Kenya’s tea industry suffers crisis caused by the US-Israeli war on Iran
Kenyan tea farmers are facing a crisis after the US-Israeli war on Iran disrupted key export routes to the Middle East.
Gale-force winds forecast across northern UK over Easter weekend
Meteorologists issue yellow weather warning, with gusts of up to 90mph expected in some areas
The northern half of the UK is expected to face gale-force winds over the Easter weekend, with forecasters warning of possible travel disruption and power cuts, stemming from a “significant cold plunge from Canada into the North Atlantic”.
The Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for very strong winds in Scotland, Northern Ireland and parts of north Wales and northern England from 6pm on Saturday until midday on Sunday.
Continue reading...History’s biggest census: Why India’s new population count is controversial
The population count, which was delayed by five years, will include caste enumeration for the first time in a century.
Stella McCartney granted permission for £5m home in Scottish Highlands
McCartney and her husband faced objections including fears over threat to local otters and ‘hideous’ design
The fashion designer Stella McCartney has been granted permission to build a £5m home on a spectacular Highland peninsula after a three-year planning battle over the threat to local otters and the “hideous” modernist design.
McCartney and her husband, Alasdhair Willis, a creative director at Adidas, want to build the split-level property with a turf roof and natural stone walls on the rocky outcrop overlooking Loch Ailort, west of Fort William, 30 metres above sea level.
Continue reading...Reeves criticises Trump for starting Iran war with no ‘clear plan’ to get out of it – as it happened
This blog is now closed
Starmer says he understands why people are concerned about the cost of living.
He says he has already set out a five-point plan to deal with the crisis.
Just look at what’s happening today. Today your energy bills will be cut because of the action that we took at the budget. And whatever happens in Iran, that price is now fixed until July.
The most effective way we can support the cost of living in Britain is to push for de-escalation in the Middle East, and a reopening of the strait of Hormuz, which is such a vital route for energy.
To that end, we’re exploring each and every diplomatic avenue that is available to us.
Continue reading...Nicotine pouches not yet cleared for sale in US due to concerns over young users
FDA planned to fast-track applications for authorization, but agency reviewers raise alarm over addiction risk
Popular nicotine pouch products have yet to be cleared for sale in the United States despite a fast-track Food and Drug Administration scheme, as agency scientists hesitate to authorize them due to potential risks to new users, including children, three sources told Reuters.
New tobacco products like pouches, which users insert under their lip to get a nicotine buzz, must be authorised by the FDA in order to be legally sold in the US, the world’s largest market for smoking alternatives worth some $22bn.
Continue reading...Trump says he is ‘absolutely’ considering withdrawing US from Nato
The president, a longtime critic of Nato, has stepped up criticism after allies refused to join the US-Israel war on Iran
Donald Trump has said he is “absolutely” considering withdrawing the US from Nato, warning that the matter was “beyond reconsideration” after the refusal of US allies to join the US-Israeli war against Iran.
The president’s threats, his most determined to date, have left the alliance facing its worst crisis in its 77-year history, a former US ambassador has warned.
Continue reading...Hungarian opposition Tisza party cements lead ahead of April elections, polls show – euronews.com
- Hungarian opposition Tisza party cements lead ahead of April elections, polls show euronews.com
- ‘Orban constantly vetoes’: Europe braces for Hungary election Al Jazeera
- Rival teams of vote observers spell trouble in Hungarian election politico.eu
- At village pub in Orban's heartland, Hungary's vote plays out over pints Reuters
- Lessons for the world from tiny Hungary The Economist
Families condemn UK ‘impotence’ over UAE ‘social media misuse’ detentions
Ministers accused of being too fearful of offending Emirates to help Britons detained for sharing images of war
The families of UK citizens held in the United Arab Emirates over allegations that they shared images of the conflict with Iran have voiced frustration at the British government’s failure to help.
Several British citizens are among more than 100 foreign nationals who have been detained under draconian Emirate rules that outlaw publishing or sharing material that could “disturb public security”.
Continue reading...French Prosecutors Link Foiled Attack on American Bank to a Pro-Iranian Group – The New York Times
- French Prosecutors Link Foiled Attack on American Bank to a Pro-Iranian Group The New York Times
- Paris police tighten security after foiled bomb attack Reuters
- Staff at Citi told to work remotely in Paris and Frankfurt following foiled bomb attempt MarketWatch
- France probes Iran links in thwarted attack on Bank of America Financial Times
- US Banks Get Paris Police Protection After Goldman Bomb Threat bloomberg.com
UK to host meeting of 35 countries on reopening Strait of Hormuz
Before talks with 35 countries, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer says reopening strait 'will not be easy'.
What can nations do to make up for the ongoing energy shortfall?
The Middle East conflict has cut off 20 percent of the world's fuel supply. Countries are scrambling for alternatives.
Russia says will continue helping Cuba after first oil shipment arrives
Foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova also called on the US to lift its energy blockade on the island nation.
Mojtaba Khamenei’s rumoured injury or death won’t change Iran’s trajectory
His father, Ali Khamenei, built the supreme leader's office into an institution that does not depend on a single leader.
Another cruise line cancels all sailings amid global conflict – thestreet.com
- Another cruise line cancels all sailings amid global conflict thestreet.com
- Cruise lines cancel sailings, reroute ships as Middle East conflict disrupts voyages foxnews.com
- Celestyal: Ships to Sail as Soon as It Is Safe Cruise Industry News
- Celestyal cancels all April cruises TravelMole
- Major cruise lines cancel next winter’s sailings amid Iran war The Independent
Why Iran’s hackers keep overselling their cyberattacks – NBC News
- Why Iran's hackers keep overselling their cyberattacks NBC News
- Hacked hospitals, hidden spyware: Iran conflict shows how digital fight is ingrained in warfare AP News
- Cyber warfare starts to get personal in war between U.S., Israel and Iran Axios
- Iranian-Linked Groups Hacked Into at Least 50 Security Cameras in Israel WSJ
- Iran-linked actors target Middle Eastern city governments to undermine missile-strike responses Cybersecurity Dive
Italian coastguard recovers 19 bodies from boat in sea near Lampedusa
Fifty-eight other people found alive during rescue involving inflatable craft in early hours of Wednesday
The bodies of 19 people have been recovered from an inflatable boat south of the island of Lampedusa by the Italian coastguard, a spokesperson told AFP.
Fifty-eight other people, including five children, were found alive during the rescue in the early hours of Wednesday and transported to Lampedusa by the coastguard, according to Roberto D’Arrigo.
Continue reading...Britain to host 35 countries for strait of Hormuz talks, says Starmer
US understood not to be invited directly to talks that will explore ways of reopening critical waterway
The UK will convene 35 countries – excluding the US – to explore ways to reopen the strait of Hormuz, the vital shipping route for oil and gas that has been blocked by Iran.
Keir Starmer, the prime minister, said the next phase of discussions in the joint British and French efforts to secure the waterway would be held on Thursday, with Yvette Cooper, the foreign secretary, alongside international leaders.
Continue reading...After Israel’s invasion, many in southern Lebanon worry they’ll never go home – npr.org
- After Israel's invasion, many in southern Lebanon worry they'll never go home npr.org
- Without evidence, IDF reiterates Hezbollah uses ambulances for military purposes Haaretz
- Beirut is bursting as over 1 million people flee Israeli strikes and evacuation orders AP News
- UN aid chief warns of new Israeli occupation in southern Lebanon Al Jazeera
- Lebanon at ‘breaking point’ as displacement soars and strikes intensify UN News
DR Congo declares national holiday after reaching World Cup for first time in 52 years
This is just the second time that DR Congo have reached the World Cup finals, sparking celebrations in Kinshasa.