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Celebrated authors discuss the somewhat connected stories of their shared surname at literary event in RioBorn more than 5,500 miles apart, the Booker prize winner Bernardine Evaristo, 65, and Brazil's most celebrated living Black author, Conceicao Evaristo, 77, share the same surname, though they are - as far as is known - unrelated.But their surnames' stories are somewhat connected, and shed light on aspects of the history of Brazil, the country that received the largest number of enslaved Africans during the transatlantic slave trade. Continue reading...

Turkish national accused of supplying engines and boats to cross-Channel smugglers in Belgium and northern FranceA suspected major supplier of small boats used by people smugglers to transport asylum seekers across the Channel has been arrested in Amsterdam, police said.A 44-year-old Turkish national was arrested on Wednesday after arriving at Schiphol airport, the European agency Eurojust said on Tuesday, adding that the suspect was due to be extradited to Belgium to face charges of being involved in human trafficking as part of a criminal organisation. Continue reading...

Sir Jamie Colman and his wife are said to have financially supported Smyth despite knowing of abuse allegationsThe heir to the Colman's mustard dynasty and his wife, a member of the clergy, have been asked by the Church of England to step back from their roles in a Hampshire church after being named in a damning report on a sadistic abuser.Sir Jamie Colman has been asked to cease his volunteering activities at St Leonard's church, Oakley, and the Rev Sue Colman has been asked to step back from all ministerial duties by the diocese of Winchester. Continue reading...

Amsterdam police say they are aware of footage that appears to show officers beating protesters after banned rallyDutch authorities have said they are investigating reports of police violence against pro-Palestinian protesters after a banned rally on Wednesday evening had been broken up.Amsterdam police said on X that they were aware of online footage, which seemed to show police officers beating protesters who had already been released after being taken away from the site of the protest. Continue reading...

The 98-year-old Mary Poppins star had previously endorsed Kamala Harris and Joe BidenMary Poppins star Dick Van Dyke has said he is glad he won't be around" to experience the full duration of Donald Trump's second term as president.In a video published by the Daily Mail, Van Dyke, 98, was stopped in a car park and asked: Does the future look bright for America?" The actor replied: I hope you're right." Continue reading...

Christian and Muslim groups say medics who refuse to help patients to die are not protected in England and Wales billA significant proportion of NHS medical staff in England and Wales are likely to exercise a conscience clause" if assisted dying is legalised by parliament.Labour MP Kim Leadbeater's private member's bill stipulates that no doctor would be under any obligation to participate in assisted dying. Continue reading...

Corruption watchdog rules out further investigation into racism within the force despite evidence of historical racial discriminationWARNING: This article contains offensive content

Candidates to receive $5 per vote from public funding, while parties and independents will receive $30,000 per MP and $15,000 per senator each

Louise Haigh says she hopes to ensure a repeat of the air traffic control failure of August 2023 never happens again

Shares in fashion brand jump as urgent' cost-cutting programme announced following half-year losses

Request in embezzlement trial threatens to undermine National Rally's efforts to polish image before 2027 pollsA Paris prosecutor has requested a five-year prison sentence and a five-year ban from public office for the far-right leader Marine Le Pen, at a trial in which she and 24 others are accused of embezzling EU funds.The trial, which comes almost a decade after initial investigations started, threatens to undermine her National Rally (RN) party's efforts to polish its image before the 2027 presidential election, which many believe she could win. Continue reading...

Voting temporarily suspended amid disruptions including a Mori party MP ripping up a copy of the billNew Zealand's parliament has erupted into fiery debate, personal attacks and a haka over a controversial bill that proposes to radically alter the way New Zealand's treaty between Mori and the crown is interpreted.The treaty principles bill was tabled by the libertarian Act party - a minor partner in New Zealand's coalition government - and passed its first reading on Thursday, amid scathing speeches and disruptions. Continue reading...

Asset manager Oaktree out of running as backer but businessman has high confidence' he will get finance

Union members hit out at LNP as deputy premier announces pause on pay and conditions policy

Royal Zoological Society of Scotland calls for tougher laws after three-month-old Roxie dies from Bonfire Night stressThe owner of Edinburgh zoo has linked the death of a baby red panda on Bonfire Night to fireworks and called for tighter regulations.The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) said vets blamed the death of three-month-old Roxie on 5 November on her reaction to fireworks in the area. Continue reading...

The move has been described as chilling' by activists and rights groups as arrests mount over dress code breachesThe Iranian state has said that it plans to open a treatment clinic for women who defy the mandatory hijab laws that require women to cover their heads in public.The opening of a hijab removal treatment clinic" was announced by Mehri Talebi Darestani, the head of the Women and Family Department of the Tehran Headquarters for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice. She said the clinic will offer scientific and psychological treatment for hijab removal". Continue reading...

Australia votes with 158 other countries to recognise permanent sovereignty of the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory'

The Waanyi writer, who won the Miles Franklin award and Stella prize this year for her novel Praiseworthy, has been recognised for her body of work and contribution to Australian cultureAlexis Wright has been awarded the $60,000 Melbourne prize for literature, capping off an extraordinary year in which she has won more than $200,000 in prize money after the publication of her epic novel, Praiseworthy.The Melbourne prize for literature, awarded every three years, recognises a Victorian writer whose body of published work has made an outstanding contribution to Australian literature and to cultural and intellectual life". Past winners include Christos Tsiolkas, Alison Lester and Helen Garner.Sign up for our rundown of must-reads, pop culture and tips for the weekend, every Saturday morning Continue reading...

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Paramedic witness tells Sen Const Kristian White's manslaughter trial that 95-year-old Nowland didn't appear to acknowledge' warnings or instructions

Major supermarkets' takeover strategy prevents smaller grocers from growing into stronger competitors, inquiry hears

Bedfordshire farm was saved through public donations after a successful 1.5m crowdfunding campaignA unique farm that was accidentally" rewilded 35 years ago and is now a haven for endangered nightingales and other rare wildlife has been saved, thanks in part to the generosity of Guardian readers.Strawberry Hill in Bedfordshire has been successfully bought by the Wildlife Trust for Beds, Cambs and Northants (BCN) after a crowdfunding appeal raised 1.5m. Continue reading...

Pharmacy owners to reduce hours and make fewer home deliveries of medicines unless there is better fundingPharmacies have said they will halt a number of services within weeks, including the end of free medicine deliveries and extended opening hours, unless the government drastically boosts funding for the sector to stem an escalating crisis".In a high-turnout ballot run by the National Pharmacy Association (NPA), which represents independent community pharmacies, 99% of pharmacy owners said they were willing to limit their services in the interests of patient safety if improved funding was not forthcoming.Serve notice on opening hours above the minimum required by their contract - meaning fewer pharmacies will be open in the evenings and at weekends.Stop making free home deliveries of medicines that are not funded.Withdraw from locally commissioned services, including some local addiction support services, emergency contraception and smoking cessation support.Refuse to cooperate with certain data requests above those required for patient safety and contractual minimums.Withdraw from supplying free monitored dose systems (medicine packs) that the NHS does not pay them to provide, other than those covered by the Disability Discrimination Act. Continue reading...

Exclusive: former Brexit negotiator seen as probable favourite to take over from Simon Case as cabinet secretaryThe former Brexit negotiator Oliver Robbins is one of 10 applicants on the longlist to take over from Simon Case as the UK's most senior civil servant, the Guardian understands.The candidates, who have their first round of interviews for the job this week and next, are predominantly internal applicants, with several permanent secretaries believed to have thrown their hats into the ring. Continue reading...

Rose Jackson says answer given during hard' live ABC radio interview pertained to what she thought people should pay, not what they paid on average

Biosecurity officials investigating after red imported fire ants found in lawn laid at Clunes property

Human Rights Watch says it has evidence that suggests the war crime of forcible transfer' of civiliansIsrael is using evacuation orders to pursue the deliberate and massive forced displacement" of Palestinian civilians in Gaza, according to a report by Human Rights Watch, which says the policy amounts to crimes against humanity.The US-based group added it had collected evidence that suggested the war crime of forcible transfer [of the civilian population]", describing it as a grave breach of the Geneva conventions and a crime under the Rome statute of the international criminal court". Continue reading...

This blog has now closed but you can read all our coverage of US politics hereMehdi Hasan writes for the Guardian today, asking Is Donald Trump a foreign policy dove?"You can read it here ...Everything about men and women serving together makes the situation more complicated, and complication in combat, that means casualties are worse. Continue reading...

Officer, known only as AB, would instead be found guilty of lesser charge of driving under the influence after fruitful' negotiations, court hears

In sentencing Gregory Geason to 12-month community corrections order, magistrate notes 63-year-old has not demonstrated any remorse'

Some travellers saved holiday plans by switching to Garuda Indonesia, which continued flying

VCAA says material inadvertently included' after it emerged students found hidden text on seemingly blank pages

Surangel Whipps Jr retains power in Palau, which is important to the US military amid tensions with China and is among a dozen diplomatic allies of TaiwanPalau's incumbent president Surangel Whipps Jr has been returned for a second term after a national election held last week, according to a final tally by the Palau Election Commission.The results showed Whipps Jr won 5,626 votes, defeating his brother-in-law Tommy Remengesau who received 4,103 votes. Continue reading...

The jobless rate in October was 4.1%, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics

Court hears Stephenson denies murdering Ballarat woman after her family last saw her leaving to go on a run

This year's ad is actually about going shopping and features Oxford Street store plus song by Richard AshcroftOver the years its Christmas adverts have featured a menagerie of lovable creatures but this year John Lewis is tugging on heartstrings with a Narnia-inspired tale of two sisters that for the first time gives its struggling department stores a starring role.After last year's lighthearted outing featuring a cheeky Venus flytrap, the ad is a distinct gear-change. It was filmed in John Lewis's high-profile store on Oxford Street in London and, at a time when the high street is facing severe headwinds, for once it is actually about going Christmas shopping - without a lovable penguin or snowman in sight. Continue reading...

Research has prompted claims firms such as Mars, Haribo and PepsiCo are in flagrant' breach of codes of behaviourMost TV adverts for sweets, crisps and chocolate shown when children are likely to be watching are placed by firms who claim not to promote their products to that age group.The disclosure, in new research by the University of Liverpool, has prompted claims that food giants such as Mars, Haribo and PepsiCo are in flagrant" breach of their own codes of behaviour. Continue reading...

Scientists say increase from 1990 to 2022 was largest in low- and middle-income countries and lack of treatment concerning'

Man and woman found dead after they failed to return to their caravan in Croydon, 500km south-west of Cairns

Collection of 1,700 pieces dating from third to 20th century is highest-value gift of objects in UK museum historyThe British Museum has been given a private collection of Chinese ceramics worth about 1bn, the highest-value object donation in UK museum history.The 1,700 pieces dating from the third to the 20th century have been given permanently by the trustees of the Sir Percival David Foundation. They had been on loan to the London museum since 2009. Continue reading...

Alleged criminal ring is the biggest cryptocurrency investment scam in country's history, according to policeSouth Korean police have arrested 215 people on suspicion of stealing 320 billion won ($228.4m) in the biggest cryptocurrency investment scam in the country.Gyeonggi Nambu provincial police said on Wednesday that the arrests included the alleged mastermind of the organised crime group accused of selling 28 types of virtual tokens to about 15,000 people by promising high returns. Referred to as Mr A, he had fled to Australia but was arrested and extradited. Police have confiscated 22 Bitcoin from his accounts and have applied to seize some $34m more. Just 12 people of the 215 remain in custody, according to Yonhap. Continue reading...

Regulator issues online safety ruling after finding weak processes leave networks exposed to terrorist content'Elon Musk's X, TikTok and Meta's Instagram have been ordered by Irish media regulators to take necessary measures" to prevent terrorist content being platformed in order to comply with sweeping new online safety legislation.The Irish media regulator, Coimisiun na Mean, said it issued the ruling after its investigations determined that the social media networks were exposed to terrorist content" due to weak processes. Continue reading...

Holly LeGresley, 37, and Adriana Orme, 56 uploaded content of monkeys being tortured to online chat groupsTwo women have been jailed for their parts in a global monkey torture network described by a judge as depraved, sickening and wicked".Holly LeGresley, 37, and Adriana Orme, 56, were jailed for two years and 15 months respectively for uploading content of monkeys being tortured to online chat groups. Continue reading...

Firefighters battle fires from California to New York, while lack of rain could threaten drinking water suppliesRecord-setting dry conditions in some parts of the US are raising fears of new wildfires and also could threaten drinking water supplies if substantial rain does not fall in the coming months.Firefighters battled wildfires from California to New York on Wednesday, hampered by high winds and arid landscapes. Continue reading...

Malcolm Chenery left estate to Diabetes UK charity when he died in 2021, writing will on fish and mince pie boxesA will written on the back of cardboard food packaging has been found to be valid by the high court, meaning a charity stands to inherit 180,000.Malcolm Chenery, who died in 2021, left his estate, including a three-bedroom house, jewellery, cash and an extensive collection of ornaments and pottery, to Diabetes UK.In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie. In the US, you can call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 988, chat on 988lifeline.org, or text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org Continue reading...

Chancellor makes fiery appeal in parliament for opposition support for the good of the country'The German chancellor, Olaf Scholz, has defended his decision to oust his finance minister, which has led to the break up of his government, arguing that the survival of the alliance would have come at the expense of national stability and international security.Scholz used his first speech to parliament since his traffic light coalition" lost its majority to plead for national cohesion. He called on opposition parties to support his minority government in the months before early elections to prevent Germany from becoming as polarised as the US. Continue reading...

Academy unveils new forfeiture process' after review prompted by case of disgraced Bafta winner Huw EdwardsThe British Academy of Film and Television will be able to strip future winners of their awards in cases of proven dishonesty" or if they're convicted of a serious criminal offence.New provisions added to the Bafta rulebook give the body the power to retrospectively revoke competition honours, starting with winners in 2025. Continue reading...

Ravi Jayaram say he lies awake at night wishing he had spoken up sooner after walking in on Letby shortly after Child K's breathing tube had been dislodgedA consultant paediatrician whose testimony helped convict Lucy Letby has said he should have had more courage" and voiced his concerns about the nurse sooner.Ravi Jayaram told a public inquiry that he lay awake at night thinking about why he did not say something at the time. Continue reading...

Medical charity says its staff members were violently attacked by police and vigilantes 100 meters from hospitalThe medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has said that at least two of its patients were killed after one of its ambulances was stopped and attacked in Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince.MSF said its staff members were violently attacked on Monday after members of a vigilante group and law enforcement officers" stopped the ambulance, which was transporting three young people with gunshot wounds. Continue reading...