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Leader defends lack of new announcements but says another bit of policy wasn't what was needed'Keir Starmer has said he is bomb-proofing" all of his policy pledges to ensure a Labour government does not break promises, as he defended the lack of new announcements in his speech to the party conference.On a broadcast round the day after his speech in Liverpool appealed to disgruntled Conservative voters to switch support, the Labour leader said his main feeling was defiance when a protester invaded the stage at the start of the address and sprinkled him with glitter. Continue reading...

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Julian Hill has warned the National Employment Services Association the era of massive multibillion-dollar set and forget" tenders' is over

Report into Maribyrnong floods says it is still unclear if construction of wall contributed to damage of residents' homes

Anthony Albanese announces Cheng has been freed and is back in Australia after being detained in August 2020 over national security-related accusations

Kyoto to sell its obsolete manhole covers in a bid to cash in on the public's fascination with the decorated piecesThey are heavy disks of wrought iron that separate us from our subterranean sewage, but in Japan, they are also highly coveted works of art, symbols of regional pride, and now, sources of revenue.Local authorities are cashing in on the public's fascination with the country's decorated manhole covers, with Kyoto now joining a list of locations that are putting obsolete lids up for sale. Continue reading...

The Sydney-born 66-year-old is the first Australian victim known to have died amid the conflict

Countries including Canada, Germany and Australia organise evacuation flights while the US and UK insist commercial options still available as Israeli forces gather near Gaza

Long at forefront of reconciliation, Labor senator warns of draconian agenda' of Coalition and increased sense of national shame' if no vote wins

Nearby states didn't see similar increases, suggesting those denied abortions in the state are self-managing, or going withoutAbortions in North Carolina fell by more than 30% after the state enacted new abortion restrictions on 1 July, including a 12-week abortion ban, new data released on Wednesday by the Guttmacher Institute shows.North Carolina abortion clinics performed more than 4,200 abortions in June, but just 2,920 abortions in July. Nearby states did not see a comparable surge in abortions, suggesting that patients denied abortions in North Carolina had to self-manage their own - or simply went without. Continue reading...

Former Afghan spymaster, convicted millionaire and former Libyan colonel among those who became Dominican citizensThe Caribbean state of Dominica has sold citizenship to thousands of individuals including a former Afghan spymaster, a Turkish millionaire convicted of fraud and a former Libyan colonel under Muammar Gaddafi, the first detailed examination of the country's controversial golden passports" scheme has found.The findings are from Dominica: Passports of the Caribbean, an investigation by the Guardian and 14 other international news organisations, in partnership with the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP). Continue reading...

Total expected to surpass 600,000 as polls suggest close-run race with PiS seeking third term in powerMore than half a million people have registered abroad to vote in Poland's election on Sunday, as the ruling Law & Justice party hopes for an unprecedented third consecutive term in power.The Polish foreign minister, Zbigniew Rau, said on Tuesday he expected the number of overseas voters to surpass 600,000 before a midnight deadline, a record number in the country's history. Continue reading...

Former Afghan spy chief among those to gain citizenship though investment in Caribbean islandNestled in a valley formed by an extinct volcano on the Caribbean island of Dominica, the InterContinental Cabrits resort has 101 luxurious rooms overlooking an emerald bay. Its website invites guests to explore and unwind in paradise while discovering the pristine island".But waterfront views and a swim-up rum bar are not the hotel's only attraction: for the wealthy investors who helped fund the project, it was also a route to another nationality. Continue reading...

Cybersecurity organisation CyberCX says groups previously focused on Russia's invasion of Ukraine are refocusing on Israel-Hamas war

IAF says it will continue to target Gaza; Biden says Israel has a duty to respond' to attacks

Prime minister Anthony Albanese and leading yes campaigner Noel Pearson joined Farmer at base of Uluru for final leg of tour across Australia

Increase compares favourably with New Zealand and the US, Reserve Bank assistant governor says

Maureen Boyce was stabbed five times while in her bed, with lover Thomas Chris Lang claiming the wounds were self-inflicted

Two dozen former winners back yes vote as a step to a more united and cohesive nation' and say referendum an opportunity to right some wrongs'

Gas pipeline and communications cable connecting Finland and Estonia deliberately damaged, says Helsinki; Russia defeated in bid to return to UN human rights council

Former prime minister appealed to voters in Facebook video after being noticeably absent in lead up to 14 October election

Researchers' analysis of DNA suggests housing circumstances get under the skin' and are associated with significant health consequencesLiving in a privately rented home is linked to more rapid biological ageing, according to researchers who tested DNA and found the tenure is associated with twice the ageing effect of obesity and half that of smoking.The peer-reviewed study of 1,420 UK householders found housing circumstances can get under the skin" with significant consequences for health, said academics at the University of Essex and the University of Adelaide . Their findings were published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health. Continue reading...

Australians struggle to stay connected as area hit by electricity and telecommunications blackouts

Maths is the language of the universe' says shadow education secretary, promising real world' numeracy lessonsLabour says it will replace Rishi Sunak's demand for compulsory maths classes until 18 with improved maths teaching for younger children and real world" numeracy lessons for pupils in England.The proposal would see a new phonics for maths" programme for early years and primary school classes, aiming to replicate the focus on literacy in primary schools pioneered by the previous Labour government. Continue reading...

Scottish first minister revealed that wife's parents are trapped in besieged enclave after Hamas attack

EU foreign ministers back continued support after European commissioner declared suspension of payments

Albania and Bulgaria receive more votes at general assembly, after Russia was suspended from body last year

As Nathanel Young, 20, was buried, the streets of the divided city remained uneasily empty with both sides fearing reprisals

Home secretary also suggests clampdown on pro-Arab chants in letter that will concern free speech advocates

Man sprinkles Labour leader with glitter, shouting true democracy is citizen-led' before being hauled offKeir Starmer's speech to his party's conference was disrupted by a lone protester who sprinkled the Labour leader with glitter before being hauled off stage.Merseyside police said a 28-year-old man from Surrey had been arrested on suspicion of assault, breach of the peace and causing public nuisance. Continue reading...

Former cabinet secretary Lord Gus O'Donnell also says breaches of Covid rules by those in power destroyed public trustPolitical inexperience and cabinet-level turmoil at the heart of Boris Johnson's government were key reasons why the UK coped poorly with challenges brought by the pandemic compared with peer countries, the Covid inquiry has heard.Giving evidence to the inquiry on Tuesday, the former cabinet secretary Lord Gus O'Donnell also said the breaching of Covid rules by those in power destroyed the [public's] trust". Continue reading...

Despite it being taboo and illegal to kill critically endangered primate, 30% of villages have evidence of killing in last five to 10 years'Orangutans on the island of Borneo continue to be illegally killed, likely in large numbers, even when there are nearby projects to save the critically endangered primate, according to new research.Despite the taboo and illegal nature of killing orangutans, researchers heard evidence of a direct killing from at least one person in 30% of 79 villages surveyed in Indonesia's Kalimantan region. Continue reading...

Rural Aid charity says requests for mental health support, financial counselling and emergency livestock feed doubles in a month

Exclusive: Removing a condom without consent will be considered rape and could attract a maximum penalty of life in prison

Workplace expert wants Medical Board of Australia to include specific question on sexual harassment in survey of workforce

Child safeguarding practice review describes failure of the system as a whole' to protect girl and her 24-year-old victimAn inquiry into the circumstances leading to the manslaughter of a 24-year-old man by a 14-year-old girl has found a failure of the system as a whole" to protect her and her victim.The child safeguarding practice review by Birmingham and West Sussex authorities found that the systems put in place to help the child throughout her troubled life had had no effect at all". No one involved in the case can be named to protect the identity of the girl. Continue reading...

Polish voters go to the polls on Sunday as conservative party aims to retain power in face of challenge from Donald Tusk's oppositionThe Polish prime minister, Mateusz Morawiecki, from the conservative ruling Law and Justice party, said this morning that his party was one step away from victory and there were four days of hard work left.He called on supporters to embark on maximum mobilisation. Continue reading...

Authors of a new study say there is not enough awareness of the effects of xylazine, which is being mixed into fentanylMedical researchers have called for greater education about the rise of an animal tranquilliser, xylazine, in the US's illicit opioid supply that is not only contributing to deaths but causing severe ulcers and open wounds requiring amputation.The authors of a new study in the Annals of Internal Medicine have warned of insufficient awareness about the drug now widely found mixed in with heroin and the even more deadly opioid fentanyl, which has driven up overdoses to record levels in recent years. Continue reading...

Streaming service manages to increase revenues by 12% despite tough market after raising pricesNetflix added the fewest number of new subscribers last year since launching in the UK a decade ago, as the cost of living crisis and a post-pandemic reset" in growth among streaming services hit the US company.Netflix UK, which has enjoyed annual subscriber growth rates of about 20% in recent years and was buoyed by coronavirus lockdowns, managed to grow its British base by just 4% last year. Continue reading...

Prime minister visibly moved by song and dance of traditional owners as he attempts to rally the nation behind the voice plan

Concerns grow Israel is planning ground invasion in Gaza, with more than 187,000 people already displaced

Property developer has about $200bn in liabilities and says its sales are under remarkable pressure'China's largest private developer has warned it could default on its international debts, dealing another blow to the country's embattled property industry.Country Garden has about $200bn (163bn) in liabilities and nearly $11bn in dollar-denominated offshore bonds. It has not defaulted so far, but has missed coupon payments on some dollar bonds since last month and faces the end of 30-day grace periods for making payments from next week. Continue reading...

Rolling Stones guitarist says he is in no rush to stop touring as band releases first new album in 18 yearsHe owns more than 1,000, though he plays only a few on stage. But as Keith Richards' love affair with the guitar remains undimmed, his fingers are not quite what they used to be.The Rolling Stones guitarist struggles with arthritis, which has affected the way he now plays. Funnily enough, I've no doubt it has, but I don't have any pain: it's a sort of benign version," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. I think if I've slowed down a little bit it's probably due more to age. Continue reading...

Drug has been used off-label for weight loss leading to a global shortage and usage may come with risks, experts say

Notices sent to return to vessel two months after deadliest strain of legionella was found onboard

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The head of construction giant John Holland reveals the new, early completion date at a Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry event

Victims of attack in Kachin state include children, according to a local activistAt least 30 people, including young children, have been killed in an attack on a camp for displaced people in Myanmar's Kachin state, according to media reports and a local activist.Dozens more were injured in the attack, which happened at about 11.30pm on Monday night in Kachin, Myanmar's northernmost state, it was reported. On social media, unverified images showed men carrying victims, including a small child, from rubble in the darkness. Continue reading...

In today's newsletter: A complicated legal battle over whether the UK government plan to send thousands of migrants to Rwanda could cause a fundamental shift in how asylum seekers are treated Sign up here for our daily newsletter, First EditionGood morning. Five supreme court judges are this week deciding whether the UK government plan to deport tens of thousands of asylum seekers to Rwanda should go ahead.The decision of the UK's highest court will be life-changing for more than 24,000 asylum seekers issued with letters warning them that they are being considered for forcible removal. It will also either make home secretary Suella Braverman's dream" come true or poleaxe a key part of Rishi Sunak's pledge to stop the boats".Israel | The leaders of the UK, US, France, Germany and Italy have released a joint statement expressing steadfast and united support" for the state of Israel and unequivocal condemnation" of Hamas. Earlier, Israel declared a complete siege" of Gaza, cutting off water, food and power supplies.Environment | The damage caused by the climate crisis through extreme weather has cost $16m (13m) an hour for the past 20 years, according to a new estimate.Transport | A list of transport projects to be funded using HS2 money, which included schemes that had already been built or were swiftly deleted, was intended only to be illustrative", the prime minister has said.Labour | A new Labour government would give all towns and cities in England new powers and funding to boost local economies, Keir Starmer will announce, in the biggest expansion of devolution since Labour was last in power.Scotland | A hoard of coins linked to a Highland chief - which may have been stashed away as he tried in vain to escape the Glen Coe massacre - has been discovered underneath a fireplace. Continue reading...

Poll comes as Beijing is urgently trying an array of measures to lift the country's birth rate including financial incentivesChina's National Bureau of Statistics will conduct a nationwide sample survey in November to help better plan population policies, as authorities struggle to boost the country's flagging birthrate.Concerned about China's first population drop in six decades and its rapid ageing, Beijing is urgently trying an array of measures to lift the country's birthrate including financial incentives and boosting childcare facilities. Continue reading...