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Trench warfare in Bakhmut; fears for nuclear plants after emergency shutdowns; letter bombs in Spain

Elon Musk intervenes after rapper posted image hours after airing antisemitic views in Alex Jones interviewYe, the rapper formerly known as Kanye West, has been suspended from Twitter after he tweeted an image of a swastika blended with a star of David, less than two weeks after he returned to the platform.The suspension took place hours after Ye praised Adolf Hitler and the Nazis in an interview on InfoWars, a show hosted by the rightwing conspiracy theorist Alex Jones. Continue reading...

Tory colleagues have reported accusations against backbencher to the police and the partyThe Conservative party is facing calls to suspend an MP whom it is investigating over allegations of rape and sexual assault.Rishi Sunak’s spokesperson declined to comment on reports that the party had hired a law firm to look into the conduct of a Tory backbencher after complaints by colleagues. Continue reading...

Latest updates: byelection was first test at the ballot box since Rishi Sunak became prime ministerA Conservative MP leading a cross party delegation to Taiwan in the face of Chinese anger has said she and her colleagues are on the island “to listen and learn” and called on China to withdraw sanctions directed against named British parliamentarians who have criticised Beijing.China’s embassy in London on Thursday denounced the delegation’s trip as an interference in China’s internal affairs. Britain, like most countries, has no formal diplomatic ties with democratically governed Taiwan but has stepped up its support for the island in the face of a rising military threat from China, as have other Western nations.We cannot cut off relations with China. We need to cooperate with China and to coordinate with them but we also have to challenge them and make sure that they know what our red lines are when it comes to protecting our people. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Labour says ministers have been told repeatedly that people with prepayment meters are not getting enough support

Partnership firm predicted it will overspend on power by £18m without action such as supermarket chain going to ‘half lighting’John Lewis is to turn down the temperature in its department stores and Waitrose supermarkets will dim their lights in an attempt to get runaway energy bills under control.The staff-owned John Lewis Partnership, which includes Waitrose, said its energy bill is threatening to go nearly £20m over budget. Continue reading...

Boys, aged 15 and 16, appear in court over fatal stabbings of Charlie Bartolo and Kearne SolankeTwo teenagers, aged 15 and 16, have appeared in court charged with the murders of 16-year-olds Charlie Bartolo and Kearne Solanke in south-east London.Kearne was stabbed in Titmuss Avenue, Thamesmead, and Charlie was found a mile away in Sewell Road, Abbey Wood, on Saturday afternoon. Continue reading...

South African president cancels all official engagements and is reported to be close to resigningFarmgate scandal: what is it and why does it matter?The South African president, Cyril Ramaphosa, is fighting for his political life as rivals and supporters face off in a divisive battle for control of the ruling party, the African National Congress.The power struggle came after an independent panel appointed by parliament said there was evidence suggesting the South African president committed “serious misconduct” after millions of dollars in cash were reportedly stolen from his private game ranch almost three years ago. Continue reading...

On post-No 10 lecture circuit, former PM says there must be ‘measures to protect public from Ponzi schemes’Boris Johnson has given a speech to a conference on blockchain, the technology behind cryptocurrency, as part of his lucrative post-No 10 lecture circuit, despite controversy around the industry following the multibillion-dollar collapse of the FTX exchange.In his speech, the former prime minister suggested the advent of blockchain was full of possibilities and appeared to compare it to major technological innovations such as the invention of fire, the railways, and the internet. Continue reading...

Rishi Sunak’s first test ends brutally, with 14-point swing pollsters say would give Starmer comfortable majority at election

Service faces six days of strikes this month, as Ofcom says it should stop blaming pandemic for delaysRoyal Mail has brought its final posting dates for Christmas forward by about a week amid industrial action by its workers, as the regulator told it to stop blaming the Covid pandemic for failing to make deliveries on time.Royal Mail, which is facing six days of strikes this month running up until Christmas Eve, has told the public to send their cards and presents even earlier than usual if they want them to arrive in time. Continue reading...

Media and the Liberal party were enthralled by the ‘toxic Dan’ narrative in the face of evidence to the contrary

Former federal court judge says independent advocates needed to ‘hold the hand of the victim-survivor at the time of greatest trauma’

Official’s comments come after Ursula von der Leyen estimated 100,000 Ukrainian soldiers had died or been injured

Prince’s Earthshot prize ceremony will round off week in which royal family has again faced accusations of institutional racismThe Prince and Princess of Wales are due to end their three-day trip to Boston on a high note, having landed in the middle of a palace racism row and then been blindsided by a trailer for the Sussexes’ documentary.A meeting with the US president, Joe Biden, and a star-studded award ceremony for Prince William’s environmental Earthshot prize, were scheduled to round off what could be described as a bumpy few days. Continue reading...

MPs expected to pass new criminal code that will also make insulting the president a crimeIndonesia’s parliament is expected to pass a new criminal code this month that would criminalise sex outside marriage and outlaw insults against the president or state institutions, prompting alarm from human rights campaigners.The deputy justice minister, Edward Omar Sharif Hiariej, said in an interview with Reuters that the new criminal code was expected to be passed on 15 December. “We’re proud to have a criminal code that’s in line with Indonesian values,” he said. Continue reading...

Backing down from existing policies remains a political problem of the first orderChina’s government looks to be starting to roll back its zero-Covid policy. But after three years of saying the resource-intensive, economically damaging elimination strategy is the only way to go, experts say it will be a medical and political challenge to end it.Much of China’s exit strategy is riding on vaccinations, but this is where Beijing has great challenges. China’s elderly population is disproportionately unvaccinated, leaving tens of millions of vulnerable people at far greater risk from the ravages of Covid-19. About 90% of China’s population is vaccinated, but among those over 60 only about 69% have had at least three doses. Above 80 years of age, the figure drops to about 40%. Continue reading...

There is a buzz in the air in the bustling capital and a real belief the Lions of Teranga can beat EnglandJust under 4,500 miles (7,200km) away from the shiny stadiums in Qatar, a man named Serigne Fallou confidently proclaims that he already knows what the result will be on Sunday when England take on Senegal in the World Cup’s round of 16.“Absolutely, Senegal will win, 1-0,” says Fallou, an apartment doorman in Dakar, Senegal’s bustling capital on the Atlantic Ocean. “I don’t have a doubt.” Continue reading...

Light relief from the 24 Hour Psycho creator, York becomes sin city, and the dark heart of modernist architecture is exposed – all in your weekly dispatchDouglas Gordon

Exclusive: England players received 1,546 abusive tweets during group stages, according to analysisHarry Kane was the most abused England player on Twitter during the World Cup group stages, accounting for nearly three out of 10 negative tweets directed at team members.England players were sent 1,546 abusive tweets during the group stages of the World Cup, according to analysis by the Alan Turing Institute, accounting for 2% of the more than 75,000 tweets mentioning players for the national team. Continue reading...

Ukraine says Croatian court has cleared way for sale of Viktor Medvedchuk’s Royal Romance yacht

Industry fears hastily designed scheme is leading to human rights abuses and debt bondage in supply chainsBritain’s hastily designed seasonal worker visa is causing a headache for supermarkets, which are concerned its structure is incompatible with their public pledges on preventing human rights abuses and debt bondage in their supply chains.All the big supermarkets have been holding urgent roundtable meetings with growers and others in the industry over the past month to try to find a way of preventing workers from being further exploited under it. Continue reading...

Workers tell of paying thousands of pounds to brokers for jobs that yield meagre wagesWhen Agung* arrived at Heathrow airport in July, he thought it marked the start of a better financial future for his family.He was expecting six months of lucrative farming work in Britain to help support his mother and siblings back home in Java. He did not realise the harvest was already well under way – or that the pay would be a fraction of what he hoped. Continue reading...

Years of under-investment and then the shock of the Covid pandemic has left many areas in the NHS struggling. This interactive shows how delays can affect four different patientsPatients are facing increased delays at almost every stage of their NHS treatment, as the health system struggles to find the resources to deal with demand.The latest data shows waiting lists across England have surpassed record highs every month for two years running, one of many major challenges currently facing the NHS. Continue reading...

Disney merchandise shows frowning bear looking at blank sheet of paper – a symbol of opposition to censorshipYears after he became character-non-grata in China, Winnie the Pooh is exacting quiet revenge against the country’s government in the form of Disney souvenirs.In what appears to be a case of incidental resistance, Disney stores in Japan are selling a line of merchandise featuring a frowning Pooh looking at a blank sheet of white paper – a symbol of ongoing protests in China against censorship and Covid-19 restrictions. Continue reading...

Waitrose shops in Bromley and West Ealing will be redeveloped, and vacant warehouse in ReadingThe John Lewis Partnership has struck a £500m deal with the investment firm Abrdn to build 1,000 residential rental homes, redeveloping three sites already owned by its Waitrose and eponymous retail store chains .The group intends to redevelop Waitrose shops in Bromley and West Ealing, and a vacant John Lewis warehouse in Reading, as the first part of a plan to build a total of 10,000 new homes over the next decade. Continue reading...

Enver Erdogan – Australia’s first parliamentarian of Kurdish descent – will join Natalie Suleyman on the frontbench for the first time

Sunak’s decision to reappoint home secretary raises concerns over how breaches of code are dealt with, say MPsRishi Sunak’s decision to reappoint Suella Braverman as UK home secretary sets a “dangerous precedent” for what should happen to ministers who are alleged to have broken the ministerial code, a Conservative-led committee of MPs has warned.The public administration and constitutional affairs committee released its latest report into government ethics on Friday, issuing a damning judgment on the government’s recent record in office. Continue reading...

Firefighters at 27 airports have decided not to strike next week. This blog is now closed

British oil giant had said it would ‘exit Russia’ but still owns nearly 20% of state-controlled fossil fuel firm RosneftThe chief economic adviser to the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, has called on BP to exit Russia entirely after the fossil fuel firm was offered a £580m dividend by the oil giant Rosneft.Oleg Ustenko has written to BP’s chief executive, Bernard Looney, to demand the British company cuts ties with the state-controlled Russian firm nine months after announcing its intention to leave the country. Continue reading...

Increasing numbers of children cannot afford lunch and are coming to school without adequate clothesMore than half of school leaders in England are seeing more pupils who cannot afford a meal at lunchtime yet are not eligible for free school meals, according to a survey.Research by the Sutton Trust, an educational charity, found clear signs that the cost of living crisis was increasingly affecting young people’s education, with a growing number of pupils arriving at school tired, cold and hungry. Continue reading...

Prakash will remain in custody in Darwin before Australian federal police escort him to Melbourne to be charged with a range of offences

Hockeyroos, Kookaburras and wider community to benefit from world-class pitches at Perth centre after state government investment

If this week was an indication of the level of the debate, then Australia is in for a torrid time when the referendum process begins in earnest

Public Health Wales say severe symptoms extremely rare and it is unlikely other pupils will be affectedA primary school pupil has died after contracting invasive Strep A, Public Health Wales has confirmed.The authority said the child attended Victoria primary school in Penarth, four miles south of Cardiff, in the Vale of Glamorgan. Continue reading...

Labour expected to hold seat with new candidate after resignation of Chris MathesonPolls have closed in the City of Chester byelection as Rishi Sunak faces his first electoral test as prime minister.Labour is expected to hold the seat. It had a majority of 6,164 at the last election and polls had indicated a double-digit lead over the Conservatives in the expected share of the vote this time. A result is expected at about 3am. Continue reading...

Former health secretary’s diaries say MoJ wanted to release inmates to slow spread of coronavirus in prisonsA plan to release “thousands” of prisoners was considered during the Covid-19 lockdown, according to Matt Hancock’s diaries.The details, first reported by the Daily Mail, which is serialising the former health secretary’s journals, come as Hancock returns to Westminster after his stint on ITV’s I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! Continue reading...

Former hospital electrician assaulted the bodies of more than 100 dead women between 2008 and 2020Relatives of the victims of a man who sexually assaulted the bodies of more than 100 dead women are to receive compensation under a new government scheme.Close family members of those abused by David Fuller, 68, will be eligible to claim up to £32,500, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) announced on Thursday. Continue reading...

Two of the women killed around the same time as Rebecca Contois are also Indigenous, and the third is believed to beA Canadian man previously charged with murdering an Indigenous woman has been accused of killing three other women – two also confirmed to be Indigenous and one believed to be.Jeremy Skibicki was charged 18 May and kept in custody after the partial remains of Rebecca Contois, 24, were found in a garbage bin near an apartment building. Contois lived in Winnipeg but was a member of O-Chi-Chak-Ko-Sipi First Nation, also known as Crane River. Continue reading...

Plan would see nurses, ambulance workers and hospital staff join industrial action in England and WalesThe NHS will grind to a halt on 20 December under plans being discussed for a coordinated Christmas strike in England and Wales by nurses, ambulance workers and hospital staff.The unprecedented day of industrial action would leave NHS bosses struggling to keep even the most basic services running to standards that patients would expect, with many reduced to “Christmas Day” levels of staffing. Continue reading...

Statement gave only limited details and made no mention of any Ukrainian forces having crossed the Dnipro

Opposition parties say retention of whip in face of PPE claims reveals PM’s ‘empty promise’ of integrityRishi Sunak is facing calls from the main opposition parties to withdraw the Tory whip from Michelle Mone in the House of Lords after the Guardian revealed she appeared to have gained millions from the profits of a PPE company.Labour and the Liberal Democrats have criticised the prime minister’s “staggering” refusal to do so, claiming his pledge to lead a government that acts with “integrity and professionalism” has become an “empty promise”. Continue reading...

Complainant says she had ‘no choice’ but to submit to volunteer constable Paul Hoile, who appeared drunkA woman allegedly raped at the roadside by an off-duty special constable has said she felt she had no choice but to stop and submit to his questioning because he produced his warrant card.The woman told Wolverhampton crown court she was left “numb and disgusted” and had not consented to sexual activity with Paul Hoile, a Metropolitan police officer, who she said had appeared to be drunk. Continue reading...

Decision, seen as a blow to Nicola Sturgeon, comes after he faced plotting from within party ranks

With president Cyril Ramaphosa under pressure, we look at what could it mean for the countryCyril Ramaphosa took power as South Africa’s president in 2018 and led the ruling African National Congress party to a general election victory a year later. He campaigned on an anti-corruption platform, attracting much support after the turbulent nine-year rule of his populist predecessor Jacob Zuma, who was forced out by a series major scandals. Ramaphosa, 70, has since struggled to push through much needed reforms and has faced fierce resistance from Zuma loyalists. Continue reading...

Dozens of former Manston detainees responded to surprise early interview letters only to be turned away at receptionDozens of asylum seekers who were recently moved out of Manston were left stranded outside Home Office centres after being invited to “phantom” appointments they were turned away from, the Guardian has learned.The latest development follows an earlier crisis exactly a month ago when 11 asylum seekers were left in the street close to London’s Victoria station after being moved out of Manston, the controversial reception centre for small-boat arrivals in Ramsgate, Kent. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Findings come amid rising evictions, ‘price gouging’ claims and fears of homelessness emergencySoaring rents have in effect made life unaffordable for private tenants across swathes of the UK, according to research undertaken for the Guardian.The analysis shows asking rents on new listings are up by almost a third since 2019 – and some people are facing increases of up to 60%. Prices in 48 council areas are now classed by the Office for National Statistics as unaffordable when compared with average wages. Continue reading...

Nurse allegedly injected milk and air into girl at hospital in Chester after helping mark her 100th day of lifeLucy Letby tried to murder a baby hours after she had helped make a banner to celebrate the girl becoming 100 days old, a court has heard.The infant reached the milestone after she was born 15 weeks premature at Arrowe Park hospital, Wirral, in May 2015, a jury at Manchester crown court was told. Continue reading...

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Officials ‘scratching our heads’ over deaths of 40 bovines since October that lack telltale signs of wolf attacksInvestigators in Colorado have been left baffled after dozens of cattle inexplicably dropped dead in a remote corner of the state.The mystery has triggered a wave of US press coverage, with the New York Post running a headline claiming: “Cattle slaughtered by mystery creature that left no tracks”. Continue reading...