Video of fight shows villagers with sickles and rifles chasing down suspected gang members amid gunfireA clash between gunmen from a criminal gang and residents of a small farming community in central Mexico left 14 people dead and seven injured, local authorities said on Saturday.Dramatic video of the fight on Friday posted on social media showed villagers in cowboy hats with sickles and hunting rifles chasing down suspected gang members amid bursts of automatic gunfire. Continue reading...
Teenager also charged with attempted murder of 16- and 20-year-old males in incident in which Lianne Gordon diedA 16-year-old boy has been charged with murder after a woman was shot dead in Hackney, east London, on Tuesday evening. Lianne Gordon, 42, died at the scene after police were called to the incident in the early evening on 5 December.The teenager has also been charged with the attempted murder of a 20-year-old man and a boy, 16, according to the Metropolitan police. The pair were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and have since been discharged. Continue reading...
Former Met PC Alice Vinten says online abuse worse since publication of book about women in force that inspired BBC dramaWhen Alice Vinten wrote The Real Happy Valley, she intended the book to be a celebration of women in the police force, the real-life accounts of those who served as inspiration for protagonist Sgt Catherine Cawood in Sally Wainwright's acclaimed BBC drama. Vinten interviewed women officers across Yorkshire who told of their careers on the frontline of policing, as depicted by Sarah Lancashire in the series that was set in the Calder Valley around Halifax.Instead, the book has prompted a campaign of abuse against Vinten, 42, a former Metropolitan police officer herself, on Twitter, now known as X, including what the author calls an orchestrated campaign of leaving bad reviews and even threats. Worse, she says, they're from police. Continue reading...
Dozens of flood warnings in place as Britain and Ireland hit by fifth named storm since SeptemberThe Met Office has issued yellow alerts for rain and wind across large swathes of the UK and the Republic of Ireland on Saturday, with dozens of flood warnings in place as the countries are battered by the fifth named storm since September.As Storm Elin hits the UK and the Republic of Ireland, there are yellow alerts for wind covering Wales, the Midlands and parts of Northern Ireland and the north-west and south-west of England. Yellow alerts for rain are in place in the north-west of England and parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland. Continue reading...
by Peter Walker Deputy political editor on (#6H0TR)
Five things the PM could be asked about next week when giving evidence about his role as chancellor during the crisisIt is Rishi Sunak's turn on Monday to spend the day being questioned at the Covid inquiry, with the prime minister expected to spend some of the weekend working in Downing Street being briefed on what to expect. He will give evidence about his job as chancellor during the crisis. Here are some of things he might be asked. Continue reading...
Reform UK expects its founder to lead election campaign, but GB News host did not rule out Tory return on reality showNigel Farage's stint as a contestant in I'm a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here! has presented the former Ukip leader turned GB News host with a near-perfect platform for a return to frontline politics - but will it be as the head of Reform UK, the insurgent populist party he founded, or as a member once again of the Conservative party?Farage did not rule out a return to the Conservatives in never say never" comments to a fellow contestant in the Australian bush in an episode of the show, which ends on Sunday. Continue reading...
As prices rise, more people are buying only for close relatives and friends, or getting out the glitter glue and making their ownBritons are buying single Christmas cards or reaching for the glitter glue to make them as they opt for quality over quantity in an attempt to keep the festive tradition alive amid high postage costs.A recent poll found a third of people intend to send fewer cards this year because of the cost. The price of a second-class stamp has risen by nearly 30% in five years to 75p. Over the same period a first-class stamp is up nearly 90% to 1.25. Continue reading...
Prominent journalist - who lives in the US - was placed on the list after discussing atrocities committed in Ukraine by Russian forcesRussian police have put prominent Russian American journalist and author Masha Gessen on a wanted list after opening a criminal case against them on charges of spreading false information about the Russian army.It is the latest step in an unrelenting crackdown against dissent in Russia that has intensified since the Kremlin invaded Ukraine more than 21 months ago, on 24 February 2022. Continue reading...
Assessment by GroupM expects spending totals for presidential election year to be up 30% on 2020 election cycleWith little more than a month to go before the US presidential election season kicks off in Iowa, a new projection of political spending says a record $15.9bn will be spent on advertising, up more than 30% up on the 2019-2020 election cycle.The assessment, by GroupM, one of the world's largest paid advertising agencies, suggests total political ad revenue could add a billion more to reach a total of $17.1bn, if including direct mail pitches. Continue reading...
Girl, 16, tells court she found murder victim attractive but co-defendant didn't agree' with trans or gay peopleA 16-year-old girl accused of killing transgender teenager Brianna Ghey in a park in Warrington denied having anti-transgender views, and said she found Brianna attractive, a court has heard.But the girl, known as X to protect her identity, told a jury that her very good friend" and co-defendant, a 16-year-old boy known as Y, didn't exactly agree with people who were trans or people that were gay". Continue reading...
Lawyers request unprecedented access to classified information special counsel wishes to redact before its introduction at trialLawyers for Donald Trump, defending him against charges that he retained national security documents at his Mar-a-Lago club, have asked a federal judge to grant them unprecedented access to the classified information that prosecutors want to redact before it gets introduced at trial.Cleared counsel for President Trump seek attorneys'-eyes-only access to these filings so that we can challenge the [special counsel's] assertions in adversarial proceedings," the Trump legal team said in the 18-page filing. Continue reading...
French far-right party denies irregularities in employment of parliamentary assistantsFrench far-right politician Marine Le Pen will stand trial alongside 27 others over alleged misuse of EU funds, the Paris prosecutor's office said on Friday, charges that Le Pen's party said it contested.Twenty-eight defendants will be brought to court, including Le Pen and her father, Jean-Marie, the office said, confirming French media reports. Continue reading...
Tears and applause as band plays Fairytale of New York and people recall memories of pubs, squats, youth, dreams and lossThey followed the horse-drawn carriage singing songs that were written as raucous ballads. But on this day, the crowds of mourners sung softly, their voices floating into a grey Dublin day in farewell to Shane MacGowan.The Pogues singer was dead but for mourners his lyrics seldom felt so alive as his funeral cortege wound through the heart of Ireland's capital on Friday. Continue reading...
by Gwyn Topham Transport correspondent on (#6H0CJ)
Network Rail's chief executive, on board one of the stranded trains, describes it as a painful experience'London's passenger watchdog has called for an investigation after thousand of people were trapped on trains on Thursday evening when power lines were damaged.Passengers, who were given little information during the ordeal, were stuck for more than three hours on dark, cold trains - including on Elizabeth line trains, which have no toilets and rely on the overhead lines for power. Continue reading...
Bipartisan act aims to protect buyers from inflated pricing following Ticketmaster's disastrous handling of Taylor Swift tourSix US senators have introduced a new Fans First Act" to address flaws in the live event ticketing system by increasing transparency in ticket sales, protecting consumers from fake or overpriced tickets, and building accountability measures for bad actors.The bipartisan bill, brought to Congress by three Republicans (John Cornyn of Texas, Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, Roger Wicker of Mississippi) and three Democrats (Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, Peter Welch of Vermont and Ben Ray Lujan of New Mexico), is the latest effort by Congress to combat high and exploitative ticket pricing for concerts and other live events. Continue reading...
Georgina Mansergh, 24, reacted to sesame oil in a tahini sauce in the meal and collapsed at the Angel Inn in FerndownA student died after suffering an allergic reaction to sesame seed oil in a mushroom risotto she ate at a family dinner in a Dorset pub, an inquest has heard.Georgina Mansergh, 24, was visiting the Angel Inn in Ferndown with her family on 11 February when she suffered the reaction to the oil used in the tahini sauce included in the dish. She was studying for her masters degree. Continue reading...
by Kiran Staceyin London and Hannah Ellis-Petersenin on (#6H094)
Pre-election agreement would provide a major boost to Narendra Modi and Rishi SunakSenior Downing Street officials have flown to Delhi to kickstart talks over a multibillion pound free trade agreement, with the government of Narendra Modi having indicated it is keen to finalise a deal in the next three months.UK trade negotiators are in the Indian capital talking to their Indian counterparts as they look to revive a deal that looked a distant prospect just a few months ago. Continue reading...
Matthew Jordan's horn history beat Dry Humping: A Guide to Dating, Relating, and Hooking Up Without the Booze and I Fart in your General Direction!' Flatulence in Popular CultureDanger Sound Klaxon! The Horn That Changed History by Matthew F Jordan has won the Diagram prize for oddest book title of the year.Jordan's book charts the history of the klaxon automobile horn. It won a public vote against five shortlisted titles including Dry Humping: A Guide to Dating, Relating and Hooking Up Without the Booze and Backvalley Ferrets: A Rewilding of the Colorado Plateau. Continue reading...
Cuts mainly at HQ, retail and mortgage divisions come days after return to the office' policy emergedNationwide Building Society has told nearly 500 staff they are at risk of redundancy, just weeks before the Christmas holidays.The cuts are part of a sweeping restructuring programme, launched under its chief executive, the former TSB boss Debbie Crosbie, which is meant to streamline" head office operations by changing reporting lines or slashing jobs. The exercise will ultimately affect 1,000 staff. Continue reading...
Lianne Gordon, 42, died at the scene after police called to incident in east London on Tuesday eveningPolice have arrested a 16-year-old boy on suspicion of murder after a woman was shot dead in Hackney, east London.Lianne Gordon, 42, died at the scene after police were called to the incident in the early evening on 5 December. Continue reading...
Bruce Lehrmann defamation trial also hears Higgins was hysterical' when she heard possibility of media inquiry about alleged assault being raised at Senate estimates
Economic loss from disruption on important travel route for grain exports estimated to be $20bnExtreme drought and a warm autumn have left water levels on the Mississippi exceptionally low for the time of year. This is causing problems for farmers who rely on the river as a travel route for the crops: 60% of US grain exports use the waterway to reach the Gulf coasts.The total economic loss is estimated to be about $20bn and, despite attempts to dredge the river, it remains worryingly low as the country enters an important month for grain transport. Continue reading...
Lehrmann is suing Network Ten and journalist Lisa Wilkinson in the federal court of Australia for defamation. Follow the latest news and updates from the trial today
In today's newsletter: A Republican block on more aid for Kyiv could have an impact on its efforts to defend itself from Russian invasion Sign up here for our daily newsletter, First EditionGood morning.Uncertainty chokes the resolve of western support for Ukraine after Republican senators blocked a $106bn bill that would have provided funds to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan - as well as bolstering security along the US-Mexico border. Although many Republicans are in favour of providing aid to Ukraine, the bill has become a lightning rod issue, as the GOP have realised they could use it as leverage to push through more hardline immigration policies.Israel-Hamas war | The US has issued some of its strongest criticism of Israel's conduct in the war against Hamas. US secretary of state Antony Blinken said there was a gap between the Israeli government's declared intentions to protect civilians and the mounting casualties seen on the ground. The death toll in Gaza now stands at 17,000, according to its health ministry.UK news | Police are still blaming child victims of sexual grooming gangs for the attacks they suffer, an official report has found. The report found that while the situation had improved over the last decade, progress was slow, and warnings from other official bodies had not been heeded. It also dismissed claims that one ethnic group posed more of a danger to children than any other.Covid inquiry | Boris Johnson said there was nothing he could have reasonably done to stop lockdown-breaking parties in Downing Street, calling media coverage and TV adaptations of these events absurd" and a travesty of the truth".Education | A rude and intimidating" Ofsted inspection carried out inflexibly by poorly trained staff contributed to the death by suicide of the headteacher Ruth Perry, a coroner has concluded.US news | Hunter Biden has been indicted on nine tax charges in California, in the second indictment against the president's son, adding fuel to a scandal that Republicans have been seizing on in the lead-up to the 2024 election. The new charges include three felonies and six misdemeanor offences, and Biden faces a possible 17-year sentence if convicted. Continue reading...
Gallery owner, who has represented Parr for 36 years, says she was sickened by hate graffiti' in the work, but denies censoring it and has kept it on display
The portable unit, comprising mini cubes of medical equipment, enables surgeons to be operating within an hour, designers claimIndia has designed and built a flatpack" field hospital that can be flown to a disaster area by helicopter and assembled faster than an Ikea bookcase.The hospital is contained in 72 small waterproof cubes, each weighing under 15kg and measuring 38cm x 38cm x 38cm (15 x 15 x 15in). They are packed with tents and specially designed medical equipment. Continue reading...
by Vikram Dodd Police and crime correspondent on (#6GZXD)
Inspection in England and Wales criticises pace of change since child abuse scandals in Rotherham and Rochdale came to lightPolice are still blaming child victims of sexual grooming gangs for the attacks they suffer, an official report has found.The inquiry by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) comes more than a decade after scandals in Rotherham and Rochdale came to light, revealing failings by the authorities that left gangs of men free to attack vulnerable young girls. Continue reading...
Atmospheric rivers have pummeled the region, resulting in the deaths of two people in rushing floodwatersTorrential rains that pummeled the Pacific north-west this week will begin to slow on Thursday, as the region examines the damage left in the wake of severe storms across Washington and Oregon.The atmospheric river systems brought heavy rain, flooding and unseasonably warm temperatures to the region, forcing closures of schools and roads as authorities rescued people from raging rivers and submerged streets. Officials reported the death of two men whose bodies were recovered from rushing waters. Continue reading...
Inquest examined watchdog's role in Ruth Perry's decline after Reading primary school's rating was downgradedThe family of Ruth Perry have spoken out against the brutal inhumanity" of Ofsted inspections after a coroner ruled that it was a contributory factor in the headteacher's death by suicide.
US and Britain express support for Guyana over Maduro threat to seize a third of its territory while Brazil calls for peaceful solutionThe United States has said it would conduct flight operations within Guyana that build on its routine engagement, as Britain and Brazil expressed concerns about growing border tensions between Guyana and Venezuela.The long-running spat over the oil-rich Essequibo region, which is being heard by the international court of justice (ICJ), escalated over the weekend when voters in Venezuela rejected the ICJ's jurisdiction and backed the creation of a new Venezuelan state. Continue reading...
MPs say plans for corporate public ownership disclosure in Britain's overseas territories must be revivedBritain will remain the global centre of dirty money" unless ministers revive stalled plans for public registers of who owns companies based in offshore havens such as the British Virgin Islands (BVIs) and Jersey, campaigners and senior MPs have said.Veteran anti-corruption campaigner Dame Margaret Hodge MP said it was a matter of national security" to do away with the secrecy offered by the 10 inhabited overseas territories and three crown dependencies. Continue reading...
Suella Braverman earlier denied plotting to bring the PM down over the Rwanda bill. This live blog is closedRishi Sunak says he is holding this press conference to explain why the government is publishing its Rwanda bill.He says he is the child of immigrants. He understands why people want to come to the UK. Continue reading...
Turkish leader says his visit to Athens hailed the start of a new era between the two countriesHungary's prime minister, Viktor Orban, cannot be allowed to blackmail" the rest of the EU by threatening to block Ukraine membership talks unless it releases withheld funds to Hungary, centre-left MEPs have said.This is a make or break moment for the EU," said Pedro Marques, vice chair of the Socialist and Democratic group in the European parliament.At a moment in which the US Congress has just outvoted a proposal by Joe Biden to continue to support Ukraine, we cannot put ourselves in a situation where the Ukrainians see that we are also not capable of continuing to assist them.It also not acceptable, from my point of view, that anyone gets the perception that at the end of next week, Orban got his way and got his 30bn in exchange for allowing the EU to continue to assist Ukraine.Ministers of the two countries will have constructive meetings. We'll discuss what steps we can take on all issues. Preparations have been made by ministers ... I believe it will be better for the future of both sides to speak seeing the glass half full. Continue reading...
World news | The Guardian