West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin on Monday defended his flirtation with a third-party presidential campaign, telling voters at a No Labels forum at St. Anselm College in New Hampshire that he had no plans to play "spoiler" in the 2024 election.

A non-governmental organisation founded by Amal and George Clooney handed over dossiers of evidence regarding Russia’s alleged war crimes in Ukraine to German federal prosecutors on Thursday. At least three cases were filed by the Clooney Foundation for Justice (CFJ) which called on the German prosecutors to investigate Russia’s actions since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. CFJ said in a statement: “The organisation submitted detailed dossiers against the perpetrators and is representing 16 survivors and families of victims.” One of the cases was filed jointly with CFJ’s partner, the Ukrainian NGO Truth Hounds. The foundation by barrister Amal Clooney and her actor husband George Clooney advocates for justice through accountability for human rights abuses around the world. The CFJ clarified that it submitted its plea in Germany due to the country’s application of “absolute universal jurisdiction”. German law allows the initiation of criminal investigations for international crimes committed outside of Germany, irrespective of the victims’ or perpetrators’ nationality or any other association with Germany. “International commitment around accountability for crimes committed in Ukraine has been unprecedented since the beginning of the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine,” said Anya Neistat, legal director of The Docket – a CJF initiative to collect evidence and build war crimes cases. “But it is now the time to see words turn into real action – and we are counting on German prosecutors to lead the way.” The CFJ said all three cases were filed “against high and mid-level commanders whom the Docket identified as likely suspects”. “The first case concerns an indiscriminate missile attack on a resort in the Odessa region, which in the summer of 2022 killed 22 civilians and seriously injured 40 more. The Docket is representing 11 families of victims and survivors,” the statement said. The second case is focused on the commanders of Russian ground forces who “unlawfully detained, tortured, and executed four men in the Kharkiv region during their occupation of the area from March to September 2022”. The third case identified the commanders of Russian units “involved in a pattern of crimes, including executions, torture, sexual violence, looting and other violations committed during the occupation in the Kyiv region in March 2022”. “While Ukrainian law enforcement agencies are doing their best to cover the unprecedented scale of war crimes committed in the country, they are overloaded and have limited options under Ukrainian law for pursuing the commanders and masterminds of the crimes,” Maryna Slobodianiuk, the head of Investigations Department of Truth Hounds, said. “We believe that by opening these proceedings, Germany can significantly contribute to the efforts of ensuring justice for all Ukrainian survivors”. “We represent survivors of torture, as well as families of people who had been executed or killed in indiscriminate attacks,” said Ms Neistat. “These Ukrainian civilians have suffered unthinkable violence, but now they are no longer victims – they chose to fight for justice, and we will be with them every step of the way.” Read More European rallies urge end to antisemitism as pro-Palestinian demonstrations continue worldwide CEO of a prominent tech conference resigns amid backlash for public statements over Israel-Hamas war How international law applies to war, and why Hamas and Israel are both alleged to have broken it UK could be legally complicit in Gaza war crimes, senior Tory MP warns Rishi Sunak Experts say Hamas and Israel are committing war crimes in their fight Putin makes first trip abroad since international arrest warrant issued

Back-to-school shopping can create a hole in parents’ budgets at the best of times, but with a cost-of-living squeeze in full swing, money is particularly tight this year. At a time when every cutback counts, here are some ways to save some money on the costs that will earn you top marks for effort. 1. Check what you have This can be particularly useful if you have more than one child and need to pass items down. When sorting clothing, create piles of those that are in good condition, those that need repairs, and items that are beyond salvaging. Alice Haine, a personal finance analyst at investment platform Bestinvest, says: “Carry out a full audit to see what uniform, stationery items, lunchboxes and water bottles you already have. “You may find unused items still in pristine condition at the back of a cupboard, or used items that are good to go for a second or third academic year – after all, you only want to buy new if you have to.” 2. Create a ‘sell’ pile Haine suggests: “If your child has outgrown some of their uniform, sell them on Facebook Marketplace or WhatsApp groups, and use the cash to buy new items.” Vinted is worth a try, too. 3. List everything you need Once you’ve sorted through everything, make a list of the items you need to acquire. If you have a clear idea, you’re less likely to waste money doubling up, plus, you can buy what’s needed as and when you spot special offers. Depending on your circumstances, it may also be worth checking your government website for grants which could help with school uniform costs. 4. Be clear on school rules You could end up wasting your money if you buy items which don’t match school policies. Haine says: “If you are heading to a new school, check the uniform policy before you buy. Some schools may demand a certain style or colour.” 5. Team up with parents for ‘bulk buys’ “Some multipack prices may seem like great deals, but you might not need four items, so team up with a fellow parent to share the cost,” says Haine. 6. Remember that the cheapest price isn’t always the best value “When it comes to shoes, it can pay to go for a slightly better brand,” suggests Haine. “Cheap shoes can have a short shelf-life when you consider how much they get battered at school. Keep the receipt, because if shoes do fall apart over a short period of time, some stores may replace them with a new pair.” 7. Make sure there’s ‘growing room’ “Always go a size up if your child is still growing, especially on the pricier items, such as blazers, to ensure you get the most out of the investment,” says Haine. “Some brands even sell trousers with a grow-proof hem that can be let down and pressed with an iron, to ensure clothes last longer.” 8. Go refurbished Abigail Yearley, a spokesperson for website TopCashback.co.uk, says: “There are plenty of trustworthy and reliable sites that sell second-hand or refurbished tech, which works as good as new. Just make sure it comes with good warranty before buying.” You may also be able to buy refurbished devices directly from the manufacturer, she says. 9. Look out for second-hand items Check the school’s website for information on buying second-hand uniforms. “Many schools offer a pre-loved uniform service, so checking if that’s available to you should be the first point of action,” suggests Yearley. “If that’s not an option, check on the parents’ group chat if anyone is looking to give away or swap items they no longer need. It’s also worth scouting out Facebook Marketplace and popping into your local charity shops.” 10. Compare prices online Browsing online is a fast way to research and compare prices. Websites such as TopCashback can also help people to get some cashback on purchases from brands such as Clarks, Wilko and Dell, for example. 11. Look out for supermarket staples Tesco, for example, is running a discount deal on selected stationery and lunchtime essentials for its Clubcard members, until September 7, subject to availability. Yearley says: “All the big supermarkets tend to run back-to-school events during the summer months, so make sure you keep an eye out for them. “It’s especially worth checking out discount supermarkets like Aldi, as their back-to-school events are known for bargain prices. “Even if you’ve missed the special event, it’s worth checking their middle aisle, as often you’ll find things like stationery and lunchboxes, which are still cheaper than buying elsewhere.” 12. Get something back for donating M&S has expanded its ‘shwopping’ scheme, with dedicated school uniform shwopping boxes in over 200 stores, to encourage families to donate pre-loved school uniform, to be resold in Oxfam and through a pilot shop with eBay. As a thank you for shwopping school uniform, M&S Sparks customers can receive 20% off selected kids clothing from the retailer. Similarly, if last year’s school shoes are now a battered pair of Kickers, you can recycle them through their Reskinned initiative, which will also get you £15 towards a pair for the new school year. And Schuh offer a £5 voucher for every pair of unwanted shoes you donate, as part of their Sell Your Soles scheme. All these savings really do add up. Read More How to help your child make friends at secondary school Parents should already start getting their kids ready to go back to school, according to research Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

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