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Rebecca Long-Bailey makes opening pitch for Labour leadership Shadow business secretary pledges in Guardian article to pursue ‘progressive patriotism’Rebecca Long-Bailey has made her opening pitch for the Labour leadership, avoiding any direct criticism of Jeremy Corbyn but implicitly offering an alternative approach by promising to champion “progressive patriotism”.In her first substantive comments on the election result, the party’s worst in terms of seats won since 1935, the shadow business secretary uses an article for the Guardian to say Labour’s “compromise solution” on Brexit was partly to blame, but that trust was also an issue. Continue reading... Go to Source

'Remarkable' high as Scottish temperature record is broken Overnight figure of 16.8C recorded, with parts of England and Wales also unusually mildNorthern Scotland registered a “remarkable” overnight temperature of 16.8C (62.2F) in the early hours of Sunday – a record high for this time of year.North-eastern England and northern Wales were also unusually warm, with 13.3C recorded in Chillingham Barns, Northumberland, and 11.5C in Rhyl. Continue reading... Go to Source

Attacks leave a Jewish community on edge as leaders call for more protection Hanukah stabbings in Rockland county are latest in a string of antisemitic incidents in the regionFive wounded in ‘act of domestic terrorism’ in New York stateJewish groups and political leaders have issued calls for increased protection in New York after a string of attacks during Hanukah left members of the region’s Jewish community on edge.On Saturday night, an attacker stabbed five people during Hanukah festivities at a rabbi’s home in Monsey, Rockland county, about 30 miles north of New York City, in what Governor Andrew Cuomo called “an act of domestic terrorism”. The attack was the latest in a string of antisemitic incidents in the region. Continue reading... Go to ...

Vaughan Oliver, celebrated 4AD graphic designer, dies aged 62 Self-confessed ‘working class lad from a dull town’ created some of the most revered sleeves in modern popVaughan Oliver, the graphic designer known for his record covers for Pixies, Cocteau Twins and more, has died aged 62.Adrian Shaughnessy, a graphic designer who had worked with Oliver, announced the news on Instagram, saying Oliver had died with his partner Lee by his side. No cause of death has been given. Continue reading... Go to Source

'Breaking point': fears over lack of intensive care beds for children Exclusive: critically ill children rushed to units across England as NHS struggles to find beds Critically ill children are being rushed from one part of England to another because NHS hospitals are running short of intensive care beds in which to treat them, the Guardian can reveal.An increase in severe breathing problems in children driven by winter viruses and infections, including flu, means some are having to be transferred sometimes many miles from their home area because there are not enough paediatric intensive care (PICU) beds locally. Continue reading... Go to Source

EU accused of seeking to cut funds for poor in post-Brexit cost savings Plan to drop dedicated fund while defence spending rises dismissed as false economyThe European commission has been accused of seeking to cut EU funding for the continent’s poorest people by 50% to secure post-Brexit cost savings and extra funds for defence projects.Jacques Vandenschrik, the president of the European Food Banks Federation, said the EU executive’s proposed spending plans for the next seven years posed a risk not only to the most vulnerable but to the stability of wider society. Continue reading... Go to Source

Call for inquiry into government leak of honours list addresses Publication of recipients’ details described as ‘most serious’ data laws breachPoliticians have called for an inquiry into how more than 1,000 prominent figures who are to receive honours had their home and work addresses posted on a government website.Personal details of those on the new year honours list – including more than a dozen MoD employees and senior counter-terrorism officers – were published in a downloadable list at 10.30pm on Friday. The Cabinet Office said the document was visible on its website for around an hour, though it was circulated on social media after that. Continue reading... Go to Source

Alasdair Gray, influential Scottish writer and artist, dies aged 85 The writer, artist and passionate Scottish nationalist was hailed as a ‘necessary genius’ for novels including Lanark and Poor ThingsThe writer and artist Alasdair Gray, who blazed a trail for contemporary Scottish fiction with his experimental novels, has died aged 85.Gray’s publisher Canongate announced the news on Sunday, saying he died early in the morning after being hospitalised for a short illness in his home city of Glasgow. In a statement, Gray’s family thanked his friends and hospital staff, calling him “an extraordinary person; very talented and, even more importantly, very humane”. Continue reading... Go to Source

Zaghari-Ratcliffe to go on hunger strike for fellow detainee in Iran British-Australian Kylie Moore-Gilbert wants to be removed from solitary confinementNazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe is to go on hunger strike in solidarity with another dual national being held in Iran.Kylie Moore-Gilbert, a British-Australian academic, started an open-ended hunger strike six days ago in protest at being sentenced to 10 years on espionage charges. She wants at minimum to be moved from solitary confinement to a general ward. Continue reading... Go to Source

BBC put presenter on a plane to interview Greta Thunberg Sarah Sands, editor of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, admits it ‘felt awkward’Putting a presenter on a flight to Sweden to meet climate activist Greta Thunberg “felt awkward”, the editor of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme has admitted.The 16-year-old campaigner, who was a guest editor on a special edition of the show, avoids air travel because of its environmental impact. Continue reading... Go to Source

Worker could make history in a crucial case for ethical vegans Sacked employee Jordi Casamitjana, who shuns buses and figs, hopes tribunal will be a landmarkWhether “ethical veganism” should be recognised as a protected philosophical belief will be determined at an employment tribunal which starts on Thursday.At a time when hundreds of thousands of people are attempting to observe “veganuary” – going without animal products for the whole of January – the hearing will add to the growing interest in veganism. Continue reading... Go to Source

Prisons chaos fuels massive legal costs as violence surges Shock figures reveal £30m-a-year claims as experts blame cuts and overcrowdingBoris Johnson is under renewed pressure to deal with the prisons crisis after it emerged that the chaotic conditions are behind a £30m-a-year bill for legal claims.Figures obtained by the Observer reveal that the prison and probation service in England and Wales has paid out more than £85m over three years for issues such as attacks on staff and prisoners, lost and damaged property, accidental personal injury and delays to inmates being released. Continue reading... Go to Source