Unconfirmed reports say flight from Nairobi, which was diverted from Heathrow to Stansted, was intercepted by RAF fightersArmed police have surrounded a Kenyan Airways flight at London Stansted airport after a security alert.The Boeing 787 from Nairobi was due to arrive at Heathrow this afternoon but was diverted to Stansted in Essex 45 minutes before its expected arrival. Continue reading...
President says university student, 21, who died days after being tied to a fence and beaten, was murdered simply for being himself'Joe Biden has marked the 25th anniversary of the death of Matthew Shepard, a gay 21-year-old University of Wyoming student who died six days after he was beaten by two young men, tied to a fence, burned and abandoned in a remote part of the state.Shepard's death has long been memorialized as a hate crime that helped fuel the LGBTQ+ rights movement. Lamenting a brutal act of hate and violence that shocked our nation and the world", Biden, in a statement on Thursday, said Shepard was murdered simply for being himself". Continue reading...
by Julia Kollewe and Kalyeena Makortoff on (#6FGGA)
Jon Holt says some employees simply didn't do their job properly' in run-up to one of UK's biggest corporate failuresThe UK boss of KPMG has said he simply cannot defend" the firm's auditing work on the failed government contractor, Carillion, describing it as very bad," as the accounting giant was hit with a record 21m fine by Britain's accounting watchdog.The fine comes almost six years after the outsourcing firm collapsed with 7bn debts. Carillion had been one of the UK's biggest construction and facilities management companies, with several major government contracts. Continue reading...
At Nato meeting of foreign ministers, ongoing saga of Sweden's bid to join organisation in spotlight againOne issue defence ministers will discuss today is the implementation of the alliance's new military plans - and how equipment and troops will be placed on Nato's sensitive eastern flank.The US defence secretary, Lloyd Austin, assured other Nato defence ministers that it was possible to give strong support to both Israel and Ukraine, a US official and a European diplomat told the Guardian. Continue reading...
Volunteer says some people decided all stock was available to take' despite his protestations at West Yorkshire eventA 1 book sale at a town library was sabotaged" when people filled their bags with dozens of library books.The fill-a-bag sale at Batley library in West Yorkshire was decimated" when people raided the shelves, taking children's books, adult fiction, cookery books and graphic novels - as well as Lego from the library's Lego club. Continue reading...
Wise Employment questionnaire also asks jobseekers about employment barriers, potentially including being overweight or lazyA taxpayer-funded course run by one Australia's biggest employment service providers gives jobseekers instructions on how to shower properly and asks them in a questionnaire if one of the reasons they are unemployed is because they are overweight" or lazy".Wise Employment is among dozens of privatised job agencies contracted by the federal government to run the $500m Employability Skills Training program to help jobseekers become job-ready by providing intensive pre-employment training". Continue reading...
Two sides suspend negotiations with no resolution over artificial intelligence and other issues at core of three-month work stoppageNegotiations between Hollywood studios and the Sag-Aftra actors' union were suspended on Wednesday as the two sides clashed over streaming revenue, the use of artificial intelligence and other issues at the core of a three-month work stoppage.The breakdown in talks interrupted attempts to end labor tensions that have put most US-based film and television production on hold, cost the California economy billions and left thousands of crew members without work. Continue reading...
Case involves tycoon's alleged failure to declare 400m worth of overseas assets to HMRCFormer Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone has pleaded guilty to fraud at Southwark crown court after failing to declare more than 400m of overseas assets to the UK government.Ecclestone had pleaded not guilty to the charges in August, but changed his plea at a case management hearing on Thursday. Continue reading...
Cases are rising in many parts of the country and critics are blaming chronic water shortages and poor sanitation systemsThe Zimbabwean government has banned large gatherings in parts of the country and increased surveillance at ports of entry in an effort to contain a rise in cholera cases.With 100 suspected deaths, most of them in September, and nearly 5,000 possible cases of the water-borne disease in more than 41 districts, including Harare, authorities fear a repeat of the 2008 epidemic where 4,000 people died. Continue reading...
In today's newsletter: Rachel Reeves delivers and Keir Starmer shows he's ready to lead at an event that both literally and figuratively sparkled Sign up here for our daily newsletter, First EditionAfter 13 years, is Labour finally ready for power? Sir Keir Starmer certainly believes so - and not just for one term but two. As the glittery Labour conference in Liverpool comes to a close today, we take stock of four key moments and what they tell us about the party's chance of winning the next general election.The atmosphere was completely different to the previous week at the Tory conference," says Peter Walker, the Guardian's deputy political editor, who is finally hanging up his lanyards after three consecutive weeks of covering party conferences. The place was packed, it was full of energy, it felt vigorous. They felt as if they weren't just trying to look like they are ready for power - but that they really are."Israel-Hamas war | Joe Biden has condemned the attack by Hamas militants on Israel at the weekend as the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust", as Israeli jets continued to strike Gaza, an enclave running desperately low on medical supplies, according to the World Health Organization.Weather | Freezing temperatures could be about to blast the UK, putting an end to the unseasonably warm October, and heavy rainfall is expected in parts of England. Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland could reach as low as -3C and the south of England and Wales could see about two inches of rain on Thursday and Friday.Conservatives | Anna Soubry, the former Conservative business minister, has announced she will be voting for Labour at the next general election. The former MP, now a criminal barrister, said on social media that with Keir Starmer, Labour has the values and competence to deliver the change our country desperately needs."Captain Tom | The daughter of Captain Sir Tom Moore has admitted to keeping 800,000 from books that the late army veteran had written. Hannah Ingram-Moore said the family kept the sum from three books because Captain Tom had wanted them to retain the profits.UK news | The Sycamore Gap tree is being removed from its spot on Hadrian's Wall after it was cut down by vandals two weeks ago. On Thursday a crane will lift the 50-foot sycamore off the wall in Northumberland and it will be put into storage at a National Trust property - the location of which is not being disclosed for security reasons. Continue reading...
The day after Cheng arrived back in Australia after three years' detention in China, Penny Wong says she had vowed to do everything I could to bring her home'
New Zealander had been in Sydney's Royal Prince Alfred hospital for a month before her death at 53, management says, as tributes flow for shining soul'
Organisers say they will still be loud and proud' on Sunday but have changed plans after premier Chris Minns vowed to stop any protestsA planned pro-Palestine march through the streets of Sydney on Sunday has been scrapped in favour of a static demonstration" at Hyde Park after the premier, Chris Minns, vowed to stop any protests.Event co-organiser Amal Naser said the decision had been made to avoid dealing with legal issues related to obtaining police protection for a march. Continue reading...
After breakdancing debuted at the games in China, members of the Thai national team say they needed support for hair treatmentA member of Thailand's national breakdancing team has spoken about one of the lesser known challenges of the sport - hair loss.At the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, where breaking - known in the media as breakdancing - debuted this year, Thailand's national team was asked about the kinds of support performers need. They said there was a lack of facilities for training in Thailand, meaning people have to practise in parks or shopping malls. Continue reading...
by Haroon Siddique Legal affairs correspondent on (#6FGAH)
Decision to release Robert Brown halfway through 26-year sentence for killing Joanna Simpson referred to Parole BoardThe early automatic release of a man who bludgeoned to death his estranged wife has been blocked by the UK justice secretary.Robert Brown was due to be released at the beginning of next month after serving half of his 26-year sentence for killing Joanna Simpson in October 2010. Continue reading...
Co-founder of Change UK who opposed Brexit praises Keir Starmer as having the values and competence' Britain desperately needs'Anna Soubry, the former Conservative business minister, has announced she will be voting for Labour at the next general election.The former MP, now a criminal barrister, said on social media that she will be voting for Keir Starmer. On Wednesday, she wrote on X, formerly Twitter: I will be voting #Labour. Continue reading...
Emergency meeting of Arab League calls for serious negotiations between the PLO and Israel'Arab foreign ministers have urged Israel to meet its international obligations as an occupying power and return to negotiations on a two-state solution that provides a viable state for Palestine.At an emergency meeting of the Arab League in Cairo on Wednesday, ministers underlined the importance of resuming the peace process and starting serious negotiations between the Palestine Liberation Organization and Israel". Continue reading...
After Mladenov's appointment, Latham aired further accusations that his former party misused electoral funds by spending thousands on unnecessary merchandise'
The standup, writer and actor, who co-hosted The Great Australian Bake Off and appeared as a guest on Thank God You're Here, died after a short illness in SydneyCal Wilson, the New Zealand standup comedian who became a mainstay on Australian television over a 20-year career, has died at the age of 53.Her death was confirmed in a statement released by her artist management agency. She died on Wednesday surrounded by family and friends after a short illness at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney", the statement read. Continue reading...
Part two of the Netflix historical drama will follow in DecemberThe final season of The Crown will be released in two parts later this year, Netflix has announced.The first instalment of the historical TV drama's sixth season will be released on 16 November with part two to follow on 14 December. The series, broadly based on historical events, depicts a fictionalised version of the British royal family. Continue reading...
Yvette Cooper will announce scheme that will also offer mental health supportYvette Cooper will set up a 100m tough love" youth programme to help tackle a knife crime epidemic and a mental health crisis among UK teenagers if Labour is elected, she will announce.On Tuesday, the shadow home secretary will tell the Labour party conference in Liverpool that the young futures" programme will target 92 communities under a Keir Starmer-led government that are blighted by youth crime and violence. Continue reading...
by Kalyeena Makortoff Banking correspondent on (#6FE3J)
Odey Asset Management was thrown into turmoil after allegations of sexual misconduct against its founderThe wealth management arm of Crispin Odey's investment group will be wound down months after the hedge fund tycoon was accused of sexual misconduct by junior female members of staff.The City regulator, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), said it was working closely with the firm, as it prepares to shut its operations in the UK and Guernsey. It is expected to return any remaining money to investors. Continue reading...
Home Office brings fresh legal challenge after court of appeal ruled UK's deportation policy unlawfulRwanda is a country that imprisons, tortures and murders" its opponents, including those who have already fled the country, the UK's supreme court has heard.Raza Husain KC, representing asylum seekers challenging the Rwanda policy, told five senior judges of human rights breaches in the east African country. He said opponents of the Rwandan government were at risk of police violence and absolute repression". Continue reading...
World's first museum devoted to the female organ moves to bigger premises after more than 2,500 people donatedThe world's first vagina museum will reopen next month with a new exhibition thanks to a public fundraising drive after it was forced to close for months and relocate.The museum was forced to shut its east London premises in February this year when its property guardianship came to an end. Continue reading...
Concern as significantly lower level of the Rhine could have big impact on transportationRiver levels in parts of Europe have once again reached significant lows after conditions that were drier and warmer than normal across central and western parts of Europe through September and the first week of October.In Germany, levels for the River Rhine have been steadily lowering since the end of September and are now running well below the normal level of 1.75m or so, with the key chokepoint of Kaub recorded at 90cm on 8 October. Continue reading...
Report says many aspects make companies uncompetitive, as chancellor Jeremy Hunt is urged to make reformsBritain's manufacturers are urging the chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, to announce a major MOT" of the UK's uncompetitive" business tax and regulatory system in his autumn statement next month.Many aspects of the system are not fit for purpose", the business group Make UK said in a report published in the middle of the political party conference season, and called for major reform as part of an industrial strategy. Continue reading...
In today's newsletter: Thousands of Israelis and Palestinians have been wounded and killed since Saturday morning, with Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu warning of a long and difficult war' after Hamas attack Sign up here for our daily newsletter, First EditionGood morning.At about 6:30am local time on Saturday, Hamas, the Palestinian para-military group, launched an unprecedented, surprise attack by land, air and sea, firing thousands of rockets from Gaza and launching an incursion into southern Israel taking over several Israeli towns. The offensive, which Hamas have called Operation Al-Aqsa Flood", took place a day after the 50th anniversary of the 1973 Yom Kippur war and caught the Israeli government and military completely off guard. It has been described as an intelligence failure for the ages".Germany | Germany's opposition conservatives have held ground in the key states of Hesse and Bavaria in elections that highlighted discontent with Olaf Scholz's centre-left government amid worries about economic slowdown and migration.Labour | Rachel Reeves will announce today that a Labour government would create a powerful Covid corruption commissioner to help recoup billions of pounds of taxpayers' money that has been lost to waste, fraud and flawed contracts during the pandemic.Health | Mental healthcare in England has become a national emergency", with overwhelmed" services unable to cope with a big post-Covid surge in people needing help, NHS bosses say.Conservatives | Working-class people who were a key part of the coalition of voters that delivered the Conservatives' 2019 general election win have been deserting the party in droves under Rishi Sunak's leadership, polling by YouGov has found. Only 44% of working-class voters who voted for the Tories in 2019 say they will back the party next time.Spain | Tens of thousands of people have joined conservative and far-right Spanish political leaders in Barcelona to protest against the Socialist party's decision to consider an amnesty for those involved in the failed, unlawful and unilateral push for Catalan independence six years ago. Continue reading...
Arif Ahmed pledges to remain politically neutral in his role and to ensure academic freedoms are maintainedEngland's newly appointed university free speech tsar says his role is not to conduct culture wars" and has pledged to be politically neutral in his efforts to combat threats to academic freedom.Arif Ahmed, a former philosophy professor at Cambridge University, said he would measure his success or failure by surveys of students and by the number of complaints made under procedures being created by the Office for Students (OfS), England's higher education regulator. Continue reading...
Shadow chief secretary to the Treasury says multinationals are crying out for stability and competence'Businesses are crying out for stability and competence" and are turning in droves to Labour after losing hope with the government the shadow chief secretary to the Treasury has said.Speaking to the Guardian before a speech by his boss, Rachel Reeves, at the Labour conference, Darren Jones said the scale of renewed corporate interest in Labour meant he was spending almost the entire event meeting business leaders. Continue reading...
World news | The Guardian