From the Guardian
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Opposition cries foul over ‘dynastic dictatorship’ as Chad goes to polls
Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno widely expected to win poll as observers voice doubts over electoral processChad goes to the polls on Monday in its first presidential election in three decades without Idriss Déby, the former president, in contention.Ten men will be on the ballot, but Déby’s son, Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, who seized power at the head of a junta on the day rebels shot and killed his father in April 2021, is widely expected to win. Continue reading
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‘I’ve had massive highs and deep lows’: Edward Timpson on winning for the Tories and being sacked by Liz Truss
Sixteen years after he entered parliament, the former minister has had enough. He talks about fighting for children, backing austerity, and his least favourite Conservative PM “I do question whether I’m actually a politician,” Edward Timpson says. “It’s a bit late now, isn’t it?” I say. He laughs. “Yes, it’s a question I should have asked at the start.” Why does he question it? “Because maybe I didn’t feel I was ruthless enough, not sharp-elbowed enough.”However much he is in denial, the...
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The Bauhaus Nazis: the collaborators – and worse – among the design icons
They were seen as heroes and martyrs who defied the Nazis. But a new show in Weimar reveals horrifying details about some Bauhauslers, one of whom designed the crematoriums at AuschwitzIf the day of Otti Berger’s death is not known, its place and cause are. In April 1944, Berger – part deaf, Jewish, a communist – was arrested in her home town of Zmajevac, in German-occupied Yugoslavia. On 29 May, she was put on a transport to Auschwitz. After that, nothing.Of the eight Bauhaus students to die at...
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How child labour in India makes the paving stones beneath our feet – podcast
Despite promises of reform, exploitation remains endemic in India’s sandstone industry, with children doing dangerous work for low pay – often to decorate driveways and gardens thousands of miles away. By Romita Saluja Continue reading
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Qantas to pay $120m for allegedly selling tickets to flights that had already been cancelled
The airline agrees to a $100m fine and to repay $20m to customers in settlement with the ACCCFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcastQantas will fork out $100m as a civil penalty and pay $20m to customers in compensation, after striking a deal with the consumer watchdog over landmark legal action for allegedly selling tens of thousands of tickets to flights that had already been cancelled in its system.On...
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Lack of mortgage competition to hurt customers and boost Australian banks’ profits
In half-year financial results Westpac says pressure on profit margins has eased with its pullback from aggressively competing in the home loan marketFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcastMortgage holders are facing a lack of vigorous competition from the country’s major lenders, creating a scarcity of good deals, while at the same time elevated interest rates and high living costs push more households...
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‘I freaking love it’: Lando Norris proud to silence the critics with first F1 win at Miami Grand Prix
McLaren driver beat Max Verstappen to take out Miami GPBriton used doubters and family as motivation for maiden F1 victoryLando Norris has hailed his maiden Formula One win at the Miami Grand Prix as a moment of immense pride and one that he insisted would finally silence the critics and doubters who have called his talent into question.The McLaren driver claimed his debut victory in a thrilling finale at the Miami International Autodrome. Norris comprehensively beat the triple world champion...
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Students suspended at Yarra Valley grammar school over ‘disgraceful’ spreadsheet rating female classmates
Victorian premier Jacinta Allan said behaviour at Yarra Valley grammar was misogynistic, and disrespect towards women had to stopFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcastThe Victorian premier says she was “utterly devastated” by a “disgraceful” and “disgusting” spreadsheet compiled by a group of boys at a private school in Melbourne’s east that ranked their female classmates.Three male students at Yarra Valley...
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How do we protect teenagers from sextortion scams?
Murray Dowey, a 16-year-old from Dunblane, was targeted by a sextortion scammer in the hours before he took his own life. Now his parents are raising awareness of this increasingly prevalent crime. Libby Brooks reportsOn the evening of 29 December, 16-year-old Murray Dowey was with his family in their home in Dunblane, Scotland. As they sat together watching TV, Murray talked about saving up money for a summer holiday with his friends.At about 9.30pm, he went up to his bedroom. Continue reading
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Missing surfers died from gunshots after attempted robbery, Mexican officials say
Families of two Australians and American who went missing in Baja California have identified the bodies, officials sayMexican authorities have identified the three dead bodies found in a well in Mexico as Australian brothers Callum and Jake Robinson and their travelling companion, Jack Carter Rhoad.The trio, who went missing in the Pacific coast state of Baja California, were killed with gunshots to the head, Mexican authorities said on Sunday. Continue reading
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Ukraine war briefing: Russian attacks kill three during Orthodox Easter
Volodymyr Zelenskiy urges prayers for soldiers on frontline amid attacks in Kharkiv and Sumy regions; Xi Jinping arrives in Paris under pressure to harden stance on Russia. What we know on day 803See all our Ukraine war coverageRussian attacks on Orthodox Easter Sunday killed a woman, burying her under rubble, and injured 24 in Ukraine’s north-eastern city of Kharkiv and surrounds, regional officials said. Public broadcaster Suspilne reported power cuts in parts of Kharkiv region and in the...
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Xi Jinping arrives in France with Ukraine and an EU trade row at the top of his agenda
On his first visit to Europe since 2019, Xi is set to meet with Emmanuel Macron before heading to Serbia and HungaryPresident Xi Jinping has lauded China’s ties with France as a model for the international community, as he arrived in Paris for a rare visit against a backdrop of mounting trade disputes with the EU.French President Emmanuel Macron is set to urge Xi to reduce trade imbalances and to use his influence with Russia over the war in Ukraine. Xi is due to meet Macron and European...