The Guardian - December 13, 2024

In this issue

December 13, 2024

Some jury trials may be axed in plan to ease court backlog

Jury trials could be abandoned for some criminal cases in England and Wales under a radical overhaul proposed by ministers as the crown courts backlog hit a record high.

3 mins

Joy gives way to sorrow as Syria buries its dead

The streets of Damascus have been filled with celebrations since Bashar al-Assad fled to Russia last Sunday in the face of an unexpected rebel offensive, ending more than 50 years of his family's brutal rule over Syria.

2 mins

Miliband announces 'ambitious reforms' to UK energy system

Ed Miliband has pledged to bring in \"the most ambitious reforms to the country's energy system in generations\" as he presses ahead with plans to accelerate the development of onshore wind farms in England.

3 mins

Journalists striking for second time over proposed deal to sell Observer

Journalists at the Guardian and the Observer yesterday began a second 48-hour strike in protest at the proposed sale of the Observer newspaper to Tortoise Media, which was agreed in principle last week.

1 min

Badenoch sparks Westminster food fight as Starmer throws sandwich shade

In a row likely to generate more debate than many of their exchanges over the dispatch box, the prime minister has hailed the humble sandwich as \"a great British institution\" after Kemi Badenoch denounced the lunchtime staple as \"not real food\".

2 mins

'£60 for Dolce and Gabbana': how posh panettone is fast becoming a Christmas staple

It was once the preserve of the bougie delicatessen, but panettone has fast become a British festive staple, with supermarkets reporting soaring sales and customers apparently willing to pay increasingly large sums for the Italian sweet bread.

1 min

Housing must take priority over nature, says Starmer

Homes must have a higher priority than nature and the environment, the Prime Minister said, as ministers outlined reforms that could allow more building on the green belt.

2 mins

Tory peer faces suspension over 'Lord Poppadom' remark

A Conservative peer is facing suspension from the House of Lords for calling a British-Asian peer \"Lord Poppadom\" and touching an MP's braids without permission.

1 min

Sara Sharif's father given custody despite years of reported abuse

Sara Sharif's father was awarded custody of the schoolgirl despite being accused of abusing her siblings and mother for years, it has emerged.

5 mins

Tory peer faces suspension over 'Lord Poppadom' remark

A Conservative peer is facing suspension from the House of Lords for calling a British-Asian peer \"Lord Poppadom\" and touching an MP's braids without permission.

1 min

US urges Syrian rebels to form 'inclusive' government

The US is mounting a new diplomatic effort in the Middle East, hoping to end the war in Gaza and to push rebels who have taken power in Syria to form a \"credible, inclusive, and non-sectarian governance\".

2 mins

Missing American held since May is found alive in Damascus

An American citizen found in the suburbs of Damascus yesterday says he was detained after crossing into the country by foot on a Christian pilgrimage seven months ago, raising hopes for other foreign nationals missing in Syria.

3 mins

'Unprecedented risk' to life on Earth: scientists call for halt on 'mirror life' microbe research

World-leading scientists have called for a halt on research to create \"mirror life\" microbes amid concerns that the synthetic organisms would present an \"unprecedented risk\" to life.

2 mins

Charges against barrister for 'boys' club' tweets dropped

A barrister has attacked misogyny in the legal profession after a misconduct case brought against her for calling out a \"boys' club\" attitude was thrown out.

1 min

Without more money, court reform may be a struggle

The backlog of criminal cases waiting to be dealt with by crown courts in England and Wales stood at 73,105 at the end of September - a new record high.

1 min

Kate Bush joins campaign against AI using artists' work without permission

Kate Bush has called on ministers to protect artists from AI using their copyrighted works amid growing concerns from high-profile creatives and ongoing political uncertainty over how to handle the issue.

2 mins

Guardian and Observer appeal tops £250,000

More than £250,000 for charities supporting families hit by war and violence in Gaza, Ukraine and elsewhere has been raised by Guardian and Observer readers less than a week after the appeal launched.

1 min

South Korea protests against president take a festive turn

With blasting K-pop, glow sticks, food trucks and obligatory selfies, the protests that have swelled across South Korea since the president's shock declaration of martial law last week have taken on a festive mood.

2 mins

Use frozen Russian assets to aid Ukraine, says EU's top diplomat

Billions of Russian state funds frozen in the European Union should be used to aid Ukraine, the EU's top diplomat has said.

3 mins

Pompeii experts back Pliny's account of Mount Vesuvius

The date on which Mount Vesuvius erupted, wiping out the lives of thousands in ancient Pompeii and other nearby towns, has long divided scholars.

1 min

Largest day of clemency as Biden commutes 1,500 sentences

Joe Biden has carried out the largest act of presidential clemency on a single day in modern US history, commuting the sentences of almost 1,500 people and pardoning 39 Americans convicted of non-violent crimes.

2 mins

No comfort and little shelter as nightmare of winter becomes reality in Gaza

Tens of thousands of people sheltering on Gaza's exposed Mediterranean coastline face harsh winter conditions with inadequate shelter, food, and fuel, as temperatures plunge in the devastated territory and a series of storms destroy their makeshift tents.

3 mins

TikTok's annual carbon footprint is likely bigger than Greece's, study finds

TikTok's annual carbon footprint is probably larger than that of Greece, according to a new analysis of the social media platform's environmental impact, with the average user generating greenhouse gases equivalent to driving an extra 123 miles in a gas-powered car each year.

2 mins

Watchdog delays Shein's UK listing amid supply chain scrutiny

Britain's financial regulator is taking longer than usual to approve the fast-fashion retailer Shein's stock market listing because it is checking its supply chain oversight and assessing legal risks after an advocacy group for China's Uyghur population challenged the listing, according to two sources close to the matter.

3 mins

Consumer confidence in UK is still 'far from strong'

Consumer confidence remained suppressed in December amid the \"continuing uncharitable view on the UK's general economic situation\", a survey suggests.

1 min

UK electric Vehicle charger rollout risks regional divide, report warns

Plans to roll out 300,000 electric vehicle charge points across the UK by 2030 risks creating a \"regional divide\" between well-connected areas in London and the south-east and the rest of the country, according to the spending watchdog.

1 min

Price rises 'inevitable' at Currys after budget

Currys said price rises were \"inevitable\" as it told shareholders that it expected to face £32m in extra costs due to policies from the budget.

1 min

Stokes eager to tone down Ashes talk and focus on here and now

England captain regrets paying too much lip service to showdown with Australia with 'massive' series to come

4 mins

I'm old school. When they fire me I'm done in rugby

Accidental' Stormers coach John Dobson explains why the Cape Town club will be 'putting up a fight' at Quins

4 mins

Indian teenager becomes youngest world champion

Stunning Ding Liren blunder allows Gukesh Dommaraju to snare title in the final reel

2 mins

Chelsea cruise into last 16 as Maresca turns to youth

Chelsea confirmed passage to the last 16 of the Conference League with a win against Astana in Kazakhstan as Enzo Maresca handed full debuts to two academy graduates.

2 mins

Lewis-Skelly makes impact on Monaco and 'proud' Saka

Bukayo Saka is confident Myles Lewis-Skelly has a bright future ahead of him after the 18-year-old impressed on his full Champions League debut for Arsenal.

1 min

Højlund double seals late comeback to raise lift the mood at United

Rasmus Højlund's brace secured Manchester United a much-needed 2-1 comeback victory in the Europa League at Viktoria Plzeň as Ruben Amorim registered his first away win as head coach.

2 mins

Russo brace sets Arsenal up for Bayern showdown

Two goals from Alessia Russo helped Arsenal claim a 3-1 win at Vålerenga in the Women's Champions League to take a big step towards securing top spot in Group C.

1 min

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