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Big lenders become latest to reduce borrowing costs, joining four other UK home loan providers this weekNatWest and Virgin Money have become the latest big lenders to slash rates on their fixed mortgage deals, prompting claims that a full-scale home loans price war" has broken out.The moves come after it emerged on Wednesday that four of Britain's largest home loan providers were cutting the cost of their new fixed-rate deals, with Halifax reducing rates by up to 0.71 percentage points from Friday, and HSBC, Nationwide and TSB making similar moves. Continue reading...

PM attacks opposition parties during no-confidence motion called to force him to address ethnic violence in far-eastOpposition parties have walked out of the Indian parliament in protest at the refusal of the prime minister, Narendra Modi, to address ethnic violence in the state of Manipur - a situation that has been described as being close to civil war.The opposition had tabled a no-confidence vote in Modi largely to force him to appear and speak about the three-month-long crisis, about which he had refused to say more than a few words. Continue reading...

Riad Salameh accused of corrupt actions to enrich himself and associates, contributing, US says, to breakdown of the rule of law'The US, Britain and Canada have announced sanctions against the former governor of Lebanon's central bank, Riad Salameh, accusing him of corrupt actions to enrich himself and his associates.Salameh, in messages to Reuters, denied the allegations made by the three sanctioning countries and said he would challenge them. Some of his assets had already been frozen in previous investigations, he said. Continue reading...

A statement claimed the 15-year-old girl, who rose to internet fame for brash videos, had died but her father has refused to confirm or deny her deathShock over a statement announcing the sudden death of Lil Tay, a 15-year-old internet personality and rapper who rose to viral fame as a foul-mouthed, braggadocious nine-year-old on Instagram, has given way to confusion after the girl's father and former manager refused to confirm or deny her passing.An unsigned statement posted on Wednesday to the account for Lil Tay, real name Claire Hope, said the star's death at 15 was sudden and tragic" and entirely unexpected". It also said that her older brother Jason Tian, who at one point had been in control of her account before it went dormant in 2018, had also died, and that both deaths were under investigation. Continue reading...

Postmortem examination had found aspergillus on lungs of Luke Brooks, 27, who died at home in OldhamA man who lived in a cold, damp and mouldy house did not die because of conditions in the property, a coroner has ruled.Luke Brooks, 27, from Oldham, died at his home last October from an acute respiratory illness. A postmortem examination found aspergillus, a type of mould, on Brooks' lung, and aspergillus pneumonia was diagnosed. Continue reading...

CEO vows to make services such as Disney+ profitable and announces crackdown on password sharingDisney is raising prices on its streaming services and expanding a version containing adverts to markets including the UK.The monthly cost of ad-free Disney+ in the US will rise by $3 to almost $14 and the cost of Hulu without adverts will go up 20% to $18. Continue reading...

Two in five patients waiting more than 18 weeks and key cancer care targets being missed as junior doctors prepare to strikeA record 7.6 million people in England were waiting for NHS treatment in June, with two in five patients waiting more than 18 weeks to be seen.The figures come as junior doctors prepare to strike on Friday. Continue reading...

Search for survivors continues in latest tragedy as persecuted Muslims make perilous sea journeys in search of better livesAt least 17 people have drowned and 33 are missing after a boat carrying Rohingya refugees from Myanmar to Malaysia capsized on Monday.The bodies of 10 women and seven men have been recovered after being washed up on the coast of Myanmar, said Bya Latt, a spokesperson for the rescue group Shwe Yaung Matta Foundation. Eight people who were rescued are being held at a local police station, Latt said. Continue reading...

Arkady Volozh, who lives in Israel, offers some of strongest criticism yet by a prominent Russian business figureThe co-founder of Russia's biggest internet firm has condemned Moscow's barbaric" invasion of Ukraine, offering some of the strongest criticism to date by a prominent Russian business figure of the Kremlin's military actions.Arkady Volozh, who co-founded Yandex in Russia in 1997, said: Russia's invasion of Ukraine is barbaric, and I am categorically against it." Continue reading...

Travel agents report surge in customers for Mediterranean destinations after record-breaking downpours

Home secretary calls on police to do whatever necessary to restore public order' after suspected lootingSuella Braverman has called for those who took part in a suspected raid of shops on London's Oxford Street and subsequent scuffles with the police to be hunted down".Footage showed police wielding batons in clashes with dozens of young men and teenagers, and officers on horseback trying to disperse watching crowds on Europe's busiest shopping street on Wednesday. Continue reading...

Dozens of stores expected to close after UK budget retailer fails to find new funding, putting 12,000 jobs at riskThe troubled budget retailer Wilko is calling in administrators, putting more than 12,000 jobs at risk after it failed to agree a rescue deal.The family-owned household and garden products retailer, which has about 400 stores, is expected to have to close dozens of outlets, leaving big gaps on high streets after weeks of talks with interested parties. Continue reading...

Company to push ahead with cost-cutting drive as fallout government's autumn mini-budget takes tollPersimmon, one of the UK's largest housebuilders, has cut 300 jobs as weak demand linked to the fallout from the government's autumn mini-budget sent half-year profits plunging by 65%.The company said it was pushing ahead with a cost-cutting drive, as it grappled with a drop in customers committed to buying homes after the market meltdown, which pushed up interest rates and made mortgages more expensive for prospective homeowners. Continue reading...

Labelled a postive first step' by the Greens, the report also recommends more support for parent groups and teacher training on attendance issuesGet our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcastSchool students would get better access to mental health care and parent support groups would get more funding under the recommendations of a Senate inquiry to address the alarming rate" of low school attendance.The Greens, who initiated the inquiry last October, welcomed the Senate's report as a positive first step" and urged the federal government to work with states and territories to immediately begin implementing its recommendations.Sign up for Guardian Australia's free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup Continue reading...

DUP MP Sammy Wilson says serious questions must be asked at highest level of PSNI amid fears over safety of officersThe head of policing in Northern Ireland has been urged to consider his position over the mass breach of officers' data, amid warnings that terrorists could use the information to carry out attacks.Sammy Wilson, a Democratic Unionist party MP, suggested Simon Byrne's future as chief constable might not be sustainable. Continue reading...

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A 26-year-old man is in hospital after officers were called to a Narwee property following reports a person had part of their finger amputated

Entain sets aside 585m potential settlement for HMRC investigation into scandal at former firm in TurkeyThe owner of Ladbrokes and Coral bookmakers has said it is close to drawing a line" under a scandal at its former Turkish business, as it sets aside 585m to settle an investigation over alleged bribery.Entain has put aside the cash in anticipation of a settlement with UK authorities, who entered negotiations over a deferred prosecution agreement with the international betting and gaming group this year. Continue reading...

Tributes to sitcom writer hailed as major comedic talent' who also worked on Changing Ends and Boy Meets GirlThe Two Doors Down creator Simon Carlyle has been hailed as brilliant, funny, mercurial and magnificent human being" after his death at the age of 48.His manager, Amanda Davis, said Carlyle, from Ayr, was a major comedic talent" known for being supportive and collaborative with other creators. Continue reading...

Patients will be able to buy two months of medicine from pharmacies for price of one, saving more than $1.6bn over four years

Since the beginning of 2023, a prolonged and bloody battle has been waged for control of a mid-sized Ukrainian city. Why is Bakhmut an inflection point, and who stands to gain from its capture? Continue reading...

Authorities say concentration of ammonia from cat urine at Hume home was so severe staff could only be exposed for 30 minutes

Platform owner appears to be reacting to public broadcaster's focus on rivals YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok

Australian lawyer and China bounty target Kevin Yam still believes it is important to pursue diplomacy with Beijing

Mohamed Bazoum has been held at the presidential palace since the coup that deposed himThe US has expressed deep concern for Niger's deposed president after his party said he and his family were running out of food and living under increasingly dire conditions.President Mohamed Bazoum, the West African nation's democratically elected leader, has been held at the presidential palace in Niamey with his wife and son since mutinous soldiers moved against him on July 26. Continue reading...

Homicide detectives say skeletal remains partially buried at Alderley apartment block belonged to Tanya Lee Glover

Hamish Ogston's donation will fund up to 2,700 apprenticeships in crafts to preserve historic buildingsA British philanthropist has given almost 29m to heritage skills training, breathing new life into dying crafts and addressing the chronic shortage of specialists who can prevent historic buildings from deteriorating beyond repair.Hamish Ogston's donation, which has been made through his charitable foundation, will be announced on Thursday. Continue reading...

Ucas tells applicants to act quickly to avoid disappointment, with A-level results due in England, Wales and Northern Ireland next weekStudents who miss out on their expected exam grades face fierce competition for university places this summer, with fewer vacancies on courses than in previous years.A week before A-level results are published in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, several popular universities are reported to be full. This means applicants who fail to meet their grade offers will need to act quickly to secure a place elsewhere, the head of the Ucas admissions service said. Continue reading...

Campaigners say absorbent alternative to tampons and sanitary towels should not be classed as garmentsMPs, retailers and charities have written to the government urging it to axe the 20% VAT on period pants, the absorbent underwear designed to be worn as an alternative to tampons and sanitary towels.Period pants are classed as garments but campaigners are asking Victoria Atkins, who as financial secretary to the Treasury is the minister responsible for VAT, to get them reclassified as period products in the chancellor's autumn statement later this year. Continue reading...

LibertyWorks, chaired by Warren Mundine, has been issued multiple requests on costs after actions against foreign influence scheme and Covid restrictions, Senate estimates hears

Analysis of trial transcripts shows prosecutors and defence still focus on conduct of victim-survivor

Auditor general's report says some regional schools rely on local retired teachers to cover staff absences, leading to lower educational outcomes

Tyrell Edwards, 19, was at the wheel in the high-speed crash that killed five students aged between 14 and 16 south-west of Sydney in September

Erin Patterson prepared the meal at her home in Leongatha that left diners with suspected death cap mushroom poisoning

Independent Kylea Tink says it looks like a soft drink, tastes like a soft drink and has the same name as a soft drink'

Study shows cost of living influencing students' choice, with fears of limiting effect on career options

British carmaker also gearing up for sales of new Eletre electric SUV under Chinese owner Geely's expansion plansThe British carmaker Lotus produced a record number of sports cars in the first half of 2023, as it gears up for a huge push behind sales of a new electric SUV under its Chinese owners' expansion plans.Lotus, which marked its 75th anniversary this year, produced 2,200 vehicles in the first six months of the year at its factory in a former second world war bomber factory at Hethel in Norfolk. Continue reading...

Genealogy site Scotland's People made available records of adoptions dating back 100 years, raising fears for breaches of privacyA genealogy website operated by the Scottish government has disclosed the names of thousands of people adopted as children.The Scotland's People site made available the records of adoptions dating back more than 100 years, records that included the adopted child's first name and new surname. While the Information Commissioner's Office has not received a formal breach report, its officials were contacted by National Records of Scotland (NRS), an official arm of the Scottish government that runs the website. Continue reading...

Rachel Reeves says Tory bond black hole will land working people with another astronomical bill'Labour has accused the government of catastrophic financial mismanagement" and claimed it has lost" 251bn from the value of assets created to rescue the banking sector after the 2008 financial crash.The party said analysis of recently published figures showed that a decline in the value of the Bank of England's assets - over which the Treasury acts as a guarantor - was a huge loss to taxpayers, equivalent to 10% of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2022, or the entire GDP of Scotland and Wales combined". Continue reading...

Candidates for the national primary elections cancelled rallies as protests roiled city of Lanus, where attack took placeThe death of an 11-year-old girl in a drive-by robbery caught on grainy security footage in Buenos Aires has shocked Argentina and prompted all major candidates to cancel their closing campaign rallies ahead of national primary elections on Sunday.Morena Dominguez was attacked by two robbers who were riding a motorcycle when she was about to arrive at school early on Wednesday morning in the Buenos Aires district of Lanus. The attackers snatched her mobile phone, and she fell to the pavement where she was left unconscious. Continue reading...

Law Society and Bar Council gravely concerned' over briefing sent to right-leaning papers calling Jacqueline McKenzie a lefty lawyer'The Law Society and Bar Council have hit out at the Conservatives' treatment of an immigration lawyer after she was the subject of a dossier sent to right-leaning newspapers.In an article for the Guardian, Jacqueline McKenzie, the head of immigration at Leigh Day and a partner at the firm, said Conservative party HQ had sent a briefing to the Daily Telegraph, the Daily Mail, the Sun and the Daily Express that was inaccurate and intended to whip up ill-feeling towards her. Continue reading...

Mohamed Bazoum has been held at the presidential palace since the coup that deposed himThe US has expressed deep concern for Niger's deposed president after his party said he and his family were running out of food and living under increasingly dire conditions.President Mohamed Bazoum, the West African nation's democratically elected leader, has been held at the presidential palace in Niamey with his wife and son since mutinous soldiers moved against him on July 26. Continue reading...

Hundreds of teenagers gathered outside JD Sports in response to Snapchat call to take part in robberyPolice have arrested nine people and issued dozens of dispersal orders after shoppers were locked inside stores on London's Oxford Street following warnings of a robbery campaign organised on social media.Hundreds of teenagers gathered outside JD Sports on the capital's busiest shopping street in an apparent response to widely shared posts on Snapchat and TikTok urging users to take part in an Oxford Circus JD robbery" at 3pm. Continue reading...

Offhand remarks by Mexican president prompt condemnation in country with soaring levels of violence against womenAndres Manuel Lopez Obrador, the Mexican president, has sparked ridicule and outrage after suggesting during a news conference that criticism leveled against him could be considered a form of gender-based violence.The comments on Wednesday touched a nerve in Mexico, where the government of Lopez Obrador has been unable to tackle soaring levels of violence against women, and where a resurgent feminist movement has become a thorn in the president's side. Continue reading...

Blaze at famous pub nine days after it was sold to new owners sparked outrage and calls for it to be rebuiltPolice have said they are treating the fire at the historic Crooked House pub as arson, although its cause is currently unknown.Staffordshire police said they believed the fire may have been started deliberately" after fire investigators said the cause could not currently be determined". Continue reading...

Kirkless local authority, hit by underfunding, price rises and extra demand on services, reports precarious financesA West Yorkshire council said it was close to going bust unless a 47m funding gap could be closed, as a growing number of local authorities warned that they were almost running out of funds.Kirklees council, which counts Huddersfield as its main town, said it could face a section 114 notice - signalling that it cannot balance its budget - in the 2024/25 financial year if the authority did not deliver required savings and minimise its expenditure this financial year. Continue reading...

The Bab al-Hawa crossing from Turkey will reopen to the UN for six months after negotiations with Assad's governmentThe United Nations is poised to resume aid deliveries into north-western Syria, an area controlled by rebels, via a crossing that has been a lifeline for the region, after aid workers said Damascus appeared to loosen terms that had led to a hiatus.Deliveries from Turkey via the Bab al-Hawa crossing stopped in July when western powers and Russia, the Syrian government's main ally, failed to agree on extending a UN security council mandate for the operation. Syria then gave unilateral approval - but on terms that the UN rejected as unacceptable. Continue reading...

Halifax, HSBC, Nationwide and TSB reduce rates, easing pressure on hard-pressed homeownersFour of Britain's biggest lenders have cut rates on their fixed mortgage deals, easing some of the pressure on hard-pressed homeowners.Halifax, part of Lloyds Banking Group - the UK's biggest mortgage lender - is reducing rates by up to 0.71 percentage points from Friday. That means a five-year fixed rate currently priced at 6.10% will be offered at a rate of 5.39%. Continue reading...

Mark Winfield said that his son Jos was left to rot' after struggling with his mental health while at Brunel University LondonA father whose undergraduate son killed himself after he fell behind with his studies has urged universities to take better care of students who are struggling with mental health issues.Jos Winfield, an undergraduate at Brunel University London, would have celebrated his 22nd birthday this Saturday, but on Fathers' day this year his parents found him dead in his bedroom at the family home in Somerset.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...

Up to seven boats landed east of Kherson city and broke through defensive lines, say Russian military bloggers