Circumcision kits found on sale on Amazon UK

Circumcision kits found on sale on Amazon UK

Exclusive: Discovery comes amid growing concern over lax regulation and children being put at risk by rogue operators Circumcision kits have been found on sale on Amazon UK, highlighting lax regulation as concerns grow about deaths and serious harms to baby boys. In December, a UK coroner issued warnings about insufficient circumcision regulation after the death in 2023 of a six-month-old boy, Mohamed Abdisamad, from a streptococcus infection. Continue reading...

A nation divided - Death penalty request for disgraced ex-president Yoon sparks heated debate across South Korea

A nation divided - Death penalty request for disgraced ex-president Yoon sparks heated debate across South Korea

"Public reaction in South Korea has been mixed after prosecutors’ unprecedented call for the death penalty for former president Yoon Suk-yeol on Tuesday evening. Yoon faces charges stemming from his failed 2024 insurrection. The controversy centres around his declaration of martial law in December 2024, which prosecutors have labelled a ‘self-coup’ fuelled by a lust for power. In front of the Seoul Central District Court, members of the public revealed a divided sentiment on the harshest punishment for the disgraced leader. Kim Sung-hoon supported the death penalty, stating, "This isn’t the 1980s anymore. Pointing guns at the public and arguing that it doesn’t qualify for the harshest punishment just because martial law lasted only a few hours - or because no one was harmed - is completely absurd.” He continued, “The intent was clearly insurrection, aimed at holding on to power or pursuing other improper goals. Given that the only possible sentences for insurrection are life imprisonment or the death penalty, I believe it was right to seek the death penalty." Conversely, Park Jong-ho expressed scepticism, noting, "There is merit in considering that the prevailing view regarding ex-President Yoon as a defendant does not necessarily equate to justice. While I'm unsure if this perspective reflects the majority in our country, it seems mistaken and illogical to unilaterally label Yoon’s actions as ‘insurrection’ and push that narrative." Lee Ji-hoon argued that Yoon's accomplishments should not be overlooked, arguing, "The notion of the death penalty is absurd. I don’t support ex-President Yoon 100 percent - he wasn’t perfect - but he achieved more than people realise; this hasn’t been adequately covered by the media.” Lee criticised the current administration, stating, “The present government, which is struggling to function, has degraded the value of our currency to nearly the bottom, making our country appear worse than Venezuela. Instead of acknowledging their own failures, they blame the previous administration to cover up their mistakes. I find this completely unreasonable." Kwak Lee-lim expressed a broader concern for the nation’s state, stating, “At this point, the country feels so broken that none of this even seems to matter anymore. I honestly don’t know.” Yoon was impeached and removed from office in April last year. While the charge carries a potential death sentence, South Korea has not executed anyone since 1997 and is predominantly considered abolitionist in practice. The last former leader to receive a death sentence was Chun Doo-hwan in 1996; that sentence was later commuted. A verdict from the court is expected on February 19."

Defiant chef behind two Michelin-starred restaurant slapped with one-star hygiene rating hits out at critics

Defiant chef behind two Michelin-starred restaurant slapped with one-star hygiene rating hits out at critics

THE head chef of a two-Michelin-star restaurant has spoken out after his establishment was awarded a one-star hygiene rating. The Ynyshir Restaurant and Rooms has been slammed by inspectors following a visit to the site in November. The restaurant has previously been hailed Saturday Morning's James Martin, who described it as "the best restaurant you'll...

'Intensive contacts are ongoing' - Doha confirms mediation role amid escalating US-Iran tensions

'Intensive contacts are ongoing' - Doha confirms mediation role amid escalating US-Iran tensions

"Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Majid Al-Ansari said Doha is engaged in negotiations aimed at easing tensions between the US and Iran on Tuesday. “There are intensive contacts ongoing in the region. We are undoubtedly a party to these contacts, as I mentioned earlier, and we fully support, by all means, the peaceful resolution of disputes between the two sides," he said. Al-Ansari said communication had taken place between Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister and his Iranian counterpart, as well as “the call reported by the media between the US envoy and the Iranian Foreign Minister.” US media reports said Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi held a phone call with US President’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, during which the situation surrounding protests in Iran was discussed. Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baqaei confirmed on Monday that communication channels between Araqchi and Witkoff “remain open, and messages are exchanged through them whenever necessary.” Tensions between Washington and Tehran have risen in recent days. On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump addressed Iranian protesters, saying that 'help is on its way', urging them to “keep protesting and take over the institutions.” In response, Iran sent a letter to the United Nations Security Council accusing the United States and Israel of “encouraging political destabilisation, inciting violence, and threatening the country’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national security.” Iran has seen widespread protests since late December, beginning in Tehran and later spreading to other cities, fuelled by worsening economic conditions and the sharp decline of the Iranian rial against the US dollar. In several locations, protests escalated into rioting and vandalism targeting public property. Iran’s president accused 'the enemy' of training “a group from inside and outside the country, and bringing terrorists from abroad into the country.” Iranian authorities say they are working to address the protesters' 'legitimate' demands within available means, while warning that external actors are attempting to exploit economic grievances 'to stir unrest'."