The Guardian
28 minutes ago
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‘Who’s it going to be next time?’: ECHR rethink is ‘moral retreat’, say rights experts
As 27 European countries urge changes to laws forged after second world war, human rights chief says politicians are playing into hands of populistsThe battle had been brewing for months. But this week it came to a head in a flurry of meetings, calls and one heady statement. Twenty-seven European countries urged a rethink of the human rights laws forged after the second world war, describing them as an impediment when it came to addressing migration.Amnesty International has called it “a moral retreat”. Europe’s most senior human rights official said the approach risked creating a “hierarchy of people” where some are seen as more deserving of protection than others. Continue reading...
The Guardian
28 minutes ago
Kim Jong-un admits North Korean troops clearing landmines for Russia
Leader praises his soldiers for turning ‘danger zone into a safe one’ during ceremony in Pyongyang welcoming them back from Ukraine warNorth Korea sent troops to clear mines in Russia’s Kursk region earlier this year, leader Kim Jong-un said in a speech carried on Saturday by state media, a rare acknowledgement by Pyongyang of the deadly tasks assigned to its deployed soldiers.According to South Korean and western intelligence agencies, North Korea has sent thousands of troops to support Russia’s nearly four-year invasion of Ukraine. Continue reading...
The Guardian
1 hour ago
Will other countries follow Australia’s social media ban for under-16s?
Several European nations are already planning similar moves while Britain has said ‘nothing is off the table’Australia is taking on powerful tech companies with its under-16 social media ban, but will the rest of the world follow? The country’s enactment of the policy is being watched closely by politicians, safety campaigners and parents. A number of other countries are not far behind, with Europe in particular hoping to replicate Australia, while the UK is keeping more of a watchful interest. Continue reading...
The Guardian
1 hour ago
Venezuela oil exports reportedly fall sharply after US seizure of tanker
The seizure of the Skipper on Wednesday marked the first US capture of Venezuelan oil cargo since sanctions were imposed in 2019Venezuelan oil exports have reportedly fallen sharply since the US seized a tanker this week and imposed fresh sanctions on shipping companies and vessels doing business with Caracas, according to shipping data, documents and maritime sources.The US seizure of the Skipper tanker off Venezuela’s coast on Wednesday was the first US capture of Venezuelan oil cargo since sanctions were imposed in 2019 and marked a sharp escalation in rising tensions between the Trump administration and the government of Nicolás Maduro. Continue reading...
The Guardian
2 hours ago
House Republicans release last-minute healthcare plan; TSA defends sharing traveler names with ICE - as it happened
This live blog is now closed.Trump news at a glance: More Epstein estate photos released as White House decries ‘Democrat hoax’The admiral in charge of US military forces in Latin America will retire two years early, AP reports, amid rising tensions with Venezuela that include Wednesday’s seizure of an oil tanker and more than 20 deadly strikes on suspected drug-smuggling boats.Three US officials and two people familiar with the matter told Reuters that Admiral Alvin Holsey was pushed out by defense secretary Pete Hegseth. Two officials said Hegseth had grown frustrated with Southern Command as he sought to flex US military operations and planning in the region. Continue reading...
The Guardian
3 hours ago
US scolds Rwanda for breaking peace deal as M23 rebels seize key Congo city
Mike Waltz warns ‘spoilers’ will be held to account as rebel fighters escalate offensive in South Kivu provinceThe US has accused Rwanda of violating a US-brokered peace agreement by backing a deadly new rebel offensive in the mineral-rich eastern Congo, and warned action will be taken against “spoilers”.The remarks by the US ambassador to the UN, Mike Waltz, came as more than 400 civilians have been killed since the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels escalated their offensive in eastern Congo’s South Kivu province, according to officials who also say Rwandan special forces were in the strategic city of Uvira. Continue reading...
The Guardian
3 hours ago
Johnson & Johnson ordered to pay $40m to women who said talc to blame for cancer
California jury finds company knew its talc-based products were dangerous but failed to warn consumersA California jury on Friday awarded $40m to two women who said Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder was to blame for their ovarian cancer.The jury in Los Angeles superior court awarded $18m to Monica Kent and $22m to Deborah Schultz and her husband after finding that Johnson & Johnson knew for years its talc-based products were dangerous but failed to warn consumers. Continue reading...
The Guardian
3 hours ago
Fighting between Thailand and Cambodia continues despite Trump claim of renewed ceasefire
Trump announced the agreement after calls with Thai prime minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian prime minister Hun ManetThailand-Cambodia fighting explainedCambodia said Thai forces including fighter jets continued to strike targets across their disputed border hours after Donald Trump said both countries leaders had agreed to renew a truce brokered in October that has been strained by days of deadly clashes.“Thai forces have not stopped the bombing yet and are still continuing the bombing,” the Cambodian ministry of information said. Thailand’s military countered with accusations that Cambodia was committing “repeated violations of international rules” by targeting civilian locations and laying landmines. Continue reading...
The Guardian
4 hours ago
Sydney man charged with threatening to kill communications minister Anika Wells and her family
Bankstown man, 31, allegedly sent two emails to the communication minister’s office in late November making direct threatsGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA Sydney man has been charged with threatening to kill government minister Anika Wells and her family.A 31-year-old Bankstown man allegedly sent two emails to Wells’ office in late November making direct threats to kill her and members of her family. Continue reading...
The Guardian
4 hours ago
Bowen says Turnbull-era travel expenses rules were changed to simplify them, despite criticism they became broader
Updated wording expands definition of ‘party political duties’ as Labor politicians come under scrutiny for spending Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastCabinet minister Chris Bowen says Turnbull-era rules about travel expenses for politicians were changed by the Albanese government before the federal election to simplify them, despite criticism of the subsequent broad wording.In announcing an overhaul of the home batteries subsidy scheme, Bowen was asked about reporting in the Daily Telegraph that the federal government quietly changed the rules to make it easier for politicians to claim taxpayer-funded flights and accommodation prior to the federal election. Continue reading...
The Guardian
4 hours ago
Mining company claims government didn’t follow proper process for Aboriginal heritage protection order
Regis Resources told a federal court hearing the partial protection order, which blocks construction of a planned tailings dam, would make its development unviableGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA mining company developing a goldmine in the central west of New South Wales has told the federal court the government did not properly assess a Dreaming story at the centre of a heritage protection order issued over part of the site.Regis Resources has challenged the decision by the former environment minister Tanya Plibersek to issue the order last year under section 10 of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act. Continue reading...
The Guardian
5 hours ago
From toxic soil and industrial standoffs, Melbourne’s West Gate Tunnel finally emerges for motorists to use on Sunday
Consisting of 6.8km of tunnels and 9.2km of elevated roads, the project will provide a new river crossing and an alternative to the West Gate BridgeGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAfter years of delays, cost overruns and the discovery of toxic soil that triggered a legal battle, Melbourne’s West Gate Tunnel will finally open on Sunday.The $10.2bn project, consisting of 6.8km of tunnels and 9.2km of elevated roads, will provide a new river crossing and act as an alternative to the West Gate Bridge. Continue reading...
The Guardian
5 hours ago
81 women file civil suit against army gynecologist already charged criminally
Blaine McGraw accused of inappropriately touching and secretly filming patients during appointments on baseAnother 81 women have joined a civil suit against a US army gynecologist who was recently criminally charged in connection with accusations that he secretly filmed dozens of his patients during medical examinations.The civil lawsuit, which initially began in November, alleges that Blaine McGraw, a doctor and army major at Fort Hood in Texas, repeatedly inappropriately touched and secretly filmed dozens of women during appointments at an on-base medical center. Continue reading...
The Guardian
7 hours ago
House Democrats release Epstein photos with Trump, Bannon, Clinton and others
Notable figures in batch of images include Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, Woody Allen and Bill GatesThe latest tranche of Epstein evidence – in picturesHouse Democrats have published a new tranche of what they called “disturbing” photographs from the estate of the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, featuring among others Donald Trump, Bill Clinton and the British former royal Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.The 19 photographs in the initial drop – some of which have been seen before – plus another 70 released later Friday afternoon represent a small number of the almost 100,000 images released to the House oversight committee, which is looking into the conduct and connections of Epstein, the disgraced financier who died by apparent suicide in a New York jail cell in 2019 after he was charged with sex-trafficking offenses. Continue reading...
The Guardian
8 hours ago
EU to freeze €210bn in Russian assets indefinitely
The decision is a significant step towards using the cash to aid Ukraine’s defence – but Moscow is threatening to retaliateThe EU has agreed to indefinitely freeze Russia’s sovereign assets in the bloc, as Moscow stepped up its threats to retaliate against Euroclear, the keeper of most of the Kremlin’s immobilised money.The decision by the EU to use emergency powers to immobilise €210bn (£185bn) of Russia’s central bank’s assets marks a significant step towards using the cash to aid Ukraine’s defence. Continue reading...
The Guardian
10 hours ago
US treasury lifts sanctions on Brazilian judge who presided over Bolsonaro case
Justice Alexandre de Moraes and his wife had been under Global Magnitsky sanctions after conviction of ex-presidentThe US Department of the Treasury has lifted sanctions imposed on the Brazilian supreme court justice who oversaw the conviction of the former president Jair Bolsonaro.Justice Alexandre de Moraes had been under Global Magnitsky sanctions, which target individuals accused of human rights abuses, since July. His wife Viviane Barci de Moraes – who was added the sanctions list in September – was also removed from the register on Friday. Continue reading...
The Guardian
10 hours ago
King Charles hails reduction in cancer treatment as ‘milestone’ in his recovery
King extols early diagnosis which can give ‘invaluable time’ and backs launch of screening checker toolKing Charles has hailed a “milestone” in his “cancer journey” and revealed he is to reduce his schedule of treatment in the new year, describing the news as a “personal blessing”.His treatment will move into a precautionary phase with its regularity significantly reduced as his recovery reaches a very positive stage, it is understood. His medical team will assess how much longer he will require treatment to protect and prioritise his continued recovery. Continue reading...
The Guardian
10 hours ago
Colombian rebels warn civilians of military drills amid ‘imperialist’ Trump threats
Citizens told to stay at home while ELN guerrillas carry out exercises in response to US president’s cocaine warningColombia’s ELN guerrilla group has ordered civilians in areas under its control to stay home for three days starting on Sunday, while it carries out military exercises in response to “intervention” threats from Donald Trump.Trump said earlier this month any country that produces cocaine and sells it to the United States was “subject to attack”. Continue reading...
The Guardian
10 hours ago
Government’s process behind tackling violence against women ‘worse than under the Tories’
Exclusive: As Labour ministers prepare long awaited strategy, campaigners accuse them of sidelining expertsLeading organisations have criticised the development of the government’s flagship violence against women and girls strategy, calling the process chaotic, haphazard and “worse than under the Tories”.Ministers are gearing up for a policy announcement blitz before the publication of the long-awaited plan next week. Continue reading...
The Guardian
12 hours ago
Gateshead grooming gang members jailed for rape and sexual assaults
Five men who targeted vulnerable girls in park sentenced to terms of between 18 months and 14 yearsFive men who were part of a “horrific” grooming gang that raped and sexually assaulted schoolgirls in a park have been jailed for between 18 months and 14 years.The men targeted vulnerable girls in Saltwell Park, Gateshead, plying their victims with alcohol and cocaine. Continue reading...
The Guardian
12 hours ago
Reform UK claims it has overtaken Labour as Britain’s largest party
Nigel Farage’s party says it has more than 268,000 members amid reports Labour membership has fallen below 250,000Reform UK says it is now the largest political party in Britain and has overtaken Labour, which has reportedly seen its membership fall below 250,000.Nigel Farage’s party says it has more than 268,000 members on the live tracker displayed on its website. Continue reading...
The Guardian
12 hours ago
Kylie Minogue gets 11th UK No 1 album as Christmas No 1 race intensifies
As Wham! top singles chart, Minogue draws level with David Bowie, Eminem, U2 and Rod Stewart in the album league table, thanks to a reissue of her 2015 Christmas LPKylie Minogue has scored her 11th UK No 1 album, putting her level with David Bowie and Eminem in the league of all-time album chart-toppers.The album, Kylie Christmas (Fully Wrapped), will sound familiar to her fans: it’s a reissue of her 2015 album Kylie Christmas (which only reached No 12), containing four newly recorded tracks and an altered tracklisting. It had already been reissued once before, in 2016, as the Snow Queen Edition. Nevertheless, the Fully Wrapped version counts as a new album in chart terms, and so continues a non-consecutive run of No 1s that began in 1988, when Minogue’s self-titled debut spent six weeks at the top. Continue reading...
The Guardian
12 hours ago
US ends temporary legal status for Ethiopians amid Trump crackdown
Kristi Noem says Ethiopia ‘no longer meets conditions’ for US to provide work authorization and legal protectionThe US is ending temporary legal status for citizens of Ethiopia in the United States, according to a government notice on Friday, as the Trump administration continues its crackdown on legal and illegal immigration.“After reviewing country conditions and consulting with appropriate US government agencies, the secretary determined that Ethiopia no longer continues to meet the conditions for the designation for Temporary Protected Status,” homeland security secretary Kristi Noem said in a notice posted in the Federal Register. Continue reading...
The Guardian
12 hours ago
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