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- Family of Ann Widdecombe announces public memorial following her death
- Ukraine launches extensive drone strike on Wildberries warehouses in Russia
- Lawmakers update air passenger rights, enhancing protections for travellers
- Trump threatens 50 per cent tariff on Canadian goods worth $20 billion
- US and Saudi Arabia sign nuclear cooperation agreement for civilian programme
- Modelling scout linked to Epstein investigation found dead at home near Paris
- Ireland’s politicians outline plans for EU presidency amid key challenges
- Toronto officer provided burner phones from lost property to accused colleague
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Family of Ann Widdecombe announces public memorial following her death
9:00 am
Get you up to speed: Ann Widdecombe’s family announce public memorial after outpouring of support | News UK
Ann Widdecombe, a former Tory MP, was found dead in her bungalow in Haytor, Dartmoor, on July 9 after suffering 21 blunt force injuries to the head. Joshua Kerry, 28, has been charged with her murder and is remanded in custody, with a court appearance scheduled for October 9.
Joshua Kerry, 28, has been remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear at the Old Bailey on October 9 as the investigation into the murder continues. Police enquiries are focusing on the suspect’s motives, which may include a potential political or terrorist connection.
Ann Widdecombe’s family has announced a public memorial will take place later this year, while a private service for close friends and family is scheduled in the coming weeks. The Chief Crown Prosecutor of the CPS Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, Frank Ferguson, confirmed that Joshua Kerry has been charged with her murder, stating that investigations into potential motives—including a political or terrorist connection—are ongoing.
What remains unclear — Investigators have not disclosed the specific motives behind the alleged murder of Ann Widdecombe.
Family of Ann Widdecombe announces public memorial following her death
Ann Widdecombe’s family has announced a public memorial will be held for her later this year after she was found murdered in her bungalow.
The former Tory-MP, 78, was found dead on July 9 after being ‘hit in the head with a hammer 21 times’.
Her family thanked the public for their ‘wide expression of condolences’ but a private service which is being held in the coming weeks is invite-only.
Their statement said: ‘We understand that there is significant public interest in the funeral of Ann Widdecombe.
‘A private service for family and close friends will be held in the coming weeks, and invitations for this ceremony have been distributed.
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‘A more public memorial will follow later in the year, the details of which will be released in due course.
‘While we are very grateful for the wide expression of condolences, the family would ask that this initial service is limited to those closest to Ann.’
The Reform UK spokesperson was found by her gardener lying face down on her kitchen floor with serious head injuries, prosecutors told Westminster Magistrates’ Court.
Joshua Kerry, 28, from Rotherham, appeared in court charged with Ann’s murder this afternoon.
Prosecutor Kashif Malik told the court that Kerry allegedly pulled up outside Ann’s house as she was eating lunch and entered through the front door.
A camera positioned in the hallway showed the 78-year-old politician sitting down eating lunch in the kitchen before the defendant entered via the front door and asked her: ‘Don’t suppose you have bank cards and ID?’
Kerry is accused of walking into Ann’s kitchen and using a hammer to hit her on the head 21 times, the court heard.
The suspect then allegedly tipped Ann from her chair and took a wallet out of her handbag before leaving and driving off, the court was told.
The prosecution claims Kerry was only inside the property for two minutes.
The Old Bailey was told later it was allegedly a ‘planned and targeted’ attack carried out with a ‘ferocity of violence’.
Kerry has been remanded in custody, and will appear at the Old Bailey on October 9.
Frank Ferguson, Chief Crown Prosecutor of the CPS Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division said last night: ‘We have decided to prosecute Joshua Kerry for murder following a police investigation into the death of Ann Widdecombe in Haytor, Dartmoor.
‘Police enquiries into the defendant’s motives are ongoing, including a potential political or terrorist connection.
‘Our prosecutors have worked closely with the police to establish that there is sufficient evidence to bring this case to court, and we will continue working with them as their investigation progresses.
‘We remind all concerned that proceedings against the defendant are active and he has the right to a fair trial.
‘It is vital that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.’
Ukraine launches extensive drone strike on Wildberries warehouses in Russia
8:00 am
Get you up to speed: ‘Russia’s Amazon’ warehouses obliterated in large-scale drone blitz | News World
A large-scale drone strike by Ukraine targeted the warehouses of Russia’s largest online retailer, Wildberries, resulting in the death of one staff member and injuries to at least ten others. The attack occurred in Krasnodar, with additional strikes reported in Nevinnomyssk and Armavir, where local authorities confirmed further casualties from drone debris.
The strikes on Wildberries warehouses in Krasnodar and Nevinnomyssk occurred on Tuesday night, continuing a series of attacks on the retailer, which began with a separate strike on Saturday that resulted in the deaths of eight workers. The regional governor of Krasnodar reported that debris from the drone attacks damaged two high-rise apartment buildings, underscoring the broader impact of the strikes beyond just the targeted facilities.
Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak warned that the attack on Wildberries, which generates 8.5% of the nation’s GDP through digital sales, could significantly disrupt the economy. Tatyana Kim, head of Wildberries, expressed deep emotional distress over the impact on their employees and operations, stating, “There are no words to describe all the feelings and emotions caused by the attacks.”
What remains unclear — The scale of damage and total losses for Wildberries following the drone strikes has not been detailed.
Ukraine launches extensive drone strike on Wildberries warehouses in Russia
Russia was dealt another blow after the warehouses of its largest online retailer were hit in a large-scale drone strike by Ukraine.
One staff member was killed and several people were injured in a multi-pronged attack on Wildberries, dubbed the country’s answer to Amazon, on Tuesday night.
Footage shared on social media shows a cloud of smoke billowing over Krasnodar.
The city’s regional governor, Veniamin Kondratiev, said 10 people had been hurt after a storage complex was hit, while drone debris also hit and damaged two high-rise apartment buildings.
The company’s head, Tatyana Kim, said on Wednesday that warehouses in Nevinnomyssk were also hit. A worker was also killed in Armavir after drone debris fell on a building, local authorities said.
One of the Wildberries warehouses hit in the drone strike (Picture: Social media via Reuters)
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One person was killed and at least 10 were injured in the strikes (Picture: Social media via Reuters)
In a post to the social media platform Telegram, Kim said: ‘There are no words to describe all the feelings and emotions caused by the attacks on ordinary people, on our employees, on all of us who are simply doing our jobs.’
Wildberries has not officially commented on the attacks.
In a separate strike on Saturday, eight Wildberries workers were killed.
The online shop started as a clothing retailer but has since expanded its product range, eventually becoming a marketplace available to third-party vendors.
Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said the sale of goods and services on digital platforms equated to roughly 8.5% of the country’s GDP.
The strike could prove a major problem for Putin (Picture: via Reuters)
So the strikes on this, one of Russia’s biggest online retailers, present a major threat to Russia’s economy.
Blackouts were also reported across occupied Crimea after Ukrainian drones hit two electric substations in Masandra and Yalta.
The upper rungs of Ukraine’s military are facing issues of their own after Volodymyr Zelensky sacked the head of his armed forces.
Demonstrations have broken out across the country after defence minister Mykhailo Federov, known for modernising the army, was fired from his post last week.
In a post on social media shared on Wednesday, the Ukrainian president said: ‘Together with [new commander-in-chief] Mykhailo Drapatyi and [interim defence minister] Yevhenii Khmara, we determined that Major General Ihor Skybiuk will become the new Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
‘He is a highly experienced officer who defended Ukraine shoulder to shoulder with the new Commander-in-Chief. It is important that all components of our Armed Forces continue to function in complete coordination.’
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Lawmakers update air passenger rights, enhancing protections for travellers
7:00 am
Lawmakers update air passenger rights, enhancing protections for travellers
New Regulations
Lawmakers finalised updates to air passenger rights on 15 June, introducing measures that include banning the no-show clause and clarifying compensation processes.
Lawmakers finalised updates to air passenger rights on 15 June, introducing measures that include banning the no-show clause and clarifying compensation processes.
Claim Agency Impact
The new regulations are projected to significantly reduce reliance on claims agencies, estimated at nearly 25% of eligible passengers by 2028, shifting compensation responsibilities to airlines.
The new regulations are projected to significantly reduce reliance on claims agencies, estimated at nearly 25% of eligible passengers by 2028, shifting compensation responsibilities to airlines.
Official statement
“The new rules shift the responsibility for seeking compensation to the airlines, ensuring clearer communication and easing the claims process for passengers,” stated MEP Andrey Novakov.
“The new rules shift the responsibility for seeking compensation to the airlines, ensuring clearer communication and easing the claims process for passengers,” stated MEP Andrey Novakov.
Air passenger rights: This is how you get your money back
Lawmakers agreed to update air passenger rights on 15 June after thirteen years of negotiations. The deal adds new protections, including banning the no-show clause and clarifying compensation and reimbursement, and maintains current protections for flight disruptions.
For two decades, airlines have avoided paying, leaving €3.2 billionunclaimed. Airlines contested claims and refused compensation. Consumer groups noted lengthy procedures, unclear policies, and confusing websites. Rights enforcement became a frustration for passengers.
This gap allowed claims agencies to create a new business model, exposing the failure of EU rules to protect travellers effectively.
“This failure has driven the growth of claim agencies. Ideally, passengers should be able to obtain compensation directly and easily, without having to rely on intermediaries”, Kristína Gírethová, aviation and rail policy officer at the European Consumer Association (BEUC), explained.
Why passengers struggle to exercise their rights
Awareness is the main reason. A survey by the claim agency AirHelp found that 79 per cent of respondents were unaware of their rights. Airlines informed travellers about their rights in only 40 per cent of cases.
Many passengers, even when aware of their rights, don’t act because of complex claims procedures and confusing airline websites. “Airlines have no intention of giving clear information”, Eric Napoli, chief legal officer at AirHelp explained.
“Low awareness and burdensome procedures have prevented many passengers from exercising their rights under EC261. Only 38 per cent of eligible passengers actually receive compensation. A majority of travellers do not even complain”, Gírethová told EU News.
Airlines often take advantage of the “extraordinary circumstances” clause to deny compensation, leaving passengers without leverage to challenge rejections. According to Napoli, “there is a huge difference between what the airline and what the passengers know […]. The consumer does not really have access to information on whether the airline is correct”.
AirHelp found that airlines wrongfully reject 52 per cent of claims due to alleged bad weather, insufficient passenger documentation, and technical problems.
“If you go to the airline and say your flight was delayed, and they say it was not their fault but an extraordinary circumstance, what can you do about it?”, Napoli told EU News.
Turning rights into payouts
“AirHelp acts as a group of lawyers but assists passengers more efficiently and at a lower cost”, Napoli explained. It offers a three-step system: “claim in 2 minutes; we handle everything; you win compensation”.
Passengers submit their flight details online. AirHelp uses an automated data system to determine if a flight was cancelled or delayed, the delay duration and its reasons. Then, AirHelp challenges the airline’s rejection.
“If the delay is not an extraordinary circumstance and therefore the airline should pay, we go to the airline […], and we show them that it can’t be bad weather because within five minutes, there were five other planes that took off”.
If necessary, claim agencies pursue legal action. AirHelp has so far secured compensation for more than 3 million passengers and won 99 per cent of cases, but only 2 per cent went to court.
“Airlines work with us on a regular basis to be very efficient. They know that we give them good claims. We often review them together and agree right on the spot. It’s a reduction of costs for them”.
Help comes at a cost
AirHelp keeps 35 per cent of successful compensations, with an additional 15 per cent for legal action. “We assume the cost of winning and losing. If you win, you pay. If you lose, you don’t”, Napoli explained.
“We reject 20 per cent of claims just up front because we know that the claim is not a good claim, and we have no incentive to take a losing claim because we have to pay if we lose”, Napoli said.
Critics, including the International Air Transport Association (IATA), label agencies as “claim farms,” accusing them of being “experts at gaming the system and leaching off passengers”.
“People know up front that they have to pay a fee”, Napoli said, adding that “for many, it’s better to pay and receive compensation than get nothing at all or risk expensive legal proceedings”. BEUC expects that almost 25 per cent of passengers entitled to compensation will turn to claims agencies by 2028.
“If everything worked, there would be no need for claim agencies. There wouldn’t be 12,000 court cases only in Berlin suing companies for compensation. This means that you are not protected and you look for protection from claim agencies”, MEP Andrey Novakov of the European People’s Party and rapporteur on air passenger rights in the Parliament said.
What the new rules mean for claim agencies
The new rules address issues that claim agencies have spent twenty years building their businesses on.
Starting mid-2027, airlines must notify passengers of their rights, provide clear instructions for claiming compensation, and send compensation forms electronically within 96 hours. They must acknowledge claims within 30 days and either repay or justify any refusal.
“The new rules shift the responsibility for seeking compensation to the airlines, to deal with bureaucracy, emails and forms”, Novakov explained, adding that this “will for sure make it easier for passengers to handle claims themselves”.
“The revised regulation maintains legal certainty regarding the concept of extraordinary circumstances. This should help prevent unjustified refusals of compensation claims by airlines”, Gírethová said.
National Enforcement Bodies “will be better equipped and are expected to act more proactively […] their role is now clarified and strengthened, with closer coordination across borders”, she added.
“If the rules become clearer, airlines provide information proactively and complaints are handled more efficiently, naturally some passengers will no longer feel the need to use claim agencies”, Novakov said.
Claim agencies will continue to play a role for passengers who prefer convenience over the hassle of filing claims on their own.
“At the same time, claim agencies provide a service that some passengers may prefer. I expect they will continue to play a role where passengers choose to use them. This reform is about giving people more choice, not less”, Novakov told EU News.
Trump threatens 50 per cent tariff on Canadian goods worth $20 billion
4:00 am
Get you up to speed: From wigs to wine, Canadian goods targeted in Trump’s latest tariff threats
U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose a 50 per cent tariff on hundreds of Canadian product categories worth approximately $20 billion. This development involves trade relations between the United States and Canada.
The proposed tariffs by U.S. President Donald Trump could significantly impact trade relations, affecting around $20 billion worth of Canadian goods. As of now, no formal announcement has been made regarding the implementation timeline for these tariffs.
U.S. President Donald Trump has warned of imposing a 50 per cent tariff on hundreds of Canadian product categories valued at approximately $20 billion. In response, Canadian officials are assessing the potential impact on trade relations and are preparing to discuss countermeasures to mitigate economic repercussions.
What remains unclear — It is unknown which specific Canadian product categories would be affected by the proposed tariffs.
Trump threatens 50 per cent tariff on Canadian goods worth $20 billion
The measures, threatened by U.S. President Donald Trump, would impose a 50 per cent tariff on hundreds of Canadian product categories valued at roughly $20 billion.
US and Saudi Arabia sign nuclear cooperation agreement for civilian programme
2:00 am
Get you up to speed: U.S. and Saudi Arabia sign deal that could allow civil nuclear program on Saudi soil
The U.S. and Saudi Arabia have signed a commercial nuclear deal aimed at establishing a civilian nuclear program in Saudi Arabia, announced by the U.S. Department of Energy. Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman signed the agreement, with immediate confirmation of its potential to boost Saudi energy capacity.
The U.S. Department of Energy indicated that the deal will require congressional review as mandated by a 1954 law concerning nuclear cooperation agreements. Additionally, Westinghouse Electric Company is among the U.S. firms involved in the development of Saudi Arabia’s nuclear sector, which aims to enhance energy capacity for various civilian applications.
The U.S. Department of Energy confirmed the signing of a commercial nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia, with Energy Secretary Chris Wright emphasising commitments to “nonproliferation” and nuclear safety. The agreement will undergo congressional review as mandated by a 1954 law, with Westinghouse Electric Company expressing optimism about the long-term economic benefits for both nations.
What remains unclear — The specific details and text of the nuclear deal between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia have not yet been released.
US and Saudi Arabia sign nuclear cooperation agreement for civilian programme
Washington — The U.S. and Saudi governments have signed a commercial nuclear deal that could allow Saudi Arabia to have a civilian nuclear program on its soil in cooperation with American companies, the U.S. Department of Energy announced Wednesday.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman signed what the Trump administration calls a peaceful nuclear cooperation agreement, along with a safeguard agreement that the Energy Department says will lay the groundwork for a multibillion-dollar partnership to boost Saudi energy capacity. The deal could set the stage for a nuclear program for energy and other civilian purposes, not to build nuclear weapons.
WTX US News previously reported the expected signing, which was first reported by the Wall Street Journal.
“These agreements reflect our two nations’ shared commitment to strengthening U.S.-Saudi commercial relations, delivering prosperity at home and security to our allies abroad,” Wright said in a statement. “Rest assured, these agreements uphold the highest standards of nuclear safety and nonproliferation, while relying on the world’s best nuclear technology and scientists, designed right here in the United States.”
The deal would create the potential for uranium enrichment on Saudi soil, though that would be controlled by a contracted corporation and only after a lengthy study is completed, WTX US News previously reported. A civilian program is for energy supply for things like AI data centers, and not a military program.
The U.S. will want to see protocols and monitoring. The text of the deal has not yet been released.
The agreement will go to Congress for review, the Energy Department said. A 1954 law requires congressional review of all nuclear cooperation deals with foreign countries.
Westinghouse Electric Company, which builds nuclear reactors, is one of the U.S. companies planning to help develop Saudi Arabia’s nuclear sector.
“The U.S. government’s announcement to launch a civil nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia is a landmark step that strengthens energy security, expands opportunities for U.S. industry and workers, and drives significant long-term economic growth and investment benefits for both countries,” said Westinghouse CEO Dan Sumner.
A Trump administration framework for civil nuclear cooperation had been publicly announced in the fall of 2025. At the time, Wright described it as including bilateral safeguard agreements to bring U.S. nuclear technology to the kingdom. At the time, Wright stipulated that this keeps a “firm commitment to nonproliferation.”
The original framework for this agreement was developed under the Biden administration, which a former U.S. official with direct knowledge described as requiring U.S.-only enrichment at a U.S.-controlled facility. It would also have been subject to congressional approval.
Under former President Joe Biden, the deal had been tied to a U.S. push to incentivize Saudi Arabia to follow through on the normalization of relations with the state of Israel. Normalization was also dependent on Israel providing a pathway to a future for self-determination by Palestinians, not necessarily a state of their own, and it offered investments and diplomatic representation. After the deadly terrorist attack by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023, and the launch of the war in Gaza, that deal was put on hold.
But fuel-rich Saudi Arabia was still interested in the nuclear energy cooperation, particularly given the high degree of energy supply needed for artificial intelligence. The late Sen. Lindsey Graham had continued to work on this effort through both administrations.
The Trump deal does not appear to be overtly linked to a foreign policy objective, though the administration is at pains to reassure regional allies of the U.S. commitment to their security amid the ongoing Iran war. Saudi Arabia and other regional allies have borne the brunt of Iranian attacks since the war began at the end of February.
The landmark deal signifies the strengthening alliance and trust between the U.S. and the Saudis. But the civilian nuclear deal is likely to irritate Iran, Saudi Arabia’s chief rival, which has long insisted on its right as a signatory of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons to maintain a civilian nuclear program.
Saudi Arabia will not be the first Gulf state with a civilian nuclear program. Back in 2009, the Obama administration signed an agreement with the United Arab Emirates that included a pledge for peaceful nuclear energy under nonproliferation controls.
Modelling scout linked to Epstein investigation found dead at home near Paris
1:00 am
Get you up to speed: Modelling scout investigated over Epstein links found dead in home | News World
Daniel Siad, a modelling scout implicated in the Epstein files, was found dead at his home outside Paris, France. The Nanterre prosecutor’s office confirmed the discovery and stated that an investigation to determine the cause of death has been opened.
An investigation has been initiated by the Nanterre prosecutor’s office following the discovery of Daniel Siad’s body, with an autopsy pending. Siad had been among several individuals under scrutiny in connection with the trafficking and abuse allegations linked to Jeffrey Epstein.
The Nanterre prosecutor’s office has launched an investigation to determine the cause of Daniel Siad’s death, found at his home outside Paris. Following Siad’s death, the scrutiny on individuals associated with Jeffrey Epstein remains heightened, with public and institutional focus on ongoing investigations into trafficking and abuse.
What remains unclear — The cause of Daniel Siad’s death has not yet been established pending an autopsy.
Modelling scout linked to Epstein investigation found dead at home near Paris
Daniel Siad”s body was found at his home outside Paris, France (Picture: US Department of Justice)
A modelling scout who was named more than 1,000 times in the Epstein files has been found dead.
Daniel Siad was one of a number of men under investigation in France after being accused of helping the late Jeffrey Epstein to traffic and abuse women.
Siad, 69, had denied any wrongdoing and said he wanted to be heard and give his version of events.
The Nanterre prosecutor’s office confirmed on Wednesday that Siad’s body had been found in his house outside Paris. An autopsy has yet to be carried out.
Jeffrey Epstein was found dead in his prison cell in 2019 (Picture: AP)
It added: ‘An investigation to determine the cause of death was opened on Monday evening following the discovery.’
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In a message to Epstein dated 2014, Siad compared the process of allegedly recruiting women to fishing.
‘In This busyness I feel like fisherman some time I cache quick, some time no fish [sic],’ he said.
‘I had 2 girls from Sweden, a Slovakian, 2 French and [redacted] the Russian, with whom you spoke and a beautiful Chinese named [redacted].’
To this, Epstein wrote: ‘I will reimburse you of course for any expenses.’
He later said the American billionaire – who died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial – had ‘taken advantage of his trust’.
In 2020, French authorities arrested Jean-Luc Brunel, a modelling agent accused of recruiting women on behalf of Epstein.
Siad worked as a scout on commission for Brunel, the Guardian previously reported.
He was found dead in prison in February 2022, after spending 14 months awaiting trial on charges of rape of minors and sexual harassment – which he denied – along with accusations of participation in Epstein’s trafficking.
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