Labour court rules

Labour is calling for a VAT cut on domestic energy bills to help tackle a looming cost of living crisis. Rachel Reeves, the shadow chancellor, said Rishi Sunak should cut the 5 per cent charge for six months from November 1, which Labour said would "see people through the winter months". Mr Sunak had been said to have been considering such a move as part of this week's budget, but appeared to have ruled it out on Saturday. A Treasury source said: "This would be poorly targeted, subsidising thousands of well-off households and not providing enough help to those who most need it. "Instead, the Government has set up the Household Support Fund, worth £500 million, for those in low-income households to access as and when they need help for food or energy bills." Bid to address rising household costs Ms Reeves said temporarily removing VAT from domestic energy bills would help to address "a cost of living crisis which has seen energy bills soar, food costs … [Read more...] about Labour calls for VAT cut on energy bills ‘to see people through the winter’

The Irish Supreme Court has ruled that the bread served by Subway in their heated sandwiches cannot legally be called bread, as the sugar content is too high. Under the Irish Value-Added Tax Act of 1972, staple foods have a VAT rate of zero, while other baked goods are subject to taxation. Under ordinary circumstances, bread meets these criteria, but the bread served at Subway has a sugar content that is five times higher than permitted under the law. The purpose of the law is to differentiate bread from other baked goods, such as pastry. Subway - an American fast food brand with shops in over 100 countries worldwide - was appealing this ruling to the Irish Supreme Court via a local franchisee, Bookfinders Ltd, who are based in Tuam, Co. Galway. This ruling encompasses all six types of bread served at Subway outlets in Ireland. “The argument depends on the acceptance of the prior contention that the Subway heated sandwich contains ‘bread’ as defined, and therefore can be … [Read more...] about Subway sandwich bread ‘is not bread’ rules Irish court

A "committed and fanatical Islamist terrorist" researched what Muslims should do if they are approaching death on the eve of stabbing the veteran Conservative MP Sir David Amess to death, a court has been told. Ali Harbi Ali is accused of stabbing the politician 21 times in a "frenzied" attack at the MP's constituency surgery, having tricked his way to getting an appointment on Oct 15. In planning his attack, the Crown say he landed on a webpage that posed the question “What should a person do if they think their death is approaching?” on an Islamic question and answer forum on Oct 12. And on the day before the attack, he searched Google for Muslim burial grounds, which took him to Eternal Gardens Muslim Burial Ground in Lindon, just off the A20 in Sidcup. The jury were shown CCTV images of Ali's journey from north London to Southend, where he talked to a police officer and security guards, laughed with commuters and smiled at children and their mothers. On the opening day of … [Read more...] about Terror suspect researched what Muslims should do if they are ‘approaching death’ on eve of stabbing, court told

By Charlotte Wright Published 1 hour ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Crispin Blunt has described the child sex abuse conviction of Imran Ahmad Khan as a "serious miscarriage of justice", despite previously withdrawing similar comments. Mr Blunt, Conservative MP for Reigate, told the BBC he believed the outgoing Wakefield MP did not get a fair trial. Last month Khan was found guilty of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy. Labour is calling for the whip to be removed from Mr Blunt, who previously apologised for defending Khan. Shadow justice secretary Steve Reed said: "The Conservatives' claims to be the party of law and order and on the side of victims can never be taken seriously ever again." Khan was thrown out of the Conservative Party after a jury delivered its verdict at Southwark Crown Court in April. He has stood down as an MP - a by-election … [Read more...] about Crispin Blunt: MP should lose whip for Khan remarks – Labour

Most experts do not agree with David Cameron's claim that fracking will cut UK energy bills, the advertising watchdog has concluded. The Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) has now overturned the decision it took last year to ban a Greenpeace anti-fracking advert , which stated that "experts agree - it won't cut our energy bills". At the time, the ASA cited the fact David Cameron had said fracking would cut energy bills as evidence there was "a significant division of informed opinion on the issue" and so ruled that Greenpeace's advert was "misleading". But after an appeal by Greenpeace and an independent review, the ASA has reversed its original decision, concluding it was "substantially flawed". An ASA spokesman said that, this time, it had decided to "focus only on the opinion of experts in this field and not those of others such as the previous Prime Minister". After reviewing the expert evidence again, the ASA said in a new judgment: "The general consensus among most … [Read more...] about Experts agree fracking won’t cut energy bills, ad watchdog rules

President Donald Trump's controversial judicial nominee Steven Menashi was confirmed by the Senate to a lifetime appointment to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit on Thursday. Despite his having no experience as a judge, Trump nominated Menashi to the position in August. The 40-year-old serves as the associate White House counsel and special assistant to the president and also worked as a legal adviser for Education Secretary Betsy DeVos. The Senate confirmed Menashi to serve on the court in a 51 to 41 vote. Every Republican present except Senator Susan Collins of Maine supported Menashi, while all the Democrats present opposed him. Menashi will now take over a judicial seat that was once filled by Civil Rights leader Thurgood Marshall. Several progressive organizations, including Planned Parenthood, the Council on American-Islamic Relations and Alliance for Justice, oppose Menashi's confirmation and over 100 protesters gathered outside Menashi's hearing in front … [Read more...] about Trump’s controversial judicial nominee Steven Menashi was just confirmed to a lifetime court appointment

Six months after issuing an injunction against a Mississippi state law severely restricting abortions after 15 weeks, a federal judge has enjoined a newer, stricter law that seeks to bar most abortions after only eight weeks. "Here we go again," wrote U.S. District Court Judge Carlton Reeves in his order (see full document below) granting the injunction. "Mississippi has passed another law ban- ning abortions prior to viability." Reeves was the same federal judge who in November ruled against the Mississippi law banning most abortions after 15 weeks gestation. "The Court ruled that the law was unconstitutional and permanently enjoined its enforcement," wrote the judge Friday. "The State responded by passing an even more restrictive bill." Explained the judge: "This Court previously found the 15-week ban to be an unconstitutional violation of substantive due process because the Supreme Court has repeatedly held that women have the right to choose an abortion prior to … [Read more...] about Federal judge blocks Mississippi “heartbeat” abortion bill, six months after enjoining less-restrictive law

Pakistan's ailing opposition leader Shahbaz Sharif was turned back on Saturday at Lahore's international airport and prevented from leaving the country, his party spokesperson said. Sharif heads the Pakistan Muslim League party and is the leader of the opposition bloc in the lower house of parliament. He was not allowed to board a Qatar Airways flight to London, said Maryam Aurangzeb, the party spokeswoman. She said immigration officials at the airport said Sharif's name was still "on the blacklist," so he could not leave. "When Shahbaz Sharif came to the airport today, FIA officials stopped him and said he could not travel because there was another list, a 'person-not-in-list,'" the Dawn newspaper quoted Aurangzeb as saying. Watch video 26:06 Fawad Chaudhry on Conflict Zone Government exploring options to stop Sharif On Friday, the Lahore High Court ruled that Sharif could leave Pakistan and stay abroad for treatment till early July. The … [Read more...] about Pakistan opposition leader stopped from leaving country

Looking at my son’s cheeky face as he walked into my bedroom, I knew straight away he was up to something. “Here, Mum, I’ve got you a sweet,” Archie said, smirking. He held up a bag for me to put my hand into but our pet rabbit, Simian, was inside. “Archie!” I said, laughing. “Put the rabbit back before it pees on the carpet.” He left my room and I was still smiling. His pranks and cheeky personality cracked me up all day, every day. From the moment he could walk and talk he was bursting with energy and a naughty sense of humour. At 12, Archie is the baby of the family. I also have Tom, 22, and Lauren, 20, who absolutely adore him. I started taking him to gymnastics when he was just a toddler and he had a natural talent, winning medals aged four. We couldn’t go anywhere without him somersaulting, jumping or doing the splits. He’d jump over posts in shopping centres and back-flip in car parks . My boy’s energy never ran out. It could get him into trouble at school but, … [Read more...] about ‘I’m fighting to keep my son’s life support on – he squeezed my hand and I won’t quit’

Sue Gray demands to name partygate ringleaders Acting Met police chief  accused of lack of transparency Rishi Sunak first front line politician to join rich list UK refuses to cave to US pressure over Northern Ireland Protocol Putin cuts off gas supplies to Finland ​ Russia-Ukraine latest: Moscow to build new military bases N icola Sturgeon has warned a trade war with the EU could "tip" the UK into a recession as she criticised the Government’s plan to unilaterally make changes to post-Brexit border rules in Northern Ireland. The Scottish First Minister discussed the Northern Ireland Protocol with Michelle O'Neill, the Vice President of Sinn Fein, during talks in Edinburgh today. She said in a statement issued after the meeting that Downing Street’s plan to bring forward a law to allow ministers to make changes to the protocol without seeking the permission of the EU is “extremely concerning”. The EU has warned unilateral action could put the … [Read more...] about Nicola Sturgeon warns trade war with EU over Northern Ireland Protocol could ‘tip’ UK into recession