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Tue, 16 Sep 2025 13:44:21 GMT |
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About 1,600 people file complaint to AfDB demanding transparency over forced relocations and compensation Eighteen rural communities in Lesotho have filed a complaint with the African Development Bank (AfDB) over its funding of a multibillion-pound water project whose construction process they claim has ruined fields, polluted water sources and damaged homes. About 1,600 people living in the villages in Mokhotlong district in north-east Lesotho are demanding transparency over planned forced relocations and compensation they say they have not been consulted on. Continue reading...
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Tue, 16 Sep 2025 10:46:54 GMT |
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High court judge issues arrest warrant, saying a suspect has been charged in relation to 2012 death of 21-year-old A warrant has been issued for the arrest of a British national on suspicion of the murder of the Kenyan woman Agnes Wanjiru, who was found dead in the grounds of a hotel near an army base in 2012. The high court judge Alexander Muteti issued the arrest warrant earlier on Tuesday in Kenya, with the prosecution telling the court a suspect had been charged with murder, and seeking the application for a warrant of arrest to facilitate his extradition to Kenya. Continue reading...
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Mon, 15 Sep 2025 14:23:32 GMT |
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Conviction comes as Hakainde Hichilema faces growing criticism for suppressing political opposition Two men have been convicted in Zambia of planning to use witchcraft to kill the president, Hakainde Hichilema. Leonard Phiri, a village chief, and Jasten Mabulesse Candunde, a Mozambican citizen, were arrested in December after a cleaner reported hearing strange noises. Authorities said they were found to be in possession of a live chameleon and other “assorted charms”, including a red cloth, an unidentified white powder and an animal’s tail. Continue reading...
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Thu, 11 Sep 2025 04:01:22 GMT |
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Rights group also finds rise in openly gay, bisexual and transgender people running for office in 36 countries Politicians in at least 51 countries used homophobic or transphobic rhetoric during elections last year, from depicting LGBTQ+ identity as a foreign threat to condemning “gender ideology”, according to a new study of 60 countries and the EU. However, there were also gains for LGBTQ+ representation in some countries. Openly gay, bisexual and transgender people ran for office in at least 36 countries, including for the first time in Botswana, Namibia and Romania – albeit unsuccessfully – according to the report by Outright International. The number of LGBTQ+ elected officials doubled to at least 233 in Brazil. Continue reading...
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Wed, 10 Sep 2025 23:01:16 GMT |
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The International IDEA’s survey of democratic markers finds US is offering ‘encouragement’ to populist leaders Press freedom around the world has suffered its sharpest fall in 50 years as global democracy weakens dramatically, a landmark report has found. According to the Stockholm-based International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA), democracy has declined in 94 countries over the last five years and only a third have made progress. Continue reading...
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Tue, 16 Sep 2025 01:26:57 GMT |
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President says three people killed in strike against vessel he said was transporting drugs ‘headed to the US’ Donald Trump said on Monday that the United States had carried out a strike on a second Venezuelan boat and killed three alleged terrorists he claimed were transporting drugs, expanding his administration’s war against drug cartels and the scope of lethal military force to stop them. The US president gave few details about the strike, saying in a social media post that the action was on his orders and that it had happened earlier in the morning. The post was accompanied by a video clip showing the boat, which appeared to be stationary, erupting into a fireball. Continue reading...
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Mon, 15 Sep 2025 16:01:13 GMT |
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Madrid-based NGO estimates at least 60,000 inmates subject to forced labour with little or no pay in Cuban jails Prisoners in Cuba are forced to work producing the country’s world-famous cigars and marabu charcoal sold to European consumers, according to a new report. The Madrid-based NGO Prisoners Defenders estimates that at least 60,000 people are being forced to work with little or no pay, under threats, in exhausting conditions and without adequate equipment, with reports of violence including the sexual abuse of female detainees. Continue reading...
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Sun, 14 Sep 2025 09:00:29 GMT |
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The bossa nova pianist Francisco Tenório Cerqueira Júnior went out for cigarettes after a concert in Buenos Aires – a forensic team has finally revealed his fate Early on 18 March 1976, Francisco Tenório Cerqueira Júnior, a Brazilian pianist who had played alongside some of Latin America’s greatest musicians, disappeared from the streets of Buenos Aires. For nearly 50 years, his fate has remained a mystery, sparking desperate searches, raising suspicions of government complicity, and inspiring international documentaries. Now the mystery has been solved, with forensic scientists formally identifying Tenório Júnior’s body – and confirming he was a victim of Argentina’s bloody dictatorship. Continue reading...
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Sat, 13 Sep 2025 22:26:51 GMT |
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Fishing village of Labodrie reportedly set on fire after killing of a gang leader in sign of rising violence outside capital The UN secretary-general has condemned the reported killing of at least 40 people during an attack by armed gangs in a fishing village north of Haiti’s capital. Media in Haiti widely reported that the attack took place on Thursday night in Labodrie. It is another sign of escalating gang violence that has spread outside the capital. Continue reading...
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Sat, 13 Sep 2025 19:59:09 GMT |
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News network Milenio releases public apology after US deputy secretary of state threatens to revoke Mexican visas A congressional staffer from Mexico’s ruling party has resigned after being called out online for comments he made on a major Mexican television news program about Turning Point USA executive director Charlie Kirk’s murder. The news network, Milenio, also released a public apology after the United States’ deputy secretary of state – a former ambassador to Mexico – evidently threatened to have Donald Trump’s presidential administration revoke any US visas on which it may count. Continue reading...
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Tue, 16 Sep 2025 04:28:39 GMT |
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Anthony Albanese and Papua New Guinea’s defence minister downplayed the delay to the Pukpuk defence treaty being formalised Australia and Papua New Guinea will agree to defend each other in the event of a military attack, part of a landmark defence agreement due to be signed on the sidelines of celebrations to commemorate the country’s independence this week. Anthony Albanese and PNG’s defence minister, Billy Joseph, both downplayed a delay to the deal being formalised, insisting the plan known as a Pukpuk treaty won’t affect sovereignty in the former Australian colony. Continue reading...
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Tue, 16 Sep 2025 02:30:58 GMT |
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Celebrations and events have been held across the country to mark the milestone Pacific leaders have gathered in Port Moresby to celebrate Papua New Guinea’s 50th anniversary of independence from Australia, as prime minster James Marape reflected on the moment and voiced his optimism for the future despite the country’s challenges. Papua New Guinea was administered by Australia as a single territory from 1945. The territory included the former British protectorate of Papua and the former German colony of New Guinea. In 1975, Papua New Guinea was granted independence. Continue reading...
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Mon, 15 Sep 2025 13:24:59 GMT |
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Slowing growth in factory output and retail sales prompts calls for fresh economic stimulus China’s economy showed further signs of weakness last month as it comes under strain from Donald Trump’s trade wars and domestic problems, with factory output and consumer spending rising at their slowest pace for about a year. The disappointing data adds pressure on Beijing to roll out more stimulus to fend off a sharp slowdown, with a debt crisis denting the country’s once-booming property sector and exports facing stronger headwinds. Continue reading...
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Mon, 15 Sep 2025 11:53:30 GMT |
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Lee Jae Myung says ‘bewildering’ incident may scare off future investment after Ice detained about 475 people South Korea’s government has said it will launch an investigation into whether human rights violations were committed when hundreds of its citizens were detained in a US immigration raid. About 475 people, mostly South Korean nationals, were arrested at the construction site of an electric vehicle battery factory in the US state of Georgia on 4 September. Continue reading...
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Mon, 15 Sep 2025 09:18:22 GMT |
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At least 17 dead as torrential downpours trigger landslides, while heavy rain lashes India, Pakistan and Australia At least 17 people have been confirmed dead in Bali, Indonesia, after the island’s worst flooding in more than a decade. Torrential rain last Tuesday and Wednesday triggered widespread flooding and landslides, leaving a trail of destruction. Eight victims were found in Denpasar, the island’s capital, and rescue teams continue to search for several others who remain missing. Continue reading...
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Tue, 16 Sep 2025 12:30:06 GMT |
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Liberal leader to deliver speech arguing against ‘permanent dependency on government’ and pledging to means-test welfare payments Sussan Ley has signalled the Coalition plans to ramp up means-testing of welfare payments and fight Anthony Albanese’s pitch for a universal childcare system at the next election, warning government assistance to high-income households is hurting the budget. Attempting to reset after a messy fortnight of Liberal infighting over immigration policy and net zero by 2050 plans, the opposition leader will use her first set piece speech on the economy on Wednesday to argue against “a permanent dependency on government”. Continue reading...
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Tue, 16 Sep 2025 12:30:06 GMT |
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Program aims to replace liquid fuels – which make up a third of Australia’s emissions – with cleaner alternatives made from canola, sorghum and sugar The Albanese government will invest $1.1bn to drive local production of low-carbon liquid fuels under a new push to decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors that threaten its climate goals. The government will on Wednesday announce a 10-year grants program to encourage private sector investment in on-shore production of lower-emissions fuels, such as so-called renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuels. Continue reading...
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Tue, 16 Sep 2025 09:01:00 GMT |
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Liberal National party expected to legislate ban this week, putting an end to testing of illicit drugs at festivals Queensland’s state government is expected to ban pill testing, including at festivals, by attaching amendments to an unrelated bill in parliament in a move criticised by health advocates. Under the previous Labor government, Queensland was the first state to establish a fixed pill-testing strategy on an ongoing basis, in 2024. Clinics were opened on the Gold Coast and in Brisbane. Continue reading...
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Tue, 16 Sep 2025 08:33:50 GMT |
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Coroner ordered police investigation after postmortem of Gold Coast man revealed lethal dose of animal life-ending drug pentobarbitone An 81-year-old woman accused of supporting a dodgy euthanasia service that provided a Gold Coast victim with a life-ending veterinary drug has been released from police custody. Elaine Arch-Rowe was one of three people – including a father and son – charged over a police probe into the alleged assisted suicide of a Gold Coast man, with about 20 other deaths being investigated. Continue reading...
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Tue, 16 Sep 2025 08:15:24 GMT |
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This blog is now closed Matt Canavan says landmark climate assessment a ‘cynical attempt to spread fear and panic’ Nationals senator Matt Canavan discounted the headlines behind the landmark national climate risk assessment, saying the government had conveniently timed the report while calling the document a “cynical attempt to spread fear and panic among people”. The problem is the headline figures are never as bad as the detailed science that underlies it. … It reads like the Book of Daniel, not a government report. I mean, I like government reports that are sober and reasonable. … I think Australians like a government, that just tell them the truth and not try and scare them. We saw that during Covid. People are trying to scare you because they’ve got an agenda, right? Continue reading...
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Tue, 16 Sep 2025 13:54:16 GMT |
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Spain is the first of the ‘Big Five’ countries to threaten withdrawal from the competition following vote at state broadcaster RTVE EU commissioners will on Wednesday agree to impose new sanctions against Israel over its war in Gaza, a spokesperson for the commission said on Tuesday. “Tomorrow, commissioners will be adopting a package of measures on Israel,” spokesperson Paula Pinho said, as reported by Reuters. “Specifically, a proposal to suspend certain trade provisions in the agreements between the EU and Israel.” Continue reading...
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Tue, 16 Sep 2025 12:23:38 GMT |
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From autumn 2026 all schools and after-school clubs must collect and hold students’ phones until the end of the day Sweden is to implement a nationwide mobile phone ban in all schools in an attempt to improve security and study conditions for students. From the next school year, starting in autumn 2026, it will be compulsory for all schools and after-school clubs to collect students’ phones and hold them until the end of the day. Continue reading...
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Tue, 16 Sep 2025 11:57:21 GMT |
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State broadcaster says it will withdraw from next year’s contest in Vienna unless Israel is excluded over Gaza war Spain has become the latest country to say it will not take part in next year’s Eurovision song contest if Israel participates. Board members of the state broadcaster RTVE voted in majority favour of boycotting the contest if Israel is among the countries fielding an entry next year. Continue reading...
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Tue, 16 Sep 2025 09:50:54 GMT |
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Investigation uncovers documents and satellite imagery that confirm children being taken to sites for patriotic indoctrination, weapons training and combat drills Russia is running an extensive network of more than 200 camps to re-educate, Russify and militarise Ukrainian children, a new investigation has found. The facilities, across Russia and occupied Ukraine, include camps as well as schools, military bases, medical facilities, religious sites and universities. Continue reading...
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Mon, 15 Sep 2025 22:46:19 GMT |
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Group of people who crossed Channel by boat understood not to have been on Air France plane after legal challenge The first flight to France carrying people who crossed the Channel under Keir Starmer’s “one in, one out” deal has not taken place as planned, according to reports. A small group of individuals were removed from an Air France flight on Monday due to travel from Heathrow to Paris after a legal challenge, according to multiple newspaper reports. Continue reading...
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Tue, 16 Sep 2025 13:48:30 GMT |
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Palestinian foreign ministry accuses IDF of deliberately targeting civilians Wafa, the Palestinian news agency, has been told by medical sources that at least 38 Palestinian people, including women and children, have been killed by Israeli forces since dawn today. As well as facing relentless bombardments, Gaza City, the biggest built-up area of the territory, is being gripped by a famine caused by Israel’s restrictions on aid. Continue reading...
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Tue, 16 Sep 2025 12:31:49 GMT |
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Overnight advance aimed at ‘dismantling Hamas’s grip’ as Israel accused of genocide in UN human rights report Israel has launched its long-threatened ground offensive into the densely packed streets of Gaza City, military officials have confirmed. One Israel Defense Forces (IDF) official said troops had begun what he called the “main phase” of the offensive, with an overnight advance from the outskirts towards the city centre. Continue reading...
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Tue, 16 Sep 2025 07:34:28 GMT |
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Report cites scale of killings and aid blockages and accuses Benjamin Netanyahu of inciting commission of genocide A UN commission of inquiry has concluded that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza and accused senior Israeli officials including Benjamin Netanyahu of inciting it. The United Nations independent international commission of inquiry (COI), which does not speak on behalf of the UN and has been criticised strongly by Israel, cited the scale of the killings, aid blockages, forced displacement and the destruction of a fertility clinic in the territory to support its finding of genocide. Continue reading...
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Mon, 15 Sep 2025 21:38:00 GMT |
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Arab states say US should use its leverage and influence as they promise to ‘activate joint defence mechanisms’ Gulf leaders meeting at an emergency summit in Qatar have called on the Trump administration to use its leverage to rein in Israel following the unprecedented Israeli attempt last Tuesday to assassinate Hamas negotiators in Doha. Speaking after the meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the group’s secretary general, Jasem Mohamed al-Budaiwi, said: “We … expect our strategic partners in the United States to use their influence on Israel in order for it to stop this behaviour … they have leverage and influence on Israel, and it’s about time that this leverage and influence be used.” Continue reading...
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Mon, 15 Sep 2025 20:46:05 GMT |
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Care and support package, including housing, will help 30-50 young Palestinians for an initial two years The first group of children from Gaza have arrived in the UK for specialist life-saving treatment on the NHS, the Guardian understands. Yvette Cooper, the foreign secretary, informed the parliamentary Labour party on Monday evening about the development. On arrival in the UK, the patients and their families have been granted access to NHS treatment, appropriate housing and comprehensive support services for an initial two-year period. Continue reading...
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Sun, 14 Sep 2025 14:37:01 GMT |
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Gurpreet Singh Johal wants to know if stops are linked to his efforts to find out whether UK intelligence played a role in sibling’s arrest The brother of Jagtar Singh Johal, a British Sikh jailed in India, has written to the Home Office to ask why he is being repeatedly stopped at the airport by British border police. Gurpreet Singh Johal, a Labour councillor in Dumbarton, asked if it was linked to his legal efforts to discover whether British intelligence played a role in his brother’s arrest eight years ago. Continue reading...
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Sat, 13 Sep 2025 15:46:18 GMT |
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Twelve soldiers also killed during raids on two TTP hideouts on border with Afghanistan Fierce clashes broke out in Pakistan near the border with Afghanistan when Pakistani security forces raided two hideouts of the Pakistani Taliban, killing 12 soldiers and 35 militants, the military said on Saturday. Twenty-two militants were killed in the first raid in Bajaur, a district in north-western Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Thirteen more were killed in a separate operation in South Waziristan district. Continue reading...
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Fri, 12 Sep 2025 16:49:10 GMT |
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Tue, 09 Sep 2025 12:50:23 GMT |
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KP Sharma Oli resigns as police meet protests with deadly force, leaving 19 dead, and federal parliament is set alight Nepal’s prime minister has resigned after some of the worst unrest in decades rocked the country this week, set off by a ban on social media and discontent at political corruption and nepotism. KP Sharma Oli’s resignation came a day after widespread protests were met with deadly force by police, leaving 19 dead and hundreds injured. The spark for the protests was a government ban on 26 prominent social media apps, but escalated into a larger mass movement against corruption among political elites. Continue reading...
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Mon, 08 Sep 2025 15:32:49 GMT |
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Many demonstrators say they are also on the streets over corruption and nepotism they allege is rampant At least 19 people have been killed during protests in Nepal over a government ban on dozens of online platforms including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and X. The government has faced mounting criticism after imposing a ban on 26 prominent social media platforms and messaging apps last week because they had missed a deadline to register under new regulations. Continue reading...
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Tue, 16 Sep 2025 13:44:21 GMT |
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Jeremy Shippam, Judit Murray and Fiona Maclean to face trial in March charged under Terrorism Act The first three defendants in England and Wales charged with showing support for the banned group Palestine Action have pleaded not guilty to charges under the Terrorism Act. Jeremy Shippam, 72, of Yapton, West Sussex, Judit Murray, 71, of West Ewell, Surrey, and Fiona Maclean, 53, of Hackney, north-east London, will face trial in March next year for allegedly holding placards saying “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action”. Continue reading...
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Tue, 16 Sep 2025 13:43:47 GMT |
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Exclusive: Health secretary says Labour cannot afford to ignore far-right protests as Starmer under growing pressure Wes Streeting has called it “laughable” that rising racism and homophobia is a sign of free speech in a strongly worded intervention suggesting Labour needed to step up its defence of minorities. The health secretary told the LGBT foundation on Monday he wanted to address “the elephant in the room” and said he understood why some were questioning “whether this government is really on our side”. Continue reading...
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Tue, 16 Sep 2025 13:42:36 GMT |
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Kemi Badenoch and Ed Davey attack PM’s record over US ambassador Vikram Dodd is the Guardian’s crime correspondent. Police expect to arrest 50 more people following Saturday’s large far-right-led march through London, the commissioner of the Metropolitan police said this morning. If you are Conservative right-minded, then the future is Reform. The country is going to change a lot. The same people who thought that Brexit would not happen think that Reform will not happen. They are in for a shock. Continue reading...
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Tue, 16 Sep 2025 13:37:43 GMT |
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Company expects consultation process to result in about 600 roles being cut out of 23,000 UK staff Sky has put 900 roles at risk as the broadcaster continues to reshape its business in the streaming era. The company, which employs about 23,000 staff in the UK, expects the consultation process to result in about 600 roles being cut, with 300 redeployed. Continue reading...
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Tue, 16 Sep 2025 13:31:38 GMT |
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No 10 extends criticism to Elon Musk saying ethnic minority Britons would be scared by call to violence The UK faces “the fight of our times” against the division exemplified by the Tommy Robinson-led march in London on Saturday, Keir Starmer has told his cabinet in a robust if arguably belated response to the scenes in the capital. Starmer made the comments at Tuesday morning’s meeting of his cabinet, Downing Street said. No 10 extended the criticism to Elon Musk, saying many Britons, particularly from minority backgrounds, would have felt intimidated by “calls to violence from foreign billionaire”. Continue reading...
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Tue, 16 Sep 2025 13:54:18 GMT |
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Former Democratic vice-presidential nominee’s news comes amid rumors he would seek higher office for 2028 Tim Walz, the governor of Minnesota and the Democratic vice-presidential nominee last year, announced on Tuesday that he is running for a third term as governor in 2026. The announcement comes after speculation that he could seek higher office in 2028 instead of a third term in the state. Continue reading...
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Tue, 16 Sep 2025 13:49:05 GMT |
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Election to fill Melissa Hortman’s seat comes amid heightened alarm in the US over political violence Minnesota voters are heading to the polls on Tuesday for a special election to fill the state House seat of the late state Representative Melissa Hortman, who was killed in June alongside her husband in what officials described as a “politically motivated assassination”. Residents in Minnesota’s Brooklyn Park and surrounding suburbs will have the choice between Democrat Xp Lee, health equity analyst, former Brooklyn Park city council member and Republican Ruth Bittner, a real estate agent. Continue reading...
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Tue, 16 Sep 2025 13:45:42 GMT |
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FBI director grilled by Senate judiciary committee as he faces criticism for his actions and social media posts throughout the Kirk shooting investigation Under-fire FBI director Kash Patel will confront Senate Democrats at a congressional hearing at 9am ET, likely to be dominated by questions about the investigation into the killing of Charlie Kirk, as well as the agency’s role in reviewing the files related to the Epstein case, and recent firings of senior officials who have accused Patel of illegal political retribution. His appearance before the Senate judiciary committee represents the first oversight hearing of Patel’s young but tumultuous tenure. Most recently he has faced criticism for his actions and social media posts during the Kirk shooting investigation, which have raised questions about his experience and judgement, including being seen as “grandstanding” with regards to his own role, and prematurely (and wrongly) announcing on X that the suspect had been caught. Continue reading...
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Tue, 16 Sep 2025 13:35:29 GMT |
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US president announces defamation action, accusing title of being ‘virtual mouthpiece’ for Democrats Donald Trump has filed a $15bn defamation lawsuit against the New York Times in his latest use of legal action targeting a major media outlet. The US president accused it of being a “mouthpiece” for the Democratic party and of “spreading false and defamatory content” about him. Continue reading...
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Tue, 16 Sep 2025 12:24:47 GMT |
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Redford achieved huge critical and commercial success in the 60s and 70s with a string of hits including Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Way We Were and The Sting, before becoming an Oscar-winning director Robert Redford, star of Hollywood classics including Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Sting and All the President’s Men, has died aged 89. In a statement, his publicist said the actor died in his sleep at his home in Utah. Continue reading...
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