Former Ukrainian defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov has called for wartime elections, in what many see as the biggest challenge to Volodymyr Zelensky’s presidency since war broke out with Russia in February 2022.

“Democracy cannot be held hostage by Russia,” said Fedorov, 35, in a video posted to YouTube on Tuesday, adding that Ukraine is fighting “precisely because we want to remain a free European state”.

Since Russia’s invasion Ukraine has been under martial law, which means elections are suspended.

Fedorov, who did not mention Zelensky by name in the video, was unexpectedly fired from his role as defence minister in late July, just six months after his appointment.

Zelensky is yet to respond to the video from Fedorov, whose dismissal sparked protests across the country.

During his tenure as defence minister, Fedorov was credited with energising the ministry, heading a drive against corruption and using data to analyse and try to improve performance on the front line.

His dismissal is widely accepted to have been related to tensions between him and army commander-in-chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi. Syrskyi was also replaced several weeks later, after weeks of protests piled pressure onto the Ukrainian president.

Fedorov gave no indication as to his own political plans in the YouTube video, instead focusing on the need for a “legal, safe, and realistic mechanism that will allow Ukraine to restore a full democratic process even amidst a prolonged war”.

He added that the country was facing a “systemic crisis of governance” and is “scared of change”, and pointed to corruption in Ukraine as one of the things hurting the country’s war effort.

Zelensky has since appointed Yevgeniy Khmara, a career intelligence official with a low political profile, as acting defence minister.

Other posts in Zelensky’s government were offered to Fedorov, including deputy prime minister for military innovation, but the 35-year-old has said he would only return as defence minister.

In an opinion piece in the Guardian, external, Burnham wrote: “For decades, Westminster has treated rough sleeping like a problem to step around rather than solve. It’s a philosophy that took hold in the 1980s and came back full force in the era of austerity: this idea that rough sleeping is just a fact of life rather than something government has a responsibility to end…

“No matter who they are or what they’ve been through, every person sleeping rough deserves a chance to get back on their feet – and, together, that’s exactly what we’ll give them.”

The prime minister said he wanted to build on the success of Everyone In, a Covid pandemic-era scheme that saw thousands of rough sleepers housed in hotels and temporary accommodation.

About 37,000 people were helped by the scheme following its launch in March 2020. The charity Shelter found that about a quarter of them had found settled accommodation, in the form of housing lasting at least six months., external

The announcement comes with an additional £102m in new funding, taking Burnham’s total commitment to tackling rough sleeping to £442m since becoming prime minister. The money is said to be “fully funded” within the Ministry of Housing’s budget.

As well as providing immediate support get people off the streets, the funding is also designed to deliver over 1,000 homes over the next three years to provide rough sleepers with permanent accommodation. The funding will also provide “intensive wraparound support,” typically psychiatric and drug and alcohol services to help people rebuild their lives.

Burnham says he will organise a special conference in the autumn, inviting business, charities and faith groups to outline how they can help tackle the problem. Councils and mayors will play a leading role in devising local solutions with the areas with the biggest problem receiving the most support.

Jasmine Basran, head of policy at Crisis, said the charity welcomed the announcement and believed an end to rough sleeping was possible.

“What we also want to see in the longer term is interventions to prevent people from being forced to sleep rough in the first place.”

She urged departments across government to work together to address the issue – saying too many people being discharged from hospital or leaving care were ending up on the streets.

Sarah Elliott, Shelter’s chief executive, called Burnham’s pledge a “game-changing move”.

She said “tackling the most visible form of homelessness is a strong start” but urged the prime minister to act on his promise to build more council houses to help people living in temporary accommodation.

The shadow housing secretary said Burnham had promised to end rough sleeping while Manchester mayor “and failed because he didn’t do the hard work necessary”.

James Cleverly added that families would fear there would be tax rises unless Labour could “come clean on what other programmes they are cutting to pay for this project”.

Liberal Democrat housing spokesperson Gideon Amos said: “Sticking plasters won’t fix the homelessness crisis. Without a proper long-term plan, people could simply find themselves back on the streets once the festive headlines fade.”

He urged Burnham to commit to a Lib Dem target to build 150,000 social homes every year.

Deputy Reform UK leader Richard Tice also criticised Burnham’s efforts to tackle homelessness while Manchester mayor, and described the government’s new plans as “yet another vague announcement with no substances which uses our most vulnerable for political point-scoring”.

It’s important to know how many times you can reuse oil when cooking with it

Frying is a widely loved cooking technique embraced by cultures around the world for countless generations. It involves preparing food in hot oil to achieve a unique texture and taste.

Commonly fried items include chips, chicken and even vegetables.

One recurring question is whether cooking oil can and should be reused following frying. Fortunately, the answer is straightforward.

According to specialists at King Arthur Baking, frying oil has a considerably longer shelf life than many people expect.

They explained it can be used multiple times before requiring disposal. Reusing oil is among the most effective ways to minimise both the waste and expense associated with frying.

The general agreement on reusing oil is that it can be used two to three times for fried, breaded items such as chicken.

For plain vegetables or potatoes, it may remain viable for approximately four to six uses.

However, it does require thorough cleaning and straining before it can be reused safely.

Ian Fujimoto, known as @iankyo on TikTok, boasts over 1.6 million followers and regularly shares his mouth-watering recipes and culinary advice.

In one clip, which has amassed more than 700,000 likes and over 1,000 comments, the chef revealed his approach to handling used cooking oil.

He said: “I get asked a lot what I do with my used fry oil. Typically, after you fry something, there’ll be lots of little bits stuck in the oil, but that doesn’t mean your oil is bad.

“It just means that you can clean it, cool it and store it again to use later.”

To clean the oil, Ian explained that he passes it through a fine-mesh sieve to eliminate the larger particles, while leaving much of the finer residue behind.

He added: “The other method that I find is way more effective is using a cornstarch slurry. That’s one part water to one part cornstarch.”

The chef then introduces this slurry into hot oil and watches as all the debris binds to the cornstarch.

Ian said: “It kind of works like gum where it becomes really sticky and it just grabs ahold of everything. Then all we need to do is go ahead and remove it.”

The technique works regardless of the type of oil being used, whether that’s sunflower, vegetable or olive. Ian reuses his oil on multiple occasions before it requires replacing.

Should the oil develop a sour or paint-like smell, or if it has turned particularly dark and thick, it ought to be discarded straight away.

A street in Wales has been deemed so “magical” it feels like you’re “wandering through a postcard” when you visit. Many have admitted the location is totally beautiful

Wales boasts countless stunning locations, yet a particular area has been captivating visitors. The lane has been branded “magical” thanks to its cobblestone surface, vibrant doorways and sparkling lights.

Indeed, many reckon the spot is so enchanting it resembles stepping straight into a postcard, marking it as another Welsh treasure that continues to mesmerise people. The location previously gained traction on TikTok after UK Hidden Gems posted footage of the Pembrokeshire gem, showcasing its remarkable appeal.

It’s not the sole Welsh destination generating viral buzz of late either. A while back, wanderers were similarly urged to discover a particularly lovely Welsh walking route.

Accompanying the footage, UK Hidden Gems noted: “Hidden just steps from the harbour, this narrow cobbled lane is lined with colourful doors, flower boxes and twinkling lights that feel absolutely magical as the afternoon light softens.

“Even though it’s one of Tenby’s best-kept secrets, walking here makes you feel like you’re wandering through a postcard.”

Unsurprisingly, Tenby itself is a magnificent place for strolling, with the coastal town proving immensely popular amongst visitors. There’s an abundance of spots to discover while soaking up the town’s innate splendour.

Since the footage emerged online, dozens have weighed in with their views and suggestions. The clip has racked up thousands of views as well.

One viewer remarked: “Love Tenby. It’s a beautiful place. Last visited 15 years ago. So happy it’s not been ruined. Will now consider going again.”

Someone else noted: “Oh wow, it’s like a little Italy.” A third shared: “OMG! I was there only last week.

“I came out purely by mistake to the back entrance of a gift shop and stumbled on this purely by chance. I was amazed. Great find.”

A fourth person observed: “This is a beautiful place to visit and even more stunning in person.” Another enthusiast added: “We go tomorrow. It’s one of the most beautiful places I’ve been to.”

How to find it

UK Hidden Gems has also offered guidance for prospective visitors. The location sits just off Lower Frog Street in Tenby. They characterise it as a “quiet nook with instant cosy vibes and tonnes of photo charm”.

The spot is particularly enchanting during golden hour or in the moments leading up to sunset. During these times, the lane is said to glow “in the best way”.

It appears to be an ideal destination for exploration on a bright, sunny day. Indeed, numerous commenters confessed their affection for Tenby, citing its remarkable beauty. It’s difficult to disagree with that sentiment.

A woman was left floored when she stumbled across an entire Le Creuset collection in a charity shop, as the various items, all in the same colour, could be worth a lot more than she paid

For many people, one of the joys of going to a charity shop is that you’ll never know what you’ll find. While sometimes you might end up walking away empty-handed, there’s always the chance you might come across a true bargain.

But, while charity shops are mainly known for selling clothes and accessories, some stores also stock household items. And one woman has demonstrated why it’s always worth looking through these aisles, as you never know what you might find.

Taking to her Instagram, San Diego-based Edden Dreiman shared the moment she spotted a “dream” find in her local charity shop. “The thrift gods were with me today,” Edden wrote on the video as she showcased the various items on display.

Positioned on a shelf within a glass display cabinet was an entire Le Creuset collection, comprising numerous cookware pieces, all in the same colour.

The haul included two large oven dishes in differing sizes, a pot with a lid, several Dutch ovens, a shallow casserole dish with a lid, and a number of other pieces. Every item was in the same stunning Sea Salt colour, a delicate, blue-tinged green shade.

The prices of the items ranged from $79 (£58) to $99 (£73), which might sound pricey for a second-hand store, but is a considerable saving compared to purchasing the items brand new. Edden picked up the two oven dishes, alongside a third featuring a marginally different design. Her haul also included a Modern Heritage round casserole dish complete with lid, the shallow dish, and one of the Dutch ovens with its lid.

How much is the Le Creuset haul worth?

Combined, if she purchased all of these items brand new, it would have cost her more than £1,400, with some pieces carrying price tags surpassing £350 when bought fresh from the shop.

While she kept the actual amount paid under wraps, a glance at the various price stickers visible in the store makes it clear she’d secured an absolute steal.

“Someone come check on me because I fear I have died and gone to thrift heaven!” she declared in the post’s caption.

Edden’s discovery left people stunned, as numerous followers flocked to the comments section to express their reactions, with one admirer posting: “NOOOO WAY! You not only found the treasure, but it also came in the perfect colour.”

“Oh wow and the colour!!” another enthusiast wrote, while a third added: “My girl!!! WHATTT?!?! The colour is beautiful too!!!”

Are charity shops getting too expensive?

However, others raised concerns regarding the pricing, contending that, despite being cheaper than retail, the costs were steeper than what charity shops ‘should be’ charging. One critic stated: “But the prices are not thrift prices.”

Another contributor questioned: “Please tell me why Goodwill is no longer basically considered a thrift store now. They are getting out of hand with their pricing on many things now. Its pretty sad! Fantastic find though for sure.”

Despite the considerable prices, Edden remained delighted with her remarkable find, expressing her enthusiasm repeatedly in the comment section.

BEIJING (AP) — China has successfully recaptured the first stage of a rocket on land for the first time, state media reported Wednesday, as the country seeks to advance its space program.

Although this marks China’s first successful recovery on land, it is the second time the country has recovered a rocket stage, following a successful recovery on a sea platform in July.

Chinese state news agency Xinhua said the reusable rocket, Zhuque-3, was launched Wednesday morning and that the rocket’s first stage was recovered afterward.

Elon Musk’s SpaceX and Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin have been recovering rockets since 2015, helping drive down launch costs by reusing hardware that would otherwise be discarded after carrying satellites and other payloads toward space.

Xinhua said that Wednesday’s recovery also marked China’s first use of deployable landing legs and deemed the result “a major breakthrough in the country’s reusable rocket technology.”

On July 10, the first stage of a Long March-10B rocket separated from the second stage after liftoff and returned to a platform at sea. That time, it was recovered using a net-capture system.

The next day, on July 11, Japan conducted the first test flight of an experimental reusable rocket, which took off and safely landed.

Japan is also trying to catch up with the technology needed to cut launch costs and compete in the global space market.

Wednesday’s Inbox celebrates a banner year for Commodore Amiga nostalgia, as a reader is glad about the sudden influx of quality Star Wars games.

Games Inbox is a collection of our readers’ letters, comments, and opinions. To join in with the discussions yourself email gamecentral@metro.co.uk

Global event
Reading about this US Army thing of giving people four days off to play GTA 6, it gives a hint of how much the game is going to disrupt the whole of the Western world when it comes out. Us gamers can imagine, but I think the closest comparison is going to be the first few weeks of Pokémon Go, when it seemed like everyone on the planet was playing it.

Of course, the difference here is that GTA 6 is hyper violent and costs £70, so not only will Rockstar be absolutely raking it in, but we are going to have non-stop stories about how playing the game turns you into a murderous monster. We got all that with the previous games anyway, so now it’s just going to be that turned to 11.

I’m looking forward to the game as much as anyone, but I have to echo the hope that its success will make more companies try and create clones. The Simpsons Hit & Run really isn’t good enough, but I’d love to see something similar to Sleeping Dogs or The Getaway again.
Mortim

Peaks and troughs
So what you’re telling me is that 2026 has seen the biggest Star Wars flop ever at the movies and two of the best games? I’m very happy to hear about the games but couldn’t they have spread them out a bit more? A strategy game and a racer aren’t exactly the same thing but still, we’ve only got so much time and money to spare.

What worries me though is that they won’t sell because they’re Star Wars, rather than it being a help. The franchise is not what it was and if these games are hits, I think it will be in spite of the licence, not because of it.
Cobalt84

Welcome competition
I kind of like to see publishers get into a harmless bit of trolling, in a funny way it shows they care. Activision and EA just seem like faceless monoliths most of the time but at least when they make Battlefield 6 free at the same time as the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 beta you know there’s a bit of competition still in them, it’s not just gentlemen’s agreements carving up the audience between them.

Personally, I’m not interested in either of them. I find online multiplayer to competitive for shooters nowadays and even if the Call Of Duty campaign gets good again I’d basically be buying only a third of a game for full price. But good luck to those that are still into it.
Karg

Email your comments to: gamecentral@metro.co.uk

Amiga renaissance
It seemed to be a quiet one, but Worms released in late 1995 and its 30th anniversary came and went.

The Director’s Cut came even later in 1997, as a final hurrah for the Amiga. Sadly, with the market in severe decline it didn’t sell well.

The developer of the game has released a free expansion pack to celebrate containing 40 new levels, new samples, new teams, and enhancements to the game.

The free pack can be found here, where a copy of the director’s cut is required.

This year has been great for the Amiga retro scene. With this, the upcoming A1200, and Metro Siege. It’s nice to see the classic Miggy getting some love.
Commodore Fan

GC: We’d never heard of Metro Siege before now, but we are keeping our eye on this homage to Mega-Lo-Mania.

1% club
Every time I hear about Star Citizen I can’t believe it’s even real. $1,000+ for a spaceship? Is this a game that only billionaires play or something? Although, if they did, you’d think they’d be able to pay for someone to make it properly.

How anything like this can get $1 billion in crowdfunding is complete beyond my understanding, like it genuinely makes me question reality. I would be fascinated to know if anyone reading this had paid into it and what they think of the latest controversy.
Grackle

Under pressure
I’m not as down on Bethesda as some people (I even liked Starfield well enough) so while I do agree they’ve been mismanaged since Fallout 4 I’m always interested in what they’re doing, and I almost always buy their games.

My main worry at the moment is the quality of what they’re working on right now. They’ve lost a ton of people in the last Microsoft layoffs and they’ve obviously been told to hurry up with The Elder Scrolls 6 and, I would assume, all things Fallout.

I can’t fault Microsoft on that. If it was left to Bethesda we wouldn’t have got Fallout 5 until halfway through the next decade, but now they’re expected to make world-beating new games with a skeleton crew, all of which are worried for their jobs and they don’t have enough time to get everything done.

It sounds like the absolute worst working conditions and the worst thing is it’s probably just as bad at other Microsoft developers and places like EA and wherever else has had layoffs.

You can’t constantly be telling people, through your actions, that they are disposable garbage and expect them to make a good game. If The Elder Scrolls 6 turns out as good as we all hope it’ll be a minor miracle.
Joost

Business transaction
I’m watching Twitch and currently on the left side of the screen, there are six streamers playing Mortal Shell 2. Would this be how small studios get the word out instead of paying a fortune for TV spots and YouTube ads?

I know they pay for sponsored gameplay sometimes but there’s loads playing right now.
Bobwallett

GC: When you see that happen it’s almost always paid-for sponsorship.

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Sign of life
I can’t help noticing that we’re more than halfway through August now and there’s still no sign of a Nintendo Direct for the Zelda: Ocarina Of Time remake. Unless we get an annoucement on Wednesday it’s not happening this week and next week is Gamescom, and I don’t think Nintendo would want to muddy the waters by doing anything then – especially not with the GTA 6 thing happening on Netflix as well.

So then we’re looking at September before we get even a hint of what the game is or what it looks like (no, two seconds of Link sleeping does not count). I can’t think of a single other Nintendo game that was this secretive. Heck, I can’t really think of any other game that was this secretive, not compared to when it’s out.

A part of me enjoys the irony that they’re doing this for a remake, where technically we know everything about already, but it’s just so odd and, I’ve got to say, frustrating.

My guess is they won’t do anything until after the release of Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave on September 17, because they won’t want to take attention away from that and make it seem like a second stringer.

But they wouldn’t have had to worry about that if they’d just unveiled the game normally in the summer, then nobody would care nearly as much about the wait for new info. I know it’s Nintendo, and this is their thing, but this feels a lot more like trolling than usual.
Gascoigne

Inbox also-rans
As much as I love the two Ori games I’m not sure if I really want another one made by a different developer. The series already had a proper ending as far as I’m concerned.
Hugo

Interesting review of Hell Let Loose: Vietnam but it sounds like everything I hate about Battlefield but even worse. I do not feel I would be of any help in a 100 person battle. I’d just get lost and frustrated.
Lemondonna

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O’Neill Associates, acting on behalf of Pure Cremation, said the proposed site of the mortuary in Nether Poppleton’s York Business Park was screened from the nearest homes around 140m away.

The applicant’s agent added the facility would cause negligible levels of traffic and noise issues and the scale of the building would remain unchanged.

It follows a backlash to the proposed conversion of a former mobile network switching centre, in the business park’s Great North Way, into Pure Cremation’s main mortuary for the North East.

RECOMMENDED READING:

Plans lodged in June propose installing six cooling units on the outside of Unit 1, Hudson Court as part of works to allow bodies to be stored there.

The mortuary, which would operate all day, every day, would take bodies collected from residences, care homes and hospices for storage before they are sent for cremation.

Works would include the addition of six cooling units so bodies collected from residences, care homes and hospices can be stored there.

Bodies would arrive in private ambulances in body bags and be checked on arrival before being placed in coffins.

Racks five coffins high would store them for three to four days before they are transported on to the company’s crematoriums in Hampshire or elsewhere or to third party facilities.

Up to 35 staff would work at the site which would be closed to the public and monitored by CCTV.

But four objections have so far been lodged, including from local funeral directors, claiming bodies would be stored in an undignified and industrial facility.

Cllr Anne Hook, Rural West York’s Liberal Democrat ward councillor, has also called for the application to go before the council’s Planning Committee for a decision.

The applicant’s agent stated the call for a vote amid concerns over residential amenity, highways, noise, traffic, over-development and impact on neighbouring businesses did not stand up to scrutiny.

Pure Cremation has defended its plans for a mortuary storing up to 700 bodies in York (Image: Unsplash)

O’Neill Associates said: “The proposal will employ 35 people, working in shifts over a 24-hour period, with the result that only 20 employees will be on site at any given time.

“The level of employment is unlikely to have any adverse impact on the surrounding highway network.

“The site now has well-established landscaping providing screening to surrounding business units.

“Apart from vehicles entering and leaving the site all activities, including the transfer of the deceased, occur within the building, the only noise will be from external cooling units.

“Pure Cremation occupy a similar premises on a business park in Knutsford, Cheshire, no complaints or adverse impact is reported from that site.”

Cllr Hook said in her request to call the application in that the facility could put other businesses off moving to the business park.

Other objectors said the proposed mortuary was appalling, horrific and undignified and likened it to a mass storage facility, production line and factory.

They also claimed it could negatively affect the local bereavement sector and cause traffic problems due to round-the-clock deliveries.

A fire tore through a hotel in India’s eastern city of Kolkata, killing at least nine people including a child, the latest in a series of fire incidents in the state.

The blaze erupted around 2am on Wednesday when guests were asleep in the hotel located on the highly congested Mirza Ghalib Street, formerly known as Free School Street in the central part of the city.

All nine people killed in the blaze have been identified as Bangladeshi nationals who had come to India for medical treatment, the Fire Department said.

At least 28 people were rescued from the hotel, the local police said.

Six people with injuries were admitted to a nearby hospital for treatment.

The fire broke out on the second floor of the Sikha Inn, according to reports.

Local media reports suggested the fire was triggered by an air conditioner explosion. However, the authorities said they were still investigating the cause of the blaze.

The budget hotel was located across two floors of an ageing building that housed several such small inns, mostly catering to Bangladeshi travellers in the area. Footage from Wednesday morning showed the building, which reportedly did not have any fire escape route or fire extinguishers, was completely burnt down.

The hotel only had a small gate for entrance and exit, which made it difficult for trapped people to exit the building, locals said.

Four fire tenders were pressed along with a disaster management team to bring the blaze under control, the officials said.

The incident comes just two days after another deadly blaze tore through a hotel in West Bengal’s Birbhum district, killing at least eight pilgrims.

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