Russian-controlled regions, including the occupied Crimea, also reported heavy attacksMoscow has threatened the UK with consequences" after reports that British drones have been used to strike targets on Russia's mainland for the first time.Ukraine used drones made by two UK companies as part of a so-called deep strike campaign, the Sunday Times reported.Britain stands shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine and we are committed to providing the equipment Ukraine needs to defend itself against Putin's illegal invasion.Russia should be in no doubt about the resolve of this government to stand against Russian aggression, in Ukraine and against the UK and our allies." Continue reading...
Man to appear in court charged over death of 55-year-old man who was bitten by dog on footpath on SaturdayA 55-year-old man has been charged with manslaughter over the death of a man who was bitten by a dog on a footpath.West Yorkshire police were called to reports of an altercation on the old train line footpath off Blacker Lane in the Calder Grove area of Wakefield on Saturday afternoon. Continue reading...
Ministry of Defence rebuffs threats, saying UK committed to providing equipment Ukraine needs to defend itself against Putin's illegal invasion'Moscow has threatened the UK with consequences" after reports that British drones have been used to strike targets on Russia's mainland for the first time.Ukraine used drones made by two UK companies as part of a so-called deep strike campaign, the Sunday Times reported. Continue reading...
by Richard Partington Senior economics correspondent on (#77RM0)
Unemployment rate remained at 4.9% in the three months to the end of June, ONS figures showWage growth in the UK slowed in June as workers come under pressure from a renewed cost of living squeeze amid the economic impact from the Iran war, official figures show.Figures from the Office for National Statistics show average growth in total earnings, including bonuses, fell to 4.1% in the three months to June, down from 4.3% in the three months to May. City economists had forecast a larger fall to 4%. Continue reading...
Labor's legislation to restrict gambling ads is set to pass this week, with the Greens calling the agreement cowardly'Two Coalition MPs have crossed the floor after a deal between the major parties to pass Labor's new restrictions on betting advertising and inducements, with cross-benchers and the Greens expressing anger and dismay at the contentious bill's final form.Anthony Albanese and the communications minister, Anika Wells, secured the support of the opposition to pass the bill, with amendments including tweaks to ad timing rules and some restrictions on inducements. Continue reading...
Chain tells customers to pipe down' and use earphones instead, calling its venues an oasis of tranquillity'The pub chain Wetherspoons has banned customers from playing music or taking calls on speaker after growing complaints about the noise.The company announced it had introduced the ban across its 792 pubs, saying sounds from smartphones and tablet computers had become an increasing problem in recent years". Continue reading...
In today's newsletter: The women most at risk of violence are often the least likely to be heard - the murder of two sex workers shows why that must changeGood morning. Last week, Simon Levy, a registered sex offender, was sentenced to a rare whole life tariff for the murders of Carmenza Valencia-Trujillo and Sheryl Wilkins. Both women, as well as others targeted by Levy, were vulnerable and involved in sex work.This was no coincidence: in the sentencing remarks, it was noted that Levy - who had a history of sexual offending dating back to 2018 - selected women who sold sex as his victims because he believed he could get away with it.UK politics | Reform UK's deputy leader Richard Tice dismissed efforts to tackle climate breakdown, urging British people to enjoy" the summer heatwaves.US news | Donald Trump issued a threat to bomb Oman if the country gets in the way' of ending the US-Israel war on Iran.World news | The Ebola outbreak in DR Congo is now the deadliest in the country's history, with at least 2,325 dead from the virus, according to official data.Jason Arday | Tens of thousands of people gathered in Trafalgar Square in London to remember and pay tribute to Jason Arday, the former Cambridge professor who died on Friday.Housing | Half of homes in Great Britain are taking longer to sell than last year as volatile conditions in the mortgage market amid the Iran war prompt buyers to wait and see" if they can get a better deal, according to a report. Continue reading...
by Richard Partington Senior economics correspondent on (#77RK6)
Many buyers wait in hope of better deal, although there are hotspots in Scotland and northern EnglandHalf of homes in Great Britain are taking longer to sell than last year as volatile conditions in the mortgage market amid the Iran war prompt buyers to wait and see" if they can get a better deal, according to a report.As the Middle East conflict continues to unfold, the property platform Zoopla said homes in 180 out of 363 local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales were taking longer to sell compared with a year ago. Continue reading...
Psychiatrists in Channel 4 documentary argue it is more a social construct' than a medical conditionPeople are increasingly seeking to an obtain an ADHD diagnosis without pursuing treatment, according to experts who have called for more research to understand why.Some people now regard ADHD as an identity, rather than a disorder", with the result that many obtain assessments from poor quality private providers, which lead them to believe they have a condition needing treatment", said the psychiatrist Dr Marios Adamou, the founder of the UK Adult ADHD Network. Continue reading...
Open letter signed by 40 academics including Nobel winner Joseph Stiglitz and Kate Pickett, co-author of The Spirit LevelForty prominent progressive academics are urging Andy Burnham's government to join a new global push to tackle inequality.The experts include Nobel winner Joseph Stiglitz, University College London professor Mariana Mazzucato, vice-chancellor of the London School of Economics Larry Kramer, and Kate Pickett, co-author of The Spirit Level. Continue reading...
Author Adam Johnson criticises Waverley council saying reality is often upsetting' while Palestinian group says libraries should hold challenging' books
Person dies after landslide hits apartment building in southern city of Geoje as torrential rains lead to power cuts and mass evacuationsTorrential downpours that pounded southern parts of South Korea since Saturday have killed one person and injured four others, officials have confirmed.Heavy rains have been recorded in South Gyeongsang province, including the city of Geoje, where an 800mm (31in) deluge over the weekend triggered a landslide, the interior and safety ministry said. The rain continued on Monday, bringing the cumulative rainfall total to 912mm by 6pm. Continue reading...
Prosecutors accuse Duane Davis of orchestrating 1996 shooting in retaliation for attack by rapper's entourageThe trial of a former gang leader accused of orchestrating the 1996 killing of rap star Tupac Shakur began in a Las Vegas courtroom on Monday, featuring testimony from a witness to the shooting and a former police officer.Duane Keffe D" Davis is on trial for murder for his alleged role in the shooting of Shakur, who died after a drive-by shooting. Prosecutors allege Davis was the on-the-ground, on-site commander of the effort to kill Tupac" and that he planned the shooting in retaliation for Shakur's entourage attacking Davis's nephew. Continue reading...
Nurses, medical experts and green campaigners reject party deputy leader's dismissal of efforts to reach net zeroReform's deputy leader has been accused of spreading misinformation after he dismissed efforts to tackle the climate crisis and urged British people to enjoy the warmth of the recent heatwaves.Richard Tice prompted a backlash from nurses, medical experts and green campaigners on Monday after he told a press conference he believed it was arrogant" to try to stop the climate emergency, while encouraging people to focus on upsides such as better English wine. Continue reading...
Previous winners of the award have included Saint Peter, Attica, Orana by the late Jock Zonfrillo, and QuayArmenian-Lebanese eatery Zareh has been named Gourmet Traveller's restaurant of the year, in a category of the annual industry awards that has historically been dominated by European-leaning cuisine and fine-dining establishments.The restaurant's menu pulls from the Armenian, Egyptian and Lebanese backgrounds of co-owners Tom Sarafian and Jinane Bou-Assi: aish baladi (Egyptian flatbread) is made with flour milled in the Mornington Peninsula; kafta nayyah comprises raw minced lamb from Tasmania and Victoria; hummus is crowned with spanner crab. Continue reading...
MPs, friends and campaigners gathered to remember former Cambridge professor after his death on FridayTens of thousands of people gathered in Trafalgar Square in London to remember and pay tribute to Jason Arday, the former Cambridge professor who died on Friday.Stand Up to Racism, which organised the vigil, estimated that 30,000 mourners had gathered in the square to listen to emotional speeches from MPs, friends and campaigners on Arday's life and legacy and join in a minute's silence. Many were dressed in black and held flowers, which they were asked to leave beneath Nelson's column. People also carried placards reading rest in power". Continue reading...
Likud's depiction of Zohran Mamdani is latest move in spat between Israel's prime minister and New York City mayorBenjamin Netanyahu's party has compared the New York City mayor, Zohran Mamdani, to the leaders of Iran and Hezbollah on a campaign billboard.The billboard in central Tel Aviv depicts Mamdani alongside the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoan, Iran's supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, and the chief of the militant group Hezbollah, Naim Qassem. Continue reading...
Party wants to cut 50bn from UK welfare bill but charity says proposals would cause horrific levels of destitution'Hundreds of thousands of children would be tipped into poverty and destitution under plans unveiled by Reform UK to slash 50bn a year from the UK benefits bill, campaigners have warned.The warnings came after Reform published plans to drastically reduce disability payments, ban non-UK citizens from claiming benefits and introduce compulsory 20 hours a week unpaid workfare for thousands of long-term unemployed people. Continue reading...
by Kevin Rawlinson, Kiran Stacey and Aletha Adu on (#77QX3)
Revelation about security leak follows person pretending to be senior White House aide contacting prime ministerAt least three UK cabinet ministers have had their personal mobile phone numbers published online, amid mounting concern over the security of senior politicians after Andy Burnham was targeted by an impersonation scam.The defence secretary, Wes Streeting, the justice secretary, Alex Norris, and the Northern Ireland secretary, Chris Bryant, had their numbers available online with their names. Continue reading...
Government concedes significant opposition' requires new approach on quotas for medium-sized development sitesMinisters have dropped plans to relax affordable housing rules for developers in England after a backlash from housing experts who warned it could drastically cut the number of cheaper homes available in rural areas.The government said on Monday it would not go ahead with proposals to end affordable housing quotas for private builders on sites between 10 and 49 houses after a consultation triggered an overwhelmingly negative response. Continue reading...
BBC apologises to actor after review upholds some' of her allegations against dance partner Giovanni PerniceThe actor Amanda Abbington has reached a five-figure settlement with the BBC over bullying allegations she made about her time on Strictly Come Dancing.The programme was the subject of a review in 2024 after she alleged her professional partner, Giovanni Pernice, had bullied and harassed her. Continue reading...
Israeli PM again insists troops will not withdraw from strip until Hamas first disarms, but calls meeting constructiveBenjamin Netanyahu has told Donald Trump's son-in-law and envoy Jared Kushner there can be no progress on the stalled Gaza ceasefire deal or an Israeli withdrawal from the coastal strip until Hamas first disarms.An Israeli official said there had been no breakthrough in the meeting between the pair, saying Netanyahu had made it clear the IDF would not withdraw and would continue to carry out operations in Gaza. Continue reading...
by Presented by Nosheen Iqbal with Devika Bhat; produ on (#77R4F)
Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner is on a diplomatic mission in the Middle East to meet Hamas officials and the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, in an attempt to salvage a ceasefire in Gaza.The talks come after Netanyahu rejected the US-backed 15-point peace plan for the territory in a rare public break with the Trump administration this month.Nosheen Iqbal speaks to global editor Devika Bhat - watch on YouTube Continue reading...
Belgium wildfire creeps closer to German border, as 104 firefighters and 36 vehicles from France help with Spain wildfire effortAs flagged earlier, Belgium's King Philippe is now visiting the emergency coordination centre looking after the firefighters tackling the major fire in the eastern part of the country (9:39).The European Commission has deployed assistance to Belgium and Spain as part of the bloc's civil protection mechanism. Continue reading...
by Richard Partington Senior economics correspondent on (#77R4G)
Industrial output and retail sales slump in July after one of the country's weakest quarterly growth rates everChina's economy is showing signs of extending a slowdown with a slump in industrial output and retail sales in July, adding to pressure on Beijing to intervene with measures to support activity.After the world's second largest economy posted one of its lowest quarterly growth readings on record in the three months to June, the latest figures suggest it continued to falter in July. Continue reading...
by Yohannes Lowe (now and earlier) and Martin Belam ( on (#77QW7)
Party's welfare to work' policy would force long-term claimants to do community work or face losing benefitsRobert Jenrick went on to say that long-term benefits claimants will be made to clean up their local high street and do charity work or face having their benefits taken away.He said as part of the party's welfare to work" policy, long-term claimants, who are fit to work, will be forced to do 20-hours of work a week in the community.They'll work to clean up high streets and parks, to beautify neglected places, to carry out minor repairs, to staff libraries and community centres to perform many other tasks from the list that we've published today.We'll also embrace local charities and community groups and ask them to help us and take part. If claimants refuse to participate or fail to show up, they'll face penalties. Continue reading...
At least 2,325 people have died from the virus, according to official data, with outbreak on track to be biggest in historyThe Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is now the deadliest in the country's history with at least 2,325 people dead, according to government data, surpassing the toll from the 2018-20 outbreak.The DRC's public health institute said confirmed cases had risen to 4,945, including 101 detected in the previous 24 hours. Continue reading...
Campaigners demand greater transparency into water companies' plans not made public due to security reasons'The UK government has been accused of a lack of transparency and of acting irresponsibly for refusing to publish the emergency drought plans that are produced by water companies.Water firms are required to publish statutory drought plans every five years to detail the actions needed to ensure public water supply is maintained and the environment is protected during drought. Continue reading...
President issues threat to bomb the shit out of them' after previously threatening Gulf ally in MayDonald Trump has again threatened to bomb Oman if it gets in the way" of his effort to end the US-Israel war on Iran.If Oman gets in the way, we'll bomb the shit out of them," Trump told Fox News on Monday, the second time he has directed such a threat at Muscat, a longtime US strategic partner that has traditionally served as a key backchannel between Washington and Tehran. Continue reading...
Crowdfund passes 150,000, while Cambridge chancellor criticises racist feeding frenzy' around academic's deathA Windrush campaigner who launched a fundraiser for Jason Arday's family has said the outpouring of support shows Britain still cares".Arday, who was found dead on Friday, had resigned the previous week from his post as professor of sociology of education at the University of Cambridge after allegations of plagiarism were made against him. Continue reading...
Kemp's ridley sea turtle, near death on Welsh beach in 2023, is thriving in Houston despite lingering pneumoniaA Kemp's ridley sea turtle native to the Gulf of Mexico is largely thriving after he was found nearly dead on a beach in Wales in late 2023, nursed back to health and then flown to Houston recently to continue recovering - though scans revealed signs that the creature has been grappling with lingering pneumonia, according to his caretakers.Rhossi's condition was detailed in a blogpost on Friday from the Houston zoo, whose veterinary team was tasked with caring for the creature - believed to be no older than age four - and giving him the best chance possible at an eventual, successful return to the wild. Continue reading...
The leftwing commentator has been invited to appear on the Planet America program on Monday nightThe ABC is set to air the return of its Planet America program on Monday night as the US midterm elections gain steam, with a new episode featuring the leftwing commentator Hasan Piker.Host John Barron said the episode will focus on the rise of Democratic socialists and the populist left", with Piker speaking about what it's like in the eye of a political storm". But the appearance quickly sparked the ire of conservatives in Australia. Continue reading...
In today's newsletter: The Spanish prime minister has remade himself as Europe's leading leftwing standard-bearer. Could his success offer the UK's PM a route forward?Good morning. To international onlookers, Pedro Sanchez appears to have achieved the impossible. Where other European leftist and left-ish premiers have flopped and flailed, the Spanish PM has endured.Since June 2018, Sanchez has ruled from Madrid, implementing a raft of progressive policies. More recently, he has emerged as a leading, and often lone, left-wing European voice on the global stage, striking a defiant tone on everything from the Trump administration's war in Iran (the smokescreen of war to hide their failure") to Israel's actions in Gaza (exterminating a defenceless people"). The fact that the international press has nicknamed him El Guapo (the handsome one) can't hurt.UK economy | The UK should expect to see a new cost of living crisis, with official figures released this week by the ONS expected to show how soaring energy bills drove up inflation close to 3% in July.Ceuta | Moroccan police arrested 111 people this weekend, who were trying to enter Spain's north African territory of Ceuta, amid tightened security on both sides after social media posts called for another mass crossing.Jason Arday | The University of Cambridge has defended its mental health support for the academic Jason Arday.UK politics | Andy Burnham is being urged to protect 4 million gig economy workers, who thinktanks warn miss out on key statutory rights including: parental leave, redundancy pay and protection against unfair dismissal.Indonesia | Rescue crews dug through collapsed buildings and landslide debris in eastern Indonesia on Sunday, searching for bodies after a powerful earthquake killed at least 51 people, and injured more than 100.Sanchez understands that anchoring his party to the left ... is where he can govern.Monday | Nominations close for candidates seeking to replace Anas Sarwar as Scottish Labour leader.Tuesday | Opening arguments expected to begin in a lawsuit brought by multiple US states against Meta about social media addiction.Thursday | Students in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland will receive their GCSE results. Continue reading...
by Jessica Murray Social affairs correspondent on (#77QSW)
Parents of Michaela Hall, whose partner killed her after he left prison in 2021, say Probation Service cannot cope with mass releaseMore women will die if ministers include domestic abusers in the early prison release scheme, the parents of a woman murdered by her partner shortly after he was freed have warned.Michaela Hall, a 49-year-old charity worker, was killed in her home in Cornwall, by Lee Kendall in 2021 two weeks after he was released from prison, where he had been serving a sentence for assaulting her. Continue reading...
by Vikram Dodd Police and crime correspondent on (#77QSX)
Research from King's College London finds that Reform voters' perceptions were furthest from the truthThe public overestimate how many minority ethnic people are killers, as well as how many foreign national offenders there are, a new study has found.The research from King's College London tested knowledge and perceptions of crime at a time when radical right parties are trying to link offending to ethnicity and nationality to gain votes. Continue reading...
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