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Crossbenchers push Labor to ensure parliament has a say on commissioner and funding

Replicas of US-supplied rocket launcher systems drew at least 10 Russian Kalibr cruise missiles, reports sayUkraine is reportedly using wooden decoys of advanced US rocket systems to trick Russia into wasting its missiles on them.According to The Washington Post, the decoy versions of US-supplied rocket launcher systems drew at least 10 Russian Kalibr cruise missiles, leading Ukraine to further boost its production of replicas, in an effort to lure Moscow into firing its expensive long-range missiles on fake targets. Continue reading...

Support groups say energy bills, higher interest rates and falling order books putting thousands of firms on the edgeInsolvencies across the manufacturing sector have soared by 63% since last year ahead of a wave of business failures expected this winter in response to rising energy prices, higher interest rates and falling order books.The number of firms going bankrupt increased from 893 in 2020-21 to 1,454 in 2021-22, according to Insolvency Service figures analysed by the accountancy firm Mazars. Continue reading...

Broadcaster warns staff against expressing support for contentious low-traffic neighbourhoodsThe BBC has warned staff against expressing support for low-traffic neighbourhoods, after ruling that Jeremy Vine breached impartiality rules by backing safe cycling measures near his London home.The Radio 2 presenter, a well-known cyclist, has posted repeatedly on Twitter about his support for LTNs – and publicly criticised individuals who objected to the introduction of the traffic-calming scheme near his house in Chiswick. Continue reading...

Combined rail unions say industrial action would be halted until end of September if government agrees to pay rise

Zelenskiy aide claims troops have broken through Russian defences in several areas of frontline near Kherson

World Vision International worker was accused of funnelling aid money to Hamas in a trial largely held in secretAn Israeli court has sentenced the Gaza director of an international charity to 12 years in prison on allegations of funnelling aid money to Hamas, the end of a high-profile case mired in controversy and largely held in secret.Disregarding UN concerns over a lack of evidence in the six-year case, the district court in the southern city of Beersheba said Mohammad el Halabi, who had been Gaza’s director for World Vision International, would have to serve six years in prison taking into account the deduction of the amount he was held during the trial. Continue reading...

City’s waste workers return to work but Scotland’s cleansing and education sectors face strikes next weekA clean-up operation has begun in Edinburgh as waste and cleansing services resume after nearly two weeks of strike action by workers resulted in mountains of rubbish and public health warnings.The city’s waste workers, who began striking on 18 August as part of a nationwide dispute over pay, returned to work on Tuesday in the Scottish capital. Huge piles of bin bags and takeaway waste have accumulated in many streets, attracted rats, mice and seagulls and left some thoroughfares impassible as visitor numbers in the city centre peaked for August’s arts and fringe festivals. Continue reading...

Nicola Sturgeon faces challenges as she aims to persuade voters that Scotland should go it aloneAs the cleanup of the litter-strewn streets of Edinburgh began on Tuesday morning after the conclusion of a punishing 12-day strike by refuse workers, one residence did not trouble those tasked with removing the piles of bursting bin bags.Nicola Sturgeon’s official residence, Bute House, like other Scottish government buildings, was not affected by the waste backlog, which has been deemed a public health hazard across the city. Rubbish at Bute House is collected by a private waste removal firm, it emerged last weekend. The news added another unflattering optic to growing criticism of the first minister’s handling of escalating nationwide strike action. Continue reading...

Survivors of Rwandan genocide were told to vacate hostel two days after Priti Patel signed £120m dealFormer residents of a hostel in Rwanda who were forced to leave under a controversial deal to house asylum seekers flown from the UK say they have been left homeless and destitute while the property remains unused.The men, all of whom are survivors of the Rwandan genocide, had lived in Hope Hostel in Kigali for up to eight years. But they were told to vacate two days after Priti Patel, the British home secretary, signed a £120m agreement to send refugees arriving in the UK by small boats to the east African country. Continue reading...

Relatives ‘caught completely off guard’ by announcement of compensation – and two families have still to settleThe Metropolitan police have been accused of “insensitivity” over their announcement that they have settled compensation claims with relatives of some of the victims murdered by the serial killer Stephen Port.Families were taken completely by surprise at the public announcement, while claims brought by relatives of two of the victims have yet to be settled, the families’ spokesperson said. Continue reading...

Spike in inflation and threat of rising energy prices likely to add to cost of living crisis, say analystsCredit card borrowing jumped in June at its fastest annual rate in 17 years as struggling households appeared to rely on extra borrowing to cope with the escalating cost of living.Credit card borrowing rose by £740m month on month, 13% higher than the year before, according to Bank of England figures that showed the biggest year on year rise since October 2005. Continue reading...

‘Historic’ move sees media professionals claim rights after years of persecution under Omar al-Bashir and crackdown after 2021 coupSudanese journalists have formed the country’s first independent union in more than three decades.Abdulmoniem Abu Idrees, 58, Khartoum correspondent for the Agence France-Presse news agency, was elected the union’s first president in a vote on Sunday. Continue reading...

Death is the 11th pedestrian fatality on Northern Territory roads in the past 18 months, majority of which have been Indigenous people

Death toll rises amid unrest after announcement of Muqtada al-Sadr’s resignation from politicsMilitants have fired rockets at Baghdad’s fortified green zone and sporadic clashes between Shia groups have taken place in the city, following a night of violence in which up to 20 people were killed and more than 300 wounded.Iran closed its border and urged its citizens to leave Iraq as gunmen roamed the streets of the capital, amid efforts by pro-Iranian factions and those loyal to Iraqi cleric Moqtada al-Sadr to ease tensions that had spilled over in response to Sadr’s decision to exit politics. Continue reading...

Sixteen-year-olds got into difficulties after going for swim in Enagh Lough, near DerryTwo teenage boys have drowned in a lake in Northern Ireland in what is believed to be a tragic accident.The 16-year-olds were part of a group of at least six friends who cycled to Enagh Lough, outside Derry, for a swim on Monday evening. Continue reading...

During a standup set Rock said that to return after Will Smith attacked him at this year’s awards would be like returning to the scene of a crimeChris Rock has reportedly declined an offer to host next year’s Oscars. During a standup show on Sunday night in Phoenix, Arizona, the comedian said

Walkout planned for Wednesday after weekend talks with publisher Reach result in stalemateJournalists at newspapers including the Daily Mirror and Daily Express could go on strike this Wednesday, after talks with the publisher, Reach, over the weekend failed to resolve a stalemate over pay.Reach journalists last week called off industrial action at the 11th hour, averting a strike scheduled for Friday, after the company asked for further negotiations. Continue reading...

Papers acquired by London museum offer insights into Oliver Twist author’s reading habits and writing projectsA batch of Charles Dickens’s letters that have remained unseen and unpublished are to go on display for the first time.The 11 letters include assorted invitation notes and offer insights into the author’s reading habits and writing projects as well as details about a trip to Switzerland written to a friend. Continue reading...

Report also says remote learning during pandemic increased children’s exposure to extremist ideologies online

Nik Moorhouse offered unsuitable public housing after being forced to leave private rental, disability royal commission hears

Medics have described increase in neurological injuries resulting from laughing gas as an epidemicDoctors have sounded the alarm over a rise in cases of nerve damage linked to the use of nitrous oxide.In recent years, nitrous oxide – commonly known as “nos” – has become a hugely popular recreational drug. It has reportedly been widely used at festivals this summer. Continue reading...

Force settles civil claims over ‘investigative failings’ after missing multiple opportunities to catch serial killerThe Metropolitan police have made payments to families of three gay men who were killed by Stephen Port over investigatory “failings”.The force said on Monday that it had settled civil claims with the relatives of Anthony Walgate and Gabriel Kovari and the partner of Daniel Whitworth. Continue reading...

The broadcaster and property expert said she will remain focused on her new Channel 4 series and bookSarah Beeny has revealed she is undergoing treatment for breast cancer and will have surgery and undergo radiotherapy in the new year.Despite her diagnosis, the entrepreneur said she would continue to work and is focused on a new Channel 4 series and book she has planned for later in the year. The 50-year-old broadcaster and property expert began a course of chemotherapy last week. Continue reading...

Company offers counselling to all staff as NSW police confirm investigation underway

HMS Prince of Wales retreats to sheltered anchorage for repairs after propeller malfunction, risking cross-Atlantic date with alliesBritain’s biggest warship could miss important flight trials with jets off the US coast after it suffered a propeller shaft malfunction shortly after setting sail, the Royal Navy has said.HMS Prince of Wales, a £3bn aircraft carrier, left Portsmouth naval base on Saturday and suffered an “emerging mechanical issue” off the south-east coast of the Isle of Wight. Continue reading...

Australian nursing and midwifery groups say Victoria’s scheme could see aspiring nurses leave their home states

Academic says companies ‘squealing’ to government about worker skill shortage are contributing to it

Duchess of Sussex reveals in magazine interview how toxic tabloid culture had torn her and Harry’s families apartThe Duchess of Sussex has said her and Prince Harry’s privacy battle with the Mail on Sunday cost her husband his relationship with his father.In an interview with the Cut magazine, Meghan discussed how toxic tabloid culture had torn her and the Duke of Sussex’s families apart. Continue reading...

Many educators take side gigs and can’t afford to live where they teach, as ‘teacher pay penalty’ growsTeachers in California are struggling with the high cost of living, rent increases and over-work and are increasingly leaving the profession, especially in the wake of a pandemic that has worsened those factors, a new study has revealed.Teachers have also faced state-imposed testing and performance metrics, school privatization and defunding, all of which have contributed to teacher shortages, even as a new school year is beginning across the US. Continue reading...

Venues say they expect sales to be 25% down on 2019 as visitors and artists alike priced out of attendingVenues at the Edinburgh fringe say they are expecting a 25% decrease on ticket sales this year compared with 2019 as a result of soaring accommodation costs pricing out visitors.Eight of the biggest fringe venues – Assembly, Dance Base, Gilded Balloon, Just the Tonic, Pleasance, Summerhall, Underbelly and Zoo – said they expected to sell 1,486,746 tickets this year, compared with 1,965,961 in 2019. Continue reading...

David Celino, described as ‘fiercely independent and warm’, had possibly taken ecstasy tablet, say policeThe family of a 16-year-old boy who died after falling ill at the Leeds festival on Sunday have described him as “a beautiful, fiercely independent and warm character”.David Celino, whom police named on Monday, was taken to hospital on Saturday night after possibly taking ecstasy in a “grey or black oblong shape”. Continue reading...

Exclusive: This week marks four months with no independent commissioner, creating a ‘vacuum’ of oversight, say campaignersThe Home Office is accused of deliberately failing to appoint a new anti-slavery commissioner to avoid scrutiny while trying to push through legislation on the issue.It has been a legal requirement to have an independent commissioner since the post was created as part of the Modern Slavery Act in 2015. Continue reading...

Unions involved in negotiations with local authority umbrella body Cosla are believed to be discussing offerRefuse workers in Scotland have been presented with a new offer in an attempt to end ongoing strike action.Council cleansing staff across much of the country are striking over pay disputes. A strike in Edinburgh that led to rubbish including food waste building up in the streets during the Edinburgh festival fringe – the busiest time of year for the city – is due to end on Wednesday, while staff in authorities across Scotland have taken action over the weekend, with a further stretch planned for next week. Continue reading...

Ex-peace figure Aviv Geffen sparks controversy with public repentance at concert in occupied West BankThe Israeli rock star Aviv Geffen, once a symbol of the country’s peace movement, has sparked controversy by apologising for his past views during a concert at a fervently nationalistic settlement in the occupied West Bank.The public repentance on Thursday at the Beit El settlement can be seen as a cultural milestone in Israel’s move further to the right and another nail in the coffin of the more peace-oriented legacy of the assassinated prime minister Yitzhak Rabin, with whom Geffen had been associated. Continue reading...

Chancellor during 2008 banking collapse says ‘fiddling around with small measures’ will not be enough

The Cessna light aircraft came down in the Fernvale area near Lake Wivenhoe, Queensland police say

Experts say Tory leadership rivals appear not to have grasped the scale of the crisis facing the service

Foreign affairs minister met PNG leaders on Monday in Port Moresby and will continue to Timor-Leste on Wednesday

Altopía imagines the bustling working-class city that overlooks neighbouring La Paz in 2053 – with coca-chewing cyborgs and minibuses with legsTravellers flying into the Bolivian capital of La Paz land in El Alto: a working-class, Indigenous city of countless terracotta houses. Most visitors pay it little attention as the taxi whisks them down to La Paz.But this one-time satellite city has now outgrown the political capital – and many see it as a symbol of the country’s future. Continue reading...

PM commits to keeping cuts but stops short of ironclad guarantee that there will be no tweaks

Accusation is reportedly the first time the Indian government has used the descriptor and comes as tensions rise over Sri Lanka port visitIndia has accused China of “militarisation of the Taiwan Strait”, in an escalating war of words triggered by a Chinese military ship docking in a controversial Sri Lankan port.The accusation, referenced in a statement by the Indian high commission in Sri Lanka on Sunday, is reportedly the first time the Indian government has used the descriptor, and is a rare intervention on the cross-straits issues as India contends with tensions on its own border with China. Continue reading...

Club’s shirt sponsor criticised for offering $10 free bet to anyone who wagers large amount in a weekEverton FC has told its sponsor Stake.com to stop using its imagery in an international promotion offering a $10 free bet to anyone who wagers $5,000 in the space of a week.Football fans and campaign groups had criticised the marketing scheme and questioned Everton’s apparent involvement. Continue reading...

Freedom of speech groups raise over clampdown, which only came to light by accidentPolice chiefs have been issuing secret orders telling officers to inform bosses if they know any news reporters – as they would have to do with convicted criminals or extremists.The measure is already in place in some forces, and follows guidance from the College of Policing, which sets standards in law enforcement. It is part of anti-corruption efforts and only came to light by accident. Continue reading...

Radiation fears over Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant linger amid accusations from Moscow and Kyiv of more shelling near the site

Emily Thornberry says plan will ‘get the wheels of justice turning’ as almost 350,000 cases await trialMinisters have been told to “get the wheels of justice turning” again by allowing more legal specialists to serve as crown prosecutors to help clear the courts backlog.With record numbers of outstanding cases in magistrates and crown courts in England and Wales, the shadow attorney general, Emily Thornberry, said the more junior associate prosecutors were “not being used to the maximum extent possible” in crown courts due to an “unnecessary and outdated legal restriction”. Continue reading...

Plan to freeze 2007 deal will make it harder and more expensive for Russians to get Schengen-area documents, FT reportsThe Russian president, Vladimir Putin, has signed a decree allowing Ukrainian passport holders who have entered Russia since Moscow’s offensive to live and work in the country indefinitely.Until now, Ukrainians could stay in Russia only for a maximum of 90 days within a 180-day period. To stay longer or to work, special authorisation or a work permit was required.In mid-August, we closed our offices and ceased all Russian operations. Continue reading...