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Tories urge Andy Burnham not to launch an ‘expensive energy bailout for Benefits Street’ after calls from the left for new Government action to help low-income households
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has urged Prime Minister Andy Burnham not to introduce targeted energy bill support for people receiving benefits. The disagreement comes as energy bills have risen sharply, creating pressure on the Government to provide additional assistance to vulnerable households facing a cost of living crisis. The energy price cap rose 4…
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BBC attacked for US spending; Sopra Steria escalates Capita row; AI bias
MPs attacked the BBC for spending on American television rather than UK content, while Sopra Steria widened its legal challenge against the DWP’s £370m Capita contract, and AI firms were found removing hijabs from Muslim women’s images.
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Democrats urge Rubio to investigate Guilfoyle’s links to Greek lobbyist
US ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle is facing scrutiny over an energy lobbyist’s presence at official meetings and reports that her team sought hospitality from a Greek fixer. The claims have prompted calls from senior Democrats for Secretary of State Marco Rubio to investigate, adding pressure ahead of his visit to Athens. Christos Marafatsos, who…
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Pentagon breach exposes 2.8 million personnel records amid FBI hack claim
A breach of a Pentagon network exposed personnel records belonging to 2.8 million living people, including current and former military members. Combined with a recent claimed hack of FBI employee records, the incidents raise concerns about the use of sensitive government data for espionage or criminal purposes. The Pentagon says hackers accessed a Defense Manpower…
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New York City requires businesses to make subscription cancellations easier
New York City’s click-to-cancel rule has taken effect, making it the first US municipality to require businesses to make cancelling a subscription as easy as signing up. The rule offers local protections after an appeals court struck down a federal version on procedural grounds, and the city says it could save residents money and discourage…
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UK-Iranian man arrested over RAF Fairford terror plot as Iran denies involvement
Authorities have arrested a 27-year-old dual UK-Iranian citizen in Westminster on suspicion of planning terrorist activities connected to a suspected plot targeting RAF Fairford, a Gloucestershire air base allied with th
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Holyrood leaders clash over domestic priorities and government record
Scottish First Minister’s Questions saw opposition leaders challenge the government’s policy priorities and record on key issues. Reform leader Malcolm Offord questioned why parliament prioritises independence and international debates over pressing domestic issues, whilst also asking for evidence that the government’s drugs strategy works. Conservative leader Russell Findlay raised concerns about pension and state benefit…
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RUSI warns EU procurement gaps leave members exposed to Chinese technology risks
The Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) has published a report warning that the European Union’s fragmented approach to technology procurement exposes member states to security risks posed by Chinese vendors such as Huawei and ZTE. The think tank argues that whilst individual countries assess these risks differently, the EU needs a unified framework to maintain…
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Iran denies RAF Fairford terrorism link; Labour ditches pension triple lock
Labour confirms pension reforms from 2030 as Iran denies involvement in an RAF Fairford terror incident. Courts deliver verdicts across the globe, women’s underrepresentation in UK cybersecurity reaches a six-year low, and Netflix’s East of Eden earns acclaim.
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Flydubai plane diverts to Saudi Arabia after co-pilot attacks captain
Flydubai captain Smit Machchhar told Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that he was fighting for his life when his co-pilot attacked him during a flight. Despite being wounded, he opened the cockpit door, allowing passengers to enter and help subdue the co-pilot as the aircraft plunged. The plane dropped more than 14,000 feet in 30…