Babak Belurs

Minggu, 17 Maret 2024

St Patrick's Day LIVE: Huge celebrations across Ireland and the UK - GB News

Millions of people are celebrating St Patrick's day across Ireland, Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.

Large parties and gathering will be underway to mark the country's saint day.

And those celebrating have an extra reason to be cheerful this year, with St Patrick's Day coming less than 24 hours after Ireland were crown Six Nations champions.

Follow below for live updates from GB News throughout the day...

Three cheers for Kate!

The Irish Guards gave three cheers for their absent colonel, the Princess of Wales

The Irish Guards gave three cheers for their absent colonel, the Princess of Wales, during a St Patrick’s Day parade at Mons Barracks in Hampshire.

On Sunday, 250 Irish Guardsmen marched onto the Parade Square at the Aldershot barracks led by their mascot, a three-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Turlough Mor, also known as Seamus.

Kate, who has been colonel of the regiment for a year after officially taking over from her husband, the Prince of Wales, is still recovering from abdominal surgery in January and has not resumed her public duties.

William and Kate have attended several past parades together and she was pictured in the rain last year presenting mascot Seamus with the traditional sprig of shamrock before the couple enjoyed a glass of Guinness with the troops.

PICTURED: Latest images from London's celebrations

PICTURED: Belfast's annual St Patrick's Day parade

Tens of thousands line the streets of Dublin

Ireland's new Late Late Show presenter Patrick Kielty is grand marshal of the national parade in Dublin

Tens of thousands of people have lined the streets of Dublin to watch the St Patrick’s Day parade.

Attendees wearing shamrock-shaped sunglasses, Irish jerseys and leprechaun hats thronged the streets of the Irish capital ahead of the parade’s midday start.

Visitors travelled from as far away as Bolivia, California and China to catch a glimpse of the vibrant spectacle.

New Late Late Show presenter Patrick Kielty, the grand marshal of the national parade in Dublin, described Ireland’s national day as “the biggest party in the world”.

More than 4,200 participants are expected to take part in the flagship parade in the capital, featuring 18 performances and pageants.

Royals wish a happy St Patrick's Day

Prince William and Princess Kate have shared a sneak peak of the Irish Guards practicing for the annual St Patrick's Day parade on social media.

They signed it off: "Sláinte to all those celebrating today! "

Sinn Fein leader defends spending St Patrick's Day in America

Mary Lou McDonald has defended her decision to go to the US for St Patrick’s Day despite calls for politicians to boycott events this year.

The Sinn Fein leader said she couldn’t refuse the “unparalleled access” that Washington DC offers this week.

She made the comments in the face of a push for politicians to snub meetings with senior US figures in a show of Irish opposition to the growing number of deaths and injuries in Gaza.

“I’m talking about concrete action. We need a ceasefire. We need to end the slaughter of women and children in Gaza. 30,000 deaths now,” she said.

“So the question isn’t ‘why did you come?’ The question has to be ‘how could you possibly stay away?’

“In a way, we have a unique position as Irish political leaders in that we have a very strong, relationship with the United States, very strong, unparalleled access in a week like this.

“And we also have a very strong relationship with the Palestinian struggle and a strong commitment to freedom for Palestine and self-determination, an end to the occupation.

“How on earth could I possibly justify not coming and not pressing that case in the strongest possible terms?”

GB News' Dougie Beattie gets in the spirit

GB News' Northern Ireland reporter Dougie Beattie is having fun while he works.

He's donned a pair of green shamrock glasses, a green hat and an Irish badge while on shift.

An extra reason to celebrate

Those looking to celebrate St Patrick's Day may already be nursing sore heads after Ireland's Six Nation's victory yesterday afternoon.

Despite a spirited display from Scotland and a very tight match, Ireland secured the necessary win to win the tournament.

If you missed yesterday's action, you can read GB News' match report here.

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2024-03-17 16:44:54Z
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Grant Shapps abandoned Ukraine port visit over Russian missile threat - Sky News

Grant Shapps was forced to abandon a visit to a port city in Ukraine after British intelligence warned of a credible missile threat from Russia.

Officials told the defence secretary Russia had become aware of his travel plans to Odesa, where a convoy carrying Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Greece's prime minister had narrowly avoided an airstrike.

That news raised the threat level to Mr Shapps's safety from substantial to critical, according to The Sunday Times, which had access to the delegation and was the first to report the abandoned plans.

Mr Shapps, travelling with chief of the defence staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin and a small team of British officials, took an overnight train from Poland, arriving in Kyiv on 7 March.

But the planned onward journey to Odesa was called off after an intelligence update revealed the Kremlin's knowledge of it.

"Putin has shown himself to be reckless, ruthless and careless," Mr Shapps, who instead travelled back to the UK via Poland, told the Sunday Times.

"The fact that he came perilously close to essentially assassinating two Western leaders, it doesn't matter whether that is deliberate or accidental.

"What the hell is he doing, and why the heck would the West allow him to do that kind of thing?"

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Five people were killed in the airstrike that just missed Mr Zelenskyy's convoy, according to Ukrainian authorities, which happened on 6 March, the day before Mr Shapps arrived in Kyiv.

It was the senior Tory's second trip to Ukraine as Defence Secretary and his third since the outbreak of the war in February 2022.

It comes as Mr Zelenskyy faces waning enthusiasm in the West for supporting Kyiv.

European countries are struggling to find enough weapons and ammunition to send to Ukraine, and US help worth $60bn (£47bn) is stalled over political differences in Washington.

A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: "On a recent trip to Ukraine, the defence secretary did not make a planned visit to Odesa for security reasons.

"The UK continues to provide strong support for Ukraine and the defence secretary's visit and engagements only underscored the importance of this support in the face of Putin's aggression."

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Vaughan Gething: How will Welsh Labour change under his leadership? - BBC.com

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Vaughan Gething: How will Welsh Labour change under his leadership? BBC.com
Labour's rule over Wales has been so dismal it makes even the SNP look good The Telegraph
Wales is getting the first Black leader in Europe POLITICO Europe
Vaughan Gething: What problems are facing the new Welsh leader? Sky News
Britain is not without its problems. But Vaughan Gething proves how diverse it really is The Guardian

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2024-03-16 22:01:55Z
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LTNs: Councils told to consider residents' support under new guidance - BBC

LTN bollards in a street in Cowley, Oxford

By Helen Catt, political correspondent & Lauren Turner

BBC News

Councils in England will have to consider local residents' views before introducing new low traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs) under new government guidance.

In LTNs, vehicles are stopped from using some residential roads.

The draft guidance says councils should be confident such a scheme has the support of most of the community.

Labour accused ministers of trying to "dictate to local communities how they use their streets".

The draft statutory guidance, published by the Department for Transport and due to come into force this summer, recommends councils carry out leaflet drops, run online surveys and hold in-person meetings when considering introducing LTNs.

As well as local residents, businesses and emergency services will also need to approve of the move.

LTNs often use signs as well as physical obstacles like bollards or planters to prevent traffic being able to drive along a certain route.

The review found they could provide benefits like improved air quality but raised concerns about the impact on residents with disabilities, as well as the risk of delaying emergency service vehicles.

The report also found that local authorities operating LTNs issue an average of 36,459 Penalty Charge Notices per scheme - with one scheme exceeding 170,000 fines.

A review showed that only 13% of residents have responded to council planning consultations on LTNs and 18% feel their views have influenced council decisions.

Failing to be confident of local support could affect future transport funding, under the new guidance.

Councils are separately being told they should only introduce 20mph limits in specific areas, for example outside schools.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper said it showed the government was "on the side of drivers".

"We want local people to have their voices heard, and any traffic schemes to have the consent of those they impact," he said.

"Well thought-out schemes, like 20mph limits outside schools, can make our roads safer, but we are raising the bar to help ensure all traffic schemes work for everyone in the community."

The Local Government Association said: "Low traffic neighbourhoods are popular as they reduce traffic, making neighbourhoods safer by encouraging more people to walk, wheel or cycle and can improve air quality.

"Councils already consult with all residents and businesses to find the best solutions to ease congestion and improve air quality for everyone."

Louise Haigh MP, Labour's shadow transport secretary, said the publication of the guidance was "a blatant and desperate attempt to distract people from a government that has run out of road".

"All this ongoing Conservative chaos has a real cost for working people and our public services," she said, adding that Labour would "act on the real priorities of drivers by tackling soaring car insurance costs and the traffic clogging up our roads".

The measures are part of the government's Plan for Drivers.

Sabtu, 16 Maret 2024

Dozens of dead wild animals dumped outside Hampshire shop - The Guardian

Police are investigating a series of gruesome wildlife killings in Hampshire after about 50 hares, a kestrel and a barn owl were dumped outside a village shop.

Staff were “distraught” after discovering the animals’ bodies early last Friday morning at the Broughton Community Shop. Blood had been smeared on the shop windows and the two birds had been stuffed on to the door handles.

Last month dozens of hares and pheasants were left outside a primary school in Awbridge, seven miles away, as well as what the Hampshire Chronicle described as a “decapitated deer”.

Villagers in Broughton believe that hare coursers may have been involved. Salisbury Plain is a popular location for criminal gangs who live stream events for people who lay bets on which animal will be killed first.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police said it was trying to identify the owners of a silver Suzuki Grand Vitara.

Mike Hensman, treasurer of the village shop, said: “There were hares on the patio outside the shop, blood on the doors. [There was] a raptor and an owl stuffed on to the handles of the shop.

“I don’t know what they’ve done but they’ve made a mess. And they can because there was no one overlooking them. However, we’ve got that on CCTV. We’ve got the whole thing on CCTV which we passed over to police for them to deal with.

“The guy that opened the shop – he shoots so he’s used to this. And he’s still distraught. He’s struggling to cope with it because it was pretty horrific.” He said that people in the shop were “all really upset”.

The shop was reopened by volunteers six years ago and is “more like Fortnum and Mason” than a traditional village shop, Hensman said. “We get over 100 people a day come in. Broughton is an affluent village – we have a pub, a church, a village school. Lots of walkers and cyclists come in for coffee.” Crime is rare, just “a few break-ins in garages – nothing you wouldn’t expect anywhere else,” Hensman said.

“The countryside is a big place. They’re really interested because of these protected species that have been killed. You can’t stop people hare coursing – it’s been going on for hundreds of years. We’re not going to let this get to us. We’re resilient.”

A spokesman for Hampshire police said: “We can confirm we are investigating following a report that a number of dead animals were left outside a shop in Broughton.”

On 9 February, 25 dead animals were found outside Awbridge Primary School early in the morning, but the investigation has stalled.

Hare coursing was legal until 2004 but still takes place in large flat open areas, such as Salisbury Plain, where lurchers or greyhounds are set against each other to chase hares.

Coursers are known to dump animals in farmers’ fields and in villages, something police say is often an attempt to intimidate people into keeping silent. Officers say that gangs cause a great deal of damage by trying to film the chases so gamblers, often in China, can follow the blood sport.

Amid concerns from farmers and police that hare coursing had been growing in popularity, in 2022 parliament introduced legislation to make it illegal to use a dog to search for a hare and officers can stop and search vehicles.

Last week a report by the National Rural Crime Network said that there were around 22 organised crime gangs involved in rural crime in the UK.

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2024-03-16 16:02:00Z
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Sunak under pressure to say how many times he has met Tory donor Frank Hester - The Guardian

Rishi Sunak is facing calls to say how many times he has met the Conservative mega-donor Frank Hester, who made comments about Diane Abbott that have been widely condemned for being racist and misogynistic, after a picture of the pair at a Tory fundraiser emerged.

Hester is understood to have attended two Tory fundraisers in the last year, in June where he was photographed with Sunak, and as recently as two weeks ago at Raffles in London.

The prime minister is also believed to have met Hester in Leeds, the day after the autumn statement in November, when the donor paid £16,000 for Sunak to take a helicopter to the city for a political visit.

No 10 has said it “will not get into details” about whether the two men had a meeting during that trip. On that day, Sunak was pictured hammering jewellery at a workshop in Farsley in north-west Leeds, less than 4 miles from the HQ of Hester’s company TPP.

Downing Street is also refusing to give details of any discussions about AI between Sunak and Hester, who has given £10m to the party and will potentially contribute another £5m – taking his contributions in less than a year close to what the Conservatives spent on the entire 2019 general election.

Hester, who has worked on artificial intelligence as part of his IT business, has previously said he has had “some quite long conversations with Rishi about AI”. The donor also attended an event at Lancaster House where Sunak discussed AI with the billionaire Elon Musk in November.

It is unknown whether any discussions about policy were reported back to Sunak’s department.

Anneliese Dodds, Labour’s chair, said: “Rishi Sunak needs to come clean about the relationship he has with Frank Hester, including how many times he has met with him since becoming prime minister.”

Hester’s meetings with Sunak are the latest in more than a decade of meetings with senior Conservative politicians.

As prime minister, David Cameron took Hester on a delegation to India in February 2013. Hester returned to India with Ken Clarke in May 2013. Jeremy Hunt, then health secretary, visited TPP’s offices in December 2014. Cameron held a rally at TPP’s headquarters in April 2015 during the general election campaign.

The then chancellor, George Osborne, brought Hester on a trade mission to China in September 2015 to herald the “Northern Powerhouse”. In January 2016, Hunt returned to TPP’s newly constructed headquarters.

At the Commonwealth heads of government meeting in Kigali in June 2022, Hester met Boris Johnson.

The Conservatives and Downing Street have not denied that Hester has sought to donate an additional £5m, on top of the £10m already formally declared through the Electoral Commission.

According to GB News, the money has been “in the ether for ages” but has yet to be formally confirmed. One unnamed party source told the channel: “He wants to give again. I hope he will.”

The Conservatives are expected to be heavily reliant on paid-for campaigning such as mailed leaflets and digital ads in the general election, in part because of a lack of numbers and enthusiasm in their campaign base.

In 2019, the Tories spent just under £16.5m from a permitted total of close to £19m. However, the spending limits have since been raised, and for Labour and the Conservatives – it is based on the number of candidates fielded – it will be around £34m.

Hester has been at the centre of a political furore since the Guardian reported on Monday that he said in a 2019 meeting that seeing Abbott, who is Britain’s longest-serving black MP, on TV made “you just want to hate all black women because she’s there”.

He also called all his “foreign” workers together to defend himself against online claims he had made racist remarks. During this meeting, he said he abhorred racism and told his team their progress would not be “based on the colour of your skin, your ethnicity, where your parents are from”.

However, he also said: “We take the piss out of the fact that all our Chinese girls sit together in Asian corner.”

After the report, Hester released a statement saying he “accepts that he was rude about Diane Abbott in a private meeting several years ago but his criticism had nothing to do with her gender nor colour of skin”. The statement said Hester abhorred racism, “not least because he experienced it as the child of Irish immigrants in the 1970s”.

The statement added: “He rang Diane Abbott twice today to try to apologise directly for the hurt he has caused her, and is deeply sorry for his remarks. He wishes to make it clear that he regards racism as a poison which has no place in public life.”

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Manhunt after two separate 'crossbow attacks' in east London believed to be linked - Sky News

A manhunt is under way after two suspected crossbow attacks in east London, which police believe are linked.

A 44-year-old woman is said to have been hit in the head with a crossbow bolt as she crossed the road by Clifton House in Shoreditch at about 7.44pm on Monday 4 March.

Then, on Thursday 14 March, a 20-year-old man was injured in the neck by a crossbow bolt near Arnold Circus, about 60 metres from the scene of the first attack, at about 7.27pm.

Both have since left hospital and are not thought to have life-changing injuries, police said, while no similar incidents have been reported.

Officers are carrying out "urgent work" to identify a suspect, and extra officers will be deployed to the area over the weekend to "provide reassurance".

Detective chief superintendent James Conway said his team is trying to identify witnesses, study CCTV footage and will keep the community "updated".

"You may have seen something on the days when these offences occurred, or you might have seen or heard something in the local area that you think is suspicious and may be linked to these incidents," he added, calling for the public's help.

"If you do have any information please come forward and speak to us. You can either speak with a police officer, or call us on 101.

"I understand that local people will be distressed by these incidents but we would urge them to go about their business.

"Please do be vigilant and alert while our investigation is ongoing and contact us about anything which seems concerning."

Police are working with Tower Hamlets Council to "use as many resources as possible".

Anyone with information that could help police should call 101 quoting CAD 6663/14 Mar or Operation Goldwater.

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2024-03-16 03:51:18Z
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Minggu, 17 Maret 2024

Three cheers for Kate!

PICTURED: Latest images from London's celebrations

PICTURED: Belfast's annual St Patrick's Day parade

Tens of thousands line the streets of Dublin

Royals wish a happy St Patrick's Day

Sinn Fein leader defends spending St Patrick's Day in America

GB News' Dougie Beattie gets in the spirit

An extra reason to celebrate

Related Topics

Sabtu, 16 Maret 2024