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Anthony Albanese says pandemic still ‘major issue’, but Scott Morrison says Australians want to ‘put that in the rear-vision mirror’

Foreign secretary Liz Truss expresses concern at ‘appalling’ accusations against unnamed parliamentarianThe Conservative MP arrested on suspicion of rape and other offences has been bailed, as Liz Truss said she was worried that there were once again “appalling” accusations against a parliamentarian.The MP was arrested on Tuesday after being accused of rape and sexual assault offences spanning seven years between 2002 and 2009. Continue reading...

Officer seriously injured and two men in custody on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harmTwo men have been arrested after a police officer was hit by a van in Merseyside.The van was driven at the officer after he arrived in the St Helens area at about 8.05pm on Tuesday following reports of a rucksack in the road suspected to contain cannabis, Merseyside police said. Continue reading...

Ibac found 41% of files audited contained indicators of bias on behalf of investigators

If Roe v Wade is overturned, it will encourage anti-choice groups – particularly in the developing world, activists warnThe probable demise of abortion as a federal right in the US will be a “catastrophe” for women in low and middle-income countries, with an emboldened anti-choice movement likely to raise renewed pressure on hard-won gains, doctors and activists have warned.The leak this month of the US supreme court’s draft majority opinion, which argued that the 1973 ruling effectively legalising abortion had been “egregiously wrong from the start”, stunned and enraged many in America. Continue reading...

Witness Greg Simms says he wouldn’t want to speak to former teacher and rugby league player who has pleaded not guilty to killing his wife in 1982

European Union’s special envoy cites concerns ‘multilateral rules-based order will not be fully respected’ in regionThe European Union has resolved to step up its defence strategy in the Indo-Pacific region in light of fears about China’s growing presence and concerns for the international order sparked by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.“Our motto is always to cooperate whenever possible, but to defend whenever necessary as well,” said Gabriele Visentin, the EU’s special envoy to the Indo-Pacific. “It’s not directed against a country or another – it’s a way of enhancing our capacity and our credibility in terms of defending our interests.” Continue reading...

Thousands head overseas, partly because of economic conditions, with departures accelerating and labour shortage fearedYoung New Zealanders are leaving in droves as borders reopen and economic conditions tighten at home.The latest data from Stats NZ found that in the year to March, annual net migration was negative, with 7,300 more people leaving than entering. That loss marks a dramatic shift from early in the pandemic when border closures and the relative safety of Covid-free New Zealand prevented many from leaving. In the year to March 2020 there was a record net gain of 91,700. Continue reading...

Scott Morrison says Australia is now ‘living with Covid’ as nation records one of the highest transmission rates in the world

Labor says figures released by the ABS show gap between wage growth and cost of living increases in Australia is now the largest in more than two decades

Know what’s behind the innocent-sounding names of more than 30 minor and micro parties running this federal election, and find out what the lesser-known groups are after – before you cast your vote on the Senate ballot paper

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Public Accounts Committee report says business department efforts to identify fraud came after trails had ‘long ago gone cold’The business department’s handling of Covid support schemes left an “open goal” to fraudsters and embezzlers that has added “billions to taxpayer woes”, parliament’s spending watchdog has found.In its review of the annual report of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) said it recognised that the government offered crucial support to businesses at the height of the pandemic. Continue reading...

More nurses leave NHS than at any time since Covid struck, many reporting stress as their main reasonMore than 27,000 nurses and midwives quit the NHS last year, with many blaming job pressures, the Covid pandemic and poor patient care for their decision.The rise in staff leaving their posts across the UK – the first in four years – has prompted concern that frontline workers are under too much strain, especially with the NHS-wide shortage of nurses. Continue reading...

State government commits $610,000 to a survey to be held next year as animal ownership rates increase

Man held liable for the Omagh bombing, is due to face charges related to weapons smuggling for the Real IRAThe man found civilly liable for the 1998 Omagh bombing in which 29 people were killed has been extradited to Lithuania after a lengthy legal process.The Irish supreme court ruled last week that Liam Campbell could be extradited to the Baltic country in relation to offences of smuggling, the possession of firearms and terrorism. Continue reading...

Conservative MPs to urge chancellor to tackle inflation with VAT cuts, energy bill support and improved benefitsTory MPs are piling pressure on Rishi Sunak to take decisive action to deal with the cost of living crisis with measures such as cutting VAT, increasing energy bill support and raising benefits, as inflation is forecast to top 9% on Wednesday.A string of Conservatives from across different wings of the party called on the chancellor to intervene within weeks, amid dire economic predictions about the squeeze on households. Continue reading...

Eminent jurists say ahead of election that watchdog crucial to halt ‘serious erosion’ of democratic principles and restore trust in politics

Heads reluctant to increase burden on families already caught in cost of living crisisAt St Jude’s, a small Church of England primary school in south London, the morning breakfast club is exceptionally busy. Over the past six weeks the number of pupils coming in to have porridge, scrambled egg and fruit smoothies before the school day begins has climbed from eight to 22 – nearly a quarter of the Southwark school’s population.Families hit by the cost of living crisis are increasingly desperate, says the acting deputy head, Matt Jones. They need help with their debts; they can’t pay their bills. Staff are making more and more referrals to StepChange, a debt charity, and the school has made discretionary payments to help families unable to afford gas, electricity or nappies. Continue reading...

Analysis: leak blindsided US officials, caused shock waves in Europe and appears to have annoyed No 10Given that it has just announced a bill that could spark a trade war in the middle of a cost of living crisis, it is remarkable how often members of the government say that what they want is for everyone to calm down.The intention to legislate is now formally announced but when the bill will be seen by MPs is intentionally unclear. The Northern Ireland secretary, Brandon Lewis, says it was never meant to be this week. Of course it wasn’t. Now the only commitment is “before the summer”. Continue reading...

Alex Davies, described in court as the ‘biggest Nazi of the lot’, found to have remained in the group after it was bannedThe founder of a violent neo-Nazi group created to inspire a race war in the UK is facing jail after being found guilty of continuing to be a member of the organisation after it was banned.Alex Davies, 27, who was described in court as the “biggest Nazi of the lot”, formed the group National Action (NA) when he was a teenager and acted as its main recruiter. Continue reading...

While older fans praise teenager’s courage, younger people wonder why football is so behind the timesAs the UK’s first male professional footballer to come out as gay in more than 30 years, the Blackpool forward Jake Daniels’ announcement on Monday night was destined to make an impact. But walking along the town’s promenade on Tuesday, opinion among locals was divided.While older fans praised the courage and strength exhibited by the 17-year-old, barely out of school and newly in the public eye, many younger fans asked “so what?” and called on football as a sport to move more swiftly with the times. Continue reading...

Dr Rosalind Ranson forced out of job and accused of ‘seeking limelight’ after raising Covid concernsThe chief minister of the Isle of Man has expressed his “deep discomfort” after a tribunal found that the island’s medical director had been forced out of her job and suffered “disgraceful” bullying for whistleblowing over the Manx approach to Covid-19.Alfred Cannan, the chief minister since October last year, accepted that the conclusions of Dr Rosalind Ranson’s employment tribunal had “understandably damaged confidence in government.” Continue reading...

Fate of Ukrainian soldiers unclear after evacuation from Mariupol; peace talks stall between Russia and Ukraine

Roger Bilodeau and his son Anthony Bilodeau believed that Jacob Sansom and Maurice Cardinal were thieves, court hearsTwo white Canadian men followed and then shot dead two Indigenous hunters because they believed they were thieves, prosecutors have told a court at the start of a murder trial in Alberta.Roger Bilodeau, 58, and his son Anthony Bilodeau, 33, have both pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder over the deaths of Jacob Sansom and his uncle, Maurice Cardinal in March 2020. Continue reading...

People ‘who do not necessarily pose terrorism risk’ referred to anti-extremism programme to speed up access to supportMental health campaigners have sounded the alarm over a leaked review of anti-extremism programme Prevent, which suggests those without extremist views are being referred to the programme to access faster mental health services.Draft extracts of the leaked report by William Shawcross, seen by the Guardian, warn of a “serious misallocation of resources” and that the programme is being misused because of the strain on mental health provision. Continue reading...

Ukraine says there will be prisoner swap but some Russian officials have said forces could be tried or executed

Latest updates: Maroš Šefčovič responds to Truss, saying EU keen to reach a settlement but stresses UK actions raise ‘significant concerns’

Derby manager says he asked teammate whether Rebekah Vardy could cut back on media activities, ‘Wagatha Christie’ trial hearsWayne Rooney asked Jamie Vardy if his wife could “calm down” and cut back on her media activities during the Euro 2016 football tournament because it was causing “distractions” for the England team, the high court has heard.Rooney told the “Wagatha Christie” libel trial that the then-England manager Roy Hodgson and his assistant manager, Gary Neville, were both concerned that Rebekah Vardy’s decision to write a column for the Sun during the contest was disrupting the squad. Jamie Vardy responded outside the court by saying England’s record goalscorer was “talking nonsense”. Continue reading...

Frontman and guitarist watched Bataclan fans’ excitement turn to confusion as gunmen opened fireThe frontman and guitarist for the American rock band Eagles of Death Metal have told a Paris court how they watched from the stage in confusion and horror as terrorists opened fire on the crowd at their sold-out concert at the Bataclan in 2015, leaving 90 people dead.Jesse Hughes, the band’s singer, and Eden Galindo, a guitarist, both said the attack had changed their lives “forever”. Continue reading...

Brussels vows to respond with ‘all measures at its disposal’ as Liz Truss sets out plan to make changesThe European Commission has raised the spectre of an economically damaging trade war with the UK, pledging to respond with “all measures at its disposal” if Liz Truss presses ahead with a plan to rewrite the Northern Ireland protocol.The foreign secretary set out plans on Tuesday to table a bill that would make key changes to the protocol, including waiving all checks on goods flowing from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, where they are not destined for the Republic of Ireland. Continue reading...

Overseas-born doctors must stay for five years to get leave to remain, but GP training lasts only three yearsHundreds of overseas-born trainee GPs are at risk of deportation because of “nonsensical” immigration rules, the profession’s leader has warned Priti Patel.The NHS risks losing much-needed family doctors unless visa regulations are overhauled to allow young medics to stay in Britain at the end of their GP training, Prof Martin Marshall said. Continue reading...

MP arrested on suspicion of indecent assault, sexual assault, rape, abuse of position of trust and misconductA Tory MP has been arrested on suspicion of sexual offences, with the party banning him from attending the House of Commons.A Conservative Whips’ Office spokesperson said the MP would be asked not to come to parliament. “The chief whip has asked that the MP concerned does not attend the parliamentary estate while an investigation is ongoing. Until the conclusion of the investigation we will not be commenting further.” Continue reading...

Desperate parents are using fast food outlets as an emergency kitchen, bathroom and living roomFamilies struggling to cope with energy bills are seeking shelter in McDonald’s, with one charity saying hard-pressed parents and children are spending their evenings in the fast food restaurants, relying on the facilities as an emergency kitchen, bathroom and living room.“People are buying their kids a Happy Meal for a few quid and keeping them warm inside. Then they wash and brush their teeth in the sinks and watch television for hours on the free wifi,” says Matthew Cole. Continue reading...

Leiland-James Corkill was placed with Laura Castle in Cumbria months before his death from head injuriesA woman has been convicted of murdering a one-year-old boy she was hoping to adopt.Leiland-James Corkill was placed with Laura Castle, 38, and her husband, Scott Castle, 35, by authorities in Cumbria less than five months before his death from catastrophic head injuries. Continue reading...

Maud Lewis sold her paintings on Nova Scotia roadsides but found a larger audience after a documentary chronicled her life and workA Canadian painting that was swapped 50 years ago for a grilled cheese sandwich has sold at auction for an “astounding” C$350,000 (US$272,000).Black Truck by the folk artist Maud Lewis sold for 10 times its assessed value, setting a new high mark for a painter whose popularity has surged in recent years. Continue reading...

Jury finds Donald Robertson guilty of imprisonment, indecent assault and murder of 26-year-oldA man has been found guilty of the murder of Shani Warren, whose body was found bound and gagged in a lake 35 years ago.A jury at Reading crown court found Donald Robertson guilty of the imprisonment, indecent assault and murder of the 26-year-old, after the discovery of new DNA evidence. Continue reading...

Vice-chancellor says north-east now has biggest concentration of researchers anywhere outside LondonThe north-east of England has gained a “northern research powerhouse” to rival anything outside London, according to the vice-chancellor of the University of Northumbria after his institution rocketed up national research rankings.Andrew Wathey took over at the Newcastle university in 2008 when it was 81st for research output, and has now seen it vault into 28th place in the UK, according to results of the research excellence framework (Ref) published this month. Continue reading...

Gang who stole statues from Hindu temple in India return most items, with note saying they had suffered nightmaresA gang of thieves have returned more than a dozen idols they stole from an ancient Hindu temple in India, saying they had been haunted by nightmares since the crime, according to police.Last week, the group stole 16 statues from a 300-year-old temple to Lord Balaji – an incarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu – in Uttar Pradesh, police inspector Rajiv Singh told Agence France-Presse. Continue reading...

Police say 48-year-old handed himself in after death of Daniel John Twigg on Sunday afternoonA man has been arrested after a three-year-old boy was killed by a dog at a farm property in Greater Manchester.Daniel John Twigg was named by police on Tuesday as the victim of the dog attack in Milnrow, Rochdale, on Sunday afternoon. Continue reading...

Monarch and Prince Edward attend event at London’s Paddington station before public opening of line named in her honourThe Queen has marked the completion of London’s Crossrail project by attending the opening ceremony of the Elizabeth line.Accompanied by the Earl of Wessex, she was welcomed by the prime minister, Boris Johnson, the London mayor, Sadiq Khan, and the commissioner of Transport for London, Andy Byford, at Paddington station. Continue reading...

Foreign secretary confirms plans to ditch parts of deal, saying Good Friday agreement ‘under strain’

High court to hear claims that judges ‘in a very precarious position’ hiding from Taliban have faced long delaysAlleged inconsistencies in the way the UK Home Office and Foreign Office process asylum applications from vulnerable judges in hiding in Afghanistan are being challenged at the high court on Tuesday.If successful, the three separate judicial reviews will require the Home Office to undertake a wholesale rethink of how it is handling cases. The reviews – anonymised to protect the claimants from persecution by the Taliban – cover a male judge and a female judge who have had their applications for asylum rejected, and a prominent female women’s rights activist. Continue reading...

Amnesty International calls for restoring full tribal control over crimes on Native land to improve enforcementAmnesty International has called on the US government to fully restore tribal jurisdiction over crimes on Native lands in the face of staggeringly high rates of sexual violence against Native women, according to a report released on Tuesday.Nearly one in three American Indian and Alaska Native women have been raped – more than twice the average for white women and probably an undercount given gaps in data collection, according to the report. Continue reading...

Labour says auction by museum, whose trustees include Tory chair Ben Elliot, breached code of conductThe V&A has been urged to investigate why the museum auctioned a private tour as a prize at a Conservative fundraising dinner when one of its trustees is a Tory party chair.In a letter to the commissioner on public appointments, Labour’s shadow culture secretary, Lucy Powell, said the auction was a clear breach of the code of conduct for trustees of public bodies. Continue reading...

Owner of Bluewater and Trinity Leeds says it has also seen a recovery at its shopping centresLand Securities has reported record office leasing in London as the lifting of Covid restrictions fuels a return of workers and a surge in demand for prime space, as the property company bounced back to profit last year.Landsec is one of Britain’s biggest property firms and about 60% of its portfolio is in central London. It reported a pre-tax profit of £875m in the year to the end of March. Continue reading...

Deadly incident renews debate over cross-strait tensions and Beijing’s reunification rhetoricTaiwan’s president has condemned the deadly shooting at a Taiwanese church in California by a man reportedly driven by hatred of the self-governing island, where debate about cross-strait tensions has intensified along with Beijing’s reunification rhetoric.Tsai Ing-wen’s office issued a statement saying she condemned “any form of violence” and extended her condolences to those killed and injured, and that she had asked the island’s chief representative in the US to fly to California to provide assistance. Continue reading...

If passed, the state will be the last in Australia to allow terminally ill people to choose when they die

Prime minister tells Tracy Grimshaw ‘I could have been more sensitive at times’; nation records 66 Covid deaths. Follow all the day’s news live

Dressed in red and blue, ‘Spidey’ is a fixture at protests against the military regime – and the subject of a new Guardian documentaryViolence and arrests will not deter Sudan’s young activists from resisting the military who “stole our revolution”, says one man who faces down the teargas and bullets in a blue and red superhero costume.Featured in a new Guardian documentary, “the ‘Spider-Man’ of Sudan”, who cannot be named for his safety, has become a symbol of protests that began in October. Dressed in his increasingly frayed suit and mask he and other demonstrators confront teargas canisters, water cannon and often live bullets. Continue reading...