News

General election: Labour says it will back pre-Christmas poll Jeremy Corbyn confirms party will vote for bill seeking December pollFollow the latest politics news - liveJeremy Corbyn has announced that Labour is ready to back a general election now that the EU has granted a three-month Brexit delay, making a pre-Christmas poll all but certain.With the Liberal Democrats and the Scottish National party preparing to support a one-line bill tabled by Boris Johnson’s government later on Tuesday, triggering an early poll, Corbyn said his party would also support it. Continue reading... Go to Source

Grenfell inquiry finds fire brigade 'gravely' ill-prepared for blaze Long-awaited report into tragedy that killed 72 people says shortcomings cost livesThe London fire brigade’s readiness for the Grenfell Tower fire was “gravely inadequate” and fewer people would have died if it had been better prepared, a long-awaited public inquiry report into the disaster that killed 72 people has concluded.The report into the biggest single loss of life in London since the second world war also ruled that the building had been refurbished in breach of safety regulations and that contrary to the evidence so far of the cladding panel manufacturer, Arconic, “the principal reason why the flames spread so rapidly up the building” was its aluminium composite panels and the “melting and dripping of b...

Lorry deaths: driver was part of global ring of smugglers, court told Maurice Robinson, 25, appears in court charged with manslaughter of 39 peopleA lorry driver accused of the manslaughter of 39 people was part of a “global ring” of smugglers trafficking people into the UK, a court has heard. Maurice Robinson, 25, known as Mo, appeared in Chelmsford magistrates court by video link on Monday morning and was read the charges he faces – which include human trafficking – after dozens of suspected migrants were found dead in a refrigerated trailer in Grays, Essex, in the early hours of Wednesday. Continue reading... Go to Source

Boris Johnson abandons Brexit bill in new push for December election PM in bid to get Lib Dems and SNP to agree poll date before ChristmasLatest Brexit developments – liveBoris Johnson will abandon attempts to push his Brexit bill through this parliament in a bid to get the Liberal Democrats and the SNP to agree to an election before Christmas, although the parties are still in dispute over the potential date.The prime minister failed to get the two-thirds of MPs he needed to secure an election under existing laws, after opposition parties largely abstained. Continue reading... Go to Source

UK intelligence services step up monitoring after death of Isis leader Action covers about 3,000 people in UK and abroad in an effort to safeguard against possible revenge attacksBritish intelligence agencies are engaged in heightened monitoring of subjects of interest after the death of the Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi to safeguard against the possibility of revenge attacks in the UK.The response covers about 3,000 people in the UK and abroad who are believed by MI5 to have connections to Isis or who could be inspired by the group to launch terrorist attacks in Britain. Continue reading... Go to Source

Healthy diet means a healthy planet, study shows Healthier food choices almost always benefit environment as well, according to analysisEating healthy food is almost always also best for the environment, according to the most sophisticated analysis to date.The researchers said poor diets threaten society by seriously harming people and the planet, but the latest research can inform better choices. Continue reading... Go to Source

Brexit: EU has agreed Brexit 'flextension' until 31 January 2020, Tusk announces – live news Commons to debate motion for 12 December election as EU agrees to delay BrexitFull story: EU agrees Brexit extension to 31 JanuaryGovernment likely to adopt Lib Dem election plan, says SwinsonPeople’s Vote senior figures forced outEU’s ‘flextension’ offer - Snap analysis 11.42am GMTThis is from the politics professor Philip Cowley on the issue of whether or not Boris Johnson gets the blame for the Brexit extension. (See 10.55am.)I keep seeing this sort of gag (and yes, OK, ho ho ho), but if, say, MF comes out and says that he doesn't blame Boris and that it is instead all the fault of those Remainer swine, it'll be the sort of elite cue that we know is so important in determining how voter...

Samira Ahmed takes on BBC in landmark equal pay case Presenter claims being paid one-sixth of Jeremy Vine’s pay amounts to unfair treatmentThe BBC presenter Samira Ahmed has launched a landmark equal pay case, claiming she was paid 85% less than her male equivalent.Ahmed was cheered when she arrived at the central London employment tribunal on Monday morning. She was accompanied by colleagues and supporters, including the BBC Breakfast show presenter Naga Munchetty and the broadcaster Aasmah Mir. Continue reading... Go to Source

Essex lorry deaths: driver remanded in custody Maurice Robinson, 25, appears in court charged with manslaughter of 39 peopleMaurice Robinson, a 25-year-old lorry driver, has been remanded in custody by magistrates in Chelmsford after being charged with the manslaughter of 39 people found dead in a refrigerated container in Essex.Robinson, who appeared on Monday via video link, was charged on Saturday with 39 counts of manslaughter, conspiracy to traffic people, conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration and money laundering. Continue reading... Go to Source

Donald Trump booed and greeted with 'lock him up' chants at World Series President attended Sunday’s baseball game in Washington DCCrowd booed when Trump appeared on video screenDonald Trump once claimed he was courted by several major league baseball clubs in his youth but turned them down because they couldn’t offer him enough money. On Sunday, baseball got its revenge.The President attended Game 5 of the World Series between the Washington Nationals and Houston Astros at Nationals Park, a short journey from the White House. When Trump was shown on the video screens in the stadium he was loudly booed by fans. That, perhaps, was predictable: Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, Richard Nixon and both Bushes were all booed while attending baseball games as President. What came shortly aft...