Prague: shock after gunman kills 14
21 Dec 2023
A gunman has killed at least 14 people and injured another 25 at a university in the historic city centre of Prague. It was the deadliest attack in modern Czech history. Staff and students barricaded themselves in rooms during the attack; videos showed some people jumping to safety from the top of the building, and many fleeing the area in panic. Police say the 24-year-old gunman was ‘eliminated’ following the shootings. Prime minister Petr Fiala said he had cancelled upcoming engagements in light of the tragic events. The gunman, a student at the university, was from a village 13 miles outside Prague. His father had been found dead earlier in the day. The gunman's motives were not immediately known. He legally owned multiple firearms: the Czech Republic has the most permissive gun laws in the EU.
The Half Way House pub in Blackpool has initiated a 'giftmas' tree project to provide Christmas presents for nearly 200 underprivileged children. Traditional decorations on the tree were replaced with tags indicating an anonymous child's age and gender. Patrons were encouraged to pick a tag and donate a suitable gift. This initiative led to over 185 children receiving gifts for Christmas. The landlords highlighted the importance of the project, acknowledging that many children might not receive gifts otherwise. The presents will be distributed through Blackpool's Children's Services. This initiative is significant in the UK, where around 4.2 million children live in poverty, and research suggests one in five might not receive a Christmas present. Following the success of this scheme, other pubs in the same chain are following suit. The chain’s marketing manager praised the initiative for demonstrating the pivotal role pubs play in their communities, ensuring that many children will have gifts to open this Christmas.
Cambridge United Football Club, inspired by Baptist minister and fan Simon Cragg, has introduced an official club carol titled 'United at Christmas' to connect football enthusiasts with the teachings of Jesus. This unique carol was a highlight of a 1,000-person carol service at Abbey Stadium, attended by players, staff, and fans. It was also featured at halftime during the club’s FA Cup match against Fleetwood. The lyrics of 'United at Christmas' use football-related imagery to convey themes of love, hope, and peace, and include references to the club's nickname and historical Christian narratives. Club director Graham Daniels, a former player and head of Christians in Sport, noted the growing openness to faith in football. He credits past Christian footballers like Gavin Peacock and Cyril Regis for setting strong examples of faith in the sport, leading to a cultural shift where being a devout Christian and a professional footballer is respected.
Two teenagers, aged 16, were convicted of murdering 16-year-old transgender girl Brianna Ghey in Cheshire. Brianna was lured to Linear Park and stabbed 28 times. The assailants, a boy and a girl, were 15 at the time and denied the murder, each blaming the other. Their premeditated plan for the killing was evidenced by a handwritten murder plan and messages. During the four-week trial at Manchester Crown Court, it was revealed that the girl, known as Girl X, had a fascination with violence and serial killers. The boy, Boy Y, diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, is non-verbal. Prior to the murder, they compiled a 'kill list' of other children. Brianna's mother, Esther Ghey, expressed her enduring grief and gratitude to those who showed kindness to Brianna in her last moments. She also urged empathy for the families of the convicted teens. Brianna's father, Peter Spooner, shared his heartbreak over his loss. The case, which incited global protests against transphobia, awaits sentencing by Judge Mrs Justice Yip. Police believe the motive was not transphobia but a general thirst for violence.
The Bank of England's interest rate hikes, aimed at reducing inflation, have led to a slowdown in the UK housing market. Recent data reveals a significant drop in house prices, the largest since October 2011. This decline, most pronounced in London, reflects the impact of pandemic-driven price surges. Despite this decrease, the housing market faces long-term challenges. Interest rates have risen, functioning slowly like drip filter coffee, and have a delayed effect on the market. This delay is due to the time taken for banks to adjust mortgage rates and for these changes to be reflected in official statistics. The latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show a 1.2% drop in house prices over a year, marking the fastest decline in over a decade. Financial markets anticipate rate cuts next year, which could revive the market. However, the overall cost of living remains high, with increased expenses from food to household bills. Over a million people will face higher mortgage costs next year.
Penny Mordaunt, a UK cabinet minister, has revealed that her WhatsApp conversations with former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, relating to Covid, were mysteriously deleted from her phone. She provided this information in her evidence to the Covid inquiry, and mentioned that the former chief of staff at No 10, Dan Rosenfield, did not respond to 14 requests for a meeting to discuss the missing communications. This adds pressure on Johnson, who previously informed the inquiry that around 5,000 messages from his old phone, covering January to June 2020, could not be accessed. His lawyers suggested an automatic factory reset of the phone might be the cause. Mordaunt expressed willingness to have her phone examined by the inquiry if it would help. Johnson himself speculated at the inquiry that the disappearance might be due to the WhatsApp app malfunctioning and automatically erasing messages. He claimed that he had not removed any messages and had provided all relevant information to the inquiry.
Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, has warned that upcoming strikes by junior doctors could push the NHS to a tipping point early in the new year. The strikes coincide with typical winter pressures, including cold weather illnesses, bed shortages, and increases in norovirus cases, potentially overwhelming the health service. Junior doctors in England have been on strike this week, and are planning a six-day stoppage from 3 January. The strikes have already led to the postponement of outpatient appointments and operations, with Cheltenham general hospital closing its A&E unit due to staff shortages. The dispute centres on their demands for a 35% pay rise. Recent talks between the British Medical Association and the department of health have not resolved the issue. Dr Vivek Trivedi, for the BMA, argues that the Government's offer of an additional 3% pay rise is insufficient. He emphasises that junior doctors need fair pay to prevent them from seeking employment abroad, and believes the public still supports their right to strike.
Northern Ireland secretary Chris Heaton-Harris has declared that negotiations aimed at restoring the Stormont government have concluded, offering a financial package exceeding £3.3 billion for the Executive's return. However, DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson asserts that no final agreement on the post-Brexit Windsor Framework has been reached. He urged immediate resolution of public sector pay disputes by the UK government, independent of Stormont's restoration. Alliance leader Naomi Long, who believes the financial package is substantial yet insufficient, has urged the DUP to return to government. Sinn Féin’s Mary Lou McDonald expressed disappointment over the potential delays, while UUP leader Doug Beattie acknowledged the end of talks but noted ongoing discussions about the 'good financial package.' He stressed the need for public sector pay resolutions before Christmas. The legislation for moving forward is reportedly ready.