World news | The Guardian

Experts warn company’s closure could be the first of several delivery services to disappear due to challenging economic conditions

Outer borough of Haringey tops UK league for low-paid jobs relative to local cost of livingCampaigners have demanded higher pay for social care workers in the capital, as new analysis put the outer London borough of Haringey at the top of the UK league for jobs paying below the real living wage.As inflation hit its highest level for 41 years, protesters from the community campaign group Citizens UK gathered outside a Haringey care home, run by the private chain Barchester Healthcare, to call for a real living wage for care staff. Continue reading...

Actor says he won’t attend even if he’s nominated, after alleging he was groped by the former president of the organisation that runs the awards

Gunathilaka is facing four counts of sexual intercourse without consent after allegedly assaulting a woman he met on a dating app

Economy adds 32,000 jobs in October despite record series of interest rate rises

The man was working out when a weight fell on his head and chest, a Queensland ambulance official said

Video recordings of rape complainants’ evidence currently cannot be used in retrials if, like Brittany Higgins, they initially gave evidence in the courtroom

Waitrose’s No 1 Brown Butter pies wowed with their ‘buttery aroma’, while Aldi’s, at half the price, scored just one point lessTucking into a mince pie is usually the first sign Christmas is on the way and with budgets under pressure this year getting your fix doesn’t have to break the bank, with a 29p pie from Aldi coming a close second to Waitrose’s brown butter pastry in a taste test.The upmarket supermarket’s No 1 Brown Butter Mince Pies came top in a “rigorous” blind taste test conducted by Which?. They wowed the panel of baking experts with their “buttery aroma” and “citrussy aftertaste” to achieve the top score of 74%, earning the consumer group’s coveted “best buy” badge of approval. Continue reading...

National Audit Office says efforts to reduce record waiting lists under threat amid rising inflation and workforce shortagesMillions of patients could face years of long waits for treatment on the NHS, as a watchdog warned that the plan to reduce extensive waits for elective and cancer care services by 2025 is at serious risk.NHS England published a three-year plan in February aimed at tackling the backlog in services, after the Covid-19 pandemic saw already long waiting lists grow to record levels. The Department of Health and Social Care is responsible for funding the recovery plan. Continue reading...

Robert Jenrick says accommodation being sought in ‘much broader range of local authorities’Rural areas will be asked to accept more people seeking asylum, a minister has suggested, as the government faced criticism from Conservative MPs for placing migrants in their constituencies.Robert Jenrick, the immigration minister, said small towns and the countryside may be asked to house more people crossing the Channel in small boats “as long as numbers are so high”. Continue reading...

Shops will stay open while administrators assess options for the companyThe fashion firm Joules has formally fallen into administration, putting 1,600 jobs and the future of the retailer’s 132 shops at risk.The company said on Monday it had filed a notice to appoint administrators after failing to secure emergency funding. It has now hired administrators from Interpath Advisory, who said shops would stay open while they “assess options for the business”. Continue reading...

Poland’s president and Nato both say missile likely an accident by Ukrainian forces – but Kyiv says ‘it was not our rocket’Nato and G7 leaders have condemned Russia’s “barbaric missile attacks” on Ukraine in a statement following the emergency meeting held earlier with members in Bali.The leaders of Canada, the European Union, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States met on the margins of the G20 Summit and released the following statement:We condemn the barbaric missile attacks that Russia perpetrated on Ukrainian cities and civilian infrastructure on Tuesday.

Social housing watchdog launches investigation and MP accuses Rochdale Boroughwide Housing of being ‘modern-day slumlord’The housing boss in charge of a mouldy home which killed two-year-old Awaab Ishak is facing growing pressure to quit, as the social housing watchdog launched an investigation into possible “systemic” failings and an MP accused his organisation of being a “modern-day slumlord”.The housing secretary, Michael Gove, spoke to Gareth Swarbrick on Wednesday and told parliament it was “clear … there are systemic problems in the governance and leadership” of Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) which looks after more than 12,000 homes. He previously said it “beggars belief” Swarbrick was still in his post. Continue reading...

Cannes Jury prize-winning Joyland had previously been banned following objections by Islamist hardlinersA Pakistani film portraying romance between a married man and a transgender woman was cleared for domestic screenings on Wednesday, officials said, reversing a government ban forced by Islamist pressure.Lauded by critics, awarded the jury prize at Cannes and nominated as Pakistan’s entry for next year’s Academy Awards, Joyland was set to open in cinemas across the country this Friday. Continue reading...

Andrzej Duda says there is no evidence to suggest missile that landed in his country was launched by Russia

Forbes braced for second inundation in a fortnight as woman’s body found in Eugowra flood waters after ‘wall of water’ decimates NSW town

French president believes China can help push Russia to de-escalate Ukraine war

Nick Jones says he will transition from CEO to founder to do ‘more of what I love’ after cancer recoveryNick Jones, the founder of Soho House, is stepping down as chief executive of the private members’ club and hotel empire he founded 27 years ago after revealing a prostate cancer diagnosis.Jones announced on Wednesday that he was “transitioning from CEO to my original role as founder”. The 59-year-old transformed Soho House from a single private members’ club in the central London district to a global network of 38 “houses”, spas, co-working spaces and luxury hotels. Continue reading...

Ademola Adedeji convicted in July of conspiring against those believed responsible for death of friendA youth leader who addressed MPs in parliament has been denied permission to appeal against the eight-year sentence he was given for sending text messages as part of a violent conspiracy.Ademola Adedeji, 19, from Moston in north Manchester, was one of 10 young black men imprisoned this year after using the Telegram messaging app to conspire to murder or seriously harm those they believed responsible for killing one of their friends, an aspiring rapper called John Soyoye. Continue reading...

The former culture secretary and author of 16 novels reportedly has the working title, The Political Assassination of Boris JohnsonNadine Dorries is writing a book about Boris Johnson’s “dramatic downfall”, her agent Piers Blofeld has said.The former culture secretary will publish the book next year, according to the Evening Standard. It is expected to be a further demonstration of Dorries’ loyalty to Johnson, and comes after reports that she is among a group of the former prime minister’s allies that are due to be rewarded with seats in the House of Lords. The working title of the book is The Political Assassination of Boris Johnson, suggesting that it will take aim at Rishi Sunak and others who encouraged the former prime minister to resign. Continue reading...

Doctors and aid workers describe race against time to keep patients alive in northern Ethiopian regionConvoys carrying desperately needed food aid entered Tigray on Wednesday, as humanitarian groups gained access to the war-torn northern Ethiopian region for the first time since a ceasefire agreement was signed two-week ago.Doctors and aid workers in Tigray have described a race against time to keep sick or malnourished patients alive as they wait for humanitarian assistance. Continue reading...

Seaside towns of Scarborough and Whitby will be among first in England to double tax under levelling up billThe seaside towns of Whitby and Scarborough will be among the first in England to double council tax on second homes to tackle the “blight” of holiday lets.Councillors said the rise of Airbnb and other rental sites was “tearing the heart out of communities”, as they voted to introduce a 100% premium on owners of second homes in North Yorkshire. Continue reading...

Customers whose personal details – but not medical information – were posted online have been left in the dark by health insurer

Ken McCallum says MI5 has blocked over 100 attempts by Kremlin to insert suspected spies into UK since Salisbury poisoningsBritain will have to tackle Russian aggression for years to come, said the MI5 chief on Wednesday, adding that his agency had blocked more than 100 attempts by the Kremlin to insert suspected spies into the UK since the Salisbury poisonings.Ken McCallum, giving an annual threat update, said state-based threats were increasing and said the UK also faced a heightened direct threat from Iran, which had threatened “to kidnap or even kill” 10 people based in Britain in the past year. Continue reading...

Turkish president raises hopes over pact to allow exports via Black Sea, bringing relief to world’s poorest countries

UK prime minister confident of agreement with EU over Northern Ireland protocol

In annual review, agency says it expects a ‘soft landing’ for the nation’s economy with risks ‘skewed to the downside’

Food delivery company says it is no longer accepting orders through its app and has entered voluntary administration

The incident near Ukraine-Poland border derailed opening hours of G20 summit as leaders from G7 gathered early to assess information

Local Government Association says any attempt to patch up budgets by raising council tax is doomed to failLocal authorities have warned they face an “existential crisis” caused by massive funding shortfalls and any attempt by ministers to patch up budgets by allowing increased council tax is doomed to failure.The multibillion “black hole” in England’s municipal finances – which has pushed a number of councils to the brink of bankruptcy – could not be fixed by local ratepayers alone, who would face unrealistic council tax increases of up to 20%, the Local Government Association (LGA) said. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Care England calls for Ofgem investigation into suppliers’ practices in letter seen by the GuardianEnergy suppliers have been accused of profiteering by charging “horrendous and financially crippling rates” to care homes facing huge bills this winter.The chief executive of Care England, the largest body representing independent providers of adult care, has accused gas suppliers of being “unduly onerous” in their practices. Continue reading...

Publishers praised UK city’s arts scene and gastronomic diversity as it makes the list of 30 best places to goLonely Planet has chosen Manchester as one of its must-visit destinations for 2023, the only UK destination to make the guidebook’s annual Best in Travel list.The city is described as “one of the best – if not the best – cities in the UK, with something for everyone” in a roll of honour that includes Sydney, Lima, Montevideo, Marseille and Dresden. Continue reading...

Questions about cyber-attack dominate meeting as company says it is contacting 480,000 customers whose health claims were stolen

Constable who shot Kumanjayi Walker objects to 14 categories of questions arguing his answers could lead to disciplinary proceedings by NT police force

Disgraced movie mogul’s lawyer conducts grueling cross-examination as judge drops four of 11 countsHarvey Weinstein’s most prominent accuser faced a grueling cross-examination on Tuesday, as Weinstein’s defense attorney hammered her on details, casting doubt on her memory and demanding clarification on the most graphic details of the alleged rape.It was the second day of testimony from Jennifer Siebel Newsom, a documentary film-maker and the wife of California’s governor, Gavin Newsom, and the most high profile woman so far to take the stand against the Hollywood producer. Continue reading...

The likely successor to Daniel Andrews as party leader says it’s committed to overhauling women’s health statewide – but there’s always more to do

Poland’s PM convenes urgent national security meeting after stray missiles feared to have crossed into Nato member country

Millions of fans try to snap up presale tickets to singer’s 2023 Eras tour in the US, with Ticketmaster’s website facing ‘historically unprecedented demand’Millions of Taylor Swift fans swarmed Live Nation’s Ticketmaster website on Tuesday to try to score seats for her first tour in five years, causing periodic outages and long online waits as some tickets were quickly posted for resale for thousands of dollars.The ticket-selling site said in a statement that “historically unprecedented demand” for Swift’s 52-date United States tour had seen millions of people attempt to buy presale tickets, which had caused “intermittent issues” that the company was “urgently” working to resolve. Continue reading...

Transport department says software bug in power assist steering could increase risk of ‘an accident causing serious injury or death’

Two farmers killed near border with Ukraine by what Poland has claimed were Russian-made weapons

Player says he is ‘now happy with who I am’ in social media video as his team and NBL share messages of supportIsaac Humphries, a Melbourne United player, has been lauded for his courage after publicly coming out and becoming the only openly gay male professional basketball player currently playing in a top tier league, anywhere in the world.In a social media video shot in the locker room in front of his teammates and through a statement released by his club on Wednesday morning, the 24-year-old centre announced he is gay, saying he had been through “extremely dark times” on his journey but is “now happy with who I am”. Continue reading...

Prime minister says UK should not sacrifice quality for speed as he seeks to improve terms at G20 talksRishi Sunak has hinted he will slow down progress on the India trade deal to improve its terms, saying the UK should not “sacrifice quality for speed”.The comments, which preceded talks with the UK prime minister’s Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, at the G20 on Wednesday, suggested a marked change of approach from Boris Johnson and Liz Truss, who prioritised speed and hard deadlines, having pledged a “deal for Diwali” that did not materialise. Continue reading...

Canadian prime minister met China’s president at G20 summit in Bali amid tensions over aggressive interventions by BeijingJustin Trudeau has raised “serious concerns” over suspected domestic interference by China in his first talks with President Xi Jinping in more than three years, amid growing frustration over increasingly aggressive interventions by Beijing.Trudeau discussed his concerns about Chinese “interference activities” in Canada on the sidelines of a Group of 20 meeting on the Indonesian island of Bali, a government source told AFP. Continue reading...

In the UK’s only dedicated awards for LGBTQ+ literature, Adam Smith’s history of poppers and children’s book Nen and the Lonely Fisherman were also honouredSpoken word poet Joelle Taylor has won the Polari book prize for her collection which “defends our right to walk without fear, wear what we choose, be who we uniquely are”.C+nto & Othered Poems, which explores the UK’s underground lesbian culture, was named the winner of the £2,000 prize, which is the top award in the UK’s only dedicated awards for LGBTQ+ literature. It is the second major award for the book, which won the TS Eliot prize earlier this year. Continue reading...

Two men now in custody on suspicion of two counts of murder and one of attempted murder after incident in Houghton RegisA second man has been arrested on suspicion of murdering two men and the attempted murder of a third after a triple stabbing in Bedfordshire on Sunday.Bedfordshire police said a man in his 30s was arrested on suspicion of two counts of murder and one of attempted murder on Tuesday. It came after police arrested another man, who remains in custody, on suspicion of the same offences on Monday. Continue reading...

Human rights council makes more than 300 recommendations, with many coming from less well-off countries

Awaab Ishak died in 2020, eight days after his second birthday, following ‘chronic exposure’ in RochdaleA coroner has said the death of an “engaging, lively, endearing” two-year-old from prolonged exposure to mould in his family’s flat should be a “defining moment” for the UK’s housing sector.Awaab Ishak died in 2020, eight days after his second birthday, as a direct result of black mould in the flat he lived in. Continue reading...

Rising carbon dioxide and the slump in the pound have been frequently graphed. Now we’ve turned the data and graphs into audio

University and College Union expresses concern at what it says appear to be intimidatory tacticsThe University and College Union has condemned University College London’s use of agency workers to cover gaps left by security guards striking for better pay.The UCU, which represents academics and support staff, has written to UCL’s provost and president, Dr Michael Spence, expressing concern at what it says appear to be intimidatory and strike-breaking tactics. Continue reading...