World news | The Guardian

Health secretary's move to force race sparks scramble on left of Labour for candidate to oppose him

The covert meeting with the UAE's president is the latest milestone in a rapidly developing Middle East allianceBenjamin Netanyahu has revealed he made a secret trip to the United Arab Emirates at the height of the Iran war to meet president Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.This visit has led to a historic breakthrough in relations between Israel and the UAE," the Israeli prime minister's office said in a statement on Wednesday night. Continue reading...

Health secretary's lack of challenge had reassured Starmer and his allies - but then briefings for a speculative Thursday launch emergedAs the unofficial political truce of the king's speech approached, with still no sign of a leadership challenge from Wes Streeting, some of his Labour colleagues assumed the health secretary's chance to go for the top job might have passed for ever.There is a risk he becomes the David Miliband of this generation if he doesn't do something," one MP said, a reference to another longtime heir apparent who never made the final step. Continue reading...

St John the Divine, Kennington has built one of UK's largest youth choral programmes in area marked by deprivationSt Paul's Cathedral school, one of the UK's most prestigious private schools, has long been associated with the musical elite. So was seven-year-old N'raeah, from south London, nervous about auditioning for its internationally renowned choir?No," she said, beaming. Everybody's counting on me to sing beautifully." Continue reading...

King Charles unveils government agenda for the next year as PM faces leadership threat from within Labour

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Wes Streeting is expected to launch a leadership challenge against Keir Starmer as soon as Thursday. News of the health secretary's plans came during the king's speech, derailing what was supposed to be another chance for the prime minister to reset the political agenda. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian's head of national news, Archie Bland Continue reading...

Watchdog to examine whether Reform UK leader should have declared sum he received before entering parliamentNigel Farage is facing a formal investigation by the parliamentary standards watchdog over a 5m gift from the crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne.The Reform UK leader received the money weeks before announcing he would stand as a candidate in the 2024 general election. Continue reading...

After drawing delighted crowds since first sighted in Orkney the young male has swum 400 miles across the North SeaA peripatetic walrus who became a local celebrity as he toured the north-east coast of Scotland has now been spotted in Norway, bringing to an end his Celtic sojourn.The young male was christened Magnus after he after first hauled his estimated 2.5-metre frame out of the sea on to Stronsay pier in Orkney on 16 April. Continue reading...

Strikes killed at least six people as Moscow and Kyiv trade long-range attacks after brief ceasefire

Captain of French football team expressed concerns about far-right National Rally party gaining powerThe French football captain, Kylian Mbappe, has angered Marine Le Pen's far-right party after expressing concerns about it winning next year's presidential election.Mbappe, 27, who grew up in Paris's northern suburbs in a family with Algerian and Cameroonian heritage, told Vanity Fair this week: I know what it means and what consequences it can have for my country when people like them come to power." Continue reading...

Queenslander under pressure after YouTube interview where he said he was not ruling it out' but I don't have the facts yet'

Opposition leader Angus Taylor and shadow treasurer Tim Wilson say future Coalition government would reinstate generous rules for property investors

From supermarkets to corner shops, live facial recognition could be coming to retailers near you. Jessica Murray on the AI systems increasingly used by the police and storesLive facial recognition is being hailed as a powerful new frontier in the fight against crime, not only by police but by private companies too. Retailers from supermarkets to corner shops hope it will help them fight back against shoplifting.But the Guardian's social affairs correspondent, Jessica Murray, points out that it will also expand surveillance into more and more public spaces. And the technology doesn't always get it right. Continue reading...

Pete Hegseth and other officials appear before House to face grilling on Iran war expenditure and military operationsIran has expanded its definition of the strait of Hormuz into a vast operational area" far wider than before the war, according to a senior officer in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy in comments likely to anger the US.The strait is no longer viewed as a narrow stretch around a handful of islands but instead has been greatly enlarged in scope and military significance, according to Mohammad Akbarzadeh, deputy political director of the IRGC Navy, the state-affiliated Fars news agency reported this morning. Continue reading...

Party held out prospect of act while in opposition but plan did not make it into election manifestoMinisters should bring forward a new clean air act that would ban wood burning, clear diesel vehicles from the roads and force councils to cut pollution, a group of more than 60 charities have urged before the king's speech on Wednesday.Labour held out the prospect of a clean air act while in opposition in 2023, but this was dropped from the final election manifesto, and the government has made no move to reinstate it. Continue reading...

Research on weight limits of elevators made in UK and Europe 1972-2004 raises concerns over safety and equityLifts are no longer big enough to fit the UK's larger citizens, according to researchers.A study of maximum capacity in elevators in the UK and mainland Europe found lifts have not kept up with increasing obesity levels, raising concerns about safety and equity. Continue reading...

Republican leader acknowledges likely consequences' for resisting US president's demands to redraw map

Comedian will host the 99th Oscars in 2027 after viewership dipped this year despite rise in social media engagementConan O'Brien's era as Oscars host is becoming a trilogy. The Emmy-winning comedian will be back to host the 99th Academy awards in 2027, leaders of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science said on Tuesday.O'Brien hosted the last two Oscar ceremonies to positive reviews. Earlier this year, in his opening monologue, he said he was honored to be the last human host of the Academy Awards ... Next year it's going to be a Waymo in a tux." Continue reading...

Planned legislation includes housing, immigration and energy measures, and comes amid awkwardness with the palace over Charles's roleKeir Starmer will attempt to regain the political initiative on Wednesday as his government announces a package of 35 bills for the next parliamentary session, covering everything from housing to immigration.The embattled prime minister will release details of dozens of bills that he intends to pass over the next 12 months, even as his own MPs line up to demand his resignation.Additional reporting by Caroline Davies Continue reading...

Christian Schmidt says the multi-ethnic nation may fall apart thanks to pressure from the US and RussiaThe UN high representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina has warned about the possible destruction of the multi-ethnic state after he was forced to resign in a policy clash with the US, seemingly complicated by the commercial interests of a firm linked to Donald Trump Jr that is seeking to make investments in the region.The German Christian Democrat politician Christian Schmidt spoke at a scheduled meeting with the UN security council in New York on Tuesday, where he warned about the fragility of Bosnia and Herzegovina. He has made clear he believes his post should be maintained, saying he will stay on until his successor is appointed. Continue reading...

Hack of online learning system caused chaos for students and faculty last week, delaying some final examsThe company that operates the online learning system Canvas said it struck a deal with hackers to delete the data they pilfered in a cyberattack that created chaos for students, many of them in the middle of finals.Instructure, the parent company of Canvas, said in an online post that it reached an agreement with the unauthorized actor involved in this incident". Continue reading...

Tensions are running high in Westminster as Keir Starmer tells his cabinet he is not going anywhere. But with several ministers quitting the government and more than 80 MPs calling for him to go, how much longer has the prime minister got?Lucy Hough speaks to political editor Pippa Crerar Continue reading...

Juliette Binoche joins 600 leading figures to warn against a fascist takeover of the collective imagination'More than 600 cinema figures have said the growing influence of the far right on French cinema production risks turning into a fascist takeover of the collective imagination".In an open letter published in the newspaper Liberation to coincide with the opening of the Cannes film festival, they said the billionaire Vincent Bollore's dominant position in French film production and distribution threatened the independence of the industry. Continue reading...

Workers told to be realistic about outcome of union talks as corporation aims to make savings with job cutsBBC staff have been told their bosses will forgo a pay rise this year but fear the freeze will lead to a meagre increase for the rank and file, who have been urged to be realistic about the outcome of union negotiations.Employees have been told that the corporation's executive committee - its 12 highest-paid bosses including the director general, who were paid almost 5m in total last year - will have their pay frozen this year amid a 600m cost-cutting drive. Continue reading...

The Crystal Palace, Arsenal and England striker says his life story - now in development with the rapper's Merky Films - has hard-hitting moments, but in the end I want it to give people hope and joy'Stormzy has announced he is to produce a biopic of former Arsenal, Crystal Palace and England striker Ian Wright.Wright, who successfully transitioned to TV punditry after a distinguished playing career that included becoming Arsenal's highest ever goalscorer, before he was overtaken by Thierry Henry, said he wanted the film to give people hope and joy". Continue reading...

National broadcaster RTE accused of antisemitism for decision to screen satirical 1996 Eurovision episode in boycott of contestIt is considered one of the funniest episodes of a beloved sitcom, but the Father Ted storyline about Eurovision has been dragged into the row over Israel's participation in this week's song contest.Ireland's national broadcaster, RTE, which is boycotting the competition in protest against Israel's inclusion, will instead broadcast the 1996 episode A Song for Europe, in which the characters Father Ted and Father Dougal perform their song My Lovely Horse and earn nul points. Continue reading...

NDIS changes foreshadowed by health minister Mark Butler will drastically reduce access to the scheme, with nearly 700 staff positions to go at NDIA

Catalano's lawyer says press attention potentially detrimental' to Australian Community Media co-owner's mental health

The 17 passengers to be transferred to a quarantine center in Nebraska to assess them for risk', as one tests positive and another shows symptomsThe 17 Americans onboard the hantavirus-stricken cruise ship M/V Hondius, including one person who has tested positive, have disembarked the vessel after it docked in Tenerife on Sunday and are being repatriated to the US.Upon their arrival in Spain, medical teams from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) awaited and interviewed the passengers, whose identities have not been publicly disclosed and who have not tested positive for the virus, about their exposure on the cruise. Continue reading...

Four Australian citizens and one permanent resident from the MV Hondius to fly home via Perth on Tuesday

Historic Farrer byelection win ignites internal rumblings about Coalition leadership

Keir Starmer has vowed to fight on after Labour suffered heavy losses in local elections, while Nigel Farage's Reform UK and the Green party made substantial gains. So is the era of two-party politics over? And can the prime minister survive?Lucy Hough speaks to political correspondent Alexandra Topping Continue reading...

After Labour's demise was overestimated, the prime minister's potential challengers are staying quiet - for now

Owner IAG expects to recover 60% of additional fuel bill caused by Iran war through revenue and cost management'

Law says conviction of two men for spying raises serious concerns over how they accessed sensitive informationNathan Law, an exiled leader of the Hong Kong student protest who lives with a 100,000 bounty on his head from the Chinese authorities, was not surprised to discover a spy ring had photographed him entering the Oxford Union for an evening debate in November 2023.The conviction at the Old Bailey of Chi Leung Peter" Wai, 38, and Chung Biu Bill" Yuen, 65, for assisting a foreign intelligence service, was a sobering first - no Chinese spies had been convicted in British criminal history before Thursday - but the details that came out in the nine-week trial mainly served to confirm his suspicions. Continue reading...

Leader defiant in face of calls from some of his MPs to quit but admits results are tough, and there's no sugarcoating it'

Patient remains on south Atlantic island of Tristan da Cunha, say health officials, as vessel heads to Tenerife

Anthony Albanese rejects calls for her to resign over the breaches, saying she had done the right thing and had also apologisedThe communications minister, Anika Wells, has repaid more than $10,000 for incorrect travel claims, identified amid controversy about her use of taxpayer-funded entitlements.In a statement released on Friday, Wells said an audit by the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority identified four mistakes in her claims dating back to Labor's 2022 election victory, worth a combined $8,092.89. Continue reading...

Former foreign minister steps down early as finance minister Katy Gallagher says embattled institution must continue rebuilding trust and confidence'

Australia's most prominent portrait prize was announced on Friday at the Art Gallery of NSW, where the finalist exhibition will open on Saturday

Stone being paid $50,000 a month to rebuild' relations between Washington and Myanmar's military-backed governmentUS lobbyist Roger Stone, a longtime friend and ally of Donald Trump, has been condemned for accepting $50,000 a month to rebuild" relations between Washington and Myanmar's military-backed government.Myanmar's leaders have been internationally isolated since seizing power in a coup in 2021, and have repeatedly been accused of atrocities that may amount to war crimes. Activists say the military rulers, which recently held widely condemned sham" elections, are now trying to reassert themselves abroad. Continue reading...

Naturalist says he has been overwhelmed by greetings' as milestone is marked with event at Royal Albert HallDavid Attenborough said he had been completely overwhelmed by birthday greetings" for his centenary on Friday and thanked wellwishers most sincerely".

Donald Trump says the ceasefire remains in place despite the strikes, with Iranian TV saying the situation is back to normal'The United States and Iran exchanged fire late on Thursday in the most serious test yet of their month-long ceasefire.Iran accused the US of violating the ceasefire by targeting two ships at the strait of Hormuz and attacking civilian areas, as the US insisted it struck in retaliation. Continue reading...

Moscow steps up maritime presence in North Sea after UK threats to seize shadow fleet oil tankersBritain's Royal Navy tracked and followed a Russian frigate every day last month as it sailed from the Atlantic to the North Sea, as Moscow steps up its maritime presence after UK threats to seize shadow fleet oil tankers.The Russian navy's Admiral Grigorovich escorted six Russia-linked vessels during April, including at least three under economic sanction passing east through the Dover strait, while being watched continuously by four UK ships and helicopters. Continue reading...

Facebook and Instagram owner claims charges should not be calculated based on a company's global revenueMeta has launched a legal challenge against the UK's media regulator over the fees and fines regime it is enforcing under landmark digital safety legislation.The Facebook and Instagram owner is claiming that Ofcom's methodology for calculating the charges is flawed and should not be based on a company's global revenue. Breaches of the Online Safety Act can be punished by fines of up to 10% of qualifying worldwide revenue (QWR) or 18m - whichever is higher. Continue reading...

A group of prominent Senate Democrats sent a letter to FCC chair, Brendan Carr, to protest the commission's order last week challenging ABC's licensesA group of prominent Senate Democrats sent a letter on Thursday to Brendan Carr, the Trump-aligned Federal Communications Commission chair, asking him to rescind the US media regulator's order last week requiring ABC to apply early to renew its television licenses.The eight ABC-owned station licenses were not originally up for renewal until 2028 at the earliest and 2031 at the latest; now, the renewal requests must be filed by the end of May. Continue reading...

Chi Leung Wai and Chung Biu Yuen convicted over surveillance of dissidents in shadow policing' operationA UK Border Force officer and Hong Kong trade official based in London have been found guilty of spying for China and surveilling dissidents through a shadow policing" operation.Chi Leung Peter" Wai, 38, and Chung Biu Yuen, 65, also known as Bill, were found guilty at the Old Bailey of assisting a foreign intelligence service, making them the first people in British history to be convicted of spying for China. Continue reading...

Yona Simcha Schreiber from settlement in West Bank faces charge of assault motivated by hostility towards religious groupAn Israeli settler suspected of kicking and wounding a French Catholic nun in Jerusalem will go on trial for assault motivated by hostility towards a religious group, Israel's justice ministry has said.The attack on the nun, a 48-year-old researcher at Jerusalem's French School of Biblical and Archaeological Research, occurred on Mount Zion, just outside the Old City. Continue reading...

The honour recognises Albanese's work documenting and denouncing violations of international law in Gaza'The Spanish government awarded the UN legal expert Francesca Albanese one of its highest civilian honours in recognition of what it termed her extensive work in documenting and denouncing violations of international law in Gaza".Albanese, an Italian human rights lawyer who serves as UN special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, has been vocal in her criticisms of Israel's military operations in Gaza, which she has described as genocide. Continue reading...