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Benjamin Netanyahu's office has said the release of hostages will begin on Sunday if the deal passes. Plus, test flight by Elon Musk's SpaceX ends in failure

Overall retail sales volumes fall by 0.3% in December amid weak golden quarter' of trading

If Herbert Kickl becomes chancellor, Vienna will join list of disruptive member states, putting EU policies in perilWhen Austria's Freedom party (FPO) entered government 25 years ago, shock waves reverberated around Europe. Punitive measures were imposed, diplomatic visits cancelled and Belgium even suggested the EU could do without the Alpine country.That was when the far-right party was only a junior coalition partner. This time, the FPO - nativist, anti-immigration and fiercely critical of the EU - is in the driving seat. Its leader, Herbert Kickl, is in pole position to be Austria's next chancellor. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Majority polled by YouGov viewed billionaire negatively - except among Reform UK and AfD votersMost people in the UK and Germany consider Elon Musk's efforts to influence their national politics unacceptable and believe the US tech magnate does not know much about either country or the issues they face, a poll has shown.The survey, by YouGov, follows a spate of hostile statements by the billionaire owner of Tesla, SpaceX and the social media platform X attacking the British prime minister, Keir Starmer, the German chancellor, Olaf Scholz, and their respective governments. Continue reading...

UK phone, broadband and pay-TV firms can no longer impose hikes linked to unknown future rates of inflationMillions of consumers will be protected from nasty surprises" from Friday as new rules take effect that mean telecoms firms must tell people upfront - in pounds and pence" - about any future price rises.It means mobile phone, broadband and pay-TV companies are now banned from imposing mid-contract price increases linked to unknown future rates of inflation. Continue reading...

Review of labelling's effectiveness finds average reduction is equivalent of 11 calories in a typical 600-calorie mealCalorie labels on menus and food packets encourage people to choose healthier options but only to the tune of 11 calories - the same as a single Pringle crisp.That is the finding of a study into how effective menu listings are at prompting consumers to select less calorific food. Continue reading...

Steven Spielberg, Nicolas Cage, Ron Howard and others share their respects for film-maker who died this week at 78

Police watchdog says suspension of Jason Hogg is neutral act' and should not be seen as indication of guiltThe head of Thames Valley police has been suspended with immediate effect amid allegations of gross misconduct.Chief constable Jason Hogg is being investigated by the Independent Office of Police Conduct, the police watchdog said on Thursday, after concerns were raised about the failure to investigate the conduct of a colleague. Continue reading...

James Clarkson, 20, hit the jackpot in first national lottery draw of 2025 but was back at work on Monday morningHis luck began on Christmas Day. After winning 120 in the Lotto Christmas Day Draw, 20-year-old James Clarkson decided to buy five lottery tickets for the first draw of 2025 - and won 7.5m.Clarkson, a trainee gas engineer from Carlisle, was staying over at his girlfriend's house when he discovered he had hit the jackpot on 4 January. Continue reading...

Joint project between Guardian and city's Science and Industry Museum will open in early 2027The role transatlantic enslavement played in shaping Manchester is at the heart of a new exhibition developed in partnership by the Guardian and the city's Science and Industry Museum.The exhibition is the first time the museum, which tells the story of Manchester's transformation into the world's first industrial city, has put the links between enslaved African people, cotton and the city at the centre of a display. Continue reading...

Yvette Cooper's unveiling of a rapid review of evidence, after week of arguments against new inquiry, has already been called inadequateWhen is a U-turn not a U-turn? When it is less a complete volte face and more of a change of direction. The question looms over Keir Starmer, whose announcement of a review into grooming gangs is his second such positional pivot this week alone.On Tuesday, the Treasury minister, Tulip Siddiq, departed over her links to much-disputed claims of family corruption centred on her aunt, the former president of Bangladesh. Downing Street had insisted for days that the facts must first be established. Continue reading...

Anne, 53, was scammed out of hundreds of thousands after believing she was in a long-term relationship with the actorA spokesperson for Brad Pitt has addressed the viral story about a French woman who believed she was in a long-term relationship with the actor and was scammed out of 830,000 ($854,940, 700,000) by someone posing as him.It's awful that scammers take advantage of the strong bond between fans and celebrities," the spokesperson said in a statement obtained by E! News. But this is an important reminder not to respond to unsolicited online outreach, especially from actors who have no social media presence." Continue reading...

Elianne Andam was stabbed to death by friend's ex-boyfriend Hassan Sentamu after dispute outside Croydon shopping centreElianne Andam was known, above all, for her caring nature. During her memorial service, her father recounted an evening when she found six snails flushed out on the pavement due to the rain. She picked up the slimy creatures" and moved them out of harm's way so they would not die prematurely. Oh, the irony," her father said.On 27 September 2023, Andam stood up for her friend, who had recently broken up with her boyfriend. They met Hassan Sentamu, who was 17 at the time, to exchange items. Her friend handed a bag to Sentamu but he failed to hand over her items, including a teddy bear she wanted back. Continue reading...

Relatives of some of 98 still believed held by Hamas describe being in limbo but remain cautiously optimistic'

Judge rules former president's passport will not be returned in case he uses it to flee abroad amid coup investigationBrazil's former president Jair Bolsonaro - who is under investigation for allegedly plotting a coup - has seen his hopes of attending Donald Trump's inauguration dashed after a judge ruled his confiscated passport would not be returned in case the disgraced politician used it to flee abroad.Bolsonaro's travel document was seized by federal police last February as investigators deepened their inquiries into what they call a sprawling conspiracy to dismantle Brazil's 40-year-old democracy. Continue reading...

Summer Betts-Ramsey and three others given youth detention for attack on victim who had misled one of the defendants over gender identityA woman who carried out a transphobic stabbing attack motivated by a distorted notion of revenge" has been sentenced to more than eight years in youth detention.The victim, a transgender woman who was 18 at the time, was stabbed nine times in Harrow last February in an attack involving five young people wearing masks, the Old Bailey heard. Continue reading...

Hamas, Hezbollah and other militia are enfeebled - but Palestine is likely to stay at forefront of global politics

Exclusive: MPs warned not to invite Russian diplomats to parliament after incident said to have alarmed ministersRussian diplomats accessed a private area of parliament in a major security breach just before Christmas that has alarmed security officials and prompted private warnings from the speakers of both houses, the Guardian understands.The small group of diplomats joined a public tour of the Houses of Parliament and then broke off to enter a part of the House of Lords that was out of bounds, before they were found by security and thrown out. Continue reading...

Authorities had threatened to remove and even euthanise the animal farmer Elodie Cappe had taken in as a pigletA wild boar adopted by a French horse breeder can remain with her owner, a court has ruled, after authorities' threats to remove and even euthanise her triggered a storm of protest.Found as a tiny piglet near rubbish bins outside a horse farm in Chaource, central France, in April 2023, Rillette has grown into a large sow who runs around with the horses and dogs on the farm. Continue reading...

Migration NGO says at least 10,457 people died while trying to reach Spain by sea last yearAs many as 50 people are thought to have died after a boat bound for the Canary Islands got into difficulties after a 13-day voyage along the perilous Atlantic migration route from west Africa.The migration NGO Caminando Fronteras (Walking Borders) said the boat set off from Mauritania on 2 January carrying 86 people. It said it alerted the Moroccan and Spanish authorities after receiving reports that the boat was trouble, and that Moroccan rescuers had managed to save 36 people. But 50 of those onboard, most of them from Pakistan, are feared drowned. Continue reading...

Hassan Sentamu stabbed Elianne, 15, in neck outside shopping centre in September 2023A teenager has been found guilty of the murder of a 15-year-old girl after a row over a teddy bear.Hassan Sentamu, who is now 18, admitted manslaughter after stabbing Elianne Andam in the neck outside the Whitgift Centre in Croydon, south London, in September 2023. Continue reading...

Inauguration on track to be coldest in 40 years as more than 300 million people could be hit by below-average freezeArctic air is expected to sweep across much of the United States later this week and into next week, bringing dangerously cold temperatures and severe wind chills.The National Weather Service has warned that this frigid air will move over the Rockies and Great Plains on Friday and by Saturday night, it will head toward the Gulf coast and midwest, reaching the east coast by Sunday night. Continue reading...

TV host claims in Breakfast Club interview she is experiencing emotional abuse' after entering care facilityWendy Williams has spoken out about her court-mandated guardianship in a rare interview on Thursday morning, saying that it makes her feel like I'm in prison".The longtime TV host and personality called into the popular Breakfast Club radio show for an interview, in which she discussed her current situation living in a care facility. Williams has largely been out of the public eye since 2021. Continue reading...

Latest world report by Human Rights Watch describes Australia as a vibrant democracy ... marred by some key human rights concerns'

Proposal follows loss of constitutional payment given to opposition parties

Hamas said it was committed to the terms of the deal announced on Wednesday. Plus, the climate crisis could cause economic growth to fall 50% over 20 years'

Boys aged 15 and 16 to appear in youth court over fatal stabbing on bus in Woolwich last weekTwo boys aged 15 and 16 have been charged with the murder of 14-year-old Kelyan Bokassa, who was fatally stabbed on a bus in Woolwich, south-east London, the Metropolitan police have said.The teenagers will appear at Bromley youth court later on Thursday. Continue reading...

After a tough start to the year, the chancellor's desire to kickstart growth' is unlikely to happen quickly

Woman, 62, suffered traumatic shock and died shortly after collision with British man, 35, on black run in Les ArcsAn investigation is under way after a British woman died after a violent collision" on a ski slope in south-east France.The woman, 62, experienced traumatic shock and died shortly after the collision, according to the French news outlet Le Dauphine Libere. Ski patrollers, an emergency doctor and teams from Courchevel ski resort were unable to resuscitate her. Continue reading...

Fair Work Commission puts interim pause on approval for industrial action after second day of delays for commuters

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Online advertisement by PIA is called stupidity' by finance minister, who said PM Shehbaz Sharif had ordered an investigationPakistan's prime minister has ordered an investigation after the country's national airline released an advert that drew accusations that it evoked imagery of the 9/11 attacks.The advert was released by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) last week to celebrate the resumption of flights to Paris, which had been suspended for four years over safety concerns about its pilots. Continue reading...

Police allege woman, 34, filmed girl in immense distress' and used videos to entice monetary donations and online followers'

Two countries to sign deal to deepen existing defence relationship and boost economic links in non-military areasKeir Starmer has travelled to Ukraine to meet Volodymyr Zelenskyy for the first time since he entered Downing Street, hailing a closer than ever" partnership days before Donald Trump returns to the White House.The two countries will sign a partnership deal to deepen the existing defence relationship, with further military assistance to Kyiv on offer amid concerns the US could start to wind down its support. Continue reading...

Thinktank's report details decline in trading position and also calls for new strategy as Trump takes power in USA slump in trade with the EU should spur ministers to negotiate a fundamental rewrite of post-Brexit rules to more closely align the UK with Brussels, a leading left-of-centre thinktank has said.Donald Trump's arrival in the White House next week should also encourage the government to get on the front foot in trade agreement talks with the US to support the growth of UK exports, said the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR). Continue reading...

People should not be punished for honest mistakes, says watchdog, amid concern at fare evasion measuresTrain firms have been urged by the rail passenger watchdog to give a yellow card" to people travelling without the correct ticket rather than rush to fines or prosecution.Transport Focus said a new system was needed to ensure that passengers who had made an honest mistake were not punished unfairly, amid growing concern at measures being taken to tackle fare evasion. Continue reading...

The island's private drinking water supplies were polluted by use of firefighting foams containing forever chemicals'

Former childcare worker, 46, given a non-parole period of 27 years in October after pleading guilty to hundreds of sexual offences, will argue jail time is manifestly excessive'

Prime minister promotes Amanda Rishworth, Anne Aly, Katy Gallagher and Anika Wells, as Peter Dutton also prepares reshuffle before election

The jobless rate in December was 4%, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics

Leader Ed Davey to call for talks to begin immediately, urging ministers to be far more positive, far more ambitious'The Liberal Democrats are to call for the government to seek a formal customs union with the EU to boost growth and insulate the UK from the impacts of a Trump presidency, a move that will place new pressure on Keir Starmer over Europe.The changed Lib Dem stance - the party's election manifesto argued only for closer links with Europe - will be made by its leader, Ed Davey, in a speech in London on Thursday. Continue reading...

Anthony Albanese said he hoped the deal would allow the Palestinian people the opportunity to rebuild

A woman claimed her drink was spiked on 7 January in Stranger's Bar, within Palace of WestminsterPolice are investigating an alleged spiking in a bar on the Westminster parliamentary estate.A woman, believed to be a parliamentary researcher, told police and staff at parliament's Strangers' Bar that her drink had been spiked, according to Politico. Continue reading...

Journalists say in letter trust has been lost' and seek in-person meeting with billionaire owner over paper's futureOver 400 staff members at the Washington Post have sent a letter to Jeff Bezos asking for a meeting with him during a time of widespread concern about the future of the newspaper.The letter, signed by top journalists and correspondents and sent on Tuesday evening, pleads for Bezos, who is known to rarely visit the Post's office in Washington, to meet in person with leaders at the office. Continue reading...

Donald Tusk claimed Warsaw had been involved in countering acts of sabotage', referencing incendiary parcel attacks in Poland and the UKRussia planned to conduct acts of terrorism in the air", Polish prime minister Donald Tusk said on Wednesday, by plotting a wave of fire bomb attacks that could have brought down planes mid flight around the world.Warsaw had been involved in countering acts of sabotage" conducted by Russia, Tusk added, before he referred to incendiary parcel attacks that took place in the UK, Germany and Poland during the summer. Continue reading...

PM says he aims to stop former Sinn Fein leader claiming damages for his internment as ministers ditch Troubles law

Contentious liability clause that could have exposed institutions to being sued by Holocaust deniers is scrappedThe government is to overhaul legislation imposing free speech duties on higher education in England, scrapping a controversial civil liability that potentially exposed universities to being sued by Holocaust deniers.Bridget Phillipson, the education secretary, told parliament that while the government intended to retain key parts of the law passed by the previous Conservative administration, she planned to revoke the statutory tort" that allowed legal action by anyone claiming their freedom of speech had been restricted, and to largely exempt student unions from the legislation. Continue reading...

Exclusive: First show of figurative painter's work to be displayed in city he fled in 1939 to escape Nazi regimeFrank Auerbach is to be the subject of what has been billed as a homecoming show in Berlin, at which some of his final paintings will be displayed in the city he fled as a child.Auerbach, who died in November last year, never had a show in the city of his birth, which he left due to persecution by the Nazis. Both of his parents were later killed in Auschwitz. Continue reading...

Woolwich crown court told American Joshua Michals, 25, killed Zhe Wang, 31, a Chinese student, in her bedroomAn American student murdered his Chinese partner in a brutal and savage attack" in her bedroom, a court has heard.Joshua Michals, 25, is on trial at Woolwich crown court for the murder of Zhe Wang, 31, who was a fellow student at Goldsmiths, University of London, on 20 March 2024. Continue reading...

Future of Diego Garcia military base should be considered before handover to Mauritius signed off, No 10 saysThe UK government will not sign off a deal to hand back the Chagos Islands to Mauritius until Donald Trump's administration has had a chance to consider the future of the joint military base, Downing Street has confirmed.Allies of the US president-elect have been critical of the deal because of the implications for the strategically important Diego Garcia base, with concerns that it could bolster Chinese interests in the Indian Ocean. Continue reading...