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Lines closed between Luton and Bedford as emergency services attend sceneTwo trains have collided in the Bedford area, authorities have said, with a number of people injured and police and other emergency services at the scene.The collision, which is reported to have caused serious injuries, has also caused major delays to the evening commute, with lines closed between Luton and Bedford, Thameslink said. Continue reading...

Makerfield victory gives Andy Burnham a path back to Westminster and a chance to challenge Keir Starmer

US-Iran meeting in Switzerland on implementation of peace deal cancelled over clashes in southern Lebanon

Cambridgeshire police say 30-year-old man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder is not fit to be interviewedA man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a three-year-old boy ended up in a crocodile enclosure has been released because he is not fit to be interviewed, police have said.The 30-year-old man from Norfolk has been bailed while detectives from the major crimes unit conduct further inquiries, Cambridgeshire police said. Continue reading...

Birds have been in the park since the Russian ambassador gave King Charles II two in 1664 - but none ever bred thereThey arrived in the royal park shortly before the Great Fire of London, when the Russian ambassador presented a pair to King Charles II as a gift.But although pelicans have been living in St James's Park since 1664, none ever learned the art of courtship - until now, when for the first time in more than 360 years, chicks have been born. Continue reading...

Social Circle announces homeland security has canceled plans to convert warehouse to detain up to 10,000 peopleThe small town of Social Circle in rural Georgia has announced that the Department of Homeland Security has cancelled plans to turn a warehouse into what would have been one of the largest immigration detention centers in the country.The cancellation appears to be one of seven around the country, according to reporting elsewhere, and part of a reversal under new homeland security director Markwayne Mullin in the Trump administration's plans to buy up warehouses and boost detention capacity - after spending $1bn on the effort in recent months. Continue reading...

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Ministers say PM faces being forced out by party if he does not act, with one calling his departure inevitable'

Thomas, 43, a former military police officer, has whip suspended during investigation into the allegationsA Liberal Democrat MP suspended by the party has been arrested on suspicion of controlling and coercive behaviour and assault, the Guardian understands.Cameron Thomas, the MP for Tewkesbury, was arrested by Gloucestershire police on Wednesday. The Liberal Democrats said the 43-year-old had had the whip and membership of the party suspended. Continue reading...

Borrowed' supporters from across the political spectrum voted to trounce Reform

More than half of France's population under severe weather warning with temperatures expected to exceed 40CMore than half of France's population is under a severe weather warning as large swathes of western Europe endure the second extreme heat event of the year with temperatures expected to exceed 40C (104F).The French president, Emmanuel Macron, called for extreme vigilance from everyone", asking citizens to take care of our oldest and most vulnerable people" and follow government advice. We are going through difficult days," he said. Continue reading...

Andy Burnham's resounding win in the Makerfield byelection has set the stage for a leadership battle with Keir Starmer. The outgoing mayor of Greater Manchester received more votes than Reform and Restore combined, and the nature of the victory has prompted speculation he could replace Starmer as prime minister within weeks, if not days. Annie Kelly speaks to political correspondent Alexandra Topping

Bar Standards Board bars Karim Khan from practising in England and Wales, following suspension by ICCKarim Khan, the international criminal court prosecutor, has been suspended from practising as a barrister in England and Wales by the UK's Bar Standards Board.The move comes less than two weeks after Khan was suspended as ICC chief prosecutor as part of a disciplinary process triggered by sexual abuse allegations against him. Khan has repeatedly denied the claims. Continue reading...

Temperatures expected to climb to 30C over the weekend in southern England and south-east WalesThe Met Office has issued an amber extreme heat warning for much of southern England and south-east Wales over the coming days - the most extreme heat warning the weather forecaster has issued for nearly four years.Temperatures are expected to climb to about 30C (86F) over the weekend and peak on Monday and Tuesday at 34C, though there remains a chance of this being exceeded in some spots", the Met Office said. Continue reading...

This blog is now closed, you can read more on this story hereAnother close Meloni ally and undersecretary in her office, Giovanbattista Fazzolari, also heavily criticised Trump's attack on the Italian PM.It is unclear whether out of intent or ineptitude [Trump] is wrecking the historic relations between the United States and Europe," he said in a statement quoted by Reuters. Continue reading...

Former president nevertheless said in an interview that he was happy to see a ceasefire with Iran and hopes it holds

US president provokes outrage as PM says he totally invented' story in interview with Italian mediaItaly's prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, has said Donald Trump totally invented" a story about her after the US president claimed she begged him to take a photo with her during the G7 summit.The two former allies had appeared to be getting their relationship back on track by having several one-to-ones on the sidelines at the gathering in Evian after falling out in April over the US-Israeli war in Iran. Continue reading...

Amid UK government proposals for a ban, experts discuss what other activities might really serve children wellWhen a Lancashire schoolgirl was asked what she would do if the proposed social media ban for under-16s came into effect, her answer hit a national nerve: Stare at a wall," she deadpanned.The clip went viral, not least because it distilled a question many parents have been asking themselves about the consequences of the government's proposed social media ban. Continue reading...

Head of Federal Housing Finance Agency who investigated Trump's enemies takes over top intelligence role

Tanker owner trade body says centre of strait will remain closed for some time', with vessels risking running aground by taking Omani routeThe centre of the strait of Hormuz is blocked with about 80 mines that will need clearing for normal shipping to resume, the independent tanker owner trade body has said.Several vessels began to exit the Gulf through the key maritime chokepoint on Thursday after the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the US and Iran. Continue reading...

JD Vance lambasted Israeli critics of the proposed deal, but did not travel to Europe as planned. Plus, at 82 years old, Keith Richards still gives some of the best interview quotes in townGood morning. Talks set to take place today between the US and Iran to implement a peace deal were abruptly cancelled. The White House said the US still looked forward to beginning technical talks as soon as possible". Hezbollah-linked media reported Tehran was delaying sending its delegation due to Israel's ongoing military campaign in Lebanon.The talks were set to begin in the Swiss village of Obburgen two days after the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that opened a 60-day window to negotiate a permanent agreement over Iran's nuclear programme, while reopening the strait of Hormuz. The centre of the strait is blocked with about 80 mines that will need clearing for normal shipping to resume, the independent tanker owner trade body has said.What is happening in Lebanon? Hezbollah targeted Israeli forces near Nabatieh with several salvoes of rocket fire after Israeli shelling. Israel responded with a wave of airstrikes, killing at least 18 people and injuring 33. Iran has said Israel's attacks on Lebanon must end as part of any peace deal.What did JD Vance say to Israeli critics of the deal? In sharp words, the vice-president said: Donald J Trump is the only head of state in the entire world who is sympathetic to the nation of Israel at this moment in time. If I was in the cabinet of the Israeli government, I might not be attacking the only powerful ally that I have anywhere left in the entire world."Why does Trump's Iran entanglement echo the Jimmy Carter years? In this excellent analysis piece Robert Tait reminds us that one of Trump's earliest political forays was lambasting the Democratic president during the 1980 Iran hostage crisis. Trump, Tait says, now finds himself in a position that uncannily resembles that of his predecessor - unable to bend Iran to his will despite superior US military power. Continue reading...

Simone Venturini says proposal aimed at discouraging arrivals in periods of heightened tourist pressure'Venice's new mayor has said he hopes to raise a controversial entrance fee for day-trippers to the lagoon city to as much as 50 (43).Simone Venturini, the rightwing former tourism councillor who was elected mayor in late May, said the proposal was aimed at further discouraging arrivals during periods of heightened tourist pressure". Continue reading...

Fifa has defended its Aramco sponsorship, saying revenues are reinvested back into football at all levelsAs scorching temperatures beat down on World Cup soccer games across North America, climate activists - including former and current professional athletes - are calling for Fifa and other professional sporting organizations to cut ties with the oil and gas industry.Sport, especially football, has the power to influence and inspire billions of people," said David Wheeler, an English former professional footballer, who supports the campaign. Fifa should be harnessing that power to do good." Continue reading...

Tories' Douglas Lumsden says city has spoken loud and clear' in support of the North Sea oil and gas industry

Prime minister suggests he will not walk away' despite Burnham's comfortable victory in Makerfield byelection

From public ownership, to devolution and the cost of living, the policies of the potential Labour leadership challenger will face intense scrutiny

Thangam Debbonaire and Sarah Pochin argue in Sky News interview at Makerfield byelection count

May heatwave drives up volume of sales 1.2%, the strongest monthly growth since January, says ONSRetail sales bounced back to growth in May as record hot weather spurred sales of fans and paddling pools, while online purchases also soared.The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the volume of retail sales in Great Britain grew 1.2% in May compared with the previous month, the strongest monthly rate of growth since January. Continue reading...

JD Vance's staff were at an airbase ready to fly to summit in Obburgen before trip was suddenly cancelled

Greater Manchester mayor says result represents Labour's final chance to change', after soundly beating Reform UK and Restore Britain

International firm owns up to breach of ethics after staff leaked confidential Optus information while bidding for telco contract

This blog is now closed Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThere were two small earthquakes in New South Wales this morning, according to Geoscience Australia.A 3.4 magnitude quake hit near Orange around 5.45am this morning, with at least 108 people reporting they felt the shakes. And a 3.2 magnitude temblor hit near Wilcannia two hours earlier. Just two people reported feeling that quake.If we're given the choice between taking the easier path politically or doing the more difficult thing, but the right thing in the interests of particularly first home buyers, young people, workers in the tax system, then it will be worth it.Obviously, there's a big partisan political campaign against these changes. We understand that. We anticipated that. We expected that. But it's worth it because our job isn't just to take the easy political options.The more important thing than the politics of this is to get the policy right, to get the substance right. Because at the end of the day, what matters most is the tax system and the housing market are broken. We are acting to fix it. Continue reading...

May figure of 23.3bn underlines challenge facing Andy Burnham if he ends up as Labour leader

After winning the Makerfield byelection, the returning Labour MP faces a number of scenarios in his bid to replace Keir Starmer UK politics - live updates

Veteran campaigner Robin Hanbury-Tenison is raising money for a research station near his home in CornwallPedalling on water for more than a hundred miles in a heatwave, pushed back by east winds and having to navigate 31 locks would be a challenge for anybody. But when that body is 90 years old, with a bad knee, failing balance and malfunctioning arms and shoulders, it's a herculean feat.Rainforest campaigner Robin Hanbury-Tenison, 90, is pedalling 104 miles down the River Thames from Oxford to Richmond on a water-bike to raise money for a unique research station which is being built to study Britain's temperate rainforest. Continue reading...

Liam Byrne, who chairs Commons business committee, says too many operators are still waiting for redressThe Japanese tech company at the centre of the Post Office IT scandal is facing calls from a parliamentary committee to make an immediate" payment towards the compensation bill for victims.Fujitsu supplied the faulty Horizon software to the UK Post Office, which led to branch operators being wrongly prosecuted over discrepancies in their business accounts. Continue reading...

Labour mayor giving advisory roles to ex-Bank of England economist and others seen as attempt to reassure markets

In a sharp rebuke to critics of Trump's deal with Iran, the vice-president referenced the billions in defence aid Israel recieves from the US

Musical stars and retired politicians from less polarised era seeming antidote to cage fights on White House lawnThe Barack Obama presidential center opened in Chicago on Thursday after more than a decade in the making amid a musical fanfare and paeans to democratic principles that evoked a previous age, all while delivering an implied rebuke to Donald Trump.Featuring appearances by a cast of musical stars and retired politicians from a less polarised era, it was a seemingly perfect antidote to the crass spectacle of cage fights on the White House lawn. Continue reading...

Officers arrest man on suspicion of attempted murder as child is treated in hospital for serious injuriesA man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a three-year-old boy ended up in a crocodile enclosure, Cambridgeshire police said.The force said officers were called to Johnsons of Old Hurst zoo in Huntingdonshire at 1.24pm on Thursday over reports of an incident involving a three-year-old boy, during which he ended up in the crocodile enclosure". Continue reading...

Legal team of alleged gunman, 28, reverses position on extreme emotional disturbance' defense after one dayIn a stunning reversal, Luigi Mangione's legal team said on Thursday they would no longer pursue a psychiatric defense in his upcoming state trial over the killing of the UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.Just one day earlier, Mangione's lawyers told Judge Gregory Carro they would pursue a defense claiming the 28-year-old was suffering an extreme emotional disturbance" at the time of Thompson's killing on 4 December 2024. Continue reading...

Several inches of rain expected in south-eastern US as forecasters expect storm to cause life-threatening floodingTropical Storm Arthur was downgraded from a cyclone to a low pressure area along the upper Texas coast as it made landfall and lost wind intensity on Thursday.Forecasters still expect the storm to cause life-threatening flooding, property damage and disruptions to commerce and travel. Continue reading...

Reports say Texas recruits ill from outbreak, which comes weeks after defense secretary made flu vaccine optionalAn influenza outbreak has reportedly sickened more than 150 recruits in training at Lackland air force base in San Antonio, Texas.The outbreak comes just weeks after the defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, ended mandatory flu vaccination for the military, citing the need for bodily autonomy for servicemembers. Continue reading...

Interior department insists water at Washington landmark is crystal clear' as witnesses report murky green poolUS federal government workers continue to take on the green hue that has swept across Washington's reflecting pool, an increasingly fiendish battle the Trump administration compared to its war with Iran.After Donald Trump ordered a $14.2m refurbishment to turn the monument American Flag blue" in time for the country's 250th birthday celebrations, the administration encountered a formidable foe: algae. Continue reading...

US president says he encourages Middle East countries to maintain commitment to allowing our negotiations to beautifully unfold'

MP for Tewkesbury understood to have been arrested by Gloucestershire police on Wednesday nightA Liberal Democrat MP has had the whip and membership of the party suspended after he became the subject of a police investigation.Cameron Thomas, the MP for Tewkesbury, was arrested by Gloucestershire police on Wednesday night, it is understood. Continue reading...

City councillor who ran on expanding childcare, education and housing slated for office after opponent concedesDemocratic socialist Janeese Lewis George is slated to be the next mayor of Washington DC after her opponent conceded on Thursday.Lewis George, a city council member, ran on a platform of expanding childcare, education and housing, and revoking the district's cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. Continue reading...

Number of people infected now tops 1,000 though health officials say the global risk remains low

Supermodel completely abdicated' her trustee responsibilities at Fashion for Relief, Charity Commission tells hearingNaomi Campbell showed herself to be unfit to run a charity after the supermodel completely abdicated" her responsibilities as a trustee of her now defunct Fashion for Relief project, according to the charity watchdog.The Charity Commission told a tribunal that Campbell, who is trying to overturn a five-year ban on running a charity, was highly culpable" for mismanagement and misuse of funds at Fashion for Relief, the former charity she founded in 2015. Continue reading...