.2 kilometres but was contested on a slightly modified 25.2km course this year due to the glacier melting, with the last pass over its surface shortened.

“The accelerated melting of the top layer of the glacier has created an camber and a soft layer which the runner sinks into,” said race director Oliver Hermann.

“Rather than intervening to flatten the track, we preferred to deviate the course.”

The finish line is 1,886 metres higher than the start, at nearly 3,000 metres up in the mountains by the Scex Rouge peak.

The route begins in the jet set ski resort town of Gstaad, at 1,050 metres above sea level.

It passes through forests, green mountain pastures before heading into rocky lunar-like landscapes and taking in the Tsanfleuron Glacier.

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The course follows the Saane river upstream for 15 km before climbing up 1,800 metres over the remaining 10 km to the finish line — at an altitude of 2,936 metres.

Some 311 men and 98 women completed the individual course, while 50 two-person teams also took part.

The first man to finish was Kenyan competitor Geoffrey Ndungu in two hours and 17 minutes. He had finished in second place last year.

He was followed by compatriot Abraham Ebenyo Ekwam in 2:21 and then Switzerland’s Jonathan Schmid in 2:23.

Victoria Kreuzer was the first woman to finish, in 2:46, ahead of Nicole Schindler and Pascale Rebsamen — a Swiss clean sweep.

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Messi turns on the style as PSG begin Ligue 1 title defence

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Paris : Lionel Messi scored twice in the second half, including with a stunning overhead kick, as Paris Saint-Germain began their defence of the Ligue 1 title with a 5-0 demolition of Clermont on Saturday.

Neymar opened the scoring for PSG in Clermont before setting up Achraf Hakimi and Marquinhos for further goals before half-time.

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Messi then exchanged passes with Neymar before sidefooting in the visitors’ fourth goal with 10 minutes left.

Yet Messi saved the best for last, darting into the box four minutes from the end to control a Leandro Paredes pass on his chest with his back to goal, before converting with an acrobatic overhead kick.

That goal had the crowd at Clermont’s Stade Gabriel-Montpied singing the name of the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, who endured a difficult first season in Paris.

PSG’s victory in new coach Christophe Galtier’s first league game at the helm was achieved without Kylian Mbappe, who was absent due to an adductor injury.

Mbappe also missed last week’s 4-0 defeat of Nantes in the season-opening Champions Trophy due to suspension.

Messi had opened the scoring in that game, while Neymar netted a brace.

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ESports Football Sports

Celtic strike late to beat Ross County, Morelos marks Rangers return

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Glasgow :Celtic needed two goals in the final six minutes to beat Ross County 3-1 at Dingwall on Saturday, as Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos scored on his comeback from injury in a 2-0 win over Kilmarnock.

The Scottish champions looked to be heading to their first dropped points of the season when Ross County defender Alex Iacovitti cancelled out Kyogo Furuhashi’s opener early in the second half.

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However, Moritz Jenz marked his Celtic debut with a towering header before Liel Abada’s classy finish sealed the victory in stoppage time.

Rangers remain alongside Celtic at the top of the table with two wins from two games as they bounced back from European disappointment in midweek.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s men need to overturn a 2-0 deficit against Union Saint-Gilloise in the second leg of their third round Champions League qualifier on Tuesday.

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Morelos could be key to turning that tie around as the Colombian came off the bench to net in his first appearance since March.

Antonio Colak’s first Rangers goal broke Kilmarnock’s resistence at Ibrox just after half-time.

Morelos made his introduction 25 minutes from time and marked his return by killing the game off late on.

Elsewhere, a new-look Aberdeen kickstarted their season with a 4-1 win over 10-man St Mirren with new signings Bojan Miovski, Leighton Clarkson and Luis Lopes on target.

St Johnstone also got their first points of the season with a 2-1 win at Motherwell thanks to Stevie May’s 94th minute winner.

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Breaking News International News Latest News

President Biden tests negative after second bout of Covid-19

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Washington US President Joe Biden on Saturday tested negative for Covid-19, days after coming down with a second bout of the illness.

“The President continues to feel very well,” Biden’s physician Kevin O’Connor said in a statement. “This morning, his SARS-CoV-2 antigen testing was negative.”

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Biden, who at 79 is the oldest person to hold the US presidency, has been in quarantine for the past week, after testing positive for the virus following an initial recovery in what is known as a “rebound” case.

O’Connor said Biden will continue to isolate pending a second negative test “in an abundance of caution.”

According to Biden’s official schedule he is set to travel to the southern state of Kentucky, the scene of devastating floods, on Monday.

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International News

Blinken heads to Africa ‘to counter Russian influence’ on the continent

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S Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrives in South Africa on Sunday to kick off a three-country tour that will also take him to DR Congo and Rwanda, aimed at “developing a strategy to counter Russian efforts to undermine democracy in Africa”, according to a France-based political scientist.

Russia, France, and now the US. “It’s like a new Cold War is playing out in Africa,” William Gumede, director of Democracy Works, told AP, ahead of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s three-nation African tour.

It follows the tours of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who visited Egypt, Uganda, Ethiopia and the Republic of Congo to rally support for Russia amid its ongoing war in Ukraine, and of French President Emmanuel Macron, who visited Cameroon, Benin and Guinea-Bissau with the aim of renewing France’s relations with the African continent. US Agency for International Development head Samantha Power and US ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield also embarked on Africa tours of their own.

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The trip is Blinken’s second to Africa since being appointed secretary of state. His first visit in November 2021 was aimed at “resetting US-African relations following Donald Trump’s presidency, demonstrating the US’ commitment to democracy and showing that the US cares about its relationship with African countries”, according to Douglas Yates, a political scientist specialised in African politics who teaches at the American Graduate School in Paris.

Blinken visited Kenya, Senegal and Nigeria during his 2021 tour, three countries that “meet the minimum requirements for democracies and have all come out of military rule,” Yates said.

Since Trump’s presidential term, during which the US pulled out from a number of initiatives important to South Africa, including the Paris Climate Agreement and the Green Climate Fund, South Africa has seen the US as an “unreliable partner”, Yates said.

As such, the US, South Africa’s second-largest trading partner in 2021, is “trying to get South Africa back in the fold”, he said.

Countering ‘malign’ Russian activities
According to Yates, the purpose of Blinken’s second trip to Africa, however, is to “develop a strategy with African partners to counter Russian efforts to undermine democracy” on the continent.

Blinken has been given authorisation for such a mission by H.R. 7311, the “Countering Malign Russian Activities in Africa Act”, which the US House of Representatives passed on April 27, 2022. So-called malign Russian activities include the use of hard and soft power to expand Moscow’s influence on the continent.

Russian hard power includes the Wagner Group, a mercenary group with apparent links to Moscow that is present in many countries including the Central African Republic, Sudan and Mali. The group has been sanctioned by the EU for fuelling violence, looting natural resources and intimidating civilians. Russian soft power includes the use of social and official media to disseminate anti-Western and anti-democracy propaganda.

Blinken has carefully selected the three countries he will visit, “as, excepting South Africa, they [DR Congo and Rwanda] are not considered models of democracy and the US wants to make sure these countries are on their side, as they have military capacity, which they can use to counter Moscow’s influence”, Yates said.

South Africa, like 16 other African countries, abstained from voting on the UN resolution condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine, while DR Congo and Rwanda voted for it. Furthermore, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa refused to condemn Russia’s invasion. South Africa is part of the BRICS group, composed of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, countries that are seen as the world’s leading emerging market economies. While Russia’s February 24 invasion resulted in widespread condemnation from G7 countries and their allies, the only BRICS country to support the UN resolution was Brazil, with South Africa, China and India abstaining.

Will South Africa now condemn Russia?
Blinken will be in South Africa from August 7-9, when he will launch what the State Department calls the US Strategy for Sub-Saharan Africa, which “reinforces the US view that African countries are geostrategic players and critical partners on the most pressing issues of our day, from promoting an open and stable international system, to tackling the effects of climate change, food insecurity and global pandemics, to shaping our technological and economic futures”.

South African Minister of International Relations Naledi Pandor, who is scheduled to meet with Blinken on Monday, said that the bill H.R. 7311 is “intended to punish countries in Africa that have not towed the line on the Russia-Ukraine war” in an opinion piece for The Daily Maverick, a South African newspaper.

The South Africa visit and the Africa trip as a whole “would be a major success for Blinken if he managed to get a statement from Ramaphosa condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine and ensure that South Africa does not migrate to the Russian camp”, Yates said.

“This is not just a shaking hands with different officials trip, but rather a policy-oriented one,” he said.

Ensuring Russia influence ‘doesn’t spread south’
After his visit to South Africa, Blinken will head to DR Congo from August 9 to 10, when he is expected to state US support for regional efforts, led by Kenya and Angola, to advance peace in eastern DR Congo and the broader Great Lakes region.

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ESports Football Sports

Spot-on Jorginho gives Chelsea opening win at Everton

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Liverpool .Chelsea put a troubled pre-season behind them to start their Premier League campaign with a 1-0 win at Everton on Saturday thanks to Jorginho’s penalty.

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Blues boss Thomas Tuchel warned last week that Chelsea were “not ready” for the new season after a gruelling tour of the United States, which included a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Arsenal, left his squad drained.

However, a new era at Stamford Bridge is picking up pace off the field with the signings of Marc Cucurella and Carney Chukwuemeka in recent days joining new arrivals Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly.

Sterling, Koulibaly and Cucurella made their debuts as Chelsea ended a run of four consecutive defeats at Goodison Park despite a patchy performance.

Everton’s pre-season preparations were rocked this week by an injury that ruled England striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin out for the first six weeks of the season.

The Toffees suffered another injury blow early on when Ben Godfrey was stretchered off after coming off worse in a challenge with Kai Havertz.

Everton have been predicted to struggle again after just staving off relegation last season.

But they could easily have taken at least a point from a spirited display.

Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy made a fine save to prevent James Tarkowski heading Everton in front on his debut.

Sterling was also denied a debut goal by the offside flag after he swept home after Jordan Pickford spilled Mason Mount’s shot.

Everton’s good work before the break was undone in the eighth minute of added on time for the lengthy stoppage for Godfrey’s injury.

Ben Chilwell was bundled over inside the box by Abdoulaye Doucoure and, unlike in the Euro 2020 final, Jorginho sent Pickford the wrong way from the spot for the decisive goal.

Everton pushed valiantly in search of an equaliser after the break, but were blunt in attack without the presence of Calvert-Lewin or the departed Richarlison.

Mendy again rode to Chelsea’s rescue with important saves to turn Demarai Gray’s shot wide and block Doucoure’s powerful effort from point-blank range.

At the other end Sterling was frustrated again as his goalbound effort was deflected inches wide by Vitaliy Mykolenko

But one goal was enough for Chelsea to an five-year wait to win away to Everton.

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Taiwan accuses China of simulating an attack as retaliation for Pelosi visit intensifies

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Taiwan accused the Chinese army of simulating an attack on its main island Saturday, as Beijing doubled down on its retaliation for US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taipei after announcing a suspension of cooperation with Washington on key issues.

On Saturday morning, Taiwan’s defence ministry said multiple Chinese ships and planes conducted missions in the Taiwan Strait, with some crossing the median line, an unofficial buffer separating the two sides, movements that the island’s military believes were part of a simulation attack on the main Taiwan island.

“Multiple batches of Communist planes and ships conducting activities around the Taiwan Strait, some of which crossed the median line”, the defence ministry said in a statement, referring to the demarcation line that Beijing does not recognise.

Taiwan’s army broadcast a warning and deployed air reconnaissance patrol forces and ships to monitor while putting shore-based

Taiwan’s army broadcast a warning and deployed air reconnaissance patrol forces and ships to monitor while putting shore-based missiles on stand-by.

China’s ministry of defence said in a statement Saturday that it had carried out military exercises as planned in the sea and airspaces to the north, southwest and east of Taiwan, with a focus on “testing the capabilities” of its land strike and sea assault systems.

Taiwan’s defence ministry also said it fired flares late on Friday to warn away four drones flying over its Kinmen islands and unidentified aircraft flying over its Matsu islands. Both island groups lie close to mainland China’s southeastern coast.

The drones, which Taiwan believed were Chinese, were spotted over waters around the Kinmen island group and the nearby Lieyu Island and Beiding islet, according to Taiwan’s Kinmen Defence Command.

Kinmen, also known as Quemoy, is a group of islands only 10 kilometres (6.2 miles) east of the Chinese coastal city of Xiamen in Fujian province in the Taiwan Strait, which divides the two sides that split amid civil war in 1949.

“Our government & military are closely monitoring China’s military exercises & information warfare operations, ready to respond as necessary,” Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen said in a tweet.

“I call on the international community to support democratic Taiwan & halt any escalation of the regional security situation,” she added.

The world’s two largest polluters had pledged to work together to accelerate climate action this decade and vowed to meet regularly to tackle the crisis — a deal that now looks shaky.

Beijing on Saturday continued some of its largest-ever military drills around Taiwan — exercises aimed at practicising a blockade and ultimate invasion of the island, analysts say.

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Taipei said it observed “multiple” Chinese planes and ships operating in the Taiwan Strait, believing them to be simulating an attack on the self-ruled democracy’s main island.

“Multiple batches of Communist planes and ships conducting activities around the Taiwan Strait, some of which crossed the median line,” its defence ministry said in a statement, referring to a demarcation line that runs down the Taiwan Strait which Beijing does not recognise.

In a bid to show just how close China’s forces have been getting to Taiwan’s shores, Beijing’s military overnight released a video of an air force pilot filming the island’s coastline and mountains from his cockpit.

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National

PTI is ready to put on its “power show” the night before Independence Day

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On the eve of Independence Day, the PTI is getting ready to hold a “great power show” at Islamabad’s Parade Ground to discuss its strategy with party supporters (August 13).

Imran Khan, the head of the PTI, met with his staff on Saturday to discuss the nation’s political climate right now. According to reports, conversations were held about the legal issues of all applications and referrals that are currently lodged with different courts.

Fawad Chaudhry, a former minister of communications and prominent party figure, declared on Twitter that although the “imported administration” is trying to avoid the elections, the electorate will not allow them to do so.On August 14, party members and sympathisers would also celebrate on the field, according to the PTI’s Twitter account.

Bollywood

Aamir Khan not in favour of early OTT release for ‘Laal Singh Chaddha

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Aamir Khan has made it clear that he is in no rush to release his upcoming movie Laal Singh Chaddha on OTT

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Aamir Khan has made it pretty clear that he is in no rush to release his upcoming movie Laal Singh Chaddha on OTT platforms, reported Zoom TV.

Even though most of the films are streamed on OTT soon after they get released in the cinemas these days, Aamir is not in favour of the practice.

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Entertainment

Locarno Film Festival: Daisy Edgar-Jones steals limelight as she graces event in stunning tassel dress

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Charming actress Daisy Edgar-Jones became the cynosure of all eyes as graced the event (Locarno Film Festival) on Friday night, Switzerland, looking gorgeous in a striking tassel dress on a star-studded night.

The actress, 24, turned heads with her stunning appearance in a one-shoulder black tassel dress as she picked up the award for her role in Where the Crawdads Sing, in which she stars as social outcast Catherine ‘Kya’ Clark.

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Daisy posed confidently for the cameras as she showed off her sense of style in the quirky number which had colourful flower stitching on it and flashed some leg through the hanging tassels.

Daisy added inches to her height with strappy black heels and kept her accessories to a minimum for her incredible appearance at the event while flaunting a natural and pretty makeup look.

According to the festival’s website: ‘The Leopard Club Award pays tribute to a great personality of the cinema who through her or his work has managed to mark the collective imagination.’

The Normal People star recently revealed the theme of isolation in her new film Where The Crawdads Sing really ‘stuck with her as her character’s loneliness resonated with her. 

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Entertainment

Video: Amber Heard smiles ‘ear to ear’ recalling Johnny Depp punch

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Amber Heard ‘smiles wide’ after being reminded of her physical altercation with Johnny Depp and the moment she “punched him in the jaw.”

The video is from Amber’s old deposition tape, and in it, she can clearly be seen smirking at the mere recollection of punching her ex-husband Johnny Depp.

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The video contains a conversation between the Aquaman star and attornies and was recorded prior to the very first court case against the former couple.

The main focus of the video was a playback of a conversation between the duo where Johnny Depp had a door slammed into his head, and Amber Heard was profusely apologizing.

While the audio repeats “I’m sorry’s” and “I didn’t mean to,” the grin was evident, even on the pixilated video.

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Sports

Record-setting Zarco on British MotoGP pole

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Silverstone (United Kingdom) – Ducati’s French rider Johann Zarco clocked a new track record to grab pole for the British MotoGP in qualifying at Silverstone on Saturday.

Zarco, who rides for Ducati’s satellite Pramac team, is joined on the front row for Sunday’s race by Maverick Vinales of Aprilia and Jack Miller on a factory Ducati.

World champion and series leader Fabio Quartararo took fourth on the grid for this 12th round of the 20-race season.

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Zarco claimed his second prime grid position of the season and eighth in MotoGP in style with a lap of 1min 57.767s to smash the former track record of 1min 58.168 set by the absent Marc Marquez.

Zarco has given himself every chance to register his first win in the top category.

Quartararo has for company on the second row the Ducati of Francesco Bagnaia and Aleix Espargaro’s Aprilia.

This was a stoic performance from Espargaro who competed in qualifying despite suffering a heavy fall during practice earlier in the day.

The 33-year-old, who had just set the fastest time in the third practice session, flew off his bike entering a fast corner on the Silverstone circuit.

Medics rushed to his aid, moving him on to a stretcher. But in spite of being visibly stunned by the impact, Espargaro was able to walk to the medical centre, albeit with support on either side.

He sits 21 points behind Yamaha’s world championship leader Quartararo heading into this first race since the mid-summer break, with Zarco third, a further 37 points adrift.

Quartararo won here last year and is trying to break a statistical oddity of the British MotoGP.

No one has won the race twice in a row since Jorge Lorenzo in 2012 and 2013, a total of seven races because the 2018 (heavy rain) and 2020 (Covid-19) events were cancelled.

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International News Sports

Liverpool stumble, Spurs shine on Premier League’s opening weekend

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Manchester (United Kingdom) – Liverpool’s Premier League title challenge got off to a sluggish start as the Reds were held 2-2 at newly-promoted Fulham, while Tottenham delivered on their pre-season hype by thrashing Southampton 4-1 on Saturday.

Jurgen Klopp admitted the best part of Liverpool’s day was the result as the Champions League finalists twice had to come from behind at Craven Cottage.

Aleksandar Mitrovic maintained his stunning form from last season in the Championship as the Serb outmuscled Trent Alexander-Arnold to head Fulham into a deserved half-time lead.

The introduction of Darwin Nunez in the second half brought Liverpool to life and the Uruguayan flicked home his first Premier League goal since a 75-million-euro ($77 million) move from Benfica to level.

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Mitrovic restored Fulham’s lead from the penalty spot after he was tripped by Virgil van Dijk inside the area.

But Mohamed Salah ensured Liverpool at least did not start the season with a defeat by slotting into an empty net from Nunez’s pass.

“We started actually exactly the opposite way that we wanted,” said Klopp.

“We are used to more dominance and we never could get that because we just played not good enough, not quick enough, not precise enough.”

Tottenham’s title dream

By contrast, Tottenham had a dream start to the campaign to raise hopes they could compete for a first league title in 61 years.#photo1

Spurs also fell behind to James Ward-Prowse’s strike from the edge of the box after just 12 minutes, but the response from Antonio Conte’s men was emphatic.

The goals to turn the game around before half-time came from unlikely sources as Ryan Sessegnon and Eric Dier headed home.

Mohammed Salisu then passed the ball into his own net for a comical own goal on the hour mark.

Dejan Kulusevski rounded off the scoring with a cool and precise finish into the far corner to take Spurs above Arsenal at the top of the table.

Newcastle may not have delivered the big-name signings many expected in the transfer market, but the Magpies did the business on the pitch to spoil Nottingham Forest’s return to the English top flight with a 2-0 win.

Forest have even outspent Newcastle in the window on 12 new signings so far, but were given a lesson in the step up in quality to the Premier League at St James’ Park.

Fabian Schar’s sensational strike opened the scoring before Callum Wilson’s predatory finish sealed the three points.

Bournemouth were also 2-0 winners over Aston Villa, dispelling their pre-season gloom after a lack of transfer activity.

Jefferson Lerma got the Cherries off to a great start after just three minutes and Kieffer Moore added a second 10 minutes from time.

Leeds shrugged off the loss of Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha over the summer as they beat Wolves 2-1 at Elland Road.

Daniel Podence had fired Wolves into an early lead, but Jesse Marsch’s men fought back impressively.

Rodrigo blasted in from a narrow angle to level before Rayan Ait-Nouri’s own goal decided the game 16 minutes from time.

Chelsea begin their campaign later on Saturday away to Everton.

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International News

French authorities plan to give vitamins to malnourished beluga whale in the Seine

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French authorities plan to give vitamins to malnourished beluga whale in the Seine
French authorities were planning on Saturday to give vitamins to a beluga whale that swam way up the Seine river, as they raced to save the malnourished cetacean refusing food.
The apparently underweight whale was first spotted Tuesday in the river that flows through Paris to the English Channel. On Saturday it had made its way to around 70 kilometres (44 miles) north of the French capital.

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“It’s quite emaciated and seems to be having trouble eating,” Isabelle Dorliat-Pouzet, a senior police official in the Eure department in Normandy, which is overseeing the rescue operation, told a press conference.

Rescuers had tried feeding it frozen herring and then live trout, but it didn’t seem to accept either, she said. It is hoped that injecting the animal with vitamins will stimulate its appetite, she said.

Authorities were deciding whether to keep the animal in the waterway so it could regain its appetite or guide it back toward the sea, she said, adding that no decision has yet been taken.

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International News

White House calls Indiana abortion ban ‘devastating’

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White House calls Indiana abortion ban ‘devastating’

Washington – The White House on Saturday assailed Indiana lawmakers for passing sweeping curbs on abortion access, calling it “devastating” step for the Midwestern state.

Indiana on Friday became the first state to pass such a law since the Supreme Court in June struck down the constitutional right to an abortion, originally affirmed in the landmark Roe v. Wade case.

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“The Indiana legislature took a devastating step as a result of the Supreme Court’s extreme decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and eliminate women’s constitutionally-protected right to abortion,” said a statement from White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.

“It’s another radical step by Republican legislators to take away women’s reproductive rights and freedom, and put personal health care decisions in the hands of politicians rather than women and their doctors.”

Both houses of the Republican-dominated Indiana legislature passed the abortion measure on Friday after weeks of bitter debate, and Governor Eric Holcomb, a Republican, quickly signed it.

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International News

Wearing black clothes to protest against inflation and unemployment

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Wearing black clothes to protest against inflation and unemployment, Congress leaders hit the streets and were engaged in dramatic stand-offs with the police personnel outside the Parliament complex and the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters.

Top leaders, including Mr Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, Lok Sabha leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, general secretaries K.C. Venugopal, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were detained by the police.

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There were dramatic moments outside the AICC headquarters as Ms Vadra climbed over a barricade and sat on protest.

In parliament, after forcing both the houses to be adjourned, Congress members, including party chief Sonia Gandhi, assembled at Gate number 1 before attempting to march towards the Rashtrapati Bhavan. The Congress MPs were, however, stopped by the Delhi Police close to Vijay Chowk lawns and were not allowed to proceed towards the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Ms Gandhi, who along with other women MPs was holding a banner, didn’t take part in the march. The other MPs were detained by the police at Vijay Chowk.

Former Union Minister P. Chidam­baram, Manish Tewari, other Lok Sabha members Manickam Tagore and Gaurav Gogoi were among the 64 MPs who were taken away in a police bus to the Kingsway Camp police lines, The Hindu said.

“We are here to raise the issue of price rise,” Mr Gandhi said just before his arrest and added: “Democracy is being murdered”.

Alleging that his parliamentary colleagues were being manhandled, Mr Gandhi posted pictures of Dean Kuriakose being forcibly taken away and Mr Venugopal and Mr Chowdhury resisting police action by lying on the road. Videos released by the party showed the Congress leader trying to rescue his colleague, Deepender Hooda, who was being dragged by the police personnel.