Another chilly and rather grey day across much of the UK. Outbreaks of light rain and drizzle possible, with a band of more persistent rain arriving across northwest Scotland later. Hill fog will lead to murky conditions in places. Tonight:
A close friend of Prince Andrew has lost his appeal against a decision banning him from the UK on national security grounds. An MI5 investigation alleged the man – known as H6 – was spying for China.
The UK economy shrank for the second month in a row in October as concerns about the Budget continued to weigh on confidence.
England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have discovered their 2026 World Cup qualifying opponents following Friday’s draw in Zurich. England will face Serbia, Albania, Latvia and Andorra.
In France, President Emmanuel Macron has named centrist leader François Bayrou as France’s next prime minister, in a bid to end months of political turmoil.
December 9, 2024
9:53 am
UK start-ups still at the forefront of global innovation
Despite the “doom and gloom” narrative and post-Budget fears looming over the UK’s start-up ecosystem, the country still holds its ground at the forefront of global innovation.
At least that is the view of Ashish Patel, managing director at Houlihan Lokey’s Capital Market Group, who says that a rise of international investment into UK start-ups this year is indeed a sign of good fortune.
While referencing the success of “landmark deals” across a variety of sectors this year, including AI firm Wayve’s $1bn (£787m) raise for self-driving cars, biotech start-up Nuclera’s $75m (£59m) for protein discoveries, and fintech Monzo’s additional raise of $430m (£338m), Patel’s argument becomes clear.
“Following the global investment declines of 2022, investment in UK-based businesses is picking up,” Patel says.
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.
Sarah Sharif - its not human what they did
Sara Sharif: ‘It’s not human to do this to you daughter’
‘Not human,’ reports The Sun.
The Sun leads with the tragic death of Sara Sharif. The paper reports the girl’s mother said: “It is not human to do this to your own child” after the ten-year-old’s dad was found guilty of her murder.
Daily Express calls for an inquiry into child protection services in the UK.
The Daily Express says Sara was “killed by the very adults who should have loved and protected her.” The paper calls for an inquiry to look at what is going wrong with child protection in the UK.
‘Sara’s smile masked the horrors she endured,’ says the Mirror.
The Daily Mirror says Sara was described as a “cheerful little soul” whose smile masked the horrors she endured. She died after “two years of sickening abuse,’” the paper adds.
‘Sharif showed no emotion as jury found him guilty of his daughter’s murder,’ notes the Metro.
The Metro says Sharif showed “no emotion” after a jury found him guilty of his daughter’s murder. The paper says Sharif’s brother, Faisal Malik, 29, was convicted of causing or allowing a child’s death and that the three will be sentenced next week.
‘At least 15 missed chances to prevent her death,’ says the Mail.
The Mail says at least 15 chances to prevent Sara’s death were missed by the courts, police, social services and teachers. She was “let down by everyone supposed to protect her”, it says. The paper adds Sharif and Batool now face a “lifetime behind bars”.
‘Sara plunged into a life of misery and violence from birth,’ says The Times.
The Times says Sara was “plunged into a life of misery and violence” from the moment she was born, despite being the subject of a child protection plan from birth. From when Sara was a toddler, in around 2013, council workers observed issues with her development, including that she was unable to “vocalise to protect herself” and, on one occasion, stood facing a wall.
‘Sara’s case highlights weakness in UK system,’ says the i.
The i newspaper quotes Children’s Commissioner Rachel de Souza saying that Sara was “failed in the starkest terms by the safety net of services around her” and that the case highlights “profound weaknesses in our system”.
Civil service jobs to be axed
‘Civil service jobs to be axed’
‘Civil service jobs to be axed as it become too big,’ says The Guardian.
The Guardian reports that 10,000 civil service jobs are to be axed under a new government efficiency drive. Sources tell the paper that there is an acceptance that the civil service has become too big after expanding to meet the demands of Brexit and the pandemic.
‘Tories upset over Rayner’s plans to built on green belt,’ notes The Telegraph.
The Telegraph says the government is facing accusations that they want to “bulldoze the Home Counties” as it prepares to set out a major overhaul of planning rules. The paper says the changes put forward by Angela Rayner will allow new estates to be built on the green belt around major cities. The paper says Tories have warned that existing residents could be deprived of a say over the new plans.
Starmer hopes UK will get an investment boost
‘Civil service jobs to be axed’
‘UK needs houses desperately,’ Starmer reminds The Sun’s readers.
Writing about the plans in the Sun, Keir Starmer says he wants to take on the “blockers, the nimbys and the naysayers to build the houses and communities we desperately need”,
‘Qatar wealth fund preparing to invest,’ notes The FT.
The FT says Qatar’s $500bn sovereign wealth fund is preparing to invest “aggressively” overseas ahead of a new windfall from the sale of oil that could double its size. The fun’s chief executive tells the FT the fun expects to do “bigger-ticket deals” with “more frequency” and will be looking to invest in the US, UK and Asia.
A system meant to protect, failed her. Sara Sharif endured unimaginable abuse before her life was cut tragically short. A heart-wrenching reminder of the cost of ignoring red flags & not putting children’s safety at the heart of decisions.
I hope they put all three of them in prison & throw away the key. Despicable brutality. Sara Sharif ‘forced to wear hijab to school to conceal injuries’
If there is one thing we can all learn from Sara Sharif’s murder, it is that all homeschooled children need to be visited very regularly by social workers and flagged by the authorities. No more little dead bodies hidden behind isolating front doors.
Syria is witnessing mass celebrations as citizens gather to mark the end of five decades of rule by the Assad regime. Images from Damascus show large crowds assembling for the
After 17 years as European Union members, Romania and Bulgaria will officially join the EU’s border-free Schengen travel zone on January 1, 2025. The decision allows citizens from both countries
Israeli airstrikes in Gaza have killed at least 35 Palestinians, including 12 individuals guarding aid trucks, according to medics and Gaza’s Hamas-run Civil Defence authority. The guards were reportedly protecting
Sean “Diddy” Combs faces new allegations of rape and sexual assault, as three men have filed separate lawsuits in New York Supreme Court. The lawsuits, submitted Thursday, allege incidents between
President Joe Biden has issued pardons to 39 Americans convicted of non-violent crimes and commuted the sentences of nearly 1,500 others, marking the most acts of presidential clemency in a
President Emmanuel Macron will reveal his choice for France’s next prime minister on Friday, the Elysée Palace confirmed, as the country grapples with months of political instability.
EU News
Meta donates $1mn to Trump’s inauguration fund
The owner of the London Stock Exchange has sold its minority stake in financial markets infrastructure provider Euroclear for £455m.
The London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) said on Thursday that it completed the divestment of its 4.92 per cent holding in the Belgium-based firm.
It sold the stake to TCorp, the investment and financial management partner to the New South Wales government in Australia.
Read the full story here 👇
https://cityam.com/london-stock-exchange-owner-sells-euroclear-stake-for-455m/
Business confidence drops at fastest pace for over three years
Business optimism fell at its fastest pace in over three years following October’s Budget, a new survey shows.
BDO’s latest business trends survey, which collects and regroups data from the UK’s main business surveys, showed that corporate confidence fell to its lowest level since January 2023.
The optimism index dropped 5.8 points to 93.49 in November, which was the largest monthly fall since August 2021.
The drop in confidence reflects the anticipated effect of the Budget, as businesses brace for the impact of the national insurance hike and the increase to the minimum wage from April next year.
Shein’s reported decision to list in London rather than New York is likely to be an anomaly rather than a trend, says Megan Penick
Fashion giant Shein’s prospective IPO – slated for early next year – has caused something of a stir in the City. Indeed, the decision to list on the London Stock Exchange appears on the surface a major vote of confidence for London, as it looks to compete with the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq. In an uncertain economic landscape, it provides reassurance that Britain is still an attractive proposition for the world’s biggest businesses.
In particular, it has prompted speculation that this could be the beginning of a trend that would see more global firms – particularly those based in China – shun US listings in favour of London. The incoming US government’s plan to introduce tariffs on goods from China adds to the argument that Chinese firms that had been eyeing a listing in the US – particularly those that have significant sales in the US – may think again.
However, the feeling in New York is somewhat different. The general sense is that this is a one-off, driven by factors outside the election.
Very sad to hear that Wendy Williams has been diagnosed with Frontotemporal dementia, the same condition Bruce Willis suffers from. Appeared on her show many times over the years and she’s a fabulous character & superb broadcaster. Wish her and her family all the best.
Palestinians are human beings who deserve to live in freedom and joy.
That is why hundreds of thousands of us have exercised our right to protest.
We will be here as long as it takes until there is an immediate ceasefire, an end to the occupation, and a just & lasting peace.
Keir Starmer and his allies, clutching a can of petrol in one hand and a box of matches in the other, tutting loudly at the flames. Starmer has no effin clue
