Author: staff

Demonstrators marched peacefully through the capital, waving Palestinian flags and holding placards calling for justice and solidarity with the people of Gaza. The protest coincided with renewed indirect talks between Israel and Hamas in Egypt aimed at achieving a ceasefire and securing the release of remaining hostages. In Gaza, Israel’s continued offensive has killed tens of thousands and levelled entire neighbourhoods. Those able to flee are escaping a new Israeli assault on Gaza City, while many others remain trapped amid widespread destruction and shortages of food, water and medicine. In Mexico City, activists and students joined together to denounce the…

Published on 08/10/2025 – 12:21 GMT+2 Japan’s SoftBank Group has agreed to acquire the robotics branch of Swiss engineering company ABB for $5.37 billion (€4.62bn) as it pushes ahead with physical AI. Unlike digital AI, which works in the virtual realm, physical AI allows machines such as robots to operate in real-world environments. The acquisition is part of a broader strategy held by the Japanese multinational investment firm, headquartered in Tokyo, which is actively investing in AI chips, AI robots, AI data centres, and energy. The current acquisition, approved by the firm’s board, is still subject to regulatory approvals, although…

The charges were dropped last month after the CPS said the “evidential standard for the offence indicted is no longer met.” Writing to the chairs of the Commons’ Home and Justice Select Committees, Parkinson said a 2024 High Court decision meant an “enemy” under the Official Secrets Act includes “a country which represents at the time of the offence, a threat to the national security of the U.K.” Despite receiving further witness statements in light of the judgment, “none of these stated that at the time of the offense China represented a threat to national security.” Parkinson added: “By late…

Finland’s capital, Helsinki, is turning to drones and artificial intelligence (AI) to help tackle one of the city’s trickiest challenges – keeping traffic moving smoothly. Helsinki’s West Harbour is Europe’s second busiest port, handling about 6 million ferry passengers annually. Now, new technology is giving city planners a bird’s-eye view of how that movement unfolds and how it could be improved. Since 2023, drones have been taking to the skies above the major transport hub, linking ferries, trams, metro lines, and trains. Drones collect information on passengers’ route choices to improve connections between different modes of transport and reduce peak…

Published on 08/10/2025 – 9:39 GMT+2 The terrorism charge against Kneecap rapper Mo Chara, real name Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, was thrown out last month. The Belfast rapper had been charged with a terrorism offence for allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag and shouting “up Hamas, up Hezbollah” at a gig in London last November.   Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring sitting at Woolwich Crown Court told the court that the charge against Ó hAnnaidh was “unlawful” and “null”. Now, in a statement (via BBC), a Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) spokesperson said: “We are appealing the decision to dismiss this case as we believe there is an…

After submitting his government’s resignation Monday, thrusting France into a crisis with little precedent, President Emmanuel Macron gave the outgoing PM until Wednesday evening to find a way out of the impasse. Lecornu has already met with parliamentary leaders and heads of parties from his own coalition and is set to meet with representatives from the political left Wednesday. He will submit his conclusions the feasibility of reaching an agreement to Macron in the evening. This developing story is being updated.

Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music Sky News Sam and Anne join forces 4,600 miles apart as the prime minister takes a jumbo trade and business delegation to India. In Mumbai, the PM is given a warm welcome – with banners and posters lining the streets – but will the trip help or hinder the existing trade deal between the nations and business? Back in Manchester, Anne has the latest from the Conservative Party conference as Kemi Badenoch prepares to make her speech to party members. Elsewhere, the tit-for-tat trade war between the European Union and the United States…

A U.K. government spokesperson said: “The pharmaceutical sector and the innovative medicines it produces are critical to our NHS, our economy and the Plan for Change. Through our Life Sciences Sector Plan, we’ve committed to working with industry to accelerate growth in spending on innovative medicines compared to the previous decade.” The spokesperson added: “We’ve secured a landmark economic partnership with the US that includes working together on pharmaceutical exports from the UK whilst improving conditions for pharmaceutical companies here. We’re now in advanced discussions with the US Administration to secure the best outcome for the UK, reflecting our strong…

Published on 08/10/2025 – 6:23 GMT+2 The Trump administration has warned on Tuesday of no guaranteed back pay for federal workers during a government shutdown, reversing what was a long-standing policy for some 750,000 furloughed staff, according to a memo being circulated by the White House. US President Donald Trump signed into law following the longest government shutdown in 2019 during his first term in office, legislation that ensures federal workers receive back pay during any federal funding lapse. In Trump’s new memo however, his Office of Management and Budget (OMB) says back pay must be provided by Congress, if…

That would hand him sweeping legal powers to control national supply and demand of gas, with which gas companies would be legally required to comply, powers that can be over-ruled only on the say-so of the king — a responsibility Butterworth acknowledged with a nod, saying, “I’ve always found that quite fascinating myself.”  The NEC position has existed since the 1990s. Butterworth has held it since 2022. Since the invasion of Ukraine, he has been “more cognizant of” potential scenarios involving “loss of supply from the North Sea,” he said — as might be caused by a Nord Stream-style attack…