Food influencer known as ‘dine-and-dash diva’ arrested in Brooklyn
Pei Chung allegedly ate at multiple fancy restaurants around New York City and then skipped out on payingA would-be food influencer known online as the “dine-and-dash diva” has been jailed in Brooklyn, New York, after multiple previous arrests for allegedly skipping out on the bill at high-end restaurants.Pei Chung, 34, is said to have developed a habit of going to fancy restaurants around New York City, ordering extensively off the menu – and then trying to get out of paying. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
US attorney general vows to appeal dismissal of criminal cases against James Comey and Letitia James – US politics live
Pentagon said it was investigating Arizona senator Mark Kelly for violating military law by appearing in video in which lawmakers told military members to ‘refuse illegal orders’Senator Mark Kelly has responded to the Pentagon’s announcement that it is investigating the Arizona lawmaker for possible breaches of military law after he joined five other Democratic members of Congress in a video calling for US troops to refuse illegal orders.“I said something that was pretty simple and non controversial, and that was that members of the military should follow the law,” Kelly said in an MS NOW interview with Rachel on Monday.... [Continue Reading]
‘Queen of the Zoo’: Gramma, tortoise who lived through two world wars, dies aged 141
Gramma came to San Diego Zoo from Bronx Zoo in 1928 or 1931 and lived through 20 US presidentsAfter more than a century of munching on her favorite foods of romaine lettuce and cactus fruit, beloved Galapagos tortoise Gramma, the oldest resident of the San Diego Zoo, has died.Gramma was born in her native habitat and was estimated to be about 141 years old, zoo officials said. She died on 20 November. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
UK to extend sugar tax to cover bottled milkshakes and pre-packaged lattes
Levy will also apply to more fizzy drinks as health secretary says government ‘will not look away as children get unhealthier’Business live – latest updatesSweet-toothed consumers face paying more for bottled milkshakes and some fizzy drinks after the government confirmed plans for a tougher sugar tax.Designed to tackle obesity, the levy currently applies to drinks with a sugar content of 5g per 100ml. However, after a public consultation this is being cut to 4.5g per 100ml, meaning it could cover hundreds more products. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Rebuilding ‘human-made abyss’ in Gaza will cost at least $70bn, UN says
Report says Israel’s operations ‘significantly undermined every pillar of survival’ and reduced the economy by 87%Israel’s war in Gaza has created a “human-made abyss”, and reconstruction is likely to cost more than $70bn (£53bn) over several decades, the United Nations has said.The UN’s trade and development agency (Unctad) said in a report that Israel’s military operations had “significantly undermined every pillar of survival” and that the entire population of 2.3 million people faced “extreme, multidimensional impoverishment”. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
US optimistic over Ukraine peace deal talks but ‘a few delicate details’ remain
Ukrainian official cites ‘common understanding’, but no sign territorial concessions or security guarantees are agreedEurope live – latest updatesDiscussions involving US, Russian and Ukrainian officials are taking place in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, the latest step in the Trump administration’s attempts to push through a peace deal to end the conflict in Ukraine.The White House spokesperson, Karoline Leavitt, put an optimistic spin on the talks, claiming the US had made “tremendous progress” on finding a resolution. There were “a few delicate, but not insurmountable, details” that needed to be ironed out which would require further talks, she said in a... [Continue Reading]
Seven killed in Kyiv as Russia hits Ukraine’s energy sector with missiles and drones
Wide-ranging assault included drones that crossed into Romanian and Moldovan territory Europe live – latest updatesRussia launched a massive missile and drone attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure overnight, killing seven and injuring 21 in Kyiv as a fresh round of US-brokered peace negotiations began in Abu Dhabi.A total of 22 missiles, including four hypersonic Kinzhals, and 464 drones, were fired by Russia in attacks that principally targeted Kyiv and the surrounding area, according to the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
White House claims ‘tremendous progress’ made in Ukraine-Russia peace plan but says more talks needed - Europe live
Spokesperson says sensitive issues still need to be discussed between Ukraine, Russia and the USIn other EU related news, a top European court on Tuesday ruled that an EU nation had to recognise a gay marriage recorded in another member state, after a complaint by two Poles married in Germany.The couple, one of whom also has German nationality, were living there and married in Berlin in 2018, reports Agence France-Presse (AFP).The spouses in question, as EU citizens, enjoy the freedom to move and reside within the territory of the member states and the right to lead a normal family life... [Continue Reading]
Israel says Red Cross receives remains of deceased Gaza captive
It was not immediately clear if the remains belonged to one of the three deceased captives in the besieged Gaza Strip. [Continue Reading]
India, Pakistan to play T20 World Cup 2026 group match on February 15
Bitter rivals India and Pakistan will face off in Group A at next year's 20-team competition. [Continue Reading]
US-backed GHF ‘aid mission’ in Gaza ends – a timeline of violence
GHF is halting operations after more than 2,000 Palestinians were killed in and around its distribution sites. [Continue Reading]
Four new arrests made following Louvre jewellery heist
Two men and two women from Paris are the latest to be questioned as part of the ongoing investigation. [Continue Reading]
Help to Save scheme to be offered to more people
The government gives a 50% bonus after two and four years, to encourage those on low incomes to save. [Continue Reading]
Jury trials could be scrapped in England and Wales except for most serious cases
Only cases of alleged murder, rape or manslaughter will be decided by a jury under new proposals to cut court backlogs. [Continue Reading]
MEPs sound alarm over China’s rare earth monopoly
MEPs warn Europe risks becoming a “collateral victim” of China’s rare earth monopoly as supply chains tighten. [Continue Reading]
Joshua Zirkzee’s missed chance: How can Ruben Amorim solve Man Utd dilemma?
He had a nightmare against Everton. [Continue Reading]
Full list of drinks set to be hit with Budget sugar tax – including popular milkshakes
Many brands lowered their sugar content to just below the 5% threshold after the tax was introduced. [Continue Reading]
Wake up gently with Lumie alarm clock shoppers say ‘makes mornings much easier’
Dark mornings aren’t getting us down anymore. [Continue Reading]
‘Furious’ neighbours force London couple to repaint £2,600,000 home
The new colour scheme was descrbed as 'visually discordant and jarring'. [Continue Reading]
Minister O'Brien writes to NTA on Uber's fixed pricing
Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien has written to the National Transport Authority (NTA) and requested it "look at" concerns expressed by taxi drivers over Uber's recently announced fixed price model. [Continue Reading]
Macron seeks to reassure public as France prepares a new voluntary military service
The French president's comments came ahead of a videoconference meeting of the Coalition of the Willing supporting Ukraine, during which he is expected to discuss the US-proposed peace plan. [Continue Reading]
Major incident declared as fireworks suspected to be inside burning west London warehouse
School and block of flats evacuated and 150 firefighters withdraw to safe distance from blaze in SouthallFireworks may be stored inside a west London warehouse engulfed in flames, emergency services have warned as a major incident has been declared.About 150 firefighters and 25 fire engines were battling the fire in a two-storey structure consisting of a warehouse and retail space on Bridge Road in Southall, the London fire brigade (LFB) said on Tuesday. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Mayors in England to get power to impose tourism tax on overnight visitors at ‘modest’ rate – UK politics live
Government announces overnight levy ahead of tomorrow’s budget John McFall is standing down early as Lord Speaker in the House of Lords so that he can care for his wife, Joan, who has was Parkinson’s. According to Sam Blewett and Bethany Dawson in their London Playbook briefing for Politico, the main candidates to replace him are Michael Forsyth, a rightwing Scottish secretary in the final two years of the John Major government, and Deborah Bull, a crossbencher and former Royal Opera House creative director. They reports:Labour isn’t expected to put forward a candidate as McFall’s previous political affiliation means it’s... [Continue Reading]
Four more people arrested in connection with Louvre heist
French media say those held include alleged final member of four-person gang who broke into museumFrench authorities have arrested four more people in connection with last month’s spectacular heist of an estimated €88m (£77m) worth of crown jewels from the Louvre, the Paris prosecutor has said.“They are two men aged 38 and 39, and two women aged 31 and 40, all from the Paris region,” Laure Beccuau said. French media said the arrests included the last remaining alleged member of the four-person gang who broke into the museum. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
US brokers Ukraine talks in Abu Dhabi as Trump tries to push through deal
White House spokesperson says ‘tremendous progress’ has been made in discussions with officials from KyivEurope live – latest updatesDiscussions involving US, Russian and Ukrainian officials are taking place in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, the latest step in the Trump administration’s attempts to push through a peace deal to end the conflict in Ukraine.The White House spokesperson, Karoline Leavitt, put an optimistic spin on the talks, claiming the US had made “tremendous progress” on finding a resolution. There were “a few delicate, but not insurmountable, details” that needed to be ironed out which would require further talks, she said in a... [Continue Reading]
Nato scrambles jets as Russian drones make deepest incursion into Romania
Fighter jets track two uncrewed aircraft in first daytime breach of Romanian airspace since full-scale Ukraine warNato jets were scrambled to track two Russian drones that crossed into Romania on Tuesday in the deepest and first daytime incursion into the country’s airspace since the start of the full-scale war in Ukraine.German Typhoon and Romanian F-16 fighter jets took off in pairs to follow the uncrewed aircraft. The first flew back into Ukrainian airspace, but the second was later found downed in Puieşti, about 70 miles from Ukraine. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
White House claims ‘tremendous progress’ made in Ukraine-Russia peace plan but says more talks needed - Europe live
Spokesperson says sensitive issues still need to be discussed between Zelenskyy and TrumpIn other EU related news, a top European court on Tuesday ruled that an EU nation had to recognise a gay marriage recorded in another member state, after a complaint by two Poles married in Germany.The couple, one of whom also has German nationality, were living there and married in Berlin in 2018, reports Agence France-Presse (AFP).The spouses in question, as EU citizens, enjoy the freedom to move and reside within the territory of the member states and the right to lead a normal family life when exercising... [Continue Reading]
Mapping the Brain’s Sense of What Goes On Inside the Body
Scientists are learning how the brain knows what’s happening throughout the body, and how that process might go awry in some psychiatric disorders. [Continue Reading]
Trump Falls Short of His Populist Rhetoric
The Trump administration is using its antitrust powers mostly to protect Mr. Trump. [Continue Reading]
Market Volatility Underscores Epic Buildup of Global Risk
Some experts see a dangerous combination of factors reminiscent of practices that led to previous financial crises. [Continue Reading]
The Fed and Big Tech Re-Raise Investors’ Spirits
Markets appear to be hoping again that the central bank will cut rates next month, and that the artificial intelligence boom has room to run. [Continue Reading]
Red Cross receives coffin said to contain Gaza hostage's body
The remains will be transferred to Israeli forces, who will take them to Israel's forensic medicine institute for identification. [Continue Reading]
Same-sex marriage must be respected throughout EU, top court tells Poland
The ruling covers the case of a Polish couple who married in Berlin but Polish authorities refused to recognise their marriage. [Continue Reading]
Jury trials could be scrapped except in most serious cases
Only cases of alleged murder, rape or manslaughter will be decided by a jury under new proposals to cut court backlogs. [Continue Reading]
'Premium' cars like BMW and Mercedes cut from Motability scheme
Motability says it will provide vehicles that meet disabled peoples' needs and are safe and affordable. [Continue Reading]
Food boss admits he won’t eat his own product because he ‘isn’t poor and knows what goes in it’
Martin Bally allegedly said 'poor people' buy Campbell's products [Continue Reading]
Mystery after boy collapses and dies on school bus
Emergency services pronounced him dead at the scene. [Continue Reading]
‘Fail watching’ is the savage workplace phenomenon affecting younger colleagues most
'It’s a way of feeling safe in a competitive tribe.' [Continue Reading]
Joe Wilkinson addresses fans’ wishes for Keira Knightley rom-com after Waitrose Christmas advert
He's a self-professed fan of rom-coms. [Continue Reading]
O'Callaghan 'virtue signalling' on immigration, says Nash
Labour TD Ged Nash has accused the Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan of "virtue signalling" on immigration. [Continue Reading]
Tehran's severe pollution forces school closures and limits traffic
Iran's capital Tehran is battling severe smog, closing schools and keeping public employees at home. Old vehicles and low-quality fuel are major contributors. [Continue Reading]
Republican Jim Justice to pay $5m in back taxes following government lawsuit
Lawsuit filed in West Virginia maintained that Justice and his wife received notice of the funds due since 2009 but didn’t payJim Justice, the Republican US senator, and his wife have agreed to pay more than $5m that the couple owes in back taxes shortly after they were sued over the 16-year-old debt by the federal government.The lawsuit, filed Monday in federal court in their home state of West Virginia, maintained that the Justices had received notice from the US treasury department of the funds due since 2009 but had “neglected or refused to make full payment of those assessments”.... [Continue Reading]
Scottish school cancels Christmas play after ‘racist and abusive’ messages
Show at Cauldeen primary school in Inverness had included a scene explaining hardship faced by Syrian refugeesA primary school in Scotland has cancelled its Christmas show after receiving “racist and abusive” messages because it featured sympathy towards Syrian refugees.The decision by Cauldeen primary school in Inverness follows rising tensions at other schools in Scotland over adult English classes being targeted by far-right demonstrators, which has also led to events being cancelled. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
US attorney general vows to appeal dismissal of criminal cases against James Comey and Letitia James – US politics live
The Pentagon is investigating the Arizona lawmaker for possible breaches of military law after he took part in a video calling for US troops to refuse illegal ordersSenator Mark Kelly has responded to the Pentagon’s announcement that it is investigating the Arizona lawmaker for possible breaches of military law after he joined five other Democratic members of Congress in a video calling for US troops to refuse illegal orders.“I said something that was pretty simple and non controversial, and that was that members of the military should follow the law,” Kelly said in an MS NOW interview with Rachel on... [Continue Reading]
Venues cancelled Katie Hopkins shows after man blackmailed them, court told
Oliver Hutchings accused of threatening to disrupt UK shows and campaign against venues that booked HopkinsA man who objected to comments by Katie Hopkins on gay and transgender people launched a blackmail campaign against venues that had booked her to appear, a jury has heard.Oliver Hutchings, 31, told venues in Hampshire and Lancashire that he would make sure the media personality and commenter’s shows were disrupted, and would campaign against the theatres to try to shut them down if they did not cancel her appearances, the court heard. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Man arrested over illegal waste ‘mountain’ by river in Oxfordshire
A 39-year-old from the Guildford area is being questioned about fly-tipping in a field alongside the River CherwellA man has been arrested in connection with the illegal dumping of a mountain of waste by a river in Oxfordshire.The 39-year-old, from the Guildford area, is being questioned after his arrest by Environment Agency (EA) officers. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]