Prime minister announces first firearm buyback since Port Arthur massacre, and designates Sunday a national day of reflection in honour of Hanukah shooting victims

Essex force says report is outside time limit for prosecution, while Electoral Commission says it has not found any undeclared spendingNigel Farage has avoided investigation over claims his general election campaign breached electoral law last year - in part because too much time has passed since the alleged offences.The Reform UK leader was told on Thursday that Essex police could not open an investigation because it was now time-barred, more than a year having passed since any alleged offence. The Electoral Commission, which had been asked to open a separate inquiry into other elements, said it had not identified any undeclared spending that should have been reported. Continue reading...

Commons leader denies allegation and says government not trying to break bodies' after doctor said prisoners were dyingThe government is not trying to break the bodies" of Palestine Action protesters on hunger strike, a minister has said, after a doctor said eight of the activists were dying.The prisoners on hunger strike are facing charges related to alleged break-ins or criminal damage on behalf of Palestine Action before the group was banned under terrorism legislation in July, charges which they deny and have called to be dropped. Continue reading...

Napier barracks in Folkestone faced multiple problems, from far-right protests to damning high court ruling over safeguarding issuesThe UK's first and most longstanding military barracks used to accommodate asylum seekers is closing its doors on Thursday after almost six years.The closure of the controversial Napier barracks in Folkestone comes at a time when the government has pledged to expand its use of this form of accommodation as an alternative to expensive hotels, which anti-migrant and far-right protesters have criticised for being luxurious", but which asylum seekers and those who work with them say are often rundown and unsuitable. Continue reading...

Intelligence service says attacks were work of groups connected to Russian state in clear evidence' of hybrid warThe Danish government has accused Russia of being behind two destructive and disruptive" cyber-attacks in what it describes as very clear evidence" of a hybrid war.The Danish Defence Intelligence Service (DDIS) announced on Thursday that Moscow was behind a cyber-attack on a Danish water utility in 2024and a series of distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks on Danish websites in the lead up to the municipal and regional council elections in November. Continue reading...

Impossible to judge safety or effectiveness as adult clinics not systematically recording outcomes, Dr David Levy findsDoctors treating vulnerable patients with gender dysphoria have no way of assessing whether the NHS treatment provided has worked because outcomes are not systematically recorded, a damning official inquiry into the clinics has found.Waiting times for a first appointment at NHS adult gender dysphoria clinics (GDCs) in England are projected to reach 15 years unless there are improvements, the review found. The number of people seeking treatment is rising significantly and on average patients are already waiting five years and seven months for a first assessment. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Book to detail life from child poverty and teenage pregnancy to unions and Labour deputy leadership before fall from grace

Tory leader dismisses the government's newly published strategy as a complete distraction'Richard Adams is the Guardian's education editor.The British public supports the government's decision to rejoin the Erasmus youth education and work experience programme, according to snap polling released by YouGov. Continue reading...

NHS England on high alert as admissions reach all-time high for this time of yearPeople should stay home over the Christmas period if they have symptoms of flu or Covid, experts have warned amid fears flu cases could see a second surge in the New Year.Flu levels appear to be plateauing, but it is too soon to say whether they have peaked, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). As a result, experts are urging people to wash their hands regularly, make sure indoor spaces are well ventilated, get a free vaccination if eligible, and stay home where possible if symptoms develop. Continue reading...

Summit divided on idea of loan secured against Russian assets, as Belgium seeks guarantees if scheme goes wrong

ECJ ruling brings hope to area of city targeted over high percentage of residents with non-western' backgroundsResidents of a Copenhagen neighbourhood that became an international symbol of a law in Denmark known as the ghetto law" have said they are confident they can overturn the legislation in the Danish courts after the top EU court ruled that it may be unlawful.The controversial law, dating from 2018, allows the state to demolish apartment blocks in areas labelled parallel societies" by the government, where at least half of residents have a non-western" background. Formerly, the government referred to these neighbourhoods as ghettoes". Continue reading...

Move-on period extended from 28 days to 56 days if person recently granted refugee status is at risk of sleeping roughThe UK high court has halted evictions of thousands of new refugees who were at risk of spending Christmas on the streets.Concern had been mounting among lawyers and human rights campaigners that within days of celebrating being granted refugee status the group could find themselves rough sleeping. Continue reading...

Package includes medium-range missiles, howitzers and drones, and has drawn an angry response from China

Giridharan Sivaraman warns of a surge of racially motivated violence in wake of Bondi shooting, saying it's going to get worse before it gets better'

Critics of proposed changes in response to Bondi beach terror attack say they could be used to pursue agendas that divide communities'

Exclusive: Queensland corruption body investigation into Troy Thompson found no direct evidence' to support claims he was diagnosed with the condition

Former top medic described as Dr Death' by prosecutors poisoned 30 people ranging in age from four to 89A French anaesthetist described by prosecutors as Dr Death" has been found guilty of intentionally poisoning 30 patients and killing 12 over almost a decade as a top medic.Frederic Pechier, 53, once seen by colleagues as a star anaesthetist", was sentenced to life in prison on Thursday after state prosecutors said he was one of the biggest criminals in the history of the French legal system". Continue reading...

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For now many fakes are easy to spot. But audiences could find it increasingly difficult to tell fact from fiction as tech improves

In today's newsletter: The government's clash with resident doctors has hardened into one of the most bitter public-sector disputes since austerity beganGood morning. The moment of crisis" for the NHS that led Keir Starmer to warn resident doctors not to strike this week is already upon us as a winter flu epidemic sweeps the country, having started weeks earlier than usual.Yet, despite the warnings, Tuesday's last ditch talks between the government and the British Medical Association, representing 55,000 of 70,000 resident doctors in England, failed to reach agreement over pay and jobs.UK news | Police in London and Manchester have pledged a further crackdown on pro-Palestinian demonstrations on anyone chanting the words globalise the intifada" or holding a placard with the phrase on it.Trade policy | Ministers and senior MPs have warned that the UK's agreements with Donald Trump are built on sand" after the Guardian established that the deal to avoid drug tariffs has no underlying text beyond limited headline terms.Ukraine | The UK has given its final warning to Roman Abramovich to release 2.5bn from his sale of Chelsea FC to give to Ukraine, telling the billionaire to release the funds or face court action.US news | Nick Reiner, who has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the killing of his parents, acclaimed actor and director Rob Reiner and photographer Michele Singer Reiner, made his first appearance in court on Wednesday.Sextortion | The parents of a 16-year-old who took his own life after he fell victim to a sextortion gang on Instagram are suing Meta for the alleged wrongful death of their son, in the first UK case of its kind. Continue reading...

Test yourself on topical news trivia, pop culture and general knowledge every Thursday. How will you fare?Welcome to the final Thursday news quiz of the year - a small festive tradition involving the news, a handful of jokes, and the knowledge that somewhere there are 1,057 pedants limbering up to find something to nitpick. And it is a bumper 20-question edition. Thank you for quizzing throughout the year, for your comments, corrections and good-natured quibbles, and most of all for the kind messages literally hundreds of you sent the quizmaster during the Great Thursday Quiz Hiatus of 2025TM, when he was off sick. It really meant a lot. Allons-y!The Thursday quiz will return in the new year and wishes you a Merry Christmas, a great festive holiday period and all the best for 2026. Sign up for First Edition to get a Thursday quiz-style quiz of the year in your inbox on Christmas Day. Continue reading...

Pro-Palestine activists, some Jewish groups and civil liberty campaigners criticise NSW Labor for eroding our democratic freedoms'

Two police officers should be dismissed and potentially face criminal charges over the incident, Law Enforcement Conduct Commission recommends

O'Neill tapped to lead global oil and gas giant, which has broken from net zero strategy and will ramp up fossil fuels

Total of five arrests made at pro-Palestine demonstration in London - hours after chiefs of two police forces announced change in approachTwo people have been arrested after allegedly shouting slogans calling for intifada" during a protest by pro-Palestinian demonstrators in London, police said.Five people in total were detained outside the Ministry of Justice in Westminster on Wednesday evening, with further arrests for obstruction and public order offences. Continue reading...

Protesters had gathered outside prison to demand 20-year-old, who is on day 46, receive urgent medical attentionA 20-year-old woman taking part in the hunger strike by Palestine Action-affiliated prisoners has been taken to hospital after protesters gathered outside the jail where she was being held to demand she receive urgent medical attention.Qesser Zuhrah, who is being held at HMP Bronzefield in Surrey while awaiting trial, is on day 46 of her hunger strike. Continue reading...

Conciliation service in contact with all the parties involved' as medics in England strike for 14th timeThe conciliation service Acas has offered to help try to break the deadlock in the resident doctors' strike in England.The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service has made clear that it is willing to become involved in an effort to find a resolution to the long-running dispute, as medics remain on strike for the 14th time over pay and jobs. Continue reading...

Teenager appears in court over death of girl in Weston-super-Mare on MondayA 15-year-old boy has appeared in court charged with the murder of a nine-year-old girl in Weston-super-Mare.Aria Thorpe died from a single stab wound at an address in the North Somerset town on Monday, Somerset police said. Emergency services were called to Lime Close shortly before 6.10pm. Continue reading...

Though minister had said ZEV mandate review would be completed quickly as we can', government confirms it won't be published until 2027The government has played down reports that it is planning to bring forward the publication of a review of electric vehicle sales targets from 2027 to next year amid concerns from the car industry.The government had said in April it would weaken its zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate - which was brought in to force carmakers to sell more electric cars every year or face the prospect of steep fines - after lobbying from the car industry, and planned to review the targets. Continue reading...

Population fell by 0.2% in third quarter - and the only other quarterly decline on record was attributed to Covid limitsCanada experienced one of its largest drops in population in the most recent quarter, the result of a crackdown on international students. The drop marks dramatic turnaround for a country that has long pegged its economic growth to immigration.New estimates released on Wednesday by Statistics Canada showed that Canada's population fell by 0.2% in the third quarter to stand at 41.6 million, down from 41.65 million on 1 July. Continue reading...

Russian leader says aims of its special military operation' will be met unconditionally'The last available Erasmus+ country report for the UK based on 2020 data shows that University of Glasgow, University of Bristol, and University of Edinburgh were the three top UK universities sending students abroad, with most people coming into the UK from Spain, France and Germany.Just over 16,000 European students came into the UK as part of from the scheme in 2019/2020, with almost 6,000 trainees on top of that figure. 9,800 UK students and 6,500 trainees went in the other direction, data show. Continue reading...

Mark Jenner strung along activist who wanted to have children with him in an extremely cruel' way to infiltrate leftwing circles, Spycops inquiry toldAn undercover officer has admitted he callously and cruelly" deceived a woman into a five-year relationship while infiltrating leftwing campaigns, the spycops inquiry has heard.Mark Jenner and the leftwing activist, known as Alison, lived as a couple, but he never told her that he was in reality an undercover officer who was spying on anti-racist activists. Continue reading...

Nick Thomas-Symonds says a 30% discount for the UK's participation in EU scheme has been agreedStreeting says he does not want people to stay away from hospitals today if they need emergency medical help.The most important message that I want us all to convey collectively as, as parliament and the NHS, is to the public' I do not want people who need to access health care to think [they'd] better not try.So if it's an accident or an emergency, people should have access. Continue reading...

Canadian researchers tracking bear known as X33991 noticed she had gained a second cub who likely needed helpScientists in Canada have documented a rare case of female polar bear adopting a new cub, in an episode of curious behaviour" that highlights the complex relationships among the apex Arctic predators.Polar Bears International, a non-profit conservation group, said on Wednesday that when they first placed a GPS collar on a female polar bear in the spring, she had one young cub. But when she was spotted with two cubs of roughly the same age last month, they realized they were witnessing an exceedingly rare case of adoption. Continue reading...

The US president wants a blockade of oil tankers under sanctions to stop them entering and leaving Venezuela

Former BBC head of music and arts brought the joy of classical music to the general public over decadesSir Humphrey Burton, one of the most influential figures in arts broadcasting, has died at the age of 94.The award-winning film-maker and director, who revolutionised classical music programming, died at home with his family by his side. Continue reading...

Arbitration service hosts talks in effort to resolve dispute as medics in England strike for 14th time over pay and jobs

In an interview with Sky News' Andrew Clennell, Hastie ended any pretence that his grievances might have been purely numerical

Exclusive: Greens condemn sponsorship of group's launch by Precision Public Affairs, which represents clients with lucrative contracts with the Australian governmentA lobbying firm with high-profile defence industry clients will sponsor the launch of a Parliamentary Friends of Aukus group, in what an integrity expert may be a breach of official rules.Federal MPs were this week invited to the launch of the newly formed Parliamentary Friends of Aukus event, set to take place at Parliament House in February, and featuring the defence minister, Richard Marles, as the special guest". Continue reading...

Officers make arrest in connection with deaths of Harry and Megan Tooze in farmhouse in LlanharryAn 86-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the killing of a married couple who died after being blasted with a 12-bore shotgun more than 30 years ago.Harry Tooze, 64, and Megan Tooze, 67, were killed at their farmhouse in Llanharry, south Wales, in 1993. Continue reading...

Andrea Egan to become Unison general secretary, succeeding Christina McAnea, who has close links to Keir Starmer

Deal agreed to rejoin exchange programme in 2027, fulfilling Labour election manifesto pledge

Relative of Sir Winston Churchill and Diana, Princess of Wales, accused of three offences from 2022 to 2024The Duke of Marlborough, formerly known as Jamie Blandford, has been charged with intentional strangulation.Charles James Spencer-Churchill, a relative of Sir Winston Churchill and Diana, Princess of Wales, is accused of three offences between November 2022 and May 2024, Thames Valley police said. Continue reading...

45% of births were through C-sections, 44% through natural vaginal births and 11% assisted with forceps or ventouseBirths through caesarean section have overtaken natural vaginal births in England for the first time, NHS data has revealed.Last year, 45% of births in England were through caesareans, 44% were through natural vaginal births and 11% were assisted with instruments such as forceps or ventouse, according to the data published on Tuesday. Continue reading...

Anna Bilonozhenko describes how she was left seriously injured after Paul Doyle drove into crowd at paradeA woman who fled the war in Ukraine has said being seriously injured in the Liverpool FC trophy parade was one of the most traumatic experiences" of her life.Anna Bilonozhenko, 43, fractured her right knee when she was hit by Paul Doyle's Ford Galaxy as it struck more than 130 people in just two minutes. Continue reading...

Avner's Bakery told customers that it is no longer possible to make outwardly, publicly, proudly Jewish places and events safe in Australia'

At least 16 people including one of the alleged gunmen died at the shooting in Sydney on Sunday, aged between 10 and 87

Students blame reliance on phones plus pressure of accommodation costs for lack of social lifeMore than two-thirds of students in UK university halls feel lonely or isolated, blaming accommodation costs and over-reliance on phones for limiting their social life.One in three students in halls of residence - 33% - are lonely or isolated at university often, with another 37% feeling that way occasionally, according to a poll by Opinium commissioned by the student accommodation provider PfP Students. Continue reading...

Audit finds on average adults wait twice as long as children for assessment and more than 10 times as long to be treatedAdults with eating disorders in England are waiting up to 700 days for vital treatment, according to a report.The stark figures were revealed in the first report of the National Audit of Eating Disorders (NAED), which looked at access to eating disorder services across the country. Continue reading...

In a joint statement with other close friends, including Albert Brooks and Martin Short, the comedians pay tribute to the Reiners after their deathsUS comedy luminaries Billy Crystal, Larry David, Martin Short and Albert Brooks have come together to remember their friend and peer Rob Reiner, hours after the director's son was charged with the murder of his parents.Nick Reiner, 32, has been in custody since Sunday evening, hours after his sister, Romy, reportedly discovered the bodies of Rob and Michele Reiner in their Los Angeles home. Police said the couple had suffered fatal stab wounds. Continue reading...