Eleanor Williams, 22, claimed she had been trafficked by Asian gang and made false rape allegationsA 22-year-old woman from Barrow-in-Furness has been found guilty of perverting the course of justice by telling “malevolent” lies about being trafficked by an Asian grooming gang and making false rape allegations against a series of white men.Eleanor Williams, known as Ellie, sparked a worldwide solidarity movement when she posted graphic photos of herself on Facebook, alleging she had been beaten and raped by men who took her to sex “parties” around the north-west of England. Continue reading...
Disciplinary hearing concludes behaviour of officer amounted to gross misconduct and a ‘discredit to the service’An experienced police sergeant made inappropriate advances to three young female trainees he was supervising, a disciplinary hearing has been told.Though the chair of the hearing concluded that the Dorset officer’s actions amounted to gross misconduct, he banned publication of his name to protect his family’s welfare. Continue reading...
Finance workers’ union says number of bank heists has been affected by fall in use of cash in recent yearsDenmark has recorded its first year without bank robberies, as the use of cash has dwindled in recent years, the country’s finance workers union said.The increasingly cashless society has led banks to reduce their cash services, the union said on Monday, leaving little potential loot for robbers. Continue reading...
by Kalyeena Makortoff Banking correspondent on (#67E83)
Bank says changing minimum qualification policy opens scheme to 64,000 more candidates each yearSantander UK will no longer require graduates applying to work there to achieve a 2:1 degree or higher, as part of efforts to boost the socioeconomic diversity of its recruits.The bank said the change would lead to an extra 64,000 more applicants being eligible for its annual graduate scheme and reflected the fact that university performance did not guarantee success in the workplace. Continue reading...
Behind the scenes any tit for tat from the palace will be ‘in spoon-fed stories for the press’ claims Duke of Sussex stirring up interest in his book SpareAs the teasers for the teasers, the trailers released of the TV interviews in which the Duke of Sussex promotes his memoir, Spare, were very short.In one, facing Tom Bradby, a coup for this ITV news anchor and erstwhile royal correspondent whom he has known for some 20 years, Prince Harry says: “I would like to get my father back, I would like to have my brother back.” Continue reading...
Xahra Saleem, 22, is accused of using money raised in connection to Colston statue toppling for herselfA woman allegedly involved in fundraising connected to the Bristol protest during which a statue of the slave trader Edward Colston was toppled and dumped into the city’s harbour has denied fraud.Xahra Saleem, 22, of Romford, east London, appeared at Bristol magistrates court on Tuesday accused of two counts of fraud by abuse of position. Continue reading...
Ruling is part of a package of measures designed to reduce waste and increase recyclingTobacco companies are to be forced to foot the bill for cleaning up the millions of cigarette ends that smokers discard every year under new environmental regulations in Spain.The ruling, which comes into force this Friday, is part of a package of measures designed to reduce waste and increase recycling. It includes a ban on single-use plastic cutlery and plates, cotton buds, expanded polystyrene cups and plastic straws, as well as cutting back on plastic food packaging. Continue reading...
Met Office issues yellow alerts for heavy rain on Tuesday and Wednesday with localised flooding predictedForecasters have warned that heavy rain could lead to flooding and travel disruption this week.The Met Office has issued a yellow warning of rain for southern Scotland and parts of central Scotland, the Highlands, and Argyll and Bute, valid from 2pm on Tuesday until 6am on Wednesday. It states that occasionally heavy rain, and a thaw of snow lying on the hills, is expected to lead to localised flooding and transport disruption. Continue reading...
by Lisa O'Carroll Brexit correspondent on (#67DSX)
Irish PM says he understands unionists’ concerns and he will be ‘flexible and reasonable’ on matterThe Irish prime minister, Leo Varadkar, has said mistakes were made on all sides in the handling of Brexit, vowing to be “flexible and reasonable” when attempting to solve issues with the Northern Ireland protocol.“One thing I have said in the past is that, when we designed the protocol, when it was originally negotiated, perhaps it was a little bit too strict,” the taoiseach said, speaking in Dublin. Continue reading...
The first edition of Poems, Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect is now on display in Fife, with 50 pages missing due to being torn out and used to clean razors
Bankrupt chain says it is looking for buyer for entire business, rather than offloading individual sitesThe bankrupt chain Cineworld has denied it attempted to break up the business and sell some of its cinemas to the owner of its rival Odeon, insisting it was holding out hope for a buyer interested in acquiring the entire business.The denial comes after reports claimed the world’s second-largest cinema chain, which filed for bankruptcy protection in the US in September, had been in talks to offload some of its cinemas in the US and Europe to AMC Entertainment. Continue reading...
Spain’s poor western region is welcoming back heirs of those who once left it – especially from troubled ArgentinaGalicia has long been one of Spain’s poorest regions and since the mid-19th century Galicians have emigrated in their tens of thousands to seek a brighter future in the Americas. But now they’re coming back.The Galician regional government says that returnees – the majority are Argentinians – are settling in the area at a rate of three a day. After more than 150 years of steady depopulation, in 2019 more people arrived than left, while, for the first time in its history, the reverse was true for Argentina. Continue reading...
Fitzroy River expected to peak 1.5 metres higher than previous record as ex-tropical Cyclone Ellie brings heavy rain and damaging winds across the region
Mid-air collision near Sea World on the Gold Coast also left three people critically injuredTwo British people were among four killed after two helicopters collided in mid-air near a marine theme park on Australia’s Gold Coast, it has been confirmed.A UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) spokesperson said: “We are supporting the family of two British nationals who died in Australia and are in contact with the local authorities.” Continue reading...
by Stephanie Convery and Mostafa Rachwani on (#67DGB)
Opposition calls on government to explain decision to implement restrictions on travellers arriving from China. This blog is now closedChina travel situation the ‘first test of the Albanese government’, Liberal MP saysThe shadow assistant minister for mental health, Melissa McIntosh, is among those from the Coalition criticising Labor’s decision not to follow health advice on imposing conditions on travel from China.The Coalition always supports the best interests of Australians and the safety of Australians ... Now I think this is really the first test of the Albanese government when it comes to pandemic management.And it’s quite perplexing that on New Year’s Eve, the chief medical officer, Paul Kelly, sent a letter to the health minister, Mark Butler, stating he did not feel these restrictions on Chinese travellers were really required. And then a day later, the health minister has gone against the health advice, of the chief medical officer of this country, and imposed those restrictions. I think Australians very much deserve answers when it comes to the government’s decision, why did the government go against the chief medical officer’s advice and what’s the plan now they’ve implemented these restrictions?One of the reasons why Australia got through the pandemic as one of the best countries in the world to do so was because we followed Australia’s medical advice. Australia’s medical advice. Not following other countries.I think it’s really important we’re consistent in what we do as a nation ... when it comes to following the advice. And as I said, this is really a first test of the Albanese government. It’s leading people to be confused. Why would you have the chief medical officer say one thing, and the government ignore that, and do another? Continue reading...
Jamie Driscoll has formed an unlikely bond with the levelling up secretary, Michael GoveOne is the Jeremy Corbyn-supporting former nightclub bouncer who retired as a jiu-jitsu sensei to enter politics at the age of 48. The other is Michael Gove.Together they have formed an unlikely bond, aimed at transforming the north-east of England through a “historic” devolution deal which they hope will in turn secure their own political legacies. Continue reading...
by Harriet Sherwood Arts and culture correspondent on (#67DSR)
Lenny Henry and Tristram Hunt are among representatives of the arts to call for national celebrationsThis year’s 75th anniversary of the Windrush, the ship that brought hundreds of immigrants from the Caribbean to the UK, should be a “diamond jubilee for modern, diverse Britain”, say campaigners.Actor Sir Lenny Henry, Tristram Hunt, the head of the V&A, and Kwame Kwei-Armah, the artistic director of the Young Vic, are among representatives of the arts, sport, business and faith to call for the anniversary to be marked with national celebrations. Continue reading...
Pandemic, social inequality, austerity and online harm fuelling soaring NHS referrals, say expertsThe number of children in England needing treatment for serious mental health problems has risen by 39% in a year, official data shows.Experts say the pandemic, social inequality, austerity and online harm are all fuelling a crisis in which NHS mental health treatment referrals for under-18s have increased to more than 1.1m in 2021-22. Continue reading...
Family and friends stand over open coffin in Santos, as Fifa president asks countries to name stadiums after football legendThousands of mourners braved punishing heat to pay their final tribute to footballing legend Pelé on Monday as the president of Fifa said he would ask every member country to name a stadium after the recently deceased Brazilian player.Fans lined up outside the 106-year-old Vila Belmiro ground in Santos – the city in south-eastern Brazil where Pelé first made his name as a star goal scorer in the 1950s – overnight and at about 10am mourners began filing past the coffin that had been placed under a shaded tent in the middle of the field. Continue reading...
by Jessica Elgot Deputy political editor on (#67D9N)
Proposed law requiring 20% of rail service during strikes could extend across public sector including NHSUnions are expected to take legal action against anti-strike laws being prepared by Rishi Sunak amid reports the curbs will be unveiled when parliament returns this month.The legislation being looked at by Sunak would extend plans already announced by ministers to enforce minimum service levels on public transport – meaning 20% of regular rail services would need to continue during strike action. Continue reading...
Medical body calls for ‘immediate action’ as Royal College of Emergency Medicine reiterates claims on deaths caused by care delaysThe pressure on the NHS is “intolerable and unsustainable”, medics have said, amid warnings that the deaths of up to 500 people each week could be caused by delays in emergency care.It comes after more than a dozen NHS trusts and ambulance services declared critical incidents over the festive period, with officials citing rising flu cases and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic among the reasons for the pressure on the health service. Continue reading...
Police confirm a number of guests were evacuated from the New County hotel after 5am on MondayThree people have died in an early morning hotel blaze in Perth and Kinross, police have confirmed.Emergency services were called to the New County hotel on County Place near the centre of Perth shortly after 5am on Monday. Continue reading...
ACT senator suggests ageing population with proportion of taxpayers declining means situation has ‘changed significantly’ since cuts legislated in 2019
December set to be worst month on record for A&E waiting times as up to 500 people estimated to die each week due to delaysThe deaths of an estimated 300 to 500 people each week caused by delays in emergency care is “not a short-term thing”, a senior UK health official has said.Ian Higginson, a vice-president of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, warned about attempts to “discredit” figures estimating that as many as 500 people are dying each week because of the delays. Continue reading...
Charity Become says ‘shocking’ numbers highlight need for stability and more funding for foster carersMore than 1,200 children in care were uprooted and had to move placements over Christmas last year, figures from councils in England show.The “shocking and upsetting” numbers, collated by the national care charity Become, showed that an average of 79 looked-after children had to change foster carer or children’s home each day over the 2021-22 festive period. Continue reading...
Figures uncovered by Lib Dems show that only 1.7% of 74,421 cases over 12 months resulted in a chargeAlmost 90% of all bicycle theft cases reported to police over the past year were closed without a suspect even being identified, and just 1.7% resulted in someone being charged, analysis of crime statistics shows.The Liberal Democrats, who uncovered the data from statistics for England and Wales from July 2021 to June this year, said it was indicative of under-funded police forces being unable to properly investigate such crimes. Continue reading...
President of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine believes waiting times for December will be the worst he has ever seenAs many as 500 people could be dying each week because of delays to emergency care, a senior healthcare official has said.The president of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, Dr Adrian Boyle, believes waiting times for December will be the worst he has ever seen, with more than a dozen NHS trusts and ambulance services declaring critical incidents over the festive period. Continue reading...
by Robert Booth Social affairs correspondent on (#67CNB)
Met police officers drew their batons to stop ‘small but determined group’ from gatecrashing ticketed areasScuffles broke out shortly before midnight on New Year’s Eve in London as ticketless revellers tried to access restricted areas. But overall there were only eight arrests as huge crowds returned to the capital for the first time in three years after pandemic curbs.Metropolitan police officers drew their batons when a “small but determined group”, who had pushed down fence panels in an attempt to get in, became aggressive towards stewards and officers, Scotland Yard said. Continue reading...
Network Rail says no trains will run between Carlisle and Glasgow until 6 January due to a landslipFlooding has damaged part of the west coast mainline, meaning no trains will run between Carlisle and Glasgow until 6 January, Network Rail has said.The company said an embankment beneath the railway was significantly damaged during extreme weather on 30 December and requires “extensive work to stabilise and repair the foundations of the tracks to allow the railway to safely reopen”. Continue reading...
Leftwinger promises environmental protections and social progress as he’s sworn in as presidentLuiz Inácio Lula da Silva has vowed to haul Brazil out of Jair Bolsonaro’s era of “devastation”, barbarism and hate after being sworn in as the new president of Latin America’s largest democracy.Addressing the National Congress in Brasília on Sunday afternoon, the veteran leftwinger, a former factory worker who was president from 2003 to 2010, celebrated the defeat of the far-right radical’s “authoritarian project” in October’s election, and promised to lead Brazil into a new chapter of environmental protection, social progress and “rational democratic” government. Continue reading...
Green, who had been the band’s drummer, had been diagnosed with cancer ‘a short while ago’Jeremiah Green, a founding member and drummer of US rock band Modest Mouse, died on Saturday after recently being diagnosed with cancer.“I don’t know a way to ease into this: Today we lost our dear friend Jeremiah,” Modest Mouse wrote on its Instagram account. “He laid down to rest and simply faded out”. Continue reading...
Johnny Brady, 19, ran away from a mental health hospital on New Year’s Eve and three rubbish bag fires have been reported sinceA 19-year-old convicted arsonist may have started three separate fires since he ran away from a mental health hospital on New Year’s Eve, Northamptonshire police said.Johnny Brady fled the grounds of St Andrew’s healthcare facility in Billing Road, Northampton, at about 3.30pm on Saturday. He was serving a hospital order following convictions relating to serious assault and arson offences, the force said. Continue reading...
Oscar-winning actor accompanied Texas lead singer on piano during impromptu Hogmanay performanceDame Judi Dench treated guests to an impromptu Hogmanay performance of Abba’s Waterloo at a hotel in Scotland just moments before the clock struck midnight.The Oscar-winning actor accompanied Texas lead singer Sharleen Spiteri on the piano during the surprise musical rendition at the Fife Arms in Braemar, Aberdeenshire. Continue reading...
by Denis Campbell Health policy editor on (#67CJC)
Ministers have asked NHS pay review body to cap increase for 2023-24, below predictions for inflationNHS strikes could continue for many months amid anger at UK government plans to raise staff salaries by only 2% next year, which health unions have condemned as more “real-terms pay cut misery”.Ministers have asked the NHS pay review body to cap the increase in frontline health workers’ pay to 2% in 2023-24 to help the government achieve its ambition to curb soaring inflation. Continue reading...
There has been little movement in the frontlines for weeks, and there are signs Russia lacks offensive combat powerRussia’s war on Ukraine enters its second calendar year at a delicate point. It is six weeks after the liberation of Kherson and there has been little movement in the frontlines either way since. There is not yet any sign of a full, renewed counteroffensive by the Ukrainians, not helped by the weather which has been above freezing, leaving muddy ground not conducive to military manoeuvre.“The situation is just stuck,” Ukraine’s head of military intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, told the BBC last week, which, if an accurate assessment, is not helpful to Kyiv, badly needing to retain momentum in the run-up to spring. But the political leadership of both countries clearly signalled a desire to try to break the deadlock with new goals for the new year. Continue reading...
Players briefly held after raid on mixed-gender party, as elsewhere dissident Keyvan Samimi is released from prisonIranian police briefly detained several top-tier football players in a raid on a New Year’s Eve party east of Tehran, where men and women allegedly mingled and alcohol was served in violation of an Islamic ban, according to Iranian media reports.News of the brief arrests of the players, who were not identified, came as the release was announced of the Iranian dissident journalist Keyvan Samimi, who was jailed in December 2020 for “plotting against national security”. Continue reading...
Amid talk of Russia reinvading from the north, volunteer units of the remote Sumy region represent the first line of defenceOn New Year’s Eve in a patch of forest along the north-east border with Russia, a unit of Ukrainian territorial defence forces stood guard in their trenches.Ukraine’s most senior defence officials have said they believe Russia will attempt a second invasion from the north in the next couple of months, using troops who have been training for the past three months since being mobilised in October. But the Ukrainian forces defending the border say the Russians will not be able to break through as they did in February, when the Sumy region had no defensive lines. Continue reading...
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