The Guardian

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Keeping women out of prison must be the focus | Letters

Readers respond to an editorial on overcrowded jails and plans to convert parts of the women’s prison estate for use by men Your editorial ( The Guardian view on the prisons crisis: moving men into women’s jails is not the answer, 10 September ) is right to argue that the prison capacity crisis cannot be solved through a series of short-term fixes. Victims need confidence that the government has a credible long-term strategy for the criminal justice system, not another piecemeal intervention designed to buy time. I share your concern about the pressures facing probation services. There are also legitimate questions about the impact on policing, but we cannot discuss the prisons crisis without confronting the crisis in our courts. Continue reading...

The GuardianThe GuardianGuardian Staff14 Sept

Severe mental illness and the risk of violence | Letters

A new willingness to acknowledge the risk that some people with severe mental illnesses may become violent is welcomed by Prof John F Morgan Your report of Sarah Hughes’s acknowledgment that mental health organisations have sometimes “softened the truth” about the relationship between serious mental illness and violence marks an important change in the public debate ( Mental health groups have ‘failed to acknowledge’ risk of violence, says Mind chief, 5 September ). There is some historical irony here. Mind grew from the National Association for Mental Health, an organisation in which psychiatrists and other mental health professionals played an important part. From the 1970s onwards, Mind increasingly defined itself as an independent campaigning organisation and, at times, a vigorous critic of psychiatric practice and authority. Continue reading...

The GuardianThe GuardianGuardian Staff14 Sept

‘Very weak. Very bad’: how Rodri’s verdict exposed woeful Valencia’s crisis | Sid Lowe

The World Cup winner’s off-the-cuff assessment was brutally honest. Within days their manager and CEO were gone, but the problems run much deeper Kiat Lim wanted to see Valencia play so badly, so that is what he did. It was week four in La Liga, 6 September, and for the first time since he was given the presidency 18 months earlier, the owner’s 33-year-old son was going to watch his team play a competitive game. He was going to do it from the inside, too, so he took a flight to Spain, landing at Manises in a black mask and cap, a van to the hotel, then the team bus to Mestalla. He looked through the window as they rolled along Avenida Suecia, a huge, noisy crowd waiting, but when he got off and headed through the iron gate with its ornate club badge, he saw that this was no welcome. Above him as he went in were giant portraits of Mario Kempes, Antonio Puchades, Juan Sol, Gaizka Mendieta, David Villa and Santiago Cañizares, footballers from a better time; around him were yellow banners and whistles for the footballers there now. Inside, Lim saw the game start with the lower south stand empty as fans stayed away until the 19th minute, the sound of the protest drifting in from the street. They were out there still when, sitting alongside Joan Laporta, he saw Lamine Yamal score the sixth-minute opener then get a second. And although that, also from Lamine Yamal, was ruled out, he eventually saw Barcelona get four more, presiding over a 5-0 defeat. Continue reading...

The GuardianThe GuardianSid Lowe14 Sept

Top civil servant sacked by Starmer received record £860,000 payout

Special approval needed for amount that surpassed what Chris Wormald was ‘contractually entitled to’ The former head of the civil service Chris Wormald received a record payout of almost £860,000 when he was forced out of the top job in Whitehall by Keir Starmer. Cabinet Office accounts have revealed that the former cabinet secretary, who was sacked earlier this year , was paid £859,496 upon departure. The figure is an unprecedented amount, which required civil servants to seek a special direction from ministers to approve it because it was “greater than what Sir Chris Wormald would be contractually entitled to”. Continue reading...

The GuardianThe GuardianJessica Elgot Deputy political editor14 Sept

If looks could kill, I’d be in real trouble | Brief letters

Default facial expressions | Coffee thermometer | Quitting Britain | Nominative determinism delights Adrian Chiles is lucky that his face is merely “miserable” ( I’ve spent my whole life looking miserable. It’s time for a change, 9 September ). On the advice of my estimable wife, when I introduce myself to new colleagues I alert them to the fact that if I look as though I want to kill them, it’s my default expression and I am merely thinking, not judging. Trevor Lawson Haddenham, Buckinghamshire • Since Oxford University, no less, tells us that it is now vital to know the temperature of hot drinks ( Drinking very hot drinks could triple risk of oesophageal cancer, study finds, 9 September ), I look forward to the delivery of my NHS coffee thermometer – and the award of next year’s Ig Nobel prizes. Anne Archer Oban, Argyll and Bute Continue reading...

The GuardianThe GuardianGuardian Staff14 Sept

‘A double entendre in every crevice’: what, beyond near-naked tennis, is Sydney Sweeney’s game?

With her new, semi-nude advert for sports site Novig, the actor cements her reputation as the anti-woke poster girl. But is it real – or just provocation with a soft porn gaze? Bear with me here, but I’m beginning to suspect Sydney Sweeney is a very fine actor. It’s a skill she has been recognised for in the past, of course, winning nominations for Emmys for Euphoria and The White Lotus, but I mean it in a deeper sense, related to her work in advertising rather than drama – can she do more than play a role? Can she make you feel what she’s feeling? In her “controversial” new ad for the sports prediction site Novig (the scare quotes are because, when you’re begging for controversy this hard, you shouldn’t just be handed it on a plate), she adopts the garb of various sports. Her face, body, aspect, gait and mien are all carefully configured to amp up the erotic overtones to the maximum degree, and yet the feeling that beams out of each image is: “This is really going to piss people off, and I couldn’t be more delighted.” Her expression is so speechful that you cannot help but share in some of her hellion joy. Continue reading...

The GuardianThe GuardianZoe Williams14 Sept

Andoni Iraola says Liverpool took ‘a step backwards’ in draw against Fulham

Head coach insists forwards need to improve pressing Changes up front likely for Carabao Cup tie against Spurs Andoni Iraola has shifted the focus on to Liverpool’s forwards for the team’s uninspiring display against Fulham, insisting they need to give more to make his system work. The head coach admitted his team took “a step backwards” with their goalless draw on Saturday. His central midfield pairing of Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai struggled to contain their Fulham counterparts, winning two of five duels and one of nine duels respectively. But Iraola believes the problems started further forward with the pressing of Liverpool’s expensively assembled attack. Continue reading...

The GuardianThe GuardianAndy Hunter14 Sept

Sunday in the Park With George musical cancelled, after Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey both drop out

The star-studded Sondheim musical has hit the buffers after a second star, Jonathan Bailey, joined his Wicked colleague Ariana Grande and left the production First, it was Ariana Grande who dropped out . Then her co-star Jonathan Bailey followed her out the door. Now, the London revival of Sunday in the Park With George has been cancelled altogether , with organisers perhaps anticipating that it would be hard to sell tickets for a star-studded musical without the stars. Grande and Bailey, who appeared together as Glinda and Fiyero in Wicked and Wicked: For Good , had originally been cast as Dot and George in Stephen Sondheim’s hit musical. It was set to debut at the Barbican in the summer of 2027. Continue reading...

The GuardianThe GuardianTim Jonze14 Sept

Trump says he will consider releasing more 9/11 records after families’ request

Families have asked Trump to declassify records that could shed light on Saudi Arabia’s alleged role in the 2001 attacks Donald Trump said Sunday that he will look into requests from families of 9/11 victims to release records that could shed light on Saudi Arabia’s alleged role in the attacks 25 years ago. Several families have long alleged that a group of extremist religious leaders in Saudi Arabia gained influence in the kingdom’s government and aided the hijackers. Fifteen of the 19 hijackers were Saudis, but the Saudi government has long denied any involvement in the attacks. Continue reading...

The GuardianThe GuardianAssociated Press14 Sept

Macklemore dropped from Ed Sheeran’s US tour after ‘free Palestine’ speech

The American rapper will no longer support Sheeran’s US leg of Loop tour after comments at MetLife Stadium show Macklemore has been dropped from the remainder of the US leg of Ed Sheeran ’s Loop tour, after the American rapper drew headlines for saying “free Palestine” on stage at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. In a brief speech between songs on 4 September, the Grammy-winning artist told the audience he wanted the people of Gaza and “the occupied West Bank” to know “we have not forgotten about them”, prompting a petition from the Israeli American Council demanding his removal from the tour. Continue reading...

The GuardianThe GuardianAdrian Horton14 Sept

VARs who wrongly allowed Haaland’s goal at Manchester United are stood down

Matt Donohue and his assistant not used this weekend Pro Ref said allowing winner was ‘error of judgment’ The video assistant referee officials who allowed Erling Haaland’s winning goal in the Manchester derby on Sunday have been stood down from their responsibilities. Matt Donohue and his assistant, Blake Antrobus, have been told by Pro Ref they have not received appointments for the next round of Premier League fixtures, due to take place next weekend. Continue reading...

The GuardianThe GuardianPaul MacInnes14 Sept

England give Fleming unprecedented consent to balance job with TV role in New Zealand

Test coach to work for Sky NZ in October and December Fleming will plan South Africa tour in upcoming weeks England’s new Test head coach, Stephen Fleming, will return to New Zealand to work as a commentator on the Black Caps’ Test and white-ball series against India next month, despite having formally started work. Fleming is due in England this week for talks with the captain, Joe Root, and the England and Wales Cricket Board’s managing director of men’s cricket, Rob Key, after missing the three-Test series against Pakistan this summer with the batting coach, Marcus Trescothick, presiding over a 3-0 win. Continue reading...

The GuardianThe GuardianMatt Hughes14 Sept

‘Party for sale’? Reform’s £72m donation causes backlash – podcast

There’s been a huge backlash against Reform UK after the party received £72m from two crypto billionaires over the weekend. Paul Nowak, the TUC leader, said the money showed democracy was ‘in crisis’. Labour is pushing for tighter restrictions on political donations which could be retrospective, but Reform is confident this will not affect its new war chest. How much does this money change the political landscape? And with Labour receiving millions from unions, will its new rules backfire? Please keep sending your comments and questions to politicsweeklyuk@theguardian.com . Please follow and subscribe to the Politics Weekly YouTube channel here Continue reading...

The GuardianThe GuardianPresented by Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey, produced by Nada Smiljanic, music by Axel Kacoutié; the executive producer is Maz Ebtehaj14 Sept

Hunt and Kerr have lit up the summer, but star athletes remain wary over Spoty

‘It’s not a given, that’s the reality,’ Kerr says in Budapest Athletes cautious over BBC’s informal shortlist policy It should be the biggest no-brainer of the sporting year. After a summer where athletics has captured hearts and headlines, and made so many fans fall back in love with it again, either Amy Hunt or Josh Kerr should win the award for BBC Sports Personality of the Year. The bookies’ odds suggest many others think the same way: Hunt is the even-money favourite, Kerr is second, with Harry Kane a stride or two back in third. Yet Kerr knows he cannot take anything for granted. Continue reading...

The GuardianThe GuardianSean Ingle14 Sept

Crispin Odey loses appeal against lifetime ban from UK financial services industry

Judges uphold ruling that financier tried to ‘frustrate’ investigations into harassment claims against him The former hedge fund boss Crispin Odey has lost a legal challenge to overturn his lifetime ban from the City for trying to “frustrate” investigations into sexual harassment allegations against him. A ruling by judges at the upper tribunal upheld the ban imposed by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in March last year , while reducing a proposed fine of £1.83m to £1.53m. Continue reading...

The GuardianThe GuardianKalyeena Makortoff Banking correspondent14 Sept

Uganda reverses Invictus Games withdrawal after reassurance from King Charles

Military chief had pulled country out over ‘Harry-Meghan nonsense’ but U-turned after clarification from the palace Uganda has U-turned on its decision to withdraw from the Duke of Sussex’s Invictus Games after the country’s military chief said he had been reassured by King Charles that there was “no problem” with its participation. Last week, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the eldest son of the Ugandan president, Yoweri Museveni, made the surprise announcement the country would not participate in the games in a post on X. He said he was motivated by his respect for the king amid division over the “Harry-Meghan nonsense”. Continue reading...

The GuardianThe GuardianRachel Hall14 Sept

Oasis announce 2027 tour, including return to Knebworth 30 years after historic concerts

After 2025’s wildly lucrative reunion, the Gallagher brothers will tour the UK, Ireland and US, and revisit the Hertfordshire site of their greatest live triumph Oasis have finally confirmed new tour dates for 2027, including their long-rumoured return to Knebworth for a run of shows 30 years after they played a historic two nights at the Hertfordshire venue in 1996. “Start the celebrations!”, the band said in a statement. “After a period of reflection, The Most Damaging Pop Cultural Force In Recent British History” – a quote from a Guardian opinion piece about the band – “has declared itself fit for purpose and will once again return to lift the spirits of the people. Come witness the fitness. It shall be a sight to behold.” Continue reading...

The GuardianThe GuardianLaura Snapes14 Sept