‘Serious failures’ in health system led to 19 patient deaths
"Serious failures" in the public health system led to the deaths of 19 people linked to outbreaks of listeria and streptococcus, a former health chief has claimed.
Morning mail: Deaths in custody rise, Amazon fires up by 80%, Australia’s Ashes collapse
Friday: Guardian Australia’s landmark Deaths Inside project highlights government failures. Plus, Jofra Archer rips through Australia
Good morning, this is Stephen Smiley bringing you the main stories and must-reads on Friday 23 August.
Continue reading...Prince Andrew was seen getting foot massage from young woman at Epstein’s apartment – report
Incident was recounted in an email exchange between a prominent US literary agent and author Evgeny Morozov
Prince Andrew was seen inside the New York apartment of disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein getting a foot massage from a young woman, according to an email exchange between a prominent US literary agent and author and writer Evgeny Morozov.
In the exchange, published in the New Republic magazine, agent John Brockman recommends to writer Morozov (who he represents as literary agent) that he meet with Epstein, calling him a “billionaire science philanthropist” who has “been extremely generous in funding projects of many of our friends and clients”.
Continue reading...Migrants traveling through Mexico to the U.S. face high violence risk
(Reuters Health) - Nearly one third of migrants traveling through Mexico to the U.S. experience physical, psychological and/or sexual violence during their journey, a new study finds.
Did Boris Johnson put his foot in it in talks with Macron?
The prime minister has been criticised for putting his foot on a table in front of Emmanuel Macron.
Canadians’ message ahead of the election: make life more affordable
Canadians have a message for politicians appearing on their front stoops ahead of Canada's upcoming national election in October: life is getting more expensive.
France’s Macron calls Amazon fires an international emergency
French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday that the fires raging in the Amazon rain forest are an international emergency and called for the situation to be discussed at the G7 summit.
Trump’s message to G7 leaders this weekend: Be more like U.S.
President Donald Trump will highlight U.S. economic policies under his stewardship at meetings with other G7 leaders this weekend in France and encourage allies to follow the American model to stave off problems with the global economy, officials said.
Warner hails ‘world-class’ Archer
Australia batsman David Warner described England fast bowler Jofra Archer as "world class" after he picked up his first five-wicket haul in test cricket to help dismiss the touring side for 179 in the third Ashes test on Thursday.
Netanyahu hints at Israeli involvement in Iraq blasts
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hinted on Thursday of possible Israeli involvement in attacks against Iranian-linked targets in Iraq.
Italy’s president gives parties to Tuesday to build majority
President Sergio Mattarella on Thursday gave Italy's bickering parties five days to clinch a deal to resolve a political crisis and avoid a snap election.
U.S. offer to sell Patriot system to Turkey ‘off the table’ – State Dept official
The U.S. offer to sell Raytheon Co's Patriot missile defence system to Turkey is "off the table," having expired following Ankara's decision to accept Russian S-400 defensive systems, a State Department official said on Thursday.
U.S. urges Colombia and Central America to help stem migration
The U.S. government on Thursday called on Central American and Colombian authorities to help curb illegal immigration to the United States, widening the net of countries the Trump administration has sought to enlist to contain the phenomenon.
Boy, 10, dies after being found unconscious at Birmingham property
Woman arrested on suspicion of neglect after child receives trauma treatment but later dies
A woman has been arrested on suspicion of neglect after the death of a 10-year-old boy in the Acocks Green area of Birmingham.
Police and paramedics were called to an address in Blossomville Way early on Thursday, following reports of a child unconscious at the address. Reports said the boy had been found in a caravan. He was taken to hospital but was pronounced dead at 8.20am.
Continue reading...Dr Michael Watt recall: Patients fear not getting answers
Jennie Robinson is part of the Dr Michael Watt patient recall and fears she will not get answers.
Should I stay or should I run? Pompeo under pressure over U.S. Senate seat
Republican pressure on Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to run for U.S. Senate next year to help keep the party's majority intact is coming up against President Donald Trump's hope of keeping one of his most trusted aides in his administration.
Five dead in lightning strike in Tatra mountains
Five people, including two children, have been killed after lightning strikes in the Tatra mountains in Poland and neighbouring Slovakia.
Canada’s Freeland to return to Cuba to discuss Venezuelan crisis
Canada's Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland said on Thursday she would go to Cuba next week to speak with her counterpart there, Bruno Rodriguez, about ending the political and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela and returning it to democracy.
Yemen’s separatists clash with government forces in Shabwa – sources
Southern Yemeni separatists clashed with government forces in the southern oil-producing province of Shabwa on Thursday, local officials and residents said, in the latest violence between nominal allies that has strained an Arab military coalition.
Leader of Somalia’s Jubbaland, at odds with Mogadishu, wins new term
The president of Jubbaland, a Somali region critical to East Africa's fight against the Islamist militants of al Shabaab, won a new term on Thursday, highlighting a growing rift between the federal government and its semi-autonomous states.
With wildfires raging, Bolivia seeks help from Supertanker plane
Wildfires raging in eastern Bolivia have burned more than 450,000 hectares (1.1 million acres), or roughly an area the size of the U.S. state of Delaware, officials in San Cruz province estimate.
Four die, more than 100 hurt in thunderstorm in Poland’s Tatra mountains
Four people, two of them children, died and more than 100 were injured during a thunderstorm in Poland's Tatra mountains on Thursday, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said.
Number 10 hits back at Channel 4 boss over PM ‘liar’ claim
Downing Street has hit back at a senior Channel 4 executive after she branded Prime Minister Boris Johnson a "known liar" and a "coward".
Kevin McCloud: TV presenter whose design for living turned sour
The property expert’s business woes follow successful careers on TV and in stage design
Kevin McCloud’s life began in a house his parents built and for the past 20 years he has brought millions of television viewers along on the trials and tribulations of home builders as they struggle to create their own dream place.
At Cambridge University he studied history of art and architecture, reportedly abandoning an earlier desire to train as an operatic baritone in Italy. After initially working in theatre design he opened a lighting design practice, which at one point employed 26 people and whose work can still be found in Harrods, Edinburgh Castle, and the Dorchester hotel.
Continue reading...Investors in Kevin McCloud’s projects told they face huge losses
Many feel they have been fobbed off by Grand Designs presenter’s promised returns
Small investors who sank millions of pounds into the TV property guru Kevin McCloud’s eco-friendly housing ventures have been told they could face losing up to 97% of their money.
For 20 years the star of Channel 4’s Grand Designs has lectured the nation about how to create their dream home – but his own property empire has turned into a nightmare. Between 2013 and 2017, McCloud wooed investors with a string of fundraising schemes that promised returns of up to 9% a year from his Happiness Architecture Beauty (HAB) homes businesses.
Continue reading...Canada opposes Russia’s return to G8 – Freeland
The Canadian government remains opposed to Russia rejoining the group of leading industrialized nations formerly known as the Group of Eight, a move U.S President Donald Trump has said should be considered, Canada's foreign minister said on Thursday.
Ashes: Archer takes six to skittle Australia
Jofra Archer claimed a maiden Test five-for as a late flurry of wickets saw England bowl Australia out for 179 after an otherwise frustrating, rain-filled first day of the third Ashes Test at Headingley.
Half a century on, Soviet message in a bottle found in Alaska
Tyler Ivanoff, an American schoolteacher, was gathering firewood with his children on a beach in western Alaska when he came across a champagne bottle with a letter inside.
Trump drops bid to slash foreign aid after Congress objects
The White House will not move forward with plans to cut billions of dollars in foreign aid, U.S. officials said on Thursday, after an outcry from Congress about what was seen as an attempt to sidestep lawmakers' authority over government spending.
Anderlecht coach Kompany takes on new match-day role
Vincent Kompany’s role as Anderlecht player coach has been changed and he will no longer have a decision-making position on match day so he can concentrate on playing, the Belgian club said on Thursday.
Pompeo tells Trudeau U.S. focused on release of two Canadians in China
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday assured Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that American officials were working to free two Canadian men who have been held by China since late last year.
Awesome Archer gives England advantage in third test
Jofra Archer's first five-wicket haul in test cricket put England in command on a weather-affected opening day of the third Ashes test at Headingley on Thursday as they bowled Australia out for 179.
FDA classifies Edwards Lifesciences Sapien delivery system recall as severest
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said on Thursday the recall of Edwards Lifesciences Corp's Sapien 3 Ultra delivery system was classified as the agency's severest, sending shares of the medical device maker down 3%.
French mayors ban glyphosate weedkiller, defying government
Some 20 French mayors have banned glyphosate from their municipalities, defying the government, which is now taking legal action to impose national legislation which allows the controversial weedkiller's continued use for now.
USTA under-reported millions, owes back rent – NYC comptroller
The New York City Comptroller said on Thursday that the United States Tennis Association (USTA) had under-reported millions in gross revenue, days before the start of the U.S. Open, the organisation's marquee event and final Grand Slam of the year.
Brazil prosecutors probe surge in Amazon deforestation and fires
Federal prosecutors in Brazil said on Thursday they will investigate a spike in deforestation and wildfires raging in the Amazon state of Pará to determine whether there has been reduced monitoring and enforcement of environmental protections.
Continuity IRA ‘tried to murder police officers in bomb attack’
Northern Ireland police have accused the dissident republican group Continuity IRA of trying to lure officers to their deaths in a bomb attack this week.
Channel migrants: Children among group on Sussex beach
A further 30 migrants, including ten children and a baby, are picked up in French waters.
Husband of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe to meet UK foreign secretary
After criticising Boris Johnson for failing to meet him, Richard Ratcliffe will meet Dominic Raab to discuss his wife’s case
The foreign secretary has agreed to meet the husband of a British-Iranian woman held in Tehran after it emerged that neither Dominic Raab nor the prime minister had done so since taking office, despite the latter claiming he would prioritise the issue on the campaign trail.
Richard Ratcliffe, whose wife Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was jailed for five years in Iran in 2016, criticised Boris Johnson on Monday, indicating that he believed the prime minister was not taking his wife’s case seriously.
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