World news | The Guardian

Ratification will have to wait at least until after elections in May or June, says senior officialTurkey is unlikely to vote on Sweden and Finland’s accession to Nato before pivotal domestic elections expected in May or June this year, according to a senior Turkish official.“We are not in a rush here, they are in a rush to join Nato,” İbrahim Kalın, chief adviser to Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, told journalists. Continue reading...

In letter to Rishi Sunak, GMB union members say they feel ‘utterly betrayed’ by attempts to portray them as ‘uncaring about safety’A group of ambulance workers has sent a furious letter to the prime minister saying they feel “utterly betrayed” by the government’s attempts to paint them as “uncaring about safety standards”.Steve Rice, the head of the GMB union’s ambulance committee, sent Rishi Sunak a letter on behalf of ambulance workers protesting against the government’s plans to introduce anti-strikes legislation.PA Media contributed to this report Continue reading...

Prosecutor general punished as smuggled recording released of Akbari saying he was subjected to ‘3,500 hours of torture’

The London venue had its licence suspended after the surge, during a show by Asake, left two people deadBrixton O2 Academy is to remain shut for a further three months after a crush that left two people dead.A gig at the London venue by the Afrobeats singer Asake on 15 December was cut short after overcrowding in the foyer caused a surge. Continue reading...

Armour will allow Ukraine to mount a spring offensive – but it will also need support vehicles, and most Nato countries have a bare minimum of them. It’s time to investThe prospect of several countries providing Ukraine with Nato-designed main battle tanks offers a pathway towards renewed momentum in Kyiv’s bid to reclaim its territory from Russian occupation. The next six months will probably be critical to this effort. Enabling Ukraine to operate these vehicles, however, will require more than just the tanks to be delivered to the Ukrainian armed forces.The Russian military has been engaged in a sustained assault on the town of Bakhmut for months to little effect. The fields around the town are littered with the corpses of Russian soldiers, while the rate of fire from Russia’s artillery is declining as it faces shortages of spare barrels and some munitions. With much of Russia’s available forces committed, the spring offers the opportunity for Ukraine to go on the attack. Continue reading...

Former president shared a video questioning last year’s election result after his supporters stormed Brasília’s democratic institutionsBrazil’s former president Jair Bolsonaro will be investigated as part of an inquiry into an alleged attempt to topple the country’s new government, the supreme court has announced.Thousands of radical followers of the far-right populist marauded through Brazil’s three most important democratic institutions last Sunday, apparently convinced by a tsunami of fake news that last October’s presidential election – which Bolsonaro lost – was rigged. Continue reading...

Ruling comes hours after UN called for charges to be dropped in ‘largest case of criminalisation of solidarity in Europe’A Greek appeals court has dropped espionage charges against 24 activists involved in rescuing people from migrant boats in the Mediterranean after recognising that the case was riddled with procedural errors.The three-member panel of judges upheld a prosecutor’s recommendation that the spying charges be dropped on the basis of being “overly vague”. The verdict was announced to the sound of applause in the courtroom. Continue reading...

Michael Lawrence accused of ignoring safety rules before crash that killed Emily Lewis, 15, on Southampton WaterA schoolgirl was killed in a speedboat crash after a “grossly negligent” skipper ignored safety rules and smashed into a large buoy at more than 40mph, a court heard.Michael Lawrence, who was highly experienced and qualified, is accused of taking risks by performing stunts before he ploughed into the metal buoy on Southampton Water, Hampshire, during what was meant to be a “high thrills” ride. Continue reading...

Ed Miliband accuses government of ‘dereliction of duty’ and demands extra support for householdsLabour has called for an immediate halt to the “shameful” forced installation of prepay gas and electricity meters, with the shadow climate change secretary, Ed Miliband, accusing the government of a “dereliction of duty” and demanding extra financial support for struggling households.The opposition wants a three-month moratorium on the installations – which are typically made when customers rack up debts with their energy supplier – and it has asked for an “urgent review of how energy vulnerability can be reduced”. Continue reading...

Court case revealed private life of Manchester City star, from his chat-up lines to profligate spendingBenjamin Mendy’s five-month trial lifted the lid on his private life off the pitch, offering unique “through the keyhole” access to his home and inner circle.The jury heard the defender’s chat-up lines: “I said to her, ‘Show me your bum.’ She showed me her bum and I said: ‘Do you want to have sex?’” They discovered he never used contraception, despite regularly sleeping with multiple women in the course of a night. They heard that Mendy and his friends sometimes had sex with the same women, albeit separately, on some nights. Continue reading...

Sportswear company claimed fashion label’s motif was too similar to its trademark three-stripe logoAdidas has lost a court case against the designer Thom Browne, after the sportswear company said the use of four stripes in his designs was too close to its trademark three-stripe logo.A jury in New York on Thursday rejected the accusation. If successful, Adidas had been asking for more than $8m (£6.55m), comprising $867,225 in potential licensing fees and more than $7m to represent the profit Adidas believes Browne made by using the stripes. Continue reading...

Leader of the Labour party made the comments during a speech on Brexit in Northern Ireland. This live blog is closedThe UK culture secretary, Michelle Donelan, has said she is “not ruling out” changing the online safety bill to allow regulators to prosecute social media bosses who are found not to have protected children’s safety.Donelan told the BBC she was open to making changes that have been demanded by dozens of Conservative MPs, saying she would take a “sensible approach” to their ideas.Obviously this is a very sensitive area and I know there were very robust debates and exchanges on it as the bill was passing in Scotland. What I’m concerned about is the impact of the bill across the United Kingdom.There may be impacts across the UK that we need to be aware of and understand the impact of them, and that’s what we’re doing, and once the government has received final advice it will set out next steps.This is not just a question about the GRR people’s individual views on it. This is about democracy.The Scottish parliament has voted in favour of legislation that sits within devolved competencies, and it’s incumbent upon Westminster to ensure that legislation is passed in full. Continue reading...

Prime minister flew to Scotland with RAF plane days after he flew by jet from London to Leeds

Unions representing staff in NHS, transport and beyond warn of disputes escalating unless ministers give ground on payThe end of 2022 was marked by mass industrial unrest as employees across the transport network, NHS, Royal Mail, schools and the civil service took strike action. The start of 2023 has brought further stoppages by rail workers, bus drivers, teachers in Scotland, nurses, ambulance workers and civil servants.Paul Nowak, the new general secretary of the Trades Union Congress, has warned of a “rolling wave” of strikes this year unless ministers give ground on pay, with unions taking coordinated action so that stoppages happen either on the same day or in quick succession. Continue reading...

Charities say 24/7 monitoring for people on bail from immigration detention risk ‘total surveillance’People facing deportation have been told they must scan their fingerprints several times a day using devices installed with GPS technology under plans from the Home Office and the Ministry of Justice.Those required to carry one of the handheld devices will be subject to 24/7 location tracking, with information including an individual’s name, date of birth and nationality stored on the device and shared with the government, police and other authorities. Users will receive alerts throughout the day to submit their biometrics and are obliged to carry the device with them at all times. Continue reading...

EU sources say progress in protocol dispute is slow despite growing momentumThe UK government is to further delay calling an election in Northern Ireland to give Brexit talks a chance.Senior EU sources said “slow progress” was being made in talks between the UK and Brussels, dampening hopes of a breakthrough by the end of January on the protracted dispute over the Northern Ireland protocol. Continue reading...

Court moves to protect respondents from early reporting of allegations but media union criticises decision. This blog is now closed

Labour leader to urge PM to take on Eurosceptics in attempt to resolve Northern Ireland protocol issuesKeir Starmer is to challenge Rishi Sunak to stand up to the “Brexit purity cult” of Eurosceptics within the Conservative party to resolve the Northern Ireland protocol impasse.The Labour leader will use a speech in Belfast on Friday to encourage the prime minister to take on the once highly influential European Research Group (ERG) of backbench Tory MPs to find a fix for issues arising from Northern Ireland’s post-Brexit trading arrangements. Continue reading...

Cooking tips and takeaways are among the community offerings at a centre that will benefit from the Guardian and Observer charity appealMarianne Daly has turned to an ancient staple to help the women of west Belfast weather the cost of living crisis: lentils.At the Footprints Women’s Centre she teaches her students that the legume, one of humanity’s oldest sources of food, can bulk up curries, sauces and other dishes for a fraction of the price of meat. Continue reading...

While the court says rules are designed to protect respondents from early reporting of allegations, MEAA president says decision ‘goes against the concept of open court’

Presley was rushed to hospital on Thursday night after suffering a suspected cardiac arrestLisa Marie Presley, singer and the only child of Elvis and Priscilla Presley, has died at the age of 54, after suddenly being hospitalised on Thursday.Her 77-year-old mother confirmed Presley’s death later on Thursday night. Continue reading...

Girl, first detained at 13, suffered ‘extremely traumatic’ restraining with handcuffs, leg shackles and spit hoods, court document claims

Welsh government wants new board members to make the national park feel more inclusive to everyoneThe image of the typical visitor to the UK’s great national parks – and of the board members who oversee them – is probably still white, middle-class and perhaps a little conventional.But the Welsh government has made clear its ambition to make Wales’s wildernesses feel more inclusive by swearing in new board members for the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority who will champion the black, Asian and minority-ethnic, LGBTQi+ and disability communities. Continue reading...

Almost 2,000 patients of surgeon told by health authorities they may need to have procedures repeated to ensure they do not have cancer after an investigation by regulators

Russian leader publicly berated Denis Manturov, eye-rolling and shuffling papers during the live call, as his war in Ukraine caused fresh problemsVladimir Putin has publicly scolded a senior minister and ally during a meeting broadcast on state television as sanctions from the stalling war in Ukraine caused fresh economic headaches for the Russian president.Speaking during a live video call with officials on Wednesday, the Russian leader appeared agitated and berated deputy prime minister Denis Manturov, who is also his trade and industry minister and responsible for overseeing Russia’s weapons and defence industry and supplies of equipment for troops. Putin criticised him for working too slowly on the country’s aircraft contracts, according to a transcript of the call later published by the Kremlin. Continue reading...

Former immigration department deputy believes government has ‘significantly underestimated’ net migration

Analysis: Someone in the NSW premier’s own corner seems determined that he should pay for his 21st birthday mistake

Bestselling author cancels plans for a colouring book based on her novel It Ends With Us, saying she ‘absolutely sees’ why fans were criticalBestselling author Colleen Hoover has apologised after she announced plans to publish a colouring book based on one of her bestselling novels about domestic violence.The US author of It Ends With Us announced The Official It Ends With Us Coloring Book on social media on Thursday. But after a furious backlash from readers, she apologised that same day, writing that she could “absolutely see” how the idea was “tone-deaf”. She said her publishers would not be proceeding with the book. Continue reading...

Connor Chapman has been remanded in custody and will appear in court on FridayPolice investigating the shooting of Elle Edwards in Wallasey on Christmas Eve have charged Connor Chapman, 22, with her murder.Chapman, of Houghton Road, Woodchurch, has also been charged with two counts of attempted murder and three counts of unlawful and malicious wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, possession of ammunition with intent to endanger life, and handling stolen goods, namely a Mercedes A-Class. Continue reading...

The decision by Cricket Australia, based on ‘unacceptable’ treatment of women and girls by the Taliban, has been labelled ‘pathetic’ by the Afghan Cricket Board

Outgoing MP David Elliott told premier ‘everyone had heard the rumour that someone was planning to use it against him’

Parliamentary report calls for more streamlined policymaking for the creative industries, in order to make the British music ecosystem more amenable to artistsA new parliamentary report has called for the UK government to streamline its policymaking in creative industries, in order to make the country’s music ecosystem more amenable to British musicians.The report was authored by a committee that scrutinises the spending, policies and administration of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), and follows a 2021 report into music streaming and the state of the industry, which instigated an investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority into the power and role of streaming services. This report commends the government’s efforts to take action – such as commissioning an investigation from the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) and the formation of technical stakeholder working groups – but says that further action is needed in order to support artists more effectively. Continue reading...

Cardinal’s scepticism provided cover for the likes of Tony Abbott, who were able to justify denialism by invoking religious beliefs

Analysis shows hospitals cannot meet demand or recommended timeframes for surgeries unless urgent reform is undertaken

Priscilla Presley said her and Elvis’s daughter was ‘receiving the best care’ and asked fans to keep the family in their prayersSinger Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of Elvis Presley, was rushed to hospital on Thursday, where her mother Priscilla said she was getting the “best care”.In a statement to People, Priscilla Presley, 77, said: “My beloved daughter Lisa Marie was rushed to the hospital. She is now receiving the best care. Please keep her and our family in your prayers. We feel the prayers from around the world and ask for privacy at this time,” she added. Continue reading...

A second woman was taken to hospital with dog bites, but her condition is not life-threateningA woman in her 20s has been killed after reportedly being attacked by a dog in Surrey.Officers were called to Gravelly Hill in Caterham at 2.45pm on Thursday to reports of a dog attacking members of the public. Continue reading...

Tech investor Christopher Harborne’s gift to former PM’s personal office is one of biggest ever recorded to individual UK politicianBoris Johnson has received a donation of £1m from a Thai-based British businessman who had previously given millions of pounds to Nigel Farage’s Brexit party, the newly released register of MPs’ interests has shown.Christopher Harborne, a tech industry investor who had previously donated to the Conservatives but gave the Brexit party £6m before the 2019 general election, handed the £1m donation to Johnson’s personal office, set up after he left No 10. Continue reading...

Alireza Akbari, who was sentenced to death for allegedly spying for MI6, gave reports on Iran’s nuclear programme, he tells TV interviewerAlireza Akbari, the British-Iranian dual national sentenced to death for allegedly spying for MI6, gave his British handlers reports on Iran’s nuclear programme and efforts to evade western economic sanctions, according to an edited TV confession aired by news agencies close to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps.In the video, which was aired on Thursday and appeared to be heavily edited, Akbari was also asked about the assassination of Iran’s top nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh who was shot dead in in Tehran in 2020. Continue reading...

Journalist who published the anonymous memo criticising ‘politically correct’ decisions reveals cardinal was its author

Industrial action to take place in February and March in dispute over pay, conditions and pensionsMore than 70,000 staff at 150 universities across the UK will strike for 18 days between February and March in disputes over pay, conditions and pensions, it has been announced.The University and College Union (UCU) said the precise dates of the action will be confirmed next week. Continue reading...

The U-turn may help to end wave of strikes, though funding it could require cuts to key servicesSteve Barclay has privately conceded he will have to increase his pay offer to NHS staff, in a U-turn that may help to end the growing wave of strikes.However, the Treasury has made clear he will have to find any new cash from within the existing health budget, raising the prospect of cuts to key services. Continue reading...

‘Obsessive’ David Richards lay in wait for Alex Alam to leave her home after their relationship broke downA former manager of the Dreamboys stripper group has been jailed for 27 years for attempted murder after attacking his wife with an axe.David Richards, 42, attacked Alex Alam, 32, outside her home after their relationship broke down, fracturing her skull and cutting her face and scalp. Continue reading...

Roads submerged and railway lines blocked as warnings in place for further flooding and strong windsParts of the UK are under water after heavy rain caused floods as weather warnings remain in place for further flooding and strong winds.Roads were submerged on Thursday night in parts of Wiltshire and Somerset, including the village of Exebridge, which lies on the River Exe on the Devon and Somerset border. Continue reading...

This live blog has now closed, you can read more of our coverage of the Russia-Ukraine war hereThe Russian human rights commissioner Tatiana Moskalkova said both Moscow and Kyiv were interested in future contacts between their rights commissioners, the Russian state-owned Tass news agency has reported.Following a meeting this week in Turkey with her Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Lubinets, Moskalkova said she believed Ukraine had adopted a pragmatic approach to discussions between the two sides. Continue reading...

After drinking a bottle of port, the 39-year-old told the black flight attendant ‘I want your chocolate children’The Blue singer Lee Ryan has been found guilty of racially aggravated assault after drunkenly telling a black flight attendant “I want your chocolate children”.The pop star, 39, was “slurring his words and staggering around” after drinking a bottle of port before a British Airways flight from Glasgow to London City airport on 31 July last year. Continue reading...

People felt confident to gather for first time since Covid, according to Whitbread and Mitchells & ButlersNils Pratley: was there a Christmas high street miracle? Not quiteFriends and families gathered together to eat and drink over the festive season for the first time since Covid, boosting Christmas sales in the face of the cost of living crisis, according to hospitality companies Whitbread, which owns Premier Inn, and the pub and restaurant group Mitchells & Butlers.Whitbread, which also owns the Beefeater and Brewers Fayre chains, said it had seen almost 17% like-for-like growth in the UK in sales of its Premier Inn hotel rooms, and food and drink at its restaurants in the 13 weeks to 1 December, compared with a year earlier. Continue reading...

The Russian president may have put Gen Gerasimov in charge of the invasion to balance tensions between the army and the Wagner groupAnother month, another Russian military reshuffle: Vladimir Putin changes the general in charge of his forces in Ukraine with something of the frequency of a Premier League club desperate to secure immediate success.It is obvious that such inconsistency demonstrates that the Kremlin is dissatisfied with the conduct of the war but the decision to put Gen Valery Gerasimov, the head of the armed forces, in charge of the invasion is eye-catching for other reasons too. Continue reading...

Elnaz Hajtamiri woman was abducted on 12 January 2022 from an Ontario house by three men disguised as police officersInvestigators in Canada are offering a C$100,000 reward in a bid to solve the brazen kidnapping of an Iranian Canadian woman by assailants disguised as police officers that continues to baffle detectives.Elnaz Hajtamiri was violently abducted on 12 January 2022, from a house in an Ontario beach community, by three men disguised in police gear, who hauled her barefoot through the snow and into a waiting SUV. Continue reading...

Campaigners had said initial police response was poor because of boy’s raceA white woman who struck a 12-year-old black boy on the forehead with a large paddle at a Bristol riverside park, leaving him permanently scarred, has been given a suspended jail sentence.The police were strongly criticised over the attack by Fay Johnson on Antwon Forrest, because she was initially not prosecuted after claiming she acted in self-defence and felt “threatened” by the youngster. Continue reading...

Donetsk governor says 559 civilians could not be evacuated, while Ukraine claims troops are ‘holding on’ to city