Intense hailstorm smashes car windows in Missouri

Large hailstones battered parked cars in Jefferson City, Missouri in the early hours of Saturday (March 28th) morning, smashing windscreens. Witnesses said the hailstones were three inches (7.62 cm).

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  • The Trump family made it clear they won’t go without a fight – even if that means a ridiculous one

    To quote Don Jr’s favourite Disney character, Uncle Scar: Run. Run away, and never return

  • Biden gets controversial Trump officials to resign in first act on inauguration day

    Two controversial figures forced to stand down as federal government set for reboot

  • COVID deaths reach record high, as Sage adviser warns government is 'divided against itself'

    The warning came as the UK reported a record number of daily deaths for the second time in a week.

  • UAE virus cases surge despite world-leading vaccine programme

    Despite a world-leading vaccine programme, the United Arab Emirates is struggling to contain surging coronavirus infections, driven in part by reluctance to shut down its vital tourism sector. The UAE announced on Tuesday it had administered a total of two million vaccine doses, including to over one percent of its population in the past week. The country is now leading the world in the speed of its roll-out, according to Dr Said Al Dhaheri, spokesman for the UAE’s National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority. With nearly 21 percent of the UAE’s population of 10 million having received a first jab, only Israel has vaccinated a higher proportion of its people. But infection rates in the UAE have nearly tripled in the past month, with authorities reporting 3,506 new cases on Wednesday, the ninth day of record high infections. Six new deaths were reported, increasing the country’s toll to 762. The spiking cases have alarmed the UK enough for it to close its travel corridor to the popular holiday destination, meaning those returning from the UAE must now self-isolate for 10 days. The restriction is a particular blow for the tourism-dependent emirate of Dubai, which is home to about 240,000 British expatriates. Since reopening for tourism last July, the emirate has billed itself as the perfect pandemic holiday destination. With Emirates flying five daily flights to Heathrow, aviation data analysis firm OAG reported that London to Dubai was the busiest air traffic route worldwide in the first week of January. Beach clubs are advertising pool parties with DJs and restaurants are hosting unlimited food and drink brunches. Hotel occupancy rates reached 71 percent in December, according to data provider STR. But the cost of staying open meant that the more contagious strain of the coronavirus, first detected in the UK in mid-December, had arrived in the UAE by the end of last year. The UK’s decision to remove the UAE from the travel corridor – made “following a significant increase in both the level and pace of change in confirmed cases” – will hit Dubai hard, experts said. "Brits make up such an important proportion of tourists and investors in Dubai," David Tarsh, spokesman for travel data-analysis firm ForwardKeys, told the Associated Press. "Cutting that pipeline... is a complete disaster for the city." When the UAE launched its national vaccination campaign in December, it hoped a speedy roll-out could contain the outbreak. “Vaccination is our choice to triumph over the virus and recover as soon as possible," the Minister of Health and Prevention AbdulRahman bin Mohammed Al Owais said in a statement on Wednesday. Using both the Chinese Sinopharm vaccine and the Pfizer-BioNTech version, the government aims to have vaccinated half the population by the end of March. In the meantime it has implemented other measures to contain the outbreak, including requiring government employees who have not yet received two doses of the vaccine to take a PCR test weekly. Last week, Abu Dhabi started phase three clinical trials of Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine. The UAE currently ranks fifth worldwide for vaccine availability, after the UK, US, China and Israel, Dr Al Dhaheri said.

  • Government 'looking very carefully' at Pfizer vaccine after 'real world effectiveness' claims

    Israel has warned that the vaccine could drop to 33% effectiveness after the first dose, while the UK continues to wait weeks before providing the booster jab.

  • Trump extended Secret Service protection for 13 members of his family as he left office

    Added security detail will be deployed for six more months, and cost tax payers millions

  • 'Palace Four' to reveal whether Meghan Markle gave private information to the authors of Finding Freedom

    The “Palace Four” will reveal whether the Duchess of Sussex gave private information to the authors of Finding Freedom, indirectly or otherwise, they have confirmed. The four, who were among the Duchess’s closest and most senior royal aides, insisted they would remain “strictly neutral” and had no interest in helping either side in her legal action against the Mail on Sunday. In a letter lodged with the High Court on their behalf, Samantha Cohen, her former private secretary, Christian Jones, former deputy communications secretary, Jason Knauf, former communications secretary and Sara Latham, former communications director, said they would also provide evidence about the creation of the letter Meghan sent to her father, as well as the draft, and whether she expected it to be made public. The prospect of new information could deal a blow to the Duchess’s attempt to have the case decided without a trial. Antony White QC, for Associated Newspapers, owner of the Mail on Sunday, said the four could clearly “shed light” on the issues at stake, noting that the case “cried out” for further investigation. “The evidential picture at trial is likely to be very different from the one presently before the court,” he added.

  • Joe Biden sworn in as 46th President of the United States and declares: ‘Democracy has prevailed’

    “It’s time for boldness”

  • Coronavirus: Vaccinators could lose their licences for giving second doses prematurely

    ‘There is a complete refusal at the highest levels to grant permission for second doses before 12 weeks’

  • People are ‘jumping the Covid vaccine queue’ due to IT loophole - EXCLUSIVE

    Standard investigation: People have secured illicit jabs through links meant for NHS staff and vulnerable

  • China bans Trump cabinet officials from ever doing business with country

    US politicians have ‘promoted and executed series of crazy moves which have gravely interfered in China’s internal affairs, undermined China’s interests, offended Chinese people, and seriously disrupted China-US relations,’ Chinese Foreign Ministry says

  • The list of people Donald Trump pardoned on his last day in office (and the reasons why)

    In his last day in office as US president, Donald Trump granted pardons to 73 people and commuted the sentences of another 70. Below are some of the details given by the White House of who was chosen, and why. Todd Boulanger – Full pardon In 2008, Mr Boulanger pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit honest services fraud. He has taken full responsibility for his conduct. Mr Boulanger is a veteran of the United States Army Reserves and was honorably discharged. He has also received an award from the City of the District of Columbia for heroism for stopping and apprehending an individual who assaulted an elderly woman with a deadly weapon on Capitol Hill. Abel Holtz – Full pardon Mr Holtz is 86. In 1995, he pled guilty to one count of impeding a grand jury investigation and was sentenced to 45 days in prison. Rick Renzi – Full pardon In 2013, Mr Renzi - a father of 12 - was convicted of extortion, bribery, insurance fraud, money laundering, and racketeering. He was sentenced to two years in Federal prison, two years of supervised release, and paid a $25,000 fine. Before his conviction, he served three terms in the House of Representatives. His constituents considered him a strong advocate for better housing, quality education, and improved healthcare—especially for the underprivileged and Native Americans. Kenneth Kurson – Full pardon Prosecutors have charged Mr Kurson with cyberstalking related to his divorce from his ex-wife in 2015. In a letter to the prosecutors, Mr. Kurson’s ex-wife wrote on his behalf that she never wanted this investigation or arrest and, “repeatedly asked for the FBI to drop it… I hired a lawyer to protect me from being forced into yet another round of questioning. My disgust with this arrest and the subsequent articles is bottomless…” Casey Urlacher – Full pardon Mr Urlacher, the Mayor of Mettawa, Illinois, has been charged with conspiracy to engage in illegal gambling. Throughout his life, he has been committed to public service and has consistently given back to his community. Carl Andrews Boggs – Full pardon In 2013, Mr Boggs pled guilty to two counts of conspiracy. Since his release, he has rebuilt his company, has employed hundreds of people, and has dedicated countless hours and financial resources to his community. Jaime A Davidson – Sentence commuted In 1993, Mr Davidson was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment in relation to the murder of an undercover officer. Notably, witnesses who testified against him later recanted their testimony in sworn affidavits and further attested that Mr Davidson had no involvement. The admitted shooter has already been released from prison.

  • Buffy the Vampire Slayer's Sarah Michelle Gellar posts tribute for character's 40th birthday

    "In her honor let's all be brave."

  • Queen sends private message to President Biden

    During the Queen’s 68-year reign there have now been 14 American presidents.

  • In pictures: Storm Christoph causes flooding chaos across UK

    The UK is bracing itself as Storm Christoph continues to cause chaos across large parts of the country.Major incidents have already been declared in Greater Manchester and South Yorkshire amid amber and yellow weather warnings for the storm, which could also bring snow to northern areas.More than 120mm of rain has already fallen in parts of the country, with 123.4mm at Honister Pass in Cumbria in the 24 hours up to 6am on Wednesday.Nearby Seathwaite saw the second-highest total, with 107.2mm, and some isolated spots could see up to 200mm, the Met Office said.Almost the whole of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland are subject to yellow weather warnings for rain until midday on Thursday, with a more serious amber warning stretching from the East Midlands to the Lake District.The amber alert warns of the risk of flooding and deep floodwaters which could pose a risk to life, and there are further yellow warnings for snow and ice in Scotland.Met Office forecaster Grahame Madge described Christoph as “quite a slow-moving system” which is bringing “a variety of weather” to the UK.Fifty flood warnings have been issued across England, with 175 less severe flood alerts.

  • Cheryl Baker: Financial struggles of pandemic have left me penniless

    The Bucks Fizz singer has admitted she does not have enough money to pay her tax bill.

  • Youngest and oldest pupils set to go back to school first under 'phased return' plan

    The youngest and oldest pupils will return to classrooms first once schools reopen, under plans being considered by the SNP. John Swinney, the education secretary, said on Wednesday that it was likely that there would be a “phased” return for pupils once face-to-face teaching resumes. He revealed that this could mean very young primary pupils returning first, along with older secondary pupils who have upcoming qualifications. Special schools could also be allowed to welcome back pupils sooner. Although exams have been cancelled this year, pupils still need to be assessed through coursework and by their teachers.

  • Theresa May Attacks Boris Johnson Over UK's Global Position

    Former Prime Minister Theresa May has accused Boris Johnson of “abandoning” Britain’s “moral leadership”. Mrs May wrote an article in the Daily Mail to mark the inauguration of Joe Biden as US President. In her article, she criticised again Mr Johnson’s threat to break international law over Brexit and his decision to cut the overseas aid budged below 0.7% of national income. This comes just a few months after the Prime Minister was criticised for leaving the House of Commons as his predecessor began speaking. Mrs May also said that Mr Biden’s presidency represented a “golden opportunity” for Britain.

  • Susanna Reid Roasts Priti Patel Over Christmas Lockdown Rules During Tense Good Morning Britain Interview

    The presenter accused the government of attempting to blame the British public for a rise in coronavirus cases.

  • Latest weekly Covid-19 rates for local authority areas in England

    Just one in 20 local areas have recorded a week-on-week rise in rates.