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Harris campaign calls chicken the Republican nominee's spirit animal' as Harris pushes for another matchupThe campaign of Kamala Harris on Friday stepped up its mockery of chicken" Donald Trump for ducking out of another presidential debate, with the Democratic nominee telling her Republican rival he owes it to voters to face her again.The former US president announced on Thursday there will be no third debate", two days after a floundering performance during their testy meeting in Philadelphia in which Harris baited him on a range of subjects, including the crowd size at his rallies. Continue reading...

Philippe Lazzarini says closure would have devastating consequences' and calls for investigation into deadly strikeA campaign is under way to drive the UN relief agency for Palestinians, Unrwa, out of existence, its commissioner general has said, days after 18 people were killed when Israeli jets bombed an Unrwa school in Gaza.Philippe Lazzarini said in an interview that the Israeli government was seeking to close down the agency, having failed to persuade western donors to stop funding it on the grounds of allegations about links between Unrwa staff and Hamas. Continue reading...

Repair Shop presenter has appeared at Kidderminster magistrates court, say West Mercia policeThe BBC presenter Jay Blades has been charged with engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour against his wife. The Repair Shop presenter appeared at Kidderminster magistrates court on Friday, West Mercia police said.The Guardian understands that the BBC took steps to remove a programme featuring Blades from its Friday evening schedule after the charge, and that no programmes with the former furniture maker would be shown in the foreseeable future. Continue reading...

Seemingly aligned with Republicans, the ads feature Douglas Emhoff wearing a yarmulke and celebrating HanukahA group seemingly aligned with the Republican party is targeting areas in Michigan that are home to large Arab American and Muslim communities with digital ads purporting to celebrate" the Jewish faith of Kamala Harris's husband, Douglas Emhoff.The New York Times reported that the group, Future Coalition Pac, is running new ads on social media sites including Facebook and YouTube highlighting that Emhoff is Jewish and focusing on Harris's support for Israel.Fears mount that election deniers could disrupt vote count in US swing statesMicrosoft billionaire fights US election disinformationPalestinian advocacy groups pressure Harris as election loomsPresidential poll tracker Continue reading...

Miles Crawford made the heroic act in floodwaters during category 2 storm that tore through LouisianaAs Hurricane Francine barreled through south-east Louisiana, officials urged residents to watch out for each other - and a local emergency room nurse put that advice into action by using a hammer to save the life of a motorist who had become submerged in floodwaters.The New Orleans NBC affiliate WDSU aired the rescue by Miles Crawford on live television in what was one of the most dramatic moments to result from the category 2 storm that inflicted widespread power outages, among other impacts on the Gulf coast and inland. Continue reading...

Exclusive: concerns venues don't share values' as debate continues over whether poker machines belong in RSL clubs at all

On the eve of the Lib Dem conference, party leader talks up importance of social care - and being constructive

The stalwart community centre began in the 70s but a fire destroyed its brand new building in 2004A historic black women's community centre is reopening 20 years after a devastating blaze destroyed the building.ELBWO, previously known as the East London Black Women's Organisation, first opened its doors in the 1970s and provided a range of services, including domestic violence and family aid, counselling, education and training, a Saturday school, outreach and befriending. Continue reading...

PC Perry Lathwood wins case on appeal over Croydon incident in which woman's arm was bruisedA police officer who injured a woman's arm as she was arrested in front of her son on false suspicion of fare evasion has had his conviction for common assault quashed.PC Perry Lathwood bruised Jocelyn Agyemang's arm as she was arrested on unfounded suspicion of evading a bus fare in Croydon in July last year. Video of the incident sparked widespread outrage online but also some support for the officer. Continue reading...

Catholic church says it will open its records on the once-revered Emmaus founder, who died in 2007France's Catholic church has said it will open its records on allegations of sexual abuse and harassment made against a priest whose campaigning for the poor and homeless saw him venerated as a modern-day saint.The Conference of Bishops of France (CEF) said their records on Abbe Pierre, the founder of the charity Emmaus who died in 2007, would be made available without the usual delay of 75 years from the time of death. Continue reading...

Man, 18, held after emergency services find three people with injuries who were pronounced dead at sceneA teenager has been arrested after the deaths of three people at a property in Luton on Friday morning.Officers were called at about 5.30am to reports of concerns for welfare at a flat in Leabank, off Wauluds Bank Drive. Emergency services attended and discovered three people with injuries. All three were pronounced dead at the scene. Continue reading...

Labour still more popular with voters than Conservative party but those saying they view party and leaders unfavourably has risen. This live blog is closedThe government's defence review should consider the importance of Britain being able to wage peace" as well as war, Justin Welby, the archbishop of Canterbury, told peers.In a debate in the House of Lords on Sudan this morning, Welby said the strategic defence review (SDR) announced by Labour should include a peace-building option", to stop conflict before it happens.A peace-building option, well developed and acting in areas of fragility, would extend our influence, protect our interests and guard against fresh waves of migration ...In other words, the SDR should be full spectrum, preparing this nation not only to wage war but to wage peace as well. I fear that may not be the case ...No, absolutely notAnd let's just try to quash this now. The budget is on October 30. So, between now and then, you are all going to ask me questions, as you did before the election, will you rule out X, Y, Z? Continue reading...

Inquest into death of Claudiu-Carol Kondor, 32, opened and adjourned pending murder trialA delivery driver who died as he tried to stop his van from being stolen was a valued citizen" who paid an immensely high price" for his actions, a coroner has said.Claudiu-Carol Kondor, 42, was pronounced dead at the scene in Heights Drive, in the Wortley area of Leeds, on 20 August after his silver Ford Transit Cargo van was stolen while he was making a delivery, police have said. Continue reading...

Drone operators and a volunteer medic on the ever-changing dynamics on the frontline of the Ukraine incursion

On hiatus since the 2017 suicide of Chester Bennington, the rockers have had huge success with return single The Emptiness Machine - but there is disquiet over the frontman's replacementOasis may have sold a lot of tickets, but for many music fans there's an even bigger rock comeback this year: Linkin Park, whose first three albums went 25 times platinum between them in the US alone, have dramatically ended a seven-year hiatus which followed the 2017 suicide of co-frontman Chester Bennington.Last Friday, a simultaneous livestreamed concert, music video and Billboard interview revealed a forthcoming album, world tour and a new co-frontperson, Emily Armstrong. On Wednesday the group played their first full-length concert since 2017, at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, California, and they play London's O2 Arena on 24 September. The comeback has been concocted under a level of secrecy to rival even that Oasis reunion, with band members, crew and venues being sworn to silence. Continue reading...

Umar Mahmood, 18, died alongside Adam Bodi, 16, his former schoolmate, when car hit trees in PrestonA teenager who appeared in Andrew Flintoff's TV programme Field Of Dreams has been killed in a car crash.Umar Mahmood, 18, who featured in the first series of the BBC documentary in 2022, being coached by the former England cricket all-rounder, died alongside 16-year-old Adam Bodi. Continue reading...

People in Bettws near Bridgend say swarms have made life hell, even prompting some to consider movingA plague of flies has descended on a South Wales village, causing residents to cancel invitations to visitors and even consider leaving their homes.People in Bettws, near Bridgend, said their lives had been made hell by thousands of common houseflies. Some reported being unable to eat a meal with flies crawling over their food. One said it was affecting residents' mental health. Continue reading...

New operator, Neso, will also oversee Great Britain's gas system as part of clean energy superpower' missionThe UK government has agreed to take control of the National Grid unit tasked with keeping the lights on in a 630m deal that takes effect from next month.The electricity system operator (ESO) will be transferred into public control to create a new national energy system operator (Neso), which will also oversee Great Britain's gas system. Continue reading...

Mridul Wadhwa, a transgender woman, was found to have failed to protect women-only spacesThe chief executive of Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre has stepped down after a review found that it caused damage" to survivors by failing to protect women-only spaces.In the independent review, published on Thursday, Mridul Wadhwa, a transgender woman, was found to have failed to set professional standards of behaviour" and did not understand the limits on her role's authority". Continue reading...

Girl With Balloon, one of artist's best-known images, recovered by police after burglary on SundayTwo men have been charged with burglary after one of Banksy's best-known artworks was stolen from a gallery in central London.The theft of Girl With Balloon was investigated by the Metropolitan police's Flying Squad and the work has now been recovered. Continue reading...

Adelaide University touts rich digital learning activities' that will be self-paced and self-directed' after student numbers on campus decline

First Thing: Putin's warning follows suggestions US may lift restrictions on Ukraine using long-range weapons. Plus, Bernardine Evaristo on the books of her lifeGood morning.Vladimir Putin has said that a western move to let Kyiv use long-range weapons against targets inside Russia would mean Nato would be at war" with Moscow.How do the US and UK see things? Blinken and the UK foreign secretary, David Lammy, say Russia is escalating the war by accepting weapons from Iran. The escalator here is Putin. Putin has escalated with the shipment of missiles from Iran. We see a new axis of Russia, Iran and North Korea," Lammy said.What's the latest in Russia's invasion of Ukraine? Russian troops have recaptured a swathe of villages in the Kursk region, dealing a significant blow to Ukraine's military incursion into Russia.What do the UN's aid figures say? In July, an average of 100 trucks entered each day, largely through the southern Kerem Shalom crossing. This number halved in August, while just 147 trucks have entered so far in September, although the UN added that there may be gaps in the reporting because of the dangers of staff monitoring aid entry at crossing points.How many aid workers have been killed in Israel's offensive? An estimated 280 humanitarian workers, most employed by Unrwa, have been killed in Gaza, according to the UN's office of humanitarian affairs. Continue reading...

BoM modelling shows chance of above average rainfall for eastern states in coming months, and high bushfire risk for parts of NT and Queensland

Jury finds Bradley Bell, 27, was not responsible for Kelly Wilkinson's April 2021 death

Matej Radelic - who has pleaded not guilty to three counts of assault - claimed minors were trashing' his pool in recording tendered in court

The man, who cannot be named, has pleaded not guilty to 12 charges including six counts of rape

Report claims 50-mile line would be slightly slower and significantly cheaper but deliver most of the benefitsA plan for a new high-speed rail line linking Birmingham and Manchester has been unveiled, claiming to deliver most of the benefits of the scrapped northern leg of HS2 at significantly cheaper cost and with only slightly longer journey times.The 50-mile track would run from where the HS2 line is now due to end in Staffordshire to join a planned Northern Powerhouse Rail line west of Manchester airport, under a plan unveiled by the mayors of Greater Manchester and the West Midlands. Continue reading...

Poll of 2,000 adults found two fifths have only eaten fish in batter or breadcrumbs and some confuse fish with dogsDo you know Pollock from pollock or a collie from a coley? If you don't you are not alone as new research reveals that Britons struggle to name common fish, while two-fifths admit that they have only ever eaten it in batter or breadcrumbs".Over half of those surveyed had no idea that a John Dory was a spiny fish; 12% mistakenly thought he" was a famous poet, according to the Marine Stewardship Council poll. Continue reading...

Measures would see companies failing to meet anti-scam obligations forced to pay compensation, government says

Approval requires the establishment of a noise amelioration program for nearby communities

Document detailing deterioration' under Kais Saied will fuel concerns about bloc's migration deal with his countryThe EU fears its credibility is at stake as it seeks to weigh growing concerns about the crushing of dissent in Tunisia while preserving a controversial migration deal with the north African country, according to a leaked document.An internal report drafted by the EU's diplomatic service (EEAS), seen by the Guardian, details a clear deterioration of the political climate and a shrinking civic space" under the Tunisian president, Kais Saied, who has suspended parliament and concentrated power in his hands since starting his term of office in 2019. Continue reading...

The conversation wasn't being had that vocally', radio presenter tells Women's HealthJo Whiley has said she really lost" herself when she was going through the perimenopause, in part because public conversations were not being had about the issue.The BBC Radio 2 DJ, 59, praised the former Big Brother presenter Davina McCall for opening up debate about the issue through her campaigning, which led to a television series, documentary, podcast and books. Continue reading...

Twenty out of 28 say law should be changed, with parliament expected to debate issue in coming monthsA citizens' jury has overwhelmingly backed the legalisation of assisted dying for terminally ill people after hearing from experts over a period of eight weeks.Twenty out of 28 jurors based in England agreed the law should be changed, with seven disagreeing and one person saying they were undecided. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Libertarian MP John Ruddick says the gods have smiled on us' after a Liberal party bungle opened the door for others seeking council seats

Two former DHS heads named in report after inquiry by Australian Public Service Commission but will not face sanctions

Australia's defence minister has sent letters to fewer than 15 people to let them know whether their awards are being cancelled or retained

Document tabled in parliament reveals attorney general approved WA Liberal senator's application for legal assistance

Junk food ad ban, age limit on energy drinks and expanded water fluoridation among measures planned to help NHSPlans to ban junk food ads and to stop children buying high-caffeine energy drinks are among radical public health measures being drawn up by ministers to prevent illness and so ease pressure on the NHS.The government made clear it would face down predictable cries of nanny state'" because Keir Starmer was convinced this was the way to fix the service. Continue reading...

UK PM responds to Putin's threat that use of long-range British missiles inside Russia would put it at war with NatoKeir Starmer has told Vladimir Putin that he started the war in Ukraine and could end it at any time after the Russian leader warned that any use of long-range British missiles into Russian territory would put Nato at war with his country.The prime minister spoke en route to Washington to see US president Joe Biden as he sought to justify a western decision made behind closed doors that would allow Ukraine to attack inside Russia with partly British-made Storm Shadow missiles. Continue reading...

Scott McAfee finds state prosecutors did not have authority to bring charges related to alleged filing of false documentsA Georgia judge on Thursday dismissed two criminal counts in the United States' 2020 election interference case against Donald Trump and one other count against allies of the Republican presidential candidate.Fulton county judge Scott McAfee found that state prosecutors did not have the authority to bring those charges, which related to the alleged filing of false documents in federal court. Continue reading...

Marieha Hussain attended a London march against the war in Gaza carrying a sign depicting Rishi Sunak and Suella Braverman as coconutsA woman who held a poster depicting Rishi Sunak and Suella Braverman as coconuts during a London protest against Israel's war in Gaza has gone on trial accused of a racially aggravated offence.Marieha Hussain, 37, pleaded not guilty as her trial began at Westminster magistrates court on Thursday morning. Prosecutor Jonathan Bryan said the term coconut" was a well-known racial slur which has a very clear meaning". Continue reading...

Vice-president travels to swing state of North Carolina as Republican opponent says there will be no third debate'

Video of exchange with Trump supporter in Pennsylvania shows president joking he can't remember his own nameIn a bitter and fraught US election, a rare moment of jollity broke through when video of Joe Biden joking with a Trump supporter about his age and trying on his Trump 2024 hat went viral.At an event on Wednesday in Pennsylvania, Biden even joked with the man that he could not remember his own name. Continue reading...

West Yorkshire city to host magic, music, film and theatre performances celebrating local talent, plus Turner prizeA city centre magic show, the Brontes as you've never seen them before, and a bassline house symphony are all part of Bradford's City of Culture lineup, which its organisers call a celebration of everything that makes the West Yorkshire city great.Shanaz Gulzar, the creative director of Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture, said the whole of the country was invited to come next year to a place she billed as young, diverse, creative and the heart of the UK". Continue reading...

Protests in West Bank village had subsided half an hour before IDF shot Ayenur Ezgi Eygi, says reportIsraeli security forces mischaracterised the events that led up to the fatal shooting of a Turkish-American protester in the West Bank, according to an investigation by the Washington Post.The Israel Defense Forces claimed that their soldiers were targeting the leader of a violent protest when they shot Ayenur Ezgi Eygi, a 26-year-old member of the International Solidarity Movement who had come from her native Washington state to Israel to protest against settlements in the West Bank. Continue reading...

Comments come after Antony Blinken hints US will lift restrictions on Kyiv's use of weapons inside RussiaVladimir Putin has said that a western move to let Kyiv use longer-range weapons against targets inside Russia would mean Nato would be at war" with Moscow.Putin spoke as US and UK top diplomats discussed easing rules on firing western weapons into Russia, which Kyiv has been pressing for, more than two and a half years into Moscow's offensive. Continue reading...

Party took 5m after Rishi Sunak condemned businessman for saying Abbott made you want to hate all black women'

Spokesperson for Keir Starmer says focus was instead on encouraging pensioners to seek additional supportMinisters did not carry out a specific impact assessment on the withdrawal of the winter fuel payment from the bulk of pensioners, such as the potential effect on illness and death rates among older people, Downing Street has said.After days of No 10 refusing to comment, Keir Starmer's deputy spokesperson said the only assessment made before the policy announcement was a standard legal one of potential equalities impacts. Continue reading...

Yossi Sariel takes responsibility for military surveillance unit's role in intelligence failures before Hamas-led assaultThe commander of Israel's military surveillance agency, Unit 8200, has announced his resignation, publicly accepting responsibility for failings that contributed to the deadly 7 October attacks.Yossi Sariel said on Tuesday that he had informed his superiors of his intention to step down after the completion of an initial investigation into Unit 8200's role in failures surrounding the Hamas-led assault last year. Continue reading...

Ukrainian president says his country's incursion still going to plan', as Russian forces make rapid advances