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This live blog has now closed. You can find our latest story hereDame Cressida Dick “felt intimidated” into stepping down as commissioner of the Metropolitan police in February this year following an ultimatum from the mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, according to a review by Sir Thomas Winsor which found due process was not followed.Winsor found Dick “felt intimidated” following an ultimatum from Khan.In this case, none of the statutory steps set out in section 48 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 and summarised above were followed. The Mayor, through his Chief of Staff, gave the Commissioner an ultimatum on 10 February 2022: if the Commissioner did not attend a meeting and convince the Mayor that her plan of 4 February 2022 would be improved, he would make a statement to the media.That statement would make clear that he no longer had trust and confidence in the Commissioner, and that he intended to start the statutory process for her removal.Londoners will be able to see that this review is clearly biased and ignores the facts.On the former commissioner’s watch, trust in the police fell to record lows following a litany of terrible scandals. What happened was simple – I lost confidence in the former commissioner’s ability to make the changes needed and she then chose to stand aside. Continue reading...

Intercity train operator provoked fury last month after slashing services between London and ManchesterOne of Britain’s major intercity train operators, Avanti West Coast, has parted company with its boss a month after the company admitted it was unable to run its timetabled services.Avanti announced that its managing director, Phil Whittingham, had decided to step down, with effect from 15 September, the date when the next in a series of strikes will further afflict its operations. Continue reading...

Exclusive: PM hopeful criticised over ‘back to basics’ plan and claims about Twitter rows and ‘wokeness’The police chief in charge of boosting crime fighting has criticised Liz Truss’s law and order plans as “unwise” and “meaningless”, accusing her of chasing “soundbite-friendly” but unrealistic targets.Chief constable Richard Lewis, the lead on performance for the National Police Chiefs Council, said he and law enforcement leaders wanted to work with the new government. Continue reading...

Lack of faith in the office of prime minister will be among the most difficult problems Truss will face

Fernández de Kirchner was greeting supporters when man approached her and raised handgun to her faceA man has been arrested after a handgun was aimed at point-blank range at Argentina’s vice-president, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, in an apparent assassination attempt.Fernández de Kirchner survived only because the pistol – which was loaded with five bullets – did not fire, President Alberto Fernández said. Continue reading...

Sadiq Khan says Winsor report ‘clearly biased and ignores the facts’ after it says due process not followedCressida Dick “felt intimidated” into stepping down as head of the Metropolitan police after an ultimatum from Sadiq Khan, according to a report the mayor of London has labelled “clearly biased”.Khan responded angrily to the findings, which said due process was not followed, claiming the review into the circumstances of Dick’s resignation “ignores the facts”. Continue reading...

Patricio Maturana fired a teargas canister that permanently blinded Fabiola Campillai as she walked to work during protestsA former Chilean police special forces captain has been found guilty of assault after permanently blinding a woman he shot in the face with a teargas canister during a wave of protests in 2019.The court in the capital Santiago found that Patricio Maturana had committed “unlawful coercion resulting in serious and very serious injuries” to Fabiola Campillai who was walking to a bus stop when she was struck. The public prosecutor has requested a 12-year prison sentence. Continue reading...

Foreign ministry spokesperson says matter is ‘closed’ after Jarosław Kaczyński says Poland will formally request damagesGermany has rejected a Polish parliamentary report claiming it owes its eastern neighbour €1.3tn for damages caused during the second world war, saying the question of wartime reparations is “closed”.“The federal government’s position is unchanged”, a spokesperson for the German foreign ministry said on Friday. “In the view of the government this matter is closed”. Continue reading...

Former Italian prime minister, plotting political comeback, targets youth after lowering of voting ageItaly’s former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi has made his TikTok debut in an attempt to appeal to young people in the run-up to a national election this month after the country dropped the voting age.“Hi guys, here I am,” the 85-year-old said, kicking off his short video on the Chinese-owned social media site, which is more commonly used by teenagers and dominated by dancers and fashion clips. Continue reading...

Proposals involve scaling back the investment bank and reducing more than $1bn in costsCredit Suisse is considering 5,000 job cuts as part of a broader restructuring plan meant to solidify the bank’s pivot towards wealth management after a string of scandals at its investment bank.Speculation over the scale of the job cuts has swirled since Credit Suisse unexpectedly replaced its chief executive Thomas Gottstein in July, after a tumultuous two-year tenure beset by financial losses, controversies and high-profile lawsuits. Continue reading...

Broadcaster pays out income from selling rights to Martin Bashir’s 1995 Panorama episode with the princessThe BBC has given £1.4m to charities associated with Diana, Princess of Wales, as the broadcaster continues to spend millions of pounds atoning for Martin Bashir’s interview with the royal.The payout represents the total sum received by the BBC from selling the rights to the 1995 Panorama interview to other television channels around the world. Continue reading...

Sarah Everard’s killer spoke by video link, facing two alleged incidents of indecent exposure in KentWayne Couzens, the former Metropolitan police officer convicted of killing Sarah Everard, has appeared in court via video link to face two further charges of flashing offences.The alleged incidents of indecent exposure are said to have taken place in Dover, Kent, in June 2015 and Deal, Kent, in November 2020. Continue reading...

Popular Braemar Gathering in Scotland will be attended by Prince CharlesThe Queen will miss the Braemar Gathering in Scotland, the popular Highland Games event that the Prince of Wales is scheduled to attend on Saturday.It is understood the decision has been taken for the comfort of the head of state, who has been suffering from mobility problems since last year. Continue reading...

Vicky Bowman and Htein Lin were arrested last week accused of violating immigration lawsBritain’s former ambassador to Myanmar and her husband, a prominent artist, have been sentenced to one year in prison by the country’s military-controlled courts, reports say.Vicky Bowman, who was the ambassador in Myanmar from 2002 to 2006, and her husband, Htein Lin, a veteran democracy activist, were arrested last week in Yangon and accused of violating immigration laws. Continue reading...

Treasurer Jim Chalmers says the policy change will cost around $55m, and the government will do further costs. This blog is now closed

About 100m of rain predicted to drench parts of the NSW mid-north coast, including Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie

Energy firm shortlists four internal candidates to take over as chief executive in 2023Shell’s long-serving chief executive, Ben van Beurden, is preparing to step down next year after almost a decade in the role, according to Reuters.The London-headquartered energy company has shortlisted four internal candidates to take his place after months of succession planning efforts that were accelerated once Sir Andrew Mackenzie became Shell’s chair in May 2021. Continue reading...

Strongest tropical storm of the year also forecast to hit China’s mainland this weekend after winds reach 160mphDestruction is imminent across southern Japan and South Korea as super typhoon Hinnamnor barrels northwards through the East China Sea this weekend.The typhoon is so far the strongest tropical storm of the 2022 hurricane season and developed gradually this week out in the Pacific, edging towards the Philippines and Taiwan. By Thursday, maximum sustained winds had reached 160mph, leading to classification as a category 5 tropical cyclone, or a super typhoon. Continue reading...

Opponents say it is ‘surprising’ for Judith Kelly to claim that ‘on the whole, modern Australian society is not racist’, in speech on Indigenous domestic violence

Rightwing voters in Australia less concerned about climate than those in most other comparable nations, Pew survey finds

Robert Tsao, a microchip entrepreneur, pledges $32m to train and equip civil defence force to combat threat of Chinese attackA Taiwanese tycoon has announced his plan to train 3.3 million “civilian warriors” and marksmen to defend Taiwan from a Chinese invasion, using one billion Taiwan dollars ($32m) of his own money.The announcement by Robert Tsao, a well-known Taiwanese businessman and founder of United Microelectronics Corp, a major microchip producer, comes amid increasing military activity between Taiwan and China. On Thursday Taiwan’s defence ministry announced its soldiers had shot down a Chinese drone over Taiwan’s Kinmen islands. Continue reading...

Exclusive: TUC tells director general merging UK-focused channel with BBC World News would damage democracyThe BBC’s centenary celebrations season could be hit by strike action from corporation journalists concerned about plans to close the BBC News channel.Scrutiny has intensified over the proposal announced earlier this year to merge the UK rolling news TV channel and its global commercial stablemate BBC World News into a new, combined service called BBC News. Continue reading...

Ex-chancellor was leading frontrunner in the race to succeed Boris Johnson but his dreams soon unravelledOne of the most familiar refrains of the Conservative leadership contest was candidates earnestly inviting comparisons to Margaret Thatcher.But after his resignation as chancellor brought down Boris Johnson’s wobbling house of cards, a Tory insider said Rishi Sunak found himself with “the curse of Heseltine hanging round his neck”. Continue reading...

Annual income survey finds national minimum wage will often fail to cover even a ‘no frills’ lifestyleSoaring inflation and energy costs will leave millions of people on low incomes thousands of pounds short of what the public say is the minimum amount needed to live with basic dignity in the UK this winter, according to an annual survey.The annual Minimum Income Standard study is based on intensive deliberations by groups of socially representative UK residents, who agreed what a normal, no-frills lifestyle would cost and look like in 2022, taking into account housing, food, clothing, household goods, transport and social participation. Continue reading...

Organisers say spirits remain high as thousands arrive at the remote town, with clear skies forecast for the weekend

US state department rejects what Iran characterised as a bid to ‘finalise the negotiations’ in latest efforts to agree a dealHopes of a rapid conclusion to negotiations on a revived nuclear deal with Iran have receded after the US quickly rejected the latest Iranian proposal as “not constructive”.Washington’s rapid reaction to the Iranian text, which had been delivered shortly before 3am on Friday Tehran time, directly contradicted Tehran’s claims that its proposals presented “a constructive approach” aimed at “finalising the negotiations”. Continue reading...

US folk and rock musician, 81, will now play concerts in Manchester, Oxford and BournemouthBob Dylan has added three new shows to the end of his sell-out UK tour, his first in more than five years, due to “popular demand”.The US folk and rock legend has added concerts in Manchester, Oxford and Bournemouth and will now play 12 dates in October and November. Continue reading...

One claim of sexual assault allegedly dismissed on the grounds that the man ‘had women throwing themselves at him’A cabinet minister and a high-ranking aide at No 10 Downing Street continued to work in Boris Johnson’s government despite allegations of sexual misconduct against them, according to reports.Two women have given first-hand accounts of what they claim happened to them when one was assaulted and the other groped by political figures, both now in senior roles. Continue reading...

Damien Hardwick says system that denied Tigers a match-winning goal in dying minutes of elimination final is ‘not good enough’

Blazes erupted in rural areas north of Los Angeles county and east of San Diego as temperatures are set to reach 115F in coming daysFirefighters in California are battling several new blazes that ignited as the state is sweltering under a grueling heatwave.Flames burned through bone-dry brush in rural areas north of Los Angeles and east of San Diego on Thursday, forcing the closure of a major interstate and prompting evacuations of schools and care facilities. Continue reading...

Sir Geoffrey Nice QC says outgoing human rights chief’s report on China makes it easier for international community to do nothingThe UN’s failure to mention the word genocide in its report alleging serious human rights violations by China against Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang province is an “astonishing” lapse, according to a leading British human rights lawyer.The 45-page report from the outgoing UN human rights commissioner, Michelle Bachelet, landed minutes before her term ended on Wednesday, outlining allegations of torture, including forced medical procedures, as well as sexual violence against Uyghur Muslims. Continue reading...

Employees at Reach titles yet to be informed of expansion entailing dozens of journalists hired for American websitesThe Daily Express and Daily Mirror are planning to launch online editions in the US, even though their British journalists are currently on strike over low pay.Staff at the UK news titles have yet to be informed of the proposals to expand across the Atlantic, which have been the subject of internal discussion for some time. Continue reading...

Exclusive: former Foreign Office press secretary to split role with Adam Jones if Truss wins Tory leadership raceBoris Johnson’s former Foreign Office press secretary Simon McGee will be appointed a top spinner for Liz Truss if she makes it to Downing Street next week, according to sources.The Guardian understands that the powerful job of No 10 director of communications will be split in two, with McGee taking on a civil service role and Truss’s existing senior media adviser, Adam Jones, running the political side of the operation. Continue reading...

This live blog has now closed, you can find our latest coverage of the war hereThe International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) head, Rafael Grossi, has said the agency would consider establishing a continued presence at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.“There has been increased military activity including this morning, until very recently, a few minutes ago … but weighing the pros and cons and having come so far, we are not stopping,” Reuters reports he told journalists before setting out for the nuclear power plant.Today, at about 6am Moscow time, Ukrainian troops landed on the coast of the Kakhovka Reservoir, 3 km northeast of the ZNPP plant in two sabotage groups of up to 60 people in seven boats and attempted to seize the power plant. Measures have been taken to destroy the enemy, including with the use of army aviation.In addition, from 8am Moscow time, the armed forces of Ukraine have been shelling the meeting point of the IAEA mission in the area of ​​​​the settlement of Vasylivka and the ZNPP. Four shells exploded at a distance of 400m from the first power unit.This is Martin Belam in London taking over the live blog from my colleague Samantha Lock. You can contact me at martin.belam@theguardian.com Continue reading...

Harwich memorial commemorates rescue of 10,000 unaccompanied Jewish children from Nazi regimeThe last time Dame Stephanie Shirley, 88, stood on the quayside in Harwich, she was a frightened five-year-old called Vera Buchtal.The girl had just stepped off a boat that brought her and hundreds of other Jewish children to the UK from the horrors of Nazi Europe. Shirley was back at the Essex port on Thursday to unveil a Kindertransport memorial statue commemorating the rescue of 10,000 unaccompanied children. Continue reading...

PPE Medpro was awarded £203m contracts by UK government after Michelle Mone approached Michael GoveA company linked to the Conservative peer Michelle Mone that was awarded £203m government PPE contracts during the pandemic has been issued with a winding up petition, apparently for unpaid taxes.PPE Medpro Ltd was awarded two contracts via the government’s “VIP lane” after Baroness Mone first approached Michael Gove in May 2020 with an offer to supply PPE. It is already under investigation by the National Crime Agency for potential fraud. Continue reading...

Home Office announces applications for children of those forcibly evicted by the British in 1970s will open in NovemberDescendants of Chagos Islanders forcibly evicted by the British in the 1970s will soon be able to apply to become British citizens, the Home Office has said.After legal challenges by Chagossians, the government has also waived fees for applicants who descend from former inhabitants of the Indian Ocean archipelago. Continue reading...

Reserve Bank is expected to again lift the cash rate, extending the most rapid spate of rises since 1994

Exclusive: analysis reveals firearms offences have increased in 29 out of 43 forces over past decadeTwo in three police force areas in England and Wales are experiencing rising gun crime, with one force facing levels six times higher than a decade ago, Guardian analysis of Home Office data has found.While firearms offences have fallen 14% on the whole in the past 10 years – helped by a big fall in gun crime in London – 29 out of 43 police forces have seen an increase in gun crime during that time. In eight of these it has more than doubled. Continue reading...

Authorities impose sweeping restrictions as China holds fast to zero-Covid policyAbout 21 million people in the Chinese city of Chengdu have gone into lockdown as authorities raced to snuff out a new Covid-19 outbreak.China is the last major economy wedded to a zero-Covid policy, stamping out virus flare-ups with snap shutdowns, mass testing and lengthy quarantines. Continue reading...

Governments urged to launch formal investigations after UN findings on treatment of Muslims in XinjiangGovernments around the world should establish formal independent investigations into human rights abuses in Xinjiang, victims and human rights groups have said, after the 11th-hour release of a long-awaited UN report.The report by the UN office of the high commissioner for human rights (OHCHR) was published minutes before Michele Bachelet ended her tenure. Continue reading...

Officials linked to energy supply and suspected of trying to ‘obstruct’ German economic policies, examined by intelligence agency, reports Die ZeitGermany’s domestic intelligence agency is investigating allegations that two senior civil servants working in the economy ministry could have been spying for Russia, according to a local media report.Die Zeit newspaper, which first revealed the case, said the officials being investigated had close involvement with energy supply issues and held key positions. Continue reading...

Drills involving several allied nations showcase increasing defence ties between Moscow and BeijingRussia and China have launched large-scale military exercises involving several allied nations, in a show of growing defence cooperation between Moscow and Beijing, as they both face tensions with the US.The manoeuvres are also intended to demonstrate that Moscow has sufficient military might for massive drills even as its troops are engaged in military action in Ukraine. Continue reading...

Hakeem Hussain, seven, died alone in Birmingham garden having asthma attack after his mother smoked heroinA severely asthmatic seven-year-old boy who died “gasping for air” alone at night was failed by child protection agencies who “could and should have done better”, a serious case review has found.Hakeem Hussain died in the garden of an address where he was staying with his mother, Laura Heath, 40, in the early hours of 26 November 2017. Continue reading...

Russian president lays wreath at hospital where Soviet leader died but will not attend service, Kremlin saysVladimir Putin will not attend the funeral of Mikhail Gorbachev, the last leader of the Soviet Union, the Kremlin has said, in what will be seen as an extraordinary snub by the Russian president.Gorbachev, who died on Tuesday at 91, would also not receive an official state funeral, a Kremlin spokesperson indicated, making him the first leader since Nikita Khrushchev not to be given that honour. Continue reading...

Quarterly figures show 132,139 roles were vacant at end of June, including more than 46,000 nurse postsThe number of posts lying vacant across the NHS in England has reached a “staggering” record high of 132,139 – almost 10% of its entire workforce.The total of unfilled posts jumped dramatically by the end of June from the 105,855 vacancies that existed three months earlier, quarterly personnel figures show. Continue reading...

Cost of electricity for running trains alone is expected to increase from £595m to £885m in 2023-24Network Rail is bracing for a £1bn energy bill for the first time in the history of Britain’s railways, as the energy crisis is forecast to increase its costs by more than 50% over the next financial year.The cost of traction – providing the electricity for running electric trains – is expected to increase to £885m in 2023-24, Network Rail said, up from £595m this year. Continue reading...

Health minister quit this week after woman, 34, died while being moved from hospital due to lack of spaceThe death of a pregnant woman who could not receive treatment in Lisbon’s main hospital because of a lack of capacity has been met with outrage in Portugal, where a months-long health crisis has shut emergency services across the country and put maternity care under extreme pressure.The 34-year-old woman was admitted to Lisbon’s Santa Maria hospital on 23 August with respiratory problems and high blood pressure. Owing to a lack of space in the neonatal service, she was transferred to another hospital, but she died after a heart attack in the ambulance. Continue reading...

Only 13.1% of adults cycled at least once a month in year to November 2021 – lowest rate since survey beganBoris Johnson’s “cycling revolution” has so far failed to build on the gains made during the pandemic, as the proportion of people cycling at least once a week has fallen to its lowest recorded level in England.As local councils have removed dedicated cycle lanes after the pandemic, the number of people cycling for leisure and the number of younger people cycling has dropped. Sarah Mitchell, chief executive of UK cycling charity Cycling UK, issued a plea for proper cycling infrastructure, arguing that “the short-term benefit is that people will be able to keep making those essential journeys to work, to school, to the shops by bike. The long-term benefits will be improvements to the nation’s health, economy and environment.” Continue reading...