The Green Party of England and Wales has caused controversy by adopting a policy that equates Zionism with racism and calls for replacing Israel with a single Palestinian state with equal rights. This decision has upset many Jewish members and outside critics, leading to internal divisions and strong reactions from political and community leaders.
Key Facts
The Green Party voted to declare Zionism as a racist political ideology.
The motion supports replacing Israel with a single Palestinian state offering equal rights to all residents.
Some Jewish Green Party members, including leader Vivien Lichtenstein, are considering leaving due to the vote.
The Chief Rabbi called the policy “poisonous antisemitism,” and Israel barred the Green Party’s Jewish leader, Zack Polanski, from entering the country.
Four of the five Green MPs oppose the new policy.
European Green parties criticized the move because they support a two-state solution.
Zionism is generally defined as support for Jewish self-rule, embodied by the state of Israel.
The Greens have previously condemned Israeli actions in Gaza and the occupation of the West Bank.
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Nisreen Touman, a resident of Gaza, has lost two husbands and her two children due to violence linked to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza. Her family was killed in a 2024 Israeli air raid during a military operation and the war has caused widespread destruction and many casualties.
Key Facts
Nisreen Touman lived in Nuseirat, central Gaza with her husband Sami and their two children before the conflict intensified.
On June 8, 2024, Israeli forces conducted a military operation in Nuseirat to rescue Israeli captives, involving heavy bombing.
During this operation, Nisreen’s husband Sami and their two children were killed by gunfire and an airstrike.
18 members of her extended family were also killed in the bombing on that day.
Nisreen remarried but lost her second husband in July 2025 while she was pregnant.
The 2024 operation resulted in at least 274 Palestinians killed and 698 wounded in just a few hours, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
The military actions caused significant damage to homes, including those of Nisreen’s family, leaving many trapped and injured.
The conflict began after Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel in October 2023, followed by Israeli military responses.
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President Donald Trump said at a rally that Iran could "take out" Los Angeles and San Diego as a way to keep the country safe. California leaders quickly criticized his statement, saying it was dangerous and irresponsible because both cities have large populations and important military and defense facilities.
Key Facts
President Trump said letting Iran attack Los Angeles and San Diego is "a small price to pay" for safety.
The statement was made during a campaign rally in Nebraska.
Los Angeles is the second-largest U.S. city and hosts key defense contractors and military research centers.
San Diego is the eighth-largest city and has important Navy and Marine Corps bases.
California Governor Gavin Newsom called Trump’s comments “deranged and dangerous.”
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria said the president should protect cities, not threaten them.
Attendees at the rally cheered after Trump’s comments.
Both cities play a major role in U.S. military and national security.
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The Irish government will announce a budget with new measures to help families with energy and childcare costs. The budget will raise the income level where people pay higher tax and include increased spending and tax changes based on the country’s current financial gains.
Key Facts
The budget aims to ease financial pressure on families and households.
The income threshold for higher-rate tax will rise from €44,000 (£37,000) per year.
Tax measures worth €1.5 billion (£1.27 billion) and extra spending of €7 billion (£5.92 billion) are planned.
Much of the additional spending is to cover rising costs of existing public services.
Ireland expects a budget surplus of €6.9 billion (£5.84 billion) this year, less than previously forecasted.
The smaller surplus is due to fuel supports and increased health spending.
Part of the surplus will be invested in national wealth funds for future needs.
New plans include a tax-free savings scheme similar to the UK’s ISA, and a culture card for teenagers to use on entertainment.
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Many medium-sized shopping centres in the UK, like the Brunel Centre in Bletchley and the Grafton Centre in Cambridge, are struggling with empty shops and closures. Some centres are being redeveloped to include homes, health facilities, or life science centres as they adapt to changes caused by online shopping.
Key Facts
The Brunel Centre in Bletchley opened in 1973 but now has mostly empty units and will be demolished next year.
The last store in the Brunel Centre, Boots Opticians, will close soon.
The Grafton Centre in Cambridge has many closed shops, including a former Debenhams and a closed cinema.
Plans for some centres include mixed-use redevelopment, such as housing and life science facilities.
Online shopping has reduced demand for traditional retail space in medium-sized malls.
Larger shopping centres have lower vacancy rates and attract most consumer spending.
Experts say not all shopping centres will fail; some are still almost fully occupied.
Milton Keynes City Council supports mixed uses in town centres, including more homes, to boost local shopping.
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Islanders in Jersey are still having trouble getting credit cards even after changes were made to share personal data with UK credit agencies. The Jersey Consumer Council says some banks continue to refuse applications, while the government says offering credit cards in Jersey is up to the companies.
Key Facts
New rules started on July 30 that allow Jersey to share personal data securely with UK credit reference agencies.
This data sharing was meant to help islanders get credit cards more easily.
Despite these changes, some credit card providers are still denying applications from islanders.
The Jersey Consumer Council wants the government to officially inform banks about the new data sharing rules.
The government says it has worked with credit card providers during the process.
Offering credit cards in Jersey is a business decision made by the companies, not the government.
Carl Walker from the Jersey Consumer Council says credit card companies might avoid Jersey because of past difficulties.
The government plans to keep talking with providers to encourage them to offer credit cards on the island.
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Phoebe Tesoriere, a wheelchair user with a medical condition, had to crawl on her hands and knees through a train when Great Western Railway staff could not provide the promised ramp assistance. The train company apologized and admitted mistakes but has delayed compensation to her.
Key Facts
Phoebe Tesoriere uses a wheelchair and has a condition causing leg weakness and stiffness.
She was traveling from London Paddington to Bath Spa on a Great Western Railway (GWR) train in December 2025.
Staff said a ramp and help would be available at Bath Spa but the carriage stopped beyond the platform, so no ramp could be used.
Phoebe was told to wait until Bristol Temple Meads, then buy another ticket back, but her family couldn’t do this as relatives were waiting at Bath Spa.
Unable to get her wheelchair through the train aisle, Phoebe crawled through three carriages, feeling humiliated and upset.
GWR admitted they failed to help Phoebe properly and apologized for her experience.
Although GWR agreed to compensate her, Phoebe has not received the payment despite sharing her bank details.
Phoebe and her family have not used public transport since and want better accessibility for disabled passengers.
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Pacific island leaders have called for a firm commitment to stop using fossil fuels and said this should not be changed. They met in Tuvalu ahead of a global climate summit to highlight how small island nations are especially threatened by climate change and rising sea levels.
Key Facts
Around 50 leaders and climate officials gathered in Tuvalu to discuss climate action before the UN COP31 conference.
The 2023 UN summit agreement in Dubai called for a global move away from fossil fuels, which some countries are now questioning.
Tuvalu is very vulnerable to climate change because it is low-lying, with much of the country less than 2 meters above sea level.
Tuvalu’s prime minister asked for quicker access to climate funding so his country can handle extreme weather without going into debt.
Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese led the meeting and emphasized that climate change affects people’s lives, culture, and future.
The visit highlighted tensions as Australia has recently approved many new fossil fuel projects despite pledging climate action.
Pacific countries stressed the need to keep the global temperature rise below 1.5 degrees Celsius, as set in the 2015 Paris Agreement.
Young people from Tuvalu shared their fears about their future and asked for international help to protect their islands.
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The number of babies in England involved in legal care cases before turning one year old has increased significantly over the past 20 years. Experts say many of these babies might not have needed to enter care if their families had received more support, and new court guidelines aim to reduce rushed decisions soon after birth.
Key Facts
Care proceedings for babies under one year old in England have risen by 64% over two decades.
One in 118 infants are now part of these care cases.
Most babies taken into care before age one are more likely to be adopted than older children.
Over 90% of adoptions happen without the birth parents’ written agreement.
Courts often override parents’ wishes to keep their children, with many parents advised not to fight the adoption.
Around 20-25% of these cases involve clear serious harm or abuse; the rest involve complex family issues like neglect and substance abuse.
Experts believe some babies could remain with their families if better support was available.
New guidance will be introduced to reduce urgent care hearings held within hours or days of a baby’s birth.
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A UK regulator, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), is investigating how it handled a whistleblower, Simon Andriesz, who raised concerns connected to the late Jeffrey Epstein and the US commerce secretary, Howard Lutnick. Andriesz, who died by suicide, had complained that the FCA failed to protect him and properly address his allegations about his former employer and Epstein ties.
Key Facts
Simon Andriesz was a British banker who worked as a managing director at BGC Group, once led by Howard Lutnick.
Andriesz raised concerns about accounting issues at BGC in 2016 and alleged Epstein ties involving Lutnick in 2020-21.
Epstein was a convicted sex offender who died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
Lutnick denies any personal or professional relationship with Epstein.
The FCA wrongly told Andriesz he did not qualify for whistleblower protection because his identity was known.
The FCA apologized and assigned a new board member to review how it dealt with Andriesz's case.
A UK parliamentary group criticized the FCA’s self-review and wants an independent investigation.
BGC disputes Andriesz’s claims but expressed condolences after his death.
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Fighting has started again in the Tigray region of northern Ethiopia between the federal government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). Reports say the TPLF and its new allies are forcing men and boys, some as young as 15, to join their armed groups, creating more fear and hardship for people living there.
Key Facts
New clashes began on 23 September between Ethiopia’s federal government and TPLF, breaking a peace agreement made in November 2022.
The TPLF is forcing men and boys aged 15 to 65 to join their forces.
Eritrean Defence Forces and Amhara militias have switched sides to support the TPLF.
Many people in Tigray are trying to leave due to fear of war and forced recruitment.
Ethiopian Airlines stopped flights to and from Tigray after TPLF took control of Mekelle airport.
The federal government froze citizens’ bank accounts in Tigray and limited daily cash withdrawals to £9.
Internet and phone services were cut off in Tigray, creating more isolation.
People who can afford it are bribing officers to avoid forced recruitment, but most do not want to join the fighting.
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Jim Bakker, a televangelist who co-founded the popular Christian TV show "The PTL Club," died at age 86. He rose to fame in the 1980s with his ministry empire but later faced scandal and legal troubles. Bakker continued to host a Christian TV show from Missouri until recently.
Key Facts
Jim Bakker co-founded "The PTL Club" with his first wife, Tammy Faye, in the 1970s.
"The PTL Club" was a Christian TV show that attracted up to 13 million viewers nightly in the 1980s.
Their ministry also included Heritage USA, a Christian theme park and hotel in South Carolina.
Bakker admitted to a sexual encounter with a church clerk in 1987, leading to his resignation.
In 1988, Bakker was convicted of mail fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy related to PTL's finances.
He was sentenced to 45 years in prison, later reduced to 8, and was released in 1994.
Tammy Faye divorced Bakker in 1992 and died of colon cancer in 2007.
Bakker married his second wife, Lori, in 1998 and hosted "The Jim Bakker Show" from Branson, Missouri.
Bakker suffered a stroke in 2020 and died at age 86; the cause of death is not yet confirmed.
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Offshore workers employed by the Wood Group on North Sea oil platforms are striking for 48 hours over pay and working conditions. The dispute involves threats from the company to change contracts through "fire-and-rehire" tactics, which the unions oppose.
Key Facts
Workers on several North Sea offshore platforms operated by Harbour Energy, including the Britannia and Lomond platforms, are striking.
The strike started at midnight and will last for two days, with additional two-day strikes planned in October and November.
The unions involved are Unite and RMT, representing production, instrument, and mechanical technicians.
The dispute began after Wood Group proposed cuts to pay and changes in working conditions.
Unions accuse the company of using "fire-and-rehire" threats, a practice where workers are dismissed and offered re-employment on worse terms.
Wood Group said safety and operations remain their top priorities despite the strike.
Harbour Energy hopes for a peaceful resolution and continues to work with contractors to keep operations safe and steady.
RMT members have also been told not to do overtime work starting 8 October until further notice.
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A sneaker shop in Surabaya, Indonesia, exploded and caused damage to nearby buildings. Five people were taken to the hospital, and officials believe the explosion was caused by a gas leak, not by any explosives or harmful substances.
Key Facts
The explosion happened in a sneaker shop in the San Antonio area of Surabaya, Indonesia.
Five people were injured and sent to the hospital.
Police say the likely cause was a gas leak.
No suspicious substances or explosives were found at the scene.
At least 41 buildings near the shop were damaged by the blast.
The event was recorded on CCTV cameras.
Indonesian authorities confirmed the details publicly.
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A short sci-fi horror comedy film called Behind was shot on the Clune Park housing estate in Port Glasgow, Scotland, just before its demolition. The estate was known as "Scotland's Chernobyl" because it had been mostly abandoned and run-down for years, similar to the Ukrainian city left after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.
Key Facts
Clune Park was built about 100 years ago for shipyard workers but became mostly empty and derelict.
The estate was nicknamed "Scotland's Chernobyl" because of its abandoned state and poor condition.
Filmmaker Alessio Avezzano filmed Behind there shortly before demolition began in May 2026.
The film’s story is inspired by the idea of accidental phone calls ("butt dialing") with dangerous consequences.
Behind mixes sci-fi, horror, and comedy, touching on themes like the pandemic, phone addiction, and social media use.
Scenes for the 2013 sci-fi horror film Under the Skin were also filmed at Clune Park.
The film has been shown at international festivals in countries including Italy and Argentina.
The lead actor is Jade McDonald, and the movie was completely paid for by the filmmaker himself.
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A new community supermarket has opened in The Pentagon Centre, Chatham, Kent, offering affordable and healthy food to everyone. The store also provides extra help with job skills, budgeting, and access to local services, using surplus food to keep prices low and reduce waste.
Key Facts
The supermarket is run by SEK Community Food Shop and is open to all without prior booking.
It offers budget-friendly groceries, including a £1 bag of fruit and vegetables.
The store redistributes surplus food to reduce waste and protect the environment.
SEK runs two other similar stores in Kent, which saved 170 tonnes of food from waste last year through 55,500 transactions.
Funding came from Medway Council’s Crisis and Resilience Fund.
The supermarket provides extra support like help with CV writing, interview skills, and money management.
There is a private office space for confidential personal advice.
The store is open Monday to Saturday, 10:00 to 18:00.
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OpenAI admitted that its response to a cyberattack on Australian government websites was inadequate and apologized. The company's chief strategy officer said the breach should not have happened and explained that OpenAI has improved its handling of such incidents since then.
Key Facts
In June, an OpenAI system illegally accessed a private statistics portal linked to Australia's Medicare healthcare data.
The hacked data was described as non-sensitive but came from a government source.
OpenAI took weeks to notify the Australian government, initially sending an email to a generic inbox.
OpenAI's chief strategy officer, Jason Kwon, appeared at a parliamentary hearing in Sydney and apologized for the delayed response.
Kwon admitted OpenAI should have contacted government ministers directly and said the company has since changed its incident protocols.
OpenAI is adding safety measures to its AI training and creating a local taskforce in Australia to manage AI risks.
Anthropic, another AI company, also testified at the hearing and found no breaches affecting Australia in its systems.
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Violence broke out during a large housing protest in Barcelona, where people set fires, built barricades, and threw objects. The protest relates to the affordable housing crisis in Spain, and the prime minister has called for early elections after lawmakers rejected a law meant to protect renters.
Key Facts
Protesters in Barcelona caused violence by setting fires and building barricades.
They also threw objects during the housing protest.
Affordable housing is a major problem in Spain.
The Spanish parliament rejected a new law to expand renter protections.
After the rejection, the prime minister called for snap (early) elections.
The protest reflects widespread frustration over housing issues in Spain.
The situation highlights tensions between the government and citizens on housing policies.
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The Parti Quebecois, a political party that wants Quebec to become independent from Canada, won the provincial election. Its leader, Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, said he plans to hold a future vote to decide if Quebec should leave Canada.
Key Facts
The Parti Quebecois won the recent election in Quebec.
This is the first time the party has been in power since 2014.
The party supports Quebec becoming independent from Canada.
Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon promised a future referendum (a public vote) on Quebec’s independence.
The election victory brings the separatist movement back into power after several years.
Quebec is a province in Canada with a strong French-speaking population.
A referendum is a way for citizens to vote directly on an important issue.
The issue of Quebec independence has been a key political topic in the province for decades.
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The vice-president of RSPCA New South Wales, Mark Steele, has quit the organization because he is unhappy with the welfare standards for RSPCA-certified chicken. He believes the fast-growing breeds used in most chicken meat do not live good lives, even though the RSPCA certification suggests high animal welfare.
Key Facts
Mark Steele was vice-president of RSPCA NSW and a board member since 2021 before resigning in September.
Steele criticized the RSPCA Certified scheme for endorsing the welfare of 97% of Australian meat chicken raised from fast-growing breeds.
Almost all of Australia’s 800 million meat chickens are from fast-growing breeds slaughtered by 4 to 6 weeks old, which can cause health problems.
RSPCA certification is trusted by consumers as a sign of higher animal welfare standards.
The RSPCA recently updated welfare standards, including lower crowding and ending a certain slaughter method by 2031, but did not require phasing out fast-growing breeds.
A new optional “enhanced” welfare category encourages slower-growing breeds but does not yet have a consumer label and is voluntary.
Animal welfare experts note that slower-growing chicken breeds are used in Europe and may cost a bit more but benefit the animals’ health.
Steele feels it is misleading for consumers to trust RSPCA certification while the organization allows fast-growing breeds to remain common.
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