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AFP says incident at Kellie-Jay Keen rally referred to professional standards command after senator complained about actions of officers

Kane Te Tai fought with the International Legion and was known for documenting battles and daily life in Ukraine on social mediaA former New Zealand soldier who drew an online following with his dispatches from the frontline of the Ukraine war has been killed in fighting there.The death of Kane Te Tai, 38, was confirmed by New Zealand’s foreign ministry Thursday, citing Ukrainian government sources. Continue reading...

But expert says limiting frequency of rent hikes without a cap is unlikely to make a difference amid rising rate of homelessness

Exclusive: Felicity Wilson later told the Guardian a reelected Perrottet government would not privatise more assets

Boris Johnson and Liz Truss among 22 Tory rebels voting against deal agreed with European Commission

Former PM suggests ‘unsocially distanced farewell gatherings’ were allowed at work and that he didn’t think following guidance meant following it perfectlyTurning back to the Northern Ireland protocol deal vote for a moment, Steve Baker, the Northern Ireland minister, has said that Boris Johnson risks being remembered as a “pound shop Nigel Farage” for his stance on the Windsor framework.Baker said that reviving the Northern Ireland protocol bill, Johnson’s declared alternative to Rishi Sunak’s deal (see 9.40am), would “wreck our relations with the European Union and damage our standing internationally”. Sky’s Sam Coates has posted the full quote on Twitter. Continue reading...

MPs investigating Partygate scandal have denounced former PM’s ‘flimsy’ explanations before committeeBoris Johnson faces being formally reprimanded for recklessly misleading parliament after MPs investigating the Partygate scandal denounced his “flimsy” explanations and suggested he had wrongly interpreted Covid guidance.The former prime minister was left fighting for his political career after a tetchy three-and-a-half-hour evidence session in which he repeatedly claimed No 10 parties, with alcohol and little social distancing, had been “necessary” for work purposes. Continue reading...

Staff received ‘tirade of abuse’ after inaccurate news reports about drag queen teaching sex educationTeachers at a school on the Isle of Man have faced death threats over false reports that children had been left “traumatised” by inappropriate and graphic sex education taught by a drag queen, the island’s government has said.Staff at Queen Elizabeth II school had faced a “tirade of abuse” ranging from “threats to turn up at the school, demands for staff to be dismissed, to demands for people to be arrested and executed”, according to education minister Julie Edge. Continue reading...

Announcement comes after members of the RMT union voted to accept a pay offer from Network RailThe RMT has suspended strikes due to be held on 30 March and 1 April, the union has announced.More details to follow. Continue reading...

Former PM tells hearing that if rule-breaking was ‘obvious’, it should also have been obvious to current PM

Request for exemption from ICE car phase-out would displace up to 46m electric cars, says campaign groupA shock German push to break an agreed EU-wide phase-out of conventional cars by 2035 could displace up to 46m electric car sales and trigger the burning of 135bn more litres of fossil petrol than needed, according to a new study.EU leaders and MEPs had agreed a phase-out of internal combustion engines (ICEs) by 2035 but earlier this month, Germany’s transport ministry, led by the liberal FDP party, lodged an objection just days before a rubber-stamping vote. Continue reading...

Jury convicts teenager over fatal stabbing in West Yorkshire last yearA teenager has been found guilty of murdering a 15-year-old boy in a “well-planned and targeted” ambush outside the school gates.Khayri Mclean died from a single stab wound to the heart after he was brutally attacked by two boys on his way home from school in Huddersfield last September. Continue reading...

Jens Stoltenberg, who steps down later this year, says Putin is engaged in a war of attrition

Thomas Cashman, 34, tells trial he was smoking cannabis at friend’s house at time nine-year-old was shotThe man accused of murdering Olivia Pratt-Korbel, broke down in tears and told a court he was being blamed for something he had not done, when asked whether he killed the nine-year-old.Thomas Cashman, 34, said he was not present at the murder and, at the time the nine-year-old was shot in her home by a masked gunman, he was smoking cannabis and counting £10,000 in cash at a friend’s house. Continue reading...

Two dembow progenitors are suing superstars including Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee – in a case that also names Justin Bieber – claiming that they deserve credit for birthing the genreWith the release of their song Fish Market in 1989, the Jamaican duo Cleveland “Clevie” Browne and Wycliffe “Steely” Johnson inadvertently changed the course of pop music. The track featured the first known example of what would come to be known as a “dembow” rhythm – the percussive, slightly syncopated four-to-the-floor beat that travelled from reggae to become the signature beat of reggaeton, today the world-conquering sound of Latin American pop.Now, more than 30 years after Fish Market was released, Steely & Clevie Productions is suing three of reggaeton’s most celebrated hitmakers – El Chombo, Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee – for what they characterise as unlawful interpolation of Fish Market’s rhythm (or “riddim”), and are seeking the credit – and royalties – they say they deserved from the start. Continue reading...

President comes out fighting in TV interview as protesters clash with police across FranceEmmanuel Macron has insisted he will not back down over raising the French pension age as he came out fighting in a live TV interview ahead of another day of national strikes and protests.The president furthermore ruled out dissolution of parliament, reshuffle of his centrist government and the resignation of his prime minister, Élisabeth Borne, as the opposition has demanded. Continue reading...

Who were the people mentioned in the former PM’s defence at the Commons privileges committee, and where are they now?

The House of Commons voted to approve parts of the deal struck with the EU to change the Northern Ireland Brexit protocol, but with some notable rebels. Find out how all MPs voted Continue reading...

Walking groups say government reneged on scrapping deadline to register historic rights of wayEngland is at risk of losing precious footpaths as walking groups accuse the government of a U-turn on its promise to scrap a deadline for registering them.There are many historic pathways across England that are rights of way but have been “lost” and are now part of private land. Campaigners have been trying to register them to make them once again legally binding rights of way by using old maps where the paths appeared. Continue reading...

MPs and ministers support campaign to locate relatives of Peter Brown, who died alone in London aged 96A search is under way to find the family of one of the RAF’s last black second world war veterans, who died recently.Peter Brown, a retired flight sergeant, died alone aged 96 in Maida Vale, west London. Without any known family, Westminster council and the RAF are attempting to locate any relatives of Brown to pay tribute to him at Mortlake Crematorium on 29 March. Continue reading...

Three-horse races and optional preferential voting making calling seats ahead of Saturday’s state election a risky wager

Calls to tackle rise in SUVs, utes and 4WDs by reducing tax incentives and building narrow lanes and parking spots exclusively for small cars

Government source says people were asked questions such as ‘do you agree Matt Kean is responsible for pushing up energy prices?’

Case that was heading to high court next week is settled, after Jon Moss claimed he was owed lost tour income following expulsion from groupJon Moss, a founding member of Culture Club, will be paid £1.75m by his former bandmates, who have reached a settlement with him instead of commencing a high court trial.Moss was allegedly “expelled” from Culture Club in September 2018 by manager Paul Kemsley, bringing his 37-year career as the band’s drummer to an end. Continue reading...

Lord Justice Haddon-Cave issues call for evidence, saying it is critical law-breakers be referred to authoritiesA judge investigating allegations of more than 50 summary killings by SAS soldiers in Afghanistan has issued a call for anyone with evidence to come forward, saying it was critical that law-breakers be referred to authorities.Launching his independent inquiry, Lord Justice Haddon-Cave said he was “very hopeful” there would be “full cooperation” with his work, which he said was ultimately about restoring the reputation of the military and “moral authority”. Continue reading...

Vox motion had been hoping to capitalise on public anger over botched sexual offences legislationSpain’s Socialist-led minority government has comfortably seen off a no-confidence vote tabled by the far-right Vox party, as the country gears up for regional and municipal elections in two months’ time and a general election due before the end of the year.Although Vox’s motion, which was debated in congress on Tuesday and Wednesday, was never likely to attract support from other parties, the party had been hoping to capitalise on public anger over the government’s botched sexual offences legislation – which has resulted in reduced prison terms for hundreds of convicted felons – and its overhaul of sedition legislation. Continue reading...

Another 10 people treated at scene as police, ambulances and fire service called to incident in EdinburghTwenty-five people were injured when a ship tipped over in a dry dock in Leith, Edinburgh, on Wednesday morning, the Scottish ambulance service said.Fifteen people were taken to hospital and 10 were treated and discharged at the scene. The ambulance service said 11 patients were taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and four to Western General hospital. Continue reading...

Group says Paris landmark contravenes laws requiring public buildings to translate signs into at least two other languagesA group of French-language activists has launched a legal action over signs at Notre Dame Cathedral being translated only into English and not any other language.The association, which won a similar case brought against the Eiffel Tower, believes failing to include other foreign languages leads to the increasing global domination of English. Continue reading...

Red Mist Market Enforcement Unit advertises financial investigation services to investors seeking compensationNick Leeson, the former rogue trader who caused the collapse of Barings Bank 28 years ago, has joined a firm of corporate private investigators.The firm, Red Mist Market Enforcement Unit, advertises financial investigation services to investors seeking compensation in court cases, according to an interview with Leeson published by Bloomberg. Continue reading...

Retired optometrist Terry Sanderson is suing actor for incident on slopes he claims caused lasting injuries and brain damageMore witnesses were expected to testify on Wednesday in a trial about a 2016 ski crash between Gwyneth Paltrow and the retired Utah man who sued her, claiming her recklessness left him with lasting injuries and brain damage.On the opening day of the trial, Paltrow and retired optometrist Terry Sanderson appeared across the courtroom from each other, looking nonplussed to hear arguments that have become familiar over the past seven years of legal proceedings. Continue reading...

Artwork reported to be worth up to €50m recovered in operation targeting international art smugglersA previously unknown painting by the US artist Jackson Pollock has been discovered in Bulgaria by police investigating international art smugglers, officials said.The work could be worth up to €50m ($54m), Bulgarian National Radio reported, citing experts. Continue reading...

Former PMs Johnson and Liz Truss both say they will vote against Rishi Sunak’s plan for Northern Ireland

Top civil servant also says he is unaware of anyone else in Downing Street giving Johnson such assurance over Partygate

Funnel of south-westerly winds help push birds towards Irish coast and UK mainland as far north as ScotlandAn “unprecedented” influx of alpine swifts has been reported by birdwatchers across Britain and Ireland.Dozens of these migrating birds, which usually fly thousands of miles from sub-Saharan west Africa to southern Europe to breed at this time of year, have been spotted around the Irish coast as well as in parts of Wales, England and even as far north as Scotland. Continue reading...

UK singer-songwriter played an acoustic Woody Guthrie song for members of the Community and Public Sector Union taking industrial action

Member of girl group Twice says she ‘didn’t correctly recognise the meaning’ of symbol on Sid Vicious T-shirt she woreChaeyoung, a member of Twice – one of the most globally successful K-pop groups – has apologised after wearing a T-shirt featuring a swastika.The 23-year-old’s T-shirt featured an image of Sex Pistols bassist Sid Vicious wearing a swastika logo. She posted a photo of herself wearing it on her Instagram account to her 8.6 million followers, but soon deleted it, replacing it with an apology. “I didn’t correctly recognise the meaning of the tilted swastika in the T-shirt I wore,” she wrote. “I deeply apologise for not thoroughly reviewing it, causing concern. I will pay absolute attention in the future to prevent any situation similar from happening again.” Continue reading...

Last-minute settlement comes as court was selecting jury for trial, in case brought by musician Tyler Armes who claimed he wrote major elements of the hit songPost Malone has settled a songwriting lawsuit over his hit song Circles, just before it reached a jury trial.Musician Tyler Armes had claimed that he wrote major elements of the 2019 US No 1 hit single, including the guitar melody and keyboard chords, and gave input on what became the bassline. “I was beside him giving input – I was not just someone hanging out in the room,” Armes claimed. He said he was offered a five per cent share of publishing royalties, and claimed negotiations for a higher share were shut down by Post Malone’s manager. Continue reading...

Just 16.9% of unionist and nationalist voters oppose post-Brexit deal, survey findsPeople in Northern Ireland who support Rishi Sunak’s post-Brexit deal vastly outnumber those who oppose it, according to a survey.Asked if they opposed the Windsor framework, just 16.9% of voters agreed, suggesting there is a desire to move on from political battles over trading arrangements. Overall 45% of voters did not oppose the revised deal, with around a third neither agreeing or disagreeing. Continue reading...

Leifer has been on trial for nearly six weeks on over the alleged abuse of three sisters when she was principal of the Adass Israel school

Joel Russo raped the woman and held her head under water at Merri Creek in 2019

Messages sent prior to violent confrontation encouraged group to ‘grab them and drag them by their fucking hair’

Opposition attempts to move bill but possible expulsion of Moira Deeming from Liberals threatens to expose party faultlines

Charity says more than 250,000 asylum claims may be ruled inadmissible under illegal migration billThe cost of detaining and accommodating people under the UK government’s controversial plans to tackle Channel crossings could amount to more than £9bn in the first three years, according to a refugee charity.More than 250,000 people, including up to 45,000 children, could have their asylum claims deemed inadmissible under the illegal migration bill in that time, the Refugee Council said. Continue reading...

In today’s newsletter: The former prime minister faces the Commons privileges committee over allegations he intentionally misled Parliament – this is what’s at stake

Gavin Fineff, who stole millions of dollars from clients and friends to service his addiction, sends message to politicians in Canberra

Queensland police allege the teenager was filmed after being held against her will

Harassment and threats common, finds Citizens Advice survey, which discovers MoJ rules were broken in at least a third of casesMore than 2 million people have been contacted by bailiffs during the cost of living crisis, according to Citizens Advice, with a majority of those who came into contact with a debt collector reporting they felt harassed or intimidated.The charity estimates that bailiffs added £250m in fees to people’s debts in the past 18 months, driving people deeper into financial hardship. Continue reading...

Twenty-year-old’s death while working at Darwin liquor store prompts suite of reviews and increased police patrols

Nine die in Pakistan and two in Afghanistan from magnitude 6.5 event, with more than 200 people injuredA magnitude 6.5 earthquake has rattled much of Pakistan and Afghanistan, sending panicked residents fleeing from homes and offices, and frightening people even in remote villages. At least nine people died in Pakistan and two in Afghanistan, officials said on WednesdayMore than 200 people were brought to hospitals in the Swat valley region of Pakistan’s north-western Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in a state of shock, said Bilal Faizi, a spokesperson for Pakistan’s emergency services. Continue reading...

NSW premier says the ambulance commissioner arranged an ambulance on his behalf but it was categorised as low-priority