Ukrainian forces have claimed their first successes in a long-anticipated counteroffensive, as they recaptured three villages from Russian forces in the southeast of the country on Sunday. If confirmed it would mean the first week of its pushback against Moscow ended in tangible territorial gains for Ukraine. Unverified footage showed Kyiv’s forces hoisting the Ukrainian flag at a building in the village of Blahodatne in Donetsk region and posing with their unit’s flag in the adjacent village of Neskuchne. The troops also reportedly retook Makarivka, the next village to the south, and advanced between 300m and 1,500m in two directions on the southern front, deputy defence minister Hanna Maliar said in a statement. Success has also been seen in the Bakhmut direction, the minister said. Volodymyr Zelensky praised Ukrainian troops last night and said: “Of course, I am thankful to our soldiers for this day”. The long-expected counteroffensive was indirectly confirmed by Vladimir Putin on Friday, who said that a Ukrainian military push was underway, but had failed to breach Russian defensive lines and taken heavy casualties. Read More Ukraine claims first successes of counteroffensive as it recaptures three villages Ukraine's dam collapse is both a fast-moving disaster and a slow-moving ecological catastrophe Musician Travis Leake spoke up about freedom of speech in Russia with Anthony Bourdain in 2014. Now he’s been detained

Sometimes it seems like it has to be on purpose. Google, a company known for

Galatasaray scored twice from the 86th minute to salvage a 2-2 draw with 10-man FC Copenhagen in a Champions League group where they are outsiders up against Bayern Munich and Manchester United

Caroline Polachek is too poorly to take to the stage, a statement by The 1975 read.

Roberto Mancini agreed a new five-year contract with Manchester City on this day in 2012. However, just 10 months later the City dream had soured and the title-winning manager wound up being sacked. The Italian manager took charge at the Etihad Stadium in 2009 and helped accelerate the club’s revolution under owner Sheikh Mansour. Mancini was rewarded with a long-term new deal after steering City to their first top-flight title in 68 years, when the Manchester side won the 2011-12 Premier League. Sergio Aguero’s last-ditch winner toppled QPR and saw City edge out rivals and neighbours Manchester United to claim the league crown. Mancini replaced Mark Hughes in December 2009, leading his side to the 2011 FA Cup before swiping the English championship a year later. “I am delighted to be able to give all of my efforts to Manchester City for a further five years,” said Mancini on completing his new extended deal. “The opportunity which exists to build on our recent success is enormous.” Sadly for Mancini, that enormous opportunity for City did not extend to him for much longer. City lost the 2013 FA Cup final 1-0 to Wigan, with the Latics suffering Premier League relegation to sit alongside their cup glory. That proved the final straw for City’s owners, after United had already sewn up the Premier League title with two games to play. Mancini was unseated by City on May 13, 2013 – just two days after that FA Cup final defeat. Assistant Brian Kidd took charge for the final two league games, with United eventually ending with an 11-point margin on second-placed City. Mancini would move on to further club management roles with Galatasaray, Inter Milan and Zenit St Petersburg before claiming Euro 2020 glory as Italy coach. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Day four of third Ashes Test: England chasing 251 for victory at Headingley Wimbledon set for first Ukraine-Belarus clash of this year’s tournament Nasa Hataoka defies Pebble Beach conditions to seize US Women’s Open lead

A disciplinary committee in Washington DC has recommended Rudy Giuliani be disbarred in the nation’s capital for his spurious efforts to overturn the results for the 2020 presidential election on behalf of Donald Trump. Mr Giuliani had “no factual basis, and consequently no legitimate legal grounds” to challenge the results of the election in states that Mr Trump lost, while his “frivolous” pursuit to undermine the outcome and disenfranchise voters “seriously undermined the administration of justice,” according to the committee’s report. “He claimed massive election fraud but had no evidence of it,” the committee wrote on 7 July. “By prosecuting that destructive case Mr Giuliani, a sworn officer of the Court, forfeited his right to practice law. He should be disbarred.” The preliminary report from a committee with the DC Bar Association, which follows a misconduct hearing in December, is not final; his case will be considered by DC’s Board on Professional Responsibility and by the DC court of appeals. Mr Giuliani – who repeatedly and baselessly asserted that the election was fraudulent while pushing lawsuits to subvert the outcome in states that Mr Trump lost – is facing other professional sanctions, investigations and lawsuits tied to his efforts to overturn election results and sow doubt about the outcome of the 2020 election. The latest report specifically criticises Mr Giuliani’s “calculated” attempts to undermine trust in US elections, after he falsely stated in a federal court in Pennsylvania that fraudulent election results in the state would overturn Joe Biden’s victory. “Mr Giuliani has not acknowledged or accepted responsibility for his misconduct,” the committee wrote. “To the contrary, he has declared his indignation ... over being subjected to the disciplinary process. ... We are convinced that a sanction must be enhanced to ensure that it adequately deters both [Mr Giuliani] and other attorneys from acting similarly in the future.” The committee, composed of two attorneys and a member of the public, which unanimously recommended his disbarment, considered “in mitigation” Mr Giuliani’s previous work – including his terms as mayor of New York City, including during the chaos of the September 11 attacks and their aftermath. “But all of that happened long ago,” the report stated. “The misconduct here sadly transcends all his past accomplishments. It was unparalleled in its destructive purpose and effect. He sought to disrupt a presidential election and persists in his refusal to acknowledge the wrong he has done,” the committee added. “For these reasons, we unanimously recommend that Mr Giuliani be disbarred.” Ted Goodman, a spokesperson for Mr Giuliani, said in a statement shared with The Independent that the committee is “persecuting” the former mayor “on behalf of the permanent corrupt regime in Washington.” “This is also part of a larger effort to deny President Trump effective counsel by persecuting Mayor Giuliani – objectively one of the most effective prosecutors in American history,” he added. “I call on rank-and-file members of the DC Bar Association to speak up in defense of Mayor Giuliani and against this great injustice.” Mr Giuliani’s law license was suspended in New York in 2021 for “demonstrably false and misleading statements” surrounding the election. Voting machine company Dominion Voting Systems also filed defamation lawsuits against Mr Giuliani as well as Trump-allied attorney Sidney Powell, conspiracy theorist Mike Lindell and Fox News for amplifying false claims that the company argues have severely damaged its reputation, compromised integrity in US elections and fuelled harassment and death threats against its employees. Mr Giuliani also is wrapped up in a lawsuit filed by Georgia election workers who have accused right-wing conspiracy theorists of fuelling threats against them. The former mayor of New York City also could face federal charges connected to a sprawling investigation under US Department of Justice special counsel Jack Smith into the dubious and far-reaching efforts to undermine election results leading up to the attack on the US Capitol on January 6. Mr Giuliani reportedly participated in a voluntary interview with prosecutors working under the supervision of Mr Smith, a meeting that Mr Goodman told The Independent last month “was entirely voluntary and conducted in a professional manner,” though he declined to elaborate on the current status of Mr Giuliani’s discussions with the Justice Department. Read More Rudy Giuliani grilled by prosecutors about 'shouting match' in fight to overturn election Ex-Trump aide reportedly joins Giuliani in cooperating with special counsel in 2020 election probe The Trumpworld attorneys facing professional sanctions over spurious lawsuits and election lies

Full list of FIFA 23 Community Team of the Season leaks from FutSheriff.

Brazilian pop star Anitta has recalled having X-rated objects thrown at her on stage.

The 35-year-old suspect allegedly downloaded large amounts of data before fleeing to China.

Everything you need to know about the Week 5 matchup between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Buffalo Bills in London.

The NFL says Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder sexually harassed a team employee and oversaw team executives who deliberately withheld millions of dollars in revenue from other clubs

Brighton's CEO reveals the latest on Moises Caicedo's future and Chelsea's transfer bid to sign him.