German chancellor downplays US military drawbacks and president’s barbs in TV interview

The German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, has said he will not give up on working with the US president, Donald Trump, despite a spat between the leaders over the war in Iran.

“I am not giving up on working on the transatlantic relationship,” Merz told the public broadcaster ARD in an interview due to air on Sunday night. “Nor am I giving up on working with Donald Trump.”

Further three people taken ill, including 69-year-old Briton reported to be in intensive care in South Africa

Three 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.

Proposal includes cutbacks for three years as negotiations over future of shrinking reservoirs have been unsuccessful

The 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.

Group broke through locked door in Manhattan, damaging property and injuring a staff member, church says

A 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.

Sabine Mairey, who was arrested on Thursday over social media posts, pictured with party activists in Clapham

A Green council candidate arrested this week over alleged antisemitic social media posts has been seen canvassing subsequently alongside other party members, prompting Labour to say it showed the issue was not being taken seriously by Zack Polanski’s party.

Sabine Mairey was one of two Green candidates in Lambeth, south London, arrested by the Metropolitan police on Thursday morning.

Disapproval rose to 62%, the worst of his two terms in office, amid economic issues since launching his war against Iran

Six 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.

About 200 firefighters responded to devastating blaze at University of South Florida’s lab on Saturday

Officials 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.

Jon Jackson was scheduled to fly his last flight on Saturday when Spirit ceased operations – Southwest staff stepped in

A 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.

Kaela Berg is running in a crowded field with a pro-union message and a vow to protect the state’s immigrants

When 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.

As major parties once again spruik budget night events at thousands of dollars a ticket, some MPs say they resent the ritzy social galas

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They’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.

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 inflation

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One 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

PM’s attendance at European Political Community meeting in Yerevan seen as part of effort to build new ties after US rupture

Canada is to become the first non-European country to attend a meeting of the European Political Community when the prime minister, Mark Carney, joins Monday’s summit of the 48-plus nation grouping in Yerevan, Armenia.

Carney has said he is determined to build a new network of trade and diplomatic alliances after the loss of US markets under Donald Trump. His presence will also represent a show of western support for Armenia in its efforts to distance itself from Russia at a time when Washington’s approach to Moscow’s opponents, such as Ukraine, is at best ambiguous. Canadian diplomats have rejected suggestions Ottawa might seek EU membership.