Author: News Desk

WhatsApp leaks: Hancock backed pressuring MP into voting for lockdown Leaked messages suggest that the former health secretary Matt Hancock supported the idea of using funding for a disability centre in a Tory MP’s constituency as leverage to persuade him to vote for the Covid tier system in England. The messages, sent on WhatsApp, show that Hancock agreed to put pressure on James Daly, the Conservative MP for Bury North if he failed to vote with the government. However, Hancock’s spokesperson denied the accusations, stating that it never happened. Daly expressed his disappointment with the exchange and stated that the…

French unions have pledged to bring France to a “standstill” Tuesday in one of the biggest strike actions yet to protest against the government’s proposed pension reform, which includes raising the minimum retirement age from 62 to 64. Hundreds of thousands of French workers are expected to take to the streets to protest the changes. Follow our blog for the latest developments. All times are Paris time (GMT+1).

Japan forced to destroy flagship H3 rocket in failed launch Japan’s efforts to compete in the commercial rocket market suffered a setback on Tuesday when the country’s space agency was forced to destroy its H3 rocket during a failed launch. The rocket’s second-stage engine failed minutes after lift-off, leading to a self-destruct command from Japan’s Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). The H3 rocket is Japan’s first medium-lift rocket in 30 years and was developed as a cheaper alternative to SpaceX’s Falcon 9 for launching satellites into Earth’s orbit. The H3 rocket is run on a lower-cost engine with 3D-printed parts. The…

Three people died in the crash.

There are currently 3,000 people seeking refuge in Belgium and staying in the streets, most of whom are in Brussels.

He was a boyhood Liverpool fan…

What lovely news.

France braces for strikes as 1 million expected to protest pension reform bill Unions in France are protesting against the government’s plans to raise the pension age from 62 to 64, resulting in transport and public service disruptions. Most train and metro services are cancelled on Tuesday, and many schools are closed, making it the sixth day of strikes and the most significant demonstration yet, with over one million people expected in Paris and other cities. Unions are calling for escalation and “bringing the country to its knees” as the government shows no sign of backing down on its pension plan. …

Australia’s east gripped by heatwave as bushfires continue to rage Warnings have been issued over bushfires raging across Australia’s east coast, as fire services fear the fires could worsen as a severe heatwave continues. The heatwave comes after two years of relentless rain and floods for New South Wales state – which is now experiencing its worst fires since the 2019-2020 Black Summer. A fire 155 miles northwest of Sydney has led to the region’s first emergency fire warning in two years, as firefighters battle flames as high as 15 metres. Residents in affected areas across New South Wales -…

‘That didn’t come across the way I wanted it to,’ she admitted.