World news | The Guardian

As the state government considers reforming its contentious stamp duty, here are the benefits and pitfalls of replacing it with an annual tax

At least 133 people killed and scores wounded, according to authorities, after gunmen opened fire at Crocus City Hall. Islamic State has claimed responsibility

West Yorkshire police appeal for witnesses after Vauxhall Corsa involved in fatal crash in early hours of SaturdayPolice are appealing for information following a fatal collision involving a car driving in the wrong direction on the M62.West Yorkshire police received a report at 2.06am on Saturday of a Vauxhall Corsa travelling westbound on the eastbound carriageway of the motorway. Continue reading...

The Princess of Wales's cancer diagnosis has put a stop to the internet's wilder conspiracy theories, but it could be temporaryAfter Friday's filmed statement from the Princess of Wales, it is now TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and X, formerly Twitter, who are in the dock. This weekend thousands of individual users have expressed contrition over the conspiracy theories they aired and the boss of X herself tried to reposition her platform by urging compassion.A brave message delivered by Princess Kate with her signature grace," CEO of X, Linda Yaccarino, posted, adding, Her request for privacy, to protect her children and allow her to move forward (without endless speculation) seems like a reasonable request to respect." Continue reading...

Asio bosses fear growing threat' as foreign governments are allowed to gain knowledge of tradecraft

The federal opposition leader's calls to include nuclear power in Australia's energy mix has so far failed to win support from his state colleaguesThe federal Coalition faces a battle with the states on its proposal for nuclear power stations at the sites of decommissioned coal power plants, with state premiers and opposition leaders alike largely against Peter Dutton's proposal.Labor governments and Coalition oppositions in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia are either outright opposed to the plan or have failed to endorse it. Continue reading...

Fewer engagements are being conducted, and possible role of Harry as regent could raise constitutional issuesA decade ago, the royal family notched up more than 4,000 engagements in a year, travelling across the UK and criss-crossing the globe.The then Prince of Wales travelled to Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Colombia; Prince Harry went to Brazil and Chile and the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh carried out more than 660 engagements between them, including trips to France andItaly. Continue reading...

Labour lead would soar to 24 points if Kemi Badenoch or Suella Braverman became leader, according to Opinium pollThree out of the four Tory MPs seen as the most likely replacements for Rishi Sunak would fare even worse than the current prime minister in a general election battle against Keir Starmer, according to the latest Opinium poll for the Observer.The Conservatives have been involved in a fresh bout of leadership speculation over the past week, after rumours surfaced of a plot to dump Sunak and replace him with Penny Mordaunt, the leader of the House, before the next election. Continue reading...

Antonio Guterres says Palestinian people remain stuck in a non-stop nightmare' as Israel stands accused of blocking aid

Richard Bong downed 40 aircraft in a Lockheed P-38 Lightning before it crashed while being flown by another pilotA Wisconsin museum is partnering with a historical preservation group in a search for the wreckage of the second world war ace fighter pilot Richard Bong's plane in the South Pacific.The Richard I Bong Veterans Historical Center in Superior, Wisconsin, and the non-profit second world war historical preservation group Pacific Wrecks announced the search on Friday, Minnesota Public Radio reported. Continue reading...

Exclusive: newly obtained footage and leaked documents show how a mass casualty event' could arise from aggressive tactics employed by border forcesFrench police funded by the UK government have endangered the lives of vulnerable migrants by intercepting small boats in the Channel after they have set out for the UK, using tactics that search and rescue experts say could cause a mass casualty event".Shocking new evidence obtained by the Observer, Lighthouse Reports, Le Monde and Der Spiegel reveals for the first time that the French maritime police have tried physically to force small boats to turn around - manoeuvres known as pullbacks" - in an attempt to prevent them reaching British shores. Continue reading...

Antonio Guterres, standing beside a queue of waiting aid trucks, warns against ground assault on border townUS fighter jets from the USS Dwight D Eisenhower aircraft carrier struck three underground storage facilities in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen late on Friday, according to a US official, reports the Associated Press (AP).The official, who spoke to the news agency on condition of anonymity to discuss a military operation not yet made public, said the ship is in the Red Sea.

With his father and wife diagnosed with cancer and estranged from his once beloved brother, the blows have come thick and fastFor the Prince of Wales, the blows have come swiftly one after the other. First his father, King Charles, revealed that he had been diagnosed with cancer, and then came the news from doctors that his wife, Catherine, the Princess of Wales, also has cancer.The stress on the heir to the throne will be considerable. Not only must he support his wife and father, he must also shepherd his young children through a family medical crisis in the glare of global media coverage. And he must shoulder much of the responsibility of steering the monarchy through challenging months ahead. Continue reading...

Sardonic tribute to cheating husband Roger' on bench in Bristol prompts mention of elusive graffiti artistThe amateur sleuths, conspiracy theorists and mischief makers on the sweeping Royal York Crescent in Clifton, Bristol, all have opinions about a mysterious plaque appearing to out an adulterous husband.The brass plate engraved with For My Love/Husband, Father, Adulterer/Yes, Roger, I Knew" quickly attracted attention after it was attached to a wooden bench on the grand crescent's terrace at the end of last week. Continue reading...

Taylor dedicated years to improving lives of disadvantaged children after killing of his 10-year-old son on a London stairwell in 2000Richard Taylor, who spent the past 24 years campaigning against knife crime after his son Damilola Taylor was killed at the age of 10, has died, his family have announced.The former Nigerian civil servant worked for years to improve the lives of disadvantaged children after his son's stabbing in November 2000, and set up the Damilola Taylor Trust to campaign against knife crime. Continue reading...

Remarks scribbled in a Finnish copy of the much-loved book, to be featured in an exhibition on the author, reveal how the story was misunderstoodIt is Raymond Briggs's most loved book, notching up sales of 5.5m, while the TV adaptation is a hardy perennial in the Christmas schedules. However, the discovery of a Finnish edition of The Snowman with notes scribbled in the margin by its author decades after publication reveal that parts of the story have been misinterpreted.It has frequently been assumed that the melting and disappearance of the snowman was symbolic of the loss of Briggs's parents and wife in the 1970s. Not the case, according to the author's remarks. Continue reading...

Universities fear an autumn election will not leave undergraduates enough time to registerHundreds of thousands of students could be left unable to vote if the government calls an October general election, because there may not be enough time to register them, universities and student unions havewarned.Jeremy Hunt, the chancellor, last week hinted at a possible election October date during questioning by a House of Lords select committee. Universities and student unions were already nervous about the idea of an autumn election, when students are settling into new halls or houses and less likely to be focused on applying to joining the electoral register or acquiring photo ID that will be compatible with the government's new voter rules. Continue reading...

The US actor apologized for post poking fun at Princess of Wales while other celebs face criticism for mocking the royalAfter the Princess of Wales announced on Friday that she is undergoing treatment for cancer, the US actor Blake Lively apologized to Catherine for joking about a manipulated family photograph that the latter recently published as speculation about her whereabouts ran rampant.I'm sure no one cares today but I feel like I have to acknowledge this. I made a silly post around the Photoshop fails' frenzy, and oh man, that post has me mortified today," Lively wrote on Instagram. The star of Gossip Girl and A Simple Favor added: I'm sorry. Sending love and well wishes to all, always." Continue reading...

Party leading poll with 36.6% of vote, but suffered 12% swing against it since last election three years agoThe Liberal party faces having to negotiate with an expanded crossbench to hang on to power in Tasmania after winning the biggest share of the vote in the state election, but falling short of a majority of seats in parliament.By late on Saturday, the Liberals, led by premier Jeremy Rockliff, were leading the poll with nearly 36.6% of the vote, but had suffered a 12% swing against it since the last poll three years ago. Continue reading...

Monuments erected on the Stadtschloss are an infiltration' of the city and its skyline by nationalists, say criticsSilently towering into the grey Berlin sky, the latest addition to the German capital's skyline is easily missed by passengers passing along the Unter den Linden boulevard below. Eight statues of Old Testament prophets, each more than 3 metres tall and weighing 3 tonnes, were installed last week in a circular formation around the cupola of the palace in the centre of the metropolis.Whether these wise men made of sandstone are mere innocent bystanders overlooking the ebb and flow of German history or warriors in a culture war over the country's future, however, has been the subject of heated debate. Critics say the erection of Isaiah, Ezekiel and co is emblematic of the silent manipulation of a prestige architecture project by a shady group of donors with nationalist leanings. Continue reading...

Households renting outside cities rose by 19% with 450,000 more privately letting in 2021 compared with 2011A dramatic rise in the number of renters in rural areas has prompted England's largest councils to call for a new long-term plan for housing.The number of households in private and social rentals has increased by more than half a million in rural areas over the past decade, outpacing London and major cities, according to a report from the County Councils Network. Continue reading...

Princess of Wales says she has explained her diagnosis to George, Charlotte and Louis, which Cancer Research says is better than keeping a secret

Several McGill University students have spent more than three weeks demanding it divest $20m from various companiesA group of students at McGill University have spent more than three weeks on hunger strike in an effort to force the Canadian college to divest from companies supporting the Israeli military".The move follows months of protests and sit-ins at McGill and at universities around the world, as students and faculty members have protested against Israel's military offensive in Gaza. Continue reading...

Cancer Research UK's chief executive says high-profile cancer cases such as Catherine's can help others to seek help early

Islamic State claims responsibility after gunmen in combat gear opened fire and reportedly set off explosives at Crocus City Hall

Country's reputation as one of Africa's model democracies under threat after weeks of violenceSenegal heads to the polls on Sunday after weeks of chaos, violence and uncertainty prompted fears that democracy had been fatally undermined in one of west Africa's most stable countries.Analysts say the presidential election is the most wide open in Senegal since it secured independence from France more than 60 years ago. Continue reading...

Labor's Rebecca White is hoping to unseat Australia's only remaining Liberal government and return her party to power after 10 years in opposition

Police allege the accused dumped an injured man on a street in Melonba and left him to dieA man will face court accused of murder following a pre-arranged fight after which he allegedly dumped his opponent in a western Sydney street and left him to die.Emergency services were called to Georgina Crescent in Melonba about 8.45pm on Friday after reports a man had been found and was likely deceased. Continue reading...

The Princess of Wales's video was intended to calm the fevered speculation about her but may just spark yet more incessant coverageWhen she met Prince William, the heir to the British throne, more than 20 years ago at St Andrews University, Catherine, the Princess of Wales had her first taste of the appetite for news about her life and her budding romantic involvement with the young prince.Since their marriage in 2011, the desire for news, any news, about Catherine has only grown. Her every movement has been tracked, every outfit remarked upon, every decision - around her work, her children, the way she spends her free time, the way she moves - has been endlessly analysed, assessed, lauded or judged. Continue reading...

MPs due to have free vote on proposal but some in party have privately expressed concerns it goes too far

British Pregnancy Advisory Service says there is genuine concern' over rising number of investigations

Immersive tour at Musee d'Orsay takes visitors back to 15 April 1874 - the moment that marked the movement's birthIn a lush red-and-gold carpeted photographer's studio in northern Paris, Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Edgar Degas are adding the final touches to the hanging of their paintings, while fellow artists Berthe Morisot and Camille Pissarro lament the lack of recognition for their work and Claude Monet bemoans being mistaken for Edouard Manet.Outside, Parisian gentlemen in top hats and ladies in bustles are admiring the newly completed Opera House or enjoying an early evening drink on the cafe terraces while horse-drawn carriages clatter down Baron Haussmann's new grands boulevards. Continue reading...

In demonstration of Australia's air combat capability, Grant Shapps travels in RAAF Super Hornet after meeting with Anthony Albanese

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The ISKP regional affiliate has a haven in Afghanistan and carried out recent bombings in Iran, suggesting it has capacity for major atrocities

Duke and Duchess of Sussex say they hope Princess of Wales can heal privately' after she says she is in early stages of preventive chemotherapy

Concerns raised after former Cherish Life vice-president Alan Baker elected chair of party's Griffith divisional council

Royal says in recorded statement her condition was discovered after she had abdominal surgery in January

Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre says Biden's thoughts are with princess's family during this incredibly difficult time'The Joe Biden White House has expressed sympathy and support to the Princess of Wales after her announcement that she is being treated for cancer.Biden's press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, wished Catherine a full recovery at a Friday press briefing. Continue reading...

Catherine announces she has been diagnosed with cancer and is receiving chemotherapy treatmentThe Princess of Wales has announced she is undergoing chemotherapy treatment for cancer. She revealed the news in a video message that was broadcast on Friday evening.Here is the statement in full: Continue reading...

Catherine has lived life in public eye since meeting Prince William and still commands huge affectionFor the royal family, Catherine has been a dream princess. After the turbulent years of Diana and Sarah Ferguson, the royals were delighted when William became romantically involved with the nice, middle-class girl from the home counties when the pair were studying at St Andrews University.Since then, there has been a fairytale wedding, three healthy children, and a princess to be proud of: calm, cheerful and devoted to her job as wife and mother to the future king and his siblings. Continue reading...

Traumas and revelations of the past 12 months bring to mind the late Queen's speech from 1992

Labour and a Tory donor say it should be returned after police say they are investigating alleged racist remarksRishi Sunak has been urged to rethink the decision to keep 10m from the Conservative donor Frank Hester after police said they were investigating racist comments which were allegedly made" by the businessman in 2019.The investigation by West Yorkshire police was triggered by a complaint from Diane Abbott, after the Guardian reported that Hester told colleagues that looking at the MP made you want to hate all black women" and said she should be shot". Continue reading...

Blinken hits back after Russia and China veto draft resolution; Israeli PM says he hopes for US support, but will go into Rafah without itThe Palestinian news agency Wafa reports that hundreds of worshipers" were blocked" from reaching the al-Aqsa mosque compound by Israeli forces on Friday.According to Wafa: Eyewitnesses reported that Israeli forces significantly increased their military presence around checkpoints in Qalandia, north of Jerusalem, al-Zaytouna, east of Jerusalem, and Bethlehem to the south. The forces turned back hundreds of worshipers, citing a lack of necessary entry permits." Continue reading...

Far-right commentator posts The rumors are true - I am finally free' following clashes with site's co-founder Ben ShapiroThe far-right commentator Candace Owens left the rightwing Daily Wire website amid tensions over her alleged antisemitism and opposition to US funding of Israel's war in Gaza.Daily Wire and Candace Owens have ended their relationship," said Jeremy Boreing, co-founder of the site with the rightwing commentator Ben Shapiro, who has clashed with Owens and is a strong supporter of Israel and its actions. Continue reading...

Campaigner for Women Against State Pension Inequality says PM has power to bring legislation before parliamentRishi Sunak is lagging behind not just Keir Starmer but also Nigel Farage, Jeremy Corbyn and Boris Johnson in net favourability in some latest polling from YouGov.Other highlights include Sadiq Khan having a large lead over Susan Hall in popularity ahead of London's mayoral contest in May, and Vaughan Gething and Humza Yousaf both still having work to do to overhaul the popularity of their predecessors. Continue reading...

Campaigners call for outdated structures' that undermine progress and encourage inequality to be dismantledCultural organisations and equality campaigners have called on high-profile figures in the arts to give up their membership of the all-male Garrick Club, saying it undermines attempts to reduce gender bias in the sector and actively encourages inequality.More than half a dozen groups said they were concerned at the revelation that several cultural leaders, including the chair of the English National Opera and the chief executive of the Royal Opera House, were part of the exclusive club. Continue reading...

Judge says Arvind Kejriwal can be held until next Thursday, as his party's leaders condemn accusations as politically motivatedAn Indian court has ruled that Delhi's chief minister, Arvind Kejriwal, will be kept in custody for six days after his dramatic arrest on corruption charges.Kejriwal, the top elected official for the Indian capital, was taken in by police on Thursday night as part of an investigation into an alleged scam involving kickbacks for alcohol licensing deals. Continue reading...

Five-month impasse in UN security council extends as Netanyahu insists Israel will press ahead with new offensive against Rafah

Figures reveal 413,541 spent on travel since the policy to send asylum seekers there was devised in 2022