Retired Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens, the independent-minded jurist whose bright bow ties and courteous manner symbolized an old-fashioned style of integrity, died Tuesday. He was 99.Though he joined the court as a centrist Republican, he emerged in his later years as the leading voice of its liberal bloc.Stevens retired in 2010 after more than 34 years on the bench, the third longest tenure in the court’s history. President Obama, sporting a red bow tie in his honor, described him as a “brilliant, non-ideological, pragmatic” justice who “applied the Constitution and the laws of the land with fidelity and restraint.”His departure also marked the end of an era. He was last veteran of World War II to serve on the court. And as he noted on his last day, he had joined “the brethen” in 1975 at a time when only men served as justices. He was replaced by Justice Elena Kagan, who became the third woman on the nine-member court. Stevens was … [Read more...] about Retired Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens dead at 99
Politics
Pressure to be stepped up over start of work on A47 improvements
PUBLISHED: 14:40 16 July 2019 | UPDATED: 14:47 16 July 2019 The Vauxhall Roundabout at Great Yarmouth. Picture: James Bass Archant Further pressure is to be applied over speeding up work on £300m of improvements to the A47, after county councillors raised fears the programme was in danger of delays. Graham Plant, deputy leader of Norfolk County Council. Pic: Neil PerryFurious MPs, councillors and business leaders last month accused Highways England for "going backwards", after it emerged key improvements to the A47 were facing delays.Highways England said they need to look again at the designs for the Vauxhall and Gapton roundabouts at Great Yarmouth - because of the potential traffic impact from the mooted Third River Crossing.That will delay work starting on improvements to those junctions, which are part of the government's £300m package for the A47. It was originally hoped work would start in 2018/19.And county councillors are also concerned about the specifications … [Read more...] about Pressure to be stepped up over start of work on A47 improvements
Mum’s horror after finding giant dead rats in new council home
PUBLISHED: 11:40 15 July 2019 | UPDATED: 13:39 15 July 2019 Taz Ali Charli Denton was looking forward to starting an independent life in her new home in Norwich - but this was thwarted after finding mounds of rat droppings and two giant dead rats in the council flat. Picture: Charli Denton Charli Denton A single mother was given a shock when she discovered dead rats "the size of a TV remote" in her council flat. Charli Denton found heaps of rat droppings and two dead rats in her Norwich council home soon after moving in. Picture: Charli DentonCharli Denton, 18, signed her tenancy agreement for a two-bedroom flat in Bullard Road, Norwich, on June 24.She was assured by Norwich City Council that the flat had been treated for rats and that it would be clean by the time she moved in with her one-year-old son Caleb. As it was her first home away from her parents, Miss Denton wanted to decorate the flat before settling in with her toddler. Charli Denton was … [Read more...] about Mum’s horror after finding giant dead rats in new council home
Revealed: The noisiest streets in Barking and Dagenham
PUBLISHED: 16:44 11 July 2019 | UPDATED: 17:06 11 July 2019 Hannah Somerville Colin Platt was fined for having a noisy 50th birthday party. Picture: COLIN PLATT Archant More than 4,500 noise complaints have been made across Barking and Dagenham since the start of 2018 - with a tiny cul-de-sac responsible for the most persistent rackets in the borough. Pinley Gardens, which according to the figures may be Barking and Dagenham's noisiest street. Picture: Google MapsA Freedom of Information request has revealed that 4,687 people have reported noisy neighbours to Barking & Dagenham Council in 18 months.The majority of complaints were to do with loud or excessive music, or 'people noise' such as loud footsteps, talking and shouting: a total of 2,996.But other irate residents have called the council's four-strong noise team about a raft of other reported dins, from people carrying out DIY - which led to 510 complaints - to 85 incidences of TVs and radios … [Read more...] about Revealed: The noisiest streets in Barking and Dagenham
Tom Steyer joins swarm of Democrats running for president
Even with his personal fortune, Steyer faces challenging prospects, starting with his party’s criteria to join debates. To qualify for the one at the end of July, he would need to get contributions from 65,000 donors – not easy for any billionaire to do – or reach at least 1% in three polls recognized by the Democratic National Committee. … [Read more...] about Tom Steyer joins swarm of Democrats running for president