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The filters had prompted questions over the treatment of sacred cultural artefacts on tech platformsThe social media company that owns Snapchat has removed filters that applied images of sacred Māori tattoos to users’ faces, after the discovery of the culturally offensive filters on social media apps provoked an outcry in New Zealand.An investigation by Radio New Zealand revealed filters featuring tā moko tattoos have proliferated on social media apps such as Instagram and Snapchat. Continue reading...

Gulf states did not identify the type of content, though Saudi Arabia state-media condemned shows with gay charactersA group of Persian Gulf states have threatened Netflix with legal action if it continues broadcasting content that “contradicts” Islam, while Saudi state media indicated that the offending material centred on shows depicting sexual minorities.A statement issued jointly by the Saudi media regulator and the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), headquartered in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, did not specifically identify material, referring only to content that “contradicts Islamic and societal values”. Continue reading...

Police chief says accident scene was ‘one of the worst’ he had ever seen, with the victims all believed to have gone to Picton high school

Secretary general says agreement must be secured to commit Russian forces to withdraw and Ukrainian forces not to move in

Latest updates: Duo respectively appointed to international trade and business, while Suella Braverman becomes new home secretaryJohnson says it is the Conservatives who understand “the vital symmetry between government action and free market capitalist private sector enterprise”.He is now rattling through a list of what he sees as his achievements in government: more police, new hospitals, more nurses. He even repeats the (false) claim that the government is on course to build 40 new hospitals by the end of the decade. Continue reading...

Former Brexit opportunities minister becomes business and energy secretary in Liz Truss’s first cabinetJacob Rees-Mogg has taken on responsibility for energy after Liz Truss had struggled to find a dedicated minister to fill the role amid concerns over his scepticism.Two Conservative MPs are understood to have turned down the role of climate change minister earlier in the day. However, late on Tuesday night No 10 announced that Graham Stuart would take the brief and be attending cabinet, prompting speculation that Downing Street had succumbed to concerns of green Tories about giving the role to Rees-Mogg as originally planned.Clearly expectations of a final disaster are part of man’s psychology and the doomsayers of the quasi religious green movement fit the bill. Perhaps one day the world will end, giving the last group to predict it the satisfaction of being right – but as many have been wrong so far it does not seem wise to make public policy on the back of these fears.It is widely accepted that carbon dioxide emissions have risen but the effect on the climate remains much debated while the computer modelling that has been done to date has not proved especially accurate … common sense dictates that if the Meteorological Office cannot forecast the next season’s weather with any success it is ambitious to predict what will happen decades ahead.I would like my constituents to have cheap energy rather more than I would like them to have windmills.I think we have to be realistic about what we can change, the timescale over which we can change it, and actually I think mankind is highly adaptable, and we need to look at more adaptability rather than changes in behaviour.Net zero is going to be a huge regulatory cost and that is an issue for the country to face and to face up to … If we were to have a ‘one in, one out’ or ‘one in, two out’ rule [where a piece of regulation is scrapped for every new one instituted], you would end up excluding net zero, as we previously excluded EU regulation, and then you’re tinkering at the edges because you’re ignoring the biggest piece of regulation. Continue reading...

Manasseh Sogavare calls Australia’s offer ‘an assault on our parliamentary democracy’ after saying his country had to delay elections because of cost

BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 spent record £1.45bn last year on shows from UK production companiesAmerican streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon’s Prime Video cut the amount they spent on British-made shows for the first time last year, as the UK’s traditional broadcasters invested a record amount in a fightback against the global streamers.The BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 spend on programmes from UK production companies rose 12% to a record £1.45bn last year, bouncing back from a decade low in 2020 when the Covid pandemic shut the industry down. Continue reading...

TUC general secretary says number of strike ballots is increasing, and joint action can end disputes soonerWorking people are at a turning point where they are not prepared to be “mugged off” with low pay any more, Frances O’Grady, the TUC general secretary, has said, ahead of motions at its congress on greater joint industrial action by unions this autumn.O’Grady, who leads the organising body for trade unions, said there was an increasing number of strike ballots at the moment, and that while many end in a deal, joint action can show the strength of feeling of workers and bring disputes to an end sooner. Continue reading...

Survey for Living Wage Foundation finds 56% of minority ethnic staff have experienced discrimination at workMinority ethnic workers in the UK are disproportionately paid below the “real living wage”, data shows, reigniting calls to offer support in the cost of living crisis.A report by the Living Wage Foundation (LWF) says 33% of workers of Bangladeshi heritage, 29% of workers of Pakistani backgrounds and 25% of black workers earn below the real living wage, compared with 20% of white British workers. Continue reading...

Police alert warned James Smith Cree Nation residents to shelter in place but subsequent alert said Myles Sanderson was not nearbyFear, confusion and desperation have run high in western Canada as police widened the search for the remaining suspect in a stabbing spree that left 11 people dead.On Tuesday afternoon, an emergency alert to phones warned people to shelter in place after several people in the James Smith Cree Nation reported seeing Myles Sanderson, 30, who is wanted over the string of attacks which left at least 11 dead and 18 injured. Continue reading...

The new PM has rewarded her closest allies with top posts in her government alienating supporters of her main rivalOne truism of a new prime minister choosing their first cabinet is that this is the easiest appointments they will make, made from a position of strength. But such a set-piece moment can also sow the seeds of troubles to come – particularly, it could be argued, in the way Liz Truss has gone about the task.Before Truss was confirmed as the new Conservative leader, several party grandees urged her to avoid what they called Boris Johnson’s mistake of basing cabinet appointments purely on loyalty. Continue reading...

New PM also pledges to urgently tackle energy crisis with plans to freeze bills at about £2,500 a year expected within daysLiz Truss insisted the UK will “ride out the storm” of the worst cost of living crisis in a generation as she launched her premiership with a brutal cabinet clear-out.In her first address as prime minister in Downing Street, she pledged to be “hands on” in urgently tackling the energy crisis with plans to freeze bills at about £2,500 a year expected within days, as her survival in No 10 depends on them. Continue reading...

Acclaimed US author of numerous dark fantasies, and collaborator of Stephen King, died on Sunday after a long illnessPeter Straub, the celebrated author of dark fantasies, psychological thrillers and literary horrors, died on Sunday following a long illness. He was 79.Straub authored numerous novels, short stories and novellas during his lifetime, from his debut horror novel Julia in 1975 – later filmed as The Haunting of Julia – to the 2010 novel A Dark Matter and The Talisman, which he co-wrote with Stephen King. Continue reading...

Boris Johnson has likened himself to Cincinnatus, who turned to farming after leaving Rome but returned as a dictatorHe exited in sunshine, she entered after a heavy downpour. And those optics will have suited Boris Johnson just fine.Normally, when there is a transfer of power, all eyes are on the new, with scarcely a backward glance toward the old. The wattage of the outgoing leader is instantly dimmed, their words no longer weighed or even heard. They are yesterday and everyone wants to think about tomorrow. Continue reading...

From praise for Boris Johnson, to blaming Putin for energy price rises, here is what we can gather from her brief addressLiz Truss’s first speech as prime minister was brief, but her every utterance will be pored over for clues about her plans when the UK is facing crises on multiple fronts.Here are four key takeaways from her carefully crafted address:Let me pay tribute to my predecessor. Boris Johnson delivered Brexit, the Covid vaccine, and stood up to Russian aggression. History will see him as a hugely consequential prime minister. I’m honoured to take on this responsibility at a vital time for our country.Now is the time to tackle the issues that are holding Britain back. We need to build roads, homes and broadband faster. We need more investment and great jobs in every town and city across our country. We need to reduce the burden on families and help people get on in life … I will take action this week to deal with energy bills and to secure our future energy supply.We will transform Britain into an aspiration nation, with high-paying jobs, safe streets and where everyone everywhere has the opportunities they deserve. I will take action this day, and action every day, to make it happen … We shouldn’t be daunted by the challenges we face. As strong as the storm may be, I know that the British people are stronger. Our country was built by people who get things done.We now face severe global headwinds caused by Russia’s appalling war in Ukraine and the aftermath of Covid … I will deal hands-on with the energy crisis caused by Putin’s war. Continue reading...

Prime minister’s wife embraced spotlight for Boris Johnson’s leaving speech and visit to BalmoralThroughout her three years as the prime minister’s partner, Carrie Johnson has had to make many fashion choices. Today, as she left No 10 alongside Boris Johnson for the last time, it was no different. However, the end result was certainly unexpected.For the occasion she wore a fuchsia pink maxidress from the British brand Harmur. Described as a “dreamy maxidress”, it features a ruched waist, billowing sleeves and a cut-out back – a design signature of the brand. “No sexier way to walk away,” reads a tagline for Harmur. Was this Carrie having the last laugh as she plotted what to wear to watch her husband leave his position of political power? Continue reading...

Ukrainian forces making ‘forward movement’ in Kherson region, says Pentagon; IAEA says it is ‘gravely concerned’ about situation at nuclear facility

Met says incident occurred after armed officers were in pursuit of suspect vehicle in LambethAn investigation has been launched after the ramming of a car during a police chase led to a man being shot dead in south London.The man, named as Chris Kaba, a drill music artist, was being followed by armed officers from the Metropolitan police before the shooting in a residential street in Streatham on Monday night. Kaba’s car was boxed in by police vehicles, and locals told of hearing at least one gunshot. Continue reading...

Deprived children fall further behind better-off peers as they lose most learning due to coronavirusChildren from deprived backgrounds in England lost the most learning due to Covid, according to tests that revealed the widest gap between them and non-disadvantaged primary school pupils for a decade.The results of standardised literacy and maths tests taken by year 6 pupils this year showed a national decline, but detailed figures published by the Department for Education found disadvantaged children had a steeper fall than their better-off peers. Continue reading...

Speaking outside No 10, Truss promises to rebuild economy and turn UK into an ‘aspiration nation’

Britain’s new prime minister is fourth in six years, and takes over after resignation of Boris JohnsonLiz Truss, who has held the foreign affairs portfolio in the UK government since September 2021, has been appointed as prime minster by Britain’s Queen Elizabeth.Her elevation to the role – the third time in which it has been held by a woman, in each case a Conservative – comes after a two-month campaign to succeed Boris Johnson as leader of Britain’s ruling Tory party, in which she vied with another candidate for members’ votes. Continue reading...

Celia Marsh, 42, from Wiltshire, who had cow’s milk allergy, suffered fatal reaction after eating Pret sandwichA woman with a severe allergy to cow’s milk who suffered a fatal reaction after eating a Pret A Manger wrap initially thought she was being “silly” when she began to struggle with her breathing during a family shopping trip because the sandwich label had stated it was “vegan”, her husband told her inquest.Celia Marsh, 42, a dental nurse from Melksham, Wiltshire, collapsed in a Bath street and despite the efforts of her family, passersby, paramedics and hospital staff, died two hours later. Continue reading...

Jason Grant’s appointment as Tay region’s period dignity lead had prompted anger on social mediaA new regional role promoting period dignity across Tayside has been scrapped after the group involved received threats and abuse for appointing a man.Last month, Jason Grant was announced as the period dignity regional lead officer for the Tay region in what was believed to be the first role of its kind in Scotland and the result of Holyrood’s groundbreaking women’s health legislation. Continue reading...

Outgoing operator appealed against decision to award licence to its rival Allwyn from February 2024Camelot has dropped its appeal against a legal ruling over the handover of its licence to operate the UK’s national lottery to its rival Allwyn.Camelot, which has run the national lottery since it was launched in 1994, said it had withdrawn its legal challenge that would have resulted in it going to the court of appeal next week. It added that it would “now cooperate with Allwyn and the Gambling Commission to facilitate an orderly transition to the fourth licence”. Continue reading...

Man falls victim to ‘urban decorum’ restrictions after sitting down to eat at historic site in early hoursAn American tourist has been fined €450 (£385) for breaking one of Rome’s “urban decorum” rules by eating an ice-cream on the steps of a fountain.The 55-year-old, who also had a beer in hand, was reprimanded by police in the early hours of Saturday at the Fontana dei Catecumeni, on a small, picturesque square in the Monti neighbourhood. Continue reading...

Rare moment of joy in under-fire Ukrainian city as video shows Chichi being wheeled back on bicycleA chimpanzee that escaped Kharkiv city zoo on Monday was persuaded to return by a zoo employee who wheeled it back on a bicycle.Staff at the zoo in Ukraine’s second-biggest city were struggling to persuade Chichi, who had wandered around streets and a nearby park, to return to the zoo with them. Continue reading...

CBA chair called on lord chancellor to hold talks in bid to resolve 22-week-long industrial actionThe leader of criminal barristers on strike in England and Wales has urged Liz Truss’s lord chancellor to hold urgent talks to resolve the dispute over legal aid fees.The Criminal Bar Association (CBA) has been angered by the refusal of the justice secretary, Dominic Raab, to meet with them since industrial action began in April. Its chair, Kirsty Brimelow, said it should be the immediate priority of his successor if he is replaced in the new prime minister’s cabinet. Continue reading...

Police launch investigation after the 27cm ceramic was taken from the Hidden Gallery last weekPolice are investigating after a sculpture by the artist and broadcaster Grayson Perry was stolen from a Bristol art gallery.The 27cm glazed ceramic figure, called Alien Baby, was taken from the Hidden Gallery in the Clifton area between 1.15pm and 1.26pm on 30 August, Avon and Somerset police said. Continue reading...

Cuts will affect trains connecting Manchester and Liverpool with Edinburgh and GlasgowA second UK train operator has said it will slash its schedules because of sickness and “industrial relations issues”, cutting some services by almost a quarter.TransPennine Express is to bring in an emergency timetable from next Monday, after similar moves from Avanti West Coast which has pared its schedules back since last month. Continue reading...

Shelling at the Russian-held Zaporizhzhia power plant disconnects backup power line; Ukraine claims to repel Russian offensives in the east

Public opposition to ceremony grows over cost to taxpayer and ex-PM’s ties to Unification churchJapan will spend about 1.65bn yen (£10.1m) on the increasingly controversial state funeral for the former prime minister Shinzo Abe, who was shot dead during a campaign speech in July, amid growing public opposition to the plan.The government has come under pressure to cancel the ceremony, with opinion polls showing that a majority of voters oppose it due to the cost to the taxpayer and revelations about ruling party politicians’ ties to the Unification church. Continue reading...

Union says 32,500 of its members including control room staff will vote amid ‘huge anger’ at falling payTens of thousands of firefighters and control room staff are to be balloted for strikes over pay in the latest outbreak of industrial unrest sweeping the UK.The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) said 32,500 of its members across Britain would vote in the coming weeks on whether to launch a campaign of industrial action. Continue reading...

Victorian premier apologises to the families of people who died during pandemic due to emergency services delays

The new Conservative leader comes in at a time of crisis, and Tuesday’s papers make it clear she will need to make a fast startThe Liz Truss supremacy has begun with promises of bold plans to tackle a “bulging in-tray” of problems such as the cost of living crisis, according to the front pages of many of Tuesday’s newspapers.With the usual speech and visuals from the steps of No 10 delayed by 24 hours thanks to the Queen’s “episodic mobility issues”, the papers had to make do with Truss smiling broadly after she defeated Rishi Sunak to take the Tory crown and later become Britain’s fourth prime minister in six years. Continue reading...

The decision worsens the constitutional crisis plaguing the Pacific country, which also suspended a high court judge last monthKiribati has been left without a high-level court after the government ordered the suspension of the three sitting judges of the court of appeal, worsening the constitutional crisis that has been plaguing the Pacific nation for months.The move came after the suspension and attempted illegal deportation of high court judge, Australian-born David Lambourne last month. Continue reading...

Poll finds 51% of respondents say the former PM should go, including a third of Coalition voters

Body of Damien Sanderson found by police still hunting for his brother Myles after the RCMP formally charged the two suspects with first degree murder

Officers have extra 36 hours to question trio arrested on Sunday in connection with nine-year-old’s fatal shootingDetectives have been granted a further extension to continue questioning three men being held in connection with the killing of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel.Merseyside police said a 34-year-old man, who was arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder, a 41-year-old man and a 29-year-old man, who have both been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender, are being kept in custody for another 36 hours. Continue reading...

Deadly quake in Sichuan leaves at least 46 dead, and was also felt in provincial capital where millions are confined to their homesAt least 46 people have been killed in a strong earthquake that struck south-western China and was felt by millions of people confined to their homes under a strict Covid lockdown in Chengdu.The 6.6-magnitude quake hit about 26 miles (43km) south-east of the city of Kangding at a depth of about six miles, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said. Continue reading...

As Liz Truss begins work in No 10, she will be relying on several lieutenants already known to herLiz Truss is heading into No 10 with an almost entirely new cast of staff, clearing out Boris Johnson’s often chaotic operation.Here are some of the people already in her inner circle – and who are likely to be joining her in Downing Street: Continue reading...

Liz Truss expected to make James Cleverly foreign secretary, Suella Braverman home secretary and Kwasi Kwarteng chancellorFor the first time in Britain’s history, there will not be a white man in one of the four great offices of state.Prime minister-in-waiting Liz Truss, who beat Rishi Sunak in the Conservative leadership contest, is expected to appoint James Cleverly as foreign secretary, Suella Braverman as home secretary and Kwasi Kwarteng as chancellor. Continue reading...

African country went back on list of destinations for ‘migration partnership’ after civil servants had ruled it out, judges hearThe UK’s plan to deport people seeking asylum to Rwanda has been challenged in the high court, with claims that ministers deliberately ignored evidence that the east African country had violated human rights, including the right to live free from torture.Rwanda was put back on to a list of potential destinations for a “migration partnership” after previously being ruled out by civil servants, the court was told. Continue reading...

Losing candidate is planning to carry on as MP after being buoyed by better than expected showing

Reporter handed a record sentence for trumped-up treason charges that shocked supporters inside the courtA Russian court has sentenced the journalist Ivan Safronov to 22 years in prison on trumped-up treason charges, a record sentence that has shocked friends and supporters who gathered in court on Monday to protest against his imprisonment.Safronov, a former defence reporter for the Kommersant and Vedomosti dailies, was tried on secret evidence. But case files revealed by Proekt showed that much of the case against him came from public data in his articles and alleged ties to foreigners that were not backed up by evidence. Continue reading...

Detention of man, 34, by police on the M42 on Sunday evening followed three arrests earlier that dayFour men have been arrested in the space of 24 hours by officers investigating the murder of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel, Merseyside police have said.The latest arrest was made after police stopped a 34-year-old man who was driving on the M42 near Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, on Sunday evening. He was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. Continue reading...

Judge says Edward Vines showed ‘breathtaking persistence’ in his efforts to contact journalistA stalker who has had a three-decade fixation with the former BBC Newsnight presenter Emily Maitlis has been jailed for eight years after attempting to breach a restraining order for the 20th time.Edward Vines wrote eight letters addressed to Maitlis and her mother expressing his “unrequited” love for her, which he tried to send from HMP Nottingham between May 2020 and December 2021. Continue reading...

Journalists accuse Andrej Babiš of undermining ‘serious media’ with extraordinary front-page broadsideThe populist former Czech prime minister Andrej Babiš has been accused of subverting press freedom after he used the front pages of two national newspapers he owns to attack the integrity of independent news outlets and urge readers to follow him on social media as an alternative.The extraordinary broadside was carried by the Mladá Fronta Dnes and Lidové noviny papers a week before Babiš – a billionaire tycoon and one of the Czech Republic’s richest men – stands trial for alleged subsidy fraud. Continue reading...