Jonathan Powell had no role in dropping of China spy case, senior minister says

Jonathan Powell had no role in dropping of China spy case, senior minister says

Bridget Phillipson says national security adviser was not involved in discussions before CPS abandoned its prosecution The government’s national security adviser had no involvement in the prosecution being dropped against two British men accused of spying for China, a senior cabinet minister has said. Jonathan Powell had no connection to discussions about the “substance or the evidence” of the case, Bridget Phillipson said on Sunday, adding that Keir Starmer had full confidence in him. Continue reading...

The Guardian view on gen Z protests: these movements share more than an interest in anime | Editorial

The Guardian view on gen Z protests: these movements share more than an interest in anime | Editorial

A new global wave of unrest is unfolding, driven by generational discontents and taking cues from each other After a quarter-century of existence, the global triumph of Monkey D Luffy – a fresh-faced and rubber-bodied pirate captain – had seemed almost complete. The One Piece manga series, of which he is the freedom-fighting hero, had become the bestselling of all time , with more than 500m copies bought. The anime was a similar hit, with viewers immersing themselves in over a thousand episodes following his struggle against the World Government, a corrupt and tyrannical oligarchy. Yet Luffy has now found a new lease of life as inspiration to protesters in a wave of youthful unrest across continents. His crew’s flag – a skull and crossbones crowned with his jaunty straw hat – has appeared from Morocco to Madagascar in recent days. Indonesians enthusiastically adopted it this summer, in a riposte to the president’s urging to fly the national standard. Officials were so alarmed that they threatened to jail those using it. It was perhaps the first time that Amnesty International has had to defend using an anime motif. Continue reading...

Food and fuel flow into Gaza as Rafah crossing facilitates surge of aid trucks amid ceasefire

Food and fuel flow into Gaza as Rafah crossing facilitates surge of aid trucks amid ceasefire

"A surge of humanitarian aid convoys began entering Gaza via the Rafah border on Sunday, bringing urgently needed food and fuel to the enclave amid the Israel-Hamas ceasefire. Footage shows fuel tankers and aid trucks crossing into the Strip under the supervision and coordination of Egyptian Red Crescent personnel. The Egyptian Red Crescent announced that over 9,000 tons of humanitarian aid had been delivered to Gaza, including more than 6,000 tons of food baskets and flour, approximately 1,000 tons of essential medical and relief supplies, and over 2,000 tons of fuel. The deliveries also included mobile toilets, tents, blankets and sleeping mats. The first phase of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas came into force on Friday, covering a ceasefire, the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, as well as an Israeli withdrawal to the 'yellow line', a boundary limit within Gaza. The truce forms part of US President Donald Trump's 20-point Gaza peace proposal, unveiled on September 29 alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The plan also permits the delivery of 'full humanitarian aid' to Gaza, offers amnesty to Hamas members who commit to peace, and allows safe passage for others. Additionally, it affirms that 'no one will be forced to leave' the Strip."