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Today in Pictures, July 18, 2025

Straits Times3 days ago
A security guard standing on a rooftop at the Pic du Midi, a mountain in the French Pyrenees, before the arrival of France's President Emmanuel Macron for a presentation by local stakeholders of the application for the inclusion of the Pic du Midi on the Unesco World Heritage List, in Bagneres-de-Bigorre, France, on July 17, 2025.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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UK to hold inquiry into miners strike 'Battle of Orgreave' four decades on
UK to hold inquiry into miners strike 'Battle of Orgreave' four decades on

Straits Times

time10 minutes ago

  • Straits Times

UK to hold inquiry into miners strike 'Battle of Orgreave' four decades on

FILE PHOTO: A for sale sign stands by the closed Clipstone Colliery in Clipstone near Mansfield, central England, April 9, 2013. REUTERS/Darren Staples/File Photo LONDON - Britain said on Monday it would hold an inquiry into the "Battle of Orgreave", a violent confrontation between police and striking coal miners in 1984 at the height of a year-long industrial dispute with Margaret Thatcher's government. More than 5,000 striking miners clashed with a similar number of riot police who had been drafted in from across the country at the Orgreave coking plant near Sheffield in northern England. It was one of the most violent scenes witnessed during a British industrial dispute, and also a pivotal moment in the strike, launched against Thatcher's moves to close money-losing pits. The miners ultimately lost the broader fight to save their industry. The police have long faced accusations of brutality and using excessive violence at Orgreave on June 18, 1984. TV footage showed charges by officers on horseback and one miner being repeatedly struck on the head with a baton. More than 120 people were injured and 95 miners initially arrested and charged with riot and violent disorder. Those charges were all later dropped after the evidence was dismissed. Campaigners have for years demanded to know who was responsible for the deployment of the large number of police and their tactics, as well as what happened to some official documents. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper - Britain's interior minister whose Labour party was in opposition at the time of the strike - said an inquiry headed by Pete Wilcox, the Bishop of Sheffield, would be held to find out the truth. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Priority for singles, higher quota for second-timer families to kick in from HDB's July BTO exercise Singapore Witness stand not arena for humiliation in sex offence cases, judge reminds lawyers Asia Japan PM's future in doubt after election debacle Business Bigger, quieter, greener: High-volume low-speed fans see rising demand in warming Singapore Singapore New home owners in Singapore find kampung spirit on BTO Telegram groups Singapore What would it take for S'pore to shed the dirty image of its blue recycling bins? Business DBS hits record high above $47; CDL up after director Philip Yeo announces resignation World Gaza civil defence says Israeli fire kills 93 aid seekers "The violent scenes and subsequent prosecutions raised concerns that have been left unanswered for decades, and we must now establish what happened," she said. Kate Flannery, the Orgreave Truth & Justice Campaign Secretary, said they needed to be sure that the inquiry had the powers to have unrestricted access to all government and police papers. "We have waited a long time for this day and this is really positive news," she said. REUTERS

Ecuador gang leader 'Fito' to plead not guilty in US after extradition
Ecuador gang leader 'Fito' to plead not guilty in US after extradition

Straits Times

time40 minutes ago

  • Straits Times

Ecuador gang leader 'Fito' to plead not guilty in US after extradition

Find out what's new on ST website and app. FILE PHOTO: Security forces stand outside the National Court of Justice following a hearing for the extradition of Ecuadorean gang leader Jose Adolfo Macias, known as \"Fito,\" who on Friday accepted the court's request to be extradited to the United States to face drug and gun charges, in Quito, Ecuador, July 11, 2025. REUTERS/Karen Toro/File Photo QUITO - Ecuadorean gang leader Jose Adolfo Macias Villamar, known as "Fito," is set to appear in U.S. federal court on Monday, where he will plead not guilty to international charges of drug and weapons trafficking, his lawyer said. Macias, the leader of the Los Choneros gang, was taken out of prison in Ecuador earlier on Sunday to be handed over to U.S. authorities. The U.S. and Ecuadorean governments have not confirmed his extradition. Flight data shows that a U.S. government plane departed from Guayaquil after 2 p.m. local time. "Mr. Macias and I will appear tomorrow before the Brooklyn federal court ... where he will plead not guilty," his lawyer, Alexei Schacht, told Reuters. "After, he will be held in a to-be-determined prison." Macias escaped last year from Ecuadorean prison, where he was serving a 34-year sentence for a slew of crimes. He was recaptured last month. The U.S. Department of Justice has stated that under Macias' direction, Los Choneros committed violent acts against law enforcement, politicians, lawyers, prosecutors and civilians. Ecuador's government says the gang exercises vast control over the nation's prisons, which are plagued by corruption and overcrowding. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Priority for singles, higher quota for second-timer families to kick in from HDB's July BTO exercise Singapore New home owners find kampung spirit on BTO Telegram groups Asia Japan PM's future in doubt after election debacle Singapore Witness stand not arena for humiliation in sex offence cases, judge reminds lawyers Business Bigger, quieter, greener: High-volume low-speed fans see rising demand in warming Singapore Business DBS hits record high above $47; CDL up after director Philip Yeo announces resignation Singapore What would it take for S'pore to shed the dirty image of its blue recycling bins? Singapore 1 in 3 vapes here laced with etomidate; MOH working with MHA to list it as illegal drug: Ong Ye Kung Ecuadoreans voted in favor of allowing the extradition of citizens in a referendum called by President Daniel Noboa, who has vowed to crack down on rising crime. REUTERS

A million people sign French petition against bringing back bee-killing pesticide
A million people sign French petition against bringing back bee-killing pesticide

Straits Times

time6 hours ago

  • Straits Times

A million people sign French petition against bringing back bee-killing pesticide

Find out what's new on ST website and app. The pesticide acetamiprid has been branded "a bee killer" and was banned in France in 2018, although it remains legal within the EU to use it. PARIS - More than a million people had by July 20 signed a petition urging the French government to ditch a law allowing the reintroduction of a banned pesticide known to kill bees. The so-called 'Duplomb law' has stirred public anger for permitting a return of acetamiprid – a chemical known to be toxic to pollinators such as bees and to ecosystems. It was adopted on July 8 but has not yet come into effect. A 23-year-old master's student launched the petition against the law on July 10, with support quickly snowballing with the backing of many including actors and several left-wing lawmakers. More than 500,000 people signed it in 24 hours from July 19 and 20 alone. The law's proponents, however, argue farmers face too much regulation in France as is, and allowing them to use acetamiprid again would help reduce the constraints they face. National Assembly Speaker Yael Braun-Pivet on July 20 ruled out abandoning the legislation, named after the conservative lawmaker who proposed it, as it would 'save a certain number of our farmers'. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Priority for singles, higher quota for second-timer families to kick in from HDB's July BTO exercise Singapore Both Bukit Panjang LRT disruptions in July linked to newly installed power system: SMRT Singapore 1 in 3 vapes here laced with etomidate; MOH working with MHA to list it as illegal drug: Ong Ye Kung Asia Johor Bahru collision claims lives of e-hailing driver and Singapore passenger Sport Arsenal arrive in Singapore for pre-season matches with AC Milan and Newcastle Business Crypto exchange Tokenize to shut down Singapore operations Singapore More initiatives and support for migrant community announced at Racial Harmony Day event Singapore ComfortDelGro to discipline driver who flung relative's wheelchair out of taxi The petition's author, Ms Eleonore Pattery, who describes herself as 'a future environmental health professional', called the new law a 'scientific, ethical, environmental and public health aberration'. 'It represents a frontal attack on public health, biodiversity, the coherence of climate policies, food security, and common sense,' she said. 'Bee killer' Acetamiprid has been banned in France since 2018, but remains legal within the European Union. The insecticide is particularly sought after by beet and hazelnut growers, who say they have no alternative against pests and face unfair competition. On the other hand, beekeepers have branded the chemical 'a bee killer'. Its effects on humans are also a source of concern but, in the absence of large-scale studies, its risks remain unclear. Deputies applauding the adoption of the so-called 'Duplomb law' at the National Assembly in Paris on July 8. PHOTO: AFP The petition calls for the 'immediate repeal' of the law and a 'citizen-led consultation involving health, agricultural, environmental and legal stakeholders'. Petitions do not in themselves trigger a review or repeal of the legislation but unprecedented public support may prompt renewed parliamentary discussion on the matter. Under French rules, if a petition reaches 500,000 verified signatures, the National Assembly may choose to hold a public debate limited to the content of the petition itself. Speaker Braun-Pivet told the broadcaster franceinfo on July 20 she would be in favour of such a debate, but lawmakers 'could not in any case go back on the law which has been voted through'. In late June, ahead of the law's passage, several thousand demonstrators – including farmers, environmental organisations and scientists – rallied across France calling for the Bill to be withdrawn. AFP

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