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UK bans puberty blockers for children under 18, citing ‘unacceptable risks’

December 11, 2024
The U.K. government has banned the use of puberty blockers for anyone under the age of 18. The ban follows a report from a government-ordered commission that flagged what it called “unacceptable safety risks” in continuing the treatment for children diagnosed with gender dysphoria.

Following months of restrictions that began in March, puberty blockers will now be prescribed only to children participating in clinical trials. The U.K.’s health secretary announced the “emergency measures” that ban the sale and supply of puberty blockers to adolescents.

The drugs will not be used on children for at least the next three years, with government officials stating the issue will be revisited in 2027.

The commission, which the government relied on in making its decision, found that existing studies on gender dysphoria treatments were “unreliable.” The expert panel also raised concerns about the lack of attention to the risks associated with halting or reversing gender transitions.

The U.K. government will set up a trial into the clinical use of puberty blockers next year.

Meanwhile, in the U.S., the same contentious issue is playing out at the state level. The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments this month over whether states can ban puberty blockers and gender transition surgeries for children. Court watchers suggest that the conservative-majority high court may side with the states.

In California, a high-profile lawsuit has been filed over the issue. A UCLA student is suing two California doctors, claiming they rushed her into a gender transition at age 12 after diagnosing her with gender dysphoria. After receiving treatment at 12 and undergoing a double mastectomy at 14, the student, now 20, is de-transitioning and suing the doctors for not disclosing the risks of the treatment.
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Tesla wants higher taxes and stricter emissions rules for gas cars in the UK

December 11, 2024
Tesla is lobbying the British government to adopt regulations that would have negative consequences for its fossil fuel reliant automotive competitors. Elon Musk’s electric vehicle (EV) brand wants the U.K. to tighten carbon emissions rules and increase taxes on gas-powered vehicles, according to recently reported documents.

The U.K. already has a mandate in place compelling car manufacturers to sell more electric vehicles every year. However, following complaints from automakers like Ford, Land Rover and Stellantis, the government indicated plans to loosen these regulations.

Now, Tesla is advocating for more stringent rules to be enforced, including higher taxes on gas-powered cars, the revenue from which the EV maker has suggested should be used to subsidize EV sales. The company told British lawmakers that “the U.K. is now falling behind” other European nations in terms of transportation emissions legislation, and that “urgently action is needed” to reduce air pollution from this sector.

Aside from the money it would receive from any potential EV subsidies, Tesla could stand to benefit even more from stricter emissions standards. The company generates significant revenue from selling carbon credits to automakers that fail to meet greenhouse gas reduction requirements, and a tougher mandate on vehicle emissions in the U.K. could create a lucrative market for these types of transactions.

During the first nine months of 2024, Tesla earned over $2 billion from selling these credits, adding to the more than $9 billion it has made from the practice since 2009.
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BP cuts offshore wind spending as the company turns focus to fossil fuels

December 10, 2024
BP is transitioning away from offshore wind energy as the company redirects its focus toward oil and gas ventures. This development comes as the British energy giant announced an agreement to transfer all of its offshore wind projects into a joint venture with Japan’s largest power producer.

The partnership will allow BP to share costs, significantly reducing its financial commitments to these renewable energy developments. The company now plans to spend about $4.2 billion less on offshore wind projects through 2030 than initially anticipated.

BP says the joint venture, expected to be finalized by the end of the third quarter in 2025, will create one of the world’s largest global offshore wind businesses. The move follows earlier measures by the company to reduce expenses tied to its offshore wind efforts after investor dissatisfaction with returns from its renewable energy initiatives.

Earlier this year, BP put a pause on all new offshore wind developments and implemented a hiring freeze within its offshore wind division. The company has also announced plans to sell its U.S. onshore wind business, stating that these assets no longer align with its growth strategy.

As BP pulls out from renewables, the company is simultaneously increasing investments in its more profitable oil and gas operations. After previously unveiling the sector’s most ambitious pledge to cut oil output back in 2020, BP recently decided to abandon that goal altogether in favor of continued fossil fuel production.
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Russians accused of operating spy ring targeting Ukrainian soldiers at US base

December 5, 2024
A trial is underway in Britain, where prosecutors accuse three Bulgarians of being part of a Russian spy ring that targeted Ukrainian soldiers. The soldiers were training to use the Patriot air defense system at the U.S. military base in Stuttgart, Germany.

Bulgarian nationals Katrin Ivanova, Vanya Gaberova and Tihomir Ivanchev are on trial. They allegedly participated in a spy network operated by a Russian agent named Jan Marsalak.

British prosecutor Alison Morgan told the jury in London they planned a half dozen operations from Britain. She says the men and two others were to stage a fake protest outside the Kazakh embassy in London. Authorities accused Marsalek of giving the instructions.

The prosecutor said Marsalek gave orders to surveil the American base in Stuttgart. The surveillance happened between October and November 2022 as the Russian invasion of Ukraine was ongoing. However, police arrested the suspects, cutting the operation short.

Morgan believes the information used in the surveillance would’ve been used to track soldiers who were deployed to use surface-to-air missiles in Ukraine.

She called it a serious crime to try to gather information to know precisely where Ukrainian soldiers, with this type of specific deployment, might be in the future.

Ivanova, Gaberova and Ivanchev have all pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to gather information useful to an enemy. Their trial is on track to last into February.

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France, UK weigh military support for Ukraine as US commitment wavers

November 25, 2024

France and the United Kingdom are discussing the potential deployment of troops to Ukraine as part of a European coalition. French officials say all options remain under consideration, particularly as U.S. aid to Kyiv faces uncertainty with President-elect Donald Trump set to take office in January 2025. Talks between London and Paris have intensified, focusing on forming a European defense coalition to bolster Ukraine’s position and counter the risk of further Russian advances.

NATO reported that Russia’s ground forces have grown since the war began, even as the quality of equipment and training has declined. Moscow ramped up aerial attacks and missile launches, underscoring escalating tensions.

In response, the U.K. announced its largest sanctions package yet, targeting Russia’s “shadow fleet” of oil tankers allegedly used to evade Western restrictions. British leaders are calling on allies to ensure Ukraine receives sufficient resources to maintain its defenses through 2025.

NATO is now preparing for emergency talks as the situation grows more volatile. France has signaled it may send long-range weapons capable of striking targets in Russia.

Meanwhile, France has completed training for a newly formed Ukrainian brigade under its “Champagne” task force. Known as the “Anne of Kyiv” brigade, the unit is named after a Ukrainian princess who became a queen of France.

The brigade, which will eventually comprise 4,500 troops, underwent more than two months of rigorous training in battlefield tactics, coordination and the use of advanced weaponry. Equipped with French-supplied light tanks, artillery and missile systems, the soldiers are now better prepared for the intense combat scenarios they are likely to face.
Authorities drop investigation into Telegraph columnist Allison Pearson

November 22, 2024
Authorities have dropped their investigation into The Telegraph columnist Allison Pearson. This comes after Essex Police visited her home on Nov. 10 to investigate a post she made on social media platform X.

Straight Arrow News reported earlier this week that Pearson said she wasn’t told which specific post prompted the investigation or who made the complaint.

Pearson claimed police told her the incident was being treated as a “non-crime hate incident,” but Essex Police disputed those claims. They clarified the investigation was focused on whether her post had been “inciting racial hatred online.”

The investigation prompted backlash from free speech advocates, including former U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Johnson spoke out against the probe in a post on X, writing: “It’s time for Starmer to tell the cops – police the streets, not the tweets,” accompanied by an op-ed he wrote for The Daily Mail.

In a statement, Essex Police confirmed the investigation was closed. The force also said there would be an independent review of how the department handled the matter.

“Essex Police has reviewed this case, having sought advice from the Crown Prosecution Service. They have advised that no charges should be brought. We have concluded therefore that there will be no further action. Everyone has been updated and the investigation is closed,” the statement read.

Pearson responded to the dropped investigation in a post on X, writing in part: “Still deeply upset that I was treated like a criminal for a year-old tweet by @EssexPoliceUK. I’d like an explanation from the Chief Constable.”
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Sixth tourist dies from suspected methanol poisoning in Laos

November 22, 2024

The death toll from a suspected mass methanol poisoning in Laos has risen to six after a second Australian teenager succumbed to her injuries in a Bangkok hospital Friday, Nov. 22, according to authorities. Holly Bowles, a 19-year-old woman, passed away days after being evacuated from Vang Vieng, Laos, where she and her friend Bianca Jones, also 19, fell critically ill following a night out.

Jones died earlier in the week. Among the other victims were an American tourist, two Danish travelers and British lawyer Simone White. All are suspected to have consumed tainted alcohol laced with methanol.

Methanol, a toxic substance sometimes found in counterfeit or poorly distilled alcohol, can cause severe health complications, including blindness, organ failure and death. Officials in Laos and other countries have issued health warnings, urging travelers to avoid unregulated alcohol and check bottles for signs of tampering.

The U.S. State Department and the governments of Australia, the United Kingdom and Canada have advised travelers to purchase drinks only from reputable sources and remain cautious about homemade or locally produced spirits. Methanol poisoning continues to be a persistent issue in parts of Southeast Asia, where safety regulations on alcohol production and distribution are often poorly enforced.

In Laos, authorities have detained the owner and manager of the hostel where some of the victims were staying, local police said. No charges have been filed, but investigations are ongoing. Families of the victims have called for accountability and answers as the incident draws international scrutiny.

The deaths drew attention to the broader risks associated with unregulated alcohol in tourist destinations. Travelers are being reminded to remain vigilant and prioritize safety while consuming beverages in regions where enforcement of alcohol production standards is lax.

Vang Vieng, a popular backpacking destination in Laos, has long been known for its vibrant nightlife. However, the recent poisonings have cast a shadow over its reputation, sparking concern among local businesses and the tourism industry.
Ford announces thousands of impending layoffs in Europe

November 22, 2024
Ford Motor Company is ending the year with bad news for European workers. The company has just announced it plans to cut about 4,000 jobs.

Nearly 3,000 of those layoffs will happen in Germany, with another 800 in Great Britain. This amounts to about 14% of the company’s European workforce.

Ford said its biggest struggles are with passenger vehicles, as it deals with financial losses attributed to a shift and emphasis on electric vehicles. The company called that “highly disruptive.”

Ford’s top financial official said a combination of a lack of demand and carbon dioxide emissions regulations are big hurdles.

CFO John Lawler recently wrote a letter to the German government. In the letter, he said the country lacks a clear policy on how to advance e-mobility such as public investment in charging stations, incentives to get consumers to buy an EV and greater flexibility in meeting CO2 compliance targets.

The lower than expected demand will affect the production of the new Ford Explorer and the new Ford Capri. The cutbacks will lead to a reduction in the workforce in Germany in early 2025.

This is the second major labor reduction, announced by Ford, in as many years. Last year, the automaker laid off 3,800 workers in Europe.
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UK accuses Russia of bombing humanitarian aid ships bound for Gaza

October 23, 2024
The United Kingdom accused Russia of indiscriminately bombing ships transporting food to Gaza as Russia steps up its attacks on Ukrainian ports. British intelligence asserts these strikes are preventing crucial aid from being delivered to Palestinians and others in need.

British defense officials report Russia hit at least four merchant vessels between Oct. 5 and Oct. 14. That includes a Panama-flagged vessel carrying sunflower oil as part of a United Nations shipment, according to U.K. intelligence. Officials also said that Russia hit ships carrying grain to Egypt and the U.N.’s World Food Program in South Africa.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Tuesday, Oct. 22, the revelations show Russian President Vladimir Putin is “willing to gamble on global food security” as the Kremlin leader becomes more desperate to defeat Ukraine.

The accusations against Russia come as Starmer is under pressure from British Palestinian families who want a British presence at border crossings in Gaza to ensure quick inspections and that aid flows without restrictions.

The Biden administration is also reportedly frustrated by delays to U.S.-funded aid into Gaza, saying the flow of supplies dropped by more than 50% since last March. The U.S. threatened to withhold weapons shipments to Israel earlier this month unless 300 aid trucks were allowed to enter Gaza a day. Israel says aid shipments have since increased since the warning from the United States.

However, health officials in northern Gaza still warn that supplies are dwindling to treat patients as Israel renews an offensive in the region.
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Monet piece stolen more than 80 years ago by Nazis returned to family

October 11, 2024
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) returned a painting by renowned artist Claude Monet dating back to 1865 known as “Bord de Mer,” which was stolen by Nazis on the eve of WWII to the granddaughters of its original Jewish owner. On Wednesday, Oct. 9, the FBI presented the artwork to the family, ending a search more than 80 years in the making.

“We didn’t, we could not believe it,” Francoise Parlagi, the granddaughter of the original owner, said. “We wouldn’t have believed it, but more and more, as we [were] in progress, we had to say well something may happen in the end. There may be a happy ending to the whole thing and now we’re still, I mean, can’t believe it, but it’s happening.”

Adalbert Parlagi had stored the piece of artwork with the rest of this family’s belongings at a warehouse in 1938 before they fled their home in Vienna to escape the German invasion. However, Nazis looted the painting by Monet and sold it off after Austria was annexed by Adolph Hitler’s Germany.

“Nobody knew where it was,” said Francoise Parlagi. “The government, the Austrian government after the war didn’t collaborate with my grandfather trying to search. It was all, it was looted, it was seized, it was belonged to them.”

More than 70 years later, the painting resurfaced at an exhibition in France in 2016. From there, a New Orleans-based antiquities dealer purchased it, later selling it to a couple in Washington state. That couple listed it for sale but agreed to surrender it to the FBI after learning it of its looted history. The piece was then reunited with its pre-war owner’s family this week.

“And to have the feeling that grandfather’s watching somehow and that he would be so, so proud of this moment,” Helen Lowe, another granddaughter of Adalbert Parlagi, said.

The family is still searching for six other artworks, including a signed watercolor by Paul Signac called “Seine in Paris.” The FBI is also helping with that investigation.
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