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Exclusive: Councils win just 1.2% of tribunals, as experts see signs provision is becoming a battle with desperate families

No quick fix for a system that is failing children and parents and pushing councils into insolvency

Stephen Cottrell admits situation could have been handled differently' as pressure mounts over David Tudor scandalThe archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, has come under increased pressure after reports that he twice reappointed a priest at the heart of a sexual abuse case.A BBC investigation found Cottrell renewed David Tudor's contract as area dean in Essex on two occasions while Cottrell was bishop of Chelmsford. Continue reading...

Charity says thousands of children separated from one of their parents this Christmas are hidden victims of visa rulesThousands of children are facing Christmas with one of their parents stranded abroad due to the Home Office's restrictive visa policies, prompting charities to call the UK one of the worst countries for family reunion.Under family immigration rules, a British citizen or settled resident has to earn a minimum of 29,000 before an application can be made for a visa for a non-UK spouse to live here. Continue reading...

Comments come after Vladimir Putin threatens more destruction' in response to Kazan drone attackVolodymyr Zelenskyy has told Ukraine's diplomats the country will have to fight to persuade allies to allow it to take up Nato membership, but has described the goal as achievable" as it searches for security guarantees to protect it from Russia.The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, has vowed to bring more destruction" to Ukraine after a devastating drone attack on the central Russian city of Kazan and met the Slovakian prime minister, Robert Fico, in a rare visit of an EU and Nato leader to Moscow. Continue reading...

Kim Darroch says Trump's second term will be like a 24/7 bar-room brawl' and UK diplomat needs thick skin'Peter Mandelson will need to make his the most important voice" in Donald Trump's ear when the US president-elect returns to the White House next month if he is to best represent Britain's interests with the potentially chaotic administration, one of his predecessors has said.Kim Darroch, who was the UK's ambassador to Washington for four years from 2016, said Lord Mandelson would also need a thick skin" to weather regular attacks such as that by a key Trump campaign adviser calling him an absolute moron" after his appointment. Continue reading...

German government to investigate whether more could have been done to prevent car attack that killed fiveThe German government has vowed to investigate whether a Christmas market car attack that killed five people and injured 200 could have been prevented, after it emerged that authorities had received multiple warnings about the suspect.Amid mounting criticism of Germany's security apparatus, the interior minister, Nancy Faeser, said on Sunday that the heads of the domestic and foreign intelligence services would be questioned by two parliamentary committees next week. Continue reading...

More than 100 Heathrow flights cancelled, along with ferry services between Northern Ireland and ScotlandThousands of people in the UK are facing a Christmas travel nightmare after strong winds led to the cancellation of hundreds of flights and ferries.A Met Office yellow weather warning was in place until 9pm on Sunday from John o'Groats to Land's End, with gusts of up to 60mph widespread and some as strong as 70mph on hills and around exposed coasts. Continue reading...

Every day we see people scavenging through trash looking for food or material to burn for warmth,' says UN agency spokespersonTurkey's foreign minister, Hakan Fidan, has met with Syria's de facto leader Ahmed al Sharaa - also known as Abu Mohammed al-Golan - in Damascus, Turkey's foreign ministry has said. No further details were provided. Fidan said yesterday that Turkey will do whatever it takes" to ensure its security if the new Syrian administration cannot address Ankara's concerns about US-allied Kurdish groups it views as terrorist groups (see post at 10.32 for more details). Fidan also said that the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, led by al Sharaa and which swept into Damascus to topple Assad early this month, had excellent cooperation" with Ankara in the battle against Islamic State and al-Qaeda in the past through intelligence sharing.Here are some of the latest images sent to us over the newswires from Gaza: Continue reading...

Venue's return after delays and soaring costs will usher in exciting phase' in Scottish theatre, says artistic directorThe long-awaited reopening of the Citizens theatre in Glasgow will mark a turning point for Scottish drama in 2025, with new artistic leadership across venues, including the Hollywood star Alan Cumming at Pitlochry Festival theatre, and a renewed determination to champion work beyond London.The Citizens will return to its historic Gorbals home after the first major refurbishment of the category B listed building since it began life as a working theatre in 1878. Continue reading...

Top prize, known as El Gordo or the Fat One, won by ticket holders in the northern city of LogronoPlayers with winning tickets in Spain's huge Christmas lottery draw celebrated with sparkling wine, cheers and hugs on Sunday in a 200-year-old tradition that marks the beginning of the festive season.The total prize pot in the state-run national lottery event reached 2.71bn (2.25bn) this year, slightly more than last year's 2.59bn Continue reading...

Sales of Christmas cards are down as soaring price of stamps means many people opt for digital festive greetingsThe soaring price of stamps has cast doubt on the future of Christmas cards, but despite the money and time involved it seems gen Z want to keep the festive tradition likened to sending a long distance hug".This year, sales of boxed cards are down 23%, and individual Christmas cards 15%, according to John Lewis's annual shopping trends report, but people have embraced Instagram or WhatsApp to share festive greetings, or sent e-cards. Some send a combination. Continue reading...

Guards at Silverwater deliberately turned off the water to Simon Cartwright's cell to punish him and joked it was entertaining'

Items in special exhibition displayed for first time include copy of David Copperfield taken by Scott to AntarcticaA seal blubber-stained copy of David Copperfield which survived Captain Robert Falcon Scott's 1910 expedition to Antarctica and a draft of Charles Dickens's public letter announcing his separation from his wife will form part of an exhibition marking the centenary of the opening of the writer's former London house as a museum.Hundreds crammed inside the Georgian terrace in Bloomsbury in 1925, spilling on to the pavement, as 48 Doughty Street was saved from demolition 55 years after the death of its most famous resident. Continue reading...

Vui government seeks to stop unrest over Novi Sad canopy collapse spreading to secondary education sectorSchools across Serbia will close for the winter holidays a week earlier than planned this year as the government of the nationalist president, Aleksandar Vui, seeks to stop anti-corruption protests that have gripped universities from spreading to the secondary education sector.The education minister, Slavica uki Dejanovi, announced on Friday that primary and secondary schools across the country would close from Tuesday, rather than Monday 30 December, citing concerns over the safety and quality of children's education amid the stop, Serbia" protests. Continue reading...

Diageo also reportedly puts shipments for North America on standby for potential diversion to keep up with thirstGuinness is raiding its reserves in Ireland to boost shipments to the UK, where a social media-fuelled surge in demand has left some pubs facing shortages.The reserves - known as security stocks - are usually earmarked for Irish customers but are now being used to ease pressure on publicans in the UK who have struggled to keep up with new fans after a marketing push in recent years. Continue reading...

Exclusive: unions could back legal action against firms such as Harrods that levy a charge that is not passed on to staffWorkers are considering legal action against a swathe of upmarket London restaurant owners including Harrods, the Savoy Grill, the Ivy and the Wolseley that add a cover charge to diners' bills that does not go to workers.Legislation that came into force in October requires business owners to hand over all tips and service charges to staff. However, a number of restaurants add a mandatory cover charge as well as a service charge and only pass on the latter to workers. Continue reading...

Charity directors praise generous contributions given to support victims of conflict and war

Removal of director from band's parent company threatens to derail Netflix adaptation of divisive memoirA movie based on New York band the Ramones could be coming apart after a legal battle that in many ways mirrors the trajectory of the dysfunctional punk pioneers.After years of legal turmoil over the Ramones estate, co-owned by the families of late singer Joey and guitarist Johnny, a legal ruling appears to have put a stop to a Netflix book adaptation of the band's story by the singer's brother. Continue reading...

A diary bought at auction reveals the antics of two intrepid gourmands in search of the perfect English ChristmasOn 23 December 1935, a woman called Mouse" set off from her home in Earl's Court in search of Christmas in England.In some remote corner of this island there must be a shining blazing hearth, beams laden with holly and mistletoe, and bustling happiness when the turkey and the plum pudding are cooking away in the big, old fashioned oven," Mouse writes of her festive road trip in a diary that has been bought at auction by the Dorset History Centre with funding from charitable organisation Dorset Archives Trust - and is an invaluable source for social historians. Continue reading...

Hewlett Packard, American Express and Pfizer among firms to have frozen increases in payouts despite inflationSome of the world's richest companies are accused of exploiting a loophole in pension law to freeze increases in payouts for many former UK employees, despite the cost of living crisis.The companies, which include Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), American Express and Pfizer, are being urged to do the right thing" and increase these frozen pension payouts in line with inflation. MPs have condemned the failure of companies to increase the payments in the face of high inflation in recent years as heartless" and unethical". Continue reading...

Final outcome expected after rigging allegations, weeks of protests and crackdown in which dozens have been killedMozambique is on edge ahead of a ruling expected on Monday to determine the final results of October's disputed elections, after allegations of rigging triggered weeks of protests in which security forces have killed dozens of people.The opposition presidential candidate Venancio Mondlane has threatened chaos" if the constitutional council confirms the initial election results, which gave the ruling party candidate, Daniel Chapo, 70.7% of the vote and Mondlane 20.3%. Continue reading...

Disturbing discovery of animals cared for by students made at Corrimal high school, south of Sydney

The Thistle in Glasgow aims to save lives by providing a supervised environment in Europe's drug deaths capital'The UK's first official facility for consuming illegal drugs opens in Glasgow within a month, a move that experts and campaigners hope will bring major changes to drug policy.The pioneering safer drug consumption facility", named the Thistle, was due to open on Hunter Street, in the city's east end, earlier this year but was delayed by building tests. Continue reading...

Advertising regulator reprimands services that claim to offer unbiased advice but then direct people to partner facilitiesHelplines that claim to offer free" and impartial" addiction support have been reprimanded by the advertising watchdog for hiding the fact they are paid thousands in commission by private rehabilitation clinics.Amid record drug death rates and high demand for services, one website is promising free, impartial, expert" advice for those trying to find the best treatment. Continue reading...

Women are challenging the law that prevents them giving their kids both family names without father's consentWhen 43-year-old Rebecca Lee took her birth mother's Korean surname, it was a revelation. I was adopted and got a Dutch name but I never felt completely Dutch," she says. When, a few years ago, I first went to Korea, things fell into place. You don't just go one, two, three' and change your name, but now I feel more whole."The entrepreneur from Groningen split from her husband and wants to give her five-year-old daughter Lee" as part of a double-barrelled surname - but she cannot, under a Dutch law that some women, a leftwing MP and legal experts believe is unfair. Continue reading...

Automatic cameras in the Brazilian rainforest show images of the Massaco people, who are flourishing despite environmental threats

Opposition leader says there is now a definite absolute majority' of MPs who want Deeming to be welcomed back

Police search for two men after 23-year-old found dead on Railway Parade in Caboolture, north of Brisbane

The sinking comes less than four days after another boat capsized in the country's north-east, leaving 25 people deadA ferry overloaded with people returning home for Christmas capsized on the Busira River in north-eastern Congo, leaving 38 people confirmed dead and more than 100 others missing, officials and eyewitnesses said on Saturday.Twenty people have been rescued so far. Continue reading...

Magnitude 6.1 quake shakes country's main island as RAAF flights carrying 144 passengers land in Brisbane and Sydney

Firefighters battle to contain out-of-control blaze ahead of hotter conditions on Boxing Day

Military says the strikes aim to disrupt and degrade' Houthi operations such as attacks against US navy warships and merchant vesselsThe US military said it conducted precision airstrikes on Saturday against a missile storage facility and a command-and-control facility operated by Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen's capital, Sana'a.In a statement, the US military's Central Command said the strikes aimed to disrupt and degrade Houthi operations, such as attacks against US navy warships and merchant vessels in the southern Red Sea, Bab al-Mandeb and Gulf of Aden". Continue reading...

Albanese government bows to pressure from Qantas and other airlines and omits compensation scheme from aviation customer rights charter

Plan for pregnant royal go overseas for festive period scrapped after doctors advise against travelPrincess Beatrice will be joining the royal family at Sandringham this Christmas after changing her travel plans due to medical advice, it is understood.Beatrice and her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, are expecting their second child in early spring and were planning on spending the festive period overseas with his parents. Continue reading...

Travellers urged to allow more time for journeys amid perfect storm' of festive season and bad weatherSome flights and ferries were cancelled on Saturday amid a perfect storm" of the Christmas getaway and bad weather.The disruption has been caused by strong gusts after the Met Office announced yellow warnings for parts of the country. Continue reading...

Dawn of shortest day of year welcomed with drumming, chanting and singing at neolithic monument in WiltshireThousands of people greeted the dawn with cheers and applause at Stonehenge on Saturday as they marked the winter solstice.Those who observed the spectacle at the neolithic monument in Wiltshire encountered a windy morning as they marked the shortest day of the year. Continue reading...

Child among five dead while 40 people remain in critical conditionBild, German public-service broadcaster ARD and other media are reporting that four people were killed and 41 were seriously injured in the attack.In addition, 86 people were treated with significant injuries in hospital, while 78 people suffered light injuries. Continue reading...

Saudi national, alleged to have killed five and injured more than 200, had issued a warning on social mediaA Saudi national alleged to have carried out a deadly attack on a Christmas market in the German city of Magdeburg, which killed five and injured more than 200, had warned on social media that something big will happen".The 50-year-old doctor is in police custody after a black BMW SUV ploughed 400 metres through a crowded market at speed, driving over some people and flinging others up into the air. A nine-year-old girl is among the dead. Continue reading...

Prime minister announces move after meeting with parents' groups and teachers over social media fearsAlbania has announced a one-year ban on TikTok following the killing of a teenager last month that raised fears over the influence of social media on children.Edi Rama, the prime minister, confirmed the ban, part of a broader plan to make schools safer, after meeting parents' groups and teachers from across the country. Continue reading...

Singer says successful operation is best Christmas present I could've wished for'Max George, a member of the boyband the Wanted, has revealed he has had a pacemaker fitted after an operation to address a 2:1 heart block.George, 36, who announced he had been taken to hospital due to issues with my heart" earlier in the month, said the pacemaker was the best Christmas present". Continue reading...

Further 13 people taken to hospital after vehicle crashed into lorry then burst into flamesAt least 38 people have been killed in a tragic" traffic collision between a bus and truck in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, the Associated Press reported, citing fire department officials who attended the scene. The death toll had initially been put at 22.A further 13 people were taken to hospitals near the city of Teofilo Otoni. Continue reading...

Nigel Farage's party is building on the unpopularity of the government and is set to challenge it in next year's pollsFor many Labour and MPs and party officials, it was a nightmarish image that encapsulated the forces buffeting politics across the west.A gleeful Nigel Farage standing next to Elon Musk, the world's richest man, having discussed the possibility of a political donation big enough to bankroll any British party, with cash to spare. Continue reading...

Government fears moves to curb any potential cash from the tech titan could backfire and play into Reform UK's handsMinisters are resisting demands to rush through measures to block Elon Musk from handing millions to Nigel Farage, amid a growing clamour for an overhaul of Britain's political donation laws.The government is facing mounting calls this weekend for an urgent clampdown that would limit the amount a foreign national can donate via their UK-based companies. Continue reading...

Confirmation of role as ambassador to Washington drew attack by Trump campaign adviser on XSenior diplomats have dismissed insults aimed at Peter Mandelson by allies of Donald Trump, saying he has more than enough experience in the hard world of diplomacy to succeed as ambassador to Washington.Foreign Office sources rallied to Lord Mandelson's defence on Saturday after confirmation of his appointment, which prompted a Trump campaign adviser to call him an absolute moron". Continue reading...

Funding from property firms raises questions over loopholes in political finance rulesA secretive group that donated 130,000 to Labour and claimed to be merely a platform for people" is in fact funded by property developers, the Observer can reveal.The firm behind a 200m project to build a skyscraper in Birmingham and three other developers are behind the West Midlands Breakfast Club, which gave money to Labour in February. Continue reading...

Gemma Devonish died after being found with stab wounds at an address in Carshalton on ThursdayA man has been charged with the murder of a 42-year-old teacher who was found with stab wounds in south London.Police were called at about 10.30am on Thursday to reports of a woman found injured at an address in Nutfield Close, Carshalton, the Metropolitan police said. Continue reading...

Failing passenger service is a national embarrassment,' says Greater Manchester mayor Andy BurnhamJust 2% or fewer of trains on some of the busiest Avanti West Coast services between London and Manchester are leaving and arriving on time, analysis of National Rail figures reveals.The operator of West Coast Main Line services remains the worst rail company in the UK for delays despite its pledge of a laser focus" on improving performance. Continue reading...

The 72-year-old is relieved but takes no satisfaction' in seeing other families broken up, lawyer saysIt took just over four years, and 67 days in court, but Gisele Pelicot is said to feel relieved and appeased" about the judges' decision to convict all the men accused of raping or sexually assaulting her while she was drugged and unconscious.After a final declaration that she respected" the sentences handed down in Avignon, her lawyers said she was now absolutely exhausted" and glad the marathon trial was over. Continue reading...

Bridget Phillipson insists move to marking and class preparation out of school would help stem retention crisis