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California judge says effort to find alleged noncitizen voters relies on data full of errors and is leading to intimidation of voter assistance groups

Far-right activist says he used private investigators to track down journalists but denies trying to intimidate themThe far-right activist Tommy Robinson has told his harassment trial that he used private investigators to track down journalists who had written about his alleged role in the 2024 riots, and had photos taken of their homes to put pressure" on them.Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, denied in court that his actions, which included sharing photos of the wife and daughter of one of the journalists, were designed to intimidate and bully. Continue reading...

Prime minister pledges his government's commitment to address climate crisis saying our determination is unwavering'

With ICE arrests and detentions at their highest levels, immigration remains a key issue for voters less than two weeks before election day.

At 3pm BST / 4pm CEST Friday 23 Oct, Guardian Europe columnists Rokhaya Diallo and Alexander Hurst will be live taking questions from our readers about the riots and protests in France. Send your questions by email now to conversations@theguardian.com, or join the discussion on FridayAfter weeks of protests and a weekend of riots in which a town hall was set ablaze, 2,000-plus shops were looted, 2,300 people were arrested and 1,000 police injured, the repercussions for France - for its society and its economy - continue. Allegations of police brutality surfaced, and the violent protests unnerved investors, resulting in a debt sell-off, with borrowing costs rising higher than for Greece. All of this ahead of a hotly contested presidential election that's now just six months away.The French government's escalating financial problems were covered by the Guardian's Europe correspondent Jon Henley who wrote: France's national debt, at 119% of GDP, is at its highest level since 1946. Its budget deficit, at 5.1%, is also among the highest in the EU. There is just no money in the bank to ease the cost of living squeeze that brought 550,000 people on to the streets on Saturday." Continue reading...

Parents, colleagues and others encouraged her to go to police but she feared she would not be believedA woman told her mother that Russell Brand had raped her and didn't stop even when she screamed out in pain", a court has heard.The woman also told a colleague she was bleeding everywhere" and that Brand had shouted at her, saying, Look what you've done to my fucking sheets", Southwark crown court heard on Thursday. Continue reading...

California, Oregon, Washington and Hawaii health officials ask CDC, prioritizing emerging technologies', to reconsiderCalifornia and Washington asked the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in May to validate a new way to test for measles - but after waiting two months, the CDC denied the request, citing other competing priorities", according to a letter from the West Coast Health Alliance to the CDC director, Erica Schwartz.The letter, signed by health officials in California, Hawaii, Oregon and Washington, asks Schwartz to reconsider and validate a rapid, high-volume measles test in preparation for major outbreaks. The alliance also asked the CDC to create protocols to test for other high-priority pathogens to prepare for future outbreaks. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Sasan Ghandehari's partnership with religious foundation raises questions about past dealings with republic criticised by Nigel FarageNigel Farage's newest billionaire donor was in business with a powerful Iranian religious foundation under the authority of the country's supreme leader, raising questions about his past dealings with the hardline republic.Hossein Ghandehari, also called Sasan, was little known in the UK until he pledged to give millions to Reform UK this summer and donated 50,000 to Farage to cover the cost of two passes for the Davos World Economic Forum. Continue reading...

French president will decide on concrete next steps' regarding demonstrations on Friday as part of tough security response to recent rioting

Some 32 government services are offline while work is carried out to address potential cybersecurity issues, a minister has said

Experts say Russia is trying to destroy energy infrastructure before winter and US appeasement and flattery' will not achieve peace

Charities say tip of iceberg' figures show government is not fulfilling pledge to halve violence against women and girlsAlmost one in 10 adults in England and Wales have experienced domestic abuse in the last year, a survey from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has found.The Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) found that 9.6% of people aged 16 and over had experienced domestic abuse in the last year - which equates to about 4.7 million people. Continue reading...

The PM is heard having a long discussion about crisps in the trailer to the show, which is in aid of Stand Up To CancerFrom ranking his favourite crisps in the pub to complaining about people watching TikToks out loud on the train, Andy Burnham has made efforts to show he has the common touch.Now he will become the first prime minister to appear on the popular TV show Gogglebox, in a special charity episode on Friday. Continue reading...

The social media personality denies allegations he gave a girl alcohol until she was drunk and sexually assaulted herThe looksmaxxing" livestreamer Braden Peters, better known by his stage name Clavicular, pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges that he raped a 17-year-old girl at his family's Massachusetts home.A social media personality known for promoting extreme devotion to male beauty, Peters, 20, is accused of giving the girl alcohol until she was drunk and then sexually assaulting her when she visited him in Chatham, on Cape Cod, in May 2025. Continue reading...

Fears over lack of scrutiny for key sectors as health editor position also to go in cuts aimed at saving 5.5mThe BBC will no longer have a dedicated education editor as part of a cost-cutting drive in which 100 jobs are to go across BBC News under a plan that school leaders described as deeply regrettable".BBC staff have been told that the roles of education editor and social affairs editor are to be combined into a single position as part of a round of changes that will save 5.5m. However, prominent unions and campaigners are saying the reform will dilute scrutiny of two specialisms that are too important to go without a dedicated BBC role. Continue reading...

John Lawrence Smart charged with being armed in a way that may cause fear but Perth lawyer expresses concern for mental health

Assessment finds global heating is endangering 96% of coral reefs across 80 countries - a figure scientists say should serve as a wake-up call'

Exclusive: British Chambers of Commerce president tells PM to level the playing field' for struggling high streets

Kim Aris says hearing her voice again means more than words can express' amid loosening of detention restrictionsThe son of Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi has been allowed to speak to the detained former democratic leader for the first time in more than five years.Today, I was finally able to speak with my mother, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, after more than five years. Hearing her voice again means more than words can express," Kim Aris said in a post on Facebook on Thursday. Continue reading...

Supermarket urges government not to further aggravate' pressure on costs for businesses in next week's budgetSainsbury's has warned of a pretty challenging" market in the run-up to Christmas as households are finding it tough" and food producers face rising costs.Simon Roberts, the chief executive of the UK's second biggest supermarket, called on the government not to further aggravate" pressure on costs for business in this month's budget. He said it was important this government does not repeat what we have seen in previous budgets" in raising business rates and employers' national insurance contributions. That's been really hard," he said. Continue reading...

Each place, selected from longlist of nine, will be given 125,000 to develop bids before winner is announced in new yearBlackpool, Sheffield, Milton Keynes and Wrexham have been shortlisted to be the UK city of culture 2029, an award viewed as a way to boost local economies, foster civic pride and, above all, have some fun.The four places were chosen from a longlist of nine and each will be given 125,000 to develop their bids before the winner is announced in the new year. Continue reading...

Agency declines to reveal in which state latest measles death occurred as it delays reporting other measles deathsThe US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) added a third measles death to its dashboard on Wednesday, but the agency would not reveal whether the death occurred in Pennsylvania or another state - which is notable" as the agency delays reporting other measles deaths, experts say.The CDC cited privacy laws in not sharing the name of the state, but experts say there are no privacy concerns in doing so - and this information is important for the public to have as the outbreak continues accelerating, growing by 8% in one week to 4,410 confirmed cases so far this year, nearly double last year's count. Continue reading...

Democrats believe circumstances have aligned for them to win a slew of competitive elections in the stateMary Peltola's campaign to represent Alaska in the US Senate has taken her to parts of the massive state's interior that are inaccessible by road and on the frontlines of the cost-of-living crisis she hopes will make her the first Democrat to win the seat in nearly two decades.She has been to towns where paper towels retail for $40, a half gallon of oat milk goes for $21 and the cost of a new freezer can be quadruple what it is in the state's largest city, Anchorage, simply because it's so complicated to get there. Along the Arctic Ocean, she's heard of communities where power bills have climbed to $1,500 a month because they rely on generators for power and the Iran war has pushed the cost of diesel to new heights. Continue reading...

CCTV footage shows the police officer buying fast food, attending hospital, and visiting three separate Bunnings stores in the days after the alleged murder

Perth man charged with being armed in a way that may cause fear' - days after Helen Haines was allegedly attacked with 4WD outside her Victorian office

Accommodation platform acts after long-standing guest complaints over doing dishes, taking out rubbish and stripping bedsAirbnb hosts will no longer be able to ask guests to strip beds or wash dishes under the accommodation platform's new rules.The changes, which apply to Airbnb reservations covered by the platform's global policy, including bookings in Australia, will come into effect on 20 November and limit chores imposed on guests. Continue reading...

Test yourself on topical news trivia, pop culture and general knowledge every Thursday. How will you fare?The Thursday quiz is aware of standard international units of time, such as the Liz Truss (49 days) and the Scaramucci (11 days). Now a new unit of measurement has entered the chat: the Zacharia (five days). But whatever arbitrary length of time the world invents to measure chaos, political downfalls or social media meltdowns, the Thursday news quiz remains resolutely fixed. It is always seven days apart, unwavering, inescapable and ultimately reliable. Which means, once again, it is time for some questions on topical news, pop culture and general knowledge, with no prizes on offer except pride. Or shame. Allons-y!The Thursday news quiz, No 270 Continue reading...

Andy Burnham advertises for policy experts in technology, economic growth and cost-of-living challengesAndy Burnham is to recruit a number of advisers to plug gaps in No 10, including an expert on how AI will affect society.The roles advertised by Downing Street give a glimpse into the biggest challenges facing the prime minister - and what he has decided to prioritise. Continue reading...

Grocer launches Cricklewood store as part of 1bn investment plan, with Hale Barns, Greater Manchester, to follow next monthAs part of a 1bn investment plan, Waitrose has chosen Cricklewood in north London as the location for its first supermarket in eight years.The upmarket grocer will open the store on Thursday and another supermarket in Hale Barns, Greater Manchester, next month. It also plans four smaller stores next year, including a supermarket in Oakham, Rutland, and three convenience stores in Bedminster (Bristol), Chalk Farm (London) and Springstead Village (Cambridge). Continue reading...

Kim Yo-jong, sister of Kim Jong-un, issues warning after inspecting border fortifications against backdrop of rising tensionsPropaganda loudspeakers aimed at South Korea will be ready to restart within days along the entire border, Kim Yo-jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, has said amid a worsening of ties between the two countries.The statement, carried by the state news agency KCNA on Thursday, came a day after she said the loudspeakers would be in operation along the whole border from some time in October. Continue reading...

Swimming banned at Maroubra and Coogee while council prioritises culturally respectful' approach to remains

Antiques store owner, 74, pleads guilty to 13 charges after regulator uncovers hundreds of animals at his home and shop

Former reality star and wellness influencer stands accused of choking and assaulting wife at Noosa in Queensland

Leaders criticised for spreading misleading information as France prepares for further protests this weekendEmmanuel Macron has accused Donald Trump and other foreign leaders of making stupid comments" about France's street unrest for political gain, as the country prepared for more protests this weekend.Speaking during a visit to Qatar, the French president did not name names but said manipulation of information" after Saturday's riots had led to comments that are as unacceptable as they are stupid, from many people, including foreign leaders". Continue reading...

Home and office safety a common concern in Australian federal police and Asio safety briefings with politicians following alleged attack on MP Helen Haines

Committee cites shortfalls of submarines and warships and says dramatic progress' needed by end of decadeBritain risks failing to deter future Russian aggression in the high north beyond the UK because of shortfalls in the number and availability of Royal Navy submarines and warships, MPs on the defence select committee have said.The committee focused on the slow deployment of HMS Dragon to Cyprus this spring, declining numbers of frigates, and reports that all five Astute-class attack submarines were in dock this summer as evidence of a navy under-resourced for the threat. Continue reading...

Some in UK's security services questioned why Welsh Labour firebrand was of interestAneurin Nye" Bevan, the Welsh Labour firebrand who spearheaded the creation of the NHS, was monitored by security services for more than two decades, though his personal file was remarkably tame", according to official files released to the public.Bevan came to MI5's attention in the 1930s over concerns about his links with known communists, papers released to the National Archives show. Monitoring continued even after he became a minister in the postwar Labour government that created the NHS. Continue reading...

House prices in Sydney are at a two-year low after falling 4.7% in the September quarter to $1.66m, according to Domain report

Apes in study more likely to choose treats linked to sound of peers having fun, suggesting emotions influence learningOrangutans base their food choices on whether others appear to be having a good time, research suggests.Scientists studying captive orangutans have found that when the great apes heard the sound of their peers laughing before they searched a bowl for a tasty treat, they valued the reward more highly. Continue reading...

The south-west metro extension will open on Friday 30 October, more than two years after the former T3 heavy rail line closed

Australia-first laws provide a third legal option other than burial and cremation for the treatment of bodies

SEIU Local 1000, representing nurses and teachers, pushing for higher wages, telework and affordable healthcareThousands of California state workers began a sweeping one-day strike on Wednesday, with workers set to rally outside government buildings in several cities, as tensions boiled over lapsed contract negotiations with Governor Gavin Newsom's administration.SEIU Local 1000, a union that represents roughly 100,000 public employees, including nurses and teachers, has been pushing for higher wages, flexible telework and affordable healthcare. Continue reading...

Jack Ross was filmed allegedly discussing with an undercover reporter violent options to deal with enemiesA former Conservative election candidate has been suspended from the party after he was seemingly filmed discussing the cost of hiring contract killers and offering to broker" the services of a far-right activist with alleged paramilitary links.Jack Ross was filmed apparently asking an undercover reporter What do you want done?" before listing the type of violent options that could be bought. Continue reading...

US photojournalist describes protective shield', vows to return to work in West Bank and criticises Netanyahu comments on incidentThe Washington Post photojournalist who was attacked and seriously injured by Israeli settlers on the West Bank on Friday has described how she was saved with the help of local Palestinians.Heidi Levine sustained four fractured vertebrae, two broken ribs and four puncture wounds when she was knocked to the ground and repeatedly beaten by a crowd of masked settlers while she and other journalists were covering the olive harvest in the Palestinian village of Abu Falah, north of Ramallah. Continue reading...

Steve Witkoff's flattery of the Russian leader could be just the start of a mendacious stratagem from a US president who says Moscow has been fine on Ukraine'They say the first casualty of war is truth. For the Trump administration, the road to peace with Russia now encompasses some extraordinary lies.Steve Witkoff delivered one as he sat down with Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg on Wednesday, aiming to close the deal on Russia's land grab in Ukraine with the White House's strategy of maximum pressure on Kyiv and saccharine flattery of the Kremlin. Continue reading...

Officials say the explosion released an airborne irritant that can cause burning of the eyes, nose, mouth and skinOfficials are investigating a tank explosion in Toledo, Ohio, that released a chemical into the air, causing a mass evacuation in the area.One person, a first responder, was injured and taken to the hospital, but officials believe the injuries are non-life-threatening. They are also unsure about the cause of the explosion. Continue reading...

No 10 declines to rule out watering down plans to extend waiting period for indefinite leave to remain as cabinet split widensShabana Mahmood has been urged to read the room" on Labour opposition to her immigration policy, as No 10 declined to rule out watering down her plans to make foreign workers wait 15 years to get permanent residency.Mahmood, the home secretary, is consulting on plans to increase the period before foreign workers can claim indefinite leave to remain from five to 15 years, backdated to apply to anyone arriving from 2021 onwards. Continue reading...

Zia Yusuf claims undercover investigation broke the law as broadcaster stands by its journalismHere is an explainer by Jill Ambrose about the Jackdaw decision.But environmental groups have condemned the decision. Ami McCarthy, head of politics for Greenpeace UK, said:Approving Jackdaw shows the toxic grip fossil fuel lobbyists still hold over our energy policy. Andy Burnham promised pragmatism [see 8.40am], but there is nothing pragmatic about rubber-stamping a project that won't lower energy bills, won't boost energy security and will create just 27 full-time jobs ...True pragmatism means severing our reliance on expensive oil and gas that leaves British households broke, supercharges extreme weather, and leaves our energy security at the mercy of petrostates.Is the prime minister living in a parallel universe? One where we haven't just endured our hottest summer on record, with droughts, wildfires and, in all likelihood, the most heat-related deaths on record? And where the UN hasn't warned that we're on the brink of breaching the all-important 1.5 degree warming limit?Shell will be cheering this decision but it won't knock a penny off our energy bills, which is what's keeping people up at night, or make a meaningful difference to our gas supply.

Jaden J Read was arrested after federal authorities say he posted threats online before president's Wichita rallyA 24-year-old Kansas man has been arrested for allegedly threatening to shoot Donald Trump.Authorities arrested Jaden J Read, of Clearwater, Kansas, last Saturday after he allegedly posted threats to kill the US president at his rally in the Wichita area on Monday, according to the justice department. Continue reading...

Party given additional penalty by Electoral Commission for not paying original fine on timeReform UK has been fined more than 2,000 for failing to declare it was the publisher of campaign material seen by voters - including an additional penalty for failing to pay on time.Nigel Farage's party was sanctioned by the Electoral Commission after four items of elections material were missing an imprint" - a declaration of the publisher so voters know who has paid for the promotional message. Continue reading...