Treasurer ‘not taking anything for granted’ in Kooyong; low wage growth under Coalition ‘not an accident’, says Jason Clare; Jacqui Lambie and Pauline Hanson in dispute over preference deal claims; at least 50 coronavirus deaths recorded. This blog is now closed
Boy who went missing from hospital arrested and held at Gatwick facility after being wrongly recorded as NigerianA woman has described how her 17-year-old black British son was found at an immigration detention centre after going missing while being treated for psychosis.The boy – who is non-verbal – disappeared from a hospital in Kent, where he had been sectioned under the Mental Health Act, on 7 April. Two days later, he was arrested by British Transport Police (BTP) at Euston on suspicion of fare evasion, before being detained by Immigration Enforcement near Gatwick, despite being British. Continue reading...
Russian president says retaliation against outside interference will be ‘lightning-fast’ as UK foreign secretary calls for total expulsion of Russian forces.
Celsus Irokwato Talifilu says ordinary people also worried about being caught in a conflict between China and the USA key adviser to the premier of the most populous province in Solomon Islands has expressed concern that the China-Solomons security deal could enable the prime minister, Manasseh Sogavare, to use Chinese armed police and military personnel to quash democratic dissent and hold on to power for years to come.Celsus Irokwato Talifilu, who is an adviser to Daniel Suidani, the premier of Malaita province, said that while it was “fair” that Australia, the US and other regional partners had focused their attention on the prospect of a military base on the islands, the major fear for many in Solomon Islands was the erosion of democracy. Continue reading...
Former SAS soldier anonymised as Person 35 tells federal court there was no one inside the tunnel at Whiskey 108There were no people in the tunnel at Whiskey 108, a former SAS soldier has told the federal court, backing Ben Roberts-Smith’s version of events of a fiercely contested Australian military mission in Afghanistan.The crude, hand-dug tunnel, hidden inside a compound known as Whiskey 108 in the village of Kakarak, in Afghanistan’s Uruzgan province, has become a critical contention in Roberts-Smith’s high-profile defamation trial. Continue reading...
Talent agent Christian Caruso, former representative of Depp and Heard, and members of LAPD provide testimonyAmber Heard dated Elon Musk while trying to reconcile with Johnny Depp, the couple’s former talent agent testified Wednesday in Depp’s $50m defamation case against his ex-wife.Christian Carino, an agent at Creative Artists Agency who had represented Depp and Heard, said that Heard had “spent time” with Musk, the Tesla car and SpaceX aerospace company owner while she sought to resurrect her relationship with Depp in 2016, the jury heard at Fairfax county court, Virginia, where the trial is taking place. Continue reading...
Andrew Burfield, 50, is due to appear at Blackburn magistrates court on Thursday over death of 33-year-oldA man has been charged with the murder of Katie Kenyon, who was last seen getting into a van with a man five days ago in Lancashire.The 33-year-old, from Padiham, was last spotted on Friday morning getting into a silver Ford Transit van in Todmorden Road, Burnley. Continue reading...
by Dan Sabbagh Defence and security editor on (#5YMCS)
Analysis: While the west toughens its stance over Putin’s invasion, it is rejecting his foreign minister’s claim that Nato is in a proxy war with Russia
by Rowena Mason, Aubrey Allegretti and Rob Davies on (#5YMA3)
The chancellor says nothing is off the table but fellow Tory ministers remain dismissive of ideaRishi Sunak has opened the door to a windfall tax on oil and gas companies despite previously dismissing the policy, as Labour accused the government of burying its head in the sand over spiralling bills.The chancellor hinted at a possible U-turn on a tax on oil and gas providers, having repeatedly refused to countenance the idea in the past when suggested by Labour and the Liberal Democrats. Continue reading...
by Jessica Murray Midlands correspondent on (#5YM8Q)
Daniel Challis, who has cerebral palsy and is unable to speak, is auditioning people to provide his new voiceDaniel Challis was born and brought up near Walsall, surrounded by family members with distinctive regional accents.Yet the communication aid he uses to speak with sounds nothing like them, instead vocalising in a robotic version of received pronunciation. The 18-year-old, who has cerebral palsy and is unable to speak, is appealing for people to audition to provide his new voice – providing they have the right accent. Continue reading...
by Jessica Elgot Chief political correspondent on (#5YM8R)
Dan Ozarow felt terrorised by abuse of him and his family after negative campaigning in HertfordshireConservative councillors in Oliver Dowden’s constituency have been disciplined for a “hate” campaign against a Jewish Labour candidate, according to an independent investigation commissioned by Tory HQ.The report found the behaviour of five Hertsmere Tory councillors “may well have encouraged” antisemitic abuse of Labour’s Dan Ozarow, as well as multiple breaches of the party’s code of conduct. Continue reading...
British telecommunications giant says company will now take back seat as it makes EE its flagshipIt’s still good to talk but increasingly BT customers are doing it wherever they like via connected mobile devices, rather than fixed line broadband and old-fashioned telephones.In recognition of this generational shift, BT quietly announced in a blog post on Wednesday that after more than 30 years and some of the UK’s highest-profile ad campaigns, its flagship consumer brand is to take a back seat to upstart EE in its marketing strategy. Continue reading...
by Josh Nicholas, Katharine Murphy and Maya Pilbrow on (#5YM7M)
How does your area compare for housing stress, socioeconomic disadvantage and income? In the first of a series about Australian electorates, we look at inequality and wealth
We weigh up the Tory proposals – from eased safety rules for child nurseries to losing the green levy on energy billsThe cabinet has been discussing ways of lessening the burden on families and individuals struggling amid the cost of living crisis, in particular by coming up with “non-fiscal” proposals that do not involve increasing taxes.They include ideas which have been put forward by Boris Johnson, and others that have already been in circulation. Continue reading...
by Rebecca Ratcliffe South-east Asia correspondent on (#5YM4T)
Ferdinand Marcos Jr ahead in polls for 9 May election in spite of notorious family historyThe frontrunner in the Philippines presidential race, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, has praised his father – the country’s late dictator – as a “political genius”, and his mother as the dynasty’s “supreme politician”, less than two weeks before an election that could return the Marcos family to power.Ferdinand Marcos Jr, known as Bongbong, has a clear lead in the polls ahead of an election on 9 May, despite his father’s notorious history. Continue reading...
Louise Beardmore appointed chief executive at United Utilities, joining female chairs and CEOs of Pennon and Severn TrentAll but one of the top jobs at the UK’s FTSE-listed water companies will be held by women, after the promotion of Louise Beardmore to chief executive at United Utilities.Beardmore, currently customer service and people director at United Utilities, will succeed Steve Mogford at the top of the FTSE 100 firm. Mogford has spent 12 years leading the company, which services customers in the north-west of England, and plans to step down and retire from the board in early 2023. Continue reading...
Multi-instrumentalist who played with Tangerine Dream and Ash Ra Tempel before admired solo career is hailed for his ‘innovative spirit’Klaus Schulze, the German multi-instrumentalist whose work with drones, pulses and synthesisers was hugely influential on generations of electronic music makers, has died aged 74.Frank Uhle, managing director of Schulze’s label SVP, wrote: “We lose and will miss a good personal friend – one of the most influential and important composers of electronic music – a man of conviction and an exceptional artist. Our thoughts in this hour are with his wife, sons and family. His always cheerful nature, his innovative spirit and his impressive body of work remain indelibly rooted in our memories.” Continue reading...
Triumphant French president promises to listen as he chooses working-class Cergy for first public appearance since voteThe French president, Emmanuel Macron, narrowly missed being hit by a bag of tomatoes during a surprise visit to a working-class area north of Paris, as he promised a new style of “listening to people” after his re-election.In his first public appearance since Sunday’s vote, Macron strolled around a food market in the town of Cergy, north-west of Paris, shaking hands and posing for selfies. Most people were friendly, some shouted congratulations and others asked for help in finding a job, dealing with health problems or making ends meet. Continue reading...
by Dan Sabbagh Defence and security editor on (#5YM3C)
Former head of Polish army criticises UK prime minister for risking safety of soldiersA former head of the Polish army has accused Boris Johnson of “tempting evil” by revealing that Ukrainian soldiers were being trained in Poland in how to use British anti-aircraft missiles before returning with them to Ukraine.Gen Waldemar Skrzypczak, also a former junior defence minister, complained that a loose-lipped prime minister had revealed too much to the Russians and that his remarks risked the safety of the soldiers involved. Continue reading...
by Emma Graham-Harrison and Vera Mironova in Lviv on (#5YM0J)
Railways, fuel depots and bridges are being targeted to hinder delivery of weapons to DonbasWhile tanks and troops exchange fire in Donbas, Ukraine faces another escalating battle on an invisible front line, one that may be equally crucial to determining the outcome of the war.Russia is stepping up attacks on infrastructure deep into western parts of the country that Moscow has admitted for now it cannot capture, striking targets that keep both the war effort and the national economy running, including the railway network, a critical bridge and fuel depots. Continue reading...
Director general Tim Davie ‘sees no evidence of complaints at BBC’ concerning former Radio 1 DJThe director general of the BBC has described sexual misconduct claims made against the former Radio 1 DJ Tim Westwood as “appalling”, and urged anyone with evidence to come forward.Tim Davie, who was head of radio output at the BBC when Westwood was the voice of rap and hip-hop on Radio 1, called the allegations “shocking”, but said he had seen no evidence of complaints being made against the DJ at the BBC. Continue reading...
‘Epochal change’ ends years of female players earning capped salaries due to only being recognised as amateur athletesWomen footballers in Italy’s top flight league are to finally be deemed professional, an “epochal change” that ends years of female players earning capped salaries due to only being recognised as amateur athletes.The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) said the change to the women’s Serie A league would take effect from 1 July, in time for the start of the new season. Continue reading...
Wrapuette, inspired by Baguette bag of the 2000s, taps into logo mania and ‘irony’-loving fashion crowdThe American fast food chain KFC has launched a £198 insulated leather handbag for the British market, designed to be able to hold one of the chicken chain’s Twister Wraps.The “Wrapuette”, inspired by the Baguette bag shape of the 2000s which was popularised by fashion brands such as Fendi, Dior and Gucci, is being sold as a limited edition via KFC’s online shop. Continue reading...
Moscow to release Reed in exchange for Konstantin Yaroshenko, Russian pilot serving 20-year US prison term for drug traffickingRussia and the US have carried out a dramatic prisoner exchange, trading a marine veteran jailed in Moscow for a convicted Russian drug trafficker serving a long prison sentence in America, a senior US official and the Russian foreign ministry said.The surprise deal would have been a notable diplomatic manoeuvre even in times of peace, but it was all the more extraordinary because it was completed as Russia’s war with Ukraine has driven relations with the US to their lowest point in decades. Continue reading...
by Haroon Siddique Legal affairs correspondent on (#5YKVF)
Exclusive: Research suggests prosecutions and convictions of secondary suspects have actually risen since 2016 judgmentA landmark judgment that was expected to lead to a reduction in joint enterprise prosecutions and convictions for homicide has had no discernible effect, while the number of Black people convicted of murder under the controversial doctrine has actually risen, research suggests.A 2016 ruling by the supreme court in relation to joint enterprise – where two or more defendants are accused of the same crime in relation to the same incident – found the law had been wrongly applied for over 30 years and the bar had been set too low with respect to the required intent of any secondary, co-accused. Continue reading...
The Blue Eye, which features ‘scary’ people in street market, has been withdrawn from sale after complaintsOne of the books in the popular Biff, Chip and Kipper series for children has been withdrawn from sale, with all remaining copies pulped by the publisher, Oxford University Press, after complaints that it was Islamophobic.The series is written by Roderick Hunt and illustrated by Alex Brychta, and consists of more than 220 stories. The books were created in 1986, and have been used in schools for years to help children learn to read. Continue reading...
Court of protection orders education secretary to explain ‘national crisis’ in secure placements for children with complex needsA council in England has paid £60,000 a week – the equivalent of £3.12m a year – for a “wholly unsuitable” children’s home placement for an autistic teenager with a mild learning disability.The judge hearing the girl’s case was so appalled that he ordered the education secretary, Nadhim Zahawi, to explain the government’s position on what he called a “national crisis” – the severe shortage of secure placements for vulnerable children with complex needs. Continue reading...
by Robert Booth Social affairs correspondent on (#5YKMH)
High court judgment deals blow to claim government threw ‘protective ring’ around vulnerable residents in EnglandThe government’s policy towards care homes in England at the start of the Covid pandemic has been ruled illegal, in a significant blow to ministers’ claim to have thrown a “protective ring” around the vulnerable residents.The high court said the policy not to isolate people discharged from hospitals to care homes in the first weeks of the pandemic in spring 2020 without testing was “irrational”. Continue reading...
by Vikram Dodd Police and crime correspondent on (#5YKMJ)
Athlete handcuffed and searched while travelling with her partner and baby in a car in west LondonBianca Williams, the innocent athlete stopped and searched by the Metropolitan police, has criticised a “culture of racism” within the force as it was announced that five officers will face a gross misconduct hearing over the incident.The Independent Office for Police Conduct on Wednesday announced the disciplinary charges over the stop of Williams and her partner, Richard Dos Santos, as they drove in a Mercedes in north-west London in July 2020. Continue reading...
by Gwyn Topham Transport correspondent on (#5YKHS)
Grant Shapps says it is ‘completely unsustainable’ that Peter Hebblethwaite remains in positionThe boss of P&O Ferries “will have to go”, the UK transport secretary has told MPs, after the operator resumed cross-Channel sailings for the first time since it sacked almost 800 seafarers.Grant Shapps told the Commons transport select committee on Wednesday it was “completely unsustainable” that the chief executive, Peter Hebblethwaite, remained in position, and denied accusations that the firm had “got away with it”. Continue reading...
by Tory Shepherd (now) and Amy Remeikis (earlier) on (#5YK5K)
Labor launches economic plan after CPI increases to 5.1%; Westpac, NAB and ANZ predict RBA will raise cash rate in May; Frydenberg says ‘teal’ independents ‘a slogan and a billboard’; home affairs minister implies timing of China security pact is ‘political interference’; at least 46 Covid deaths recorded. Follow all the day’s news
Debt paid as Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Anoosheh-Ashoori were released is blocked in Oman, Iran saysThe historic £400m debt the UK paid to Iran at the time of the release of British-Iranian dual nationals Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Anoosheh Ashoori has still not reached Tehran, according to Iranian government sources.A senior Iranian government source said the money was blocked in Oman and the problem was not with the UK government. One report said only £1m had been transferred to Tehran. Continue reading...
by Rebecca Ratcliffe South-east Asia correspondent on (#5YKJH)
Campaigners decry ‘broken system’ in Singapore that disproportionately punishes drug mules rather than those who coerce them into workA man with learning difficulties has been executed in Singapore for attempting to smuggle a small amount of heroin, despite repeated pleas for his life to be spared, in a case campaigners have described as a “tragic miscarriage of justice”.Nagaenthran K Dharmalingam, a Malaysian national, was arrested in 2009, aged 21, for attempting to carry 43g of heroin – about three tablespoons – into Singapore. He was sentenced to death the following year, and then spent more than a decade on death row. Continue reading...
Restrictions on promotion of junk food products part of government’s plan to tackle childhood obesityKellogg’s, the owner of brands from Coco Pops to Special K, has launched a legal action against the UK government over new junk food rules that will ban some cereals from being prominently displayed on supermarket shelves.The cereal maker, whose portfolio also includes Cornflakes, Nutri-Grain and Crunchy Nut, is fighting the restrictions on promoting products high in fat, salt, sugar and salt (HFSS) that come into force from October as part of the government’s plan to tackle childhood obesity. Continue reading...
It was ‘incomprehensible’ that a police internal investigation into Cherdeena Wynne’s restraint found it was in line with policy and procedures, coroner finds
Exclusive: poor healthcare and conditions at sites such as Napier worsen mental and physical illness, Doctors of the World saysAsylum seekers’ accommodation is “unsafe” due to inadequate healthcare, while poor living conditions are exacerbating or creating mental and physical health problems, according to a new report by Doctors of the World.The charity’s research, published on Wednesday, details the barriers to medical care and medication for asylum seekers in initial accommodation across the UK. Continue reading...
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