Theodul Glacier’s retreat means refuge near Testa Grigia peak is split between two countriesA melting glacier in the Alps has shifted the border between Switzerland and Italy, putting the location of an Italian mountain lodge in dispute.The borderline runs along a drainage divide – the point at which meltwater will run down either side of the mountain towards one country or the other. Continue reading...
Former BP executive will take over from outgoing boss Warren East on 1 JanuaryThe engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce has named former BP executive Tufan Erginbilgic as its new chief executive to succeed outgoing boss Warren East.The British group said Erginbilgic will take on the role on 1 January next year. East announced in February that he planned to leave at the end of 2022 after eight years at the helm. Continue reading...
Big Brother Watch says Southern Co-operative’s use of the cameras is ‘Orwellian’ and ‘unlawful’Shoppers at a grocery store chain across southern England are being surveilled with controversial facial recognition cameras, prompting a legal complaint by civil rights campaigners.The privacy group Big Brother Watch has submitted a complaint against Southern Co-operative’s use of the cameras, claiming it is “Orwellian” and “unlawful”. Continue reading...
by Rebecca Ratcliffe South-east Asia correspondent, a on (#61SXZ)
State department says military government in Yangon has not faced enough economic and diplomatic pressure, amid global outrage at killingsA senior US official has urged China to do more to rein in Myanmar’s military after its execution of four people, saying that “it cannot be business as usual with the junta”, as the killings drew widespread international condemnation.State department spokesperson Ned Price told a briefing: “Arguably, no country has the potential to influence the trajectory of Burma’s next steps more so than the PRC [People’s Republic of China]”, noting that the junta “has not faced the level of economic and in some cases diplomatic pressure that we would like to see”. Continue reading...
Justice committee says little progress made on developing alternatives to custodial sentences as female prison population predicted to rise by a thirdMinisters have made little progress developing alternatives to custodial sentences for women, MPs have concluded, amid official predictions that the female prison population may rise by a third in the next three years.The Conservative-led justice select committee said “there is yet to be any clear evidence” that women are being diverted away from jail despite promises to develop other methods of punishment and rehabilitation. Continue reading...
by Jessica Elgot Chief political correspondent on (#61SRY)
Labour dismisses Conservative leadership hopeful’s plan for minimum service levels as unworkableLiz Truss has promised a further crackdown on trade unions, widening restrictions to a significant new number of industries, but her proposals were immediately criticised as the “biggest attack on civil rights” since the 19th century.Truss said she would legislate for minimum service levels on critical national infrastructure in the first 30 days of government under her leadership. The pledge would go further than the Tories’ 2019 policy, which promised a minimum service should operate during transport strikes. Continue reading...
Another victim remains in critical condition as Royal Canadian Mounted Police say suspect was shot dead by officersCanadian police say two people have been killed in an early morning gun attack in a Vancouver suburb that left two others injured and appeared to target homeless residents. The suspect was shot dead by officers.On Monday morning, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said most of the shootings were in downtown Langley in southwest British Columbia. There was also a reported shooting in the neighbouring Langley township. Continue reading...
The Brooklyn-bred actor, who played mobster Paulie Cicero in Goodfellas, died of natural causes on MondayPaul Sorvino, the Tony-nominated actor who played mobster Paulie Cicero in Goodfellas, has died at age 83. Sorvino, the father of actor Mira Sorvino, died of natural causes on Monday, his wife Dee Dee announced.“Our hearts are broken, there will never be another Paul Sorvino, he was the love of my life and one of the greatest performers to ever grace the screen and stage,” she said in a statement published by the Hollywood Reporter. Continue reading...
Former first minister of Northern Ireland played crucial role in peace agreement that ended the TroublesDavid Trimble, Northern Ireland’s inaugural first minister and a crucial unionist architect of the Good Friday agreement, has died aged 77.His death on Monday was announced by the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP), the party he led into a historic power-sharing arrangement between nationalists and republicans in Northern Ireland. Continue reading...
Martina Turner, ex-partner of Steven Wood, urges women to look out for warning signs of abusive behaviourA man who stabbed his partner 29 times and left her locked in their house in a pool of blood has been jailed for life.Steven Wood, 54, attacked his girlfriend of two years at their home in Gateshead in May last year – leaving her with extensive and life-changing injuries – when she said she was going out. Continue reading...
Force accused of ‘deferential policing’ after it confirms not seeking details from prime minister over two events before deciding not to fine himAnger over the Partygate scandal has been reignited after Scotland Yard confirmed that it did not send questionnaires to Boris Johnson before deciding against fining him for attending two Downing Street lockdown gatherings.Fines were issued to other attenders at the gatherings in 2020, including one at No 10 on 13 November, where the prime minister gave a leaving speech for his departing director of communications, Lee Cain, and another in the Cabinet Office on 17 December. Continue reading...
by Dan Milmo, Alex Hern and Jasper Jolly on (#61S2H)
Almost 17% fall follows confirmation of discussions with UK satellite firm bailed out by governmentShares in Eutelsat have slumped nearly 17% after the French satellite company confirmed it was in merger talks with OneWeb, a British rival part-owned by the UK government.Eutelsat said it was in discussions with OneWeb, which provides broadband coverage from space, to create a business that would be 50/50 owned by shareholders in both companies. The British government owns nearly 20% of OneWeb, while the French and Chinese governments hold stakes of 20% and 5% respectively in Eutelsat. Continue reading...
Police say four Vietnamese people are reported missing and may have been involved in blaze 10 weeks agoHuman remains have been discovered by workers demolishing a mill in Oldham as police said four Vietnamese people were missing.The finding came 10 weeks after a fire at the property in Bismark House Mill on Bower Street. Continue reading...
British singer, who cancelled previous dates with a day’s notice, will now hit the stage in NovemberAdele has announced new dates for her postponed Las Vegas residency.The singer, who cancelled the original dates at the start of the year, will now begin her Weekends with Adele concerts on 18 November running to 25 March, taking in 32 shows. Continue reading...
Denby’s star is on the rise since its Halo teacup featured in Netflix’s South Korean blockbusterA 200-year-old English pottery has seen its brand enhanced in South Korea thanks to the lockdown hit Squid Game.Denby Pottery, named after the Derbyshire village where it was set up by Joseph Bourne in 1809, has been steadily increasing its business in Asia. It is now on sale with a reported £50m valuation, and seeking new investors to expand ever further. Continue reading...
Critics of Kais Saied fear he will rip up democracy that emerged from 2011 revolutionTunisians have begun voting in a referendum on a new constitution that critics of the president fear will dismantle the democracy that emerged from a 2011 revolution by handing him nearly total power.The vote is being held on the first anniversary of Kais Saied’s ousting of an elected parliament, when he established emergency rule and began governing by fiat. Continue reading...
by Samantha Lock (now); Maya Yang, Anna MacSwan, Emil on (#61R4H)
This live blog is now closed, you can find our latest coverage of the Russia-Ukraine war hereWithout port blockades, Ukraine would be able to export 60m tonnes of grain in eight to nine months, according to Ukraine’s economic adviser, Oleh Ustenko.Ustenko said Russia’s strike on the port of Odesa showed it would definitely not be that easy, according to Reuters reports of his appearance on television. Continue reading...
Firefighters continue to tackle ‘significant’ weather-related blazes, with several fire engines sent to large blaze on Hankley CommonFire services have declared a major incident in Surrey and urged Londoners to cancel barbecues in the capital as firefighters continue to tackle “significant” weather-related blazes.Several fire engines were sent to Hankley Common, a beauty spot in Surrey, on Sunday after a large fire estimated to affect at least eight hectares of land broke out, according to Surrey fire and rescue. Continue reading...
Cash and gems worth £25m were stolen from her Kensington mansion in 2019Tamara Ecclestone, the daughter of ex-Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone, has offered a reward of up to £6m for information that may lead to the recovery of some of her “most precious” belongings stolen in 2019.The 38-year-old was on holiday in Lapland with her husband, their daughter and their dog, when the £25m jewel heist occurred in their 57-room Kensington mansion, on 13 December 2019. Continue reading...
Aran Chada, 51, believed to have had seizure after leaping from boat into waterA British man is feared to have drowned in Lake Garda in Italy after diving in to save his teenage son.Aran Chada, a 51-year-old sales director from Leicestershire, is believed to have had a seizure when he leapt from a boat into the water, the Times reports. Continue reading...
by Aubrey Allegretti Political correspondent on (#61R79)
Amnesty International leads criticism of immigration plans announced by Tory leadership candidatesRishi Sunak and Liz Truss have been accused of “cruelty and immorality” for promising more Rwanda-style deals to remove asylum seekers from the UK, as charities claimed the pair were pandering to party members’ hardline views.Amnesty International led criticism of immigration plans announced over the weekend by the Tory leadership candidates, saying the “dreadful” pledges would come at “great human and financial cost”. Continue reading...
by Robert Booth Social affairs correspondent on (#61RD3)
Terrence Higgins Trust says action must be stepped up to prevent disease becoming endemicHealth authorities are underestimating the scale of the response required to stop monkeypox becoming endemic in the UK, sexual health campaigners have warned, as a new vaccination drive is launched.The Terrence Higgins Trust urged the NHS and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to urgently pump cash into the system to pay more healthcare workers to administer vaccines. It also wants the number of doses ordered to be doubled to protect against a virus that has infected at least 2,208 people in the UK, according to the latest official figures. Continue reading...
by Shaun Walker in Budapest and Flora Garamvolgyi on (#61RE9)
Hungary’s far-right prime minister says countries where races mingle are ‘no longer nations’Hungary’s far-right prime minister, Viktor Orbán, has lashed out against the “mixing” of European and non-European races, in a speech that immediately drew outrage from opposition parties and European politicians.“We [Hungarians] are not a mixed race … and we do not want to become a mixed race,” said Orbán on Saturday. He added that countries where European and non-Europeans mingle are “no longer nations”. Continue reading...
OneWeb, touted by Boris Johnson as a potential rival to Elon Musk’s Starlink, provides communications servicesA satellite company part-owned by the British government is due to be taken over by an EU rival this week, dashing hopes of fostering a UK firm to rival Elon Musk’s Starlink following its taxpayer bailout at the height of the pandemic.OneWeb, which provides services including broadband from its low-orbit satellites, will be taken over by one of its shareholders – the Paris-listed Eutelsat- in a deal that could be announced as early as Monday. Continue reading...
by Aubrey Allegretti Political correspondent on (#61RDK)
Analysis: Leadership contenders compete on hardline approach to Rwanda immigration policy in appeal to the right of the partyIt’s not just barbecues that red meat is being tossed on to in the sweltering summer temperatures.As the Tory leadership contest hots up, a platter of hardline policies is being offered to party members by Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak, in a bid to whet appetites and boost support in the race to become Britain’s prime minister. Continue reading...
Brothers of Italy leads far-right alliance in pole position for snap summer electionWhen the far right took power in Ladispoli, a beach town near Rome, in 2017, ending 20 years of leftwing administration, among its priorities was naming a square after Giorgio Almirante, a minister in Benito Mussolini’s dictatorship and founder of the neofascist Italian Social Movement (MSI).Protests from anti-fascist groups failed to thwart the plan, and in 2019 the nameplate was unveiled during a ceremony that included a blessing from the priest of the church on the same square. Almirante was described by mayor Alessandro Grando, who won a second term in June, as “the father of Italian rightwing socialism and point of reference for many Italians”. Continue reading...
Despite Brexit the super-rich pile in, buying up homes including one on Belgrave Square for £90mThe collapse in the value of the pound has led the global super-rich to buy up 61 luxury London properties each worth more than £10m in the first six months of 2022 – the highest number in a decade.The total value of £10m-plus homes changing hands so far this year has topped £1bn as international buyers continue to be attracted to London despite Brexit. Continue reading...
Dog who stood by master’s Edinburgh grave for 14 years was no Skye terrier but a dandie dinmont popular in the 17th century, say authorsGreyfriars Bobby is likely to have been a different breed of terrier than previously thought, a new book suggests.The faithful pet, famous for sitting at his master’s graveside in Edinburgh for 14 years after his death in 1858, was thought to have been a Skye terrier. Continue reading...
Mural of deceased star’s character appears in Wakanda Forever trailer, as cast and director hail actor’s ‘genius’The cast of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever paid tribute to Chadwick Boseman’s “passion and genius” as the trailer for the sequel was revealed at Comic-Con.The film’s director, Ryan Coogler, said the production team had “put our love for Chadwick into this film”. Continue reading...
Palestinian authorities confirm death of two men and say six more were wounded during clash in NablusIsraeli forces have killed two Palestinian fighters in a pre-dawn clash in the occupied West Bank and attacked a fishing boat off the Gaza Strip coast that was accused of smuggling in Hamas supplies from Egypt.The al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade militant group claimed the two Palestinians killed on Sunday at a house in Nablus as its members. The Palestinian health ministry said six others were wounded. Continue reading...
Hollywood actor will play Donna Freedman one more time as Australian soap comes to an endThe Oscar-nominated actor Margot Robbie will join a handful of international stars returning to Ramsay Street for the final episode of the long-running Australian soap Neighbours.The 32-year-old, who starred in The Suicide Squad and is playing Barbie in Greta Gerwig’s forthcoming film, will return to her role as Donna Freedman in the Australian soap. Continue reading...
by Josh Halliday North of England correspondent on (#61R77)
Cabinet Office minister says rail project ‘waiting to breach waves and rip arm off’ Liz Truss or Rishi SunakThe Cabinet Office minister Kit Malthouse has described the HS2 rail project as a “killer whale” that could “rip the arm” off the next prime minister.In an intervention that will alarm supporters of the multibillion-pound rail upgrade, Malthouse said it could “derail” the premiership of Rishi Sunak or Liz Truss. Continue reading...
Holidaymakers hoping to cross Channel on Sunday told to expect delays of at least two hoursHolidaymakers hoping to travel to France have been told to expect a third day of disruption as the Eurotunnel was hit by long queues of traffic trying to reach Dover.Passengers hoping to cross the Channel on Sunday were told to expect delays of at least two hours due to miles of tailbacks to get to the ferry terminals. Continue reading...
London force takes unusual step of writing to schools urging families to look out for signs of extremismThe Metropolitan police force has taken the unprecedented step of writing to parents of school-age children, urging them to look out for signs of radicalisation because it fears the six-week summer holiday could lead to a rise in extremism.Det Supt Jane Corrigan, of the Met’s counter-terrorism command and lead officer in the anti-terrorist Prevent programme, sent a letter to primary and secondary schools in London – the first time such a step has been taken – to distribute to parents last week. In it she expresses concern that children would be spending more time online during the summer holidays, and that this would create the risk they could come into contact with those attempting to radicalise young people. Continue reading...
Family of Alaa Abd El Fattah say it feels as if foreign secretary has ‘abandoned’ him since she started leadership campaignThe family of the British activist Alaa Abd El Fattah have accused the foreign secretary, Liz Truss, of ignoring his case in favour of her bid to lead the Conservative party, as he reached his 114th day of a hunger strike inside Egypt’s Wadi El Natrun desert prison.Abd El Fattah, a figurehead of Egypt’s 2011 uprisings, has spent most of the last decade behind bars and last December was sentenced to a further five years in prison on charges of terrorism and “spreading false news” after sharing a social media post. He gained British citizenship while incarcerated last year, but British officials have since been stonewalled by the Egyptian side when attempting to visit him in prison. Continue reading...