Gerry Adams asks judge to throw out claims against Provisional IRA // Lawyers for former Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams have asked a judge to throw out damage claims brought against the Provisional IRA (PIRA). Victims of bombings in London and Manchester are suing Mr Adams and the PIRA for nominal damages of £1. Legal arguments were outlined at a preliminary High Court hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice in London. Mr Adams said claims against the PIRA should be struck out.
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough mayor faced bullying allegations // A mayor faced allegations of bullying, harassment and creating a toxic culture, according to a new report. Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Mayor Dr Nik Johnson was deemed to have breached the organisation's code of conduct earlier this month. Investigators cleared him of bullying but found he breached civility and disrepute rules.
Child vaping health dangers highlighted by new campaign // A new campaign warning parents, carers and children of the dangers of vaping has been launched by the Scottish government. It is part of a plan to save thousands of lives a year by making the country tobacco-free by 2034.
Melissa Barrera: Actress fired from Scream 7 over Israel-Gaza posts // Actress Melissa Barrera has been fired from the next Scream film sequel after its makers said her pro-Palestinian social media posts were antisemitic. The star has posted regularly about the Israel-Gaza conflict, including resharing one post that accused Israel of "genocide and ethnic cleansing". Production company Spyglass said it had "zero tolerance for antisemitism". Meanwhile, Susan Sarandon has been dropped by her Hollywood agency after speaking at a pro-Palestinian rally.
A$AP Rocky must face trial on charges of firing gun at childhood friend // Rapper A$AP Rocky will stand trial on charges that he fired a pistol in a feud with a former childhood friend, a Los Angeles judge has ruled. The decision came on Monday during the second day of a preliminary hearing, which was attended by A$AP Rocky, real name Rakim Mayers. Prosecutors say Mr Mayers, 35, pointed and fired a handgun at Terell Ephron two years ago, causing minor injuries. Mr Mayers, who has two children with singer Rihanna, has pleaded not guilty.
I'm A Celebrity: Nella Rose says Nigel Farage is 'anti-immigrants' // Nella Rose has accused Nigel Farage of being anti-immigration on Wednesday's episode of ITV's I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! The YouTuber said the former politician wanted people like her "gone" from the UK whilst discussing his policies to reduce immigration. Rose said she had read online that Farage was "anti-immigrants". She also asked why black people didn't like him.
Marlon Samuels: Former West Indies batter banned for six years after anti-corruption breach // Former West Indies batter Marlon Samuels has been banned from all cricket for six years for breaching anti-corruption rules following an independent tribunal hearing. Samuels was found guilty by the International Cricket Council in August this year of breaking four rules during the 2019 Abu Dhabi T10 league. The 42-year-old retired from all professional cricket in November 2020. He won the T20 World Cup twice, top-scoring for West Indies in both finals. Samuels played 71 Tests, 207 one-day internationals and 67 T20s for West Indies between 2000 and 2018.
Davis Cup Finals 2023: Novak Djokovic seals Serbia's win over Great Britain // Great Britain are out of the Davis Cup after Cameron Norrie was unable to inflict a rare defeat on Novak Djokovic to keep alive their semi-final hopes. Britain's Jack Draper lost 7-6 (7-2) 7-6 (8-6) to Miomir Kecmanovic in the opening match of the best-of-three tie. That result meant Norrie had to beat 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic for the first time in his career. But Djokovic showed his class as he cruised to a 6-4 6-4 win and set Serbia up for a semi-final against Italy.
Kelvin Kiptum: From borrowing shoes to breaking world records // When Kelvin Kiptum lined up for his first major local competition in 2018, Kenya's new marathon icon did it in borrowed running shoes because he could not afford a pair of his own. At this month's Chicago marathon, as he set an awe-inspiring world record of two hours and 35 seconds, times really were changing as he sported the latest in Nike's array of 'super-shoes' - which some say helped him achieve his feat. As the 23-year-old flies across the world's toughest courses, the story of his rise in marathon running is just as incredible as the strides he takes.
Austerity warning for public services after tax cuts // The cost of the tax cuts in the Autumn Statement will hit spending on public services, think tanks have warned. Spending is set for the biggest cut - factoring in rising prices - since the coalition government's austerity measures, the Institute for Fiscal Studies and Resolution Foundation said. The Resolution Foundation said the cuts were "completely undeliverable".
NatWest shares could be sold to public, says Hunt // The government is considering selling some of its remaining shares in NatWest to the general public, the chancellor has said. In the Autumn Statement, Jeremy Hunt said he would "explore options" for a retail share offer in the next year. However, he added any sale would be "subject to market conditions and achieving full value for money". The Treasury still owns 39% of the firm after a £46bn bailout of the bank during the 2008 financial crisis.
Cruise giant Carnival UK accused of plan to fire and rehire 900 crew // A leading cruise ship company is being accused of a plan to fire more than 900 staff members if they do not accept new terms and conditions for their job. Carnival UK, owner of P&O Cruises and Cunard, notified authorities of the "fire and rehire" plan one day after beginning talks with union members. The Nautilus union said it showed the cruise firm had "no real intention to engage" in meaningful negotiations. Carnival UK said it was "not making any redundancies".