Author: News Desk

Hunter Biden pleads guilty in tax case Hunter Biden has unexpectedly pleaded guilty to all nine federal tax evasion charges against him, just as his trial was about to begin. The plea comes as a surprise to federal prosecutors who were preparing for the trial. Biden, the 54-year-old son of President Joe Biden, was accused of evading $1.4 million in income taxes between 2016 and 2019. He had previously denied intentionally avoiding taxes but changed his plea after prosecutors objected to his initial proposal of pleading guilty while maintaining his innocence. This development follows Biden’s conviction three months ago in…

At least 17 pupils have died in a fire at Hillside Endarasha Primary School in Nyeri County, central Kenya, according to police. The blaze, which broke out Thursday night, has also left over a dozen students hospitalised with severe burns.  The cause of the fire is under investigation, and a team of investigators has been dispatched to the scene, police spokesperson Resila Onyango reported. The Kenya Red Cross is offering psychosocial support to students, teachers, and families affected by the tragedy and has set up a tracing desk at the school. School fires have been a recurring issue in Kenya,…

7-Eleven owner rejects $38bn buyout offer The Japanese parent company of 7-Eleven, Seven & i Holdings, has turned down a $38 billion takeover offer from Canadian firm Alimentation Couche-Tard (ACT). Seven & i Holdings criticised the bid, saying it “grossly” undervalued the company and faced significant regulatory hurdles. Despite rejecting the offer, Seven & i remains open to further negotiations. In a response letter, Seven & i Holdings, led by the special committee chair Stephen Dacus, argued that the initial bid of $14.86 per share undervalued the company and was opportunistic, particularly given the current weak Japanese yen. They also…

Grenfell: the lies and greed exposed – podcast After seven long years, the inquiry into a fire in a London tower block that left 72 people dead has concluded. But is justice for the victims – and survivors – any closer? It’s more than seven years since Grenfell Tower burned. Now, finally, a public inquiry has finished sifting through thousands of documents, evidence from hundreds of public hearings and more than 1,600 witness statements. And its conclusions could not be more clear: every one of the 72 deaths was avoidable. The Guardian’s social affairs correspondent, Rob Booth, has reported on…

10 best London deals from gourmet burgers to immersive Halloween experience Looking for 10 things to do in London? Of course you are. Luckily, there’s lots to in this city to do for cheap! At least… There is now. Metro has teamed up with Time Out to bring you the best deals across the capital. Every Friday, 10 new deals will drop, available in the Metro newspaper, on Metro.co.uk, and on our socials. You’ll also find them in our weekly London newsletter, The Slice, in your inbox every Wednesday. Fine-dining in one London’s most iconic landmarks with the most recognisable views…

UK Daily Trending stories Trending – Grenfell victims failed by everyone There is one story dominating the UK news cycle and online media space today – the report from the Grenfell fire inquiry which lays out the multiple failures that led to the 20217 tragedy. The report of the six-year public inquiry found that the Grenfell Tower fire that killed 72 people in 20217 was the result of a chain of failures by governments, “dishonest” companies and a lack of strategy by the fire service, the final report of the six-year public inquiry has concluded. Basic Facts The reaction  The papers reacted…

Can Kamala Harris win the US election? In two months – on 5 November – Americans will head to the polls to vote for their next president. The latest polling suggests a neck-and-neck race between Democratic nominee Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump. The race for the White House could come down to just a few swing states and with the economy at the top of the concerns for the American people, it’s hard to predict the likely outcome. European commentators are debating whether Harris can win – and what her best strategy will be.  KEY FACTS 2024 Presidential election is two months away Kamala…

Andy Murray’s meltdown in Dubai was one of the rudest moments seen from any tennis player in 2024, but he’s certainly not the only culprit. Tennis players behaving badly is nothing new – but the recent scandal involving Yulia Putintseva and a US Open ball girl has put it back in everyone’s minds. Metro.co.uk takes a look back at the 10 wildest moments from this year, with Emma Raducanu and Novak Djokovic both on the list… Yulia Putintseva — US Open Yulia Putintseva went viral at the US Open for brutally disrespecting a ball girl in her match against Wimbledon…

With the 2024 Paris Olympics done and dusted, attentions are quickly turning to the Paralympic Games which get underway in just over a week’s time. And while Paralympic athletes put the finishing touches on their preparations, there’s a little-known rule they should be wary of heading into this summer’s spectacle in the French capital. In recent years, it has become something of a tradition for Olympians to get inked up with the iconic Olympic rings to commemorate and remember their participation at a Games. However, Paralympians emblazoned with the five rings could face severe punishment should they fail to cover…

I have to admit I would have done anything to be at the Olympics. I definitely have some ‘FOMO’. A Games is an amazing experience and one which I got to have in Tokyo three years ago, albeit during the coronavirus pandemic. When we failed to qualify Great Britain for Paris, it was very hard indeed. I would have crawled onto the pitch to be at the Olympics! But maybe there is a silver living in there somewhere, as tough as that is to admit because it was very difficult to watch from afar wanting to be there. And that…