China slams Trump’s 100 percent tariff threat, defends rare earth curbs | Trade War News

Beijing says it will not back down in the face of threats, urging the US to resolve differences through negotiations.Published On 12 Oct 202512 Oct 2025Click here to share on social mediashare2ShareChina has called United States President Donald Trump’s new tariffs on Chinese goods hypocritical as it defended its curbs on exports of rare earth elements and equipment, while stopping short of imposing additional duties on US imports.In a lengthy statement on Sunday, China’s Ministry of Commerce said its export controls on rare earths, which Trump had labelled “surprising” and “very hostile”, were introduced in response to a series of US measures since their trade talks held in Madrid, Spain, last month.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of list“China’s stance is consistent,” the ministry said in a statement posted online. “We do not want a tariff war but we are not afraid of one.”Trump on Friday retaliated to the Chinese curbs on rare earth exports by announcing a 100 percent tariff on Chinese exports to the US and new export controls on critical software, effective from November 1.Beijing cited Washington’s decision to blacklist Chinese firms and impose port fees on China-linked ships as examples of what it called “provocative and damaging”…

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‘Daredevil decorators’ protecting Tamar Bridge from corrosion

Watch: How the Tamar Bridge gets painted"You're kind of just swinging there, like a conker in the wind."That is how "daredevil decorator" Tom Harold described what it is like to be suspended in the air - sometimes at 200ft (60m) above water - as he and his team at Paintel Ltd battle to protect the Tamar Bridge from the elements all year round.The team use a variety of tools and specialist paints to manage corrosion and rust on the 64-year-old bridge linking Devon and Cornwall.More than 50,000 people cross the Tamar Bridge every day, according to Tamar Crossings.Tom HaroldTom Harold said he was a "daredevil" as long as he was in control of the situationA lot of the work the painters undertake is beneath the bridge, out of sight to many, but sometimes they scale the towers, beams and cables above the road.Mr Harold, the contracts director for the company his father Kevin founded in 2000, said operating at height could sometimes be "intimidating" as "you can't put your feet or hands on anything".But he said because he had done this sort of work for so long he had "never had a concern about heights".He said "you definitely need a head…

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Haaland scores three as Norway crush Israel amid pro-Palestinian protest | Football News

Erling Haaland’s Norway close in on World Cup qualification in a match where a pro-Palestine demonstration was held.Published On 12 Oct 202512 Oct 2025Click here to share on social mediashare2ShareErling Haaland scored a hat-trick to pass 50 international goals in record time as Norway cruised to a 5-0 thrashing of Israel, edging closer to qualifying for a first FIFA World Cup finals since 1998.Before the Saturday night match in Oslo, hundreds of people attended a pro-Palestinian demonstration, chanting “Free Palestine” to protest against Israel’s “genocide” in Gaza, AFP journalists reported.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of listNorwegian police dispersed a gathering of pro-Palestinian activists with tear gas and made several arrests.Inside the Ullevaal Stadium, several dozen Israeli fans waved their country’s flag and a banner reading “Let the Ball Talk!”.Norway now lead Group I with 18 points, six more than second-placed Italy, who beat Estonia 3-1 in Tallinn to stay on track for qualification.The comfortable win in Oslo leaves Norway firmly in control of the group as they seek a place at next year’s finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico.After a meek performance, Israel take on Italy in Udine on Tuesday, knowing they must win to keep alive their…

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Taliban, Pakistani forces trade heavy fire along Afghanistan border | Border Disputes News

Clashes come as tensions escalate over an air strike on Kabul that the Taliban blames on Islamabad.Taliban and Pakistani forces have exchanged fire across the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, prompting calls for restraint from Iran, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, as tensions escalate following an air strike on the Afghan capital, Kabul, earlier this week.Enayatullah Khwarizmi, the spokesperson for the Afghan Ministry of Defence, said late on Saturday that Taliban forces had carried out “successful retaliatory” attacks against Pakistani soldiers in response to the neighbouring country’s “repeated violations” of, and air strikes on, Afghan territory.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of listHe said on X that the operation had ended at midnight.Pakistani Minister of Interior Mohsin Naqvi called the Afghan attacks “unprovoked” and said that Pakistani forces were responding “with a stone for every brick”.“Firing by Afghan forces on civilian population is a blatant violation of international laws. Pakistan’s brave forces have given a prompt and effective response that no provocation will be tolerated,” he said in a post on X.Radio Pakistan, citing security sources, said the Afghan attacks took place at some six locations along the border.It said the attacks prompted a “strong, intense response” from the Pakistan Army, and shared video footage…

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Portugal beat Ireland in injury-time in World Cup qualifier | Football News

Portugal maintain winning record in qualifying despite Cristiano Ronaldo’s second-half penalty miss against Ireland.Published On 11 Oct 202511 Oct 2025Click here to share on social mediashare2SharePortugal’s Ruben Neves scored a stoppage-time goal to snatch a 1-0 win over Ireland, which preserved Portugal’s 100 percent record in World Cup qualifying Group F and consolidated the top spot.Portugal moved to nine points at the halfway stage of the campaign, with a five-point lead over second-placed Hungary, who they host on Tuesday, when they could secure qualification.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of listNeves headed home a minute into added time on Saturday at the Estadio Jose Alvalade for his first international goal.It was a poignant tribute to close friend Diogo Jota, who died in a car accident in July and whose No 21 jersey Neves wore in Portugal’s first home game since the Liverpool player’s death.Cristiano Ronaldo had a penalty saved earlier in the match as Ireland threatened to hold the hosts to a draw, but the late strike kept the Irish at the bottom of the standings with one point. Source link

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Activists renew calls for football ban on Israel despite Gaza ceasefire | Football News

Activists campaign to suspend Israel from European football, calling for accountability for genocide.Calls for Israel’s suspension from European football have been renewed a day after the ceasefire in Gaza came into effect and as the Israeli team has resumed its qualification campaign for the FIFA World Cup 2026.The human rights campaign group Game Over Israel urged UEFA on Saturday to suspend Israel until it ends its abuses against Palestinians.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of listWith the ceasefire in Gaza coming into effect on Friday, Ashish Prashar, a campaign director at Game Over Israel, stressed the need to hold Israel accountable for its conduct.He said Israel has “no place in international football” after the horrors it unleashed on Gaza, which leading rights groups and United Nations investigators have described as a genocide.“Even if bombs and bullets stop, genocide is a crime against humanity and perhaps the gravest crime a state or project can commit,” Prashar told Al Jazeera.“Remember what Europe did after World War II. Nazi Germany was suspended from football, and the Nuremberg trials took place.”Game Over Israel has been using billboards in major cities across the world to drive home that message. The latest billboard was revealed in Milan…

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Barnstaple writer of message in a bottle found in Denmark sought

A couple from Germany are looking for a child in Devon who wrote a message in a bottle, which they found washed up on a beach in Denmark. Barnstaple Town Council said the bottle had been found in Fjaltring, Denmark, and had been written by someone from Barnstaple. In a note to the council, the couple said they had been walking along the beach when they found the bottle - which may have been sent by a 12-year-old child called Ezra while on holiday in Acol, Kent.The pair, who said their names were Wilma and Rainer, said they were "very happy to have found a message in a bottle".The letter said the child was on holiday but lived in Barnstaple.It reads: "Hello, my name is Ezra I am 12 years old and currently on holiday in Acol but live in Barnstaple. "If you receive this please contact (redacted) and it is 2025 Tuesday August 26th".A spokesperson for the council said: "We're trying to find the person who wrote a message in a bottle that's just been found in Denmark! "If you think you might know who sent it, we'd love to let them know their note made it all that way."…

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Devon priest to undertake medieval themed pilgrimage for charity

Georgina BarnesSouth WestStuart HuntleyStuart Huntley hopes to raise awareness of mental health and lossA Devon priest is taking on a medieval themed pilgrimage in memory of his friend.Rev Stuart Huntley, an ordained Church of England priest and a historical re-enactor, said his two day walk would be done in full medieval attire for his friend Will who took his own life.The event will raise funds for suicide bereavement charity Pete's Dragons and 10 local churches along the route, he said.Mr Huntley said Will's "vibrant love for history and enduring friendships touched all who knew him".He said: "Will was a professional surveyor and loved nothing more than being steeped in historic places, his loss was so devastating for his family and all of us friends left behind."I thought it would be good to celebrate his life and support Pete's dragons who help bereaved families by walking this pilgrimage in period clothing."Stuart HuntleyStuart Huntley and his friend Will, in the middle, used to re-enact historical periods togetherThe priest said he hoped the pilgrimage would help him "process his loss and reflect on the value of an integrated life".He said: "I'm hoping too that this will raise awareness of mental health, loss and how…

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Young people’s climate change artwork exhibit opens in Devon

Young people have created artwork focused on climate change for an exhibition at a museum in Devon.The 'Earth Action North Devon: Explorers Create!' exhibition has opened at the Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon with support from local charity Earth Action North Devon.Students enrolled on the charity's Ocean Explorer education programme created sketches, and upcycled items and photographs after visiting inspiring locations including Croyde beach, Lee Bay and Chapel Wood.Alison Mills, director of the museum, said she hoped visitors would be inspired by the work.She said it was "an honour to be able to showcase the creative ideas and solutions of young people living locally who are dedicated to tackling climate change".The exhibition will run until Saturday 22 November. Source link

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North Korea unveils ‘most powerful’ missile at 80th anniversary parade | Kim Jong Un News

The Hwasong-20 ICBM was revealed for the first time at a military parade marking the 80th anniversary of North Korea’s ruling Workers’ Party.Published On 11 Oct 202511 Oct 2025Click here to share on social mediashare2ShareNorth Korea unveiled its latest and “most powerful” intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) at a military parade presided over by the country’s leader Kim Jong Un, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reports.The parade on Friday in the capital Pyongyang featured some of North Korea’s most advanced weapons, including long-range strategic cruise missiles and drone launch vehicles, but special prominence was given to the Hwasong-20 ICBM, which KCNA described as the military’s “most powerful nuclear strategic weapon system”.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of listMounted on an 11-axle launcher truck for its debut at the parade on Friday, the very existence of the massive Hwasong-20 was only revealed in recent weeks as North Korea tested a new solid-fuel rocket engine that it said was intended for a future generation of ICBMs.State media said the engine, built with carbon fibre, is capable of producing 1,971 kilonewtons of thrust – a measure of propulsive force which is more powerful than earlier North Korean rocket engines.“The Hwasong-20 represents, for the…

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Devon and Cornwall church bells rung to mark centenary of ringing

BBCPeople are being invited to ring the bells to mark the anniversaryA "ringing and singing" event is set to take place in five bell towers across Devon and Cornwall to mark a centenary of ringing.The Devon Association of Ringers, alongside music charity Wren Music, said locals were invited to join the activities. In May, more than 100 bell towers were rung for the 100th anniversary.People visiting St Swithun's Church in Pyworthy, St. Paternus Church in North Petherwin and St Nicholas Church in Broadwoodwidger will be shown "the ropes" on how to ring the bells.A bellringing competition will be held at St Mary's Church in Bratton Clovelly and St Peter Ad Vincula in Ashwater with about 45 ringers expected to take part on Saturday.Vice-chair Jon Bint said during the competition the bells would be rung in the call change style of ringing, which was "unique" to Devon and the east of Cornwall.He said: "It's more rhythmic than method ringing, which is what you'll find elsewhere - you could say that method ringing is more at the classical end and ours is very much at the folk end. "Another difference is that call change ringing has always been based around competitions, and one…

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Plan to protect surrounding park when Plymouth house is sold

Measures to preserve parkland surrounding a historic mansion which has been put for auction have been added to the conditions of sale.The Grade II listed Pounds House in Central Park was put up for sale by Plymouth City Council (PCC) in April as it said it could not identify a use for the building.The council said part of the sale contract included a planting plan which would "preserve the park setting" of the property "for years to come".Councillor Chris Penberthy, cabinet member responsible for assets, said although the council had tried to find alternative uses for the building - it had to "make difficult decisions".He said: "This building has been empty for years, we do not have a use for it, it has cost nearly £500,000 in maintenance and insurance over the last five years. "It makes sense to give the opportunity to someone to do something wonderful with it."The council said the house, gardens and associated land was about a third of a hectare - of which some was planted with trees, shrubs and borders, and the remainder was car parking and a driveway to the house.It added that a further 0.014 of a hectare had been fenced off "for…

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