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Tory ex-minister Steven Dorrell questions whether Hancock would stand by some of his claims under oathMatt Hancock has been accused of rewriting history as he seeks to rescue his reputation with the launch of a book about helping to lead the UK’s response to Covid.Fresh from spending three weeks in the Australian jungle on ITV’s I’m a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here!, the former health secretary has written what is billed as a tell-all account of “the successes and the failures” of tackling coronavirus. Continue reading...

Aminu Adamu’s detention had sparked widespread outrage before Aisha Buhari withdrew complaintNigeria has freed a student charged with “criminal defamation” over a tweet he posted about the physical appearance of the country’s first lady.Aminu Adamu was arrested at his university in northern Jigawa state on 18 November after Aisha Buhari filed a complaint and then remanded into custody until January. Continue reading...

The Engels-2 and Dyagilevo airbases house aircraft believed responsible for attacking Ukrainian infrastructureThe explosions at the Engels-2 and Dyagilevo airbases, if confirmed as Ukraine’s, would mark its deepest attack so far into Russia and against key military facilities used in the Kremlin’s war. Continue reading...

Russia confirms blasts at military facilities as Kyiv finds way to target long-range bombers

Planned legislation aims to curb illegal street races and other cases of extreme speedingDrivers in Austria guilty of extreme speeding will have their cars seized and auctioned off, the government has said, as it seeks to deter “boy racers” by threatening to take away their prized possession.The planned change in legislation announced by the governing coalition of conservatives and Greens aims to toughen Austria’s rules to bring them closer to those in other countries including neighbouring Germany and Switzerland. Continue reading...

Organisation questions use of ‘illegal’ to describe asylum seekers in report calling for radical crackdown

Al Saqi Books in London, which was established in 1978, blames closure on rise in prices of Arabic-language books and ‘detrimental’ effect of BrexitEurope’s largest specialist bookseller for Middle Eastern books, based in London, has been forced to close because of the hike in prices of Arabic-language books and because Brexit has been “detrimental” to its business.Al Saqi Books in Bayswater opened in 1978, and sells books on the Middle East and north Africa in English, and on all subjects in Arabic. Continue reading...

Comedian loses out to Abtisam Mohamed, who will stand as party’s candidate in Sheffield CentralEddie Izzard has failed in her bid to become Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Sheffield Central.Abtisam Mohamed, a local councillor, was selected by members of the local constituency party after winning 433 votes. Izzard came second with 175 votes. Rizwana Lana, backed by leftwing figures in the party including the MPs Nadia Whittome and Lloyd Russell-Moyle, got 173 votes. Continue reading...

A mild start to winter is about to come shivering halt, putting extra strain on the country’s power supplies

Health agency warns of frost and wintry showers across UK from Wednesday as Arctic airmass hitsThe UK health security agency (UKHSA) has issued a cold weather alert for England, as temperatures were expected to plunge to -10C in some places with possible wintry showers and snow.The severe conditions, brought by an Arctic maritime airmass and expected to start on Wednesday evening and last until Monday 12 December, could lead to disruption and increased health risks for vulnerable people. Continue reading...

‘We know the full truth,’ Harry’s voiceover says in trailer for his and Meghan’s Netflix docuseriesPrince Harry has highlighted the “pain and suffering” of women marrying into the British royal family, in a new trailer for the Sussexes’ highly anticipated behind-the-scenes docuseries.Netflix has promised an “unprecedented and in-depth documentary series” over six episodes where the couple “share the other side of their high-profile love story”. Continue reading...

Wintry conditions will arrive this week, with temperatures plummeting and possibility of snow showersThis week winter will arrive in earnest in the UK, driven by a large area of high pressure over Iceland that will drag Arctic air southwards.As this cold air descends over the UK on Tuesday, northern Scotland will experience the first signs of this wintry weather, with daytime temperatures forecast to be barely above freezing, alongside some possible sleet and snow showers throughout the day. The cold front will make its way further south over the course of Wednesday, pulling temperatures to well below the seasonal norm. Continue reading...

Explosions at Russian airbases raise possibility Kyiv can target Moscow’s long-range bombers; German chancellor cautions against creating new cold war

Families of customers who died after eating food containing allergens welcome report urging reformsThe families of two Pret a Manger customers who died after experiencing severe allergic reactions have welcomed a report from a senior coroner suggesting hospitals should be obliged to report fatal and near-fatal anaphylaxis.Maria Voisin, the senior coroner for Avon, said a robust system of capturing and recording serious cases of anaphylaxis could provide an early warning of the risk posed to allergic individual byproducts with an undeclared allergen content. Continue reading...

Lawsuit claims ‘millions of fans waited up to eight hours and were unable to purchase tickets as a result of insufficient ticket releases’A group of Taylor Swift fans is suing Ticketmaster over what they call the “disastrous” recent debacle to secure tickets for her 2023 Eras US tour.In November, Ticketmaster had to cancel the public on-sale date for the tour “due to extraordinarily high demands on ticketing systems and insufficient remaining ticket inventory to meet that demand”, the company said at the time. Continue reading...

With temperatures expected to plummet to -20C or lower, Russian troops could be most vulnerable

Workload from treating high number of extremely unwell children means patients may face 12-hour wait

Rejoining single market would create even more uncertainty, says Labour leader, who instead wants a ‘better Brexit’

Arguably England’s standout performer at the World Cup, the young midfielder’s desire to be the best was always apparent, his coach at Birmingham City recallsJude Bellingham’s talent was always apparent, his youth coach at Birmingham City has said, after the England midfielder helped propel his nation through to the last eight of the World Cup on Sunday night. But what set him apart as a child was his sheer will, not just to make a professional career, but to be the very best.“He was a seven-year-old when he walked through the doors at Birmingham City’s training ground. Talented boy, but talented like most seven-year-olds that come into most academies up and down the country,” said Mike Dodds, who coached Bellingham at the club. Continue reading...

‘It is bittersweet that the mystery surrounding the remains of the last thylacine has been solved’, says Tasmanian museum director

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Victor Dominello says interstate bans on the practice are being examined amid a ‘hot marketplace’

Company expects further significant drops in trade and ‘the potential for more black swan-type events’

Vulnerable people and regional areas hardest hit, report shows, as experts demand urgent action to increase affordable housing

More than 600 staff set to walk out over pay, with Unite saying some workers worried about becoming homeless themselvesMore than 600 workers at the housing and homelessness charity Shelter are beginning an “unprecedented” fortnight of strike action on Monday in a dispute over pay – coinciding with one of its busiest times of the year.The Unite union said a 3% pay increase this year had left some of Shelter’s staff unable to pay their rent and very worried about the possibility of becoming homeless themselves. Continue reading...

In keeping with tradition, jokes chosen by Gold TV poll more likely to elicit groans of despair than laughterJokes about Phil Schofield, Liz Truss, and the cost of living crisis are among the best contemporary Christmas cracker jokes selected by the British public in an annual poll.The vote asked members of the public to vote on a shortlist of 10 modern jokes considered as being worthy of inclusion in a cracker. In keeping with festive tradition, the jokes are more likely to elicit deep groans of despair at their attempted wordplay rather than a sincere cackle.Why does Kate Bush need to turn the heating off? She’s running up that billHow did King Charles III sign his Christmas cards to his family? The Artist Formerly Known as PrinceWhat’s the difference between Liz Truss and a shepherd? One U-turns and the other turns ewesWhy are Will Smith and Chris Rock not having turkey this Christmas? Because they’ve got beefWhy has Santa been banned from sooty chimneys? Carbon footprintsWhat crisps do Phil and Holly serve at their Christmas party? SkipsWhy are the government having problems with their own version of the Christmas Nativity? They can’t find three wise menWhat do people heating their homes and wrapping paper have in common this Christmas? Both of them are getting ripped offHow can you keep your home warm this Christmas? Tinsulation Continue reading...

Analysis of database tailored to EU needs shows 85% of GB exports stay in the region’s factories and shopsUK hopes that controversial Brexit checks on goods crossing the Irish sea can be eliminated have risen after early analysis of government data showed that at least 85% of goods arriving in Northern Ireland from Great Britain stay in factories or shops in the region.The research comes from a new HM Revenue and Customs database, the EU Access system, that tracked the movement of 1m goods crossing the Irish Sea in 2021. Continue reading...

Findings for British Beer and Pub Association indicate businesses will face loss of 20% on average after energy bill relief scheme endsMany pubs and breweries across the UK will be forced to shut their doors for good as they face rocketing losses without further energy support, industry bosses have warned.Calculations in a report by the consultancy Frontier Economics, produced for the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA), showed that energy bills returning to their regular rate from April would put pubs and brewers at a loss of 20% on average. Continue reading...

Daniel Andrews says too many First Nations children taken from families and plans to work with minister to ‘devise a new system’

Pentecostal church founder denies the comment and has pleaded not guilty to concealing sexual abuse by his father Frank, who confessed to police in 1999

Routine indexation comes amid soaring inflation, but social welfare advocates say it is still not enough

Plane flying from Kraków in Poland to Bristol diverted on Sunday night and landed safely in Prague and no dangerous object was found, says Czech airportAn easyJet flight heading for the UK has landed safely after being been diverted to Prague due to a report of a “possible bomb” on board.Flight 6276 was flying from Kraków in Poland to Bristol on Sunday when it was diverted towards the Czech capital and landed safely at 10.50pm local time (9.50pm UK time), according to Prague airport. Continue reading...

Bester was in October charged in relation to posts related to and directed to Tame

Shoppers should look out for fake online stores, too-cheap puppies and text alerts for unexpected deliveries

Civil rights group claims outposts are used to monitor Chinese population abroad and force dissidents to returnItaly hosts the highest number of unofficial Chinese “police stations” out of a network of more than 100 around the world, a report by a Spanish civil rights group has claimed.The northern Italian city of Milan was allegedly used by two local Chinese public security authorities as a European testing ground for a policing strategy to monitor the Chinese population abroad and force dissidents to return home. Continue reading...

Co-chair of the Indigenous voice to parliament design group condemns National party opposition and implores critics to examine detail

Tough measures to address ‘big concern’ for Tory voters are among suggestions in report by rightwing thinktankLocking up people who enter the country illegally and barring them from ever settling in the UK are “options” under consideration by Suella Braverman and No 10 as the government puts a crackdown on small boats at the heart of its agenda.The ideas are contained in a report by the rightwing thinktank the Centre for Policy Studies, for which Braverman wrote a foreword. Continue reading...

Committee to look at ‘real-world evidence’ including experiences of countries where law has changedMPs are to open an inquiry into assisted dying in the new year, looking in particular at the experience of other countries that have changed their laws.The health and social care committee will hear evidence from medical professionals, campaigners and the public, and make recommendations to the government on the issue. Continue reading...

Coronial inquest into Australia’s first terrorism cold case starts in NSW as investigators hope to track down three people believed to be involved

Gordon Brown’s Commission on the UK’s Future also aims to curb influence of wealth and foreign moneyLabour will consult on replacing what the party calls the “indefensible” House of Lords with an elected chamber as part of a 40-point plan written by Gordon Brown to overhaul the constitution, but stopped short of committing to its abolition in the manifesto.Keir Starmer will on Monday join Brown for the launch of the former prime minister’s Commission on the UK’s Future, which makes recommendations on Lords reform, devolution of power and the future of the union.This article was amended after its initial publication to correct the assertion that Lord McFall had previously been a Conservative MP. He was, in fact, a Labour MP from 1987 to 2010. Continue reading...

Initiative is part of measures agreed between London’s mayor Sadiq Khan and the police forcePolice officers in schools are to be monitored to see if they are disproportionately targeting black children. The initiative is part of new measures agreed in negotiations between the Metropolitan police and the London mayor, Sadiq Khan.Under the plans, the use of powers by so-called safer schools officers in London, such as arrests and stop and searches, will be examined to see if there is racial bias. Continue reading...

Deputy PM briefed over outstanding recommendation of Brereton report as legal centre says there is no excuse for inaction

Exclusive: departure of John Ryley, who has been in charge of Sky News since 2006, expected to be announced on MondayThe head of Sky News is set to quit after 16 years in the job, as the news outlet faces up to long-term challenges in adapting to a post-television future.John Ryley has been in charge of Sky News since 2006, taking over at a time when the outlet was almost entirely focused on producing its flagship live television channel. Under his leadership, Sky News has transformed itself into a multimedia operation with a large online audience, although it continues to spend a substantial proportion of its budget on its traditional broadcasting. Continue reading...

Majority were not disaffected Coalition supporters and voted tactically to defeat incumbents, according to report

Nadhim Zahawi urges nurses to call off strikes and negotiate but union says it is ministers who are refusing to talkThe Conservative party chairman, Nadhim Zahawi, has been accused of insulting NHS workers with a “ludicrous” suggestion that it is the wrong time to strike over low pay because it would help Vladimir Putin divide the west.Zahawi told broadcasters that nurses should call off their strikes and abandon their pay demands because it risked playing into the hands of the Russian president, who he said wanted to fuel inflation in the west. Continue reading...

Nadhim Zahawi says parents should look out for symptoms of infection, such as fever, headache or skin rashMedics have raised the alarm over the ability of the NHS to cope with increased rates of strep A, after reports that a 12-year-old schoolboy from London had become the latest child to die after contracting a rare, invasive form of the infection.On Sunday, cabinet minister Nadhim Zahawi urged parents to be vigilant for signs of streptococcus A, even though most cases are mild. Continue reading...

Sculpture of campaigner to be unveiled next year as one of five in Monumental Welsh Women projectA statue of a Welsh suffragette who was jailed for setting fire to a postbox, survived a shipwreck, and played a key role in the fight to allow women into the House of Lords is to be erected in Newport.The statue of Margaret Haig Thomas, Lady Rhondda, is being created by the figurative sculptor Jane Robbins and will be unveiled in the city where she worked and campaigned a century ago. Continue reading...

State media distance themselves from claim ‘morality police’ have been shut down after Mahsa Amini deathProtesters in Iran have called for a three-day strike this week amid conflicting reports that its “morality police” had been shut down, and as the US said the leadership in Tehran had locked itself into a “vicious cycle” that had cut it off from its own people and the international community.The call steps up pressure on Iranian authorities after the attorney general said this weekend that the morality police – whose detention of a young woman triggered months of protests – had been shut down. There was no confirmation of the closure from the interior ministry, which is in charge of the morality police, and Iranian state media said the attorney general, Mohammad Jafar Montazeri, was not responsible for overseeing the force. Continue reading...

Producers believe this is the first time a film has used both English and Kernewek on its postersThe new film from the director Mark Jenkin, who has won plaudits for his gritty takes of life in the far south-west of England, is being promoted with Cornish-language posters.Producers of the film, a folk horror called Enys Men, believe it is the first time posters in Cornish (Kernewek) as well as English are being used to market a major feature film. Continue reading...

UK says support within Russia for military action is waning; US intelligence chief says Putin ‘more informed’ about reality of challenges on the ground