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Aircraft will take off and land vertically, and carry a single passenger between transport hubs, says capital’s airports operatorAthletes are getting in shape for the Paris Olympic Games in 2024, and so is the world’s first electric air taxi network.“We are going to make it happen,” Solène Le Bris of Paris airports operator Groupe ADP told an industry audience at Amsterdam Drone Week. “We are trying to launch the first e-VTOL [vertical takeoff and landing] pre-commercial service in the world: that’s our ambition.” Continue reading...

Metropolitan police commissioner says ‘institutional’ label is confusing and political as fallout from Casey report continuesSadiq Khan has publicly clashed with the commissioner of the Metropolitan police, saying he disagrees with Sir Mark Rowley’s refusal to describe his force as institutionally misogynistic, racist and homophobic.The mayor of London, one of two people who appointed Rowley, spoke as the fallout from Louise Casey’s bombshell report into Scotland Yard continued. Continue reading...

Timing is controversial given actions of Israel’s far-right government towards settlements and judiciaryThe UK and Israel have signed a long-term agreement strengthening ties in the fields of defence, security and technology following plans announced last year to put relations between the two countries on an elevated footing.The timing of Tuesday’s agreement is controversial since it will be seen as a mark of approval for Israel’s far-right government, which has put settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank at the top of its agenda and faces a massive backlash over plans to neuter the role of the judiciary. Continue reading...

Former prime minister says he believes evidence shows he did not recklessly mislead parliament over PartygateBoris Johnson claims there is no document showing that he was given “any warning or advice” than any No 10 event may have broken Covid rules. He says:It is clear from that investigation that there is no evidence at all that supports an allegation that I intentionally or recklessly misled the house. The only exception is the assertions of the discredited Dominic Cummings, which are not supported by any documentation.There is not a single document that indicates that I received any warning or advice that any event broke or may have broken the rules or guidance. In fact, the evidence before the committee demonstrates that those working at No 10 at the time shared my honest belief that the rules and guidance were being followed.I accept that the House of Commons was misled by my statements that the rules and guidance had been followed completely at No 10. But when the statements were made, they were made in good faith and on the basis of what I honestly knew and believed at the time. Continue reading...

Human rights campaigners condemn bill introducing capital and life imprisonment sentencesMPs in Uganda have passed a controversial anti-LGBTQ+ bill, which would make homosexual acts punishable by death, attracting strong condemnation from rights campaigners.Nearly all of the 389 legislators voted late on Tuesday for the hardline anti-homosexuality bill, which introduces capital and life imprisonment sentences for gay sex and “recruitment, promotion and funding” of same-sex “activities”. Continue reading...

Former PM to argue he did not intend to mislead MPs, at hearing that could lead to suspension from parliament

Verdict by hardline Tory MPs follows decision by DUP to also oppose Windsor framework

Damning report may bolster Mark Rowley’s declared mission of reform but he needs to take ‘cops on the ground’ with himParadoxically, now the full scale of the dysfunction at the Metropolitan police, exposed by Louise Casey’s report, is known to the public, the force’s commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley, could start to get a bit more of what he wants.Rowley has asked for time to start turning the force around, and as the dust settles it was clear that the two people he needs to fear the most because they can sack him – the home secretary and London mayor – will give him that. Continue reading...

Russian leader reacts to comments by UK defence minister that Britain will supply armour-piercing rounds to Kyiv

Former PM’s defence dossier released ahead of parliamentary committee hearing on Wednesday

Defence industry minister Pat Conroy admits ‘scope’ for extra costs and that local shipbuilder ASC may not win contract for British designed boats

Only 15% of local councils collect data on proportion of parents who are able to access sufficient childcareThe government’s claims that there are enough childcare places in England are “meaningless” as councils collect little to no information on whether provision meets local demand, experts have said.Local authorities are responsible for ensuring that the provision of childcare is sufficient to meet the requirements of parents in their area under section 6 of the Childcare Act 2006. Continue reading...

Exhibition evoking childhood experiences brings together installations by nine artistsNine leading contemporary artists have come together to create an interactive exhibition in Barcelona for kids – and anyone in touch with their inner child.“Before the pandemic we had the idea of mounting an exhibition of contemporary art for people of all ages, something that children could relate to but also so that older people could relive the experience of being a child and participate as if they were children,” said Martina Millà, who jointly curated the show at the Fundació Joan Miró with Patrick Ronse, the artistic director of the Be-Part contemporary art platform in Belgium. Continue reading...

Evidence given to federal court reveals extensive delay in the review process, including 42 freedom of information cases languishing for five years

Wiradjuri designer to hold standalone runway for her label Ngali as the industry continues to feel shockwaves from pandemic

Move poses political risk for US president, who has a difficult relationship with his Chinese counterpart Xi JinpingA bill requiring the release of intelligence materials on potential links between the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic and a laboratory in the Chinese city of Wuhan has been signed into law by US president Joe Biden.“We need to get to the bottom of Covid-19’s origins … including potential links to the Wuhan Institute of Virology,” Biden said in a statement. “In implementing this legislation, my administration will declassify and share as much of that information as possible. Continue reading...

Bulk of people polled say major policy announcements from Labor and Coalition will not sway their vote in lead-up to election

Western Sydney University says its partnership with the Ministry of Ayush will ‘advance the scientific base of Ayurveda’Get our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcastWestern Sydney University is partnering with an Indian health ministry that has promoted the use of pseudoscientific and potentially harmful treatments to Covid-19.Ayurveda has been used in India for centuries as a natural alternative to western medicine. But its efficacy has been widely debunked and it can be dangerous in some instances. Continue reading...

Initial call for protest came after family of headteacher Ruth Perry said she took her own life after news of lowest ratingA Berkshire headteacher who issued a plea on social media for support for her plan to prevent Ofsted inspectors visiting her school has withdrawn her request, asking people not to come to the school, in the interests of children and staff.Flora Cooper, the executive headteacher at the John Rankin federation of nursery, infant and junior schools in Newbury, wrote on Twitter earlier on Monday that Ofsted inspectors were due to visit on Tuesday morning.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, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is at 988 or chat for support. You can also text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis text line counsellor. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org Continue reading...

Report of more than 300 pages identifies institutional homophobia, misogyny and racism in force and unwillingness to deal with failures

Author of landmark report says Met can ‘no longer presume that it has the permission of the people of London to police them’

Analysis: Metropolitan police again found to be institutionally racist, sexist and homophobic – and in need of radical reform

The students who had their visas revoked will present a petition to Downing Street on TuesdayA group of international students and campaigners are calling on the prime minister to end their years of living in limbo after accusations of cheating in English language tests.The students had their visas revoked almost 10 years ago after a BBC Panorama documentary reported allegations of cheating at two of the UK’s language testing centres for international students.A simple, free mechanism for students to apply for a decision or reconsideration of their case.The immigration record of every student cleared of cheating to be wiped clean.Facilitate students’ return to study, or support those on work or entrepreneur visas to find new jobs or restart their businesses – by removing barriers created by the cheating allegations. Continue reading...

Of that number, 72,875 have had their claims refused but are yet to be deported according to government figures

Royal commission also criticises federal disability watchdog for its handling of complaints centred on provider Afford

Ethiopian, Eritrean and rebel forces committed offences during two-year conflict, Antony Blinken has saidThe United States has concluded that Ethiopian and Eritrean troops as well as rebels committed war crimes during the brutal two-year conflict, secretary of state Antony Blinken has said after visiting Addis Ababa.Blinken, who had sounded upbeat in Ethiopia about the prospects for peace after a breakthrough 2 November accord, made a forceful call for accountability on his return to Washington. Continue reading...

The actor was found collapsed outside King’s Cross station in London on Thursday afternoonPaul Grant, an actor who appeared in the Star Wars and Harry Potter films, has died aged 56 after being found collapsed outside a train station.Grant was found outside King’s Cross station in north London on Thursday afternoon. Continue reading...

Chinese leader expected to position himself as peacemaker as Vladimir Putin welcomes his ‘good old friend’

Former prime minister has submitted dossier defending his behaviour before televised grilling on WednesdayDowning Street has rejected a claim that government announcements are being held back this week because of all the media attention that the Boris Johnson privileges hearing will get. Asked about the claim (see 11.36am), the PM’s spokesperson said:There is a large number of announcements being made this week, whether that’s on support for low-income households on energy, and obviously the vote on the Stormont brake on Wednesday so it is a significant week for government.It’s wrong to suggest government business changes as a result of this committee hearing. Continue reading...

Privileges committee not expected to release report on whether former PM misled parliament until April at the earliestMPs investigating Boris Johnson over his Partygate denials are not expected to release their final report on whether he misled parliament until next month at the earliest, the Guardian has been told.After the former prime minister submitted what was termed a “bombshell” 50-page dossier laying out his defence on Monday afternoon, sources suggested a verdict by the privileges committee would come after Easter. Continue reading...

Antony Blinken says China proposals could be ‘stalling tactic’ to help Russian troops in Ukraine as Xi Jinping meets Vladimir Putin in Moscow. This live blog is closed

Trade unions have led strikes against proposed rise in pension age, which is now likely to become lawThe French government has survived two votes of no confidence but Emmanuel Macron continues to face protests and strikes over his decision to use executive powers to push through an unpopular rise in the pension age.Although the prime minister, Élisabeth Borne, avoided having to instantly resign, the president remains under pressure to break his silence and shore up the government amid growing anger in the streets. Opposition politicians in parliament accused him of arrogance, denying democracy and failing to learn from the gilets jaunes (yellow vests) anti-government protest movement four years ago. Continue reading...

Labour accuse government of failing taxpayers and troops with £5.5bn programme that is already six years lateA troubled £5.5bn programme which is already six years late in building the British army’s new Ajax fighting vehicle won’t be delivered until the end of the decade.Labour accused the government of failing British taxpayers and troops after the Ministry of Defence confirmed that payments towards vehicles will resume after ministers concluded the programme is “turning a corner”. Continue reading...

Positive framing of otherwise grim report a counterblast to those who dismiss hopes of limiting global heating to 1.5CAvoiding the worst ravages of climate breakdown is still possible, and there are “multiple, feasible and effective options” for doing so, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has said.Hoesung Lee, chair of the body, which is made up of the world’s leading climate scientists, made clear that – despite the widespread damage already being caused by extreme weather, and the looming threat of potentially catastrophic changes – the future was still humanity’s to shape. Continue reading...

Series of actions planned this spring as union members call for more pay since firms are ‘raking it’Oil and gas workers have voted in favour of a series of large-scale North Sea strikes amid bumper profits for fossil fuel firms.About 1,400 workers across five rig-servicing companies plan to strike between late March and early June as part of a dispute over jobs, pay and conditions – potentially shutting down platforms in the region. Continue reading...

Performer was shot outside a motorcycle shop in Florida in 2018 and robbed of $50,000Three men were found guilty on Monday of the 2018 killing of star rapper XXXTentacion, who was shot outside a south Florida motorcycle shop while being robbed of $50,000.Michael Boatwright, 28, Dedrick Williams, 26, and Trayvon Newsome, 24, were all found guilty of first-degree murder and armed robbery. They will receive mandatory life sentences at a later date. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Midlands city will become official home of Great British Railways, Guardian understandsDerby is to be named the new headquarters of Britain’s rail network by ministers this week, the Guardian understands.The delayed result of the competition to become the official home of Great British Railways is expected as early as Tuesday, with the Midlands city the frontrunner on a shortlist of six including Birmingham, Crewe, Doncaster, Newcastle and York. Continue reading...

Industrial action going ahead despite hopes of breakthrough on pay, conditions and pensions last weekUniversities in the UK have been hit by strike action once again, despite hopes of a breakthrough last week with an offer from employers on pay, working conditions and pensions.Tens of thousands of staff at 150 universities pressed ahead with planned strikes on Monday in the first of three days of industrial action this week, with many branches claiming big turnouts on picket lines. Continue reading...

Whitehall sources say process of dealing with Commons committee was managed by Cabinet Office propriety and ethics teamSue Gray was not involved with handing over Partygate evidence to the privileges committee into Boris Johnson while she was in talks with Labour about a job, multiple sources have said.Allies of Johnson are furious that Gray is off to work for Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, as chief of staff, after the senior civil servant was in charge of the report into Partygate published last May. Continue reading...

Jeffery Woodke and Olivier Dubois, who had been kidnapped by jihadists in the Sahel, were released in NigerA US aid worker and a French journalist who had been kidnapped by jihadists in the Sahel and held for years have been released.American aid worker Jeffery Woodke and French freelancer Olivier Dubois emerged from a plane that landed on Monday at an airport in Niamey, the capital of Niger. Continue reading...

Court has issued warrant for Putin and his children’s commissioner over forcible transfer of Ukrainian children

Scottish first minister reveals more on Loose Women about photograph taken of her at Ibrox event early in 2011Scotland’s first minister has told of how she attended a memorial service while still having a miscarriage.Nicola Sturgeon has been open about her baby loss experience in the past, but provided more detail in an interview on the ITV show Loose Women. Continue reading...

Billionaire mogul will marry Ann Lesley Smith, 66, whom he met in September of 2022. ‘We share the same beliefs,’ Smith saysThe billionaire mogul Rupert Murdoch, whose conservative media empire spans the globe, is engaged to marry for the fifth time at the age of 92 years old, he told an interviewer in his own tabloid newspaper, the New York Post.“I was very nervous. I dreaded falling in love – but I knew this would be my last. It better be. I’m happy,” Murdoch said of his new fiancee, Ann Lesley Smith, 66, whose late husband was Chester Smith, a country singer as well as radio and TV executive. Continue reading...

Jeffrey Donaldson confirms unionist party will oppose Sunak plan for Northern Ireland in this week’s vote

Exclusive: 15-metre-long work made up of 650,000 Lego bricks to form part of artist’s biggest UK show in eight yearsClaude Monet’s monumental triptych, Water Lilies 1914 -26, which depicts nature’s tranquil beauty as part of the French impressionist’s world-famous series, will take on new meaning in a giant recreation by artist and activist Ai Weiwei in his new London exhibition.Monet’s brushstrokes in his water and reflection landscapes are replaced by about 650,000 studs of Lego bricks, in 22 vivid colours, in the 15-metre-long work at the centre of Weiwei’s biggest UK show in eight years, opening next month. Continue reading...

Rebel alliance Coalition of Patriots for Change denies responsibility after mayor accuses them of attackChina’s embassy in the Central African Republic has urged its citizens to avoid travelling outside the capital Bangui after nine Chinese nationals were killed in an attack by militants at a gold mine outside the city.The embassy said in a statement on Sunday there had been many “vicious” security incidents against workers of foreign mining enterprises in the area, and Chinese citizens still outside Bangui were requested to evacuate immediately. Continue reading...

Bezalel Smotrich’s comments come as far-right coalition pushes ahead with judiciary overhaulAn Israeli minister has claimed there is “no such thing” as a Palestinian people as Israel’s new coalition government, its most hardline ever, ploughed ahead with a part of its plan to overhaul the judiciary.Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition said it was pushing a key part of the overhaul – which would give the coalition control over who becomes a justice or a judge – before the parliament takes a month’s holiday break next week. Continue reading...

Motions to be put before parliament against backdrop of rising tensions between protesters and policeThe French government is to face two no-confidence motions amid street protests, strikes and roadblocks in opposition to Emmanuel Macron’s decision to push through an unpopular rise in the pension age without a parliament vote.The no-confidence votes are taking place on Monday afternoon against a backdrop of increasing tension on the streets, after clashes between protesters and police in Paris at the weekend and demonstrations in cities around the country. Roadblocks and demonstrations at roundabouts were under way in some parts of France on Monday, including outside Nantes and Lorient. In Rennes, bins were set alight on a highway and cars were stopped. Continue reading...

Resolution Foundation analysis suggests UK lagging behind similar economies such as GermanyWorkers in the UK are £11,000 worse off a year after 15 years of “almost completely unprecedented” wage stagnation that signals a failure of recent economic policy, according to the Resolution Foundation.The thinktank, which focuses on low- to middle-income households, compared wage inflation before the 2008 financial crash with the pace set since and found that the average worker was losing out by thousands of pounds a year. Continue reading...

Coalition senators offered both vague laments and staunch justifications, while the Greens found an unlikely ally