Trump’s surprise U-turn on Mamdani
We compare and contrast Trump’s earlier criticism of NY Mayor-elect Mamdani with his recent praise at the White House.
Israeli strike on Lebanon’s capital Beirut kills Hezbollah official
Attack, which killed five, is the first to target Beirut since a ceasefire was agreed a year ago.
Princess of Wales calls for end to ‘stigma’ around addiction
Forward Trust patron says ‘compassion and love’ is needed to end fear and shame felt by those affected
The Princess of Wales has called for an end to the “stigma” surrounding addictions, saying the experiences of those dependent on drugs, alcohol or gambling are “shaped by fear, shame and judgment”.
Catherine, who is a patron of the charity Forward Trust supporting recovering addicts, said more open conversations were needed to bring the issue “out of the shadows” and for society to show “compassion and love” to those affected.
Continue reading...University students in England get two-thirds of funding of a decade ago, analysis finds
University leaders says planned levy on international student fees will leave many institutions even worse off
University students in England get just two-thirds of the funding they would have received a decade ago, after inflation and government cuts have reduced the resources available for teaching, according to vice-chancellors.
University leaders said the situation was likely to get worse if the government went ahead with a new levy on international student fees in Wednesday’s budget.
Continue reading...Civil liberties groups call for inquiry into UK data protection watchdog
Campaigners including Good Law Project describe ICO ‘collapse in enforcement activity’ after Afghan data breach
Dozens of civil liberties campaigners and legal professionals are calling for an inquiry into the UK’s data protection watchdog, after what they describe as “a collapse in enforcement activity” after the scandal of the Afghan data breach.
A total of 73 academics, senior lawyers, data protection experts and organisations including Statewatch and the Good Law Project, have written to Chi Onwurah, the chair of the cross-party Commons science, innovation and technology committee, calling for an inquiry to be held into the office of the information commissioner, John Edwards.
Continue reading...Philippine President Marcos says seven arrested over corruption scandal
Arrests come amid outrage over 'ghost' flood control projects estimated to have cost the Philippines $2bn.
Australian federal MPs warned to turn off phones when Chinese delegation visits Parliament House
Liberal party senator calls Department of Parliamentary Services email ‘incredibly concerning’
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Politicians and staff in parts of Parliament House have been urged to turn off their phones, laptops and internet during a visit by Chinese officials, with parliament administrators warning building occupants about interruptions to wifi service.
The shadow cybersecurity minister, Claire Chandler, called the warning “incredibly concerning”, saying the parliament advisory raised worries about threats to sensitive data.
Continue reading...Live: Hezbollah considering response; Israeli attacks on Gaza continue
Senior Hezbollah official says the group’s leadership considering response after Israeli air strike killed its commander
‘Culture cringe’: experts dismiss Coalition claims Chris Bowen cannot remain minister while leading Cop31 negotiations
Opposition claims key diplomatic role at next year’s conference in Turkey would make Bowen a ‘part-time minister’ while Australians face inflated energy prices
Experts have dismissed claims Chris Bowen cannot remain a senior minister while playing a leading role in international climate negotiations, with one describing the argument as evidence of an Australian “culture cringe”.
Australia failed in its long-running bid to co-host the Cop31 climate summit with Pacific nations next year after Turkey refused to withdraw from the consensus process despite limited support.
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Continue reading...Fifty children escape after mass school abduction in Nigeria
The raid on a Christian school came amid a surge of attacks by armed groups in the African nation.
Suicide bombers in northwest Pakistan kill at least 3 at security force headquarters – CBS News
- Suicide bombers in northwest Pakistan kill at least 3 at security force headquarters CBS News
- Pakistan: Five dead in suicide bombing on paramilitary headquarters BBC
- Attack in Pakistan’s Peshawar: What we know about victims, attackers Al Jazeera
- Suicide bombers kill 3 at Pakistan paramilitary HQ Reuters
- 3 FC men martyred in suicide attack on force’s headquarters in Peshawar Dawn
Udo Kier, German actor who starred in 200 films spanning Lars von Trier to Ace Ventura, dies aged 81
Actor who appeared in My Own Private Idaho, Blade, Armageddon and Dogville, as well as Madonna music videos and video games, died on Sunday
Udo Kier, the German actor who appeared in 275 roles across Hollywood and European cinema, including multiple films by Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Gus Van Sant and Lars von Trier, has died aged 81.
Kier died on Sunday morning, his partner Delbert McBride told Variety. The actor died in hospital in Palm Springs, California, his friend the photographer Michael Childers announced on social media. No cause of death was given.
Continue reading...Theresa May and Cate Blanchett to guest edit BBC Today programme
Former PM to examine issue of trust in politics and Oscar-winning actor’s show will discuss AI
The former prime minister Theresa May is to guest edit Radio 4’s Today programme and use it to explore the issue of dwindling trust in politics.
May, who resigned in 2019 with a tearful statement about the honour she felt in holding the office, will edit Today on New Year’s Eve.
Continue reading...‘An inner duty’: the 35-year quest to bring Bach’s lost organ works to light
Musicologist Peter Wollny chanced upon the manuscripts in 1992 and authenticating them took half of his lifetime
The best fictional detectives are famed for their intuition, an ability to spot some seemingly ineffable discrepancy. Peter Wollny, the musicologist behind last week’s “world sensational” revelation of two previously unknown works by Johann Sebastian Bach, had a funny feeling when he chanced upon two intriguing sheets of music in a dusty library in 1992.
His equivalent of the Columbo turn, from mere hunch to unravelling a secret, would take up half his life.
Continue reading...US and Ukraine signal peace plan progress after Geneva talks
Both sides say "intensive work" will take place on outstanding issues following talks on a US-backed plan to end the war.
Australia is banning social media for kids under 16. How will it work?
The world-first law aims to reduce the "risks" children face online - but it's received pushback.
Israeli strike on Beirut kills top Hezbollah military official – The Washington Post
- Israeli strike on Beirut kills top Hezbollah military official The Washington Post
- Israel Says It Assassinated Top Hezbollah Commander in Lebanon The New York Times
- Who was Haytham Ali Tabatabai, Hezbollah official killed by Israel? Al Jazeera
- Israel-Gaza live updates: Lebanon president condemns Israeli attack in Beirut ABC News
- Israel says it killed a senior Hezbollah official in first strike on Beirut in months Politico
Hunting down those who kill people to sell their body parts for ‘magic charms’
BBC Africa Eye uncovers two so-called "juju" practitioners, who offer to obtain body parts for ritual purposes.
Hunting down those who kill people to sell their body parts for ‘magic charms’
BBC Africa Eye uncovers two so-called "juju" practitioners, who offer to obtain body parts for ritual purposes.
Airlines cancel flights to Venezuela after FAA’s “heightened military activity” alert – Axios
- Airlines cancel flights to Venezuela after FAA's "heightened military activity" alert Axios
- 6 airlines cancel flights in Venezuela after FAA warns of dangers from "heightened military activity" CBS News
- FAA warns all pilots of risks of flying over Venezuela over ‘worsening security situation’ AP News
- Several international airlines cancel their flights in Venezuela after US warning Reuters
- Airlines Cancel Venezuela Flights as US Warns of Security Risks Bloomberg.com