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Month: August 2025
Light-Sport Aircraft Crash in West Java Claims Former Air Force Spokesman
A light-sport aircraft crashed Sunday morning in Ciampea, West Java, resulting in the death of former Indonesian Air Force spokesman Fajar Adriyanto and seriously injuring his civilian co-pilot, Roni Ahmad, reports 24brussels.
The aircraft took off from Atang Sendjaja Airport in Bogor at 9:08 a.m., crashing less than an hour later, around 10:00 a.m., as confirmed by the Indonesian Air Force.
The plane was being operated by the Indonesian Aero Sport Federation. Adriyanto was pronounced dead at the scene, while Ahmad was rushed to a nearby hospital with serious injuries.
I Nyoman Suadnyana, a spokesman for the Air Force, stated that the aircraft was considered airworthy prior to the flight. “The plane was in airworthy condition before departure,” he noted, adding that an investigation into the cause of the crash is currently underway.
Eyewitnesses reported a significant presence of local residents at the crash site, as authorities secured the area and initiated preliminary inquiries. As of now, investigators have yet to disclose whether mechanical or environmental factors contributed to the incident.
The crash underscores ongoing concerns regarding the safety protocols of light-sport aircraft operations in Indonesia. In light of several aviation incidents in the region, the government may need to review regulatory practices to enhance safety measures for civilian flights.
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Ofsted, the schools inspectorate, has made changes to its new school inspection toolkit – how it will carry out inspections – after earlier criticisms. It plans on renaming grades and shrinking the number of evaluations areas from nine to seven, in the latest draft seen by the Guardian, but appears unlikely to win over sceptical teachers in England.
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Gavriil Grigorov/Sputnik/AP
- Russia has reined in inflation, but growth is slowing.
- Russia’s manufacturing activity just posted its steepest contraction in three years.
- The Kremlin faces tough choices as war spending strains the economy.
Russia may be getting its spiraling inflation under control, but it comes at a growing economic cost, according to a think tank.
“Current inflationary pressures, including underlying ones, are declining faster than previously forecast,” Russia’s central bank said last month.
Russia’s inflation fell from 8.2% in the first quarter to 4.8% in the second quarter, prompting its central bank to lower its key interest rate from 20% to 18%.
“The economy continues to return to a balanced growth path,” the central bank added.
That phrase is just “a euphemism for anemic growth,” wrote Alexander Kolyandr, a senior fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis, on Thursday.
The Bank of Russia expects Russia’s economy to grow 1% to 2% this year. Meanwhile, the International Monetary Fund expects growth of 0.9%.
Russia’s central bank projects the key interest rate to average between 18.8% and 19.6% this year and fall to 12% to 13% next year — a shift from aggressive interest-rate hikes from mid-2023 to tame an overheating war-fueled economy.
Such high rates were effective at cooling prices. But they have also made borrowing more expensive and dampened both consumer demand and business investment.
Since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine triggered sweeping Western sanctions, Russia has kept its economy afloat through massive defense spending and revenue from oil and gas exports. But that momentum may be running out.
Growth stalls as manufacturing contracts and momentum fades
The country’s GDP grew just 1.4% in the first quarter — a sharp slowdown from the previous quarter.
In July, Russia’s manufacturing sector posted its steepest contraction in three years, according to S&P Global’s Purchasing Managers’ Index.
“Weak client demand and financial difficulties at customers” weighed on output and new orders, wrote S&P Global. Business confidence was the lowest in three years.
The slowdown in manufacturing suggests Russia’s wartime economy may be losing momentum, adding pressure on policymakers to strike a delicate balance.
“For the Kremlin, a brief period of low growth is tolerable, though combined with lower oil prices, it would reduce fiscal revenues,” CEPA’s Kolyandr wrote.
“The main gamble is that the cooling of the economy won’t trigger a prolonged recession,” he added.
Russia’s central bank now finds itself walking a tightrope: keeping inflation in check while avoiding a deeper downturn. Continued wartime spending could easily reignite inflation, but pulling back could deepen the slowdown, especially as foreign investment remains scarce and consumer confidence weak.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump is putting pressure on Russia to end its war with Ukraine with new penalties, including secondary tariffs.
Last week, Trump announced a 25% tariff on India and a “penalty” for its purchases of Russian oil.
Read the original article on Business Insider
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Female Artists in Belgium: A Spotlight on Harmke Antonissen
A surge of creativity has characterized the art scene in Belgium, highlighted by the intimate insights of artist Harmke Antonissen. She passionately declares, “I am bursting with love. It’s what my work is all about,” firmly establishing her emotional connection to her creations. Antonissen operates her gallery in Antwerp’s vibrant Vrijdagmarkt, drawing inspiration from the diverse lives unfolding around her, reports 24brussels.
The concept of “verbinding,” a Dutch word meaning connection, plays a pivotal role in her art, symbolizing various forms of love, from familial to romantic. Observing intimate interactions during her travels, such as a young man showing affection for his father in Morocco, informs her work. “A deep sign of respect and love,” the father explained to Antonissen, highlighting the cultural nuances of love.
Antonissen’s artistic journey took a transformative turn following personal upheaval, which propelled her to create larger, more vibrant works. Her exploration of love extends to everyday life, capturing moments that reflect intimacy and connection between individuals. One such inspiration was an elderly couple sharing a tender moment, which resonated deeply in her artistic narrative.
Art and Heritage
Raised in the renowned Art Nouveau area of Cogels Oyslei, Antonissen was enveloped in a creative environment, surrounded by figures such as poet Herman de Coninck and sculptor Dre Peeters. Her artistic inclinations were nurtured by her family, particularly her “second mother,” Tante Anneke, who introduced her to the art world through regular museum visits.
Antonissen’s formal education in art includes studies at Sint Lucas in Antwerp and The Rietveld Academie in Amsterdam, where she specialized in textile design. Collaborations with author Ann Cuyvers marked a significant chapter in her career, focusing on female empowerment and eroticism, which greatly influenced her portrayal of women in her work.
A Personal Touch in Art
Since opening her gallery in 2021, Antonissen has fostered a space for artistic expression that intertwines emotions and personal narratives. She emphasizes the importance of vulnerability and connection, encouraging viewers to engage with and find their own stories within her art. “When people come in and say ‘this is me’ or ‘I can relate,’ it’s the biggest compliment,” she articulates.
Antonissen regards intimacy as a nuanced experience varying from joyful to deeply personal. “Intimacy is a dance between energies,” she explains, emphasizing the importance of emotional connection in artwork. Her pieces challenge the viewer to explore the delicate interplay of emotions present in ordinary acts.
“I want my art to be in a place where it is loved and respected,” she asserts, indicating her approach to curating her connections with buyers.
Despite the challenges of the art market, Antonissen remains discerning about who acquires her pieces, longing for them to reside in homes that truly appreciate their value. This commitment to respect and love in her art underscores her philosophy of connecting deeply with her audience.
Looking Towards the Future
Amid the rising trend of artificial intelligence in the creative realm, Antonissen stands out by prioritizing human connection and genuine interaction. She advocates for shared experiences that foster connection, such as visiting art spaces or engaging in meaningful conversations, which are vital in navigating today’s increasingly digital landscape.
As she continues to curate her gallery’s offerings and expand her artistic reach, Antonissen remains dedicated to exploring the complexities of love and human connection through her art, providing a refreshing perspective in an evolving cultural landscape.