China’s newest aircraft carrier sails through Taiwan Strait for the first time [deltaMinutes] mins ago Now
Day: September 12, 2025
Donald Trump appeared to be dismissive Thursday night as he said it ‘could have been an mistake’
Poland’s political leadership appears increasingly concerned by the muted US response to Thursday’s Russian drone incursion into Polish airspace.
As more and more European partners condemn the incident and declare their support for Poland with concrete offers of help, the US president, Donald Trump, appeared to be more dismissive last night as he said it “could have been an mistake”.
Belarus and Russia Launch Joint Military Exercise Amid Tensions with Poland
Belarus and Russia commenced their joint strategic military exercise Zapad-2025 on September 12, as part of the final phase of their combined training program, amid escalating tensions with Warsaw, reports 24brussels.
The Russian Ministry of Defense announced that “the practical actions of the troops will take place at military training grounds in Belarus and Russia, as well as in the waters of the Baltic and Barents Seas.” The exercise will run until September 16.
While participation numbers are lower than in 2021, when 200,000 troops took part, this year’s exercises will still involve not only Russian and Belarusian forces but also personnel from countries such as India and Iran.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov addressed Western apprehensions regarding the Zapad-2025 exercises, asserting that the event is not aimed at any third country. In response, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk threatened to implement “special measures” against Belarus due to the drills, accusing Moscow and Minsk of conducting maneuvers that “simulate an attack, not a defense.” He highlighted preparations in tandem with NATO allies in response to the exercises.
In light of the situation, Poland has closed its border with Belarus. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova emphasized that the Zapad-2025 exercises are a regular occurrence and are conducted with full public transparency, stating that invitations have been extended to representatives of all OSCE member states, including Poland, to observe the exercises.
‘We cannot do our job without the public’s help,’ Utah’s governor said, adding the FBI had received more than 7,000 leads and tips so far
Kirk’s casket arrived in his home state of Arizona aboard Air Force Two, accompanied by vice-president JD Vance. Vance’s wife, Usha, stepped off the plane with Kirk’s widow, Erika.
Vance helped carry Kirk’s casket with a group of uniformed service members as it was loaded on to the plane. Kirk’s conservative youth organisation, Turning Point USA, was based in Phoenix.
Consumer watchdog Testachats has filed complaints against several Belgian festivals for “illegal practices” in their cashless payment systems, reports 24brussels.
Les Ardentes and Tomorrowland are facing legal actions for failing to disclose hidden fees in their ticket prices. Additionally, festivals such as Ronquières, Paradise City, Les Ardentes, Pukkelpop, Graspop, and Rock Werchter are accused of not permitting cash payments for parking or tickets, while Brosella has allowed stalls to reject cash completely.
Concerns Over Cashless Systems
Despite the introduction of a charter this year by federal Minister for Consumer Protection, Rob Beenders (Vooruit), Testachats asserts that festival grounds are still not consumer-friendly. Many festivals impose activation fees and costly refund deductions, while others complicate transactions with virtual currencies, such as ‘pearls’ at Tomorrowland and ‘douros’ at Dour Festival. The valuation of these currencies rarely aligns with euros, making it challenging to use remaining balances effectively.
Testachats points out that some events, including Francofolies and Paradise City, demonstrate it is feasible to operate without hidden costs or convoluted payment systems. Nonetheless, the organization cautions that until stricter regulations are implemented, festival attendees will continue to navigate a landscape of confusing, costly, and potentially unlawful payment practices.
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Scotland secretary Douglas Alexander said of Rayner’s departure that MPs ‘feel quite acutely that sense of loss’
Douglas Alexander said he understood that Labour MPs would be “despondent” as a result of two significant departures in the past two weeks.
The Scotland secretary told BBC Breakfast:
Many of us were devastated by Angela Rayner’s departure from the government last week. She’s an extraordinary woman who’s overcome the most extraordinary challenges and we are grieving and feel quite acutely that sense of loss.
Now to have the dismissal of Peter Mandelson just the next week, I totally get it, of course Labour MPs will be despondent that in two weeks in a row we have seen significant resignations from public service.
We’ll do it by working in partnership with the developers and with the builders. My job is to get every barrier out of the way that is stopping that construction going ahead.
The UK economy flatlined in July, according to official figures, in grim news for Rachel Reeves as she gears up for a challenging budget. It was a slowdown compared with June, when the economy grew by 0.4%, according to the Office for National Statistics.
Britain will not rejoin the EU in the foreseeable future, according to the minister who has piloted Keir Starmer’s recent reset of European relations. Nick Thomas-Symonds said he could not see the country re-entering the bloc in his lifetime, despite the thaw in continental relations that he has helped bring about.
Up to 400 large shops are at risk of closure with as many as 100,000 jobs at risk if the government goes ahead with plans to hit stores with higher business rates, retailers have warned. Some of the UK’s largest retail premises, including supermarkets and department stores, would face higher property tax charges under new rules being considered by the government before November’s budget.
Transport for London has invited the RMT to resume talks as the union’s week of strikes comes to a close, with the tube expected to restart gradually, with early disruption, on Friday. The RMT did not confirm whether it would accept TfL’s invitation to further talks next Wednesday, after saying further strikes could follow.
Special needs reforms for children in England could turn into “welfare reforms mark 2” unless the government can convince parents that it is not aiming to save money, according to a report by the Institute for Fiscal Studies. The thinktank said any changes to the current system of education, health and care plans (EHCPs), which mandate tailored support for children with special needs, will be highly controversial among parents, but said reform was “long overdue” as the number of EHCPs issued has ballooned by 80% since 2018.
Hospices are “on the brink” and two in five are making cuts this year despite the importance of end-of-life care if assisted dying becomes legal, the sector has warned before the first House of Lords debate on the legislation. The terminally ill adults (end of life) legislation is due to have its second reading in the House of Lords on Friday.