In other news

A Nigerian pilot and co-pilot tested positive for alcohol after their plane veered off the runway at Port Harcourt International Airport in July. The incident, involving an Air Peace Boeing 737 with 103 people on board, resulted in no injuries. The pilot, who had over 18,000 hours of flying experience, was sacked for failing to adhere to safety regulations, while the co-pilot was acquitted by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and returned to his role. A crew member also tested positive for cannabis. The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) is still investigating the incident and has recommended improved training and reinforcement of internal procedures.

Japan has set a new record with nearly 100,000 people aged over 100, with women accounting for 88% of the total. The number of centenarians has risen for the 55th consecutive year, with 99,763 individuals recorded as of September. Japan has the world's longest life expectancy, attributed to healthy diets, low obesity rates, and a culture of group exercise. The country is also one of the fastest ageing societies, with a low birth rate. Health minister Takamaro Fukoka congratulated the centenarians on their longevity and expressed gratitude for their contributions to society.

The Netherlands is set to join a boycott of the Eurovision Song Contest if Israel participates next year, following a similar decision by Irish broadcaster RTÉ. The Dutch public broadcaster, Avrotros, cited the ongoing human suffering in Gaza and the erosion of press freedom as reasons for its decision. Irish musician Phil Coulter has also called on the UK to withdraw from the contest if Israel takes part. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) will make a final decision on Israel's participation.

Nigerian chef Hilda Baci attempts to make the world's largest pot of jollof rice, a popular West African dish, in Lagos. The dish used 4,000kg of rice, 500 cartons of tomato paste, and 600kg of onions, cooked in a custom-made pot of almost 23,000 litres. The attempt is part of Baci's bid to break the Guinness World Record. Thousands gathered to watch the event, which took several hours to cook. The dish must now be validated by Guinness World Records with photo and video evidence. Baci, 28, spent a year planning the challenge and was assisted by a team of 300 people. The jollof rice was later distributed to the crowd. Baci has previously held the record for the longest cooking marathon, cooking for 93 hours and 11 minutes. Jollof rice is a staple of Nigerian cuisine, and Baci's attempt was seen as a way to promote African culture.

Schools in two Dutch towns, Beverwijk and Heemskerk, have been shut down for a day due to escalating youth violence and the circulation of disturbing videos, including AI-generated content showing fake explosions at schools. The violence is believed to be between two rival groups of youths, resulting in a boy being seriously hurt and a 22-year-old man being arrested for vandalism. The mayor of Beverwijk has issued a three-day emergency order banning gatherings of three or more people and designating areas as 'high-risk' to prevent potential gun use. Local authorities are working to restore calm and ensure safety.

Albania's Prime Minister Edi Rama has introduced an AI-powered virtual assistant, Diella, as a minister for public procurement, aiming to eliminate corruption in the country's public tenders. Diella, whose name means 'sun' in Albanian, has already been active as a bot, guiding applicants through a process to obtain official documents. Rama believes that Diella will bring transparency and efficiency to the public procurement process, and potentially 'leapfrog' more advanced countries. The opposition has labelled the initiative 'ridiculous' and 'unconstitutional', while others are cautiously optimistic about its potential to improve transparency and trust.

Pre-orders for Apple's iPhone 17 series in China have broken records, with sales on JD.com surpassing last year's iPhone 16 series in the first minute. The standard iPhone 17 with 256GB storage was the most popular variant. Despite delays in shipping the iPhone Air due to regulatory issues, demand remains high, with customers reporting difficulties accessing Apple's website and long waiting periods for delivery or pickup. The strong demand highlights Apple's brand loyalty in China despite growing competition from Huawei.

Bavaria remains open to Chinese investment despite rising tensions between China and the European Union. Bavarian Minister of State for Economic Affairs Hubert Aiwanger stated that the state welcomes Chinese companies and investment, while also acknowledging the need for Europe to build greater economic resilience and self-sufficiency. Aiwanger emphasized that protectionism and isolationism are not the answer, and that Bavaria continues to maintain close relations with major economies, including China, the USA, and Japan. The article highlights the historical context of Bavaria's relations with China, dating back to the visit of Franz Josef Strauss to Beijing 50 years ago.

Hong Kong is experiencing a surge in flu outbreaks, particularly in schools, and may face an overlap of the summer and winter flu seasons. Experts are urging residents, especially vulnerable groups, to get vaccinated against the flu as soon as possible. The Centre for Health Protection has declared the start of the summer flu season, which is unusual as it typically occurs around July or August. Professor Lau Yu-lung, chairman of the Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases, attributes the increase in flu cases to the new school year and cross-class activities in enclosed spaces.

A Hong Kong mother, Dreamy Ho, gained internet fame after speaking out against the organizer of a hot-air balloon festival that failed to provide tethered rides despite advertising them and initially refused to offer a refund. Ho's eloquent and impassioned speech, which remained expletive-free despite her agitation, impressed internet users and sparked a wave of support for her cause. She received refunds and praise for standing up for her rights and setting an example for her 10-year-old son. Ho's actions encouraged others to speak out against injustice and fight for their rights.

The article discusses the discovery of skeletal remains in Lake Taal, Philippines, which is believed to be linked to the murder of at least 35 cockfighting enthusiasts who were allegedly killed by a gambling tycoon, Charlie 'Atong' Ang, after they tried to scam him. The discovery has shaken the local communities around the lake and led to a disturbing murder investigation involving gambling tycoons, celebrities, and senior police officers.

A South African court has rejected an attempt by Thabo Bester, known as the 'Facebook Rapist,' and his partner, Dr. Nandipha Magudumana, to block the release of a Netflix documentary about Bester's crimes and escape from prison. Bester was convicted of rape and murder in 2012 and sentenced to life in prison but escaped in 2022 by faking his own death. He was later arrested in Tanzania in 2023. The court ruled that the documentary's release would not affect their right to a fair trial and that they could sue for defamation after it airs. The documentary, 'Beauty and the Bester,' is now available on Netflix.

Australia is set to deploy a fleet of underwater attack drones called 'Ghost Sharks' as part of its efforts to boost its undersea warfare capabilities. The drones are being developed by Sydney-based Anduril Australia under a five-year contract worth $1.1 billion. The Ghost Sharks are designed to perform intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance roles as well as strike operations. The Australian navy is expected to receive dozens of these drones over the next five years, with the first delivery scheduled for January next year. This move is part of Australia's efforts to enhance its military capabilities in response to the growing military reach of China in the region.

At least 193 people have died in two separate boat accidents in northwestern Congo this week. The accidents occurred on Wednesday and Thursday in the Equateur province, with one boat catching fire and capsizing on Thursday evening, resulting in over 100 deaths. The incidents have raised concerns about the safety of boat travel in the region, where vessels are often overloaded and lack safety measures.

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has been convicted and sentenced to 27 years and three months in prison by a panel of Brazilian Supreme Court justices for attempting a coup to remain in office after his 2022 electoral defeat. Bolsonaro, who is currently under house arrest, can appeal the ruling. The conviction is expected to deepen political divisions and prompt a backlash from the U.S. government, with former U.S. President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressing their discontent. The trial has been followed by a divided society, with some supporting the process and others backing Bolsonaro. Despite his legal woes, Bolsonaro remains a powerful political player in Brazil and is expected to choose an heir to challenge current President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in the next general elections.

The Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, has appointed an artificial intelligence-generated 'minister' named Diella to tackle corruption and promote innovation in his new cabinet. Diella is a virtual entity that will assist the government in operating more efficiently and transparently. The AI minister was developed in partnership with Microsoft and will also support local authorities in accelerating reforms and aligning with EU standards. The incoming government faces key challenges, including tackling organized crime and long-standing corruption, as Albania aims to secure European Union membership within five years.

Artist Andres Serrano, known for his controversial works, reveals why he photographed convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein and Donald Trump. Serrano took a portrait of Epstein in 2019, four months before his death, and Trump in 2004. He discusses his experiences with both men, describing Epstein as uninteresting and Trump as fascinating. Serrano's portrait of Epstein was taken after agreeing to it in exchange for a sculpture Epstein owned. He didn't judge his subjects and was happy with the outcome of both portraits. Serrano also discusses his art installation 'The Game: All Things Trump', featuring over 1,000 items related to Trump.

The Netherlands has joined Ireland in threatening to boycott the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 if Israel is allowed to participate. The decision is in response to the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the loss of lives, including journalists. Other countries, such as Slovenia and Iceland, are also considering withdrawing from the contest. The European Broadcasting Union has acknowledged the concerns and is consulting with its members on how to manage participation and geopolitical tensions.

CNBC's 'Mad Money' host Jim Cramer answers callers' stock questions in his 'Lightning Round' segment. Cramer provides his opinions on several stocks, including Opendoor, TeraWulf, Hubbell, Lumentum Holdings, and Summit Therapeutics. He advises viewers to 'ring the register' on Opendoor, avoid TeraWulf, and stay long on Hubbell. Cramer also recommends selling half of Lumentum Holdings and moving on from Summit Therapeutics.

Apple CEO Tim Cook explained to CNBC's Jim Cramer why Apple is investing $2.5 billion in Corning's Kentucky glass factory. Cook praised Corning's technology, citing its innovation, cost, and quality. The investment will be used to manufacture glass for iPhones and Apple Watches, with Corning's "ceramic shield" technology being a key factor in the decision. Corning CEO Wendell Weeks stated that the investment will boost the factory's workforce by 50% and triple production, making it a world-leading manufacturing site. Cook and Weeks also discussed the benefits of domestic manufacturing, including creating jobs and bolstering local businesses.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has fired UK Ambassador to the US Peter Mandelson due to revelations of Mandelson's close ties to convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Emails released by The Sun newspaper showed Mandelson expressing support for Epstein during his 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor. Mandelson, a key figure in the Labor Party, had previously referred to Epstein as "my best pal" in a 2003 birthday album. The decision to fire Mandelson was made after the publication of the emails, with the Foreign Office stating that the depth of Mandelson's relationship with Epstein was "materially different" from what was known at the time of his appointment.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has vowed a strong response to the conviction of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who was sentenced to 27 years in prison for plotting a coup. Rubio criticized the Brazilian judicial system, calling it a 'witch hunt' and announcing visa revocations for Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes and his allies. The US Treasury Department had previously sanctioned Moraes over allegations of suppressing freedom of expression. Bolsonaro's son, Eduardo, anticipates further US sanctions against Brazilian justices. The conviction has sparked tensions between the US and Brazil, with Rubio's comments being seen as a threat by Brazil's Foreign Ministry.

Office Depot is facing backlash and boycott calls after a Michigan store allegedly refused to print a poster for a vigil honoring slain conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. The store's staff claimed the poster was 'propaganda.' The incident was captured on video and shared online, prompting widespread outrage. Office Depot has since apologized, fired the employee involved, and offered to rectify the situation.

A lawsuit has been filed against the Trump administration by five migrants who were deported to Ghana, alleging that the administration ignored court-ordered protections and carried out wrongful deportations. The migrants, represented by Asian Americans Advancing Justice, claim that the administration used its agreement with Ghana to circumvent legal protections that prevent deportation to their home countries where they fear torture or persecution. The lawsuit highlights the administration's efforts to carry out mass deportations, including 'third-country deportations' to countries with which the migrants have no connection. The migrants are currently being held in a remote detention facility in Ghana, and their lawyers are fighting to prevent their deportation to their home countries.

The article discusses the last generation of people who experienced the India-Pakistan Partition in 1947 and their memories of their homeland. The Partition led to one of the largest mass migrations in human history, with over 15 million people displaced and at least one million killed. The article features individuals who were forced to flee their homes and are now struggling to come to terms with their past. It highlights the ongoing impact of the Partition on the lives of people in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, including the territorial dispute over Kashmir. The article also touches on the theme of nostalgia and the desire to reconnect with one's roots.