Crystal Mason has spent nearly a decade fighting conviction for casting provisional ballot that ultimately wasn't countedThe nearly decade-long case of a Black Texas woman who was sentenced to five years in prison in a controversial illegal voting case will end with an acquittal, the state's highest criminal court said in a 5-4 decision on Thursday.The woman, Crystal Mason, has been appealing against the case ever since her 2018 conviction for casting a provisional ballot that ultimately wasn't counted. In 2024, the Texas court of criminal appeals acquitted her in the case. The local prosecutor handling the case appealed that ruling to Texas's highest criminal court, which initially agreed to hear it. But on Thursday, the court reversed itself, and said it would not hear an appeal, letting the acquittal stand. It did not offer any explanation for why. Continue reading...
Israeli PM attacks critics and calls New York mayor Zohran Mamdani antisemitic' in inflammatory addressBenjamin Netanyahu delivered an inflammatory address to the United Nations on Thursday, decrying what he said was a global anti-Jewish conspiracy and swatting aside criticism of Israel's war in Gaza, as he faces down international isolation and a fight for political survival in upcoming elections in Israel.As planned protests erupted on the streets of New York City, Netanyahu took aim at critics of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the international media, regional leaders such as Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdoan, the leftwing commentator Hasan Piker and the New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani in an address that doubled as a stump speech to ignite his rightwing base for the elections. Continue reading...
Senior Iranian officials say Washington has four to five days to respond to its conditions for reopening the straitThe UK foreign secretary, Ed Miliband, has met his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, for the first time in New York amid warnings from senior Iranian security officials that the US has four to five days to respond to its conditions for reopening the strait of Hormuz.The previously unknown apparent deadline was specified by Mohsen Rezaei, the secretary of the supreme national security council, in a TV interview on Wednesday evening, and it is unclear what action Tehran will take if the US does not respond to Iran's preconditions for reopening the vital waterway. Continue reading...
by Joseph Gedeon and Chris Stein in Washington on (#78M2X)
GOP stymies House-passed war powers resolution as conflict passes 200-day mark with 19 US service members killedSenate Republicans on Thursday blocked a Democratic effort to end the US war with Iran, voting 49-50 against a House-passed war powers resolution as the conflict passed the 200-day mark, with 19 American service members killed.The measure passed the House earlier with bipartisan support. Senate Democrats, led by the minority leader, Chuck Schumer, and the senator Andy Kim of New Jersey, forced the vote under the War Powers Resolution, which allows lawmakers to bring such measures to the floor. Continue reading...
State supreme court rules Chad Bianco's conduct unlawful and says he must refrain from further handling' of ballotsA Republican California sheriff must return more than a half-million ballots he seized for an investigation into unfounded voting improprieties in a special election last year, the state supreme court ruled Thursday.Riverside county sheriff Chad Bianco in February seized approximately 650,000 ballots from a November 2025 special election on statewide congressional redistricting favorable to Democrats and pushed by Governor Gavin Newsom. The measure easily passed statewide, and won in Bianco's county by roughly 80,000 votes. Continue reading...
Deference was deafening as US president rolled out red carpet for world's biggest jailer of journalists - perhaps he was seeking tipsOne is an authoritarian who represses the media with a strong allergy to democratic elections. The other is head of the Chinese Communist party.Donald Trump welcomed the Chinese president, Xi Jinping, to the White House on Thursday, setting the stage for a scene quite unlike anything the august old building has seen over more than two centuries. Continue reading...
Thirty-seven-year-old in custody on suspicion of crimes including criminal damage with intent to endanger lifeThe far-right agitator and anti-migrant activist Daniel Thomas has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage with intent to endanger life after he filmed himself appearing to slash the side of a dinghy in the middle of the Channel while a rescuer was onboard.The arrest came as the Home Office recorded 781 arrivals in 10 boats on Wednesday, the highest number for a single day so far this year. Responding to the figures, the government said it would push further and harder" to crack down on the people organising the crossings. Continue reading...
Monthly thank you' payments for people hosting refugees to be cut from 350 to 100 from next yearUkrainian refugees in the UK fear they could be left homeless after the government quietly axed 70% of funding for hosts of the Homes for Ukraine scheme, reducing monthly thank you" payments to them from 350 to 100.The scheme was launched after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and has provided support for 181,000 of the 234,000 Ukrainians who have since sought sanctuary in the UK. Continue reading...
If you're not in the internal market, you don't get the same protection,' says French minister of policy designed to curb Chinese competitionFrance is leading a push to exclude the UK from the EU's Made in Europe" policy that could result in British companies losing out in the race to supply European countries with low-carbon technologies and electric cars.The plans were raised by Andy Burnham when he met the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, on the sidelines of the UN general assembly earlier this week. Continue reading...
Protest outside UN headquarters drew hundreds of people as Israeli prime minister prepared to speakAs the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, prepared to deliver his speech at the UN headquarters in New York City on Thursday, hundreds of people blocked traffic on the streets outside, with dozens of people arrested as of early afternoon.The protest outside the UN, one of several this week against the embattled Israeli leader, drew hundreds of Jewish, Palestinian, Iranian and Lebanese New Yorkers, among others, as well as several elected officials and candidates in the November election, and a number of celebrities. Continue reading...
Resolution Foundation says households outside London are paying hundreds of pounds a year more in council tax than they would be under a fair systemTim Shipman has written about what will be coming up at the Labour conference next week in his cover story for the Spectator. He says:Labour special advisers summoned last week to the pillared state room on the first floor of No. 10 to hear the plan for conference from Burnham's political secretary, Hayden Munro, left in no doubt that the PM wants to be a transformational figure. The conference narrative' these advisers were urged to push includes the telling line: This Labour government will bring forward the biggest change to Britain in 40 years, with a new political and economic model.' On the specifics, Burnham will pledge: We will make the choices that are needed to end rough sleeping, solve the social care crisis and get more young people into work.'Burnham will pledge to run a cost-of-living government' with further immediate action' to provide the breathing space people need', as well as outline plans to devolve power out of Whitehall', reindustrialise Britain' and take back public control of the essentials in life - such as energy, water and housing' to make them affordable again'.Ultimately, the election choice is Burnham's. If you knew what Keir's aides thought, you knew what he would do,' says a ministerial aide. But Andy has political opinions of his own.' Burnham may go for it. But those closest to him doubt it. He likes risk, but he has stuff he wants to get done,' says one close confidant. While outsiders think his ambitions require an election, Burnham thinks he can transform Britain without one. Andy really cares about the devolution stuff,' the ministerial aide observes. Most of Westminster roll their eyes but he thinks that will change the country. He thinks doing that will make him a great prime minister.'And those who think none of that will deal with Britain's economic problems seize on another clue. A Labour adviser concludes: Ultimately I think Burnham and his team will do what they often do with difficult decisions, and not make one.'What I imagine is that some schools will offer some of these subjects where their local labour market demands, and this is where our mayors and our local leaders are really helping to shape that in their area.So I wouldn't expect a school to offer all of these, as they don't offer all GCSEs at the moment. They will specialise in particular areas.If you're trying to do engineering or construction, for example, you know that involves a lot of problem solving, a lot of maths, a lot of thinking, as well as the hands-on skills that's required.So it's not dumbing down, it's the opposite of that, actually, because this is about raising the standards and the rigour and regulating these qualifications. Continue reading...
The incident is the latest in a series of recent cases involving people entering or departing the US city's sewer networkThree unidentified people were seen emerging from a manhole in New York City's Upper East Side neighborhood early Wednesday before fleeing the area, police said, in an incident that comes as many world leaders have gathered in the city for the United Nations general assembly.The incident is the latest in a series of similar cases involving people entering or emerging from New York City's sewer network in recent months that have gone viral online. Continue reading...
Warning comes hours after Poland says fire at Starlink satellite station was act of sabotage'Russia could launch a limited military attack against a Nato country in the coming months, Danish intelligence said, in one of the starkest warnings yet by western security services.In a report published on Thursday, the Danish defence intelligence service warned of a low but growing risk" that Russia could launch long-range strikes on Nato infrastructure supporting Ukraine, or carry out a limited incursion into a neighbouring country with a small number of troops, potentially operating without insignia. Continue reading...
Wallace and Gromit stop-motion models and other beloved creations raise money to train new generations of animatorsWallace's reaction as the auction got into full swing might have been a trademark good grief!" - and the enthusiasm of some of the bidding could have caused even the phlegmatic Gromit to show surprise.Fans of Wallace and Gromit and other beloved creations of the Aardman studio seized the chance to grab souvenirs when more than 200 pieces - including Wallace, Gromit, Shaun the Sheep and Chicken Run puppets that starred in Aardman productions - went under the hammer on Thursday. Continue reading...
by Gwyn Topham Transport correspondent on (#78KSD)
Unions say record high of nearly 25,000, including assaults on rail workers and public, shows need for more staff and policingThe number of reported assaults on Great Britain's railways has risen by a fifth to a record high of almost 25,000 incidents in a year.Unions said the horrendous" figures showed the need for more staff and policing, as the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) revealed a sharp increase in assaults on the travelling public and on railway staff last year. Continue reading...
by Carlos Mureithi in Nairobi and agencies on (#78KW0)
Fighting escalates after TPLF forms new rebel coalition aimed at overthrowing Abiy Ahmed governmentThere are growing fears of a return to civil war in Ethiopia after an offensive by rebels from Tigray into the neighbouring states of Afar and Amhara, and the formation of a new rebel coalition aimed at overthrowing the government of the prime minister, Abiy Ahmed.Fighting from 2020 to 2022 between the Ethiopian army and the political party and paramilitary group Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) killed about 600,000 people. Both sides are now accusing the other of triggering a return to open conflict. Continue reading...
Mario David Coronado Juarez was killed when his car struck a tree and burst into flames as he attempted to avoid ICELeading Democrats and immigration advocates in Michigan are demanding transparency from federal authorities after a man died in a fiery car crash as he attempted to avoid agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).Mario David Coronado Juarez, a Guatemalan national, was killed Sunday in Grand Rapids when his vehicle struck a tree at high speed and burst into flames shortly after the ICE officers tried to conduct a traffic stop. Continue reading...
MoD claims book by soldier known as Christian Craighead contains alleged breach of confidentiality contractAn injunction preventing a former member of the SAS from publishing a book about his role in a counter-terrorism operation has been extended after an application by the Ministry of Defence.The block on publication of the book in the UK will continue until the conclusion of a government legal action against the soldier, who is known only by the pseudonym Christian Craighead. Continue reading...
Taraneh and Romina Rahimi were charged with waging war against God' after joining protests against Tehran regimeThe family of 21-year-old twins who have been sentenced respectively to death and decades in jail for protesting against the Iranian regime have appealed to the United Nations for help.A formal submission of information" relating to the case of Taraneh and Romina Rahimi has been submitted by British human right lawyers on their family's behalf. Continue reading...
Paris public prosecutor opens investigation into online harassment of Riner, one of France's most popular sportspeopleParis's public prosecutor has opened an investigation into the racist abuse and online harassment of the French judo star Teddy Riner after he expressed concern about the rise of the far right.Riner, who has often been voted France's most popular sportsperson and is one of the most successful judo competitors of all time, told a TV sports show this month that he felt anxiety" about the rise of the far right in France. Numerous racist insults and hate messages were subsequently directed at him online, the prosecutor's office said. Continue reading...
Chore jackets and loose-fit trousers nod to nonconformist glamour' of Amelia Earhart and other pioneersThe Max Mara catwalk at Milan fashion week had well-cut coats, sturdy block-heeled boots, crisp white shirts and capacious suede handbags. What it quite deliberately did not have was shock value. I hope everyone watching this show can recognise something of themselves in what they see," said Ian Griffiths, the British designer who has been at this Italian house since 1987. I think that's really important. Without being critical of other brands or designers, so much of fashion alienates people and makes them feel that they aren't good enough or thin enough or young enough to wear what's being represented."Trousers were pleated and roomy, skirts long enough to be elegant but not long enough to trip you up. In shades of sand and chalk, grey and black, every piece was designed to work with everything else, and to blend into an existing wardrobe. The styling gestures - a popped collar here, a knotted belt there - stopped short of gimmick. The models could have walked off the runway and on to the Milan street - which, Griffiths said backstage, was the point. The catwalk show is only the prelude to what to me is the real presentation, which is when I see women walking down the street in my clothes." Continue reading...
Role for Anant Ambani, son of India's richest person, who also runs a controversial mega-zoo, met with incredulityNewcastle University is facing a backlash from conservationists over the appointment of the heir to an Indian oil and gas fortune who runs a controversial mega-zoo as a professor of sustainability.The university announced that Anant Ambani had been given a professorship of practice for his work in conservation, biodiversity protection, animal welfare and environmental stewardship" and significant contributions to advancing a more sustainable future". Continue reading...
Theatrical rollout across 56 territories planned for documentary about Israel's mass killing of civilians in Gaza before film will stream on Guardian websiteNAZA, the award-winning documentary from Israeli film-makers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, is set to be released in cinemas in more than 50 countries before a digital global release on theguardian.com.The film, which the Guardian produced, premiered at the Venice film festival earlier this month, where it was met with a 25-minute standing ovation - a festival record. The documentary went on to win the special jury prize. Continue reading...
Duo had US hits with their cover of Always Something There to Remind Me as well as Promises, Promises and morePete Byrne, the frontman of British new wave group Naked Eyes who carried them to repeated chart successes in the US, has died aged 74.The news was announced on the band's website and social media on Wednesday, stating that Byrne died peacefully in Los Angeles on 14 September after a brief illness. Continue reading...
Polling suggests Andy Burnham is attracting progressives back to Labour, motivated by desire to stop Nigel Farage How Labour's majority depends on five progressive voter types - in charts
Roberto Hamidovic, 48, ran network of thieves who targeted tourists in Paris Metro and DisneylandA clan leader who sent gangs of child pickpockets to target tourists in the Paris Metro and popular attractions such as Disneyland Paris has been jailed for human trafficking.Roberto Hamidovic, 48, likened to Fagin, Charles Dickens's notorious criminal boss, ran a network of child thieves, mostly girls, some as young as 10, who brought in an average of 25,000 (21,500) a day, according to police. Continue reading...
IPPR finds failure to align testing standards has forced companies to abandon exporting to EU and is costing costing 0.18% of national incomeThe UK is losing out on annual exports to the EU that could be worth as much as 6.5bn without a deal with Brussels that allows manufacturers to jettison duplicate product testing.In the latest attempt to calculate the loss of trade with the EU after Brexit, the IPPR thinktank said many companies have given up selling goods to the EU or set up subsidiaries inside the trade bloc after successive governments failed to secure a mutual recognition agreement that would avoid the extra administration costs.Motor vehicle and part exports would have been between 2.48bn and 3.42bn higher each year.Electronic exports could have been between 1.17bn and 1.67bn higher.Pharmaceutical exports would have had an estimated annual uplift of between 740m and 820m. Continue reading...
by Emma Joyce explains it to Steph Harmon on (#78KM4)
For the first time in recent history there'll be no pre-game entertainment at the NRL grand final. But everyone has a different story about what actually went downEmma, the NRL and Tones and I seem to be at war - but I can't make sense of what's going on.I'll try to catch you up. The Dance Monkey singer made headlines this week after it was leaked she'd turned down an offer to perform at next weekend's NRL grand final. The rugby league boss Peter V'landys said negotiations broke down due to artistic differences", and some claimed it was because the Aria award-winning artist didn't want to play her biggest hit. Continue reading...
Exclusive: Levy that allows almost 16,000 houses to be built on Norfolk Broads will not cover cost of mitigating environmental damage, critics sayA new levy on developers to allow almost 16,000 homes to be built in the environmentally protected Norfolk Broads has been cut by tens of thousands of pounds per house, the Guardian can reveal.Ministers say the government's environmental delivery plans (EDPs) were created to unblock housing growth across the country and are a win-win" for development and nature. Continue reading...
by Lorenzo Tondo in Jerualem and Seham Tantesh in Gaz on (#78KK8)
Five desalination plants shut down for days, while Gaza remains in grip of severe water and sanitation crisisIsrael is facing weeks of water shortages after an exceptional algae bloom crippled much of its desalination capacity, in a crisis scientists say was triggered when Israeli attacks destroyed much of Gaza's wastewater infrastructure, causing a massive discharge of untreated sewage.Pollution does not recognise political borders," said the Zalul Environmental Association, an Israeli NGO dedicated to protecting the country's seas and shores. The discharge of untreated sewage from the Gaza Strip into the sea is contributing to the worsening crisis affecting the Israeli desalination facilities. The wastewater contains nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, which feed microalgae and cyanobacteria and may intensify their blooms." Continue reading...
Die Linke candidate, a lawyer affected by her experiences as the child of political migrants from Turkey, poised to head Berlin coalition governmentElif Eralp launched her election bid last autumn with the blunt statement: People like me are actually not supposed to become mayor in this country." So the fact that the 45-year-old lawyer and daughter of political migrants from Turkey is on the verge of becoming Berlin's next mayor and the capital's first leader of Turkish origin is quite the moment in German politics.After last weekend's city state election, in which her far-left party, Die Linke, came first with more than a quarter of the votes, Eralp has become a household name. Continue reading...
by Dan Sabbagh in eastern Ukraine. With photographs b on (#78KJC)
A conflict that began with tanks and then artillery is now pivoting around a new generation of drones focused on military, industrial, economic and civilian targetsFinally, in the dead of night, the threat above has passed. The rain has eased and the Ukrainian drones are ready, prepared by a ground crew shrouded in hard-to-detect green and red lights. A small succession of Ukrainian Fire Point FP-2 craft, miniature monoplanes with a 6-metre wingspan and more than 100kg of explosive, line up for an attack mission into occupied Luhansk, over 200 miles away.The drone's main piston engine is a familiar scooter's buzz, but its launch booster is something else. The jet sound reverberates, almost painfully. A burst of fire lurches into the distance, the last of which signifies it is time for Ukraine's 413 Raid drone regiment to pack and go.The launch of an FP-2 drone during the mission into occupied Luhansk Continue reading...
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