World news | The Guardian

Campaigners applaud decision not to repeal law in west African country with one of the highest rates of FGMMPs in the Gambia voted on Monday to retain a law outlawing female genital mutilation (FGM), sparking joy and relief among campaigners.Thirty-four out of 53 lawmakers voted to maintain the ban, which was introduced in 2015, aid workers told the Guardian. The remainder voted to repeal it. Continue reading...

Moscow-born writer and prominent critic of Putin was charged with spreading false information about the militaryUS journalist and author Masha Gessen has been convicted in absentia by a Moscow court on charges of spreading false information about the military and was sentenced to eight years in prison.The Moscow-born Gessen, a staff writer for the New Yorker and a columnist for the New York Times who lives in the US, is a prominent critic of the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, and an award-winning writer. Continue reading...

Deir Al-Balah, in central Gaza Strip, says it can no longer provide drinking water after running out of fuel

Heat advisories are in place from Texas to New York as major east coast cities under air quality alertsMillions of Americans are bracing themselves for dangerous temperatures at the start of the working week as a heat dome blankets the midwest and eastern United States.Heat advisories are in place in Kansas and Texas all the way to New York and South Carolina, as the area of high pressure that caused misery in the west last week slowly makes its way across the country. Continue reading...

Police files document that a former partner was found to have died from a gunshot wound on his property, court has heard

Latest high court battle against approval of road tunnel under the world heritage site began on MondayMinisters were inadequately briefed" by officials on alternative schemes before approving a road tunnel under Stonehenge for a second time, lawyers for campaigners have argued in the high court, in the latest legal attempt to stop the controversial scheme.Campaigners argue that the proposed two-mile (3.3km) road tunnel, part of a new eight-mile (13km) dual carriageway for the A303 road, would destroy a large area of the heritage site around Stonehenge - including ancient monuments and listed buildings - as well as costing at least 2.5bn and increasing emissions. Continue reading...

Kallas has been nominated to serve as the EU's next high representative for foreign affairs, succeeding Josep BorrellRussian-American journalist Masha Gessen was sentenced in absentia to eight years jail by a Moscow court today, AFP reported.The court sentenced Gessen for knowingly spreading false information about the use of the Russian army." Continue reading...

Spanish police say rescuers have found remains in Masca area where British teenager disappeared in JuneRescue teams on the Spanish island of Tenerife have discovered the body of a young man in the area where the British teenager Jay Slater disappeared.In a statement, Spain's national police force, the Guardia Civil, said rescuers had found remains. Continue reading...

The Guardian's Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss the assassination attempt on Donald Trump and the implications for UK politics. Plus, a preview of the king's speech Continue reading...

Organisations including the3million write to PM calling for action to avoid a repeat of Windrush scandal

Greece experiencing most severe wildfire risk in two decades and some reservoirs hit lowest levels in a decadeSouthern and eastern Europe will continue to experience a heatwave throughout much of this week, with daytime temperatures across the Balkans widely reaching the high 30s to low 40Cs; over 7C above the seasonal norm. Night-time temperatures will also remain elevated, often well into the 20Cs.And in densely urbanised areas such as Athens, Greece, night-time temperatures are forecast at or above an uncomfortable 30C due to the urban heat island (UHI) effect. During a heatwave, the UHI effect intensifies urban temperatures because heat-absorbing materials, reduced vegetation and human activities retain the sun's warmth overnight, which leads to increased health risks and energy demands. Continue reading...

Former Coach boss Joshua Schulman to take control as Jonathan Akeroyd departs with immediate effect

Yostin Andres Mosquera charged with murder over deaths of two men whose remains were found in suitcases on Clifton Suspension BridgeA man has been charged with two counts of murder over the deaths of two men whose remains were found in suitcases in Bristol last week, the Metropolitan police said.Yostin Andres Mosquera, 34, was charged on Monday morning, the Met said. Continue reading...

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Incumbent since 2000 is seeking fourth seven-year term after winning more than 90% of votes in last three ballotsPeople in Rwanda are going to the polls for elections in which Paul Kagame is widely expected to extend his rule of the central African country.This is the fourth presidential ballot since more than 800,000 people, mostly members of the Tutsi ethnic minority, were killed in a genocide in the country 30 years ago. Continue reading...

Some asylum seekers told to cut up residence permits after believing they had been granted leave to remainThe Home Office has apologised to asylum seekers granted leave to remain in the UK who then had their decisions retracted.In some cases applicants were sent residence permits before being told by officials to cut them up. Continue reading...

Policies popular even among Tory and Reform voters as unions say pledges must be honoured in king's speechLabour's plans for boosting workers' rights are backed by voters across the political spectrum, including a majority of Conservative and Reform supporters, new polling commissioned by the TUC shows.As the new government prepares to set out its programme in the king's speech on Wednesday, the TUC is urging ministers to press ahead with implementing their manifesto pledges on workers' rights in full. Continue reading...

PM can seize moment and show how European Political Community can help shift dial away from authoritarianismKeir Starmer's chance to introduce himself to nearly 50 European leaders in the historic surroundings of Blenheim Palace this week very nearly did not happen, according to some diplomatic sources.Rishi Sunak, unlike Liz Truss, his predecessor as prime minister, who took Britain into the European Political Community (EPC), was not a great enthusiast for this still nascent addition to the crowded field of world summitry. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Bank launches project by selling Pudsey site as CEO says Labour's commitment to sector is clearer' than last government'sLloyds Banking Group will start converting its disused office sites into social housing, as the UK's largest mortgage provider lays the groundwork for a fresh housebuilding boom after Labour's election win.The bank, which started reviewing its property portfolio during the Covid lockdown in 2020, is launching the programme with a decommissioned data and office space in Pudsey, West Yorkshire. Lloyds will sell the site to a local housing group with the agreement that 80 new homes will then be rented at about half the usual rate. Lloyds said it was assessing other potential offices and datacentres in the UK that it could do something similar with. Continue reading...

Two bodies were discovered separately by members of the public in the river on Sunday, with one death being treated as suspicious by police

Dr Alex Brittan, whose damning report into welfare issues prompted watchdog review, insists external probe needed for there to be meaningful change'

The world's second-largest economy is grappling with a real estate debt crisis, weakening consumption, an ageing population and geopolitical tensionsChina's economy slowed more than expected in the June quarter, increasing the likelihood that a gathering of top officials in Beijing this week will unveil efforts to rekindle growth.The world's second-largest economy expanded by 4.7% in the April-June period from a year earlier, the National Bureau of Statistics said on Monday. That result was down from 5.3% growth in the March quarter and the 5.1% rate economists had predicted. Continue reading...

NSW police say a member of the public discovered the body on a residential street in Dee Why shortly after 7am

David William Wonnocott, 50, caused Higgins and her partner David Sharaz to feel fearful of their safety"A man facing jail for making death threats to Brittany Higgins, her partner and their dog has been successfully treated for his mental conditions, but his lawyers still want him to see a psychiatrist.David William Wonnocott, 50, has been charged with using a carriage service to menace and threaten to kill.Information and support for anyone affected by rape or sexual abuse issues is available from the following organisations. In Australia, support is available at 1800Respect (1800 737 732). In the UK, Rape Crisis offers support on 0808 500 2222. In the US, Rainn offers support on 800-656-4673. Other international helplines can be found at ibiblio.org/rcip/internl.html Continue reading...

Comes after the union's national executive put Victorian branch into administration over allegations of criminal links

Orlando Whitfield, the author of All That Glitters, on his years of friendship with the art fraudster Inigo PhilbrickOrlando Whitfield, the author of All That Glitters, tells Michael Safi about his former friendship with Inigo Philbrick, who was sentenced to seven years in 2022 for wire fraud and ordered to forfeit $86m (68m).As students at Goldsmiths University in London, Whitfield and Philbrick decided to start dealing in art together. They sold their first piece for 15,000 (12,600). Continue reading...

King Charles and Queen Camilla will travel to the ACT and NSW in October

Zionist Federation calls two social media posts irresponsible and dangerous' but journalist says complaint is completely misconstruing' them

Buyers not fazed by election or Euro 2024, says Rightmove, as gamechanging' interest rate cuts anticipatedThe number of agreed house sales over the past month was 15% up on this time last year, according to Rightmove, as buyers anticipate gamechanging" interest rate cuts they hope could come as early as August.Britain's biggest property website said homebuyers largely shrugged off the distractions" of the general election and the Euro 2024 football tournament to keep transactions well above this time last year. Continue reading...

Starmer phones ex-president, as Johnson, Farage and others express shock at Pennsylvania assassination attempt

Catherine presents trophy to Carlos Alcaraz in second public appearance since cancer diagnosis announcementThe Princess of Wales has made her second public appearance since announcing her cancer diagnosis, attending an occasionally rowdy Wimbledon men's final where she was welcomed with a standing ovation.Catherine, who is the patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, presented the men's singles trophy to Carlos Alcaraz, who beat Novak Djokovic in straight sets. The princess attended Sunday's final with her daughter, Princess Charlotte, and her sister, Pippa Matthews. Continue reading...

Airstrikes add to one of deadliest weeks amid uncertainty over whether Hamas has withdrawn from ceasefire talksAt least 31 Palestinians have been killed and more than 50 wounded in fresh Israeli bombings across the Gaza Strip, rescuers and health officials have said, as conflicting reports emerged over whether Hamas was withdrawing from ceasefire talks after the targeting of the group's top military commander.Four attacks in various parts of Gaza City in the early hours of Sunday morning occurred less than 24 hours after Israeli forces said Mohammed Deif, who is believed to be the mastermind behind the 7 October attack on southern Israel, was the target of a strike in the city of Khan Younis in southern Gaza that, according to the territory's emergency services, killed more than 90 people and injured 300 others. Continue reading...

Houchen says party must avoid seeming self-indulgent as other Conservatives attack Liz Truss over new interventionThe Conservatives should not have a protracted leadership debate as it would be a waste of time" and could risk appearing self-indulgent, the Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen has said.His comments came as former Conservative parliamentary candidates rounded on the former prime minister Liz Truss, who has attacked the leadership of Rishi Sunak in the failed general election campaign by saying he had trashed her legacy in office. Continue reading...

Corey Comperatore, 50, was a hero' who had so much life left to experience', his sister saysCorey Comperatore, a former fire chief of the Buffalo Township Volunteer fire company in Pennsylvania, has been identified as the victim who was shot and killed amidst an assassination attempt on former US president Donald Trump on Saturday.He was a hero that shielded his daughters. His wife and girls just lived through the unthinkable and unimaginable," Comperatore's sister, Dawn Comperatore Schafer, said in a post on Facebook. Continue reading...

Former first lady thanks law enforcement for protecting her husband, as Trump's children issue statementsMelania Trump has condemned the man who authorities say tried to assassinate her husband, Donald, on Saturday as a monster".The former first lady's comments came in a statement on Sunday which, like others from the former president's family members, expressed support for law enforcement in their response to Saturday's shooting at Trump rally in Pennsylvania. The shooting killed one spectator and wounded two before Secret Service agents shot the attacker dead. Continue reading...

Supporters enjoy a buzzing' atmosphere and predict carnage' whatever the result in match against Spain

Exclusive: solar developer Trinzic to voluntarily shut down as holding company seeks to recoup more than 25mA solar energy project developer linked to Thames Water is to be liquidated and its staff made redundant as the crisis engulfing the debt-laden water supplier puts strain on its complex corporate structure.Trinzic Operations Ltd, which is ultimately owned by Thames's parent company Kemble Water Holdings, is to be voluntarily shut down, the Guardian can reveal. Continue reading...

Bremen says symbol, used to call for silence in class, in danger of being mistaken' for Turkish extremist wolf salute'A city in northern Germany has become the first to issue an all-out ban on the use of a hand gesture used to encourage silence in the classroom because of its close resemblance to a far-right Turkish gesture.The silent fox" gesture - where the hand is posed to resemble an animal with upright ears (the little and forefinger) and a closed mouth (the middle fingers pressed against the thumb) - has long been seen as a useful teaching tool by educators in Germany and elsewhere. It signals to children that they should stop talking and listen to their teacher. Continue reading...

From familiar remarks to solemn exits, attendees reflect on how the event turned to chaos

Prime minister doesn't want to see interaction with public reduced but admits he is concerned about escalation of rhetoric in some of our political debate'

Tony Foulds, who maintains shrine to airmen he saw die in 1944, to have kit replaced after TV's Dan Walker steps inTony Foulds and his friends had gone to the local field to fight some kids from a rival primary school when he heard a noise overhead.It was 1944 and he was used to the sound of German aircraft over the skies near Sheffield. But this was an aircraft he'd never seen before. It was a B-17 Flying Fortress, an American heavy bomber, and it was on fire. Continue reading...

Presidents and prime ministers denounce shooting at Trump rally in Pennsylvania and wish him a quick recovery

Exclusive: John Woodcock, who has written to home secretary about election violence, says Trump shooting highlights danger

Nine other victims wounded after two separate shootings in Birmingham, at a nightclub and outside a homeFour people died in a shooting with multiple victims at a Birmingham nightclub late Saturday, while an earlier shooting outside a home in the city killed three people including a young child, police in Alabama said.Officers responded shortly after 11pm to a report of multiple people shot outside a nightclub on the 3400 Block of 27th Street North, Birmingham police department officer Truman Fitzgerald said in a video posted on social media. Continue reading...

As the music genre's popularity rises, dance classes are springing up. The Guardian goes along to give it a tryWhen Xingxi Wang started running K-pop dance classes in Birmingham, she rented a small room in Chinatown. Within a few years, demand had grown so much that she was able to open her own studio where she now runs up to 10 classes a week.Like many K-pop fans, Wang, 25, has been teaching herself dance routines at home since she was a teenager at school. Slick, synchronised choreography is a key component of K-pop, along with the fashionable outfits and synthesised music that define the genre. Continue reading...

More than 50,000 England fans expected in German capital as men's side hope to make history against Spain

Despite her activism during the golden age of cinema, Mary C McCall Jr was all but forgotten. Now a new book is about to set the record straightTo screenwriters in the 1950s, she was a major power player, fighting for pay rises and striking rights. To the Hollywood studio heads, she was the meanest bitch in town".Now, a new book aims to restore Mary C McCall Jr's reputation as one of the film industry's most important figures, a trailblazer who was airbrushed from history after getting on the wrong side of movie moguls. Continue reading...

Social movement is a potential tool in solving UK prison crisis by helping ex-convicts learn new skills and readjustGood beer, said Thomas Jefferson, softens the temper, cheers the spirit and promotes health".It may also be a potential tool for helping solve the crisis in British prisons. A craft brewery set up to employ ex-convicts and train them in the art of ale-making has proved a success in cutting reoffending rates - and is now being hailed as a possible template for ways to ease the unprecedented overcrowding in UK jails. Continue reading...

More fans are embracing nolo' booze and canned mocktails' while watching the game to be sure of a clear head the next dayFor some England fans it would be unthinkable to watch the Euro 2024 final without a beer in hand, but with the prospect of work in the morning, many will be dodging a hangover by switching to alcohol-free booze.Retailers have seen huge sales of no- or low-alcohol (nolo) beer, cider, wine and canned mocktails" in the past few days, as hosts get ready for Sunday night's viewing parties. Continue reading...

Suspected shooter and one rally attendee dead, says Butler county district attorney - here's what else we know about the situation