US vice-president suggests votes were stupid political stunt' as Israeli PM orders a stop to any further work on billsThe Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has ordered a halt to the advancement of parliamentary bills linked to the annexation of the West Bank after the US vice-president, JD Vance, described a vote on two bills in the Knesset as an insult".The bills applying Israeli law to the occupied West Bank, which would be tantamount to the annexation of land Palestinians want for a state, won preliminary approval from Israel's parliament on Wednesday, barely a week after Donald Trump pushed through a deal aimed at ending a two-year Israeli offensive in Gaza. Continue reading...
by Andrew Roth Global affairs correspondent on (#70ZBM)
Marco Rubio warns Israeli politicians not to disrupt Gaza ceasefire after Knesset vote to annex West BankThe parade of senior US officials travelling to the Middle East in recent weeks is a clear warning from the White House to Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli political factions to not disrupt the recent Gaza ceasefire - including by an annexation of the West Bank - or face a serious rift in relations with the US.As the shaky ceasefire came into effect last week, Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner quickly rushed to the region for consultations. Continue reading...
Prime minister says the identification would never be needed to access hospitals amid fears over civil libertiesKeir Starmer has set out his vision for digital IDs as he fights to win back public support for the scheme.The prime minister's plan for digital IDs was met with criticism when it was announced last month, and was described as a symptom of his reverse Midas touch". Continue reading...
Plan to connect nuclear plant to Russian grid was foiled and it has now been reconnected to Ukrainian powerAn attempt by Russia to connect the occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant to the Russian grid in time for Vladimir Putin's birthday earlier this month was foiled by Ukrainian forces operating behind enemy lines.The six-reactor plant was instead reconnected by Russian engineers to external electrical power from Ukraine on Thursday morning, ending a month-long emergency during which the site had to rely on diesel generators to power cooling systems. Continue reading...
by Dan Sabbagh Defence and security editor on (#70ZA4)
In finding F not guilty of murder on Bloody Sunday, judge said evidence fell well short of the standard requiredIt is undisputed that members of the Parachute regiment shot dead 13 unarmed civil rights protesters in Derry on Bloody Sunday. But, more than 53 years later, it is not surprising that Soldier F, the only man put on trial for murder, was found not guilty.Though four of the Paras who entered Glenfada Park North had lost all sense of military discipline", according to Mr Justice Lynch, direct evidence against Soldier F fell well short of the high standard of proof required in a criminal case". Continue reading...
by Kiran Stacey, Jessica Elgot and Heather Stewart on (#70ZA5)
Exclusive: Treasury discussions include possibly adding 1p to basic rate or raising higher or additional tax ratesRachel Reeves is considering raising income tax at next month's budget to help reduce a multibillion pound shortfall, sources have told the Guardian.The chancellor is in active discussions over breaking one of her party's main manifesto pledges as she looks for ways to clear an estimated shortfall of more than 30bn, according to three sources close to the budget process. Continue reading...
Footage showing two men appears to have been filmed from nearby window in museumThe slow-motion getaway of two thieves from the Louvre clutching 88m (76m) of France's crown jewels was captured on video, it has emerged - the latest dramatic twist to the country's most spectacular heist in decades.The 36-second clip, which Le Parisien newspaper said it had verified, shows two men dressed in black, one wearing a yellow hi-vis vest and the other a motorcycle helmet, slowly descending on a furniture lift from the museum's Apollo gallery. Continue reading...
Highly unusual court application alleges more than 10 individuals breached foreign enlistment lawsA human rights group has launched an attempt to mount a private prosecution alleging British citizens unlawfully went to fight for Israel.An application to a magistrates court for a summons against a named individual was lodged on Monday. Continue reading...
by Charlie Moloney (now); Tom Ambroseand Sarah Haque on (#70YVZ)
Russian president says Moscow will deliver overwhelming' response to strikes inside RussiaThe Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, urged European Union leaders on Thursday to agree as soon as possible on a plan to use frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine.Zelenskyy, who is visiting Brussels, said on X that the proposed mechanism for using frozen Russian assets was entirely legal and fair. He said Ukraine would use a significant part of the assets to buy weapons from its European allies. Continue reading...
Waitrose asked Tom Boyd not to return when he asked for a few hours of paid work after years as unpaid shelf stackerAn autistic man who was let go as an unpaid shelf stacker at a Waitrose supermarket despite volunteering there for years has been offered a job by Asda.Tom Boyd, 28, had worked in the Cheadle Hulme Waitrose store since 2021 with a support worker as his mother, Frances, said the role gave her son a sense of purpose and belonging". Continue reading...
Conservative chair of public accounts committee to raise questions about Andrew's deal at Royal Lodge. This live blog is closedRachel Reeves has announced a 500m investment package for new homes and stronger transport links between Oxford and Cambridge as part of a bid to create Europe's Silicon Valley" in southern England, PA Media reports. PA says:The Cowley Branch railway line in Oxford will reopen with new stations in Littlemore and Cowley, which the Treasury said would support up to 10,000 new jobs.The investment will also go towards the development of affordable homes in Cambridge, with plans to launch a consultation on forming a new centrally led development corporation to support the growth of the city. Continue reading...
Ellie, who now lives in Australia, tells policing inquiry she was deceived into an affair with officer infiltrating animal rights groupsA woman has told a public inquiry in London that she was left devastated and deeply mistrustful of police after an undercover officer deceived her into an intimate relationship at a young age.The woman, known only as Ellie, who now lives in Australia, told the undercover policing inquiry on Thursday that she had a year-long relationship with James Thomson while he concealed his real identity from her. Continue reading...
by Lanre Bakare, Joshua Surtees and Aletha Adu on (#70Z58)
Exclusive: Lady Taylor of Stevenage says suggestion band would perform over five days in July 2026 was hypothetical'The wood-panelled chambers of the House of Lords aren't renowned for rock'n'roll hyperbole or as being the place where big music announcements are made.So when a British peer stood in the upper house and declared that Oasis would perform five back-to-back anniversary gigs at Knebworth House, the music world barely noticed. Continue reading...
Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who first ran for elected office in 1982, announced he will run again in next year's electionThe Brazilian president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, has announced he will seek a historic fourth term in next year's presidential election, potentially extending one of the most remarkable and enduring political careers in modern Latin American history.The former metalworker, who returned to the presidency in 2023 after beating the far-right incumbent, Jair Bolsonaro, confirmed his decision during a speech in Indonesia's capital, Jakarta. Continue reading...
by Vikram Dodd Police and crime correspondent on (#70Z3Y)
Critics warn boosting protections of officers at misconduct cases, introduced after fatal shooting of Chris Kaba, will undermine rule of lawNew rules in England and Wales will make it harder to punish police officers accused of wrongly using force, with critics saying it will lead to greater impunity and injustice".Ministers hope to quell fears among firearms officers that they will be hounded for doing their job. Continue reading...
by Amy Sedghi (now); Tom Bryant and Hamish Mackay (ea on (#70YT8)
This blog is now closed - see all our Middle East coverage hereTurkish peacekeeping forces will continue to help boost the Lebanese army's capability under a renewed deployment mandate in Lebanon, Turkey's defence ministry said on Thursday, reports Reuters.Turkey's parliament passed a bill on Tuesday to renew the military's deployment mandates in Syria and Iraq by three more years, and its deployment mandate under the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) by two years. The ministry said in a statement:
Strike was set to begin later on Thursday if union did not reach agreement on new contract with Broadway LeagueThe union representing Broadway musicians reached a tentative deal on a new contract early on Thursday morning, avoiding a potential strike that had been set to begin later that day and would have threatened many top shows in New York.In a statement, the American Federation of Musicians Local 802 said it had reached the tentative agreement with the Broadway League - the trade association representing theater owners, producers and operators - around 4.30am on Thursday, preventing a strike scheduled to begin later today". Continue reading...
Copeland, American Ballet Theatre's first Black female principal dancer, was celebrated with star-studded galaMisty Copeland took one last spin on her pointe shoes Wednesday night, showered with golden glitter and bouquets as she retired from American Ballet Theatre after a trailblazing career in which she became an ambassador for diversity in an overwhelmingly white art form.Copeland, who a decade ago became the first Black female principal dancer in the company's 75-year history, was feted at its star-studded fall gala at Manhattan's Lincoln Center. Oprah Winfrey and Debbie Allen were among those who gave speeches of praise. Continue reading...
by Sarah Marsh Consumer affairs correspondent on (#70YY1)
Survey finds 38% of people are eating out less often than a year ago, with many citing higher prices as main reasonMore than half of British diners say rising prices are the main reason they are eating out less, according to YouGov data showing that overall 38% of people are visiting restaurants and other eateries less often than a year ago.Among those cutting back, 63% cite higher costs as the main reason to dine out less frequently, according to the poll. Despite this downturn, more than two in five are still choosing to eat out at least once a month, while 8% of people say they never do. Continue reading...
Inhumane' UK-French Channel deal contravenes international conventions', customs union saysFrench coastguards have called for plans to intercept small boats in the Channel to be halted because of the risk to life. The intervention came as the Home Office confirmed France was reviewing its maritime doctrine" about the plan.In a letter to the French customs director general, Florian Colas, the customs union Solidaires Douanes, which includes coastguards among its members, describes the plans to intercept small boats up to 300 metres from the French shore as a deadly doctrine, which contravenes international conventions to which France is a signatory". Continue reading...
Latest strikes were off coast of Colombia, while seven previous attacks in Caribbean killed at least 32The US military has for the first time attacked and destroyed two boats on the Pacific side of South America, as part of its controversial fight against what it says are drug-trafficking activities.The strikes - on Tuesday night and then early on Wednesday - killed five people, according to the US defence secretary, Pete Hegseth. They came on top of at least seven other strikes in the Caribbean that have killed at least 32 people and raised tensions with Colombia and Venezuela. Continue reading...
In today's newsletter: With most border crossings remaining closed and aid deliveries falling catastrophically short, will the International Court of Justice's ruling force change for those left behind?Good morning. In the end, the ruling was both simple and obvious: Israel is the occupying power in Gaza, the West Bank (including East Jerusalem), and is therefore obligated to ensure the basic needs of the population are met.That was the verdict in the latest international court of justice case between Israel and Palestine, which also examined Israel's decision to bar the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) from operating in the occupied territories. The world's top court found that Israel had failed to provide evidence for its claims that UNRWA lacked neutrality, or that a significant number of its employees were members of Hamas or other armed groups.Energy | Ministers are considering dropping one of their central green pledges in an effort to keep energy bills down, sources have told the Guardian.UK news | Keir Starmer's grooming gangs inquiry has descended into fresh turmoil after the only remaining candidate to be its chair blamed political opportunism" and a lack of trust" for his withdrawal as an applicant.Schools | One in 12 secondary pupils report being put into school isolation rooms at least once a week where they often spend in excess of eight hours, missing more than a full day of lessons, according to research.Immigration and asylum | A man sent back to France under the one in, one out" scheme has returned to the UK on a small boat, the Guardian has learned. The man is being held in a UK immigration detention centre and claims to be a victim of modern slavery.Ukraine war | The US has sanctioned Rosneft and Lukoil, Russia's two largest oil companies, as the Trump administration increased pressure on the Kremlin to negotiate an end to its war against Ukraine. Continue reading...
Private member's bill backed by Chris Packham and Natalie Bennett would impose a duty of care on government and businessA radical proposal to change the legal status of nature will be launched today in the House of Lords, with the unveiling of the UK nature's rights bill initiative.The private member's bill aims to legally enshrine the idea that there can be no lasting economic progress or social justice without respect for the natural world, and to change the legal status of nature from objects, property and resources to a legal subject with inherent rights. Continue reading...
Teachers, nurses and public service staff among those walking off job and also pressing for more government investment in health and educationAn estimated 100,000 nurses, teachers and public sector staff walked off the job in New Zealand on Thursday to call on the government to better fund and resource public services, in one of the country's largest ever strikes.The so-called mega strike" brought together workers from multiple sectors, including more than 60,000 school teachers, 40,000 nurses and salaried medical specialists and 15,000 public service staff. Continue reading...
The hit Scottish comedy about suburban neighbours will move from screen to stage next year at Glasgow's HydroTwo Doors Down, the BBC comedy series about a suburban Scottish couple with constantly knocking neighbours, is to be brought to the stage.Unusually, it will make that journey with the full cast from the hit TV show intact. Alex Norton and Arabella Weir will reprise their roles as Eric and Beth, whose house on Latimer Crescent is consistently besieged by the street's residents, usually expecting a drink or two. Elaine C Smith will return as the oversharing Christine, and Doon Mackichan and Jonathan Watson are reuniting as a flashy couple, with an unhealthy interest in everyone's intimate business. The younger couple on the street will again be played by Graeme Stevely and Joy McAvoy, while Jamie Quinn will be back as Eric and Beth's son, Ian, with standup Kieran Hodgson once more playing his partner, Gordon. Continue reading...
Jim Gamble cites vested interests' and political opportunism', as Keir Starmer brings in Louise Casey as adviserKeir Starmer's grooming gangs inquiry has descended into fresh turmoil after the only remaining candidate to be its chair blamed political opportunism" and a lack of trust" for his withdrawal as an applicant.As a key survivor called for a face-to-face meeting with the prime minister to save the inquiry, Jim Gamble, a former deputy chief constable, said the process to appoint a committee head was toxic" and defined by vested interests". Continue reading...
Home secretary vows overhaul after previously secret 2023 review lists series of perceived shortcomingsShabana Mahmood has admitted the Home Office is not yet fit for purpose" after the release of a damning report that was kept secret for years.The review, written under the previous government, uncovered a series of perceived shortcomings including a culture of defeatism" on immigration, a lack of trust from other departments, and several confused and conflicting systems". Continue reading...
Return marks his first TV series since groundbreaking mob drama, and will examine covert mind-control programDavid Chase is returning to television. The Sopranos creator will write MKUltra, a limited series on the CIA's secret cold war-era mind control program, for HBO.The project, first reported by Deadline, will be Chase's first series since the era-defining HBO mob drama. The dramatic thriller, based on John Lisle's book Project Mind Control: Sidney Gottlieb, the CIA, and the Tragedy of MKUltra, focuses on Gottlieb, a notorious scientist known as the black sorcerer" who led Project MKUltra, the CIA's covert psychedelic program that tested hallucinogenic drugs, hypnosis, and torture on willing and unwilling subjects from 1953 until it was halted in 1973. Continue reading...
Court also found that Israel had a duty not to impede supply of aid by UN organisations including UnrwaIsrael must allow aid into Gaza, and its restrictions on doing so over the past two years have put it in breach of its obligations, the UN's top court has found.The stinging advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice in The Hague also found that Israel had a duty not to impede the supply of aid by UN organisations including the beleaguered UN Palestinian relief agency Unrwa, which has been in effect banned from the territory since January. Continue reading...
Laurence des Cars questioned by senators about daring daytime break-in at Paris museumThe director of the Louvre museum in Paris has acknowledged a terrible failure" days after thieves took seven minutes to break in via a window and steal jewels worth 88m, admitting there was highly insufficient" security camera coverage of the outside walls of the vast building.Laurence des Cars was grilled by senators about the spectacular heist in which four men used a truck with extendable ladder and furniture hoist to access a balcony, cut through a window and steal jewels from the ornate Apollo gallery during opening hours. Continue reading...
Family seeks tutor from socially appropriate background' who can provide infant with comprehensive British cultural environment'Getting paid 180,000 a year to tutor a single child might sound like a dream job but there's a catch: the child is only one-year-old and you need to get him into Eton.A wealthy family near London is searching for a tutor to provide a comprehensive British cultural environment" for their infant, according to an advertisement published by Tutors International, which calls itself the hand-crafted Bentley" of private tutoring. Continue reading...
Civil service union head decries anonymous criticism as insiders continue to bemoan Chris Wormald's appointmentAttacks on the UK's cabinet secretary stink of political cowardice", the head of the senior civil servants' union has said as concerns mount inside the government about his performance.The general secretary of the FDA, Dave Penman, said anonymous criticism of Chris Wormald was hugely damaging" to the government and its prospects of recruiting talented officials to top jobs. Continue reading...
Labour chair says that Tory proposals to revoke indefinite leave to remain in some cases will tear families apart'Yesterday Steve Back, the photographer who covers Downing Street and who specialises in close up pictures of documents being carried into No 10, took a picture of a file with the wording of two of the questions being prepared for PMQs. One was the first question, from the Lib Dem MP Roz Savage, about the case for more focus on environmental protections in planning rules, and another was the third question, from the Labour MP Jayne Kirkham, about public transport for students in Cornwall.Back posts on X as PoliticalPics.Sorry Jason, this is such complete and utter nonsense. If you get a PMQ as an opposition MP you can try to score points if you like or you can try to ensure you get a decent answer by tipping off the PM in advance. I've done both in my time. Literally nothing to see here.People trying to make this into a big thing... MPs of all parties give No10 prior notice of PMQs because they want helpful responses on local issues. (Exception is LOTO Qs which are more about the gotcha'). The big mystery is: why are aides still using clear folders? Continue reading...
by Lorenzo Tondo in Jerusalem and William Christou on (#70Y43)
Israeli PM dismisses claim despite Washington providing estimated 68% of country's foreign-sourced weaponsOn the second day of a US diplomatic push aimed at shoring up the fragile Gaza ceasefire, Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, dismissed as hogwash" suggestions that his country was a client state of Washington.Despite the US providing an estimated 68% of Israel's foreign-sourced weapons, Netanyahu, when asked on Wednesday if Israel was beholden to Washington, said: I want to put it very clearly. One week they say that Israel controls the United States. A week later they say the United States controls Israel. This is hogwash." Continue reading...
Competition watchdog takes similar stance as EU, saying both tech firms require stricter regulatory oversightGoogle and Apple face enforced changes to how they operate their mobile phone platforms, after the UK's competition watchdog ruled the companies require tougher regulatory oversight.The Competition and Markets Authority has conferred strategic market status" (SMS) on the tech firms after investigating their mobile operating systems, app stores and browsers. It means Apple and Google will be subjected to tailormade guidelines to regulate their behaviour in the mobile market. Continue reading...
by Patrick Butler Social policy editor on (#70Y9R)
Claim comes after charity suspends a number of senior volunteers who spoke out publicly against proposalsSamaritans has been accused of bullying behaviour and shutting down dissent after suspending a number of senior volunteers who spoke out publicly against its controversial plans to close as many as half of its 200 UK branches.The mental health charity suspended at least two of its branch directors and one former branch director on Tuesday, 48 hours before its annual general meeting. Continue reading...
Mohammed Umar Khan stabbed fellow 15-year-old at All Saints Catholic high school in Sheffield in FebruaryThe teenager convicted of the murder of Harvey Willgoose has been named and sentenced to life with a minimum of 16 years in prison.Mohammed Umar Khan, also 15, was handed the sentence by the judge, Naomi Ellenbogen, on Wednesday after being found guilty in August of stabbing Harvey in a Sheffield secondary school. Continue reading...
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