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Slow-moving tropical cyclone forecast to strengthen before weakening slightly and heading for Queensland next week

Shinji Aoba has admitted starting fire but has pleaded not guilty, saying a psychological disorder makes him incapable of distinguishing between right and wrongProsecutors in Japan are seeking the death penalty for the suspect in an arson attack in 2019 that killed 36 people in one of the country's deadliest crimes for decades.Shinji Aoba, who was not arrested until he had recovered from the burns he sustained in the attack on an animation studio in Kyoto, admitted in court in September 2023 to starting the fire. Continue reading...

In today's newsletter: The former prime minister attempted to shape his legacy during hours of intense questioning. Pippa Crerar explains key takeaways from his testimony Sign up here for our daily newsletter, First EditionGood morning.For about six hours yesterday, Boris Johnson finally had a chance to defend his record against the blistering criticism levelled against him over the course of the Covid inquiry since it started in June 2022. Evidence handed over to the inquiry has revealed that senior figures in his administration had significant doubts about Johnson's ability to lead and govern, creating an image of chaos, disorganisation and dysfunction during an unprecedented global health crisis.Robert Jenrick | Rishi Sunak's government was plunged into crisis after his immigration minister quit just hours after the prime minister tabled a bill to save his Rwanda deportation policy. Robert Jenrick said the bill was a triumph of hope over experience" and would mean that the policy will be challenged again in the courts.Israel-Hamas war | UN secretary general, Antonio Guterres, has said that he expects public order to completely break down" in Gaza amid Israel's continuing bombardment, rendering even limited humanitarian assistance impossible."Hillsborough disaster | Ministers have rejected the Hillsborough law" reforms that are central to a campaign by families of the 97 people killed in the 1989 disaster to prevent future police cover-ups. Instead the government has signed a charter" that states a commitment by departments to openness and transparency after public tragedies.Cop28 | The head of the International Monetary Fund has said that carbon pricing, a way to put an implicit price on carbon emissions, would generate the vast amounts of cash needed to tackle the climate crisis. It is a traditionally unpopular policy as in practice it can hit poorer people hardest if it is badly applied.Energy | A toxic culture" of bullying, sexual harassment and drug-taking risks compromising the safety of Europe's most hazardous nuclear site, multiple employees at Sellafield have claimed. Continue reading...

Western Australia police say a Carine high school student allegedly inflicted injuries on another and both were taken to hospital

The Preston Hotel fined $15,000 for allowing teen to gamble $2,500 as court hears extent of his addiction

In a lengthy interview, Swift says Kim Kardashian feud took me down psychologically', and criticises music industry over treatment of young starsTaylor Swift has spoken of the psychological damage of her feud with Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, and lambasted the music industry over its treatments of young pop stars, in a new interview with Time, which has named her their person of the year.After a year in which she has been at the centre of cultural conversations for her massively lucrative Eras tour, Swift spoke damningly of what she sees as a short-termist approach by record labels to replace, rather than nurture its stars. By the time an artist is mature enough to psychologically deal with the job, they throw you out at 29, typically," she says. In the 90s and 00s, it seems like the music industry just said: OK, let's take a bunch of teenagers, throw them into a fire, and watch what happens. By the time they've accumulated enough wisdom to do their job effectively, we'll find new teenagers.'" She said her solution was to change style with each new album project: I realised every record label was actively working to try to replace me. I thought instead, I'd replace myself first with a new me. It's harder to hit a moving target." Continue reading...

The staunch anti-communist, at first supportive of her brothers' efforts, became disillusioned with the Cuban governmentJuanita Castro, the sister of Cuban rulers Fidel and Raul Castro who worked with the CIA against their communist government, has died in Miami at 90. Florida had been her home since shortly after fleeing the island nearly 60 years ago.Journalist Maria Antonieta Collins, who co-wrote Juanita Castro's 2009 book, Fidel and Raul, My Brothers. The Secret History, wrote on Instagram that she died on Monday. Continue reading...

The 85-year-old was pictured leaving prison in Lima where he was serving a 25-year sentence for human rights abusesAlberto Fujimori, Peru's former strongman leader, was freed from jail after a ruling from the country's highest court granted him a humanitarian pardon, despite a request from the regional Inter-American Court of Human Rights to delay his release.Looking frail and wearing a face mask, the 85-year-old was received by his lawyer, two of his children Kenji and Keiko Fujimori - his political heiress and three-time presidential candidate - and helped into a waiting vehicle amid cheers from his supporters, who waved banners, honked horns and chanted Fujimori Libertad", or Fujimori freedom". Continue reading...

UK charity says government must tighten consumer protections to stop rogue traders' taking advantageHouseholds could be at risk of net zero scammers" amid a surge in green home upgrades unless the government tightens consumer protections, Citizens Advice has warned.The charity said that if the government does not tighten consumer protections to keep pace with the work required to decarbonise Britain's homes, rogue traders" could take advantage of households and erode trust in the UK's climate agenda. Continue reading...

The former PM is scheduled to be questioned for two days. Here is what happened at his first session at the inquiry

Ruling defies international court, which has said that Fujimori cannot be pardoned due to his conviction for human rights crimesPeru risks being ranked alongside authoritarian states like Venezuela and Nicaragua, lawyers have warned, if it flouts international law by freeing former president Alberto Fujimori from jail after its highest court ordered his immediate release".In the latest chapter of a drawn-out legal saga, Peru's constitutional court ruled on Tuesday to free the former authoritarian leader who, since 2009, has been serving a 25-year sentence for corruption and ordering massacres committed by an army death squad in the early 1990s. Continue reading...

Calls for legislation after dozens of brands identified as being at risk of sourcing materials linked to China's transfer programmesA substantial volume" of clothing tainted by the use of Uyghur forced labour is entering the European Union market, according to a report, as campaigners say the EU's checks are not doing enough to weed out coercive work from large supply chains.Dozens of well-known brands including H&M and Zara are identified as being at high risk of sourcing materials, particularly cotton and PVC, made by Uyghurs compelled to participate in state-imposed labour transfer programmes, according to a report from Uyghur Rights Monitor, Sheffield Hallam University and the Uyghur Centre for Democracy and Human Rights. Continue reading...

Request for help came after Venezuelan president announced series of measures to formalize a referendum Sunday eveningGuyana has appealed for help from the United Nations and the United States as the Venezuelan president, Nicolas Maduro, announced a series of measures intended to advance its annexation of two-thirds of the tiny South American nation's territory.I have spoken to the Secretary General of the United Nations and several leaders, alerting them of these dangerous developments and the desperate actions of President Maduro," Irfaan Ali, president of Guyana, said in a television broadcast late on Tuesday, as he informed the nation of 800,000 of Maduro's latest steps intended to create a new Venezuelan state in Guyana. Continue reading...

Emergency legislation stops short of leaving European convention on human rights and will infuriate Tory hard right

Ex-PM tells inquiry abusive messages between staff were inevitable passion of people doing their best' under great stress

Famous tree was cut down from its spot on Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland in SeptemberSalvaged seeds and cuttings from the felled Sycamore Gap tree are showing positive signs of being able to grow and provide new descendants", the National Trust has said.The world famous tree was cut down from its spot on Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland in late September. Police continue to investigate the felling. A man in his 60s and two men in their 30s, who were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage, remain on bail. Continue reading...

Veteran TV executive to replace Richard Sharp, who resigned after breaching rules over loan to Boris JohnsonThe veteran TV executive Samir Shah is set to be appointed as the next chair of the BBC.Shah, 71, who has previously served as a non-executive director at the broadcaster and was the co-author of the government's controversial racial disparities report in 2021, has been announced as the culture secretary's preferred candidate" for the three-days-a-week position, which pays a salary of 160,000. Continue reading...

Gaza's second biggest urban concentration is now being depicted as Hamas's centre of gravity'

Gen Sir Mark Carleton-Smith will support work on opportunities arising from Aukus defence pactA former head of the British army has joined a lobbying firm run by the veteran Conservative party strategist Sir Lynton Crosby as it seeks to capitalise on business deals in the defence industry.Gen Sir Mark Carleton-Smith, who until last year was one of the UK's most senior military officers, will work as an adviser at Crosby's influential Anglo-Australian consultancy, CT Group. Continue reading...

Families pushing for Hillsborough law' to outlaw police cover-ups after major incidents

Grim forecast comes after Nottingham city council became fourth authority in the past 12 months to declare insolvencyThe financial crisis engulfing English local authorities will trigger an unprecedented increase in town hall bankruptcies in the coming months, local government leaders have warned, as they prepare to increase council tax bills and impose a fresh round of cuts to services.The grim forecast, endorsed by council leaders of all political colours, comes days after Labour-run Nottingham city council issued a Section 114 notice to become the fourth authority in the past 12 months - and the eighth in six years - to declare effective insolvency. Continue reading...

Atsushi Ozawa accused of using car to kill common pigeon, which vets said died of traumatic shockTo some, they are another species of feathered friend; to others, they are rats with wings whose droppings deface historic buildings.But in Japan, pigeons may have become the victims of crime, after police arrested a Tokyo taxi driver on suspicion of deliberately driving into a flock of the birds, killing one of them. Continue reading...

Court of appeal rejects effort to overturn decision that stopped the man from suing his former partner for defamation

Ministerial staffers frequently hired in government departments and independent advice ignored, says report which takes aim at Suburban Rail Loop

Nearly a month after agreement, 78% of union's 160,000 members sign off on deal, marking end of a challenging period in HollywoodThe Sag-Aftra union has ratified its contract with Hollywood studios, nearly one month after the parties reached an agreement that put an end to the historic strike that had upended the film and television industry.Actors won pay increases, protections around the use of artificial intelligence, and streaming-based bonuses in the deal, which the union said was valued at more than $1bn and hailed for its extraordinary scope". Continue reading...

This blog has now closed. Read our full report on the latest developments in Gaza here and our report on a UN meeting to hear accounts of sexual violence committed by Hamas on 7 October here. Continue reading...

About 2.7m will have to choose between buying food or presents as cost of living crisis bitesMillions of people will have to make stark financial choices this Christmas including choosing between buying food or presents and be unable to afford to keep their homes warm through the festive season, according to new research by National Debtline.About 6.5 million people will struggle to heat their homes sufficiently this festive season, while 2.7 million will have to choose between buying food or presents, highlighting the drastic impact the cost of living crisis continues to have on household budgets. Continue reading...

Live and on-demand TV over broadband replaces BT TV as firm continues brand and service revampThe BT-owned EE is rolling out its revamped TV over broadband offering, which delivers live and on-demand services streamed to a choice of set-top boxes that includes a customised Apple TV - a first for the UK.The new IPTV service continues the firm's replacement of the BT brand with EE and ditches the aerial while still offering free-to-air and premium channels in a range of packages starting at 18 a month on top of the required EE broadband subscription. Continue reading...

20-year-old man and 16-year-old boy also injured in Hackney shootingA murder investigation has been launched after a woman died following a shooting in east London.The Metropolitan police said they were called to an incident on Vine Close in Hackney at 6.28pm on Tuesday. Continue reading...

This live blog is now closed. For our latest reporting on Zelenskiy, you can read our latest report:

Air New Zealand says using the ALIA electric cargo plane to deliver parcels will help plot route towards zero-emissions passenger flights in a new age of propulsion'Parcels and letters will soon be distributed by electric aircraft between regions of New Zealand as the sparsely populated country embarks on a new age of propulsion" in its attempts to decarbonise its reliance on aviation.On Wednesday, Air New Zealand announced it had purchased a battery-powered, all-electric five seater cargo aircraft, which will be put to use running mail between airports with New Zealand's postal service from 2026. Continue reading...

Laine, who sang Go Now and co-wrote Mull of Kintyre, had suffered lung disease in recent yearsDenny Laine, the frontman of the Moody Blues who went on to huge success with Paul McCartney in Wings, has died aged 79.He had suffered lung damage caused by interstitial lung disease. My darling husband passed away peacefully early this morning," his wife, Elizabeth Hines, wrote on Instagram. I was at his bedside, holding his hand as I played his favorite Christmas songs for him ... My world will never be the same." Continue reading...

Stoppages in winter could spell disaster and 25 days of action to date have yielded only modest progressMinisters and hospital bosses were desperately hoping that junior doctors' leaders would demonstrate the same pragmatism that their consultant counterparts did last week when they agreed details of a deal that, subject to a ballot, will end their long-running pay dispute.However, those hopes proved forlorn. Junior doctors' talks with the government have collapsed. The NHS in England and all those needing its help now face the nightmare scenario of nine days of strikes in quick succession, just before and just after the holiday fortnight. The dates chosen are 20-23 December and 3-9 January. Those walkouts will come during the winter crisis when the always overstretched service is under its greatest pressure, when reports of chaotic A&Es, queues of ambulances outside hospitals and the plight of seriously ill patients unable to get care quickly often dominate news bulletins. Continue reading...

State department says Moscow turned down substantial' proposal to secure release of Evan Gershkovich and Paul WhelanRussia rejected a new proposal to free two detained Americans, the Wall Street Journal correspondent Evan Gershkovich and former marine Paul Whelan, the US government has said.A state department spokesman, Matthew Miller, told reporters that the US made several proposals for a deal to return the two men, including a substantial one in recent weeks". Continue reading...

Martin Griffiths says continuing offensive has ended any possibility of meaningful humanitarian operations

James Cleverly's measures are not popular with health and hospitalityJames Cleverly's package of policies, aimed at bringing about the biggest ever reduction in net migration", has provoked a widespread backlash in short-staffed sectors across the economy. Here are some of its potential implications.Health and social care Continue reading...

Davinia Douglass and Chris Huhne among claimants to receive damages from publisher of the Sun and News of the WorldA victim of the 7/7 bombing whose face became one of the defining images of the 2005 attack has received an apology and substantial damages" from the publisher of the Sun and the defunct News of the World as it seeks to clear a raft of historical phone-hacking allegations.The Murdoch-owned News UK made a number of settlements at the high court on Thursday, including agreeing to pay damages to Davinia Douglass, at times referred to as the woman in the mask". Continue reading...

Ministers have given more than 140m to Rwandan government in hope of sending asylum seekers to east Africa

Consumer rights group took action against Yelmo, which runs a nationwide cinema chainParents frazzled by entreaties for barrels of popcorn, otherwise law-abiding citizens sweating over the contraband sweets in their pockets, and anyone else sick of spending more on drinks and snacks than on cinema tickets can rest easy. If, that is, they live in certain parts of Spain.The Basque Country's consumer affairs department, Kontsumobide, has fined Yelmo, the huge Spanish cinema chain, 30,001 for refusing entry to customers who buy their food and drink outside its premises. Continue reading...

Global governments should engage with the Taliban because some in the regime support reversing the ban, says Rangina HamidiThere are many Taliban officials who would support reversing the ban on schooling for girls in Afghanistan, according to the country's last education minister before the takeover.Under Taliban rule, Afghanistan has become the only country in the world where girls are banned from schooling beyond the age of 11. The group has also imposed what has been described as a policy of gender apartheid", banning women from most work and public spaces. Continue reading...

This live blog is now closed, you can read more of our European news coverage hereHere are more photos from Germany today.Train service disruptions are ongoing in areas of Germany.Even after the resumption of operations on the affected routes, it is likely that only a very limited train service will be possible due to the major weather-related restrictions.We therefore expect a very high capacity utilisation of the trains and continue to recommend postponing journeys to and from Munich. Continue reading...

National assembly votes unanimously for move to outlaw single-use e-cigarettes, or puffs'

The comedian posted a video of the shocking' amount of litter left behind after his performance in a panto, saying, You wouldn't treat your own home like that, would you?'It's behind you" is the customary cry from the audience during panto season. But the actor and comedian Jason Manford has called on theatregoers to also look beneath them - and to clean up their litter at the end of the show.After his performance in Jack and the Beanstalk at the Opera House in Manchester, Manford filmed himself walking through the theatre's stalls, pointing out spilt popcorn, crisp packets and drink containers left on the floor. Look at the bloody tip people leave," he said in the video, shared on X/Twitter with the message What's your take on litter inside a theatre? Is it audience or staff's responsibility? What dya reckon?" Continue reading...

The Great Pyrenees from Decatur, Georgia, defended his flock of sheep by killing eight coyotes and is up for a $5,000 cash prizeA heroic sheepdog who killed eight coyotes as he defended his flock of sheep from attack has been nominated for Farm Dog of the Year.Casper, a Great Pyrenees from Decatur, Georgia, performed the remarkable feat a year ago and was grieviously wounded during the fight but has since recovered. Continue reading...

Immigration minister accuses people crossing Channel in small boats of breaking into the country'

At 78, Lee becomes oldest person to top US singles chart, beating record held by Louis Armstrong since 1964Brenda Lee has smashed a series of US chart records as her perennial festive favourite Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree, first released in 1958, has finally reached No 1 on the Hot 100.Written by Johnny Marks, the man behind Christmas favourites such as Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Have a Holly Jolly Christmas, the song was recorded when Lee was 13. Initially a flop, it rose to the US Top 20 in 1960 after Lee's pop career had taken off and earned her back-to-back No 1 singles earlier that year. Continue reading...

Treasurer says government committed to consider' proposals, including concessional finance to bankroll new transmission infrastructure

Cyclone Jasper, as it will be called, expected to form on Tuesday before intensifying and possibly crossing into Queensland next week

Government reveals $3.5m plan to reduce disruption but Greens say focus should be on socioeconomic and psychosocial challenges facing students

Thousands of homes will be built around eight stations, details accidentally published online by the planning department show