Hegseth’s conspiracy theory- and falsehood-laden book American Crusade depicts Islam as historic enemy of west

BBC received ‘complaints from individuals in relation to historical allegations of misconduct’, says production company

Deputy PM says ‘we need to be smart, strong and united’. Plus: plastic lobbyists in rear-guard action

Insurer says 250p per share offer was ‘highly opportunistic’ and undervalues the company

Lebanese given conflicting information about whether they can return home, as Israeli army strikes cars and areas along boundary

Firms reach preliminary agreement on financial terms of deal that values Renewi at 870p a share

ONS says net migration is now beginning to fall but remains high by ‘historic standards’

The young man who escaped Wandsworth prison offered a mixed picture of ineptitude and threat, according to police

Restoration projects awarded grants to convert defunct bogs to bring environmental benefits and restore wildlife

FCA proposes giving 10 days’ notice before revealing identities of firms under investigation and will consider market impact

Khalife convicted of three counts relating to espionage, having admitted to prison escape while on remand

London-listed company strikes deal with Fortress Investment Group, although shareholder approval needed

Tory MP Chris Philp calls for more investment in technology to reduce UK’s net migration figures

The legislation would lead to meaningful reduction in human suffering, says former prime minister

Kemi Badenoch gave speech on Wednesday referring to James Cleverly’s 2023 visa rule changes, while government says it is important to tackle causes of high migration

Liz Hatton from Harrogate, who was being treated for rare terminal cancer, began photography bucket list

Iran-backed Lebanese militia says it remains ‘fully equipped’ and will monitor Israel’s withdrawal

Michael Peachey died following a ‘harrowing’ engagement with police in 2021, in Gunnedah in central NSW

In today’s newsletter: Behind the celebratory scenes on the streets of Beirut lies a battered, divided country teetering on the brink of becoming a failed state

Liberal National party moves to urgently repeal historic legislation, eliminating state’s treaty-making body and truth-telling inquiry

AEMC says electrification of homes, including ending use of gas for heating and cooking, could reduce costs by about $1,000 a year

Ukraine’s power infrastructure was ‘under massive enemy attack’, the energy minister said, as missiles were detected headed for Kharkiv, Odesa and eight other regions. Follow the latest developments

Emergency power cuts being brought in across the country amid missile alerts and freezing temperatures

Technology secretary admits government departments are not being transparent over way they use AI and algorithms

The case, brought by the EDO on behalf of three Tiwi Island traditional owners, was dismissed in January in a scathing judgment

Child and adolescent mental health services have highest vacancy rates of any psychiatric specialism

After Guardian reporting, foreign secretary looks at cases of thousands who need consular help each year

As MPs prepare to vote on a bill that would – for the first time – pass assisted dying into UK law, what are the are the arguments on either side?

Comments made after nuclear inspectorate board passed motion censuring Iran for building uranium stockpile

Glen Coleman sentenced to minimum two years’ jail after sexually touching 19-year-old without her consent in 2022

Human rights commissioner says David Crisafulli’s LNP government risking state’s international reputation with tough new youth crime laws

NT police lawyer Ian Freckelton KC tells inquest into death of 19-year-old it is ‘important to call it as it is’

More than 3m votes were cast for this year’s awards, which went heavy on T-shirt guns and brand activations, but stayed quiet on the government’s proposed social media ban

South Korea’s capital has been hit by some of the heaviest snowfall in a century, with dangerous conditions wreaking havoc on transport

Albanese government will rely on Coalition to pass three controversial migration bills and the under 16 social media ban

Peter Malinauskas says the laws were not in his party’s best interest, but critics say it’ll mean more taxpayer dollars going to major parties

Prosecutors call for life imprisonment for childcare worker who committed 307 sexual offences against children in Brisbane and Italy

Independent senator says parliament house is a ‘very violent workplace’ after being suspended for making inappropriate comments

‘All Victorians and many Australians need to prepare for multi-hazard events’, warns Bureau of Meteorology

New South Wales to see wild weather and heavy rainfall after ‘unseasonably hot’ temperatures

Deputy PM says ‘we need to be smart, strong and united’ after meeting on threat by US president-elect of a blanket 25% tax on imports from Canada

Two girls, aged seven and eight, rescued from Georges River by passerby in September 2023

Emails seen by Guardian Australia from Michelle Rowland's office say they ‘can’t commit to a revised timeframe’ on the long-awaited reforms

Son of Vietnamese refugees beats Michelle Steel in seat drawn to give Asian Americans stronger voice in Washington

Discussion platform takes fifth place in rankings and is the fastest growing large social media platform in the UK

Health Services Safety Investigation Body reveals difficulties inmates have when they leave jail for treatment

Results of trial of benralizumab injection could be ‘gamechanger’ for millions of people around the world

Effort between 62 countries led to uncovering of new drug trafficking route and seizure of 225 tonnes of cocaine

Mike Rounds submitted bill that needs supermajority to pass, unlikely even in GOP-controlled Senate next year

Scale of the criminality would make Fayed, who died last year at the age of 94, one of Britain’s most prolific sex offenders