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...
by Jessica Elgot Deputy political editor on (#6YJ4P)
Experienced politicians could help Reform get organised - but its leader must be wary of filling its ranks with the Conservatives he likes to criticise
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...
by Kiran Stacey Political correspondent on (#6YHZF)
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...
by Peter Walker Senior political correspondent on (#6YHXE)
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
by Kiran Stacey and Dan Sabbagh in London, and Jon He on (#6YHJ7)
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...
by Lanre Bakare Arts and culture correspondent on (#6YHF8)
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...
by Jessica Elgot Deputy political editor on (#6YHJA)
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...
Vatican statement said the pair discussed the ongoing conflict and the urgent need for a just and lasting peace'Following a similar decision by Germany yesterday, the European Union has also summoned the Chinese ambassador following an incident in which China's military allegedly targeted a German aircraft with a laser during an EU security mission in the Red Sea, Reuters reported.The Chinese military's use of a laser to target a German aircraft patrolling with EU Operation ASPIDES in the Red Sea is dangerous and unacceptable," said Anouar El Anouni, spokesperson for the EU's Foreign and Security Policy.This act put personnel at risk and compromised the aircraft's mission. Continue reading...
Facebook post helps track down Anita and Brad, who had been dating for a year at time of message and wed in 2016In September 2012, a young couple capped a romantic date in Newfoundland, on Canada's eastern tip, by putting a message in a bottle and dropping it into the Atlantic.Anita and Brad's day trip to Bell Island. Today, we enjoyed dinner, this bottle of wine and each other, at the edge of the island," it said. It asked whomever might find the message to please call us", followed by a scribbled number. Continue reading...
Seven crew members of Eternity C spent more than 24 hours in the water and 14 others missing after Houthi attackSeven crew members of a cargo ship that sank in the Red Sea after a suspected attack by Houthi forces have been rescued but at least four were killed and 14 others are still missing.The seven seafarers from the cargo ship Eternity C spent more than 24 hours in the water before being rescued, according to security firms involved in the operation. Rescuers are still searching for missing crew members. Continue reading...
Latest deaths come as humanitarian workers and doctors in Gaza say they have been overwhelmed by almost daily mass casualty incidents'Here are some of the latest images coming through from Gaza:On Tuesday, the European Union force patrolling the Red Sea told AFP that three people were killed and at least two injured - including a Russian electrician who lost a leg - in the attack on the Eternity C. Continue reading...
Deportees include two people from Myanmar, two from Cuba, and one each from Vietnam, Laos and MexicoWar-torn South Sudan has said it is holding a group of eight men controversially deported from the United States.Only one of them is from South Sudan. The rest comprise two people from Myanmar, two from Cuba, and one each from Vietnam, Laos and Mexico. Continue reading...
Josh O'Connor, Glenn Close, Josh Brolin and Mila Kunis also star in third murder mystery featuring Craig as private eyeThe latest Knives Out film in the popular sleuthing series starring Daniel Craig as private eye Benoit Blanc will open the 2025 London film festival, it has been announced.Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery is the third in the series written and directed by Rian Johnson. Like its predecessors, it is inspired by Agatha Christie murder mysteries but in 2023 Johnson said of the film: The goal is to strike out in a completely new direction tonally and thematically". While Craig is returning as Blanc, Johnson has assembled a new cast including Josh O'Connor, Glenn Close, Josh Brolin and Mila Kunis. Continue reading...
Brian Langstaff urges overhaul of compensation system, which report says was designed without consulting victimsVictims of the infected blood scandal have not been listened to" by ministers, the chair of the inquiry has said in a report urging an overhaul of the compensation system.The additional report lays bare the failings of the government's detailed compensation scheme, and sets out recommendations to make it fairer and faster. In particular, it criticises ministers for designing the scheme without consulting the scandal's victims, as was recommended in the inquiry's May 2024 report, which it says has led to obvious injustices" that could have been avoided. Continue reading...
British Medical Association says strike will take place from 25 to 30 July after ballotResident doctors in England will go on strike from 25 July to 30 July, giving the government two weeks to negotiate a higher pay deal, their trade union has said.Without a credible offer to keep us on the path to restore our pay, we have no choice but to call strikes," the co-chairs of the British Medical Association's resident doctors committee said in a statement.
UK government writes to husband and wife team amid concerns that finding buyer for plant will be difficultThe UK government has written to the husband-and-wife team behind the stricken Prax Lindsey oil refinery in Lincolnshire urging them to do the decent thing" and support affected workers financially, amid mounting concern that finding a buyer for the plant will be difficult.In a letter to the Prax Group owners, Arani and Sanjeev Kumar Soosaipillai, seen by the Guardian, the junior energy minister Michael Shanks said the government was urgently exploring what support can be offered to the workforce at this difficult time". Continue reading...
Head of Bectu not surprised by further claims about Gregg Wallace and say junior staff in industry feel very vulnerable'Vulnerable freelance workers in television feel real fear" about coming forward to complain about stars like Gregg Wallace, the head of the broadcasting union has said.Wallace was fired from MasterChef on Tuesday after fresh allegations to the BBC about his behaviour from a further 50 people. Continue reading...
Watchdog found evidence of information sharing linked to prices but firms have not admitted any wrongdoingSeven housebuilders have agreed to pay 100m to affordable housing schemes after the UK competition watchdog found evidence that they may be sharing commercially sensitive details that affect the price of homes.The developers - Barratt Redrow, Bellway, Berkeley Group, Bloor Homes, Persimmon, Taylor Wimpey and Vistry - have not admitted any wrongdoing but have agreed to make the combined payment, which will be split between affordable housing programmes across the four UK nations. Continue reading...
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