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Support and self-care will be vital during the campaign, which could stir up ‘perfect storm for fear and hate’

Ukraine’s president says Russian shelling has ‘actually destroyed’ the cityRussian forces have “destroyed” the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut, president Volodymyr Zelenskiy said, while Ukraine’s military reported missile, rocket and airstrikes in multiple parts of the country.The latest battles of Russia’s nine-and-a-half-month war in Ukraine have centred on four provinces that Russian president Vladimir Putin illegally claimed to have annexed in late September, the Associated Press reported. Continue reading...

Trucks and agricultural machines used as roadblocks, heightening recent tensions in the regionHundreds of ethnic Serbs erected barricades on a road in northern Kosovo on Saturday, blocking the traffic over the two main border crossings towards Serbia, police said.Trucks, ambulance cars and agricultural machines were used as roadblocks, heightening recent tensions which included explosions, shootings and an armed attack on a police patrol which saw one ethnic Albanian police officer wounded. Continue reading...

Two apparently uninjured people safe after incident in which shots were reportedly firedGerman police said on Saturday that a man suspected of killing his mother and later taking two people hostage in the eastern city of Dresden has died.Authorities had urged people to avoid an area in the city centre and ordered Dresden’s Christmas market to remain closed while the police operation to free the hostages was under way. Continue reading...

Russian drones hit energy facilities in Ukraine port city, leaving all non-critical infrastructure without power

Voters risk being turned away and organisers need more time to prepare, argue critics of the new measuresPlans to force voters to present photo ID at polling stations for the first time in May risk damaging access to democracy and must be delayed, senior local government figures have warned ministers.Amid concerns about voters being turned away and polling station workers being confronted, the body representing councils told the Observer there was simply not enough time to deal with all the risks that will be created by the new system. Continue reading...

Ukrainians have the technical advantage but Russians persist in sacrificing troops to take an area with no strategic valueIn a smothering fog cloaking the woods of the Donbas, the sound of artillery takes on a spooky, disconnected quality.Guns crack nearby, invisible among the skeletal branches. Shells whicker in the gloom towards the Russian lines around the key city of Bakhmut, distant thuds marking when they hit their targets. When the Russian guns fire back, it’s with a different sound, the crump of incoming fire. Continue reading...

The Russian arms dealer is back in Moscow after the prisoner swap for Brittney Griner. Kremlin officials say it’s a ‘capitulation by America’ – but other believe Bout is a declining assetThe victory lap in Moscow began even before the An-148 jet carrying the notorious arms dealer once dubbed the “merchant of death” touched down at Vnukovo airport.Viktor Bout, arrested in 2008, had been returned to Russia more than 14 years after his arrest, much of that time spent incarcerated in the US. “The game is over,” he had said as US Drug Enforcement Administration agents and Thai police burst into a hotel conference room where he thought he was meeting members of Farc, the Colombian rebel group – but they were actually undercover US agents. Continue reading...

Agent pays tribute to ‘unique talent loved by many’ who played Gladys Pugh in BBC comedy seriesThe Hi-de-Hi! actor Ruth Madoc has died aged 79 after a fall.Madoc became a household name playing “chief yellowcoat” Gladys Pugh in the BBC One sitcom. The show ran for eight years from 1980 and was set in a fictional holiday camp, Maplins, during the 1950s. Continue reading...

Sacked chancellor says he and ex-PM failed to consider political and economic consequencesKwasi Kwarteng has admitted he and Liz Truss “got carried away” when they wrote the disastrous mini-budget that led to both of them leaving their jobs just weeks after they entered Downing Street.Kwarteng announced a raft of tax cuts without any reduction in spending in September, which led to the pound crashing against the dollar, pension funds nearly collapsing, a £65bn Bank of England bailout, soaring mortgage costs, and the cost of government borrowing increasing. He also said he would remove the cap on bankers’ bonuses. Continue reading...

Sistah Space says many domestic abuse services temporarily halted after founder spoke of encounter with Susan HusseyA charity led by a black domestic abuse campaigner who was asked where she “really came from” by the late queen’s senior lady-in-waiting has had to pause its operations because of safety fears.Sistah Space said it was “forced to temporarily cease” working after its founder, Ngozi Fulani, spoke out about her treatment by Susan Hussey at a reception at Buckingham Palace. The charity supports women of African and Caribbean heritage who have been affected by domestic and sexual abuse. Continue reading...

Study shows the proportion of musicians, writers and artists with working-class origins has shrunk by half since the 1970sThe proportion of working-class actors, musicians and writers has shrunk by half since the 1970s, new research shows.Analysis of Office for National Statistics data found that 16.4% of creative workers born between 1953 and 1962 had a working-class background, but that had fallen to just 7.9% for those born four decades later. Continue reading...

Harry opening up on Netflix show about losing his mother could help others experiencing the early loss of a parent, say experts“When my mum died, we had two hats to wear,” said Prince Harry as he opened up about the trauma of having to mourn his mother in public. “One was two grieving sons wanting to cry, grieve and process that grief because of losing our mum. And two was the royal hat – show no emotion, get out there and meet the people, shake their hands.”The death of Diana, Princess of Wales, who was killed in a car crash in Paris in 1997, looms over the six-part Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan. In the first episode, a 12-year-old Harry and his older brother, Prince William, admire floral tributes and greet weeping mourners on the day before their mother’s funeral. Continue reading...

Family want coroner to recommend requirement for US personnel at bases in Britain to receive trainingThe family of Harry Dunn are to press for the inquest into his death to recommend that US personnel at American military bases in Britain should be required to be properly trained in road safety.Anne Sacoolas, the teenager’s killer, was handed a suspended sentence on Thursday at the Old Bailey, which was told that the US citizen’s car hit his motorcycle while she was driving on the wrong side of the road – or what she described to police as the “American side” – after leaving a military base in Northamptonshire in 2019. Continue reading...

Households expected to save around $230 on average after national cabinet agrees to energy price cap scheme

NSW education minister Sarah Mitchell blames ‘IT issue’ and says she asked Education Standards Authority for an explanation

Apple Daily founder, who recently completed sentence over territory’s pro-democracy protests, convicted in contract dispute involving newspaper officesHong Kong pro-democracy media owner Jimmy Lai received a fresh jail sentence of five years and nine months on Saturday after being found guilty of fraud in a contractual dispute.Lai, the 75-year-old founder of the now-shuttered Apple Daily newspaper, had recently completed a 20-month jail term resulting from multiple convictions for his part in protests and unauthorised assemblies. Continue reading...

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...

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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...