World news | The Guardian

Comments from Downing Street come as Zelenskiy follows up trip to UK with Brussels visit in the hope of receiving more military aid

Faisal Abdullah thanks Michael Gove for announcing ‘Awaab’s law’, after death of two-year-old in RochdaleThe father of two-year-old Awaab Ishak, who was killed by mould in a social housing flat, has welcomed a new law to prevent a repeat tragedy, saying: “We are finally starting to feel like we are being treated fairly.”Faisal Abdullah met Michael Gove, the secretary of state for levelling up, housing and communities, on Thursday as the government announced a new “Awaab’s law” that will set deadlines for landlords in England and Wales to tackle reported hazards. Continue reading...

This live blog has now closed, you can read more on this story hereRishi Sunak has recorded a TV interview this morning, and he has had to explain that, unlike his party’s new deputy chairman, he is not in favour of the death penalty. The full clip has not been shown yet, but PA Media has the quotes.As he confirmed that he disagreed with Lee Anderson on the death penalty, he also claimed his party was “united” in wanting to tackle crime. Asked if he agreed with Anderson, he replied:That’s not my view, that’s not the government’s view.But we are united in the Conservative party in wanting to be absolutely relentless in bearing down on crime and making sure people are safe and feel safe.It’s why we’re on our way to having 20,000 more police officers on our streets and we’re giving those police officers more powers to tackle crime, whether it’s stop and search or just this week in parliament we are giving police officers the power to tackle violent and extremist protesters.That’s because we want to make sure people are safe, they feel safe and that’s what we’re doing. Continue reading...

Renewable project on edge of Bristol has overcome planning hurdles and will empower local housing estateA muddy, forgotten patch of land, sandwiched between a gas power station and a car breakage plant, will be home to England’s tallest wind turbine by the end of next week.The turbine, which will stand 150 meters tall from its base to the tip of its blade, is owned by a group of residents from nearby Lawrence Weston, a deprived housing estate on the fringes of Bristol, and some of the income it generates will be used to help the local community. Continue reading...

Singer and performer, who wrote Walk on By and What the World Needs Now Is Love, died at home in Los Angeles of natural causes

Mattia Muggittu says he feels like David v Goliath as energy drink firm disputes branding on his first bottlesA small wine producer in Sardinia accused by the maker of the energy drink Red Bull of copying its logo has said he feels as if he is in a David and Goliath battle against the Austrian company.Mattia Muggittu, the owner of Muggittu di Mamoiada, had just produced his first bottle of wine, which features two traditional Sardinian oxen tied together on its label, when he received a legal notice from Red Bull claiming the image bore similarities to the one on its energy drink depicting two bulls charging at each other inside a golden sun. Continue reading...

Extra powers granted to allow removal of people taking photos and video at scene of 45-year-old’s disappearancePolice have been granted extra powers to remove social media influencers from the scene where Nicola Bulley went missing in Lancashire.A dispersal order was put in place on Wednesday night meaning anyone taking photos and video for social media following the 45-year-old’s disappearance 13 days ago, can be sent away. Continue reading...

Move by NI secretary means Stormont could continue to be in abeyance until April 2024Elections for the Northern Ireland assembly are to be delayed again, with a new deadline of 18 January next year for the Democratic Unionist party to return to power-sharing, the government has announced.The decision to delay the formation of an executive means Stormont could legally be in abeyance until 11 April 2024, 12 weeks after the government will be obliged to call an election under the proposed law. Continue reading...

Lee Anderson, who was given role on Tuesday, also called for a naval ‘standoff’ in the Channel over small boats

Serhiy Haidai says Moscow’s forces are trying unsuccessfully to advance westwards in ‘maximum’ escalation

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...