US supreme court lifts restrictions on controversial voter database 25. September 2026 (17:52) Trump and officials claimed it combats voting by noncitizens but critics said it could disenfranchise eligible votersThe US supreme court has lifted restrictions on a controversial federal database of voters as Donald Trump seeks to impose tougher restrictions on voting ahead of November’s midterm elections.While the president and his officials have claimed the expanded database aims to combat voting by noncitizens, critics contend it could disenfranchise eligible voters. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Thousands turn out to greet Pope in France 25. September 2026 (17:44) The BBC's Hugh Schofield looks at why the visit is met with enthusiasm the Church attributes to growing spirituality among the French.
(BBC News)
Trump faces tough choices as Iran dangles deal to reopen Hormuz before US midterms 25. September 2026 (17:43) Iran’s seven-day timetable would restart nuclear talks, but will the US be willing to deliver on terms that include reining in Israel in Lebanon?Iran’s seven-day timetable to reopen the strait of Hormuz and start talks on its nuclear programme has been pitched as a deal that could rapidly extricate Donald Trump from a political crisis but requires the US president to make difficult concessions.In the five days left before the proposed reopening of the strait, which is expected to relieve pressure on global energy markets, Trump would need to lift Iranian asset freezes, permit Iran to export its oil and, probably most difficult of all, order Benjamin Netanyahu to end Israel’s attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon, thus achieving the “ceasefire on all fronts”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Republican Florida congressman introduces bill requiring warrants for Flock Safety cameras 25. September 2026 (17:39) Greg Steube’s Flafo Act would require federal agencies to obtain warrants before accessing or sharing data from networked license plate readersA Florida Republican has introduced a bill that would bar US federal agencies from using Flock Safety’s licence plate cameras and similar systems without a warrant, amid a nationwide backlash against the surveillance company.Greg Steube’s Facilitating Liberty and Accountability for Flock Observations (Flafo) Act, introduced on Friday, would require a judicial warrant before federal agencies could buy, operate, access or share data with networked licence plate readers. It would also make US Department of Justice grants to local police conditional on their adopting similar rules. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Couple jailed for at least 21 years for murder of vulnerable man in their care 25. September 2026 (17:15) Kenneth Newton and Melanie James filmed themselves mocking and abusing Rubin Blount, 28, who weighed 40kg when he diedA couple convicted of murder after inflicting “deliberate cruelty” on a vulnerable 28-year-old man in their care, who at the time of his death weighed just 40kg (6st 4lb), have been jailed for life.Rubin Blount was made to stand for long periods of time, left to lie in his own urine and forced to eat out of bins by his stepbrother Kenneth Newton and Newton’s partner, Melanie James, at a property in Tamworth, Staffordshire, Stafford crown court heard. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
