About this Episode
New British Prime Minister Andy Burnham pledged to end rough sleeping in England, announcing an extra £340m over three years to fund 1,200 new homes and support 3,000 people. He also declared authorities would work with local government to get people off the streets “at the earliest opportunity”. The move echoes his Greater Manchester homelessness schemes, won cautious praise from campaigners and scepticism from critics who note rising street homelessness during his mayoralty and warn the new funding reassigns parts of the housing budget.
A Russian cruise‑missile strike on the Guinea‑Bissau‑flagged merchant ship Golden Leo off Odesa killed ten people, Ukraine’s seaports authority said, after a night‑long search and rescue. India confirmed four of its nationals were among the dead. The attack — the deadliest on a cargo vessel in the Black Sea to date — came amid a recent surge in strikes on merchant shipping that Kyiv says aims to choke its last maritime export corridor. Ukraine’s government said it is preparing measures to protect civilian vessels and seafarers, while its drone forces commander claimed dozens of ships had been hit this month.
The World Tennis Association will require all players to undergo a one‑time genetic sex test for the SRY gene to be eligible for the Tour, with samples taken by cheek swab, blood or saliva and only a negative result allowing competition. A positive test will trigger further medical assessment. A refusal to test may draw disciplinary action, and the change replaces the previous 2024 rule that permitted transgender women to play after two years with testosterone below 2.5 nanomoles per liter.
Kevin Keegan, the charismatic England player and manager, has died aged 75. He won major honours with Liverpool and Hamburg and twice claimed the Ballon d’Or. Keegan also captained and later managed England, and revitalised Newcastle as the architect of “The Entertainers.” He revealed a cancer diagnosis in June and died in Sydney surrounded by family. He is survived by his wife, daughters and grandchildren.
