Author: News Desk

X users in Brazil gain access despite ongoing ban Some Brazilian users of X, the social media platform owned by Elon Musk, were able to log back in on Wednesday, despite an ongoing ban issued by the country’s judiciary last month. The unexpected access came after X made changes to how its servers are accessed within Brazil, sparking a wave of activity from users eager to return to the platform. In a statement released Wednesday evening, a spokesperson for X confirmed that the platform’s restoration in Brazil was unintentional. “To continue providing optimal service to our users, we changed network…

Kentucky highway shooting suspect found dead, officials believe Authorities believe they have located the body of a man suspected of carrying out a highway shooting spree in Kentucky that left five people injured nearly two weeks ago. The discovery was made in Laurel County during a manhunt, along with evidence that has led police to conclude it is the body of 32-year-old Joseph Couch, the primary suspect, officials said during a press conference on Wednesday evening. The search for Couch has been ongoing since September 7, when he allegedly opened fire on drivers along Interstate 75 before fleeing into a…

Eerie video shows Titan submersible tail cone on ocean floor Video released by the Coast Guard Marine Board of Investigation shows the remains of the Titan submersible on the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean after an implosion claimed the lives of all five on board. Remotely operated vehicle footage shows the vessel’s tail cone resting on the ocean floor. The video was the conclusive evidence investigators needed to determine the catastrophic loss following the incident on June 18, 2023. The Titan’s implosion happened less than two hours after its descent toward the wreck of the Titanic. The submersible was owned…

The brutal truth behind Italy’s migrant reduction: beatings and rape by EU-funded forces in Tunisia Keir Starmer says he wants to learn from Italy’s ‘dramatic’ statistics. But a Guardian investigation reveals that EU money goes to officers who are involved in shocking abuse, leaving people to die in the desert and colluding with smugglers. When she saw them, lined up at the road checkpoint, Marie sensed the situation might turn ugly. Four officers, each wearing the combat green of Tunisia’s national guard. They asked to look inside her bag.“There was nothing, just some clothes.” For weeks Marie had traversed the…

Interest rates UK latest: Bank of England set to reveal next decision The Bank of England is widely expected to keep interest rates on hold on Thursday after the latest UK inflation figures remained stubbornly high. Most economists think the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) rate-setters will keep base rate unchanged at 5 per cent, its highest level since 2008, during the global financial crisis. The Bank cut rates from 5.25 per cent last month – the first reduction since 2020, in a move welcomed by squeezed borrowers still suffering from the cost-of-living crisis. The move disappointed savers, however. Bank of…

The granddaughter of the Italian dictator Benito Mussolini has left Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s ‘Brothers of Italy’ party as she believes it is too right wing on LGBTQ+ and other minority rights. Rachele Mussolini, who is a city councillor in Rome said she was joining the centre-right Forza Italia. Forza Italia is part of the Italian government’s ruling coalition, but is seen as more liberal than Meloni’s party. ‘It is time to turn the page and join a party that I feel is closer to my moderate and centrist sensibilities,’ the 50-year-old told the Ansa news agency. Mussolini is known…

Quick View – Contents Ursula von der Leyen unveils new European Commission teamEuropean Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has announced her long-awaited list of nominees to make up the next European Commission. Her new team are tasked with challenges including wars on our European doorstep, as well as in the Middle East. Other pressing issues include migration, climate change and economic competitiveness. Ursula von der Leyen’s list of 27 candidates still needs to be approved by the EU Parliament. Each member state of the EU has been assigned a post, but from the initial reaction of the media, it doesn’t…

“Forget the soothing diplomatic tones from Dublin – justice is a portfolio nobody wanted. Justice means guaranteed (and often personalised) conflict with states such as Hungary and Slovakia. … The reality is that in a decade Ireland has gone from holding agriculture and rural development (a third of the EU budget), to trade (the crown jewel of the EU’s competencies) via financial services (stripped of the important bits) to the thankless task of policing wannabe European dictators under a ‘democracy shield’.”

“The post-fascist has managed to place one of her loyal followers, Raffaele Fitto, in one of the most influential posts in the Commission. He will become vice-president and commissioner for cohesion and reforms. This means he will be responsible for the European Social Fund and a fund for regional development, among other things. Meloni is over the moon about this decision, as it secures her additional power and influence in Brussels. However with this appointment, Ursula von der Leyen has lodged a political time bomb in her own Commission. Many members of the European Parliament are quite rightly appalled and have announced their opposition to the far-right Italian.”

“Teresa Ribera will be a sort of super commissioner with significant influence on European industrial policy. She will apply the antitrust rules and oversee state aid and mergers. This is a key position and will make Spain one of the EU’s main partners. … In her new term in office, von der Leyen has announced that she is reserving the right to change the structure of the Commission. And she has appointed 40 percent women to the top of the commissions. Although this falls short of the strict parity she had hoped for, she has nevertheless almost doubled the pitiful 22 percent that would have resulted from the governments’ proposals.”