TOP GENERAL'S DISMISSAL REVEALS NEW CRACK IN RUSSIAN MILITARY LEADERSHIP

Russian Major General Ivan Popov, commander of the 58th army in southern Ukraine, has been dismissed after speaking out about the challenges faced by his troops. Popov highlighted issues such as the shortage of radars tracking enemy artillery, which led to significant casualties. The military leadership perceived his frank talk as a threat and swiftly ordered his removal. Popov's dismissal has drawn criticism from military bloggers and politicians who support his leadership style. They argue that his removal erodes troop morale at a time of relentless Ukrainian attacks. Pro-Kremlin figures, including Andrei Turchak and Andrei Kartapolov, expressed support for Popov and called for the Defense Ministry to address the raised issues. Popov's remarks about the need to rotate exhausted troops angered General Staff chief General Valery Gerasimov, who dismissed him. The dismissal follows the death of another senior officer, Lieutenant General Oleg Tsokov, in a Ukrainian missile strike. Popov's statement, which echoes criticism by mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, is seen by some as a call for intervention by President Vladimir Putin rather than a rebellion. The public disputes within the Russian army are viewed as a sign of internal tensions rather than a show of force.

FDA APPROVES FIRST OVER-THE-COUNTER HORMONAL BIRTH CONTROL PILL

The Food and Drug Administration approved the oral contraceptive Opill on Thursday morning for over-the-counter sales. It is the first hormonal contraceptive pill in the United States that does not require a prescription.

Dr. Wes Stubblefield with the Alabama Department of Public Health said Opill will give women without health insurance or access to a doctor a way to easily get their hands on birth control.

He said the main difference between Opill and your typical prescription birth control pill is that it only contains one hormone, progestin. It’s also slightly less effective, sitting at 93% effective compared to 99% for a prescription.

The contraceptive is expected to hit shelves in 2024. A price has not been released yet but Dr. Reidy estimated that it will not cost any more than $25.

ONE GEN ABSENT & 2 OTHERS KILLED: MORE SETBACKS IN RUSSIAN RANKS

In recent days, the Russian military has experienced significant turmoil. One commander is missing following a mutiny, another was killed in a Ukrainian airstrike, and a former commander was assassinated while jogging. The instability stems from a previous insurrection by Wagner mercenaries. The fate of General Sergei Surovikin, the former top commander in Ukraine, remains a mystery. Lt Gen. Oleg Tsokov was killed in a missile strike on Berdiansk, dealing a blow to the top military ranks. Additionally, a Ukrainian man was arrested for the murder of Capt. 2nd Rank Stanislav Rzhitsky in Krasnodar.

PAK RECEIVES FIRST TRANCHE OF $1.2BN FROM IMF, PART OF ITS $3BN BAILOUT

Islamabad : The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has handed out Pakistan $1. 2 billion to help the cash-starved nation avoid debt defaults, finance minister Ishaq Dar said Thursday.

The funds were transferred to the account of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the country’s central bank, Dar told a news conference here. The announcement came a day after the global financial institution cleared a $3-billion loan deal for Pakistan under a nine-month programme, which came after eight months of tough negotiations over fiscal discipline.

After the IMF executive board approved the “standby” loan agreement, it was decided that $1. 2 billion would be given upfront and the “balance” $1. 8 billion after reviews in November and February next year, he said. “This (programme) has been limited to nine months so that whichever government comes to power after elections, can make its own decisions. ”

Dar expressed hope that the release of $1. 2 billion would shore up Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves, which shrank to less than $4 billion in recent months, fuelling fears about debt repayment defaults.

In the days before the IMF deal was approved, Dar said Pakistan had received $3 billion in deposits from Saudi Arabia ($2 billion) and the United Arab Emirates ($1 billion). Dar claimed a $4. 2 billion jump in the SBP’s forex reserves this week and a surge to “$13-14 billion by tomorrow (Friday)”.

VISA FEES, HEALTH SURCHARGE TO RISE TO MEET WAGE INCREASE: SUNAK

London : The UK's visa applicants, including Indians, will face a significant increase in fees and health surcharge paid towards the National Health Service (NHS) to meet the public sector wage rise, according to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. The hike, ranging from 5% to 7% across the board, aims to avoid raising taxes or increasing borrowing. Sunak stated that the funds will come from increased charges for migrants applying for visas and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) paid to access the NHS. Additionally, government departments will be asked to reprioritize to meet the higher wage bill. The move comes in response to pressure to address pay for public sector workers, such as teachers, police, and junior doctors.

THAI PROGRESSIVE LEADER LOSES PM BID IN PARLIAMENT DESPITE POLL WIN

Bangkok : Thailand’s Pita Limjaroenrat failed on Thursday in his initial bid to become Thailand’s next PM, after he was thwarted in a high-stakes parliamentary vote that included a host of no-shows and nearly 200 abstentions. The leader of election winners Move Forward was unopposed in the contest but struggled to muster the required support of more than half of 749-member the bicameral parliament, despite the backing of his eight-party alliance. Another vote is expected to be held next week. The progressive Move Forward party and its alliance partner, Pheu Thai, thrashed conservative pro-military parties in the May polls, seen widely as a resounding rejection of nearly a decade of government led or backed by the royalist military.

CHATGPT CO FACES FTC PROBE OVER TECH HARMS

Washington : The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has initiated an investigation into OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, over concerns about data collection, dissemination of false information, and security practices. In a letter sent to OpenAI, the FTC posed several questions regarding the training of AI models and the handling of personal data. This investigation marks the first significant regulatory challenge for OpenAI. While the technology behind ChatGPT has garnered attention for its capabilities, it has also raised concerns due to its ability to generate false or misleading information, a phenomenon referred to as "hallucination." OpenAI's co-founder, Sam Altman, previously expressed support for AI legislation and oversight. OpenAI has not yet responded to the FTC's request for comment.

GERMANY ISSUES ITS FIRST CHINA STRATEGY TO CHECK ‘ASSERTIVE’ BEIJING

Berlin : Germany on Thursday published its first and long-awaited China strategy which was unflinching in its appraisal of Beijing’s increasing assertiveness but vague on policy measures to reduce critical dependencies.

The 64-page document comes amid a broader push in the West to reduce strategic dependence on China — which policymakers have labelled “de-risking” — amid concerns about Beijing increasingly seeking to assert its hegemony in the Indo-Pacific and broader possible supply chain disruptions.

Germany though has at times been seen as a weak link in the Western approach to China given its strong business ties with Asia’s rising superpower which became the country’s single biggest trade partner in 2016. German companies and industry associations welcomed the strategy that did not lay out any binding targets or requirements.

SEVERED FINGERTIP FOUND IN LETTER SENT TO MACRON

French prosecutors said Thursday they had opened an investigation after the discovery of a severed fingertip in a letter addressed to the presidential palace. The gruesome find was reported by staff working for President Emmanuel Macron at the beginning of the week, with police called in to investigate,according to the Valeurs Actuelles magazine which first reported the story. The fingertip is believed to belong to the sender of the letter who suffers from psychiatric problems, a source said. Between 1,000-1,500 emails and letters are addressed to Macron each day and they are monitored and scanned by a 70-strong team working from offices away from the main Elysee Palace in central Paris. Macron is known to monitor them as an insight into public opinion and occasionally responds with hand-written messages. His office declined to comment.

EXCESSIVE HEAT SCORCHES MILLIONS ACROSS US SOUTHWEST

A severe heatwave is scorching the southwestern parts of the US, with Arizona bracing for record-breaking temperatures. Over 115 million people are under heat warnings, as Phoenix has already experienced 13 days of temperatures exceeding 43C (110F) and is expected to surpass its previous 18-day record next week. Several other cities are also forecasted to reach temperatures above 100F (38C). The National Weather Service issued warnings for states including Nevada, Oklahoma, Texas, and California, anticipating oppressive heat of up to 115F (46C) in certain areas of the Southern Plains. Overnight temperatures are expected to remain unseasonably warm, providing little relief. Authorities are urging caution, advising people to limit outdoor activities during peak sun hours, stay hydrated, and avoid leaving pets or children in locked vehicles. Heat-related deaths in the US average around 700 per year. Las Vegas is projected to reach its all-time high temperature record on Sunday, while El Paso, Texas, has already surpassed its previous record for consecutive days of extreme heat.

GOOGLE LAUNCHES CHATGPT RIVAL BARD IN EU AND OTHER NATIONS

PARIS: Google launched its AI chatbot Bard in the European Union, Brazil and several more nations on Thursday, entering a key market in its race against Microsoft-backed ChatGPT after a delay over data privacy concerns. The company said it would take steps to protect people’s privacy and data as it broadens access to Bard.

HOLLYWOOD ACTORS ANNOUNCE START OF HISTORIC STRIKE

Hollywood actors will join screenwriters in a strike for fairer profits and better working conditions. The Screen Actors Guild (SAG) announced that 160,000 performers will stop work, causing a major shutdown of US film and TV productions. The strike comes as the SAG demands a fairer split of profits from streaming giants and a guarantee that artificial intelligence (AI) and computer-generated faces and voices will not replace actors. Picketing will begin outside the headquarters of Netflix, Paramount, Warner Bros, and Disney. The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), representing the studios, criticized the strike, stating that it will cause financial hardship for industry workers. The AMPTP offered a proposal to address concerns about AI use, but the SAG rejected it as unacceptable. The SAG also demands greater base pay and residuals for actors from streaming services. The strike marks the industry's largest shutdown in over 60 years.