World news | The Guardian

Government has double challenge to plug 5bn hole while restoring sense that it retains authority and controlA fortnight ago in a corridor near the House of Commons chamber, a close confidant of the prime minister smiled and shook his head when asked if the government could really lose the welfare vote.MPs would come to their senses, he predicted, because they would eventually understand that to fundamentally undermine the government's authority would have consequences which no one could control. Continue reading...

Minister argues move will not impinge on people's right to protest but critics call it grave abuse of state power'MPs have voted to proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation despite concerns that the move could risk criminalising legitimate protest.The draft order to amend the Terrorism Act 2000 and proscribe the group, laid by the home secretary, Yvette Cooper, passed the Commons on Wednesday by 385 votes to 26. Continue reading...

This blog is now closed, you can read more on this story here On Wednesday, Angela Rayner sought to reassure people who had been scared" about the proposed benefits changes, reports the PA news agency.Speaking to ITV's Lorraine, the deputy prime minister said:Anyone listening to your show today, they know that there will be no changes to their welfare.I want to make sure that people are reassured by that, because a lot of people have been scared about what's going to happen. Continue reading...

Joseph Haythorne from Ashford made comment on X as violence was breaking out at asylum hotel near RotherhamAn engineer who posted burn any hotels with those scruffy bastards in it" online as violence erupted outside a hotel housing asylum seekers has been jailed for 15 months.Joseph Haythorne, 26, from Ashford in Surrey, posted the comment on X, formerly known as Twitter, at lunchtime on 4 August last year, just as violence was breaking out near Rotherham, South Yorkshire. Continue reading...

Ellie Chowns and Adrian Ramsay offer election-led approach, while Zack Polanski wants radical, mass-membership movementThe battle to lead the Greens has been confirmed as a straight fight between a joint ticket comprising two of the party's MPs, Adrian Ramsay and Ellie Chowns, and the more insurgent offering of Zack Polanski, the deputy leader.A final list of nominations to head the party in England and Wales has resulted in a two-way battle for the leadership, while nine candidates are vying to be deputy leader. Continue reading...

Guardian analysis found no major bank has adopted ACCC recommendations in full - but NAB, CommBank, Westpac and ANZ say they offer in-app alerts

The three-storey fibreglass fruit is estimated to cost at least $1.3m but historian says regional city in the running to be the capital of big things in Australia'

Poor management of contracts worth more than $3.5bn has led to critical failures, including during a Vanuatu cyclone humanitarian operation, the ANAO says

Jury reached consensus on four of five counts on Tuesday but remained undecided on racketeering chargeThe jury in the federal sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy trial of Sean Diddy" Combs are entering their third day of deliberations Wednesday morning, one day after announcing they had reached a verdict on four of the five counts the music mogul faces.Late on Tuesday afternoon, the 12-member jury -comprised of eight men and four women -notified US district judge Arum Subramanian that a consensus had been reached on two counts of sex trafficking and on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. Continue reading...

Ex-health secretary tells inquiry policy to free up hospital beds in early days of pandemic was least worst decision'Discharging untested patients from hospitals to care homes during the Covid pandemic was the least worst decision", the former health secretary Matt Hancock has told a public inquiry.In his testimony to the UK Covid-19 inquiry on Wednesday, Hancock defended the decision - which was later ruled illegal in a high court judgment - to move hospital patients into care homes during the early weeks of the pandemic to free up space. Continue reading...

Karen Kneller resigns from Criminal Cases Review Commission, heavily criticised for bungling of Andrew Malkinson caseThe chief executive of the miscarriage of justice watchdog for England, Wales and Northern Ireland has resigned after months of speculation following serious failings in the case of Andrew Malkinson.Karen Kneller, who had held the position since 2013 and had been in senior roles at the organisation for two decades, has left the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) after one of the worst miscarriages of justice in British legal history, it was announced on Wednesday. Continue reading...

Only days before reunion tour begins, CMA raises concerns that fans may have been misled by companyThe UK competition watchdog has written to Ticketmaster threatening legal action over the way it sold more than 900,000 tickets for Oasis's reunion tour, days before what is expected to be the most popular, and profitable, run of gigs in British history kicks off.In March, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) published concerns that Ticketmaster may have misled fans, some of whom paid more than 350 for tickets with a face value of 150, in the way it priced tickets for the band's comeback gigs when they went on sale last August. Continue reading...

Video shared on social media shows drone attacks, which some say have helped pacify gangs inflicting violence on Port-au-Prince

CPS says it is considering more charges against former nurse after evidence from detectives in CheshireDetectives investigating the former nurse Lucy Letby have passed evidence to prosecutors alleging she murdered and harmed more babies.The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) confirmed on Wednesday that it was considering further charges against Letby over alleged crimes at the Countess of Chester hospital and Liverpool Women's hospital. Continue reading...

This blog is now closed

Pat McFadden says U-turn will change calculations, as IFS says tax rises in autumn look increasingly likely

Artist says Creative Australia's decision renews his confidence in integrity of body's selection process

Moreton Bay council agrees to supreme court injunction against evicting residents who had previously been evicted from another park

Journalist tells the podcast We Used To Be Journos she wanted to make public information uncovered by her legal team

Tesla CEO's feud with US president dominates Chinese social media, with many praising his tech-driven mindset'Few break-ups have as many gossiping observers as the fallout between the once inseparable Donald Trump and Elon Musk.The ill-fated bromance between the US president and the world's richest man, which once raised questions about American oligarchy, is now being pored over by social media users in China, many of whom are Team Musk. Continue reading...

Premier says short and sharp' review will consider whether Victoria can go even further and act faster' on any federal measures

Police allege Michael Simon Wilson is known to former childcare worker Joshua Dale Brown, who was charged with more than 70 offences

Exclusive: Experts say higher figure than past estimates should be wake-up call for ministers to tackle obesityThe cost of the UK's epidemic of overweight and obesity has soared to 126bn a year, far higher than previous estimates, according to a study.The bill includes the costs of NHS care (12.6bn), the years people spend in poor health because of their weight (71.4bn) and the damage to the economy (31bn). Continue reading...

Teresa Ribera says effects of crisis are becoming increasingly obvious but not translating into proper actionPolitical cowardice is hindering European efforts to face up to the effects of the climate crisis, even as the continent is pummelled by a record-breaking heatwave, the EU's green transition chief has warned.In an interview with the Guardian, Teresa Ribera said that although the effects of the climate emergency were becoming increasingly obvious, they were still not translating into proper action. Continue reading...

Peak arts bodies urge review of decision that jeopardises institutions which are the lifeblood' of regional Australian cultural life

Review into man dubbed Australia's worst paedophile also warns of false sense of security' from working with children check

After meeting Marco Rubio at Quad gathering in Washington, foreign affairs minister says Australia could benefit from demand for critical minerals

MPs vote through welfare bill by 335 votes to 260 after rebel amendment to kill off bill defeated easily after concession over planned Pip cutsCompass, the leftwing group urging Labour to be more pluralistic, has put out a statement condemning the UC and Pip bill. Its director, Neal Lawson, said:If your own friends are telling you to put the brakes on, then something has clearly gone wrong. Despite the government's line, this legislation does not advance Labour values. It is fundamentally at odds with them, and with the views of the mainstream of the party and civil society."MPs from across the House, and especially the Labour side, must back Rachael Maskell's reasoned amendment. This bill's creation of a three-tiered social security system would condemn thousands to poverty and could lose Labour the next election.A bill of this magnitude should have been co-produced with disabled people and our organisations from the very start.Now, ministers scramble to promise consultation' as one small part of the process. That is too little, too late. Co-production is not a rushed tick-box exercise tagged onto legislation already steaming through Parliament. It means disabled people shaping the system at every step - not just commenting on the detail of changes already baked in. Continue reading...

Cases of cervical cancer among older people rising globally as research finds over-65s more likely to have HPV infections than younger womenRoutine cervical screening should be offered to women aged 65 and over as they are still at heightened risk of cancer from human papillomavirus (HPV), according to research.Despite it being a preventable disease, there were about 660,000 cases of cervical cancer and 350,000 deaths from it worldwide in 2022, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Continue reading...

Final season of the smash series scores a new record for the streaming platform in the first three daysThe third and final season of the hit Korean series Squid Game has broken records to become the biggest-ever TV launch for Netflix.Over its first three days, the series racked up more than 60.1m views, a new high for the streamer, with more than 368.4m hours viewed. The second season launched with 68m views but over a four-day period last December. Continue reading...

Rebel Labour MP finally won over by late promise to shelve plans for deep cuts to personal independence payments

Emergency services minister says situation is going to worsen' overnight with damaging rain and winds

Tumultuous 24 hours capped by last-minute climbdown on cuts to Pips could define rest of Starmer's time as PM

Operations director says security absolutely critical' after Yulia Putintseva asks for man to be ejected over fears he had knifeSecurity at Wimbledon is absolutely critical", the tournament's operations director has said, after a player raised concerns about a spectator during the championship's first day.During her match on Monday, the world No 33, Yulia Putintseva, raised security concerns to the umpire about a spectator whom she described as crazy" and dangerous" and asked for them to be ejected. Continue reading...

Ryland Headley sentenced to minimum of 20 years after what is thought to be oldest cold case solved in modern English policing historyA 92-year-old man has been jailed for life with a minimum of 20 years after being convicted of the rape and murder of a woman in Bristol 58 years ago.The sentencing judge, Mr Justice Sweeting, told Ryland Headley that he would spend the rest of his life in prison for killing Louisa Dunne at her home in 1967. Continue reading...

Helen Hough says her husband was traumatised by horrific' death of patient and later killed himselfA woman whose husband killed himself amid the pressure of running a care home during the pandemic has told the Covid inquiry that staff were absolutely terrified" owing to the lack of testing in its early stages.Helen Louise Hough owned and managed a nursing home in Wrexham with her husband, Vernon, which housed up to 40 residents whom she described as like their extended family".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, you can call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 988, chat on 988lifeline.org, or text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org Continue reading...

PM to make final attempt to get bill over the line with dozens of backbenchers still planning to vote against it

Jury spent more than five hours deliberating on Monday in case of music mogul charged with racketeering conspiracyThe jury in the high-profile federal sex-trafficking and racketeering conspiracy trial of Sean Diddy" Combs resumed deliberations on Tuesday morning, after spending more than five hours weighing the charges on Monday without reaching a verdict.Combs, 55, was arrested in September and faces five felony counts: one count of racketeering conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty to all of the charges and denies all of the accusations against him. Continue reading...

Duchess of Sussex expands As Ever product line in latest foray into lifestyle brandingMeghan Markle has announced her latest foray into lifestyle branding, with the Duchess of Sussex expanding As Ever product line now set to feature a thoughtful" collection of wines.A press release on Tuesday described the first wine to become available as a light, fresh, and effortlessly celebratory 2023 Napa Valley Rose, thoughtfully curated by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex". Continue reading...

Judge orders Nottinghamshire police to pay Despine Green 24,000 for arrest and taking DNA swabPolice acted in an oppressive and unconstitutional manner" by arresting and detaining a protester for antisemitic chanting without making any inquiries as to what they allegedly said, a judge has found.Despine Green, who was 22 at the time, was handcuffed, photographed, fingerprinted, had a DNA swab taken from the inside of their cheek and an officer mentioned that a strip search might be necessary. Continue reading...

Two-week-old Brendon suffered injuries akin to falling from a high building while at special care baby unit with his parents, Bristol court toldThe parents of a two-week-old boy found in his cot at a special care baby unit with catastrophic injuries" walked out to have a cigarette as medics attempted to resuscitate him, a court has heard.Brendon Staddon had suffered a shattered skull and broken neck, his injuries so severe they were compared to those of someone who had fallen from a high building, a jury at Bristol crown court was told. Continue reading...

Temporary rules for Germany and Lithuania come as far-right activists initiate border patrolsPoland will introduce temporary border controls with Germany and Lithuania from Monday amid growing tensions over irregular migration, the Polish prime minister, Donald Tusk, has said.The decision, made after a government meeting with the Polish border guard on Tuesday, comes in response to growing domestic political pressure and far-right backed protests at Poland's border crossings with Germany over the weekend. Continue reading...

Survey reveals only 3% of people back government's plans, with 56% wanting to limit number of life appointments

Footage of three-a-side game shows humanoids struggling to kick the ball or stay uprightThey think it's all over ... for human footballers at least.The pitch wasn't the only artificial element on display at a football match in China on Saturday. Four teams of humanoid robots took on each other in Beijing, in games of three-a-side powered by artificial intelligence. Continue reading...

Women, children and elderly people among at least 24 killed by attack that turned beach spot into scene of carnageWitnesses have described the bloody aftermath of an Israeli strike on a crowded seaside cafe in Gaza, which left at least 24 dead and many more injured on Tuesday.Al-Baqa cafe, close to the harbour in Gaza City, was almost full in the early afternoon when it was hit by a missile, immediately transforming a scene of relative calm amid the biggest urban centre in Gaza into one of carnage. Continue reading...

This blog is now closed

Supermarket reports strong growth as hot weather lifts demand for fans, shorts and swimsuits

Court considers petition by 36 senators calling for dismissal of Shinawatra for dishonesty and breaching ethical standardsThailand's constitutional court has suspended the prime minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, while it investigates alleged ethical violations relating to a leaked phone call.The court announced on Tuesday that it would consider a petition filed by 36 senators calling for the dismissal of the prime minister, accusing her of dishonesty and breaching ethical standards in violation of the constitution. Continue reading...

You can always find an intersection to Shakespeare's world in such situations as we have,' says translator, as Shakespeare productions boom across UkraineThe Ukrainian Shakespeare festival in the city of Ivano-Frankivsk did not open with a play. Another kind of performance was staged on the steps of the theatre, one that did not deal with sad stories of the death of kings but with tragedy unfolding in real life.This was theatre in a different sense: a rally involving several hundred people demonstrating on behalf of Ukrainian prisoners of war, thousands of whom are estimated to remain in Russian captivity. Continue reading...

Increase in stamp duty has helped weaken demand, as average price drops by 0.8% in June, says Nationwide