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Fiona Hill: stop ‘fictional narrative’ of Ukraine meddling in US election Former expert on Russia attacked debunked conspiracy theory used to defend Trump against allegations of briberyImpeachment hearings – live updatesRepublicans loyal to Donald Trump must stop pushing the “fictional narrative” that Ukraine interfered in the 2016 presidential election because it plays into Vladimir Putin’s hands, the White House’s former top expert on Russia has told the impeachment inquiry in dramatic testimony.British-born Fiona Hill, appearing in Washington on Thursday, attacked a debunked conspiracy theory used by Republicans to defend the US president against allegations that he sought to bribe Ukraine for his own political gain. Continue reading... Go to Source

Boris Johnson set to snub election leaders' debate on climate crisis Channel 4 to broadcast first such discussion – but prime minister unlikely to participateLatest election news – live updatesThe first ever election leaders’ debate focusing on the climate crisis will be broadcast by Channel 4 next week, with the prime minister the only major party leader set to be absent.Channel 4 News said it was awaiting confirmation from Boris Johnson as to whether he would take part and could place an empty chair in the place of the PM if he declines to attend. Continue reading... Go to Source

Jeffrey Epstein: newest accuser comes forward, says she was ‘perfect victim’ Teala Davies sues disgraced financier’s estateAbout a dozen women have brought accusations of sexual abuseA woman who says she suffered lasting damage from sexual abuse by Jeffrey Epstein when she was 17 years old has sued his estate, joining the growing list of women who have sued the late disgraced financier.Teala Davies filed her lawsuit in Manhattan federal court on Thursday and appeared at a news conference with attorney Gloria Allred. Continue reading... Go to Source

Johnson was briefed on declaring friendships before he met Jennifer Arcuri Revealed: PM pledged to ‘bear in mind the definition of close associate’ after affair with Helen MacintyreBoris Johnson and his staff were given compulsory training on the importance of acknowledging personal friendships months before he met the US businesswoman Jennifer Arcuri, and just after he was rebuked for failing to declare an interest with another woman, the Guardian can reveal.City Hall’s standards committee recommended the governance training after a panel found that Johnson had failed to acknowledge a personal interest in Helen Macintyre. It later emerged that Macintrye, who held an unpaid advisory post, had an extramarital affair with Johnson and gave birth to his daughter in 2008. Continue reading....

Impeachment hearings: Fiona Hill rejects Republicans' ‘fictional narrative’ Ukraine meddled in US election – live Military aid was withheld by Trump to express dissatisfaction or increase pressure, state department aide Holmes testifiesIn this defining moment for America, support the Guardian’s independent journalism. Make a contribution 5.49pm GMTOK, Adam Schiff has come back to the hearing room and they’re about to resume for real this time. For updates also please follow @julianborger who is in the chamber. 5.43pm GMTA lot of people on the Internet are putting Trump’s lyrics to music. Who did it best?somebody on twitter today: trump's weird hand-scrawled denial today sounds like a ramones song. me: pic.twitter.com/mynZjx0E0MEmo Trump recites poem on White House lawn pic.twitter.com...

Jeremy Corbyn launches most radical Labour manifesto in decades ‘Investment blitz’ to be funded by wealthy and includes tax on energy firms to tackle climate crisisLatest election news - live updatesJeremy Corbyn has launched the most radical Labour manifesto in decades, promising an “investment blitz” that would leave no corner of the UK untouched and welcoming the hostility of billionaires, big business and dodgy landlords.Speaking at an upbeat event at Birmingham City University, where students and activists leaned over balconies adorned with banners setting out Labour’s policies, Corbyn urged the public to vote for “hope” at the general election in three weeks’ time. Continue reading... Go to Source

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu indicted for bribery and fraud Attorney general announces charges as crisis deepens for longest-serving leaderIsrael’s attorney general has indicted Benjamin Netanyahu for bribery, fraud and breach of trust, in a damning blow to the prime minister as he fights for his political survival.Avichai Mandelblit charged the 70-year-old leader on Thursday in all three major corruption cases for which he was investigated. It was the first time a sitting Israeli prime minister has been charged with a crime. Continue reading... Go to Source

Some British citizens in Syria to be repatriated within days Planned repatriation of some of those living in area once dominated by Isis ‘likely to be exceptional’The UK government is in the process of repatriating a number of British citizens from north-east Syria, with the individuals expected to return from an area once dominated by Isis within days.The Home Office has said it would always consider how to repatriate individuals on a “case by case” basis, although authorities have generally been reluctant to help Britons who lived under the so-called caliphate to return home. Continue reading... Go to Source

General election 2019: Corbyn vows to take on wealthy elite as he launches Labour's 'manifesto of hope' – live news Party to promise huge social housing investment, 1m green jobs and overhaul of business regulation Labour to slap £11bn tax on oil and gas firms to fund green planSign up to the election briefing emailLabour to unveil £75bn social housing plan to ‘build for the many’Is Labour’s pledge to build 100,000 council houses achievable? 11.47am GMTRebecca Long-Bailey asks Labour supporters in the audience to let journalists ask their questions without interruption.She calls the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg. 11.45am GMTBefore the Q&A Corbyn says this is the 45th anniversary of the Birmingham pub bombings. He says that should be a reminder that peace in Northern Ireland is priceless. Con...

Alex Salmond appears in court on attempted rape charge Scotland’s former first minister faces 14 charges that also include indecent assault Alex Salmond, the former first minister of Scotland, has appeared in court accused of attempting to rape a woman at Bute House, the Georgian property in Edinburgh’s new town used as the official residence of Scotland’s first ministers, in June 2014.He appeared at the high court in Edinburgh on Thursday in front of Lady Dorrian, the lord justice clerk, to face a total of 14 charges including one of attempted rape, 11 charges of sexual and indecent assault, some of which allegedly occurred numerous times, and two common law charges of indecent assault dating to 2008. Salmond has repeatedly denied the charges. Continue reading... Go to Source

Strictly Come Dancing's first same-sex routine sparks almost 200 complaints The groundbreaking performance on the BBC ballroom smash has garnered 189 complaints for being ‘offensive’Strictly Come Dancing has received 189 complaints following the “offensive” broadcast of its first ever individual same-sex routine this month.On the 3 November edition of the hit BBC ballroom show, professional dancers Johannes Radebe and Graziano di Prima danced together during a performance by the singer Emeli Sandé. Radebe – who is gay – told Hello! magazine that the groundbreaking routine made him feel that “for the first time in my life, I feel accepted for who I am” and that being able to perform with di Prima, who is in a heterosexual relationship, “says so much about the people of this country”. I...

Downward mobility 'becoming a reality for much of British youth' Social policy experts call for educational, tax and pay reforms to beat economic slideDownward mobility – the phenomenon of children doing less well than their parents – will become a reality for young people today unless society makes dramatic changes, according to two of the UK’s leading experts on social policy.The UK is among the worst of the developed countries for social mobility. It appears increasingly unlikely that people will be able to escape economic disadvantages linked to their background. Continue reading... Go to Source

Prince Andrew: lawyers for Jeffrey Epstein's victims hint at subpoena Royal pressed to turn over all relevant documents about contacts with financierLawyers representing the victims of the convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein have signalled they are willing to serve a subpoena to Prince Andrew to ensure he cooperates with their investigations.In a statement on Wednesday announcing he was standing down from public duties, the Duke of York said he was willing to help “any appropriate law enforcement agency” with their investigations after what he accepted was his “ill-judged association” with Epstein. Continue reading... Go to Source