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Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards and his top lawyers privately watched a key video of Black motorist Ronald Greene drawing his final breaths in his deadly 2019 arrest six months before prosecutors even knew the footage existed. While the Democratic governor has distanced himself from allegations of a cover-up in the explosive case by contending evidence was promptly turned over to authorities, an Associated Press investigation found that neither Edwards, his staff nor the state police he oversees acted urgently to get the crucial footage into the hands of those with the power to charge the white troopers seen stunning, punching and dragging Greene. The video shows a bruised and bloody Greene going limp and drawing his final breaths — critical moments and audio that are absent from other footage turned over. It wouldn't reach prosecutors until nearly two years after Greene’s May 10, 2019, death on a rural roadside near Monroe. Now three years have passed and still no … [Read more...] about Governor saw deadly arrest video months before prosecutors

Since the last annual meeting of the World Economic Forum, the course of history has changed dramatically. Russia invaded Ukraine, shaking the European Union, which was established to prevent war from returning to the continent, to its very core. Even when the fighting stops, as it eventually must, the situation will never revert to the status quo ante . Indeed, the Russian invasion may turn out to be the beginning of World War III, and our civilisation may not survive it. The invasion of Ukraine did not come out of the blue. The world has been increasingly engaged over the past half-decade, or longer, in a struggle between two diametrically opposed systems of governance: open society and closed society. Let me define the differences as simply as I can. In an open society, the role of the state is to protect the freedom of the individual; in a closed society, the role of the individual is to serve the rulers of the state. Other issues that concern all humanity – … [Read more...] about We must defeat Putin – the fate of civilisation depends on it

Rishi Sunak has refused to rule out a further emergency cost-of-living package next year despite alarm among some Tories at the impact on the public finances of the latest measures. The Chancellor responded to weeks of mounting pressure over soaring energy bills with the announcement of a £21 billion giveaway to households, partly paid for by a £5 billion levy on the profits of oil and gas companies. In the Commons on Thursday he told MPs the Government could not “sit idly by” while families across the country struggled to make ends meet. However there was anger from some Conservatives , who said the “windfall tax” on the energy giants – which Labour had been pressing for since the start of the year – was “throwing red meat to socialists”. There were also concerns that a £400 discount on energy bills for every household in the country, regardless of how well off they are, would further fuel inflation which is already heading towards 10%. Recommended … [Read more...] about Sunak refuses to rule out new cost-of-living support next year

Stagecoach has sealed a £20 million deal to buy Kelsian Group’s east London bus operations. The travel business said it has “entered into binding agreements” to purchase the operations, which also include a deport at Lea Interchange, for an initial £10 million followed by £1 million each year for 10 years after the move is completed. Kelsian’s east London operation operates 11 contracts on behalf of Transport for London (TfL), using a fleet of around 150 buses, with an annual turnover of around £38 million. It said the move is “a good strategic fit” alongside Stagecoach’s existing London operations. Stagecoach added that the new depot will also provide the business with a platform to bid for new contracts in the area. Recommended What Rishi Sunak announced to tackle the cost of living crisis More Tory MPs withdraw support from PM over ‘shameful’ parties The group said it expects its net debt to increase by around £20 million upon … [Read more...] about Stagecoach strikes £20m deal to snap up east London buses

A Norwegian airline has started selling tickets for budget transatlantic flights from Gatwick. Norse Atlantic Airways is offering return trips to New York JFK from £255. Daily flights on the route begin on August 12 using Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. Other US destinations to be served by the carrier will be announced shortly. Recommended What Rishi Sunak announced to tackle the cost of living crisis More Tory MPs withdraw support from PM over ‘shameful’ parties The airline is hoping to succeed where Norwegian Air Shuttle failed. Norwegian operated transatlantic flights with low fares but axed its long-haul operations in January 2021 due to heavy losses. It was founded by Bjorn Kjos , who resigned as chief executive in July 2019 and holds a minority stake in Norse. Bjorn Tore Larsen, boss of Norse, said: “We are very pleased to now be able to welcome customers looking to book great value flights between London Gatwick … [Read more...] about Airline launches ticket sales for Gatwick-New York return flights from £255

The energy crisis has increased the number of people who are thinking about upgrading their homes to ensure that less heat leaks out, new data show. The Office for National Statistics found that 26% of adults in the UK are considering changes to their homes’ energy efficiency, up from 19% last autumn when it asked the question. Energy bills soared by 54% for the average household on a standard variable energy tariff at the beginning of April when the price cap on bills was changed. In October bills are expected to go up more than £800 again to around £2,800, considerably more than double their levels from just a few months ago. The ONS found that among those thinking about the energy efficiency of their homes, 42% were considering improving their insulation, 21% think solar panels might be an option and 32% say they might make other improvements. Recommended What Rishi Sunak announced to tackle the cost of living crisis More Tory MPs … [Read more...] about More people thinking about insulation as energy bills soar, says ONS

Pizza Express has announced that KFC boss Paula MacKenzie will take over the reins at the restaurant chain next month. Ms MacKenzie will join the business as chief executive on June 6, taking the role after David Campbell stepped down last October. The experienced hospitality boss joins Pizza Express from KFC parent firm Yum Brands, where she has led the fried chicken brand’s UK and Ireland business as managing director. She worked for the group for 11 years, having previously worked at brands including Diageo, GlaxoSmithKline and Innocent. Recommended What Rishi Sunak announced to tackle the cost of living crisis More Tory MPs withdraw support from PM over ‘shameful’ parties The appointment comes as Pizza Express continues its turnaround following a major restructuring after the impact of the pandemic. The chain slashed more than 70 restaurants and around 2,400 jobs as it also came under pressure from its heavy debt burden. Last … [Read more...] about Pizza Express poaches KFC boss Paula MacKenzie to lead recovery

A man with autism is taking Sainsbury ’s to court after the supermarket refused to allow his support cat into one of its shops. Ian Fenn trained his black cat Chloe to help him with his daily life. He said Sainsbury’s decision not to allow the feline into its store had limited his independence. Sainsbury’s said it is working with its environmental team to try to find a way for Mr Fenn and his cat to visit safely. Mr Fenn, a designer from London, was recently diagnosed with autism. He struggles with noisy and busy environments. “I get sensory overload in busy environments and tend to shut down. But with Chloe I can focus on her, he told the BBC. Recommended Seven treated for breathing problems after incident at Sainsbury’s store Two in hospital after shoppers suffer breathing problems at Sainsbury’s supermarket Sainsbury’s sued after banning autistic man’s assistance cat from store “She brings structure to my life, she … [Read more...] about Man with autism taking Sainsbury’s to court after refusing entry to his assistance cat

Boris Johnson has said the Government’s emergency cost-of-living support package is a “big bazooka” which will support families until the surge in energy prices abates. The Prime Minister acknowledged the country still faced a “bumpy time” due to the soaring costs of oil and gas, but said he was confident it would emerge in a “much, much stronger position”. Earlier, Chancellor Rishi Sunak – who on Thursday announced a further £21 billion of support for households – indicated that he could not rule out the need for further measures if global prices remain high. But speaking during a visit to Stockton-on-Tees, Mr Johnson appeared to suggest the measures set out in the Commons – with up to £1,200 for eight million homes across the country – should be enough. “What we are doing now is making sure we support people through tough times. It’s a big bazooka,” he said in a pooled clip for broadcasters. Recommended What Rishi Sunak announced to tackle the … [Read more...] about ‘Big bazooka’ support package will get UK through energy crisis, says PM

I find myself more shaken and stricken after this week's latest mass shooting, the elementary school massacre in Uvalde, Texas, that saw 19 children and two teachers slain in cold blood, than I did after other mass shootings in recent years. Part of that is biographical: As an ex-Texan, the son of an elementary school teacher and the owner of a rifle made by the same manufacturer as was the apparent murder weapon, this just hit home a little closer. And part of that, of course, is the sheer nature of the evil incarnate the likes of which decides to go shoot up a schoolhouse. The palpable nature of that profound evil in our midst is yet the latest reminder of the truism, contrary to modern convention though that truism may be, that man is by his nature inclined toward iniquity. As God Himself says in Genesis 8:21 , "The imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth." Naturally inclined toward tradition, conservatives—if perhaps no one else—intuit this. As the great conservative … [Read more...] about The difficult search for answers after Uvalde | Opinion