Figure of £281,272 comes as property values drop by 1.5% in December, after 2.4% decline in NovemberThe average UK house price fell for the fourth month in a row in December, according to Halifax.Property values decreased by 1.5% in December, after a 2.4% drop in November, a 0.4% decrease in October and a 0.1% dip in September. Continue reading...
One of Tokyo’s most famous buildings was dismantled in April due to asbestos fears. Now 23 of the capsules have been saved for posterityTatsuyuki Maeda had more reason than most to feel a pang of regret as he joined admirers and passing office workers to watch Nakagin Capsule Tower being dismantled.The building was not just one of Tokyo’s most famous structures; for more than a decade it had been Maeda’s occasional home – a pied-à-terre in the heart of the city he had coveted since he first set eyes on it from his nearby workplace. Continue reading...
by Analy Nuño in Guadalajara and agencies on (#67H7F)
Ovidio Guzmán’s arrest on Thursday prompted heavy fighting from cartel gunmen in the city of CuliacánMexican authorities have captured Ovidio Guzmán, a son of incarcerated drugs kingpin Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, prompting a wave of retaliatory attacks from cartel gunmen in the northern city of Culiacán.After a night of violence, gunmen exchanged fire with security forces, blocking roads with burning vehicles and shooting at army helicopters and police aeroplanes bringing reinforcements to the city. Continue reading...
Officials believe Yevgeny Prigozhin – owner of the private military Wagner Group – is vying for natural resources to help fund Russia’s warA close ally of the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, is interested in taking control of salt and gypsum from mines near the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut, according to a White House official.Yevgeny Prigozhin is the founder of Russia’s most powerful mercenary force, the Wagner Group. Wagner has played a key role in the Russian offensive against Bakhmut. Continue reading...
Lockdowns were good news for book trade as people read more and sought out bookshops when they reopenedThe number of independent bookshops in the UK and Ireland climbed to a 10-year high in 2022, as the book trade defied the odds in an otherwise brutal year for high street retailers.The lifestyle changes brought about by the coronavirus pandemic lockdowns were a boon for the book trade, as Britons with more time on their hands read more and sought out bookshops when they reopened. Continue reading...
Offences committed in England and Wales have included murder, kidnap, and child rape, study of data showsNearly 900,000 offences including murder, kidnap, and child rape, have been committed by people on bail in England and Wales since the Conservatives came to power, a new analysis has found.The latest government figures show more than 20,000 offences were committed by those released from custody as they awaited a hearing, equating to 55 offences a day. Continue reading...
Annalena Baerbock makes appeal as she holds talks in London with UK foreign secretary James CleverlyDisputes over implementation of the Northern Ireland protocol have become “the achilles heel” of the EU’s relations with the UK, the German foreign minister said on Thursday as she held talks with her UK counterpart in London.Annalena Baerbock’s appeal to find a solution to the deadlock over the protocol came during wide-ranging and much delayed talks with James Cleverly in London, which also covered the war in Ukraine and the state of Anglo-German relations. Continue reading...
Nicholas Rossi, 35, says he is being taunted with John Denver song over his possible extradition to the USAn alleged fugitive fighting extradition to the US is seeking to be freed on bail from a Scottish jail because fellow prisoners are taunting him by singing John Denver’s hit Leaving on a Jet Plane.Nicholas Rossi, 35, faces extradition to the US over charges of serious sexual assault in Utah, after he was arrested in an intensive care ward in Glasgow following his admission with Covid. Continue reading...
This blog has now closed, you can read more on this story hereStarmer says voters looked at Labour again in 2022. And he felt, “for the first time in a while that we could return their gaze with confidence”.But Labour must not rest on its laurels. It needs to push forward, and show it can be a “bold, reforming government”, he says. Continue reading...
by Haroon Siddique Legal affairs correspondent on (#67GZG)
Parole Board says Russell Causley, who killed Carole Packman in 1985 and has never revealed location of her body, poses low riskA man convicted of killing his wife, who faced the first public parole hearing in England and Wales, should be released from prison, a panel has decided.Russell Causley was freed from prison in 2020 after serving more than 23 years for the murder in 1985 of Carole Packman but was returned to jail in November 2021 after breaching his licence conditions.In the UK, call the national domestic abuse helpline on 0808 2000 247, or visit Women’s Aid. In Australia, the national family violence counselling service is on 1800 737 732. In the US, the domestic violence hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Other international helplines may be found via www.befrienders.org Continue reading...
Maggie Oliver Foundation says it would be ‘unethical’ to accept money raised on crowdfunder page in aid of Eleanor WilliamsA charity that helps victims of sexual exploitation has refused £10,000 originally raised to help Eleanor Williams, convicted this week of lying about being trafficked by an Asian grooming gang and making false rape claims.Maggie Oliver said it would be “unethical” for her charity to accept any of the money. Oliver is a former Greater Manchester police (GMP) detective who rose to prominence as a whistleblower on sexual exploitation in Rochdale. Continue reading...
Labour leader pledges major push to devolve power from Westminster in ‘decade of national renewal’Labour will launch a “take back control” bill aimed at devolving sweeping powers to local communities in its first term if it wins the next election, Keir Starmer has promised.In a speech setting out his vision for a future Labour government, the party leader pledged a major push to devolve power away from Westminster as part of what he said would be an “end to sticking-plaster politics”. Continue reading...
Mourners celebrate life of one-time resident Ray Nash, after MoD permits burial in village of ImberOver the decades, Ray Nash would return to the “ghost village” of Imber to visit his father’s grave on days when military exercises were halted and public access was granted.On Thursday, Nash’s final wish was fulfilled when he was laid to rest in the same graveyard, after the Ministry of Defence gave permission for his funeral and burial to take place in the deserted Salisbury Plain settlement in Wiltshire. Continue reading...
by Jasper Jolly, Emine Sinmaz and agencies on (#67GVF)
Tarek Namouz, 43, sentenced to 12 years in prison after being found guilty of funding terrorismA barber has been sentenced to 12 years in prison after sending thousands of pounds from taxpayer-funded coronavirus grants to the terrorist group Islamic State in Syria.Tarek Namouz, 43, told an associate he had transferred up to £25,000 to an Islamic State fighter after discussing purchasing bombs, Kalashnikov rifles and other firearms as part of a plot to attack the Syrian government, the court heard. Continue reading...
Northern Ireland police say weapon appears to come from home of victim, who may have known her killerPolice in Northern Ireland believe they have recovered the weapon used in the killing of Natalie McNally, who was stabbed multiple times in her home in Lurgan, County Armagh, on 18 December.DCI Neil McGuinness said the weapon appeared to come from the victim’s home rather than having been brought to the property by the killer. Continue reading...
by Josh Halliday North of England correspondent on (#67GT8)
Liverpool coroner describes shot 26-year-old as beautiful young woman, before inquest adjourned until 5 MayA beautician who was shot dead outside a pub on Christmas Eve was a “beautiful young woman” who had a “bright future ahead”, a coroner said as she opened an inquest into the death of the 26-year-old.Elle Edwards was celebrating with friends when she was shot in the head outside the Lighthouse pub, in Wallasey Village, Wirral, just before midnight on 24 December 2022. Continue reading...
The Avengers actor, who suffered a snowplow accident, shared his first video on social media showing himself in recoveryActor Jeremy Renner has shared his first video on social media since he suffered a snowplow accident that left him in critical condition.The Avengers star and two-time Oscar nominee is seen in the short clip receiving a shampoo massage from his sister while his mother looks on. The accompanying caption reads: “A “not no great” ICU DAY, turned to amazing spa day with my sis and mama. Thank you sooooo much.” Continue reading...
Netflix series, memoir and ITV interview reveal Harry has ammunition on William and is prepared to use itIf the Duke of Sussex’s hopes are for an early reconciliation with his family, his wishes seem unlikely to be fulfilled anytime soon, judging from extracts published from his tell-all memoir, Spare, due out on Tuesday.The dramatic scenario Harry describes, with his brother William, now Prince of Wales, allegedly physically attacking him and knocking him to the floor in a furious row over the Duchess of Sussex, is startling. It shows, despite the six-hour Netflix documentary series, Harry still has the ammunition; that he is happy to take aim at his family and the institution; and that he is capable of inflicting deep wounds that may take some time, if ever, to heal. Continue reading...
Vandals’ clothing leads to claims they are Jewish extremists who have desecrated over 30 Christian gravesSecurity camera footage of men dressed in Jewish religious clothing and smashing a stone cross in a historic Jerusalem cemetery has led to claims that Israeli extremists are responsible for the desecration of more than 30 Christian graves.The vandalism at the Protestant cemetery on Mount Zion, conducted in broad daylight on Sunday afternoon, has shocked church leaders and led to calls for Israel to crack down on racist far-right settlers. Continue reading...
Culture secretary Michelle Donelan reverses proposals set out under predecessor Nadine Dorries in Boris Johnson’s governmentPlans to privatise Channel 4 have been formally abandoned, ending years of threats to the broadcaster that cost the government millions of pounds and were opposed by the vast majority of the media industry.The culture secretary, Michelle Donelan, said Channel 4 was a “British success story and a linchpin of our booming creative industries” and therefore should not be sold. Instead, she is suggesting a relative modest series of tweaks to Channel 4’s remit, with the business continuing to be owned by the state. Continue reading...
Elliot Benham and Sophie Harvey, both 23, accused of charges including procuring poison to cause miscarriageA man and a woman in their 20s are to face trial over allegations that they were involved in an illegal abortion.Elliot Benham and Sophie Harvey, both 23, are jointly accused of procuring a poison to cause a miscarriage, concealing the birth of a child and intending to pervert the course of justice by disposing of a baby’s body. Continue reading...
David Crouch says incarcerated son-in-law Babis Anagnostopoulos wrote him letter about Athens killingThe father of Caroline Crouch, the British woman who was murdered by her helicopter pilot husband as she lay asleep in their Athens home, claims his daughter died because her self-confessed killer got involved in drug smuggling.Speaking publicly for the first time, David Crouch, 79, said his incarcerated Greek son-in law had gone so far as to give a detailed account of the events that led to her death in a typewritten letter. Continue reading...
Government introduced free travel on train journeys in SeptemberFree train travel introduced by the Spanish government in September to offset the rise in the cost of living has been extended to intercity bus services with free travel on the 389-mile (626km) Madrid to Barcelona route as of 1 February.A 50% discount has been in effect on this and 41 other bus routes since September and it is expected that the 100% discount will be applied to all long- and middle-distance journeys. Continue reading...
by Kalyeena Makortoff Banking correspondent on (#67GEP)
Ruling says enough scrutiny exists to detect fraud while naming recipients in £47bn scheme puts them at riskThe British government has been given the go-ahead to keep concealing the names of companies that received in total more than £47bn in state-backed Covid loans, after a tribunal ruled in its favour.The tribunal case had been brought by campaign group Spotlight on Corruption, amid concerns fraudsters and organised criminals had exploited government-guaranteed loans intended for struggling firms during the pandemic. Continue reading...
by Pippa Crerar, Tom Ambrose and Jessica Elgot on (#67G2R)
‘Minimum service level’ legislation covering sectors including health expected to be announced this weekKeir Starmer has said an incoming Labour government would repeal Rishi Sunak’s anti-strike legislation, setting out clear dividing lines with the Conservatives on workers’ rights before the next general election.In a major speech to kick off the new year, the party leader suggested that the prime minister’s plans, expected to be brought forward later on Thursday, would fail to end ongoing strikes. Continue reading...
National leaders and royals among those gathered to see Pope Francis bury his predecessorAn estimated 100,000 Catholics descended on St Peter’s Square for the funeral of the former pope Benedict XVI.Benedict died on Saturday, aged 95, almost a decade after becoming the first pope in 600 years to resign. He now also becomes the first former pontiff in the modern history of the Catholic church to be buried by an incumbent pope, Francis, who arrived outside St Peter’s Basilica in a wheelchair on Thursday. Continue reading...
Jamaica police say fatal shooting of Sean Patterson, 33, was ‘contract killing that emanated from Britain’A British man who was shot dead in Jamaica earlier this week was the victim of a contract killing ordered in Britain, according to local police.Sean Patterson, 33, a personal trainer from west London, was found with gunshot wounds to his upper body and head at about midday on Monday in Bogue Hill, St James, police said. Continue reading...
‘I don’t know how staying silent is ever going to make things better,’ Duke of Sussex tells interviewerThe Duke of Sussex has explained his decision to publish details of his relationships with family members in his forthcoming memoir, telling an interviewer: “I don’t know how staying silent is ever going to make things better.”In a trailer for an interview with ITV’s Tom Bradby, due to air on Sunday, Prince Harry also does not confirm if he will attend his father’s coronation, saying: “There’s a lot that can happen between now and then.” Continue reading...
Would-be thieves of Banksy graffito painted in ruins of war anticipated challenges facing those hoping to preserve it for nation’s futureA wide-ranging public discussion is taking place in Ukraine over what to do with seven street murals painted in November by the British artist Banksy on a series of destroyed buildings in and around Kyiv.The conversation has grown urgent after thieves last month made off with one artwork from the town of Hostomel, about 15 miles (25km) outside the capital. It shows a woman in a gas mask and dressing gown holding a red fire extinguisher. She is standing next to a real flame-blackened window. Continue reading...
Retailer reports much better than expected data in December but remains ‘cautious’ about 2023Next has upped profit forecasts for the year by £20m after better sales than expected in the run-up to Christmas, but said it remained “cautious” about the year ahead.The fashion and home retailer said sales had risen by 4.8% in the nine weeks to 30 December, well above predictions of a 2% fall, delivering £66m more sales than expected. Continue reading...
Governing body of women’s tennis says it wants to meet Peng in person before it resumes tournaments in ChinaThe return of WTA tournaments to China in 2023 will hinge on a resolution to the Peng Shuai issue, with the governing body of the women’s game telling Reuters on Wednesday it had still not personally met with the Chinese former doubles world number one personally since she briefly disappeared last year.Peng accused Chinese former vice-premier Zhang Gaoli of sexual assault in 2021 in a post on social media which was soon removed from the country’s internet. She later said the post was “an enormous misunderstanding” and that she was retiring from tennis. Continue reading...
CEOs pass milestone nine working hours earlier than last year, with pay up 39% on January 2022The bosses of Britain’s biggest companies will have made more money in 2023 by Thursday afternoon than the average UK worker will earn in the entire year, according to analysis of vast pay gaps amid strike action and the cost of living crisis.The High Pay Centre, a thinktank that campaigns for fairer pay for workers, said that by 2pm on the third working day of the year, a FTSE 100 chief executive will have been paid more on an hourly basis than a UK worker’s annual salary, based on median average remuneration figures for both groups. Continue reading...
by Nadia Khomami Arts and culture correspondent on (#67GA3)
Removing sculptures from Greece was like ‘removing Eiffel Tower from Paris’, says actorThe removal of the Parthenon sculptures from Athens was akin to removing the Eiffel Tower from Paris or Stonehenge from Salisbury, Stephen Fry has said, as he called for the return of the classic Greek sculptures to their country of origin.The actor and writer, who has been advocating for the return of the sculptures held at the British Museum in London, said there was a “win-win” solution to the centuries-old debate over ownership of the Parthenon marbles. He called for a cultural partnership under which other incredible Greek artefacts would be exhibited in the UK for the first time. Continue reading...
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