46 m. ago China and Britain shared a mission to fight aggression and fascism. And we can work together today | Zheng Zeguang

As we remember VJ Day, let us also recall a spirit that can help us combat regional instability and climate changeZheng Zeguang is Chinese ambassador to the UKThis year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese people’s war of resistance against Japanese aggression and the world anti-fascist war. On Friday, there will be a two-minute silence at noon in the UK to honour the 80th anniversary of VJ Day. This is a moment not only for solemn remembrance, but also for reflection on the enduring bonds forged in the crucible of history – bonds that continue to resonate in our world today.At the darkest hour of the second world war, China and the UK fought on different fronts but shared a common mission: to defend humanity against fascism and aggression. Millions of lives were lost, cities razed, and families torn apart. Yet in that darkness, courage and solidarity illuminated the way forward. The Chinese and British peoples stood shoulder to shoulder, united by sacrifice and ...

Events

76 m. ago Rise Against: Ricochet review – slick shift doesn’t skimp on righteous anger

(Loma Vista)Blood-and-guts emotion with the energy of the punk veterans’ early years meets high-sheen recording craft in a hulking 10th albumRise Against are not the first punk band to embrace the trappings of arena rock, but few of their forerunners can say they moved between those opposing states with the confidence and style displayed here. Having spent two decades retrofitting the breakneck melodic hardcore of their early work with rafter-shaking hooks and gleaming production, the Chicago veterans’ 10th album is a hulking thing, its bombast and righteous anger fed by vocalist Tim McIlrath, who finds the middle ground between Strike Anywhere and Creedence Clearwater Revival more often than you might think possible.Working in tandem with producer Catherine Marks, fresh from Grammy wins for her work on Boygenius’s The Record, and mixer-to-the-stars Alan Moulder, they regularly square the circle between blood-and-guts emotion and high-sheen recording craft. McIlrath’s community-mind...

Politics

1 hour ago Exact date and time you should book this weekend for huge holiday savings

It's never too late to book that dream break and according to one travel expert there's a sweet spot this weekend where you can make huge savings - but you'll need to set your alarm

Politics

2 h. ago Sienna Miller and Alexa Chung love this French face cream which keeps skin looking young

The A313 Vitamin A Lightweight Face Cream has been hailed as the 'French-girl secret to great skin' and is packed with anti-ageing ingredients like retinyl palmitate

Politics

2 h. ago How a marine heatwave is threatening Australia’s spectacular coral reefs

One of the longest and most intense heat stress events ever recorded is raising alarm – and a warning about the future of reefs worldwide• Don’t get Down to Earth delivered to your inbox? Sign up here to get the newsletter in fullWhen it comes to coral, the Great Barrier Reef steals the global limelight. It’s a bucket-list place for many and, when it gets hit by coral bleaching, it makes news around the world.But Australia has another group of spectacular reefs on the west of the continent. Many of them had managed to escape the worst of global heating, until the worst marine heatwave ever recorded for this region. Even a “hope spot” for coral reefs has been decimated by the most severe heatwave on record for that part of the world.WA’s ‘longest and most intense’ marine heatwave killed coral across 1,500km stretch‘If the reef had a voice, it would sing’: could legal personhood help the Great Barrier Reef?Fears for South Australia’s annual cuttlefish gathering amid deadly algal bloom...

Events

4 h. ago Sam Goodman opens up on ‘tough few months’ after Naoya Inoue fight cancellations

Goodman will fight for a world title for the first time against Nick Ball this weekend, but still rues his cancelled bouts with undisputed star Inoue

Politics

6 h. ago ‘Historical amnesia’: Indonesia’s fight over plan to amend history books

Anger the controversial plan coincides with anime flag movement, seen as a critique on the decline of democratic freedoms under President PrabowoIndonesia has delayed plans to publish a set of controversial history books amid backlash from historians and activists who have accused the project of being an attempt to downplay past atrocities, and represents “historical amnesia”.In May Indonesia’s culture minister Fadli Zon announced the planned release of a 10-volume “official history” project. The set of new books would remove colonial bias, feature updated research, promote national pride and have a “positive” tone, he said. Continue reading...

Culture

9 h. ago Sydney restaurant faces human rights complaint after temporarily denying entry to people wearing keffiyehs

Exclusive: Racial Justice Centre to file Australian Human Rights Commission complaint against Merivale restaurant Jimmy’s FalafelGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Racial Justice Centre is preparing to file a group complaint with the Australian Human Rights Commission after a Sydney restaurant denied dine-in service to people wearing Palestinian keffiyehs during a 20-minute period last weekend.The legal centre will file the complaint to Australia’s national anti-discrimination body on behalf of six Palestinian complainants, regarding an incident that took place on 3 August at Merivale-owned Jimmy’s Falafel in the Sydney CBD after the Sydney Harbour Bridge march, first reported by the Sydney Morning Herald. Continue reading...

Society

9 h. ago Ukraine cause akin to Second World War Allies, Starmer says before Alaska talks

The Prime Minister told veterans Volodymyr Zelensky’s war against Russia has the same values as the fight against the Axis powers.

Events

9 h. ago King Charles and Queen Camilla to honour veterans on 80th anniversary of VJ Day

Royal British Legion will be guests of honour at a service of remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum

Politics

9 h. ago VJ Day: Powerful images of 33 'forgotten' war heroes to be honoured by nation

Many of the veterans have never told their story before registering with the Royal British Legion to be part of commemorations to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory Over Japan

Events

11 h. ago Green leadership hopefuls set out fight for frustrated Labour supporters’ votes

Adrian Ramsay and Ellie Chowns face Zack Polanski in the Green Party leadership contest.

Politics

12 h. ago Moses Itauma makes 'greatness' promise but refuses to 'overlook' Dillian Whyte

Moses Itauma has been destined for big things in the sport of boxing, but faces his toughest of his career so far on Saturday against Dillian Whyte

Politics

12 h. ago History teacher struck off after telling pupils about his 'top five sh*g list'

Grant Nightingale told a female pupil at the Brunts Academy in Mansfield that 'everything doesn't have to be about sleeping with boys', a Teaching Regulation Agency misconduct panel found

Politics

12 h. ago History teacher struck off after telling pupils about his 'top five s*** list'

Grant Nightingale told a female pupil at the Brunts Academy in Mansfield that 'everything doesn't have to be about sleeping with boys', a Teaching Regulation Agency misconduct panel found

Politics

13 h. ago Moses Itauma vs Dillian Whyte: Fight time, undercard, latest odds, prediction, ring walks

British heavyweights collide in hotly-anticipated clash this weekend

Sport

14 h. ago Teacher spotted underage pupils drinking at pub beset by issues

An assault, 'large fight', and numerous instances of underage drinking were reported within a matter of weeks

Politics

15 h. ago Putin ready to make Ukraine deal, Trump says before Alaska summit

US president’s comment that Russian and Ukrainian leaders may have to ‘divvy’ things up likely to raise alarmDonald Trump has said he believes Vladimir Putin is ready to make a deal on the war in Ukraine as the two leaders prepare for their summit in Alaska on Friday, but his suggestion the Russian leader and Volodymyr Zelenskyy could “divvy things up” may alarm some in Kyiv.The US president implied there was a 75% chance of the Alaska meeting succeeding, and that the threat of economic sanctions may have made Putin more willing to seek an end to the war. He also said a second meeting – at present not confirmed – between himself, Putin and Zelenskyy would be the more decisive. Continue reading...

Politics

16 h. ago Drug and gun gangster Jamie Rothwell sentenced to 43 years as he's 'tired' of crime life

Jamie Rothwell was one of the National Crime Agency's most wanted men after he was exposed as a leading figure in the Salford gang feud following the EncroChat hack

Events

16 h. ago Wrexham exile backed into a corner by transfer decision as he shows his true character

Wrexham frontman Ollie Palmer has been told to find a new club by manager Phil Parkinson this summer, but the 33-year-old has opened up on his determination to fight for his place

Politics