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Welfare experts say people need to choose pets with natural body shapes so their health doesn't sufferWould-be dog owners should avoid bulging skulls, protruding eyes and shortened twisted legs and instead opt for a naturally healthy body shape, an international team of experts has urged.The health and welfare implications of extreme canine body forms has become a pressing issue, with experts repeatedly warning of the myriad problems faced by breeds with flat faces - from breathing challenges to difficulties exercising and giving birth.Flat-facesLarge and protruding eyesShortened, twisted legsFacial or body skin foldsLack of tailA clearly overshot or undershot jawA disproportionately broad head and shouldersEyelids turned in or outA bulging or domed skullA sloped back with an excessively low rear end and excessively flexed hind legs Continue reading...

People find landscape in southern Gaza city marked by shattered buildings and stench of death from under the rubble

Foreign secretary's intervention comes as pressure grows on ministers to reveal legal advice over Gaza conflictDavid Cameron will set out the UK's reasoning for continuing to export arms to Israel on Tuesday as ministers face ongoing pressure to disclose the official legal advice on the trade.The foreign secretary will discuss the Middle East crisis with his US counterpart, Antony Blinken, on a visit to Washington where he is also expected to give an update on the UK's arms export regime. Continue reading...

Gordon Brown and three former education ministers say New Labour's acclaimed early-years programme benefited millionsVeterans of the last Labour government have called on Keir Starmer to put a new Sure Start-style programme at the heart of his election manifesto after research showed its transformational impact on poor children.Gordon Brown, the former prime minister who first announced the Sure Start initiative as Labour chancellor in 1998, was among those urging the opposition leader to prioritise the early years last night. Continue reading...

Sector enjoyed best month in more than two years in March, consumer spending report showsAn early Easter boosted consumer spending in March and gave Britain's retailers their best month in more than two years, according to a report.Prompting hopes that the retail sector might be emerging from a protracted soft patch, the latest snapshot of spending in shops and online showed the value of sales above the current inflation rate for the first time since the early days of the cost of living crisis. Continue reading...

Jorge Glas brought to naval hospital from maximum security prison three days after his controversial capture in Mexican embassyEcuador's former vice-president Jorge Glas has reportedly been taken to hospital from the maximum security jail where he was being held - three days after the politician was captured inside Mexico's embassy in Quito during a police raid that drew outrage across Latin America.Glas, 54, was sent to the Alcatraz-inspired prison La Roca (the Rock) in Guayaquil on Saturday, one day after being detained by Ecuadorian security forces inside the Mexican mission where he had sought asylum. Continue reading...

Funding needed after Tories scrapped non-dom status to pay for tax cuts will be used for school breakfast clubs and NHSRachel Reeves has said an incoming Labour government would launch a 5bn crackdown on tax avoiders to close a gap in its spending plans exposed by Jeremy Hunt scrapping the non-dom regime to finance tax cuts.Warning households and businesses that Labour was prepared to adopt tough measures to tackle tax fraud and non-compliance, Reeves said the funding would be used to pay for free school breakfast clubs and additional NHS appointments. Continue reading...

Habibur Masum was previously charged with assault and threatening to kill 27-year-old who was stabbed to death in Bradford on SaturdayA woman who was stabbed to death while pushing her baby in a pram in Bradford city centre has been identified, as it emerged her suspected attacker is on bail for allegedly assaulting and threatening to kill her.West Yorkshire police on Monday named the victim as Kulsuma Akter, aged 27, who died on Saturday. Continue reading...

CCTV footage shows couple beginning their hike on the mountainous Shakadang trail just 25 minutes before the 7.2 magnitude earthquake struckRescue efforts are still under way in Taiwan's Taroko national park to find two missing Australian nationals, who have not been seen for six days after a massive earthquake hit the island.The couple, identified by local government officials as Neo Siew Choo and Sim Hwee Kok, went missing after the 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck the island at 7.58am on Wednesday. Continue reading...

Dublin politician says he is looking forward to a different chapter' after tendering resignation to presidentLeo Varadkar has said he has no regrets" about standing down, as he officially resigned as Ireland's taoiseach.The Dublin politician, who has been the country's prime minister for four years, said he was looking forward to a different chapter". Continue reading...

Shadow health secretary says quicker treatment to stop working class families being left behind is more important than ideologyMiddle-class lefties" will not stop a Labour government from using private hospitals to tackle the NHS's huge care backlog, the party's shadow health secretary has pledged.Wes Streeting rejected the idea that paying private health providers to treat patients amounted to a betrayal" of the NHS and insisted that quicker treatment was more important than ideology. Continue reading...

Campaigners accuse party of trying to weaponise' climate crisis by suggesting scrapping targets could fund NHSThe Reform UK party has been accused by green campaigners of trying to weaponise" the climate crisis as a wedge issue in the general election after the party leader claimed funding the NHS and reaching net zero were at odds.At a press conference in Westminster on Monday, Reform's leader, Richard Tice, suggested that scrapping the UK's pledge to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 would free up cash for the NHS. Continue reading...

Inquest hears Charlie Millers struggled with self-worth for years before self-harming in understaffed Prestwich hospital wardA 17-year-old trans boy who killed himself on a mental health ward felt worthless" and could not think of anything positive about himself" shortly before he died, an inquest heard.Charlie Millers, from Stretford, had been bullied at school and misgendered by healthcare staff in the five years up to his death and he struggled with his mental health, Rochdale coroner's court heard.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...

Former foreign minister recalls ferocious' discussion with Abbott about having only one woman in 20-member cabinet

Man and woman, 44 and 48, are being held on suspicion of murder after discovery of 38-year-old's remains in Rowdown FieldsHuman remains discovered in a south London park have been identified by police as those of a 38-year-old woman.The remains of Sarah Mayhew were discovered in Rowdown Fields in New Addington, Croydon, on the morning of 2 April. Continue reading...

Proposed penalty, intended to boost creaking health service, is criticised by doctors' unions and patients' groupsPatients in France who fail to turn up to a doctor's appointment without a good excuse will be fined 5 (4.30) under a proposal from the government.Gabriel Attal said on Monday that medical professionals reported an estimated 27m no-shows every year, adding: We cannot allow this to continue." Continue reading...

Watchdog condemns reckless' attack after inspectors find damage at Russian-controlled power stationRussia and Ukraine have each accused the other of launching kamikaze drones at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in an incident condemned by the International Atomic Energy Agency for recklessly endangering safety.The nuclear watchdog said onsite inspectors had seen the damage caused by drone detonations at three locations, including superficial scorching" at the top of the roof of reactor 6, although it said its structural integrity was not compromised. Continue reading...

Remy Gordon and Kami Carpenter given minimum terms of 26 and 25 years at Birmingham crown court for nightclub attackTwo men have been jailed for life for the murder of footballer Cody Fisher in a nightclub attack in Birmingham on Boxing Day 2022.Remy Gordon, 23, and Kami Carpenter, 22, had blamed each other for stabbing the 23-year-old former Birmingham City academy player, who died at the scene from a chest wound. Continue reading...

Kevin Hollinrake has said in his view people should be prosecuted'I mentioned in the introduction that Reform UK are giving a press briefing that they have billed as being about Labour's betrayal of the working class". That will be starting in a few minutes and I will bring you any key lines that emerge ...John Harris writes for us today, cautioning against schadenfreude at the Tories' apparently inevitable defeat in the next election. He writes: Continue reading...

Exclusive: FoI documents show senator's office spoke to other members, duty-senators and some cross-benchers to prioritise marginal and target seats

Australians want wide-ranging reform of failing' housing system and back the Greens' public sector property developer, poll finds

Israeli defence minister says withdrawal forms part of preparations for later attack on RafahAn Israeli strike on southern Lebanon early on Monday killed a field commander in the heavily-armed Lebanese group Hezbollah, as the United Nations warned that shelling was spreading and urged a halt to the violence.Hezbollah and the Israeli military have been exchanging fire across Lebanon's southern frontier in parallel with the Gaza war, adding to fears of a wider regional conflict. Continue reading...

Watchdog warns cosmetic surgery providers abroad as analysis reveals thousands of Facebook advertsA post on Instagram shows the back of a woman in tight blue leggings, her lower body taking up most of the frame. The words Temptingly sexy curves ahead ... Ready to turn heads and break hearts?" are written in the caption. It is from a company offering Britons the chance to get a Brazilian butt lift while enjoying a luxury holiday abroad.The advert is one of thousands on social media promoting cosmetic surgery tourism by companies in Turkey to UK residents, including gastric band operations, hair transplants and Brazilian butt lifts (BBL) - a process that involves fat taken from elsewhere on the body being injected into the buttocks - in a trend that has triggered safety concerns among doctors in Britain. Continue reading...

Triple lock' ensures hefty rise for pensions, while universal credit and other benefits also increaseMonday is the first working day of the new tax year, bringing substantial increases in vital benefits payments - in particular the state pension and universal credit, plus a host of other benefits. So what is changing and how might it affect you? Continue reading...

Endurance athlete from Worthing says he is just trying to soak it all in' after completing 352-day, 9,940-mile runAfter sinking a strawberry daiquiri and a few beers and enjoying a reunion with his girlfriend after more than a year apart, Russ Cook, AKA the Hardest Geezer", who completed his 9,940-mile (16,000km) run along the entire length of Africa on Sunday, woke up feeling a little bit frosty, a little bit tired".And for once, the 27-year-old endurance athlete from Worthing, West Sussex, who raised more than 700,000 for charity on his epic journey, was not pulling on his running shoes. It was all quite, quite overwhelming", he said. Continue reading...

World's most valuable chipmaker Taiwan Semiconductor to set up third facility in Arizona using funding from Biden policy

After four months of fighting in Khan Younis - and amid ceasefire talks - Israel withdraws troops for tactical reasons'. Plus: a total solar eclipse Don't already get First Thing in your inbox? Sign up hereGood morning.Israel has pulled all of its ground troops out of southern Gaza for tactical reasons", the country's army has said, relieving reservists after nearly four months of intense fighting in the decimated southern city of Khan Younis. Displaced Palestinians from the city may now be able to return to their homes.How are the truce talks in Cairo going? Negotiations in the Egyptian capital have made significant progress", the Egyptian state-linked outlet Al-Qahera reported on Monday. The Qatari and Hamas delegations were expected to return within two days to finalize the terms of the agreement".What is being discussed? Before the new talks began, Hamas reiterated its demands issued in a 14 March proposal, which include a permanent ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, a return of displaced people to their homes, and a serious" exchange of Palestinian prisoners for Israeli hostages being held in Gaza. Continue reading...

Jason Tarry poised to take over from Sharon White when she steps down in September

Exclusive: since Karen Webb became commissioner the force has dumped and paid out three employees in senior media and public affairs roles

Gusts of more than 70mph recorded on Irish Sea coast, as temperatures rose above 30C in mainland EuropeStorm Kathleen brought strong winds to Ireland and the UK at the weekend, causing travel and power disruption. The storm, named by Met Eireann, developed in the Atlantic on Thursday, deepening explosively as it pushed northwards to the west of Ireland.Peak wind gusts of 40-60mph (65-95km/h) were recorded quite widely across Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland and western parts of England and Wales on Saturday, with some Irish Sea coastal regions experiencing gusts above 70mph. A gust of 72mph was recorded at Drumalbin, Lanarkshire. Continue reading...

Chain says it has experienced operational disruption after hackers gained access to its IT systemsOne of the UK's largest vet groups has told regulators about a possible breach of personal information after it was hit by a cyber-attack.CVS Group said hackers had gained unauthorised external access to a limited number of its IT systems. The company continued to have problems with slow-running systems on Monday after disruption across the UK business. Continue reading...

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The airline is adding more than 20m rewards seats on international and domestic flights

Historian supports preserving some of the interwar period roads, but Yimby activist calls Boroondara council plan tone deaf' in a housing crisis

Review chief defends decision not to recommend powers that could break up supermarkets for bad behaviour

Many fear a focus on social media is drawing attention from those the hate crime law aims to protectWe sell flat whites and make croissants in a bakery that's supposed to be a safe place for the people who work here and the customers who visit. We didn't expect to be targets of hate."Tristan Aitchison runs the Xoko bakehouse in Inverness. Over the past year, the LGBTQ+-inclusive cafe has been subject to a succession of alleged hate incidents, including the Pride flag being ripped from its door on several occasions, as well as spitting and verbal abuse, resulting in staff working at night being issued with panic alarms. Continue reading...

In today's newsletter: The killing of aid workers in Gaza last week has western leaders under even greater scrutiny - and raises questions about the fragility of the Israeli coalition government Sign up here for our daily newsletter, First EditionGood morning.Six months since the 7 October massacre by Hamas and the Israeli military's ensuing ground offensive in Gaza, Israel is more isolated than ever before, and at odds with its closest allies.Welfare | Tens of thousands of unpaid carers looking after disabled, frail or ill relatives are being forced to repay huge sums to the government and threatened with criminal prosecution after the Department of Work and Pensions erroneously overpaid them.NHS | A study of more than 12,200 NHS workers across the UK has found that one in 10 reported unwanted incidents including being touched or kissed, demands for sex in return for favours, or derogatory comments.Health | Guardian analysis of NHS figures for 2022-23 found that black women are up to six times more likely to experience some of the most serious birth complications during hospital delivery across England than their white counterparts, with the figures being described as stark" and disheartening".Housing | The Resolution Foundation said average rents could increase by 13% over the next three years as current high growth in the private rental market works its way through existing tenancies.Africa | After more than 9,940 miles (16,000km) over 352 days across 16 countries, Briton Russ Cook, aka the Hardest Geezer", has completed the mammoth challenge of running the length of Africa. Continue reading...

Net migration to New Zealand hit a near record high in 2023 after a new temporary work visa was introduced after the pandemicNew Zealand will tighten its visa rules for some migrants as the coalition government moves to overhaul the immigration system it says has led to unsustainable" levels of migration.Last year, annual net migration to New Zealand hit a near record high of more than 173,000 non-New Zealand citizens in the year to December, Stats NZ reported. Continue reading...

Hardest hit areas were Illawarra, Nepean and Hawkesbury and premier says 29 homes were completely inundated

Cancellations or reduced service on many routes on Monday including commuter lines into LondonRail passengers on many routes in the south and east of England including key commuter lines into London can expect significant disruption on Monday as train drivers stage the last strike in three days of action.Aslef union members began a 24-hour strike at eight operating companies on Monday: c2c, Gatwick Express, Greater Anglia, Great Northern, Southeastern, Southern, South Western Railway and Thameslink. The action is part of a long-running dispute over pay and conditions that began in 2022. Continue reading...

Figure was a significant drop on 2022, when 506 lives were saved by lifeboat crews and lifeguardsA total of 355 lives were saved by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) last year, data shows, with more callouts along the Thames than anywhere else.The figure represents a significant drop in rescues compared with the previous year, when 506 lives were saved by volunteer lifeboat crews and lifeguards. Continue reading...

Limited communications and uncertainty over detention have left many families unsure if their loved ones are alive or dead

Participants in Kings Cross pilot project to be surveyed to see if tests change the way they use drugs

The 88-year-old director says he is on the fence' about making another film due to the work needed to get distribution and financial backingWoody Allen has once again hinted at his retirement from film-making, saying that he is on the fence" about making another film after the US release of his latest, Coup de Chance.In an interview with Air Mail, the 88-year-old director was asked whether the French-language erotic thriller Coup de Chance would be his final film. Continue reading...

Rare celestial event on Monday will see the moon block out the sun for a few minutes and day turn to night, with fans hoping the clouds don't spoil the viewAcross the US, Mexico and Canada, people have rushed to stake out spots to witness a rare total solar eclipse, while forecasts for cloudy skies worry some hopeful spectators.The phenomenon happens when the moon lines up perfectly between the Earth and the sun, blocking out the sunlight. The eclipse will be visible in the three countries on 8 April. Continue reading...

Most passengers heading for island off Nampula province were trying to escape mainland due to panic over cholera outbreak, official saysMore than 90 people including many children died when an overcrowded makeshift ferry sank off the north coast of Mozambique, local authorities have said.The converted fishing boat, carrying about 130 people, ran into trouble as it tried to reach an island off Nampula province, officials said on Sunday. Continue reading...

Boy who took his own life allegedly told to pay $500 to stop personal photos being shared with family and friends

Average 13% increase by 2027 will put millions of households under further pressure, says thinktankRent rises in Britain are forecast to outpace wage growth, despite having already surged at the fastest pace on record after the Covid pandemic and the cost of living crisis.The Resolution Foundation expects added pressure on millions of households and said average rents could increase by 13% over the next three years as current high growth in the private rental market work their way through existing tenancies. Continue reading...

Money spent on tobacco products in England could instead be spent in shops, on entertainment or other services', author addsAlmost 11bn a year could be spent in England's communities from money saved on tobacco products if people quit smoking, according to a study.Published in the journal Tobacco Control and written by academics at the University of Sheffield, the study looked at how much people spent on cigarettes and other tobacco a year, and analysed how this money could be spent in cities and towns instead. Continue reading...

Liver scanning and portable testing units to be rolled out in communities where people may be at a higher riskThousands of people who are unknowingly living with hepatitis C in England could be identified and treated due to an expanded NHS testing initiative.The initiative includes new liver scanning and portable testing units to be rolled out in communities where people may be at a higher risk of contracting the infection. Continue reading...