Afghanistan: Humanitarian work at risk after Taliban took control of ‘keys to the server room’ with biometric data
From ethical dilemmas on data security to worst-case scenarios unfolding in real time – the Taliban’s rise to power in Afghanistan is spurring urgent concern about the safety of data that aid groups have collected over the past 20 years. Data protection experts warn that aid groups must quickly review...
Largest study yet on Covid spread puts to rest doubts about effectiveness of masks in reining in transmission
A study involving more than 340,000 people in Bangladesh offers some of the strongest real-world evidence yet that mask use can help communities slow the spread of Covid-19. The research, conducted across 600 villages in rural Bangladesh, is the largest randomised trial to demonstrate the effectiveness of surgical masks, in...
Paralympian Keula Semedo missed out 200m gold, but sprinted into the heart of her man – forever!
The Paralympics are all about incredible sporting moments and fairy-tale stories – and this latest moment is up there with the highlights of the Games so far. T11 runner Keula Nidreia Pereira Semedo’s Tokyo Paralympics will live long in the memory thanks to the romantic gesture of her guide. Visually...
DR Congo army says it’s pursuing Islamist group that killed four people, kidnapped dozens in the east
Four civilians were killed and dozens taken hostage in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo when suspected Islamist militants ambushed a convoy and set fire to the vehicles, the government said. Congo’s army has freed more than 50 of the hostages in Ituri province and operations are underway to recover the...
UK parliamentary group wants greater inclusion of women, minority ethnic groups in sciences
A cross-party group of UK parliamentarians is urging the government to increase the diversity of the nation’s workforce in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Among other recommendations, a report issued by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Diversity and Inclusion in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths...
Raheem Sterling’s steel on show as he laughs off racist abuse to steer England past angry Hungarians
Raheem Sterling was pelted with objects and racially abused as he scored in England’s 4-0 rout of Hungary in their World Cup qualifier. A slow first half was followed by a ruthless second as Gareth Southgate’s side put behind them the disappointment of the Euro 2020 final, but the game...
Religious groups in UK misuse concept of ‘forgiveness’ to sweep sexual crimes under carpet
There are “shocking failings” and “blatant hypocrisy” in the way major UK religious groups handle child sex abuse allegations, an inquiry has found. The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) said some religious organisations in England and Wales were “morally failing” children. It examined evidence from 38 groups, including...
Distress calls flow out of Afghanistan as scholars fear Taliban reprisals after US military forces exit
“The situation in Afghanistan is horrifying. We need immediate assistance.” This is one of several distressing messages sent out by researchers in Afghanistan, following the Taliban’s capture of Kabul on August 15 and the evacuation of US military forces on August 31. Researchers are among those who are now especially...
Sulking Sevilla defender Jules Kounde ignoring team manager calls after move to Chelsea aborts
Jules Kounde is reportedly furious with Sevilla for blocking his move to Chelsea, with the defender also said to be ignoring calls from his manager Julen Lopetegui and the club’s sporting director Monchi. The Champions League winners wanted to sign the Frenchman as a replacement for Kurt Zouma following his...
Tanzania police say gunman who killed five people last week was a terrorist with foreign links
Tanzanian police said on Thursday that a slain gunman who killed four police officers and a private security guard on a rampage through a diplomatic quarter of Tanzania’s main city Dar es Salaam last month was a terrorist. In the August 25 attack, Hamza Mohammed shot police officers with a...
