Two Iranian men identified Manchester synagogue as site for alleged bomb plot, court hears

• The United Nations released $160 million to support 12 severely underfunded humanitarian crises. • This funding focuses on improving aid for people with disabilities in conflict-affected and fragile regions.

• Violence surged across the Middle East following the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel by Hamas and the subsequent war in Gaza. • Iran expanded the conflict by mobilizing its Axis of Resistance, a network including Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, and militias in Iraq and Syria.

• Gustavo de Arístegui analyzed geopolitical tensions on September 28, focusing on a foundational crisis within the UN Assembly and US-Iran relations. • The analysis notes that Iranian initiatives aim to remove secondary sanctions—penalties on non-US companies trading with Iran—without offering verifiable nuclear concessions.

• Governments, UN entities, and private sector representatives met recently to call for stronger cooperation to address a rapidly changing global information landscape. • The event was co-hosted by Brazil, the UN Secretariat, the UN development Programme, and UNESCO to discuss implementing the Global Digital Compact.

President says payments, to be sent in early October, are meant to offset cost of monthly insurance premiumsDonald ⁠Trump has said the US government will send a one-time $90 payment to more than 20 million Americans enrolled in Medicare, the ⁠health insurance program for ⁠elderly people, ​to help offset the cost of their monthly medical insurance premiums.The president said on social media late on Friday that the ⁠payments would come from the Medicare Improvement Fund, which he said was given $2bn by Congress to improve the Medicare fee-for-service program. Continue reading...

Temperatures expected to hover around 100F in downtown LA and even hotter inland, raising concerns about wildfiresSouthern California faced scorching heatwaves this summer that made locals wonder what happened to their famed Mediterranean climate.Now, the fall is bringing heatwaves too. Continue reading...

The 25-year-old was the sixth man detained as counter-terrorism police investigate ‘possible foreign state involvement’A sixth man who was arrested in connection with a suspected terrorist plot at RAF Fairford has been released on bail.The 25-year-old, a dual UK-Iranian national, was arrested on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts under section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006. Continue reading...

Approval ratings for Tory leader and her party have crept up as she has asserted her style and authority but big challenges lie aheadA year ago, Tory MPs were braced for the prospect of yet another leadership battle to topple Kemi Badenoch as the party sunk to historic lows of 14-16% in the polls.At the time, the word “November” was uttered in hushed tones – this being the decisive month when rebels would be able to mount a challenge, Badenoch having served 12 months in office. Continue reading...

The UK prime minister has earned his party a rehearing but the battle of public opinion is not yet won“He’s offering what no other politician has offered for a long, long time. He actually feels like he’s one of us,” was how Neil, a geography teacher, described Andy Burnham in our focus group on Thursday night.Neil wasn’t alone in his praise: this group of Labour 2024 voters – some of whom had drifted to Reform, the Tories and Greens during the Starmer era – provided the most positive reception for a politician since Boris Johnson at the height of his Covid-vaccine bounce. Continue reading...

The Premier League’s actions would ‘have an influence on the bilateral state relationship’, Emirati officials saidThe United Arab Emirates have reportedly warned the government it could cancel big investments in the UK after Manchester City were found guilty by an independent commission.Emirati officials said “the Premier League’s actions” would “have an influence on the bilateral state relationship”, according to Bloomberg. Continue reading...

Shoppers are switching from traditional product despite little evidence alternative is saferBacon has long been a favourite of carnivores, but there is growing consumer concern about the health risks posed by nitrites, chemicals used to cure meats.While many experts argue there is no evidence processed meat made without nitrites is safer, retailers have responded to consumer concerns by offering “nitrite-free” products to meet demand. Continue reading...