Authorities smash drugs gang in North Rhine-Westphalia after learning Dusseldorf pizzeria was delivering narcoticsPizza No 40 was long one of the best-selling dishes at a restaurant in the German city of Dusseldorf, until police discovered the secret ingredient: a side of cocaine.Authorities say uncovering the illicit narcotics delivery scheme allowed them to smash an organised crime ring in Germany's most populous state, North Rhine-Westphalia. About 150 officers, including from elite units, last week searched 16 properties in nine cities, arrested three suspects and seized caches of weapons, the news agency DPA reported. Continue reading...
Seoul signals its most proactive position towards arming Ukraine to dateSouth Korea is considering directly supplying weapons to Ukraine as evidence increases that North Korean soldiers are preparing to assist Russia in its war against Ukraine.South Korea's spy agency (NIS) said last week that North Korea had shipped 1,500 special forces personnel to Russia's far east for training and acclimatising at local military bases for future combat alongside Moscow's troops in Ukraine. Continue reading...
Prosecutors say criminal enterprise' charged foreign couples $50,000 and denied payments for miscarriagesAn international surrogacy ring exploited impoverished women, denied payments for miscarriages, and commercialised" babies in Argentina, prosecutors have alleged.A team of prosecutors said they had discovered a criminal enterprise" which has been charging foreign couples about $50,000 for a baby born by surrogacy in Argentina. Continue reading...
by Steven Morris, Gwyn Topham and Nadeem Badshah on (#6RMV1)
Crash in Powys occurred on single-track section near passing loop, with one train apparently unable to stopA rail passenger died and 15 people were being treated for injuries in hospital after two trains collided on a rural line in mid-Wales on Monday evening.Witnesses described how people were thrown to the floor of a train and pictures of the scene showed part of one of the carriages crumpled in the impact. Continue reading...
Shabana Mahmood says she wants latest emergency release amid overcrowding in England and Wales jails to be the lastThe justice secretary, Shabana Mahmood, has admitted the proportion of people released early from prison who are being recalled is very high", as the government prepares to free more inmates to relieve an overcrowding crisis.Mahmood said figures would not yet be available for the number of prisoners who had been returned after the first wave of prison releases in September, but said it was likely they would be high. Continue reading...
In today's newsletter: Justin Trudeau says there are credible allegations' that Modi's government was involved in the killing of a Sikh separatist in British Columbia. What does say about India's global standing? Sign up here for our daily newsletter, First EditionGood morning.In September 2023, Justin Trudeau stood up in parliament and made extraordinary allegations against the Indian government. The prime minister said Canadian authorities were investigating credible allegations" about the potential involvement of Indian officials in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian Sikh separatist activist in British Columbia.Middle East | Israel has accused Hezbollah of keeping hundreds of millions of dollars in cash and gold in a bunker under a hospital in the southern suburbs of Beirut, though it said it would not strike the complex. The Sahel hospital in Dahiyeh was evacuated shortly afterwards, and Fadi Alame, its director, told Reuters that the allegations were untrue.Labour | A cross-party group of 30 MPs has urged Rachel Reeves to impose a 2% tax on wealth above 10m on Britain's rich in next week's budget rather than announce spending cuts that would hit the most poor hardest.Ukraine | Britain is to lend Ukraine an additional 2.26bn and allow Kyiv to spend the money on weapons to fight off the Russian invasion as part of a wider $50bn (38.5bn) loan programme expected to be confirmed by G7 members later this week.Sudan | Refugees and aid agencies have warned of deteriorating conditions in overcrowded camps in Chad, as intensifying violence and a hunger crisis in Sudan drive huge numbers across the border. About 25,000 people - the vast majority women and children - crossed into eastern Chad in the first week of October. Read an explainer.European Union | Moldovans have voted by a razor-thin majority in favour of joining the EU, nearly final results showed on Monday after a pivotal referendum clouded by allegations of Russian interference. With 50.18% supporting EU membership, the decision was much closer than pre-referendum polls suggested. Continue reading...
by Guardian staff and Agence France-Presse on (#6RMZ7)
The Ukrainian film producer behind Leviathan and Loveless was sentenced to eight-and-a-half years in prison after speaking out against Russia's invasion of UkraineA Moscow court has sentenced Oscar-nominated film producer Alexander Rodnyansky to eight-and-a-half years jail in absentia on Monday for spreading fake" information about the Russian army.Rodnyansky, 63, was born in Kyiv but spent most of his career in Russia, producing dozens of TV series and movies there including the Oscar-nominated crime drama Leviathan. He has been an outspoken critic of the Kremlin's offensive since it sent troops into Ukraine in February 2022, repeatedly denouncing the invasion on social media. Continue reading...
An official in Argentina, where the boy band star died last week, has spoken anonymously ahead of the final toxicology results being releasedFormer One Direction singer Liam Payne had multiple drugs including crack cocaine and methamphetamine in his system when he fell to his death from a hotel balcony in Argentina, according to anonymous Argentinian sources familiar with the initial toxicology reports.The British singer and former One Direction member died last week at the age of 31 after plunging from a third-floor hotel room in Buenos Aires. Continue reading...
by Dan Sabbagh Defence and security editor on (#6RMW6)
Loans will be repaid using interest generated by $300bn of frozen Russian assets held in the westBritain is to lend Ukraine an additional 2.26bn and allow Kyiv to spend the money on weapons to fight off the Russian invasion as part of a wider $50bn (38.5bn) loan programme expected to be confirmed by G7 members later this week.The loans will be repaid using interest generated by the $300bn of frozen Russian assets held in the west, with the extra funds promised as the US heads towards a presidential election where support for Ukraine is a divisive issue. Continue reading...
Survey finds one in 10 have discussed emergency support with government amid funding gap of over 2bn next yearOne in four English councils could go bankrupt unless they are bailed out by the government in the next two years, a survey has revealed.Councils are warning of a worsening crisis" that could result in cuts to vital public services amid a funding gap of more than 2bn next year, according to the survey of chief executives conducted by the Local Government Association. Continue reading...
Nine members of Force 100 investigated over allegations of sexual assaulting prisoner at Sde Teiman detention campAn Israeli military unit that has been accused of human rights abuses against Palestinian detainees is reportedly under investigation by the US state department in a move that could lead to it being barred from receiving assistance.The inquiry into the activities of Force 100 was instigated following a spate of allegations that Palestinians held under its guard at a detention centre have been subject to torture and brutal mistreatment, including sexual assault, Axios reported on Monday. Continue reading...
Review ordered amid prisons overcrowding crisis will look at punishing thousands more offenders within communityJudges could be given powers to impose a punishment of house arrest on criminals under a comprehensive overhaul of sentences to be launched on Tuesday.The review, which will be chaired by the former Conservative justice minister David Gauke, will also reassess the jail time handed to offenders found guilty of crimes against women and girls, including those connected to domestic abuse. Continue reading...
Grand jury declined to indict eight officers who fired 94 bullets at 25-year-old Black man in 2022The family of Jayland Walker, a Black man killed when eight police officers fired 94 bullets at him after he shot at least one round out his car window, will receive a $4.8m settlement from the city of Akron, the mayor's office said on Monday.A grand jury declined to indict the officers last year, but Walker's family accused the officers in a federal lawsuit of using excessive force and participating in a culture of violence and racism" within Akron's police department. Continue reading...
Incident involving portrait of former DUP lord mayor was reported to PSNI, adding to pressure on Sinn FeinA Sinn Fein assembly employee in Northern Ireland has resigned after admitting involvement in an incident where a portrait of a former DUP mayor was taken off the wall at Belfast City Hall and damaged.The party, which has been rocked by a number of recent controversies north and south of the border in Ireland, said police had been informed and the staffer suspended. It later said they had resigned. Continue reading...
Rules targeting fruit drinks, chips and artificial pork rinds come as UN calls child obesity in country an emergencySchools in Mexico have six months to implement a government-sponsored ban on junk food or face heavy fines, officials said on Monday, as authorities confront what they call the worst childhood obesity problem in the world.The new rules target products that have become staples for two or three generations of Mexican school kids: sugary fruit drinks, chips, artificial pork rinds and soy-encased, salty peanuts with chili. Continue reading...
SFO inquiry follows two reports ordered by union's boss, Sharon Graham, into conference complex valued at 29mThe Serious Fraud Office is investigating the construction of a hotel and conference centre owned by one of the UK's biggest trade unions, the Guardian understands.Unite spent 112m of its members' money under its previous leadership on the project in Birmingham, which has since been valued at just 29m. Continue reading...
The Tory leadership hopeful believes that if he shouts the same things a bit louder, everyone will eventually come round to his way of thinkingYou can only conclude that some politicians are simply untreatable. Their egotism and self-delusion so deeply engrained that reality never gets a look in. I give you Robert Jenrick. Exhibit A. He is a worthy successor to Liz Truss as one of the dimmest solipsists you could hope to meet.After trailing in a distant second in last week's televised Q&A, you'd have thought Honest Bob might have taken a day or two to regroup. After all, if the most Tory-friendly audience imaginable at GB News doesn't much like you then most people would reasonably conclude they had a problem. If you can't connect with the few remaining diehard Tory members, then your chances of appealing to the rest of the country are vanishingly small.Taking the Lead by John Crace is published by Little, Brown (18.99). To support the Guardian and Observer, order your copy at guardianbookshop.com. Delivery charges may apply.A year in Westminster: John Crace, Marina Hyde and Pippa Crerar. On Tuesday 3 December, join Crace, Hyde and Crerar as they look back at a political year like no other, live at the Barbican in London and livestreamed globally. Book tickets here or at guardian.live. Continue reading...
by Josh Halliday North of England editor on (#6RMNN)
Karen Rees tells Thirlwall inquiry she had never been so relieved' as when police were eventually calledA nursing boss has described how she pleaded" with a hospital executive to contact police over allegations Lucy Letby was harming babies.Karen Rees, the head of nursing in urgent care at the Countess of Chester hospital, said she wanted a criminal investigation because other reviews were getting nowhere" and relationships were breaking down all over the place". Continue reading...
Suspect being questioned over death of 57-year-old who was found with head injuries after going for walk in JulyA 55-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of the murder of Anita Rose in Suffolk, police have said.The 57-year-old left her house in Brantham to take her dog for a walk at about 5am on Wednesday 24 July. She was found unconscious with serious head injuries near Rectory Lane at about 6.25am and died four days later. Continue reading...
by Shah Meer Baloch in Islamabad and Hannah Ellis-Pet on (#6RMJE)
Coalition will now be able to hire and fire judges but faces accusations it bribed and abducted lawmakers to get its wayPakistan's government has passed a controversial amendment to the constitution that has been accused of weakening the power and independence of the judiciary, throwing the country's democracy into further crisis.The 26th constitutional amendment was passed in a clandestine, late-night parliamentary session that was clouded in secrecy and marred by allegations of abductions and intimidation of parliamentarians to force them to vote in favour of the bill. Continue reading...
UK PM says monarch is doing a fantastic job' after protest by senator in Australian parliamentKing Charles is doing a fantastic job", particularly in the context of his health challenges", the prime minister has said after the royal was heckled by the Indigenous Australian senator Lidia Thorpe.Charles had just finished addressing MPs and senators at Parliament House in Canberra, as part of his five-day tour of Australia with Camilla, when he was approached by Thorpe, who yelled: This is not your country." Continue reading...
Final result sees yes' vote scrape ahead by 13,000 votes, narrowly avoiding shock setback for pro-western presidentMoldovans have voted by a razor-thin majority in favour of joining the EU after a pivotal referendum clouded by allegations of Russian interference.On Sunday, Moldova held key votes in a presidential election and a referendum on EU membership, marking a critical moment in the continuing struggle between Russia and the west for control over the small, landlocked nation in eastern Europe, home to 2.5 million people. Continue reading...
Eleanor Brown, 24, given three-year sentence for vindictive, selfish and vengeful offending' against womanA woman who posted sexual images of her father's former lover on an escort site has been jailed for three years by a judge who described it as vindictive, selfish and vengeful offending".Eleanor Brown, 24, had held a deep-seated grudge against the victim after her father had a short-lived affair with the woman in 2012, Leeds crown court heard. Continue reading...
Affected items produced by FGS Ingredients include Domino's BBQ Dip, seasonings and meat productsMore than 20 dips and seasonings, including Domino's Pizza's BBQ dip, have been recalled over fears that may they contain undeclared peanuts, the food watchdog has said.The Food Standards Authority (FSA) has called on consumers to return a range of dips, curry powders and seasonings produced by the company FGS Ingredients over concerns that they may contain the allergen when it was not listed on their labels. Continue reading...
LPs will be available in 80 high street shops across the UK to attract seasoned fans and new listeners alike'When CD sales took off in the late 80s, many believed it sounded the death knell for the old-fashioned vinyl album.Fast forward 40 years and records are the in thing again, so much so that high street retailer WH Smith is bringing them back after a three-decade hiatus. Continue reading...
Victoria Thomas Bowen, 25, also admits criminal damage in relation to dousing Reform UK leader while he campaigned in ClactonA woman has pleaded guilty to assault by beating after throwing a milkshake over the Reform UK leader, Nigel Farage, outside a pub in Clacton-on-Sea during the general election campaign.Victoria Thomas Bowen, 25, also admitted criminal damage after causing 17.50-worth of damage to a jacket belonging to Farage's security officer James Woolfenden. Continue reading...
Authorities yet to uncover source and motive of surge in fake bomb threats, as dozens of planes forced to rerouteA reported 90 hoax bomb threats have been made against Indian airlines in the past week, provoking international travel chaos as planes were grounded, diverted and flown to safety by fighter jet escorts.The unprecedented surge in fake bomb threats against multiple Indian and international airlines has caused severe disruption to India's aviation industry and created a growing sense of panic among air passengers. Continue reading...
Performing in Los Angeles, the singer encouraged US citizens to get out and vote' - and played rarely heard political songs such as Dog Eat DogJoni Mitchell has made her voice heard in the upcoming US election, responding: Fuck Donald Trump!" to an audience member who yelled an insult about the Republican presidential candidate.I love that song," Mitchell continued - presumably a reference to the 2016 YG song FDT. Continue reading...
Currently, many states require people to divest themselves of assets to poverty levels to qualify for aidA new proposal for at home Medicare" by the Democratic presidential candidate, Kamala Harris, could help ease the burden of the cost of elder care for many families, experts say.However, Republicans have already criticized the proposal as too expensive, a reminder of the political difficulties of enacting healthcare expansions in the US. Continue reading...
by Peter Walker Senior political correspondent on (#6RM7H)
Former Tory minister says Vine being derided over leaked email was one of most painful moments of his political careerMichael Gove has said that the most hurtful part of his political career was the attacks on his former wife, Sarah Vine.In extracts of a new BBC podcast about politics hosted by Gove, the former Tory minister and MP said this was particularly the case when an email in 2016 from Vine offering advice to her then-husband was accidentally sent to other recipients and leaked to the media. Continue reading...
Industry bodies say over-ordering is eroding profitability as big sellers clamp down on practiceShoppers with a habit of returning goods bought online to retailers will send back 1,400 of products each this year, totalling 6.6bn, a UK report has found.Serial returners account for 11% of shoppers, but are on course to account for almost a quarter of the 27bn forecast returns this year, according to the report by the return logistics company ZigZag and the research company Retail Economics. Continue reading...
The Indigenous senator's outburst is her highest-profile protest yet, bringing her face to face with her long-term adversary: the British monarchyThe Australian federal senator who interrupted a parliamentary reception for King Charles III and Queen Camilla on Monday has a history of activism and protest for progressive causes and Indigenous rights, courting controversy with a series of prominent public demonstrations through her political career.Lidia Thorpe, a senator for the state of Victoria, yelled give us our land back", fuck the colony" and you are not my king" during an event in Parliament House on the royals' Australian tour. Continue reading...
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