Author: The Guardian

For a long time this week’s Thursday quiz had been scheduled to be loosely themed around Pokémon, with 12 questions all tenuously tied to the names of the beloved little pocket monsters. However, with the sad news on Tuesday of the death of Rachael Lillis, who for years voiced Misty and Jessie among other beloved characters in the anime series, the timing became even more apposite, and an opportunity to pay tribute to someone who bought great joy to the Pokémon world for many years. Rest well Rachael.The Thursday quiz, No 173 – Pokémon week1.Bulbasaur is Pokémon #0001 in the…

The Australian Olympic Committee has condemned an anonymous online petition that repeated lies about how B-girl Rachael “Raygun” Gunn was selected to compete in the Paris Olympics.AOC chief executive Matt Carroll said the petition – which also criticized Australian head of delegation Anna Meares – was “disgraceful” and amounted to bullying and harassment.Gunn, a 36-year-old university lecturer, saw his performance in the Olympics scoring project attract widespread attention on social media. She did not receive a single point from the judges and was eliminated during the round robin stage.The petition, which has gathered more than 45,000 signatures, accuses Gunn of…

Liz Truss left the stage abruptly at an event to promote her own book after campaigners unfurled a banner emblazoned with the phrase: “I crashed the economy” below a picture of a lettuce.The former prime minister, who lasted 45 days in office, was in Suffolk discussing the US presidential election on Tuesday when the campaign group Led By Donkeys lowered its remote-controlled banner with a huge picture of a lettuce behind her.Truss was sitting comfortably on stage in a bright green dress, expressing her support for Donald Trump before she was pranked. “I support Trump and I want him to…

Dutch beach volleyball player Steven van de Velde, who was convicted of raping a 12-year-old British girl in 2016, said he considered withdrawing from the Paris Olympics due to the controversy surrounding his participation.Van de Velde and his beach volleyball partner Matthew Imus reached the quarter-finals in Paris but lost to Brazil in straight sets. The pair played four games in the tournament, with Vandevelde being met with a barrage of boos and whistles.Quick guideHow do I sign up for sports breaking news alerts?exhibitDownload the Guardian app from the iOS App Store on iPhone or the Google Play store on…

On 6 August, a substantial Ukrainian force launched a cross-border incursion into Russia’s Kursk region, shelling the little town of Sudzha and reportedly occupying several villages. Scores of Russian military were killed by artillery and drone strikes, while others were seen surrendering to the triumphant Ukrainians. It quickly became apparent that the incursion was on a far larger scale than previous border raids. Two and a half years into Putin’s murderous invasion of Ukraine, Russia faced an unpleasant reality. It, too, could be invaded by a neighbour.Ukraine’s Kursk operation overlaps with a poignant anniversary. Twenty-five years ago, Vladimir Putin –…

timeOm Daley is only 30 years old, but it feels like he will always be a part of our sporting lives. Britain’s most successful diver has gone from prodigy to legend at five consecutive Olympics. Here’s how The Guardian has followed Daley’s journey over the years.Beijing 2008: Debut and rowing with teammatesDaley performs 10-meter synchronized diving training in Beijing, China. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The GuardianDaley made his highly anticipated Olympic debut in 2008 in Beijing.Richard Williams reports on Daley and his partner Blake Aldridge falling last in the 10m synchronized diving final. “Cracks appeared in the glossy, happy veneer of a…

Our house is not the sprucest on our leafy, suburban street, and patches of grass and moss peek through the gravel outside. In summer, the garden blooms with untamed greenery that wraps around the walls and threatens to bring down the fence. We used to picture our well-to-do neighbours raising their eyebrows.But Bernie was never embarrassed by our shabbiness, or his. He would squat in the middle of the driveway and defy anyone to judge his matted fur or ragged ears. With his stocky body and huge tomcat cheeks, he stood out in our neighbourhood of posh pedigrees. And for…

Graham Thorpe’s wife Amanda has revealed the former England batsman committed suicide due to depression and anxiety.The England and Wales Cricket Board announced Thorpe’s death at the age of 55 on August 5, with tributes pouring in for one of the country’s best Test players. Thorpe was a mainstay in the England squad for most of his life, first as a player between 1993 and 2005 and then in various coaching roles for 12 years, but he was hospitalized in May 2022 and was When he was declared “seriously ill”.Speaking to The Times, Amanda Thorpe revealed that Thorpe tried to…

Thousands of Ukrainian troops are taking part in an incursion aiming to destabilise Russia by showing up the country’s weaknesses, a top official from Ukraine has said as the assault entered its sixth day.“We are on the offensive. The aim is to stretch the positions of the enemy, to inflict maximum losses and to destabilise the situation in Russia as they are unable to protect their own border,” the security official said on condition of anonymity.Russia’s army had said about 1,000 Ukrainian troops were deployed in the cross-border incursion that began on Tuesday and appeared to catch the Kremlin off…

We struggle to find a chicken big enough to feed all the family, and we’re not keen on turkey. If I want to roast two birds in the same oven, does this affect the cooking time?Mary, United KingdomIf your oven is large enough to hold two chickens in a big roasting tray, you can absolutely roast them at the same time. But I wouldn’t recommend roasting them in different pans on different shelves, because there won’t be enough air to circulate.The Guardian’s journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more.To ensure…