Burnham must show markets he’s not just ‘tax and spend socialist with better TikTok’, says top economist – UK politics live
The Guardian •

Burnham must show markets he’s not just ‘tax and spend socialist with better TikTok’, says top economist – UK politics live

Former Bank of England chief economist says Burnham needs to reassure the financial markets that he can cut spendingBritain’s investment in defence shows it is serious about security, and is an example of how Nato is becoming more European, the head of the alliance is expected to say as he meets with Andy Burnham later today.As the Press Association reports, Nato secretary general Mark Rutte will ...

In 2008, rats were removed from Hawadax Island; seabirds and kelp returned
Times of India •

In 2008, rats were removed from Hawadax Island; seabirds and kelp returned

For two centuries, invasive rats wreaked havoc on the seabird populations and overall food web of Hawadax Island. Thanks to a successful eradication initiative in 2008, rats were completely removed. This allowed seabirds to repopulate, restoring their ecological functions and fostering the revival of untouched kelp-rich intertidal ecosystems. The project's outcome stands as a vital success story f...

Former Kosovo president Thaci gets 25 years in prison for war crimes

Former Kosovo president Thaci gets 25 years in prison for war crimes

SCMP •

Former Kosovo president Hashim Thaci was found guilty of ‌war crimes including murder, torture and illegal detention by the Kosovo war crimes tribunal on Wednesday. Thaci, 58, was sentenced to 25 years in prison for crimes committed as top commander of the ethnic Albanian Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) during the territory’s violent break from Serbia in the 1990s. The tribunal said ⁠he was guilty of...

At least 12 killed after building in Gaza City damaged by Israeli strikes collapses

At least 12 killed after building in Gaza City damaged by Israeli strikes collapses

The Guardian •

Rescue workers say search for about 100 people, including 50 children, hampered by lack of heavy machineryA building housing displaced Palestinian families collapsed on Wednesday in Gaza City, killing at least 12 people, as rescuers searched the rubble for about 100 people including 50 children believed to be trapped.A rescue team from Gaza’s civil defence said they had recovered the bodies of fiv...

REPLAY - Ursula von der Leyen: Full State of the Union address

REPLAY - Ursula von der Leyen: Full State of the Union address

France 24 •

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed banning children under 13 from accessing social media, online games and chatbots during her annual State of the European Union speech in Strasbourg on Wednesday. She also proposed closer EU-Canada ties, including "associate member" status for Canada.

US military prepares ceremonial welcome for Xi Jinping at the White House

US military prepares ceremonial welcome for Xi Jinping at the White House

SCMP •

A US military honour guard held a rehearsal at the White House as Washington fine-tuned diplomatic protocols and preparations for Chinese President Xi Jinping’s expected visit to the United States next week. A video clip posted on social media by Fox News correspondent Lucas Tomlinson on Tuesday afternoon Washington time showed service members from various military branches dressed in ceremonial u...

New Orleans priest accused of abusing children in deaf community dies from apparent fall aged 87

New Orleans priest accused of abusing children in deaf community dies from apparent fall aged 87

The Guardian •

Archdiocese knew of allegations against Gerard Joseph ‘Jerry’ Howell for 40 years but continued to support himA New Orleans Catholic priest whose prolific sexual abuse of children in the local deaf community was known for at least four decades by the city’s archdiocese without meaningful consequence has died after evidently falling in his Texas apartment.Gerard Joseph “Jerry” Howell, 87, was found...

Developer family’s deals highlight capital shift across Hong Kong property sectors

Developer family’s deals highlight capital shift across Hong Kong property sectors

SCMP •

A third-generation member of a long-established Hong Kong developer family has bought a HK$98.8 million (US$12.6 million) luxury flat in Mid-Levels, weeks after the family sold a long-held North Point property, highlighting a broader market trend of capital shifting across real estate sectors. John Lai Sung-ziang agreed to buy a high-floor unit at Estoril Court on August 31, Land Registry records ...

New ‘wall-hanging’ trend sees jobless Chinese youth working 1 day, ‘lying flat’ for 3

New ‘wall-hanging’ trend sees jobless Chinese youth working 1 day, ‘lying flat’ for 3

SCMP •

In the early hours of the morning, 29-year-old Guo Zihao awoke in a 24-hour billiards hall in Shenzhen, southern China. For months, such places had served as his makeshift shelter. At his lowest point, he found himself with merely 20 yuan (US$3) left in his pocket. “That period was more than a financial struggle,” Guo told the SCMP. “Every minute, every second, felt like torture.” Just a few years...

Geologists find unexpectedly large water sources in Xinjiang beneath China’s largest desert

Geologists find unexpectedly large water sources in Xinjiang beneath China’s largest desert

SCMP •

Geologists have discovered two large water sources beneath China’s largest desert, potentially offering the northwestern region a vital new tap for sand-control projects and agriculture. The desert region has drawn attention for extensive afforestation and anti-desertification efforts taking place around its edges under the Great Green Wall initiative, alongside a rainfall trend that is transformi...

Kosovo's former President Thaçi convicted of war crimes at Hague court

Euronews •

Hashim Thaçi, who served as both prime minister and president, was found guilty of murder, torture, cruel treatment and arbitrary detention by the Kosovo Specialist Chambers, as tens of thousands who had gathered in Prishtina expecting his acquittal watched proceedings on a livestream.