World news | The Guardian

Meeting to discuss PM's key policy overshadowed by reports of lack of housing for deportees or airline to remove them from UKRishi Sunak has welcomed the Rwandan president to Downing Street amid signs that ministers are struggling to find an airline or housing in Kigali to carry out their flagship deportation plan.The meeting on Tuesday was overshadowed by the former home secretary Suella Braverman's criticism of fallen expectations over the policy, which aims to forcibly send people seeking asylum 4,000 miles to central Africa. Continue reading...

Police keeping open mind' over motive after victim discovered with multiple stab injuries in Bayswater propertyA murder investigation is under way after a woman was found dead with a number of stab wounds in her home in west London, the Metropolitan police has said.Officers were contacted on Sunday by friends of the woman, who were concerned about her welfare. Continue reading...

Tracy Menhinick, 52, wilfully ill-treated the boy with medication that affected his developmentA former auxiliary nurse convicted of harming a child with laxatives with devastating" consequences has been jailed for seven years.Tracy Menhinick, 52, was found guilty of wilfully ill-treating the boy in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury on various occasions over a three-year period from 2014. Continue reading...

IDF cyber-intelligence chief Yossi Sariel exposed online by social media activity and accidental government leakThe commander of Israel's military surveillance agency, Unit 8200, is facing fresh embarrassment after it emerged that an extensive digital trail identifying him as a senior intelligence official has been exposed online for years.The Guardian revealed on Friday how Yossi Sariel, whose name had been protected by the Israeli state, inadvertently disclosed his identity online in a security lapse linked to a book published under a pen name in 2021. Continue reading...

Russian-controlled power station says drone shot down over roof over reactor number six, which is currently shut downThe head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has condemned a drone strike on one of six nuclear reactors at the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine. This cannot happen," director general Rafael Grossi wrote on a social media post, adding, No one can conceivably benefit or get any military or political advantage from attacks against nuclear facilities. This is a no go."The Kremlin continues to blame Ukraine for the attacks on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station, calling them very dangerous", but a senior Ukrainian intelligence officer has denied Kyiv's involvement. The Guardian is unable to independently verify either account.Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov arrived in Beijing on Monday to display the strength of ties with close diplomatic ally China, amid Moscow's war against Ukraine. Despite its backing of Russia in the Ukraine war, China's foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told reporters Monday that China has an objective and fair position on the Ukraine issue ... We have been actively promoting peace talks and political solutions. China is not a creator or party to the Ukraine crisis, and we have not and will not do anything to profit from it."The US Treasury Secretary has threatened sanctions on China's banks which aid Russia's military capacity, amid Russia's diplomatic visit to China. She told reporters, as she wrapped up four days of talks with China, that any banks that facilitate significant transactions that channel military or dual-use goods to Russia's defence industrial base expose themselves to the risk of US sanctions."The Kremlin has warned that a planned German military presence in Lithuania would escalate tensions. The Nato military alliance and EU member Lithuania, which borders Russia and its ally Belarus, said earlier it would partly finance permanently hosting of 5,000 German troops from 2027.More than 10,400 homes across Russia have been flooded, triggering record water levels in the Ural mountains, Russia's emergency ministry have said. An increase in air temperatures, active snow melt and river openings are predicted," Russia's emergency ministry said. More than 10,400 residential buildings remain flooded in 39 regions." Russia's government declared a federal emergency on Sunday over flood-hit areas, state media reported.A member of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) accused of taking money from a pro-Russian media site has denied any wrongdoing. German magazine Der Spiegel and Czech newspaper Denik N reported that Bystron had received money from the portal Voice of Europe, which was sanctioned by the Czech government late last month due to suspected Russian influence. Petr Bystron, a member of the German parliament and an AfD candidate in European parliament elections set for June, has vehemently denied" the allegations, an AfD spokesperson told Reuters.US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said on Monday, after four days of talks with China, that she has warned the country's banks and exporters of aiding Russia's military capacity.I stressed that companies, including those in the PRC, must not provide material support for Russia's war and that they will face significant consequences if they do. And I reinforced that any banks that facilitate significant transactions that channel military or dual-use goods to Russia's defence industrial base expose themselves to the risk of U.S. sanctions. Continue reading...

Amendment tabled by cross-party group including Stella Creasy is latest plan to modernise abortion law in England and Wales

Governance adviser says Paul Thwaite could have been offered lower starting salary than predecessor Alison RoseNatWest has been criticised for paying its new boss a salary of 1.2m despite his limited experience" as a chief executive, amid a wider shareholder backlash in the City of London over bumper corporate pay.As the government prepares to sell shares in the bank before the general election, Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) warned that Paul Thwaite would be paid the same salary as the bank's former chief executive, Alison Rose, despite lacking her experience as a lead executive. Continue reading...

Oliver Dowden criticises James Heappey and Ben Wallace, saying action is being takenFormer defence ministers are wrong to issue a stark warning that the UK is unprepared for war as a whole-nation endeavour", the deputy prime minister has said.The outgoing defence minister, James Heappey, called on ministers to do more to prepare for conflict just weeks after resigning from his Ministry of Defence (MoD) post, saying the UK has failed to prepare for war. Continue reading...

Si King posts message before Yorkshire motorcycling memorial in honour of late co-presenterThe TV chef Si King has thanked those taking part in a memorial motorcycle ride in honour of the late Hairy Bikers star Dave Myers, saying: He would have loved it."Myers, who was part of the motorcycle-riding cooking duo with co-presenter King, died from cancer in February at the age of 66. Continue reading...

Coalition refuses to state if Israel breached international law, saying it takes more care than Hamas does to protect civilian lives'

A labour dispute at the historic charity, one of the most bitter the sector has seen, has spilled into the public sphereManagers and unionised staff at a historic arts charity have accused each other of intimidatory and threatening behaviour in one the most bitter labour disputes in the charitable sector in recent years.A long-running row over pay at the Royal Society of Arts (RSA) boiled over in recent weeks, with Independent Workers Union of Great Britain (IWGB) members claiming they are facing a multipronged attack" while management have complained of a malicious campaign aimed at damaging" the charity. Continue reading...

Dina Boluarte has denied wrongdoing after being accused of illicit enrichment in relation to her use of at least three Rolex watches and designer jewelleryPeru's president, Dina Boluarte, has dismissed an investigation into her use of luxury watches as a smoke-screen", denying wrongdoing and saying that the items had been loaned to her, though she admitted to journalists that it was a mistake" to have accepted them.Earlier on Friday she faced closed-door questioning by prosecutors which lasted nearly five hours, amid allegations of illicit enrichment linked to her use of at least three Rolex watches and designer jewellery that appeared inconsistent with her modest monthly presidential salary of about 3,320 ($4,200). Continue reading...

Justice Michael Lee adjourned the court after former Seven Spotlight producer Taylor Auerbach spent two days on the stand

Lehrmann's defamation trial against Network Ten and Lisa Wilkinson reopened to hear evidence from the former Spotlight producer

Move comes after Guardian revealed names of powerful men among club's exclusive membershipThe men-only Garrick Club has edged closer to admitting female members, after an emergency committee meeting acknowledged that there was nothing in the club rules to prevent them from joining.The late-night vote on Thursday means that women could finally become members of the club within months, 193 years after the Garrick was founded and following decades of controversy over its discriminatory rules, sources said. Continue reading...

London mayor's comments come as other senior Labour figures call for government to take action after killing of aid workersSadiq Khan has become the most senior Labour politician to call for an immediate end of UK arms sales to Israel, with a number of other prominent party figures also saying the government should take action after the killing of seven aid workers in Gaza.The London mayor said Rishi Sunak must halt arms sales, saying: It's got to stop." Continue reading...

Officers still working to formally identify 35 bodies but are unable to recover useful DNA from ashesHuman ashes found in a Hull funeral home cannot be identified, in what police said would be devastating news for families and loved ones".Humberside police said they were still working with the coroner to formally identify the 35 bodies found at Legacy Independent Funeral Directors on Hessle Road, four weeks after the launch of a criminal investigation. Continue reading...

Home theatre apologises for upset caused by cancelling Voices of ResilienceThe organisers of a Palestinian literature event cancelled by a Manchester theatre last week, say they are hugely grateful" the venue has agreed it can go ahead after a surge of support.Home theatre apologised for the upset caused by cancelling Voices of Resilience, due to be held on 22 April, citing recent publicity" and safety concerns for the organisers and those attending. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Grandson of Winston Churchill says UK must send message to Israel after aid workers killed in Gaza

Some Labor figures are worried about their grip on Wills if Ratnam secures preselection

Man, 71, found near vehicle in Logan as NSW and Qld residents warned to prepare for up to 200mm of rain, thunderstorms, flash flooding - and black skies

Producers have a genuine fear' of challenging unfair contracts due to a lack of competition, the National Farmers Federation says

Volodymyr Zelenskiy signs bills lowering age for combat duty from 27 to 25 and requiring those given disability waivers to undergo a fresh assessment

Passengers, who have since rejoined vessel, missed scheduled departure time from Sao Tome and scrambled to reunite with shipEight cruise passengers had to scramble to reunite with their cruise ship after being left behind in Sao Tome and Principe.The passengers, including a pregnant woman and a paraplegic traveller, missed their scheduled departure time from the island of Sao Tome in the Gulf of Guinea, about 250km off the coast of Gabon, after disembarking the Norwegian Dawn to take a local tour. Continue reading...

This live blog is now closed. For the latest on the Israel-Gaza war, read our latest report:

PM insists the government is delivering despite Guardian analysis showing deterioration in three areasAt the weekend the Observer splashed on a story by Toby Helm saying government lawyers have told ministers that Israel is breaking international humanitarian law in Gaza.In an interview today, asked about the legality of what Israel is doing, Rishi Sunak said the government believes Israel has the intention and the ability" to comply with international law. He said:Our view is longstanding that Israel has both the intention and the ability to comply with international humanitarian law, I've made that very clear to prime minister Netanyahu whenever I've spoken to him.There have been too many civilian deaths in Gaza, of course we want to see an immediate humanitarian pause so that we can get the hostages out and more aid into the region. Continue reading...

Transparency advocates say source of 20% of donations during referendum campaign won't be disclosed due to Australia's political donations laws

PM Anthony Albanese describes 43-year-old's death as completely unacceptable' as tributes flow for World Central Kitchen worker online

More than 300 artists and cultural workers write open letter to Home venue over cancellation of Voices of Resilience eventMore than 300 cultural workers, theatre and film artists, including Maxine Peake and Asif Kapadia, have called for a Manchester arts venue to reinstate an event celebrating Palestinian voices.Home Manchester last week cancelled the Voices of Resilience evening, scheduled for 22 April, citing recent publicity" and safety concerns for audiences and artists. Continue reading...

Israeli military investigating after World Central Kitchen workers were in convoy struck in central Gaza

Two other children seriously injured in incident in Helsinki suburb described by minister as horrifying'A 12-year-old child has died and two others have been seriously wounded in a school shooting in Finland.The suspect, a fellow pupil, ran off after the shooting but was later arrested, police said. He was holding a licensed handgun owned by a close relative and admitted carrying out the shooting in an initial interview, they added. Continue reading...

Attacks more than 800 miles from border are first in Tatarstan region since beginning of war

Gillian Keegan asks Bridget Phillipson to clarify after party refuses to commit to sticking to plan if it wins powerLabour is under pressure to clarify whether it would keep the government's free hours childcare system, after the party refused to commit to the plan beyond the next election.A shadow cabinet minister said on Monday that Labour will not reduce" the number of free childcare hours parents were entitled to in England if it entered government. Continue reading...

Mohammad Reza Zahedi of Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps among dead in Damascus attack, state media saysIsraeli warplanes have destroyed the Iranian consulate in Damascus, killing six people including a senior commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC).Reporters at the scene in the Mezzeh district of the Syrian capital saw smoke rising from the rubble of a building that had been flattened, and emergency vehicles parked outside. The Syrian and Iranian foreign ministers were both seen at the scene. Continue reading...

Senate committee queries new regulations that mean decisions normally made by ministers and officials are now automated

Leftwing parties call for government action after footage of incident in Lavapies spread on social mediaLeftwing parties in Spain are demanding explanations after a video appeared to show a pair of police officers using violent force on two unarmed black men in a central Madrid neighbourhood.The video, shot on Friday in Lavapies, appears to show one of the men on the ground and immobilised by a police officer who seemingly has him in a chokehold. A second police officer appears to then strike the immobilised man twice with a baton before grabbing and punching another man standing nearby. Continue reading...

People gather for a smoke-in' at Berlin's Brandenburg Gate after partial legalisation comes into effectCannabis users have been celebrating in Germany after new laws legalising personal possession came into effect.As of 1 April, adults are allowed to carry up to 25g of dried cannabis on them and cultivate up to three marijuana plants at home. Continue reading...

Army claims operation was a success but WHO says patients were killed and over 100 remain in compound

Nick Thomas-Symonds says party would not reduce number of hours of government-funded childcare in EnglandLabour would keep the government's expanded childcare hours, a shadow minister has insisted, after suggestions the party would review the scheme.Nick Thomas-Symonds said Labour would not reduce the number of hours of government-funded childcare that working parents would be entitled to in England. Continue reading...

Lowest-paid will be 1,000 short of the figure paid by some employers to reflect actual household costsMillions of UK workers will still be left more than 1,000 a year short of a real living wage, despite the biggest cash boost in the minimum wage set by the government for more than a decade.The national living wage" (NLW) is increasing from Monday from 10.42 to 11.44 an hour, and is being expanded to cover younger workers with a cut in the age threshold from 23 to 21. The increase is worth 1,800 a year for a full-time adult worker. Continue reading...

Singer posts on Instagram she resents lies being told about me for clout and views' and implies she is quitting music industryThe Emmy and Grammy award-winning performer Lizzo seems to have announced her departure from entertainment via a post on her Instagram that ended with: I QUIT."I'm getting tired of putting up with being dragged by everyone in my life and on the internet," the singer and flautist wrote. All I want is to make music and make people happy and help the world be a little better than how I found it. But I'm starting to feel like the world doesn't want me in it." Continue reading...

A weather system moving in from the south-west will bring rain across southern regions from Monday, according to the Bureau of Meteorology

Keir Starmer expected to accuse Conservatives of failing on levelling up and preying' on hopes of votersMay will mark the beginning of the end of a Tory era of politics as performance art", Keir Starmer will say at the launch of Labour's local election campaign, accusing ministers of having utterly failed on levelling up.The Labour leader will join his deputy, Angela Rayner, and Richard Parker, the party's candidate for West Midlands mayor, to argue that the Tories had given voters false hopes in their apparent mission to reduce regional inequalities. Continue reading...

Eleven found guilty of crimes against humanity after trial that heard testimony on torture, rape and forced disappearancesA court in Argentina has convicted 11 former military, police, and government officials of crimes against humanity committed during the country's last dictatorship in a sprawling trial that heard, for the first time, about atrocities suffered by trans women.The three-year case focused on the forced disappearances, torture, rapes, and homicides that occurred at or were connected to three clandestine detention and torture centres located in police investigative units on the outskirts of Buenos Aires. They were known as the Banfield pit, the Quilmes pit and El Infierno" - or hell" - by the officials who worked there. Continue reading...

Baby murdered by his parents after inadequate safeguarding' by authorities in Derbyshire, says reportA 10-month-old baby, who was killed by his parents just 39 days after a court returned him to their care, should have been one of the most protected children in the local authority area", a review has concluded.Finley Boden died on Christmas Day 2020 after a period of inadequate safeguarding" by authorities, who initially removed him from the care of his parents, Shannon Marsden and Stephen Boden, immediately after birth due to concerns for his safety. Continue reading...

Christopher Geidt asked to write apology letter after joining an MoD meeting on behalf of a US satellite firm that was paying himA crossbench peer and former ethics adviser to Boris Johnson has been found to have broken House of Lords rules by joining a meeting with Ministry of Defence officials on behalf of a US satellite company that was paying him.Christopher Geidt, a former royal aide to the Queen, was asked by the House of Lords conduct committee to write a letter of apology after the standards commissioner found he provided a parliamentary service in return for payment or other reward". Continue reading...

A report on the case of the murdered Derbyshire baby finds a number of opportunities were missed to protect him

John Brownlee, deputy head at private Edinburgh Academy, inflicted pain on children as young as eight, sheriff hearsA sadistic" deputy headteacher at one of Scotland's most prestigious private schools has been found to have conducted a systematic campaign of violence and torture against children as young as eight over a 20-year period.John Brownlee was found by a sheriff on Wednesday to have committed more than 30 assaults after the former Edinburgh Academy housemaster was formally excused from trial due to his advanced dementia. Continue reading...

Anger from politicians across the spectrum as Paris principal resigns following online death threatsFrench politicians from across the spectrum have expressed dismay over the resignation of a Paris school principal who had received death threats after asking a student to remove her Muslim veil on the premises.In a show of support, prime minister Gabriel Attal, a former education minister, was set to receive the principal late on Wednesday, his office said. Continue reading...