World news | The Guardian

Police and military sent to Nduga area after Susi Air plane was stormed and then burned by separatists opposed to Indonesian ruleSeparatist fighters in Indonesia’s Papua region have taken a New Zealand pilot hostage after setting a small commercial plane alight when it landed in a remote highland area on Tuesday, a pro-independence group said in a statement.A police spokesperson in Papua province, Ignatius Benny Adi Prabowo, said police and military personnel were sent to the area to locate the pilot and five passengers. Continue reading...

Carrick, 48, admitted 85 serious offences during 17-year campaign of terror and attacks against womenDavid Carrick, who believed his position as a Metropolitan police officer made him “untouchable” as he raped, assaulted and inflicted “irretrievable destruction” on at least 12 women before intimidating them into silence, has been jailed for life.The firearms officer, entrusted to guard parliament and diplomatic sites after the Met missed clue after clue about the danger he posed, will spend at least 30 more years in prison for his 17-year spree of crimes. Continue reading...

Aftershocks and freezing weather hamper efforts of rescue teams searching for survivors after 7.8-magnitude quake

The service let employers report jobseekers who rejected jobs or submitted inappropriate applications

Choosing its preferred candidate, the Perottet government once again finds itself having to answer questions about public sector recruitment

Controversial MP appointed as Greg Hands’ deputy; Michelle Donelan becomes minister for science, innovation and technology. This live blog is closed

City of Utrera’s mayor heralds ‘extraordinary’ proof that building is part of legacy of Spain’s exiled JewsArchaeologists in the Andalucían city of Utrera have rediscovered a staggeringly rare Spanish medieval synagogue, which was later used over the course of seven centuries as everything from a hospital and a home for abandoned children to a restaurant and disco-pub.The find, announced on Tuesday, makes the 14th-century building one of a precious handful of medieval synagogues to have survived the aftermath of the expulsion of Spain’s Jews in 1492. Continue reading...

The fires raging at the Tory party, from bullying to tax affairs to public ennui, have left the impression the government is in its end gameWhen Rishi Sunak appointed his first cabinet back in October he was forced to, out of necessity, make compromises. After a turbulent few months, he had just taken over a bitterly divided Conservative party which looked set on a path of self-destruction.Despite any new prime minister’s obvious preference for packing the cabinet with their own people, he recognised that he had to reach out across the party if it was to have any chance of patching it up, even if only temporarily. Continue reading...

The prime minister hopes this reorganisation will bring faster growth, but he will be disappointedRishi Sunak has become the latest occupant of Downing Street to shuffle the Whitehall pack in the hope that a reorganisation of the machinery of government will lead to faster economic growth. History suggests he will not be the last.Since Edward Heath created the Department of Trade and Industry as one of his new “super-ministries” in 1970, it has been a process of almost constant change for the department that looks after business. Responsibilities have been added and taken away under politicians who have barely had time to find their feet before being moved on again. Continue reading...

Mixed ethnicity suspects in England and Wales charged 10 percentage points higher than rate of white counterparts for similar offencesBlack and minority ethnic defendants are significantly more likely to be charged for a comparable offence than white British defendants in England and Wales, a study commissioned by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has found.The findings, described as “troubling” by the CPS and experts, show that defendants from mixed ethnic backgrounds are most likely to be charged, with 79.1% of the suspects charged, almost 10 percentage points higher than the rate of white British defendants charged. Continue reading...

This live blog is now closed. You can read our full report on the sentencing here:

Halifax figures show average house price largely unchanged in January at £281,684UK house prices were roughly flat in January, having fallen in the previous four months, according to Halifax.Average prices were stable at £281,684 last month, the lender said, after sharp falls of 1.3% in December and 2.4% in November. Continue reading...

Abbott says ‘we need more genuine science and less groupthink’ in announcing position at Global Warming Policy Foundation

The man, now 20, texted 92 Optus customers demanding they give him $2,000 or face ‘financial crimes’

Harley Shaun Bartolo had initially lied to police investigating the 2021 death of 16-year-old Jason Galleghan

Explainer: doctors say the drugs can help patients work through psychotherapy for PTSD – a condition that will affect one in five people in their lifetimes

Diver says view is his ‘gut instinct’ as missing woman’s partner says daughters ‘miss their mummy desperately’An expert diver who is aiding the search for Nicola Bulley has said he “doesn’t think she is in the water”, as specially trained divers continue to scour the River Wyre.Bulley, 45, from Inskip in Lancashire, vanished on the morning of 27 January while taking her dog, Willow, for a walk close to the River Wyre in St Michael’s on Wyre. Continue reading...

Investigators to examine wreckage and interview two pilots who were responding to a bushfire in the Fitzgerald River national park

Beijing lodges formal complaint with US embassy as Washington throws criticism back at ChinaThe diplomatic row has escalated over the Chinese high-altitude balloon that flew across the US before being shot down, as the first wreckage was salvaged off the Atlantic coast.Beijing on Monday accused the US of “overreaction” and the “indiscriminate use of military force” in shooting down a Chinese balloon, warning of damage to bilateral relations. Continue reading...

Researchers say couples need not get along to benefit, and social isolation may increase type 2 diabetes riskPeople who cohabit with a partner have lower blood sugar levels, even if they do not get along with them, according to a study that warns social isolation may increase the risk of type 2 diabetes.The researchers believe that living with someone is an important source of social support for adults in mid to later life, according to the study published in the British Medical Journal’s diabetes journal. They found the effects were the same regardless of whether the relationship was harmonious or acrimonious. Continue reading...

Party wants to shift MoD procurement to ‘urgent operational footing’ with stockpiles depleted by gifts of military aid to UkraineLabour will seek to shift defence procurement to an “urgent operational footing” to help buy fresh arms for Ukraine and replenish stockpiles depleted by previous gifts of military aid if it wins the next election.The opposition party believes it has taken too long for the Ministry of Defence to buy fresh munitions, citing a near year-long wait to agree a contract to replace the 4,000-plus Nlaw anti-tank bazookas sent to Kyiv before and in the early stages of the war. Continue reading...

Dozens of countries offer help as rescue workers and residents frantically search for survivors after devastating 7.8-magnitude tremor

GMB’s Rachel Harrison says staff will not be ‘fobbed off’ by PM ‘kicking the can’ into next year’s pay roundA health union leader has described Rishi Sunak as deluded for suggesting NHS staff should abandon their campaign to secure a bigger pay rise this year.The GMB’s national secretary, Rachel Harrison, made the remark in response to Downing Street’s insistence that it would not talk about improving the £1,400 pay award for frontline personnel for 2022/23 even though it has triggered the wave of NHS strikes. Continue reading...

Donetsk governor says Russian forces throwing new troops at frontline; António Guterres says ‘prospects for peace keep diminishing’. This live blog is now closed

Two powerful earthquakes struck Turkey and Syria within 12 hours on Monday, killing at least 2,600 people, with death toll expected to rise

Police were under pressure not to send more cases to courts at time of attack a year before Plymouth shootingThe decision to not refer Jake Davison’s assault of two teenagers to the Crown Prosecution Service a year before he shot dead five people in Plymouth was wrong and posed a danger to the public, a detective has admitted.DS Edward Bagshaw said a case should have been sent to the CPS for it to consider charging him with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and battery. But the police were under pressure not to send more cases to the courts, which were struggling to deal with backlogs caused by the pandemic, and instead he was put through a restorative justice programme. Continue reading...

Senior judge makes ruling covering England and Wales amid concerns over vulnerable customersMagistrates have been ordered to stop issuing warrants allowing energy firms to force fit prepayment meters in England and Wales.One of the country’s most senior judges, Lord Justice Edis, has told the courts to halt the authorisation of warrants amid concerns over vulnerable customers. Continue reading...

Five are suspected of exploiting Indian students working at homes, after concerns were raised via helplineFive people suspected of recruiting and exploiting vulnerable Indian students who worked in care homes across north Wales have been handed slavery and trafficking risk orders (STRO).An investigation was launched by the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) after concerns were raised about the workers’ appearance, with reports they always appeared to be hungry. Continue reading...

Court hears details of ordeal endured by victims of former Met police officer who carried out catalogue of ‘brutal sexual offending’

RCN says hundreds of thousands of nurses are striking, with ambulance workers also taking actionA union leader has accused the government of choosing to “punish” nurses after a health minister insisted there would be no re-examination of NHS pay for this year, as the health service in England faces what is expected to be the biggest strike in its history.The industrial action on Monday is the first time NHS nurses and ambulance staff in England have stopped work simultaneously, amid an ongoing dispute over pay and staffing. Continue reading...

Assault on Aqabat Jabr refugee camp comes as escalating violence sparks fears of a third intifadaIsraeli forces say they have killed several armed fighters during an army raid in the occupied West Bank city of Jericho, the latest violence in a period of escalating tensions that has sparked fears of a third intifada, or Palestinian uprising.A statement from the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) on Monday morning said “a number of armed assailants were killed after firing toward IDF soldiers who were operating in the area” overnight. Israeli media, citing Palestinian sources, put the number of dead at seven. The Palestinian health ministry did not give any details of deaths, saying that three people had been hospitalised after being shot by Israeli forces. Continue reading...

Ally of Robert Buckland says Raab used ‘heavy-handed tactics’ in discussions over British bill of rightsRobert Buckland has confirmed that he and Dominic Raab had “a disagreement” when they were both in cabinet, after it was reported Raab tried to get Buckland sacked as Welsh secretary last year amid a fallout over policy.An unnamed ally of Buckland told the Times that while the former minister did not view Raab’s actions as bullying, Raab’s approach after Buckland publicly criticised plans for a British bill of rights was “very odd, very punchy”. Continue reading...

Exclusive: many struggling with ‘toxic’ workload, safety fears and vicarious trauma from helping desperate constituentsStaff working for MPs face similar levels of psychological distress as frontline NHS workers, a survey has found, amid a “toxic” workload and fears for their safety.A study of 315 parliamentary workers, the largest of its kind, found many were struggling with the vicarious trauma of helping desperate people in a worsening cost of living crisis.In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org. Continue reading...

Data collected by the state coroners court shows 756 suicides occurred in Victoria in 2022, up 9% from 2021

Don Farrell will fly to Beijing in the ‘near future’ amid a thawing of diplomatic relations with Australia’s largest trading partner

President’s centrist group is without a majority as parliament begins debating proposal to raise retirement age to 64As hundreds of thousands of people prepare to protest again this week against Emmanuel Macron’s unpopular plan to raise the pension age to 64, the French president’s domestic standing is at stake.Macron, who came to power in 2017 promising a pro-business transformation of France to cut taxes and overhaul the social model and welfare system, has for months been under pressure to give some impetus to his second term in office. Continue reading...

The singer took home four awards in a night that also saw major wins for Kendrick Lamar, Adele and Harry StylesBeyoncé has become the most awarded artist in Grammys history during a historic evening in Los Angeles.The singer, who was a late arrival at the ceremony after being stuck in traffic, won for best R&B song, best dance/electronic recording, best dance/electronic album and best traditional R&B performance. She has now won 32 Grammy awards. Continue reading...

Gamblers will be able to set their own loss limits, which will only be able to be changed once a week

A tropical low forming near Vanuatu is expected to move west towards Mackay, but is not currently forecast to make landfall

Recovery of the wreckage could give the United States insight into China’s spying capabilities, officials sayThe US military said it is searching for remnants of the suspected Chinese surveillance balloon it shot down, in a dramatic spy saga that has further strained American-Chinese relations.The US navy is working to recover the balloon and its payload and the coast guard is providing security for the operation, general Glen VanHerck, commander of the North American aerospace defence command and US northern command said on Sunday. Continue reading...

Committee says former minister Stuart Ayres showed ‘poor judgment’ during ‘flawed’ process

Anthony Albanese ‘very hopeful’ laws can be quickly introduced after successful referendum and says body’s advice would be ‘available for all’

The 65th annual Grammy awards has already seen wins for Harry Styles, Kendrick Lamar, Steve Lacy and Beyoncé

Emma Pattison and family found at prestigious Surrey independent school early on Sunday morningThe headteacher of a prestigious private school in Surrey has been found dead alongside her husband and daughter.Emma Pattison, the head of Epsom College, was found at the school along with her husband, George, 39, and seven-year-old Lettie on Sunday morning. Continue reading...

‘There’s a real compounding perfect storm of factors right now that could increase the risks,’ lead researcher says

Head of president’s parliamentary bloc seems to confirm reshuffle of Oleksii Reznikov as Russians close in on BakhmutUkraine’s defence minister, under pressure from a corruption scandal, is to be reshuffled into another government job as Russian forces close in on Bakhmut amid heavy fighting, a close ally of President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has announced.The position of Oleksii Reznikov, one of Ukraine’s better-known figures internationally, has been under threat after it emerged the defence ministry paid twice or three times the supermarket price of food to supply troops on the frontline. Continue reading...

Police warn about social media speculation over missing woman as new images released from the morning she disappearedPolice searching for Nicola Bulley have condemned elements of social media speculation as family friends hit out at “vile” theories being posted online, and new images of the 45-year-old on the morning she disappeared were released.The search for the mother-of-two entered its second week with police continuing to pursue the theory that Bulley fell into the river while walking her dog in the Lancashire village of St Michael’s on Wyre. Continue reading...

Nikos Christodoulides emerges as frontrunner and will face Andreas Mavroyiannis in vote next SundayThe race to become the eighth president of Cyprus will extend into a second week after the Mediterranean island’s former foreign minister Nikos Christodoulides emerged as the frontrunner but failed to gain enough support to win outright.The 49-year-old independent will face Andreas Mavroyiannis, a veteran career diplomat backed by the leftist Akel party, in a runoff on 12 February. Continue reading...

University asks home secretary to intervene in move that would deprive him of scholarship and teaching rolesA Chevening academic will be forced to give up a doctorate, a scholarship and teaching roles under Home Office plans to uproot Afghan refugees from London and move them to hotel rooms in Yorkshire, a university has said.Suella Braverman, the home secretary, has been asked by the university’s provost to intervene after Ahmad, a PhD student in engineering, and his young family were told to relocate 200 miles away to Wetherby near Leeds. Continue reading...

Cate Blanchett wins actress of the year while Banshees picks up three acting awards, including actor of the year for Colin FarrellClassical music drama Tár and Martin McDonagh’s The Banshees of Inisherin has won the main prizes at the the London Critics’ Circle film awards. The former, starring Cate Blanchett as conductor Lydia Tár, took three awards, including film of the year, while Banshees, written and directed by McDonagh, led the awards count with five, including British/Irish film of the year.Tár, which has sparked much comment over its controversial central character, picked up actress of the year for Blanchett, who is the red-hot favourite to win best actress at the Academy awards in March, as well as director of the year for Todd Field. Continue reading...