Is Trump’s pardon of Binance boss Changpeng Zhao a conflict of interest?
Zhao is a convicted criminal who founded the world's biggest cryptocurrency exchange.
Europe is not “off the hook” on pressuring Israel
“Focusing on the US should not let others off the hook.”
Australia’s $20m ‘iron fist’ deal with Israel’s largest arms company signed two weeks before UN genocide finding
Exclusive: Experts criticise federal government’s contract with Elbit Systems as ‘troubling acceptance’ of Israel’s conduct in Gaza
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Australia’s $20m purchase of missiles from an Israeli arms company for its “iron fist” weapons system on infantry vehicles has been condemned as “morally questionable” and reflective of a “troubling acceptance” of Israel’s conduct in Gaza.
The Australian defence department signed a contract with Israel’s largest weapons company, Elbit Systems, on 1 September, two weeks before a UN commission of inquiry found Israel was committing genocide in Gaza. Details of the contract were not published on the Australian government’s contract database until last week.
Continue reading...Brazil’s Lula, 79, to seek fourth term as president
The 79-year-old says he has "the same energy I had when I was 30" as he announces plan to run in 2026.
German police seize fake Picassos in multi-million euro forgery raid
Authorities say a 77-year-old German tried to sell copies of works by renowned artists such as Rembrandt.
Prosecutor has ‘small hope’ of recovering Louvre jewels thanks to gear left by thieves
French investigators are analysing DNA samples and fingerprints on tools and other items found on the scene
French investigators are analysing more than 150 DNA samples, fingerprints and other traces from tools and safety gear left by the thieves who broke into the Louvre museum and escaped with crown jewels worth an estimated €88m (£76m).
Five days after the brazen heist from the world’s most-visited museum, Laure Beccuau, the Paris prosecutor, said she had “a small hope” the jewels could still be recovered and was “optimistic” about the investigation’s outcome.
Continue reading...Democratic senators call on education department to stop ICE raids by schools
Cory Booker, Ed Markey and others urge Linda McMahon to step in amid violent crackdowns near Chicago schools
A group of Democratic senators have demanded that the Department of Education to stop immigration enforcement activities from taking place close to schools, following several violent crackdowns near school grounds in Chicago.
Although the raids are conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which is under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the senators are making an appeal directly to the education secretary, Linda McMahon.
Continue reading...Pentagon chief announces another US military strike on alleged drug boat in Caribbean
Pete Hegseth claimed that six ‘narco-terrorists’ onboard craft were killed in night strike in international waters
The US has carried out another military strike against what it claimed was a vessel carrying illegal drugs in the Caribbean, killing six people onboard, the Pentagon chief, Pete Hegseth, said.
In a social media post, Hegseth stated: “The vessel was known by our intelligence to be involved in illicit narcotics smuggling, was transiting along a known narco-trafficking route, and carrying narcotics.”
Continue reading...Ivorians protest ‘flawed and rigged’ system as pivotal election looms
Civil society and opposition urge shutdowns and boycotts as Alassane Ouattara seeks fourth term in presidential polls.
High stakes for Javier Milei as midterm elections loom in Argentina
The midterms are set to serve as a referendum on President Milei's economic policy. But will scandals scuttle his goals?
Ukraine wants US to stay involved, says Zelenskyy after meeting western allies
Ukrainian leader joined ‘coalition of the willing’ in London to discuss how to ramp up pressure on Russia
Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine wants the US to stay involved in efforts to end the war after a meeting of western allies in London that took place without Donald Trump.
The Ukrainian leader chose not to overtly lobby for the supply of US Tomahawk cruise missiles at a meeting of more than 20 mainly European leaders from the “coalition of the willing” but instead emphasised the need for the west to work together.
Continue reading...Aspinall attempts to shut out noise ahead of Gane bout at UFC 321
Abu Dhabi stages UFC 321 with Tom Aspinall shaking off the pressure ahead of heavyweight defence against Ciryl Gane.
Freed Palestinian mother recounts torture in Israeli prison
Mervat Sarhan has returned to Gaza after nearly five months in Israeli detention, where she says she endured abuse.
Tanni Grey-Thompson says disabled drivers at risk of missing out on switch to electric cars
Former Paralympics champion says inaccessible charging points show government ‘has forgotten about us’
Campaigners including Tanni Grey-Thompson have warned that disabled drivers are at risk of being locked out of the electric car transition because of inaccessible chargers.
The former Paralympics champion and the Electric Vehicle Association England are pushing for the government to introduce standards to ensure chargers are easy to reach.
Continue reading...What’s in a name? West End casting directors raise concerns about trend for big stars
Film and TV stars are selling tickets, but director says reliance on famous names is ‘killing audiences’ intellects’
From Ncuti Gatwa in Born With Teeth to Alicia Vikander in The Lady From the Sea and Susan Sarandon in Mary Page Marlowe, there is no shortage of starry celebrities being cast for the West End right now.
It is a phenomenon happening in subsidised theatre too: Indhu Rubasingham’s inaugural season at the National Theatre features the likes of screen favourites Paul Mescal and Nicola Coughlan.
Continue reading...Surprise sanctions look to have ended Trump and Putin’s Groundhog Day | Pjotr Sauer
His patience exhausted, the US president has taken action that could bite, but is unlikely to alter Moscow’s course in Ukraine
For once, a phone call with Vladimir Putin did not lead to a thaw.
By imposing sanctions on Russia this week, Donald Trump broke from his usual pattern of easing tensions with the Kremlin after conversations with the Russian leader, when threats of pressure often give way to talk of renewed dialogue.
Continue reading...US prices rose at a 3% annual rate in September, slightly beating forecasts
Increase was largely driven by a 4.1% increase in gasoline prices despite Trump’s campaign pledge to ‘end inflation’
Prices continued to rise in September, increasing at an annual rate of 3%, according to the latest government inflation report.
The September 2025 consumer price index (CPI) was published approximately two weeks later than usual due to the federal government shutdown, which halted all Bureau of Labor Statistics operations.
Continue reading...Fire Engulfs Bus in Southern India, Killing 20 – The New York Times
- Fire Engulfs Bus in Southern India, Killing 20 The New York Times
- 'Bike came under bus, dragged by it': How Andhra fire mishap unfolded; 20 dead Times of India
- At Least 25 Dead After Bus Becomes Engulfed in Flames Following Collision with Motorcycle People.com
- Bus accident kills 12 in Andhra Pradesh's Kurnool BBC
- Bus fire kills at least 25 people in India NBC News
Russian aircraft enter airspace of NATO member Lithuania – DW
- Russian aircraft enter airspace of NATO member Lithuania DW
- Russia violates NATO airspace in Lithuania amid Putin warning on long-range missiles Fox News
- Ukraine war briefing: Lithuania accuses Russia of further Nato airspace violation The Guardian
- Lithuania tests firearms, Swedish missiles against high-speed drones Defense News
- Lithuanian president says Russian jets violated the country’s airspace Al Jazeera
First Thing: Trump backs down on sending federal troops to San Francisco
Protesters flood streets in show of resistance. Plus, our architecture critic on Trump’s bulletproof ballroom bling
Good morning.
Donald Trump has canceled plans for a deployment of federal troops to San Francisco that had sparked widespread condemnation from California leaders and sent protesters flooding into the streets.
What did Trump say about his change of mind? Trump confirmed he had a conversation with the city’s mayor, Daniel Lurie, writing on social media: “I spoke to Mayor Lurie last night and he asked, very nicely, that I give him a chance to see if he can turn it around.”
What are current tariffs on goods from Canada? Washington originally imposed a 25% tariff on imports of goods including timber, steel, aluminum and cars in the spring, prompting retaliatory action from Ottawa. The rate was raised to 35% by Trump in August.
How did Carney respond to Trump’s fusillade? His office didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment last night. The prime minister was due to leave on Friday morning for a summit in Asia, while Trump is to do the same on Friday evening.
Continue reading...