47 minutes ago Louisiana holds people in prisons past their release date, DoJ lawsuit alleges

State accused of ‘systemic overdetention’ that violates inmates’ rights and costs taxpayers millions of dollars a yearLouisiana’s prison system routinely holds people weeks and months after they have completed their sentences, the US justice department alleged in a lawsuit filed on Friday. The suit against the state of Louisiana follows a multi-year investigation into what federal officials say is a pattern of “systemic overdetention” that violates inmates’ rights and costs taxpayers millions of dollars a year.The justice department alleges that since at least 2012, more than a quarter of the people due to be released from Louisiana prisons have instead been held past their release dates. The DoJ warned Louisiana officials last year that the state could face a lawsuit if it didn’t fix the problems – but lawyers for the department say the state’s “marginal efforts” to address the issues were “inadequate” and showed a “deliberate indifference” to the constitutional rights of incarcera...

Events

54 minutes ago High street fashion chain to close Manchester Arndale store within weeks as part of major shake

Earlier this month, H&M announced that it would be closing all seven of its Monki branches in the UK. In the update, the fashion brand said it was planning to either shut or merge the stores with fellow brand Weekday

Politics

69 minutes ago Time for Tyson Fury to consider leaving the stage after Usyk defeat dims aura

The Briton stayed the distance against Oleksandr Usyk but after back-to-back defeats what is left for the 36-year-old to prove?In the end everyone runs out of road. It was probably necessary for Tyson Fury to say he was robbed in the Kingdom Arena on Saturday night. Boxing demands this level of irrationality. Logical multimillionaires do not willingly schedule a brain-jarring, soul‑shredding half-hour beating from one of the most effective practitioners of controlled violence ever to walk the planet. A basic suspension of reason is required. Without it no one would ever step in the ring.So Fury will maintain that all three judges were wrong to award a unanimous points decision in Oleksandr Usyk’s favour after 12 thrillingly intense rounds in Riyadh. Last time out Fury said he lost because of the war in Ukraine. This time he said it was because of Christmas. Nobody was robbed here. Fury, the challenger, needed to go out and actively take the heavyweight belts. In the event the c...

Politics

82 minutes ago UK weather LIVE: Britain battered by 82mph winds as plane crash lands and snow falls across country

Strong 82mph winds and snow have brought more disruption to travel in the UK just days before Christmas as one plane was forced into a 'hard landing' due to stormy conditions

Events

86 minutes ago Moment air ambulance helicopter crashes into hospital moments after take off killing four people

The helicopter took off from the roof of the Mugla Hospital in heavy fog and then crashed into the side of the building before it came crashing to the ground, killing all four passengers.

Events

93 minutes ago The best pictures as the Coca Cola truck turns up in Cardiff with huge crowds flocking to see it

The Coca-Cola truck has become a Christmas tradition for lots of people in Cardiff

Transport

94 minutes ago Tyson Fury and the question of legacy after honourable Usyk defeat dims aura

The Briton stayed the distance against Oleksandr Usyk but after back-to-back defeats what is left for the 36-year-old to prove?In the end everyone runs out of road. It was probably necessary for Tyson Fury to say he was robbed in the Kingdom Arena on Saturday night. Boxing demands this level of irrationality. Logical multimillionaires do not willingly schedule a brain-jarring, soul‑shredding half-hour beating from one of the most effective practitioners of controlled violence ever to walk the planet. A basic suspension of reason is required. Without it nobody would ever step in the ring.So Fury will maintain that all three judges were wrong to award a unanimous points decision in Oleksandr Usyk’s favour after 12 thrillingly intense rounds in Riyadh. Last time out Fury said he lost because of the war in Ukraine. This time he said it was because of Christmas. Nobody was robbed here. Fury, the challenger, needed to go out and actively take the heavyweight belts. In the event the c...

Politics

2 hours ago Disruption at Belfast airport as plane’s nose wheel collapses in ‘hard landing’

The incident triggered emergency procedures at Belfast City Airport and has forced the runway to close for the rest of the day.

Politics

2 hours ago Winds up to 82mph see Scottish ferries and Heathrow flights cancelled ahead of Christmas

Yellow weather warnings for wind remain in force until 9pm on Sunday

Politics

2 hours ago Absent US congresswoman has been dealing with ‘dementia issues’, family says

Republican Kay Granger of Texas living at senior living facility, which she reportedly had not disclosed to publicA Republican congresswoman from Texas has not cast a vote in the US House since July while she has been grappling with “dementia issues” and residing at a senior living facility, according to her family – something they did not disclose to the public before a Dallas media outlet figured out where she was during her prolonged absence.Kay Granger, 81, has represented Texas’s 12th congressional district, which includes part of the Dallas-Fort Worth area, since 1997. And beginning in January 2023 she spent more than a year as the chairperson of the powerful House appropriations committee. Continue reading...

Economics