UN agency calls for urgent vaccination efforts' in region to prevent further spread of diseaseThe World Health Organization has issued an urgent warning over measles after an alarming" 30-fold rise in cases across Europe.The UN agency reported an enormous increase in numbers affected by the disease, which it said had accelerated in recent months". More than 30,000 cases were reported between January and October last year, compared with 941 cases in the whole of 2022 - a more than 30-fold rise. Continue reading...

Prime minister tells MPs no decision has been taken to embark on sustained campaign' as SNP questions how successful strikes will beThe UK is hosting the next meeting of the European Political Community, the group set up in 2022 to provide a forum where EU countries can discuss matters of common interest with non-EU European countries. The event is meant to happen before the middle of 2024.But, according to a report in the Financial Times, Downing Street has not yet set a date - and European diplomats think that is because Rishi Sunak has not entirely ruled out a spring election. The FT says:European diplomats believe the UK government's refusal to rule out a snap general election this spring lies behind delays" to an upcoming meeting of the European Political Community in Britain.Several EU ambassadors have grumbled privately that officials in London have been dragging their feet over agreeing a date for the summit, which insiders said was initially expected to take place in March or April.The population is ageing and growing. It is getting sicker too as the effects of austerity bite. There are also rising costs in the NHS especially with medical equipment and many drugs.Of course the NHS needs more money. Continue reading...

Deaths come as talks of ceasefire increase and pressure rises on Netanyahu over leadership and handling of war effort

Doctor Who and True Detective star says he feared accusation could have ended his careerThe actor Christopher Eccleston has claimed an A-lister falsely accused him of inappropriately touching her while filming a sex scene.The star of Doctor Who and True Detective said he feared the accusation from the unnamed actor could have caused the end of his career. Continue reading...

Three people questioned on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter after collision in Pamiers, south of ToulouseA woman has died in southern France after a car hit a roadblock where she was standing. The blockade had been set up by farmers taking part in growing anti-government protests.The woman, a farmer in her 30s, was killed at 5.45am when a car went through a warning barrage and collided at speed with bales of straw piled up to stop traffic in Pamiers, Ariege, to the south of Toulouse. Continue reading...

Turkey's parliament to debate Sweden's Nato bid; US Senate works on compromise for Ukraine aid but Maga Republicans refuse supportThe Russian president, Vladimir Putin, and his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Tuesday launched the construction of a new unit at Egypt's El-Dabaa nuclear power plant via video link, the Ria Novosti news agency reported on Tuesday.The construction is being carried out by the Russian state corporation Rosatom. The plant will consist of four power units with a combined capacity of 4.8 gigawatts, Reuters reports. Continue reading...

Edward Richmond Jr, convicted over 2004 civilian death, arrested on charges he assaulted police offers with baton on January 6A former United States army soldier who was convicted of manslaughter for shooting a handcuffed civilian in Iraq to death was arrested Monday on charges that he assaulted police officers with a baton during the US Capitol attack.Edward Richmond Jr, 40, of Geismar, Louisiana, was wearing a helmet, shoulder pads, goggles and a Louisiana state flag patch on his chest when he attacked police in a tunnel outside the Capitol on January 6, according to an FBI agent's affidavit. Continue reading...

Car went into roadblock, hitting three people; industrial action by train drivers' union will begin on Wednesday and last until MondayAlternative for Germany (AfD) is down in the polls.An Insa/Bild opinion poll found that AfD's popularity has declined from 23% to 21.5% within the space of a week. Continue reading...

The pope told industry leaders at the Vatican the drink was a source of joy' but encouraged healthy habitsPope Francis has said that wine is a gift from God" and a true source of joy" for its consumers - words that have been immediately embraced by Italian wine producers who have fought against European health warnings.Francis made the comments during a private audience at the Vatican with winemakers from across Italy. Welcoming his audience, he joked: This seems like a drunk pope", before going on to say: Wine, land, agricultural skills and entrepreneurialism are gifts from God - the creator has entrusted them to us because, with our sensitivity and honesty, we make them a true source of joy." Continue reading...

Self-proclaimed pastor arrested over deaths of more than 200 people, most of whom had died of hungerA Kenyan court has charged a cult leader and dozens of suspected accomplices with manslaughter over the deaths of more than 200 people.Self-proclaimed pastor Paul Nthenge Mackenzie and 94 other suspects, including his wife, pleaded not guilty to 238 counts of manslaughter, according to court documents seen by AFP. Continue reading...

From Oppenheimer to Poor Things, all the nominations for the 96th Academy Awards, which take place on 10 MarchAmerican Fiction

Exclusive: anonymised notes reveal concerns about injuries, self-harm, security incidents and sickness in overcrowded cells

Peak body also campaigning for a reduction in the growing gap fee as the cost-of-living crisis puts increases financial strain

CPS accepts Valdo Calocane's plea of manslaughter on grounds of diminished responsibility due to mental illness over June 2023 attacksProsecutors have accepted the pleas of the Nottingham stabbings killer, who admitted manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility due to mental illness.Valdo Calocane, who goes by the name Adam Mendes, admitted killing three people and trying to kill three others in the spate of violence in the early hours of 13 June last year. Continue reading...

Comments by Huw Merriman come day after No 10 forced to deny government pursuing agenda against BBC

Persimmon's Martyn Clark to replace Peter Truscott after he retires later this year

Price rises help lift profits as sales of its sparkling wine soar but still products slide

Charities call on government to prioritise outside spaces for play as MPs begin inquiry into planning and children's wellbeingChildren and young people are suffering huge damage to their health and wellbeing from policymakers refusing to prioritise the need for outdoor play, charities have said.As MPs begin an inquiry into how better planning could enhance the wellbeing of children, the charities said urgent change was needed. Continue reading...

UK minister to tell meeting that suffering in Gaza is unacceptable and our priority must be to alleviate it'

Alphabet Workers' Union says contract's end will have devastating impact' on subcontractors who do the grunt work involved in training AI

Car carrying two people crashed into water at Six Pack Creek Boat Ramp in Dundee Downs last Thursday but only one of the occupants survivedEmergency services have been forced to kill several crocodiles in order to recover the body of a young driver who crashed his car into the water at a popular Northern Territory fishing spot.Police received reports on Thursday afternoon that a car carrying two people crashed into the water at Six Pack Creek Boat Ramp in Dundee Downs. Continue reading...

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Rugby union player pleads not guilty and denies groping and sexually assaulting the complainant, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, at Bondi Beach venue in 2022

Iceland boss has written to MPs claiming that changing rules would help cut prices for familiesCampaigners have spoken out against proposed changes to the law that would ease restrictions on marketing baby formula, arguing that they would not help cut prices for hard-pressed families but instead give free rein to powerful brands.The boss of Iceland, Richard Walker, has written to MPs proposing an amendment to the competition bill currently going through parliament that would remove the ban on advertising in stores, free samples, discount promotions and any other promotional activity to induce the sale of an infant formula". Continue reading...

Shambolic media conference has Coalition members saying opposition leader has shown an abject failure of leadership'

TWU backs Virgin over Qantas's budget carrier, citing former's commitment to employing locally-based crews in submission to International Air Services Commission

Pupils from lower socioeconomic background don't see it as a subject for somebody like them', Teach First findsDisadvantaged parents rule out careers in science, technology, engineering and maths for their children because they think those jobs are already stitched up", according to a leading education charity.More than half of parents (51%) from a lower socioeconomic background, who took part in a survey by Teach First, said they believed their children were unlikely to go on to a career in Stem. Continue reading...

Peng Yang denies any sexual contact with the patient and claims he was giving the man a wash

Imron, who has spent 21 years in prison, says he wants to be released to work on deradicalisation projectsAli Imron, who was given a life sentence for his role in the 2002 Bali bombing, is seeking a presidential pardon, saying he wants to be released so he can work on deradicalisation projects across Indonesia.Imron, 54, has spent 21 years in prison over the bombings that killed 202 people on the Indonesian island of Bali, including 88 Australians and 38 Indonesians. Continue reading...

Authorities warn of potentially widespread damage after the 7.0-magnitude quake, with tremors felt in neighbouring countriesA 7.0-magnitude earthquake has struck along the China-Kyrgyzstan border, as authorities warned of potentially widespread damage.The China Earthquake Networks Center said the quake hit Wushu county in Aksu prefecture shortly after 2am local time, according to the state-run Xinhua press agency and about 200 rescuers were dispatched to the epicenter. Continue reading...

Former prime minister quitting after 16 years in parliament to also spend more time with my family'

Cyclone expected to make landfall as severe category-three system as cyclonic winds, flooding rain and tides among weather forecast in Queensland

Research finds residents receive care in line with guidelines 53.2% of the time on average and just 12% of the time for depression

Opposition leader says prisoners forced to listen to I am Russian' by Shaman as part of 5am regimeJailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny has complained of being poisoned, assaulted and deprived of proper medical care, but this week he disclosed he faced a new challenge: being forced to listen to a pro-Putin pop singer at 5am every morning.Navalny, 47, a former lawyer who rose to prominence more than a decade ago by lampooning president Vladimir Putin's elite and voicing allegations of vast corruption, is now in a jail about 60 km (40 miles) north of the Arctic Circle. Continue reading...

Move comes as pressure mounts on broadcaster's management with union members passing vote of no confidence in managing director David Anderson

Medical staff arrested at al-Khair hospital, Palestinian officials say, while al-Amal hospital surrounded by tanksThe White House has called on Israel to protect innocent people as Palestinian officials said the Israeli military had stormed one hospital in Gaza and placed another under siege.National security council spokesperson John Kirby said on Monday Israel had a right to defend itself but added: We expect them to do so in accordance with international law and to protect innocent people in hospitals, medical staff and patients as well, as much as possible." Continue reading...

Prime minister says everyone will be getting a tax cut' on KIIS FM after 2GB says government considering lifting tax-free threshold while retaining highest tax bracket at $180,000

Treatment takes 15 minutes and involves swallowing a capsule with no need for surgery, endoscopy or anaesthesiaA non-surgical gastric balloon which helps weight loss by restricting the size of the stomach has been made available on the NHS for the first time.The treatment, which was approved by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) in 2020, takes 15 minutes and involves a capsule being swallowed by the patient which is attached to a thin tube. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Leader of successful class action says government should step in to overturn the convictions', amid calls for a formal apology

Opposition day motion seeks to create a council-maintained register of children in England not on the school rollLabour is planning to use an opposition day debate motion to bring forward legislation for a new register of children who are not in school as part of plans to tackle persistent absenteeism.New Labour analysis found that one in three children currently sitting their GCSEs have missed nearly three months of secondary school since the pandemic" and said this was likely to affect academic attainment. Continue reading...

Former Cop26 president abstains from vote saying bill breaks UK's promise to phase out fossil fuelsAlok Sharma has said the government's oil and gas bill going through the Commons will not cut household energy costs or create jobs and instead will break the UK's promise to phase out fossil fuels.The government's offshore petroleum licensing bill passed its second reading on Monday night with 293 votes to 211 against. No Conservative MPs voted against it, and Sharma - the former business secretary who served as president of the Cop26 climate talks - abstained. The legislation would place the North Sea Transition Authority under a duty to run annual applications for new offshore oil and gas licences. Continue reading...

US officials confirmed attacks amid footage of explosions around the capital city of Sana'a

Canadian-born director of Moonstruck and Fiddler on the Roof was a three-time Oscar nomineeNorman Jewison, the acclaimed and versatile Canadian-born director whose Hollywood films ranged from Doris Day comedies and Moonstruck to social dramas such as the Oscar-winning In the Heat of the Night, has died at the age of 97.Jewison, a three-time Oscar nominee who in 1999 received an Academy Award for lifetime achievement, died peacefully" on Saturday, according to his publicist Jeff Sanderson. Additional details were not immediately available. Continue reading...

Peers vote 214-171 to delay bill to allow more time for scrutinyMy colleague Mark Sweney has more dismal news on the economy this morning:More than 47,000 UK companies are on the brink of collapse after a 25% jump in businesses facing critical" financial distress in the final three months of 2023, according to a new report. Continue reading...

Lords vote for motion to delay ratification of Rwanda treaty until government can show country is safeRishi Sunak's plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda received its first parliamentary defeat on Monday after peers backed calls for protections to be introduced before any flights take off.The House of Lords voted for a motion which sought to delay ratification of the new Rwanda treaty until the government can show the country is safe. Continue reading...

UK PM called on to apply pressure on Qatar to help free Liri Albag, Eliya Cohen and Ziv and Gali Berman

Two people die in separate car collisions while tens of thousands suffer power cuts in wild weather

US defence official dismissed reports of attack against a US military cargo ship, Ocean Jazz, as Houthi propaganda

Rory Bidwell, 12, achieved the maximum score of 162 on the test, above the 160 said to have been achieved by Einstein and HawkingA schoolboy from Devon has reportedly joined Mensa after scoring higher on an IQ test than Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking.Rory Bidwell, 12, recently achieved the maximum possible score for his age group of 162 on the Cattell III B test, the North Devon Gazette reported, just above the 160 purportedly assigned to physicists Einstein and Hawking. Continue reading...