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Comments came as committee calls for coordinated response to improve access to social housing

Chief executive pay packet tops $5.5m as airlines plagued by delays, cancellations and other problems following a surge in post-lockdown travel

Stakes are high for new prime minister after plans for her first days in office are thrown off course

UAP senator Ralph Babet cites ‘administrative reasons’ after electoral commission records voluntary deregistration

Mermaids claims gay rights organisation was set up to lobby against rights of transgender peopleA judge will consider an appeal by the trans rights charity Mermaids on Friday against the Charity Commission’s decision to award charitable status to the new gay rights organisation LGB Alliance. It is understood to be the first time one charity has attempted to strip legal status from another.The highly unusual hearing will focus attention on increasingly fractious debates over sex and gender identity, and the legal definitions of same-sex attraction and sexual orientation. Continue reading...

Duke of Edinburgh was said to be the only person to treat the Queen as ‘simply another human being’The one constant throughout most of Elizabeth II’s life was the Duke of Edinburgh. Prime ministers and senior courtiers came and went and each passing year stole further friends, but Prince Philip remained at her side, or a few paces behind when protocol dictated, for 73 years.She would say that it was an outstanding working partnership and a personal triumph. She was bereft when Philip died in his sleep aged 99 in April 2021. Continue reading...

Never at home unless surrounded by her favourite breed, the Queen championed corgis even though courtiers feared for their anklesThey were as emblematic of British royalty as the crown: Queen Elizabeth II’s corgis, preceding her like a “moving carpet” wherever she was resident, were the other royal dynasty to inspire worldwide fascination.They featured in portraits, official photographs and on a golden jubilee Isle of Man crown, and were even immortalised in china. Continue reading...

Giorgia Meloni, tipped to become PM, backs sanctions while Matteo Salvini says they are bringing Italy to its knees

Greens and Australian republicans push for discussion of constitutional change but prime minister Albanese says ‘today’s not a day for politics’

Nationwide rules for those infected also change, with isolation reduced to a minimum of five days for those with no symptoms

Leader says North Korea’s nuclear status is now ‘irreversible’, with military allowed to ‘automatically’ use atomic weaponsNorth Korea has passed a law enshrining the right to “automatically” use preemptive nuclear strikes to protect itself, a move leader Kim Jong-un said makes its nuclear status “irreversible” and bars any denuclearisation talks, state media has reported.The move comes as observers say North Korea appears to be preparing to resume nuclear testing for the first time since 2017, after historic summits with then-US president Donald Trump and other world leaders in 2018 failed to persuade Kim to abandon his weapons development. Continue reading...

Manasseh Sogavare pushed for the election to be delayed, saying country could not host election and Pacific Games in the same yearThe Solomon Islands’ government has voted to delay its national elections, after it passed a controversial bill submitted by the prime minister, Manasseh Sogavare, to postpone the poll until after the country has hosted the Pacific Games in November 2023.The vote passed with 37 votes for, nine against and three MPs absent during the voting. Continue reading...

Barristers say there are insufficient resources and funding, particularly amid indefinite walkoutBarristers have accused ministers of ignoring a crisis in the criminal justice system by continuing to roll out pre-recorded video evidence for rape survivors in England and Wales amid a strike by advocates.The policy, allowing complainants of offences including modern slavery to be cross-examined before trial in front of a limited number of people, was extended to five more crown courts on Friday, taking the total to 63. Three-quarters of courts are covered and all will be by the end of the month. Continue reading...

Talks expected to be complex, with some member states strongly against proposed price cap on Russian gasEU energy ministers will gather for emergency talks in Brussels on Friday to thrash out common measures in an effort to counter a gas and electricity price crisis that threatens to make energy bills unaffordable for households and businesses and tip Europe into recession.The European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, has set out a five-point plan, which includes a price cap on Russian gas that is likely to draw strong opposition from some member states. Continue reading...

The prime minister will travel to London to meet the new king and mark the funeral of Elizabeth II

Death draws to a close Britain’s second Elizabethan era and heralds the reign of her son, King Charles III• Queen Elizabeth dies - latest updatesQueen Elizabeth II, the longest-serving monarch in British history, has died aged 96, drawing to a close the country’s second Elizabethan era, and heralding the reign of her son, King Charles III.The monarch, for whom abdication was never an option, died peacefully at Balmoral on Thursday afternoon two days after undertaking her final public constitutional duty, with the appointment of the 15th prime minister of her 70-year reign. Continue reading...

The warning came, followed by the statement everybody had hoped not to hear: a 70-year reign was over

Crowds remarkably quiet save for infrequent bursts of applause and sporadic renditions of God Save the Queen

Broadcasters followed carefully laid plans to deliver news of monarch’s passing

PM hails ‘one of my favourite people in the world’ but death set to prompt questions about institution whose popularity is in declineJustin Trudeau has expressed his condolences over the death of Queen Elizabeth II, telling reporters that that monarch, who was also Canada’s head of state, was “one of my favourite people in the world”.“In a complicated world, her steady grace and resolve brought comfort and strength to us all. Canada is in mourning,” said Trudeau, who first met the Queen as a child when his father Pierre was prime minister. Continue reading...

Charles’s first statement as king says: ‘We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished sovereign and a much-loved mother’

A timeline of the day’s key statements as news of the Queen’s ill health and death emerged• Queen Elizabeth dies - latest updates“Following further evaluation this morning, the Queen’s doctors are concerned for Her Majesty’s health and have recommended she remain under medical supervision.” Continue reading...

Liz Truss says monarch was Britain’s ‘rock’, while Justin Welby praises her loyalty and humility

Courtiers say Charles, 73, never wanted to think of accession as it meant death of beloved mother

The ceremony, which recognises the best British or Irish album of the year, will be held at a later date

Blinken made surprise visit to Kyiv on Thursday after US unveils nearly more military support

Bailout fund provided amid soaring market prices and fears of another wave of collapsesThe Bank of England will lend UK energy companies as much as £40bn to deal with soaring market prices amid fears of another wave of energy company collapses.Prime minister Liz Truss, on her third day in office, said she wanted to make sure energy companies have the cash they need to buy energy if prices jump. Reports this week said British Gas owner Centrica was in talks with banks to secure extra cash as Vladimir Putin continues to choke off Europe’s supply of gas.A review of the UK’s energy regulation that promises to deliver “fundamental reforms to the structure and regulation”An energy supply taskforce, led by Madelaine McTernan, who currently heads the government’s vaccines taskforce, that will seek to agree long-term contracts for energy supply at steady pricesA review of the UK’s 2050 net zero target to ensure it is “not placing undue burdens on businesses or consumers” Continue reading...

Correspondent ‘well looked after’ in hospital, says Italian foreign ministry, after car reportedly drove over mineAn Italian journalist has been wounded, and his driver reportedly killed, close to the frontline between Ukrainian and Russian forces in the Kherson region.Mattia Sorbi, a freelance correspondent who has worked for several Italian outlets, was taken to hospital in Russian-occupied territory after the car in which he was travelling reportedly drove over a mine several days ago. Continue reading...

This live blog has closed. News of the Queen’s death can be found on our new live blogIan Blackford, the SNP’s Westminster leader, said he is “saddened” to hear about the Queen’s ill health.He told the Commons:I’m sure on behalf of all colleagues that we’re saddened to hear the announcement that has been made, and the thoughts and prayers of all of us will be with her majesty the Queen and indeed with the royal family. Continue reading...

From wartime broadcasts to Christmas Day messages, here are excerpts from some of her best-known addressesThousands of you in this country have had to leave your homes and be separated from your fathers and mothers. My sister, Margaret Rose, and I feel so much for you as we know from experience what it means to be away from those we love most of all. Continue reading...

UK online car retailer will make all of its employees in France, Germany, Italy and Spain redundantOnline car retailer Cazoo has announced it will abandon its business in Europe and cut 750 jobs in the latest sign of retreat by a business that had hoped to transform its sector.The company will make redundant all of its employees in France, Germany, Italy and Spain as it closes the operations, leaving it operating in only the UK as it tries to preserve cash. Continue reading...

Nicholas True takes 14 months to respond to notification of failure to seek permission for post-No 10 workDominic Cummings broke government rules by failing to seek permission from the revolving door watchdog before setting up his Substack blog and offering consultancy services, a minister has said.In one of his last acts as a Cabinet Office minister, Nicholas True said in a letter to Eric Pickles, the chair of the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (Acoba), that “Mr Cummings, in this and other matters, did not follow the [business appointment rules] correctly”. Continue reading...

Archbishop of Canterbury says prayers of nation are with monarch and PM says whole country will be deeply concernedThe prayers of the nation are with the Queen, the archbishop of Canterbury has said, as Britain’s leaders sent messages of support to the monarch, who was put under medical supervision after doctors became worried about her health.As her four children, Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward, gathered at Balmoral Castle to be with her, good wishes poured in. Continue reading...

How the new ‘energy price guarantee’ will affect gas and electricity users – and where they can go for helpThe government is freezing energy bills at an average of £2,500 a year for the next two years as part of a big shake-up. Continue reading...

Man is suspected of assisting an offender as police continue searches at three properties in LiverpoolA 29-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the killing of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel after warrants were executed at three properties, Merseyside police have said.The man is suspected of assisting an offender and has been taken into custody where he will be questioned by detectives. Continue reading...

Recalculations made for the Guardian are based on Ofgem and ONS data, and follow announcement of bailoutThe move to freeze energy bills at an average of £2,500 a year means the poorest households will see as much as 32% of their entire budget going on gas and electricity, though the previously announced £400 discount will help relieve some of the financial pain, figures produced for the Guardian show.However, up to 47% of their total budget would have been swallowed up by energy bills if Ofgem’s price cap had leapt 80% to £3,549 a year in October, as was originally planned. Continue reading...

Nadhim Zahawi slips into chamber during energy debate to deliver message to Liz Truss and then oppositionThe first public signs that something was gravely amiss came with a flicker of activity in the House of Commons chamber as Liz Truss announced her energy price freeze.It was a sign that the situation could be more serious than the careful words from Buckingham Palace suggested. The House of Commons had never been interrupted to hear news of the Queen’s health in this manner before. Continue reading...

Associated British Foods warns of hit from soaring costs and drop in customer spending at fashion chainThe owner of Primark has warned it is expecting lower profits next year as it grapples with a strong dollar and soaring costs that have pushed the fast-fashion retailer’s annual energy bills up by about £100m.In previous years Primark has faced an increase in energy bills of about £10m, but this year it has been 10 times that figure, said a spokesperson for its parent company, Associated British Foods (ABF). Continue reading...

Contributions were disclosed minutes before the new PM announced details of her plan to tackle rising energy billsLiz Truss raised more than £420,000 in donations for her successful Conservative leadership bid, with the biggest single contribution made by the wife of a former BP executive.Contributions to the new prime minister’s costly campaign were disclosed just minutes before she revealed details of her long-awaited plan to tackle spiralling energy bills. Continue reading...

Police Service of Northern Ireland applied to withhold sensitive material from inquestA coroner has upheld a police application to withhold sensitive material from an inquest into the death of a schoolboy whose body was found in a drain in Belfast in 2020.Disclosing the information would create a real risk to the public interest, he ruled, after representations by the police and lawyers for the boy’s family last week. Continue reading...

Military pro-war bloggers with frontline contacts offer rare insight into Russia’s performance on ground• Keep up to date: Ukraine news – live“The war in Ukraine will continue until the complete defeat of Russia,” Igor Girkin, a far-right nationalist, grumbled in a video address to his 430,000 followers on Telegram on Monday. “We have already lost, the rest is just a matter of time.”Girkin, a former Russian intelligence colonel who became a commander of the pro-Russian separatist forces in 2014, is arguably the most prominent voice within an increasingly loud and angry group of ultra-nationalist and pro-war bloggers who have taken to berating the Kremlin for its failure to achieve its tactical objectives as the fighting in Ukraine has entered its seventh month. Continue reading...

Man spent two days aloft after balloon he was using to harvest pine nuts became untetheredA man has been found safe after he spent two days aloft in a hydrogen balloon that became untethered while he was using it to harvest pine nuts from a tree, according to Chinese state media.The man, identified only by his surname, Hu, and a partner were collecting pine nuts on Sunday in a forest park in Heilongjiang province in north-east China when they lost control and the balloon sailed off on a 200-mile journey. Continue reading...

Prince Charles in attendance and Prince William on way as monarch remains under medical supervisionDoctors have expressed concern for the Queen’s health and recommended she remain under medical supervision, Buckingham Palace has said.In a statement, the palace said: “Following further evaluation this morning, the Queen’s doctors are concerned for Her Majesty’s health and have recommended she remain under medical supervision.” Continue reading...

US secretary of state arrives as Ukraine wages counteroffensive and Zelenskiy reports ‘good news’

Architect of Good Friday agreement says he doesn’t want Northern Ireland ‘to be part of blame game’Bertie Ahern, one of the architects of the Good Friday agreement, has urged the UK to get back to negotiations with the EU over the Northern Ireland Brexit protocol, arguing a solution is “not rocket science”.Speaking in Brussels on Thursday, the former taoiseach said he was concerned that Northern Ireland was being dragged into a high-stakes political game not of its making. Continue reading...

Hilda Heine calls for investigation into Chinese couple’s alleged effort to bribe officials to support schemeA former president of the Marshall Islands has called for an investigation into an alleged plot by a Chinese couple to establish a mini-state inside its borders and set it up as a lucrative tax-break haven.The pair were charged by US prosecutors with bribery and money-laundering offences over a “multi-year scheme” that included establishing a non-governmental organisation, allegedly bribing five Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) officials and attempting to bribe a sixth. One of the five was allegedly given cash to bribe others into supporting the carving out of a Hong Kong-style territory. Continue reading...

Competition regulator’s finding paves way for clearance of £190m rescue deal by supermarket groupMorrisons’ takeover of convenience store chain McColl’s creates competition concerns in only a small number of local areas, according to the UK competition watchdog, paving the way for clearance of the £190m rescue deal.The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), which said its initial investigation had found concerns in 35 local areas where the two brands competed, said the overall the deal “would not harm the vast majority of shoppers or other businesses”. Continue reading...