Andrew Tate’s Romania home searched as part of new probe
Romanian authorities on Wednesday searched the home of controversial influencer Andrew Tate, who is awaiting trial over human trafficking and rape charges, as part of a new investigation, officials said.
One of the world’s best-known influencers known for misogynist and sometimes violent maxims, Andrew Tate has been accused of having formed an organised criminal network in early 2021 in Romania and Britain, along with his brother Tristan. They have denied the charges.
Prosecutors allege that 37-year-old Tate, his 36-year-old brother and two women set up a criminal organisation and sexually exploited several victims. A trial date has not yet been set.
On Wednesday prosecutors “conducted a raid this morning, on August 21, 2024, at the residence of the Tate brothers as part of a search related to a new investigation”, prosecutors said in a statement.
The office for organised crime (DIICOT), said that four search warrants were executed, in connection with “the crimes of forming an organised criminal group, trafficking in minors”, “sexual relations with a minor” and “money laundering”.
Neither of the statements indicated whether the new charges targeted the brothers.
They were detained in 2022 in Bucharest and spent three months in detention before being released under judicial supervision to await trial.
The brothers also face rape and assault allegations in separate cases in Britain, where they have also been accused of tax evasion.
In 2016, Tate appeared on the “Big Brother” reality television show in Britain but was removed after a video emerged showing him attacking a woman.
He then turned to social media platforms to promote his divisive views.
Giving tips on how to be successful, along with misogynistic and sometimes violent maxims, his videos have made him one of the world’s best-known influencers.
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Jennifer Lopez files to divorce Ben Affleck: US media
Jennifer Lopez has filed for divorce from Ben Affleck, US media reported Tuesday, two years after the Hollywood power couple officially gave love a second chance by tying the knot.
The pair, who were nicknamed “Bennifer” when they first dated in the frenzied tabloid celebrity days of the early 2000s, had rekindled their relationship almost two decades later.
But Lopez on Tuesday filed divorce papers at a Los Angeles court, Hollywood trade outlet Variety and celebrity gossip website TMZ said.
A representative for Lopez declined to comment. Affleck’s publicist did not immediately respond to an AFP request for comment.
It was the fourth marriage for pop singer-turned-actress Lopez, 55, and the second for Oscar-winning movie star and director Affleck, 52.
The pair first met in 2002 on the set of the widely panned movie “Gigli.”
They became a media sensation as they started dating and announced their engagement.
But they postponed their planned 2003 nuptials, and announced their relationship was over in early 2004.
“Bennifer” set the internet alight again in 2021 when photos of them together again began circulating.
“It’s a beautiful love story that we got a second chance,” Lopez said in an interview around that time.
Lopez and Affleck announced their engagement in April 2022, and the A-list lovebirds wed in Las Vegas in July.
They made it official again the following month in a lavish ceremony at the “Good Will Hunting” star’s 87-acre (35-hectare) estate in the southeastern US state of Georgia.
Among the Hollywood types in attendance at the three-day affair were longtime Affleck pal Matt Damon and director Kevin Smith.
The couple reportedly bought a $60 million home together in Los Angeles last year.
But rumors of marital troubles emerged in the entertainment press and on social media earlier this year.
Fans noted that Lopez celebrated her 55th birthday without her husband last month, and TMZ said they had sold their joint home, with Affleck moving into a luxury bachelor pad.
People magazine said relations became strained because of their different approaches to celebrity.
“She likes to open her heart to her fans and to the world,” the magazine quoted an unnamed source saying.
“He is more introspective and private. This has been difficult day-to-day.”
Divorce papers listed the couple’s date of separation as April 26, 2024, according to TMZ, which said the pair are no longer on speaking terms.
Lopez was previously married to actor Ojani Noa, dancer Cris Judd and singer Marc Anthony, with whom she shares twins Max and Emme.
Affleck was married to actress Jennifer Garner and they are the parents of Violet, Seraphina, and Samuel.
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UN rights expert barred from Afghanistan: diplomatic source
The UN special rapporteur on the human rights situation in Afghanistan has been barred from entering the country, a diplomatic source told AFP on Tuesday.
“Richard Bennett was informed of the decision that he would not be welcome to return to Afghanistan several months ago,” a diplomatic source confirmed to AFP after local media reported the ban, citing a Taliban government spokesman.
Bennett marked two years in the role on May 1.
Since returning to power in August 2021, Taliban authorities have enforced rules based on a strict interpretation of Islamic law.
Women have borne the brunt of restrictions the United Nations has labelled “gender apartheid” which have pushed them from public life.
They have been barred from secondary and higher education, as well as blocked from working in many jobs or entering public parks, gyms and travelling without a male relative.
The Taliban government remains unrecognised by any other state, with its restrictions on women a key sticking point.
Taliban authorities have systematically dismissed criticism of their policies from the UN and the international community.
However, when the ban was apparently issued months ago, the Taliban government stressed that their issue was not with human rights monitoring and reporting, but with Bennett personally, according to diplomatic sources.
Earlier Tuesday, Afghanistan’s Tolo News quoted chief Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid as saying that Bennett had been banned “because he was appointed to Afghanistan to spread propaganda and he is not someone whose words we can trust”.
“He took small issues and exaggerated them for propaganda,” he said.
– Strong statements –
In recent months, Bennett has issued strong statements on women’s rights in Afghanistan at moments when the country was in the international spotlight.
Last week, as the Taliban authorities celebrated the third anniversary of their takeover of Afghanistan, Bennett joined 29 other UN experts in a statement urging the international community to “not normalise the de facto authorities or their appalling human rights violations”, he said on X.
In late June, Bennett condemned the decision to exclude rights issues from the agenda and Afghan women and civil society representatives from the table at UN-hosted talks in Qatar — a condition of Taliban representatives’ attendance at the meetings with the international community.
“The cost is too high,” he wrote in a New York Times opinion piece.
In New York, Stephane Dujarric, a spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, did not confirm or deny the ban Tuesday but said: “Special rapporteurs play a very critical part in the global human rights architecture. We encourage full cooperation with them.”
Special rapporteurs like Bennett are independent experts within the Special Procedures body of the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council.
The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) maintains a human rights monitoring and reporting function in the country.
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Rocket engine explodes during test at UK spaceport
A rocket engine exploded during a test launch at Britain’s new spaceport in northern Scotland, officials said Tuesday, in a setback for the UK’s fledgling space sector.
No one was injured in Monday evening’s incident at SaxaVord Spaceport on the remote island of Unst, said the operator, German rocket manufacturer Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA).
The company hopes to launch the UK’s first vertical rocket into orbit from there later this year. Monday’s failed test was one of the trials in the run-up to the launch.
It comes three months after RFA held its first engine test at the site, which was declared a success.
“On Monday evening, RFA conducted a hot fire of its first stage at their launch site at SaxaVord Spaceport,” said a spokesperson for the German company.
“This resulted in an anomaly that led to the loss of the stage. No-one was injured in the process.
“The launch pad has been saved and is secured, the situation is under control and any immediate danger has been mitigated.”
A spokesperson for SaxaVord said it “will work with RFA to understand and learn from the causes and support them as they move forward to the next phase of their preparations”.
SaxaVord is the first fully licensed vertical launch spaceport in Europe.
It is one of several space centres sprouting up around the continent amid a surge in popularity of small rockets and the commercialisation of space.
SaxaVord received permission from UK aviation regulators in December 2023 to begin orbital launches this year. It is allowed up to 30 annually to take satellites and other payload.
The first attempt to launch satellites from UK soil failed in January last year when a rocket failed to enter orbit after discharging from a Virgin Orbit Boeing 747.
The attempt took place at Cornwall Spaceport in southwest England, where rockets are carried by aircraft and launch horizontally.
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Missing UK tech tycoon’s co-defendant killed in accident
Stephen Chamberlain, a co-defendant in the recent US trial involving missing UK tech tycoon Mike Lynch, died following a weekend accident in eastern England, police confirmed on Tuesday.
The accident, in which Chamberlain was hit by a car while reportedly jogging, happened on Saturday, just two days before Lynch and his teenage daughter went missing after their yacht capsized off Sicily.
The pair are among six people unaccounted for following the accident, in which the British-flagged Bayesian was struck by a waterspout — a sort of mini tornado — early Monday.
Chamberlain, 52, was the former vice president of finance at Autonomy, the software company Lynch founded in 1996.
The pair were acquitted by a United States court in June of a raft of fraud charges after prosecutors accused them of a massive scheme linked to the sale of Autonomy to Hewlett-Packard.
They had faced lengthy jail sentences if convicted.
In a statement, Cambridgeshire Police named Chamberlain as the pedestrian victim of a “collision” in an eastern English village, noting that he had subsequently died in hospital.
It added the driver of the car involved, a 49-year-old woman from a village in Buckinghamshire, southeast England, remained at the scene and was “assisting with enquiries”.
Chamberlain’s family said in a statement released through police that he was “a much-loved husband, father, son, brother and friend”.
“He was an amazing individual whose only goal in life was to help others in any way possible,” it added.
“He made a lasting impression on everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. He will be deeply missed but forever in the hearts of his loved ones.”
Chamberlain worked at Autonomy from 2005 until leaving in 2012. He later worked as chief operating officer for cybersecurity firm Darktrace.
Referencing his US legal battle on his LinkedIn page, Chamberlain called it “Silicon Valley’s largest fraud case”.
He noted he had “operated as full-time member of legal team and worked tirelessly to prove my innocence”.
In a statement released to various UK media outlets, Chamberlain’s US-based lawyer Gary Lincenberg described his client as a “courageous man” with “unparallelled integrity”.
“Our dear client and friend Steve Chamberlain was fatally struck by a car on Saturday while out running,” he said, adding: “We deeply miss him.”
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Mpox cases rise in DR Congo as country awaits vaccines
Cases of the mpox virus are rising in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), as the central African country awaits vaccines from the United States and Japan, the health minister said on Monday.
“We are talking about a continental emergency,” Health Minister Samuel-Roger Kamba told a press briefing as the World Health Organisation (WHO) called on affected countries to step up vaccination programmes to counter a more deadly strain of mpox.
DRC has registered 16,700 mpox cases and “a little more than 570” deaths since the start of the year, Kamba said.
The WHO on Wednesday declared the mpox surge in Africa a global public health emergency. Cases have been reported in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda since July.
The United States has promised 50,000 vaccine doses for DRC, while Japan on Monday agreed Monday to send 3.5 million doses, “only for children,” a medical source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told AFP.
The source said that DRC “plans to vaccinate four million people including 3.5 million children”.
“I hope by the next week we will already be able to see the vaccines arriving,” Kamba said. “The vaccine is a solution to our problems,” he added, urging people to get jabbed.
Cases have now surfaced in all 26 provinces in the country of around 100 million people.
The WHO on Monday released updated guidelines on countering the surge, led by increased vaccinations.
It also called on countries to “scale up efforts to thoroughly investigate cases and outbreaks of mpox disease” to understand its transmission and prevent the spread “to household members and communities”.
It said countries had to be ready to provide food and other support for mpox patients “including, as warranted and possible, isolation in care centres and guidance for home-based care”.
The WHO said there has to be greater “cross-border collaboration” to monitor and handle suspected mpox cases “without resorting to general travel and trade restrictions unnecessarily impacting local, regional or national economies”.
While mpox has been known for decades, a new more deadly and more transmissible strain — clade 1b — causes death in about 3.6 percent of cases, with children more at risk, according to the WHO.
Kamba said that mpox is reaching “more and more young people” in DRC and there are a lot of children under 15 who have been affected.
A total of 18,737 suspected or confirmed cases of mpox were reported in Africa since the beginning of the year, including 1,200 cases in one week, the African Union health agency said Saturday.
The virus has also been detected in Sweden, Pakistan and the Philippines.
Formerly called monkeypox, the virus was discovered in 1958 in Denmark, in monkeys kept for research.
It was first discovered in humans in 1970 in what is now the DRC.
Mpox is caused by a virus transmitted to humans by infected animals but can also be passed from human to human through close physical contact.
The disease causes fever, muscular aches and large boil-like skin lesions.
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Source close to Hezbollah says Israel strikes arms depots deep in east Lebanon
Israel struck Hezbollah weapons depots on Monday deep in Lebanon’s east, a source close to the group told AFP, away from the southern border that has witnessed near-daily clashes between Hezbollah and Israel.
The source close to Iran-backed Hezbollah said “Israel strikes in the (eastern) Bekaa region targeted Hezbollah weapons depots”, and Lebanon’s official National News Agency (NNA) said three locations in Lebanon’s east witnessed “enemy Israeli raids this evening”.
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Portable Monitors vs. Traditional Monitors for Students: Pros and Cons
Nowadays, many students need help with their studies, and technology is becoming a robust tool. With the advancements, students are using modern-day solutions like portable monitors. Traditional monitors still exist but have limited features compared to portable monitors. In this blog, we will discuss the differences between the two to help students select the best option for them. So, let’s get started!
What are Portable Monitors?
Portable monitors are modern devices that have compact external displays. They have an exceptional design to help users enhance productivity. You can easily connect your laptops and smartphones for better results.
Besides, these monitors offer the extra screen to perform multitasking and presentations for a significant impact. Using a Duex Max portable laptop monitor is a good choice. It is a great tool for students to help them with various tasks like studying, coding, and content creation.
What are Traditional Monitors?
The traditional monitors have stationary displays that are primarily used with desktop computers. These monitors also have different ranges in their size and resolution. It offers clear visuals for research, gaming, and design work tasks.
Moreover, traditional monitors also help students with academic responsibilities like learning, programming, and multimedia projects for a long time. Various brands offer these monitors.
Comparison Points for Portable vs Traditional Monitors
Portability
Portable Monitors
Portability is the primary advantage of using a portable monitor, as reflected by its name. These are lightweight and compact devices, making them easy to carry anywhere. The students can bring these monitors to different environments like libraries, coffee shops, or dorm rooms.
Traditional Monitors
With traditional monitors, portability is the limitation. These are bulkier than portable monitors and need a dedicated desk space. It makes it less convenient for students to move them. The traditional monitors can be used in libraries, dorm rooms, and other locations but are not portable.
Screen Quality
Portable Monitors
The portable monitors offer users with good screen quality. Compared to traditional ones, it is comparatively low as it is compact and usually has low resolution and color accuracy. However, they are still an ideal option for students to take them anywhere they want.
Traditional Monitors
In contrast, traditional monitors have exceptional screen quality with larger sizes. These are usually 20 inches and above in size. It shows higher resolution, excellent color accuracy, and faster refresh rates. These monitors effectively perform detailed tasks like graphic design, video editing, and gaming.
Cost
Portable Monitors
These monitors score high in terms of being a budget-friendly option for the students. Portable monitors are versatile and lightweight. The prices of different portable monitors can vary according to the features, quality, and additional accessories.
Traditional Monitors
Traditional monitors are more expensive than portable monitors. It can require a higher initial investment from the users. These monitors are ideal for stationary setups as they offer long-term cost-efficiency. But there might be better options for students.
Power and Connectivity
Portable Monitors
The portable monitors use the USB-C for power and data purposes. It can enhance portability, too, by eliminating the requirement for extra power sources. This single-cable solution is great for students on the move. Besides, the compatibility and power output can vary.
Traditional Monitors
The traditional monitors need distinct power sources and multiple cables for uninterrupted connectivity. Thus, it offers more ports like DisplayPort, HDMI, and USB hubs. They offer reliable power and performance independently of different devices. It makes them suitable for extensive connectivity needs in stationary setups.
Conclusion
Choosing between portable and traditional monitors depends on a student’s needs. Portable monitors offer convenience and affordability, perfect for studying anywhere. Traditional monitors provide better screen quality and connectivity but lack portability. Students should consider their study habits and budget to decide which option best supports their learning.
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US, South Korea kick off major joint military drills
The United States and South Korea kicked off their major annual joint military drills on Monday, Seoul said, with new exercises aimed at containing the nuclear-armed North, including fighting cyberattacks.
The Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise runs until August 29, with drills this year set to “reflect realistic threats across all domains”, including from North Korean missiles and GPS jamming, Seoul’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said.
The exercises will boost the allies’ “capability and posture to deter and defend against weapons of mass destruction”, the military added.
This year’s drills will involve about 19,000 South Korean troops participating by land, sea and air, as well as in the cyber and space domains, according to the defence ministry, which declined to offer details of the US’s participation.
Pyongyang has floated thousands of trash-carrying balloons across the border in recent months, and sought to jam South Korean GPS signals as part of its protest against balloons carrying anti-regime propaganda sent northwards by activists in the South.
In Seoul, the city government will be simultaneously conducting civil defence exercises designed to better prepare for any future trash balloons, as well as North Korean drone attacks.
“We are currently facing the most reckless and irrational North Korean provocations and threats in the world,” South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said at a cabinet meeting Monday, according to his office.
“In recent years, they have not hesitated to launch GPS jamming attacks and make low-grade provocations such as launching trash balloons.”
US-South Korea drills typically infuriate the North, which views them as rehearsals for invasion and has frequently conducted weapons tests in retaliation.
On Sunday, North Korean state media slammed the drills, saying they were “dangerous and grave”.
Last year, North Korean state media warned the drills could trigger a “thermonuclear war”, launching a number of cruise missiles and ballistic missiles in protest.
Kim Myung-soo, head of Seoul’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, said last week that Pyongyang was “likely to use the exercise as a pretext to conduct deceitful and blitz provocations”.
Kim ordered troops to “closely monitor and analyze the activities of the DMZ” and “retaliate immediately if the enemy provokes”.
Washington is Seoul’s key security ally and stations about 28,500 troops in South Korea to protect it from its nuclear-armed neighbour.
The two countries have long carried out joint exercises.
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Biden says Gaza ceasefire ‘still possible’
US President Joe Biden said Sunday that a Gaza ceasefire remained a possibility, despite Israel and Hamas trading blame as top diplomat Antony Blinken landed in Tel Aviv to push a deal.
Biden told reporters after spending the weekend at his Camp David retreat that talks were still underway and that “we’re not giving up,” adding that an accord was “still possible.”
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