by Tom McIlroy Chief political correspondent on (#6WZRN)
Exclusive: Chris LaCivita, Trump's presidential campaign co-manager, tells undercover reporters he advised on structural issues' related to Peter Dutton; the Coalition denies LaCivita was involved in campaign in any way
Youth Endowment Fund says specialised lessons needed to tackle issues such as abuse, consent and coercionA thinktank is calling for schools to appoint relationship violence prevention leaders, modelled on the success of mental health coordinators, as teachers say they are ill-equipped to advise on the complex issues involved.A study by the Youth Endowment Fund (YEF), supported by the Home Office, wants young teenagers in England and Wales to be taught relationship violence prevention lessons", aimed at tackling emotional, physical and sexual violence, psychological abuse, stalking and harassment. Continue reading...
Likelihood of potentially devastating quake above 8.0 magnitude in next 50 years is 15%, study statesA massive earthquake in the Pacific north-west could rapidly transform areas of the coast from northern California to Washington, causing swaths of land to quickly sink, dramatically" raising sea level and increasing the flood risk to communities.That's according to a new study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, examining the potential impact of the big one", a powerful quake along the Cascadia fault that stretches from Canada to California. Continue reading...
Relatives and survivors of apartheid-era deaths and violence had alleged interference from highest levels of government'South Africa's president, Cyril Ramaphosa, is setting up an inquiry into whether past ANC governments interfered with the investigation and prosecution of apartheid-era crimes, amid criticism from the families of victims.A group of 25 relatives and survivors of apartheid-era deaths and violence sued the government in January, claiming that interference from the highest levels of government" blocked investigations into cases referred to the National Prosecuting Authority by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). Continue reading...
by Kiran Stacey Political correspondent on (#6WZH9)
Labour insider rebukes tech bros' within Tony Blair Institute as critics question past work with petrostatesIn little more than 1,600 words voicing his scepticism over net zero policies, Tony Blair this week propelled himself and his increasingly powerful institute back into the national debate.In the past eight years, the former prime minister has built a global empire employing over 900 people across more than 40 countries, providing policy advice to monarchs, presidents and prime ministers. Continue reading...
Charles says diagnosis has brought into sharp focus the very best of humanity' as he hosts cancer charity receptionThe king has reflected on his experience with cancer, saying it had brought into sharp focus the very best of humanity" while acknowledging that each new case will be a daunting and at times frightening experience" for those receiving a diagnosis and for their loved ones.In a personal written message, released to coincide with a Buckingham Palace reception he hosted to celebrate organisations helping people with the disease, he described himself as one of the statistics" among the 390,000 who sadly" receive a cancer diagnosis across the UK each year. Continue reading...
by Anna Bawden Health and social affairs corresponden on (#6WZJY)
Up to 15,000 could be given nivolumab in injectable form to treat 15 cancers including lung, bowel and skin cancerUp to 15,000 cancer patients a year could be treated with a quick injection, NHS England has announced.It is the first health service in Europe to offer patients the injectable form of the immunotherapy drug nivolumab. Continue reading...
Teenager held on suspicion of killings after incident at hair salon in university city north of Stockholm, say prosecutorsA 16-year-old has been detained on suspicion of shooting and killing three people in the city of Uppsala, according to Sweden's prosecution authority.An intensive investigation is under way. We are now gathering information and the police are conducting door-to-door inquiries and interviewing witnesses," the authority said in a statement. Continue reading...
Two permanent members of UN security council could make move at conference in June on two-state solutionThe UK is in discussion with France and Saudi Arabia over the recognition of a Palestinian state at a June conference convened by the two countries on keeping alive the political path to a two-state solution in the Middle East, the UK foreign secretary has said.David Lammy's comments mark the first time the UK has acknowledged that a discussion with the French about a recognition process around the conference is under way. Continue reading...
Individuals at British firm Blu-3 alleged to have paid more than 3m to people at Mace Group construction companyUK fraud investigators have made three arrests in dawn raids targeting alleged bribery by a British company during the construction of a Dutch datacentre for Microsoft.The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) said on Wednesday that it was targeting the UK company Blu-3 and former associates of the global construction firm Mace Group. Individuals at Blu-3 are suspected of paying more than 3m in bribes to the people linked to Mace Group. Continue reading...
Harvard's president noted searing personal accounts' from listening sessions with about 500 students and employeesMuslim and Jewish students at Harvard University experienced bigotry and abuse as the Massachusetts campus was roiled by protests last year, according to two reports released on Tuesday that found many felt shunned by peers and professors for expressing political beliefs.Harvard and other universities face extraordinary pressure from Donald Trump's administration over allegations of antisemitism and leftist bias. The reports, jointly amounting to more than 500 pages, were the result of two taskforces Harvard set up a year before Trump took office, one on combating antisemitism and anti-Israel bias, the other on combating anti-Muslim, anti-Arab and anti-Palestinian bias. Continue reading...
by Vikram Dodd Police and crime correspondent on (#6WZ6W)
Police watchdog says Martyn Blake, who shot 24-year-old in south London in 2022, will have gross misconduct hearingThe Metropolitan police armed officer cleared of murdering Chris Kaba should face a disciplinary hearing for gross misconduct, where he could face the sack for using excessive force, the police watchdog has decided.The decision will provoke fury among Met firearms officers and among the force's leadership. Continue reading...
by Amy Sedghi (now); Tom Ambrose and Martin Belam (ea on (#6WZ3V)
US official tells international court of justice hearing that it backs Israel's stance on the agency, which says Israel has abused detained staffThere is now a live feed from the international court of justice (ICJ) in The Hague, where the US is giving evidence (see 8.52am). You may need to refresh the blog to see it.An Iranian man convicted of espionage and intelligence cooperation with Israel was executed on Wednesday, Iranian state media reported. Continue reading...
by Mark Brown North of England correspondent on (#6WZ8Q)
Footage shown in Newcastle trial of two men accused of chopping down tree on Hadrian's Wall in September 2023A jury has been shown footage of what prosecutors say is the moment the Sycamore Gap tree crashed to the ground after being felled by a shadowy figure wielding a loud, revving chainsaw.A court heard that the video was taken on the Apple iPhone 13 of Daniel Graham, one of two men accused of illegally cutting down the tree on Hadrian's Wall, described by one witness as totemic". Continue reading...
Boss confirms policy change as businesses move to comply with recent supreme court rulingThe boss of Barclays has said the bank will prohibit trans women from using female bathrooms in its buildings in the wake of the recent supreme court ruling.The bank's chief executive, CS Venkatakrishnan, told reporters that the group would not allow trans women to use female bathrooms, to ensure that it complies with the law. Continue reading...
Huge volumes of chicken muck' entering rivers are harmful to fish and plants, campaigners argue at Cardiff high courtClean river campaigners have told a court that planning permission for a poultry megafarm in Shropshire is unlawful and should be overturned.In the high court in Cardiff on Wednesday, Dr Alison Caffyn argued that the council had failed to take into account all the environmental impacts of the industrial chicken units, which will house 230,000 birds at any one time, in particular the effects of spreading manure on land. Continue reading...
Retailer takes some of its systems temporarily offline as part of proactive management of incident'Marks & Spencer has admitted that some products are running short in its stores as it continues to deal with the fallout from a massive cyber-attack.The retailer said there were pockets of limited availability" in some shops, as nearly two weeks of disruption to its IT systems affects its stores. Continue reading...
Annual survey of numberplates from more than 25,000 journeys reveals 63% fall in squashed bugs since 2021The long-term decline in the number of flying insects being splattered on cars after a journey is well recognised by older drivers. But the latest survey has revealed that the number of insects found on vehicle number plates has plummeted by 63% since 2021.An analysis of records from more than 25,000 journeys across Britain since 2021 reveals an alarming apparent drop in flying insect abundance, although the rate of decrease slowed in 2024. Continue reading...
Growing numbers of older people are creating enterprises in everything from baking to biodiversity - but does the freedom make up for the graft?Kari Johnston felt ready to retire after 45 years in nursing when, at 63 years old, she decided to launch her own business - a professional decluttering and organising service.She had read about decluttering and, fascinated, quickly created a website and advertised. Her first clients were friends. Three-and-a-half years later, Johnston, from St Monans in Fife, is now fully retired from nursing, and feels delighted with the success of her new venture. Continue reading...
Thousands of South Africans are hoping to move to the US to escape crime - and what they say is discrimination against white peopleKyle believed God was looking out for him when he survived a violent farm robbery in South Africa eight years ago with only a black eye and broken ribs. The robbers failed to get the kettle and iron working, so were unable to burn anyone. Then the gun trigger jammed when they tried to shoot Kyle in the spine.They specifically said they were coming back for this farm ... [that] it was their land," said the 43-year-old, who did not want to use his full name. Only afterwards, we found out that the guy that stays on the plot was actually killed ... the farmhand ... I don't know what his name was." Continue reading...
Thousands gather to see parade featuring marching troops and an air show of Russian-made fighter jets and helicoptersThousands of Vietnamese people have celebrated the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam war, in what the country's communist leader said was a victory of justice over tyranny".Celebrations culminated in a grand parade in Ho Chi Minh City with thousands of marching troops and an airshow featuring Russian-made fighter jets and helicopters, as Vietnamese waved red flags and sang patriotic songs. Continue reading...
by Presented by Michael Safi with Mehdi Hasan; produc on (#6WZ18)
Guardian US columnist Mehdi Hasan on the start of Donald Trump's second term as president and the threat to democracy in the USSo many things have shocked me about the past 100 days," says the Guardian US columnist and author of Win Every Argument, Mehdi Hasan.Even for me, even the person who was saying it's going to be so bad, it's much worse than even I thought." Continue reading...
After seizure in Hamburg of 16 tonnes of high-purity powder, state attorney is accused of being on payroll of gang he was supposed to be prosecutingIn Hamburg's spring sunshine, 200,000-tonne cargo ships almost half a mile long, piled high with the same weight in shipping containers, are docked quayside along the Elbe River. Cranes slowly offload the metal boxes packed with everything from raw materials to food and electronics, and, in some, cocaine.Between 2018 and 2023 cocaine seizures rose by 750%, marking out Germany as another major European hub in the ever-expanding global trade. But the influx is not just ramping up addiction, it is also fuelling corruption in a country perceived as being one of the least corrupt in the world. Continue reading...
New outlet due to welcome shoppers on Thursday regarded as key to helping revive famous London thoroughfareThe UK boss of Ikea has backed calls to pedestrianise Oxford Street as the world's largest furniture retailer finally opens its delayed store in London's prime shopping destination.The Swedish company's three-floor shop in the building that used to be Topshop's former flagship store, with a mix of meatballs, lampshades and kitchen design assistance, opens on Thursday, 18 months later than planned. Continue reading...
Secondary school pupil numbers also likely to outpace government's recruitment goals, watchdog warnsA key government pledge to appoint 6,500 extra teachers in England by the end of this parliament will be difficult to achieve and is likely to fall short of demand, the UK's public spending watchdog has warned.The education secretary Bridget Phillipson's promise to recruit thousands of extra teachers in state schools, which has been funded by adding VAT to private school fees, forms one of the cornerstones of the government's education policy. Continue reading...
New accreditation for PAs and anaesthesia associates is important milestone' for patient assurance, regulator saysMore than 1,000 physician associates (PAs) could begin their careers in the NHS every year after regulators approved dozens of courses to teach them.
Forecasters say temperature could soar to 30C later this week, the earliest date the high would have been reachedThe UK experienced its hottest day of the year so far on Tuesday and temperatures could reach 30C at the earliest point on record later this week, forecasters said.
Hit comedy drama series to return with new set of characters and Kerry Washington as executive producerThe drama on Wisteria Lane looks set to continue with a new iteration of the hit ABC show Desperate Housewives in development.The show is scheduled at Onyx Collective, with Kerry Washington to executive-produce along with Pilar Savone and Natalie Chaidez. The latter, who recently worked on The Flight Attendant, will also write the spin-off series, currently titled Wisteria Lane. Continue reading...
Chief executive of Criminal Cases Review Commission questioned by MPs over Andrew Malkinson failings, expensive courses and being absent' bossSenior management at the miscarriage of justice watchdog were told there was a hole at the heart" of the organisation as MPs criticised its working from home policy and asked executives if they felt they were the right people to continue leading it.In an evidence session on Tuesday, the chief executive of the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC), Karen Kneller, was questioned by the cross-party Commons' justice committee over its failings in the Andrew Malkinson case, her expensive French business courses, and the organisation's remote working policy, under which, she told them, she worked just one to two days in its Birmingham head office each month. Continue reading...
Husband of murdered Labour MP says Belfast rappers' talk of being unfairly targeted undermines their statementBrendan Cox, the husband of the murdered MP Jo Cox, has said the Irish rap trio Kneecap have offered only half an apology", after criticism of comments in which they appear to call for politicians to be killed.Kneecap apologised to Jo Cox's family and that of the MP David Amess, who was also murdered, in the face of mounting criticism, including from Downing Street and Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative leader. Continue reading...
Criminal charges against media outlets have raised concerns about press freedomIranian journalists have warned of a media crackdown after a series of incidents, the most recent an explosion at a munitions company in which one person was killed and two injured.The explosion on Tuesday, for which there has been no official explanation, occurred in Isfahan, only two days after a thwarted cyber-attack on the communications infrastructure on Sunday, and a huge explosion on Saturday at the strategic southern port of Shahid Rajaee, near Bandar Abbas. Continue reading...
Show dips into lucrative holiday market with butter-yellow, lilac and gold lame outfits reflecting beauty of the backdropChanel has a fresh-faced, avant garde new designer but it still stands for classic glamour. This was the loud and clear messaging at the first Chanel show since Matthieu Blazy took up his role. The show was held at Villa d'Este, the Lake Como palace hotel where Elizabeth Taylor, Greta Garbo and Marlene Dietrich holidayed and which Alfred Hitchcock, who filmed The Pleasure Garden there, pronounced the most beautiful place on earth.The location, booked a year in advance, provided the theme: life in a grand hotel. Think White Lotus on Lake Como, art directed by Slim Aarons. First on to the pebbled catwalk weaving through the hotel's terrace was a white bathrobe-style coat. Then there were capri pants in the butter yellow of the hotel parasols, and a lilac tweed suit to match the wisteria trailing overhead. Models swung tote bags big enough for pool towels, while gold lame cover-ups glinted as dazzling as sun on the lake. Continue reading...
Exclusive: US officials have split negotiations with countries into three phases, sources say, with South Korea taking priorityDonald Trump has made a trade deal with the UK a second-order priority, sources have told the Guardian, hampering British attempts to meet their mid-May deadline.US officials have decided to split their negotiations with more than a dozen other countries into three phases, with the UK being placed in either phase two or three, according to people who have been briefed on the talks. Continue reading...
Accusation from UN agency comes as Red Crescent medic held since deadly Israeli attack on ambulances is freedThe embattled UN agency for Palestinian refugees, Unrwa, has accused Israel of abusing dozens of its staff in military detention and using some as human shields.The head of the agency, Philippe Lazzarini, said that more than 50 staff members, including teachers, doctors and social workers, had been detained and abused since the start of the 18 month-long war in Gaza. Continue reading...
World news | The Guardian