Mary-Ann Stephenson confirmed as EHRC chair despite MPs’ objections

Stephenson to take over at equality watchdog even though committees raised concerns about breadth of experience

Mary-Ann Stephenson has been confirmed as the new chair of the equalities watchdog, after the government overruled the objections of parliament’s equalities committee over her suitability for the job.

Stephenson, the chair of the Women’s Budget Group, will take on the role at the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) in December. It includes responsibility for implementing guidance about transgender rights after the supreme court judgment on the definition of a woman.

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Intense rain and flash floods expected from New York City to Washington DC

Acting New Jersey governor declares state of emergency as residents along US east coast prepare for severe weather

Authorities are urging residents to prepare for severe weather as a powerful storm system that could cause intense flash floods moves through a swathe of the US east coast stretching from New York City to Washington DC.

Forecasters are predicting intense rainfall, with rates possibly reaching up to 3 inches an hour. While most areas are expected to receive 1 to 3 inches of rain, certain isolated locations could see as much as 5 to 8 inches.

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Thailand and Cambodia Stepped Back From War, but Their Temple Fight Remains – The New York Times

  1. Thailand and Cambodia Stepped Back From War, but Their Temple Fight Remains  The New York Times
  2. Exclusive: Trump's call broke deadlock in Thailand-Cambodia border crisis  Reuters
  3. Calls for Thailand to free 20 Cambodian soldiers held after border clashes  Al Jazeera
  4. Thailand and Cambodia agree to ceasefire after deadly border clashes  The Washington Post
  5. Why did Thailand and Cambodia fight a senseless border war?  The Economist
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‘Classic tinpot dictator’: Trump exports his assault on democracy to Brazil

US president seems to be weaponizing tariffs to punish Brazil for its coup trial against his ally Bolsonaro

Over the past six months, Donald Trump has been accused of rapidly dragging the largest democracy in the Americas towards authoritarianism. Now, the US president seems bent on undermining the region’s second largest democracy too.

Since early July, Trump has launched an extraordinary attack on Brazil’s institutions, slapping 50% tariffs on imports from the South American country and sanctions on a supreme court judge – partly in retribution for what he called the political persecution of his ally, Jair Bolsonaro, who is on trial for allegedly masterminding a failed coup.

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Starmer ‘listening to hostages’ but intends to stick to Palestine statehood plan

Freed British-Israeli accuses PM of ‘moral failure’ over move to recognise Palestine at UN unless Israel changes course

Keir Starmer has said he is listening to hostages taken by Hamas but still intends to recognise a Palestinian state unless Israel commits to a ceasefire and two-state solution.

The prime minister said he had spoken to the freed British-Israeli Emily Damari, held hostage by Hamas for 471 days, after she accused him of “moral failure” over the move to recognise Palestine as a state in September at the UN.

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Nine out of 10 nurses in England, Wales and Northern Ireland reject pay award

Royal College of Nursing urges ministers to improve 3.6% offer to avoid industrial action ballot later this year

Nine out of 10 nurses have rejected a 3.6% pay award for this year and warned they could strike later this year unless their salaries are improved.

In an indicative vote among members of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, 91% said the 3.6% rise was not enough.

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Kyiv protesters celebrate as parliament votes to restore anti-corruption bodies’ power

Reversal of curbs adopted the previous week comes as Russia attacks capital with drones and missiles

Ukraine’s parliament has passed a law restoring independence to two anti-corruption bodies, essentially annulling another law adopted last week that prompted the biggest street protests since Russia’s full-scale invasion three years ago.

Several hundred protesters outside the parliament building in Kyiv erupted into chants of “the people are the power” as the bill passed on Thursday lunchtime.

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Allan Ahlberg, beloved children’s author, dies aged 87

Working first with his wife Janet, and later with illustrators including Raymond Briggs and Bruce Ingman, he wrote more than 150 books

Author Allan Ahlberg, who delighted generations of children with colourful characters and nimble rhymes, has died aged 87.

Working with his wife Janet, an award-winning illustrator, Ahlberg produced a host of bestselling nursery classics including Burglar Bill, Peepo!, and Each Peach Pear Plum. After Janet’s death in 1994, he worked with illustrators such as Raymond Briggs and Bruce Ingman, with his career coming full circle in a series of collaborations with his daughter Jessica including Half a Pig and a pop-up set of anarchic variations on the tale of Goldilocks.

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Channel crossings in 2025 pass 25,000 – faster than any year since records began

As ministers aim to ‘smash’ people-smuggling gangs, milestone passes almost a month earlier than previous record of 2022

The number of people arriving in the UK after crossing the English Channel in small boats has passed 25,000 faster this year than since records began.

As ministers aim to “smash the gangs” involved in people-smuggling, 898 people made the journey in 13 boats on Wednesday, bringing the total for 2025 so far to 25,436.

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‘Our genocide’: Israeli rights groups abandon their restraint on Gaza – +972 Magazine

  1. ‘Our genocide’: Israeli rights groups abandon their restraint on Gaza  +972 Magazine
  2. Two Israeli rights groups say their country is committing genocide in Gaza  AP News
  3. Several countries launch 'New York Declaration' in support of two-state solution  France 24
  4. The Victim Identity Israel Built Over Generations Now Fuels Its Denial of Genocide in Gaza  Haaretz
  5. B’Tselem and Physicians for Human Rights Israel: Israel is committing genocide in the Gaza Strip  B'Tselem
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Starmer and Reeves should consider wealth tax, says former shadow chancellor

Anneliese Dodds urges government not to duck ‘big decisions’ in autumn budget

The Treasury should consider a wealth tax to close the growing gap in the public finances, according to a Labour former shadow chancellor.

Anneliese Dodds, who held the role under Keir Starmer in opposition, said ministers must have a “full and frank discussion” with the public about the “really big decisions” they had to take at this autumn’s budget.

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Arab League condemns Hamas’s October 7 massacre – The Jerusalem Post

  1. Arab League condemns Hamas's October 7 massacre  The Jerusalem Post
  2. Arab states call on Hamas to disarm and relinquish power in unprecedented move  CNN
  3. Fox News Flash top headlines for July 30  Fox News
  4. Arab nations tell Hamas to ‘disarm’ and end rule of Gaza after Starmer ultimatum over Palestine state  The Independent
  5. Arab League backs call for Hamas to disarm for a two-state solution  USA Today
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Joint Statement on Iranian State Threat Activity in Europe and North America – U.S. Department of State (.gov)

  1. Joint Statement on Iranian State Threat Activity in Europe and North America  U.S. Department of State (.gov)
  2. UK, US and allies accuse Iran of cross-border assassination plots  Al Jazeera
  3. Western nations warn of growing threat from Iranian intelligence  Financial Times
  4. US and NATO allies warn of increasing Iranian threats in Europe, North America  AP News
  5. 14 Western allies denounce surge in Iranian assassination and kidnapping plots  The Times of Israel
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Trump seeks to use Canada’s recognition of Palestinian state as leverage in trade talks – AP News

  1. Trump seeks to use Canada’s recognition of Palestinian state as leverage in trade talks  AP News
  2. Trump escalates trade war with Canada following Palestine stance  Reuters
  3. Canada endorses Palestinian State as U.S. envoy heads to Israel  The Washington Post
  4. Canada and Malta to recognize Palestinian state, joining France and possibly Britain  NPR
  5. Trump: Canada backing Palestinian statehood makes any trade deal "very hard"  Axios
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The mathematics of starvation: how Israel caused a famine in Gaza – The Guardian

  1. The mathematics of starvation: how Israel caused a famine in Gaza  The Guardian
  2. Gaza hunger reaches 'tipping point' as children suffer malnutrition  NBC News
  3. Gazans Are Dying of Starvation  The New York Times
  4. With growing urgency, more US Jews urge Israel to ensure ample food deliveries to Gaza  AP News
  5. 'If the baby could speak, she would scream': the risky measures to feed small babies in Gaza  Reuters
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