The United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, is set to be a pivotal moment in the Formula 1 championship, with scorching temperatures and high stakes adding to the drama. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, currently leading the championship, faces mounting pressure as his teammate Lando Norris closes the gap to just 22 points. With six full races and three sprint races remaining, the competition is heating up both on and off the track. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, the reigning champion, is also in hot pursuit, having secured two wins and a second-place finish in the last three races. The Circuit of the Americas has been declared a “heat hazard” event, with temperatures expected to soar above 90°F (32°C), further testing the drivers’ endurance and strategy. Haas rookie Oliver Bearman expressed excitement for the showdown, hoping the title race goes down to the wire. Meanwhile, Fernando Alonso, a two-time champion, believes the battle is primarily between the McLaren duo, though he acknowledges Verstappen’s exceptional talent. Piastri and Norris have shared 12 victories this season, but McLaren’s last win came four races ago. Despite a contentious incident in Singapore, both drivers have vowed to race freely in the upcoming events. Verstappen, a three-time winner at COTA, remains a formidable contender, while Mercedes’ George Russell, fresh off a victory in Singapore, is also aiming to make his mark. Ferrari, struggling with form, faces an uphill battle, with Charles LeClerc and Lewis Hamilton keeping expectations tempered. As the season enters its final stretch, Texas could be the catalyst for a thrilling sprint to the championship.
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Israel continues to violate Gaza truce deal with shelling and aid restriction
The Gaza Strip has witnessed renewed violence and escalating humanitarian concerns as Israeli shelling targeted civilian areas, leaving several Palestinians wounded since dawn on Friday. Rights groups have raised alarms over the deteriorating conditions in the war-torn territory. Local media reported artillery attacks in the al-Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza, resulting in at least 10 injuries over the past 24 hours. An Al Jazeera correspondent confirmed that the Shujaiya neighborhood in Gaza City was also subjected to Israeli artillery fire. Despite a US-brokered ceasefire agreement that came into effect last Friday, mandating an immediate halt to all military operations, including aerial and artillery bombardments, dozens of Palestinians have been killed or injured in recent days. Meanwhile, unidentified explosives detonated in the Nuseirat refugee camp, further endangering civilians. Mahmoud Basal, spokesperson for the Palestinian Civil Defence in Gaza, warned that unexploded ordnance and booby-trapped homes pose significant risks to returning residents. Over the past two years, Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has claimed nearly 68,000 lives, with over 80% of the victims being civilians, according to leaked Israeli military data. The relentless bombardment has devastated infrastructure, destroyed farmland, and exacerbated famine due to restrictions on food aid. Although the ceasefire plan aimed to reopen Gaza’s crossings to allow 400 aid trucks daily, with a target of 600, Israeli authorities continue to limit aid. On Wednesday, 480 trucks entered Gaza, but the Government Media Office described this as insufficient for the 2.4 million residents. Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA’s commissioner-general, emphasized the need for unrestricted aid flow, while the World Food Programme highlighted that 560 tonnes of food are being delivered daily, but more is urgently required to address the crisis.
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Prince Andrew says he’s giving up his Duke of York title as Epstein allegations refuse to fade
In a significant development within the British royal family, Prince Andrew has announced his decision to relinquish his royal title as the Duke of York and other associated honors. This decision comes in the wake of renewed public scrutiny over his association with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The announcement was made in a statement released by Buckingham Palace on Friday, where Prince Andrew emphasized that the ongoing allegations against him were becoming a distraction from the duties of King Charles III and the royal family at large.
Prince Andrew, 65, has consistently denied any wrongdoing, particularly in relation to the accusations made by Virginia Roberts Giuffre, who alleged that she was trafficked by Epstein and had sexual encounters with the prince when she was 17. Giuffre, who tragically passed away by suicide in April at the age of 41, detailed these allegations in a posthumous memoir set to be published soon. In 2021, Giuffre filed a lawsuit against Prince Andrew, which was settled in 2022 for an undisclosed sum. As part of the settlement, Prince Andrew acknowledged Epstein’s role as a sex trafficker and recognized Giuffre as a victim of abuse.
This is not the first time Prince Andrew has faced public backlash over his ties to Epstein. In a widely criticized BBC interview in November 2019, his attempts to refute Giuffre’s claims were met with skepticism and further damaged his reputation. Following the interview, he stepped down from his royal duties. Now, with the release of Giuffre’s memoir reigniting public interest in the case, Prince Andrew has taken the additional step of giving up his titles, including Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order and Royal Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter. However, he will retain his status as a prince, a title he has held since birth.
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IIHL inducts Kamal Vachani to its board of directors
IndusInd International Holdings Limited (IIHL), a Mauritius-based financial services platform promoted by the Hinduja Family, has announced the induction of Kamal Vachani to its board of directors. This strategic move aims to bolster IIHL’s representation in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region as the company accelerates its global expansion across various financial sectors. Vachani, a partner at Dubai’s Al Maya Group, brings extensive experience in the retail sector and strong ties to the GCC, aligning with IIHL’s vision to enhance its footprint in financial and para-banking services. Ashok P Hinduja, Chairman of IIHL, emphasized that Vachani’s expertise will ensure effective representation of the company’s GCC-based shareholders. IIHL has been actively pursuing strategic acquisitions to solidify its position in the BFSI (Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance) space. Notable recent acquisitions include the 100% stake in Reliance Capital Ltd. and its subsidiaries, a 60% stake in Invesco Asset Management Company’s India business, and the complete ownership of Bahamas-based Sterling Bank, now rebranded as IIHL Bank & Trust Ltd. These initiatives underscore IIHL’s ambition to become a global financial powerhouse.
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Dubai reinforces global leadership in exhibitions at landmark industry gathering
Dubai has reaffirmed its status as a global leader in the exhibitions and events sector during a landmark industry gathering that brought together key stakeholders from around the world. The event, attended by global organizers, government representatives, and industry innovators, showcased Dubai’s vision for the future of international exhibitions and its role in shaping the next decade of global trade, business networking, and sustainable growth.
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Why Maccabi Tel Aviv fans with record of violent rampages were really banned
The decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from attending their Europa League match against Aston Villa in Birmingham has sparked a heated debate, with accusations of antisemitism and concerns over public safety dominating the discourse. The ban, announced on Thursday, was based on recommendations from West Midlands Police, citing the club’s history of violence and disruption in European cities. Prime Minister Keir Starmer swiftly condemned the move, labeling it a ‘wrong decision’ and vowing to combat antisemitism. However, ministers are reportedly considering reversing the ban, adding further complexity to the situation.
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Suicide attack kills 7 Pakistani troops near Afghan border, security officials say
In a devastating suicide attack near the Afghan border, seven Pakistani soldiers lost their lives on Friday, according to security officials. The assault targeted a military camp in North Waziristan, leaving 13 others injured. The incident occurred amidst a fragile ceasefire between Pakistan and Afghanistan, following days of intense cross-border clashes earlier this month. The ceasefire, which paused the hostilities, is set to expire at 1300 GMT on Friday. The attack involved a militant driving an explosive-laden vehicle into the boundary wall of a military fort, while two others attempted to infiltrate the facility but were neutralized by security forces. Pakistan’s army has yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident. This surge in militant violence has strained relations between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban, who regained power in Kabul after the U.S.-led forces withdrew in 2021. Pakistan has accused the Taliban of harboring militants responsible for attacks on its soil, while the Taliban denies these allegations and accuses Pakistan of provoking border tensions and sheltering ISIS-linked militants. The recent clashes, the most severe in decades, have drawn international attention, with Saudi Arabia and Qatar mediating to de-escalate the conflict. U.S. President Donald Trump has also offered assistance in resolving the crisis.
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Plan to test Liberian schoolchildren for drugs blocked
Liberia’s Education Ministry has intervened to halt a contentious proposal for mandatory drug testing across all schools in the country. The initiative, spearheaded by the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA), aimed to combat the escalating issue of drug abuse among students. Interim LDEA head Fitzgerald Biago argued that such measures would address the growing crisis, which President Joseph Boakai declared a national emergency last year. A recent EU-backed report revealed that one in five young Liberians engages in drug use, underscoring the severity of the problem. However, the Education Ministry expressed reservations, stating that it was unaware of the plan and emphasized the need for evidence-based decision-making. Assistant Minister Sona Sesay-Toure highlighted the potential negative consequences of drug testing, including privacy concerns, social stigma, and adverse effects on students’ academic performance. She stressed the importance of thorough research and case studies from other nations before implementing such measures. Sesay-Toure also noted the establishment of a multi-sectoral committee, led by the Health Ministry, to address drug and substance abuse. Additionally, she emphasized the role of strengthened school health clubs in reducing drug prevalence. The LDEA has undergone recent leadership changes, with Biago appointed as interim head following the dismissal of the previous leadership in August. The debate over drug testing in schools continues, balancing the urgency of tackling drug abuse with the need to protect students’ rights and well-being.
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Portuguese parliament approves bill banning face coverings in public
In a significant legislative move, Portugal’s parliament has passed a bill prohibiting the wearing of face veils for ‘gender or religious’ reasons in most public spaces. The bill, primarily targeting Islamic face coverings such as burqas and niqabs, was introduced by the far-right Chega party and received backing from center-right political groups. While the ban excludes specific locations like airplanes, diplomatic premises, and places of worship, violators could face fines ranging from 200 euros to 4,000 euros ($234 to $4,669). The legislation now awaits approval from President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who may either sign it into law, veto it, or refer it to the Constitutional Court for further review. If enacted, Portugal would join several European nations, including Austria, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands, which have implemented full or partial bans on face and head coverings. Although the number of women in Portugal wearing such garments is relatively small, the issue has sparked debates similar to those in other European countries. Chega has justified the ban by arguing that face coverings perpetuate ‘exclusion and inferiority,’ particularly for women, and contradict principles of ‘liberty, equality, and human dignity.’
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Iran slams Israeli strikes in Lebanon as ‘ceasefire violation’
Iran has strongly criticized recent Israeli military strikes in southern Lebanon, labeling them as a direct violation of a ceasefire agreement between Hezbollah and Israel. The attacks, which targeted civilian facilities, have drawn sharp condemnation from Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, who described the strikes as a breach of the truce negotiated last year.