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Dozens killed in Lebanon as Israel intensifies strikes

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Dozens of people have been killed in an intensive wave of Israeli strikes across southern and eastern Lebanon, after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to step up military action against Hezbollah.

At least 31 people were killed in the latest attacks, including several children, Lebanon's health ministry said.

The Israeli military said it hit more than 100 Hezbollah infrastructure sites and fighters in what was one of the heaviest nights of bombardment since a US-brokered ceasefire began in mid-April.

It came after Netanyahu this week said he had given instructions to "press the pedal even harder" in targeting Hezbollah.

Early on Wednesday, sirens sounded in northern Israel early on after a projectile was launched from Lebanon into Israel, the Israeli military said in a statement.

It added the projectile fell into an open area and no injuries were reported.

Speaking at a security cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Netanyahu said Israel was "deepening our operation in Lebanon".

"The IDF [Israel Defense Forces] is operating with large forces on the ground and seizing dominant terrain," he said, adding that they were "fortifying the security zone" to protect communities in northern Israel from Hezbollah attacks.

The ceasefire has been repeatedly violated by both sides, threatening to derail the complex ongoing talks to end the war between the US, Israel and Iran.

Israeli air and artillery strikes have continued daily, especially in the south of Lebanon, while Hezbollah has been launching rockets and drones at communities in northern Israel and Israeli troops occupying parts of southern Lebanon.

Air strikes targeted the Bekaa Valley village of Mashghara and Burj al-Shamali across southern Lebanon, local media said.

Some strikes hit near Beaufort Castle, state media reported, a nearly 900-year-old fortress recognised by the UN's heritage body UNESCO for being "one of the best-preserved examples of medieval castles" in the region.

In Monday's video statement, Netanyahu said that Israel was going to increase the number and intensity of its strikes targeting Hezbollah in response to the Iran-backed Shia Muslim group's attacks, including those involving fibre-optic drones that can evade Israeli defences.

"We will deal them a crushing blow," he vowed.

The announcement prompted scenes of panic in Beirut's southern suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold, where residents were seen fleeing the area following the remarks. Thousands of cars lined the streets with families trying to escape for safety.

Though the strikes spared the capital, Israeli warplanes carried out wave after wave of strikes across Lebanon throughout the evening and into the early hours of Tuesday. The BBC counted dozens of attacks across nearly 50 locations.

A man and his wife were killed in a strike on their home in the southern town of Arab Salim on Monday evening, and two other people were killed in the village of Kauthariyet El Rez, according to NNA.

Overnight, several homes in Mashghara were destroyed in Israeli strikes.

The Lebanese health ministry said the bodies of 11 people, among them one woman and two children, were pulled from the rubble. Another 15 people were injured, it added.

These included a young boy, Mohammed. Videos show rescue crews in the middle of the night frantically digging through the rubble as two tiny arms poke through a hole they've made. Caked in dirt and dust, they finally pulled the seven-year-old to safety.

"When I woke up, I felt like I couldn't move, and beside me was just darkness," Mohammad tells the BBC as he lies in his hospital bed surrounded by family.

"I heard the sound of the guys who were rescuing me. They took a long time to pull me out."

His head was wrapped in bandages, and his legs and arms were also covered in cuts and scratches.

Mohammad was asleep in his bed when the missile struck his home, killing his dad and two sisters.

Mashghara feels like a ghost town. A few cars pass ours on the road to check who we are, but life is dead.

A member of the municipality, Ahmad, takes us to where some overnight strikes hit. It's apocalyptic with crumbled homes and shops.

"I'm not a member of Hezbollah, but everyone in the village stands with the resistance, and the enemy [Israel] is sparing no-one," Ahmad says.

Then Ahmad is interrupted by the sound of jets. A loud boom, and we have to go.

Social media videos later show a large explosion on a road not far from where we're filming.

The Israeli military released aerial footage from Mashghara that it said showed several strikes on "Hezbollah infrastructure sites where terrorists activity was identified". "During the strike the terrorists were eliminated," it added.

The military also said it had struck more than 90 weapons storage facilities, command centres, observation posts and other infrastructure sites used by Hezbollah in southern Lebanon overnight.

On Tuesday morning, the military issued new evacuation orders across Lebanon, accusing Hezbollah of violating the terms of a ceasefire between the Israeli and Lebanese governments that came into force on 17 April.

The military's Arabic-language spokesman, Col Avichay Adraee, said Hezbollah's repeated breaches had left Israeli forces with no choice but to act.

Hezbollah said it targeted three barracks and a military post in northern Israel "in response to the violation of the ceasefire" by Israel.

Netanyahu's order to intensify the Israeli strikes came after the military said a soldier had been killed in combat in southern Lebanon on Sunday, bringing the total Israeli military losses there from Hezbollah attacks since the conflict began on 2 March to 23, along with one civilian contractor.

The Lebanese health ministry says Israeli strikes over the same period have killed at least 3,185 people.

📰 மூல செய்தி (Source): https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx211rgngp0o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss

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Prosecution opens case against ex-DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson in sex abuse trial

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The prosecution has begun opening its case against former Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson on 18 sex abuse charges.

Crown barrister Rosemary Walsh KC told the jury there are two alleged victims who stepped forward two-and-a-half years ago and told police "about difficult and traumatic incidents they say happened when they were children".

Sir Jeffrey, 63, has pleaded not guilty to all charges, including one count of rape.

His wife, Lady Eleanor Donaldson, faces a trial of the facts on five related charges of aiding and abetting, which she has denied.

The Donaldsons were arrested in their County Down home and charged on 28 March 2024.

He resigned as DUP leader the next day and did not contest his Lagan Valley seat in the general election four months later.

He is accused of rape, four counts of gross indecency and 13 counts of indecent assault.

The offences allegedly occurred between 1985 and 2008.

At Newry Crown Court on Wednesday, the Crown barrister outlined a summary of the case she said the court could expect to hear from Complainant B – the eldest of the two women.

She described an incident in which the complainant alleged Sir Jeffrey "put his hands down her underwear".

Rosemary Walsh KC said the complainant recalled that Sir Jeffrey had put his feet between her feet, pulled her legs apart and sexually assaulted her.

The barrister then outlined a second alleged incident in which Sir Jeffrey followed Complainant B into a room, approached her and "lifted her top up and her bra and started to touch her exposed breasts".

The complainant was said to have remembered Sir Jeffrey "putting his hands down her pants a lot".

The court also heard he would touch her breasts under her top.

Walsh said Complainant B later disclosed to individuals linked to a church that she had been sexually abused as a child.

A meeting was facilitated between Sir Jeffrey and Complainant B who described the meeting as "a bit weird and surreal".

The court heard Sir Jeffrey told her he wanted to apologise for what had been done in the past.

The barrister also gave a summary of the account of Complainant A – the younger of the two women.

Walsh said this complainant had alleged Sir Jeffrey would have been physical with her, putting his hands up her top and touching her chest area.

The court heard that the complainant recalled the accused commenting on the size of her breasts.

This complainant was also said to have reported being kissed inappropriately by Sir Jeffrey – by putting his tongue into her mouth.

When she pushed away, the accused was said to have laughed and said it was a joke.

It wasn't until she was older, the court heard, when she realised it was not normal.

Lady Donaldson will face a trial of the facts after being found unfit for a conventional trial under the Mental Health (Northern Ireland) Order.

Under a trial of the facts, she will not participate in proceedings.

The trial will continue on Thursday when the first witness will be called. That is due to be Complainant A.

Her police interview will be shown to the jury beforehand.

📰 மூல செய்தி (Source): https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz922zpe3p9o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss

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How you can save money on your energy bill

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During a heatwave the last thing you'll be thinking about is your heating and energy bill.

But energy prices will rise in July and analysts predict bills – driven by the increase in the cost of gas – are likely to remain elevated into the winter.

Experts say action now can save money when the pinch comes, even though people may feel they have already made every saving possible.

Some 22 million people – about 40% of billpayers – have the certainty of fixed tariffs.

In these deals, the cost per unit does not change for the term of the tariff, which is usually a year. The total bill still depends on the amount of energy used.

Options on the market are cheaper than the price cap level. However, if international events do change and prices fall sharply, savings might not be so clear-cut.

Receiving your bill every quarter, rather paying a monthly direct debit, is typically about £140 a year more expensive, says regulator Ofgem.

There are still about seven million of these so-called standard credit accounts. Although some people like the quarterly payment of bills, it is a more expensive option.

The record-breaking May heatwave is not necessarily the time you think about getting your home winter-ready.

But experts say it is the perfect time to check if you can do more to block draughts, change cooking habits, bleed radiators and generally be more energy efficient.

Short shower times can also make a difference, albeit small. There are egg timers and even four-minute songs that can keep time for you.

Millions of pounds goes unclaimed in the benefits system. Pension credit, in particular, is underclaimed and yet it can help older people with financial support as a gateway to other benefits.

Grants for energy efficiency improvements may also available through schemes organised by local councils.

Eligibility criteria, such as income and location, varies. Charities such as Citizens Advice can help people see if they can get assistance.

Collectively people owe £4.5bn in unpaid bills and charges.

Suppliers say they may write off some of that debt, provide payment plans, or help with the cost of white goods – but only if you tell them you're in trouble.

You can check what your supplier offers through various support measures.

📰 மூல செய்தி (Source): https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwy2e3wx7xwo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss

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Fifa ordered to explain World Cup ticket pricing

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The attorneys general of New York and New Jersey have been at loggerheads with Fifa over ticket pricing and transport costs

Fifa must answer questions after allegations of "artificially inflating prices" and "misleading fans" over the sale of tickets for the 2026 World Cup.

It comes as the attorneys general of New York and New Jersey officially launched an investigation into Fifa's practices.

New Jersey attorney general Jennifer Davenport called the process a "gauntlet of confusion, fake scarcity and impossibly high prices".

She added there would be a "thorough investigation of Fifa's conduct" with world football's governing body subpoenaed to provide information.

A subpoena compels a party to release specified internal documents or information.

Davenport made a joint announcement alongside New York attorney general Letitia James and the New York City department of consumer and worker protection (DCWP).

DCWP commissioner Samuel AA Levine said the body would be taking "allegations of blatantly deceptive conduct very seriously" and would look into allegations of "artificially inflating prices".

In particular, Fifa has been asked to explain why tickets have "exceeded the prices for any previous World Cup tournament".

Fans have reported they were "misled" about the location of seats, including through the creation of more expensive 'front' category tickets released after the initial sales.

It is also alleged variable pricing through various phases had allowed Fifa to raise prices for about 90 of the 104 fixtures by an average of 34%.

The investigation will consider how the ticket release schedule and public statements may have impacted prices.

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Fifa has regularly talked up the demand for tickets, with Fifa president Gianni Infantino defending the cost by saying they reflect the public's "absolutely crazy" appetite for the summer tournament.

But as of Wednesday, there were face-value tickets available for 86 of the 104 matches and all but 10 of the group-stage matches, for which the fixtures have long been known.

The attorneys general in particular highlighted the cost of tickets for eight matches, including the final, at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

"Being honest about ticket sales is not complicated," Davenport said. "It's an honour to host the World Cup but the event is not an invitation to exploit our residents and visitors."

James said local residents "deserve a fair shot at affordable tickets".

"No-one should be manipulated into paying sky-high prices for seats and fans should be able to trust that the tickets they purchase will be the ones they receive," James added.

Levine said supporters should expect "transparency and fairness" when buying tickets for the World Cup.

"Reports of Fifa conduct in violation of the city's consumer protection law, including misleading fans about seat locations and artificially inflating prices, are deeply troubling," Levine said.

The investigation comes after California attorney general Rob Bonta sent a letter to Fifa, external raising concerns about "potentially misleading ticketing practices" earlier this month.

Local organisers have been at loggerheads with Fifa for the past few months over high costs.

New Jersey governor Mikie Sherrill previously criticised Fifa's refusal to subsidise transport at the event and insisted local taxpayers would not foot the bill.

After initially announcing a train ticket would cost $150 (£111), earlier this month NJ Transit backtracked and reduced the fare to $98 (£73).

Rail journeys from Penn Station in Manhattan to the venue – a distance of about 18 miles – are normally $12.90 (£9.50) for a return fare.

Everything you need to know about the World Cup

📰 மூல செய்தி (Source): https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c5yrzl46d4ro?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss

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