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Michael Sanchez snapped a few photos of a bird at Hug Point that may be first images in North America of the rare blue rock-thrushMichael Sanchez was setting up his new camera to capture a waterfall at Oregon's Hug Point at sunrise when he spotted a little bird hopping around. He snapped a few photos, and didn't think much more of it.A week later, those snapshots have made him the star - and the envy - of the local birding community. Sanchez, who is from Vancouver, Washington, may have inadvertently captured the first images of an extremely rare blue rock-thrush in North America. Continue reading...

Report to United Nations security council says remnants of Hwasong-11 violate arms export embargo on Russian allyThe debris from a missile that landed in the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv on 2 January was from a North Korean Hwasong-11 series ballistic missile, UN sanctions monitors told a security council committee in a report seen by Reuters.In the 32-page report, the UN sanctions monitors concluded that debris recovered from a missile that landed in Kharkiv, Ukraine, on 2 January 2024 derives from a DPRK Hwasong-11 series missile" and is in violation of the arms embargo on North Korea. Continue reading...

State department says five units mostly from IDF but including at least one police unit responsible for gross violations in West BankThe US has found five units of the Israeli security forces responsible for gross violations of human rights, over incidents in the West Bank before the current Gaza war, the state department has said.The findings come at a time when Israel is facing potential accountability from the international criminal court and the state department for its conduct of the conflict in Gaza, in which more than 34,000 people have been killed. Continue reading...

G7 diplomats argue any move now in investigation launched in 2021 could disrupt current ceasefire talksDiplomats from the G7 industrialised nations have urged officials at the international criminal court not to announce war crimes charges against Israel or Hamas officials, amid concerns that such a move could disrupt the chances of a breakthrough in ceasefire talks.Israeli politicians including the prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, have suggested that the ICC could press charges imminently after an investigation launched in 2021 that covers events starting in 2014. The inquiry has also been looking at Israel's construction of settlements in occupied territory. Continue reading...

Commission president, who is seeking another term, took aim at group that includes AfD and National Rally in pre-election debateThe European Commission president, Ursula Von der Leyen, has criticised the far right as Putin's proxies", while refusing to rule out working with other rightwing nationalists, as campaigning began ahead of June's European elections.Von der Leyen is seeking a second five-year term leading the commission, in the looming reshuffle of EU top jobs that follows the European elections. Continue reading...

Two women say actor assaulted them, one on a film set in 2021 and the other on another shoot in 2014Gerard Depardieu will face a criminal trial in October over the alleged sexual assaults of two women on the set of a film in 2021, prosecutors have announced.Depardieu, 75, who previously has denied any wrongdoing, was questioned for several hours on Monday by officers at a police station in the 14th arrondissement of Paris. Continue reading...

Ursula von der Leyen takes part alongside representatives from seven other parties as EU gears up for European parliament electionsThe far-right Identity and Democracy's representative, Anders Vistisen, wrote on social media ahead of the debate:The entire EU system has tried to prevent me and the right wing from participating in the EU top candidate debate tonight. They want to exclude right wing votes! They didn't succeed - so tonight I will tell the truth about the EU's disaster course directly to Ursula and the rest of the EU!" Continue reading...

Previous contest exposed splits on issues such as LGBTQ+ rights and green policy that next leader must tackleWhen Humza Yousaf was narrowly elected leader of the SNP last March, it was after a bruising leadership contest that exposed profound divisions in the party over LGBTQ+ rights, Westminster's veto of Holyrood law, and environmental and economic policy.Indeed, it could be said the end of the SNP's partnership with the Greens, and the downward spiral of chaos that ended with Yousaf's resignation little over a year later, was telegraphed by the fault lines that emerged back then, setting the scene for the myriad conflicts that Yousaf was forced to manage - and ultimately failed to resolve - as leader. Continue reading...

Thomas O'Halloran was stabbed in west London by Lee Byer who had paranoid schizophrenia and had been released five days beforeA man has admitted to the manslaughter by diminished responsibility of an 87-year-old mobility scooter rider in a motiveless" knife attack in west London five days after being released from prison.Lee Byer, 45, stabbed Thomas O'Halloran in the neck and chest in Greenford in 2022. It can now be reported that Byer had numerous previous convictions and days earlier had been released from Wormwood Scrubs prison in south-west London. Continue reading...

Caitlyn Scott-Lee, 16, is thought to have taken her own life the day before she was due to have her first ever detentionThe father of an autistic schoolgirl who is believed to have taken her own life the day before she was due to have her first ever detention has paid tribute to his daddy's girl" at the inquest into her death.Caitlyn Scott-Lee, 16, was found dead at Wycombe Abbey, a private school in Buckinghamshire where she boarded, on 21 April last year.In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie. In the US, you can call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 988, chat on 988lifeline.org, or text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org Continue reading...

Leader says it's not been easy' as he stands aside five years after controversially realigning the country with ChinaThe Solomon Islands prime minister, Manasseh Sogavare, has announced he will not stand as a candidate when lawmakers vote this week for a new leader, and his political party would instead back former foreign minister Jeremiah Manele.The two major opposition parties in the Solomon Islands struck a coalition deal on Saturday as they vie with Sogavare's party to form a government after an election delivered no clear winner. Continue reading...

Scotland's first minister resigns after failing to muster enough votes to survive a no confidence vote this week

Australian company and its partner Vale unleashed largest spill of mining waste in historyThe mining company BHP has said it hopes to secure a $25.7bn (20bn) settlement over the 2015 Samarco disaster, when the collapse of a dam left at least 19 people dead, 700 homeless and spread unprecedented levels of pollutants across the rivers and landscape of Brazil.BHP said it had offered the settlement to the Brazilian authorities in partnership with fellow miner Vale, its 50:50 joint venture partner in a local subsidiary, Samarco. Continue reading...

When Bryn Austin, 71, lost his bearings on an unstable cliff his favourite paper kept him warm and helped start fire to alert rescuersBryn Austin always carries a copy of the Guardian when he goes looking for rocks, usually to wrap up muddy or delicate specimens. But on one ill-fated trip, he discovered a new application for his favourite newspaper.The retired geologist, 71, had taken a walk to Fairlight Glen in East Sussex to study a landslide on the evening of 24 April. After a wrong turn, he became stranded in the dark on the face of a cliff prone to erosion. Continue reading...

Prime minister dismisses potential deal with Dublin, increasing prospect of an escalating UK-Irish crisis

Premier asks government to reintroduce ban, ending Canada's first large attempt to gauge effects of decriminalizationBritish Columbia has abruptly reversed course on its landmark experiment decriminalizing the possession of certain illicit drugs, citing mounting public frustration and disorder" in the Canadian province.Premier David Eby said on Friday that he had asked the federal government to reintroduce a ban on public drug use, formally ending the country's first large attempt to gauge the effects of decriminalization. Continue reading...

Postal company defends technology but suspends surcharge, while app allowing customers to scan own stamps developedRoyal Mail has suspended controversial fines for letters with stamps it deems counterfeit after claims that it was penalising the public for its own inadequate technology.Addressees have been forced to pay a levy of 5 to receive post if Royal Mail suspects that a fake stamp was used by the sender. Hundreds of fines have been issued since barcoded stamps became mandatory last July. Continue reading...

Satellite photos show pieces of floating pier alongside vessel, which is about 5 miles from project baseA US navy ship involved in an American-led effort to bring more aid into the besieged Gaza Strip is offshore from the territory and building out a floating platform for the operation, according to satellite photos analysed by the Associated Press.The USNS Roy P Benavidez sits about 5 miles from the pier and base of operations for the project being built by the Israeli military. Continue reading...

Former Winchester mayor David McLean allegedly said Sorry, Mum' before putting cushion over her faceA former mayor attempted to smother his dying 92-year-old mother with a cushion to end her suffering in an act of pure and simple unadulterated love", a jury has been told.David McLean, 72, who was described by the prosecution as an upstanding" citizen, allegedly said: Sorry, Mum" before putting a cushion over Margaret McLean's face, the court heard. Continue reading...

Two Ukrainian soldiers in Germany for medical rehabilitation killed and 57-year-old Russian suspect arrested, says public prosecutor's officePolish farmers stopped protesting at the last blocked border crossing with Ukraine on Monday, Kyiv and Warsaw said, suspending a blockade that has dragged on for months and soured bilateral relations, writes Reuters.According to the news agency, Ukraine's farm minister hailed constructive work" by Poland to lift the blockade in a statement, saying negotiations with Warsaw and industry associations had not been easy but that the main thing is that we have a result". Continue reading...

Pedro Sanchez is not alone in the EU in facing harassment through the media and the courts' aimed at forcing him out of politicsPedro Sanchez may have decided to stay on as Spanish prime minister, but what made him hesitate - harassment and bullying" of him and his wife by his political opponents - is unlikely to go away anytime soon, in Spain or elsewhere in Europe.In an ever more polarised political sphere and on a social media battlefield where reality coexists with the wildest fictions, politicians across the continent have to live - or not - with being targets of surreal accusations, lawfare" and increasingly ugly abuse. Continue reading...

Current proposed deal includes 40-day ceasefire and release of thousands of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Israeli hostages, says David Cameron

Sanchez announces he will stay on days after saying he was considering resigning after attacks in rightwing media on his wifePedro Sanchez is expected to speak in a few minutes. Stay tuned.Pedro Sanchez's big announcement will be an institutional declaration", which means a televised statement with no questions from the media. Continue reading...

Sanchez calls for end to mud-slinging after spending five days reflecting on his future over harassment' by enemiesPedro Sanchez has decided to continue as Spain's prime minister after spending five days reflecting on his future because of what he described as a harassment and bullying operation" being waged against him and his wife by his political and media enemies.The socialist prime minister shocked Spain last Wednesday when he shared a personal letter explaining that he was withdrawing from his public duties for a few days to weigh up whether or not he wanted to remain in office. Continue reading...

Sharp rise in 2022-23 from previous year despite 30-year downward trend

With the Scottish National party leader poised to quit, we look at likely successors

Mel Stride says therapy or respite could be offered instead of Pip payments to those with milder' mental health issues

Deal would end six years of turmoil for owner of back catalogues of star artists ranging from Blondie to Neil Young and Justin BieberThe struggling owner of music back catalogues ranging from Shakira to the Red Hot Chili Peppers has agreed a $1.6bn (1.3bn) improved takeover offer from US private equity investor Blackstone.Hipgnosis Songs Fund said it was recommending the offer, which trumps a rival $1.4bn bid by US-based royalties fund Concord Music. Continue reading...

There is no one single solution but what it clear is the status quo isn't working', says NSW minister for the prevention of domestic violence and sexual assault

Chief of Singtel-owned company says a similar deal it opposed between TPG and Telstra very different in that Optus is not the dominant player'

Former federal politician said the former Fox News commentator, who continues to argue the 2020 US presidential election was rigged, will not be paid for a series of interviews. Follow the day's news live

First warning of 2024 issued more than a month before start of official season, as parts of Europe engulfed in African dustLast week, the US National Hurricane Center issued its first advisory of the year, more than a month before the official start of the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from 1 June to 30 November. An area of low pressure was identified on Wednesday 24 April in the east-central Atlantic Ocean, about 900 miles to the north-west of Cape Verde.The low quickly dispersed as it moved into an area of stronger upper level winds. But although this disturbance did not cause any impacts, it is perhaps a sign of what forecasters are predicting will be one of the most active hurricane seasons on record. Earlier in April, the Colorado State University issued its Atlantic hurricane forecast, with a prediction of 23 named storms, 11 hurricanes and five major hurricanes. For comparison, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the average hurricane season between 1991 and 2020 comprised roughly 14 tropical storms, seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes. Continue reading...

Video footage shows two hooded figures entering the front yard of a house in Fairfield West before a fire erupts

PP leader accuses prime minister of navel-gazing, while Sanchez's supporters rally in MadridSpanish opposition parties have stepped up their attacks on the socialist prime minister, Pedro Sanchez, as he prepares to announce whether he will resign because of what he describes as a harassment and bullying operation" being waged against him and his wife by his political and media enemies.Sanchez shocked Spain on Wednesday night when he published a letter announcing that he would abandon his public duties for five days while he weighed up whether to step down, adding that he would reveal his decision on Monday. Continue reading...

Decision to step down could come within next day as SNP leader faces no-confidence vote at HolyroodHumza Yousaf is considering quitting as Scotland's first minister as the prospect of winning a vote of confidence becomes increasingly uncertain.The Guardian understands that a final decision has not yet been made, but that it could come within the next day. Continue reading...

Rescuers on Italian island say European governments must open more safe routes to claim refugeAid workers on the Italian island of Lampedusa, which is one of Europe's busiest landing points for asylum seekers, have condemned Rishi Sunak's Rwanda plan as they prepare for another busy summer of bedraggled arrivals and deaths at sea.They have called on European governments to open more safe routes to claim refuge if they wish to stop the boats". Continue reading...

Polling for party shows 47% of UK adults rarely or never see same doctor for each appointmentPeople aged over 70 and those with long-term health conditions would have access to the same named GP for every appointment under plans unveiled by the Liberal Democrats, as polling reveals almost half of Britons rarely or never see their family doctor.The Lib Dem leader, Ed Davey, said the policy would require 8,000 more GPs and take at least four years to implement at the cost of an extra 1bn a year, with the money coming from taxing big banks. Continue reading...

Investors urged to vote against online grocer's remuneration for CEO Tim Steiner at upcoming AGMOcado is facing criticism as it seeks shareholder approval on Monday for a potential bonus worth up to 14.8m for its chief executive, Tim Steiner.Glass Lewis, an influential shareholder advisory group, has urged investors to vote against the online grocery group's remuneration policy and performance share plan at its annual shareholder meeting, flagging egregious remuneration practices". Continue reading...

Exclusive: Proceedings lodged after Shane Drumgold alleged officers engaged in a very clear campaign to pressure him' in a letter to the ACT police chief

Report concludes state sheltered soldiers from prosecution for Troubles-era crimes, as amnesty legislation comes into forceBritain's reputation will be severely damaged by the Northern Ireland legacy" act, an international panel of human rights experts has warned while calling for the government to scrap moves to grant conditional amnesties for Troubles-era crimes.The warning is being made as the legislation comes into force on Wednesday, offering soldiers and paramilitaries a limited form of immunity from prosecution for Troubles-related offences for those who cooperate with a new body aimed at truth recovery. Continue reading...

Move comes only week after new CEO starts and network named wrong man as Bondi Junction killer

US president and Israeli PM talk as Israel vows to invade southern Gaza city despite global concern for 1 million Palestinians sheltering there

Anthony Albanese told Channel Nine he was happy whether or not he spoke and blamed the situation on an emotional' day and issue

ABI reports annual jump of 157 in first quarter of 2024 but says 1% increase on previous quarter indicates rises are easingThe average price paid for comprehensive motor insurance in the UK was about a third (33%) or 157 higher in the first quarter of this year than a year earlier, according to figures from the Association of British Insurers (ABI).Based on analysis of policies sold, the typical price paid in the first quarter of 2024 was 635, marking a 1% increase on the previous quarter, the ABI said. Continue reading...

Peter Smith is in intensive care after suffering damage to an arm, leg and hand and puncture wounds to abdomenA British tourist who was seriously injured in a shark attack off a Caribbean island is aware of what is happening and can communicate" in intensive care, his wife has said.Peter Smith, 64, from Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, was savaged 10 metres (33ft) off the shore near the Starfish hotel in Courland Bay on the north coast of Tobago on Friday morning. Continue reading...

Foreign secretary's use of Embraer Lineage 1000 follows 348,000 bill for James Cleverly's eight-day trip in similar plane in 2023David Cameron has been criticised for hiring a luxury jet worth an estimated 42m for a recent tour of central Asia.The foreign secretary travelled on the Embraer Lineage 1000 for a five-day visit to Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Mongolia last week, the Mirror reported. Continue reading...

Calls for divestment continue despite hundreds of arrests, with more demonstrations planned for Democratic national conventionStudent protests on US university campuses over Israel's war on Gaza showed little sign of letting up over the weekend, with protesters vowing to continue until their demands for US educational bodies to disentangle from companies profiting from the conflict are met.In what is perhaps the most significant student movement since the anti-Vietnam campus protests of the late 1960s, the conflict between pro-Palestinian students and university administrators has revealed an entire subset of conflicts. Continue reading...

Worried MPs have concocted five-point plan of quick measures aimed at showing that the party cares about public's prioritiesRishi Sunak is braced for a bruising week as Tory rebels flaunted plans for a 100-day policy blitz" to secure quick wins if the local election results prove disastrous for the party.The prime minister said on Sunday that he was not distracted" by his personal ratings lingering at record lows. He refused to rule out calling a July general election amid mounting rumours that unruly MPs will attempt to oust him if the West Midlands mayor, Andy Street, and the Tees Valley mayor, Ben Houchen, are defeated on Thursday.An attempt to end the junior doctors pay dispute with a 10-12% offer.Further cuts to legal migration numbers, with a curb on the number of foreign students staying in the UK.Vow to increase defence spending to 3% of GDP by 2027.Introduce measures to jail prolific offenders and build rapid detention cells to increase prison capacity.Cut the benefits bill, with a target to reduce payments for depression and anxiety. Continue reading...

Union body says austerity is to blame for longest squeeze on wages since Napoleonic era with most wage black spots' in LondonPay packets are smaller than they were in 2008 in most local authority areas in the UK, according to analysis by the Trades Union Congress, which described the findings as a damning indictment" of the Conservatives' economic record.The TUC, which includes 48 unions with more than five million members, said stagnating wages meant British workers were in the midst of the longest squeeze on wages since the Napoleonic era. Continue reading...