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Ofgem approves Britain’s largest grid investment for ‘electricity super highway’
Billions must be invested in the electricity infrastructure to enable it to transport renewable energy from one part of the country to another. The energy regulator announced the approval of the largest electrical grid investment in British history, clearing the path for an electricity superhighway. According to Ofgem, the £3.4 billion project will transfer electricity from Scotland to Yorkshire, promoting offshore wind growth and powering two million households and businesses for one hour.
Iran defies west’s request not to strike Israel
Iran has rebuffed Western appeals not to retaliate against Israel for the execution of Hamas leadership leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran late last month. "Such demands lack political logic, are entirely contrary to the principles and rules of international law, and represent an excessive request," Iran's foreign ministry spokeswoman, Nasser Kanani, stated. According to the official IRNA news agency, President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a late Monday phone conversation with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer that the West's silence on "unprecedented inhumane crime" in Gaza and Israeli attacks elsewhere in the Middle East was "irresponsible" and encouraged Israel to jeopardise regional and global security.
Starmer asks Iran to ‘refrain from striking Israel’ in ‘unusual’ call with POTUS
The prime minister expresses "deep concern" to President Masoud Pezeshkian amid mounting fears that Iran will retaliate against Israel for the execution of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. Sir Keir Starmer has met with Iran's president in an international attempt to defuse tensions in the Middle East. The 30-minute phone talk with Masoud Pezeshkian came after the UK, US, France, and Germany released a united statement urging Iran and its allies to "stand down its ongoing threats of a military attack against Israel".
Why do the US political parties hold presidential conventions?
In the run-up to a presidential election, states around the United States have primaries and caucuses one by one, allowing voters to vote for their preferred major-party candidate. However, these state-level votes lead to a single event: the party convention. During these conventions, the Democratic and Republican parties generally affirm their respective presidential nominees depending on the results of the primaries and caucuses.
England’s Ben Stokes ruled out for the remainder of the summer
The all-rounder will miss the next three-test series against Sri Lanka, which begins in Manchester later this month. Ben Stokes, England's Test captain, has been ruled out for the rest of the summer due to a torn hamstring. Stokes, 33, sustained the injury while batting for the Northern Superchargers in The Hundred on Sunday and was later seen on crutches.
Deadly fires edge closer to Athens as suburbs assess the cost
Greece has already seen summer wildfires, but the flames crept frighteningly near the capital this time. At one point, there were fears of a line of fires fueled by strong winds and temperatures running for kilometres towards Athens. The flames have devastated buildings and businesses in Vrilissia, a city in the northeastern suburbs about 14 kilometres (eight miles) from the city centre.
Putin expresses worry about Gaza civilian casualties to Abbas
Russian President Vladimir Putin has informed Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas that he is "concerned" about the large number of Palestinian civilian casualties in Gaza. In a meeting in Moscow on Tuesday, Abbas described Russia as one of the Palestinian people's "dearest friends," while Putin reiterated Russia's support for a two-state solution. "Everyone is fully aware that, sadly, Russia must now protect its interests and its people with armaments in hand. But what is going on in the Middle East, particularly in Palestine, does not go unnoticed by us," Putin stated, according to a Kremlin transcript
Ukrainian troops in Russia incursion said they entered easily
While the letter "Z" may signify Russia's invasion, a triangle signifies Ukraine's most ambitious attempt to fight it. They are taped or painted on the sides of every supply vehicle, tank, or personnel carrier travelling to the Sumy region's Russian border. It is an attack that has gained hundreds of square kilometers of Russian land while also significantly restoring momentum and morale to Ukraine's military effort.
Heathrow blames Government policy for ‘devastating’ 90,000 passenger loss
Heathrow Airport has blamed a policy implemented by the previous Conservative government for a 'devastating' decrease in passenger numbers. Britain's biggest airport estimated a 90,000-passenger decline on routes covered by a £10 per person electronic travel authorization (ETA) system implemented in 2023. Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan nationals who enter or transit the UK without a lawful residence or visa must get an ETA.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said protesters’ ‘brazen abuse and contempt’ for police must be addressed
Yvette Cooper says too many people believe "crime has no consequences" as she pledges to rebuild trust in policing and the criminal system. The home secretary has stated that respect for the police must be restored following the "brazen abuse and contempt" demonstrated by rioters. Yvette Cooper stated that there is "a lot of rebuilding to be done" after a fortnight of riots following the Southport stabbings on July 29.
Microsoft discreetly shut down a popular app, and supporters call it the ‘end of an era’
However, a leaker claims that Microsoft would discreetly discontinue Paint 3D later this year. The news was first reported by noted leaker 'phantomofearth,' who discovered a banner in the Paint 3D application. 'Paint 3D now has a banner announcing that it will no longer receive updates or be available in the Microsoft Store beginning November 4,' they announced on X (previously Twitter).
US orders Middle East submarine, carrier strike group faster sailing
US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin has directed the deployment of a guided missile submarine to the Middle East and the acceleration of the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group's arrival. The order was issued on Sunday evening during a phone chat between Austin and Israeli Minister of Defence Yoav Galant, as tensions rose following the deaths of key Hamas and Iran-backed Hezbollah militants. Austin reaffirmed the United States' commitment to take every feasible measure to defend Israel, as well as the upgrading of US military force posture and capabilities throughout the Middle East in response to growing regional tensions, according to the Pentagon.
