Exclusive: Whistleblowers claim food vouchers for volunteers were spent on perfume and Apple devices insteadThe head organiser of the LGBTQ Pride parade in London is under internal investigation over claims he abused his position, including by buying luxury perfumes with food and drink vouchers donated by a sponsor.Christopher Joell-Deshields, who has been chief executive of Pride in London since 2021, is facing a series of allegations from volunteer directors and others. Continue reading...
Kim Ju-ae's arrival in Beijing ahead of China's victory day military parade show she is her father's preferred successor, experts sayThe appearance of Kim Jong-un's daughter in China ahead of Xi Jinping's victory day" parade in Beijing has added to speculation that she is being groomed to become the first female ruler of North Korea.Photos released by North Korean state media showed Kim Ju-ae, who is believed to be in her early teens, stepping off her father's heavily armoured train in the Chinese capital, where she was greeted by Chinese officials at the start of her debut on the international stage. Continue reading...
by Rebecca Ratcliffe South-east Asia correspondent on (#6ZRA3)
Conservative Bhumjaithai party leader Anutin Charnvirakul gets main opposition party's conditional backing to form interim governmentTycoon-turned-politician Anutin Charnvirakul appears to have taken the lead in a chaotic race to become Thailand's next prime minister, after days of tense negotiations.Anutin, who is leader of the conservative Bhumjaithai party and perhaps best known for championing medical cannabis legalisation, has received the backing of MPs from the main opposition party People's party to form an interim government, provided he signs an agreement laid out by its leaders. Continue reading...
Interior minister says they were waiting for' official who was shot at point-blank range outside his home in killing that has shocked PeruPeru's government has said the fatal shooting of an Indonesian embassy official in Lima on Monday night was likely a contract killing".Zetro Leonardo Purba, 40, an official at the Indonesian embassy in Peru, was shot dead outside his block of flats in Lima's Lince neighbourhood while riding a bicycle home from work on Monday evening. Continue reading...
Watchdog's report says government is unable to calculate exact cost of response to data breach, raising doubt over 850m estimateMore than 7,300 Afghans are expected to be resettled in the UK as a result of a major government data breach, according to a National Audit Office report that raises doubts over officials' claims of a 850m cost.The accidental leak by an MoD official in 2022 of 18,700 Afghans' details who had worked with or for the British government led to the opening of a new route by which those endangered could seek relocation to the UK from their home country. Continue reading...
Government to ban sale of energy drinks with more than 150mg of caffeine, citing concerns over obesity and lack of concentrationUnder-16s in England will be banned from buying energy drinks such as Red Bull and Monster because they fuel obesity, cause sleep problems and leave them unable to concentrate.Health experts, teaching unions and dentists welcomed the ban and said it would boost children and young people's health. It fulfils a pledge Labour included in its manifesto for last year's general election. Continue reading...
Mahdawi was arrested and targeted for deportation but the permanent US resident is resuming postgraduate studiesJust over four months after being arrested, detained and nearly deported by the Trump administration for his activism, Mohsen Mahdawi, the 34-year-old Palestinian student and US permanent resident, returned to Columbia University on Tuesday and vowed to continue speaking out.They have failed to silence me, and in fact, now I am more outspoken than before, and I will continue to work for peace and justice. I do this work not for myself alone - I do this for the future of children, whether they are Palestinians or Israelis," he told the Guardian on Tuesday in his first interview since stepping back on to campus to begin his graduate studies. Continue reading...
From Friday night to Monday night, 58 shot in 37 separate shootings in city, with no suspect in custody for most casesEight people were killed and 50 others were wounded in dozens of shootings in Chicago over the Labor Day weekend, according to police.Between Friday night and Monday night, a total of 58 people were shot in 37 separate shootings in the country's third-largest city, according to preliminary information from police. Most involved one victim, but multiple people were injured in three of the shootings. Most victims were in good or fair condition, but several were listed in serious or critical condition. In a handful of cases, police said a person of interest was being questioned, but in most, no suspect was in custody. Continue reading...
Effort comes as Trump administration cracks down on immigration, ramping up arrests and deportationsThe US defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, has approved sending up to 600 military lawyers to the federal justice department to serve as temporary immigration judges, according to a memo reviewed by the Associated Press.The military will begin sending groups of 150 attorneys - both military and civilians - to the justice department as soon as practicable" and the military services should have the first round of people identified by next week, according to the memo, dated 27 August. Continue reading...
Deputy PM may have to pay tens of thousands of pounds more if tax officials judge she paid incorrect rate on property purchaseAngela Rayner faces having to pay tens of thousands of pounds more in stamp duty if tax officials judge she incorrectly paid the lower rate on her Hove flat, tax experts have warned.The deputy prime minister could be slapped with an additional tax bill if officials judge she paid too little stamp duty when she bought her 800,000 property earlier this year, they said. Continue reading...
Yvette Cooper has announced several tough policies after a summer dominated by Farage and Reform UKAfter a summer recess dominated by headlines about Reform UK's hardline immigration proposals and protests outside hotels housing asylum seekers, the home secretary returned to parliament seeking to wrest back control of the narrative.Yvette Cooper has announced a flurry of tough asylum measures including suspending refugee family reunion applications, and even floated the idea that refugees could be moved out of hotels and into warehouses instead. Continue reading...
Lawyers for Bella Culley negotiating plea agreement, court reportedly toldThe pregnant British teenager Bella Culley has reportedly been told she will be released from the Georgian prison where she is being held on drug-smuggling charges if she pays a substantial fine.Culley, from Billingham, on Teesside, has been detained in the former Soviet country for more than three months after being accused of trying to bring in 14kg of cannabis in a travel bag. She has been told she faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted. Continue reading...
by Libby Brooks Scotland correspondent on (#6ZQY7)
Last-minute application from NHS Fife's lawyers to amend their pleadings means could delay case by monthsAn employment tribunal brought by an NHS Fife nurse who objected to sharing a changing room with a transgender doctor has concluded its evidence with conflicting interpretations of how the supreme court's landmark ruling on sex affects the case.Sandie Peggie, who has worked as a nurse for more than 30 years, contends she was subject to unlawful harassment under the Equality Act when she was expected to share a changing room with Dr Beth Upton. Continue reading...
Laken Ashlee Snelling, a 21-year-old cheer team member, faces charges of corpse abuse and evidence tamperingA University of Kentucky athlete allegedly placed her dead infant inside a trash bag later found in a closet while trying to hide the baby's birth, leading to her being jailed, according to local authorities and media reporting.Laken Ashlee Snelling, 21, faces charges of corpse abuse, tampering with physical evidence and concealing the birth of an infant after her arrest on Sunday, police in Lexington, Kentucky, said in a statement. Continue reading...
Government spokesperson confirms migrants could be housed on industrial sitesLamb says the Greens are the antidote to Reform".That gets a big round of applause.We're a home for all those people across the country holding their heads in their hands as the Labour government lets them down again and again and again, whether it is switching from the aid budget or from people with disabilities and not bringing in taxes ... we need.And that is why, in reaction, a new Green wave is sweeping the country as people turn to us.It's already become a bit of a cliche, but we are really moving into a multi-party system, with the Greens poised to help create the next government.And, like all the best cliches, it has the distinct advantage of also being for true. Continue reading...
Carmaker says it has shut down its systems but there is no evidence customer data has been stolenJaguar Land Rover's manufacturing and retailing activities have been severely disrupted" by a cyber incident, forcing it to shut down its systems.Britain's largest carmaker said there was no evidence that any customer data had been taken. Continue reading...
Tianjin encounter comes as India and China aim to normalise ties in geopolitical repositioning prompted by Trump's tariffsThey stood together like old friends, heads thrown back in jovial laughter, clutching one another's hands affectionately. Except this was no ordinary gathering of three men, but a meeting of three of the most powerful non-western leaders: Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping and Narendra Modi.The overt displays of intimacy were widely regarded by observers as a telling message of defiance aimed at their western counterparts, in particular Donald Trump, who just a few days earlier had slapped India with 50% import tariffs, among the harshest of the US president's trade penalties. Continue reading...
by Hannah Ellis-Petersen and Haroon Janjua on (#6ZQCZ)
Taliban appeal for aid, with casualties expected to increase as rescue teams struggle to reach isolated areasThe Taliban have called for international aid as Afghanistan reels from an earthquake that killed more than 1,400 people and left thousands more injured.Rescuers searched into the night for survivors after the 6.0-magnitude quake struck on Sunday destroying entire villages across the country's eastern Kunar province, which borders Pakistan. Continue reading...
Foreign minister says move is not aimed at Israeli people but ensuring their government respects international and humanitarian law'. This live blog is closedAt least 63,633 Palestinian people have been killed and 160,914 others injured in Israeli attacks on Gaza since 7 October 2023, the Gaza health ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.At least 76 Palestinian people, including 12 aid seekers, were killed in the last 24 hours alone, the ministry said. Continue reading...
Synthetic opioids known as nitazenes, linked to more than 100 deaths, can be hundreds of times stronger than other drugsHealth experts have warned that Scotland faces a fresh drug deaths crisis due to highly potent synthetic opioids already linked to more than 100 fatalities.The warning comes after the publication of official data which showed the total number of deaths from drug abuse in Scotland fell by 13% last year to a 1,017, the lowest annual figure since 2017. Continue reading...
Greens senator David Shoebridge accused Tony Burke of doing his Peter Dutton impression, dog-whistling and punching down on migrants'Up to 80,000 people in Australia may be affected by the Albanese government's proposed powers to strip basic legal protections from the non-citizens it plans to deport to Nauru, refugee lawyers warn.The proposed federal powers, revealed last Wednesday, are expected to pass parliament this week with the Coalition's support at a snap two-hour committee hearing scheduled for Wednesday night. Continue reading...
Based on a Renaissance kunstkammer, museum's basement to house a collection of exquisite silverware, paintings, bronzes and ceramicsBeneath the Georgian city of Bath, a gleaming treasury of Renaissance masterpieces created for kings, queens, church leaders and scientists is about to be unveiled.Based on the idea of the Renaissance kunstkammer - an art chamber - the basement room at the Holburne Museum is crammed with scores of exquisite pieces of silverware, paintings, bronzes and ceramics. Continue reading...
Exclusive: Experts say the move could be part of Beijing's greyzone' grab for disputed territoryChina is drilling for oil and gas inside Taiwan's exclusive economic zone (EEZ), a move that analysts believe is likely part of Beijing's unilateral grab for disputed territory that could also aid a future invasion of Taiwan.During July and August at least 12 oil and gas vessels and permanent structures were detected inside Taiwan's EEZ - including one within 50km of the restricted-waters border of the Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands - as well as several steel supports for fixed offshore drilling platforms, called jackets. Their presence inside Taiwan's EEZ have not been previously reported. Continue reading...
Protester who unfurled banner below clock face removed by cherry picker after almost four hoursA man holding what appeared to be a pomeranian dog who climbed the clock tower at King's Cross station in London to unfurl a banner calling for freedom for Iran has come down.As rain began to pour, the protester packed his banner away. He spoke to mediators and was brought down by a cherry picker at 11.50am, bringing the standoff to an end after nearly four hours. Continue reading...
by Mark Brown North of England correspondent on (#6ZQKK)
Seller of seven-bedroom house says she was inspired by Cara Delevingne to create space that is so relaxing'It was the model Cara Delevingne who said you can never be sad in a ball pit - so why wouldn't you install one in a room you don't quite know what to do with?A large Victorian house for sale in Southport has gone viral not because it is, as estate agents say, a hidden gem" and an oasis of calm" with viewing absolutely essential" but because just off the master bedroom is a vestibule that is presently adorned by numerous plastic balls to create a ball pool all of your very own." Continue reading...
In today's newsletter: Poor teacher recruitment and retainment puts children on the back foot before they barely step in the classroomGood morning. It's back-to-school week, and the daily ritual (or, perhaps, panic) begins as uniforms are being donned and lunchboxes packed across the UK to start a new year. My sympathies to you teachers setting early morning alarms, and parents dragging children out of bed after six weeks of lie-ins.Last year, Keir Starmer promised to leave no stone unturned to give every child the very best start at life", but how is that going? More than half a million GCSE students in England will start the year with no physics teacher, while many kids from poorer families feel they cannot afford to have their children study geography or languages, new Guardian reporting shows.Afghanistan | The Taliban has called for international aid as Afghanistan reels from an earthquake that killed more than 800 people and left thousands injured.Israel-Gaza war | A plan circulating in the White House to develop the Gaza Riviera" as a string of high-tech megacities has been dismissed as an insane" attempt to provide cover for the large-scale ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian territory's population.Politics | Darren Jones, the chief secretary to the Treasury, has been moved to a new senior role in Downing Street as Keir Starmer attempts to get a grip on delivery before what is likely to be a tumultuous autumn for the government.Health | A three-minute brainwave test can detect memory problems linked to Alzheimer's disease long before people are typically diagnosed, raising hopes that the approach could help identify those most likely to benefit from new drugs for the condition.UK news | Prominent women including cultural figures, politicians and campaigners have signed a letter criticising rightwing attempts to link sexual violence in Britain to asylum seekers. Signatories include the musicians Paloma Faith, Charlotte Church and Anoushka Shankar. Continue reading...
by Sally Weale Education correspondent on (#6ZQFS)
Institute of Physics says critical' shortage means 700,000 pupils are deprived of a subject specialistA quarter of state secondary schools in England will start the new term with no dedicated physics teacher, with schools in poorer areas worst affected, analysis has found.The lack of specialists means more than half (58%) of pupils studying for a science GCSE will have the physics component taught by a teacher who has not studied a physics-related subject beyond the age of 18. Continue reading...
Fernando Fontoura, who moved to the UK aged 12, detained in drive to find people illegally working' as delivery driversA motorcycle rider out on a shopping trip was arrested and detained for a month as part of a high-profile government crackdown on undocumented migrants working for food delivery apps.Fernando Fontoura, 33, who moved from Portugal to the UK when he was 12, was arrested by immigration enforcement officers after he parked his motorbike near a grocery store in south-east London on 22 July. He was taken to a detention centre near Gatwick airport where he was held for 29 days. Continue reading...
Members to co-own event that organisers say will cut costs by up to 40% after 78 independent festivals closed last yearA group of festival organisers and grassroots venues have launched a pioneering, gamechanging music collective" to counter what they say is the slow collapse of the UK's alternative live circuit.Blaming soaring costs and corporate dominance for pushing dozens of smaller events to close, the not-for-profit festival will bring together independent festivals, venues and collectives to share resources, cut costs and pool audiences. Continue reading...
Mass protests first erupted last week, prompted by anger over the perks and benefits given to lawmakers, including a controversial housing allowanceAt least 20 people are missing following violent protests that have gripped cities across Indonesia over the past week, a human rights group has warned.Mass protests first erupted on 25 August, prompted by anger over the perks and benefits given to lawmakers, including a controversial housing allowance. Public fury escalated further when a motorcycle taxi driver, 21-year-old Affan Kurniawan, was run over by a police vehicle at a protest site. Continue reading...
Exclusive: Open letter says politicians are exploiting violence against women to fuel hate and division'Prominent women including cultural figures, politicians and campaigners have signed a letter criticising rightwing attempts to link sexual violence in Britain to asylum seekers.Signatories include the musicians Paloma Faith, Charlotte Church and Anoushka Shankar as well as Labour, Green and independent MPs including Kim Johnson, Ellie Chowns, Diane Abbott and Zarah Sultana. Continue reading...
by Presented by Helen Pidd with Jean Lee; produced by on (#6ZQDS)
What does North Korea's involvement in Ukraine mean for Kim Jong-un's geopolitical ambitions? With Jean LeeWhen Hyun-Seung Lee was 17 he was conscripted into the North Korean army. Meals were basic and conditions were poor.Most soldiers wash their clothes and bathe in streams or rivers ... Soldiers must gather their own firewood from nearby mountains for heating and cooking," he says. Continue reading...
Those in UK aged 11-17 said seeing a celebrity gambling or advertising it made them want to emulate them, survey findsChildren as young as 11 feel tempted to try betting after being flooded" by celebrities and sports stars promoting it, according to two reports that found nearly 90% of children aged 13-17 are exposed to gambling content online.The UK's leading gambling charity, GambleAware, which commissioned the reports, urged regulators and policymakers to address social media accounts and influencers producing betting content on platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, TikTok and Twitch in light of the findings. Continue reading...
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