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President said he'd like to see intelligence agencies shrink as Senate blocks Fisa extension amid disquiet over nomination of Bill Pulte

Exclusive: Labour's Makerfield byelection candidate advocates public ownership of water companies as he prepares for potential leadership bidThames Water should be nationalised, Andy Burnham has said, revealing public ownership of water companies would absolutely be an option" under his potential leadership of the Labour party.Burnham, Labour's candidate in the Makerfield byelection, has previously called for greater public control" over the companies. In an interview with the Guardian, he has confirmed this could mean nationalisation. Continue reading...

Trump administration has asked DC circuit court of appeals to reverse lower court decision which blocked construction of $400m ballroomNo court has the authority to halt construction of Donald Trump's White House ballroom and a secure underground facility, a Department of Justice lawyer has argued, suggesting only US Congress had the power to stop the project.The Trump administration has asked the Washington DC circuit court of appeals to reverse a lower court decision which blocked construction of a $400m ballroom on the site of the White House's demolished East Wing. Construction of a secure bunker for staff underground at the site was allowed to proceed while the dispute between Washington DC preservationists and the White House continues. Continue reading...

Pouria Zeraati of Iran International TV was stabbed three times outside his London home in attempt to silence' himTwo men have been found guilty of involvement in a targeted knife attack on an Iranian journalist in London said to have been carried out on behalf of the regime in Tehran.Pouria Zeraati, a British journalist of Iranian origin, was working for Iran International, a Farsi-language dissident broadcaster, when he was stabbed in the leg outside his west London home in 2024. Continue reading...

Stahl and Whitaker had been wild cards after new CBS News management fired multiple people in recent weeks

Long-serving presenter has been diagnosed with commonest form of dementia, says Alzheimer's SocietyThe former Channel 4 News anchor Jon Snow has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia, the Alzheimer's Society has said.More details soon ... Continue reading...

MPs urged to push for radical reform' after NAO finds former prince made income from Royal Lodge propertiesCampaigners have called for radical reform and a public inquiry into all royal finances" after revelations that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor received an undisclosed private income from subletting three cottages on his Royal Lodge estate while paying a peppercorn rent".A report from the public spending watchdog, the National Audit Office (NAO), found the rental income went to the former Duke of York, but said: We do not know what rent was charged." Continue reading...

Labour candidate in Makerfield byelection says party has got it wrong on small businesses'Andy Burnham has said he would consider cutting some employers' national insurance contributions, and proposed a cut to business rates for pubs and small, family-run enterprises, in his first significant policy initiative during the Makerfield byelection.Burnham's plans amount to a notable criticism of Keir Starmer's policies in these areas. In his announcement on business rates, the Greater Manchester mayor said: Labour have got it wrong on small businesses." Continue reading...

Settlement over alleged child molestation by school janitors is latest in troubling string of allegations spanning decadesOne of the most prominent Catholic high schools in New Orleans has agreed to pay a seven-figure monetary sum to settle a lawsuit claiming child molestation by janitors at the institution decades earlier.The plaintiff struck the agreement with Jesuit high school ahead of a trial scheduled to start in the Louisiana city's civil district courthouse on 15 June, roughly six years after he sued under a pseudonym. Continue reading...

Allegations of bullying by Newsnight host not upheld after case emerges from 2025 workplace culture reviewThe BBC presenter Victoria Derbyshire was the subject of an investigation over her behaviour, after multiple complaints were received by the broadcaster.It is understood that three complaints about the Bafta-winning Newsnight host were received, which came to light as part of the BBC's campaign to improve its workplace culture after high-profile cases of inappropriate behaviour. Continue reading...

Thousands flee including from village hosting at least 2,500 displaced people, one day after Hezbollah rejects ceasefireThousands fled their homes after Israel issued forced evacuation orders for nine villages in southern Lebanon before strikes that killed six people on Friday, a day after the Hezbollah militant group rejected a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon.Hundreds of families left Anqoun, a village hosting at least 2,500 displaced people, after the Israeli military said it would soon operate against what it said were Hezbollah targets there, ordering residents to leave. The roads leading to Sidon, the closest large city, were choked with cars as families sought shelter. Continue reading...

Prospect of first NBA title since 1999 fuels wave of righteous outrage against Big Apple-based Sesame Street characterThe NBA basketball finals between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs has already drawn commentary after Spurs fans earlier this week continued a habit of wearing distracting, candy-colored T-shirts to honor the Texas city's annual Fiesta festival.But now the Knicks' first opportunity to win the title since 1999 - the last time they were in the finals, also against the Spurs, when they lost - has thrown fans in the Big Apple into such a partisan frenzy that some have come for one of their most beloved own. Continue reading...

Thousands have protested in the streets of the Albanian capital, Tirana, this week against a planned luxury resort backed by Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner.Groundwork has begun on the $1.6bn complex in an area long seen as one of the Mediterranean's most environmentally sensitive, containing 200 species of birds including flamingos and Dalmatian pelicans.After builders began erecting a concrete-based, barbed wire-topped fence around the site, alarm turned to public outrage at the environmental damage and lack of political transparency around the deal.Lucy Hough speaks to US live news editor Chris Michael - watch on YouTube Continue reading...

Data discredits claims reawakened by the death of Henry Nowak that UK police actions disadvantage white peopleThe US government has joined criticism of alleged two-tier policing in the UK in the wake of Henry Nowak's murder. How did the term enter the mainstream, and is there any basis for the claim? Continue reading...

Nasa says Russian crew trying to fix worsening air leak in its portion of orbital laboratory

Paul Quinn, 52, to serve 24 years for attack that led to one of worst miscarriages of justice in modern British historyA man who evaded justice for nearly two decades has been jailed for 21 years for a savage" rape for which Andrew Malkinson was wrongly imprisoned.Paul Quinn, 52, was found guilty of the 2003 attack in Salford after a fresh forensic analysis found traces of his DNA on the victim's clothing. Continue reading...

PM's spokesperson also dismissed remarks from Kemi Badenoch, who suggested the identity politics could lead to civil warA former chair of an influential parliamentary committee said it was shocking" that the public spending watchdog had not established Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's income from subletting properties.Margaret Hodge, who led the public accounts committee, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme she was very concerned" that the National Audit Office (NAO) was not able to find out how much money the former prince had made from letting properties. Continue reading...

Average tour earnings down 45%, with nearly three-fifths of musicians saying touring in Europe is no longer viableMore than a quarter of British musicians have lost all their EU work since 2021, according to new research.The report by European Movement UK, a cross-party campaign group advocating closer UK-EU relations, found that nearly half of UK musicians have seen their EU work reduced since 2021, while more than a quarter have lost it entirely. Continue reading...

Request for evidence to support claims of reputational and financial harm from Panorama documentary dismissed as fishing expedition'Donald Trump's legal team has rejected a request by the BBC to hand over financial information as part of his $10bn defamation case against the broadcaster.The US president's lawyers accused the BBC of a fishing expedition", according to court filings, after the broadcaster's representatives asked for details to get evidence on Trump's claims he suffered reputational and financial damage by a Panorama documentary centred on the US Capitol riots. Continue reading...

While some residents are proud to host celebrations, others lament road closures and city's transformation into a theme park'Concetta Chillemi was chatting to friends outside her shop next to Palermo's gallery for modern art housed in a sublime baroque church in the city's historic centre. A few metres away, an Italian TV crew had its camera trained on the tiny square in front of the church where event staff in black T-shirts scurried around in the heat.They were preparing for the arrival of the British singer Dua Lipa and the actor Callum Turner, who over the next two days are celebrating their wedding in the Sicilian capital after exchanging vows in London last weekend. Continue reading...

Proponents say scheme could generate up to 2.7bn in five years by making travel around north of England easierA proposed travel card for northern England modelled on London's Oyster system could save commuters up to 276 a year, data shows.Users would tap in and out across different transport networks and fares would be automatically capped at the cheapest available rate. Continue reading...

Review detects forever chemicals' in many of the state's tested streams and rivers, including drinking water sourcesAround half of California waterways tested by regulators are contaminated with pesticides considered Pfas, forever chemicals", a new analysis of state and federal records shows, highlighting a risk in the substances' wide use that is only beginning to come into focus.The pesticides are linked to a range of health problems, including cancer, and the review is the first to systematically check for the dangerous substances in streams and rivers, which include drinking water sources. Continue reading...

Almunthir Daqamah, 21, charged with attempted murder as campus safety officer said to be in stable conditionA man has been charged with attempted murder after a staff member was shot with a crossbow at the University of Surrey.Almunthir Daqamah, 21, a Saudi national, was charged with attempted murder, possession of an offensive weapon, two counts of possession of a bladed article and possession of class B drugs, Surrey police said. Continue reading...

Former attorney general says expected replacement, Todd Blanche, was in charge of controversial process. Plus: why are US consumers so angry?

More than 1 million people advised to evacuate homes amid 80mph winds and heavy rainTyphoon Jangmi (also known as Typhoon No 6) moved northwards over the course of this week. From Okinawa to mainland Japan, prolonged and heavy rainfall led to landslide warnings and the flooding of rivers, with Japan issuing level 4 warnings for some rivers, signalling a risk of overflowing. This level is high enough for municipalities to issue evacuation orders. Three-hourly rainfall totals on Wednesday reached 105mm in Chiyoda, Tokyo, which was a record high for the month. Sustained wind speeds of 80mph (130kph) were recorded on Monday - making it a category 1 typhoon - bringing damage and disruption to businesses, transport, infrastructure and the environment.By Wednesday, 23 people had been injured, 17 of whom were in Okinawa. The typhoon damaged 57 homes and led to 60,000 homes losing electricity. In addition to this, 1.52 million people were advised to evacuate by authorities. The typhoon damaged the exterior wall of Himeji Castle, a Unesco world heritage site in western Japan. The maximum recorded wind speed at Himeji was 56mph, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. The typhoon has now weakened into a tropical depression and has moved eastwards, away from the islands. Continue reading...

Experts say dismantling the ocean observation system will severely degrade' the accuracy of weather predictionsThe Trump administration's plan to dismantle an ocean observation system vital to understanding the climate crisis and marine ecosystems would severely degrade" the accuracy of weather predictions and El Nino forecasts, with economic consequences for the US, European and American scientists have warned.Decommissioning the US system, which plays a major part in a global ocean observation network, would lead to a massive increase in error in the annual estimates of ocean heating rates, according to research published last month. Continue reading...

Entrepreneur died of colon cancer, with Mobo Organisation hailing her as one of the most fearless champions' in the music industryKanya King, the entrepreneur and tireless champion of Black British music who founded the Mobo awards, has died aged 57 from colon cancer.The news was announced by the Mobo Organisation, which said she died on Wednesday after a courageous and characteristically determined battle" with her illness. Continue reading...

Connor Bishop, 24, Reece Robinson, 21, and Noah Etherington, 18, charged with violent disorder after sentencing of Vickrum DigwaThree more people have been charged with violent disorder after protests in Southampton this week over the murder of Henry Nowak.Connor Bishop, 24, of Southampton; Reece Robinson, 21, of Havant; and Noah Etherington, 18, of Havant, were to appear at Southampton magistrates court on Friday morning, Hampshire police said. Continue reading...

Margaret Hodge concerned over use of taxpayers' money after revelations about former prince's subletting

Evoke had been in talks for two months with Bally's Intralot, which has extensive international operationsThe owner of William Hill and the 888 online casino brand has agreed a 243m takeover by the Greek casino and lottery operator Bally's Intralot.Evoke had been locked in talks for the past two months with the Athens-listed Bally's Intralot, which has extensive international operations, including in the US. Continue reading...

Draft treaty claims sexual and reproductive health and rights are an existential threat to the African familyAn African treaty that rejects longstanding international human rights obligations moved a step closer to becoming policy this week as governments across the continent met in Ghana.The draft African charter on family, sovereignty and values, seen by the Guardian, asserts that African values and culture are under attack from foreign ideologies" and urges states to withdraw from any agreements that do not align with the principles of the charter, including the 2003 Maputo protocol, which promotes gender equality and protects the reproductive and health rights of women and girls. Continue reading...

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NSW seeking leave to appeal against successful class action including aggravated damages of $20,000 awarded to woman strip-searched at music festival

Interim vice-chancellor tells senate estimates of very significant' effect on donor pipeline and enrolments

Women coaches routinely overlooked, undermined and denied opportunities despite qualifications, say expertsWomen are being shut out of careers in sport by entrenched sexism, discrimination and workplace bullying, MPs have been told.Female coaches are routinely overlooked, undermined and denied opportunities despite their qualifications, experts told a parliamentary select committee on Thursday. Continue reading...

Migrant insects have been seen in large numbers along east coast thanks to heatwave and benign southerly windsIf you've spotted a pale orange butterfly dashing at frenetic pace through streets, fields or gardens, you've noticed the new migrants that will add colour to the summer in record-breaking numbers.What is expected to be the largest arrival of painted lady butterflies in Britain for 17 years is under way after heatwaves and favourable winds ushered thousands if not millions of the insects northwards. Continue reading...

Son of actor's girlfriend arrested after 81-year-old found unconscious in his front yard in Tarzana, Los AngelesVeteran actor James Handy has died at his home in Los Angeles after a fatal stabbing, allegedly by his girlfriend's son.The 81-year-old actor was found in the front yard of his home in Tarzana, California, at 9.30am on Wednesday, according to the Los Angeles police department. He was unconscious and had multiple stab wounds to the chest. Continue reading...

Tech giants claim Australia's free trade agreement with the United States will be violated, as they try to kill a proposal to force them to pay news companiesTech companies are invoking Australia's free trade agreement with the United States, and threats of a Trump administration retaliation in a bid to kill off the federal government's proposal to force them to pay news companies.The news media bargaining incentive is designed to force Meta, Google and TikTok to make commercial deals with Australian media outlets, or be forced to pay a dedicated 2.25% levy on local revenues. Continue reading...

British Retail Consortium figures show footfall rose in May, with consumer confidence improving after spending squeezeGreater numbers of consumers went shopping last month as spring sunshine brought welcome relief to retailers, which have faced a squeeze on spending since the US-Israel war on Iran.Figures from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and a separate survey by the accountancy firm BDO showed a bounce-back in footfall during May, reversing a sharp decline in April. Continue reading...

Without disclosing that work has been generated using the technology, faith in existing industries will continue to be undermined

The invertebrates were likely destined for the pet trade, including as reptile food

Report into royal property affairs reveals disgraced ex-prince generated private income from Windsor Royal LodgeAndrew Mountbatten-Windsor received private income from subletting three cottages on his Windsor Royal Lodge estate while paying a peppercorn rent" to the crown estate, a report into royal property arrangements has revealed.The National Audit Office (NAO) review also shows that King Charles pays an adjusted" rent from his private Duchy of Lancaster income, below open market value, for his disgraced brother's non-working royal daughters, princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, to live in royal palaces. Continue reading...

Macron, Merz and von der Leyen among those due to gather in Montenegro for talks on integration of six countriesEuropean leaders will seek to show six western Balkan countries that they have a real chance of joining the EU one day, despite splits over how to handle enlargement of the 27-member bloc.Emmanuel Macron, Friedrich Merz, Giorgia Meloni and Ursula von der Leyen are among more than 30 leaders expected to gather in the Montenegrin coastal resort of Tivat on Friday for summit talks. The focus will be on integrating the six Balkan countries - among them Montenegro and Albania - more deeply into the EU single market, paving the way for them to join the bloc. Continue reading...

Pontiff's resolve to highlight plight of migrants has aligned him with Spanish PM, whose inner circle and party are mired in corruption allegationsWhile Pope Leo XIV isn't due to touch down in Madrid until 10.30am on Saturday, his presence in the Spanish capital is already verging on the ubiquitous.The smiling, avuncular face of the first US pontiff greets visitors from posters, from the sides of buses, from commemorative travel cards and even from the digital screens on the metro system, where it flickers up between adverts for sun cream and banking deals. Continue reading...

Sky News host Andrew Bolt says blunder shows Pauline Hanson's party is literally making up policy as it goes along'

Ukrainian president proposes meeting in neutral third country as Trump says both sides have to make compromises'The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has called for face-to-face negotiations in a public letter addressed directly to the Russian president, Vladimir Putin.The letter, the first Zelenskyy has publicly written directly to Putin since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022, was a sweeping criticism of the Russian leader's 26 years in power. Continue reading...

Russians are increasingly tired of the conflict and the time to end it is now, Ukraine's president tells his Russian counterpart in an open letterVolodymyr Zelenskyy, in an open letter to the Vladimir Putin, has called for a face-to-face meeting with the Russian president to end his war against Ukraine.The letter sets out Zelenskyy's view of the four-year-old conflict and says that while Ukrainians' resilience remains intact, most Russians have grown weary of its effects and are ready for peace. Continue reading...

US secretary of state Marco Rubio says anyone providing services to listed entities is at risk of sanctions themselves'The United States has announced fresh economic sanctions on Cuba's president and some of his immediate family, alongside members of the Castro family, in Washington's latest ramping up of pressure on its communist-led neighbour.Among those targeted were the son and a grandson of former president Raul Castro, who no longer holds an official position but remains a key figure on decisions about the future of the island. Continue reading...

Police allege the 44-year-old lauded for disarming one of the gunmen in December's attack put his father in a headlock

Announcement seeks to close a difficult chapter for the company after the Guardian revealed its platform was used in mass surveillance of PalestiniansMicrosoft has said it will tighten human-rights controls when working with national security agencies after an inquiry into how the Israeli military used its cloud technology for the mass surveillance of Palestinians.On Thursday, Microsoft announced the completion of the inquiry and a series of new measures that include changes to how the company oversees employees with security clearances issued by foreign governments. Continue reading...