World news | The Guardian

European Union joins chorus of criticism of Article 23, which includes harsh new penalties for offences such as insurrection, sedition and espionageThe European Union has sounded the alarm over Hong Kong's new national security bill, saying it had the potential to significantly" affect the work of the EU's office and the territory's status as a business hub.On Tuesday Hong Kong lawmakers unanimously passed the new bill only two weeks after it was first presented, fast-tracking a major piece of legislation that critics say further threatens the city's freedoms. Continue reading...

America's top doctor says governments' failure to better regulate social media is insane'

Final year students from Goresbrook school talk about housing, higher education and social media - as well as hopes and fears

Critics say move could undermine local democracy by making forums optional for councillors and staff

Parliamentary motion from New Democratic party passed with support of Liberals, Bloc Quebecois and Green partyCanada will halt future arms sales to Israel following a non-binding vote in the house of commons. The foreign affairs minister, Melanie Joly, told the Toronto Star her government would halt future arms shipments. It is a real thing," she said on Tuesday.The decision follows a parliamentary motion, introduced by the New Democratic party (NDP), that called on the governing Liberals to halt future arms exports to Israel. The New Democrats, who are supporting Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's minority government, have expressed frustration with what they see as his failure to do enough to protect civilians in Gaza. Continue reading...

Some collectors want the tackiest items imaginable, but for others they are heartfelt reminders of the pastFor Caroline Walker, 65, holiday fridge magnets aren't merely practical souvenirs holding up the shopping list but meaningful little reminders" that bring her back to a time or place in her life. The first in her collection was a little magnet from Dnipro, Ukraine. It was a gift from the leader of a group of Ukrainian students to whom she taught English. I look at it now and I wonder where they all are, if they're OK, how many of them died, how many of the boys are fighting," she says.Walker is among dozens of people who contacted the Guardian to share their emotional response to holiday fridge magnets in light of a new study conducted by Liverpool University that suggests these objects may also provide an important means of accessing happy - and not so happy - memories of past trips. Continue reading...

New minimum wage law to be brought in two years after P&O Ferries replaced hundreds of workers with low-cost crewCross-Channel ferry operators will be required to pay their crew at least 9.95 an hour after France implemented a new minimum wage law aimed at preventing the exploitation of seafarers.The move comes two years after P&O Ferries caused outrage on both sides of the Channel by sacking almost 800 workers and replacing them with low-cost crew. Continue reading...

Reform party leader Richard Tice says he expects BBC to change its editorial guidelinesThe BBC has apologised for referring to Reform UK as far right" in a news report.The apology related to coverage of the Liberal Democrats' spring conference by the broadcaster, which said it had removed a sentence from an article that did not adhere to its editorial standards. Continue reading...

Initiative to boost supplies as standoff in US congress continues and arms from EU fall shortThe Czech Republic says it is on the verge of delivering thousands of extra artillery shells to Ukraine, just weeks after it announced an initiative to source the much-needed supplies from outside the EU.Its foreign minister, Jan Lipavsky, said it had so far secured 300,000 shells and that the ammunition would provide a vital few months' breathing space" on the frontline. Sources added that the first deliveries would come before June. Continue reading...

Leonard Farruku, 27, died in a suspected suicide on barge for asylum seekers and his relatives want an independent inquiryThe family of Leonard Farruku, who died in a suspected suicide last December on the Bibby Stockholm barge used to accommodate asylum seekers, have said that the British government should be held responsible for his death.The family has launched legal action against the government to force a decision over holding an independent investigation into the death. Lawyers for the family said they took the decision after the government failed to respond to three letters sent to it last month. Continue reading...

BBFC survey finds sexual violence remains main area of concern while views on some drug use have easedThe British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) has introduced stricter guidelines for sex scenes and nudity in 12 and 12A productions, saying the public are concerned about the amount of explicit content to which young people are being exposed.In the BBFC's first major audience research for five years, sexual violence remained the biggest area of concern. Continue reading...

Russia attacking Ukraine with drones, guided bombs and missiles, says president; Kaja Kallas says spending should rise to over 3% GDPThe EU's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, has said he will propose that the EU uses 90% of the revenues from Russian assets frozen in Europe to buy arms for Ukraine via the European Peace Facility fund, Reuters reports.Borrell told reporters in Brussels he would propose that the remaining 10% be transferred to the EU budget to be used to boost the capacity of the Ukrainian defence industry. Continue reading...

Police investigate theory animals killed by people who set dogs on hares and livestream chase for gamblersIt was a typically tranquil day at the community shop in the picture postcard village of Broughton on the banks of the Wallop Brook in Hampshire. Delicious breads and tempting cakes were being delivered - the store prides itself on supporting local suppliers - while a stream of customers, including villagers and groups of walkers and cyclists who know it is as an ideal stopping off point, kept the volunteers busy.The scene that greeted the shop workers a few days ago could hardly have been more different, after the battered remains of about 50 hares and two birds of prey were dumped in the early hours outside the shop. Blood was smeared on the windows and the bodies of a kestrel and barn owl jammed in the door handles. Continue reading...

Documents seen by the Guardian list hundreds of incidents, including Unrwa workers allegedly being blindfolded and beaten

David Neal says government failed to publish his report on conditions for asylum seekers in east Africa country

Sofa retailer warns profits will be 10m lower than hoped as DIY group says conditions remain challenging'The furniture retailer DFS and the DIY group Wickes have warned of weak demand for high-cost household goods as consumers continue to cut spending in the cost of living crisis.DFS, which specialises in selling sofas, said annual profits would be 10m lower than previously hoped and sales would come in up to 65m below expectations, adding that demand had weakened significantly" over the past two months. Continue reading...

Process in Croydon East, which was suspended last year after suspected data breach, resumed last weekA Labour parliamentary selection contest in London is being investigated by the police over allegations of computer misuse" after a suspected data breach.The party's selection process in the new Croydon East constituency was suspended last year amid complaints that local members' data provided to some candidates was inaccurate. Continue reading...

Little action has been taken on issue at one of UK's most notorious jails, Independent Monitoring Board saysBlack prisoners are disproportionately subjected to the use of force inside one of Britain's most notorious jails, a report has found.The annual report of the Independent Monitoring Board, a statutory body that monitors the treatment of prisoners, found that from June 2022 to May 2023, black prisoners in Wormwood Scrubs were subjected to 43% of use-of-force incidents although they formed just 27% of the prison population. Continue reading...

Wealthy are willing to pay more than double the standard price of 170,000, says luxury carmakerThe luxury carmaker Bentley is cashing in as more of the world's richest people opt to spend hundreds of thousands of pounds on levels of personalisation that we've never seen before", the company has said.While households all over the world struggle with inflation and the continued impact of the global energy crisis, its chief executive, Adrian Hallmark, said that our customers can still afford our cars", even if some were hesitating before committing. Continue reading...

Getty Images flags second royal photo days after storm over image of Princess of WalesA second photograph of members of the royal family has been flagged by a global picture agency after it was discovered to have been digitally enhanced at source".Earlier this month, five international picture agencies that initially distributed an image of the Princess of Wales to mark Mother's Day issued so-called kill" notices to withdraw it, sparking a huge wave of commentary, speculation and even conspiracy theories. Continue reading...

Willyama High School at Broken Hill set to be rebuilt, education minister Prue Car says

Richard Colbeck says PwC International must clarify reports it took control of Australian firm after tax leaks scandal

Death of 13-year-old boy has put spotlight on juvenile crime and the plight of children left behind by rural migrant workersThe killing of a 13-year-old boy in northern China last week, for which three boys are in police custody, has triggered a heated discussion in the media on juvenile crime and the plight of children left at home by migrant workers.Police arrested three boys and took them into custody after they allegedly bullied and killed the junior high school student in the small city of Handan, in Hebei province, on 10 March, and then buried him in a shallow pit, state media reported. So far, no charges have been laid. Continue reading...

Force responds to scathing NSW law enforcement conduct commission report, dismissing four of 19 recommendations

The special minister of state claims some cross-benchers agree with banning big money, just not theirs'

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Opposition leader accuses Anthony Albanese of set up' after prime minister demands bipartisan support

Town of Borroloola was due to be evacuated before cyclone arrived but dangerous weather prevented aircraft from landing

Consumer body calls for a crackdown on bewildering' range of extra charges at big ticketing sitesLive music fans are losing out because of an array of sneaky" fees that can add up to 25% to the cost of concert and festival tickets, research from the consumer body Which? has found.With booking open for big summer gigs, the lobby group has called for a crackdown on the bewildering" range of extra charges that some of the UK's biggest ticketing websites impose. Continue reading...

US says attack would be mistake' as Biden and Netanyahu talk by phone for first time in over a monthIsrael will send a team of officials to Washington to discuss its planned offensive on Rafah, the White House has said, as the Biden administration insists that an attack would be a mistake" and seeks to persuade Israel to allow in more aid in the face of an imminent famine in Gaza.The US national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, announced the Israeli visit after a phone call on Monday between Joe Biden and the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, focusing on the planned Rafah assault that Netanyahu has vowed to launch. Continue reading...

Home Office had planned to scrap the police commissioner role held by Labour's Simon Foster and give powers to mayorThe police and crime commissioner for the West Midlands has won a high court challenge against government plans to transfer his powers to the region's mayor.Simon Foster, a Labour politician, took legal action against the Home Office's move to scrap his role in time for local elections in May. Continue reading...

The regulator released its draft default market offer' for 2024-25 which sets the maximum amount retailers can charge for power

Libertarian faction of Conservatives expected to stage a rebellion but measure has widespread supportRishi Sunak's public health policy banning the next generation from being able to buy cigarettes is to be introduced in parliament this week, with officials braced for a backlash from Conservative rebels.While the policy commands considerable support in Conservative ranks, the scale of an expected rebellion by libertarian Tories - whose ranks includeLiz Truss - has yet to become clear. Continue reading...

US embassy says absurd' to suggest Washington behind protests in Santiago de Cuba led by parents struggling to feed their childrenThe Cuban government has summoned the US ambassador, Benjamin Ziff, to its foreign ministry, accusing Washington of stoking a protest which saw hundreds of people take to the streets in the island's second city of Santiago de Cuba.The demonstration late on Sunday was a rare public show of disenchantment against Cuba's communist government, and was apparently led by parents struggling to feed their children in the face of a worsening food crisis. The protesters reportedly chanted: Without electricity and food, the people get hot." Continue reading...

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Israel claims to have killed 20 militants at al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City following early morning raidFierce fighting has continued around al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City, as Israeli troops battled Hamas militants after seizing control of the strategically situated medical complex in an early morning raid.Witnesses reported multiple airstrikes and ferocious firefights as fears rose for the safety of hundreds of civilians in the immediate vicinity of the hospital. Continue reading...

Allies of Commons leader say other future candidates for top job are trying to make her look disloyalPenny Mordaunt's rivals in a future Conservative leadership contest have been blamed for briefing coup rumours meant to ruin her chances of eventually taking over from Rishi Sunak, the Guardian has been told.The Commons leader, who came a close third in the leadership contest won by Liz Truss in 2022, has in recent days been at the centre of speculation over an alleged plot to try to oust the prime minister to avert a general election disaster for the Conservatives. Continue reading...

Gunmen looted homes in Laboule and Thomassin, forcing residents to flee previously peaceful neighborhoods Haiti: what caused the gang violence and will it end now the PM has quit?Gunmen have assaulted two upscale neighborhoods in Haiti's capital in an attack that left at least a dozen people dead in surrounding areas and suggested that a gang insurrection that prompted the prime minister to resign is far from over.Assailants looted homes in the communities of Laboule and Thomassin before sunrise on Monday, forcing residents to flee as some called radio stations pleading for police. Both neighborhoods had previously remained largely peaceful despite a surge in gang attacks across Port-au-Prince that began on 29 February. Continue reading...

Company is using legal loophole UK government promised to close two years ago, Guardian analysis suggestsP&O Ferries, which controversially sacked about 800 workers in 2022, has paid some crew members less than half the UK minimum wage thanks to an ongoing legal loophole the British government promised to close two years ago.Agency workers at the company, which is owned by the Dubai-based DP World, have in some cases been earning about 4.87 an hour - even lower than the 5.15 an hour the company suggested was its lowest pay rate - an analysis of recent payslips conducted by the Guardian and ITV News suggests. Continue reading...

Attempted murder suspect was carrying knuckle duster and substance in bottle when he was detained in Shoreditch, say policeA man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after two people were injured by crossbow bolts in east London.The 47-year-old was carrying a knuckle duster and a bottle containing a substance" when he was detained at 11pm on Sunday in Shoreditch, the Metropolitan police said. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Details made public for first time prompt anger over how many influential figures belong to club that bars women

Thomas Rawle tells court his mother's husband, Ian Rawle, hit her with a riding crop and shovel and pushed her through a windowThe son of a woman on trial for the murder of her husband has told a jury the dead man had subjected his mother to years of physical and psychological abuse.Thomas Rawle, the son of Christine Rawle, said her husband, Ian, hit her with a riding crop and shovel and once pushed her through a closed bay window. Continue reading...

Incident near Paris 2024 Olympic village follows death last week of teenager after police chaseNine people, including two minors, have been arrested after a group of about 50 people attacked a police station near the Paris 2024 Olympic village with heavy-duty rocket fireworks, the French capital's top police official has said.The attack on Sunday evening in La Courneuve followed the death last Wednesday of a teenager after a police chase. Authorities announced a reinforced police presence across the northern Paris suburb. Continue reading...

Landlords should be required to make homes fit and healthy to live in through summer, Better Renting says

Find out who's up and who's down in the latest polls - and how many seats each party is likely to win in the next general election

Casualties reported after raids on complex, where hundreds are reportedly sheltering and IDF claims is being used by Hamas

Business secretary dismisses reports of plot and rejects calls for her party to return donations from Frank HesterReports of Conservative plots against Rishi Sunak are the work of just one or two" MPs, and the party needs to unite before May's local elections, Kemi Badenoch, the business secretary has argued.In a sometimes combative media round, Badenoch also said the Tories did not need to return 10m in donations from Frank Hester, saying that it was only the media that were still interested in his comments about Diane Abbott, widely condemned as racist and misogynist. Continue reading...

Under Operation Regional Mongoose, 153 people - including 109 children - have been charged since September, the youngest 11 years old

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First 1001 Days Movement says five-year decline in toddler development is a ticking time bomb' for the UKAn incoming Labour government must revive the 1997 spirit of Sure Start and put babies at the heart of policies if it is to achieve its goals, a coalition of charities has said.The First 1001 Days Movement, a coalition of more than 200 charities and professionals, said a five-year decline in toddler development was a a ticking timebomb" for the UK, and called for vulnerable babies and their families to be seen as mission critical". Continue reading...