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South Africa reports 2 of its citizens were killed fighting for Russia in Ukraine following recruitment campaign
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — At least two South African citizens have died while fighting on behalf of Russia in the war in Ukraine after being deceived into traveling there through a recruitment scheme, the country’s foreign minister announced Thursday. This marks the first time South African officials have confirmed that any of their nationals, who were allegedly enticed to Russia with promises of jobs or training opportunities, have lost their lives in the conflict. Foreign Minister Ronald
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Ocado to slash 1,000 roles in £150m cost-reduction push
Ocado has announced plans to eliminate 1,000 roles as the retail technology group seeks to save £150m through a sweeping restructuring effort. The company said around 5% of its global workforce will be impacted, with approximately two-thirds of the reductions taking place in the UK. Most of the affected positions will be cut from its UK operations, headquartered in Hatfield, Hertfordshire. Roughly half of the roles being eliminated are in technology, while the remainder are support positions.
Ocado to slash 1,000 roles in £150m cost-reduction push
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Illegal gold mining spreads into new areas of Peru’s Amazon, endangering rivers and communities
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Illegal gold mining is pushing into new stretches of Peru’s Amazon, spreading along isolated rivers and into Indigenous lands. Specialists warn that the growing activity is fueling an environmental and public health emergency that may leave lasting, irreversible scars. This surge represents a new chapter for one of the rainforest’s most damaging industries. Operations that were once concentrated in well-known areas are now penetrating regions that had remained largely
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Zelenskyy says Putin has ‘failed to break’ Ukrainians as nation marks four years of Russia’s full-scale war
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — More than a dozen senior European leaders gathered in Ukraine’s capital on Tuesday to demonstrate solidarity on the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion — a somber landmark in a war that has claimed tens of thousands of lives and heightened fears across Europe about the breadth of Moscow’s ambitions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy struck a resolute tone despite the immense human and material losses, declaring that Russia has neither “broken
Zelenskyy says Putin has ‘failed to break’ Ukrainians as nation marks four years of Russia’s full-scale war
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The Russian Embassy in Seoul was asked to remove a giant banner reading “Victory Will Be Ours”
The authorities of South Korea have asked the Russian Embassy to remove a massive banner displayed on the facade of its building in Seoul. The banner, written in Russian and reading “Victory will be ours,” appeared just ahead of the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. According to Reuters, South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs formally conveyed its dissatisfaction to Russian diplomats. It remains unclear whether the embassy has issued any response to the request.
The Russian Embassy in Seoul was asked to remove a giant banner reading “Victory Will Be Ours”
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Taylor Swift and K-pop Icons Ruled the Music Scene in 2025
Taylor Swift secured the best-selling album of 2025, while K-pop artists claimed many of the year’s biggest songs, according to newly released industry data. Swift’s 12th studio record, The Life of a Showgirl, ranked as the most popular album worldwide, topping the annual global chart issued by the IFPI. At the same time, Blackpink member Rosé delivered the year’s biggest international single. Her collaboration with Bruno Mars, APT, surpassed two billion streams globally. This marks the first
Taylor Swift and K-pop Icons Ruled the Music Scene in 2025
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Trump administration relaxes restrictions on coal plants over mercury and other toxic emissions
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — The Environmental Protection Agency on Friday rolled back limits on mercury and other hazardous emissions from coal-fired power plants, marking the Trump administration’s latest move to support the fossil fuel sector by scaling back air and water regulations. Pollution from coal- and oil-burning plants can interfere with brain development in children and is linked to heart attacks and other serious health issues in adults. These facilities are also among the leading
Trump administration relaxes restrictions on coal plants over mercury and other toxic emissions
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In the footsteps of a rogue from the Welsh borderlands: hiking the Mortimer Trail
Across the UK, there is a long-standing habit of christening walking routes after some of history’s most colourful troublemakers. Poets with questionable habits, ambitious plotters and controversial monarchs all seem to earn a place on signposts. In that spirit, a 30-mile weekend hike honouring the Mortimer family — and especially their most infamous member, Sir Roger — feels entirely fitting. Sir Roger Mortimer was not a man of modest reputation. He allegedly conducted an affair with Queen
In the footsteps of a rogue from the Welsh borderlands: hiking the Mortimer Trail
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US reports significant headway as Ukraine negotiations move into second day
US special envoy Steve Witkoff stated that discussions between Ukraine and Russia had led to “meaningful progress” toward ending the war, as both delegations prepared to continue a second day of negotiations in Geneva on Wednesday. Despite this, expectations for a major breakthrough remain limited. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky argued that it was “not fair” for US President Donald Trump to repeatedly press Kyiv to make concessions, warning that “peace cannot be achieved by handing
US reports significant headway as Ukraine negotiations move into second day
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How the wealthy transfer their fortunes — and how you can follow suit
NEW YORK (AP) — While death and taxes may be unavoidable parts of life, leaving your loved ones with a large financial burden doesn’t have to be. Affluent individuals have long used strategies to preserve wealth and pass it on to the next generation with minimal interference from taxes. However, the same tools and techniques can also benefit those with more modest savings who want to optimize what they leave behind. “It’s a carefully planned game, often played over many years,” explains Mark
How the wealthy transfer their fortunes — and how you can follow suit
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Could this be the planet’s most jaw-dropping eatery? A stunning design wonder nestled in a Leipzig industrial zone
Amid the weathered brick buildings of an industrial district in eastern Leipzig, Germany, an enormous white globe seems to float above a historic boiler house. Its appearance stirs the imagination — is it a cosmic satellite, a futuristic structure, or an oversized celestial orb? This impressive 12-meter structure, known as the Niemeyer Sphere, is the final project envisioned by acclaimed Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer. It’s a remarkable addition to his portfolio, embodying his passion for
Could this be the planet’s most jaw-dropping eatery? A stunning design wonder nestled in a Leipzig industrial zone
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Irritated eyes and scorched shores: Tracing the scars of a devastating environmental catastrophe
Three decades have passed since the Sea Empress oil tanker ran aground, causing catastrophic damage to some of south Wales’ most iconic beaches. The spill devastated a wildlife-rich stretch of the Pembrokeshire coast, killing thousands of seabirds. Efforts to refloat the damaged vessel and guide it to safety took nearly a week as the crisis unfolded. The event, widely seen as a turning point in how environmental issues were perceived by the public, still sparks strong emotions and questions
Irritated eyes and scorched shores: Tracing the scars of a devastating environmental catastrophe
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10 dreamy hotels, inns, lodges and cottages for a cosy romantic escape in the UK
Chic lakeside cabins in Somerset Tucked around a serene lake in south Somerset are six vintage-inspired luxury huts forming The Shepherds Hut Retreat. Each comes equipped with a sleek kitchen and bathroom, a private hot tub area, and delightful extras like telescopes, gin stations, pizza ovens, fire pits, and hammocks. A sauna hidden among the trees adds to the charm. The most opulent of them, named 1898, draws design influence from the Pig hotels. A scenic mile-long walk leads to the Lord
10 dreamy hotels, inns, lodges and cottages for a cosy romantic escape in the UK
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Ukraine anticipates IMF agreement to be finalized within weeks
LONDON, Feb 13 – Ukraine anticipates that its new $8.2 billion agreement with the International Monetary Fund will receive official approval within the coming weeks, according to the country’s top debt official. This development marks a significant milestone as Ukraine enters the fifth year of its conflict with Russia. This new IMF arrangement, set to follow the current $15.6 billion programme, aims to support Ukraine’s financial stability and government expenditures, amid expectations of a
Ukraine anticipates IMF agreement to be finalized within weeks
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Ukraine conflict update: Zelenskyy states voting to occur only once ceasefire is in place
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has emphasized that national elections will not take place until there is a ceasefire with Russia and adequate security assurances are in place. Speaking to journalists on Wednesday in an audio message, Zelenskyy stated, "We will hold elections once our safety is guaranteed." He added that the path to elections is straightforward — establishing a ceasefire would lead to the vote. He also mentioned that should Russia cooperate, hostilities
Ukraine conflict update: Zelenskyy states voting to occur only once ceasefire is in place
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Unprecedented snow shortage in Western US sparks fears of springtime wildfires and water scarcity
Record Snow Shortage and Unseasonal Heat Impact Western U.S. A historic shortage of snow, coupled with exceptionally warm winter temperatures, is sweeping across much of the western United States. This unusual weather is straining future water resources, increasing wildfire risks, and negatively affecting winter tourism and recreational industries. Experts report that both the extent and depth of snow are at historic lows. At least 67 weather stations in the region have recorded their warmest
Unprecedented snow shortage in Western US sparks fears of springtime wildfires and water scarcity
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Musk scales back Mars dream, sets sights on lunar mission instead
Elon Musk Shifts Focus to Building a Lunar City Elon Musk's long-standing vision of colonizing Mars appears to have taken a new direction, with his attention now turning toward a more immediate and practical objective—establishing human presence on the moon. In a post on X this past Sunday, Musk announced that SpaceX is now directing its efforts toward developing what he described as “a self-growing city on the Moon.” He added that constructing such a lunar settlement could take under ten
Musk scales back Mars dream, sets sights on lunar mission instead
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Russia-Ukraine conflict: Major developments on day 1,446
Here is the latest update for Monday, February 9: Fighting • Authorities reported that a person was killed following a series of heavy airstrikes by Russian forces on the Ukrainian port city of Odesa. • Overnight missile strikes also targeted facilities operated by Ukraine's primary oil and gas company, Naftogaz, in the eastern Poltava region. This marked the 19th such assault on the company's infrastructure by Russian forces, though the extent of the impact was not detailed. •
Russia-Ukraine conflict: Major developments on day 1,446
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E-40 and Too $hort spotlight Bay Area music at NFL Honors during Super Bowl festivities
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — E-40 added a distinct Bay Area touch to the NFL Honors event, delivering his trademark slang and energy as actor Tiffany Haddish and Carolina Panthers rookie Tetairoa McMillan danced enthusiastically, while Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce nodded along with the beat. Just before that, Too $hort electrified the stage with old-school Bay vibes, running through classics such as “Gettin’ It” and “Blow the Whistle,” songs that continue to bump in cars, clubs, and arenas
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Spanish City Named as Ideal Winter Getaway Perfect for Romantics
Ронда — ідеальне зимове місце для тих, хто шукає романтичну атмосферу. Це старовинне місто на півдні Іспанії розташувалося обабіч стрімкої ущелини, а його вулиці ведуть через парки до оглядових майданчиків з захоплюючими краєвидами. Щодня до Ронди прибувають туристичні автобуси, які привозять гостей для того, щоб ті могли не лише зробити фото каньйону, але й насолодитися неквапливою прогулянкою. «Найкращий спосіб пізнати це місто — пройтися вздовж ущелини, тримаючи кохану людину за руку,
Spanish City Named as Ideal Winter Getaway Perfect for Romantics
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