FRIDAY THE 13

Fayyaz loves big cats. From this facility – thought to be the largest of its kind in private hands nationwide – the 38-year-old has sold cubs and breeding pairs for the last 10 years. He is widely considered to be one of the biggest lion dealers in Pakistan. For decades these animals – lions, tigers, pumas, cheetahs and jaguars – have been a sign of power, status and even political fealty in the country. The tiger, for example, is a symbol of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz. More recently, with the dawn of short video social media apps like TikTok and Instagram, there's been a surge in ownership, with lions now sometimes even brought along to wedding events. But in the wake of a pet lion escaping and attacking a woman and her two children as they walked down the street in Lahore, the government has launched a crackdown – one which is already impacting people like Fayyaz. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1e0xjlq73zo

f Chessum can get the battle fever going when talking to journalists in a room in a school in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne on Thursday, then you can only imagine the power of his words in the dressing room minutes before the Lions run out into the MCG in front of an expected crowd of 90,000. "This is everything international rugby is all about," said Chessum of the Lions' bid to win the series on Saturday. "Physicality goes up through the roof, the intensity goes up through the roof, the speed of the game goes up through the roof and you have to walk towards it because if you don't, you'll get found out pretty quickly. "So I'm not quite ready and raring to go, obviously we're a couple of days out, but I'm chomping at the bit to get into it." And he went on: "You have to [embrace the magnitude of the occasion] because this is everything you have ever dreamt of. You'd be kicking yourself years down the line if you didn't. "This is where - and I can't speak for everyone, although I'm fairly sure I can - everyone wants to be on the biggest stage with the chance to win a Lions series at an arena like the MCG in front of our families. There's nothing better. I'm properly looking forward to it." That is it, right there. Chessum nailed it. These are the days of their lives, the biggest moment for most of those who have not already been around the Lions block. https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/articles/cp3l321qlzwo

The world's most liveable and happiest cities lists are usually dominated by European countries – but it may be time to look down under. This year, three Australian cities made the top 10 in the Economist Intelligence Unit's Most Liveable Cities index, with Adelaide joining Melbourne and Sydney there for the first time. It's no surprise to Australians, who have long relished a high quality of life. They point to big city benefits – galleries, concerts, sports, diverse cuisine – combined with Australia's iconic natural beauty as the winning formula. "Australia has a deep respect for the outdoors. Lunch breaks can be swims, weeknights mean open-air cinemas and weekends are for farmers' markets packed with produce so good it barely needs cooking," said Andrea Seifert, a senior comms director for Eight Communications who grew up in Europe and Asia and recently moved to Sydney. "That kind of access to nature and culture is rare!" This also translates into a culture where residents work to live instead of live to work. "The lifestyle is just easier. Not necessarily cheaper, but there's a different mindset here," said Cheryl Monkhouse, who lived most of her life in the US and now lives in Adelaide where she works for SeaLink Marine & Tourism. "Holidays are taken, and time off is not just expected but respected. Four weeks annual leave is the norm, not the exception." https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20250721-the-secret-to-life-in-the-worlds-best-cities-australia

Nine more people in Gaza have died of malnutrition in the last 24 hours, which brings the total number of deaths to 122, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. If you are just joining us, here's a quick recap of what's been happening today: Israel is expected to allow foreign aid drops into Gaza over the next few days - but humanitarian organisations have previously warned they don't get nearly enough supplies to people US President Donald Trump has said that Hamas does not want to make a deal to release hostages and agree a ceasefire Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel is "considering alternative options" to bring hostages back from Gaza Earlier, a senior Hamas official insisted to the BBC that ceasefire talks have not collapsed Keir Starmer is due to speak to German and French leaders today after Emmanuel Macron said France would recognise a Palestinian state - a step the UK has not taken yet Stay with as we continue to bring you the latest key lines and updates. https://www.bbc.com/news/live/cx2l2wk3zx0t

urkey’s livestock industry faces billions in losses from a widespread foot and mouth disease outbreak Livestock markets closed Over $4bn in losses Vaccine being produced Turkey’s livestock industry faces crippling losses and long-term damage from a widespread outbreak of foot and mouth disease, with up to one third of the country’s meat and dairy animals already believed to be infected. On July 2 the Ministry of Agriculture ordered all of Turkey’s livestock markets closed, the first time a nationwide ban has been implemented. Previous outbreaks of FMD have been contained regionally, with the spread of infection controlled by localised quarantine measures, culling and vaccination. Agriculture minister İbrahim Yumaklı said the outbreak was a new strain of FMD, with the more infectious SAT-1 serotype having spread quickly during and after the Eid al-Adha holiday, which traditionally sees hundreds of thousands of animals transported around the country for slaughter. The immediate cost of the outbreak, including losses due to culling, disrupted supply chains, vaccines and treatment of infected livestock and the destruction of potentially contaminated materials including meat, milk, fodder and waste, is more than $4 billion, according to a report by the Agricultural Strategy and Policy Development Centre (Tarpol). The report warns Turkey faces other losses, including restrictions on exports to countries wary of contamination and a rise in food costs as demand for other meat products, such as poultry, increases. There are more than 16.5 million head of cattle in Turkey, and more than 53 million sheep and goats, which are also susceptible to FMD, according to the latest data from the state statistics agency. Thirty percent or more of Turkey’s livestock could be infected in the current outbreak, the Tarpol report said. While in the medium term the outbreak will see meat prices rise as a result of supply shortages, Bülent Tunç, the head of the Association of Red Meat Producers of Türkiye, said currently costs to the consumer were falling. “There is a mood of panic among producers over this new strain of foot and mouth, so many are taking their animals to be slaughtered,” he told AGBI. “That will bring prices down for now, however Turkey is already a major importer of meat, and this will only increase as a result of this outbreak.” The spread of FMD will also set back by years a government plan to strengthen the livestock industry, announced earlier this year, through improved breeding and vaccination programmes, Tunç said. Turkey steps up support for agriculture with credit offer Turkey may need foreign grain as drought hits farmers Turkey’s red meat output tumbles as costs keep climbing Authorities are scrambling to contain the outbreak, rolling out a new locally developed vaccine to protect livestock from the SAT-1 strain, with 4.5 million doses already produced and a further 1 million a week coming out of the country’s labs, though this will not be enough to inoculate the meat and dairy industry from the heavy loses to come. Register now: It’s easy and free AGBI registered members can access even more of our unique analysis and perspective on business and economics in the Middle East. https://www.agbi.com/analysis/agriculture/2025/07/foot-and-mouth-outbreak-set-to-devastate-turkish-livestock/

England’s Jess Carter says she will step back from social media after the defender said she has received “a lot of racist abuse” since the beginning of the 2025 UEFA Women’s Euros. Carter has started all four matches for England as the team has reached the semifinal stage of the tournament, where the Lionesses are seeking to win their second consecutive European Championship. “While I feel every fan is entitled to their opinion on performance and result, I don’t agree, or think, it’s OK to target someone’s appearance or race,” the 27-year-old said in a statement posted across her social media channels. “As a result of this I will be taking a step back from social media and leaving it to a team to deal with.” Carter added that she is making the decision to protect herself “in a bid to keep my focus on helping the team anyway I can.” “Hopefully speaking out will make the people writing this abuse think twice so others won’t have to deal with it. We have made some historic changes with this Lionesses squad that I am so proud to be a part of and my hope is that by speaking out about this it will make another positive change for all.” https://edition.cnn.com/2025/07/21/sport/jess-carter-racist-abuse-england-womens-euros-spt

The number of people diagnosed with skin cancer in Guernsey has hit the highest level in five years. A Freedom of Information request to the Committee for Health & Social Care revealed there were 767 cases of skin cancers detected on the island in 2023. That is an increase of 71 cases from 2022, and 12 fewer than in 2019 when there were 779. Guernsey's Public Health said lifestyle factors and a higher strength of UV rays put islanders at greater risk than residents in other parts of the British Isles. Di Matthews, Guernsey's public health strategic screening lead said: "We do tend to have higher rates of skin cancer than the rest of the UK. "That is down to our high UV, plus we have a lifestyle were we are able to finish work and head to the beach so we are more likely to have those hours in the sun where we are having skin damage." Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun can damage the DNA in skin cells and cause skin cancer. A charity which provides free sunscreen to islanders says prevention is key, as it tries to encourage more people to protect themselves from the sun. Mike Richards, of Male Uprising Guernsey (MUG) is calling on more employers to supply sunscreen to outdoor workers. He said: "You can't force people to use it, but if its being slightly pressed upon there's more chance you will use it." https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c6p2elq7l5no

The Danish government has announced a huge boost in defence spending for Greenland, hours after US President-elect Donald Trump repeated his desire to purchase the Arctic territory. Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said the package was a "double digit billion amount" in krone, or at least $1.5bn (£1.2bn). He described the timing of the announcement as an "irony of fate". On Monday Trump said ownership and control of the huge island was an "absolute necessity" for the US. Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory, is home to a large US space facility and is strategically important for the US, lying on the shortest route from North America to Europe. It has major mineral reserves. Poulsen said the package would allow for the purchase of two new inspection ships, two new long-range drones and two extra dog sled teams. It would also include funding for increased staffing at Arctic Command in the capital Nuuk and an upgrade for one of Greenland's three main civilian airports to handle F-35 supersonic fighter aircraft. "We have not invested enough in the Arctic for many years, now we are planning a stronger presence," he said. The defence minister did not give an exact figure for the package, but Danish media estimated it would be around 12-15bn krone. The announcement came a day after Trump said on his social media platform Truth Social: "For purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity." Greenland's Prime Minister Mute Egede responded to Trump's comments, saying "we are not for sale". But he added that Greenlanders should continue to be open for cooperation and trade, especially with their neighbours. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckgzl19n9eko

Democratic Vice-Presidential candidate Tim Walz is facing backlash after reports revealed his 2006 congressional campaign made false claims about a drink-driving arrest when he was a high school teacher. A police officer in 1995 stopped Mr Walz, who was 31 at the time, in Nebraska for going 96mph (154km/h) in a 55mph zone. He pleaded guilty in March 1996 to a reduced charge of reckless driving. He lost his license for 90 days and was fined $200 (£154), the Associated Press reported. But in 2006, his campaign manager at the time told media that Mr Walz was not drunk when he was pulled over, falsely suggesting it was a misunderstanding. Mr Walz failed field sobriety and breath tests after the trooper smelled alcohol on his breath, court documents show. He was then transported to the hospital for a blood test where his blood alcohol level was 0.128% compared to the legal limit of 0.10%, according to court documents. Mr Walz told Minnesota's Star Tribune newspaper that he was watching college football with friends before his arrest. He was booked into the Dawes County jail. Then a high school teacher, he reported the incident to his principal and resigned from his football coaching responsibilities at the school. He offered to quit his teaching job, but the principal talked him into staying, the Star Tribune reported. He said he quit drinking after the incident and described it as a "gut-check moment" in a 2018 interview. The recent backlash Mr Walz faces stems from how his former campaign aides from his 2006 congressional run described the incident to local media. His campaign manager at the time suggested Mr Walz was not drunk, saying he could not understand the trooper because of hearing loss from his time serving in the National Guard. The campaign manager also falsely claimed to the Rochester Post Bulletin that the judge who dismissed the case had criticized the arresting officer for not understanding that Walz had hearing loss. Walz had ear surgery in 2005 to fix his hearing loss, the Associated Press reported. But court records do not mention that Mr Walz struggled to hear the officer at the time of the arrest. His campaign at the time also claimed that Mr Walz was allowed to drive himself to jail on the night of the arrest, which was untrue. Mr Walz reportedly acknowledged that he was drunk at the time of the arrest. "It's just a dangerous situation," Mr Walz said in a 1996 court transcript of the hearing. "Not just to myself, but to the others who aren't even involved with it." The BBC has reached out to the Harris-Walz campaign for comment. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2xy10qn22o

A Shropshire zoo has welcomed a family of eight squirrel monkeys, who have been transported 250 miles to reach their new home. The troop of monkeys are settling in at Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur World in Telford, after travelling from Port Lympne Safari Park in Kent. The "lively group" consists of Gustavo, Horacio, Maria, Tucette, Antonio, Garcia, Pedro, and Pablo. Hoo Zoo director Will Dorrell said they would be ambassadors for their species, and he hoped their arrival would educate the public about the importance of rainforest conservation. Mr Dorrell said: "Unfortunately, squirrel monkey numbers are showing a decline due to poaching for the illegal pet trade. Our zoo keepers can confirm that they would make awful pets." He added that the zoo was delighted to welcome the brand-new species of primate. In the wild, squirrel monkeys are native to the tropical forests of Central and South America, where they typically live in large, socially complex groups. Whilst not currently endangered, they are considered to be vulnerable to extinction in the wild according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Squirrel monkeys face increasing threats from habitat loss in the Amazon. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cew5jp9jx5yo

PIF sells stake in US concert promoter Live Nation Saudi gaming company courts giants of Japan and South Korea Prince Faisal: growth, not profit, is focus for esports Nintendo has been grappling with a slowing console gaming market and an ageing product in its flagship Switch hybrid console – its best-selling system ever, which sold 143.4 million units worldwide. In the company’s fiscal first quarter ending June 30, Nintendo reported a 46 percent year-on-year drop in sales of the Switch. They sold 2.1 million units in the three-month period, down from 3.91 million units a year ago. The Saudi sovereign wealth fund also holds around 9 percent of Koei Tecmo Holdings. In 2022, PIF purchased more than 5 percent stakes each in South Korea’s Nexon and Japan’s Capcom. Register now: It’s easy and free AGBI registered members can access even more of our unique analysis and perspective on business and economics in the Middle East. Why sign uP Exclusive weekly email from our editor-in-chief Personalised weekly emails for your preferred industry sectors Read and download our insight packed white papers Access to our mobile app Prioritised access to live events Register for free https://www.agbi.com/gaming/2024/12/saudi-pif-continues-to-trim-stake-in-japans-nintendo/

Prince Harry is challenging the decision to downgrade his UK security protection, at London's Court of Appeal. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex left the UK after stepping back from official royal duties in 2020. The couple have since launched commercial ventures, including several Netflix series and a new lifestyle brand headed by the duchess, Meghan Markle. Why has Harry gone to court over his security? After stepping back from official duties, the duke and duchess were no longer given the security arrangements provided for senior royals. Harry said it was too dangerous to bring his family back to the UK without adequate police protection, and took the government to court. "The UK is my home," he told the High Court in December 2023. "The UK is central to the heritage of my children. That cannot happen if it's not possible to keep them safe." Home Office lawyers said the duke would still have publicly funded police security in the UK, under "bespoke arrangements" decided on a case-by-case basis. In February 2024, the High Court ruled this was "legally sound". However, he is now challenging the decision at the Court of Appeal. Some of the two day hearing, which began on 8 April, will be held in private. A separate court ruling previously rejected the prince's request to be allowed to pay privately for more substantial protection. Harry has also said his private security can't access Home Office or security services databases to know about threats against him. LIVE: Follow the latest developments as Prince Harry arrives at court Why did Harry and Meghan leave the Royal Family? Harry and Meghan met in 2016 and married in 2018. They stepped down as senior royals in January 2020. Angry about media intrusion, they were frustrated that Buckingham Palace prevented them developing their "SussexRoyal" brand. Harry remains a prince and is fifth in line to the throne. https://bbc.com/news/explainers-51047186

La Fiscalía General de la República dio a conocer este jueves la tercera boleta de citación contra el diplomático Edmundo González Urrutia para que comparezca hoy viernes "a fin de rendir entrevista en relación a los hechos que investiga este despacho relacionado con la publicación y mantenimiento de la página web resultadosconVzla.com". En un intento de forzar la presión para que el ganador de las elecciones presidenciales abandone el país, la Fiscalía anunció que en el caso de no comparecer, como así tiene previsto el embajador, "se tramitará la correspondiente orden de aprehensión". La justificación jurídica del chavismo es el supuesto peligro de fuga del señalado, así como de obstaculización de la causa. "Lo que estaría tratando de hacer el Ministerio Público es argumentar que tras haberse citado tres veces a la parte sin que compareciera se justificaría una detención para conducirlo a la fuerza. Es lo que se conoce en el Derecho Procesal Penal como un mandato de conducción", explicó a EL MUNDO el jurista Nizar El Fakih. https://www.elmundo.es/internacional/2024/08/29/66d0b5d1e9cf4af8148b45a9.html

Karolina Muchova ended second-ranked Aryna Sabalenka's 15-match winning streak with a 7-6 (4), 2-6, 6-4 victory in the China Open quarterfinals on Friday. The 49th-ranked Muchova saved set points in the first set and came from 4-2 down in the third to win in 2 hours, 46 minutes. It was the third consecutive time that Muchova, a U.S. Open semifinalist last month, has won against the three-time major winner and the Czech player now leads their head-to-head series 3-1. Sabalenka's streak had started with a title at Cincinnati in August and continued with a run to the championship at the U.S. Open last month. She also won the Australian Open earlier in the year. She also had a previous career-best streak of 15 wins across the 2020-21 seasons. https://www.business-standard.com/sports/other-sports-news/muchova-ends-sabalenka-s-15-match-winning-streak-in-china-open-quarters-124100401328_1.html

Scientists have found the first evidence of insects crossing an entire ocean — after finding butterflies that made a 2,600-mile (4,200 kilometers) journey across the Atlantic. Gerard Talavera, an evolutionary biologist at the Botanical Institute of Barcelona, made the discovery in French Guiana in 2013, when he spotted a flock of painted lady butterflies (Vanessa cardui) sitting on the sand, their wings tattered and shot through with holes. This discovery puzzled scientists, as the tiny species can be found around the world, but not in South America. Now, after a decade of investigation, the researchers have pieced together an answer for how the butterflies got there: They embarked on the first transoceanic flight recorded in an insect. https://www.livescience.com/animals/butterflies/butterflies-cross-atlantic-ocean-on-2600-mile-non-stop-flight-never-recorded-in-any-insect-before