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Move follows pro-Russian prime minister Viktor Orban holding rogue meetings with foreign leaders about UkraineTop EU officials will boycott informal meetings hosted by Hungary while the country has the EU's rotating presidency, after Hungary's pro-Russian prime minister Viktor Orban held a series of rogue meetings with foreign leaders about Ukraine that angered European partners.The highly unusual decision to have the European Commission president and other top officials of the body boycott the meetings was made in light of recent developments marking the start of the Hungarian (EU) presidency", commission spokesperson Eric Mamer posted on Monday on X. Continue reading...

Once an outspoken Trump critic, the senator believes the former US president is the best president' of his lifetime'

Another schoolmate tells Inquirer the suspect wasn't harshly bullied', while 20-year-old's motive remains unclearAs mystery continues surrounding the possible motivations of the 20-year-old Pennsylvania man accused of trying to kill Donald Trump at a campaign rally, one former classmate of his has come forward to describe him as being definitely conservative" while they were in school together.It makes me wonder why he would carry out an assassination attempt on the conservative candidate," Max R Smith told the Philadelphia Inquirer of the shooter Thomas Matthew Crooks. Continue reading...

Ministers will meet to address what home secretary calls an alarming rise in intimidation of politiciansAn alarming rise in candidate intimidation during the UK's general election campaign will be addressed next week at a meeting of ministers and civil servants, the home secretary has said.Yvette Cooper said there had been disgraceful scenes" in some areas in the run-up to the 4 July vote, as she announced she would chair a meeting of the defending democracy taskforce. Continue reading...

Far-right Florida congressman is asked by critic: Are you admitting to a quid pro quo?''The far-right Florida Republican Matt Gaetz has hailed Aileen Cannon - the judge who dismissed the classified documents case against Donald Trump - as a future supreme court justice".Future supreme court justice Cannon," Gaetz posted Monday to social media, with a picture of the Florida jurist. Continue reading...

Health secretary understood to be minded' to make ban permanent as Labour MPs criticise move to retain Tory policyWes Streeting is expected to tell MPs his reasons for supporting a ban on puberty blockers being prescribed to children for gender-based reasons, amid discontent in his own party.After growing criticism among some Labour MPs, the health secretary used social media to defend his backing of an emergency ban on the drugs' use, imposed by his Conservative predecessor Victoria Atkins, which is being challenged in the high court. Continue reading...

Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah is suing three government departments over Ella's fatal asthma attackThe mother of a nine-year-old girl who became the first person in the UK to have air pollution cited on their death certificate has said she wants an official apology for her daughter's suffering as her high court claim against the government heads to trial.Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah is suing three government departments for compensation for personal injury arising from the illness and premature death of her daughter Ella, who had a fatal asthma attack in 2013 after being exposed to excessive air pollution. Continue reading...

Gabriel Natale-Hjorth, given life over killing of a police officer, to be detained at his grandmother's homeAn American tourist convicted and jailed over the murder of a police officer in Rome has been moved to house arrest, in a decision that left the victim's widow totally shocked", her lawyer said.Gabriel Christian Natale-Hjorth and his friend Finnegan Lee Elder were given life sentences for the 2019 murder of Carabinieri police officer Mario Cerciello Rega, 35, who was stabbed to death after a botched drug deal. Continue reading...

Republicans, however, were eager to see judge Aileen Cannon end the illegal' pursuit of the former US presidentFrom breathtakingly misguided" to unthinkable", and her audition for a seat on the US supreme court", judge Aileen Cannon's ruling to dismiss Donald Trump's classified documents case on Monday drew a range of outrage and surprise from Democrats and law experts.Republicans, by contrast, were almost delirious with joy, celebrating what they saw as the end of special prosecutor Jack Smith's illegal" pursuit of the former US president, and an opportunity for Trump himself to continue to roll out his new message of unity" that followed Saturday's assassination attempt. Continue reading...

Oscar-winning singer chooses book by Oliver Jeffers that highlights importance of protecting natureBillie Eilish has become the latest star to read a CBeebies bedtime story, having chosen a book that teaches children about interacting with nature.The Oscar-winning singer of What Was I Made For? and Birds of a Feather read This Moose Belongs to Me by the author and illustrator Oliver Jeffers. Continue reading...

CQC got things wrong' implementing inspection regime and new computer system, interim chief admitsEngland's healthcare regulator has issued a public apology over reforms to its monitoring of tens of thousands of hospitals, care homes, dentists and GPs.The apology from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) came in the wake of care organisations complaining of a hostile" inspection regime and a major new computer system failing to work properly. Continue reading...

MPs approve cull of 481 bears this year, up from 220 last year, to control overpopulation' of protected speciesRomania's parliament has approved the culling of almost 500 bears this year in an effort to control the overpopulation" of the protected species after a deadly attack on a hiker sparked nationwide outcry.The country is home to 8,000 brown bears, according to the environment ministry, Europe's largest brown bear population outside Russia. Continue reading...

TV attack ads and $50m advertising blitz are suspended as US president pleas to lower the temperature in our politics'

Home secretary to host meeting of government's Defending Democracy taskforce after reported rise in harassment during election campaignMore in Common, the group that campaigns to reduce polarisation in politics, published a good slideshow presentation last week, based on polling it carried out, giving an analysis of the general election results. It has followed that up today with the publication of a 129-page report on the election, based on the same polling and on what it learned from focus groups.One of the main interesting points it makes is that the government will be judged, above all, on whether it can bring down NHS waiting lists and the cost of living, polling suggests. The report says:How does the public plan to judge the government on its delivery of change and what benchmarks will they use to evaluate progress?First and foremost, the public will look to NHS waiting lists and the cost of living to judge Labour's success or failure. These are top performance indicators for every segment, with the elderly tending to be more concerned than average about waiting lists and younger generations more so about the cost of living. As inflation falls and interest rates seem set for a summer cut, waiting lists are arguably the new government's key challenge in maintaining public support. Continue reading...

Campaigners applaud decision not to repeal law in west African country with one of the highest rates of FGMMPs in the Gambia voted on Monday to retain a law outlawing female genital mutilation (FGM), sparking joy and relief among campaigners.Thirty-four out of 53 lawmakers voted to maintain the ban, which was introduced in 2015, aid workers told the Guardian. The remainder voted to repeal it. Continue reading...

Moscow-born writer and prominent critic of Putin was charged with spreading false information about the militaryUS journalist and author Masha Gessen has been convicted in absentia by a Moscow court on charges of spreading false information about the military and was sentenced to eight years in prison.The Moscow-born Gessen, a staff writer for the New Yorker and a columnist for the New York Times who lives in the US, is a prominent critic of the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, and an award-winning writer. Continue reading...

Deir Al-Balah, in central Gaza Strip, says it can no longer provide drinking water after running out of fuel

Heat advisories are in place from Texas to New York as major east coast cities under air quality alertsMillions of Americans are bracing themselves for dangerous temperatures at the start of the working week as a heat dome blankets the midwest and eastern United States.Heat advisories are in place in Kansas and Texas all the way to New York and South Carolina, as the area of high pressure that caused misery in the west last week slowly makes its way across the country. Continue reading...

Police files document that a former partner was found to have died from a gunshot wound on his property, court has heard

Latest high court battle against approval of road tunnel under the world heritage site began on MondayMinisters were inadequately briefed" by officials on alternative schemes before approving a road tunnel under Stonehenge for a second time, lawyers for campaigners have argued in the high court, in the latest legal attempt to stop the controversial scheme.Campaigners argue that the proposed two-mile (3.3km) road tunnel, part of a new eight-mile (13km) dual carriageway for the A303 road, would destroy a large area of the heritage site around Stonehenge - including ancient monuments and listed buildings - as well as costing at least 2.5bn and increasing emissions. Continue reading...

Kallas has been nominated to serve as the EU's next high representative for foreign affairs, succeeding Josep BorrellRussian-American journalist Masha Gessen was sentenced in absentia to eight years jail by a Moscow court today, AFP reported.The court sentenced Gessen for knowingly spreading false information about the use of the Russian army." Continue reading...

Spanish police say rescuers have found remains in Masca area where British teenager disappeared in JuneRescue teams on the Spanish island of Tenerife have discovered the body of a young man in the area where the British teenager Jay Slater disappeared.In a statement, Spain's national police force, the Guardia Civil, said rescuers had found remains. Continue reading...

The Guardian's Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss the assassination attempt on Donald Trump and the implications for UK politics. Plus, a preview of the king's speech Continue reading...

Organisations including the3million write to PM calling for action to avoid a repeat of Windrush scandal

Greece experiencing most severe wildfire risk in two decades and some reservoirs hit lowest levels in a decadeSouthern and eastern Europe will continue to experience a heatwave throughout much of this week, with daytime temperatures across the Balkans widely reaching the high 30s to low 40Cs; over 7C above the seasonal norm. Night-time temperatures will also remain elevated, often well into the 20Cs.And in densely urbanised areas such as Athens, Greece, night-time temperatures are forecast at or above an uncomfortable 30C due to the urban heat island (UHI) effect. During a heatwave, the UHI effect intensifies urban temperatures because heat-absorbing materials, reduced vegetation and human activities retain the sun's warmth overnight, which leads to increased health risks and energy demands. Continue reading...

Former Coach boss Joshua Schulman to take control as Jonathan Akeroyd departs with immediate effect

Yostin Andres Mosquera charged with murder over deaths of two men whose remains were found in suitcases on Clifton Suspension BridgeA man has been charged with two counts of murder over the deaths of two men whose remains were found in suitcases in Bristol last week, the Metropolitan police said.Yostin Andres Mosquera, 34, was charged on Monday morning, the Met said. Continue reading...

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Incumbent since 2000 is seeking fourth seven-year term after winning more than 90% of votes in last three ballotsPeople in Rwanda are going to the polls for elections in which Paul Kagame is widely expected to extend his rule of the central African country.This is the fourth presidential ballot since more than 800,000 people, mostly members of the Tutsi ethnic minority, were killed in a genocide in the country 30 years ago. Continue reading...

Some asylum seekers told to cut up residence permits after believing they had been granted leave to remainThe Home Office has apologised to asylum seekers granted leave to remain in the UK who then had their decisions retracted.In some cases applicants were sent residence permits before being told by officials to cut them up. Continue reading...

Policies popular even among Tory and Reform voters as unions say pledges must be honoured in king's speechLabour's plans for boosting workers' rights are backed by voters across the political spectrum, including a majority of Conservative and Reform supporters, new polling commissioned by the TUC shows.As the new government prepares to set out its programme in the king's speech on Wednesday, the TUC is urging ministers to press ahead with implementing their manifesto pledges on workers' rights in full. Continue reading...

PM can seize moment and show how European Political Community can help shift dial away from authoritarianismKeir Starmer's chance to introduce himself to nearly 50 European leaders in the historic surroundings of Blenheim Palace this week very nearly did not happen, according to some diplomatic sources.Rishi Sunak, unlike Liz Truss, his predecessor as prime minister, who took Britain into the European Political Community (EPC), was not a great enthusiast for this still nascent addition to the crowded field of world summitry. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Bank launches project by selling Pudsey site as CEO says Labour's commitment to sector is clearer' than last government'sLloyds Banking Group will start converting its disused office sites into social housing, as the UK's largest mortgage provider lays the groundwork for a fresh housebuilding boom after Labour's election win.The bank, which started reviewing its property portfolio during the Covid lockdown in 2020, is launching the programme with a decommissioned data and office space in Pudsey, West Yorkshire. Lloyds will sell the site to a local housing group with the agreement that 80 new homes will then be rented at about half the usual rate. Lloyds said it was assessing other potential offices and datacentres in the UK that it could do something similar with. Continue reading...

Two bodies were discovered separately by members of the public in the river on Sunday, with one death being treated as suspicious by police

Dr Alex Brittan, whose damning report into welfare issues prompted watchdog review, insists external probe needed for there to be meaningful change'

The world's second-largest economy is grappling with a real estate debt crisis, weakening consumption, an ageing population and geopolitical tensionsChina's economy slowed more than expected in the June quarter, increasing the likelihood that a gathering of top officials in Beijing this week will unveil efforts to rekindle growth.The world's second-largest economy expanded by 4.7% in the April-June period from a year earlier, the National Bureau of Statistics said on Monday. That result was down from 5.3% growth in the March quarter and the 5.1% rate economists had predicted. Continue reading...

NSW police say a member of the public discovered the body on a residential street in Dee Why shortly after 7am

David William Wonnocott, 50, caused Higgins and her partner David Sharaz to feel fearful of their safety"A man facing jail for making death threats to Brittany Higgins, her partner and their dog has been successfully treated for his mental conditions, but his lawyers still want him to see a psychiatrist.David William Wonnocott, 50, has been charged with using a carriage service to menace and threaten to kill.Information and support for anyone affected by rape or sexual abuse issues is available from the following organisations. In Australia, support is available at 1800Respect (1800 737 732). In the UK, Rape Crisis offers support on 0808 500 2222. In the US, Rainn offers support on 800-656-4673. Other international helplines can be found at ibiblio.org/rcip/internl.html Continue reading...

Comes after the union's national executive put Victorian branch into administration over allegations of criminal links

Orlando Whitfield, the author of All That Glitters, on his years of friendship with the art fraudster Inigo PhilbrickOrlando Whitfield, the author of All That Glitters, tells Michael Safi about his former friendship with Inigo Philbrick, who was sentenced to seven years in 2022 for wire fraud and ordered to forfeit $86m (68m).As students at Goldsmiths University in London, Whitfield and Philbrick decided to start dealing in art together. They sold their first piece for 15,000 (12,600). Continue reading...

King Charles and Queen Camilla will travel to the ACT and NSW in October

Zionist Federation calls two social media posts irresponsible and dangerous' but journalist says complaint is completely misconstruing' them

Buyers not fazed by election or Euro 2024, says Rightmove, as gamechanging' interest rate cuts anticipatedThe number of agreed house sales over the past month was 15% up on this time last year, according to Rightmove, as buyers anticipate gamechanging" interest rate cuts they hope could come as early as August.Britain's biggest property website said homebuyers largely shrugged off the distractions" of the general election and the Euro 2024 football tournament to keep transactions well above this time last year. Continue reading...

Starmer phones ex-president, as Johnson, Farage and others express shock at Pennsylvania assassination attempt

Catherine presents trophy to Carlos Alcaraz in second public appearance since cancer diagnosis announcementThe Princess of Wales has made her second public appearance since announcing her cancer diagnosis, attending an occasionally rowdy Wimbledon men's final where she was welcomed with a standing ovation.Catherine, who is the patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, presented the men's singles trophy to Carlos Alcaraz, who beat Novak Djokovic in straight sets. The princess attended Sunday's final with her daughter, Princess Charlotte, and her sister, Pippa Matthews. Continue reading...

Airstrikes add to one of deadliest weeks amid uncertainty over whether Hamas has withdrawn from ceasefire talksAt least 31 Palestinians have been killed and more than 50 wounded in fresh Israeli bombings across the Gaza Strip, rescuers and health officials have said, as conflicting reports emerged over whether Hamas was withdrawing from ceasefire talks after the targeting of the group's top military commander.Four attacks in various parts of Gaza City in the early hours of Sunday morning occurred less than 24 hours after Israeli forces said Mohammed Deif, who is believed to be the mastermind behind the 7 October attack on southern Israel, was the target of a strike in the city of Khan Younis in southern Gaza that, according to the territory's emergency services, killed more than 90 people and injured 300 others. Continue reading...

Houchen says party must avoid seeming self-indulgent as other Conservatives attack Liz Truss over new interventionThe Conservatives should not have a protracted leadership debate as it would be a waste of time" and could risk appearing self-indulgent, the Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen has said.His comments came as former Conservative parliamentary candidates rounded on the former prime minister Liz Truss, who has attacked the leadership of Rishi Sunak in the failed general election campaign by saying he had trashed her legacy in office. Continue reading...

Corey Comperatore, 50, was a hero' who had so much life left to experience', his sister saysCorey Comperatore, a former fire chief of the Buffalo Township Volunteer fire company in Pennsylvania, has been identified as the victim who was shot and killed amidst an assassination attempt on former US president Donald Trump on Saturday.He was a hero that shielded his daughters. His wife and girls just lived through the unthinkable and unimaginable," Comperatore's sister, Dawn Comperatore Schafer, said in a post on Facebook. Continue reading...

Former first lady thanks law enforcement for protecting her husband, as Trump's children issue statementsMelania Trump has condemned the man who authorities say tried to assassinate her husband, Donald, on Saturday as a monster".The former first lady's comments came in a statement on Sunday which, like others from the former president's family members, expressed support for law enforcement in their response to Saturday's shooting at Trump rally in Pennsylvania. The shooting killed one spectator and wounded two before Secret Service agents shot the attacker dead. Continue reading...

Supporters enjoy a buzzing' atmosphere and predict carnage' whatever the result in match against Spain