by Josh Halliday North of England editor on (#7055B)
Police seek two men over racially motivated' attack on woman in her 20s in Oldbury, near BirminghamA 10,000 reward has been offered by the Sikh community for information leading to the conviction of two men being sought over the racially motivated" rape of a woman in her 20s.The perpetrators allegedly told the woman you don't belong in this country, get out", as they attacked her on the morning of Tuesday 9 September. Continue reading...
Intervision promises to be lighter on sequins and heavier on patriotic ballads than its European counterpartRussia is gearing up to revive its Soviet-era alternative to Eurovision - the Intervision song contest - which kicks off in Moscow on Saturday, with performers from 23, mostly allied, countries set to take the stage.But sequinned bodysuits, camp theatrics and Europop bangers will be in short supply. Instead, the Kremlin's version of the spectacle promises traditional values", patriotic ballads and a Russian entry led by a fiercely pro-war singer, as Moscow attempts to refashion Europe's glitter-soaked pageant in its own image. Continue reading...
Network Rail says train named after public vote will join fleet of unsung hero' leaf-busters this autumnIf Boaty McBoatface taught us one thing, it's that the public do not take a naming ceremony particularly seriously.Cue the newly named leaf-removal train: Ctrl Alt Deleaf. Continue reading...
Nobel prize-winner says US institutions have collapsed much quicker than expected under the Trump administrationThe Nobel prize-winner Maria Ressa has said Americans are like deer in the headlights" amid the collapse of US institutions and free speech under the Trump administration, particularly after Jimmy Kimmel's suspension.Speaking to Jon Stewart on the satirical news programme The Daily Show, the journalist and author of How to Stand Up to a Dictator, said the speed at which Donald Trump had collapsed" US institutions happened much faster than she anticipated. Continue reading...
by Nino Bucci Justice and courts reporter on (#7053R)
Health regulator places conditions on Dr Christopher Webster's registration over comments made after mushroom lunch murder trialAn Australian doctor who treated triple murderer Erin Patterson and her victims after the deadly mushroom lunch has been slapped with conditions by the health regulator after speaking out about the case.Dr Christopher Webster, a GP in the Victorian town of Leongatha, south-east of Melbourne, was a witness in Patterson's trial earlier this year. Continue reading...
Home Office says man left Heathrow for Paris early on Friday after losing high court attempt to block moveAn Eritrean man has been deported to France under the UK government's one in, one out" deal with the neighbouring country.The man - the second to be deported under the agreement - was on a flight that left Heathrow for Paris at 6.15am on Friday, the Home Office confirmed after he lost a high court attempt to block the move. Continue reading...
by Marjorie Finkeo in Port Moresby, Kate Lamb and Vir on (#7052B)
Beijing's comments come as leading military figures in PNG express concern over a potential defence treaty with AustraliaChina has urged Papua New Guinea not to sign a treaty that could restrict or prevent it from cooperating with another country, days after Australia failed to secure a defence pact with the Pacific nation.In a statement on Facebook late on Thursday, the Chinese embassy in Papua New Guinea said it respected the country's right to conclude a bilateral treaty with other countries on a voluntary basis". Continue reading...
Bali governor says new instructions issued to stop hotels and restaurants being built on productive land, especially rice fieldsIndonesia will ban the construction of new hotels and restaurants built atop cleared rice fields and agricultural land on the popular resort island of Bali, after recent flash flooding killed at least 18 people.A state of emergency was declared on Bali on 10 September after the island experienced the most severe flooding in more than a decade. Continue reading...
Stephen Colbert, Jon Stewart, Seth Meyers, Jimmy Fallon and David Letterman criticize ABC's parent company, Disney, and FCC chief, Brendan CarrLate-night show hosts Stephen Colbert, Jon Stewart, Seth Meyers and Jimmy Fallon and former host David Letterman have all rallied behind Jimmy Kimmel following ABC's decision to indefinitely suspend his popular late-night show after his comments about the rightwing activist Charlie Kirk.In his opening monologue on Thursday night, Stephen Colbert mocked executives at Disney, ABC's parent company, for caving to threats from Brendan Carr, the FCC chairman, when they pulled Kimmel off the air. Continue reading...
Sunday's demonstration in Manila to coincide with anniversary of 1972 martial law declaration as president backs rally in bid to placate angerThousands of people are expected to join a mass protest in Manila on Sunday amid a groundswell of anger in the Philippines against perceived corruption in government-funded flood control projects.Dubbed the Trillion Peso March", the demonstration is named after a Greenpeace estimate of $17.6bn that the environmental organisation alleges is the amount skimmed from climate-related projects in 2023. Continue reading...
by Pippa Crerar, Patrick Wintour and Robert Booth on (#704SK)
US president ends second state visit with warning that illegal migration could destroy the UKDonald Trump has told Britain it should call out the military" to control its borders during a tightly controlled summit in which Keir Starmer ducked major flashpoints with the US president.During a potentially difficult two-day state visit for the government, Trump has for the most part avoided exploiting tensions, although he described the UK's plan to recognise a Palestinian state as one of our few disagreements". Continue reading...
Experts react with concern that increasing the number of vaccinations required will threaten children's healthA powerful vaccines committee for the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) voted on Thursday to change US vaccine policy and start recommending that children receive multiple vaccines to protect against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox, instead of a single vaccine that can protect against all four diseases.The new recommendations from the panel, the advisory committee on immunization practices (ACIP), arrived just one day after top former CDC officials said that Robert F Kennedy Jr was a threat to US children's ability to receive vaccines on schedule. The committee's work typically determines which vaccines are provided free of charge through the US government, shapes state and local laws around vaccine requirements, and influences which vaccines health insurers tend to cover. Continue reading...
PM cannot afford for US president to walk away from Ukraine crisis and must persuade him to publicly support specific Gaza plansWith bear traps avoided and fireworks unlit, Keir Starmer will be delighted that his press conference with Donald Trump lent credence to his claim to be America's first partner in defence, trade and now technology.Trump, for his part, got the great pictures" he wanted and was on his best low-wattage behaviour. He said he did not disagree with his host about much, save Starmer's plan to recognise a Palestinian state. And he teetered on the edge of being diplomatic, at least until he advised Starmer to use the military to stop small boats crossing the Channel. Continue reading...
Phil Appleton, 71, made subject to order preventing him contacting actor and banning him from certain areasThe actor Anna Friel has said she is constantly looking over her shoulder after a man stalked her for three years, telling her she would make the perfect wife" and turning up at her home with a ring.Friel said Phil Appleton, 71, a former pilot and actor, had invaded" her private life and that protecting herself and her family against him had taken up valuable time when she wanted to focus on her acting. Continue reading...
by Haroon Siddique Legal affairs correspondent on (#704MA)
Government should fix broken legal aid system that causes delays, says head of immigration lawyers' associationIn a strongly worded response to a high court decision blocking the removal of an asylum seeker under the one in, one out" scheme, Shabana Mahmood railed at last-minute vexatious claims" and migrants suddenly deciding that they are a modern slave on the eve of their removal".The home secretary's comments cast aspersions on the 25-year-old Eritrean in the individual case and asylum seekers more widely. But those who work in the system believe they do not reflect the reality of the way - and pace at which - the justice system and the framework for identifying victims of modern slavery work. Continue reading...
Tens of thousands more forced to flee makeshift homes and shelters daily in face of new Israeli offensiveMore than a quarter of a million people have been displaced from Gaza City in the last month, according to figures from the UN, with tens of thousands more forced to flee makeshift homes and shelters daily in the face of a new Israeli offensive.Strikes by Israeli artillery, tanks and warplanes hit Gaza City again on Thursday as a UN official said new waves of mass displacement" were under way, after about 60,000 fled the new assault in 72 hours earlier this week. Continue reading...
Trump's press conference with Keir Starmer skirted around several potential topics of conflict - here's what was saidGiven an hour to speak freely in front of the world's media, Donald Trump is always likely to spring a surprise or two.His joint press conference with Keir Starmer at Chequers on Thursday was largely a disciplined performance, skirting around several potential topics of conflict. But it was still full of news, telling details, and startling information and opinions.
Trump was in his own Truman show, everyone else satellites to his ego, even the PM, who was just another beta maleIt takes all sorts. Standing around under gun-metal skies, watching soldiers isn't many people's idea of fun, but world leaders are a different breed. No bit of pageantry and flattery goes unnoticed. So why not give Donald Trump the full Disney treatment he craves? After all, it wasn't as if he was going to be allowed to stray outside the Windsor Castle compound and it was better than making the king sit indoors and watch Fox News.But if Wednesday was the softening up - You're great, you're the best, the world would stop without you. We've never done anything like this for anyone else" Thursday was very much the business end of the state visit. And the one moment of real danger for the US president and Keir Starmer. The Chequers press conference at which everything could go tits up. The one bit of the trip that wasn't entirely scripted. Continue reading...
Ex-Labour leader says legal advice being taken' over issue, while Sultana also claims sexist boys' club' is running partyAn extraordinary split has opened between Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana in the formation of their new leftwing party, with the former Labour leader suggesting he will take legal action over an unauthorised membership portal promoted by his co-leader.Sultana claimed the party was being run by a sexist boys' club" and suggested there were deep disagreements over how to launch party membership - including with the four other MPs in Corbyn's Independent Alliance. Continue reading...
US president also advises PM to use military to stop irregular migration at conclusion of his second state visitDonald Trump has accused Vladimir Putin of letting him down in a joint press conference with Keir Starmer during which the US president piled criticism on his Russian counterpart.Trump said on Thursday that he had hoped to broker a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine soon after entering office, but that Putin's actions had prevented him from doing so. Continue reading...
Trump's officials request an emergency order to remove Cook from the Fed's board of governorsThe Trump administration has asked the supreme court to allow it to fire the Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook, as it continues its extraordinary attack on the central bank's independence.In a filing on Thursday, Donald Trump's officials requested an emergency order to remove Cook from the Fed's board of governors, after an appeals court refused to go along with efforts to oust her.More details soon... Continue reading...
US and UK leaders also quizzed over Gaza and free speech as Trump claims he did not know former US ambassador, Peter MandelsonPresident Trump is now leaving Windsor Castle. He will be flying to Chequers by helicopter.Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian president, has thanked King Charles for what he said at the state banquet last night strongly supporting the Ukrainian cause.I extend my deepest thanks to His Majesty King Charles III @RoyalFamily for his steadfast support. Ukraine greatly values the United Kingdom's unwavering and principled stance.When tyranny threatens Europe once again, we must all hold firm, and Britain continues to lead in defending freedom on many fronts. Together, we have achieved a lot, and with the support of freedom-loving nations-the UK, our European partners, and the US-we continue to defend values and protect lives. We are united in our efforts to make diplomacy work and secure lasting peace for the European continent.Our countries have the closest defence, security and intelligence relationship ever known. In two world wars, we fought together to defeat the forces of tyranny.Today, as tyranny once again threatens Europe, we and our allies stand together in support of Ukraine, to deter aggression and secure peace. And our Aukus submarine partnership, with Australia, sets the benchmark for innovative and vital collaboration. Continue reading...
by Josh Halliday North of England editor on (#704H0)
Unnamed police officer accused of failing to tell others they were not adequately trained for key role they playedA serving senior police officer is facing a misconduct inquiry over their response to the Manchester Arena terror attack.The unnamed officer, who played a key command role on the night of the bombing, is accused of failing to tell others that they, the officer, were not adequately trained. Continue reading...
Bosses say independent news needs to be promoted on social platforms that increasing numbers of viewers are turning toThe BBC and Britain's other public sector broadcasters have united to demand new regulations to force platforms such as YouTube to give them a fairer deal and more prominence, warning that failing to do so will fan the flames of misinformation.Public service broadcasters (PSBs) are facing huge pressures as increasing numbers of viewers turn to digital platforms. Bosses say PSBs need to be protected to safeguard the shared social fabric of the UK". Continue reading...
Greg Abbott's latest move fuels clash between US red states and blue-state shield laws protecting abortion careGreg Abbott, the Republican governor of Texas, on Wednesday signed into law a bill that lets people sue anyone suspected of manufacturing, distributing or mailing abortion pills to or from Texas. The first-of-its-kind law is almost certain to dramatically escalate the state-by-state showdown over abortion laws in the post Roe v Wade United States - especially as some out-of-state abortion providers have already vowed that they will continue shipping pills to Texans.Our mantra as a practice is: No anticipatory obedience'," said Dr Angel Foster, co-founder of the Massachusetts Medication Abortion Access Project (Map), a Boston-area based group that uses telemedicine to ship abortion pills to patients across the United States. We will continue to provide care until we are legally unable to do so in Massachusetts." Continue reading...
Exclusive: Chief inspector of probation says it is inevitable there will be more murders and rapes without an improvementThe Probation Service in England and Wales is failing to monitor and assess tens of thousands of offenders who pose a serious risk to women and girls, a watchdog has told the Guardian.Martin Jones, HM chief inspector of probation, launching a six-month inquiry into failings in public protection, said it was inevitable there would be more murders, rapes and serious sexual offences without an improvement.Information and support for anyone affected by rape or sexual abuse issues is available from the following organisations. In the UK, Rape Crisis offers support on 0808 500 2222 in England and Wales, 0808 801 0302 in Scotland, or 0800 0246 991 in Northern Ireland. In the US, Rainn offers support on 800-656-4673. In Australia, support is available at 1800Respect (1800 737 732). Other international helplines can be found at ibiblio.org/rcip/internl.html Continue reading...
Arun Arora, bishop of Kirkstall, says Christians should not be neutral in the face of violence and injustice'A Church of England bishop has called on Christians to reclaim the flag and their faith from rightwing activists, saying both were being desecrated by people seeking to divide the nation.The Right Rev Arun Arora, the bishop of Kirkstall and the C of E's co-lead on racial justice, made his comments in a sermon days after more than 110,000 people marched through London in a rightwing protest, many carrying crosses. Continue reading...
French president and wife allege rightwing influencer Candace Owens is using defamatory attacks against them to boost media profileThe French president, Emmanuel Macron, and his wife plan to present scientific evidence to a US court to prove that Brigitte Macron was not born a man, the lawyer representing them in a defamation suit has said.The couple filed the suit in July against Candace Owens, a rightwing influencer, and her business, alleging continuing defamatory attacks against them in order to boost the profile of her media platform, gain more audience and make money. Continue reading...
Breaking news: Metropolitan police announce arrests of two men and a womanTwo men and a woman have been arrested in Essex on suspicion of assisting the Russian intelligence service, the Metropolitan police said.The Met said the two men, aged 41 and 46, and a 35-year-old woman were arrested at two separate addresses in Grays on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service and taken to a police station in London. Continue reading...
Sharaz also liable for former defence minister's legal costs on an indemnity basis, which is expected to exceed $500,000David Sharaz has been ordered to pay $92,000 for social media posts the Western Australian supreme court found were defamatory against former defence minister Linda Reynolds.Sharaz, a former journalist and Higgins' now-husband, has also been found jointly responsible for another defamatory tweet to which Higgins responded to, according to the court's orders. Continue reading...
About 800,000 people to demonstrate against budget plans, putting pressure on new prime ministerTeachers, transport workers, hospital staff, pharmacists and public sector workers have gone on strike in France, as trade unions make a rare show of unity to put pressure on the new prime minister, Sebastien Lecornu, to rethink budget cuts and act on wages, pensions and public services.About 800,000 people were expected to join marches across the country on Thursday, in what was expected to be one of the biggest strike days in years. Schools, rail and air transport were affected. Up to 80,000 police were deployed across France from the early morning. Continue reading...
Aerospace firm Honeywell also subject of lawsuit from families of four passengers, who allege negligenceThe families of four passengers who died in the Air India crash in June have sued the aerospace manufacturers Boeing and Honeywell, blaming negligence and a faulty fuel cutoff switch for the disaster that killed 260 people.Air India flight 171 crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad en route to London on 12 June. Continue reading...
Donald Trump wants drastic rate cuts - and his campaign to exert greater political control over the Fed continues apaceThe time has come to ban the revolving door" between the White House and the Federal Reserve, two academics argued last year. Doing so would be critical to reducing the incentives for officials to act in the short-term political interests of the president", they wrote.Eight months ago, the two writers - Dan Katz and Stephen Miran - joined the Trump administration in senior roles. On Tuesday, Miran, the chair of the US Council of Economic Advisers, walked into the Fed as a governor. Continue reading...
Man pronounced dead in hospital after incident in Clissold Park, Hackney, on Wednesday evening and woman still being treatedA man has died and a woman was injured in a shooting at an east London park on Wednesday night.The Metropolitan police said officers responded to reports of gunshots in Clissold Park in Hackney at 7.06pm on Wednesday. Continue reading...
Deal with nuclear-armed Pakistan comes as Gulf Arab states worry about US reliability while Saudi official says pact isn't responding to specific events'Saudi Arabia and nuclear-armed Pakistan have signed a formal mutual defence pact in a move that significantly strengthens a decades-long security partnership amid heightened regional tensions.The enhanced defence ties come as Gulf Arab states grow increasingly wary about the reliability of the US as their longstanding security guarantor - concerns heightened by Israel's attack in Qatar last week. Continue reading...
World news | The Guardian