Head of National Education Union says new qualification would need 5,300 additional teachers in EnglandRishi Sunak wants to scrap A-levels and replace them with a single qualification that includes compulsory English and maths, bringing upheaval to sixth-form education in England that would last a decade.The new baccalaureate-style Advanced British Standard, which Sunak announced in his speech to the Conservative party conference in Manchester, would also kill off the T-level vocational qualification the government launched just three years ago. Continue reading...

Commonwealth agrees to settle with more than 120 Indonesians wrongly detained as adult people smugglers, some when they were as young as 12

Based on declassified intelligence', UK says Russia targeting civilian shipping on approaches to Black Sea portsBritain has accused Russia of plotting to sabotage civilian tankers loaded with Ukrainian grain by planting sea mines on the approaches to the country's Black Sea ports.Based on what it said was declassified intelligence, the UK said Russia did not want to directly attack merchant ships using Ukraine's newly created humanitarian corridor with missiles, but instead try to destroy them covertly. Continue reading...

Sunak may be slightly better than the Maybot, but he's still very much AI in developmentO brave new world! An hour before Rishi Sunak's speech, I went to get my pass. You haven't been given one," I was told by the Tory press office. I couldn't even use a colleague's. It was me they didn't want. Me and my luxury beliefs. Then things got truly wild. The Telegraph's sketch writer was also banned. Not for the first time this week, the Conservative party conference had disappeared through the looking glass.Then redemption. After half an hour of ridicule on Twitter, the Tories changed their mind. When they had said I wasn't welcome, what they really meant was that they were desperate for me to come. Even Rish! is into dialectics these days. He couldn't wait for me. No one could imagine how I'd ever thought otherwise. There were even plenty of empty seats in the media section for me. Whoever would have guessed? Continue reading...

Failure to renew ICHREE mandate comes after human rights experts warn that abuses continue in EthiopiaA United Nations investigation into human rights abuses committed during Ethiopia's Tigray war has been terminated, despite urgent warnings from its members about the risk of future violations in the east African country.The mandate of the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia (ICHREE) will expire later this month, after a deadline passed on Wednesday to table a resolution renewing it to the UN Human Rights Council. Continue reading...

Members of Aslef union strike for second time in four days meaning no trains will run on most English routesRail passengers in England face another day without trains on Wednesday as a strike by train drivers halts most services.Members of the Aslef union are on strike for the second time in four days, in a 24-hour walkout timed to coincide with the final day of the Conservative party conference in Manchester. Continue reading...

Rise in provably false statements by Rishi Sunak and his ministers adds weight to theory No 10 is sowing untruths for electoral advantageHis government, Rishi Sunak said, had scrapped plans to ban Christmas, Strictly Come Dancing, and puppies. This was a very obviously self-knowing joke. But at times at the Conservative conference, it can feel as if the joke might be on voters.In the traditionally lighthearted speech to a dinner for Westminster journalists last week, Sunak had been mocking himself for claiming, amid a watering down of green policies, to have averted a series of policies that were never formally proposed, including mandatory car-pooling and seven different recycling bins. Continue reading...

It started out with high hopes and a higher budget. Helen Pidd explains why the government has lost faith in the ambitious - and controversial - rail projectIt's been more than a decade in the making - and was supposed to help connect English cities like never before. Now, delayed, over budget and more controversial than ever, HS2 ambitions have hit the buffers.Rumours have been swirling for weeks that the Manchester to Birmingham leg would be scrapped - and that the fate of the line between Euston and Old Oak Common was hanging in the balance. Now as the Conservative party conference is in full swing - ironically in a former Manchester railway station - the speculation that Sunak is finally going to confirm the rumours has hit fever pitch. And it has caused an outpouring of anger from politicians in the North and Midlands, such as Manchester's mayor, Andy Burnham. Continue reading...

Teenager's attempt to deflect conversion instead diverted ball over own side's posts, denying his team victoryOwn goals are, unfortunately, an occupational hazard for defenders in football.But an overenthusiastic Scottish teenager has managed to score a vanishingly rare rugby version and deny his team a win. Continue reading...

Relations between countries continue to fracture over alleged assassination of Sikh separatist in British ColumbiaIndia has told Canada it must remove 41 diplomats from its embassy in Delhi as the diplomatic spat continues between the two countries.According to officials who spoke to the Financial Times, the Indian foreign ministry has given Canada a week to repatriate two-thirds of its diplomats stationed in India, reducing the number to 21. India's Ministry of External Affairs declined comment. An official familiar with the matter confirmed the report to the Associated Press. Continue reading...

PM declines to reveal if Manchester to Birmingham line will be scrapped amid speculation over soaring costs

City's culture minister hopes to turn Galeries Lafayette store into German capital's new living room,' but critics question likely costPerusing the cold meat counter in the Galeries Lafayette on Berlin's Friedrichstrasse, Rahel Schorn was taken by the idea that she may one day come here to pore over books instead. The location is very central," said the business student, shopping for groceries with her mother. And the building is large, light and airy."Under proposals by Berlin's culture senator, Joe Chialo, the French department store might yet be turned into the city's first central library, something decision-makers have argued about for more than 100 years and German librarians insist is the chance of a century". Continue reading...

Questions raised about sudden death in Birmingham after Canada links India to murder in British ColumbiaThe family of Avtar Singh Khanda, the 35-year-old Sikh activist who died in a Birmingham hospital after a short illness this summer, is seeking a formal inquest into his death from the chief coroner for England and Wales.The request by the family, in conjunction with the Sikh Federation UK, comes on the heels of a claim by Canadian prime minister, Justin Trudeau, that India was linked to the murder of another Sikh activist, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, in British Columbia. Continue reading...

News Corp-backed Betr attracted controversy last year when it offered 100-1 odds on the 2023 grand final winners in the NRL, AFL and other sports

Russia's former leader responds to statements by UK defence secretary, who said UK is in talks to move training to Ukraine

Members of the African-Caribbean community will be given freedom of the borough status for their exceptional contribution' to the areaMembers of the Windrush generation and the African-Caribbean community in East Staffordshire are going to be given the highest honour by the borough council, as a mark of heartfelt gratitude" to their contribution to the area.As the UK marks the start of Black History Month, local members of the Windrush community and their families will be given freedom of the borough status - the highest award a council can give - at an extraordinary council meeting on Monday. Continue reading...

Family and headteacher of Jessica Baker praise teenager's talent and inspirational dedication to climbingTributes have been paid to an unequivocally kind and empathic" 15-year-old girl who was killed when a bus overturned on the M53 in Wirral on Friday.Jessica Baker, a talented climber, died after the school bus carrying about 50 children overturned near junction five at about 8.30am. Continue reading...

The populist Smer leader, who has pledged to end military aid to Ukraine, says he is ready to open talks on forming a coalition governmentSlovakia's populist former prime minister, Robert Fico, who campaigned on a pledge to end military aid to Ukraine, has said his position has not changed" after his party's clear election win made him favourite to lead the country for a fourth time.Fico told reporters he was waiting for Slovakia's president to give him a mandate to start forming a government - expected on Monday - after officials said on Sunday that Smer-SD had scored 22.9% in Saturday's vote with 99.98% of ballots counted. Continue reading...

Observers hail a smart' deal that allows for artificial intelligence as a tool, not a replacement - and could be a model for other industriesHollywood writers scored a major victory this week in the battle over artificial intelligence with a new contract featuring strong guardrails in how the technology can be used in film and television projects.One of the longest labor strikes in Hollywood history came to an end on Tuesday after the Writers Guild of America (WGA) approved an agreement made with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. Writers and actors had been picketing for months as part of a historic double strike" that brought the industry to a standstill. Continue reading...

Nine injured as blaze erupts at oil pipeline in western Ukraine; drone attack in southern Russia leaves one hurt

Runoff vote was widely seen as a referendum on whether to pursue closer ties with China or India, both vying for influence in the island nationPro-China candidate Mohamed Muizzu won Saturday's presidential election in the Maldives, a result set to once again upend the archipelago's relationship with traditional partner India.Muizzu helms a party that presided over an influx of Chinese loans when it last held power in the atoll nation, better known for its luxury beach resorts and celebrity tourists. Continue reading...

Serbian president, Aleksandar Vui, announces move after US threatens punitive measures over buildup of troopsSerbia has pulled some of its troops back from the Kosovo border after US warnings that it could face punitive measures for what the White House called an unprecedented" buildup of Serbian troops and armour.The Serbian president, Aleksandar Vui, announced he had ordered troops to be pulled back. In a statement to the Financial Times, he said any military action would be counterproductive, adding: Serbia does not want war". Continue reading...

Pro-Delhi incumbent Ibrahim Mohamed Solih faces uphill battle against Beijing-leaning frontrunner Mohamed Muizzu as contest remains on knife's edgeThe Maldives started voting on Saturday to decide their next president, in an elections widely seen as a referendum on whether to hitch their fortunes to China or India, both vying for influence in the island nation.Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, 61, faces an uphill battle to secure a second mandate after a term that saw renewed ties with New Delhi, the archipelago's traditional benefactor. Continue reading...

Exhibition honours French impressionist whose landscapes have helped island create jobs and forge global tiesThe island of Guernsey may be best known as a tax haven for the super-wealthy, a pleasant holiday destination, and for the rich milk its docile cows produce.But thanks to a brief sojourn by Pierre-Auguste Renoir 140 years ago, and the bold thinking of culture lovers on the island, it is becoming a draw for art fans. Continue reading...

Sikh Federation wants ministers to set out how UK activists will be protected, after killing of Hardeep Singh NijjarBritish Sikhs have been asked to write to their MPs in an effort to get Rishi Sunak and Suella Braverman to explain what steps police will take to alert Sikh activists who may be under threat" after the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada.The Sikh Federation is concerned that British officers have given no security advice to high-profile individuals or gurdwaras and the community, after Canada said last week that India was probably behind Nijjar's murder in June. Continue reading...

Fifteen-year-old given 14-month detention and training order over attack on Jamie SansomA 15-year-old boy who stabbed a teacher in a school corridor after telling friends he wanted to kill somebody and researched how to buy firearms in the UK has been given a 14-month detention and training order.The teenager covered his face with a snood and a hooded top before attacking Jamie Sansom with a 6in (15cm) kitchen knife. Continue reading...

Journalist's column and contract terminated after comments made by Laurence Fox on his GB News showDan Wootton has been sacked by MailOnline the day after he was suspended by GB News for his part in an on-air discussion with actor Laurence Fox about a female journalist.The TV anchor has been suspended from his lucrative MailOnline column since the summer over accusations he used the pseudonym Martin Branning" to send sexually explicit messages to former colleagues. Continue reading...

The Olivier award-winning actor, whose major film roles included Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter series, has diedSir Michael Gambon, whose extraordinary acting career took him from Laurence Olivier's nascent National Theatre to screen roles in The Singing Detective and the Harry Potter films, has died at the age of 82.A statement on behalf of his wife, Lady Gambon, and son, Fergus, issued by publicist Clair Dobbs, said: We are devastated to announce the loss of Sir Michael Gambon. Continue reading...

Rule names several high-profile presenters banned from sharing certain views on social media while programmes are on airThe BBC has updated its social media guidelines to include a strengthened Lineker clause", in an attempt to stop high-profile presenters expressing strong views on party politics.Gary Lineker almost brought down the BBC director general, Tim Davie, earlier this year when he refused to apologise for tweets about the language used by the home secretary, Suella Braverman, to describe asylum seekers. Davie suspended Lineker, only to reinstate him after a staff rebellion.Antiques Roadshow - Fiona BruceThe Apprentice - Lord SugarDragons' Den - Evan DavisThe One Show - Alex JonesPresenters of major events, such as sporting eventsMasterChef - John Torode and Gregg WallaceMatch of the Day - Gary Lineker and Mark ChapmanStrictly Come Dancing - Tess Daly and Claudia WinklemanTop Gear's current presentersRadio 1 - Greg JamesRadio 2 - Zoe Ball, Vernon Kay and Scott Mills Continue reading...

Government says regulation aimed at protecting small businesses from competitionIndonesia has banned goods transactions on social media platforms as it aims to protect small businesses from e-commerce competition.Calls had grown in recent months for a regulation governing social media and e-commerce, with offline sellers seeing their livelihoods threatened by the sale of cheaper products on TikTok Shop and other platforms. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Kyiv says Iranian drones used by Russia in Ukraine have various European components

The unequal battle between major developers and cash-strapped councils means the reach of town hall enforcement officers is decliningThe decision by the Royal Borough of Greenwich to say enough is enough and order the demolition of 204 homes at the Mast Quay development in south-east London casts a spotlight on one of the most unequal battles in the public realm - between major developers and town hall planners.And it is one that often enrages the public. Greenwich's gambit has cheered community groups who say they are feeling increasingly powerless to challenge, even with the help of the planning system, the might of developers. Continue reading...

This live blog is now closed, you can read more on this story hereSusan Hall, the Conservative candidate for London mayor, has said she did not intend to cause any offence when she liked tweets praising Enoch Powell.Speaking on her LBC phone-in this morning, she said:If you're a serial tweeter, you tend to go through liking all sorts of things. If anybody is offended, then obviously I would apologise.It really doesn't bother me at all. Talking at conference to Conservatives isn't going to get me more votes in London.Yesterday you wrote about comments made about Suella Braverman's speech before we'd seen the text". I've looked at gov.uk since 16:00 yesterday, and haven't found the text of her speech. Is it available online? Continue reading...

This live blog has now closed, you can read more on this subject hereThe American ambassador in Bratislava, Gautam Rana, said this week that he has been very clear" with Robert Fico about the importance of continuing support for Ukraine.In an interview with Peter Dlhopolec, the editor-in-chief of the Slovak Spectator, the American diplomat said: Fico as prime minister took his role as a NATO ally seriously, and maintained a relationship with the EU." Continue reading...

Exclusive: Comes after heated Senate inquiry hearings told application for extra flights by the Gulf had been unfairly rejected"

Manasseh Sogavare hits out at US after skipping Biden summit as $200m in funding for Pacific nations draws criticism for trying to play catch up'

Victorian ombudsman says drivers have been hit with unfair charges as well as potentially unlawful penalties, which should now be repaid

Case follows Walliams' exit as BGT judge after transcript surfaced of him making offensive off-air comments about contestantsDavid Walliams has filed a case against the production company that makes the ITV show Britain's Got Talent.The action being taken by the show's former judge against FremantleMedia is listed as dealing with data protection, according to the BBC. No other details have been given. Continue reading...

Home secretary argued that uncontrolled' migration poses existential challenge for institutions of the west'The Sun is carrying a story today saying Rishi Sunak's decision to stall the net zero ban on selling new petrol cars has seen him catch up eight points in the polls". It is based on the results of this Deltapoll poll.For a more considered view, it is worth reading this article in the i by Prof Sir John Curtice, Britain's leading psephologist. He says the impact of the net zero speech on the polls has been much more modest. Here is his conclusion.Whatever the popularity of the measures, if, as has been alleged, Mr Sunak's motivation was to try to reduce Labour's lead, it looks as though he has so far reaped little reward. Four polls of voting intention conducted after last Wednesday's announcement have so far been published. Between them they put Labour's lead on 17 points - just a point below the polling average shortly before last week's drama.Moving the polls is, it seems, just as difficult as dealing with climate change. Continue reading...

Online fashion retailer says it has reduced its stock levels by 30% amid fall in customer numbersThe online fashion retailer Asos said sales in July and August were hit by wet weather, prompting it to cut its estimate for annual profits.Asos said the poor weather compounded weaker online demand for clothing. Total sales declined by 15% in the quarter to 3 September, with the UK down 16%. The sales washout resulted in a 60m hit to cashflow. July was the wettest such month in England since 2009. Continue reading...

Government maintains it has no effective control of the Australians' detention despite official correspondence citing plans to bring them home

Labor's longest-serving premier in the state made the announcement at a snap press conference on Tuesday

Sources suggest PM could announce new spending on bus, tram and train schemes if he decides to axe part of HS2Rishi Sunak could announce a series of transport improvements for the north of England including bringing forward the high-speed link between Manchester and Leeds as he seeks to limit the political fallout over the future of HS2.Government sources suggested the prime minister still planned to press ahead with a proposal to axe the Birmingham to Manchester link of HS2 despite a furious response and Tory fears that it would fatally undermine their commitment to levelling up. Continue reading...

Developer in long-running spat with Trowbridge town council erects gargoyle-like sculpture of council leader on roof of buildingMost leaders have to wait until after they've died for the statues and monuments of them to go up. But all the Trowbridge town council leader, Stewart Palmen, needed to see his likeness in stone was a planning dispute.An angry builder in the middle of a three-year spat with local authorities has erected a stone gargoyle-like carving of Palmen on a roof in Trowbridge. Continue reading...

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PM backs review of armed policing after officers hand in weapons in response to charging of marksman with murderRishi Sunak has said armed police need clarity about the legal powers they have as he backed a review by the home secretary after an unnamed officer was charged with murder over the shooting of Chris Kaba last year.The Metropolitan police has asked the SAS to provide counter-terrorism support after firearms officers handed in their weapons in protest at the charging of their colleague with murder. Continue reading...

Extreme politicisation of the public service puts confidence in democracy in jeopardy and must be met by strong and swift action

Pensioners and jobseekers will be able to work more without losing payments, while Tafe and apprenticeships will get a funding boost in Working Future reforms

PM would need to offer voters in the north of England an alternative. Whether they believe him is another matter

Reported package offer from Beijing was attempt to meet Australian side halfway' but Australia sees issues as entirely separate matters'