Senin, 29 November 2021

FM calls for travellers arriving in Scotland to isolate for eight days - STV News

An Insulate Britain protester who has been on hunger strike in prison for 13 days is being given hospital treatment, the campaign group said.

Emma Smart, 44, from Weymouth in Dorset, was moved to the hospital wing at HMP Bronzefield in Ashford, Surrey, on Friday.

She was jailed for four months on November 17 for breaching an injunction and immediately vowed to stop eating until the Government moves to insulate homes.

Ms Smart’s husband, Andy Smith, told the PA news agency that she is “feeling a bit weak but she’s still in good spirits”.

In a statement released by Insulate Britain, Smart said: “The window of my cell in the hospital wing is blocked up and there is little natural light, in my previous cell I could see the birds and trees that line the prison fence.

“I have less time to go outside in the prison yard for exercise now.

“All of this is testing my resolve to continue, but I feel that not eating is the only thing I can do from prison to draw attention to those who will have to make the choice between heating and eating this winter.”

Insulate Britain members, including Ms Smart’s husband, are to stage a 24-hour fast outside 10 Downing Street on Tuesday morning in solidarity with her, the group said.

Mr Smith, 45, told PA: “She is feeling a bit weak but she’s still in good spirits.

“I think a hunger strike is about 80% mental (strength) so as long as she’s doing OK mentally I think she’ll probably continue on her hunger strike until the Government make a meaningful statement as to whether they’re going to insulate the homes of Britain or not.”

He said his wife had been relocated to the hospital wing so that prison staff could more easily monitor her health.

“I last spoke to her yesterday but she’s recently had her telephone rights revoked so it’s increasingly difficult to speak to her,” he said, adding that it was not clear why the prison had taken the step.

Mr Smith said: “It is quite difficult, but also aware that other things are difficult.

“We’ve made difficult decisions throughout the last three years. We didn’t step lightly into making decisions to be arrested, we didn’t step lightly into making decisions not to have any children…

“There’s clearly a lot of inaction coming from our Government, they’re not taking the steps that are needed to combat the climate crisis that we’re in, and they would rather just chuck people in prison than actually face up and deal with those problems.”

Ms Smart is one of nine members of the group jailed for breaching an injunction designed to prevent the road blockades which have sparked anger among motorists and others affected by the protests.

They appeared at the High Court on November 17 after they admitted breaching an injunction by taking part in a blockade at junction 25 of the M25 during the morning rush hour on October 8.

They received sentences of between three and six months and ordered to pay £5000 in costs each.

A further nine Insulate Britain protesters are to appear at the High Court on December 14 to face a charge of contempt of court.

Insulate Britain began a wave of protests in September and supporters have blocked the M25, roads in London including around Parliament, roads in Birmingham and Manchester and around the Port of Dover in Kent.

Videos showing furious motorists dragging the climate activists away from the blockades have gone viral on a number of occasions.

The group is demanding that the Government insulate Britain’s “leaky homes” and end deaths it says are caused by winter fuel shortages.

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2021-11-29 11:02:50Z
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Labour: Sir Keir Starmer shaking up top team as shadow cabinet reshuffle begins - Sky News

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is carrying out a reshuffle of his shadow cabinet, with the first departure from his top team confirmed.

A Labour source has told Sky News: "It's all happening - big names being moved."

Two sources have told Sky News that Kate Green has been dismissed as shadow education secretary, while Jo Stevens has been moved from the digital, culture, media and sport brief to become shadow Wales secretary.

'It's all happening - big names being moved - live updates as Starmer carries out surprise reshuffle

The reshuffle comes six months after Sir Keir's last refresh of his shadow cabinet, in the wake of a mixed night for Labour in May's elections across the UK.

After a morning of reports and speculation about a reshuffle, Cat Smith has revealed she is departing as shadow minister for young people and democracy.

She tweeted out a copy of a letter she has sent to Sir Keir, saying: "Although I am grateful for your offer to remain in my current brief, I have only been on the backbenches for four months in my six and a half years as an MP and I will instead be returning to the backbenches."

More on Keir Starmer

Ms Smith warned Sir Keir of the "damage" being done by Jeremy Corbyn remaining suspended from the Parliamentary Labour Party.

Speaking earlier at an event in Westminster, Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner said: "I don't know the details of the reshuffle or the timing of it, I've been here concentrating on my role now.

"But six months ago I said again we need some consistency in how we're approaching things as an opposition. I want us to see us as a government in waiting, I want us to do that job."

Sky's political correspondent Kate McCann reports that Ms Rayner did get a call from Sir Keir on Monday morning to say she would keep her role, but was not given any detail or consulted about the reshuffle itself.

Sir Keir's previous reshuffle provoked controversy within the party when he sacked Ms Rayner as Labour Party chair.

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2021-11-29 13:41:15Z
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Ava White: Boy, 14, in court accused of girl's murder in Liverpool - BBC News

AVA WHITE
FAMILY HANDOUT

A 14-year-old boy has been charged with murdering a 12-year-old girl who was stabbed to death in Liverpool.

Ava White was out with friends in the city centre when she was attacked on Thursday and died shortly afterwards.

She was stabbed shortly after the city's Christmas lights switch-on at about at 20:40 GMT.

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was remanded in secure accommodation after appearing at Liverpool Magistrates' Court.

He appeared at the court, sitting as a youth court, charged with murder and possession of a bladed article.

District Judge Wendy Lloyd said he would appear again at Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday.

Three other boys, aged between 13 and 15, were also arrested and have been conditionally bailed as the investigation continues.

Merseyside Police said officers found Ava collapsed on the ground with "catastrophic injuries" in Church Alley.

She had been involved in a "verbal argument" which "escalated to an assault on her involving a knife", the force said.

Floral tribute left at scene of fatal stabbing
PA Media

Ava was taken to Alder Hey Children's Hospital after paramedics arrived but died a short time later.

Floral tributes have been left near the scene where she was attacked.

Ava, who attended Notre Dame Catholic College in Everton, was described as "an incredibly popular girl with a fantastic group of friends" by her head teacher Peter Duffy.

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2021-11-29 10:36:07Z
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Covid: JCVI scientists to announce decision on booster rollout - BBC News

Doctor administering injection to young woman
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The UK's vaccine advisory body is set to announce later if it will back an expansion of the Covid booster scheme.

Nine cases of the Omicron variant have been found in the UK so far and Number 10 has set out measures to contain it.

Prof Anthony Harnden, deputy chairman of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), said it would be "sensible" to cut time between doses and extend boosters to the under-40s.

Regulations on face masks and isolation rules are due before Parliament later.

The JCVI only advises the government and the final decision on measures to combat Covid always lies with the politicians - but Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said he intends to wait for the recommendations from the scientific experts who make up the committee.

Meanwhile, an urgent meeting of health ministers from the G7 group of nations will be held later "to discuss the developments on Omicron", the Department for Health said.

Early evidence suggests the new Omicron variant - initially reported to the World Health Organization from South Africa on Wednesday - has a higher reinfection risk.

The Scottish government announced on Monday morning that six cases of the variant had been identified in Scotland, with four in Lanarkshire and two in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area.

The first UK cases - picked up from analysis of recent positive Covid tests from all around the country - were confirmed on Saturday in Essex and Nottingham.

The third case identified on Sunday came from a visitor who spent time in the Westminster area of London, although the person is no longer in the UK, the Health Security Agency said.

The agency said it was "very likely" more cases would be found in the coming days.

Because there are also high levels of cases of the dominant Delta variant, Health Secretary Sajid Javid said at the weekend he would be asking the JCVI to consider backing the rollout of booster jabs to a wider population than at present.

Prof Harnden, from the JCVI, told BBC Radio 4's Broadcasting House programme on Sunday there was a "strong argument" for extending boosters to all adults.

"Accelerating the booster programme both by extending the age range and by reducing the interval between the second dose and the booster dose would be a sensible strategy," he said.

Currently, booster jabs have been restricted to those aged 40 and over, front-line health or social workers, and those with health issues.

Asked in the Radio 4 interview whether everyone over 18 should expect an invitation to get a booster jab, Prof Harnden responded that the offer would come "earlier than we have previously envisaged".

The government announced at the weekend that face coverings will become compulsory in shops and on public transport in England, and pupils in Year 7 and above, plus school staff and visitors, are being advised to wear face coverings in communal areas.

UK arrivals will have to take a PCR test from Tuesday and self-isolate until they receive a negative result.

The PM announced the "temporary and precautionary" measures at a Downing Street news conference on Saturday, adding they would be reviewed in three weeks.

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Under the rules due to come in on Tuesday:

  • Everyone entering the UK (other than those coming from the Common Travel Area that covers the Channel Islands and Ireland) will have to take a PCR test by the end of the second full day after their arrival and self-isolate until they receive a negative result
  • All contacts of suspected Omicron cases must self-isolate, regardless of whether or not they are fully vaccinated
  • Face coverings will be made compulsory on public transport (bringing England into line with the other UK nations) and in shops - but pubs and restaurants will remain exempt.
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The government agreed last year to give MPs a vote before introducing new pandemic measures.

This means the latest measures, due to be laid before Parliament later on Monday, need a majority in the Commons before they will go ahead.

Historically the PM has faced opposition to coronavirus restrictions from among his own backbenchers.

Conservative MP Steve Baker, deputy chairman of the Covid Recovery Group, told the Daily Telegraph the measures "will cause chaos" in schools as, under the rules, children will likely be forced into self isolation.

"The government needs to explain when all of this will be brought to an end," Mr Baker said.

Meanwhile, in a virtual address to the SNP conference, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will urge people to "pull together" over the winter months to stop spread of the Omicron variant.

By doing so, she is due to say, there is a greater chance of a more normal Christmas.

Graph showing daily Covid case numbers in the UK on 28 November 2021
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2021-11-29 08:15:57Z
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Minggu, 28 November 2021

Storm Arwen: Pub-goers snowed in for third night as 'coldest night of season' could see temperatures plummet to -10C - Sky News

Customers are facing a third night trapped in the UK's highest pub due to heavy snowfall during Storm Arwen.

Around 60 pub-goers became stranded at the Tan Hill Inn in the Yorkshire Dales after going to watch an Oasis tribute band on Friday night.

Nicola Townsend, the pub's manager, told Sky News that around 50 guests would be staying for a third night due to the high levels of snow as well as fallen power lines blocking the roads after the storm.

Guests are stranded at the Tan Hill Inn in Yorkshire
Image: Guests are stranded at the Tan Hill Inn in Yorkshire
Cars covered in snow outside the pub
Image: Cars covered in snow outside the pub

Mountain rescue has helped to remove one person for medical treatment for an existing health condition while a few other people managed to leave in 4x4 vehicles on Saturday night, she added.

"But we're all sleeping down here again tonight. Nobody else is going anywhere now," Ms Townsend said. "We're just going to make sure everybody is safe."

The pub manager said the snow is up to nine feet deep in some areas and they have been advised not to drive anywhere, especially without a 4x4 vehicle.

Since Friday, the pub have held a pub quiz, played movies, treated their guests to a free buffet and served Sunday lunch with Ms Townsend adding that the pub has plenty of supplies to keep them going.

More on North Yorkshire

"We've kept the fires roaring. Everyone is nice and warm," she said, adding that the guests were "still in good spirits" and have made friends with each other.

The snow has come up to about 9ft in some places, the pub's manager has said
Image: The snow has come up to about 9ft in some places, the pub's manager has said
Heavy snow swept across Yorkshire
Image: Heavy snow swept across Yorkshire

"Everyone came as strangers on Friday night and I think I speak on behalf of everyone when I say they have made friends here," she said.

"Our guests have been absolutely amazing - couldn't have asked for better. They've been really patient and really understanding so on behalf of the staff here it's a big thank you from us all for being incredible."

The pub has also shared photos on Facebook showing rows of guests sleeping under blankets in one of the lounge areas.

The manager said the guests have made friends with each other
Image: The manager said the guests have made friends with each other
The stranded guests had a quiz night
Image: The stranded guests had a quiz night

It comes as forecasters warned the "coldest night of the season" is set to hit with temperatures dropping to as low as -10C (14F).

The Met Office said it expects to see the mercury fall below zero in many parts of the country overnight, including in cities such as London, where it could plummet to -2C (28.4F).

Yellow ice warnings - one across eastern parts of Scotland and another stretching from the northeast of England down to the south coast - are set to last until Monday morning.

The cold snap comes after Storm Arwen wreaked havoc across much of the UK, bringing strong winds, sleet and snow.

At least three people died during the storm on Friday as a result of falling trees.

People at a snow covered Angel of the North in Gateshead
Image: People at a snow covered Angel of the North in Gateshead

Met Office forecaster Tom Morgan said: "As Storm Arwen is clearing out to Europe, a cold northerly flow of wind has been left behind in the UK, causing some of the bitterly cold temperatures we've seen."

He added: "Parts of Scotland and northern England, where snow is on the ground, will be very cold again tonight, with the temperature certainly falling below zero and even as low as -10C (14F), which would make it the coldest night of the season so far.

"Though this is expected to be the exception rather than the rule, temperatures of below freezing will be widespread, including in London and the South East which could hit -2C (28.4F).

"Even if you do live in a city, you can expect to be scraping frost, ice or even snow off your cars on Monday morning."

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2021-11-29 03:56:15Z
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Migrant crossings: UK must make itself 'less economically attractive' to those making journey, French interior minister says - Sky News

The UK must make itself less economically attractive to migrants, France's interior minister has said.

Gerald Darmanin added that France would not be "held hostage" by Britain's domestic politics.

People gather in Calais and Dunkirk because they are "attracted by England, especially the labour market which means you can work in England without any identification", he continued.

"Britain must take its responsibility and limit its economic attractiveness.

"Britain left Europe, but not the world. We need to work seriously on these questions, without being held hostage by domestic British politics."

Migration across the English Channel has become an even more pressing issue after 27 people died on Wednesday.

People gathered on the beach in Folkestone on Sunday as a bell was rung 27 times in memory of the 27 people who died crossing the Channel
Image: People gathered on the beach in Folkestone on Sunday as a bell was rung 27 times in memory of the 27 people who died crossing the Channel on Wednesday

Mr Darmanin was speaking following a meeting in Calais with his counterparts from Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands - to which Home Secretary Priti Patel was disinvited on Friday.

More on France

Mr Darmanin said, however, that while Sunday's gathering had been "pro-European", it was not "anti-English".

"We want to work with our British friends and allies," he said.

Following the meeting, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency agreed to provide a plane - from Wednesday - to monitor France's northern coastline.

EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson, who was also present, said: "We have to prevent lives being lost. We have to prevent chaos coming to our external borders."

Governments need to "go after the money", she added.

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PM 'not serious' over channel crossings

Ms Patel was excluded after Paris reacted with dismay to a letter from Boris Johnson containing a five-point plan to tackle the number of people trying to cross the English Channel.

The prime minister's ideas - which he tweeted - included "joint patrols to prevent migrant boats from leaving French beaches".

But French government spokesman Gabriel Attal said the note was "formally poor and its content inappropriate".

Earlier, it emerged that the Dutch and UK governments had agreed that migrants need to be returned to the first safe country they arrive in.

The Home Office said in a statement that Priti Patel spoke to the Netherlands' minister for migration, Ankie Broekers-Knol, on Sunday morning about people crossing the Channel in small boats.

Ms Brokers-Knol was among those attending the meeting on Sunday afternoon.

A boy is helped by a Border Force officer as a group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dungeness, Kent, by the RNLI following a small boat incident in the Channel on 20 November.
Image: More people have been taking the dangerous Channel crossing

The Home Office statement said Ms Patel and her Dutch counterpart agreed that last week's "tragic incidents" demonstrated the "need for European partners to work together".

"It was clear that shared problems needed shared solutions," it continued.

"The Home Secretary expressed that it was unfortunate that she wouldn't be present at today's meeting of interior ministers to discuss this issue."

They talked about ideas for tackling the criminal gangs orchestrating the journeys "through shared intelligence and joint law enforcement initiatives".

People gathered on the beach in Folkestone on Sunday where a bell was rung 27 times in memory of those who died this week.

They also called for safe routes for asylum seekers, writing in the sand: "Safe routes now."

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On Sunday morning, Health Secretary Sajid Javid said the government is hoping the French will work with the UK on halting migrant crossings despite being disinvited from Sunday's talks.

He told Sky News' Trevor Phillips On Sunday: "We can't just do it on our own, we do need the co-operation of the French and again, you asked me about the prime minister's letter and I think what the prime minister has set out, those are exactly the kind of things that we need to do and I hope that the French will take that and work with us."

Labour criticised both the UK and French governments, with shadow foreign secretary Lisa Nandy saying they are "engaging in a blame game while children drown off our coastline".

She told Phillips: "It's just simply unconscionable and any responsible government on either side of the Channel would set aside those differences and work together to deal with what is a collective shared problem that will only be solved together."

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2021-11-28 18:05:29Z
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Reports of dogs being electrocuted in Scots town in aftermath of Storm Arwen - Scottish Daily Record

There have been reports of dogs being electrocuted in a Scots town in the aftermath of Storm Arwen.

One pooch reportedly had to be taken to the vets after being hurt on a specific stretch of pavement in Stonehaven.

The part of the path in question was outside Charles McHardy Butchers on Market Square in the Aberdeenshire town.

Stonehaven's Christmas light-switch had been due to take place but was cancelled following concerns over the electrical supply.

However, after power was restored, the Market Square event was set to continue before eventually having to be cancelled again.

This was because of concerns regarding the underground electrical grid and the area was evacuated as a precaution.

Police remain in attendance at the scene which has been cordoned off for safety.

The public have been urged to avoid the area due to potential injury and SSEN networks have been made aware of the issue.

Top news stories today

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "We are in attendance at Market Sq in Stonehaven following concerns raised about the electricity network in the area.

"The area has been evacuated as a precaution and nobody has been injured. SSEN Networks are aware.

"We ask to people to avoid the area at the current time."

Around 30,000 people in the area have had their electricity supply affected by the recent severe weather conditions.

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2021-11-28 17:32:57Z
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