by Haroon Siddique Legal affairs correspondent on (#6MM4D)
Report calls for reintroduction of jury unanimity to safeguard against wrongful criminal convictionsAt least 56 miscarriages of justice have occurred in cases in England and Wales where the jury was split, according to a charity, which says jury unanimity should be reintroduced to safeguard against wrongful criminal convictions.The research by Appeal, the miscarriage of justice charity, says majority verdicts arguably dilute the principle of reasonable doubt" and have facilitated miscarriages in cases including those of Andrew Malkinson, who spent 17 years in prison for a rape he did not commit; Barry George, who was wrongly convicted over the death of Jill Dando; and Winston Trew, one of the Oval Four. Continue reading...
Police have no concerns for safety, Rossmoyne senior high school principal says, after messages on an internal service threatening to shoot up the school' were investigated
Line of Duty actor will oversee classic plays as well as new pieces inspired by the Irish author in Beckett: Unbound 2024Adrian Dunbar is to curate a festival in Liverpool dedicated to the work of Samuel Beckett. The programme includes four specially commissioned productions, one involving prisoners at HMP Liverpool.The Line of Duty actor said of Beckett: Unbound 2024: Engaging with Beckett makes you think about the fundamentals of life. Those fundamentals are sometimes hard to engage with, but at the end, when he drives everything to a conclusion, he also makes you feel something that is liberating."Beckett: Unbound, Liverpool and Paris, 30 May-7 June Continue reading...
by Mark Brown North of England correspondent on (#6MM3D)
Bob Olley's unsettling vision of clash between miners and police is part of 40th anniversary show in Bishop AucklandBob Olley was there 40 years ago at the battle of Orgreave". I saw the violence," he said, shaking his head. I thought I was in a foreign country when I saw what the police did. It is hard to believe it happened in this country."The brutality he and others witnessed on 18 June 1984 as striking miners met 6,000 police officers on horses or wielding batons on foot will stay in the memory. It was in his head as, some years later, he embarked on his response to one of the world's greatest artworks, Picasso's Guernica. Continue reading...
by Diane Taylor, Shane Harrison and Robyn Vinter on (#6MM3E)
Charities fear increasing risks of destitution and exploitation' of refugees as they go into hidingThe Home Office is dealing with growing fallout from the high-profile round-ups of asylum seekers it wants to send to Rwanda, as some have gone into hiding while others have fled across the border to Ireland.Officials began rounding up asylum seekers to detain them for the Rwanda scheme a week ago, with at least one now on hunger strike and another threatening suicide. Continue reading...
Price rise for mass-market types expected as global production falls to lowest level in more than 10 yearsOlive oil prices are set to climb further this year - heading to more than 16 a litre for a bottle of extra virgin - amid a drop in global production to the lowest level in more than a decade.Lower production in Greece, Morocco and Turkey as part of the natural cycle of olive growth is expected to offset an improving situation in Spain and Italy, where trees have suffered from extreme heat and drought in recent years as the climate crisis wreaks havoc on harvests. Continue reading...
Die Linke party is among those calling for a Donerpreisbremse or price cap on the hugely popular street foodThe soaring cost of doner kebabs has led to growing calls in Germany for a government subsidy programme to keep the inflation-hit dish, one of the country's favourites, affordable as politicians report it is frequently cited as a concern in doorstep conversations with voters.The chancellor, Olaf Scholz, has become so used to being asked about the price of kebabs during public appearances that his government has even posted on social media to explain that price rises are in part due to rising wage and energy costs. It's quite striking that everywhere I go, mainly from young people, I'm asked whether there shouldn't be a price brake for the doner," Scholz has said. Continue reading...
With the world's humanitarian system in crisis, many NGOs now recognise that local charities can deliver much more at far less costBefore civil war engulfed her Ethiopian home region of Tigray in 2020, Tsega Girma was a prosperous trader who sold stationery and other goods. But when hungry children displaced by the conflict started appearing in the streets, she sold everything and used the proceeds to buy them food.After that money dried up, Tsega appealed to Tigray's diaspora for donations. At the height of the war, her Emahoy Tsega Girma Charity Foundation provided meals to 24,000 children a day. Continue reading...
by Gwyn Topham Transport correspondent on (#6MM23)
Commuter routes in and out of London hit as train drivers begin three days of rolling strikes amid six-day overtime banMost trains will not run in south-east England on Tuesday - including on key commuter routes in and out of London - after train drivers embarked on three days of rolling strikes at national rail operators.Drivers in the Aslef union are striking for 24 hours at each English operator between Tuesday and Thursday, while continuing a week-long nationwide overtime ban that started on Monday, as part of a long-running pay dispute. Continue reading...
by Elias Visontay Transport and urban affairs reporte on (#6MM24)
That would require a stadium,' federal court hears as airline administrators try to organise online meeting for Friday that would allow everyone to vote
Yarra Valley grammar principal says position of two students was untenable and they will not be returning'Two boys at a Melbourne private school have been expelled over a spreadsheet in which female classmates were ranked, its principal has told parents.Four students from Yarra Valley grammar in Ringwood, in Melbourne's east, were suspended last week after it came to light they had made the list. It included photos of female students ranking them as wifeys", cuties", mid", object", get out" and unrapable".Information and support for anyone affected by rape or sexual abuse issues is available from the following organisations. In Australia, support is available at 1800Respect (1800 737 732). In the UK, Rape Crisis offers support on 0808 500 2222. In the US, Rainn offers support on 800-656-4673. Other international helplines can be found at ibiblio.org/rcip/internl.html Continue reading...
Lower mortgage rates prompt property firm to change its outlook from 3% drop to a 2.5% increaseA decline in mortgage rates has prompted a forecaster to reverse its predictions of a fall in UK house prices in 2024, instead suggesting the average cost of a property could rise by 61,500 over the next five years.The property company Savills had forecast in November that it expected the average price of a home to fall by 3% this year because recent rises in the Bank of England base rate had heightened the affordability pressures on would-be buyers. Continue reading...
Exclusive: Results about you' allows users to see how they show up in search results and then request removal of details such as phone number or address
Former mogul, whose New York rape conviction was overturned last week, kept away from other detainees in special medical unitThis story was originally published by the City. Sign up to get the latest New York City news delivered to you each morningHarvey Weinstein is being kept in a private room inside Bellevue hospital's intensive care unit on a floor away from all other detainees, the City has learned. Continue reading...
by Jason Burke in Jerusalem, Malak A Tantesh in Rafah on (#6MKTR)
Gazans thrown into confusion by Hamas's acceptance of a deal, followed by Israel's sceptical response and bomb attacksRafah's fate hung in the balance on Monday after Hamas said it had accepted a ceasefire-for-hostage deal but Israel responded sceptically and said it would press on with its campaign on Gaza's southernmost city, carrying out night airstrikes.The more than 1 million Palestinians taking refuge in Rafah were thrown into confusion by the day's events. Israel issued orders for the evacuation of part of the city earlier on Monday, triggering an exodus of thousands of people. There were celebrations in the streets in the evening as Hamas's announced it had accepted ceasefire, but then disappointment and bewilderment when Israel gave a tepid response and began bombing. Continue reading...
Winning books include Night Watch and King: A Life, while journalism winners focused on coverage of the Israel-Hamas warThis year's Pulitzer winners include the New York Times and ProPublica as well as authors including Jayne Anne Phillips and Jonathan Eig.The Pulitzers honored the best in journalism from 2023 in 15 categories, as well as eight arts categories focused on books, music and theater. The public service winner receives a gold medal. All other winners receive $15,000. Continue reading...
Independent senator, 82, stresses need to improve healthcare and protect abortion rights - and condemns extremist' NetanyahuBernie Sanders, the Vermont independent senator and former candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination, announced on Monday that he will run for a fourth six-year term - at the age of 82.In a video statement, Sanders thanked the people of Vermont for giving me the opportunity to serve in the United States Senate", which he said had been the honor of my life. Continue reading...
Jeremy Skibicki, charged with four counts of first-degree murder, is believed to have left bodies of at least two victims in a landfillAn accused serial killer in Canada, who police believed disposed of his victims by dumping some of them in landfills, has admitted to killing four Indigenous women, with his lawyers arguing a mental disorder meant he was not criminally responsible for the crimes.Jeremy Skibicki is charged with four counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Rebecca Contois, Morgan Harris, Marcedes Myran and an unidentified woman, who was named Mashkode Bizhiki'ikwe (Buffalo Woman) by Indigenous leaders. He has pleaded not guilty to all of the charges and had been due to stand trial this week. Continue reading...
Despite disastrous election results, long-threatened coup lacks numbers to force no-confidence voteAfter months of plotting to oust Rishi Sunak by some on the right of the Conservative party, the rebellion fizzled out with barely a whimper this weekend despite a disastrous set of local election results.Senior Tories had long predicted that bad losses could be enough to push their despondent colleagues over the edge, even those who could see that changing leader yet again before the general election could have dire electoral consequences. Continue reading...
Peter Abbott hammered on woman's windscreen and screamed at her after she beeped her horn at himA road rage driver who hammered on a woman's windscreen and screamed at her has been warned he faces jail after being found guilty of threatening behaviour.Peter Abbott, 60, unleashed a torrent of abuse at Samantha Isaacs, who was on her own, after she beeped her horn at him after being cut up outside a Tesco petrol station in Bournemouth in August last year. Continue reading...
Most of 32,500 properties back online after mains pipe burst but hundreds to go without for another nightAbout 2,000 homes in Hastings are into their fifth day without water and will probably have to wait until at least Tuesday for their taps to be flowing again.On Thursday, 32,500 properties in Hastings and St Leonards-on-Sea were left without water after a mains pipe burst. On Monday Southern Water said about 25,500 of the homes affected had had their water supply restored. Continue reading...
by Libby Brooks Scotland correspondent on (#6MKP0)
Swinney says party has been having a tough, rough time' as he laments impact of recent infighting and chaosJohn Swinney declared a new chapter in our party's history" as he became leader of the Scottish National party on Monday, but said recent infighting and chaos had left the public worried about where we are as a party".Speaking to senior SNP politicians and activists at an event at the University of Glasgow, Swinney said his decision to stand for the role of leader - after Humza Yousaf announced his intention to step down a week ago - was not born out of long-held ambition but rather a profound sense of duty to my party and my country". Continue reading...
Mulino, who won 34.3% of vote, pledges to welcome business and investment without forgetting those who are hungry'Jose Raul Mulino, a former security minister, has emerged from a chaotic campaign to become Panama's next president - and will now have to address a cocktail of social discontent with just a fraction of the seats in parliament.Amid record turnout, Mulino won 34.3% of the vote, followed by the lawyer Ricardo Lombana on 24.8% and former president Martin Torrijos on 16%. Continue reading...
by Gloria Oladipo (now) with Martin Belam, Ben Quinn, on (#6MK8E)
Israel's military has called for people to evacuate eastern neighbourhoods of Rafah and head to what it claimed was an expanded humanitarian zone' in southern Gaza
by Ben Quinn (now) and Sammy Gecsoyler (earlier) on (#6MKAH)
PM says he is determined to fight on' after disastrous local, mayoral and Blackpool byelection results last weekLabour has marked the anniversary of the Conservatives re-entering government at the 2010 election by launching a what the opposition have called Conflix" website [geddit?] that mockingly tells the story of 14 years of Tory chaos"The party's chair, Anneliese Dodds, was challenged about the site on Sky News this morning and whether the party was relying on stunts" rather than policy proposals. She insisted that the detail of policy" was there, in the form of initiatives like GB Energy. Continue reading...
British ambassador is summoned and told that installations and equipment in Ukraine and elsewhere could be targetedThe British ambassador to Moscow, Nigel Casey, was summoned to the Russian foreign ministry, Russian state agency RIA reported on Monday. Reuters said the ministry did not give the reason but there is speculation that it is linked to statements made last week by the foreign secretary, David Cameron, saying he had no issue with British-supplied weapons being used by Ukraine to strike inside Russia.It comes as Russia has cited statements by the west as justification for upcoming nuclear weapons drills. Continue reading...
Binibeca Vell residents say officials have left them to grapple alone with noise and rubbish from stampede of visitorsPerched over a small bay, the village of Binibeca Vell on the Spanish island of Menorca has long been a magnet for tourists looking to wander along its winding, narrow lanes lined with whitewashed villas.But as its popularity swells on social media, setting off a stampede for selfies snapped along its cobblestone streets, residents are threatening to stop access to the village all together. Continue reading...
Suspect subdued and arrested in incident captured on live stream, with man also found dead at would-be shooter's homeA Pennsylvania man tried to shoot a local pastor in the middle of a Sunday sermon, but the attacker's gun jammed, giving a congregant and the minister a chance to subdue him without anyone being hurt.The harrowing encounter was caught on the church's live stream before authorities found a man shot to death at the home of the pastor's would-be shooter, CBS News reported. Continue reading...
Chinese premier meets Emmanuel Macron and Ursula von der Leyen for talks, with trade and Ukraine on agendaThe trilateral meeting has kicked off.Xi Jinping has arrived at the Elysee palace. Continue reading...
Emmanuel Macron and Viktor Orban among leaders Xi is meeting, with several key issues on the tableChina's president, Xi Jinping, has begun a three-country tour of Europe - his first state visit to the continent in five years - at a time when China-EU ties are under strain from trade disputes and Russia's war on Ukraine. Continue reading...
Firm aims to upgrade 612 outlets and reopen 62 this year amid signs of rising consumer confidenceHeineken is to spend 39m on reopening about 60 UK pubs and sprucing up tired" locals in suburban areas in an effort to attract more consumers working from home.The firm, which has 2,400 pubs through its Star pubs and bars arm, plans to reopen 62 long-term-closed venues this year and upgrade 612 outlets, with 94 of these earmarked for makeovers of about 200,000. Continue reading...
by Gwyn Topham Transport correspondent on (#6MKDK)
Motorway will be shut both ways between junctions nine and 10 from 9pm on Friday until 6am on MondayDrivers tempted to bypass the official diversion for this weekend's M25 motorway closure have been warned of potential ultra-low emission zone (Ulez) charges if they stray off course.The London orbital motorway is having its second ever planned closure, with a busy stretch in the south-west closed in both directions for works, potentially bringing long delays and congestion for thousands of drivers. Continue reading...
Campaigner resolved to set up awareness charity after being told she had stage 4 cancer when she was 23Kris Hallenga, the founder of the charity CoppaFeel!, which raises awareness of the importance of young women checking their breasts for early signs of cancer, has died aged 38 after being diagnosed with the disease 15 years ago.The campaigner, from Cornwall, was 23 when she was given the news she had stage 4 cancer that had spread to her spine. Continue reading...
by Nadia Khomami Arts and culture correspondent on (#6MKDN)
Daniel Rooney tells ITV's Lorraine show about standing in for Olly Murs in Glasgow on FridayThe Scottish singer who was drafted in at the last minute to replace Olly Murs supporting Take That has said he thought it was a wind up" when he was asked to rush to the arena and perform.Daniel Rooney was plucked from a hotel bar in Glasgow when Murs was forced to cancel his support act at the OVO Hydro on Friday because of travel problems. Continue reading...
Drake says I feel disgusted' by allegations, as enmity between rap superstars deepens following weekend flurry of diss tracksDrake has denied allegations of child sex offences and of him harbouring a secret child, both levelled at him by Kendrick Lamar in recent days.The enmity between the rap superstars has escalated over a series of diss tracks in the past few weeks, culminating in a flurry of activity during the weekend with three tracks by Lamar and two by Drake. Continue reading...