Kenyan minister alleges intelligence agency behind his son’s abduction
Justin Muturi says his son was freed following President William Ruto's intervention.
S Korea impeached president arrested after investigators scale walls
They cut through barbed wires and braved freezing temperatures to reach Yoon, ending a weeks-long standoff.
Obesity label is medically flawed, says global report
There is a risk too many people are being diagnosed as obese, with weight-loss drugs in high demand.
Israel and Hamas make final push for Gaza ceasefire deal
The Israeli PM's office denies reports that Hamas has agreed a draft presented by mediators in Qatar.
‘My country is in crisis’: A divided South Korea grapples with Yoon’s arrest
The country is deeply polarised by the president's attempt to impose martial law.
‘My country is in crisis’: A divided South Korea grapples with Yoon’s arrest
The country is deeply polarised by the president's attempt to impose martial law.
LA faces ‘extreme fire danger’ as high winds forecast
New gusts could reach hurricane-force in mountainous areas - as the US disaster's death toll creeps up.
Israel-Gaza war live: Ceasefire deal ‘on brink’, says US, but Gaza residents face fresh evacuation orders
Deal reported to involve release of 33 Israeli hostages alongside a partial Israeli troop withdrawal
In Oslo today, Norway is hosting a meeting of the global alliance for the implementation of the two-state solution.
Norway’s foreign ministry Espen Barth Eide is quoted by the Anadolu news agency making opening remarks in which he said that a ceasefire in Gaza would only be the beginning of the necessary process.
The time has come to take practical measures that advance the two-state solution, address the root causes of this conflict and directly confront the legality of the Israeli occupation and its ongoing violation of international law.
While we are waiting for a ceasefire, it is important to stress that it will not be acceptable for any entity to govern Gaza but the legitimate Palestinian leadership and the government of the State of Palestine.
Continue reading...Starmer accuses Tories of being ‘economic vandals’ at PMQs as Badenoch challenges him to rule out tax rises – UK politics live
Prime minister says global economy experiencing volatility after Conservative leader attacks him over economy
The Mauritian government said talks will continue on the Chagos Islands deal, with attorney general Gavin Glover set to return to the UK for further negotiations, PA Media reports.
A statement issued following a meeting of prime minister Navin Ramgoolam’s cabinet said:
The commitment and resolve of Mauritius to reach an agreement and end this long battle for the sovereignty of Mauritius over the Chagos Archipelago remains unshaken.
Continue reading...‘I applaud the EPA’: agency launches formal review of five toxic chemicals
Review could lead to bans on plastic chemicals including vinyl chloride, compound at center of 2023 Ohio train wreck
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is launching a formal review of five highly toxic plastic chemicals, including vinyl chloride, the notorious compound at the center of the East Palestine, Ohio, train wreck fire. The move could lead to strong limits or bans on the substances.
Vinyl chloride is most commonly used in PVC pipe and packaging production, but is also cancerous and highly flammable. For about 50 years, the federal government has considered limits on the substance, but industry has thwarted most regulatory efforts, hidden the substances’ risks and is already mobilizing against the new review.
Continue reading...3M knew firefighting foams containing PFAS were toxic, documents show
Exclusive: Newly uncovered documents reveal chemicals giant was aware ‘environmentally neutral’ products did not biodegrade
The multibillion-dollar chemicals company 3M told customers its firefighting foams were harmless and biodegradable when it knew they contained toxic substances so persistent they are now known as “forever chemicals” and banned in many countries including the UK, newly uncovered documents show.
From the 1960s until 2003, 3M made foams containing PFOS and PFOA (perfluorooctane sulfonate and perfluorooctanoic acid), synthetic chemicals that can take tens of thousands of years to degrade in the environment and have been linked to cancers and a range of other health problems such as thyroid disease, high cholesterol, hormonal problems and fertility issues.
Continue reading...Royal Mail on track to return to annual profit after strong Christmas
Owner highlights parcel deliveries performance as £3.6bn takeover by Czech billionaire nears completion
The owner of Royal Mail has said it received a fillip from parcel deliveries over Christmas, putting it on track to return to annual profit, as its £3.6bn takeover by the Czech billionaire Daniel Křetínský nears completion.
International Distribution Services (IDS) said Royal Mail delivered more than 99% of items sent on or before the recommended last posting dates in time for Christmas.
Continue reading...Linda Nolan, singer and television personality, dies aged 65
Agents says the ‘celebrated Irish pop legend’ died ‘with her loving siblings by her bedside’
The singer and TV personality Linda Nolan, who had chart success alongside her sisters in the pop vocal group the Nolans before a TV career, has died aged 65.
She had been diagnosed with cancer in 2017. Her agent, Dermont McNamara, said in a statement that she had died in Blackpool’s Victoria hospital “with her loving siblings by her bedside, ensuring she was embraced with love and comfort during her final moments”.
Continue reading...Gabby Logan, Kelly Cates and Mark Chapman to host Match of the Day
Trio will present football highlights show after Gary Lineker steps down, BBC says
The new hosts of Match of the Day have promised to “evolve” the TV institution when they take the reins this summer, after the BBC confirmed that three people will replace Gary Lineker at the end of the current season.
Gabby Logan, Kelly Cates and Mark Chapman are to share presenting duties on the football highlights show, which celebrated its 60th anniversary last year. The trio have all previously worked together on the BBC and are each established broadcasters with decades of experience between them.
Continue reading...Three people arrested after fatal stabbing of boy, 14, on London bus
Two teenagers held on suspicion of murder and woman on suspicion of assisting offender, after Kelyan Bokassa’s death
Police investigating the fatal stabbing of a 14-year-old boy on a London bus have arrested three people.
Kelyan Bokassa was travelling on a 472 bus to Abbey Wood when he was attacked at about 2.30pm on Tuesday as the bus was on Woolwich Church Road.
Continue reading...Pope drama and Spanish-language musical lead Bafta race
Conclave starring Ralph Fiennes, and Emilia Pérez featuring Selena Gomez, are the top contenders.
Pope drama and Spanish-language musical lead Bafta race
Conclave starring Ralph Fiennes, and Emilia Pérez featuring Selena Gomez, are the top contenders.
Suspected outbreak of deadly Marburg virus disease kills eight in Tanzania
Healthcare workers among suspected cases of Ebola-like disease as WHO issues warning of high risk to the country and its neighbours
A suspected outbreak of Marburg virus disease (MVD) in Tanzania has killed eight people and poses a high risk to the country and its neighbours, global health leaders have said.
The World Health Organization (WHO) said nine suspected cases of the Ebola-like virus had been reported as of 11 January, in two districts of the Kagera region in the north of the country, including the eight deaths.
Continue reading...Europe must take responsibility for its own security, says Polish minister
‘Very difficult time’ anticipated as Poland takes over EU presidency against backdrop of geopolitical uncertainty
Europe must “take responsibility” for its own security, Poland has told its fellow EU member states, as Warsaw takes over the rotating presidency of the bloc at a time of increasing geopolitical uncertainty.
Poland has started its six-month presidency as Donald Trump prepares to return to the White House having promised to bring a negotiated end to Russia’s war in neighbouring Ukraine and threatened to seize Greenland using military force.
Continue reading...Dive boat survivors say they were pressed to sign statements they couldn’t read
The group say their official witness statements were translated into Arabic by a boat company employee.