Jackie Weaver, star of a Handforth parish council meeting last year, had “no authority” after all, an investigation has found. Footage from the Zoom meeting featured Weaver being told by the council chair that he was the only one who could remove people from the meeting. “You have no authority here Jackie Weaver,” he told her. “No authority at all.” An independent investigation has found that the muting of microphones and removal of individual councillors “was without authority”. Weaver told the BBC she was “deeply saddened that it took so long and cost so much” to establish this.
Choirboy’s message found after 125 years
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Politician mistaken for Will Smith
A politician in Maryland has been confused for the actor Will Smith, after the actor slapped Oscars presenter Chris Rock. The politician, also called Will Smith, has received an avalanche of messages on Twitter since the headline-grabbing incident. “Why you hit Chris Rock B****,” asked one. “I threw my remote at my tv so my 5 year old daughter wouldn't see your violent behavior,” read another post. The actor himself has apologised to Rock, saying his behaviour was “unacceptable and inexcusable”.
-
Crossword: November 12, 2025The Week's daily crossword
-
Trespasses: a ‘devastating’ Irish love storyThe Week Recommends Lola Petticrew ‘steals the show’ in TV adaptation of Louise Kennedy’s novel
-
Should David Szalay’s Flesh have won the Booker Prize?Talking Point The British-Hungarian author’s ‘hypnotic’ tale of masculinity, sex and power scooped this year’s literary award
-
Nigeria confused by Trump invasion threatSpeed Read Trump has claimed the country is persecuting Christians
-
Sanae Takaichi: Japan’s Iron Lady set to be the country’s first woman prime ministerIn the Spotlight Takaichi is a member of Japan’s conservative, nationalist Liberal Democratic Party
-
Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of TaiwanIn the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
-
Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdownIN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American citiesUnder the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctionsThe Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
-
One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
-
What happens if tensions between India and Pakistan boil over?TODAY'S BIG QUESTION As the two nuclear-armed neighbors rattle their sabers in the wake of a terrorist attack on the contested Kashmir region, experts worry that the worst might be yet to come
