Legal

The Spanish government will tighten judicial control over the country’s intelligence agency, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said on Thursday, weeks after the agency admitted it had spied on several pro-independence supporters in the region of Catalonia with judicial authorization. The country’s National Intelligence Center, or CNI, has been under fire since April, after Canada-based digital rights group Citizen Lab alleged that the phones of more than 60 Catalan politicians, lawyers and activists had been hacked with controversial spyware. The CNI later acknowledged in a closed-door meeting with Spanish lawmakers that it had hacked into the cellphones of “some” of these politicians. On Thursday, Sánchez announced plans to overhaul the 2002 law that sets out judicial control of the intelligence agency. “It’s aimed at strengthening the guarantees of this control, while also ensuring maximum respect for the individual and political rights of people,” he told parliament. … [Read more...] about Spain vows legal reforms in wake of spying allegations

Pontins is under investigation (Image: LIVERPOOL ECHO) Sign up for our news briefing, including a daily special Russia-Ukraine edition SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), Britain's equality regulator, has launched a formal investigation into Pontins holiday parks following the allegations, North Wales Live reports . Last year, Pontins owner Britannia Jinky Jersey Limited entered into a 12-month legal agreement with the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) to address the alleged issues, following allegations that the company operated a discriminatory booking policy. Alleged practices included publishing an ‘undesirable’ guest list containing common Irish surnames and refusing or cancelling … [Read more...] about Pontins under investigation over alleged Gypsy and Traveller discrimination

Ferrari believe Max Verstappen ’s late exit from the pits at the Spanish Grand Prix is down to Red Bull wanting to keep their fuel as cool as possible. The minimum temperature for fuel last Sunday was 25 degrees and it is suspected the team cooled it below that level. This meant Verstappen and Sergio Perez had to stay in the garage to increase the temperature ahead of the grand prix. The defending world champion left the pits with eight seconds to spare and Ferrari says they have to trust in the FIA that it was legal. “I can imagine it [the late pit exit] was down to the fuel temperature,” Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto said. “They need to be a maximum 10°C below the ambient. It should be at all times during the event. So not only when the car is going out but when the car is in the garage itself. “I can only trust the FIA. It’s difficult to understand that they were maybe heating up the fuel through a fire-up because it would not explain… as I said, it … [Read more...] about Ferrari believe cool fuel behind Max Verstappen’s last-second pit exit at Spanish Grand Prix

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry will attend a church service in Queen Elizabeth II 's honor as part of the Platinum Jubilee—and Prince Andrew is also likely to attend, it has been reported. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex had already confirmed they would be at the celebrations, which take place from June 2 to June 5, but it was not previously known which event they would be present for. However, Meghan and Harry are now planning to make an appearance at a Service of Thanksgiving for the Queen's Reign, at Westminster Abbey, on Friday, June 3, The Daily Telegraph reported. Prince Andrew will also likely make an appearance at the same event, echoing his controversial attendance at a memorial service for Prince Philip in March. There has not yet been an official announcement and it is not currently clear whether the Sussexes will bring their children Archie and Lilibet Mountbatten-Windsor to the service itself, though they will come to Britain. Members of the royal … [Read more...] about Meghan and Harry will reportedly attend Queen’s Jubilee cathedral service

Live Updates As Russia's invasion continues for a 57th day, President Joe Biden announced an additional $800 million in security assistance to Ukraine and established a new program to streamline Ukrainians seeking to enter the U.S. Biden said Russian President Vladimir Putin has failed to achieve his "grand ambitions" as Ukraine continues to fight. Putin reportedly canceled an assault on the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol, where hundreds of civilians were sheltering, over concerns of Russian casualties. Ukraine is calling for "urgent" humanitarian corridors to evacuate civilians who remain in the besieged Mariupol, describing the situation as "desperate." While 79 people were able to evacuate Mariupol to Zaporizhia Thursday, Ukraine Deputy Prime Minister said "everything is going very slowly." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has asked foreign allies for more weapons as Ukrainian forces continue to defend their cities against Russian bombardment. … [Read more...] about Ukraine War: Pentagon details Phoenix Ghost drones sent to Ukraine

The closure of the Abbott Nutrition facility in Michigan has had a devastating impact on the supply of baby formula across the U.S. The shortage, exacerbated by product recalls and supply chain issues, has led to hospitalizations in Atlanta and Memphis. As the situation remains dire for many families across the country, Colorado Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert has blamed the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for closing down the Michigan plant. The Claim On May 19, 2022, Boebert alleged the FDA was responsible for the baby formula shortage because it "unfairly closed" the Abbott Nutrition plant in Sturgis, Michigan. Boebert claimed the closure of the plant was "based on charges proven untrue." The Facts The closure of the Abbott facility in Sturgis, Michigan, was one of the most significant factors precipitating in the shortages of baby formula supply in the U.S. The factory closed in February after the FDA issued a warning to consumers not to … [Read more...] about Fact Check: Did FDA shut down Abbott’s baby formula factory?

Liverpool train ahead of Champions League Final Sign up for our news briefing, including a daily special Russia-Ukraine edition SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info Ray Mcdonald, 33, and his friends received their tickets on Tuesday night ahead of the final in Paris this Saturday, May 28, and initially thought they were genuine. However, upon further examination of the tickets, which cost £1,000 each, the group realised the PDFs were in fact fake. Related articles Urgent warning about holiday scam on Facebook after family were stung OAPs targeted by serial burglar who scammed his way into their homes After trying to contact the ticket tout, who Ray said he has bought tickets from six times this season, … [Read more...] about Champions League final tickets scam leaves Liverpool fans £19k out of pocket

Russian oil ban not enough to stop them funding war says expert Sign up for our news briefing, including a daily special Russia-Ukraine edition SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info It means there will be no respite for drivers struggling with record fuel prices along with the ongoing cost of living crisis. It comes as US refineries have increased production to levels not seen since before the start of the coronavirus pandemic. Related articles BP pledges to pump £18bn into UK's homegrown energy Hungary wields the knife on EU Russian oil ban The increase in production is a response to a dip in supplies. Last week US crude stockpiles fell by one million barrels. Flagship Brent Crude prices … [Read more...] about Oil price surge: Devastating blow for UK motorists as barrel prices hit £90

Inheritance tax explained by Interactive Investor expert Get pensions news and advice plus latest money alerts for FREE now SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info Your worldly wealth could go to the wrong people or more of it could end up in the hands of HM Revenue & Customs. Mistakes can be so costly so take action to make sure your last will and testament is watertight. Related articles The secret to adding £40,000 to the value of your property Sunak launches new inheritance tax and capital gains tax grab in April Millions of adults have never written a will, which means their wealth could go to the wrong people when they die. Others have written a will but either made mistakes or failed to … [Read more...] about Avoid these 5 mistakes when writing your will or risk leaving your family a costly legacy

BBC: Public share their views on TV licence fee Get pensions news and advice plus latest money alerts for FREE now SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info A TV licence is needed to watch or record live programming and is a legal requirement for Britons who stream live using BBC iPlayer and Amazon Prime. However, millions of people could get a refund or a discount and it’s not just pensioners who could make savings. Related articles Sunak launches new inheritance tax and capital gains tax grab in April Outrage as online card payments could be declined As Britons find their budgets stretched to breaking point, people will be looking to make savings anywhere they can. Anyone can ask for a TV … [Read more...] about TV licence: How to get a refund on the £159 BBC licence fee