World news | The Guardian

Home secretary says policy not be all and end all' of plans to tackle illegal immigration, in clear break from BravermanJames Cleverly has said he is frustrated with the fixation on the government's Rwanda policy, saying it is not the be all and end all" of plans to tackle illegal immigration.The home secretary, who replaced Suella Braverman after she was sacked almost a fortnight ago, told the Times he had become frustrated with the focus on the Rwanda plan. Continue reading...

Deadly blaze that began on fourth floor of six-storey building in commercial capital leaves 35 injuredAt least 11 people have been killed and 35 injured in a fire at a shopping mall in Pakistan's commercial capital of Karachi, officials said.More than 60 people were inside the mall when the fire broke out on the fourth floor of the six-storey building in the southern port city. Continue reading...

Group of nine men and one woman being treated in hospital before returning to Thailand to reunite with families

Findings may not be released until summer as process of writing to those likely to be criticised proving time-consuming'The official findings about what caused the Grenfell Tower disaster have been delayed again and may not be released until the middle of next year - seven years after the council block fire that killed 72 people.It was initially hoped that the report would be published this autumn, then it was pushed to early next year. But now it may not be until summer. It means potential criminal prosecutions for manslaughter, fraud and health and safety offences will also be delayed, with any trials unlikely to start until late 2025 or even 2026. Continue reading...

Shake-up will mean people can pay into more than one Isa of the same type, but experts say 20,000 limit should also riseGetting the best out of Isas should become easier for UK savers after the government announced a shake-up that will let them hop on to higher-paying accounts if they become available.The autumn statement documents revealed ministers are making a series of changes to simplify" Isas. As well as giving people more choice, these will reduce the risk of people accidentally breaking the rules. But some commentators argued that the various changes made the system more complicated, not less. Continue reading...

Richard Marles says two countries committed to a peaceful region where sovereignty and agreed rules and norms are respected'Australia and the Philippines have begun joint sea and air patrols in the South China Sea as Pacific nations warily eye an increasingly assertive China.The three-day exercises follow discussions earlier this year on joint patrols to underscore what the countries say is their commitment to closer cooperation and a rules-based order in the region. Continue reading...

Discovery of intact bottles on 1852 shipwreck sparks development of underwater ageing processYou might think that 1,500 years after the first bottle was drunk there wasn't much more innovation left to be had in the rarefied world of champagne. You would be wrong. The next big thing in the 6bn-a-year industry is: undersea ageing.Like so many of the world's best innovations, it began by accident. In 2010, a group of divers in Finland's Aland archipelago came across the wreck of a ship that sank in 1852 and were surprised to find 145 bottles of champagne 160ft below the surface. Even more surprisingly, the bottles were still full and tasted - in the words of a professor of food biochemistry - incredible - I have never tasted such a wine in my life". Continue reading...

This blog is now closed. See all our Israel-Hamas war coverage hereOne woman has been killed and three others wounded after Israeli forces raided the Indonesian hospital in northern Gaza, Al Jazeera is reporting, citing Dr Munir al-Bursh, the director general of the Hamas-run ministry of health in Gaza.Another three people were arrested at the hospital, which has been forced to cease operations. As of Thursday, there were an estimated 550 patients remaining at the hospital, as well as 200 medical workers and at least 1,500 displaced Palestinians sheltering at the hospital, according to Al Jazeera.Last night, Israeli forces attacked the hospital with tanks and destroyed all of the first floor. The damage was very bad.Previously, they had attacked the third floor. They arrested at least three people. This is their way of taking over the hospitals before the ceasefire today.IDPs [internally displaced persons] interviewed by OCHA reported that Israeli forces had established an unstaffed checkpoint where people are directed from a distance to pass through two structures, where a surveillance system is thought to be installed.IDPs are ordered to show their IDs and undergo what appears to be a facial recognition scan. Continue reading...

Home Office data reveals impact of end of free movement and raises questions over Border Force hostilityThe number of EU citizens refused entry to the UK since Brexit has increased fivefold, Home Office figures show.In the first three quarters of 2019 just over 2,200 people from the EU were turned away at the border - compared with 11,600 in the first three quarters of 2023. Continue reading...

Greens MP and Australian Festival Association say NSW force charging much more than other states to patrol equivalent events

Opposition leader says graphic videos are playing into the minds' of young Australians, particularly boys

Concerns echo White House remarks that blocking human rights laws could undermine Northern Ireland peace processRishi Sunak risks ripping up the Northern Ireland peace process if he blocks human rights laws so the UK can deport asylum seekers to Rwanda, senior Conservatives have said.After similar concerns from the White House on Thursday, the MPs said widely reported plans from Downing Street to disregard parts of the Human Rights Act could undermine the Good Friday agreement and damage UK-US relations. Continue reading...

Drew Harris says radicalised people exploited terrible crime' of knife attack to unleash mayhem on streetsIreland's police chief has warned that far-right radicalisation will continue to disrupt the country after a night of arson, rioting and looting left parts of Dublin resembling a war zone.The capital was tense on Friday as significant numbers of police remained on the streets and Dublin counted the cost of an anti-immigrant protest that turned into anarchy, leaving the political establishment shocked. Continue reading...

Consumers report problems using bank's app on one of the busiest shopping days of year, Black FridayThousands of HSBC customers reported they were unable to access its online and mobile banking services on one of the busiest online shopping days of the year - Black Friday.More than 4,000 customers said they could not access their accounts via the HSBC app on Friday, according to Downdetector, which tracks and collates website outages and complaints. Continue reading...

Officers were called to an address in Dagenham, east London where they found 40-year-old and two firearmsA man who told officers he had firearms and was going to harm himself has died in a police shooting in east London.The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating the incident in Dagenham.In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie. In the US, you can call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 988, chat on 988lifeline.org, or text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counsellor. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org Continue reading...

Residents warned not to return to fire-affected area as bureau forecasts wind gusts of up to 80 km/h and 39C heat

Families await possible reunion with detained women and children as Israel reportedly releases 39 in ceasefire deal

On day of high tension, Israel also releases Palestinian prisoners and humanitarian convoy enters Gaza

Louie Turnbull pleads guilty to owning dangerously out of control animals after they attacked woman's dog by east London canalA man whose two dogs were shot dead by police in front of him has been given a suspended sentence for owning dangerously out of control animals.Viral footage circulated on social media of Metropolitan police officers killing Louie Turnbull's canines beside an east London canal in May this year. Continue reading...

Force's boss called prosecution of PC Paul Fisher over crash while racing to Streatham stabbings appalling'A police officer who was cleared of dangerous driving after crashing while racing to the scene of a terrorism attack may still face the sack, the Guardian has learned.PC Paul Fisher was acquitted by a jury at Southwark crown court on Friday, leading the Metropolitan police commissioner to describe his ordeal as appalling". Continue reading...

Jonathan Freedland talks to survivors, displaced people and senior political and military figures about life in Israel before and after 7 October, and considers the longer-term ramifications Israel-Hamas war - latest updatesThe war is paused, but it is not over.There will be relief at the promised four days of quiet between Israel and Hamas, and there will be joy for the families waiting to be reunited with loved ones, thanks to Friday's exchange of hostages held in Gaza for prisoners held in Israel. Continue reading...

Hundreds waiting in Hostages Square' sing songs as the names of those being released filter out

Organisers of London protest against anti-Jewish hatred demand that far-right leader stays away, after he claimed to support itOrganisers of a march against antisemitism billed as Britain's biggest since the second world war have demanded that the far-right leader Stephen Yaxley-Lennon stay away.Yaxley-Lennon, who uses the name Tommy Robinson, has claimed to support the aims of the march through central London due to be held this Sunday. Continue reading...

Producers take advantage of new shipping options, including government-owned Trans Mountain pipeline, to boost exportsOil and gas producers say they will drill 8% more wells in Canada next year as they look to take advantage of new shipping options, including a controversial government-owned pipeline.Amid forecasts that Canada is not on target to reach its emissions reductions goals, on Friday the Canadian Association of Energy Contractors (CAOEC) predicted nearly 500 more wells next year, to 6,229 projects. Continue reading...

Founder of London restaurants and award-winning author, who was at forefront of small plates' movement, died after short illnessRussell Norman, the award-winning restaurateur and author, has died after a short illness, aged 57.A former English teacher, Norman founded the Italian restaurant Brutto and co-founded Polpo and Spuntino in London. His first cookbook, Polpo: a Venetian Cookbook (of Sorts) won the inaugural Waterstones book of the year in 2012. Continue reading...

Amid festive Thatcher baubles, Johnson mugs and Cameron jugs there's no place for Truss among prime ministers pastFor the man or woman who has everything but an acrylic Christmas jumper bearing the knitted tree logo of the Conservative party: good news.It can now be yours - with 10% off on your first purchase! - from the Conservative party's festive online shop, along with a 2024 calendar of historic election posters and a bauble on which Margaret Thatcher festively bellows: "No, no, no." Continue reading...

Exclusive: UK's largest high-street bank preparing review of middle-management roles in response to expected income squeezeMore than 2,500 jobs are at risk at Lloyds Banking Group, which is poised to become the latest financial institution to announce cost cuts, the Guardian can reveal.Britain's largest high street lender is understood to be considering axing a series of middle-management roles including analyst and product management posts as part of a consultation that is expected to be shared with staff next week. Continue reading...

Srettha Thavisin confirms release of a dozen of at least 26 nationals being held after weeks of negotiations

Second biggest force in England and Wales accused of carrying out poor investigations and failing victims of crimeWest Midlands police said they did not deserve the humiliation of being placed into special measures, as the official watchdog declared it was failing victims and needed extensive improvement.The second biggest force in England and Wales, based in Birmingham, is accused by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) of carrying out poor investigations into crimes, leading to poor results for victims. Continue reading...

Gambling giant Entain reaches deal over past practice at company it owned in TurkeyThe owner of Ladbrokes and Coral has agreed to pay almost 600m to settle an investigation into alleged bribery at a business it owned in Turkey.Entain said it had reached an agreement with HM Revenue and Customs which will make the gambling giant pay a total of 585m in the form of a financial penalty and a disgorgement of profits". Continue reading...

Nick Merriman says inclusion of difficult stories of slavery and empire is not wokery, but simply good history'Stories about the legacy of slavery and colonialism must be central to the way museums and heritage organisations present their collections, as part of a new chapter of what heritage is about", the incoming head of English Heritage has said.Nick Merriman said that a focus on the country's often highly problematic colonial role [has] to be part of the mainstream narrative about British history", and should not be confined only to historic properties, statues or artefacts that had a direct link to slavery or imperial wealth. Continue reading...

PM under pressure from ministers and Conservative backbenchers to crack down on overseas workersRishi Sunak has refused to apologise for record net immigration that breaks a key election promise amid growing pressure for further government action from ministers and Conservative backbench MPs.After official figures showed the difference between the number of people coming to live in the UK and those leaving had peaked at 745,000, the prime minister said immigration needed to fall to more sustainable" levels. Continue reading...

Burials can go ahead of men who never returned from bombing mission over Germany in 1943Eighty years after they were shot down by the Germans over Dutch waters, British airmen Arthur Smart, Raymond Moore and Charles Sprack can be laid to rest after the Dutch defence ministry confirmed that their remains had been identified.Two silver-plated cigarette cases were found with the initials of 27-year-old flight engineer Smart and 21-year-old wireless operator Moore. Their Lancaster bomber never returned from a mission targeting Bochum in Germany on 13 June 1943. Instead the Pathfinder" was tracked on its way home and shot down into the Dutch waters of the IJsselmeer with seven men onboard. Continue reading...

Drilling machine stalls metres away from where men have been trapped for 13 days since roof collapseHopes are high that in a few hours' time the 41 workers who have been trapped in a tunnel for 13 days in north India will emerge to freedom and fresh air.The mood at the scene - where heavy machinery and a more than 200-strong rescue team have been toiling without a break - was upbeat after a monumental and torturous operation. Continue reading...

Exclusive: State government has admitted 33,000 Covid fines were invalid but questions remain about additional 29,000 fines issued during pandemic

Commonwealth warned lack of counselling would weaken its case as advocates say those still in immigration detention cannot access similar programs

Carmaker confirms full details of 2bn investment, including battery factoriesNissan will build three new electric car models at its plant in Sunderland as part of a 2bn investment led by the Japanese manufacturer, in a move welcomed by the UK government and industry.The factory will produce three separate models, yet to be named, and the decision will require a third gigafactory" to supply batteries, to add to one in operation and another under construction near to the plant. The Chinese-owned battery company AESC is in negotiations with Nissan over building the third gigafactory nearby. Continue reading...

Jeff Zucker of Abu Dhabi-backed Redbird IMI insists editorial independence of titles would be protectedThe US boss of the Abu Dhabi-backed company that is the frontrunner to acquire the Telegraph newspapers has accused rival bidders of hypocrisy and reiterated a pledge to the UK government that he would guarantee the newspaper's editorial independence.The bid is being fronted by Jeff Zucker, a former chief executive of CNN who now runs RedBird IMI, which is mostly funded by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the vice-president of the United Arab Emirates and owner of Manchester City football club. Continue reading...

New curriculum from 2025 part of push to create sense of national identity among schoolchildrenHong Kong is to introduce patriotic" education in all primary schools by 2025, in the government's latest push to systematically cultivate" a sense of national identity among schoolchildren

Artist of the year and international artist of the year will each have 10 nominees, up from five this yearThe Brit awards will double the number of nominees for gender-neutral categories, it has been announced, after widespread criticism over a lack of diversity.Organisers of the annual music ceremony said the artist of the year and international artist of the year prizes would have 10 nominees from next year, up from five. Continue reading...

Thankfully the 12-year-old survived five nights away but there's still the gas bill to worry aboutThe child returns home today from his first ever school trip away (which is also, because we are useless, at the age of 12 his first trip abroad). He has been away for five nights, which is five times more nights than he has ever been away from us before (see uselessness above) and I have coped extremely well. Yes, I could periodically be found lying prostrate on the sofa or staring white-faced at a wall, praying to a god not to let him be kidnapped, lost or killed while my husband futilely attempted to console me with the thought that school trips are not like they were in our day. They chip them and rope them to a teacher at all times now. They probably don't even go on the trip. They're probably just in a room on a Luton industrial estate with some convincing holographics on the wall all week. He'll be fine." Continue reading...

The inquiry heard evidence of threats against scientists, and more metaphors from Jonathan Van-TamIt has been another busy and often enlightening week at the UK Covid inquiry. Here are some of the things we learned - or in some cases relearned. Continue reading...

Former first minister successfully sued over handling of original allegations against him in 2018Alex Salmond is launching a fresh 3m legal action against the Scottish government over its botched handling of sexual harassment complaints against the former first minister.The Herald reports that the former Scottish National party leader has lodged a petition at the court of session alleging misfeasance" by various past civil servants, with a hearing relating to the civil action taking place on Thursday. Continue reading...

Allegations, which rapper and mogul denies, follow another lawsuit last week from former girlfriend Cassie, which was quickly settledSean Combs, the rapper and mogul known as Diddy, has been accused of sexual assault in two new lawsuits, after another he settled last week with former girlfriend Casandra Ventura, AKA Cassie.The first, from Joi Dickerson-Neal, alleges Combs attacked her in 1991 and inflicted substantial and lifetime injuries ... as a result of being drugged, sexually assaulted and abused, and being the victim of revenge porn' that Sean Combs or P. Diddy' created and distributed". A representative for Combs has called the claims made up and not credible ... purely a money grab". Continue reading...

Shake-up expected to affect mainly back office roles in departments such as compliance, HR and legalBarclays is reportedly working on plans to cut up to 2,000 jobs in a 1bn cost-cutting drive, weeks after the bank's bosses warned of the need to restructure to boost profits and dividend payments to shareholders.The shake-up is expected to affect mainly back office jobs in departments such as compliance, human resources and legal, according to a source cited by Reuters. Continue reading...

Greater Manchester mayor is calling on government to launch consultation on Duchy of Lancaster's use of bona vacantia

European Environment Agency says half of deaths could have been avoided by cutting pollution to recommended limitsDirty air killed more than half a million people in the EU in 2021, estimates show, and about half of the deaths could have been avoided by cutting pollution to the limits recommended by doctors.The researchers from the European Environment Agency attributed 253,000 early deaths to concentrations of fine particulates known as PM2.5 that breached the World Health Organization's maximum guideline limits of 5g/m3. A further 52,000 deaths came from excessive levels of nitrogen dioxide and 22,000 deaths from short-term exposure to excessive levels of ozone. Continue reading...

Reduced kangaroo populations and urban sprawl prompt proposal to end commercial culling in 10 council areas

Authorities say it will take at least another three to four days to bring blaze in city's north-east under control

Retailers say online sales on Friday were 10-25% up on last year, with the shopping event becoming bigger than Boxing Day