Independent News & People Network Desk of News

How Japan Averted a Major Earthquake Disaster

Source: New York Times - World · Published: 2026-08-17T09:02:18+00:00

Japan avoided a major disaster after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit last month. Our reporter River Akira Davis visited Kumamoto, a prefecture near the epicenter, to see how it built quake-proof buildings and infrastructure.

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Massive Attack and Paris Paloma join musicians urging Burnham to reject new North Sea drilling

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-08-17T09:00:50+00:00

Brian Eno and Olly Alexander also among signatories saying exploitation of Rosebank and Jackdaw fields defies realityMore than 200 musicians including Massive Attack and Brian Eno have written to Andy Burnham, urging him to reject plans for more oil and gas drilling in the North Sea.The letter, signed by artists such as Olly Alexander and Paris Paloma, called on the prime minister to reject the Rosebank oilfield, warning the project will fail to lower energy bills or provide energy security as most of the oil is likely to be exported. Continue reading...

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Massive Attack, Romy and Thom Yorke sign letter urging Burnham to reject new North Sea drilling

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-08-17T09:00:50+00:00

Brian Eno, Robert Smith, Anna Calvi and Paris Paloma also among signatories saying exploitation of Rosebank and Jackdaw fields defies realityBusiness live – latest updatesMore than 200 musicians including Massive Attack and Brian Eno have written to Andy Burnham, urging him to reject plans for more oil and gas drilling in the North Sea.The letter, signed by artists such as Olly Alexander and Paris Paloma, called on the prime minister to reject the Rosebank oilfield, warning the project will fail to lower energy bills or provide energy security as most of the oil is likely to be exported. Conti

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Brian Eno, Romy and Thom Yorke sign letter urging PM to reject new North Sea drilling

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-08-17T09:00:50+00:00

Robert Smith, Olly Alexander and Paris Paloma also among signatories saying exploitation of Rosebank and Jackdaw fields defies realityBusiness live – latest updatesMore than 200 musicians including Massive Attack and Brian Eno have written to Andy Burnham, urging him to reject plans for more oil and gas drilling in the North Sea.The letter, signed by 211 artists such as Bobby Gillespie, Olly Alexander and Paris Paloma, called on the prime minister to reject the Rosebank oilfield, warning the project will fail to lower energy bills or provide energy security as most of the oil is likely to be e

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Belgium tackles enormous wildfire as French PM booed on visit to affected region – Europe live

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-08-17T08:50:17+00:00

Wildfire thought to be largest in Belgium’s history creeps closer to German border prompting evacuationsOver in France, prime minister Sébastien Lecornu was booed on arrival to Le Porge, one of the towns most affected by the massive wildfire in the Gironde region last month.Lecornu was set to meet with the local officials to discuss the reconstruction of the region, but a clip published by BFMTV showed a group of frustrated local residents booing his arrival. Continue reading...

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Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of the Congo now deadliest in country’s history

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-08-17T08:47:18+00:00

At least 2,325 people have died from the virus, according to official data, with outbreak on track to be biggest in historyThe Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is now the deadliest in the country’s history with at least 2,325 people killed, according to government data, surpassing the toll from the 2018-20 outbreak.The DRC’s public health institute said confirmed cases had risen to 4,945, including 101 detected in the previous 24 hours. Continue reading...

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Natural gas: Weak outlook

Source: The Hindu Business Line – Markets · Published: 2026-08-17T08:44:53+00:00

Traders can sell on a rise

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Yes Bank makes bond market comeback years after AT1 write-off

Source: The Hindu Business Line – Markets · Published: 2026-08-17T08:44:43+00:00

The bank plans to sell a benchmark-sized three-year US currency note and is holding calls with fixed-income investors starting Monday

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Sky Gold & Diamonds added to MSCI India domestic small cap index

Source: The Hindu Business Line – Markets · Published: 2026-08-17T08:34:36+00:00

Sky Gold said it continues to focus on lightweight and value-added jewellery, while expanding its customer base and its presence across organised jewellery retail

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Labor pledges opt-out register for online gambling ads as Pocock calls out shortfalls in government’s bill

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-08-17T08:14:20+00:00

The new measure falls short of calls for gambling ads to move to an opt-in model, or for an outright banFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Labor government has pledged a new single-service opt-out register for gambling ads – an idea similar to the Do Not Call register for spam calls – as part of amendments to its wagering ad bill, as well as restrictions on inducements and limiting commissions for agents.The communications minister, Anika Wells, has also confirmed gambling companies will face a new levy to pay fo

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Kushner to meet Netanyahu to push Trump Gaza plan

Source: Al Jazeera - World · Published: 2026-08-17T08:13:04+00:00

The talks come one day after the US president's son-in-law held a rare meeting with Hamas leaders in Egypt.

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Kushner meets Netanyahu to push Trump Gaza plan

Source: Al Jazeera - World · Published: 2026-08-17T08:13:04+00:00

The talks come one day after the US president's son-in-law held a rare meeting with Hamas leaders in Egypt.

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Housebuilding near train stations to get ‘default yes’ under new planning changes – UK politics live

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-08-17T08:09:10+00:00

Thousands more houses could be built near transport hubs including on green belt sitesThe new national planning policy framework is aimed at providing clearer national policies for plan-making and decision-making, meaning that conflicting local policies will carry less weight when they are inconsistent with national policies.Other changes will include:Stronger support in principle for development, meaning a more explicit presumption in favour of building in sustainable locations.Pubs will get protection from being turned into housing or offices with developers having to prove there is no reaso

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Bollywood stars told to drop surrogate ad in Maharashtra's food safety drive

Source: The Hindu Business Line – Markets · Published: 2026-08-17T08:03:31+00:00

In ⁠a warning to Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn and Tiger Shroff, made public over the weekend, the state said the actors were promoting Vimal's cardamoms but the brand ​is associated largely with pan masala

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