Eagle-eyed reader and consumer solicitor say local bylaws are key to question of enforcementAre private fines sent by Bristol airport's contractor to motorists who pick up passengers outside its designated, paid-for, drop-off and pickup zone unenforceable?It looks as though they may be, if an eagle-eyed Guardian reader and a leading consumer solicitor are correctly interpreting the bylaws that govern the airport. Continue reading...
Living among film stars and estranged from his father and brother, Harry's milestone birthday may bring moment of reflectionTen years ago, Prince Harry was given the run of Clarence House for his 30th birthday. Guests headed by Prince William and including long-standing childhood friends enjoyed a black-tie dinner where they were reportedly serenaded by Ellie Goulding while Charles and Camilla discreetly decamped to their Scottish hideaway.Such a family celebration now seems unthinkable as Harry prepares to mark his 40th on Sunday. Continue reading...
With more people getting their news online than on TV, Ben Herd, 20, records his experience of following current affairsAn Ofcom report this week marked a tipping point: more people now get their news online than on TV. We asked Ben Herd, a 20-year-old currently at university, to keep a diary for a couple of days of how he was following news stories and current affairs. He gets most of his news from social media ... Continue reading...
by Gabrielle Canon(now) and Maya Yang,Léonie Chao-Fo on (#6QPSG)
Antony Blinken says new US sanctions against Russia are in response to Kremlin's attempt to subvert and polarize free and open societies'. This blog is now closed.The head of Russia's security council, Sergei Shoigu, visited North Korea on Friday and met with the country's leader Kim Jong-un, Reuters reports, citing Interfax.Reuters has a quick snap that France is to summon Iran's charge d'affaires in Paris over the country's decision to supply further arms to Russia. Continue reading...
Sierra Leone-born DePrince, who moved to US as a child, danced with Boston Ballet and performed with BeyonceMichaela Mabinty DePrince, a trailblazer and inspiration to many in the ballet world, has died at 29, a spokesperson announced on her Instagram page on Friday. No cause of death has yet been reported.Her life was one defined by grace, purpose, and strength," the caption said. Her unwavering commitment to her art, her humanitarian efforts, and her courage in overcoming unimaginable challenges will forever inspire us. She stood as a beacon of hope for many, showing that no matter the obstacles, beauty and greatness can rise from the darkest of places." Continue reading...
Derrick Lee Cardello-Smith, incarcerated in Michigan, accused the music mogul of sexual assault 27 years agoLawyers for Sean Diddy" Combs have moved to overturn a $100m judgment awarded this week to a Michigan prison inmate who accused the music mogul of sexual assault 27 years ago.Two emergency motions filed at Lenawee county's circuit court accuse Derrick Lee Cardello-Smith of launching a frivolous" lawsuit against the entertainer, who they insist he never met. Continue reading...
by Dan Sabbagh in Washington and Rowena Mason on (#6QQE7)
PM defends choices such as cutting winter fuel allowance as long-term remedies as polls show his popularity fallingKeir Starmer has said painful decisions such as cutting winter fuel payment to save 1.4bn a year are necessary as failure to act would be simply putting a lick of paint over the damp".The prime minister described the process of taking decisions that aren't going to be popular" as part of a strategy of strip down the joint, rebuild the house". Continue reading...
Controversies over AI-generated material spurred release of guidelines addressing transparency and historical accuracyOver a year after the dual Hollywood strikes put a spotlight on the industry's adoption of AI, film-makers have often found themselves at a crossroads - how to use generative AI ethically, if at all? Where to draw the line on synthetic material? Documentary film-makers, in particular, have faced mounting concerns over fake archival" materials such as AI-generated voices, photos or video.As Hollywood continues to adopt artificial intelligence in production, a group of documentary producers have published a groundbreaking set of ethical guidelines to help producers, film-makers, studios, broadcasters and streamers address questions over use of the technology. Continue reading...
Russian leader's warning of potential direct war with Nato regarded as sabre-rattling to weaken support for UkraineUS officials and lawmakers have shot back at Vladimir Putin after the Russian leader said that Nato's potential lifting of restrictions on Ukraine to launch long-range strikes into Russia would mean Nato countries were at war" with Russia.The prime minister, Keir Starmer, is meeting with the US president, Joe Biden, on Friday at the White House, where the two are expected to discuss - though not necessarily announce - a loosening of restrictions on Storm Shadow missiles that would allow Ukraine to strike targets as far as 155 miles inside Russia. Continue reading...
by Alexandra Topping and Nadeem Badshah on (#6QQ8T)
Daily Mail owner says it has made a small number' of job cuts in US, and US Sun is also cutting backThe publishers of the Sun and the Daily Mail are cutting jobs in their American digital operations amid financial pressure on the industry.News UK, the publisher of the Sun, and DMGT, the owner of the Mail, this week announced internal restructuring of their online divisions, Sky News reported. Continue reading...
Man reportedly attacked pro-Israel demonstrator, who then allegedly pulled out gun and shot assailantA man was shot and sustained life-threatening injuries on Thursday in Newton, Massachusetts, after he tackled a pro-Israel demonstrator.During a news conference on Thursday evening, Marian Ryan, the Middlesex district attorney, said that the incident took place at about 6.40pm on Thursday evening. Continue reading...
Soldiers who used bags, which cost army C$34.8m, reportedly found several critical issues ... related to lack of warmth'The Canadian military has admitted that new sleeping bags issued to troops last year were not suited to typical Canadian winter conditions".According to a briefing note obtained by the CBC, the army issued the new sleeping bags in the autumn of last year in Alberta, where several hundred troops were preparing for a joint Canada-US exercise in Alaska. Continue reading...
Son of opposition figure who led botched attempt in May is among three Americans sentenced to deathA Briton and three Americans are among 37 people sentenced to death on Friday over an attempt to overthrow the president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.Six people were killed during the botched coup attempt led by the opposition figure Christian Malanga on 19 May that targeted the presidential palace and a close ally of President Felix Tshisekedi. Continue reading...
Marieha Hussain had denied her placard depicting Rishi Sunak and Suella Braverman was racially abusiveA teacher who held a placard at a pro-Palestine protest depicting Rishi Sunak and Suella Braverman as coconuts has been found not guilty of a racially aggravated public order offence.Marieha Hussain, 37, denied the prosecution's allegation that the placard was racially abusive, and her trial at Westminster magistrates court heard that she quite obviously does not have a racist bone in her body". Continue reading...
by Dan Sabbagh in Washington, and Kiran Stacey on (#6QPRG)
FSB says documents show diplomats in Moscow were helping to coordinate escalation of military situation' in UkraineRussia announced it had revoked the accreditation of six British diplomats in Moscow on accusations of espionage as Keir Starmer prepared to meet Joe Biden in Washington to discuss how Ukraine could use long-range missiles deep inside Russian territory.Moscow's FSB domestic spy agency said on Friday that it had acted on documents showing that part of the Foreign Office was helping coordinate what it called the escalation of the political and military situation" in Ukraine. Continue reading...
US Pacific north-west region workers voted 96% in favor of the strike and walked off the job early on FridayTens of thousands of Boeing workers walked off the job early on Friday after voting overwhelmingly to strike for higher pay, halting production of the planemaker's strongest-selling jet as it wrestles with chronic output delays and mounting debt.The company said on Friday it was ready to talk and get back to the table to reach a new agreement" as striking workers picketed. Continue reading...
Pop star gets reduced level of traffic offense after June arrest and DWI charge in coastal area east of New York CityJustin Timberlake accepted on Friday a reduced level of traffic offense, resolving his drunk-driving criminal case in the Hamptons, the upscale coastal area east of New York City.He pleaded guilty to impaired driving. Continue reading...
Party secretariat votes overwhelmingly to remove political outsider who succeeded Alexis Tsipras last yearA Greek American shipping investor and former banker who emerged seemingly out of nowhere to assume the reins of Greece's main leftwing opposition party Syriza has been deposed after a late night meeting of the party's secretariat.After a drama-filled gathering of Syriza's political secretariat on Thursday, Stefanos Kasselakis was told the party's highest body had voted overwhelmingly and conclusively in favour of his removal. Continue reading...
Harris campaign calls chicken the Republican nominee's spirit animal' as Harris pushes for another matchupThe campaign of Kamala Harris on Friday stepped up its mockery of chicken" Donald Trump for ducking out of another presidential debate, with the Democratic nominee telling her Republican rival he owes it to voters to face her again.The former US president announced on Thursday there will be no third debate", two days after a floundering performance during their testy meeting in Philadelphia in which Harris baited him on a range of subjects, including the crowd size at his rallies. Continue reading...
Philippe Lazzarini says closure would have devastating consequences' and calls for investigation into deadly strikeA campaign is under way to drive the UN relief agency for Palestinians, Unrwa, out of existence, its commissioner general has said, days after 18 people were killed when Israeli jets bombed an Unrwa school in Gaza.Philippe Lazzarini said in an interview that the Israeli government was seeking to close down the agency, having failed to persuade western donors to stop funding it on the grounds of allegations about links between Unrwa staff and Hamas. Continue reading...
Repair Shop presenter has appeared at Kidderminster magistrates court, say West Mercia policeThe BBC presenter Jay Blades has been charged with engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour against his wife. The Repair Shop presenter appeared at Kidderminster magistrates court on Friday, West Mercia police said.The Guardian understands that the BBC took steps to remove a programme featuring Blades from its Friday evening schedule after the charge, and that no programmes with the former furniture maker would be shown in the foreseeable future. Continue reading...
Seemingly aligned with Republicans, the ads feature Douglas Emhoff wearing a yarmulke and celebrating HanukahA group seemingly aligned with the Republican party is targeting areas in Michigan that are home to large Arab American and Muslim communities with digital ads purporting to celebrate" the Jewish faith of Kamala Harris's husband, Douglas Emhoff.The New York Times reported that the group, Future Coalition Pac, is running new ads on social media sites including Facebook and YouTube highlighting that Emhoff is Jewish and focusing on Harris's support for Israel.Fears mount that election deniers could disrupt vote count in US swing statesMicrosoft billionaire fights US election disinformationPalestinian advocacy groups pressure Harris as election loomsPresidential poll tracker Continue reading...
by Ramon Antonio Vargas in New Orleans on (#6QQ2B)
Miles Crawford made the heroic act in floodwaters during category 2 storm that tore through LouisianaAs Hurricane Francine barreled through south-east Louisiana, officials urged residents to watch out for each other - and a local emergency room nurse put that advice into action by using a hammer to save the life of a motorist who had become submerged in floodwaters.The New Orleans NBC affiliate WDSU aired the rescue by Miles Crawford on live television in what was one of the most dramatic moments to result from the category 2 storm that inflicted widespread power outages, among other impacts on the Gulf coast and inland. Continue reading...
by Aamna Mohdin Community affairs correspondent on (#6QQ0Z)
The stalwart community centre began in the 70s but a fire destroyed its brand new building in 2004A historic black women's community centre is reopening 20 years after a devastating blaze destroyed the building.ELBWO, previously known as the East London Black Women's Organisation, first opened its doors in the 1970s and provided a range of services, including domestic violence and family aid, counselling, education and training, a Saturday school, outreach and befriending. Continue reading...
PC Perry Lathwood wins case on appeal over Croydon incident in which woman's arm was bruisedA police officer who injured a woman's arm as she was arrested in front of her son on false suspicion of fare evasion has had his conviction for common assault quashed.PC Perry Lathwood bruised Jocelyn Agyemang's arm as she was arrested on unfounded suspicion of evading a bus fare in Croydon in July last year. Video of the incident sparked widespread outrage online but also some support for the officer. Continue reading...
Catholic church says it will open its records on the once-revered Emmaus founder, who died in 2007France's Catholic church has said it will open its records on allegations of sexual abuse and harassment made against a priest whose campaigning for the poor and homeless saw him venerated as a modern-day saint.The Conference of Bishops of France (CEF) said their records on Abbe Pierre, the founder of the charity Emmaus who died in 2007, would be made available without the usual delay of 75 years from the time of death. Continue reading...
Man, 18, held after emergency services find three people with injuries who were pronounced dead at sceneA teenager has been arrested after the deaths of three people at a property in Luton on Friday morning.Officers were called at about 5.30am to reports of concerns for welfare at a flat in Leabank, off Wauluds Bank Drive. Emergency services attended and discovered three people with injuries. All three were pronounced dead at the scene. Continue reading...
Labour still more popular with voters than Conservative party but those saying they view party and leaders unfavourably has risen. This live blog is closedThe government's defence review should consider the importance of Britain being able to wage peace" as well as war, Justin Welby, the archbishop of Canterbury, told peers.In a debate in the House of Lords on Sudan this morning, Welby said the strategic defence review (SDR) announced by Labour should include a peace-building option", to stop conflict before it happens.A peace-building option, well developed and acting in areas of fragility, would extend our influence, protect our interests and guard against fresh waves of migration ...In other words, the SDR should be full spectrum, preparing this nation not only to wage war but to wage peace as well. I fear that may not be the case ...No, absolutely notAnd let's just try to quash this now. The budget is on October 30. So, between now and then, you are all going to ask me questions, as you did before the election, will you rule out X, Y, Z? Continue reading...
Inquest into death of Claudiu-Carol Kondor, 32, opened and adjourned pending murder trialA delivery driver who died as he tried to stop his van from being stolen was a valued citizen" who paid an immensely high price" for his actions, a coroner has said.Claudiu-Carol Kondor, 42, was pronounced dead at the scene in Heights Drive, in the Wortley area of Leeds, on 20 August after his silver Ford Transit Cargo van was stolen while he was making a delivery, police have said. Continue reading...
On hiatus since the 2017 suicide of Chester Bennington, the rockers have had huge success with return single The Emptiness Machine - but there is disquiet over the frontman's replacementOasis may have sold a lot of tickets, but for many music fans there's an even bigger rock comeback this year: Linkin Park, whose first three albums went 25 times platinum between them in the US alone, have dramatically ended a seven-year hiatus which followed the 2017 suicide of co-frontman Chester Bennington.Last Friday, a simultaneous livestreamed concert, music video and Billboard interview revealed a forthcoming album, world tour and a new co-frontperson, Emily Armstrong. On Wednesday the group played their first full-length concert since 2017, at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, California, and they play London's O2 Arena on 24 September. The comeback has been concocted under a level of secrecy to rival even that Oasis reunion, with band members, crew and venues being sworn to silence. Continue reading...
Umar Mahmood, 18, died alongside Adam Bodi, 16, his former schoolmate, when car hit trees in PrestonA teenager who appeared in Andrew Flintoff's TV programme Field Of Dreams has been killed in a car crash.Umar Mahmood, 18, who featured in the first series of the BBC documentary in 2022, being coached by the former England cricket all-rounder, died alongside 16-year-old Adam Bodi. Continue reading...
People in Bettws near Bridgend say swarms have made life hell, even prompting some to consider movingA plague of flies has descended on a South Wales village, causing residents to cancel invitations to visitors and even consider leaving their homes.People in Bettws, near Bridgend, said their lives had been made hell by thousands of common houseflies. Some reported being unable to eat a meal with flies crawling over their food. One said it was affecting residents' mental health. Continue reading...
by Jillian Ambrose Energy correspondent on (#6QPW5)
New operator, Neso, will also oversee Great Britain's gas system as part of clean energy superpower' missionThe UK government has agreed to take control of the National Grid unit tasked with keeping the lights on in a 630m deal that takes effect from next month.The electricity system operator (ESO) will be transferred into public control to create a new national energy system operator (Neso), which will also oversee Great Britain's gas system. Continue reading...
by Libby Brooks Scotland correspondent on (#6QPW6)
Mridul Wadhwa, a transgender woman, was found to have failed to protect women-only spacesThe chief executive of Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre has stepped down after a review found that it caused damage" to survivors by failing to protect women-only spaces.In the independent review, published on Thursday, Mridul Wadhwa, a transgender woman, was found to have failed to set professional standards of behaviour" and did not understand the limits on her role's authority". Continue reading...
Girl With Balloon, one of artist's best-known images, recovered by police after burglary on SundayTwo men have been charged with burglary after one of Banksy's best-known artworks was stolen from a gallery in central London.The theft of Girl With Balloon was investigated by the Metropolitan police's Flying Squad and the work has now been recovered. Continue reading...
First Thing: Putin's warning follows suggestions US may lift restrictions on Ukraine using long-range weapons. Plus, Bernardine Evaristo on the books of her lifeGood morning.Vladimir Putin has said that a western move to let Kyiv use long-range weapons against targets inside Russia would mean Nato would be at war" with Moscow.How do the US and UK see things? Blinken and the UK foreign secretary, David Lammy, say Russia is escalating the war by accepting weapons from Iran. The escalator here is Putin. Putin has escalated with the shipment of missiles from Iran. We see a new axis of Russia, Iran and North Korea," Lammy said.What's the latest in Russia's invasion of Ukraine? Russian troops have recaptured a swathe of villages in the Kursk region, dealing a significant blow to Ukraine's military incursion into Russia.What do the UN's aid figures say? In July, an average of 100 trucks entered each day, largely through the southern Kerem Shalom crossing. This number halved in August, while just 147 trucks have entered so far in September, although the UN added that there may be gaps in the reporting because of the dangers of staff monitoring aid entry at crossing points.How many aid workers have been killed in Israel's offensive? An estimated 280 humanitarian workers, most employed by Unrwa, have been killed in Gaza, according to the UN's office of humanitarian affairs. Continue reading...
by Gwyn Topham Transport correspondent on (#6QPRJ)
Report claims 50-mile line would be slightly slower and significantly cheaper but deliver most of the benefitsA plan for a new high-speed rail line linking Birmingham and Manchester has been unveiled, claiming to deliver most of the benefits of the scrapped northern leg of HS2 at significantly cheaper cost and with only slightly longer journey times.The 50-mile track would run from where the HS2 line is now due to end in Staffordshire to join a planned Northern Powerhouse Rail line west of Manchester airport, under a plan unveiled by the mayors of Greater Manchester and the West Midlands. Continue reading...
Poll of 2,000 adults found two fifths have only eaten fish in batter or breadcrumbs and some confuse fish with dogsDo you know Pollock from pollock or a collie from a coley? If you don't you are not alone as new research reveals that Britons struggle to name common fish, while two-fifths admit that they have only ever eaten it in batter or breadcrumbs".Over half of those surveyed had no idea that a John Dory was a spiny fish; 12% mistakenly thought he" was a famous poet, according to the Marine Stewardship Council poll. Continue reading...
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