by Sally Weale Education correspondent on (#6J20H)
Opposition day motion seeks to create a council-maintained register of children in England not on the school rollLabour is planning to use an opposition day debate motion to bring forward legislation for a new register of children who are not in school as part of plans to tackle persistent absenteeism.New Labour analysis found that one in three children currently sitting their GCSEs have missed nearly three months of secondary school since the pandemic" and said this was likely to affect academic attainment. Continue reading...
Former Cop26 president abstains from vote saying bill breaks UK's promise to phase out fossil fuelsAlok Sharma has said the government's oil and gas bill going through the Commons will not cut household energy costs or create jobs and instead will break the UK's promise to phase out fossil fuels.The government's offshore petroleum licensing bill passed its second reading on Monday night with 293 votes to 211 against. No Conservative MPs voted against it, and Sharma - the former business secretary who served as president of the Cop26 climate talks - abstained. The legislation would place the North Sea Transition Authority under a duty to run annual applications for new offshore oil and gas licences. Continue reading...
Canadian-born director of Moonstruck and Fiddler on the Roof was a three-time Oscar nomineeNorman Jewison, the acclaimed and versatile Canadian-born director whose Hollywood films ranged from Doris Day comedies and Moonstruck to social dramas such as the Oscar-winning In the Heat of the Night, has died at the age of 97.Jewison, a three-time Oscar nominee who in 1999 received an Academy Award for lifetime achievement, died peacefully" on Saturday, according to his publicist Jeff Sanderson. Additional details were not immediately available. Continue reading...
by Jem Bartholomew (now) and Martin Belam (earlier) on (#6J1DJ)
Peers vote 214-171 to delay bill to allow more time for scrutinyMy colleague Mark Sweney has more dismal news on the economy this morning:More than 47,000 UK companies are on the brink of collapse after a 25% jump in businesses facing critical" financial distress in the final three months of 2023, according to a new report. Continue reading...
Lords vote for motion to delay ratification of Rwanda treaty until government can show country is safeRishi Sunak's plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda received its first parliamentary defeat on Monday after peers backed calls for protections to be introduced before any flights take off.The House of Lords voted for a motion which sought to delay ratification of the new Rwanda treaty until the government can show the country is safe. Continue reading...
Rory Bidwell, 12, achieved the maximum score of 162 on the test, above the 160 said to have been achieved by Einstein and HawkingA schoolboy from Devon has reportedly joined Mensa after scoring higher on an IQ test than Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking.Rory Bidwell, 12, recently achieved the maximum possible score for his age group of 162 on the Cattell III B test, the North Devon Gazette reported, just above the 160 purportedly assigned to physicists Einstein and Hawking. Continue reading...
New guidance to say health staff should not report women suspected of illegally ending pregnancies to policeDoctors and other healthcare staff should not report suspected illegal abortions to the police as prosecutions are never in the public interest, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists has said.In an intervention on Monday that will trigger further debate on the decriminalisation of abortion, Dr Ranee Thakar, the president of the professional body, said outdated and antiquated" abortion laws meant women were left vulnerable to criminal investigation. Continue reading...
Conditions at Ciudad Juarez zoo on US-Mexico border not suitable so container takes Benito to conservation park 1,000 miles awayA giraffe named Benito has started a 50-hour road trip to leave behind the cold and loneliness of Mexico's northern border city of Ciudad Juarez to find warmth - and maybe a mate - in his new home 2,000km (1,200 miles) to the south.A campaign by animal rights activists won the four-year-old giraffe a transfer to an animal park in Puebla state in central Mexico, where he will join a group of resident giraffes and enjoy a more suitable climate. Continue reading...
Councils disagreed on All England Club's plan to build 8,000-seat stadium on Grade II*-listed parkThe mayor of London's office has taken charge of the decision on whether to approve the All England Lawn Tennis Club's controversial plans to build on a Grade II*-listed park to expand the Wimbledon grand slam championships.This is a major planning application, of London-wide significance," a spokesperson for city hall said on Monday. Therefore, the deputy mayor has issued a direction under article 7 of the Town and Country Planning (Mayor of London) Order that he becomes the local planning authority for the purposes of determining the application. A full planning hearing will be held in due course." Continue reading...
Problems such as pulling on the lead, clinginess or aggression are most prevalent with almost all UK respondents reporting at least one issueWhether it is jumping up at strangers, tugging on a lead or disappearing into the distance, the UK's pandemic puppies are still in the doghouse, a survey has revealed.Research by the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has added to growing concerns that many owners who acquired a puppy during the height of the Covid pandemic are struggling with their dog's behaviour as they reach 21 months. Continue reading...
The show's run at Theatre Royal Drury Lane will end in September but British schools can then compete to stage itSince the summer of 2021 it has drawn waves of excited theatregoers wearing Elsa dresses - alongside the occasional Anna or Olaf costume - but the West End musical Frozen is to close later this year.On Monday, Disney Theatrical Group announced that the stage adaptation of the animated blockbuster was being extended for the final time. The show will complete its run at London's Theatre Royal Drury Lane on 8 September, having been seen by more than 2.8 million people. Its closure comes as a surprise: the show received five-star reviews, including from the Guardian, and was hailed by critics as the perfect introduction to theatre for children. A second sequel to the 2013 film is destined for cinemas, suggesting Frozen fever" is far from over. The North American tour of the Broadway musical has been running since 2019. Continue reading...
Second named storm in 36 hours continues country's most active storm season since records beganStorm Jocelyn will quickly follow Storm Isha, meteorologists said, continuing what has been the most active storm season in the UK and Ireland since records began.Met Eireann has named Storm Jocelyn, which is forecast to bring strong winds and heavy rain to the UK on Tuesday and into Wednesday. Continue reading...
Looking for a solution in the Middle East doesn't mean that we are not continuing supporting Ukraine,' says Josep BorrellIn an intelligence update published today, the British defence ministry said: Ukraine's ports exported more agricultural products in December 2023 than at any other point since Russia's invasion, almost certainly driven by the reopening of Ukraine's main Black Sea ports and the establishment of a unilateral shipping export channel."It added:Ukraine has achieved this because it has largely prevented the Russian Black Sea fleet from operating in the western Black Sea, where it is held at risk by Ukrainian missiles and uncrewed surface vessels. Continue reading...
Alice Weidel says UK departure is model for her country as party struggles with reaction to expose about deportation masterplan'The leader of Germany's far-right Alternative fur Deutschland has said her party will campaign for a Brexit-style vote on EU membership if it comes to power, calling the UK's departure from the bloc a model for its largest member.Alice Weidel told the Financial Times in an exclusive interview that the UK decision would be dead right" for Germany, and that a Dexit" would boost the country's self-determination. Continue reading...
As Biden unveils blitz of events to mark 1973 ruling, conservatives try to stage comeback after key ballot failuresWithin the subterranean levels of a fancy hotel in downtown Washington, just a few days before the 51st anniversary of Roe v Wade, the anti-abortion movement was trying to mount a comeback.Kevin Roberts stood on stage in a cavernous ballroom aglow with neon shades of blue, purple, and pink. As president of the Heritage Foundation, Roberts leads one of the main thinktanks behind recent conservative attacks on abortion. And he is not happy with how things are going. Continue reading...
Charges will plunge by equivalent of more than 300 a year as price cap drops to 1,620, say consultantsEnergy bills are expected to fall by the equivalent of more than 300 a year this spring after a drop in wholesale gas prices, helping households struggling with the pressure of the cost of living crisis.Cornwall Insight, a respected industry consultant, has forecast that average bills will fall by 16% on the previous quarter, and could reach their lowest since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Continue reading...
Bigger cars more likely to kill people, release more toxic gas and are outgrowing design of citiesNew cars in the EU and UK have grown 1cm wider every two years, the Guardian can reveal, driven by large luxury SUVs whose sales show no sign of slowing.It's unrelenting," said James Nix, an analyst at the Transport and Environment (T&E) campaign group and author of the report. Spurred on by sales of the largest SUVs, vehicles are getting wider every year." Continue reading...
Preliminary investigations show 47 people missing in mountainous region, state broadcaster reportsForty-seven people were buried in a landslide, with eight reported dead, in south-western Yunnan province, Chinese state media reported.China Central Television said on Monday that about 18 households were buried, and more than 200 people evacuated. Continue reading...
Jason Moore says he learned of 10k reward to have him stabbed shortly after court of appeal applicationA man in prison for a murder of which the victim's family believes he is innocent says he fears for his life after learning intelligence of a hit ordered on him.Jason Moore's conviction for stabbing to death Robert Darby in an east London pub car park in 2005 relied heavily on witness testimony that is now in doubt. The victim's brother, Tim Darby, is among those campaigning for Moore's release. Continue reading...
by Robert Booth Social affairs correspondent on (#6J1BZ)
Survivors say in wake of Post Office scandal: Those in power have lost their moral compass'Grenfell Tower survivors will this week confront executives from companies blamed for the disaster, after they said that in the wake of the Post Office scandal it was increasingly clear that those in power have lost their moral compass".Over four days in central London, dozens of the bereaved and survivors of the 2017 fire will tell leaders from the construction industry and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea of the horror" of the fire and its devastating personal impact". Continue reading...
by Hannah Ellis-Petersen and Aakash Hassan in Ayodhya on (#6J1C2)
Narendra Modi hails controversial opening as fulfilment of dream that many have cherished for years'More than three decades after a mob of militant Hindu radicals razed a mosque to the ground in the Indian town of Ayodhya, the country's prime minister, Narendra Modi, has inaugurated the new Hindu temple that will stand in its place.For some, the inauguration marks a hugely significant religious moment. Many Hindus believe Ayodhya to be the birthplace of the popular deity Lord Ram and the building of the temple, after over a century of disputes, has been heralded as Ram returning to his rightful place, and India freeing itself from the chains of past religious occupation. Continue reading...
In today's newsletter: Politicians from Germany's rightwing AfD party have been exposed for plotting with extremists - but will they be banned, or could it see support rise? Sign up here for our daily newsletter, First EditionGood morning. The far-right Alternative fur Deutschland (AfD) party now polls above 20% in Germany - and it is showing no signs of going away. Earlier this month, a story emerged that you might have expected to deal a hammer blow to its popularity: AfD politicians met with rightwing extremists and neo-Nazi activists to discuss a masterplan" for mass deportations.Mainstream political leaders condemned the AfD, and tens of thousands marched in protest across Germany for seven nights in a row. Yesterday, Philip Oltermann and Kate Connolly reported for the Observer that theatregoers attending a staged reading of the original report in Berlin chanted Everyone, together, against fascism" for 10 minutes when it ended. Despite all of this the AfD's support appears to be unaffected. The party is on track to win three major state elections in the east of Germany during 2024.Israel-Gaza war | Hamas has said Benjamin Netanyahu's rejection of its conditions means there is no chance for the return of the [Israeli] captives", estimated to be 130 in number. The Israeli PM dismissed the militant group's conditions, which he said included leaving Hamas in power and Israel's complete withdrawal from Gaza.US news | Ron DeSantis, the hard-right governor of Florida, has ended his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination and endorsed Donald Trump. DeSantis's withdrawal in the days ahead of the New Hampshire primary followed a disappointing result in the Iowa caucus, where he finished second place but well behind Donald Trump.Health | A national campaign to boost uptake of a vaccine that protects against measles has been launched in England after a rise in cases of the potentially deadly disease. Measles outbreaks have occurred around the country, including in London, with the West Midlands experiencing cases at their highest level since the mid-1990s.Weather | Storm warnings have been issued across parts of Britain as Storm Isha takes hold, with potentially life-threatening gusts and travel disruption expected into Monday.Brexit | The UK's fruit and flower growers face an existential threat" from new post-Brexit border checks that could damage business and affect next year's crops, the country's biggest farming body has said. Continue reading...
by Rebecca Ratcliffe South-east Asia correspondent on (#6J1AQ)
Ferdinand Marcos Jr was flown in because concert-goers created unforeseen traffic complications', bodyguards sayPhilippine president Ferdinand Marcos Jr has been criticised for using a presidential helicopter to attend a Coldplay concert north of the capital Manila, bypassing the area's notorious traffic jams.On social media, many accused the president of wasting taxpayers' money, and pointed out that the public has to endure Metro Manila's infamous traffic daily while commuting. Continue reading...
The Coalition backed a bill in 2022 to start the treaty process with Indigenous people in Victoria but has now ended years of bipartisanship on the issue
Forecasters warn of life-threatening gusts in coastal areas as weather causes travel disruption across countryStorm warnings have been issued across parts of Britain as Storm Isha takes hold, with potentially life-threatening gusts and travel disruption expected into Monday.A tornado watch" zone was in place for Northern Ireland, as well as parts of Scotland and northern England, but expired late on Sunday. Continue reading...
Exclusive: Report shows Russian ships loading at North Korean port, amid accusation that Pyongyang supplies missiles and shellsThe UK has provided satellite photographs of North Korean cargo shipments to Russia to a panel of UN experts as part of an attempt to trigger an official investigation into arms deals in violation of international sanctions.North Korea has been accused of supplying ballistic missiles and hundreds of thousands of artillery shells to the Russian government for its war in Ukraine since Vladimir Putin met with Kim Jong-un in Russia's far east in September. Continue reading...
Whistleblowers allege large sums are being lost to corruption in Iraq as donors fail to track spending on postwar reconstructionStaff working for the UN in Iraq are allegedly demanding bribes in return for helping businessmen win contracts on postwar reconstruction projects in the country, a Guardian investigation has found.The alleged kickbacks are one of a number of claims of corruption and mismanagement the Guardian has uncovered in the Funding Facility for Stabilization, a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) scheme launched in 2015 and backed by $1.5bn (1.2bn) in support so far from 30 donors, including the UK. Continue reading...
by Denis Campbell Health policy editor on (#6J19F)
GP leaders say widespread shortage of family doctors is making it impossible to keep up with demandOne in 20 patients has to wait at least four weeks to see a GP at a time when funding for family doctor services is falling, NHS figures show.In November 2023, 1.5m appointments in England at a GP surgery took place four weeks or more after they were booked, 4.8% of the 31.9m held that month. Continue reading...
by Adam Fulton (now); Maya Yang, Yohannes Lowe, Charl on (#6J0RQ)
This blog is now closed. See all our Middle East crisis coverage hereA total of 25,105 Palestinians have been killed and 62,681 have been injured in Israeli strikes on Gaza since 7 October, the Gaza health ministry said in a statement on Sunday.An estimated 178 Palestinians were killed and 293 injured in the past 24 hours, the ministry added. Continue reading...
Years of strong price growth meant sellers in England and Wales netted hefty windfall despite fall in house pricesHomeowners in England and Wales who sold their property in 2023 netted an average profit of 102,000 despite house prices falling last year, according to new data.The data, issued by estate agent Hamptons, shows that while 2023 was challenging for the UK property market, years of strong price growth meant those who sold a home last year typically banked a sizeable profit or had a decent sum to put towards their next purchase. Continue reading...
British Heart Foundation says its figures reveal the worst heart care crisis in living memory'Premature deaths from cardiovascular disease have reached their highest rate in England for more than a decade, figures reveal.According to the British Heart Foundation (BHF), the rate at which people under 75 died from heart problems was in decline before the Covid pandemic, although progress slowed between 2012 and 2019. Continue reading...
by Kiran Stacey Political correspondent on (#6J152)
Labour leader's speech will be his most outspoken response to woke' politics criticisms by ConservativesKeir Starmer will defend organisations such as the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and the National Trust on Monday, accusing the Conservatives of attacking them to stoke a desperate" culture war.The Labour leader will mount a forceful defence of the institutions during a speech to a civil society summit on Monday in his most outspoken response to Conservative criticisms of woke" politics. Continue reading...
Contracts, which will cost 36m a year, tendered following news that existing boats will be replaced four years later than plannedThe Home Office has had to procure private boats at the cost of 36m a year to help Border Force patrol the Channel for small boats, owing to a delay in plans to replace the current fleet.Replacing the fleet of five cutters and six coastal patrol vessels, some of which are 20 years old, will now not begin until March 2026, four years later than planned. Continue reading...
Man, 45, and woman, 36, found dead in house in Costessey were related to two girls to be given later postmortem examinationsTwo adults found dead with two children at a house in Norfolk died as a result of stab wounds to the neck, a postmortem examination has found.The bodies of two young girls, reportedly aged 12 and seven and believed to be daughters of the male, a 36-year-old woman and a 45-year-old man were found in a house on Allan Bedford Crescent, Costessey, on Friday. All four were related, police said. The man has been named locally as Bartomiej Kuczyski, a structural engineer, and the 12-year-old daughter as Jasmin Kuczyski. Continue reading...
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