Bankstown man, 31, allegedly sent two emails to the communication minister's office in late November making direct threats

King extols early diagnosis which can give invaluable time' and backs launch of screening checker toolKing Charles has hailed a milestone" in his cancer journey" and revealed he is to reduce his schedule of treatment in the new year, describing the news as a personal blessing".His treatment will move into a precautionary phase with its regularity significantly reduced as his recovery reaches a very positive stage, it is understood. His medical team will assess how much longer he will require treatment to protect and prioritise his continued recovery. Continue reading...

A year-long investigation into the Free Birth Society reveals how mothers lost children after being radicalised by uplifting podcast tales of births without midwives or doctors.Lucy Hough talks to the investigative correspondent Lucy Osborne about her reporting - watch on YouTube Continue reading...

Rookie Michael Ma leaves Conservative party for steady, practical approach' of Mark Carney's governmentCanada's ruling Liberals have edged closer to a majority government after a Conservative lawmaker crossed the floor, in yet another blow to the struggling Tories.Rookie lawmaker Michael Ma said late on Thursday that he had decided to leave the Conservative party, for the steady, practical approach" of prime minister Mark Carney's government, which he said would deliver on the priorities I hear every day, including affordability and the economy". Continue reading...

Mohammadi violently' detained along with other activists at memorial event in Mashhad, according to her foundationIranian security forces have violently" arrested the 2023 Nobel peace prize winner Narges Mohammadi at a memorial ceremony for a lawyer and human rights advocate, her supporters said.Mohammadi, who was granted temporary leave from prison in December 2024 on medical grounds, was detained along with several other activists at the ceremony for Khosro Alikordi, who was found dead in his office last week, her foundation wrote on X. Continue reading...

Protesters say David Lammy is ignoring warnings over deteriorating health of eight hunger strikers awaiting trial

Robert Rhodes acquitted in 2017 on grounds of self-defence after manipulating a child to help in cover-upA man who was previously cleared of killing his wife on the grounds of self-defence has been found guilty of her murder after their child came forward with new evidence under double jeopardy rules.Robert Rhodes, 52, from Withleigh, Devon, was convicted unanimously at Inner London crown court of murdering his wife, Dawn nine years ago on 2 June 2016. Continue reading...

Carl Rinsch, who directed Keanu Reeves action film 47 Ronin, was convicted on fraud and money laundering chargesA Hollywood director was convicted Thursday on charges that he scammed Netflix out of $11m for a show that never materialized, while he instead used the cash for lavish purchases that included several Rolls-Royces, a Ferrari and about $1m in mattresses and luxury bedding.Carl Rinsch, best known for directing the film 47 Ronin starring Keanu Reeves, was convicted of wire fraud, money laundering and other charges, according to court records and a spokesperson for federal prosecutors in New York. Continue reading...

Exclusive: The trade and tourism minister flew with his wife from Adelaide to Canberra, listing official duties as the reason for the travel

Private investigator Jonathan Rees denies telling Doreen Lawrence he was involved in bugging herA key whistleblower supporting a legal claim headed by Prince Harry and Doreen Lawrence against the publisher of the Daily Mail appears to have dealt a last-minute blow to the case against the media group.Just weeks before a high court trial, Jonathan Rees, a private investigator who has supported claims of unlawful news gathering at Associated Newspapers, has contradicted a central allegation in the claimants' case. Continue reading...

Department of Finance opts not to take up review's recommendation that public servants only use business class on flights of three hours or more

Plans are response to surge in demand for AI capability and come after government signalled it would curb subsidiesDrax has revealed plans to convert part of its power plant in North Yorkshire into a datacentre as soon as 2027 in response to the increase in demand for AI capability.The FTSE 250 company behind Britain's biggest power plant told investors on Thursday that it had applied for planning permission to build a 100-megawatt datacentre at its site near Selby. Continue reading...

Robert Milne says he fully recognises the seriousness of the behaviours described in the media'Dulwich college's headteacher has responded to allegations of teenage racism by Nigel Farage by saying he recognised the seriousness of the behaviours described in the media".Robert Milne, who joined the school as its master" this summer, said the alleged behaviour was at odds" with the modern-day school in a letter in which he said he understood why 28 former pupils had felt compelled to speak out. Continue reading...

Hackers include Russia-based actors targeting WhatsApp and Signal accounts, parliamentary authorities warnMPs are facing rising numbers of phishing attacks and Russia-based actors are actively targeting the WhatsApp and Signal accounts of politicians and officials, UK parliamentary authorities have warned.MPs, peers and officials are being asked to step up their cybersecurity after a continued rise in attacks that have involved messages pretending to be from the app's support team, asking a user to enter an access code, click a link or scan a QR code. Continue reading...

Votes came as premium tax credits for estimated 21.8 million enrollees of plans set to expire at end of monthThe US Senate on Thursday rejected competing proposals to address the imminent expiration of subsidies for Affordable Care Act health insurance plans, greatly increasing the chances that healthcare costs will soon rise to unaffordable levels for millions of Americans.The votes, part of a deal brokered between Republican majority leader John Thune and the Democratic senators who agreed to reopen the government after a historically long shutdown last month, came as premium tax credits for an estimated 21.8 million enrollees of the plans are set to expire at the end of the month. Health policy research group KFF estimates that annual premiums will more than double if the subsidies are allowed to expire. Continue reading...

Ukrainian leader says Washington has suggested that Russian troops would stay in region, but not advance furtherNato's Rutte largely sticks to usual pleasantries, but says the clear political signal from Germany and other European partners is that Europe is ready to take on more responsibility," and a signal that burden sharing is not just a slogan."In his opening remarks, Merz says that Nato plays a key role in a time of great geopolitical upheaval," as he recalls his numerous meetings with Rutte in recent months. Continue reading...

The Housemaid actor received backlash in September when she left a comment on Instagram after the rightwing activist was killedThe Housemaid star Amanda Seyfried has said she is not fucking apologising" for describing Charlie Kirk as hateful" after the latter was shot dead in September.Seyfried was speaking to Who What Wear when she was asked about her social media activity, including the backlash around her Kirk comment. I'm not fucking apologising for that. I mean, for fuck's sake, I commented on one thing. I said something that was based on actual reality and actual footage and actual quotes. What I said was pretty damn factual, and I'm free to have an opinion, of course." Continue reading...

Emergency warning issued for parts of Kenwick, Wattle Grove, Maddington and Beckenham in Perth's south-east

An official report lays out different scenarios for the cost of transitioning away from fossil fuels to net zero by 2050Britain's official energy system operator has attempted to work out what achieving net zero carbon emissions will cost, with its figures showing surging spending in the coming years.The scale and speed of the shift to a low-carbon economy, and how to fund it, are hotly debated by political parties. Continue reading...

Health secretary admitted to being frustrated' with approach to governing in interviewSeema Malhotra, a Foreign Office minister, is responding to the urgent question about President Trump's national security strategy (even though it was addressed to the Cabinet Office - see 10.12am.)The Trump document was published at the end of last week. Peter Beaumont has an analysis of it here. Continue reading...

US forces have seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela in a major escalation of Donald Trump's campaign against the country's president, Nicolas Maduro, whose government called the seizure an act of international piracy.The Trump administration is facing increasing scrutiny over a series of attacks on boats off the Venezuelan coast. At least 87 people have been killed in 22 known strikes since early September.Lucy Hough talks to the Guardian's deputy head of international news, Devika Bhat - Watch on YouTube. Continue reading...

Law passes despite fears it will normalise Islamophobia' and fact it could be struck down by constitutional courtLawmakers in Austria have voted overwhelmingly to ban headscarves in schools for girls under the age of 14, despite concerns the legislation will deepen societal divisions and marginalise Muslims. The law could also be struck down by the country's constitutional court.The ban was proposed earlier this year by Austria's conservative-led government, which took office in March after a far-right party came first in the elections but failed to form a government. Continue reading...

Case involves allegedly allowing state funds for Indigenous projects to be transferred to government officials' accountsBolivia's former president Luis Arce was detained on Wednesday on charges that he enabled illicit enrichment" by allegedly allowing state funds earmarked for Indigenous communities to be transferred into the personal accounts of government officials.Arce served as Bolivia's president until last month, when he handed over the sash to the centre-right former senator Rodrigo Paz Pereira, who won the runoff in an election that ended nearly 20 years of dominance by the leftwing Movement for Socialism, or Movimiento al Socialismo (Mas). Continue reading...

NSW housing policy states higher density developments must allocate some affordable' units - but in some suburbs these can still fetch up to $1,000 a week

With 53-day wait time for aged care assessment, advocate says some doctors are advising elderly to be admitted to hospital to speed up referral

Greens MP condemns pathetic' level of funding to deal with lead contamination in state's far west

Sarah Mullally accused of mishandling abuse complaint against priest in London, where she serves as bishopThe Church of England is reviewing a complaint against the incoming archbishop of Canterbury over her handling of an abuse allegation.Dame Sarah Mullally is due to take up the role next month after Justin Welby was forced to resign over the way he dealt with a safeguarding scandal. Continue reading...

Lullaby features Palestinian singer, lyrics written by Peter Gabriel and artists including Eno and CelesteThe Together for Palestine fund is trying to get a Palestinian lullaby to Christmas No 1 in the UK charts in an effort to help provide aid to the people of Gaza, but also showcase their culture and creativity.The musician Brian Eno, who performs on the track, said Lullaby, which will be released on Friday, is a chance to support Palestinians over Christmas and potentially stage an unlikely coup by getting to No 1. Continue reading...

Maria Corina Machado thanks those who risked their lives to help her travel to Oslo and says she is hopeful Venezuela will be free'

The mashup Satisfaction Skank was unofficial for years but band allow Norman Cook to remake it using original stems of their 1965 hitA classic bootleg recording by Fatboy Slim which samples the Rolling Stones' (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction has finally been released, as the band give it their blessing after 25 years.Satisfaction Skank was a familiar track on turn-of-the-century dancefloors, as Fatboy Slim mashed up his own 1999 hit The Rockafeller Skank with the Stones' 1965 classic, hurling Keith Richards' iconic guitar riff into the big beat" sound of the late 90s. Continue reading...

Gavin Morris, a former NRL referee, found guilty of putting pupils in choke holds and twisting their ears

Attorney general Deb Frecklington says ban was a financial gerrymander' because it didn't apply to trade unions

Former chancellor also says Johnson was least well briefed' of the PMs he had servedSajid Javid told Boris Johnson he was a puppet" of Dominic Cummings before he resigned as chancellor rather than accept a Cummings-led takeover of his Treasury, he has said in an interview about his experiences as a minister.Speaking to the Institute for Government (IfG), Javid also said that his other departure from Johnson's government, shortly before it collapsed in 2022, was because he had lost confidence in the prime minister after being assured that allegations about lockdown-breaking parties in No 10 were bullshit". Continue reading...

Some businesses still waiting for final EHRC guidance while firms that moved early to exclude trans people show no sign of backtrackingOn Monday, a Dundee employment tribunal ruled a narrow win for Sandie Peggie, the nurse who complained about sharing a changing room with a transgender doctor. But the lengthy judgment also takes on the pivotal question that has been challenging employers, lawyers and campaign groups since April - does a supreme court judgment mean that transgender people must now be excluded from same-sex facilities that align with their chosen gender? Does it amount to a bathroom ban or not?The supreme court ruled earlier this year that the legal definition of a woman is based on biological sex. Interim advice released by the Equality and Human Rights Commission soon after the judgment in effect banned trans people from using facilities according to their lived gender, and its official guidance is expected to closely reflect that advice. Continue reading...

John Harris speaks to Yinka Bankole about his treatment as a nine-year-old at Dulwich college when Nigel Farage was a prefect. Plus, Kiran Stacey and John discuss whether Reform UK supporters will start to feel uneasy about the allegations of racism against Farage Continue reading...

Visitors will have to reveal at the border all social media activity over the past five years

Exclusive: Letters with deepfake images of Carmen Lau in UK and targeting of Ted Hui in Australia part of growing harassmentSexually explicit letters and lonely housewife" posters about high-profile pro-democracy Hong Kong exiles have been sent to people in the UK and Australia, marking a ratcheting up in the transnational harassment faced by critics of the Chinese Communist party's rule in the former British colony.Letters purporting to be from Carmen Lau, an exiled pro-democracy activist and former district councillor, showing digitally faked images of her as a sex worker were sent to her former neighbours in Maidenhead in the UK in recent weeks. Continue reading...

Labor and Coalition cut deal which unions argue will deny income support to people who can't work

Dean Sanderson died of head and chest injuries and his wife, Shannon, suffered broken ribs and a fractured scapula after falling 20-25 metres to the ground

Former Jetstar pilot will face a new trial after his conviction over the 2020 killing of camper Carol Clay was overturnedFormer pilot Greg Lynn has had his conviction for murdering an elderly camper in the Victorian high country overturned in a stunning decision made by the state's highest court.Lynn, 59, was found guilty in June last year of murdering 73-year-old grandmother Carol Clay in 2020, but was acquitted of murdering her fellow camper and lover Russell Hill, 74. The former Jetstar pilot was sentenced to a minimum of 24 years in prison for murdering Clay. Continue reading...

Commercial in Netherlands depicting festival-season chaos at most terrible time of year' prompted flurry of criticism onlineMcDonald's says it has removed an AI-generated Christmas advertisement in the Netherlands after it was criticised online.The ad, titled the most terrible time of the year", depicts scenes of Christmas chaos, with Santa caught in a traffic jam and a gift-laden Dutch cyclist slipping in the snow. And the message? Retreat to a McDonald's restaurant until January and ride out the festive season. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Alison McGovern makes target for end of this parliament, but figures show homelessness has jumpedThe homelessness minister has pledged to end the use of bed and breakfasts as emergency housing, even as new figures show that the country's homelessness problem has worsened since Labour came into government.Alison McGovern said she would consider it a personal failing if people were still being placed in B&Bs by the end of this parliament as she launched the government's three-year homelessness strategy. Continue reading...

Previously sceptical MPs now want to modernise ECHR to prevent an overreach of the law and losing to the far rightThe sight of David Lammy and the attorney general, Richard Hermer, arriving in Strasbourg together to demand new constraints on human rights law would have been unthinkable a year ago. But as one ally says, quoting Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa's seminal 1860s novel The Leopard: If we want things to stay as they are, things will have to change."It was that sentiment that convinced Lammy's predecessor, Shabana Mahmood, now home secretary, that the UK should join the push to seek a declaration to change how the European convention of human rights should be interpreted. Continue reading...

BMA puts health secretary's offer, which includes pledge to double number of extra training places, to resident doctorsWes Streeting has made an improved offer to end the long-running dispute with resident doctors before their strike next week that threatens to bring chaos to the NHS as it battles a flu surge.The health secretary has pledged to double the number of extra places that early career doctors in England can apply for in order to train in the area of medicine they have chosen to specialise in. Continue reading...

Labour says appointments needed to balance upper house and chooses former advisers to No 10 and the chancellorKeir Starmer has appointed 25 Labour peers including a number of former senior government and party aides in a move to strengthen his hand in the House of Lords.Matthew Doyle, a former No 10 director of communications, and Katie Martin, a former chief of staff to Rachel Reeves, will be among those appointed to the upper house in a move first reported by the Guardian. Continue reading...

European leaders confirm that they spoke with the US president earlier today about the state of talks'Jorgen Watne Frydnes, chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, is now delivering his opening speech.It's a damning verdict on Maduro's authoritarian rule in Venezuela, as he talks about a number of figures facing repression and torture from the regime.As we sit here in Oslo City Hall, innocent people are locked away in dark cells in Venezuela. They cannot hear the speeches given today - only the screams of prisoners being tortured."Venezuela has evolved into a brutal, authoritarian state facing a deep humanitarian and economic crisis. Meanwhile, a small elite at the top - shielded by political power, weapons and legal impunity - enriches itself.A quarter of the population has already fled the country - one of the world's largest refugee crises.Those who remain live under a regime that systematically silences, harasses and attacks the opposition."Venezuela is not alone in this darkness. The world is on the wrong track. The authoritarians are gaining.We must ask the inconvenient question:Authoritarian regimes learn from each other. They share technology and propaganda systems. Behind Maduro stand Cuba, Russia, Iran, China and Hezbollah - providing weapons, surveillance and economic lifelines. They make the regime more robust, and more brutal." Continue reading...

Proposed plan would apply to tourists of countries not currently required to get a visa to visit the US, including Britain and FranceTourists to the United States would have to reveal their social media activity from the last five years, under new Trump administration plans.The mandatory new disclosures would apply to the 42 countries whose nationals are currently permitted to enter the US without a visa, including longtime US allies Britain, France, Australia, Germany and Japan. Continue reading...

Cross-party group of MSPs says bill going through Holyrood could attract people from elsewhere in UKSenior Scottish politicians fear there could be a risk of death tourism" from terminally ill people travelling from other parts of the UK to end their lives in Scotland.A cross-party group of MSPs, including the deputy first minister, Kate Forbes, said the looser controls on eligibility written into an assisted dying bill for Scotland could attract people who are unhappy with stricter rules planned for England and Wales. Continue reading...

The festival says goodbye to both founder Robert Redford and its longtime home of Park City, Utah, with a selection of provocative documentaries and starry new filmsNew films starring Charli xcx, Natalie Portman and Salman Rushdie will all receive their world premieres at next month's Sundance film festival.The festival will be held for the last time in Park City, Utah, before it moves to Boulder, Colorado, in 2027. Over the years, it has been home to the first screenings of films including Get Out, Four Weddings and a Funeral, The Blair Witch Project, Past Lives, Napoleon Dynamite, Precious and Little Miss Sunshine. Continue reading...

Craig Guildford told to provide more documents and not mislead parliament' after fans were banned from Europa Cup gameA parliamentary committee has said it expects to recall the chief constable of West Midlands police to explain why his evidence on the reasons behind a ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans was wrong.In a letter to Craig Guildford, the home affairs committee of MPs warned him of the seriousness of misleading parliament and demanded more documents be handed over. Continue reading...