The Guardian - October 23, 2024

In this issue

October 23, 2024

Make it harder to put officers on trial, police leaders urge No 10

Force chiefs accused of seeking 'immunity' from risk of prosecution

4 mins

Ministers consider non-profit water firms

Water companies in England could be banned from making profits under plans for a complete overhaul of the sector.

3 mins

AI a major threat, say thousands of artists

Abba's Björn Ulvaeus, the actor Julianne Moore and the Radiohead singer Thom Yorke are among 10,500 signatories of a statement from workers in the creative industries warning artificial intelligence companies that unlicensed use of their work is a \"major, unjust threat\" to artists' livelihoods.

2 mins

Russia Accused Of Attacks On Food Ships Bound For Gaza

Keir Starmer has accused Vladimir Putin of disrupting food supplies to Gaza after British intelligence suggested Russia had stepped up its attacks on Ukrainian ports.

3 mins

Former boss of Abercrombie & Fitch arrested in sex trafficking investigation

The former chief executive of the fashion retailer Abercrombie & Fitch Mike Jeffries has been arrested as part of a criminal sex trafficking investigation, authorities in New York announced yesterday.

3 mins

Bowie collection to go on show at V&A archives in Olympic Park

It looks like the Hangar 51 storeroom from the end of Raiders of the Lost Ark, with row upon row of boxes and artefacts kept in climate-controlled conditions, but it is far from secret - the V&A East Storehouse team hope 250,000 people a year will visit and gain access to archives such as the David Bowie collection.

2 mins

Chris Kaba shot man in legs in London nightclub days before he was killed

Chris Kaba, the unarmed man killed by a police firearms officer, was pictured on CCTV shooting a man on a nightclub dancefloor and was alleged to be a core member of a London gang, it was revealed yesterday.

3 mins

Questions arise about why the charge of manslaughter was not put before jury

In the fallout from the acquittal of Martyn Blake, the police firearms officer who stood trial for the murder of Chris Kaba, many questions have arisen. One of them is why he was not charged with manslaughter. The theory goes that it was always going to be difficult to get a jury to convict a police officer of the most serious form of homicide, whereas manslaughter may have been an easier to prove and more palatable option.

2 mins

'Shocking' Frustration and disbelief felt in Brixton

Distrust, disbelief and frustration is palpable on the streets around Electric Avenue.

2 mins

‘Deepening crisis’ as number of cats being abandoned soars

The number of cats and kittens being abandoned in the UK has soared by more than 30% this year, according to an animal rescue charity which called the situation a “deepening crisis”.

1 min

Body in river found in search for missing Yorkshire woman

A body believed to be that of Victoria Taylor has been found in the search for the 34-year-old woman who went missing from her North Yorkshire home three weeks ago.

2 mins

Investigation launched into cause of train crash that left a person dead

Rail investigators are working to establish the cause of the first head-on train crash in the UK this century, which killed a passenger in his 60s.

2 mins

Trial of world's first vaccine for fast-spreading norovirus bug

Doctors are to trial the world's first vaccine against the vomiting bug norovirus in the hope the jab could bring huge health and economic benefits.

1 min

Gascoigne accuses Fayed of 'horrific' sexual assault

Bianca Gascoigne has told how Mohamed AI Fayed subjected her to an alleged \"horrific\" sexual assault after she started working at Harrods as a 16-year-old.

2 mins

Son of Singapore's first premier given asylum in UK after persecution claims

A senior member of the family that has dominated Singapore since independence in 1965 has been granted asylum in the UK after fleeing what he said was a campaign of persecution.

4 mins

Ministers pause opening of 44 schools and order review of costs

Ministers have paused plans to open 44 state schools in England, including three sixth form colleges backed by Eton, while they review each school's potential demand and value for money.

1 min

Fears of huge cuts to local transport funding as mayors lobby Treasury

Hundreds of millions of pounds of local transport funding in England could be cut in next week's spending review despite having been agreed with regional mayors, putting bus, tube and tram improvements at risk.

2 mins

Prison overcrowding Rate of recall 'very high', justice secretary admits

The justice secretary, Shabana Mahmood, has admitted that the proportion of people released early from prison who are being recalled is \"very high”, as the government prepares to free more inmates to relieve an overcrowding crisis.

3 mins

Tories love to shout about law and order but on early release, they're oddly quiet

There are times when even the Tories are banged to rights. Prisons are one of them. You'd have thought Conservative MPs would have been up in arms at the government's decision to free a second tranche of prisoners under its early-release scheme little more than a month after the first batch.

2 mins

"'Big up Keir' Prisoners celebrate their freedom"

Beaming prisoners were greeted with hugs and kisses as they stepped out of the metal gates of HMP Manchester and into the arms of waiting friends and family after being freed under the government's early release scheme.

1 min

"'People born without a sense of smell breathe differently'"

People born with no sense of smell breathe differently from those with one, a study has found, possibly helping explain links between perception of odour problems and health issues.

1 min

Export Of Severn Eels To Russia Criticised As 'Bonkers'

Millions of critically endangered eels have been exported from the Severn estuary to Russia this year and conservationists fear export quotas will be increased next year.

2 mins

Art review Homely horrors from auteur of American gothic are forgettable fun

In Tim Burton's film Ed Wood, the gloriously talentless titular director of Plan 9 from Outer Space meets Orson Welles, his polar opposite. Welles was the ultimate auteur, a film-maker who imposed a singular vision on all his productions. Is Burton an auteur too, as the Design Museum's director has it, and as this efficiently kooky show takes for granted? If he is, he has turned the gothic into a brand, projecting such a sharply stylised version of homely horror that he can imprint it on almost any material and deliver the outlandish as bankable.

2 mins

Fatal crash prompts judge to call for testing of all drivers over 80

A Scottish judge has called for compulsory testing of all motorists aged over 80 “as a matter of priority” after an elderly driver with dementia killed a toddler in Edinburgh.

1 min

Israel weighs use of private security contractors to deliver Gaza aid

Israel is weighing the use of private security contractors - possibly involving UK special forces veterans - to deliver aid to Gaza, as conditions in the north of the strip worsen dramatically, the Guardian has learned.

3 mins

"'Horror and tears' Panic hits Lebanon's hospitals

The rescuers struck at the concrete with jackhammers, excavators and even pickaxes, pausing occasionally and demanding silence, straining to hear anyone still trapped under the collapsed building.

4 mins

Blinken visit Netanyahu urged to work for ceasefire after Sinwar killing

The US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, has arrived in Israel to encourage efforts to revive the stalled Gaza ceasefire negotiations after Israel's killing of the Hamas leader, Yahya Sinwar, last week.

2 mins

Liam Payne toxicology tests said to reveal 'pink cocaine'

The former One Direction singer Liam Payne had drugs including crack cocaine and methamphetamine in his system when he fell to his death from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, according to anonymous Argentinian sources reportedly familiar with the initial toxicology reports.

1 min

Supermarket supplier's salmon farm hit by record mass die-off

More than a million dead fish, the biggest mass die-off of farmed salmon in Scotland in a decade, have been recorded at a farm belonging to the UK's largest supplier.

2 mins

Weinstein diagnosed with form of leukaemia, say US reports

The disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein has been diagnosed with a form of bone marrow cancer, according to NBC News and ABC News, which both cited unnamed sources.

1 min

Woman not aware that 'cleavage-sparing' mastectomy unauthorised, inquest hears

The convicted breast surgeon Ian Paterson pitched one of his patients an unauthorised cleavage-sparing mastectomy \"almost like a sales job\", an inquest has heard.

3 mins

Study shows city parks can reduce global heating health effects

Green spaces in cities play a vital role in reducing illness and deaths caused by climate change, according to the most comprehensive study of its kind.

1 min

Hen harrier killings in 2023 highest on record, RSPB says

More hen harriers were killed in 2023 than in any other year on record, a report has found.

1 min

Putin hosts 36 world leaders at Brics summit to show Russia is far from isolated

The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, ostracised by the west and labelled a possible war criminal by the international criminal court, has played host to 36 world leaders from nations including China, India and Iran as part of a summit of the Brics group designed to show Moscow as anything but isolated.

3 mins

South Korea Seoul considers supplying arms to Ukraine

South Korea is considering directly supplying weapons to Ukraine amid increasing evidence that North Korean soldiers are preparing to assist Russia in its war against Ukraine.

2 mins

"'Death cult' Russians tolerate appalling casualties"

Huddle d in an undisclosed location near the frontline, the two Russian soldiers appeared desperate as they recorded what they feared might be their final message.

4 mins

Elections official criticises Musk's Michigan voter 'disinformation'

Michigan's top elections official defended the state's elections after Elon Musk repeatedly spread false claims on X about inactive voters.

1 min

Pelicot to give evidence in rape trial of ex-husband and 50 men

Gisèle Pelicot, the French grandmother who has become a feminist hero for insisting that the rape trial of her ex-husband and 50 other men should be held in public, will take the stand today to comment on the evidence so far.

2 mins

"'Pro-life' Liz Cheney urges conservative voters to back Harris over abortion rights

Liz Cheney, a former Republican congresswoman and longtime opponent of abortion rights, on Monday condemned Republican-imposed bans on the procedure and urged conservatives to support the Democrat Kamala Harris for US president.

2 mins

German police crack gang delivering pizza with a side of cocaine

Pizza No 40 was long one of the best-selling dishes at a snack shop in the German city of Düsseldorf, until police discovered the secret ingredient: a side of cocaine.

2 mins

Irish PM says case of missing boy 'deeply disturbing'

Ireland's prime minister has questioned how an eight-year-old boy suspected of being murdered could have disappeared two years ago without being noticed, as detectives searched the child's former family home.

1 min

Woman stuck between boulders for hours while retrieving phone

A woman was wedged between boulders for seven hours after she slipped head-first into a three-metre crevice while trying to retrieve her phone in New South Wales, Australia.

1 min

Two admit killing Sikh in Canada who was cleared of bombing plane

Two men have pleaded guilty to the contract killing of a Sikh man who was acquitted of the 1985 bombing of an Air India flight from Montreal to Mumbai.

2 mins

Analysis Global growth outlook seems rosy but there are dangers

All things considered, the International Monetary Fund should be feeling relatively upbeat as it hosts its annual meeting in Washington DC this week. Certainly its flagship World Economic Outlook (WEO) report shows the global economy stuck in a relatively low-growth pattern.

1 min

Tariffs Promoted By Trump Could Harm World Economy, Warns IMF

The International Monetary Fund has warned that trade tariffs favoured by the US presidential candidate Donald Trump could hurt global growth, as it upgraded its forecast for the UK economy.

2 mins

Borrowing at third highest on record for September

The Treasury has said it will need to take difficult decisions in next week's budget after higher debt interest payments and pay awards for public sector workers pushed government borrowing to £16.6bn last monththe third highest September figure on record.

1 min

The Water Commission has a soggy mess on its hands, and abolishing Ofwat may not help

An independent commission looking into the English and Welsh water sector would have been an excellent idea about 20 years ago. It is hard to pinpoint precisely when the industry went seriously off the rails but Ofwat's infamous price review of 2004 is one starting point.

3 mins

HSBC overhauls its operations to avoid geopolitical tensions

HSBC is to divide its operations into eastern and western markets as part of a major shake-up under its new chief executive, Georges Elhedery, which will help it cut costs and navigate rising geopolitical tensions between China and the west.

1 min

MP calls for scrutiny into Bangladeshi ex-minister's property deals

British regulators have been urged by MPs to examine the relationship between London estate agents, lawyers and lenders and a former Bangladeshi government minister under investigation for alleged corruption.

1 min

Sellafield's nuclear clean-up bill likely to hit £136bn, says NAO

The cost of cleaning up Sellafield is expected to spiral to £136bn and Europe's biggest nuclear waste dump cannot show how it offers taxpayers value for money, the public spending watchdog has said.

2 mins

Former footballer Forlán set for ATP debut in doubles

The former Uruguay footballer Diego Forlán, who played for Manchester United and Atlético Madrid among others, will compete in doubles at the professional Uruguay Open tennis tournament in November, organisers confirmed yesterday.

1 min

Rugby, hockey and cricket cut from 'leaner' Glasgow Games

The global rugby community led a chorus of disappointment after 12 sports were dropped from a streamlined 2026 Commonwealth Games.

2 mins

Warner offers Test return for Australia

The former Australia opener David Warner has revealed he is ready to come out of Test retirement for the upcoming series against India.

1 min

England pray for coin to fall their way on return to scene of 'mega' victory

Pakistan are in flux while the tourists have gambled on Ben Stokes' fitness to bowl and spin wildcard Rehan Ahmed

3 mins

“This opportunity is a movement, not a moment'

World Rugby's Sally Horrox paints a vibrant backdrop as England prepares to host the 2025 Women's World Cup

4 mins

Smith adopts army breathing technique to improve his goal kicking

Marcus Smith has adopted a military breathing technique to keep a lid on his anger - and sought advice from Jonny Wilkinson - after his goal-kicking woes on England duty in the summer.

3 mins

Fifa refusing to engage on Saudi worries, claims union

Fifa has been accused for a second time of failing to engage with concerns over human rights risks in Saudi Arabia, two months before the Gulf state is expected to be confirmed as a World Cup host.

2 mins

Stanway says Euro title defence begins in Germany friendly

Georgia Stanway says the defence of England's European title begins now as they prepare to face Germany in a friendly at Wembley in a repeat of the Euro 2022 final.

3 mins

Glasner faces four games to save Palace job, with Spurs first

Oliver Glasner's position as Crystal Palace manager is under mounting pressure after his side equalled the club's worst start to a Premier League season, with the Austrian's fate expected to be determined by results before the next international break.

1 min

Liverpool expect £60m a year from Adidas deal

Liverpool expect to make more than £60m a year from a new kit deal with Adidas that will come into effect from the start of the 2025-26 season.

2 mins

Riznyk saves from spot but own goal gifts Arsenal win

Arsenal's European hopes were never going to live or die by this result but they made heavy weather of three points that, nonetheless, move them a giant step towards prolonging their campaign beyond January. They had enough chances to put Shakhtar Donetsk away and then braced themselves for an awkward finale when Dmytro Riznyk saved Leandro Trossard's 79th-minute penalty.

3 mins

McGinn and Durán feast on Bologna to put Villa top of the table

In the seconds after John McGinn gave Aston Villa the lead, the scoreboards in opposite corners malfunctioned, flickering and displaying a 3-0 scoreline over Bologna courtesy of a hat-trick in double-quick time from their captain. For a moment it was pure fantasy but Unai Emery's side really are top of the reformed Champions League, the only team with a 100% record so far having played three matches.

3 mins

Rodgers laments 'no leeway' for Celtic in Europe

A defiant Brendan Rodgers believes Celtic's detractors cannot wait to \"beat them over the head with a stick\" in regards to their struggles against the best in Europe.

1 min

Stones' injury with England left Guardiola 'never so angry'

Pep Guardiola has stressed the importance of John Stones staying fit by revealing he has 'never been so angry' as when the Manchester City defender was injured during England's friendly against Belgium in the spring.

2 mins

'Disgusting contempt' Marinakis banned for spitting near officials after Forest loss

Evangelos Marinakis was banned for five matches after the Football Association argued successfully that the Nottingham Forest owner had spat towards match officials in a \"flagrant display of disrespectful behaviour\".

1 min

England turn to spin trio for series decider with Pakistan

England have picked a trio of spinners for the decisive third Test against Pakistan, after their first sight of the pitch for the game revealed that not only had it been blasted with hot air from an array of patio heaters whipped down the wicket by a pair of industrial fans, but it was \"pretty obvious that there's been a few rakes put across it.\" The resulting scratches are concentrated on the areas their spinners are likely to pitch the ball.

2 mins

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