The Guardian

Imran Ahmed and Clare Melford among five Europeans hit with visa bans over claims they wish to ‘suppress American viewpoints they oppose’This is what Sarah Rogers, the under secretary of state for public diplomacy at the US state department, said on her social media thread last night about why Imran Ahmed is being sanctioned.WE’VE SANCTIONED: Imran Ahmed, key collaborator with the Biden Administration’s effort to weaponize the government against U.S. citizens. Ahmed’s group, Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH), created the infamous “disinformation dozen” report, which called for platforms to deplatform twelve American “anti-vaxxers”, including now-HHS Secretary @SecKennedy. Leaked documents

Big brands such as Sainsbury’s and M&S also selling directly in app through links in videos and livestreamsIt is better known for its viral dances and for making hits out of forgotten songs, but the social media site TikTok is becoming a force to be reckoned with as a shopping platform.Major retailers such as Marks & Spencer, Samsung, QVC, Clarks, and Sainsbury’s are now selling their wares on the site’s e-commerce service, TikTok Shop, alongside more than 200,000 UK small and medium businesses. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/dec/24/uk-small-businesses-sign-up-to-tiktok-shop Author : Sarah Marsh Consumer affairs correspondent Publish date : 2025-12-24

Introduced in response to the Bondi beach terror attack, the laws give police powers to ban on protests for up to three months after a terrorist eventTen minutes of terror: how the Bondi mass shooting unfolded in real time – videoFollow the latest live updatesThe New South Wales premier, Chris Minns, has said it is up to the state’s police commissioner, Mal Lanyon, when to activate controversial new powers to ban protests – although he made it clear he would like them triggered quickly.The new laws, were assented to on Wednesday after being passed in a late-night sitting of the

Blackstone says it has agreed to buy popular Whitsundays island from Australian winemaking familyFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastHamilton Island, a popular tropical holiday destination on the Great Barrier Reef, has been sold to a US private equity firm, reportedly for $1.2bn.New York-headquartered Blackstone – which owns the casino-hotel chain Crown Resorts – released a statement on Tuesday night announcing it had entered into an agreement to acquire the Hamilton Island resort from the Oatley family, subject to customary regulatory approvals. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/dec/24/hamilton-island-great-barrier-reef-sold-blackstone

Libyan PM says Mohammed Ali Ahmed al-Haddad died after aircraft lost radio contact above AnkaraThe Libyan army’s chief of staff, Mohammed Ali Ahmed al-Haddad, has been killed in a plane crash after leaving Turkey’s capital, Ankara.The prime minister of Libya’s internationally recognised government confirmed on Tuesday evening that Mohammed Ali Ahmed al-Haddad had died and that four others were on the jet with him. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/dec/23/libyas-army-chief-dies-in-plane-crash-in-turkey Author : Reuters Publish date : 2025-12-23 23:46:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.

Home affairs minister says royal commissions ‘always ask for extensions’ and Dennis Richardson will urgently lead review of intelligence agencies insteadGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastSabra Lane signs off as host of AM after eight yearsThe ABC journalist Sabra Lane has signed off as the host of flagship radio current affairs program AM after more than eight years in the role. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2025/dec/24/nsw-gun-and-protest-laws-bondi-terror-attack-hate-crime-database-anthony-albanese-sussan-ley-chris-minns-labor-coalition-ntwnfb Author : Penry Buckley Publish date : 2025-12-23 21:08:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.

Top Democrat Chuck Schumer says justice department should release more information on ‘at least ten Jeffrey Epstein co-conspirators’Newly released Epstein files include references to Donald TrumpIn another released email exchange from November 2001, Ghislaine Maxwell appears to be organizing an instructor for Epstein who “has to be female youngish and attractive otherwise he will lose interest rapidly”.Maxwell emails someone called “Gibby”, saying: “JE is looking for an exercise instructor to work out with. He is looking for someone who can tone, flex and stretch.” “I am counting on you,” she adds.He likes, well you know what he likes. Continue reading...

Philip Young appears at Swindon magistrates court charged with 56 offences relating to 13-year periodA former Tory councillor has appeared in court charged with drugging and raping his former wife over a period of 13 years.Philip Young, 49, and five other men have been accused of more than 60 rapes and sexual offences against Joanne Young, 48. She can be named as the alleged victim because she has waived her right to anonymity, which would otherwise apply in such cases.Norman Macksoni, 47, a black British national of Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire, who has been charged with one count of rape and possession

Epstein files reveal messages between his accomplice and a man who appears to be Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor A man identified as “A” who appears to be Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor discussed facilitating meetings with “inappropriate friends” with Jeffrey Epstein’s accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell.Among the latest tranche of Epstein files are email exchanges in 2001 and 2002 between Maxwell and a correspondent who appears as “The Invisible Man” in the email thread and says that he is writing from Balmoral. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/23/epstein-files-email-a-balmoral-ghislaine-maxwell-inappropriate-friends Author : Jamie Grierson Publish date : 2025-12-23 13:29:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.

The US press have suffered about as many assaults this year as in the previous three years combinedThe United States has seen a dramatic increase in violence against journalists since Donald Trump again took office.Most of the reporters and photographers who were allegedly attacked by law enforcement officials were covering protests over the Trump administration’s efforts to deport undocumented immigrants, according to the Freedom of the Press Foundation, a non-profit that tracks such incidents. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/23/violence-against-journalists-increase-trump Author : Eric Berger Publish date : 2025-12-23 11:00:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.

Denise Coates’s gambling empire reports turnover of £4bn in year to March 2025, up from £3.7bnDenise Coates, the billionaire boss of Bet365, a self-described “ultimate gambler” and Britain’s highest-paid woman, took home at least £280m in pay and dividends in 2025 despite a slump in pre-tax profits.Coates’s Stoke-based gambling empire recorded turnover of £4bn in the year to March 2025, up from £3.7bn the year before. Pre-tax profits fell to £349m from £627m in the previous year. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/dec/23/bet365-boss-denise-coates-receives-at-least-280m-in-pay-and-dividends-despite-profit-slump Author : Rob Davies Publish date : 2025-12-23 07:35:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked

Pro-Palestine and Indigenous activist groups say state government ‘trying to strip away the right to peacefully protest for everyone’ in wake of Bondi attackThe NSW parliament is once again rushing through anti-protest laws. Will they survive a court challenge?What does ‘globalise the intifada’ mean, and why does NSW want to ban the chant?Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe New South Wales premier, Chris Minns, has said he is “confident” new laws to ban protests for up to three months can withstand a constitutional challenge from three groups

Advocates say State Electricity Commission’s $650m Delburn windfarm will be a ‘new chapter’ for region previously home to Hazelwood coal power stationFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesSign up for climate and environment editor Adam Morton’s free Clear Air newsletter hereVictoria will have its first publicly owned windfarm after the government’s electricity commission spent $650m on a 33-turbine project in the Latrobe valley.Construction of the Delburn windfarm is due to start in early 2026 and climate advocates said the purchase of the project by the State Electricity Commission marked a key turning point for a region known for

Financier will assume the role on 15 February, ahead of US free trade negotiations, says prime minister Mark Carney Canada’s prime minister, Mark Carney, announced that financier Mark Wiseman will serve as the country’s next ambassador to the US, an appointment that comes at a critical time in relations between the two major trading partners.Wiseman will assume the role on 15 February and will be involved in negotiations with the US regarding the review of their free trade agreement. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/dec/23/former-blackrock-executive-mark-wiseman-named-as-canadas-next-ambassador-to-us Author : Associated Press Publish date : 2025-12-23 00:44:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to

An atmospheric river is forecast to drive storms across the state this week, bringing rain, high winds and risk of floodsOne person has died in California amid heavy flooding, as residents across the state brace for a week of brutal storms that are predicted to bring extensive rainfall throughout the Christmas weekend.Authorities in Redding, a city in northern California, reported that a motorist died on Sunday after becoming stranded in their vehicle. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/22/california-storms-flooding-atmospheric-river Author : Abené Clayton Publish date : 2025-12-22 21:54:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.

The Liberals voted with Labor to pass the legislation last night, while the Nationals opposed the bill. Follow live updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastNSW parliament’s emergency sitting of parliament in the wake of the Bondi shootings will continue today with the omnibus bill to change gun laws and to restrict protests expected to move to the upper house.The lower house passed the bill last night after nearly 10 hours of debate. The Liberals voted with Labor, while the Nationals opposed the bill. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2025/dec/23/bondi-terror-attacks-response-nsw-law-changes-gun-law-reform-protest-restrictions-chris-minns-anthony-albanese-labr-sussan-ley-coalition-ntwnfb Author : Martin Farrer Publish date

Philip Young, 49, charged along with five other men as alleged victim waives right to anonymity A man has been charged with 56 sexual offences, including multiple counts of rape and administering a substance with intent to stupefy, against his ex-wife over 13 years.Philip Young, 49, was charged along with five other men and will appear in court on Tuesday, Wiltshire police said. The alleged victim, Joanne Young, has waived her right to anonymity. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/dec/22/man-in-uk-charged-with-56-sexual-offences-against-ex-wife Author : Press Association Publish date : 2025-12-22 17:27:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.

Chuck Schumer announces he is introducing resolution to force Senate to initiate legal action against justice department for ‘blatant disregard of law’Members of Congress slammed CBS’s eleventh-hour decision to kill a fully reported 60 Minutes investigation into Trump deportees sent to El Salvador’s notorious Cecot prison.Senator from Hawaii Brian Schatz called it “a terrible embarrassment,” writing on X that “if executives think they can build shareholder value by avoiding journalism that might offend the Mad King they are about to learn a tough lesson. This is still America and we don’t enjoy bullshit like this.”“If the standard for airing a

Chris Philp says Mary-Ann Stephenson is dismissing ‘legitimate concerns about mass migration’Mary-Ann Stephenson, the new chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, has said that the “demonisation of migrants” is bad for Britain. (See 10.21am.)This morning we have published a video report illustrating what she is worried about. It is about the rise in hate crimes, and it features the Muslim journalist Taj Ali visiting smaller more isolated minority communities around the UK to find out the impact this is having.I remember thinking that the pandemic really showed just how dependent we all are upon the workers that keep

Official says investigators are pursuing ‘numerous lines’ in inquiry, including whether Ukrainian intelligence were involvedUkrainian President Voldymrr Zelenskyy has signalled that he is prepared to drop Ukraine’s desire for Nato membership if he can get robust security guarantees from the west.This represents a huge shift for Ukraine, which has fought to join Nato as a safeguard against Russian attacks. Kyiv has so far held firm against ceding territory to Moscow. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2025/dec/22/ukraine-russia-car-bomb-general-europe-latest-news-updates Author : Yohannes Lowe Publish date : 2025-12-22 09:59:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.

BMA calls on Wes Streeting to be equally positive and says 11th-hour talks before five-day stoppage came too late but were encouragingResident doctors have said they will approach talks with Wes Streeting with a “can-do spirit” to avoid further strikes in the new year, as their five-day action ended on Monday morning.The British Medical Association called on the health secretary to come to the table with the same “constructive” attitude, saying the tone of 11th-hour talks before their stoppage had been encouraging but too late to avoid the strike in England. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/dec/22/resident-doctors-strikes-talks-bma-wes-streeting Author : Rowena

Attorney general’s office also says 10 people received prison terms from 463 to 958 years amid crackdown on gangs under state of emergencyEl Salvador has announced prison sentences for hundreds of gang members, with some of the convicted receiving terms of hundreds of years.The attorney general’s office posted on X that 248 members of the notorious Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) street gang had received “exemplary sentences” for 43 homicides and 42 disappearances, among other crimes. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/dec/22/man-jailed-1335-years-el-salvador-sentences-ms-13-gang-members Author : Agence France-Presse Publish date : 2025-12-22 04:29:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.

Regulator says ex-customers allegedly affected by Centrepay scandal were already ‘likely experiencing economic vulnerability’Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastOrigin Energy will face court for allegedly overcharging thousands of former customers on Centrelink by a combined $2.5m and breaching laws more than 77,000 times.The company allegedly took payments through Centrepay over six years from over 3,400 customers who had closed their accounts and owed no money, including one customer who paid $11,000. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/dec/22/origin-energy-centrepay-allegedly-overcharging-former-customers-on-centrelink Author : Luca Ittimani Publish date : 2025-12-22 02:05:00 Copyright

Vilma Palacios, 22, tells local outlet ‘I want my freedom back’ as she may be forced to return to HondurasA recent graduate of the LSU Health New Orleans School of Nursing has been held in an ICE processing center in Basile, Louisiana, for the past six months following her arrest by immigration agents over the summer.Vilma Palacios had just recently accepted a position at Touro Infirmary when ICE agents arrested her and transferred her to the processing center in Basile. Her detention comes amid a broader immigration crackdown under the Trump administration, including cases involving individuals with no criminal records

Follow the latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAlbanese orders review of AFP and Asio processes in lead-up to Bondi attackWhile he has resisted calls for a federal royal commission, the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, has announced a major review into intelligence and law enforcement processes in the lead-up to the Bondi beach attack.We need our police around Bondi and Sydney’s east at the moment. People, again, should feel free to express their opinions – they can do it in an ongoing fashion after that terrorist designation.I would like to see a royal commission. I’d