Keir Starmer Confirms Review of Online Safety Act After Far-Right Riots and Social Media Incitement

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 05:36pm on 09 Aug 2024,Friday International

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has confirmed a review of the Online Safety Act following recent far-right riots fueled by misinformation. Starmer stated that social media must be regulated more effectively, highlighting recent cases where individuals were jailed for inciting violence online. He emphasized that "this is not a law-free zone" and that social media companies must ensure community safety. The review comes after criticism from London Mayor Sadiq Khan and polling showing strong public support for tougher regulation of online content. The Act, which allows fines for failing to tackle disinformation, will be reassessed.

Read More at The Guardian

UK On High Alert: Starmer Warns of Potential Weekend Protests After Week of Unrest

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 04:51pm on 09 Aug 2024,Friday International

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has urged police to remain on high alert this weekend, following intelligence of potential protests. This comes after a week of unrest sparked by false rumors related to the Southport stabbings. Over 6,000 officers were deployed on Wednesday, preventing anticipated far-right marches. Starmer praised swift justice, with rioters receiving up to three-year sentences, but emphasized the need for continued vigilance. With 483 arrests and 151 charges so far, the government remains focused on maintaining order and ensuring community safety amid ongoing tensions.

Read More at Sky News

1,000 Ukrainian Troops Enter 30 KM Into Russia, Russia Scrambles Forces

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 04:20pm on 09 Aug 2024,Friday International

Over 1,000 Ukrainian troops crossed into Russia, advancing 30 km into the Kursk Oblast from Sumy, Ukraine. The incursion, one of the most significant since the war began, caught Russia off-guard. Kyiv's forces used artillery and drones to breach Russian defenses. Russia scrambled troops, including Chechen units, to halt the advance. Ukrainian forces have been spotted in several Russian towns, but their objectives remain unclear. Russia declared a "federal emergency" and launched retaliatory strikes in eastern Ukraine, causing multiple casualties. The U.S. is closely monitoring the situation but maintains its policy on weapon use.

Read More at NDTV

Banksy Howling Wolf Artwork Stolen from South London, UK

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 02:05pm on 09 Aug 2024,Friday International

A Banksy artwork, featuring a howling wolf on a satellite dish, was stolen just hours after its reveal in Peckham, south London, UK. The piece was the fourth in a series of animal-themed works by the famous street artist. Witnesses reported seeing men dismantling the dish and taking it away, with one bystander being assaulted when he filmed the theft. The Metropolitan Police confirmed they are investigating the incident but have made no arrests. Banksy’s press team said they believe the artwork has been stolen. The series is expected to conclude this week.

Read More at BBC

Muhammad Yunus Begins Role as Bangladesh’s Interim Leader, Honors National Heroes

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 01:21pm on 09 Aug 2024,Friday International

Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, the newly appointed interim leader of Bangladesh, paid tribute to the country’s fallen independence heroes on Friday. Yunus, who returned to Bangladesh after violent protests ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, is tasked with restoring order and guiding the nation back to democracy. In a ceremony with student and civil society leaders, Yunus laid a wreath at a memorial for those who died in the 1971 liberation war. He emphasized the need for unity and peace after weeks of unrest that claimed 455 lives. Elections are expected in the coming months.

Read More at NDTV

Sheikh Hasina May Stay in India Longer Due to Failed Asylum Plans in UK

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 01:14pm on 09 Aug 2024,Friday International

Former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to remain in India longer than planned, according to government sources. Hasina fled Bangladesh following violent protests and sought asylum in the UK, but her plans did not work out. The United States also reportedly revoked her visa. Without asylum or refugee status, her stay in India will be on a visa. Hasina is exploring other options, including the UAE and European countries. Her son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, expressed hope for her return to Bangladesh once democracy is restored.

Read More at News18

10 Dead, 35 Hurt in Russian Strike on Ukrainian Town

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 01:09pm on 09 Aug 2024,Friday International

A Russian attack on a supermarket in Kostyantynivka, a town in eastern Ukraine, killed 10 people and injured 35 others on Friday. The town, located just 13 kilometers from Russian positions, faces frequent strikes. Ukraine's Interior Minister, Igor Klymenko, confirmed the casualties and shared images of firefighters working through the wreckage. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky vowed that Russia would be held accountable. The attack follows a Ukrainian incursion into Russia's western Kursk region. Rescue efforts are ongoing, with fears of more people trapped under the rubble.

Read More at NDTV

Huw Edwards Ordered to Return £200,000 of BBC Salary After Guilty Plea for Child Sex Abuse Images

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 12:36pm on 09 Aug 2024,Friday International

Huw Edwards, a former BBC newsreader, has been asked to return approximately £200,000 of his salary after pleading guilty to possessing child sex abuse images. The BBC board stated that Edwards undermined public trust by not disclosing his arrest, which occurred in November 2023. The salary in question covers the five months Edwards was paid after his arrest. The board also announced an independent review to examine workplace culture and payment rules during suspensions. Edwards, who was among the BBC's highest-paid stars, will appear in court again on 16 September.

Read More at Sky News

Rioters Set Liverpool Library Hub Ablaze, Causing £216,000 in Damages

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 10:52am on 09 Aug 2024,Friday International

CCTV footage captured rioters setting the Spellow Lane Library Hub in Liverpool on fire on August 3. The library, opened in 2023 to support a deprived community, suffered severe damage to its ground floor. Two brothers, Adam and Ellis Wharton, have been jailed for looting the burnt-out site while police officers were attacked. Rioters also obstructed firefighters by throwing a missile at the fire engine. A GoFundMe page has since raised over £216,000 to repair the library, surpassing its original £500 target, with support from figures like Nigella Lawson and Frank Cottrell-Boyce.

Read More at itv news

Russian Strike on Supermarket in Ukraine's Donetsk Region Kills 2, Injures 17

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 10:39am on 09 Aug 2024,Friday International

On Friday, a Russian artillery strike hit a supermarket in Kostiantynivka, a front-line town in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region, killing at least two people and injuring 17 others, according to regional governor Vadym Filashkin. Images from the scene showed heavy black smoke billowing from the destroyed building. Ukrainian presidential chief of staff Andriy Yermak condemned the attack as "another act of Russian terror." The Donetsk region remains one of the most contested areas, with Russian forces frequently targeting Ukrainian-held territories, especially near the strategic eastern logistics hub of Pokrovsk.

Read More at Reuters

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