Summary of The Guardian Newspaper The Guardian page this morning – summarised Latest News updated every hour
Author: UK News
Police missed clues about dangers of far right before summer riots in England Intelligence gaps, especially around social media analysis, led to failures, report findsPolice intelligence missed clues about the dangers posed by the far right before the summer riots across England, a police chief has said.Andy Cooke, the chief inspector of constabulary, also said police were too slow to mobilise after disorder broke out, meaning some violence wasworse than it would otherwise have been, with the chance to thwart some of it missed. Continue reading… Police missed clues about dangers of far right before summer riots in England https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/dec/18/police-missed-clues-dangers-of-far-right-summer-riots-england
Ongoing British scandals dominate Wednesday’s front pages with the Waspi women and the second post office scandal leading the way. The government’s decision not to pay compensation to millions of women born in the 1950s, affected by changes to the state pension, has drawn a strong reaction across the UK newspapers regardless of political leanings. The papers express their anger at what they roundly call a betrayal from the government.
The sentencing of the father and stepmother of Sara Sharif also makes several front pages. The pair were jailed for life for the 10-year-old’s murder.
On the international front, a handful of British newspapers lead with the death of a Russian general accused of using chemical weapons in Ukraine. Lt Gen Igor Krillov and his assistant were killed in an explosion caused by a bomb hidden on a scooter.
Elon Musk is reportedly ready to ‘bankroll’ Nigel Farage’s Reform UK. Farage met with Musk in the US and said there were “ongoing negotiations” about Musk making a financial contribution.
Motorists and commuters in parts of the UK are urged to be aware of difficult travel conditions on Wednesday morning with two yellow warnings for wind in force.The Met Office said gusts of up to 65mph could lead to road, rail, air and ferry delays, with those in affected areas advised to anticipate longer journeys and pay extra attention to road conditions.A warning covering large parts of northern England, including Sheffield and Leeds, and a small area of southern Scotland is in place from 3am to 2pm on Wednesday.Forecasters said gusts of 50-60mph are possible and potentially higher in more…
Casualty figures from the earthquake which hit Vanuatu are expected with damage expected to hamper aid efforts.At least 14 people died following Tuesday’s magnitude 7.3 earthquake, which caused widespread damage and injured hundreds of people across the South Pacific island nation, officials said on Wednesday, with the figure expected to rise.Speaking from Fiji, the Asia-Pacific head of the International Federation of Red Cross’ Katie Greenwood said it was not clear how many people were still missing.“We have anecdotal information coming from people at the search and rescue site that are fairly confident that unfortunately those numbers will rise,” she said,…
Former archbishop of Canterbury resigns as priest over church’s handling of sexual abuse case George Carey quit after a BBC investigation reported that he allowed a priest banned over abuse claims to return to the priesthood A former leader of the Church of England has resigned as a priest following allegations that he failed to properly handle the case of a priest accused of sexual misconduct. George Carey, who was archbishop of Canterbury from 1991 to 2002, quit after a BBC investigation reported that he allowed a priest who had been banned over sexual abuse claims to return to priesthood.…
Prince Andrew’s ‘opaque’ finances provoke calls for register of royal interests Claims of refused FOI requests into Duke of York’s business dealings come as controversy over alleged Chinese spy continues Getting information from government departments about the Duke of York’s past business dealings is like playing “whack-a-mole”, it was claimed, as fallout over the alleged Chinese “spy” controversy continues, with China saying it was an attempt to “smear” it. Calling for a register of royal interests, similar to that for MPs, and a full inquiry by the public accounts committee into royal finances, researchers trying to investigate Prince Andrew’s “opaque”…
Brits told to avoid European country due to ‘significant risk of arrest’ The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has issued the warning The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is advising Brits against travelling to Belarus due to the current political unrest and potential risks. The FCDO warns that individuals in Belarus face a significant risk of arrest if they have participated in any activities now deemed illegal by the Belarusian regime. Furthermore, the country does not recognise dual nationality, meaning those with both Belarusian and British passports will be considered Belarusian, even if they enter on their British passport,…
A Government minister said she found responses to the Ask for Angela safety scheme “wanting” after going undercover at venues across the UK to test the programme. The scheme was introduced in 2016 in an effort to provide an avenue for support for anyone who is feeling vulnerable or unsafe in a public space. Someone in need of help can approach staff at a participating venue and use the code word Angela to ask for help, with staff trained in vulnerability management and how to discreetly provide support. Safeguarding minister Jess Phillips said she routinely went undercover to test the…
A Japanese space startup said its second attempt to launch a rocket carrying satellites into orbit had been aborted minutes after lift-off, nine months after the company’s first launch attempt ended in an explosion. Space One’s Kairos No 2 rocket lifted off from a site in the mountainous prefecture of Wakayama in central Japan. The company said it had aborted the flight after concluding it was unlikely to complete its mission. Space One aims to be Japan’s first company to put a satellite into orbit, hoping to boost the country’s lagging space industry with a small rocket for an affordable…
Casualty figures from the earthquake which hit Vanuatu are expected with damage expected to hamper aid efforts.At least 14 people died following Tuesday’s magnitude 7.3 earthquake, which caused widespread damage and injured hundreds of people across the South Pacific island nation, officials said on Wednesday, with the figure expected to rise.Speaking from Fiji, the Asia-Pacific head of the International Federation of Red Cross’ Katie Greenwood said it was not clear how many people were still missing.“We have anecdotal information coming from people at the search and rescue site that are fairly confident that unfortunately those numbers will rise,” she said,…
UK EuroMillions winner receives £177m jackpot The winner of the National Lottery has received an eye-watering £177million just days before Christmas, according to the competition’s operator Allwyn. The single UK ticket-holder, who has chosen to remain anonymous, won the EuroMillions jackpot in November this year, the company said. The jackpot will make the winner wealthier than singer Harry Styles and heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua, who are both worth £175m, according to the latest Sunday Times Rich List. Continue reading … UK EuroMillions winner receives £177m jackpot in third biggest ever National Lottery pay-out https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/euromillions-jackpot-winner-national-lottery-results-b2665628.html
Lucy Letby’s lawyers seek fresh appeal after saying expert witness ‘changed his mind’ over deaths Lucy Letby’s lawyers are seeking to launch a fresh appeal over her convictions after claiming the prosecution’s lead witness was “not reliable”. The serial killer nurse’s barrister, Mark McDonald, said he would immediately seek permission from the Court of Appeal to take the “exceptional, but necessary, decision” to apply to reopen her case. Speaking at a press conference at the Royal Society of Medicine in central London, Mr McDonald said that “remarkably”, Dr Dewi Evans had “changed his mind” over the mechanism of death involving three of…
Keir Starmer defends UK engagement with China amid Prince Andrew revelations Keir Starmer has defended his government’s greater openness towards Beijing following revelations about an alleged Chinese spy who forged a close relationship with Prince Andrew, saying it was “important to engage”. Questioned for the first time about the case, amid calls from some MPs to change his approach on China, the prime minister refused to comment directly on Andrew or the royals, but said he was pleased with what he called progress on ties with Beijing. As part of the partial reset of relations with Beijing, Starmer met China’s…
Yang Tengbo – also known as Chris Yang – has been named as the alleged Chinese spy who was close friends with Prince Andrew. PM Keir Starmer has played down allegations of a Chinese network of spies operating across Britain, and Andrew has been uninvited from royal events this Christmas.
Yang also had contact with two former British prime ministers – Theresa May and David Cameron. Allegations of spying have led for calls for Britain to reassess how it manages its relationship with Beijing.
Lucy Letby’s defence team is to seek a fresh appeal on the grounds that the chief medical witness for the prosecution changed his mind about how some of the babies in her case died. Letby’s barrister Mark McDonald said he would take the ‘exceptional, but necessary, decision’ to apply to reopen her case.
Outbreaks of rain soon spreading into Northern Ireland and Scotland, then spreading erratically eastwards into Wales and western England during the afternoon. Largely dry but often cloudy elsewhere. Feeling mild, but winds strengthening throughout the day, especially in the west. Tonight: A windy night, with outbreaks of rain spreading across all parts. Heaviest and most persistent rain across western hills, with some clearer albeit showery conditions arriving into the northwest later.
Summary of Western Mail Newspaper Western Mail front page this morning – summarisedLawyers for Lucy Letby have stated that fresh evidence has emerged that “significantly undermines” her convictions. The 34-year-old killer nurse was handed 15 whole-life orders after being convicted for the murder of seven babies and for attempting to take the lives of seven more when she worked as a neo-natal nurse at Countess of Chester Hospital.Letby has consistently maintained her innocence. In a press conference on Monday morning, barrister Mark McDonald said Letby’s defence team now intends to seek the Court of Appeal’s permission to reopen her appeal…
Summary of The National Newspaper The National front page this morning – summarisedSCOTTISH actor Martin Compston has said he believes the Scottish independence movement is in need of a “refresh” – and he’s optimistic youngsters will help pave the way forward. Compston, known for his turns in hit shows like Line of Duty, spoke with The National ahead of the release of the second season of Amazon Prime’s The Rig. “I still believe in it (independence), I’ve made a conscious decision, I think especially online and stuff now people are just so f****** angry and shouting at each other and…
Prince Andrew’s ties to an alleged Chinese spy named yesterday as Yang Tengbo – also known as Chris Yang – trends across the UK media today.
The naming of the alleged Chinese spy makes the front pages – as does his friend Prince Andrew, who’s continuing to feel the heat over his connections to the businessman that MI5 believe is a security threat to Britain.
There is coverage of several ongoing domestic stories including calls from Lucy Letby’s lawyers for a review of her murder conviction after a key witness ‘changed his mind.’ There’s also a light splattering of Brexit and budget stories on the front pages.
Summary of The Irish News Newspaper The Irish News front page this morning – summarisedTHE Taoiseach has said Ireland will not silenced about its views on Israel’s war on Gaza after Israel said it would close its Dublin embassy.A coroner found an unidentified British Army soldier was responsible “more likely than not” for the fatal shooting of 15-year-old schoolboy Patrick Crawford in the grounds of the Royal Victoria Hospital on 10 August 1975.Attacking ace Conor O’Neill paid back the Ballinderry management and squad for their support by kicking three points in Saturday’s AIB Ulster IFC final win over Arva. Latest…
Summary of the Metro Newspaper Metro front page this morning – summarisedAndrew has faced scrutiny over his alleged links to Yang Tengbo (left) (Picture: Getty/China Daily)Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson won’t be joining the rest of the Royal Family for Christmas dinner, it is understood.The Duke of York has faced further scrutiny after his links to an alleged Chinese spy were published for the first time.The alleged spy, Yang Tengbo, was banned from the UK by MI5 last week due to the potential security threat. He had been under an anonymity order known only as ‘H6’ until he revealed his…
Summary of the Independent Newspaper The Independent front page this morning – summarisedAn alleged Chinese spy banned from the UK and linked to the Duke of York can now be named as Yang Tengbo, a High Court judge has ruled.The 50-year-old director of a Chinese investment consultancy firm was barred from the UK in 2023 after it was deemed he would likely threaten national security.Lucy Letby’s lawyers are seeking to launch a fresh appeal over her convictions after claiming the prosecution’s lead witness was “not reliable”.The serial killer nurse’s barrister, Mark McDonald, said he would immediately seek permission from the…
Summary of The Guardian Newspaper The Guardian page this morning – summarisedAn alleged spy who befriended Prince Andrew has been named as the businessman Yang Tengbo, amid a row at the heart of government over how to deal with influential Chinese nationals.The allegations surrounding Yang have cast a spotlight on the government’s plans for a foreign interests register and whether to designate China as an enhanced risk in the middle of Labour’s new charm offensive towards Beijing.Standing at the gates of the Khmeimim airbase, a fighter from the Islamist rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) eyed a pink vape being…
Who is Yang Tengbo? Everything we know about H6 alleged Chinese spy who was close confidant of Prince Andrew The 50-year-old businessman was barred from the UK because he was likely to pose a threat to national security (@hamptonholding) Who is alleged Chinese spy Yang Tengbo? Mr Yang founded a Chinese investment consultancy business which would go on to establish various high-profile China-related events (China.com) What are the allegations against him? The Home Office alleged correspondence was unearthed showing he worked for the United Front Work Department (UFWD) – a shadowy arm of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) (Sky News) The…