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Kidnapper convicted of FIFTY crimes since arriving illegally aged 14 wins bid to stay in UK as judge rules he’d be ‘mistreated’ in Kosovo for being Roma
A man convicted of 50 criminal offences, including kidnapping, has successfully appealed against deportation from the UK. Avdi Alija, 39, who arrived illegally aged 14, was part of a gang that kidnapped a man at knifepoint in 2018 and held him captive with threats of violence. An immigration judge ruled he can remain in Britain,…
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Russell Findlay made the best of the dire hand he was dealt. But now there are breaks in the clouds – and he and the Scottish Conservatives have cause for optimism
Russell Findlay is heading into his Scottish Conservative conference speech with some reason for optimism, despite the party’s sharp fall in the Holyrood elections. The article argues that his 12 MSPs represent a better outcome than many expected, given the UK Conservatives’ unpopularity and Reform’s challenge, and that the party’s prospects may improve as its…
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Bridalwear shop owner who hung naughty boy, 7, on hook until his face turned blue is cleared of wrongdoing
A Canadian bridalwear shop co-owner who was found guilty of assaulting a seven-year-old boy by hanging him from a coat hook received an absolute discharge. The judge said the child struggled to breathe, but concluded that the unusual circumstances and the shop owner’s lack of malicious intent meant a discharge would not be contrary to…
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Shivon Zilis says Elon Musk ended relationship without warning
Shivon Zilis says Elon Musk ended their relationship without warning, describing the sudden breakup as painful and expressing hope they can remain friends and co-parent. Her account matters because the two share four children, and she is also an executive at Neuralink, Musk’s brain implant company. Zilis, 40, shared her feelings in a post on…
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California father of newborn triplets killed in mistaken identity case
Avtar Singh, a 57-year-old father of newborn triplets, was kidnapped from a Sikh temple in Tracy, California, and later found murdered near Lake Berryessa. Investigators believe he was mistaken for another man, making the case a stark example of the harm caused when a crime is directed at the wrong person. Police have identified Alberto…
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Hochul says officials failed woman in reopened Cornell assault case
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has appointed Attorney General Letitia James to lead the reopened investigation into an alleged 2024 assault involving a Cornell University student, saying the woman was failed by officials and institutions. The move follows Hochul’s loss of confidence in the local prosecutor and renewed attention after the woman filed a civil…
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Why do I have to pay for buses if I don’t use a smartphone? | Letter
Owen Fraser argues that cheaper bus fares should be available to passengers who do not use a smartphone. He says app-only discounts make accessible public transport depend on a passenger’s choice of phone software, adding to costs during a cost-of-living squeeze. Fraser lives in Scotland, where under-22s can travel free using a physical national entitlement…
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Mother accused of murdering her newborn baby ‘who was stabbed 15 times and dumped on washing machine’ appears in court alongside three other Slovakian nationals
Four Slovakian nationals have appeared at Sheffield Crown Court charged with murdering newborn Maria Skopova, who died on the day she was born. The case also includes allegations of causing or allowing a child’s death and cleaning the scene to obstruct justice; all charges remain allegations. Maria was found in a towel inside a blue…
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Rail leasing bosses earned £3.5m as firms paid £400m in dividends
The chief executives of three private companies that lease trains to Britain’s railways received a combined £3.5m in salary last year, whilst their companies distributed nearly £400m to shareholders in dividends. This has drawn criticism from rail unions who argue that these rolling stock companies are prioritising shareholder profits over the interests of passengers, particularly…
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Legal500 apologises after website update exposes critical legal reviews
Legal500 accidentally published unredacted, unflattering testimonials about leading barristers and law firms after an error during a website update. The incident prompted an uproar among legal professionals and matters because the directory is known for its annual rankings and generally flattering reviews. The published comments criticised billing, clerks’ responsiveness and lawyers’ work, describing some as…