Nerys Lloyd had pleaded guilty to gross negligence manslaughter over expedition in swollen River CleddauA former police officer has been jailed for 10 years and six months after leading a paddleboarding expedition on a rain-swollen river that ended in four people losing their lives.Nerys Lloyd, 39, pleaded guilty to four counts of gross negligence manslaughter and a Health and Safety at Work offence over the tragedy on the River Cleddau in Haverfordwest, south-west Wales. Continue reading...
by Kalyeena Makortoff Banking correspondent on (#6WT8J)
Rick Haythornthwaite said bank was indebted to public for 46bn rescue package that kept it afloat in 2008The chair of NatWest has thanked UK taxpayers for the bank's 2008 bailout weeks before the bank returns into private ownership, assuring shareholders that bosses had fixed the issues of the past" and would not open up floodgates of risk" despite government pressure.Rick Haythornthwaite made the comments as a small group of shareholders gathered at the Gogarburn campus on the outskirts of Edinburgh on Wednesday for the bank's annual investor meeting. Continue reading...
Members of Board of Deputies who signed open letter about war in Gaza are now subject to a complaints procedure'Three dozen members of the largest body representing British Jews are facing disciplinary action after signing an open letter criticising Israel over the war in Gaza.Amid signs of deepening divisions among British Jews over the 18-month-old war, the Board of Deputies announced this week that all 36 signatories to the letter were now subject to a complaints procedure" after multiple complaints". Continue reading...
First penalties under landmark Digital Markets Act hands fines of 500m to Apple and 200m to Facebook ownerThe European Commission has fined Apple 500m (429m) and Meta 200m for breaking rules on fair competition and user choice, in the first penalties issued under one of the EU's landmark internet laws.The fines under the EU Digital Markets Act (DMA), which is intended to ensure fair business practices by tech companies, are likely to provide another flashpoint with Donald Trump's administration, which has fiercely attacked Europe's internet regulation. Continue reading...
Irish language group uses Coachella gig to denounce Gaza attacks, saying Palestinians have nowhere to go'Sharon Osbourne has urged US authorities to revoke work visas for Kneecap after the Irish language rap group used a performance at Coachella to denounce Israeli attacks on Gaza.The TV presenter accused the band of hate speech and supporting terrorist organisations and said it should not be allowed to perform in the US. I urge you to join me in advocating for the revocation of Kneecap's work visa," she exhorted followers on X on Tuesday. Continue reading...
Opposition leader insists costings will be released prior to the election as Andrew Hastie says America-first' US means Australia's defence must be prioritised
by Presented by Helen Pidd with Libby Brooks; produce on (#6WSZG)
A ruling on equality law has caused relief, fear - and confusion. Libby Brooks reportsOn paper it does not sound like something that would spark nationwide interest. Last week the UK supreme court gave its judgment on a case brought by a women's group against the Scottish government over the Gender Representation on Public Boards (Scotland) Act 2018.But its judgment - that the word woman" in equality law refers only to biological sex - has upended years of legal interpretation. And the news of the ruling led to celebrations, protest and an outpouring of emotion. Continue reading...
Seven Regions Nuclear Free alliance launches campaign representing groups who oppose the Coalition's proposed nuclear reactors in their communities across Queensland, NSW, SA, Victoria and WA
Internet Watch Foundation report shows 380% increase in illegal AI-generated imagery in 2024, most of it category A'Images of child sexual abuse created by artificial intelligence are becoming significantly more realistic", according to an online safety watchdog.The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) said advances in AI are being reflected in illegal content created and consumed by paedophiles, saying: In 2024, the quality of AI-generated videos improved exponentially, and all types of AI imagery assessed appeared significantly more realistic as the technology developed." Continue reading...
Russell George, who is among 15 people under investigation, says he wants to focus on clearing his nameA Welsh politician who is among 15 people charged after bets were placed on the timing of the 2024 general election is to quit at the next Senedd election.
Panel unanimously accepts charges against six more key allies of ex-president over alleged plan to keep him in officeA panel of Brazil's supreme court justices has unanimously accepted criminal charges against six more key allies of former president Jair Bolsonaro over an alleged coup plot to keep him in office after his 2022 election defeat.Last month, the panel unanimously accepted charges against Bolsonaro and seven close allies over the alleged coup plot following his loss to current president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and ordered the former rightwing leader to stand trial. Continue reading...
by Nadeem Badshah (now) and Andrew Sparrow (earlier) on (#6WS9M)
Minister for women and equality makes statement after supreme court ruling on gender recognitionSome MPs and peers are calling for President Trump not to be invited to address parliament when he visits the UK. In 2017, during Trump's first presidency, the then Speaker, John Bercow, vetoed a proposal for Trump to address parliamentarians in Westminster Hall.In an interview with Times Radio this morning, Stephen Morgan, an education minister, said Trump should be allowed to give a speech in parliament. Asked if Trump should be allowed to address MPs and peers, Morgan said:I look forward to the US president addressing parliament in due course. Continue reading...
by Aakash Hassan in Delhi and Peter Beaumont on (#6WSJG)
Group of gunmen open fire on holidaymakers in Indian-controlled region in midst of US vice-president's visit to countryAt least 28 tourists have been killed after suspected militants opened fire at a popular local tourist destination in Kashmir during a scheduled four-day visit to the country by the US president JD Vance.The attack occurred in the Baisaran Valley, a picturesque meadow in Pahalgam, a well-known tourist town located 90 kilometres south of Srinagar, the region's main city, in what officials are describing as the deadliest attack on civilians in the region in recent years. Continue reading...
Rawal Rehman had been on a cocaine binge when his van collided with Louisa Palmisano and her parents on 22 FebruaryA convicted drug dealer has pleaded guilty to killing a three-year-old girl while driving recklessly, shortly after being released from prison on licence.Rawal Rehman, 35, had been on all-night cocaine binge when his van collided with Louisa Palmisano and her parents in Manchester city centre on 22 February. Continue reading...
by Libby Brooks Scotland correspondent on (#6WSNA)
Social justice secretary says Holyrood fully accepts' supreme court ruling and will amend guidanceThe Scottish government has no plans" to return to its controversial bill on gender recognition, the high-water mark of Nicola Sturgeon's progressive agenda, as it attempted to reassure the trans community that you are valued".In a statement to MSPs on Tuesday afternoon, the social justice secretary, Shirley-Anne Somerville, said Holyrood fully accepts" the judgment of the supreme court, which ruled against Scottish ministers last Wednesday in the culmination of a long-running legal action brought by the campaign group For Women Scotland. Continue reading...
Union welcomes announcement company is closing consultation on laying off up to 2,700 Scunthorpe workersBritish Steel will not continue with a consultation on making up to 2,700 steelworkers at its Scunthorpe plant redundant, after the government took control of the firm earlier this month.The Chinese company Jingye, which promised a new chapter" when it bought British Steel in 2020, last month proposed closing Scunthorpe's two blast furnaces, putting the roles under threat and ending Britain's ability to produce steel from scratch. Continue reading...
After two actors died in Owerri, Imo State, AGN head Emeka Rollas drew comparisons to events last year, when popular Nollywood actor Junior Pope drownedThe president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria has called for mass prayers and increased unionisation after the death of two actors in Owerri, the capital city of Imo State.Posting on Instagram, Emeka Rollas advocated spiritual intervention and better workplace regulation to try to prevent future tragedies after the two men, who have not yet been named, died on Friday. Continue reading...
by Tom Ambrose (now) and Jakub Krupa (earlier) on (#6WS6X)
Pope Francis, head of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics, died at his home in the Vatican on Monday aged 88The Vatican also confirmed that Pope Francis's coffin will be transferred to St Peter's Basilica on Wednesday morning, where it will stay until the funeral.It will be taken there from the chapel of the Santa Marta residence, pictured in the earlier photo. Continue reading...
Regulator acts on leasing of global title' numbers after industry efforts to tackle problem were ineffectiveThe UK communications regulator Ofcom is banning mobile operators from leasing numbers that can be used by criminals to intercept and divert calls and messages, including security codes sent by banks to customers.Ofcom said it would stop the leasing of global titles", special types of phone numbers used by mobile networks to support services to make sure messages and calls reach the intended recipient. Continue reading...
by Yohannes Lowe (now) and Tom Ambrose (earlier) on (#6WS86)
Dmitry Peskov says Russia ready to consider Zelenskyy's proposal to halt attacks on infrastructure such as energy facilities as Ukraine says Russian attacks have killed sixBritish prime minister Keir Starmer praised the resilience" of Ukrainians as he addressed personnel taking part in training being provided by British personnel and other allies to Ukrainian troops.Addressing Ukrainians taking part in the programme to train troops, the prime minister thanked them for attending and said it is incredible to see the resilience and inspiration that you have" as they head to the Russian frontline. Continue reading...
Retailer reports issue to National Cyber Security Centre after tills stopped working in some stores from SaturdayMarks & Spencer has apologised to customers after a cyber incident" affected contactless payments and the pick up of online orders in it stores in recent days.The retailer told shoppers that delays to click and collect orders currently continued but it was working hard to resolve" the issue. Continue reading...
Nerys Lloyd, 39, being sentenced after admitting gross negligence manslaughter over incident on swollen riverRelatives of two of the four people who lost their lives in a paddleboarding tragedy on a swollen river have fiercely criticised a former police officer who led the tour over a weir despite having only basic qualifications.Family members claimed that Nerys Lloyd was arrogant to guide the group on the river in south-west Wales despite the conditions and her lack of expertise and had shown no remorse over her failings. Continue reading...
The announcement that members must watch all films nominated in a category in order to vote for the winner, is met with disbelief that it wasn't already the caseA new rule introduced by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to ensure voters have seen all the films in a category before they cast their ballots has provoked disquiet online, with many expressing surprise it wasn't already a requirement.A raft of measures were announced by the Oscars governing body on Monday, including the stipulation that Academy members must now watch all nominated films in each category to be eligible to vote in the final round for the Oscars". Continue reading...
by Prosper Heri Ngorora in Goma and Carlos Mureithi i on (#6WS9N)
People traumatised by conflict have queued outside the Saint Vincent de Paul neuropsychiatric hospital in Goma each day since free scheme launchedOn a sunny morning in the city of Goma in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, where fighting between the M23 rebel group and the Congolese army raged earlier this year, men and women rushed towards a line of chairs outside a medical facility.Since 24 March, the Saint Vincent de Paul neuropsychiatric hospital, a medical facility for people with mental health issues, has been offering free consultations on a first-come first-served basis for people affected by the fighting. Dozens have lined up to be seen each day. Continue reading...
Visitors to Buckingham Palace will be able to see works by official tour artists who accompanied visits to 96 countriesForty years ago the then Prince of Wales invited, at his own expense, the artist John Ward to join an official visit to Italy as an official tour artist, with the brief to draw or paint whatever inspired him.Since then, 42 artists to have undertaken this role, collectively visiting 95 countries during 69 tours, with their work now going on display at Buckingham Palace. Continue reading...
Broadcaster says corporation wants to bring in new people, and says he does not regret criticism of Tory asylum policyGary Lineker has suggested the BBC wanted him to leave Match of the Day, ahead of his departure next month after more than a quarter of the century at the helm of the show.In an interview with Amol Rajan for the BBC, Lineker discussed his departure from the football highlights programme, which was announced late last year. Continue reading...
Death of young woman whose body was found in creek on Central Coast not initially treated as suspiciousPolice have revealed they were uneasy about attributing a teenage sportswoman's death to an accident before new information sparked murder charges.The body of 19-year-old Audrey Griffin was discovered partially submerged in Erina Creek on the New South Wales Central Coast on 24 March after she went missing on a night out. Continue reading...
The New Zealand First member's bill is a long shot to become law as it has to be selected at random from a ballot and then garner majority supportA populist party in New Zealand's governing coalition has introduced a bill to parliament that if enacted would define women and men by their biology, preventing trans women and men being recognised by law.The New Zealand First member's bill is a long shot to become law as it has to be selected at random from a ballot and then garner majority support in parliament. Continue reading...
In today's newsletter: He was an unpredictable leader unafraid to upset traditionalists, but was he really a liberal figure - and will his changes last?Good morning. On Sunday, after a 38-day hospitalisation, Pope Francis greeted crowds in St Peter's Square and wished them a happy Easter. At 7.35am yesterday, he died at the age of 88, of a stroke and subsequent heart faillure.He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favour of the poorest and most marginalised," said Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who is tasked with running the Vatican's day-to-day affairs until a new pontiff is chosen. With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune God."Benefits | Ministers are privately ruling out scrapping the two-child benefit cap despite warnings from charities that a failure to do so could result in the highest levels of child poverty since records began. Government sources said charities and Labour MPs hoping for a change are listening to the wrong people".Israel-Gaza war | Humanitarian agencies have rejected the findings of an Israeli military investigation that concluded the killings of 15 Palestinian medics and rescue workers last month were caused by professional failures". Jonathan Whittall, the UN's humanitarian chief for Gaza, said the report represented a lack of real accountability".Ukraine | Vladimir Putin has said for the first time in years that he is open to bilateral talks with Ukraine - having previously demanded that Volodymyr Zelenskyy be replaced before it could happen. Zelenskyy, whom the Russian ruler has falsely called an illegitimate president, meanwhile said Kyiv was prepared for any discussion to halt attacks on civilian targets.US universities | Harvard University has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, alleging it is trying to gain control of academic decision-making at Harvard". The move comes in response to a freeze on billions in federal funding over the university's refusal to accept demands including an attempt to enforce viewpoint diversity" in teaching.UK news | Almost 250 people have been imprisoned for breaching antisocial behaviour injunctions since 2020, with people being jailed for sleeping rough, begging, feeding birds and making a noise. Analysis by academics at York and Coventry universities found that more than half of people jailed had no legal representation at their hearings. Continue reading...
Disney+ series revisits killing of Brazilian man wrongly identified as a terrorist by Met police officers in 2005The mother of a man shot dead by police in a London Underground station after being mistaken for a terrorist has said everyone should watch" a new dramatisation of her son's killing.Jean Charles de Menezes was shot seven times by two police marksmen in Stockwell tube station on 22 July 2005. De Menezes was wrongly identified as one of the fugitives involved in a failed bombing two weeks after the 7/7 attack in London, which killed 52 people. Continue reading...
Campaigners say most common problem are sticky keys' that fails to record registration numbers correctlyThousands of drivers in England are being sent demands for up to 170 from private parking companies because of faulty ticket machines, campaigners have said.Many private car parks require motorists to input their vehicle registration when purchasing a ticket from a machine, which is supposed to ensure they do not receive a parking fine. Continue reading...
Pope Francis, an outsider Jesuit pontiff from Argentina, is being mourned across the globe - here is the front-page reaction in BritainThe death of Pope Francis has reverberated around the world, with the Catholic leader remembered by millions as a Jesuit pontiff who pushed for social and economic justice.Here is how the major British newspapers responded to the news. Continue reading...
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