Colombians will choose on Sunday between two men whose lives have been very differently shaped by the militias, and whose visions for the country are poles apartWhoever wins Sunday's presidential runoff vote in Colombia, the country's next leader will have a personal history intertwined with one of the criminal forces at the heart of a decades-long armed conflict that claimed nearly half a million lives.The lives of Ivan Cepeda and Abelardo de la Espriella have, in very different ways, been shaped by their relationship with Colombia's paramilitaries - private armies originally established by rightwing landowners, drug traffickers, businessmen, mining magnates and politicians to fight leftwing guerrilla groups. Continue reading...
Figures including Jared Kushner and Scott Bessent named in directory of Dialog participants that was exposed onlineA website leak has exposed participants in the secretive, Peter Thiel-founded Dialog retreats which includes top politicians from across the American divide, officials from foreign countries, other titans of the tech industry world and prominent media figures.The annual Dialog retreats, which have been compared to other quasi-secret elite conferences like the Bilderberg Group and Bohemian Grove since they began in 2006, have had some participants revealed in previous media reports. Fairly little is known about the invitation-only event, which is usually held at luxury establishments around the world and features organized discussions on global affairs. Continue reading...
Outbreak of fighting between Hezbollah and Israel has forced mediators to cancel US-Iran peace talks in SwitzerlandIsraeli strikes on southern Lebanon have killed at least 16 people, local authorities said on Saturday, despite reports of a renewed ceasefire aiming to end persistent violence that threatens the new agreement between the US and Iran.Lebanon's civil defence agency said its personnel transported 16 dead and 12 wounded" to hospital, adding that they had been working since the early morning hours" in the Nabatieh district in response to ongoing attacks targeting the area". Continue reading...
Arrests after explosion and caravan fires heighten controversy over number of people living in vehiclesJan Johnston was tucked up in the van she calls home when she was rocked by the explosion. I heard this massive boom," she said. I came out and there was thick, black, billowing smoke. It was like a bomb had gone off."It turned out not to be a bomb, but a suspected arson attack on one of the many caravans, motorhomes and converted vehicles tucked away in side roads and industrial estates around the town of Glastonbury in Somerset. Continue reading...
Mona Khalil led decades-long effort to protect nesting site for turtles near her home in south of the countryThe Lebanese marine activist Mona Khalil, who became a beloved figure in the country for a decades-long effort to protect a nesting site for turtles near her home, has died from injuries sustained in an Israeli strike.Khalil, 76, ran a sanctuary called the Orange House Project near the Mediterranean city of Tyre. She hosted volunteers in her house to clean and monitor a mile-long beach and welcomed tourists to stay and learn about conservation. Continue reading...
Designer turns to the accessory that launched his empire as he invokes the golden age of Italian sportFor his second standalone menswear show in Milan, Ralph Lauren reverted to the accessory that launched his empire in 1967 - ties.Skinny silk ties featuring subtle swirly prints were neatly knotted and used as the finishing touch to elegant pinstripe suits, while more brightly printed or striped cravats were whirled and worn like ties peeking out from under knitwear and rugby shirts. Continue reading...
Now fighting is over, the question is how Iran's government will behave. Early clues point to more authoritarianism and prioritising relations with ChinaThe precise ideological lessons that Iran's new leadership draws from the 110-day war may prove to be the overriding factor in determining whether negotiations with the US culminate in an agreement that verifiably prevents the country from developing a nuclear weapon - an outcome that could usher in a new era for the Iranian economy while also reshaping the Middle East.Does this rapidly assembled leadership team, forged in the fire of war, still represent an Islamic ideological crusade - a description coined by Henry Kissinger - or does the acceptance of the memorandum of understanding, in the words of JD Vance, denote a desire for pragmatism? Continue reading...
National Highways agency uses virtual reality test to see if drivers are distracted by introduction of low-flying dronesI'm barrelling down the motorway at 70mph, swerving from lane to lane, with cars speeding past me. There's just one problem, I don't have a driving licence.Or at least it would be a problem were this a real road test. But despite the life-like surroundings, I am in fact trialling a complex simulation created by virtual reality company MXT on behalf of National Highways, the government-owned agency responsible for the UK's major roads. Continue reading...
Lanchester Wines in north-east England uses heat from a disused coalmine to maintain wine temperatures and with 23,000 flooded mines in the UK, there's huge potential for more businesses and homes to follow its leadShove them in a fridge, stash them in a cellar - this is how most people store their favourite bottles of wine. But if you have warehouses full of thousands of vintages, you have to think a little differently.For the last eight winters, Lanchester Wines has used heat from a disused coalmine to maintain ideal storage temperatures at its facilities in the north-east of England, helping to prevent freezing or spoilage. Continue reading...
Supplier Agratas sacks its main building contractor on the government-backed project amid a budget mismatchJaguar Land Rover faces the risk of delays to the first deliveries of electric car batteries from a 5.2bn government-backed factory in Somerset after construction problems.The British carmaker is planning to rely on the Agratas factory in Bridgwater, Somerset, to supply the batteries for its new electric models. Agratas and JLR are owned by the Indian industrial conglomerate Tata. Continue reading...
Exclusive: Tourism minister says another likely record year of visitor growth is not a worry amid move to welcome tourists out of season and market less frequented areasSpain is redoubling its efforts to push its tourist appeal beyond the familiar sun and sand and coast" model as it prepares for another record-breaking year in which the number of foreign visitors could reach 100 million for the first time, the country's tourism minister has said.Speaking to the Guardian, Jordi Hereu rejected suggestions that Spain was now saturated with tourists but said it had become clear that the old formulas no longer work", especially amid growing concerns about overtourism and the effects of the climate emergency. Continue reading...
Exclusive: Research suggests financial penalties necessary if number of large vehicles on roads is to be reducedDrivers who are told about the safety risks posed by SUVs to cyclists and pedestrians are very unlikely to be deterred from buying one, a new study has found.The findings indicate that if governments want to reduce the number of large, dangerous vehicles on the roads, it is likely to require financial penalties, according to the psychologists at Swansea University who led the research. Continue reading...
by Jason Burke in Rehovot and Jerusalem on (#76EEK)
In middle Israel' there are fears Iran could rebuild stronger - and there is particular ire for Donald TrumpIn the Tree brasserie off Herzl Street in Rehovot, there was much that almost everyone agreed on. Few contested that the ceasefire deal concluded by Iran and the US a few days earlier was very bad for Israel. We were betrayed by President Trump," said Avi Perez, 55.They believed, too, that Israel, more than ever, was surrounded by danger that it would have to confront alone. It is strange. One day we were in the [bomb] shelters with our children ... The next day, everything is supposed to be normal. But nothing has been resolved," said Shaham Nowick, 35, as he studied the menu. Continue reading...
Cambridgeshire police say 30-year-old man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder is not fit to be interviewedA man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a three-year-old boy ended up in a crocodile enclosure has been released because he is not fit to be interviewed, police have said.The 30-year-old man from Norfolk has been bailed while detectives from the major crimes unit conduct further inquiries, Cambridgeshire police said. Continue reading...
Birds have been in the park since the Russian ambassador gave King Charles II two in 1664 - but none ever bred thereThey arrived in the royal park shortly before the Great Fire of London, when the Russian ambassador presented a pair to King Charles II as a gift.But although pelicans have been living in St James's Park since 1664, none ever learned the art of courtship - until now, when for the first time in more than 360 years, chicks have been born. Continue reading...
Thomas, 43, a former military police officer, has whip suspended during investigation into the allegationsA Liberal Democrat MP suspended by the party has been arrested on suspicion of controlling and coercive behaviour and assault, the Guardian understands.Cameron Thomas, the MP for Tewkesbury, was arrested by Gloucestershire police on Wednesday. The Liberal Democrats said the 43-year-old had had the whip and membership of the party suspended. Continue reading...
by Jon Henley in Paris, Sam Jones in Madrid and Kate on (#76DY5)
More than half of France's population under severe weather warning with temperatures expected to exceed 40CMore than half of France's population is under a severe weather warning as large swathes of western Europe endure the second extreme heat event of the year with temperatures expected to exceed 40C (104F).The French president, Emmanuel Macron, called for extreme vigilance from everyone", asking citizens to take care of our oldest and most vulnerable people" and follow government advice. We are going through difficult days," he said. Continue reading...
by Presented by Annie Kelly with Alexandra Topping; p on (#76E5T)
Andy Burnham's resounding win in the Makerfield byelection has set the stage for a leadership battle with Keir Starmer. The outgoing mayor of Greater Manchester received more votes than Reform and Restore combined, and the nature of the victory has prompted speculation he could replace Starmer as prime minister within weeks, if not days. Annie Kelly speaks to political correspondent Alexandra Topping
Bar Standards Board bars Karim Khan from practising in England and Wales, following suspension by ICCKarim Khan, the international criminal court prosecutor, has been suspended from practising as a barrister in England and Wales by the UK's Bar Standards Board.The move comes less than two weeks after Khan was suspended as ICC chief prosecutor as part of a disciplinary process triggered by sexual abuse allegations against him. Khan has repeatedly denied the claims. Continue reading...
Temperatures expected to climb to 30C over the weekend in southern England and south-east WalesThe Met Office has issued an amber extreme heat warning for much of southern England and south-east Wales over the coming days - the most extreme heat warning the weather forecaster has issued for nearly four years.Temperatures are expected to climb to about 30C (86F) over the weekend and peak on Monday and Tuesday at 34C, though there remains a chance of this being exceeded in some spots", the Met Office said. Continue reading...
This blog is now closed, you can read more on this story hereAnother close Meloni ally and undersecretary in her office, Giovanbattista Fazzolari, also heavily criticised Trump's attack on the Italian PM.It is unclear whether out of intent or ineptitude [Trump] is wrecking the historic relations between the United States and Europe," he said in a statement quoted by Reuters. Continue reading...
US president provokes outrage as PM says he totally invented' story in interview with Italian mediaItaly's prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, has said Donald Trump totally invented" a story about her after the US president claimed she begged him to take a photo with her during the G7 summit.The two former allies had appeared to be getting their relationship back on track by having several one-to-ones on the sidelines at the gathering in Evian after falling out in April over the US-Israeli war in Iran. Continue reading...
Amid UK government proposals for a ban, experts discuss what other activities might really serve children wellWhen a Lancashire schoolgirl was asked what she would do if the proposed social media ban for under-16s came into effect, her answer hit a national nerve: Stare at a wall," she deadpanned.The clip went viral, not least because it distilled a question many parents have been asking themselves about the consequences of the government's proposed social media ban. Continue reading...
Tanker owner trade body says centre of strait will remain closed for some time', with vessels risking running aground by taking Omani routeThe centre of the strait of Hormuz is blocked with about 80 mines that will need clearing for normal shipping to resume, the independent tanker owner trade body has said.Several vessels began to exit the Gulf through the key maritime chokepoint on Thursday after the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the US and Iran. Continue reading...
JD Vance lambasted Israeli critics of the proposed deal, but did not travel to Europe as planned. Plus, at 82 years old, Keith Richards still gives some of the best interview quotes in townGood morning. Talks set to take place today between the US and Iran to implement a peace deal were abruptly cancelled. The White House said the US still looked forward to beginning technical talks as soon as possible". Hezbollah-linked media reported Tehran was delaying sending its delegation due to Israel's ongoing military campaign in Lebanon.The talks were set to begin in the Swiss village of Obburgen two days after the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that opened a 60-day window to negotiate a permanent agreement over Iran's nuclear programme, while reopening the strait of Hormuz. The centre of the strait is blocked with about 80 mines that will need clearing for normal shipping to resume, the independent tanker owner trade body has said.What is happening in Lebanon? Hezbollah targeted Israeli forces near Nabatieh with several salvoes of rocket fire after Israeli shelling. Israel responded with a wave of airstrikes, killing at least 18 people and injuring 33. Iran has said Israel's attacks on Lebanon must end as part of any peace deal.What did JD Vance say to Israeli critics of the deal? In sharp words, the vice-president said: Donald J Trump is the only head of state in the entire world who is sympathetic to the nation of Israel at this moment in time. If I was in the cabinet of the Israeli government, I might not be attacking the only powerful ally that I have anywhere left in the entire world."Why does Trump's Iran entanglement echo the Jimmy Carter years? In this excellent analysis piece Robert Tait reminds us that one of Trump's earliest political forays was lambasting the Democratic president during the 1980 Iran hostage crisis. Trump, Tait says, now finds himself in a position that uncannily resembles that of his predecessor - unable to bend Iran to his will despite superior US military power. Continue reading...
Simone Venturini says proposal aimed at discouraging arrivals in periods of heightened tourist pressure'Venice's new mayor has said he hopes to raise a controversial entrance fee for day-trippers to the lagoon city to as much as 50 (43).Simone Venturini, the rightwing former tourism councillor who was elected mayor in late May, said the proposal was aimed at further discouraging arrivals during periods of heightened tourist pressure". Continue reading...
Fifa has defended its Aramco sponsorship, saying revenues are reinvested back into football at all levelsAs scorching temperatures beat down on World Cup soccer games across North America, climate activists - including former and current professional athletes - are calling for Fifa and other professional sporting organizations to cut ties with the oil and gas industry.Sport, especially football, has the power to influence and inspire billions of people," said David Wheeler, an English former professional footballer, who supports the campaign. Fifa should be harnessing that power to do good." Continue reading...
May heatwave drives up volume of sales 1.2%, the strongest monthly growth since January, says ONSRetail sales bounced back to growth in May as record hot weather spurred sales of fans and paddling pools, while online purchases also soared.The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the volume of retail sales in Great Britain grew 1.2% in May compared with the previous month, the strongest monthly rate of growth since January. Continue reading...
This blog is now closed Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThere were two small earthquakes in New South Wales this morning, according to Geoscience Australia.A 3.4 magnitude quake hit near Orange around 5.45am this morning, with at least 108 people reporting they felt the shakes. And a 3.2 magnitude temblor hit near Wilcannia two hours earlier. Just two people reported feeling that quake.If we're given the choice between taking the easier path politically or doing the more difficult thing, but the right thing in the interests of particularly first home buyers, young people, workers in the tax system, then it will be worth it.Obviously, there's a big partisan political campaign against these changes. We understand that. We anticipated that. We expected that. But it's worth it because our job isn't just to take the easy political options.The more important thing than the politics of this is to get the policy right, to get the substance right. Because at the end of the day, what matters most is the tax system and the housing market are broken. We are acting to fix it. Continue reading...
by Peter Walker Senior political correspondent on (#76DSE)
After winning the Makerfield byelection, the returning Labour MP faces a number of scenarios in his bid to replace Keir Starmer UK politics - live updates
Veteran campaigner Robin Hanbury-Tenison is raising money for a research station near his home in CornwallPedalling on water for more than a hundred miles in a heatwave, pushed back by east winds and having to navigate 31 locks would be a challenge for anybody. But when that body is 90 years old, with a bad knee, failing balance and malfunctioning arms and shoulders, it's a herculean feat.Rainforest campaigner Robin Hanbury-Tenison, 90, is pedalling 104 miles down the River Thames from Oxford to Richmond on a water-bike to raise money for a unique research station which is being built to study Britain's temperate rainforest. Continue reading...
Liam Byrne, who chairs Commons business committee, says too many operators are still waiting for redressThe Japanese tech company at the centre of the Post Office IT scandal is facing calls from a parliamentary committee to make an immediate" payment towards the compensation bill for victims.Fujitsu supplied the faulty Horizon software to the UK Post Office, which led to branch operators being wrongly prosecuted over discrepancies in their business accounts. Continue reading...
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