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Damien De Pyle said he was forced to commit humiliating acts while suffering sleep deprivation during torture resistance training, court documents show

Crowds of retirees gather in cities of Wuhan and Dalian to protest against cuts as local government coffers feel strain of years of Covid policiesCrowds of hundreds of older people took to the streets in the Chinese cities of Wuhan and Dalian on Wednesday in escalating protests against changes to the public health insurance system.The protests were sparked by cuts to monthly allowances paid to retirees under China’s vast public health insurance system. The changes, gradually introduced since 2021, come as local government finances are strained following years of strict and costly zero-Covid policies. Continue reading...

More than 80 minutes of rare and mostly unseen video was taken during pioneering 1986 expeditionHaunting new footage of the wreck of the RMS Titanic was set to be released on Wednesday, taken during the pioneering 1986 expedition that gave the first glimpses of the doomed ocean liner since its notorious sinking on its maiden voyage more than seven decades before.The cache of more than 80 minutes of the rare and mostly unseen video comes from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute (WHOI) of Massachusetts, which partnered with French explorers in the discovery of the ship’s remains. Continue reading...

Britain’s largest energy supplier only recently ended its much-criticised forced installation of prepayment metersThe owner of British Gas is poised to reveal record annual profits of more than £3bn, weeks after suspending the forced installation of prepayment meters due to concerns over its treatment of vulnerable customers.Analysts expect Centrica, which owns Britain’s largest energy supplier, to post underlying profits of £3.3bn in 2022 on Thursday, up from £948m in 2021. Continue reading...

Cause of death of Duangpetch Promthep, who moved to Leicester to attend a football academy, has not been confirmedDuangpetch Promthep, one of the 12 boys from the Wild Boars football club who were rescued from a flooded Thai cave in 2018, has died in the UK.Duangpetch, who had moved to the UK to attend a college’s football academy, died on Tuesday, the Zico Foundation, which had supported his scholarship abroad, said. His death was also confirmed by Brooke House college in Leicester. Continue reading...

Survivors in Jindires feel forgotten by the world, and have particular scorn for UN’s dealings with AssadRuqaya Mohammed Mustafa stood next to her few remaining neighbours and the heaped piles they once called home and wearily welcomed the first visitors she had seen since the earthquake last week.All this time, she and the people of Jindires, in northern Syria, had been begging for help. First to dig survivors from the rubble, then to provide shelter and food in the cruel grip of winter. Continue reading...

Jake Davison should never have been allowed to have shotgun, Devon and Cornwall police tell inquestThe police force that issued the Plymouth gunman Jake Davison with a shotgun certificate has said he should never have been allowed to have the weapon and apologised in public for the first time to his victims’ families.Devon and Cornwall police also said Davison, who had a history of violence and an obsession with weapons from an early age, should “certainly” not have been given his shotgun back after it was confiscated when he attacked two children the year before the shootings. Continue reading...

Ukrainian defenders could have destroyed up to 40% of Russia’s pre-war army tank fleet but thousands of older models still in storeRussia’s army is estimated to have lost nearly 40% of its prewar fleet of tanks after nine months of fighting in Ukraine, according to a count by the specialist thinktank the International Institute of Strategic Studies (IISS).That rises to as much as 50% for some of the key tanks used in combat, forcing Russia to reach into its still sizeable cold war-era stocks. Ukraine’s tank numbers are estimated to have increased because of the number it has captured and supplies of Soviet-era tanks from its western allies. Continue reading...

Lost in the questioning from hostile senators was much insight into why the Reserve Bank wants to keep raising rates

The widely varying levels of bulk billing across Australia suggest diverse solutions may be needed to restore affordable GP services

Police say they have been ‘inundated’ with false information about missing 45-year-oldPolice have said there is still no evidence of crime in the case of Nicola Bulley, who went missing near her home in Lancashire nearly three weeks ago, but they are being “inundated with false information, accusations and rumours”.Bulley was last seen in St Michael’s on Wyre, not far from her home in Inskip, Lancashire, on the morning of 27 January. Continue reading...

‘Bombshell’ step in response to rulings by Polish judges that breach principle of the supremacy of EU lawThe European Commission is taking Poland to court over rulings from Polish judges considered by experts as a “legal Polexit” that fundamentally undermine the EU’s legal order.The decision to refer Poland to the European court of justice on Wednesday – described by one expert as a bombshell – comes as Poland’s rightwing nationalist government battles to secure €35.4bn (£31.4bn) in EU Covid recovery funds that have been frozen over concerns about government-influenced courts. Continue reading...

If former leader capitalises on huge local support to stand as an independent, party allies and supportive MPs face a dilemma

Theatre says it will be forced to close after losing £1.8m Arts Council England subisdyFormer Coronation Street stars have described the closure of one of Britain’s oldest theatres, the Oldham Coliseum, as “catastrophic and heartbreaking” and vowed to fight for its survival.The 138-year-old theatre said it would be forced to close at the end of next month after its £1.8m government subsidy was axed by Arts Council England (ACE). Continue reading...

Leader says Labour ‘not going back’ and predecessor will not stand for party at next general election

Girl and boy, both 15, remanded into custody charged over death of transgender 16-year-oldTwo 15-year-olds have been remanded into custody after being charged with the murder of the transgender girl Brianna Ghey.Brianna, 16, was found stabbed to death in a Warrington park on Saturday afternoon. Police have said a few lines of inquiry are being pursued, including whether it was a hate crime. Continue reading...

One teacher accused of cutting hair of at least 100 students after relaxing of regulations last monthActivists in Thailand have called for clearer guidance and enforcement to stop the use of humiliating punishment haircuts in schools, after a teacher was accused of cutting the hair of at least 100 students as they sat in rows on the floor.For decades, students in Thailand have had to comply with strict rules regarding the length and style of their hair. Last month, however, in response to growing protests from young people, the ministry of education revoked its hair regulations, saying schools could instead develop their own policies. Continue reading...

Revelation shows dangers posed by bad actors and paid operatives in democratic systems across Africa

Outage causes flight delays and cancellations after cables damaged during construction workThousands of passengers worldwide have been stranded after an IT fault at Germany’s flagship carrier Lufthansa caused flight delays and disruption at airlines across the group.The company said the problem was caused by damage to several of Deutsche Telekom’s glass-fibre cables during construction work in Frankfurt. Repairs would take until Wednesday afternoon, Lufthansa said. Continue reading...

The 15% fall in profits follows costs of US trading blunder and money being put aside for defaults by borrowersBarclays staff will share £1.2bn in bonuses this year despite a 15% drop in the bank’s annual profits, having been hit by the costs of a US trading blunder and more money being put aside for a potential jump in defaults by borrowers.The bank revealed in its annual report on Wednesday that its staff bonus pool would go relatively untouched, with top performers to share £1.2bn between themselves for their work in 2022. That is down only 3% compared with last year. Including deferred bonuses, the pool was down 8% at £1.8bn. Continue reading...

Mining and commodities firm’s pre-tax profit climbed 60% to £28.2bn last year, up £10.6bn from 2021Glencore will give almost £6bn to shareholders after the mining and commodities company reported record pre-tax profits of more than £28bn in 2022, boosted by rocketing oil and coal prices.The Switzerland-based group, one of the largest companies listed on London’s FTSE 100 by market capitalisation, announced a payout of £5.9bn ($7.1bn) to shareholders, including dividends and a new £1.2bn share buyback programme. Continue reading...

Search under way for pair who fell into a large cavern – or stope – at the zinc mine in Dugald River near Mount Isa

Rachid M’Barki, one of channel’s longest-serving hosts, suspended during inquiry into news packages linked to ‘Team Jorge’France’s most-watched news channel, the 24-hour BFMTV, has suspended one of its longest-serving presenters and launched an internal investigation into news packages linked to an Israeli disinformation unit calling itself “Team Jorge”.Rachid M’Barki, an anchor at BFMTV since its launch in 2005, is on leave and at the centre of the inquiry into multiple stories broadcast on his show, Le journal de la nuit. Continue reading...

Moody’s says outlook for UK’s fifth-largest supermarket, which is £7.5bn in debt, has shifted to negativeMorrisons’ credit rating has been downgraded after the supermarket reported poor sales and profits in the latest blow for the UK’s fifth-largest supermarket.Moody’s, the credit rating agency, said the outlook for Morrisons’ ability to repay its £7.5bn of debts had shifted to negative from stable and its existing junk rating knocked down one notch, from B1 to B2, indicating higher risk. Continue reading...

UK defence secretary acknowledges he faces uphill battle in seeking £11bn increase ahead of March budgetNegotiations with the Treasury over public spending levels are always an uphill battle, the defence secretary has said, amid reports he is looking for up to an £11bn increase in defence spending.Ben Wallace admitted soaring inflation was hitting the Ministry of Defence’s real-terms budget particularly hard, but dismissed suggestions he would resign if the chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, refused to provide the increase he was looking for. Continue reading...

Bundeena residents spotted snake slithering on their balcony before calling firefightersA two-metre diamond python has been removed from a home in Sydney’s south after the homeowners spotted the serpent on their balcony.The Bundeena residents had suspected something was wrong when they noticed their local ringtail possums were not around. Continue reading...

This online tool will help you discover what is contributing to your household’s cost of living increasesInflation is soaring in the UK as people are hit by higher prices for everyday essentials.Now in double digits, the latest inflation rate for the 12 months to January 2023 means that goods and services cost over 10.1% more than they did a year ago – in most cases, surpassing any pay rises workers can expect to receive. Continue reading...

Uluru statement signatory Barb Shaw joins lobbying effort in Canberra as yes and no referendum advocates visit Parliament House

Annastacia Palaszczuk says bill to create truth telling and healing inquiry will be introduced next week

Hollie Hughes says she is surprised only 10,000 people had abandoned Sky Muster as NBN executives face Senate estimates

Exclusive: Whitehall officials planning strategy to tackle disruption to global supply chains in the aftermath of an attackWhitehall officials have strategised a series of scenarios about the economic fallout that could follow if China were to invade Taiwan, sources have told the Guardian.Concerns about the major disruption to global supply chains and consequences of any coordinated western response have been examined by civil servants as part of what is said to be routine “forward-scanning” exercises. Continue reading...

Experts say small far-right group capitalising on local opposition to refugees and trying to co-opt anti-migrant campaignsFar-right activists, emboldened by riots outside a hotel near Liverpool accommodating refugees, have been targeting community and other campaign groups to try to exploit local tensions in Britain.The most active group is Patriotic Alternative, which grew out of splits in the BNP and other groups, led by a digital savvy younger generation seeking to present themselves as a “white pride” organisation concerned with the environment and heritage. Continue reading...

BoM forecasts parts of the country will reach the high 30s and low 40s on Thursday

High-end grocer to reduce prices of hundreds of items in its Essential range by average of 14%It has long had the reputation as Britain’s most luxurious supermarket.But even Waitrose customers are being squeezed by the cost of living crisis, leading to the store slashing the prices of some of its own-brand basics. Continue reading...

The Philippines accused a Chinese coastguard ship of directing a ‘military-grade laser light’ at one of its vessels, temporarily blinding a crew memberPhilippine president Ferdinand Marcos has summoned the Chinese ambassador to express serious concern over the “increasing frequency and intensity of actions” by China against Philippine vessels.The meeting came a day after the Philippines accused a Chinese coastguard ship of directing a “military-grade laser light” at one of its vessels, temporarily blinding a crew member and disrupting a mission in the South China Sea. Continue reading...

Human Rights Watch also demands trial for ‘appalling colonial crime’ of expulsion – and continuing ill treatment – of ChagossiansThe UK should pay full and unconditional reparations to generations affected by its forcible displacement of Chagos Islands inhabitants in the 1960s and 70s, an action that constituted a crime against humanity, Human Rights Watch has said.The NGO said that individuals should be put on trial for the expulsion of Chagossians when the UK retained possession of what it refers to as British Indian Ocean Territory, or BIOT, after Mauritius gained independence in 1968. Continue reading...

US officials who tracked balloon from launch on Hainan island reportedly examining possibility that unusual weather took it over North AmericaThe US is reportedly examining the possibility that the Chinese spy balloon was pushed off course by strong winds when it entered US airspace, having tracked it since its launch days earlier.Of the four flying objects shot down by the US in recent weeks, only the first has been attributed to Chinese surveillance efforts. The balloon took off from China’s Hainan island, before travelling on a path which appeared to go over Guam, according to the Washington Post on Tuesday. It then took an “unexpected” turn to the north, the report said, citing anonymous US officials. After it entered Canadian airspace, strong winds blew it south over the border, the Post reported. Continue reading...

North Island wakes to devastation, as flood waters continue to rise, hundreds rescued from rooftops and more than 10,000 people displacedNew Zealand was attempting to come to grips with the extent of destruction from Cyclone Gabrielle, as the severe weather system moves away from the country, leaving behind high flood waters, widespread damage, more than 10,000 displaced and at least four dead, including one child.Police have received more than 1440 reports of missing people, and while they expect many of those people to be found, prime minister Chris Hipkins said on Wednesday evening that “there are several people missing for whom the police do hold grave concerns”. Continue reading...

Neurosurgeon says he was acting in patients’ best interests and suggests complaints were prompted from within the medical system

Labor government blames Coalition for cutting the agency’s workforce by around 13% from 2016 levels

Number of students in independent sector grew 25% in last decade while overall rate of year 12 completion fell last year

Inflation is dangerous, corrosive and hurts people, RBA governor tells Senate estimates

Buoyed by a welcome return of international acts, the 70th Perth festival soars as artists dream of new worlds

Sixty-year-old former Richmond AFL player vehemently denies police accusations

Keir Starmer says party heading in right direction but there is still work to do, 18 months after watchdog’s reportLabour has been taken out of special measures by the equalities watchdog, with Keir Starmer hailing progress in tackling antisemitism as a watershed moment for the party.In a speech on Wednesday, Starmer will herald the party’s progress while saying there is still significant work to be done. Continue reading...

Theatre operators and producers changing marketing strategy as rowdy behaviour escalatesPopular musicals will be told to avoid phrases such as “best party in town” and “dancing in the aisles” after growing reports of rowdy and abusive behaviour from audiences.Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG), the largest theatre operator in the UK, is working with producers to temper any ad campaigns that could encourage bad behaviour, the Stage reported. Continue reading...

Human Rights Act could be key factor in appeal against the release of a group of youths in Townsville

A pre-Super Bowl ad promoting ‘novelty bet’ markets on Rihanna’s halftime show is part of a trial on the social media platform

Crown, made for 1911 coronation, will be modified for queen consort and not feature the Koh-i-Noor diamondThe queen consort is to wear a recycled crown for the coronation that will not feature the Koh-i-Noor diamond, Buckingham Palace has announnced.Camilla will wear a modified version of Queen Mary’s crown, made by Garrard’s for the 1911 coronation and commissioned by Queen Mary, the consort of George V. Continue reading...

The victim, who was in her 70s, died in Darwin from the mosquito-borne virus for which there is no cure or vaccine