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Thomas Hand said he will not believe in any deal between Israel and Hamas until he sees his daughterThe father of a nine-year-old girl abducted by Hamas has again pleaded for her return amid growing hopes of a deal between Israel and Hamas that would see a significant number of hostages released.That'd be very great for everyone concerned on both sides," said Thomas Hand, 63. It gives me hope, but until I see her, until I'm holding her I won't believe anything. Until I see it, I won't believe it." Continue reading...

Government paper says Britain must act robustly if interests challenged by the Chinese development modelChina's growing role in international development marks a systemic global shift that will require robust challenge by Britain if its interests are threatened, a UK government white paper on aid has warned.With David Cameron starting as foreign secretary and under scrutiny for his previous business links with China, the document does not hold back in challenging the Chinese development model or its growing influence. Continue reading...

El Loco' wins landslide victory in Argentina that experts say shows scale of frustration with Peronist status quo

Sauli Niinisto calls for close cooperation on border security during visit to PolandIsrael's foreign minister, Eli Cohen, has congratulated Javier Milei and invited the new Argentinian far-right libertarian president to visit Israel to open an embassy in Jerusalem.Milei has previously said he would move the location of Argentina's embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. I don't care if I'll be criticized by world leaders. I truly believe that's the right thing to do," he said in a recent interview with the Times of Israel.It's obvious that Argentina needs a change. It was unacceptable that one of the most prosperous countries in the world should keep falling year after year into the same thing.I wish the new government every success and I want them to know that they can count on Madrid, where we've worked to defend freedom from day one and where we've looked after so many Argentinians who have fled, terrified, from Peronism ... Continue reading...

Voters concerned that Biden, who turns 81 on Monday, is too old for second term while Trump, 77, makes headway among key groupsAs he turned 81 on Monday, Joe Biden was presented with unwelcome gifts: more polling showing him struggling against Donald Trump, his likely opponent next year who is just three and a half years younger but whom many fewer Americans think is too old to be president.In its US Election Watch Report for November, the Morning Consult polling organisation said Trump is gaining ground among key voter segments including Black, Hispanic and young Americans. Throughout 2023, Trump has made up ground with Joe Biden in our head-to-head tracking by improving his margins" among such groups, also including independents, it said. Continue reading...

Specially built courtroom in Calabria heard evidence of ruthless tactics of Ndrangheta crime syndicateAn Italian court has convicted and sentenced more than 200 people of crimes including criminal association, extortion and bribery in what has been described as Italy's largest mafia trial in three decades.The verdicts mark the end of a three-year maxi trial" held in a high-security courtroom in the southern Calabria region built specifically to hold up to 350 defendants, accommodate 400 lawyers and hear from the 900 witnesses providing testimony against an extensive network of members belonging to the notorious Ndrangheta. Continue reading...

Youssef Mikhaiel has been granted leave to remain till April 2026 due to his exceptional circumstances'An Egyptian student who has a rare genetic disorder that cannot be treated in his home country says he now has hope for the future" after the Home Office reversed its decision to deport him.Youssef Mikhaiel, 28, who lives in Glasgow, was due to be deported in June, but the removal was postponed after a ruling at the court of session in Edinburgh. He has been granted to leave to remain until April 2026 with officials saying they would exercise discretion in view of his exceptional circumstances". Continue reading...

Government's top scientist said he was reprimanded for saying action should have been taken sooner

A much-admired MP who launched his own party in the summer is hoping for electoral success Europe live - latest updatesUsually in European elections the insurgent candidates come from the outer reaches of the political spectrum: the far left or, more often of late, the far right. This one comes solidly from the centre. He could hardly be less fringe if he tried.Days after Pieter Omtzigt, a Dutch Christian Democrat MP for 18 years, announced in August he was founding a new party to do politics differently", it was topping the polls. Two days from the vote, it is vying for the lead in the parliamentary election. Continue reading...

Colombian singer to pay 7.3m fine instead of risking prison sentence in deal that ends Barcelona trialThe Colombian pop star Shakira has reached a settlement with prosecutors to avoid a trial in Barcelona over charges she failed to pay 14.5m (12.7m) in Spanish income tax between 2012 and 2014.As part of the deal, she accepted the charges and a fine of 50% of the amount owed, more than 7.3m. Continue reading...

Prisoners in 1,485 cells in 21 prisons have to request access to facilities by ringing a bell and some use bucketsAlmost 7,000 prison cells in 50 jails in England and Wales do not have toilets, with many prisoners given buckets in case they cannotbe unlocked in time.At HMP Isle of Wight, almost half of the 1,000-plus prisoners do not have in-cell sanitation and inspectors have derided the disrespectful" practice of giving out plastic buckets to inmates, who had no means of washing their hands afterwards. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Officials fear secret courts will block climate action and divert billions into coffers of fossil fuel investorsA Jersey-based oil-refining company is suing the EU, Germany and Denmark for at least 95m over a windfall tax introduced during the Ukraine war that it sees as a pretext" for undermining fossil fuel firms, leaked documents show.Klesch Group Holdings Limited is taking action under a controversial secret court system enabled by the energy charter treaty (ECT), an agreement officials fear will stymie climate action and divert hundreds of billions of euros into the coffers of fossil fuel investors. Continue reading...

Ireland is seen as an outlier in the EU - but its sympathy for the suffering in Gaza is rooted in its own historic experienceThe video clips have pinged around the world on social media eliciting applause, anger and a puzzled question: why are Irish politicians so outspoken about Israel's bombardment of Gaza?The taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, described the assault as approaching revenge", the foreign minister, Micheal Martin, called it disproportionate" and opposition politicians went much further in calling it mass murder. Some wore the keffiyeh in parliament. Continue reading...

Kelly Bayer Rosmarin's resignation fuels speculation Optus executive and former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian could be top contender for CEO

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Agreement could involve limited ceasefire in Gaza Strip and release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails

Then-Morrison government minister's office organised for Di Sanh Duong to present novelty cheque to hospital boss, court hears

The 41 workers have spent almost 200 hours inside the tunnel as fears for their health and safety mountIndian officials have warned that 41 construction workers who have been stuck inside a collapsed tunnel for over a week could be trapped for several more days, as various rescue efforts have failed so far.Fears for the health and wellbeing of the workers continued to mount, having spent almost 200 hours confined inside the dark tunnel cavity in the state of Uttarakhand. Continue reading...

First-term MP says mediation with the party leader failed, as she seeks to return to the Liberal party room

Victory for TV celebrity-turned politician catapults South America's second-largest economy into an unpredictable futureJavier Milei, a volatile far-right libertarian who has vowed to exterminate" inflation and take a chainsaw to the state, has been elected president of Argentina, catapulting South America's number two economy into an unpredictable and potentially turbulent future.With nearly 90% of votes counted, the Mick Jagger impersonating TV celebrity-turned politician, who is often compared to Donald Trump, had secured nearly 56% of the vote compared to Massa's 44.1%. Continue reading...

Hundreds march through Keir Starmer's constituency to protest against failure to back ceasefire

British veteran actor also starred in the Hunt for Red October and the TV version of Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, SpyJoss Ackland: a life in picturesBritish actor Joss Ackland has died at the age of 95, his family have said in a statement.He appeared in films such as White Mischief, on TV playing CS Lewis in Shadowlands and in many stage productions including as Juan Peron in Evita. Continue reading...

Stewart, a Tory MP at the time, told activist Sayed Ahmed Alwadaei to go back to Bahrain' during row last yearA former Tory MP has said he will step down at the next general election after being found guilty of racially abusing an activist.Bob Stewart, who surrendered the Tory whip and now sits as an independent in Beckenham, south London, was found guilty of telling Sayed Ahmed Alwadaei to go back to Bahrain" during a confrontation in central London in December last year. Continue reading...

No 10 has discussed possibility of disapplying' key human rights law to emergency bill to head off legal challengesRishi Sunak is considering blocking a key human rights law to help force through plans to send asylum seekers to Rwanda amid growing pressure from rightwing Conservative MPs.No 10 has discussed the possibility of disapplying" the Human Rights Act to an emergency bill in an effort to minimise legal challenges against the prime minister's key immigration policy. Ministers are aware such a proposal could face rebellions in the Commons and the Lords, which could vote down the proposals. Continue reading...

UNSW findings include sexual contact with anyone under 18, as well as online offences and consuming child sexual abuse images

Comedian and actor is understood to have been questioned under caution in south London last weekScotland Yard detectives have interviewed Russell Brand over allegations of sexual offences, it is understood.The comedian and actor is understood to have been interviewed under caution at a police station in south London last week. Continue reading...

UN agency visited al-Shifa hospital after raid by Israeli forces, who said it contained a Hamas control centreIsrael-Hamas war - live updatesDar al-Shifa, the Gaza Strip's largest hospital, has become a death zone", the World Health Organization has said, with a mass grave at the entrance and only 25 staff left to care for 291 seriously ill patients after orders from the Israeli army to evacuate the complex.The WHO managed to access the medical centre in Gaza City on Sunday after it was raided by Israeli forces earlier this week. Israel alleged the militant group Hamas used al-Shifa as a command centre, identifying it as a key target in its military operation despite international outcry. Continue reading...

Claim is by 234 players from England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland, including six womenDozens of England and Wales rugby union internationals are among more than 200 players taking the game's governing authorities to the high court next month over the devastating effects of repetitive head injuries amid what their lawyer described as an existential crisis" for the sport.Players including the former England hooker Steve Thompson, and Michael Lipman, who played for England from 2004 to 2008, are among 234 bringing a claim against the Rugby Football Union (RFU), World Rugby and the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) in a class action. Continue reading...

Black bicorne hat is one of 20 remaining that once belonged to French emperor, who famously wore them sidewaysA two-cornered hat worn by Napoleon Bonaparte during his reign as French emperor has fetched a record 1.932m (1.69m) at an auction in Paris.The black bicorne beaver felt hat was initially estimated at 600,000-800,000. The price reached surpassed the 1.884m paid for another of Napoleon's hats in 2014, also sold by the Drouot auction house, a spokesperson for the company said. Continue reading...

Political divisions and questions over the rule of law provide more fuel for Tory internal combustionRishi Sunak's government is resembling a coalition of different rightwing factions before this week's autumn statement, rather than one united Conservative administration.Those listening to Jeremy Hunt in broadcast interviews on Sunday morning referring to the enormous challenge that we faced when we came in" to office last year might have been forgiven for thinking he and the prime minister had taken power after a general election. Continue reading...

Passengers report flights being delayed or cancelled as airport imposes air traffic control restrictionsPassengers are facing delays at Heathrow airport after strong winds and staff shortages led to air traffic control restrictions.There were reports from angry passengers on social media on Sunday who said their flights had been delayed or cancelled. Continue reading...

Party has tweaked its name and is preparing to announce hundreds of new parliamentary candidatesIt was barely noticed, but a slight tweak last month to the name of the insurgent rightwing party Reform UK sought to resurrect a ghost that once terrified the Conservatives. In future, it is to be known as Reform UK: The Brexit party".The explicit move to tap into a reservoir of leave-voting nostalgia comes amid signs that the party, which struggled after its co-founder Nigel Farage focused his attention on his broadcasting career, could once again cause real problems for the Tories. Continue reading...

Research shows patients risk being readmitted after not being given help and advice after treatmentPatients are being left feeling confused and neglected" by not being told who to contact about their future care when they are discharged from hospital, an NHS watchdog has said.Research by Healthwatch England has found that 51% of people are not being given details when they leave of which services they can turn to for help and advice while they are recovering. Continue reading...

Tatsuya Terazawa says Albanese government must also consider carbon capture and storage and small modular nuclear reactorsAustralia's hope of becoming a clean energy superpower won't be realised unless it lifts support for hydrogen and considers carbon capture and storage or even small modular nuclear reactors, a visiting Japanese expert said.Tatsuya Terazawa, chief executive of Japan's Institute of Energy Economics and an Asia Society-Victoria distinguished fellow, said Australia's appeal for investors would also hinge on how it treated LNG projects.Sign up for a weekly email featuring our best reads Continue reading...

Federal MPs including Amanda Rishworth asked to consider halt to the obligations during heatwaves

Police were stumped when crashed' plane was found in remote Yukon, but it was placed there last summer for rescue trainingWhen a hunter in British Columbia stumbled upon the crumpled remains of an airplane fuselage on 3 November, he reported the grim findings to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).Officers were dispatched to the remote crash site to survey the wreckage and concluded that the shell of the bush plane, with no motor, wings, doors or seats, was likely more than two decades old. Continue reading...

The Manchester-born author was a frustrated composer who often wrote about music. Now his previously unknown work for strings will find an audienceHe is best-known as the author of A Clockwork Orange, his 1962 savage social satire, but Anthony Burgess saw himself primarily as a thwarted musician. Although self-taught, he was a prolific composer, and now a previously unknown piece for a string quartet is to receive its world premiere following its discovery.The score was unearthed in the archive of the International Anthony Burgess Foundation, an educational charity in Manchester, his home city, where it had been overlooked among uncatalogued papers donated by his widow, the late Liana Burgess. Continue reading...

Chancellor says he will not throw away hard work done to tackle rising prices amid calls for income tax cutsJeremy Hunt has hinted that Conservative MPs pressing for income tax cuts could be disappointed, as he insisted he would not take any measures in this week's autumn statement to fuel inflation.In what is likely to cause unease among MPs pressing for a move to shore up the party's core vote, the chancellor said in a series of interviews that tax cuts were not going to happen overnight". Continue reading...

Greater Manchester mayor says he's found it quite hard' he's never been given key role at party conferenceAndy Burnham has told of his disappointment at being overlooked for a prominent role at Labour conference since becoming mayor of Greater Manchester, decrying Westminster's aggressive and negative" briefing culture in a tacit criticism of those close to his party's leadership.The relationship between Burnham, still regarded by many members as a potential leader in waiting, and Starmer has been marked by tensions while the mayor's backing for a ceasefire in Gaza is one area on which the two have diverged. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Older people also likely to be in poor health and out of work in the north of England, report saysOlder people in the north of England die earlier, spend more years in poor health and are more likely to be out of work compared with their contemporaries in the south, a shocking" report has found.The life expectancy difference is most acute between people in the north-east of England and the south-east, with men living an average of three years less and women 2.6 years less. Continue reading...

Standard tickets to the 2024 music festival at Worthy Farm in Somerset went on sale on Saturday morningStandard tickets to next year's Glastonbury festival have sold out in less than an hour, organisers said.The second batch of 360 tickets for the 2024 festival, taking place at Worthy Farm in Somerset, were all bought after being made available at 9am on Saturday. Continue reading...

PM's speech at food summit comes as humanitarian crisis caused by Israel-Hamas war reaches crisis point

Incredible tale of Melville House where, over a 30-year period, pupils uncovered treasures of antiquityIn 1952, a schoolboy was digging up potatoes, assisting a gardener in the grounds of his school in Fife as part of a punishment. He stumbled across a bulbous shape that he initially mistook for a potato, only to discover later that he had found an Egyptian masterpiece made some 4,000 years ago.The idea of finding ancient treasures buried in the Scottish countryside, rather than beneath the sands of Cairo, is somewhat unlikely. Yet this was to be the first of 18 Egyptian antiquities unearthed on three separate occasions by schoolboys over some 30 years in the most unexpected of places - Melville House, an historic building near the small parish of Monimail in Fife. Continue reading...

Populist provocateur appears slight favorite over Peronist Sergio Massa as 35m Argentinians vote to choose new president

Growing numbers are giving false information to obtain money, new study showsA growing number of people are committing fraud such as cheating on their council tax or trying to reclaim money on lost gambling bets, research has found.The cost of living crisis has led to a rise in first-party fraud" where people give false information, or misrepresent themselves, in order to make money, according to the fraud prevention service Cifas. Continue reading...

A surge in demand for the miniature models is driven by a desire for tradition and comfort in testing timesChristmas traditions may feel timeless, yet our choice of decorations can reveal a lot about our cultural preoccupations. In recent years, tinsel trees topped with plastic angels fell out of favour and were replaced with real pines, holly wreaths and baubles made of glass or wool. And this year, the favoured adornment for many British mantelpieces is set to be a group of twinkly Christmas houses and windowsills.The miniature ornamental buildings - usually featuring a candle or an LED light shining from within - are now available for every budget and aesthetic whim. A simple set of cardboard houses from Flying Tiger Copenhagen costs under a fiver, while a Georgian townhouse in hand-painted Wedgwood pottery is 120. Continue reading...

Expert claims to have indentified copies of mosaics at sites and in museums in Italy, Tunisia, Algeria and TurkeyAuthorities in New York have been accused by leading academics in France and Britain of repatriating fake Roman artefacts to Lebanon.Eight out of nine mosaic panels that the US authorities recently returned to the Middle Eastern country are not what they seem, according to claims made by Djamila Fellague of the University of Grenoble. Continue reading...

An Observer investigation has revealed 40% of internal inquiries into serious accusations were overturned on reviewCampaigners are calling for the police to be stopped from marking their own homework", after the Observer found 40% of internal investigations by forces into serious complaints were overturned following independent reviews.This newspaper identified 1,532 finalised complaint cases from April 2022 to March 2023 involving forces in England and Wales where the outcome was found to be not reasonable and proportionate" after a review. Continue reading...

Reporter's legal team argues that excessive costs awarded to Brexit backer violates her right to journalistic freedom of expression and will take case to European Court of Human Rights in StrasbourgA coalition of organisations championing press freedom have rallied behind the award-winning Observer and Guardian journalist Carole Cadwalladr, stating they are deeply disappointed" she has been refused permission to appeal against a ruling that ordered her to pay significant legal costs to the prominent Brexit backer Arron Banks.The supreme court refused to let Cadwalladr contest a cost order six months ago making the journalist responsible for hundreds of thousands of pounds of Banks's legal costs. The coalition, which includes Index on Censorship, the Guardian, the Observer and Reporters Without Borders UK among others, warns that the decision risks stifling public interest journalism in the UK. Continue reading...

Two planes involved were Viper S-211 Marchetti jets with second aircraft safely landing at Essendon airport after incident, authorities say