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  • ‘How can you not know?’: Sister of Palestine Action hunger striker hits back at Lammy

    ‘How can you not know?’: Sister of Palestine Action hunger striker hits back at Lammy

    A deepening humanitarian and political crisis is unfolding within Britain’s prison system as eight detainees affiliated with the proscribed group Palestine Action continue a prolonged hunger strike, now exceeding 40 days for some. The situation has escalated into a direct confrontation between the UK government and advocates for the prisoners, casting a harsh spotlight on Justice Secretary David Lammy.

    The core of the controversy stems from Lammy’s claimed ignorance of the coordinated protest. Shahmina Alam, sister of hospitalized hunger striker Kamran Ahmed, publicly challenged the minister at a Christmas event, presenting him with a letter she asserts was previously sent to his office detailing the strike and its demands. Lammy’s response—’I didn’t know anything about this’—has been met with accusations of incompetence or dishonesty.

    With five strikers already hospitalized suffering severe weight loss and dangerous ketone levels, medical concerns are acute. Lawyers for the prisoners have issued a dire warning to the Ministry of Justice (MOJ), stating there is a ‘real and increasingly likely potential that young British citizens will die in prison, having never even been convicted of an offence.’

    The political pressure on Lammy is intensifying. Labour MP John McDonnell raised a point of order in the House of Commons, condemning the government’s silence on his own correspondence as ‘totally unacceptable.’ Meanwhile, the MOJ maintains its standard procedures are being followed, with a spokesperson stating, ‘The deputy prime minister is being kept informed of the situation,’ and that prisoner wellbeing is continually assessed.

    Families report being systematically kept in the dark regarding their relatives’ medical conditions, citing horrendous experiences with prison staff who offer no support or updates. The MOJ justifies this by citing legal restrictions on sharing healthcare information with ‘unverified callers.’ This standoff, pitting prisoner welfare and transparency against official procedure and the enforcement of proscription orders, presents a significant challenge for the new Justice Secretary.

  • UK: Millions of British Muslims could lose citizenship, warns new report

    UK: Millions of British Muslims could lose citizenship, warns new report

    A landmark investigation has exposed how Britain’s expansive citizenship revocation authorities are systematically endangering approximately nine million residents, predominantly from Muslim backgrounds, creating what researchers term a “racialized hierarchy of belonging.” The collaborative study by Runnymede Trust and Reprieve reveals that 13% of the UK population—disproportionately those with heritage links to South Asia, Africa, and the Middle East—face legal vulnerability to having their citizenship revoked at the Home Secretary’s discretion.

    The analysis demonstrates staggering racial disparities: while merely one in twenty white Britons faces citizenship deprivation risk, three in five people of color inhabit this precarious status. Individuals with familial connections to Pakistan, Bangladesh, Somalia, Nigeria, and North African nations emerge as particularly vulnerable groups within this framework.

    Legal provisions enable the government to strip citizenship based on presumed eligibility for alternative nationality—even when individuals have never resided in or identified with those countries. Since 2010, over 200 individuals have lost citizenship under “conducive to the public good” provisions, with overwhelming majority being Muslims. The 2022 legislation further intensified these powers by permitting revocation without notification.

    Campaigners draw direct parallels to the Windrush scandal, noting identical institutional failings and absence of effective safeguards. Maya Foa of Reprieve warned that “nine million people whose rights could be taken away by the next home secretary have every reason to be worried,” while Runnymede Trust CEO Shabna Begum condemned the “chilling undercurrent of citizenship stripping” disproportionately targeting Muslim communities.

    The report traces how counterterrorism legislation has transformed citizenship revocation from exceptional wartime measure to routinely deployed tool. Even judicial victories prove hollow—a 2025 statute ensures citizens remain stripped during government appeals that can span years, regardless of court rulings.

    Researchers document multiple cases of erroneous deprivation resulting in unlawful statelessness, with the Shamima Begum case representing the most prominent example where Bangladesh publicly denied her eligibility. The commission chaired by former Irish Lord Chief Justice Declan Morgan recently concluded that deprivation frequently proceeds based merely on presumed nationality rather than established facts.

    With conservative politicians advocating expanded deportation schemes, organizations demand immediate moratorium on citizenship stripping, abolition of Section 40(2) of the British Nationality Act, and restoration of citizenship to all previously deprived under these powers.

  • Charlie Kirk murder suspect makes first in-person court appearance

    Charlie Kirk murder suspect makes first in-person court appearance

    The suspect in the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk made his initial physical court appearance in Utah amid ongoing deliberations regarding media coverage restrictions for this high-profile case. Tyler Robinson, 22, stands accused of the September shooting at Utah Valley University that resulted in Kirk’s death.

    During Thursday’s proceedings, Robinson appeared in civilian attire—a dress shirt, tie, and slacks—with restraints visible on his wrists and ankles. According to CBS News, the defendant exchanged smiles with family members seated in the front row, including his parents and brother.

    The courtroom became a battleground for transparency debates as defense attorneys and the Utah County Sheriff’s Office petitioned Judge Tony Graf to prohibit camera access, citing concerns about preserving Robinson’s right to an impartial trial. This position contrasts sharply with arguments from both national media coalitions and Erika Kirk, the victim’s widow, who have vigorously advocated for unrestricted public access to proceedings.

    Prosecutors have filed charges of aggravated murder against Robinson and are pursuing the death penalty. The defendant surrendered to authorities following an extensive manhunt after his father identified him from publicly released images and facilitated his turn-in. Robinson has not yet entered a formal plea.

    Central to Thursday’s hearing was judicial review of previously sealed materials from October proceedings, including an audio recording from October 14th and a transcript from October 24th. Judge Graf emphasized the need to carefully determine which elements should remain protected before issuing a ruling on media access later that day.

    The case continues to draw significant attention due to Kirk’s national profile and ongoing conspiracy theories surrounding the shooting, which Mrs. Kirk has repeatedly addressed in public statements.

  • Snoop Dogg named US ‘honorary coach’ for Winter Olympics

    Snoop Dogg named US ‘honorary coach’ for Winter Olympics

    In an unconventional move blending sports and celebrity culture, the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) has announced the appointment of legendary rapper Snoop Dogg as honorary coach for Team USA at the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics. The 54-year-old music icon will assume a volunteer position focused on athlete support and morale boosting during the Milan-Cortina Games scheduled for February 6-22.

    The appointment marks a continuation of Snoop Dogg’s growing involvement with Olympic programming. During last year’s Paris Summer Games, the artist served as a special correspondent for NBC’s coverage and performed at the handover ceremony for Los Angeles 2028. His new role will leverage his distinctive humor and motivational approach to support American athletes from the sidelines.

    USOPC CEO Sarah Hirshland emphasized the rapper’s genuine passion for the Olympic movement, describing his enthusiasm as ‘contagious’ and highlighting the unique perspective he brings to athlete support. The organization believes Snoop’s involvement will create additional excitement around the Winter Games while providing athletes with unconventional mentorship.

    The artist, born Calvin Broadus Jr., brings legitimate sports credentials to his new position. Beyond his music career, Snoop established the Snoop Youth Football League in 2005, providing inner-city youth access to American football programs across the country. His appointment follows a pattern of celebrity involvement in Olympic teams, including Public Enemy’s Flavor Flav recently sponsoring the US bobsleigh team.

    Snoop Dogg characterized the honor humbly, stating: ‘Team USA athletes are the real stars – I’m just here to cheer, uplift and maybe drop a little wisdom from the sidelines.’ He added that representing ‘the best of what sport can be: talent, heart and hustle’ made the opportunity particularly meaningful.

  • US seizure of rogue oil tanker off Venezuela signals new crackdown on shadow fleet

    US seizure of rogue oil tanker off Venezuela signals new crackdown on shadow fleet

    In a dramatic maritime operation, U.S. special forces descended via helicopter ropes to seize the 332-meter oil tanker Skipper near the Venezuelan coast. The vessel had been digitally manipulating its location transponder to conceal its true position, falsely appearing to navigate near Guyana while actually operating 360 nautical miles northwest in Venezuelan waters. This seizure represents a significant escalation in U.S. efforts to disrupt illicit oil smuggling networks that sustain sanctioned regimes.

    The Skipper carried approximately 2 million barrels of Venezuelan heavy crude valued at tens of millions of dollars, with about half belonging to a Cuban state-run importer according to documents from Venezuela’s state-owned PDVSA. The tanker had been sanctioned since November 2022 for its alleged role in smuggling crude for Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group.

    Maritime intelligence analysts identify the Skipper as part of a ‘dark fleet’ of approximately 30 sanctioned tankers operating near Venezuela. These vessels typically disable or spoof their automated identification systems, operate under false flags, and transfer cargoes at sea to obscure origins. Many are barely seaworthy, uninsured, and registered to shell companies.

    The operation signals a potential turning point in maritime enforcement against sanctions evasion. ‘These are very risk-tolerant operators, but even they don’t want to lose a hull,’ noted Claire Jungman of Vortexa analytics firm. ‘A physical seizure represents an entirely different category of risk.’

    Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro condemned the seizure as ‘international piracy,’ claiming the crew had been kidnapped. Meanwhile, U.S.-backed opposition leader Maria Corina Machado applauded the action, asserting that oil revenues fund repression rather than addressing Venezuela’s humanitarian crisis.

    Experts suggest this intervention may foreshadow broader U.S. efforts to implement an oil blockade against Venezuela, though concerns remain about potential impacts on global oil prices and the strategic balancing of enforcement actions.

  • Grand jury declines to Letitia James for second time in a week

    Grand jury declines to Letitia James for second time in a week

    In a significant legal development, a federal grand jury in Virginia has concluded its proceedings without returning an indictment against New York Attorney General Letitia James. This decision marks the second grand jury within a week to decline pursuing charges against the prominent Democratic official.

    The outcome represents a substantial setback for former President Donald Trump’s ongoing efforts to initiate legal proceedings against political adversaries. The investigation stemmed from allegations that James had committed bank fraud and provided false statements to financial institutions—claims she consistently characterized as politically motivated retaliation.

    This judicial development follows last month’s dismissal of the federal case by a presiding judge who determined that the Trump-appointed prosecutor lacked proper legal standing to bring the charges. Legal experts note the rarity of grand juries declining to indict, particularly in federal proceedings, highlighting the weakness of the prosecution’s evidence.

    Attorney General James previously achieved legal success against the former president, having brought successful charges against Trump prior to his re-election campaign. The repeated failure of these federal efforts reinforces perceptions of their partisan nature while strengthening James’s position as she continues her official duties.

    The judicial system has effectively delivered a dual validation of James’s conduct, suggesting that the allegations lacked substantive merit and were primarily driven by political considerations rather than legal foundations.

  • Photographer captures wild mandarin ducks in Guizhou

    Photographer captures wild mandarin ducks in Guizhou

    In a remarkable display of natural beauty, a photographer has documented the annual winter return of wild mandarin ducks to Tongren’s Tianshengqiao Resort in Guizhou province. The captivating images showcase these vibrantly colored waterfowl gliding gracefully across crystal-clear waters and engaging in playful behaviors that highlight their social nature.

    These mandarin ducks (Aix galericulata) represent a significant conservation success story as they are classified as Class II protected species under China’s wildlife protection laws. Their consistent return to this specific location underscores the ecological importance of the preserved canyon ecosystem maintained by the resort. The area’s pristine water conditions and undisturbed habitat provide ideal wintering grounds for these migratory birds.

    Photographer Wu Weidong’s documentation reveals multiple specimens thriving in their natural environment, demonstrating successful conservation efforts in the region. The images provide valuable documentation of species behavior and habitat quality that can assist conservationists in monitoring population health.

    This annual migration event has become a subject of interest for both wildlife enthusiasts and conservation biologists, offering insights into migratory patterns and habitat preferences of protected avian species in Southwest China. The continued presence of these ducks indicates positive environmental conditions and effective habitat preservation measures in Guizhou’s canyon ecosystems.

  • Infrared cameras and drones record Tarim red deer in Xinjiang

    Infrared cameras and drones record Tarim red deer in Xinjiang

    In a significant ecological breakthrough, advanced monitoring technology has documented a rare gathering of five Tarim red deer (Cervus elaphus yarkandensis) along the Tarim River banks in Alaer city, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. This marks the first confirmed sighting of this endangered species group using combined infrared camera and drone surveillance systems.

    The Tarim red deer represents a remarkable desert-adapted subspecies endemic to Xinjiang, distinguished as the world’s exclusive population of red deer capable of surviving in arid environments. These resilient creatures demonstrate extraordinary biological adaptations, enduring extreme temperatures, prolonged drought conditions, and highly saline-alkaline terrain. Their survival capabilities include consuming heavily mineralized water sources and maintaining a diverse dietary range, establishing them as critical indicator species for assessing overall ecosystem health within the Tarim River Basin.

    Professor Wang Zhichao of Tarim University’s School of Life Sciences and Technology emphasized the sighting’s conservation significance, attributing this success to comprehensive ecological management initiatives throughout the river basin. The expansion of ecological barriers along the adjacent Taklimakan Desert has further contributed to creating favorable habitats for wildlife rehabilitation.

    Current ecological surveys indicate the basin now supports 249 distinct wildlife species, with populations demonstrating sustained growth patterns. Among these, 50 species enjoy national protected status, reflecting China’s strengthened commitment to biodiversity conservation and habitat restoration efforts in ecologically sensitive regions.

  • Beijing issues alerts for snowstorms and road icing

    Beijing issues alerts for snowstorms and road icing

    The Chinese capital is preparing for its first significant snowfall of the season as meteorological authorities issued dual weather warnings on Thursday. The Beijing Meteorological Bureau has activated a blue alert for snowstorms—the lowest level in China’s four-tier warning system—alongside a more severe orange alert for road icing, the second-highest alert level.

    According to forecasts from the National Meteorological Center, the winter precipitation is expected to commence in Beijing’s western mountainous regions during the early hours of Friday, gradually advancing toward urban districts by midday. The snowfall is projected to persist throughout the afternoon and the first half of the night, creating potentially hazardous conditions across the metropolitan area.

    Meteorological data indicates that most areas within Beijing municipality will experience accumulations exceeding 4 millimeters, with localized mountainous regions in Fangshan and Mentougou districts potentially receiving up to 8 millimeters of snowfall. The combination of precipitation and rapidly dropping temperatures presents particular concerns for transportation infrastructure as surface temperatures are forecast to fall below freezing.

    Authorities have warned that road icing conditions will likely develop from Friday midday through Saturday, significantly impacting traffic mobility and road safety. In response to the impending weather event, government agencies and relevant departments have been urged to implement comprehensive preparedness measures for both snowstorm management and frost damage mitigation.

    Critical infrastructure sectors including transportation networks, power grid operations, and communication systems have been advised to conduct thorough inspections and preventive maintenance on roads, railways, and electrical lines. The Beijing Emergency Management Bureau has simultaneously issued public safety recommendations, advising residents to exercise extreme caution while walking outdoors and to prioritize public transportation whenever possible.

    Motorists have been specifically cautioned to navigate roadways with increased vigilance and to equip their vehicles with appropriate anti-skid devices to enhance traction on potentially icy surfaces. The coordinated response effort reflects the city’s comprehensive approach to managing severe winter weather events while minimizing disruption to daily life and economic activities.

  • Beijing district recovers nearly 100 million yuan in scam losses

    Beijing district recovers nearly 100 million yuan in scam losses

    In a significant crackdown on telecommunications fraud, Beijing’s Tongzhou district has demonstrated remarkable success in financial recovery and crime prevention throughout 2025. Official data reveals that authorities have successfully intercepted approximately 100 million yuan ($14.2 million) in illicit funds, marking a substantial 21% year-on-year increase in recovered losses for victims.

    Deputy Director Tan Long of the district’s public security department announced these achievements during a Thursday press conference, highlighting a consistent ‘double decline’ in both fraud cases and associated financial damages. Despite these gains, law enforcement faces evolving challenges as criminals develop increasingly sophisticated methods targeting vulnerable demographics.

    Demographic analysis indicates that young and middle-aged residents constitute the primary targets, with individuals aged 18-40 representing over 50% of victims and those between 40-60 accounting for approximately 30%. Fraudsters have adapted their strategies by leveraging mainstream social media platforms, online gaming websites, and trending topics including heatwave subsidies and digital investment opportunities to lure victims toward niche fraudulent platforms.

    Offline tactics have similarly evolved, with perpetrators distributing explicit cards in areas including Majuqiao and Zhangjiawan to entice victims through QR code scanning operations. The methods for transferring illicit funds have become notably more concealed, requiring enhanced investigative techniques.

    To combat these sophisticated operations, Tongzhou police have established specialized investigation teams and strengthened collaborative mechanisms with financial institutions and telecommunications providers. This multi-agency approach has yielded impressive results, with fraud-related fund returns increasing by 54% compared to 2024 figures.

    China Unicom’s Tongzhou branch manager Zhang Cheng reported extensive public awareness campaigns, with employees conducting outreach visits to residential communities, educational institutions, and suburban areas. The company has distributed over 40,000 informational brochures to enhance public vigilance against fraudulent activities.

    The Bank of Tianjin’s Tongzhou branch head Li Yi confirmed successful resolution of 16 telecom fraud cases through police-bank collaboration, preventing potential losses exceeding 2.6 million yuan. Financial institutions have incorporated advanced technological solutions and conducted security lectures alongside law enforcement to strengthen the anti-fraud infrastructure.

    While these measures demonstrate substantial progress, officials acknowledge the continuous need for adaptive strategies against evolving fraudulent schemes that threaten public financial security.