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Exclusive: Transparency advocates condemn arrangement as appalling' while health department refuses to say how much consultancy was paid

Memberships of the heads of the Reserve Bank and the Productivity Commission further evidence of airline's soft power among political decision-makers

News Corp-backed firm offered inducements that attracted record fine and criticism from regulator

Exclusive: leaked documents show plans for senior managers to decide which courses can be attended in work hoursSuella Braverman is planning to impose strict vetting on diversity training courses for Home Office staff after criticisms from right-leaning media that the department has given in to woke" culture.Leaked documents show the Home Office has drawn up plans to halt courses that are deemed to promote policies contrary to the government, including critical race theory. Continue reading...

PM rules out burden sharing' deal with EU as Keir Starmer says he is seeking closer cooperation with bloc

Former social mobility tsar Katharine Birbalsingh says proposals come amid fears English state sector is catching upPrivate schools want to opt out of GCSE exams because state schools in England are catching up with their results, the government's former social mobility tsar Katharine Birbalsingh has said.Commenting on moves by Latymer upper school in London and Bedales school in Hampshire to curb pupils taking GCSEs other than English and maths, Birbalsingh accused the schools of trying to hide their failures to achieve consistently high grades. Continue reading...

Country ageing at fastest rate on record and small rise in population due to inward migration, delayed survey showsScotland's population has grown at the lowest rate of any nation in the UK and is ageing at the fastest rate on record, according to the first data from last year's census.National Records of Scotland (NRS) estimated the country's total population was 5,436,600 last year. Its increase of 141,220, or 2.7%, was driven entirely by inward migration. Continue reading...

Publishing figures defend Stranger Things star's book, Nineteen Steps, after this week's publication ignites criticism on social mediaThe publication of Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown's debut novel has reignited a debate over ghostwritten celebrity books.Brown's Nineteen Steps, inspired by her grandmother's experience of the 1943 Bethnal Green tube disaster, was ghostwritten by author Kathleen McGurl and published on Tuesday. The cover of the book features only Brown's name. Continue reading...

Nearly 1 million children denied education, along with many more across eight countries in central and west Africa, new report warnsA quarter of schools are now closed in Burkina Faso after a sharp rise in fighting between militants and the government, according to a new report that warns of a looming education crisis in the region.The number of schools closed in the country rose by almost a third over the past year to 6,149, affecting close to 1 million students. Continue reading...

BCC president Martha Lane Fox to chair House of Lords meeting to help draft business manifesto for looming electionA new council that could challenge the CBI as the voice of British business is to hold its first meeting as it tries to set the agenda before the next general election.The British Chambers of Commerce's (BCC) Business Council will gather at the House of Lords for the meeting, chaired by Martha Lane Fox, president of the BCC, and discuss policy proposals to improve the UK economy. Continue reading...

Ukraine claims to have destroyed Russian air defence system in Crimea; Russia claims it repelled drone attack on Black Sea patrol ship

Trip by foreign affairs committee blocked with no reason given, raising questions about country's partnership with EUA group of MEPs from the European parliament have been refused entry to Tunisia, raising questions about the controversial partnership on migration that Tunisia signed with the EU Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen and the Italian leader, Giorgia Meloni, this summer.The foreign affairs committee, chaired by the German MEP Michael Gahler, was due to arrive in the country on Friday. Continue reading...

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Burney says Price's comments are offensive' and deny the experience of many First Nations families

Announcement follows campaign by parents of Martha Mills, 13, who died in hospital after developing sepsisThe health secretary, Steve Barclay, has announced the government is committed to bringing in Martha's rule" in England, making it easier for patients and their families to get a second medical opinion if they believe their concerns are not being taken seriously by medical staff.It follows a campaign by the parents of Martha Mills, who died in 2021 after hospital doctors failed to admit her to intensive care. Martha, 13, died after developing sepsis while under the care of King's College hospital NHS foundation trust in south London. Continue reading...

Lack of police training, an absence of policy and communication issues contributed to death of man at risk of self-harm, coroner says

Five former Brighton secondary college students had told federal court of physical and verbal bullying

A deep, deep column of warm air' more typical of January is expected to break records in Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney

New draft plan to address funding shortfall would axe dozens of jobs in humanities

Vast majority of women polled had experienced mental health problems in relation to their periodMillions of women and girls experience debilitating periods, yet nearly one-third never seek medical help, and more than half say their symptoms are not taken seriously, according to research.A survey of 3,000 women and girls for the Wellbeing of Women charity found that they are often dismissed as just having a period", despite experiencing severe pain, heavy bleeding and irregular cycles that can lead to mental health problems. Continue reading...

Family of Donald Morrison now believe he died at Koumala state school of an underlying medical condition he was unaware of'

Rent cap limited to 3%, but landlords can go higher when drawing up new tenancy agreementA loophole in Scotland's temporary rent controls has seen private landlords raise rents for new tenancies more than anywhere else in the UK, data reveals.In an effort to tackle the housing crisis, the Scottish government this spring introduced a temporary rent cap limiting annual rises to 3% in most cases. But it allowed landlords to go higher if they were drawing up a new tenancy agreement. Continue reading...

Some Conservatives insist policy is sacrosanct', while others are pushing for it to be overhauledMooted changes to the pensions triple lock have divided Conservative MPs. Some insist it is sacrosanct", while others are pushing for it to be overhauled at the next election.The future of a policy that had become a hallmark of recent Conservative governments appeared in doubt after Rishi Sunak three times refused to commit to retaining it at the next election. Continue reading...

Brazilian Indigenous leaders who are fighting a class action suit against BHP over a tailings dam collapse say they face similar struggles to First Nations Australians

Unemployment rate remains steady at 3.7% in a sign that the economy could avoid a hard landing as impact of 12 interest rate rises is felt by households

Parliamentary committee warns over-reliance' on personnel could be exploited amid climate crisis

North Korean media report that Kim was briefed on space vehicles during his meetings in Russia, though no specific detail of any deal has emergedKim Jong-un invited President Vladimir Putin to visit North Korea during their meeting in Russia on Wednesday, Pyongyang's state media reported, amid warnings that Kim was poised to offer the Kremlin artillery shells and other munitions for the war in Ukraine.Kim told Putin that their closely watched meeting had brought bilateral ties to a new level, and expressed his willingness to foster stable, future-oriented relations for the next 100 years, news agency KCNA said. Continue reading...

Former PM says west is dragging its feet in support for Ukraine and calls for urgent supply of weaponry in Spectator columnBoris Johnson has attacked the government over its policy on Ukraine, saying it should urgently provide more weaponry requested by Kyiv and asking the west: What the hell are we waiting for?"The former prime minister, who formed a close relationship with Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskiy after the outbreak of the war with Russia, called on the UK to provide howitzers - an artillery weapon - Storm Shadow cruise missiles and as much help as we can give them with drone technology". Continue reading...

Apology and substantial' payouts to Patsy Stevenson and Dania al-Obeid mark major climbdown after years of legal battles

The 30-year-old, now awarded damages by the Met police, talks about how a photo made her a target for hate and how she hopes to move on

Households could save 400 a year on energy bills via means-tested insulation schemeHouseholds could save up to 400 a year on energy bills under a new means-tested scheme to insulate more than 300,000 of Great Britain's draughtiest homes.The government is spending 1bn on grants for homes that have low energy efficiency ratings and are in lower council tax bands. Continue reading...

One crewmember accused of homicide with possible intent and two more with complicity over drowning of Antonis KargiotisA Greek prosecutor has brought criminal charges against an island ferry captain and three of his crew over the death of a passenger who was pushed into the sea as he tried to reboard the departing vessel in the country's main port of Piraeus.One crewmember was charged with homicide with possible intent, and the other two with complicity, while the captain was charged with severe breaches of shipping regulations, state-run ERT television reported. Continue reading...

Labour leader looks for global support for plans to tackle people smuggling as party seeks to burnish international credentialsKeir Starmer has embarked on an international tour to garner global support for Labour's immigration plans to smash criminal trafficking gangs", which is expected to include meetings with Emmanuel Macron and Justin Trudeau.The Labour leader and Yvette Cooper, the shadow home secretary, will start with talks at The Hague on Thursday with officials from the EU's law enforcement agency, Europol, and others about how a future Labour government would tackle people-smuggling supply chains through greater cross-border cooperation. Continue reading...

Boat travelling from north Africa capsized near tiny Italian island, with all other passengers rescuedA five-month-old boy has drowned during a rescue operation off the Italian island of Lampedusa after a boat carrying people from north Africa capsized.The tragedy occurred as migrant landings on Lampedusa surged, leaving the small island struggling to cope. About 1,850 people landed on Wednesday, bringing the total number of migrants in Lampedusa to more than 6,700, the Ansa news agency said. Continue reading...

Chamber's investigations committee is targeting the PIF after refusing to voluntarily comply with requests for disclosureSaudi Arabia's $700bn sovereign wealth fund - which has been used as a lever of global influence by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman - has been subpoenaed by a powerful Senate committee after it refused to voluntarily comply with information requests about its US dealings.The subpoena, which was issued by the Senate's permanent subcommittee on investigations, is targeting the Public Investment Fund's wholly-owned US subsidiaries in connection to the group's proposed golf deal and related investments throughout the United States". Continue reading...

Recordings of conversations appear to reveal racist attitudes among crew in connection with death of Antonis KaryotisOutrage over the drowning of a passenger who was pushed from the ramp of a Greek ferry has mounted after leaked recordings of radio conversations appeared to reveal racist attitudes among the crew.In one extract, the ship's master is apparently heard saying that he thought the passenger, subsequently identified as a Greek, was a foreigner. Continue reading...

Trio held on suspicion of murder in connection with death of 10-year-old, who was found at home in Surrey last monthThe father, stepmother and uncle of 10-year-old Sara Sharif, who was found dead at her home in a Surrey village last month, have been arrested on suspicion of murder following their return to the UK from Pakistan.Sara's father, Urfan Sharif, 41, her stepmother, Beinash Batool, 29, and her uncle, Faisal Malik, 28, left Sialkot airport in Pakistan on Wednesday morning after negotiations with the police and British authorities, sources told the Guardian. They are understood to have landed at Gatwick airport on Wednesday evening. Continue reading...

Owners who fed their pet a plant-based diet reported fewer visits to the vet and less medication useCats, owners will attest, are natural born killers and for most of their evolutionary history have enjoyed an almost entirely meat-based diet. However, fresh research has suggested that a vegan diet is not only safe for pet cats, but may have health benefits.The study found that owners of cats fed vegan diets reported fewer visits to the vet, less medication use and said that their vet would be more likely to describe their cat as healthy. The findings provide reassurance to a growing number of owners who are considering alternative diets for their pets, the researchers said. Continue reading...

Police chief says citizens are afraid after wave of murders and explosionsGang wars have brought an unprecedented" wave of violence to Sweden, the national police chief has said, after a week of fatal shootings.Sweden has for several years been in the grip of a conflict between gangs fighting over arms and drug trafficking, involving firearms and explosive devices. Continue reading...

Russia's propagandists trumpeted the president's North Korean connection as, in isolation, he threatened to cross a serious line

Psychiatrist gives evidence at sentencing hearing of Jaswant Singh Chail, who pleaded guilty to making threat to kill queen in 2021A man who described himself as a Star Wars character admitted being on a mission with a harsh purpose" after being arrested in the grounds of Windsor Castle with a loaded crossbow, a court heard.Jaswant Singh Chail was detained after breaching the grounds in Berkshire on Christmas Day in 2021 while the late Queen Elizabeth was in residence. Continue reading...

MEPs vote for WHO guidelines on several substances but centre-right backlash puts implementation back five yearsThe EU has voted to clean its air by setting tough limits on pollutants in a move that experts say will save lives and money.The European parliament agreed on Wednesday to limit the concentration of several dangerous substances to levels put forward by the World Health Organization (WHO). But after a fierce backlash from centre-right politicians, it decided to push back the date for meeting the WHO's limits by an extra five years. Continue reading...

Princess Martha Louise, King Harald V's eldest child, will marry the self-professed spiritual guru next summerThe Norwegian king's eldest child, Princess Martha Louise, will marry her partner, the Hollywood self-professed spiritual guru Durek Verrett, next summer, the couple have announced.King Harald V said in a statement that his family was delighted to welcome" Verrett, who is from California and a self-proclaimed sixth-generation shaman. The Norwegian princess can trace her ancestry back to Britain's Queen Victoria. Continue reading...

American and Irish nationals among those affected by illness typically brought on by eating improperly preserved foodA woman has died and 12 people have been hospitalised after an outbreak of botulism in sardines served at a restaurant in south-western France.Botulism is a serious neurological illness typically brought on by eating food that has been improperly preserved. Continue reading...

Isa Balado is seen reporting on robbery when passerby touches her rear, leading to on-air confrontationSpanish government ministers have voiced outrage after a male passerby touched a journalist's bottom as she was broadcasting live, leading to an on-air confrontation seen across the country.Isa Balado, a journalist with broadcaster Cuatro, was delving into the details of a robbery in central Madrid on Tuesday when she was approached by a man. Video showed him reaching one hand out to touch her rear, before interrupting her report to ask what television channel she worked for. Continue reading...

IOPC to examine whether officers may have committed offences over case of man imprisoned after wrongful rape convictionThe police watchdog has announced an investigation into Greater Manchester police's handling of Andrew Malkinson's case.Malkinson was exonerated in July of a rape for which he wrongly spent 17 years in prison after a DNA breakthrough. The court of appeal also ruled that disclosure failures by Greater Manchester police (GMP) rendered his conviction unsafe. Continue reading...

Full scale of devastation in north African nation still not clear as aid agencies struggle to reach cut-off areas

North Korean leader backs Moscow in protecting its sovereignty and security against the hegemonic forces' that oppose it

Exclusive: FBU says finding that some women can earn thousands less on year's leave shows female members are undervaluedFemale firefighters face a postcode lottery in which they can earn more than 15,000 less while on a year's maternity leave than their colleagues elsewhere in the UK, their representatives have said.The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) said its analysis showed female members were being systematically undervalued", and is calling for maternity leave to be full pay for a year, regardless of where in the UK a firefighter is based. Continue reading...

Software company and major donor plans to put its name on arena being built next doorSome will be sad it is not Sagey McSageface. Others will rue it not being called the Slug or the Armadillo. Instead the concert hall previously known as Sage will become the Glasshouse International Centre for Music.Sage Gateshead is one of the UK's leading music venues, which last month hosted the first Proms festival weekend outside London. Continue reading...