Author: News Desk

Father and son jailed for murder plot after hiring ‘female assassin in hijab disguise’ A father and son who hired a hijab-wearing female assassin to carry out a gun attack have been jailed after their assassination plot was bungled. Mohammed Aslam, 58, and Mohammed Nabil Nazir, 30, from Derby, orchestrated the attack on a rival family in September 2019. The suspected would-be killer, a US woman identified during the trial as Aimee Betro, threatened Sikander Ali with a gun and tried to shoot him at a range of six to seven yards but the pistol jammed, allowing him to flee…

Labour minister struggles to name any benefits of Trump election win A Labour minister struggled to name any benefits of Donald Trump returning to the White House in an awkward Question Time grilling. The Minister for Industry, Sara Jones was asked about the Republican’s historic win repeatedly by host Fiona Bruce when she appeared on the show on Thursday evening (7 November). Discussing trade between the UK and the US, the BBC host stepped in to tell her: “None of that is specific to Trump?” Ms Bruce added: “Can you not think of any benefits?” https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/news/trump-labour-minister-question-time-fiona-bruce-b2643579.html

David Lammy dismisses past criticism of Donald Trump  Foreign secretary David Lammy has dismissed his past criticism of Donald Trump in his first interview since the Republican’s election victory. Mr Lammy previously described the president-elect as a “woman-hating, neo-Nazi-sympathising sociopath”. In his first interview since Trump’s victory, he appeared on BBC’s Newscast podcast to discuss the future of the UK’s relationship with the US. Lammy said he sees Trump as “someone that we can build a relationship with in our national interest”. The foreign secretary also praised Trump’s election campaign as “very well run”. https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/news/lammy-responds-trump-criticism-bbc-podcast-b2643591.html

Kemi Badenoch slashes two points off Labour’s lead in her first week as Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has cut into Keir Starmer’s poll lead in her first week as Conservative Party leader, closing the gap by two points. The Techne UK weekly tracker poll for The Independent has revealed in the week since she took over from Rishi Sunak, Ms Badenoch has increased the Conservative support by one point to 25 per cent while Labour has fallen a point to 29 per cent reducing the gap from six points to four. It comes in a difficult week for Sir Keir’s…

David Lammy breaks silence on past criticism calling Trump ‘neo-Nazi-sympathising sociopath’ for first time David Lammy has moved to dampen down speculation of a rift with Donald Trump after his comments branding the president-elect “a racist KKK and Nazi sympathiser” resurfaced. In an article in 2018 the now foreign secretary wrote about Mr Trump’s first official visit to the UK and described him as a “tyrant” and “a woman-hating, neo-Nazi-sympathising sociopath”. However, in his first interview since the president-elect’s victory he told the BBC Newcast podcast that Mr Trump’s campaign was “very well run”, adding: “I felt in my bones…

Royal news – live: Kate Middleton to make poignant return to duty as Prince William opens up on ‘brutal’ 2024 The Princess of Wales is continuing her steady return to royal duties as she prepares to appear at two remembrance events over the weekend. Kate, who announced she had finished cancer treatment in September, is to attend both the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph and the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Queen’s attendance at Remembrance events will be subject to medical advice nearer the time, the Palace said. Camilla, 77, is unwell…

Prince William has opened up about the ‘brutal’ year he and his family have faced following his wife’s cancer diagnosis. William also discussed his father’s cancer diagnosis and expressed how proud he was of both of them for the way they handled their health issues. 

Prince William has opened up about the difficult year he and his family have faced following his wife’s cancer battle. Shortly before Kate’s cancer was announced, William’s father was also diagnosed with cancer. The prince has described the year as ‘brutal.’

The Bank of England has cut interest rates to 4.75%. It’s the second cut in the base rate this year – it came down from 5.25% to 5% in August. The Bank’s base rate heavily influences the cost of borrowing, including mortgages – a lower rate is supposed to encourage consumer spending. Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey says it is “likely that interest rates will continue to fall gradually from here” – but adds inflation needs to stay close to the 2% target.

Three people have been arrested in the death of former One Direction pop star Liam Payne. They have been arrested on drug charges and “the abandonment of a person followed by death”. Payne fell from a hotel balcony in Argentina last month, his body was recently flown home.

Most areas will have a dry but cloudy and cool day, with hill fog in places. It will be breezy in the west, with patchy drizzle most likely here too. Northern Scotland will see some sunshine. Local brighter breaks elsewhere.