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Soldiers filmed raising Ukrainian flag and banner in villages, a week after launch of counteroffensive

Met Office issues new weather warning for thunderstorms and rain on Sunday and MondayAlmost a month’s rain could fall over parts of the UK in the next 12 hours – but the country will still be hotter than Monaco.New weather warnings have been issued by the Met Office for thunderstorms and rain on Sunday and Monday. Continue reading...

Man, 26, charged with murder and a 34-year-old with assisting offenders after Mitchell went missing in County AntrimTwo men have been charged in connection with the murder and disappearance of Chloe Mitchell, from Country Antrim, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said.Detectives from PSNI’s major investigation team have charged a 26-year-old man with murder and a 34-year-old man with assisting offenders. Continue reading...

Mitchell Gaffney and Maddy Edsell had a ‘beautiful ceremony’, hours before a bus carrying guests overturned on the Hunter expressway

In today’s newsletter: A weekend of chaos has left Rishi Sunak facing three byelections and the Conservative party mired in division yet again

Secondary legislation in parliament this week will lower the threshold for serious disruption, says barrister Adam WagnerPolice will have “near total discretion” over which protests to ban if lawmakers approve the government’s latest changes to Great Britain’s public order regime, a leading human rights lawyer has said.Secondary legislation in parliament this week will empower police to impose conditions – including changing timings, locations and routes, and imposing noise restrictions – on protests they believe “may” cause “more than minor” disruption. Continue reading...

Emails to producers reveal a dealer warned piece attributed to Banksy was being billed as not genuine by a firm involved in its restorationChannel 4 is facing questions over TV show The Greatest Auction after emails revealed a dealer warned producers that art tentatively attributed to Banksy and sold for £250,000 was being billed as not genuine by a company involved in its restoration.Jeff Salmon, an art collector who has appeared on a number of Channel 4 shows, was told he was not required at the filming of the relevant auction scenes on the primetime show after he pointed programme producers to the testimony of a firm that had managed the piece. Continue reading...

73% of surveyed women say they received no information on bonding in first weeks after giving birthMore than one in 10 women struggle to bond with their baby, with the majority saying they are given no support from healthcare staff, a survey has found.Nearly three-quarters (73%) of women said they received no information or advice on bonding with their baby in the first few weeks after birth, despite guidance for doctors and nurses recommending that they assist with emotional attachment to encourage healthy child development. Continue reading...

Jodie Comer and Tom Stoppard led a big night for Brits, while J Harrison Ghee and Alex Newell triumphed in a ceremony affected by the writers’ strikeLeopoldstadt and Kimberly Akimbo won big at this year’s history-making Tony awards, with the writers strike affecting the format and content of the ceremony.Tom Stoppard’s sprawling family drama Leopoldstadt was named best play, winning against Cost of Living and Fat Ham. Producer Sonia Friedman called it Stoppard’s “most personal masterwork”, and Stoppard said that throughout his career he has noticed “the theatre writer getting decreasingly devalued in the food chain”. Continue reading...

Pickett granted bail after being held in custody in Perth overnight charged with 12 offences including stealing and criminal damage

Annastacia Palaszczuk says the government is ‘pulling every lever possible’ amid a housing shortage

Police say 25 others were taken to hospital by helicopter and road after the coach rolled on Wine Country Drive just after 11.30pm on Sunday

IAEA head Rafael Grossi, who will visit Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, says there is a difference of about 2 metres from the reservoir that cools the plantThe UN atomic watchdog has said it needs wider access around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant to check “a significant discrepancy” in water level data at the breached Kakhovka dam used for cooling the plant’s reactors.International Atomic Energy Agency head Rafael Grossi, who is to visit the plant this week, said that measurements the agency received from the inlet of the plant showed that the dam’s water levels were stable for about a day over the weekend. Continue reading...

Seven people have been killed by dogs in the UK so far this year. Simon Usborne reports on the worrying increase in attacksDeaths and serious injuries sustained in dog attacks are rising rapidly in the UK. So far this year seven people have been killed in such incidents. For years the average was stable, at about three deaths a year, but something has changed recently. During the Covid pandemic, dog ownership rose sharply as people took on pets as companions. But that’s only part of the story.The reporter Simon Usborne tells Nosheen Iqbal the increase in demand for dogs allowed unscrupulous dealers to enter the market and sell to unsuitable owners. There are also new breeds to contend with: the American bully, a type of bulldog, has become notorious for a seemingly disproportionate involvement in serious incidents. There are calls for the breed to be banned. Continue reading...

Constable Anthony Woods, 28, succumbed to his injuries on Sunday night, three days after he was run over by a car allegedly bearing stolen plates

The late performer was remembered for ‘eminent service to the arts’ and is one of six Australians to be made a Companion of the Order of Australia

Russian forces open fire on boat carrying flood evacuees, killing three; Ukraine claims to have liberated three frontline villages in western Donetsk

Effort is being stepped up to rebuild relations after the spy ballon incident led to Blinken’s original visit being cancelledIn the clearest sign yet that president Joe Biden’s predicted “thaw” in US-China relations may actually come to pass, the US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, is expected to visit Beijing on 18 June.But after several months in which tensions between the two countries have only increased, both sides will need to overcome a mutual mistrust that has been allowed to build following a number of recent incidents.Guardian Newsroom: Is China ushering in a new world order? Join a panel of Guardian journalists for a livestreamed event on Wednesday 14 June 2023, 8pm BST | 9pm CEST | 12pm PDT | 3pm EDT. A video recording will also be available for ticket-holders. Book here Continue reading...

Former high court judge Michael Kirby among experts calling for a criminal cases review commission in Australia

This year’s big winners including who picked up best actor in a play, best actress in a musical and best revivalBest performance by an actress in a featured role in a play

Eruption began on Sunday and has forced more than 12,000 people to leave their homesThe Philippines’ most active volcano began spewing lava on Sunday, putting thousands of people on heightened alert for the possibility of a violent explosion that would force them to suddenly evacuate from their homes.More than 12,000 villagers have left their homes so far in mandatory evacuations from the mostly poor farming communities within a 6km radius of the Mayon volcano’s crater in north-eastern Albay province. The evacuations began after the volcano begun showing signs of renewed restlessness last week. Continue reading...

Sister of Ruth Perry, who killed herself after her primary was downgraded, ‘disappointed’ single-word judgments not removedChanges by Ofsted to the way it inspects schools have been criticised as “nowhere near enough” to reduce the resulting high levels of stress involved, which were linked to the recent death of a popular headteacher.The reforms announced by Amanda Spielman, Ofsted’s chief inspector, are intended to ease the burden felt by school leaders such as Ruth Perry, 53, the head of a primary in Reading who killed herself earlier this year after an Ofsted inspection lowered her school’s grade from “outstanding” to “inadequate”. Continue reading...

Nearly 70% of office workers say their firms have not increased number of black, Asian or ethnic minority leadersThe number of senior business leaders from ethnically diverse backgrounds has not significantly increased since the death of George Floyd sparked global protests and $50bn (£40bn) of corporate pledges to address racial inequality in the workplace.Three years on from the killing of Floyd at the hands of US police officers, which prompted chief executives including Apple’s Tim Cook and David Solomon of Goldman Sachs to declare that leaders also need to do more to address racial disparities in their own companies, nearly 70% of office workers say their firms have not increased the number of black, Asian or ethnic minority leaders. Continue reading...

There are now an estimated 12,512 warheads across the globe, with most of the new ones in military stockpiles said to be China’sThe number of operational nuclear weapons in the arsenals of the major military powers is on the rise again according to a leading thinktank, whose analysts warn the world is “drifting into one of the most dangerous periods in human history”.At a time of both deteriorating international relations and the escalation of nuclear sabre-rattling, there are now said to be an estimated 12,512 warheads globally, of which 9,576 are in military stockpiles ready for potential use, up 86 on a year ago. Continue reading...

People who flee to seek sanctuary in UK should not routinely be granted asylum, home affairs select committee report saysAlbania is a “safe” country and people who flee from there to seek sanctuary in the UK should not routinely be granted asylum, according to a report published on Monday from a cross-party group of MPs.The report from the home affairs select committee found little evidence to indicate significant numbers of Albanian nationals are at risk in their own country but accepted that some Albanians making asylum claims, mainly women, have been trafficked. It recommends that this group should be returned to Albania only if appropriate safeguards are in place. Continue reading...

Derek Martin to appear in court charged with murder after Josh and Chloe Bashford found dead at homeThe families of a married couple who were found dead at their home have paid tribute to the “funny and loving pair” as a man is due to appear in court charged with their murder.The bodies of Josh Bashford, 33, and 30-year-old Chloe were found at their home in Newhaven, East Sussex, on Friday. Continue reading...

Scully had been seen as a frontrunner for next year’s electoral race against Labour incumbent Sadiq KhanThe minister for London, Paul Scully, has failed to make the shortlist to be the Conservative candidate to run for the city’s mayor. Scully had previously been seen as a possible frontrunner for next year’s electoral race against the Labour incumbent, Sadiq Khan.The shadow health minister, Wes Streeting, said the Tories had avoided selecting Scully – the only MP on the longlist – because Rishi Sunak’s administration was “toxic” to voters. Continue reading...

Police announce move following disappearance of 21-year-old in Ballymena just over a week agoDetectives investigating the disappearance of County Antrim woman Chloe Mitchell have launched a murder inquiry after suspected human remains were found in Ballymena.Mitchell, 21, was last seen on CCTV in the early hours of Saturday 3 June in Ballymena town centre. Continue reading...

Nine boys and two girls aged 15 to 17 arrested on suspicion of murder after stabbing late on Saturday nightEleven teenagers have been arrested on suspicion of murder after a 16-year-old boy was stabbed to death.Members of the public rushed to help the boy before paramedics arrived in Eastfield Avenue, Bath, but he could not be saved and died at the scene at about 11pm on Saturday. Continue reading...

Privileges committee is preparing to sign off what is expected to be damning report into former PM’s conductBoris Johnson and his allies have been told by senior Conservatives to “shut up and go away” as the privileges committee prepares to sign off what is expected to be a damning report into his conduct.MPs on the committee are understood to have received threats from members of the public over the weekend, following Johnson’s decision to stand down as an MP after being told they had concluded he deliberately misled parliament over Partygate. Continue reading...

Three people killed and 10 wounded after a boat heading to Kherson is shelled; about 100 captured soldiers from each side are returnedRussian forces blew up the Khakhovka dam to prevent Ukrainian troops from advancing in the southern Kherson region, Kyiv’s deputy defence minister Hanna Maliar said on Sunday.Ukraine has accused Russian forces of blowing up the dam from inside its associated hydroelectric power station. The site has been under Russian occupation since the early weeks of the invasion in February last year. Continue reading...

Humza Yousaf is trying to seize back the media narrative but the party remains tethered to unanswered questions about its pastSupporters and critics of Nicola Sturgeon were in sombre mood as they digested news of the former first minister’s arrest on Sunday afternoon.To see Sturgeon – just earlier in the day described by her successor, Humza Yousaf, as “one of the most impressive politicians Europe has seen over the last couple of decades” – and “arrested” in the same headline as the news alert flashed up on phones was a shock, despite speculation it was inevitable given the continuing police investigation into the finances of the Scottish National party, which she led until recently. Continue reading...

Travis Michael Leake, described as someone who loves Russia, says ‘I don’t understand why I’m here. I do not admit my guilt’A US citizen arrested in Russia on drugs charges this week is a military veteran who lived in Moscow for nearly a decade, working as a musician, rock band manager and appearing in an interview with the late food and travel journalist Anthony Bourdain.Travis Michael Leake and a friend, Valeria Grobanyuk, were arrested earlier this week in a drugs raid that has the potential to further ignite tensions between Washington and Moscow. The State Department has warned Americans to steer clear of Russia after the invasion of Ukraine and a number of recent arrests of US citizens. Continue reading...

Experts quash claims by Beijing that the Palestinian Authority president’s visit will facilitate new Israeli-Palestinian peace talksThe Palestinian Authority president’s imminent state visit to China is aimed at bolstering Beijing’s credentials on the world stage rather than a serious attempt to revive the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, experts have said.Mahmoud Abbas’s four-day visit, which is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, has been described by Chinese state media as aimed at facilitating new peace talks predicated on a two-state solution to the decades-old conflict. It also comes on the heels of Beijing’s recent success in brokering a detente between the Middle East’s two major religious and geopolitical poles, Saudi Arabia and Iran. Continue reading...

Former first minister had been questioned over SNP fundingNicola Sturgeon has been released without charge pending further investigation after being arrested as part of a police probe into the funding and finances of the SNP, Police Scotland said.More follows … Continue reading...

What are the opposition parties’ chances of winning the byelections triggered by the three Tory resignations?After a series of dramatic resignations by Conservative MPs – first the former culture secretary Nadine Dorries, then the former prime minister Boris Johnson and finally the Johnson loyalist Nigel Adams – Rishi Sunak faces three imminent byelections in England.At a time when the prime minister is trying to prove that he has steadied the ship, Conservative HQ is likely to see them as sapping time and attention. For Labour and the Liberal Democrats, they are a chance to get on the front foot before the next general election. So, where are the byelections happening, and what are the opposition parties’ chances? Continue reading...

Six fire engines attended the blaze, which broke out on Saturday afternoon in the village of DaviotFirefighters are tackling a wildfire near Inverness that burned throughout the night and reportedly stretches for more than a mile. Six fire engines were sent to the village of Daviot in the Highlands after the fire broke out on Saturday afternoon.The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has told people nearby to stay indoors and to close all windows and doors to prevent smoke inhalation. Evacuated residents have been told not to return yet. Continue reading...

Ursula von der Leyen says €900m will be macrofinancial assistance while €105m will help combat people-smugglingThe European Union is considering more than €1bn in aid for Tunisia to rescue state finances and deal with a migration crisis, the EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said on Sunday.Speaking in Tunisia, Von der Leyen said €900m would be macrofinancial assistance while an immediate €150m would support a reform agenda set by the International Monetary Fund. Continue reading...

Search party launched after 12 British nationals and 12 Egyptian crewmembers aboard scuba diving vessel rescuedThree British tourists are missing after a scuba diving boat they were cruising in caught fire off Egypt’s Red Sea coastline on Sunday, authorities have said.A further 12 British nationals were rescued along with 12 Egyptian crew members and were brought to safety at the nearby diving resort of Marsa Shagra, about 13 miles (21km) north of the town of Marsa Alam, according to a statement from the Red Sea State governor’s office and security sources. Continue reading...

Proposal from the Council to Homeless Persons comes as analysis shows huge increases in homelessness levels in some regions, with one rising 465%

Tim Costello hopeful of bipartisanship on issue to ‘break the grip’ of saturation advertising

Di Farmer told state parliament in 2019 the sorts of measures now championed by Labor would almost guarantee children would reoffend

Another renter was told to provide a year’s worth of bank statements, with NSW minister saying applicants ‘rightly feel uneasy’ about data collection

Pratt’s is the latest establishment haunt to allow female members but others are still resistant to changeMild signs of a potential willingness to modernise have been observed in some of central London’s establishment clubs in the past few weeks, led by the announcement that, after a wait of 166 years, women will finally be allowed to become members of Pratt’s.The decision by the owner of Pratt’s has been met mostly with resigned acceptance by the club’s membership, which includes at least a dozen MPs, and has triggered renewed discussion of possible reform at the remaining hardcore handful of gentlemen’s clubs that refuse to admit women. Continue reading...

Former Scottish first minister interviewed as part of Police Scotland inquiry into claims SNP misspent £600,000 of donationsNicola Sturgeon has been arrested by police investigating allegations of financial misconduct by the Scottish National party.Sturgeon, who quit as first minister and SNP leader in early April, is the third person to be arrested as part of Operation Branchform, the Police Scotland investigation into allegations that more than £600,000 in donations for an independence campaign was misspent by the party. Continue reading...

Demand resurfaces for dry cleaning, watch repairs and key cutting, though shoe repair remains out of favourThe Timpson family paid themselves a £12.8m dividend last year as dry cleaning, key cutting, watch repairs and photo processing bounced back at the high street stalwart after pandemic lockdowns – but shoe mending sales remained downtrodden.The family-owned Timpson Group includes Snappy Snaps, Johnsons dry cleaners and a small group of pubs alongside its namesake shoe-repair and key-cutting business. It doubled comparable profits to £36.5m in the year to 1 October 2022 and sales rose to £297.4m, up about 40%. Continue reading...

Former PM’s team and No 10 at loggerheads over resignation picks for the House of Lords and two resulting byelectionsAn almighty row over Boris Johnson’s resignation honours list has resulted in claims and counterclaims flying between the former prime minister’s team and the current No 10 operation.Both sides are pointing the finger of blame at the other for the confusion that has led to two byelections being triggered by those who lost out on being elevated to the Lords. Continue reading...

Relatives and Colombian president visit survivors in hospital, where grandfather says they are ‘shattered but in good hands’The four young Colombian siblings who managed to survive for 40 days in the Amazon jungle after their plane crashed have been reunited with their family as further details emerged of their astonishing feat of endurance.The children’s grandfather, Fidencio Valencia, who visited them in the Bogotá hospital where they are recuperating, said they were “shattered but in good hands and it’s great they’re alive”. Continue reading...

Minister said up to a fifth of adult males seeking asylum pretended to be children, but Home Office figures say it is 1%A claim made in parliament by the immigration minister that up to a fifth of adult male asylum seekers pretend to be children when they arrive in the UK has been undermined by the Home Office’s own data, which shows the actual figure is just 1%.The factchecking organisation Full Fact has obtained new freedom of information data that shows that between 1 January and 7 November 2022 only about 1% of all males arriving on small boats at Western Jet Foil claimed to be under 18 but were later found to be over 18. Continue reading...

Daniel Kawczynski asked Electoral Commission to permit the funding after returning from a trip to MongoliaThe prime minister’s trade envoy to Mongolia lobbied the Electoral Commission to permit a £10,000 donation to his party association from a “Mongolian friend”, documents reveal.Daniel Kawczynski, the Conservative MP for Shrewsbury, contacted the independent electoral watchdog on 20 April, days after his return from a week-long trip to Mongolia in his role as trade envoy, accompanied by the UK ambassador. Continue reading...