Latest news with #FirstEdition
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Police naming Liverpool parade suspect's ethnicity may cause future ‘challenges'
Merseyside police's decision to release details of the ethnicity of the suspect in the Liverpool parade collision could raise 'difficulties and challenges' for forces in the future, a former superintendent has said. Merseyside police said they arrested a 53-year-old white British man from the Liverpool area about two hours after the incident that left dozens of people, including four children, injured. Dal Babu, who was a senior Met officer, told the Guardian's First Edition that the decision was 'unprecedented', but he could envisage pressure being applied to forces in future to release details on the racial background of suspects. 'It doesn't take rocket science to predict what will happen: the far right will twist this and say, 'right, you've named [the race] because it's a white person. Why aren't you naming [the race of] the next person?' And it will present some difficulties and challenges to the police', he said. Babu stressed the decision had been 'correct' to share the information on this occasion to combat 'racist and Islamophobic misinformation' on social media, while warning that every decision should be taken on a case by case basis. 'You could imagine a situation where the far right will say, 'Oh, you haven't named the ethnicity of this person and that's because they are a person of colour',' he said. 'It's really important that people don't see it as a precedent because every incident will be different. People may feel in a future incident that they're entitled to know the ethnicity and race, and it may not be appropriate to release it,' he said. A senior legal source said there could be circumstances where naming the ethnicity of a suspect could cause riots rather than quell them. 'What will a force do if they arrest someone in similar circumstances who is recently arrived on a small boat or who has a clearly Muslim name? They will now be under huge pressure to name them,' the source said. Far-right extremists used social media within minutes of the Liverpool tragedy to exploit the scenes of horror, the Guardian has been told. One account claimed the incident was a terrorist attack. Another account also made false claims including that the man arrested by police at the scene was really a Muslim, despite what police had said. Merseyside police were criticised after the Southport murders last summer for not releasing more information after false rumours were started online that the killer was a Muslim asylum seeker. For Merseyside police, Monday night's decision to release details about the suspect's race and nationality was not a precedent. 'They believe in this case it was right, with detectives convinced the suspect detained was the only person they were looking for. It might not be right in a case where the identity of a suspect was unclear and where identity could be an issue at trial,' a source said. In March, chief constable Serena Kennedy told MPs she wanted to dispel disinformation in the immediate aftermath of the Southport murders by releasing information about attacker Axel Rudakubana's religion, because he came from a Christian family, but was told not to by local crown prosecutors. Police did disclose that the suspect was a 17-year-old male from Banks in Lancashire, who was born in Cardiff. Widespread rioting followed the murders, with some disorder targeting mosques and hotels housing asylum seekers. Jonathan Hall KC, the government's official reviewer of terrorism legislation, told the Guardian that Merseyside's decision on Monday evening should set a precedent for future incidents. 'The authorities seemed to have learned the lessons of Southport. 'It should be a precedent, while recognising there will be the odd case where you need to say little or nothing. Transparency is the right precedent.' Hall said if a suspect in a high-profile case was a Muslim asylum seeker: 'You have to do that as well.' Nick Lowles, of Hope Not Hate, a leading group monitoring the far right, said: 'Police have learned lessons after Southport. What they did this time was to fill the void, putting information out as soon as possible. 'If it had been a terrorist attack, I'm not sure anything would have calmed tensions down.' The decision to release details was an operational matter and therefore separate from government, Whitehall sources said. Asked if he would like to see similar details released in the future in similar cases, the prime minister, Keir Starmer, said: 'That is a matter for the police and the investigation is ongoing so I think we need to leave that to them. 'I think today is a day really for thinking about all those impacted by this and being absolutely clear that we stand with them.'
Sky News AU
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Tanya Plibersek's 'obvious demotion' exposes rivalry with PM Anthony Albanese after environment portfolio snubbing
Tanya Plibersek's removal and "obvious demotion" from her post as environment minister to the social services portfolio has exposed her underlying rivalry with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Mr Albanese dumped Ms Plibersek from the environment portfolio and replaced her with former employment minister Murray Watt. On Monday, Mr Albanese said Ms Plibersek was 'very positive about the portfolio' despite calling her previous environment post a 'really central portfolio' which was 'very much a senior role in a Labor government'. The Prime Minister went on to encourage Mr Watt who he believed would 'do it very well'. However, despite Mr Albanese's attempt to frame the change in a positive light, Sky News Political Editor Andrew Clennell called Ms Plibersek's shift to the Social Services gig an 'obvious demotion'. 'No matter what people or Tanya spins, it's an obvious demotion,' he told First Edition host Peter Stefanovic. Clennell said an implication of reshuffles were the administrative orders and the machinery of government changes. 'Disability is all going to Mark Butler and Jenny McAllister. So not just NDIS, but disability,' he said. 'That was an important part of social services. So not only does (Plibersek) get social services, which is hardly a glamorous portfolio, but she'll be in charge of less.' During Sky News Australia's coverage of the ministerial swearing in ceremony, Clennell said Ms Plibersek now had a smaller department than what former communications minister Amanda Rishworth had. "(Plibersek) was Bill Shorten's deputy, and Shorten and Albanese were sworn enemies," Clennell said, mentioning the historic feud between the two Labor heavyweights. The stoush between Mr Shorten and Mr Albanese has been credited a key pillar of the Prime Minister's rivalry with Ms Plibersek. "That's where the falling out was," Clennell said. Sky News host Laura Jayes said it appeared as though the Prime Minister had "singled out" Ms Plibersek. On Monday, Sky News host Peta Credlin said Ms Plibersek was 'side-lined' by the Prime Minister and described the Social Services portfolio as a 'going nowhere job' unless there was a possibility of reform. Sky News contributor Chris Uhlmann told Credlin Ms Plibersek's political career had been put "on hold" after she was dropped in one of the biggest changes to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's new cabinet. Uhlmann said he believed Ms Plibersek's career had stalled due to her rivalry with the Prime Minister, but that it was important she still had a role on the frontbench. "Losing your ministry is not as bad as losing your job in Parliament. As far as Tanya Plibersek is concerned, it's no secret at all, of course, that the Prime Minister and Tanya Plibersek have been rivals for a long time," he said. "She had to stay in cabinet. She has the talent to do it. She's got the support inside the party to do it. But yes, at the moment under this Prime Minister, her career is on hold." Sky News host Andrew Bolt said the Prime Minister was looking for stability and did nothing in "sparing Ms Plibersek's feelings" in suggesting the environment portfolio was a "top job for a top performer". "So take that Tanya, well she did look a goose in environment, she even effectively cancelled a $1 billion gold mine after being sold a clearly ludicrous story about a sacred bee," Bolt said, referencing a dreamtime story which was a central contributor to her blocking the project.
Sky News AU
13-05-2025
- Business
- Sky News AU
‘Might have some time apart': Newly elected Nationals deputy leader Kevin Hogan open to possible Coalition split
The newly elected deputy Nationals leader has left the door open to the possibility of a Coalition split after the Liberal Party was 'smashed' by Labor at the federal election. Speaking to Sky News on Tuesday morning, hours before the Liberal partyrooom leadership ballot, Kevin Hogan said the Nationals will watch the voting 'very closely'. Mr Hogan said the next step would be for Nationals leader David Littleproud and himself to approach the elected Liberal leadership with the intention to sign a Coalition agreement. 'But if that doesn't happen, so be it, but that will be our intention,' he told First Edition host Karl Stefanovic. Mr Hogan said there was 'always a chance' a deal would not be signed. 'And I don't think that's necessarily unhealthy,' he said. Mr Hogan said a discussion on shadow ministries, 'who gets what' and parameters around policy setting will take place before anything is signed. 'I think it's better when the Coalition is strong and we sign an agreement, but I think we always need to be open to the idea that, look, we might have some time apart as well,' he said. The deputy Nationals leader said the Liberal Party had to 'obviously resolve some issues' after getting 'smashed' by Labor at the federal election. The Coalition partnership dates back to 1946 after the Liberal Party was formed and has continued mostly uninterrupted ever since. Nationals Senator Matt Canavan, who challenged Mr Littleproud for the party's leadership on Monday, told Sky News he was open to leaving the Coalition agreement. 'It's a business relationship between the Liberal and Nationals Party, we're not married, and like any business relationship there has to be gain for both parties,' he said. Mr Canavan said he hoped the parties could come to an agreement but said he wouldn't accept a 'bad deal'. Liberal Senator Dave Sharma struck a more balanced tone but acknowledged the fragility of the Coalition deal. 'The Coalition agreement is by its nature, a compromise agreement,' he told Sky News on Monday. 'The Liberals don't get everything we want. The Nationals don't get everything they want. But we recognise it's in our mutual interest to be working together.' Vying for the Liberal leadership position are shadow treasurer Angus Taylor and deputy leader Sussan Ley. Shadow energy minister Ted O'Brien and defected Nationals senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price have been put forward as potential deputy leaders.
Straits Times
25-04-2025
- Automotive
- Straits Times
Fast Lane: Mini unveils race livery, Lotus Emira Turbo SE and updated Nissan Qashqai in Singapore
Racing time: The Bulldog Racing team will be competing at the Nurburgring endurance race in a modified Mini John Cooper Works. PHOTO: MINI Mini's 24 Hours Race livery Mini has unveiled the livery of its contender at the Nurburgring 24 Hours race in June, a 24-hour annual touring car and GT endurance racing event. The black-and-white racer is based on the Mini John Cooper Works 2-litre hot hatchback and will be campaigned by the Bulldog Racing team. Featured prominently on the flank is the logo of lifestyle brand Deus Ex Machina. The team will also be dressed in the brand's new collection at the race. Mini hinted that there will be more to this partnership down the road. This may include co-branded merchandising. The striking car will be competing in the SP-3T class, which Bulldog Racing won in 2024, also in a Mini John Cooper Works. Lotus Emira Turbo SE now available Zippy: Lotus Emira SE's 2-litre engine makes 399hp and goes from 0-100kmh in four seconds. PHOTO: LOTUS The Lotus Emira is now exclusively available in Singapore in the Turbo SE trim, replacing the 2-litre First Edition. The Mercedes-AMG-supplied 2-litre turbocharged engine has been tuned to make 399hp, an upgrade of 39hp over the 2-litre First Edition. This brings the 0-100kmh time to four seconds, which is 0.4 seconds quicker than before. The Turbo SE name is a reference to previous Lotus models like the Esprit from 1989, where SE referred to Special Equipment . The Emira Turbo SE is priced at $548,800 before certificate of entitlement and options. Updated Nissan Qashqai SUV lands Face it: The updated Nissan Qashqai has an aggressive stance, thanks to a glossy black grille and tweaked headlight design. PHOTO: NISSAN The facelifted Qashqai is now at the Nissan showroom. The large glossy black grille and tweaked headlight design make the car look more aggressive . The digital driver instrument display is said to be improved too. Mechanically, the compact sport utility vehicle is mostly unchanged, with a 1.3-litre turbocharged, four -cylinder engine connected to a continuously variable transmission. Power and torque output are identical to the version tested in 2022, but the claimed fuel consumption is poorer at 6.2 litres/100km, compared with 5.5 litres/100km for the pre-facelifted car. Two variants are available. Other than having more comfort features and larger wheels than those found on the Premium, the Prestige also has a more sophisticated multi-link suspension rather than torsion beam on the rear axle. The Qashqai Premium costs $235,300 with COE before rebates, while the Prestige costs $10,000 more. Bentley adds 671hp plug-in hybrid Plugging in: Bentley's Continental and Flying Spur models are now bolstered with a 671hp plug-in hybrid variant. PHOTO: BENTLEY The refresh of the Bentley Continental, Continental GTC and Flying Spur models continues with the introduction of the 'high performance hybrid' variant for the three cars. Instead of 760hp and 1,000Nm of torque, the V8, 4-litre, turbocharged plug-in hybrid is tuned to make 671hp and 930Nm. This set-up is sufficient to propel the two-door Continental GT from 0-100kmh in 3.7 seconds – 0.5 seconds behind the Continental GT Speed, which features the 760hp set-up. Expected to be available in Singapore in the last quarter of 2025, the lower output should translate to a $350,000 reduction in price, compared with the Speed. Before COE and options, the Flying Spur Speed four-door saloon stands at $1.46 million, the two-door Continental GT Speed is priced at $1.54 million and the GTC Speed goes for $1.69 million. Those unwilling to wait can check out the previous-generation GT and GTC in the Azure trim level that the Bentley dealer has in stock. Mercedes unveils VIP shuttle Upper crust: The concept shows off Mercedes' new electric vehicle architecture for vans. PHOTO: MERCEDES-BENZ The Mercedes-Benz Vision V concept is an ultra-luxurious multi-purpose vehicle that was announced ahead of the Shanghai motor show that opened on April 23. Calling it 'the vision of Mercedes-Benz vans', the focus of the concept is on the interior, where the designers have tried to create a lounge-like ambience with a 65-inch retractable cinema screen, 42 loudspeakers and seven projectors in the headliner and floor. Underpinning the luxurious concept car is Mercedes' scalable electric vehicle architecture for its vans. Expect a range of vehicles, from basic people movers to VIP shuttles, to be based on this platform from 2026. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Guardian
24-04-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Thursday briefing: Rachel Reeves heads to Washington in pursuit of a trade deal – will she get one?
Good morning. I'm Annie Kelly, I'll be bringing you First Edition alongside Archie for the next few weeks. It's probably fair to say the annual spring meeting of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has not traditionally been an event high on drama. Not so this year, as Rachel Reeves and her fellow finance ministers from around the globe have been blown into Washington DC on the chilly winds of global economic chaos caused by Donald Trump's 'America First' economic policies, pithily described in a recent Guardian leader as 'part oligarchic enrichment scheme, part mobster shakedown'. Reeves arrived for the four-day event hot on the heels of the news that the world economy has, says the IMF, suffered a 'major negative shock' from Trump's tariffs with the lender slashing global growth estimates across all major political economies, including the UK. Reeves will have a big few days ahead of her as she strives to negotiate with the US administration and return home with a firm prospect of a big, beautiful trade deal to calm the nation's jangling nerves. For today's newsletter, I talked with the Guardian's senior economics correspondent Richard Partington about what she'll be hoping to come home with … and if she'll get it. First, today's headlines. Ukraine | At least nine people have been killed and more than 60 wounded in a 'massive' missile attack on Kyiv, according to Ukraine's state emergency service. It is among the deadliest attacks on the capital of the three-year war. Labour | Keir Starmer is under pressure from more than 60 Labour MPs to allow thousands of young Europeans to live and work in the UK, a move seen as key to unlocking a more ambitious trade reset with Brussels. Health | Adults with severe peanut allergies can be desensitised by daily exposure, according to the first clinical trial of its kind. After being given steadily increasing doses of peanut flour over a period of months, two-thirds of the trial participants were able to eat the equivalent of five peanuts without reacting. NHS | NHS staff are so tired they are dying in car crashes and posing a major threat to patients, the service's safety watchdog will warn on Thursday. Fatigue among frontline personnel causing them to make mistakes is a 'significant' risk to patients, according to the Health Services Safety Investigation Body (HSSIB). Music | Oasis fans have collectively lost more than £2m to scams since tickets for its reunion tour went on sale last year, a major bank has estimated. Lloyds Banking Group based the calculation on the volume of fraud reports made by its own customers. Oasis fans make up more than half (56%) of all reported concert ticket scams so far this year, losing £436 on average. Rachel Reeves is walking a tricky line in Washington DC as she attempts to negotiate a trade deal with the US this week. She will have to balance the political pressure to deliver good news on a deal and protect Britain's interests, while at the same time being sure not to even appear confrontational or oppositional to a hyper-sensitive Trump. Her first face-to-face meetings with Scott Bessent, the US treasury secretary, will be key to whether she comes back home with anything solid to show for her time in the US. Her conversations with him will hopefully lay the foundations of any future trade deal the UK will be able to strike, with Reeves saying they would be talking about 'how we can build on the trade relationship that we have'. How good are Reeves's prospects? According to Richard, the chancellor arrived in Washington in a relatively good position. Back at home, her Labour government has been dealing with almost universally bad news on the economic front and has so far failed to deliver the growth that they promised, but in the US he believes she has the space to negotiate a favourable deal. 'There is £60bn worth of bilateral trade between our two countries and this is significant,' he points out. Yet he also says a big challenge for Reeves will be getting the deal prioritised amid the clamour this week. Trump's focus is also likely to be on China, with whom he has the biggest grievances, but where he is also softening his position to open up space. 'Reeves has flown into Washington with every other finance minister, each one of them trying to cut a deal with the Trump administration,' he says. 'There is a queue around the block to get time with the US administration.' Yesterday Reeves also seemed very keen to manage – or even dampen – expectations, dashing hopes of an early breakthrough during this week's negotiations, saying although she is confident a deal can be struck she is 'not going to rush' into anything. What does she want? Reeves's ultimate wish would be to fly home with a blanket exemption from the 10% trade tariffs Trump has imposed on the UK, and with an agreed trade deal under her belt. But, again, she has indicated that this is almost certain not to happen. The UK has already offered concessions in the hope of getting tariffs cut, such as offering to reduce the digital services tax on US tech companies. One of her reported aims this week is to secure a carve-out tariff reductions for the 25% levies placed on cars, aluminium and steel to try and stave off the job losses that UK car industry bosses have warned could be just weeks away. However, as economics editor Heather Stewart reported last night, Reeves has already pushed back on leaked plans that suggested that the US was preparing to issue a series of demands, including the government drop its standards on agricultural products such as hormone-fed beef. Reeves needs to hold her position in the coming days on deal-breakers for the voting public like the prospect of being forced to import chlorinated chicken or give away parts of the NHS. She also needs to make sure that she isn't alienating or cutting off the UK's relationships with other trading partners, like the European Union. 'I think a good scenario for her would be some kind of positive public commitment on both sides about an intention to strike a deal and deepen economic links,' says Richard. 'Something she can hold up and say, 'look what I got done'. What are her main challenges to getting what she wants? A problem Reeves shares with all the other finance ministers trying to secure agreements with the US this week is – you guessed it – that they are trying to negotiate with a wildly erratic and unpredictable partner. 'The whole process has this sense of peril and brinkmanship,' says Richard. As a reporter, Richard says he finds reporting on Trump's economic policies 'just completely mad. I wake up in the mornings and check the news on tariffs like I'm checking the weather because it's so changeable. It is hard to be authoritative on something that is constantly shifting so imagine what it's like to be trying to nail down the details of a trade deal.' One thing Reeves will be aware of is that even if she does manage to carve out some concessions or reprieves from the blanket 10% tariff Trump has imposed on all trading partners, the chilling economic effect of his policies so far is almost inevitably going to be felt by both businesses and consumers in the UK and beyond for months or years to come. One problem Labour has, says Richard, is that the government's gloomy and downbeat rhetoric on the economy since the party came to power last year has already affected business and consumer confidence. 'People here responded to that already – they didn't start that business or make that hire or buy that new kitchen,' he says. Now with the tariffs and global economy sliding, Reeves is potentially facing the prospect of having to raise taxes, cut spending or break her own fiscal promises in the Autumn budget,'which will increase the pressure on her to come home with good news' says Richard. Sign up to First Edition Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion Rafael Behr thinks Nigel Farage has found his next 'vehicle for economic and cultural grievance' in net zero – and challenges Keir Starmer to start firmly defending the much-needed green transition. Charlie Lindlar, acting deputy editor, newsletters The legendary Peter Bradshaw has done a wonderful job of delivering a brief history of popes in film and TV and decodes the enduring cinematic appeal of the Holy Father. Annie The Turner prize shortlist is out, and features all sorts of works from videotape sculptures to war trauma paintings. For his money, though, Jonathan Jones thinks 'this shortlist's lack of connection with the realities of contemporary Britain is just another way to dig the ailing Turner prize deeper into irrelevance and empty bourgeois ritual'. Charlie Sean Ingle's piece on the Kenyan athlete Faith Kipyegon's 'audacious' bid to become the first woman to run a sub-four minute mile is a testament to her ambition to push the boundaries of women's sports. Annie Here's Adrian Chiles on why he hates pigeons. Need we say any more? Charlie Football | Substitute Jean-Philippe Mateta's 83rd-minute goal earned Crystal Palace a 2-2 draw at Arsenal – and gives Liverpool the chance to secure the Premier League title against Tottenham on Sunday. In the Women's Super League, two goals from Catarina Macario, a penalty from Guro Reiten and Mia Fishel's strike gave Chelsea a 4-0 win against Crystal Palace. Tennis | Former tennis world No 1 Andre Agassi will make his professional debut in the fast-growing sport of pickleball next week when he teams up with top ranked Anna Leigh Waters for the mixed doubles at the US Open Pickleball Championships. Athletics | The London Marathon has revealed that it is permanently boycotting X, with the event director, Hugh Brasher, accusing the social media platform of 'descending into a gutter' since Elon Musk took charge. 'Crimea is lost, says Trump as he warns Zelenskyy on peace deal' – that's the story fronting the Guardian's print edition today. The Times goes with 'Zelensky is key obstacle to peace deal, says Trump' and the Daily Mail has 'Back my peace or lose all of Ukraine, Trump warns'. 'Trump: Zelensky to blame for no peace' says the Telegraph. In business news, the Financial Times reports 'Reeves ready to cut tariffs on US car imports in push for deal with Trump'. Reunion tour turmoil in the Metro: '£2m Oasis scam pain supernova'. Freddie: part of me wished I had tied' – the cricketer talks about his car crash recovery in the Mirror. 'The truth is he doesn't have the balls!' – vulgarity directed at Keir Starmer by Kemi Badenoch is the most pressing story for the Express today. Trump's class war on Harvard Is the US president exploiting popular resentment towards elite colleges to achieve his political goals? Ed Pilkington reports A bit of good news to remind you that the world's not all bad Slow-roasted pork with pearl barley and mushrooms. Rye pancakes with salmon, cream cheese and avocado. Beetroot tartare with horseradish and rye toasts, and a spelt side salad. Rachel Dixon reports not from some trendy new Soho joint, but from a Denmark train company canteen, as she explores how the country transformed its population's diet for the better through the power of wholegrains. Sign up here for a weekly roundup of The Upside, sent to you every Sunday And finally, the Guardian's puzzles are here to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow. Quick crossword Cryptic crossword Wordiply
