32 h. ago Flurry of loud bangs heard on the outskirts of town where alleged cop killer Dezi Freeman is thought to be hiding

More to follow.

Events

45 h. ago Jude Law avoids red carpet snaps with his wife Phillipa Coan as she makes rare public appearance at his premiere during Venice International Film Festival

The actor, 52, who tied the knot with Phillipa, 38, in 2019, appeared on the red carpet for The Wizard Of The Kremlin premiere, however he and his wife avoided being snapped together.

Politics

9 d. ago Muslim recruitment manager wins religious harassment employment tribunal after he was told to remove social media post accusing a fellow professional of being 'far right'

Abdalah Al-Abasi went on Linkedin to warn his professional network not to work with a consultant who had posted about 'Islamic grooming gangs ', an employment tribunal heard.

Events

1 week ago England get the party started on a night that shows just how big this World Cup could be | Andy Bull

Electric atmosphere in Sunderland and at the stadium proves women’s tournament has grown up quicker than anyone ever expectedIt was quiet at Sunderland station on Friday afternoon, and quiet all the way up Union and South Streets and quiet all the way along to Keel Square, where the World Cup was hidden, waiting around the corner like a surprise party. There three, four, five thousand or more were bouncing up and down while a stout lad with Spandex trousers, a sequined jacket and serious pipes was belting out the opening notes of We Will Rock You on the big stage while his band thrashed away behind him. If everywhere else around town was empty, it was because everyone was here. It was a hell of a way to start a World Cup.“Let’s show them how we do it in the north-east!” shouted out the Mackem Mercury as he set a carnival parade off marching over the bridge towards the Stadium of Light for the kick-off. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Irvine Welsh: Reality Is Not Enough review – a candid portrait of a literary one

Paul Sng’s documentary finds the Trainspotting author as funny, sharp and unrepentant as ever – from boyhood in Leith to globetrotting fame and a hallucinogenic trip in CanadaNo one would reject the title of national treasure more fiercely, but more good-humouredly, than Irvine Welsh. The brilliant Scottish writer and creator of Trainspotting takes centre-stage in Paul Sng’s documentary with just the same unassumingly athletic ease as in all of his other public appearances. For someone who has done as much drink and drugs and as many late nights as Welsh, he looks very good.This film is a great way to round off the Edinburgh film festival; Welsh is, after all, Edinburgh’s greatest living public figure. His 60s childhood in Leith and Muirhouse was followed by a spell in London, then twentysomething years back in Edinburgh during the 80s, studying at Heriot-Watt and working for the council, during which time he began to write. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Hoax bomb caller who also threatened to burn down woman's Coatbridge home avoids prison

Steven Agnew, 50, claimed an explosive device had been placed in the town's Bank Social Club.

Events

2 w. ago Fuzzy hats and a ban on swearing: the New Zealand town that bonds over curling

Scottish goldminers first brought the sport to Central Otago and the traditions live on as farmers sweep stones and catch up on the iceOn a July evening in Alexandra, a small town in New Zealand’s South Island, the temperature is a chilly 3C. While most of the town is in quiet darkness, at Ice Inline Molyneux Park, the lights are on and the banter is abundant. It’s a social curling night, and the shouts of “sweeeep!” can be heard from the car park. Players from teams with names such as the “Plonkers”, “Too Dam Cold” and “Doome and Broom” gather on the outdoor ice rink, sweeping furiously as 11kg curling stones move across the ice.L-R: A collection of enamel badges from curling competitions and tournaments. Curling stones ready to be put away after a Thursday night social curling game in Alexandra. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Uniformed cops unable to participate in Stirling Pride events after ruling

The change - prompted by a court ruling in England over police impartiality in trans/gender-critical debates - will mean cops will only attend the Stirling festival in their traditional public safety role.

Politics

3 w. ago Spanish town ordered to scrap religious festivals ban mainly impacting Muslims

Jumilla’s ban on gatherings in public sports centres breaches right to religious freedom, says MadridSpain’s central government has ordered officials in a Spanish town to scrap a ban on religious gatherings in public sports centres, describing it as a “discriminatory” measure that breaches the right to religious freedom as it will mainly impact Muslims.“There can be no half-measures when it comes to intolerance,” Ángel Víctor Torres, the minister for territorial policy, wrote on social media on Monday. Rightwing opposition parties, he added, “cannot decide who has freedom of worship and who does not”. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Spain's leftist government orders town to scrap its plan to ban Islamic festivals, declaring it 'racist'

The ban was supported by Spain's conservative People's Party (PP), who said it sought to 'promote and preserve the traditional value' of the area.

Politics

3 w. ago The Spanish town that 'banned' Islamic festivals: Inside the historic city where officials say they're 'defending local traditions' but Muslims say it is 'racist'

The historic town of Jumilla (pictured) was on the frontline of conflict between Muslims and Christians when the Moors were kicked out of southern Spain in the 13th century.

Politics

3 w. ago 'I visited the Spanish town that considered banning tourists

The charming white-washed village sees an estimated 800,000 visitors a year - and residents have previously complained about the antisocial behaviour of visitors

Events

3 w. ago Madrid cultural diversity festival ban is ideological, its organisers claim

Kúpula se Mueve, which celebrates African and Latin culture, has been held without problems since 2013Madrid city council has banned a festival celebrating cultural diversity, claiming that it may lead to public disorder and complaints about noise from residents.The Kúpula se Mueve (Kúpula Moves) festival has been held without incident since 2013. Josias Ndanga, president of the association, insists the claims are an excuse, saying: “We’re convinced we’re being discriminated against on ideological grounds.” Continue reading...

Culture

3 w. ago Spanish town bans Muslim religious festivals provoking a furious outcry as migrant tensions threaten to boil over after nearby town was rocked by riots

The controversial ban was passed in Jumilla, a town in the Murcia region with a population of around 27,000 - roughly 7.5 per cent of whom come from mostly Muslim countries.

Events

3 w. ago Outrage as town in Spain bans Muslim celebrations in public spaces

Muslim groups and opposition leaders have condemned the decision, branding it Islamophobic

Politics

3 w. ago Spanish town bans Muslim religious festivals deemed 'alien to our identity'

The controversial ban was passed in Jumilla, a town in the Murcia region with a population of around 27,000 - roughly 7.5 per cent of whom come from mostly Muslim countries.

Politics

3 w. ago Where tourists seldom tread, part 18: three seaside towns that defy the tides of fashion

Ayr, Bangor and Millom routinely bring up the rear in coastal town polls, but they offer a calmer alternative to the brash traditional seaside resorts• Where tourists seldom tread, parts 1-17Tis the season to be beside the seaside – and to hype and critique coastal towns in surveys and rankings. I suppose lists of this year’s “in” and “out” resorts help tourists decide where to go; no point going to Skegness for Michelin-starred food, or to Salcombe for a laugh and cheap beer. Less obvious coastal towns provide more nuanced fare. Perhaps the most alluring spots are those where we don’t forget the sea. These three towns are routinely ranked last resorts or else ignored altogether, but they offer more than stuff to eat, drink, buy and post on socials – and are close to swimmable beaches. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Outrage as Spanish town bans Muslim religious festivals from public spaces

Conservative People’s party in Jumilla votes to stop civic centres and gyms being used for activities ‘alien to our identity’ A local authority in south-east Spain has banned Muslims from using public facilities such as civic centres and gyms to celebrate the religious festivals Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, and Eid al-Adha.The ban in Jumilla, in Murcia, is a first in Spain. It was introduced by the conservative People’s party (PP) and passed with the abstention of the far-right Vox party and the opposition of local leftwing parties. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago At least 11 children fall ill after members of Hindu group poison school’s water, police say

Authorities in Karnataka state say poisoning part of plot by Sriram Sene members to orchestrate Muslim headmaster’s removal and stir religious strife

Events