News

Iran: deadly crush at Qassem Suleimani burial procession - latest updates Mourners are crushed in city of Kerman during procession for general killed by US drone strikeFull report: dozens dead in crush at Suleimani processionFuture of US military presence in Iraq in doubtNato chief holds back from endorsing Suleimani killing 11.39am GMTThe killing of Suleimani by the United States was an act of state terrorism and Iran will respond proportionately, Iranian foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, has told CNN. He said: “This is an act of aggression against Iran, and it amounts to an armed attack against Iran, and we will respond. But we will respond proportionately.” “He has no respect for international law. That he is prepared to commit war crimes, because attacking ...

Teenager admits killing PC Andrew Harper Henry Long, 18, denies murdering officer in August last year but admits manslaughterA teenager has admitted killing a Thames Valley police officer.Newlywed Andrew Harper, 28, died from multiple injuries after being dragged under a van on 15 August last year. The Thames Valley police officer had been on duty when he was killed near the village of Sulhamstead in Berkshire. Continue reading... Go to Source

Labour leadership: Long Bailey adopts pro-immigration stance in first campaign interview - live news Rolling coverage of the day’s political developments as they happenLong Bailey defends Corbyn’s legacy as she launches leadership bidLong Bailey’s Today interview - Summary 11.38am GMTLast night the Labour MP Alison McGovern posted this on Twitter.Message to all who would lead Labour. Define yourself by what you believe, not what you reject in others. Find what is good about progressive politics, and show us how you would win over the sceptic. I don't care what you think about the past. I want to win our country's future.For the last four years hard right wingers like you have undermined the Labour Party at every turn.The Labour right wing lost Labour the 2017 and 201...

Cyprus rape case: British teenager given suspended sentence Nineteen-year-old woman convicted of lying will not go to prison and can return to UKA British teenager who was convicted of lying about being gang-raped has been sentenced to four months in prison, suspended for three years. She was also fined €140 (£119) but is free to return home.The 19-year-old student, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was ruled to have “wilfully indulged in public mischief” by claiming she was raped by a group of male Israeli tourists while on holiday in Ayia Napa last July. Continue reading... Go to Source

China mystery illness: travellers checked as officials fear lunar new year could spread bug Pneumonia-like illness in Wuhan is unclear in origin, with officials racing to contain outbreak before people travel for new yearChina has been battling what may be a new strain of pneumonia after 59 people contracted a mysterious respiratory illness in central China, prompting fears of another Sars outbreak.Health officials are worried about the upcoming Spring Festival in late January, when China celebrates lunar new year and millions of people will be travelling across the country to go home. Authorities have warned citizens to be on the lookout for symptoms like fever, difficulty breathing or body ache. Continue reading... Go to Source

Future of US military presence in Iraq in question amid confusion in Washington US letter said troops would begin ‘onward movement’ from Iraq, but defense secretary insists no decision was made to evacuate The future of the US military presence in Iraq is in question amid scenes of confusion in Washington, as the Trump administration scrambled to respond to Iraqi demands for the troops to leave after last week’s assassination in Baghdad of Iran’s top general, Qassem Suleimani.The US-led coalition taskforce fighting Isis in Iraq delivered a letter to the Iraqi defence ministry on Monday saying preparations would begin right away “to ensure that movement out of Iraq is conducted in a safe and efficient manner”. Continue reading... Go to Source

Rebecca Long Bailey launches Labour leadership bid Shadow business secretary secretary criticises the party’s strategy in last month’s disastrous electionRebecca Long Bailey has announced that she is standing to become leader of the Labour party with a stout defence of Jeremy Corbyn’s political programme in the general election.Widely seen as the favoured candidate of the left of the party, the MP for Salford and Eccles announced her candidacy on Monday night with a piece criticising the party’s election strategy and lack of narrative. She promised to defend policies within the party’s current socialist programme with “unwavering determination” in the article for Tribune magazine. Continue reading... Go to Source

Reynhard Sinaga jailed for life for raping dozens of men in Manchester Reynhard Sinaga is believed to have lured nearly 200 victims to his flat and attacked themReynhard Sinaga: the ‘Peter Pan’ student who raped scores of menHow serial rapist posed as a good samaritan to lure victimsA man described as “Britain’s most prolific rapist” will never be safe to be released, a court has heard, as he was jailed for a minimum of 30 years after being found guilty of raping or sexually assaulting 48 young men in Manchester. Reynhard Sinaga, 36, a mature student from Indonesia, is thought by police to have abused at least 195 men over two-and-a-half years after luring them to his flat under the guise of being a “good samaritan”, drugging his victims and t...

Labour supporters given 48 hours to sign up for leadership vote New leader and deputy leader will be announced at special conference on 4 AprilLabour leadership – live updatesLabour’s new leader and deputy leader will be announced at a special conference on 4 April, with prospective supporters given a 48-hour window next week to sign up if they want to have their say.The party’s ruling national executive committee (NEC) decided at a three-hour meeting on Monday that the framework for the contest would stick closely to that set out in the party’s rulebook. Continue reading... Go to Source

UK would not back US bombing of Iran cultural sites – No 10 Downing Street says such military action would break international treaties in implicit rebuke to TrumpUK politics latest – live updatesDowning Street has said targeting cultural sites in Iran would breach international warfare conventions in an implicit rebuke to Donald Trump for threatening to bomb protected heritage sites.Boris Johnson’s official spokesman refused to criticise Trump directly but made clear the UK government would not support such a course of action, after the US president said he could target 52 Iranian sites if Iran retaliated over the assassination of Qassem Suleimani – “some at a very high level and important to Iran and the Iranian culture”. Continue reading... Go to Sour...

Northern Ireland firms could seek £100m Brexit compensation Business leaders say they should not have to pay extra costs due to policy ‘people here did not vote for’Politics latest – liveBoris Johnson is facing demands for cash compensation that could run to more than £100m for any disruption caused by Brexit to Northern Ireland’s businesses.Leading entrepreneurs who met political leaders in a local summit on Friday, fear the trade barrier down the Irish Sea will mean higher costs for consumers and businesses. Continue reading... Go to Source

Protesters in London call for Cyprus boycott on eve of sentencing Activists shout ‘we believe her’ in solidarity with woman convicted of lying about rapeProtesters gathered outside the Cypriot high commission before marching through London chanting “we believe her”, on the eve of the sentencing of a 19-year-old woman convicted of lying about being gang-raped in Ayia Napa.A judge last week ruled the teenager from Derbyshire wilfully indulged in public mischief in claiming she was raped by a group of 12 Israelis over the summer, then retracting her allegations 10 days later. Continue reading... Go to Source

Iran mourns Suleimani as fallout intensifies over US strike - live updates Follow the latest developments as huge crowds pack streets of Tehran in memory of Iranian general 11.54am GMTDowning Street has insisted Britain’s security partnership with the US remains “very close” despite Donald Trump not informing the UK of its plans to assassinate Suleimani, PA reports. The prime minister’s official spokesman said: “We have a very close security partnership with the United States, we are in regular dialogue at every level.” “States have a right to take action such as this in self defence and the US have been clear that Suleimani was plotting imminent attacks on American diplomats and military personnel.” 11.32am GMTThe scale of the crowds m...

Labour leadership: Jess Phillips clarifies Brexit stance, saying party won't back rejoin at next election - live news Rolling coverage of the day’s political developments as they happen 10.46am GMTThis is from ITV’s Paul Brand.Labour's NEC meets at 12 to decide leadership rules:- Rebecca Long-Bailey not taking her seat on NEC to keep powder dry, confirming she intends to stand- Which also begs Q... will Ian Lavery go?- NEC insiders tell me they have one line agenda, nobody knows how long it'll last 10.37am GMTThese are from Alice Perry, a local government representative on Labour’s national executive committee. One of the key issues to be decided at today’s NEC meeting is what the arrangements will be for registered supporters to vote in the leadership contest....