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Experts say both are at critical point' of escalation and that people should ensure they are up to date with vaccinations

Scathing report finds Department of Communities and Justice not providing the care needed to protect children's safety and welfareNew South Wales is failing tens of thousands of vulnerable children due to an ineffective" and unsustainable" child protection system, a damning audit has found.The state's auditor general, Bola Oyetunji, released the scathing report on the child protection system on Thursday, finding that the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) was not meeting its legislative requirements to provide the care needed to protect children's safety and welfare, nor providing the appropriate assistance for parents. Continue reading...

Rishi Sunak will reportedly introduce tiered system and longer sentences under new proposalRishi Sunak will reportedly pledge an overhaul of homicide laws, introducing US-style classifications for murder and increasing sentences, as part of the Conservative manifesto.The proposals would include a tiered system of first- and second-degree murder, as well as increasing the minimum sentence for murders that take place in the home from 15 to 25 years. Continue reading...

Labour leader accuses PM of resorting to lies' in TV debate as election campaign turns bitter and personalRishi Sunak lied to the country and broke the ministerial code when he claimed Labour's spending plans would increase taxes by 2,000, Keir Starmer has said, as his party attempts to regain control of the election narrative.Both Starmer and the shadow chancellor, Rachel Reeves, rounded on Sunak in an increasingly bitter and personal war of words, saying the prime minister's tactics during Tuesday night's TV debate showed he was dishonest under pressure. Continue reading...

ABS says spending for the period would have been lower for clothing, merchandise and dining if not for Eras tour

The radio and voiceover veteran was diagnosed with aggressive skin cancer in 2019

Biden-backed proposal is causing rifts in unstable coalition led by Israeli PM that could lead to his government falling apartIsrael's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, is facing growing pressure both at home and internationally to support a new ceasefire plan for Gaza, a move he is resisting over fears it will collapse his government.Far-right members of the prime minister's coalition have threatened to quit the coalition if Israel surrenders" before total victory" over Hamas, while his leading rival, the centrist Benny Gantz, has said he will resign from the emergency unity government if Netanyahu does not commit to a deal and day after" plan for Gaza by 8 June. Continue reading...

Area from south-east California to central Arizona see will extreme heat, with temperatures topping out at 113F in PhoenixParts of California, Nevada and Arizona are expected to bake this week as the first heatwave of the season arrives with triple-digit temperatures forecast for areas including Phoenix, which last summer saw a record 31 straight days of at least 110F (43.3C).By Wednesday, most of an area stretching from south-east California to central Arizona will see easily their hottest" weather since last September, and record daily highs could be seen from Las Vegas to Phoenix, the National Weather Service said late on Monday. Continue reading...

Richard Tice made some eye-opening statements on the climate, and the manifesto is packed with even more falsehoodsDespite 40C record heat in 2022 and the wettest 18 months on record this winter, this general election seems set to test the UK's political consensus on climate change like never before.Reform UK, the rightwing party that describes itself as offering commonsense" policies on immigration and energy, has eschewed the consensus in favour of outright climate scepticism. So what exactly does the party have to say about global heating and the UK's net zero target? Continue reading...

Omar Barghouti, who attended Columbia University in 80s, says student solidarity with Palestine has educated the worldThe student-led protests demanding universities cut financial and academic ties to Israel have led to unprecedented support for the Palestinian liberation struggle, and have propelled the divestment debate into the mainstream, according to the co-founder of the Boycott, Divest, Sanctions (BDS) movement.Omar Barghouti, a Palestinian human rights defender who helped launch the BDS movement almost 20 years ago, said the students' solidarity had helped educate the world about the Israeli occupation and apartheid" while exposing the hypocrisy - and repressive tendencies - of some of the world's most prestigious universities with investments in corporations which put profit before people and the planet". Continue reading...

Deterrence policy against asylum seeker boats is under strain, with three vessels arriving in a week in May

H7N3 detected at farm in state's south-west, sparking a safety alert for all bird owners including households with backyard chickens

Justin Stein blames confusion' for changing version of events around nine-year-old's death, trial told

Kye Schaefer died after being found with significant' stab wounds early on the morning of 2 May

Former pilot, who has pleaded not guilty to murdering Russell Hill and Carol Clay, told police the deaths were the result of an accident

Parliamentary inquiry finds NSW mental health care is reactive and crisis-driven' because it is chronically and severely underfunded

Exclusive: Yvette Cooper says a Labour government would instruct new enforcement body to act over alleged exploitation of workersLabour will launch an investigation into the treatment of migrant workers in the British social care sector if it wins the election, the party has announced, after dozens of cases of alleged exploitation were uncovered.Yvette Cooper, the shadow home secretary, called the allegations revealed by the Guardian a disgrace", accusing the government of turning a blind eye to the problem. Continue reading...

Parent company says P&O would be integrated into its sister line Carnival Cruise Line in March 2025

Guy Meogrossi, 30, faced court on charges of producing child abuse material and filming a person's private parts without their consent

Cecil Farley says implant, which could become standard treatment, means he can still see his wife of 63 yearsA 91-year-old man who became the first patient in England to have his sight saved by an artificial layer in his cornea has praised the procedure for allowing him to still see his wife.Cecil Farley, from Chobham in Surrey, had problems with his right eye for about 15 years before losing his vision. He required a cornea transplant to save his sight but his previous surgery - a graft with a human cornea - failed and doctors warned the next might too. And the shortage of human corneas from deceased donors meant Farley faced a year-long wait. Continue reading...

John Swinney claims Anas Sarwar not keeping to Rachel Reeves's constraints on NHS, schools and renewables funding as leaders clashThe SNP has accused Scottish Labour of completely rewriting" Rachel Reeves's spending plans, as the party leaders took part in the first televised debate of the election campaign.The clash between the the SNP, Scottish Labour, Scottish Conservatives and Scottish Liberal Democrats was screened by STV, without a studio audience, and involved intensive cross-examination of each leader by his political rivals. Continue reading...

Honorary president of the former Brexit party to make eighth attempt to enter parliamentThe Conservative party's faltering general election campaign suffered a potentially damaging blow when Nigel Farage announced he intended to stand as an MP and lead the Reform party for the next five years.The former Ukip and Brexit party leader said he would stand in Clacton, Essex, after changing his mind while spending time on the campaign trail. He claimed that he did not want to let his supporters down. Continue reading...

Nicola Forster was a safety training officer at Hendon Police College who developed PTSD after role during Grenfell Tower fireA Metropolitan police trainer took her own life after the actions of her employer made her mental health worse, an inquest has found.Nicola Nikki" Forster, 45, a safety training officer at Hendon Police College in north London, was found dead at her home in September 2022.In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie. In the US, you can call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 988, chat on 988lifeline.org, or text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org Continue reading...

Fine is largest ever in an animal welfare case imposed by US justice departmentResearch animal breeder Envigo pleaded guilty to animal welfare and environmental crimes on Monday, resolving a two-year US justice department investigation into its mistreatment of thousands of beagles, prosecutors said.Envigo agreed in federal court in the western district of Virginia to pay $22m in fines, plus an additional $13.5m to support animal welfare and environmental projects, cover law enforcement expenses and improve its own facilities. Continue reading...

Comment made despite signs of division in Israeli war cabinet and Netanyahu appearing to challenge the dealThe White House insisted that the ball was in Hamas's court" on whether to accept a new Gaza peace proposal, despite mixed signals from Benjamin Netanyahu reflecting turmoil within his governing coalition in Israel.The US national security spokesperson, John Kirby, insisted on Monday that it was an Israeli proposal - despite the fact it had been unveiled by Joe Biden on Friday, during the Jewish Sabbath, and Netanyahu had appeared to challenge it. The Israeli prime minister said any deal that did not lead to the complete destruction of Hamas's military and governing capacity would be a non-starter". Continue reading...

Deputy leader has voted against renewing Trident but says she supports triple lock' commitment to programme in near termAngela Rayner has said she has not changed her mind about nuclear weapons even though she supports Labour's policy to keep and renew them.The deputy Labour leader voted against the renewal of Trident in 2016 but said on Monday that she supported Labour's triple lock" - a commitment to maintain the UK's nuclear deterrent round the clock, build four new nuclear submarines, and carry out future upgrades. Continue reading...

Season's high temperatures come despite wettest spring since 1986 and the sixth wettest on recordThe UK had its warmest May and spring on record, despite the wet, dull conditions for many parts of the country, provisional Met Office figures show.The average temperature in May was 13.1C (55.6F), beating the previous record in 2008 by a full 1C, making it the warmest May in records dating back to 1884. Continue reading...

Some parents say processing error has left them unable to buy food for family as others say they are now facing bank chargesAbout 500,000 people in the UK expecting child benefit payments did not receive them on Monday, with some parents saying the shortfall left them unable to buy food for their children or facing bank charges.HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) apologised after about 30% of child benefit payments scheduled for 3 June did not arrive in claimants' bank accounts. Late on Monday afternoon, it said those affected would now receive their money on Wednesday morning. Continue reading...

In Cardiff there is criticism and some support for first minister who is facing a motion against him in Welsh parliamentThere was no honeymoon period and precious little breathing room for Vaughan Gething to relish the historic achievement of becoming the first Black leader of a European country. Since he was chosen as Welsh Labour leader and first minister 11 weeks ago, Gething has faced a slew of allegations about donations, the deletion of messages during the pandemic and the sacking of a minister.On Wednesday he faces his most uncomfortable test yet, a vote on a motion of no confidence tabled by the Conservatives in the Senedd, the Welsh parliament. UK Labour leaders and strategists dismiss it as mischief-making but there is growing evidence in polling and doorstep conversations that the scandals are cutting through to voters. Continue reading...

Former Ukip chief says election needs a bit of gingering up'. This live blog is closed

Lion's share will go to three former executives of company condemned for hostile takeover of engineering firm GKN in 2018The UK engineering firm Melrose Industries has handed out a 176m reward pot to 21 of its current and former executives, with the lion's share going to three of them.In a move that is likely to further fuel the controversy over executive pay, the FTSE 100 company confirmed on Monday that the bosses had been issued with shares totalling 176m under a bonus scheme set up in 2020. Continue reading...

Israel's PM says US president only published some of the detail in his plan to wind down war in Gaza and says return of hostages key to any discussions. This live blog is closedPalestinian health officials said Israeli airstrikes killed 11 people overnight into Monday, including a woman and three children, in central Gaza, according to the Associated Press.

Survey also shows increasing desire for government regulation of hate speech and artificial intelligence

Establishment figures', journalists and experts banned from entering country over what it terms provocative anti-Russian rhetoric'Here's a bit of detail from the Financial Times' report that the Power of Siberia-2 gas pipeline project has run into trouble. Spokespeople for both Beijing and Moscow issued statements in relation to reports that the project is deadlocked - so in case you've not read the FT's report, this is what that's all about.Citing three people close to the matter, the FT reported that the Power of Siberia-2 gas pipeline project has stalled over demands made by Beijing on price and supply levels.What is Beijing asking for? It concerns both prices and supply, according to the FT's sources. The people familiar with the matter told the newspaper that China wants to pay little more than Russia's heavily subsidised domestic prices and would only commit to buying a small proportion of the pipeline's planned annual capacity.What does this mean? It shows how Beijing has the upper hand in this deal - Russia's invasion of Ukraine has left president Vladimir Putin increasingly dependent on China as Gazprom suffers heavy losses.What is the Kremlin asking for? When Putin and Xi met last month in Beijing, Putin made three key requests, according to the people familiar with the matter. A deal on the pipeline; more Chinese bank activity in Russia; and for China to decline to attend a peace conference being organised by Ukraine. Continue reading...

Musician who had huge 1984 hit with Agadoo had retired last monthColin Gibb, who had huge success as a core member of novelty pop band Black Lace, has died aged 70.His wife Sue Kelly announced the news on Facebook, writing: I love you Colin ... we were due to retire to Spain on Thursday, you were so happy, so looking forward to our new life, now you're gone. As we used to say, always love you forever." Continue reading...

Grief and adoration at ceremony just day after death of rugby league great, who dedicated last years to help others with diseaseA blue mural on a wall close to Headingley stadium in Leeds bears the words of Rob Burrow: In a world full of adversity, we must dare to dream."The former Leeds Rhinos rugby league scrum-half died on Sunday, five years after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease. Continue reading...

State security service says it has uncovered major espionage case' involving husband and wifeChina's secret service has accused MI6 of turning two Chinese state workers and recruiting them as spies.The ministry of state security (MSS), which has responsibility for China's intelligence gathering and secret police, said on Monday it had uncovered the major espionage case" involving a husband and wife both working in core key units" of a Chinese state agency. Continue reading...

Hamas's ability to return to areas from which it was earlier forced to retreat threatens forever war'

This blog is now closed.

Former Mexico City mayor's Morena party also on track for possible two-thirds super majority in CongressClaudia Sheinbaum has been elected as Mexico's first female president, taking at least 58.3% of the vote, according to a quick count by the country's electoral commission.The former climate scientist's closest rival, Xochitl Galvez, from the opposition coalition, received at least 26.6% of the vote, while Jorge Alvarez Maynez, the candidate of the centrist Movimiento Ciudadano, came in third with at least 9.9%. Continue reading...

Blackstone to increase bid to level that would value London-listed group at nearly $1.6bn

Court shown part of 2021 police interview by former pilot, who has pleaded not guilty to murdering Russell Hill and Carol Clay

Hundreds of complaints made to government over abusive behaviour from staff and low quality of food providedHundreds of complaints about ill treatment from staff looking after asylum seekers in hotels and other accommodation have been lodged with the Home Office, a Guardian investigation has found.The complaints have been lodged within the last year and asylum seekers say that they include abuse and harassment, failures to deal with vulnerabilities such as mental health problems and serious self-harm, and staff walking into their bedrooms unannounced. Continue reading...

Party is focusing on 80 seats it came closest to losing in last election and 20 seats it came closest to winningThe Conservative party is pursuing an ostrich strategy" on Facebook, spending almost all of its ad budget since the beginning of the year in constituencies that were once marginal but are now looking more like surefire losses, Guardian analysis shows.The strategy is known within the party as the 80/20" approach, in which it focuses all its spending on the 80 seats it came closest to losing in 2019 and the 20 seats it came closest to winning. Continue reading...

Justin Stein, who has pleaded not guilty to murdering Charlise Mutten, gave evidence in the NSW supreme court as his defence case began

Airline calls new system, which will see passengers split into six groups, the most significant change to boarding in a decade'

Leader Ed Davey tells party members it is critical moment as Tories pour election funds into keeping blue wall seatsThe Liberal Democrats have launched a new fundraising campaign called the Portillo pot", aimed at ousting cabinet ministers in blue wall seats.The party leader, Ed Davey, said he would most like to defeat the chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, the justice secretary, Alex Chalk, and the education secretary, Gillian Keegan. Continue reading...

Arts hub described as heart of city's fringe advertised for redevelopment after benefactor outvoted on family trustSenior figures in the arts have warned that Edinburgh faces a cultural crisis after it emerged that one of the city's most famous venues, Summerhall, has been put up for sale.Summerhall, housed in the city's former veterinary school, has earned a reputation as one of the UK's most innovative and critically acclaimed venues since it was set up 12 years ago by a wealthy benefactor, Robert McDowell. Continue reading...

Royal College of Nursing says overcrowding is forcing practice that puts patients at serious riskOvercrowding is forcing hospitals to treat so many patients in corridors and storerooms that it constitutes a national emergency", the UK's nursing union has said.The growing and widespread practice is endangering patients' safety by leaving them without oxygen or easily able to attract staff's attention, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) warned. Continue reading...

Library says it is deeply distressed' about incident and does not condone discrimination on grounds of cultural dress'