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A nine-month-old boy will grow up without his parents after an alleged drunk driver slammed into their car at a high rate of speed — killing them both months before their wedding.

Jacob Hahn, 24, and Savannah Harding, 22, were killed while driving westbound on Fremont Pike in Ohio on the night of Dec. 9 after the alleged drunk driver, Samantha Hammons, rear-ended their vehicle, causing it to spin into oncoming traffic, according to WTVG.

The force of impact from Hammons speeding Kia Soul caused the couple’s car to be fatally struck by an eastbound Dodge Journey.

Hahn and Harding were pronounced dead at the scene, leaving behind their infant son, Beckett.

The Elmore couple were engaged to be married next June.

Hammons, 55, from Toledo, is charged with two counts of aggravated vehicular homicide and was booked in the Wood County Jail, documents from the Perrysburg Municipal Court show. 7 Samantha Hammons was arrested and charged with two counts of aggravated vehicular homicide. Wood County Sheriff's Office

The reckless drivers two adult daughters were in the backseat of their mothers Kia when she caused the fatal crash, according to police.

Hammons, including her daughters, were taken to a local hospital with minor injuries.

The driver of the Dodge Journey was also taken in for minor injuries but was later released.

Hammons was under the influence of alcohol d before getting behind the wheel, according to the court documents. 7 Jacob Hahn and Savannah Harding had just welcomed their son, Beckett, to the world nine months ago. Jacob Hahn / Facebook

My heart aches so much now that you are gone, Hardings sister, Brooklyn, wrote in a somber Facebook post, referring to the couple as the sweetest souls.

Life is so unfair. All because of a drunk driver. Taking my only sister/sibling away from me.

You were one of my biggest role models growing up. You made me a first time aunt to little Beckett. I will always be there for him. We all will, Brooklyn shared.

Brooklyn vowed to honor her sisters memory and will fight for justice following the couples senseless deaths. 7 The young couple were engaged to be married next June. Jacob Hahn / Facebook 7 Hammons’ charges carry a mandatory prison sentence of two to eight years Jacob Hahn / Facebook

Brooke Johnson, Hahns cousin, wrote shes sad, but mostly angry after news broke of her loved one and his fiances were killed by the reckless drunk behind the wheel.

Angry that an irresponsible and reckless woman took away the lives of two very young people who truly just started living theirs, Johnson wrote in a Facebook post.

My heart is completely broken for sweet Beckett, because he will never get to know how amazing his parents were, and how much they loved him! 7 A family member wrote how excited Hahn was to become a father when he found out Harding was pregnant. Jacob Hahn / Facebook

In her heartfelt post, Johnson shared how excited Hahn was to become a father.

The best call I ever got from him was when he facetimed me to tell me he was going to be a DAD! He flipped the camera to a sign that said they were expecting, and I yelled Shut the f*** up! And he just laughed, but I could tell he was scared to death, but so happy!

In the wake of the tragedy, businesses and community groups in Elmore have organized fundraising events to support the orphaned infant and family. 

None of us can take away the pain away, but we can help to ease the burden that is left behind, Jes Reynolds, the owner of Unvaulted Treasures, one of the participating businesses, told WTOL 11. 7 The young couple was pronounced dead at the scene after their car spun into an eastbound lane. Jacob Hahn / Facebook

Reynolds store has been stacking up donations, including clothing, blankets, diapers, and other items for Backett.

DeSTAZios, a pizzeria in Elmore, donated 100% of their profits to the cause on Wednesday, sharing that they had completely sold out of products to sell before the day was up.

We actually had a number of people come in and just make donations and didnt even buy a pizza. Everyone just wants to support this family, co-owner Connie DeStazio told the outlet. 7 Businesses and community groups in Elmore have organized fundraising events to support the orphaned infant and family.  Jacob Hahn / Facebook

Elmore is about 18 miles northwest of Toledo.

A judge set Hammons bond at $500,000.

Hammons charges are second-degree felonies in Ohio and carry a mandatory prison sentence of two to eight years, along with a lifetime license suspension if shes found guilty.

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Politics

Norman Tebbit: Former Tory minister who served in Margaret Thatcher’s government dies aged 94

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Norman Tebbit: Former Tory minister who served in Margaret Thatcher's government dies aged 94

Norman Tebbit, the former Tory minister who served in Margaret Thatcher’s government, has died at the age of 94.

Lord Tebbit died “peacefully at home” late on Monday night, his son William confirmed.

One of Mrs Thatcher’s most loyal cabinet ministers, he was a leading political voice throughout the turbulent 1980s.

He held the posts of employment secretary, trade secretary, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Conservative party chairman before resigning as an MP in 1992 after his wife was left disabled by the Provisional IRA’s bombing of the Grand Hotel in Brighton.

He considered standing for the Conservative leadership after Mrs Thatcher’s resignation in 1990, but was committed to taking care of his wife.

Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and party chairman Norman Tebbit.
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Margaret Thatcher and Norman Tebbit in 1987 after her election victory. Pic: PA

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch called him an “icon” in British politics and was “one of the leading exponents of the philosophy we now know as Thatcherism”.

“But to many of us it was the stoicism and courage he showed in the face of terrorism, which inspired us as he rebuilt his political career after suffering terrible injuries in the Brighton bomb, and cared selflessly for his wife Margaret, who was gravely disabled in the bombing,” she wrote on X.

“He never buckled under pressure and he never compromised. Our nation has lost one of its very best today and I speak for all the Conservative family and beyond in recognising Lord Tebbit’s enormous intellect and profound sense of duty to his country.

“May he rest in peace.”

Lord Tebbit and his wife Margaret stand outside the Grand Hotel in Brighton.
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Lord Tebbit and his wife Margaret stand outside the Grand Hotel in Brighton. Pic: PA

Tory grandee David Davis told Sky News Lord Tebbit was a “great working class Tory, always ready to challenge establishment conventional wisdom for the bogus nonsense it often was”.

“He was one of Thatcher’s bravest and strongest lieutenants, and a great friend,” Sir David said.

“He had to deal with the agony that the IRA visited on him and his wife, and he did so with characteristic unflinching courage. He was a great man.”

Reform leader Nigel Farage said Lord Tebbit “gave me a lot of help in my early days as an MEP”.

He was “a great man. RIP,” he added.

Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher with Employment Secretary Norman Tebbit.
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Lord Tebbit as employment secretary in 1983 with Mrs Thatcher. Pic: PA

Born to working-class parents in north London, he was made a life peer in 1992, where he sat until he retired in 2022.

Lord Tebbit was trade secretary when he was injured in the Provisional IRA’s bombing in Brighton during the Conservative Party conference in 1984.

Five people died in the attack and Lord Tebbit’s wife, Margaret, was left paralysed from the neck down. She died in 2020 at the age of 86.

Before entering politics, his first job, aged 16, was at the Financial Times where he had his first experience of trade unions and vowed to “break the power of the closed shop”.

He then trained as a pilot with the RAF – at one point narrowly escaping from the burning cockpit of a Meteor 8 jet – before becoming the MP for Epping in 1970 then for Chingford in 1974.

Norman Tebbit during the debate on the second reading of the European Communities (Amendment) Bill, in the House of Lords.
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Lord Tebbit during an EU debate in the House of Lords in 1997. Pic: PA

As a cabinet minister, he was responsible for legislation that weakened the powers of the trade unions and the closed shop, making him the political embodiment of the Thatcherite ideology that was in full swing.

His tough approach was put to the test when riots erupted in Brixton, south London, against the backdrop of high rates of unemployment and mistrust between the black community and the police.

He was frequently misquoted as having told the unemployed to “get on your bike”, and was often referred to as “Onyerbike” for some time afterwards.

What he actually said was he grew up in the ’30s with an unemployed father who did not riot, “he got on his bike and looked for work, and he kept looking till he found it”.

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‘Oui’ or ‘non’ for Starmer’s migration deal?

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'Oui' or 'non' for Starmer's migration deal?

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The first European state visit since Brexit starts today as President Emmanuel Macron arrives at Windsor Castle.

On this episode, Sky News’ Sam Coates and Politico’s Anne McElvoy look at what’s on the agenda beyond the pomp and ceremony. Will the government get its “one in, one out” migration deal over the line?

Plus, which one of our presenters needs to make a confession about the 2008 French state visit?

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US

Benjamin Netanyahu nominates Donald Trump for Nobel Peace Prize – as Gaza ceasefire talks continue

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Benjamin Netanyahu nominates Donald Trump for Nobel Peace Prize - as Gaza ceasefire talks continue

Israel’s prime minister has nominated Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Benjamin Netanyahu made the announcement at a White House dinner, handing over the letter for the US president to read.

“Coming from you in particular, this is very meaningful,” Mr Trump said.

The Israeli leader said Mr Trump was “forging peace as we speak, and one country and one region after the other”.

Organisers award the prize to the person who does the most for “fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses”.

Benjamin Netanyahu showed President Trump the Nobel nomination letter. Pic: AP
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Benjamin Netanyahu handed Donald Trump the Nobel nomination letter. Pic: AP

Mr Trump took credit for stopping Iran and Israel‘s “12-day war” last month, announcing it with fanfare on Truth Social, and the ceasefire has so far held.

The president has claimed US strikes obliterated Iran’s purported nuclear weapons programme – and that the country now wants to restart negotiations.

“We have scheduled Iran talks, and they want to,” Mr Trump told reporters on Monday. “They want to talk.”

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Iran hasn’t confirmed the move, but its president told US broadcaster Tucker Carlson he believes his country can resolve differences with the US through dialogue.

Masoud Pezeshkian also said Iran would be willing to resume cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog.

However, he said full access to nuclear sites wasn’t yet possible as US strikes had damaged them so badly.

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Netanyahu arrives in US for ceasefire talks

Away from Iran, fighting continues in Gaza and Ukraine.

Mr Trump famously boasted before his second stint in the White House that he could end the Ukraine war in 24 hours.

The reality has been very different – with Ukraine saying last week that Russia unleashed the heaviest aerial attack of the war so far.

Critics have also claimed Vladimir Putin is “playing” his US counterpart and that he has no intention of agreeing a ceasefire.

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Russia bombards Ukraine with drones and missiles

However, Mr Trump could try to take credit for progress in Gaza if – as he’s suggested – an agreement on a 60-day ceasefire is done this week.

Indirect negotiations with Hamas are taking place that could lead to the release of some of the remaining 50 Israeli hostages and a surge in aid to Gaza.

The White House said Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff is travelling to Qatar this week to try to seal the agreement.

Read more:
Israeli soldier describes arbitrary killing of civilians in Gaza

IDF troops ‘psychologically broken’ after Gaza – UN expert

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‘Some Israeli commanders can decide to do war crimes’

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Whether a temporary pause could open a path to a lasting peace remains uncertain, with the two sides’ criteria for peace still far apart.

Mr Netanyahu has said Hamas must surrender, disarm and leave Gaza – something it refuses to do.

He also told reporters on Monday that the US and Israel were working with other countries who would give Palestinians “a better future” – and indicated those in Gaza could move elsewhere.

“If people want to stay, they can stay, but if they want to leave, they should be able to leave,” he added.

“We’ve had great cooperation from… surrounding countries, great cooperation from every single one of them. So something good will happen,” Mr Trump said.

The president was widely criticised earlier this year when he suggested resettling Gaza’s population to countries such as Jordan and Egypt and turning it into the “Riviera of the Middle East”.

Human rights groups said the plan amounted to ethnic cleansing and most Gazans said they would never consider leaving.

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