25 h. ago Walking into disaster: how narcotraffickers captured the BVI

When the new premier of the British Virgin Islands said he needed an armed security detail, his chief of police knew trouble was on its wayAugustus James Ulysses Jaspert, Gus for short, arrived in Tortola, the largest of the British Virgin Islands, on 21 August 2017, just two weeks away from catastrophe. Jaspert, who was in his late 30s, had recently been appointed governor by Queen Elizabeth II, on the recommendation of the Foreign Office in London. The BVI is an overseas territory of Britain, with only partial independence, and the governor effectively acts as a backstop to the locally elected legislature. For Jaspert, a career civil servant, it would be his first hands-on experience of governing – and his first time in the British Virgin Islands. Any trepidation was outweighed by the prospect of moving to the Caribbean. “If you’re sitting in an office in London and someone says, ‘Go to Tortola,’ you look it up on a screen and think, ‘OK, I can do that,’” Jaspert told me.While Jas...

Events

25 h. ago Walking into disaster: the narcotrafficking scandal that blew up the BVI

When the new premier of the British Virgin Islands said he needed an armed security detail, his chief of police knew trouble was on its wayAugustus James Ulysses Jaspert, Gus for short, arrived in Tortola, the largest of the British Virgin Islands, on 21 August 2017, just two weeks away from catastrophe. Jaspert, who was in his late 30s, had recently been appointed governor by Queen Elizabeth II, on the recommendation of the Foreign Office in London. The BVI is an overseas territory of Britain, with only partial independence, and the governor effectively acts as a backstop to the locally elected legislature. For Jaspert, a career civil servant, it would be his first hands-on experience of governing – and his first time in the British Virgin Islands. Any trepidation was outweighed by the prospect of moving to the Caribbean. “If you’re sitting in an office in London and someone says, ‘Go to Tortola,’ you look it up on a screen and think, ‘OK, I can do that,’” Jaspert told me.While Jas...

Events

32 h. ago Trump confirms $12bn in assistance for American farmers amid concerns over trade and high prices – live

President says farmers are ‘the backbone of our country’ and says China has committed to buying $40bn in American soybeansIn a statement, Pamela Smith said she was “deeply humbled, grateful and deeply appreciative” of her time in her role, which she described as the “greatest honor” of her career. She gave thanks to the mayor for appointing her in 2023 and supporting her throughout her tenure, which she acknowledged had been both “challenging and rewarding”.Smith adds that “tremendous progress” has been made but the city is not at “zero percent crime” yet.I am confident that the department is in a strong position and that the great work will continue, moving in a positive trajectory to combat crime and enhance public safety. Washington, DC is an extraordinary place to live, visit, and work, and I remain inspired by the resilience and spirit of this community.I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity to serve in this capacity as Chief of Police. It has been an honor to lead the me...

Economics

33 h. ago Donald Trump confirms $12bn in assistance for American farmers – live

President says farmers are ‘the backbone of our country’ and says China has committed to buying $40bn in American soybeansIn a statement, Pamela Smith said she was “deeply humbled, grateful and deeply appreciative” of her time in her role, which she described as the “greatest honor” of her career. She gave thanks to the mayor for appointing her in 2023 and supporting her throughout her tenure, which she acknowledged had been both “challenging and rewarding”.Smith adds that “tremendous progress” has been made but the city is not at “zero percent crime” yet.I am confident that the department is in a strong position and that the great work will continue, moving in a positive trajectory to combat crime and enhance public safety. Washington, DC is an extraordinary place to live, visit, and work, and I remain inspired by the resilience and spirit of this community.I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity to serve in this capacity as Chief of Police. It has been an honor to lead the me...

Politics

36 h. ago US supreme court conservatives appear poised to back Trump in case that tests president’s ability to fire officials – live

Lawyer for fired FTC member says removal protection ‘has been part of our story since 1790’; Trump administration argues 90-year precedent ‘must be overruled’In a statement, Pamela Smith said she was “deeply humbled, grateful and deeply appreciative” of her time in her role, which she described as the “greatest honor” of her career. She gave thanks to the mayor for appointing her in 2023 and supporting her throughout her tenure, which she acknowledged had been both “challenging and rewarding”.Smith adds that “tremendous progress” has been made but the city is not at “zero percent crime” yet.I am confident that the department is in a strong position and that the great work will continue, moving in a positive trajectory to combat crime and enhance public safety. Washington, DC is an extraordinary place to live, visit, and work, and I remain inspired by the resilience and spirit of this community.I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity to serve in this capacity as Chief of Police....

Politics

36 h. ago Police Scotland Deputy Chief Constable 'suspended over bullying allegations'

One of three officers holding the Deputy Chief Constable rank at Scotland’s national force, Jane Connors is in charge of operational policing and leads its response to organised crime.

Events

37 h. ago DC police chief steps down ‘to spend more time with family’ after Trump crackdown

Smith, a longtime federal law enforcement official and former head of the U.S. Park Police, assumed command during one of Washington’s most volatile years in nearly two decades

Politics

38 h. ago US supreme court hears arguments in case that tests Trump’s ability to fire officials – live

Trump administration argues that 90-year precedent that stops presidents from removing officers ‘must be overruled’In a statement, Pamela Smith said she was “deeply humbled, grateful and deeply appreciative” of her time in her role, which she described as the “greatest honor” of her career. She gave thanks to the mayor for appointing her in 2023 and supporting her throughout her tenure, which she acknowledged had been both “challenging and rewarding”.Smith adds that “tremendous progress” has been made but the city is not at “zero percent crime” yet.I am confident that the department is in a strong position and that the great work will continue, moving in a positive trajectory to combat crime and enhance public safety. Washington, DC is an extraordinary place to live, visit, and work, and I remain inspired by the resilience and spirit of this community.I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity to serve in this capacity as Chief of Police. It has been an honor to lead the men and w...

Politics

41 h. ago Washington's Mayor Bowser says the city's police chief, Pamela Smith, is stepping down

Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser says the city's police chief, Pamela Smith, is stepping down

Events

41 h. ago Washington DC police chief Pamela Smith to step down, mayor announces – US politics live

Move follows deployment of national guard in cityIn a statement, Pamela Smith said she was “deeply humbled, grateful and deeply appreciative” of her time in her role, which she described as the “greatest honor” of her career. She gave thanks to the mayor for appointing her in 2023 and supporting her throughout her tenure, which she acknowledged had been both “challenging and rewarding”.Smith adds that “tremendous progress” has been made but the city is not at “zero percent crime”.I am confident that the department is in a strong position and that the great work will continue, moving in a positive trajectory to combat crime and enhance public safety. Washington, DC is an extraordinary place to live, visit, and work, and I remain inspired by the resilience and spirit of this community.I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity to serve in this capacity as Chief of Police. It has been an honor to lead the men and women of the Metropolitan Police Department, and I will always carry wi...

Politics

3 d. ago Senior West Midlands Police chief 'apologises to Jewish community in Birmingham for telling MPs they BACKED ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans for Aston Villa match'

WMP assistant chief constable Mike O'Hara told a select committee last week that concerns were raised by the religious community over supporters of the Israeli team travelling to the city.

Events

3 d. ago Reform blasts 'biased' BBC: Zia Yusuf makes official complaint after Question Time bosses 'stacked' audience with small boat migrants

Yusuf, the party's policy chief, said the broadcaster had created a situation he likened to asking 'convicted burglars to debate law and order'.

Events

4 d. ago Hillsborough survivors back petition to strip Sir Norman Bettison of knighthood

EXCLUSIVE: They want ex-chief constable who police watchdogs say should face gross misconduct rap to lose his ‘sir’ status and Queen’s Police Medal

Events

5 d. ago Federica Mogherini resigns from College of Europe amid corruption inquiry

Former EU foreign policy chief to also stand down as head of diplomatic academy at centre of investigationThe EU’s former foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, has resigned from her role as head of the elite College of Europe after being indicted in a corruption investigation.In a statement sent to college staff on Thursday, Mogherini announced that “in line with the utmost rigour and fairness with which I always carried out my duties, today I decided to resign as rector of the College of Europe”. Continue reading...

Politics

5 d. ago Former EU foreign policy chief facing fraud probe resigns as head of the College of Europe

The European Union's former foreign policy chief has resigned from her role as head of a prestigious European studies institute

Events

5 d. ago Former EU foreign policy chief accused of fraud and corruption

Federica Mogherini is among three individuals detained as part of a fraud investigation

Events

6 d. ago New London police investigating gunpoint robbery at gas station, chief says

New London police investigating gunpoint robbery at gas station, chief says  CT Insider

Events

6 d. ago Former EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini faces corruption accusations in fraud probe

The EU's former foreign policy chief faces corruption accusations alongside two others arrested this week

Events

7 d. ago Final Hillsborough report provides closure but not consequences

Failings of legal system mean 97 people were unlawfully killed, but no one will be held accountableWhen the Independent Office for Police Conduct published the final report on its mammoth investigation into the Hillsborough disaster, the response from bereaved families and survivors was conflicted.Some of the IOPC’s findings could be regarded as historic, in particular that 12 former officers would have had cases to answer for gross misconduct, including Peter Wright, the chief constable of South Yorkshire police at the time of the 1989 disaster. Continue reading...

Politics

7 d. ago Final Hillsborough report ends investigation with no consequences

Failings of legal system mean 97 people were unlawfully killed, but no one will be held accountableWhen the Independent Office for Police Conduct published the final report on its mammoth investigation into the Hillsborough disaster, the response from bereaved families and survivors was conflicted.Some of the IOPC’s findings could be regarded as historic, in particular that 12 former officers would have had cases to answer for gross misconduct, including Peter Wright, the chief constable of South Yorkshire police at the time of the 1989 disaster. Continue reading...

Events