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Commission proposes Mark Irving, of the Victorian bar, after allegations of criminal misconduct and bikie links against union's construction arm

Almost 200 killed as deluge sweeps northern India, while showers give way to high humidity at Paris OlympicsBetween Wednesday and Thursday morning, 147mm of rain was recorded in eastern parts of Delhi and its suburbs by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), breaking a 14-year record for the highest single day total in July.Delhi received more than half its monthly rainfall on Wednesday, which damaged infrastructure in northern India as widespread waterlogging of drains led to flash floods. Continue reading...

Armed gangs control much of Caribbean country's capital with reports of 40 rape victims a day in areas, UN reportsThe UN has called for the deployment of international security forces in Haiti to be accelerated after a report that at least 1,379 people were killed or wounded in gang warfare and 428 people kidnapped in the country between April and June this year.Service providers report receiving an average of 40 rape victims a day in some areas of the capital," warns the new report from the UN's office in the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince. Continue reading...

The cat had lived through thunderstorms, hail and icy cold in Adelaide but it only took him a moment to warm back up to his relieved owner

Exclusive: A&Es and mental health services face dangerous' surge that could continue into 2025, say bosses

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Police car was set on fire during Wednesday's violent disorder, for which 12 people were arrested, in wake of stabbing attack in SouthportAn 11-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of arson after a police vehicle was set alight, while seven men have been charged, all in connection with the violent disorder in Hartlepool that followed the Southport stabbings.On Friday morning, Cleveland police said all seven men were charged with violent disorder. Among them, a 42-year-old was additionally charged with assault by beating of an emergency worker; and a 28-year-old man was additionally charged with possession of an offensive weapon in a public place. Continue reading...

Faith leaders have been seeking security advice, while asylum seekers have decried the ideology of hate and blame' after the Southport attacksIt was about 6pm on Wednesday when faith leaders at the Nasir mosque in Hartlepool were told by police to close its doors due to a protest by far-right activists in the town.The police came and said we need to block the gate because there is trouble on the way," recalled Muhammad Ali Ahmad, general secretary of the mosque. Continue reading...

John Hayes was stabbed in leg as he tried to stop attacker who killed three girlsA man who was stabbed in the leg while trying to stop the Southport attacker has said he is lucky the knife just missed an artery, as he praised the police and paramedics for being the real heroes".John Hayes, 63, was speaking from his hospital bed after he was stabbed in the leg as he tried to stop the attacker, who entered a dance and yoga class on Monday and stabbed several children. Continue reading...

This week, Paul Dans, the leader of the controversial Project 2025, resigned and signalled in a company email that work on it was winding down'. The project had become a manifesto of rightwing policies that would serve as a guide for the next Republican president. However, there is a significant stumbling block: Donald Trump wants nothing to do with it.Joan E Greve and Rachel Leingang discuss whether this marks the beginning of the end of Project 2025Archive: CNN, PBS Newshour, CSPAN, Tik Tok: heathergtv Continue reading...

Federal police charge 31-year-old man after drugs allegedly found in shipping container from US at Port Botany

US secretary of state Antony Blinken says there is overwhelming evidence' Gonzalez beat Nicolas Maduro in last weekend's presidential electionThe US government has recognised Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia as the winner of Venezuela's presidential election, discrediting the results announced by government-controlled electoral authorities who declared Nicolas Maduro the victor.Given the overwhelming evidence, it is clear to the United States and, most importantly, to the Venezuelan people that Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia won the most votes in Venezuela's 28 July presidential election," US secretary of state Antony Blinken said in a statement on Thursday night. Continue reading...

New law comes into force stopping most serious offenders getting married or entering into civil partnerships behind barsThe serial killer Levi Bellfield has been blocked from having a civil partnership, after a new law came into force stopping the most serious offenders getting married behind bars.Bellfield is serving two whole-life orders for killing Milly Dowler, Marsha McDonnell and Amelie Delagrange, as well as the attempted murder of Kate Sheedy. Continue reading...

Several foreigners and Russian political prisoners released as Germany frees hitman Vadim Krasikov as part of deal

Corporation explores possible legal action to recover salary from broadcaster who was paid for five months after arrestThe BBC's director general, Tim Davie, has said the corporation will look at all options" for recovering pay from the disgraced newsreader Huw Edwards.Davie said the corporation was exploring the possibility of legal action to claw back some of its payments to Edwards, who continued to be paid for five months after his arrest. He admitted this week to accessing indecent images of children. Continue reading...

White House, WSJ and politicians praise Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan's release in a likely political coup for Biden

Mission: Impossible star pre-taped stunts in Paris and Los Angeles for the 11 August ceremony, reports suggestTom Cruise is reportedly set to assist with the ceremonial Olympic Games handoff between Paris and the 2028 host, Los Angeles.The closing ceremonies will get a boost from the Mission: Impossible actor who has filmed stunts in both cities as part of a pre-taped segment for 11 August, according to TMZ. Continue reading...

Hassan Nasrallah calls for revenge at funeral of Fuad Shukr as does Iranian president at funeral of Hamas's political leader, Ismail HaniyehThe leader of Hezbollah has said that the Lebanese group's conflict with Israel has entered a new phrase" after the back-to-back assassinations of a senior commander and Hamas's political chief that risk plunging the Middle East into a regional war.In a televised address broadcast to about 1,000 mourners at the Beirut funeral of Hezbollah's second-in-command, Fuad Shukr, Hassan Nasrallah vowed that the powerful Shia militia would seek revenge. Continue reading...

Movement also wants face time with more receptive Kamala Harris to talk Gaza concerns to bolster party's powerThe Uncommitted National Movement has announced a number of demands in the run-up to the Democratic national convention (DNC) later this month, part of an effort to use its voting power to influence Kamala Harris and the Democratic party's stance on Israel's war in Gaza.In a press call on Thursday, movement leaders demanded that the DNC allow Dr Tanya Haj-Hassan, an American physician who's worked in Gaza, to speak at the convention about the humanitarian crisis that she witnessed first-hand. They have also requested that an uncommitted delegate be given five minutes to speak at the convention, and for Kamala Harris to meet with movement leaders about their concerns. Continue reading...

PM says his focus is on victims after former counter-terror official says Clacton MP is giving the EDL succour'Keir Starmer twice declined to criticise Nigel Farage's response to the Southport atrocity after the Reform party leader was accused of helping spread a conspiracy theory about the knife attack.Farage had questioned whether the truth is being withheld from us" after the attack that killed three children and injured more on Monday, speculating without information that the suspect may have been monitored by the security services. Continue reading...

Newspaper mounted a high-profile campaign to stress reporter's innocence and ensure he was not forgottenThe reporter Evan Gershkovich's release from a Russian prison on Thursday was celebrated across US and global media but perhaps most happily by journalists at his own paper, the Wall Street Journal in New York.In an email to staff after news of Gershkovich's release as part of a large-scale prisoner swap, Emma Tucker, the Journal editor-in-chief, said: A few moments ago, Evan walked free from a Russian plane. He will shortly be on a flight back to the US. Continue reading...

A family of four would have to pay as much as $200 to sit together, but new rule does away with such costsMost US airlines currently charge to seat young children with their parents, forcing a tough choice: either spend the flight apart, or pay as much as $200 more for a family of four.On Thursday the Biden administration proposed to do away with such junk fees" and require airlines to seat parents next to their children where adjacent seating is available at booking. Continue reading...

Move may clear the way for not-for-profit project Mayday Saxonvale to buy the 12-acre brownfield siteA residential developer has unexpectedly pulled out of a controversial regeneration project in one of England's most progressive towns after an outcry from local people.Somerset council leaders had faced heavy criticism after agreeing to sell a 12-acre brownfield site called Saxonvale in the town of Frome to the Acorn Property Group. Continue reading...

Insulting language in private message sent by Oliver Cooper to an activist colleague in 2017 emerged in a high court caseKemi Badenoch has brought in a Conservative councillor to help on her leadership bid who referred to a female politician in a vulgar manner in a message to another colleague.Badenoch has Tory councillor Oliver Cooper on her team despite it having emerged in legal action that he had sent messages in 2017 about a female councillor to another activist calling her offensive names. Continue reading...

Alex Beard and four other executives charged with conspiring to make corrupt payments in long-running SFO investigationThe UK's Serious Fraud Office has charged Glencore's billionaire former head of oil trading with conspiring to make corrupt payments to benefit the commodities company's oil operations in West Africa.Alex Beard, who ran Glencore's oil division from 2007 until his retirement in 2019, will face charges alongside former Glencore executives Andrew Gibson, Paul Hopkirk, Ramon Labiaga and Martin Wakefield after a long-running investigation into allegations of bribery at the company. Continue reading...

Fears asylum seeker accommodation may come under threat from mindless thuggery' of agitatorsPolice officials have been urged to step up patrols outside mosques and asylum seeker accommodation amid plans for at least 10 far-right rallies across England in coming days.Violent demonstrations have spread from Southport to London, Hartlepool, Manchester and Aldershot after the stabbing atrocity at a children's holiday club on Monday. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Schools watchdog refused Kelly Vaughan's request to defer inspection after MS symptoms relapseA primary school headteacher with multiple sclerosis (MS) has been paid damages in a landmark disability discrimination case against Ofsted, after her request to postpone an inspection over a relapse in her symptoms was refused.Kelly Vaughan, the head at Pool Hayes primary school in Willenhall, in the West Midlands, accused England's schools watchdog of failing to put in place reasonable adjustments" to accommodate her disability. Continue reading...

As exclusively revealed by the Guardian, the PM has announced a new unit to deal with violent disorder in the wake of the Southport riotingThe British Medication Association (BMA) said action by GPs in England will be a slow burn" rather than a big bang".Dr Katie Bramall-Stainer, chair of the BMA's GP committee for England (GPCE), said:This will not be a big bang'. It will be a slow burn. It's likely that impact may not be felt for some time. We hope this will give the new government time to consider our proposed solutions including fixing our contract once and for all.General practice should be the front door of the NHS, not the doormat. We don't want to have to take this next step, but must if we're to stop our services from collapsing completely."We had a huge response to this ballot, and the results are clear - GPs are at the end of their tether. This is an act of desperation. For too long, we've been unable to provide the care we want to.We are witnessing general practice being broken. The era of the family doctor has been wiped out by recent consecutive governments and our patients are suffering as a result." Continue reading...

Student protests that began over government-job quotas have led to mass round-ups, says families of detaineesThe Bangladesh authorities have arrested more than 10,000 people and banned a major opposition political party as part of a crackdown on dissent after protests that erupted across the country.Bangladesh has been in a state of turmoil for weeks after a mass student movement against quotas for government jobs escalated into deadly clashes when protesters were attacked by pro-government groups and hit with teargas, rubber bullets and pellets by police. Continue reading...

PM and police chiefs agree plans for unit that aims to boost intelligence gathering on extremist troublemakers'A new national violent disorder unit is to be set up to clamp down on rioters, the Guardian has learned, after far-right riots this week.Keir Starmer made the official announcement on Thursday, having agreed it with police chiefs at a crisis meeting. Continue reading...

Layton Richards, 29, sentenced to eight months in prison for string of thefts in Dorset, Hampshire and West SussexA thief has been jailed for eight months after being found guilty of shoplifting almost 800 Cadbury Creme Eggs over a three-month period.Layton Richards, 29, had been charged with 24 shoplifting offences between 6 January and 18 April this year, with Hampshire and Isle of Wight constabulary accusing him of stealing as many as 798 of the confectionery items. Continue reading...

The British singer's 10 shows in a pop-up stadium will bring big revenues to the Bavarian city - but there are concerns over ticketing and the climate impact of gig tripping'Earlier this summer, with a little help from AI, Adele slipped into a Bavarian-style dirndl dress, cradled a very tall beer and held a giant soft pretzel aloft. Not long now ... Pack ma's!" was the tagline, translating from Bavarian dialect as Let's do this!" Her groundbreaking, potentially record-busting Munich residency was only a few weeks off.Her Adele in Munich spectacular is now set to begin on Friday, attracting fans from around the world to 10 shows during August at a custom-built pop-up stadium, while pointing a way forward for pop superstardom - a bold project that has sparked excitement and some controversy. Continue reading...

Williams, 25, of Merthyr Tydfil, was given 12-month suspended jail term for possessing and distributing indecent images, including of childrenThe man who shared indecent images of children with the former BBC presenter Huw Edwards is a 25-year-old fellow Welshman who was given a 12-month suspended jail term earlier this year.Alex Williams, from Merthyr Tydfil, was sentenced in March at Merthyr Tydfil crown court after pleading guilty to seven offences related to possessing and distributing indecent images. Continue reading...

Maeve Boothby O'Neill, 27, died in October 2021 after becoming so weak she could not sit up, eat or drinkA woman who died with severe ME was desperate for a loving hug" as she neared the end of life but her hypersensitivity made all touch excruciatingly painful", her mother has told a coroner.Giving evidence at the inquest of 27-year-old Maeve Boothby O'Neill, her mother, Sarah Boothby, described her daughter's efforts to stave off starvation and her desire to live but claimed medical staff did not have the knowledge or resources to help her. Continue reading...

Mohammed Deif killed on 13 July after Israeli fighter jets hit Khan Younis, says Israel Defense Forces, as funeral takes place for Ismail Haniyeh

Payouts are an acknowledgement' of US's long history of refusing to process loans from Black farmers, USDA saysThe Biden administration has doled out more than $2bn in direct payments for Black and other minority farmers discriminated against by the US Department of Agriculture, the president announced Wednesday.More than 23,000 farmers were approved for payments ranging from $10,000 to $500,000, according to the USDA. Another 20,000 who planned to start a farm but did not receive a USDA loan received between $3,500 and $6,000. Continue reading...

Doreen Lawrence announces son's body has been exhumed in Jamaica, after photos of open grave posted onlineStephen Lawrence's body will be returned to the UK from Jamaica 31 years after his racist murder, his mother, Doreen, has said.In a statement issued through her lawyer, Lady Lawrence said images of her son's grave had appeared on social media after his body had been exhumed, which had caused the family distress". Continue reading...

Gershkovich and ex-marine Paul Whelan have been freed and are en route to a destination outside Russia, say reportsA major prisoner exchange between Russia and the west is under way involving the Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who has been freed from Russian custody, Bloomberg has reported, citing people familiar with the situation.Sources with knowledge of the planned exchange confirmed to the Guardian that a major swap would take place on Thursday in a location outside Russia. They declined to make further details public until after the swap had taken place owing to sensitivity of the matter. Continue reading...

Number of people injured and killed on 20 and 30mph roads from January to March reduced by more than a quarterThe number of people injured and killed on Welsh roads has dropped significantly since the speed limit on most 30mph roads was reduced to 20mph, according to new figures.The number of casualties from collisions on 20 and 30mph roads in Wales from January to March this year fell by more than a quarter compared with the same period last year. Continue reading...

Judge allows naming of 17-year-old boy charged with three counts of murder and 10 of attempted murderA 17-year-old boy accused of murdering three girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport can be named as Axel Rudakubana.Axel is accused of murdering Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, with a kitchen knife on Monday after entering the class on Hart Street in Southport, Merseyside. Eight other children suffered knife wounds - with five of them left in a critical condition - while two adults were also critically hurt. Continue reading...

Fast catamaran to be returned before entering service as stricken shipbuilder winds down non-core businesses Business liveA ferry service to the Isles of Scilly has been axed before carrying a single fare-paying passenger, as the struggling operator Harland & Wolff winds down all non-core businesses.The stricken Belfast-based shipyard company that built the Titanic, announced the closure of its Scilly Ferries subsidiary on Thursday, as it confirmed details of a rescue funding deal with its lenders, led by a US investment firm. Continue reading...

The men faced a Melbourne court after being charged following a three-year investigation by federal police into gambling on the annual awards

Engine-maker restores dividend as chief executive hails company's transformation from burning platform'

Robert Geeves, who has pleaded not guilty, was accused of calling eight neighbours in just 90 minutes seeking permission to access their land, murder trial hears

Far-right protests in London, Hartlepool and Manchester followed fatal stabbing of three children on MondayKeir Starmer will host senior police leaders in Downing Street on Thursday afternoon after a second night of violent unrest across England.The prime minister is expected to stress to police chiefs that those who perpetrate violence and sow hatred" should be met with the full force of the law". Continue reading...

Exclusive: Pelosi calls Trump unhinged' and reveals exchange with doctors at 2019 memorial for top psychiatristIn early 2019, at a memorial service for a prominent psychiatrist, a succession of doctors and other mental health professionals" told Nancy Pelosi they were deeply concerned that there was something seriously wrong" with Donald Trump, and that his mental and psychological health was in decline".I'm not a doctor," the former speaker writes in an eagerly awaited memoir, but I did find his behaviors difficult to understand." Continue reading...

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Victorian premier says hunt for contaminated water source continues as number of cases rises by 20