Home secretary directs police chiefs to focus on ‘common-sense’ policing over diversity and inclusion initiativesSuella Braverman has ordered police chiefs to spend less time on “symbolic gestures” and more time on policing.In an open letter to police leaders in England and Wales, in which she set out her policing agenda, the new home secretary said diversity and inclusion initiatives “should not take precedence” over tackling crime. Continue reading...
Up to £5m allocated to help young people escape drug gangs, with money also going to helplineUp to £5m has been allocated by the Home Office to support victims of county lines exploitation over the next three years.Hundreds of victims will be helped to escape drug gangs following the expansion of support services in London, the West Midlands, Merseyside and Greater Manchester. Continue reading...
Singer moved to tears as US president awards him National Humanities Medal after White House performanceElton John was moved to tears after being awarded the National Humanities Medal for his work to end Aids by the US president following a special performance at the White House.The singer performed on the White House lawn for the president and first lady and about 2,000 “everyday history makers” on Friday night. Continue reading...
Authorities say climate breakdown is driving surge in deadly monsoon season weather eventsHazardous weather has killed at least 36 people in northern India over the past 24 hours, including 12 who were struck by lightning, officials said.Across the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, at least 24 people died after their homes collapsed amid unrelenting rains, relief commissioner Shri Ranvir Prasad said. Continue reading...
Fema makes individual assistance available to only 55 of the 78 municipalities on the island, leaving some feeling ignoredSix days after Hurricane Fiona struck Puerto Rico, Alexiz and Roberto Núñez still don’t know where their next meal is coming from.The couple, whose home in Arecibo flooded during the storm, is relying on a neighbor’s cooking and some canned goods delivered by the government to get by. Continue reading...
Fletcher, who won Academy Award for her role of Nurse Ratched in 1975 film, dies, aged 88Louise Fletcher, who won an Academy Award for her role in the 1975 film One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, has died, aged 88.Fletcher died in her sleep surrounded by family at her home in Montdurausse, France, her agent, David Shaul, told the Associated Press. Continue reading...
At least two people killed and 120,000 households without power as authorities urge caution for more landslides and floodingA typhoon lashed central Japan on Saturday with torrential rain and fierce winds, killing two and leaving tens of thousands of households without power, the Kyodo news agency reported.Shizuoka city, south-west of Tokyo, was hit especially hard, seeing a record 417mm (16.42 inches) of precipitation since the rain started on Thursday, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said. Continue reading...
People living in empty buildings at cheaper than the market rate are facing steep increases and possible lawsuitsFirms that house residents in buildings that would otherwise sit empty have been accused of raising costs during the cost of living crisis, with one company reportedly increasing some fees by more than 100%.It means property guardians – those who live in empty buildings such as ex-factories, offices, care homes and condemned housing – are facing steep increases. Some fear being made homeless. Continue reading...
Exclusive: Analysis shows government could use profits from public energy firm to cut bills and insulate homesBritish households will each miss out on up to £4,400 over the next two years because the UK does not have a nationalised energy generation company, the Trades Union Congress has said.The UK’s main trade union body is calling on the government to set up a “public energy champion” that could own low-carbon energy projects from wind and solar to tidal and nuclear power. Continue reading...
The deputy leader on Liz Truss’s ‘fanciful’ economics and why people are starting to listen to Labour againLabour’s deputy leader, Angela Rayner, is up for a fight with the Conservatives along the old rules of engagement as her party heads to its annual conference in Liverpool.Accusing Liz Truss of launching a “failed experiment” on the country with “fanciful” economic plans, Rayner batted away suggestions that Labour could struggle to get a grip on the new prime minister as stark ideological differences deepen between the two parties. Continue reading...
At least 77 people drowned and many still missing after shipwreck off coast of SyriaAt least 77 people have drowned after the migrant boat they boarded in Lebanon sank off Syria’s coast, the deadliest such shipwreck from Lebanon in recent years, amid fears the death toll could be far higher.The country, which has been mired since 2019 in a financial crisis the World Bank has described as one of the worst in modern times, has become a launchpad for migration, with its own citizens joining Syrian and Palestinian refugees clamouring to leave the country. Continue reading...
Ruling brings back law blocked for nearly 50 years, and means clinics offering the procedure would face criminal chargesArizona can enforce a near-total ban on abortions that has been blocked for nearly 50 years, a judge ruled Friday, meaning that clinics statewide will have to stop providing the procedures to avoid criminal charges against doctors and other medical workers.The judge lifted a decades-old injunction that blocked enforcement of the law on the books since before Arizona became a state. The only exemption to the ban is if the woman’s life is in jeopardy. Continue reading...
Operator Camelot will not release details of winner unless they choose to go publicA UK ticket-holder has won more than £171m with the EuroMillions jackpot, operator Camelot has announced.Friday’s national lottery EuroMillions winning numbers were: 14, 15, 22, 35, 48. The lucky stars were: 03, 08. Continue reading...
Sexual health clinics will continue to prioritise offering first doses but some will offer second shotsPeople most at risk of contracting monkeypox will be offered second doses of the vaccine, the UK Health Security Agency has said.Sexual health clinics will continue to prioritise offering first doses to those at highest risk. The UKHSA said some clinics will offer eligible people a second dose, which should provide longer-term protection. Continue reading...
by Emma Kemp, Melissa Davey and Stephanie Convery on (#6400W)
Another generation is at risk of developing fatal brain disease, says Dr Chris Nowinski. ‘Whether you’re hitting your child in the head or letting them get tackled, their brain can’t tell the difference’
Readings boss sends angry rebuke after more than 250 writers campaigned for better pay and conditions for booksellersFor many Melburnians, Readings is more than just a bookstore – it’s a bricks-and-mortar embodiment of progressive values, a business that doubles as a community space where ideas are shared and diversity is celebrated.But an ongoing pay dispute has divided staff and threatens to tarnish the independent retail stalwart’s image, with hundreds of authors – such as Michelle de Kretser, Jennifer Down, Clementine Ford and Omar Sakr – recently campaigning on behalf of booksellers, and protesting outside the company’s flagship Carlton store. Continue reading...
by Maya Yang (now); Léonie Chao-Fong, Martin Belam a on (#63Z1B)
Western officials say true target could be higher but significant hurdles remain to mobilise stated target of 300,000The British Ministry of Defence has giving its latest intelligence update on how it sees the situation on the ground in the war. It says that “the battle situation remains complex” but that “Ukraine is now putting pressure on territory that Russia considers essential to its war aims”, with fighting along the Oskil River, and a Ukrainian assault on the town of Lyman, Donetsk, which Russia captured in May.This is Martin Belam in London with the live blog now for the next few hours. You can reach me at martin.belam@theguardian.com Continue reading...
Exclusive: Walker is to be involved in the inquiry into whether Boris Johnson misled MPsThe veteran Tory MP Charles Walker is expected to be handed a spot on the committee investigating Boris Johnson over claims he misled MPs over Partygate.A well-respected, long-serving backbencher, who was vice-chair of the 1922 Committee for about a decade, Walker was quietly nominated by the Liz Truss government as the House of Commons went into conference recess. Continue reading...
With an election two years away, any failure of her radical approach could shred the Tories’ credibilityWhen Liz Truss flew to the US this week on her first foreign trip as prime minister, she was unequivocal about how she would achieve her mission in office: “Lower taxes lead to economic growth, there is no doubt in my mind about that.”There was not a quiver of self-doubt in her voice as she gave a round of television interviews at the top of the Empire State Building expanding on her plans for the economy and saying she was “willing to be unpopular” to push them through. Continue reading...
Army signals it is prepared to crush dissent after unrest over death of Mahsa Amini in police custodyPro-government rallies have taken place in several cities across Iran in an attempt to counter a week of mounting unrest triggered by the death of a woman in police custody.Marchers called for anti-government protesters to be executed, while the army signalled that it was prepared to crush dissent by telling Iranians that it would confront “the enemies” behind the unrest. Continue reading...
Relatives of Celia Marsh, who had fatal anaphylaxis after eating a Pret ‘vegan’ wrap, say legal funding should be available to familiesThe family of Celia Marsh, who suffered fatal anaphylaxis after eating a Pret a Manger “vegan” wrap contaminated with milk protein, have called for it to be made much easier for bereaved relatives to be legally represented at complex inquests.Marsh’s relatives believe that in cases like theirs, involving powerful companies, convoluted supply chains and challenging science, it would be impossible to get to the truth of what happened without full legal backing from an early stage. Continue reading...
Data shows Foreign Office spending was up by 45% on items ranging from dining, wallpaper and adult colouring booksThe Foreign Office, under Liz Truss’s leadership, is facing questions about its spending on credit cards including £1,841 at Norwich City football club online, and £10,000 at Fortnum and Mason.Emily Thornberry, the shadow attorney general, wrote to the Foreign Office questioning why spending was up by 45% on its government procurement cards between September 2021 to July 2022. Continue reading...
Executive at parent company Meta says guidelines changed in 2019 to ban ‘all graphic suicide and self-harm content’A senior executive at Instagram’s parent company has defended the platform’s policies on suicide and self-harm content, telling the inquest into Molly Russell’s death that guidelines had always been drafted in consultation with experts.Elizabeth Lagone, head of health and wellbeing policy at Meta, said the social media group worked “extensively with experts” when writing guidelines, which allow users to discuss feelings related to suicide or self-harm.In the UK, the youth suicide charity Papyrus can be contacted on 0800 068 4141 or email pat@papyrus-uk.org, and in the UK and Ireland Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is at 800-273-8255 or chat for support. You can also text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis text line counsellor. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org Continue reading...
Met confirms two men interviewed under caution over allegations linked to Prince’s FoundationTwo men have been questioned under caution by officers investigating cash-for-honours allegations linked to King Charles III’s charity the Prince’s Foundation.In a brief statement, the Metropolitan police confirmed that on 6 September officers had interviewed a man in his 50s and a man in his 40s under caution in relation to offences under the Honours (Prevention of Abuses) Act 1925. Continue reading...
Katharine Birbalsingh says disadvantaged pupils with few resources struggle to win placesThe UK’s social mobility tsar has cast doubt on Liz Truss’s plans to revive grammar schools in England, arguing that they mainly benefit children whose families can afford to coach them to pass entrance exams.Katharine Birbalsingh, the headteacher named last year by Truss as chair of the government’s social mobility commission, said selective schools educated few disadvantaged or working-class pupils because they struggled to win places. Continue reading...
Childcare, health problems or other constraints mean taking action to boost earnings will be a strugglePart-time workers have reacted with dismay at the tightening of rules that could result in a cut to their benefits unless they work longer hours or take steps to increase their earnings.The changes, which that come into force in January, will require claimants who work up to 15 hours a week (24 hours a week for couples) to take action to boost their earnings. The current threshold is nine hours, but this goes up to 12 hours a week on Monday, and 19 hours a week for couples. Continue reading...
Exclusive: Some employees report feeling pressed by private equity owners to contribute to an ailing businessMorrisons’ private equity owners have asked hundreds of staff – from store managers upwards – to invest thousands of pounds of their own money in the business.More than 800 people have been asked to invest in the ailing supermarket in the past few months, with one well-placed source saying middle management level departmental heads had been asked for £10,000 while the directors of departments had been asked for £25,000 each. It is understood the minimum investmentrequired to participate was £2,000. Continue reading...
by Angela Giuffrida in Rome and Lorenzo Tondo in Pale on (#63ZHX)
Packed rally in Rome closes campaign for group forecast for landslide victory in polls on SundayA conservative coalition forecast to glide into power in the Italian general election on Sunday has wrapped up its campaign to a packed square in central Rome, filled with supporters old and new, young and not so young, a smattering of anti-abortion activists and a descendant of the fascist dictator Benito Mussolini.The trio – led by Giorgia Meloni’s Brothers of Italy, a party with neofascist origins, and including Matteo Salvini’s far-right League and Silvio Berlusconi’s Forza Italia – has experienced loud and robust support over the past months and remained relatively close-knit, in stark contrast to a campaign by its main rival, the centre-left Democratic party, that has been so lacklustre it managed to breathe new life into the populist Five Star Movement (M5S) in southern Italy. Continue reading...
by Gwyn Topham Transport correspondent on (#63ZG9)
Network Rail advises passengers not to travel as a third rail union confirmed it would join the strikeNetwork Rail has advised passengers not to attempt to travel next Saturday when coordinated industrial action will wipe out most train services across Great Britain, as a third rail union confirmed it would join the strike.Train drivers in Aslef and signallers and crew in the RMT union will walk out for 24 hours on 1 October at the start of the Conservative conference. They will be joined by members of the TSSA at Network Rail and 11 train operating companies. Some Network Rail power-supply staff in Unite will also strike. Continue reading...
At the time of Anthony Barber’s ‘dash for growth’ budget, a pint of milk cost 6p, Nilsson was top of the charts and Brian Clough was in his heyday at Derby CountyThe Institute for Fiscal Studies has said Kwasi Kwarteng’s announcement on Friday amounts to the biggest tax-cutting budget since Anthony Barber’s on the 21 March 1972, just over 50 years ago. Here is a roundup of some of the prices you would have been paying, and things you might have been watching and listening to at the time. Continue reading...
by Richard Partington Economics correspondent on (#63ZGB)
FTSE 100 drops more than 2% to trade below 7,000 for first time since early MarchKwasi Kwarteng’s tax-cutting mini-budget has sent financial markets into a tailspin, with UK government borrowing costs soaring and the pound slumping to a 37-year low against the dollar.Issuing a punishing verdict on the chancellor’s “dash for growth”, traders in the City of London sent sterling tumbling on Friday amid a broad-based sell-off in response to the massive rise in public borrowing required to finance his plans. Continue reading...
by Dan Sabbagh Defence and security editor on (#63Z8T)
Adel al-Jubeir decries as ‘cynical’ accusations his country was trying to improve its image after Khashoggi killingIt would be cynical to see Saudi Arabia’s efforts to secure the release of international prisoners held by Russian proxies in Ukraine as an attempt to improve the country’s image after the killing of Jamal Khashoggi, its foreign minister has said.Adel al-Jubeir said on Friday Riyadh had first approached the UK government in April, shortly after Aiden Aslin, a British citizen, and others were captured at Mariupol, and had acted for compassionate reasons, hoping to negotiate their release. Continue reading...
by Maya Yang, Léonie Chao-Fong, Martin Belam and Mic on (#63YTV)
Zelensky urges Russians to resist mobilisation; traffic at Russian border crossings surges amid exodus; Putin reportedly directing generals in the field
International Diabetic Federation decries reports ongoing war has led to shortages of life-saving drug at Ethiopian region’s biggest hospitalDoctors at the biggest hospital in Tigray say they have just days supply left of insulin, as the resumption of fighting between rebels and Ethiopian government troops once again cuts off supplies to the region.In what the head of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) has branded “a humanitarian crime,” medics at Ayder specialist referral hospital warn they have already run out of one kind of the life-saving medicine and have only a week’s supply of another. Continue reading...
by Justin McCurry in Osaka and agencies on (#63Z6Y)
Yoon Suk-yeol accused of discourtesy in London and of swearing after chat to Joe BidenSouth Korea’s president has been accused of causing a “diplomatic disaster” after his first major international trip, to the Queen’s funeral and the UN general assembly, was marred by alleged discourtesy and an expletive directed at members of the US congress.Yoon Suk-yeol, a conservative who was already battling low approval ratings only months after taking office, drew criticism from across the South Korean political spectrum after he failed to attend the Queen’s lying in state despite traveling to London. Continue reading...
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