Yahoo News Digest

Today's top global news delivered in a quick visual summary, twice a day.

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Grenfell Tower cladding was changed to save cash, reports claim

UK News

Grenfell Tower cladding was changed to save cash, reports claim

The cladding fitted to Grenfell Tower during its refurbishment was changed to a cheaper version to save cash, it has been claimed. The BBC said it had obtained documents showing that the zinc cladding that was originally planned as part of the multi-million pound refurbishment was replaced with a less resistant aluminium cladding, saving nearly £300,000. The BBC reported that the documents show a list of potential savings of £693,161 sent to contractors in July 2014 to take the total of cost of the revamp from around £9.2m to £8.6m. It published an extract showing a saving of £293,368 that would be saved by fitting “aluminium cladding in lieu of zinc cladding”. The change was reportedly to allow for a change of colour, the BBC claimed it had been told that another major reason was cost.

The Government needs to listen to a wider set of opinions and not just the experts they have got. The experts, they may well be right, but we can’t have confidence in that because every single one has failed across the whole country. The tests are not testing the fire safety of the panels, they are testing what the core of the panel is made from. That’s not what the test needs to be.

Lord Porter of Spalding, the chairman of the Local Government Association

The Times has also claimed to have seen official documents which stated aluminium panels were preferred to the non-combustible zinc alternative, and said emails suggested cladding at the 24-storey building was downgraded to save money. Paperwork showed the consultants for the refurbishment of the tower block were placed under pressure to keep costs low, the paper said. The cladding on Grenfell Tower, which investigators into the disaster said had failed safety tests, has been blamed as a contributor in the spread of the blaze that left at least 80 people dead. Every cladding panel tested in the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy has failed, but Lord Porter of Spalding, the chairman of the Local Government Association, said the Government needed to canvas the opinion of a greater number of experts amid allegations its safety testing is flawed.

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German parliament votes to legalise same-sex marriage

World

German parliament votes to legalise same-sex marriage

Germany’s parliament has voted in favour of legalising same-sex marriage, joining many other western democracies in granting gay and lesbian couples full rights, including adoption. Norbert Lammert, president of the parliament, said 393 lawmakers voted in favour, 226 voted against and four abstained. The chancellor, Angela Merkel, said she voted against the move because she believed marriage was for a man and a woman. She said the decision for her was a personal one, but she hoped the result would lead to greater social cohesion. The election-year bill was pushed by Merkel’s leftist rivals, who pounced on a U-turn she made on Monday in which she softened her stance against gay marriage, a manoeuvre that left many conservative politicians fuming.

It’s a real recognition, so it warms the heart.

Christophe Tetu, 46, who lives in Berlin with his partner Timo Strobel

Before the vote, gay and lesbian groups cheered the push for marriage equality in Germany, where civil partnerships were legalised in 2001. “It’s a real recognition, so it warms the heart,” said French engineer Christophe Tetu, 46, who lives in Berlin with his partner Timo Strobel, 51. “We’re thinking about having a party, getting married and using our new rights to protect our relationship.” Strobel said he too was “overjoyed” the couple would be able to show family and friends “that we are committed to each other, that we will stay together and we will spend our lives together”.

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Fury as council halts Grenfell Tower fire meeting in 'absolute fiasco'

Politics

Fury as council halts Grenfell Tower fire meeting in 'absolute fiasco'

A row has erupted over claims a council meeting to discuss the Grenfell fire had to be halted because it prejudices the inquiry into what happened. The leader of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC) said the cabinet could not sit publicly as it would put the public investigation at risk. But an expert on the proceedings of councils has told Sky News that he has never before seen a local authority try to halt proceedings for that reason. It came as the council's attempts to get to grips with the aftermath of the fire were branded a fiasco and there were calls for the leader of the council to resign.

I've been reporting on local authorities for over 30 years and I've never seen an authority behave in this way in these sorts of circumstances.

Media law consultant David Banks

Media law consultant David Banks told Sky: "I think it's extraordinary this idea that the authority is now going to have no substantive discussions in public about the fire between now and the end of the inquiry for fear of prejudicing the inquiry. "I've been reporting on local authorities for over 30 years and I've never seen an authority behave in this way in these sorts of circumstances. I think there's a real need by the authority and other agencies in dealing with this to be as open as possible. Clearly there are feelings and rumours and stuff going on social media saying there is a cover up. If they want to counter those rumours... the last thing they should be doing is holding the meetings in private and then cancelling them so they aren't open to public scrutiny."

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Police find tennis star Venus Williams at fault in fatal car crash

World

Police find tennis star Venus Williams at fault in fatal car crash

Venus Williams is being investigated amid claims she was involved in a car crash which led to the death of a driver. Palm Beach Gardens police in Florida have released a report saying the tennis star was at fault in the crash on 9 June. Jerome Barson, a 79-year-old who was a passenger in his wife's car, was injured and died two weeks later. The police report says witnesses have claimed Williams ran a red light at a junction and went into the path of the vehicle driven by Mr Barson's wife. Williams, who is preparing to compete at Wimbledon next week, was driving her 2010 Toyota Sequoia SUV at the time.

Authorities did not issue Ms Williams with any citations or traffic violations. This is an unfortunate accident and Venus expresses her deepest condolences to the family who lost a loved one.

Venus WIlliams' lawyer Malcolm Cunningham

The police department's Major Paul Rogers said the crash remains under investigation and Williams has not been cited or charged. Her lawyer Malcolm Cunningham said in a statement that Williams expressed "her deepest condolences to the family who lost a loved one". He added that the light was green when she entered the junction. Mr Cunningham told the TMZ website: "The police report estimates that Ms Williams was travelling at 5mph when Mrs Barson crashed into her. "Authorities did not issue Ms Williams with any citations or traffic violations. This is an unfortunate accident and Venus expresses her deepest condolences to the family who lost a loved one."

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Theresa May's Queen's Speech clears the Commons by slim margin

Politics

Theresa May's Queen's Speech clears the Commons by slim margin

Theresa May has cleared her first major Commons hurdle of the new Parliament as MPs backed the Government’s legislative programme for next two years. The House voted by 323 to 309 to approve the Queen’s Speech with the Democratic Unionists supporting the Government in line with their deal struck with the Conservatives earlier this week. However it only passed after ministers rushed out an announcement of funding for women in Northern Ireland to have abortions in England on the NHS to head off a Tory revolt which threatened to derail the whole process.

Let us send a message to women everywhere that in this Parliament, their voices will be heard and their rights upheld.

MP Stella Creasy

The Government’s decision to concede so rapidly underlined the fragility of Mrs May’s position in the Commons where she is now dependent on the votes of the 10 DUP MPs, having lost her majority in the General Election. The arrangement with the DUP, which will see £1 billion channelled to Northern Ireland, was bitterly denounced in the Commons chamber by Tory backbencher Heidi Allen who said they should have been prepared to govern as a minority administration. There were problems also for Jeremy Corbyn with 49 Labour MPs defying the party leadership to back an amendment by former shadow business secretary Chuka Umunna on Brexit.

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Northern Ireland parties miss deadline to restore power-sharing

Politics

Northern Ireland parties miss deadline to restore power-sharing

Political leaders have missed a deadline to restore power-sharing in Northern Ireland. Without the deal, the country faces the prospect of direct rule from Westminster for the first time in a decade. Downing Street said talks over a new power-sharing deal will now be allowed to continue until Monday, when Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire will make a statement on the Government's intended action. A scheduled Assembly sitting to nominate ministers was axed, with Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) negotiators announcing that there will be "no breakthrough" in the talks on Thursday.

At this stage we aren't close to an agreement, there is considerable work to be done and we believe the ball is in the court of Sinn Fein in the main in dealing with a series of outstanding issues.

The DUP's Edwin Poots

It is the fourth time that a deadline has been missed, but the DUP's Edwin Poots has insisted talks will extend into Thursday evening and into the weekend.The two parties, whose agreement is a pre-requisite of the formation of a new administration, have been struggling to overcome differences on the Irish language. Sinn Fein is demanding a stand-alone Irish Language Act, bringing Irish onto a par with English in the region. But the DUP had proposed a hybrid act, accommodating the Irish language and those who speak in Ulster-Scots.

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Rolls-Royce safeguards 7,000 UK jobs with £150m investment

Business

Rolls-Royce safeguards 7,000 UK jobs with £150m investment

Engine maker Rolls-Royce is investing £150m in UK aerospace facilities in a move that will safeguard more than 7,000 jobs. It is the Derby-based group's biggest single investment in the UK for more than a decade. The announcement was welcomed by the Government amid fears that some companies are putting off decisions due to Brexit uncertainty. Rolls-Royce said it was investing over the next few years in new and existing facilities across the East Midlands.

This announcement underpins the critical role the UK plays within the global aerospace sector.

Business Secretary Greg Clark

It is creating a new facility in Derby for testing large aero engines, resulting in up to 200 jobs, while plans to close a precision machining facility in the town have been scrapped, saving 150 jobs that had previously been at risk. The announcement is part of the global group's plans to double engine production and follows months of talks with unions. They have agreed workers can help train new staff who will be based in Germany and elsewhere, in return for a guarantee, covering 7,000 East Midlands-based employees, of no compulsory redundancies over the next five years.

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'This is it': Adele hints to fans she may never tour again

Entertainment

'This is it': Adele hints to fans she may never tour again

Adele has hinted to her fans she may never tour again and is happy to have her final shows in London. The Hello singer waved goodbye to a Wembley crowd on Wednesday, and published a handwritten note in the programme announcing what could mean an end to life on the road for the award-winning singer. The star is coming to the end of her run of gigs across the UK, Ireland, Europe, the US, Australia and New Zealand.

So this is it. After 15 months on the road and 18 months of 25 we are at the end.

Adele

"It has been hard but an absolute thrill and pleasure to have done. I only ever did this tour for you and to hopefully have an impact on you the way that some of my favourite artists have had on me live. And I wanted my final shows to be in London because I don't know if I'll ever tour again and so I want my last time to be at home. Thank you for coming, for all of your ridiculous love and kindness. I will remember all of this for the rest of my life." The concert was the first of four at Wembley Stadium, and rounded up a record breaking 98,000 Adele fans to watch the grand finale. The mother-of-one has hinted on a possible step away from touring for years, saying she never enjoyed live performances.

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'Fake Grenfell victim' held on suspicion of fraud

UK News

'Fake Grenfell victim' held on suspicion of fraud

A 52-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of fraudulently claiming to have lost family members in the Grenfell Tower disaster. The man is alleged to have attempted to gain money and housing by pretending relatives had died in the blaze. It is alleged he came forward in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy and family liaison officers were assigned to him after he claimed he had lost his wife and son in the blaze.

However, we will robustly investigate any information about anyone who seeks to capitalise on the suffering of so many.

Metropolitan Police Detective Superintendent Fiona McCormack

Scotland Yard said he attempted to claim financial support after stating he had lost all his property. Police launched an investigation after there were inconsistencies in the man's stories. They also spoke to residents of the flat within Grenfell Tower where he claimed to live who confirmed he did not live at the address. Further inquiries revealed the man lived 20 miles away in Bromley, south east London and did not have a wife or child.

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George Osborne takes 6th job as University of Manchester economics professor

UK News

George Osborne takes 6th job as University of Manchester economics professor

George Osborne is to become honorary professor of economics at the University of Manchester - his sixth job since the former Chancellor left the Cabinet last year. Mr Osborne's new job is due to start in July and will likely entail no more than a few lectures and visits a year. His more high-profile job is as editor of the Evening Standard newspaper. He is also an adviser to investment management firm BlackRock; chairman of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership; a fellow at US think tank the McCain Institute; and a speaker for the Washington Speakers Bureau, for which he makes lucrative after-dinner speeches around the world.

I am bowled over by this honour.

George Osborne

In March it was revealed the Conservative politician has already earned £800,000 for speeches since being replaced as chancellor last July. He is no longer an MP as he stepped down at this month's General Election. The new job will allow Mr Osborne to continue his work on the Northern Powerhouse initiative, aimed at developing economic growth and connectivity in cities in northern England.

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'This is it': Adele hints to fans she may never tour again

Entertainment

'This is it': Adele hints to fans she may never tour again

Adele has hinted to her fans she may never tour again and is happy to have her final shows in London. The Hello singer waved goodbye to a Wembley crowd on Wednesday, and published a handwritten note in the programme announcing what could mean an end to life on the road for the award-winning singer. The star is coming to the end of her run of gigs across the UK, Ireland, Europe, the US, Australia and New Zealand.

So this is it. After 15 months on the road and 18 months of 25 we are at the end.

Adele

"It has been hard but an absolute thrill and pleasure to have done. I only ever did this tour for you and to hopefully have an impact on you the way that some of my favourite artists have had on me live. And I wanted my final shows to be in London because I don't know if I'll ever tour again and so I want my last time to be at home. Thank you for coming, for all of your ridiculous love and kindness. I will remember all of this for the rest of my life." The concert was the first of four at Wembley Stadium, and rounded up a record breaking 98,000 Adele fans to watch the grand finale. The mother-of-one has hinted on a possible step away from touring for years, saying she never enjoyed live performances.

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Rolls-Royce safeguards 7,000 UK jobs with £150m investment

Business

Rolls-Royce safeguards 7,000 UK jobs with £150m investment

Engine maker Rolls-Royce is investing £150m in UK aerospace facilities in a move that will safeguard more than 7,000 jobs. It is the Derby-based group's biggest single investment in the UK for more than a decade. The announcement was welcomed by the Government amid fears that some companies are putting off decisions due to Brexit uncertainty. Rolls-Royce said it was investing over the next few years in new and existing facilities across the East Midlands.

This announcement underpins the critical role the UK plays within the global aerospace sector.

Business Secretary Greg Clark

It is creating a new facility in Derby for testing large aero engines, resulting in up to 200 jobs, while plans to close a precision machining facility in the town have been scrapped, saving 150 jobs that had previously been at risk. The announcement is part of the global group's plans to double engine production and follows months of talks with unions. They have agreed workers can help train new staff who will be based in Germany and elsewhere, in return for a guarantee, covering 7,000 East Midlands-based employees, of no compulsory redundancies over the next five years.

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George Osborne takes 6th job as University of Manchester economics professor

UK News

George Osborne takes 6th job as University of Manchester economics professor

George Osborne is to become honorary professor of economics at the University of Manchester - his sixth job since the former Chancellor left the Cabinet last year. Mr Osborne's new job is due to start in July and will likely entail no more than a few lectures and visits a year. His more high-profile job is as editor of the Evening Standard newspaper. He is also an adviser to investment management firm BlackRock; chairman of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership; a fellow at US think tank the McCain Institute; and a speaker for the Washington Speakers Bureau, for which he makes lucrative after-dinner speeches around the world.

I am bowled over by this honour.

George Osborne

In March it was revealed the Conservative politician has already earned £800,000 for speeches since being replaced as chancellor last July. He is no longer an MP as he stepped down at this month's General Election. The new job will allow Mr Osborne to continue his work on the Northern Powerhouse initiative, aimed at developing economic growth and connectivity in cities in northern England.

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Grenfell fire inquiry to be led by retired appeal court judge

UK News

Grenfell fire inquiry to be led by retired appeal court judge

A retired judge has been appointed as the chairman of the public inquiry into the Grenfell Tower fire. Sir Martin Moore-Bick, who has more than 20 years' experience as a judge, has said he hopes the inquiry will allow lessons to be learned so "a tragedy of this kind never happens again". The former Court of Appeal judge added that he understands the desire of local people for justice - and said this would best be served by a "vigorous inquiry that gets to the truth as quickly as possible".

It is important for everyone that the inquiry should establish as quickly as possible the cause of the fire and how it was able to spread so quickly to the whole of the building.

Sir Martin Moore-Bick

At least 80 people were killed in the devastating blaze at a west London tower block earlier this month. Sir Martin is going to work with complete independence from the Government, and he will be supported by civil servants seconded from government departments. The inquiry is going to be held in public, with findings reported directly to the Prime Minister. Mrs May has described Sir Martin as "highly respected and hugely experienced", and she told MPs that she wants the judge to produce an interim report with urgency.

No stone will be left unturned by this inquiry.

Theresa May

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Government to fund abortions for Northern Ireland women in England

Politics

Government to fund abortions for Northern Ireland women in England

The Government intends to fund abortions in England for women arriving from Northern Ireland, the Chancellor has said. The move announced by Philip Hammond is aimed at fending off a potential Commons defeat. Earlier, MPs were granted a vote on an amendment to the Queen's Speech aimed at allowing women from Northern Ireland to have abortions in England and Wales on the NHS. The amendment has been tabled by Stella Creasy, Labour MP for Walthamstow, and had cross-party support, adding to the pressure on Theresa May during the first big test of her authority since the election.

As everybody knows, the devil will be in the detail.

Labour MP Stella Creasy

The Government's move will be expected to satisfy Tory MPs enough to ensure that Ms Creasy's amendment does not pass, or she withdraws it. It marks a significant victory for the opposition, even though Jeremy Corbyn faces splits in his own party as MPs prepared to vote on the Queen's Speech. Ms Creasy welcomed the Government's move. But, she added, "as everybody knows, the devil will be in the detail", and asked the Government to make a commitment to hold meetings "to look at how we can turn this into a reality". Abortion is banned in Northern Ireland unless the woman's life is at risk or her mental or physical health face permanent and serious risk.

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Rupert Murdoch's Sky bid likely to be referred to competition authorities

Business

Rupert Murdoch's Sky bid likely to be referred to competition authorities

Rupert Murdoch’s proposed £11.7bn takeover of Sky by 21st Century Fox has been dealt a blow after the government said it intended to call in the competition authorities for a further six-month examination of the deal. Karen Bradley, the culture secretary, announced the decision in the House of Commons after considering an investigation into the takeover by the media watchdog, Ofcom. She told MPs that she was minded to submit proposed takeover to a further 24-week inquiry by the Competition and Markets Authority on the grounds of media plurality following a recommendation by the communications regulator.

I can confirm that I have, today, written to the parties indicating that I am minded not to accept the undertakings that have been offered.

Karen Bradley, the culture secretary

The minister said that Ofcom’s report concluded that the deal might increase the Murdochs’ ability to “influence the overall news agenda and their ability to influence the political process and it may also result in the perception of increased influence”. Bradley said that Fox had taken the unusual step of offering editorial guarantees around Sky News in its submission to Ofcom to address any potential media plurality issues it may raise in its report. The proposed undertakings included establishing a separate editorial board and a commitment to maintain Sky branded news and funding for five years. However, the minister said she had rejected them. Ofcom’s report said that the remedies proposed would mitigate the media plurality concerns but could be further strengthened. “I have taken an initial view,” said Bradley. “I can confirm that I have, today, written to the parties indicating that I am minded not to accept the undertakings that have been offered.”

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Pope's finance chief Cardinal George Pell faces sex abuse charges

World

Pope's finance chief Cardinal George Pell faces sex abuse charges

The Pope's chief financial adviser has become the most senior Catholic official to be charged over the church's sexual abuse scandal. Cardinal George Pell, Australia's most senior Catholic cleric, was interviewed in Rome by Australian police in October over the allegations, which he denies. But today Victoria state Police Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton said he had been called back to Australia to face "multiple charges in respect of historic sexual offences". Mr Patton said there are multiple complainants relating to the charges but gave no further details.

It is important to note that none of the allegations that have been made against Cardinal Pell have, obviously, been tested in any court yet. Cardinal Pell, like any other defendant, has a right to due process.

Victoria state Police Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton

Pell has been ordered to appear before Melbourne Magistrates' Court on 18 July. Sky News Australia Reporter Ahron Young said there are understood to be up to 10 complainants in the case. "This has massive consequences for the Catholic Church here in Australia and around the world. It is unprecedented in modern times for an archbishop to face these sorts of charges." In a statement, the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney said that the cardinal had been told of the charges and "again strenuously denied all allegations". "Cardinal Pell will return to Australia as soon as possible to clear his name following advice and approval by his doctor who will also advise on his travel arrangements.