England topple SA to win netball bronze
England clinch the bronze medal at the Netball World Cup by beating South Africa 58-42 in their play-off match in Liverpool.
Tear gas fired as police and protesters clash in Hong Kong
Police in Hong Kong have fired tear gas to disperse pro-democracy protesters - hours after a largely peaceful rally against a now-suspended extradition bill.
Private firms given £9.2bn of NHS budget despite Hancock promise
Record 2018 total comes after health secretary pledged no privatisation on his watch
The amount of the NHS budget going to private healthcare firms has reached unprecedented levels, despite the health secretary’s pledge to roll back outsourcing of patient care.
The Department of Health and Social Care handed a record total of £9.2bn last year to private providers such as Virgin Care and the Priory mental health group, its own annual report shows.
Continue reading...Japan’s Abe says upper house election win shows support for constitution debate
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said his ruling coalition's solid win in an upper house election on Sunday showed that voters supported debate over his proposal to revise the post-war, pacifist constitution.
Hammond to quit over no-deal Brexit if Johnson becomes PM
British finance minister Philip Hammond said on Sunday he would resign if Boris Johnson became prime minister because he felt unable to support a leader happy to take the country out of the European Union without a deal.
Surge in youth prison violence sparks call to close institutions
Government accused of failing to address crisis after big rise in assaults on staff and inmates
Assaults in youth prisons in England and Wales have risen by almost two-thirds over the last five years, a Guardian analysis has found.
Prisoner-on-prisoner assaults rose by 43% and assaults on staff more than doubled, prompting fears the government is failing to respond to a growing crisis in youth prisons.
Continue reading...Sink-or-swim showdown beckons for Italy’s fractious coalition
Italy's fractious coalition partners are gearing up for a showdown this week that is likely to determine if the government will collapse, triggering autumn elections, or survive to the end of the year.
Iran tanker seizure: UK ‘didn’t take eye off ball’, Hammond says
Philip Hammond says the UK did not "take its eye off the ball" amid escalating tensions in the Gulf.
Timeline: Iran’s recent clashes with the West over Gulf shipping, nuclear plans
Tensions between Iran and the West have escalated since U.S. sanctions on Iranian oil exports took full effect in May and British naval forces seized an Iranian supertanker.
‘Flying soldier’ to attempt Channel crossing
Franky Zapata, inventor of jet-powered flyboard, expects to cross in 20 minutes
A former jetski champion and French military reservist who became known as the “flying soldier” after he invented a jet-powered hoverboard will attempt to cross the Channel this week.
Franky Zapata, who impressed France with a demonstration of his flyboard at this year’s Bastille Day parade, has said he will make the crossing on Thursday to mark the 110th anniversary of Louis Blériot’s first cross-Channel airplane flight.
Continue reading...Tobias Elwood says it is impossible to protect every British ship in strait of Hormuz – video
The defence minister insists that it was not possible to better protect the British-flagged tanker seized by Iran on Friday. He told Sky's Sophie Ridge on Sunday programme the priority should be to de-escalate tensions in the region, and that the incoming prime minister must invest more in the navy.
Continue reading...Hong Kong’s black-clad protesters deface Beijing’s Liaison Office
Thousands of protesters descended on China's representative office in Hong Kong on Sunday, as anger over an extradition bill morphs into a fresh front against what many see as a broader erosion of freedoms by the city's political masters in Beijing.
Bale close to leaving Real Madrid, says Zidane
Forward Gareth Bale's tenure with Real Madrid could come to an end in a matter of days after manager Zinedine Zidane said the club were working on offloading the Welsh international.
Sheffield United sign Mousset from Bournemouth
Sheffield United have broken the club's transfer record a third time in the current window by signing French striker Lys Mousset from Bournemouth on a three-year deal, the newly promoted Premier League outfit announced on Sunday.
Peaty swims under 57 seconds to smash breaststroke world record
Britain's Adam Peaty became the first to swim the 100 metres breaststroke in under 57 seconds on Sunday, setting a world record of 56.88 in the semi-finals of the world championships in Gwangju, South Korea.
Peaty swims under 57 seconds to smash breaststroke world record
Britain's Adam Peaty became the first to swim the 100 metres breaststroke in under 57 seconds on Sunday, setting a world record of 56.88 in the semi-finals of the world championships in Gwangju, South Korea.
Japan’s ruling bloc set for upper house majority, may get 2/3 – NHK exit poll
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's ruling bloc is set to keep a solid majority in Japan's upper house election on Sunday and with allies could seal the two-thirds majority needed to keep alive his dream of revising the pacifist constitution, an NHK exit poll showed.
Iran thanks Saudi Arabia for release of its oil tanker Happiness 1 – Fars
Iran said on Sunday it appreciated Saudi Arabia's efforts in the return of an Iranian ship that had docked at Jeddah port because of technical problems in May, the semi-official Fars news agency quoted a Foreign Ministry spokesman as saying.
Press frenzy for Brexit is ushering Boris Johnson into No 10
The press and public are well aware of his failings, yet this buffoon is set to become prime minister
How do you explain the Boris Johnson phenomenon? Is it the mainstream media’s fault or should we lay the blame on the people? On this, the eve of his anointment as leader of the Conservative party and therefore as British prime minister, it is fitting to ask why the unbelievable has become a reality.
His sins, both political and personal, were recorded in detail in last week’s Guardian. Together they painted a portrait of a man who should never have come close to inhabiting No 10 Downing Street. But the blathering, bumbling bluffer will be there all the same.
Continue reading...One wildfire remains active in central Portugal, 800 firefighters mobilised
More than 800 firefighters battled on Sunday one wildfire sweeping across central Portugal after being able to control two other blazes that prompted authorities to partially evacuate a village and left 20 people injured, one of them in a serious condition, officials said.
Drone strike near Tripoli kills seven fighters loyal to Haftar – military source
At least seven fighters loyal to Libyan National Army (LNA) forces commanded by Khalifa Haftar were killed overnight in a drone strike in southern Tripoli, a military source said.
Cycle hire firms urged to help clear dumped bikes from canals
Trust says it is recovering 100 bikes a year – docked, dockless, even electric – in London alone
Hundreds of dockless bikes are being dumped into canals and rivers and most operators are unwilling to help clean up the mess, the body responsible for the UK’s waterways has complained.
The Canal and River Trust said it was growing increasingly frustrated by the number of hire bikes abandoned in and beside its 2,000-mile network. It said more than 100 hire bikes a year were being thrown into canals in London alone.
Continue reading...We must talk about Palestine – without being antisemitic | Layla Moran
The scandal in Labour is creating a fear among MPs of speaking out for the Palestinian right to equality, justice and statehood
It’s hard to write or talk about antisemitism and the Labour party’s handling of it without descending into deep despair, and not just at the mirror the sorry tale is holding up to the whole of our society, which seems to be becoming less tolerant, more racist and less safe for minorities. This is having greater consequences than the Labour leadership can imagine. In particular, it is stifling the ability of commentators and decision-makers to talk sensibly about the real issues in Palestine.
Related: Jewish leaders accuse Labour of 'letting off' antisemites
Continue reading...SNP considers bill to change no-deal Brexit default
The party's Ian Blackford says cross-party talks had identified a way of stopping a no-deal Brexit.
World Aquatics Championships: Adam Peaty breaks 100m breaststroke world record
British swimmer Adam Peaty breaks the 100m breaststroke world record with a time of 56.88, becoming the first man to break 57 seconds.
Labour launches website to educate members about antisemitism
Labour has launched a website featuring "education materials" on how members can confront racism, with antisemitism the first kind of discrimination highlighted.
Latitude festival accused of cruelty over pink sheep stunt
Animal rights campaigners attack advert showing dyed sheep running across festival
Animal rights organisations and activists have accused the organisers of Latitude festival of “cruelty” for dyeing a flock of sheep pink as part of a marketing campaign.
A promotional tweet posted on the opening day of the Suffolk event showed fuchsia-dyed sheep running across the festival grounds.
Continue reading...Iran tanker crisis a ‘diplomatic test’ for new UK PM
With relationships strained, how will the new prime minister rally its American and European allies?
Cross party group urges Home Office rethink on ‘fix rooms’
MPs and peers from five political parties call on the Home Office to end its opposition to drug consumption rooms
Briton Peaty breaks 100 metres breaststroke world record
Britain's Adam Peaty became the first to swim the 100 metres breaststroke in under 57 seconds on Sunday, setting a world record of 56.88 in the semi-finals of the world championships in Gwangju, South Korea.
Briton Peaty breaks 100 metres breaststroke world record
Britain's Adam Peaty became the first to swim the 100 metres breaststroke in under 57 seconds on Sunday, setting a world record of 56.88 in the semi-finals of the world championships in Gwangju, South Korea.
Ex-Unilever boss seeks ‘heroic CEOs’ to tackle climate change and inequality
Paul Polman also supports Bank of England-backed group promoting disability rights
The former boss of Unilever is seeking a team of “heroic chief executives” to drive a shift to a low-carbon, more inclusive way of doing business.
Paul Polman, who stepped down from the Anglo-Dutch owner of Marmite and Dove in November last year after a decade at the helm, warns that the rise of populism and Brexit are symptoms of capitalism’s failure to adapt. Bosses, he insists, must commit to fighting inequality and tackling the climate emergency.
Continue reading...Arlene Foster: ‘Serious negotiations’ to restore NI devolution
The DUP leader denies suggestions that the negotiations are no longer a five-party process.
British warship warned Iranian forces against seizing tanker
A British warship radioed an Iranian patrol boat to warn against interfering with the Stena Impero as the oil tanker passed through the Strait of Hormuz, according to a recording obtained by Reuters.
Iran’s Zarif calls for ‘prudence and foresight’ as tensions mount
Iran's top diplomat said on Sunday that only "prudence and foresight" could alleviate tensions between his country and Britain after Tehran's seizure of a British-flagged oil tanker.
Heat wave broils US east coast but Midwest could face flash floods
- Added humidity could make daytime highs feel like 43C
- Cold front could bring thunderstorms to Midwest
A heat wave will continue to keep much of the eastern US in its grip on Sunday but a cold front that could lower temperatures in the middle of the country may be accompanied by thunderstorms that threaten flash floods.
Related: Heat rises across US as New York tempers flare over subway suspension
Continue reading...Zelenskiy seeks broader mandate as Ukraine holds snap parliament election
Ukrainians voted in a snap parliamentary election on Sunday that is expected to strengthen President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's hold on power, handing the novice politician a broader mandate for driving change in a nation at war.
Change in No 10 will not alter Brexit reality, warns Irish deputy PM
Simon Coveney says there is no chance of backstop being scrapped under new UK leader
A change in British prime minister will not shift the fundamental realities of Brexit, Ireland’s deputy PM has warned, saying there is no chance of the EU ditching or watering down the Irish backstop.
Wholesale changes to Theresa May’s withdrawal agreement have been suggested by some as a way of avoiding a no-deal Brexit, but Coveney told BBC One’s The Andrew Marr Show on Sunday: “If the approach of the new British prime minister is that they’re going to tear up the withdrawal agreement, I think we’re in trouble. I think we’re all in trouble, quite frankly.
Continue reading...Japan ruling bloc to keep simple majority in upper house, may get 2/3 – NHK exit poll
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's ruling bloc will keep a solid majority in parliament's upper house in Sunday's election and has a shot, together with allies, at keeping the two-thirds majority needed to keep his dream of revising the pacifist constitution alive, an NHK exit poll showed.
Skipper Kolisi out of Rugby Championship as Boks head to New Zealand
South Africa captain Siya Kolisi will take no part in this year's Rugby Championship after he was left out of the squad for the Springboks' remaining matches away in New Zealand and Argentina.
