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Rupert Murdoch, the 92-year-old media mogul, has announced that he is stepping down as leader of his companies Fox and News Corp, and handing control to his son Lachlan. This transition marks the end of a dynastic struggle and has stirred strong feelings in the UK, where Murdoch has had a significant impact on the media landscape. While some hail Murdoch as a trailblazer who changed the media, others see him as an unaccountable presence who poisoned global democracy.
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Marcus Smith has been selected to start at full-back for England in their match against Chile, with Owen Farrell returning as captain.
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Former House of Commons Speaker John Bercow has been announced as a contestant on the second season of the US version of The Traitors, a reality competition show.
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Shoplifting incidents have surged in the UK, causing significant losses for retailers and threatening the safety of staff. The rise in thefts is attributed to organised crime groups and repeat offenders, rather than the cost-of-living crisis. Retailers, including Co-op and Lidl, have called for more action from the police and are implementing security measures to combat the problem. The situation has prompted calls for a royal commission to address the challenges facing high streets and find solutions to the shoplifting epidemic.
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Former Tory whip Chris Pincher has announced his resignation as an MP after losing his appeal against an eight-week suspension for drunkenly groping two men. This resignation triggers a by-election in the Tamworth constituency.
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There are concerns that the HS2 railway project in the UK could face cuts, particularly to the leg connecting Birmingham and Manchester. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Chancellor Jeremy Hunt have been discussing potential cost savings, with the possibility of scrapping parts of the project. The government has refused to guarantee that the line will run to Manchester, citing concerns over spiraling costs and delays. Northern leaders have expressed anger at the potential cuts, accusing the government of neglecting the north of England.
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Rishi Sunak is reportedly planning to introduce a new 'British baccalaureate' qualification in England, which would replace A-levels and make maths and English compulsory until the age of 18. The proposal aims to address concerns about the narrowness of A-levels and improve numeracy skills among young people. The plans have been met with mixed reactions, with Labour calling them 'undeliverable' and school leaders highlighting the need for increased funding and teacher recruitment.
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Game of Thrones star Sophie Turner has sued her ex-husband, pop singer Joe Jonas, to return their two young children to England from the US.
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The government and regulators in England may have violated environmental laws by permitting sewage spills to occur more frequently than allowed by law, according to the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP). The OEP's investigation suggests that the government, the Environment Agency, and Ofwat may have misinterpreted the law and allowed water companies to discharge untreated sewage outside of exceptional circumstances. The potential failings date back to laws under successive Conservative and Labour governments. The OEP has given the authorities two months to respond to its findings.
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The UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is expected to approve Microsoft's $69 billion acquisition of video game maker Activision Blizzard, after initially blocking the deal due to concerns about competition in the cloud gaming market. Microsoft has made changes to the deal, including selling Activision's cloud gaming rights to Ubisoft for 15 years, to address the CMA's concerns. The CMA's decision is significant as it shows a reversal of its earlier stance and paves the way for one of the largest tech transactions in history.
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Labour promises to ensure the budget watchdog is not 'gagged' by ministers and to consult the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) on major tax and spending changes. The aim is to prevent a recurrence of Liz Truss's ill-fated mini-budget, which caused market chaos and a fall in the value of the pound.
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Next week, skygazers in the UK will have the opportunity to witness a supermoon, which is when the full moon appears larger and brighter than usual. The supermoon will be visible on September 29 and is the last one of the year. Additionally, the Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, have been visible in parts of the UK this week, providing a rare sight for skygazers.
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An eight-year-old girl in the UK has undergone a kidney transplant that reprogrammed her immune system, eliminating the need for lifelong immunosuppressant drugs. The stem cell transplant used bone marrow from the girl's mother, who also donated the kidney. The pioneering treatment at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London allows the new kidney to function without the risk of rejection. The girl, Aditi Shankar, has stopped taking immunosuppressants just a month after the surgery.
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A new proposal in Congress called the Ending Agricultural Trade Suppression (Eats) Act aims to end the authority of states and localities to set animal welfare and food safety standards, jeopardizing years of work by animal rights activists, farmers, and food safety advocates.
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Protesters gather in central London to demand the UK rejoin the EU, expressing frustration with Brexit and its impact on the country.
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A group of MPs has called on the government, regulator Ofgem, and energy suppliers to take urgent action to support vulnerable households facing an inevitable new winter energy crisis. The MPs are concerned that no new help has been announced for this winter and that last year's unallocated support for vulnerable families should be given to those who missed out. Energy bills are set to remain high, and while the Ofgem price cap is dropping, the government's previous discount on bills is not being repeated.
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Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has acknowledged the anxiety among firearms officers following the murder charge of a force marksman in the shooting of Chris Kaba. The officer, known as NX121, appeared in court on Thursday. Sir Mark Rowley has met with 70 firearms officers to discuss the potential impact of split-second decisions and the scrutiny they may face years later.
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Labour has accused Rishi Sunak of breaching the ministerial code by using a photograph taken by a taxpayer-funded Downing Street civil servant to promote the Conservative Party conference. The photo, featuring Sunak, was used as the front page of the Tory Party agenda and was taken during the Prime Minister's visit to San Diego. The cabinet secretary, Simon Case, has also been criticized for allowing Sunak to use Downing Street as a platform for party political purposes.
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The Liberal Democrats are set to launch their policy agenda at their annual conference in Bournemouth, with a focus on social care reform. Party leader Sir Ed Davey will pledge a care package worth £5bn a year, aiming to address the challenges in the sector. The conference will also serve as a platform to showcase the party's vision for the country and build on recent electoral successes.
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More than 4,500 people died in England in 2022 due to high temperatures, the largest figure on record, with the number of heat-related deaths increasing over recent years. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) data shows that between 1988 and 2022, almost 52,000 deaths associated with the hottest days were recorded in England, with a third of them occurring since 2016. In Wales, over 2,000 people died due to warm temperatures during the same period. The mortality risk increased across all regions in England when temperatures exceeded 22C, with London registering the highest rate. The UK experienced an unprecedented heatwave in September 2023, with seven days of 30C heat. Globally, the summer of 2023 was the hottest ever recorded.
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The UK government has disbanded the energy efficiency taskforce and scrapped plans to force landlords to upgrade the energy efficiency of their homes. This decision by Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, has been met with criticism from Labour and housing associations, who argue that it will lead to higher energy bills and colder homes for tenants. The cancellation of energy efficiency regulations for the private rental sector could cost households almost £8 billion in higher bills over the next decade. The move has also raised concerns about the UK's ability to meet its climate goals.
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The SNP's candidate for the Rutherglen and Hamilton West by-election, Katy Loudon, has criticized the Liberal Democrats for not taking Brexit seriously. She claims that the SNP is the only major party offering people hope and the chance to get back into the EU.
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Warner Bros Discovery has announced a major expansion of its Leavesden studios in the UK, increasing capacity by over 50%. The expansion will create 4,000 direct or indirect jobs and make the studios a primary production hub for DC Studios. The project is expected to boost the UK economy by over £200 million per year.
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The 21st series of Strictly Come Dancing is back with a lineup of celebrity guests, including reality star Zara McDermott and veteran broadcaster Krishnan Guru-Murthy. The show, presented by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, premiered on BBC One and will continue to air every Saturday. The judging panel consists of Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke, and head judge Shirley Ballas.
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School support staff in Scotland are set to go on strike after a union rejected a new pay deal offered by local authorities. The Scottish government had allocated £80 million to improve the offer, which would have included a rise of about £2,000 a year for the lowest paid. However, Unison, one of the unions involved, rejected the offer and announced a three-day strike from 26 to 28 September in 24 council areas. The GMB and Unite unions are still considering the offer.
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The Liberal Democrats have unveiled plans to double statutory shared parental pay (ShPP) and extend the amount of leave new families can take if they form the next government. The party aims to increase ShPP from £172.48 to £350 per week and extend shared parental leave from 37 weeks to 46 weeks. The proposals also include expanding shared parental leave to include self-employed workers.
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The UK government is reportedly considering watering down some of its net zero pledges, including delaying the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030. This has sparked controversy and disagreement among senior Tories, with some calling it a betrayal of the government's green commitments.
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The Edinburgh trams project, which cost over £800 million, has been sharply criticized by Lord Hardie in his exhaustive report. John Swinney, the former finance secretary, has been accused of a lack of candour and integrity in his involvement in the project. The Scottish government, Transport Initiatives Edinburgh (TIE), and Edinburgh City Council are all held responsible for the failures of the project.
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Comedian Patrick Kielty stars as Shane, a budding standup with a troubled past, in Prasanna Puwanarajah's directorial debut. He forms an odd-couple bond with Eileen, a young cabby, as they swap hard-luck tales and find healing through friendship.
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The UK's Deputy Prime Minister, Oliver Dowden, has warned that global regulation of artificial intelligence (AI) is falling behind the rapid advancements in the technology. In a speech at the UN General Assembly, Dowden emphasized the need for a new form of multilateralism to manage AI and prevent it from destabilizing the world order. He urged other countries to come together and create an international regulatory system to keep pace with the fast-developing technology.
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Cyberpunk 2077 has released its first and last DLC, Phantom Liberty, along with a major update. The DLC introduces a new story, quests, characters, and abilities, set in a new area of Night City called Dog Town. The update also includes fixes and improvements to the base game. The release of the DLC and update aims to enhance the overall gameplay experience for players.
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Police are searching for three men suspected of being linked to a series of burglaries, including a break-in at the home of England footballer Raheem Sterling.
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The UK government has announced a ban on American XL bully dogs after a series of attacks, including one that resulted in a man's death and another that left an 11-year-old girl seriously injured. The ban is expected to be implemented by the end of the year.
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Rupert Murdoch, the media mogul, is retiring as chairman of Fox Corporation and News Corp, handing over control to his son Lachlan Murdoch.
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Ukrainian troops have successfully captured the village of Andriivka in Donetsk region, near the city of Bakhmut, which had fallen into Russian hands in May. The Ukrainian military reported significant casualties and loss of equipment on the Russian side, while also fortifying some areas. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to visit the US next week to discuss military and humanitarian aid for Ukraine as it fights the Russian invasion.
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Poland and Ukraine are engaged in a dispute over grain exports, with Poland extending a ban on Ukrainian grain imports. The move has strained the relationship between the two countries, which have been allies in Ukraine's fight against Russia. Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has announced that Poland will no longer send weapons to Ukraine, instead focusing on modernizing its own military. The Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, criticized Poland's ban during his speech at the United Nations General Assembly, calling it 'political theater.' The dispute has led to tensions between Poland and Ukraine, with lawsuits being filed and diplomatic summonings taking place.
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Ukraine launched a missile strike on the Russian-occupied Crimean Peninsula, targeting the headquarters of Russia's Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol. The attack resulted in casualties and damage to the building. This is the latest in a series of attacks by Ukraine on Crimea, as tensions escalate in the region. The significance of this event lies in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, with Crimea being a key strategic location for both sides.
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North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has completed his visit to Russia, where he met with President Vladimir Putin and discussed military cooperation. The visit has raised concerns about possible weapons transfer deals between the two countries, particularly in relation to the war in Ukraine. Kim expressed his support for Putin's "just fight" and offered full and unconditional support. The visit marks a strengthening of ties between North Korea and Russia, both of which are under Western sanctions.
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Amazon Prime Video will start showing limited advertisements in its streaming service from early 2024, unless customers pay for an ad-free subscription. The ads will be rolled out in the US, UK, Germany, and Canada first, followed by France, Italy, Spain, Mexico, and Australia later in the year. Amazon aims to have fewer ads than linear TV and other streaming providers. The move follows similar actions by streaming services like Netflix and Disney+ as they seek to cope with rising costs and declining subscriptions.
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The killing of a Sikh separatist leader in Canada has led to a diplomatic row between India and Canada, with both countries expelling each other's diplomats. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has alleged that the Indian government could be behind the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a wanted terrorist in India. India has rejected the allegations as absurd and motivated, accusing Canada of allowing the Khalistan movement to thrive. The Sikh secessionist movement calls for a separate homeland for the Sikh community in India's Punjab state.
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Iranian security forces have arrested individuals and prevented vigils and protests commemorating the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish woman who died in police custody last year. The crackdown comes as the country marks the anniversary of Amini's death, which sparked widespread protests against the Iranian regime. The authorities have reportedly detained Amini's father and obstructed efforts to hold a memorial service at her graveside. Human rights groups have reported sporadic protests and confrontations across the country, despite a heavy security presence.
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Attacks in northern Mali have surged since the withdrawal of UN peacekeepers, resulting in numerous casualties and displacements. Armed rebel groups, including Islamist militants, have targeted military camps, passenger boats, and civilian villages, causing widespread fear and instability in the region.
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Pope Francis visited Marseille and called for the rescue of migrants at sea, emphasizing the duty of humanity and civilization to save people in difficulty. He condemned those who impede the rescue efforts as committing a gesture of hate. The visit comes at a politically sensitive time as European nations debate how to share responsibility for the influx of migrants.
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Seven artworks by Austrian expressionist Egon Schiele, stolen by the Nazis from Jewish cabaret performer Fritz Grünbaum, have been returned to his heirs after being seized from museums in the US. The artworks, valued at $9.5 million, were voluntarily surrendered by the institutions after evidence of their theft emerged. Grünbaum, who died in the Dachau concentration camp in 1941, had amassed a collection of nearly 450 pieces of art, including 81 works by Schiele. The restitution marks a significant turning point in the long-running restitution case of Nazi-era looted art.
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NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft is set to drop off a cupful of rubble it grabbed from the asteroid Bennu, marking the largest sample ever collected from an asteroid.