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News from October 24, 2025

1644 articles found

Emmerdale Anya's true identity 'unveiled' in Dingle twist and Cain will be floored
Technology

Emmerdale Anya's true identity 'unveiled' in Dingle twist and Cain will be floored

Emmerdale viewers reckon they've cracked the mystery surrounding newcomer Anya's true identity in a massive Dingle DNA twist. Anya made her first appearance on the popular ITV soap this week, discovered hiding in the back of one of Caleb Miligan's (played by William Ash) lorries, leaving him utterly flabbergasted. Noticing how vulnerable and poorly she was, Caleb's wife Ruby (portrayed by Beth Cordingly) insisted that Anya be taken back to their home, Mill Cottage, against Caleb's wishes. Once back at their place, with Anya catching some shut-eye on the sofa, Caleb voiced his worries to Ruby about the potential repercussions if the police found her at their home, fearing he could be accused of human trafficking and end up behind bars. However, Ruby wasn't having any of it and remained determined to care for Anya. Clearly traumatised, Anya found it difficult to open up to Ruby when she attempted to discuss her past, reports the Daily Star . Ruby then sought the assistance of Doctor Liam Cavanagh (Jonny McPherson) to examine Anya. Liam cautioned Ruby about the potential challenges of caring for Anya and advised her to contact the authorities, but Ruby turned a deaf ear. In Friday's episode (October 24), Ruby stumbled upon a photograph of a young girl amongst Anya's possessions. Anya disclosed that the girl was her daughter, who is currently under the care of her mother. Caleb once again aired his anxieties about the entire situation, but Ruby assured him that Anya wouldn't be going anywhere until she was certain she was safe and had a place to stay, refusing to cast her out onto the streets. Later, in a private moment with Anya, Caleb gave her £2,000 in cash for her to head to London, assuring her that the money would keep her afloat until she sorted things out. Despite her reluctance, Anya accepted and took the money. However, with more drama on the horizon, fans are more certain than ever that they've sussed out Anya's true identity. On an Emmerdale Facebook fan page, one viewer queried: "Who is the girl living with Caleb and Ruby?". Another fan speculated that she might be a covert member of the Dingle clan: "Another Dingle." A third agreed, saying: "I thought that." Anticipating a twist involving Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley), another fan posted: "Another one of Cain's kids?" A fifth chimed in: "Wouldn't surprise me!" Emmerdale airs weeknights on ITV1 and ITVX at 7.30pm

Joe Crutchley
Ukraine foiled plans to reconnect Zaporizhzhia power plant in time for Putin’s birthday
Technology

Ukraine foiled plans to reconnect Zaporizhzhia power plant in time for Putin’s birthday

Ukrainian forces operating behind enemy lines derailed Russia’s hopes of reconnecting the occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station before Vladimir Putin’s birthday earlier this month, sources have claimed. Ukrainian sources told The Guardian that they believed Russia was trying to bring power back to the plant in time for the president’s birthday on 7 October, after it lost external power in late September. Europe’s largest power station, which has been in Russian control since early in the invasion, was forced to operate on diesel backup generators after its last remaining external power line was severed on 23 September. Russia and Ukraine blamed each other. But efforts to revive the plant were reportedly thwarted by Ukrainian guerrilla fighters attacking substations behind enemy lines and damaging a new connection linking it to the Russian grid via Mariupol on 6 October. Officials said on Thursday that power to the site had finally been restored - and only by linking the plant to external power from Ukraine. Ukrainian energy minister Svitlana Grynchuk said that the damaged transmission line linking the plant to Ukraine’s grid had been repaired, but work was continuing on the backup line running through Russian-held areas. Ukrainian sources told The Guardian that Russia had little choice but to repair the line running into Ukrainian territory after the attacks earlier this month. Energoatom, Ukraine’s state nuclear operator, had warned that the backup generators were only built to run for a limited time, and could not sustain the plant’s needs over a prolonged period. A shutdown could result in a loss of control over the site’s nuclear safety systems. Yevgeny Balitsky, the Russian-appointed governor in the region, said on Putin’s birthday that there had been power cuts across “all settlements” in the area, blaming enemy drone attacks. Ukraine had criticised attacks near the power station on 6 October, blaming them on Russia. The International Atomic Energy Agency said that a local ceasefire finally agreed by Russian and Ukrainian forces had allowed some repairs to be made this month. “Both sides engaged constructively with the IAEA to enable the complex repair plan to proceed,” Rafael Grossi, the agency’s director general, said in a statement. The site, once capable of powering four million homes, had lost external power nine times before the incident in September.

James C. Reynolds
A journey through Trinidad’s wild heart
Technology

A journey through Trinidad’s wild heart

If you’re looking for sandy white beaches and turquoise waters, Grande Riviere in Trinidad isn’t the place. Its beauty is wilder: rainforest pressing up against the shore, a river spilling into the sea, and one of the largest leatherback sea turtle populations on Earth. Visitors come here not for a manicured Caribbean picture postcard, but to witness an extraordinary conservation story – one in which a community once known for hunting turtles now protects them. A miracle by moonlight Base yourself at Mt. Plaisir Estate Hotel, a simple but elegant lodge with ocean-facing rooms that place you steps from the nesting grounds. Days here are unhurried: lazy swims in the warm plunge pool, authentic Trinidadian food and the constant anticipation of the turtles’ return. During nesting season, guests can be woken in the night to watch females laying their eggs. Our call never came, but we did witness something equally magical: the hatching of baby turtles. Community patrols now safeguard the beach day and night. Hatchlings emerging in daylight are easy prey for circling vultures, but here they are gently gathered into shaded buckets until dusk, when visitors help release them by moonlight. It’s a deeply moving scene: tiny creatures tracing silver paths towards the sea, as they have done for thousands of years. Leatherbacks were first recorded here in the 1930s when they were hunted for food, oil and even insect repellent. Everything changed in the 1960s as scientists from the University of the West Indies began working with locals on turtle protection. Grande Riviere local Len Peters, now a conservationist who featured in “Blue Planet II”, remembers the turning point: “We had no idea these creatures, around when dinosaurs walked the earth, needed our help.” Thanks to decades of tireless work, Grande Riviere is now one of the world’s most important nesting sites. Rainforest hikes and remarkable wildlife While Peters and his neighbours focus on conservation, HADCO Experiences, who own Mt. Plaisir, ensures visitors see Trinidad’s wild side in comfort. Its philosophy is “regenerative tourism”: not just doing less harm, but actively doing good. It offers guided excursions, like a boat trip to Paria Waterfall past dramatic sea caves and rock formations, culminating in rainforest hikes, barbecued fish lunches and tropical downpours that feel more like a blessing than an inconvenience. For a contrasting experience, travel two hours inland to Asa Wright Nature Centre, another HADCO-run ecolodge deep in the rainforest. Here, mornings begin with birdsong, and trails wind through lush forest alive with rare flora and fauna. Natural bathing pools and secluded waterfalls offer the chance for peaceful swims, while sustainability underpins everything. The centre even produces its own conservation research. Walking these trails with a guide like Giselle Lares, an indigenous naturalist who grew up exploring the forest with her grandfather, brings the landscape vividly to life. She knows every tree and birdcall as if they were kin, pausing to show guests tiny orchids clinging to ancient trunks, or the flash of a blue-backed manakin darting through the canopy. “Don’t look for anything,” she says. “Everything is welcome.” It’s a reminder that here nature reveals itself on its own terms, if you take the time to see it truly. Excursions from Asa Wright include the Caroni Bird Sanctuary, a 12,000-acre mangrove wetland and one of the world’s most powerful natural carbon sinks. Guided by Winston Nanan, a third-generation conservationist whose family has spent decades protecting the sanctuary, visitors glide through waterways where caiman and herons lurk, then watch thousands of scarlet ibis – once hunted, now fiercely protected – roosting at sunset, turning the trees crimson. For those seeking something truly unforgettable, HADCO can organise trips to the Mount Tamana Bat Cave. As dusk falls, millions of bats pour into the sky from a cave once considered sacred, an ancient spectacle that connects you to the island’s deep natural rhythms. A warm welcome What makes both Mt. Plaisir and Asa Wright truly special are the people who help run them. Every member of staff is drawn from the local community, and their pride in the landscape is infectious; from the cooks who share family recipes to the guides who know the forest paths like old friends. Their warmth and knowledge make you feel less like a visitor and more like a welcomed guest. Indeed, Trinidad’s soul isn’t only in its wildlife, it’s in its people and culture. A visit to the Musical Instruments of Trinidad and Tobago Company reveals the story of the steelpan, the island’s national instrument. Born from the resourcefulness of enslaved people who transformed oil drums, the pan is now a symbol of unity and resilience. Visitors can watch artisans tuning each instrument by hand and meet young apprentices, female tuners are still rare, carrying forward the tradition. Once dismissed as makeshift street music, the steelpan now shares the stage with symphony orchestras around the world. The verdict From rainforest trails and mangrove swamps to the moonlit miracle of turtles crawling toward the sea, Trinidad’s natural wonders offer unforgettable encounters. But perhaps the most powerful story here is one of transformation; of a community re-defining its relationship with the environment, of tourism evolving into a force for regeneration, and of visitors becoming part of a much bigger conservation story. On a trip like this, you don’t just watch nature at work, you become part of it. Alexandra Genova was a guest of the Asa Wright Nature Centre and HADCO Experiences at Mt. Plaisir Estate Hotel

Alexandra Genova
Netflix's Monster: The Ed Gein Story called "devoid of context" by horror director and son of Psycho star Anthony Perkins: "I wouldn’t watch it with a 10-foot pole"
Technology

Netflix's Monster: The Ed Gein Story called "devoid of context" by horror director and son of Psycho star Anthony Perkins: "I wouldn’t watch it with a 10-foot pole"

Netflix's new series Monster: The Ed Gein Story may be drawing in a lot of viewers, but one person who vows not to watch the true crime retelling is Longlegs director and the son of Psycho star Anthony Perkins, Osgood Perkins. "I wouldn’t watch it with a 10-foot pole,” said the director to TMZ. Perkins added that Netflix has taken the true crime genre and tuned it into "glamorous and meaningful content," and worries that true crime cases are being “reshaped in real time by overlords.” Played by Joey Pollari, Perkins' late father appears in the series, which shows the actor taking on the role of Norman Bates in Psycho. The Ed Gein Story looks at the films that were inspired by the killer's horrific crimes, including Alfred Hitchcock's 1960 movie Psycho, Tobe Hooper's 1974 slasher The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, and Jonathan Demme's 1991 psychological horror The Silence of the Lambs. The show also delves very deeply into Anthony Perkins' personal life. One episode in particular shows the star struggling as a closeted actor and feeling like a 'monster' due to his role as Bates and his sexuality. Although the star's sexuality was an open secret in Hollywood, we don't think Osgood Perkins appreciates his father's business being displayed on the streamer, which no doubt took certain liberties. Perkins told TMZ that the genre as a whole is "increasingly devoid of context and that the Netflix-ization of real pain is playing for the wrong team." Anthony Perkins remained married to Osgood’s mother until his death from AIDS at age 60 in 1992. However, the new season is not the first to face controversy. Created by American Horror Story's Ryan Murphy, the first season, Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, starring Evan Peters, looked at serial killer and suspected cannibal Jeffrey Dahmer and his string of murders in the '80s. The second, Monsters: The Lyle and Eric Menendez Story, covered the case of the Menendez brothers and the murder of their parents. Much like The Ed Gein Story, both seasons 1 and 2 faced backlash upon release due to their controversial nature. Murphy has been criticized both by viewers and victims' families over the show taking creative liberties, exaggerating, and fabricating certain details. But this hasn't stopped Murphy, who is already making Monster season 4, which will focus on suspected axe murderer Lizzie Borden. For more, check out our list of the best Netflix shows, or keep up to date with upcoming TV shows.

Megan Garside
US: Undocumented Indian immigrant kills three while allegedly driving under influence of drugs
Technology

US: Undocumented Indian immigrant kills three while allegedly driving under influence of drugs

A 21-year-old truck driver of Indian origin has been arrested in the United States’ California for allegedly killing three persons and injuring four others while driving a semitruck under the influence of drugs, reported AP. After Jashanpreet Singh was arrested for the accident, the Department of Homeland Security stated that he was an undocumented migrant in the US. The Immigration and Customs Enforcement lodged an arrest detainer for Singh. Singh was jailed after Tuesday night’s crash under charges of vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and driving under the influence causing injury. Dash camera footage of the accident showed the semitruck he was driving moving at a high speed and crashing into slow-moving traffic. This triggered a chain reaction-crash that affected eight cars. In August, another Indian truck driver who had illegally immigrated to the US killed three persons after he made an illegal U-turn in Florida. The Department of Homeland Security flagged another incident from earlier this month in Indiana, where an illegal immigrant from Serbia swerved into oncoming traffic and killed another driver. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Thursday that the accidents follow a “disturbing pattern of these criminal illegal aliens being issued commercial vehicle licenses”. “And so yes, the Department of Transportation is absolutely cracking down on that,” she added. The Department of Homeland Security stated that the accidents directly threaten public safety. President Donald Trump, Homeland Security and the Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement are “working day-in and day-out to make America’s roads safe again”, the statement added. Also read: Why an Indian trucker who left three dead in US crash has sparked controversies in two countries

Scroll Staff
New on Netflix in November 2025: all the latest movies and shows streaming this month
Technology

New on Netflix in November 2025: all the latest movies and shows streaming this month

If you're looking for a comprehensive list of what's streaming on Netflix in November 2025 then you've come to the right place! On this page you'll find a list of all the shows and movies that are coming to the service in November, as well as our pick of the three must watch titles. Netflix is one of the biggest and undoubtedly one of the best streaming services there is. It has a huge range of TV shows, movies, documentaries, comedy specials, and sports events that are all available in one place. Chief amongst the picks this month is the first part of Stranger Things 5 – the final season of what is surely the biggest show in the world right now. But that's not the only thing on offer this month – there's also the new movie from Guillermo del Toro, a new Claire Danes-starring mystery drama, and several comedy specials. Looking for something else to watch? Don't forget to check out our regularly-updated list of the best Netflix movies, and the best Netflix shows. Pick of the month for November 2025 Stranger Things 5: Volume One It's been a long time coming, but the first block of episodes for the final season of Netflix's biggest show is almost with us. Here's what Netflix's official blurb has to say: "The fall of 1987. Hawkins is scarred by the opening of the Rifts, and our heroes are united by a single goal: find and kill Vecna. But he has vanished – his whereabouts and plans unknown. Complicating their mission, the government has placed the town under military quarantine and intensified its hunt for Eleven, forcing her back into hiding. As the anniversary of Will's disappearance approaches, so does a heavy, familiar dread. The final battle is looming – and with it, a darkness more powerful and more deadly than anything they've faced before. To end this nightmare, they'll need everyone – the full party – standing together, one last time." Sounds fantastic. What's more, it's just been announced that the show's final ever episode will be released in cinemas in the US and Canada from December 31, 2025 to January 1, 2026. Frankenstein Guillermo del Toro, the genius director of Pan's Labyrinth, Hellboy, and The Devil's Backbone, returns with an inspired new take on Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. Oscar Isaac stars as the scientist who will breathe unnatural life into his terrifying – and lonely – creation, here simply dubbed "the Creature" and played by Saltburn's Jacob Elordi. It's not long, however, before things take a turn for the tragic. Anyone who has seen del Toro's previous work will understand why he's so ideally suited to make a movie based on Frankenstein. This bears all his hallmarks – lavish visuals, terrific design, and a deep well of empathy for his apparent monster. The birth of the creature is one of the most important moments in horror history and del Toro more than does it justice here. Mia Goth, Charles Dance, and Christoph Waltz round out the terrific cast. The Beast in Me The credentials for this new mystery thriller are pretty impeccable. The Beast in Me stars Claire Danes and Matthew Rhys, is showrun by Howard Gordon, the creator of Homeland, and has Jodie Foster and Conan O'Brien as producers. Danes plays Aggie Wiggs, an author who, following the death of her son, has retreated from public life. When real estate mogul Nile Jarvis (Rhys) moves in next door, however, she becomes fascinated. Jarvis's wife vanished some years ago and he was the prime suspect. Obsessed with her new neighbor, Aggie begins searching for the truth. This looks very promising. Both Danes and Rhys are always worth watching and the mystery at the heart of the eight episode series is suitably compelling. Plus, there's no arguing with the bona-fides of the creative team. Look out for The Beast in Me when it lands on Netflix on November 13. Streaming on Netflix in November 2025 November 1, 2025 A Very Vintage Christmas (Movie)Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (Movie)Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls (Movie)Baby Driver (Movie)Back to the Future (Movie)Back to the Future Part II (Movie)Back to the Future Part III (Movie)Broadchurch: Season 1 (Series)Broadchurch: Season 2 (Series)Broadchurch: Season 3 (Series)Charlie's Angels (Movie)Crazy Rich Asians (Movie)Dear Santa (Movie)Doctor Sleep (Movie)Don't Worry Darling (Movie)Dr. Dolittle (Movie)Dr. Dolittle 2 (Movie)Elvis (Movie)Frances Ha (Movie)Game Night (Movie)Happy Christmas (Movie)The Hangover (Movie)The Hangover: Part II (Movie)The Hangover: Part III (Movie)I Know What You Did Last Summer (Movie)In the Heights (Movie)Isn't It Romantic (Movie)Judas and the Black Messiah (Movie)Just Mercy (Movie)The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part (Movie)Life of the Party (Movie)The Little Things (Movie)Merry Liddle Christmas (Movie)The Nun II (Movie)Ocean's 8 (Movie)Paddington 2 (Movie)The Patriot (Movie)Ready Player One (Movie)Tenet (Movie)This Is the End (Movie)Tyler Perry's A Madea Christmas (Movie)The Way Back (Movie)Wonka (Movie) November 2, 2025 King Richard (Movie)The Outfit (Movie) November 3, 2025 Dr. Seuss's The Sneetches (Movie)In Waves and War (Documentary) November 4, 2025 Leanne Morgan: Unspeakable Things (Comedy)Minx: Seasons 1-2 (Series)Squid Game: The Challenge: Season 2 (Series) November 5, 2025 Election (Movie)Heweliusz (Series)Just Alice (Series) November 6, 2025 The Bad Guys: Breaking In (Series)Bride Wars (Movies)Death by Lightning (Series)The Vince Staples Show: Season 2 (Series) November 7, 2025 A Holiday Engagement (Movie)As You Stood By (Series)Baramulla (Movie)Christmas in the Heartland (Movie)Frankenstein (Movie)Groom & Two Brides (Movie)Labyrinth (Movie)Mango (Movie)My Dad's Christmas Date (Movie) November 8, 2025 Countdown: Jake vs. Tank (Series)The Emoji Movie (Movie) November 10, 2025 MARINES (Documentary)Sesame Street: Volume 1 (Series) November 11, 2025 Ghosting: The Spirit of Christmas (Movie)No Sleep 'Til Christmas (Movie)Same Time, Next Christmas (Movie) November 12, 2025 A Merry Little Ex-Mas (Movie)Being Eddie (Documentary)Dynamite Kiss (Series)Eloá the Hostage: Live on TV (Documentary)Mrs Playmen (Series)Selling The OC: Season 4 (Series) November 13, 2025 The Beast in Me (Series)Delhi Crime: Season 3 (Series)Had I Not Seen the Sun: Part 1 (Series)Koati: Season 1 (Series)Last Samurai Standing (Series)Moulin Rouge! (Movie)The Sandlot (Movie)Tee Yai: Born To Be Bad (Movie)Unicorn Academy: Chapter 4 (Series) November 14, 2025 The Crystal Cuckoo (Series)In Your Dreams (Series)Jake Paul vs. Tank Davis (Boxing)Lefter: The Story of The Ordinarius (Movie)NOUVELLE VAGUE (Movie) November 15, 2025 A Royal Date for Christmas (Movie)A Sprinkle of Christmas (Movie)A Vineyard Christmas (Movie)Becoming Santa (Movie)Christmas Casanova (Movie)Everybody's Fine (Movie)Just Like a Christmas Movie (Movie)Meet Me at the Christmas Train Parade (Movie)Royally Yours, This Christmas (Movie) November 17, 2025 Blue Beetle (Movie)Gabby's Dollhouse: Season 12 (Series)Selena y Los Dinos (Documentary)Zodiac (Movie) November 18, 2025 Gerry Dee: Funny You Should Say That (Comedy) November 19, 2025 The Carman Family Deaths (Documentary)Champagne Problems (Film)Envious: Season 3 (Series)The Son of a Thousand Men (Film) November 20, 2025 A Man on the Inside: Season 2 (Series)The Follies (Movie)The Great British Baking Show: Holidays: Season 8 (Series)Jurassic World: Chaos Theory: Season 4 (Series) November 21, 2025 Marry Christmas (Movie)Mistletoe Mixup (Movie)ONE SHOT with Ed Sheeran (Movie)Train Dreams (Movie) November 24, 2025 Missing: Dead or Alive?: Season 2 (Documentary)Santa Bootcamp (Movie) November 25, 2025 Is It Cake? Holiday: Season 2 (Series) November 26, 2025 Jingle Bell Heist (Movie)Stranger Things 5: Volume 1 (Series) November 27, 2025 Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (Movie) November 28, 2025 Left-Handed Girl (Movie)The Stringer: The Man Who Took The Photo (Documentary)

Will Salmon
Expert explains 'pompoir' sex workout that people claim will enhance your orgasms
Technology

Expert explains 'pompoir' sex workout that people claim will enhance your orgasms

There's a 3,000-year-old sex hack that's said to improve your orgasms. Orgasms alone are great, but who wouldn't say yes to wanting to make them even greater? Queue 'pompoir' — and no, this isn't a new breed of tiny dog. Pompoir, sometimes referred to as the 'Singapore grip' or 'vaginal gymnastics', is an ancient sexual technique where a woman uses her pelvic floor muscles during sex. Anyone who has had a baby will probably know all about their pelvic floor, but for those of you who aren't as clued up on this part of our anatomy, it's a group of muscles and ligaments that form a sling from the pubic bone to the tailbone. You've likely used them while holding in a wee when the wedding speeches go on for much longer than you anticipated (we've all been there). In regard to how to use your pelvic floor to boost your and your partner's orgasm, you simply squeeze the set of muscles around the penis as they ejaculate. I understand that this sounds like the guys reap all the benefits of this apparent 'workout', but sex educator Gigi Engle insists that it can feel great for women, too. Explaining what pompoir is, Engle shared with the Metro: "Pompoir is the sexual practice of training your kegel muscles to be so strong you can contract your muscles to such a degree that you’re able to pop things, like a ping pong ball, for example." Going on to explain how the ancient technique can benefit both people, Engle went on: "By having that strong of a pelvic floor, you can force them to c*m and essentially milk your partner, forcing them to submit to you. "You take over their bodily faculties and erection because your vaginal muscles are so strong, and because you’re so hot, sexy, and dominant, they can’t help but succumb to you." If this isn't to your liking, another trend that people are trying out at the moment is something known as 'edging'. Basically, this is the idea of delaying your orgasm, therefore prolonging pleasure. By repeatedly getting close to finishing but not actually doing so, it supposedly makes the orgasm stronger when you do eventually cross the finish line. This isn't one you necessarily need a sexual partner for, either, as it's something you can do solo.

Niamh Shackleton
Xu through to Wrexham Open semi-finals
Technology

Xu through to Wrexham Open semi-finals

Mimi Xu is through to the semi-finals of the Wrexham Open after a 6-3, 6-3 straight sets win over France's Harmony Tan. During Thursday's second-round match Xu had to come from behind in both sets, but she had no such trouble in the quarter-finals. A double fault by Tan with the first set level at 3-3 handed Xu two breaks points, which she took advantage of at the first attempt. Another break of serve sealed the first set, and Xu continued to dominate proceedings by breaking Tan once more early in the second set. The 18-year-old from Swansea will now face Yuriko Lily Miyazaki or Jana Otzipka in Saturday's semi-final.

Bbc Sport
Will latest Russian sanctions finally break Putin’s resolve?
Technology

Will latest Russian sanctions finally break Putin’s resolve?

Donald Trump has targeted the “economic equivalent of Russia’s crown jewels” with a new wave of sanctions, said Sky News. The president has slapped fresh restrictions on Russia’s two largest oil companies, in response to what he calls Vladimir Putin’s “lack of serious commitment to a peace process to end the war in Ukraine”. What did the commentators say? The new measures, which target Russian giants Rosneft and Lukoil, as well as more than 30 subsidiaries, “aren’t just any sanctions”, said Sky News, they’re a “punch to the gut of Moscow’s war economy”. They’re “no slap on the wrist” because oil is “Russia’s bloodstream”, and Trump “just cut off the blood flow”, said the broadcaster. The timing is significant too, said the BBC, because the new measures were announced “just days after the UK sanctioned the same two Russian oil companies”, and European Union countries have issued new measures that ban the import of Russian liquefied natural gas from 2027. Putin’s “tactical triumph didn’t last long”, said The New York Times – last week “it looked as if the Russian president had outmanoeuvred his adversaries yet again” by making a “deftly placed call” to Trump that “scuttled any expansion in American support for Ukraine”. But yesterday “Russians awoke to new American sanctions against their oil industry”.The sale of oil and gas accounts for about a quarter of the Russian budget, and Moscow’s oil industry is already under pressure from increasingly long-range strikes by Kyiv. So the measures “take aim at the heart of the Russian economy” and deal a major blow to Putin’s “effort to cajole” Trump into “forcing Ukraine to capitulate to Russia’s main demands”. Actually, the sanctions are “not a maximal blow,” Daniel Fried, a former US assistant secretary of state for Europe, told Atlantic Council, and there may need to be tougher US actions, such as “joining Europe in lowering the price cap on Russian oil, enforcing the oil price cap by putting sanctions on the Russian shadow fleet of tankers, and sanctioning ports that service them”. But the measures are still a “strong move” and they could “put even more downward pressure on Russian oil revenues” by pushing Moscow to further discount its oil and “forcing purchasers to consider alternative sources of oil”. Some experts in Russia said that the new measures would have a “muted impact”, said The New York Times. Moscow has “become adept at evading restrictions” by using “hundreds of old vessels uninsured by Western companies” and by processing transactions “through buffer companies in third countries”. So although oil prices “rose sharply” yesterday, the sanctions’ “potential potency” may “ultimately depend on how the penalties are enforced and how energy buyers react to them”. In response to the move, four Chinese state oil companies have suspended purchases of Russian seaborne oil. Indian refineries have also announced that they will slash imports of Russian crude to comply with the new sanctions. If these cancellations “prove permanent”, Russia “faces a serious economic hit”, said The Telegraph.

Chas Newkey-Burden
King Charles hosts Zelensky ahead of London meeting on Ukraine missiles
Technology

King Charles hosts Zelensky ahead of London meeting on Ukraine missiles

Britain's King Charles III and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky inspect a guard of honour at Windsor Castle. (AP pic) LONDON: Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky met King Charles III at Windsor Castle on Friday before a meeting of Kyiv's key backers, where Britain's prime minister will call on Europe to deliver more long-range missiles. Kyiv's Western allies have raised pressure on Moscow as the war enters its fourth winter, with the US and EU both announcing new sanctions this week on Russian energy aimed at crippling its war economy. EU leaders also took steps towards funding Ukraine's defence for another two years, although they stopped short of greenlighting a mammoth "reparations loan" backed by frozen Russian assets. The Ukrainian national anthem played at the almost 1,000-year-old Windsor Castle west of London, where Zelensky was taken inside for an audience with the king for their third known meeting of the year. Later Friday, British premier Keir Starmer will urge allies to "step up the gifting of long-range capabilities to ensure Ukraine can build on its success", his office said in a statement ahead of the so-called "coalition of the willing" meeting. Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte, Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and the Netherlands' Dick Schoof are expected to attend the London summit, with other leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, joining virtually. Starmer's call for more missiles comes after Zelensky failed to secure long-range Tomahawks during a recent visit to Washington, despite multiple pleas for the weapons he says Ukraine needs to hit targets deep inside Russia. The nearly four-year war continues to grind on despite US and European efforts to force Russian President Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table, with Moscow battering Ukraine's energy grid this week in deadly drone and missile attacks. 'Reparations loan' Starmer will also urge European leaders to "finish the job on Russian sovereign assets to unlock billions of pounds to fund Ukraine's defences", according to the Downing Street statement. It came a day after EU leaders tasked the European Commission to move ahead with options for funding Ukraine for two more years, leaving the door open for a €140 billion (US$162 billion) "reparations loan". The EU froze around €200 billion of Russian central bank assets after Moscow's tanks rolled into Ukraine, and the European Commission has proposed using the funds to provide a huge loan to Kyiv – without seizing them outright. But the plan has faced strong objections from Belgium, where the bulk of the frozen Russian assets are held. The broadly worded conclusions of Thursday's summit in Brussels – adopted by all member states except Hungary – did not mention the loan directly, instead inviting the commission "to present, as soon as possible, options for financial support". Zelensky nonetheless welcomed the outcome as a signal of "political support" for the notion of using Russian assets to keep Kyiv in the fight. European Council president Antonio Costa said the bloc had "committed to ensure that Ukraine's financial needs will be covered for the next two years". "Russia should take good note of this: Ukraine will have the financial resources it needs to defend itself," he told a news conference. More missiles Zelensky has been pleading for weeks for more long-range weapons, hoping to capitalise on US President Donald Trump's growing frustration with Putin after a summit in Alaska failed to yield a breakthrough. But the Ukrainian leader left Washington empty-handed last week as Trump seemed to eye a fresh diplomatic breakthrough on the back of the Gaza ceasefire deal. The UK and France already supply Ukraine with Storm Shadow and Scalp long-range missiles, while Ukraine also produces its own Flamingo and Neptune missiles. Kyiv is particularly keen to get the German equivalent Taurus missiles, a move which Berlin has long resisted over fears that it would cause tensions with Russia to further escalate. On Friday, Starmer will also announce the "acceleration" of a programme to manufacture air defence missiles, which aims to supply Ukraine with more than 5,000 such weapons. Around 140 "lightweight multirole missiles" will be delivered to Ukraine this winter, according to the Downing Street statement.

AFP
Nato scrambles fighter jets after Russian planes violate Lithuania’s airspace in ‘blatant breach’
Technology

Nato scrambles fighter jets after Russian planes violate Lithuania’s airspace in ‘blatant breach’

Nato has been forced to scramble jets in response to Russian violations of Lithuania’s airspace. Two Russian military aircraft, an Su-30 fighter jet and an II-78 refuelling tanker, entered the Nato member state on Thursday for approximately 18 seconds, prompting a formal reaction from the Alliance. They were possibly on a refuelling training mission when they flew 700m (0.43 miles) at 1500 GMT, the military said. “I strongly condemn the violation of Lithuanian airspace by the fighter jet and transport plane of the Russian Federation from a Kaliningrad region site,” Lithuanian president Gitanas Nausėda said in a statement. “This is a blatant breach of international law and territorial integrity of Lithuania,” he added on X. “Once again, it confirms the importance of strengthening European air defence readiness.” Russia’s defence ministry has denied the incident and said none of its Su-30 jets training in the Kaliningrad region violated the territory of any country. The Russian province is sandwiched between Poland and Lithuania. Nato’s Baltic Air Police scrambled Spanish Eurofighter Typhoon jets that were patrolling the area in response. It deployed aircraft to the Lithuanian airbase of Siauliai as part of its Operation Eastern Sentry. A Nato official told Reuters that the swift response demonstrated “Nato’s readiness to respond to any developments and ability to ensure the safety of the Alliance’s airspace”. Lithuania summoned Russia’s top diplomat to issue a stern protest after the incident. It has informed the Alliance, European Union allies and the North Atlantic Council of the episode, the country’s foreign ministry said. “This incident once again shows that Russia is behaving like a terrorist state, disregarding international law and the security of neighbouring countries,” Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene said on Facebook. “Lithuania is safe. Together with our allies, we look after and will defend every centimetre of our country.” The latest incursion follows a spate of similar events starting with more than 20 Russian drones entering Poland last month, prompting its foreign minister Radoslaw Sikorski to request that a no-fly zone be implemented. Former Deputy Supreme Allied Commander of Nato, Sir Richard Shirreff, told The Independent that he believes the incursion was a “deliberate attack to probe Nato defenses”, adding that if Russia “smells weakness” it will persist in its aggression: “Nato has to respond with real strength.” Nine days later, Russia’s military jets were accused of violating Estonia’s airspace for 12 minutes on 19 September. Russia denied its planes entered the country and accused the Estonia of purposefully inflaming tensions between Russia and Europe. Violations were also alleged to have taken place in Romania, as training drills got underway in Belarus. Denmark later accused Russia of encroaching its airspace, which Russia has denied.

Maira Butt
'No panic' as Scarlets welcome back internationals
Technology

'No panic' as Scarlets welcome back internationals

Sharks centre Andre Esterhuizen said their players "took a hard look at ourselves" after last weekend's home defeat to Ulster. "It's an opportunity for us to rectify things," said the 23-cap Springbok. "It's no use having a superstar team if we don't play like one – together. Everything revolves around team and we must stick together, whether it goes well or goes bad. "Every time we've played them [Scarlets], they've made the game quite messy because they like it loose and like to play off turnovers. "We expect a hard, physical battle, it's always like that against the Welsh sides, they have a lot of flair, so we need to counter that and play to our strengths."

Bbc Sport
Morgan set for Ospreys return in Dragons derby
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Morgan set for Ospreys return in Dragons derby

Defence coach Dale Macleod will take charge of Dragons, with head coach Filo Tiatia back home in New Zealand for personal reasons. "It's been a good week, a full week, which makes a big difference," said Macleod. "Filo's done a great job making sure any one of us can step in. Everything was well planned before he left, and we're all good to go. "We haven't spoken about last year's game, our motivation is about stepping forward, embracing the challenge and putting in a performance at home that we can be proud of."

Bbc Sport
Musk planning ‘robot army’: Media
Technology

Musk planning ‘robot army’: Media

Elon Musk is planning to build what he has described as a “robot army,” Wired reported earlier this week, citing remarks by the Tesla CEO during the company’s recent earnings call. The billionaire entrepreneur is said to be seeking greater personal influence over Tesla as it expands into robotics and AI. According to the report, Musk is pushing to increase his voting power in Tesla to around 25% and has defended a compensation package potentially worth up to $975 billion, arguing that stronger control is necessary as the company develops humanoid robots and AI systems. Musk reportedly told investors that his main concern is maintaining enough control over Tesla’s future direction. He said he wouldn’t feel comfortable “building a robot army” unless he has a strong say in how it operates – not total control, but significant influence. The proposed payout unveiled in September would be distributed over ten years if Tesla meets a series of ambitious milestones. To unlock the full package, the company must raise its market value from just over $1 trillion to $8.5 trillion, deliver 20 million electric vehicles, produce 1 million robotaxis, and build 1 million Optimus humanoid robots. Achieving these targets could increase Musk’s ownership stake from 13% to 25%.

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