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Chancellor says her predecessor at No 11 covered up true state of the public finances but Hunt rejects claim

Approved dwellings drop 6.5% in June amid high interest rates and building costs as CoreLogic rues dismal result'

The carrier's shares are suspended and Bloomberg reports Ernst & Young are set to be appointed as administrators

Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry's John Hart says it's absurd' to see travellers handing around pens to fill in the card

Just 11 days after he was let out of jail, frightening' serial sex offender Wayne Wilmot was locked up again for breaching his strict court conditions

Murder trial hears that Haigh promised in exchange not to allow her extended family anywhere near' the baby

LGBTQ+ and human rights campaigner delighted and honoured' to have painting by Sarah Jane Moon on displayA vibrant portrait of the LGBTQ+ and human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell has been hung in the National Portrait Gallery's History Makers gallery as part of a drive to better reflect the diversity of the UK.The painting by Sarah Jane Moon shows Tatchell in a casual pose, seated with his hands clasping his left calf. The 72-year-old activist is sporting a rainbow tie to celebrate almost six decades of fighting for LGBTQ+ rights. Continue reading...

Fundamental rights body warns of flawed approach to credible accounts of ill-treatment and loss of lifeAuthorities in EU member states are not doing enough to investigate credible reports of violations of human rights, including deaths, on their borders, an EU human rights body has said.The EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) said human rights agencies and NGOs were reporting serious, recurrent and widespread rights violations against migrants and refugees during border management" but despite credible" reports many were not investigated. Continue reading...

Report finds 13 member states generated more energy from wind and solar power than coal and gas for first time in 2024Wind turbines and solar panels have overtaken fossil fuels to generate 30% of the European Union's electricity in the first half of the year, a report has found.Power generation from burning coal, oil and gas fell 17% in the first six months of 2024 compared with the same period the year before, according to climate thinktank Ember. It found the continued shift away from polluting fuels has led to a one-third drop in the sector's emissions since the first half of 2022. Continue reading...

Deepening military and trade links between Russia, China, Iran and North Korea are making western powers uneasyGen Roly Walker, the head of the British army, has described it as the axis of upheaval". George Robertson, the new head of the UK's defence review, has called the countries the deadly quartet". Either way, less than a month into a Labour government, an emerging geopolitical alignment is being highlighted as a threat.The concerns centre on the growing military and trade links between Russia, China, Iran and North Korea. Though the four are some way from a cold war-style bloc acting in concert, they have enhanced bilateral ties since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in a manner that has fuelled anxiety among defence officials and policymakers. Continue reading...

Liberal senator James Paterson suggested new home affairs minister could be compromised in his role due to pressure from grassroots Muslim groups

Nusantara scheduled to host Independence Day celebrations instead of Jakarta next month but relocation plan has come into questionIndonesian President Joko Widodo has begun working from the presidential palace in the country's ambitious new administrative capital, the flagship project of his two terms in office but which has been plagued by delays.The capital is due to move from traffic-clogged and sinking Jakarta to the planned city of Nusantara in East Kalimantan province on Borneo, but the $33bn project announced in 2019 is months - even years - behind schedule. Continue reading...

Maria Corina Machado tells Guardian that Nicolas Maduro should understand he lost presidential election, amid widespread international doubts over victory claimThe opposition leader battling to bring the curtains down on Nicolas Maduro's authoritarian regime has urged the Venezuelan strongman to accept that his exit from power is inevitable. The call came as thousands of protesters hit the streets to repudiate Maduro's disputed claim to have won a third term in power.Venezuela's incumbent president was officially proclaimed the victor of Sunday's election by the government-controlled electoral authority on Monday morning. Maduro called his supposed victory irreversible" despite widespread international doubts over the veracity of his claim to have won. Continue reading...

Presenter and criminal barrister argues a greater focus has to be placed on rehabilitation and the causes of crimeThe television personality and criminal barrister Rob Rinder has launched a blistering attack on the UK prison system, saying it fails prisoners, victims and society.Rinder, who has hosted courtroom reality TV shows and presented documentaries about British justice, said the prison system was repeating the same mistakes over and over. Repeating patterns and expecting a different result is the definition of madness," he told the Radio Times. Continue reading...

Protests seen around country after results appear to dash opposition hopes of ending quarter century of chavista rule

Merseyside chief constable says nine other children were injured, including six left in a critical condition

Boy, 17, arrested following absolutely abhorrent' incident at children's dance classTwo children have died and nine have been injured, six critically, after a series of stabbings at a children's dance class in Southport on Monday.Two adults are also in critical condition after what police described as a ferocious attack". Continue reading...

Malian rebels received necessary information' to kill numerous fighters from the Russian military group last week, GUR saysUkraine's military intelligence agency has claimed it was involved in an ambush that killed fighters from Russia's Wagner group in the west African nation of Mali, thousands of miles away from the frontline in Ukraine.A Telegram channel linked to the Wagner leadership on Monday admitted the group had suffered heavy losses during fighting in Mali last week. It said Wagner and the Malian armed forces had fought fierce battles" over a five-day period against a coalition of Tuareg separatist forces and jihadi groups, who had used heavy weapons, drones and suicide bombers. Numerous Wagner fighters, including a commander, Sergei Shevchenko, were killed, the channel said. Continue reading...

Arrest of IDF reservists suspected of abuse prompts confrontation at notorious detention base and outcry from MPsAn investigation by the Israeli military into the alleged abuse of a Palestinian detainee at a notorious military detention camp for prisoners captured in Gaza has sparked protests from members of Israel's far right.The Israeli military said on Monday the office of its advocate general ordered an inquiry following suspected substantial abuse of a detainee" at the Sde Teiman facility, which holds Palestinian detainees, including alleged members of Hamas's elite Nukhba forces involved in the 7 October attack. Continue reading...

The suspect's mental health will be assessed while Merseyside town deals with the aftermath of the atrocityIt will come as little, if any comfort, in the days and months to come, that targeted attacks on groups of children at play are mercifully rare in the United Kingdom.The worst in British history was the Dunblane massacre in March 1996 when a gunman walked into a school and killed 16 children and a teacher, before taking his own life. Thomas Hamilton, armed with guns, carried out his attack in the picturesque Scottish village, opening fire on a class of five and six-year-olds. Continue reading...

Carefully honed message of Commons speech is having to make tricky decisions because Tories left us a messThe basics of Rachel Reeves' Commons statement about her fiscal inheritance from the Conservatives were simple: there is a 22bn financial hole that needs fixing. But there was a bigger picture being presented, and with it, a potentially invaluable political prize.At the heart of the chancellor's near 30-minute presentation to the Commons was a narrative that most MPs and some of the public will already be familiar with: we are having to make tricky decisions because the Tories left us a mess. Continue reading...

Charities warn that means testing as part of Rachel Reeves' estimated 1.5bn cuts may create heat or eat' dilemmasUp to 2 million financially struggling older people could lose annual payments worth hundreds of pounds under government plans to restrict the winter fuel allowance to the poorest pensioners, campaigners have warned.Rachel Reeves announced the plans in a speech on Monday outlining a series of spending cuts to help fill what the government says is a 22bn black hole" in the public finances. Continue reading...

Witnesses say they heard screaming and saw injured children lying on the ground after attack at dance workshopIt was shortly before midday on what felt like the hottest day of the year when the sound of children playing was shattered by screams.Girls as young as five ran in fear, some covered in blood, after their Taylor Swift dance class on the first week of the summer holidays turned into an atrocity. Continue reading...

Two reported dead as Israeli officials weigh up response to rocket strike blamed on Hezbollah that killed 12 childrenIsraeli drones struck a remote road in southern Lebanon, underscoring tensions as the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, promised a harsh" response to the rocket strike on the occupied Golan Heights that killed 12 children.The state of Israel will not and cannot let this pass. Our response will come, and it will be harsh," he said during a visit to the remote town of Majdal Shams, a majority Druze village in a region annexed by Israel from Syria in 1981. Continue reading...

NCA said forfeiture of cash belonging to Petr Aven was first time it has recovered, rather than frozen, sanctioned fundsA UK aide to one of Vladimir Putin's closest" oligarchs has agreed to forfeit more than 750,000 after a two-year investigation into sanctions dodging.Cash belonging to Petr Aven - a tycoon closely linked to Russia's president for about three decades - had previously been frozen in 2022, shortly after the businessman was sanctioned by the UK for supporting the Kremlin in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Continue reading...

Campaigners say overseas territory will be complicit in breach of international law if US vessel stops thereAn overwhelming case exists for the UK to intervene to stop a US oil tanker carrying 300,000 barrels of jet fuel for use by Israel in Gaza from docking in Gibraltar according to a letter from a cross-party group of MPs addressed to David Lammy, the UK foreign secretary.Protests in Spain led by trade unionists and political activists have already resulted in the owners of the Overseas Santorini abandoning plans to dock in the Spanish port of Algeciras. According to Marine Traffic, the ship is now destined to reach Gibraltar at 2pm on Tuesday. Continue reading...

Armed officers seize knife after a number of people hurt in major incident', say Merseyside policeSouthport stabbings: man detained - updatesAt least eight people, feared to include several children, have been stabbed in Southport, where a man with a knife was arrested.Merseyside police said they were responding to a major incident" at a property in the seaside town in north-west England, where there were a number of reported casualties". Continue reading...

Mayor of Norwegian capital, Anne Lindboe, says drugs worth up to 570m have entered through the portThe mayor of Oslo has warned that drug smugglers are increasingly targeting the Norwegian capital as a gateway to Europe as authorities tighten controls on major ports such as Antwerp.Oslo's mayor, Anne Lindboe, said drugs worth up to 570m have been smuggled through Norway's largest port, which receives 50-70 ships and 243,000 containers every week. Continue reading...

Which Tory MPs will be taking part in the three-month contest to succeed Rishi Sunak?The full list of Conservative leadership candidates has been published after Monday afternoon's deadline passed. Six MPs will be running in the three-month-long contest to succeed Rishi Sunak.Four will be shortlisted by MPs in September and given the chance to make their pitch at the Conservative party conference and in the weeks leading up to it. MPs will then narrow down the list to two candidates, and grassroots members will elect their next leader in early November. Continue reading...

Washington says it has serious concerns' about result, while president of Uruguay says it is open secret Maduro would win whatever real results were'Among the many international figures weighing in on the situation in Venezuela was the US vice president, Kamala Harris.The will of the Venezuelan people must be respected. Despite the many challenges, we will continue to work toward a more democratic, prosperous, and secure future for the people of Venezuela," she said.More than a thousand international observers have taken part in the Venezuelan election. The people have spoken and their will should be respected. The right only goes along with democracy when it wins and that is unacceptable. Continue reading...

The carrier promises to respond to reports that it has called in turnaround experts as Anthony Albanese says the airline is important'

Regulator gives phone companies six months to identify and block calls that falsely display a UK number

Nicolas Maduro faces calls to publish transparent breakdown of vote but allies hail his apparent victory

Police voice alarm at high numbers as 14-year-old boy on e-scooter and two motorcyclists among latest killedIreland's police force has said it is seriously concerned about the number of deaths on the country's roads after five fatalities over the weekend.Those who lost their lives included motorcyclists and a 14-year-old boy on an e-scooter. Continue reading...

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Result with 80% of votes counted goes against opinion polls that suggested incumbent was facing defeatNicolas Maduro has been declared the winner of Venezuela's presidential election by the government-controlled electoral authority - a result that appeared to dash opposition hopes of ending 25 years of socialist rule and was immediately contested by his rivals and several governments in the region.After a six-hour delay in releasing the results of Sunday's election sparked an outpouring of concern from South American governments, the national electoral council claimed Maduro had won with 51.21% of votes compared with 44.2% for his rival, the former diplomat Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia. Continue reading...

Use of the motorised luggage which is popular in parts of Asia, require safety equipment and a driver's licence, according to Japanese lawAs record numbers of tourists flock to Japan to take advantage of the weakness of the Japanese yen, some are running into trouble with authorities thanks to the growing popularity of motorised, rideable suitcases.Two major Japanese airports have already asked travellers not to ride motorised suitcases within their facilities, according to Kyodo news agency, while police are urging domestic retailers to warn customers of the strict laws concerning their use. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Philippe Sands KC says non-binding opinion will nevertheless be seen as authoritative statement of law'The UK should stop arming Israel in order to comply with the historic advisory opinion by the UN's top court that member states should not render aid or assistance" to the occupation of the Palestinian territories, a lawyer who represented Palestine has said.In a broad and damning ruling published this month, the international court of justice (ICJ), found that Israel's settlement policies and occupation of the territories were in breach of international law. It also said UN member states were under an obligation to neither recognise the occupation as lawful nor abet it. Continue reading...

Philip Davies was among those who hedged their bets as they faced up to life after politics, analysis revealsAs the Conservative party hurtled towards electoral defeat, Philip Davies MP appeared to be weighing up his next career move already.On 20 June, the veteran backbencher incorporated a new company, Nessen Ltd, describing the nature of its business as management consultancy" in a filing to Companies House. Continue reading...

Green energy executives say plans for new power projects need to be more ambitious to achieve net zero grid by 2030Labour's clean energy targets may already be in jeopardy just weeks after the party came to power with the promise to quadruple Britain's offshore wind power, according to senior industry executives.The offshore wind industry has said there will not be enough time to develop the projects needed to create a net zero electricity system by the end of the decade unless ministers increase the ambition and funding of the government's upcoming make or break" subsidy auctions. Continue reading...

Liberal democrat MP Steve Darling's guide dog has her own press officer after becoming a social media sensationMeet Jennie the golden retriever - honorary 73rd Liberal Democrat MP, who has her own press officer and may need extra security after becoming a social media sensation.Always by the side of her owner, the new MP for Torbay, Steve Darling, guide dog Jennie has taken to House of Commons life swimmingly and is quickly attracting legions of fans. Her account on X already has more than 18,000 followers and she is often recognised around parliament and on the tube. Continue reading...

Nationals MP apologised after telling anti-renewables protesters to load that magazine' and that the bullet you have is that little piece of paper'

Kai McKenzie was critically injured in the attack but on Monday posted a lighthearted photo of himself in hospital flanked by supporters

Sakina Muhammad Jan to serve at least 12 months in prison in Australia's first forced marriage conviction

Experts say policy changes that include scrapping Mori-led programs will harm communities and put New Zealand's great reputation' at risk

Jonny Clothier was refused graduation at Bristol University over unpaid bill relating to flatmate's birdA man who was denied his graduation for 41 years because of an unpaid bill of 64.80 relating to a parrot has finally donned his cap and gown on the same day as his son.Jonny Clothier studied architecture at the University of Bristol and was meant to graduate with his peers in 1983. But his old flatmate had a parrot which, after being left unsupervised, had free run of their university accommodation and was said to have wrecked the place. Continue reading...

Experts warn women are making significant life changes' based on the anti-Mullerian hormone test, which they say is not reliable for many of its advertised uses

Man, 45, has been arrested on suspicion of murder following early-morning assault on Anita Rose in BranthamA 57-year-old woman has died in hospital four days after she was attacked while walking her dog in Suffolk, police have said.Anita Rose was found unconscious with a serious head injury by a member of the public at about 6.25am on Wednesday in the village of Brantham. She had left her house at about 5am to take her springer spaniel, Bruce, for a walk and was discovered on a track near Rectory Lane. Continue reading...

US backed Israel in blaming Hezbollah for strike on Golan Heights but is working on a diplomatic solution'Global leaders were engaged in intensive diplomacy on Sunday to dissuade Israel from increasing attacks on Lebanon, amid fears that a wider regional war could erupt in response to a rocket strike that killed 12 children playing football in the occupied Golan Heights.As the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, convened a meeting of his national security cabinet, the White House backed Israeli statements that blamed Saturday's attack on the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, saying: It was their rocket, and launched from an area they control. It should be universally condemned." Continue reading...

The Park fire has more than doubled in size in 24-hour span to burn 350,000 acres and stretches over four countiesThousands of firefighters continued to battle the Park fire in northern California which, propelled by extreme fire weather conditions, has become the state's seventh-largest on record after burning for less than a week.The Park fire, about 90 miles (144km) north of the state capital of Sacramento, had more than doubled in size in a 24-hour span to burn upwards of 350,000 acres (141640 hectares) - an area about the size of Los Angeles - and stretched over four counties: Butte, Plumas, Shasta and Tehama, according to the California department of forestry and fire protection, or Cal Fire. Continue reading...