Germany arrests two dual nationals over alleged Russian sabotage plot
Prosecutors accuse German-Russian duo of being prepared to 'carry out explosive and arson attacks' on US army sites.
Did cloud seeding cause Dubai floods? Why experts say no
Chaos engulfed the UAE after its biggest city Dubai was inundated with water in the wake of record rainfall.
US reimposes oil sanctions against Venezuela over election concerns
Move in US election year could push up oil prices, but Washington says Maduro has not made promised electoral reforms.
Jacob Zuma’s nine lives: How South Africa’s ex-president keeps coming back
Zuma has survived a series of political setbacks and legal challenges. Now he's challenging President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Boeing whistleblower says firm is ‘putting out defective airplanes’
A Boeing engineer has told a US Senate hearing that the company is ‘putting out defective airplanes’.
Middle East crisis live: Qatar says it will reassess its role as mediator in Israel-Gaza war
The gulf state’s prime minister said he was making the move due to ‘exploitation and abuse of the Qatari role’
The EU has edged closer to calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East after a meeting of the 27 bloc leaders last night.
Leaders have struggled to agree language from the outset of the conflict, engaging in torturous discussions over whether they should use the word ceasefire, pause, or pauses in the first official bloc-wide declaration in October.
Continue reading...Europe live: EU leaders meet for second day as Polish PM criticises gap between defence rhetoric and action
European leaders to focus on future of European economy as Donald Tusk says if words were bullets, Europe would have the world’s strongest power
Charles Michel, the European Council president, opened today’s session.
He welcomed Enrico Letta, who prepared a report on the future of Europe’s single market for the leaders’ consideration.
Continue reading...Kanye West suspected of attacking man who allegedly sexually assaulted his wife
Following reports of battery investigation into West against unnamed man, rapper’s team allege wife Bianca Censori was being assaulted
Representatives for Kanye West have alleged that a man physically and sexually assaulted his wife Bianca Censori in an incident in Los Angeles.
Sources previously told TMZ that West was being investigated as a suspect in a battery incident earlier this week, after the rapper was alleged to have struck a man who had grabbed Censori.
Continue reading...India’s first-time voters seek jobs, harmony in world’s biggest election
Religious tensions, inflation and jobs top concerns from Modi's decade-long rule among 18 million first-time voters.
KitKat owner Nestlé faces vote forcing it to cut back on unhealthy products
Company, which also makes Quality Street, says reducing sugar, salt and fats could harm ‘strategic freedom’
Nestlé faces a resolution at its AGM on Thursday that could force the world’s largest consumer goods company to cut back on high levels of salt, sugar and fats in its food and drinks.
The Swiss-headquartered multinational is urging investors to reject the proposal, arguing a move away from “indulgent products” could harm its “strategic freedom”.
Continue reading...UNRWA head warns of ‘insidious’ Israeli campaign to dismantle agency
Appealing to UNSC for protection, Philippe Lazzarini says UNRWA's work more crucial than ever amid Israel's war on Gaza.
Rishi Sunak’s approval rating hits record low for a PM, suggests poll – UK politics live
Rating of -59 is record low for a prime minister in modern times – matching John Major’s score in August 1994, according to Ipsos
Rishi Sunak’s approval rating is at a record low for a prime minister in modern times, according to the polling company Ipsos.
In its latest Political Monitor report it says net satisfaction with Sunak (% satisfied with how he is doing his job minus % dissatisfied) is now at -59. This matches John Major’s -59 score in August 1994, the record low for a prime minister in the Ipsos data going back to the 1980s.
Starmer’s ratings have also fallen since February. 25% are satisfied with his performance as Labour leader (-4) and 56% are dissatisfied (+1). His net score of -31 is his worst as Labour leader since he recorded a -29 in May 2021. Among Labour supporters, satisfaction with his performance has also dropped from 58% to 51%.
When presented with a head-to-head choice, the public think Keir Starmer would make the most capable prime minister over Rishi Sunak by a margin of 22 points (44% to 22%). 22% say neither and 10% don’t know.
This is an increase in Keir Starmer’s lead since January (from 13 points to 22), and is similar to Starmer’s 20pt lead over Boris Johnson in July 2022. Although 2019 Conservative voters still prefer Sunak over Starmer by 49% to 20%.
Nobody from a list of 6 potential alternative Conservative leaders stands out as doing particularly better versus Keir Starmer in a head-to-head contest
Starmer leads each of the following as most capable PM:
Continue reading...German far-right leader in court charged with using Nazi slogan
Prosecutors claim influential AfD leader Björn Höcke used Nazi slogan ‘Everything for Germany!’ in speech
One of the most prominent figures in the far-right Alternative für Deutschland party has arrived in court for his trial on charges of using a Nazi slogan, months before a regional election in which he is running to become his state’s governor.
Björn Höcke, 52, is the leader of the regional branch of the AfD in the eastern state of Thuringia and a powerful figure on the party’s hard right.
While never formally a national leader of AfD, the former history teacher has been influential as the 11-year-old party has steadily headed further right and ousted several comparatively moderate leaders.
At the trial at the state court in Halle, Höcke is charged with using symbols of unconstitutional organisations. He is accused of ending a speech in nearby Merseburg in May 2021 with the words: “Everything for Germany!”
Prosecutors contend he was aware of the origin of the phrase as a slogan of the Nazis’ SA stormtroopers. Using symbols of unconstitutional organisations can carry a fine or a prison sentence of up to three years.
Höcke insisted in a debate with a conservative rival last week that he was unaware it was a Nazi slogan and claimed many others had used it. “Everyone out there knows it’s an everyday saying,” he said.
Continue reading...Russia pounds Ukraine’s cities and front lines as air defences dwindle
Russia destroys Ukrainian power stations and defences as an expert warns Kyiv's troops are 'utterly exhausted'.
Forced home moves cost renters over half a billion pounds a year
There were 830,000 unwanted moves in England over the past 12 months, meaning 40% have been forced to relocate
Unwanted home moves cost renters more than half a billion pounds a year, with tenants coughing up an average of £669 every time they are forced by landlords to leave their home, a survey has revealed.
Analysis by the homelessness charity Shelter estimated that there had been 830,000 unwanted moves in England over the past 12 months, meaning 40% of renters who move house are doing so because they have been compelled to look for other accommodation.
Continue reading...Seven CEO James Warburton departs network
Media executive’s exit comes as broadcaster faces a number of controversies
James Warburton, the chief executive and managing director of Seven West Media, left the company on Thursday, amid a tumultuous period for the broadcaster.
The prominent media executive was due to step down before the end of the financial year, according to executive changes first announced late last year.
Continue reading...Germany arrests two for alleged plot to attack military bases on behalf of Russia
Prosecutors accuse suspects of working with Russian secret service in attempt to undermine support for Ukraine
Two Russian nationals have been arrested in southern Germany suspected of plotting sabotage attacks on US military facilities, German prosecutors announced on Thursday.
The men, named as Dieter S and Alexander J, are suspected of operating as Russian spies on behalf of the Kremlin, according to German media sources.
Continue reading...Deadly Sahel heatwave caused by ‘human-induced’ climate change: Study
Mali and Burkina Faso recorded most extreme heat in what scientists called a once-in-a-200-year occurrence.
As India’s smallest state votes, a broken hydro plant takes centerstage
Sikkim’s hydropower dream of huge revenues has turned into a nightmare due to irregularities and poor planning.
First person charged over Wakeley riot after Sydney church stabbing attack granted bail
Dani Mansour, 19, charged after allegedly filming himself damaging two police vehicles amid anger over stabbing of bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel
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The first person arrested and charged for taking part in the Wakeley riots was granted bail after appearing at Blacktown local court on Thursday. .
Dani Mansour, 19, was charged with riot, affray and destroying or damaging property as part of the mob that allegedly attacked police in Wakeley on Monday night. The incident took place in the aftermath of the stabbing of bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel at the Assyrian Christ the Good Shepherd church.
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