A Japanese journalist working for the Hokkaido Shimbun has been arrested in Russia on suspicion of espionage, accused of gathering intelligence on Russian defence capabilities for the Japanese government.
Data from the Department for Education reveals a substantial increase in school suspensions for racist, homophobic, and disablist abuse across English schools. More than 55,000 suspensions were linked to racist abuse from 2020-21 to 2024-25, alongside over 13,000 for homophobic or transphobic abuse. Education specialists attribute this rise to funding cuts for anti-bullying support and broader societal issues, calling for a national strategy.
A cross-party committee of MPs has urged the UK government to implement the £250 cap on annual leasehold ground rents by late 2027, rather than the proposed late 2028. The Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee's report criticises the delay, highlighting the prolonged struggle faced by millions of leaseholders in England and Wales due to escalating charges.
