Top story: Terror in Kabul
Morning everyone. I’m Martin Farrer and these are the top stories today.
US president Joe Biden has warned the terrorists who carried out the shocking double suicide attack in Kabul yesterday: “We will hunt you down and make you pay”. At least 60 civilians and 13 US soldiers were killed when bombers detonated their devices close to where people were waiting to flee the Afghan capital . Biden told the American people that the dead soldiers were “heroes” on a selfless mission, but declined to extend his deadline of Tuesday for the withdrawal of US forces. As coalition troops remaining in Afghanistan braced for more attacks, Boris Johnson also said the evacuation effort would continue as planned. Witnesses to the attack said it was “like doomsday” after the bombers struck at the lines of civilians who had been waiting in the baking sun for hours to reach foreign troops. The carnage will send even more people racing to the border where thousands of people are queueing daily in dust and chaos to reach Pakistan.
The Afghan branch of Islamic State, which calls itself Islamic State Khorasan Province, claimed responsibility for the attack. It is made up of disaffected Taliban fighters and is opposed by the new regime in Kabul, which the US military said was cooperating to try to prevent further attacks. On the darkest day of his presidency, Biden is now left with no good options as he faces intense pressure abroad, but also at home with body bags now returning to the US for the first time since last year. Three Afghan families whose details were left in documents scattered in the now-abandoned UK embassy in Kabul have been rescued by British troops. Here’s what we know so far about the attacks, how the papers have covered the horrific incident, and we have rolling updates on our blog.
* * *
Pollution warning – Exposure to air pollution is linked to an increased severity of mental illness, according to the most comprehensive study of its kind. The research, involving 13,000 people in London, found that a relatively small increase in exposure to nitrogen dioxide led to a 32% increase in the risk of needing community-based treatment and an 18% increase in the risk of being admitted to hospital.
* * *
Covid clot risk – The chances of developing dangerous blood clots after being infected with the virus that causes Covid-19 far outweighs the risks of the AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines. The largest study so far took data from more than 29 million people in England to compare both vaccines with infection from Sars-Cov-2. It weighed up rates of hospital admission or death from blood clots, as well as other blood disorders, within 28 days of either a positive test or receiving the first jab. It comes as the UK braces for a surge of new cases from large gatherings over the bank holiday weekend. One of Britian’s most popular holiday destinations, Newquay in Cornwall, has emerged as the country’s “Covid capital”. An attempt to force the release of Boris Johnson’s messages to ministers about decisions to send hospital patients into care homes without first testing them for Covid has failed. Australians aged between 12 and 15 will be eligible for the Pfizer jab from next month as another step towards ending the country’s long lockdowns.
* * *
Cyprus clash – A war of words has erupted on Cyprus as the divided island’s two ethnic communities exchange barbs over the decision by the Greek Cypriot government to rescind the passports of senior Turkish Cypriot officials. Ersin Tatar, who heads the Turkish-controlled north and is among those affected, described the policy as “an assault” to attempts to find a solution to the country’s partition. Previously he had called the move “racist” and “anachronistic”.
* * *
Wellington reboot – A monument paying tribute to the Duke of Wellington will reopen to the public after a complex £3.1m restoration project. The monument was built 200 years ago on a hill near Wellington in Somerset, after which the duke took his name. It commemorates his victory at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815 and is the tallest three-sided obelisk in the world. Visitors will be able to climb to the top of the 53m-high (175ft) structure via a long, winding staircase.
Today in Focus podcast: why Sex and the City is back
Guardian columnist Hadley Freeman discusses why Sex and the City was such a successful TV series, while the Guardian’s deputy television editor, Hannah J Davies, looks at what the reboot tells us about TV commissioning today
Lunchtime read: ‘The happiest time’ – Beach Boys in the 70s
The Beach Boys defined much of 60s pop with their sun-drenched songs and perfect harmonies. But by the time the 70s came along they were seriously uncool and their leader Brian Wilson was unravelling. Dave Simpson talks to the surviving members about the masterpieces they made againbst the odds.
Sport
Dawid Malan has hailed the “phenomenal” Joe Root after the England captain scored his sixth century of the year as his team turned the screw on India in the third Test at Headingley. The skipper, well supported by Malan and Rory Burns, scored 121 to leave England 345 runs ahead going into the third day. Team GB’s Jaco van Gass goes for a second gold in the velodrome at the Paralympics in Tokyo later, and Kadeena Cox begins her defence of her remarkable cycling and athletics double gold from Rio.You can follow all the action at our live blog. In road cycling, another eventful day in 36C heat at the Vuelta saw defending champion Primoz Roglic crash again but he stayed in touch with the leader Odd Christian Eiking.
Manchester City are preparing a sensational bid to bring Cristiano Ronaldo back to the Premier League for a fee of between £21-25m, while Real Madrid are waiting to see whether Paris Saint-Germain will accept their new offer of £146m for Kylian Mbappé. Harry Kane showed his renewed commitment to Spurs by scoring twice as they beat Paços de Ferreira 3-0 to reach the Europa Conference League. Celtic lost to AZ Alkmaar but still go through to the Europa League.
Business
Warrington council lent the billionaire owner of The Hut Group £151m after the online retailer’s £5bn market listing. The extension of a £200m loan facility to a company controlled by Matt Moulding in October is one of the largest council loans on record. The FTSE100 is going to open flat barring anything spectacular, while the pound will exchange for $1.369 and €1.165.
The papers
Many of the papers use the same image of bloodied victims of the Kabul bombing on their front pages. The Guardian is one of them, along with the headline “Carnage in Kabul: dozens killed in airport bombing”. The same shocking photograph is used by the FT which has the headline “Dozens feared killed in wave of explosions at Kabul airport”, and the Telegraph: “Twelve US troops die in Kabul blasts”. It also dominates the front of the Mirror which headlines it “Barbaric – carnage in Kabul”. The Sun says “Hell on earth” while the Mail describes the atrocity as “The tragic price of surrender”. The Times front page says “Scores killed in Kabul attack”, while the Express has “12 US troops killed in Kabul carnage”. The i says “Refugees and US marines murdered side by side”.
Sign up
The Guardian morning briefing is delivered to thousands of inboxes bright and early every weekday. If you are not already receiving it by email, you can sign up here.
For more news: www.theguardian.com
Get in Touch
If you have any questions or comments about any of our newsletters please email newsletters@theguardian.com
