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Malaysia sends first 1,476 asylum seekers back to Myanmar despite rights concerns
Malaysia has begun returning asylum seekers to Myanmar under a deal with military ruler Min Aung Hlaing, marking a sharp change in the government’s approach to refugees. Human rights groups warn that returnees could face violence, persecution or forced conscription, while the Malaysian government says the returns are voluntary. Three Myanmar navy ships left Malaysia…
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Six killed as Russian Tu-95MS bomber crashes during training flight
A Russian Tu-95MS bomber crashed during a training flight in the Amur region on Tuesday, killing six crew members and injuring another, according to Russia’s Defence Ministry. The aircraft came down in an uninhabited area, more than 3,000 miles from Ukraine; the crash matters because the Tu-95MS is part of Russia’s strategic nuclear force and…
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Estonia accuses Russian agents of ordering arson at Ukraine arms supplier
Estonia says Russian special services ordered an arson attack on Milrem Robotics, a defence company in Tallinn that supplies Ukraine with unmanned military vehicles. The accusation adds to concerns about alleged Russian sabotage across Europe, while EU and Nato leaders say such incidents will not weaken their support for Ukraine; Russia denies involvement. The fire…
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UK home purchase mortgage approvals hit their lowest level since December 2023
Mortgage approvals for UK house purchases fell to 54,918 in August, their lowest monthly total since December 2023, as higher borrowing costs deterred buyers. The article links rising mortgage rates to the Iran war’s effect on oil prices and inflation, which has also weakened expectations of interest rate cuts. The effective rate on newly drawn…
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Pedestrian seriously injured in Sheffield bus collision – police statement in full
A man was struck by a bus on Sheffield’s Wicker this morning, sustaining injuries that are now believed to be life-changing. The incident occurred at approximately 9:30am on Tuesday, 29 September, prompting emergency services to close the road whilst they responded to the collision. The pedestrian was transported to hospital following the incident; whilst his…
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Burnham’s proposed GB Grid aims to speed connections and curb costs
Prime minister Andy Burnham is expected to announce GB Grid, a government-backed body that would invest in electricity network projects and work alongside private firms. The proposal aims to increase competition, speed up connections and reduce costs as Britain faces high energy bills and prepares for a major expansion of its power infrastructure. GB Grid…
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Man charged after AI-generated crocodile image halts reservoir activities
A man in Singapore has been charged over an AI-generated image that appeared to show a saltwater crocodile in Pandan Reservoir, prompting public concern and a search operation. The case matters because the reported sighting disrupted activities at the city-state’s largest reservoir before officials established that the image was fake. Police allege that Ye Lin…
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Police seminar examines whether Farage’s comments could fuel anti-Muslim crime
Police officers attending a publicly funded hate-crime seminar were asked to consider whether Nigel Farage’s comments about young Muslims could contribute to crimes against them. The lecture, delivered by Abbas Najib of the charity Better Communities Bradford, used a hypothetical comparison with remarks about Jewish people and a video of a Muslim bus driver being…
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Evan Gershkovich recounts how Russia held him for a prisoner swap
US journalist Evan Gershkovich has recounted how he realised he was being deliberately framed as a hostage by the Russian state when arrested by FSB agents in 2023. The Wall Street Journal’s Moscow correspondent was detained at a restaurant in Yekaterinburg by masked security officials and subsequently sentenced to 16 years in prison on espionage…
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Manchester City’s perfect start offers no guarantee of Premier League title
Manchester City are the only team to have won all five of their opening Premier League matches, giving them a three-point lead over champions Arsenal as they begin life after Pep Guardiola. But historical records suggest a perfect start offers no guarantee of the title: teams need to keep winning, and City’s early form will…