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Commuters are facing road closures and disrupted rail services as dozens of flood warnings remain in place and further rainfall is expected.

Some areas have been struck by more than a month’s worth of rain in the past 24 hours – with rising waters damaging homes and making roads impassable.

Meanwhile, a fresh weather warning has been issued – bringing the potential for heavy rain, strong winds and the risk of yet more flooding.

The yellow warning is for the entire of Thursday, covering an area from Nottinghamshire to Northumberland.

weather warning issued for 26/09/24
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A yellow warning is in force for Thursday

The Met Office said: “A period of heavy and persistent rain is expected to affect parts of northern England and north Midlands during much of Thursday.

“The heaviest rainfall is likely to be across the Pennines and North York Moors where 80-100 mm of rainfall could accumulate during the course of the day.

“Strong winds may also affect coastal locations and routes over high ground.”

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House flooded as heavy rain hits UK

The Environment Agency (EA) has issued flood warnings – the second highest alert level – for several areas of England including across parts of Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Kent and Somerset.

Some of the areas included:

• River Sheppey in Somerset around Shepton Mallet
• River Medway in Kent between Forest Row and Edenbridge
• River Ouzel in Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire between Leighton Buzzard and Milton Keynes
• River Great Ouse in Cambridgeshire around the town of St Neots
• River Cherwell in Oxfordshire in Banbury

See the Sky News forecast for your area

The agency has said further light rainfall is expected over the next 12 hours which will keep river levels high. The respective agencies in Scotland or Wales have not issued any warnings.

It comes after parts of Bedfordshire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire and Northamptonshire saw more than 100mm of rain in the last 48 hours, with Woburn in Bedfordshire seeing 142.8mm recorded, more than twice the amount of its September average rainfall amount according to the Met Office.

Vehicles drive through flood water in Perry Bar, Birmingham. Pic: PA
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Flooding also hit Perry Bar in Birmingham. Pic: PA

The rear boot of a submerged car is seen on the A421 dual carriageway road after it was flooded following heavy rain, at Marston Moretaine near Bedford, Britain, September 23, 2024. REUTERS/Toby Melville
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The rear boot of a virtually submerged car near Bedford. Pic: Reuters

The flooding has damaged homes and continued to cause travel disruption on Tuesday, closing several routes, according to National Highways:

• A421 northbound closed between M1 (J13) and Bedford
• A421 southbound closed between M1 and A6
• A5 closed northbound between the A422 and A509

Young people look toward the A421 dual carriageway road after it was flooded following heavy rain, at Marston Moretaine near Bedford, Britain, September 23, 2024. REUTERS/Toby Melville
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The A421 near Bedford. Pic: Reuters

Rail services have also been affected in some areas, as flooding between Rugby and Milton Keynes central is disrupting Avanti West Coast and London Northwestern Railway, according to National Rail.

Chiltern Railways is reporting issues on services between Birmingham Snow Hill / Birmingham Moor Street and London Marylebone, while Avanti West Coast and London Northwestern are also seeing problems between Rugby and Milton Keynes Central.

Meanwhile, buses are replacing trains between Bletchley and Bedford on London Northwestern.

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The National Grid said it had seen a week’s worth of power cuts across the weekend.

The Met Office predicts that much of southern Britain will be dry on Tuesday, but the afternoon may bring a few showers to Wales and central England.

An amber weather warning had been issued until 9pm on Monday, covering a large part of central and parts of southwestern England.

AFC Wimbledon and Newcastle’s Carabao Cup third-round meeting on Tuesday had to be postponed due to “extensive overnight flooding” at the Cherry Red Records Stadium.

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The links between Jeffrey Epstein and the UK revealed in new files

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The links between Jeffrey Epstein and the UK revealed in new files

Jeffrey Epstein led two different lives – sex offender and celebrity networker – and he did that in the UK as well as the US.

The newly released Epstein documents reveal, in particular, how the paedophile financier ascended into the highest levels of British society.

This photo of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor sprawled across the lap of several women, whose identities have been protected, speaks to his close relationship with Epstein’s former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell, who was jailed for child sex trafficking and other offences in connection with Epstein. But the furnishings are even more revealing.

Epstein files – latest updates

Andrew Mountbatten Windsor pictured with Ghislaine Maxwell. Note: inclusion in Epstein files does not infer wrongdoing
Image:
Andrew Mountbatten Windsor pictured with Ghislaine Maxwell. Note: inclusion in Epstein files does not infer wrongdoing

Sky News matched the fireplace in this photo with the one in Sandringham, the estate where the royals tend to spend Christmas – (Andrew is not invited this year).

Andrew has vigorously denied any accusations against him.

Prince Charles, now King Charles III, at Sandringham with Prince Edward. Pic: PA
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Prince Charles, now King Charles III, at Sandringham with Prince Edward. Pic: PA

Also included in the latest release are Epstein’s flight records. They provide some useful corroborating evidence.

A flight log from the Epstein files
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A flight log from the Epstein files

On 9 March 2001, his plane landed at “EGGW” – Luton Airport – with JE, GM and VR on board – Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell and Virginia Roberts, better known by her married name of Virginia Giuffre and perhaps Epstein’s most famous accuser.

The next day is when this photo was alleged to have been taken, in London, of Giuffre and Andrew.

Prince Andrew, Virginia Roberts, aged 17, and Ghislaine Maxwell at Ghislaine Maxwell's townhouse in London, in March 2001
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Prince Andrew, Virginia Roberts, aged 17, and Ghislaine Maxwell at Ghislaine Maxwell’s townhouse in London, in March 2001

Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell hunting, date unknown. Pic: US DoJ
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Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell hunting, date unknown. Pic: US DoJ

Other photos show Maxwell on the steps of Downing Street – and power was as much a draw as celebrity.

Ghislaine Maxwell outside 10 Downing Street, date unknown. Pic: US DoJ
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Ghislaine Maxwell outside 10 Downing Street, date unknown. Pic: US DoJ

On 15 May 2002, the flight records show Epstein again arriving at Luton.

A flight log from the Epstein files
Image:
A flight log from the Epstein files

The next day is when he met Tony Blair, prime minister at the time. This was before Epstein’s first arrest and there is no suggestion of wrongdoing.

Read more:
New photos of Jeffrey Epstein’s circle released
Ghislaine Maxwell sex trafficking case material to be released

The meeting was arranged by Peter Mandelson, who lost his job as ambassador to the US because of his Epstein connections, and who features prominently in the files.

Peter Mandelson and Jeffrey Epstein. Pic: US DoJ
Image:
Peter Mandelson and Jeffrey Epstein. Pic: US DoJ

The UK was a draw for Epstein’s wider circle too – Maxwell here is pictured touring the Churchill War Rooms with Bill Clinton and Kevin Spacey. Neither are accused of wrongdoing or knowledge of Epstein’s crimes.

(L-R) Ghislaine Maxwell, Kevin Spacey and Bill Clinton, with three other men. Pic: US DoJ
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(L-R) Ghislaine Maxwell, Kevin Spacey and Bill Clinton, with three other men. Pic: US DoJ

And the other grim life that Epstein led, of sex trafficking, also had British links.

A page from the Epstein files
Image:
A page from the Epstein files

Another document released in the files, from 2019, shows witness testimony from Maxwell’s trial. In it, a victim is mentioned who is “17 years old” and who grew up “in England”. She would later be taken to Epstein’s private Caribbean island.

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Murder investigation launched after man shot dead in London

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Murder investigation launched after man shot dead in London

Police have launched a murder investigation after a 55-year-old man was shot dead in London.

Officers were called at 9.35pm on Friday 19 December to reports of a shooting in West End Close, Brent.

Emergency first aid was given to a 55-year-old man, who died at the scene.

Detective Chief Inspector Neil John, from the Met’s Specialist Crime Team, who is leading the investigation, said: “Firstly, our thoughts are with the family and friends of the victim at this incredibly difficult time.

“Enquiries are well under way, and my team is working at pace to determine the circumstances that led to this man’s tragic death.

“There’s no doubt this incident will cause concern in the local community and more widely, but we have increased patrols in the area. I’d like to reassure the public that our investigation remains a priority.

“I would urge anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has information, including dashcam footage, that will assist us with our enquiries to contact us at the earliest opportunity.

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“We also believe there was a large group of people congregated nearby at the time the incident happened, and we are keen to hear from them.”

At the early stage of the investigation, no arrests have been made.

This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.

Please refresh the page for the latest version.

You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News app. You can also follow us on WhatsApp and subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.

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£20,000 reward announced over fatal shooting of father

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£20,000 reward announced over fatal shooting of father

Police have announced a £20,000 reward in the hunt for the killers of a man in north London in March.

Mahad Abdi Mohamed, 27, died after being shot in the head in Waverley Road, Tottenham at 8.45pm on 20 March, the Metropolitan Police said.

The Met, which announced the reward from the independent charity Crimestoppers, said officers believed the shooting was a case of mistaken identity.

Police now want to speak to two people in connection with the incident.

DCI Rebecca Woodsford, who is leading the investigation, said: “There is someone out there who knows what happened that night, and we are urging those individuals to find it in their heart to come forward. It could be exactly what we need to locate those responsible.”

Images of the two people police would like to speak to. Pics: Metropolitan Police
Image:
Images of the two people police would like to speak to. Pics: Metropolitan Police

A targeted attack

Police believe the suspects, who got out of a stolen Mitsubishi Outlander, which was later recovered burned out, were taking part in a targeted attack.

On the night of the murder, Mahad had spent the early evening with his friend at their home.

They were breaking their fast outside when the Mitsubishi Outlander approached and the suspects opened fire, striking Mahad and his friend multiple times.

Mahad’s 26-year-old friend received treatment for a gunshot wound to his leg.

The force suspects another stolen vehicle, a blue Jaguar, was used to transport the suspects to and from the Mitsubishi.

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Ukraine “hits Russian tanker in Mediterranean Sea for first time”

The stolen cars from the night. Pics: Metropolitan Police
Image:
The stolen cars from the night. Pics: Metropolitan Police

Police arrested four adult men in March and April on suspicion of murder, who were subsequently bailed.

The investigation so far has led officers to believe whoever killed Mahad set out to hurt someone else in a pre-planned, targeted attack.

Appealing to the public for information, Mahad’s youngest sister said: “To stay silent is to be complicit. To stay silent is to let a grieving mother suffer in confusion. To stay silent is to let a little boy grow up not knowing what happened to his father.”

Pic: Metropolitan Police
Image:
Pic: Metropolitan Police

The reward, which is offered for information that leads to the identification, arrest and prosecution of those responsible, is available for three months and is due to expire on 20 March 2026.

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