4 h. ago The Guardian view on Brics growing up: A new bloc seeks autonomy – and eyes a post

The expanding group of emerging powers is building new rules, new tools and a shared industrial future – with or without Donald TrumpThe Brics summit in Brazil last week revealed a loose alliance of emerging powers becoming more complex – and perhaps more consequential. For Brics, heft matters. It now counts 11 member states – including Indonesia, which joined this year – representing half the world’s population and 40% of the global economy, outpacing the G7 by $20tn.Yet its size hides its contradictions. The grouping’s call for more inclusive global institutions sounds welcome, but there is a preponderance of autocracies within its own ranks. Brics is right that international law should be upheld in Middle Eastern conflicts. But it climbs down from its moral pedestal by condemning Ukraine’s strikes on Russian infrastructure – while staying silent on Moscow’s relentless attacks on civilians. Continue reading...

Politics

4 h. ago The Guardian view on private prosecutions: access to justice should not depend on people’s ability to pay | Editorial

An option that should provide a safety valve when the state falls short appears to be increasingly a tool for businesses – sometimes to draconian effectIn England and Wales, anyone can take a suspected criminal to court. Private criminal prosecutions, which can be initiated by individuals, companies or charities, can give people a shot at justice. They can also be open to abuse. The Post Office brought 918 successful private prosecutions against its employees to protect its own commercial interests – at a shocking human cost laid bare by an official report last week. Rail companies take the draconian measure of prosecuting people for mistakenly buying the incorrect ticket: in 2023, a woman received a criminal record for erroneously using her railcard to save a total of £1.60.In the context of a depleted justice budget, these prosecutions appear especially dystopian, allowing the wealthy to pay for their day in court. No official record exists for the number now taking place, though&...

Economics

31 h. ago Spain issues urgent warning to tourists this weekend over extreme weather conditions

A severe heatwave has struck south Europe with temperatures surpassing 40C across many regions, with Spanish authorities issuing a warning to both residents and visitors

Events

36 h. ago Crews continue to tackle wildfire in Perth as 'extreme' weather warning issued across Scotland

Six fire appliances and a specialist wildfire unit were sent to the scene of the blaze near the M90, in the Craigend area of Perth.

Events

45 h. ago Bon Jovi star Richie Sambora's devastating injury is revealed as guitarist says he has 'new lease of life'

Bon Jovi star Richie Sambora has a new lease of life after secretly undergoing surgery after breaking his hand in two places, DailyMail.com has exclusively learned.

Events

47 h. ago Noel Edmonds and wife fled New Zealand home as terrifying earthquake shook house

After buying a luxury estate in New Zealand in 2018, the couple have faced their fair share of extreme weather.

Society

53 h. ago The Guardian view on Starmer and Macron’s channel crossings deal: safe routes hold the key to future progress | Editorial

The government has hailed its ‘one in, one out’ migrant returns deal as a breakthrough. But awkward questions over its implementation remainTo use a football analogy that he might appreciate, the first year of Sir Keir Starmer’s premiership has been a game of two halves. Domestically, grievous strategic mistakes have been made. On the foreign stage, however, an approach that Sir Keir likes to style as “quiet, serious diplomacy” has yielded some tangible results.For the most part, this week’s state visit by Emmanuel Macron further showcased the benefits of leaving behind the blowhard politics of the post-Brexit years. Sir Keir and the French president used the occasion to pledge greater cooperation on security and strengthened their joint commitment to safeguarding Ukraine’s future as a sovereign independent state. But the biggest take-away from Mr Macron’s trip launched the prime minister straight back into toxic domestic terrain.Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this a...

Politics

53 h. ago The Guardian view on The Salt Path scandal: memoirists have a duty to tell the truth | Editorial

In an era of misinformation, trust in publishers is more important than ever“All autobiographies are lies,” George Bernard Shaw wrote in 1898. “I do not mean unconscious, unintentional lies: I mean deliberate lies.” The veracity of autobiographical writing is under scrutiny once again following allegations that the bestselling memoir The Salt Path is not quite the “unflinchingly honest” account of one couple’s triumph over adversity as billed.Even if you are not one of the two million people to have bought the book, and haven’t seen the film released this summer, you will doubtless know the story of a couple’s 630-mile journey along the South Coast Way after facing homelessness and a diagnosis of terminal illness. Published in 2018, The Salt Path struck a chord during lockdown as readers discovered the solace of walking and nature during the pandemic. But this tale of wild-camping and the kindness of strangers, not to mention the seemingly miraculous healing powers of...

Politics

3 d. ago The Guardian view on Ukraine’s future: Putin may be gaining ground, but he is not winning | Editorial

As Russia intensifies its brutal assault, morale is battered but unbroken. European solidarity must remain strong tooEuropean leaders gathered in Rome on Thursday for a conference on Ukrainian recovery, but endurance remains the priority. Russia has intensified its assault with punishing strikes far beyond the frontline – including a record 728 drones and 13 missiles one day before the conference. The UN said that civilian casualties last month were at their highest for three years, with at least 232 people killed and 1,343 injured.Russia’s brutal offensive aims to break Ukraine’s spirit and European solidarity. Even Donald Trump appears to be realising, with encouragement, that Moscow is not interested in peace. For Mr Trump, maximalism is a negotiating tactic; he does not recognise that for Vladimir Putin it reflects a fixation. Yet this week he acknowledged: “We get a lot of bullshit thrown at us by Putin He’s very nice all the time, but it turns out to be meaningless.”...

Politics

3 d. ago 'I don’t know the right way to split up with my first big love'

Coleen Nolan has advice for a reader who thought he wanted to settle down with his girlfriend, but has realised he wants more from life but doesn't want to break her heart

Politics

4 d. ago United Utilities verdict on whether Manchester will get a hosepipe ban this summer

More extremely dry weather and high temperatures are expected later this week

Politics

4 d. ago Busy Brits often miss lunch breaks, feeling guilty and overwhelmed, survey finds

A study of 2,000 full-time employees found only 36% take their lunch break every day, with 13% admitting it is often as little as once a week

Politics

4 d. ago The US faces more frequent extreme weather events, but attitudes and actions aren't keeping up

Experts say climate change is making extreme weather events more frequent and severe, but that our attitudes and actions haven't kept up

Politics

5 d. ago 'Apocalyptic' wildfire closes in on Marseille, tornadoes form in the Med and Greece shuts Acropolis amid 42C heatwave while SNOW falls in Switzerland as Europe's extreme weather continues

Europe is being battered by extreme weather, with 'apocalyptic' wildfires being seen in Marseille and tornadoes forming on the Mediterranean Sea. 

Society

5 d. ago McDonald’s new Spicy McMuffins are here: Here’s what diners are saying

The hot new menu items will only be available for a limited time

Politics

5 d. ago 'Apocalyptic' wildfire closes in on Marseilles, tornadoes form in the Med and Greece shuts Acropolis amid 42C heatwave while SNOW falls in Switzerland as Europe's extreme weather continues

Europe is being battered by extreme weather, as 'apocalyptic' wildfires in France forced an airport to close and tornadoes formed in the Mediterranean Sea. 

Society

5 d. ago Deadly floods could be new normal as Trump guts federal agencies, experts warn

Cuts and chaos instigated by Trump come as threat from extreme weather grows due to human-caused climate crisisThe deadly Texas floods could signal a new norm in the US, as Donald Trump and his allies dismantle crucial federal agencies that help states prepare and respond to extreme weather and other hazards, experts warn.More than 100 are dead and dozens more remain missing after flash floods in the parched area known as Texas Hill Country swept away entire holiday camps and homes on Friday night – in what appears to have been another unremarkable storm that stalled before dumping huge quantities of rain over a short period of time, a phenomena that has becoming increasingly common as the planet warms. Continue reading...

Events

5 d. ago Exact date and time of next mobile phone emergency alert system test is revealed

The emergency alert is used to warn if there is a danger to life nearby, in instances like extreme weather

Events

5 d. ago Exact time and date of next mobile phone emergency alert system test is revealed

The emergency alert is used to warn if there is a danger to life nearby, in instances like extreme weather

Events

5 d. ago Coronation Street spoilers with prison break, Kit's life in danger, armed robbery and major return

There's also house wars on the famous cobbles next week in the ITV soap

Events