Welcome to the Huddersfield Examiner's breaking news service.
Stay with us throughout the day to be the first to know everything that's happening across Huddersfield and the rest of West Yorkshire.
We'll also be bringing you updates on crime, health, sport, politics, education and more live from the Examiner team.
And remember to check back before you travel as during peak times we'll provide you with all of the latest traffic updates on the M62 and roads around the region.
You can also download our app to get news on the go and push notifications for the latest breaking stories here .
If there's something you've noticed and want us to check out then please feel free to get in touch - you can call us on 01484 437712, email editorial@examiner.co.uk or tweet @Examiner. You can also find us on social media here .
Key Events
Watch the moment lorry recovered from teetering over edge of bridge
The fire service have released video of the moment a lorry was rescued from falling off the side of a bridge.
The lorry was held by heroic officer Martin Willis and his bare hands after it skidded on the A1 last week. Pc Willis said he feared for his life as he held onto the HGV. See the full story here.
Eight people arrested in Kirklees over drink driving
Fifty people have been arrested by West Yorkshire Police over drink and drug driving since they launched their annual campaign.
The force have been doing their annual campaign to time with the festive season as more people are at parties and on the roads. Of the 50 arrested, police have revealed that eight of these for for drugs offences.
Eight of the total people arrested were from Kirklees, while seven people were from Calderdale. Of all those arrested, 29 were charged; four of those charged were over the age of 65, one of whom was a man from Kirklees.
Sgt Gary Roper of the Roads Policing Support unit said: “It’s quite startling that so many people have been arrested so far this December as we haven’t yet had many of the ‘busy’ celebration weekends, when we traditionally find more people take the risk of drink driving.”
National news
Here’s a round-up of today’s main headlines...
BREXIT DEAL DRAWN BETWEEN UK AND EU
Prime Minister Theresa May hrabbed only two hours’ sleep as she battled to close a deal on leaving the EU. A joint report has now laid out basic points of the UK’s exit from the EU. These include protection for EU citizens living in the UK and Britons living in the remaining 27 countries, along with their family members. There will also be “no hard border” between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, and the UK will contribute to the EU budget up until the end of 2020. The UK’s financial settlement is believed to be £35-39 billion.
CLASHES ERUPT ACROSS WEST BANK OVER US JERUSALEM MOVE
Palestinians have clashed with Israeli troops across the West Bank and Gaza to protest against US President Donald Trump’s recognition of contested Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Protesters burned Israeli and US flags or stamped on Trump posters in displays of anger. In the West Bank, demonstrators torched piles of tyres, sending columns of thick black smoke rising over the cities of Ramallah and Bethlehem. Palestinian stone-throwers traded volleys in the streets with soldiers firing tear gas and rubber bullets. Clashes were also reported on the border between Gaza and Israel.
BITCOIN PUSHES BEYOND 16,000 AS SURGE CONTINUES
Bitcoin’s relentless rise continued on Thursday, shooting past the 16,000 (£12,000) mark and adding to fears of a dangerous market bubble. According to Coindesk, the cryptocurrency touched an all-time high of 16,615.94 before paring gains to trade at 15,970.93 in the afternoon session. Despite its value climbing more than 1,500% since the start of the year, financial heavyweights are divided over the digital currency’s significance.
Snow warning upgraded to Amber
The Met Office have stepped up warnings over snow this weekend from Yellow to Amber, saying some rural areas could be ‘cut off’.
Forecasters are predicting heavy snow throughout the day Sunday.
A spokesperson said: “A spell of heavy snow is likely over parts of Wales, the Midlands and parts of Northern England on Sunday. Road, rail and air travel delays are likely, as well as stranding of vehicles and public transport cancellations. There is a good chance that some rural communities could become cut off.”
Pictured: Congestion on westbound carriage
Here’s what things look like from the eastbound side at Ainley Top...
Accident causing traffic build up on the M62
Queues on the M62 westbound due to an accident this morning between junctions 23 and 24.
This has now been move over to the hard shoulder and all lanes are back open. Congestion is back to Ainley Top.
Staying safe on the roads
Some advice from the AA and police for motorists on staying safe in this weekend’s weather conditions:
Huddersfield weather
Weather warnings are to remain in place over the weekend.
Snow is predicted again for Sunday, with temperatures to remain only marginally above freezing. Highs today of just 2 degrees. Wrap up warm, folks!
Sunday looks to be very cold - temperatures to stay at 0 and below! Definitely crack those Christmas jumpers out!
WYP use stop and search method for first time ever
West Yorkshire Police was one of three forces in the UK to use the stop and search method in relation to terror offences.
The method allows officers to search anybody in public if there is enough suspicion to think a terror act may take place.
The Home Office have revealed in a report that 128 searches were carried out under section 47a of the Terrorism Act 2000 this year, which was the first time ever these powers were used. The other two forces to use them were North Yorkshire Police and British Transport Police, with the searches resulting in four arrests.
Sandra picks up her MBE
Jo Cox’s assistant has been awarded an MBE at Buckingham Palace.
Sandra Major, who worked in the MP’s Batley office and was with her when she was killed in Birstall last year, was given the honour for her commitment and services to the Batley & Spen community.
Car ends up on wall in Dewsbury collision
Looks like budget cuts have affected Father Christmas, too.
Let’s hope he has room for all those presents in the back of that Polo! Luckily nobody was injured.
Today's Examiner
Here is our front page this morning. The main story today is on yesterday’s crash involving a police car and a Corsa on Wakefield Road at Moldgreen.
M62
All’s looking to be running fairly smoothly on the motorway - no major incidents to let you know of. We’ll update you should this change.
Snow on the roads!
Take extra care on the roads this morning as there is snow and ice around. Some roads on the tops are worth avoiding.
Huddersfield Road in Diggle, on the Greater Manchester side, is particularly bad this morning and buses are avoiding it. The Snake Pass is also closed due to the conditions. Very slow traffic on the Woodhead Pass too due to hazardous conditions.
Good morning, Huddersfield
Welcome to the Huddersfield Examiner’s breaking news service.
Stay with us throughout the day to be the first to know everything that’s happening across Huddersfield and the rest of West Yorkshire.
We’ll also be bringing you updates on crime, health, sport, politics, education and more live from the Examiner team.
And remember to check back before you travel as during peak times we’ll provide you with all of the latest traffic updates on the M62 and roads around the region.
You can also download our app to get news on the go and push notifications for the latest breaking stories here .
If there’s something you’ve noticed and want us to check out then please feel free to get in touch - you can call us on 01484 437712, email editorial@examiner.co.uk or tweet @Examiner. You can also find us on social media here .
