Top World News
Wes Streeting says he could launch leadership challenge next week
Former health secretary calls on Keir Starmer to step down to end ‘uncertainty and paralysis’Wes Streeting has said he would be prepared to challenge Keir Starmer and spark a Labour leadership contest as early as next week.The former health secretary, who quit the cabinet last month, said “uncertainty and paralysis” would have to be ended and that he would give the prime minister at least the weekend to think about it. Continue reading...
Students could be required to pass GCSE English to access university loans
Exclusive: Ministers consider national threshold in England that could in effect bar thousands from studyingUniversity students would face minimum grade requirements to qualify for student loans in England under proposals that could in effect bar thousands of young people from higher education.Under one proposal being discussed by ministers, a pass in GCSE English would become the national threshold for students to access government-backed tuition and maintenance loans through the Student Loans Company. Continue reading...
Grade requirement for student loans would cut a financial lifeline for English universities
Institutions could lose out on at least £200m a year if 30,000 or so potential students without even one GCSE are excluded each yearIf universities thought a Labour government would quickly revive their financial stability, those days are over. The vibes may have improved but little else has, with rising costs remorselessly squeezing their budgets and universities having to cut or close departments.Prestigious universities such as Nottingham were hit after tougher visa restrictions skewered their strategy of relying on overseas students paying higher tuition fees. Continue reading...
Pauline Hanson says Australia ‘must be monocultural’ in National Press Club speech
One Nation leader denounces high immigration levels, Islam, transgender rights, the ABC and the Guardian in inflammatory addressFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastPauline Hanson has declared Australia cannot be multicultural and must exist as a “monocultural society”, warning high migration had caused the country to lose its identity and national values.In an inflammatory address to the National Press Club in Canberra, the One Nation leader pledged to axe SBS and overhaul the ABC if she wins the next federal election, including imposing a licence fee for metropolitan households to watch the public broadcaster. Regional services would be protected. Continue reading...
US Senate Narrowly Blocks New Bid To Rein In Trump War Powers
The Senate voted by 48-47 to block the resolution under the war powers law, which followed a framework agreement announced this week by the White House and Tehran for a further ceasefire and talks to end the conflict.
Doctor reported birthkeeper to police the day Melbourne wellness influencer died following freebirth
Inquest hears clinician was not legally required to report to police but was concerned about public health and safetyFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA senior clinician reported a birthkeeper to police the same day one of her clients died after giving birth at home – something the senior clinician said he had not done before.The evidence was heard during the third day of the inquest into the death of 30-year-old wellness influencer Stacey Warnecke, who died on 29 September in Frankston hospital in Melbourne. She had paid Emily Lal $6,000 to support her to have a freebirth at home without any clinically trained staff involved. Continue reading...
Lives and incomes lost as Ebola takes toll on Bunia’s public-facing workers
A headteacher, a motorcycle taxi driver and a travel agent are among those who are counting the human and economic cost of the virusJustin Keno watches more than 400 pupils stream through the Nelson Mandela school’s gate each morning, and wonders which of them might be carrying Ebola.The institution’s principal has done everything he can to prevent the spread of the virus: installing hand-washing basins at the entrance, providing alcohol-based hand rub for parents, making pupils bring packed lunches instead of eating in the canteen, and banning food sellers from outside the gates. Continue reading...
A far-right backlash is surging in Latin America as crime fears fuel Bukele-style crackdowns
At the start of this decade, Latin America leaned left as progressive politicians gained power amid public outrage over inequities worsened by the pandemic
A chilling Romanian exhibition replays videotaped secret police interrogations from 1989
An exhibition in Romania’s capital highlights the harsh reality of interrogations by the country's communist-era secret police
UK military investigates after Russian warship fires warning shots near yacht in the Channel
A Russian warship has fired warning shots near a U.K.-registered pleasure yacht in the English Channel
Africa's clean energy projects face financing barrier from credit rating rules
Billions pledged for Africa’s clean energy transition are failing to translate into projects on the ground as high financing costs deter investors
Sudan’s young women return to international soccer as war and taboos linger
Sudan's under-17 women's national soccer team has made its first international appearance since civil war erupted in the country
