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Water bill increases are at about the level most firms requested - but not so for beleagured Southern and Thames

This live blog is now closed, you can read more of our UK political coverage hereIn her response to the statement from Karin Smyth, Caroline Johnson, the shadow health minister, suggested the extra money for hospices would not fully compensate the extra costs the sector is facing because of the national insurance increase and the rise in the living wage. She said:On October 30 the chancellor decided to break her election promise by increasing employers' national insurance contributions and reducing the threshold at which employer contributions are payable.It was later confirmed that hospices would not be exempted from this increase in costs. Now the government has announced new funding for the sector, which they had the audacity to call the biggest investment in a generation.The biggest investment in a generation for hospices has been announced by the government today, ensuring that hospices can continue to deliver the highest quality end of life care possible for their patients, families, and loved ones.The 100m funding will help hospices this year and next to provide the best end of life care to patients and their families in a supportive and dignified physical environment. Continue reading...

Gisele Pelicot was greeted by applause as she left court after her ex-husband and 50 other men were sentenced

Sean Baker's and Brady Corbet's films received seven nominations each from the London Critics' Circle, while feminist body horror The Substance and Ralph Fiennes' papal drama Conclave have sixThe Palme d'Or winner Anora and epic architect drama The Brutalist have come out on top in the nominations count for the London Critics' Circle film awards, with seven apiece.The two films are expected to feature strongly throughout the awards race during the next few months, and have largely matched each other here. Anora and The Brutalist are both nominated for film of the year and director of the year (for Sean Baker and Brady Corbet respectively), and their lead performers are also nominated: Mikey Madison for actress of the year for Anora and Adrien Brody for The Brutalist. Madison, who plays a sex worker who impulsively marries the son of a Russian oligarch, is also nominated for breakthrough performer. Continue reading...

Concerns rise over whether executions can be done fairly and accurately' as condemned prisoners make credible claims of innocenceA spate of high-profile death penalty cases in 2024 have prompted an unprecedented outburst of public anger and frustration, as several condemned prisoners with credible claims of innocence have fought their pending executions in the court of public opinion.Profound qualms about the reliability of death sentences have been raised over a number of disturbing cases this year. They include that of Marcellus Khaliifah" Williams, killed by Missouri through lethal injection in September despite critical doubts around the strength of his conviction and a massive public protest culminating in a petition signed by 1.5 million people. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Dan Jarvis has written to the Sikh Federation after allegations of people being stopped at UK airportsThe UK will not tolerate attempts by foreign countries to harass or intimidate British citizens, the security minister has warned, after a number of Sikhs complained they were being targeted either by or on behalf of the Indian government.Dan Jarvis has written to the Sikh Federation after reports of harassment involving British Sikhs, including people being stopped at UK airports and asked about their views on the Indian state. Continue reading...

Ex-soldier Kyle Clifford faces further charge as he pleads not guilty to killing Carol Hunt and adult daughters Louise and HannahA former soldier accused of murdering a woman and her two adult daughters at their family home has been further charged with raping one of the women killed.Kyle Clifford, 26, is accused of fatally stabbing Carol Hunt, 61, the wife of the BBC 5 Live commentator John Hunt, and shooting dead Louise Hunt, 25, and Hannah Hunt, 28, with a crossbow in Bushey, Hertfordshire, on 9 July. Continue reading...

Russian leader largely upbeat in year-end phone-in, calling Zelenskyy illegitimate' and suggesting US missile duel'Vladimir Putin has said the war in Ukraine has made Russia much stronger" and denied that the fall of his key ally Bashar al-Assad in Syria has hurt Moscow's standing, as he held a marathon year-end press conference and television call-in seeking to project confidence at home and abroad.Casting the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as illegitimate", Putin said he was ready to meet Donald Trump and discuss peace proposals to end his full-scale invasion, but he repeated his hardline stance that Moscow would keep control of Crimea together with the four Ukrainian regions he laid claim to in 2022. Continue reading...

Leaders from France and around the world welcome guilty verdicts as feminists urge there is a long way to goPoliticians from France and beyond have hailed Gisele Pelicot's courage and called the trial of the men who abused her historic while feminist groups have stressed there is still a long way to go and demanded fundamental changes to France's sexual abuse laws.Thank you for your courage, Gisele Pelicot," the president of France's national assembly, Yael Braun-Pivet, posted after the announcement that all 51 accused, including Pelicot's former husband Dominique, had been found guilty. Continue reading...

Steven Donziger and 34 congressmembers urge action on case that saw debilitating counterattacks from ChevronSteven Donziger, the embattled human rights attorney, has urged Joe Biden to offer him a pardon for his role in defending Indigenous tribes in Ecuador against the oil industry, where his efforts ended with him being sued by Chevron and spending time in jail and hundreds of days under house arrest.In an interview with the Guardian from his Manhattan apartment, Donziger said a pardon would send a clear signal to corporations that they can never again criminally prosecute and jail good people who hold them accountable for abuses". Continue reading...

This live blog is now closed, you can read more of our Ukraine war coverage herePoland summoned the charge d'affaires of Belarus (a diplomat of a lower rank acting in place of an ambassador), Alexei Ponkratiev, on Thursday to protest against what it called aggressive actions" of the Belarusian KGB spy service towards Polish diplomats accredited in Belarus and other countries.The Polish foreign ministry did not specify what actions it was accusing the Belarus agency of having taken, but said the continuation of such provocations would be met with a symmetrical response from the Polish side". Continue reading...

I took on this battle' for my children and grandchildren, says Gisele Pelicot in first comments after all 51 men found guilty

Mark Wild says fundamental reset' needed, as Department for Transport admits it has no final cost estimateEnormous budget overruns on the HS2 high-speed railway have been blamed by its new chief executive on a rush to start", as the Department for Transport admitted it did not know how much it would cost.Mark Wild, the chief executive of HS2 Ltd, told MPs a fundamental reset" was needed but a new plan would take until mid-2026 to devise. We have to acknowledge that HS2 in its core mission to control costs has failed," he said. We must break the cycle." Continue reading...

Relatives say Al-Bara' ibn Malik brigade killed young men in Khartoum North during advance from OmdurmanRelatives and rights groups have accused fighters from an Islamist paramilitary force aligned with the Sudanese army of executing dozens of young men on suspicion of cooperating with the Rapid Support Forces in the Khartoum area.The alleged killings occurred in September after fighters crossed a bridge over the Nile River into the city of Khartoum North from neighbouring Omdurman after weeks of trying. Continue reading...

Campaigners say case of Sophie Harvey and her partner exposes harmful and unnecessary criminalisation of womenThe prosecution of a young couple who were handed community orders at Gloucester crown court more than six years after the stillbirth of a baby has led to renewed calls for abortion law reform in England.Sophie Harvey and Elliot Benham, both now 25, were originally arrested on suspicion of murder after they disposed of a stillborn foetus. Continue reading...

About 1,200 had been disappeared by government during country's dirty war', including members of Abdallan Guzman's familyAbdallan was the sixth to be taken.First they came for his older brother Amafer, nabbed in broad daylight on the streets of the Mexican city of Morelia. Then they came for his other brother, Armando, grabbed on the outskirts of the capital. That same day, soldiers burst into the family home, beating his younger brothers Solon and Venustiano, as well as his father Jesus - eventually they too would be taken. Finally in October, security forces took Abdallan Guzman himself, subjecting him to the cruelest forms of torture before tossing him in prison. Continue reading...

Boys who were 12 when they killed Shawn Seesahai with a machete have minimum term raised to at least 10 yearsTwo boys, believed to be Britain's youngest knife murderers after killing a 19-year-old man with a machete when they were 12, have had their sentences increased to a 10-year-minimum prison term at the court of appeal.The boys, now aged 13, were initially given life sentences with minimum terms of eight and a half years for the murder of Shawn Seesahai in Wolverhampton in 2023. Continue reading...

Government announcement comes as hospices struggle with higher wage bills and national insurance increase

Morgan McSweeney flew to Florida and Washington for meetings with key members of president-elect's team

Supermarket giant sought to use Baby Bellies' designs for its own commercial advantage', judge says

Rain eases in state's southeast after teen rescued in Mareeba, while firefighters battle blazes in Victoria

Average bill will rise by 157 over five years to 597 after regulator agrees to increases in amount firms can charge Thames Water to pay 18m penalty after breaking dividend rulesHousehold water bills in England and Wales will rise by an average of 31 a year for the next five years from April, as suppliers pay to fix leaky pipes and cut pollution.The industry regulator Ofwat said on Thursday it would allow companies to raise average bills will rise by 157 over five years to 597 by 2030 to help pay for investment. That represents a 36% increase before inflation, which will be added on top. Continue reading...

Investigation launched over claims Brisbane woman's complaints about childcare worker Ashley Paul Griffith were dismissed

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Ethical beauty chain books 2m profit in first three months after rescue from administration in SeptemberThe new boss of the Body Shop has told staff the struggling ethical beauty retailer is back for good" after it booked a profit in its first 100 days under new ownership.The retailer was bought out of administration in September by a consortium led by the British cosmetics tycoon Mike Jatania. Continue reading...

Law around illegal wood burning in smoke-control areas is not being enforced, campaigners sayOnly four fines out of 5,600 complaints have been issued for illegal burning of wood in smoke-control areas from September 2023 to August 2024 in England, data has revealed.The new data, from freedom of information requests submitted by the campaign group Mums for Lungs, shows that the law around illegal wood burning is not being enforced in England, campaigners said. Continue reading...

Federal court dismisses NSW government's attempt to stop action - including work stoppages that could lead to a train strike

Human Rights Watch says Israeli forces have acted deliberately to cut availability of clean waterIsrael's restriction of Gaza's water supply to levels below minimum needs amounts to an act of genocide and extermination as a crime against humanity, a human rights report has alleged.Human Rights Watch (HRW) investigated Israeli attacks on the water supply infrastructure in Gaza over the course of its 14-month war there. Continue reading...

The Manchester boy who joined United aged seven holds a special place in the heart of many fans, though others accept his time to leave has comeAlthough Marcus Rashford had moved closer to the exit at Manchester United, there was still a buzz around Button Lane primary school.The noise of the children coming in was louder," sports coach Chris Walker said. Some don't want to come into school, but this morning it was: What did you get from Marcus?'" Continue reading...

John Harris is joined by the Guardian's Politics Weekly Westminster hosts, political editor Pippa Crerar and correspondent Kiran Stacey, to look back at 2024 and ahead to what 2025 might bringWith thanks to ITV News and The Bath Philharmonia Young Carers' Choir. Continue reading...

The latest is deputy Liberal leader Sussan Ley who's been caught by surprise when sprinklers went off during a live TV cross on Wednesday

Daniel Billings is charged with murdering former partner in Forbes in April 2024The man accused of the domestic violence murder of Molly Ticehurst is facing fresh sexual assault charges and will be mentally assessed before he goes to trial.Daniel Billings, 29, is charged with murdering Ticehurst, 28, whose body was found in her home at Forbes in central-western New South Wales in the early hours of 22 April. Continue reading...

BoM meteorologist says Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and NSW will be generally dry and fingers crossed it stays like this'

Offences alleged to have taken place in 1990s while ex-constables, now in their 50s and 60s, were on dutyTwo former police officers have been arrested as part of an investigation into child sexual offences in Rotherham dating back to the 1990s.South Yorkshire police said a retired constable, now in his 60s, has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in a public office, attempted rape and three counts of indecent assault. Continue reading...

Lib Dems may force vote on refusal to compensate women, which has angered many backbenchersUp to 100 Labour MPs could vote against the government's decision to rule out spending 10bn compensating Waspi women if a vote is held, encapsulating the fury on Keir Starmer's own benches, the Guardian has been told.The work and pensions secretary, Liz Kendall, announced on Tuesday there would be no compensation for women born in the 1950s who were not aware of changes to the state pension age, despite a recommendation from the parliamentary ombudsman in March that 1,000 to 2,950 should be paid out to each of the more than 3 million women affected. Continue reading...

Sophie Harvey and Elliot Benham denied using the pills and said their child had been stillbornA man and woman who were accused of buying pills to induce an illegal abortion have been sentenced to community orders.Sophie Harvey, 25, had previously stood trial accused of procuring her own miscarriage when she was 19. Continue reading...

Foreign affairs minister Penny Wong says ambassador to Ukraine to return to Kyiv in January and Russia war affects security of Indo-Pacific

Her election is first action in moves to form new coalition government after no party won majority in general electionVerona Murphy has become the first female speaker of the Irish parliament as part of attempts to form a coalition government.Murphy, an independent TD for Wexford, defeated two Fianna Fail candidates and one from Sinn Fein to win the 255,000 (210,000) a year position of Ceann Comhairle. Continue reading...

Residents in parts of central Gaza told to move towards overcrowded humanitarian zone' that has already been hit by strikesHere are some of the latest images coming through from Gaza:Palestinian medics say an Israeli airstrike has killed at least 10 people in a house in the northern town of Beit Lahiya, where army forces have operated since October. Continue reading...

Council lifts suspension with immediate effect provided the club complies with new licence conditionsThe Groucho Club will be allowed to reopen after an emotional council meeting at which its licence was reinstated, providing that the 39-year-old institution follows strict police-proposed rules on members' guests and the monitoring of toilets.The London private members' club's licence had been temporarily suspended after allegations that a woman was raped inside the venue on 13 November. A 34-year-old man was arrested in Hertfordshire on suspicion of rape and has been bailed. Continue reading...

Activists say ombudsman's findings based on rigorous evidence 60% had no idea' of changesScottish ministers are to set up a pilot project to test the automatic enrolment of young people on the electoral register, as part of a modernisation of Holyrood's election laws.The trial is expected to involve universities, colleges and high schools (over-16s can vote in Scottish parliament and council elections), to improve participation by young people.Some schools trialled these sorts of initiatives ahead of the 2014 independence referendum, with huge success and incredibly high turnout amongst young people. There is also plenty of international evidence that automatic registration boosts participation in elections and should be supported by every democrat. Continue reading...

Dominique Pelicot likely to be given 20 years for drugging his ex-wife and inviting strangers to rape her over a decadeThe mass rape trial that has sent shockwaves through France and horrified the world is expected to end on Thursday with the conviction of Dominique Pelicot, who has admitted drugging his ex-wife, Gisele, and inviting strangers into their bedroom to rape her.Pelicot, a 72-year-old retired electrician and estate agent, is expected to be given the maximum 20-year jail term the public prosecutor has demanded at the three and a half-month trial in Avignon. Continue reading...

Advocate Health plans to replace 115-year-old hospital in area with one of the largest life expectancy gaps in the USThe third largest non-profit hospital system in the nation, Advocate Health, said it plans to spend $1bn in Chicago's South Side neighborhood, and replace an aging hospital with a smaller facility and more primary care appointments.Chicago has one of the largest life expectancy gaps in the nation. Racial segregation is thought to be at the heart of a roughly 30-year life expectancy gap between the North and South Side neighborhoods. Continue reading...

Report is expected to be made public after the committee's final votes of the year later this weekThe US House of Representatives ethics committee has reportedly voted to release a report on sexual misconduct allegations against Matt Gaetz, the former Republican representative who was forced to drop his bid to become Donald Trump's attorney general amid fallout over the accusations.According to CNN, the House ethics committee voted earlier this month to release the report, which is expected to be made public after the chamber's final votes of the year later this week. Continue reading...

Nasen Saadi, who studied criminology, killed Amie Gray as she picnicked with a friend on the beach

The 29-year-old had been recruited by Ukrainian special services, Moscow saysRussian chief of the general staff Valery Gerasimov said on Wednesday that arms control was now a thing of the past due to the lack of trust between Russia and the West.Gerasimov said Russia had seen increased activity by the US-led Nato military alliance near Russia's borders. Continue reading...

How women born in the 1950s have lost out in changes to the UK state pension age - and what happens nextThe UK government has stirred up a hornet's nest with its decision to deny compensation to what could be millions of Waspi women".They are said to have lost out because of government failings in the way changes to the state pension age were communicated. Continue reading...

Eight years after an awkward bad boys of Brexit' snap at Trump Tower's lift, Reform's leader is a Mar-a-Lago insiderAs a photo it is visually striking and politically resonant: Nigel Farage, the man who loudly proclaims he will be the UK's next prime minister, alongside two extremely rich supporters, all bathed in the golden glow of his hero Donald Trump.In terms of raw politics, the significance is what may follow from the talks involving the leader of Reform UK, the party's new treasurer, Nick Candy, and Elon Musk at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida on Monday, immortalised in a photo eagerly released by Farage's media team. Continue reading...

Despite fall in trade, LSE study says overall impact was more limited than OBR forecasters first estimated

More than 150 experts worked to save Ottavia Piana, who fell while charting Bueno Fonteno cave near BergamoAn injured woman trapped in a cave in northern Italy has been lifted to safety, ending her four-day ordeal.Ottavia Piana, a speleologist, was rescued in the early hours of Wednesday. She had been exploring an uncharted area of the Bueno Fonteno cave near Bergamo on Saturday afternoon when she fell five metres, fracturing her face, ribs and knees. Continue reading...