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Chancellor calls increase to 12.21 an hour a significant step', with 18- to 20-year-olds in line for a 16% increaseThe national minimum wage will go up to 12.21 an hour in April after the chancellor confirmed a 6.7% increase, with more than 3 million low-paid workers in line for a pay rise.Rachel Reeves described the move, worth 1,400 a year for an eligible full-time worker, as a significant step" towards delivering on Labour's manifesto promise to introduce a genuine living wage for working people". Continue reading...

The Tory leadership candidate says the party churned out a laundry-list of promises instead of listening to membersKemi Badenoch, who is the bookies' favourite to be the next Conservative leader, has told Times Radio that the contest is poised neck and neck".Interviewed by Kate McCann, Badenoch told listeners:People are tired of the party looking like it is not out working for the people out there. That is what I want to bring: integrity, and a focus on conviction and conservative values.There is something very significant that is going on, we are picking a leader of the opposition. People have a choice.This is a sacrifice, because I worry about the direction of the country.I worry about a lot of decisions we make, and us not being honest with the public about the serious trade-offs that are going to be required, and not saying enough about how the world is becoming a more dangerous place. Continue reading...

Buttle brothers argue in Auckland court that tour operators to blame for deaths of 22 people, including 14 Australians

Former SNP leader and first minister restored pride in our nation', says acting Alba head in eulogyMourners have remembered a political giant" and a friend to many" at the funeral of former first minister Alex Salmond, which took place in Strichen, Aberdeenshire, on Tuesday.Salmond's niece Christina Hendry told the private service that in the period after the 69-year-old's sudden death in North Macedonia earlier this month, his family had felt the grief of a nation, and beyond". Continue reading...

Republicans seen as vulnerable in four New York districts that could decide majority of the HouseDemocrats have their sights on New York next week, as they seek to win back the House of Representatives following a surprise Republican surge in the Empire state two years ago.Just four seats are needed for Democrats to win a majority in the House, which could prove a crucial stay on Donald Trump's power if he wins the presidency. Continue reading...

Amid sluggish spending in US, Europe and China, sales fell by 1.5% between July and SeptemberMcDonald's has posted another bigger than expected drop in sales as demand continues to slow, despite attempts to lure customers back with value meals.Spending by consumers has been sluggish or falling across the US, Europe and China in recent months, with people weary from years of high food inflation looking for cheaper meal fixes or staying at home. Continue reading...

Axel Rudakubana, 18, who already faces three murder charges, is separately accused of possessing terrorist materialThe suspect charged with the murder of three girls in Southport is to be separately prosecuted on suspicion of possessing terrorist material and producing the highly toxic poison ricin, police have said.Axel Rudakubana, 18, will appear at Westminster magistrates court on Wednesday charged with producing the biological toxin ricin and having a document titled Military studies in the Jihad against the Tyrants - the Al-Qaida training manual". Continue reading...

Rapper says asked to join ex-president's controversial Madison Square Garden event but is afraid about politics'50 Cent has revealed that he turned down a $3m offer to join Donald Trump at his controversial New York rally.The rapper, who has previously shown admiration for the former president, spoke about the opportunity during an interview on The Breakfast Club. He confirmed that he got a call" and had also been asked to perform his song Many Men (Wish Death) during this year's Republican national convention for a similar sum. Continue reading...

Essex force says threats made to son of Conservative PM were not linked in any way' to his murderA series of threatening phone calls made to the son of Sir David Amess the evening before the MP's murder were not linked in any way" to the attack, police have said.The Conservative MP's daughter, actor Katherine Amess, has called for a full inquest into her father's death, questioning why the police did not protect his constituency surgery after the threats. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Trump's running mate agrees to interview as campaign tries to juice turnout of young male votersDonald Trump's running mate, JD Vance, is expected to record an interview with the popular podcast host Joe Rogan on Wednesday morning in an attempt to reach less likely voters, according to two people with direct knowledge of the matter.The podcast - called the Joe Rogan Experience - is seen as a way to reach young male voters, a demographic the Trump team has placed a premium on reaching given their strategy of trying to win the November by juicing their turnout. Continue reading...

Energy company says it plans to cut at least $2bn of cash costs from the business by the end of 2026

Network Rail says about 40% of Avanti West Coast services will be accessible 20 minutes before departure

Former chancellor accuses Rachel Reeves of politicising Office for Budget Responsibility by release on budget dayJeremy Hunt has called on the cabinet secretary, Simon Case, to prevent the release of a review by the Office for Budget Responsibility into his spending plans, which is scheduled to be released on the day of the budget.The former chancellor has accused Rachel Reeves of politicising the Office for Budget Responsibility, after she announced she would release a review into the spending forecast published during his time at the Treasury. Continue reading...

Israeli travellers told to evacuate immediately as police set up patrols and roadblocksThe golden sands of Sri Lanka's Arugam Bay are usually carefree, a place for tourists to surf the famous break and relax on the beach.But last week, the slow rhythm of the bay was dealt a shock. The US embassy, followed up by Sri Lankan police and Israel's national security council, warned of a serious terrorist threat in the area. Israeli travellers were believed to be the intended target of an attack and were told to evacuate immediately. Hundreds of police and senior intelligence officials descended on the small coastal town, setting up patrols and roadblocks. Continue reading...

Democratic presidential candidate campaigns in university city of Ann Arbor as polls show state on knife-edgeGood morning.Appearing together in the home town of Michigan's largest university, Kamala Harris and Tim Walz sought to burnish their credentials with young voters and soothe Democrats who had grown nervous as the apparent deadlock in the race for the White House has dragged on.Is Kamala Harris alienating progressives as she courts anti-Trump Republicans? The vice-president is relying on support of high-profile GOP refuseniks as she moves to the centre despite warnings from progressives. I don't think having Liz Cheney on the team helps at all, because she doesn't bring a flock of votes with her," said James Zogby, a member of the Democratic National Committee.What's the latest at the Post? Editorial board members David Hoffman and Molly Roberts both resigned yesterday, with forceful letters indicating their reasons. Continue reading...

Naim Qassem replaces group's longtime leader Hassan Nasrallah after he was killed by Israel

Medical staff and emergency services say those killed in the attack include many women and children

Tory leadership candidate wades into reparations debate, arguing empire brought democratic institutions

Health secretary says NHS cannot be turned around overnight' but vows to get service back on its feet' over course of parliament

Americans are as scared as ever - and they are generally afraid of more things, too, according to a new surveyWith the spooky season nearing its climax, Americans are as scared as ever - and they are generally afraid of more things, too, according to a new survey.Those findings are contained in the latest edition of the Survey of American Fears that California's Chapman University has been publishing annually around Halloween. Continue reading...

Comments at Trump rally lead to anger and indignation in one of the most crucial battleground states in the electionOn Sunday evening, the Philadelphia council member Quetcy Lozada was attending a campaign event with Vice-President Kamala Harris at a local restaurant, as the Democratic presidential candidate unveiled a new economic proposal for Puerto Rico.Lozada is of Puerto Rican descent and represents the seventh city council district in Philadelphia, made up of over 50% Latino, predominantly Puerto Rican, residents. Continue reading...

Prime minister's office says opposition leader is making a pathetic attempt at creating a headline' over flight upgrades from 2009 to 2019

London-headquartered bank is poised to launch one of the biggest shake-ups in its 159-year historyHSBC has reported better-than-expected profits in the third quarter, allowing the bank to launch another multibillion-dollar stock buyback as it embarks on one of the biggest overhauls in the lender's 159-year history.The London-headquartered bank said strong performance in its wealth division and wholesale banking arm helped push pre-tax profits up 10% to $8.5bn (6.6bn) in the three months to the end of September. HSBC had been expected to report a 1.3% drop in profits to $7.6bn, according to average analyst estimates. Continue reading...

Victorian premier says dark shadow' has been cast over city after collision at Auburn South primary school in Hawthorn East

Accused pleads not guilty to 12 charges including seven of causing another person to enter into and remain in servitude

Coalition meanwhile says Australia should divert aid funding away from the UN humanitarian assistance body

Chancellor urged to cancel tax break that uses scheme to register land as heritage asset and worth at least 68mThree hundred and fifty-five wealthy landowners in England including aristocrats are benefiting from an obscure tax break worth at least 68m, data shows.The landowners benefit from a loophole called the tax-exempt heritage assets scheme", under which they can register land and property as heritage assets and make them exempt from inheritance tax. Continue reading...

The score, on a card bearing Frederic Chopin's hand-written name, was discovered by a curator at the Morgan Library and Museum in New YorkAn unknown waltz by Chopin, written nearly 200 years ago, has been discovered in the vault of the Morgan Library and Museum in New York.The score, on a card bearing Frederic Chopin's hand-written name, was found by a curator in the spring, the New York Times reported on Sunday. Continue reading...

Kyle & Jackie O Show chased ratings at the detriment of my own morals and values', co-host admits in new book The Whole Truth

Charity that leases building sold to developers during Covid lockdown is told it must vacate it by ChristmasThe UK could lose out on future sporting champions after an elite youth training centre whose alumni include the Spider-Man star Tom Holland was sold to developers, campaigners have said.The East London Gymnastic Centre was built with lottery funding in 1997 to provide affordable coaching in a deprived part of the capital. Continue reading...

Marks found at Gainsborough Old Hall in Lincolnshire are among most identified at any of the charity's 400 sitesAs English Heritage welcomes thousands of visitors over the Halloween period, a new discovery has made Gainsborough Old Hall in Lincolnshire a clear contender for the spookiest site of them all.The charity has uncovered a staggering array" of witches' marks and rare curses carved into the walls of the Tudor property, once visited by Henry VIII and his fifth Queen, Catherine Howard.

Girlfriend knows what happened to Mark', friend who saw 17-year-old hours before his body was found near Tamworth tells NSW coroners court

KAP leader questions motives of LNP candidates who concurred with his anti-abortion position during election campaignThe Queensland crossbench MP, Robbie Katter, says he thinks Liberal National party candidates who made anti-abortion comments prior to the state election were dog whistling" but have little intention of deviating from the party line.The Katter's Australian party leader told ABC Radio National on Tuesday that he would still seek to test the parliament" on a potential private member's bill to wind back some elements of Queensland's 2018 laws that decriminalised abortion. Continue reading...

Rogerson, 83, who was serving a life sentence for the 2014 murder of Jamie Gao, had received appropriate care,' deputy NSW coroner says

Interior minister ridicules ex-president's claim that government tried to kill him by firing shots at his carBolivia's government has accused former president Evo Morales of staging an attempt on his own life, saying that shots fired at his car on Sunday came after he tried to run a police checkpoint.Mr Morales, nobody believes the theater you have staged," the interior minister, Eduardo del Castillo, told a news conference. Continue reading...

Initiated by the Albanese government in 2023, the 866-page report finds people still feel resentment about what they lost' during pandemic lockdowns

Hospitality giant rejects claims by multiple staff of toxic environment' in reporting by Nine newspapers

Lawsuits are latest in wave of accusations in which people allege they were assaulted by Combs over last two decadesSean Diddy" Combs is accused in one of two lawsuits filed on Monday of drugging and sexually assaulting a 10-year-old boy in a New York City hotel room in 2005.The second lawsuit accuses the jailed hip-hop mogul of similarly assaulting a 17-year-old would-be contestant on the reality television series Making the Band in 2008. Continue reading...

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The director of films including Trash, Flesh and Women in Revolt has died in New York after a bout of pneumoniaPaul Morrissey, an early collaborator of Andy Warhol and the Velvet Underground and the director of cult films such as Flesh, Trash and Women in Revolt, has died at 86.His archivist, Michael Chaiken told the New York Times that Morrissey died in a New York hospital on Monday after a bout of pneumonia. Continue reading...

Addition of North Korean soldiers will stoke regional tensions and further stretch Ukraine's weary army in the almost three-year warNorth Korea has sent about 10,000 troops to Russia to train and fight in the Ukraine war within the next several weeks," the Pentagon has said, in a move that western leaders say will intensify the almost three-year war and jolt relations in the region.Some of the North Korean soldiers have already moved closer to Ukraine, Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh said on Monday, and were believed to be heading for the Kursk border region, where Russia has been struggling to push back a Ukrainian incursion. Continue reading...

Mood among protesters is one of deflation as some say Georgian Dream has already wonThousands of Georgians have taken to the streets in the capital, Tbilisi, to rally against the results of a contested weekend parliamentary election in which the increasingly anti-western governing party was declared victorious amid reports of irregularities and voter intimidation.The demonstration outside the parliament in the city centre was organised by the country's pro-western opposition, which has refused to concede defeat and has accused the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party of election rigging. Continue reading...

Above-inflation increase would give pay rise to more than 1 million low-paid workersThe national minimum wage is to increase by up to 6% next year, with more than 1 million low-paid workers in line for a pay rise, the Guardian understands.Rachel Reeves is expected to announce an increase above inflation and even higher than what had been predicted last month. Ministers, who will herald the rise as good news for working people, said that 18- to 20-year-olds ought to eventually be paid the same as older workers, according to a recommendation first reported in the Times. Continue reading...

Death of 26-year-old at Brook House comes a year after Albanian man died there after attempting suicideA man has died in detention at an immigration removal centre near Gatwick airport, Serco confirmed.The security company, which manages and operates the Brook House detention centre in West Sussex, said a 26-year-old man died on Sunday. The Home Office said their condolences are with the man's family and friends. Continue reading...

Funding for more surgical hubs and radiotherapy machines planned in what PM says will be budget to fix foundations'The budget will revive a broken but not beaten" NHS, Labour ministers have said, with billions of pounds of funding to be announced in an effort to cut record waiting lists.The chancellor, Rachel Reeves, said measures to be announced on Wednesday would end the neglect" of the health service, delivering more surgical hubs and radiotherapy machines in a drive to lay on an extra 40,000 appointments a week. Continue reading...

Berlin warns of serious consequences' for inhumane regime' after 69-year-old Jamshid Sharmahd put to deathIran has executed a 69-year-old German-Iranian political scientist after years in captivity, sparking outrage in Germany and beyond.Berlin warned of serious consequences" for Iran's inhumane regime" after Jamshid Sharmahd was put to death on Monday, while a Norway-based human rights group labelled the execution the extrajudicial killing of a hostage". Continue reading...

Far-right activist sentenced over false claims about refugee and ordered to pay costs of 80,350.82The far-right activist Tommy Robinson has been jailed for 18 months for contempt of court for repeating false allegations against a Syrian refugee, in breach of an injunction.He was told that nobody is above the law" by a judge who said the flagrant" breaches had been done in a sophisticated" way to ensure the false claims would achieve maximum coverage", reaching tens of millions of people. Continue reading...

Legislation bans UN agency from conducting any activity' inside Israel amid worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza

Witness reportedly says Runcorn and Helsby MP and second man were arguing about temporary bridge closureThe Labour MP who punched a constituent in the early hours of Saturday morning has been urged to resign, as it was reported that the pair rowed over the closure of a local bridge.Mike Amesbury was suspended from the party over the weekend and has had the whip withdrawn after videos emerged of the altercation in Frodsham, in his constituency in Cheshire. Continue reading...

Fears for effect on jobs at newspaper owned by billionaire Jeff Bezos that declined to back a presidential candidateThe furore over the Washington Post's decision to forgo a presidential endorsement continued on Monday, with writers for the newspaper pleading with subscribers not to cancel as it would only hurt journalists who did not make the call.The newspaper owned by the multibillionaire Jeff Bezos was thrown into a pre-election inferno on Friday when it announced that it would abandon a five-decade convention of making a formal presidential endorsement. Continue reading...