World news | The Guardian

Small FPV drones, which travel at 37mph, have become ubiquitous, evolving from a novelty to a weapon of choice'Denys, a soldier with Ukraine's Khyzhak brigade, describes a new kind of war. Standing in a barracks workshop with piles of basic Ukrainian First Person View (FPV) drones behind him, he says simply: There are fewer gunfights because there are more drone fights."Frontlines that were once a gunshot apart are now a killing zone several miles deep, as Russian and Ukrainian drone squads, hidden about one- to three miles behind the frontline, target each other's forces with simple aerial attacks. Back in 2022, we were still running around with machine guns from the tree lines," Denys says, almost with nostalgia. Continue reading...

Born Alfred Jesse Smith, his smash title has repeatedly been used in film and television showsThe soul singer Brenton Wood has died at the age of 83, TMZ and Variety reported. Wood's manager, Manny Gallegos, confirmed the news.Wood, born Alfred Jesse Smith, is best known for his 1967 hit The Oogum Boogum Song, which has repeatedly been used across film, television and in commercial campaigns. He died at his home in Moreno Valley, 63 miles east of Los Angeles, Gallegos told the publications. Continue reading...

Bureau of Meteorology says Melbourne's hot weather will peak at 38C on Saturday while Penrith will reach 39C on Sunday and 40C on Monday

Crime scene set up in Springbrook national park after a person discovered what police believe could be a set of human bones

Gabriel Boric is first Latin American leader to reach planet's southernmost point, according to his officeChile's president Gabriel Boric has made a historic trip to the south pole to reaffirm his country's claim to sovereignty" over its part of Antarctica, his office said.Boric is the first Latin American leader to reach the Earth's southernmost point, according to his office. Continue reading...

Speaking at party conference, its leader calls reports of tech mogul's potential $100m donation somewhat overexaggerated'Nigel Farage has hailed Elon Musk as a hero" and said he was very pleased he's backing our party", but he called reports that the tech mogul was preparing to donate $100m (80m) to Reform UK somewhat overexaggerated".Speaking at Reform's East Midlands conference on Friday night, the party leader said Musk's efficiency plan for Donald Trump's government was the blueprint we need" as he called for a complete change of culture in Britain". Continue reading...

Harsh day' of bombardments with several children among dead, says Gaza's civil defence agencyGaza's civil defence agency said about 30 people were killed in Israeli bombardments on Friday, as Hamas said indirect negotiations for a truce in the war were set to resume in Qatar.The Israeli military said three rockets targeted its territory from the Gaza Strip, the latest in a flurry of launches by militants in the devastated Palestinian territory. Continue reading...

Surprise move by Neos raises doubts about viability of forming centrist government excluding far rightThe smallest of three parties in talks to form Austria's next government has unexpectedly quit the negotiations, throwing into disarray an effort to form a centrist ruling coalition without the far-right Freedom party (FPO).The surprise move by the liberal Neos party raised serious doubts about the future of the coalition talks and buoyed the Eurosceptic, Russia-friendly FPO. The FPO has railed against those negotiations since it was shut out despite winning the last parliamentary election in September with 29% of the vote. Continue reading...

Three Republicans voted for someone else, but two later changed their votes while all Democrats backed JeffriesAfter initially facing internal dissent, the Trump-endorsed Republican Mike Johnson secured the House speakership in the first round of voting on Friday.Johnson could not afford to lose more than one Republican vote, and three Republican members of Congress initially voted for someone other than the incumbent speaker. All but Kentucky's Thomas Massie, who backed Minnesota's Tom Emmer, later changed their votes to support Johnson and secure him the 218 votes needed to hold the speakership for his first full term with the gavel. Continue reading...

Skylar Dalziel's hard drives showed access to about 290,000 tracks from artists also including Shawn Mendes, police sayA dark web dealer who stole unreleased music from the likes of Coldplay, Shawn Mendes and Bebe Rexha has been given a suspended 21-month jail sentence.Skylar Dalziel, 22, made tens of thousands of pounds after accessing the copyrighted tracks by illegally accessing cloud storage accounts linked to the artists. Continue reading...

Union calls for regular health checks for 600 Grenfell firefighters after many developed long-term conditionsThe government needs to seriously look" at the effects of toxic smoke inhalation on firefighters who served at the Grenfell Tower fire, a minister has said.The comments from Andrew Gwynne, the health minister, came after the Guardian disclosed that more than a quarter of firefighters who battled against the fire eight years ago have long-term health disorders. Continue reading...

Those close to PM worry voters are running out of patience and want reforms to directly help public

Exclusive: Patients in England to get direct referrals for tests without seeing consultant, but critics say plan is deluded'

Bulletin says vehicle-ramming attacks likely to remain attractive' and urges law-enforcement agencies to be alertUS law enforcement and intelligence agencies are reportedly concerned about copycat vehicle-ramming attacks following the attack in New Orleans by a US military veteran, Shamsud-Din Jabbar.According to a bulletin seen by Reuters, the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security and the US National Counterterrorism Center are concerned about possible copycat or retaliatory attacks". Continue reading...

Firefighters used ropes to descend into decommissioned missile facility and bring boy to safetyFirefighters rescued a teenage boy after he fell into an abandoned missile silo in Colorado, authorities said.On Wednesday, crews from multiple fire stations in Arapahoe county worked to rescue the teenager who accidentally fell approximately 40 to 50 feet into the silo shortly before 4pm, local outlets reported. Continue reading...

Ex-health worker who exposed paedophile ring says billionaire's triggering of row ignores plight of survivorsElon Musk has politicised" the rape of young girls in the UK in an attempt to attack Keir Starmer, a former health worker who exposed a major paedophile ring has told the Guardian.Sara Rowbotham, who gathered evidence that led to the imprisonment of nine men in Rochdale, said the tech billionaire had launched a political swipe" at the prime minister that overlooked the plight of abuse survivors. Continue reading...

Choice of Thilo Mischke, author of Around the World In 80 Women, for ARD's flagship arts show criticisedMore than 100 prominent German writers and artists have signed an open letter refusing to appear on one of Germany's top culture programmes on public television after the broadcaster announced a new host who has been accused of sexism and racism in his writing.ARD said in late December it had picked the author Thilo Mischke, 43, to co-present its flagship culture show, ttt - Titel, Thesen, Temperamente (Titles, Theses, Temperaments), after the programme's veteran host Max Moor stepped aside. Continue reading...

President-elect says USA is breaking down' in bleak post seeming to wrongly pin two violent attacks on immigrationEven by Donald Trump's standards, the message was darkly apocalyptic - evoking memories of the infamous American carnage" image he conjured at his first inaugural address eight years ago.The USA is breaking down," the president-elect intoned grimly in a message posted on his Truth Social platform at six minutes past midnight on 2 January. Continue reading...

Committee chair Layla Moran says doctors' concerns about potential impact on vulnerable patients must be heededIt would be foolish" for the government not to heed warnings from doctors about palliative care as MPs press ahead with assisted dying legislation for England and Wales, the chair of the health and social care committee has said.The bill, which passed its first parliamentary hurdle in November, would give terminally ill adults with six months to live the right to end their lives. It will now be examined by a committee of MPs, who will hear public evidence, starting this month. It is likely to take a number of amendments before it returns to the Commons at the end of April. Continue reading...

Health secretary says initial reports from commission led by Louise Casey will come next yearAs well as being asked about plans for adult social care and a new national care service, Wes Streeting was questioned this morning on the BBC Radio 4 Today programme about progress on assisted dying legislation in England and Wales.As health secretary, Streeting intervened before November's vote, suggesting that legalising assisted dying in the two countries would have resource implications for the NHS, and might lead to healthcare cuts.The bill committee will work through those policy issues before the bill comes back to the Commons as a whole for further amendment, and then a final vote on a third reading before it goes to the Lords.So whatever my misgivings, I've said all the way through this that I've respected parliament, that this isn't the government's responsibility, the government is neutral. That is for the Commons and the Lords to decide. Continue reading...

Vice-president Sara Duterte is facing an investigation over her alleged threat to kill Ferdinand Marcos JrThe Philippine president, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, has removed his vice-president, Sara Duterte, from the national security council (NSC) a month after she allegedly plotted to kill him, according to an executive order released on Friday.The order, signed on Monday by Lucas Bersamin, a lawyer and the Philippines' executive secretary, removed Duterte and all former presidents from the council, which advises the president on policies affecting national security. Continue reading...

Emilia Perez, The Brutalist, Wicked and Conclave aim for awards this weekend but without an Oppenheimer-sized juggernaut, it all remains up in the air

Jean-Noel Barrot and Annalena Baerbock call for peaceful transition in highest-level western visit since Assad's fallThe foreign ministers of France and Germany have said they want a new relationship with Syria and a peaceful, inclusive transition during the highest-level western visit to Damascus since the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime last month.Jean-Noel Barrot and Annalena Baerbock, the first EU ministers to travel to the Syrian capital since rebels seized control on 8 December, held talks with the country's de facto leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, at the People's Palace on Friday. Continue reading...

Civilian and armed groups in conflict-ridden state of Manipur using SpaceX's satellite internet, sources sayElon Musk's satellite-based Starlink - currently unlicensed for use in India - is being used by militant groups in the conflict-ridden state of Manipur to circumvent government internet shutdowns, fighters and security sources have said.The satellite internet service provider, operated by Musk's SpaceX company, is not permitted to legally operate in India amid security concerns but is allowed by Myanmar, which neighbours Manipur. Continue reading...

Thousands of traders face ruin after blaze razes two-thirds of Accra's Kantamanto, which receives an estimated 15m used clothes from global north each weekA huge cleanup operation is taking place after a fire devastated one of the world's biggest secondhand clothes markets.Thousands of traders' stalls were destroyed in the blaze that started at about 10pm on 1 January and consumed large sections of Kantamanto market in Accra, Ghana's capital. Continue reading...

Paetongtarn Shinawatra made required wealth declaration to national anti-corruption commissionThailand's prime minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, has declared 324m in assets including a collection of 217 designer handbags and 75 luxury watches in submissions on her wealth to a government body.Paetongtarn, daughter of the billionaire ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, took office in September, the fourth member of the powerful family to lead Thailand. Continue reading...

Temperatures fall to -8C as Britain braces for week-long wintry spell with health services on high alertTemperatures across the UK have plunged to -8C (17.6F) as the country shivers under an arctic chill expected to bring widespread heavy snow and freezing rain over the weekend.On Friday morning, the Met Office upgraded its weather warning for snow and ice from yellow to amber for much of northern and central England over the weekend, meaning power cuts and travel delays are expected and rural communities could become cut off. Continue reading...

Cloud Bai-Yun was asked to resign from Ecctis, which runs language and qualifications tests for UK visa applicantsAn entrepreneur who represented the UK on an ethics body was asked to resign from a company running government visa services after officials found it made a 13.64m gain on its not-for-profit contract.After the discovery of years of profit-making, the company, Ecctis, repaid the money to the government and a number of executives, including Cloud Bai-Yun, stood down from the firm, which runs language tests and qualification recognition for people applying for UK visas. Continue reading...

Troubleshooter for four previous prime ministers is charged with saving adult social care sector

Anti-corruption officials say they faced human wall of 200 presidential personnel at his official residence

British clothing and home furnishings brand sold by Gordon Brothers to Marquee BrandsLaura Ashley has been acquired by New York-based Marquee Brands, the owner of 17 businesses including Ben Sherman and Martha Stewart.The clothing and home furnishings brand, best known for its floaty floral frocks, has been sold by Gordon Brothers. Continue reading...

Wes Streeting hit back at claims that Casey commission would take too long to act, saying it's reporting next year'

Prefectures in north hit by falls of up to 30cm in a day as similar weather pattern affects parts of north AmericaHeavy snow fell across northern Japan on Thursday, with the prefectures of Hokkaido, Aomori, Yamagata and Niigata particularly affected. Accumulations of 20-30cm over a 24-hour period were recorded across the affected areas, with local totals of more than 30cm near Aomori City.The snowfall was a result of heavy showers generated by a cold airmass moving in from the north-west across the relatively warm waters of the Sea of Japan. This resulted in warming of the lowest levels of the atmosphere, leading to rising motion and convective shower development caused by the increased moisture. Ascent was further aided by the mountainous terrain across northern Japan. Continue reading...

Officials entered the presidential compound to find themselves blocked by troops under the control of the presidential security service

Amazon mandates full five days and BT and Asda want staff in the office three times a week - but not everyone is convinced

Warrants for the arrest of Codye Thomson and Kaine Thomson-Gleeson have been issued over the killing of 23-year-old in Caboolture

Body recovered from water after tragic accident near a picnic area on the Duckholes Trail in Ku-ring-gai Chase national park

The prominence of the US flag at conservative rallies reflects a complex intersection of religion, politics and identity that defines South Korea's far-right movement

Investigations under way after jetski crashed into mangroves on the Barron River north of the Stratford Boat Ramp in far north Queensland

Witnesses say 28-year-old from Port Lincoln was attacked just after 7pm on Thursday while surfing south of Streaky bay on the Eyre peninsula

Helen Pidd attends the PDC World Darts Championship to find out why the sport has grown in popularity in recent yearsEver since the then 16-year-old Luke Littler stormed to the final of the World Darts Championship last year, Britain has gone darts mad.Tickets for this year's tournament sold out in record time. Today in Focus presenter Helen Pidd and producer Tom Glasser were lucky enough to get two, and they went along to see what the fuss is all about. Continue reading...

Eighteen-year-old was stopped in West Tamworth early Friday and allegedly resisted arrest before riding off and crashing into parked car, police say

Man in his 50s was reported missing on Thursday night when he failed to return after attempting a walk from Cockle Creek, on the South Coast Track

But final report on reforms would not emerge until 2028, which health leaders say is kicking crisis into the long grass'

Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia had fled to Spain after Nicolas Maduro declared victory in July electionsVenezuelan authorities have announced a $100,000 reward for information leading to the capture of exiled opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, who insists he beat President Nicolas Maduro at the polls.Police published on social media a photo of the previously little-known ex-diplomat with the word wanted" under the image. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Data from 524 firefighters who risked their lives showed 136 reported life-changing conditionsMore than a quarter of firefighters exposed to toxic smoke during the Grenfell Tower fire have had long-term health disorders, a study shows.Ministers are facing demands for an urgent review after data from 524 firefighters who risked their lives at the 2017 disaster showed that over the first three years, 136 reported life-changing conditions. These included 11 cases of cancer, 64 respiratory diseases, 22 neurological disorders and 66 digestive illnesses. Continue reading...

Suspect, 37, who authorities believe shot and killed himself before Tesla vehicle detonated, served as Green BeretThe person who died when a Tesla Cybertruck packed with explosives burst into flames outside the hotel in Las Vegas part-owned by Donald Trump was a highly decorated US army Green Beret who was deployed twice to Afghanistan, officials have said.The driver and lone occupant of the electric-powered Tesla Cybertruck that caught fire and exploded has been identified as Matthew Livelsberger, from Colorado Springs, Colorado. Continue reading...

Utah-born singer dies at hospital after massive stroke', making him first of hugely successful US pop group to dieWayne Osmond, the smooth baritone of pop group the Osmond Brothers and later the Osmonds, has died at the age of 73. Osmond died at a hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah, after a massive stroke", according to his brother Merrill Osmond.I've never known a man that had more humility," Merrill Osmond wrote on Facebook. A man with absolute no guile. An individual that was quick to forgive and had the ability to show unconditional love to everyone he ever met." Continue reading...

Pro-Russia Moldovan region suffers major hit after Ukraine ends transit agreement, with only food producers functioningThe shutdown of Russian gas supplies to Moldova's breakaway Transnistria region has forced the closure of all industrial companies except food producers.The mainly Russian-speaking territory of about 450,000 people, which split from Moldova in the 1990s as the Soviet Union collapsed, has suffered a painful and immediate hit from Wednesday's cut-off of Russian gas supplies to central and eastern Europe via Ukraine. Continue reading...

Nazir Afzal and police whistleblower Maggie Oliver say previous lengthy inquiries were not acted upon