World news | The Guardian

Bob Lambert accused of failing to consider wellbeing of woman he deceived into sexual relationshipAn undercover police officer has been accused of behaving recklessly" when he fathered a son with a woman from whom he had concealed his real identity, a public inquiry has heard.Bob Lambert was accused of failing to give any consideration to the wellbeing of the woman, known as Jacqui, whom he had deceived into an intimate relationship. Continue reading...

Retailer removes 5 hats from website after mangling Welsh spelling of country, Cymru as Cyrmu'There are undoubtedly some Welsh names that can be difficult for someone who does not speak the language to negotiate, but the country itself - Cymru - is surely not too tricky.So there has been a degree of frustration in Wales that the retailer Sports Direct has managed to mangle it as Cyrmu" on a range of bobble hats. Continue reading...

MPs vote to give leave to bring in private members' bill on PR but it will have no practical effectLord Robertson, the former Labour defence secretary and former Nato secretary who is leading the government's strategic defence review, is giving evidence to the Commons defence committee. He has told MPs that the Americans are being fully consulted about the review. This is from Shashank Joshi, the Economist's defence editor.Listening to George Robertson & Richard Barrons, who are writing the UK's defence review alongside Fiona Hill, giving evidence to the Commons defence committee. They're in constant contact" with allies, Robertson says, and have a US officer on the review team. Continue reading...

Forces loyal to Bashar al-Assad in violent confrontations' with armed groups in Hama, according to reports

Companies say higher returns are needed to ensure record infrastructure investment across industry is deliveredWater companies want to see higher returns for shareholders to ensure record investment into sewage infrastructure, pipes and treatment plants is delivered.As Ofwat, the water regulator for England and Wales, prepares to announce its decision on how much customer bills will be allowed to rise by to fund tens of billions of pounds in investment across the industry, water companies said higher returns were needed. Continue reading...

Yoon Suk Yeol says in late-night address that opposition parties have taken parliamentary process hostage

State can enforce law against those who harbor or transport a minor across state lines without parental consentIdaho can enforce a first-of-its-kind abortion trafficking" law against those who harbor or transport a minor to get an abortion out of state without parental consent, a federal appeals court ruled on Monday.But the San Francisco-based 9th US circuit court of appeals in its ruling blocked a part of the law that prohibits recruiting" a minor to get an abortion. Continue reading...

Company is at loggerheads with Italian government, which claims it has not invested enough in the country

Gregor Formanek is charged with aiding and abetting 3,322 murders at the Sachsenhausen concentration campGerman authorities are pressing for a 100-year-old former Nazi concentration camp guard to face trial almost 80 years after the end of the second world war.The higher regional court in Frankfurt said on Tuesday it had overturned a decision by a lower court under which the suspect had been deemed unfit to stand trial. Continue reading...

Davies says position untenable' despite narrowly winning confidence vote, as voter intention poll shows Welsh Tories sliding to fourth place

Migrants waiting in Tapachula by Guatemala border fear Trump's election could worsen crisis and spur northward flightOutside the migration office, Tito subtly pointed out the watchful human smugglers leaning against a wall.They had already tried to sell their services to Tito, who was on his way to the US but, like everyone else there, found himself stuck in Tapachula, a town in southern Mexico which has become a global way station. Continue reading...

Paul Thwaite says government's exit from its stake in bank could come in first half of 2025 and will be a great moment'The chief executive of NatWest has said the bailed-out bank is on a fast trajectory to private ownership", with the government likely to fully exit its stake within the first half of 2025.Paul Thwaite said it would be a symbolic moment for NatWest Group staff and the wider banking sector, allowing the industry to close another chapter of the fallout from the 2008 banking crash. Continue reading...

Sykes says she informally complained about MasterChef host, as Vanessa Feltz claims he told people in lift of sex actMelanie Sykes has revealed she made an informal complaint about Gregg Wallace, saying that having to work with him on Celebrity MasterChef in 2021 was the reason why she quit TV.On Monday night the BBC rejected calls to pull the cookery show from its scheduled slot, on a day Wallace apologised for dismissing his accusers as middle-class women of a certain age". Continue reading...

Tougher guidance in England and Wales will also prevent convicted stalkers from contacting victims while in prison

Carmaker, which has faced backlash over rebrand, will reveal production-ready version of Type 00 in late 2025

Truong My Lan must repay three-quarters of $12bn she embezzled from bank in a case that shocked the countryThe Vietnamese property tycoon Truong My Lan has lost her appeal against the death penalty for masterminding a multibillion-dollar fraud scandal - though she could still save her life if she can repay most of the funds she embezzled.Lan, who founded the real-estate developer Van Thinh Phat, was sentenced to death in April for embezzling $12bn (9.95bn) from Saigon Commercial Bank (SCB), in a case that shocked the country. Continue reading...

Christopher Carrig, who was also sentenced for targeting a Jewish man at a bus stop, kept framed pictures of Nazi leaders in his bedroom

In today's newsletter: After a general election, Fine Gael and Fianna Fail look set to retain power - how have two main, centre-right parties avoided the kicking seen elsewhere?Good morning. All over the western world, incumbent governments have been given a kicking over the cost of living crisis. But in the Irish election, where the counting of results concluded yesterday, it's a very different story.Not long ago, Sinn Fein appeared on course to win the popular vote and become the leading party in a new coalition, but its support fell away badly earlier this year. Instead, Ireland's traditionally dominant parties of the centre-right, Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, appear to have it sown up again.Cybercrime | The UK is underestimating the severity of the online threat it faces from hostile states and criminal gangs, the country's cybersecurity chief will warn on Tuesday. Richard Horne, the head of GCHQ's National Cyber Security Centre, will cite a trebling of severe" incidents amid Russian and Chinese aggression.Foreign policy | Keir Starmer has utterly rejected" the idea that the UK must choose between the United States and Europe when Donald Trump comes to power. In a major foreign policy speech in London, Starmer said the UK would never turn away" from the US but would continue to reset" the relationship with Europe.US news | Donald Trump seized on Hunter Biden's pardon to drop one of his strongest hints yet that he intends to grant clemency to at least some of the instigators and participants of the January 6 attack on the US Capitol by a mob trying to overturn his 2020 election defeat.Syria | Iranian-backed Iraqi militias have crossed into eastern Syria in an attempt to shore up struggling forces loyal to Damascus. They are battling an insurgency that has swept much of the country's north-west as Islamist militants seized control of Aleppo.Television | Gregg Wallace has apologised for dismissing those who have accused him of inappropriate behaviour as middle-class women of a certain age". His remarks came after No 10 condemned his initial remarks as misogynistic", and as pressure mounted on the BBC to stop broadcasting Wallace's programmes.Migration is a really difficult issue for them. Sinn Fein are unusual in that they are a leftwing nationalist party. Typically, nationalist parties tend to be on the right and nativist ... happy to redistribute money but only to people of a given nationality. Sinn Fein, on the other hand, have quite a socialist economic agenda, which is at odds with that. Continue reading...

Sakina Muhammad Jan, who was married at 12 in Afghanistan and saw family members killed by Taliban, should be spared prison, lawyer argues

Powerful industry groups oppose mandatory accounts for gamblers to help monitor everyone using poker machines

But it warns of shortfalls if high demand periods - like heatwaves - happen during unplanned outages

Finance secretary must find way to bring either Greens or Lib Dems onboard while plugging possible 200m shortfallScottish ministers are contemplating modest tax increases for the better off and plan to scrap the freeze in council tax rates as they search for extra money in this week's budget.Shona Robison, the Scottish finance secretary, is under pressure to provide a vote-winning budget on Wednesday after being given a record amount of funding from the Treasury for next year. Continue reading...

Campaigners welcome Nice approval for use of Kimmtrak (tebentafusp) to treat patients with uveal melanomaHundreds of patients in England with a rare form of eye cancer are to be offered on the NHS a pioneering drug that kills cancer cells and boosts the chances of survival.In guidance published on Tuesday, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) gave the green light to tebentafusp for patients whose uveal melanoma cannot be removed with surgery or has spread to other parts of the body. Continue reading...

Majority of areas where violence broke out have below-median scores on index of community cohesion and resilienceA majority of towns that saw rioting last summer have a torn social fabric" and have been bearing the brunt of economic deprivation, according to a new report.The report was published by the charitable trust Power to Change, using a social fabric index" produced by the Onward thinktank which looks at the changing nature of community in different parts of the UK. Continue reading...

Assault on Syria's second-largest city by Islamist militants may tarnish Russia's reputation as a global playerThe walls of the military office in Aleppo were adorned with pictures of the Kremlin, flanked by Russian and Syrian flags hanging side by side. On the desks, documents detailing the cooperation between the two nations lay abandoned - telltale signs of Bashar al-Assad's forces' hasty retreat as rebels closed in on Syria's second-biggest city over the weekend.The short clip circulating online was recorded in the office of Russian advisers at Aleppo's military academy after it was taken by rebels in a surprise offensive. It highlights the escalating threat to the Assad regime and, by extension, to Moscow's strategic foothold in Syria and the broader region. Continue reading...

State police commissioner says she no longer has confidence in officer after he fatally shot 95-year-old woman with a Taser

Joan Busquets, 96, suffered torture, forced labour and 20 years in prison under the Franco regime and seeks reparationsOne of the last surviving fighters from the guerrilla war waged against the Franco dictatorship in the 1940s is suing the Spanish government for 1m in reparations.Barcelona-born Joan Busquets, 96, suffered torture, forced labour and 20 years in prison at the hands of the Franco regime. The case comes in response to Spain's Democratic Memory law, passed in 2022, which offers moral reparations" to the regime's victims. Continue reading...

Thinktank urges government to be much more ambitious' as actions so far are not enough to fulfil manifesto pledgeLabour will miss its manifesto target of building 1.5m homes in England before the end of this parliament without more radical reform to the planning system, the thinktank the Centre for Cities has warned.Keir Starmer put tackling housing affordability at the heart of his pitch to voters, promising to get Britain building again". Continue reading...

Enjoying a romantic relationship without cohabiting, or living apart, together', found to be a popular arrangementIt's known as living apart, together. Being in a serious relationship while remaining at separate addresses has long been a lifestyle more associated with people starting out in life.But those aged 60 and above who date like people in their 20s enjoy better mental wellbeing, the largest study of its kind has found. Continue reading...

Ali Clark, who runs Chadkirk dog sanctuary, looks after dogs with behavioural problems that cannot be rehomedThe owner of a sanctuary for traumatised dogs has said up to 17 animals will have to be put to sleep unless she can find a new home for them within three weeks.Chadkirk dog sanctuary in Stockport was served with an eviction notice by the landlord, which means that the premises will need to be vacated by the end of the year. Continue reading...

Winnipeg effort involves carting waste that may contain remains of First Nations women murdered by Jeremy Skibicki to a purpose-built facility and combing through it by handThe unprecedented search of a landfill in Canada for the remains of two murdered Indigenous women entered a critical yet difficult" stage as teams braced for the possibility of finally recovering the victims of a convicted serial killer.On Monday morning, trucks began carrying excavated material from a Winnipeg landfill, said the Manitoba premier, Wab Kinew, as he outlined the immense scope of a search aiming to bring some closure to grieving families. Continue reading...

Man says gambling ads potentially damaging' for his children who regularly listen to Disney and the Wiggles on his account on music streaming app

Nationwide reports surprise growth despite near-record prices straining affordability

Tbilisi experiences fifth day of demonstrations amid anger over ruling party's decision to shelve EU accession talksGeorgian police have fired teargas to try to disperse thousands of pro-EU demonstrators rallying in the centre of Tbilisi amid a deepening political crisis in the Black Sea nation.The country's prime minister hours earlier had vowed no negotiations" with the opposition, enraged by the ruling Georgian Dream party's decision to shelve EU accession talks after it claimed victory in an election they decried as fraudulent. Continue reading...

Tommy Banks urges those who stole van packed with 2,500 pies to do the right thing' so food can go to people in needA Michelin-starred chef has appealed to thieves who stole his van which had 2,500 pies inside to do the right thing" and give them to people in need.Tommy Banks, who owns two restaurants and a pub in North Yorkshire, announced on Instagram that his van carrying 25,000 worth of stock had been taken. The refrigerated vehicle was due to make a delivery to the chef's pop-up pie stall at York Christmas Market, but staff found it had disappeared from Barker business park in Melmerby, near Ripon, on Monday morning. Continue reading...

This live blog is now closed. You can read our latest full report here:

At lord mayor's banquet in London, British PM says national interest demands that we work with both'Keir Starmer has utterly rejected" the idea that the UK must choose between the United States and Europe when Donald Trump comes to power, arguing that it is in the national interest to work with both.The prime minister said the UK would never turn away" from its relationship with the US, despite the difficulties the new administration could pose, as it had been the cornerstone" of security and prosperity for over a century. Continue reading...

Pair chatted on Telegram about plot to target Christo Grozev, known for his investigations into Russian espionageAn agent for Russia and a Bulgarian based in Britain discussed setting up a honeytrap" for an investigative journalist, the Old Bailey has heard.Jan Marsalek, the agent, chatted on Telegram with Orlin Roussev in September 2021 about a plot to target the award-winning journalist Christo Grozev, known for his investigations into Russian espionage, prosecutor Alison Morgan KC said. Continue reading...

Decision brings Commons speaker's role into disrepute, says Will ProchaskaAnti-gambling campaigners have called on the Commons speaker to apologise after Sir Lindsay Hoyle opened Betfred's multimillion-pound new HQ with a dedicated plaque.The Betfred HQ in Warrington was opened by Hoyle at the end of last month, 20 miles outside his Chorley constituency. Continue reading...

Proposal comes after billionaire Elon Musk reportedly said he would donate 79m to Nigel Farage's Reform UK partyCaps on political donations are being considered by ministers as part of sweeping reforms to the UK electoral system.Labour is examining proposals to limit how much individuals and companies can donate to political parties as part of an effort to tighten the rules around money in UK politics. Continue reading...

Scholz said Germany was strongest supporter of Ukraine in Europe' and promised speedy arms deliveriesOlaf Scholz has met the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in an unannounced visit to Kyiv that was his first since the early months of full-scale war as he sought to reassure Ukraine of German support.The German chancellor announced a military aid package worth 650m (540m) during the trip amid doubts over his Ukraine policy at home and uncertainty over the upcoming presidency of Donald Trump and what it may mean for the war in Ukraine. Continue reading...

Charity on verge of insolvency amid collapse in funding from NHS, school and local authority contractsBritain's biggest relationship counselling charity is on the verge of insolvency after failing to overcome financial difficulties caused by a collapse in funding from NHS, school and local authority contracts.Relate has been put into administration, with staff told that it has four to six weeks to find a buyer or merger partner if it is to stay afloat. The 26 local branches of the charity, which are each independent, are not affected. Continue reading...

This live blog is closedNigel Farage, the Reform UK leader, has said that he does not believe a story saying Elon Musk, the multi-billionaire Trump ally and owner of X, might give his party $100m.The suggestion was contained in a story published by the Sunday Times yesterday. It did not feature an on-the-record source for the claim, but it said leading businessmen and Conservative Party officials believe there is a credible prospect that Musk is preparing to give $100 million (78 million) to Farage as a f*** you Starmer payment" with a view to transforming British politics".I suspect this is not true. Legally, companies operating in the UK can give money to UK political parties, but I think we're a very long way away from that.Look, if it did happen, well, that'd be great, but I think it's one of those really very good gossipy Sunday newspaper things. Let's see. But I rather doubt it.The craziest thing about this story is that it is all perfectly legal.Musk is a South African-born billionaire who lives in the US. Our election laws are explicitly supposed to prevent foreign donations like this - but anyone, from anywhere, can get around the rules if they donate through a UK registered company. (A wheeze Robert Jenrick knows well.)New targets on living standards will be unveiled by Keir Starmer on ThursdayIs being seen as a sidelining of his big economic pledge - getting the highest growth in the G7The problem with the highest sustained growth in G7' target is Starmer of course doesn't control the economies of US, Aus, Canada, Germany, France, JapanUS growing way faster now: 2.8% estimate for 2024 vs 1.1% for UKFor the new living standards target real household disposable income and GDP per capita have been considered.The new promise will likely have the benefit of not being a pledge to beat other countries.Note the nuance. The G7 target remains. It will likely be mentioned in the Plan For Change' document unveiled on Thurs and Starmer's speechBut a new major economic pledge will now be unveiled which in the coming years is likely to be talked about much more than the G7 ambition Continue reading...

Exclusive: Unlock Democracy proposes series of measures and warns of over-reliance on conventions and norms'The next UK general election could be a disaster of Trumpian proportions" if the Labour government does not adopt measures to boost public trust in the political system, former ministers and campaigners have warned.A cap on political donations and wider powers for the House of Lords Appointments Commission to block unsuitable peer nominations are among 54 proposals laid out in a paper from the campaign group Unlock Democracy.Cabinet ministers must be confirmed by MPs' select committees and parliament should ratify new prime ministers before the new government can bring forward a king's speech.Close loopholes that allow unincorporated associations to conceal the source of their political donations or overseas residents to donate to political partiesA 200 per-item limit on freebies for MPs or ministers and a cap on earnings from second jobs at half an MP's salary.Amend the MPs' code of conduct and the Recall of MPs Act 2015 so they can be punished for failing to fulfil their responsibilities. Continue reading...

Changes include allowing students to complete placements remotely and do simulated activities' in the classroomThe government has announced a shake-up of T-levels, its gold standard" vocational qualifications in England, which have been dogged by disappointing uptake and high dropout rates.The reforms, to be introduced in January, will bring in significant changes to the industry placement element of the two-year qualification, which offers practical, hands-on work experience but has proved difficult to deliver. Continue reading...

Court said five women were victims of systematic kidnapping' by state over forced removal from mothers as small childrenThe Belgian state has been found guilty of crimes against humanity for the forced removal of five mixed-race children from their mothers in colonial Congo.In a long-awaited ruling issued on Monday, Belgium's court of appeal said that five women, born in the Belgian Congo and now in their 70s, had been victims of systematic kidnapping" by the state when they were removed from their mothers as small children and sent to Catholic institutions because of their mixed-race origins. Continue reading...

PM Michel Barnier tells MPs they face moment of truth' after left and right lodge motions censuring governmentThe French government appears likely to fall this week after leftwing and far-right parties lodged motions of no confidence in response to the prime minister's decision to push through a belt-tightening budget without a vote.If passed by MPs, the motions, which will be put to a vote in the national assembly on Wednesday, will bring down the government and force Michel Barnier's resignation after only two and a half months. Continue reading...

Parents asked bosses at Countess of Chester hospital, where she was a neonatal nurse, for urgent meeting'Lucy Letby's parents wrote to hospital bosses expressing their intolerable anguish" after police began investigating their daughter, and asking for an urgent meeting with senior managers, a public inquiry has heard.

The speaker of the Lebanese parliament accuses Israel of more than 50 violations of deal

Lawyers for relatives of woman who died told inquiry warnings should have issued after attack on Sergei SkripalThere was an abject failure" from the UK government to put in basic security measures to protect the former Russian spy Sergei Skripal - and therefore keep the wider public safe, the family of a woman who died in the Wiltshire novichok poisonings has said.Lawyers for Dawn Sturgess's relatives argued the UK authorities should have anticipated Skripal would have been a target, especially as he appeared to have continued to work with western security agencies after he was pardoned by Russia, but left him a sitting duck". Continue reading...