The murder of Agnes Wanjiru hangs over the British Army Training Unit in Kenya (BATUK).
The long-time training post is headquartered in the hometown of the 21-year-old single mother who was dumped in a hotel septic tank after being brutally murdered in 2012.
The man accused of killing her, Robert Purkiss, was stationed in Nanyuki for a training stint with BATUK.
Image: Agnes Wanjiru was murdered in 2012
It took two months for the Kenyan authorities to find Agnes’s body and 13 years for an arrest warrant to be issued for the former British soldier charged with her murder.
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Her death has had such resounding impact, all these years on, that a Kenyan parliamentary defence committee launched a two-year inquiry into the conduct of the BATUK.
Last October, Agnes’s niece Esther told me that the spirit of her aunt cries out and that it will not rest until justice is served. The picture she described of Agnes’s suspended soul seeking resolution feels more real than imaginary.
Image: Robert Purkiss denies murder
A visit from a celebrated Kenyan-born British army chief to his training troops meant I was able to put questions to him on the grievances of Agnes’s family and others, who claim grievous harm at the hands of his troops.
General Sir Roland Walker responded to my request to share a message with Agnes’s family. He was firm and emphatic when he delivered a response.
He said: “This has got to follow all the way through to the full investigation and the legal proceedings, and this has got to be seen in the light of a court and judged in accordance with the laws of this land.
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“That’s what has to happen – justice has to be done, and justice has to be seen to be done.
“That is a business for the courts, and the lawyers, and the police, and the investigation.”
Image: General Sir Roland Walker says ‘justice has to be done’
Rose, Agnes’s older sister who raised her late sibling’s daughter, is hopeful.
After years of Agnes’s murder being buried, Rose’s daughter Esther has managed to break through the stagnation and take meetings with UK Defence Secretary John Healey in Nairobi and London.
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Image: Rose, Agnes’s older sister
Purkiss is in custody in the UK while court hearings over his extradition continue. He vehemently denies murder, according to his lawyers.
Scrutiny on British troops in Kenya
The visit from the army’s operational chief is a huge moment for the British troops training there. The UK-Kenya defence agreement is being scrutinised by Kenya’s parliament and the public.
The two countries entered into a series of defence partnerships only months after Kenya gained independence from Britain.
For people in Nanyuki, the British never left. The market town was first set up as a white frontier settlement in the 1920s after the mass expulsion of Maasai from the Laikipia plateau by British colonial forces.
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Kenyan MP Caleb Amisi believes that local communities in areas of British military activity still see them as colonial overlords.
Image: Kenyan MP Caleb Amisi speaks to Sky’s Yousra Elbagir
He is on the parliamentary defence committee that investigated claims of BATUK violations and is calling for the Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA) to become more balanced.
Mr Amisi said: “[Kenyans] believe that UK takes advantage, being the superpower, against the third world countries like Kenya. UK is advanced, militarily, economically, and therefore they’ll be an interdependence of a country like Kenya towards the UK.”
Complaints against British unit
There have been thousands of complaints of violations of conduct by the BATUK from local communities, ranging from murder and rape to environmental damage.
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Image: Agnes’s family grieve for her
The Lolldaiga Hills were damaged by a fire during a BATUK training exercise in 2021 that destroyed at least 7,000 acres of conservational land. The UK Ministry of Defence accepted responsibility for the fire and reportedly paid out £2.9m to thousands of complainants in compensation.
What does the British Army’s chief of general staff – born in Kenya and raised here until he was eight years old – make of the sentiment that the British military presence is an occupying force and extension of colonialism?
“I don’t recognise it,” Sir Roland told me.
“We are here at the invitation of the Kenyan MOD. We have no right to be here at all. We recognise this is an extraordinary privilege to be able to do what we do in somebody else’s country.”
Some families have faced irreparable loss. In one herding family in Samburu, a son was killed during a BATUK live firing exercise. Another young woman is now severely disabled after she was hit by a BATUK truck that drove off, according to her mother.
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General Walker said: “We absolutely recognise that if they have suffered harm as a consequence of anything that we might be responsible for, it is very important, that they have a voice and that voice is heard.”
He added that “we want to facilitate them speaking to the correct authorities, so the right investigations take place, so the right remedies and redresses can follow. So due process is needed”.
For Agnes’s family, the loss is irreversible. Any justice achieved can lay the ground for closure and peace for them, but it will never bring her back.
In an article for the Record, IPPR Scotland Director Stephen Boyd says benefits play a huge role in tackling poverty.
Next week, new statistics will reveal how much progress the Scottish government has made towards achieving its legally binding target to reduce the rate of child poverty to 10% by 2030.
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The statistics will almost certainly confirm that child poverty is trending lower in Scotland than the rest of the UK. This is largely because of actions taken by the Scottish government. Devolution is working to reduce child poverty.
However, the Scottish government’s own modelling shows that, on the basis of current policies, the 2030 target will be missed by some distance. The First Minister’s often-stated ambition to ‘eradicate’ child poverty looks even more remote. The new statistics are likely to confirm this grim reality.
Reducing child poverty isn’t easy but we have a very good understanding of what works. It is possible to make more paid progress. Measures to lower housing costs and provide direct financial support to families are highly effective. Investment in social housing is key to any strategy to reduce child poverty.
The Scottish Child Payment, and other benefits provided directly to families with children, have a very significant impact – indeed, lower housing costs and the SCP largely explain the lower rate of child poverty in Scotland.
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But these measures don’t come free and, given the intensifying pressures on the Scottish budget, there are legitimate concerns that the next government might struggle to maintain – let alone increase – investment in these areas.
Whoever takes the reins after May’s election must recognise that there is no viable path to eradicating child poverty that doesn’t involve increasing the Scottish Child Payment and/or other benefits.
Put simply, to reduce child poverty society needs to redistribute resources to those who need them most through the tax and benefit system. If we want to live in a country with much lower rates of child poverty, then we will all have to contribute to achieving it.
Such a country is possible. Recent IPPR Scotland research shows that other countries with significantly lower rates of child poverty are also home to more productive, innovative and dynamic economies. They manage to sustain a virtuous cycle in which better economic performance enables higher social investment which supports further economic development.
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At the coming election, politicians need to be clear about their strategy for reducing child poverty. Pretending it can be eradicated with current levels of tax and benefits isn’t serious.
Ukraine launches one of its largest barrages of drones
Ukraine launched more than 280 drones at Russia overnight, Russia’s State news agency reported.
Around 90 drones were shot down in the southern Rostov region, its governor Yuri Slyusar said.
At least 27 drones launched towards the capital were intercepted, Moscow’s mayor Sergei Sobyanin said.
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Alisha Rahaman Sarkar21 March 2026 07:30
US removes sanctions on Russian citizens
The US Treasury Department has removed two Russian citizens from its sanctions.
Russian citizens Yurii Korzhavin and Lidiya Korzhavina have been removed from the US sanctions list, the Treasury Department said in an update yesterday.
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The move comes as the Trump administration temporarily eased curbs on Russian oil transit and purchases to ease supply pressures, after the US-Israeli war with Iran drove a surge in global crude prices.
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar21 March 2026 07:00
Russia offers to curb Iran support if US halts Ukraine aid – report
Russia has reportedly offered to stop intelligence-sharing with Iran if the US agreed to do the same with Ukraine.
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Moscow has stepped up intelligence sharing and military coordination with Tehran since US and Israeli strikes on Iran began three weeks ago, including reportedly supplying coordinates of American military assets in the region.
Washington, however, rejected the quid pro quo last week, two people familiar with the matter, told the Financial Times.
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar21 March 2026 06:25
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Ukrainian drones target Moscow
Nearly 30 Ukrainian drones were shot down over the Russian capital and the surrounding region overnight, Moscow mayor Sergey Sobyanin said.
Throughout the latter part of yesterday and during the early hours of today, swarms of Ukrainian drones targeted Moscow, the mayor said, adding that the artillery units were intercepted by Russia’s defence units.
Emergency services responded to the crash sites, and no casualties were reported, he said.
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar21 March 2026 06:00
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Czech authorities probe suspected arson at a drone technology company
Czech authorities said Friday they were investigating a fire at a warehouse of a company that makes drone technology as a suspected arson linked to terrorism.
The fire broke out in an industrial zone in the city of Pardubice, some 100 kilometers (60 miles) east of Prague, causing no injuries, police said.
LPP Holding confirmed a fire in one of its buildings. It said it was cooperating with the investigation and declined further comment.
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Alisha Rahaman Sarkar21 March 2026 05:30
French navy boards a tanker suspected of being part of Russia’s shadow fleet
The French navy on Friday intercepted and boarded a tanker in the Mediterranean Sea that President Emmanuel Macron said is linked to Russia’s sanctioned shadow fleet shipping oil in violation of international sanctions over Moscow’s war on Ukraine.
According to the French maritime authorities for the Mediterranean, the tanker Deyna is suspected of operating under a false flag designation. The interception took place in the Western Mediterranean and was carried out in cooperation with allies, including the United Kingdom, which monitored the ship, the authorities said.
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“This operation aimed to verify the nationality of the vessel,” which was flying the flag of Mozambique and was coming from the Russian port of Murmansk, the maritime authorities said in a statement. The documents found onboard “confirmed doubts about the validity of the flag,” they said.
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar21 March 2026 05:00
Patriarch Filaret, who fought for an independent Ukrainian Orthodox church, dies
Patriarch Filaret of Kyiv — who worked for decades to establish an independent Ukrainian Orthodox church that was free from Moscow‘s religious authority, a schism that foreshadowed the Russia-Ukraine war — died Friday. He was 97.
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The Orthodox Church of Ukraine announced his death, citing the “exacerbation of chronic diseases.”
Filaret had a more limited role in recent years as the cultural and religious divide between Ukraine and Russia widened into full-scale warfare. But his legacy includes a long and partially successful effort to gain recognition of an independent Ukrainian Orthodox jurisdiction.
“The person and numerous good deeds of the late Patriarch Filaret rightfully occupy a special place in the modern history of both the local Ukrainian Orthodox Church and Ukraine as a whole,” said Metropolitan Epiphanius of Kyiv, who leads the OCU.
Obit Ukraine Orthodox Filaret (Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar21 March 2026 04:30
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Ukraine begins compulsory evacuation for children in Donbas
Ukraine has begun the compulsory evacuation of children from the city of Sloviansk, in a sign that the security situation is deteriorating in one of the country’s main remaining strongholds in the Donbas area.
“I signed an order for the compulsory evacuation of children from certain areas of Sloviansk that are most vulnerable to enemy strikes,” Governor Vadym Filashkin wrote on Telegram
.Russian forces have been slowly advancing to the north and east of Sloviansk, and are about 20 km (12 miles) from the edge of the city at various points of the front line of Moscow’s war in Ukraine.
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Sloviansk is one of several towns and cities which remain under Ukrainian control in an urban “fortress belt” in the eastern region of Donetsk, which comprises part of the Donbas. Russia sees control of the entire Donbas, known for its coal mines and heavy industry, as its key military goal.
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar21 March 2026 03:45
Ukraine deploys targets to intercept Middle East units
Ukraine has deployed interceptor units to protect critical and civil infrastructure in five Middle Eastern countries, Ukraine’s security council secretary Rustem Umerov said after a visit to the region.
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“Work is also underway to expand coverage areas,” Mr Umerov wrote on X.
Alex Croft21 March 2026 03:00
Kremlin tightens security for senior military officials following assassinations
Russia’s security services are set to bolster protection for senior military figures following a spate of series of assassinations and attempted killings, which Moscow attributes to Ukraine.
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The announcement from the head of the FSB security service comes after Lieutenant-General Vladimir Alexeyev, deputy head of the GRU military intelligence, was shot three times in his Moscow apartment building on 6 February.
Ukraine has denied any involvement in the incident.
State media quoted FSB chief Alexander Bortnikov confirming Alexeyev’s recovery and stating that security for such high-ranking officials would “of course” be tightened.
It started with a smell. A soldering iron smell, like hot metal wires. But I was driving through an industrial estate in Miles Platting, so I didn’t give it a second thought.
I was on my way back from Ramsbottom. After almost seven miles on the motorway, I’d made my way towards a junction with Manchester Road and was waiting at a traffic light before the plunge into a labyrinth of 20mph residential roads that eventually wound their way to my home.
It was at this junction that my ABS (automatic brake system) warning light started flashing at me from my dashboard.
Now, I’m no mechanic. I bought my second-hand Fiat Panda Pop less than a year ago, a month or so after passing my test, and I just about knew how to open the bonnet and check my tire pressure. But I did know the ABS light coming on is generally not a good sign.
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I passed through the junction and pulled over as soon as I could. As I came to a stop, the soldering smell grew stronger, and something caught my eye in the left-hand side of my peripheral vision. I turned my head and watched, mesmerised, as a needle-thin wisp of smoke slowly snaked its way out of the far side of my dashboard.
This was also not a good sign.
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All my belongings were scattered across the passenger seat – a backpack with my work laptop, two phones, my housekeys and press card. I knew I had to act quickly and get my stuff out as quickly as possible, and thought it would be easier to access from the passenger door. So, I darted out and around my car. The door wouldn’t budge.
I ran back round to the driver’s seat and swooped up my belongings. By this point more tendrils of smoke had started to emerge from around the dashboard, and the smell of burning plastic and metal pierced into my nostrils. Now I was starting to panic.
I slammed the door shut behind me and for some reason even locked my car as I crossed the street.
By the time I got through to the fire department on 999, my car had started going batsh*t. The lights were flickering, the alarm started going off, the horn was blaring. A thick plume of smoke gathered inside the windscreen. The passenger seat, where I’d fished for my belongings, was ablaze. Minutes later – as I called my editor to tell him, in disbelief, what was happening, all the glass shattered with a tremendous bang and a three-metre high flame shot out of the top of the vehicle.
In complete disbelief, I watched the car I’d been sitting in just a few moments earlier utterly self-destruct.
The Panda – nicknamed Frieda – was my first ever car. I bought Frieda for £4,000 from a garage in Manchester, with the help of some money gifted from my dad, who has since passed away. It was massively granny-core. 2013 license plate. Top speed 80mph (on flat road, with a run-up). And the only way to play anything other than Heritage Radio was to buy a CD.
But I loved my little granny-mobile, which helped me zip across my patch in Oldham and Bury, and across the Peaks to visit my partner in Sheffield without a single problem.
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At least until it suddenly burst into flames.
After what could only have been a few minutes but felt like an eternity, a fire engine appeared and fire crew made quick work of Frieda. They left a sad, burnt husk.
Still in shock, I wasn’t sure what to do with myself. I’d never had an accident before, so had no idea who I needed to speak to or where to go. Luckily, one of the very kind firefighters approached me to see if I was ok. He told me to take myself home and ‘make yourself a brew’.
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“It’s not like there’s anything more that could go wrong with your car at this point,” he quipped. “Don’t think anyone’s going to steal it in that state.”
Except – someone did.
The next day, when the recovery crew arranged by my insurance company turned up, I got a call out of the blue to inform me my Fiat Panda had disappeared, leaving nothing but a sprinkling of shattered glass.
After some stressed-out calls, it turned out the car had in fact been impounded by GMP – who’d ordered the vehicle to be removed. Probably because by this point, it looked like someone had taken it for a joy-ride, then dumped and petrol bombed it.
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Thankfully, I was completely unharmed. But I did spend a few days in shock wondering – What if I’d been a few minutes slower to pull over? What if I’d still been on the motorway? Or come to a stop somewhere busy?
Most of all, I just kept thinking ‘What the actual hell just happened’.
So I asked a mechanic.
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“It sounds a bit like a brake failure,” said Dave, whose full name and garage I’m omitting for his peace of mind, after a moment of shocked silence over the phone. “I couldn’t say with any certainty without taking it apart, but it’s the number one cause for truck fires.”
Brake failures are when a mechanical or technical fault stops the brakes from disengaging properly. The friction builds up so much heat, which is funnelled through a ventilation shaft close to the car’s electrics, it can lead to a fire.
It’s likely I might never know what happened. I’ll miss Frieda. But I also feel incredibly lucky that the situation didn’t turn out far worse.
The only thing that keeps haunting me is that smell. At odd moments, when I’m telling this story, or thinking about finding a new car… I’m sure I can smell it wafting in the air. That soldering iron smell, like metal wires melting.
You’ll struggle to find so much power in such a small form factor
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Portable power stations come in all shapes and sizes – and Bluetti is hoping it has hit the sweet spot for many users with the new Elite 300.
Jam-packed in its relatively small frame is a high-capacity 3kWh battery, meaning that it sits in the ‘serious power’ category rather than casual camping gear. It can comfortably run your home essentials, not just phones and laptops.
The system delivers 2,700W of continuous AC output and 4,800W in lifting mode, making it capable of powering high‑demand appliances such as kettles, microwaves, coffee machines, fridges, freezers, and power tools.
BLUETTI markets this as one of the most compact 3kWh units, and that certainly checks out. You’ll struggle to find so much power in such a small form factor. Be warned: it’s heavy. Still portable enough to lug around using the built-in handles, but 26.3kg is still 26.3kg no matter which way you look at it.
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The Elite 300 is pitched as an all-in-one, suitable for home backup, outdoor activities, and professional use. You get 10 output ports, so they cover every device you can think of: 4 AC outlets, 2 USB‑C ports, 2 USB‑A ports, 1 cigarette lighter port, and 1 DC port.
You get plenty of choice when it comes to charging methods, with five to hand: AC. solar, car, AC + solar hybrid, and generator charging. This makes it viable for off-grid living or long camping trips, not just emergency backup. You also get UPS functionality for home use, with a ~10 ms switchover.
It’s worth noting that the power station is not exoanable like modular home battery systems.
The LiFePO₄ battery rated for 6,000+ cycles is a big win, so you can use it daily for a good ten years before major degradation, while you can monitor performance, adjust settings, and manage charging profiles through the Bluetti companion app via Bluetooth and wi-fi. I’ve always found the app rock-solid, but a few users have complained about connection issues.
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The Elite 300 is a well-engineered, high-density power station that hits a sweet spot between portability and real home backup capability. A solid choice for serious users – but overkill for casual ones.
Digital Reviews Network: “For all other incidental uses, especially touring and camping, the Bluetti Elite 300 is one travelling companion you want to have along. With its claim to be the smallest 3kWh power station, there should be enough room left in your van to take some more electronics along.”
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Greener Ideal: “The BLUETTI Elite 300 is a compact 3 kWh portable power station designed for home backup, RV travel, and off-grid power. With a 2,400 W inverter, fast recharging, and solar compatibility, it delivers reliable electricity for appliances, electronics, and emergency preparedness.”
EcoJet Airlines flights across the UK were scheduled to begin in 2024, starting with an Edinburgh to Southampton route.
The company had also planned to expand to mainland Europe, with long-haul flights planned for the future.
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However, EcoJet Airlines has now entered liquidation, according to Companies House.
Court documents revealed that Paul Dounis and Mark Harper from Opus Restructuring were appointed as liquidators last month.
Opus, speaking to The Herald, said the move followed a “voluntary liquidation initiated by the company’s board”.
It added: “EcoJet was a start-up business and has no material assets.
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“The members have elected to fund the liquidation process to ensure that the company’s employees receive their full statutory entitlements.”
Despite EcoJet falling into liquidation, Mr Vince, in The Herald, said: “We remain committed to electrifying all forms of transport – aviation is the last frontier and the hardest.
“It’s taking longer than we hoped to get the technology and regulatory pieces of the puzzle in alignment, and so we’re pausing work at this time.”
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Royal Air Philippines
Royal Air Philippines is a budget airline based in the Philippines, which first began operations in 2018.
It operates domestic flights in the Philippines and international flights to other Asian countries, including:
Cambodia
China
Hong Kong
Macau
South Korea
Taiwan
Royal Air Philippines started as a charter airline, named Royal Air Charter Service, in 2002, before receiving a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity from the Civil Aeronautics Board in 2017, allowing it to offer regular commercial flights (which launched in 2018).
“By 2020, the airline had expanded its fleet with the introduction of Airbus A319/A320 jets – this allowed the airline to carry more passengers and offer long-haul routes,” Alternative Airlines added.
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But Royal Air Philippines has now fallen into administration, with around 4,000 flights between January and March (2026) cancelled as a result.
The airline is currently working to provide affected passengers with refunds, according to the Daily Express.
The airline’s website previously read: “We are working on providing refunds and hope to resume flights at an unspecified date in the future.
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“Thank you for your patience and understanding. We eagerly anticipate welcoming you aboard soon.”
Access to the Royal Air Philippines website is no longer available, with those trying to access the website greeted with a “ready when you are” message, with a type of ‘loading’ spinning circle.
The failure of Royal Air Philippines is believed to be a result of decreased flight numbers in recent years, Philstar Global said.
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Dove Airlines
Dove Airlines is a charter airline based in Kolkata, which launched back in 2007.
The Indian-based airline entered voluntary liquidation in January, according to The Street.
The Street reported the airline has “officially gone dormant” after retiring two of its A340 planes.
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UK travel companies that have closed in 2026 (so far)
Four UK travel companies have also ceased trading in 2026, resulting in the cancellation of flights and holiday packages to destinations around the world.
Record View says Holyrood should mirror the Unauthorised Entry Act and bring in banning orders for those who sneak into matches.
The recent Old Firm riot sparked a great deal of hand-wringing from our political leaders.
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But there has been little in the way of action to avoid a repeat of the shameful scenes beamed around the world on live television. This weekend in England, however, a change in the law will come into force that could make a difference.
The Unauthorised Entry to Football Matches Act targets fans who force their way into games without paying. It’s a sensible measure and a similar law in Scotland is long overdue.
Ticketless fans forcing their way into games – either through tailgating other supporters or forcing their way through security gates – has become a major problem for clubs. The trend comes as we are witnessing the growth of “ultra” groups across the country.
These young fans bring passion and a party atmosphere to our football stadiums and that has been widely welcomed. But in some cases the boisterous behaviour has spilled over into anti-social behaviour – including gaining entry to games without paying.
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English authorities have moved to target this practice – and the Scottish Government cannot simply watch from the sidelines. We have repeatedly seen fans double-up at turnstiles, charge barriers or use counterfeit tickets.
Stewards are shoved aside, paying supporters are crushed against turnstiles and clubs haemorrhage revenue. The English law makes sense because it includes strong deterrents, such as heavy fines and football banning orders.
The solution is straightforward. Holyrood should mirror the Unauthorised Entry Act and bring in banning orders for those who sneak into matches. Ticketless entry is not harmless fun. It is theft from honest fans and a risk to the safety of ordinary supporters.
Life-saving advice
A warning has been issued to parents about the dangers to babies of “co-sleeping”.
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It comes after the deaths of 29 babies were linked to the practice after a review of fatal accident inquiries. Solicitor General Ruth Charteris deserves credit for raising her concerns.
Every single one of these fatalities is an unimaginable loss for the families involved. The fact they could have been avoided makes the tragedy even greater. The Lullaby Trust, which advises parents, has issued guidance to keep babies safe.
If you or anyone you know has a wee one, please read the guidance in today’s Record or online – and let’s try to avoid any more needless heartbreak.
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*Astro line horoscopes are updated every Thursday. Calls cost 65p per minute plus your telephone company’s network access charge and will last approximately five minutes. You must be over 18 and have the bill payer’s permission. Service provided by Spoke. Customer service: 0333 202 3390
Hawaii suffered its worst flooding in more than 20 years as heavy rains fell on soil already saturated by downpours from a winter storm a week ago, officials said Friday while warning that still more rain was expected during the weekend.
Muddy floodwaters smothered vast stretches of Oahu‘s North Shore, a community world-renowned for its big-wave surfing. Raging waters lifted homes and cars and prompted evacuation orders for 5,500 people north of Honolulu. Authorities cautioned that a 120-year-old dam could fail.
Gov. Josh Green said the cost of the storm could top $1 billion, including damage to airports, schools, roads, people’s homes and a Maui hospital in Kula.
“This is going to have a very serious consequence for us as a state,” Green said at a news conference.
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Most of the state was under a flood watch, with Haleiwa and Waialua in northern Oahu under a flash flood warning, according to the National Weather Service.
Green said his chief of staff spoke to the White House and received assurances the islands would have federal support.
Most serious flooding since 2004
No deaths were reported and no one was unaccounted for. About 10 people were taken to a hospital with hypothermia, he said.
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Crews searched by air and by water for people who had been stranded — efforts that were hampered by people flying personal drones to get images of the flooding, said Ian Scheuring, a spokesperson for Honolulu.
The National Guard and Honolulu Fire Department airlifted 72 children and adults who had been attending a spring break youth camp at a retreat on Oahu’s west coast called Our Lady of Kea’au, according to city and camp officials. The camp is on high ground but authorities didn’t want to leave them there, the mayor said.
Green said the flooding was the state’s most serious since 2004 floods in Manoa inundated homes and a University of Hawaii library.
Dozens — if not hundreds — of homes were damaged Friday but officials haven’t been able to fully assess the destruction, Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi said. Some 5,500 people were under evacuation orders.
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“There’s no question that the damage done thus far has been catastrophic,” he said.
Officials blamed some of the devastation on the sheer amount of rain that fell in a short amount of time on saturated land. Parts of Oahu received 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30 cm) of rain overnight. Kaala, the island’s highest peak, got nearly 16 inches (40 cm) in the past day, the National Weather Service said.
More rain was expected: Blangiardi said 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm) of rain was forecast to fall on Oahu in the next two to three days.
Winter storm systems known as “Kona lows,” which feature southerly or southwesterly winds that bring in moisture-laden air, were responsible for the deluges in the past two weeks. The intensity and frequency of heavy rains in Hawaii have increased amid human-caused global warming, experts say.
Officials have been closely watching the Wahiawa dam, which has been vulnerable for decades, saying it was “at risk of imminent failure.”
Water levels in the dam receded by late Friday but that could change if more rain falls. Overnight into Friday, the dam went from 79 feet to 84 feet (24 to 25.6 meters) — just 6 feet (1.8 meters) shy of what it can handle, authorities said.
As she prepared to evacuate to a friend’s home on higher ground, Waialua resident Kathleen Pahinui told The Associated Press in a phone interview that the aging dam is a concern every time it rains.
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“Just pray for us,” she said. “We understand there’s more rain coming.”
The state has said Wahiawa dam has “high hazard potential,” and that a failure “will result in probable loss of human life.”
The earthen dam was built in 1906 to increase sugar production for the Waialua Agricultural Company, which eventually became a subsidiary of Dole Food Company. It was reconstructed following a collapse in 1921.
The state has sent Dole four notices of deficiency about the dam since 2009 and five years ago fined the company $20,000 for failing to address safety deficiencies on time, according to records.
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Afterward, Dole proposed to donate the dam, reservoir and ditch system to the state in exchange for the state’s agreement to repair the spillway to meet and maintain dam safety standards.
The state passed legislation in 2023 authorizing the dam’s acquisition. It also provided $5 million to buy the spillway and $21 million to repair and expand it to comply with dam safety requirements. But the transfer has not been completed. A state board is due to vote on the acquisition next week.
“The dam continues to operate as designed with no indications of damage,” Dole said in an emailed statement.
The state regulates 132 dams across Hawaii, most of them built as part of irrigation systems for the sugar cane industry, according to a 2019 infrastructure report by the American Society of Civil Engineers.
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Associated Press writer Hallie Golden contributed to this report from Seattle.
The Reds suffered late disappointment in their last league outing, held to a 1-1 draw by Tottenham at Anfield last weekend.
They quickly bounced back with a 4-0 victory over Galatasaray to move into the Champions League quarter-finals on Wednesday, overturning a 1-0 deficit from the last 16 first leg at RAMS Park.
The Premier League champions have been hit and miss this term, underperforming in their title defence to leave them fifth in the table.
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Arne Slot’s side take on a Brighton team in mid-table mediocrity.
Fabian Hurzeler’s Seagulls sit 12th, with their wins, losses and draws all spread evenly across their 30 games played.
The Sussex outfit beat Sunderland 1-0 at the Stadium of Light last time out, to follow up their defeat at the Amex Stadium by league leaders Arsenal by the same scoreline.
That loss against the Gunners followed two straight victories over Brentford and Nottingham Forest.
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How to watch Brighton vs Liverpool
TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on TNT Sports. Coverage starts at 11am GMT on TNT Sports 1.
Live stream: TNT Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Discovery+ app and website.
Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog.
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