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Campaigners hope overturning of Akif Rasuli’s 50-year sentence will be ‘first victory’ for criminalised migrants in Greek jailsAn imprisoned Afghan refugee wrongfully accused of smuggling people into Greece has been told he can walk free in a trial that activists hope will set a precedent for thousands of others in similar situations.After a marathon day of proceedings, an appeals court sitting on the Aegean island of Lesbos ruled that Akif Rasuli could be released more than two years after he began serving a 50-year sentence for the crime of “facilitating the illegal entry” of undocumented migrants into the country. The three-member tribunal overturned the conviction citing lack of evidence. Continue reading...

Penny Wong announces Magnitsky-style sanctions to punish Iran’s violent crackdown on protesters and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

Putin mentions potential settlement with Ukraine; blasts reported at airbase in Zaporizhzhia region; Brittney Griner ‘in good spirits’ after prisoner swap

Chief justice Lucy McCallum has released a judgment made during the trial following objections from Lehrmann’s defence

After mass demonstrations against Covid lockdowns, experts say Xi Jinping’s response will be a further gradual crackdownSince Xi Jinping came to power a decade ago, China’s Communist party has enacted a sweeping crackdown on civil society. Independent NGOs have been shut down, journalists and human rights lawyers arrested and outspoken media tamed. Meanwhile, the government has invested heavily in a massive surveillance system to keep track of citizens’ movements and activities.Given their emphasis on national security and stability, party leaders would have been shocked therefore by the nationwide protests that broke out on 26 November in opposition to Xi’s “zero-Covid” policy. Demonstrators demanded an end to lockdowns and mass testing and some even called for the removal of the party and Xi himself. Continue reading...

Raids were part of an international crackdown on those suspected of supplying and using illegal tax-avoiding tools

Four former officers also told they would have been dismissed for racist and misogynist WhatsApp contentTwo serving police officers have been sacked, and four former officers have been told they would have been sacked, for sharing racist, homophobic and misogynist messages in a WhatsApp group.A disciplinary panel made dismissals orders against PC Gary Bailey from the Metropolitan police and PC Matthew Forster from the Civil Nuclear constabulary (CNC). Continue reading...

Six people in Indonesia share their views on the controversial legislation and what it means for themThe news that Indonesia’s parliament has passed new legislation outlawing sex outside marriage – as part of a wider overhaul of the country’s criminal code – has triggered concern from human rights activists and prompted protests in the capital Jakarta.Here, six people in Indonesia share their views on the controversial legislation, and what it may mean for their personal lives and those of fellow citizens when it comes into effect. Continue reading...

Vote comes as government tries to mitigate impact of a phone-tapping scandal involving Pasok party leaderGreece’s parliament has passed a bill overhauling the country’s intelligence service (EYP) and banning the sale of spyware, as the government tries to mitigate the impact of a phone-tapping scandal still under investigation.The case has turned up the heat on the conservative government, which faces elections in 2023. It emerged in August when Nikos Androulakis, the leader of the socialist Pasok party, Greece’s third-largest, claimed the EYP listened to his conversations in 2021. Continue reading...

Adviser on violence against women says on live radio she is on a ‘completely different planet’ to home secretaryA government adviser on violence against women appears to have effectively resigned from her role on live radio after saying she is on a “completely different planet” to the home secretary, Suella Braverman.Nimco Ali, a social activist who was appointed to the independent role by the then home secretary, Priti Patel, in 2020, used an interview to criticise Braverman’s stance on the issue and announce her intention to relinquish her role. Continue reading...

Duke and Duchess accuse press of creating false narrative that privacy was a key reason behind their step back from dutiesThe Duke and Duchess of Sussex have hit back at attacks over their sharing of personal video clips and photographs in their Netflix documentary.A spokeswoman for Harry and Meghan said the narrative that privacy was a key reason behind the couple stepping back from royal duties and quitting the UK was a false one. Continue reading...

Force agrees to pay damages and costs in settlement with Dijon and Liam Joseph over 2018 incidentThe Metropolitan police have apologised and paid tens of thousands of pounds in damages and costs to two young black men who were stopped and searched after officers saw them bump fists in the street and wrongly suspected them of dealing drugs.As part of a legal settlement, the Met declared that brothers Dijon and Liam Joseph, 33 and 31, were blameless for their ordeal four years ago, which involved Dijon being handcuffed and left them traumatised and humiliated. Continue reading...

Ex-police officer once tasked with protecting Jewish communities also linked to foiled Reichsbürger planA celebrity gourmet chef whose daughter is the girlfriend of the Real Madrid footballer David Alaba and an ex-police officer once tasked with protecting Jewish communities from terror attacks are among the latest figures to have been linked to the foiled Reichsbürger coup plan in Germany, with further arrests expected as investigations continue.Details emerging after the biggest ever national police operation against rightwing extremism indicate that suspects may have been informed in advance of the raids, in which 3,000 police officers targeted more than 150 addresses across Germany, and in Austria and Italy, making 25 arrests. Continue reading...

Russian president still claims ‘special military operation’ going to plan during Kyrgyzstan press conference

Claim that it would end up costing each households an extra £1,000 a year described as ‘disingenuous’Rishi Sunak has been condemned for using “disingenuous” figures after he repeated a claim that meeting union demands for public sector pay awards would cost every household £1,000 extra a year.Speaking at a RAF base in Lincolnshire, where he was speaking to service personnel who miay be deployed to replace striking staff, including ambulance crews and border staff, the prime minister said he would not give way despite a way of planned stoppages. Continue reading...

Socially conscious young people are snapping up political merchandise that sums up mood of frustrationA spectre is haunting social media: the spectre of socially conscious young people wearing slogan baseball caps whose messages are tailored to the moment.Leading the charge is a £20 black cap emblazoned with “hate landlords”, stitched in white, sold through the leftwing media organisation Novara. Continue reading...

Basketball star lands at Texas airbase after being swapped for Russian arms dealer Viktor BoutThe American basketball star Brittney Griner returned to the US early on Friday after being freed in a high-profile prisoner exchange from nearly 10 months in detention in Russia.The deal, in which she was swapped for the Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, secured the release of the most prominent American detained abroad and achieved a top goal for Joe Biden. But Washington failed to win freedom for another US citizen, Paul Whelan, who has been jailed for nearly four years. Continue reading...

Sir John Vickers, architect of post-2008 banking reforms, says plans put UK financial stability at risk

World’s fifth-largest oil firm finally bows to pressure after invasion of Ukraine, removing representatives from Novatek boardTotalEnergies, the world’s fifth-largest oil company, has finally bowed to international pressure after the invasion of Ukraine and announced that it intends to “gradually withdraw” from its Russian investments.The French oil giant said on Friday, it would remove its two representatives from the board of Novatek, Russia’s dominant private gas exporter. Continue reading...

France’s bid to retain trophy has put smiles on faces in Bondy where their star striker is an inspiration for young peopleIn the town of Bondy in Paris’s northern suburbs, where Kylian Mbappé grew up and trained, Ismail Gencel was preparing his bar and pizzeria for the crowds who would come to watch Saturday’s France-England World Cup match.“Mbappé is our idol, our heritage, he’s put Bondy on the map,” said the 53-year-old, who once provided an upstairs room for Mbappé’s seventh birthday party – “a very active, smiling child,” he recalled, “who I now wish I’d taken a photo with”. Continue reading...

Social justice secretary says plans do not conflict with work to advance women’s rights and equalityThe Scottish government has sought to reassure MSPs that plans to streamline how transgender people change the sex on their birth certificate will not compromise its work to advance women’s rights.In a letter sent to all MSPs on Friday, and seen by the Guardian, the cabinet secretary for social justice, Shona Robison, insists the reforms do not “in any way conflict with our work and commitment to protect women from discrimination and advance women’s rights and equality”. Continue reading...

Gabriele Galimberti says he had no input into objects used in images and brand’s delay in apologising led to further abuseGabriele Galimberti, the photographer who took pictures of children carrying teddy bears wearing S&M outfits for Balenciaga’s recent ad campaign, says he has received death threats in the aftermath of the scandal.Speaking to the Guardian, he said: “I get messages like ‘we know where you live.’ ‘We are coming to kill you and your family.’ ‘We are going to burn your house.’ ‘You have to kill yourself, fucking paedophile.’ ” Hesaid 90% of the messages were from people in the US. Continue reading...

Musician’s comments come after Elon Musk said he would grant ‘general amnesty’ for suspended accountsSir Elton John has said that he will no longer use Twitter after a change in its policy that he says will allow “misinformation to flourish unchecked”.The 75-year-old musician’s comments come after Elon Musk, who bought the social media outlet for $44bn (£35.9bn), said he was granting “general amnesty” for suspended accounts, which experts have said would lead to “superspreaders of hate” returning to the platform. Continue reading...

Belgian police seized cash and searched 16 properties across Brussels during major investigation into corruption and money launderingFour people have been arrested as part of an investigation into corruption and money laundering centred on a Gulf state’s attempt to buy influence at the European parliament, Belgian prosecutors have said.Belgian police seized €600,000 (£515,000) in cash, computers and mobile phones after searches at 16 properties across Brussels on Friday morning, according to a statement from Belgium’s federal prosecutor. It said the searches were part of a major investigation into alleged criminal organisation, corruption and money laundering. Continue reading...

Show’s makers to sift through cream of UK comics from Tom Allen to Ellie Taylor to find new co-hostWho will seize the whimsical baguette, so cheerfully passed on by Matt Lucas this week as he announced he would be stepping down as the co-presenter of The Great British Bake Off ?What other comedic genius would have the acumen to take on spring rolls and pistachio ice-cream? The compassion to wipe away Iain Watters’ tears over his sloppy, Baked Alaska “bingate” disaster in season five or the beginner-level intuition required to stay away from maracas and sombreros during Bake Off’s much-criticised “Mexican week”? Continue reading...

Fishing boat believed to be resting on seabed after collision with Condor Ferries freight vesselThe search for three fishers whose boat sank in the Channel after a collision with a freight vessel has resumed off the coast of Jersey.Lifeboats and a search aircraft were launched at first light to continue to scour the area to the west and north-west of the island. Continue reading...

This blog is now closed

Police say they’re not treating the disappearance of Esther Wallace as a homicide

DSS witness faces scrutiny at royal commission over involvement in robodebt plans and evidence given to watchdog’s 2017 investigation

Bob Seely says he was considering proposing private member’s bill even before recent controversy over Netflix documentaryA Conservative MP has said he is planning to bring forward legislation in an attempt to strip the Duke and Duchess of Sussex of their royal titles. Bob Seely told the PA news agency he could propose the short private member’s bill early next year in an attempt to amend the 1917 Titles Deprivation Act.If passed, it would see MPs vote on a resolution that could give the privy council the power to downgrade Harry and Meghan’s royal status. Continue reading...

Victoria police confirm at least seven infringements totalling $462 each were issued for ‘serious traffic offences’

Foreign secretary criticised UK’s lack of robust approach at taking action against perpetrators around the worldBritish diplomats have too often acted as “commentators” rather than using leverage against human rights abusers, according to the foreign secretary, who said the culture of his department would shift so that dictators would “pay the price”.The UK is set to announce a raft of sanctions against individuals in 11 countries, including Iran, Russia, Mali and Nicaragua, targeting those responsible for acts of torture, sexual violence and the repression of protests. Continue reading...

Council of Europe report finds government’s attitude is weakening protections for the publicThe UK government has “an increasingly antagonistic attitude” towards human rights that is weakening instead of strengthening protections for the public, a European inquiry has found.Inflammatory language used by MPs and officials to describe lawyers could put their safety at risk, according to the Council of Europe’s commissioner for human rights, Dunja Mijatović.Provisions in the PCSC Act that de facto criminalise Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities leading a nomadic lifestyle must be rescinded.There is “a high level of anxiety among stakeholders” about human rights protection in the UK, in view of the significant impact of recent and proposed legislation.The UK’s policies towards refugees, asylum seekers and migrants are eroding their rights. Proposals criticised in the report include newly introduced inadmissibility rules for asylum claims, the possibility of removing persons to Rwanda, and the criminalisation of asylum seekers arriving irregularly.The emergence of a harsh political and public discourse against trans people in the UK has a negative impact on their rights.The UK government should consider withdrawing the legacy bill, which offers a conditional amnesty to people accused of killings and other Troubles-related crimes. Continue reading...

Charlotte Charles pleased to have kept promise to son, but says US government still has questions to answerThe mother of the British teenager Harry Dunn has said her promise to win him justice has been fulfilled after his killer was sentenced, but said it was “despicable” that she had failed to appear in court.Although Anne Sacoolas, a US citizen who was driving on the wrong side of the road when her car struck the young motorcyclist in 2019, avoided jail, she received an eight-month suspended sentence and was disqualified from driving for 12 months. Continue reading...

Scrapping of adverts for foods high in fat, salt and sugar before 9pm will not now take effect until 2025Rishi Sunak faces a furious backlash from health experts after his government yet again delayed plans for a ban on pre-watershed TV advertising for junk food.A ban on adverts for foods high in fat, salt and sugar before 9pm was due to come into force from January 2023, as well as a ban on “buy one get one free” deals on junk food. However, in May, it was delayed for a year by the then prime minister Boris Johnson. Continue reading...

Total ‘excess’ mortality to August covers coronavirus deaths plus those linked to pandemic factors such as health systems being overwhelmed

A new lawsuit claims the Backstreet Boys member sexually assaulted a minor after a concertBackstreet Boys member Nick Carter has been sued for sexual battery involving an incident with a minor in 2001.According to the lawsuit, first reported by TMZ and later obtained by Rolling Stone, Shannon Ruth, who was 17 at the time, claims she was invited by Carter, then 21, on to the Backstreet Boys’ tour bus after a concert in Tacoma, Washington. Ruth also spoke at a press conference today. Continue reading...

Members of NewsGuild of New York say they are stopping work in protest at management’s failure to reach deal on new contractA large crowd filled with hundreds of journalists and media professionals, many dressed in red, gathered outside the New York Times headquarters on Thursday afternoon, as part of an employee walkout that demanded a higher living wage.It’s something that hasn’t happened at the famous newspaper in four decades: a union strike that stopped the reporting process and shut down the newsroom. Continue reading...

Court expected to decide if Pedro Castillo will be held in preliminary detention after failed attempt to close congressPeru’s ousted president Pedro Castillo has appeared in court to face charges of rebellion and conspiracy as his successor, Dina Boluarte, the country’s first female leader, pledged to set Peru on a new course and called a truce after months of political turmoil.Castillo looked sombre during Thursday’s hearing, giving simple yes or no answers, while his lawyer argued that he had been arbitrarily detained and forced from Peru’s presidency on trumped-up charges. Continue reading...

Former deputy prime minister thinks it ‘could be smart’ for future delegations to be widened, despite risk of angering China

The ‘no complacency’ talk will continue, but Labour must now surely feel like it has turned a cornerAt the packed party for Frances O’Grady’s retirement as TUC general secretary, an among-friends Keir Starmer allowed himself to show a little bit more excitement.Labour spinners will brief fiercely about how the party is showing no complacency and there have been warnings from the shadow cabinet that its poll lead is soft. But Starmer showed in a relaxed speech at the gathering, packed with the left’s great and good, that he was starting to really believe. Continue reading...

Robert Browne, 56, had hurled abuse at man on a street in Cheadle after chasing him with two umbrellasA former soldier who pleaded guilty to a racist assault after chasing a teacher down the street with two umbrellas and using a racial slur has received a 10-week suspended sentence and ordered to pay his victim £300.Robert Browne, 56, pleaded guilty last month at Tameside magistrates court to racially/religiously aggravated common assault/beating on 25 July this year after a video showed him hurling racist abuse at Shabir Makim, 40, and striking him with umbrellas. Continue reading...

Barry and Honey Sherman were found dead at home in 2017 in a case that shocked Canada but remains unsolvedThe daughter of a billionaire couple whose unsolved murder shocked Canada’s largest city has pleaded for the public to come forward with any evidence ahead of the fifth anniversary of their deaths.Barry Sherman, the founder of drug giant Apotex, and his wife Honey, were found dead in their Toronto home on 13 December 2017. A realtor found the couple in the basement pool area of their home two days later, with belts looped around their necks and attached to a pool railing. Continue reading...

Comments from representative bodies as government continues to insist there are no shortagesGPs and pharmacists say they are struggling to get hold of antibiotics for infections including strep A, as the government continues to insist there are no shortages.It comes as the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said the number of children under 15 who had died from invasive strep A illness in England had risen to 13, taking the UK total to 15. Continue reading...

London-based trio say ‘it’s truly a dream come true’ after their 90s-influenced pop-R&B wins over panel of critics and industry professionalsFlo have become the first group to win the Brits Rising Star award (formerly known as the Critics’ Choice award).The British girl group beat producer Nia Archives and songwriter Cat Burns to the prize. In a statement they described themselves as “shocked and grateful” at releasing their first music and winning a Brit award in the same year. Continue reading...

Major search and rescue operation under way off coast of Channel island after incident at 5.30am on ThursdayA Jersey fishing boat with a skipper and two crew members onboard is believed to have sunk in the Channel after a collision with a freight vessel.The 18-metre long (59ft) wooden fishing boat, L’Ecume II, collided with a Condor Ferries vessel, the Commodore Goodwill, off the Channel island at 5.30am on Thursday. Continue reading...

This live blog has now closed, you can read more of our UK political coverage hereWes Streeting, the shadow health secretary, has issued this statement about the latest performance statistics from NHS England. (See 9.51am and 10.27am.) He said:The NHS is heading into this winter with more people waiting for treatment than at any time in history, and they are waiting longer than ever before.Behind the statistics are people suffering, sometimes for months or even years, putting their lives on hold because of their pain and discomfort.Gove prepared a statement on his way to a ministerial visit because he had to come back for an urgent question on the mine. He wrote up a statement for a UQ but it got turned into a ministerial statement.Instead of writing a more substantial response, he delivered a speech very different to what had been provided. Lindsay is livid as it means we don’t have a written copy. Continue reading...

Uncle of Mohsen Shekari, who was convicted of ‘waging war against God’, says family have not been told location of bodyIran has conducted the first known execution in relation to the anti-government protests that have rocked the country, hanging a man who was found guilty by a revolutionary court of “waging war against God”.Mohsen Shekari was accused of blocking a street and wounding a member of the pro-regime Basij militia on 25 September, during the early phase of the protests triggered by the death in custody of Mahsa Amini. Continue reading...

The Frasers Group company’s attention to the twentysomethings’ market is paying dividendsFrasers has announced it plans to open another six Flannels stores next year, at a time when some of the UK’s more traditional department stores are closing shops.While it might seem like a move against the run of play, it is betting on its established customer base – well-paid young people, typically living at home, who have that rare commodity in a cost of living crisis: spending money. It is precisely this demographic who have been credited with driving luxury into 2023. Continue reading...