World news | The Guardian

Cloned voice of defence minister, Guido Crosetto, used in some calls asking for money to free kidnapped journalists

Ministers mothball promised reforms to simplify the process amid fears over rise of Reform UK

Barrister claims officers made no meaningful attempt' to investigate the footballer's taxi claim

Raid on Educational Bookshop branches described by rights groups as part of harassment campaign against Palestinian intellectuals

President says minting of low-denomination one-cent coins costs more than their face value, echoing Elon MuskDonald Trump has ordered the US treasury to stop minting new pennies, calling the coins' production wasteful".For far too long the United States has minted pennies which literally cost us more than 2 cents," the president said in a Truth Social post on Sunday night as he left the Super Bowl in New Orleans. Let's rip the waste out of our great nations budget, even if it's a penny at a time." Continue reading...

Local channels show police officer walking up to star as he sings Shape of You and unplugging microphoneEd Sheeran has been stopped by police from busking in India after he was told he lacked permissions.The songwriter was seen singing the hit single Shape of You on a pavement in the southern city of Bengaluru before his concert on Sunday night. Continue reading...

Brandon Russell, 29, found guilty of plan to blow up power grid in Baltimore as jury rejects claims of FBI entrapmentFebruary was to be Brandon Russell's moment: facing federal charges of conspiring to blow up a series of power stations around Baltimore and trigger a citywide blackout, the neo-Nazi figurehead decided to take his case to trial and mount an entrapment defense against the Federal Bureau of Investigation.It did not work. Russell, a 29-year-old native of the Bahamas, had thrown away a promising future involving a college degree at the University of Florida and a national guard position to become a dedicated far-right figurehead previously imprisoned in 2017 over a murderous spat between comrades in the Atomwaffen Division, a neo-Nazi guerrilla group he had founded that was involved in five murders and a number of bomb plots before federal agents dismantled it in 2020. Continue reading...

Activist fund predicted to push for overhaul of oil company's strategy and shake-up of board

US allies criticize Trump's plans as harmful for all parties. Plus, the Forbes 30 Under 30' curseGood morning.Donald Trump has said he will announce new 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports into the US on Monday that would affect everybody", including its largest trading partners, Canada and Mexico, in another major escalation of his trade policy overhaul.How have US allies reacted? Emmanuel Macron, the president of France, said tariffs would harm European economies but also the US, given the level of economic ties. It means if you put tariffs on a lot of sectors, it will increase the costs and create inflation in the US. Is it what your people want? I'm not so sure," Macron said.How are markets reacting? Gold hit an all-time high of $2,900 per ounce, as trade war fears spark a dash for safe assets. Major US indexes - the Dow Jones, S&P 500 and Nasdaq - had modest gains in pre-market trading.What else did Unicef say? Spokesperson Tess Ingram said children in particular have been traumatised by Israel's war on the territory, which has left many communities without adequate healthcare, sanitation, shelter and water. About 700,000 northern Gaza residents fled to southern areas at the start of the war in October 2023, when the Israeli military issued mass evacuation orders. Continue reading...

Simon Vickers stabbed 14-year-old Scarlett with a knife while they were mucking about' in the kitchenA father who murdered his teenage daughter by stabbing her with a knife while they were mucking about" in the kitchen has been jailed for life.A high court judge, Mr Justice Cotter, said Simon Vickers, 50, would serve at least 15 years in jail for killing 14-year-old Scarlett Vickers. Continue reading...

Thousands of customers lose broadband access after power outage following widespread thunderstorms in Sydney and interstate

CCRC staff accuse former chair of insensitive' memos and incumbent chief executive of having finger off the pulse'

Maxwell Mclean says his treatment made an absolute mockery of the freedom to speak up' in the NHSPatient safety is at risk without better protection for NHS whistleblowers, according to a former health service chair who claims he was forced from his job after raising concerns about reviews into preventable baby deaths.Maxwell Mclean, the former chair of the Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS foundation trust, said his treatment made an absolute mockery of the freedom to speak up" in the NHS. Continue reading...

In today's newsletter: As Rwandan-backed M23 rebels seize more territory and the humanitarian crisis worsens, what's the background to the war and prospect of peace?Good morning. Over the weekend, the presidents of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda - Felix Tshisekedi and Paul Kagame - were among those who took part in a regional summit aimed at ending the resurgent violence in eastern DRC. The summit ended with a call for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire. But while there was a lull in the fighting yesterday, many fear that a ceasefire is less likely than escalation to a wider regional war.Rwanda does not officially admit to its involvement in the latest episode of the long-running and devastating conflict in eastern DRC. But M23, an armed group with Rwanda's tacit and practical support, has taken the capital of North Kivu province, Goma, and is now moving south to expand the territory under its control. At stake is control of a mineral-rich region of crucial strategic significance, and the fate of civilians there who are frequently the subject of ethnically targeted attacks - but also the question of whether national borders can act as any sort of constraint.Arms trade | Britain's system for controlling arms exports is broken, subject to political manipulation and has seen conduct that crossed the threshold into complicity with war crimes, a former UK diplomat has claimed. Mark Smith said officials were instructed to manipulate findings on the misuse of UK arms by allies.Immigration | The Home Office is launching a fresh wave of immigration raids as Labour attempts to counter the growing political threat from Reform UK. Amid anger from critics who believe the approach echoes Theresa May's hostile environment" regime, the government will broadcast footage of deportations from detention to removal centres and on to waiting planes.Israel-Gaza war | Israeli forces have withdrawn from the strategic corridor that divides northern and southern Gaza, as part of a ceasefire plan that has brought a fragile pause to the 16-month war. Despite the withdrawal - and the release of hostages and prisoners - little progress has been made on negotiating the second phase of the deal.Air pollution | More than 1,100 people a year in the UK are developing the most prevalent form of lung cancer as a result of air pollution, the Guardian can reveal. Health experts, cancer charities and environmental campaigners said the UK findings were devastating"Trump tariffs | Donald Trump has said he will announce new 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports into the US on Monday that would affect everybody', including its largest trading partners Canada and Mexico, in another major escalation of his trade policy overhaul. Continue reading...

It takes the little people to stand up,' says Andrea Tucker, who was told to repay 4,600 after caring for mother for 15 yearsAn unpaid carer is to challenge in the courts an unfair and nonsensical" demand by welfare officials to repay 4,600 in carer's allowance overpayments, five years after being advised by the same department she was following benefit rules correctly.Andrea Tucker, a part-time charity shop worker who cared full-time for her mother for 15 years, told the Guardian the prospect of going to tribunal had made her ill with stress but she was determined to get justice. Continue reading...

SES responds to more than 500 calls for assistance in NSW and warns drivers to take care after heavy rain

Some areas are relying on supply drops from helicopters and planes as they brace for what may be a long wait for inundated roads to clear

Executives at troubled gambling firm accused by Asic of putting profit over risk management, court hears

Jesse Noakes, 36, and Matilda Lane-Rose, 20, and Emil Davey, 23, fined a total of $6,500 after pleading guilty to unlawful damage and trespass

Exclusive: Aid charities alarmed as decision would come in wake of Donald Trump's decision to freeze USAid activitiesThe UK is poised to cut funding to a global vaccination group that has inoculated more than a billion children in developing countries, a move aid groups say would be counterproductive and cost lives.The expected decision is causing particular alarm given that it would come immediately after Donald Trump effectively shut down the United States Agency for International Development (USAid), halting much of its own vaccination work. Continue reading...

Deputy PM says New Zealand hasn't been adequately consulted on an agreement the Cook Islands leader is expected to sign in Beijing this weekA diplomatic row has erupted between two tight-knit Pacific countries, after New Zealand said the Cook Islands failed to properly consult on its plans to deepen ties with China amid growing concerns over Beijing's push for influence in the region.The Cook Islands was a dependent New Zealand colony from 1901-1965 but has since operated as a self-governing nation in free association" with New Zealand. Its roughly 17,000 citizens hold New Zealand citizenship. There are obligations between the two nations to regularly consult on matters of defence and security. Continue reading...

Result means prime minister Albin Kurti's leftwing party will have to form a coalitionKosovo's ruling Vetevendosje party was on track to win the country's parliamentary election, but will need to negotiate a coalition with other parties to form a government, exit polls and preliminary results showed.With 73% of the votes counted, prime minister Albin Kurti's leftist Self-Determination Movement Party, or Vetevendosje, had won 41.99%. Continue reading...

Victorian premier denies any MPs have told her they want SRL money to be spent elsewhere after byelection battering

Ministers were seeking return of Turnbull-era exemptions ahead of US president's announcement of new duties on steel and aluminium

Almost every Finn has sat on a chair he designed,' his studio says, with his postmodern creations gracing galleries around the worldYrjo Kukkapuro, a renowned Finnish designer whose postmodern style of chairs graced waiting rooms, offices and living rooms across Finland as well as collections in the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, has died aged 91.Kukkapuro died on Saturday at his home outside Helsinki, his daughter, Isa Kukkapuro-Enbom, confirmed in an email on Sunday, as well as in a statement from Studio Kukkapuro, where she is the curator. The cause of death was not disclosed. Continue reading...

Businesses pay hundreds of millions of pounds more and losing trust in HMRC, reports National Audit OfficeAn increasingly complex tax system is burdening the government and businesses with hundreds of millions of pounds more in administration costs, Whitehall's spending watchdog has warned.The report by the National Audit Office (NAO) also said poor levels of service" meant some taxpayers and their representatives were finding it more difficult to deal with their tax matters and are losing trust in HM Revenue & Customs [HMRC]". Continue reading...

Prime minister takes home test at No 10 with soul singer Beverley Knight to promote HIV Testing WeekKeir Starmer has taken a public HIV test in an effort to destigmatise testing for the virus and to highlight HIV Testing Week.The prime minister took a home test at 10 Downing Street alongside the soul singer Beverley Knight. It's really important to do it and I'm really pleased to be able to do it. It's very easy, very quick," he said. Continue reading...

Legalise Loos initiative intended to halt slump in number of conveniences in town centres, parks and other locationsIt will involve spending more than a penny, but it's a call that is likely to be viewed sympathetically by anyone who has ever been caught short while out and about.A campaign has been launched to make the provision of public toilets a legal requirement for central government and local authorities after a slump in the number of loos in town centres, parks and other locations. Continue reading...

Labour's boasts about tough immigration stance prompt disquiet in party as it attempts to counter Reform threatThe Home Office is launching a fresh wave of immigration raids for illegal working and boasting of record numbers of deportations as Labour attempts to counter the growing political threat from Reform UK.Ahead of the second reading of the new border security bill today, officials announced that both illegal working visits and arrests since Labour came to power had soared by about 38% compared with the previous 12 months. Continue reading...

Singer was due to perform Sunday night but authorities worried large blockage could cause sewage to back up in venue toilets

Misconduct hearing found Tyler Coppin had breached standards of professional behaviour over offenceAn Essex police officer has been sacked after admitting tragedy chanting" at Liverpool fans during a Premier League match last year.Essex police instigated misconduct proceedings against Sgt Tyler Coppin after he pleaded guilty to the public order offence during the Liverpool game against Chelsea at Anfield last October. Continue reading...

Forces withdraw from area that bisects the northern and southern halves of the Gaza Strip to the buffer zone, as part of ceasefire agreement with Hamas

Synod was asked to bring in alternatives for Eucharist, but says believers can still take part without consuming bothIt's the ancient ritual that unites millions of Christians in faith - but the Church of England is facing accusations that holy communion excludes non-drinkers or worshippers with dietary intolerances.C of E guidance determines the type of bread and wine that can be consecrated as part of the Eucharist ritual, which symbolises Jesus Christ's sacrifice, death and resurrection and commemorates the Last Supper. Continue reading...

Three men taken to hospital, two with serious injuries, after incident in Stoneybatter neighbourhoodA man has been arrested after three people were injured in a suspected knife attack that has left a Dublin neighbourhood in a state of shock".Irish police said they were responding to a serious incident after about 3pm on Sunday. Continue reading...

Review into accountability soon to report as police seek greater protection from prosecution over use of forcePolice want changes to the law giving them a licence to kill", leading rights groups have warned as the government prepares to give officers new protections from prosecution.A government-ordered review into police accountability is expected to report within weeks. It followed fears of a walkout by angry armed officers in London after a police marksman, Martyn Blake, was tried for murder over the shooting of Chris Kaba. Blake was acquitted in October by a jury in three hours. Continue reading...

Israel says it will not agree to full withdrawal until Hamas's military and political capabilities have been eliminated

Industry insiders say it will be tricky' to find suitable candidate who would agree to location and civil service payBritain's state-owned energy company faces a challenging" task to find a chief executive for its Aberdeen HQ when it begins recruiting this month, senior industry sources have said.Great British Energy is poised to begin the hunt, but sources claim there are still no obvious frontrunners for the top job almost six months after the 8.3bn publicly owned clean energy company was formed. Continue reading...

Voters who have become victims of crime wave linked to cocaine trade will determine outcome of presidential electionEcuadorians are voting in a presidential election that has shaped up to be a repeat of the 2023 race, when they chose a young, conservative millionaire over the former leftist president's protege.Luisa Gonzalez and the incumbent, Daniel Noboa, are the clear frontrunners in the pool of 16 candidates. All have promised to reduce the widespread crime that pushed the country into an unnerving new normal four years ago. Continue reading...

An investigation found the pair had no case to answer and that the trust had breached its own disciplinary policyTwo NHS professionals were investigated and barred from their workplace for expressing interest in organising a peaceful protest in support of Palestine during their lunch break.The therapist and nurse were accused of posing a threat to the personal safety" of the staff at Kensington and Chelsea child and adolescent mental health service, and of bringing the trust into disrepute" for considering the demonstration. Continue reading...

Singer says he cried happy, childlike tears' after placing winning bid on late comedian's glasses and pipe at auctionRobbie Williams has said he bought Eric Morecambe's glasses for 20,000 at auction as the comedian was an uncle of sorts" whose spirit has been salve for my soul".The singer said he cried happy, childlike tears" after winning the bidding war last month with a final offer far exceeding the 2,000 to 4,000 estimate. Continue reading...

Campaigners demand government issue formal apology to women forced to give up their babies in 1950s-70sTime is running out for the UK government to issue a formal apology to women who were forced to give up their babies for adoption in the 1950s, 60s and 70s, campaigners have warned.Most of the estimated 185,000 women involved in forced adoptions are now in their 70s and 80s, and some have died without an apology on behalf of the state being issued. Continue reading...

Two-thirds of retirees in private rentals live in poverty, Grattan report finds, with more than half reporting net worth of less than $25,000

Local authorities urged to intervene earlier and charity preparing to launch dedicated support groupI don't remember ever having had a home-cooked meal," says Richard, crunching over the food wrappers and crushed cardboard boxes that cover his mother's kitchen floor.He glances at the broken cooker, cracked microwave and windows blocked by piles of unwashed mugs, some inexplicably tightly wrapped in cellophane. There are no clear surfaces. Blackened, disintegrating cabinets sag under yet more wreckage. Not an inch of floor can be seen. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Poll reveals 72% of UK voters favour ban on zero-hours contracts, including majority of Tory and Reform supportersLabour should fight Conservative and Reform criticism of a major expansion in workers' rights because it has an indisputable mandate" from the public, trade unions and MPs have said, after the biggest poll conducted on the issue showed huge support.A mega-poll of 21,000 people, including deep dives into Reform constituencies, showed the ban on zero-hours contracts and other protections for workers were backed by the vast majority of voters for Nigel Farage's party. Continue reading...

Best European film at Goya awards goes to musical at centre of storm over past social media posts written by its starThe multi-Oscar-nominated narco-musical Emilia Perez, whose success has been overshadowed by the emergence of a series of racist and Islamophobic social media posts written by its star, Karla Sofia Gascon, won best European film at Spain's prestigious Goya awards on Saturday night.Gascon, the first out transgender woman to be nominated for a best actress Oscar, stayed away from the ceremony after posts came to light in which she called George Floyd a drug addict swindler", denigrated China, and said Islam was becoming a hotbed of infection for humanity". Continue reading...

Minister says Labour is looking into whole incident' as Andrew Gwynne sacked over allegedly offensive messagesLabour has launched an urgent investigation into a WhatsApp group in which the Labour MP Andrew Gwynne posted completely unacceptable" messages, a minister has said.Gwynne, 50, was sacked as a health minister after reports he shared racist remarks about Diane Abbott and sexist comments about Angela Rayner, and joked about an elderly woman dying before the next election. Continue reading...

Corruption in Mexico is a problem, experts say, but any claim the two are linked shows a lack of comprehensionMexico breathed a sigh of relief this week when Donald Trump delayed his threatened tariffs by a month, apparently swerving away from an economic crisis at the last moment.But one aspect of the spat still rankles: the Trump administration's vague but shocking accusation of an intolerable alliance" between Mexico's government and organised crime. Continue reading...

Weakened state of three freed Israelis shocks country, while several released Palestinians also need hospitalisationHamas freed three hostages from Gaza and Israel released 183 prisoners and detainees on Saturday, the fifth exchange under a fragile, three-week-old ceasefire deal.The gaunt appearance of the three Israeli men shocked the country, sparking anger and dismay that could increase pressure on the prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, to extend the agreement to a second stage, bringing home the remaining Israeli captives. Continue reading...

The Trump ally's health plans have delighted his supporters - but others are horrified by the potential for harmAmericans suspicious of modern medicine and the status quo are watching Robert F Kennedy Jr's nomination to secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) with a mixture of glee, astonishment and skepticism.Last week, Kennedy used his confirmation hearing before the Senate Finance Committee to demonstrate how fully his wellness agenda, Make America Healthy Again, and Trumpism had fused - often to the delight of supporters. Continue reading...

As Trump aims to dismantle large swaths of US government, growing outcry from Democrats appears to be having an effectWhen organizers announced a Nobody Elected Elon" protest at the treasury department's headquarters in Washington - in response to the revelation that Elon Musk's department of government efficiency" (Doge) had accessed sensitive taxpayer data - not a single Democratic lawmaker had agreed to attend.But as public outrage mounted over Donald Trump's brazen assault on the federal government, the speaking list grew. In the end, more than two dozen Democratic members of Congress including Chuck Schumer, the Senate minority leader, spoke at the event, which drew hundreds of protesters outside on a frigid Tuesday last week. In speech after speech, they pledged to do everything in their power to block Trump from carrying out his right-wing agenda. Continue reading...