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In his first press conference inside No 10 there was a relaxed atmosphere - and a pledge to end ideological drama

Hamas has reportedly accepted a US proposal to begin talks on releasing Israeli hostages, including soldiers and men Continue reading...

Government opens hundreds of shelters for displaced people as heavy rains cause rivers to burst their banksThe death toll from floods in Bangladesh this week has risen to eight, leaving more than two million affected after heavy rains caused major rivers to burst their banks, officials confirmed.The South Asian country of 170 million people, crisscrossed by hundreds of rivers, has experienced more frequent floods in recent decades. Continue reading...

Baker competed on Channel 4 show in 2022, becoming sixth contestant to leave tentGreat British Bake Off stars have paid tribute to the joyous" and talented" former contestant Dawn Hollyoak after her death at the age of 61.The baker competed on the Channel 4 show in 2022, becoming the sixth contestant to leave the tent after the group was given the task of making Halloween-themed treats. Continue reading...

Pressure on officials to publish estimate of offshore tax avoidance in almost 40bn of uncollected revenuesTax officials are under pressure this weekend to publish estimated figures on offshore tax avoidance by some of the country's wealthiest individuals after withholding the information in a report published during the election campaign.In June 2022, Lucy Frazer, then financial secretary to the Treasury, pledged that HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) would publish figures on the offshore tax gap, but the release of the figures has been repeatedly delayed. An HMRC report published on 20June this year - four weeks after the election was called - estimated the tax gap to be 39.8bn for the 2022-23 tax year. The tax gap is the difference between the amount of tax that should be collected and what has actually been paid. Continue reading...

Honours for the key figures behind decision to hold July poll becomes focus of anger among senior Conservatives General election 2024 - live newsSome of Rishi Sunak's closest allies are facing an angry backlash after being awarded honours by the former prime minister, despite their apparent role in the insane" decision to call an early election.In a sign of the growing anger within the party ranks over the decision to call the snap poll - as well as alarm over the way it was conducted - the former deputy prime minister Oliver Dowden and chief of staff Liam Booth-Smith were singled out by angry candidates and aides for their role in the cataclysmic defeat" that several sources claimed had been made worse by the early election decision. Continue reading...

For the first time, cannabis plant would drastically shift federal legal status from narcotic to regulated medicationThe US Drug Enforcement Administration has proposed new rules that mean, for the first time, medications containing delta-9 THC from the cannabis plant could be eligible for approval by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The rules, if enacted, would move the cannabis plant from a schedule I to a schedule III substance, so its federal legal status would shift drastically from a narcotic with no accepted medical use" to a regulated medication.Nearly 4 million Americans are already using medical cannabis in states where it's been legalized, contradicting federal laws. Given that so many Americans already have access to some form of medical cannabis, it's unclear whether pharmaceutical companies would benefit from seeking FDA approval for cannabis-based drugs. Continue reading...

As Tory MPs prepare bids, former PM and George Osborne say candidates should prove themselves in opposition General election 2024: live newsTory grandees including David Cameron are pushing back against the idea of a swift Conservative leadership contest, saying they want the candidates to be tested.Robert Jenrick, Kemi Badenoch, James Cleverly, Suella Braverman, Tom Tugendhat, Priti Patel and Victoria Atkins, are among the long list of names believed to be preparing possible bids. Continue reading...

New health secretary aims to resolve dispute in England and warns health service is not good enough'

Victory reflects deep dissatisfaction with direction of country and could bring greater cooperation with westThe reformist Masoud Pezeshkian has pulled off a stunning victory in the Iranian presidential runoff, reflecting deep dissatisfaction with the direction of the country in recent years and opening potential new avenues of cooperation with the west.Pezeshkian won 16,384,403 votes to defeat the ultra-conservative Saeed Jalili, who received 13,538,179 votes, on a final turnout of 49.8% - a big increase on the record low turnout of 39% recorded in the first round. In the first round, Pezeshkian came top, defeating three Conservative rivals. The turnout included more than 1m invalid votes. Continue reading...

Initial Brexit success was undone by poor strategy and repeated unforced errors, say expert observers

Labour lost seats including Jonathan Ashworth's in Leicester, where angry voters say they felt ignored

Homicide squad detectives are investigating the death, which is being treated as suspicious

Sport fans could face choice between watching eagerly awaited tennis match and Euros quarter-finalAndy Murray's final Wimbledon flourish could clash with England's quarter-final match at Euro 2024 on Saturday evening, forcing sport fans and BBC schedulers into a tricky dilemma.Murray and Emma Raducanu will team up in a mixed doubles match against Marcelo Arevalo and Shuai Zhang on No 1 Court. The match, which is the last one scheduled to play there on Saturday, looks likely to start in the early evening while England face off against Switzerland at the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Dusseldorf. Continue reading...

It will, however, only have three from minority ethnic backgrounds despite a record 89 being elected to parliament

Keir Starmer's broad but shallow victory means it will spend five years fighting off challenges from the right and left

While Labour has made big gains, other parties have also done well. Voters react to the transformation of the UK's political landscape

Equine specialist questions whether the animals' behavioural needs are being met and says capital may be overwhelmingThe stress of life as a military horse could explain why the animals have bolted twice through London in the past three months, an equine expert has suggested.On Monday three horses from the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment (HCMR) broke loose and ran through central London, with video footage showing one colliding with a car. It is thought one of the horses had been spooked by a bus, causing the other two to unseat their riders and run. Continue reading...

Oil firm's warning comes after it had to halt work on Europe's largest biofuel project and sell refinery in AsiaShell has warned investors that it will take an impairment charge of up to $2bn (1.6bn) in its next set of results after it was forced to halt work on Europe's largest biofuel project and sell off a Singapore refinery.The oil company told investors to expect a non-cash writedown of between $600m and $1bn when it publishes its second-quarter results next month because of trouble at a major biofuel project in Rotterdam in the Netherlands. Continue reading...

It took years for Labour to wake up to its loss of red wall support. The work to repair relations over Gaza should start today

Keir Starmer faces Nato summit in Washington and is expected to scrap Rwanda deportation schemeKeir Starmer's first few days in Downing Street will bring calls with other world leaders, ministerial appointments and announcements of early policies and commitments.His government will want to set the tone with some eye-catching announcements. Early on Starmer is expected to scrap the Rwanda deportation scheme, reverse the de facto ban on onshore windfarms and launch reviews of the UK's military capabilities and threats facing the country. Continue reading...

Shadow Cabinet Office minister Jonathan Ashworth among those losing out as party suffers in urban areas with high Muslim populations

Conservatives predicted to lose more than 200 seats in worst election result since party's founding

Australian cricket star labels opposition leader's remarks an absolute disgrace' as newly formed Muslim Vote group sparks debate

Defeats of Penny Mordaunt, Gillian Keegan, Grant Shapps and Liz Truss among the jaw-dropping moments of election night

Results with echoes of 1997 leave Plaid Cymru on four MPs and Lib Dems on one, but Conservatives with none

Defeated Tories turn ire on party as Alex Chalk and Gillian Keegan also among list of ousted ministers

Party leader to join its chair, Richard Tice, former Tory Lee Anderson and former Southampton FC chair Rupert Lowe in Commons

DUP loses Lagan Valley seat vacated by former leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, and is under pressure in North Antrim

Former Labour leader continues to represent constituency he has held since 1983

Workers party leader removed from Commons seat he had won in February byelection dominated by Gaza war

Trip scheduled for Monday, with Delhi a key trading partner for Putin since the full-scale invasion of UkraineNarendra Modi will visit Russia on 8 and 9 July and hold talks with President Vladimir Putin, the Kremlin has said, in the Indian prime minister's first trip to the country since Moscow invaded Ukraine.Modi and Putin will discuss prospects for further development of traditionally friendly Russian-Indian relations, as well as relevant issues on the international and regional agenda," the Kremlin said in a statement. Continue reading...

Labour forecast to return to power with a majority of 170, bringing to an end 14 years of Conservative rule

White House says proposal is in line with deal outlined by Joe Biden in late May, but work is still to be doneThe White House has described the latest Hamas ceasefire proposal for Gaza as a breakthrough" establishing a framework for a possible hostage deal, but warned that difficult negotiations remained over the implementation of the agreement.A senior US official said the Biden administration received the latest Hamas offer a couple of days ago" and had been studying it ahead of a 30-minute telephone call between Joe Biden and Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday. Continue reading...

Close Sunak ally Liam Booth-Smith elevated to Lords while Keir Starmer nominates eight retiring MPs

When will the new prime minister take office and what happens during the first days of a new government?

Hungarian PM trying to mediate between Russia and Ukraine' after Hungary took over rotating EU presidencyViktor Orban will travel to Moscow on Friday for talks with Vladimir Putin, sources said, days after Hungary's prime minister made his first visit to Ukraine since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of the country.Two sources in Budapest told the Guardian about the trip, saying it was planned as part of a package with the Ukraine visit after Hungary took over the rotating EU presidency this week. Continue reading...

Colorado dairy worker recovers as officials work toward vaccines and offer farmers financial aidThe US announced its fourth human case of bird flu, in a Colorado dairy worker, on Wednesday, as officials work to expand the availability of potential vaccines and commercial tests and open up financial assistance for affected farmers.The dairy worker was in close contact with cows that had tested positive for H5N1, a highly pathogenic bird flu, and the worker reported only eye symptoms", according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Continue reading...

Barrage from Lebanon one of group's largest yet, as Israel discusses Hamas proposals for possible Gaza ceasefireLebanon's Hezbollah says it has fired 200 rockets into Israel in one of its largest barrages yet, as Benjamin Netanyahu told the US that Israel will send a delegation to resume stalled negotiations with Hamas on a possible hostage release deal.Israel confirmed the Iran-backed militant group had fired numerous projectiles and suspicious aerial targets" from Lebanon on Thursday towards the occupied Syrian Golan Heights and more than 15 drones into Israeli territory, many of which it said were intercepted. An Israeli military spokesperson said there were no casualties reported. Continue reading...

The Canal and River Trust has increased fees at Ice Wharf Marina by more than 50% in the past nine yearsDespite their low-cost, bohemian image, houseboats can cost a pretty penny and often rival the price of a property on land. Now, those living on rivers and canals in London fear they will be priced out of the water for good as soaring mooring fees threaten their way of life.The Canal and River Trust (CRT) has raised mooring fees at some sites it owns by 10% for two years in a row. A 300m cut in government funding to the trust, due from 2027, was previously announced by Rishi Sunak's Conservative government. As a result, fees have risen for those living on rivers and canals in England and Wales. For many of those permanently moored in centrally-located marinas, fees have shot up by thousands of pounds. Continue reading...

Presenter says women should not be made to feel unsafe going about our daily lives' after Gavin Plumb convicted of plan to abduct her

University is taking legal action to shut down pro-Palestine encampment on Edgbaston campusThe University of Birmingham is censoring students' beliefs about Gaza by seeking to shut down a pro-Palestine encampment on its grounds, the high court has heard.Birmingham is one of several universities taking legal action to try to evict student protesters, with a case brought by the University of Nottingham due to be heard before the same judge on Friday. Continue reading...

Coroner finds Jessica Baker, 15, died from head injury after driver collapsed at wheel on M53A teenage girl who died when her school bus crashed on a motorway was one of the few people onboard wearing a seatbelt, an inquest has heard.Jessica Baker, 15, was dressed for a morning PE class at West Kirby grammar school in Wirral, Merseyside, when the coach crashed on the northbound M53 just after 8am on 29 September last year. Continue reading...

Accused speak out of turn about climate threat and challenge judge who orders jury to leaveThere was chaos in the courtroom at a climate protest trial when two defendants stood and made statements defying the authority of the court.At separate points during the trial on Thursday, Roger Hallam and Daniel Shaw, charged along with three others with conspiring to block traffic on the M25 in 2022, stood up in front of the jury and spoke out of turn. Continue reading...

Murray is due to compete in doubles at his last Wimbledon, yet fans are also pretty excited' to see younger playersThursday marks a changing of the guard. While for many this might mean electing a new prime minister, at Wimbledon, tens of thousands queued for a chance to bid adieu to Andy Murray and cheer on the next generation of British tennis stars.Murray is due to compete alongside his older brother, Jamie, in the men's doubles this week in his final Wimbledon showing. There had been hope he would play in the tournament's singles, but he pulled out on Tuesday after being unable to sufficiently recover from the back surgery he underwent 12 days ago. Continue reading...

Rebecca Joynes, 30, groomed two pupils from age of 15, with one boy describing aftermath as a very dark time'A teenage boy has described how he was coerced, controlled, manipulated, sexually abused, and mentally abused" as the Manchester teacher who victimised him was sentenced to six-and-a-half years in prison.Rebecca Joynes, 30, was found guilty of six counts of sexual activity with a child, two while in a position of trust, after a trial in May. Continue reading...

Debt-laden chain reportedly drawing up plans to shut 25 screens and renegotiate rent agreements at 50 sitesCineworld is reportedly considering closing a quarter of its UK cinemas as part of a wide-ranging restructure.The cinema operator, which delisted from the London Stock Exchange last year after its share price collapsed, is drawing up plans to shut as many as 25 cinemas and renegotiate rent agreements at 50 more of its 100 or so UK sites, sources told Sky News. Continue reading...

UK Steel says British firms paid prices in spring well over double French and Spanish equivalents Business live - latest updatesBritish electricity prices were double those paid in France and Spain in the spring, with the steel industry saying the disadvantage could hinder UK efforts to switch to greener technology.UK companies paid nearly 66 a megawatt hour (MWh) for wholesale electricity prices in the second quarter of 2024, well over double the French and Spanish equivalents in the same period, according to analysis of industry data by UK Steel, a lobby group. Continue reading...

Move comes after attacks on government spokesperson and RN candidate in buildup to Sunday's poll

Police appeal for more information in case of Scott Clive, who disappeared from North Shields in October 2002Police have arrested a man as part of an investigation into a 22-year-old murder mystery and appealed for people to come forward with information.Scott Clive was 30 when he was last seen shortly after 11pm in the Borough Road area of North Shields, North Tyneside, on 10 October 2002. Continue reading...