World news | The Guardian

After a rocky start, PM sets out next phase' covering economic growth, NHS backlogs, energy, and a bobby on every beat'Keir Starmer will attempt to reset his premiership with a series of pledges to show he is delivering change", including 13,000 extra neighbourhood police and a named bobby on every beat".In a speech Labour hopes will set out the next phase" of government, the prime minister will detail half a dozen milestone" targets covering living standards, NHS backlogs, secure energy, housebuilding and children's readiness for school. Continue reading...

Soldiers and marines discover drugs in Sinaloa, while separately authorities arrest more than 5,200 migrantsMexican security forces have impounded more than a ton of fentanyl pills in what officials have called the biggest seizure of the synthetic opioid in the country's history.Soldiers and marines found the fentanyl at two properties in the northern state of Sinaloa, late on Tuesday - exactly a week after Donald Trump threatened to impose 25% tariffs on products from Canada and Mexico unless the two neighbouring countries cracked down on the flow of immigrants and drugs across their borders with the US. Continue reading...

Three-month-old government felled by combined vote from parties of left and far right over controversial budget

The blockbuster musical was named best movie while Daniel Craig and Nicole Kidman picked up key acting prizesBlockbuster musical Wicked has launched into this year's Oscar race with a major win from the National Board of Review.The adaptation of the Broadway hit was named best movie by the group whose picks are seen as a major indicator of Oscar success. Wicked represents the pure magic that movies can bring to audiences," said the NBR president, Annie Schulhof. Every detail is beautifully crafted and designed, the actors are all exceptional and the music is second-to-none - together it adds up to a transporting experience like no other." Continue reading...

Minority coalition of PM Michel Barnier falls after three months, the shortest of any administration of France's Fifth RepublicFrance has been plunged into political crisis after a no-confidence vote brought down the government, ending the beleaguered minority coalition of the rightwing prime minister Michel Barnier after only three months.The no-confidence motion brought by an alliance of left-wing parties was supported by MPs from Marine Le Pen's anti-immigration, far-right, National Rally. A total of 331 lawmakers - a clear majority - voted on Wednesday night to bring down the government. Continue reading...

Losses quadruple from a year earlier after decision to end primary steelmaking in south Wales with loss of 2,500 jobsLosses at Tata Steel's UK operations ballooned to 1.12bn due to the cost of closing Port Talbot's two blast furnaces.Accounts for the Indian-owned company show that pre-tax losses quadrupled from 279m to 1.12bn in the year to the end of March due to restructuring costs associated with the closure of its blast furnaces and coke ovens at the site in south Wales. Continue reading...

More than 500 officers participated in the operation, which was co-ordinated with British, French and European agenciesPolice have carried out dawn raids in several cities in Germany and France in an internationally coordinated operation to smash a network accused of smuggling migrants to Britain in small boats.Coordinated with Europol, the French security service and British police after months of intelligence-gathering, the raids on Wednesday concentrated on western German cities where gangs are believed to have procured small boats and found migrants wanting to be taken to the UK from France across the English Channel. Continue reading...

Triggered by an austerity budget, a no-confidence vote threatens fresh instability - and Macron's future

Czech foreign minister says Europe needs to send a strong signal to Moscow that this won't be tolerated'A senior European diplomat said that up to 100 suspicious incidents" in Europe this year could be attributed to Russia, as western officials grapple with how to respond to suspected Russian sabotage attempts.Speaking ahead of a meeting with Nato counterparts in Brussels, the Czech foreign minister, Jan Lipavsky, stressed that Europe needs to send a strong signal to Moscow that this won't be tolerated". Continue reading...

Opposition Democratic party lawmakers have called on Yoon Suk Yeol to resign immediately or they would seek his impeachment

Hong Kong carrier removes episode from entertainment system after social media complaint that it might breach national security lawsHong Kong's flagship airline, Cathay Pacific, has apologised over the inclusion of a Family Guy episode in its inflight entertainment system that features a scene depicting Tiananmen Square.The airline told the South China Morning Post it had apologised to customers after a complaint was raised on social media that the episode might breach Hong Kong's national security laws. Continue reading...

This blog is now closed

Nelson and hip-hop star had a rocky relationship, widely known through song lyrics and two defamation lawsuitsDebbie Nelson, the mother of rapper Eminem, whose rocky relationship with her son was known widely through his hit song lyrics, has died. She was 69.Eminem's longtime representative Dennis Dennehy confirmed Nelson's death in an email on Tuesday. He did not provide a cause of death, although Nelson had battled lung cancer. Continue reading...

Forty-eight-hour strike, first at Guardian in more than 50 years, to take place on Wednesday and ThursdayJournalists at the Guardian and the Observer are holding a 48-hour strike in protest at the proposed sale of the Observer newspaper to Tortoise Media.The strike, the first at the Guardian in more than 50 years, is due to take place on Wednesday 4 December and Thursday 5 December. Continue reading...

Police confirm serial killer nurse is being interviewed about cases at a second centre, Liverpool Women's hospitalCheshire police have interviewed Lucy Letby in prison under caution over the alleged murders of more babies she cared for.Letby, a former neonatal nurse at the Countess of Chester hospital was convicted of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder six others, with two attempts on the life of one of her victims, in August 2023. Continue reading...

Administration of Michel Barnier likely to fall after far-left and far-right opponents table motionsFrance is staring into the unknown as the minority government of the prime minister, Michel Barnier, faces near-certain defeat in a no-confidence vote that could dramatically intensify the political crisis in one of the EU's key member states.If the vote on Wednesday is carried, Barnier's administration, which took office only in September, would be the first in France to be ousted with a motion of no confidence since 1962. Its fall, at the hands of the far-right and leftwing parties, would be a significant blow to Europe weeks before Donald Trump returns to the White House. Continue reading...

Rightwing president backs down after most serious challenge to country's democracy since 1980s

Staff, walking out on day with big impact on operations as outlet releases trademark lists, says firm dragging its feet'The Forbes editorial staff, represented by the Forbes Union, organized a walkout on Tuesday amid ongoing negotiations between the union and Forbes management over raises and salaries.Notably, the walkout was arranged on a day that would have an impact on Forbes operations: the day the business outlet giant plans on releasing its trademark 30 Under 30 lists. The release includes 20 lists of 30 influential people under 30 years old who are recognized for their achievements across several industries. Continue reading...

The competition's youngest contestant scoops the award for animating everyday objects to reflect the pluralities of identity and communityJasleen Kaur has won the 2024 Turner prize for her work animating everyday objects to reflect the pluralities of identity and community.Kaur, 38, the youngest artist on this year's shortlist, was nominated for her exhibition Alter Altar, at Tramway in Glasgow, which featured a range of sculptures and soundscapes. Continue reading...

Tommy Banks had appealed for the pies bearing his name to be given to people in needA van that which was stolen containing 2,500 pies has been found abandoned and its cargo too damaged to eat.The Michelin-starred chef Tommy Banks had appealed to thieves to do the right thing" and give the van's contents, which also included custard and gravy, to people in need. Continue reading...

Lawyers and campaigners hail removal of 47 people from remote Indian Ocean island as a big day for justice'Dozens of people stranded in hellish conditions for more than three years on the remote Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia have arrived in the UK and told of their relief that their journey is over.Lawyers and campaigners hailed the arrival of 47 Sri Lankan Tamils on Monday night as a big day for justice", with a further eight arriving on Tuesday morning from Rwanda, where they had been receiving medical treatment. Twelve children were among them. Continue reading...

Jokes ranging from political puns to Britpop gags were collated by U&Gold in keeping with tradition of lame one-linersWhat do you get if you mix Keir Starmer, Thames Water, and a weight-loss-drug-taking Father Christmas? The top 10 best Christmas cracker jokes of 2024, as voted for by the British public.The jokes were written by members of the public and then posted online, where they were filtered into a shortlist by a panel of judges before being put to an anonymous vote of 2,000 people.Why are pensioners bulk buying-brussels sprouts this Christmas? It's the only way they'll keep the gas flowing this yearWhy is Rachel Reeves in the Nativity this year? She's collecting inn-heritance tax.Why is Santa worried about being stalked? He's surrounded by baby reindeerWho's Santa's favourite member of Oasis? NoelWhy does Father Christmas find going down chimneys easier this year? He's on Ho Ho hozempic.Why aren't there more jokes about receiving Oasis tickets for Christmas? Most people won't get them.What do you call a Belgian reselling tickets at inflated prices? - a Brussels tout.What's the Thames Water advent calendar like? It's full of number 2s.Why did Gareth Southgate get into difficulty with the Christmas Club money? He was always late with his subs. Continue reading...

Data comes as education minister remains stalled in negotiations with states and territories over contributions to Schooling Resource Standard

Israel Katz says Israel will no longer offer Lebanon an exemption and will enforce maximum impact and zero tolerance'Israeli media reports that the cabinet is set to meet in the coastal city of Nahariya on Tuesday, a symbolic show of renewed security in the north after the ceasefire deal with Lebanon came into effect.The move has received some criticism, however, with Hebrew news site Ynet reporting that the heads of local authorities in the north of Israel are angry that they have not been invited to participate. Continue reading...

Company says it hopes sunflower lanyard will help people embrace diversity, value inclusivity and remove stigma'Lego is introducing several characters who wear sunflower lanyards to its brick universe for the first time to raise awareness of a badge worn to indicate someone has a hidden disability such as autism.The world's biggest toymaker is keen to make its brick world better reflect reality and in recent years has added characters of different skin tones and cultures, as well as physical and non-visible disabilities. Figures with limb differences, Down's syndrome, anxiety and vitiligo have also been warmly received by children. Continue reading...

Further cracks appear in street as hole that opened up in village in Merthyr Tydfil continues to expandPeople who have been evacuated from homes perched precariously close to a large - and growing - sinkhole in south Wales that appeared in the wake of Storm Bert fear they may not get back by Christmas.The sinkhole opened up in a cul-de-sac in the village of Pant, Merthyr Tydfil after the collapse of a culvert, a structure that allows water to flow under roads and railways, and led to residents from 29 homes being told to flee. Continue reading...

Company unable to quantify how many customers affected by having their account changed to a smart access' transaction account

Shooting occurred Tuesday after man threatened members of the public and ignored warnings from officers to drop weapon

Legal rebuttals against accusations of misleading shoppers lodged in federal court

Only seven spade-tooth whales have ever been documented, now work is beginning on a specimen that washed ashore in New Zealand in JulyA spade-tooth whale - thought to be the world's rarest whale species - is undergoing dissection in New Zealand, in the first ever examination of a complete specimen.Spade-toothed whales are a type of beaked whale named for their teeth resembling the spade-like flensing" blade once used to strip whales of their blubber. Just seven have been documented since the 1800s, with all but one found in New Zealand. Continue reading...

Double homicide suspect seen boarding plane in Rome after extradition, flanked by Victorian detectives

Police said 86cm stainless steel blade - mounted on a wooden plaque and sold in the hundreds - contravened Japan's firearms and sword control lawFull-size replica swords sold as souvenirs at a popular Harry Potter exhibition in Tokyo have fallen foul of Japan's strict weapons control law and been recalled.The 86cm stainless steel blade, which comes mounted on a wooden plaque, is described on the Warner Bros website that promotes the event as an authentic recreation of Godric Gryffindor's sword". Continue reading...

The supermarket giant filed an urgent application with the Fair Work Commission to end industrial action blocking distribution centres

Advocates argue it's time for youth wages to rise but business groups claim paying more will just push some companies into insolvency

Exclusive: Tom Hayhoe, ex-Tory cabinet adviser, will examine an estimated 7.6bn of Covid-related fraudRachel Reeves is to appoint a health service and regulatory veteran, Tom Hayhoe, a former Conservative cabinet adviser, as her Covid corruption commissioner with the remit of clawing back billions in fraudulent contracts.The chancellor is understood to believe the Treasury can recoup 2.6bn from waste, fraud and flawed contracts signed during the pandemic. Continue reading...

Parties expected to hold talks as election results show incumbents closing in on majority needed to governThe two main centre-right parties in Ireland are expected to start talks on returning to government as the general election put the incumbents within touching distance of forming the 34th Dail.With all Teachta Dala (TD) seats filled by 10pm on Monday evening, Fianna Fail - led by Micheal Martin - and Fine Gael - led by the taoiseach, Simon Harris - won 86 seats, just two shy of the 88 needed for a majority. Continue reading...

White Helmets say at least 18 people killed in strikes on five healthcare facilities including maternity hospitalA wave of airstrikes has pummelled hospitals and neighbourhoods in the rebel-held region of Idlib in northern Syria as Islamist insurgents continued to battle forces loyal to Bashar al-Assad after the militants' lightning assault on Aleppo.White Helmets civil defence forces based in Idlib, from where the insurgents had launched their attack, said Russian airstrikes had struck five healthcare facilities including a maternity hospital. At least 18 people were killed and 35 injured, they said, adding that they feared numbers could rise. Continue reading...

Bombing comes an hour after Israeli PM, Benjamin Netanyahu, vowed a strong' response to Hezbollah's actionIsrael has carried out a series of airstrikes in the Nabatieh district, south Lebanon, in response to Hezbollah rocket fire near a watchtower, the first time the group has attacked Israel since a ceasefire came into effect last week.An Israeli military spokesperson said that the army was attacking targets in Lebanon but would give further details later". An hour earlier, the Israeli PM, Benjamin Netanyahu, promised there would be a strong response to Hezbollah's attack. Continue reading...

Home Secretary says 700m scheme did not result in a single deportation or stop any boats crossing the ChannelA failed Conservative plan to send people seeking asylum to Rwanda spent 50m on flights that never took off, new figures disclose.The Home Office has also revealed that the scheme - which ran under Boris Johnson, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak's administrations - spent 715m over two years on the plan - 15m more than previously claimed. Continue reading...

Wormald will take over from Simon Case on 16 December as the most senior official in the countryKeir Starmer has appointed Chris Wormald, a career civil servant who heads the health department, to become the new cabinet secretary, prompting criticism from Covid bereaved families over his record during the pandemic.In what will be seen by some as a surprise choice, Wormald, who has spent eight years as permanent secretary at the Department of Health and Social Care, will take over from Simon Case on 16 December as the most senior official in the country, an official announcement said. Continue reading...

Exclusive: fears that UK residents could be stranded abroad due to system glitches prompts rethinkMinisters are to postpone a full shift to eVisas next month after concerns that UK residents could be stranded abroad because of glitches in the system, the Guardian has learned.It follows complaints from applicants who have failed to gain access to the new digital immigration system so they can demonstrate they have a right to return to their homes in the UK. Continue reading...

Witnesses say people scrambled to escape after teargas used during pitch invasion at match in NzerekoreAt least 56 people have died and dozens of others were injured in a crowd crush at a football stadium in southern Guinea, authorities in the west African state said.The Stade du 3 Avril in Nzerekore, the country's second largest city, was hosting the final of a football tournament in honour of the leader of the country's junta, Mamady Doumbouya, on Sunday afternoon. Local reports said thousands of spectators were present at the stadium and children were among the victims but did not give a definitive figure in either case. Continue reading...

Redundancies at wealth management company will not affect its 4,800 financial advisers around the UK

But survey finds strong support for under-16s social media ban, despite concerns on how to enforce it

Telcos will be required to either block scam texts or warn recipients they come from unregistered senders in Labor crackdown

France, Germany and Austria are especially hard hit, as British factory owners cut jobs and investment

Centre-left PSD looks to have held off far-right challenge, with 70% of Romanians voting for mainstream partiesRomania's ruling Social Democrat party (PSD) was on course to win the most votes in Sunday's parliamentary elections, holding off a strong far-right surge that could yet deliver the country's presidency to a Moscow-friendly ultranationalist.Amid uncertainty as to whether the constitutional court would on Monday order the first round of the presidential ballot to be rerun, officials said that with 99.5% of votes counted, the centre-left PSD was credited with 22.6% of the vote. Continue reading...

Police detained Zurab Japaridze as he was leaving rally outside parliament against suspension of EU accession talksGeorgian police have arrested a prominent opposition leader after using water cannon and teargas to scatter anti-government protesters who rallied outside parliament for a fourth consecutive night.The protests were sparked by the government's announcement last week that it was suspending talks on joining the EU. Critics saw that as confirmation of a Russian-influenced shift away from pro-western policies, something the ruling party denies. Continue reading...

Aemo says it does not want to directly control people's rooftop solar' but it may be necessary to reduce or cut off power gleaned from the sun

Documents taken during break-in at Nelson Alexander agency in Northcote in October, police allege, and investigation under way