World news | The Guardian

Former PM says if operation of nuclear subs depends on US then that is ‘a momentous change which has not been acknowledged’

Head of FDA union criticises PM for ‘point blank’ refusing to say if he was aware of informal concernsRishi Sunak has been urged to “come clean” over whether he knew of informal concerns about Dominic Raab’s behaviour before appointing him, as an investigation into the deputy prime minister continues.Eleven weeks since the inquiry began looking into complaints from about two dozen civil servants across three government departments, pressure is growing on the prime minister to suspend Raab and reveal what he knew and when. Continue reading...

Professional Footballers Australia says Fifa has consistently been unwilling to uphold its stated human rights commitments

Former social services minister and attorney general also says he accepts some responsibility for the scandal

This blog is now closed

James Dyson and Tina Green, wife of Philip Green, among British business figures on register of overseas entitiesBillionaires and business figures including James Dyson and Tina Green own UK property via overseas companies, according to a new register aimed at improving transparency.The tycoons feature on a list that a Guardian investigation revealed last week includes the racing driver Lewis Hamilton, the Chinese government, a string of Gulf royals and at least 20 donors to the Tory party. Continue reading...

Investigation launched after report child was left in a vehicle in part of the the city where temperatures soared past 30 degrees

LGBTQ+ protesters condemn cardinal’s record on same-sex marriage, women’s rights and protecting children from clergy abuse

Deal expands Washington’s access to military bases close to Taiwan and the South China SeaThe Philippines has granted the United States expanded access to its military bases, greatly enhancing Washington’s presence in the region at a time of growing concern about Chinese aggression.Washington would be given access to four additional military bases in “strategic areas of the country”, without specifying the locations, the Philippines’ Department of National Defence said on Thursday in a statement. Continue reading...

NT chief minister met with prime minister on Thursday afternoon to discuss report, which will be released after it is considered by cabinet next week

An open letter, backed by opinion poll, urges the UK to restore aid budget on eve of a three-day ‘pilgrimage for peace’ in the east African countryThe British government’s financial support for Ukraine must not be at the cost of aid to other areas of the world in crisis, three faith-based charities have warned, on the eve of an unprecedented joint pilgrimage to South Sudan led by Pope Francis.The organisations are calling on the government to restore the 59% cut in the UK’s aid budget to South Sudan, and invest in peacebuilding, conflict management and reconciliation. Continue reading...

People from Niger delta areas of Ogale and Bille seeking justice in London’s high courtNearly 14,000 people from two Nigerian communities are seeking justice in the high court in London against the fossil fuel giant Shell, claiming it is responsible for devastating pollution of their water sources and destruction of their way of life.The individuals from the Niger delta area of Ogale, a farming community, lodged their claims last week, joining more than 2,000 people from the Bille area, a largely fishing community. In total 13,652 claims from individuals, and from churches and schools, are asking the oil giant to clean up the pollution which they say has devastated their communities. They are also asking for compensation for the resulting loss of their livelihoods. Their ability to farm and fish has been destroyed by the continuing oil spills from Shell operations, they claim. Continue reading...

Advisers argue he has made progress, but the new intake are frustrated and voters believe he is ‘out of touch’Rishi Sunak has now survived 100 days as prime minister – a pretty small feat by historical standards but twice the length of his predecessor’s term. But the circumstances he inherited – the lack of mandate, plummeting polls and an economy in freefall – have deeply constrained what he is able to do with his time in office.Inside No 10, key advisers argue that Sunak has already made significant progress, that the economy is starting to recover, that he has set out a clear stall with five pledges on inflation, national debt, the economy, immigration and the NHS, and that he has largely taken the Tory party infighting off the front pages. Continue reading...

Russian fighters clash with rebels as Kremlin tries to extend power in mineral rich countryRussian mercenaries from the Wagner Group have sustained heavy casualties in a new surge of fighting between government troops and rebels over the control of lucrative goldmines in Central African Republic (CAR).The clashes come amid increasing instability in the anarchic, resource-rich country, which in recent years has become one of Russia’s main hubs of influence in sub-Saharan Africa. Continue reading...

Agency’s economic report card suggests scope to reassess stage-three tax cuts, but treasurer says the government’s approach cuts ‘hasn’t changed’

Territory expects 96% of owners to pay same or less under new model, 4% paying more to be owners of more-polluting vehicles

Move comes amid concerns about Beijing’s military ambitions in Indo-Pacific region after it struck a security pact with Solomons last yearThe United States has opened an embassy in Solomon Islands after a 30-year absence as it seeks to boost diplomatic relations in the Pacific as a counter to China.The US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, announced the news late on Wednesday, saying that “more than any other part of the world, the Indo-Pacific region – including the Pacific Islands – will shape the world’s trajectory in the 21st century”. Continue reading...

Experts call for public access to vaccine for all young people after free school program reduces infection rate by 92%

Government backs Reserve Bank decision to replace Queen Elizabeth II’s portrait with design ‘honouring culture and history of First Australians’

Israeli army confirms ‘striking in the Gaza Strip’ early on Thursday, hours after it said it intercepted a rocket fired from the Palestinian territoryIsrael conducted airstrikes on the central Gaza Strip early on Thursday, according to journalists and witnesses, hours after the military said it intercepted a rocket fired from the Palestinian territory.New rounds of rockets were fired from Gaza after these strikes, and fresh explosions could be heard from Gaza City at about 3.15am local time, Agence France-Presse journalists reported. Continue reading...

Report says $1m project threshold saw opposition-held electorates excluded from 2020 funding round

Oleksii Reznikov said that as many as 500,000 troops may have been mobilised by Russia as he calls for more weapons to be sent to UkraineRussia is planning a major offensive to coincide with the one-year anniversary of the war in Ukraine on 24 February, according to the country’s defence minister, Oleksii Reznikov.Speaking to French media, Reznikov warned that Russia would call on a large contingent of mobilised troops. Referring to Russia’s general mobilisation of 300,000 conscripted soldiers in September last year, he claimed that numbers at the border suggest the true size could be closer to 500,000. Continue reading...

Authorities claim animals in the zoo in city of Chilpancingo were sold, traded or eaten under orders of former directorThe former director of a zoo in southern Mexico killed four of the zoo’s pygmy goats and served them up at a Christmas-season party, authorities have alleged.“These four animals [were] slaughtered and cooked on the zoo’s premises, and were served as food at the year-end party,” said Fernando Ruiz Gutierrez, the state environment department’s director of wildlife, blaming the zoo’s director at the time, José Rubén Nava. “This put the health of the people who ate them at risk, because these animals were not fit for human consumption.” Continue reading...

Regime chief says military will always be country’s ‘guardian’ regardless of who is in power, as streets empty on anniversary of army takeoverMyanmar’s military regime has announced an extension to its state of emergency, effectively delaying elections the junta had pledged to hold by August, as it battles anti-coup fighters across the country.The junta chief, Min Aung Hlaing, acknowledged that more than a third of townships were not under full military control, in comments reported by state media on Wednesday. Continue reading...

Nine people arrested as police seize record haul and allege gang operated as an ‘underground bank’

Race equality task force also proposes mandatory ethnicity pay gap reportingBlack-led businesses could be given more support to procure lucrative government contracts by a future Labour government as the party refines its offer to ethnic minority voters ahead of the next election.Labour’s race equality task force, led by Baroness Doreen Lawrence, hopes to ensure that black-led groups get the chance to access a fair share of the billions of pounds paid out each year through government contracts, according to The Voice newspaper. Continue reading...

Joseph Hamilton reassures Catholics the protests are a mere ‘ripple’ as survivors of clergy abuse tie ribbons to fence around St Mary’s Cathedral

Ben Wallace says UK has not made a ‘solid decision’ not to send fighter jets but Downing Street appeared to rule it out as not ‘practical’. This live blog is closed

Inter-American Court of Human Rights concludes state allowed eradication of 6,000 Patriotic Union party members in 1980sColombia has pledged to pay reparations to victims after the inter-American court of human rights (IACHR) concluded the state allowed the systematic extermination of the leftwing Patriotic Union (UP) party in the 1980s and 90s.The UP was a political party created out of a peace process with the Revolutionary Armed Forces (Farc) guerrillas in 1985 but 6,000 of its members were wiped out by rightwing paramilitaries, narcos and the Colombian military. Continue reading...

Death of Jaden Matthew Francois-Esprit led to review of service that found it to be ‘institutionally racist’The head of the London fire brigade has personally apologised to the mother of a black firefighter whose suicide triggered a review of the service and found it to be “institutionally misogynist and racist”.The review by Nazir Afzal, involving testimonies from 2,000 members of staff, found “dangerous levels of ingrained prejudice against women” and that people of colour were “frequently the target of racist abuse”, and it made 23 recommendations to the service.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...

UK officials in flurry of diplomacy seeking agreement with EU over protocol, but play down talk that deal is closeRishi Sunak is considering a trip to visit Joe Biden in the US as talks between the UK and EU over the Northern Ireland protocol intensify.The prime minister’s officials are drawing up plans for him to travel to Washington in the coming weeks to discuss a range of topics, including Ukraine, economic security and technology. Continue reading...

Unions say move would be ‘betrayal’ amid talks with UK government over potential £300m in financial supportBritish Steel is considering cutting up to 1,200 jobs at its steelworks in Scunthorpe in a move that unions said would be a “betrayal” of workers amid talks with the UK government over a potential £300m in financial support.Executives at the Chinese-owned company told union leaders they were considering closing coke ovens at the plant and making hundreds more cuts across its operations at a meeting on Wednesday afternoon. The Unite union said up to 1,200 jobs were at risk. Continue reading...

UK public warned of ‘significant disruption’ from strikes involving teachers, civil servants, Border Force staff and train driversKevin Courtney, joint general secretary of the National Education Union, speaking from a teachers’ picket line in Warwick, said:I think Gillian Keegan [the education secretary] is hoping our strike is ineffective and people won’t do it again. Continue reading...

‘Glaring lack of regulations’ means Australia is a ‘wild, wild west’, Consumer Action Law Centre policy officer says

Germany says supplying fighter jets to Ukraine is a step too far for west

This blog is now closed

NT chief minister Natasha Fyles says ballots in communities on alcohol bans an option, as regional controller hands down report on crisis

ACT government confirms retired Queensland judge Walter Sofronoff will lead independent inquiry

Revelation likely to add to transparency stakeholders calls’ for caps on political donations

Lawyer for Julian Bennett files recusal application against three-person panel after it refused to dismiss caseA senior Metropolitan police commander who is facing misconduct proceedings over his alleged drug use has called for the members of the hearing panel to remove themselves from the case due to alleged bias.Julian Bennett – who has previously chaired misconduct hearings, wrote a drug testing strategy for the Met and oversaw the dismissal of two officers for drug misuse – is facing three allegations of discreditable conduct. Continue reading...

Alexander Frolov, Igor Shuvalov and Vladimir Potanin own properties via BVI, Cyprus and RussiaThree Russian oligarchs under sanctions are among those to declare they own more than £35m of UK property through the British Virgin Islands, Cyprus and Russia, the Guardian has found.Alexander Frolov, a billionaire and associate of Roman Abramovich, is revealed as the owner of a mansion in Weybridge in Surrey bought for £9.8m in 2008 and a flat in Knightsbridge bought for £15.4m via the BVI. Continue reading...

Gareth Arnold, on trial with former MP, says Labour did not expect O’Mara to win Sheffield Hallam seatA former MP accused of expenses fraud was only chosen by Labour to contest a parliamentary seat because the party was thought he was bound to lose, a court has heard.Jared O’Mara, 41, is standing trial at Leeds crown court accused of submitting fake invoices to fraudulently claim about £30,000 of taxpayer’s money to help fund a “substantial” cocaine habit. Continue reading...

Over 1.27 million workers across transport, school and energy sectors rally against government plan to raise retirement age to 64More than 1.27 million people have taken part in street demonstrations across France in a second round of coordinated strike action against Emmanuel Macron’s unpopular plan to raise the retirement age to 64.Transport, schools and the energy sector were hit by strike action on Tuesday. Local buses, trains and trams in cities from Paris to Nice, as well as regional and high-speed trains across the country, were “very significantly disrupted”, according to rail operators. Continue reading...

Five parents give their views on the strikes that begin on Wednesday and discuss how they will be affectedMembers of the National Education Union (NEU) will strike in schools across England and Wales on Wednesday in the first of seven days of industrial action that is expected to impact tens of thousands of schools.A poll of teachers by the surveying app Teacher Tapp suggests that up to three in every five schools in England could be closed or partly closed on Wednesday. Continue reading...

Regulator defends suppliers who have forced people on to metersOfgem is considering closing the gap between the cost of energy bills for customers on prepayment meters and those on direct debits – but has defended suppliers who have forced people on to the meters.Jonathan Brearley, the chief executive of Ofgem, told MPs the energy regulator was examining whether a subsidy could be introduced to create a level playing field. Continue reading...

First of seven days of industrial action by members of the National Education Union begins on WednesdayTeachers in England and Wales are to strike on Wednesday in the first of seven days of industrial action by members of the National Education Union (NEU), which is the largest education union in the UK. Continue reading...

Stationery retailer collapses into administration after rising costs and disappointing salesTesco has bought the brand and intellectual property of Paperchase, after the struggling stationery retailer collapsed into administration.

The move, ahead of national cabinet, will give a fresh push to Labor’s referendum plans, with the Liberals and Greens yet to agree their positions

Geoffrey Robertson says wealthy Russians have exploited legal system and suppressed free speechRussia’s invasion of Ukraine has helped “open eyes” to the idea of reforming England’s increasingly draconian libel and privacy laws, according to one of the country’s leading media advocates.Geoffrey Robertson KC, author of a new book on efforts by the rich and powerful to suppress free speech, Lawfare, said the war revealed the cynical way wealthy Russians – and others – have exploited the English legal system. Continue reading...

HMRC and the Indian IT services firm disagree over corporation tax bill of about £20mInfosys, the company founded by Rishi Sunak’s father-in-law NR Narayana Murthy, is in a multimillion-pound dispute with the UK tax authorities.HMRC and the Indian IT services firm, in which the prime minister’s wife, Akshata Murty, holds a stake of close to 1%, disagree over a corporation tax bill of about £20m, according to the company’s annual report. The dispute, first revealed by the Times, is one of a clutch of tax issues the company has in a range of jurisdictions, including Australia. Continue reading...