Author: UK News

Summary of The Guardian Newspaper The Guardian page this morning – summarisedThe front page of The Guardian this morning leads with a report that some jury trials may be axed under new plans to ease the court backlog. The front page features an image of a funeral for a victim of the Assad regime. Jury trials could be abandoned for some criminal cases in England and Wales under a radical overhaul proposed by ministers as the crown courts backlog hit a record high.A review, to be led by the former high court judge Sir Brian Leveson, will consider creating “intermediate courts”…

Summary of the Independent Newspaper The Independent front page this morning – summarisedThe front page of The Independent this morning speaks to the man who sparked the Syrian revolution. Angry with life under Bashar al-Assad, 16-year-old Muawiyah Syasneh and his friends spray-painted four words onto a wall in their school playground.Four words of defiance that saw the teenagers jailed and tortured for weeks, triggering Syria’s first protests in early 2011.Four words that ignited a revolution that spiralled into one of the bloodiest civil wars of modern times. Latest News updated every hour

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle (Publisher: Bethesda. Format: Xbox/PC)IN A perfect marriage of movie and venue, last week the Ulster Museum held a screening of Raiders of the Lost Ark. Yet, while 1981’s archaeological actioner is something of a relic itself, today’s adventure flicks can only dream of its craft and creativity, with a lead character in Indiana Jones who’s so iconic he finishes second only to Atticus Finch in the American Film Institute’s list of movie heroes.Infinitely quotable, Raiders’ nostalgic blend of heroism, chases and cliffhangers was followed up with the macabre Temple of Doom (“Kali Ma!”) and,…

Hundreds of protesters led by university students held a noisy rally on Thursday outside Serbia’s state television headquarters, despite the country’s president pledging to fulfil all their demands. Blowing whistles, booing and jeering, the protesters said they were angry that state RTS television is carrying President Aleksandar Vucic’s accusations that the students were paid from the West and elsewhere to hold protests to overthrow his government. Why are they protesting in Belgrade? The demonstration is part of wider protests which erupted after the fall of a concrete canopy in the northern city of Novi Sad last month, killing 15 people.…

Human rights attorney quits court over failure to prosecute Venezuela A prominent human rights attorney has parted ways with the International Criminal Court to protest what he sees as an unjustified failure of its chief prosecutor to indict members of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s government.Chilean-born Claudio Grossman, a past president of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, has left due to the failure to bring prosecutions for crimes against humanity, The Associated Press has learned.He was appointed special adviser to ICC prosecutor Karim Khan in November 2021 on the deteriorating human rights situation in Venezuela.In a harshly worded email last…

Guardian and Observer charity appeal raises more than £250,000 Readers reach donation milestone before Saturday telethon, securing money to help families in Gaza and Ukraine• Donate to our charity appeal hereMore than £250,000 for charities supporting families hit by war and violence in Gaza, Ukraine and elsewhere has been raised by Guardian and Observer readers less than a week after the appeal launched.The milestone was achieved before the annual fundraising telethon on Saturday 14 December. Journalists who will be on hand to take donations over the phone include Polly Toynbee, John Crace, Marina Hyde and Zoe Williams. Continue reading… Guardian…

An investigation will take place after reports a member of Buckingham Palace staff was arrested after a Christmas party, according to a Palace spokesperson. The spokesperson said “appropriate action” would be taken after the Palace was made aware of the incident. The Sun reported a female member of staff was arrested at a bar in Victoria on Tuesday. A Palace spokesperson told the BBC: “We are aware of an incident outside the workplace involving a number of Household staff who had previously attended an early evening reception at the Palace. “While this was an informal social gathering, not an official…

Homes plan at ex-private school site in Bangor given green light The ‘impressive’ Grade II listed building will now house nine residential units https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/homes-plan-ex-private-school-30572458

The national memorial to Queen Elizabeth II could cost £46,000,000, according to a provisional budget released before a design is chosen. From today, artists, architects and engineers will compete to have their design selected for a monument commemorating the country’s longest reigning monarch. It will stand in the heart of London, in the area of St James’s Park’s Blue Bridge, with views of the Queen’s former residence, Buckingham Palace, as well as Horse Guard Parade, Big Ben and the London Eye. The late Queen’s former private secretary Lord Janvrin, chairman of the committee, said: ‘The memorial must be – simply…

Country music star Morgan Wallen scooped four Billboard Music Awards in a ceremony which aired hours after he pleaded guilty to two counts of reckless endangerment in court. Wallen picked up awards for top male artist, top country artist, and top country male artist as well as top collaboration for the track I Had Some Help which he featured on with US star Post Malone. The awards ceremony, featuring a pre-recorded acceptance speech from Wallen, was broadcast hours after he appeared at a criminal court to plead guilty to throwing a chair from the rooftop of a six-storey bar in…

A former Syrian military official who oversaw a prison where alleged human rights abuses took place has been charged with several counts of torture after being arrested in July for visa fraud charges, authorities said Thursday.Samir Ousman al-Sheikh, who oversaw Syria’s infamous Adra Prison from 2005 to 2008 under recently ousted President Bashar Assad, was charged by a federal grand jury with several counts of torture and conspiracy to commit torture.“It’s a huge step toward justice,” said Mouaz Moustafa, executive director of the US-based Syrian Emergency Task Force.“Samir Ousman al-Sheikh’s trial will reiterate that the United States will not allow…

Tiny Christmas Tree Planted by Couple in 1979 is Now 52-ft Tall and a 5-Star Tourist Stop–LOOK In the dark of winter, in a place where there are no street lights, a Christmas tree has grown so tall that people can see its sparkling lights from miles around. In fact, the entire town of Inkberrow in Worcestershire, England, gathers on Pepper Street every year for the annual “Switching on” ceremony. Avril and Christopher Rowlands bought the tiny fir tree for £6 in 1978 and after Christmas planted it in their yard to mark their first holiday together in the new…

Sara Sharif’s father and stepmother have been convicted of the 10-year-old’s murder. Police said Urfan Sharif, 43, and Beinash Batool, 30, had subjected Sara to “horrific suffering” before her body was found at the family’s home in Surrey last year.

Keir Starmer has unveiled sweeping changes to the planning system that could see councils forced to consider building on green belt land in England. The prime minister has vowed to override “blockers” standing in the way of building the new homes needed to solve the housing crisis. However some locals in the areas where these houses will need to be built are steadfast in their opposition to more housing.

Manchester City are in danger of Champions League elimination, while Liverpool made it six wins from six and Arsenal and Aston Villa are flying.
Two games remain in the revamped Champions League’s new 36-team league phase. The top eight automatically progress to the last 16 and, crucially, skip the two-legged knockout play-off round.

Remaining cloudy for many with patchy drizzle, and hill fog, especially across central and eastern areas. Brighter skies in the far west and across much of Scotland, where fog could linger all day. Feeling rather cold once again. Tonight: Largely cloudy through overnight, with further spells of light rain and drizzle at times. Murky over the hills. Some clear skies in the north, with a frost possible here.

Summary of The Guardian Newspaper The Guardian page this morning – summarisedThe front page of The Guardian this morning reports that 10,000 civil service jobs are to be axed under a new government efficiency drive. Sources tell the paper that there is an acceptance that the civil service has become too big after expanding to meet the demands of Brexit and the pandemic. Ministers are planning to cut more than 10,000 civil service jobs as Whitehall departments battle to stay within spending limits under a new government efficiency drive, the Guardian has learned.Multiple sources said there was an acceptance that the…

Summary of the Metro Newspaper Metro front page this morning – summarisedThe Metro front page this morning reports on the conviction of the father and stepmother who killed 10-year-old Sara Sharif. Sara Sharif’s mum has paid tribute to her ‘beautiful’ daughter after the schoolgirl was murdered by her father and stepmother during a horrific ‘campaign of abuse’.The 10-year-old suffered more than 70 injuries shortly before her broken body was found at home in Woking, Surrey, following a call from her dad Urfan Sharif, 42, in Pakistan saying he had ‘beat her up too much’ for being ‘naughty’.Jurors at the Old Bailey…

Summary of The Irish News Newspaper The Irish News front page this morning – summarisedThe front page of The Irish News reports shocking figures show 50 people died while waiting for an ambulance in 2023/24, up from 16 in 2021/22.THE number of people who have died while waiting for an ambulance in Northern Ireland has trebled in five years.Since 2020/2021 a total of 149 people have died waiting at home for emergency response help.New figures show there were 50 deaths last year – which is a marked increase on the 16 fatalities recorded five years previously.Police in Miami say they…

Summary of Western Mail Newspaper Western Mail front page this morning – summarisedThe back page of the Western Mail leads with reports Taine Basham is being linked with three English clubs ahead of his contract with the Dragons running out. Wales back-row Taine Basham is being linked with three English clubs ahead of his contract with the Dragons running out.His deal with the Rodney Parade side finishes at the end of the current campaign, having signed a new contract back in April.That came amid interest from Welsh and English clubs, including Saracens – with Basham ultimately penning a new deal alongside…

Summary of The National Newspaper The National front page this morning – summarised The front page of the Scottish newspaper The National reports on the Conservative Party joining Reform UK on an anti-migrant attack.  A SCOTTISH Tory motion “condemning” free bus travel for asylum seekers has been overwhelmingly rejected by MSPs.The Conservatives had faced criticism from the SNP, Greens, Labour, and LibDems after tabling the controversial motion, which saw them accused of a “dog whistle attack on asylum seekers”.The Tories’ condemnation of free bus travel for asylum seekers drew criticism from the First Minister and a joint intervention from the…

Sara Sharif’s father and stepmother were found guilty of murdering the 10-year-old British. Urfan Sharif, 43, and Beinash Batool, 30, had subjected Sara to “horrific suffering” before her body was found at the family’s home in Surrey last year.

Thursday’s headlines are dominated by the conviction of a father and stepmother who killed 10-year-old Sara Sharif. Police said Urfan Sharif, 43, and Beinash Batool, 30, had subjected Sara to “horrific suffering” before her body was found at the family’s home in Surrey last year.

As more details emerge about the life and death of the young British girl, the newspapers react with horror at the brutality Sara lived – and died – under. Many of the newspapers pick up on the state’s failure to save her, pointing the finger at the courts, police, social services and teachers, who reportedly missed at least 15 chances to save her life.

Several domestic political stories also find space on the front pages with reports on Labour’s plans to build new houses, potential strikes this winter and ongoing reactions to the October Budget.

The back pages cover last night’s Champions League action – including yet another loss for Manchester City and the news that Saudi Arabia has been confirmed as the 2030 World Cup hosts.

DWP benefits payments: December 2024 dates for Universal Credit and pensions Benefits and pensions going out as usual Universal Credit State pension Pension credit Child benefit Disability living allowance Personal independence payment Attendance allowance Carer’s allowance Employment support allowance Income support Jobseeker’s allowance Household support fund Other help may be available and you should ask the job centre representative to guide you. £348 if you’re single £464 if you’re part of a couple £812 if you have children. Will benefit rates be going up soon? Energy Price Cap: Will it go up or down again in 2024? DWP benefits payments:…

British energy firms told to offer zero standing charge Ofgem aims to provide choice as Martin Lewis describes daily fees as a ‘poll tax’ on gas and electricity bills as he has being championing on social media. Energy suppliers will have to offer customers a “zero” standing charge tariff by next winter to address criticism of the daily fees described by the consumer champion Martin Lewis as a “poll tax” on gas and electricity bills. Ofgem, the energy regulator for Great Britain, said the zero standing charge option will be offered by suppliers under its quarterly price cap, alongside existing…

The Metro Front Page 12/12/2024

The Guardian Front Page 12/12/2024