Labour says cap on school uniform items could save families £50 a child

Posted on January 7, 2025 by Admin

Government plans to limit branded student kit to three articles, plus a tie, from September 2026 in England

Plans to cap the number of branded uniform items schools in England can require to three, plus a tie, could save families more than £50 a child, with additional annual savings of £450 from free breakfast clubs in all primaries, the government has said.

The cost-saving measures are laid out in the government’s children’s wellbeing and schools bill which is due to be debated on Wednesday when it gets its second reading in parliament.

‘Flat packing them’: soldier says SAS described killing Afghans in casual way

Posted on January 7, 2025 by Admin

Inquiry hears elite forces had a ‘kill all males on target whether they posed a threat or not’ policy in Afghanistan

Afghans who were killed by members of the SAS in Afghanistan were described dismissively as having been “flat packed” according to revealing testimony given by a former member of the elite force’s sister unit to a public inquiry.

The soldier, known only as N1799, said he had been party to a conversation with a member of the SAS in 2011 who had served in Afghanistan, in which he had been “shocked by the age and methods” used to kill Afghans.

Appeals court hears case that could dilute Black voters’ power in Louisiana

Posted on January 7, 2025 by Admin

Fifth circuit, seen as primed for the Maga era, hears arguments challenging state’s newly created maps

A federal appeals court heard arguments Tuesday in a case that could further erode voting rights protecting minority voters or solidify that Louisiana’s legislative maps diluted Black voters’ power.

The fifth circuit court of appeals, which hears cases brought for appeal from Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi, will weigh in on Nairne v Landry, a case in which a federal judge in Louisiana ruled the Republican-controlled legislature had violated section 2 of the Voting Rights Act with its newly created maps.

Man trapped inside driverless car as it spins in circles

Posted on January 7, 2025 by Admin

Mike Johns was on his way to the airport when the Waymo robotaxi began circling a parking lot non-stop

Man trapped inside driverless car as it spins in circles

Posted on January 7, 2025 by Admin

Mike Johns was on his way to the airport when the Waymo robotaxi began circling a parking lot non-stop

The Significance of Bread Lines in Syria – NPR

Posted on January 7, 2025 by Admin

The Significance of Bread Lines in Syria NPR
Rebuilding Syria’s economy: Can stability return after war? Al Jazeera English
Syria’s new rulers have inherited an economic disaster The Economist
Syria between pain- hope.. Analysis of current situation; prospects for a solution - Elhami al-Maliji ANHA
Syria Looks to Pick Up the Pieces of Its Shattered Economy tovima.com

Why the UAE and Egypt want Abdul Rahman al-Qaradawi – Middle East Eye

Posted on January 7, 2025 by Admin

Why the UAE and Egypt want Abdul Rahman al-Qaradawi Middle East Eye
Lebanon to extradite son of late Muslim cleric al-Qaradawi to UAE, PM's office says Reuters
Lebanon approves extradition of Egyptian activist al-Qaradawi to UAE Al Jazeera English
Abdul Rahman al-Qaradawi believed to have been extradited to UAE Middle East Eye
Lebanon: Poet Abdul Rahman Al-Qaradawi must not be extradited to Egypt or UAE Amnesty International

US imposes sanctions on senior Hungarian government minister

Posted on January 7, 2025 by Admin

US treasury accuses Antal Rogán, a close aide of leader Viktor Orbán, as key to ‘system of corruption’

The United States has imposed sanctions on a senior member of the Hungarian government for alleged corruption, in a move which Budapest said it would challenge as soon as Donald Trump takes office.

The US treasury accused Antal Rogán, a close aide of the prime minister, Viktor Orbán, of using his role to secure financial benefits for himself and his political allies.