US secretary of defence Lloyd Austin said rocket strike marked a dangerous escalation'A United Nations expert on Tuesday condemned Israel's killing last week of Al Jazeera journalist Ismail Al-Ghoul and cameraman Ramy El Rify in Gaza and urged that the deaths be prosecuted as a war crime.The two men died in a 31 July airstrike by the Israeli military, which said Al-Ghoul was a Hamas operative who took part in the October attack against Israel. Continue reading...
The Minnesota governor and his allies have used their power to push a slate of progressive policies, but other aspects of his record could present a liabilityPresumptive Democratic nominee Kamala Harris has chosen the Minnesota governor, Tim Walz, as her running mate in the presidential race, elevating a popular although relatively unknown leader who has attracted the support of progressive voters in recent days.Walz has served as Minnesota's governor since 2019 after 12 years in the House of Representatives and now leads the Democratic Governors Association. He has built a reputation as a folksy politician who can get things done, as Minnesota has adopted a number of progressive laws during his tenure. According to a poll conducted earlier this year, Walz enjoys an approval rating of 55% among Minnesotans. Continue reading...
Apparent shutdown attempt shows potential for some leaders to use such threats to enforce personal agendaThe political complexities of Libya's oil industry were highlighted at the weekend when allies of the warlord Khalifa Haftar were said to have tried to shut down a Spanish-operated oilfield in reprisal for an arrest warrant issued by Spain for his son over alleged weapons smuggling.Saddam Haftar, a key military figure in his father's self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA), was detained at an airport in Naples, Italy, for an hour on Friday after his name appeared on a common EU database. Those close to Haftar say he was questioned by Italian officials in relation to Spanish allegations, but insist he was never arrested. Continue reading...
by Libby Brooks Scotland correspondent on (#6PRWV)
Day begins in chaotic fashion with thousands of pupils receiving blank emails instead of their exam resultsThe pass rate has fallen while the attainment gap has widened across all Scottish school qualifications after a chaotic start to the day when thousands of pupils received a blank email instead of their exam results.The chief executive of the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), Fiona Robertson, apologised to the estimated 7,000 young people affected, blaming a technical issue that was resolved swiftly", with the correct results emails sent out by 9.30am. Continue reading...
Florida governor didn't take $250m in federal funds for EBT program this year - some worry he'll follow suit for next yearFlorida governor Ron DeSantis's shameful" rejection of a federal food aid program left countless families struggling to feed their children this summer, according to advocates who fear the Republican is about to turn down help for next year too.The summer electronic benefits transfer (EBT) program, known as Sun Bucks, would have given disadvantaged families $120 per child to help pay for groceries during June, July and August while schools are out. Continue reading...
Communications between Higgins and sexual assault survivor advocate subpoenaed during defamation trial as Reynolds' lawyer accuses former staffer of trying to capture public opinion'Communications between Brittany Higgins and sexual assault survivor advocate, Saxon Mullins, over a newly created page to fundraise for Higgins' legal costs will be handed over to Linda Reynolds' legal team, a court has heard.The Western Australian Liberal senator is suing Higgins for a series of social media posts published in July 2023, which she says damaged her reputation. Continue reading...
Antonio El Diablo' Riano's arrest in 2004 killing of Benjamin Becerra ends search for one of US's most wanted fugitivesA man whose nickname is the Spanish word for devil" shot a bar patron to death near Cincinnati, Ohio, nearly two decades ago - then fled to Mexico to become a police officer, investigators recently alleged.Antonio El Diablo" Riano, 72, was ultimately captured in the south-western Mexican town of Zapotitlan Palmas and was returned to the US on 1 August to face charges of murder. Continue reading...
Heidi Alexander says more than 500 extra places to be made available as violence continuesIndividuals causing disorder and rioting will have a prison place waiting for them" the justice minister has said, as far-right violence continued in England and Northern Ireland for a seventh day.Police officers were attacked and injured in Plymouth, Belfast and Darlington on Monday, with nearly 400 arrests made since the Southport stabbings a week ago. Continue reading...
Extremists have targeted their hotels since 2020, but the recent escalation in violence means few feel safeOutside the asylum seeker hotel, the far-right mob are baying get them out" while hurling rocks, fireworks and other missiles. Behind the hotel windows, those who live there cower in terror.But this was not the scene outside the asylum seeker hotel in Rotherham that was attacked by far-right thugs on Sunday, nor in Hull on Saturday. This happened outside the Suites hotel in Knowsley on 10 February 2023. Continue reading...
Decade of austerity blamed for impending closure of inner-city spaces that provide meals and outdoor activitiesAll nine of Leicester's remaining adventure playgrounds are to lose all their council funding and are beginning the process of shutting down.Three are already handing out redundancy notices and setting dates for closure in September with playworkers at another warning they are just a few months behind". Continue reading...
Prison hit by scandals over high-profile escape and officer-prisoner sex is to be given 100m and extra specialist staffA scandal-hit prison that has been called the worst in England and Wales has had a further collapse in its conditions, with seven suicides by inmates over the past year, a damning report has found.HMP Wandsworth, from which a terror suspect escaped and where a prison officer was filmed having sex with an inmate, will receive 100m from the lord chancellor after findings from the prisons watchdog, the government announced on Tuesday.40% of emergency cell bells not being responded to within five minutes.Rocketing levels of self-harm among prisoners. This included an incident when staff were oblivious to a prisoner in crisis who had self-harmed in his cell until inspectors brought it to their attention.Increasing overall rates of violence, including serious assaults, and higher use of force than at most other reception jails.More than half of men saying it was easy to get drugs. The smell of cannabis was ubiquitous, the report said. The most recent tests found 44% of prisoners were using drugs.Severe overcrowding, with 80% of men sharing cells designed to hold one person. Living conditions were very poor, with damaged flooring and furniture, broken windows and leaking fixtures being common, the report said. Many cells had no screening around the toilet, despite holding two men.Poor maintenance and filthy conditions. At the time of the inspection, the prison had more than 900 outstanding jobs in its facilities log, inspectors said. The prison was dirty, with persistent vermin problems, and inspectors found rodent faeces and urine in cells.About three-quarters of men claiming to spend more than 22 hours a day in their cells. Inspectors carrying out two random roll checks were unable to verify this because record-keeping was so poor.Managers not being able to account for prisoners during the working day, despite the terror suspect Daniel Khalife's escape from the south London prison in September. Khalife was recaptured three days later.Most leaders at the prison being temporarily promoted, and new staff learning from inexperienced frontline managers.In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie. In the US, you can call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 988, chat on 988lifeline.org, or text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org Continue reading...
New laws may make it easier to pursue far-right activist over alleged role in spreading disinformationImages of Tommy Robinson using his phone while sunbathing in Cyprus as a Rotherham hotel housing asylum seekers was set alight have prompted outrage among those long concerned about his ability to inspire far-right action, even from a distance.Yet while he has long seemed able to operate with impunity, events may finally be catching up with the man who first rose to prominence in 2009 as the de facto leader of the now defunct English Defence League (EDL). Continue reading...
Critics say the move is aimed at targeting serious challengers to the current Tunisan president, Kais Saied.A Tunisian court has sentenced a number of potential presidential election candidates to prison and banned them from running for office, according to local media, politicians, and a lawyer, in a move critics say is aimed at excluding serious competitors to President Kais Saied in October's vote.A court decision was issued on Monday against prominent politician Abdel Latif Mekki, activist Nizar Chaari, Judge Mourad Massoudi and another candidate, Adel Dou, according to lawyer Mokthar Jmai who spoke to Reuters. All four were sentenced to eight months in prison and banned from running for office on a charge of vote buying. Continue reading...
Glacier national park rangers believe they have recovered remains of Siddhant Vitthal Patil, who fell into creek in JulyGlacier national park rangers believe they have recovered the body of a man who drowned over the July 4 weekend, park officials in Montana said.Siddhant Vitthal Patil, 26, of India fell into Avalanche Creek on 6 July, but the creek was running too fast to recover his body. Continue reading...
Shooting in Indonesia's easternmost region comes almost 18 months after kidnap of another New Zealand pilotSeparatist rebels in Indonesia's easternmost region of Papua killed a helicopter pilot from New Zealand, police have said, adding that four passengers onboard the aircraft were safe.Glen Malcolm Conning, a pilot for Indonesian aviation company PT Intan Angkasa Air Service, was shot to death, said Faizal Ramadhani, a national police member and head of the joint security peace force in Papua. The gunmen were allegedly with the West Papua Liberation Army, the armed wing of the Free Papua Movement, Ramadhani said. Continue reading...
Report by Co-op Funeralcare highlights shift towards unusual venues, pets at services and glittery coffinsTraditional sombre funerals in religious settings are increasingly being replaced by celebrations of life" with personal touches held at more unusual locations in the UK, according to a study.Dr Who-themed farewells, glittery coffins and mourners dressed in football shirts are among requests received by funeral directors. Continue reading...
Programme may soon be expanded in England after study finds life-changing benefits' of meal replacement schemeTens of thousands more people in England living with type 2 diabetes could be offered an 800-calorie-a-day soup and shake" diet after research found almost one in three on the groundbreaking NHS scheme permanently wiped out their disease.Patients are given low-calorie meal replacement products such as soups, milkshakes and snack bars for three months, triggering rapid weight loss, before getting support to reintroduce normal food into their diet. Continue reading...
by Patrick Wintour, and Bethan McKernan in Jerusalem on (#6PR2P)
Crisis meeting of Arab states this week may set agenda for retaliation as countries urge Iran to show restraintIran has called in foreign ambassadors based in Tehran to warn of the country's moral duty to punish Israel for what it sees as its adventurism" and law-breaking in assassinating Ismail Haniyeh, the Hamas leader, a week ago in the Iranian capital.Iran has also secured an emergency meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Wednesday where it will try to press Arab states to back its right to take reprisal actions against Israel. Continue reading...
by Guardian staff and agencies in Jerusalem on (#6PRDM)
UN fires employees from Palestinian refugee agency following internal investigation into their role in the Hamas-led attack on IsraelThe UN has fired nine staff members from its agency for Palestinian refugees, Unrwa, after an internal investigation found they may have been involved in the Hamas-led 7 October attack against Israel.The UN secretary general's office announced the move in a brief statement on Monday. It did not elaborate on the Unrwa staffers' possible role in the attack. It said the nine included seven staffers who were fired previously over the claims. Continue reading...
Edmundo Gonzalez and Maria Corina Machado call on officials to join the side of the people' after Maduro enforces post-election crackdownVenezuela's opposition leaders, who are widely believed to have beaten Nicolas Maduro in last week's disputed presidential election, have urged the police and armed forces to abandon the strongman leader and his despicable interests".In an open letter to Venezuelan security forces, Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia and Maria Corina Machado claimed they had won an avalanche" victory over Maduro in the 28 July vote - a conclusion supported by analyses of election data carried out by the Associated Press and the Washington Post and which a growing number of western governments have also reached. Continue reading...
Octavian Cadar, 39, convicted of causing death by dangerous driving after hitting Vanessa Sagnay de la Bastida, 28A driver has been found guilty of causing the death of a woman after his car hit her while travelling at more than twice the speed limit.Vanessa Sagnay de la Bastida, 28, the daughter of the Ecuadorian former presidential candidate Carlos Sagnay de la Bastida, was hit so hard she somersaulted in the air before landing on a railing and suffering a fatal head injury, the Old Bailey was told. Continue reading...
Olivia Wood, 29, had been found in a serious condition by paramedics at an address in Portway, FromeA man has been charged with murder after a woman was found seriously injured in a property in Somerset and later died in hospital.Olivia Wood, 29, of Northwich, Cheshire, was found in a serious condition by paramedics at an address in Portway, Frome, at about 3am on 30 July. She later died in hospital. Continue reading...
Vendors selling to tourists criticize proposal, but those wanting to shed the country's mafia boss image praise itSouvenirs depicting the late Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar could be banned in Colombia if legislators approve a bill introduced this week in the nation's congress. The proposal is criticized by vendors who sell his merchandise to tourists from around the world, but backed by those who believe the country should shed its image of mafia bosses.The bill proposes fines of up to $170 for vendors who sell merchandise that depicts Escobar and other convicted criminals, and would also enable police to fine those who wear T-shirts, hats and other garments that exalt" the infamous drug lord. Continue reading...
Economics of running a dry bar has led to closures despite the growing popularity of alcohol-free beers and cocktailsWe may be in the era of the sober curious generation" but alcohol-free bars are struggling to survive.Although growing numbers of people are opting for alcohol-free beers and cocktails at home and in pubs, several exclusively dry bars in the UK and Ireland have closed over the past couple of years. Continue reading...
The street artist's latest work, on a wall near Kew Bridge, Richmond, depicts the animal teetering on a ledgeIt is a goat perched atop a thin wall, with rocks tumbling down signifying the animal's perilous position. And it's a Banksy.The meaning behind street artist's latest contribution to the London art scene will undoubtedly be earnestly debated, though it's doubtful it is the secretive Bansky declaring himself greatest of all time. Continue reading...
Charges include violent disorder, assault, arson and resisting arrest, after widespread disorder over past weekMore than two dozen people accused of taking part in violent disorder in England and Northern Ireland appeared in magistrates courts on Monday.The charges included violent disorder, assault, arson and resisting police arrest. The youngest defendant on Monday was 14 years old; the oldest was 69. The majority were local to where the offences took place and most were remanded in custody to be dealt with by a crown court judge in several weeks' time. Continue reading...
by Casper Hughes (now) and Lili Bayer (earlier) on (#6PQY1)
US president Joe Biden to meet national security team as fears grow of Iranian attack on IsraelIran's foreign ministry has called in ambassadors and heads of missions for a meeting with the country's acting foreign minister, Ali Bagheri Kani, to reiterate Iran's will to respond to Israel, Reuters reports.Spain's foreign minister, Jose Manuel Albares, has spoken with his Jordanian counterpart, Ayman Safadi, about the risk of escalation in the Middle East. Continue reading...
by Nino Bucci Justice and courts reporter on (#6PR4Y)
Police used flawed identification evidence against a suspect in the 2019 stabbing of a Melbourne teenager, but deny the investigation was improperly conducted'
Several school districts say they will not - as of now - amend curricula following superintendent's orderAs a new school year looms in Oklahoma, some educators in the state are pushing back against a new state order to incorporate the Bible into their lesson plans.In late June, Oklahoma's Republican state education superintendent, Ryan Walters, ordered public schools in the state to immediately incorporate the Bible and the Ten Commandments into their curricula, following the passage that month of a law in Louisiana with a similar mandate - and which was quickly challenged on constitutional grounds. Continue reading...
Independent presidential candidate calls Trump barely human' in texts reported in New Yorker profileThe independent US presidential candidate Robert F Kennedy Jr called Donald Trump a terrible human being", the worse [sic] president ever" and barely human".He is probably a sociopath," Kennedy said in texts to an unnamed person, the New Yorker reported on Monday. Continue reading...
Incumbent state senator Shawn Still is a so-called fake elector'. Ramaswami is 25 and wired for a challengeThe top of a ticket might normally be expected to have a profound impact on local races, especially with new vigor thanks to Kamala Harris replacing Joe Biden. The problem in Georgia is that there are almost no local races worth discussing because the state is gerrymandered to microscopic proportions.There is exactly one state senate race that's predictably competitive for a Democratic pick-up in Georgia. And that one race is spicy. Continue reading...
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