By David Milliken LONDON British retail sales rose more than expected in June, boosted by unusually hot weather

Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska has issued a sobering warning to the world as the conflict enters its 18 month, in an exclusive interview with Independent TV. Speaking from the command centre in Kyiv, Ms Zelenska warned that her country is in desperate need of “faster” support to enable it to fight Vladimir Putin’s troops. “We keep hearing from our Western partners that they will be with us as long as it takes. ‘Long’ is not the word we should use. We should use the word ‘faster’,” she told Independent TV. “Ukrainians are paying for this war with the lives of our compatriots. The rest of the world pays with its resources. These are incomparable things, so we urge you to speed up this help,” she added. A comedy screenwriter and the childhood sweetheart of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, Ms Zelenska gave up her day job to become an ambassador for Ukraine after Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. Founding the Olena Zelenska Foundation in September 2022, the organisation’s work is wide-ranging, encompassing everything from reconstructing hospitals to supporting those suffering with their mental health. Read More If Russia wins now it’s the worst-case scenario for humanity, warns Ukraine’s first lady Olena Zelenska From the command centre in Kyiv, Olena Zelenska’s urgent plea to help her nation as war rages around her What Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska wants the world to know Russian guards ‘using torture and genital electrocution on Ukrainian prisoners’ – investigators

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Its third year saw the Bristol idea expand across the UK, and in India, Papua New Guinea and the US.

Linn Grant missed a chance to become the second LPGA Tour player to break 60

YouTube parenting influncer Ruby Franke and her business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt, were supposed to appear in court in St George, Utah on Friday afternoon over child abuse charges, but the proceeding was delayed as tech issues plagued the virtual hearing. Both women were ordered to be held without bail; their bond hearings are slated for 21 September. Ms Franke has reportedly been relocated to the medical unit of the jail, but the reasons for her move are unclear. Over 1,000 people tuned into the hearing and after a cacophony of bizarre noises and pleas to be quiet, the court shut down public access. It transpired later the Zoom link had been shared on TikTok. The pair were arrested on 30 August after Ms Franke’s 12-year-old son climbed out of a window and pleaded for neighbors to give him food and water, court documents showed. After a neighbor noticed that duct tape covering the boy’s ankles and wrists, prompting the neighbor to notify law enforcement. In a chilling 911 call, the neighbor can be heard describing the boy: “He is emaciated. He’s got tape around his legs. He’s hungry and he’s thirsty.”

German Finance Minister Christian Lindner said further financing of support for Ukraine should be separate from the European

Ohio voters rejected a proposal that would have made it more difficult for voters to amend the state constitution, including one measure set for the November ballot that would guarantee abortion rights in the state

The return of striking United Auto Workers to vehicle assembly lines is seen driving a pickup in November

In a pro-Palestine rally, Russell Rickford claimed that many Palestinians were able to 'breathe for the first time in years' during the Hamas attack

The Ryder Cup is finally here and it didn't take long to be reminded how raucous it is

New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu electrified the crowd by scoring a record 37 of a possible 40 points to easily win the 3-point shooting contest at the WNBA All-Star Game