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The Guardian — page 118

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The Guardian view on the prisons crisis: moving men into women’s jails is not the answer | Editorial

Kneejerk reactions to overcrowding will do more harm than good. Ministers should focus on probation It is not hard to see why ministers are considering converting parts of the women’s prison estate for use by men. While Andy Burnham’s decision to narrow the early-release scheme was born of political necessity, it has made an already acute capacity problem worse. Excluding manslaughter and further sexual offences cut projected early releases from 6,000 to 4,500 . The family of PC Andrew Harper, who was killed on duty in 2019, welcomed the assurance that his killers would not be released early. But the change left overcrowded English and Welsh jails with even less room. The government is trying to innovate. Last week it was announced that £110m will be spent on creating new cells in existing jails, by converting underused spaces such as storage and laundry areas. Deportations are to be speeded up, if foreign governments can be persuaded to cooperate. There is an overdue and welcome commitment to examine how indeterminate imprisonment for public protection sentences can be phased out. Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here . Continue reading...

The GuardianThe Guardian•Editorial10 Sept

Forgetful Farage shares rose-tinted memories of Reform’s party conference | John Crace

Oops, Nige’s round-robin email skipped over the most embarrassing and dark details – let’s set the record straight Which one of us has not dreamed of getting a personal email from Nigel Farage? So imagine the excitement that Reform supporters must have felt when a message from their leader dropped into their inboxes late on Wednesday night. And mine. Could he also be about to offer everyone in the country £5,000 in return for electing a Reform government? Sadly not. Even Honest Bob’s planned welfare cuts won’t cover that. Instead, Nige was treating us all to his reflections on his party conference that had just ended. The only drawback was that there appeared to be some gaps in his memory. Let’s be kind and assume he was pushed for space. So let’s help him fill in the blanks. Continue reading...

The GuardianThe Guardian•John Crace10 Sept

World Rugby float plans for Six Nations match in US but England unlikely to participate

Governing body floating staging Ireland v Italy in US World Rugby eyes commercial value in American fixtures World Rugby wants a Six Nations match to be staged in the US and has offered financial incentives to the unions to do so – but England have effectively ruled themselves out on the grounds that fixtures at Twickenham are too lucrative. The US will stage the 2031 World Cup and World Rugby is seeking to capitalise commercially despite mounting fears over the parlous state of rugby union in the host country. As a result, the governing body is desperate to raise interest in the sport’s profile by staging high-profile matches Stateside, with Baltimore hosting the fourth Test between South Africa and New Zealand on Saturday. Continue reading...

The GuardianThe Guardian•Gerard Meagher10 Sept

Glowing javelins and a $10m prize fund usher in a brave new world for track and field

The Ultimate Championship aims to revolutionise the sport with promises of bigger prize money and a greater role for athletes Track and field’s brave new world begins in Budapest on Friday night. The action will be fast-paced and slick, with augmented reality showing athletes’ win percentages and javelins and hammers that glow, making them easier to see on a black infield. In the space of 48 hours, a top sprinter could earn $337,500 (£250,000) for just over a minute’s work. It is all part of the new World Athletics Ultimate Championship, a three-day event with a prize fund of $10m which is designed to pit the best against the best, and kick off a minor revolution in the sport. Continue reading...

The GuardianThe Guardian•Sean Ingle in Budapest10 Sept

The Guardian view on falling birthrates: cash alone cannot buy belonging | Editorial

Young people still want partners and children. Governments must address the insecurity and isolation preventing them from building families Why are people in one of the world’s richest, safest countries having so few children? Singapore is asking that question. In 2000, its fertility rate matched America’s at 1.6 children per woman. By 2025, it had dropped to 0.87 – almost half the US rate . Singapore’s leaders, worried about population collapse, have reached for the chequebook. Each child, including those born to unmarried parents, will get $55,000 in government support by the time they turn 17. Yet a quarter of Singaporeans say they do not intend to have children. Wealth and security, clearly, don’t guarantee more babies. UN data shows that global fertility fell from 5.3 births per woman in 1963 to 2.2 in 2023. But this masks a growing divide. In some poor sub-Saharan African countries there are around six births per woman. Compare this with England and Wales , where the figure is just 1.39. More than half of the world – including a billion women in India and China – have a fertility rate below the global 2.1 “ replacement level ” needed to sustain populations without migration. But even in poor countries with high mortality rates and consequently higher replacement rates, births outpace deaths. In Nigeria, for example, the fertility rate of 4.4 exceeds its replacement rate of 2.6 children per woman . Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here . Continue reading...

The GuardianThe Guardian•Editorial10 Sept

Former PE teacher faces lengthy jail term for sexually abusing pupils

Bronwen James, 30, admitted offences against two girls at schools in Wiltshire and Hampshire, and found guilty of charges involving boy A former PE teacher is facing a lengthy jail sentence for grooming and sexually abusing three pupils at two schools. Bronwen James, 30, admitted offences against two girls at schools in Hampshire and Wiltshire and was found guilty by a jury of charges involving a boy. Continue reading...

The GuardianThe Guardian•Steven Morris10 Sept

Secret son revelation ignites bitter succession dispute in Ugandan kingdom

Family of late King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV reject committee’s choice of cousin and TV presenter as new monarch A traditional Ugandan kingdom has become engulfed in a bitter succession dispute after the family of a king who recently died rejected the selection of a television news anchor as his successor. King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, who became the world’s youngest reigning monarch when he took the throne in the kingdom of Tooro in 1995 at the age of three, died on 27 August in the US, where he was receiving cancer treatment. Continue reading...

The GuardianThe Guardian•Carlos Mureithi in Nairobi and agencies10 Sept

England bat Pakistan out of third Test before Robinson moves in for the kill

Brook, Lawrence and Smith miss out on centuries Ollie Robinson takes two wickets in first over Friday is the only sold out day of this third Test but whether that translates into a full house remains to be seen. Much like the series itself, the contest is long since over, set in motion by Pakistan’s howling collapse on the first day and then compounded by England’s ruthlessness on the second. Although for all that England’s march to a 3-0 clean sweep appears a formality, there should in theory be a decent chunk of cricket to enjoy. Joe Root’s side are still eight wickets away from enjoying a weekend at ­leisure, with Pakistan, set to resume on 52 for two, 268 runs away from making them bat again. Continue reading...

The GuardianThe Guardian•Ali Martin at Edgbaston10 Sept

‘She’s buzzing’: Charley Hull to face world No 1 Nelly Korda in Solheim Cup opener

Hull will partner debutant Lottie Woad for Europe USA seeking to retain trophy they won in 2024 Galleries at the 20th Solheim Cup have been granted a blockbuster start with Nelly Korda and Charley Hull to face off in Friday morning’s foursomes. The meeting of Korda, the world No 1, and Hull, Europe’s star turn, should ensure an electric opening in the Netherlands as the USA seek to retain the trophy won in Virginia two years ago . Korda nudged out Hull at the US Women’s Open in June. Hull will partner the Solheim Cup debutant Lottie Woad against the formidable USA pairing of Korda and Allisen Corpuz to begin the tournament. Nanna Koerstz Madsen and Céline Boutier will represent Europe in match two, where they will take on Alison Lee and Lauren Coughlin. Esther Henseleit and Leona Maguire have been selected for the hosts in the penultimate match, with Andrea Lee and Lindy Duncan in opposition. The foursomes will conclude with Europe’s Swedish duo of Maja Stark and Linn Grant facing Rose Zhang and Jennifer Kupcho. Continue reading...

The GuardianThe Guardian•Ewan Murray at Bernardus Golf10 Sept

Sacha Baron Cohen lined up for Quentin Tarantino’s West End playwriting debut

The Ali G and Borat creator is reported to be taking the lead in The Popinjay Cavalier, a swashbuckling comedy Tarantino is developing for early 2027 He will soon be seen resuming his old Staines rudeboy persona in the film Ali G: Who Iz I? , but Sacha Baron Cohen may also be eyeing a new departure – on stage. The actor will reportedly star in Quentin Tarantino’s first play, The Popinjay Cavalier , which is billed as a “ rambunctious comedy of deception and disguise” and a “sweeping celebration of theatre and its heightened romance”, set in 1830s Europe. According to Deadline , Baron Cohen will play the swashbuckling title character in the play, which Tarantino will also direct. Continue reading...

The GuardianThe Guardian•Chris Wiegand Stage editor10 Sept

Sacha Baron Cohen lined up for Quentin Tarantino’s West End playwriting debut

The Ali G and Borat creator is reported to be taking the lead in The Popinjay Cavalier, a swashbuckling comedy Tarantino is developing for early 2027 He will soon be seen resuming his old Staines rudeboy persona in the film Ali G: Who Iz I? , but Sacha Baron Cohen may also be eyeing a new departure – on stage. The actor will reportedly star in Quentin Tarantino’s first play, The Popinjay Cavalier , which is billed as a “ rambunctious comedy of deception and disguise” and a “sweeping celebration of theatre and its heightened romance”, set in 1830s Europe. According to Deadline , Baron Cohen will play the swashbuckling title character in the play, which Tarantino will also direct. Continue reading...

The GuardianThe Guardian•Chris Wiegand Stage editor10 Sept

French FA accuses Infantino of ‘seriously damaging’ football as it withdraws support

‘Image and unity’ of game affected, FFF president says It will consult sacked former Fifa official Kevin Lamour The French Football Federation’s president, Philippe Diallo, said Gianni Infantino had “seriously damaged the image and the unity of football” as he announced the end of France’s support for the Fifa president’s re-election. The FFF’s executive committee unanimously voted on Thursday to withdraw its backing, which had been formalised at the end of June. Diallo referred to “events during the World Cup” which had “flagrantly gone against the way we believe our sport should be run” and to Infantino’s World Cup sell-off plan, which was revealed in July and scrapped after a widespread backlash. Continue reading...

The GuardianThe Guardian•Raphaël Jucobin in Paris10 Sept

French FA accuses Infantino of ‘seriously damaging’ football as it withdraws support

‘Image and unity’ of game affected, FFF president says It will consult sacked former Fifa official Kevin Lamour The French Football Federation’s president, Philippe Diallo, said Gianni Infantino had “seriously damaged the image and the unity of football” as he announced the end of France’s support for the Fifa president’s re-election. The FFF’s executive committee unanimously voted on Thursday to withdraw its backing, which had been formalised at the end of June. Diallo referred to “events during the World Cup” which had “flagrantly gone against the way we believe our sport should be run” and to Infantino’s World Cup sell-off plan, which was revealed in July and scrapped after a widespread backlash. Continue reading...

The GuardianThe Guardian•Raphaël Jucobin in Paris10 Sept

‘I’ve got more of a sense of humour than Ralph Lauren’ – nine things we learned from Paul Smith’s new memoir

He put personality into boxers, collaborated with the pope (sort of) and is to thank for novelty socks. The British designer’s new book reveals there’s more to Smith than his stripes In July, the British designer Paul Smith celebrated his 80th birthday and he has now released a memoir to mark the occasion. Threads: My Life in Style tells Smith’s story, from growing up in Nottingham and leaving school with no qualifications to selling suits to celebs, including Gary Oldman and David Bowie. Here are nine of our favourite lesser-known takeaways from the book. Continue reading...

The GuardianThe Guardian•Chloe Mac Donnell10 Sept

Shabana Mahmood urges police to curb far-right, anti-migrant protests

Home secretary tells officers to make ‘full use’ of their powers after masked vigilantes cause weekend of chaos Shabana Mahmood has urged police to curb the activities of far-right, anti-migrant groups which have “obvious malign intent” after a weekend of chaos caused by balaclava-wearing vigilantes. In a meeting on Thursday, the home secretary told senior officers to make “full use” of their powers, including bans on face coverings, after police were assaulted and ports were disrupted in Kent and Hampshire. Continue reading...

The GuardianThe Guardian•Rajeev Syal Home affairs editor10 Sept

Shabana Mahmood urges police to curb far-right, anti-migrant protests

Home secretary tells officers to make ‘full use’ of their powers after masked vigilantes cause weekend of chaos Shabana Mahmood has urged police to curb the activities of far-right, anti-migrant groups which have “obvious malign intent” after a weekend of chaos caused by balaclava-wearing vigilantes. In a meeting on Thursday, the home secretary told senior officers to make “full use” of their powers, including bans on face coverings, after police were assaulted and ports were disrupted in Kent and Hampshire. Continue reading...

The GuardianThe Guardian•Rajeev Syal Home affairs editor10 Sept

Francophiles, Norman outfits and broken threads: visitors see Bayeux tapestry in UK for first time

Visitors got a first glimpse of the medieval artefact after it went on display at the British Museum in London On the day Bayeux tapestry tickets were released, Megan Stockwell was at the beach. She was so determined to lock down her spot, that she sat with her toes in the sand for an hour, waiting in the online queue. “The whole ticket buying experience felt like what other people would do to get Taylor Swift tickets. I was like, ‘oh God, am I, like, the geek version of this?’” she recalled. Continue reading...

The GuardianThe Guardian•Rachel Hall10 Sept

The hospitality industry fears a tourist tax will deter visitors – the evidence says otherwise

Studies from hotspots across Europe that have introduced levies suggest they have no impact on visitor numbers If you wandered down Las Ramblas or lazed on a beach in the Balearics this summer, you probably paid a tourist tax for the privilege. In fact, if you enjoyed any of Europe’s beauty spots in recent years, it is likely that an overnight levy was added to your bill. Britons have become used to paying these fees abroad but ministers have shied away from introducing them in the UK. The furious response from UK hospitality bosses helps to explain why. Continue reading...

The GuardianThe Guardian•Josh Halliday North of England editor10 Sept

The Russia-tied French billionaires opening UK's first historical theme park – explainer

French company Puy du Fou is planning a £600m history-themed park in Oxfordshire. A Guardian investigation has found the company continued working with associates of Konstantin Malofeyev, a pro-Kremlin oligarch under sanctions, on plans for a theme park in Russian-occupied Crimea for longer than it had previously disclosed, and later explored projects in Iran and China. Business reporter Rob Davies explains his findings, including documents that raise questions about whether Puy du Fou’s activities tested the limits of EU sanctions imposed after Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea. He also examines the far-right politics associated with Puy du Fou’s founder, Philippe de Villiers, and asks whether the company is a suitable choice to tell Britain’s national story Kremlin connections: the Russia links to a £600m UK theme park Continue reading...

The GuardianThe Guardian•Rob Davies, Elena Morresi, Karif Wat, Sarah Bertram and Boglarka Kosztolanyi10 Sept

Why are we giving a £24bn-a-year subsidy to profitable commercial banks? | Letter

Gerald Holtham suggests that it time to cut the 3.75% that the Bank of England pays out on the lenders’ reserves There are increasing calls for a windfall tax on banks ( Taxing the banks: what Europe’s windfall levies brought in as Burnham eyes his next move, 2 September ). Such a tax is unnecessary; it would be enough simply to stop paying commercial banks a huge existing subsidy. The Bank of England holds the reserve deposits of the commercial banks and pays its policy interest rate on the entirety of those reserves. Paying 3.75% on about £640bn means handing over £24bn a year of public money to profitable commercial concerns. The Bank does so only to control the banks’ lending rates by establishing a floor. Yet that could be done more economically by paying interest on a marginal slice of the reserves. The Bank could announce a tranche for each bank and declare that any reduction in reserves from that level is counted as coming firstly from the interest-bearing tranche. That keeps the same marginal opportunity cost to the banks and ensures interest-rate policy is effective. If the tranche were 20%, there would be a gross saving of more than £19bn a year. Continue reading...

The GuardianThe Guardian•Guardian Staff10 Sept