European shares end flat as China stimulus-driven advances falter
By Sruthi Shankar and Shashwat Chauhan (Reuters) -European shares ended flat on Monday as gains driven by optimism around China's
2023-09-05 00:18
Luton Airport buses arrive in Ukraine to help fight war against Putin
Buses from Luton Airport have arrived in Ukraine to help troops on the frontline in the war against Vladimir Putin. The buses, operated by Go-Ahead, were used until March this year to shuttle passengers between Luton Airport and the nearby railway station. They will now be used as rest areas for soldiers in Eastern Ukraine and to transport supplies for front-line troops after being donated to a charity supporting the Ukrainian war effort. Go-Ahead donated the vehicles to local charity, Swindon Humanitarian Aid Partnership, which provides vehicles to Ukraine that can be used as field hospitals and rest areas for troops or for transporting supplies. The buses, which still have their Luton Airport livery intact, will be fitted with shower and toilet facilities. One of the buses is likely to be used as a mobile exhibition in Ukraine showing the devastation brought about by the Russian onslaught, Go-Ahead said. A spokesperson for the company said: “These vehicles have done years of duty shuttling holidaymakers and suitcases. They’re now retired from airport duty and we’re glad they can be put to good use – as a small contribution to Ukraine’s war effort.” Last month, Sheffield-based bus firm First donated two buses to Ukraine, loaded with medical aid. Mercy mission organiser Craig George, of Ukraine UK Aid Volunteer Group, said they would be used by volunteer medics in freshly targeted areas. Read More ‘Our own front line’: Ukrainian surgeons see wave of wounded soldiers since counteroffensive began Ukraine’s defence minister submits resignation to Zelensky after biggest shake-up since invasion Ukraine war troop deaths and wounded nearing 500,000, say US officials
2023-09-05 00:18
Johnny Depp and Jenna Ortega shut down 'ridiculous' 40-year-age-gap dating rumours
Dating rumours have been circulating about Johnny Depp and Jenna Ortega - and now the actors have responded by adamantly denying this. It all began when celebrity gossip account, Deuxmoi, said that the pair had been spotted on a date together, and also perhaps working together on Tim Burton's Beetlejuice 2. However, the 20-year-old Wednesday actor was quick to dispel these rumours connecting her to the 60-year-old Hollywood veteran in an Instagram Story. “This is so ridiculous I can’t even laugh," Ortega told her 40m followers. “I have never met or worked with Johnny Depp in my life. Please stop spreading lies and leave us alone.” Meanwhile, Depp's camp has also vehemently shut down these rumours too, describing how the Pirates of the Caribbean actor was "appalled" by them. His rep told NME: “Mr. Depp has no personal or professional relationship with Ms. Ortega whatsoever. He has never met her or spoken to her. “He is not involved in any project with her, nor does he intend to be. He is appalled by these baseless and malicious rumours that are intended to harm his reputation and career.” Beetlejuice 2 is set to see Ortega play the daughter of Lydia Deetz, the role famously played by Winona Ryder in the original 1988 film, while Ryder and Michael Keaton will also reprise their roles for the sequel. The film is expected to be released on September 6 2024. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
2023-09-05 00:17
Adam Thomas ‘struggling’ and in ‘pain’ with rheumatoid arthritis ahead of Strictly Come Dancing debut
Adam Thomas has admitted that he’s “struggling” and in “pain” after being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis ahead of his appearance on Strictly Come Dancing. The Waterloo Road star is one of the 15 celebrities preparing to put themselves to the test as they compete on the 21st series of dance competition series Strictly. Just days after it was announced that he had joined the cast, Thomas shared on his 35th birthday that he had recently been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. An autoimmune disease, rheumatoid arthritis is a long-term condition that causes pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints. It usually affects the hands, feet and wrists and can cause flare-up periods where symptoms become worse for a period of time. On Sunday (3 September), the former Coronation Street star posted a shirtless selfie to Instagram following a swimming session. Writing in the caption, Thomas said that he was posting the image “to get comfortable feeling uncomfortable”. “Am not in the best shape of my life, but I could be worse,” he wrote. “This year has been tough there’s no doubt about that… but I’ve just got to stay focused now! I’m still struggling and the pain is still there but I’m putting on a brave face I’ve got to stay strong [sic]!” Thomas continued: “Swimming helps me so much with my arthritis, I mean as much as it kills me getting my top off and going for a swim, I know it’s helping me and I know it’s also helping me deal with the issues I’ve got with me and my body. Which is a good thing!” “Got a feeling am going to get a lot more out of the next few months than I bargained for [sic]! Let’s go!” Thomas announced that he had been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis last month, explaining that he had “been in a lot of pain since January”. “It started with my knees and then travelled to my wrists, fingers and now ankles and toes,” he wrote. “I never knew what was happening and finally after several blood tests and back and forth to doctors and hospitals, I’ve been diagnosed with rheumatoid Arthritis!” The actor had originally said that he signed up for Strictly – which begins later this month – in order “to be able to move again, get fit and do it, all with a smile on my face”. Strictly Come Dancing returns in September on BBC One. Read More Kanye West and ‘wife’ Bianca Censori banned from Venice boat company after ‘obscenities’ on board Yellowstone season 5: Kevin Costner finally explains why he quit the show Fyre Fest 2.0? Chris Rock and Diplo escape Burning Man festival as 70,000 stranded in desert How to look after your joints, as women experience ‘significantly higher’ pain than men How can parents and children battle back-to-school anxiety? Khloe Kardashian officially changes son Tatum’s last name
2023-09-05 00:15
Bank of Israel holds interest rates, eyes turn to possible end of governor's tenure
By Steven Scheer and Ari Rabinovitch JERUSALEM (Reuters) -The Bank of Israel left interest rates unchanged on Monday citing signs
2023-09-05 00:15
ESPN analyst puts Chiefs on high alert for Week 1 upset
Hot takes. Bold predictions. Call them what you want. One ESPN NFL voice brings up some sound reasoning for the Kansas City Chiefs to be wary of the Detroit Lions.
2023-09-04 23:55
4 reasons Trae Young could be on thin ice in 2023-24
Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks seemed poised to build a dynasty together after their appearance in the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals. However, they haven't won a playoff series since then, and Young could be on thin ice with the organization.
2023-09-04 23:49
Putin and Erdogan meet to discuss grain deal amid 'shifting power balance'
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian leader Vladimir Putin met on Monday in Russia's southern coastal city of Sochi amid efforts to bring Moscow back into the critical Black Sea grain deal that was abandoned by Putin in July.
2023-09-04 23:24
Hong Kong media guide
An overview of the media in Hong Kong, as well as links to broadcasters and newspapers.
2023-09-04 23:21
West Virginia University crisis looms as GOP leaders focus on economic development, jobs
West Virginia University is recommending slashing its language department and dozens of other programs amid a $45 million budget shortfall
2023-09-04 23:21
Gamers are boycotting Starfield because players can add pronouns
A handful of gamers have erupted across social media due to the option to select pronouns for characters in the game Starfield. The role-playing game (RPG) allows players to customise their characters, including deciding which pronouns they have. The feature was discovered after the game went live on Friday 1 September for those who had pre-ordered. Bethesda, who have previously made games such as The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Fallout 4, allowed Starfield players to select they/them pronouns for non-binary characters if they so pleased. But a small number of notable gaming streamers seemed extremely upset over the decision. They accused video game publishes of going “woke”. Streamer Herschel ‘Guy’ Beahm IV, known by his online alias Dr Disrespect, was outraged both at the pronoun option and the head of publishing at Bethesda, Pete Hines, having his pronouns in his Twitter/X bio, saying “it all makes sense now. Beahm also shared with his viewers that he had tried to work with Bethesda prior to the release of Starfield, but was told no due to “past controversies.” Another streamer known online as 'Heel vs Babyface', revealed his sheer lack of imagination when he screamed at his camera for two-and-a-half minutes claiming the choice of pronouns meant he was being “dragged out” of the immersive experience of the game. “Do you want to get immersed in our world? Yeah well guess what, f**king pronouns,” he screamed. “F**king gender ambiguity. F**king current-day California s**t, because that’s all we f**king know.” As expected, many mocked those who were upset over a two-second feature in a video game. One user called Heel vs Babyface “pathetic”: Others told him to “grow up”: Outside of streamers who are unable to comprehend an experience outside of their own, Starfield has received less than favourable reviews from critics for valid reasons such as poor performance and calling the title “disjointed”. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
2023-09-04 23:20
Hong Kong profile
Provides an overview Hong Kong and key facts about this special administrative region of China.
2023-09-04 23:20
