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Ex-Catalan leader ‘eludes police pursuit and flees Spain’
According to his party, Carles Puigdemont, the exiled ex-Catalan leader, eluded an extensive police manhunt and fled Spain. On Thursday, Spanish officials started a massive search for Mr Puigdemont after he unexpectedly returned to Spain, delivered a brief speech to Barcelona crowds, and vanished. The 61-year-old is wanted in Spain on accusations related to a failed Catalan independence bid in 2017.
Johnson-Thompson must defeat Thiam in Olympic heptathlon
Katarina Johnson-Thompson faces a mountain to climb to win the gold medal in the heptathlon after slipping behind Belgian competitor Nafissatou Thiam on day two, with only one discipline remaining. With only 800m remaining in the seven-discipline event on Friday evening, Johnson-Thompson was 121 points behind the Belgian, who threw a season-best weapon to take the lead after six disciplines. Annik Kaelin, a Swiss athlete, showed tenacity by finishing third after a significant long jump and decent javelin in the morning. To take the gold. Johnson-Thompson, who reclaimed her global title in Budapest last year, would need to take a commanding lead in the final race and finish eight seconds clear of Thiam.
Policing minister warns of further protests in coming days based on intelligence
About 100 protests were scheduled for Wednesday night, and there were fears of further violence, but a large police presence and calm counter-protests prevailed. The government's policing minister has warned that more protests may take place in the coming days after concerns about violence did not materialise last night. Dame Diana Johnson stated, "I am cautious about what happened last night.
Significant drop in migrant visa applications following modifications
Over the last year, the number of international workers, students, and their families asking for visas to enter the United Kingdom has decreased by one-third. The steep fall follows rule changes implemented by the Conservative government, which prohibited most international students and health and social care workers from bringing their families to the UK. According to preliminary estimates from the Home Office, the number of migrants and their family members seeking visas decreased from approximately 141,000 in July 2023 to 91,000 last month.
Fifth Banksy mural in five days over Walthamstow chip shop
On Friday morning, the silhouette of two pelicans, one of which was devouring a fish, appeared above Bonners Fish Bar in Walthamstow, northeast London. A fifth Banksy painting has surfaced above a fish and chip shop in London, following four verified by the artist in various parts of the city earlier this week.
Turkey says Somalia and Ethiopia will resume discussions on port deal
According to Turkey's foreign ministry, the Somali and Ethiopian foreign ministries will meet in Ankara next week to discuss disagreements over a port deal Ethiopia inked with Somaliland this year. "Tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia would be resolved with Ethiopia's access to the seas through Somalia, as long as Ethiopia recognises Somalia's territorial integrity and political sovereignty," Hakan Fidan said during a news conference in Istanbul on Friday. Turkey is mediating negotiations between the East African neighbours. Relations were strained in January when Ethiopia agreed to lease 20 kilometres (12 miles) of Somaliland's coastline in exchange for recognition of its independence. Somalia claims Somaliland as part of its territory.
Lee Carsley was announced as the interim England manager
The England under-21s coach will take over his new role immediately and will lead the Three Lions in September fixtures against the Republic of Ireland and Finland. Lee Carsley has been named interim manager of the England men's football team. It comes after Gareth Southgate stepped down following England's defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final.
America’s racial justice promises are unfulfilled and untrustworthy
It appears that the alleged corner the United States turned in 2020 in acknowledging and tackling its systematic racism was just another dead end. This fiction presented the country with a fleeting feel-good moment and nothing else. Despite promises to address discrimination in education, employment, housing, and law enforcement during the COVID-19 pandemic, Black Lives Matter mass protests, and a particularly contentious presidential election in 2020, little progress has been made in bridging America's deep racial divide. All of the pledges made by American officials four years ago appear to have been made solely to buy time. "We can deliver racial justice," President Joe Biden stated following his victory in 2020, but his pledge was patently empty. Biden thought that the national debate would change, the US would resume normal operations, and its major racism problem would be brushed under the proverbial rug.
Katie Price arrives in court ahead of the hearing
The 46-year-old former model was arrested at Heathrow Airport on Thursday. Katie Price has been ordered to attend court sessions "no ifs, no buts, no holidays" after being arrested at Heathrow Airport for missing a bankruptcy hearing. On Friday afternoon, the 46-year-old entered London's Royal Courts of Justice wearing a black headband and huge sunglasses.
Musk blasts Sir Keir Starmer after ‘civil war’ comments are ignored
Musk, the billionaire owner of X, posted his original comments on the social media network beneath a video of rioters launching pyrotechnics at police. Elon Musk and the prime minister engaged in a verbal spat after the world's richest man suggested that the United Kingdom was on the verge of civil war. Musk, the billionaire owner of X, has started a spat with Downing Street over the riots in the UK amid concerns that online disinformation is fueling the turmoil.
US state is shaken by the fifth earthquake in a week
California reported its fifth earthquake in 48 hours, raising questions about what triggered the recent quakes. On Sunday, at around 1:39 a.m. PST, a 3.3 magnitude tremor struck 32 miles southeast of Coachella. All five earthquakes originated near Salton City, California, where a swarm of 3.0-magnitude quakes struck El Centro, the main city in the Imperial Valley, 42 miles away.
UK riots: Over 500 more prisons for disorderly people
Hundreds of individuals have been detained for rioting in the last week, with many appearing in court and expecting to be placed on remand. The administration has announced plans to open more than 500 more prisons to house rioters captured in the last week. Heidi Alexander, the courts minister, announced that 567 extra slots will be available starting next week.
