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Choi Min-kyung is seeking damages from the state represented by its leader and has also submitted a criminal complaint alleging crimes against humanityA North Korean defector has filed a lawsuit against Kim Jong-un in a South Korean court, alleging torture and sexual violence in the regime's detention facilities.Choi Min-kyung, 53, is seeking 50m won (US$37,000) in damages from the North Korean state represented by its leader, Kim Jong-un, and six other officials. She also submitted a criminal complaint asking prosecutors to investigate crimes against humanity charges against Kim and five other officials. Continue reading...

Committee due to make decision on inscription of the Murujuga Cultural Landscape overnightThe Australian government has secured the backing of at least eight members of the 21-country World Heritage committee as it lobbies to quell concerns about the impacts of industrial emissions on indigenous rock art at Murujuga and have the Western Australia site inscribed on the World Heritage list.The federal environment minister, Murray Watt, has been in Paris for the meeting since Wednesday, alongside a delegation from the WA state government and the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation, which has led the nomination.Sign up to get climate and environment editor Adam Morton's Clear Air column as a free newsletter Continue reading...

United Nations' special rapporteur for Palestinian territories stresses all eyes must remain on Gaza as she urges let's stand tall, together'Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur for the West Bank and Gaza, has responded to news that she will be sanctioned by the Trump administration with a post on X saying the powerful punishing those who speak for the powerless, it is not a sign of strength, but of guilt".On Wednesday, as part of its effort to punish critics of Israel's 21-month war in Gaza, the state department sanctioned Albanese, an independent official tasked with investigating human rights abuses in the Palestinian territories. Continue reading...

Rubicon hip-hop gathering in Bratislava, due to be held on 20 July, says several performers and partners withdrewThe Slovakia festival due to welcome Kanye West next week has been called off after the uproar over the US rapper's May release of a song glorifying the Nazi leader Adolf Hitler.Before the 20 July gig was cancelled, Bratislava's Rubicon hip-hop festival was set to be West's only confirmed live performance in Europe this year. Continue reading...

Committee finds firms' business models endangered public and two-year-old Online Safety Act not up to scratch'Social media business models endangered the public by incentivising the spread of dangerous misinformation after the 2024 Southport murders, MPs have concluded, adding that current online safety laws have major holes".The Commons science and technology select committee called for new multimillion-pound fines for platforms that do not set out how they will tackle the spread of harmful content through their recommendation systems. Continue reading...

Study shows such young people have higher risk of arriving at paediatric ICU severely ill and have worse outcomesMinority ethnic children and children from deprived backgrounds across the UK are more likely to die following admission to intensive care than their white and more affluent counterparts, a study has found.These children consistently had worse outcomes following their stay in a paediatric intensive care unit (PICU), the research by academics at Imperial College London discovered. Continue reading...

US president is set to officially open a new golf course at his resort on the North Sea coast at MenieKeir Starmer has accepted an invitation to visit US president Donald Trump during his expected trip to Scotland this month, according to a report.The details of the visit, including the date, are still being finalised, Reuters reported. The White House has not commented on the report. Continue reading...

Mario Guevara remains in detention in Georgia while his attorneys work to free the Spanish-language reporterThe last remaining charges have been dropped against Mario Guevara, a prominent Spanish-language journalist outside Atlanta who was arrested by local police while covering No Kings" day protests in June.The Gwinnett county solicitor, Lisamarie Bristol, announced on Thursday that her office would not prosecute the three traffic citations laid by the Gwinnett county sheriff's office following Guevara's arrest in DeKalb county. Guevara was turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) shortly after his arrest, and has remained in federal custody despite being granted bond more than a week ago. Continue reading...

Around Gravelines and Dunkirk there is danger, profound squalor and a human spirit that overpowers the politicsIt is 5.45am, the dawn light strengthening. A large inflatable dinghy carrying 20 or more people has come discreetly to the east end of the beach at Gravelines. Though it looks packed from the shore, it is perhaps only two-thirds full, according to regular observers. Each person on it wears a fluorescent lifejacket, soon to embark on a risky crossing from France to the UK.For a few minutes the boat halts several metres from shore, probably waiting for others to run from the scrubland behind the beach, where some have been hiding all night to try to get on. But the only people waiting are a small group of journalists. Once it becomes clear there is nobody else to pick up, the boat's engine fires up, heading north-west to England, while one person onboard waves back with the sign of peace. Continue reading...

One in, one out' scheme will include a safe route for those who have not tried to cross Channel illegallyPeople arriving in the UK via small boats will be returned to France as part of what Keir Starmer called a groundbreaking agreement which the government hopes will make a major dent in the number of people crossing the Channel illegally.Starmer and Emmanuel Macron announced the plan on Thursday at the Northwood military base at the end of the French president's three-day state visit. Continue reading...

The star comic will follow up Curb Your Enthusiasm with a new show partnering with the former president and his wifeBarack Obama and Larry David are making comedy history for HBO.The programmer announced on Thursday that the 44th US president and the Curb Your Enthusiasm comic would team up for a sketch comedy series focused on American history, in honor of the country's 250th birthday. Continue reading...

Sinn Fein has said failing to tear down pyre would be victory for mob rule, but PSNI says intervention carries more riskPolice have refused a Belfast city council request to help dismantle a controversial loyalist bonfire that is believed to pose risks to public health and to energy supplies.The Police Service of Northern Ireland said on Thursday that letting the bonfire go ahead was less risky than trying to stop it - a decision that Sinn Fein said would be giving in to mob rule. Continue reading...

Public report into 2016 killing of imam Jalal Uddin points to two key opportunities missed by authoritiesA serious blunder" led to missed opportunities to disrupt a plot by Islamic State extremists to murder an imam in Greater Manchester, a public inquiry has found.Jalal Uddin, 71, was bludgeoned to death with a hammer in a public park in Rochdale by Mohammed Kadir, then aged 24, because he practised a form of Islamic healing known as ruqyah that the terrorist group regarded as blasphemous and black magic". Continue reading...

Children among at least 15 killed in attack that NGO says was blatant violation of international humanitarian law'At least 15 people, including 10 children, have been killed by an Israeli strike as they queued outside a medical point in central Gaza, amid intensifying Israeli attacks that left 82 people dead across the strip.The uptick in Israeli bombing came as negotiators said a Gaza ceasefire deal was in sight, but not yet achieved. Continue reading...

Caricom summit gives broad support' for request to Charles as region steps up campaign for justiceCaribbean leaders are backing Jamaica's petition to King Charles on reparations as the region prepares to step up its pursuit of reparative justice for slavery, the prime minister, Andrew Holness, has said.Speaking at this week's leaders summit for the Caribbean Community (Caricom), a bloc of 20 member and associate member states, Holness said Jamaica had secured broad support" from the region for its petition to the king, the island's head of state. Continue reading...

Former leader, who is in hiding in India, indicted over deadly crackdown on anti-government protests last yearBangladesh's ousted leader Sheikh Hasina has been formally charged with crimes against humanity after being accused of ordering a deadly crackdown against anti-government protests last year that left more than 1,400 people dead.Hasina, who fled the country on 5 August last year, was charged in absentia by a three-judge panel on Thursday. She remains in hiding in neighbouring India and has ignored formal requests for her to return. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Move comes after band's management says rights to concert images will last for only one yearPhoto agencies are to boycott the rest of the Oasis reunion tour, including the first homecoming" gig in Manchester on Friday, over restrictions imposed on how newspapers, magazines, TV broadcasters and digital publishers can use pictures from the gigs.The band's management has told photo agencies and publishers that they own the rights to shots taken at the concerts for just a year, and then they will lose ownership of the images for any future use. Continue reading...

Ukrainian president wants allies to speed up action against Putin after two killed in second night of major strikesVolodymyr Zelenskyy has urged Ukraine's allies to speed up imposing new sanctions on Russia after another huge wave of strikes on his country's capital killed two people, including a police officer, and left 23 wounded.Sanctions must be imposed faster, and pressure on Russia must be strong enough that they truly feel the consequences of their terror," the Ukrainian president said on social media. He accused Moscow of an obvious escalation", with constant strikes" and hundreds of Shahed drones launched every night. Continue reading...

Leaders meet in Rome amid forecasts that a third of rebuild costs could fall to Russia if Ukraine has to concede territoryEver-escalating Russian drone attacks and the concern that Ukraine will be split up under a future peace plan have cast a shadow over a meeting of European leaders to plan for the eventual reconstruction of the war-torn country.The conference is the fourth in this format and is being attended by Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Germany's Friedrich Merz, Italy's Giorgia Meloni and Poland's Donald Tusk. It comes at a time of unprecedented pressure on the Ukrainian economy as Vladimir Putin widens his targets across Ukraine, deploying record numbers of long-range drones. Continue reading...

Four more people rescued, with eleven still missing and six believed kidnapped, after Eternity C sunk in Red Sea by Iran-backed groupFour seafarers were rescued on Thursday after spending more than 48 hours in the waters of the Red Sea, as the search continued for the remaining crew of the Greek ship Eternity C, sank by the Houthis in an attack that killed at least four people.Thursday's rescue brought the total number of those saved to 10, including eight Filipino crew, one Indian and another Greek security guard. Continue reading...

Experienced politicians could help Reform get organised - but its leader must be wary of filling its ranks with the Conservatives he likes to criticise

Number living in affected households rose by 37,000 (2%) in year to April, as pressure grows on government to scrap policy

Recommendations to remove funding from institutions or charities that fail to act on antisemitism are deeply dangerous', critics say

Audience at sold-out London gig told every other chant is fine' amid police investigation into Glastonbury performanceThe frontman of Bob Vylan warned his fans to stop chanting against the Israeli military during the duo's first UK gig since the band's Glastonbury festival performance.Pascal Robinson-Foster, who goes by the name Bobby Vylan, told fans at a sold-out surprise gig in London on Wednesday night they could get him in trouble" after police launched an investigation into the group over comments he made at Glastonbury. Continue reading...

A search involving Marine Rescue NSW, police, PolAir and locals on and around Wooli beach led to Darcy Deefholts, 19, being rescued

Lord mayor Clover Moore says city should not simply be an enclave for the rich' and hopes case sets precedent

The 26-year-old has not been seen or heard from since visiting a general store in Western Australia's Wheatbelt region

Antisemitism envoy Jillian Segal also urges Labor government to bolster education and seek new powers to deport visitors

Plan for Channel crossings marks forward step for the two leaders, though further UK funding remains a sticking pointKeir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron will announce a one in, one out" migration deal on Thursday that will involve the UK accepting some cross-Channel asylum seekers but returning others to France.The two leaders are expected to cap the French president's three-day state visit to the UK with a press conference in London at which they will announce the new plan to tackle small boat crossings. Continue reading...

The British Beer and Pub Association calls for help to cut pub costs with 378 pubs in England, Scotland and Wales likely to call time this yearBritish pubs will close down at the rate of one a day this year, the industry's trade body has warned, blaming high business taxes. At the same time, the hospitality sector has called on ministers to tackle eye-watering" costs.The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA), which represents more than 20,000 pubs in the UK, said it expects 378 to close this year in England, Scotland and Wales, at a cost of 5,600 jobs. Continue reading...

At least 10 people killed and 100 young people arrested since protests began in west African country in JuneOn the night last month that he and 34 other young people were arrested in the Togolese capital, Lome, for coordinating an anti-government demonstration, Bertin Bandiangou said gendarmes beat him with ropes and slapped him. The next morning he was tortured while a commanding officer filmed proceedings.He was lucky to get out alive: at least 10 people have been killed by security officials since protests began in June calling for the resignation of the small west African country's president, Faure Gnassingbe. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Restrictions on shot and bullets containing toxic metal to be phased in over three years from 2026Shotgun pellets and bullets that contain lead are to be banned for almost all uses, ministers have said, in a long-awaited announcement welcomed by wildlife groups.The restrictions will be phased in over three years from 2026, rather than the five set out in an official report last year, prompting some shooting organisations to say replacement ammunition may not be fully available in time. Continue reading...

European Commission president expected to survive but ballot likely to reveal discontent about EU's rightward driftThe European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, is preparing to face a rare vote of censure in the European parliament that is likely to reveal discontent about the rightward drift of EU policies.Von der Leyen is expected to comfortably survive a vote on Thursday on the censure motion, which in theory could trigger the downfall of her commission. While her survival is considered a certainty, the debate has lifted the lid on simmering discontent among centrist, centre-left and green MEPs who voted her back into office just under one year ago, after elections that gave rightwing nationalists their best-ever results. Continue reading...

Alleged incidents detailed in report commissioned by union administrator include fake bomb threat on work site and use of video to identify safety inspectors to expose them to harassment

Europe's top human rights court finds Boeing 777 flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur was shot down by Russia in July 2014

PM's hopes of announcing illegal migration curbs during Macron visit depend on several hurdles being clearedAnglo-French talks over a migration deal were deadlocked on Wednesday night, with negotiators haggling over how much Britain will pay towards the cost of policing small boat crossings.Keir Starmer had hoped to be able to announce a returns deal - under which Britain would send back some asylum seekers once they had crossed the Channel - before the conclusion on Thursday of the three-day state visit by the French president, Emmanuel Macron. Continue reading...

Trump inquired where Liberian president Joseph Boakai got his language skills during meeting with African leadersDonald Trump was basking in the praise of a group of African leaders on Wednesday, when the Liberian president took the microphone.Liberia is a longtime friend of the United States and we believe in your policy of making America great again," President Joseph Boakai said in English at a White House meeting before advocating for US investment in his country. We just want to thank you so much for this opportunity." Continue reading...

Justice department says state policy violates Title IX, which offers legal protection against sex discriminationThe Trump administration has sued California over its policies allowing transgender athletes to compete in girls' school sports, alleging that their participation violates federal anti-discrimination laws.The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Los Angeles, claims that California's policies violate Title IX, which affords legal protection against sex discrimination. Continue reading...

Politician spent 52 days in jail after being charged with insurrection but was released four months agoFormer South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol returned to jail on Thursday after a court approved a warrant sought by prosecutors investigating his attempt to impose martial law last year.The Seoul central district court's decision bolstered the special counsel investigation into allegations that Yoon's move in December represented obstruction of justice and abuse of power. Continue reading...

Cash will pay for extra measures to address critical public safety concerns' identified in independent review of festivalNotting Hill carnival will go ahead this year after almost 1m of funding was raised to provide extra safety and infrastructure measures.City Hall, Kensington and Chelsea council and Westminster city council together provided 958,000 for the event following pleas from organisers for support, after a review recommended several changes to make the event safe. Continue reading...

Raynor Winn describes enduring hardest days' and publishes clinic letters saying her husband, Moth, has been treated for CBD/S for many yearsRaynor Winn, the author of The Salt Path, has described enduring some of the hardest days" of her life as she defended her memoir against allegations that parts of it were fabricated.The bestselling 2018 book, which was adapted into a film starring Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs, tells how she and her husband, Moth, walked the 630-mile trek along the south-west coast path after losing their home. Continue reading...

Public Sector Fraud Authority to look into loans taken out by James McMurdock during pandemicThe former Reform UK MP James McMurdock's business affairs during the Covid pandemic have been referred to the Public Sector Fraud Authority, the Guardian understands.It follows a referral by the Covid corruption commissioner on Wednesday. The authority will investigate the evidence and work with relevant agencies if required. Continue reading...

Judges praised the Sudanese author for centring Muslim women, describing her writing as a balm, a shelter, and an inspiration"Leila Aboulela has won this year's PEN Pinter prize for her writing on migration, faith and the lives of women.The prize is awarded to a writer who, in the words of the late British playwright Harold Pinter, casts an unflinching, unswerving" gaze on the world, and shows a fierce intellectual determination ... to define the real truth of our lives and our societies". Continue reading...

Warnings from group of 104 MPs come amid fears party could lose next election if voters do not feel better offThe government must refocus on more radical ideas to help people with everyday costs such as food, energy, childcare and housing, more than 100 Labour MPs have said in a letter to Keir Starmer.They made the warning amid fears Labour could lose the next election and will bleed voters to both Reform and parties on the left unless there is a much faster pace of change that puts money directly back in people's pockets. Continue reading...

Foreign office has declined to assist family of six, who already have permission to join a relative in BritainA Palestinian family of six who are trapped in Gaza despite having permission to join a relative in the UK have gone to court to try to force British authorities to help them leave.Their case caused political controversy in February when the prime minister, Keir Starmer, said an immigration tribunal judge was wrong to grant them the right to live in the UK after they applied through a scheme originally meant for Ukrainian refugees. Continue reading...

George Findlay resigns from hugely demanding job' amid police investigation into deaths of more than 90 patientsThe chief executive of an NHS hospital trust where police are investigating the possible manslaughter of more than 90 patients is to step down.George Findlay said he was very proud" of his 10 years at University Hospitals Sussex NHS trust, including the last three years as its chief executive. Continue reading...

British No 3, Sonay Kartal, was just one of the players attacked after cruel comments posted on Wimbledon's official Facebook page about herFor Sonay Kartal, there was disappointment but a sense of pride as she walked off Centre Court to a standing ovation when her fairytale Wimbledon run came to an end.Footage of the bittersweet moment, posted on SW19's official Facebook page, prompted praise for the 23-year-old British No 3 - and a slew of cruel comments about her appearance. Continue reading...

William Ruto accuses protesters of terrorism and violence two days after 31 people killed in anti-government demonstrationsKenya's president, William Ruto, has ordered police to shoot protesters targeting businesses in the legs, in a sharp intensification of his rhetoric days after 31 people were killed in nationwide anti-government demonstrations.They shouldn't kill them but they should shoot their legs so they break and they can go to hospital on their way to court," Ruto said in the capital, Nairobi. Continue reading...

Invitations for receptions sent from parliamentary office include ads for housebuilders and public affairs firmsLabour MPs have privately raised alarm at the number of sponsored corporate receptions for backbenchers that have been arranged by the party, amid concerns about perceived conflicts of interest.MPs have received invitations for networking receptions that include explicit advertisements for property developers or public affairs firms. The invitations are sent to MPs directly from the parliamentary Labour party (PLP) office and forwarded by party whips. Continue reading...

UK prime minister will have talks with Emmanuel Macron later todayThe BMA strike decision must be a tempting topic for Kemi Badenoch at PMQs, which is starting very soon. The Conservatives have repeatedly criticised the government for the way they swiftly settled public sector pay disputes when they took office; they argue that Labour was too generous to the unions, thereby encouraging them to threaten further strikes.Here is the list of MPs down to ask a question.Streeting says he is disappointed" by the proposed strike, and he insists resident doctors have had a relatively good outcome on pay. He says:I remain disappointed that despite all that we have been able to achieve in this last year, and that the majority of resident doctors in the BMA did not vote to strike, the BMA is continuing to threaten strike action.I accepted the DDRB's recommendation for resident doctors, awarding an average pay rise of 5.4%, the highest across the public sector. Accepting this above inflation recommendation, which was significantly higher than affordability, required reprioritisation of NHS budgets. Because of this government's commitment to recognising the value of the medical workforce, we made back-office efficiency savings to invest in the frontline. That was not inevitable, it was an active political choice this government made. Taken with the previous deal I made with the BMA last year, this means resident doctors will receive an average pay rise of 28.9% over the last 3 years.He says the NHS is finally moving in the right direction" and that a strike will put that recovery at risk".He offers to hold meet the BMA to hold talks to avert the strike. He says:I stand ready to meet with you again at your earliest convenience to resolve this dispute without the need for strike action. I would like to once again extend my offer to meet with your entire committee to discuss this.As I have stated many times, in private and in public, with you and your predecessors, you will not find another health and social care secretary as sympathetic to resident doctors as me. By choosing to strike instead of working in partnership to improve conditions for your members and the NHS, you are squandering an opportunity. Continue reading...