Thai production set to be first in race to make cave rescue film

A Thai production by director Tom Waller looks set to win the race to be the first film about the daring rescue of 12 young boys and their football coach from the flooded Tham Luang cave in July.  The nerve-wracking extraction of the football team through a submerged treacherous labyrinth gripped the world for 18 days,…

French environment minister quits live on radio, saying he was ‘alone’ on green issues in Macron’s government

President Emmanuel Macron suffered a major political blow Tuesday as his popular environment minister resigned live on radio – without informing the French leader beforehand. Nicolas Hulot, one of the most respected members of the cabinet among the French public, took even his interviewers by surprise on the France Inter radio station when announcing his…

British tourists flying to Dubai warned about drinking alcohol on flights

Travellers heading to Dubai or Abu Dhabi have been warned they could face arrest if they consume alcoholic drinks on the flight to the Middle East. The British Embassy in the United Arab Emirates posted the message about drinking in the federation on its Facebook page, weeks after a mother was detained in Dubai after…

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…