Disgraced comedian was convicted last week and was warned he faces a signficant' prison termProceedings are beginning now. Chief prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones KC is up on her feet. She'll be the first to deliver remarks.The sentencing has been pushed back as court staff attempt to rearrange the courtroom so one of the victims can be protected, PA reports. Continue reading...
Terrorism investigation was opened after attacker opened fire in a market squareThe British prime minister, Andy Burnham, says he wants the UK to move to a closer relationship with the EU after the next election and one option would be to join the single market. This would significantly boost trade with the EU, but it would involve Britain accepting free movement rules. Norway is in this position - not in the EU, but in the single market.At one point before the 2016 Brexit referendum, even Nigel Farage would sometimes say that the Norway option would be a good choice for the UK. But today Burnham is being advised to think twice before copying Norway - by the Norwegian PM.After Brexit, British friends called me and said, tell us about the Norwegian way of doing it. And I said, if you left the EU because there was too much Brussels, don't take the Norwegian version. Because here, you know, basically we are taking most of their decisions, we implement them. Continue reading...
by Oliver Wyndham-Lewis and Magdalena Shopova for the on (#79MFE)
Violent storms lash northern Iraq and parts of Iran, while Portugal faces strong winds and Japan braces for further snowfallDeadly flash floods hit northern Iraq on Saturday as severe thunderstorms swept across the region, including in neighbouring Iran. The city of Erbil, in Iraq, was particularly badly hit, with extensive damage to homes and businesses. Streets were inundated as torrential rain fell over a short period.Rainfall exceeded forecasts, with an estimated 80mm falling in the city, compared with expectations of 30mm. Two people were killed in the floods. Continue reading...
Lawsuit filed last year against IBM, Atos and Leonardo after delays to passengers blamed on the system, first reported in the FTThe EU has filed a lawsuit against IBM and two other companies involved in its troubled border-management system, an internal document has revealed.The bloc's IT agency, EU-Lisa, filed a case last year against IBM, the French IT company Atos and Italian defence contractor Leonardo, the three members of a consortium to implement and maintain the EU's entry/exit system, which was launched in October 2025. Continue reading...
Louise Haigh is expected to agree to cut a target for EV sales by about a quarterIn an interview with Sky News, Julia Lopez, who is serving as interim shadow business secretary while Claire Coutinho is on maternity leave, said that the Conservatives would like to get rid of the ZEV [zero emission vehicle] mandate entirely. She said that she did not think there was enough consumer demand for electric vehicles, and that there were not enough charging points.But she still welcomed reports that Labour will weaken the EV targets. If Labour wants to be pragmatic and change some of those targets, that's good," she said.The switch to EVs has the potential to create greater emissions savings than any other energy transition policy, while providing drivers with vehicles that can be significantly cheaper to run.Yet again, this Labour government is heading in the wrong direction. Instead of pandering to corporate lobbying and stalling on the phase out of petrol and diesel vehicles, they should be boosting EV uptake through vehicle scrappage schemes and cheaper, more abundant and more reliable public charging infrastructure. Continue reading...
Troubled utility lobbies for deadline on part of the debt to be extended to March 2028Thames Water has asked its creditors for more time to pay back billions of pounds in debt, as the water company scrambles to keep itself afloat.The UK's largest water company said it had proposed an interim" deal under which the deadline to pay off an unspecified portion of the 20bn of debt on its balance sheet would be extended from 2027 to March 2028. Continue reading...
Drivers warned to take care as perfect' weather conditions for mist affect areas of England, Wales and Northern IrelandThick fog will shroud much of the southern half of England, the eastern half of Wales and most of Northern Ireland throughout the early part of the week, forecasters have said, as commuters are told to expect delays.There was disruption to flights at Heathrow airport on Monday, while an incident involving 30 vehicles closed a major road in Kent on Saturday evening. Continue reading...
Assault on Michel Zecler in 2020 is rare case of police brutality reaching court, at time of heightened tensionsThree French police officers are to go on trial over the beating of a black music producer who they say was not wearing a face mask during the Covid pandemic, in a rare case of police brutality reaching court.The assault on Michel Zecler, now 47, triggered outrage in France over police violence, which victims and researchers say is systemic but authorities and law enforcement unions claim is limited to isolated cases. Continue reading...
President makes unusual acknowledgment that one of defining policies of his second administration had become a political liabilityDonald Trump has admitted that his deportation policy was too tough" and has offered to strike an immigration deal with Democrats in a concession after the Republicans' disastrous defeat in the midterm elections.In an interview on the CBS network's 60 Minutes broadcast on Sunday, the president acknowledged that the aggressive crackdown had hurt him politically and said he was open to an arrangement to allow some undocumented immigrants to remain in the US. Continue reading...
From Serbia to Bangladesh and India to France, young people are pushing back against authoritarianism and reshaping political landscapesIn Brazil, they rallied online by the millions, sharing videos and spreading memes. In Serbia, they cycled across Europe and ran ultramarathons to make their voices heard.Both movements burst into international public view last month as they became central during election campaigns to the pushback against authoritarianism. What they also offered, however, was a window into a wider phenomenon playing out across the globe, as youth-led movements reshape political landscapes. Continue reading...
by Josh Halliday North of England editor on (#79MCK)
Residents of Astley in Greater Manchester will tell public inquiry next week of cacophony' of noise causing sleep deprivation and depressionWhen Stephen Retford retired from the police in 2006, he looked forward to a quiet life after nearly three decades catching villains. But now the former detective has landed another big case - one that is extremely close to home.It's the total injustice of it," the 70-year-old seethed, staring up at the 18-metre-high mega-warehouse that looms over the quiet village of Astley in Greater Manchester. Residents are up in arms about the monster" construction, likening it to having a cruise ship in our back garden". Continue reading...
Terrorism investigation was opened after a 24-year-old opened fire in a market square on the weekendA gunman suspected of killing six people in a popular market square in Krakow has died in hospital, Polish police said early on Monday.The suspect, a 24-year-old named in local media as Michal O, who authorities say was probably inspired by far-right ideologies, had been wounded in a shootout with police and had been in critical condition in hospital. Continue reading...
Paul Nowak also calls on government to avoid arbitrary benefit cuts before much-anticipated Milburn report is published this weekFixing Britain's youth jobs crisis will require ministers to drastically increase investment in employment support while avoiding arbitrary cuts to benefits, the head of the trade union movement has said.Before an important official report expected next week, the general secretary of the Trades Union Congress, Paul Nowak, said the government had a once in a generation chance" to secure young people's futures. Continue reading...
by Josh Halliday North of England editor on (#79MB7)
Minister says Labour hoping to offer bed to every rough sleeper in England but cites chronic housing shortageAndy Burnham's pledge to tackle rough sleeping by getting everyone in for Christmas" is in jeopardy amid rising numbers of people on the streets and a severe housing shortage.Official figures show an increase of nearly 1,000 people sleeping rough in England between January and June, the latest month for which figures are available. Continue reading...
Coffee shop chain targets growth north of London with extra 500 outlets in big boost for youth employmentStarbucks has set out plans to hire 7,500 new baristas over the next five years, in a boost to youth employment as the chain pins hopes for future growth on the north of the country.The US coffee shop chain, which employs more than 18,000 people in the UK, said the hiring spree would focus on the Midlands, north of England, Wales and Scotland, as it targets growth north of the M25. Continue reading...
Pontiff tells Argentina's president the economy must benefit all on second stop of 12-day Latin America tourPope Leo XIV has delivered a stinging critique of Argentine president Javier Milei's harsh austerity measures, insisting growth must benefit all in a speech met with rapturous applause in Buenos Aires.The economy must be at the service of the people, rather than people being at the service of the economy," he said on Sunday, shortly after landing in Argentina on the second leg of a Latin America tour. Continue reading...
Time to throw myself into something new,' 32-year-old presenter announces on social media while hailing her unforgettable time' on the showMaya Jama has announced she is stepping down as the host of Love Island after three years.The 32-year-old presenter of the reality TV show made the announcement on Instagram. Continue reading...
Lucy Powell says proposals to end widespread practice will be included in overhaul of England's national curriculumPushing GCSE subjects on younger pupils risks turning England's secondary schools into early exam factories", the education secretary has said, warning that it is increasing disengagement from education.Lucy Powell wants schools to end the widespread practice of teaching GCSE topics to pupils in year 9 or earlier, before they officially start in year 10, and says she plans to reduce the amount of GCSE content to make it easier to fit into the official timetable. Continue reading...
40m scheme in England aims to keep most vulnerable people well at home and avoid unnecessary hospital staysHundreds of thousands of vulnerable patients in England are to receive extra support from their GP as part of a 40m drive aimed at keeping them out of hospital this winter.As the NHS gears up for the pressures of the coming months, family doctors will offer 300,000 people with frailty and long-term conditions health checks, medication reviews and respiratory tests designed to prevent avoidable hospital admissions. Continue reading...
Jakub Kulik critically injured and Artur Moraski also wounded after actions that prevented further casualties'Two Polish police officers who were injured as they pursued and detained the gunman in Krakow on Saturday have been hailed as heroes.One of them is Jakub Kulik, a former paratrooper and volunteer firefighter, who was left critically injured after a close-range exchange of fire with the suspect, a 24-year-old Polish national who killed six and injured 17 in an attack believed to have been inspired by far-right ideologies. Continue reading...
Culture secretary says there is still a problem with exploitation and abuse in the industry and public lifeThe culture secretary, Lisa Nandy, has said there is still a problem with exploitation and abuse in the media industry and a failure to properly deal with allegations after Russell Brand's conviction for rape and sexual assault.She said women who came forward were too often not protected by institutions across public life, including in politics, and that huge power imbalances meant speaking up came at a very heavy cost. Continue reading...
Two people arrested after Robinson's presence inflames tensions in scenes witnessed by many on social mediaTwo people were arrested at an influencer boxing event that descended into a riot in Ireland after the presence of the far-right activist Tommy Robinson inflamed tensions in the crowd.The riot took place at about midnight on Saturday at an event organised by the controversial internet personality HSTikkyTokky, whose real name is Harrison Sullivan, at the Hub events venue in Kilkenny. Continue reading...
Culture secretary pushes back against talk of revisiting Brexit but says closer ties would fulfil referendum promisesOne of Andy Burnham's cabinet ministers has said she wants to avoid circular arguments" about whether the UK should rejoin the EU, underlining divisions at the top of government over revisiting Brexit.Lisa Nandy, the culture secretary, appeared to suggest she was not in favour of rejoining the trade bloc, but she said the prime minister should still pursue closer ties to fulfil the promises made at the time of the referendum. Continue reading...
Trump poised to double down on immigration crackdown and refuse concessions to new Democratic majority in CongressDonald Trump set the stage for his administration to lurch further to the right this weekend, claiming the US had taken a giant step back" by widely rejecting his party.The US president's hardline aide, Stephen Miller, will begin as White House chief of staff on Monday. He will also meet with Dana White, CEO and president of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, after offering him the job of press secretary. Continue reading...
Former military chief says prime minister brought Israel to historic crisis and it is approaching point of no return'Israel's former military chief Gadi Eisenkot started the tough task of forming a government on Sunday, reaching out to Benjamin Netanyahu's allies as he said the veteran prime minister had brought the country to a historic crisis.Eisenkot, 66, the leader of the Yashar party, who has vowed to bridge Israel's deep polarisation under Netanyahu, formally received a mandate from the president, Isaac Herzog, who gave him 28 days to form a government despite his bloc lacking a clear majority. Continue reading...
President orders prompt investigation after one train derails in collision in al-Ayyat about 30 miles from CairoAt least seven people were killed and more than 100 others injured when two trains collided on Sunday south of Cairo, authorities have said.The crash occurred in al-Ayyat district in Giza province, about 30 miles (50km) south of the capital, when a train travelling to the south-western Fayoum province crashed into the rear of a train heading to the southern province of Aswan, according to the transport ministry. It said one of the trains had derailed. Continue reading...
Bailiffs reportedly seized digital records before court case over alleged intellectual property breaches on Land Rover DefenderBailiffs acting for Jaguar Land Rover raided the Dutch offices of a Chinese copycat" rival before a legal showdown this week over whether its Defender clone" infringes intellectual property rights.Bailiffs acting on behalf of JLR reportedly seized digital records from the offices of Chinese carmaker BYD in Schiedam and Hoofddorp in August, according to the Sunday Times. Continue reading...
Travel may be disrupted until Monday morning in areas including most of southern England and across MidlandsThe Met Office has said weather conditions in the UK are creating a perfect recipe" for fog as it warned that travel may be disrupted.A yellow weather warning lasting from 6pm on Sunday until 11am on Monday has been issued by the service, with the affected areas including most of southern England, excluding the south-west, and the entirety of the Midlands. Continue reading...
Scheme in Derry aims to sow confidence by getting people with learning and physical disabilities into wrestlingThe music thumped, the lights blazed and from the ring the announcer did a countdown. Who is ready to rumble?" he roared. The bellows and cheers indicated that the crowd at St Columb's Hall in Derry on Saturday night was more than ready for the Foyle Rumble, and so began a wrestling extravaganza of heroes and villains in leotards, masks and kneepads.The blend of athleticism and scripted storytelling would have been familiar to fans of WrestleMania, but this Northern Irish version came with a twist: many of the performers have learning or physical disabilities, and the characters they play in the ring do not quite stay in the ring. Continue reading...
Much-loved passenger ship has traversed Atlantic swells between islands and Cornish mainland for almost 50 yearsTears were shed, sea shanties sung and tales of stormy voyages exchanged as one of the UK's most characterful ships set sail for the final time.Scillonian III, also known as the vomit comet" because in stormy weather it tended to rock a little too much for the comfort of those susceptible to sea sickness, has chugged between the British mainland and the Isles of Scilly, for just shy of half a century. Continue reading...
Knesset has been deadlocked since the election last month when Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition lost its majorityIsrael's president has chosen Gadi Eisenkot, the prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's strongest rival, to try to form a new government, after a deadlocked election that left neither man with a clear path to power.Isaac Herzog's office said he had informed Eisenkot, the leader of the Yashar party, on Saturday night of his intention to task him with forming a government". Continue reading...
by Lisa O’Carroll and Joanna Partridge on (#79KYH)
Five of seven facilities in England and Wales never reached operational stage as Tories vacillated over plans to check goodsThe UK wasted at least 100m in taxpayers' money to set up zombie Brexit border inspection posts that were never used, it has been revealed.The overall cost of Brexit was put at an estimated 4.7bn by the National Audit Office last year but this included years-long transformation of the software used for customs declarations and other systems built to cope with the UK leaving the single market. Continue reading...
Andy Burnham takes part at Cenotaph in London for first time alongside eight ex-premiers and 12 second world war veteransSecond world war veterans outnumbered former prime ministers for what could be the last time at the national service of remembrance at the Cenotaph in central London.The number of veterans from that conflict attending the service has dwindled to about a dozen, the oldest of whom was Jeffrey Brereton who served in the RAF. He volunteered for the air force in 1940, at the age of 19, and served as a mechanic on Hurricane aircraft during the Battle of Britain. Continue reading...
Midterms success gives party potent leverage over Trump - expect tough campaigns of investigating and lawmakingCosts, chaos, corruption": after almost two years spent relentlessly criticizing Donald Trump for failing to address those three, broad political concerns, Democrats won a monumental return to power in Tuesday's midterm elections that will give them potent new leverage over the president.Now the question becomes: what will they do with it? Continue reading...
by Chris Osuh Community affairs correspondent on (#79KW3)
See My World, an event highlighting the pan-African thought via film, poetry and dance, builds on momentum sparked by local activists and creativesAfrican philosophies including exploring how lessons from the past can shape the present and near future have inspired a film festival coming to Manchester.See My World, a day dedicated to independent creators from across the African diaspora in the north of England, will take place at the Contact theatre on 21 November. Continue reading...
Officials say suspect holds far-right views and three people found dead at his home were his parents and sisterPolish prosecutors have opened a terrorism investigation after a 24-year-old man opened fire in a busy market square in Krakow, killing six people including a Briton and injuring 17, in an attack that authorities said was probably inspired by far-right ideologies.Police confirmed on Sunday that three people found dead at the gunman's home after the attack on Saturday afternoon were his father, 53, mother, 52, and sister, 21. Continue reading...
What are the relationships and dominant interests in play, as the summit kicks off after a bitter row over its hosting?Hosting Cop was a key pledge from Australia's prime minister, Anthony Albanese in 2021, while in opposition, before his successful election campaign. But arcane rules meant the country had to wait its turn to bid and was then embroiled in an angry row with Turkey over the hosting. The final compromise put Australia in charge of the negotiations which will take place in the Turkish city of Antalya. The bitter taste left by the row lingers and Australia has seemed to some a rather half-hearted host. The country's media has been much quieter on Cop than previous host countries, and although Albanese will speak at the opening of the leaders' segment, he is unlikely to stay long. Continue reading...
Luc Corlouer made deal' with Prix Goncourt winner Philippe Jaenada over his research into model Louise Cansot, murdered in Paris in 1949For almost eight decades the artists' model Louise Cansot, the subject of the novel winning France's most prestigious literary prize this year, was one of Paris's forgotten murder victims.After her body was found near the Seine in September 1949, city police wrote off the young woman, immortalised as the girl of 100 portraits", as loose, libertine and - worse - an unmarried mother. They closed their investigation after just four months having made little effort to find her killer. Continue reading...
Delegates from more than 190 countries are gathering in Turkey for climate talks, but the US will be absentAs the planet faces unprecedented human-caused global heating, heads of government are meeting for the next fortnight for the latest round of climate talks. We ask why it matters and what is likely to be achieved. Continue reading...
Margaret Parkes and her husband, in their 80s, want Allan Grimson to reveal location of their son Simon's remainsThe mother of a teenage Royal Navy sailor who vanished 40 years ago has called for a serial killer" suspected of murdering him to finally reveal where her son's body is hidden.Speaking as Simon Parkes' suspected murderer, the former navy petty officer Allan Grimson, was sentenced for sexual offences against four boys and men, Margaret Parkes, 80, said time was running out for her and her 84-year-old husband, David, to find out what happened to their son. Continue reading...
Three more people found dead at home of suspect, who minister says held ultra-nationalistic' viewsSix people were killed and 16 wounded after a gunman opened fire in a busy market square in Krakow, authorities said, in what Poland's defence minister called an act of terror" on the people of the city.The suspect, a 25-year-old Polish citizen, opened fire with an automatic weapon in the city's main square at about 3pm on Saturday before being apprehended by police. Continue reading...
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