Browsing: Politics

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.

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.

Ahmed al-Sharaa, widely known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, leader of the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), declared that the former regime’s notorious security apparatus would be dismantled. The statement, reported by Reuters, came after the fall of Assad’s government.

South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol has defended his decision to declare a short-lived martial law, saying it was a measure to protect the country’s democracy.

“We are going to see very big changes,” said Olha Stefanishyna, Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration. Stefanishyna said the spoke with…

US President-elect Donald Trump defended his choice of Charles Kushner for US ambassador to France, describing him as a “family member” and a “very successful man” in an interview released on Wednesday, December 11.

  South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol on Thursday defended his decision to declare short-lived martial law saying it was a measure to protect the country’s democracy.…

French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday urged the release of protesters “arbitrarily” arrested in a crackdown on pro-EU demonstrations in Georgia, in telephone talks with the billionaire former premier Bidzina Ivanishvili, the Elysée said.

  The embezzlement trial threatening Marine Le Pen with a ban from running for public office is not deterring her far-right Rassemblement National (RN) from…

The United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly passed on Wednesday a resolution demanding an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in the devastated Gaza Strip. The ongoing…

The South Korean president has defended his martial law decree as an act of governance and denied rebellion charges.

What impact will the fall of Bashar al-Assad have on ongoing proceedings in France against former Syrian regime officials? According to the National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s…

Israel has confirmed it carried out attacks on Syria’s naval fleet, as part of its efforts to neutralise military assets in the country after the fall of the Assad regime.

There are reports that Syrian migrants are attempting to return home despite the uncertainty of what lies ahead for Syria. European nations – including Britain – have paused Syrian asylum claims as they await to see how the new direction the rebels take the country in.

The man accused of shooting dead healthcare insurance CEO Brian Thompson in New York jostled with police and shouted at reporters as he was bundled into court on Tuesday. More details have emerged about the killing, as well as a reported manifesto. Luigi Mangione is attempting to fight extradition to New York City and is reportedly planning to plead not guilty.

Arne Slot’s side have made a dream start in Europe this season and, winning at Girona on Tuesday night, have all but skipped the play-off round and secured a spot in the Champions League last 16.

International news continues to dominate the UK newspaper front pages this morning as events across the Middle East continue to unfold as do updates into the shooting death of American healthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

In domestic news, the government has plans to open 14,000 more prison places and government departments have recommended a pay rise of 2.8% for millions of public sector workers including teachers, NHS staff and senior civil servants next year.

Last night’s Champions League matches make the back pages with Liverpool’s 1-0 win – continuing their perfect start to the campaign – leading most sports pages.

Former South Korean Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun, embroiled in a controversy over a failed attempt to impose martial law, has reportedly tried to take his own life, according to officials.

The Government has said it will build four new prisons within the next seven years in a bid to grip the overcrowding crisis. The Ministry…

The clash between the Community and the Madrid City Council (PP) with the Government of Spain (PSOE and Sumar) will experience a rare truce this Wednesday: the regional executive will give the green light to sign with the Ministry of Universities the María Goyri Program, which will finance 1,091 teaching positions thanks to an investment shared by the State (169.8 million, 60%) and Madrid (112.3).

The general director of the NGO demands that school cafeterias be free “to fight against childhood inequality” At the beginning of this school year, the…

Joe Biden warns of the consequences of Donald Trump’s planned tariffs on imports from Mexico, Canada and China. He described the policy as a “catastrophe” for the US economy and spoke of a “big mistake”.

Kimberly Guilfoyle doesn’t have any previous diplomatic experience: Nevertheless, Donald Trump wants to send his son’s (possibly still-) fiancée to Athens as ambassador.

Police are searching South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s office, according to reports.

The guarantee committee of Más Madrid has decided to annul the decision of the party leadership to dismiss Loreto Arenillas as a member of the…

UK politics live: Farage denies Reform UK now party for millionaires, as Nick Candy pledges at least £1m Billionaire property developer appointed treasurer after defecting…

UK would like to facilitate return of refugees to Syria, says minister The Home Office would like to facilitate the return of refugees to Syria,…

Germany has committed to tightening its laws to make facilitating people-smuggling to the UK a criminal offence, as part of a new agreement with Britain to curb illegal Channel crossings.