Expert hired to help resolve New Orleans archdiocese bankruptcy faces FBI scrutiny

Mohsin Meghji’s conduct in a separate case raised ethics questions as ex-judge he was linked to faces investigation

A nationally renowned business-turnaround expert hired to help resolve the Roman Catholic archdiocese of New Orleans’ contentious and costly bankruptcy – which has ensnared hundreds of clergy molestation survivors – is now facing scrutiny from the FBI after his conduct in a separate case raised ethics-related questions.

The Wall Street Journal published reporting on Mohsin “Mo” Meghji on Wednesday, the day he was due to complete an assessment on the viability of two competing archdiocesan restructuring plans drafted by the church as well as those to whom it is indebted, among them hundreds of victims of sexually abusive clergymen.

Continue reading...

US-made munition used in Israeli strike on central Beirut, shrapnel shows

Exclusive: Strike that killed 22 is first time US-made munition confirmed to have been used in attack on central Beirut since 2006

A US-made munition was used in a strike on central Beirut that killed 22 people and wounded 117, according to an analysis of shrapnel found by the Guardian at the scene of the attack.

The strike on Thursday night hit an apartment complex in the densely populated neighbourhood of Basta, levelling the apartment building and destroying cars and the interiors of nearby residences.

Continue reading...

Biden says Hurricane Milton caused staggering $50bn in estimated damage

Sixteen people killed by storm but state spared ‘worst-case scenario’ as accusations fly between political candidates

Joe Biden said on Friday that experts estimate that Hurricane Milton caused a staggering $50bn in damage. The US president is scheduled to travel to Florida on Sunday to visit areas where the huge storm roared across the state after making landfall late on Wednesday.

Authorities were urgently assessing the aftermath of the deadly storm, which spawned tornadoes before slamming into central Florida and then tearing about 175 miles (280km) across land, from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean, killing people, destroying homes and blocking streets with downed power lines, fallen trees and debris.

Continue reading...

Israeli forces again target UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon – Al Jazeera English

  1. Israeli forces again target UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon  Al Jazeera English
  2. Israel firing on UN peacekeepers in Lebanon raises international alarm  Axios
  3. Why are UN peacekeepers in Lebanon being attacked by Israel?  Al Jazeera English
  4. Column | Israel steps up its battles with the United Nations  The Washington Post
  5. Live updates: 2 U.N. peacekeepers injured in new attack; Iran warns Arab states not to help Israel retaliate  NBC News
Posted in Uncategorized

“Death Is Everywhere”: Doctor Who Volunteered in Gaza and Lebanon Condemns Israeli Attacks on Hospitals – Democracy Now!

  1. “Death Is Everywhere”: Doctor Who Volunteered in Gaza and Lebanon Condemns Israeli Attacks on Hospitals  Democracy Now!
  2. UN inquiry accuses Israel of crime of ‘extermination’ in Gaza  Al Jazeera English
  3. Israel says it killed two Hezbollah commanders  NBC News
  4. UN accuses Israel of war crimes over attacks on Gaza hospitals  BBC.com
  5. UN inquiry accuses Israel of seeking to destroy Gaza healthcare system  Reuters
Posted in Uncategorized

UK remains distant from any Israeli plan to attack Iran | Patrick Wintour

Ministers are unclear on what action Israel is preparing to take, which shows how far the UK is from endorsing it

The UK will not participate in or coordinate any Israeli attack on Iran, but no decisions have been taken on how to respond if Iran then decides to take further retaliatory action against Israel.

UK ministers also remain unclear on what military action Israel is preparing to take, or its timing, which shows how far the UK is from endorsing an attack on Iran, and how it would prefer a route to de-escalation.

Continue reading...

French government faces first major test over deep budget cuts

Bill aims to find €60bn to plug deficit but opposition parties could demand concessions and even topple the administration

The new French government is facing its first major test in a hostile parliament as it tries to push through a budget of spending cuts and tax increases on the wealthy and big companies aimed at saving €60bn (£50bn) and reining in a ballooning fiscal deficit.

The rightwing prime minister, Michel Barnier – who was appointed last month by Emmanuel Macron in an attempt to end the political paralysis following an inconclusive snap election – said France was facing a debt crisis and had to act.

Continue reading...

Kremlin confirms Trump sent Russia Covid-19 tests, after former president denied Bob Woodward claim – CNN

  1. Kremlin confirms Trump sent Russia Covid-19 tests, after former president denied Bob Woodward claim  CNN
  2. What did Trump secretly send Putin, according to a new book? Find out in the quiz  NPR
  3. The Russia Hoax Is Still Not a Hoax  The Atlantic
  4. Woodward book reveals Trump's calls with Putin and Biden's private remarks on Obama and Netanyahu  The Associated Press
  5. Susan Rice: Trump’s reported calls with Putin appear illegal  The Hill
Posted in Uncategorized

Jenrick denies privately telling Tory MPs he would pivot back to centre if he became leader – as it happened

Tory leadership also suggests it was a mistake for him to order murals at a children’s asylum centre to be painted over

Keir Starmer was “appalled” by reports that Israel deliberately fired on peacekeepers in Lebanon, Downing Street said this morning.

Asked about the prime minister’s reaction to the story, a Downing Street spokesperson said:

We were appalled to hear those reports and it is vital that peacekeepers and civilians are protected.

As you know, we continue to call for an immediate ceasefire and an end to suffering and bloodshed. This is a reminder of the importance of us all renewing our diplomatic efforts.

All parties must always do everything possible to protect civilians and comply with international law. But we continue to reiterate that and call for an immediate ceasefire.

The very hard Brexit forced through by Boris Johnson means that we are for now driving with the economic handbrake on – we can’t let that handbrake off. It is what is, It is difficult to see this being reversed within the next decade.

The truth is it could be a conversation that starts in 10 years’ time. It could be longer, but the beginning of a conversation is not the end of that; it’s not the resolution of our relationship to the European Union.

I think it’ll be very hard to persuade people in the European Union to revisit, to reengage and start getting into another negotiation about Britain’s membership of the European Union, for a long time to come. I’m sorry to say that but they have had up to here with us.

Continue reading...

Jenrick denies he would drop hard-right policies if he became Tory leader

Conservative MP says his tack to the right has rattled Nigel Farage and confirms he would like the UK to exit the ECHR

Robert Jenrick has denied that he would drop his hard-right policies and return to the Conservative middle ground if he become leader, arguing that his ideas for the party have left Nigel Farage “rattled”.

Jenrick, who faces Kemi Badenoch in a ballot of Tory members for the post, confirmed that he would expect his shadow frontbench to sign up to the plan of immediately quitting the European convention on human rights (ECHR), a red line for some centrists.

Continue reading...

Poacher turned gamekeeper: the gambler who turned tables on bookies and lobbies for UK tax rise

Multimillionaire Derek Webb, a Labour donor, goes all-in with support for levy on online casinos and bookmakers

As a former professional poker player, Derek Webb is used to rising from the table holding more chips than he started with.

Vanquished opponents are left scratching their heads, wondering how they have been bested by a softly spoken, bespectacled septuagenarian with a Derby accent.

Continue reading...

Israel strikes Lebanon and Gaza as war with Hamas and Hezbollah continues: Live updates – CNN

  1. Israel strikes Lebanon and Gaza as war with Hamas and Hezbollah continues: Live updates  CNN
  2. Activists risk their lives to rescue animals in areas of Lebanon hit by Israeli airstrikes  The Hill
  3. At Least 22 Killed in Beirut Strikes as Israel-Hezbollah Fighting Continues: Live Updates  The New York Times
  4. LIVE: Israel intensifies attacks on Lebanon as Gaza death toll rises  Al Jazeera English
  5. Israel misses target as 22 killed in deadliest Beirut air strike of the war  The Telegraph
Posted in Uncategorized

Labour considers up to £3bn tax raid on gambling firms

Treasury weighing proposals as chancellor attempts to plug £22bn hole in public finances

Ministers are considering a tax raid of up to £3bn on the gambling sector as Rachel Reeves casts around for funds to shore up the public finances.

Treasury officials are understood to be weighing up proposals, put forward by two influential thinktanks and backed by one of the party’s top five individual donors, to double some of the taxes levied on online casinos and bookmakers.

Continue reading...

Zelenskyy appeals to allies to keep up aid as Germany pledges new weapons package – The Associated Press

  1. Zelenskyy appeals to allies to keep up aid as Germany pledges new weapons package  The Associated Press
  2. Zelenskyy urges allies to maintain aid as Scholz pledges weapons package  Al Jazeera English
  3. Germany Pledges New $1.5 Billion Arms Package to Ukraine  Newsweek
  4. Germany's Scholz announces more military aid as Zelenskiy visits Berlin  Reuters
  5. Zelenskyy meets Scholz in Berlin despite NATO meeting cancellation  Euronews
Posted in Uncategorized

UN says no food has entered northern Gaza since start of October, putting 1 million people at risk of starvation – CNN

  1. UN says no food has entered northern Gaza since start of October, putting 1 million people at risk of starvation  CNN
  2. Statement of Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of UNRWA, at the United Nations Security Council  unrwa
  3. US Shocks Israel At UNSC; America Now Backs Two Pro-Palestinian Resolutions It Earlier Blocked  Hindustan Times
  4. US envoy slams Israel over Gaza humanitarian situation, effort to ban UNRWA operations  The Times of Israel
  5. Remarks by Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield at a UN Security Council Briefing on the Situation in the Middle East  United States Mission to the United Nations
Posted in Uncategorized

Billionaire ex-Harrods boss Mohamed Al Fayed linked to 40 new sex abuse allegations – New York Post

  1. Billionaire ex-Harrods boss Mohamed Al Fayed linked to 40 new sex abuse allegations  New York Post
  2. Dozens more women come forward with abuse allegations against Mohamed Al Fayed, BBC says  CNN
  3. How Harrods, London’s Luxury Emporium, Is Dealing With a Sexual Abuse Scandal  The New York Times
  4. UK police record 40 new allegations linked to ex-Harrods boss Al Fayed  Reuters UK
  5. Police investigate 40 new allegations against Mohamed Al Fayed and others  The Guardian
Posted in Uncategorized

Country Bans Talk About 91-Year-Old Leader’s Health – Newser

  1. Country Bans Talk About 91-Year-Old Leader's Health  Newser
  2. Paul Biya’s health: Cameroon bans reports on condition of president  BBC.com
  3. Cameroon bans discussing president’s health as absence fuels speculation  The Guardian
  4. Cameroon Bonds Drop as Investors Weigh Political Stability Risk Over Biya Health  Bloomberg
  5. Cameroon bans media from talking about President Biya’s health  Al Jazeera English
Posted in Uncategorized