WESTERN PERSPECTIVE

Russia launches drone attack on Ukraine capital Kyiv, military says

Russia launched an overnight drone attack on the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv and its surrounding region, the military administration said on Wednesday.

"Air defence systems are being engaged in the region and on the approaches to Kyiv in particular," Serhiy Popko, head of Kyiv's military administration, said on the Telegram messaging app.

Reuters witnesses reported hearing blasts in what sounded like air defence systems engaged in repelling an air attack.

The city and most of Ukraine were under air raid alerts that were issued at around 2000 GMT on Tuesday.

** Ukraine says it destroys more than 30 Russia-launched drones over Kyiv

Ukraine's air defence systems destroyed more than 30 drones over Kyiv that Russia launched overnight, the military administration of the Ukrainian capital said on Wednesday on the Telegram messaging app.

RUSSIAN PERSPECTIVE

Another German-made tank destroyed in Donbass

Russian forces have destroyed another German-made Ukrainian Leopard 2A4 tank, fresh footage that surfaced online on Tuesday shows.

The drone video, reportedly taken near the Ukrainian-controlled Donbass town of Kurakhovo, shows the Leopard 2A4 maneuvering in a wooded strip between two open fields and firing at unseen targets. The tank comes under return fire and tries to evade it, driving further along the wooded area and apparently receiving a hit.

The tank’s crew appears to at least partially abandon the vehicle, but returns, only to drive the vehicle into the open where it sustains several more hits. The ammunition stock in the rear of the tank’s turret is seen catching fire. The blaze spreads into the crew compartment after another hit, with thick white smoke seen billowing from its hatches.

It was not immediately clear whether the crew was present inside the tank when the vehicle caught fire, given their erratic movements before it was destroyed.

The Leopard 2A4 lacked any anti-drone nettings, which are commonly fitted by both sides of the conflict on armored and soft vehicles alike. However, the front and the sides of its turret were apparently kitted with Soviet-era reactive armor bricks, likely Kontakt-1, commonly used by the troops to protect their vehicles.

Over the course of the ongoing conflict, Kiev has received dozens of Leopard 2 tanks from several Western countries that use German-made armor. The Ukrainian military has also been supplied with older Leopard 1A5 tanks, but those have only been seen on the frontline on a handful of occasions.

Leopard 2 tanks saw extensive action last year, when they spearheaded Kiev’s ultimately disastrous counteroffensive push, which resulted in heavy casualties for little gain.

Reuters/RT

As it turns out, consuming just one alcoholic beverage per day — whether it be a pint of beer, a glass of wine or a shot of your favorite spirit — can shorten your lifespan by approximately two-and-a-half months, one expert asserts

Dr. Tim Stockwell, of the Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research, told Daily Mail that those who drink significantly more alcohol than that — about 35 beverages a week — could slash a staggering two years off their lifespan.

It’s a rude awakening for those who might like to unwind with a glass of pinot after a long day, or who frequent happy hours with friends or colleagues.

“Alcohol is our favorite recreational drug. We use it for pleasure and relaxation, and the last thing we want to hear is that it causes any harm,” he said.

“It’s comforting to think that drinking is good for our health, but unfortunately, it’s based on poor science.”

Unfortunately, according to the doc, no amount of alcohol is safe for boozers — and his claims are backed up by science.

Recent research has shown that alcohol consumption could increase the risk of certain health conditions, such as cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, liver disease and more, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

According to the CDC, over 20,000 people succumb to alcohol-related cancers every year in the US, where “moderate” drinking is defined as one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men.

Last year, Ireland became the first country to pass a bill requiring alcohol bottles to be labeled with health warnings, while Canada revised its health guidelines that recommended drinks to avoid consuming more than two drinks per week.

Stockwell’s own research has found a link between alcohol consumption and all-cause mortality, which directly contrasts the widely held belief that just a little bit of booze can be beneficial for health.

While red wine has been long-believed to be good for your heart in moderation, that is not necessarily the case, as some research has found the opposite to be true.

“Being able to drink is a sign you are still healthy, not the cause of being in good health,” Stockwell said.

“There are lots of ways these studies give false results that are misinterpreted to mean alcohol is good for you.”

New York Post

“The difference between a successful person and others is not lack of strength, not lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will.” ― Vince Lombardi

LinkedIn's research reveals that entrepreneurs consistently report the highest levels of job satisfaction among professionals. This study is logically understandable given that entrepreneurs typically venture into businesses aligned with their passions.

While the concept of ditching the corporate ladder and becoming your own boss is undeniably alluring, it's crucial to acknowledge the substantial risks involved. Income is far from guaranteed, traditional employer-sponsored benefits become a thing of the past, and in cases of business losses, your personal assets are at risk. Whether entrepreneurship is primarily a product of innate traits or skills acquired through learning remains a perennial debate. Unlike personality traits and demographic factors, the mastery of entrepreneurial skills necessitates a journey of training, education, and real-world experience in today's competitive market. This, in turn, offers you the competencies to generate innovative ideas and succeed in the business realm.

While you may not possess all of them at the outset, check out six key hard and soft skills that are paramount for starting a successful business. Read along!

Effective communication and listening skills

One of the foremost skills that every entrepreneur must possess is the power of effortless communication. Whether you're a solo entrepreneur or at the helm of a corporate behemoth, your ability to communicate is the sole thread connecting you and all stakeholders and potential partners. An entrepreneur's communication repertoire should encompass interactions with investors, employees, peers, customers, creditors, and mentors. If you can't effectively convey the value and vision of your company, the chances of success become increasingly remote. Communication skills enable individuals to articulate thoughts, ideas, and emotions with clarity through spoken and written words, as well as various other forms of expression. Listening skills, on the other hand, empower you to comprehend, absorb information, and respond thoughtfully. Both these abilities, thereby, form the bedrock of entrepreneurial proficiency, substantially influencing how you manage your business.  Contrary to the common misconception that effective communication is an innate quality, it can also be cultivated and refined. Always remember: You are the biggest champion for your business.

Financial proficiency

Money serves as the lifeblood of any organisation. Ineffectual financial management can lead to depleting your resources prematurely, jeopardising your business's prospects.  Alongside that, a fundamental understanding of how to interpret and construct financial statements, such as the balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement, is imperative. These documents serve not only regulatory and taxation purposes but also function as essential tools for monitoring performance, projecting future financial trajectories, and managing expenditures. As your business progresses, there may be opportunities to delegate certain financial responsibilities, but as an entrepreneur, possessing proficiency in budgeting, financial statement analysis, funding and relevant financial skills is indispensable for effective business management.

Effective time management Time management is far from being a mere "soft skill." When embarking on a new business journey, the initial inclination might be to work around the clock, but this approach isn't sustainable. Billionaires and other prosperous entrepreneurs excel at managing their time, which entails two essential facets: allocating most of their time to the highest-priority tasks and allowing themselves time to recharge. Above all, your time stands as your small business's most invaluable resource. How you harness this resource will significantly influence your business's success.

While time management is essential for all, it’s especially crucial for home-based businesses. When you start your day, plan a clear roadmap for the tasks ahead. This is particularly true for solo entrepreneurs, who often find themselves donning multiple hats throughout the day—handling emails and correspondences, crafting press releases, making sales calls in the afternoon, and concluding the day as a bookkeeper.  It's not about being a superhuman; it's about mastering time management and task prioritisation. Digital marketing proficiency In the contemporary business landscape, digital marketing is an absolute necessity. Regardless of whether you operate a neighbourhood pizza shop, offer plumbing services, or are in the process of building a new app, integrating some form of digital marketing is pivotal for expanding your business beyond a one-person operation. This entails establishing an effective online presence through a well-designed website.  Increasingly, it also involves acquiring basic knowledge of SEO, social media utilisation, and the ability to launch elementary digital marketing campaigns, such as Facebook ads. Therefore, for any business owner, a solid grasp of digital marketing elements such as SEO, social media marketing, and online advertising is indispensable in steering the growth of their enterprise. As your business evolves, you might consider outsourcing certain digital marketing tasks, but even then, having a nuanced understanding of digital marketing is required to track and measure campaign results.  Strategic networking  Your network stands as one of your most valuable assets in the realm of entrepreneurship. Effective networking not only allows you to connect with like-minded professionals but also provides you with the opportunity to assemble your future team and stay abreast of the dynamicity of your industry. Your professional network can encompass a diverse array of individuals, including:  Alumni from educational institutions Former and current co-workers Industry luminaries Friends and family members Professors and teachers Past and present clients Fellow business professionals in the entrepreneurial realm Cultivating a robust network can open doors to an array of business prospects, from potential partnership deals and subcontractor relationships to identifying future employees. It broadens the scope of your public relations efforts, enabling you to convey the right message across all fronts. Another effective method for widening your network is by participating in networking events within your locality or industry. These gatherings bring together learners from around the world, providing a platform for networking, engagement, and learning from distinguished leaders. LinkedIn can also facilitate valuable connections. Don't hesitate to initiate contact by sending a personalised invitation to establish rapport with a new connection.  Strategic business management While a successful entrepreneur is often defined by their thriving company, the art of business strategy is sometimes overlooked. It’s akin to the monumental magnificence of the Taj Mahal; everybody is bewitched by its beauty but none talks about the pain involved in building it. Effective entrepreneurs may initially rely on their exceptional communication, sales acumen, unwavering focus, and hunger for learning to navigate their businesses. When it comes to structuring and advancing a business, a robust business strategy is paramount. While some entrepreneurs have the luxury of hiring a planner for all the administrative tasks, the reality for most is different.  Entrepreneurship hinges on the unwavering determination and resilience to navigate through the most testing of circumstances. Nonetheless, they alone cannot propel you towards your goals without a well-rounded skill set. 

Yourstory.com

The International Police Organisation (INTERPOL), on Monday, revealed that “hundreds of thousands of dollars” are being laundered out of Nigeria to other African countries and across the world every hour.

The organisation also said money laundering across Africa and the entire world has assumed a monstrous dimension, adding that it would require a concerted efforts of every security agency in Nigeria and other countries to address.

Garba Baba Umar, the INTERPOL Vice President for Africa, revealed this at EFCC Academy, Abuja when he declared a four-day workshop for Nigerian law enforcement agencies open.

The INTERPOL official, however, said the organisation has launched what he described as “Silver Notices Against Money Laundering”, saying it is in a bid to frontally tackle the scourge of money laundering and illicit financial flows across the world, especially Africa.

“Evidence has shown that every hour, hundreds of thousands of dollars are flowing out of Nigeria to the region and across the world, laundered before it reaches the pockets of criminals to enjoy the profits of their crimes, while the hardworking and honest Nigerians pay the price of crime.

“With every successful laundering of criminal money, our country becomes more prone to crime. More drugs, more fraud, more corruption and more violence. Every time criminal money is successfully laundered, our financial institutions take an additional blow…” Umar said.

He stressed that hard times await money launderers as the Initiative “Silver Notices” would make illicit funds more difficult to launder in any part of the world.

Speaking on the theme of the workshop: “Strengthening Capacity and Coordination against Financial Crimes” Umar noted that financial crimes had become transnational and law enforcement agencies needed regular training for their workforce to be ahead of fraudsters.

He said, “In essence, this Workshop will give us the opportunity to re-examine the challenges of fighting transnational crimes in the country, reassess our strategies, and reaffirm our determination and unity as a country to provide security to our citizens and by extension the global community.”

On his part, the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, harped on the need for enhanced collaboration in tackling financial crimes.

Olukoyede, who spoke through the Director, Fraud Risk Assessment and Control of the EFCC, Francis Usani, said the complex nature of corruption across the world could only be broken by the might of collaborative actions by every stakeholder.

“The daunting nature of the fight against corruption in Nigeria and the world at large deserve serious collaboration among organizations saddled with the responsibility of fighting corruption”, he said.

In his remark, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Nigeria, Mr Kazuyoshi Matsunaga, described the workshop as an important joint initiative between Japan and Nigeria to combat financial crimes.

He explained that in the contemporary globalized world, financial crimes transcended borders and required international cooperation among law enforcement agencies to combat them.

Similarly, the Director-General of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, Hafsat Bakare, spoke about the imperative of strengthening capacity and coordination against financial crimes, pointing out that “financial intelligence and financial analysis techniques are key to tackling economic crimes.”

The NFIU, she said, was sensitive to the interconnected nature of the criminal justice system, the threat of organized crime and cybercrimes being fought by law enforcement agencies.

Daily Trust

The federal executive council (FEC) has approved a proposal by President Bola Tinubu directing the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited to sell crude oil to Dangote Petroleum Refinery and other refineries in naira.

In a statement on X, Bayo Onanuga, special adviser on information and strategy to the president, said the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and other settlement banks in Nigeria will facilitate the trade between Dangote and NNPC.

FEC approved the proposal on Monday during a meeting presided over by Tinubu.

“To ensure the stability of the pump price of refined fuel and the dollar-Naira exchange rate, the Federal Executive Council today adopted a proposal by Tinubu to sell crude to Dangote Refinery and other upcoming refineries in Naira,” Onanuga said.

“Dangote Refinery at the moment requires 15 cargoes of crude, at a cost of $13.5 billion yearly. NNPC has committed to supply four.

“But the FEC has approved that the 450,000 barrels meant for domestic consumption be offered in Naira to Nigerian refineries, using the Dangote refinery as pilot. The exchange rate will be fixed for the duration of this transaction.”

Onanuga said the intervention will eliminate the need for an international letter of credit, further saving the country of dollar payments.

Zacch Adedeji, executive chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), said the sale of byproducts from Dangote refinery to distributors will also be conducted in naira.

“And what does it mean to our economy? One, the pressure on foreign exchange will be reduced,” Adedeji said.

He said as of Monday, Nigeria spends between 30 percent to 40 percent of foreign exchange on the importation of petrol consumed by the country.

According to Adedeji, “monthly, we spend roughly $660 million in this exercise and if you analyse that will give us $7.92 billion annually”.

“With this approval today through FEC led by Mr President, this has reduced by minimum of 90 percent. Because what we have today, the transaction will now be down in our local currency not only to Dangote Refinery but to all local refineries for all our local consumption and this will actually stabilise the pump price,” he said.

‘TRADE IN NAIRA WILL REDUCE USE OF FX ON PETROL’

Adedeji said with the new approval, the foreign exchange spent on petrol will be reduced to a maximum of $50 million per month, rounding up to $600 million annually.

“This is total reduction of 94 percent and saving us $7.32 billion,” Adedeji said.

“This will also reduce finance costs, which today stands at $79 million. When you consider opening letter of credit between those local refineries and what happens.

“And also, council has approved the settling bank to be Afriximbank. It will be the lead arranger between NNPC and Dangote Refinery.

“So, this is a major innovation in solving Nigeria’s problem permanently. Not only will will have more employment but we will definitely be in charge of one of our main stay of our economy.

“So I congratulate the council members, Mr. President, and also congratulate the operator, the NNPC and Dangote refinery and also the lead arranger, Afriximbank because kudos should go to the President of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), Benedict Oramah, for Aramco for these initiatives, because these are people that work behind the scenes to make sure that what we witnessed today, happened.”

The approval for Dangote refinery and NNPC to trade in naira followed the dispute between the refiner, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).

On June 4, Aliko Dangote, the founder of Dangote Group, said some international oil companies (IOCs) were struggling to supply crude to his refinery.

Speaking on Arise TV on July 15, Gbenga Komolafe, chief executive officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) described the claim as “erroneous” as the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) has provisions that guide willing buyer-willing seller transactions.

On July 17, the management of Dangote Industries Limited (DIL) insistedthat IOCs are frustrating its request to purchase crude feedstock for the refinery.

Also, Farouk Ahmed, chief executive officer (CEO) of NMDPRA, on July 18, said local refineries, including the Dangote refinery, produce inferior products compared to the ones imported into the country.

Dangote denied the allegation by testing diesel from his refinery on July 20 when federal lawmakers visited the plant.

The billionaire also called for a probe into the allegations made by the NMDPRA.

On July 22, the lawmakers launched investigations into Ahmed’s claim.

They said allegations that the IOCs in Nigeria are frustrating the survival of the Dangote refinery will also be probed.

On the same day, Heineken Lokpobiri, minister of state petroleum resources (oil), held a meeting with Dangote, Ahmed, Gbenga Komolafe, CEO of NUPRC, and Mele Kyari, group CEO of NNPC, to resolve the dispute.

A day after, the house of representatives asked the federal government to suspend Ahmed over “unguarded comments”.

The Cable

The recent revelation that Nigeria's oil sector received zero foreign investment in the first quarter of 2024 is a stark reminder of the deep-rooted issues plaguing the country's most crucial economic sector. This alarming development, as reported by the National Bureau of Statistics, is not an isolated incident but rather the culmination of years of decline in foreign capital inflow to the industry.

The oil sector's fall from grace is nothing short of catastrophic. From attracting $720 million in foreign investments in 2016, the industry has witnessed a precipitous decline, managing to secure a mere $3.64 million in the entire year of 2023. This downward spiral has now hit rock bottom with the sector failing to attract any foreign capital in Q1 2024, even as other sectors like banking and manufacturing continue to draw significant investments.

Several factors contribute to this dire situation. Rampant oil theft in production areas has eroded investor confidence, while pervasive insecurity in these regions further compounds the problem. The insatiable demands of local communities for material gratification, particularly in onshore blocks, have created an unsustainable operating environment for potential investors.

The implications of this investment drought are far-reaching and potentially devastating for Nigeria's economy. The country is likely to continue falling short of its projected oil production targets and OPEC+ quota, further weakening its position in the global oil market. Local refineries, already struggling, will face even greater challenges in securing adequate feedstock. Perhaps most alarmingly, the value of the Naira is set to face continued pressure, given that crude oil sales provide the bulk of Nigeria's foreign exchange earnings.

The implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), which was meant to be a game-changer, has so far failed to live up to expectations. As one expert pointed out, the flawed implementation of the PIA under the previous administration and the current government's failure to address these shortcomings have perpetuated a "business as usual" perception among potential investors.

To reverse this alarming trend, Nigeria must take decisive action. The government needs to reassess its approach to implementing the PIA, ensuring that it truly creates the incentives it was designed to provide. There must be a clear separation of roles between the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), regulators, and policymakers to instill confidence in the sector's governance.

Furthermore, addressing the security challenges in oil-producing regions and finding sustainable solutions to community relations issues are paramount. The government must also intensify efforts to combat oil theft, which NNPC Group Chief Executive Officer Mele Kyari has repeatedly cited as a major deterrent to investment.

The clock is ticking for Nigeria's oil sector. Without swift and decisive action to address these fundamental issues, the country risks further economic instability and missed opportunities in a world increasingly looking towards sustainable energy solutions. The time for half-measures and business as usual is over. Nigeria must act now to revitalize its oil sector and secure its economic future.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

The Nigerian Communications Commission on Monday directed telecommunication companies to immediately restore all the telephone lines of subscribers that were blocked after thousands of customers stormed the offices of the firms in protest.

Subscribers whose telephone lines were blocked due to the non-linkage of their National Identification Numbers to SIM cards besieged the offices of the companies less than 24 hours after the incident.

An impeccable source told our correspondent that the affected telephone lines from different mobile operators in the country were estimated to be around three million.

“It might be a bit difficult to say the exact number because it’s not just from one mobile operator. The number is fairly large from across the board. It is estimated to be about three million lines,” the source who pleaded for anonymity, due to lack of authorisation to speak on the matter, said.

The NCC, in a statement issued on Monday by the Director of Media and Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka, explained that the directive to restore the blocked telephone lines was in response to the widespread disruption and subscriber outrage caused by the blockages.

On Sunday, many subscribers found themselves unable to access their phone lines after failing to verify their NINs with SIMs, leading to their numbers being blocked in compliance with NIN-SIM linkage regulations.

The disconnection of the telephone lines coincided with the anticipated August 1 nationwide protests, raising concerns among citizens about a potential communication disruption.

However, the industry regulator and the telcos rebuked the insinuation, stating that the disconnection was in line with the data harmonisation exercise.

The NCC said, “The consumer is our priority; therefore, considering the challenges the blockages have caused, the commission has directed all operators to reactivate all lines that were disconnected over the weekend, because of the short time available for consumers to undertake the verification of their NINs with their SIMs.”

It clarified that the affected consumers should note that this reactivation was for a limited period to allow them to properly link their NINs to their SIMs.

The commission urged all subscribers who had not yet verified their SIMs to do so promptly to maintain access to their services.

The mandatory linkage of NINs with SIMs, initiated in December 2020, was geared towards enhancing the country’s security and ensuring an accurate SIM ownership database. Despite several deadline extensions, including the latest to July 31, 2024, many lines remain unverified.

Since December 2023, the commission has reviewed the deadline multiple times. Initially, April 15, 2024, was set as the deadline for the full barring of subscribers with four or fewer SIMs that had unverified NIN details.

This deadline was extended to July 31, 2024, to give consumers more time to ensure their submitted NIN details were properly verified. Despite these extensions, many phone lines are yet to be linked with verified NINs.

In its earnings report for the year ending December 31, 2023, MTN Nigeria disclosed that it disconnected 4.2 million lines after the February 28 deadline for linking SIMs with NINs expired.

MTN stated, “We also had approximately 4.2 million lines disconnected for which the subscribers did not submit their NIN. Several of these lines were low-value subscribers, minimising the revenue impact.”

Airtel Nigeria, the second-largest telecom operator, reported in May that 5.7 million of its subscribers had yet to link their SIMs to NINs.

In its financial report for the quarter ending March 2024, Airtel said it was working with affected customers to ensure smooth verification.

The operator, part of Bharti Airtel, mentioned that it complied with government directives, barring customers without NINs and those with more than four active SIMs, with minimal revenue impact. Since December 2023, Airtel has verified 7.9 million customers’ NINs.

Information on the number of subscribers barred by indigenous operators Globacom and 9mobile is currently not available, as these companies are not listed on the stock exchange and do not publicly disclose such details.

NATCOMS, MTN react

Videos and pictures on social media, including Facebook and X show long queues of customers who crowded MTN offices, with many subscribers lamenting and protesting against the telcos.

A senior official at MTN, who was not authorised to speak publicly on the matter, told The PUNCH that the firm had increased the number of staff to ensure that subscribers were properly served.

He said the disconnection was in line with the Nigerian Communications Commission’s directive to bar lines not linked to NIN.

“We have introduced a self-service option that allows customers to link their NIN without necessarily visiting our offices,” the official said.

On his part, the President of the National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers, Adeolu Ogunbanjo, told our correspondent that many subscribers had refused to adhere to instructions to link their SIMs with NIN.

He said the disconnection should have happened years ago, but the association had approached the NCC for an extension, which was subsequently granted.

Meanwhile, the Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria clarified that the disconnection was not related to the planned August 1 protest.

“Customers who had their lines blocked recently are those whose service providers found a mismatch between their records on both databases. We advise such customers to contact their service providers through communicated channels for resolution of the issue,” the group explained in a statement.

Punch

Hamas, Israel trade blame for not reaching Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal

Israel and the Islamist group Hamas traded blame on Monday over the lack of progress in reaching a ceasefire and hostage release deal in the Gaza Strip despite international mediation.

Hamas accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of adding new conditions and demands to a U.S.-backed truce proposal, after the latest talks conducted through mediators.

Netanyahu, however, denied making any alterations and said Hamas was the one insisting on numerous changes to the original proposal.

The Iran-backed Palestinian Islamist group said it had received the latest response from Israel, following talks in Rome involving Israel, the United States, Egypt and Qatar.

"It is clear from what the mediators conveyed that Netanyahu has returned to his strategy of procrastination, evasion, and avoiding reaching an agreement by setting new conditions and demands," Hamas said in a statement on Monday.

It accused Netanyahu of retreating from a proposal previously presented by mediators, which it said had already been based on an "Israeli paper".

Netanyahu's office said in response that it was Hamas leadership that was preventing a deal by demanding 29 changes to the proposal.

"Israel is sticking by its principles according to the original proposal - a maximum number of hostages (to be freed) who are still alive, Israeli control of the Philadelphi Corridor (along the Gaza-Egypt border), and preventing the movement of terrorists and weapons to the northern Gaza Strip," it said.

Senior Hamas political official Izzat El-Reshiq later on Monday denied his group had made any new conditions, accusing Netanyahu of stalling.

"The mediators are aware that Hamas showed flexbility and positiveness and paved the path to reaching an agreement and bypassed Israeli obstacles," Reshiq said.

Another Hamas official told Hamas Al-Aqsa television that Netanyahu had raised new "impossible" conditions over the return of displaced Palestinians to their homes, had refused to withdraw from the Rafah crossing and the border line with Egypt, and had rejected freeing long-serving Palestinian prisoners.

Washington, which sponsors the talks, has repeatedly said a deal is close. The latest talks are over a proposal President Joe Biden unveiled in May.

Hamas wants a ceasefire agreement to end the war in Gaza, while Netanyahu says the conflict will stop only once Hamas is defeated. There are also disagreements over how a deal would be implemented.

Mediators Qatar and Egypt, backed by the U.S., have repeatedly said doors to more negotiations remain open, with both Israel and Hamas voicing readiness to pursue them.

Reuters

WESTERN PERSPECTIVE

Ukrainian troops say Russia has driven them out of 2 more eastern Donetsk villages

Russian forces have overrun two front-line villages in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region, a Ukrainian army sergeant said Monday, after relentless assaults that are part of a Kremlin summer push to overwhelm battlefield defenses there.

Separately, attacks in Russia’s Kursk region by the Security Service of Ukraine, also known as the SBU, struck a number of substations causing power outages, according to a statement from the General Staff of Ukraine. The claim of responsibility came after Russia said it thwarted a nighttime Ukrainian drone attack.

“They pressed non-stop” to capture Vovche and Prohres, the chief sergeant of Ukraine’s 47th Separate Mechanized Brigade, Oleh Chaus, told Radio Svaboda. “They sent in a large number of troops, which had not previously been used.”

Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed in recent days that it had taken control of the villages, but the Ukrainian General Staff made no official comment.

The villages lie about 30 kilometers (20 miles) northwest of Avdiivka, a Donetsk city that the Russian army seized in February after a long battle. That victory was the Kremlin’s last major triumph in the war that is now in its third year.

Russia’s onslaught, fueled by its heavy advantage in soldiers and weaponry, has repeatedly forced the Ukrainians to pull back from defensive positions to avoid being captured or killed.

Oleksandr Shyrshyn, the 47th brigade’s deputy battalion commander, confirmed to local media that the villages had been taken. He blamed poor training of troops, low abilities of officers, motivation and inadequate weapons for the setbacks.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy late Sunday described the situation in the Donetsk region as “extremely challenging.”

Russia’s strategy of attritional warfare, with powerful glide bombs smashing Ukrainian defenses before infantry move in, has brought incremental gains for the Kremlin as it seeks another big breakthrough.

Ukraine is significantly outgunned by Russia’s bigger army on the roughly 1,000-kilometer (600-mile) front line.

Russian troops are also intensifying their weekslong drive to breach Ukrainian defenses around Pokrovsk, a town of around 60,000 people before the war, the Ukrainian General Staff said Monday.

Russia launched 52 attacks there over the previous 24 hours — almost twice the daily number in recent weeks, it said.

Meanwhile, Russian air defenses thwarted a nighttime barrage of 39 Ukrainian drones over five of the country’s regions, Russian authorities said Monday. Ukraine claimed its forces carried out strikes in the Kursk region.

Russia’s air defense were active and explosions were reported near at least four substations, the statement from Ukraine’s General Staff said. After the attack, power outages were reported in the Ponyrovsky, Solntsevsky and Kursky districtions of Kursk region, according to the statement.

The attacks were carried out by the Security Service of Ukraine’s Special Operations Center, as well as other components of the Defense Forces.

“These facilities, among other things, ensure the functioning of the Russian railway, which transports weapons and military equipment to support its occupation army,” the statement said.

Russia’s Defense Ministry said the drones were “intercepted and destroyed” in regions bordering Ukraine as well as in the Leningrad region roughly 700 kilometers (430 miles) north of the Ukrainian border. A power plant, a bridge and a power line were damaged by drone debris, it said.

Ukraine has employed high technology in its campaign of increasingly ambitious drone strikes deep inside Russia that target critical infrastructure in an attempt to make the war more costly for Moscow and hinder its war machine.

RUSSIAN PERSPECTIVE

US raises Ukraine conflict in talks with India

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar have discussed the Ukraine conflict on the sidelines of a summit in Japan, according to a statement from Washington.

The US official met with his Indian counterpart at a gathering of the so-called ‘Quad’ nations – Australia, India, Japan and the US – in Tokyo on Sunday. During the discussion, Blinken “underscored the importance of realizing a just and enduring peace for Ukraine consistent with the UN Charter,” the State Department said.

The meeting came ahead of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s proposed visit to Ukraine later this month, the details of which are currently being finalized, according to an official cited by The Hindu newspaper.

The trip is seen as an attempt to balance New Delhi’s ties with the West, which was reportedly frustrated by Modi’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow earlier this month. Russia was chosen as Modi’s first bilateral visit after he assumed office for a third term.

AP/RT

Word about town is that gossips are more trusted to help organise social events but less likely to be consulted for their ethics. By “word”, I mean “a workplace study from the University of Leeds business school”, and “about town” means “reported in the Times”.

Gossips unethical? For shame! The insights of this particular study I shall personally table for moral judgment at the next convergence of my neighbourhood girl gang. Gossip, friends, is both a moral mission and our pleasure on the fortnightly-or-so mornings we – 30s to 50s, a rainbow of sexualities and various household compositions – convene at the local cafe, eat toast and information-share.

We mostly drink coffee, but, baby, we spill tea. One of the many benefits of living in a small country town is that the human characters of the social narrative are visible on a near-daily basis. Physical encounters at the chemist, the supermarket, the early-morning pilates class form nodes of an information network more powerful than any digital communication that will ever be invented.

Shakespeare personifies Rumour as a character in Henry IV Part II, “painted full of tongues”, bitterly insisting that “rumour is a pipe, blown by surmises, jealousies, conjectures”. This negative characterisation informs the conclusions of the Leeds university workplace gossip study, where study participants rated gossipers as “less moral and competent” even though the researchers themselves could demonstrate that gossip was the “hallmark of a well-connected individual with an extensive social network”. Anyone arguing that gossipers are incompetent is failing to grasp the investigative skills obliged of the role; a gossip’s reputation only endures for as long as their gossip proves true.

Lest the demonising persist – in the workplace or beyond it – Rumour is warmly invited to spend some time in my cold corner of regional Victoria, southeastern Australia, where gossip has a significant community role to play in social and economic wellbeing, which is why everyone participates in it.

Apocryphal folklore remembers the comeuppance of a dastardly tradesperson when it was observed he was merely parking his van outside clients’ homes while the bulk of his billable hours were spent at his mistress’s house. The relentless scrutiny of close proximity means the businesses of “good people” thrive, and shysters and hypocrites are quickly exposed. On another occasion, a set of precious keys I managed to leave on an intercity train were returned to my home within a day, despite a) being unlabelled and b) me not even realising I had lost them. How could anyone have known they were mine? I can only conclude that I’d been gossiped about.

The workplace, of course, is a society similar to a small town. The Leeds university study’s researchers explain that gossip helps facilitate workplace culture, informing individuals of how to navigate organisational relationships and avoid threats. Connectedness overcomes the isolation that perpetrators rely on to conceal abuse: inquiries into scandals in Britain’s NHS have stated openly that gossip saves lives. In any community, gossipers identify who may be in need of help and consideration but is too shy, too embarrassed – or too vulnerable – to request any. In my town, somehow groceries appear for those going through tough times, anonymous flowers turn up for the heartbroken – and the baker always seems to have “spare doughnuts” since my husband has been unwell.

Is it the fear of losing control of one’s reputation to others that stigmatises gossip? Gossip weaponised to tread on personal sensitivity and harm a reputation was something I bore tearfully at age 11, sobbing to my mother when one of my Year 5 colleagues denounced me as “a flirt”. “If they aren’t talking about you, then you aren’t very interesting,” was superb – if blunt – maternal training in the art of not taking oneself too seriously. It was also fine preparation for life on the internet, where parades of unadmitted ex-friends, rejected dates and former partners can anonymously spread both real gossip and unadulterated nonsense about me, you, and anyone else, all of the time. Why be afraid? Being seen means you get your keys back, while the power move is to embrace the identity your enemies create for you; flirt your little self sick.

Malign or benevolent, gossip’s just broadcasting in its oldest, verbal form. It doesn’t require literacy, priestly interpretation, printing presses, radio towers or a $44bn website, so it’s historically the chosen medium of women, who had no access to these other things. “Gossip” comes from “godsibb”, pertaining roughly to a gathering of godmothers.

But stigmatisation and marginalisation and gendering does not dilute the transformative effect gossip may have on the lives of individuals or the fate of a community. Therein lies the real cause of gossip’s ongoing demonisation – the unbearable reminder, to everyone, that shared information has a power even the powerful can’t control.

The Guardian, UK