7 d. ago We published a photo of a malnourished child in Gaza. It made an impact globally – and created controversy | Elisabeth Ribbans

Initially, we did not know that Muhammad Zakariya Ayyoub al-Matouq had cerebral palsy. But his medical details do not diminish his suffering, or that of other children in GazaBetween April and mid-July this year, more than 20,000 children in Gaza were admitted to hospital for treatment for acute malnutrition, 3,000 of whom were severely malnourished, according to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), a global initiative whose members include UN agencies such as the World Health Organization, World Food Programme and Unicef, as well as NGOs and research institutes.Over this period, and in the weeks since, the Guardian has published many images of hungry children, among them at least 20 shown in an emaciated condition. (It does so working to an editorial code that gives special protection to children, publishing on matters that may intrude into their welfare only when there is a strong public interest to do so.) But one photograph, which appeared on the homepage of ...

Culture

8 d. ago The mental health impact of childhood verbal abuse explained in new study

More than 20,000 adults in England and Wales who were exposed to verbal abuse in childhood were studied

Society

8 d. ago ‘Childhood verbal abuse can have similar mental health impact as physical abuse’

A study has also suggested that while the prevalence of physical abuse has decreased over the years, verbal abuse has become more common.

Society

8 d. ago Mental health impact of childhood verbal abuse explained in new study

More than 20,000 adults in England and Wales who were exposed to verbal abuse in childhood were studied

Society

8 d. ago The genetic factor that could impact a child’s future weight, according to experts

A mother’s weight, eating habits, or behaviours during pregnancy can influence the weight of her child

Politics

8 d. ago Princess Andre says mum Katie Price's dark love life had troubling impact on childhood

Princess Andre opens up about her difficult relationship with her mum, Katie Price, in her new reality TV show, The Princess Diaries, which starts on Sunday on ITV2 at 9pm

Politics

3 w. ago 'My sister named her baby after a car dealership because she thinks it's cute'

A man has shared his disappointment after hearing what his sister wants to name her second born child - as he fears it'll negatively impact the child throughout their life

Economics

last month Le Spectre de Boko Haram review – how terror works its way into the minds of children

Cyrielle Raingou’s documentary absorbs the horror of the terrorist group’s impact on Cameroon by following the mischief of a pair of truant brothersShot matter-of-factly, there is however a fairytale or fabular quality to this Cameroonian documentary, in how it portrays the impact of the terrorist group Boko Haram through the lives of children, and how displacement and violence surface in their idle chatter and not-so-innocent drawings. When young truant brothers Mohamed and Ibrahim finally do a runner into the countryside to which they seem inextricably drawn, it almost has the air of some misadventure out of an early Terrence Malick film transplanted to the Sahel.The locale is the village of Kolofata near the Nigerian border, under constant surveillance from military forces because of insurgents in the nearby mountains. It’s never 100% clear what has become of Mohamed and Ibrahim’s parents; either they’ve taken up with Boko Haram, or been kidnapped by them. Not that these two inco...

Events