Evening briefing: Today's essential headlines
BA strikes | British Airways pilots are clamouring for a ballot on strike action after airline chiefs rejected demands for a new pay deal. Under growing pressure from members, the pilots union Balpa is preparing to threaten industrial action after a wave of ballots secured wage increases for check-in and baggage staff - and a walkout could come as soon.
- Archie Battersbee | Doctors can lawfully stop providing life-support
- Lily-Mai Saint George | Mother found guilty of infanticide
- Myanmar junta | Former rapper among four executed
- Eurovision | UK to host 2023 contest in place of Ukraine
- 'Uncombable Hair Syndrome' | Toddler one of only 100 in the world
The big story: Johnson could serve in Truss Cabinet
Liz Truss will be hoping to build on her momentum in the Tory leadership race ahead of a key televised clash with Rishi Sunak tonight.
The questions in the hour-long head-to-head programme will no doubt focus on plans for tax, boosting the economy and fixing the NHS.
Yet when the final two were confirmed just five days ago, few would have thought one of the talking points ahead of the debate would be the future role of the man they are vying to replace.
Now a minister and close ally of Liz Truss has indicated Boris Johnson could serve in her Cabinet.
James Cleverly, the Education Secretary, said Mr Johnson is an "incredibly talented politician" and did not rule out the possibility of him making a return to the front bench.
Christopher Hope examines what Mr Johnson's long, hard road to political redemption could look like.
The TV debate - Britain's Next Prime Minister - will be shown on BBC One, starting at 9pm.
You can follow the reaction and analysis of the debate in our live blog.
The candidates have a programme of hustings lined up over the summer campaign but Ms Truss will not agree to a televised interview with Andrew Neil despite Mr Sunak signing up for a grilling, allies of the Foreign Secretary have told the Telegraph.
Mr Sunak has agreed to be interviewed by Mr Neil in a special Tory leadership programme which will be broadcast on Channel 4 on Friday evening.
As it emerged Ms Truss would not take part, Mr Sunak could not resist the chance to poke fun at his leadership rival on Twitter.
Eligible Conservative Party members are invited to join Camilla Tominey at our unmissable hustings event. Here are the details.
Starmer's U-turn
Sir Keir Starmer used a speech in Liverpool today to hit out at the "Thatcherite cosplay" of the Tory leadership contest.
The Labour leader criticised "magic money tree economics" and pledged to pursue a relentless focus on growth if he wins the next election.
Yet he is facing a backlash from Left-wing MPs and union barons after shelving his commitment to renationalise swathes of the British economy, including rail and utilities.
Rachel Reeves, the shadow chancellor, confirmed the party leadership has formally abandoned its pledge to bring those sectors back into public ownership.
Tom Harris says the more Labour's leader annoys Corbynistas, the better for his electoral prospects.
Death threats
It is a very sad fact that MPs are often faced with horrific threats.
It is awful to report that Penny Mordaunt, the beaten Tory leadership candidate, has had her security bolstered after she received a letter threatening to "shoot her in the head" and "kill her family" if she did not quit as an MP during her race to become the next prime minister.
The message is being investigated by detectives after it was sent to the Portsmouth North MP during the final days of her campaign to become Conservative Party leader. There is never any place for this, ever.
Comment and analysis
- Tim Stanley | Kemi Badenoch is the future of conservatism
- Ross Clark | Travel chaos at Dover has its upsides
- Heather Barr | We should be outraged at sentence to death by stoning
- Andrew Orlowski | Xi can cripple Western manufacturing with click
- Lucy Burton | Embittered boomerang workers will poison office life
World news: China abandons investment in Russia
China has not funded any new infrastructure projects in Russia for months as Beijing focuses its attention on preventing a financial crisis at home. Read how financing has been cut in a blow to Vladimir Putin. In Ukraine, US-supplied High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (Himars) have destroyed at least 50 Russian ammunition depots in less than a month on the battlefield, the country''s Defence Minister said. Himars have been credited for stalling Moscow's advance through the Donbas. Our live blog has the latest. Away from the front line, more than 200 people took part in a techno rave in a bombed-out building in northern Ukraine as part of a clean up effort in the region. Meanwhile, Russia's invasion of Ukraine has prompted Taiwanese citizens to prepare for a conflict with China that many people fear is on the horizon. Read the inside story on the weapons bootcamp preparing for an invasion.
Monday big-read
The simple health test that could be the key to saving the NHS
Gene screening could help alleviate the burden on the health service. But at what cost? Harry de Quetteville investigates
Sport briefing: Institutional racism in Scottish cricket
A damning review into Scottish cricket has confirmed nearly 450 examples of institutional racism, with 68 individual concerns passed on for further investigation after allegations were made against individuals, clubs and a regional association. An independent review has resulted in Cricket Scotland being placed under “special measures” until October 2023. Scyld Berry argues the ECB would be wise not to ignore embarrassing shortcomings of Cricket Scotland. On a more positive note, Gary Anderson has offered an excellent insight into how George Russell outsmarted Sergio Perez to seal a Mercedes double-podium at the French Grand Prix. After her silver at the World Championships, read how Keely Hodgkinson went from talented swimmer to 800m star.
Editor's choice
- Europe's blandest towns | Why everyone should visit them now
- Money Makeover | 'I have a £1.4m pension – how do I retire early and not pay any tax?'
- Marriage Diaries | I hate dressing up to please my husband
Business briefing: Eutelsat shares hit by OneWeb talks
Eutelsat shares plunged 17pc today as French investors baulked at a potential takeover of British taxpayer-backed satellite company OneWeb. Executives at Eutelsat confirmed merger talks were ongoing that would see OneWeb shareholders, which include the UK Government after it was bailed out by Boris Johnson, issued shares in the Paris-listed company. OneWeb, which the taxpayer rescued in 2020 at the urging of the Prime Minister's then-aide Dominic Cummings, is building a network of hundreds of broadband satellites as part of an effort to rival Elon Musk’s Starlink. However, launching and operating OneWeb's constellation has been beset by a series of delays.
Tonight starts now
101 Dalmatians | This long delayed musical update of the Dodie Smith canine classic contains a jaunty mix of folk, jazz and rock, although barely a single melody that sticks in the ear. That it is played live on stage with foot tapping panache by an exuberant troupe of actor musicians sporting fiddles and guitars somehow means this matters less than it should. Claire Allfree reviews the show at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre that is a bit of a dog’s dinner, but a very tasty one.
Three things for you
- Watch | Neighbours: The Final Week, Channel 5, 1.45pm/6pm all week
- Read | Why White Liberals Fail: how Democrats lost the Deep South
- PlusWord | Try the Telegraph's exciting puzzle game for free
And finally... for this evening's downtime
Make your house look more cheerful | From shell grottoes to wrapping bathtubs in fabric, a bit of imagination will turn your space into a happy place. Here are nine easy things you can do.
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