World News

Israel Seeks Trump Backing for Gaza Deportation Plan

Israel

Israel Seeks Trump Backing for Gaza Deportation Plan

Israel’s defence minister has said the country is seeking Donald Trump’s support to approve plans to expel Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, a move that has been widely condemned as a potential war crime.

Israel Katz made the remarks during an event hosted by Israeli news outlet Ynet and the newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth. He said there was “no real solution for Gaza in the end without this migration” and that Israel’s government was “organised and prepared to get them out by sea, by air, by every way possible”.
Trump’s Role Under Scrutiny
Katz said on Wednesday he believed backing from the United States could shift regional sentiment in favour of forced resettlement of Palestinians from Gaza. He added that Trump’s position would be important in persuading neighbouring countries to accept Palestinian refugees.
“Every country that is willing to take them in wants American backing,” Katz said, adding: “Trump has not cancelled this at the moment. He has frozen it.”
In early 2025, Trump had discussed a US takeover of Gaza that would have involved removing Palestinians from the territory, but he later stepped back from the proposal. A 20-point peace plan drawn up by the White House last year did not call for deportation, an act widely seen as ethnic cleansing.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request from the Guardian for comment on whether Trump was continuing discussions on Israel’s proposals to forcibly depopulate Gaza.
Egypt Cited As A Key Opponent
Katz pointed in particular to Egypt, which he said had lobbied Washington against forced removal of the Palestinian population. He said the issue had not been dropped.
“It has not been cancelled,” he said. “It is being discussed all the time, including now, and I think there is no other solution in the end that is in everyone’s interest.”
The remarks come as Israel prepares for a competitive election season, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and rightwing allies campaigning on tougher measures towards Palestinians.
Ben-Gvir Links Prison Conditions To Political Message
During the same period, some Israeli officials have made comments and posted content that critics say reflect a hardline approach. Far-right national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir shared footage on X from a women’s prison, where he said he was responsible for conditions in the facility.
The post included comments attributed to Ben-Gvir after a prisoner told him they were not receiving medical care, were not showering and were not being given clean clothing. Ben-Gvir said: “The good conditions in the prisons are over. This is the current situation, and I am directly responsible for everything. I am pleased with these conditions.”
Neither the remarks nor the footage were independently verified in the report.
Gaza “Yellow Line” And Hamas Disarmament
Netanyahu visited an Israeli military post close to the yellow line in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday. Israel has said it would not withdraw from that line until Hamas disarmed, even as calls have been made for a phased pullback to support a recent ceasefire with the group.
“We control the territory and are staying on this line,” Netanyahu said. “We are doing everything to achieve our goal – disarming Hamas and demilitarising Gaza. Gaza will no longer pose a threat to Israel.”

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3 September 2026

• Gaza

• 4 comments
• 126 views

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September 2Sep 2

Trump Says He’s Happy Harry And Meghan Left US

Trump

Trump Says He’s Happy Harry And Meghan Left US

US President Donald Trump said he was pleased that Prince Harry and his wife Meghan have returned to Britain, adding that he was not a fan of the couple when they were in the United States.

Asked about their departure a week earlier from the US during a September 2 briefing with reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said: “I’m happy about it.” He later said he did not support Harry and Meghan’s actions and characterised them as having been disrespectful towards the royal family.
Trump’s comments came after the couple left the United States following a six-year stay in Montecito, California.
Megxit And Departure From Royal Duties
Harry and Meghan moved to the US from the United Kingdom in early 2020 as tensions with members of the royal family increased.
Their exit from royal duties was widely described as “Megxit” after they announced on Instagram that they would “step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent”. On the day of their 2018 wedding, Queen Elizabeth II granted them the titles Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
During their years stateside, the couple said they faced what they described as institutional neglect and a lack of support within the royal establishment. They also spoke about internal conflicts within the family, including in an interview with Oprah Winfrey and in Harry’s memoir, Spare.
Trump Criticises What He Calls Disrespect
Trump said he disliked how he believed the couple treated the institution. “I thought they treated the royal family with great disrespect,” he said.
He added: “I didn’t like it. I didn’t like the way she acted. I thought she was terribly disrespectful to the queen, to King Charles.”
Harry and Meghan’s public comments about their time in royal life and the decision to step back drew global attention and intensified questions about their relationship with other senior royals.
Children Meet The Queen, Then School In Britain
Harry and Meghan’s children, Archie, 7, and Lilibet, 5, met Queen Elizabeth during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June 2022. The Queen died a few months later, in September.
British media reported that the children have since enrolled in schools in the UK.
Trump also referred to meetings involving the royal couple and King Charles. He said that when Charles and Queen Camilla visited the United States for a four-day state visit hosted by Trump in April, Harry and Meghan did not meet with them. When the Sussexes travelled to Britain in July, however, they met King Charles and Camilla.
“Maybe I’m different,” Trump said. “I wouldn’t have taken him back. If I were the royal family, I would not have taken him back.”


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3 September 2026

• 25 comments
• 481 views

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September 2Sep 2

Dutch Bank Moves 86 Tonnes of Gold Out of North America

Report

Dutch Bank Moves 86 Tonnes of Gold Out of North America

The Dutch central bank, DNB, has confirmed that 86 tonnes of gold were moved from the United States and Canada to London, citing “increasing geopolitical unrest”. The bullion is now held by the Bank of England, where DNB said it can be traded more easily “in a crisis situation”.
Gold Transfers Carried Out Over Months
DNB said the operation to relocate the precious metal took several months and took place between March and August. It involved multiple stages, including a transfer of 27 tonnes of gold bars from New York and Ottawa to Zeist in the Netherlands.
A similar quantity of bars was then moved from the Netherlands to London without melting the bullion, DNB said.
The rest of the transfer was carried out through financial transactions rather than direct bar movements: DNB said it sold the gold in New York and repurchased it in London. DNB said combining buying and selling with physical transport helped it spread risks associated with moving gold across borders.
Exactly how the bullion was shipped across the Atlantic was not disclosed.
Bank Of England Cited For Crisis Trading
DNB president Olaf Sleijpen said the move was necessary to “strengthen our resilience and preparedness”. In its statement, the central bank said gold held with the Bank of England is regarded as the world’s most easily tradable, making it more readily available in a crisis than if it remained in the US or Canada.
DNB did not specify what it was referring to when it mentioned geopolitical unrest. It pointed instead to broader uncertainty affecting global trade.
Trade Dispute And Market Pressure
The announcement comes as the US and Canada remain locked in a trade dispute. Both countries have announced new tariffs on each other after failed trade talks.
DNB said the US economy remains uncertain due to the country’s ongoing war with Iran, which it said has impacted global trade. It also cited the effect on Canada of US tariffs on key sectors including steel, aluminium, lumber and automobiles, along with an additional 50% levy on about C$28bn (US$20bn; £15bn) of Canadian goods announced in August.
Reshaped Holdings Across Locations
Before Wednesday’s announcement, DNB held 31.3% of its gold in New York and 19.7% in Ottawa. After the relocation, those shares have fallen to 18.5% in both locations.
DNB said the Netherlands’ total gold stock was 612.4 tonnes at the end of 2025, valued at €72.2bn. Its share of gold held in London increased from 18.1% to 32.1% following the move, while 30.8% of its reserves remain held in the Netherlands.

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3 September 2026

• 134 comments
• 786 views

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September 2Sep 2

EU And NATO Target Russia After 'New Escalation' In Germany

EU

EU And NATO Target Russia After 'New Escalation' In Germany

The EU and Nato have pledged to intensify pressure on Russia after Germany blamed it for a failed drone attack on Leipzig airport, saying the incident forms part of a wider pattern of risk to European countries.

Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Leipzig had seen “a new escalation on European Union soil directly attributed to Russia”, a day after Berlin said evidence from police investigations and intelligence had shown Moscow was behind the attack last month. Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte said the alliance, which includes the US, stood “in full solidarity with Germany”, while warning of increased threats from drones and missile-related incidents along Nato’s eastern flank.
Leipzig Attack Cited As “New Normal”
Germany said the episode began with a drone carrying explosives that was defused by a robot at Leipzig/Halle airport. A second drone was later thought to have collided with another cargo plane, while a third drone was found about 10 days afterwards at the same airport, which is described as a Nato hub used regularly by Ukrainian Antonov transport aircraft.
It was not until Tuesday that the German government said its inquiries had established Russia’s responsibility. Interior Minister Herbert Reul said the drone’s configuration, components, explosives and detonator matched material already known from other Russian hybrid operations.
Russia has rejected the German accusations that a drone deliberately targeted a Ukrainian cargo plane on 4 August. The Russian foreign ministry said it would respond in “mirror-image” fashion and told Berlin it had offered no evidence. Germany’s chargé d’affaires Bernd Finke was summoned after Moscow rejected Berlin’s “entirely unfounded accusations”.
Germany Moves Against Russian Presence
Berlin said it would close the Russian consulate in Bonn and the Russian House cultural institution, which Berlin says has long been suspected of functioning as a propaganda outlet for the Kremlin. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko was quoted by the agency as saying Moscow would consider options “maybe” if relations were to be cut, but that it was currently allowing diplomacy a chance.
Vladimir Putin condemned Germany’s measures as a serious mistake that “clearly runs counter to the interests of the German people”.
Von der Leyen said the Leipzig attack involved “military-grade material carried out by Russian operatives on European Union soil”, adding: “We will not tolerate it.” She said the EU and Nato would increase their efforts to deter Russia, linking the renewed pressure to the expectation that Moscow would stop attacks in Ukraine.
Sanctions, Visas And Asset Plan Discussed
During meetings in Brussels, EU foreign ministers also met in Wicklow, Ireland. France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said ministers discussed possible action at EU level against Russia’s “shadow fleet” of ships used to avoid sanctions while carrying oil and other cargo. Several countries, including Belgium and the Netherlands, said they had summoned Russian ambassadors to protest the attack.
The EU’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, said work was under way on tightening enforcement of existing sanctions. She added there was support for an EU visa entry ban for Russian ex-combatants and tighter visa limits for Russian tourists.
Several member states, including Sweden, the Netherlands, Poland and Spain, are pushing for more than €193bn (£165bn) in frozen Russian assets to be used to help Ukraine. The plan was first proposed at the end of 2025, and Belgium—where some of the money is held—has said it remains concerned about possible financial liability in court, although it said its position had not changed.
Von der Leyen said sanctions have already been used to deter Russia and that ministers were debating further steps aimed at cutting deeper into Moscow’s “war chest”.
More Incidents Reported In Germany And Poland
Rutte said there had been a rise in “malign activities” targeting European territory, including fires set in factories producing defence equipment for Ukraine and hybrid attacks like Leipzig.
In Germany, authorities reported several acts of suspected sabotage in the past 24 hours, including two attacks on electricity substations—one in the east and another near Cologne in the west. While investigators have not identified those responsible, Reul said the Bergheim incident involved power lines and appeared deliberate, describing the attack as directed at Germany as a whole.
Police said six launching devices were found in a field. At the same time, high-voltage lines near the Jänschwalde coal-fired power plant in Brandenburg were damaged, and explosive devices were later discovered at a substation.
In Poland, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said a fire at a factory producing combat drones in Skarżysko-Kamienna was a deliberate act of arson and sabotage, and arson had not been ruled out in a separate fire at a factory in Lublin on Sunday night.
As part of EU support for Ukraine, von der Leyen said the bloc has agreed to loan Kyiv €90bn (£77bn). She said Ukraine had asked for additional billions of euros for PAC-3 air defence missiles and that work was already under way on a joint Europe-Ukraine Freyja anti-ballistic missile defence project.


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3 September 2026

• Germany

• 5 comments
• 396 views

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September 2Sep 2

Putin Refuses To Rule Out UK Strikes At Press Conference

Russia

Putin Refuses To Rule Out UK Strikes At Press Conference

Russian President Vladimir Putin declined to say whether Moscow could strike military facilities in the United Kingdom, after Britain provided arms to Ukraine.

At a press conference in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, he was asked if Russia might retaliate by targeting sites in the UK. Putin replied: “That’s a secret. A military secret.”
He did not provide further detail on what any response might involve or how it would be determined.
Questions Over UK Retaliation
The exchange came amid continued Western support for Ukraine, which Moscow frames as a threat to Russia’s interests.
The comments also followed criticism of Russian actions in Europe. Germany said last month that Russia was responsible for a drone attack at Leipzig airport. Putin responded by accusing Germany of “planting the evidence”. German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt later described a “well-established pattern of Russian hybrid operations in Europe”.
Western Warning In Animal And Food Chain Terms
Putin also addressed wider tensions between Russia and Western countries. He called Western states “sharks” and said: “If anyone tries to drag us down the food chain, to gobble us up or devour us, they might get punched in the teeth.”
Russia, he added, was “ready to do that”, referring to what he said were expanding appetites and “teeth” among those he described as sharks.
In recent remarks, he has used similar imagery to justify the war in Ukraine, including comments about killer whales “tearing polar bears apart”.
War Language And Negotiation Signals
Although the Kremlin officially refers to its assault on Ukraine as a “special military operation”, Putin used the word “war” at the press conference, saying: “War is a brutal and unpredictable thing.”
He said he had “no doubt that the enemy will crumble”, while the conflict has continued for more than four-and-a-half years and Ukraine continues fighting.
Putin also said he remained open to negotiations, and pointed to specific contacts in the United States. He said Russia was comfortable working with people it “know[s] well and generally trust”, adding that Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff were always welcome: “[Kushner and Witkoff] are always welcome guests. It’s a pleasure working with them.”
Kushner, Witkoff And The CIA Director
The Kremlin did not name the CIA director in the same way. John Ratcliffe visited Moscow last week, according to reports, but the Kremlin said Putin did not meet him during the trip.
There was no indication of any meeting on the schedule, but Putin said any peace effort would be shaped by Russia’s position, as he has maintained that a settlement should be agreed on Russia’s terms.

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3 September 2026

• UK

• 1 comment
• 88 views

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September 2Sep 2

Briton Deported From Sweden After 24 Years Over Brexit Fallout

Report

Briton Deported From Sweden After 24 Years Over Brexit Fallout

John Sellers, a 34-year-old British man who has lived in Sweden for more than two decades, has been deported despite having spent his entire adult life there following his family’s move when he was 10.

Sellers was ordered to leave in January, after three failed attempts to secure permission to remain. He was hoping to return to Gothenburg and start a family with his newly married wife, Caroline, according to friends and supporters quoted in Swedish media and the couple’s accounts of the case.
Moved Under EU Free Movement Rules
Sellers moved to Sweden from Essex with his parents at the age of 10 during the period when UK residents benefited from EU free movement rules. His parents said they chose Sweden for its education system.
His father died when he was 16. His mother later returned to England after Sellers began a college course in the country to train as a teacher.
Fight To Stay Ends In Deportation
Sellers said he had fought for nearly seven years to stay in Sweden. He described Sweden as his home and said that when he returns to England he feels like a visitor. He also said the deportation has affected his ability to work and has brought significant costs related to legal action.
Caroline, who has chronic health conditions including fibromyalgia and symptoms of long Covid such as chronic fatigue, said the case had left her under strain as she tried to recover and return to teaching. She said the relationship had been disrupted by the time, effort and money spent challenging the government’s decision.
Sellers said he did not know when he would be able to physically reunite with his wife.
Calls For A Review Of Post-Brexit Treatment
The deportation comes as Swedish politicians and British residents raise concerns about the treatment of UK citizens after Brexit.
Sweden’s migration minister, Johan Forssell, is expected to respond to a request from Swedish MP Håkan Svenneling for a review of the approach to British residents in the country following the UK’s exit from the EU.
Svenneling intervened last month after it emerged that one of his constituents, 78-year-old widow Joyce Thomas, who has lived in Sweden for 21 years, was told to leave. Thomas has until 7 September to depart. Her friends and supporters have urged Forssell to pause removals and review a policy that critics say is not in line with the Brexit withdrawal agreement.
Another elderly British citizen, George Mason, who is in full-time dementia care, was told to leave in August. His son said Mason was granted a temporary stay of execution until 28 September while migration authorities consider “obstacles to enforcement”.
The Guardian said it is aware of another British man who was detained by police on Tuesday and told he will be deported.

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2 September 2026

• 10 comments
• 154 views

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September 2Sep 2

Tyler Robinson Can Stand Trial for Charlie Kirk Murder

USA

Tyler Robinson Can Stand Trial for Charlie Kirk Murder

A Utah judge has ruled that Tyler Robinson can stand trial on a capital murder charge over the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

Judge Tony Graf made the decision following final oral arguments in a Provo courtroom on Tuesday, after lawyers focused on whether prosecutors could pursue the death penalty if Robinson is convicted.
Decision Allows Capital murder Trial to Proceed
Graf said that, viewed in the light most favourable to the prosecution, the evidence presented was enough at this stage for a “reasonable belief” that Robinson was the person who shot and killed Kirk.
The judge also found that prosecutors had met the threshold for pursuing capital punishment, after determining there was a reasonable known risk of death to others at the time of the shooting.
Robinson is accused of firing a rifle shot from a building’s rooftop about 415 feet from the place where Kirk, co-founder of the conservative student organisation Turning Point USA, was speaking at an outdoor rally at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, on 10 September 2025.
He is charged with aggravated murder, described in the indictment as a capital felony that alleges others were knowingly endangered during the shooting. Robinson also faces charges including felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, obstruction of justice, witness tampering, and commission of a violent offence in the presence of a child.
Graf found probable cause for Robinson to stand trial on all charges, and not guilty pleas were entered on the defendant’s behalf after the ruling.
Prosecutors Seek Death Penalty
Prosecutors said they plan to seek the death penalty.
In court on Tuesday, Utah County prosecutor Ryan McBride told the judge that Robinson shot and killed Kirk because he disagreed with him. McBride said the killing was carried out by firing a high-powered rifle into an event with more than 3,000 people, creating a risk of death that others at the rally would have understood, including children.
“The defendant, this man, Tyler James Robinson, shot and killed Charlie Kirk because he disagreed with him,” McBride said. “He did it by firing a high-powered rifle into a crowd of over 3,000 people, which created a great risk of death that anyone would know about.”
McBride said prosecutors had evidence identifying Robinson as the gunman, including video footage, DNA on the suspected murder weapon, and what was described as an admission by Robinson in a note to his boyfriend. He argued that the risk of death to others was driven by the scale of the crowd and the alleged targeting of Kirk.
Defence Challenges Aggravating Factors and Charges
Robinson’s defence asked Graf to remove the “great risk of death” aggravating factor that would make the case eligible for the death penalty. Defence attorney Staci Visser argued that the evidence did not support a finding that someone else was likely to be killed.
Visser also challenged other parts of the case, including allegations and enhancements that claim Robinson knew children were present during the shooting, and that he tampered with a witness by telling his boyfriend to “ask for a lawyer and stay silent” if questioned by police. Defence attorneys also disputed claims that Kirk was targeted because of his political expression.


Tyler Robinson (left) - Charlie Kirk (right). Pictures courtesy of NBC News

Richard Novak said prosecutors had not established what Robinson believed about Kirk, pointing to the absence of testimony that Robinson had previously spoken about or discussed the activist.
During a week-long preliminary hearing in July, prosecutors called law enforcement witnesses and presented security video footage they said placed Robinson at the scene. Prosecutors alleged that one recording showed Robinson on the roof of the building from which the fatal shot was fired.
They also relied on a redacted video statement from Robinson’s roommate and romantic partner, Lance Twiggs. In that interview, Twiggs claimed Robinson confessed to killing Kirk in a letter, text messages, and in person. Twiggs did not testify at the preliminary hearing.
In written submissions filed ahead of Tuesday’s hearing, prosecutors argued there was enough probable cause to justify a trial, describing the case as a likely “bind-over” decision.
The defence countered that the state failed to establish probable cause, saying it relied heavily on hearsay that it did not assess for reliability, and argued the court should decline the bindover on that basis.
Kirk Family Statement
A statement released on behalf of the Kirk family said the ruling was an important step in their pursuit of justice, adding that the process would move into the next phase while they continued to seek a transparent and timely outcome.
“We are grateful to all who have continued to pray for us, support us, and stand with us through a year of unimaginable grief,” the statement said.

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2 September 2026

• 18 comments
• 233 views

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September 2Sep 2

Explosion Near German Train Station Injures Several

Germany

Explosion Near German Train Station Injures Several

An explosion near a German train station, followed by the discovery of a suspicious object, prompted police to temporarily close the transport hub in the southern city of Augsburg on Wednesday morning.

Police later said the object had been identified as harmless and the station reopened, with trains resuming service after the all-clear was given.
Explosion Overnight Near The Station
Officials said an unidentified object exploded in a passageway near the station at about 3:15 a.m., causing minor injuries to two people.
The injured were a 17-year-old girl and an 18-year-old man, both Ukrainian citizens, the German news agency dpa reported.
Police said emergency services responded in the early hours and that road traffic and public transport around the station were disrupted during that period.
Second Suspicious Object Found
Later in the morning, police reported that a suspicious object had been found at the main station. A second object, described as suspicious but not exploding, was identified at the station by police spokesperson Timo Küfner.
Because of the discovery, the train station was shut down again at 8:30 a.m.
Explosives experts from the Bavarian state criminal police office were sent to the scene to examine what had been found.
Station Reopened After All-Clear
In a statement later that morning, police said the object discovered in front of the main station was harmless and the station would reopen. “We can give the all-clear — the object we found in front of the main train station was harmless, and we have reopened the station,” Küfner told The Associated Press.
He added that trains were running again.
Police said it was still too early to determine the motive for the overnight explosion, but that investigators were working to establish what happened.
Traffic in the area later returned to normal, police said.
Augsburg has a population of about 308,000 people and is in Bavaria, roughly 78 kilometres (48 miles) northwest of Munich.

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2 September 2026

• 0 comments
• 120 views

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September 2Sep 2

Zelensky Warns Airlines Against Russian Airspace

Russia

Zelensky Warns Airlines Against Russian Airspace

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has told airlines that Russian airspace is becoming too dangerous to use as his country expands drone operations and strikes deeper inside Russia.

Speaking in a nightly video address on Tuesday, Zelensky warned carriers that still fly through Russian territory, as well as aviation insurers and operators of key Russian airports. “We want to warn every airline that uses Russian airspace, every insurer, everyone who still uses key Russian airports: the Russian sky is becoming completely dangerous,” he said.
In response, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Zelensky’s remarks amounted to a “declaration of state terrorism”. Putin added that Russia would continue attacks on Ukraine, which have intensified in recent weeks.
Zelensky’s Airspace Warning
Zelensky said Ukraine did not threaten civilian aviation “as such” and that there had been “not a single civilian aircraft” targeted. He said the change in risk for air travellers reflected the scale of drones operating in Russian skies.
“There will simply be drones in Russia’s skies on a scale that has to be taken into account,” Zelensky said. He also directed his message particularly at flights to Russian airports in major cities, including St Petersburg and Moscow.
Drone Attacks Disrupt Flights
Ukraine’s drone strikes have struck energy facilities deep inside Russia, and there have been repeated attacks on depots used by Wildberries and Ozon, two of Russia’s biggest online retailers.
For months, the attacks have disrupted parts of Russia’s commercial airport network, especially in Moscow. At times, all four major Moscow airports have been forced to halt arrivals and departures, and several cancellations were reported on Wednesday.
Zelensky said disruption does not require Ukraine to target airports directly. Under Russia’s air defence plan, known as “Kovyor” (carpet), flights are suspended when a drone is detected in the relevant area.
Aviation risk advisory firm Osprey Flight Solutions said in an alert to clients that most Ukrainian drone and missile strikes were likely to take place within 300km (186 miles) of the border, but that daily attacks deeper inside Russia were expected to continue this year. It added that the frequency of strikes could rise in the short term and that there was a realistic risk of miscalculation or misidentification in areas tied to the conflict.
Putin Rejects Ukraine’s Link To Civil Aviation
Speaking to reporters at the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation summit in Kyrgyzstan, Putin said Ukraine was asking Russia to resume negotiations, but that it was not willing to talk with “terrorists”. He made the remarks as Russia’s strikes on Ukraine continued.
Heavy attacks on Tuesday killed 12 people, and further strikes hit Odesa, Sumy and Kyiv on Wednesday. Russia’s military said it was preparing “massive” strikes on Ukrainian power stations, and the Ukrainian capital and surrounding region have been under attack for seven consecutive days.
Wider Context For Civil Aviation
Some airlines that do not routinely fly over Russia have largely avoided the eastern European region since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. Ukraine has also kept its airspace closed to civilian aircraft throughout that period.
Nevertheless, Chinese, Turkish and Gulf state airlines are among those using Russian airspace, citing time and fuel savings on routes between Asia and Europe.
The risks of civil aviation in wartime have been highlighted by past incidents. In 2014, after fighting broke out in eastern Ukraine, a Russian-made missile brought down a passenger plane, killing all 298 people on board. The UN aviation agency later ruled that Russia was responsible for the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 in July 2014, a finding the Kremlin has denied.
In 2024, Putin apologised to Azerbaijan over the downing of a commercial airliner in Russian airspace that killed 38 people. He said the “tragic incident” happened when Russian air defence systems were repelling Ukrainian drones.

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2 September 2026

• Iranian Conflict

• 4 comments
• 107 views

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September 2Sep 2

London Mayor Sadiq Khan Convicted in Car Tax ‘Scam’

UK

London Mayor Sadiq Khan Convicted in Car Tax ‘Scam’

Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan has been convicted and fined in a fast-track magistrates court process after prosecutors alleged he kept an untaxed vehicle, despite his office saying the case involved a “scam” and that the car did not belong to him.

The Labour politician, 55, was found guilty last month by a magistrate sitting in Herefordshire under the Single Justice Procedure, and was convicted in his absence.
Conviction And Penalties
The court heard the issue related to a 24-year-old blue Nissan Micra, first registered in 2002. The magistrate ordered Khan to pay a £220 fine, £85 in costs and £35.84 for unpaid vehicle tax, bringing the total bill for the conviction to £340.84.
The order also warned that, if the payment was not made within 28 days, further enforcement steps could be taken, including increased fines, bailiffs or a warrant for arrest to bring him to court.
DVLA Letters Sent To Gordon Ramsay Restaurant
According to court documents, letters sent by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) about the unpaid tax were addressed to a Gordon Ramsay restaurant in east London rather than to Transport for London (TfL) offices nearby.
City Hall said the Nissan Micra was not owned by Khan or by TfL. A spokesperson for the mayor said the case was a “scam” and that false claims about who owned vehicles had been made before.
The mayor’s adviser told BBC London that the DVLA was “urgently” looking into reopening the case, including seeking to withdraw the prosecution. The adviser said the agency would also investigate the alleged false registration.
Background To The DVLA Prosecution
The DVLA said the vehicle was identified as untaxed on 24 January. It added that Khan’s name and date of birth appeared against the car on government records.
Court documents state that the annual tax had expired in September last year. The DVLA told the court that a letter asking for confirmation of the car owner’s identity was sent to the wrong address and went unanswered in January. It was followed by a criminal prosecution brought on 18 August after no plea had been entered.
The DVLA said it was reviewing the case and investigating the circumstances in which it was brought.
ULEZ Protests And Possible Motivation
Khan expanded the Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez) to cover all of London, a move that triggered widespread protests. Some motorists said they would register cars in his name in an attempt to make him liable for the £12.50 daily Ulez charge.
The court paperwork also shows the record of conviction was sent to the Gordon Ramsay restaurant, and Khan was required to pay within the stated deadline or face the prospect of further action.
Defendants who believe they were wrongly convicted in their absence can apply to have the case reopened. This is typically done by appearing in person and making a statutory declaration before a judge. The mayor could argue that he did not know about the criminal case because the letters were sent to the wrong building. Once reopened, he could ask the DVLA to withdraw the prosecution if the accusation is shown to be incorrect, or enter a not guilty plea. The DVLA could also seek a reopening itself.

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2 September 2026

• 18 comments
• 805 views

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September 2Sep 2

Iran Strikes Back Against Latest US Attacks

Iranian Conflict

Iran Strikes Back Against Latest US Attacks

Iran launched strikes against US interests across the Middle East on Wednesday, saying it would respond with “severe” consequences after renewed US attacks on the Islamic republic.

The Iranian Red Crescent said shrapnel from a US missile hit a home where a wedding celebration was taking place in Kuhestak, in Hormozgan province. It said four people, including a child, were killed and more than 50 others were wounded.
Iran’s state media and officials said the latest wave followed earlier American strikes that Tehran said killed 11 people in Iran’s south and southwest. The conflict, now in its sixth month, has widened again to bases and positions across the region, including facilities used by the United States and its Gulf allies.
US Strikes And Reported Missile Hits
Washington said it carried out attacks after Iran’s forces attempted to add sea mines to the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route. US President Donald Trump said the strikes were “in retaliation” and also referenced an earlier Iranian attempt to fire missiles at a US military base in Jordan, adding that eight were “successfully knocked down”.
In Iran’s account of Wednesday’s escalation, Iranian forces targeted US bases in Jordan with ballistic missiles, Iranian media said. The Jordanian army said it intercepted 10 ballistic missiles fired from Iran and did not confirm any hits or injuries. It added that three other missiles landed in remote areas.
Missile and drone attacks were also reported in Kuwait, where the army said it was responding to Iranian hostilities. In Bahrain, AFP journalists reported air raid alerts early on Wednesday, while Iran’s army said it conducted drone attacks aimed at US forces at an air base.
In Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan region, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they struck US bases with missiles and drones, destroying a maintenance centre, warehouses and equipment, according to IRNA.
Iran also reported additional effects from the wider fighting. IRNA said seven people were killed and eight others were wounded in a missile attack in Khuzestan province.
Escalation Across Hormuz
The most recent round began on Sunday, when the United States carried out strikes against Iranian targets for the first time in several weeks. Iran then said its forces targeted US troops in Jordan and the United Arab Emirates, and projectiles struck two oil tankers in attacks that were not claimed.
Further US strikes were reported on Tuesday. Iran’s state television said explosions occurred in the country’s south along the Hormuz Strait and on an island in the Gulf, and that US forces hit an airport in the southern province of Kerman.
Earlier, the Iranian Red Crescent had attributed the wedding deaths to shrapnel from a US missile strike, but the US military did not address the wedding incident directly. US Central Command spokesman Tim Hawkins said the United States did not target civilians, contrasting this with Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.
Warnings From Washington And Tehran
Trump said on Tuesday that if Iran retaliated, it would be struck again “at a much harder and higher level” but that the biggest attack was still to come. Separately, he said he was not trying to force Iran into negotiations and added that he “couldn’t care less” whether the country reaches an agreement, while asking when Iranians would “rise up and fight”.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards spokesman Hossein Mohebi warned on X that Washington would “regret” the new attacks, saying “severe punishment” awaited them. Ebrahim Zolfaghari, a spokesperson for Iran’s Khatam-al Anbiya central military command, said any country cooperating with the US would face responses that would be “more severe, more widespread and destructive”.
Stalemate Over Strait Closure
Despite diplomatic deadlock, Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Tuesday he would match any US move to return to talks aimed at ending the war. He warned that resuming a “policy of pressure and threats” could derail diplomacy.
After months of fighting, the two sides remain in a standoff over access to the Strait of Hormuz. Iran keeps the strait closed, while the United States has continued a counter-blockade of Iranian ports. Washington said it attacked rocket launchers on the island of Larak on Sunday to prevent mine planting in key shipping lanes.
The war began in late February with US-Israeli attacks on Iran that killed its supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. A fragile ceasefire later collapsed after attacks on commercial ships in the Hormuz Strait, through which about one-fifth of world oil supplies flow.

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2 September 2026

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September 2Sep 2

Carney Urges Trump to Take Trade Talks Seriously

Canada

Carney Urges Trump to Take Trade Talks Seriously

Mark Carney has criticised Donald Trump’s administration and called on US officials to approach trade discussions “seriously” as tensions between the United States and Canada intensify.

The Canadian prime minister spoke ahead of Canada’s planned retaliation against sweeping US tariffs, due to begin on 8 September. In remarks carried in the lead-up to the measures, Carney also targeted Washington’s tone, saying insults and public jabs were not appropriate when both sides were seeking a way forward.
Carney Criticises Washington Language and Style
Carney said US officials needed to stop using “memes” and “shade” and instead focus on substantive negotiations about trade.
He added that criticism of Canada was “beneath” the office of the US government, and argued that both countries could work through differences if discussions were handled in a more constructive manner.
The comments came as the dispute has spilled beyond tariffs and into politics. Last week, Trump signed an executive order directing the US federal government to rename Lake Ontario as “Lake America”, a change rejected by Canadian leaders.
Tariffs And Retaliation Ahead Of 8 September
The tariff fight escalated earlier this month after trade talks between the two neighbours collapsed. The United States imposed 50% tariffs on $20bn of Canadian goods.
Canada responded by announcing retaliatory tariffs on $20bn of American goods, starting on 8 September. The measures are expected to affect everyday items for US consumers, alongside other products covered by the reciprocal action.
Canada is the United States’ second-largest trading partner, and the widening tariffs threaten to raise pressure on both sides as negotiations stall.
Greer Plays Down Impact, Blames Talks Breakdown
Jamieson Greer, the US trade representative and the president’s senior trade negotiator, said the worst consequences of a trade war would be felt more by Canada than the United States. He described the dispute as “more their emergency than ours”.
In an interview reported by Politico, Greer said there were no active trade talks at the time, adding: “There are no negotiations happening on trade right now.” He also argued that it was not clear Canada wanted a deal and said Canada had framed its position around prohibiting or banning American goods and services.
Greer suggested that demands from Canadian officials helped derail the earlier negotiations, including requests for lighter taxes on heavy-duty trucks. He also described confusion over what was actually on the table, saying it was unclear whether disputes were driven by politics or economics, and noting that the range of options had not included a simple path back to duty-free trade.
Dispute Over Who Led Talks, Plus French Language Rights
Canadian officials said the talks failed because of disagreement inside the White House over who was directing trade negotiations. Carney also pointed to issues he said US negotiators raised during discussions, claiming American counterparts treated the French language in Canada as an “irritant”, while Carney said French language rights in Quebec must be respected.
Trump has repeatedly argued that Canada seeks the benefits of being part of the United States without formally joining. He has also accused Canada of imposing tariffs on US products, including on farmers, and said “No more” in relation to those measures.
As Canada prepares its retaliation on 8 September and the US maintains its tariff approach, Carney’s call for a more serious tone underscores the widening gap between the two governments at a moment when both sides say negotiations have stalled.


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2 September 2026

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September 1Sep 1

Burnham Blames Thatcher, Brexit for UK Weakness

UK-Politics

Burnham Blames Thatcher, Brexit for UK Weakness

Andy Burnham used his first appearance in the House of Commons as prime minister to argue that Britain’s weak economic performance over the past decade stems from “wrong turns” taken over the last 40 years, singling out Brexit and former prime minister Margaret Thatcher.

Speaking around six weeks after taking office, Burnham told MPs he wanted to build “substantial change” and restore optimism, saying the country was “not where any of us would wish it to be” and that “things are not working as they should”.
Brexit Hit Shown In Company Data
Economists’ analysis of internal Bank of England data on thousands of UK firms found the economy took a 6% hit from the effects of Brexit following the referendum a decade ago.
Burnham, whose Makerfield constituency voted for Brexit, said the leave decision reflected a chain of earlier policy failures that began in the 1980s and were later compounded by leaving the EU. He also reiterated that he believed rerunning the referendum would be a mistake, while saying he wanted Britain to rejoin in his lifetime.
He suggested the next UK–EU reset summit could take place in November.
Government Priorities for Cost, Communities And Control
As Keir Starmer stepped down as an MP shortly before Burnham’s Commons address, prompting a byelection in a seat where the Greens are expected to do well, the prime minister set out plans his cabinet was briefed on earlier this week.
He said the government’s priorities were cutting the costs of essentials such as childcare and mortgages, regenerating communities, and increasing public control over water, housing and energy.
Burnham’s deputy, Louise Haigh, will lead task forces on each of the areas, according to reporting, and the ministers had been told they must be “relentless” in delivering the priorities.
The proposals are set against a difficult economic outlook. The chancellor’s “headroom” against Labour’s fiscal rules could be cut by about half at his first budget if a current global bond sell-off continues, economists have warned. Mortgage rates could also rise this autumn.
Defence, Water Renationalisation And Electoral Reform
In the Commons, Burnham also made a series of signals on policy.
He hinted the government would commit to spending 3% of GDP on defence by 2030, saying he appointed John Healey as chancellor because of his stance on military spending.
On water, Burnham said he is looking at “all possible solutions” and said the sector is a “leaking monument” to the failures of privatisation, leaving open the prospect of renationalisation.
He also indicated Labour could revisit electoral reform in its next manifesto. Burnham said there would need to be a mandate and that achieving a consensus would be necessary for any change to be implemented in the following parliament.
Cop31 Trip And A Pragmatic Energy Approach
Burnham said he will attend the Cop31 climate summit in Turkey and continue pursuing green energy, while arguing he would be “pragmatic” on energy supply. He said it would be wrong to frame policy as choosing between options for political purposes, saying the UK would need “both”.
The speech was made while he was flanked by Healey and Haigh, and Burnham linked his argument to earlier changes in power and industry, saying political authority had been centralised, economic power privatised, and the country de-industrialised, before austerity hollowed out councils.
He said honesty about what went wrong was a starting point for change and added that his government would be “relentless” in delivering the “ownership and control” it had promised.


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2 September 2026

• 61 comments
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September 1Sep 1

Trump’s Approval Falls as Midterms Approach, Haberman Says

USA

Trump’s Approval Falls as Midterms Approach, Haberman Says

CNN political analyst Maggie Haberman said on Monday that there is little evidence in public polling that President Donald Trump remains popular as the midterm elections approach, with voters also showing concern about the cost of living.

Speaking on CNN’s The Source with Kaitlan Collins, Haberman, a reporter for The New York Times, said she could not identify any major polling showing the president with strong public support.
Polling Shows Deteriorating Approval
Collins cited new CNN polling that placed Trump’s net approval at minus 32 percentage points, compared with minus 21 points for the Republican Party overall. Haberman said the broader picture is difficult for Trump, particularly on affordability.
She added that her comments reflected polling she had seen publicly, while noting that surveys do not always match private polling she has encountered. Even so, she said the underlying trend is damaging.
According to the polling cited, Trump’s approval has fallen to its lowest point between his two terms. The shift comes as the widely unpopular war involving Iran moves into its sixth month and Americans continue to worry about rising prices.
White House Highlights “Affordability”
Haberman also pointed to an Oval Office event on healthcare earlier on Monday, where administration officials repeatedly raised “affordability”. She said this is a theme Republicans in vulnerable congressional districts may struggle to address.
Trump has previously dismissed affordability as a “hoax” promoted by Democrats, but Haberman said the message is still likely to create political problems for candidates trying to defend their seats.
“You have Republicans who are in these districts that are embattled,” she said, adding that they may not want to focus on affordability as part of their campaigns.
Trump Aims For Midterm Vote Turnout
Despite weak approval ratings, Trump and senior Republican figures have sought to position the president as a central figure in the party’s midterm strategy, with the goal of energising support from his base.
In the run-up to November voting, Trump told supporters to treat him as if he were “on the ballot” when they cast their votes, as Republicans aim to increase turnout.
Haberman’s remarks underscored the challenge of pairing a turnout drive with polling that shows Trump under pressure across key measures of public approval.
Dispute With Haberman Over Sept. 11 Story
Trump has also clashed with Haberman in the past over her coverage. The president has, on several occasions, called her “Maggot Haberman” in criticism of her reporting.
More recently, he attacked her following a New York Times story about his plans for the 25th anniversary of the 11 September attacks. Haberman and three other Times journalists reported that Trump planned to skip a New York City ceremony commemorating the anniversary and instead attend the Irish Open after event organisers denied his request to speak.
The Times reporting said politicians’ speeches have been banned by the National September 11 Memorial and Museum since 2012.
Trump responded by saying Haberman had “falsely writing about me for years”, and he accused her of being a stalker, adding that she should be required to hand over money he said she made through “fake reporting”.
According to the Times, Trump is expected to attend a memorial service at the Pentagon this month on the anniversary of the attack, while Vice President JD Vance would represent the White House at the New York event.


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2 September 2026

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September 1Sep 1

US Strikes Iran as Strait of Hormuz Tensions Rise

Iranian Conflict

US Strikes Iran as Strait of Hormuz Tensions Rise

The United States carried out fresh air strikes on Iranian targets on Tuesday, in a move that could further inflame a six-month-old standoff that has disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and pushed up global oil prices.

The strikes came after an exchange of fire over the weekend—the first since July—and after two tankers were hit on Monday. The Strait of Hormuz is the key sea route for international crude supplies, and Iran has effectively restricted shipping there.
Brent crude futures, which were already higher earlier in the day, rose again following reports of the new strikes, according to market data.
US Central Command Says It Targets IRGC Sites
The US Central Command said its forces began striking Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) targets in Iran at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time (1600 GMT). It said the attacks followed what it described as attempted attacks by the IRGC on commercial shipping in the strait and on American service members in the region.
Iranian state media said explosions were reported on Qeshm Island, on the northern side of the strait. Nour News reported further blasts near ports including Bandar Abbas and Chabahar on the southern coast. IRNA and other state outlets also reported explosions near Jask and Sirik, and said US forces attacked a civilian airport in Jiroft in southern Iran.
A US embassy in Qatar urged Americans in the region to exercise “heightened vigilance”, adding that there could be flight cancellations, airspace closures and travel disruption.
Tehran Rejects Threats, Warns Oil Exports Will Stop
Tehran warned it would not allow oil exports from the Gulf. It has rejected US threats of further strikes, even as President Donald Trump said on social media that retaliation would be met with new attacks at a “harder and higher” level.
The US administration also signalled a potential new wave of economic pressure. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned last week that Washington would significantly escalate sanctions on countries that do business with Iran, although the United States has not set out details.
Iran has faced heavy sanctions for decades, and officials have not shown signs of backing away from their position despite repeated US threats.
Scale Of Latest Hostilities Unclear
The scope and duration of the latest phase of fighting remained unclear. Iranian state-linked outlets cited an IRGC-linked spokesperson warning that the US would “regret” the new attacks.
The conflict has shifted between armed exchanges and diplomatic and economic pressure. It began escalating on February 28 after US and Israeli strikes, and has since killed thousands in Iran and Lebanon, according to the memorandum framework described by both sides.
Before Tuesday’s strikes, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said at a regional summit in Kyrgyzstan that Tehran would respond immediately if Washington met its commitments under a June Memorandum of Understanding intended to halt the fighting. The MOU ended active hostilities but postponed difficult issues and opened a 60-day negotiation period, which ended without agreement. Since then, Iranian officials have not publicly indicated any willingness to concede.
Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf was quoted by Iranian media as saying that if others wanted Iran not to export oil from the Persian Gulf, “no one” would be able to do so. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei told a press conference in Tehran that Washington was “addicted to making excessive demands” and had mistaken negotiations for imposing terms.
Analysts said the ongoing tit-for-tat missile exchanges have reinforced concerns that, even without a wider “forever war”, the conflict could continue for some time.

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2 September 2026

• 90 comments
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September 1Sep 1

Germany Blames Russia For Leipzig Airport Drone Attack

Germany

Germany Blames Russia For Leipzig Airport Drone Attack

Germany has said Russia was behind a drone attack on Leipzig/Halle Airport in eastern Germany last month, after officials reviewed equipment used in the incident and intelligence assessments.

The attack was discovered on 4 August, when a drone carrying an explosive device was found at the airport near Ukrainian cargo aircraft. The device did not detonate, with investigators concluding that the detonator was faulty.
German authorities said they believe a second drone then collided with a nearby cargo aircraft, while a third drone was reportedly found at the site ten days later.
Drone Attack At Leipzig/Halle Airport
Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said the episode followed what he described as a long-established pattern of Russian “hybrid operations” in Europe, adding that Germany had assumed it could be targeted again.
He said the examination of the explosive equipment, together with intelligence findings, showed Russian involvement.
Germany has previously said it believed “foreign powers” could be behind the Leipzig incident but had not publicly identified Russia.
German Response And Russian Retaliation
Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Germany would take further steps against Moscow. He said he would order the closure of the Russian consulate in Bonn and terminate the contract for the Russian House in Berlin, a venue that many observers have linked to espionage and Russian propaganda.
Wadephul also announced tighter entry controls for Russian nationals and said Germany would increase pressure on Russia’s “shadow fleet” — old tankers used to help circumvent Western sanctions imposed after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
He said he had summoned Russia’s ambassador to Germany, Sergei Nechayev, after the announcement. Nechayev was seen arriving at Germany’s foreign ministry shortly afterwards.
Maria Zakharova, a spokesperson for the Russian foreign ministry, said Moscow would respond in a “mirror-image” manner to Germany’s measures, and told the German Press Agency that Berlin was “sponsoring terrorism” in reference to military and economic support for Ukraine.
Russia has consistently rejected allegations of involvement in such attacks.
Reactions In NATO And The EU
Nato chief Mark Rutte said the alliance was “in full solidarity with Germany”, adding that the evidence was clear and that he welcomed the steps announced by Berlin. He posted the comment on X.
The measures were expected to be discussed at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Ireland later on Tuesday. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on X that the EU would stand against Russian aggression and deter those seeking to undermine European freedom and security, adding that additional sanctions against Russia were being prepared.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Russia was “escalating tension across the whole region”. Polish prosecutors are investigating whether foreign intelligence services were involved in a fire at a factory making drone components on Monday.
In the UK, Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Russian efforts to undermine support for Ukraine were “futile and doomed to fail”.
Other Security Incidents And Politics
Leipzig/Halle Airport is used for military transport involving Germany and Nato allies, and it is also a base for Ukraine’s Antonov Airlines, which carries most of the country’s air freight.
Germany has reported drone sightings at airports, military and industrial sites over the past year. Chancellorship security officials have warned that Germany is a “daily target” for hybrid warfare, and Chancellor Friedrich Merz said last week that those carrying out hostile acts would “pay a price”. The government has said it is looking to strengthen intelligence powers, which critics have described as limited.
The announcement comes as Merz faces political pressure at home. A key state election in Saxony-Anhalt could give the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) a state-level role for the first time. The AfD, Germany’s largest opposition party, wants to stop sending support to Ukraine and to reopen ties with Russia. An MP from Merz’s CDU, Roderich Kiesewetter, said the steps taken so far “fall far short” and that Moscow “just laughs” when the ambassador is summoned.
Separately on Tuesday, German police said they are investigating the discovery of improvised explosive and incendiary devices at a power substation in Brandenburg. A power line was damaged, causing a temporary outage, and it is not known who planted the devices.


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2 September 2026

• 40 comments
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September 1Sep 1

Starmer Quits As MP To Focus On Global Affairs

UK-Politics

Starmer Quits As MP To Focus On Global Affairs

Sir Keir Starmer has announced that he will stand down as the MP for Holborn and St Pancras, setting up a by-election for the London constituency.

In a statement to the Camden New Journal, the Prime Minister-turned-backbencher said representing the area for 11 years had been a “huge honour and privilege” and that he would now turn his attention to “international affairs”.
His decision comes after he resigned as prime minister earlier in the summer, with Andy Burnham taking over in Downing Street.
Starmer To Focus On International Affairs
Starmer said he was prepared to “pass the baton to a successor” and outlined areas he intends to prioritise outside Parliament. He said his work would include international affairs covering defence, security, trade and technology.
He added that he would continue an ongoing campaign to combat violence against women and girls, describing the issue as one he wanted to pursue further after leaving the seat. Starmer said he began that work before becoming an MP and intended to continue it in parallel with his other responsibilities.
By-Election To Be Set After Formal Resignation
A date for the by-election will not be set until Starmer formally resigns his Commons seat.
The announcement is also scheduled to land hours before Burnham makes his first statement in the House of Commons as prime minister, setting out his priorities and taking questions from MPs.
Starmer had previously indicated he would remain an MP following his resignation as prime minister. In a BBC interview shortly afterwards, he said he would stay in the Commons until the next general election, which must be held by 2029.
His latest move follows weeks of speculation about whether he would remain as MP after stepping down from No 10.
Labour Seat With Large Majority
Holborn and St Pancras has long been regarded as a Labour stronghold. Starmer won a majority of more than 11,000 votes at the 2024 general election.
The Conservative party has criticised the decision. Kevin Hollinrake, the Conservative chairman, accused Starmer of making another “U-turn” after having pledged to stay on, arguing that it would result in a costly by-election for taxpayers.
While it is not clear what specific international role, if any, Starmer may take up, global issues and diplomacy were prominent during his time as prime minister. In an interview in July after he left office, he was asked whether he had another major political or international job in mind, and he said he did not know.
Precedent After Leaving Downing Street
By standing down soon after quitting as prime minister, Starmer has departed from some recent patterns for former Downing Street occupants.
Rishi Sunak remains the Conservative MP for Richmond and Northallerton two years after leaving No 10, while Liz Truss stayed on as a backbencher until she lost her seat to Labour at the 2024 election. Theresa May remained an MP for five years after leaving Downing Street.
Boris Johnson and David Cameron, however, both quit the Commons shortly afterwards.

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1 September 2026

• 26 comments
• 283 views

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September 1Sep 1

Leaving MAGA Group Offers 'Exit Ramp' From Trumpism

USA

Leaving MAGA Group Offers 'Exit Ramp' From Trumpism

A US non-profit launched in 2024, Leaving Maga, is setting out to help people who are starting to question the political movement built around former President Donald Trump by framing leaving as more than changing opinions.

Founder Rich Logis said the group is designed to provide an “exit ramp” for people who have become caught up in the Maga identity and its surrounding community. The organisation’s approach treats the shift as akin to leaving a high-control environment, drawing a comparison to recovery from addiction or a disease, rather than a standard debate about politics.
An “Exit Ramp” For People Leaving Trumpism
Leaving Maga’s work focuses on rebuilding belonging and identity. It runs weekly online support meetings for the friends and family of people still inside Maga, and monthly in-person meet-ups for those who have already left. The group also operates a nationwide billboard campaign and a media literacy programme aimed at helping people recognise disinformation.
The organisation said it wants to avoid confrontation. Its materials are intended to offer a place to land once people are ready to step away, rather than to persuade those who remain committed.
Billboards, Online Support And Media Literacy
Logis said the group is reaching out through Instagram livestreams and TikToks, alongside appearances on cable news. One of its most visible efforts is billboards, with nearly 40 placed across 27 states this year carrying the message: “Having doubts? You’re not alone.”
Leaving Maga says more than half a million people visited its website last year, with a similar number visiting so far this year. Through the site, supporters can sign up for a newsletter featuring accounts of leaving Maga, access guidance on talking with relatives or friends who are still engaged with Trumpism, and join online group chats and monthly meet-ups.
From Maga Supporter To Organiser
Logis described a near decade as an active Maga figure, voting for Trump in 2016 and 2020. He said he helped write the campaign’s call script for a presidential election, took part in voter registration, donated to the movement and appeared on Fox News as a Maga commentator. He said his break came after the 2022 Uvalde school shooting, when he decided he could no longer reconcile his values with the response he believed was coming from Trump supporters.
Months after the Texas attack that killed 19 children and two teachers, Logis published a public apology for supporting Trump and for what he described as harm caused by his rhetoric. He said the reaction came from both people who praised him and those who criticised him, and he concluded others had also left and wanted a way to repair the damage.
Stephania Messina, another founder, said her path out was shaped by experiences inside a conservative Christian community that she later described as “Christian nationalism”. She said she was not permitted to speak about politics in her church and was told her role was to submit to her husband. She said her doubts intensified in the early Covid pandemic as Trump altered his stance on the vaccine and lockdowns, while her pastor promoted conspiracy claims about the measures being driven by a “deep-state” effort.
Messina said she sought mental health support, began questioning what she called a “religious psychosis” fuelled by fear, isolation and control, and left the church in 2021. She later connected with Leaving Maga and said the movement’s work mattered because, in her view, many people are starting to recognise that they are “in so deep”.
A Recovery-Style Support Model
For families, Leaving Maga’s weekly online group is led by therapist Julianna Forlano, who said the ruptures she sees are often about behaviour as well as ideology. She said the programme borrows a framework used in addiction and recovery: it treats the psychological grip of constant fear-based media and conspiracy narratives as a pattern that can become neurobiological, encouraging a “with us or against us” mentality and affecting how people treat loved ones.
Forlano said the group does not encourage supporters to cut ties. Instead, it promotes patience and a strategy of “holding the door open”, staying present if cracks begin to appear without repeatedly pushing arguments or sending material that could deepen division. She said the work is also about grief and rebuilding a sense of self.
Life After Leaving
Logis said he now supports Democrats. Messina said she has become a Democratic socialist and joined the Democratic Socialists of America. She described supporting Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic candidate for US Senate in Michigan, and said several people close to her changed their views in the past two years.
Leaving Maga, the founders said, is still grappling with questions about forgiveness and whether abandoning the movement should bring punishment or reconciliation. Logis said he understands hostility from those who view forgiveness as unearned, while Messina said she was not seeking approval or forgiveness, but urging others to consider what she learned.

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1 September 2026

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September 1Sep 1

Keffe D Found Guilty of Tupac Shakur Murder

Crime

Keffe D Found Guilty of Tupac Shakur Murder

A jury has found Duane “Keffe D” Davis guilty of the murder of rapper Tupac Shakur, three decades after Shakur was killed in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas.

Jurors returned the verdict after deliberating for less than three hours. Davis, 63, was found guilty of murder with the use of a deadly weapon and with the intent to promote, further or assist a criminal gang.
Davis stood beside his lawyer as the verdict was read and then sat with his hands clasped on the table.
Sentencing Set for October 13
Clark County District Court Judge Carli Kierny has scheduled Davis’ sentencing for Oct. 13. Prosecutors said he faces a possible maximum sentence of life in prison.
Prosecutors Say Davis Was Not The Shooter
Prosecutors told the jury that Davis did not fire the gun that killed Shakur in a drive-by shooting near the Las Vegas Strip on Sept. 7, 1996.
They alleged that the person who fired the shots was either Orlando “Baby Lane” Anderson, Davis’ nephew, or another man in the back seat of the car.
Investigators and prosecutors have accused Davis, who they describe as an admitted longstanding leader of a Los Angeles street gang, of acting as the “shot caller”. They said he provided the murder weapon to the gunman.
Case Built On Confessions And Other Evidence
During closing arguments on Monday, prosecutor Binu Palal said the case was supported by “drenched” circumstantial evidence and corroborating witnesses.
He argued that, taken together with what he described as Davis’ incriminating and consistent accounts, the evidence pointed to Davis’ guilt. Palal told jurors that Davis had repeatedly said for years that he was responsible for Shakur’s murder, including in accounts to police, television interviews, books, YouTube appearances and on the pages of his self-published memoir.
Palal urged the jury to find Davis guilty, saying Davis had told multiple audiences about the killing.
The defence, represented by Michael Sanft, said the prosecution’s case at this stage relied largely on Davis’ alleged confessions. Sanft argued that three decades after the shooting, prosecutors lacked “real evidence” to support Davis’ claims and urged jurors to return a verdict of not guilty.
He asked why the case had reached trial if Davis had truly confessed, and maintained that the evidence presented did not justify a conviction.
Jurors retired on Monday after a long day of closing arguments, pausing briefly for a bathroom break and for a cough lozenge for Davis from Judge Kierny’s personal stash.



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1 September 2026

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September 1Sep 1

US Rep Massie Names Prince Andrew In Epstein Push

Epstein Files

US Rep Massie Names Prince Andrew In Epstein Push

Rep. Thomas Massie said he read out the names of more than a dozen people he described as “Epstein coconspirators” on the House floor on Monday, as he pushed for further action related to files connected to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

In a post on X, Massie, a Republican from Kentucky, said he had shared the names in the chamber and argued they should be investigated and prosecuted. In the same update, he said he had started collecting signatures for a discharge petition designed to force a vote on the Epstein Files Transparency Act II.
Massie Presses For A Vote On The Next Bill
Massie’s post included a video clip showing him speaking on the House floor. He said it had been a year since the president signed the Epstein Files Transparency Act, legislation he introduced the previous year together with Rep. Ro Khanna, a Democrat from California.
In his remarks, Massie said the administration continued to withhold a large number of records. He claimed the government was still holding back more than three million files, and said that was the reason he and others had brought forward the second bill.
Massie said the aim of the Epstein Files Transparency Act II is to shift the fight into state courts, increase accountability at the Department of Justice, and help survivors seek closure. He also said he wants those he believes were involved to face investigation and prosecution.
Names Included Prince Andrew And Les Wexner
Massie’s floor comments included the name of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who formerly held the title of Prince Andrew. He was accused of sexual abuse by Virginia Giuffre, who alleged that the abuse occurred after Epstein trafficked her. Mountbatten-Windsor has denied that he ever met Giuffre.
The list also included Les Wexner, a billionaire retail entrepreneur. Massie said earlier on Monday that the bill would involve access to relevant records for legal action.
Wexner denied firsthand knowledge of Epstein’s criminal conduct during a deposition in February connected to the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. Wexner had employed Epstein as a financial manager in the 1990s and early 2000s.
What Massie Says The Act II Would Do
Massie said in a separate earlier post on Monday that the Epstein Files Transparency Act II would give state attorneys general access to Epstein files that are needed to prosecute offences under state law. He also said the legislation would make it easier for survivors to sue in order to obtain their records.
Alongside the push for the House to take up the measure, Massie said he was working to gather 218 signatures for the discharge petition. A discharge petition, if successful, can bring a bill to the floor for a vote.
The latest push comes after Massie and Khanna’s first Epstein files bill, which they said led to the release of some records connected to Epstein following the president’s signature last year.
Despite that, Massie said the remaining withheld material justified further legislative action, and he used Monday’s House-floor remarks to outline what he described as additional individuals who should be investigated.

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1 September 2026

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September 1Sep 1

US Military Rules Out Troops at 2026 Midterm Polls

USA

US Military Rules Out Troops at 2026 Midterm Polls

Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Gen. Dan Caine has told US Senator Elissa Slotkin that there are no plans to deploy federal military personnel to polling places for November 2026 midterm elections.

In a letter to Slotkin, the Michigan Democrat said election administration and security are the responsibility of state and local authorities. Caine added that the Joint Force has no intention of sending Federal service members, or members of the National Guard who would be federalised, to vote locations during the elections.
He also said the Joint Force has no plans to use such personnel to seize ballots, voting machines or other election-related materials.
Slotkin had pressed Defence leaders for written confirmation that no troops would be sent to polling sites this year. Earlier in the month, she wrote to Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and to Caine seeking assurances that the Pentagon would not deploy Federal troops to polling places or take possession of election materials.
No Deployments to Polling Places
Caine’s letter states that election duties remain with state and local officials, rather than the federal military. He said the Joint Force will not send Federal military personnel or federalised members of the National Guard into polling places for the November 2026 midterms.
The letter further addresses concerns about potential interference with election processes. Caine said there are no plans for the use of such personnel to seize ballots, voting machines or other materials connected to voting.
Slotkin’s Request for Confirmation
Slotkin sits on the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. She cited prior comments from President Donald Trump about the possibility of nationalising the midterm elections.
Her letters to Hegseth and Caine asked the Pentagon to confirm that it would not send Federal forces to the polls or seize election materials in any way. Slotkin’s request sought clarity on whether the federal government could take actions that would affect the conduct of voting during the midterm elections.
Trump Comments on Federalising the Vote
Slotkin’s concern was linked to remarks Trump made earlier this year. In comments to conservative commentator Wayne Allyn Root, Trump responded after Root suggested the president could declare a national security emergency to federalise the midterms.
Trump said: “Let me just say that stranger things have happened, OK? I’ll leave it at that,” according to the exchange.
Caine Says No Unlawful Orders Expected
In his response to Slotkin, Caine said he had not received, and did not anticipate receiving, any unlawful order about the role of the Joint Force in the upcoming November 2026 midterm elections.
He also said he was ready to discuss the matter further with Slotkin or other senators.

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1 September 2026

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September 1Sep 1

Army Secretary Driscoll Resigns as Tensions Rise with Hegseth

USA

Army Secretary Driscoll Resigns as Tensions Rise with Hegseth

Army Secretary Dan Driscoll has resigned amid growing tensions with Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, a US official told ABC News.

President Donald Trump accepted Driscoll’s resignation on Monday evening, the official said.
Resignation Accepted by Trump
In a statement on Monday, the White House thanked Driscoll for his work and praised him as “highly effective”.
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said Driscoll had advanced the president’s agenda to Make America Strong Again at the Department of the Army by providing outstanding leadership during historic military operations. She added that his tenure included restoring an emphasis on readiness and lethality, and helping with negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, among other efforts.
Kelly also said the United States Army is “more powerful than ever” because of his work alongside the Commander-in-Chief and Secretary of War.
Disagreements Since 2025
US officials said Driscoll and Hegseth had differed on several issues since both took over their roles in 2025.
One key point, the officials said, has been Hegseth’s firing or sidelining of multiple senior officers who were due to be promoted to the rank of general.
The officials pointed in particular to Hegseth’s decision to fire Gen. Randy George, the former Army Chief of Staff, in April without explanation. Driscoll had worked closely with George and told lawmakers at a congressional hearing that he did not know why George was removed.
Ukraine-Russia Peace talks Assignment
Late last year, Trump chose Driscoll to head a diplomatic initiative intended to restart Ukraine-Russia peace talks, which had been launched last fall.
The initiative was described as being beyond the scope of a service secretary’s duties. The service secretary’s main responsibilities are to oversee training and equipping for the relevant service.
Capitol Hill Access and Military Background
Driscoll was also described as popular on Capitol Hill and as having access to the White House, attributed to his previous relationship with Vice President JD Vance.
The officials said Driscoll met Vance at Yale Law School after serving in the 10th Mountain Division as a cavalry officer.

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1 September 2026

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September 1Sep 1

Lionel Messi Retires From International Football

Sport

Lionel Messi Retires From International Football

Lionel Messi has ended his international career, announcing his retirement from playing for Argentina seven weeks after the Albiceleste were beaten by Spain in the World Cup final in the United States.

The 39-year-old captained Argentina to World Cup success in 2022 and later added two Copa América titles, following his first appearance for the senior team in 2005. His decision brings to a close a spell in which he became the country’s leading scorer and appearance maker.
Retirement Decision After July Notes
On Monday, Messi posted on Instagram a picture of notes he wrote on 21 July, two days after the World Cup final. In the message, he confirmed that he was stepping away from Argentina duty.
He said the death of his father, Jorge, in early August made him feel “more convinced than before”. Messi had shown signs of emotion during the tournament and, in the knockout stages, revealed that his father had been receiving medical treatment.
Message To Argentina Fans
In the statement addressed to Argentina’s supporters, Messi said he had spent time reflecting after the final. He described the choice as painful, but one he believed was the right moment, and said he had always given everything for the national team, not only during the years when Argentina won major trophies.
Messi added that the story was moving towards its end, while saying he had “emptied himself” and felt he had nothing more to offer. He also indicated that younger players should be given opportunities. He thanked his family for supporting him through what he called a beautiful but difficult journey.
Messi had previously announced retirement from international football in 2016 after Argentina lost on penalties to Chile in the Copa América final. That defeat was his fourth loss in a major final from four at the time.
He went on to continue and eventually won silverware again, lifting the 2021 Copa América in Brazil. After Argentina beat Brazil at the Maracanã in that final, Messi played a central role in the team’s first World Cup title since 1986, including scoring twice in the final against France in Qatar. The win came two years after the death of Diego Maradona, whom Messi had often credited with shaping his career and who remained a reference point in public comparisons.
Record For Argentina And Ongoing Club Career
Messi retires as Argentina’s record appearance maker, ending on 207 caps. He made his debut in August 2005 in a friendly against Hungary, shortly after which he was sent off almost immediately after an elbow on Vilmos Vanczak. Messi also finishes as Argentina’s record scorer with 125 goals.
Before his senior breakthrough, he won the Under-20 World Cup and later claimed Olympic gold in 2008.
Since finishing his sixth World Cup, Messi has made seven appearances for Inter Miami, scoring four goals in the 7-1 victory over Montreal in Major League Soccer on Saturday. He signed a contract extension last year that keeps him at the club until 2028, when he will be 41.

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1 September 2026

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August 31Aug 31

Trump Says Hegseth's 2028 Presidential Run is Too Early

USA

Trump Says Hegseth's 2028 Presidential Run is Too Early

President Donald Trump said on Monday that it was too early to discuss whether Pete Hegseth, the US Defence secretary, would run for president in 2028.

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump responded to fresh discussion about Hegseth’s possible candidacy by saying it would be premature to talk about it now. He added that he believed Hegseth had been focused on his role and on the military.
Trump Says It’s Too Early for 2028
Trump told reporters that the matter should not be considered at this stage. He said the immediate priority was the next election cycle, adding that the country needed to get through the midterms first.
He also indicated that, in his view, many people were contemplating a range of political possibilities, without being publicly visible. Trump said he believed Hegseth’s attention remained on the armed forces and on looking after service members.
NBC Report and Hegseth’s Denial
The comments came after NBC News reported over the weekend that Hegseth was considering the possibility of running for president in 2028. Hegseth later rejected the report.
In a post on the social media platform X, he said the claim was “100% false”. He said that he had told NBC the report was incorrect, and that the outlet had relied on anonymous “sources”. Hegseth also wrote that his only job was to “Make @DeptofWar Great Again”, before ending the post with “Carry on Patriots, and enjoy your Friday night”.
Other Potential 2028 Contenders
Trump’s remarks were made as a number of his allies have been mentioned in connection with potential 2028 campaigns. Those names include Hegseth, Vice President JD Vance, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Trump has also previously addressed questions about other figures. Last week, he was asked about the possibility of Senator Ted Cruz, a Republican from Texas who once ran against him for the presidency but later became an ally, pursuing a 2028 bid.
In that exchange, Trump praised Cruz, saying he might choose to run and describing him as a talented figure.

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1 September 2026

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August 31Aug 31

Trump Asks Apple to Rename Lake Ontario ‘Lake America’

USA

Trump Asks Apple to Rename Lake Ontario ‘Lake America’

US President Donald Trump has asked Apple to change the name of Lake Ontario to “Lake America” on its Maps platform, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said, citing efforts to carry out the president’s executive order on the renamed Great Lake.

Burgum told Fox Business’s Mornings with Maria on Monday that Trump had contacted Apple directly. “I’m sure we may be seeing that change coming up soon,” he said, adding that the president had reached out to the company.
Apple Maps currently shows the lake as Lake Ontario for users outside the US, where the border of the Great Lake touches Ontario and the state of New York. The BBC contacted Apple for comment.
Trump Executive Order
On Thursday, Trump signed an executive order directing the administration to rename Lake Ontario as Lake America. The order follows the collapse of trade negotiations between Canada and the US.
The instruction includes steps to update official US geographic records, including the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS), the government database used for mapping and place names. Burgum is directed to take “all appropriate actions” to implement the change.
Google And Other Map Services
Google switched the name for its US-based users over the weekend in order to comply with GNIS, according to a statement it issued on Saturday. Google said Canada-based users would continue to see Lake Ontario, and that outside the US the lake would be shown as “Lake Ontario (Lake America)”.
Other mapping services have not aligned uniformly. MapQuest, a US free web mapping service launched in 1996, said on Friday that “we’re not changing it” in a short Facebook post. The service also introduced a tool allowing users to change the lake name to any option of their choosing and share the results.
After MapQuest announced that it would not change the name, the app moved to the top of the most-downloaded free applications on the Apple App Store in Canada as of Monday morning.
Canada Pushback
The renaming has drawn pushback in Canada. On Sunday, Hydro One, an electricity utility company based in Toronto, apologised after its map displayed “Lake America”.
Hydro One said the name appeared because it was using a third-party mapping service. “We are working with our vendor to correct the issue as quickly as possible and restore the proper geographic reference,” the company said in a post on X. “We regret the error and apologise for any confusion it has caused.”
Other Ontario-based agencies also showed “Lake America” briefly, including Hydro Ottawa and the Liquor Board of Ontario.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford marked the dispute on Saturday by placing a large sign by the lakeshore reading “Lake Ontario Now and Always” in both English and French. Ford later told American TV host George Stephanopoulos on Sunday: “No one’s going to call it Lake of America. It’s been Lake Ontario for hundreds of years. It’s going to continue being Lake Ontario.”
Historical Names
The Great Lakes names reflect Indigenous languages, with four of the five lakes named Ontario, Huron, Michigan and Erie originating from Indigenous words.


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1 September 2026

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August 31Aug 31