European Council appoints new Commission for 2024-2029 term

Andrew and Tristan Tate will have over £2m seized by police after being accused of tax evasion on £21m in revenues, with Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring ruling their actions as a "straightforward cheat of the revenue". Devon and Cornwall Police brought a civil claim against the brothers, alleging they paid no tax on their online businesses and OnlyFans accounts between 2014 and 2022, with Sarah Clarke KC stating they are "serial tax and VAT evaders"...

French President Emmanuel Macron will not attend the European Council meeting in Brussels to visit Mayotte, an overseas territory in the Indian Ocean hit by Tropical Cyclone Chido. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will represent Macron at the meeting. The cyclone caused significant damage, with 22 dead and 1,373 injured, though the death toll could rise significantly according to local authorities. Full Article

In November, the rate of price rises in the UK increased to 2.6 per cent, driven by higher tobacco duty and petrol costs, according to the Office for National Statistics. The inflation level rose above the Bank of England's 2 per cent target due to increased household energy bills and taxes on tobacco products, leading to concerns about the economy not working for working people. Additionally, food and alcohol prices rose ahead of the festive...

The government has faced backlash for denying compensation to 3.8 million women affected by changes to the state pension age, known as the Waspi women. Despite calls for compensation ranging from £1,000 to £2,950 each, work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall rejected the proposal, sparking criticism from opposition parties and the affected women. The decision has been described as a "day of shame" by the Liberal Democrats, with Labour accused of betraying the Waspi women...

A 30-year-old man has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving after a young boy died in a hit-and-run crash in Smethwick, near Birmingham. The grey Porsche Cayenne collided with a Toyota Auris carrying four adults and the two-year-old boy, leaving two adults in serious condition in the hospital. Sharjeel Shahzad faces multiple charges including driving while disqualified and failing to stop after a collision, and is set to appear in Birmingham Magistrates’ Court...

Despite a series of "precursor" events escalating tensions, police failed to anticipate the threat of far-right disorder after the Southport stabbing, leading to widespread unrest following the killing of three schoolgirls. His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary Andy Cooke emphasized the need for better preparedness to tackle future outbreaks of violence, praising officers' dedication and bravery in ending six days of disorder, during which 302 officers were injured and 54 hospitalised. A rapid review by...