NEWSCAST |N7UK ๐ฌ๐ง|
GREEN PARTY CONFERENCE: POLANSKI CALLS FOR PALESTINE ACTION BAN TO BE REVERSED
this is a current political development from the Green Party conference in Brighton on 2 October 2026.
NEWSN7UK โ Breaking Politics
GREEN PARTY CONFERENCE: POLANSKI CALLS FOR PALESTINE ACTION BAN TO BE REVERSED
Green Party leader Zack Polanski called for the UK government to revoke the proscription of Palestine Action during his speech at the partyโs annual conference in Brighton.
Polanski said the Greens would โdeproscribe Palestine Actionโ and called for charges against supporters of the group to be dropped. Members in the conference hall responded with chants of โFree, free Palestine.โย
Palestine Action was proscribed as a terrorist organisation by the UK government, making membership and certain forms of support criminal offences. Protests supporting the group have subsequently resulted in arrests under terrorism legislation.ย
Polanski also linked the issue to civil liberties and opposition to the governmentโs approach to Gaza, while criticising Labour's position.ย
NEWSN7UK ๐ฌ๐ง | Breaking stories. United voices.
๐ด THE FILES THEY STILL CANโT OPEN
๐ด THE FILES THEY STILL CANโT OPEN
BELFAST โ 30 September 2026
A major public inquiry into the 1989 murder of Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane is being delayed because investigators still do not have the secure computer infrastructure required to examine millions of highly sensitive intelligence documents.
The documents include material held by MI5, the PSNI and the British Army. The inquiryโs own legal team has said it has not yet been able to examine closed or secret material, meaning investigators do not yet know what some of those files could reveal about the murder.ย
The inquiry is examining one of the darkest unanswered questions surrounding Finucaneโs killing: what did British security agencies know about the loyalist operation that killed him, and did anyone within the state encourage, assist, protect or direct those responsible?ย
And there is another unusual detail.
A key Records and Disclosure Manager position, responsible for handling classified intelligence, remains vacant more than six months after it was advertised. The person appointed is expected to be employed by the Ministry of Justice, rather than directly by the independent inquiry.ย
The inquiry chair, Sir Gary Hickinbottom, has warned that progress will be slow until the inquiry can receive and process sensitive documents on its own secure systems. The PSNI says it has provided an interim secure facility, but it remains unclear whether that provides access to all the confidential material held by MI5 and the British Army.ย
Why this is so significant
The most important information in the investigation may not yet have been examined by the people conducting it.
The inquiry officially began public hearings in 2026 and has powers to compel documents and witnesses. Its terms of reference include investigating the relationships between Finucane's killers and the RUC, British Army, MI5 and UK government.ย
That creates a remarkable situation: an investigation into a historic killing involving alleged state-security connections is underway โ while some of the most sensitive evidence remains behind a locked door.
This is not evidence that the government is deliberately hiding the truth. The Detail explicitly notes that the Ministry of Justice's involvement does not itself establish government interference.ย
๐ฐ NEWSN7UK angle
BREAKING INVESTIGATION
THE SECRET FILES HAVE NOT BEEN OPENED
Millions of intelligence documents connected to the Pat Finucane murder inquiry remain inaccessible to investigators as the secure system needed to examine classified MI5, Army and PSNI material has yet to receive funding.
37 years after the killing, some of the most sensitive evidence is still waiting to be examined.
Burnham opens door to reversing Brexit
๐ฌ๐ง Burnham opens door to reversing Brexit
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said that rejoining the European Union could be one of the options considered for Britainโs future relationship with Europe, saying the UK could โgo all the way.โ
The comments came the morning after his first Labour Party conference speech as prime minister. In that speech, Burnham said Brexit had โdone more harm than goodโ and that the current relationship with the EU was not good enough. He promised to use a planned UK-EU summit later this year to present different options for Britainโs long-term relationship with its European partners.ย
Asked by the BBC whether he wanted Britain to rejoin the EU, Burnham said he wanted to examine the options. He identified four broad possibilities:
Remain with the current post-Brexit arrangements
A customs union with the EU
Rejoining the EU single market
โGo all the wayโ and return to full EU membership
He said the options would need to be assessed according to what is practically achievable and their respective pros and cons.ย
Burnham's conference speech also linked closer European cooperation to immigration, economic growth and industries affected by Brexit, arguing that the loss of collaboration with European partners had weakened Britain's ability to manage immigration.ย
The comments represent a potentially substantial shift from Labour's 2024 manifesto, which ruled out joining the customs union or single market. The government has not announced a decision to seek EU membership; Burnham has described these as options for consideration ahead of the UK's longer-term strategy.ย
ย BREAKING NEWS โ RAF FAIRFORD
๐ด BREAKING NEWS โ RAF FAIRFORD Five men arrested near RAF Fairford as counter-terrorism police lead major investigation
27 September 2026 | Gloucestershire, UK
A major security incident has unfolded near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, with five men arrested and counter-terrorism police leading an investigation into suspected explosives offences and the alleged preparation of a terrorist act.
Gloucestershire Police said officers received a report at around 12:45am on Sunday concerning three suspicious vehicles travelling towards RAF Fairford. Armed officers responded and arrested five men in the nearby Whelford area.
The men remain in custody.
Counter Terrorism Policing has confirmed that the suspects were arrested not only under the Explosives Act but also on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act under Section 5 of the Terrorism Act. Authorities stressed that the investigation remains at an early stage.
๐จ Residents evacuated
A 400-metre cordon has been established around the vehicles, while the Army's Explosive Ordnance Disposal team examines them.
Around 85 households in the area were advised to leave their homes as a precaution. A nearby leisure centre was opened to provide accommodation for residents unable to stay with family or friends.
Police have said the incident is contained, while emergency services continue to work at the scene.
๐ฌ๐ง Prime Minister Andy Burnham responds
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he understood the concern among local residents and people across the country.
Burnham thanked Gloucestershire Police, Counter Terrorism Policing, the Armed Forces and other emergency personnel involved in the response.
He also expressed particular gratitude to residents who had been asked to leave their homes while precautionary checks were carried out.
The Prime Minister said public safety and security remain the government's first priority and urged the public not to speculate while investigators establish the full facts.
โ๏ธ Why RAF Fairford is significant
RAF Fairford is a major military airfield in Gloucestershire and has been used by the United States Air Force.
Its significance has increased during the current conflict involving Iran, with the base having been used for US military operations. This has contributed to heightened attention around security at the installation.
However, authorities have not publicly established a motive for Sunday's incident, and any reported connection to Iran or other actors remains an investigative possibility rather than an established fact.
๐ Investigation continues
Counter-terrorism officers are working with Gloucestershire Police and other agencies to establish exactly what happened, while specialists examine the vehicles involved.
Police are urging the public to rely on official information and avoid speculation while the investigation continues.
NEWSN7UK ๐ฌ๐ง understands that this remains a developing story. Further updates will follow as authorities release confirmed information.
NEWSN7UK | Breaking stories. United voices.
Smotrich calls for Gaza-style war in West Bank and urges dismantling of Palestinian Authority
๐ด BREAKING NEWS | WEST BANK Smotrich calls for Gaza-style war in West Bank and urges dismantling of Palestinian Authority
Ramallah/Jerusalem โ 27 September 2026
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has called for Israel to launch a major military campaign in the occupied West Bank similar to its military operation in Gaza, while again demanding the dismantling of the Palestinian Authority.
Speaking in an interview with the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, Smotrich said Israel should โdo there what we did in Gazaโ and called for a war in what he referred to as โJudea and Samaria.โ
He also described the Palestinian Authority as a โterror authorityโ and called for its dismantling. Smotrich said Israeli forces should eliminate what he described as terrorist infrastructure, including weapons and tunnels.
His remarks come amid heightened Israeli military restrictions across the West Bank and continuing violence involving Israeli forces and settlers and Palestinians.
๐ต๐ธ Palestinian Authority condemns the call
The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates strongly condemned Smotrich's remarks, describing them as a warning of further escalation, displacement, settlement expansion and annexation.
The ministry said the comments demonstrate what it described as Israeli plans to undermine the possibility of an independent Palestinian state and impose a new reality by force.
It also defended the Palestinian Authority and Palestinian state institutions as part of the Palestinian national project, and held the Israeli government responsible for the consequences of any attempt to dismantle or undermine them.
The Palestinian ministry called on the international community, particularly the UN Security Council and the US administration, to take what it described as immediate and concrete measures to prevent further settlement expansion, annexation and displacement.
โ ๏ธ West Bank tensions intensify
Smotrich's comments come as restrictions on Palestinian movement have increased.
Israeli authorities have announced a comprehensive military closure of the West Bank until 3 October, citing the Jewish holiday of Sukkot. Checkpoints and roadblocks have affected movement between Palestinian communities.
The UN humanitarian office has recorded a significant increase in settler-related attacks. Al Jazeera, citing OCHA figures, reported more than 1,330 settler-related attacks against Palestinians between January and late July 2026, averaging approximately six incidents a day.
The Palestinian death toll and other casualty figures reported by Palestinian authorities vary between sources and should therefore be treated with appropriate attribution.
๐ฎ๐ฑ Israeli political context
Smotrich is a senior figure in Israel's governing right-wing coalition and has previously advocated the expansion of Israeli settlements and Israeli sovereignty over large parts of the West Bank.
The Times of Israel reported that he has previously called for Israel to annex more than 80 percent of the West Bank and has made settlement expansion a prominent part of his political platform.
His latest comments therefore place the future of the Palestinian Authority and the status of the West Bank directly at the centre of an increasingly contentious Israeli political debate.
The remarks also come ahead of Israel's 27 October 2026 election, adding a significant domestic political dimension to the discussion over the future of the West Bank.
๐ International concern over settlements and annexation
Smotrich's proposal comes only days after an international ministerial meeting focused on implementing a two-state solution.
The Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, meeting during the UN General Assembly, said settlement expansion, including in the E1 area, demolitions, threats of displacement and annexation, and settler violence were undermining the territorial integrity of the West Bank.
The group said the two-state solution remains the internationally supported framework for Palestinian self-determination and Israeli security. It also expressed concern about pressure on the Palestinian Authority and called for its financial viability to be protected.
The United Kingdom has also announced measures in 2026 in response to Israeli settlement construction and settler violence in the occupied West Bank. A UK Parliament briefing said the government was moving toward further sanctions targeting settlements and preventing UK companies from assisting settlement construction.
๐๏ธ Human-rights organisations raise broader concerns
Amnesty International published a report in June 2026 alleging that Palestinian Bedouin and herding communities in parts of the West Bank have faced forcible displacement and other serious violations. Amnesty characterised the pattern it documented as part of an ethnic-cleansing campaign and called for an end to forced transfers and settlement expansion.
Those are Amnesty International's findings and legal characterisations; Israeli authorities and supporters of Israeli settlement policy dispute many international criticisms of Israel's conduct and security policies.
Israeli human-rights organisation B'Tselem has likewise published a September 2026 report alleging that Israeli policy in the West Bank amounts to a systematic effort to eliminate Palestinian presence from parts of the territory.
๐ต๐ธ The Palestinian response
The Palestinian Foreign Ministry said the latest remarks should not be viewed in isolation, arguing that they form part of a broader pattern involving settlement expansion, land confiscation, displacement and attempts to impose annexation.
It warned that further international inaction could contribute to greater violence and instability.
The ministry called for protection of Palestinian civilians and institutions and reiterated its position that Palestinian independence should be established on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with international resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.
๐ด NEWSN7UK ANALYSIS | WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
Smotrich's remarks place three major issues at the centre of the latest West Bank crisis:
1. The Palestinian Authority
A military campaign aimed at dismantling the Authority would represent a major change to the political and security structure established in parts of the West Bank.
2. Israeli settlements and annexation
Settlement expansion and proposed annexation remain among the principal obstacles identified by international governments supporting a two-state settlement.
3. Risk of wider escalation
With restrictions already affecting movement and violence continuing, any major expansion of Israeli military operations could have significant humanitarian, political and regional consequences.
The international response will therefore be closely watched, particularly from Washington, London, European governments and the United Nations.
NEWSN7UK ๐ฌ๐ง
Breaking stories. United voices.
๐ POLITICAL NEWS REPORTSaturday, 26 September 2026 โ Evening Edition
๐ POLITICAL NEWS REPORT
Saturday, 26 September 2026 โ Evening Edition
Here is the latest political picture, with the main focus on Britain, the Middle East, Ukraine, the United States, China and Europe.
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๐ฌ๐ง UNITED KINGDOM โ BURNHAM PREPARES FOR LABOUR CONFERENCE
Prime Minister Andy Burnham is preparing for his first Labour Party conference as prime minister, with the conference opening in Liverpool this weekend.
Burnham has said he intends to pursue significant changes despite difficult economic conditions. He has also sought to rule out speculation about an early general election.ย
The government's immediate political challenge is balancing its programme of domestic reform with economic constraints ahead of the Budget. Issues expected to generate debate include taxation and spending, welfare, energy policy and Britain's future relationship with Europe.ย
UKโUS relationship
Burnham met Donald Trump at the UN General Assembly this week. Downing Street said the two leaders discussed trade, energy, security and the wider UK-US relationship.ย
Burnham also met European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. They discussed preparations for the next EU-UK summit, Ukraine, European security, migration, trade and cooperation on AI.ย
The UK is also preparing to host the G20 Leaders' Summit in Manchester in 2027.ย
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๐ฌ๐ง๐ต๐ธ GAZA โ UK PUSHES HUMANITARIAN DIPLOMACY
The UK government has announced a further ยฃ88 million package for humanitarian and early-recovery support in Gaza, including healthcare, clean water, sanitation and services for Palestinians.
Britain made the announcement during the UN General Assembly alongside efforts involving Jordan and Qatar to increase humanitarian access.ย
Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband has continued to argue for implementation of a two-state solution while condemning both the Hamas attacks and the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.ย
The Burnham government has also taken measures targeting Israeli settlement activity in the West Bank. The issue is likely to remain politically sensitive inside Labour, particularly as activists prepare demonstrations around the party conference.ย
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๐บ๐ธ๐ฎ๐ท IRAN โ MAJOR DIPLOMATIC CRISIS OVER STRAIT OF HORMUZ
One of today's biggest international political developments concerns Donald Trump and Iran.
Iran has proposed a seven-day roadmap under which it would reopen the Strait of Hormuz and resume nuclear negotiations with Washington. The proposal was transmitted through Qatari mediators.ย
Trump has rejected the Iranian proposal.
Reuters reports that Trump said he rejected the proposal, while Iranian officials have continued to wait for Washington's response and insist that Tehran is prepared for negotiations under conditions it considers acceptable.ย
The dispute is politically and economically significant because the Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most important energy routes. Disruption has already affected oil markets and raised concerns about global inflation and energy supplies.ย
โ ๏ธ Political significance
The immediate questions are:
Can Washington and Tehran return to negotiations?
Will the Strait of Hormuz remain restricted?
Will military operations resume or intensify?
Can Qatar, Saudi Arabia and other regional states mediate?
What happens to global oil supplies if the crisis continues?
For now, no comprehensive diplomatic agreement has been reached.
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๐บ๐ฆ๐ท๐บ UKRAINE โ DIPLOMACY CONTINUES, BUT WAR PERSISTS
Ukraine remains another major item on the international diplomatic agenda.
During the UN week, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held discussions with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Reuters reports that there was discussion of possible limited arrangements involving energy infrastructure and grain-related targets, although Russia has not indicated that it is ready to accept a broader ceasefire.ย
Meanwhile, Ukraine continues to face Russian attacks. A strike on Sumy on 26 September reportedly killed two people and injured 23, including four children, according to Ukrainian authorities reported by the Kyiv Independent.ย
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also been seeking greater international pressure on Moscow and has urged Trump to encourage China to use its influence with Russia.ย
Britain continues to describe its support for Ukraine as a central element of its European security policy. Burnham discussed Ukraine with both European and Turkish leaders this week.ย
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๐บ๐ธ๐จ๐ณ UNITED STATES & CHINA โ TRUMP AND XI
Relations between Washington and Beijing remain strategically important.
President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks in Washington this week against a background of trade disputes, Taiwan, technology and wider geopolitical tensions.
The two governments have an existing trade truce, but disagreements remain over areas including Chinese exports, technology and Taiwan.ย
China has simultaneously been urging Europe to avoid trade wars and has called for greater economic cooperation with European countries.ย
The US-China relationship will therefore remain one of the defining political issues affecting global trade and security.
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๐ช๐บ EUROPE โ SECURITY, TRADE AND UK RELATIONS
European governments are dealing with several simultaneous pressures:
Ukraine: European governments continue to debate military and diplomatic support.
Russia: Concerns about hybrid warfare, cyber activity and disinformation remain prominent.
Trade: Europe is attempting to manage economic competition with both the US and China.
Migration: Migration remains a major political issue across European governments.
Energy: The Iran/Hormuz crisis has added another layer of uncertainty to European energy security.
Burnham and von der Leyen's meeting shows that London is seeking closer practical cooperation with the EU while remaining outside the bloc.ย
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๐ฒ๐ฆ MOROCCO โ ELECTION RESULT
Morocco's parliamentary election has produced a significant political development.
The Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) made major gains but fell short of an outright majority, according to reporting on today's results. The formation of the next government will therefore be important for Morocco's domestic policy and preparations for the 2030 World Cup.ย
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๐บ๐ณ UNITED NATIONS โ DIPLOMACY UNDER PRESSURE
The 81st UN General Assembly has brought world leaders together during an unusually difficult period.
The central issues have been:
๐ฎ๐ท Iran and the Strait of Hormuz
๐ต๐ธ Gaza and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
๐บ๐ฆ Russia's war against Ukraine
๐จ๐ณ๐บ๐ธ US-China relations
๐ค AI governance
๐ climate and energy security
๐ธ๐ฉ Sudan's civil war
๐ป๐ช Venezuela
Reuters' review of the UN week found that diplomacy produced movement on some issues but no major breakthrough on the principal wars.ย
Another important institutional question is the future leadership of the UN. Secretary-General Antรณnio Guterres' second term ends on 31 December 2026, meaning governments are increasingly focused on choosing his successor.ย
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๐ด THE BIG POLITICAL STORIES TONIGHT
Priority Story Situation
๐บ๐ธ๐ฎ๐ท Trump rejects Iran's Hormuz proposal ๐ด Developing
๐ฌ๐ง Burnham faces first Labour conference as PM ๐ด Major
๐ต๐ธ Gaza humanitarian diplomacy ๐ด Ongoing
๐บ๐ฆ๐ท๐บ Ukraine-Russia diplomacy and attacks ๐ด Ongoing
๐บ๐ธ๐จ๐ณ Trump-Xi relationship ๐ Ongoing
๐ฌ๐ง๐ช๐บ UK-EU security/trade cooperation ๐ Developing
๐บ๐ณ UN diplomacy and next Secretary-General ๐ Developing
๐ฒ๐ฆ Morocco parliamentary election ๐ Developing
UK to provide defensive military support to Saudi Arabia
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has confirmed that the UK has accepted Saudi Arabiaโs request for military assistance amid intensified attacks by Yemenโs Houthi movement.
๐ฌ๐ง The RAF is expected to deploy one Voyager tanker aircraft in the coming days.
โ๏ธ Its role will be air-to-air refuelling of Saudi aircraft conducting defensive missions.
โณ The arrangement is time-limited, initially expected to last several weeks, and will be kept under review.
๐ธ๐ฆ Saudi Arabia has faced intensified Houthi missile and drone attacks, including an attack targeting Riyadh that was intercepted.
๐ Britain says the wider objective includes protecting regional stability and keeping important energy and maritime routes open.ย
The UK had already publicly condemned the Houthi escalation at the UN, citing threats to civilians, regional stability and international shipping around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.ย
๐ฐ A strong box for the article
KEY QUESTION: Is Britain going to war with the Houthis?
Answer: Not on the basis of the announcement made on 21 September 2026. The announced commitment is limited to defensive air-to-air refuelling support for Saudi aircraft. Any expansion beyond that would require further decisions.ย
๐ฌ๐งNEWSN7UK headline:
> BREAKING ๐ฌ๐ง๐ธ๐ฆ UK AGREES DEFENSIVE MILITARY SUPPORT FOR SAUDI ARABIA AS HOUTHI ATTACKS ESCALATE
The most important breaking news to follow today is: US diplomats and the Strait of Hormuz, and the commercial situation in Gaza
๐ฌ๐ง Britain
Iran conflict is becoming a UK economic issue: UK minister Bridget Phillipson said the conflict and disruption to global oil supplies are creating additional inflationary pressure ahead of the October Budget. The UK government says Britain will not join the US military campaign against Iran.ย
England cricket: England completed a 3โ0 T20 series sweep over Sri Lanka and returned to the top of the world T20 rankings.ย
UKโIsrael/Palestine policy: The British government continues to face international attention over its position on Israeli settlements and the wider Israel-Palestine conflict.ย
๐ต๐ธ Gaza
Humanitarian situation remains critical. Recent reporting continues to document severe shortages, destruction and casualties in Gaza. Euronews reported that a building collapse earlier this month killed at least 21 people, including 11 children, with others reported missing.ย
Aid remains a major point of contention: Qatar has denied allegations that it funds Hamas, saying its assistance to Gaza civilians has been coordinated with Israel and international partners.ย
The political and humanitarian debate over Gaza remains closely connected to international pressure concerning Israeli settlements and the future governance of the territory.ย
๐ฎ๐ท Iran
Iran has presented conditions for renewed negotiations with Washington. Reports today say Tehran has transmitted a set of conditions for restarting talks while simultaneously warning that it is prepared for further escalation.ย
Strait of Hormuz: Iran's parliament speaker says the Strait will remain closed until Iranian conditions are met and US commitments are implemented. This is particularly significant because of the Strait's importance to global energy shipments.ย
Trump and Iran: Donald Trump has cut short his stay at Camp David and returned to Washington as his administration considers its next steps concerning Iran.ย
๐ World
๐ท๐บ Russia/Ukraine: Hundreds of drones targeted Moscow on the final day of Russia's parliamentary election. Russian authorities said they intercepted around 1,600 drones overall, while reporting at least two deaths.ย
๐ฉ๐ช NATO: Germany's defence chief Carsten Breuer has been chosen to chair NATO's Military Committee from July 2027.ย
๐ณ๐ฑ Netherlands: Police clashed with hundreds of far-right protesters at an anti-immigration demonstration in The Hague.ย
๐บ๐ฆ Ukraine: Recent reports say Russian forces launched major drone and missile attacks, with Ukrainian authorities reporting deaths and dozens injured.ย
๐ธ๐ฆ Saudi Arabia/Yemen: Houthi forces claimed attacks involving Riyadh and Yanbu; Saudi authorities reported alerts concerning a hostile aerial threat, while early reports cited no casualties or damage.ย
GB News suffered heavy lossesย
I checked the claims against current reporting and Companies House records. The picture is substantially supported, but some wording in the article is commentary rather than established fact.
1. GB News has suffered very large losses โ TRUE
GB News' latest filed accounts, for the year ending 31 May 2025, show a ยฃ22 million loss, although that was an improvement from the ยฃ32.7m loss the previous year. Revenue rose to ยฃ26.2m, from ยฃ16.5m.ย
The Guardian reported that cumulative pre-tax losses had reached about ยฃ127.9m by that point. The wider corporate group has reported figures around ยฃ141m in accumulated losses/debt, depending on which entity and accounting measure is being discussed.ย
Verdict: Confirmed โ but be precise about which company/accounting figure is being quoted.
2. Farage has been paid by GB News โ TRUE
Farage is a GB News presenter and has received substantial payments from the broadcaster. Recent reporting puts his earnings from GB News since becoming an MP at more than ยฃ600,000, while another investigation calculated more than ยฃ700,000.ย
He also has a financial interest in GB News, with reporting putting his holding at nearly 500,000 shares.ย
3. Has GB News provided "relentless positive PR" for Farage? โ PARTLY VERIFIED / INTERPRETIVE
There is substantial evidence behind the criticism, but "relentless positive PR" is Rusbridger's characterization, not an independently measurable fact.
Andrew Neil, GB News' founding chairman, has himself described the channel as effectively becoming "Reform TV", according to Rusbridger's reporting.ย
There have also been investigations alleging that GB News has repeatedly given platforms to Reform politicians, activists and candidates, including instances where political affiliations were allegedly not made clear to viewers. Those are reported allegations/investigative findings rather than proof that every GB News programme is pro-Reform.ย
Verdict: The underlying pattern is documented; "relentless positive PR" is an opinionated description.
4. Is a new "Reform TV" actually being planned? โ REPORTED, but not yet established as a functioning TV channel
This is the most important qualification.
Rusbridger reports that Reform UK has apparently briefed that it intends to use some of its political funding to launch "Reform TV." The reported project would initially operate through YouTube, rather than necessarily being a conventional broadcast television channel.
The article says former GB News digital executive Geoff Marsh has been contracted for 100 days to work out how the proposed operation would function. It also reports a possible initial target of 25 staff, with some potentially recruited from GB News. These details are attributed to journalist Michael Crick.ย
So it would be inaccurate at this stage to write:
"Reform has launched a new TV channel."
A more accurate formulation is:
"Reform UK is reportedly planning a new digital media operation, referred to as Reform TV, with YouTube expected to be its initial platform."
Bottom line for NEWSN7UK
The central factual elements are real: GB News has accumulated very substantial losses; Farage has been paid by the broadcaster; he has a financial interest in GB News; and there are current reports of a proposed Reform-linked digital media operation.
However, the claim that GB News is effectively a media arm of Farage/Reform is an interpretation, even though it is supported by statements from former GB News chairman Andrew Neil and criticism from other media researchers/commentators.ย
For a NEWSN7UK report, I would not present "Reform TV" as an established new television channel yet. The safest wording is **"proposed Reform-linked digital channel/media operation."**
๐ NEWSN7UK โ GLOBAL BREAKING NEWS
๐ NEWSN7UK โ GLOBAL BREAKING NEWS
๐ด MIDDLE EAST โ HORMUZ & RED SEA CRISIS
IranโUS war remains the biggest international story. Reuters reports the conflict has entered its seventh month, with continued pressure around the Strait of Hormuz and growing disruption to regional shipping and energy markets.ย
Another tanker incident has been reported in the Strait of Hormuz. Al Jazeera reports Iran's Revolutionary Guard claimed it struck a Togo-flagged tanker attempting what it called an โillegal passage.โย
Yemen: Houthi forces remain a major threat to shipping around the Bab al-Mandeb. Italy is preparing to deploy warships to help protect commercial shipping.ย
Saudi Arabia/Pakistan: Pakistan has pledged its commitment to Saudi Arabia's defence amid the escalating regional security situation.ย
Syria: Syria told the UN Security Council that it considers Israel the greatest threat to Middle East stability, amid disputes involving Israeli and Turkish forces in Syrian territory.ย
๐บ๐ฆ UKRAINE / ๐ท๐บ RUSSIA
Russian parliamentary elections have begun, with voting taking place over three days. President Vladimir Putin has portrayed the election as a measure of support for his government and the war.ย
Zaporizhzhia: reports say a shopping centre was hit during Russian strikes, while European reporting also says the IAEA was informed of a strike affecting the Kursk nuclear power plant; the plant was reported not to be on fire.ย
Germany: Reuters reports contacts involving a Putin economic envoy and Germany's AfD leadership concerning the possibility of restoring Russian gas supplies.ย
๐ฌ๐ง UNITED KINGDOM
UK air-traffic disruption: Britain's recent air-traffic-control outage was attributed by the operator to a software defect, according to Reuters. The disruption affected hundreds of thousands of passengers.ย
A UK court has cleared a woman accused of expressing support for Hamas during a university speech; she said her comments concerned Palestinians' right to resist rather than support for Hamas.ย
๐บ๐ธ UNITED STATES
Washington remains heavily focused on the Iran conflict, with President Trump preparing to face international leaders at the UN amid disagreement over the war and its economic consequences.ย
US markets: global shares fell and Treasury yields rose as investors reacted to renewed inflation concerns and high energy costs.ย
Greenland: Reuters reports the US, Denmark and Greenland have reached an agreement concerning US development activity there.ย
๐จ๐ฆ CANADA
CanadaโEU relations: Ottawa and the EU are discussing deeper cooperation, although Reuters reports there are still limits and political obstacles to the relationship.ย
The Canadian dollar has weakened during the week against the US dollar as yield differences between Canada and the US widened.ย
๐จ๐ณ CHINA
China is facing increasing energy pressure as disrupted shipping and higher oil prices narrow its supply options. Beijing is drawing on reserves and seeking alternative crude supplies.ย
๐ฏ๐ต JAPAN
Bank of Japan raises its interest rate to 1.25%, its highest level in 31 years, as inflation pressures persist.ย
๐ฐ๐ท SOUTH KOREA / ๐ฐ๐ต NORTH KOREA
North Korea has warned of a potentially โmore offensiveโ response to US-led military exercises in the Pacific, according to NK News.ย
South Korea says USโNorth Korea talks remain possible while ruling out deployment to the Strait of Hormuz, according to Al Jazeera's latest regional reporting.ย
๐ต๐ฐ PAKISTAN
๐จ MAJOR BREAKING: A bombing at a mosque inside a police complex in Kohat has killed at least 27 people, according to current reports.ย
๐ฎ๐ณ INDIA
India is facing significant energy-policy pressure from the continuing Iran conflict and rising oil costs. Reuters reports new proposed US sanctions on Russia are creating an additional dilemma for India's energy policy.ย
๐ณ๐ต NEPAL
Four bodies have been recovered from a flooded hydropower tunnel as rescue operations continue in Chilime.ย
๐ฆ๐บ AUSTRALIA
Australia is moving toward tougher enforcement against tourists who overstay their visas as part of a wider immigration crackdown.ย
๐ณ๐ฟ NEW ZEALAND
New Zealand has denied that it has held talks with the EU about becoming an associate member, despite reports of speculation around the possibility.ย
๐ฎ๐น ITALY
๐จ Italy is preparing warships for the Bab al-Mandeb, aimed at protecting commercial shipping amid the Houthi threat and disruption of one of the world's major maritime routes.ย
๐ช๐ธ SPAIN / ๐ฒ๐ฆ MOROCCO
Ceuta remains under major migration pressure. Spanish authorities are clearing migrants from beaches while thousands remain in the Spanish enclave following the earlier mass border crossing.ย
๐น๐ณ TUNISIA
Flooding has disrupted parts of Tunis, with heavy rain trapping motorists and residents and renewing questions over drainage and flood preparedness.ย
๐ณ๐ฌ NIGERIA
๐จ Curfew imposed in Minna after protests following the deaths of dozens of detained illegal-mining suspects. Reuters reports authorities imposed an overnight curfew after unrest.ย
๐ฟ๐ฆ SOUTH AFRICA
A series of killings of women around Johannesburg has triggered intense concern, with reports saying nine women's bodies have been found in recent weeks.ย
๐ธ๐ฉ SUDAN / ๐ธ๐ธ SOUTH SUDAN
At least 26 people have reportedly been killed in clashes around the SudanโSouth Sudan border/Abyei region.ย
๐ฒ๐ฟ MOZAMBIQUE
Mozambique says an IMF mission could pave the way for a new loan programme as the country works through major economic pressures.ย
๐ง๐ท BRAZIL
President Lula has announced welfare increases ahead of Brazil's presidential election, according to current regional reporting.ย
๐ฆ๐ท ARGENTINA / ๐ซ๐ฐ FALKLAND ISLANDS
An Argentine judge has ordered the suspension of an oil project involving the Falkland Islands, while Argentina is pursuing further legal action against companies involved in exploration.ย
๐ฒ๐ฝ MEXICO
Residents in Guerrero reportedly detained 29 police and military personnel for several hours, according to Reuters reporting.ย
๐ง๐ด BOLIVIA
Scientists have identified a new tiger-cat species, Leopardus tilcayo, described as the first new living wild-cat species identified in more than a century.ย
๐ THE BIG GLOBAL PICTURE
The IranโUS conflict and its effect on Hormuz, Bab al-Mandeb, oil prices and global inflation currently connect many of today's biggest stories: the Middle East, Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas are all feeling the consequences. Global markets also fell as investors reacted to inflation and energy pressures.ย
ย ๐จNEWSN7UK ๐ฌ๐ง:
๐ด Iran war / Strait of Hormuz tanker incidents
๐ด Houthi control/threat around Bab al-Mandeb
๐ด Pakistan mosque bombing โ at least 27 killed
๐ด RussiaโUkraine strikes and nuclear-site concerns
๐ด Global oil/inflation shock
๐ด Italy preparing naval protection for Red Sea shipping
๐ด Nigeria curfew after deaths of detained miners
๐ด SudanโSouth Sudan border clashes
๐ด Ceuta migration crisis
๐ด North Korea threatens a stronger response to US-led military drills
What did Mark Ruffalo do to the children of Gaza?
The children's message is essentially a thank you to Ruffalo for defending them and helping to amplify their voices.
Children in Gaza created artwork and graffiti messages for Ruffalo, thanking him for using his public platform to speak out about the suffering of Palestinians. The children described how little money they had left, but how they still wanted to send him their love.
What has Mark Ruffalo done?
Ruffalo is a prominent voice in Hollywood supporting Palestinian civilians and calling for an end to the war in Gaza. His actions include:
He has repeatedly called for a ceasefire in Gaza and participated in the Artists for a Ceasefire campaign.
He has publicly criticized the Israeli government's practices in Gaza and spoken out about the humanitarian crisis.
In 2025, he signed the Film Workers for Palestine Pledge, which called for a boycott of Israeli film companies deemed complicit in violations against Palestinians.
More recently, he criticized the proposed merger between Paramount and Warner Bros., expressing concerns about Oracle's ties to Israel and Gaza. Paramount accused him of using antisemitic language. Ruffalo rejected this accusation, stating that his criticism was directed at political and commercial actions, not at Jews. More than 170 Jewish artists and other figures later signed an open letter in his defense.
Most importantly for the message you saw: Ruffalo responded directly to the greeting from the children of Gaza, expressing his love and solidarity with them. Reports describe the children as deeply moved by his response.
Therefore, the children's message is essentially a thank you to Ruffalo for speaking out on their behalf and helping to amplify their voices.
๐ฌ๐ง BREAKING โ Three Nations Unite Over Independence Referendums
ย this is a major UK constitutional story, and the core claim is supported by multiple reports published on Sunday, 13 September 2026. The meeting is scheduled for Monday, 14 September, in Cardiff.ย
NEWSN7UK ๐ฌ๐งย
๐ฌ๐ง BREAKING โ Three Nations Unite Over Independence Referendums
The leaders of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are due to meet in Cardiff in what is being described as an unprecedented summit on the future of the United Kingdom.
Scottish First Minister John Swinney, Welsh First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth, and Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle OโNeill, alongside Sinn Fรฉin president Mary Lou McDonald, are expected to sign a memorandum of understanding/joint declaration asserting their nations' right to seek self-determination and demanding a route towards independence referendums.ย
The development is particularly significant because all three devolved governments are currently led by parties supporting independence or Irish reunification. The Cardiff meeting is therefore being viewed as an attempt to establish closer cooperation between the three constitutional movements.ย
๐ด What does it actually mean?
It does NOT mean the UK is breaking up on Monday.
The proposed declaration would be a political demand, not an automatic legal mechanism for Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland to leave the UK. Any eventual constitutional change would require further political and legal processes.
The UK Government's current position remains that it does not support Scottish independence or another Scottish independence referendum. A recent parliamentary answer stated that the Government was elected on a commitment not to support independence or another referendum.ย
However, Prime Minister Andy Burnham has recently compared the circumstances for a Scottish referendum with the principle governing a possible Northern Ireland border poll. John Swinney subsequently wrote to Burnham asking to turn that principle into a legal mechanism for Scotland.ย
โ ๏ธ Why this is significant
If the three governments coordinate their constitutional campaigns, Monday's summit could mark a new phase in the UK's long-running debate over devolution, independence and the future of the Union.
It also comes immediately after Donald Trump again expressed support for Irish reunification, adding an international dimension to the debate over Northern Ireland's constitutional future.ย
Here are the stories Iโd put at the top of the NEWSN7UK news agenda right now
๐จ NEWSN7UK โ BREAKING NEWS ROUNDUP
Friday, 11 September 2026
Here are the stories Iโd put at the top of the NEWSN7UK news agenda right now:
๐ด 1. MIDDLE EAST โ Oil surges above $100
Brent crude is heading for its first weekly close above $100 a barrel since May, with prices around $108 amid escalating attacks affecting key Middle Eastern shipping routes. The Strait of Hormuz and Red Sea are facing renewed disruption, raising the risk of further pressure on global fuel prices.ย
๐ด 2. YEMEN โ Houthis seize strategic port
Iran-aligned Houthi forces have seized Mokha (Mocha) on Yemen's Red Sea coast, bringing them closer to the strategically important Bab el-Mandeb shipping route. The development could further threaten international energy and commercial shipping.ย
๐ด 3. UKRAINE โ Kyiv hit by Russian strikes
Russian air strikes hit Kyiv this morning, injuring at least two people and causing a fire in a nine-storey residential building. Ukrainian officials also reported Russian attacks elsewhere, while Ukrainian drones struck infrastructure in Russia's Saratov region.ย
๐ด 4. NATO โ Russian undersea activity raises alarm
NATO forces reportedly confronted Russian vessels near Svalbard over suspected preparations involving undersea-cable sabotage technology. The incident comes amid growing European concern over Russian hybrid operations against critical infrastructure.ย
๐บ๐ธ 5. USA โ 25 years since 9/11
The United States is marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. Donald Trump is scheduled to attend the Pentagon ceremony, while Vice President JD Vance is participating in New York commemorations.ย
๐ 6. BRICS โ Leaders meet amid global tensions
BRICS leaders are gathering in New Delhi as the bloc faces major tests over the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, US-China rivalry and attempts to reduce reliance on the US dollar.ย
๐ฌ๐ง 7. UK โ Tourist tax powers for regional mayors
The UK government is moving toward giving regional mayors powers to introduce tourist taxes. Sky News reports Labour mayors are backing a 5% cap, while other parties are taking different positions.ย
๐ฌ๐ง 8. LONDON โ Seven arrested after quadruple stabbing
Seven men have been arrested following a quadruple stabbing in London, according to Sky News.ย
๐ NEWSN7UK priority order
1. Middle East / Hormuz & oil crisis
2. Houthi advance in Yemen
3. Ukraine/Russia escalation
4. NATOโRussia hybrid threat
5. 25th anniversary of 9/11
6. UK politics & economy
7. UK crime/breaking incidents
8. BRICS summit
The oil + Hormuz + Yemen developments are the biggest immediate global story, because disruption to these shipping routes can rapidly affect fuel prices, inflation and international trade.ย
Gaza: Around 100 Palestinians Recovered From Rubble and Buried After Years of Waiting
NEWSN7UK ๐ฌ๐งย
GAZA CITY โ September 6, 2026 โ A mass funeral was held in Gaza City on Sunday for the remains of around 100 Palestinians whose bodies had remained buried beneath the ruins of destroyed homes for more than two years.
The remains were recovered in the Al-Zeitoun neighbourhood, southeast of Gaza City, after Civil Defence teams gained access to destroyed residential buildings and began clearing the rubble. Palestinian media reports say the majority of those recovered were women and children.
Bodies recovered from destroyed family homes
According to Gaza's Civil Defence and Palestinian reports, the remains were recovered from the ruins of homes belonging to several families, including the Malka, Irheim, Al-Balaawi and Salmi families.
In one particularly large recovery operation, 55 bodies and remains from the Malka family were reportedly recovered from a destroyed residential building in Al-Zeitoun. The victims had been missing since the building was struck during the war and rescuers had been unable to reach them.
The long delay in recovering the dead reflects the enormous destruction across Gaza, where thousands of buildings have been destroyed or severely damaged and rescue teams have struggled to obtain heavy machinery capable of moving large quantities of concrete and debris.
A funeral delayed for years
The funeral procession began near Imam al-Shafi'i Mosque in Al-Zeitoun. Relatives and residents gathered to say farewell as the recovered remains were carried through the neighbourhood wrapped in Palestinian flags.
The remains were subsequently taken to the Martyrs Cemetery near Al-Ahli Arab Hospital, where collective graves were prepared. Hundreds of relatives and residents attended the ceremony.
For many families, the funeral represented the first opportunity in years to formally bury relatives whose whereabouts had remained unknown.
Children among those recovered
Some Palestinian reports put the number of children among the approximately 100 recovered at around 70, although this figure has not been independently verified by major international organisations.
The condition of some remains also made identification difficult after such a prolonged period beneath collapsed buildings.
The deaths occurred during earlier Israeli military operations in Gaza. Israel has repeatedly said its military operations target Hamas and other armed groups, while Palestinian authorities and international organisations have documented extensive civilian deaths and destruction.
Civil Defence facing enormous obstacles
The recovery operation has highlighted the continuing difficulties facing Gaza's Civil Defence.
Rescue teams require excavators, bulldozers, trucks, fuel and specialised equipment to remove collapsed concrete. Reports from Gaza say teams have been operating with limited and ageing machinery, making searches slow and dangerous.
The recovery effort is part of a wider operation to locate people still believed to be buried beneath destroyed buildings.
Palestinian reports say an earlier phase recovered 333 bodies from 559 people reported missing at 54 residential buildings. The second phase has reportedly focused on 147 destroyed homes, where more than 1,000 people may still be unaccounted for.
Thousands still missing
The burial of approximately 100 people does not mark the end of the search.
Gaza authorities and Civil Defence officials have repeatedly warned that thousands of people remain missing beneath the rubble across the territory. The precise number is difficult to establish because many records were destroyed, families were killed together, and identification has become increasingly difficult.
The latest recovery operation therefore carries significance beyond the funeral itself: it is also an attempt to establish the identities of people who disappeared during the war and to give their families a place to mourn.
A wider humanitarian catastrophe
The mass funeral comes as Gaza continues to face the consequences of years of war, including extensive destruction of housing and infrastructure and a severe humanitarian crisis.
The Associated Press reported Sunday that Gaza's Health Ministry puts the Palestinian death toll since the beginning of the war at more than 73,650, while also reporting mass funerals for more than 110 Palestinians killed during the conflict.
The figures include people killed during different phases of the conflict, and casualty classifications are not always independently verifiable.
The families left behind
For surviving relatives, recovering the bodies can bring a painful form of closure.
One Palestinian account described relatives finally being able to see and bury members of their families after years of uncertainty. Another account described a family whose members were killed together inside their home, illustrating how entire households were sometimes lost in individual attacks.
The funeral in Al-Zeitoun was therefore not simply a ceremony for 100 unidentified victims. It was, for many families, the final farewell to parents, children, siblings and other relatives whose remains had been trapped beneath the homes where they had lived.

