British Airways-owner IAG said Friday (July 30) that summer capacity would rise to 45% of pre-health crisis levels.That's a more cautious bet than rivals.The third quarter capacity plan is up from its previous quarter at least.But leaves it some way behind Air France-KLM, easyJet and Ryanair.IAG's CEO has blamed it on the partial closure of the firm's key U.S. market.For the October-December quarter, IAG is ready to fly up to 75% of its 2019 capacity.British Airways, usually IAG's most profitable airline, has been hammered by restrictions in its home market.They have been tighter and lasted longer than those in Europe, allowing the group's Spanish airlines Iberia and Vueling to recover faster.Britain will lift more restrictions on arrivals from the United States on Monday (August 2).But the United States continues to be closed to UK and European arrivals.Shares in IAG traded down as much as 3% in early deals.For the three months to the end of June, IAG reported an underlying operating loss of $1.24 billion.The group declined to give a profit forecast.
A young goat in Tacoma, Washington, showed two of its cat companions who was boss by shoving them off the kitchen counter.Footage by Timothy C Minyard shows the goat, an eight-week-old Nigerian dwarf, and its mini-LaMancha pal chilling on the kitchen counter with a pair of cats, when it decides to headbutt the unsuspecting white cat off the surface. The other cat also ends up off the counter.Good thing cats always land on their feet, huh?Minyard helps run Funkytown Farm in Puyallup, and says that he hand-raises a lot of his animals. Credit: Timothy C Minyard via Storyful
Kye Whyte's parents spoke to Beth Shriever's father on the phone after their children celebrated double success on the BMX track at the Olympic Games.
Holiday hotspots are helping drive a rebound in euro zone growth.New figures out Friday (July 30) showed the region's economy expanding 2% in the second quarter. That was better than the 1.5% forecast by analysts. Tourism-dependent Portugal was among the star performers. Its economy grew almost 5% over the period. Spain and Italy also outperformed the region as a whole. But there was a different story in the euro zone's economic heart. Germany's economy grew just 1.5%, falling short of forecasts.And France saw expansion of just 0.9%, as its third lockdown eased from May. Growing cause for concern too for consumers. Euro zone inflation hit 2.2% in July, shooting past the European Central Bank's 2% target. Energy prices were once again the driving force, rising more than 14% year-on-year. For now that probably won't worry ECB policymakers too much though. They've said previously that the spike in prices is likely to be short-lived, predicting it will fade away next year.
Team GB celebrated double success on the BMX track at the Olympics as Beth Shriever won gold in the women's BMX racing final, moments after team-mate Kye Whyte claimed the nation's first Olympic medal in the event with silver in the men's. No one was more proud than Kye's older brother, Tre Whyte, who was British National BMX champion and retired from competition in 2020.
A group of 12 orphaned monkeys received some much-needed mothering at an animal sanctuary in Bolivia.Footage shared by Gosia Zdziechowska to her Polish Dr Dolittle YouTube channel shows her being “mom” to to the monkeys at La Senda Verde animal refuge.“Their moms and families were killed and they were sold as pets. People couldn’t take care of them properly, so they were malnourished and sick. Many of the owners got rid of them. The monkeys have been found hiding on the streets, scared,” Zdziechowska told Storyful.Zdziechowska helped take care of them while she was volunteering at La Senda Verde, feeding the monkeys seven times a day and making sure their facilities were cleaned.“We cleaned their enclosures, observed them, but above all we were there for them, when they needed us. When they got scared, when they wanted a hug, when they needed a mom – we were there for them,” she said. Credit: Polish Dr Dolittle via Storyful
After coronavirus restrictions shut down many cultural sites in #Parma in 2020, the city has maintained its status as the Italian Capital of Culture for 2021.View on euronews
Hong Kong activist Tong Ying-kit was jailed for nine years on July 30, after becoming the first person to be convicted under a controversial new national security law.He was found guilty of “inciting secession and terrorist activities”, according to the Hong Kong Free Press, after he drove a motorbike with a flag reading “Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times” into three police officers during a demonstration in Hong Kong in July 2020.This footage shows police vehicles and a group of people near Hong Kong’s High Court, where Tong Ying-kit was sentenced. Credit: Candice Wong/Forbes/Forbes Asia via Storyful
A tornado warning was issued for the areas surrounding Trenton, New Jersey, on July 29, with forecasters describing it as a “life threatening situation”.This footage, filmed inside the area of the warning according to Jake Rumowicz, shows damage to trees and debris on a highway.Local media reported that “as many as three or four tornadoes may have touched down” across New Jersey on July 29. Credit: Jake Rumowicz via Storyful
The first person ever convicted under Hong Kong's national security law was sentenced to nine years in prison on Friday (July 30), in a watershed ruling for the city.24-year-old former waiter Tong Ying-kit was charged with terrorist activities and inciting secession.He was accused of driving his motorcycle into three riot police last year while carrying a flag with the protest slogan "Liberate Hong Kong. Revolution of our times."The phrase was ubiquitous during Hong Kong's mass pro-democracy protests in 2019.But judges ruled that the slogan was "capable of inciting others to commit secession."They also said on Tuesday that Tong's motorcycle was a potentially lethal weapon and his actions "a deliberate challenge mounted against the police."An alternative charge of dangerous driving was not considered.Human rights groups, including Amnesty International, have criticized Tong's conviction.They say it imposes new limits on free speech and a fair trial.Tong did not get a trial by jury because of "a perceived risk of the personal safety of jurors.”He was also denied bail in line with a provision of the national security law that puts the onus on the defendant to prove they would not be a security threat if released.Hong Kong and Chinese authorities have repeatedly said that all the rights and freedoms promised to the former British colony remained in place, but that national security was a red line.Both governments have said all cases have been handled in accordance with the law.Tong did not testify during the trial --- but pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Schoolboys in Brisbane, Australia erupted in cheer as a former pupil of their school, Olympic debutant Zac Stubblety-Cook, won gold for the country on July 29.Stubblety-Cook smashed the Olympic record with a time of 2:06.38 in the men’s 200m breaststroke final in Tokyo, Japan.This footage, posted by Stubblety-Cook’s old school, shows the moment the ecstatic students saw their him grab the gold. Credit: Anglican Church Grammar School via Storyful
Jubilant scenes erupted at Peckham BMX Club in south London as Kye Whyte's family and friends celebrated him making Olympic history after clinching the silver medal in BMX racing.
The Transport Secretary has said some companies will require staff to be double-jabbed, but it will not be made law by the Government. He also confirmed that while revellers will need proof of vaccination for entry to nightclubs later this year, the same will not be needed to go to the pub.
Beth Shriever and Kye Whyte made BMX history for Great Britain as they delivered gold and silver, while Duncan Scott extended his streak in the pool as Great Britain won six Olympic medals on Friday.
Under new leadership, the island nation of Samoa is treading more cautiously as China and the U.S. look to secure power in the Pacific waters.On Friday its newest prime minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa reversed a promise the old government made to build a new port on China’s dime - to the tune of USD$100 million. Mata’afa called the project ‘excessive’, for a nation already heavily indebted to Beijing. She indicated she would only approve investments that had clear benefits for Samoa. “There seems to be a renewed interest in the Pacific, which may be a good thing, but not necessarily.”"We do have a very broad scope of partners for development. China just takes the forefront because of the nature of the work that's being funded through China. So there's, you know, there's a lot of infrastructure, mostly building infrastructure which other donors don't do. There seems to be a big drive now in terms of ports - airports and seaports."“So for us it's a matter of prioritising, having a review and then engaging us and where we could work most successfully with each partner."Though this stretch of the Pacific has been largely uncontested since World War Two, the country of 200, 000 people has found itself exposed to a geopolitical tug-of-war between Washington and its allies and a more assertive Beijing.But China remains Samoa’s single-largest creditor.Its debts to Beijing worth $160 million account for 40% of its external debts. Mata’afa however has said her government will assess its relationship with China in the same way it evaluates all of its bilateral relations.
Hong Kong police said they are investigating booing of China’s national anthem when crowds watched the Olympic medal presentations at one of the city’s shopping malls, according to the South China Morning Post.Police were reportedly in attendance in shopping malls across the city on Friday morning, July 30, as local swimmer Siobhan Haughey won her second medal of the Tokyo Olympics.The move was intended to prevent any potential booing of the national anthem during the live broadcast, the Post said.A crowd watching Hong Kong fencer Edgar Cheung Ka-long receive his gold medal at the Toyko Olympics were filmed shouting “we are Hong Kong” as the Chinese national anthem played during the presentation on July 26.Hong Kong’s Siobhan Haughey, who studied at the University of Michigan, sealed a second Olympic medal for the city as she finished second in the 100m freestyle final at Tokyo’s Aquatics Centre on Friday morning.Footage shared by Studio Incendo shows the crowd at APM mall in Kwun Tong reacting to Haughey’s medal. Credit: Studio Incendo via Storyful
A white dusting of snow covered cars, streets and highways in the south of Brazil on Thursday.The rare strong snowfalls left many residents mesmerized by the icy snap, including truck driver Iodor Goncalves Marques:"I am 62 years old and had never seen the snow, you know? To see nature's beauty is something indescribable."More than 40 cities in the state of Rio do Sul had winter precipitation and at least 33 municipalities had snow.Many turned out in their winter gear, mobile phone in hand to document the rare weather event."It was worth it (the cold). Actually, you almost don't feel the cold because of how exciting the snow is. It is marvellous!"On Friday there were warnings of low temperatures.The polar air mass advanced toward the center-south of the global agricultural powerhouse, threatening coffee, sugarcane and orange crops with frost.There were also reports of winds reaching a top of 49mph.
French carmaker Renault expects to deliver a full-year profit for 2021.That's despite a global shortage of semiconductor chips and rising raw material costs.On Friday (July 30) Renault said it expects the chip drought to lead to a production loss of 200,000 units this year. That's double its previous predictions. But the carmaker posted a half-year net profit of 420 million dollars, versus a hefty loss for the same period in 2020.And after posting a drop in car sales for five consecutive quarters, Renault's revenue for the first half rose 18.7%Last month, the French firm unveiled a more ambitious strategy for electric vehicles.It's betting on new affordable versions of its iconic small cars to catch up with Volkswagen in the fast-growing sector.CEO Luca de Meo is a former VW executive who turned the German firm's Seat brand around.He's been tasked with helping Renault after a troubled spell.De Meo's plan - which he calls a "Renaulution" - includes laying off thousands of workers and cutting the carmaker's model range.He also wants to improve cooperation on production with its alliance partners - Nissan and Mitsubishi.
Labour has challenged the government to match Wales by bringing forward the date on which fully vaccinated people in England can avoid isolation after contact with a Covid-19 case. Speaking on the matter, Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Jonathan Reynolds has said: "If Wales can do it, surely the government can say we should be able to match that in England.".
Flash flooding hit Cedar City in Utah on July 29, after a hazardous weather warning was issued for multiple counties across the state.Footage shows several inches of water covering streets and locals stacking sandbags to prevent damage.Local media reported that Cedar City Mayor Maile Wilson-Edwards requested assistance from other cities across Utah, with thousands of sandbags being given in response. Credit: @ Blaine_48 via Storyful
A torrent of water was seen flowing through the town of Miami, Arizona, on July 29, as officials issued a “flash flood emergency” for the area.The National Weather Service office in Phoenix warned of “significant flash flooding”, adding: “This is a life threatening situation. Seek higher ground immediately and do not try to cross flooded roadways.”The local branch of the Red Cross set up a shelter in the town for “residents affected by the recent flooding event.” Credit: Lupita Martinez via Storyful
The International Space Station (ISS) was briefly thrown “out of control” on July 29, according to reports citing NASA officials, when a Russian module misfired after docking.NASA shared footage of the initially successful docking to Twitter, stating that “contact and capture” took place at 9:29am ET.However, the module’s thrusters started firing “inadvertently and unexpectedly”, according to NASA, moving the station 45 degrees out of attitude.The seven crew members aboard were never in any immediate danger, according to reports, but the incident prompted NASA to postpone a Boeing capsule launch until at least August 3. Credit: NASA via Storyful
Several parents were escorted from a school board meeting by deputies in Baldwin County, Alabama, on July 29, after protesting mask requirements for students.The mandate, introduced by Alabama’s third-largest school system, will require all employees, visitors and students, from grade 2 upwards, in the Baldwin County School System to wear face coverings until September 10.In footage streamed live to YouTube by the Baldwin County Board of Education, parents are heard saying “shame on you” after board members adjourned the meeting following a comment by a member in support of mask requirements. Some parents held signs up during the meeting which said “free the faces” and “unmask our kids.”NBC 15 reported that parents were escorted from the room by Baldwin County sheriff’s deputies. Credit: BCBE Board Videos via Storyful