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Sydney smoke: city covered in thick haze as more than 50 bushfires burn across NSW People with asthma or respiratory illness should stay inside, health authorities warn Sydney woke up to a thick blanket of smoke over the city on Tuesday as New South Wales headed into the first of two “tough days” this week, with temperatures likely to rise to the 40s and little-to-no rainfall forecast.Most of the state’s east coast was under severe or very high fire danger ratings, with more than 50 bushfires burning, of which 28 remained uncontained. Continue reading... Go to Source

General election: Johnson says Tories will cancel planned corporation tax cut to free up £6bn for NHS – live news PM to unveil business tax cuts and Labour to expand on immigration plans. Follow the latest developments, liveBoris Johnson to shelve planned cut in corporation taxJohnson tax/NHS announcement - Snap analysis 11.55am GMTCorbyn is now taking questions.Q: Do you accept your surprise announcement to nationalise BT Openreach worried business? 11.45am GMTCorbyn tells his audience that there are many things they agree on.What a Labour government will do is raise the platform on which our whole society stands so that businesses and individuals can build themselves up even higher and reach their dreams.You know despite people’s differences, there are things we can all agree on. No...

Revealed: NHS running short of dozens of lifesaving medicines Internal document seen by the Guardian shows low supplies for heart, cancer and anti-epilepsy drugsThe NHS is running short of dozens of lifesaving medicines including treatments for cancer, heart conditions and epilepsy, the Guardian has learned.An internal 24-page document circulated to some doctors last Friday from the medicine supply team at the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), headed “commercial-sensitive”, listed many drugs currently hit by shortages at the NHS. Continue reading... Go to Source

Hong Kong protest: police fire rounds of teargas at protesters trying to leave campus – live Chaotic scenes on outskirts of campus, as hundreds remain trapped insideFull story: Hundreds trapped as police lay siege to university 11.00am GMTBasically one street over from where people are being tear gassed, lots of people have showed up for a rally to support the protesters at polyu. Everyone has plastic bags of supplies of food etc. pic.twitter.com/pi4JUj0Cen 10.24am GMTIn Tsim Sha Tsui, an area south of Hong Kong Polytechnic University, hundreds of protesters are facing off against riot police after having dug up bricks from the sidewalks and scattered them along the road. The longer the siege goes on at the university the more other places turn into flash points as protesters and thei...

Prince Andrew faces calls to say sorry and speak to FBI Lawyers for Epstein’s victims say they were ‘almost completely ignored’ in interviewPrince Andrew is facing a transatlantic backlash over his extraordinary defence of his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein after lawyers who represent 10 of the billionaire predator’s victims branded the royal unrepentant and implausible and demanded that he speak to the FBI.After the royal’s defiant Newsnight interview on Saturday triggered a disbelieving reaction from the public and the media, the prince was under growing pressure from critics in the UK and US on Sunday who demanded an apology for his conduct and said that his defence of his actions was simply not credible. Continue reading... Go to Source

Leaked cables reveal scale of Iran's influence in Iraq Tehran effectively has free rein across key institutions of state, leaked documents showIranian intelligence officers have co-opted much of the Iraqi government’s cabinet, infiltrated its military leadership, and even tapped into a network of sources once run by the CIA, leaked cables have revealed.So prevalent is Iran in Iraq’s affairs that Iranian officers effectively have free rein across key institutions of state and are central to much of the country’s decision-making, according to the cables, which were passed to the Intercept and shared with the New York Times. Continue reading... Go to Source

Hong Kong protests: up to 800 trapped as police lay siege to university Tear gas stops protesters escaping despite president of Polytechnic University assuring them of safe passage Hong Kong police have trapped up to 800 people inside a university in the city, firing tear gas at any protesters trying to escape the campus.Polytechnic University, a sprawling campus that has been occupied by protesters since last week, has become the site of the most prolonged and tense confrontation between police and demonstrators in more than five months of political unrest. Continue reading... Go to Source

Hong Kong riot police carry out dawn raid on university after battle with protesters Police earlier threatened to use live rounds on ‘rioters’ who used lethal weapons such as molotov cocktails against themHong Kong protest latest updates: riot police storm Polytechnic University after standoff with protesters – livePolice were attempting to storm Hong Kong’s Polytechnic University after a daylong battle with protesters which saw levels of violence between the two sides reach new heights on Sunday and officials threatened to use live rounds.About 200 demonstrators remained inside the building at dawn on Monday morning when police in riot gear moved in. As they advanced, protesters set fire to one of the entrances to the university and explosions could be heard. Continue reading... Go...

Prince Andrew: Calls for royal to say sorry and speak to FBI Lawyers for Epstein’s victims say they were ‘almost completely ignored’ in interviewPrince Andrew is facing a transatlantic backlash over his extraordinary defence of his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein after lawyers who represent 10 of the billionaire predator’s victims branded the royal unrepentant and implausible and demanded that he speak to the FBI.After the royal’s defiant Newsnight interview on Saturday triggered a disbelieving reaction from the public and the media, the prince was under growing pressure from critics in the UK and US on Sunday who demanded an apology for his conduct and said that his defence of his actions was simply not credible. Continue reading... Go to Source

Scientists and climate advisers condemn Tory environmental record Party under pressure on climate crisis as Corbyn says Johnson can not be trustedThe Tories’ green commitmentsThe parties’ climate proposalsThe Conservative party’s record on tackling the climate crisis was condemned by leading scientists and former government advisers on Sunday, as Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn warned that the forthcoming election was the last chance to halt the escalating emergency.Experts accused the Conservatives of copying rightwing politicians in the US by deliberately weakening environmental protections. Meanwhile, new analysis by Labour reveals that environmental policies put forward since 2017 and opposed by the Tories would have led to emissions reductions of over 70m tonnes a year by 2030 – ...

Fire, rocks and teargas fly in day of battle at Hong Kong university Police threaten to use live rounds on ‘rioters’ who use lethal weapons such as molotov cocktails against themViolence between riot police and protesters reached new heights on Sunday as the two sides waged a daylong battle and police threatened to use live rounds on demonstrators.After more than 12 hours of clashes at Polytechnic University in Kowloon, during which officers fired teargas and a water cannon and drove an armoured vehicle at demonstrators throwing molotov cocktails, the police said in a video statement that they would use live rounds on the “rioters” if they did not stop using lethal weapons to attack officers. Continue reading... Go to Source

Woking's Pizza Express customers struggle to remember first visit Restaurant joins Zizzi’s in Salisbury on list of UK’s most notorious pizza joints after mention in Prince Andrew’s Epstein interviewOn Saturday afternoon, it was just an ordinary Pizza Express in Woking. By Sunday morning, it had become the focus of international media attention, second only to Salisbury’s branch of Zizzi on the list of Britain’s most notorious pizza places.The local outlet of the popular chain was catapulted into the spotlight alongside the restaurant that was temporarily closed after a novichok attack last year after Prince Andrew’s Newsnight interview on Saturday. In the interview, the Duke of York explained that a visit to the Woking venue on 10 March 18 years ago was his alibi for the allegatio...

Photographer of swinging 60s Terry O'Neill dies aged 81 Londoner known for his pictures of Beatles, Stones, Bardot and Sean Connery had cancerTerry O’Neill, the photographer who chronicled London’s 1960s culture by capturing the celebrities and public figures who defined the era, has died aged 81.O’Neill, who was awarded a CBE last month for services to photography and was known for his work with the likes of Frank Sinatra, David Bowie and Elizabeth Taylor, died at home on Saturday night after a long illness, his agency said. He had prostate cancer. Continue reading... Go to Source

Flooding chaos in northern England to continue until Tuesday 70 warnings issued as rivers Severn and Avon burst banks, but drier weather forecast Large parts of Britain remain flooded and experts are warning the chaos could continue until Tuesday.There were 53 flood warnings from the Environment Agency (EA) in effect on Sunday evening, meaning flooding was expected and immediate action required. A further 89 flood alerts where possible flooding may occur had also been issued. Continue reading... Go to Source

Prince Andrew: I didn’t have sex with teenager, I was at home after Pizza Express in Woking Duke of York claims alibi in interview with Emily Maitlis for Newsnight about Jeffrey Epstein linksPrince Andrew on the Epstein scandal – transcriptThe Duke of York claimed on Saturday night that he could not have had sex with a teenage girl in the London home of British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell because he was at home after attending a children’s party at Pizza Express in Woking.Prince Andrew gave the startling explanation in a bombshell interview with Emily Maitlis for BBC’s Newsnight in which he was grilled about his relationship with the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, who has been exposed as a paedophile. Continue reading... Go to Source

Grenfell United raises concerns over cladding after Bolton student fire Campaign group wants national emergency to be called over building safety inaction Concerns have been raised over the cladding at a student accommodation building in Bolton where a fire spread “extremely rapidly”, gutting the upper floor.An investigation is under way into the cause of the blaze and calls are growing for an overhaul of UK fire safety regulations. Grenfell United, the group of survivors and bereaved people that formed after the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017, called for the declaration of a national emergency over the lack of action. Continue reading... Go to Source

Top lawyer calls Prince Andrew BBC interview 'a catastrophic error' Mark Stephens says such strategies only work ‘if you’ve got a full answer to every question’Prince Andrew’s decision to take part in a BBC interview on his relationship with the convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein has been described as a “catastrophic error” by a top media lawyer.The Queen’s son has broken his silence on his friendship with the disgraced financier and allegations of a non-consensual sexual encounter with a 17-year-old, in a pre-recorded interview for Saturday evening’s Newsnight programme. Continue reading... Go to Source

Prince Andrew: I thought staying with Epstein was 'honourable thing' Royal says in BBC interview that in hindsight staying with sex offender was wrongPrince Andrew has said he regrets staying with the convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein but believed it was the “honourable” thing to do at the time. Related: Prince Andrew on friendship with Jeffrey Epstein: I let royals down Continue reading... Go to Source

Police assessing claims that Tories offered peerages to Brexit party Lord Falconer urges Met to look at allegations candidates were offered peerages to stand downGeneral election latest – live updatesScotland Yard is assessing two allegations of electoral fraud after claims the Tories offered peerages to senior Brexit party figures to persuade them to stand down in the general election.The Labour peer Lord Falconer has written to the Metropolitan police commissioner and director of public prosecutions calling for an investigation into what he said were “exceptionally serious allegations”. Continue reading... Go to Source

General election: focus on freedom of movement as Labour debates manifesto – live news Live coverage of the day on the campaign trail, including Labour meeting to decide its manifestoPolice assessing claims that Tories offered peerages to Brexit partyLib Dems criticised for selective use of polling data on leafletsGary Younge: the view from StevenageSign up for Andrew Sparrow’s weekday election briefing email 11.31am GMTThe shadow cabinet and other senior figures are slowly arriving at the party’s clause V meeting in London, and have had their own messages for protesters calling on Labour to back freedom of movement. But who had the best response? The leader of Unite the Union, Len McCluskey, arriving moments after Jeremy Corbyn and the shadow chancellor, John McDonnell, approache...

Bolton fire: two injured in large blaze at student building Witnesses describe flames ‘crawling up cladding’ of six-storey building on BradshawgateTwo people have been injured in a large fire at a student accommodation building in Bolton.Images posted on social media showed firefighters tackling the blaze on the top floors of a six-storey building known as the Cube on Bradshawgate at about 8.30pm on Friday. Continue reading... Go to Source

Prince Andrew on friendship with Jeffrey Epstein: I let royals down Prince speaks publicly for first time about paedophile financier found dead in prisonPrince Andrew has said that he failed to uphold the standards of the royal family when he visited Jeffrey Epstein after the paedophile’s release from prison, admitting: “I let the side down, simple as that.”The prince made the statement in an interview with the BBC’s Newsnight programme, the first time he has spoken publicly about his friendship with Epstein, to be broadcast on Saturday night. Continue reading... Go to Source

Ukraine ambassador describes Trump's 'shocking' smear campaign against her Marie Yovanovitch, the third witness in public impeachment hearings, testified while president tweeted against herFollow the latest impeachment hearing updates liveAn American ambassador recalled by Donald Trump from Ukraine told impeachment investigators that she felt “shocked and devastated” by Trump’s personal attacks on her, and that she was “amazed” corrupt elements in Ukraine had found willing American partners to take her down.With Trump tweeting attacks on her even as she spoke, Marie Yovanovitch became the third witness in public impeachment hearings investigating whether Trump abused the powers of his office to serve his personal ends. Continue reading... Go to Source

Roger Stone: Trump adviser found guilty on all counts in WikiLeaks hacking case Stone found guilty of obstruction of justice and making false statements over what he told Congress relating to emails hacked from DemocratsRoger Stone, a self-described “dirty trickster” and longtime adviser to Donald Trump, was found guilty on Friday of obstructing a congressional investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.The verdict makes Stone only the latest among a growing list of people once in the president’s inner circle who have been convicted on federal charges. News of Stone’s convictions came as dramatic testimony in the impeachment inquiry unfolded on Capitol Hill. Continue reading... Go to Source

Corbyn launches plan to give free broadband to everyone in Britain Labour leader says proposed roll-out would bolster economy and help tackle climate crisisLatest election news - live updatesJeremy Corbyn has formally launched Labour’s ambitious plan to provide free broadband across the UK, arguing it would guarantee what is now a basic utility, encourage social cohesion, bolster the economy and help the environment.In a lengthy event during which two of his senior ministers presented the plan – which has prompted accusations it is unrealistic and could hamper the market – Corbyn said the service would become “our treasured public institution for the 21st century”. Continue reading... Go to Source

Venice council flooded moments after rejecting climate crisis plan Rightwing parties reject proposals as lagoon city faces worst flooding in 53 years Veneto’s regional council rejected a plan to combat climate change minutes before its offices on the Grand Canal, in Venice, were flooded, it has emerged as the city continues to battle high water levels.Venice has been hit by recurrent flooding since Tuesday, with 70% of the lagoon city engulfed on Friday morning as the acqua alta, or high water, level reached 1.54 metres amid heavy downpours. Continue reading... Go to Source

Boris Johnson challenged over how 'relatable' he is to general public Naga Munchetty quizzes PM over Brexit on BBC Breakfast and asks when he last used the NHSLatest election news – live updatesBoris Johnson has said the “whole potential of this country” can be realised if Brexit is pushed through, in a BBC interview in which he was challenged on how “relatable” he is.Speaking on BBC Breakfast on Friday morning, the prime minister talked about his vision for the country post-Brexit, the NHS and the economy. Continue reading... Go to Source

General election: Corbyn says Labour manifesto will 'knock your socks off' – live news Labour leader announces free internet plan in Lancaster, while Boris Johnson launches battle bus in OldhamSign up for Andrew Sparrow’s election briefing, sent to your inboxHow feasible is Labour’s plan for free broadband?Boris Johnson announces spending package for neglected townsFight for Canterbury plays out on social media 12.00pm GMTMcDonnell urges people to see Ken Loach’s new film, Sorry We Missed You. It is shocking, he says. But it shows what is happening in the gig economy.He says the plan being announced today is huge. But it is one that will transform lives. 11.58am GMTMcDonnell says for years people have said that taking on the multinationals is too difficult. But they accept that no...

Boris Johnson says Brexit will 'realise potential of country' Naga Munchetty challenges PM over Brexit on BBC Breakfast and also asks how relatable he isLatest election news – live updatesBoris Johnson has said the “whole potential of this country” can be realised if Brexit is pushed through, in a BBC interview in which he was challenged on how “relatable” he is.Speaking on BBC Breakfast on Friday morning, the prime minister talked about his vision for the country post-Brexit, the NHS and the economy. Continue reading... Go to Source

Police to investigate as Hong Kong minister falls to ground during protest in London Video shows Teresa Cheng falling as demonstrators shout ‘shame on you’The Metropolitan police have opened an investigation after Hong Kong’s justice minister, Teresa Cheng, fell to the ground while being surrounded by angry pro-democracy protesters outside an event in central London.The incident on Thursday evening was the first direct altercation between demonstrators and a Hong Kong government minister since protests, now in their sixth month, erupted in the city. Continue reading... Go to Source