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PMQS: Boris Johnson faces Jeremy Corbyn in first Commons clash of 2020 – live news The day’s political developments, including first PMQs of 2020 and Johnson’s meeting with new European commission president, Ursula von der Leyen 12.02pm GMTAndrew Lewer, a Conservative, asks for a review of the rules affecting benefit claimants with terminal illnesses.Johnson says the DWP is reviewing these rules. 12.01pm GMTBoris Johnson starts by condemning the Iranian attacks on US bases. He says Iran should not pursue these attacks. He offers condolences to those affected by the Australian bush fires, and by the crash of a Ukrainian airliner. Continue reading... Go to Source

Iran plane crash: Ukraine Boeing with at least 170 aboard comes down near Tehran Iran’s Red Crescent says there is no chance of survivors after Ukrainian plane crashes shortly after take-off A passenger plane carrying at least 170 people bound for the Ukrainian capital Kiev has crashed a few minutes after taking off from Tehran’s main international airport.Iran’s Red Crescent has said there was no chance of finding survivors, and Pir Hossein Kulivand, an Iranian emergency official, later told state TV all those on board were killed in the crash. Continue reading... Go to Source

HMRC catches only 13% of firms paying below minimum wage There are fears an inflation-busting rise in April will tempt more bosses to break the lawThousands of bosses who pay workers less than the minimum wage are getting away with breaking the law, with only one in eight caught by government inspectors, research shows.There has been a sharp rise in the number of low-paid workers cheated of wages. An estimated 11,000 firms failed to pay the minimum wage in 2018-19, according to analysis of official figures by the Resolution Foundation thinktank. However, HM Revenue and Customs inspectors identified only 1,456 of the lawbreakers and there are fears an inflation-busting rise in the minimum rate in April may tempt more employers to break the rules. Continue reading... Go to Source

Iran attacks two US airbases in Iraq in wake of Suleimani killing Iran says it has launched missile attacks on al-Asad and Erbil airbases ‘in the name of martyr General Qassem Suleimani’Iran crisis – latest updatesIran releases footage of missile attack on US basesIran has launched more than a dozen missiles at Iraqi bases hosting US and coalition troops, declaring the strikes to be retaliation for the killing last week of top general Qassem Suleimani.Al-Asad air base in Iraq’s Anbar province, which hosts a US contingent, was hit at least six times, the US military confirmed. The Pentagon said at least one other base in the northern city of Erbil was targeted in the attack which commenced around 1.30am local time on Wednesday (10.30pm GMT). Continue reading... ...

Iran crisis: missiles launched against US airbase in Iraq Al-Asad base comes under fire after Iranian official describes 13 ‘revenge scenarios’ following Suleimani assassinationIran crisis - latest updatesIran launched missile strikes aimed at US troops in Iraq in what it said was retaliation for the killing last week of top Iranian general Qassem Suleimani.Al-Asad air base in Iraq’s Anbar province, which hosts a US contingent, was hit at least six times, the US military confirmed. Continue reading... Go to Source

Lisa Nandy and Jess Phillips tell Labour: we must change to survive Pair praised by colleagues at hustings event in front of parliamentary partyLabour leadership candidates Lisa Nandy and Jess Phillips won applause from MPs at a hustings for warning that a serious change of course is needed for the party.The two hopefuls were praised by colleagues on Tuesday after the six candidates set out their pitches to the parliamentary Labour party, with MPs saying they had been the most honest about reasons for the party’s defeat at the hands of Boris Johnson. Continue reading... Go to Source

MEPs to express 'grave concern' about UK stance on EU citizens in Britain Exclusive: leaked resolution by main political groups follows threats of deportation made by British ministerThe European parliament will express its “grave concern” about the attitude of Boris Johnson’s government to the 3.3 million EU citizens living in the UK following threats of deportation made by a British minister.In a leaked resolution drafted by the main political groups and due to be backed by MEPs next Wednesday, Johnson’s administration is accused of creating “anxiety” in recent months. Continue reading... Go to Source

Elizabeth Wurtzel, journalist and author of Prozac Nation, dead at 52 Author of bestselling memoir about clinical depression, which made her ‘a hashtag before there was Twitter’, died from metastatic breast cancer Elizabeth Wurtzel, the journalist and author who chronicled her life with depression in the bestselling memoir Prozac Nation, has died at the age of 52.Writer David Samuels, Wurtzel’s friend since childhood, told the New York Times that Wurtzel had died in New York from metastatic breast cancer on Tuesday. Wurtzel, who tested positively for the BRCA genetic mutation, was an vocal advocate for BRCA testing in her journalism, while refusing pity for herself. Writing in the Guardian in 2018, she noted: “I hate it when people say that they are sorry about...

Reynhard Sinaga's life sentence for rapes 'fits his crimes', says father Police open hotline after Sinaga’s sentencing and believe he may have attacked 195 menThe father of the man described as the most prolific rapist in British legal history has said his son’s punishment of life in jail “fits his crimes”.The first comments from Reynhard Sinaga’s immediate family came as more of his potential victims approached police following his sentencing on Monday to life imprisonment, with a minimum term of 30 years. Continue reading... Go to Source

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...