Only three people ever prosecuted for covering up England’s illegal sewage spills

Employees of water firms who obstruct investigations into spills could face jail under new rules that come into force on Friday

Water company bosses have entirely escaped punishment for covering up illegal sewage spills, government figures show, as ministers prepare to bring in a new law threatening them with up to two years in prison for doing so.

Only three people have ever been prosecuted for obstructing the Environment Agency in its investigations into sewage spills, officials said, and none received even a fine.

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California’s economy surpasses Japan’s as it becomes fourth largest in world

State’s nominal GDP reaches $4.1tn, edging out Japan’s $4.02tn, ranking it behind the US, China and Germany

California’s economy has surpassed Japan’s, making the Golden state the fourth largest economy in the world, Governor Gavin Newsom announced on Thursday.

The state’s nominal GDP reached $4.1tn, according to data from the International Monetary Fund and the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, edging out Japan’s $4.02tn nominal GDP. California now ranks behind the US at $29.18tn, China at $18.74tn and Germany at $4.65tn.

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Israel acknowledges killing aid worker in strike after initially accusing UN of ‘baseless slander’ – CNN

  1. Israel acknowledges killing aid worker in strike after initially accusing UN of ‘baseless slander’  CNN
  2. Israel Acknowledges Second Deadly Attack on Aid Workers in Gaza  The New York Times
  3. Israeli military admits its troops killed UN worker in Gaza Strip  BBC
  4. After Initial Denial, IDF Confirms Israeli Tank Fire Killed UN Worker in Gaza  Haaretz
  5. Israeli military takes responsibility for attack on U.N. house in Gaza  The Washington Post
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English schools left to subsidise infants’ free meals after 3p funding increase, say leaders

Department for Education criticised over funding rise from £2.58 to £2.61 per child per meal in September

Primary schools in England will be forced to subsidise free school meals for infants from their own budgets after the government’s “pitiful” 3p increase in funding, according to school leaders.

The Department for Education announced that its funding for universal infant free school meals would rise from £2.58 to £2.61 per child in September, with the 3p rise well below expected inflation and wage increases facing schools.

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Congo and M23 Agree to a Cease-Fire in Qatar – The New York Times

  1. Congo and M23 Agree to a Cease-Fire in Qatar  The New York Times
  2. Congo and Rwanda to sign accord in US on peace pathway, sources say, amid talks on minerals deals  Reuters
  3. Congo’s government and rebels say they are working toward a truce in the east  AP News
  4. DRC government and M23 agree to halt fighting and work towards truce  The Guardian
  5. DR Congo and M23 rebels agree ceasefire deal in Qatar talks  BBC
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Trump Live Updates: Latest News on Russia-Ukraine, Transgender Troops Ban and More – The New York Times

  1. Trump Live Updates: Latest News on Russia-Ukraine, Transgender Troops Ban and More  The New York Times
  2. Trump: Russia not taking over Ukraine is a concession  The Hill
  3. Donald Trump's Two-Word Message To Vladimir Putin Is Now A Hilarious Meme  Yahoo
  4. Trump makes rare criticism of Putin after Russia’s deadly Kyiv attacks  Al Jazeera
  5. Trump administration live updates: Trump lashes out at Putin; U.S. and China at odds on tariff talks  NBC News
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In boost to Israel, ICC Appeals Court reverses lower court ruling – The Jerusalem Post

  1. In boost to Israel, ICC Appeals Court reverses lower court ruling  The Jerusalem Post
  2. ICC Appeals Chamber rules lower court must hear Israel’s challenge to jurisdiction  The Times of Israel
  3. Situation in the State of Palestine: Appeals Chamber reverses the Pre-Trial Chamber’s decision on Israel’s challenge to the jurisdiction of the Court and remands the matter to the Pre-Trial Chamber  | International Criminal Court
  4. International court appeals panel orders judges to reconsider Israel’s jurisdiction challenge  AP News
  5. What's happening in West Bank, Gaza, Yemen?  The Jerusalem Post
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