Previously unseen documents to go on display at V&A alongside evidence of her collusion with NazisA major retrospective of Coco Chanel has unearthed evidence that the fashion designer was a documented member of the French resistance. The previously unseen documents will go on display, along with contradictory evidence that she operated as a Nazi agent.
Prime minister says example set by schools will not necessarily have to be followed by other public buildingsRishi Sunak has defended his government's decision to shut down schools because of problems with crumbling concrete, as he aims to use this weekend's G20 summit in New Delhi to draw a line under another bruising week in office.The prime minister told reporters on the trip to India that his education secretary, Gillian Keegan, had done the right thing in ordering 147 schools to shut buildings made with aerated concrete, after officials became concerned about structural defects. On Friday evening the Scottish government said 16 of 32 local authorities have identified Raac in their schools. Continue reading...
A household name in the 1960s and 70s, Yarwood was famous for his impersonations of politicians and other public figuresMike Yarwood, the television comedian and renowned impersonator, has died in hospital aged 82, the Royal Variety Charity has announced.The entertainer was one of the biggest TV stars of the 1960s and 70s with hit BBC shows, famous for his impressions of former prime ministers Harold Wilson and Ted Heath, Prince Charles and the late football manager Brian Clough. Continue reading...
Former cricket captain seen with visible scars at England match against New Zealand after leading team in fielding drillsFormer England cricketer Andrew Flintoff has been pictured for the first time since he was injured in an accident at the Top Gear test track last year that saw him airlifted to hospital.The 45-year-old, who had visible scars on his face and tape on his nose, was seen with the England team during their one-day international against New Zealand at Cardiff on Friday. Continue reading...
Exclusive: Data from Dorset council shows Legionella pneumophila Serogroup 1 was discovered on 15 AugustNew testing of water samples on the Bibby Stockholm has confirmed the presence of a potentially deadly strain of legionella onboard, the Guardian has learned.The presence of legionella bacteria on the barge, which the Home Office has said can accommodate more than 500 asylum seekers, was initially detected in tests returned on the first day people boarded, on 7 August. It was publicly confirmed by the Home Office on 11 August and officials evacuated all 39 people onboard that day.In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie. In the US, you can call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 988, chat on 988lifeline.org, or text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org Continue reading...
Kent police say vehicle not public safety risk and incident not linked to search for escaped prisoner Daniel KhalifeAn army bomb squad was called in and a man detained after police stopped a suspicious vehicle at the Channel tunnel terminal in Kent.Traffic was said to be backing up after access to the tunnel in Folkestone was blocked and a cordon put in place to protect the public. The incident was not linked to the hunt for the escaped prisoner Daniel Khalife, Kent police said. Continue reading...
Eduardo Verastegui, who also acts in movie embraced by QAnon followers, files paperwork for 2024 electionThe producer of a surprise US box office hit widely embraced by followers of the extremist Q-Anon conspiracy theory is attempting a long-shot run for president in Mexico.Shortly before a deadline late on Thursday, Eduardo Verastegui, producer of Sound of Freedom, filed paperwork to run as an independent candidate in the June 2024 election. Continue reading...
by Sammy Gecsoyler (now) Yohannes Lowe, Mabel Banfiel on (#6EJFE)
This blog is now closed, you can read more of our Ukraine war coverage hereUkraine's air force shot down 16 drones launched by Russia overnight in the Odesa and Mykolaiv regions, regional and military officials said on Friday.Oleh Kiper, the Odesa regional governor, wrote on Telegram:During the night the Russian terrorists attacked the Odesa region for the fifth time this week. Continue reading...
Cultural institutions join dozens of schools forced to shut down over use of RaacTheatres across the UK have joined the dozens of schools forced to close or partly close due to concerns over crumbling concrete, reigniting fears over cultural institutions' post-lockdown survival.In Stockport the Forum theatre had to cancel all shows scheduled for the weekend and close its doors indefinitely due to use of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac). In line with updated government guidance, the theatre will remain closed until it gets the all-clear from a structural engineer. Continue reading...
by Emily Dugan and Haroon Janjua in Islamabad on (#6EJY3)
Pakistan police are under pressure to find Sara's father and stepmother, who released a video saying little about the incident'When Olga Sharif went to identify her 10-year-old daughter Sara at the mortuary she could barely recognise the small battered body dressed in Mickey Mouse pyjamas.One of her cheeks was swollen and the other side was bruised", she said in an interview on Polish television channel TVN. Even now, when I close my eyes I can see what my baby looked like." Continue reading...
Maddy Lawrence waited more than five hours in agony on pitch for ambulance and then developed sepsis in hospital in BristolThere were gross" failings in the care of a student who died after after suffering a dislocated hip in a rugby accident and developing sepsis in hospital, a coroner has said.Staff at Southmead hospital in Bristol failed to carry out all the observations needed to keep 20-year-old Maddy Lawrence safe, and failed to screen her for sepsis. Continue reading...
Retailer warns there may be small stones' in four products from its range and urges customers to return them for refundCosta Coffee has recalled some of its range of sandwiches and wraps after it emerged that they could contain small stones.The UK's largest high-street coffee chain warned customers that four of its products could be affected, and that they could pose a choking hazard if they were eaten. Continue reading...
Monarch recalls late queen's long life, devoted service and all she meant to so many of us'The king and queen attended private prayers to mark the anniversary of the late Queen Elizabeth II's death in a day of low-key commemorations by members of the royal family.Charles and Camilla spent about 30 minutes inside Crathie Kirk after making the short car journey from nearby Balmoral Castle. Continue reading...
Complaint cites concerns that kiss planted on footballer Jenni Hermoso could constitute sexual assaultA prosecutor has filed a complaint with Spain's high court against Luis Rubiales, citing concerns that there could be grounds to charge the football chief with sexual assault as well as coercion, after he planted a kiss on the lips of footballer Jenni Hermoso.The complaint, which comes days after Hermoso filed a criminal complaint accusing Rubiales of sexual assault, requests that the court place Rubiales under formal investigation. From there, the court can decide whether charges are warranted against Rubiales. Continue reading...
In video brought to surface, Mark Dickey says he was very close to the edge' after falling ill 1km downLocal and international cave rescue teams are poised to begin an attempt to evacuate a sick American caver from a deep underground system in Turkey, in what experts are suggesting may be one of the most complex operations of its kind.Turkish-led rescuers have said the operation to bring up 40-year-old Mark Dickey by stretcher could take up to four days, and will require constant monitoring of his health. Continue reading...
IOPC apologises unreservedly' to Marcia Rigg, whose brother Sean died after being restrained in BrixtonThe police watchdog has apologised unreservedly" to the sister of a black man who died in police custody in London 15 years ago.The Independent Office for Police Conduct apologised to Marcia Rigg, whose brother Sean died after losing consciousness at Brixton police station, for delays and police failings. She said she hoped that no other family would have to endure her family's never-ending trauma". Continue reading...
Value of fast-track grocery delivery service believed to be quarter of the $11.8bn it was worth 18 months agoThe fast-track grocery delivery service Getir is reportedly now worth a quarter of what it was valued at 18 months ago, after a big shakeout in the sector amid declining consumer demand.The Istanbul-based company is raising $500m in a funding round that will value the business at $2.5bn and is expected to close later this month, according to a Financial Times report citing people familiar with the matter. Continue reading...
Public demand for Jagtar Singh Johal to be set free is not in his best interests', says Asia ministerThe UK government has decided not to call for the release of a British man held in an Indian jail for five years, saying it would not be in his best interests.There have been repeated calls for Britain to do more to secure the release of Jagtar Singh Johal, who claims to have been tortured and forced to make a confession. He faces terrorism charges and the first stages of his trial have just started after repeated delays caused by disputes over evidence. Continue reading...
Legal experts and bloggers say proposed crimes could be used arbitrarily and lead to more censorshipProposed changes to a Chinese public security law to criminalise comments, clothing or symbols that undermine the spirit" or harm the feelings" of China have triggered the concern of legal experts, who say the amendments could be used arbitrarily.The changes were first made public last week as part of a mandatory soliciting opinion" process, as concerns mount about the increasingly authoritarian and nationalistic rule of China's president, Xi Jinping. Continue reading...
Firm admits culpability after three people died in derailment in Aberdeenshire in August 2020Network Rail has been fined 6.7m at the high court in Aberdeen after admitting health and safety failings over a rail crash that claimed three lives.The train's driver, Brett McCullough, 45, the conductor Donald Dinnie, 58, and a passenger, Christopher Stuchbury, 62, died in the derailment near Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire, on 12 August 2020. Continue reading...
Kim Jong-un said it heralded a new chapter but South Korea said the vessel seems not to be operationalNorth Korea has launched its first tactical nuclear attack submarine", state media reported, although the South Korean military said the vessel might not be operational.The North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, presided over the unveiling ceremony on Wednesday, saying the sub was part of a push forward with the nuclear weaponisation of the navy", according to state news agency KCNA. Continue reading...
by Kiran Stacey Political correspondent on (#6EJJP)
PM's crunch meeting with Indian counterpart at G20 hoped to smooth way for free trade dealRishi Sunak has insisted a trade deal with India is not guaranteed, as he prepares to meet his Indian counterpart during the G20 summit in Delhi.The British prime minister will speak to Narendra Modi this weekend at a crunch meeting that could determine the future of a free trade agreement between the two countries, as well as influence India's approach to Russia. Continue reading...
Group affiliated with al-Qaida target army base and Timbuktu river boat as violence surges in regionAl-Qaida-linked militants have killed at least 64 people in twin attacks on an army base and a crowded passenger boat on the Niger River in northern Mali.Extremists from the Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM) appear to have targeted the Timbuktu boat on the river and an army position at Bamba, in the northern Gao region, with a provisional toll of 49 civilians and 15 soldiers killed", according to a government statement. Continue reading...
Police also confirm they are searching for signs of former soldier Daniel Abed Khalife in Richmond Park in LondonPolice searching for the escaped terrorism suspect Daniel Abed Khalife are investigating the possibility he had help from within Wandsworth prison to carry out his clearly pre-planned" getaway, the Scotland Yard chief, Sir Mark Rowley, has said.The force also confirmed it was searching for signs of Khalife, a former British soldier, in Richmond Park, in south-west London, not far from the prison he escaped from. Continue reading...
by Kiran Stacey Political correspondent on (#6EJEQ)
British officials hope the UK prime minister's star status in India will help in negotiations with Narendra ModiRishi Sunak has said he is looking forward to a special" trip to New Delhi, where he believes he will be welcomed as India's son-in-law" during his first visit to the country since entering Downing Street.The prime minister will land in the city on Friday morning ahead of this weekend's G20 summit - the first time he has been to India since before the Covid-19 pandemic. Continue reading...
Anniversary of accession marked with gun salutes and abbey bells as royals attend service near BalmoralKing Charles III is remembering his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, with a private church service in Scotland on the anniversary of her death on Friday.As gun salutes and abbey bells mark the anniversary of his accession elsewhere, Charles and Queen Camilla will be at their Scottish retreat, and will attend private memorial prayers at Crathie Church near Balmoral Castle. Continue reading...
by Presented by Jonathan Freedland, with Franklin Foe on (#6EJDA)
Afghanistan, Ukraine, abortion rights - what was Joe Biden thinking during some of the toughest points of his presidency so far? Who did he rely on for advice? How did his morals play a role? Does he regret anything?This week, Jonathan Freedland speaks to Franklin Foer of the Atlantic about his new book, The Last Politician: Inside Joe Biden's White House and the Struggle for America's FutureArchive: Washington Post, CNBC, NBC, MSNBC Continue reading...
TV host reportedly said it's embarrassing and I feel so bad' after former and current employees alleged they were fearful of his moods on setJimmy Fallon has reportedly apologised to staff on the Tonight Show after Rolling Stone published allegations from current and former employees claiming a toxic work environment behind the scenes of his late night program.It's embarrassing and I feel so bad. Sorry if I embarrassed you and your family and friends," Fallon said told Tonight Show staff during a brief Zoom meeting on Thursday evening, staff in the meeting told Variety and Rolling Stone. I feel so bad I can't even tell you. Continue reading...
Myanmar's deposed leader has gum disease and struggles to eat but son says requests for help made by officers at notorious Insein prison have been deniedAung San Suu Kyi's life may be at risk, because she has such serious gum disease she is struggling to eat after more than two years in jail, her son has warned, saying he feels powerless to help her.Myanmar's ousted leader, now 78, has not been allowed see a doctor even though she was unable to walk at one point, is suffering from vomiting and dizziness and may have problems with her wisdom teeth, Kim Aris said. Continue reading...
Monarch writes of great affection' for Queen Elizabeth II and releases a favourite official portrait of herKing Charles III has paid tribute to his late mother Queen Elizabeth II and re-pledged his own service to the nation in a message marking the first anniversary of her death and of his accession.In a signed message he wrote: In marking the first anniversary of her late Majesty's death and my accession, we recall with great affection her long life, devoted service and all she meant to so many of us. Continue reading...
Band say unexpected win is testimony to good, special people putting time and effort' into helping young people to play musicThe 2023 Mercury prize has been awarded to Ezra Collective, the London band whose propulsive blend of jazz, funk and Afrobeat has electrified audiences and cemented the capital's jazz scene as one of the world's most exciting.We met in a youth club," said drummer and bandleader Femi Koleoso on accepting the award for the year's best British or Irish album for Where I'm Meant to Be, the band's second release. This moment we're celebrating right here is testimony to good, special people putting time and effort into [helping] young people to play music ... let's continue to support that," he added, citing grassroots collectives in London such as Tomorrow's Warriors and Kinetika Bloco. Continue reading...
The suspect, 19, has been held on suspicion of two counts of grievous bodily harm after two men were stabbed in Clapham on 13 AugustA 19-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a homophobic attack outside a nightclub in south London in which two men were stabbed, police have said.Two men were taken to hospital after the incident in Clapham on 13 August. They have since been discharged. Continue reading...
Campaigners say many facilities and medical workers are likely to deny access since procedure is banned in many local jurisdictionsHuman rights activists in Mexico have welcomed a historic ruling by the country's supreme court that decriminalized abortion, but warned that the historic decision will not automatically make terminations accessible for all Mexican women.Wednesday's unanimous decision stripped away federal criminal penalties related to abortions - but not the many local laws banning the procedure, which remain on the books in 20 of Mexico's 32 states. Continue reading...
by Nadeem Badshah (now); Mabel Banfield-Nwachi and Ke on (#6EHD1)
Lack of confirmed sightings a little unusual', says head of the Metropolitan Police Counter Terrorism CommandAn investigation is under way into why a former soldier accused of terrorism who is now on the run was held in a lower-security prison, Michelle Donelan, the science secretary, said. She added that the government's top priority" was tracking down Daniel Khalife, who absconded from HMP Wandsworth on Wednesday morning by clinging to the bottom of a delivery van, the Guardian's Aubrey Allegretti reports.The Labour MP Dr Rosena Allin-Khan, when talking to Nick Ferrari from LBC about the prisoner escape at Wandsworth prison, has said the government sat on their hands". She also claimed that she had raised concerns about conditions and staffing levels in the prison many, many months ago".Speaking to Sky news, the shadow home secretary, Yvette Cooper, says there were grave questions" about how Khalife, who was awaiting trial for terrorism and Official Secrets Act offences, was able to escape prison.Responding to Khalife's escape, the Prison Officers Association (POA), has highlighted staffing shortages and budget cuts. Mark Fairhurst, the POA national chair, said: Wandsworth is one of the largest prisons in the country and is overcrowded and under resourced. The chronic staffing shortages and lack of adequate training for staff highlight the need for an urgent review of how our prisons are run. We await the results of an internal investigation so we may ensure this is not repeated."Earlier, the technology secretary, Michelle Donelan, said it wasn't helpful to draw a link between over-capacity, understaffing, and the prison escape until there had been a thorough investigation". She told ITV's Good Morning Britain programme: We can't say why this happened until we've got the results of that investigation. I don't think it's helpful to get into a hypothetical of what was the cause, or what allowed this individual to evade the system and manage to escape."Responding to Daniel Abed Khalife's escape, the Prison Officers Association (POA), has highlighted staffing shortages and budget cuts.Wandsworth is one of the largest prisons in the country and is overcrowded and under resourced. The chronic staffing shortages and lack of adequate training for staff highlight the need for an urgent review of how our prisons are run. We await the results of an internal investigation so we may ensure this is not repeated.No one ever wants to see an escape from prison but since 2010 this union has been on record as saying cuts have consequences. You cannot take out 900m from the budget with reduced staffing levels up and down the country and expect the Prison Service to operate as if nothing has happened. Government needs to take responsibility for the decimation of the Prison Service with less staff and more prisoners and Wandsworth is a typical example of what life is like for serving prison officers operating in a stressful and violent workplace with inadequate staff levels caring for over 1600 prisoners at that establishment. Continue reading...
by Denis Campbell Health policy editor on (#6EJ0T)
Julian Kelly discusses structurally unsound hospitals during evidence to Commons public accounts committeeSome hospitals are so dilapidated that they regularly have to shut wards and operating theatres to safeguard patients' safety, a senior NHS boss has admitted.Julian Kelly, NHS England's deputy chief executive, made the statement when giving evidence to the House of Commons public accounts committee on Thursday. Continue reading...
Labour MP Stella Creasy also vying for role that became vacant when former chair Chris Bryant was given shadow cabinet roleHarriet Harman has emerged as the frontrunner to take over the vacant chair of parliament's standards watchdog, with the only other declared candidate so far being fellow Labour MP Stella Creasy.The role is vacant after the appointment to the shadow cabinet of Chris Bryant, who used his resignation letter to express concerns that there were still too many organisations regulating MPs' conduct. Continue reading...
Nearly 50 GMB members at the Ayrshire missiles factory will stop work from Monday as union chiefs accuse MoD of holding talks in bad faith'Workers at a British weapons plant that supplies missiles to Ukraine are to stage a two-week strike after accusing the Ministry of Defence of breaking a pledge to hold meaningful pay talks.The GMB trade union said on Thursday that nearly 50 staff who handle Storm Shadow and Brimstone missiles assembled at an MoD munitions plant at Beith in Ayrshire would go on strike from Monday. Continue reading...
Shami Chakrabarti urges home secretary to address lack of safeguards around undercover operations after latest revelationsA prominent Labour peer has condemned the alleged cover-up of an undercover police officer's 19-year relationship with a woman he deceived using his fake identity.Shami Chakrabarti, the Labour peer and former shadow attorney general for England and Wales, is calling on the home secretary to address the lack of safeguards around undercover operations after the latest revelations. Continue reading...
by Peter Walker Deputy political editor on (#6EHX1)
Crumbling buildings, a lack of space inside them and the high turnover of staff paint a picture of the parlous state of the prisons serviceWhile the sheer extent of decrepitude in the nation's schools uncovered by the crisis over aerated concrete might have been an eye-opener to some policymakers, a story that highlights the parlous state of the prisons service will have surprised almost no one.There are two main problems with prisons, which while interlinked are not entirely down to the same causes: the crumbling state of the prisons themselves, and the lack of space inside them. Continue reading...
Former police admit sending grossly offensive messages, including about the Duchess of SussexFive former Metropolitan police officers have pleaded guilty at Westminster magistrates court to sending grossly offensive racist messages on WhatsApp, including about the Duchess of Sussex.They entered their guilty pleas at Westminster magistrates court on Thursday afternoon. Continue reading...
Startup bank's deals range from 6.5% to 7.5%, comparable with two-year fixes at the moment'A new UK mortgage lender is launching home loans that allow people to fix their rate for up to 30 years. It may also let them borrow more money than standard deals.Perenna claimed that by giving people certainty over what they pay for up to three decades, its deals would free borrowers from the interest rate turmoil that has caused many people to be hit with dramatically highermortgage costs this year. Continue reading...
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