Test follows North Korea’s recent launch of a long-range missile amid speculation regime could soon conduct nuclear testSouth Korea has said it has successfully test-fired a solid-fuel space rocket for the first time, as it attempts to ramp up its defences after North Korea’s recent launch of a long-range missile and amid speculation that the regime could soon conduct a nuclear test.The South’s defence ministry said Wednesday’s launch, from a site 150km (93 miles) south-west of Seoul, was an “important milestone” in the country’s ability to monitor its neighbour, as it would allow it to eventually launch satellites to spy on the North. Continue reading...

Man, 40, charged with preparation of terrorist acts and hijacking over incident at reconciliation event attended by Simon CoveneyA man has been charged with a number of offences relating to a security alert in Belfast that led to Ireland’s foreign minister being evacuated from a peace event.Simon Coveney was taken out of an event organised by the John and Pat Hume Foundation in north Belfast last Friday. The Irish minister was making a speech to the gathering at the time. Continue reading...

Rachel Beale, 53, who admitted misconduct in public office, was a manager in sexual offenders unitA female police worker has been jailed for having an affair with a convicted rapist she was supposed to be supervising.Rachel Beale, 53, was an offender manager within Wiltshire police’s management of sexual and violent offenders unit. Continue reading...

Inquiry into maternity practices at Shrewsbury and Telford hospital trust finds 201 babies could have survived with better carePolice are examining 600 cases linked to the biggest maternity scandal in the history of the NHS, after a damning report into baby deaths condemned health staff for blaming mothers while repeatedly ignoring their own catastrophic blunders for decades.The independent inquiry into maternity practices at Shrewsbury and Telford hospital NHS trust uncovered hundreds of cases in which health officials failed to undertake serious incident investigations, while deaths were dismissed or not investigated appropriately. Continue reading...

Rana Ayyub, a columnist for the Washington Post, was not allowed to board a flight at Mumbai airport on TuesdayA prominent Indian journalist has been prevented from flying to Europe to speak about intimidation of journalists and rights in the world’s largest democracy.Rana Ayyub, an outspoken critic of the government of Narendra Modi and columnist for the Washington Post, was not allowed to board a flight at Mumbai airport on Tuesday. She had been due to travel to London to address a conference at the International Centre for Journalists. Continue reading...

Key coalition partner has switched allegiance ahead of a parliamentary no-confidence vote this weekendImran Khan’s future as prime minister of Pakistan is looking increasingly in doubt after a key coalition partner switched allegiance ahead of a parliamentary no-confidence vote this weekend.The former cricket star was expected to address the nation in the evening, as weeks of political turmoil come to a head – including allegations of foreign interference. Continue reading...

This blog has now closed, you can find our latest UK political coverage hereBetts asks Harrington how many people have actually arrived in the UK under the Homes for Ukraine scheme. Harrington says it is too early to say, but he says he may be able to tell the committee at the end of the week.Harrington said that he agreed it took too long to fill in a visa application form. He said at the weekend he spent just under under an hour filling out one out himself, and he was in a more comfortable situation than the refugees who have to fill them out. He said the government was looking at what it can do to make the forms shorter. Continue reading...

Off-duty officers armed with piece of wood and golf clubs seen taking on Can Arslan, who stabbed Matthew Boorman 27 timesPolice have released a video showing two off-duty officers armed only with a piece of wood and golf clubs tackling a man who stabbed one neighbour and badly injured a second after a bitter long-running dispute.Can Arslan, 52, killed Matthew Boorman, his neighbour in the village of Walton Cardiff in Gloucestershire, stabbing him 27 times, and inflicted eight knife wounds on another neighbour, Peter Marsden. Continue reading...

Eight unnamed individuals were awarded right to live in Britain under controversial investor visa scheme

Ramzan Kadyrov promoted to lieutenant-general for his role in invasion of Ukraine

Brandon Lewis is first government minister to give evidence at inquiry in LondonCalls to regulate against the potential incompetence of people who check fire risks in buildings before the Grenfell Tower disaster were dismissed by government ministers because of an “ideological” aversion to increasing red tape, the public inquiry has heard.Two coroners investigating earlier fire fatalities, the London fire brigade commissioner and the government’s own chief fire adviser were among experts who asked ministers to toughen scrutiny of fire risk assessors, according to testimony heard during cross-examination of Brandon Lewis, the first government minister to give evidence. Continue reading...

Parole Board directs release of Tracey Connelly, jailed in 2009 over death of son who suffered months abuseDominic Raab said he plans to appeal against the Parole Board’s decision to free the mother of Baby P, who died after months of abuse.The board said on Wednesday that a panel had directed the release of Tracey Connelly, who was jailed indefinitely with a minimum term of five years in May 2009 for causing or allowing the death of her 17-month-old son, Peter. He had suffered more than 50 injuries with the extent of the cruelty inflicted on him causing widespread shock and revulsion. Continue reading...

The government’s move comes after widespread public fury to P&O Ferries sacking 800 workersThe UK government has announced plans to block ferries with crews paid less than the minimum wage from British ports in response to widespread fury to P&O Ferries’ sacking of 800 workers without consultation.The transport minister, Grant Shapps, told parliament on Wednesday that the government would write to the operators of British ports telling them to refuse access to companies that did not pay the UK minimum rate, adding: “This will have the full backing of the government.” Continue reading...

Sam Walker, currently serving at Forest Bank prison in Salford, has been making videos of himself inside various forms of custody since 2018YouTube is refusing to delete the account of a serial offender who regularly posts videos from his prison cell and uses his channel to abuse judges, complain about his sentence and give details of drug-taking inside the UK jails.Sam Walker, who is serving a sentence for possession of 3kg of cannabis and driving while disqualified, has been filming videos of himself inside various forms of custody since 2018. Continue reading...

Sir John Bell says behaviour of certain companies during pandemic was ‘unacceptable’A leading UK government adviser has criticised the “disgraceful” profiteering of some companies that sought contracts to provide personal protective equipment and Covid testing during the pandemic.Speaking on Wednesday at a Royal Society conference on the science of Covid, Sir John Bell, regius professor of medicine at Oxford University and the government’s life sciences adviser, said the behaviour of certain companies in the middle of the crisis was “extremely unacceptable”. Continue reading...

Retailer says it is adapting to ‘changing shopping behaviours’ and will do its best to protect jobsIkea is planning to close one of its six London stores with the potential loss of 450 jobs as the furniture retailer shifts towards online and high street locations.The Swedish retailer is to close the store in Tottenham, north London, later this year, just a decade after its opening caused a riot with a 1,000 cars reported to have queued up on opening day and six shoppers taken to hospital amid the chaos. Continue reading...

CMA examines emails from senior staff at outsourcer amid Home Office concerns over immigration centre contractsCompetition investigators raided the offices of outsourcer Mitie and are examining the emails of senior staff, after the Home Office raised concerns about suspected anti-competitive behaviour, the Guardian understands.The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is examining the relationship between Mitie and US firm PAE, who operate a joint venture for the Ministry of Defence but were also competing to run Home Office immigration removal centres, at Derwentside, in Coutry Durham, and Heathrow. Continue reading...

Prime minister’s comment came in response to question about lack of relief for renters in federal budget

A year after the chaotic parish council Zoom call, reports find the Handforth councillor was in the wrongJackie Weaver – if you recall the dialogue from the jaw-droppingly chaotic parish council meeting – had “no authority” to remove councillors from the meeting. “No authority at all.”More than a year on, newly published independent investigation reports have revealed the complainants were correct: the muting of microphones and removal of individual councillors “was without authority”. Weaver, it seems, did not have the authority to do what she did. Continue reading...

Royal makes first public appearance since settling sexual assault case filed against him by Virginia GiuffrePrince Andrew has prompted controversy after playing a unexpectedly prominent role escorting the Queen into a memorial service for his father, Prince Philip, in the disgraced royal’s first public appearance since settling the sexual assault case filed against him by Virginia Giuffre.The ceremony in Westminster Abbey was held to mark a year since the Duke of Edinburgh’s death after his funeral was attended by just 30 loved ones due to pandemic restrictions. Continue reading...

Mark Hartigan awarded payout by insurer’s board even though deal with Bain Capital fell throughThe chief executive of LV= has come under renewed pressure to quit the mutual insurer after taking a £511,000 bonus despite his role in the botched sale of the 197-year-old company to a US private equity firm.Mark Hartigan, who faced stiff personal criticism for his role in the aborted sale to Bain Capital, was awarded the annual bonus after the board decided he met most of his personal targets for last year. Continue reading...

Kyle Eglington, 32, found after search involving helicopter and armed officersA man who reportedly escaped from a prison van in Dorset dressed only in his underpants and socks has been found and arrested by armed officers.Kyle Eglington, 32, fled the van in Poole on Saturday after allegedly assaulting a security officer. Continue reading...

Suspected bandits open fire and detonate explosives on train travelling between Abuja and KadunaSeveral people have been injured and more are feared dead or kidnapped after gunmen attacked passengers on a train travelling between Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, and the northern city of Kaduna, entering carriages and opening fire before soldiers arrived at the scene.The incident began just before 9pm on Monday, according to witnesses, when assailants reportedly detonated explosives to halt the train shortly before it reached Kaduna. Continue reading...

Extra tax cut for 10 million low and middle income workers worth up to $420 – while fuel excise will be slashed for next six months. Follow the latest updates live

Execution of Nagaenthran K Dharmalingam, who has IQ of 69, upheld despite claims it goes against international lawA man with learning disabilities who has spent more than a decade on death row could face execution within days after Singapore’s top court dismissed his last-ditch appeal, in a case that has drawn global condemnation.Nagaenthran K Dharmalingam, a Malaysian national, was arrested in 2009 for attempting to smuggle 43 grams of heroin – about three tablespoons –into Singapore.

Ferry firm’s boss says complying with minister’s request would cause company’s collapseP&O Ferries has rejected the government’s call to move this week’s deadline for the 800 sacked workers to accept redundancy offers, saying most had already signed contracts and ministers were “ignoring the situation’s fundamental and factual realities”.In a bullish response to transport secretary Grant Shapps, the ferry operator’s chief executive, Peter Hebblethwaite, said the demand was legally impossible and would close the firm down. Continue reading...

Coalition is relying on an assumption budget handouts such as fuel excise relief won’t fan inflation

This blog is now closed. Follow the latest updates from the 2022 Australian federal budget here.

Angela Rayner increases pressure on PM with Met expected to issue first tranche of fines imminentlyBoris Johnson should resign if he is fined by the Metropolitan police for lockdown breaches, despite the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Labour has said, after the Guardian revealed the first tranche of fines are expected to be issued imminently.It is understood the Met is expected to issue about 20 fines on Tuesday related to the most straightforward cases, though more are expected to follow. A source said the fines would probably be imposed on “low-hanging fruit” – an indication that Boris Johnson is unlikely to be among them, as he has denied breaking the law. Continue reading...

For the British monarchy the global jaunt is key to maintaining precious media coverage – even if it is dull, or worse, embarrassingRoyal tours have long been a central feature of monarchical life. It’s what they do. As the Queen says: “We have to be seen to be believed.”Medieval monarchs toured their realms obsessively in order to show they were still alive. It also helped keep their populations in order and allowed them to display their magnificence and power. Henry II’s legs grew bandy as he rode continuously across France, England and Ireland in the 12th century. Elizabeth I’s tours, 400 years later, wended their way round the country: she spoke to ordinary folk encountered en route and accepted gifts from the burghers of the towns that she and her 300-wagon baggage train passed through. Continue reading...

What began with a team of volunteers in London has become a symbol of the pandemic – but remains at risk of erasureA year ago today, Fran Hall drew a small red heart on the wall of the Albert Embankment alongside St Thomas’ hospital and opposite the the Houses of Parliament.Within the heart, she wrote the name Steve Mead, the husband she lost to coronavirus in October 2020 just three weeks after they married. Continue reading...

Soldier anonymised as Person 66 objects to questions in federal court over missions under Roberts-Smith’s command on the grounds of self-incriminationA former Australian soldier has objected to answering questions about SAS missions under the command of Ben Roberts-Smith in Afghanistan in 2012, his lawyer telling the federal court his expected evidence could tend to incriminate him in an alleged murder.The soldier, anonymised before the court as Person 66, briefly began giving evidence late on Monday, subpoenaed to give evidence by the newspapers defending a defamation action brought by his former comrade and Victoria Cross recipient Roberts-Smith. Continue reading...

More than 6,ooo people have left their homes as renewed violence in the Casamance region spills into the GambiaIt was late morning when the bullets burst through the corrugated roof of Maimouna Kujabee’s farmhouse. First, she hit the ground. Then she took off, running from her village in Ziguinchor, in Senegal’s Casamance region, as fast as her children could manage.Through fields and forest, with only the clothes on her back, Kujabee did not stop until she reached Bajagar, in the Gambia, about a mile north of the border. “The sun was hot. I ran until my sandals were cut up,” says Kujabee. Continue reading...

Russian billionaire and Rustem Umerov had symptoms consistent with poisoning earlier in March, says source

Can Arslan killed Matthew Boorman in Gloucestershire village after ‘long-running’ dispute, court hearsA man stabbed a neighbour in a Gloucestershire village 27 times the day after telling a police officer: “I will murder him”, a jury has been told.Can Arslan, 52, killed father-of-three Matthew Boorman and seriously wounded his wife, Sarah Boorman, as she tried to fight him off, before forcing his way into the home of another neighbour, Peter Marsden, and knifing him eight times. Continue reading...

Changes made to the format this year may have increased viewership but the program still struggled to attract an audienceThe 2022 Oscars drew more viewers than last year’s record-low ceremony, but still fell well below prior years as award shows struggle to attract primetime attention.The nearly four-hour telecast drew 15.36 million viewers according to time-zone-adjusted fast national numbers from Nielsen, Variety reported on Monday. The audience figures show a 56% improvement over the 2021 ceremony, which drew an all-time low of 10.4 million viewers and prompted the Academy and ABC to shake up the program in an attempt to woo more viewers. Continue reading...

Gunmen with assault rifles burst into event in western state of Michoacán long plagued by violence between drug cartelsMexican authorities have confirmed that 20 people were killed when a group of gunmen stormed a cockfight, in a small town in the western state of Michoacán.Officials and witnesses described a choreographed massacre in which assailants in military uniforms arrived just after 10.30pm on Sunday night and opened fire with assault rifles at the crowds of primarily middle-aged men. Continue reading...

Chancellor called ‘fiscal illusionist’ for pledging tax cuts while driving up burden and not doing enough to help poorest

Bernardine Evaristo, Keir Starmer, Kathy Griffin and others respond to incidentAuthor Bernardine Evaristo is among the public figures to have condemned Will Smith for hitting Chris Rock at the Oscars, saying the actor “resorted to violence instead of utilising the power of words”.In what quickly became the bombshell moment of the ceremony, Smith struck Rock in the face after the comic made a joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. Continue reading...

Government wins string of votes to restore elements of controversial borders and nationality bill removed by LordsThe UK appears set to criminalise illicit refugee crossings and could ship asylum seekers for processing in other countries after ministers easily saw off a potential rebellion in the Commons over the controversial borders and nationality bill.Despite a number of Conservative backbenchers expressing concerns about aspects of the bill, the government convincingly won a string of votes to restore elements changed in the House of Lords, including the idea of Australian-style third country processing. Continue reading...

US parent Mondelez blames higher production costs and inflation as 200g bar shrunk to 180gCadbury has slashed the size of its family-size bars of Dairy Milk by 10% as the nation’s favourite chocolate falls prey to “shrinkflation”.The confectionery company has announced it is passing on rapidly rising production costs to customers, with US-based parent company Mondelez blaming inflation. Continue reading...

Ukrainian president criticises Russian authorities for not agreeing on scheme to have remains sent home

Home secretary says deputy commissioner Sir Stephen House will cover until successor appointedCressida Dick’s tenure as the Metropolitan police commissioner will end next month, the government has said, with continued wrangling over a payoff and an inquiry announced into why she decided to resign.The home secretary, Priti Patel, announced Dick’s five years as Britain’s top police officer would end in April, with the process to find a replacement to pull the Met out of crisis expected to start imminently. Continue reading...

Inquiry will examine whether death in 2015 in Kirkcaldy was avoidable, and whether Bayoh’s race affected police actionsScotland’s police force and its prosecution authority have refused to give 12 police officers immunity from criminal charges in an inquiry into the death in custody of Sheku Bayoh.Police Scotland’s deputy chief constable, Fiona Taylor, has told the judge chairing a public inquiry into Bayoh’s death in Kirkcaldy in May 2015 that officers are under a legal and professional duty to tell the truth, regardless of the risks of self-incrimination. Continue reading...

Ukraine president gave interview with five prominent Russian journalists – but how many in the country will see it?

Package of measures in schools white paper aims to improve standards and lift attainmentMinisters are to launch a new national behaviour survey as part of its plans to improve standards and lift attainment in schools in England.It is one of a package of measures outlined in a schools white paper unveiled on Monday, which also includes ambitious new attainment targets for all primary and secondary pupils across the country. Continue reading...

Royal couple say they are ‘committed to service’, which is not ‘telling people what to do’, at end of Caribbean tourThe Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have insisted they are interested only in a “better future” for the Commonwealth, not in who leads it, at the end of their tour of the Caribbean.William said foreign tours were an “opportunity to reflect” and he and his wife were committed to “serving and supporting” the people of the Commonwealth, not “telling them what to do”, in a statement published on the couple’s Twitter account. Continue reading...

Kotsur becomes the second deaf actor to win an Oscar, for his role in the film about the child of deaf parents, by Sian Heder• Follow all the action with our liveblog

White paper could pave way for independent regulator, while ‘parent pledge’ dismissed as gimmickPlans to redraw England’s schools system will allow councils to establish their own academy trusts and give schools the opportunity to leave failing ones.The policies are set out in a schools white paper to be published on Monday and include a “parent pledge” for families to request additional support for their children, which has been dismissed as a “gimmick” by school leaders. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists says policy is harming health of pregnant women and babiesThe Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists has called for the immediate suspension of charging for NHS maternity care for migrant women because members say this government policy is harming the health of pregnant women and their babies.The RCOG has urged the government to change its policies towards charging some migrant women for maternity care and to carry out an urgent review of how maternity care is provided to the group. It is the first time the health professionals’ body has issued a position statement on this issue. Continue reading...