Merz ‘not giving up on working with Trump’ despite Iran war spat

Further three people taken ill, including 69-year-old Briton reported to be in intensive care in South AfricaThree people have died after a suspected hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship sailing in the Atlantic.One case of hantavirus infection had been confirmed and there were five additional suspected cases, the World Health Organization told Agence France-Presse on Sunday. Continue reading...

Proposal includes cutbacks for three years as negotiations over future of shrinking reservoirs have been unsuccessfulThe states of California, Arizona and Nevada have proposed voluntary water-saving measures for the next three years aimed at buying time while negotiations remain deadlocked over the future of shrinking reservoirs filled by the Colorado River.The Colorado River provides water to some 40 million people in the American west. But the two massive reservoirs filled by the river, Lake Mead and Lake Powell, both stand at historically low levels, after consistent overdrawing coupled with reduced snowpack and warming from climate change. Continue reading...

Group broke through locked door in Manhattan, damaging property and injuring a staff member, church saysA group of youths forced their way into a Scientology church in New York on Saturday in the latest in a string of nationwide “speed running” incidents that have gone viral on social media in recent weeks.The group broke through a locked door to gain entry to the Church of Scientology on West 36th Street in Manhattan, throwing objects, damaging the property and injuring a staff member as worshippers and visitors attended a seminar, the church said in a statement to the Guardian. Continue reading...

Sabine Mairey, who was arrested on Thursday over social media posts, pictured with party activists in ClaphamA Green council candidate arrested this week over alleged antisemitic social media posts has been seen canvassing subsequently alongside other party members, with Labour saying it showed the issue was not being taken seriously by Zack Polanski’s party.Sabine Mairey was among two Green candidates in Lambeth, south London, arrested by the Metropolitan police on Thursday morning. Continue reading...

Disapproval rose to 62%, the worst of his two terms in office, amid economic issues since launching his war against IranSix months out from November’s midterm US elections, Donald Trump’s disapproval rating has reached 62% – the worst of his two terms in office – according to a new Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll.The US president received his worst ratings on the cost of living and other economic issues since launching his deeply unpopular war against Iran in February, which has plunged the global economy into an oil crisis and sent gas prices rocketing to a four-year high. Continue reading...

About 200 firefighters responded to devastating blaze at University of South Florida’s lab on SaturdayOfficials are investigating whether a huge fire that destroyed a top marine science laboratory at the University of South Florida may have been caused by a lightning strike.Despite a massive response from local fire crews the Marine Science Laboratory building was completely destroyed after the blaze began on Saturday. Continue reading...

Former FBI director indicted in connection with seashell photo as some Trump allies skeptical of news chargesThe acting US attorney general, Todd Blanche, on Sunday defended new criminal charges filed against former FBI head James Comey, insisting that the case was based on more than just an Instagram post from last year.The Department of Justice announced a two-count felony indictment against Comey on Tuesday, charging him in connection with a picture he posted on Instagram last May. Continue reading...

Southwest staff organized water cannon salute when aircraft arrived and Jon Jackson was met with cheers and applauseA Spirit Airlines pilot was given an emotional send-off into retirement by another airline after what was supposed to be his final flight was canceled amid Spirit’s sudden collapse on Saturday.Jon Jackson had been scheduled to fly his final flight into Baltimore-Washington international airport on Saturday when the low-cost airline ceased operations after running out of cash and rescue talks with the Trump administration failed. Continue reading...

As major parties once again spruik budget night events at thousands of dollars a ticket, some MPs say they resent the ritzy social galasGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThey’re dismissed as boring, little more than a “selfie” opportunity for economy nerds – or even labelled a threat to democracy.But as budget week approaches, the major parties are once again spruiking fundraising dinners and drinks for their most loyal followers – and slugging them for thousands of dollars. Continue reading...

While interest rate rises can’t affect the surging price of oil caused by Middle East turmoil, they are still the Reserve Bank’s best – and only – tool to fight inflationFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastOne economist is calling it the “Hormuz hike”.There’s a nearly 80% chance that the Reserve Bank will deliver a third straight interest rate rise on Tuesday, according to financial markets.Patrick Commins is Guardian Australia’s economics editor Continue reading...

Kaela Berg is running in a crowded field with a pro-union message and a vow to protect the state’s immigrantsWhen the Minnesota state legislature is not in session, Kaela Berg is working in the skies.Berg has spent the last six years doubling as a state legislator and a flight attendant, taking shifts when the legislature is on break. Continue reading...