Academic Heather Scott has been told by Home Office that being acutely ill' is not an exceptional circumstanceThe Home Office is threatening to ban a Canadian academic from the UK after she was unable to renew her visa in time during a mental health crisis.Dr Heather Scott has lived in Britain since she came in 2011 on a study visa. The renowned academic, whose area of research relates to Victorian cemeteries including Highgate, Brompton and Abney Park, is required to be based in London. Continue reading...
Far-right ex-president's devotees pin hopes on pressure campaign but tariffs and sanctions appear likely to failEach morning, Edite Costa steps out of her bungalow on Brasilia's sun-baked savannah, stands beneath a mango tree and lifts her hands to the sky in prayer. I ask God to work so that not just Trump but all Americans come to help us rip out the evil that has taken hold of the country I love," said the 66-year-old Baptist, who is a fervent supporter of Brazil's far-right former president Jair Bolsonaro.Bolsonaro could face decades in jail for allegedly leading a murderous conspiracy to seize power after his leftwing rival Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva beat him in the 2022 presidential election. But Costa believes her populist leader can still be saved - if her prayers are answered and Donald Trump intervenes. Continue reading...
Australian and New Zealand leaders reject possible US trade retaliation over recognising Palestinian statehood and reaffirm plans to deepen security ties
Figures suggest shift from country's traditional summer culture, with lounger and parasol rentals up to 90 a dayItalians appear to be snubbing beaches this summer, amid claims they are rebelling against the high prices charged by the owners of private beach concessions.Going to the beach and renting cabins, loungers and parasols - usually at the same location - has long been an ingrained habit of Italian summer holiday culture. Continue reading...
Deliveroo, Just Eat and Uber Eats push back after Canary Wharf complex's managers link ban to claims about undocumented' workersFood delivery riders from Deliveroo, Just Eat and Uber Eats have been barred from entering a luxury apartment complex near to where protests against asylum seekers have taken place, with management citing media reports that made claims about undocumented" workers.The food delivery companies rejected the suggestion they employed undocumented couriers, saying they had robust checks and zero-tolerance policies on illegal working. Continue reading...
Mayor of Japanese city used the anniversary of US bombing to urge the world to stop armed conflicts, warning nuclear war was looming' over everyoneTwin cathedral bells rang in unison in Nagasaki for the first time in 80 years on Saturday, commemorating the moment the city was destroyed by an American atomic bomb.The two bells rang out at Immaculate Conception cathedral, also called the Urakami cathedral, at 11.02am, the moment the bomb was dropped on 9 August 1945, three days after a nuclear attack on Hiroshima. Continue reading...
First lady is facing increased scrutiny as political experts suggest she is behind US president's recent volte-faces on Gaza and PutinWhen Melania Trump arrives in Britain for her husband's second state visit next month, it will not just be the photographic pack straining every lens for clues as to her opaque mood or signs of froideur in their marriage. It will also be British officials.Six months into his second term as US president, a period in which Donald Trump has pirouetted on just about every big international issue, mandarins in Whitehall have realised they need to focus less time on trying to tame him, and more on looking at his wife. Continue reading...
by Jessica Elgot Deputy political editor on (#6Z75D)
Charlie Falconer calls on party colleagues to rediscover energy and not risk losing credit for big achievementsKeir Starmer's government is seen as a tired bunch of same-again politicians" and must rediscover a reforming zeal and energy, the former UK justice secretary Charlie Falconer has said.The Labour peer, who held a number of senior positions under Tony Blair, said the government lacked a sense of energy", and that this was even more important to restore than to pursue any search for a wider narrative or story - one of the most common criticisms of the government. Continue reading...
Mexico's president says there will be no invasion ... it's absolutely off the table' after news reports of orderMexico's president, Claudia Sheinbaum, has rejected the idea that the US might invade Mexico after news reports suggested Donald Trump had authorized the use of military force targeting drug cartels deemed terrorist organizations in Latin American countries.The United States is not going to come to Mexico with their military," she said during a daily news conference on Friday. We cooperate, we collaborate, but there will be no invasion. It's off the table, absolutely off the table." Continue reading...
Heritage concerns overruled as developers say planning approvals too slow in nation aiming to build 1m more homesAmsterdam was once famous for its alternative nightlife but now a planned new multi-storey building that will be home to a club, cafe and apartments has become a flashpoint in the battle between preserving heritage buildings and rowdy entertainment.In the latest urban planning tussle to hit one of Europe's most densely populated countries, neighbours of Amsterdam's planned Institute for Night Culture" (INC) fear it will shake their foundations. Continue reading...
by Lorenzo Tondo in Jerusalem and Julian Borger on (#6Z6BZ)
Germany says it will halt arms deliveries to Israel amid growing international anger over planned operationThe future of 1 million Palestinians hangs in the balance after Israel's security cabinet approved a new ground offensive aimed at taking complete control of Gaza's largest city in a decision that has triggered global outrage.The plan put forward by Benjamin Netanyahu for Gaza City would entail a further escalation in the 22-month war and mean more mass displacements of an exhausted and starving population. Continue reading...
by Lucy Campbell (now); Tom Ambrose, Amy Sedghi , Vic on (#6Z6BF)
This blog has now closed. Read our latest story hereThe UK's ambassador to Israel has said extending the war in Gaza would only lead to more deaths and that occupying Gaza would be a huge mistake".Simon Walters was quoted by Israel's Haaretz newspaper as saying on Thursday:The IDF has achieved all that it can achieve in Gaza, and extending the war any further will simply lead to more deaths. Deaths of soldiers, deaths of Palestinians, deaths of hostages.If you want to defeat Hamas, you cannot achieve that through military force. You need to use politics and diplomacy and you need to give the people of Gaza an alternative to Hamas.We are working with friends, allies in Europe and in the Middle East to generate a real plan for what happens after the fighting stops, after the war.It needs to be a description of what the governments will be for Gaza. That has to be governance by Palestinians who are not members of Hamas with a role for the Palestinian Authority. Continue reading...
Ex-Scottish first minister describes despair at police raid over her husband's alleged misuse of party finances in upcoming memoirNicola Sturgeon has described the time she faced criminal investigation over her ex-husband's alleged fraudulent activities as like a form of mental torture".In an excerpt from her upcoming memoir, Frankly, the former first minister of Scotland vividly recounts the despair she felt when police raided their Glasgow home in April 2023 and arrested her partner, Peter Murrell, over misuse of party finances. Continue reading...
Autumn Bardisa, 29, took part in medical services of 4,486 patients from June 2024 to January 2025, authorities sayA Florida woman is accused of posing as a licensed nurse and giving medical care to thousands of patients, authorities said.Autumn Marie Bardisa, 29, of Palm Coast, participated in medical services involving 4,486 people from June 2024 until January 2025, the Flagler county sheriff's office said. Continue reading...
James Cartwright, 61, found guilty last month of raping and strangling Samantha Mickleburgh, 54, at his birthday dinnerA man who raped and strangled his former fiancee to death at his 60th birthday dinner at a luxury hotel in Surrey last year has been jailed for life.James Cartwright, 61, was found guilty of the rape and murder of Samantha Mickleburgh, 54, by a jury last month. He had attacked his former partner at the hotel after Mickleburgh conceded to attending a birthday meetup as a gesture of kindness, prosecutors said. They said he then launched a vicious and murderous attack" and tried to cover up the killing, telling police Mickleburgh had died after falling out of bed. Continue reading...
US embassy accused supreme court judge of persecuting ex-president, currently on trial for alleged coup attemptBrazil's foreign ministry has summoned the US charge d'affaires after the embassy posted comments about the trial of former president Jair Bolsonaro, as relations between the two countries continue to deteriorate.On Thursday, the embassy published a social media post in Portuguese criticising the supreme court justice Alexandre de Moraes, who is overseeing the cases against Bolsonaro, who is on trial over an alleged coup attempt. Continue reading...
by Natricia Duncan Caribbean correspondent, and Abige on (#6Z6TA)
Move comes amid calls for reparations for slavery and king's removal as head of state of Caribbean countryThe government and opposition in the Caribbean island of Grenada have joined forces to drop the oath of allegiance to the British crown amid growing calls to remove King Charles as the country's head of state.A statement from the government announcing the move said that in a commendable display of national unity" the country's parliament had agreed bills to amend the country's constitution. Continue reading...
by Vikram Dodd, Ben Quinn and Robyn Vinter on (#6Z6X1)
At least 20 asylum seekers' hotels could be the focus of demonstrations and counter-rallies over migrationThree thousand riot officers will be deployed and placed on standby amid concerns a string of anti-asylum seeker protests and counter-protests this weekend could lead to violence and disorder.Police commanders at a national level have made the decision. It is the first time since last summer's riots that there has been a mass and national standing up of specialist public order officers. Continue reading...
Housing campaigners say government look like hypocrites, with Rachel Reeves among those renting out propertiesMinisters who earn profits from privately owned property could be seen as hypocrites by voters who want to see the government's promised rent reforms become law, campaigners have said.The warning comes after Guardian analysis revealed four cabinet ministers - including the chancellor, Rachel Reeves - have declared rental income from property in the MPs' register of interests. Continue reading...
High-profile founder of China Renaissance Holdings freed as Beijing seeks to drive up business confidenceBao Fan, star dealmaker and the founder of the boutique investment bank China Renaissance Holdings, has been released more than two years after being detained by Chinese authorities, according to a person with knowledge of the matter.China Renaissance sent shock waves through the country's financial sector in 2023 when it announced it was unable to contact Bao, who founded the bank in 2005 with two others and still owns nearly 49% of its issued shares. The company's share price tanked as a result of his detention. Continue reading...
Kupula se Mueve, which celebrates African and Latin culture, has been held without problems since 2013Madrid city council has banned a festival celebrating cultural diversity, claiming that it may lead to public disorder and complaints about noise from residents.The Kupula se Mueve (Kupula Moves) festival has been held without incident since 2013. Josias Ndanga, president of the association, insists the claims are an excuse, saying: We're convinced we're being discriminated against on ideological grounds." Continue reading...
Carmaker says US-UK trade deal now in place will reduce future impact of levy after quarterly profits fall 49%Jaguar Land Rover's profits almost halved in the last quarter as the impact of US tariffs and declining sales rocked the luxury car manufacturer.The Tata-owned carmaker said tariffs and currency headwinds were behind a steep 49% fall in underlying pre-tax profits to 351m in the three months to 30 June. Continue reading...
David Lammy is hosting the US vice-president at Chevening, his grace-and-favour residence in Kent, where they will discuss the Middle EastThe SNP is calling for the recall of parliament so that MPs can approve sanctions against Benjamin Netanyahu in the light of his decision to extend the occupation of Gaza. In a statement Stephen Flynn, the SNP leader at Westminster, said:A genocide is happening before our eyes in Gaza. Words of condemnation aren't anywhere near enough - if we have any hope of stopping this genocide strong actions are desperately needed, now.
Ukrainian president says reliable peace essential for all' after speaking to Polish PM on Friday morning, Trump's deadline day for Russia to move towards a ceasefireChinese president Xi Jinping held a phone call with Russian president Vladimir Putin on Friday, China's state broadcaster CCTV reported.The pair reportedly spoke about Ukraine, with Xi saying that China will continue to promote peace talks, and noting that China was glad to see Russia and the US maintain contact, Reuters said. Continue reading...
Restructure by family-owned fashion chain involves 33 store closures but leaves more than 1,000 jobs at riskRiver Island has got the green light for a rescue restructure that saves more than 4,000 jobs but will shut 33 of the clothing chain's 230 stores as people shift to buying online.The plan to reduce costs, which still puts more than 1,000 jobs and a further 70 sites at risk, won approval of a high court judge on Friday after a majority of creditors gave their backing earlier in the week. Continue reading...
Laura Murton seeks damages and apology after police said her demonstration expressed support for banned Palestine ActionA protester who was threatened with arrest under the Terrorism Act for holding a Palestinian flag and having signs saying Free Gaza" and Israel is committing genocide" is taking legal action against the police force involved.Armed police told Laura Murton, 42, that her demonstration in Canterbury, Kent, last month expressed views supportive of Palestine Action, which had been banned under terrorism legislation earlier in July. Continue reading...
Report said to have found no serious risk last June, and government refuses to say if new assessment made sinceThe Foreign Office has failed to release an internal assessment made in June last year that reportedly concluded that there was no serious risk of Israel committing genocide in Gaza. It has also refused to disclose if an updated assessment of a risk of genocide has been made.The rights group Amnesty International in June tabled a freedom of information request to see the 2024 assessment, but the officials failed to reply within the statutory one month deadline Amnesty lodged a formal complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office. It also asked if there was an updated government assessment of Israel's intent to comply with international law including a re-examination of the risk of genocide. Continue reading...
Campaigners say system remains postcode lottery' after NPCC report finds varying levels of provision across forcesSurvivors of stalking, campaigners for women's safety and heads of law enforcement have raised concerns over continuing failings by police in England and Wales to tackle perpetrators and protect victims.They warn that while some forces are doing innovative work on stalking, others are not improving quickly enough, leading to a patchwork" service and victims facing a postcode lottery". Continue reading...
Young poet details low mood and disappointment in love in 1795 letter, written not long before he met WordsworthHe would go on to write The Rime of the Ancient Mariner and Kubla Khan, two of the greatest English poems.But in a letter written when he was 22, Samuel Taylor Coleridge revealed he was contemplating packing it all in and fading into obscurity. Continue reading...
Hong Kong hit by 350mm of rain in 24 hours, while mountainous state of Uttarakhand badly affected by landslides and floodingLarge parts of Asia have been especially wet this week and the heavy rain is forecast to continue into next week. Hong Kong issued four black rainstorm warnings - the most times this warning has been issued in a single week.The worst of the rainfall was on 5 August, with more than 350mm in 24 hours, the highest daily rainfall recorded in August since 1884. This caused widespread disruption on roads and flights. Continue reading...
Footwear firm warns of falling sales because of global trade uncertainty and super-cautious' US consumersShares in the US footwear company Crocs have slumped by almost 30% after it warned of falling sales because of tariffs, super cautious" US consumers and signs that fashion's ugly shoe" trend is coming to an end.The foam clog and sandal maker's shares fell by 29.2% on Thursday, after it predicted revenues could drop by between 9% and 11% in the current quarter, disappointing analysts who were expecting slight growth. Continue reading...
Concerns notice issued to Wilson by lawyers for Charlotte MacInnes joins disputes playing out globally over Pitch Perfect actor's film, The DebAnother dispute has been added to the sprawling legal saga surrounding Rebel Wilson's directorial debut, The Deb, with the film's lead actor issuing a notice to Wilson threatening legal action against her in Australia.Lawyers representing Charlotte MacInnes issued the concerns notice to Rebel Wilson, indicating their intentions to sue for defamation in Western Australia. Continue reading...
by Josh Taylor now, Nick Visser earlier on (#6Z67S)
This blog is now closedNSW Labor MP says party is gagging debate on Gaza during fiery speech in parliament - videoDissent against Chris Minns spills into NSW parliament as Labor MP accuses party of gagging debate on Gaza Continue reading...
Exclusive: Five Ukraine clubs failed to win similar payments due to allegedly being located in zone of military operations'Uefa has paid more than 10.8m (9.4m) in solidarity" funds to Russian football clubs since they were banned from taking part in European tournaments after the Kremlin's invasion of Ukraine, the Guardian can reveal.The payments were made despite five Ukrainian clubs failing to receive similar such funds allegedly due to their locations being in a zone of military operations". Continue reading...
Restrictions in place on Friday in areas including Norwich and officers will monitor at least 12 other towns and citiesPolice are braced for potential disorder in towns across England this weekend amid the far right's promotion of a range of protests against asylum seekers, with anti-racism activists planning counter-protests.Restrictions will be in place on Friday at locations including Norwich while officers will police at least 12 other towns and cities that evening. Continue reading...
by Patrick Butler Social policy editor on (#6Z6BY)
Ministers face backlash after analysis of proposed shake-up finds more than 10% drop in finance for some areasMinisters face a backlash from Labour-run town halls after it emerged deprived inner-city London councils stand to lose millions of pounds under a proposed funding shake-up despite promises to redistribute cash away from wealthy areas.Central London councils with high levels of poverty and homelessness, including Camden, which includes Keir Starmer's parliamentary seat, could lose more than 10% of their funding under the proposals, according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS). Continue reading...
Junta obtained anti-jamming' product made in Europe through a Chinese company, research finds, triggering calls for tighter sanctionsMyanmar's military is using advanced European technology to protect its drone fleet as it carries out brutal aerial campaigns, research suggests, prompting calls for sanctions against the junta to be tightened.Myanmar's military, which has been widely condemned for its indiscriminate attacks against civilians, obtained anti-jamming" technology made in Europe through a Chinese company, according to a report by Conflict Armament Research (Car). Continue reading...
Muslim-majority Indonesia says the plan to treat wounded Palestinians in island's medical facility is a temporary and patients will return to GazaIndonesia will convert a medical facility on an uninhabited island to treat about 2,000 wounded residents of Gaza, according to a spokesperson for the president.Indonesia will give medical help for about 2,000 Gaza residents who became victims of war, those who are wounded, buried under debris," the spokesperson, Hasan Nasbi, told reporters in Jakarta on Thursday. Continue reading...
by Adam Fulton (now); Nadeem Badshah, Tom Ambrose and on (#6Z5KC)
This blog is now closed. See our latest full report here: Fears for Palestinians and hostages as Netanyahu plans full Gaza occupationThe medical NGO Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) has called for the immediate closure of Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), the US- and Israeli-backed aid organisation operating in Gaza, describing GHF-run food distribution sites in Gaza as having become sites of orchestrated killing and dehumanisation".In a social media post on Thursday, MSF wrote:In MSF's nearly 54 years of operations, rarely have we seen such levels of systematic violence against unarmed civilians."The GHF-run food distributions in Gaza, Palestine, have become sites of orchestrated killing and dehumanisation", not humanitarian aid.During those seven weeks, our teams treated 71 children for gunshot wounds, 25 of whom were under the age of 15. Faced with no alternatives to find food, starved families frequently send teenage boys into this lethal environment, as they are often the only males in the household physically able to make the journey.Patients have also included a 12-year-old boy hit by a bullet that had passed all the way through his abdomen, and five young girls, one of whom was only 8 years old and suffered a gunshot wound to her chest.In MSF's nearly 54 years of operations, rarely have we seen such levels of systematic violence against unarmed civilians.The GHF distribution sites masquerading as aid' have morphed into a laboratory of cruelty. This must stop now. Continue reading...
by Shaun Walker in Kyiv and Andrew Roth in Washington on (#6Z5YJ)
US president contradicts reports Putin meeting Zelenskyy was a precondition of a US-Russia summitDonald Trump has said he was ready to meet Vladimir Putin despite the Russian leader's refusal to meet Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy - dispelling speculation that direct talks between the two warring presidents were a precondition to a high-level US-Russia summit.Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on Thursday, Trump said that Putin did not have to meet with Zelenskyy first before the US and Russian presidents could meet. Continue reading...
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