Senior reporter for @guardian; visiting lecturer at @cityjournalism; freelance editorial trainer.
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Articles by David Batty
Woman, 47, charged after four men stabbed in Covent Garden
A 47-year-old woman has been charged after four men were stabbed in central London. Stella Gollovena, of no fixed address, was charged with four counts of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and one count of possession of an offensive weapon in a public place, the Metropolitan police said. Officers were called to Endell Street in Covent Garden, at about 12.30pm on Wednesday after four men, aged 34, 39, 42 and 56, were found with stab wounds.
Britain's apology for the scandal of forced adoption won't – on its own – heal the wounds of survivors like me
After my adoptive father died in November last year, my adoptive siblings found a short story by Enid Blyton among his possessions. The Child Who Was Chosen was read to us as children to explain the circumstances of my adoption. It follows a nice middle-class couple whose domestic bliss is marred by childlessness, prompting them to go to a “very kind lady” who helps them to find a “chosen baby” instead.
My mother was forced to give me up for adoption. But when we finally met decades later, it was far from a fairytale ending
David Batty: ‘Much remains unresolved.’ Photograph: Lydia Goldblatt/The Guardian One morning in late September 2023, I discovered by chance that my birth mother had been killed almost a year earlier. The revelation came while I was searching my work email for a stray message. In the bin folder, amid a slurry of irrelevant press releases, lay an unopened email, flagging a long-forgotten Google alert I had set up for her name, Susan Barras.
My mother was forced to give me up for adoption. But when we finally met decades later, it was far from a fairytale ending
David Batty Sat, June 6, 2026 at 5:00 a.m. UTC 23 min read Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. David Batty: 'Much remains unresolved.'Photograph: Lydia Goldblatt/The Guardian One morning in late September 2023, I discovered by chance that my birth mother had been killed almost a year earlier. The revelation came while I was searching my work email for a stray message.
My mother was forced to give me up for adoption. But when we finally met decades later, it was far from a fairytale ending
One morning in late September 2023, I discovered by chance that my birth mother had been killed almost a year earlier. The revelation came while I was searching my work email for a stray message. In the bin folder, amid a slurry of irrelevant press releases, lay an unopened email, flagging a long-forgotten Google alert I had set up for her name, Susan Barras. We had been estranged for almost 15 years, so this in itself provoked trepidation.
My mother was forced to give me up for adoption. But when we finally met decades later, it was far from a fairytale ending
One morning in late September 2023, I discovered by chance that my birth mother had been killed almost a year earlier. The revelation came while I was searching my work email for a stray message. In the bin folder, amid a slurry of irrelevant press releases, lay an unopened email, flagging a long-forgotten Google alert I had set up for her name, Susan Barras. We had been estranged for almost 15 years, so this in itself provoked trepidation.
how groups affected by HIV found power, comfort and joy in Aids activism
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Tenderness and Rage: how groups affected by HIV found power, comfort and joy in Aids activism
David Batty Fri, May 29, 2026 at 6:00 a.m. UTC 5 min read Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google.
Sick British crew member to be urgently evacuated as hantavirus-hit cruise ship heads to Canary Islands
A British crew member who became ill after a suspected outbreak of hantavirus on a luxury cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean will be medically evacuated, as the World Health Organization (WHO) said rare human-to-human spread of the deadly virus may have occurred on the vessel. The crew member is being prepared for medical evacuation from the MV Hondius along with a Dutch colleague, with Dutch authorities overseeing the operation.
Unwell British crew member to be ‘urgently’ evacuated from cruise ship after hantavirus cases
David Batty Tue, May 5, 2026 at 9:29 p.m. UTC 3 min read Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. There have been a total of seven suspected cases of hantavirus onboard the MV Hondius, including three people who have died.Photograph: AFP/Getty Images (Photograph: AFP/Getty Images) A British crew member who became ill after a suspected outbreak of hantavirus on a luxury cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean is to be medically evacuated, officials have said.
Unwell British crew member to be ‘urgently’ evacuated from cruise ship after hantavirus cases
There have been a total of seven suspected cases of hantavirus onboard the MV Hondius, including three people who have died.Photograph: AFP/Getty Images A British crew member who became ill after a suspected outbreak of hantavirus on a luxury cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean is to be medically evacuated, officials have said. The crew member is being prepared for medical evacuation from the MV Hondius along with a Dutch colleague, with Dutch authorities overseeing the operation.
'Not democratic': Opponents and backers of assisted dying bill remain divided
David Batty Amid the failure of an attempt to bring in new laws allowing assisted dying for terminally ill people with less than six months to live, campaigners on both sides of the debate vented theiranger and frustrationwith the opposing side. Its supporters, including terminally ill people, blamed thefailure of the terminally ill adults (end of life) bill, which passed in the House of Commons, on sabotage by a handful of unelected peers.
Which human remains are held in UK museums - and where?
How many human remains are held by UK museums? An investigation by the Guardian found 241 UK museums, universities and local authorities hold more than 263,228 items of human remains. Due to the complex way some institutions catalogue their collections, and gaps in their records, the actual figure is likely much higher.
Descendants of Zimbabwe resistance heroes urge UK to locate looted skulls
Descendants of freedom fighters executed and beheaded in southern Africa by colonial British forces have called on the Natural History Museum in London and the University of Cambridge to help them find their ancestors’ looted skulls. Zimbabwean descendants of the first chimurenga heroes, who led an uprising against British colonisers in the 1890s, have long believed the museum and university hold several of the skulls.
Vast scale of overseas human remains held in UK museums decried by MPs and experts
The vast number of overseas human remains held by UK museums is a shameful legacy of colonialism, with many items kept in ways that are sacrilegious, according to MPs and archaeologists. An investigation by the Guardian found that UK museums hold more than 263,000 items of human remains from around the world, including whole skeletons, preserved bodies, such as Egyptian mummies, skulls, bones, skin, teeth, nails, scalps and hair.
Parents of children taken in to care should get more help, say experts after Victoria Marten death
David Batty and agency Thu, February 12, 2026 at 12:01 a.m. UTC 4 min read Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google.
Charter to tackle sexual harassment across NHS in England has failed, say unions
A flagship strategy to tackle sexual harassment across the NHS in England has failed to improve the safety of female staff, according to legal experts and healthcare unions. The NHS sexual safety charter, launched in September 2023, was supposed to improve how hospitals, GP surgeries and other organisations address sexual harassment.
How common is violence against NHS staff in England and what is being done to stop it?
A Guardian investigation into violence and sexual harm by patients against NHS staff has revealed tens of thousands of alleged incidents reported over the past three years. Here is what we know from the findings. What counts as violence against NHS workers? The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) defines work-related violence as “any incident in which a person is abused, threatened or assaulted in circumstances relating to their work”.
‘People think abuse comes with working in A&E. It shouldn’t be like that’
Hugo (not his real name), an advanced clinical practitioner, was on the night shift in A&E at Great Western hospital, Swindon, when a drunk patient started swearing aggressively at a nurse.
NHS staff face ‘national emergency' as patient violence hits 285 incidents a day
Nurses, doctors and paramedics are reporting tens of thousands of violent and sexual assaults by patients every year, amid warnings that the abuse of NHS staff has become a national crisis. More than 295,000 incidents of physical violence and aggression by patients against staff were recorded by 212 NHS trusts in England between 2022 and 2025, freedom of information requests by the Guardian found. Healthcare unions warned of a spike in assaults on staff over Christmas and the New Year.
‘Spat at, pushed, punched’: medics tell of soaring levels of violence in hospitals
Nurses say abuse from patients has forced colleagues to leave the NHS or take extended sick leave. Photograph: David Levene/The Guardian A Guardian call-out to NHS staff in England to share their experiences of violence in hospitals has revealed that doctors, nurses, paramedics and managers are being overwhelmed by a torrent of physical assaults and sexual abuse by patients.
Das Johannes-Evangelium
Fernsehen Quotenduell heute im TV: Silbereisens „Schlagerboom“ vs. Kiewels „Willkommen 2026“, wer bietet mehr? Zwei Sender, zwei Konzepte, ein Primetime-Duell. Am Silvesterabend setzt Florian Silbereisen im Ersten auf große Schlager-Gefühle und einen spektakulären Überraschungsgast, Andrea Kiewel kontert im ZDF mit internationalem Star-Aufgebot und Hamburg-Premiere. Wer überzeugt die Zuschauer mehr?
CRASH! Live 2025 and the QL/Next...
Hi everyone! Having just returned from Kennilworth near Birmingham for this year's CRASH! Live event, I thought to share a few words about the experience and meetings with some old - and new - QL friends... The event ran over both Saturday and Sunday this year, though I was only able to get along for the second day, travelling-up with my good friend Carlo from West London.
Software Preservation
Andrew wrote: Mon Nov 10, 2025 7:52 pm I have a recent copy of Dilwyn's site, 10 days old. I kind of guested how the wind is blowing in the QL community, so I downloaded the full site as a precaution. I zipped it (32Mb) and can upload the zip, if someone can provide a temporary host. Or I can upload it to WeTransfer.com an post the download link here, but the link will only be active for 3 days. I only just returned to the forum after a long time away from the QL and found Dilwyns site gone.
The Sinclair QL Forum
Post by David Batty » Sun Nov 09, 2025 12:24 pm Is anyone going to Crash Live 2025 at Kenilworth next week? I expect there will be one or two QL owners/users at the show looking at the Spectrum Next KS3.
Mohamed Al Fayed accuser criticises Met refusal to investigate trafficking claims
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Mohamed Al Fayed accuser criticises Met refusal to investigate trafficking claims
A woman who says she was sexually assaulted by former Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed has criticised the Metropolitan police for not investigating human trafficking claims against him relating to alleged abuses against her and other women. Pelham Spong, 40, from South Carolina, hit out at the Met after French police interviewed her this week as part of an investigation into alleged human trafficking and pimping in connection with Fayed, who died two years ago.
Equity threatens mass direct action over use of actors’ images in AI content
Microsoft Cares About Your Privacy Microsoft and our third-party vendors use cookies to store and access information such as unique IDs to deliver, maintain and improve our services and ads. If you agree, MSN and Microsoft Bing will personalise the content and ads that you see. You can select ‘I Accept’ to consent to these uses or click on ‘Manage preferences’ to review your options and exercise your right to object to Legitimate Interest where used.
Equity threatens mass direct action over use of actors’ images in AI content
The performing arts union Equity has threatened mass direct action over tech and entertainment companies’ use of its members’ likenesses, images and voices in AI content without permission. The warning came as the union said growing numbers of its members had made complaints about infringements of their copyright and misuse of their personal data in AI material.
Equity threatens mass direct action over use of actors’ images in AI content
The performing arts union Equity has threatened mass direct action over tech and entertainment companies’ use of its members’ likenesses, images and voices in AI content without permission. The warning came as the union said growing numbers of its members had made complaints about infringements of their copyright and misuse of their personal data in AI material.
My Generation 2017 1080p BluRay x264-OFT
TheRandomOne: You made a 1 gig cam 1 gig instead of using the 6 gig cam ? arzezio7: Trimas!! arzezio7: Trimas!! lionel305: repackcloud is amazing, very fast for free users lionel305: clickupload link please mentalityx: Danke gape mate. mentalityx: Danke 0scar2: @Burdensome Don't suppose you could magic a link for this one into existence? Planet der Kanni...
Baby food firms given 18 months to improve quality of products in England
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Baby food firms given 18 months to improve quality of products in England
David Batty Thu, August 21, 2025 at 11:01 p.m. UTC 3 min read Baby food manufacturers have been given 18 months to improve the quality of their products in England, amid mounting concerns that leading brands are nutritionally poor. The new voluntary guidance from the government calls for a reduction in sugar and salt levels in food for infants and toddlers. It also requests clearer labelling of products to address misleading marketing claims that make baby foods seem healthier than they are.
experts unveil spaceships to take us to the stars
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Beam me up, jellyfish: experts unveil spaceships to take us to the stars
David Batty Wed, August 6, 2025 at 2:29 p.m. UTC 3 min read Spaceships modelled on jellyfish, 3D-printed homes, polyamorous relationships and vegetarian diets are among the ways in which experts have envisaged making interstellar travel feasible.
David Batty Thu, July 31, 2025 at 4:00 a.m. UTC 3 min read The Indian government has secured the repatriation of ancient gem relics linked to the Buddha’s remains, two months after it halted their auction in Hong Kong. In a post on X, the Indian prime minister, Narendra Modi, said the return of the Piprahwa gems after 127 years was “a joyous day for our cultural heritage”.
Rightwing campaigners claim there is covert deal to return Parthenon marbles
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Rightwing campaigners claim there is covert deal to return Parthenon marbles
Microsoft Cares About Your Privacy Microsoft and our third-party vendors use cookies to store and access information such as unique IDs to deliver, maintain and improve our services and ads. If you agree, MSN and Microsoft Bing will personalise the content and ads that you see. You can select ‘I Accept’ to consent to these uses or click on ‘Manage preferences’ to review your options and exercise your right to object to Legitimate Interest where used.
Liz Truss and hard-right group accused of scaremongering over Parthenon marbles
The former prime minister Liz Truss and a hard-right lobby group have been accused of stoking culture wars after reportedly writing a letter claiming they would take legal action over alleged “covert” plans to return the Parthenon marbles to Greece.
Campaigners call for end to ‘covert’ deal to return Parthenon marbles to Greece
Parthenon sculptures, or the Elgin marbles, at the British Museum in London.Photograph: David Levene/The Guardian The former prime minister Liz Truss, historian David Starkey and former Welsh secretary John Redwood are reportedly among 34 signatories to a letter alleging the British Museum is part of a “covert” campaign to return the Parthenon marbles to Greece.
The BMA wants a 29% pay rise for resident doctors - but how did it calculate these figures?
The British Medical Association (BMA) is demanding a 29% pay rise for resident doctors, formerly known as junior doctors, in England, to prevent strikes. The union claims the increase is needed to reverse cuts to the real-terms value of their pay since 2008. But how credible are its calculations? Why is the BMA demanding this level of pay rise? The BMA has calculated that real-terms pay for resident doctors has declined by almost 21% over the past 17 years.
‘It was simply mind-blowing’: readers remember seeing Star Wars for the first time
Captivating … Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford in Star Wars, 1977. Photograph: PictureLux/The Hollywood Archive/Alamy A relatively long time ago in cinemas near and far away, the first Star Wars film captivated a generation of children and adults.
Olo, Alter? Ein Künstler verkauft nun die neu entdeckte Farbe
Forscher der Universität Berkeley haben durch optische Experimente eine einzigartige neue Farbe entdeckt, die eigentlich unsichtbar ist. Der britische Künstler Stuart Semple behauptet jetzt, es sei ihm gelungen, Olo anzumischen Ein britischer Künstler behauptet, es sei ihm gelungen, die neue Farbe nachzubilden, deren Entdeckung Wissenschaftler der University of California in Berkeley kürzlich bekannt gaben. Die Forscher wollen sie entdeckt haben, indem sie Laserimpulse in ihre Augen schossen.
Olo, Alter? Ein Künstler verkauft nun die neu entdeckte Farbe
Forscher der Universität Berkeley haben durch optische Experimente eine einzigartige neue Farbe entdeckt. Der britische Künstler Stuart Semple behauptet nun, es sei ihm gelungen, Olo anzumischen Von Ein britischer Künstler behauptet, es sei ihm gelungen, die neue Farbe nachzubilden, deren Entdeckung Wissenschaftler der University of California in Berkeley kürzlich bekannt gaben. Die Forscher wollen sie entdeckt haben, indem sie Laserimpulse in ihre Augen schossen.
Forgive and forget? Both sides must be accountable after a family fallout
For most families, fallouts and squabbles are a regular occurrence. But what happens when those rifts deepen to an estrangement, such as appears to have beset the royal family and the Beckhams, and how can relationships be rebuilt? According to the following psychologists and psychotherapists, family reconciliation requires both sides taking accountability for their behaviour and not letting past grievances and trauma block efforts to meaningfully re-engage with estranged relatives.
Piprahwa gems auction on hold at Sotheby’s after India legal threat
The Indian government is seeking to repatriate ancient gem relics linked to the Buddha’s remains after halting their auction in Hong Kong. Sotheby’s postponed the sale of the Piprahwa gems, due on Wednesday, after the ministry of culture threatened to take legal action against the auction house in Indian and Hong Kong courts and through international bodies “for violations of cultural heritage laws”.
India tries to halt auction of Piprahwa gems found with Buddha’s remains
The Indian government has issued a legal notice to halt the “unethical” auction of ancient gem relics, which it said should be treated as the sacred body of the Buddha. Its ministry of culture said the auction of the Piprahwa gems in Hong Kong this week “violates Indian and international laws, as well as United Nations conventions”, and demanded their repatriation to India “for preservation and religious veneration”.
Auction of ancient Indian gems ‘imbued with living presence of Buddha’ condemned
Some of the Piprahwa gems being sold by descendants of the British engineer William Caxton Peppé in a Hong Kong auction. Some of the Piprahwa gems being sold by descendants of the British engineer William Caxton Peppé in a Hong Kong auction. Photograph: Sotheby's Buddhist academics and monastic leaders have condemned an auction of ancient Indian gem relics which they said were widely considered to be imbued with the presence of the Buddha.
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