STORY
The Russian Government has announced the evacuation of 11,000 more people in the Belgorod region as Ukrainian troops penetrate further into the country. The invasion, which is now in the sixth day, has led the Russian army to struggle to take back control. The Russian Foreign Office said that they expected to secure the region quickly and denied that they had set fire to Zaporizhzhia nuclear facility.
STORY
The Russian Government has confirmed rumours that the country’s defences appear to have failed as the Ukrainian army is over 30 kilometres into the country. Over 75,000 Russians have been evacuated as the Russian army is unable to defend the country, with confusion as how the Ukrainian army have been able to make the advanced assault with limited military response from the Russians. The situation has become critical for Vladimir Putin, the President, as the Ukrainian army are now in their sixth day of occupation, despite Russian claims that they had the situation under control. Vladimir Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine, said in a statement:
“Ukraine is proving that it really knows how to restore justice and guarantees exactly the kind of pressure that is needed – pressure on the aggressor”.
Vladimir Putin is yet to make an official statement on the situation.
STORY
William Nelson Morgan, a 69 year old man from Linton Street in Walton, has pleaded guilty to being involved in the destruction of Spellow Lane Library in Liverpool. Morgan armed himself with a wooden cosh and was involved with the rioting and assault of police officers with the Honorary Recorder of Liverpool, Andrew Menary KC, stating:
“Your actions have disgraced and damaged the reputation of that town [Southport] and this city [Liverpool].”
When sentencing, Judge Menary added:
“Your advancing years plainly did not prevent you from playing an active part in a disturbance on County Road. I think it is very sad indeed to see someone of your age and character in the dock of a Crown Court.”
Paul Lewis, defending Morgan, said his client was “sorry”. Morgan, a retired welder, was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison for his involvement in the destruction of the library. A community fund-raiser to help rebuild the library that Morgan helped wreck has so far reached £217,000.
STORY
Shamima Begum’s prolonged legal battle to regain her British citizenship has reached a definitive conclusion with the Supreme Court’s refusal to hear her appeal. This decision solidifies previous rulings upholding the Home Secretary’s 2019 revocation of her citizenship on national security grounds, despite ongoing concerns about Begum’s status as a potential victim of child trafficking when she left the UK as a teenager to join the Islamic State group in Syria.
Begum’s legal team had consistently challenged the decision, arguing on various grounds including her alleged trafficking and lack of due process in the revocation procedure. However, the Supreme Court ultimately determined that her case did not raise any arguable legal points that warranted further consideration. This outcome leaves Begum, now 24, stranded in a Syrian camp without British citizenship, effectively stateless. The case has ignited widespread debate concerning national security, citizenship rights, and the UK’s approach towards returning foreign fighters. A number of human rights organisations have voiced their criticism, advocating for her repatriation and due process within the UK legal system.
STORY
James Nelson, aged 18, of Victoria Road, Horwich, Bolton has been sentenced to two months in prison for his involvement in the rioting in Bolton town centre at the weekend. He pleaded guilty to violent disorder and received what is thought to be the first prison sentence issued for those involved in the recent spate of rioting.
STORY
The BBC has said that they have reviewed and changed an article written by Eben Leonard, a BBC journalist, which claimed that a pub had asked customers to leave because they were singing in Welsh. The BBC issued a statement saying:
“Having reviewed the report, the headline was amended to make it clear that customers in the pub were asked to leave because they were singing loudly, not because they were singing in Welsh. A passage was also added to the piece to explain this change.”
The article, which was on the front page of the BBC News on-line, caused the pub to suffer a number of negative reviews and hatred on-line. The BBC apologised for the article.
STORY
Josh Kellett, aged 29, of Southcroft in Washington has pleaded guilty to violent disorder as part of the rioting that took place in Sunderland at the weekend.
Detective Chief Inspector Graeme Barr, of Northumbria Police’s Major Investigation Team (MIT), said with reference to Kellett and two other rioters that “they should be ashamed of their actions and I am pleased that they have been convicted at court. A comprehensive investigation is well underway as we look to identify those responsible for the disorder and ensure they are faced with the full force of the law. We will continue to pursue every investigative avenue in order to bring justice against those involved, and further activity is planned.”
The court heard that Kellett, who is also known as Josh Major, was wearing a balaclava but was caught because of his distinctive tattoos and he had been videoed throwing rocks at police officers. Kellett was remanded in custody and will be sentenced later in the month.
STORY
Reporting restrictions have been lifted to name the suspect in the Southport stabbing murders as Axel Muganwa Rudakubana, a 17 year old who has lived in Southport since 2013. The authorities confirmed that his parents were from Rwanda, with the date for his plea and preparation hearing listed as 25 October 2024. Daniel Sandford, the BBC court correspondent, wrote “the defendant was wearing a grey tracksuit made of sweatshirt material and kept his face covered throughout the five-minute hearing”.
STORY
The Bank of England’s Monetary Committee has voted by 5-4 to cut interest rates from 5.25% to 5%. This represents the first cut in interest rates since March 2020 and comes as inflation has fallen from 8% last year to 2% this year.
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STORY
Tom Tugendhat, the Conservative MP for Tonbridge, has confirmed that he is entering the race to be the next Conservative leader. He is the second to join the race, with James Cleverly having announced his candidature yesterday.