by Daniel Hurst Foreign affairs and defence correspon on (#6PSED)
Australia-US talks also turn to Middle East conflict as representatives ramp up calls for Gaza ceasefireThe US says it plans more frequent" deployments of bomber aircraft to Australia amid concerns over China's dangerous and escalatory behaviour" in the region.The announcement after annual talks on Wednesday builds on a long-term trend of increased rotations of American forces to Australia, along with moves to upgrade Australian military bases and pre-position US army equipment in Australia. Continue reading...
by Mahika Ravi Shankar and Mark Sweney on (#6PSEF)
ASA says Instagram video featuring TV star wearing device encouraged people to take their treatment into own hands'An Instagram post by Gemma Collins in which she promoted wearing a headset to fight depression instead of seeking professional medical advice and treatment has been banned by the UK advertising watchdog.The TV personality posted a video wearing a Flow Neuroscience AB device, a 400 headset that sends mild electrical impulses to the frontal cortex of the brain responsible for regulating mood.In the UK, the charity Mind is available on 0300 123 3393 and Childline on 0800 1111. In the US, call or text Mental Health America at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. In Australia, support is available at Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, Lifeline on 13 11 14, and at MensLine on 1300 789 978 Continue reading...
Leading medic calls for urgent action to protect those who cut the material after rise in cases of the incurable diseaseThe government should consider a ban on artificial stone worktops after a rise in cases of an incurable disease linked to their manufacture, experts have said.One leading medic has called for urgent action to protect workers who cut the material. Continue reading...
Prime minister holds emergency Cobra meeting in face of escalation of disorder following Southport stabbingsKeir Starmer has pledged that communities would be safe" as the country braces itself for an escalation in disorder on Wednesday.The prime minister chaired a meeting of the government's emergency Cobra committee on Tuesday evening, the second in two days, to coordinate the response to the ongoing unrest. Continue reading...
Announcement comes after former Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh killed in bombing attack last weekHamas has named Yahya Sinwar as the new head of its political bureau, elevating the hardline militant to the group's top post after the assassination in Teheran of its previous political leader.Sinwar's appointment was announced in a brief statement by Hamas on Tuesday that was aired on pro-Hamas Iranian state media channels. Continue reading...
Granddaughter makes plea online after address included on list of targets for Wednesday protestsA granddaughter has pleaded for far-right groups planning to target immigration advice centres to avoid protesting at her 88-year-old grandmother's house after it was included in a list of targets shared on social media.Tammy posted a family photo on X, which said her grandmother's address has been included in a list targeting immigration centres, lawyers' offices and charities across the country on Wednesday. Continue reading...
Nearly 100 dispensaries were authorized to begin selling after receiving operating certificates this weekCustomers lined up at dispensaries across Ohio on Tuesday for the first day of recreational marijuana sales in the state.Nearly 100 medical marijuana dispensaries were authorized to begin selling recreational marijuana to adults after receiving operating certificates this week from the state's division of cannabis control. Continue reading...
Leaders expect a military response over Hamas assassination but fears grow of escalation into regional warVladimir Putin has reportedly told Iran to avoid civilian casualties in any retaliatory attack on Israel for the assassination of the Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh, an underlining of the constraints it faces as it frames its response - and a call for restraint likely to be echoed by many foreign ministers from the 57 countries inside the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) at a meeting in Jeddah on Wednesday as tensions in the Middle East grow.The meeting - jointly called by Iran and Pakistan - will produce unanimous condemnation of the killing of Haniyeh as an escalatory and illegal act by Israel, but Iranian diplomats will also be working to avoid being left isolated by the more cautious Arab Gulf states. Continue reading...
Little visible evidence of rioting remains after swift clean-up operation, but Muslim community has been left shakenAs rioters hurled bricks, bottles and fireworks in a frenzy of violence in Plymouth, members of the local mosque were taking no chances.The riots, which mirrored those that have scarred so many communities in the past week, broke out on the high street on Monday as 150 officers in riot gear and with dogs sought to keep apart far-right rioters and Stand Up to Racism demonstrators in the city centre. Continue reading...
Chris McCausland's inclusion in hit TV show promotes awareness around what people can do', say dancersThe BBC has unveiled the first two contestants for its next series of Strictly Come Dancing, one of whom will be the show's first ever blind star.The comic Chris McCausland's inclusion in the show has thrilled the small but dedicated community of visually impaired ballroom dancers, who are already celebrating the inclusion of a category for visually impaired dancers at the prestigious Open World international dance competition in Blackpool for the first time. Continue reading...
Heads of mosques in West Midlands warn against reactive violence as some communities plan counter-protests to protect streets from riotersMuslim community leaders have urged restraint amid signs of a growing readiness to defend mosques, businesses and homes using violence if necessary after a week of aggression from the far right.On Monday, several hundred Muslim men, some wearing balaclavas and masks, gathered in the Bordesley area of Birmingham as threats of an imminent attack by the English Defence League (EDL) and other far-right activists circulated on social media. Continue reading...
by Presented by Jonathan Freedland, with Molly Jong-F on (#6PS45)
The de facto Democratic nominee for US president has picked her running mate, and it is the Minnesota governor Tim Walz. He's called Donald Trump and JD Vance weird', but will he be able to pull in enough support for Harris?Jonathan Freedland is joined by the political commentator Molly Jong-Fast to discuss whether Harris made and the right pick, and if the Republicans should be worriedArchive: CBS News, CNN, MSNBC, NBC News, ABC News Continue reading...
by Tiago Rogero, South America correspondent on (#6PS46)
Analyses indicate Nicolas Maduro lost the presidential election, but country's leader shows no signs of stepping asideIt is not new for Nicolas Maduro to be accused of attempting to steal a presidential election - the US described his claim to have won re-election in 2018 as an insult to democracy" - but the evidence for such allegations has never before been quite so overwhelming.Analyses carried out by the opposition, academics and media organizations have offered strong evidence to suggest that the Venezuelan president lost - by a landslide - to the main opposition candidate, retired diplomat Edmundo Gonzalez. Continue reading...
Independent presidential candidate made bizarre admission in New Yorker profile but won't face chargesThe independent presidential candidate Robert F Kennedy Jr will not face New York state charges after admitting that he dumped a dead bear in Central Park in 2014.The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) led the 2014 investigation and forensic analysis into the Central Park bear cub and concluded the bear died from blunt-force trauma consistent with a high-speed collision," the agency said on Monday, as news of Kennedy's bizarre admission, made in a New Yorker profile, percolated through US media and politics. Continue reading...
Eluned Morgan promises to reinvent' Welsh Labour and focus on things that matter to people' as she takes officePublic services are the Welsh people's priority rather than more devolution, the new first minister has said, promising to reinvent" Labour after taking office in the Senedd.Eluned Morgan, the former health minister, was sworn in on Tuesday, becoming the third leader of Welsh Labour this year. She has taken over after her predecessor, Vaughan Gething, lasted less than 140 days in office before being forced to resign over a row about donations and a sacked minister he wrongly accused of leaking messages. Continue reading...
Two elephants painted on blocked-out windows in Chelsea after goat mural appears near Kew BridgeBanksy has unveiled his second animal artwork in 24 hours, showing two elephants reaching towards each other from blocked-out windows.The artist verified his latest work in an Instagram post on Tuesday, with the mural painted on the side of a house in Chelsea, south-west London. Continue reading...
Advocate Anna Buduls AO says her 2013 report, which found major failings with the controversial Centrepay debt recovery system, was mostly forgotten about
Appeal for donations to repair fire damage caused to Spellow Hub library has raised more than 120,000 in two daysA fundraising campaign has raised more than 120,000 to help repair a Liverpool library and community hub that suffered severe fire damage after being targeted by rioters on Saturday night.Nigella Lawson and children's laureate Frank Cottrell-Boyce are among those who have donated to the gofundme page, which was set up on Sunday afternoon in aid of Spellow Hub library. Continue reading...
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...
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