Day: January 1, 2019

    The British government pursued arms deals with Saudi Arabia in the weeks after the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, even as it publicly condemned the murder. Khashoggi was killed by Saudi officials inside the country’s consulate in Istanbul on 2 October, prompting global condemnation and calls for a re-evaluation of ties with the Kingdom. As the UK government called for answers over the dissident’s death, British trade officials responsible for arms sales continued to hold high-level meetings with their Saudi counterparts. A delegation from the Defence and Security Organisation an office within the Department for International Trade that promotes arms exports for UK companies travelled to Riyadh on 14 and 22 October, according to a Freedom of Information requ...

    The stabbing of three people at Manchester Victoria station on New Year's Eve is being treated as a terror related incident, police have confirmed. A 25-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after the attack, which happened shortly before 9pm. Two knives were recovered at the scene and a property is being searched in the Cheetham Hill area. In a briefing on Tuesday morning, police said they were keeping an open mind about the motive. They have not yet confirmed whether the suspect is a British national. A British Transport Police (BTP) sergeant in his 30s was also treated after he was stabbed in the shoulder, but has since been released.

    More than 100,000 spectators gathered in London on Monday evening to watch Europe's largest annual firework display as the world welcomed the new year with a series of spectacular celebrations. With less than three months until Britain leaves the EU, London mayor Sadiq Khan said the display showed Europe that the capital will remain open-minded and outward looking post-Brexit. Big Ben returned to action to kick off the sold-out show Europe's largest annual firework display after a year of renovation works. As London's landmark clock tower chimed, 70,000 projectiles made up of 12,000 fireworks lit up the sky above the capital in an occasion Mr Khan hoped would "send a message of support" to the more than one million European citizens who call the city their home. T...