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...

Officers detain 25-year-old man after receiving reports of person climbing walls in early hoursA man has been arrested near Buckingham Palace after police received reports of a person trying to climb the walls in the early hours of Saturday.Officers said a 25-year-old was arrested under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act for trespassing on a protected site. Continue reading...

Dogs will have to be registered and kept leashed and muzzled in public, says chief veterinary officerThe UK's chief veterinary officer has stressed there will be an amnesty before a ban on American XL bully dogs, after an expert said the breed was behind almost half of all attacks on humans and dogs killed since 2021.An amnesty for XL bullies would mean existing animals were not culled, but owners would be required to register and keep them leashed and muzzled in public, Christine Middlemiss said. Continue reading...

Charity that runs boarding houses to help girls in remote Atlas mountains get to school scrambles to find out what facilities remainWhen a powerful earthquake struck deep below Morocco's Atlas mountains last Friday night, the school year had only just begun. Staff from a girls' education charity who had stayed late at work suddenly found themselves jolted by the force of a 6.8 magnitude quake as the walls of their offices crumbled around them to expose the cold mountain air.Many of the girls who we know are at least alive have lost mothers, brothers, fathers, family members and it looks like many of their houses have also been completely destroyed," said Sonia Omar, the head of Education for All Morocco, her voice cracking. The charity supports a network of six boarding houses for girls across the Atlas, all situated in villages around the epicentre of the quake. Continue reading...

Bureau of Meteorology forecasts warm weather to remain over coming days, with Sydney set to reach 30C and Melbourne 24C

Revelation comes as government announces former National Crime Agency chief will lead inquiry into breakoutEighty prison officers did not to turn up for their shifts at Wandsworth prison on the day Daniel Khalife escaped, leaving just 60% of posts filled, it has emerged.The revelation came as the government announced that a former director general of the National Crime Agency has been appointed to investigate the incident. Continue reading...

Sport of Camanachd, or shinty, is spreading beyond Scottish Highlands, with women's game the biggest growth area

De Koning's in the air, everywhere I look around,' Williams sang to tune of Love Is In The Air

Launch of ad promoting the yes vote ahead of the voice referendum coincides with Walk for Yes events in major cities

Merrick Garland, the attorney general, confirmed the extradition, calling it an effort to attack every aspect' of the cartel's operationsOvidio Guzman, son of incarcerated Mexican drug lord Joaquin El Chapo" Guzman, has been extradited to the US, where he is wanted on fentanyl trafficking charges, Mexican and US authorities said on Friday.Attorney general Merrick Garland said Ovidio had been extradited, calling it the latest step in US efforts to attack every aspect" of the drug trafficking operations run by the Sinaloa cartel associated with the Guzman family. Continue reading...

Phil Krakouer and at least six others claim the league failed to protect them from racial vilification

Ukraine claims to have seized village from Russian forces in Donetsk region; Zelenskiy to meet Biden in Washington next week

Robert Brown, who bludgeoned Joanna Simpson to death in 2010, is due to be released in NovemberThe family of a woman bludgeoned to death by her estranged husband have called on the justice secretary to take urgent action, after learning that he will be released from prison at the start of November.Robert Brown, who killed Joanna Simpson in October 2010, will be released after serving half of his 24-year sentence. Continue reading...

Actors were on the board of Thorn when their letters defending convicted rapist Danny Masterson came to lightAshton Kutcher and his wife Mila Kunis have resigned from the board of the anti-child sexual abuse charity he founded amid swirling criticism of their defense of fellow actor and convicted rapist Danny Masterson.Kutcher told the board of Thorn he was standing down immediately as its chair in a letter written on Thursday and posted to the organization's website. Kunis's role as an observer on the board ended at the same time.Information and support for anyone affected by rape or sexual abuse is available from the following organisations. In the US, Rainn offers support on 800-656-4673. In the UK, Rape Crisis offers support on 0808 500 2222. In Australia, support is available at 1800Respect (1800 737 732). Other international helplines can be found at ibiblio.org/rcip/internl.html Continue reading...

Then chancellor reportedly nearly stepped down last year after breaking Covid-19 lockdown laws in 2020, according to new bookRishi Sunak was persuaded not to quit as chancellor over his fine for breaking lockdown laws after an intervention by executives working for media mogul Rupert Murdoch, it has been claimed.The claim is detailed in a book by the Telegraph's political editor, Ben Riley-Smith, and published by the newspaper's website on Friday. Continue reading...

Actor, best known for playing Wolverine, and Deborra-Lee Furness say they are pursuing individual growth'Hugh Jackman and his wife, Deborra-Lee Furness, have announced they are ending their marriage after 27 years.The Australian actors married in 1996 and have two children, Oscar, 23, and Ava, 18. Continue reading...

Actor apologises for controversial decision to resume production of show, saying she didn't want to upset or hurt anyone'Drew Barrymore has posted a tearful apology after coming under fire for bringing her talkshow back during the writers' strike.The actor and host had announced that The Drew Barrymore Show would return, while in accordance with the Sag-Aftra and WGA strike rules. But the decision led to an immediate backlash, with protesters demonstrating at the CBS studios during the first day of production. Audience members were also reportedly thrown out for wearing WGA pins. Continue reading...

Exclusive: oil giant to put particular focus on senior managers after shock departure of CEO Bernard LooneyBP has launched a review of all personal relationships between its staff, particularly at senior levels, to root out any problematic" conduct, the Guardian can reveal.The oil and gas company's chief executive, Bernard Looney, quit on Tuesday night after an investigation into his personal relationships with colleagues. His departure left the company facing questions over its governance and culture. Continue reading...

Belarusian president's suggestion comes during a meeting with his Russian counterpart. This live blog is closed.In its daily public intelligence briefing on the war in Ukraine, the UK's Ministry of Defence appears convinced of Ukrainian claims to have inflicted significant damage on the Russian Black Sea fleet in Sevastopol. Citing satellite imagery, it writes:Despite the Russian ministry of defence downplaying the damage to the vessels, open-source evidence indicates the Minsk [landing ship] has almost certainly been functionally destroyed, while the Rostov [submarine] has likely suffered catastrophic damage.Any effort to return the submarine to service is likely to take many years and cost hundreds of millions of dollars. There is a realistic possibility that the complex task of removing the wreckage from the dry docks will place them out of use for many months. This would present the Black Sea fleet with a significant challenge in sustaining fleet maintenance. Continue reading...

Adidas trainers appear to be Keir Starmer's answer to the PM's Timberlands as he rekindles the spirit of dressed-down BlairismKeir Starmer hoped to win support for his small boats plan on Thursday on a trip to the Europol headquarters. But he was also likely hoping that the casual note he struck en route to the meeting would garner some backing as well.While he donned a more traditional suit to head to The Hague later, arriving into the airport he wore dark blue jeans, a signature dark shirt and a pair of Adidas trainers - perhaps an attempt to signal calm in the eye of the political storm. Continue reading...

Canada issues hurricane watch for parts of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, with storm expected to bring high winds and floodingJoe Biden has declared a state of emergency in Maine as Hurricane Lee rapidly approaches the north-easternmost US state amid the likelihood of a landfall there or more likely in Canada over the weekend.About 7 million people are now under tropical storm warnings across Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. The Canadian Hurricane Center also issued a hurricane watch for parts of the provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Alfie Meadows underwent brain surgery after being struck by officer at tuition fees demonstrationThe Metropolitan police have apologised and agreed to pay a six-figure settlement to a man who needed emergency brain surgery after being hit by an officer's baton during the 2010 university tuition fees protests.Alfie Meadows, then a 20-year-old philosophy student at Middlesex University, sustained a brain injury after he was struck on the head during demonstrations against the tripling of tuition fees. He needed more than 100 staples in his head and was left with a large scar. Continue reading...

Former nurse found guilty of murdering seven infants files bid to challenge her convictionThe child serial killer and former nurse Lucy Letby has formally filed a bid to challenge her conviction at the court of appeal, officials have said.More details soon ... Continue reading...

PM says breed, responsible for series of attacks, will be banned once it has been properly definedHere is the full text of what Rishi Sunak said in his video statement about banning American XL bully dogs. (See 11.50am.)The American XL bully dog is a danger to our communities, particularly our children.I share the nation's horror at the recent videos we've all seen. Yesterday we saw another suspected XL bully dog attack, which has tragically led to a fatality.It's clear the American XL Bully dog is a danger to our communities.I've ordered urgent work to define and ban this breed so we can end these violent attacks and keep people safe. Continue reading...

National Theatre and Royal Ballet among 21 groups to receive grants from new fundVogue World will donate 2m to London-based arts organisations through a newly established fund, Conde Nast has announced.The star-studded event at London's Theatre Royal Drury Lane on Thursday night was masterminded by the Vogue editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour, and the Bafta- and Olivier-winning director Stephen Daldry. Its aim was to celebrate London's heritage as a cultural powerhouse and to raise money for the UK's cash-strapped performing arts scene. Continue reading...

Father, stepmother and uncle of girl, whose body was discovered in Woking last month, will appear at Old BaileyThe father, stepmother and uncle of Sara Sharif have been remanded into custody by a district judge after being charged with the 10-year-old's murder.Urfan Sharif, 41, Beinash Batool, 29, and Faisal Malik, 28, from Woking appeared at Guildford magistrates court on Friday after being arrested at Gatwick airport on Wednesday evening. Continue reading...

Shop thefts have more than doubled in the past three years, costing retailers 953m a year, according to the British Retail ConsortiumIn recent months, David, the manager of a Leeds Co-op store, and his staff have been threatened with razors, knives, screwdrivers, needles and hammers by shoplifters who have become more brazen and aggressive.It feels like these offenders can simply come in and take what they want, and do what they want," the 36-year-old says. Not one or two items - they come in with bags, sacks or clothing, which can conceal hundreds of pounds worth of stock - coffee, meat, wine, laundry gel, anything that can be re-sold. It is looting. They are known in the city centre as repeat offenders... They know the police don't have the resources or can't attend quickly enough." Continue reading...

Ukraine claims to have seized the village of Andriivka in Donetsk; Lukashenko says Belarus has been supplying Russia with fuel

Former Spanish football federation president prevented from approaching World Cup-winning player Jenni HermosoA Spanish court has imposed a restraining order on the former president of the country's football federation, forbidding him from communicating with, or coming within 200 metres of, the female player he controversially kissed after Spain's World Cup victory last month.Luis Rubiales - whose decision to kiss Jenni Hermoso prompted a national and international debate on sexism and eventually led him to resign five days ago - was handed the order on Friday by a judge at the audiencia nacional, Spain's highest criminal court. Continue reading...

After an earthquake in Morocco and flooding in Libya, civilians are losing out in the disaster-struck north African nationsThe world has been struck by not one but two natural disasters in recent days - the earthquake in Morocco and devastating flooding in Libya.At least 2,900 people are known to have died in the 6.8-magnitude earthquake that struck in Morocco's High Atlas mountains a week ago, and the authorities say the death toll will rise. Continue reading...

Jorg Prophet, who wants Germany to abandon its guilt cult', could become party's first city mayorDirectors of a memorial at a former Nazi concentration camp have raised alarm about the revisionist views of a far-right politician expected to become its local mayor, saying he will be barred from attending events to commemorate the Holocaust if he is elected.The Alternative fur Deutschland politician Jorg Prophet last Sunday finished almost 20 points clear of the runner-up in municipal elections in Nordhausen, a city of about 42,000 in the eastern state of Thuringia. Continue reading...

Relatives grieve and search in desperation as Derna's mayor fears death toll from floods may exceed 20,000Omar al-Rifadi has been searching for his missing 20-year-old daughter ever since disaster struck the Libyan city of Derna on Sunday, when she disappeared, lost in the darkness amid a catastrophic flood that claimed the lives of thousands and swept many into the sea.I walked on foot to look for her. I went to all the hospitals and schools. But luck was not on my side," the 52-year-old said, tears streaming down his face. Continue reading...

Happiness among girls and young women in UK at lowest since 2009 as 37% report being sent upsetting contentAs a society, I think that there's a lot more that we could be doing to make young girls feel more accepted," says Anthony Asfour, reflecting on the findings of a UK study showing happiness among girls and young women is at its lowest since 2009.A supervisor for the charity Childline, Asfour and his team of volunteers in London are contacted 84 times a day, on average, by children and young people in distress. Many of the issues highlighted in the report by Girlguiding this week, especially those around online abuse, ring true with them. Continue reading...

Unions say as many as 3,000 workers could lose posts in long term on back of deal to help decarbonisation plans

Payout relates to article that wrongly claimed pair had received 500,000 to promote tax avoidance schemesMailOnline has agreed to pay Gabby and Kenny Logan substantial damages" in relation to an article falsely claiming they had received 500,000 for promoting tax avoidance schemes to their celebrity friends and had sought to disguise the income as loans.Statements read at the high court on Friday, said the former Sun editor Kelvin MacKenzie had also agreed to pay substantial damages to the BBC TV presenter and her businessman husband for a tweet he posted about the story. Continue reading...

Police arrest 30-year-old after man attacked by dogs in village of Stonnall dies in hospitalA man has died after being attacked by two dogs near a school in Staffordshire, the West Midlands ambulance service (WMAS) has said.Paramedics were called to the incident in the village of Stonnall on Thursday afternoon and treated a man who had multiple life-threatening injuries". Continue reading...

Finley Cook, 20, will appear in court over the fatal stabbing of Matthew Daulby, 19, in Ormskirk in JulyPolice have charged a second man with the murder of a teenager who was stabbed during a late-night altercation.Matthew Daulby, 19, from Liverpool, was stabbed shortly after midnight in the centre of Ormskirk, Lancashire, on 29 July. Continue reading...

Country hit by record rainfall that followed Mediterranean storm with similarities to tropical cycloneAfter battering Greece last week, Storm Daniel caused further devastating floods, this time affecting Libya. As the storm moved across the Sahara, it developed into what is informally known as a medicane, a storm in the Mediterranean that develops characteristics similar to those seen in tropical cyclones, notably a central eye. The particularly warm Mediterranean water fuelled by the extreme heat seen over southern Europe this summer, helped strengthen Daniel as it approached Libya.By Saturday 10 September, Daniel had reached north-eastern Libya, with winds of 70-80mph according to Libya's National Meteorological Centre. The devastation then came from extreme rainfall, as 24-hour totals of 150mm-240mm were widely recorded in the region. One station in the city of Al-Bayda recorded a rainfall total of 414.1mm in 24 hours, a new record for the area. These torrential rains caused two dams to collapse, which resulted in devastating flash flooding that has killed thousands of people. Continue reading...

Shadow home secretary says any deal to accept people from EU to focus on reuniting families

This blog is now closed.

Residents cautioned to minimise heat exposure as the mercury in eastern states forecast to reach up to 12C above average

Zuzana aputova has said she got death threats after Robert Fico made unwarranted accusations' about herSlovakia's president, Zuzana aputova, a former civil rights lawyer, activist and standard bearer for progressive causes, has sued Robert Fico, the populist head of the country's main opposition party, for spreading lies about her amid rising tensions before a key parliamentary election at the end of this month.The election on 30 September pits Fico, whose SMER-SSD party is in the lead, according to the latest polls, against Progressive Slovakia, which is running second. Continue reading...

Expected government deal to help switch to greener production could lead to as many as 3,000 job losses

Police claim the woman, 47, threatened officers with an axe in Stockton before barricading herself inside an apartment where she was shot with less than lethal options'

Li Shangfu, who has not been seen for two weeks, is under house arrest', claims US ambassador to JapanChina's defence minister has not been seen in almost three weeks with speculation he is under investigation, the latest case of a senior Communist party official to disappear from public view.Gen Li Shangfu was last seen on 29 August when he gave a speech to the China-Africa peace and security forum. His last overseas trip was to Moscow and Minsk in mid-August, where he met Russian officials on the sidelines of a security conference, and with the Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko. Continue reading...

Russian president also gave Kim at meeting the gift of a glove from a space suit that has been to space' amid warnings from US and South Korea about any weapons dealKim Jong-un has visited a factory that builds advanced fighter jets, as his tour of Russia moves into its third day and the Kremlin revealed he and Vladimir Putin had exchanged gifts of rifles during their summit this week.Two days after meeting Putin at a space base in Russia's far east, where they discussed satellite technology and - possibly - a deal to provide North Korean arms for the war in Ukraine, Kim's armoured train arrived in the city of Komsomolsk-on-Amur, where he visited a factory that makes Russia's most modern fighter jets, Russian news agencies reported. Continue reading...

Excitement about Netflix and Amazon's investment has evaporated as strikes, falling ad spend and a glut of completed shows leaves crews out of workEarlier this year things appeared to be looking up for the UK's 6bn TV and film production industry, with US streaming firms revealing billions had been spent on shows and films made in Britain.An announcement from Amazon that it had doubled its investment in the UK, where it now makes dramas including the Lord of the Rings prequel, The Rings of Power, followed news from Netflix that it was spending about $1.5bn (1.2bn) annually on British-made movies and series such as The Crown and Heartstopper. Continue reading...

Fresh prison term comes on top of 24-year sentence Dawson received in 2022 for murdering wife Lynette Dawson in 1982

Former Australian Test cricketer arrested on Tuesday, accused of playing role in drug trade that led to his alleged kidnapping

No campaign spokeswoman praised by opposition leader, Peter Dutton, who stopped short of endorsing her claims about the impact of colonisation