World news | The Guardian

Second night of street violence in several cities after months of anti-government demonstrations boil over

Costs could rise to three times original budget in blow to government's reservoir expansion plansStruggling Thames Water has said a new reservoir in Oxfordshire could cost more than three times the original budget, pushing the eventual cost to be covered by water bill payers to as much as 7.5bn.In a blow to government plans for an expansion in the number of reservoirs across south-east England, the heavily indebted utility said a review of the Abingdon project had sent the estimated cost of construction from 2.2bn to between 5.5bn and 7.5bn. Continue reading...

Black smoke is darkening blood-red skies across the continent - devastating residents and forcing travellers to start searching for coolcations' further north

Author Michael Grunwald reckons with the challenge of food-based climate emissions in his new book We Are Eating the EarthRidding ourselves of fossil fuels has been a tortuously ponderous process and, in the current political era, one that can seem to be in full retreat. But we do have the tools to run our cities, vehicles and industries on clean energy and even through the murk of vested interest, the contours of a post-fossil world are becoming clearer.Our system of producing food, though, is in a relative stone age when it comes to the climate crisis. We continue to raze vast tracts of carbon-rich forests for crop and grazing land thereby creating, by some estimates, as much as a third of all global planet-heating emissions. Continue reading...

Historically cool nations saw hospitals overheating and surge in drownings, wildfires and toxic algal bloomsThe prolonged Nordic heatwave in July was supercharged by the climate crisis and shows no country is safe from climate change", scientists say.Norway, Sweden and Finland have historically cool climates but were hit by soaring temperatures, including a record run of 22 days above 30C (86C) in Finland. Sweden endured 10 straight days of tropical nights", when temperatures did not fall below 20C (68F). Continue reading...

Defend Our Juries confident that September demonstration can lead to group having its ban liftedThe next mass protest in support of the banned group Palestine Action will aim to be twice the size of the last, organisers have said, as they increase pressure on the government to lift its proscription.Last Saturday's protest in Parliament Square was predicated on 500 people signing up but the next one, announced on Wednesday for 6 September, is conditional on 1,000 people agreeing to take part. Continue reading...

Met says 72 luxury vehicles taken off West End streets as they were unroadworthy or being driven illegallyPolice have seized dozens of supercars collectively worth more than 6m, including Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Bentleys, during a crackdown on antisocial driving in London.Seventy-two luxury vehicles were taken off the streets in an operation targeting nuisance driving in the West End after complaints from residents, businesses and visitors about high-value cars causing disruption in and around Hyde Park, Kensington and Chelsea. Continue reading...

Home Office data shows 474 migrants arrived yesterday in eight small boats bringing the total to over 50,000Rachel Reeves has been taking questions from journalists in Belfast. She says Northern Ireland is absolutely crucial" for the UK's growth prospects, pointing to the nation's strong TV, film and video game industries.The chancellor claimed stability has returned to the UK's economy despite mounting concerns about its ability to respond to shocks amid global uncertainty from Donald Trump's trade war. Job losses are rising, fewer employers are advertising for staff and inflation remains high.If you look at the growth numbers in the first quarter of this year, we were the fastest growing economy in the whole of the G7. Whilst the US economy shrunk in the first quarter of this year, the UK economy grew.We'll get data for the second quarter of this year later this week. But we are creating more jobs, 384,000 additional jobs compared with a year ago, wages are rising at a faster rate than inflation, putting more money in people's pockets. Continue reading...

Aimee Betro tried to shoot Sikander Ali at point-blank range as part of revenge plot in 2019 but gun jammedA would-be killer who tried to shoot a rival at point-blank range while disguised in a niqab has been found guilty of conspiracy to murder.Aimee Betro, 45, who is originally from the US, flew to the UK as part of a revenge plot orchestrated by father and son co-conspirators Mohammed Aslam, 59, and Mohammed Nabil Nazir, 31, to attack a family they had been feuding with. Continue reading...

The EastEnders and Cathy Come Home actor had been diagnosed with dementia, his family revealedRay Brooks, the British actor who starred in EastEnders, Ken Loach's drama Cathy Come Home and narrated the 1970s children's TV show Mr Benn, has died at the age of 86.Brooks died peacefully on Saturday with his loved ones at his bedside after a short illness, according to a statement shared by his family with the BBC. Continue reading...

Organisers say more than 100,000 people joined demonstration demanding end to military campaignThousands of protesters took to the streets of Tel Aviv on Saturday night to oppose Benjamin Netanyahu's plan to escalate the Gaza war.A day earlier, the Israeli prime minister's office said the security cabinet had decided to seize Gaza City, expanding military operations in the devastated Palestinian territory despite widespread public opposition and warnings from the military the move could endanger the hostages. Continue reading...

World's lowest fertility rate leaves Seoul 50,000 troops short of maintaining defence readiness, report warnsSouth Korea's military has shrunk by 20% in the past six years, largely due to a sharp decrease in the population of men of enlistment age for mandatory service in the country with the world's lowest birthrate, according to a report.The sharp decline in the pool of men available for military service is also causing a shortfall in the number of officers and could result in operational difficulties, the defence ministry said in the report. Continue reading...

Tenants with smallholdings on estate, seen as a crucial stepping stone for young farmers, are being served with notices to quit by the councilFarmers and agricultural unions are fighting to save a large farming estate owned by Powys council amid sell-off plans that tenants say will affect the rural Welsh-speaking community by taking away a crucial stepping stone for young farmers.A total of 19 tenants living and working on 130 smallholdings, or about 15%, have been served with notices to quit since the local authority began sending eviction letters in February this year. The Guardian understands at least one was in arrears. Continue reading...

The Guardian has obtained surveillance images taken by hired spies whose goal is said to have been identifying sources and gaining leverage'

Ukrainian and European partners to join UK foreign secretary and US vice-president at Chevening for talksThe UK foreign secretary, David Lammy, and the US vice-president, JD Vance, held a meeting with Ukrainian and European partners in Britain on Saturday to discuss the drive for peace in Ukraine.The summit comes before a meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin set for next Friday in Alaska. In a comment that that was met with pushback from Kyiv, the US president said that an end to the war must involve some swapping of territories". The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, stressed early on Saturday that Ukrainians will not give their land to occupiers". Continue reading...

Self-administering Innotox, which is not licensed for use in UK, can lead to eyelid droops, infection and even botulismPeople seeking cheap Botox-like injections have been warned by experts against doing it themselves due to the risk of eyelid droops", infection and even botulism.There are growing concerns over the availability of medication called Innotox that is being sold illegally online in the UK. Unlike Botox, which comes as a powder that must be reconstituted for use in an injection, Innotox is a ready-to-use liquid - making it easier to self-administer. Continue reading...

Acting prime minister decries misinformation' regarding arms exports while Greens claim hollow talking points ... aren't washing with the public'

Spate of physical incidents includes attack on a six-year-old girl at a County Waterford housing estateIn the west Dublin suburb of Tallaght, a group of teenagers accosted, beat and partially stripped an Indian man, who was then filmed staggering and bleeding. Days later a gang attacked another Indian man in the nearby suburb of Clondalkin, hitting him in the face, chest, back and legs, leaving him with a fracture, gashes and multiple bruises.Days later again, two male passengers turned on an Indian taxi driver in the north Dublin suburb of Ballymun, striking him across the face with a bottle and shouting: Go back to your country." Continue reading...

Seoul dismantled its loudspeakers a week ago, and Pyongyang appears to be following suit as President Lee Jae Myung seeks to improve ties with NorthSouth Korea's military has said North Korea has started dismantling some propaganda loudspeakers aimed at the South in parts of the border area, following similar moves by Seoul made in a bid to ease tensions.South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff didn't disclose the sites where the North Koreans were removing speakers and said further confirmation was needed as to whether the dismantling was taking place across all areas, adding it would continue monitoring related activities. Continue reading...

These moments are hard to watch ... in some cases there is just centimetres or milliseconds from the result being so much worse,' transport minister says

Jeremy Rockliff says it's time to draw a line in the sand and ensure an orderly exit from greyhound racing in Tasmania'

Warnindhilyagwa singer also wins film clip of the year, while Malyangapa Barkindji rapper Barkaa wins album of the year

Number of arrests was highest recorded in relation to single operation in at least past decade, according to Met policeMore than 450 people have been arrested in central London at the largest demonstration relating to Palestine Action since the group was proscribed as a terrorist organisation.On Saturday night, the Metropolitan police said: Parliament Square and Whitehall are clear. As of 9pm, 466 people had been arrested for showing support for Palestine Action. Continue reading...

Deported offenders will be barred from re-entering UK and measures will apply to those in custody too to cut costsMost foreign criminals convicted by a UK court will be deported immediately, instead of 30% of the way through their prison sentences, under plans announced by the government.The justice secretary, Shabana Mahmood, has proposed a change in legislation that will give the government the power to deport most foreign prisoners as soon as they are convicted and incarcerated. Continue reading...

Hundreds gather after alleged rape of girl for demonstration that also featured tense exchanges with anti-racism counter-protestersFar-right protesters clashed with police on Saturday after hundreds of people gathered outside the town hall in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, for a planned protest.The event was organised to protest over the alleged rape of 12-year-old girl in the town, for which two men, reportedly Afghan asylum seekers, have been charged. Continue reading...

Trump-brokered peace treaty predicted to suffocate geopolitical influence of Washington's rivals in regionIran expressed concern about foreign interference on Saturday, fearing it had been carved out of a declaration brokered by Donald Trump between Azerbaijan and Armenia. The two countries have come closer to ending 35 years of enmity by signing a peace treaty in Washington and agreeing to a US private consortium taking control of a strategic corridor on Iran's border.The corridor passing through southern Armenia will link Azerbaijan with its exclave Nakhchivan, a longstanding demand of Baku. The US will operate the corridor under Armenian sovereignty on a 99-year land lease, changing the balance of power in the region. Some Iranian commentators claimed the deal amounts to Iran's geopolitical suffocation in the region". Continue reading...

Thai military accuses neighbouring country of planting concealed weapons in violation of international lawThree Thai soldiers were injured on Saturday after one tripped a landmine in territory along its frontier with Cambodia, Thailand's army has said as it accused the neighbouring country of planting concealed weapons in violation of international law.The incident, in which a Thai sergeant major suffered severe injuries, came two days after the countries reasserted their commitment to a ceasefire that ended a brief but intense period of fighting. Cambodia denies the accusation. Continue reading...

Deal will broaden UK rightwing channel's global reach as White House continues to attack mainstream mediaThe Trump family media company has partnered with GB News to broadcast the British news channel on its US streaming platform, Truth+.Trump Media and Technology Group (TMTG), which operates the social media app Truth Social, the streaming platform Truth+, and the FinTech brand Truth.Fi, announced on Friday it will add GB News to its list of available channels, making it accessible to most countries globally, including the US. Continue reading...

This blog is now closedIran's judiciary said Saturday it was investigating the cases of 20 people arrested over their suspected links with Israel following the 12-day war between the two arch-foes.These cases were immediately filed under the supervision of the esteemed investigators and are being investigated," Judiciary spokesman Asghar Jahangir told reporters in Tehran, adding that further information would be shared as it became available. Continue reading...

Scrutiny of selling platforms grows as female users warning of harassment on sites after photos stolen and sexualisedUsers of secondhand clothing websites such as Vinted are warning about the danger their images will be used against their will on pornography sites, and sounding the alarm about the spread of sexually charged harassment under their posts.The potential for hijacking photos posted on the internet for real or faked erotic content has long been known, but victims and their advocates say culprits appear to have zeroed in on Vinted with targeted campaigns. Continue reading...

Portraits taken in early 60s reveal intimate moments before band's fame became all-consumingA collection of photographs taken by Paul McCartney when the Beatles were on the brink of global stardom are to be shown in an exhibition that sheds light on intimate moments as the group first experienced fame.Rearview Mirror: Liverpool-London-Paris, which opens at Gagosian in London on 28 August, features 18 shots taken by the singer-songwriter during late 1963 after the release of the Beatles' first album, and early 1964 as they travelled to the US. Continue reading...

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...

Man allegedly assaulted after confronting group of about 100 people on march to Flagstaff Gardens early on Saturday

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...

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...

Major flood warning remains in place along Namoi River as parts of coastline receive almost double August monthly rainfall in eight days

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...

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...

Some analysts say it should diversify with an outdoor media acquisition. Others want it to invest in content for Stan and digitising its mastheads

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...