The Guardian

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The need for independent journalism has never been greater. Become a Guardian supporter https://support.theguardian.com 🇺🇸 Guardian US https://bsky.app/profile/us.theguardian.com 🇦🇺 Guardian Australia https://bsky.app/profile/australia.theguardian.com

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Russell Brand told police he led a ‘very promiscuous’ life, trial hears

theguardian.comRussell Brand told police he led a ‘very promiscuous’ life, trial hearsComedian accused of sexual offences against six women said consensual encounters were ‘unfavourably reframed decades later’ Russell Brand told police he had led a “very promiscuous” life and consensual sexual encounters had been “unfavourably reframed decades later”, his trial has heard. The 51-year-old comedian blamed the allegations on “defamatory and fictitious” media reports. He said in a statement that he had had sexual encounters in countless locations and scenarios and kissed hundreds of people in public while trying to be “friendly, consensual and warm”. Continue reading...
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Flávio Bolsonaro flees Brazil after presidential election loss, reports say

theguardian.comFlávio Bolsonaro flees Brazil after presidential election loss, reports sayFar-right senator on plane to US after missing deadline to hand over his passport since loss to Lula The far-right senator Flávio Bolsonaro has reportedly fled Brazil and is on his way to the United States after losing Sunday’s presidential election to the leftwing incumbent, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. A report by the news website Metrópoles, citing people close to the politician’s family, said he was en route to the US. “The plane is in flight,” Metrópoles reported, without making clear where it had departed from. Continue reading...
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Homes across UK to get low- or no-interest loans to fund solar panels and heat pumps

theguardian.comHomes across UK to get low- or no-interest loans to fund solar panels and heat pumpsGovernment-backed Warm Home Loans scheme to help households cut energy bills by hundreds of pounds Households across the UK can now cut their energy bills by hundreds of pounds a year at no upfront cost by applying for interest-free or “low-interest” loans to fund upgrades such as heat pumps, batteries and solar panels. The government-backed Warm Home Loans scheme, which launched on Tuesday, could mean thousands more households are able to access low-carbon energy alternative technologies, thanks to loans ranging from £7,500 to up £35,000. Continue reading...
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Slovenia mourns loss of glacier on its highest peak after scorching summer

theguardian.comSlovenia mourns loss of glacier on its highest peak after scorching summerExtreme heat accelerated disappearance of Triglav glacier from mountain revered as a symbol of Slovenian identity The final ice patch has vanished from Slovenia’s Triglav glacier, the latest Alpine casualty of Europe’s scorching summer. The once mighty ice mass lost 93% of its surface area between 1983 and 2003, shrinking to cover less than a hectare of overheated rock, but went on to surprise researchers who feared its imminent demise, clinging on to the mountain for two more decades. Continue reading...
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‘Well-known’ public figure in bid to stop publication of allegations of inappropriate sexual activities

theguardian.com‘Well-known’ public figure in bid to stop publication of allegations of inappropriate sexual activitiesIndividual seeks permanent injunction against Guardian and ITN to block claims, citing high risk of suicide A “well-known individual” attempting to block two media outlets from publishing allegations about him has been accused of inappropriate and exploitative sexual activities “with a large number of girls and young women”, the high court has heard. The individual, referred to in court as PPT, is seeking a permanent injunction against the Guardian and ITN to stop them publishing the allegations, which he denies. His legal team argued that publishing them would “highly likely lead him to commit suicide”. Continue reading...
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Sardinian restaurants ban families from using phones at the table

theguardian.comSardinian restaurants ban families from using phones at the tableFifteen establishments join trial scheme to encourage parents and children to talk while dining out A group of restaurants in Sardinia are banning families from using smartphones and other devices at the table in a quest to encourage conversation. The initiative, called A tavola senza schermi or At the table without screens, is being spearheaded by Anna Cau, the children’s ombudsman for the Italian island. It is part of a campaign to curtail excessive screen use among children and inspire interaction during meals. Continue reading...
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UK spending on ‘fairytale’ carbon capture tech is a national embarrassment, chancellor told

theguardian.comUK spending on ‘fairytale’ carbon capture tech is a national embarrassment, chancellor toldChris Packham says £24bn earmarked for projects with ‘ludicrously uncertain results’ should be redirected to help lower bills and cut emissions Campaigners are calling on the chancellor to cut the government’s £24bn spending plans for “fairytale” carbon capture technologies in favour of funding green schemes that can reliably cut emissions and lower energy bills. The environmentalist Chris Packham is leading an 11th-hour appeal for the Treasury to use this week’s budget to scale back the government’s “exorbitantly expensive” support for carbon capture, which is now more than the planned spending for the US, the EU, Norway and Japan combined. Continue reading...
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Oleshky truce appears to hold as two European leaders have ‘frank’ call with Putin

theguardian.comOleshky truce appears to hold as two European leaders have ‘frank’ call with PutinFrontline near Russian-occupied city in southern Ukraine quiet for first time in years ahead of planned evacuation * Europe live – latest updates A local ceasefire in a southern Ukrainian city under Russian occupation appeared to be holding on Tuesday, with both sides ceasing drone attacks, ahead of an apparent evacuation of about 2,000 trapped and desperate civilians. The temporary truce began at 3am in Russian-controlled Oleshky. The city sits on the Dnipro River and is about 3 miles from Kherson, a larger city on the opposite bank. Ukrainian troops recaptured Kherson in autumn 2022. Continue reading...
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Woman’s world ‘tilted on axis’ on learning husband invited men to sexually assault her, court told

theguardian.comWoman’s world ‘tilted on axis’ on learning husband invited men to sexually assault her, court toldFour men on trial charged with sexually assaulting Joanne Young while she was sedated, restrained and blindfolded A woman’s world was “tilted on its axis” when she discovered that for years her former husband had been drugging her and inviting men into their family home to sexually assault her while she was restrained and blindfolded, a court has been told. Businessman Philip Young advertised his then wife, Joanne Young, on dating and swinging websites, presenting it as a “kink” for both of them, Winchester crown court heard. Continue reading...
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Oriel College urged to cancel student group’s event with Jason Arday accuser

theguardian.comOriel College urged to cancel student group’s event with Jason Arday accuserStudent supporters of Reform UK at Oxford college have organised evening with Nathan Cofnas discussing DEI The University of Oxford’s Oriel College has been urged to cancel an event featuring Jason Arday’s accuser Nathan Cofnas that has been organised by student supporters of Reform UK. Arday, 41, was found dead in August after resigning from his University of Cambridge professorship. He had faced intense media scrutiny after Cofnas made unproven accusations of plagiarism against him and said there were “serious questions” about his biographical claims. Continue reading...

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US voters are exhausted by years of higher prices. With the midterm elections fast approaching, here’s what the data shows us about Trump’s second term so far. 🧵

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Arise, Sir Harry? Downing Street hints at Kane knighthood after Ballon d’Or win

theguardian.comArise, Sir Harry? Downing Street hints at Kane knighthood after Ballon d’Or win* Andy Burnham sends congratulations to England captain * Bayern player is first Englishman to win award since 2001 Downing Street has hinted that Harry Kane deserves a knighthood, praising the footballer’s “extraordinary achievement” as the first English winner of the Ballon d’Or in 25 years. The prime minister’s spokesperson said Andy Burnham sent praise and congratulation to the England captain, who was announced as the men’s winner of football’s most prestigious individual award at a ceremony on Monday night. Continue reading...
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Shabana Mahmood urged to grant visa to former Weather Underground activist

theguardian.comShabana Mahmood urged to grant visa to former Weather Underground activistHome Office refused entry to Judith Clark, 77, invited by RSC to speak about restorative justice after her time in prison Human rights activists and celebrities including the lawyer Helena Kennedy, the actor Harriet Walter and the theatre director Phyllida Lloyd have urged the Home Office to overturn its decision to refuse a visa to a former member of the radical US group the Weather Underground, saying her decades of rehabilitation should count in her favour. Judith Clark, 77, was the inspiration for Walter’s portrayal of prisoners in the Donmar Warehouse all-female Shakespeare trilogy, including Brutus in Julius Caesar and Prospero in The Tempest. Continue reading...
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UK government to give £15m to anti-misogyny fund amid ‘manosphere’ concerns

theguardian.comUK government to give £15m to anti-misogyny fund amid ‘manosphere’ concernsMisogyny prevention fund to help tackle sexism at work, school and in public places across UK • UK politics live – latest updates The chancellor will give £15m to a dedicated fund to tackle misogyny in workplaces, schools and public places amid concerns in government about the rise of “manosphere” influencers. The women and equalities minister, Bridget Phillipson, will helm the UK-wide fund, announced last month, marking the first time there has been specific national cash to address misogyny. Continue reading...
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‘Approaching desire with curiosity’: the many facets of Black masculinity – in pictures

theguardian.com‘Approaching desire with curiosity’: the many facets of Black masculinity – in picturesQuil Lemons’s new book Quiladelphia explores how Black men navigate desire and masculinity as well as the stereotypes placed on them. With a foreword by Brontez Purnell and including Lemons in dialogue with musician Santigold and artist Lyle Ashton Harris, Lemons asks the audience to consider who can embody the American dream
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‘Sloppy gruesomeness’: reviewers slate Musk’s AI-made Odyssey film

theguardian.com‘Sloppy gruesomeness’: reviewers slate Musk’s AI-made Odyssey filmTesla tycoon launched Grok project after criticising Christoper Nolan’s diverse casting for his Homeric blockbuster Elon Musk has released an AI-generated rival to Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey after pledging to make a version “true to the art of Homer”. Having criticised the hit movie in the summer, the tycoon said he would use Grok Imagine to make a “historically accurate” adaptation. Continue reading...
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Why Man City fans ‘don’t care’ about the cheating – video

theguardian.comWhy Man City fans ‘don’t care’ about the cheating – videoWith Manchester City found guilty of more than 100 charges of rule-breaking, they could soon find themselves relegated from the Premier League or worse. The Guardian reporter and Manchester resident Helen Pidd speaks to football fans on matchday to find out how they feel about the charges, how the club's Abu Dhabi owners have changed the city, and who has really benefited from all their investment
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‘If a person isn’t conscious, they’re not saying yes’: Cynthia Erivo on her searing new film about sexual assault

theguardian.com‘If a person isn’t conscious, they’re not saying yes’: Cynthia Erivo on her searing new film about sexual assaultIn Prima Facie, she plays a rising-star barrister, well versed in defending men accused of sexual violence. Then she is raped by a colleague, and her world implodes. Erivo talks about the potential impact of the film – and how she is navigating her stratospheric success
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Our loos? They’re inspired by Milan’s Villa Necchi! The reborn planks-and-plasterboard theatre trouncing its flashy neighbours

theguardian.comOur loos? They’re inspired by Milan’s Villa Necchi! The reborn planks-and-plasterboard theatre trouncing its flashy neighboursA low-budget building by the Olympic site that was never meant to last has been given a £4m revamp full of Italian pizzazz. Now The Yard is putting bums on (heated) seats – and Ian McKellen is soon to star
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Number of UK businesses in financial distress ‘at two-decade high’

theguardian.comNumber of UK businesses in financial distress ‘at two-decade high’Administrator BTG says 738,144 firms struggling as calls grow for more support for private sector in budget * Business live – latest updates The number of UK businesses in financial distress has hit its highest level in more than two decades, as pressure grows on the chancellor to provide more support to the private sector in Wednesday’s budget. There were 738,144 businesses in “significant” financial distress in the third quarter of this year, up 1.6% compared with the same period last year, according to BTG. That is the highest level since the administrator’s closely watched “red flag” report began in 2004. Continue reading...
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UK officials discussing options including free movement with EU ahead of summit

theguardian.comUK officials discussing options including free movement with EU ahead of summitBusiness secretary says focus for November summit will be trade and youth mobility, but talks will also include ‘future options for relationship’ * UK politics live – latest updates British officials have begun discussions with the EU about a long-term relationship that could include a return to free movement, the business secretary has said while promising the British people “are the boss” when it comes to what the UK will accept. Jonathan Reynolds said the focus for British negotiations was the EU summit in November to seal an agreement to ease some trading restrictions and a youth mobility deal. But he said the prime minister, Andy Burnham, had made it clear he wanted to see a long-term and stable relationship with the bloc. Continue reading...
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Two men charged with national security offences over RAF Fairford incident

theguardian.comTwo men charged with national security offences over RAF Fairford incidentOne charged assisting a foreign intelligence service and the other with entering a prohibited place, CPS says Two men have been charged with national security offences after an investigation into a suspected terror plot near RAF Fairford. The Crown Prosecution Service said Mohmed Abdulkarim, 24, and Nouman Essghir, 24, were both charged under the National Security Act 2023. Continue reading...
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Tories dismiss PM’s budget ‘everyday fixes’ as little more than ‘cheaper gherkins’, and ‘an insult to families’ – UK politics live

theguardian.comTories dismiss PM’s budget ‘everyday fixes’ as little more than ‘cheaper gherkins’, and ‘an insult to families’ – UK politics liveRemoving tariffs on more than 100 products, including gherkins and baked beans, was one of five measures announced this morning before tomorrow’s budget Good morning. Prime ministers tend to get judged by posterity by the decisions they take on the big issues of the day. But little things matter too in the here and now, often disproportionately, and Andy Burnham, more than his predecessors, has decided that what he calls “everyday fixes” are worth focusing on too. Alexandra Topping wrote a good analysis about the pluses and minuses of this approach last week. But she filed too soon, because this morning Burnham has announced another five. These are all changes contained in tomorrow’s budget but being announced today – presumably because John Healey will have bigger surprises for MPs tomorrow, and the Treasury wants these measures to get some media attention today because tomorrow they will be overshadowed by another story. • Making higher tax-free mileage rates permanent and increasing support for nurses, care workers, self employed builders and others who drive for work. The chancellor is locking in the 55p per mile rate for the first 10,000 business miles and increasing the rate above 10,000 miles from 25p to 35p per mile, supporting around 3 million employees and self-employed people who use their own vehicle for work. • Extending parental pay to more than 150,000 additional parents per year, including self-employed dads and partners who have previously missed out, giving eligible parents two weeks of support currently worth up to £194 a week so they can spend more time with their child. Rampant borrowing, soaring taxes and an utter inability to cut spending mean inflation has already wiped out the benefits of Burnham’s ‘everyday fixes’. Shoppers face rising costs at the till and families are struggling to make ends meet, but Burnham’s plan is cheaper gherkins. This is an insult to families hammered by Labour’s tax rises. Part of the genius with this stuff is the negative polarisation, when people start attacking perfectly sensible and helpful – albeit small – changes. Actually I want longer Post Office queues please! Continue reading...
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Burnham in danger of sleepwalking into climate disaster, say campaigners

theguardian.comBurnham in danger of sleepwalking into climate disaster, say campaignersLetter to PM argues series of wrong choices on North Sea oil, Heathrow, EVs and heat pumps will scupper net zero plans Andy Burnham will “sleepwalk” into climate disaster if he fails to get a grip on a series of important policies whose combined impact could scupper plans to reach net zero, campaigners have said. Big decisions on North Sea drilling, the expansion of Heathrow airport, electric vehicles (EVs) and grants for heat pumps are awaiting decisions from ministers. Continue reading...
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UK government met 137 businesses over AI datacentres – but no environmental groups

theguardian.comUK government met 137 businesses over AI datacentres – but no environmental groupsInvestigation finds dozens of ministers and civil servants moved into AI roles as government developed datacentre expansion plans The UK’s policy on datacentres and AI was developed without any meetings with environmental groups, an investigation has found. The nonprofit organisation Spotlight on Corruption said a “considerable revolving door” shaped the government’s development of “AI growth zones”, a central plank of the former prime minister Keir Starmer’s AI and economic policy, with 38 ministers, senior civil servants and special advisers hired to positions in AI companies between July 2024 and September 2026. Continue reading...