World news | The Guardian

Minister urged to ‘come clean on why she didn’t declare political interest’ in Joanne Cash’s EHRC appointmentThe business secretary, Kemi Badenoch, has appointed an equalities commissioner who had previously donated to her leadership campaign, the Guardian can reveal.Joanne Cash, a former Tory candidate, was made a commissioner to the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) board in January. Badenoch announced the appointment, in her capacity as equalities minister, saying Cash had “a track record of promoting women’s rights and freedom of expression”. Continue reading...

Almost 3,000 people remain behind bars in England and Wales under ‘imprisonment for public protection’ scheme abolished in 2012The UK government has rejected a call for prisoners detained indefinitely to be resentenced, in a move criticised as a “missed opportunity to right a wrong” by the chair of the justice committee.A report by the cross-party justice committee, published last year, said people stuck in prison under the now abolished imprisonment for public protection (IPP) scheme should be resentenced. Continue reading...

Australian union leader says the absence of labour market expertise on the RBA board had caused ‘missteps’

Posts amplify content about sexual assault and misconduct allegations in Parliament House in order to undermine trust in political system, researchers say

Exclusive: Department of the prime minister and cabinet has revealed Scott Morrison and Josh Frydenberg also knew of the decision

Sanchia Romani awarded damages after officers ignored her ‘no trespassing’ signs in August 2021

Exclusive: finding comes as Netflix prepares to crack down on users sharing login details outside their household

Government warned it could be found liable over contraction of sexually transmitted diseases in only state still opposing distribution

Dundee-based company, which also owns Scottish regional newspapers, to close almost 40 magazinesThe publisher of the Beano and Scottish newspapers including the Press and Journal and the Courier is to cut almost a fifth of its workforce and shut almost 40 magazines as the economic downturn forces a digitally-focused “reset” of the business.Dundee-based DC Thomson, which also owns businesses including the fashion title Stylist, is to cut 300 of its 1,600 workforce in a bid to shave £10m of costs. Continue reading...

Lawyers for Jaskeerat Singh Gulshan challenge policy concerning ceremonial blade that must be worn at all times, the kirpanPractising Sikhs are at risk of being unlawfully banned from entering courthouses or tribunals in England and Wales under current guidelines, according to a case being heard on Thursday by the lord chief justice and the vice president of the court of appeal.In a hearing that experts say is of national importance , lawyers for Jaskeerat Singh Gulshan are challenging the security policy of the courts and tribunals concerning kirpans, the ceremonial blade that practising Sikhs must have on their person at all times. Continue reading...

Ukrainian president addresses European parliament and is due to meet all 27 European Union leaders

In plea for military aid, Vadym Voroshylov explains why modern planes are needed for defence against RussiaA Ukrainian fighter pilot who shot down five Iranian drones in one day has said he could learn how to fly a western jet within a few months – and help his country act as “a safe shield for the world” against Russian aggression.Maj Vadym Voroshylov, a well known figure in his homeland, said he believed it would take “up to three months to learn all the combat tasks” given his years of experience of flying in a Soviet-era MiG-29. Continue reading...

Ofcom could implement tougher protections against hefty bill increases midway through contractsThe UK telecoms regulator has launched an investigation into the industry-wide practice of hitting broadband and mobile customers with inflation-busting price rises of up to 17% and could bring in tougher protections against hefty mid-contract increases.Ofcom, which in December launched a separate investigation into the sales tactics used by telecoms companies, said it could intervene to ensure consumers struggling with the cost of living crisis have “greater clarity and certainty” over how much they are likely to pay over the course of their contract. Continue reading...

Berlin government attempts to pour cold water over prominent voices seeking to reverse Merkel-era phase outPolitical and military figures in Germany have suggested a return of compulsory military service after the new defence minister described the 2011 phase-out of general conscription as a “mistake” that had contributed to alienating the general public from civic institutions.The German parliamentary commissioner for the armed forces, Eva Högl of the centre-left SPD, on Wednesday urged the government to ask itself whether some form of obligatory civic service was required to address staff shortages in the German army’s ranks. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Former Greens senator says she will be guided by activists and elders as she pledges to champion the Blak sovereignty movement

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Further slowdown likely amid interest rate rise and cost of living crisis, says surveyors’ body RicsProperty sales and house prices continued to decline across the UK in January, while new buyer demand and fresh listings were also down, surveyors have reported.A net balance of -47% for new buyer inquiries was reported, down from -40% in December, according to the latest monthly snapshot from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics). The January return marked the ninth successive negative monthly reading for new buyer inquiries. Continue reading...

Jeremy Hunt urged to reconsider raising state-subsidised energy rate from April as market prices make delay affordableJeremy Hunt must act now to reverse plans to raise energy bills from April, MoneySavingExpert’s Martin Lewis has warned, saying the change cannot wait until the spring budget next month.In a letter to the chancellor seen by the Guardian, Lewis warned more than 1.7m more households could be plunged into fuel poverty if he does not urgently commit to freezing energy prices. Continue reading...

Researchers say food and energy security boosts prospects for civilisation to continue, along with Vanuatu, Iceland and Solomon IslandsThe lucky country can count on one more piece of good fortune, with researchers finding Australia – followed by neighbour New Zealand – best placed to survive a nuclear winter and help reboot a collapsed human civilisation.The study published in the journal Risk Analysis describes Australia, New Zealand, Iceland, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu as the island countries most capable of producing enough food for their populations after an “abrupt sunlight‐reducing catastrophe” such as a nuclear war, super volcano or asteroid strike. Continue reading...

Can Pahali’s body was found among the rubble after members of his family flew to Turkey from Australia to help search for him

Kim Ju-ae attends anniversary military parade and banquet at which Kim Jong-un praises ‘strongest army in the world’North Korea has put on its biggest display yet of long-range missiles at a parade to mark a key military anniversary, as speculation grows that the country’s leader, Kim Jong-un, is grooming his daughter as a possible successor.State media said the nuclear-armed North displayed multiple long-range missiles at a parade late on Wednesday to mark the 75th anniversary of its army, with analysts saying they included what appeared to be a new, solid-fuelled intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). Continue reading...

The byelection will be an early test of the opposition leader Peter Dutton in a state where the Liberal party has under-performed

Supreme court said bullfighting was part of Spain’s ‘cultural heritage’ but opponents see ruling as backwards stepThe debate over bullfighting’s place in Spanish culture and society has been reignited after the country’s supreme court ruled that the Socialist-led government had been wrong to exclude bullfights from a list of events available to young people through a free culture voucher scheme.Introduced last year, the bono cultural joven (youth culture voucher) entitles Spaniards turning 18 to a €400 (£355) allowance – half of which can be spent on attending cultural events such as festivals, concerts, plays, exhibitions and films. Continue reading...

Senate blocks attempt to water down super funds’ transparency rules

Government plans to upgrade energy efficiency of homes will help only 5.8% of fuel poor households by 2030, campaign group claimsGreenpeace is threatening to take legal action against the government as it emerged a target to lift millions of struggling households out of fuel poverty is likely to be missed.Government plans to upgrade the energy efficiency of homes will help fewer than 6% of fuel poor households by 2030, according to the environmental campaign group. Continue reading...

Unknown patterns found on ceramics from Josephine Willis, which collided with steamer in 1856The wreck of a mid-19th century sailing ship transporting British people to New Zealand and with a cargo of exceptionally rare ceramics onboard has been listed for protection 167 years after it sank off the Kent coast.The Josephine Willis wooden packet boat, built in Limehouse and launched in 1854 by HH Willis & Co, foundered four miles (6.4km) south of Folkestone harbour following a collision with the steamer Mangerton on 3 February 1856, with the loss of 70 lives including Captain Edward Canney. The ship lies in two parts on the seabed, 23 metres deep. Continue reading...

Sydney deluge traps people in cars, while residents evacuated from Shoalhaven aged care home

Cuts represent an estimated 3.6% of Disney’s global workforce in effort to save $5.5bn in costs and follow major job losses at other top US companiesDisney has announced a sweeping corporate restructuring that will result in 7,000 people losing their jobs as part of an effort to achieve US$5.5bn (£4.5bn, A$7.9bn) in cost savings, at the same time as revealing plans for sequels to Toy Story and Frozen.The layoffs represent an estimated 3.6% of Disney’s global workforce and come after major job cuts at other US giants including Alphabet, Amazon, Ford and Meta. Continue reading...

Former airline pilot denies murdering Russell Hill, 74, and Carol Clay, 73, in March 2020

Ukrainian president urges Europe to send ‘long-range heavy weaponry’ as Macron says Europe’s future at stake

In week before independent Monique Ryan and chief of staff Sally Rugg head to mediation, sex discrimination commissioner says cultural change is happening

Specialists ‘categorically’ believe 45-year-old not in section of river where detectives think she fell inA specialist underwater search team looking for Nicola Bulley have pulled out of the operation and believe “categorically” the 45-year-old is not in the section of the river where detectives believe she fell in.Peter Faulding, a leading forensic search expert and chief executive of Specialist Group International, said his team have been unable to locate Bulley in the area of the River Wyre. Continue reading...

Archbishop of Canterbury tells members not to be swayed by ‘groups or lobbies or outsiders’ at General SynodThe archbishop of Canterbury has warned MPs that he will ignore threats of parliamentary intervention to force the Church of England to allow same-sex couples to marry in church.Speaking at the C of E’s national assembly, the General Synod, Justin Welby said members should not be swayed on the issue by “groups or lobbies or outsiders”. He said he had heard such efforts to influence the church “over the last two weeks in parliament, and being told exactly what to do. I’m not doing any of it.” Continue reading...

Six more children injured in suburb of Laval, as driver arrested for homicide and reckless drivingTwo children have died and six others were injured when a city bus ran into a daycare center in the Montreal suburb of Laval.The bus driver, a 51-year-old employee of the Laval municipality’s public transit system, was arrested for homicide and reckless driving, police said on Wednesday. Continue reading...

Poland and Baltic states say bloc should seize funds to start rebuilding country, amid questions of legality

Michael Gove’s department banned from spending money on new capital projects without Treasury approvalMichael Gove’s government department has been banned from spending money on new capital projects without Treasury approval amid concerns about how well public money is being managed.Insiders had signalled that Gove’s speech in Manchester on 25 January had prompted fears of rogue spending as he announced plans to fund a new round of local grants in northern counties. Continue reading...

More than 130 asylum seekers were living in Greenwich hotel and were given just a few hours’ noticeDozens of asylum seekers have staged a protest inside a Greenwich hotel where they have been for 18 months, after being given just a few hours’ notice that they were due to be moved to Bedfordshire.Four police cars, a police van and an ambulance arrived at the scene of the protest and some officers entered the hotel. One asylum seeker was arrested, handcuffed and taken away in a police van. Continue reading...

This blog has now closed, you can read more on this story hereRishi Sunak was at Stansted to welcome President Zelenskiy, he reveals. That explains how they are going to fit in a meeting before PMQs. (See 10.47am.) It is very unusual for a visting leader to be greeted at the airport by the PM. Normally someone more junior is there to do the honours.To coincide with President Zelenskiy’s visit, the government will today announce further sanctions against Russia, “including the targeting of those who have helped Putin build his personal wealth, and companies who are profiting from the Kremlin’s war machine”. The details are due out later this morning. Continue reading...

Rights groups say the move is a threat to the freedom of expression in a country currently facing deadly anti-government protestsPeru has called on citizens to report social media users suspected of supporting or inciting “acts of terrorism”, as the country reels from two months of violent anti-government protests which have claimed at least 59 lives.In a move widely condemned by human rights organisations, the country’s interior ministry said on Monday that the criminal definition of “apology for terrorism” was being modified to include the use of social media, after the first jail sentences for the alleged crime last month. Continue reading...

UK acts against Kremlin-linked firms and individuals including Svetlana Krivonogikh, who it is claimed had a daughter by the Russian leaderOne of the Russians targeted by UK sanctions on Wednesday to mark Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s visit to London is Vladimir Putin’s alleged former lover, Svetlana Krivonogikh.The foreign secretary, James Cleverly, announced a new round of sanctions against Kremlin-connected individuals and military entities involved in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. They included a drone manufacturer, a helicopter parts firm, and an aviation software company. Continue reading...

Internal report on rape of two women arrested during protests suppressed for fear of ‘misrepresentation by enemy groups’Members of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards raped two women in an attack covered up by state prosecutors, according to an internal judicial document seen by the Guardian.The document, originally leaked to Iran International by hacktivist group Edalat-e Ali (Ali’s Justice), reveals the case of sexual assault by two IRGC officers of a woman aged 18 and a woman of 23 in a van during protests against the death in September of Mahsa Amini in police custody in Tehran. Continue reading...

Former Sheffield Hallam MP was on trial for submitting fake invoices to help fund ‘galloping’ cocaine habit

The key messages contained in the Ukrainian president’s half-hour address in Westminster Hall

Royal and parliamentary welcomes burnish admiration for Britain that goes deeper than current Russian war

Ex-PM has now received earnings, hospitality and donations worth more than £5m since leaving Downing StreetBoris Johnson has received £2.5m as an advance for speeches, meaning he has received earnings, hospitality and donations worth more than £5m over the last six months since leaving office.The former prime minister has undertaken a lucrative tour of the global speaking circuit since exiting No 10, addressing investors in the technology behind cryptocurrency, insurers and investment bankers, as well as taking more than £500,000 as an advance for a memoir. At the same time, he has stayed on in his main job as MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip. Continue reading...

Five members of group convicted of criminal damage and fined after gluing themselves to painting in LondonFive climate crisis activists who glued themselves to the frame of a copy of Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘The Last Supper’ in London have said they believe the painter would “100% agree” with their actions, after they were convicted today of criminal damage.The members of the Just Stop Oil (JSO) group were each ordered to pay £486 by a judge who described the case as an unusual one in that the evidence of every witness was credible and said he recognised the defendants “believe entirely” in their cause. Continue reading...

As part of a £250,000 Senned fund for biosecurity measures, the spaniel will work to sniff out rodentsA lively spaniel with a nose for sniffing out rats has been unveiled as a new weapon in the fight to protect precious seabird colonies on small islands off the Welsh coast.Billed as the UK’s first “conservation detection dog”, Jinx’s role will be to keep islands such as Skomer, off Pembrokeshire, famed for its colonies of puffins, clear of rats, which can decimate bird populations. Continue reading...

Civil service union leader Dave Penman says PM should call on Sir Laurie Magnus to help him make decision on Raab

Investigators say findings suggest decision to provide Buk system to Donetsk separatists ‘taken at presidential level’

Housebuilder reports ‘modest uplift’ in reservations of new homes in January but remains cautiousBritain’s largest housebuilder, Barratt Developments, has reported grounds for optimism in the UK housing market after an increase in sales in January – but it said the trading outlook for 2023 remains “uncertain”.Barratt reported a “modest uplift” in reservations of new homes during the first month of the year, as a result of the return of more competitive mortgage rates for house buyers, combined with expectations that energy costs will come down and interest rates will not rise as high as previously predicted. Continue reading...