Dr Michael Hall writes to inquiry saying he does not believe nurse received fair trialA medical expert has criticised the opening remarks of the judge chairing the public inquiry into the deaths and collapses of babies at the Countess of Chester Hospital for which the nurse Lucy Letby was convicted of murder and attempted murder.Dr Michael Hall, a retired consultant neonatologist and visiting professor in neonatal medicine who advised Letby's legal defence team, has written to the inquiry maintaining his opinion that she did not receive a fair trial and that important elements" of the medical evidence presented by the prosecution were flawed or misleading". Continue reading...
Emily Thornberry becomes head of foreign select committee, while Karen Bradley is sole Conservative given leading roleEmily Thornberry will chair the foreign affairs select committee, but none of Labour's 2024 intake succeeded in their attempts to lead parliament's various select committees, it has emerged, after the Speaker of the House, Lindsay Hoyle, declared the results of the elections for select committee chairs.Thornberry, the member of parliament for Islington South and Finsbury, was surprisingly left out of Keir Starmer's cabinet despite years serving in his shadow cabinet. The 64-year-old will head the highly influential foreign affairs select committee instead, while Labour MPs will also fill almost every other committee chair position. Continue reading...
But US president has still not called for an independent inquiry into the death of protester Ayenur Ezgi EygiJoe Biden has described the Israel Defense Force's fatal shooting of the Turkish American protester Ayenur Ezgi Eygi as totally unacceptable" in his first extensive comments on her death.In a statement on Wednesday, Biden said that Israel had acknowledged responsibility" for Eygi's death, but he stopped short of backing the demands put out by Eygi's family and other human rights advocates for an independent inquiry into the fatal shooting of the American activist at a protest in the West Bank town of Beita last week. Continue reading...
Reports suggest star, who was arrested in June and charged with driving while intoxicated, has brokered plea dealJustin Timberlake is expected to appear personally in court in the Hamptons on Friday in his drunk-driving case, amid reports that the pop star will admit to a traffic violation.Timberlake's expected appearance in local court in Sag Harbor - the seaside playground area for the rich and famous out on New York's scenic South Fork peninsula on Long Island - stems from his 18 June arrest after he allegedly drove through a stop sign and swerved out of his lane. The singer was charged with the misdemeanor offense of driving while intoxicated (DWI). Continue reading...
by Luke Harding in Kyiv and Dan Sabbagh on (#6QNBW)
Decision understood to have already been made in private as secretary of state says in Kyiv that US will continue to adapt policyThe US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, gave his strongest hint yet that the White House is about to lift its restrictions on Ukraine using long-range weapons supplied by the west on key military targets inside Russia, with a decision understood to have already been made in private.Speaking in Kyiv alongside the UK foreign secretary, David Lammy, Blinken said the US had from day one" been willing to adapt its policy as the situation on the battlefield in Ukraine changed. We will continue to do this," he emphasised. Continue reading...
by Kiran Stacey Political correspondent on (#6QND5)
Renters' rights bill goes further than expected to ensure tenants pay no more than advertised priceLandlords in England and Wales will be banned from renting out their properties for more than the advertised price under reforms set out by the government on Wednesday, as ministers seek to stop expensive bidding wars.The renters' rights bill, a key plank of the government's housing reforms, will ban property owners from accepting more rent than they have asked for, in the UK's first ban on competitive bidding in the housing market. Continue reading...
Further downgrade prompted concerns about debts as firm struggles to attract workers back after the pandemicThe owner of Canary Wharf has had its credit rating cut deeper into junk" territory over concerns about its debts as it struggles to attract workers back to the east London office hub after the pandemic.The credit rating agency Fitch has further downgraded Canary Wharf Group, the landlord of the development, in a reflection of risks over an upcoming bond refinancing. Continue reading...
by Tom Ambrose (now); Lili Bayer and Martin Belam (ea on (#6QMYF)
US secretary of state and British foreign secretary in Ukraine as Kyiv pushes to use long-range weapons deep inside RussiaRussia's deputy foreign minister, Sergei Ryabkov, has said Moscow will destroy any new deliveries of long-range ATACMS missiles to Ukraine by the United States, Reuters reported citing the state TASS news agency.The State Department spokesperson, Matthew Miller, said the U.S. and UK stand united with Ukraine as they defend their sovereignty and freedom." Continue reading...
Former Making the Band singer also alleges she witnessed the music mogul punch, strangle and drag his ex CassieA day after a judge ruled Sean Diddy" Combs liable for $100m in a default judgment for a sexual assault case, Dawn Richard, a singer in the former girl group Danity Kane, has sued the rapper and music mogul for sexual assault and inhumane treatment.Richard, who was formerly signed to Combs's Bad Boy Records label, also alleges that she witnessed Combs physically and sexually abuse his ex-girlfriend Cassandra Cassie" Ventura on multiple occasions. Continue reading...
Scottish government accused of undermining efforts to combat child poverty and cost of living crisisOpposition parties in Scotland have urged John Swinney to reverse unpopular cuts to free school meals and flat-rate rail fares after he suffered two defeats at Holyrood.In a major test of the first minister's minority government, opposition MSPs united behind Conservative motions that condemned decisions to scrap plans to provide free school meals for all primary school pupils and reintroduce peak rail fares. Continue reading...
Discussions and a poll follow Garrick Club vote to admit women this yearTwo more of London's oldest remaining gentlemen's clubs have invited members this month to give an opinion on whether they think it is time to change their rules to allow women to join.A poll of members of the 140-year-old Flyfishers' Club will begin tomorrow, and a decision on the question of women members is expected to be announced on 4 October. The Savile Club, established in 1868 for writers and artists, is to hold an informal discussions on 26 September over whether women should be admitted. Continue reading...
Trial of Dominique Pelicot hears that he allegedly provided sedatives to man he had met in a chatroomThe trial of a French man who recruited dozens of strangers to rape his drugged wife has heard how another man living in the same area copied the tactics to drug and rape his own wife.Dominique Pelicot, 71, is on trial in the southern city of Avignon for repeatedly raping, and enlisting dozens of strangers to rape, his heavily sedated wife in her own bed over a period of a decade in the southern village of Mazan. Fifty other men aged between 26 and 74 are also on trial for their alleged involvement. Continue reading...
Rishi Sunak asks PM over previous Labour analysis linking the policy to 4,000 extra deaths a yearA new Labour pressure group aiming to take on the Nimbys" is being launched today, PA Media says. PA reports.The Labour Infrastructure Forum (LIF) said it would challenge the government to push through the pain" to meet the party's manifesto commitment to get Britain building again.Describing itself as a group of senior policymakers, industry experts and stakeholders from across the Labour movement", the LIF is backed by former shadow roads minister Bill Esterson and three new Labour MPs - Luke Murphy, Kirsteen Sullivan and Mike Reader.Those of a certain age can remember when the TUC was immensely powerful and very, very political.I've just got a sense that this TUC is now starting to flex its political muscles in a way that we haven't actually seen for decades in this country. Continue reading...
by Hannah Al-Othman North of England correspondent on (#6QN4G)
Boy is given referral order over Manchester disorder as judge tells him it is biggest chance you are ever going to get'The mother of a 12-year-old rioter who flew to Ibiza when her son was due to be sentenced for violent disorder has been ordered to pay compensation to his victims.The boy, who cannot be named because of his age, told the court I want to say sorry" as he was given a referral order with intensive supervision. Continue reading...
Inquiry into Chester hospital's neonatal unit also told inspectors ignored serious patient safety concerns'Junior doctors were referring to Lucy Letby as Nurse Death" as early as 2016, two years before she was arrested, a public inquiry has heard.Letby, 34, was sentenced to 15 whole-life orders after she was convicted across two trials of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven others. Continue reading...
Content creator posted video expressing worry about high temperatures day before race in Anaheim, CaliforniaA 35-year-old runner collapsed and died on Sunday after completing a half-marathon at Disneyland in Anaheim, California, during a heatwave, only a day after expressing his concern about the searing temperatures in a video posted to TikTok.Bobby Graves, who went by Caleb on his popular TikTok page, clutched his chest as he crossed the finish line of the Disneyland Halloween half-marathon around 7am, and was then caught by a race volunteer as he collapsed, according to the Los Angeles Times. Continue reading...
Outrage as patients and relatives turn on doctors and nurses, with 16,000 reports of assaults in 2023 aloneDoctors' and nurses' unions in Italy have called for authorities to consider bringing the army into hospitals in response to an increase in attacks by patients and their relatives that provoked outrage across the country.In one of the latest, captured on video and widely shared on social media, doctors and nurses were forced to barricade themselves in a room at the Policlinico hospital in Foggia, in the southern region of Puglia, on Friday after about 50 relatives and friends of a 23-year-old woman who died after an emergency operation turned on medical staff. Some healthcare workers were injured, with bloodstains visible on the emergency room floor. Continue reading...
Overhaul in communications by authorities recommended after harrowing accounts given by bereavedA review of how bereaved families were treated by the authorities after their relatives died in the 1989 Hillsborough disaster has recommended an overhaul in postmortem processes and communication, and the need for empathy and understanding".The review, led by Glenn Taylor, a retired forensic scientist, heard harrowing accounts from family members of those who died about their experiences, including being told by police officers that they could not hug their loved ones because their bodies were the property of the coroner". Continue reading...
Oliver Campbell exonerated 30 years after conviction that followed false confessions in police interviewsOliver Campbell, a man with severe learning difficulties who was jailed for life for the murder of a shopkeeper three decades ago after confessing in police interviews, has had his convictions quashed by the court of appeal.The judgment clearing Campbell, 54, of conspiracy to rob and murder ends what has been described as one of the longest miscarriages of justice in British criminal history, and will throw a new focus on past policing failures and the current approach of the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC). Continue reading...
Mockery and indignation follow unveiling of sculpture of late monarch at Antrim Castle Gardens in Northern IrelandOne critic said it made the late queen look like Mrs Doubtfire. Others faulted the shape of the face, the posture and the wellies. Some called it offensive and ridiculous, and demanded it be melted down.Mockery and indignation began within hours of the unveiling of the bronze statue of Queen Elizabeth II at Antrim Castle Gardens in Northern Ireland on Friday. Continue reading...
Rise in travel-related sales benefits retailer, with group revenue up 7% in year to end of AugustWH Smith is to give investors a 50m windfall as holidaymakers snapping up travel essentials helped boost summer sales at the retail chain.The retailer said it would launch a 50m share buyback - a move that could increase its share price - in a reflection of the strong cashflow in the business, a healthy balance sheet and after receiving 85m from the buyout of its pension fund. Its shares jumped more than 12% on the announcement. Continue reading...
Ruling party secures votes for overhaul, which has sparked protests amid fears it could undermine rule of lawMexico's senate has given general approval to sweeping judicial changes in which judges will be elected by popular vote, a profound transformation that critics fear could threaten the rule of law and damage the economy.The senate will now debate reservations raised by lawmakers before giving final approval to the overhaul proposed by the outgoing president, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, and which passed the lower house last week. Senators voted 86 to 41 in favour of the general approval. Continue reading...
by Haroon Siddique Legal affairs correspondent on (#6QMYC)
Early day motion expresses alarm at data showing black people are disproportionately prosecuted under legislationMPs are making a fresh attempt to change the law on joint enterprise, which allows for individuals in England and Wales to be convicted of crimes they did not physically carry out if they are deemed to have encouraged or assisted the perpetrator.An early day motion (EDM), a way for MPs to indicate opinion, was published on Tuesday night calling on the government to request a Law Commission review of joint enterprise with a view to narrowing the scope of current legislation and providing a fairer framework for prosecution and sentencing". Continue reading...
Housing minister says policy will not be watered down day after dozens of Labour MPs abstained in key votePlans to scale back winter fuel payments for pensioners will not be watered down, a UK government minister has said, after dozens of Labour MPs abstained on a key Commons vote on Tuesday night.The housing and planning minister, Matthew Pennycook, was speaking the morning after MPs voted to remove the winter fuel allowance from all but the poorest pensioners in England and Wales. Continue reading...
Board rejects non-binding indicative proposal of 705p a share for UK's biggest online real-estate portalREA, the Australian property company majority-owned by Rupert Murdoch's News Corp, has made a 5.6bn offer for Rightmove, the UK's biggest online real-estate portal.The Rightmove board rejected the 705p a share offer, worth 18.6% of the enlarged company post-deal, which comes a week after REA confirmed it was considering a cash and share offer for Rightmove. Continue reading...
Footage that seems to show fighters glorifying abuse of prisoners with little fear of consequences' could be used in war crimes prosecutionsFootage of rebel fighters in Sudan appearing to glorify the burning of homes and the torture of prisoners could be used by international courts to pursue war crime prosecutions, observers have told the Guardian.Fighters from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group, have been accused of waging a campaign of ethnic cleansing in Sudan for the past year as they try to take control of the country. Continue reading...
In today's newsletter: His advisors wanted him to tie Harris to the Biden administration - but instead he lost his temper. Here are the key moments Sign up here for our daily newsletter, First EditionGood morning. If you had a sinking feeling on 28 June when you woke up to the news that Joe Biden had turned in an utterly incoherent debate performance, you will probably have a bit more appetite for your boiled egg this time. A few hours ago, the only scheduled debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris came to an end - and even Fox News said Harris won.Democrats' moods can only have been improved by the news, a few minutes after it ended, that Taylor Swift had endorsed Harris, and signed her post childless cat lady". And CNN's snap poll suggested that voters thought Harris won by a margin of 63% to 37% - nearly as big a margin as Trump achieved over Biden last time around. Key to Harris' success was baiting her opponent into rants on marginal topics, instead of talking about the issues that voters are interested in.Winter fuel allowance | MPs have voted to remove the winter fuel allowance from all but the poorest pensioners in England and Wales. Just one Labour MP, Jon Trickett, voted for the opposition motion but 52 abstained - at the higher end of predictions.Conservatives | Mel Stride has been knocked out of the race to succeed Rishi Sunak as Conservative party leader after the second round of voting by MPs. On Tuesday, the former work and pensions secretary became the second casualty in the weeks-long leadership contest, which is due to culminate in early November.Israel-Gaza war | Israeli airstrikes on al-Mawasi humanitarian zone" in the Gaza Strip have killed at least 19 people and injured a further 60, according to witnesses and medical officials in the blockaded Palestinian territory.Port Talbot steelworks | The British steel industry is braced for 2,500 job cuts at the Port Talbot steelworks, with thousands more jobs at risk in the UK, as the government prepares a taxpayer-backed deal for the south Wales plant. Owners Tata Steel are expected to get a rescue deal worth 500m.UK news | An inquest into a man who killed himself a week after appearing on The Jeremy Kyle Show has found insufficient evidence" to rule that participating in the programme caused his death. Continue reading...
Revenue plunges as cash-strapped broadcasters spend less on commissioning amid ad slump and shift to streamingThe TV production sector in the UK suffered a 400m fall in revenues last year as cash-strapped British broadcasters reduced spending to the lowest level since the height of the pandemic.The latest annual industry survey found that total revenues made by UK production companies fell by 392m to 3.61bn in 2023. However, just as traditional broadcasters struggle, global streaming companies such as Netflix and Amazon continue to become an increasingly important income stream, the study showed. Continue reading...
Campaigners say MPs should overturn previous government's decision not to strengthen restrictionsLabour ministers are under pressure to overturn the previous government's bizarre" decision not to impose stricter regulation on gambling advertising, particularly around sport, from politicians, campaigners and figures from the world of football.At a summit held close to the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, a succession of experts called on the culture secretary, Lisa Nandy, to impose much stricter controls on how gambling is marketed, in order to protect children and vulnerable people. Continue reading...
Report reveals how US Christians, Catholic schools and Islamists fight sex education, LGBTQ+ and equal rightsExtreme religious groups and political parties are targeting schools around the world as part of a coordinated and well-funded attack on gender equality, according to a new report.Well-known conservative organisations aim to restrict girls' access to education, change what is on the curriculum, and influence educational laws and policies, according to Whose Hands on our Education, a report by the Overseas Development Institute. Continue reading...
by Michael Sun with Agence France-Presse on (#6QMQA)
Despite criticism of the series in France, Macron will appear as herself in the show's fourth season when new episodes arrive on ThursdayFrench first lady Brigitte Macron will make a cameo appearance as herself in the Netflix series Emily in Paris when new episodes are released on Thursday.Macron will wear her own clothing, Elle magazine revealed on Tuesday, with no particular instructions given to her" by the series known for its fashion. Continue reading...
by Tamsin Rose NSW state correspondent and Catie McLe on (#6QMQC)
Greenwich was awarded $140,000 in damages in the defamation action against Latham after the former federal Labor leader posted a tweet on 30 March 2023Former New South Wales One Nation leader Mark Latham has been found to have defamed independent politician Alex Greenwich and has been ordered to pay $140,000 in damages.Federal court justice David O'Callaghan handed down his judgment on Wednesday morning in Melbourne after the case was heard in May and June in Sydney. Continue reading...
by Nadia Khomami Arts and culture correspondent on (#6QMNB)
War damage, demolition and refurbishment blamed for disappearing roundels now themselves part of historyThe very first commemorative blue plaque was awarded in 1867, in honour of the poet Lord Byron at his house and birthplace in Holles Street, near Cavendish Square in London.But the plaque - the first in a long, prestigious tradition of recognising some of the most influential figures in history - was lost when the house was demolished in 1889. Continue reading...
Post-Brexit uncertainty partly blamed for low rate with just half of companies surveyed measuring their carbon footprintJust 65% of UK businesses have a plan to reduce their emissions to net zero by the 2050 deadline, the largest ever industry survey has revealed.The report covering 2,005 organisations across all sizes and sectors by UK Business Climate Hub, which included the CBI, the Institute of Directors and the British Chambers of Commerce, found that only half of those surveyed were even measuring their carbon footprint. Continue reading...
Nabil Arif, 36, told MP she would burn until her skin is no more' in messages Phillips said curbed her freedom and workA man has been jailed for three months for emailing Jess Phillips abusive messages including that she would burn until her skin is no more", which the MP said changed her life immeasurably" and limited her freedom.Nabil Arif, 36, was sentenced to 12 weeks for the abusive messages, which prosecutors said began with the start of the Israel-Gaza war in October 2023 and continued through to February 2024. Continue reading...
by Robert Booth Social affairs correspondent on (#6QM73)
Irishman ends sponsorship deal described as deeply offensive' after years of pressure from campaignersOne of the world's leading golfers, Shane Lowry, has ended his sponsorship deal with the insulation company Kingspan after it was criticised for persistent dishonesty" in the Grenfell Tower inquiry final report.The Ryder Cup player wore the logo of the Irish construction materials manufacturer on his sleeve for more than seven years but did not respond to previous calls to end the deeply upsetting and deeply offensive" deal from the bereaved and survivors of the 2017 fire that claimed 72 lives. Continue reading...
Fallout over Libyan central bank governor's dismissal presents immediate challenge for Sisi and ErdoanA new alliance between Egypt and Turkey designed to end a long-running dispute over events in the Middle East faces it first major test in the shape of a worsening political crisis in Libya linked to control of its oil wealth.Egypt and Turkey fell out in the aftermath of the 2011 Arab spring, primarily because of the Egyptian president Abdel Fatah al-Sisi's coup against his Islamist predecessor, Mohamed Morsi, an ally of the Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoan. Continue reading...
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