Country forced to reduce diplomatic presence amid tensions over Sikh separatist killing and says it will not take retaliatory stepsCanada has withdrawn 41 diplomats from India amid a dispute over the murder of a Sikh separatist, announced foreign minister Melanie Joly, adding that Ottawa would not take retaliatory steps.New Delhi last month asked Ottawa to reduce its diplomatic presence after prime minister Justin Trudeau said there was credible evidence of a potential link between Indian agents and the murder in June of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, 45, who was shot outside a Sikh temple in British Columbia. Continue reading...
by Peter Walker Deputy political editor on (#6FPHE)
Results will be seen as a verdict on Rishi Sunak if Tories lose seats where they had large majoritiesPolls have closed in the Mid Bedfordshire and Tamworth byelections, seen as crucial in gauging the electoral fate of Rishi Sunak but difficult to predict.The Conservatives are defending majorities of nearly 25,000 in Mid Bedfordshire and close to 20,000 in Tamworth, which would normally point to an easy hold. However, their chances will be hampered by the party's dismal poll ratings and the records of departing MPs. Continue reading...
Authorities say thousands of people dispatched by North Korea to work for US companies fed millions of dollars to missile programThousands of information technology workers contracting with US companies have for years secretly sent millions of dollars of their wages to North Korea for use in its ballistic missile program, FBI and Department of Justice officials said.The justice department said Wednesday that IT workers dispatched and contracted by North Korea to work remotely with companies in St Louis and elsewhere in the US have been using false identities to get the jobs. The money they earned was funneled to the North Korean weapons program, FBI leaders said at a news conference in St Louis. Continue reading...
Police Scotland say 57-year-old's body recovered from River Esk after reports of someone being swept awayThe body of a 57-year-old woman has been recovered from a river in Angus, Police Scotland have said, as hundreds of people were ordered to evacuate their homes in a town in the east of the country because of fears that the River Esk will burst its banks during Storm Babet.A Police Scotland spokesperson said: Around 1.45pm on Thursday October 19, officers attended a report of a person having been swept into the Water of Lee, Glen Esk. Continue reading...
Sayeeda Warsi criticises party for strongly advising its councillors not to attend pro-Palestine-related demonstrationsA senior Conservative peer has warned the Labour party not to join a race to the bottom over Israel-Hamas war protests as a council leader urged Keir Starmer to show sympathy to the plight of Palestinians".Sayeeda Warsi criticised Labour for strongly advising its councillors not to attend pro-Palestine demonstrations last weekend, despite having spent months before the recess fighting the government to protect the right to protest in the public order act". Continue reading...
Suzan Holder says her husband was initially given six months to live but he is feeling good and looking great'Noddy Holder, the frontman of Slade, was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer five years ago, his wife has revealed.Doctors told Holder that he had six months to live, Suzan Holder wrote in Cheshire Life magazine on Thursday, but she said Holder, 77, had responded well to experimental chemotherapy and coped with amazing good humour and breath-taking bravery". Continue reading...
by Martin Belam (now) and Mabel Banfield-Nwachi (earl on (#6FPJM)
German chancellor criticises Russian president over his apparent concern for civilian casualties in the Middle EastRussian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov met North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during his visit to Pyongyang, the Russian foreign ministry said on Thursday.The ministry did not provide any details of the meeting, which, according to state-run Tass news agency, lasted just over an hour.Likewise the Russian Federation extends its complete support and solidarity with the aspirations of the DPRK [Democratic People's Republic of Korea]. Continue reading...
by Gwyn Topham Transport correspondent on (#6FQ27)
Backing of 90% of members across 14 firms gives leverage for improved offer, says union leader, Mick LynchRail workers at English train operating companies have voted overwhelming for another six months of potential strikes, the RMT union announced.More than 20,000 union members were balloted across the 14 companies contracted to the Department for Transport, with 90% voting to give the union a continued mandate for strikes, on a 64% turnout. Continue reading...
Formal terms of reference for inquiry announced including whether trust was sufficiently candid with parentsThe inquiry into how Lucy Letby was able to murder seven babies will look into the direct experiences of parents, the conduct of other staff at the Countess of Chester hospital and the wider effectiveness of NHS governance, the Department of Health has said.Announcing the formal terms of reference for the inquiry, the government listed 30 questions to be considered within the three broad categories, including whether there were proper whistleblowing procedures and whether the NHS trust was sufficiently candid" with parents. Continue reading...
The star also opens up about the controversial conservatorship that she endured until 2021, allegations of drug use and her relationship with Justin TimberlakeBritney Spears has revealed more details about her breakdown in 2007 and 2008 in her forthcoming memoir The Woman in Me.Spears writes that during several of her public episodes - including shaving her head and attacking a paparazzo's car - she was suffering from postnatal depression, grief after the death of her aunt and a custody battle with her ex-husband Kevin Federline. Continue reading...
Formerly safe Tory seats in Mid Bedfordshire and Tamworth could fall to opponents in test of Sunak's electoral fortunesNext month's state opening of parliament, one of the set-piece events in the UK political calendar, could face serious disruption after House of Commons security staff announced they would strike to coincide with it.The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), which represents 250 parliamentary security staff who announced initial plans for a strike earlier this months, said any delays or queues on 7 November, when King Charles will deliver his first speech to parliament as monarch, would be the fault of management.Could we have a debate on the reporting of the conflicts in the media between Israel and Hamas so that we can hold to account those media outlets that chose to rush to blame Israel for the hospital tragedy without having a sound evidential basis.Accurate reporting is crucial, failing to deliver that makes the situation worse, could cost lives and fuel hatred and antisemitism back here in the UK.There are two issues here. One is the Ofcom code and certain broadcasters' adherence to it. In the guidance for that code it says broadcasters should have regard to the list of proscribed terror groups or organisations in the UK', and that is incredibly important.But I also think it is critical that reporters - sometimes stationed in very stressful environments - need to be reporting facts as facts and those things that are not facts, that have not been verified or are lines to take from terrorist organisations should not be treated as facts. I think that's very important. Continue reading...
by Vikram Dodd Police and crime correspondent on (#6FPYG)
Thirteen-year-old black boy carrying blue-and-white water pistol was confronted by armed officers who pointed guns at him in JulyThe 13-year-old black boy rammed off his bike after police mistook his water pistol for a real gun is still suffering from nightmares three months later, his trauma counsellor has said.The incident - which happened in July in Hackney, east London - has led to an apology from the Metropolitan police, with the embattled force accepting the boy suffered trauma after being confronted by armed officers who pointed their weapons at him, handcuffed and arrested him. Continue reading...
This live blog is now closedSimon Berthoud, head of communication at Climate Alliance Switzerland, a group representing 140 NGOs in Switzerland, says that the Swiss People's Party (SVP) is already very strong in Switzerland, but its strengthening would be even more catastrophic for climate policy in the coming years."Even if the SVP's very high score doesn't materialize, it will very likely remain Switzerland's leading party. So, whatever the outcome, we'll need to continue organising in our neighborhoods, schools and workplaces, and use the other tools of direct democracy to get Switzerland moving on climate issues." Continue reading...
BBC defends initial comments, saying they were made in immediate aftermath but were then clarified in later reportsThe Israeli government has accused the BBC of perpetuating a modern blood libel" in its reporting of the catastrophic explosion at al-Ahli Arab hospital in Gaza.In the immediate aftermath of the incident on Tuesday evening, a BBC reporter said there was a lack of clarity but suggested that Israel was likely to be at fault. Continue reading...
First Flamm festival in old mining town this weekend will include art rave' and installations using local natural materialsIn the 18th and 19th centuries, copper mining turned Redruth into a wealthy, bustling hub.But in more recent times the Cornish town has suffered the trials and tribulations of post-industrial decline. Continue reading...
by Haroon Siddique Legal affairs correspondent on (#6FPRD)
One prison has reported using absolute last resort' regime for inmates on 15 occasions this yearPrisons in England have run emergency red regimes" 22 times this year, after falling below minimum staffing levels, the Guardian has learned. One prison reported using the most restricted level of regime for inmates - traditionally an absolute last resort" - on 15 occasions.A red regime", described by HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) as not a sustainable position", is reserved for periods when staff resources have fallen below the locally agreed minimum and only a basic regime can be achieved. Continue reading...
At an event in Baltimore promoting Pinkett Smith's new memoir Worthy, the actor described their tumultuous relationship as brutal and beautiful'Will Smith has made an emotional speech in support of his wife Jada Pinkett Smith at a promotional event for her new memoir Worthy, describing their marriage as a sloppy public experiment in unconditional love".In remarks reported by the Baltimore Sun, Smith said: I just really wanted to come out and just be here and hold it down for you the way you have held it down for me ... We have had a very, very long and tumultuous [relationship]. We call it brutiful'... brutal and beautiful at the same time." Continue reading...
Court papers say FremantleMedia was aware of explicit comments about two contestants when it offered comedian new contractDavid Walliams was offered a new contract on Britain's Got Talent despite the show's production company being aware of derogatory and sexually explicit remarks he made about two contestants, according to court documents.Walliams, 52, announced he was leaving Britain's Got Talent in November 2022 after the Guardian revealed that he had been recorded during the recording of a 2020 episode. Continue reading...
by Justin McCurry in Tokyo and agencies on (#6FPHF)
Sergei Lavrov praises Kim Jong-un for unambiguous support' for Ukraine war on visit that could pave way for summit with Vladimir PutinRussia's foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, has said Moscow's relations with North Korea have reached a new level", as concern grows over deepening military ties between the two countries amid the war in Ukraine.Speaking on Thursday in the North Korean capital, Pyongyang, Lavrov hailed last month's summit in Russia's far east between Vladimir Putin and the North's leader, Kim Jong-un, as evidence that bilateral ties were at a qualitatively new, strategic level". Continue reading...
Leaked memo suggests party's votes could halve to 30% in Tamworth and Mid BedfordshireIn the world of expectation management, a leaked" memo can be a useful tool for a political party on the eve of a tricky byelection. So the publication of an internal report prepared for the Conservative party chair, Greg Hands, was initially met with some scepticism.The document, based on telephone canvassing data from recent days, claimed the Tory vote in Thursday's two byelections in Tamworth and Mid Bedfordshire could halve to about 30%, creating more problems for Rishi Sunak. Continue reading...
Designer says soulless structures make people stressed and lonely as he launches book and campaignBoring, soulless buildings are making people stressed and lonely, according to Thomas Heatherwick, the British designer behind the 2012 Olympic cauldron.The designer is embarking on a crusade to persuade architects and developers to create buildings that inspire feelings of joy and stimulation. Continue reading...
by Nadia Khomami Arts and culture correspondent on (#6FPH8)
Bobby Baker's An Edible Family in a Mobile Home (1976) will be recreated - this time with a vegan optionWhen Bobby Baker's sculptural work An Edible Family in a Mobile Home was installed nearly 50 years ago, art lovers were invited to not only touch her work but eat it. Now, the seminal work by the intersectional feminist is coming back - except this time, there's going to be a vegan option.From 8 November, Tate Britain will present a restaging of Baker's radical installation. Continue reading...
Lib Dem MP who has extended family in Gaza was asked if she had any advance knowledge of Hamas's attack on IsraelAn MP who has extended family in Gaza said she has accepted the broadcaster Richard Madeley's apology after he asked whether there was any word on the street" before Hamas's attack on Israel.Layla Moran, the Lib Dems' foreign affairs spokesperson, said she thought the question during Tuesday's Good Morning Britain programme came from a place of ...... ignorance" but was not asked out of malice. Continue reading...
Streaming company announces plans to increase prices as profits rise, even as Hollywood strikes threaten to affect programmingNetflix announced its global crackdown on password sharing was working and unveiled plans to increase prices as it announced its latest quarterly results on Wednesday.The streaming media company added 8.8 million new subscribers over the last three months, far better than expected and up from 2.4 million in the same quarter last year. The increase came even as a strike by Hollywood actors and writers threatened to affect the rollout of new shows. Continue reading...
Humza Yousaf warns against unnecessary travel with heavy wind and rain expected across Britain and IrelandHumza Yousaf has warned against unnecessary travel in parts of Scotland as Storm Babet is forecast to hit several towns between Dundee and Aberdeen and pose a risk to life" on Thursday.Great Britain is bracing for heavy wind and rain from the storm, which is moving east from Ireland after sweeping in from the Atlantic. The Met Office issued a rare red weather warning, stating that there is a risk to life" from flooding in Aberdeenshire and Angus. Continue reading...
Labour leader's letter comes amid warnings that dozens of councillors could resign over party's stance on conflictKeir Starmer has written to Labour councillors expressing his sympathy for innocent Palestinian and Israeli people amid warnings that dozens could resign over the party's stance on the conflict.Several councillors have resigned since last week and at least 20 more are braced to quit the party over the leadership's unwillingness to show value to the humanity of Palestinian lives", the Guardian understands. Continue reading...
Tree that's withstood storms and firewood collectors wins contest highlighting those in urban areasA 480-year-old sweet chestnut that has withstood storms, firewood collectors and, increasingly, parties and picnics beneath its boughs has been crowned tree of the year.The stately ancient tree in Wrexham's Acton Park fought off competition from 10 other urban trees in the Woodland Trust competition, which this year highlighted city trees which are widely enjoyed by the public but are often still vulnerable to destruction. Continue reading...
Sebastian Kurz, former wunderkind' of Europe's conservatives, said he is innocent and condemned politicisation' of caseAustria's former chancellor, Sebastian Kurz, insisted he was innocent as he went on trial for allegedly giving false testimony to an inquiry into corruption scandals that have rocked the country.Once hailed as a wunderkind" of Europe's conservatives, Kurz is the highest-profile figure implicated in a series of scandals. The case marks the first time in more than 30 years that a former chancellor has stood trial. Continue reading...
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