Communication system used between train drivers and signallers downOur community team would like to hear from you how your train journey has been affected by the nationwide fault that has hit the British rail network this morning. You can find out how to get in touch with them here.Nigel Harris, a former managing editor at Rail magazine, and contributor to the Green Signals podcast, has told Sky News this morning that this type of fault is very rare". Continue reading...
Search teams suspect two Americans and one Canadian fell while trying to climb 3,724m-high Mount AorakiThree mountain climbers - two from the US and one from Canada - missing for five days on New Zealand's tallest mountain, are believed to have died in a fall, the authorities.The men's bodies have not been found. But based on footprints seen in the snow on Mount Aoraki during an aerial survey, and items believed to belong to them retrieved from the slopes this week, the search for them has ended, police area commander inspector Vicki Walker told reporters. Continue reading...
Rebels have captured key cities of Aleppo and Hama, dealing blows to president Bashar al-Assad 14 years after protests erupted across SyriaThe escalation in fighting in Syria has displaced about 280,000 people in just over a week, the UN said on Friday, warning that numbers could rise to 1.5 million.The figure we have in front of us is 280,000 people since 27 November," Samer AbdelJaber, head of emergency coordination at the UN's World Food Programme (WFP), told reporters in Geneva. That does not include the figure of people who fled from Lebanon during the recent escalations" in fighting there, he added. Continue reading...
The PM has said he wants 1.5 million homes to be built in England before the next electionKeir Starmer has told voters not to expect rapid public service improvements. As Kiran Stacey reports, in interviews broadcast this morning the prime minister said he could not promise immediate change, blaming the previous Conservative government for leaving behind problems which could take years to solve.In his Times article Keir Starmer says his government will introduce a golden era of building".Generations before us built the infrastructure the entire nation was proud of - from civic buildings to train stations, hospitals to schools. So we will introduce a new golden era of building. That's why we're fast-tracking 150 planning decisions on major infrastructure by the end of parliament, more than double those decided in the previous parliament. We'll build the schools, the hospitals, the railways and roads, the towns and villages, that will shape our national landscape for years to come and fuel growth in every region and nation.In the past 14 years, the Tories decided fewer than 60 infrastructure projects. We haven't built a reservoir in 30 years, not least because the time it takes to secure planning permission for major infrastructure projects has almost doubled in the past decade. Every road, pylon and mast - which connect people with opportunity - must jump through endless hoops, only to be opposed, dragged out, before eventually, if lucky, approved. That's how we ended up with the absurd spectacle of HS2 building a tunnel for bats that cost 100 million. Continue reading...
by Kiran Stacey Political correspondent on (#6SR45)
Prime minister says problems in health, housing and education will take years to rebuild UK politics live - latest updatesKeir Starmer has told voters not to expect rapid public service improvements as he seeks to relaunch his faltering government withlong-term targets on housebuilding, living standards, energy, policing, education and the NHS.In broadcast interviews on Friday morning, the prime minister said he could not promise immediate change, blaming the previous Conservative government for leaving behind problems which could take years to solve. Continue reading...
Property prices increase by 1.3% in November, the fifth consecutive monthly riseThe average price of a house in the UK has hit a record high as homeowners enjoy a fifth success month of increases in the value of their properties, Britain's biggest mortgage lender has said.Halifax's monthly house price index found that the cost of an average home stood at 298,083 in November, up almost 5,000 on the previous record set in October. Continue reading...
Exclusive: Australian Submarine Agency's ten-month contract with McKinsey says it'll deliver skills currently unavailable' within government department
by Raphael Rashid in Seoul and agencies on (#6SQZZ)
Head of the People Power party claims there is a significant risk that president could order extreme actions'The South Korean president, Yoon Suk Yeol, could put citizens in great danger" if he is not suspended, the head of the ruling party said on Friday, increasing the likelihood that parliament will vote to impeach Yoon over Tuesday's failed martial law declaration.[If] President Yoon continues to hold the office of the presidency, there is a significant risk that extreme actions similar to the martial law declaration could be repeated, which could put the Republic of Korea and its citizens in great danger," the head of the People Power party, Han Dong-hoon, told an emergency party leadership meeting. Continue reading...
Fighters led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group rout government troops after five-day battle amid sweeping offensiveIslamist insurgents have captured the Syrian city of Hama in a battle to seize a vital location on the road to Damascus, marking the latest challenge to Bashar al-Assad's control of the country.Militants led by the group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) entered the city from the east on Thursday after surrounding it during five days of fighting with forces loyal to Assad. Continue reading...
Daniil Brodsky and two board members stepped down after local group said the report had not proved genocidal intent'The chair of Amnesty International's Israeli branch and two board members have resigned over the human rights group's report accusing Israel of committing genocide in the Gaza Strip.Daniil Brodsky and the board members stepped down on Thursday, after the group said in a statement the report had not proved genocidal intent beyond a reasonable doubt". Continue reading...
State's governor, a former member of far-right ex-president Jair Bolsonaro's cabinet, said critics can go to hell'A Sao Paulo state police officer is seen leading an unarmed man to the edge of an overpass in an impoverished neighbourhood of Latin America's largest city.Seconds later, the officer pushes the man, who falls backwards from a height of three metres into a shallow stream of murky, sewage-laden water. Three other officers can be seen watching the scene unfold, taking no action. Continue reading...
Rising prosecutions, higher maximum sentences and soaring number of people on remand driving growth from 86,000 todayThe prison population could top 100,000 within five years in England and Wales, official estimates show.The justice department acknowledged that a perfect storm of rising prosecutions, politicians bringing in higher maximum sentences, and soaring numbers of people on remand - meaning they are in jail awaiting trial or sentencing - are responsible for the projected rise. Continue reading...
Rice wine enshrined as part of cultural heritage of humanity'Sake is perhaps more Japanese than the world-famous sushi. It's brewed in centuries-old mountaintop warehouses, savoured in the country's pub-like izakayas, poured during weddings and served slightly chilled for special toasts.Now, the smooth rice wine that plays a crucial role in Japan's culinary traditions - and is a favoured tipple of celebrities such as Cate Blanchett - has been enshrined by Unesco, which has put it on its list of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity". Continue reading...
Jailed neonatal nurse's lawyer condemns leaking by police' as possible link to Liverpool Women's hospital emergesLucy Letby maintains her innocence, her lawyer said on Wednesday as he condemned leaking by the police" after it was confirmed the neonatal nurse had been interviewed over more suspicious deaths of babies.Letby, who is serving a whole-life sentence for killing and maiming newborns in her care, was questioned under caution about other unexpected deaths and collapses of babies at the Countess of Chester hospital and, for the first time, at Liverpool Women's hospital where she trained as a student, Cheshire police said. Continue reading...
Alistair Carns says a casualty rate similar to Russia's invasion could lead to the army being expended' within six to 12 monthsThe British army would be wiped out in as little as six months if it was forced to fight a war on the scale of the Ukraine conflict, a defence minister has warned.Alistair Carns said a rate of casualties similar to Russia's invasion of Ukraine would lead to the army being expended" within six to 12 months. Continue reading...
Torode, who has presented alongside Wallace since 2005, confirms he will stay with the programmeMasterChef's John Torode has said he found the recent allegations of harassment against co-host Gregg Wallace truly upsetting".In his first comments since a fresh wave of allegations were made against Wallace, Torode confirmed he would remain part of the programme and supported the investigation that was under way. Continue reading...
UK and foreign law enforcement agencies say networks laundered cash and cryptocurrencies for organised crime gangs across the westOperatives said to be behind a billion-dollar Russian money-laundering network - used by drug dealers, financial criminals and foreign spies - have been sanctioned and arrested in a coordinated international investigation led by the National Crime Agency.The UK law enforcement body, which tackles serious and organised crime, said the actions constituted the most significant money laundering operation" it had undertaken in the past few years. The operation involved America's Federal Bureau of Investigation, France's Direction Centrale de la Police Judiciaire and Ireland's Garda. Continue reading...
Historical drama depicts Price carrying out 1972 killing of mother and alleged informant Jean McConvilleThe veteran republican Marian Price is taking legal action against Disney+ after she was depicted killing Jean McConville in its show Say Nothing. The historical drama series, which is based on the book by the award-winning writer Patrick Radden Keefe, portrays the murder and secret burial of McConville by the IRA in 1972.McConville is known as one of the Disappeared, a group of 17 people who were abducted, killed and secretly buried by republican paramilitaries during the Troubles. Continue reading...
Royal Albert Hall will host five-day event in October, after bringing in specialist soil and a strengthened stage the last time it was staged thereLondon will host only the second professional Sumo wrestling event ever staged outside of Japan at the Royal Albert Hall next October.The Grand Sumo Tournament will take place at the 153-year-old venue in partnership with the Japan Sumo Association, Nihon Sumo Kyokai, to help mark its centenary. Continue reading...
Rightwing broadcaster's ratings surge in month featuring farmers' protest in London and Trump re-election in USIt may be the bane of many liberals, and its provocative broadcasts have certainly kept Ofcom busy since its launch.But despite all the controversy, the audience for GB News keeps rising, and November appeared to be another significant month. Continue reading...
Automaker is restructuring in China after losing about $350m in the region in the first three quarters of this yearGeneral Motors told shareholders on Wednesday that it would write down the value of its China business by more than $5bn.The company's board of directors determined that the non-cash charges were necessary in light of the finalization of a new business forecast and certain restructuring actions" with the joint venture, according to a company filing. Continue reading...
Tory leader asks prime minister why he appointed Louise Haigh after fraud offenceBadenoch adds that the those on the benches are laughing but that Labour have no idea what the general public are dealing with as the government talks about increasing employers' national insurance. She describes the budget as catastrophic".Badenoch says Starmer can't even repeat the pledges that he made a few weeks ago. To increasing jeers she says the Conservatives are there to stop Starmer damaging the economy. Continue reading...
Prime minister refuses repeatedly to give more details on further information' relating to transport minister's resignationThe prime minister has again refused to give more details on the resignation of his transport secretary over a fraud offence before she became an MP.Keir Starmer refused repeatedly to elaborate on the further information" that came to light leading to Louise Haigh stepping down last week. Continue reading...
Statement comes as Ukrainian intelligence says Russia will send mercenaries to support flagging troops allied to DamascusMoscow has condemned external forces" seeking to escalate violence in Syria, despite reports from Ukrainian military intelligence that Russia is to send mercenaries to support flagging troops allied to Damascus.The Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova blamed outside actors for instigating a recent sweeping insurgent offensive, after Islamist militants spearheaded by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) took control of the city of Aleppo at the weekend in a shock advance. Continue reading...
Man, 69, held over allegations of fraud linked to campaign for officer killed at Libyan embassy protest in 1984A man has been arrested over allegations of fraud linked to the justice campaign over the 1984 murder of the police officer Yvonne Fletcher.PC Fletcher, 25, was shot while on duty outside the Libyan embassy in London during a protest but no one has ever been charged over her death. Continue reading...
Second adapted rainbow armband worn by skipper will not lead to formal action from Football AssociationThe Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi will face no formal action from the Football Association despite wearing an adapted rainbow armband for the second time.The player and the club had been reminded of FA kit regulations after he wore an armband saying I love Jesus" in Saturday's match against Newcastle. Continue reading...
Temporary release is inadequate, activist's family and supporters say, urging her unconditional releaseIran has released the Nobel peace laureate Narges Mohammadi, jailed since November 2021, for three weeks on medical grounds, her lawyer posted on social media.Based on the advice of the examining doctor, the public prosecutor suspended the jail sentence against Narges Mohammadi for three weeks and she was released from prison," Mostafa Nili said on X. Continue reading...
Number of petrol cars on British roads rose to 18.7m this year, but decrease expected amid growth of EVsThe number of petrol cars on British roads has peaked this year but is set to tumble by more than 40% over the next decade, according to a report.Auto Trader's latest motoring forecast estimates there were 18.7m petrol-powered cars on the roads this year, but that this will steadily decrease from 2025 to 11.1m by 2034. Continue reading...
With high scores for friendly neighbours and access to services, Woodbridge in Suffolk has topped Rightmove's annual list for the first timeIt may not have the bright lights of London or Edinburgh, or even the celebrity or notoriety of some of the Great Britain's better known villages and towns.But in one respect, Woodbridge in Suffolk seems to trump them all: it is the happiest place to live in Britain. At least that is the conclusion of a survey by the property website Rightmove.Woodbridge, East of England, 441,569, 1,478Richmond upon Thames, London, 939,329, 3,131Hexham, North East, 313,147, 840Monmouth, Wales, 320,974, 1,335Harrogate, Yorkshire and the Humber, 394,312, 1,439Skipton, Yorkshire and the Humber, 263,479, 1,030Sevenoaks, South East, 881,061, 2,924Leigh on Sea, East of England, 465,542, 1,796Cirencester, South West, 384,013, 1,495Wokingham, South East, 590,949, 2,120Winchester, South East, 578,760, 2,069Stirling, Scotland, 214,441, 1,227Stratford-upon-Avon, West Midlands, 413,115, 1,604Horsham, South East, 458,641, 1,983Kendal, North West, 285,645, 966Kensington and Chelsea, London, 1,667,573, 5,345Chorley, North West, 197,199, 883Hove, South East, 555,193, 1,993Wandsworth, London, 865,205, 3,159Hitchin, East of England, 510,612, 1,730 Continue reading...
Heidi Alexander refuses to confirm cost of setting up Great British Railways but insists it is lower than fees paid to train operatorsThe renationalising of train companies will not necessarily bring cheaper rail fares but should reduce cancellations and late trains, the UK transport secretary has suggested.South Western Railway is to become the first train operator nationalised under the Labour government, ministers announced on Wednesday. Greater Anglia and C2C will also be brought into public ownership next year. Continue reading...
Hedge fund with 197m stake leads push to prioritise Sydney exchange as FTSE 100 firm outlines ambitious copper production targetsAn activist investor in Rio Tinto has demanded the miner scrap its primary London listing and focus on Australia, as the FTSE 100 firm outlined its long-term investment strategy.Palliser Capital called on the metals and minerals firm to drop its outdated" dual listing structure across the London and Sydney financial markets. Continue reading...
England maintained good maths scores and improved in science, coming ninth and fifth among 70 countriesEnglish pupils have made a strong showing in the latest round of prestigious international tests, maintaining their scores in maths and improving in science, a subject in which they rose to fifth in the league tables.They were among students from 70 countries who participated in the 2023 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (Timss), which takes place every four years, providing education policymakers with international comparisons. Continue reading...
by Ed Gargan, Pablo Gutiérrez and Ashley Kirk. Desig on (#6SPBC)
November was Ukraine's worst month since September 2022 for territory lost to Russian forces. These charts and maps show the latest developments in the warUkraine lost an area equivalent to the size of New York City to Russian forces in November - the worst monthly figure for Ukrainian defenders since September 2022.After the full-scale invasion in February 2022, Russia gained ground quickly before being pushed back in a Ukrainian counteroffensive. Last year, with the conflict mostly at a stalemate, Institute for the Study of War (ISW) data shows that Russian forces took 2,233 sq km (862 sq miles) of territory. Already in 2024 they have taken about 2,656 sq km. Continue reading...
Syria's second largest city braces for possibility of president Bashar al-Assad revisiting brutal tactics used in civil warA billboard of the Syrian president that once overlooked a central square in Aleppo has been burned almost beyond recognition, but the influence of Bashar al-Assad is still felt in the now rebel-held city as residents live in fear of bombardment by his regime.The biggest fear, one shared by all the people of Aleppo right now, is the airstrikes," said Mahmoud, a 50-year-old man who declined to share his family name, concerned that Assad could regain control of the city and punish accused critics as he did eight years ago. Continue reading...
Semiconductor restrictions on China announced by Washington a day earlier prompt retaliation involving critical minerals including gallium and germaniumThe Chinese government has said it will ban exports to the US of some key components in making semiconductors, escalating trade tensions a day after Washington announced curbs targeting China's ability to make advanced chips.Among the materials banned from export were the metals gallium, antimony and germanium, China's commerce ministry said in a statement that cited national security" concerns. Continue reading...
by Kate Lamb (now) , Virginia Harrison, Fran Lawther, on (#6SNS4)
This blog is closed - you can follow live coverage on our new liveblogThe White House has said it is closely" monitoring the situation in South Korea.The administration is in contact with the ROK government and is monitoring the situation closely," a spokesperson for the national security council said, using the official acronym for the Republic of Korea, where thousands of US troops are based as parts of efforts to deter nuclear-armed North Korea.All political activities are banned in South Korea following the imposition of martial law on Tuesday and all media will be subject to government monitoring.All political activities, including those of the national assembly, local councils, political parties, and political associations, as well as assemblies and demonstrations, are strictly prohibited. Continue reading...
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