Sacking of star presenter over pay scandal stirs debate about his treatment by Irish broadcasterIreland's national broadcaster faces an uncertain future after axing its star presenter, Ryan Tubridy, in a scandal over under-declared payments.RTE surprised the public and divided opinion by announcing Tubridy would not return to the airwaves, capping two months of turmoil over accounting and governance practices that has cast doubt on the organisation's future funding. Continue reading...
Deputy leader says party would legislate to improve workers' rights within 100 days as policy forum tweaks plans for day one' rights such as sick payThe government has been trying to make this NHS week" in their comms strategy, hoping that announcements on changes to cancer targets and funding for an extra 900 beds might catch voters' eyes. One of today's announcements is that all GP surgeries in England will move to a digital phone system by spring.The government says it could potentially bring an end to the 8am scramble" when patients usually rush to secure an appointment. Continue reading...
Concerns are growing over the effects of a warming climate on production and the danger of high grocery prices getting embedded into Australia's economy
Events such as Barbenheimer partly blamed as epidemiologists warn country could have a summer waveGerman epidemiologists are warning of a summer wave of coronavirus infections, blaming in part mass gatherings such as the Barbenheimer double feature craze.The government's disease control agency, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), says that while infections remain low compared with at the height of the pandemic, they have been on the rise for the past month. Continue reading...
British Association for Shooting and Conservation and Countryside Alliance advising supporters how to answer consultation launched after Plymouth mass killingsThe powerful UK gun lobby has been accused of mobilising tens of thousands of shooting enthusiasts to skew" a government consultation on tightening firearms laws launched after the Plymouth mass killings in 2021.Gun control campaigners, victims of crime involving weapons and families of people killed in shootings have expressed concern that the government will use the results of the consultation as an excuse to not make extensive changes to firearms laws despite widespread calls for fundamental reform after the Plymouth tragedy. Continue reading...
Health officials reiterate support for private provision as lower age limit for NHS booster vaccines raised to 65Covid booster vaccines may become available for the UK public to buy for the first time after health officials reiterated their backing for the proposal.Pharmacists and private clinics will be allowed to offer jabs for sale on the high street, as they do with the flu vaccine. They are unlikely to be available in time for an autumn booster campaign but could become available next year. Continue reading...
BBC presenter apologises while denying Irish Times report that team planted producers in TV audienceThe BBC presenter Stephen Nolan has apologised in the wake of allegations that he sent unsolicited sexually explicit photographs to colleagues.Nolan used his Radio Ulster show on Friday to respond to reports that he had shared explicit images of the Celebrity Big Brother winner Stephen Bear. Continue reading...
Administrators try to secure rescue deal for retailer, with talks expected to go on well into next weekWilko has launched an everything must go" sale with significant discounts on Christmas decorations and Halloween gear months before the seasonal events as administrators try to secure a rescue deal for the collapsed retailer.No bidder is expected to take on the entire 400 store chain, which fell into administration last week after running short of cash, but several buyers are looking at parcels of stores, and it is hoped that at least part of the chain can be rescued. Continue reading...
by Dan Collyns and Carla Valdiviezo in Quito on (#6DYVJ)
Winner of Sunday's vote will face huge public demand to tackle violence after killing of candidate Fernando VillavicencioThe brazen assassination of a presidential candidate will hang heavy over Ecuadorian voters as they choose a new president this weekend, following the latest eruption of drug cartel violence in the once-peaceful nation.The winner of Sunday's vote will face an overwhelming public demand for security - but may not have the budget or the political capital to overhaul failed crime-fighting policies and fund new ones. Continue reading...
Jordanian security services are abducting, harassing and outing' LGBTQ+ people, activists say, despite repeal of anti-gay lawsJordanian secret police have been accused of intimidating gay people by outing" them to their families and of forcing the closure of two LGBTQ+ organisations.Human rights groups say activists have been abducted, harassed and monitored, as well as having their sexuality revealed to religiously conservative families. Continue reading...
It comes a week after RMT said 20,000 members would take action on two consecutive SaturdaysTrain drivers are to stage a fresh strike in their long-running dispute over pay, threatening more travel chaos for passengers.Members of Aslef will walk out on 1 September and will be subject to an overtime ban on 2 September, the same day as a strike by rail staff. Continue reading...
Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria police turned down request for escort for Fifa president, which is normally reserved for foreign heads of stateFifa asked Australian police in multiple jurisdictions to provide escorts for president Gianni Infantino during his travel for the Women's World Cup, but was turned down.Infantino asked Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales police to provide him with escorts, the Guardian has confirmed. Continue reading...
Canada's ongoing fight with social media company Meta and the resulting ban has led to difficulties with staying on top of informationCommunication issues, fast-spreading rumours and a Facebook news ban have all disrupted evacuation efforts by residents of Yellowknife, in Canada's Northwest Territories, as they race to leave the city before an out-of-control wildfire hits in the coming day or so.On Wednesday night, officials told the city's 20,000 residents they had to be out by Friday at noon (1900 BST) before a massive wildfire gets any closer. Continue reading...
Singer Eva Amaral this week created headlines by baring her chest at a festival, joining a string of other artists asserting this freedom in the name of defending women's rightsIn the middle of her performance at the Sonorama festival in the northern Spanish town of Aranda de Duero on Saturday, Eva Amaral was about to lead her band Amaral into her song Revolucion when she took off her red sequin top and threw it on the floor.This is for Rocio, for Rigoberta, for Zahara, for Miren, for Bebe, for all of us," she said, listing the names of fellow artists before uncovering her breasts. Because no one can take away the dignity of our nakedness. The dignity of our fragility, of our strength. Because there are too many of us." In a concert marking the Spanish band's 25-year career, going topless was a way of defending women's dignity and freedom to go nude, and a very important moment", Amaral later told El Pais. Continue reading...
Defence committee report says British military needs urgently to adapt over coming decades to be effectiveThe Ministry of Defence (MoD) must urgently tackle the impact of the climate crisis on its operations to make sure the capability of the UK armed forces is not eroded by rising temperatures and harsh climatic conditions, MPs have said.The impact of global heating on the armed forces covers every aspect of their operations. These include high temperatures making training locations such as Cyprus unusable at certain times of the year, increasingly harsh conditions for armed service personnel operating abroad, the threat that armoured vehicles will break down in rising temperatures and the risk to the UK from a collapse in security across the world. Continue reading...
by Mark Brown North of England correspondent on (#6DYMC)
Travellers' rest' stones were idea of Warrington doctor and part of wider scheme to help migrant workersThey are found on busy road junctions, a traffic island and a petrol station forecourt and have been passed by countless numbers of walkers, runners, cyclists and drivers without a second glance.But hiding in plain sight" are fascinating travellers' rest" stones between Liverpool and Manchester that tell a largely forgotten story of 19th-century ingenuity, compassion for migrant workers and a Victorian version of crowdfunding. Continue reading...
The company's chapter 15 protection will protect its US assets while it attempts a restructuring dealChina's Evergrande Group, the world's most heavily indebted property developer and the poster child for the country's property crisis, has filed for bankruptcy protection in a US court.The company sought protection under chapter 15 of the US bankruptcy code, which protects its US assets while it attempts a restructuring deal. The code also provides mechanisms for dealing with insolvency cases involving more than one country. Continue reading...
Harmful language and stereotypes about women can lead to distortion of law, says chief justice of IndiaIndia's supreme court has issued a handbook for judges urging them to shun words like seductress, vamp, spinster and harlot when talking about women.Archaic terms that disparage women and perpetuate gender stereotypes can still be routinely heard in Indian courts long after falling into disuse in other countries. It is not unusual for a wife to be described as chaste or ladylike, and sexual harassment is routinely trivialised as Eve-teasing". Continue reading...
Secretary of state Antony Blinken confers full support' for transfer of F-16s and training of pilotsThe United States has approved sending F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine from Denmark and the Netherlands as soon as pilot training is completed, the US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, says in a letter seen by the Reuters news agency.Washington will expedite the approval of transfer requests for F-16s, the letter - sent to Blinken's counterparts in Denmark and the Netherlands - was reported to say. The US must approve the transfer of the military jets from its allies to Ukraine. Continue reading...
by Agence France-Presse in Los Angeles on (#6DYH3)
Oscar winner urges signing of petition after Iran court finds Saeed Roustaee guilty of contributing to propaganda' for showing banned movieMartin Scorsese has backed a petition against the jailing of the prominent Iranian movie director Saeed Roustaee for screening a film at the Cannes film festival.Scorsese, the Oscar-winning director of Taxi Driver and Goodfellas, reposted a campaign launched by his daughter Francesca this week after news of Roustaee's prison sentence emerged. Continue reading...
Asghari says he and Spears will hold onto the love and respect' they have for each, after filing for divorce after 14 months of marriageSam Asghari has denied he will challenge the prenuptial agreement he has with Britney Spears after filing for divorce after 14 months of marriage.In a statement posted online on Thursday, the model and fitness trainer acknowledged that asking for privacy seems ridiculous" but asked that the media be kind and thoughtful". Continue reading...
Nato chief says only Ukraine can decide conditions for peace; US approves sending F-16 fighter jets to KyivThe head of Nato has said only Kyiv can decide conditions for peace talks with Russia following a territory row. Jens Stoltenberg's comments came after his chief of staff suggested Ukraine could give up land as a condition of Nato membership. Stoltenberg said: It is the Ukrainians, and only the Ukrainians, who can decide when there are conditions in place for negotiations, and who can decide at the negotiating table what is an acceptable solution."The United States has approved sending F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine from Denmark and the Netherlands as soon as pilot training is completed, a US official has said. Kyiv has actively sought the US-made F-16 fighter jets to help it counter Russian air superiority. Washington gave Denmark and the Netherlands official assurances that the US would expedite approval of transfer requests for F-16s to go to Ukraine when the pilots were trained, the official said on Thursday. Denmark's acting defence minister, Troels Poulsen, said in July that the country hoped to see results" from the training in early 2024.On Wednesday, Ukraine had said it would not be able to operate F-16 jets this coming autumn and winter. It's already obvious," air force spokesperson Yuriy Ihnat said on Ukrainian television.The US has imposed sanctions on four Russians it accused of being involved in the 2020 poisoning of now jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny. The US Treasury Department said the four were linked to Russia's federal security service (FSB) and included two it said were among the main reported perpetrators of Navalny's poisoning.Russia is making steady progress towards its goal of mass producing Shahed-136 drones that can travel more than 1,000 miles (1,600km) and target Ukrainian cities, the Washington Post has reported, citing documents about the plan. Moscow is working on its own version of the Shahed-136 despite delays and sanctions that impact components needed from other countries, according to the documents.Russian president Vladimir Putin is not trying to push Belarus into joining the war in Ukraine, Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko has said. If you Ukrainians do not cross our border, we will never participate in this war, in this hot war. But we will always help Russia - they are our allies," he said in an online interview.The US condemned Russia's continued attacks on Ukraine's grain infrastructure and called on Moscow to immediately return to the collapsed grain deal, the state department has said. Vladimir Putin did not care about global food security, state department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel said after Ukraine earlier on Wednesday said Russia had attacked its grain storage facilities overnight.A civilian cargo vessel left Ukraine's southern port of Odesa, Kyiv has said, despite warnings from Russia that its navy could target ships using Black Sea export hubs. The vessel reached Istanbul on Thursday. Ukraine's announcement raises the spectre of a standoff with Russian warships after Moscow last month pulled out of the deal that guaranteed safe passage for grain shipments from three Ukrainian ports.Russia's defence ministry said its forces had thwarted a Ukrainian drone attack on Russian territory on Thursday morning. Interfax said a drone had been downed over Russia's southern Belgorod region, citing the defence ministry. Continue reading...
Unions say civil servants' health endangered as legionella and insect infestations also reportedTrade unions have called for a safer working environment for civil servants after it emerged that legionella, insect infestations and more than 100 sewage leaks were discovered in government buildings in the past year.There have been 138 sewage leaks in the past 12 months in Whitehall and Ministry of Defence sites across England. Continue reading...
Elena Kostyuchenko, who has criticised the invasion of Ukraine, fell ill on a train journey in GermanyGerman authorities are investigating a possible poisoning attack in Munich last autumn on a Russian dissident journalist who had written critical articles about her country's invasion of Ukraine, the Berlin prosecutor has confirmed.In an article published with Russian-language outlet Meduza and US publication n+1 on Tuesday night, journalist Elena Kostyuchenko said she was tipped off by a source in Ukrainian military reconnaissance last March about Russian plans to assassinate her. Continue reading...
At least two of detained Iraqis and Sudanese suspected to have links to human trafficking networksFour people have been arrested in France after the deaths of six men whose boat capsized while crossing the Channel.French judges are considering charges including involuntary manslaughter against the Iraqi and Sudanese suspects, according to reports. Continue reading...
by Kalyeena Makortoff Banking correspondent on (#6DYD1)
Treasury hints at concessions on guarantee but banks will face fines for falling below minimum service levelHigh street banks will have to ensure customers can find access to cash within three miles of their local communities, and those falling below the minimum service level will face a fine, the government has confirmed.After the closure of thousands of local branches in recent years, and the switch to digital payment methods, ministers are looking to banks to help protect vulnerable groups and elderly customers by maintaining present levels of cash access across the UK. Continue reading...
Makeshift outdoor show held after two venues cancel booking of comedian known for his gender-critical beliefsA comedy event featuring Father Ted creator Graham Linehan was staged in the open air outside the Scottish parliament on Thursday evening, after a second Edinburgh venue refused to stage it.The organisers, Comedy Unleashed, booked the plaza outside Holyrood's main entrance, and erected a small makeshift stage for an audience of roughly 120 people, after failing to find another indoor venue. Continue reading...
National broadcaster's director-general says negotiations for star presenter's return ended after breakdown of trustThe Irish national broadcaster, RTE, has announced Ryan Tubridy will not be returning to his presenting role after a controversy over the under-declaration of his salary.The RTE director-general, Kevin Bakhurst, said negotiations with the 50-year-old about returning to his radio show had concluded, after stating that trust between the parties had broken down". Continue reading...
Councils accused of downplaying women's football compared with men's, with scarcity of planned public viewing partiesThe Lionesses drew an average of 4.6 million viewers during their World Cup semi-final, yet fans are disappointed that councils have failed to respond to the team's success by putting on free public viewing parties for the final.The BBC said a peak audience of 7.3 million tuned in to watch England beat Australia 3-1 on Wednesday, despite the time zone difference resulting in an 11am kick-off time. Continue reading...
Club says no decision has been made about future of footballer which is subject of intensive internal deliberation'Rachel Riley, the co-presenter of Countdown, has said she will stop supporting Manchester United if the club allows Mason Greenwood to return.Manchester United said on Wednesday no decision had been made about the 21-year-old's future, which it said is still the subject of intensive internal deliberation". Continue reading...
Abuse of girls, viewed as mere objects for defendants to use, abuse, humiliate then discard', started when they were 12 and 13Two brothers are among five men from Rochdale to have been found guilty of sexually exploiting two girls from the ages of 12 and 13.The girls were mere objects for the defendants to use, abuse, humiliate then discard", Manchester Minshull Street crown court heard. Continue reading...
Judge says comic, known for his character Ivan Brackenbury, does not pose a risk to publicA comedian who has appeared on Channel 4's 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown has been sentenced after being found with more than 35,000 indecent images of children.Tom Binns, whose character is the hospital DJ Ivan Brackenbury, pleaded guilty last November to five counts of making indecent images of children and one of possessing a prohibited image. Continue reading...
by Harriet Sherwood Arts and culture correspondent on (#6DY6R)
Peter Higgs was curator of Greek collections and sculpture until he was sacked, but his family says he has not done anything'The British Museum employee sacked after the disappearance of precious objects has been named as a senior curator who worked at the institution for 30 years.Peter Higgs was allegedly dismissed earlier this year after the museum realised that gold jewellery, semi-precious stones and glass dating from the 15th century BC to the 19th century AD were missing, stolen or damaged. Continue reading...
by Richard Adams, Sally Weale and Michael Goodier on (#6DXTY)
Gillian Keegan, the health secretary, accused of adding insult to injury' for remarks about significance of exam resultsThousands of students in England have missed out on top marks in their A-levels as results plummeted across the board after the government enforced a reversal of pandemic-era grade inflation.The sharp fall in As and A*s came as the education secretary, Gillian Keegan, was accused of adding insult to injury" for suggesting no one would be interested in pupils' exam results 10 years after the event anyway. Continue reading...
Propaganda video shows troops running past anti-landing barricades similar to those that dot Taiwan's coastChina's army released a propaganda video showing soldiers preparing for a conflict in what appears to be the Taiwan strait.The one-and-a-half-minute video, published on the Eastern Theatre Command's official WeChat account on Thursday, is titled Reading the Strait" and shows soldiers in combat gear doing press-ups under crashing waves, a tank battalion driving into the sunset and troops running up sandy shores past anti-landing barricades, similar to those that dot Taiwan's coast. Continue reading...
At least 177 officials reportedly under investigation amid revival of Xi Jinping's decade-old anti-corruption driveChina's graft-busters have set their sights on the country's healthcare sector, in what has been described as the biggest crackdown on corruption in the history of the industry.At least 177 hospital bosses and Chinese Communist party (CCP) secretaries have been placed under investigation this year according to local media reports - more than double the number of last year. In a press conference on Tuesday, the National Health Commission (NHC) said that the campaign would focus on people who had used their position to procure kickbacks and corruption in the pharmaceutical sector, the state tabloid the Global Times reported. Continue reading...
by Vikram Dodd Police and crime correspondent on (#6DXZ5)
Exclusive: Sir Mark Rowley's drive to free up police time has won out after weeks of tense talksThe Metropolitan police has won its battle to stop attending most of the mental health calls it receives after a tense behind-the-scenes row with the health service, the Guardian has learned.From 31 October the Met will start implementing a scheme that aims to stop officers being diverted from crime fighting to do work health staff are better trained for. Continue reading...
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