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Australia’s total of EVs almost doubled in 2022, growing from 44,000 to more than 83,000, sales data shows

Scottish retailer went into administration at the end of last year, after closing 47 shops in 2020Scottish retailer M&Co is to close all 170 of its stores after falling into administration before Christmas, with the loss of up to 1,900 jobs.The clothing and homeware retailer’s brand has been bought by Peterborough-based AK Retail Holdings, the owner of the larger sizes brand Yours Clothing, Long Tall Sally and Bump It Up Maternity but the deal did not include M&Co’s physical stores. Continue reading...

New 15-year deal includes working together on electronics and battery technologyNissan is to take a stake of up to 15% in Renault’s flagship electric vehicle unit as part of a new long-term deal designed to repair relations in the troubled 24-year alliance between the two global automotive makers.The 15-year agreement includes seeking savings from joint projects in Europe, India and Latin America, as well as working together on electronics and battery technology. Continue reading...

Figures show BBC can still outdo streaming services, but search is now on for its next mega-hitHappy Valley’s finale was the most-watched television programme of the year so far, as 7.5 million viewers tuned in to watch the conclusion of the BBC drama on Sunday night.The Guardian’s five-star review described the show as “one of the greatest trilogies in modern television”, as viewers learned the fates of the police officer Catherine Cawood and criminal Tommy Lee Royce. Continue reading...

Protests as former politicians, activists, campaigners and community workers appear in court accused of ‘conspiracy to commit subversion’Hong Kong’s largest national security trial began on Monday, involving 47 of the city’s most high-profile democracy advocates, in a hearing that has been labelled a trial of the territory’s pro-democracy movement itself.The group of former politicians, activists, campaigners, and community workers are accused of “conspiracy to commit subversion” over the holding of unofficial pre-election primaries in July 2020. Continue reading...

Local officials warned of need to improve infection control measures shortly before diphtheria cases detectedThe Home Office was warned about the need to improve infection control measures at Manston, its site for people arriving in small boats, weeks before the UK’s worst diphtheria outbreak in decades, the Guardian has learned.Freedom of information disclosures from Thanet district council, obtained by the Guardian, have revealed a catalogue of concerns about failures in public health measures at the centre near Ramsgate, where initial checks are carried out on asylum seekers.Handwashing was advised as a key infection control measure but there was a shortage of sinks and access to running water and some toilets had no handwashing facilities at all.Some toilets were blocked and overflowing with excrement.The chief medical officer, Chris Whitty, became involved in the crisis and ordered UKHSA officials to produce a rapid assessment of infectious disease risk on the site.Confusion surrounding the release of people from Manston who may have had infectious conditions. Continue reading...

Trade body SMMT cuts forecast for annual sales, citing inflation and interest rate increasesSales of electric vehicles fuelled the strongest start to the year for the UK car market since before the pandemic, although the forecast for annual sales has been cut as increasingly cash-strapped consumers delay big-ticket purchases.Almost 132,000 new cars were sold in the UK in January, up 14% year on year and a sixth consecutive month of growth. The figures mark the best start to the year since 149,279 new cars were sold in January 2020. Continue reading...

Three other accused will serve sentences of up to 30 years over deaths of Willie Kimani, Josephat Mwenda and Joseph Muiruri, in case that sparked national protestsA police officer, Fredrick Leliman, who was among those convicted of killing Nairobi lawyer Willie Kimani, his client Josephat Mwenda and taxi driver Joseph Muiruri, has been sentenced to death by a Nairobi court.In the judgment delivered on Friday, three other accused, Stephen Cheburet, Sylvia Wanjiku and Peter Ngugi, will serve 30, 24, and 20 years in prison, respectively. Continue reading...

The 65-year-old made headlines by handing himself after 29 years on the run. But supporters are celebrating after he won the right to stay in his adopted homeland

Conditions in parts of South America up to 10C above average as US records its coldest ever temperatureUnrelenting and record-breaking heat is expected to continue across parts of South America this week. Temperatures are forecast to easily reach the mid-to-high 30s celsius for Chile, Argentina, and Paraguay, with maximum temperatures possibly reaching 40C across northern Argentina.These temperatures are at least 5-10C above the climatological average, with the extreme heat expected to continue at least until the middle part of February. Continue reading...

Federal government agreed to $250m in additional funding for measures including youth engagement programs and job creation

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Recharge, which is also planning a factory in Victoria, revives goal to build £3.8bn ‘gigafactory’ in north EnglandAn emerging Australian company yet to construct a major project will be responsible for delivering on UK hopes to electrify its automotive industry after outbidding rivals to take over collapsed battery maker Britishvolt.In a whirlwind fortnight, Recharge Industries put together an aggressive package that also revives plans to build a £3.8bn (A$6.7bn) “gigafactory” in the north of England to supply the next generation of UK-built electric vehicles, free from Chinese materials. Continue reading...

Federal police sought former soldier’s phone as part of investigation into war crimes potentially committed in Afghanistan

Detectives seek evidence of further offending by serial rapist, who is due to be sentenced this weekThe criminal investigation into the serial rapist David Carrick will stay active even after his sentencing and imprisonment this week, as detectives sift through information about alleged further offending.Carrick used his status as a Metropolitan police officer to commit 48 rapes amid a spree of 85 serious offences against 12 women, all of which he has pleaded guilty to. Continue reading...

Exclusive: head of Aardman studio blames Brexit as UK falls behind on skills and tax reliefThe head of Aardman, the Oscar-winning British studio behind Wallace and Gromit and Shaun the Sheep, has warned that the nation’s animation productions for children’s television will have to be made overseas because acute challenges are taking their toll on the UK sector.Sean Clarke, Aardman’s managing director, said the company is struggling with everything from serious competition from other countries on tax relief to a dire skills shortage. Continue reading...

Three-quarters of teachers surveyed say they have noticed children lacking access to toothpaste and toothbrushesFour out of five UK teachers have given toothbrushes and toothpaste to students, with the cost of living crisis affecting the oral health of children, according to new research.A survey of secondary teachers by hygiene poverty charity Beauty Banks and the British Dental Association (BDA) has revealed that 81% of teachers say some children in their school have no access to toothpaste, with 41% saying this leads to them being socially excluded because of poor oral hygiene. Continue reading...

Civil rights veteran who gave eulogy at Tyre Nichols’ funeral says racism in UK policing could produce similar tragediesThe Rev Al Sharpton has warned that racially charged incidents such as the brutal death of Tyre Nichols in the US will also occur in the UK without far-reaching police reforms.On the eve of a two-day visit to the UK, the US civil rights veteran said that “systemic racism” and a “culture of policing that produces brutality” must be addressed. Continue reading...

New legal advice will allow addition as part of $500m expansion to be completed by 2028, chair says

Five-storey blaze at Springvale’s Bright Moon hall drew a crowd of onlookers, firefighters say

Commutes from London to Richmond constituency by private helicopter would have taken about 2hr 15 by trainRishi Sunak has taken private helicopter trips to his constituency in North Yorkshire costing thousands of pounds since he became prime minister, the Guardian understands.The commute to Richmond from a London heliport is likely to raise further questions about the prime minister’s commitment to tackling the climate crisis. Continue reading...

Unions say government making no moves to resolve dispute as staff in England prepare for biggest strikes in service’s historyDeadlock over NHS pay is putting patients in danger and risks hardening the position of unions, 10 chief nurses have warned on the eve of the biggest strikes in the health service’s history.Unions have warned that the government is making no moves towards resolving the strikes, with one general secretary accusing the government of lying about the state of negotiations. Continue reading...

The often discounted rate is to be replaced with two singles costing the same as the present return fareReturn tickets will be scrapped and new digital ticketing introduced under reforms of the British rail system expected to be announced this week.The two-way tickets, which offer a discounted rate, will be replaced by “single-leg pricing” which will mean that the price of two singles will be the same as the current return fare, according to the Telegraph. The idea was trialled by London North East Railway (LNER) in 2020. Continue reading...

Pennsylvania confectioner worked out how to mass produce marshmallow Easter treat that now sells billions each yearBob Born, the man who turned Peeps candy into an American phenomenon, has died. He was 98.Just Born Quality Confections announced that Born died on 29 January, 100 years after his father, Sam Born, started the company in New York before relocating to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Continue reading...

Oleksii Reznikov insists Kyiv has the ability to hold back Russian forces if new push comes for anniversary of start of invasion

Some arrested in recent anti-government protests included in pardons, according to state mediaIran’s supreme leader has pardoned “tens of thousands” of prisoners including some arrested in recent anti-government protests, state news agency IRNA reported on Sunday, after a deadly state crackdown helped quell the nationwide unrest.However, the pardon approved by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei came with conditions, according to details announced in state media reports, which said the measure would not apply to any of the numerous dual nationals held in Iran. Continue reading...

Lowy Institute ranks Australia sixth overall in the Asia Power Index, behind US, China, Japan, India and Russia

Manufacturers of insulation installed on the tower have yet to agree a voluntary funding scheme to fix dangerous buildingsCladding and insulation manufacturers whose products were involved in the Grenfell Tower fire face calls for sanctions after failing to pay into multibillion-pound funding schemes to fix the country’s unsafe residential blocks.The building supply firms Saint-Gobain and Kingspan have reported more than £7.5bn in global profits since the fire in June 2017 in west London which killed 72 people, corporate filings reveal. Combustible insulation products manufactured by both firms were installed on the tower. Continue reading...

Millions will see costs mount by another 40% in April as rebate scheme ends and chancellor lets cap go up to £3,000Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has rejected calls to prevent sharp rises in domestic energy bills for all households in his March budget – meaning millions of users will see costs soar by about 40% from April.Instead, Hunt will emphasise the extra support he is giving to the poorest and most vulnerable households, including those on benefits, in what he will describe as a more fairly targeted system of support. Continue reading...

Experts urge swimmers to be cautious as more sharks are in the local estuaries at this time of year

Business secretary accuses energy market regulator of ‘having the wool pulled over their eyes’ by suppliersThe business secretary has told the energy market regulator to toughen up on suppliers in the wake of the prepayment meter scandal.Grant Shapps accused Ofgem of “having the wool pulled over their eyes” by taking at face value what the energy company bosses were telling them and not listening to customers. Continue reading...

First victim of David Carrick to reveal identity says she has waived her anonymity to encourage others to come forwardThe first victim of sex predator police officer David Carrick to reveal her identity has said that she wants him to spend the next 40 years behind bars.Darciane Nunes Da Silva, 43, waived her anonymity in an interview with the Sunday People as she believes that there are more victims of the former Metropolitan police officer who have yet to come forward. Continue reading...

Former PM writes that ‘powerful economic establishment’ and lack of party support contributed to her downfallLiz Truss, who resigned as prime minister after just 45 days in office, has said she was never given a “realistic chance” to implement her tax-cutting agenda.In her first detailed comments since she relinquished the role in October, Truss said she was brought down by the combination of a “powerful economic establishment” and a lack of support from within the Conservative party. Continue reading...

Derbyshire constabulary say search of one property uncovered a number of suspicious itemsResidents who had been evacuated in a Derbyshire town after an explosives scare can now return to their homes, police have said.Several people had to leave their properties and nearby roads were closed after a man was arrested on suspicion of explosives offences at a property in Belper, a town seven miles north of Derby, according to Derbyshire constabulary. Continue reading...

Financial hardship support has not kept pace with the rising cost of uniforms, books, stationery and computers, peak body says

Announcement from Ukrainian president’s office follows Russian statement on 63 of its own soldiersThe head of Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s office, Andriy Yermak, has said that Ukraine has got 116 soldiers back as part of a prisoner of war swap.Earlier on Saturday, Russia said it had got 63 PoWs back in an exchange. Continue reading...

Essex police say man in his 40s was found injured in car park next to Iceland supermarket and died at the sceneThe death of a man in a car park in Canvey Island, Essex, may have been the result of a “targeted attack”, murder squad detectives have said.Essex police said the man, in his 40s, was found injured in the car park next to Iceland in the early hours of Saturday. Continue reading...

Conservatives on course to break flagship NHS pledge as cost of replacing crumbling wards and operating theatres soarsOnly a quarter of the 40 hospital construction projects that were at the heart of Boris Johnson’s 2019 general election manifesto have secured full planning permission, the Observer can reveal, amid angry claims from NHS figures that there is no chance the schemes will be delivered on time.Ministers have repeatedly claimed that the hospitals will be delivered by 2030, despite concerns from health chiefs and economists that “woefully insufficient” funding and rising costs will scupper the plan and put NHS capacity at risk. Continue reading...

Union appeals to prime minister to compromise to avert massive disruptionThe head of the UK’s biggest nursing union has issued a last ditch appeal to Rishi Sunak to agree a compromise over pay, to prevent the worst strikes in the NHS’s history from causing massive disruption to patients across England on Monday.In a letter to the prime minister, Pat Cullen, the general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, said she was “appealing directly” to Sunak for the first time as she asked him to match offers made by the Welsh and Scottish governments, both of which have led to strikes being suspended. Continue reading...

Juliette Lamour, a student from Ontario, makes history with £30m prize after taking part ‘for fun’An 18-year-old Canadian has made history by winning C$48m (£30m) after buying a lottery ticket for the first time.Juliette Lamour, from Sault Ste Marie, Ontario, was announced as the winner on Friday by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLGC), making her the youngest person to win tens of millions of Canadian dollars. Continue reading...

‘Extensive’ operation under way at Victoria Quay basin, near one of Scottish government buildingsEmergency services are searching for a man who reportedly fell into water in Edinburgh.Police were called at 11.25pm on Friday to the Victoria Quay basin, near one of the Scottish government’s office buildings. Continue reading...

Woman in life-threatening condition but baby unharmed, say police, after driver fails to stop in SouthallA woman is in a life-threatening condition after being knocked down by a hit-and-run driver while pushing a pram.Metropolitan police officers said they were called to the junction of North Hyde Lane and Raleigh Road in Southall, west London, at about 12.30pm on Friday to reports of a collision involving a car and pedestrian. Continue reading...

Fumio Kishida says official’s comments ‘outrageous and completely incompatible with policies’The Japanese prime minister, Fumio Kishida, has sacked an aide who said he would not want to live next to LGBTQ+ couples and that people would flee Japan if same-sex marriage was permitted.In remarks reported by local media, Masayoshi Arai, an economy and trade official who joined Kishida’s staff as a secretary in October, said he did not even want to look at same-sex couples. Continue reading...

Beijing says it will ‘not accept any groundless conjecture’ after balloons spotted over US and Latin AmericaChina has called for calm amid a growing diplomatic row with the US over suspected spy balloons.It comes after the US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, indefinitely postponed a planned visit to Beijing after a large balloon was spotted in US airspace. Continue reading...

The Trevelyans were shocked to see their name in a slavery database and a journey to Grenada confirmed the continuing impact of their grim historyAn aristocratic British family is to make history by travelling to the Caribbean and publicly apologising for its ownership of more than 1,000 enslaved Africans. The Trevelyan family, which has many notable ancestors, is also paying reparations to the people of Grenada, where it owned six sugar plantations.Last weekend, the family met online and agreed to sign a letter of apology for its enslavement of captive Africans. Forty-two members of the family have so far signed and more signatures are expected. Continue reading...

Chris Parry and Andrew Bagshaw died in Soledar area while helping to evacuate people from frontline

Talenthouse claims to ‘democratise creativity’, but designers who have completed commissions for top brands are out of pocketIt is a global technology platform that claims to “democratise creativity” by allowing up-and-coming artists to submit work to the world’s biggest brands.But Talenthouse, which boasts clients including Netflix, Sony, Coca-Cola and the United Nations, has been accused of exploiting artists and failing to pay them, in some cases leaving them thousands of pounds out of pocket. Continue reading...

Most of HMS Portland sailors who were taken to hospital have been discharged and all are expected to make full recoveryThe Royal Navy has announced an investigation into how sailors were hospitalised as a result of drinking contaminated water on their ship.The frigate HMS Portland was diverted to Portsmouth naval base on Friday after the discovery that the “wrong chemical” had entered the ship’s system to convert seawater into drinking water. Continue reading...

Home Office reportedly proposes two options to try to prevent those crossing Channel from claiming asylumRishi Sunak is proposing to stop asylum seekers who cross the Channel in small boats from appealing against deportation, according to reports.The Home Office has put forward two options for the prime minister’s consideration as he attempts to automatically prevent those arriving in Britain from claiming asylum, the Times reported. Continue reading...

Louise Cunningham asks people to keep open mind as search for missing 45-year-old enters ninth dayThe sister of Nicola Bulley has urged people to keep an open mind about her disappearance as the search enters its ninth day.Multi-agency search teams continued to trawl the river near St Michael’s on Wyre, working on the hypothesis that the 45-year-old mortgage adviser from nearby Inskip could have fallen in. Continue reading...