State media says illegally placed construction material on the gymnasium's roof was behind collapseEleven people were killed after the concrete roof of a school gymnasium collapsed in China's Qiqihar city - many of them believed to be young female volleyball players - with authorities saying the illegal stacking of materials on the roof may have caused the cave in.The collapse at the No. 34 Middle School in Longsha District in Qiqihar, located in the north-east Heilongjiang province, was reported in the early afternoon on Sunday, but the last remaining person wasn't pulled out of the rubble until Monday morning. Continue reading...
In today's newsletter: The country's conservative parties were meant to romp to victory in snap elections, but with 100% of the vote counted, neither the left or right blocs have secured a majority Sign up here for our daily newsletter, First EditionGood morning.A few days ago it seemed a foregone conclusion that a coalition of rightwing parties were going to win Spain's snap elections. A huge majority was not a guarantee, but most of the polls were in their favour. Election night, however, told a different story.Health | Most NHS staff think they have too little time to help patients and the quality of care the service provides is falling, a survey reveals. Medical and nursing groups said the very worrying" findings showed that hard-pressed staff cannot give patients as much attention as they would like because they are so busy.Environment | Firefighters in Greece were struggling to contain 82 wildfires burning across the country, 64 of which started on Sunday, the hottest day of the summer so far. As well as huge blazes on the island of Rhodes, which forced 19,000 to flee, wildfires also broke out on the islands of Evia and Corfu. Travel firms and airlines are now being urged to reimburse passengers who decide against flying to Rhodes.Politics | Rishi Sunak is being urged by senior Conservatives to go for a spring election next year, with the plan said to be gaining traction" among campaign strategists who believe it may be their best chance to stem losses.Nigel Farage | Britain's biggest banks will be summoned to a meeting with the City minister, as he raised significant concern" over the recent closure of Nigel Farage's bank account with Coutts. Andrew Griffith will send a letter to the bosses of 19 banks including Barclays, Lloyds and NatWest to warn the government is prepared to take the action necessary" to protect freedom of speech.Cinema | Vue cinema chain has reported its biggest weekend for UK cinema ticket sales since before the pandemic, thanks to the success of Barbie and Oppenheimer at the box office. The chain said a fifth of its customers had bought tickets to see both films in a double bill. Continue reading...
Ambulance service allegedly kept information about patients that died hidden from coronerAn ambulance trust accused of hiding information from a coroner about patients that died is keeping a damning internal report about the deaths secret, the Guardian can reveal. A consultant paramedic implicated in the alleged cover-ups continues to be involved in decisions to keep the report from the public.Earlier this month, North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) apologised to relatives after a review into claims it covered up errors by paramedics and withheld evidence from the local coroner about the deceased patients. But a bereaved family left in the dark about mistakes made before their daughter's death have rejected the apology.In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org. Continue reading...
Barbie made $377m while Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer took home $174m, making Barbenheimer' biggest box office weekend of 2023 so farGreta Gerwig has made history as Barbie scored a US$377m (293m, A$560m) opening weekend around the world, making it the biggest debut ever for a film directed by a woman.At the North American box office - combining the US and Canada - Barbie claimed top spot with a massive $155m in ticket sales from 4,243 locations, surpassing The Super Mario Bros Movie and every Marvel film released this year to become the biggest opening of the year. Continue reading...
Comments by CDU leader Friedrich Merz could see erosion of political firewall' separating conservatives and far rightThe leader of Germany's centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) has said his party is willing to cooperate with the far-right Alternative fur Deutschland (AfD) at a local political level, triggering cries of protest from his own party and raising concerns about the firewall between German conservatives and the far right.In an interview with state broadcaster ZDF on Sunday, CDU leader Friedrich Merz categorically ruled out joining a coalition with the AfD at a national level but said such a taboo should not apply to local politics. Continue reading...
Conservative People's party and prime minister Pedro Sanchez's Socialists both declare victory, with weeks of negotiations likely aheadSpain's opposition conservative party secured the most number of seats in national elections but looked unlikely to secure a coalition rightwing majority after a vote that had raised fears of the far right entering government for the first time since the country returned to democracy after General Franco's death five decades ago.Although the polls had consistently predicted that the opposition conservative People's party (PP) would cruise past the Spanish Socialist Workers party (PSOE) to secure an emphatic win in Sunday's election, early results quickly established that the race was going to be much tighter. Continue reading...
by Seán Clarke, Antonio Voce and Pablo Gutiérrez on (#6D77X)
Voters in Spain today went to the polls for a snap general election, called by the Socialist prime minister Pedro Sanchez. His main rivals, the People's party, may only be able to form a government in coalition with the far-right Vox. Follow the results as the count progresses hereLatest news and reaction - live blog Continue reading...
Pedro Sanchez said Sunday's election was a binary choice between left and right and could affect balances within Europe'The last time Spain went to the polls - in November 2019 - the cover of the satirical magazine El Jueves showed a manic and sweating Pedro Sanchez hunched over a fruit machine, desperately hoping that his gamble of calling the second general election of the year would pay off. It did.Four years later, however, the stakes were even higher for Spain's socialist prime minister, for his country - and for Europe. Sanchez, a politician known for his willingness to take chances, surprised everyone at the end of May when he reacted to his party's poor showing in regional and local elections by calling a snap general election. Continue reading...
by Josh Halliday North of England correspondent on (#6D6YJ)
Travel companies cancel holidays to Greek island as holidaymakers describe scenes of chaos on beachesBritish tourists said they had been left in a living nightmare" after wildfires caused the emergency evacuation of 19,000 people on the Greek island of Rhodes.More than 3,000 people were rescued from beaches and another 16,000 taken to safety on land as flames intensified in the south-eastern region of the island on Saturday. Continue reading...
Consumer group says it is aware of rules that could mean its employees in Russia are sent to war in UkraineThe consumer group Unilever, which owns brands including Cornetto ice-cream and Dove soap, has said it will comply with Russian conscription law, meaning its Russian employees could be sent to war in Ukraine if called up.The Anglo-Dutch group, whose products also include Marmite spread and Magnum ice-creams, is facing controversy over its decision to remain operating in Russia, where it employs about 3,000 workers across four manufacturing sites, producing mainly personal care and hygiene products, but also ice-cream. Continue reading...
by Aubrey Allegretti Senior political correspondent on (#6D764)
Andrew Griffith raises significant concern' after Coutts judged ex-Ukip leader did not align' with its valuesBritain's biggest banks will be summoned to a meeting with the City minister after he raised significant concern" over the recent closure of Nigel Farage's bank account with Coutts.Andrew Griffith will send a letter on Monday to the bosses of 19 banks including Barclays, Lloyds and NatWest to warn the government is prepared to take the action necessary" to protect freedom of speech. Continue reading...
BMA committee chair says he fears pay erosion is creating risk of a two-tier health service similar to dentistryA doctors' leader has warned that consultants will not back down in their pay dispute and warned of further strikes next month unless the government offers meaningful talks" on a settlement.Vishal Sharma, chair of the British Medical Association's consultants committee, said the NHS was at a tipping point", with many senior doctors considering quitting over healthcare failures and the erosion of their pay. He said there was a risk of a two-tier service emerging similar to the one in NHS dentistry, with patients going private to avoid long waits. Continue reading...
A key pipeline to the southern Ukrainian port city was hit by a missile early in the invasion, but for now people are managing to keep vital services running
William Majcher accused of obtaining intelligence or services to benefit People's Republic of China'A retired police officer in Canada has been arrested and is facing rare charges under the country's national security laws, police said on Friday.William Majcher, 60, allegedly used his knowledge and his extensive network of contacts in Canada to obtain intelligence or services to benefit the People's Republic of China," the Royal Canadian Mounted police said in a news release. Continue reading...
Johnny Mercer had mocked 25-year-old Keir Mather's lack of real-world experience after he won the Selby and Ainsty byelectionSir Keir Starmer has called the government minister Johnny Mercer a silly sod" who will soon be history" in politics after he compared Labour's new 25-year-old MP to a character from the teen sitcom The Inbetweeners.The minister for veterans' affairs said Keir Mather had been dropped into" the Selby and Ainsty constituency and was an identikit Labour politician". Earlier he had said: [Parliament] mustn't become a repeat of The Inbetweeners." Continue reading...
All the leaders concluded that things had panned out just as they had hoped, if not betterAnd the winner is ... Absolutely everyone. It was the morning after the night before and - slowly, slowly - the leaders of all political parties began to emerge from their bunkers to face the media. And what a tale they had to tell. They had had time to reflect on the results of the three byelections and - amazingly - had all concluded that things had panned out just as they had hoped. Better even. Everyone was on course to win the next general election in 2024 and everyone else was facing an electoral wipeout.Rishi Sunak was first to show his face in a cafe. This is an historic day for the Conservatives," he said. And also for me. By holding - where am I? This part of London all looks the same to me - Oh, yes, Uxbridge and South Ruislip, I have avoided becoming the first prime minister since Harold Wilson to lose three byelections on the same night. So by only losing two safe seats, I have shown I am on course to win a general election. Continue reading...
Police officer and helicopter pilot struck on the way to help victims of earlier blast in Fribourg canton of SwitzerlandLightning never strikes twice, until it does: a police officer and helicopter pilot rushing to help two people injured in a lightning strike on Friday were themselves also hit, Swiss authorities said.A 51-year-old man and 16-year-old boy were struck by lightning around 8.30am while working in a field in Menieres, in the western canton of Fribourg, regional police said in a statement. Continue reading...
Luca Guadagnino-directed love triangle romance will no longer premiere this year and will instead move to 2024Luca Guadagnino's hotly anticipated tennis drama Challengers will no longer open this year's Venice film festival as a result of the Hollywood actors' strike.The MGM/Amazon film, starring Zendaya and Josh O'Connor, had been set for a splashy August debut on the Lido but has now been pulled. The release date has also changed, from September to April next year. Continue reading...
by Hannah Ellis-Petersen South Asia correspondent on (#6D5W4)
As violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities continues in north-east India, campaigners criticise the authorities' reaction and both sides warn of civil warManipur is a state in north-east India with a population of more than three million. It has been embroiled in an ethnic conflict since early May, fought between the majority Meitei community and the minority Kuki tribe. Continue reading...
Report says detention of Ernest Moret was wrong after he was held for almost 24 hours by counter-terrorist policeThe arrest in London of a radical French publisher under counter-terrorist powers has been referred to the police watchdog after the reviewer of terrorism legislation found that it was wrong.Ernest Moret, 28, was held for almost 24 hours by counter-terrorist police and asked about his opinion of Emmanuel Macron and participation in anti-Macron protests after he arrived at St Pancras station in April for a book fair. Continue reading...
Handwash and bubble bath sales also fall in first six months 2023, with cost of living blamedShoppers in Britain are shunning soap and similar items, as leading supermarkets report a drop in the sales of personal hygiene products amid the cost of living crisis.Figures from Britain's leading supermarket chains show demand for soap has fallen by 48% in the first six months of 2023 compared with the same period last year. Sales of handwash are down by 23%. Bubble bath sales decreased by 35% and shower gel by 1%. Only hand sanitiser has bucked the trend, with sales up by 29%. Continue reading...
Rev Michael Hall, who died in 2021, belittled and humiliated members of his Buckinghamshire congregationA Church of England vicar spiritually abused" members of his congregation for almost 20 years, silencing dissent, commanding obedience, belittling and humiliating parishioners, locking people in rooms, and causing fear and shame, a report has concluded.The Rev Michael Hall retired as vicar of St Margaret's church in Tylers Green, Buckinghamshire, in 2000 and died in 2021. One of his former parishioners killed himself in 2020, citing trauma caused by Rev Hall" more than two decades earlier. Continue reading...
David Hunter, 76, who killed his wife, Janice, found not guilty of her murder by judgesA district court in Cyprus has ruled that a British man committed manslaughter when he asphyxiated his terminally ill wife in their retirement home on the island in December 2021.Judges sitting in the coastal city of Paphos said they had not found the former miner, David Hunter, 76, guilty of premeditated murder - the charge he had faced, which carries a life sentence. Continue reading...
The $145m-budgeted film, starring Margot Robbie, has hit cinemas worldwide, bringing all-pink superfans out in drovesLike it or not, we are all citizens of the state of Barbieland - or at least we were on the eve of Barbie's opening.Following a year-long wink-wink, think-pink marketing blitz that shaded every corner of the public consciousness in Pantone 219C, masses of film and pop culture devotees squeezed into their rosiest garments and headed to the cinema to see writer-director Greta Gerwig's sparkly tribute to the wasp-waisted Mattel doll. Made in conjunction with the Los Angeles-based toy brand, Barbie is the first of 45 Mattel IP productions in the works. Continue reading...
by Kiran Stacey, Helen Pidd and Mabel Banfield-Nwachi on (#6D5P1)
Labour leader hails Selby byelection victory but says London mayor must consider expansion of ultra-low emission zoneKeir Starmer has lauded his party's historic win in the Selby byelection, but urged the London mayor, Sadiq Khan, to reflect" on the impact of his extension of the ultra-low emission zone (Ulez) into Uxbridge, where Labour was unexpectedly defeated.The Labour leader sounded upbeat on Friday during a visit to the North Yorkshire seat of Selby and Ainsty, which his party won for the first time since it was created in 2010, doing so with a 24-point swing. Continue reading...
Publicist confirms death of American pop and jazz singer who became torchbearer for Great American SongbookTony Bennett, the American pop and jazz singer who became the torchbearer for the Great American Songbook during a seven decade career, has died aged 96, his publicist said on Friday.Bennett was perhaps best known for his 1962 signature song I Left My Heart in San Francisco as well as for staging an astonishing career comeback during the 80s and 90s that delivered him sustained popularity into old age. He won 19 Grammy awards, including a lifetime achievement award in 2001, and has sold more than 50m records worldwide. Continue reading...
Police say further arrests expected over incident captured in viral video that prompted nationwide outrageFour men have been arrested in connection with the case of women who were stripped naked, publicly paraded and allegedly gang raped in the Indian state of Manipur, in an incident that caused outrage after it was captured in a viral video.The arrests took place on Thursday, a day after the footage of the assault prompted anger across India and was condemned by the prime minister, Narendra Modi, and the supreme court. The police said more arrests were expected soon. Continue reading...
Vadym Prystaiko's removal follows TV interview questioning president's sarcasm' towards Ben WallaceVolodymyr Zelenskiy has dismissed Ukraine's ambassador to London after a row over the Ukrainian president being asked to be more grateful for the military help the west was providing to his country.Vadym Prystaiko's dismissal was announced in a presidential order, with no official reason being given. He has also been removed as Ukraine's representative to the International Maritime Organization. Continue reading...
Alberto Nunez Feijoo says female deputy PM knows a lot about makeup' as he queries employment figures at election rallyThe leader of Spain's conservative People's party (PP), which is leading the polls before Sunday's snap general election, has been accused of sexism after making an apparent reference to the deputy prime minister's makeup during a campaign rally.Speaking in Madrid on Thursday, Alberto Nunez Feijoo accused Yolanda Diaz, who is also the labour minister, of massaging Spain's employment figures, claiming that while the socialist-led coalition government was attempting to pass off workers on temporary contracts as being employees, the truth lies in the embellished employment figures". Continue reading...
by Gwyn Topham Transport correspondent on (#6D5HS)
About 13m holidaymakers will take to Britain's roads, airports and ferry ports this weekendHolidaymakers have begun taking to Britain's roads, airports and ferry ports as the great summer getaway reaches its peak this weekend.About 2 million people are expected to fly overseas from the UK between Friday and Monday, with about 13 million forecast to hit the roads in the coming days for trips abroad or a holiday at home. Continue reading...
After state botched three executions last year, judge says inmate should not be used as a guinea pig'Alabama has executed a man, resuming its use of the death penalty after three botched killings last year.James Barber was pronounced dead on Friday at 1.56am after receiving a lethal injection at a south Alabama prison. Continue reading...
by Constance Malleret in Rio de Janeiro on (#6D5H1)
Experts believe numbers partly reflect effects of lockdowns and trickling down of Jair Bolsonaro's ultra-conservative viewsBrazil saw a disturbing increase in sexual violence against women and children in 2022, according to new figures which paint a worrying picture of a country that is failing to protect its young and female population, particularly in their own homes.The data, published on Thursday by the Brazilian Public Security Forum showed that reported rapes increased 8.2% to an all-time high of 74,930 last year, while rape cases among minors grew 15.3%. Women make up 88.7% of rape victims, and a staggering 61.4% are children aged 13 or younger. Continue reading...
by Martin Belam, Guardian staff and agencies on (#6D579)
Agricultural produce destroyed in latest Russian strike on Odesa; US-supplied cluster bombs now confirmed to be in use by UkraineRussia struck the Ukrainian port city of Odesa for the fourth consecutive night after pulling out of the Black Sea grain deal. Odesa's regional governor Oleh Kiper said that 100 tons of peas and 20 tons of barley were destroyed in a strike on an agriculture facility which injured two people, and saw damage to emergency equipment after it was struck twice in a double-tap" attack. Ukrainian military spokesperson Natalia Humeniuk saying The enemy is continuing terror, and it's undoubtedly related to the grain deal."US-supplied cluster bombs, which are banned by more than 120 countries, have been deployed in Ukraine against Russian forces, White House national security spokesperson John Kirby has said. We have gotten some initial feedback from the Ukrainians, and they're using them quite effectively," Kirby told reporters.Russia's navy carried out a live fire exercise" in the north-west Black Sea, Moscow's defence ministry has said, days after the Kremlin said it would consider ships travelling to Ukraine through the waterway to be potential military targets. The Black Sea Fleet carried out live firing of anti-ship cruise missiles at the target ship in the combat training range in the north-western part of the Black Sea", Russia's defence ministry said in a statement on Telegram according to AFP. The target ship was destroyed as a result of a missile strike," it said.Ukraine had warned that it could target all shipping out of Russian and Russian-occupied ports and signalled its readiness to fight on the Black Sea, after Moscow's declaration of a naval blockade and bombardment of Ukrainian ports. The tit-for-tat moves come after Russia pulled out of the Black Sea deal.Poland has decided to move military formations from the west to the east of the country due to the potential threat posed by the Wagner group's presence in neighbouring Belarus. Training or joint exercises between the Belarusian army and the Wagner group is undoubtedly a provocation", PAP quoted Zbigniew Hoffmann as saying.President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has dismissed Vadym Prystaiko as Ukraine's ambassador to Britain. Prystaiko was recently critical of Zelenskiy on television in the UK over comments the president had made after UK defence secretary had called for a show of more gratitude from Ukraine.CIA head William Burns has suggested that Russian President Vladimir Putin is biding his time over deciding what to ultimately do with Yevgeney Prigozhin. In comments at the Aspen security forum Burns said What we are seeing is a very complicated dance. Putin is someone who generally thinks that revenge is a dish best served cold. In my experience, Putin is the ultimate apostle of payback so I would be surprised if Prigozhin escapes further retribution". He added If I were Prigozhin, I wouldn't fire my food taster."The UN's atomic watchdog says it has been unable to inspect the roofs of Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant which is occupied by Russian forces. Ukraine accuses Russia of turning the plant into a shield for its artillery guns and dynamiting the reactor roof, turning the site into an atomic bargaining chip.The US imposed Russia-related sanctions against nearly 120 individuals and entities aimed at blocking Moscow's access to electronics and other goods that aid its war against Ukraine. The new measures are designed to reduce Russia's revenue from the metals and mining sector, undermine its future energy capabilities and degrade Russia's access to the international financial system," the treasury department said in a statement.Russia said Thursday it was imposing restrictions on British diplomats, requiring them to give five days' notice of any plans to travel beyond a 120km radius, due to what it called London's hostile actions".Ukraine's deputy economy minister held talks with China's vice-commerce minister in Beijing in the first high-level visit by a Ukraine government official to the country since 2019. Continue reading...
by Helen Pidd, Mabel Banfield-Nwachi, Sammy Gecsoyler on (#6D5A6)
Keir Mather, 25, is Selby's next MP, as Labour narrowly fails to take Boris Johnson's old seat of Uxbridge and South Ruislip and Lib Dems romp to victory in Somerton and Frome
Quantity of goods bought rose by 0.7%, with supermarkets benefiting from hottest June on recordThe hottest June on record gave an unexpected boost to retail sales last month, with households in Great Britain buying more food and furniture despite continued pressure on budgets.Officials figures showed that the quantity of goods bought rose 0.7% month on month, much higher than average analyst forecasts of a 0.2% bump in sales volumes, with most retailers reporting purchases were up, aside from petrol and diesel sellers. Continue reading...
In today's newsletter: a pair of major defeats for the Conservatives, but the PM will be relieved to have at least retained Boris Johnson's old seat Sign up here for our daily newsletter, First EditionGood morning and welcome to a special First Edition, brought to you this morning - thanks to a great deal of coffee - with the very latest from a dramatic night in British politics. This was a night, of course, that saw three byelections that put Rishi Sunak's government to an important test, with a general election looming within the next 18 months.And the headline result might suggest that everyone is happy this morning - with each of the three major parties, remarkably, capturing one of the seats on offer.Politics | Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng received about 400 in severance pay for every day they were in office, according to government accounts. The former prime minister and former chancellor each received more than 16,000 on leaving their jobs after just a few weeks, while Tom Scholar, the department's most senior civil servant, received 457,000 after being sacked by Truss.Finance | The head of NatWest has apologised to Nigel Farage for what she called deeply inappropriate comments" about the former Ukip leader in an internal report that led to the closure of his accounts at the group's exclusive private bank, Coutts.UK news | A man who was jailed for stalking Jeremy Vine has apologised in court after being sued by the broadcaster for defamation and harassment.Environment | Hailstorms have hit northern Italy as near-record temperatures begin to ebb, but forecasters have warned of a fourth heatwave hitting southern Europe next week, with temperatures of up to 48C.Monarchy | King Charles III is to receive a huge pay rise from the UK taxpayer. Figures published by the Treasury on Thursday show the royal family's grant is due to increase from 86m to 125m by 2025. It comes against the backdrop of the cost of living crisis. The monarchy's annual budget, known as the sovereign grant, is pegged against the profits from a national property portfolio called the crown estate. Continue reading...
Opposition leader Raila Odinga rallies his supporters to the streets where there have been clashes with armed police in Nairobi and western city of KisumuTeargas and live ammunition were used against demonstrators as pockets of violence broke out in Kenya during a second day of protests against tax increases and rising living costs.Despite relative calm in Nairobi on Thursday morning, there were clashes in the informal settlements of Kibera and Mathare in the capital, and in the western city of Kisumu. Protesters threw stones at police, who had mounted a heavy presence in Nairobi after the deaths of at least six demonstrators and more than 300 arrests around the country on Wednesday. Continue reading...
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