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Boris Johnson thrusts London Bridge attack into centre of election battle Prime minister says terrorists convicted of the most serious offences should never be released from prisonBoris Johnson on Saturday said that those convicted of the most serious terrorist offences should never be released from prison, as arguments over the blame for Friday’s London Bridge attack were thrust centre stage into the election campaign.The prime minister reacted to the latest terrorist incident – in which three people died, including the assailant – by promising a package of hardline reforms which also included mandatory minimum 14-year sentences, an end to automatic early release for terrorist and extremism offences, and a new system under which those convicted will have to serve every day of sentenc...

‘We don’t understand how Usman Khan ended up like this’ Neighbours in Stoke-on-Trent, where the terrorist grew up, talk of their shock that he became a disciple of radicalsOutside a small white and green mosque in Cobridge, Stoke-on-Trent, at Zuhr prayers on Saturday lunchtime dozens of men and women in padded jackets, heavy coats and kurtas gathered in the car park, unable to squeeze into the single-storey building for the funeral taking place inside.“One of our community elders has passed. It’s a massive death,” explained a softly-spoken man in his 20s who didn’t want to give his name. He grew up with Usman Khan, whose family live in a terraced cul-de-sac around the corner. A day earlier Khan had brought terror to central London, embarking on a knife rampage, killing Cambridge Unive...

Dominic Raab in danger of losing seat to Lib Dems, poll suggests Tactical voting could lead to big upsets at constituency level, according to study by DeltapollDominic Raab, the foreign secretary, is in danger of providing this election’s “Portillo moment”, after a poll in his constituency suggested that he was at risk of losing his seat. Related: Could tactical voting result in a ‘Portillo moment’ for Dominic Raab? Continue reading... Go to Source

Maltese businessman charged over murder of investigative journalist Yorgen Fenech entered not guilty plea to charges relating to killing of Daphne Caruana Galizia A businessman has been charged with the murder of Malta’s best known investigative journalist, Daphne Caruana Galizia.Local tycoon Yorgen Fenech, the 38-year-old head of a gambling and property empire, was arraigned on Saturday evening, and charged with participating in a criminal organisation, complicity in causing an explosion, and complicity in the murder of Caruana Galizia. Continue reading... Go to Source

Iraq risks breakup as tribes take on Iran’s militias in ‘blood feud’ Unrest spreads after security forces fire on protesters and anger at Tehran’s influence increasesIraq’s parliament will today begin the process of electing a new leader after the prime minister, Adel Abdul-Mahdi, resigned last week. His successor will have to cope with the severe unrest that is spreading across the country and which has pitched security forces against demonstrators for nearly two months. Fears are mounting that the country could unravel altogether.Security forces killed at least 45 civilians who were protesting around the southern city of Nasiriyah on Thursday in one of the worst incidents in the recent outbreak of anti-government protests. The government’s actions were intended to be a show of brute...

London Bridge attack: swift review of sentencing pledged - latest updates Attacker Usman Khan was ‘student and friend’ of radical preacher Anjem Choudary, according to reportsNarwhal tusk and fire extinguisher used to tackle attacker ‘It is scary, I don’t feel safe around London Bridge’Tell us: have you been affected? 11.40am GMTUsman Khan was likely to be considered a low to medium risk, priority three target for Britain’s intelligence agencies, reports the Guardian’s defence and security editor Dan Sabbagh. MI5 characterises the individuals it monitors in four categories, with priority one applying where there is “credible and actionable” intelligence of attack planning. Priority 3 individuals are those where “further action is needed to determine where a threat exists”. 11.35am GMT...

'It is scary, I don't feel safe around London Bridge' Workers in local community tell of panic, fear and anger over second terrorism attackFollow the latest news on the attackBelow the dramatic judder of a police helicopter, workers around London Bridge gathered on the street on Friday afternoon, shellshocked by the violence inflicted yet again on a community still recovering from the tragic 2017 attack.“We’ve been standing here for an hour,” said Alex de Silva, 25, a restaurant worker who had huddled with his colleagues on the pavement. “The police haven’t told us anything, and we are waiting for our manager to tell us what to do because they don’t want us to go home yet.” Continue reading... Go to Source

Red Cross criticises UK for stripping Isis recruits of citizenship Humanitarian organisation says policy is not helping bring clarity or peace to SyriaThe head of the international Red Cross has sharply criticised Britain’s policy of stripping the citizenship of people held in Syria after the fall of Islamic State, saying it is “not conducive” to long-term peace in the region. Related: Rescue of all 60 children of the ‘caliphate’ urged as winter nears Continue reading... Go to Source