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Far-right Giorgia Meloni says crisis cannot be just resolved within Italian borders' on visit to island where 8,500 arrived in daysItaly's prime minister has said that European countries must work together to stop departures [from Africa]" and swiftly deport those turned down for asylum, who she said threaten the future of Europe", after thousands of people seeking refuge arrived on Lampedusa in the last week.Giorgia Meloni toured the tiny Sicilian island, which for years has been the first port of call for people making the treacherous journey by sea from north Africa, on Sunday morning alongside Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission. Continue reading...

Lord chancellor failing to carry out duty on provision of services in England and Wales, says Public Law ProjectThe availability of legal aid for immigration and asylum in England and Wales is so poor that the lord chancellor is in breach of his duty to provide access to justice, according to a letter threatening him with legal action.The letter, sent to Alex Chalk by Public Law Project (PLP), says there are particular shortages in north-west and south-west England, the latter having capacity for fewer than 300 cases a year despite being home to the Bibby Stockholm, which can house about 500 people. Continue reading...

Comedian's claim of concerted agenda' taken up by X owner Elon Musk and misogynist Andrew TateAfter allegations of sexual assault and rape against the comedian Russell Brand were published, some were quick to take up conspiracy theories about why they had been published.Brand set the wheels in motion when he published a video in which he rebutted the allegations the night before they were aired and claimed they were linked to an attack on his freedom of speech. Continue reading...

A $7bn shortfall has been forecast this financial year, but Daniel Mookhey says any cuts to be made will be in areas that don't affect people'The New South Wales, treasurer Daniel Mookhey, says Labor's first budget for the state in more than a decade will lay the groundwork for future reform, make cuts in areas that don't affect people" and provide support for a once in a generation" cost-of-living crisis.We are looking for every available opportunity we can to provide practical assistance to people," he said.Sign up for Guardian Australia's free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup Continue reading...

The state government will pledge almost $53m over four years to fund dozens of new positions

Experts say CODE Bet, which assesses wagering markets, could be affected if parliamentary inquiry's calls are heeded

Tens of thousands without power in New England and Nova Scotia as other potentially dangerous tempests hover over the AtlanticTens of thousands in New England and Canada remained without power on Sunday morning after the deadly storm Lee struck Nova Scotia on Saturday afternoon as a post-tropical cyclone.In Nova Scotia, nearly 100,000 customers were without power, according to PowerOutage.com. The US state of Maine was dealing with about 40,000 outages as of Sunday morning, and New Brunswick had about 12,000, the website also said. Continue reading...

Comedian performed at charity's gigs during period in which he allegedly committed rape and sexual assaultAmnesty International has urged women to come forward if they have any concerns about the behaviour of Russell Brand during his participation in two of the charity's standup comedy events in 2006 and 2012, after the publication of allegations of rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse.It follows the announcement by a charity which supports vulnerable women recovering from addiction that it would sever links with Brand. The Trevi women and children's charity said it had ended its association with Brand and his charitable fund, the Stay Free Foundation. Continue reading...

YouGov finds 77% in favour of proposal to allow terminally-ill people to take their own lives

Ex-supreme court president among those whose failure to take oath means they cannot sit or vote in second chamberLady Hale, the former president of the supreme court, is among 11 peers who appear to have neglected their duties in the House of Lords after failing to take an oath to King Charles - a requirement for them to perform any part of their constitutional role.Among the other peers is Harry Carter (Lord Carter of Haslemere), a top lawyer working in Downing Street, who was appointed a peer by Theresa May nearly four years ago but has never taken part in the House of Lords. Continue reading...

Scandal-hit business lobby group reportedly issues appeal for financial help shortly before annual meetingThe Confederation of British Industry (CBI) risks financial oblivion unless it can convince its remaining members to stump up 3m within the next few days, according to reports.The scandal-hit business lobby group is in a race against time to stave off collapse, even as rival organisations jockey for position to replace it as the voice of British business. Continue reading...

Foreign secretary makes comments after allegations of rape and sexual assault made against comedianThe foreign secretary has said the entertainment industry has questions to answer, after revelations that the comedian Russell Brand has been accused of rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse.James Cleverly became the most senior British politician to talk about the issue after the allegations about Brand's behaviour were published by the Sunday Times and Channel 4's Dispatches on Saturday night. Brand has strongly denied the allegations. Continue reading...

Lee Waters says change to speed limits are one of the most significant things we've done since devolution'The Labour-led Welsh government has said introducing a default 20mph speed limit for residential roads is one of the most significant changes in 25 years of devolution and has accused the Tories of waging a culture war" against it.From Sunday, most roads in Wales that were 30mph have become 20mph, although councils have discretion to impose exemptions. Continue reading...

Regional governor says 12 passengers and two crew were onboard the Embraer jet when it crashed in Barcelos provinceFourteen people on a small jet died when the plane crashed in Brazil's northern Amazonas state on Saturday, the regional governor said.The crash took place in Barcelos province, about 250 miles (400km) from the state capital, Manaus. Continue reading...

Paramedics treated 40 people, of whom 26 were taken to hospital, seven in a serious condition

The comments come days after fellow no campaigner Jacinta Nampijinpa Price declared you can't have treaty'

Conference season is here, along with significant electoral tests, followed by the king's speech and autumn statementWith a general election fast approaching - one has to be held by 28 January 2025 at the latest - there is little time for Rishi Sunak to come up with a masterplan. His party is way behind in the polls, and every week brings another crisis - small boats, school buildings, NHS waiting lists soaring, councils going bust.Keir Starmer and Labour now look increasingly confident, and likely to form the next government. Continue reading...

Close friend and colleague has revealed Ella Cutler, who fell 10 metres from Dubrovnik clifftop, is out of ICU but still faces many surgeries'

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Questions for current and ex-PM over their handling of the pandemic put off until NovemberThe box office" inquisitions that will bring Rishi Sunak, Boris Johnson and Dominic Cummings before the Covid-19 inquiry have been shunted back a month until November to prevent them clashing with the political conference season.The eagerly awaited appearances of those in charge of the pandemic response will lay bare tensions and disagreements at the heart of government, including over the severity and timing of lockdowns, the rushed contracts awarded for huge amounts of personal protective equipment (PPE), school closures and policies such as Sunak's eat out to help out" scheme. Continue reading...

Soaring deficits at health trusts across England cast doubt on Sunak's waiting lists pledgeThe NHS is heading into an unprecedented financial crisis and will overspend its budget by at least 7bn next year as the effects of inflation and strikes plunge hospital trusts into alarming levels of debt, according to leading independent experts.The problem of soaring deficits is hitting a growing number of trusts across England ahead of a likely general election within 12 months, and will raise further serious doubts about Rishi Sunak's chances of meeting his pledge to cut record waiting lists. Continue reading...

Limited police resources and court backlogs of owners seeking exemptions for their animals will make new law difficult to enforceA ban on American XL bully dogs may prove ineffective in the short term, with limited resources in police forces to enforce new laws and the prospect of a backlog in the courts, experts warned this weekend.Some police forces only have one or two trained dog legislation officers. The police and the courts may be required to deal with hundreds of cases from owners of XL bully dogs seeking exemptions to any ban. Continue reading...

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services says lives could be at risk and it is nearly too late to leave

West Midlands mayor Andy Street says a big chunk of people' are hurting in cost of living crisisA senior Conservative has called on his party to ensure welfare claimants are not handed a real-terms cut next year, after Rishi Sunak refused to commit to increasing benefits in line with inflation.Andy Street, the West Midlands mayor and the most senior Tory outside London, said the party's previous commitment to increasing benefits such as universal credit in line with inflation had become a real symbol" of the party's commitment to helping the low-paid. Continue reading...

Akbar Al Baker says request for more flights into Australia was legitimate' at a time the airline was so supportive of Australia'

Warren Mundine, a leading anti-voice campaigner, made the comments despite his no campaign warning against such radical' changes

Kim Jong-un inspects strategic bombers in Russia; Moscow denies Ukraine's claim to have seized village in Donetsk region

Former PM set to give speech defending her time in charge and explaining spending decisionsLiz Truss will claim that Rishi Sunak's government has spent 35bn more than she would have as prime minister, in a speech on Monday.The short-lived prime minister will use a speech at the Institute for Government to defend and explain her time in charge, nearly a year on from the ill-fated mini-budget that helped end her premiership. Continue reading...

Claims related to seven-year period are detailed in Times and Channel 4 investigation after actor had already denied allegationsRussell Brand has been accused of rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse over a seven-year period at the height of his fame.The allegations between 2006 and 2013 were the result of a joint investigation by the Sunday Times, the Times and Channel 4 Dispatches. Brand denies the allegations. Continue reading...

Two men from Worcestershire and the horse were declared dead at scene on A38 north of junction 1 of M50The two occupants of a horse-and-trap have died after a collision with a car.Gloucestershire police said the incident happened on Friday night on the A38 north of junction 1 of the M50. Continue reading...

Iranian security forces briefly hold Amjad Amini amid crackdown on commemorative protestsThe father of Mahsa Amini was temporarily detained by Iranian security forces on the anniversary of her death in an attempt to stop people gathering at her grave amid strikes and protests across the country.The Kurdistan Human Rights Network said the security forces released Amjad Amini after briefly detaining him and warning him against marking the anniversary of his daughter's death. Continue reading...

Storm expected to approach New Brunswick, bringing winds of 70mph and relentless rainfallPost-tropical cyclone Lee made landfall in Nova Scotia, Canada, on Saturday afternoon hours after it battered New England and eastern Canada with powerful winds and rains.The storm cut off electricity to tens of thousands and inundated coastal roads in Nova Scotia, and left at least one person dead, according to the Associated Press. The 51-year-old man died after a tree limb fell onto his vehicle as he was driving in Searsport, Maine. The tree felled live power lines and workers had to turn off electricity before the man could be taken from his vehicle. He died at a hospital. Continue reading...

Breach, discovered by Guardian Australia, resulted in information being used to allegedly threaten some in detention

Prime minister can find comfort in ranking above Liz Truss, howeverRishi Sunak is seen as less competent on economic affairs than most recent Conservative prime ministers, according to the latest Opinium poll for the Observer.The prime minister has made reducing inflation one of his key priorities, as well as reducing debt and avoiding a recession. Much of his pitch has been on his economic management skills as a former chancellor. Continue reading...

The comic, who has been accused of rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse and given support by Elon Musk and Andrew Tate, hints that a darker agenda is at playThis weekend's accusations that the comic and actor Russell Brand has committed serious sexual crimes will test just how possible it is to knock the reputation of a celebrity who has always admitted to previous bad behaviour", and built up his fame on the strength of it.After all, this is someone who has openly joked" with Jimmy Savile about getting together to have sex with young women. So just how vulnerable is the Brand brand? Continue reading...

Ties with Europe are a top priority, says shadow foreign secretary David Lammy, as he calls for Britain to play a lead role in world affairsThe shadow foreign secretary, David Lammy, has proposed regular meetings between UK and European Union ministers, as part of a major reset of British foreign policy under a Labour government.Lammy, who was attending a gathering of centre-left leaders in Montreal, Canada, with the Labour leader Keir Starmer, told the Observer it was high time the UK took up its place again, after Brexit, as a lead player in world affairs. A UK that is isolated and missing is felt across the world. It is definitely the case that the international community want Britain back," he said. Continue reading...

Michael Beloff KC judged in 2011 that reference to he' excluded women but has now concluded oppositeOne of London's last remaining gentlemen's clubs, the Garrick, may be edging towards admitting women after a barrister performed a U-turn on a previous legal judgment ruling that they were ineligible for membership.Michael Beloff KC first concluded that women could not be proposed under the club's rules after Joanna Lumley was denied membership in 2011. He ruled then that although the rules do not explicitly preclude women from joining, they state that no candidate shall be eligible unless he be proposed by one member and seconded by another". Continue reading...

Ukraine claimed to have recaptured the devastated eastern village of Andriivka, near Bakhmut.Here are some of the latest images coming through from photographers in Ukraine:In case you missed it, Alexander Lukashenko has expressed interest in creating a trilateral partnership with Russia and North Korea amid rumours that Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un were negotiating an arms deal to sustain Russia's war in Ukraine. Continue reading...

Mourners pay tribute to controversial former leader of Inkatha Freedom Party who died last week aged 95Thousands of mourners gathered in South Africa's eastern town of Ulundi on Saturday for the state funeral of veteran politician and Zulu prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi.Buthelezi, a controversial figure during the apartheid liberation struggle because of his bitter rivalry with the African National Congress (ANC), died last week aged 95. Continue reading...

Former international development secretary says many of his parliamentary colleagues did not understand Brexit

Family pay tribute to amazing brother and son' as two teenagers arrested on suspicion of murderA 14-year-old boy who died after being stabbed in north Manchester has been named by police as Nathaniel Shani.Nathaniel's family said: Nathaniel was a best friend to many. He never failed to make people laugh. Nathaniel was very kind, caring and always thinking of others. Continue reading...

Annotations in eighth-century manuscript point to work of revered English monk, scholar and saintHis life of service through scholarship earned him the title venerable". He is considered one of the most influential thinkers of the post-Roman world, and acknowledged as a saint in the Orthodox, Catholic and Anglican traditions.Now a leading academic believes she has identified an example of the handwriting of Bede, the medieval theologian revered as the father of English history, along with his lost" Old English translation of the St John's Gospel. Continue reading...

Relatives of Manchester man, 36, receive support as UK and Ukraine officials work on identification

Free speech advocate Hisham Kassem sentenced for defaming former minister Kamal Abu EitaA court in Cairo has sentenced a former newspaper publisher, free speech advocate and rights activist to six months in prison in a trial observers say constitutes an attack on a leading critic of the Egyptian state.Hisham Kassem, the former publisher of Al Masry Al Youm newspaper, received six months in detention and a fine of 20,000 EGP (approximately 523) for slandering and defaming Kamal Abu Eita. Abu Eita is a former minister and current member of Egypt's presidential pardon committee, tasked with granting clemency towards some of the tens of thousands of detainees in the Egyptian prison system. Continue reading...

Small vessel rescued en route to island of Lampedusa, which has received 8,500 people this weekA newborn baby has been found dead on a boat carrying people to the Italian island of Lampedusa during a rescue operation, the Ansa news agency has reported.The baby was born during the journey and died soon after birth, Ansa reported, adding that about 40 people were onboard. Continue reading...

Defence minister shows North Korean leader weapons including hypersonic missiles at airfield near VladivostokThe North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, has inspected Russian nuclear-capable strategic bombers, hypersonic missiles and warships, accompanied by Vladimir Putin's defence minister.Sergei Shoigu greeted Kim at Russia's Knevichi airfield, about 30 miles (50km) from the Pacific port city of Vladivostok, on Saturday. The North Korean leader then inspected a guard of honour. Continue reading...

Inquests flag up gaps in the care of prisoners in relation to at least nine deaths in custody since 2021Prison understaffing and workload issues have been flagged in at least nine inquests into deaths in custody since the start of 2021, according to an Observer analysis of coroners' reports.Issues raised include gaps in monitoring of prisoners due to understaffing, a lack of prison-based clinical staff and shortcomings in the keyworker programme. Coroners have also repeatedly identified problems with staff training and the assessment, care in custody and teamwork (ACCT) process for prisoners identified as being at risk of suicide or self-harm. Continue reading...

Investigation continues after Ian Price, 52, died after being attacked by two dogs on ThursdayA man arrested in connection with the death of Ian Price, who was killed after an attack by two dogs in Staffordshire, has been released on conditional bail.Price, who was 52, died in hospital after being attacked in Stonnall, near Walsall, shortly after 3pm on Thursday. A 30-year-old man was detained on suspicion of manslaughter and being in charge of dogs dangerously out of control. Continue reading...

Actor and comedian makes statement after receiving letters from mainstream media TV company' and newspaperRussell Brand has vehemently denied very serious criminal allegations" about his personal life, in a video in which he does not specify what the claims are but insists his relationships have always been consensual.In a clip posted on YouTube and to his social media platforms, the actor and comedian said he had received communications from a mainstream media TV company" and a newspaper listing a litany of extremely egregious and aggressive attacks" that he absolutely refutes". Continue reading...