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Karen Bass faces renewed criticism over Ghana trip during Palisades fire
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has faced renewed criticism after defending her decision to be in Ghana during the catastrophic Palisades wildfire in January 2025. Speaking at a town hall on Saturday ahead of her re-election campaign, Bass argued that even had she been present in the city, the outcome would have been the same,…
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Iran trains women in firearms and guerrilla tactics amid regional tensions
Iran held its first military training course specifically for women at Imam Hussein Square in Tehran on Sunday, where scores of participants learnt to handle assault rifles, carry out first aid and execute guerrilla tactics. The course was part of the regime’s “Jan Fada” or “sacrificing life” campaign, occurring amid escalating Middle East tensions and…
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Police logged 8,500 sexual offences against under-13s over five years
Police recorded at least 8,500 sexual offences against children aged 13 or under in England and Wales between 2021 and 2025, including about 2,000 rape and attempted rape allegations. The figures suggest around one rape allegation involving a school was reported each day, highlighting the scale of child-on-child sexual abuse and concerns about how it…
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Museum extends hours after crowds overwhelm Bayeux Tapestry exhibition
The British Museum is extending opening hours at its Bayeux Tapestry exhibition after heavy demand led to queues of up to two hours and some visitors being turned away. It has apologised to ticket-holders refused entry when the museum closed for a private event, offering refunds and priority booking for another date. Additional signs and…
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Mahmood says ministers seek work visa approvals every week or two
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood says Labour ministers regularly ask her to approve work visas, sometimes for urgent vacancies that departments say they cannot fill in time. She argues that overseas recruitment should be used only when there is a genuine labour shortage, and says relying on it too readily can leave local skills undeveloped and…
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Tuchel says Alex Scott’s emergence gives England – and Rice – ‘high level’ competition
Thomas Tuchel has praised Alex Scott’s emergence in England’s midfield after the 23-year-old delivered an outstanding display in the 7-0 Nations League victory over Croatia. The manager signalled that Declan Rice, absent due to load management, now faces genuine competition for his place, with Tuchel emphasising that England cannot rely solely on two central midfielders…
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‘Ba’s Book’ Director Uncovers Father’s Secrets Over Vietnam War, Revolutionary Iran Upbringing
Ashley Duong has turned her father Anh’s memoir about growing up amid the Vietnam War and revolutionary Iran into *Ba’s Book*, a hybrid documentary and drama. The film matters to her family because it brings painful memories and long-held secrets into the open, including the distress of Anh leaving relatives behind in Vietnam. The story…
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Stewart’s dilemma after fourth at Alfred Dunhill Links
Scottish golfer Michael Stewart faces a career crossroads after finishing joint fourth at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, earning nearly £250,000 and securing qualification for next week’s prestigious Spanish Open. The top-10 finish marks a breakthrough on the DP World Tour, but it clashes directly with the Gleneagles Masters, the concluding event of the Tartan…
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Ireland face Israel amid debate over football and regional conflict
Today’s Nations League programme features a Republic of Ireland versus Israel match that has drawn scrutiny owing to geopolitical tensions and humanitarian concerns affecting the region. The article explores questions about whether such matches should proceed and whether athletes have a responsibility to take political positions on behalf of their nations. The fixture is one…
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Burnham calls it ‘reform’, but it’s really the abolition of proper British elections: PETER HITCHENS
Peter Hitchens has criticised Labour’s Andrew Burnham for proposing proportional representation, arguing this amounts to “the abolition of proper British elections”. Hitchens contends that PR would fundamentally change British democracy by removing voters’ ability to decisively unseat governments and would eliminate a strong parliamentary opposition that scrutinises governments. Hitchens argues the current two-party system acts…