Ukrainians have come to realize that they can no longer count on American democracy to save them.
This shift in perspective reflects a growing sense of uncertainty and the changing dynamics of international support. As the situation evolves, it is clear that relying solely on external democratic powers may no longer be a viable strategy for Ukraine’s future.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/23/opinion/ukraine-israel-russia-gaza-trump-america.html
MANILA, Philippines — Iran continued to emerge as the comeback kings of the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship after pulling off another thrilling victory.
In the round of 16 match held Tuesday night at the Mall of Asia Arena, Iran overcame Serbia in a hard-fought battle, winning 23-25, 25-19, 24-26, 25-22, 15-9.
Key players Ali Hajipour and Morteza Sharifi powered Team Melli to secure the impressive comeback win and advance further in the tournament.
https://sports.inquirer.net/641428/fivb-mens-world-iran-rallies-past-serbia-to-reach-quarterfinals
A farmer has been ordered to pay over €9,300 in penalties for the destruction of 10 acres of an “extremely rare and unique” limestone pavement habitat within a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) on the periphery of the Burren in Co Clare.
At Ennis District Court on Tuesday, Judge Adrian Harris recorded a conviction against Galway farmer Martin Feeney, stating that 10 acres of limestone habitat were destroyed as a result of his actions.
Mr. Feeney, of Mincloon, Rahoon, Galway, pleaded guilty to two offences related to the adverse impact on the limestone pavement. Judge Harris imposed fines totaling €3,000 and costs of €6,307.
Helen Carty, Regional Manager with the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), told the court that 4.3 hectares (10.6 acres) of limestone pavement had been impacted by reclamation works for agriculture carried out by Mr. Feeney between March and August 2022.
Ms. Carty emphasized that limestone pavement is an “extremely rare and unique habitat,” listed as a priority habitat under the Habitats Directive due to its risk of disappearance. She noted that any loss of priority habitat is significant.
The affected lands are located within the Moyree River system SAC, one of five SACs in the Burren, situated on its periphery.
According to Ms. Carty, Mr. Feeney undertook reclamation works by removing limestone pavement blocks and infilling the area with material sourced from a nearby drumlin on the lands. The area was then re-seeded for approved agricultural grassland.
The works involved leveling infill material over the limestone pavement habitat. Additionally, Ms. Carty stated that a wall was constructed from very large limestone boulders, likely sourced from the SAC in the vicinity.
To assess the damage, Ms. Carty conducted a helicopter survey of the area, providing before-and-after satellite images as evidence in court.
She also detailed a January 2024 site visit to Mr. Feeney’s farmyard, which required assistance from two gardai due to Mr. Feeney’s uncooperative behavior.
Counsel for Mr. Feeney, Evan O’Donnell BL, acknowledged the State’s evidence and confirmed that his client accepts responsibility for his actions. Mr. O’Donnell requested that no conviction be imposed, highlighting that Mr. Feeney has farmed the lands since the late 1980s.
He also noted that Mr. Feeney was previously subject to a prosecution by the NPWS in 2008, which was later withdrawn. Mr. Feeney believed that the reclamation works he carried out were lawful and that they were not impacting limestone pavement.
Mr. O’Donnell mentioned that substantial areas of limestone pavement on Mr. Feeney’s landholding remain untouched.
Furthermore, he revealed that Mr. Feeney was recently hospitalized, including a period in intensive care, after being struck by a cow.
Mr. O’Donnell added that Mr. Feeney is retiring from farming, with his daughter set to take over the farming activities. He expressed that Mr. Feeney is eager to resolve the matter and is willing to make a charitable contribution in lieu of a conviction.
Representing the State, Thomas Wallace O’Donnell BL, instructed by the State Solicitor for Clare, Aisling Casey, emphasized the importance of a conviction being recorded in this case.
Mr. Feeney pleaded guilty to carrying out works on the lands between March 26th, 2022, and August 10th, 2022, within a SAC without the consent of the Minister. He also pleaded guilty to bringing plant machinery onto a SAC, adversely impacting its integrity.
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*This case highlights the serious consequences of damaging protected habitats and serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to environmental regulations.*
https://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/judge-fines-galway-farmer-over-e9300-for-destruction-of-rare-limestone-pavement-1810114.html
**You Can Now Buy Prepaid Passes for Your Uber Rides**
*By Dwaipayan Roy | Sep 23, 2025, 08:02 PM*
Uber has introduced a new feature designed to help customers save money on their frequently traveled routes: prepaid passes. These passes are available in bundles of five, 10, 15, or 20 rides, offered at discounted prices. Depending on the number of rides purchased in advance, discounts range from 5% to as much as 20%.
**Marketing Approach and Savings**
Uber plans to promote these prepaid passes by comparing the cost of a single ride to that of a bulk purchase. For instance, a ride from Lower Manhattan to Midtown in New York may typically cost around $19 but surge pricing can push it up to $30. Customers who buy prepaid passes in bulk can avoid paying these higher surge prices, making it a more cost-effective option.
**How Do Prepaid Passes Work?**
When purchasing prepaid passes, customers select a one-hour request window—typically the time during which they frequently book their rides. Uber then displays a countdown indicating how many passes remain, helping users keep track of their prepaid rides. This feature has been launched in 75 cities across the US, including Baltimore, Chicago, Denver, Kansas City, and Los Angeles, among others.
**Expansion of the Price-Lock Feature**
In addition to prepaid passes, Uber is expanding its price-lock feature to all major US cities and Brazil. For a monthly fee of $2.99, customers can lock in prices for up to 10 specific routes. If the actual fare at the time of booking is lower than the locked price, customers will pay the lower fare. Originally offered only in select cities, the price-lock feature is now widely available, providing riders with more predictable and affordable fares.
Uber’s prepaid passes and expanded price-lock options offer customers greater convenience and savings, making daily commutes and regular travel more budget-friendly than ever before.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/business/uber-introduces-prepaid-passes-for-rides-at-discounted-prices/story
President Trump on Tuesday claimed climate change was “the greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world” as he used his speech to the United Nations to criticize efforts to reduce carbon emissions and transition toward clean energy.
“It’s the greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world in my opinion. Climate change, no matter what happens you’re involved in that,” Trump said at the U.N. General Assembly in New York City.
“All of these predictions made by the United Nations and many others, often for bad reasons, were wrong,” Trump continued. “They were made by stupid people that have cost their countries fortunes and given those same countries no chance for success.”
Trump called the idea of a carbon footprint “nonsense” and a “hoax made up by people with evil intentions.” He urged nations to move away from efforts to shift their economies toward investments in clean energy.
“If you don’t get away from this green scam your country is going to fail,” Trump said. “And I’m really good at predicting things.”
For years, the president has cast doubt on the effects of climate change, which experts warn could have catastrophic environmental impacts if nations do not take significant steps to mitigate it.
In the early months of his second term, his administration moved quickly to slash environmental regulations. In July, the administration announced it would exempt dozens of chemical manufacturers, oil refineries, coal plants, medical device sterilizers, and other polluters from Clean Air Act rules.
Additionally, earlier this month, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed eliminating requirements under a 2009 rule that forced major emitters to report their greenhouse gas emissions.
Trump also signed into law a massive tax and spending bill in July that slashed incentives for wind and solar energy projects. Moreover, his administration has erected other barriers, making it more difficult for these clean energy projects to receive approval.
https://wgntv.com/hill-politics/trump-tells-un-general-assembly-climate-change-greatest-con-job-on-world/
Before buying a Mac and switching full-time to Apple’s platform, I had already deserted Windows for Linux. To this day, I’ve always got at least one Linux distro ready to go on my Mac in a virtual machine, both for work and to satisfy my curiosity. So, what happens if you try to use a VM as your primary work machine? I gave it a shot.
### My Linux VM Setup
I pay for a Parallels Desktop subscription so that I can run Windows on my Mac with all the bells and whistles. Naturally, I also use this for my Linux virtualization needs. While there are lots of free options I could have chosen, Parallels is a pleasure to use in general.
Ubuntu is sometimes derided for being a bloated Linux distro, but the flipside is that you get an operating system that’s ready to rock right out of the box. I have Firefox and the LibreOffice suite ready to go, along with convenient tools like Shotwell for light image editing and Transmission for torrenting, should I need them.
### Dude, Where’s My Ecosystem?
Not having access to the ecosystem I depend on within my VM is perhaps the biggest issue I encountered. This isn’t a problem specific to any single operating system, but it highlights how important it is to pair your desktop and mobile devices in a manner that promotes synergy.
I’m fully immersed in the Apple ecosystem at this point, which clearly limits my options when using non-Apple operating systems. Making a conscious decision to move chats to WhatsApp and Signal, store my media in Google Photos, and use a note-taking app like Obsidian would lessen this problem considerably. But for the last decade plus, I’ve mostly taken the path of least resistance.
Perhaps the most limiting issue is that Apple Passwords is entirely inaccessible on Linux. There’s no web app equivalent (which is probably good from a security perspective), and Apple only supports Windows outside of its own platforms. Were I not using a VM, this would be a dealbreaker — I’d have to move to Dashlane or a similar third-party solution.
Thankfully, Apple’s passable iCloud website provides access to most of the core services I need, with Notes, Reminders, Photos, and Drive being the main ones. It’s a drag having to depend on a browser for this stuff, but it’s not unworkable.
The only other feature I really missed was AirDrop, since I use it frequently to transfer screenshots between devices for work. Though I tried installing my favorite third-party alternative LocalSend, I couldn’t get my iPhone and Linux VM to see one another.
### Usability Woes I Couldn’t Solve
macOS is an operating system that, in my opinion, works better with a trackpad than a mouse. This is down to Apple’s handy gestures, which make tasks like switching desktops, organizing your workspace, and finding open windows a breeze.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t get anything like this working within Ubuntu. Despite fiddling with the VM’s configuration, I couldn’t find a way to pass gestures directly to the virtual machine.
I use multiple desktops to arrange browser instances, communication tools like Slack, project management software like Asana, productivity tools like Notes or Reminders, my email, and more — all pinned in place. Not having access to this sucked.
This was especially annoying considering there’s a Touchpad Gesture Customization extension for GNOME that adds two, three, and four finger gestures that I was eager to experiment with. Within Ubuntu, I couldn’t even use pinch-to-zoom. Instead, I had to rely on keyboard shortcuts to add some of this functionality back, but it’s not the same.
The other feature I missed was the ability to quickly log in and authenticate requests. On macOS, I can use my Apple Watch or built-in fingerprint reader to automatically unlock my Mac or manually approve admin-level changes. Typing my full login password every time reminded me just how tedious things used to be.
### The Missing Apps
One issue that many Linux switchers encounter is not being able to use their favorite apps. A lack of native Linux apps for many services is still a problem, and I’m not even just talking about Apple apps here.
Streaming Apple Music in my browser really wasn’t that much of an inconvenience. Unfortunately, not having access to Asana as a dedicated app slowed down my workflow considerably. The app isn’t anything special on Mac or Windows; it’s just not the sort of thing I want tethered to a browser.
Other apps, like image editor Affinity Photo and Markdown editor Ulysses, could be replaced with free alternatives — GIMP and Apostrophe, in this case. But my use of an ARM64 Ubuntu installation further complicated things. Some apps, like Slack, are available on Linux but only work on the AMD64 architecture. This is why I couldn’t get the ghostwriter Markdown editor working either, which was my first choice.
Time and time again, I ran into this roadblock. Switching operating systems of any kind always presents challenges, and given enough time you can find alternatives that work for you. These problems usually become dealbreakers only when you rely on something proprietary or can’t get the same level of professionalism out of a free alternative.
An example here would be an industry-standard video editing app like Adobe Premiere, where even a close free alternative like DaVinci Resolve depends on a third-party container like davincibox to run.
### Learning and Configuring
Ubuntu has more in common with macOS than it does Windows, so for me, switching between the two platforms never presented a huge issue. I even threw together an Ubuntu theme for macOS 26 for a laugh.
That said, there’s always an adjustment period. This can be as simple as looking for the close window button on the wrong side of a window, or accidentally triggering keyboard shortcuts you’re not used to.
I had to make sure to consciously hit Control + L to switch to the Firefox tab bar, as my usual Command + L shortcut would lock Ubuntu and put the VM to sleep. I could probably change this in Parallels settings, but I adopted the change organically eventually.
I made a few adjustments to Ubuntu’s keyboard shortcuts too. With no four-finger swipe gesture, I had to set up shortcuts for moving left and right between desktops. I also created an equivalent macOS Spotlight shortcut (Option + Spacebar) so I could quickly launch apps using only the keyboard.
### The Silver Lining
Despite these drawbacks and the obvious limitations of ditching such a user-friendly and commercially supported platform like macOS, running Ubuntu in a VM wasn’t terrible.
For example, I could simply copy and paste login credentials from Apple Passwords directly into Ubuntu. Believe it or not, this is something you can’t do if you’re running macOS in a VM, as I found out while test-running the public beta of macOS 26.
Since everything routes its way through my Mac with this setup, using my AirPods Pro while watching videos and listening to music just worked, since Ubuntu’s audio was routed to macOS, which takes care of everything.
In the end, I used my Ubuntu virtual machine to complete a number of work tasks like writing a review and this article, editing incoming articles, and workshopping ideas with writers. I relied on a browser far more than I wanted, and I had to admit defeat at times and switch back to macOS in order to access passwords and retrieve 2FA codes — but I did it.
My Ubuntu VM still isn’t going anywhere, but I won’t deny that macOS is where I belong.
https://www.howtogeek.com/i-tried-using-a-linux-vm-as-my-desktop-computer-heres-what-went-wrong/
Rubio Calls Western Recognition of Palestine ‘Irrelevant,’ Blames It for Derailing Hostage Talks
Senator Marco Rubio has criticized Western recognition of Palestine, describing it as “irrelevant” and blaming it for complicating and derailing ongoing hostage negotiations. According to Rubio, this political move has negatively impacted efforts to secure the release of hostages.
Rubio also commented on former President Donald Trump’s stance regarding the hostage situation. He said that Trump would be uninterested in a partial hostage deal, emphasizing that the former US president “wants all 48 hostages out, including the 20 who are alive and the 28 who are deceased.”
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio highlighted the importance of achieving a complete resolution rather than settling for partial agreements in this sensitive matter.
(Photo credit: REUTERS/BING GUAN/POOL)
By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-868427
**EU’s Von der Leyen Says Europe Aims to Stop Buying Russian Oil by End of Year**
In her recent address, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen declared that Europe intends to cease purchasing Russian oil by the end of the year. This move comes as part of the EU’s broader response to the Kremlin’s incursions.
Meanwhile, former U.S. President Donald Trump responded to the situation by stating that NATO countries should shoot down Russian aircraft if they enter NATO airspace, highlighting the heightened tensions in the region.
During her speech at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, on September 10, 2025, von der Leyen received applause for her firm stance and clear outline of Europe’s energy and security policies moving forward.
*Photo credit: YVES HERMAN/REUTERS*
https://www.jpost.com/international/internationalrussia-ukraine-war/article-868431
New Delhi: Indian airline Akasa Air on Tuesday informed passengers that its systems are currently facing technical issues, causing some of its online services to be temporarily unavailable.
In an announcement posted on the social media platform X, the airline stated that services such as booking, check-in, and managing bookings may not be accessible at the moment. “Our systems are currently experiencing intermittent issues and some of our online services, including booking, check-in and manage booking services, may be temporarily unavailable,” Akasa Air said.
The airline reassured customers that its teams are actively working with service providers to resolve the problem as soon as possible. “We sincerely regret the inconvenience caused and want to assure you that our teams are working with our service provider to resolve the same at the earliest,” the statement added.
Passengers with immediate travel plans have been advised to reach the airport early and complete their check-in process at the airline’s counters. “Passengers with immediate travel plans are requested to reach the airport early to check-in at our counters,” Akasa Air emphasized.
For any assistance, the airline has shared its 24×7 Akasa Care Centre helpline number: +91 9606 112131. “For any assistance, please contact our 24×7 Akasa Care Centre on +91 9606 112131 and our team will be happy to assist you,” the airline confirmed.
This system issue comes just a day after Akasa Air had warned passengers about possible flight delays caused by heavy rainfall in Mumbai, Kolkata, and Pune. “Due to heavy rainfall in certain parts of Mumbai, Kolkata, and Pune, we anticipate slow-moving traffic and congestion on roads leading to the airport,” the airline had posted on X.
On Monday, Akasa Air advised travelers to factor in additional travel time due to expected traffic congestion around these airports. “We realise that this may inconvenience your travel plans and seek your understanding,” the airline had said in its earlier update.
*Note: Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by FPJ’s editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.*
https://www.freepressjournal.in/business/booking-check-in-services-may-be-temporarily-unavailable-akasa-air
Industry at Another Transition Period: Southeast Asia Must Seize the Opportunity
Despite recent layoffs, Triple-A game flops, and a lingering negative perception of the gaming industry, sales continue to rise in Southeast Asia. “Sales are just going up,” said Saranpat Sereewiwattana, Vice President of the Thai Game Software Industry Association. He shared these insights during the “Associations Driving Industry Synergy” panel at the ASEAN Digital Content Summit held from September 3-7 in Johor Bahru.
The panel, moderated by Don Baey, Chairperson of the Singapore Games Association, included Saranpat along with Ken Natasha, Operations and Strategic Partnership Manager at Asosiasi Game Indonesia (AGI).
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### Collaboration and Talent Development: The Next Step for ASEAN
Saranpat emphasized that Southeast Asia’s next big move in game development is clear: **collaborate more, especially on talent.** With generative AI already lowering the cost of game production, ASEAN studios can offload routine tasks to AI—under human supervision—and focus their human resources on ideas and game design.
“We are now at another transition period in the gaming and animation industry,” Saranpat said, drawing parallels to past upheavals such as the launch of the App Store and the rise of game development platforms like Unity and Unreal Engine. He urged ASEAN companies to seize this disruption before the industry settles into a new status quo and opportunities slip away.
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### Indonesia: A Huge Market with a Small Workforce
Ken Natasha highlighted a striking disparity in Indonesia’s gaming scene: nearly 300 million people make up the audience, yet only about 3,000 individuals work in the local video game industry. While the sector has grown over the past two decades, significant expansion only started post-2016. Recently, the country sees between 10 to 20 new studios emerging annually.
One challenge Indonesia faces is the absence of large gaming companies establishing offices locally, which limits the transfer of best practices and expertise to local talent. As Ken noted, “Everyone had to self-learn.”
Funding remains a significant barrier. Although Indonesia’s Ministry of Creative Economy provides some support, it often falls short of covering even the development of game prototypes. Ken expressed hope for greater regional collaboration to support small studios in prototype development and market testing.
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### Learning and Growing Together Across ASEAN
Saranpat agrees that ASEAN should act as a unified community. “Countries have backed games at different times and in different ways, so learning from one another should be the starting point,” he said.
He stressed the importance of collaborative talent development to prepare young people for the industry’s future. A major issue is the disconnect between industry curricula and actual market needs—students graduate only to find the industry has evolved beyond their training.
Thailand offers a promising example: for the past four years, a national gaming and animation pipeline program has invited students to submit projects, compete nationally, and connect with peers from across ASEAN and beyond. Participants receive guidance from industry professionals to better navigate the post-graduation landscape.
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### Attracting Talent and Changing Perceptions
Ken pointed out that attracting talent remains one of the biggest challenges. “The video game industry is not as sexy as the IT industry,” she said. She emphasized the need to educate and familiarize young people with gaming careers early on.
Since mainstream education rarely addresses the gaming industry, aspiring developers often gain experience through extracurricular programs like “game gyms.” Within a year, successful participants may form their own studios and participate in events such as the Indonesia Game Developer eXchange (IGDX), an annual government-supported gathering.
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### Facing Uncertainty and Looking Ahead
With ongoing speculation about AI’s impact and persistent funding and talent gaps, Ken admits there are no clear answers yet. However, she stresses the importance of adaptability: “I have no idea how all this uncertainty is going to turn out, but we know that this is happening now. The most important thing is that we need to find ways to be on top.”
Clearly, ASEAN’s gaming and animation associations have a crucial role to play in helping the ecosystem stabilize and thrive. The question remains: who will step up to lead the way?
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*By fostering collaboration, bridging talent gaps, and embracing new technologies like generative AI, Southeast Asia’s gaming industry is poised at a pivotal moment. Seizing this opportunity could usher in a new era of creativity, growth, and global impact.*
https://www.digitalnewsasia.com/digital-economy/asean-digital-content-summit-2025-regions-games-industry-needs-fewer-silos-more
