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Gang ‘lured’ American tourist to London Airbnb in honeytrap kidnap plot and told his family they would ‘stab him and cut off his fingers’ if they didn’t hand over £50,000
A gang allegedly lured an American tourist to a London Airbnb as part of a “honeytrap” kidnap plot, before threatening his family with violence unless a ransom was paid. The case highlights concerns about kidnap-for-ransom schemes targeting tourists in the UK capital, with victims reportedly enticed through deception before being held against their will. According…
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4 Pop Songs From 1972 That Make Baby Boomers Feel Like Time Travelers
This is a list-style article celebrating four pop songs from 1972 that are said to transport baby boomers back in time whenever they hear them. It highlights the era-defining tracks that dominated the charts that year, spanning soul, reggae-influenced pop and teen idol hits, and reflects on their lasting cultural impact decades later. The songs…
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Fiscal hawk or big spender – what kind of chancellor will John Healey be?
Andy Burnham, the new UK prime minister, has appointed John Healey as chancellor in what is being described as an unexpected but strategically safe choice following a bitter behind-the-scenes contest between rival factions. Healey, previously defence secretary, is regarded as diligent and broadly popular within Labour, having spent his career largely avoiding association with any…
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Texas Gov Abbott signs executive order cracking down on ‘birth tourism,’ says US citizenship not for sale
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has signed an executive order aimed at cracking down on “birth tourism”, the practice of pregnant women travelling to the United States specifically to give birth so their children gain automatic US citizenship. Abbott framed the move as a statement that American citizenship “is not for sale”, tightening restrictions in a…
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Christian lawmaker says UK barred her from entering country after Finland ‘hate speech’ conviction
Finnish MP and former interior minister Päivi Räsänen says the UK has barred her from entering the country, revoking her electronic travel authorisation (ETA) after she was convicted of a “hate speech” offence in Finland. The case highlights ongoing controversy over the criminalisation of religious speech in Europe and raises questions about how foreign convictions…
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Silicon Valley developer accused of murder after investigators say Tesla reached 142 mph before fatal crash
A Silicon Valley software developer and startup founder has been charged with murder after investigators alleged he drove his Tesla at more than 140mph before ploughing into stopped traffic on a California highway. The resulting fiery crash killed a mother and her young daughter, prompting prosecutors to pursue a murder charge rather than a lesser…
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‘Pasta windows’: a charming Italian restaurant tradition – or the sign of a terrible tourist trap?
The Guardian’s Pass Notes column examines “pasta windows” – the increasingly common sight, especially in Rome and Florence, of someone (often an older woman) making fresh pasta by hand in a restaurant’s street-facing window. While the display might appear to be an authentic slice of Italian culinary heritage, several Italians in the food industry warn…
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Yo La Tengo announce 2026 Hanukkah run at Bowery Ballroom
Yo La Tengo have announced an eight-night Hanukkah residency at New York’s Bowery Ballroom, running from 4 to 11 December 2026. The annual concerts are a notable fixture of the indie-rock calendar, combining benefit performances with changing sets, surprise guests and unannounced comedy and musical support. The 2026 run will be the band’s 19th Hanukkah…
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Ryanair passenger breaks silence to describe being sucked out of window mid flight after ‘loud bang like a bomb’… and the panic attacks he now suffers whenever he hears a plane
A Ryanair passenger has spoken publicly for the first time about the terrifying moment he was partially sucked out of a window after hearing a “loud bang like a bomb” during a flight. He described the panic and confusion in the cabin as the incident unfolded, and revealed that he now suffers panic attacks whenever…