Others
-
Two Forces Shaping the Biden-Netanyahu Call on Iran In the recent 30-minute phone call between U.S. President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, two opposing forces were at play. On one side, Biden expressed reluctance to see the U.S. drawn into a broader conflict with Iran, believing that a direct military engagement would be unnecessary and perilous. On the other side, there is growing momentum in Israel, where some see an opportunity to deliver a crippling blow to Iran, its longstanding adversary.Israel’s recent actions against Hezbollah in Lebanon have energized segments of its population and leadership. Despite ongoing struggles in Gaza, which has yet to see the destruction of Hamas or the release of hostages, there is a prevailing belief that a direct strike on Iran, particularly targeting its nuclear facilities, could significantly weaken its regime. This sentiment is championed by figures like former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, who views this moment as a rare opportunity to accelerate Iran’s downfall. However, Biden remains firm in his opposition, concerned that an attack might push Iran toward building a nuclear weapon, which could destabilize the entire region. -
The 'God Makers': Bangladesh's Devoted Idol Creators As Durga Puja, one of the most significant Hindu festivals, approaches on 9 October, idol makers across Bangladesh are racing against time. In a year marked by political turmoil and reported attacks on Hindu minorities, this celebration of good over evil takes on a particularly poignant tone. While Durga Puja is widely celebrated in India and Nepal, for Bangladesh's Hindu community—comprising about 8% of the 170 million population—it holds deep spiritual significance, symbolizing hope, unity, and resilience amidst challenging times. This festival brings together not only Hindus but also people from different backgrounds, including the Muslim majority, who join in the vibrant festivities and processions.In the heart of Old Dhaka, in the historic Shakhari Bazar, artisans like Balai Pal, the city’s most renowned idol sculptor, work tirelessly to create the divine figures that will be at the center of worship during Durga Puja. Pal’s workshop, tucked away in a maze of narrow alleys, has been in his family for generations. This year, amidst the political upheaval, the atmosphere is charged with both tension and hope as these artisans strive to meet the increased demand for idols.The idols they craft, using traditional methods passed down for over a century, represent more than just art—they embody the spirit of the goddess Durga and the resilience of Bangladesh’s Hindu community. For the artisans, creating these idols is not just a craft but an act of devotion, infusing every figure with their prayers and hopes for strength and protection. -
Manchester City’s Dominant 2-0 Victory Over Defending Champions Barcelona in the Women’s Champions League Manchester City sent a strong message to their Women's Champions League rivals with a commanding 2-0 win over defending champions Barcelona. England's Naomi Layzell was the star, scoring a goal and providing an assist, as City showcased their intensity and aggressive play at Joie Stadium. Gareth Taylor's team pressed Barca relentlessly, leaving the usually composed side struggling to keep up.Taylor described the performance as one of City's best under his management and expressed belief that they can go all the way in the competition, though he emphasized that it's just the beginning of a long journey. The victory, City's first group-stage appearance since 2021, has boosted their confidence, with pundits like Siobhan Chamberlain calling it a "huge statement" to Europe's elite.Barcelona manager Pere Sunyer admitted his team was caught off guard by City's pressure, leading to their rare failure to score. Despite this setback, Barcelona remains a strong contender, with five more group-stage games ahead. However, City’s dominant performance has certainly made them a team to watch in this year's competition.Manchester City made a bold statement in their return to the Women's Champions League group stage, defeating defending champions Barcelona 2-0 in a dominant performance. Naomi Layzell was the star of the night, scoring a goal and delivering a perfect assist to Khadija Shaw to seal the victory. City's intensity and pressing overwhelmed Barcelona, who were uncharacteristically rattled throughout the match. Lauren Hemp also played a key role, causing problems for Barcelona's defense from the left, while Yui Hasegawa anchored the midfield. It was a game in which City’s attacking threats and defensive discipline came together perfectly, leaving the reigning champions struggling to adapt.This victory is particularly significant for City, marking their first group-stage appearance since 2021. Manager Gareth Taylor believes the team can go far in the competition, but he remains cautious, acknowledging that this is just the start of a long journey. Pundits have praised City for their aggressive, deserved win, with former goalkeeper Siobhan Chamberlain calling it a "huge statement" to Europe’s elite. Despite Barcelona remaining a strong contender, City's performance raised eyebrows and showed they are a serious threat, but they must now sustain this level of play if they hope to go all the way. -
Eurovision Fails to Support Contestants Amid Political Controversy, Winner Claims Swiss artist Nemo, who clinched victory at this year's Eurovision Song Contest, expressed disappointment over the lack of support from the event's organizers amid a political controversy surrounding Israel's participation."I felt very alone," the 25-year-old singer shared in an interview with BBC News. "I really hope they have things in place for the next year."Nemo, who identifies as non-binary and uses they/them pronouns, noted that the competition was "in a way" overshadowed by the heated debates and protests related to Israel's military actions in Gaza, which sparked calls for the country to be banned from the contest.In the lead-up to Eurovision, Malmö, the host city, witnessed pro-Palestinian demonstrations, and some contestants faced pressure to boycott the event. Reports also indicated that Israel's entrant, Eden Golan, received death threats during this tumultuous period.Reflecting on the backstage atmosphere, Nemo described it as "quite tense," revealing that some situations were still under investigation by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which oversees the contest. "They told us they would get back to us, and they haven't yet," they lamented.When asked whether the organizers adequately supported participants, Nemo hesitated before responding. "No, I don't think so," they stated. "I sometimes felt very alone, both with a lot of things and in terms of communication with the other artists. It took a long time for them to respond when we reached out."Following their Eurovision win, Nemo has secured a record deal and recently released their first single, "Eurostar." They emphasized the importance of providing mental health support for contestants in future editions of the competition. "I really hope they have things in place to ensure that part of the whole contest is taken care of, especially mentally," they said. "Because I did feel alone, and I know some other artists felt that way too."The EBU has acknowledged the concerns raised by participants, stating that they would implement changes to provide "more clarity and protection" for artists in future contests. -
Major Overhaul of Workers' Rights to Be Outlined Millions of employees in the UK will soon benefit from enhanced protections under a planned overhaul of workers' rights, allowing access to statutory sick pay from the first day of illness and enabling parents to claim unpaid parental leave from day one. These changes are part of the Employment Rights Bill, which has been described by the government as the “biggest upgrade to rights at work for a generation.” However, certain measures within the bill have faced criticism for being diluted or delayed, and many of the changes will not take effect until autumn 2026 after a consultation period.The government aims to balance being both pro-worker and pro-business, but the specifics of the implementation remain under discussion. One of the significant changes proposed is the removal of the existing two-year qualifying period for protections against unfair dismissal, allowing workers to access these rights from their very first day of employment. However, workers will face a nine-month probation period, during which they can be dismissed without a full process. This change is anticipated to benefit approximately nine million workers who have been with their employers for less than two years.Key Changes in the Employment Rights Bill:Statutory Sick Pay (SSP): Workers will be entitled to SSP from the first day of illness, rather than the fourth day.Lower Earnings Limit for SSP: The current threshold preventing workers earning less than £123 per week from claiming SSP will be removed, though a lower rate of sick pay for these workers will be established.Paternity Leave: Fathers will be eligible for paternity leave from their first day of employment, instead of after 26 weeks.Unpaid Parental Leave: Parents will have access to unpaid parental leave from day one of employment, rather than after a year.Unpaid Bereavement Leave: This will become a "day one" right for workers.Flexible Working: Employers will be required to consider any requests for flexible working from day one and grant them unless they can prove it is unreasonable.These changes mean around 30,000 fathers or partners will gain eligibility for paternity leave, while 1.5 million parents will gain the right to unpaid leave from day one.Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner emphasized the importance of these changes, stating, “Too many people are drawn into a race to the bottom, denied the security they need to raise a family while businesses are unable to retain the workers they need to grow. We’re r -
Explorer Shackleton’s Lost Ship Unveiled in Stunning 3D Detail After more than a century concealed beneath the icy waters of Antarctica, Sir Ernest Shackleton’s ship, Endurance, has been revealed in extraordinary detail thanks to groundbreaking 3D scanning technology. The vessel, which sank in 1915 and now lies 3,000 meters below the surface of the Weddell Sea, has been digitally reconstructed from 25,000 high-resolution images captured during its discovery in 2022.This remarkable digital scan is part of a new documentary titled Endurance, set to be released in cinemas. It allows viewers to see the ship as if the murky waters have been drained away, uncovering details that tell the story of the crew’s fateful expedition.Among the artifacts highlighted in the scan are the crew’s meal plates, scattered across the deck, and a solitary boot that is believed to belong to Shackleton's second-in-command, Frank Wild. Perhaps the most poignant find is a flare gun, referenced in the crew’s journals, which was fired by the expedition’s photographer, Frank Hurley, as a tribute when the ship was lost to the ice. “We come back over 100 years later, and there's that flare gun, incredible,” remarked Dr. John Shears, who led the expedition that located Endurance.A Doomed JourneySir Ernest Shackleton, an Anglo-Irish explorer, led the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition with the goal of making the first land crossing of Antarctica. However, the mission faced challenges from the start when Endurance became trapped in pack ice shortly after departing from South Georgia. The crew drifted for months before abandoning ship, with Endurance finally sinking on November 21, 1915. Remarkably, all 27 crew members survived the ordeal, traversing treacherous ice and sea to reach safety.Their extraordinary journey was meticulously documented in diaries and photographs, some of which have been colorized for the upcoming documentary.The ship remained undiscovered until 2022, capturing worldwide attention upon its revelation. The underwater robots used for the 3D scan meticulously mapped the wreck, creating a digital twin of the 44-meter-long wooden vessel. While footage from such depths can only capture parts of Endurance in darkness, the scan provides a comprehensive view, documenting the ship's preservation and the impact of the ice on its structure.Shackleton's descendants have confirmed that Endurance will never be raised, and its remote location presents challenges for future visits. However, Nico Vincent from Deep Ocean Search, who -
Major Overhaul of Workers' Rights Set to Be Announced Millions of employees are poised to receive enhanced protections against unfair dismissal from their very first day on the job, as part of a comprehensive overhaul of workers' rights outlined in the forthcoming Employment Rights Bill.Among the key changes, workers will gain access to statutory sick pay from their first day of illness and will be able to claim unpaid parental leave from day one. However, the majority of these reforms are not expected to be implemented until autumn 2026, following a consultation period.The government has described the 28 proposed measures as the "largest upgrade to rights at work for a generation." However, business groups have raised concerns regarding the practical implications of these changes.Striking a balance between being pro-worker and pro-business remains a key challenge, and much of the bill's specifics are still under discussion.Key Changes in the Employment Rights BillUnfair Dismissal Protections: The existing two-year qualifying period for protections against unfair dismissal will be abolished, granting workers these rights from their first day of employment. However, employees will face a nine-month probation period during which they can be terminated without a formal process.Statutory Sick Pay (SSP): Workers will now be eligible for SSP from their first day of illness, instead of the current four-day waiting period. Additionally, the existing earnings limit of £123 per week for claiming SSP will be removed, though a reduced rate will apply for lower earners.Paternity Leave: Fathers will become eligible for paternity leave from their first day of employment, a change from the previous requirement of 26 weeks.Unpaid Parental Leave: Parents will have the right to claim unpaid parental leave from their first day of employment, rather than after one year.Unpaid Bereavement Leave: This will be established as a "day one" right for all workers.Flexible Working Requests: Employers will be expected to consider any requests for flexible working arrangements from day one, with a requirement to approve these requests unless they can demonstrate that doing so would be unreasonable.These changes are expected to benefit approximately 30,000 fathers or partners regarding paternity leave and 1.5 million parents eligible for unpaid leave from day one.Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner emphasized the importance of these reforms, stating, "Too many people are drawn into a race to the bottom, denied the security they need to rais - View all