The UK's ambassador to the US Peter Mandelson has said he feels "a tremendous sense of regret" over his friendship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, and a "tremendous sense of sympathy" for his victims.

Speaking to the You Tube channel Harry Cole Saves the West, he likened his association with Epstein to "an albatross around my neck", adding that he felt "profoundly upset that I was taken in" by a "charismatic criminal liar".

On Tuesday, US lawmakers released a number of documents which included a letter from Lord Mandelson in which he called Epstein his "best pal".

The diplomat said it was "very embarrassing" to see the words published but added they were written "over 20 years ago".

He said he believed more "embarrassing" material including letters and emails would be released.

On Tuesday, a Downing Street spokesperson has said that the prime minister still has confidence in Lord Mandelson and said he has "played a key part" strengthening trade and investment with the US, which had secured jobs in the UK.

The birthday message from Mandelson was one of a number of documents in an alleged "birthday book" given to Epstein in 2023 to celebrate his 50th birthday.

The book contained messages, cards and photos sent by Epstein's friends, including a letter carrying a signature resembling US President Donald Trump. Trump has denied writing the note.

Epstein had been a well-connected financier who was convicted for soliciting prostitution from a person under the age of 18 in 2008. He died in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.

Asked why he continued his association with Epstein, Mandelson said he "fell for his lies".

"I accepted assurances he had given me about his original indictment, his original criminal case. Like very many people I took at face value what he said."

He said he never saw wrongdoing at any point while with Epstein and he "never sought, nor did [Epstein] offer introductions to women in the way that he did to others, perhaps it is because I am a gay man".

He said he couldn't "rewrite history" adding: "What I can do, what I can do is express my profound sympathy for those who were badly treated by him."

The UK's first "super-university", stretching across an entire region, is to be created through the merger of the universities of Kent and Greenwich, the BBC has learnt.

Under the proposed name of London and South East University Group, the single institution will have one vice-chancellor from the academic year starting in autumn 2026.

The Office for Students (OfS), England's higher education regulator, welcomed the move and suggested more universities may explore similar options as they battle economic challenges, with 40% of English universities now believed to be in financial deficit.

The Department for Education (DfE) said ministers "welcome innovative approaches such as this one".

The new university will operate across the existing campuses, including in Medway, where students from both Greenwich and Kent already share facilities, including the library.

Kent has one other campus, in Canterbury, about 30 miles (48km) from Medway.

Greenwich has two other campuses, one on the banks of the River Thames in Greenwich itself about 28 miles (45km) from Medway, and the other in Avery Hill, south-east London, about 24 miles (38km) from Medway.

The universities said the combined institution will provide a strong financial foundation to weather the economic challenges facing universities now and in the future.

Speaking exclusively to the BBC, the vice-chancellors of both universities insisted the move was not a takeover, nor driven by a financial crisis for either, although they argued the new university model would be "resilient and financially viable".

Prof Georgina Randsley de Moura will remain the interim leader of Kent until the merger, when Prof Jane Harrington, who runs Greenwich, will become the vice-chancellor of the new institution.

Prof Randsley de Moura said the "trailblazing model" would enable the universities within the new group to retain their name, identity and campuses.

Prof Harrington said the universities had worked together on the Medway campus for 20 years and now wanted to go further to contribute to the economy across London and the South East.

"This is about taking the best of both universities and saying what do we want to offer to our communities," she said.

For students, there will be no visible change, with applications continuing as normal to each institution and degrees awarded in the name of Kent or Greenwich.

Prof Harrington said she could tell students "absolutely categorically" they could complete any course they are already enrolled on, including those starting university this autumn.

The universities said there are no immediate plans for job losses, but both have had to make recent cuts.

In May, Greenwich confirmed it was cutting the equivalent of 15 full-time posts by August.

Kent has already started winding down some courses to reduce costs as it posted a deficit for another year in 2024.

The planned merger is likely to provoke anxiety about long-term prospects among staff.

Prof Harrington said she recognised there would be concern about posts, and said they would be saving costs by reducing senior roles.

Across England, job losses at many institutions over the last couple of years have been adding up, with the University and College Union (UCU) estimating the overall number of posts cut is about 5,000.

Mergers, once rare, have become more common, with City St George's created from two separate parts of the University of London last year.

Most others have involved smaller or specialist institutions.

The plans unveiled on Wednesday are on a bigger scale, with two universities offering a full range of courses and spread over a wider geographical area.

The merger will be watched with interest by other universities looking at ways to collaborate to stabilise their finances.

Tuition fees have increased to £9,535 this academic year, but the real value to universities has fallen because of rising costs since the big uplift 13 years ago increased fees from just over £3,000 to £9,000 a year.

In the last academic year, the number of applications from international students, who pay higher fees, was 16% lower than universities had hoped.

It followed visa restrictions introduced in 2024 which prevented international students bringing family members.

Vivienne Stern, from Universities UK, said the merger was significant, and a sign of how universities were thinking differently.

She said the "slow erosion" of university finances needed to be stopped and the government "was needed on the pitch pretty fast" with longer-term solutions.

Those government plans for the future funding of universities in England are expected later this autumn.

Ministers have already said they are looking at applying a 6% tax on income from international students.

A DfE spokesperson said: "This collaboration shows how strong partnerships in higher education can help enable delivery of world-class teaching and research whilst maintaining the best interests of students."

Any change on this scale has to be overseen by the OfS, which regulates universities in England, and makes sure students' studies are not disrupted.

"In any merger, effective communication with students will be crucial," a spokesperson said.

"Current students will continue to study for the courses they signed up for, and should continue to expect excellent teaching and support."

Donald Trump has called the Jeffrey Epstein story a "dead issue". But in a week of blockbuster new revelations, Epstein's criminality - and its consequences - continue to haunt many of his former associates.

The so-called birthday book of wishes given to Epstein in 2003, that was publicly released on Monday, has given new ammunition to Trump's critics, and it will also keep his base and the wider public clamouring for more details.

It may not be a proverbial smoking gun – an undeniable link to wrongdoing that destroys careers or supercharges criminal investigations. But it is concrete, troubling evidence of the close relationship the late financier and convicted sex offender had with the rich and powerful.

That alone makes it an explosive and compelling story – one that is capturing the public's attention in ways a typical political story does not.

Make no mistake, while there is no suggestion of criminal wrongdoing by Trump, the political consequences of the Epstein saga on the president are very real.

He is vulnerable on this issue. His attempts to deflect or dismiss it have failed.

And he has at times lashed out at his own base for their fixation on the story - an interest he encouraged as recently as last year.

How the birthday book changed the story

While the 2003 book, compiled by Epstein's then-girlfriend and co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell, is full of dozens of personal notes, it is the one purportedly from Trump that has turned this from a tragic story of sex trafficking and exploitation into one of national partisan intrigue.

The details of the note – an imagined dialogue between Trump and Epstein full of innuendo and double-entendres set within the sketched outline of a nude female torso - have been known to the public since the Wall Street Journal reported on them in July.

Trump had initially responded to that coverage with blanket denials, protestations of being the target of a "hoax" and a defamation lawsuit in which his lawyers doubted the note's existence.

As conservatives rallied to Trump's defence, the president seemed to have eased concerns among his political base which had been divided over the White House's handling of the Epstein files.

Political analysts began to wonder if this would be the latest in the long line of potential scandals and controversies that the president shrugs off.

Trump's strategy had one glaringly obvious risk, however – that the note would become public. An anodyne description of bawdy text and drawings in the pages of a financial newspaper is very different from seeing the actual item, with its depiction of small female breasts and a signature resembling Trump's that is positioned to suggest pubic hair.

The president's advisers and supporters continue to contest the authenticity of the note, but it is no longer possible to deny its existence.

"The president did not write this letter, he did not sign this letter, and that's why the president's external legal team is pursuing litigation against the Wall Street Journal," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Tuesday.

But in a book filled with notes and messages to Epstein, Trump seemingly stands alone in denying the authenticity of his supposed contribution.

And Leavitt was very careful not to call the book itself a hoax.

Every repositioned defence, every recalibrated explanation risks undercutting Trump's reputation among his supporters as a man who doesn't get caught up in typical political games and evasions.

One fragment of a larger mosaic

A greater concern for the White House than the specific revelation of the note, however, is the way in which the birthday book will fuel wider interest in, and attention to, the Epstein case.

The note purportedly from Trump is just a fragment in a larger mosaic of Epstein's life – a picture of a man who had friends and associates in the highest of places, including some of whom found humour in his reputation for sexual exploits.

Less than a week after a group of Epstein victims and their families gathered on the steps of the Capitol to speak of the pain and emotional trauma they suffered, the birthday book provided vivid evidence of the seemingly callous indifference to Epstein's escapades by many in Epstein's circle.

One note, which appears to be from a Florida property investor, includes a photograph of Epstein holding a large novelty cheque seemingly from Trump. The accompanying text jokes that Epstein sold a "fully depreciated" woman to Trump for $22,500 – using a financial term for an item whose value has been reduced through use.

Other notes included lewd drawings, nude photographs and, in one instance, images of animals having sex.

There were messages from politicians, lawyers and business leaders. Former President Bill Clinton referenced Epstein's "childlike curiosity" and his desire to "make a difference".

Lord Peter Mandelson, the current UK ambassador to the US, included photographs of tropical locations and referred to Epstein as "my best pal".

Clinton's office has not responded to a BBC request for comment, though he has previously said he was unaware of Epstein's crimes.

An official spokesperson for Lord Mandelson told the BBC that he "has long been clear that he very much regrets ever having been introduced to Epstein".

Some Republicans have pointed to the way in which Democrats have focused almost exclusively on Trump as evidence that their claims of outrage are driven by a desire for political advantage.

That could be difficult for those on the left to deny.

Democrats on the House committee investigating the Epstein case, for example, were quick to release the Trump birthday page, which had been provided to them by the Epstein estate.

Expect any other details related to the president to receive a similarly speedy route into public view.

A story bigger than the president

The story has become bigger than the president, however, and the interest in Epstein's story – one of sex, crime and power - will drive attention regardless of the political motivations behind some who are advancing it.

If Trump's critics are sensing opportunity, not all of Trump's allies are helping.

Last week, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson suggested that Trump had cooperated with the original federal investigation into Epstein – a theory that Epstein himself floated during interviews with journalist Michael Wolff in 2016 and 2017.

Johnson, a Republican, later walked back his comments, but not before it prompted another round of questions around what Trump knew about Epstein's illegal behaviour and when he knew it.

There is still plenty that the public could learn with the release of more Epstein documents, including witness statements, financial records and evidence gathered in law enforcement searches of Epstein's properties.

Two congressmen, Republican Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Democrat Ro Khanna of California, are currently gathering signatures to force a vote in the House of Representatives to publicly release the remaining Epstein files - a move that the White House is vigorously opposing.

The Epstein saga, which seemed to be old news at the beginning of this year, is approaching a self-sustaining critical mass that will be difficult for anyone, no matter how well-connected or influential, to contain.

And while the president is not the central focus, and there is no evidence of any criminal conduct on his part, his longtime friendship with Epstein (which ended after a falling out in 2004), combined with his position at the pinnacle of American political power, will keep him a central player in this drama for as long as it continues to unfold.

BBC InDepth is the home on the website and app for the best analysis, with fresh perspectives that challenge assumptions and deep reporting on the biggest issues of the day. And we showcase thought-provoking content from across BBC Sounds and iPlayer too. You can send us your feedback on the InDepth section by clicking on the button below.

The firm guarding sites where aid is distributed in Gaza has been using members of a US biker gang with a history of hostility to Islam to run its armed security, a BBC investigation has found.

BBC News has confirmed the identities of 10 members of the Infidels Motorcycle Club working in Gaza for UG Solutions - a private contractor providing security at Gaza Humanitarian Foundation sites, where hundreds of civilians seeking food have been killed in scenes of chaos and gunfire.

We can reveal that seven members of the gang are in senior positions overseeing sites at the controversial aid operation backed by Israel and US President Donald Trump.

UG Solutions (UGS) defended its employees' qualifications for the job, saying it does not screen people out for "personal hobbies or affiliations unrelated to job performance".

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) said it has "a zero-tolerance policy for any hateful, discriminatory biases or conduct".

Infidels MC was set up by US military veterans of the Iraq war in 2006 and members see themselves as modern Crusaders, using the Crusader cross as their symbol - a reference to the medieval Christians who fought Muslims for control of Jerusalem.

The gang is currently hosting anti-Muslim hate speech on its Facebook page and has previously held a pig roast "in defiance of" the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

"Putting the Infidels biker club in charge of delivering humanitarian aid in Gaza is like putting the KKK in charge of delivering humanitarian aid in Sudan. It makes no sense whatsoever," said Edward Ahmed Mitchell, deputy director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a leading Muslim civil rights organisation in the US.

"It's bound to lead to violence, and that's exactly what we've seen happen in Gaza."

The gang's leader, Johnny "Taz" Mulford, is a former sergeant in the US Army who was punished for conspiracy to commit bribery, theft and making false statements to military authorities. He is now the "country team leader" running UG Solutions' contract in Gaza.

We emailed Infidels MC for comment. In response, Mr Mulford instructed fellow leaders of the biker gang not to reply but included the BBC when he clicked "reply all" - inadvertently disclosing email addresses and names of fellow Infidels MC members, some of whom were working in Gaza.

By matching up names with public information about Infidels MC's leadership, and evidence from UG Solutions insiders who worked with them, we have identified 10 members of Infidels MC who Mr Mulford recruited to work with him in Gaza.

In addition to Mr Mulford, we have identified three leading members of Infidels MC who also have senior roles at UGS's Gaza operation:

• Larry "J-Rod" Jarrett, who has been publicly named as the Infidels MC vice-president, and is in charge of logistics
• The gang's national treasurer, Bill "Saint" Siebe, who leads the security team for one of GHF's four "safe distribution sites"
• One of the gang's founding members, Richard "A-Tracker" Lofton, a team leader at another distribution site

Confidential documents, open-source information and former UGS contractors have enabled us to confirm the identities of a further six Infidels bikers hired to work in Gaza. Three of them are leaders or deputy leaders of the firm's armed security teams.

Mr Jarrett, Mr Siebe and Mr Lofton did not respond to requests for comment.

UGS told the BBC it conducts comprehensive background checks and only deploys vetted individuals. However, news reports indicate Mr Jarrett was arrested two years ago in the US for drunk driving and has a previous charge of driving under the influence from about a decade earlier. It is not known whether either case resulted in a conviction.

The founder and chief executive of UG Solutions, Jameson Govoni, was arrested earlier this year in North Carolina for his alleged involvement in a hit-and-run incident and for fleeing from police to evade arrest, according to court documents. Mr Govoni, who is based in the US and is not a member of Infidels MC, declined to comment.

Until now Mr Mulford was the only UG Solutions contractor to have been identified as a member of the Infidels. The BBC's investigation reveals how widespread his hiring of members of the biker gang has been, notably to better-paid jobs leading the UGS armed security teams.

Social media posts show that in May, just two weeks before travelling to Gaza, Mr Mulford sought to recruit US military veterans who follow him on Facebook, inviting anyone who "can still shoot, move and communicate" to apply.

In total, at least 40 of about 320 people hired to work for UG Solutions in Gaza were recruited from Infidels MC, according to an estimate by a former contractor.

UG Solutions is paying each contractor $980 (£720) per day including expenses, rising to $1,580 (£1,160) per day for team leaders at GHF's "safe distribution sites", documents seen by the BBC show.

One leader of a team in Gaza overseeing site security, Josh Miller, posted a photo of a group of contractors in Gaza with a banner reading "Make Gaza Great Again".

The banner advertises the logo of a company he owns which sells T-shirts and other clothing, including one which has the slogan "embrace violence" and another which says: "Surf all day, rockets all night. Gaza summer 25."

His company also posted a video online showing scenes of gun violence and advocating the shooting of criminals, with the caption: "Remember, always shoot until they're no longer a threat!"

Mr Miller has the word "Crusader" tattooed across his fingers and "1095" on his thumbs. This is the year when the leader of the Catholic church, Pope Urban II, launched the first crusade, attacking Muslims as a "vile race". Mr Miller did not respond to requests for comment.

A post on the Infidels MC Facebook page selling "1095" hats says it signifies the start of the Crusades, "a military campaign by western European forces to recapture Jerusalem and the Holy Land from Muslim control". The "Holy Land" refers to the area mostly covered by modern-day Israel and the Palestinian territories.

Johnny Mulford, who in addition to leading the gang is listed as the registered agent of a Florida company called Infidels MC, has the date 1095 tattooed across his chest. He has a Crusader cross tattooed on his right forearm and another on his left upper arm along with the word "Infidels".

"When you see anti-Muslim bigots today celebrating 1095, celebrating the Crusades, they are celebrating the wholesale massacre of Muslims - the erasure of Muslims and Jews from the holy city of Jerusalem," said Mr Mitchell from the US Muslim civil rights organisation CAIR.

He said the gang had the hallmarks of anti-Muslim hate groups which for decades have used the name "Infidels".

Anti-Islamic views expressed by the gang include a flyer for the pig roast during Ramadan, which the BBC found on an archived web page. It says: "In defiance of the Islamic holiday of Ramadan… we invite you to attend the Infidels MC Colorado Springs Chapter open bike party & pig roast."

The flyer also shows a woman wearing a burka that has been torn off from the neck down, exposing her chest.

The Infidels MC Facebook page has hosted clearly Islamophobic discussions. In 2020 the club shared a link to a false, satirical article claiming four US Democratic politicians, two of them Muslim, wanted the Bible to be deemed hate speech.

Comments from members of the Facebook group included: "Filling my magazine to the max. Would not be the first time we were at odds with muslims"; "Deport these pathetic skanks to a pathetic third world crap hole where they won't be offended by the Holy Bible"; and a comment dismissing "them and their Mohammad" with an expletive.

As of Wednesday, the comments remain on the Infidels MC Facebook page.

The Infidels MC website also used to show the skull logo of the violent Marvel comic book character Punisher, a symbol appropriated by white supremacist groups, inscribed with "kafir" in Arabic script - which translates as "unbeliever" (or "infidel").

Scenes of chaos and danger have been common at the aid distribution sites in Gaza since they opened at the end of May. Up to 2 September, 1,135 children, women and men were killed near GHF sites while seeking food, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

The UN has said most of the killings appear to have been carried out by Israeli security forces. Incidents where civilians were harmed while seeking aid are "under review by the competent authorities in the IDF", the Israeli military said.

UGS has denied allegations that its security contractors also fired on civilians and that it put people seeking food in danger due to incompetent leadership. However, the company has admitted that warning shots have been used to disperse crowds.

In a statement, UG Solutions, based in North Carolina, said Johnny Mulford is a "trusted and respected figure" with more than 30 years' experience supporting the US and its allies globally. "We stand by his reputation, record, and his contributions to the success of complex missions," the company said.

"We do not screen for personal hobbies or affiliations unrelated to job performance or security standards. Every team member undergoes comprehensive background checks, and only qualified, vetted individuals are deployed on UG Solutions operations," UGS said.

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation said it relies on "people from all backgrounds" to provide aid in Gaza and to build trust with Gazans.

"The team providing aid at the Foundation's sites is diverse - and it is successful for that reason," the GHF said.

Contactless card payments are set to exceed £100 and potentially become unlimited under new proposals to allow banks and other providers to set limits.

The proposals from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) mean entering a four-digit PIN to make a card payment could become even more of a rarity for shoppers.

If approved, purchases which can cost more than £100 - such as a big supermarket shop, or large family meal in a restaurant - could be made with a tap of a card.

The move would bring cards in line with payments made through digital wallets on smartphones which have no restriction, and reflects the ongoing changes in the way people pay.

When contactless card payments were introduced in 2007, the transaction limit was set at £10. The limit was raised gradually, to £15 in 2010, to £20 in 2012, then to £30 in 2015, before the Covid pandemic prompted a jump to £45 in 2020, then to £100 in October 2021.

If approved, the latest plan could be put in place early next year.

Every rise has been met with concerns about theft and fraud, and the FCA said card providers would only permit higher-value contactless payments for low-risk transactions and would carry the burden if things went wrong.

However, the freedom for banks to raise or even scrap the contactless limit suggests the four-digit PIN could soon become relatively redundant.

The FCA has proposed the changes, despite the majority of consumers and industry respondents to a consultation favouring the current rules.

Some 78% of consumers who responded said they did not want any change to the limits.

The FCA said it did not expect any quick changes, but providers would welcome the flexibility over time when prices rise and technology advances. They could also give customers the option to set their own limits.

Fraud and theft fears

The idea of high-value payments being made with a tap of a card will raise concern that thieves and fraudsters will target cards.

Various protections are already in place. In addition to the £100 single payment limit, consumers are often required to enter a PIN if a series of contactless transactions totals more than £300, or five consecutive contactless payments are made.

The FCA's own analysis suggests raising the limits would increase fraud losses, but said detection was improving and would continue to get better.

It said any change would be reliant on providers ensuring payments were low-risk, through their fraud prevention systems.

Consumers would still get their money back if money was stolen by fraudsters, according to David Geale, from the FCA.

"People are still protected. Even with contactless, firms will refund your money if your card is used fraudulently," he said.

Many banks already allow cardholders to set a contactless limit of lower than £100, or switch it off completely, and the FCA expected this option to be made widely available.

It argued that time savings, less "payment friction", and a reflection of rising prices over time would make changes in the limits worthwhile.

Payment terminals would also need to be altered, as most are programmed to automatically refuse payments of more than £100 by card.

'I only use my phone to pay'

Smartphones already have an extra layer of security, through thumbprints or face ID. That allows people to pay without limits.

Nearly three-quarters of 16 to 24-year-olds regularly use mobile payments, according to industry research.

Near the appropriately named Bank Street in Sevenoaks, 24-year-old Demi Grady said she rarely bothered carrying her cards around anymore because she used her phone for everything.

"I was in London the other day, my phone died and I couldn't pay for stuff because I couldn't remember my card details," she said.

Her mum, Carrie, in contrast, uses her card when shopping.

"It would worry me more than be of benefit if they were to lose the limit of £100," she said.

Robert Ryan, who had just bought a "winter-ish jacket" at a Harveys Menswear on Bank Street said he did not regard entering a four-digit number when paying as a hassle. Instead it could be a useful budgeting tool.

"I feel more secure in what I'm buying and it does give me a bit of a prompt to make sure I'm not overspending on my tap-and-go," he said.

Richard Staplehurst, the owner of the store, said the majority of his customers were paying via a device.

He said that removing any obstacles to payment was great, but he did not want to be landed with a bill if a card was used fraudulently.

Stimulating the UK economy

The idea of removing the contactless limit was highlighted as one way the FCA was responding to the prime minister's call to regulators to remove restrictions to create more economic growth.

The government has been striving to improve the UK's economic performance, which has been slow for some time.

Other countries, such as Canada, Australia and New Zealand allow industry to set contactless card limits.

The FCA will consult on its proposals until 15 October.

The maker of Wegovy and Ozempic, Novo Nordisk, has announced it will cut 9,000 jobs weeks after warning that profits will fall as more "knock-off" weight-loss drugs emerge.

The redundancies make up 11% of the Danish company's workforce and mark the first major step by new chief executive Mike Doustdar as Novo Nordisk faces mounting pressures in the rapidly expanding weight-loss sector.

Demand for weight-loss drugs has increased in recent years, in particular after Covid-related lockdowns forced people to stay in their homes.

Mr Doustdar said: "Our markets are evolving, particularly in obesity, as it has become more competitive and consumer-driven. Our company must evolve as well."

Novo Nordisk has faced increased competition from rivals such as Eli Lilly which makes Mounjaro.

Eli Lilly recently hiked the price of Mounjaro in the UK, leading to some patients warning they were unable to get hold of the medicine as pharmacies stockpiled the drug before the rise came into force.

The company announced Mounjaro's price will rise by up to 170%, meaning a month's supply of the highest dose will go up from £122 to £330.

At Novo Nordisk, the firm warned in July that its full-year sales and profits would not grow as quickly as expected.

The company aims to cut costs by 8 billion Danish kroner (£927m) by the end of next year.

In July, Novo Nordisk warned that its full-year sales and profits would not grow as quickly as expected.

Mr Doustdar said that while "it is always difficult to see talented and valued colleagues go, but we are convinced that this is the right thing to do for the long-term success of Novo Nordisk".

The company says it will begin discussions with employees in the coming months, in line with local labour laws.

TV presenter Jay Blades has pleaded not guilty to two counts of rape.

The 55-year-old, from Claverley, Shropshire, who is best known for hosting BBC show The Repair Shop, denied the offences at Shrewsbury Crown Court on Wednesday.

Mr Blades, who appeared in court via a video link, was granted bail ahead of a trial in September 2027.

Judge Anthony Lowe told Mr Blades that he regretted the delays, but he could not move the case to an earlier date because of the backlog in criminal cases.

"It's not a proper justice system where people are having to wait that length of time for their trial," the judge added.

A case management hearing was also set for the same court on 15 May next year, which Mr Blades will not be required to attend in person.

The TV presenter, who appeared in court under his full name Jason Blades, was told not to contact the complainant.

Mr Blades, who was honoured with an MBE in 2021, stepped back from presenting The Repair Shop last year.

Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.

Australian authorities are investigating a US influencer who has sparked controversy by filming himself trapping wild crocodiles in Queensland.

Mike Holston is under fire for two videos posted for his millions of followers online - one showing him wrestling a freshwater crocodile, and another showing him manhandling a saltwater crocodile, one of the planet's deadliest creatures.

Mr Holston says he made the videos for "educational purposes", but wildlife experts say his behaviour is cruel and he's been labelled a "goose" by the state's leader.

Queensland officials say the influencer's actions, which can attract fines of up to A$37,500 (£18,300, $24,776), are "extremely dangerous and illegal".

In a video posted last week to his Instagram, Mr Holston - who goes by "The Real Tarzann" on social media - can be seen jumping into shallow water to chase a freshwater crocodile.

The animal draws blood before Mr Holston secures it, and can be heard calling out in the video.

"This is what dreams are made of," the influencer says in the footage, adding that he had wanted to come to Australia since he was a child.

A second video shows Mr Holston heading into marshland to capture a juvenile saltwater crocodile. Usually one of the world's most aggressive reptiles, the animal is largely limp as he holds it by the neck and lifts it for the camera.

In both videos, he can be seen releasing the animals back to the wild.

A spokesperson for Queensland's environment department confirmed officials were investigating the incidents, which appear to have been filmed on the Lockhart River in Cape York.

"Let us be clear: people should not attempt to capture freshwater or saltwater crocodiles in Queensland, unless they are trained and licensed to do so," the statement said.

On-the-spot fines of A$8,345 apply for anyone found to be interfering with a saltwater crocodile in Queensland, but penalties can climb to more than four times that in some cases.

The state government also introduced new legislation last year aimed at cracking down on dangerous crocodile interactions, which included making it an offence to unintentionally feed a crocodile by dumping food that attracts the reptiles to a public space.

While Mr Holston's videos have been viewed - and liked - by masses of people online, there has also been growing condemnation of his actions.

Crocodile experts have expressed concern about the saltwater crocodile pictured in particular, saying it is unusual that it wasn't thrashing about, trying to escape.

The father of the late Australian naturalist Steve Irwin has also weighed in, suggesting people like Mr Holston should be "booted out the door" if they don't respect Australia's wildlife.

Mr Irwin stressed the behaviour was far removed from the activities of his own son - who died in 2006 - aged 44.

"This isn't a Steve Irwin issue. This is about an individual illegally interfering with protected fauna," Mr Irwin said in a statement.

"Anyone who actually knows how to handle crocodiles knows they don't respond well to capture. It's a specialised skill to do it without causing dangerous stress and lactic acid build-up - and this bloke clearly had no clue."

He said social media is playing a huge role in "glorifying" harmful wildlife interactions, and called for greater penalties for such behaviour - adding the current ones are "laughable" compared to the money that can be made off it online.

"These posts can have disastrous consequences for both people and wildlife."

Mr Holston, though, has defended his actions, in a comment on the video of him handling the saltwater crocodile. "The croc was released after a few up-close looks and photos where [sic] taken.

"I don't encourage anyone to try to recreate or re-enact [sic] these videos!"

The outrage over Mr Holston's videos comes just a few months after another US influencer was widely condemned for posting a video of her taking a baby wombat from the side of a road. She appeared to be laughing and running away from the distraught mother wombat.

Even Prime Minister Anthony Albanese waded into the discussion back in March, suggesting the woman, Sam Jones, do the same with animals that "can actually fight back".

"Take a baby crocodile from its mother and see how you go there," he said to her.

She left the country soon after anger erupted.

Non-crime hate incidents should stop being recorded by the police, the policing watchdog has said.

Sir Andy Cooke, His Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary, said current legislation places police in an "invidious position" with "discretion and common sense" not always prevailing.

"I think we need to separate the offensive from the criminal," he added.

The head of the Metropolitan Police, speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, agreed with Sir Andy's call and highlighted the "limited" levels of discretion available for officers, adding: "We need more flexibility."

The comments follow recent police activity which has sparked public debate - including a police visit to Daily Telegraph columnist Allison Pearson last year to arrange an interview over a social media post.

The visit attracted a lot of online comment at the time. Essex Police since clarified "at no stage" did its officers tell her the investigation was related to a "non-crime hate incident" while Ms Pearson said she was left "dumbstruck" by the visit.

Non-crime hate incidents are alleged acts perceived to be motivated by hostility or prejudice towards people with certain characteristics, such as race or gender.

They are recorded to collect data on "hate incidents that could escalate into more serious harm" but do not amount to a criminal offence, according to Home Office guidance.

Police guidance on the recording of NCHIs was first published in 2005, following recommendations by an inquiry into the murder of Stephen Lawrence.

Speaking to journalists ahead of the publication on Wednesday of the annual State of Policing in England and Wales assessment, Sir Andy said: "I'm a firm believer that non-crime hate incidents are no longer required, and that intelligence can be gathered in a different way, which would cause less concern to the public and would make recording of such issues much easier for policing."

He added: "We need, at times, to allow people to speak openly without the fear that their opinion will put them on the wrong side of the law."

He underlined that the role of the police is to deal with criminality "across the board" which at times means dealing with issues that occur online.

"It can be a fine line, and that's one of the reasons why we need to look again at the policy and the legislation that sits around this because it places the police in an invidious position and, as we know, discretion and common sense don't always win out in these issues."

In April, the Conservatives called for the recording of such incidents to be scrapped in all but a few cases. Kemi Badenoch said they have "wasted police time chasing ideology and grievance instead of justice".

At the time, the government's then-Policing Minister Diana Johnson said the plan was "unworkable" and "would prevent the police monitoring serious antisemitism and other racist incidents".

Metropolitan Police chief Sir Mark reiterated on Wednesday calls he made last week for the government to "change or clarify" the law after the arrest of Father Ted co-creator Graham Linehan.

Linehan was arrested on suspicion of an alleged criminal offence of inciting violence in relation to posts on X – police were not seeking to record a non-crime hate incident.

The situation sparked a backlash with public figures and politicians weighing in and reignited a wider debate about the policing of comments made on social media.

Linehan has since said he does not regret any of his posts - adding he would be suing the police "for wrongful arrest and false imprisonment".

Sir Mark defended the officers involved, although said "perhaps some things could have been done differently".

He added that he recognised "concern caused by such incidents, given differing perspectives on the balance between free speech and the risks of inciting violence in the real world".

"The policies that lead officers to make these decisions are wrong.

"We need to pull those policies back to give officers more discretion to make different decisions in these circumstances."

Asked by media about this arrest, Sir Andy added: "Was it a great public optic? No, it wasn't. Is there individual criticism from me in relation to the officers who were there? No, there isn't.

"Lessons I'm sure will be learned in relation to it, but it does make policing's job harder when these things occur, because this becomes the focus of attention."

The State of Policing annual report was published on Wednesday with the chief inspector saying this constitutes a "once in a lifetime opportunity" to start the reform that policing needs.

"It will be a missed opportunity if it's not properly funded from the start," he added.

Among Sir Andy's findings were:

• Police forces and the government are "working hard to rebuild public confidence"
• The service continues to face "significant" workforce challenges
• Forces need better co-ordination and collaboration.

Almost exactly a year ago I interviewed the Hamas leader and chief negotiator Khalil al-Hayya in Doha. I met him in a house not far from the building that Israel attacked on Tuesday afternoon.

From the beginning of the war in Gaza, al-Hayya had been the chief Hamas negotiator, sending and receiving messages to the Israelis and Americans via Qatari and Egyptian intermediaries.

At moments where ceasefires were thought likely, al-Hayya, along with the men who were also targeted this afternoon, were only a short distance from the Israeli and American delegations. When they were attacked, al-Hayya and the other top Hamas leaders were discussing the latest American diplomatic proposals to end the war in Gaza and free the remaining Israeli hostages.

Israel's swift declaration of what it had done immediately fuelled speculation on social media that the latest American proposals were simply a ruse to get the Hamas leadership in one place where they could be targeted.

• Follow live: Israel strikes Qatar's capital
• What do we know about Israel's attack in Doha?

On 3rd October last year, as Khalil al-Hayya walked into the venue for our meeting in a modest, low-rise villa, I was surprised that he had so little security. We had to give up our phones, and a couple of bodyguards came with him into the house.

Outside plain clothes Qatari police sat smoking in an SUV. That was it. A hundred bodyguards could not have stopped an air strike, but al-Hayya and his people were relaxed and confident.

The point was that Qatar was supposed to be safe, and they felt secure enough to move around relatively openly.

A few months earlier, on 31 July 2024, Israel had assassinated Ismail Haniyeh, the Hamas political leader in Tehran, where he was attending the inauguration of President Masoud Pezeshkian.

With the war in Gaza raging, I had wondered whether it might be dangerous to sit in the same room as Khalil al-Hayya. But like him, I thought Qatar was off limits.

In the last few decades Qatar has tried to carve itself a position as the Switzerland of the Middle East, a place where even enemies could make deals.

The Americans negotiated with the Afghan Taliban in Doha. And in the almost two years since the attacks on 7th October 2023, Qatar has been the centre of the diplomatic efforts to negotiate ceasefires and perhaps even an end to the war.

The peace efforts, driven by President Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff, were faltering badly. But now they are in ruins. In the words of one senior western diplomat "there is no diplomacy."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told Israelis that their enemies will never be able to sleep easy and are paying the price for ordering the 7th October attacks.

The Israeli offensive in Gaza is gathering pace. A few hours before the attack on Doha, the Israeli military, the IDF, told all Palestinians in Gaza City to leave and move south. It's thought something like one million civilians could be affected.

In his televised comments Netanyahu told Palestinians in Gaza "don't be derailed by these killers. Stand up for your rights and your future. Make peace with us. Accept President Trump's proposal. Don't worry, you can do it, and we can promise you a different future, but you've got to take these people out of the way. If you do, there is no limit to our common future."

If Palestinians in Gaza are able to hear his words, they will ring very hollow. Israel has destroyed the homes of hundreds of thousands of them, as well as hospitals, universities and schools.

With Gaza already gripped by starvation, famine in Gaza City itself and a humanitarian catastrophe across the territory the forced movement of many more people will only increase Israel's lethal pressure on civilians.

Israel has already killed more than 60,000 Palestinians in Gaza, the majority of whom were civilians. Netanyahu himself faces an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court for war crimes, and Israel is being investigated by the International Court of Justice for genocide.

The attack in Doha is a sign that Netanyahu and his government will press forward as hard as they can all fronts, not just Gaza. They are confident that with American support, their military can enforce their will.

The Doha attack earned a rare rebuke from the White House. Qatar is a valuable ally, that hosts a huge US military base and is a major investor in the US.

But Netanyahu appears to be calculating that Donald Trump, the only leader he feels he must listen to, will content himself with the diplomatic equivalent of a rap over the knuckles.

Israel's offensive in Gaza continues. And as the planned recognition of Palestinian independence at the UN later this month by the UK, France, Canada, Australia and other western countries approaches, Netanyahu's ultra nationalist cabinet allies will redouble calls to respond with the annexation of occupied Palestinian territory in the West Bank.

The US has said Israel's strike on Hamas targets in Qatar "does not advance Israel or America's goals", adding that President Donald Trump "feels very badly" about the attack.

White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt read a statement from Trump at a briefing on Tuesday. It said the US was notified of Israel's attack on Hamas, with a strike "very unfortunately" taking place in the capital Doha.

It described Qatar as "a sovereign nation and close ally of the United States that is working very hard and bravely taking risks with us to broker peace".

Six people were killed in the strike, Hamas said, including one member of the Qatari security forces, but the group said its leadership team survived.

The Israeli military said it conducted a "precise strike" targeted at Hamas senior leaders using "precise munitions". Israeli media reported the operation involved 15 Israeli fighter jets, which fired 10 munitions against a single target.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he authorised the strike and there would be "no immunity" for Hamas leaders.

At the White House briefing on Tuesday, Leavitt said: "President Trump immediately directed Special Envoy [Steve] Witkoff to inform the Qataris of the impending attack, which he did. The president views Qatar as a strong ally and friend of the United States."

"The president also spoke to the emir and prime minister of Qatar and thanked them for their support and friendship to our country. He assured them that such a thing will not happen again on their soil," she added.

Leavitt said "eliminating Hamas, who have profited off the misery of those living in Gaza, is a worthy goal" and reiterated that Trump "wants all of the hostages in Gaza and the bodies of the dead released in this war to end now".

The attack took place on early Tuesday afternoon, with footage showing a badly damaged building in Doha.

Qatar's foreign ministry condemned the strike "in the strongest possible terms," and said the attack was a "blatant violation" of international law.

It later said that Qatari officials were not notified of the Israeli strike ahead of time, contradicting the US statement.

"The communication received from one of the US officials came during the sound of explosions," said Qatar's foreign ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari in a post on X.

Leavitt did not specify when the US notified the Qataris of the attack.

Qatar has hosted Hamas's political bureau since 2012 and played a key role in facilitating indirect negotiations between the group and Israel since the 7 October attacks.

It has also been a close ally of the US. Around 10,000 American troops are stationed at a US airbase in al-Udeid, just outside Doha. In May, Trump announced a "historic" economic agreement signed between the two countries that he said is valued at least $1.2 trillion (£890bn).

Qatar has also recently gifted Trump a plane - valued at $400m - as an "unconditional gift" to be used as the new Air Force One, the official aircraft of the US president.

Hamas said their negotiating team in Doha survived Tuesday's attack, adding that the action "confirms beyond doubt that Netanyahu and his government do not want to reach any agreement" for peace.

It said it holds the US administration "jointly responsible" due to its ongoing support of Israel.

The office for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu put out a statement shortly after the strike, which said the attack was "a wholly independent Israeli operation".

"Israel initiated it, Israel conducted it, and Israel takes full responsibility," the statement said.

A few days prior to the attack, Hamas said it welcomed "some ideas" from the US on how to reach a Gaza ceasefire, and that it was discussing how to turn them "into a comprehensive agreement".

In its statement, the White House said Trump believes the "unfortunate" attack "could serve as an opportunity for peace," and that Netanyahu had expressed to him after the attack that "he wants to make peace and quickly".

Sir Keir Starmer is to hold talks with Israeli President Isaac Herzog in Downing Street on Wednesday.

No 10 said Sir Keir will raise the "intolerable situation in Gaza" and the "action Israel must take to end the horrific suffering we're witnessing" with the Israeli president.

It comes after Israel carried out a strike on senior Hamas leaders in Qatar's capital Doha, and warned all residents of Gaza City to leave immediately in anticipation of a huge ground offensive.

Sixty MPs and peers, including members of Labour, the Greens and the SNP, are calling on the government to deny Herzog entry to the UK to avoid the risk of being complicit in genocide, under the terms of a UN treaty.

Israel says it is working to destroy the Palestinian armed group Hamas and get back hostages they have taken. It has strongly denied allegations of genocide, claims which are also being examined by the International Court of Justice.

Isaac Herzog's office has said he is visiting the UK "to show solidarity with the Jewish community, which is under severe attack and facing a wave of antisemitism".

But Health Secretary Wes Streeting has said he must answer allegations being levelled at the Israeli government over its actions in Gaza.

"I think he needs to answer the allegations of war crimes, of ethnic cleansing and of genocide that are being levelled at the government of Israel," he told Times Radio.

"I think he needs to explain how, when we have seen so much evidence of the atrocities being perpetrated by the Israeli army, how he can possibly claim that the IDF (Israel Defence Forces) is the most moral army in the world.

"I think he should explain that, if it is not the intent of the government of Israel to perpetrate genocide or ethnic cleansing, how on earth does he think his Israeli government is going to achieve its stated aim of clearing Palestinians out of Gaza without the war crimes, without ethnic cleansing, or even without genocide?"

Downing Street underlined Sir Keir's "revulsion" at the suffering in Gaza, but stopped short of repeating Streeting's calls for Herzog to answer for alleged Israeli war crimes and ethnic cleansing.

Lammy letter

In a letter to a select committee published last week, sent when he was foreign secretary, David Lammy said the UK had not concluded that Israel is committing genocide, as set out in a United Nations treaty.

But Downing Street insisted on Tuesday this did not represent a shift in the UK's position, which was still that it is for international courts to determine whether Israel "has or has not" committed genocide in Gaza.

In the letter, sent before he was replaced as foreign secretary in Friday's cabinet reshuffle, Lammy said: "As per the Genocide Convention, the crime of genocide occurs only where there is specific 'intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial or religious group'.

"The government has not concluded that Israel is acting with that intent," it added.

The prime minister's official spokesman said Lammy's letter "reflects the UK's position that we've not come to any conclusion as to whether genocide has or has not been committed in Gaza".

The spokesman said the government was clear that it was for "international courts to make these determinations".

Foreign Office sources said the government had merely considered whether there was a "serious risk of genocide" - as it was obliged to do as a signatory of the Genocide Convention.

That assessment, the sources said, was required under its arms exports licensing criteria and reflected a one-off judgement based on the information at the time. And it was then that the government did not conclude that Israel was acting with genocidal intent.

Lammy, who was made justice secretary and deputy prime minister in the reshuffle, had been responding to a letter from the Labour chair of the development committee, Sarah Champion.

In her letter to Lammy, dated 12 August, Champion raised concerns that the UK's decision to exempt F-35 fighter jet components from suspended arms exports to Israel breached its duty to prevent genocide under the UN treaty.

In a statement, campaign group Amnesty International said Sir Keir Starmer "must not provide diplomatic cover for a state committing genocide," when he meets Herzog.

"This visit is a test of leadership and principle: polite handshakes and warm words will demonstrate neither."

On Monday night, Sir Keir hosted Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas in Downing Street.

Abbas welcomed Sir Keir's pledge to recognise a Palestinian state ahead of the UN General Assembly meeting in New York later this month if Israel does not change course.

Both leaders agreed there will be "absolutely no role" for Hamas in the future governance of Palestine, a Downing Street spokesman said.

"They discussed the intolerable situation in Gaza, and the prime minister reiterated the need for an urgent solution to end the horrific suffering and famine - starting with an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages and a huge surge in humanitarian aid."

The Israeli military launched a campaign in Gaza in response to the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage.

At least 64,605 people have been killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza since then, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry.

Abbey Road studios has announced the nominees for its Music Photography Awards, after considering more than 20,000 submissions from 30 different countries.

The photographs up for awards feature stars including Chappell Roan, Lana Del Rey, Charli XCX, Tyler the Creator, Pulp, The 1975, Maggie Rogers, Fontaines DC, Doja Cat, Central Cee and Burna Boy.

Fans can vote for music moment of the year on the MPA's website until 23 September and the awards ceremony will take place at London's Abbey Road on 2 October.

Mark Robertson, Abbey Road's director of marketing and creative, thanked the "incredibly gifted community of photographers who continue to impress with their work".

He added the images "prove that music photography is a genuine art to be celebrated and plays a vital role in shaping culture".

The awards include two new categories this year - portrait and festivals - with an additional guest category called club culture.

All 40 images from the eight open categories on display in Outnet's Now Pop One venue in London, where photographs by the nominees can be seen between 19 and 23 September.

Here are some of the nominees:

Category: Live Music

Photographer: Greg Noire

Image: US rapper and singer Doja Cat performing on stage with her dancers in eye-catching furry costumes

Category: Music moment of the year

Photographer: Pupat Chenaksara

Image: British singer-songwriter Charli XCX getting soaked in the rain while singing on stage

Category: Club culture

Photographer: Connor Baker

Image: Glitterbox at Hï Ibiza, with clubbers mid-dance amid the smoke effect

Category: Festivals

Photographer: Jez Pennington

Image: British rock band Enter Shikari at Download Festival, having a muddy experience

Category: Judges choice

Photographer: Phoebe Fox

Image: British rock band The Cure's lead singer Robert Smith shot in profile with his trademark hairstyle and make-up

Category: Music moment of the year

Photographer: Kirby Gladstein

Image: US singer-songwriter Lana Del Ray is wearing what looks like a black bridal ensemble

Category: Judges Choice

Photographer: Platon

Image: The crucial right hand of US musician, songwriter, guitarist and record producer Nile Rodgers, who is also the co-founder of disco band Chic

Category: Portrait

Photographer: Annie Noelker

Image: US record producer and songwriter Benny Blanco is getting his five-a-day in a restaurant

Category: Emerging photographer of the year

Photographer: Lantz Martin

Image: US rapper and record producer Ken Carson poses in profile for a black and white shot

Category: Making Music

Photographer: Jordan Curtis Hughes

Image: British rock pop band The 1975's lead singer-songwriter Matty Healy, surrounded by music instruments and snacks

Category: Underground scenes

Photographer: Jen Amelia Veitch

Image: A clubber at Hidden club night in Manchester posing on a billiards table

The UK's first "super-university", stretching across an entire region, is to be created through the merger of the universities of Kent and Greenwich, the BBC has learnt.

Under the proposed name of London and South East University Group, the single institution will have one vice-chancellor from the academic year starting in autumn 2026.

The Office for Students (OfS), England's higher education regulator, welcomed the move and suggested more universities may explore similar options as they battle economic challenges, with 40% of English universities now believed to be in financial deficit.

The Department for Education (DfE) said ministers "welcome innovative approaches such as this one".

The new university will operate across the existing campuses, including in Medway, where students from both Greenwich and Kent already share facilities, including the library.

Kent has one other campus, in Canterbury, about 30 miles (48km) from Medway.

Greenwich has two other campuses, one on the banks of the River Thames in Greenwich itself about 28 miles (45km) from Medway, and the other in Avery Hill, south-east London, about 24 miles (38km) from Medway.

The universities said the combined institution will provide a strong financial foundation to weather the economic challenges facing universities now and in the future.

Speaking exclusively to the BBC, the vice-chancellors of both universities insisted the move was not a takeover, nor driven by a financial crisis for either, although they argued the new university model would be "resilient and financially viable".

Prof Georgina Randsley de Moura will remain the interim leader of Kent until the merger, when Prof Jane Harrington, who runs Greenwich, will become the vice-chancellor of the new institution.

Prof Randsley de Moura said the "trailblazing model" would enable the universities within the new group to retain their name, identity and campuses.

Prof Harrington said the universities had worked together on the Medway campus for 20 years and now wanted to go further to contribute to the economy across London and the South East.

"This is about taking the best of both universities and saying what do we want to offer to our communities," she said.

For students, there will be no visible change, with applications continuing as normal to each institution and degrees awarded in the name of Kent or Greenwich.

Prof Harrington said she could tell students "absolutely categorically" they could complete any course they are already enrolled on, including those starting university this autumn.

The universities said there are no immediate plans for job losses, but both have had to make recent cuts.

In May, Greenwich confirmed it was cutting the equivalent of 15 full-time posts by August.

Kent has already started winding down some courses to reduce costs as it posted a deficit for another year in 2024.

The planned merger is likely to provoke anxiety about long-term prospects among staff.

Prof Harrington said she recognised there would be concern about posts, and said they would be saving costs by reducing senior roles.

Across England, job losses at many institutions over the last couple of years have been adding up, with the University and College Union (UCU) estimating the overall number of posts cut is about 5,000.

Mergers, once rare, have become more common, with City St George's created from two separate parts of the University of London last year.

Most others have involved smaller or specialist institutions.

The plans unveiled on Wednesday are on a bigger scale, with two universities offering a full range of courses and spread over a wider geographical area.

The merger will be watched with interest by other universities looking at ways to collaborate to stabilise their finances.

Tuition fees have increased to £9,535 this academic year, but the real value to universities has fallen because of rising costs since the big uplift 13 years ago increased fees from just over £3,000 to £9,000 a year.

In the last academic year, the number of applications from international students, who pay higher fees, was 16% lower than universities had hoped.

It followed visa restrictions introduced in 2024 which prevented international students bringing family members.

Vivienne Stern, from Universities UK, said the merger was significant, and a sign of how universities were thinking differently.

She said the "slow erosion" of university finances needed to be stopped and the government "was needed on the pitch pretty fast" with longer-term solutions.

Those government plans for the future funding of universities in England are expected later this autumn.

Ministers have already said they are looking at applying a 6% tax on income from international students.

A DfE spokesperson said: "This collaboration shows how strong partnerships in higher education can help enable delivery of world-class teaching and research whilst maintaining the best interests of students."

Any change on this scale has to be overseen by the OfS, which regulates universities in England, and makes sure students' studies are not disrupted.

"In any merger, effective communication with students will be crucial," a spokesperson said.

"Current students will continue to study for the courses they signed up for, and should continue to expect excellent teaching and support."

The UK's ambassador to the US Peter Mandelson has said he feels "a tremendous sense of regret" over his friendship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, and a "tremendous sense of sympathy" for his victims.

Speaking to the You Tube channel Harry Cole Saves the West, he likened his association with Epstein to "an albatross around my neck", adding that he felt "profoundly upset that I was taken in" by a "charismatic criminal liar".

On Tuesday, US lawmakers released a number of documents which included a letter from Lord Mandelson in which he called Epstein his "best pal".

The diplomat said it was "very embarrassing" to see the words published but added they were written "over 20 years ago".

He said he believed more "embarrassing" material including letters and emails would be released.

On Tuesday, a Downing Street spokesperson has said that the prime minister still has confidence in Lord Mandelson and said he has "played a key part" strengthening trade and investment with the US, which had secured jobs in the UK.

The birthday message from Mandelson was one of a number of documents in an alleged "birthday book" given to Epstein in 2023 to celebrate his 50th birthday.

The book contained messages, cards and photos sent by Epstein's friends, including a letter carrying a signature resembling US President Donald Trump. Trump has denied writing the note.

Epstein had been a well-connected financier who was convicted for soliciting prostitution from a person under the age of 18 in 2008. He died in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.

Asked why he continued his association with Epstein, Mandelson said he "fell for his lies".

"I accepted assurances he had given me about his original indictment, his original criminal case. Like very many people I took at face value what he said."

He said he never saw wrongdoing at any point while with Epstein and he "never sought, nor did [Epstein] offer introductions to women in the way that he did to others, perhaps it is because I am a gay man".

He said he couldn't "rewrite history" adding: "What I can do, what I can do is express my profound sympathy for those who were badly treated by him."

Contactless card payments are set to exceed £100 and potentially become unlimited under new proposals to allow banks and other providers to set limits.

The proposals from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) mean entering a four-digit PIN to make a card payment could become even more of a rarity for shoppers.

If approved, purchases which can cost more than £100 - such as a big supermarket shop, or large family meal in a restaurant - could be made with a tap of a card.

The move would bring cards in line with payments made through digital wallets on smartphones which have no restriction, and reflects the ongoing changes in the way people pay.

When contactless card payments were introduced in 2007, the transaction limit was set at £10. The limit was raised gradually, to £15 in 2010, to £20 in 2012, then to £30 in 2015, before the Covid pandemic prompted a jump to £45 in 2020, then to £100 in October 2021.

If approved, the latest plan could be put in place early next year.

Every rise has been met with concerns about theft and fraud, and the FCA said card providers would only permit higher-value contactless payments for low-risk transactions and would carry the burden if things went wrong.

However, the freedom for banks to raise or even scrap the contactless limit suggests the four-digit PIN could soon become relatively redundant.

The FCA has proposed the changes, despite the majority of consumers and industry respondents to a consultation favouring the current rules.

Some 78% of consumers who responded said they did not want any change to the limits.

The FCA said it did not expect any quick changes, but providers would welcome the flexibility over time when prices rise and technology advances. They could also give customers the option to set their own limits.

Fraud and theft fears

The idea of high-value payments being made with a tap of a card will raise concern that thieves and fraudsters will target cards.

Various protections are already in place. In addition to the £100 single payment limit, consumers are often required to enter a PIN if a series of contactless transactions totals more than £300, or five consecutive contactless payments are made.

The FCA's own analysis suggests raising the limits would increase fraud losses, but said detection was improving and would continue to get better.

It said any change would be reliant on providers ensuring payments were low-risk, through their fraud prevention systems.

Consumers would still get their money back if money was stolen by fraudsters, according to David Geale, from the FCA.

"People are still protected. Even with contactless, firms will refund your money if your card is used fraudulently," he said.

Many banks already allow cardholders to set a contactless limit of lower than £100, or switch it off completely, and the FCA expected this option to be made widely available.

It argued that time savings, less "payment friction", and a reflection of rising prices over time would make changes in the limits worthwhile.

Payment terminals would also need to be altered, as most are programmed to automatically refuse payments of more than £100 by card.

'I only use my phone to pay'

Smartphones already have an extra layer of security, through thumbprints or face ID. That allows people to pay without limits.

Nearly three-quarters of 16 to 24-year-olds regularly use mobile payments, according to industry research.

Near the appropriately named Bank Street in Sevenoaks, 24-year-old Demi Grady said she rarely bothered carrying her cards around anymore because she used her phone for everything.

"I was in London the other day, my phone died and I couldn't pay for stuff because I couldn't remember my card details," she said.

Her mum, Carrie, in contrast, uses her card when shopping.

"It would worry me more than be of benefit if they were to lose the limit of £100," she said.

Robert Ryan, who had just bought a "winter-ish jacket" at a Harveys Menswear on Bank Street said he did not regard entering a four-digit number when paying as a hassle. Instead it could be a useful budgeting tool.

"I feel more secure in what I'm buying and it does give me a bit of a prompt to make sure I'm not overspending on my tap-and-go," he said.

Richard Staplehurst, the owner of the store, said the majority of his customers were paying via a device.

He said that removing any obstacles to payment was great, but he did not want to be landed with a bill if a card was used fraudulently.

Stimulating the UK economy

The idea of removing the contactless limit was highlighted as one way the FCA was responding to the prime minister's call to regulators to remove restrictions to create more economic growth.

The government has been striving to improve the UK's economic performance, which has been slow for some time.

Other countries, such as Canada, Australia and New Zealand allow industry to set contactless card limits.

The FCA will consult on its proposals until 15 October.

Non-crime hate incidents should stop being recorded by the police, the policing watchdog has said.

Sir Andy Cooke, His Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary, said current legislation places police in an "invidious position" with "discretion and common sense" not always prevailing.

"I think we need to separate the offensive from the criminal," he added.

The head of the Metropolitan Police, speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, agreed with Sir Andy's call and highlighted the "limited" levels of discretion available for officers, adding: "We need more flexibility."

The comments follow recent police activity which has sparked public debate - including a police visit to Daily Telegraph columnist Allison Pearson last year to arrange an interview over a social media post.

The visit attracted a lot of online comment at the time. Essex Police since clarified "at no stage" did its officers tell her the investigation was related to a "non-crime hate incident" while Ms Pearson said she was left "dumbstruck" by the visit.

Non-crime hate incidents are alleged acts perceived to be motivated by hostility or prejudice towards people with certain characteristics, such as race or gender.

They are recorded to collect data on "hate incidents that could escalate into more serious harm" but do not amount to a criminal offence, according to Home Office guidance.

Police guidance on the recording of NCHIs was first published in 2005, following recommendations by an inquiry into the murder of Stephen Lawrence.

Speaking to journalists ahead of the publication on Wednesday of the annual State of Policing in England and Wales assessment, Sir Andy said: "I'm a firm believer that non-crime hate incidents are no longer required, and that intelligence can be gathered in a different way, which would cause less concern to the public and would make recording of such issues much easier for policing."

He added: "We need, at times, to allow people to speak openly without the fear that their opinion will put them on the wrong side of the law."

He underlined that the role of the police is to deal with criminality "across the board" which at times means dealing with issues that occur online.

"It can be a fine line, and that's one of the reasons why we need to look again at the policy and the legislation that sits around this because it places the police in an invidious position and, as we know, discretion and common sense don't always win out in these issues."

In April, the Conservatives called for the recording of such incidents to be scrapped in all but a few cases. Kemi Badenoch said they have "wasted police time chasing ideology and grievance instead of justice".

At the time, the government's then-Policing Minister Diana Johnson said the plan was "unworkable" and "would prevent the police monitoring serious antisemitism and other racist incidents".

Metropolitan Police chief Sir Mark reiterated on Wednesday calls he made last week for the government to "change or clarify" the law after the arrest of Father Ted co-creator Graham Linehan.

Linehan was arrested on suspicion of an alleged criminal offence of inciting violence in relation to posts on X – police were not seeking to record a non-crime hate incident.

The situation sparked a backlash with public figures and politicians weighing in and reignited a wider debate about the policing of comments made on social media.

Linehan has since said he does not regret any of his posts - adding he would be suing the police "for wrongful arrest and false imprisonment".

Sir Mark defended the officers involved, although said "perhaps some things could have been done differently".

He added that he recognised "concern caused by such incidents, given differing perspectives on the balance between free speech and the risks of inciting violence in the real world".

"The policies that lead officers to make these decisions are wrong.

"We need to pull those policies back to give officers more discretion to make different decisions in these circumstances."

Asked by media about this arrest, Sir Andy added: "Was it a great public optic? No, it wasn't. Is there individual criticism from me in relation to the officers who were there? No, there isn't.

"Lessons I'm sure will be learned in relation to it, but it does make policing's job harder when these things occur, because this becomes the focus of attention."

The State of Policing annual report was published on Wednesday with the chief inspector saying this constitutes a "once in a lifetime opportunity" to start the reform that policing needs.

"It will be a missed opportunity if it's not properly funded from the start," he added.

Among Sir Andy's findings were:

• Police forces and the government are "working hard to rebuild public confidence"
• The service continues to face "significant" workforce challenges
• Forces need better co-ordination and collaboration.

The maker of Wegovy and Ozempic, Novo Nordisk, has announced it will cut 9,000 jobs weeks after warning that profits will fall as more "knock-off" weight-loss drugs emerge.

The redundancies make up 11% of the Danish company's workforce and mark the first major step by new chief executive Mike Doustdar as Novo Nordisk faces mounting pressures in the rapidly expanding weight-loss sector.

Demand for weight-loss drugs has increased in recent years, in particular after Covid-related lockdowns forced people to stay in their homes.

Mr Doustdar said: "Our markets are evolving, particularly in obesity, as it has become more competitive and consumer-driven. Our company must evolve as well."

Novo Nordisk has faced increased competition from rivals such as Eli Lilly which makes Mounjaro.

Eli Lilly recently hiked the price of Mounjaro in the UK, leading to some patients warning they were unable to get hold of the medicine as pharmacies stockpiled the drug before the rise came into force.

The company announced Mounjaro's price will rise by up to 170%, meaning a month's supply of the highest dose will go up from £122 to £330.

At Novo Nordisk, the firm warned in July that its full-year sales and profits would not grow as quickly as expected.

The company aims to cut costs by 8 billion Danish kroner (£927m) by the end of next year.

In July, Novo Nordisk warned that its full-year sales and profits would not grow as quickly as expected.

Mr Doustdar said that while "it is always difficult to see talented and valued colleagues go, but we are convinced that this is the right thing to do for the long-term success of Novo Nordisk".

The company says it will begin discussions with employees in the coming months, in line with local labour laws.

Australian authorities are investigating a US influencer who has sparked controversy by filming himself trapping wild crocodiles in Queensland.

Mike Holston is under fire for two videos posted for his millions of followers online - one showing him wrestling a freshwater crocodile, and another showing him manhandling a saltwater crocodile, one of the planet's deadliest creatures.

Mr Holston says he made the videos for "educational purposes", but wildlife experts say his behaviour is cruel and he's been labelled a "goose" by the state's leader.

Queensland officials say the influencer's actions, which can attract fines of up to A$37,500 (£18,300, $24,776), are "extremely dangerous and illegal".

In a video posted last week to his Instagram, Mr Holston - who goes by "The Real Tarzann" on social media - can be seen jumping into shallow water to chase a freshwater crocodile.

The animal draws blood before Mr Holston secures it, and can be heard calling out in the video.

"This is what dreams are made of," the influencer says in the footage, adding that he had wanted to come to Australia since he was a child.

A second video shows Mr Holston heading into marshland to capture a juvenile saltwater crocodile. Usually one of the world's most aggressive reptiles, the animal is largely limp as he holds it by the neck and lifts it for the camera.

In both videos, he can be seen releasing the animals back to the wild.

A spokesperson for Queensland's environment department confirmed officials were investigating the incidents, which appear to have been filmed on the Lockhart River in Cape York.

"Let us be clear: people should not attempt to capture freshwater or saltwater crocodiles in Queensland, unless they are trained and licensed to do so," the statement said.

On-the-spot fines of A$8,345 apply for anyone found to be interfering with a saltwater crocodile in Queensland, but penalties can climb to more than four times that in some cases.

The state government also introduced new legislation last year aimed at cracking down on dangerous crocodile interactions, which included making it an offence to unintentionally feed a crocodile by dumping food that attracts the reptiles to a public space.

While Mr Holston's videos have been viewed - and liked - by masses of people online, there has also been growing condemnation of his actions.

Crocodile experts have expressed concern about the saltwater crocodile pictured in particular, saying it is unusual that it wasn't thrashing about, trying to escape.

The father of the late Australian naturalist Steve Irwin has also weighed in, suggesting people like Mr Holston should be "booted out the door" if they don't respect Australia's wildlife.

Mr Irwin stressed the behaviour was far removed from the activities of his own son - who died in 2006 - aged 44.

"This isn't a Steve Irwin issue. This is about an individual illegally interfering with protected fauna," Mr Irwin said in a statement.

"Anyone who actually knows how to handle crocodiles knows they don't respond well to capture. It's a specialised skill to do it without causing dangerous stress and lactic acid build-up - and this bloke clearly had no clue."

He said social media is playing a huge role in "glorifying" harmful wildlife interactions, and called for greater penalties for such behaviour - adding the current ones are "laughable" compared to the money that can be made off it online.

"These posts can have disastrous consequences for both people and wildlife."

Mr Holston, though, has defended his actions, in a comment on the video of him handling the saltwater crocodile. "The croc was released after a few up-close looks and photos where [sic] taken.

"I don't encourage anyone to try to recreate or re-enact [sic] these videos!"

The outrage over Mr Holston's videos comes just a few months after another US influencer was widely condemned for posting a video of her taking a baby wombat from the side of a road. She appeared to be laughing and running away from the distraught mother wombat.

Even Prime Minister Anthony Albanese waded into the discussion back in March, suggesting the woman, Sam Jones, do the same with animals that "can actually fight back".

"Take a baby crocodile from its mother and see how you go there," he said to her.

She left the country soon after anger erupted.

The US has said Israel's strike on Hamas targets in Qatar "does not advance Israel or America's goals", adding that President Donald Trump "feels very badly" about the attack.

White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt read a statement from Trump at a briefing on Tuesday. It said the US was notified of Israel's attack on Hamas, with a strike "very unfortunately" taking place in the capital Doha.

It described Qatar as "a sovereign nation and close ally of the United States that is working very hard and bravely taking risks with us to broker peace".

Six people were killed in the strike, Hamas said, including one member of the Qatari security forces, but the group said its leadership team survived.

The Israeli military said it conducted a "precise strike" targeted at Hamas senior leaders using "precise munitions". Israeli media reported the operation involved 15 Israeli fighter jets, which fired 10 munitions against a single target.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he authorised the strike and there would be "no immunity" for Hamas leaders.

At the White House briefing on Tuesday, Leavitt said: "President Trump immediately directed Special Envoy [Steve] Witkoff to inform the Qataris of the impending attack, which he did. The president views Qatar as a strong ally and friend of the United States."

"The president also spoke to the emir and prime minister of Qatar and thanked them for their support and friendship to our country. He assured them that such a thing will not happen again on their soil," she added.

Leavitt said "eliminating Hamas, who have profited off the misery of those living in Gaza, is a worthy goal" and reiterated that Trump "wants all of the hostages in Gaza and the bodies of the dead released in this war to end now".

The attack took place on early Tuesday afternoon, with footage showing a badly damaged building in Doha.

Qatar's foreign ministry condemned the strike "in the strongest possible terms," and said the attack was a "blatant violation" of international law.

It later said that Qatari officials were not notified of the Israeli strike ahead of time, contradicting the US statement.

"The communication received from one of the US officials came during the sound of explosions," said Qatar's foreign ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari in a post on X.

Leavitt did not specify when the US notified the Qataris of the attack.

Qatar has hosted Hamas's political bureau since 2012 and played a key role in facilitating indirect negotiations between the group and Israel since the 7 October attacks.

It has also been a close ally of the US. Around 10,000 American troops are stationed at a US airbase in al-Udeid, just outside Doha. In May, Trump announced a "historic" economic agreement signed between the two countries that he said is valued at least $1.2 trillion (£890bn).

Qatar has also recently gifted Trump a plane - valued at $400m - as an "unconditional gift" to be used as the new Air Force One, the official aircraft of the US president.

Hamas said their negotiating team in Doha survived Tuesday's attack, adding that the action "confirms beyond doubt that Netanyahu and his government do not want to reach any agreement" for peace.

It said it holds the US administration "jointly responsible" due to its ongoing support of Israel.

The office for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu put out a statement shortly after the strike, which said the attack was "a wholly independent Israeli operation".

"Israel initiated it, Israel conducted it, and Israel takes full responsibility," the statement said.

A few days prior to the attack, Hamas said it welcomed "some ideas" from the US on how to reach a Gaza ceasefire, and that it was discussing how to turn them "into a comprehensive agreement".

In its statement, the White House said Trump believes the "unfortunate" attack "could serve as an opportunity for peace," and that Netanyahu had expressed to him after the attack that "he wants to make peace and quickly".

Israel carried out a strike on senior Hamas leaders in Qatar's capital, Doha, on Tuesday afternoon.

Qatar quickly accused Israel of "reckless" behaviour and breaking international law after the attack on a residential premises in the city.

The Israel Defense Forces claimed to have targeted those "directly responsible for the brutal October 7 massacre".

Here is what we know so far.

• Latest updates on Doha strike

How and where was attack carried out?

Explosions were heard and smoke was seen rising above the Qatari capital Doha early on Tuesday afternoon.

Verified footage showed smoke rising from a heavily damaged section of a complex next to Woqod petrol station on Wadi Rawdan Street, close to the West Bay Lagoon district north of central Doha.

According to the Israeli military, it conducted a "precise strike" targeted at Hamas senior leaders in Qatar using "precise munitions".

Israeli media says the operation involved 15 Israeli fighter jets, firing 10 munitions against a single target.

Qatar has hosted Hamas's political bureau since 2012 and played a key role in facilitating indirect negotiations between the group and Israel since the 7 October attacks.

Who was hit in the attack?

According to a Hamas official, members of the Hamas negotiating delegation were targeted during a meeting.

The IDF has said the strike was carried out on the group's "senior leadership", although it is not yet clear exactly which individuals were targeted.

What did the US know and did Trump give a 'green light'?

The office for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu put out a statement shortly after the strike, claiming the attack was "a wholly independent Israeli operation".

"Israel initiated it, Israel conducted it, and Israel takes full responsibility," it said in a statement.

The White House also quickly confirmed it was informed of the operation, almost certainly because of the proximity of the huge US airbase at al-Udeid, just outside Doha.

This means that Donald Trump had a chance to say no to Israel but chose to give a green light instead.

Given this was an attack on sovereign Qatari territory, questions remain over how this will affect the massive US airbase at al-Udeid and how it will affect US relations with all its Gulf Arab allies.

What were Hamas leaders doing in Qatar?

Qatar has acted as a mediator between Israel and Hamas and has hosted negotiations between them since October 2023.

A couple of days ago, Hamas said it welcomed "some ideas" from the US about how to reach a Gaza ceasefire agreement that it received through mediators. It said it was in discussion about how to turn them "into a comprehensive agreement that meets the needs of our people".

It's thought likely the targeted Hamas leaders were in the middle of discussing their formal response to the US ideas.

A Palestinian official earlier told the BBC the US plan would see the 48 remaining hostages in Gaza freed in the first 48 hours of a 60-day truce in exchange for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails and good-faith negotiations on a permanent ceasefire.

The firm guarding sites where aid is distributed in Gaza has been using members of a US biker gang with a history of hostility to Islam to run its armed security, a BBC investigation has found.

BBC News has confirmed the identities of 10 members of the Infidels Motorcycle Club working in Gaza for UG Solutions - a private contractor providing security at Gaza Humanitarian Foundation sites, where hundreds of civilians seeking food have been killed in scenes of chaos and gunfire.

We can reveal that seven members of the gang are in senior positions overseeing sites at the controversial aid operation backed by Israel and US President Donald Trump.

UG Solutions (UGS) defended its employees' qualifications for the job, saying it does not screen people out for "personal hobbies or affiliations unrelated to job performance".

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) said it has "a zero-tolerance policy for any hateful, discriminatory biases or conduct".

Infidels MC was set up by US military veterans of the Iraq war in 2006 and members see themselves as modern Crusaders, using the Crusader cross as their symbol - a reference to the medieval Christians who fought Muslims for control of Jerusalem.

The gang is currently hosting anti-Muslim hate speech on its Facebook page and has previously held a pig roast "in defiance of" the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

"Putting the Infidels biker club in charge of delivering humanitarian aid in Gaza is like putting the KKK in charge of delivering humanitarian aid in Sudan. It makes no sense whatsoever," said Edward Ahmed Mitchell, deputy director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a leading Muslim civil rights organisation in the US.

"It's bound to lead to violence, and that's exactly what we've seen happen in Gaza."

The gang's leader, Johnny "Taz" Mulford, is a former sergeant in the US Army who was punished for conspiracy to commit bribery, theft and making false statements to military authorities. He is now the "country team leader" running UG Solutions' contract in Gaza.

We emailed Infidels MC for comment. In response, Mr Mulford instructed fellow leaders of the biker gang not to reply but included the BBC when he clicked "reply all" - inadvertently disclosing email addresses and names of fellow Infidels MC members, some of whom were working in Gaza.

By matching up names with public information about Infidels MC's leadership, and evidence from UG Solutions insiders who worked with them, we have identified 10 members of Infidels MC who Mr Mulford recruited to work with him in Gaza.

In addition to Mr Mulford, we have identified three leading members of Infidels MC who also have senior roles at UGS's Gaza operation:

• Larry "J-Rod" Jarrett, who has been publicly named as the Infidels MC vice-president, and is in charge of logistics
• The gang's national treasurer, Bill "Saint" Siebe, who leads the security team for one of GHF's four "safe distribution sites"
• One of the gang's founding members, Richard "A-Tracker" Lofton, a team leader at another distribution site

Confidential documents, open-source information and former UGS contractors have enabled us to confirm the identities of a further six Infidels bikers hired to work in Gaza. Three of them are leaders or deputy leaders of the firm's armed security teams.

Mr Jarrett, Mr Siebe and Mr Lofton did not respond to requests for comment.

UGS told the BBC it conducts comprehensive background checks and only deploys vetted individuals. However, news reports indicate Mr Jarrett was arrested two years ago in the US for drunk driving and has a previous charge of driving under the influence from about a decade earlier. It is not known whether either case resulted in a conviction.

The founder and chief executive of UG Solutions, Jameson Govoni, was arrested earlier this year in North Carolina for his alleged involvement in a hit-and-run incident and for fleeing from police to evade arrest, according to court documents. Mr Govoni, who is based in the US and is not a member of Infidels MC, declined to comment.

Until now Mr Mulford was the only UG Solutions contractor to have been identified as a member of the Infidels. The BBC's investigation reveals how widespread his hiring of members of the biker gang has been, notably to better-paid jobs leading the UGS armed security teams.

Social media posts show that in May, just two weeks before travelling to Gaza, Mr Mulford sought to recruit US military veterans who follow him on Facebook, inviting anyone who "can still shoot, move and communicate" to apply.

In total, at least 40 of about 320 people hired to work for UG Solutions in Gaza were recruited from Infidels MC, according to an estimate by a former contractor.

UG Solutions is paying each contractor $980 (£720) per day including expenses, rising to $1,580 (£1,160) per day for team leaders at GHF's "safe distribution sites", documents seen by the BBC show.

One leader of a team in Gaza overseeing site security, Josh Miller, posted a photo of a group of contractors in Gaza with a banner reading "Make Gaza Great Again".

The banner advertises the logo of a company he owns which sells T-shirts and other clothing, including one which has the slogan "embrace violence" and another which says: "Surf all day, rockets all night. Gaza summer 25."

His company also posted a video online showing scenes of gun violence and advocating the shooting of criminals, with the caption: "Remember, always shoot until they're no longer a threat!"

Mr Miller has the word "Crusader" tattooed across his fingers and "1095" on his thumbs. This is the year when the leader of the Catholic church, Pope Urban II, launched the first crusade, attacking Muslims as a "vile race". Mr Miller did not respond to requests for comment.

A post on the Infidels MC Facebook page selling "1095" hats says it signifies the start of the Crusades, "a military campaign by western European forces to recapture Jerusalem and the Holy Land from Muslim control". The "Holy Land" refers to the area mostly covered by modern-day Israel and the Palestinian territories.

Johnny Mulford, who in addition to leading the gang is listed as the registered agent of a Florida company called Infidels MC, has the date 1095 tattooed across his chest. He has a Crusader cross tattooed on his right forearm and another on his left upper arm along with the word "Infidels".

"When you see anti-Muslim bigots today celebrating 1095, celebrating the Crusades, they are celebrating the wholesale massacre of Muslims - the erasure of Muslims and Jews from the holy city of Jerusalem," said Mr Mitchell from the US Muslim civil rights organisation CAIR.

He said the gang had the hallmarks of anti-Muslim hate groups which for decades have used the name "Infidels".

Anti-Islamic views expressed by the gang include a flyer for the pig roast during Ramadan, which the BBC found on an archived web page. It says: "In defiance of the Islamic holiday of Ramadan… we invite you to attend the Infidels MC Colorado Springs Chapter open bike party & pig roast."

The flyer also shows a woman wearing a burka that has been torn off from the neck down, exposing her chest.

The Infidels MC Facebook page has hosted clearly Islamophobic discussions. In 2020 the club shared a link to a false, satirical article claiming four US Democratic politicians, two of them Muslim, wanted the Bible to be deemed hate speech.

Comments from members of the Facebook group included: "Filling my magazine to the max. Would not be the first time we were at odds with muslims"; "Deport these pathetic skanks to a pathetic third world crap hole where they won't be offended by the Holy Bible"; and a comment dismissing "them and their Mohammad" with an expletive.

As of Wednesday, the comments remain on the Infidels MC Facebook page.

The Infidels MC website also used to show the skull logo of the violent Marvel comic book character Punisher, a symbol appropriated by white supremacist groups, inscribed with "kafir" in Arabic script - which translates as "unbeliever" (or "infidel").

Scenes of chaos and danger have been common at the aid distribution sites in Gaza since they opened at the end of May. Up to 2 September, 1,135 children, women and men were killed near GHF sites while seeking food, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

The UN has said most of the killings appear to have been carried out by Israeli security forces. Incidents where civilians were harmed while seeking aid are "under review by the competent authorities in the IDF", the Israeli military said.

UGS has denied allegations that its security contractors also fired on civilians and that it put people seeking food in danger due to incompetent leadership. However, the company has admitted that warning shots have been used to disperse crowds.

In a statement, UG Solutions, based in North Carolina, said Johnny Mulford is a "trusted and respected figure" with more than 30 years' experience supporting the US and its allies globally. "We stand by his reputation, record, and his contributions to the success of complex missions," the company said.

"We do not screen for personal hobbies or affiliations unrelated to job performance or security standards. Every team member undergoes comprehensive background checks, and only qualified, vetted individuals are deployed on UG Solutions operations," UGS said.

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation said it relies on "people from all backgrounds" to provide aid in Gaza and to build trust with Gazans.

"The team providing aid at the Foundation's sites is diverse - and it is successful for that reason," the GHF said.

Rachel Reeves has told her cabinet colleagues that government departments will have their access to the Treasury's emergency funds limited ahead of the budget, BBC News understands.

The £9bn Treasury Reserve, designed to be used for "genuinely unforeseen, unaffordable and unavoidable pressures" has recently been used to fund higher public sector pay and compensation payouts.

In a letter to ministers, the chancellor said Treasury would only consider providing reserve funds to departments that have already maximised their savings.

It comes less than 11 weeks before Reeves is set to deliver Labour's Budget amid mounting pressure to boost economic growth while balancing public finances.

The aim of restricting reserve access is to help Reeves stick to her borrowing rules by reducing government borrowing and keep department spending within totals announced at the June Spending Review.

She also warned that any funds borrowed from the reserve would have to be repaid.

The chancellor will outline the government's tax and spending plans for everything from hospitals and schools to infrastructure and defence in the Budget on Wednesday 26 November.

Economists have previously warned that she will need to lift taxes or make spending cuts to meet her borrowing rules, which include having day-to-day government costs paid for through tax income instead of borrowing by 2029-30.

Head of the Confederation of British Industry Rain Newton-Smith said chancellor "must commit to tax reform, not just tax rises" in an opinion piece in the Guardian.

Businesses have faced ongoing cost pressures following April's increased employer National Insurance Contributions and the National Living Wage as well as continuing price increases.

"The chancellor cannot raid corporate coffers again so she must look elsewhere, embracing long-term strategic tax reforms rather than maintaining a slavish adherence to manifesto promises on tax or ideas based on the world as it was 18 months ago," Ms Newton-Smith said.

Reeves told her colleagues that the focus over Autumn would be on "reducing inflation, controlling spending and kickstarting growth".

She referenced recent bond market fragility "in many advanced economies" at cabinet on Tuesday saying "stability is more important than ever to underpin growth in a volatile global environment, and that means living within our means."

The chancellor told colleagues: "I do not think there is anything progressive about spending £100 billion a year on paying off debts accrued by previous governments."

Reeves added she would rather spend more of that money on "cutting hospital waiting lists, tackling illegal migration and keeping our country safe."

While the tough message was delivered to cabinet, it was also aimed at the markets and her own backbench MPs.

In the Commons on Tuesday she said she agreed that Labour backbenchers should "resist the temptation to duck tough choices on spending".

The Spending Review already reduced the amount of the Reserve back from normal levels of about £14bn a year, with the Institute for Fiscal Studies arguing that it "left little space to deal with unforeseen pressures".

Forecasts for how much money Reeves needs to find in the upcoming to meet her self-imposed borrowing rules vary widely.

Some estimates putting the figure at around £25bn while an estimate from the National Institute of Economic and Social Research put the figure at £50bn.

In an exclusive interview with the BBC last week, Reeves played down the larger figure and said she aimed to "get the balance right" at the Budget.

Reeves has two rules on government borrowing, which she has repeatedly said are "non-negotiable". These are:

• day-to-day government costs will be paid for by tax income, rather than borrowing by 2029-30

• to get debt falling as a share of national income by the end of this parliament in 2029-30

Abbey Road studios has announced the nominees for its Music Photography Awards, after considering more than 20,000 submissions from 30 different countries.

The photographs up for awards feature stars including Chappell Roan, Lana Del Rey, Charli XCX, Tyler the Creator, Pulp, The 1975, Maggie Rogers, Fontaines DC, Doja Cat, Central Cee and Burna Boy.

Fans can vote for music moment of the year on the MPA's website until 23 September and the awards ceremony will take place at London's Abbey Road on 2 October.

Mark Robertson, Abbey Road's director of marketing and creative, thanked the "incredibly gifted community of photographers who continue to impress with their work".

He added the images "prove that music photography is a genuine art to be celebrated and plays a vital role in shaping culture".

The awards include two new categories this year - portrait and festivals - with an additional guest category called club culture.

All 40 images from the eight open categories on display in Outnet's Now Pop One venue in London, where photographs by the nominees can be seen between 19 and 23 September.

Here are some of the nominees:

Category: Live Music

Photographer: Greg Noire

Image: US rapper and singer Doja Cat performing on stage with her dancers in eye-catching furry costumes

Category: Music moment of the year

Photographer: Pupat Chenaksara

Image: British singer-songwriter Charli XCX getting soaked in the rain while singing on stage

Category: Club culture

Photographer: Connor Baker

Image: Glitterbox at Hï Ibiza, with clubbers mid-dance amid the smoke effect

Category: Festivals

Photographer: Jez Pennington

Image: British rock band Enter Shikari at Download Festival, having a muddy experience

Category: Judges choice

Photographer: Phoebe Fox

Image: British rock band The Cure's lead singer Robert Smith shot in profile with his trademark hairstyle and make-up

Category: Music moment of the year

Photographer: Kirby Gladstein

Image: US singer-songwriter Lana Del Ray is wearing what looks like a black bridal ensemble

Category: Judges Choice

Photographer: Platon

Image: The crucial right hand of US musician, songwriter, guitarist and record producer Nile Rodgers, who is also the co-founder of disco band Chic

Category: Portrait

Photographer: Annie Noelker

Image: US record producer and songwriter Benny Blanco is getting his five-a-day in a restaurant

Category: Emerging photographer of the year

Photographer: Lantz Martin

Image: US rapper and record producer Ken Carson poses in profile for a black and white shot

Category: Making Music

Photographer: Jordan Curtis Hughes

Image: British rock pop band The 1975's lead singer-songwriter Matty Healy, surrounded by music instruments and snacks

Category: Underground scenes

Photographer: Jen Amelia Veitch

Image: A clubber at Hidden club night in Manchester posing on a billiards table

Israel has carried out a strike targeting the senior leadership of Hamas in Qatar's capital, Doha.

A Hamas official told the BBC that members of the Palestinian armed group's negotiating team were targeted during a meeting. It was not clear whether any of them were killed, but photos showed a badly damaged building in the northern Katara district.

The Israeli military accused the Hamas leaders of being directly responsible for the 7 October 2023 attack on Israel and of orchestrating the ensuing war in Gaza.

Qatar strongly condemned what it called the "cowardly Israeli attack that targeted residential buildings housing several members of the political bureau of Hamas".

"This criminal assault constitutes a blatant violation of all international laws and norms, and poses a serious threat to the security and safety of Qataris and residents in Qatar," a foreign ministry statement said.

The Gulf state - a key US ally in the region that is the location of a major American air base - has hosted the Hamas political bureau since 2012 and has served as a mediator in indirect negotiations between the group and Israel.

• Latest updates on Doha strike
• Israeli military orders all Gaza City residents to evacuate ahead of ground assault
• Hamas discussing US 'ideas' for Gaza ceasefire after Trump's 'last warning'

UN Secretary General António Guterres also condemned the strike, saying it was a "flagrant violation" of Qatar's sovereignty.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office stressed that what it called the "action against the top terrorist chiefs" of Hamas was a "a wholly independent Israeli operation".

"Israel initiated it, Israel conducted it, and Israel takes full responsibility," a statement said.

A senior Israeli official told Israeli media that the Hamas members targeted included Khalil al-Hayya, the chief negotiator and exiled Gaza leader, and Zaher Jabarin, the exiled West Bank leader.

"We are awaiting the results of the strike. There is a consensus among the political and security leadership," the official added.

On Monday, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz had warned Hamas leaders living abroad that they faced "annihilation" and Gaza would be destroyed if the group did not release its hostages and lay down its arms.

The Israeli military launched a campaign in Gaza in response to the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage.

At least 64,605 people have been killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza since then, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry.

More than 1,000 people across the UK with suspected dementia are to be offered a blood test for Alzheimer's disease which it is hoped could revolutionise diagnosis of the disease.

The blood test can detect biomarkers for rogue proteins which accumulate in the brains of patients with the condition and will be used in addition to pen and paper cognitive tests, which often misdiagnose it in its early stages.

Scientists leading the trial at University College London believe the blood test will improve the accuracy of diagnosis from 70% to more than 90% and want to see how that helps patients and clinicians.

Patients will be recruited at 20 memory clinics as part of the study, which aims to see how well the test works within the NHS.

Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia and is associated with the build-up in the brain of two rogue proteins - amyloid and tau - which can accumulate for up to 20 years before symptoms emerge.

The new blood test, which costs around £100, measures a biomarker called p-tau217, which reflects the presence of both proteins.

Previously, the only way to confirm Alzheimer's was by specialist PET brain scans and lumbar punctures to extract cerebrospinal fluid.

However, these "gold standard" tests are not part of routine Alzheimer's diagnosis and only 2% of patients ever receive them.

Professor Fiona Carragher, chief policy and research officer at the Alzheimer's Society, said: "Our recent Lived Experience Survey revealed that only a third of people with dementia felt their experience of the diagnosis process was positive, while many reported being afraid of receiving a diagnosis.

"As a result, too often, dementia is diagnosed late, limiting access to support, treatment and opportunities to plan ahead."

Now, the Alzheimer's Disease Diagnosis and Plasma p-tau217 (ADAPT) trial has begun recruitment at a memory clinic in Essex, with 19 additional specialist NHS centres planned to be involved across the UK.

The study is being led by scientists at University College London, and is supported by Alzheimer's Research UK, the Alzheimer's Society, with funding from the People's Postcode Lottery.

Jonathan Schott, professor of neurology at University College London and chief medical officer at Alzheimer's Research UK said he was "thrilled" to welcome participants onto the ADAPT trial.

He described the trial as "a critical part of the Blood Biomarker Challenge, which we hope will take us a step forward in revolutionising the way we diagnose dementia."

Half the participants in the study will receive their blood tests results within three months while the others will be told after 12 months.

The study team will establish whether providing results earlier helps speed up diagnosis, guides decisions about further investigations, and influences how both patients and doctors interpret and respond to the results.

The impact of blood test results on quality of life will also be measured.

If the trial is deemed successful, the blood test could become a standard part of Alzheimer's diagnosis. This will be crucial in years to come as a raft of new drugs to combat early-stage disease are in the final stages of clinical trials.

'Gamechanger'

Steven Pidwell, 71, from north London, says an accurate, rapid blood test for Alzheimer's, combined with new treatments, would be a "gamechanger" for families affected by the condition.

His partner of more than 50 years, Rachel Hawley, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease almost a decade ago.

Steven told the BBC: "I think it would mean everybody's idea of Alzheimer's would change. We would treat Alzheimer's more like having a disability, rather than sort of a curse, and something we can't talk about."

A diagnosis of Alzheimer's can be devastating but the couple say they refuse to let the disease spoil their time together.

Rachel, 72, said: "I think I still have a very happy life, and am very lucky in all sorts of ways."

The couple were part of a group of patients with lived experience of Alzheimer's, who helped researchers at UCL design the trial and the feedback to potential volunteers.

The team at UCL expect to have results in around three years.

For the first time, there are more children in the world who are obese than underweight, according to a major study by children's charity Unicef.

Around one in 10 of those aged between five and 19 years old - around 188 million children and young people - are now thought to be affected by obesity.

Researchers blame a shift from traditional diets to ones heavily reliant on ultra-processed foods that are relatively cheap and high in calories.

Unicef, an agency of the United Nations, is urging governments to protect children's diets from unhealthy ingredients and stop the ultra-processed food industry from interfering in policy decisions.

Overweight and malnourished

When health experts used to refer to malnourished children, that was often read as those who were underweight.

Not any more – that term now also refers to the impact of obesity on the health and development of children. Even in poorer countries that is now a real concern.

Children are considered overweight when they are significantly heavier than a healthy weight for their age, sex and height.

Obesity is a severe form of being overweight, and is linked to a higher risk of type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers, in later life.

Throughout childhood, good nutrition, including plenty of fruit, vegetables and protein, plays a vital role in growth, cognitive development and mental health.

But many traditional diets are being displaced by ultra-processed foods, often high in sugar, starch, salt, unhealthy fats and additives.

Unicef executive director Catherine Russell says the challenges posed by obesity should not be under-estimated. She said it's "a growing concern" that can affect the health and development of children.

1 in 10 are now obese

Undernutrition - which can manifest itself as wasting and stunting - remains a significant problem in the under-fives in many low and middle income countries.

But the latest data from Unicef - a study that draws on data from more than 190 countries - finds the prevalence of underweight children aged 5-19 has declined since 2000, from nearly 13% to 9.2%.

Obesity rates however have increased from 3% to 9.4%, meaning that almost one in 10 children are now obese.

The number of overweight children - which includes those who are obese - has also increased to the extent that now 1 in five school-age children and adolescents are overweight.

That's roughly 391 million children across the globe, the study estimates.

Obesity now exceeds underweight in all regions of the world, except sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

The highest rates of obesity among children and young people are found in some of the Pacific Island states, including Niue (38%), the Cook Islands (37%), and Nauru (33%).

But many high-income countries also face a serious obesity problem. Among 5-19 year olds, 27% are obese in Chile, 21% in the United States, and 21% in the United Arab Emirates.

Unicef's Catherine Russell says: "In many countries we are seeing the double burden of malnutrition – the existence of stunting and obesity.

"This requires targeted interventions.

"Nutritious and affordable food must be available to every child to support their growth and development.

"We urgently need policies that support parents and caretakers to access nutritious and healthy foods for their children."

Call to action

Unicef warns that the health impacts and economic costs of doing nothing are potentially enormous.

The report estimates that by 2035, the global economic impact of overweight and obesity is expected to surpass US$4 trillion (£2.95 trillion) annually.

It urges governments to take action, including on the labelling and marketing of food.

That might include legal measures to protect children's diets by removing ultra-processed foods from school canteens, introducing taxes on unhealthy foods and drinks and encouraging food producers to make changes to products - known as reformulation - to limit unhealthy ingredients and harmful substitutes.

The report also calls for policy making to be protected from interference by the ultra-processed food industry.

Ultra-processed food and drink producers could be banned from involvement in developing and implementing policy and any industry political lobbying would have to be officially reported.

People accused of child abuse could receive significantly larger payments than their alleged victims under plans to share the fortune of a disgraced evangelical sect.

The organisation, known as the Jesus Army, has already paid out compensation to hundreds of people as part of a damages scheme.

Legal submissions, seen by the BBC, reveal it has £25m left which it intends to divide among loyal members. Survivors described the proposals as sickening.

A spokesperson for the Jesus Fellowship Community Trust (JFCT), which is winding up the affairs of the group, insisted the trustees had acted "in accordance with the trust deed".

One of the UK's largest and most abusive cults, the Jesus Army, or Jesus Fellowship Church, was founded by Noel Stanton, the late pastor of Bugbrooke Chapel, in Northamptonshire in 1969.

In 2017, three years prior to the group disbanding, documents seen by the BBC showed the estimated total value of its assets was £58.6m.

These included businesses and 55 large houses throughout England, which have since been sold.

Last year, under a redress scheme organised by the JFCT trustees, a compensation payment of £7.7m was shared among 601 individuals who said they suffered sexual, physical and emotional abuse in the fellowship's strict communal houses.

But claimants, most of whom were child victims, have criticised the scheme as ungenerous given it was almost entirely funded by insurers and is understood to have cost the trust about 5% of the total value of its assets.

"I don't think it followed any Christian code whatsoever," says Graham Lewis, 66, who worked as a nurse practitioner for the sect.

He left in 1996 because gay relationships were forbidden.

Mr Lewis says he believes those who remained members of the fellowship until the end have been "trying to protect themselves and feather their own nests".

As a victim of emotional and sexual abuse, he was paid £25,000 under the redress scheme.

"It doesn't compensate for the harm I suffered, and it also doesn't cover the financial losses I incurred; the 15 years I couldn't pay into a pension for example," he said.

Hardcore members of the Jesus Army gave all their wealth, income and possessions to a common purse, and unspent contributions went into the trust.

However, only 172 people who remained members until a decision to close in May 2020 are guaranteed to benefit from the assets.

As part of the winding up process, these so-called beneficiaries will vote on whether to expand the group of potential recipients.

The trustees said this created the possibility of other former members benefitting but added they had "no power to determine the vote".

Mr Lewis says he is concerned people accused of child abuse or covering-up offences could be among the listed beneficiaries.

"They're in line for huge payouts, perhaps ten times what survivors were awarded in damages. It's horrible and makes me sick to my stomach."

The BBC asked the JFCT how many alleged perpetrators of abuse or cover-up were among the listed beneficiaries.

A spokesperson said confidentiality considerations meant it was not appropriate to disclose their identities, adding many of the accusations during the redress scheme were made in strict confidence.

A review of compensation claims identified 539 alleged perpetrators of abuse in the Jesus Fellowship Church (about one sixth of the total membership), including 162 former leaders.

Given their loyalty to the movement, it is likely some former leaders are among the listed beneficiaries.

The BBC understands they have already received more than £20m in returns on capital investments, cash advances and other payments.

Northamptonshire Police said it was engaging with the allegations in the redress scheme but no new prosecutions had been started yet.

To date, at least 10 people have been convicted of indecent assaults or other offences committed while living in Jesus Army communities. Several others were acquitted.

Becky Ayres says she still remembers feeling trapped as a child who spent eight years in a community, before leaving to live with her grandmother in 1984 when she was 15.

"Part of the advice given to households was children should be beaten with a stick, and so anyone could decide when my baby sister or I was disciplined.

"The beatings were horrible and hurt and were always for the most trivial things like fidgeting during worship sessions."

Becky received £14,000 under the redress scheme.

"People didn't receive much for emotional abuse, but as many survivors have said, the worst of it was the control; it was not feeling safe as a child; not feeling important.

"I don't think the trust really considered that."

Becky said she urged the trustees to be generous when the redress scheme was being developed, and to consider the younger members who left with no support.

"To discover the trust has got £25m left over, it's massively insulting.

"We think the majority of the remaining funds should go to the survivors, rather than the people who were enjoying themselves and stuck around until the end."

Last month, the trustees asked a High Court judge to approve a procedure, which would prevent any further victims from making claims and so delaying the final distributions.

Acting for the trustees, Paul Adams read out a comment from an interested party: "Among the beneficiaries and claimants, are many people who paid their money in for years... They are now waiting for the payment to decide their future."

Chancery Master Karen Shuman ordered victims or others with unresolved claims to make themselves known by 16 October, after which time they would permanently lose the ability to claim.

Once the management of any remaining claims is concluded, the trust has been directed it can proceed to the final stages of winding up and dissolving the trust.

Since the broadcast of a new BBC documentary Inside the Cult of the Jesus Army, the Jesus Fellowship Survivors Association says dozens more potential victims have come forward.

A spokesperson for the JFCT said: "The Trustees have been acutely conscious of the traumatic, abusive and adverse experiences suffered in the church and community.

"They have also recognised the importance of engaging with not just the listed beneficiaries, but with others who have an interest in the winding up.

"They have sought to do so sensitively, meaningfully, and with a genuine willingness to listen and a desire to work collaboratively with interested parties."

• If you have been affected by this story or would like support then you can find organisations which offer help and information at the BBC Action Line.