A council has accidentally rejected planning applications with sarcastic joke responses. A junior officer, who thought he was testing the local authority’s website, accidentally told applicants their plans were “whack”. One was told: “No mate, proper whack”. It will now have to spend thousands of pounds to reverse the spoof decisions. Legal advice taken by the council had confirmed that the decisions are legally binding and will cost at least £8,000 to overturn through judicial review.
Snakes measure radiation in Fukushima
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Woman, 100, sets powerlifting record
A 100-year-old woman is set to enter the Guinness World Records as one of the oldest powerlifters. Great-great-grandmother Edith Murway-Traina’s 68kg power lift will be marked in the 2022 book. The former dance instructor and performer living in Florida took up weightlifting nine years ago when forced to go to the gym by a friend. She said that trashing the “sweet little old lady stereotype” motivates her further.
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Sanae Takaichi: Japan’s Iron Lady set to be the country’s first woman prime ministerIn the Spotlight Takaichi is a member of Japan’s conservative, nationalist Liberal Democratic Party
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Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of TaiwanIn the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
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Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdownIN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users
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China is silently expanding its influence in American citiesUnder the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
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How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctionsThe Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
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One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
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What happens if tensions between India and Pakistan boil over?TODAY'S BIG QUESTION As the two nuclear-armed neighbors rattle their sabers in the wake of a terrorist attack on the contested Kashmir region, experts worry that the worst might be yet to come
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Why Russia removed the Taliban's terrorist designationThe Explainer Russia had designated the Taliban as a terrorist group over 20 years ago
