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No Writer
Jun 21
Edinburgh: Man charged over series of 'anti-Muslim' attacks

Five men - two aged 22, and others aged 24, 27, and 39 - suffered a range of injuries. Three required hospital treatment. None of the injuries are said to be life-threatening. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer had said the incidents appeared to have been motivated by "anti-Muslim hatred". He added: "My thoughts are with those who are injured and I thank the police and the emergency services for their response." Police Scotland confirmed a 36-year-old has been charged - and he will appear in court in due course. On Friday, police received multiple calls about attacks that included threats, robbery and vandalism across the city. Video posted on social media appeared to show a man with a knife, while another showed a topless man on the ground shouting "I'm protecting the country" as he was held by a police officer. The Muslim Engagement and Development organisation said that several of those injured were Muslim. The Scottish Association of Mosques (SAM) said two of those hurt were "reportedly attacked after attending prayers at their local mosque". Sir Keir's comments echoed an earlier statement by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, who said she was "horrified" by news of the attacks. She added: "The suspect appears to be motivated by anti-Muslim hatred. There is no place for hatred and violence against Muslims. I know it is not who we are as a country." Read more from Sky News:Iran says Strait of Hormuz is closed againMurder investigation after boy, 17, stabbedTrump-Meloni row intensifies Attacks 'latest in an alarming pattern' Assistant Chief Constable Catriona Paton said it was a "shocking" incident and that her thoughts were with those affected. She said: "I want to send a clear message of support to all our communities that there is no place for racism or faith-based hate in a Scotland which is at its best when we stand together. "Officers responded to multiple reports of a fast-moving sequence of events across Edinburgh before arresting a man and public safety was our priority. Extensive work is ongoing to establish all the circumstances." SAM said in a statement: "The attacks in Edinburgh are... the latest in an alarming pattern of hostility and violence directed towards Muslims, mosques and Islamic institutions across Scotland. "In recent months, communities have witnessed mosques being targeted, racist incidents directed at Muslim communities, and a broader rise in anti-Muslim rhetoric both online and offline." A police spokesperson said: "The first report originated from around 8.50pm in the Sighthill area, where two men were injured. They were taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary by ambulance. "Over the following period, reports were received about incidents around retailers across the west and north of the city. "During this period, three other men were attacked in the Telford Road and Leith Walk area, suffering differing injuries. "Around 9.30pm, local police officers equipped with [a] Taser confronted a suspect and, although [the] Taser was not discharged, the man was detained." In a statement, First Minister John Swinney said he was "deeply concerned" by the attacks. He added: "There is no place for violence, racism or intolerance in our country. I met community groups last week to assure them of the strong support of the government."

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No Writer
Jun 20
Creditors attack revised TG Jones rescue deal terms | Mark Kleinman blog

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Beth Rigby, political editor
Jun 20
Huge Burnham victory begins to hit home for Starmer - as pressure grows for PM to set out timetable

For now, all is quiet. Andy Burnham has been whisked away from the frontline to spend the weekend with his family, while Sir Keir Starmer has gone to Chequers to reflect on his future with his family. Politics latest - follow live Senior party figures tell me not to expect any public interventions of top Labour figures this weekend, but there is of course, a huge amount going on – and the next few days are going to be critical: As one Burnham ally put it to me on Friday, the prime minister can have a dignified exit or a bloody one, but the die is cast, Burnham is going to become the prime minister. So, what's going on for Sir Keir? He has been adamant that he would fight any contest, and that is what he repeated when he faced the cameras on Friday. But one of those who have had conversations with him tells me that behind closed doors, it is beginning to hit home that he might have to give way, as a growing number of the cabinet and his MPs indicate that he no longer has their support. As Harriet Harman put it to me and Ruth Davidson on our Electoral Dysfunction podcast: "The herd isn't moving; it is stampeding... The Parliamentary Labour Party have made a decision that they're not hanging around with Keir Starmer. "We don't want a situation where cabinet ministers are resigning to try and push Keir Starmer out," says Harman. "One MP who's been a real big Keir Starmer supporter, who's now signed up for Andy Burnham, said to me that he doubts there's even 30 MPs now who actually believe it's possible for Keir Starmer to stay, not that they necessarily don't want him to stay, but they just feel it's over." The scale of Burnham's victory – much bigger than anticipated – has sealed the deal with many MPs, who are now convinced that Burnham is the one that will help Labour keep Reform from its heartlands and save the party from another terrible set of election results next May. "The idea that we can beat Reform has gripped the party," said one senior figure. "The notion is settling that Andy is the only hope, and members are excited that there's a change; their areas won't be taken over by Reform," says one senior source. There is little appetite for a leadership race on the Burnham side or the wider party. Sir Keir has publicly warned that it will tear the party apart, while one cabinet minister told me it would be "awful" to get to a place where the prime minister and rivals tear pieces out of each other in public, trashing the Labour government and destroying Sir Keir's legacy. Wes Streeting has been very vocal about the need for one and says he will run. Others whisper that it might be that he and Burnham do a deal. There are lots of ifs and buts in all of this... I'm told by party insiders that when it comes to MPs, "probably the majority" want the PM to stand down by party conference in September, while a "sizeable number" of cabinet colleagues are privately telling the PM he needs to set out a timetable. Heidi Alexander, the transport secretary, was the latest to do so on Friday. The prime minister told me last week that he would speak to Burnham after the weekend, while Burnham's team also wants a meeting between the two men next week. Many in the party hope that Starmer and Burnham might come to an agreement and arrange something between them. There is a lot of upset and sadness among those around the prime minister as the walls close in and Sir Keir's departure becomes more inevitable. "I feel a sense of bereavement," said one loyalist. "But it hasn't worked out. I never thought we'd be here two years in." For my part, having interviewed the PM on his future a number of times, I think he would like to fight on if he could, and his allies point out to me that "the PM's agency in this shouldn't be underestimated". He has built a £100,000 war chest to fight a contest and has key staff and a leadership website ready to go. But if Sir Keir does not have enough support in his cabinet or his parliamentary party, might he conclude that he cannot fight on? That's why what the cabinet, senior ministers and Labour MPs do in the coming days is so critical.

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No Writer
Jun 21
US Open: Wyndham Clark takes big lead into final day after Scottie Scheffler boosts Grand Slam hopes at Shinnecock Hills

Halfway-leader Clark moved a huge step closer to a second US Open title in four years after another impressive display, in which he capitalised on the best of the conditions and his sublime scrambling to post a level-par 70. The American produced a stunning eagle at the par-five 16th to pull further clear of the field, having already made two birdies and three bogeys in his round, with a final-hole bogey leaving Clark heading into the final day on seven under and one of just five players still in red figures. US Open recap: Third round as it happenedLatest US Open leaderboard and other golf scoresUS Open golf: Latest news, headlines and highlightsGet Sky Sports or stream golf with no contract Clark is in prime position to complete a wire-to-wire victory and second worldwide win in four starts, with 12 of the last 13 players holding a 54-hole lead of six shots or greater in a men's major going on to win. He will now have a Sunday pairing with Scheffler, one of only two players to break par on Saturday, with the world No 1 sitting tied-second on one under as he chases the elusive major required to become just the seventh male to complete the career Grand Slam. Scheffler is joined on one under by Sahith Theegala, Sam Stevens and Tom Kim, with two-time major winner Xander Schauffele among the group on level par, while Matt Fitzpatrick - playing alongside Clark - dropped to one over following a four-over 74. Tommy Fleetwood - runner-up in the 2018 US Open at this venue - and Collin Morikawa join Fitzpatrick in tied-10th, while Rory McIlroy dropped to tied-17th and 10 strokes back after carding five back-nine bogeys in a third-round 73. How Clark extended historic lead at Shinnecock A three-putt bogey at the first saw Clark's overnight lead halved as Stevens - playing two groups ahead - opened with a birdie, only for the 2023 champion to respond with a two-putt birdie at the fifth to get back to seven under. Clark got up and down to save pars over his next two holes but bogeyed the par-four eighth after finding the sand with his approach shot, with a long-range two-putt at the ninth avoiding another dropped shot and seeing him reach the turn two ahead. Stevens started his back nine with successive birdies to hand a four-shot buffer to Clark, who followed further impressive saves at the 10th and 11th by holing from 15 feet to salvage a par at the 13th. Clark saw a five-foot birdie at the 14th cancelled out by a close-range bogey at the next, before the 32-year-old responded with an incredible approach into the par-five 16th and five-foot eagle to jump seven ahead. A three-putt bogey at the par-four last cut Clark's lead but gives him a huge cushion heading into Sunday, the largest in a US Open since McIlroy's wire-to-wire win - and breakthrough major - in the 2011 contest. "If I'm being honest, I feel like my lead should be a little more," Clark told Sky Sports. "I'm frustrated about the 18th [bogey] and the bogey on the 15th. "If you told me at the beginning of the week I'd be taking a six shot lead heading into Sunday, I would obviously take it." Scheffler started seven strokes back and fell further behind after opening with back-to-back bogeys, but responded with four birdies in a six-hole stretch on the back nine - including a spectacular chip-in from off the 14th green - to move to one under. "We've been battling hard for a few days, and I did a good job of keeping myself in the tournament," Scheffler said. "I'll need a really nice round if I'm going to try and catch Wyndham." A round-of-the-day 67 moved Emiliano Grillo into tied-sixth with Schauffele, Keith Mitchell and Sam Burns, while McIlroy heads into the final day 10 strokes behind despite briefly being within four after three consecutive birdies on his front nine. Who will win the US Open? Watch the final round round live on Sunday from 4pm on Sky Sports Golf. Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract.

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No Writer
Jun 21
Sky News award-winning podcast The Wargame to become landmark TV show

Set six months in the future, it will feature a string of real-life political heavyweights, intelligence chiefs and military figures playing out how Britain could respond to a Russian attack on UK soil. Among those taking part is Lord Gove, who will portray the prime minister, alongside Nicola Sturgeon as his deputy and Dame Penny Mordaunt as defence secretary. Programme-makers say the adaptation of the popular podcast will blend constructed documentary with drama, taking viewers beyond the news cycle and behind the closed doors of a sealed, COBR-style crisis room. The series, due to be broadcast on Sky and NOW this September, will show how rolling news bulletins, military and intelligence reports, and unexpected interventions combine to throw up minute-by-minute dilemmas, forcing Lord Gove's "Cabinet" to grapple with decisions that could affect us all. Other leading politicians taking part include Baroness Harman, Baroness Warsi and Jim Murphy, while General Sir Richard Barrons takes up the role as the chief of defence staff. Lord Darroch will portray the UK's national security adviser, with former intelligence officer Christopher Steele as the UK's intelligence chief. Meanwhile, former Trump White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci will play the US secretary of state. Facing off against them will be a team of Russia experts led by author Keir Giles. The simulation has been developed in conjunction with leading academics, military and defence experts, including Sky News' security and defence editor Deborah Haynes. The series will be produced by The Garden, part of ITV Studios, which has been behind programmes such as Attack on London: Hunt for the 7/7 Bombers and 24 Hours in Police Custody. 👉Search for The Wargame on your podcast app👈 Phil Edgar-Jones, executive director of Unscripted Originals at Sky said: "A year ago, Sky News' ground-breaking original podcast The Wargame captivated listeners, shedding light on the impossible choices our country's leaders face under escalating military threat. "Now working with the talented team at The Garden, we're bringing The Wargame to new audiences in a visceral new TV format, which will challenge some of the most experienced political and military minds in the country to imagine how they might respond under threat of war. "At a time when we are facing increasing threats from all sides, this series couldn't be more timely." Nicola Brown, executive producer, The Garden, added: "The news brings a near-constant stream of information about the threats we face as a country, but do we really know what would happen if the UK came under attack, or how prepared we really are? "In a simulated crisis scenario, where actions can have world-changing consequences, The Wargame will put viewers 'in the room' to see first-hand how decisions are made at the highest level. We're thrilled to be working with Sky on this important series."

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No Writer
Jun 19
Daveigh Chase, star of Lilo & Stitch and The Ring, dies aged 35

Chase, a former child star also known for her role as the villain in the 2002 US remake of the Japanese horror film The Ring, reportedly died on Tuesday from complications of bacterial meningitis and a blood infection. Her father, John David Schwallier, told The New York Times that Chase had been homeless in Los Angeles with her boyfriend near the hospital where she died. Mr Schwallier also told the outlet that his daughter had struggled with drugs since she was 13 years old, and that she had been estranged from her parents, who are divorced. He added that he had been in touch with Chase's boyfriend, Roy Hernandez, and arrived at the hospital where she was being treated just before she died. Chase is perhaps best known for her role as Lilo in the 2002 animated film, voicing the eponymous orphaned Hawaiian girl who adopts a genetically engineered extra-terrestrial, whom she names Stitch. She voiced the same character in the subsequent spin-off TV series, which first aired in 2003. For her role as Samara Morgan in The Ring, starring alongside Oscar-nominated actress Naomi Watts, Chase won an MTV movie award for best villain. She landed another prominent voice lead in the English dub of the 2001 Studio Ghibli film Spirited Away, and also appeared in the 2001 movie Donnie Darko and the 2003 show Oliver Beene. Read more from Sky News:Explainer: What's in the US-Iran deal?Teenager dies in horse-drawn carriage accident in New York Chase was born in Las Vegas and raised in Albany, Oregon. According to IMDb, she began singing and dancing at the age of three and starred in her first commercial - for Campbell's Soup - aged seven. An online fundraiser set up by her boyfriend has raised close to $4,000 as of Thursday. A post on the site read: "Many people know her as a talented childhood actor from 'Lilo & Stitch,' 'Spirited Away,' and 'Donnie Darko'. "But behind the scenes, she's faced more than her share of hardship."

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Oscar Bentley, political reporter
Jun 20
Gay and trans conversion therapy ban bill expected to be published

The practice seeks to suppress or change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity. A ban was first promised in July 2018 by then prime minister Theresa May, and it has since been pledged in four of the last five King's or Queen's speeches, where governments set out plans for new laws. Politics latest - follow live Downing Street told reporters on Friday they had no update on when the bill would be published. A government spokesperson has previously told Sky News they would "provide an update on this early in the second session" of parliament, which began in mid-May. "Conversion practices are abuse - such acts have no place in society, and this government is taking a clear stand against them," the spokesperson said. Some religious groups have expressed concern about still being able to offer counsel to people who may be confused about their sexual orientation or gender identity. The bill is expected to be published in draft form next week. This allows ministers to consult on it more widely before MPs begin the process of formally voting on it. But it also means it is likely still some way before a ban finally makes it onto the statute book and gives it a lower chance of completing all its parliamentary stages in the next year. Dr Alice Lily, senior researcher at the independent Institute for Government thinktank, told Sky News that how quickly the ban progresses "will depend a bit on how much policy work has already gone into the draft [bill] and what the response to it is like". "It does feel as though there's a lot in this King's Speech and so a lot to get through... given everything else [the government] is committing to, it might be tricky to get that particular bill turned around and passed within the session," she added. Read more:Gay conversion is still legal - why hasn't that changed yet?Draft bill will ban gay conversion practices Labour MP Kate Osborne previously told Sky News she was concerned that the conversion therapy ban is the "only bill [in the King's Speech] that specifies draft". "It just gives people more opportunity to frustrate what is an already delayed and very necessary bill," she said. However, she said she believes ministers do have "every intention of pushing this through as soon as possible". May's King's Speech contained 37 bills, a high number compared to many speeches in recent years. Labour MP Rachel Taylor said she welcomes the government's commitment to passing a ban. "LGBT+ people have waited for far too long for this vital bill, so I welcome the government's commitment to passing it, and particularly that it will be trans-inclusive. "Conversion practices are abuse, and it is high time the law made that crystal clear," she added. LGBTQ+ rights charity Stonewall previously told Sky News it welcomes "the government's commitment to publish a draft bill to ban conversion practices". But it pointed to the number of times a ban has been promised by successive governments and said, "We have been here too many times before". It said the government must "publish a draft bill before parliament breaks for the summer recess". Publishing the bill next week would meet this challenge. Ian Tucker-Bell was subject to conversion therapy by his church between the ages of 17 and 20 in the late 1980s. He said he was "glad to hear" the bill is being published, although he is "keen to see the detail". Referring to previous delays, he had told Sky News he didn't "understand why this is so difficult to ban" and asked: "What other form of abuse would have so much delay in banning?" Mr Tucker-Bell added he was on "the impatient side of eager to get this over the line, but at the same time I recognise our due processes take time." "I just hope there is the will, determination, and momentum to get us to the finish line."

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No Writer
Jun 20
Roy Keane dismisses Scotland penalty claims in Morocco defeat: 'Scott McTominay is looking to go down'

Steve Clarke's side knew victory would guarantee a place in the knockout stages of a major tournament for the first time, but they were rocked after just 70 seconds when Ismail Saibari struck. John McGinn appealed for a penalty not long after the restart after being brought down by Neil El Aynaoui, but it was deemed a fair challenge. There was more penalty controversy when the Napoli midfielder McTominay went down under another dubious challenge from El Aynaou. But, again, the appeals were waved away. As it happened | Teams | Stats | Group C guideWorld Cup day-by-day schedule | Latest: World CupFollow our World Cup coverage in the Sky Sports App Keane said on ITV: "I don't think it's a penalty, he's looking to go down. It's a physical game. The referee let a lot go in the game, players were going down which would normally be a free-kick. So the referee had that attitude throughout the game especially in the box." Sky Sports' Kris Boyd shared a similar view, though thought the McGinn challenge had more merit than the McTominay claim, saying: "For me, the McTominay one wasn't a penalty. The one on John McGinn I've seen given. Once it wasn't given on the field, it was never going to be overturned." Scotland boss Steve Clarke said: "Everybody is talking about the Scott McTominay [penalty incident]. I actually looked at the John McGinn one, which was 50-50. Some referees would give it, some don't. Sometimes VAR will get involved. "I was also a bit 50-50 with Che Adams one where he was last man. He has a chance to go through and he is brought down. Again, the VAR chooses yellow and backs the referee. There's nothing we can do about that." VOTE: Should Scotland have had a penalty... Or two? 'I've never been in a game like that' Scotland midfielders Ryan Christie and Lewis Ferguson also spoke on the McTominay and McGinn claims post-match, and both claimed that they thought that referee Ilgiz Tantashev was too lenient throughout proceedings. Bournemouth star Christie said: "The one on McGinn I had a pretty good look at. I thought it could definitely be given. Not much was being given throughout the game to be honest. I've never been in a game like that, especially at this level. It's normally stricter than that. That's the most lenient I've seen." Ferguson concurred, adding: "The first thing I thought was foul. I don't know why John or Scott would go down in the box if it wasn't a foul. I thought the referee let a lot go for both teams which I was pretty surprised about. I'd have to see it back before I make a clearer comment." Adam: Recovering defender key in Adams incident Former Scotland international Charlie Adam agreed that the Scots should've had a penalty for the challenge on McGinn, but gave an alternative view on Clarke's claim about the red card for a last man challenge on Adams. He told Sky Sports: "I thought the John McGinn one was a definite penalty. I also get what Steve's talking about with Che Adams. The problem is his distance from the goal. There may have been an opportunity for the recovering defender. "It's a clear foul. Maybe where the ball is going through to the goalkeeper. Would he have actually gotten on the end of it." Clarke: I wish we could've started again! After beating Haiti in their Group C opener, Clarke's side needed only a draw against the AFCON champions at the Boston Stadium to all-but guarantee a spot in the knockout stages. They still have a 70 per cent chance of doing just that, according to Opta supercomputer predictions, but on the pitch Morocco showed why they are ranked sixth in the world, scoring through Saibari after 70 seconds - the earliest goal Scotland have conceded at a World Cup. Scotland could still reach the last 32 if they finish on three points but a draw against Brazil in Miami next week would significantly boost their chances of a first-ever appearance in the knockout stage. On the Morocco goal, Clarke said: "I wish we could start again! We lost a poor goal, we tried to step up when you want to track runners early in the game. We didn't defend it well, and that's why we went 1-0 down. "I thought in the second period of the first half after the hydration break, we were good. We were good in the game, we had good momentum and carried that into the second half and had a right go. "I'm proud of the players but we're all devastated and disappointed we didn't get the result we wanted to carry on in this tournament as long as we can."

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