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News from October 30, 2025

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India's Q3 gold demand value rises 23% to Rs. 2,03,240 crore: World Gold Council
Technology

India's Q3 gold demand value rises 23% to Rs. 2,03,240 crore: World Gold Council

New Delhi [India], October 30 (ANI): India’s gold demand value in the July-September quarter of 2025 stands at Rs 2,03,240 crores, up 23 per cent from the same period last year, even as overall volumes decline, according to the World Gold Council’s Q3 2025 Gold Demand Trends report.The quarter records total demand of 209.4 tonnes, lower by 16 per cent compared to Q3 2024, showing that higher prices lift value while reducing tonnage. Within this, jewellery demand comes in at 117.7 tonnes, down 31 per cent year-on-year, but its value stays unchanged at Rs 1,14,270 crores. Investment demand uptick as volumes rise 20 per cent to 91.6 tonnes and value jumps 74 per cent to Rs 88,970 crores. The report attributes the value surge to higher average prices during the quarter.Sachin Jain, Regional CEO, India, World Gold Council, says the quarter “showcased its inherent resilience and the significant impact of evolving price dynamics.” He notes that while volumes fall, “this robust growth in value, driven by high average prices, strongly reaffirms gold’s enduring appeal as a safe-haven asset.” On the investment side, he adds that demand “showed remarkable strength,” highlighting a “deepening strategic commitment among Indian consumers to gold as a long-term store of value.”On supply, imports are 194.6 tonnes, down 37 per cent from last year’s quarter, and recycling is 21.8 tonnes, a 7 per cent decline. The report observes that these moves suggest households are holding on to gold rather than selling into the market. Prices remain elevated through the quarter, with the average at USD 3,456.5 per ounce and Rs 97,074.9 per 10 grams (excluding import duty and GST), shaping the shift from jewellery to investment-led buying.Jain says cultural drivers stay important for jewellery even at higher prices, as its value holds steady despite the volume drop. “This indicates that despite higher prices, gold’s intrinsic cultural significance continues to drive purchases, with consumers adapting to the new price levels,” he says. Looking ahead to the festive and wedding season, he says retailers are prepared and sentiment is positive, saying “We anticipate robust demand across all categories, from traditional jewellery to investment products, as the market gears up for a vibrant festive and wedding season.”Total demand is about 462.4 tonnes. The Council expects full-year demand between 600 and 700 tonnes, with the outcome leaning toward the higher end of that range, depending on seasonal buying and price movements into year-end. (ANI)

News18
Chhattisgarh: CRPF conducts free medical camp in Naxal-hit Bijapur
Technology

Chhattisgarh: CRPF conducts free medical camp in Naxal-hit Bijapur

Bijapur (Chhattisgarh) [India], October 30 (ANI): The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) organised a free medical camp at village Rawatpara near the Jidpalli camp in the Naxal-affected Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh.CRPF Doctor Dr Vinoth Kumar stated that the camp aims to provide regular healthcare support to villagers in malaria-prone regions.“This is a malaria-prone area… We set up a camp in the village every month… There are two hospitals within each camp… We are providing them with treatment 24/7… We are providing them maximum support from our side,” Dr Kumar said.Commandant Latif Sahu said that the initiative was launched to make medical care more accessible for villagers living near the camp.“The CRPF thought that since the (Jidpalli) camp has been set up here, medical care should also be brought closer to the people… About 20 to 25 people are coming to our hospital each day,” said Commandant Sahu.A beneficiary, Manoj Kumar Yadav, expressed gratitude for the medical services provided by the CRPF.“We have been benefitting a lot since the camp was set up… We didn’t have the facility to take people to the hospital. Now, we can go to the camp and get treated,” said Yadav.Meanwhile, in a significant success for security forces, 21 Naxals, including 13 women cadres, surrendered before the Chhattisgarh Police recently.Bastar Inspector General (IG) P Sundarraj said the police will continue operations against Naxalites but will also welcome those who surrender.“On 26 October, a total of 21 Maoists surrendered their weapons and joined the mainstream. Keshkal Division Committee Secretary Mukesh, along with 13 women cadres and 8 male cadres carrying 18 weapons, surrendered to join the mainstream. The administration is providing them with all kinds of assistance for their rehabilitation,” said IG Sundarraj.Earlier, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said that the “backbone of Naxalism is broken” following the surrender.Calling it a success of the ‘Surrender and Rehabilitation Policy’, CM Sai said that the “misled” youth are now choosing the path of development.In a post on X, CM Sai wrote, “The end of the anti-people Maoist ideology through ‘Puna Margem,’ Establishment of peace in Bastar. Today, in Kanker district, under the ‘Puna Margem – From Rehabilitation to Revival’ initiative, 21 Naxalites have abandoned the path of violence and surrendered. This is a meaningful testament to the success of our ‘Surrender and Rehabilitation Policy – 2025’ and the ‘Niyad Nella Nar Scheme,’ which is fostering a new wave of trust and transformation in Naxal-affected areas.” (ANI)

News18
Dezy Named ‘Best Dental Chain - South’ by The Economic Times
Technology

Dezy Named ‘Best Dental Chain - South’ by The Economic Times

Transparent, affordable dental care now available at 25 clinics across India; expanding to 100 in the next 12 to 18 months BENGALURU, October 30, 2025: Dezy, India’s fastest growing dental chain, has been recognized by The Economic Times as ‘Best Dental Chain – South (2025)’. This accolade reflects Dezy’s commitment to combining world class quality with honest pricing, making advanced dental care more accessible and anxiety-free. Currently operating 25 clinics nationwide, including 15 in Bengaluru, Dezy plans to expand to 100 clinics across India within 12 to 18 months. By directly sourcing materials, Dezy provides high quality treatment at 30-40% lower costs compared to other dental clinics, with clear, written estimates and no hidden charges. Known for its expertise in implants, braces, and aligners, Dezy unites all dental specialties under one roof. Procedures are performed by MDS-certified doctors, with a 100 percent outcome assurance which includes a lifetime warranty on implants. Dezy has also been selected to the World Economic Forum’s Technology Pioneers 2025. It is the only dental care company in this year’s cohort and one of eight healthcare innovators among 100 companies from 28 countries. This selection further underscores the brand’s leadership in technology-led dental care. “This recognition from the Economic Times and World Economic Forum validates our mission to democratize dental care through technology,” said Shrikanth Kainthaje, Head of Business at Dezy. “Every clinic we open brings us closer to our vision of making quality dental care accessible, transparent, and anxiety free for every Indian.” He added, “Reaching 15 clinics in Bangalore is just the beginning. Our vision is crystal clear: to build India’s largest and most trusted dental network.” About Dezy Dezy (formerly smiles.ai), established in 2019 by Hitesh Kakrani and Dr. Jatin Kakrani, is revolutionizing India’s dental care landscape. The company aims to build the nation’s largest dental care brand through a tech-driven, customer-centric approach. Dezy currently is India’s fastest growing Dental care company, Dezy 25 Signature clinics in India. A key factor in Dezy’s initial success is its proprietary technology, which allows consumers to receive detailed smartphone-based diagnoses from home and gain complete clarity on costs and treatment details before visiting a clinic. This addresses a significant pain point in the dental care industry, where high costs, a lack of quality benchmarks, and out-of-pocket expenses often lead to customer dissatisfaction. Dezy’s digital pre-purchase process, combined with an innovative and comforting in-clinic experience, has driven its rapid growth in India’s fragmented dental market. Backed by marquee global investors including Peak XV Partners, Alpha Wave, Chiratae Ventures, MBX Capital, Spring Marketing Capital, and industry leaders like Lenskart’s Peyush Bansal and Amit Chaudhry, Dezy has raised over $21 million to date. The company’s recent $6 million bridge funding in October 2024 specifically supports its ambitious clinic expansion strategy. Media contact Name – Hitesh Kakrani Title/Designation – CEO and Co-Founder Email | Phone – Hitesh@doc32.in , +91 8120000027 (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with NRDPL and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR

News18
‘Felt Uncomfortable And Walked Out’: Madalsa Sharma Explains Why She Quit South Films
Technology

‘Felt Uncomfortable And Walked Out’: Madalsa Sharma Explains Why She Quit South Films

Actress Madalsa Sharma, who has worked in both South Indian films and Hindi television, recently opened up about her decision to move away from the South film industry. In an interview with Pinkvilla, the actress and daughter-in-law of veteran actor Mithun Chakraborty reflected on her early experiences in the industry and why she chose to step back after only a few years. Madalsa shared that while her journey began with excitement, certain uncomfortable experiences made her realise that the path wasn’t right for her. She revealed that she faced situations that left her uneasy and ultimately decided to return to Mumbai, choosing to prioritise her comfort and principles over career opportunities. Facing Unpleasant Reality On Set Sharma explained that she encountered a few uncomfortable situations early in her South career, admitting, “Ek-aadh experience pleasant nahi the mere wahan pe, jo mujhe laga ki mai nahi kar sakungi. Wo path main nahi le sakungi,” which translates as, “I had a few unpleasant experiences there, which I felt I couldn’t handle. I couldn’t take that path.” This honest confession has struck a chord, especially as she highlighted that the casting couch and similar problems exist across industries. She told reporters, “Mujhe thoda disappointment hua tha South me. No experience, but ek conversation ne mujhe uncomfortable kiya tha. I was 17. It’s been a few years. But, I remember that I felt uncomfortable and I just walked out, and I told myself, let’s go back to Bombay now.” Making Career Choices Based on Principles Madalsa Sharma insists her goals never overshadow her personal boundaries. “Ek goal hota hai na har ek insan ka to reach where they want. Mera goal hai ambition hai, sab kuch hai; magar wo utna jyada nahi hai ki main usko khud pe haavi hone du…I’m level-headed in terms of things jo mujhe chahiye aur jo mujhe nhi chahiye aur jis cost par chahiye. So yaa, my decisions have been based on that.” She emphasised that everyone has their own ambitions, but hers have never been so overwhelming as to control her life. Madalsa shared that she’s clear about what she wants and what she doesn’t, always weighing her choices carefully. Celebrating Family Success Despite Setbacks Despite these setbacks, Madalsa has continued to praise her family’s legacy, notably expressing admiration for her father-in-law, Mithun Chakraborty, who recently received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. This prestigious honour affirms the family’s deep roots in Indian cinema and offers a reminder that every actor’s journey is unique, even when faced with obstacles.

Chirag Sehgal,News18,Sahas Mahapatra
PETRONAS Malaysia Open 2026 – The Badminton Fever Returns
Technology

PETRONAS Malaysia Open 2026 – The Badminton Fever Returns

Subscribe to our FREE Newsletter, or Telegram and WhatsApp channels for the latest stories and updates. Come January, Kuala Lumpur will once again transform into the unlikely epicentre of the badminton universe. The PETRONAS Malaysia Open—one of only four tournaments prestigious enough to earn the Badminton World Federation’s (BWF) coveted SUPER 1000 designation—returns to Axiata Arena from 6 to 11 January 2026, promising six days of shuttlecock artistry that draws fans from across the globe. For those keeping track, tickets go on sale 3 November at 2 p.m. sharp via ticket2u.com.my, and if history is any guide, you’ll want to set multiple alarms. The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) has learned from past stampedes: they’re offering an Early Bird promotion through 30 November, because nothing says “we care about your wallet” quite like planning. Something for Everyone The pricing remains refreshingly democratic. Tickets are categorised into tiers, offering a range of price points to accommodate different budgets. This includes more affordable options in the Upper Tier and premium seating in the Platinum (A) category. Season passes range from RM282 to RM2,000—a spread that acknowledges both the student surviving on instant noodles and the executive who considers courtside seats a business expense. Daily tickets get the Early Bird treatment too, though BAM Secretary General Dato’ Kenny Goh Chee Keong warns that popular categories have a habit of vanishing faster than a perfectly executed drop shot. When Champions Come Home Malaysia’s home team reads like a badminton hall of fame: world champions Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei, former world champions Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik, plus World Championship silver medallists Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah. It’s the kind of lineup that makes other nations nervously adjust their training schedules. In a country where badminton courts occupy the same cultural real estate as basketball hoops in American driveways, the Malaysia Open isn’t just a tournament—it’s an annual pilgrimage. Mark your calendars, set your reminders, and prepare to witness why a small shuttlecock can stop an entire nation in its tracks. The tournament boasts a total prize money of USD 1,450,000 (RM6.07 million). READ MORE: [Photos] Rain, Reign, And Reflection: A Poetic Portrait of PETRONAS Malaysia Open 2025 Share your thoughts with us via TRP’s Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Threads.

Fernando Fong
Microsoft Azure Outage Affects Thousands Of Users: Here’s What The Company Said
Technology

Microsoft Azure Outage Affects Thousands Of Users: Here’s What The Company Said

Microsoft Azure faced a massive outage between October 29 and October 30 with many businesses in the US unable to run their operations for hours and waiting for the company to fix the issue. People were not able to access their workflow setup, authentication of tools and even the most important 365 admin center, which invariably got Microsoft in a huddle to get the systems back up and running at the earliest. The outage was tracked widely by platform Downdetector which saw a massive spike in reports from 9:23 PM IST on October 29 going well past the hour and waiting for the company to give some updates on the problem. Azure Outage Disrupts Half Of The Internet The outage tracker cited issues with the Azure website, server connections as well as the domains running on its network. Microsoft also relies on Azure to run its own Microsoft 365 and Outlook services that were also hugely affected across the US, India and other regions for many hours this week. Microsoft Azure Outage: What Caused It? Microsoft shared the details for the Azure outage which it claims lasted for around 8 hours, one of its biggest cyber issues since the Crowdstrike Windows 10 outage last year. The company said the latest outage was a result of a configuration error in the Azure Front Door which is its global traffic management system. The issues with the system meant that logins were not responding to the server requests which made it impossible for users to access their credentials and accounts during the period. The engineers at Microsoft were able to fix the issue by switching to the default state but even that took a toll on the systems rebooting back and becoming functional again. Microsoft needs Azure to power most of its customers and when the backbone of these businesses face issues, all of them come to a standstill. We’ve seen it happen recently with the AWS outage at Amazon which even saw people stuck with their smart home devices not working, let alone the regular business and shops.

News18,S Aadeetya
Melissa kills 25 in Haiti, nearly 30 total as hurricane batters Caribbean
Technology

Melissa kills 25 in Haiti, nearly 30 total as hurricane batters Caribbean

PORT-AU-PRINCE/KINGSTON/HAVANA: Hurricane Melissa barreled through the northern Caribbean on Wednesday after thrashing Cuba’s second-biggest city, isolating hundreds of rural communities, unleashing devastation in Jamaica and drenching Haiti, where at least 25 were killed. Melissa struck Jamaica on Tuesday as the strongest-ever hurricane to directly hit its shores, with sustained winds of 185 mph (298 kph), well above the minimum strength for a Category 5, the strongest classification for hurricanes. As of 8 p.m. (0000 GMT), Melissa was a Category 1 hurricane bringing wind, rain and storm surges as it moved north-east through the Bahamas archipelago, whose government earlier flew out nearly 1,500 people in what it called one of its largest evacuation operations. Residents in the Bahamas and nearby Turks and Caicos hunkered down, while some 895 miles (1,440 km) north-east Bermudans prepared for hurricane conditions forecast from Thursday. US forecaster AccuWeather said Melissa was the Caribbean’s third-most intense recorded hurricane, as well as its slowest-moving, which made it particularly destructive. The storm did not directly hit Haiti, the Caribbean’s most populous nation, but lashed it with days of rain. Authorities reported at least 25 deaths, largely due to floods in Petit-Goave, a coastal town 64 km (40 miles) west of the capital where a river burst its banks. At least 10 children were killed and 12 people remain missing there, Haiti’s disaster management agency said, adding that nationwide more than 1,000 homes have been flooded and nearly 12,000 people moved into emergency shelters. An extended gang conflict has impoverished Haiti and displaced over 1.3 million. People living in makeshift camps said the flooding made it impossible to sit or sleep, and that the government and aid groups were slow to bring supplies. Fortune Vital, a displaced man in Les Cayes, said he was separated from his family which already lacked sufficient food. “If the hurricane comes on top of all the problems we already have, we’ll simply die,” he said. ‘Like missiles blowing through the glass’ In Jamaica, AccuWeather estimated Melissa could cost $22 billion in damages and economic loss and that rebuilding could take a decade or more. The capital Kingston was spared the worst damage and its main airport was set to reopen Thursday, but as of Wednesday morning authorities said about 77% of Jamaica was without electricity. Melissa made landfall in southwestern Jamaica on Tuesday, devastating areas already battered by last year’s Hurricane Beryl. Local authorities said flood waters had washed up four bodies in the agricultural hub of St. Elizabeth. Prime Minister Andrew Holness visited Black River Hospital, the only public hospital in St. Elizabeth, where aerial footage showed the wrecks of buildings, roofs blown off, power cables knocked down and fields strewn with rubble. Workers there told the prime minister they spent the night fearing for their own families while working by flashlight to care for patients. “It was the most terrifying experience in all my life,” a hospital worker said. “It is beyond imagining. At one point it was as if missiles were blowing through the glass.“ Jamaica’s government gave an “all clear” to begin recovery efforts, but said it would keep emergency shelters open through the week as people kept coming in from devastated homes. Local government minister Desmond McKenzie said over 25,000 people had been admitted. “No one must be turned back from the shelters,” he said. Mass evacuations in cuba Melissa was a still major Category 3 when it hit Cuba overnight with winds of 120 mph, landing in rural, mountainous Guama, some 25 miles (40 km) west of Santiago de Cuba, the island’s second-most populous city. At least 241 communities remained isolated and without communications on Wednesday following the storm’s passage across Santiago province, according to preliminary media reports, affecting as many as 140,000 residents. Across eastern Cuba, authorities evacuated around 735,000 people as the storm approached. No deaths were reported on Wednesday but President Miguel Diaz-Canel said the island had suffered extensive damage and warned of vigilance as rains continue to lash the region. “A major hurricane landfall in the dark is incredibly dangerous,” AccuWeather lead hurricane expert Alex DaSilva said. “The storm lost wind intensity as it interacted with the mountains of southeast Cuba, but the forced upward motion of the air over the mountainous terrain is squeezing out tremendous amounts of rainfall.” Cuban officials also warned of severe impact on crops ahead of the Northern Hemisphere’s winter growing season. Cuba was already suffering from food, fuel, electricity and medicine shortages that have complicated life, prompting record-breaking emigration since 2021. On Wednesday, the UN General Assembly again voted overwhelmingly for the US to end its Cold War-era economic embargo on the communist-run country. Loss and damage Scientists say hurricanes are intensifying faster with greater frequency as a result of warming ocean waters caused by greenhouse gas emissions. Many Caribbean leaders have called on wealthy, heavy-polluting nations to provide reparations in the form of aid or debt relief. The Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre, a branch of regional bloc CARICOM, issued a statement in solidarity of those affected by Hurricane Melissa and called for stronger efforts to curb climate change. It said Melissa’s rapid intensification, fueled by record-breaking Caribbean sea temperatures, underscored need for the UN’s “loss and damage” fund to be scaled up. The fund was established in 2023 as a mechanism for developing nations to quickly and reliably access financing to recover from more frequent extreme weather events. However, donations from wealthy, polluting nations have fallen short of targets and the US withdrew from its board in March. The devastation caused by Melissa drew an outpouring of support from across the world, with some countries pledging support in the form of cash, food aid and rescue teams. In Montego Bay, a popular Jamaican tourist destination, a resident told Reuters the water reached her waist and rescuers had to break into her home to save her and her child. “All the trees that my dad planted, all of them are gone,” she said.

Reuters
DBKL sedia sambut 46 juta pelancong tahun depan
Technology

DBKL sedia sambut 46 juta pelancong tahun depan

DBKL mahu tonjolkan Kuala Lumpur sebagai ibu negara berkelas antarabangsa. KUALA LUMPUR: Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) bersedia sepenuhnya menyambut kedatangan 46 juta pelancong antarabangsa sempena Tahun Melawat Malaysia 2026 (TMM2026). Datuk Bandar, Maimunah Mohd Sharif, berkata persediaan awal dijalankan merangkumi aspek infrastruktur, kebersihan, pencahayaan bandar, serta penglibatan komuniti tempatan bagi memastikan setiap pelawat menikmati pengalaman bermakna di Kuala Lumpur. Katanya, jumlah 46 juta pelancong itu merangkumi anggaran pelawat ke seluruh negara tahun depan. "Kita nak tonjolkan Kuala Lumpur sebagai yang ada jiwa dan ibu negara setahap kelas antarabangsa. "Saya harap mereka yang datang, akan datang sekali lagi...maksudnya datang berkali-kali bukan hanya one off (sekali datang)," katanya kepada pemberita selepas sambutan Deepavali di Matic, Kuala Lumpur. Beliau mengulas persediaan DBKL sempena TMM2026. Sementara itu, Maimunah berkata pihaknya akan mengumumkan deretan program sepanjang tahun depan, esok. "Saya akan berikan sambutan acara selama setahun (esok). Memang kita telah bersedia tahun ini, buat perbincangan dengan orang ramai, libat urus, apa program yang nak dijalankan sepanjang tahun 2026," katanya.

Anne Muhammad
Tanzania on lockdown after election chaos, deaths feared
Technology

Tanzania on lockdown after election chaos, deaths feared

A Tanzanian police officer detains a man accused by election officials of attempting to disrupt the voting process at a polling station in Stone Town during the presidential elections. (AFP pic) DAR ES SALAM: Tanzania was on lockdown with a communications blackout Thursday, a day after elections turned into violent chaos with unconfirmed reports of many dead. President Samia Suluhu Hassan had sought to solidify her position and silence criticism within her party in the virtually uncontested polls, with the main challengers either jailed or disqualified. In the run-up, rights groups condemned a "wave of terror" in the east African nation, which has seen a string of high-profile abductions that ramped up in the final days. A heavy security presence on Wednesday failed to deter hundreds protesting in economic hub Dar es Salaam and elsewhere, some singing: "We want our country back". Unverified images on social media showed initially small protests escalated during the day with reports of police responding with live fire as they targeted polling stations, police vehicles and businesses connected to the ruling party. A diplomatic source told AFP the unrest continued into the night despite a curfew imposed by police. An internet blackout was still in place on Thursday, while the police and army had set up checkpoints around Dar es Salaam and other cities, the diplomatic source said. Schools and colleges were closed on Thursday and civil servants told to work from home, an AFP reporter said. The government has remained silent and the heavily controlled local media made no mention of the unrest, nor provide any update on the election. There are reports that upwards of 30 people may been killed in Wednesday's violence, the diplomatic source said, but this could not be verified. "It's unprecedented... Where we go from here is unclear," they said, with Samia's status "uncertain". Unrest was reported in multiple areas, including Songwe in the west and tourist hub Arusha. Foreign journalists have been largely banned from travelling to mainland Tanzania to cover the elections. Deeply disturbing Much of the anger online has been directed at Samia's son, Abdul, who has been in charge of an "informal task force" of police and intelligence services to manage election security, according to specialist publication Africa Intelligence. It is blamed for a massive increase in abductions of government critics in the last days before the vote, including a popular social media influencer, Niffer, who was accused of promoting protests with jokey videos about selling facemasks. Samia has faced opposition from parts of the army and allies of her iron-fisted predecessor, John Magufuli, since coming to power, say analysts. Amnesty International said late Wednesday they had documented "two reported deaths" from social media images and videos. They labelled the violence "deeply disturbing", warning the "risk of further escalation is high" as they urged restraint from authorities. A member of opposition party Chadema indicated to AFP they had reports of at least four deaths, but stressed they were "not certain" of the figures. Samia came to power in 2021, elevated from vice-president on the sudden death of Magufuli. She faced internal opposition as the country's first female leader but was feted by rights groups for easing restrictions on the opposition and media. Those hopes faded as she oversaw a crackdown described by Amnesty as a "wave of terror" including "enforced disappearance and torture... and extrajudicial killings of opposition figures and activists". Her main challenger, Tundu Lissu, is on trial for treason, facing a potential death penalty and his party, Chadema, banned from running. The only other serious candidate, Luhaga Mpina of ACT-Wazalendo, was disqualified on technicalities.

AFP
Russia prepares to take strategic Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk
Technology

Russia prepares to take strategic Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk

A view of the frontline city of Pokrovsk in Donetsk region amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (AFP pic) MOSCOW: Russian forces are close to taking the eastern Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk after a pincer movement almost totally encircled it while small groups of highly mobile Russian units penetrated the city, according to Russian military bloggers. What is Pokrovsk? Pokrovsk is a road and rail hub in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region with a pre-war population of some 60,000 people. Most people have now fled, all children have been evacuated and few civilians remain. It lies on a key road which has been used by the Ukrainian military. Ukraine's only mine producing coking coal - used in its once vast steel industry - is around 10 km west of Pokrovsk. Ukrainian steelmaker Metinvest said in January it had suspended mining operations there. A technical university in Pokrovsk, the region's largest and oldest, was damaged by shelling and now stands abandoned. Why does Russia want Pokrovsk? Russia wants to take the whole of the Donbas region, which comprises Luhansk and Donetsk provinces. Ukraine still controls about 10% of Donbas - an area of about 5,000sq km in western Donetsk. Russian President Vladimir Putin says Donbas is now legally part of Russia but Kyiv and the West reject Moscow's seizure of the territory as an illegal land grab. Capturing Pokrovsk, dubbed "the gateway to Donetsk" by Russian media, and Kostiantynivka to its northeast which Russian forces are also trying to envelop, would give Moscow a platform to drive north towards the two biggest remaining Ukrainian-controlled cities in Donetsk - Kramatorsk and Sloviansk. Why has it taken so long? Russia has been threatening Pokrovsk for more than a year but instead of the deadly frontal assaults it used most famously in Bakhmut, Russia's military has deployed a different tactic. Russian forces used a pincer movement to almost fully encircle Pokrovsk and threaten Ukrainian supply lines, then harried Ukrainian forces by sending in small units and drones to disrupt logistics and sow chaos to their rear. Essentially, Russia's tactics carved what Russian military bloggers called a grey zone of ambiguity out of the city where neither side had control but which was extremely difficult - and costly - to defend. To clear both Pokrovsk and nearby Myrnohrad may take some time and so delay Russia's formal announcement. Ukraine's incursion into the Kursk region of Russia last year also slowed the Russian attack on Pokrovsk. What is happening now? Ukraine has rushed to strengthen positions in the city. "There is fierce fighting in the city and on the approaches to the city... Logistics are difficult. But we must continue to destroy the occupiers," President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Sunday. Russia's top general, Valery Gerasimov, chief of the general staff, told Putin on Sunday that Russia had blocked a large number of Ukrainian soldiers in the area. Russian bloggers said Ukraine had withdrawn its top units from the area. The pro-Ukrainian DeepState war blogger said Russian forces were continuing to infiltrate the city. "The situation in Pokrovsk is on the verge of critical and continues to deteriorate to the point that it may be too late to fix," DeepState said. Reuters was unable to verify battlefield reports from either side due to reporting restrictions in the war zone. What is russia doing along the rest of the front? Russia's military says it now controls more than 19% of Ukraine, or some 116,000sq km. Gerasimov told Putin on Sunday that Russian forces were also threatening Kupiansk in Ukraine's Kharkiv region and were advancing in the Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia regions. Russian advances towards the city of Zaporizhzhia indicate that Moscow's current plans include taking the whole of that region. Moscow classes the regions of Crimea, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson as subjects of the Russian Federation. Kyiv says they are all part of Ukraine. Most countries do not recognise the areas as part of Russia but Syria, North Korea and Nicaragua have recognised Moscow's annexation of Crimea. The UN General Assembly declared in 2014 the annexation illegal and recognised Crimea as part of Ukraine. Putin has accused the West of having double standards for recognising Kosovo as an independent country in 2008 against Serbia's wishes but opposing the recognition of Crimea. Russia opposed the independence of Kosovo.

Reuters
Pembantu tadbir didakwa rasuah, buat tuntutan palsu lebih RM400,000
Technology

Pembantu tadbir didakwa rasuah, buat tuntutan palsu lebih RM400,000

Sharudin Ibrahim, 50, mengaku tidak bersalah di Mahkamah Sesyen Seremban hari ini atas 77 pertuduhan menggunakan jawatannya untuk mendapatkan suapan dan membuat tuntutan palsu lebih RM400,000. (Gambar Facebook) PETALING JAYA: Seorang pembantu tadbir dihadapkan ke Mahkamah Sesyen Seremban hari ini atas 77 pertuduhan menggunakan jawatannya untuk mendapatkan suapan dan membuat tuntutan palsu lebih RM400,000. Bagaimanapun, tertuduh, Sharudin Ibrahim, 50, yang bertugas di Pusat Kesihatan Daerah (PKD) Jelebu mengaku tidak bersalah terhadap semua pertuduhan dibacakan di hadapan Hakim N Kanageswari, menurut Harian Metro. Berdasarkan 15 pertuduhan, dia didakwa menggunakan jawatannya untuk menerima suapan wang berjumlah keseluruhan RM55,815 kepada syarikat perniagaan atas nama isterinya. Ia sebagai pembayaran bagi 15 perkhidmatan seperti penyewaan dan penyelenggaraan komputer riba kegunaan pusat pemberian vaksin, perkhidmatan sewa desktop kegunaan pejabat kesihatan, perkhidmatan penyediaan makanan dan minimum, perkhidmatan sewaan bot dan rumah bot ke Pulau Redang, cenderahati bagi beberapa program, percetakan risalah berkaitan program kesihatan serta percetakan baju. Dakwaan dikemukakan mengikut Seksyen 23(1) Akta Suruhanjaya Pencegahan Rasuah Malaysia (SPRM) 2009 yang boleh dihukum di bawah Seksyen 24(1) akta sama. Jika disabitkan, boleh dipenjara selama tempoh tidak melebihi 20 tahun dan dikenakan denda tidak kurang daripada lima kali ganda jumlah atau nilai suapan, atau RM10,000, mengikut mana-mana yang lebih tinggi. Mengikut 62 pertuduhan lagi, dia didakwa menggunakan jawatannya dengan mengemukakan 62 dokumen arahan pembayaran pelbagai perkhidmatan seperti penyediaan makanan dan minuman bagi beberapa program, percetakan risalah serta pembekalan racun rumpai berjumlah keseluruhan lebih RM340,000. Ia dengan niat untuk mengelirukan prinsipalnya yang mana sebenarnya pembekalan perkhidmatan terbabit tidak dibuat. Dakwaan dikemukakan mengikut Seksyen 18 Akta SPRM 2009 dan boleh dihukum di bawah seksyen 24(2) akta yang sama. Jika disabitkan boleh dipenjara tidak 20 tahun dan didenda tidak kurang lima kali ganda jumlah atau nilai butir matan palsu atau silap itu jika butir matan palsu atau silap itu dapat dinilai atau berbentuk wang, atau RM10,000 mengikut mana-mana yang lebih tinggi. Semua kesalahan dilakukan sejak Oktober 2022 hingga 2023 di PKD Jelebu, dekat Kuala Klawang, Jelebu. Terdahulu, Timbalan Pendakwa Raya SPRM Fatin Nur Athirah Zainuddin mencadangkan jaminan RM235,000 bagi semua pertuduhan dengan dua syarat tambahan. Peguam Muhammad Irham Redzuan bagaimanapun memohon ia dikurangkan kepada RM15,000 dengan alasan tertuduh kini tiada pendapatan tetap kerana mengambil cuti tanpa gaji selama setahun. Menurutnya, tertuduh juga bergantung dengan isteri yang bekerja sebagai pembantu penyelia makanan dengan pendapatan sekitar RM1,500 sebulan. Hakim kemudiannya membenarkan jaminan RM40,000 bagi semua pertuduhan dengan seorang penjamin selain isteri, bersama syarat tambahan perlu melapor diri setiap bulan di pejabat SPRM dan menyerahkan pasport. Mahkamah menetapkan 8 Dis sebagai sebutan semula kes.

FMT Reporters
Fuel prices set to be reduced by a significant margin from Nov. 1
Technology

Fuel prices set to be reduced by a significant margin from Nov. 1

The price of petroleum products is expected to drop significantly at the pumps from November 1, 2025. This projection is contained in the latest outlook report by the Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies (COoMAC), which guides the pricing decisions of oil marketing companies in Ghana, as seen by JoyBusiness. Projected Adjustments Petrol is expected to decline by up to 5.21% per litre, bringing the pump price down to about GH¢12.92 from the previous GH¢13.93 quoted by some oil marketing companies. Diesel could also fall between 6.03% and 8.13%, resulting in a litre being sold at around GH¢13.10, down from GH¢14.56. Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) is projected to decrease by up to 6.66%, which will bring the price per kilogram to about GH¢13.60. If all 200-plus oil marketing companies apply these reductions, this could mark the biggest drop in fuel prices so far in 2025. It would also be the first time in a long while that a petroleum product records a double-digit percentage reduction within a single month—an event described as historic by market watchers. Based on market trends and industry practice, some OMCs may start reducing their prices as early as this weekend, November 1, 2025, while others may wait to sell existing stock or recalibrate their pumps before adjusting prices next week. According to the Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies, the expected reduction is driven by a drop in global crude oil prices and the strong appreciation of the cedi in October. Both factors, the report said, played “an instrumental role in the projected price decreases at the pumps.” The Chamber noted that from the October 16, 2025, pricing window, the cedi appreciated from GH¢12.63 to GH¢11.21 per dollar, marking an 11.22% gain. This rebound nearly offsets the 13.33% depreciation recorded in the third quarter, signalling renewed investor confidence and improved currency stability. Some analysts attribute the cedi’s rally to the Bank of Ghana’s shift to spot forex sales, which enhanced market efficiency and improved dollar liquidity. On the international front, crude oil prices fell to a five-month low, dropping sharply by 6.49% to $62.82 per barrel, driven by escalating US-China trade tensions and concerns over a potential supply glut in the last quarter of 2025. Prices of finished petroleum products also declined, with petrol, diesel, and LPG recording respective drops of -3.30%, -2.48%, and -2.35%. Market Impact The expected price cuts are likely to dampen calls by driver unions for an increase in transport fares, which have gained momentum in recent weeks. The reductions could also help keep inflation within single digits in the coming months, as lower fuel costs ease the prices of food, goods, and services — ultimately reducing the cost of living nationwide.

John Antwi Boasiako
Liverpool crisis mounts after League Cup exit against Palace
Technology

Liverpool crisis mounts after League Cup exit against Palace

Ismaila Sarr struck twice in the first half and Yeremy Pino grabbed the third to condemn Arne Slot’s side to a sixth defeat in their last seven games in all competitions. Slot fielded a weakened team as he prioritised Liverpool’s crucial games against Aston Villa, Real Madrid and Manchester City over the next two weeks. But it was still another embarrassing result for Liverpool, coming hot on the heels of a 3-2 loss at Brentford on Saturday that further dented their spluttering Premier League title defence. The Reds have lost their last four league matches and trail leaders Arsenal by seven points. “It’s not Liverpool standards to lose six out of seven,” Slot said. “But it’s only two days to rest, play the next one, then only two days’ rest, play Real Madrid and then a few days more for Man City. “Everyone can have his opinion about it, but with the squad we are having maybe 15, 16 first team players available, this is the choice I’ve made. “The pressure was already very high for the upcoming week where we again have to face three very difficult teams.” Assailed by criticism of their defensive failings and the poor form of blockbuster summer signings Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz, Liverpool’s fall from grace has been stunning. Isak, Wirtz, Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk were all absent as Slot made 10 changes and fielded teenagers Kieran Morrison, Rio Ngumoha and Trey Nyoni. It was a gamble that never looked like working and FA Cup holders Palace have now defeated Liverpool three times in the space of just 80 days. They beat the Reds on penalties in the Community Shield and 2-1 in the Premier League. Slot switched to a back three in a bid to revitalise Liverpool, but the move backfired when Joe Gomez’s mistake allowed Sarr to rifle home from 12 yards in the 41st minute. Senegal winger Sarr increased Palace’s lead on the stroke of half-time, netting from Pino’s pass in front of the shell-shocked Kop. Liverpool substitute Amara Nallo was sent off in the 79th minute for a professional foul on Justin Devenny. Pino slotted in Palace’s third in the 88th minute to book a last eight trip to Arsenal. Man City survive scare Holders Newcastle beat Tottenham 2-0 at St James’ Park to set up a quarter-final visit from Fulham. Fabian Schar headed Newcastle’s opener from Sandro Tonali’s 24th-minute corner and Nick Woltemade nodded in the second goal from Jacob Ramsey’s cross on 50 minutes. Manchester City came from behind to win 3-1 at second-tier Swansea, securing a quarter-final at home to Brentford. City, featuring 10 changes from the 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa last week, trailed to Goncalo Franco’s 12th-minute goal. But Jeremy Doku’s deflected strike dragged City level in the 39th minute and Omar Marmoush scored in the 77th before Rayan Cherki’s stoppage-time effort completed the comeback. Arsenal, who haven’t won the League Cup since 1993, beat Brighton 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium to make it eight successive wins in all competitions. Ethan Nwaneri lashed into the bottom corner in the 57th minute and Bukayo Saka struck from close range with 14 minutes remaining. Aged just 15 years and 302 days, Max Dowman became Arsenal’s youngest ever starter and boss Mikel Arteta said: “It’s definitely something special. “He has shown incredible skill to run past players at that level aged 15.” Chelsea will visit third-tier Cardiff in the last eight after the Blues’ understudies won 4-3 at struggling Wolves. Andrey Santos, Tyrique George, Estevao Willian and Jamie Gittens scored for Chelsea, with Toluwalase Arokodare and David Wolfe, who struck twice, replying for Wolves. Chelsea striker Liam Delap was dismissed in the 86th minute for two bookings, prompting boss Enzo Maresca to label him “stupid” and “embarrassing”.

AFP
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