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Starmer Denies Claims of Appeasing China After UK Drops Spy Case

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Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Wednesday dismissed accusations that Britain sought to appease China by halting the prosecution of two men accused of spying for Beijing, asserting that the decision stemmed from legal limitations rather than political motives. British prosecutors had unexpectedly dropped charges last month against Christopher Cash, 30, and Christopher Berry, 33, just weeks before trial. Both men had denied accusations of passing sensitive information to a Chinese intelligence agent.

The move sparked criticism from opposition lawmakers who alleged that the government wanted to avoid straining relations with Beijing amid efforts to boost economic ties. Britain’s Director of Public Prosecutions, Stephen Parkinson, revealed prosecutors had been unable to secure essential evidence from the government to establish China as a “threat” under the 1911 Official Secrets Act — a key legal requirement for proceeding with the case.

Speaking during a visit to India, Starmer said the failure of the prosecution stemmed from the previous Conservative government’s position on China, which had not classified Beijing as an enemy at the time. “Whatever their position was, was the only position that could be presented at trial,” he said. Despite ongoing security concerns, Starmer’s government has continued to pursue Chinese investment, maintaining a delicate balance between national security and economic cooperation.

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Germany to Ban Online Cannabis Sales Amid Surge in Imports

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Germany’s federal cabinet has approved new measures to curb the online sale of cannabis, following a sharp rise in imports since the country legalised recreational use of the drug in April 2024. The amendment will mandate in-person consultations with doctors for cannabis prescriptions and prohibit mail-order deliveries, limiting distribution to physical pharmacies to ensure proper patient counselling.

Health Minister Nina Warken said the move was prompted by a “massive increase in cannabis imports” and the growing trend of online prescriptions issued without direct medical contact. Government data showed that cannabis imports in the first half of 2025 surged by more than 400% compared to the same period last year, though prescriptions through the social health insurance system only rose slightly.

While Warken assured that patients with genuine medical needs would still have access to the drug, concerns have been raised about rural patients. A spokesperson for Jiroo, a Berlin pharmacy specialising in cannabis, told Reuters the restrictions could make access difficult for people living in remote areas with limited healthcare services.

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FTSE 100 Pauses After Last Week’s Rally as Energy Stocks Boost Index

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London’s FTSE 100 remained largely unchanged on Tuesday, as investors paused following last week’s record highs. The blue-chip index stood at 9,480.84 at 1050 GMT, while the mid-cap FTSE 250 slipped 0.2%. Gains in major energy stocks helped offset broader market declines, keeping the overall market relatively steady.

Retailers led the losses, with the FTSE 250’s B&M plunging 5.5% to its lowest level in over five years after forecasting a drop in annual profit amid weak sales. Homebuilders also declined after Halifax reported that the rise in British housing prices slowed to 1.3% over the past year, the weakest growth since April 2024, weighing on the household goods and construction sector.

On the upside, energy shares rose 1.3%, with Shell climbing 1.6% following a higher third-quarter LNG production forecast. Other notable performers included Imperial Brands, up 2.1% on a new share buyback announcement, and Rentokil, which surged 2.4% after receiving a double-upgrade from Bernstein. Analysts expect markets to remain in a wait-and-watch mode amid ongoing U.S. government shutdown concerns and European political uncertainties.

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Rising Security Concerns as British Jews Face Surge in Antisemitic Attacks

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British Jewish communities are increasing security measures ahead of the Sukkot holiday following last week’s deadly attack outside a synagogue in Manchester, where a man drove into pedestrians and stabbed worshippers on Yom Kippur. Two victims were killed, one reportedly by police error, prompting fears that Jews in the UK are being unfairly targeted amid tensions over Israel’s actions in Gaza. Rabbis, including Ben Kurzer in London, say enhanced security is necessary but lament that their community must live under such precautions.

The Community Security Trust (CST) recorded 1,521 antisemitic incidents across the UK in the first half of 2025, the second-highest ever reported for that period. Jewish institutions, including synagogues and schools, have installed barbed wire, spikes, CCTV, and rely on private security to protect congregants. Many children are now prevented from playing outside during services, highlighting the daily impact of fear and intimidation on Britain’s Jewish population, which numbers around 300,000.

Community leaders have called for comprehensive government-backed educational programs to address antisemitism and violence. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and London Police Commissioner Mark Rowley have promised increased security, but many remain wary. “Our synagogues, our schools and our nurseries are already like fortresses … and I do not trust them to keep us safe,” said journalist Nicole Lampert, reflecting widespread concern over the persistent threats facing British Jews.

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Known Stalker Approaches Prince Harry Twice During Recent UK Visit, Raising Security Concerns

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Prince Harry narrowly avoided potential danger during his recent visit to Britain after a known stalker came close to him on two separate occasions, according to a security source. The incidents reportedly took place last month — once at a charity awards event and again at the Centre for Injury Studies (CIS) at Imperial College London. The woman, familiar to Harry’s security team, was previously identified by a private intelligence company as a “fixated individual” and had even followed him to Nigeria in the past.

According to the Telegraph, the situation became concerning due to the lack of police presence or official protection during these encounters. Instead, two staff members from Harry’s private office intervened after recognizing the woman. “These incidents are not uncommon for members of the royal family,” said a security source. “But relying on luck is not a long-term fix.” The Duke’s spokesperson declined to comment, while police authorities stated they do not discuss individual security arrangements.

The episode has reignited debate over Harry’s security provisions in the UK. In May, he lost a high-profile legal battle challenging the British government’s decision to revoke his automatic police protection. Despite assurances of a “bespoke arrangement,” security experts argue that gaps remain in safeguarding the son of King Charles — the fifth in line to the throne and one of the world’s most recognizable figures.

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France Plunges into Political Turmoil as PM Sebastien Lecornu Resigns Hours After Forming Cabinet

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France was thrown into fresh political chaos on Monday after Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu and his government resigned just hours after announcing a new cabinet line-up, deepening the country’s crisis and sending French stocks and the euro sharply lower. Lecornu, President Emmanuel Macron’s fifth prime minister in two years, stepped down saying he could not perform his duties amid threats from both allies and opposition parties to topple his newly formed government. His administration lasted barely 14 hours — the shortest in modern French history — as divisions within parliament widened.

Opposition leaders swiftly demanded that Macron either resign or call fresh parliamentary elections to end the deadlock that has paralyzed governance since his 2022 re-election. Far-right National Rally leader Marine Le Pen declared that “the farce must end,” while hard-left figure Mathilde Panot said Lecornu’s departure marked the countdown to Macron’s fall. The president, whose mandate runs until 2027, has so far ruled out resignation or another snap election, but his silence following Lecornu’s exit has fueled speculation about France’s next political move.

Markets reacted sharply to the turmoil, with Paris’ CAC 40 index falling over 1.5%, led by losses in banking stocks, and the euro slipping 0.7% to $1.1665. Analysts warned that the ongoing instability — three prime ministers defeated in less than a year — is eroding investor confidence and casting doubt on France’s ability to rein in public debt, which now stands at nearly 114% of GDP. The deepening crisis underscores how the Fifth Republic, founded in 1958 to ensure political stability, now faces one of its gravest tests as Macron’s centrist bloc struggles to hold the balance against a resurgent far-right and hard-left.

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Russian Warships Escalate Tensions in Danish Waters, Intelligence Warns

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Denmark’s defence intelligence service has reported a series of aggressive maneuvers by Russian warships in the Danish straits, a critical passage connecting the Baltic Sea to the North Sea. According to Defence Intelligence Director Thomas Ahrenkiel, Russian vessels have sailed on collision courses, aimed weapons at Danish naval ships and helicopters, and used tracking radars in ways that risk unintended escalation. He also noted that Russian warships have been observed carrying sonar and jamming equipment, with at least one incident causing significant GPS interference in Denmark.

The activity, which Denmark views as part of Moscow’s broader hybrid warfare strategy, comes amid heightened tensions in the Baltic region following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Denmark, a strong supporter of Kyiv, has expanded its defence budget and committed to acquiring long-range precision weapons capable of reaching targets inside Russia. Ahrenkiel further warned that a Russian warship anchored in Danish waters for over a week could be linked to Moscow’s efforts to protect its so-called “shadow fleet” of oil tankers used to evade Western sanctions.

Despite these provocations, Danish defence intelligence stressed that there is no direct military threat to Denmark. However, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen recently described drone incursions over Danish airports and military sites as a “hybrid attack,” while Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen confirmed ongoing investigations. NATO has since bolstered its operations in the Baltic, and Sweden has moved to tighten maritime surveillance laws. The White House also described Russia’s actions as a serious matter, reaffirming close coordination with NATO allies.

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Starmer Urges Labour Unity in ‘Fight for the Soul of Britain’

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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will call on his Labour Party to unite as he warns of a “fight for the soul of our country” amid growing pressure from Nigel Farage’s Reform UK. Speaking at Labour’s annual conference in Liverpool, his second since last year’s landslide win, Starmer is expected to stress that Britain stands at a crossroads between “decency or division, renewal or decline.”

Starmer faces a restive party, with critics uneasy over his stance on immigration and calls for more spending. Finance Minister Rachel Reeves cautioned against easing fiscal rules, leaving open the prospect of fresh tax rises despite assurances that last year’s record hikes were a one-off. The government is grappling with a forecast shortfall that could require tens of billions in additional revenue.

Acknowledging the challenges ahead, Starmer will insist that raising living standards and putting money in voters’ pockets remain central to Labour’s mission. “Our path of renewal is long, difficult, and not cost-free,” he will say, urging members to accept tough decisions as essential to rebuilding Britain after years of economic strain.

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EU to Set 2035 and 2040 Climate Targets Ahead of COP30 After Missing UN Deadline

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The European Union will announce new emissions-cutting targets for 2035 and 2040 ahead of the COP30 climate summit in November, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen confirmed on Tuesday. The bloc had missed the recent U.N. deadline to submit updated climate goals, known as nationally determined contributions (NDCs), while other major economies including China met the requirement.

Speaking via video at an EU event in Brussels, von der Leyen urged member states to balance ambition with pragmatism amid divisions over the goals. “The world has changed. Global competition is fierce and not always fair. We need more flexibility, more pragmatism, but by staying the course, we provide stability for workers, clarity for businesses, and certainty for investors,” she said, noting that Brussels was cutting red tape, investing in power grids, and working to ensure cheaper renewable energy for consumers.

However, internal disagreements and shifting priorities could delay agreement. Some EU countries, including France, Germany, and Poland, want leaders to debate the climate goals at a summit in late October, leaving only weeks to finalize targets before COP30 in Belem, Brazil. A senior Polish official admitted uncertainty, saying, “I don’t know whether we will be in time for Belem… it depends on many, many elements right now.”

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Sweden Deploys Radars and Anti-Drone Systems to Denmark Ahead of Key European Summits

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Sweden is sending radar equipment and military anti-drone systems to Denmark following a series of drone incursions that forced the closure of several Danish airports last week. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson confirmed that “Counter-UAS” systems and radar units were being dispatched to bolster Denmark’s security ahead of the EU leaders’ summit on Wednesday and the European Political Community meeting on Thursday in Copenhagen.

The drone incidents disrupted operations at six airports, including Copenhagen Airport, the busiest in the Nordic region. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen described the attacks as a potential hybrid assault on the nation. In response, Denmark imposed a temporary ban on civilian drone flights and increased security around sensitive locations, including military facilities. NATO has also stepped up its Baltic Sea mission, and a German air defence frigate has been deployed to assist with airspace surveillance.

While Denmark has not publicly named a perpetrator, Frederiksen has indicated Russia as the primary threat to European security. The Kremlin has denied any involvement in the drone activities. Swedish support and international cooperation aim to ensure safe and secure proceedings for the upcoming high-profile European summits.

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