by Neha Gohil Community affairs correspondent on (#6MTXA)
Nelson Shardey, 74, has lived in the UK since 1977 and ran a Merseyside newsagent for 31 yearsA former shopkeeper described as a Merseyside local legend" is pursuing a legal challenge against the Home Office after he was refused indefinite leave to remain, despite living in the UK for more than 45 years.Nelson Shardey, 74, came to the UK from Ghana at the age of 28 on a student visa in 1977 and has lived in the country ever since. The retired newsagent, who has two sons living in the UK, has no access to public funds or pension credits after the Home Office refused to grant him indefinite leave to remain and wrongly advised him to apply for the Windrush scheme. Continue reading...
Conservatives criticised over plans to ban sex and relationship lessons for children under nine in EnglandSchool leaders have accused the government of using children as a political football" over its proposals to restrict sex education lessons by age in England.The revised guidance, to be published on Thursday, outlines what topics could be taught to specific age groups, as well as allowing parents access to teaching materials used and further restrict how teachers address gender and sexuality, after pressure from Conservative MPs. Continue reading...
One-size-fits-all guidance will lead to some children accessing information via internet searchesWhen it comes to sex education in schools in England, teachers and experts agree on one thing: using age alone to determine what topics to cover and what to avoid risks leaving some children more vulnerable.Headlines announcing the new guidance, to be published under consultation this week, focused on its bar on teaching sex education in primary schools to children earlier than year 5, when they are aged 9. Continue reading...
Man, 31, re-arrested on suspicion of possession of articles for terrorist purposes after earlier arrest on non-terrorism chargesA man has been arrested by counter-terrorism officers after a number of suspicious substances" were found at a property in Bedfordshire.The 31-year-old man, from Bedfordshire, was arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of possession of articles for terrorist purposes and remains in custody, the Metropolitan police said. Continue reading...
by Angelique Chrisafis in Paris and agencies on (#6MTBM)
Macron holds crisis meeting amid unrest over plan to increase number of French nationals eligible to vote in Pacific territoryFrance has said it will impose a state of emergency in New Caledonia for at least 12 days, after a second night of unrest over changes to voting rights in the overseas territory that has resulted in the deaths of at least four people.More than 130 people have been arrested and more than 300 injured, according to the french high commission. Continue reading...
Law change not anti-cycling' says Iain Duncan Smith, who brought the amendment to the criminal justice billA new offence of causing death or serious injury by dangerous, careless or inconsiderate cycling is to be introduced.The law will be changed after a deal was reached between the government and the former Conservative leader, Iain Duncan Smith, whose amendment to the criminal justice bill was backed by 37 fellow Tory backbenchers. Continue reading...
RedBird IMI deal effectively killed by new legislation blocking foreign states from owning UK newspapersThe former CNN executive who fronted a failed bid for the Telegraph newspaper by a UAE-backed consortium has suggested the government was not willing to listen to assurances about editorial neutrality.Jeff Zucker said there were figures in the UK who were scared" of the 600m deal, which would have seen the Abu Dhabi-backed consortium, RedBird IMI, take control of the Telegraph and Spectator. Continue reading...
Judge expresses concern that previous warnings about former NEU official Neil Foden, 66, were ignoredA former headteacher has been found guilty of sexual offences against four girls, with a judge expressing concern that warnings about him were ignored.Neil Foden, 66, who worked in schools in north Wales, was convicted of 19 offences and told he faces a lengthy jail term when he is sentenced in July. Continue reading...
Ex-leader who still does not have party whip will not be on shortlist and is likely to run as an independentLabour has kicked off candidate selection to run in Jeremy Corbyn's seat of Islington North, with the contender for the seat expected to be confirmed by 1 June.Corbyn, who is still suspended for comments he made in the aftermath of the equalities watchdog report into antisemitism in Labour, has been barred from standing again for the party. He won the seat with a majority of more than 26,000 in 2019. Continue reading...
Main suspect in Madeleine McCann case in court in Germany charged with three rapes and two indecent assaultsA woman who was raped at knife point by a masked man in Portugal 20 years ago has told a German court how the trauma of the ordeal had left her suffering from frequent panic attacks.Hazel Behan, 40, broke down as she recalled how a man dressed in black had entered her apartment in the resort of Praia da Rocha in the Algarve at 3am on 16 June 2004. She told how he stood over her bed and woke her by calling her name before proceeding to rape her repeatedly over several hours. Continue reading...
Common sense minister' denies plan to Channel 4 News despite saying earlier this week that lanyards should be a standard design'Labour says the Ministry of Justice's decision to delay court hearings because of prison overcrowing (see 10.39am) shows that people are less safe" under the Tories. That's a very convenient retort to Rishi Sunak, because only two days ago he gave a major speech arguing that security was a key reason why his party deserved to win the election.In a statement, Shabana Mahmood, the shadow justice secretary, said:The Tories continue to make major and unprecedented changes to the justice system without so much as a word to the public. It's completely unacceptable and the public will be alarmed at this latest panic measures.The government is stalling justice and leaving victims in limbo because of the mess they have created. This comes days after they hid from the public that they're now letting criminals out of jail earlier than ever before.The government is completely failing [on knife crime]. We've had an 80% increase since 2015 and rises all around the country. That's the first point.On stop and search, that is intelligence lead and evidence-based and is a really important tool. We've had, for example, the Inspectorate of Constabulary, an independent organisation, looking at this saying that what's essential is that it is done in that targeted way. Continue reading...
Opposition has seized upon killings that shine spotlight on two big issues: prisons crisis and violent drug tradeAs police continued to hunt the gunmen who killed two prison guards at a Normandy toll booth and freed a convict linked to gangland drug killings, the debate on law and order in France has intensified before next month's European elections.Both Gerald Darmanin, the hardline interior minister, and Jordan Bardella, the far-right president of Marine Le Pen's National Rally, used the same dramatic vocabulary to warn of savagery" in French society. Continue reading...
by Amy Sedghi (now) and Caroline Davies (earlier) on (#6MTDX)
US secretary of state says ammunition, armoured vehicles and missiles will be rushed to frontline as Moscow says it has captured more territoryHere are some of the latest images from the newswires:Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak dismissed Russian president Vladimir Putin's comments on possible negotiations over his war in Ukraine as hypocritical" on Wednesday. Continue reading...
Sleepwalking expert Ramya Nagesh said she was suffering from post-Covid fatigueA barrister who wrote a book on sleepwalking who fell asleep during a coroner's inquest has been cleared of all professional misconduct charges.Ramya Nagesh, a member of commercial chambers in Gray's Inn Square in London, was accused by the Bar standards board (BSB) of harming the public's trust in the profession after falling asleep during a virtual hearing. Continue reading...
Release from agency and homeland security department does not mention any specific threats to any event or individualThe FBI and Department of Homeland Security have issued a warning that Pride month celebrations, which run through June, might be targeted by foreign terrorist organizations or their supporters.The release, dated 10 May, does not mention any specific threats or intelligence suggesting that any event, celebration or individual has been targeted. Continue reading...
Exclusive: Judge accused Robert Courts of mischaracterising evidence' against Trudi WarnerThe government's most senior law officer is to appeal against a decision not to allow a contempt of court action against climate campaigner Trudi Warner for holding a placard on the rights of jurors outside a British court, the Guardian can reveal.Mr Justice Saini ruled at the high court last month there was no basis to take action against Warner, 69, for holding up the sign informing jurors of their right to acquit a defendant based on their conscience. He said the government's claim that her behaviour fell into the category of criminal contempt was fanciful". Continue reading...
Exclusive: Russian customs records suggest firm owned by major Tory donor kept supplying machines after voluntary pause'The British digger maker JCB, owned by the billionaire Bamford family, continued to build and supply equipment for the Russian market months after saying it had stopped exports because of Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine, the Guardian can reveal.Russian customs records show that JCB, whose owners are major donors to the Conservative party, continued to make new products available for Russian dealers well after 2 March 2022, when the company publicly stated that it had voluntarily paused exports" to Russia. Continue reading...
Trump is under investigation by House Democrats for hosting dinner where he reportedly asked oil and gas company executives for $1bn campaign contribution in exchange for scrapping environmental regulations. Plus: Antony Blinken picks up a guitarGood morning.House Democrats and the watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (Crew) have launched investigations into Donald Trump and the dinner he hosted at his Mar-a-Lago home and club last month with more than 20 oil and gas company executives. The Washington Post has previously reported that Trump promised at the meeting to undo Joe Biden's restrictions on natural gas export permits, oil drilling and car pollution, if the executives gave him $1bn for his White House re-election campaign.Could these investigations lead to further fallout for the gas and oil industry? Sheldon Whitehouse, the senator from Rhode Island who chairs the Senate budget committee, which has subpoena powers, is also considering an investigation. Trump's offer of a blatant quid pro quo to oil executives is practically an invitation to ask questions about Big Oil's political corruption and manipulation," he said in an emailed statement.Has the fossil fuel industry already donated to the Trump campaign? Yes, firms and lobby groups have given $7.3m this election cycle so far to Trump's campaign and to groups backing his candidacy.How have executives responded to the investigations? One spokesperson for American Petroleum Institute (API), the fossil fuel industry's top lobbying arm in the US, said the organization meets with policymakers and candidates from across the political spectrum on topics important to our industry".What is the situation now in Rafah? Following Israeli warnings to evacuate eastern and central neighborhoods, it is believed that between 360,000 and 500,000 Palestinians have fled Rafah in the past week.Is there anywhere for the refugees to shelter? Hundreds of tent city shelters have been set up near Khan Younis. But here, there is no water, no food, no health care, not even a toilet", according to one refugee. Continue reading...
Owner of Dal Presidente and his wife among five arrested on suspicion of business being linked to Camorra's Contini clanA pizzeria in the heart of Naples that was founded by a man who made a pizza for Bill Clinton has been seized by police in a mafia-related investigation.The owner of Dal Presidente and his wife are among five people arrested on suspicion of the business being linked to the Camorra's Contini clan. Continue reading...
Exclusive: Elderly woman was allowed to run up debts in disturbing' case, the latest to emerge in Guardian investigationGovernment ministers have formally apologised and repaid 7,000 to a 93-year-old woman whom they held responsible for running up benefits overpayment debts even though they were told she had dementia and was unable to manage her affairs.The case, which the minister for disability, Mims Davies, admitted was disturbing", was brought to light by the Guardian as part of its investigation into carer's allowance overpayments. Continue reading...
Philippines coast guard and navy watch as wooden boats head to Scarborough shoal to place buoys and hand food packs to local fishersA flotilla of about 100 mostly small fishing boats led by Filipino activists has set sail for a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, where Beijing's coast guard and suspected militia ships have used powerful water cannon to ward off what they regard as intruders.The Philippine coast guard and navy deployed one patrol ship each to keep watch from a distance on the activists and fishers, who set off on wooden boats with bamboo outriggers on Wednesday to assert Manila's sovereignty over the Scarborough shoal. Dozens of journalists joined the three-day voyage. Continue reading...
by Caroline Kimeu, east Africa global development cor on (#6MTCF)
Family law has not kept up with social shifts, with marital rape, child marriage and lack of property and custody rights persistent problems, research findsDiscriminatory laws and customs across Africa are stalling progress on women's rights in the region, according to new research.The human rights organisation Equality Now studied family law and practices in 20 African countries and found that despite some progress in recent decades, inequalities persisted in marriage, divorce, child custody and inheritance and property laws. Continue reading...
by Nadeem Badshah (now) and Fran Lawther (earlier) on (#6MSTE)
Georgia PM GeorIrakli Kobakhidze pushes back against sanctions threat; Heroes Square blocked by demonstrators after controversial foreign agents' bill passes. This blog is now closed.
Package in congressional review process after Biden delayed shipment of bombs over fears they would be used to attack RafahThe US state department has moved a $1bn package of weapons aid for Israel into the congressional review process, two US officials said on Tuesday.The latest weapons package includes tank rounds, mortars and armored tactical vehicles, one of the officials told Reuters. Continue reading...
Review of serious safeguarding failures finds young people from abusive environments less visible' to agenciesChildren who grow up in neglectful or abusive environments are safer attending school than being educated at home, according to a review of serious safeguarding failures in England in which six children died and 35 were harmed in one year.The report, by the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel, emphasised that while home education was not a safeguarding risk, it found that vulnerable children were less visible" to safeguarding agencies than those regularly in school. Continue reading...
by Vikram Dodd Police and crime correspondent on (#6MT78)
Commander says authorities scrambling to keep up with supply trends as knife crimes riseYoung people are using sites such as Telegram and TikTok to buy large knives for use in attacks and intimidation, with some linked to Britain's drug wars, police said.Stephen Clayman, national lead for knife crime for the National Police Chiefs' Council, made it clear on Tuesday that police want tougher action after a 7% year-on-year rise in knife offences, with a 20% rise in knife-point robberies. Continue reading...
Chris Philp says police should not tiptoe around using these powers in an aim to appease' despite concerns over racial biasPolice officers must carry out more stop and searches to address knife crime as the tactic is not used nearly often enough", according to the policing minister.Chris Philp said that police forces cannot afford to tiptoe around using these powers in an aim to appease". Continue reading...
Residents of suburbs in Fort McMurray ordered to leave as officials monitor a fire nearby that has grown to cover 9,600 hectaresResidents of four suburbs in the Canadian city of Fort McMurray have been ordered to evacuate as a wildfire approaches the city, stirring grim reminders of the country's costliest natural disaster.Officials in the western province of Alberta issued evacuation orders for the neighbourhoods of Beacon Hill, Abasand, Prairie Creek and Grayling Terrace on Tuesday, telling all residents to leave by 4pm MT. Continue reading...
by Josh Halliday North of England editor on (#6MT0Y)
450m Manchester venue opens doors with Elbow concert two weeks after debris falling from ceiling forced shutdownIt has been billed by its American owners as the greatest music venue ever built: a state-of-the art arena to put Manchester back on the musical map.But after a series of humiliating setbacks, the 450m Co-op Live - now referred to be some as Co-flop Live - opened its doors with a stagger rather than a swagger with a long-delayed concert by the local band Elbow on Tuesday night. Continue reading...
Cargo ship experienced electrical outage 10 hours before departing then lost power again before collision, preliminary report saysInvestigators examining the March collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore said in a preliminary report on Tuesday the cargo ship Dali experienced an electrical blackout about 10 hours before leaving the port of Baltimore while undergoing maintenance.The power outage was caused by a crew member mistakenly closing an exhaust damper, causing the ship's engine to stall, the report issued by the National Transportation Safety Board said. The ship lost power again and crashed into one of the bridge's supporting columns shortly after leaving the port on 26 March, which brought the bridge down in seconds. Continue reading...
Livestream artwork with 2.4m-wide screen allowed people in both cities to see but not hear each other, leading to offensive conductAuthorities in Dublin are to temporarily shut down the live video portal with New York because of unruly behaviour.The city council said in a statement on Tuesday it would switch off the interactive webcam at 10pm Irish time while technicians try to tweak - or censor - a project that has brought delight and notoriety. Continue reading...
President's son, 54, charged with three offenses related to questions about drug use when buying firearm in 2018Hunter Biden's federal gun case is set to go to trial next month, a judge said on Tuesday, formally denying a bid by Biden's lawyers to delay prosecution on three gun firearms charges.The US district judge Maryellen Noreika, who threw out a plea-deal agreement between Biden and the US government in August, rejected Biden's request to push the trial until September. Continue reading...
Deputy foreign secretary urges Cayman and British Virgin Islands to implement UK law requiring public registers of fundsNearly 40% of the dirty money in the world is going through the City of London and other crown dependencies, the UK's deputy foreign secretary has said.Andrew Mitchell added the crown dependencies and overseas territories will face fresh demands from the Foreign Office to comply with UK laws setting up public registers of beneficial share ownership. Continue reading...
The party has agreed a joint statement expressing full commitment' to the new deal for working people as agreed in July' after a meeting with unions this afternoon. This live blog is closed
Sections of the 2022 legislation found to be incompatible' with the European convention on human rightsA high court judge has found parts of the government's policing legislation to be in breach of human rights law, with its powers capable of causing a significant intrusion" on the lives of Gypsies and Travellers.In a judgment published on Tuesday, sections of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act were found to be incompatible" with the European convention on human rights, specifically article 14 when read with article 8 - the right to respect for private and family life. Continue reading...
Health minister makes announcement following revelations that a man who killed his children legally changed his nameCanada's westernmost province has says it will stop people who committed serious crimes from changing their names, following revelations that a child-killer tried to keep his new identity secret.British Columbia's health minister said on Monday his government would introduce legislation to amend the province's name act. Continue reading...
While this year's Cannes film festival jury president declared her role a dream come true', storms over sexual abuse and workers' rights are expectedThe reviews were gushing on the first day of the 77th Cannes film festival, as Barbie director Greta Gerwig took up her duties as this year's jury president. Festival bosses variously hailed the American film-maker as a cultural phenomenon", a heroine for modern times" and a woman who embodies the future of cinema". The fanfare was such that it almost drowned out the discord as the world's premier movie showcase opened against a backdrop of threatened labour disputes and a rumoured report of alleged sexual abuse within the industry.This is beyond a dream come true," said Gerwig, who presides over a nine-member jury that includes Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-eda and actors Lily Gladstone and Eva Green. One of the favourite things that I do is to watch cinema and discuss it - and now I'm getting to do it with the most wonderful minds for 10 whole days. I'm still in shock that I'm here." Continue reading...
At least two French prison guards shot dead and three seriously injured after heavily armed men ambush prison van in IncarvilleFootage of the incident circulating on social media appears to show heavily armed men on a road, with a car crashed into a police van.They will pay," the French prime minister, Gabriel Attal, said in response to the attack. Continue reading...
Louise Wateridge, in a post on X, said it was hard to believe there were over a million people sheltering here just a week ago'. This live blog is closedOne of ActionAid's partners in Rafah has paused humanitarian operations there, with the charity warning that aid operations could grind to a complete halt" as aid workers face an unprecedented" level of danger making their jobs become impossible".The charity says that aid workers in Rafah are experiencing the same inhumane living conditions as the rest of the population" and that virtually no aid" has entered Gaza in recent days despite the deepening humanitarian crisis across the enclave.Due to fuel shortages and severe security constraints, our aid delivery services in Rafah are temporarily paused. Our partners have received multiple evacuation orders in the past few days, and the ongoing bombardment on Rafah is making it impossible for them to distribute aid safely within Rafah.The obligation of conflicting parties is not only to ensure that aid gets through the borders but also to reach people inside Gaza. Continue reading...
Pinchas Goldschmidt warns situation in the streets' since 7 October Hamas attack is destabilising societiesA leading rabbi has warned that threats and harassment are leading some Europeans to hide their Jewish identities, cautioning that the rise in antisemitism could destabilise European societies.Jewish communities across Europe have been grappling with an increase in hate speech, vandalism, harassment and threats since Hamas's 7 October attack on Israel and the ensuing war in Gaza. Continue reading...
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