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World / The Guardian

Childcare expansion in England may not meet parents expectations, says charity

Survey by Coram found nursery costs and dwindling places will put pressure on government plans Rishi Sunaks plans to expand childcare provision in England are at risk of not living up to parents expectations as nursery costs surge and available places dwindle, a charity has warned. The cost of 25 hours a week for a child under two has risen by 7% on 2023, with the most expensive area being inner London where the average cost is 218 a week, the latest annual survey of the Coram Family and Childca

19 Mar 2024 10:31 am
Death tolls mount as elephants and people compete for land in Sri Lanka

Conservationists plead for coexistence as shrinking forests drive conflict, with elephant deaths doubling in a decade Setting out from home to collect firewood on a cool spring morning last year, Harshini Wanninayake and her mother had no idea only one of them would come back alive. The pair were walking to a nearby forest from Eriyawa, a village in north-west Sri Lanka, when they heard a loud rustling close by. It came out of nowhere, says Wanninayake. The elephant was behind the thicket and to

19 Mar 2024 10:30 am
Should forests have rights? podcast

A growing movement of ecologists, lawyers and artists is arguing that nature should have legal rights. By recognising the rights of ecosystems and other species, advocates hope that they can gain better protection. Madeleine Finlay speaks to the Guardians global environment editor, Jonathan Watts, about where this movement has come from and why the UK government has dismissed the concept, and hears from Cesar Rodriguez-Garavito of NYU School of Law about how he is finding creative ways to give r

19 Mar 2024 10:30 am
Bees move out while National Trust house in Wales gets new roof

Exclusive: Former owners of Plas yn Rhiw stipulated insects be protected so given temporary home while work takes place When the 17th-century manor house in the far north-west of Wales was bequeathed to the National Trust, it came with a clear condition: the bees in the roof, which sometimes produce so much honey that it oozes through cracks in the walls, should be left alone. However, the ravages of the wind and rain mean the slate roof of the house, Plas yn Rhiw, on the Lln peninsula, needs to

19 Mar 2024 10:30 am
Boost walking and cycling in towns and cities, urges UK government adviser

Chair of Office for Space says move would boost prosperity, health and personal freedom and could help solve housing crisis A leading government adviser on cities has urged ministers to make urban areas friendlier for walking and cycling, saying this would boost prosperity, health and personal freedom, and could even help solve the housing crisis. In a report that takes a notably different stance to Rishi Sunaks recent plan for drivers , which seeks to prioritise car use at the expense of active

19 Mar 2024 10:30 am
Empire of the ants: what insect supercolonies can teach us

People have long drawn comparisons between ant societies and human ones but in fact they are a reminder of how limited our influence on the world really is It is a familiar story: a small group of animals living in a wooded grassland begin, against all odds, to populate Earth. At first, they occupy a specific ecological place in the landscape, kept in check by other species. Then something changes. The animals find a way to travel to new places. They learn to cope with unpredictability. They ad

19 Mar 2024 10:30 am
S6 Ep 6: Daniel Foxx, playwright

Sliding into Graces sitting room this week is rising star and multitalented comedian, playwright and musical theatre creator, Daniel Foxx. Bringing his concoction of gunk meant only for solo consumption in the small hours, theres nowhere left to hide. Buckle up and join Grace and Daniel as they go on a tour of the ins and outs of life in the fast lane or is that the M6 at 1am? Daniel shares his different incarnations from coming out age 11 to donning a string of pearls post-lockdown. His obser

19 Mar 2024 10:30 am
Missing migrants families say they were asked to pay hundreds for information on relatives

Families say they were promised details of relatives whereabouts after contacting people they thought were linked to NGO in Spain Families of people who disappeared on the perilous journey from Africa to Europe have said they were asked to pay hundreds of euros in exchange for information about what had happened to their loved ones. In interviews with the Guardian, three families recounted how, as part of their searches for missing relatives that had gone on for years, they had made contact with

19 Mar 2024 10:30 am
Ruling further erodes climate activists right to protest in England and Wales

Court of appeals removal of consent defence means defendants on trial for criminal damage can no longer use it It took a matter of minutes in the court of appeal, where demonstrators were strangely absent, for the dial to shift once more on the rights of protest in England and Wales. The decision taken on Monday by the court of appeal to, in effect, find in favour of the attorney general, the Conservative governments premier legal officer, has removed a defence for climate protesters that had be

19 Mar 2024 10:30 am
Its a really big threat: Portuguese communities on the rise of the far right

After scapegoating minorities and migrants, the Chega party appears poised to play a prominent role For years, Evalina Dias has diligently worked to combat racism in Portugal. But just how much remains to be done was brought into sharp relief last Sunday, she says, as the far-right Chega party led by a politician whose views have been described by one opponent as often xenophobic, racist catapulted into the countrys top echelons of power. I couldnt believe it, says Dias, a board member with Dj

19 Mar 2024 10:30 am
The people who started again in their 90s: I was in the closet for 95 years. Then that door blew open!

Its never too late and youre never too old at least according to the nonagenarians who are coming out, completing PhDs and publishing their first books in their 10th decade The moment Maybelle Blair took a decision one she didnt know she was about to take she says she felt like all the blood rushed away from my head, down to my toes. I didnt know what was happening. Blair, the former baseball player in the postwar womens league which inspired the 1992 film A League of Their Own , was on stage

19 Mar 2024 10:30 am
England Women begin tour of New Zealand with victory in opening T20

England 160-4; New Zealand 133-5 | England win by 27 runs Captain Heather Knight makes 63 from 39 balls in Dunedin Captain Heather Knight paved the way for England Women to win the opening T20 international against New Zealand by 27 runs. Knight hit 63 from 39 balls as England reached 160-4 in Dunedin before bowling two tight overs as the visiting attack put the brakes on New Zealands reply. Continue reading...

19 Mar 2024 10:27 am
Only seven countries meet WHO air quality standard, research finds

Almost all countries failing to meet mark for PM2.5, tiny particles expelled by vehicles and industry that can cause health problems Only seven countries are meeting an international air quality standard, with deadly air pollution worsening in places due to a rebound in economic activity and the toxic impact of wildfire smoke, a new report has found. Of 134 countries and regions surveyed in the report, only seven Australia, Estonia, Finland, Grenada, Iceland, Mauritius and New Zealand are meet

19 Mar 2024 9:31 am
Elon Musk replies to post by far-right Austrian linked to Christchurch terrorist after X account restored

Founder of Identitarian Movement, Martin Sellner, preaches superiority of European ethnic groups and was banned from Twitter in 2020 Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our morning and afternoon news emails , free app or daily news podcast A far-right Austrian who received donations from and communicated with the Christchurch terrorist prior to the 2019 attack has had his X account restored, with X owner Elon Musk replying to one of his tweets. The founder of the so-called

19 Mar 2024 9:14 am
Why are Indian and Nepali men ending up on the frontline in Ukraine? - podcast

Thousands of young Indian and Nepali men are being killed on the frontlines of the war in Ukraine. Their families want answers. Hannah Ellis-Petersen reports from Delhi Hemul Mangakia grew up in Surat, a city in the Indian state of Gujarat. At 23 he was looking for opportunities and a way to make his mark on the world. So when he came across a video on YouTube posted by a recruitment agent in St Petersburg, Russia, he was intrigued. The man on the video said there were openings for security guar

19 Mar 2024 8:30 am
US and Japan push for ban on nuclear weapons in space with UN security council resolution

UN chief Antnio Guterres says risk of nuclear war has escalated and that humanity cannot survive a sequel to Oppenheimer The US and Japan are sponsoring a UN security council resolution calling on all nations not to deploy or develop nuclear weapons in space, the US ambassador has announced. Linda Thomas-Greenfield told a UN security council meeting that any placement of nuclear weapons into orbit around the Earth would be unprecedented, dangerous, and unacceptable. Continue reading...

19 Mar 2024 7:33 am
In the busy waters between China and Taiwan, the de facto border is being tested

After a fatal capsize off Kinmen island, China has rejected the existence of the prohibited waters line, which has been tacitly respected since the 1990s Motoring across the calm waters of the South China Sea, Taiwanese captain Lu Wen-shiung recalls the old days, when Chinese and Taiwanese fishers used to meet behind rocky headlands, anchoring their boats out of the authorities sight, to share a meal. There was less surveillance then, and the two sides were more friendly, fishing the same waters

19 Mar 2024 6:25 am
Peter Navarro: US supreme court denies Trump allys bid to avoid prison

Justices find no basis to disagree with lower courts ruling after Navarro, former Trump trade adviser, convicted of contempt The US supreme court on Monday denied a request by Donald Trumps former aide Peter Navarro to avoid prison while he appeals his contempt of Congress conviction for defying a subpoena from a panel that investigated the 2021 Capitol attack. Navarro, who served as trade adviser during Trumps presidency, is set to become the first senior member of his administration to be impr

19 Mar 2024 6:19 am
Second man charged with stealing Dorothys Wizard of Oz ruby slippers

Jerry Hal Saliterman, 76, of Minnesota allegedly threatened to release a sex tape of a woman if she told anyone about the caper Nearly five months after an ailing man with a history of theft admitted to stealing the shining shoes worn by Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz, a second person has been charged in the caper, according to the Associated Press. Jerry Hal Saliterman, 76, of Crystal, Minnesota, was charged with theft of a major artwork and witness tampering. He did not enter a plea when he

19 Mar 2024 6:18 am
Emma Raducanu pulls out of Miami Open with lower back injury

Briton was due to face Chinas Wang Xiyu in first round Late withdrawal another injury setback for 21-year-old Emma Raducanu has withdrawn from the Miami Open on the eve of the joint ATP and WTA 1000 tournament due to a lower back injury. Raducanu had hoped to build on her positive performances at Indian Wells over the last two weeks and she had been handed a fair draw, with a first-round meeting against Wang Xiyu of China and the winner facing Anna Kalinskaya, the 22nd seed, in the second round.

19 Mar 2024 5:50 am
58bn plan to rewire Great Britain expected to spark tensions along route

High-capacity electrical spine to run onshore from north-east Scotland to north-west England A 58bn plan to rewire Great Britains electricity grid to connect up new windfarms off the coast of Scotland is expected to trigger tensions with communities along the route. National Grids electricity system operator (ESO) has mapped out power motorways across Great Britain to allow for the biggest investment since the 1960s. Continue reading...

19 Mar 2024 5:31 am
Sneaky fees add up to 25% to UK music ticket prices, says Which?

Consumer body calls for a crackdown on bewildering range of extra charges at big ticketing sites Live music fans are losing out because of an array of sneaky fees that can add up to 25% to the cost of concert and festival tickets, research from the consumer body Which? has found. With booking open for big summer gigs, the lobby group has called for a crackdown on the bewildering range of extra charges that some of the UKs biggest ticketing websites impose. Continue reading...

19 Mar 2024 5:31 am
24 in 2024: salsa parties, stinky tofu and being queer in Taiwan

Social media manager Noya Lee says gen Z struggles with everything but going straight into the workforce has given her confidence Read more from our 24 in 2024 series Twenty-four in 2024 is a series on the lives, hopes and fears of 24-year-olds around the world in a year of election uncertainty, conflict and climate change. Continue reading...

19 Mar 2024 5:18 am
New Zealand v England: first womens T20 international live

Updates from the first T20 in Dunedin (Tuesday 12am GMT) Get involved! Email Tanya with your thoughts Susie Bates wins the toss , leading New Zealand for the first time on home soil. With the games weve played here in the past, the wicket gets better and better so we trust in our seam attack. My job is to lead from the front, were focused on the cricket we want to do, the brand of cricket we want to play. H eather Knigh t This is a great place to have a bit of prep, enjoying Queenstown. A slight

19 Mar 2024 5:10 am
Whites Only: Ades Extremist Adventure review a woeful failure to challenge racism

Ade Adepitan is a charming presenter, but his chilled-out approach to entering a whites-only South African town is utterly feeble. At points, his passivity is borderline offensive Not every attempt at documenting real events ends up fulfilling its intended purpose. Capturing the Friedmans started as a sweet tale about clowns and ended up lamenting harrowing crimes. Metallicas Some Kind of Monster was planned to be a couple of infomercials, not a nuanced portrait of the poisonous effects of fame.

19 Mar 2024 4:35 am
Tell us: how did your relationship survive infidelity?

Many consider sexual affairs to be the ultimate dealbreaker, but some couples can overcome these transgressions. If that is you, we want to hear how you did it Get our weekend culture and lifestyle email Cheating is often regarded as the mother of all relationship crimes, but it doesnt always result in a couple calling it quits. We want to hear how you navigated the fallout from a sexual betrayal. What motivated you to try to work things out? And how did you find your way back to a place of trus

19 Mar 2024 4:30 am
Whats the big deal?: London Black Out night welcomed despite No 10 concerns

Theatre evening that encourages Black-only audience dubbed divisive by Downing Street gets seal of approval from punters Stephen, an international education consultant, goes to about 20 theatre shows a year. Its a lot compared with most Londoners, he says, and every time, its the same crowd. Its very white and its a shame theatre is for everyone. On Monday night, he was going to see Blue at the Seven Dials Playhouse during one of its Black Out night performances . On these nights the Black comm

19 Mar 2024 4:17 am
Rachel Reeves: Treasury will hardwire growth into tax and spending decisions

Shadow chancellor to outline plans to shake up department after Labour election victory The Treasury under a Labour government would hardwire raising Britains growth rate into its budget tax and spending decisions as part of plans to shake up Whitehalls most powerful department, Rachel Reeves is to announce. The shadow chancellor will use a lecture in London on Tuesday to say that a decade of national renewal must start with day one reform after a Labour election victory to make growth more pivo

19 Mar 2024 4:00 am
English football regulator close as government confirms historic bill

Football governance bill to be published on Tuesday Prime minister: bill will prevent a breakaway league An independent regulator for English football is imminent after the government confirmed plans to put a bill before parliament under which clubs could be fined up to 10% of revenues if they breach agreed conditions. The long-awaited football governance bill is to be published on Tuesday and will define the powers of the regulator according to three objectives: to improve financial sustainabil

19 Mar 2024 4:00 am
MPs vote to throw out amendments to Rwanda deportation bill

All 10 amendments made by peers voted down, giving much-needed boost to beleaguered PM Rishi Sunaks plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda took a step forward on Monday night after MPs voted overwhelmingly to throw out a series of amendments made to the Rwanda bill by the House of Lords. MPs voted down all 10 amendments made by peers over the past few weeks to return the bill to the form in which it was initially passed by the Commons in January, giving a much-needed boost to the beleaguered prim

19 Mar 2024 3:35 am
West Midlands PCC wins case to stop his powers being given to Tory mayor

Home Office had planned to scrap the police commissioner role held by Labours Simon Foster and give powers to mayor The police and crime commissioner for the West Midlands has won a high court challenge against government plans to transfer his powers to the regions mayor. Simon Foster, a Labour politician, took legal action against the Home Offices move to scrap his role in time for local elections in May. Continue reading...

19 Mar 2024 3:04 am
No quick Ryder Cup fix for Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton after LIV switch

Pair due to receive fines and suspensions from DP World Tour Bans could stop them playing for Europe at Bethpage in 2025 Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton will still receive fines and suspensions from the DP World Tour because of their switch to LIV, in the latest indication that much work needs to be done to secure the influential pair a berth in Europes next Ryder Cup team. A sporting arbitration panel ruled last April that the DP World, formerly European, Tour was correct to impose sanctions on mem

19 Mar 2024 2:30 am
Sunak and ministers stoking division over UKs net zero target, warns Ed Miliband

Labour shadow energy minister will use speech to say Tory approach is also leading to higher bills Ministers are stoking the fires of the culture wars over the UKs net zero target instead of addressing the urgency of the climate crisis, Ed Miliband will say. The shadow energy secretary will make a pitch directly to Conservative voters who are concerned that the party has made major U-turns on cutting greenhouse gas emissions amid increasingly anti-green rhetoric. Continue reading...

19 Mar 2024 2:30 am
Brazils Gabriel Magalhes pulls out of squad for England and Spain games

Arsenal defender will hope to return for Manchester City clash Griezmanns record run of 84 straight France games to end The Arsenal centre-back Gabriel Magalhes will miss Brazils friendlies against England on Saturday and Spain next week because of injury, with Juventuss Bremer named as his replacement. Brazils coach, Dorival Jnior, gave no details on the injury when announcing the news, but Arsenal will be desperate for Gabriel to be fit for their Premier League trip to Manchester City on 31 Ma

19 Mar 2024 1:55 am
Emma Hayes wary of Ajaxs threat to Chelsea in Womens Champions League

WSL champions visit Amsterdam in quarter-final They are a club with serious ambition in Europe Emma Hayes praised the development of Ajax and said their rise had come as no surprise, as she prepared her Chelsea side for Tuesday nights first leg of the Champions League quarter-final in Amsterdam. Ajax were the first Dutch team to make the group stage this season and then escaped a section with Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain and Roma with three home wins at the Johan Cruijff ArenA. They welcom

19 Mar 2024 1:50 am
Michelin hails cultural dynamism as 52 French restaurants earn their first stars

One chef receives three stars at first attempt in 115th edition of the French foodies bible A record 52 restaurants in France including 23 that only opened in the past year have been awarded one or more Michelin stars for the first time, which the French foodies bible said reflected the cultural dynamism of a new generation of innovative young chefs. This years is a generous vintage, and also true to our values, said Gwendal Poullennec, the director of the Michelin Guide , at the launch of its

19 Mar 2024 1:12 am
Motherboard review enthralling smartphone self-portrait of family life

Copenhagen documentary film festival Victoria Mapplebecks documentary stitches 20 years worth of footage into a home video love letter to her son, whose whole life so far is observed Victoria Mapplebeck is a British director and lecturer who has worked in film, video, VR, user-generated content, and with her personal, revelatory projects shes shown a magic touch with a smartphone camera: she won a TV Bafta in 2019 for her iPhone short Missed Call , about her life as a single mum, working out her

19 Mar 2024 1:05 am
Nearly 130,000 children exposed to lead-tainted drinking water in Chicago

Study says the 19% of kids using unfiltered tap water have about twice as much lead in their blood as they would otherwise Some 129,000 Chicago children under the age of six are exposed to poisonous lead in their household drinking water because of lead pipes, according to a study published Monday. The study used artificial intelligence to analyse 38,000 home water tests conducted for the city of Chicago, along with neighborhood demographics, state blood samples and numerous other factors. Conti

19 Mar 2024 1:02 am
Sunak braces for backlash as smoking ban bill to be introduced in Commons

Libertarian faction of Conservatives expected to stage a rebellion but measure has widespread support Rishi Sunaks public health policy banning the next generation from being able to buy cigarettes is to be introduced in parliament this week, with officials braced for a backlash from Conservative rebels. While the policy commands considerable support in Conservative ranks, the scale of an expected rebellion by libertarian Tories whose ranks includeLiz Truss has yet to become clear. Continue re

19 Mar 2024 12:53 am
Cuba blames US for stoking protests amid power cuts and food shortages

US embassy says absurd to suggest Washington behind protests in Santiago de Cuba led by parents struggling to feed their children The Cuban government has summoned US ambassador Benjamin Ziff to its foreign ministry, accusing Washington of stoking a protest which saw hundreds of people take to the streets in the islands second city of Santiago de Cuba. The demonstration late on Sunday was a rare public show of disenchantment against Cubas communist government, and was apparently led by parents s

19 Mar 2024 12:47 am
Supporters should blame club owners not the rules for points deductions | Barney Ronay

Clubs may not like what they sign up to and object to the extent of sanctions, but cannot cry corruption if rules are transparent Welcome to the Premier Leagues latest sensational product innovation: the courtroom drama relegation battle. Two things seem certain after the decision to dock four points from Nottingham Forest over breaches of profitability and sustainabilityrules. First, this isnt over by anymeasure. Buckle up for some really excellent legal wrangle content over the coming months a

19 Mar 2024 12:30 am
Simona Halep happy to return but stark contrast in judgments baffles | Tumaini Carayol

As she warms up in Miami, we dont know why the court of arbitration for sport ruled so differently to the original tribunal For a player of her stature, a former world No 1 for 64 weeks and a two-time grand slam champion, Simona Halep has often preferred to conduct her work in peace and remain outside of the spotlight. But all eyes will be on her this week as she makes her return to professional tennis for the first time in 19 months at the Miami Open after the court of arbitration for sport (Ca

19 Mar 2024 12:24 am
False King Charles death story spread by Russian media outlets

One site tweeted of monarchs purported demise only to later concede: Most likely, the information is fake The news broke in the Russian media on Monday afternoon. King Charles III was dead. He was not, but no one really had time to check the details. The saga of the royal family finally had its latest twist: a viral Russian disinformation angle. The rumour went into overdrive when it was shared on a Telegram channel used by Vedomosti, once Russias most respected business newspaper. There was a p

19 Mar 2024 12:21 am
Move to overturn FGM ban in the Gambia postponed

Committee will examine for at least three months a bill proposing repeal of ban on female genital mutilation A decision on whether to overturn a ban on female genital mutilation (FGM) in the Gambia has been postponed for three months after MPs called for more consultation. FGM was outlawed in the country eight years ago and is punishable by up to three years imprisonment. Continue reading...

19 Mar 2024 12:19 am
The Guardian view on Britains non-white political class: supporting change by embodying it | Editorial

The success of the three political leaders should not be seen as a repudiation of the existence of racism itself If power was just about office, then Britains ethnic minorities would appear to have nothing to worry about. Rishi Sunak sits in Downing Street. HumzaYousaf heads Scotlands devolved government. When Vaughan Gething takes over as the first minister in Wales, he will become the first black leader of a European nation. But the success of the three political leaders should not be seen as

19 Mar 2024 12:12 am
The Guardian view on Russias election: in Stalins footsteps | Editorial

Vladimir Putins landslide victory in a fake contest marks the latest phase in a transition from authoritarianism to outright autocracy One of the curiosities of the Soviet Union was the serious weight its leaders attached to holding elections. In a dictatorship, why bother? Academic studies concluded that ensuring a 99% vote share for the only candidate on the ballot was a useful tool for civic mobilisation, and a way of isolating and intimidating anyone who aspired to a real democratic choice.

19 Mar 2024 12:10 am
West condemns undemocratic Russian election as results show Putin landslide

UK, US and Germany denounce poll that was said to give president vote share of 87.28% amid crackdown on dissent Western nations have widely condemned Russias presidential election, which saw Vladimir Putin claim a landslide victory that will keep him in power until at least 2030 amid a crackdown on dissent and opposition. These Russian elections starkly underline the depth of repression under President Putins regime, which seeks to silence any opposition to his illegal war, said the British fore

19 Mar 2024 12:00 am
Barack Obama drops in on Rishi Sunak on London trip

Former US president understood to have discussed AI and other subjects with PM on informal courtesy visit Barack Obama has held talks with Rishi Sunak as the former US president paid a courtesy visit to Downing Street during a trip to London. The pair are understood to have discussed a range of subjects during an hour-long meeting, including one of the prime ministers favourite topics, artificial intelligence. Continue reading...

18 Mar 2024 11:54 pm
Man jailed for ramming motorcyclist off Milton Keynes bridge in extreme road rage

Nikesh Mistry, 34, caused serious injuries after using his BMW to try to force the motorbike off the road A man has been jailed for ramming a motorcyclist off a Buckinghamshire bridge in what police described as an act of extreme road rage. Nikesh Mistry, 34, repeatedly tried to force the motorcyclist off the road, which resulted in him sustaining serious injuries, police said. Continue reading...

18 Mar 2024 11:45 pm
Fierce clashes between IDF and Hamas after Israel takes control of key hospital

Israel claims to have killed 20 militants at al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City following early morning raid Fierce fighting has continued around al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City, as Israeli troops battled Hamas militants after seizing control of the strategically situated medical complex in an early morning raid. Witnesses reported multiple airstrikes and ferocious firefights as fears rose for the safety of hundreds of civilians in the immediate vicinity of the hospital. Continue reading...

18 Mar 2024 11:36 pm