United Kingdom

    A defiant Boris Johnson told friends he had no intention of apologising for his outspoken comments about Saudi Arabia during a trip to the Gulf and hit out at party critics who said he might be better suited to another job in government. The foreign secretary delivered a carefully crafted speech in Bahrain on Friday evening, playing up the economic and strategic links between London and the Gulf States, while allies said he would be “open, honest and moral in his approach” regarding political issues in the region. On Thursday, Johnson was rebuked by Downing Street after it emerged he had accused Saudi Arabia of being among countries engaged in fighting “proxy wars” in the Middle East, breaking the Foreign Office’s convention of not criticising a key UK ally in the region. ...

    Steve Ballas, a businessman, said he received a call from a friend on Wednesday informing him that his three-bedroom suburban house was being demolished. “I thought he was joking at first,” he told Fairfax Media. “Then I realised he wasn’t and I ran out ... leaving a work colleague in charge.” The mix-up occurred because Mr Ballas’s house was incorrectly numbered as 200 Marion Street in the Sydney suburb of Bankstown, even though his street number is 198. Adding to the confusion, his neighbour was incorrectly numbered as 202. The property before it was demolished “The owner of the [demolition] company was on another job and raced over here when he heard, he was speechless," Mr Ballas said. "He was looking at it and looking at me and I just said there's nothing you can do…n...

    The businesswoman spearheading the Brexit legal challenge has told impatient Leave voters they should "go and knock on Number 10". Gina Miller, an investment manager and philanthropist, has become the figurehead of the legal challenge which argues Theresa May should not be able to trigger Article 50 to begin Brexit proceedings without a vote by MPs. On 3 November, the High Court ruled in favour of Mrs Miller and the Government appealed, sending the case to the Supreme Court. The country's top judges have spent the past four days hearing arguments from both sides and a final decision is expected in January. Ms Miller, 51, spoke to Sky's Political Editor Faisal Islam after the conclusion of the Supreme Court hearing on Thursday evening. When asked what she would say to the 5...

    Prime Minister Theresa May has chosen three pictures by schoolchildren from her Maidenhead constituency for her Christmas cards – and these are the lucky winners. The colourful designs drawn by five-year-old Isabelle Milnes, 11-year-old Jade Winsor and 11-year-old Sophie Brazil – all show 10 Downing Street decked out for the festive season.

    A touching letter from Princess Diana sent the year she divorced Prince Charles is up for auction. In the handwritten letter sent to Spinal Research charity worker Simon Barnes, the princess revealed she was looking forward to seeing the back of of 1996. But Diana showed she was always thinking of others, telling her friend: "I hope 1997 will be a happy year for you." The letter is being sold online with Boston-based RR Auction. In the letter dated December 21st 1996, Diana wrote: Thank you so much for thinking of me at Christmas time After all the changes that have taken place this year it’s marvellous of you to be so thoughtful. I hope 1997 will be a happy year for you—personally I can’t wait to get out of this one! 1996 was the year Charles and Diana divorced, having an...

    A child of six could see the flaws in the Government's legal argument in the Brexit case, the Supreme Court has been told. The High Court ruled last month that Article 50 cannot be triggered without a Westminster vote. The Government is appealing that decision at the Supreme Court, arguing the Prime Minister can use prerogative powers to start Brexit. On the fourth and final day of the legal challenge, the 11 judges heard from the Scottish and Welsh governments. Richard Gordon QC said the Welsh Assembly was not trying to stall Brexit. But he said Mrs May bypassing MPs to start Brexit would establish "a new constitutional order". He told the court "a child of six" could see the "flaw" in the Government's legal case. © Getty Businesswoman Gina Miller arrives at the Supreme C...

    A woman has described her joy at giving birth to her own grandson after stepping in as a surrogate for her cancer survivor daughter. Julie Bradford, 45, said she felt compelled to carry Jack for daughter Jessica Jenkins, 21, who was left unable to have children after suffering cervical cancer . Ms Jenkins was just 18 when she had her eggs frozen before the treatment began. Three years on, her own mother has had her healthy baby. Baby Jack was born weighing 6lb 10oz to Ms Bradford, already a mother of three, who is now both his birth mother and grandmother. Ms Jenkins, 21, said: "My mam is the most brave and amazing woman in the world. I love her so much for giving me my son. "From a young age I longed to become a mother and our dream has come true. Jack is perfect in every...

    Amir Khan's wife Faryal Makhdoom sent shockwaves through the Asian community this week when she took to Snapchat to make allegations of bullying against her in-laws. In screenshots shared by the 23-year-old she alleged that her husband had gone above and beyond for his family but jealousy prevented them from fully embracing her as his wife. "Don't get your sons married if you're going to abuse and bully the wife. I've always been so quiet but seriously, this message is for everyone! When you bring someone's daughter, treat her as your own. Your son will be much happier and so will you." Although her decision to go public with the domestic dispute triggered accusations of "airing her dirty laundry", the avid social media user was also described as brave for speaking out. "D...

    Prince Harry could have breached Buckingham Palace protocol as he reportedly made a detour to Canada to visit girlfriend Meghan Markle, following his official tour of the Caribbean. According to the Daily Mail, Harry was expected to fly back to London on Sunday (4 December), but changed plans and boarded a flight to Toronto to visit his lady love. The report also claimed that the 32-year-old was required to be back in Britain by the morning of 7 December to attend a charity event in London. Kensington Palace refused to commenton whether the prince boarded a flight to Canada, but officials previously briefed the media and said that the prince would return immediately to Britain on a commercial flight funded by taxpayers following his 15-day tour. An official was previously ...

    Holyrood Transport Minister Humza YousafHolyrood Transport Minister Humza Yousaf made an “honest mistake” after a routine roadside check found he was driving with no insurance. The Scottish Government minister said he would not be contesting the charge after he got behind the wheel of a friend’s car when he was not insured to drive other vehicles. Police Scotland pulled the car over on the A835 near Dingwall at around 7pm on Friday December 2, the Scottish Sun reported. Transport Minister Humza Yousaf at Edinburgh Waverley stationIt is understood he was sharing the driving with a friend on the way to a St Andrew’s Night dinner in Ullapool in the Scottish Highlands at the time. The incident comes at a time when Mr Yousaf is under pressure at Holyrood over the performance on...