Israel and Hamas exchange to take place after ceasefire impasse resolved
The delayed release of 600 Palestinian prisoners will reportedly go ahead when Hamas returns four Israeli hostages' bodies.
Michelle Trachtenberg, Gossip Girl and Buffy actress, dies aged 39
Trachtenberg, 39, found fame in television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and later Gossip Girl.
What an AI-generated video of Gaza reveals about Trump tactics
US President Donald Trump sparked a social media frenzy when he posted a video of Gaza generated by artificial intelligence on his site Truth Social. Marianna Spring has been analysing the online tactics of Trump and his team.
What an AI-generated video of Gaza reveals about Trump tactics
US President Donald Trump sparked a social media frenzy when he posted a video of Gaza generated by artificial intelligence on his site Truth Social. Marianna Spring has been analysing the online tactics of Trump and his team.
‘It’ll be a disaster’: Uncertainty for thousands forced from West Bank camps by Israeli raids
Aid agencies say it is the largest forced displacement of Palestinians in the West Bank in decades.
What we know about US-Ukraine minerals deal
A Ukrainian official says Kyiv has agreed to the terms of a deal which would give the US access to mineral deposits.
Israelis pay last respects to hostage mother and sons killed in Gaza
In a display of deep public grief, thousands lined roads of southern Israel for the funeral procession of Shiri, Ariel and Kfir Bibas.
Romanian far-right presidential hopeful detained on street and indicted
Prosecutors are investigating a series of alleged offences, after Georgescu came from nowhere to win the first round.
Crypto sleuths join hunt for $1.5bn stolen in biggest ever heist
ByBit is offering financial rewards to anyone who can spot criminals attempting to launder the stolen crypto.
Apple boss says its DEI programmes may change
His comments came as shareholders rejected a call for the firm to consider ending its diversity practices.
Chile power cut: ‘We were trapped like sardines in the dark’
Millions of people in Chile had their routines disrupted by an almost nationwide power cut.
TV presenter Henry Kelly dies aged 78
Irish journalist hosted gameshows including Going for Gold and Game for a Laugh in the 1980s and 90s
Henry Kelly, who presented TV shows such as Going for Gold and Game for a Laugh, has died aged 78.
His family said he “died peacefully” on Tuesday “after a period of ill health”.
Continue reading...Covid inquiry to hear evidence about Michelle Mone-linked firm in private
Chair rules that details about PPE contracts given to company linked to Tory peer will be heard in closed session
The Covid inquiry will hear detailed evidence about the multimillion-pound PPE contracts awarded during the crisis to a company linked to the Conservative peer Michelle Mone, but in private, the inquiry chair has ruled.
The National Crime Agency has since May 2021 been investigating potential criminal offences committed in the procurement of the contracts awarded to the company, PPE Medpro, and argued that its investigation could be prejudiced if the inquiry heard evidence in public.
Continue reading...BP to almost double oil and gas production by 2030 in move away from green goals
Firm will be selective about investing in low-carbon options, slashing more than $5bn from previous green plan
BP is almost doubling its target for oil and gas production by the end of the decade and slashing its spending on low-carbon energy as part of a fundamental reset of the troubled company away from previous green goals.
The FTSE 100 fossil fuel company has promised shareholders it will increase its planned oil and gas production by 2030 to the equivalent of about 2.4m barrels a day – almost twice the figure in its net zero plan set out five years ago.
Continue reading...Police cited ‘malfunctioning’ barrier in New Orleans attack but didn’t take up maker’s offer to inspect and repair
Manufacturer says city has not taken up its offer to inspect – and, if necessary, repair – blockade at no cost
After the deadly truck ramming attack on New Orleans’s Bourbon Street early on New Year’s Day, local police said they had intentionally left down a hydraulic barrier meant to prevent such violence because it had a history of malfunctioning – prompting the blockade’s manufacturer to contact the city with an urgent offer of free inspection and maintenance, according to recently obtained emails.
“We would like to bring out a technician for no charge in order to inspect all the Delta Scientific barriers in New Orleans and ensure they are functional and offer any solutions for maintenance or repairs needed,” Dianne Kennedy, the company’s assistant to general counsel and manager of contracts, wrote to the office of the New Orleans mayor, LaToya Cantrell.
Continue reading...Grenfell Tower: seven organisations face debarment from government contracts
Possible action comes as ministers announce plans to improve building safety and strengthen accountability
Seven organisations involved in the Grenfell Tower disaster face possible debarment from government contracts as ministers set out plans to improve building safety and strengthen accountability.
The government has accepted the findings of the final Grenfell Tower inquiry report and pledged to take action on all the recommendations.
Consulting on a new college of fire and rescue later in 2025 to improve training and professionalism of firefighters.
Stopping unqualified individuals from making critical fire safety decisions, by legally requiring fire risk assessors to have their competence certified.
Continuing implementation of a new residential personal emergency evacuation plan policy to improve the fire safety and evacuation of disabled and vulnerable residents in high-rise and higher-risk residential buildings, engaging with relevant stakeholders on the implementation.
Continue reading...Thousands of Israelis line streets for funeral of Bibas family killed in Gaza
National outpouring of grief comes amid reports that deal reached to resume ceasefire with Hamas
Thousands of Israelis have lined the route of a funeral procession for two small children and their mother who were held hostage and died in captivity in Gaza.
The national outpouring of grief for Ariel, Kfir and Shiri Bibas came amid reports that a deal had been reached to resume the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, with the handover of more bodies of hostages in return for the release of Palestinians held in Israeli jails.
Continue reading...UK suspension of aid is ‘punitive’, Rwanda says
The UK says it is halting aid to Rwanda as a result of its support for the M23, a notorious rebel group.
Wildfire debris washes up on LA beaches after major rainstorm
Beaches in southern California littered with timber, twisted metals, charred silt and urban runoff from Palisades fire
Los Angeles county beaches are contending with the aftermath of recent wildfires and winter storms as debris from the Palisades fire and urban runoff are carried to the shoreline.
After last week’s major rainstorm, beaches in southern California have been littered with timber, twisted metals, construction materials and charred silt and sediment originating from the Palisades fire in January. That blaze, along with the Eaton fire, killed at least 29 people.
Continue reading...No 10 talking to ex-Boris Johnson aide Munira Mirza about multiculturalism
Contact could unsettle some in Labour given her past record on the issue including criticism of Lammy report
Downing Street has been holding discussions with Munira Mirza, a longstanding and often controversial aide to Boris Johnson who has repeatedly criticised ideas about structural and institutional racism, it is understood.
Although it is believed that No 10’s contact with Mirza has been limited to a handful of calls at most, and that she is among a range of outside voices Downing Street has spoken to, her involvement in any sort of discussions with the government is likely to spook some Labour MPs.
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