A History of the Novel in Britain by Philip Hensher review – a masterpiece of criticism
This joyous book takes readers on a literary adventure across 200 years of fiction, from Defoe to Zadie Smith
Trump’s Air Force One deception faces scrutiny over ‘decoy’ passengers
Journalists and others were allowed to fly on presidential jet despite security threat while Trump was spirited away
Afternoon Update: how police mistook sex doll for a body; Bondi hero has assault charges dropped; and dust removal
Experts say police did not fully unzip the bag to avoid destroying evidence
Andy Burnham to chair emergency Cobra meeting amid extreme heat
High temperatures continue across UK with 38C forecast on Thursday and wildfires stretching emergency services
Nigel Farage and Count Binface: a visual guide to their electoral careers
Farage was elected to EU parliament five times before becoming Clacton MP, while Binface has been less successful – so far
Nigel Farage looks trapped and rattled – now the nationalist tide can be turned
There are more votes in tolerance and decency than in toxic division. It doesn’t take a great leap of political courage to fight back against Reform, says Guardian columnist Rafael Behr
Ceuta showed just how easy it is to divide Europe
The migrant influx prompted recriminations and a tit-for-tat dispute between Italy and Spain. Putin, Erdoğan and others will have taken note, says the European Policy Centre’s Paul Taylor
‘Sometimes they credit the janitor. But not us’: what’s it like to be a child chaperone on a film set?
Safeguarding young people in films is a vital role, often remembered by their charges later in successful careers, but not always recognised. Some of the best share their tips
‘Everything about me is good in his eyes’: the women in China choosing AI boyfriends over human men
In her new documentary Replica, film-maker Chouwa Liang taps into her own experience of finding love with artificial intelligence and makes contact with other women like her
The Guardian view on AI money in US politics: not the way to hold an urgent democratic debate
Editorial: Amid public concern over the impact of new technology, Silicon Valley’s use of its wealth to influence specific election races is an unwelcome development
Europe is the world’s fastest warming continent. What is to blame?
The climate crisis is hitting Europe hard in 2026, warming twice as fast as any other continent – and the consequences are deadly
Can I make my house less dusty? I spent four weeks experimenting to find out
Some household surfaces do attract more dust – but changing your home’s climate can make a difference
Victorian microparty MPs including Georgie Purcell to face re-election struggle after group voting tickets abolished
Voters will be required to number at least five parties above the line in order of preference after bill passed upper house 33 votes to four
‘Real mummy’s curse’: health warning over growing trade in mummified human remains
Academic paper says often illicit trade exposes enthusiasts – and postal workers handling items – to serious risks
UK heatwaves may have cost economy £4.4bn in lost output so far this year, analysis finds
Verdant thinktank says cost could top £25bn a year by 2030 and calls for maximum temperature for working and urban redesign to cool down cities
Victoria’s voice to parliament asks government to axe bill that will scrap prisoners’ ‘open air’ rights
Gellung Warl, which was established as part of the treaty process, says bill would erode the basic rights of people in prison