Labour cronyism row escalates as Tories demand investigation into donor’s appointment to Treasury

In England, the Geminid meteor shower is currently peaking, offering stargazers the chance to witness dozens of shooting stars in just a few hours. The shower was visible from Northumberland to Somerset, with striking photos capturing the celestial scene. Photographer Lee Reid had a lucky viewing spot in Lindisfarne, Northumberland, and described the experience as exciting and rewarding. Full Article

Mohammad Khan, 29, was sentenced to more than 15 years in prison for opening fire with a Skorpion submachine gun in Smethwick. The incident occurred following a dispute, with Khan firing in the direction of a man standing in a doorway, damaging property. No injuries were reported, and Khan was arrested and charged with possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life after being tracked down by West Midlands Police. Full Article

The Independent is seeking support to continue reporting on important issues such as reproductive rights, climate change, and Big Tech. They rely on donations to fund their investigative journalism and documentary production. A pro-Labour tax expert has called on Sir Keir Starmer to reverse the decision to charge a death tax on family farms worth over £1m, suggesting a £20m threshold instead to target rich landowners. The expert's intervention has been praised by farmers and...

The residents of Britain's happiest places to live, such as Woodbridge in East Suffolk, praised the strong community spirit and lush green surroundings of their beloved homes. Woodbridge topped this year's list compiled by Rightmove, with last year's winner Richmond-upon-Thames coming in second. Residents highlighted factors such as pride in their hometown, sense of belonging, community spirit, and recreational opportunities as reasons for their happiness. Full Article

During a visit to Georgia, Lithuanian MEP Rasa Juknevičienė criticized the presidency of Thrusting Kavelashvili, noting his lack of higher education and anti-Western stance. The country has faced political turmoil, with protests against unfair electoral practices and the ruling Georgian Dream party, as well as the government's withdrawal from EU accession talks. The EU has urged Georgian Dream to respect the wishes of the people, while sanctions have been imposed by Ukraine and some EU...

Top diplomats from the United States, the Arab League, and Turkey are meeting in Jordan to discuss plans for Syria's transition from the deposed government of Bashar Assad, with 12 foreign ministers and officials from the EU and UN in attendance in Aqaba. The absence of Syrian representatives at the meeting raises concerns about the region's stability, especially with ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon. The U.S. is also pushing for a ceasefire in Gaza...