MarkDenholm

Human rights in the UK worsened in 2024 according to a new report from the US State Department. The report highlights what it calls significant human rights issues, including credible reports of serious restrictions on freedom of expression and violence or threats of violence motivated by antisemitism. While it notes that UK law generally protects free speech, the report raises concerns over restrictions on political speech considered hateful or offensive. […]

Donald Trump says he will push to return some territory to Ukraine when he meets Vladimir Putin this Friday in Alaska. Speaking at the White House, the US President acknowledged Russia’s occupation of what he called “prime territory” and said land swaps could be part of a peace deal. He added he wants to hear directly from Mr Putin about his ideas to end the three-and-a-half-year war. The meeting is […]

A senior Al Jazeera journalist who had warned he might be assassinated has been killed in an Israeli strike in Gaza. The network says 28-year-old Anas al-Sharif died outside al-Shifa hospital along with reporter Mohammed Qreiqeh and cameramen Ibrahim Zayed and Mohammed Nahel. The Committee to Protect Journalists had recently voiced “grave” concerns for his safety, saying al-Sharif believed he was the target of an Israeli military smear campaign that […]

Police have made 466 arrests in London after crowds turned out for a Palestine Action demonstration. The Metropolitan Police say those detained were held under the Terrorism Act for showing support for a banned group. Eight more people were arrested for other offences, including five for assaulting officers. The force says it is the highest number of arrests made in relation to a single operation in at least the past […]

Donald Trump says a peace deal for Ukraine could involve what he called “some swapping of territories to the betterment of both sides.” Speaking at the White House, the US President said the conflict has been raging for three and a half years with heavy losses on both sides. He said the negotiations are complicated but that he’s looking at ways to recover some territory while also agreeing to exchanges. […]

Donald Trump says he’s willing to meet Vladimir Putin, even if the Russian president refuses to sit down with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy. When asked by a reporter if a meeting between the two leaders was a condition, Trump replied, "No, he doesn't. No." A Kremlin aide has since claimed talks between Moscow and Washington could take place in the coming days. The same official said the US floated the idea […]

Birmingham Airport’s runway has been closed after a small aircraft made an emergency landing this afternoon. West Midlands Police say one person suffered minor injuries in the incident, which happened just before 1.40pm. Emergency services, including officers from the airport’s dedicated police team, were quickly on the scene. Birmingham is the UK’s seventh busiest airport, and disruption to flights is expected throughout the day. The US Secretary of State Marco […]

A father has been jailed for 10 years after crashing his car while high on cocaine and suffering an epileptic fit, killing his teenage son. Daniel Burba was driving his wife’s Peugeot van on the M6 near Lancaster in April when it veered off the road and hit a tree. His 14-year-old son, Ryan Morgan, died at the scene from head injuries. The crash happened between junctions 34 and 33 […]

Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron’s new migrant deal is set to come into force on Tuesday, with detentions expected to begin by the end of the week. The “one in, one out” pilot scheme allows the UK to return some people who crossed the Channel illegally, in exchange for asylum seekers in France with family ties to Britain. The European Commission has now given the plan the […]