World news and comment from the Guardian | guardian.co.uk

Five electrocuted at water park in Turkey

Posted: 23 Jun 2017 10:34 AM PDT

Three children and two adults who tried to rescue them die after incident in Akyazı, Sakarya province, according to reports

Five people, including two teenagers and a 12-year-old, have been electrocuted in a water park in north-western Turkey.

The three children were struck by an electrical current in a swimming pool at the park, in the town of Akyazı, Sakarya province, the state-run Anadolu Agency reported.

Dozens killed in two separate attacks in Pakistan on eve of Eid

Posted: 23 Jun 2017 10:55 AM PDT

Suicide car bomber kills 12 in Quetta and twin blasts in Parachinar leave at least 25 dead

At least 37 people have been killed and more than 100 injured in two separate attacks in Pakistan, according to local officials.

Early on Friday, a suicide car bomber killed 12 people in Quetta in the volatile south-west.

Play in Polish theatre accused of inciting audience to murder

Posted: 23 Jun 2017 05:52 AM PDT

Prosecutors investigating The Curse, which condemns authorities for failing to respond to allegations of child abuse by clergy

The producers of a controversial play in Poland are being investigated by state prosecutors over allegations they are inciting the audience to murder.

The Curse (Klątwa) is being staged at Teatr Powszechny in Warsaw and is directed by Oliver Frljić, a Croatian director. It examines the relationship between the Polish Catholic church and the state, and condemns the authorities for failing to respond to allegations of child abuse by members of the clergy.

'I wanted the building to fly': Renzo Piano's Santander gallery opens

Posted: 23 Jun 2017 07:43 AM PDT

Spain's €80m levitating Centro Botín showcases nautical flair and offers visitors easy access to waterfront for first time

Two great hull-like forms stand on the seafront in Santander, northern Spain, clad in thousands of pearlescent discs, like a pair of ships encrusted with exotic barnacles.

Jacked up 6 metres (20ft) into the air on slender white pillars, allowing views through to the water, this is the new Centro Botín, an €80m (£70m) art gallery by Renzo Piano, which opened to the public on Friday.

Paris agreement's 1.5C target 'only way' to save coral reefs, Unesco says

Posted: 23 Jun 2017 03:48 PM PDT

First global assessment of climate change impact on world heritage-listed reefs says local efforts are 'no longer sufficient'

Greater emissions reductions and delivering on the Paris climate agreement are now "the only opportunity" to save coral reefs the world over from decline, with local responses no longer sufficient, a report by Unesco has found.

The first global scientific assessment of the impacts of climate change on the 29 world heritage-listed coral reefs, published on Saturday, found that the frequency, intensity and duration of heat-stress events had worsened with increasing global warming, with massive consequences for the 29 world heritage sites.

'€5,000 would be a deterrent': the French minister who wants sexual harassment fines

Posted: 24 Jun 2017 01:30 AM PDT

Meet Marlène Schiappa, the 34-year old blogger and novelist at the heart of Emmanuel Macron's revolution

The walk from the Gare du Nord across the Seine to France's centre of power, a string of buildings off the Quai d'Orsay, takes a pleasant, circuitous hour: the route is a tourist's dream. But for Marlène Schiappa, France's freshly appointed gender equality minister, the streets of Paris are the frontline in a war between the sexes. Where I see boutiques and fruit and vegetable stalls, cafes and splendid architecture, Schiappa's eye is drawn instead to the idling men ogling young women; to the handsome displays in every pharmacy window advertising weight-loss solutions – "Minceur Thé Vert" (Slimming Green Tea), "Ventre Plat" (Flat Stomach – and illustrated by pictures of delighted young women using a tape measure as a skipping rope. "France is paradoxical," Schiappa tells me. "We are the country of Simone de Beauvoir, of feminist theory and philosophy. But we are also a Latin country with entrenched stereotypes."

She greets me warmly in what must have once been a grand dining room; the parliamentary district in the 7th arrondissement has not changed much since its vast mansions were built for nobility in the 18th century. It is the day before Theresa May will meet Emmanuel Macron, France's youngest ever president, who assumed office on 14 May. At 39, with no campaigning experience, Macron has surrounded himself with young cabinet members who are new to politics, as a way of making a clean break with his socialist predecessor Francois Hollande. This week he made businesswoman Florence Parly minister for the armed forces (defence for four of the EU's five largest economies is now overseen by women); he has appointed TV presenter Nicolas Hulot as environmental and social transition minister (the equivalent of Theresa May giving David Attenborough a cabinet post).

China landslide: more than 140 people feared buried

Posted: 24 Jun 2017 01:27 AM PDT

Rescue operation is under way in Sichuan province after more than 40 homes in Xinmo village were engulfed by landslide

More than 140 people are feared to have been buried by a landslide in south-west China, officials have said.

The landslide from a nearby mountain engulfed more than 40 homes and a hotel in Xinmo, a village in Sichuan province, at about 6am local time (2300 BST), the Mao county government said.

The 20 photographs of the week

Posted: 24 Jun 2017 12:03 AM PDT

Wildfires in Portugal, the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower fire, protests in Caracas and the continuing violence in Mosul – the news of the week captured by the world's best photojournalists

Xi no evil: Hong Kong bans protest slogans as Chinese president visits

Posted: 23 Jun 2017 11:10 PM PDT

Posters or other displays that could 'embarrass' leaders, such as mentions of Tiananmen Square, are ordered removed from tour routes

Hong Kong police have launched a crackdown on political banners and images ahead of a visit to the city by the Chinese president, Xi Jinping, to avoid "embarrassing" the country's leaders.

Swaths of Hong Kong will be locked down this week and at least 9,000 police officers, nearly a third of the territory's force, are set to be deployed during Xi's three-day visit starting on Thursday.

Al-Jazeera: the Qatar broadcaster at centre of diplomatic crisis

Posted: 23 Jun 2017 10:00 PM PDT

Arab world's leading TV channel is used to controversy – but now it fears for its future as Saudi Arabia wants it shut down

Al-Jazeera, the Qatar-based broadcaster that has found itself at the centre of the Gulf diplomatic crisis, was launched in 1996, and has since grown to become the most-watched TV channel in the Arab world.

It claims to broadcast to more than 310m households in more than 100 countries. The company employs more than 3,000 people and has a London studio in the Shard.

Passengers hurt as double-decker bus gets stuck under Paris bridge

Posted: 23 Jun 2017 09:09 PM PDT

Driver took wrong detour when open-top sightseeing bus was diverted away from Olympic fun day on the Seine, say police

An open-top double-decker bus crashed into a central Paris bridge during an Olympic fun day on Friday, injuring at least four passengers, firefighters said.

The bus, with seating on the upper deck for sightseeing, was too high to pass under the Alexandre III bridge and scraped the roof of the tunnel before stopping after a few metres.

Have you been affected by the Camden tower block evacuations?

Posted: 24 Jun 2017 02:18 AM PDT

Hundreds of residents living on the Chalcots estate were evacuated late last night. Tell us if you are one of those who were asked to leave

Hundreds of residents living on the Chalcots estate in Swiss Cottage, London, were evacuated overnight after Camden council asked them to leave because of the risk of the estate being affected by a fire similar to that at Grenfell Tower.

Georgia Gould, the leader of Camden council, decided to ask people to leave after a review of five blocks found cladding similar to that on Grenfell Tower, as well as fire risks on insulation surrounding gas piping.

From heatwaves to hurricanes, floods to famine: seven climate change hotspots

Posted: 23 Jun 2017 04:00 AM PDT

Global warming will not affect everyone equally. Here we look at seven key regions to see how each is tackling the consequences of climate change

It could have been the edge of the Sahara or even Death Valley, but it was the remains of a large orchard in the hills above the city of Murcia in southern Spain last year. The soil had broken down into fine white, lifeless sand, and a landscape of rock and dying orange and lemon trees stretched into the distance.

A long drought, the second in a few years, had devastated the harvest after city authorities had restricted water supplies and farmers were protesting in the street. It was a foretaste of what may happen if temperatures in the Mediterranean basin continue to rise and desertification grows.

Donald Trump may face new legal action over Trump University

Posted: 24 Jun 2017 12:00 AM PDT

Sherri Simpson, a member of a class action lawsuit which settled for $25m, has appealed the settlement with intention to sue independently for fraud

Donald Trump could face new legal action over his controversial Trump University venture, after a new suit was filed in federal court.

In November, days after he won the presidency, Trump settled three class action fraud lawsuits over Trump University, for $25m. More than 6,000 people were listed in the suits, claiming they were lured into paying up to $35,000 to learn the secrets of Trump's business success.

Colombia tango festival thrills dance lovers in Medellín – in pictures

Posted: 23 Jun 2017 09:02 AM PDT

Dancers compete in the annual international tango festival in Colombia's second largest city. The event, in its 11th year, also includes workshops and concerts

CPA Australia sacks chief executive Alex Malley with $4.9m payout

Posted: 23 Jun 2017 10:35 PM PDT

Malley has faced public scrutiny over his $1.8m salary and concerns around his direction for the organisation

The chief executive officer of one of Australia's largest accounting associations has been terminated by the company board and given a $4.9m payout.

CPA Australia CEO Alex Malley has faced public scrutiny over his $1.8m salary and concerns around his direction for the organisation. Seven members of the board have resigned from their positions.

Saudi security foils terror plot targeting Mecca Grand Mosque and pilgrims

Posted: 23 Jun 2017 08:35 PM PDT

Suspect blows himself up as interior ministry blames 'evil and corrupt self-serving schemes managed from abroad'

Saudi Arabian security forces have foiled a terror plot targeting the Grand Mosque in the Muslim holy city of Mecca, exchanging gunfire with one of the suspects who blew himself up inside a home on Friday, the interior ministry said.

The ministry described the plot as part of "self-serving schemes managed from abroad".

'We call on all governments to respect media freedoms': al-Jazeera on Saudi demands for its closure – video

Posted: 23 Jun 2017 11:39 AM PDT

Qatar-funded broadcaster al-Jazeera denounces the demand for its closure from Saudi Arabia and several other countries. They accuse the network of being a propaganda tool for Islamists intent on undermining other governments. Acting managing director Giles Trendle says the network will continue its 'editorial mission'. The demand is part of a 13-point list that Qatar must agree to if it wants a diplomatic and trade embargo lifted

'Close al-Jazeera': Saudi Arabia gives Qatar 13 demands to end blockade

The week in patriarchy: essentially unconscious from anger

Posted: 23 Jun 2017 11:29 AM PDT

Senate Republicans proved they could be just as heartless as their House counterparts, targeting the most vulnerable among us with their healthcare bill

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To say this has been a tough week is the understatement of the century. A new study showed that guns are the third leading cause of death for children in the US; Ice agents in New York are targeting trafficking victims; and a black pregnant woman was shot and killed by police in front of her children. And then there's the healthcare bill. Senate Republicans released their draft and, as expected, it is a disaster for the most vulnerable among us. When you have six-year-olds lobbying politicians so that their life-saving care doesn't end, when people are being pulled out of their wheelchairs to be arrested for protesting – you know things are bad.

Gorilla in the mist: Zola makes splash online for dancing in zoo's pool – video

Posted: 23 Jun 2017 10:44 AM PDT

Zola the gorilla can barely contain his excitement while splashing in a pool at Dallas zoo. The activity is part of the zoo's enrichment program, which provides stimulation in order to encourage more natural behaviors. The 14-year-old western lowland gorilla originally became a viral hit while 'break-dancing' at Calgary zoo in 2011

Iran's president heckled at rally after criticism by supreme leader

Posted: 23 Jun 2017 08:02 AM PDT

Protests in Tehran suggest escalation in power struggle between Rouhani and Khamenei after landslide re-election

Iran's president, Hassan Rouhani, has been heckled during an annual pro-Palestinian rally in Tehran, a week after he was criticised by the supreme leader, as a power struggle between the two appeared to escalate.

Rouhani, who was participating in the Quds rally, which is held on the last Friday of Ramadan, had to be rushed to his car after protesters shouted slogans comparing him to Abolhassan Banisadr, the country's first president who was impeached and later exiled after falling foul of the clerical establishment.

Gay activist claims she was spiritually abused by evangelical churches

Posted: 23 Jun 2017 07:07 AM PDT

Jayne Ozanne to warn C of E general synod over high rate of suicide, depression and self-harm among LGBTI Christians

A leading gay activist in the Church of England who says she endured "spiritual abuse" because of her sexuality is urging the church to ensure the safety of LGBTI Christians.

Jayne Ozanne, whose experience in a charismatic evangelical church led to a breakdown, has warned that the high rate of suicide, self-harm and depression among LGBTI Christians will continue unabated unless spiritual abuse is tackled.

Church leaders call for urgent debate on terrorism, Grenfell fire and election

Posted: 23 Jun 2017 04:54 AM PDT

Archbishops of Canterbury and York say Synod should discuss turmoil at a critical time in the nation's history

The leaders of the Church of England have called for an urgent debate on the state of the country after recent terror attacks, the Grenfell Tower fire and the inconclusive general election outcome, saying this is a "critical time in the nation's history".

Hong Kong's new chief: detention of booksellers in China not our concern

Posted: 23 Jun 2017 04:51 AM PDT

Carrie Lam says it is not government's place to challenge mainland over abduction and detention of city's booksellers

The kidnapping and detention of a group of Hong Kong booksellers is of no concern to the city's government, its new leader has said.

Five booksellers associated with Hong Kong-based Mighty Current publishing were detained two years ago by Chinese police, with two of the men spirited across borders by plainclothes agents.

North Korea denies US student Otto Warmbier was tortured

Posted: 23 Jun 2017 04:10 AM PDT

Pyongyang spokesman says student who was sent to US in coma was kept 'under humanitarian conditions' in prison

North Korea has accused the US of conducting a smear campaign against the regime over Otto Warmbier, the American student who was sent home in a coma after 17 months in prison.

The 22-year-old, who died on 19 June – just over a week after being flown home to Ohio – had spent a year suffering from a severe brain injury that North Korean doctors claimed had been caused by a heart attack and taking a pill for botulism.

Guatemala president under pressure over lobbying firm linked to Mike Pence

Posted: 23 Jun 2017 03:00 AM PDT

Jimmy Morales urged to reveal role in contracts signed with Indiana firm
Barnes & Thornburg hired to improve relations between Guatemala and US

Guatemala's president, Jimmy Morales, is under growing political pressure over two contracts with an Indiana lobbying firm closely linked to the US vice-president Mike Pence.

Opposition politicians have called on Morales to reveal his role in the $80,000-a-month contracts signed with Barnes & Thornburg LLP, which appear to have been designed to sideline the state department and the Guatemalan foreign affairs ministry.

Why has Italy been spared mass terror attacks in recent years?

Posted: 23 Jun 2017 01:26 AM PDT

Experts say Italy has learned harsh lessons from anti-mafia policing, understands dangers of radicalisation in jail, and also relies on surveillance and deportation

Each time Youssef Zaghba landed in Bologna, there was someone waiting for him as he got off the plane. It was no secret in Italy that the 22-year-old Moroccan-born Italian, identified as one of three terrorists behind the London Bridge attack, was under close surveillance.

"They would talk to him at the airport. Then, during his stay, police officers would come a couple of times a day to check on him," his mother, Valeria Collina, said in an interview with the Guardian. "They were friendly to Youssef. They would say: 'Hey son, tell me what you have been doing. What are you doing? How are you?'"

In a world ruled by rumour, it is vital that scientists speak with humility and clarity | Sue Desmond-Hellmann

Posted: 23 Jun 2017 05:29 AM PDT

Facts are the science world's stock-in-trade, but in an era of fake news it is ever more important to build public trust by avoiding exaggerated claims and jargon

One of my most cherished possessions is a handmade cherrywood salad bowl that's never held a leaf of lettuce. It is 25 years old and gets more beautiful every year. The bowl was a gift, carved by a widower who was left to raise his daughter alone when his wife died under my care as an oncologist. My patient, who I'll call Erica, had the most challenging form of breast cancer and I didn't have the tools to save her life. I've always felt undeserving of the gift, despite doing everything I could.

Five years later, I participated in the development of a medicine for Erica's type of cancer, Herceptin. While regretting that it had not come fast enough for Erica, I am deeply grateful for the scientific advances that mean better care for patients like her today.

Minnesota police officer accused of 'brutality' by ACLU – video

Posted: 23 Jun 2017 09:12 AM PDT

The American Civil Liberties Union released dashcam footage showing the arrest of a Minnesota man last July, saying the officer used 'excessive force' against motorist Anthony Promvongsa. The ACLU is calling for an investigation into the behavior of officer Joe Joswiak

'Road rage' motorcyclist kicks car causing dramatic pile-up – video

Posted: 23 Jun 2017 08:19 AM PDT

Police in California are asking for witnesses to come forward after a motorcyclist kicked a car while traveling at a high speed along a freeway in Santa Clarita. This caused a pile-up which left one person injured. It was all caught on a dashboard camera by a motorist

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