The Guardian - December 11, 2024

In this issue

December 11, 2024

Care homes to be used for asylum seekers

Asylum seekers will be housed in disused care homes and student digs under a Home Office plan to find 800 new accommodation sites and cut a bill that has risen to £8m a day.

2 mins

Vodafone 'left store managers suicidal'

Vodafone \"unjustly enriched\" itself at the expense of scores of vulnerable small business owners by slashing commissions to franchisees running the mobile phone group's high street stores, according to allegations filed yesterday in the high court.

4 mins

Israel strikes military targets and seizes territory in Syria offensive

Air attacks hit hundreds of sites including naval fleet and missile stores

4 mins

Thousands penalised after failure to overhaul carer's allowance

Hundreds of thousands of unpaid carers were hit with ruinous penalties for minor breaches of carer's allowance rules in the five years after senior welfare officials promised to fix the scandal-hit benefit, an official audit has revealed.

3 mins

Labour faces clash with unions over 2.8% public sector pay rise

The government is set for a clash with unions after ministers recommended a 2.8% pay rise for teachers, NHS staff and other public sector workers.

3 mins

TV review It feels like a spoof: Prince Harry's show on the super-rich's stupidest sport

Back in 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan signed a $100m deal with Netflix to produce - as they put it - \"content that informs but also gives hope\" utilising \"powerful storytelling\" through a \"truthful and relatable lens\". What this meant in practice was that they made one reality show about how hard they had it, and then they stuttered.

3 mins

Outrage in Spain as the winner of Scrabble title doesn't speak the language

Representing 20 countries from across the globe, more than 150 players battled it out at the Spanish world Scrabble championships.

1 min

New Syrian PM named as outside powers move to shore up their interests

Syria's leading rebel group has named a new prime minister at the head of the country's transitional government, as outside powers moved to shore up their interests in the wake of the Assad regime's collapse.

3 mins

Diplomacy HTS could be removed from UN's terrorist list

The UN would consider taking the Syrian rebel group that toppled the regime of Bashar al-Assad off its designated terrorist list if it passes the key test of forming a truly inclusive transitional government, according to a senior official at the world body.

2 mins

Rebels and NGOs keen to prosecute over war crimes but lawyers warn challenges await

The rebel leader now running much of Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa, has offered rewards for senior army and intelligence officers involved in war crimes, as the Assad regime's sudden fall brought hopes of justice for the many atrocities of one of the world's most brutal dictatorships.

4 mins

'This is a happy day' Fighters return home to reunite with families and start rebuilding their lives

This time, the doors of the Syrian state broadcaster were held open for Mohammed Abu al-Zaid. The rebel commander strode into the building, camo-clad and with a pistol on his hip, and greeted the channel's staff. The warm welcome was a far cry from his entrance on Sunday morning, when he stormed the building and announced live on air that Bashar al-Assad's regime had officially fallen.

3 mins

Mazen al-Hamada Activist who survived to tell story of torture found dead in notorious prison

When he spoke to lawmakers and lecture theatres around the world, Mazen al-Hamada's face told the story of the brutal torture enacted by the regime of Bashar al-Assad.

2 mins

'Do we go back or not?' Syrians now living in Germany weigh up return to homeland

Reem Alali is still reeling from the news that the brutal regime she fled eight years ago has collapsed, leaving her and her family with feelings of both excitement and trepidation.

5 mins

Leading group that overthrew regime not a direct threat to UK, say officials

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the leading group that overthrew the Assad regime in Syria, is not a direct terror threat to the UK, according to western intelligence assessments.

2 mins

Asylum Europe urged not to freeze claims as fall of Assad leaves uncertain future

The UN refugee agency and the UK's biggest refugee charity have warned European countries not to turn their backs on the Syrians who are applying for asylum.

2 mins

McCartney warns 'AI could take over' as UK debates copyright laws

Paul McCartney has backed calls for laws to stop mass copyright theft by companies building generative artificial intelligence, warning AI \"could just take over\".

2 mins

Specialist courts could help prolific offenders break addictions, says sentencing review head

Specialist courts focused on breaking the addictions of prolific offenders are \"efficient\" and \"a good idea\", the head of the government's sentencing review has said as he suggested they could be introduced across England and Wales.

3 mins

Photos of DHL fire suggest blast was strong enough to down plane

Photographs of the fire caused by a suspected Russian incendiary device at a DHL facility in Birmingham in July have backed up intelligence assessments that the blast was strong enough to have brought down a cargo plane.

2 mins

Cost of average UK Christmas dinner up 6.5% as vegetable prices soar

The cost of an average Christmas dinner has risen 6.5% on last year, pushed up by hefty price rises for potatoes, cauliflower, carrots and parsnips.

1 min

Baywatch to budgie smugglers: 100 years of swimwear on show

One of the most famous pieces of swimwear in the world - the bikini worn by Pamela Anderson in Baywatch - will be displayed in London in an exhibition dedicated to swimming and our enduring love of water.

2 mins

PinkNews bosses are accused of sexual misconduct by employees

Downing Street has described as \"very concerning\" multiple allegations of sexual misconduct made against the couple who run PinkNews, the world's largest LGBTQ+ website.

1 min

Mescal's cardigans, T-shirts and boots up for grabs in charity sale

First the chain he wore in Normal People gained a cult following, then he went viral for the tiny shorts he'd been papped wearing while running through London and Dublin.

1 min

Candy's £1m gift makes it a good day for 'Uncle Nigel'

These are happy days for Nigel Farage.

3 mins

Monks will adopt 'no touch' policy after abuse scandal

An abbey on a Welsh island where dozens of children were sexually abused by a monk over decades yesterday promised to implement a string of safeguarding recommendations, including strict limits on contact the members of the monastic community can have with visitors.

1 min

Film review Chalamet's Dylan is an electric revelation

Not Judas - Jesus. Timothée Chalamet's hilarious and seductive portrayal of Bob Dylan makes him the smirking, scowling and unwilling leader of his generation, whose refusal to submit to the crucifixion of folk-acoustic purity is his own crucifixion.

2 mins

'Medical misogyny' leaving girls and women in pain, report says

Women and girls are enduring years of pain because their reproductive conditions are being dismissed owing to \"medical misogyny\", according to a damning parliamentary report.

2 mins

IQ papers of British 'race scientist' under review after calls for retraction

A leading academic publisher is reviewing its decision to publish research papers by the late British professor Richard Lynn, an influential figure in the discredited field of \"race science\" who argued western civilisation was threatened by genetically inferior ethnic groups.

4 mins

Netanyahu says charges against him are 'ocean of absurdity' in bribery trial

A combative Benjamin Netanyahu has become the first Israeli prime minister to take the stand as the defendant in a criminal trial for corruption as he assailed the accusations against him as an \"ocean of absurdity\".

2 mins

Bitter crop Palestinians say olive harvest being blocked by Israeli settlers

The olive trees cover the dry, rocky slopes around Deir Istiya. Spread deep into the valley to its west, line the main roads, fill the gardens and shade its graveyards.

3 mins

More than 100 killed in Sudanese army strike on North Darfur market

A Sudanese military airstrike on a market in North Darfur killed more than 100 people on Monday, a pro-democracy lawyers' group said, amid a war marked by claims of atrocities on all sides.

2 mins

French military withdraws from Chad as African influence wanes

France began recalling its military assets from its former ally Chad yesterday, the latest blow to its dwindling influence over its former colonies in Africa.

1 min

Lula 'stable' after cranial surgery to drain blood in his brain

The Brazilian president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, has been recovering in intensive care having undergone emergency surgery after a brain bleed was detected during an MRI scan.

1 min

Suspect in health boss killing makes angry outburst before hearing

The suspect in the killing of the United Healthcare CEO screamed \"This is completely out of touch and an insult to the intelligence of the American people\" as he arrived in court for a hearing yesterday.

3 mins

'A channel' Poets speak out in Africa slam revival

Clutching a microphone in one hand and pointing at the audience with the other, the Burkinabe poet and DJ Otemptic reeled about jihadism and women's resilience in a patriarchal society to about 200 people at a slam at a venue in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

2 mins

X loses 2.7m active users as Musk's 'digital town square' loses its appeal

A mass departure from Elon Musk's X has led to the site losing about 2.7 million active Apple and Android users in the US in two months, with its rival social media platform Bluesky gaining nearly 2.5 million over the period.

2 mins

Workers at Harrods Vote to strike during Christmas

Harrods workers, from cleaners to shop floor and restaurant staff, are set to strike in Christmas week, including during the upmarket department store's key Boxing Day sales, in a row over pay and perks.

1 min

MPs told car loans scandal could be as big as PPI

Britain's car finance scandal could end up being as big as the payment protection insurance (PPI) mis-selling saga, which cost UK banks almost £50bn, the City regulator's top lawyer has admitted.

1 min

Thames Water on course to run out of money by March

Thames Water has said it will run out of cash by next March if it fails to secure a £3bn financial lifeline, as it admitted its sewage spills had risen sharply.

2 mins

'I was left in ruin' Store operators on the impact of the abrupt cut to their commission

When Andrew Kerr collapsed in his kitchen in 2022, his blood pressure was so high even his wristwatch knew he was in trouble.

5 mins

Former England back Voyce presumed dead in river tragedy

The former England rugby union international Tom Voyce, 43, is believed to have died after going into the River Aln in his car, Northumbria police have said.

2 mins

'I didn't dream of being famous. I dreamt of being world champion'

The big interview Luke Humphries Darts No 1 on the defence of his world title, how working as a roofer made success all the sweeter, and his rivalry with teen sensation Luke Littler

7 mins

Harris to leave Millwall after 'mutual decision'

Neil Harris will step down as Millwall manager for a second time after Saturday's Championship game at Middlesbrough.

1 min

Wolves stand by O'Neil after failure to find replacement

Gary O'Neil will remain in charge for Wolves' match against Ipswich on Saturday, with the club determined to give him a chance to turn things around.

1 min

Saudi Arabia's journey from 90s novelty to World Cup power grab

As Cristiano Ronaldo and Newcastle can attest, the 2034 hosts-elect are now at heart of football politics

5 mins

Arteta turns to Tierney amid spate of injuries

Kieran Tierney is set to feature for Arsenal for the first time in more than 16 months after Mikel Arteta revealed he expected to be without several key defenders for tonight's Champions League meeting with Monaco.

1 min

Eclectic Monaco model thriving with a little help in Bruges

Arsenal's opponents tonight have a policy of buy young, sell high, that works for them and their Belgian sister club

4 mins

Guardiola rules out managing another club after City

Pep Guardiola has ruled himself out of managing another club after Manchester City due to a waning of his energy levels, stating an international coaching position would be of interest to him as his next role.

1 min

Salah keeps cool from the spot to crown Alisson's happy return

Liverpool's perfect Champions League continued and a new record was completed with a sixth win and a fifth clean sheet.

3 mins

Celtic close in on playoff spot despite misfiring in Zagreb draw

Received wisdom before kick-off at Stadion Maksimir was that this was the ideal time to face Dinamo Zagreb.

3 mins

Villa ride luck after Barkley's winner sinks spirited Leipzig

After Jhon Durán scored, another ludicrously powerful strike within seven minutes of entering the field, he celebrated by showing the Aston Villa supporters the palms of his hands, as if to say, calm down, what else did you possibly expect?

3 mins

Saudi storm FA warned to avoid protest unless boycotting World Cup

The Football Association board has been warned by voices in internal discussions to avoid protesting at today's meeting that will confirm Saudi Arabia as host of the 2034 men's World Cup, unless it is willing to boycott the tournament.

2 mins

ECB ready to extend KP's controversial Hundred deal

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