Ghislaine Maxwell convicted in US sex trafficking trial

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View online December 30, 2021   1 / Ghislaine Maxwell: Jury finds socialite guilty on five charges in sex trafficking trial Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted of five of the six charges against her at her sex trafficking trial in New York on Wednesday night.   The verdict capped a month-long case featuring sordid accounts of the sexual exploitation of girls as young as 14, told by four women who described being abused as teens at Jeffrey Epstein's palatial homes in Florida, New York and New Mexico.   In all, the five guilty charges could carry a combined sentence of up to 65 years in prison.   2 / NHS announces Covid Nightingale 'surge hubs' to deal with Omicron wave NHS chief announces plans as health service goes on 'war footing'   3 / Anti-vaxxers storm Covid testing centre and trash equipment in 'disgraceful' protest Anti-lockdown figure Piers Corbyn helped lead 'freedom rally' through Milton Keynes   4 / Virginia Giuffre applauds Maxwell verdict as Prince Andrew lawsuit hearing looms She says Maxwell's conviction was 'another step in justice being served'     5 / Energy crisis: Britain leans on gas shipments from Qatar to ease supply squeeze Exclusive: Sources report increase in shipments — but government denies formal request to gulf state The Big Question     Is Britain's Covid test shortage unique, and is Brexit to blame? A shortage of Covid home test kits is hitting the UK – with supply chain issues being blamed. For weeks, the NHS website has been running out of kits almost as soon as they become available, and pharmacies in the highest demand area have also run dry.   Despite some commentary suggesting otherwise, this shortage is not unique to the UK – although the picture is complex and different countries have different issues depending on how tests are used.   Britain's emphasis on testing, and the availability of free home kits, is among the reasons for particularly high demand. One country facing similar problems is Ireland, which has a similar system for distributing the lateral flow kits: they are in theory available for free in pharmacies, or ordered from a government website. Read the full story >   Watch / The biggest stories of 2021 NUMBER OF THE DAY £10,335 Pubs, bars and restaurants had a disastrous run-up to Christmas, with venues losing £10,335 on average during what would usually be the busiest week of the year, according to new industry figures. QUOTE OF THE DAY "It is because women put up with it over Christmas. Especially for mothers who feel guilt and shame that taking their child away from home over Christmas is too much. That is certainly what I felt." –  Sharon Bryan, head of partnerships and service development at the National Centre for Domestic Violence, as domestic abuse services are preparing for a surge in victims coming forward for help in the first week of January after spending Christmas with abusive partners. Other stories you might like Pubs, bars and restaurants lose £10,335 each in disastrous Christmas week Labour demands answers after Tory peer 'given £330,000 for driveway repair' Seals with sensors glued to heads employed as Antarctic researchers Articles available exclusively to subscribers Sean Russell, The Independent: The return of sport in 2021: the incredible highs and absolute lows If you can spare a minute we'd love your feedback on our newsletters.     Join the conversation or follow us Please do not reply directly to this email You are currently registered to receive The Independent's Morning Headlines newsletter. Add us to your safe list of senders.   If you do not want to receive The Independent's Morning Headlines newsletter, please unsubscribe.   If you no longer wish to receive any newsletters or promotional emails from The Independent, you can unsubscribe here.   This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5HF. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345. Read our privacy notice and cookie policy.