Russian misinformation about ‘imminent’ White Helmets chemical attack could spell start of Idlib seige

On the morning of Saturday August 25, the Russian ministry of defence put out a press release. It made explosive claims that they had intelligence Syrian rebel forces were about to gas their own people in Idlib province – their last stronghold – as part of a “false flag” operation to frame the Syrian government. By…

British-born boy left stateless and stranded after Home Office revoked passport to be reunited with mother

The six-year-old British-born boy who was left stranded and stateless in Belgium after the Home Office revoked his passport will be reunited with his mother in Britain today. Mohamed Bangoura, whose mother is Guinean but whose father is British, was on a three week summer holiday with family friends in Brussels before being turned away…

Catholic church was ‘too dominant’ in society, says Irish Prime Minister

The Prime Minister of Ireland has said he is glad that Catholic church is less dominant in public life ahead of a Papal visit this weekend.  Taoiseach Leo Varadkar also said he hoped Pope Francis would address the victims of abuse suffered in church institutions.  "I think in the past the Catholic Church had too…

Duke of Cambridge recruits ‘financial taskforce’ to tackle international wildlife crime

The Duke of Cambridge will today launch a financial task force to disrupt international money flows linked to the illegal wildlife trade as part of a British-led diplomatic effort to end the global poaching crisis.  More than 30 international banks and financial institutions will pledge to train staff to identify and share intelligence on suspicious…

Darkest Dungeon and the Lovecrafting of crunch

Heroes aren’t born, forged, plucked from obscure, charming villages or raised from centuries of slumber in Darkest Dungeon – they are broken in. Or at least, broken. Out on Switch today, Red Hook’s festering roguelike sees you battling to reclaim a cliffside manor from the cosmic terrors unleashed by your dead, yet mysteriously talkative Ancestor,…

Indonesia volcano erupts on same island hit by earthquake and tsunami

A volcano has erupted on the same central Indonesian island hit by a devastating earthquake and tsunami five days ago. Mount Soputan, in North Sulawesi province, began spewing ash 6,000 metres (19,600 feet) into the sky on Wednesday morning. Authorities warned about the risk to planes from volcanic ash in the air. A huge aid operation is…

Revolutionary Guard vows ‘unforgettable’ vengeance as Iranian president prepares to confront Trump

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards yesterday vowed “deadly and unforgettable” vengeance for the mass shooting at a military parade as Iran’s president blamed US-backed insurgents for killing 25 people in a hail of bullets. President Hassan Rouhani accused the US of inciting an unnamed ally in the Persian Gulf to carry out the attack, which saw four…

Mystery of Gustave Courbet’s scandalous nude painting laid bare as identity of model revealed

One of the most enigmatic mysteries in art history appears to have finally been laid bare. The identity of the model who posed for the most scandalous painting of the 19th century, Gustave Courbet’s L’Origine du monde (The Origin of the world), has been revealed 152 years after it was painted. Experts insist they are…

A vision for the developing world: free eye tests for all workers

Some of the world’s biggest employers are being urged to provide free eye tests to their staff to boost productivity and save lives.  To mark World Sight Day, the Clearly campaign is calling on over 100 of the world’s largest private sector employers, including McDonald’s, Unilever and Coca Cola, which employ millions of people globally, to help…

US arrests Chinese ‘spy recruit’ as ties deteriorate further between Beijing and Washington

A Chinese citizen was arrested in Chicago for allegedly acting as an “illegal agent” on behalf of Beijing, adding further strain between the US and China. Ji Chaoqun, 27, has been charged by the US Department of Justice for violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) after allegedly providing information about American defence contractor employees…