The head of MI5 is warning today that Islamic State (IS) still poses a threat to Europe, aspiring to commit “devastating” and “more complex” attacks after losing its territory in the Middle East. Andrew Parker will tell a meeting of EU security chiefs in Berlin that 12 terror attacks have been thwarted in the UK in the past 14 months.
Daily Briefing
Advertisement
MI5 chief warns IS still poses threat to Europe
US embassy moves from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem
US President Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka, and her husband Jared Kushner, are in Jerusalem today to see the US embassy open. The embassy is controversially moving from Tel Aviv where most foreign nations keep their diplomatic missions to Israel. The head of al-Qaeda called for a jihad on the US in response to the move.
Brain cancer research to increase in tribute to Jowell
Downing Street announced this morning that government funding for research into cancers which affect the brain will double to £40m, and NHS hospitals will carry out gold standard tumour diagnosis tests, in tribute to Dame Tessa Jowell. The former Labour cabinet minister died on Saturday, after suffering a haemorrhage on Friday.
Britons kidnapped in DR Congo ‘grateful’ for release
Two British tourists who were kidnapped in a national park in the Democratic Republic of Congo say they are “very relieved” and “very grateful” after being released. No details of how their freedom was secured have been given but it is known that a female park ranger, 26-year-old Rachel Masika Baraka, was killed protecting them.
Complaint against homeless charity over deportations
A complaint has been brought to the Charity Commission over the conduct of leading homelessness charity St Mungo’s, which assisted Home Office enforcement officials to identify and unlawfully arrest migrant rough sleepers. The Government is to pay hundreds of thousands in compensation to homeless EU citizens it deported.
Government to invest £2.5bn in nuclear subs
The UK’s nuclear submarine programme is to receive an investment of £2.5bn, Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson is expected to announce today. He will say that the technology will secure the country “from intensifying threats”. It will also help sustain thousands of jobs. A new Astute-class submarine will be built, costing £1.5bn.
Victims of serious crime face immigration arrest
The BBC says it has discovered that more than half of the UK’s police forces hand over victims of crime, some serious, to face arrest over their immigration status. This is despite guidance from the National Police Chiefs Council which says immediate arrest “will not be made” in these circumstances. Campaigners say the practice is unfair.
Most Britons ‘have felt overwhelmed by stress’
A new survey suggests most Britons have felt “overwhelmed” by stress within the past year, with one in three left feeling suicidal and one in six self-harming in response. The research, commissioned by the Mental Health Foundation think tank, is the biggest ever carried out into the impact of stress. Experts say the NHS should do more.
Surprise win for Peaky Blinders at Bafta awards
BBC drama series Peaky Blinders last night confounded predictions of success for Netflix, winning the best drama category. It was a good night for the BBC all round, with Molly Windsor taking the best leading actress award for Three Girls and Sean Bean taking best leading actor for Broken. Netflix won just one major award.
Briefing: Stephen Hawking’s memorial service
Admirers of Stephen Hawking can enter a ballot for a chance to pay their respects in person at a memorial service in his honour at Westminster Abbey next month.
The physicist and author of pop science bestseller A Brief History of Time died at the age of 76 on 14 March and was cremated at a private funeral ceremony in Cambridge on 31 March.
Advertisement
Advertisement