Selasa, 31 Oktober 2023

Storm Ciarán latest update: ‘Danger to life’ warning issued - The Independent

What is extreme weather? | Decomplicated

The Met Office has issued two amber warnings and five yellow warnings across the UK as Britain prepares to be battered by Storm Ciarán’s 70mph winds and torrential rainfall tomorrow.

The storm will hit the South Coast as Ciarán makes land tomorrow the Met Office have issued yellow warnings in Sussex as heavy downpours and gusts hit the coast from 5am.

South Wales and the South West will also be placed under a yellow alert from 6pm to midnight as the regions will face wide disruption.

Amber warnings will be introduced to the South West and South Coast on Thursday as powerful winds and rainfall could pose a risk to life.

“Amber weather warnings issued. Very strong and damaging winds associated with Storm Ciarán bringing travel disruption. Large waves may also bring coastal impacts,” the Met Office said.

Gusts of 80mph winds to areas along the south coast of England are expected, while up to 60mm of rain is expected to fall in some areas.

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Rain and wind forecast for Thursday

<p>Rain forecast on Thursday as Storm Ciaran arrives</p>

Rain forecast on Thursday as Storm Ciaran arrives

<p>Wind forecast on Thursday as Storm Ciaran arrives</p>

Wind forecast on Thursday as Storm Ciaran arrives

Stuti Mishra1 November 2023 06:04
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Today’s weather forecast ahead of Storm Ciaran’s arrival

The Met Office forecasts a largely unsettled and windy day today ahead of the arrival of Storm Ciaran tomorrow with some sunny outbreaks.

A number of Severe Weather Warnings have already been issued by the forecaster.

Storm Ciarán will move northeastwards with heavy rain and damaging winds affecting many parts of England and Wales.

In the north, the rain is expected to begin slowly clearing through the day, remaining heavy at times and mainly dry at night with lighter winds across Scotland and Northern Ireland.

In south, the blustery showers will give way to heavy rain and gales spreading in from the southwest as Storm Ciarán arrives later at night.

“Aahead of Storm Ciarán, a squally cold front will move eastwards across southern and southeast England bringing bursts of heavy rain and coastal gusts of 60-70mph, mainly from Dorset eastwards," Met Office chief meteorologist Dan Suri, said.

Stuti Mishra1 November 2023 05:30
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Two Amber warnings issued for England and Wales

The Met Office has issued two amber alerts for England and Wales tomorrow as much of the country is bracing itself for a fresh bout of wind and rain with Storm Ciaran.

Amber warnings are in place for the entire south coast of England and parts of Pembrokeshire where Storm Ciaran is due to hit, together with several further yellow rain warnings.

The storm has already caused flooding in Northern Ireland, where a yellow rain warning from the Met Office is in place until 9am today.

A similar notice has been issued for parts of southwest, central and eastern Scotland from 3am to 3pm and in southern parts of England and Wales from 6pm on today until the end of tomorrow.

A further yellow warning for rain and wind has been issued across the southeast coast from 5am to 9am today with a yellow warning for wind across southern England and parts of South Wales from 6pm today and throughout tomorrow.

Here’s a map showing areas covered under amber warning.

<p>Map showing amber warnings in place on Thursday</p>

Map showing amber warnings in place on Thursday

Stuti Mishra1 November 2023 05:00
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Newry swamped as more floods hit Ireland

Large parts of Newry in Co Down have been swamped by floodwater as the city's canal burst its banks amid heavy rainfall.

Dozens of businesses were engulfed in the floods, with widespread damage caused to buildings, furnishings and stock.

Police have warned people to stay out of the city centre as streets have turned into rivers.

Thousands of sandbags have been stacked along the canal to try to stem to flow amid fear of further breaches.

Parts of the canal walls have already collapsed into the water and the authorities are concerned more sections could give way.

Other areas in the north east of the island of Ireland were also badly hit by the overnight rain, with homes flooded in Camlough in Co Armagh and Newcastle in Co Down.

The main motorway and train line linking Belfast and Dublin were both affected by flooding on Tuesday, causing major disruption for cross-border travellers.

In Newry, Sugar Island, Kildare Street, Canal Quay and part of Bridge Street were among the areas worst hit.

<p>Flooding in Carlingford, Co Louth</p>

Flooding in Carlingford, Co Louth

Stuti Mishra1 November 2023 04:30
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Areas under Amber warning on Thursday

An amber warning is in place from 3am to 1pm tomorrow in Cornwall, Devon and the extreme west coast of Pembrokeshire, with the Met Office predicting Storm Ciaran will bring winds of 75 to 85mph with 65 to 75mph gusts inland.

Across the south coast, from Dorset eastwards, the amber warning runs from 6am to 8pm with winds expected to reach 70 to 80 mph with the potential for 85mph and large waves.

The warning says wind could disrupt travel, power lines and cause structural damage with flying debris providing a threat to life.

Stuti Mishra1 November 2023 03:37
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Mapped - Today’s weather warnings

There are five weather warnings in place across the UK as torrential rainfall and gusty winds of up to 70mph are set to strike.

<p>There are five yellow weather warnings in place across the UK</p>

There are five yellow weather warnings in place across the UK

Lydia Patrick1 November 2023 02:00
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Met Office’s list of storm names

Ciarán is the third named storm of the season, following Agnes and Babet.

The Met Office name storms to aid the communication of approaching severe weather through media partners and other government agencies to improve the public response.

2023/4 Storm Names

<p>2023/4 Storm Names</p>

2023/4 Storm Names

Lydia Patrick1 November 2023 01:00
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Panic buyers storm supermarkets in Channel Islands leaving shelves empty

Panicked shoppers have emptied supermarkets as Channel Island residents have been advised to stay indoors on Thursday when Ciarán arrives on their shores.

Despite supermarket bosses reassuring residents they have enough supplies to last the duration of the storm, islanders rushed to stockpile essential goods amid worries freight ferries won’t be able to reach the islands, report ITV.

Lydia Patrick1 November 2023 00:00
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Guernsey resident prepares for Storm Ciarán

A father has brought heavy items indoors as the Channel Islands brace themselves for the arrival of Storm Ciarán.

Gary Rich, a carpenter from Guernsey, has packed up expensive goods from his garden in preparation for heavy winds that can sweep up weighty items and cause heavy destruction to surrounding buildings.

Lydia Patrick31 October 2023 23:00
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Devon council repair sea wall in time for storm

Lydia Patrick31 October 2023 22:00

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2023-11-01 05:43:25Z
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Elon Musk and ChatGPT boss jet in for UK's AI summit - as Sunak warned of 'here and now' threats - Sky News

Rishi Sunak has been warned not to ignore the "here and now" threats to people's jobs posed by artificial intelligence, as Elon Musk and the creator of ChatGPT jet in for a landmark UK summit.

Bletchley Park is set to welcome more than 100 figures from politics and business from today, including the likes of OpenAI's Sam Altman, Google DeepMind's Demis Hassabis, and billionaire Musk.

US vice president Kamala Harris, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, and controversially, a Chinese tech minister are also attending; though Canada's Justin Trudeau, France's Emmanuel Macron, and Germany's Olaf Scholz are not.

The two-day event, held at the home of Britain's Second World War codebreakers, is the first global summit on AI safety and the prime minister hopes it will help shape its development.

Reports suggest he will use discussions at the summit as the basis for a global advisory board for AI regulation, modelled on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

But following a speech last week, in which he spoke of dystopian threats like terrorists developing bioweapons and humanity losing control of AI, Mr Sunak has been warned not to ignore more present dangers.

Mary Towers, employment rights officer at the TUC, told Sky News: "We are not saying the government should not address hypothetical future risks - but it should not be done at the expense of dealing with existing harms."

Read more:
What you need to know about landmark safety summit
Elon Musk brings unpredictable star power to Sunak's AI gala

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Sunak vows to tackle fears around AI

PM 'squeezing out' marginalised voices

The TUC union was one of dozens of experts and organisations to sign a letter to Mr Sunak this week, accusing him of having "marginalised" those most at risk of being impacted by AI.

It said small businesses and creatives, who have been among the most vocal in their concerns about AI, felt "squeezed out" and "smothered" by the power and influence of big tech firms.

Ms Towers accused the prime minister of assembling a "narrow interest group" for the summit, which will also host executives from tech giants like Meta and Tencent.

In an open letter coordinated by the TUC, more than 100 organisations branded the AI summit "a missed opportunity", saying: "For many millions of people in the UK and across the world, the risks and harms of AI are not distant - they are felt in the here and now."

The guest list certainly reflects Mr Sunak's enthusiasm for AI, and he will join Mr Musk for a live discussion on X (formerly Twitter) after the event.

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Musk warns of AI 'civilisational risk'

Regulation 'desperately needed'

Ahead of the summit, the prime minister announced a £100m investment in AI tools to research new cancer and dementia treatments - answering calls from surgeons who believe the NHS must embrace the technology.

The government also committed £2m to helping schools adopt AI, such as to help teachers plan lessons.

And earlier this week, The Telegraph reported the government is testing a ChatGPT-style chatbot that can answer people's questions about benefits, housing, and taxes.

But one in three Britons fear the tech could take their jobs, according to data released this week.

PM's AI summit looks like a significant meeting

Tom Clarke

Science and technology editor

@aTomClarke

Some people thought the PM's AI summit would be a flop.

The venue, Bletchley Park has pedigree. It was home to the first electronic computer and the war-time code-breakers that pioneered AI.

But recent political and economic chaos combined with the regulatory irrelevance of a UK outside of the EU, so the thinking went, would make it unlikely Mr Sunak could really attract serious players in the development and regulation of AI.

Sure, a few big names are absent. But the US vice-president will be there, so will Meta's AI chief. The government also resisted criticism to ensure the Chinese state is represented, along with the EU.

This now looks increasingly like a significant meeting on serious global issue.

The anticipated arrival of the world’s richest man and controversial tech titan Elon Musk adds a hefty dose of Silicon Valley stardust.

But none of this guarantees success. In fact, no one agrees on what success might look like.

Most global conferences are defined by trying to find consensus among disparate political or commercial views around a specific goal – take the decades long effort tackle global warming for example.

In the case of AI, all parties want to prevent a machine intelligence more capable than humans running out of control. It's just no one really agrees on what that AI looks like or how to go about preventing it.

Expect to hear baffling statements around "responsible scaling", "red-teaming", "guardrails" and the need to control AI without hobbling it's potential to benefit humanity.

Real progress would be some kind of plan to control, contain, or perhaps even prevent the development of increasingly powerful and unpredictable AI models. But with just two days to talk it over, few expect the delegates to achieve that – even with the ghosts of Bletchley Park peering over their shoulders.

Administrative, customer service, and secretarial workers are most worried, the Office for National Statistics said.

Ms Towers said legislation was "desperately needed" to address redundancy concerns, and force employers to be transparent with workers about how they plan to use AI.

Bodies including the Publisher's Association and Society of Authors have also called on Mr Sunak to take a tougher stance against AIs being trained on copyrighted material, echoing concerns of other creative industries.

But Mr Sunak has expressed caution about regulation, saying it would stifle innovation.

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Music industry calls for AI protection

Rather than suggest bespoke new laws, the government has said it will lean on existing regulators to enforce principles around safety and transparency.

Other countries are going further, with US President Joe Biden announcing guardrails to address issues from job security and discrimination to deep fakes and misinformation.

The EU and China have also unveiled their own proposed AI regulation.

Kriti Sharma, founder of AI For Good UK, told Sky News businesses needed to know they can trust AI, and called for regulation that ensures new models are trained using trusted data sources.

Research by consultancy firm Infinum reveals more than three-quarters of British firms plan to invest in AI over the next year, but 73% admit to being ill-prepared to actually integrate it into their operations.

Ms Sharma said the government must ensure nobody is left behind.

"We need to strongly champion the need to create a basic AI education for everyone," she said.

"New opportunities will come up, and I'd love the UK to be at the forefront of creating an AI-ready workforce."

The summit is set to close on Thursday with Mr Sunak giving a speech outlining what attendees have agreed on.

His discussion with Mr Musk on X will take place afterwards.

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2023-11-01 02:02:13Z
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Mapped - Large parts of Bristol issued with flood warnings as UK braces for Storm Ciaran - Bristol Live

Experts have warned large parts of Bristol to be prepared for flooding as the UK braces for Storm Ciaran's arrival. The Met Office has issued a double-weather warning for wind and rain across the region tomorrow (November 1) and Thursday.

Meanwhile, the Environment Agency (EA) has issued a flood alert in Bristol, with a map showing water levels could rise along the River Avon.

The alert covers the Tidal River Avon at Bristol, Pill, Hotwells, St Anne's and Shirehampton. It states that 'flooding is possible' and residents should 'be prepared'.

READ MORE:

The alert says: "Flooding is possible in this area. Monitor local water levels and weather conditions. Avoid using low lying footpaths or entering areas prone to flooding. Start acting on your flood plan if you have one.

"Environment Agency Flood Warning Officers set the river or tidal levels that have triggered this message. During industrial action this message has been automatically issued based on rising river or tidal levels.

"Flood alert area: Tidal River Avon from Sea Mills to Conham in Bristol and between the Avonmouth Bridge and Shirehampton Park including Pill and Shirehampton."

The first Met Office warning for heavy rain is in place from 6pm tomorrow until 11.59pm on Thursday. Meanwhile, the warning for 'very strong and potentially damaging winds' is in place from 9pm tomorrow until 11.59pm on Thursday.

A flood alert is the least severe of the EA warnings. However, officials still remind people to prepare as flooding remains possible.

If you haven’t already done so, you should:

  • sign up for flood warnings
  • keep up to date with the latest flood risk situation - call Floodline on 0345 988 1188 or follow @EnvAgency and #floodaware on Twitter for the latest flood updates
  • have a bag ready with vital items like insurance documents and medications in case you need to leave your home
  • check you know how to turn off your gas, electricity and water mains supplies
  • plan how you'll move family and pets to safety

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2023-10-31 08:18:00Z
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Covid inquiry live: Boris Johnson had no ‘clarity of purpose’ testifies former aide Lee Cain - The Independent

Related video: David Cameron heckled at Covid inquiry

Boris Johnson’s former communications chief Lee Cain is now giving evidence at another bumper day at the Covid inquiry.

He will be followed by Dominic Cummings, the former prime minister’s chief of staff during the pandemic.

On Monday, Boris Johnson has been accused of a “mad and dangerous” response to the Covid pandemic comparable to Donald Trump’s handling of the crisis.

The exchanges between Simon Case, the government’s top civil servant, and officials were shown on Monday to the inquiry into how the government handled the worst health crisis in almost a century.

When the government was reopening after the first lockdown, Case said Mr Johnson wanted to let the virus “rip” and compared his approach to that of the former US President and Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro.

“This is in danger of becoming Trump/Bolsonaro level mad and dangerous,” Case told other colleagues.

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Rishi Sunak compared handling Covid to the film, Jaws

Rishi Sunak espoused “Jaws w**k” in communicating how the government should handle Covid, debating whether the mayor in the blockbuster shark attack movie was right to keep the beaches open, Archie Mitchell reports.

A message sent by Dominic Cummings during the early stages of the pandemic revealed the ex-Downing Street chief of staff’s frustration at Mr Sunak’s approach, as well as “stopping the trolley” - a reference to Boris Johnson.

“Rishi saying bond markets may not fund our debt etc, he’s back to Jaws mode w**k,” Mr Cummings said.

In a sweary tirade, he said: “I’ve literally said the same thing ten f****** times and he still won’t absorb it. I’m exhausted just talking to him and stopping the trolley.”

Matt Mathers31 October 2023 11:00
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Covid was the ‘wrong crisis for Boris Johnson’s skillset,’ Cain

Lee Cain has said Covid was the “wrong crisis for this prime minister’s skill set”, adding that Boris Johnson would “would often delay making decisions” and “change his mind on issues”, Archie Mitchell reports.

“Sometimes in politics, that can be a great strength,” Mr Cain told the official Covid inquiry, citing Brexit as an example.

“If you look at something like Covid, you need quick decisions, and you need people to hold the course,” Mr Cain said.

“So I felt it was the wrong challenge for him,” he added.

Matt Mathers31 October 2023 10:56
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Cain: Downing Street suffered from ‘lack of leadership’

Lee Cain, Boris Johnson’s former communications chief, said he agreed there was a "lack of leadership’’ and "chaos’’ in government, Archie Mitchell reports.

Counsel to the Covid inquiry Andrew O’Connor KC put it to him: "The general theme of lack of leadership, chaos, if you like, is one that you agree with?’’ The long-term aide replied: "Yes.’’

Matt Mathers31 October 2023 10:44
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The Cabinet Office was ‘terrifyingly s***’ - Cummings

Lee Cain has been shown a WhatsApp message sent by Dominic Cummings during the pandemic which described the Cabinet Office as "terrifyingly s***", Archie Mitchell reports.

The former head of comms in Downing Street said he agreed but would "not quite use that language".

The message from Mr Cummings to Boris Johnson said: "We got big problems coming, Cabinet Office is terrifyingly s***, no plans, totally behind pace."

Mr Johnson’s ex-chief of staff went on to say him, Mr Cain and other political aides were having to "drive and direct".

Matt Mathers31 October 2023 10:33
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Covid inquiry: Watch evidence session live

As we are reporting, Lee Cain is giving evidence to the Covid inquiry.

Dominic Cumming is up later this morning.

We’ll bring you updates throughout the session. You can also watch proceedings live on The Independent’s YouTube channel.

Matt Mathers31 October 2023 10:31
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Lee Cain: Johnson had no ‘clarity of purpose’ by March 2020

Boris Johnson had no "clarity of purpose" by March 2020 and no "serious plan" to deal with the pandemic, Lee Cain has said, Archie Mitchell reports.

Referring to an action plan published by the government on March 3, Mr Cain said: "Anyone who read the document will see that it’s not a it’s not a plan to deal with Covid.

“That is a very thin overview of how we may manage the virus if it progresses."

Matt Mathers31 October 2023 10:28
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Boris Johnson compared Covid to Swine Flu

Lee Cain has said Boris Johnson stressed the importance of "not overreacting" to the emergence of the pandemic in January 2020, likening it to viruses such as swine flu, Archie Mitchell reports.

"He was worried about the government being swept up in a in a sort of media hysteria and overreacting and causing more harm than then he would otherwise," Mr Cain told the official Covid inquiry.

A message sent by Mr Cain in early March said: "He doesn’t think it’s a big deal and doesn’t think anything can be done and his focus is elsewhere, he thinks it’ll be like swine flu and he thinks his main danger is talking economy [sic] into a slump."

"Yes, the prime minister should have done more," Mr Cain told the inquiry.

Matt Mathers31 October 2023 10:24
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Cain: Covid was a low priority in January 2020

Lee Cain has said Covid was seen in January 2020 as a “low priority” and just “one of many” issues being discussed inside Downing Street, Archie Mitchell reports.

The former head of communications said only “the most difficult” issues are dealt with in No10, but added it was being monitored closely by officials in the department of health.

But he added: “As we moved through January and February, it’s clear we got that assessment wrong, but I think you can probably see why we made the decisions that we did at the time.”

Matt Mathers31 October 2023 10:14
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Cain begins evidence

Lee Cain has started giving evidence to the Covid inquiry.

He is asked about his role as communications chief and adviser to the prime minister.

He said he had a good working relationship with Johnson when asked if the pair were friends.

Below is a closer look at the spin doctor at the heart of Britain’s Covid response:

Matt Mathers31 October 2023 10:12
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Sunak: King’s speech will focus on growing economy

Rishi Sunak said the King’s speech would focus on measures to “grow the economy, to strengthen society and to keep people safe”.

Opening a cabinet meeting in 10 Downing Street on Tuesday morning, the prime minister said the recently ended last session of parliament had been “historic” and would have a “big impact”.

“But we’re not stopping there, we will keep demonstrating to the country that we are ambitious for what we want to achieve.”

The King is expected to open the new session of parliament on 7 November.

<p>Britain AI of the Future</p>

Britain AI of the Future

Matt Mathers31 October 2023 09:55

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2023-10-31 11:00:16Z
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Palestine protesters throw box full of spraypainted mice into McDonald's in Birmingham - Birmingham Live

A box of mice was reportedly thrown into a Birmingham McDonald's by protestors who were shouting "free Palestine". Three boxes of red, white and green spray-painted mice were seen being loaded into the back of a car by a man.

The footage emerged on social media, with a video titled 'enjoy your rat burgers'. The word "Palestine" had been placed over the vehicle's number plates.

It's believed the person can then be seen walking up to the Star City McDonald's branch in Birmingham, before the mice are thrown onto the floor, followed by the shouting of "Free Palestine", reports The Express.

As the rodents are hurled into the branch, customers can be heard screaming and jumping in shock. Workers at the branch were seen trying to divert the mice out of the restaurant in a subsequent video.

READ MORE:Harrowing CCTV image released in bid to find those behind terrifying shopping centre robbery

READ MORE: Get a free National Trust pass worth up to £50 for your family day out this autumn

Pro-Palestinian protests have broken out across the globe after Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel on October 7. Earlier, protesters surrounded a Marks and Spencer store in Scotland.

After marching through the streets of Glasgow demanding an immediate ceasefire, they gathered outside M&S holding Palestinian flags and placards, reading "Freedom for Palestine". The clip was shared on X from an account named Biology Rules Okay along with the comment: "Berlin 1933. The brownshirts held their rally and then marched to a Jewish-owned shop to make the staff and their customers feel unsafe.

Tensions between pro-Palestinians and British Jews remain high due to the conflict in Gaza. Police have reported an increase in antisemitism and Islamophobia since the attack over three weeks ago. More than 8,000 people in Gaza have been killed since Hamas's atrocities, which claimed the lives of 1,400 on the Israeli side of the border. It has led to mass protests in cities across the UK, including London, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow and Belfast.

A spokesperson for McDonald's told LBC: "We are aware of an incident in our Birmingham Star City restaurant this evening where a number of mice were released by a member of the public. Following the removal of the mice, the restaurant has been fully sanitised and our pest control partners have been called out to conduct a full inspection."

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2023-10-31 08:11:00Z
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Senin, 30 Oktober 2023

Boris Johnson's pandemic response was 'Trump-level mad and dangerous' - live - The Independent

Related video: David Cameron heckled at Covid inquiry

Boris Johnson has been accused of a “mad and dangerous” response to the Covid pandemic comparable to Donald Trump’s handling of the crisis.

The exchanges between Simon Case, the government’s top civil servant, and officials were shown on Monday to the inquiry into how the government handled the worst health crisis in almost a century.

When the government was reopening after the first lockdown, Case said Mr Johnson wanted to let the virus “rip” and compared his approach to that of the former US President and Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro.

“This is in danger of becoming Trump/Bolsonaro level mad and dangerous,” Case told other colleagues.

It comes as diary extracts revealed chief scientific officer Sir Patrick Vallance accused Mr Johnson of “creating chaos” and being “completely inconsistent” during the pandemic.

Meanwhile, former top aide Martin Reynolds confirmed his internal report into government culture in spring 2020 found that female staff were being “talked over and ignored” in what showed a “significant degree of misogyny”.

Dominic Cummings, who served as the former prime minister’s chief of staff, and Lee Cain, Mr Johnson’s former communications chief, will be grilled at the inquiry later this week, alongside all Mr Johnson’s former aides.

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Johnson’s response to Covid was ‘mad and dangerous’ - top official

Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's approach to dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic was "mad and dangerous" and his constant indecision made it "impossible" to tackle the virus, the government's top civil servant told officials.

The exchanges between Simon Case, the government's most senior official, and officials in which he also described Britain's response in 2020 as a "terrible, tragic joke", were shown on Monday to the inquiry into how the government handled the worst health crisis in almost a century.

In the autumn of 2020 when the government was discussing how to suppress the virus, Case said of Johnson: "He cannot lead and we cannot support him under these circumstances. The team captain cannot change the call on the big plays every day." He then wrote in capital letters: "IT HAS TO STOP".

Months earlier when the government was reopening after the first lockdown, Case said Johnson wanted to let the virus "rip" and compared Johnson's approach to the way US President Donald Trump and Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who were known for dismissing the threat of Covid, were handling the crisis.

"This is in danger of becoming Trump/Bolsonaro level mad and dangerous," Case told other colleagues.

A spokesman for Johnson, who will appear as a witness in the inquiry in the future, declined to comment.

<p>Simon Case, the current Cabinet Secretary, vented about the Prime Minister during the pandemic</p>

Simon Case, the current Cabinet Secretary, vented about the Prime Minister during the pandemic

Tara Cobham30 October 2023 19:03
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Ex-No10 chief admits he ‘disappeared’ messages in PM’s group chat

One of Boris Johnson’s key aides turned messages to “disappear” in a key Covid WhatsApp group only weeks after the ex-PM promised a Covid public inquiry, it has been revealed.

Mr Reynolds, Mr Johnson’s principal private secretary, told the inquiry he “cannot recall exactly why I did so” – before adding that he did not believe it was to “prevent” the inquiry having access to the messages.

Adam Forrest, Political Correspondent reports:

Tara Cobham31 October 2023 05:00
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I’ve retained my WhatsApp messages relating to Covid pandemic, says Humza Yousaf

Last week a note to the chairman of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry from one of its counsels said the inquiry was of the belief that the “majority” of informal messages, including on WhatsApp had “not been retained”.

The First Minister said on Monday he had retained his messages, but that there had been a Scottish government policy on social media messaging which advised their deletion after 30 days.

Shweta Sharma31 October 2023 04:45
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Women staff were being ‘talked over and ignored’, report into No 10 culture during pandemic finds

The report, by former top aide Martin Reynolds and then deputy cabinet secretary Helen MacNamara, was written in May 2020 amid concerns about discipline, “macho behaviour” and misogyny, the UK Covid-19 Inquiry heard yesterday.

Released as part of a batch of documents relevant to the inquiry, the report asked more than 45 people who worked closely with No 10 what could be done to better support the prime minister in May 2020.

Shweta Sharma31 October 2023 04:14
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Watch: Johnson stressed ‘need to avoid overreaction’ at start of pandemic

Johnson stressed ‘the need to avoid overreaction’ at beginning of Covid pandemic
Tara Cobham31 October 2023 04:00
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‘High degree of dysfunctionality’ dealing with Johnson, says Shafi

The former private secretary to the prime minister for public services, Imran Shafi, told the UK Covid-19 Inquiry there was a "high degree of dysfunctionality" when dealing with the then-PM Boris Johnson.

Counsel to the inquiry Hugo Keith KC asked the witness: "The material may suggest there were a number of competing power sources in Downing Street, personality clashes, and we can see... a high degree of dysfunctionality in terms of dealing with the prime minister - would you agree?"

Mr Shafi replied: "Yes."

Mr Keith continued: "None of that leant itself well to the best sort of decision-making did it?"

Mr Shafi said: "No."

Tara Cobham31 October 2023 03:00
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The ‘wrecked’ lives of forgotten long Covid sufferers

Read more here:

Tara Cobham31 October 2023 02:00
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Watch: Reynolds agrees Covid officials operated ‘without proper playbook’

Martin Reynolds agrees Covid department officials operated ‘without a proper playbook’
Tara Cobham31 October 2023 01:00
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Johnson ‘cannot lead’, says UK’s top civil servant

The UK's top civil servant vented that Boris Johnson "cannot lead" amid pandemic-era frustration with the prime minister's leadership, according to WhatsApp messages shared with the Covid-19 inquiry.

Simon Case, who remains Cabinet Secretary, told Mr Johnson's then-chief adviser Dominic Cummings that the prime minister was making government "impossible".

The private correspondence, which took place as the Government grappled with the spread of Covid, came during the appearance of former top aide Martin Reynolds at Lady Hallett's probe.

Mr Case, who has temporarily stepped back from his role due to a "private medical matter", told Mr Cummings that the PM "cannot lead and we cannot support him in leading with this approach".

In the message, read at the hearing, Mr Case said: "I am at the end of my tether.

“He changes strategic direction every day (Monday we were all about fear of virus returning as per Europe, March etc - today we're in 'let it rip' mode cos (sic) the UK is pathetic, needs a cold shower etc).

"The team captain cannot change the call on the big plays every day. The team can't deliver anything under these circumstances. Decide and set direction - deliver - explain. Gov't isn't actually that hard but this guy is really making it impossible."

<p>The UK’s top civil servant vented that Boris Johnson “cannot lead” amid pandemic-era frustration with the prime minister’s leadership, according to WhatsApp messages shared with the Covid-19 inquiry</p>

The UK’s top civil servant vented that Boris Johnson “cannot lead” amid pandemic-era frustration with the prime minister’s leadership, according to WhatsApp messages shared with the Covid-19 inquiry

Tara Cobham31 October 2023 00:00
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Recap: Partygate was ‘ultimate insult’ to Covid bereaved, inquiry told

A woman who lost her partner to Covid has hit out at UK Government officials who held illegal lockdown parties, saying there was a “culture of contempt for the ordinary people” throughout the pandemic.

Jane Morrison, of Scottish Covid Bereaved, told the Scottish Covid-19 Inquiry on Friday of the hardship she faced after her partner, Jacky Morrison-Hart, died in 2020.

Ms Morrison-Hart, 49, had been admitted to hospital for a separate illness but contracted Covid-19 while at Ninewells Hospital, Dundee.

After battling the disease, she died a short time later in October 2020.

Ryan McDougall reports:

Tara Cobham30 October 2023 23:00

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2023-10-31 04:45:40Z
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King Charles Kenya trip: Mau Mau uprising hangs over visit - BBC

Grave of Elijah Kinyua

King Charles and his wife Camilla are on a four-day state visit to Kenya, where he will acknowledge "painful aspects" of the UK's colonial past.

More than 10,000 people were killed and others tortured during the brutal suppression of the Mau Mau uprising in the 1950s, one of the British Empire's bloodiest insurgencies. In 2013 Britain expressed regret and paid out £20m ($24m) to more than 5,000 people - but some feel that didn't go far enough.

One of those is 90-year-old Agnes Muthoni.

With a steady stride despite a stoop, she leads us to the grave site at her home in Shamata, central Kenya.

She plucks weeds that have grown next to her husband's grave. Elijah Kinyua died two years ago, aged 93. He was also known as General Bahati, and like his wife was a fighter during the bloody uprising against the British Empire's colonial government in the 1950s.

She held the rank of a major in the Kenya Land and Freedom Army - more commonly known as the Mau Mau.

Ms Muthoni breaks into a radiant smile as she shows us her wedding ring. They only met after the revolt ended and he was released from detention.

"He said if there were women fighters who survived, he would like to marry one of them because she would understand his problems and not call him Mau Mau."

Agnes Muthoni
BBC
Human beings forgive each other and continue living together, but I would like to be given land
Agnes Muthoni
Mau Mau veteran

The struggle united them. But even after Kenya gained independence from British colonial rule, the couple continued to live in the shadows - like many former Mau Mau fighters.

The resistance group remained outlawed. It was designated a terrorist organisation by the colonial government and subsequent administrations in independent Kenya did not overturn the ban. "Three Mau Mau members could not meet; it was an offence," says Kenyan lawyer and politician Paul Muite. "It was atrocious."

It was only in 2003 that the law was changed, and members of the Mau Mau were finally recognised as freedom fighters.

But this also meant that post-independence generations knew little of the past.

"So many children and grandchildren had no idea about the roots of the country's suffering that gave birth to independence," says historian Caroline Elkins, who conducted interviews on the topic in the 1990s.

Her observations are echoed on the streets of Nairobi today. Many young people hardly know about the detention and torture of the Mau Mau. They are more concerned about the economy and wonder if King Charles's visit will have any impact.

Ms Muthoni's 36-year-old grandson, Wachira Githui, is one of the few who heard about it first-hand. But he is also at ease with several of the lasting impacts of colonialism on Kenya's social, political and economic life. "I speak English and I'm proud of that," he says, adding that he is a fan of Chelsea football club.

Kenyan social media comes alive when a crucial English Premier League game is on. Fans trade banter for hours on end.

A Kenyan boy in a Manchester United shirt plays football in Nairobi
Getty Images

From the streets to offices, the legacy of empire remains unmissable in Nairobi.

A neatly pressed black gown and white neck bands hang behind Paul Muite's desk in his office in the Kilimani neighbourhood. He dons a wig as well when appearing in court. Much of the British legal, governance and educational structures were inherited not only in Kenya but across much of the former empire.

But knowledge of many aspects of the "more painful past" which the King is expected to acknowledge was seldom passed down through the generations, and remains hidden from the public.

Mr Muite is calling for a commission of inquiry to be set up by both the Kenyan and UK governments to go to every part of Kenya and document the colonial period in detail. He was part of the legal team that took a test case to British courts in 2009, which ended with an out-of-court settlement four years later.

The British government expressed regret and paid the compensation to Mau Mau veterans.

Women protest against King Charles's planned visit to Kenya
Reuters

But Mr Muite says only those fighters still alive who could be examined by doctors and confirmed as torture victims received payments. Those who provided services and maintained supply lines for fighters, as well as Kenyans outside the centre of the country who fought against colonialism, were not included, he says.

Among them are members of the Talai clan, who have recently renewed their calls for the British government to return the skull of their leader Koitalel arap Samoei. He led the Nandi community's resistance to colonial settlement, disrupting the plans to occupy the highlands of the Rift Valley for over a decade. Eventually, he was lured to a peace meeting where he was killed in 1905.

Mr Muite argues that recognising "those who were killed, those who provided services including meals to Mau Mau fighters and those who were raped, and giving them a bit of compensation" would help bring closure.

Historian Caroline Elkins says the anticipated announcement by the monarch will be "an extraordinary moment" but adds that the right thing would be to "insist upon proper investigations, done by the government, to change history books, to change museums in Britain and to provide funding in Kenya to establish its own museums and cultural artefacts".

She says the atrocities committed during the state of emergency - declared by the colonial government in October 1952 in response to the Mau Mau revolt - were done in the monarch's name. Queen Elizabeth II acceded to the throne just eight months earlier while on a visit to central Kenya where the rebellion had been brewing.

"It was Her Majesty the Queen whose picture hung in detention camps, [and] as they were being tortured and forced to labour, they had to sing God Save the Queen."

The Mau Mau attacks could be brutal, and would often occur at night. Images of six-year-old Michael Ruck - hacked to death along with his parents and a farmhand - and his bloodied teddy bears, were published in newspapers abroad, and drew no sympathy for the fighters.

The colonial government used its air power and ground forces that included many Kenyans - known as the home guards - to mount a brutal crackdown on the Mau Mau.

Ms Elkins estimates that as many as 320,000 people were interned in detention or concentration camps. Prisoners were reportedly castrated, flogged to death, and even set on fire.

British troops guard suspected rebels in Kenya in 1952
Getty Images

More than 1,000 were executed by hanging during the emergency period. The total death toll is estimated to be in the thousands. Historians have described the operations to crush the revolt as the bloodiest post-war conflict the UK was involved in last century.

"There were no houses for us to live in," says veteran Agnes Muthoni of the conditions in the forest during the emergency. "There were hyenas, hunger and rain."

She now lives in a blue-roofed house made of corrugated iron sheets and timber which overlooks the undulating green ranges of the Aberdare mountain range.

The vast fertile land stretching across central Kenya to the Rift Valley was once known as the "White Highlands". Almost all of it was exclusively owned by settler farmers. Local people, like Ms Muthoni, were pushed to the fringes to pave the way for European farmers to occupy the best land.

After independence much of it went to the home guards, as the Mau Mau continued to be considered a terrorist organisation.

But Ms Muthoni is ready to let go of the past. "We are not bitter in our hearts because the past is gone," she says.

"Human beings forgive each other and continue living together, but I would like to be given land."

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2023-10-31 01:27:26Z
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