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Pupils at four schools in Beziers introduced uniform the government says could be rolled out nationwide if successfulThey have not been compulsory in state schools in mainland France since 1968. But uniforms have made a return to one town as part of a government pilot scheme to establish if they can reduce inequality - and improve behaviour.About 700 pupils at four schools in the southern town of Beziers became the first to introduce a uniform on Monday in a scheme that the government says could be rolled out nationwide if successful. Continue reading...

Court hears that Christine Rawle, who stabbed her husband, Ian, in August 2022, claimed he had made her life a miseryA woman who allegedly murdered her 72-year-old husband by stabbing him in the back during an argument told police he had been violent, sexually abusive and financially controlling, a jury has heard.After the attack, Christine Rawle, 69, removed the knife from her husband Ian Rawle's back, kicked it under a stable door and sat down to wait for the emergency services to arrive, the court was told. Continue reading...

Sir Lindsay Hoyle says he will not allow further emergency debate, saying that MPs came to a resolution on Gaza only last weekRishi Sunak is now on BBC Radio Lincolnshire. Scott Dalton is interviewing him, and asks why it is taking so long for the HS2 money to go to transport projects in the north.Sunak says he thinks the money has been redirected quite quickly.I believe racism or prejudice of any kind is completely unacceptable, and we must stamp it out.And that's because we're the most successful multi-ethnic democracy in the world. And that's because we have a way of doing these things, of respecting everyone, and at the same time ensuring that everyone integrates into our community and subscribes to a common set of British values. That's not an easy thing to do. But I think we do it better than any other country, and we need to work hard to protect that. Continue reading...

FTC argues Kroger's $24.6bn takeover of Albertsons would narrow consumer choice and weaken quality of productsA top US antitrust watchdog sued to block the country's largest-ever supermarket merger on Monday, alleging the deal would raise prices for millions of shoppers.The Federal Trade Commission argued that Kroger's $24.6bn takeover of rival grocer Albertsons would narrow consumer choice and weaken the quality of products on shelves. Continue reading...

Capital's mayor is often accused of allowing crime to soar, but Guardian analysis shows reality is more nuancedA London under siege" with criminals ruling the streets". That's not the plot of a comic book, but rather the picture that mayoral candidate Susan Hall painted of the capital in an article for the Express on Saturday.Sadiq Khan - who as the mayor for London, also acts as police and crime commissioner for the city - is often targeted with claims of spiralling crime and rising violence. But Guardian analysis of government data shows the reality is more nuanced. Continue reading...

In Kirkby-in Ashfield, some call their MP an embarrassment' while others say he's telling the truth a lot of people daren't say'In his Nottinghamshire constituency, Lee Anderson has long been considered a Marmite character, attracting staunch supporters and vehement critics alike, and the reaction to his latest comments proved no different.Some said they felt Anderson had been punished unfairly for his statements about the London mayor on Friday, which have been labelled Islamophobic and led to him losing the Conservative whip. Others said they were horrified by his words and believed his suspension from the Tory party had been a long time coming. Continue reading...

Scarlet Blake to serve minimum of 24 years for murdering Spanish engineer Jorge Martin Carreno Warning: includes graphic contentA cat killer obsessed with violence and death has been jailed for life with a minimum of 24 years after being convicted of murdering a man she deliberately targeted as part of a sexual fantasy.Scarlet Blake, 26, targeted Jorge Martin Carreno, 30, one of a triplet, as he walked home from a night out in Oxford in July 2021. Continue reading...

Belgian capital blocked by 900 tractors amid protests throughout bloc demanding policy changesFarmers have clashed violently with police in the European quarter of Brussels, spraying officers with liquid manure and setting fire to mounds of tyres, while the EU's agriculture ministers met to discuss the crisis in their sector.As farmers also protested in Madrid and on the Polish-German border, at least 900 tractors jammed streets in the centre of the Belgian capital, police said, with protesters throwing bottles and eggs and setting off fireworks while riot police fired water cannon. Continue reading...

Celebrity owl was found dead on Upper West Side after apparently hitting a building, as further tests planned to see if he was sickNew York City's celebrity owl Flaco died from a traumatic impact, zoologists confirmed a day after he reportedly flew into a building, with further testing planned to determine if the Eurasian eagle owl may have been sick.What happened in Flaco's final hours is top of mind for his fans across the city, who cheered him on as he defied the odds by fending for himself despite a life in captivity. Police are still seeking to arrest whoever let him out of his enclosure at the Central Park Zoo a year ago. Continue reading...

Human rights body says Israel not following ICJ order on Gaza aid provision; Mohammad Shtayyeh submits resignation to President Mahmoud AbbasThe UN rights chief has decried disinformation and other attacks that aim to undermine the legitimacy" and work of the UN and other institutions, describing them as profoundly destructive".Speaking at the opening of the UN human rights council's main annual session, Volker Turk criticised widespread disinformation that targets UN humanitarian organisations, UN peacekeepers and my office".The UN has become a lightning rod for manipulative propaganda and a scapegoat for policy failures.This is profoundly destructive of the common good, and it callously betrays the many people whose lives rely on it. Continue reading...

RNC leader will step down on 8 March after Trump endorses loyalists including daughter-in-law for key rolesThe chair of the Republican National Committee (RNC) plans to stand down beginning next week, paving the way for a slate of Donald Trump loyalists to lead the party in the run-up to the November general elections.Ronna McDaniel announced her decision to step down just days after the former president endorsed the North Carolina Republican party chair, Michael Whatley, to lead the RNC; his daughter-in-law Lara Trump to be its co-chair; and his close campaign aide Chris LaCivita as the party's chief operating officer. Continue reading...

Amount reaching starving territory dropped 50% in February despite severe shortages of basic necessitiesThe amount of aid reaching Gaza fell by half in February from the month before, the UN has said, as its secretary general, Antonio Guterres, said that an Israeli assault on Rafah would be the nail in the coffin" of deliveries to the starving territory.February registered a 50% reduction of humanitarian aid entering Gaza compared to January," Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, said in a statement on X. Aid was supposed to increase not decrease to address the huge needs of 2 million Palestinians in desperate living conditions." Continue reading...

Exclusive: Labor's change of position on stage-three tax cuts appears to have hit the prime minister's personal favourability

Exclusive: Infrastructure department describes $400m budget for precinct grants program as modest', while Catherine King says it will require additional funding in the future'

Data showing nearly two thirds of workplaces have a pay gap that favours men is being published in the hopes of ending disparity

New minister's pro housing' direction wins praise but council taxes policy deemed probably not particularly effective'

Police discipline panel dismissed Neil Buckmaster in 2021 over offensive and utterly unacceptable' behaviourA Metropolitan police detective initially sacked for racism has been reinstated and sent on a leadership course, the Guardian has learned.DS Neil Buckmaster was dismissed in 2021 after a discipline panel found him guilty of gross misconduct. The panel heard he had used racist terms, which he gave to avatars while playing an online football game. Continue reading...

Former ball player turned businessman Steve Garvey enjoys name recognition as he makes an unlikely Republican bid for vacant seatCongressman Adam Schiff is leading in the polls for California's US Senate seat. But a Republican challenger is rising as well - thanks in part due to a boost from his Democratic competitor.The field of candidates for the seat held by Dianne Feinstein until her death last year is crowded with high-profile Democrats, including Schiff and congresswomen Katie Porter and Barbara Lee. Steve Garvey, a former LA Dodgers baseball player turned businessman, announced his campaign last fall and quickly emerged as the main Republican candidate. Continue reading...

Country follows Sweden in ending inquiries, saying there is not enough grounds to pursue criminal case

British Board of Film Classification lifts it from U certificate almost 60 years after film was first releasedMary Poppins has had its age rating lifted to a PG by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) almost 60 years after it was first released.The film's rating has been upgraded from U - which signifies no material likely to offend or harm - to one advising parental guidance due to the use of discriminatory language, the Daily Mail reported. Continue reading...

Warm spell in northern and central areas will make way for icy blast this weekA sharp swing in temperatures has been forecast across northern and central parts of the US this week, with potentially record-breaking warm weather giving way to a cold front.Wisconsin is likely to challenge its all-time February high on Tuesday with a forecast of 17C (63F) - 0.5C above the record set at Stevens Point in 2000. The warm spell is likely to be short lived, however. On Tuesday evening a broad area of low pressure will bring heavy rain before a surge of cold air turns rain into snow as the temperature dips to zero. Continue reading...

Beat chief says NHS bosses must end postcode lottery in care for people with avoidant restrictive food intake disorderThe number of people in the UK who have a previously little-known eating disorder, in which those afflicted avoid many foods, has risen sevenfold in five years, figures show.The eating disorders charity Beat received 295 calls about avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (Arfid) in 2018 - comprising 2% of its 20,535 inquiries that year. However, it received 2,054 calls last year, which accounted for one in 10 of its 20,535 requests for help. Many were from children and young people or their parents.Feeling full after eating only a few mouthfuls and struggling to consume more.Taking a long time over mealtimes or finding eating a chore.Sensitivity to the texture, smell or temperature of foods.Eating the same meals repeatedly or eating food only of the same colour, such as beige.Avoidance of sensory aspects, such as particular tastes, smells, textures and look of foods.An apparent lack of interest in food.Concern about adverse consequences, such as a fear of choking or vomiting or fear of new foods Continue reading...

Watchdog says there is need for significant intervention' over supply and quality of new homes

Mark Harper condemns remarks by Tory vice-chair but declines to say if they were motivated by prejudice against London mayor

Prayer room of Great Mosque of Algiers, beset by political wrangling and cost overruns, accommodates 120,000 peopleAlgeria has inaugurated a gigantic mosque on its Mediterranean coastline after years of political upheaval transformed the project from a symbol of state-sponsored strength and religiosity to one of delays and cost overruns.Built by a Chinese construction firm throughout the 2010s, the Great Mosque of Algiers features the world's tallest minaret, measuring 265 metres (869ft). Continue reading...

Federal court hears appeal after finding Mostafa Moz' Azimitabar's Melbourne detention lacked ordinary human decency' but did not breach law

Inquest hears elite tactical unit held annual racist mock award but former police officer who shot Warlpiri man says he does not believe Aboriginal people were treated differently

Temperatures tipped to climb above 40C in parts of the state on Wednesday with extreme fire conditions forecast in six weather districts

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Nuffield Foundation to also recommend longer half-term breaks in proposed overhaul of calendar in place since Victorian times'England should ditch its school calendar stuck in place since Victorian times" and replace it with shorter summer holidays and longer half-term breaks to improve the lives of pupils and teachers, according to a new report.The report on tackling post-pandemic education inequalities, to be published by the Nuffield Foundation next month, is to recommend an overhaul of the school calendar that could see summer holidays in state schools reduced from six weeks to four, while half-term breaks in autumn and winter could each be extended from one week to two. Continue reading...

Suffolk-based schools trust also found that pupil absences for illness fell 25% after extending autumn holidayWhen Unity Schools Partnership decided to double the length of its half-term break last autumn, it was hoping to improve attendance and staff wellbeing. But Tim Coulson, the trust's chief executive, said he was blown away" by the positive results.The Suffolk-based trust found that pupil absences for illness fell 25% and staff absences fell by 50% after it extended the autumn half-term holiday by a week at 31 of its primary and secondary schools. Continue reading...

Email containing private information of about 30 year 11 students was case of unfortunate human error', P&C chair of Sydney Secondary College says

Mining billionaire says cost of nuclear will be four to five times that of renewables and opposition's policy is an excuse for doing nothing'

Ex-premier's barrister says notion that having an attachment is itself a standing potential for impropriety can only be regarded as a black view'

Taiwan ambassador says ties remain rock solid' amid rumours island nation could switch allegiance to BeijingLawmakers in Tuvalu have selected Feleti Teo as the Pacific island nation's new prime minister, weeks after an election that put ties with Taiwan in focus.Former attorney general Teo secured the support of lawmakers who were elected last month, government secretary Tufoua Panapa told Agence France-Presse on Monday. Continue reading...

The Foreign Office view is the ex-PM's return has been a shot in the arm for UK diplomacy, despite an awkward juggling act over ChinaWith the Conservative party lagging 20 points behind in the polls, enduring crushing byelection defeats and weekly controversies, it's a difficult time to be a government minister.One figure who appears to glide effortlessly above the mire though is David Cameron, who was unexpectedly brought back to the political frontline in November as foreign secretary. He marked 100 days in office last week and has by all accounts loved every minute of it. Continue reading...

Airline may have to trim schedules as it awaits delayed delivery of new Boeing Max 737-8200sPeak summer air fares in Europe are likely to rise again this year by up to 10%, according to Ryanair, as problems with aircraft at Boeing and Airbus leave customers scrambling for seats.The increase would come on top of the sharp post-pandemic rise in holiday flight prices last year when pent-up demand met limited capacity in European airlines. Continue reading...

David Littleproud says his colleague is having the week off' after incident Joyce described as a big mistake'

Former Liberal staffer denies two counts of raping a woman in October 2021, with the case yet to proceed to trial

The former president called for amnesty for rioters who took part in an alleged coup, during his speech in Sao PauloTens of thousands of supporters of former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro have rallied in the country's biggest city, in a show of strength against legal challenges that could put him in jail.The far-right former president, who called the rally in Sao Paulo after being targeted by a police raid earlier this month investigating an alleged coup attempt, spoke for about 20 minutes to defend himself, while reminiscing about his time in power. Continue reading...

Charles Stopford Sackville says he was unprepared for the intense interest in his home after the 700-year-old Drayton House was used in the filmThe owner of the stately home used in the film Saltburn has revealed he has had to ask staff to patrol the grounds to stop trespassers trying to take photos and videos of themselves on the grounds.Charles Stopford Sackville, the current owner of the 700-year-old Drayton House in Northamptonshire, told the Mail on Sunday he was unprepared for the intense attention Emerald Fennell's film would bring with it. Continue reading...

Resolution Foundation report calls for action as number of young people experiencing poor mental health increasesYoung people are more likely to be out of work because of ill health than people in their early 40s, a report calling for action on Britain's mental wellbeing crisis has found.People in their early 20s with mental health problems may have not had access to a steady education and can end up out of work or in low-paid jobs, the Resolution Foundation research revealed. Continue reading...

Ukraine's president also concedes western weaponry is in short supply at a crucial time in the war with RussiaVolodymyr Zelenskiy has given a figure for the number of Ukrainian battlefield deaths in the war with Russia for the first time, acknowledging that 31,000 soldiers have been killed and saying 2024 will be decisive for the outcome of the conflict.Speaking in Kyiv a day after the two-year anniversary of Vladimir Putin's invasion, the Ukrainian president said he believed his country would win despite recent military setbacks. He conceded western weapons were in short supply and were crucial at a time when his troops were spectacularly outgunned. Continue reading...

NSW deputy commissioner further alleges accused police officer purchased angle grinder, padlock and weights from hardware store

Costs are escalating amid delays, according to British Chambers of Commerce research that shows UK exporters have also been hitMore than half of UK retailers and exporters have been affected by the disruption to Red Sea trade from Houthi rebel attacks on cargo ships, research by a leading business lobby group suggests.The price of shipping a container from Asia to Europe has gone up by as much as 300% for some businesses, while logistical delays have added up to three to four weeks to delivery times, according to the survey by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC). Continue reading...

Atrocity took place during Sunday mass in Essakane village and has been blamed on a jihadi group active in the regionAt least 15 people have been killed and two others injured in a terrorist" attack on a Catholic church during Sunday mass in Burkina Faso, a senior church official has said.Calling for peace and security in Burkina Faso, the vicar general of the Dori diocese, Jean-Pierre Sawadogo, denounced those who continue to wreak death and desolation in our country". Continue reading...

Officers were called to reservoir north-west of Leek after three boys were seen in the water, two of whom were taken to hospitalThe body of a missing 17-year-old boy has been recovered from a lake in Staffordshire by police.Staffordshire police were called to Rudyard Lake, a reservoir north-west of Leek, shortly after 9.30pm on Saturday after three teenage boys were seen in the water. Continue reading...

Irish court throws out Kamila Grabska's case for car crash injuries after she was pictured winning charity competitionA woman's 650,000 claim for injuries allegedly suffered during a car crash has been thrown out of court in Ireland after she was pictured winning a Christmas tree-throwing competition.Kamila Grabska, 36, sued an insurance company and said injuries to her back and neck meant she was unable to work for more than five years or play with her children. She claimed she was left with the disabling" condition after a car she was travelling in was hit from behind in an accident in 2017. Continue reading...

If you can't call Islamophobia Islamophobia, then how are we going to fix it?' says Sayeeda WarsiRishi Sunak has been urged to break his silence over a mounting Islamophobia row as senior Conservatives criticised the dangerous" rhetoric of the party's former deputy chair.Lee Anderson, the MP for Ashfield, lost the Conservative party whip on Saturday after refusing to apologise for saying Islamists had got control of" Sadiq Khan. Anderson claimed on GB News that the London mayor had given our capital city away to his mates". Continue reading...

Zimbabwe's national parks authority says a team, including police, sniffer dogs and drones, have been sent to search for the 67-year-old touristAn Australian tourist has gone missing in Zimbabwe's Victoria Falls national park, home to one of the world's natural wonders, according to the country's parks authority.Tinashe Farawo, a spokesperson for the Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, said that the tourist went missing in the vast rainforest on Friday. Continue reading...