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News Corp-backed Betr attracted controversy last year when it offered 100-1 odds on the 2023 grand final winners in the NRL, AFL and other sports

Russia's former leader responds to statements by UK defence secretary, who said UK is in talks to move training to Ukraine

Members of the African-Caribbean community will be given freedom of the borough status for their exceptional contribution' to the areaMembers of the Windrush generation and the African-Caribbean community in East Staffordshire are going to be given the highest honour by the borough council, as a mark of heartfelt gratitude" to their contribution to the area.As the UK marks the start of Black History Month, local members of the Windrush community and their families will be given freedom of the borough status - the highest award a council can give - at an extraordinary council meeting on Monday. Continue reading...

Family and headteacher of Jessica Baker praise teenager's talent and inspirational dedication to climbingTributes have been paid to an unequivocally kind and empathic" 15-year-old girl who was killed when a bus overturned on the M53 in Wirral on Friday.Jessica Baker, a talented climber, died after the school bus carrying about 50 children overturned near junction five at about 8.30am. Continue reading...

The populist Smer leader, who has pledged to end military aid to Ukraine, says he is ready to open talks on forming a coalition governmentSlovakia's populist former prime minister, Robert Fico, who campaigned on a pledge to end military aid to Ukraine, has said his position has not changed" after his party's clear election win made him favourite to lead the country for a fourth time.Fico told reporters he was waiting for Slovakia's president to give him a mandate to start forming a government - expected on Monday - after officials said on Sunday that Smer-SD had scored 22.9% in Saturday's vote with 99.98% of ballots counted. Continue reading...

Observers hail a smart' deal that allows for artificial intelligence as a tool, not a replacement - and could be a model for other industriesHollywood writers scored a major victory this week in the battle over artificial intelligence with a new contract featuring strong guardrails in how the technology can be used in film and television projects.One of the longest labor strikes in Hollywood history came to an end on Tuesday after the Writers Guild of America (WGA) approved an agreement made with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. Writers and actors had been picketing for months as part of a historic double strike" that brought the industry to a standstill. Continue reading...

Nine injured as blaze erupts at oil pipeline in western Ukraine; drone attack in southern Russia leaves one hurt

Runoff vote was widely seen as a referendum on whether to pursue closer ties with China or India, both vying for influence in the island nationPro-China candidate Mohamed Muizzu won Saturday's presidential election in the Maldives, a result set to once again upend the archipelago's relationship with traditional partner India.Muizzu helms a party that presided over an influx of Chinese loans when it last held power in the atoll nation, better known for its luxury beach resorts and celebrity tourists. Continue reading...

Serbian president, Aleksandar Vui, announces move after US threatens punitive measures over buildup of troopsSerbia has pulled some of its troops back from the Kosovo border after US warnings that it could face punitive measures for what the White House called an unprecedented" buildup of Serbian troops and armour.The Serbian president, Aleksandar Vui, announced he had ordered troops to be pulled back. In a statement to the Financial Times, he said any military action would be counterproductive, adding: Serbia does not want war". Continue reading...

Pro-Delhi incumbent Ibrahim Mohamed Solih faces uphill battle against Beijing-leaning frontrunner Mohamed Muizzu as contest remains on knife's edgeThe Maldives started voting on Saturday to decide their next president, in an elections widely seen as a referendum on whether to hitch their fortunes to China or India, both vying for influence in the island nation.Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, 61, faces an uphill battle to secure a second mandate after a term that saw renewed ties with New Delhi, the archipelago's traditional benefactor. Continue reading...

Exhibition honours French impressionist whose landscapes have helped island create jobs and forge global tiesThe island of Guernsey may be best known as a tax haven for the super-wealthy, a pleasant holiday destination, and for the rich milk its docile cows produce.But thanks to a brief sojourn by Pierre-Auguste Renoir 140 years ago, and the bold thinking of culture lovers on the island, it is becoming a draw for art fans. Continue reading...

Sikh Federation wants ministers to set out how UK activists will be protected, after killing of Hardeep Singh NijjarBritish Sikhs have been asked to write to their MPs in an effort to get Rishi Sunak and Suella Braverman to explain what steps police will take to alert Sikh activists who may be under threat" after the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada.The Sikh Federation is concerned that British officers have given no security advice to high-profile individuals or gurdwaras and the community, after Canada said last week that India was probably behind Nijjar's murder in June. Continue reading...

Fifteen-year-old given 14-month detention and training order over attack on Jamie SansomA 15-year-old boy who stabbed a teacher in a school corridor after telling friends he wanted to kill somebody and researched how to buy firearms in the UK has been given a 14-month detention and training order.The teenager covered his face with a snood and a hooded top before attacking Jamie Sansom with a 6in (15cm) kitchen knife. Continue reading...

Journalist's column and contract terminated after comments made by Laurence Fox on his GB News showDan Wootton has been sacked by MailOnline the day after he was suspended by GB News for his part in an on-air discussion with actor Laurence Fox about a female journalist.The TV anchor has been suspended from his lucrative MailOnline column since the summer over accusations he used the pseudonym Martin Branning" to send sexually explicit messages to former colleagues. Continue reading...

The Olivier award-winning actor, whose major film roles included Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter series, has diedSir Michael Gambon, whose extraordinary acting career took him from Laurence Olivier's nascent National Theatre to screen roles in The Singing Detective and the Harry Potter films, has died at the age of 82.A statement on behalf of his wife, Lady Gambon, and son, Fergus, issued by publicist Clair Dobbs, said: We are devastated to announce the loss of Sir Michael Gambon. Continue reading...

Rule names several high-profile presenters banned from sharing certain views on social media while programmes are on airThe BBC has updated its social media guidelines to include a strengthened Lineker clause", in an attempt to stop high-profile presenters expressing strong views on party politics.Gary Lineker almost brought down the BBC director general, Tim Davie, earlier this year when he refused to apologise for tweets about the language used by the home secretary, Suella Braverman, to describe asylum seekers. Davie suspended Lineker, only to reinstate him after a staff rebellion.Antiques Roadshow - Fiona BruceThe Apprentice - Lord SugarDragons' Den - Evan DavisThe One Show - Alex JonesPresenters of major events, such as sporting eventsMasterChef - John Torode and Gregg WallaceMatch of the Day - Gary Lineker and Mark ChapmanStrictly Come Dancing - Tess Daly and Claudia WinklemanTop Gear's current presentersRadio 1 - Greg JamesRadio 2 - Zoe Ball, Vernon Kay and Scott Mills Continue reading...

Government says regulation aimed at protecting small businesses from competitionIndonesia has banned goods transactions on social media platforms as it aims to protect small businesses from e-commerce competition.Calls had grown in recent months for a regulation governing social media and e-commerce, with offline sellers seeing their livelihoods threatened by the sale of cheaper products on TikTok Shop and other platforms. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Kyiv says Iranian drones used by Russia in Ukraine have various European components

The unequal battle between major developers and cash-strapped councils means the reach of town hall enforcement officers is decliningThe decision by the Royal Borough of Greenwich to say enough is enough and order the demolition of 204 homes at the Mast Quay development in south-east London casts a spotlight on one of the most unequal battles in the public realm - between major developers and town hall planners.And it is one that often enrages the public. Greenwich's gambit has cheered community groups who say they are feeling increasingly powerless to challenge, even with the help of the planning system, the might of developers. Continue reading...

This live blog is now closed, you can read more on this story hereSusan Hall, the Conservative candidate for London mayor, has said she did not intend to cause any offence when she liked tweets praising Enoch Powell.Speaking on her LBC phone-in this morning, she said:If you're a serial tweeter, you tend to go through liking all sorts of things. If anybody is offended, then obviously I would apologise.It really doesn't bother me at all. Talking at conference to Conservatives isn't going to get me more votes in London.Yesterday you wrote about comments made about Suella Braverman's speech before we'd seen the text". I've looked at gov.uk since 16:00 yesterday, and haven't found the text of her speech. Is it available online? Continue reading...

This live blog has now closed, you can read more on this subject hereThe American ambassador in Bratislava, Gautam Rana, said this week that he has been very clear" with Robert Fico about the importance of continuing support for Ukraine.In an interview with Peter Dlhopolec, the editor-in-chief of the Slovak Spectator, the American diplomat said: Fico as prime minister took his role as a NATO ally seriously, and maintained a relationship with the EU." Continue reading...

Exclusive: Comes after heated Senate inquiry hearings told application for extra flights by the Gulf had been unfairly rejected"

Manasseh Sogavare hits out at US after skipping Biden summit as $200m in funding for Pacific nations draws criticism for trying to play catch up'

Victorian ombudsman says drivers have been hit with unfair charges as well as potentially unlawful penalties, which should now be repaid

Case follows Walliams' exit as BGT judge after transcript surfaced of him making offensive off-air comments about contestantsDavid Walliams has filed a case against the production company that makes the ITV show Britain's Got Talent.The action being taken by the show's former judge against FremantleMedia is listed as dealing with data protection, according to the BBC. No other details have been given. Continue reading...

Home secretary argued that uncontrolled' migration poses existential challenge for institutions of the west'The Sun is carrying a story today saying Rishi Sunak's decision to stall the net zero ban on selling new petrol cars has seen him catch up eight points in the polls". It is based on the results of this Deltapoll poll.For a more considered view, it is worth reading this article in the i by Prof Sir John Curtice, Britain's leading psephologist. He says the impact of the net zero speech on the polls has been much more modest. Here is his conclusion.Whatever the popularity of the measures, if, as has been alleged, Mr Sunak's motivation was to try to reduce Labour's lead, it looks as though he has so far reaped little reward. Four polls of voting intention conducted after last Wednesday's announcement have so far been published. Between them they put Labour's lead on 17 points - just a point below the polling average shortly before last week's drama.Moving the polls is, it seems, just as difficult as dealing with climate change. Continue reading...

Online fashion retailer says it has reduced its stock levels by 30% amid fall in customer numbersThe online fashion retailer Asos said sales in July and August were hit by wet weather, prompting it to cut its estimate for annual profits.Asos said the poor weather compounded weaker online demand for clothing. Total sales declined by 15% in the quarter to 3 September, with the UK down 16%. The sales washout resulted in a 60m hit to cashflow. July was the wettest such month in England since 2009. Continue reading...

Government maintains it has no effective control of the Australians' detention despite official correspondence citing plans to bring them home

Labor's longest-serving premier in the state made the announcement at a snap press conference on Tuesday

Sources suggest PM could announce new spending on bus, tram and train schemes if he decides to axe part of HS2Rishi Sunak could announce a series of transport improvements for the north of England including bringing forward the high-speed link between Manchester and Leeds as he seeks to limit the political fallout over the future of HS2.Government sources suggested the prime minister still planned to press ahead with a proposal to axe the Birmingham to Manchester link of HS2 despite a furious response and Tory fears that it would fatally undermine their commitment to levelling up. Continue reading...

Developer in long-running spat with Trowbridge town council erects gargoyle-like sculpture of council leader on roof of buildingMost leaders have to wait until after they've died for the statues and monuments of them to go up. But all the Trowbridge town council leader, Stewart Palmen, needed to see his likeness in stone was a planning dispute.An angry builder in the middle of a three-year spat with local authorities has erected a stone gargoyle-like carving of Palmen on a roof in Trowbridge. Continue reading...

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PM backs review of armed policing after officers hand in weapons in response to charging of marksman with murderRishi Sunak has said armed police need clarity about the legal powers they have as he backed a review by the home secretary after an unnamed officer was charged with murder over the shooting of Chris Kaba last year.The Metropolitan police has asked the SAS to provide counter-terrorism support after firearms officers handed in their weapons in protest at the charging of their colleague with murder. Continue reading...

Extreme politicisation of the public service puts confidence in democracy in jeopardy and must be met by strong and swift action

Pensioners and jobseekers will be able to work more without losing payments, while Tafe and apprenticeships will get a funding boost in Working Future reforms

PM would need to offer voters in the north of England an alternative. Whether they believe him is another matter

Reported package offer from Beijing was attempt to meet Australian side halfway' but Australia sees issues as entirely separate matters'

Three people died and Ian Wilkinson was taken to hospital in critical but stable condition after beef wellington lunch in July

Endorsement of former Australian prime minister revealed a day after Rupert Murdoch retired as chair of Fox and News Corp

After focus on work of one Dublin surgeon, expert report sparks wider review of paediatric orthopaedicsPaediatricians and health executives in Dublin were aware that a leading children's hospital in the city was using unauthorised, uncertified" medical implants in surgery, a top health official has said.Ireland is facing a growing scandal over paediatric spinal surgery. An independent investigation found that 19 children with spina bifida suffered serious complications after they were operated on by one surgeon at Temple Street hospital. One child was readmitted to the operating theatre 33 times after her initial operation. Continue reading...

Cygnet Health Care pleads guilty of failing to provide safe care at hospital in Ealing after woman took her own lifeA private sector mental health provider has been hit with a 1.53m fine after pleading guilty in a criminal prosecution brought by the Care Quality Commission over an inpatient's death.Cygnet Health Care pleaded guilty to the offence of failing to provide safe care and treatment at its Ealing hospital, after the death of a young woman who was able to take her own life there in July 2019. Continue reading...

Out of 10 bassinets tested by Choice, four were found to have serious safety failures such as non-breathable areas

Results revealed in FoI data follow other tests that found unsatisfactory levels of the bacteria on bargeThe Bibby Stockholm barge has had satisfactory" test results for legionella, after tests initially found the presence of the potentially deadly bacteria, the Guardian has learned.The Home Office, which hopes to hold hundreds of people seeking asylum on the barge in Portland, received the most recent legionella results on 4 September and government sources said they were not planning to make the results public. The Guardian obtained the results in freedom of information data from Dorset council. Continue reading...

Tina Greer went missing in 2012 having previously attempted to leave Lesley Sharman due to domestic violence incidents

In a rare interview with Fox News, Mohammed bin Salman said major progress must be made in creation of a Palestinian stateA potential normalisation deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia, and what those negotiations could mean for the Palestinians, are top of the news agenda in the Middle East after the two countries and the US signalled progress on the matter on the sidelines of the UN general assembly in New York.In a rare interview with western media, Riyadh's powerful crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, told Fox News on Wednesday that ongoing talks with Israel meant the prospect of normalised relations was getting closer every day". Continue reading...

Largest study of its kind in England finds 33% of care-experienced children received youth caution or convictionThe largest ever study of care experience and the youth justice system in England has revealed that children who have lived in care are eight times more likely to have received a youth justice caution or conviction than those who have not.Using data collated by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and the Department for Education, the study monitored the experiences of almost 2.3 million children born in England between 1996 and 1999. Their data was recorded between the ages of 10 - the minimum age of criminal responsibility in England - and 17. Continue reading...

Lawmakers in parliament upper house to hear king urge for stronger ties between France and BritainKing Charles will address French lawmakers and senators in the upper house of the French parliament on Thursday - the first time a British monarch has made a speech in a French voting chamber.On the second day of his state visit, the king is expected to use his speech at the Senate to once again urge for stronger ties between France and Britain. At a lavish banquet at the Palace of Versailles on Wednesday night, he said in a toast that it was incumbent upon us all to reinvigorate our friendship to ensure it is fit for the challenge of this, the 21st century". Continue reading...

Venables, 41, was jailed in 2017 for possession of child abuse images and will have a parole hearing in NovemberThe mother of James Bulger has said the prospect of Jon Venables's release from prison has left her in a state of shock".Venables, now 41, could be freed from prison before Christmas after it was confirmed that he would have a two-day parole hearing in November. Continue reading...

Helicopter came down in Pirongia forest park, south of Auckland, on way to rescue of injured hiker, but paramedic onboard wasn't deterredA paramedic in New Zealand has continued with his rescue mission, and completed it, despite the helicopter he was in crashing en route to help an injured hiker.The paramedic was travelling to Pirongia Forest Park, about two hours south of Auckland, when the Waikato Westpac rescue helicopter he was in came down. Authorities say the helicopter experienced a heavy landing" at about 5pm with photos of the scene showing the red and yellow aircraft nose down, wedged between trees in thick bush. Continue reading...

Protesters clash with police in capital Yerevan after Azerbaijan's offensive ends with ceasefire and agreement to disband local Armenian militaryProtesters have clashed with riot police in Armenia's capital after Azerbaijan claimed victory in a 24-hour offensive in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh.Several hundred demonstrators threw bottles and stones at police guarding government buildings and smashed windows in the city of Yerevan's Republic Square on Wednesday night as they voiced anger at the government's handling of the crisis, which has resulted in a ceasefire agreement that includes provisions for the local Armenian government to disband its military. Continue reading...