Azerbaijan has accused Armenia of shelling several civilian areas, including its second city, Ganja, as fighting grows between the two countries over the disputed enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh. Meanwhile, separatist forces in the enclave have accused Azerbaijan of targeting its capital, Stepanakert. Fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan erupted on 27 September. Nagorno-Karabakh is an ethnic Armenian enclave which broke away from Azerbaijan in the 1990s
Evocative shows by two of fashion’s biggest names light up a bizarre Paris seasonThe strangest ever season of catwalk shows ended in Paris with Chanel and Louis Vuitton, displaying an industry divided between nostalgia for the razzmatazz of the old normal and a futuristic vision of what fashion could be.The 14-metre white capital letters of the Hollywood sign that crown the Santa Monica Mountains do not just designate a place name. Since they were erected in the roaring 20s, they have stood for a glamorous fantasy world to which anyone can buy entry, with a cinema ticket. For the Chanel show a venue reinvented in seasons past as a spaceship or a supermarket or an ocean liner was dressed simply with the brand name spelt out as if on the Hollywood Hills. Continue reading...
Three-year-old among dead as police say they are not looking for anyone else in connection with casePolice are investigating an apparent murder-suicide after three people, including a three-year-old boy, were found dead at a home in west London.The toddler and a woman in her 30s were found dead after police forced entry to the property, a flat in a smart, new build estate in Brentford. They found a man, believed to be in his 40s, who had suffered stab injuries. Continue reading...
Amnesty International says two killed in unrest over law demanding residents pay fines to legalise homesRights groups say two Egyptians have been killed and hundreds more detained in a recent wave of protests as anger mounts against a law some of those hit hardest by the economic fallout from coronavirus say now threatens their homes.The protests, mostly in impoverished remote areas, were spurred on by a growth in anti-government sentiment, in particular over a law demanding residents pay fines to legalise homes built on agricultural land. Many say they cannot afford the fine, despite government threats to demolish the homes of those who can’t pay. Continue reading...
Foreign secretary tells committee withdrawal not ruled out if evidence against China continues to mountBritain may not be able to participate in the Beijing Winter Olympics in 2022 if evidence mounts of the abuse of Uighur Muslims in China, the foreign secretary Dominic Raab has said.Appearing in front of the foreign affairs select committee, Raab was asked about the possibility of Britain skipping the event in protest at human rights abuses. “Generally speaking, my instinct is to separate sport from diplomacy and politics, but there comes a point when it is not possible,” said Raab. Continue reading...
14 de musical, named after number on back of Johan Cruyff’s shirt, to be staged near AmsterdamA musical about the life of the Dutch footballer Johan Cruyff is to start late next year, paying tribute to one of the game’s greatest-ever players.The show, 14 de musical, referring to the famous number on the back of Cruyff‘s jersey, is expected to open at the AFAS Theatre in Leusden, south-east of Amsterdam in September, Dutch producers announced on Tuesday. Continue reading...
Shadow treasurer Jim Chalmers says Labor needs to make sure Australians getting ‘bang for buck’Labor has signalled it will back the Morrison government’s income tax cuts, and is “inclined to support” the multibillion-dollar investment incentives unveiled in Tuesday night’s budget, but shadow treasurer Jim Chalmers says the business measures require some consideration.Ahead of the introduction to parliament of an omnibus bill containing both the household and business measures early on Wednesday, Chalmers said voting for the income tax cuts, which Labor has previously supported, was a given, but the opposition would need a bit more time to process the business incentives. Continue reading...
The landmark Japanese cyberpunk animation from 1988 re-emerges as a deeply strange nightmare about destruction and rebirthA deeply strange message from the future is what this movie is here to (re)deliver: both post- and pre-apocalyptic, a nuclear-age parable of anxiety to compare with Godzilla. Akira, released in 1988, is the cult Japanese cyberpunk animation from director Katsuhiro Ôtomo, who also created the original manga serial. (It is set in the impossibly futuristic year of 2019, so maybe last year would actually have been the time to rerelease it.)Thirty years on from a devastating explosion that razed the city, a new capital – Neo-Tokyo – has been born: sprawling, chaotic, like the LA of Blade Runner. The city is beset with violence from warring motorbike gangs, and by protesters rioting against unfair taxes. A hatchet-faced army officer says that Neo-Tokyo is “a garbage heap made of hedonistic fools”. Continue reading...
Authorities ignored signs of infiltration by far-right elements, say campaignersGermany’s first nationwide report into rightwing extremism in the security services has revealed hundreds of incidents across the police and military that contravened the country’s constitution.Horst Seehofer, the interior minister, sought to downplay the incidence of extremism in the forces, at the same time as insisting that each case was a “disgrace” and that a “no tolerance” policy would be exercised against personnel who broke the rules. Continue reading...
Potential rebellion as advisers tell investors to block or abstain in vote on appointmentMike Ashley faces another showdown with investors at Frasers Group’s annual meeting on Wednesday after one advisory group said shareholders should block his re-election as chief executive and another advised them to abstain.In a report to clients, Pensions and Investment Research Consultants (Pirc) said shareholders of the group, which owns Sports Direct, House of Fraser and Flannels, should rebel against Ashley as reports that workers at Sports Direct had been asked to go in to stores while on furlough were “representative of a corporate culture that does not meet best practice standards with regard to the treatment of employees”. Continue reading...
by Presented by Gabrielle Jackson with Lenore Taylor, on (#58V39)
In a special episode of Full Story, we go into budget lockup with the Guardian Australia team to find out what the first recession budget in 30 years has to offer for jobs, aged care, workers, business and the environment. We also ask: what’s not in this budget?You can catch up on the key points of the federal budget 2020 here.You can also read: Continue reading...
Deluge of stories about ‘Sars’ unit’s alleged brutality has been posted on social mediaGraphic footage showing officers from Nigeria’s “Sars” police unit dragging two men from a hotel in Lagos and shooting one of them in the street has sparked mass fury across the country and fuelled long-held demands for reform.In the disturbing footage taken by visitors at a hotel and posted on to social media on Saturday, armed officers of the Federal Special Anti Robbery Squad, commonly called Sars, can be seen dragging two limp bodies from the hotel compound into the street before one of the men is shot. Continue reading...
by Damian Carrington Environment editor on (#58V1M)
Exclusive: if discovery is confirmed it will have global implications as 90% of people breathe dirty airTiny air pollution particles have been revealed in the brain stems of young people and are intimately associated with molecular damage linked to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.If the groundbreaking discovery is confirmed by future research, it would have worldwide implications because 90% of the global population live with unsafe air. Medical experts are cautious about the findings and said that while the nanoparticles are a likely cause of the damage, whether this leads to disease later in life remains to be seen. Continue reading...
In his budget speech on Tuesday night, the treasurer, Josh Frydenberg, declared that 'in 2020, Australians had been tested like never before' before announcing $98bn of spending and business concessions.The economic plan will see the deficit reach $213.7bn this year. Net debt is also forecast to peak at a record $966bn or 44% of GDP by June 2024.
Damning report says church protected its reputation above its ’explicit moral purpose’Church of England bishops should be stripped of responsibility to keep children safe from sexual abuse, according to an independent inquiry that said the church had protected its own reputation above its “explicit moral purpose”.A damning report from the independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA), published on Tuesday, said the C of E’s culture of deference and “clericalism” meant it was a place where abusers could hide. Continue reading...
by Owen Bowcott Legal affairs correspondent on (#58TZ5)
Cases have been blocked despite guidance saying anyone can make a requestThe rights of those living abroad to submit freedom of information requests are to be tested in court after more than a dozen cases – including one relating to Julian Assange’s extradition – were blocked.A combined hearing involving the Home Office, Metropolitan police, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and 13 separate cases is to be held at an information tribunal in London. Continue reading...
Teacher accused of violating legislation, reportedly discussing freedom of speech with pupilsA Hong Kong primary school teacher has been deregistered after being accused of using pro-independence materials in class, reportedly to teach students about the concepts of freedom of speech and independence.The education bureau accused the teacher of a premeditated act in violation of Hong Kong’s Basic Law, its de facto constitution, by having “spread a message about Hong Kong independence”. Continue reading...
After a three-day stay at a military hospital to treat symptoms of coronavirus, a contagious Donald Trump returned to the White House and immediately took off his face mask while posing for cameras.Video footage suggests the US president was experiencing laboured breathing during part of the photo op in which he also gave two thumbs up and saluted as he watched Marine One lift off from the south lawn.Trump later waved and walked inside, where masked staff were visible, only to reemerge for what appeared to be a film shoot. In the film, which he tweeted soon after, Trump offered some bizarrely contrary advice about the virus, which has killed more than 200,000 Americans: 'Don’t let it dominate you. Don’t be afraid of it. You’re gonna beat it'
Sister of Richard Molloy, from Northern Ireland, travels to resort to repatriate his bodyThe families of a Northern Irish man who died and two of his friends who fell critically ill after a dental tourism trip to Turkey desperately want to bring their sons home, their local MP has said.Richard Molloy, 33, was found dead on Saturday in the Turkish port city of Marmaris. His two friends , Declan Carson and Aaron Callaghan, fell critically ill and were reportedly found unconscious in the trio’s rented apartment. Continue reading...
The story of Baba, chained to a tree for three years, moved people around the world to help. Mental health nurse Stephen Asante witnessed his journey to freedom
Three NGOs file evidence to war crimes unit against Assad regime over use of chemical weaponsA group of NGOs has submitted a criminal complaint to the German courts over sarin gas attacks in Syria, a legal milestone which marks the first step on the long road to holding Bashar al-Assad’s regime accountable for its use of chemical weapons.The Justice Initiative, the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression and the Syrian Archive submitted the filing and dossier of evidence to the German federal public prosecutor in Karlsruhe on behalf of victims on Monday. Continue reading...
Tuesday: only four days after being diagnosed with coronavirus, a contagious Donald Trump emerges from hospital casting himself as a victor over CovidWelcome to today’s US election briefing for Australia.“Don’t let it dominate you.” Only four days after being diagnosed with Covid, president Donald Trump emerged from hospital on Monday, casting himself as a victor over a virus that continues to ravage his country. Continue reading...
Loophole allowing marriage with parental consent undermines UK’s global stance on child marriage, parliament to be toldThe UK is undermining its international efforts to end child marriage because an exception to the law in England and Wales that allows 16 and 17-year-olds to marry with parental consent is putting children at risk, parliament will be told today.Pauline Latham MP will ask the House to back a bill criminalising child marriage and civil partnership before the age of 18. She will argue that current legislation is at odds with the legal requirement since 2013 for young people to remain in education or training until then. Continue reading...
Police captured one animal after the pair was spotted roaming the streets of the inner westA wild deer has been put down but a second one remains at large after the pair roamed through streets in the Sydney suburbs of Leichhardt, Balmain and Annandale on Tuesday morning.The two deer were spotted running through the inner-west suburbs, even entering a garage and jumping over the head of one local, according to residents. Continue reading...
Solicitors and barristers say they feel unsafe and warn Home Office attacks on lawyers are undermining the legal systemLeading immigration lawyers have told the Guardian that increasingly hostile rhetoric from the home secretary is putting them at risk of being attacked as well as undermining the legal system.On Sunday home secretary Priti Patel used a speech at the Conservative party conference to criticise lawyers who defend migrants, linking them directly with traffickers who help asylum-seekers to cross borders. Continue reading...
In a suburb of Chicago, the world’s first government-funded slavery reparations programme is beginning. Robin Rue Simmons helped make it happen – but her victory has been more than 200 years in the makingIt began with an email. On an especially cold day in Evanston, Illinois, in February 2019, Robin Rue Simmons, 43 years old and two years into her first term as alderman for the city’s historically Black 5th ward, sent an email whose effects would eventually make US history. The message to the nine-member equity and empowerment commission of the Evanston city council started with a disarmingly matter-of-fact heading: “Because ‘reparations’ makes people uncomfortable.”She continued: Continue reading...
Adults and children are regularly shackled and locked up in 60 countries, report findsHundreds of thousands of people with mental health conditions in 60 countries are still being chained, according to a comprehensive and damning new study.Human Rights Watch says that men, women and children – some as young as 10 – are regularly shackled or locked in confined spaces for weeks, months, and even years, across Asia, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas. Continue reading...
Donald Trump has returned to the White House following his hospital stay at the Walter Reed Medical Center. He removed his surgical mask on the White House balcony and recorded a video message telling people not to be afraid of Covid-19. 'Don't let it dominate you, don't be afraid of it, you're going to beat it,' the US president said. 'I know there's a risk, there's a danger but that's OK'. He suggested he may now be immune to the disease though he added he did not know.
Former union heavyweight admits stealing nearly $70,000 from her former employer for personal items and travelEx-Health Services Union boss Kathy Jackson has admitted stealing nearly $70,000 from her former employer, following previously unpublished convictions for similar fraud offences.The former union heavyweight pleaded guilty in Victoria’s county court on Monday to two charges of obtaining financial advantage by deception. Continue reading...
Michael Farris leads Alliance Defending Freedom, designated an anti-LGBTQ+ hate group by the Southern Poverty Law CenterThe head of a conservative Christian non-profit organization that has been designated an anti-LGBTQ+ hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) attended the White House event announcing Donald Trump’s nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett for the supreme court.The exclusive Rose Garden gathering on 26 September is under scrutiny as multiple people who were there, including the president, have contracted Covid-19. Continue reading...
by Kalyeena Makortoff Banking correspondent on (#58TK2)
Bank’s former chief executive reportedly walked out of room during act at party last yearA leading investment bank has apologised for “any offence caused” after it was reported that its black former chief executive left his chairman’s birthday party when a black performer dressed as a janitor danced on stage.The New York Times reported that Tidjane Thiam, who ran Credit Suisse between 2015 and February this year, walked out of the room during the act at Urs Rohner’s 6oth birthday celebration. Continue reading...
Thirty times more plastic on ocean floor than surface, analysis suggests, but more trapped on land than seaAt least 14m tonnes of plastic pieces less than 5mm wide are likely sitting at the bottom of the world’s oceans, according to an estimate based on new research.Analysis of ocean sediments from as deep as 3km suggests there could be more than 30 times as much plastic at the bottom of the world’s ocean than there is floating at the surface. Continue reading...
by Jamie Grierson Home affairs correspondent on (#58THC)
Alf Dubs among peers voting in favour of right of asylum-seekers to join relatives in UKThe government has suffered a defeat in the House of Lords as peers voted in support of an amendment to its flagship immigration bill designed to protect family reunion rules for asylum-seekers beyond Brexit.The clause, tabled by four peers including Alf Dubs, a former child refugee, aims to ensure that rights under UK law to family reunion, at present covered by EU legislation known as the Dublin III treaty, will continue after the transition period. Continue reading...
Investigation launched into deaths of three Newcastle students and 18-year-old in WashingtonPolice and university leaders have issued alerts over illegal drugs after four suspected drug-related deaths in north-east England last weekend.One of the victims, Jeni Larmour, an 18-year-old Newcastle University student, was described as a “spirited” and “model pupil” by her former school. Continue reading...
Paul beat seven other contenders to win the leadership of the country’s Green partyAnnamie Paul, the first Black person to head a mainstream Canadian federal party, said on Monday that her victory was a sign that politics could become more inclusive.Paul, a 47-year-old Toronto lawyer, beat seven other contenders to win the leadership of the country’s Green party late on Saturday. Continue reading...