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Sebastien Lecornu continues meetings with party leaders in effort to pass budget and avoid further political instability Europe live - latest updatesFrance's caretaker prime minister, Sebastien Lecornu, has said his talks with various party leaders had revealed a willingness" to pass a budget by the end of the year and that snap parliamentary elections were now looking less likely.This willingness creates a momentum and a convergence, obviously, which make the possibilities of a dissolution more remote," he said in a brief address on Wednesday from the courtyard of Matignon Palace, the prime minister's residence, in Paris. Continue reading...

PM says Labour will address suggestions of antisemitic hate as he orders review of protest policing powersKeir Starmer will order the home secretary to look at further curbs on protests including potential powers to take action against specific inflammatory chants at pro-Palestinian protests.Speaking to reporters en route to Mumbai, the prime minister said Labour was looking at going even further than the measures announced by Shabana Mahmood, which would look at the cumulative impact" of repeat protests in certain locations. Continue reading...

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Police allege they identified the trio mobilising' to kill a man near a childcare centre in city's south-west

Case between police and representatives from the Palestine Action Group and Jews Against Occupation remains before the NSW court of appeal

Michael Miller also says media must unite against second big steal' by tech companies seeking changes to copyright law to access content for free

Inquest is hearing evidence about the 2023 death of Mitchell Thomas at Larapinta in Alice SpringsWarning: This article contains an image and reference to an Indigenous Australian who has died

Conservative leader aims to rebuild party's economic credibility after it was torched by her predecessors

In this weeks newsletter: Many paint reparations as impossible, unprecedented, even absurd - world experts tell a different storyGood morning. Happy Black History Month! We are now a week into a time of reflection on the richness of Black history and culture in the UK. Yet, too often one of the main aspects of that history - the debate around reparations for transatlantic enslavement - feels stuck in a loop. When the question of redress is raised, the backlash swiftly follows: too complicated, too divisive, too unfair.We saw this happen last year, when Keir Starmer became the first sitting British prime minister to visit a Pacific island nation. He hoped to leave with upbeat headlines about new Commonwealth partnerships. Instead, the trip was dominated by demands for justice for historic wrongs.Politics | Keir Starmer has criticised Robert Jenrick's comments complaining about not seeing another white face" in parts of Birmingham, saying the shadow justice secretary was hard to take seriously".France | Edouard Philippe, a former French prime minister and one-time ally of Emmanuel Macron, has said he favours early presidential elections given the gravity of the political crisis rocking the country.Music | Prosecutors will appeal against a court's decision to throw out a terrorism charge against the Kneecap rapper Liam Og O hAnnaidh. The 27-year-old was accused of displaying a flag in support of the proscribed terrorist organisation Hezbollah at a gig last November until a technical error in the way he was charged led to the chief magistrate ruling he could not try the case.Business | The EU has announced it will match Donald Trump's steel tariffs, doubling levies on imports to 50% in a move condemned as an existential threat" to the industry in the UK.Gaza | A new Gaza-bound aid flotilla has been intercepted by the Israeli army, days after the detention of activists on board vessels bound for the war-torn territory caused international outrage and widespread protests. Continue reading...

Survey shows one in four users intend to keep using system as it is phased out, despite increased virus and malware riskAbout 5 million British computer users risk becoming vulnerable to cyber-attacks and scams after Microsoft next week stops updating its decade-old Windows 10 system, consumer campaigners have warned.One in four of an estimated 21 million UK people using a device that runs the Windows 10 software intend to continue using it after updates cease and so will be at risk of online security breaches including malware and viruses, according to a survey by Which? More than a third of those who are not planning to take action and therefore risk becoming vulnerable are people aged over 55. Continue reading...

Israeli foreign ministry confirms interception and says those on board will be deportedA new Gaza-bound aid flotilla has been intercepted by the Israeli army, days after the detention of activists on board vessels bound for the war-torn territory caused international outrage and widespread protests.The Israeli military was jamming signals with at least two boats being boarded, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition said on Instagram. Continue reading...

Freida Parton says she has been up all night praying' as singer continues to deal with unspecified health challenges'Dolly Parton's sister says she has been up all night praying" for the singer as she continues to deal with unspecified health problems.Freida Parton wrote that her 79-year-old sister hasn't been feeling her best lately", two weeks after the singer postponed a Las Vegas residency scheduled for December, citing health challenges". Continue reading...

IPPR report warns of productivity crisis' and says many firms out of step with gen Z shift away from alcoholOne in three UK workers have called in sick after drinking at a work event or after hours with colleagues, research has found.Many staff feel under pressure to drink in work-related settings against their wishes, despite a big shift among younger adults away from consuming as much alcohol as their predecessors.32% of workers had called in sick the next day after drinking at a work event or with workmates in the last year.41% of 18- to 24-year-olds had been too hungover to work, and 47% of 25- to 34-year-olds.22% of staff in education and 24% in health and social care had cried off work the next day after drinking at or after work in the past six months, and a fifth in both sectors had turned up late the next day.28% think drinking at work events excludes non-drinkers or creates cliques. Continue reading...

Frontrunner for deputy leadership addresses rally as opponent Bridget Phillipson pledges second Labour term our children deserve'The Labour deputy leadership contender Lucy Powell has told party members that she will not sugarcoat" how badly the party is doing, promising to challenge Downing Street's groupthink" as voting begins.Ballots open on Wednesday for members and affiliates in the race between Powell and the education secretary, Bridget Phillipson, with polls for LabourList suggesting Powell is the clear frontrunner. Continue reading...

The rapper was accused of displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah but case was thrown out by magistrateProsecutors have said they will appeal against the chief magistrate's decision to throw out a terrorism charge against the Kneecap rapper Liam Og O hAnnaidh.The 27-year-old, known as Mo Chara, had been charged with a terrorism offence for allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag at a gig at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, north London, last November. Continue reading...

Ministers and officials did not provide statements that China was threat despite many months' of effort to obtain themCharges against two men accused of spying for China were suddenly dropped last month because prosecutors could not obtain critical evidence from the government that Beijing represented a threat to the national security of the UK".Stephen Parkinson, the director of public prosecutions, wrote to two select committee chairs to explain that despite trying over many months", the sought-after statements were not forthcoming from ministers and officials. Continue reading...

Mette Frederiksen links social media use to anxiety, depression and lack of concentrationThe Danish prime minister says the country will ban social media for under-15s, as she accused mobile phones and social networks of stealing our children's childhood".Mette Frederiksen used her speech on Tuesday at the opening of Folketing, the Danish parliament, to announce the proposal, in which she said: We have unleashed a monster." She added: Never before have so many children and young people suffered from anxiety and depression." Continue reading...

Fayaz Khan, 26, is on trial at Southwark crown court accused of threatening to shoot Reform UK leaderNigel Farage felt genuinely worried" after a man allegedly posted a TikTok video threatening to come to Britain and shoot him, a court has heard.The Reform UK leader was giving evidence at the trial of Fayaz Khan, 26, who has been charged with threatening to kill the Reform UK leader last year in a post Farage described as pretty chilling". Continue reading...

City regulator unveils compensation scheme for motorists who bought cars via discretionary commission deals from 2007 to 2024Victims of the UK's car finance scandal are likely to receive compensation payouts averaging 700 resulting from 14m unfair loans, the City regulator said on Tuesday.The payouts would be less than previously expected, but the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said lenders could be landed with an 8.2bn compensation bill, which could go as high as 9.7bn. Continue reading...

Shadow chancellor distances himself from words after Robert Jenrick accused of racism in comments he made about Handsworth. This live blog is closedAsked about the Jenrick story, Badenoch again suggests Guardian reporting is reliable.Q: Jenrick was making a distinction between white faces and brown faces. Continue reading...

Company vows to force through pay decrease in new year that will cost thousands of drivers up to 25 a dayThousands of couriers face losing substantial portions of their earnings in the new year after managers at the delivery firm DPD vowed to force through rate cuts after the busy Christmas period.About 1,500 drivers are thought to have stopped work on Tuesday after the company, which reported pre-tax profits of nearly 200m, announced a 65p cut in the rate for most of its deliveries in an early morning email on 29 September. Continue reading...

Shadow justice secretary stands by comments made in March amid criticism including from a Tory colleague

Experimental film-maker's works included Little Stabs at Happiness, Blonde Cobra, and Tom, Tom, the Piper's SonRenowned experimental film-maker Ken Jacobs, whose works such as Little Stabs at Happiness, Blonde Cobra and Tom, Tom, the Piper's Son made him a key member of the underground film circuit of the 1960s, has died aged 92. His son Azazel Jacobs, also a film-maker, told the New York Times that he died of kidney failure in hospital on Sunday.Described by the New York Times as the eminence grise of the American avant garde", Jacobs and his wife Flo, with whom he collaborated on much of his work, straddled the worlds of experimental art and American new wave film-making, along with the likes of Jack Smith, Andy Warhol and Jonas Mekas. He was a founding member of New York's Film-Makers' Co-Operative and the first director of the Millennium Film Workshop in 1966, both of which offered a space for film-makers working outside the mainstream and which are still operating today. Continue reading...

French president's former allies join opponents in demanding he act to end a spiralling political crisisFrance's president, Emmanuel Macron, is under intense pressure to call snap parliamentary elections or resign as former allies join his opponents in demanding he act to end a spiralling political crisis in the EU's second biggest economy.Macron's first prime minister on Tuesday urged the president to step down amid mounting frustration even within the president's own camp over one of the worst spells of political chaos in France since the foundation of its Fifth Republic in 1958. Continue reading...

Bardella and Le Pen decline Lecornu's invitation for talks to solve crisisThe office of prime minister Sebastien Lecornu has released a statement saying the talks with politicians will focus on the budget and the future of New Caledonia.Lecornu held talks with politicians to see if they could agree on a new cabinet that would please both sides. They will hold more talks this afternoon and on Wednesday morning, the statement added. Continue reading...

This year's fiction contenders also include Karen Russell, Megha Majumdar and Ethan RutherfordBryan Washington, Rabih Alameddine and Karen Russell are among the finalists for this year's National Book Awards.The three authors will compete in the fiction category alongside Megha Majumdar and Ethan Rutherford. Last year's prize was handed to Percival Everett for James, his reimagining of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Continue reading...

Former transport bureaucrat Ibrahim Helmy appeared at an ICAC hearing after allegedly forming corrupt relationships with contractors and colleagues

Traditional package holiday is still the most common eventual purchase, travel industry body Abta reports

Letter says they are deeply concerned' about Manchester Academy concert after last week's synagogue attackMPs and Jewish leaders have called for the punk-rap duo Bob Vylan's forthcoming Manchester gig to be called off.The Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester (JRC) - in a letter backed by 10 MPs - has urged Manchester Academy to cancel the 5 November show. Continue reading...

Pontiff expected to appeal for peace across the Middle East and speak about the persecution of Christians in regionPope Leo's debut overseas trip will be to Turkey and Lebanon, where he is expected to make appeals for peace across the Middle East, the Vatican has announced.Leo, who was elected pontiff in May after the death of Pope Francis, will visit Turkey between 27 and 30 November and Lebanon from 30 November until 2 December. Continue reading...

Latest creative director's initial collection hits runway at space-themed Paris fashion week showClutch your pearls. Cover your ears. Talk about a big bang: under a galactic stage set, the designer Matthieu Blazy just blasted the world's most famous fashion brand through the sound barrier and into the 21st century.Backstage after his debut, Blazy quoted what Coco Chanel once said when asked why she wore the same tweed jacket day after day. She said, if I translate into English: I don't give a fuck. I like them worn.'" This is Blazy's take on the house Coco founded: Chanel, with no fucks given. Continue reading...

The group of seven held since Friday are released following Australian government representations

Printed score and keyboard manuscript by Purcell, who died in 1695, unearthed in Worcestershire and NorfolkHe was the leading English composer of the 17th century, writing masterpieces such as Dido and Aeneas and The Fairy Queen before his life was cut short in 1695, aged just 36.Now two significant discoveries of music by Henry Purcell have been made, to the excitement of musicians. Continue reading...

Tory leader says nothing wrong with making observations', after Jenrick said Handsworth was as close as I've come to a slum in this country'

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Cost of a typical home fell 794 to 298,184 in September after 0.2% monthly rise in August, says Halifax

Prime minister urges students not to protest on the second anniversary of Hamas's 7 October attacks on IsraelKeir Starmer has urged students not to protest on the second anniversary of the Hamas-led 7 October attacks on Israel, describing plans for demonstrations as un-British".Every child of Israel should be able to live alongside their Palestinian neighbours in safety and security", the prime minister said as he marked the anniversary. Continue reading...

Neville Lawrence, 83, is preparing for David Norris, now 49, to appear for first time to plead for his freedomStephen Lawrence's father says one of his son's killers should name the other members of the gang who murdered him before being considered for parole.Neville Lawrence, 83, is preparing for David Norris to appear before a Parole Board for the first time to plead for his freedom. Continue reading...

Shadow justice secretary criticised for suggesting he could tell how integrated Handsworth was based on short visitRobert Jenrick complained about visiting an area of Birmingham where he didn't see another white face" and said it was not the kind of country he wanted to live in.After highlighting the lack of white people, the shadow justice secretary said it was not about the colour of your skin or your faith" and he wanted people to live alongside each other. Continue reading...

Palestine Action Group argues ongoing killing in Gaza means Sydney march scheduled for Sunday has prerequisite seriousness and urgency'

In today's newsletter: New home secretary Shabana Mahmood has announced proposals to further curtail pro-Palestine Action protests - but what do they mean, and will they work?Good morning. In 2014, a backbench Labour MP named Shabana Mahmood lay on the floor of her local Sainsbury's in protest against the sale of products made in illegal Israeli settlements. A week later, she spoke to crowds at a Free Palestine protest in Hyde Park, of the compassion and humanity expressed for the people of Gaza ... from every race and every religion."Compare and contrast with the 2025 Shabana Mahmood, now home secretary, whose new policies could see people arrested for the very same actions. She has just announced a fresh tranche of anti-protest policies that would allow police to re-route, and potentially shut down protests which repeatedly take place in the same area because of their cumulative impact.UK news | Neighbours of the Manchester synagogue attacker reported concerns to police about him and a family member being radicalised" and attempting to preach" the Qur'an to local children, the Guardian has been told.Gaza | International activists, journalists and lawyers deported from Israel after attempting to breach the 16-year maritime blockade of Gaza as part of a humanitarian flotilla have alleged being subjected to brutal physical and verbal abuse by Israeli forces during their detention.Politics | The finances of one of Nigel Farage's key confidants are being examined by the UK's tax and revenue authorities amid questions over his income from wealth and business activities, the Guardian understands.US news | The US supreme court has declined to hear an appeal from Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell of her sex trafficking conviction. Maxwell in 2022 was sentenced to 20 years in prison for sex trafficking and related crimes.France | The country's political crisis has deepened after the new prime minister dramatically resigned within hours of appointing a government. Sebastien Lecornu, the third prime minister in a year, quit hours before his first cabinet meeting on Monday afternoon. Continue reading...

Grief and confusion gripped East Java last week after foundational failures caused the Al Khoziny Islamic school to collapse during afternoon prayersIndonesian rescuers wrapped up the search on Tuesday for victims trapped under the rubble of a collapsed Islamic boarding school in the province of East Java, after retrieving more than 60 bodies, disaster authorities said.Grief and confusion gripped the small town of Sidoarjo last week after foundational failures caused the Al Khoziny school to cave in on hundreds of people, mostly teenage boys, while they were at afternoon prayers. Most escaped. Continue reading...

The Tory leader's shift to the right has left its centrist wing wondering if its tradition still has a futureIn one popular reading of the history of Tory successes, the party's last three election-winning prime ministers - John Major, David Cameron and Boris Johnson - all swept into Downing Street on unifying one-nation platforms.But for many people this year's Tory conference, marked by its hardening rhetoric on asylum seekers and growing overtures to Nigel Farage's brand of politics, feels a far cry from those broad principles. Continue reading...

Two years on, Israel has said the Holit community can go back - but memories of the horrific events are still rawShir Matias wants to move back to the Holit kibbutz but doesn't know if she will be able to bear it. Now 23, she grew up in this tiny community in Israel's farthest south-west tip, and its flower-lined paths hold some of her happiest memories.It is also the place where her parents were murdered by Hamas gunmen on 7 October 2023, and her brother Rotem was badly injured. Their mother, Shachar, used her own body to shield him from the bullets, saving his life in a last act of love. Continue reading...

Frequent and varied eating found to reduce likelihood of perceiving immigrants as cultural or economic threats'Whether it is the kedgeree of the British Raj, the Victorian penny lick" ice-creams of Manchester's Little Italy, or the battered fish brought to the UK by Sephardic Jews, international influences on the country's food are longstanding, diverse and many.Now, research has revealed that eating international food does not merely spice up the diet - but makes people more tolerant. Continue reading...

Commemorations held in kibbutzim whose members were killed or kidnapped and Tel Aviv rally will call for hostages' releaseIsraelis will gather across the country on Tuesday to mark the second anniversary of the 7 October attack, in which Hamas-led militants killed about 1,200 people and took 251 hostages during an assault on southern Israel.Unofficial commemorations will be held in the small kibbutzim of southern Israel whose members were killed or kidnapped, and a large rally will be held in Tel Aviv to call for the release of the remaining hostages from Hamas captivity in Gaza. Continue reading...

More than 280 delivery workers injured in traffic collisions over past year, suffering everything from broken limbs to lacerations

Man charged as police allege a window was smashed in a rare act of violence targeted at a New Zealand politician's homeA man who allegedly used a crowbar to smash in a window at the home of New Zealand's foreign minister during a protest" has been charged, police confirmed on Tuesday.Winston Peters posted to social media on Monday evening saying a disgusting coward" had smashed a window in his Auckland home and left a sign on the door. Continue reading...

Body of Max Thomas, 60, discovered last week outside Sam's Throne campground in Ozark national forestArkansas officials shot and killed a male black bear that they believe fatally mauled a 60-year-old Missouri man last week at his campsite in the Ozark national forest, authorities have said.The body of Max Thomas of Springfield, Missouri, was discovered on Thursday several yards outside the Sam's Throne campground in north-west Arkansas, Newton county sheriff Glenn Wheeler said. Continue reading...

Ex-Conservative ministers denounce Robert Jenrick's intention to abolish body that develops court guidelinesA Conservative plan to abolish the judge-led Sentencing Council and hand its powers to the Ministry of Justice has been described as bonkers", unimplementable" and potentially dangerous" by former Tory ministers.The shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick will announce on Tuesday that the independent public body responsible for developing guidelines for judges and magistrates in England and Wales would be closed down by a future Conservative government because it was not fit for purpose". Continue reading...