SwayBlog

Anti-Asian racism and crimes against the Asian community have amplified with Covid. The photographer Wendy Huynh, whose parents are Chinese immigrants from Vietnam who moved to France to flee communism, has experienced racism in Paris and London. She created a series of portraits celebrating Asian women in London from the creative industry to tackle the issue, and the Guardian talked to some of them about their experiences by Nazia Parveen, photographs by Wendy HuynhFor Bonnie Kwok it was a subtle difference.

Media MonkeyEntertainment TVGreat British Bake Off viewers go nuts over a squirrelViewers might have tuned in to The Great British Bake Off's grand final last night to get a glimpse of Jo Wheatley's white chocolate and pistachio meringues. But many found themselves choking on nuts of a different kind when a shot focused tight on a squirrel's testicles. Don't worry, squirrel wasn't on the menu: shots of squirrels in the show's parkland setting have been a running gag throughout the series.

Israel-Gaza warIsrael and Hamas agree deal to send medicine to hostages and Gaza civiliansShipment of medicine has arrived in Egypt on way to conflict zone under deal brokered by Qatar and France Middle East crisis – live updates A shipment of medicine for Israeli hostages and Palestinian civilians has arrived in Egypt on its way to Gaza under a deal mediated by Qatar and France, as fighting continues across much of the territory after a deadly night of bombardments.

Israel-Gaza war Moment airstrike hits Palestinian rescue workers evacuating people in northern Gaza – video An Israeli airstrike hit a neighbourhood in the city of Jabalia, northern Gaza, as rescue workers were evacuating Palestinians from the area. Footage shows a huge blast followed by rescue workers running for cover and driving away. The teams were assisting people after a previous airstrike had hit the same area. The Israel-Palestine conflict has descended into its bloodiest period in decades after last weekend’s massacre of Israeli civilians by Hamas.

UK news This article is more than 5 years oldStalkers using bugging devices and spyware to monitor victimsThis article is more than 5 years oldMonitoring devices and tracking software available to buy from popular websites, warn victims’ groups Stalkers are monitoring their victims’ movements and conversations using bugging and tracking devices as well as spyware and covert phone apps easily bought online, victims’ groups have warned. These devices and software allow stalkers to track their victims, listen to their phone calls, or turn on their computer’s camera remotely to watch them – and are sold so cheaply on popular websites and stores that stalking is becoming “legitimised”, the groups have warned.

The ObserverAutobiography and memoirReviewThe first openly transgender woman delegate to speak at a major US political convention tells her own story of heartbreak and optimism At times, readingSarah McBride’s account of her first years in politics as an advocate for trans equalities, one is forced to realise how foreign a country the United States is, particularly in the endless moral optimism that bubbles through every page. Yet the agendas of trans advocacy in both the US and UK remain the same: basic respect, often in the face of cynical misrepresentation and open hatred.

Vincent van Gogh This article is more than 7 years oldVan Gogh 'cut off his ear after learning brother was to marry'This article is more than 7 years oldNew research casts doubt on popular theory that painter took razor to his ear after row with fellow artist Paul Gauguin It is the most famous act of self-mutilation in the history of art, but the exact motivation – love? Jealousy? Rage? – for Vincent van Gogh’s decision to cut off his ear has remained unknown for more than a century.

US newsObituaryDavid Koch obituaryUS businessman, free marketeer and rightwing activistDavid Koch, who has died aged 79, was ranked as the eleventh richest person in the world. Alongside his older brother Charles, he built his family’s company into one of the US’s biggest conglomerates and each brother’s share was estimated to be worth more than $50bn. They used their fortunes to influence American politics in a rightward direction following their libertarian ideology.

‘I never done anything I’m ashamed of.’ Photograph: David McClister for the Guardian‘I never done anything I’m ashamed of.’ Photograph: David McClister for the GuardianJerry Lee LewisInterviewJerry Lee Lewis: ‘I worry about whether I'm going to heaven or hell’Simon HattenstoneAt nearly 80, Jerry Lee Lewis has outlived his rivals and is preparing for his final tour. He talks about why his seventh wife is the love of his life, how he became known as ‘the Killer’, and why Elvis was just a hillbilly