The writers group is also making a substantial financial contribution' to fund for distribution to Palestinian writersThe writers group PEN America has offered an olive branch to a group of prominent authors and literary figures who withdrew from its flagship World Voices Festival in protest at its perceived stance over the Israel-Gaza war.In an open letter published Wednesday, the organization said it wants to meet with the authors and others in a public forum to discuss sharply divergent views on questions of deep consequence". Continue reading...
Shop owner hatches plan to run charity competition so one person can win 100 of the spare eggsAn error by a shop on the Orkney island of Sanday has left it with 720 Easter eggs in the store - far more than its entire population.Sinclair General Stores needed to order 80 eggs, but instead accidentally ordered 80 cases of nine, giving them a total of 720 for the 500-strong population. Continue reading...
Proposal seeks to retain talent in Europe and end labour shortage - but criticised for not going far enoughThe EU is planning to clamp down on unpaid internships and bogus" traineeships offered by unscrupulous employers with a new directive.The move, which was criticised by some groups for not going far enough, is to be tabled on Thursday and is likely to be the last major legislative proposal before the mandate of the European parliament ends with the June elections. Continue reading...
Debates involving 99 randomly selected people were hailed as a model for the world, but some say faith has been erodedWhen Ireland shattered its history of social conservatism by passing a 2015 referendum on same-sex marriage and a 2018 referendum on abortion, progressives credited its citizens' assembly.Ninety-nine randomly selected people, who are brought together to debate a specific issue, had weighed evidence from experts and issued policy recommendations that emboldened the political establishment, and voters, to make audacious leaps. Continue reading...
Banksy claimed mural in Finsbury Park as his own on Monday and artwork has now been damagedA mural of a tree painted by Banksy on a residential building in north London has been defaced with white paint two days after it first appeared.The artwork in Finsbury Park features rough brushstrokes of green paint on a wall near a tree, giving an abstract appearance of foliage, with a stencil of a person holding a pressure hose next to it. Continue reading...
Ex-UK PM was required to seek permission for paid role with Merlyn Advisors, for whom he spoke to Venezuela presidentBoris Johnson did not seek permission from the post-ministerial jobs watchdog before taking a role as a consultant to a hedge fund, on whose behalf he met the Venezuelan president.As a former minister, Johnson is required to seek the advice of the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (Acoba) for two years from September 2022, when he left office. The committee's advice typically comes with restrictions on lobbying and contact with the UK government. It was writing to Johnson on the matter, a source said. Continue reading...
Research recommends bonus to help retain staff and make up for lack of hybrid working opportunitiesTeachers should be given a pay bonus to compensate for their inability to work from home and stop the rising numbers attracted away from the classroom for better working conditions elsewhere, according to a report.The research by the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) found that very few teachers in England were able to work remotely, putting them at a disadvantage compared with the nearly 50% of their peers in other graduate-level professions who say they regularly do. Continue reading...
Council officers to be given power to issue fines in tobacco and vapes bill that will ban future generations from smokingPowers to issue 100 on-the-spot fines are to be handed to council officers enforcing a landmark law banning future generations from smoking, which Rishi Sunak has hailed as a chance to save thousands of lives and billions of pounds".The prime minister's plan will raise the legal age of smoking every year by a year across the UK so that eventually no one will be able to buy tobacco. Continue reading...
by Daniel Hurst Foreign affairs and defence correspon on (#6KFNB)
Foreign affairs minister says she raised concerns about China's human rights record during meeting with Wang Yi, including in Xinjiang, Tibet and Hong Kong
Israel's PM says he does not see an alternative to a ground attack on Gaza's southern city, in a sign of widening disagreement with the US presidentThe Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has said he remains determined to carry out a ground invasion of Gaza's southern city of Rafah - where many displaced Palestinians are sheltering - despite the misgivings of US president Joe Biden.Netanyahu told lawmakers on Tuesday he had made it supremely clear" to the US president that we are determined to complete the elimination of these battalions in Rafah, and there's no way to do that except by going in on the ground". Continue reading...
Joe Penhall's new play marks the talkshow host's first theatre role since One Man, Two Guvnors and will see him star opposite Anna Maxwell Martin at the Old VicJames Corden is to return to the London stage for his first role since the National Theatre's blockbuster farce One Man, Two Guvnors.The star, who last year left his US late-night talkshow after eight years, will appear in a new political drama by Joe Penhall. The Constituent, at the Old Vic theatre, is set in an MP's constituency office. Corden will play an ex-serviceman with a life in freefall" while Anna Maxwell Martin (Motherland, Line of Duty) is an opposition backbencher whose ideals of public office are tested by his demands. Zachary Hart completes the cast as a parliamentary protection officer. The play will be directed by the Old Vic's artistic director, Matthew Warchus, and is said to explore the conflict between public service and personal safety". Continue reading...
by Martin Pengelly in Washington and agencies on (#6KFBC)
Law letting state police arrest people suspected of illegally crossing US-Mexico border can proceed pending court challengeThe White House strongly criticised the US supreme court on Tuesday for allowing what it called a harmful and unconstitutional" Texas immigration law to go into effect.The law, Senate Bill 4 (SB4), allows state authorities to arrest, process and imprison people suspected of crossing the US-Mexico border illegally - thereby infringing on roles long reserved for federal authorities. Continue reading...
Grace Jabbari lawsuit also accuses Marvel actor of intentional infliction of emotional distress, battery and malicious prosecutionJonathan Majors' former girlfriend has filed a lawsuit accusing the Creed III and Marvel actor of battery, assault, intentional infliction of emotional distress, malicious prosecution and defamation.Majors, 34, in December was found guilty of misdemeanor charges of assault and harassment in connection to a March 2023 altercation with his then-girlfriend, actor and dancer Grace Jabbari. Continue reading...
Christine Everett-Hickson, who was discovered at a flat in Riddings, will be missed beyond words'The family of a 21-year-old woman who died at a flat in Derbyshire have said she will be missed beyond words".Derbyshire constabulary said officers were called to reports that a woman had been assaulted at a home in Greenhill Lane, Riddings, at shortly after 1pm on 18 February. Continue reading...
In an update to healthcare leaders, Amanda Pritchard expresses shock at entrepreneur's comments about Diane AbbottThe boss of the NHS has condemned racist, sexist and violent" remarks by Frank Hester, the health tech entrepreneur and Conservative donor.Amanda Pritchard, the chief executive of NHS England, made clear her shock at Hester's comments about the former shadow home secretary Diane Abbott in a briefing to senior health service leaders. Continue reading...
Police told to rip out tune-playing horns and replace them with standard ones after young people seen dancing to passing lorriesThe Cambodian prime minister, Hun Manet, has ordered a ban on musical vehicle horns after videos posted on social media showed people dancing on roads and roadsides as passing lorries blasted rhythmic little tunes.Hun Manet, who last year took over from his father, Hun Sen - who led Cambodia for 38 years, called on the ministry of public works and transportation and police across the country to immediately take action against any vehicle whose normal horn has been replaced by a tune-playing one by ripping it out and restoring the standard honking type. Continue reading...
Authentic Brands announces move for brand's Europe retail and online arm after damage done' during tie-up with Dutch companyTed Baker's European retail and online arm is to appoint administrators, putting almost 1,000 jobs at risk at the British brand.The fashion brand, which has 46 stores in the UK and Europe, has been struggling for several years as it faced increasing competition and the fallout from the exit of its founder, Ray Kelvin, who stepped down in 2019 after allegations of forced hugging". Continue reading...
Ex-president personally told biotech entrepreneur he would not be running mate but might be offered cabinet role, Bloomberg reportsDonald Trump has reportedly dropped the biotech entrepreneur and former presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy from his list of potential vice-presidential picks, considering him for a cabinet role instead.Bloomberg News cited people briefed on the discussion" in reporting that Trump personally told Ramaswamy he won't be his vice-presidential pick ... but is considering him for posts including homeland security secretary". Continue reading...
by Martin Belam (now) and Lili Bayer (earlier) on (#6KEV1)
Israeli prime minister reiterates that he plans to order a ground offensive in the southern Gaza Strip where a huge number of displaced Palestinians are livingAt least 31,819 Palestinians have been killed and 73,934 injured since 7 October in Israel's military offensive on the Gaza Strip, the territory's health ministry said on Tuesday.About 93 Palestinians were killed and 142 injured in the past 24 hours, the Hamas-led ministry added. Continue reading...
Nicholas Hawkes, 39, from Essex, convicted under new Online Safety Act after sending images of genitalsThe first person in England to be convicted of a cyberflashing offence has been jailed for 66 weeks.Nicholas Hawkes was convicted under the Online Safety Act after cyberflashing became an offence in England and Wales on 31 January. Continue reading...
Designer known for his luxurious colours and avant garde styles to leave after Paris fashion week menswear show in JuneThe Belgian fashion designer Dries Van Noten has announced he is stepping down as creative director of his fashion label this summer.Van Noten, 65, is set to leave after the next Paris fashion week menswear show in June. Continue reading...
Critics say national security law cracking down on offences such as espionage will further erode civil libertiesHong Kong lawmakers have passed a new national security law that grants the government more power to quash dissent, widely seen as the latest step in a sweeping political crackdown that was triggered by pro-democracy protests in 2019.The legislature passed the safeguarding national security bill during a special session on Tuesday. It comes on top of a similar law imposed by Beijing four years ago, which has already largely silenced opposition voices in the financial hub. Continue reading...
by Lili Bayer in Brussels and Shaun Walker in Warsaw on (#6KEW8)
Report alleges that candidate sought invitation to Moscow in 2020 - when prime minister - to boost popularitySlovakia risks moving further away from the west, government critics have warned, as a report alleged that a presidential candidate aligned with the country's populist prime minister, Robert Fico, had previously sought an invitation to Russia to boost his position at home.Slovaks will vote in a presidential election on 23 March, in what many consider to be a test for the country's democracy and future within Europe. Continue reading...
by Daniel Hurst Foreign affairs and defence correspon on (#6KETQ)
The RAAF E-7A Wedgetail was deployed to monitor threats to assistance from Russia, but Australia says withdrawal does not mean it is scaling back supportAustralia is set to bring home a surveillance aircraft that has helped to protect the delivery of military and humanitarian supplies to Ukraine, but denies it is part of any broader scaling back of support for the country.The Royal Australian Air Force E-7A Wedgetail - which has conducted regular flying missions to monitor threats since its deployment to Germany in October - is likely to end its current role within weeks. Continue reading...
In today's newsletter: Amid many other crises, the standard of NHS care for patients' families is declining - this is what it feels like Sign up here for our daily newsletter, First EditionGood morning. It is no secret that NHS England has many problems: it is crumbling (literally), patient care backlogs are at record highs, there is a recruitment and retention crisis, and quality of care is declining with the results for patients sometimes life-threatening.Over the last two decades a parallel problem has emerged. The NHS ombudsman Rob Behrens described to Guardian health editor Denis Campbell that the health service has a cover-up culture". Behren has identified an alarming practice where some trusts cynically [bury] evidence about poor care" to maintain their reputation. It is not the first time that cultural problems have been identified - over the years a number of reports and inquiries have highlighted practices of silencing and punishing whistleblowers.Rwanda bill | Rishi Sunak's plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda took a step forward after MPs voted overwhelmingly to throw out a series of amendments made to the Rwanda bill by the House of Lords. The bill, which is designed to overcome the supreme court's objections to the plan, will return to the Lords later this week.Israel-Gaza war | The White House has said that Israel will send a group of officials to Washington to discuss its planned offensive on Rafah, as the Biden administration insists that an attack would be a mistake" and seeks to persuade Israel to allow in more aid in the face of an imminent famine in Gaza.UK news | The full membership list of the men-only Garrick Club, made public for the first time by the Guardian, reveals its central position as a bulwark of the British establishment, featuring scores of leading lawyers, heads of publicly funded arts institutions, the chief of MI6, the head of the civil service and King Charles.Environment | Only seven countries - Australia, Estonia, Finland, Grenada, Iceland, Mauritius and New Zealand - are meeting an international air quality standard set by the World Health Organization, with deadly air pollution worsening in places due to a rebound in economic activity and the toxic impact of wildfire smoke, a new report has found.Energy | A 58bn plan to rewire Britain's electricity grid to connect up new windfarms off the coast of Scotland is expected to trigger tensions with communities along the route. It is the biggest investment since the 1960s. Continue reading...
Survey by Coram found nursery costs and dwindling places will put pressure on government plansRishi Sunak's plans to expand childcare provision in England are at risk of not living up to parents' expectations as nursery costs surge and available places dwindle, a charity has warned.The cost of 25 hours a week for a child under two has risen by 7% on 2023, with the most expensive area being inner London where the average cost is 218 a week, the latest annual survey of the Coram Family and Childcare charity found. Continue reading...
Exclusive: Former owners of Plas yn Rhiw stipulated insects be protected so given temporary home while work takes placeWhen the 17th-century manor house in the far north-west of Wales was bequeathed to the National Trust, it came with a clear condition: the bees in the roof, which sometimes produce so much honey that it oozes through cracks in the walls, should be left alone.However, the ravages of the wind and rain mean the slate roof of the house, Plas yn Rhiw, on the Lln peninsula, needs to be replaced and so about 50,000 rare Welsh black bees have been given a temporary home while the work is done. Continue reading...
by Peter Walker Deputy political editor on (#6KES8)
Chair of Office for Space says move would boost prosperity, health and personal freedom and could help solve housing crisisA leading government adviser on cities has urged ministers to make urban areas friendlier for walking and cycling, saying this would boost prosperity, health and personal freedom, and could even help solve the housing crisis.In a report that takes a notably different stance to Rishi Sunak's recent plan for drivers", which seeks to prioritise car use at the expense of active travel and bus use, Nicholas Boys Smith, who chairs the government's Office for Space, said cars diminish liberty as well as enhancing it". Continue reading...
Court of appeal's removal of consent' defence means defendants on trial for criminal damage can no longer use itIt took a matter of minutes in the court of appeal, where demonstrators were strangely absent, for the dial to shift once more on the rights of protest in England and Wales.The decision taken on Monday by the court of appeal to, in effect, find in favour of the attorney general, the Conservative government's premier legal officer, has removed a defence for climate protesters that had been available on the statute books since 1971. Continue reading...
Families say they were promised details of relatives' whereabouts after contacting people they thought were linked to NGO in SpainFamilies of people who disappeared on the perilous journey from Africa to Europe have said they were asked to pay hundreds of euros in exchange for information about what had happened to their loved ones.In interviews with the Guardian, three families recounted how, as part of their searches for missing relatives that had gone on for years, they had made contact with people they believed to be connected to an NGO in southern Spain who said they were able to help them. Continue reading...
World news | The Guardian