World news | The Guardian

President's resignation shines light on gap between government's behaviour and rhetoric as country prepares for local and European electionsA scandal rocking Hungarian politics is exposing Viktor Orban's vulnerabilities and testing his opposition as the country prepares for local and European elections in June.The Hungarian prime minister has been spending a significant amount of time travelling the globe in a quest to build up an international brand as a conservative figure dedicated to promoting traditional values. Continue reading...

Ex-SAS soldier is appealing court ruling that dismissed his defamation case against Sydney Morning Herald, the Age and the Canberra Times over war crimes reports

Anthony Andolfo sentenced to seven days in prison after scaling 55-storey building in Melbourne's CBD without any safety equipmentA French national who scaled the side of a Melbourne skyscraper without any safety gear has claimed he wasn't seeking fame or social media followers.Anthony Andolfo, 30, was on Tuesday sentenced in Melbourne magistrates court to seven days in jail, reckoned as time served, after pleading guilty over the 6 February incident. Continue reading...

The presidential office denies that Joko Widodo has interfered in the upcoming voteIndonesian President Joko Widodo is facing mounting criticism over alleged interference in the country's looming elections, as the country prepares to hold the world's biggest single day vote.More than 200 million people are eligible to vote in Indonesia's elections on Wednesday, in which the country's next president will be selected, as well as future executive and legislative representatives at all administrative levels. Continue reading...

Company to establish pop-ups before Melbourne and Sydney shows as new tickets go on sale

NSW Productivity Commission says exodus of people aged 30 to 40 highlights need for greater density, particularly in inner suburbs

Government plans to deliver SMRs lack clarity' say environmental committee, and will likely fail to meet clean-energy goal of 2035MPs have warned that a planned fleet of small nuclear reactors are unlikely to contribute to hitting a key target in decarbonising Britain's electricity generation, as the government opened talks to buy a site in Wales for a new power station.The Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) said that ministers' approach to developing factory-built nuclear power plants lacks clarity" and their role in hitting a goal of moving the grid to clean energy by 2035 was unclear. Continue reading...

Measures would include making it easier to get planning permission to build on derelict sites in urban areasRishi Sunak will announce a series of proposed changes to the planning system on Tuesday to encourage developers to build more homes, in a move designed to boost development in urban areas even while housebuilding slumps nationally.The prime minister and Michael Gove, the housing secretary, will announce a consultation into a package of measures aimed at making it easier for developers to get permission to build on derelict sites in England's 20 biggest towns and cities. Continue reading...

Bullet hole found in Inderjit Singh Gosal's house, reigniting fears of an apparent campaign of violence targeting Sikh separatistsThe house of a Sikh activist in Canada has been hit by gunfire, in the second such incident this month, reigniting fears of an apparent transnational campaign of violence and intimidation targeting Sikh separatists.A construction crew found a bullet hole in a window of an unfinished house in the city Brampton, Ontario, on Monday, according to the the US-based group Sikhs for Justice. Continue reading...

Politicians say Palestinians sheltering in the southern city in Gaza have nowhere else to goJoe Biden has added his voice to growing international calls for Israel to drop plans for an all-out military assault on the city of Rafah, in southern Gaza, after a ferocious hostage rescue operation that killed dozens of Palestinians.Speaking after talks with Jordan's King Abdullah at the White House on Monday, the US president said: A major military operation in Rafah should not proceed without a credible plan for ensuring the safety and support of more than one million people sheltering there. Continue reading...

Party no longer campaigning for Azhar Ali, who suggested Israel had allowed 7 October attack to happenLabour has withdrawn its support for Azhar Ali, its candidate for this month's Rochdale byelection, in the wake of controversial comments he made about the 7 October attacks on Israel.The Rochdale byelection - to be held on 29 February - will no longer feature an officially sanctioned Labour candidate. Continue reading...

PM tells live audience deportation scheme is necessary deterrent and says he is working for long-term changeRishi Sunak has said he is absolutely committed" to his Rwanda policy during a one-hour Q&A session on GB News in which he insisted he understands the country's frustrations after 14 years of Conservative-led government.The prime minister told voters that the Rwanda deportations scheme was necessary as a deterrent" to channel crossings. Continue reading...

A social media sensation for her chronicling of the war, the 22-year-old tells Bankstown Poetry Slam about life under bombardment in Gaza

Pressure grows on Israel to avoid what UN human rights chief called further atrocity crimes' as reports say 74 people were killed in Rafah airstrikes

Parents in disbelief after students at Montreal's Westwood junior high found their art for purchase on mugs, phone cases and clothesA Canadian teacher is under fire for allegedly using his personal website to sell nearly 100 pieces of art created by students, prompting disbelief and anger from parents.Students at Montreal's Westwood junior high school made the chance discovery last night after searching out their art teacher's website. On it they found their own art, available for purchase on coffee mugs, mobile phone cases and clothing. Continue reading...

Polish PM Donald Tusk says all for one, and one for all' in thinly veiled riposte to Republican frontrunnerEuropean leaders have called for greater unity and military cooperation across the continent in response to comments from Donald Trump that threatened to undermine the basis of Nato.Donald Tusk, Poland's prime minister, said on a visit to Paris on Monday that there was no alternative" to the EU and the transatlantic alliance before a summit in which he discussed deepening defence relationships with the French president, Emmanuel Macron. Continue reading...

Body of Lifei Huang, 22, recovered on Sunday morning after being reported missing on 4 FebruaryThe body of a 22-year-old hiker has been recovered from the mountains in southern California following an intense week-long search in challenging winter conditions, authorities said on Sunday.Lifei Huang disappeared on 4 February after going hiking alone in the Mount Baldy area of the San Gabriel mountains, just as an atmospheric river was set to drench the region. The historic storm covered the mountains in snow and the harrowing weather and avalanche risks hindered search efforts. Continue reading...

Government efforts to auction Amadea, vessel allegedly owned by Suleiman Kerimov, challenged by ex-head of Russian oil companyThe US government has said it is spending more than $7m a year to maintain a superyacht it seized from a sanctioned Russian oligarch, and urged a judge to let it auction the vessel before a dispute over its ownership is resolved.Authorities in Fiji seized the 348ft (106-meter), $300m Amadea in May 2022, pursuant to a US warrant alleging it was owned by Suleiman Kerimov, a multibillionaire sanctioned by the US treasury department in 2014 and 2018 in response to Russia's activities in Syria and Ukraine. Continue reading...

Double child rapist and murderer will face fresh parole hearing after appealThe mother of one of Colin Pitchfork's victims has expressed her anger after the rapist and murderer won an appeal for a fresh parole hearing to determine whether he should be released from prison.Pitchfork was jailed for life with a minimum term of 30 years in 1988, later reduced to 28 years, for raping and strangling Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth, both 15, in 1983 and 1986 respectively. Continue reading...

Fernando Simon Marman and Louis Har's family say they did not know about rescue before being told to go to hospital to see them

County won't say if personal information was stolen but that elections computers are up and Trump case is unaffectedAs a Fulton county, Georgia, board of registration and elections meeting began in earnest Thursday afternoon, the elections director, Nadine Williams, unfurled a prepared statement about a recent hack of county government computers.There is no indication that this event is related to the election process," Williams said. In an abundance of caution, Fulton county and the secretary of state's respective technology systems were isolated from one another as part of the response efforts. We are working with our team to securely reconnect these systems as preparations for upcoming elections continue." Continue reading...

Based on the book by Newsnight producer Sam McAlister, the film features Gillian Anderson as Emily Maitlis and Rufus Sewell as AndrewNetflix has released the first trailer for Scoop, its drama about the machinations behind Prince Andrew's disastrous interview with Emily Maitlis on the BBC's Newsnight in 2019.Featuring Gillian Anderson as Maitlis and Rufus Sewell as Andrew, the film is based on a book by former Newsnight producer Sam McAlister, and is directed by Philip Martin. McAlister is played in the film by Billie Piper, while Keeley Hawes is Prince Andrew's private secretary Amanda Thirsk. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Force accused of systematic failings, with allegations including rape and beatingsPolice officers accused of subjecting seven women to abuse including rapes, beatings, and psychological torment were allegedly protected by their force, with two appointed to roles protecting women from assault and harm.The force, which stands accused of systematic failings, is Devon and Cornwall, the Guardian has learned. Continue reading...

Ukrainian air force says 14 out of 17 drones and one Kh-59 cruise missile destroyed after Russia launched themGerman chancellor Olaf Scholz on Monday said defence companies could count on his government ramping up military spending and that it would meet its commitment to spend 2% of GDP on Nato defence.Scholz was speaking after former US president Donald Trump sparked outrage among US allies by suggesting the United States might not protect fellow Nato members who are not spending enough on defence against a potential Russian invasion.Ukraine's air defence systems destroyed 14 out of 17 drones that Russia launched overnight and one Kh-59 cruise missile, Ukraine's Air Force said. The air force said on the Telegram messaging app that Russia also launched missiles from S-300 long-range surface-to-air missile systems, but it did not say how many or whether they hit any targets, Reuters reported.Oleh Synehubov, governor of the Kharkiv region in Ukraine's northeast, said late on Sunday that Russia attacked his region with missiles launched from the S-300 systems in Russia's Belgorod region that borders Ukraine. He said that according to preliminary information, there were no casualties, but the facades of some non-residential buildings were damaged.Serhiy Lisak, governor of the Dnipropetrovsk region, said late on Sunday that Russia attacked the region's city of Pavlohrad with drones. There were no casualties, but some parts of the city lost electricity. Reuters was not able to independently verify the reports.Russian forces in occupied Ukraine are using Starlink terminals produced by Elon Musk's SpaceX for satellite internet in what is beginning to look like a systemic" problem, Kyiv's main military intelligence agency has claimed. Starlink terminals were rushed in to help Ukraine after Russia's February 2022 invasion and have been vital to Kyiv's battlefield communications. Starlink says it does not do business of any kind with Russia's government or military.Russian forces are obtaining Starlink terminals illicitly from third countries and they are increasing their use on the front line, the Ukrainian military spy agency's spokesperson told Reuters on Monday, without explaining how he knew. Andriy Yusov, the military official, also said that work was underway to counter Russia's use of the terminals in occupied parts of Ukraine as the full-scale war with Russia nears the two-year mark.The Kremlin has said that Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet system was neither certified for use in, nor officially supplied to, Russia, and therefore could not be used. Ukraine, which has used Starlink for military communications throughout its conflict with Russia, said on Sunday that Russian troops were using Starlink in parts of Ukraine they control, Reuters reported.Russia on Monday imposed sanctions on 18 British citizens for what Moscow said was demonising Russia and escalating the war in Ukraine. Russia imposed what it called personal sanctions against deputy defence minister James Cartlidge, and a number of other officials and academics including historians Orlando Figes and Norman Davies and Russia specialist James Sherr.The US Senate on Monday will attempt to steer a $95.34 billion package containing aid for Ukraine and Israel to passage this week following months of delays, even as it lacked any guarantee that the House of Representatives will support the measure. On Sunday, the bill got a boost when the Senate voted 67-27 to move it past an important procedural hurdle. Also over the weekend, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer set a course for passage by Wednesday.Polish prime minister Donald Tusk said on Monday that France and Poland are on the same page as regards the geopolitical situation and support for Ukraine, Reuters reported. We want us to send a common signal that we are ready for solidarity in all the most difficult situations ... we are rebuilding the Weimar Triangle," Tusk said during a joined press conference in Paris with president Emmanuel Macron. Continue reading...

New Australian guidelines balance the risk of getting too much sun exposure with the benefits of vitamin D uptake

As the police investigation enters its second week, wild speculation and conspiracy theories spread on social media

Voters approve of Labor's rejigged income tax cuts but any broader reform would fail to win over majority, latest survey finds

Israeli army says hostages, named as Fernando Simon Marman, 60, and Louis Har, 70, freed during raid in Rafah

Mahomes leads winning touchdown drive in overtime in 25-22 NFL win. Plus: mummified monkeys

Expert says treatment plans set out while patients are well should be included in Mental Health Act reforms in England and WalesFewer people with mental illnesses would endure the trauma of being sectioned if advanced choice documents - setting out a treatment plan while they are well - were included in Mental Health Act reforms, a leading psychiatrist has said.Advanced choice documents are the only proven way to reduce the number of people detained under the Mental Health Act in England and Wales, which is one of the reforms' core objectives, said Dr Lade Smith, the president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists. Continue reading...

PM flags amendments to privacy laws and strengthening of hate speech laws after publication of details of a WhatsApp group of Jewish Australians

Support for Azhar Ali in looming byelection is a failure to tackle antisemitism, says leading campaigner

Witnesses claim victims shot execution style' during house raids after clashes between government forces and Fano rebelsEthiopian government troops went door-to-door killing dozens of civilians last month in a town in the country's Amhara region, according to residents, who said the bloodshed took place after clashes with local militia.The killings in Merawi appear to be one of the deadliest episodes in Amhara since a rebellion by Fano, an armed Amhara group, erupted last year over a disputed plan to disarm regional forces. Continue reading...

Takeaway delivery riders say employment status has left many struggling to earn national living wageDelivery drivers for food-ordering platforms including Deliveroo and Uber Eats are staging a Valentine's Day strike to demand better pay and conditions.The stoppage on Wednesday is being organised by a grassroots group, Delivery Job UK, many of whose members are Brazilian. It claims to have more than 3,000 supporters in London and several other cities. Continue reading...

Court in former SAS soldier's defamation appeal hears arguments supporting reports old man found in tunnel was unlawfully killed

Pressure mounts on Nationals to demote MP amid claims response has revealed double standard

Five capitals swelter through 30C-plus temperatures as dramatic cool change forecast to sweep Melbourne and regional Victoria on Tuesday

Western Australian senator and former defence minister says political parties must be renewed' as she hints at new career outside parliament

Airservices Australia were grilled in Senate estimates after nationwide flight disruptions due to the missing staff. Follow the day's news live

Airservices Australia faces questions in estimates about Monday's delays and cancellations as agency's CEO defends his almost $1m salary

Home affairs department also reveals 24 former detainees have been charged with visa rule breaches or state offences since their release

Abstract painter hopes to inspire young people with fine art after government cuts made it the preserve of the elite'Sir Frank Bowling, one of Britain's most celebrated abstract painters, is selling prints of his work to help fund art supplies for 100 primary schools in England as part of a project that he hopes will be a gamechanger" in art education by making state school students realise art isn't off limits.Proceeds from the sale of 100 hand-signed prints will fund art packages", including canvas, paint and a six-lesson curriculum that could give about 30,000 primary schoolchildren an alternative" introduction to art. Continue reading...

Failure to ensure special care for more than 1 million civilians in the area would cause serious harm to Israel's own interests', foreign minister, Penny Wong, says

Employers are reining in hiring plans despite improved business confidence driven by services sectorWorkers in the UK can expect less generous salary settlements this year, as employers rein in hiring plans, according to a report from the professional body for human resources.In its regular labour market outlook, which gauges employers' expectations for the year ahead, the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) said employers were pencilling in the most meagre pay rises since the pandemic. Continue reading...

Lawyers see Basir's case as test of European policies that fail to provide safe routes to sub-Saharan asylum seekersFor 25-year-old Basir, it was a ray of hope after fleeing Sudan more than a decade ago. For his lawyers, the asylum request he made from Morocco was the ultimate test of whether Spain - and more broadly the EU - was willing to provide safe migration routes to some of the world's most vulnerable people.Thirteen months later, the answer is a resounding no. Little has changed for Basir, a Christian, who was left for dead at 15 in an attack that killed his father and brother. He continues to live rough on the streets of Morocco, scrambling to land odd jobs so he can buy food. He asked that his real name not be used for safety reasons. Continue reading...

Damning report by MPs warns policy places UK's reputation for rule of law and human rights in jeopardy'The UK government's controversial Rwanda legislation that deems the African country as a safe place to deport people to is fundamentally incompatible with Britain's human rights obligations and places it in breach of international law, according to a damning parliamentary report.MPs and peers from the cross-party joint committee on human rights have delivered a critical analysis of the safety of Rwanda bill, which is progressing at speed through parliament. Continue reading...

Figure of 20.4% is highest since records began in 2009, prompting warnings over growing relianceOne in five NHS staff in England are non-UK nationals, according to figures that show the pivotal role foreign workers play in keeping the health service afloat.Healthcare workers from 214 countries - from India, Portugal and Ghana to tiny nations such as Tonga, Liechtenstein and Solomon Islands - are employed in the NHS. And the proportion of roles filled by non-UK nationals has risen to a record high, according to analysis of NHS Digital figures. Continue reading...

Lib Dems say last month an average of 5,735 people a day faced waits of 12 hours or more to be seenMore than 1.5 million patients in England had to wait 12 hours or longer in A&E in the past year, according to figures that MPs say lay bare the impact of the government's neglect of the NHS.Last month 177,805 patients faced waits of 12 hours or more to be seen in emergency departments, an average of 5,735 a day. It means one in 10 patients (12.4%) arriving at A&E waited 12 hours before being admitted, transferred or discharged. Continue reading...

Britain's cancer survival rates are improving but the UK still lags behind comparable countries. The Guardian's health editor, Andrew Gregory, reportsThe announcement last week that King Charles had been diagnosed with cancer has been met with sympathy and support for the 75-year-old. But alongside the focus on what it means for his future role as monarch, it has also led to a closer examination of what cancer care looks like in the UK in 2024.For many, such as 37-year-old Nathaniel Dye, it has meant a diagnosis that has come too late. He has stage 4 bowel cancer, which has spread to other parts of his body. Dye has been told that in similar cases only 10% of people survive five years. Continue reading...

Starlink says it does not do business of any kind with Russia's government or military