California Oak fire remains uncontained as Al Gore warns ‘civilization at stake’

California Oak fire remains uncontained as Al Gore warns ‘civilization at stake’

The governor of California, Gavin Newsom, declared a state of emergency for an area close to Yosemite national park, mobilizing thousands to tackle a wildfire that exploded on Friday, quickly grew to more than 14,000 acres and on Sunday remained entirely uncontained. Discussing the ferocity and fast-growing nature of the blaze, the former vice-president Al … Read more

Trust-based taxation system resulting in improved collections: FM Nirmala Sitharaman

Trust-based taxation system resulting in improved collections: FM Nirmala Sitharaman

Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday said that the trust-based taxation system introduced by the government has resulted in improved collections and increase in the number of return filings. In her message on the 163rd Income Tax Day, the finance minister complimented the department for achieving the highest-ever revenue collection of over Rs 14 lakh … Read more

Henderson lands second major with Evian Championship

Henderson lands second major with Evian Championship

Brooke Henderson finished on 17-under for the tournament Brooke Henderson birdied the last to win the Evian Championship by one shot and lift her second major title. The Canadian, 24, claimed her first major in the 2016 Women’s PGA Championship. Henderson finished on 17-under, edging Sophia Schubert, and said: “I’m super-excited to have my second … Read more

Readers reply: which species exhibits the most diverse physical characteristics?

Readers reply: which species exhibits the most diverse physical characteristics?

Which species exhibits the most diverse physical characteristics? I can’t think of a more varied example than the domestic dog (Canis familiaris). Teri Robertson, Northampton Send new questions to nq@theguardian.com. Readers reply When it comes to zoology, I remember one of my university tutors passionately denouncing mammals, and indeed all vertebrates, as simply too boring … Read more

Midsummer up Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh: ‘The world is as it ever was, but everything has changed’

Midsummer up Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh: ‘The world is as it ever was, but everything has changed’

Midsummer on the summit of Arthur’s Seat is just like any other time of year: windy and busy. Come noon on Saturday, all the world is here, it seems, with the strongest representation from the US and Germany, according to my detailed inventory. (OK, eavesdropping.) Groups of young people in inappropriate footwear hold phones aloft, … Read more

Opinion | There’s More Than One Way to Ban a Book

Opinion | There’s More Than One Way to Ban a Book

A recent overview in Publishers Weekly about the state of free expression in the industry noted, “Many longtime book people have said what makes the present unprecedented is a new impetus to censor — and self-censor — coming from the left.” When the reporter asked a half dozen influential figures at the largest publishing houses … Read more

Nigel Slater’s recipes for roast red peppers with chickpeas, and lemon and raspberry squares

Nigel Slater’s recipes for roast red peppers with chickpeas, and lemon and raspberry squares

The scorching red days of high summer mean plates of roasted scarlet peppers and basil, vermilion salads of tomatoes or watermelon and bowl after bowl of arterial red cherries. There is the summer pudding too, with its pink-purple dome of juice-soaked bread, crushed redcurrants and raspberries. The colours suit the temperature and shake us from … Read more