Top story: ‘Matthew is not a spy’

Good morning. Warren Murray here with the news to set you up for the day.

There has been a sharp political response from Britain after the University of Durham PhD candidate Matthew Hedges was unexpectedly given a life sentence by a court in the United Arab Emirates on charges of spying. “The UAE claim to be a friend and ally of the UK so there will be serious diplomatic consequences,” said Jeremy Hunt, the foreign secretary.

Hedges, 31, was arrested at the end of six months in the United Arab Emirates researching his thesis. His trial on Wednesday lasted less than five minutes, with no lawyer present. His wife, Daniela Tejada, 27, who was present in the courtroom, said he began shaking when the verdict was read out. “Matthew is innocent,” she said. “The Foreign Office know this and have made it clear to the UAE authorities that Matthew is not a spy for them.” At prime minister’s questions Theresa May said she was “deeply disappointed” and “we will continue to press this matter at the highest level with the Emiratis”. The UAE attorney general said Hedges could appeal.

The situation places Hunt at odds on human rights issues with three of the most powerful countries in the Middle East – Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Hunt put the case of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe at the heart of his visit to Iran this week, and was said to be privately appalled by Donald Trump’s ambivalence over the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, endorsed or covered up by the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Brent bomb alert – Counter-terror detectives are racing to find who built two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) found at a disused flat in north London. Police were called to an address in Craven Park, Brent, after the two bombs were found at the flat, which was being refurbished. The block of flats was evacuated and local roads closed while the devices were assessed and made safe. The area was deemed safe by 6pm.

Team Kim world police – It wasn’t what the Kremlin had planned: Kim Jong-yang is the new chief of Interpol. The South Korean career cop has been elected to the job that Alexander Prokopchuk had his eye on, until the international spotlight was thrown on his record of pursuing the Russian government’s critics. “[Kim] has a reputation for tenacity, and a lot of people in Korea have likened him to a bulldozer: whatever he wants to do, he will get it done,” said Lee Chang-Hoon, a South Korean professor in policing studies. “He’ll likely push for more cooperation between agencies on investigations and focus particularly on transnational cybercrimes.”

Generation type 2 – Nearly 7,000 children and young Britons under 25 have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, newly compiled figures show, whereas it used to be virtually unknown in young people. With a quarter of children overweight or obese when they start primary school, rising to a third by the time they leave at age 11, more and more are developing the disease. Bridget Turner from Diabetes UK said the government must get on with introducing proposed curbs on TV adverts for junk food and supermarket promotions. In young people there is a higher risk of complications from diabetes including blindness, amputations, heart disease and kidney failure. “For many children, the development of type 2 diabetes can be prevented with lifestyle changes but this isn’t easy – they need support,” she said.

‘Swarming’ protests – The Metropolitan police have warned against driving into central London after “swarming” climate activists caused traffic disruption that might extend into the weekend. The protests are part of a civil disobedience campaign organised by Extinction Rebellion. Ronan McNern, a protest organiser, explained the tactics: “The lights go red, they go into and sit down in the road, wait seven minutes. If anybody needs to get past, we’ll let them through. Come off after seven minutes, take a break, let the angry drivers at the front go, then the light goes red and you go on again.” The group has demanded a meeting with the business secretary, Greg Clark, to “work out ways in which you can exercise your responsibility as secretary of state to protect the ecosystems and people of this country”.

Play Video 1:44 Climate activists block London bridges in 'swarming' protest – video

Trump v justice – The head of the US supreme court has intervened after Donald Trump called one of the judiciary an “Obama judge” for issuing an immigration ruling against the president. Chief Justice John Roberts, a conservative appointed by George Bush, responded: “We do not have Obama judges or Trump judges, Bush judges or Clinton judges. What we have is an extraordinary group of dedicated judges doing their level best to do equal right to those appearing before them. That independent judiciary is something we should all be thankful for.” The row broke out after San Francisco district judge Jon Tigar blocked a Trump proclamation toughening rules for asylum-seekers. Before Trump it had been highly unusual for presidents to single out judges for personal criticism. And a chief justice’s challenge to a president’s comments is unprecedented in modern times.

Nearly forgot Brexit! – We’d better round out the top stories with something about the status of negotiations on Britain exiting the European Union. Theresa May will dash to Brussels on Saturday to make sure Angela Merkel is on side with the proposed deal. Negotiations appear to be a bit behind where the government had hoped. The German chancellor has declared there will be no scope for further negotiations on Sunday and she expects to be inking a finalised agreement. Last-minute sticking points are understood to include Gibraltar, fisheries and undertakings about “frictionless” trade. Negotiators have been continuing to work on the terms of the political declaration, a seven-page outline of which was published last week.

Today in Focus podcast: Why is Steve Bannon in Europe?

Donald Trump’s former strategist has been touring the continent and attempting to sign parties up to his pan-European populist project. But as the Guardian’s Paul Lewis finds, it is not going completely to plan. Plus: David Conn on preparations for Qatar 2022, the most improbable football World Cup yet.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Steve Bannon poses in Piazza Navona in Rome. Photograph: Tony Gentile/Reuters

Lunchtime read: Crimefighting for our times

Russia’s attempt to kill Sergei Skripal. A North Korean cyber-attack. Eastern European slave traffickers. Western Balkan cocaine smugglers. Hundreds of billions of pounds laundered through London every year. A dramatic rise in the capital’s murder rate. Child abuse in Rotherham, fentanyl manufacturing in Merseyside and Manchester.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Lynne Owens heads the National Crime Agency. Composite: Guardian Design Team/PA/Rex/NCA

All the cases cited by Lynne Owens are examples of organised crime. Illicit national and transnational networks that have multiplied since the 1980s and now make an annual £1.5tn around the world and £37bn, or 1.8% of GDP, in Britain. To beat it, says Owens, boss of the National Crime Agency, UK policing needs a radical reboot.

Sport

The reigning chess world champion, Norway’s Magnus Carlsen, denies a concussion sustained playing a pickup game of football is to blame for his failure to win game nine of his tightly contested 12-match series with Fabiano Caruana. The Fifa president, Gianni Infantino, believes an expanded 48-team 2022 World Cup could see Qatar build diplomatic relations with its Middle Eastern neighbours if forced to find more venues for the event. And, as Barney Ronay writes, despite mockery when it was initially announced, the Uefa Nations League has breathed fresh air into international football.

To rugby, and Eddie Jones has refused to either rule in or out centre Manu Tuilagi, ahead of naming his squad to face Australia on Saturday. And Australia’s cricket coach, Justin Langer, has sprung some selection surprises with two debutants, Marcus Harris and Chris Tremain, selected for the upcoming Test series against India.

Business

Asian markets have been mostly lower, as a mixed bag of data from the United States that could point to softening growth rattled investors. On Wall Street yesterday, major indexes bounced back from two days of steep losses as retailers, technology and internet companies posted strong gains. Sales of existing homes in the US rose in October, breaking a six-month losing streak, the National Association of Realtors announced. There is $1.278 or €1.121 on offer for a pound this morning.

The papers

Several papers lead today with the story of the British PhD student sentenced to life in prison in UAE. His wife has said he was failed by Britain. “We’re living a nightmare,” is the Mail’s headline. “Jailed British ‘spy’ failed by diplomats, says wife,” is the Times’ treatment. The Guardian also has this story on its front, but leads with “Bannon plan for far right in Europe in disarray”.

Guardian front page, Thursday 22 November 2018.

Elsewhere it’s a mixture. About Brexit, the Telegraph has: “Deal is a Turkey trap, Hunt warns PM”. The Express reports on “Shocking rise in child diabetes”. The FT says: “Goldman accused of bribery in ‘massive conspiracy’ over 1MDB” and the i has: “Climb trees to build character, Education Secretary tells kids”. The Mirror has an interview with the mother of a teenager who drowned despite a rescue attempt by Prince William: “Mum: my hero Wills”. The Sun has a story about a small fluffy canine held under the Dangerous Dogs Act: “I’m a silly puppy …. get me out of here!”

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