Russian forces have pressed towards the capital, Kyiv, as the death toll in the conflict rose to at least 198

A man who claimed to be Russian was filmed apparently reprimanding a group of Russian soldiers in Melitopol, Ukraine. Russia has made claims to have taken the coastal city, where an airbase and a hospital were hit on Saturday morning.

Russia seeks explanation after ship thought to belong to company targeted by US and EU sanctions is held

Where is fighting happening and how did we get here?

The departures of Emily Maitlis and Jon Sopel for Global, which operates LBC, are part of a wider talent drain as other broadcasters offer more independenceOh!” said Emily Maitlis’s jumper. You have a feeling that the producers of Newsnight might be saying something stronger. Last Tuesday a photo showed the jumpered-and-jeaned Newsnight lead presenter Maitlis alongside her fellow Americast host, BBC North American expert Jon Sopel (suit, no tie), in a radio studio. Nothing unusual there… except that behind them was a Global logo, instead of a BBC one. That was a surprise. And the tweet that accompanied the picture, announcing that Maitlis and Sopel are joining Global to host a new podcast and a show on LBC? Well, that was a complete shock. Not just to the public, but to BBC management. “Everyone was completely blindsided,” says a BBC source. “It’s a massive blow.”It is. Both Sopel and Maitlis are BBC “big beasts”: high profile, highly experienced, strong personality-ed political journalists. Maitlis, best known for presenting the BBC’s flagship news analysis show, Newsnight, has been a star for a while, but she became even more so when she pulled in the “no sweat” 2019 interview with Prince Andrew. Sopel was the BBC’s well-respected North American editor for eight years, and considered to be one of the frontrunners for the BBC political editor job when Laura Kuenssberg steps down in April. Both had established a strong following for their Americast podcast, launched to cover the last US elections and continued afterwards, due to its popularity. Continue reading...

‘We are successfully holding back the enemy,’ says Ukraine’s leader amid fierce fighting around the city

Fierce fighting broke out in Kyiv as Russian forces failed to push their way towards the city centre from multiple directions in the early hours of Saturday. An airstrike hit a residential building in Lobanovsky Avenue 6, in the centre of Kyiv. Video shared by the Ukrainian president's press service showed the missile exploding in a private flat

Queeny Singh transformed the lives of desperate mums at a homeless hostel in London. Now it’s her turn to be treatedDuring her first year in the England’s Lane homeless hostel in north London, Queeny Singh barely left her room. She didn’t speak to her family, or the other residents. “I was embarrassed,” says the mother of three from south London.It was 2018. Singh had just been made redundant from her job as a deputy manager at the clothing chain Dorothy Perkins. She couldn’t find another job that would accommodate childcare. Singh fell behind on her rent, and lost her home. She moved into England’s Lane with her baby daughter Anyah and was also pregnant with son Zavier. Continue reading...

Five Ukrainians share their experiences since the Russian invasion• Russia-Ukraine crisis: live newsAt least 198 Ukrainians, including three children, have been killed, according to the head of the Russian health ministry. A further 1,115 people, including 33 children, have been wounded. Reuters said it was as yet unclear whether the ministry was only referring to civilian casualties.There was heavy fighting in Kyiv on Friday night as Russian ground forces attacked on multiple fronts across the city. Ukrainian armed forces said they resisted Russian advances on an army base and a major road. Continue reading...

One is a breakout poet, the other is a Booker-winning champion of Black talent. They swap notes on class, impostor syndrome and the day pop’s biggest star came knockingWhen an email from Beyoncé’s office first landed in Warsan Shire’s inbox, she assumed it was some kind of prank. It wasn’t. Beyoncé – the real Beyoncé – was inviting Shire, a 27-year-old British-Somali poet from Wembley, north-west London, to collaborate. The result was the revolutionary 2016 visual album Lemonade, on which Shire is credited with “film adaptation and poetry”; her verses are read aloud between songs. Shire has also since contributed work to Beyoncé’s 2020 film Black is King and wrote a specially commissioned poem, I Have Three Hearts, to announce the singer’s 2017 pregnancy with twins.But even before Beyoncé came knocking, Shire was starward bound. After a responsibility-laden adolescence, spent combining writing with co-parenting her three younger siblings, Shire published her debut chapbook of poems, Teaching My Mother How to Give Birth in 2011, aged just 23. In 2013, she was appointed the first Young People’s Laureate for London and in 2015, her poem Home became a viral anthem for the refugee crisis. Shire’s first full poetry collection, Bless the Daughter Raised by a Voice in Her Head, comes out next month. In between these professional milestones, she also found time to meet and marry a Mexican American charity worker called Andres, move continents, and have two children. Continue reading...

The photographer and cooking show host on food poverty, learning to appreciate her looks and missing her motherBorn in London, Mary McCartney, 52, is the daughter of Paul McCartney and his late wife, Linda. She forged a career as a photographer, and some of her Off Pointe pictures of the Royal Ballet are in the permanent collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. In 2015, she was chosen to take the official photograph of the Queen to mark her becoming the longest-reigning British monarch. The cooking series Mary McCartney Serves It Up! is streaming on Discovery+. She is married for the second time, has four sons and lives in London.What is your greatest fear?

The steamy lockdown smash turned the actor into a star overnight. Just one problem: she couldn’t leave the house. Can she belatedly adjust to fame?‘I’ve been told,” says Daisy Edgar-Jones, “that the trick for posing at film premieres is to put one foot forward, lift your chin, and basically try to emanate with your face that you’re a top-class lawyer who’s won a big case.”We’re standing together in a London park, not far from where the 23-year-old actor grew up, on a cold but sunlit morning in February. Soon, Edgar-Jones will fly to Los Angeles for the premiere of a gory and provocative new thriller she has made called Fresh. Although her career exploded in spring 2020, when she starred with Paul Mescal in the TV adaptation of Sally Rooney’s Normal People, the years since then have been Covid-straitened and quite weird (“smudged” is how Edgar-Jones puts it), and she has not yet had any red carpet practice. This will be her first premiere. Continue reading...

Defence forces wage ferocious resistance in the capital as Zelenskiy says ‘we will not lay down our arms’

My first girlfriend said she either wanted to sleep with ‘a girl or a Black guy’ – since then my experience of dating has been tainted by toxic stereotypesMy first serious girlfriend was a year older than me and educated at an expensive private school in south London. She had recently broken up with her long-term boyfriend. I was still a virgin, although among my teenage peers I maintained the fiction of being an experienced conqueror of the opposite sex. After our first meeting at a Saturday music course where we sang a duet of The Lady Is a Tramp, the flirtation graduated from MSN Messenger nudges and hour-long conversations, to texting, to kisses on an ice rink in west London, to finally being welcomed into her empty house. Her parents were away at a function in the country.Armed with a bottle of port pilfered from my parents’ drinks store, we loaded The Notebook into the DVD player, valiantly attempting to uphold the pretence that the very thing we had spent hours late at night discussing and imagining was definitely not going to happen. Soon enough, small talk began to peter out. So it was that Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams became muted witnesses to my deflowering. Continue reading...

The Fox News host has defended the Russian leader’s invasion of Ukraine, saying ‘Has Putin ever called me a racist?’As Russian troops encircled Ukraine, politicians and media pundits in the US were largely united in their condemnation of Vladimir Putin’s imminent attack.Tucker Carlson, however, took a different approach. Hours before Putin ordered his forces into Ukraine, Fox News’ biggest star was still praising the Russian president. Continue reading...

Julia, 28, arts and learning manager, meets Dean, 34, actor and writerJulia on DeanWhat were you hoping for?

Larisa Kalik documents the Russian invasion of Ukraine and being forced to leave the city she loves• Russia-Ukraine crisis: live newsWhen Vladimir Putin announced he would recognise the Luhansk and Donetsk “people’s republics”, I was in the centre of Kyiv. I read the quotes from his speech, but I could not bring myself to look at his face or listen to his voice. It had seemed that he would declare war that very evening, so many people initially exhaled when they heard his words. But then they realised that he would not stop there. Continue reading...

The Russian leader’s pretext for invasion recasts Ukraine’s Jewish president as a Nazi and Russian Christians as true victims of the HolocaustWhen Russian president Vladimir Putin announced Russia’s invasion of Ukraine at dawn on Thursday, he justified the “special military operation” as having the goal to “denazify” Ukraine. The justification is not tenable, but it would be a mistake simply to dismiss it.Vladimir Putin is himself a fascist autocrat, one who imprisons democratic opposition leaders and critics. He is the acknowledged leader of the global far right, which looks increasingly like a global fascist movement. Continue reading...

Airline says cyber-attack is not responsible for problem affecting its website and airport operationsBritish Airways has said “significant technical issues” resulted in a number of flight cancellations and disruption across its operation on Friday.The airline said the problem, which was affecting its website, app and airport operations, had not been caused by a cyber-attack. Continue reading...

Bombing intensifies as Volodymyr Zelenskiy warns ‘This night will be the hardest’

Latest updates: PM also urges leaders to take ‘immediate action’ to ban Russia from Swift payment system; sending Nato forces to Ukraine would risk leading to ‘existential’ threat, says minister

Despite a narrow escape from last month’s tsunami and the arrival of Covid in Tonga, Ha’atafu owner Moana Paea is determined to rebuild her resort once againWhen the Ha’atafu beach resort was levelled by the tsunami that hit Tonga last month, it was the third time that the family-run business had been completely destroyed by a natural disaster.In 1982, the resort was wiped out by Cyclone Isaac and a year later by Cyclone Kina. Continue reading...

Chris Mullin is challenging action by West Midlands police at Old Bailey to make him reveal source’s identityA former MP and investigative journalist has refused to divulge the sources of his information about the 1974 Birmingham pub bombings in a hearing at the Old Bailey.Chris Mullin, 74, is challenging an application by West Midlands police to require him to disclose source material dating back to his investigation in 1985 and 1986. Continue reading...

Analysis: President makes appeal to Ukraine’s military to abandon its ‘drug-addicted, neo-Nazi’ leaders• Russia-Ukraine crisis: live newsLooking dead-eyed into the camera on Friday, Vladimir Putin gave one of the most bizarre speeches of his 22 years as Russia’s leader, a directive that managed to sound alarming even in a week when he has ordered tanks into Ukraine and missile strikes on Kyiv.“Once again I speak to the Ukrainian soldiers,” he said, addressing his enemy. “Do not allow neo-Nazis and Banderites to use your children, your wives and the elderly as a human shield. Take power into your own hands. It seems that it will be easier for us to come to an agreement than with this gang of drug addicts and neo-Nazis.” Continue reading...

It’s two months since a minister known for making headlines was given NSW’s most troubled portfolio. Some colleagues now agree with the opposition that he should go

Forces not being sent to Ukraine itself to avoid ‘existential’ war with Russia, say UK ministers

Analysis: whether tapping other suppliers or switching energy sources, there is no quick and easy option to loosen Putin’s economic grip

Russian forces enter outskirts of Kyiv and – according to the US – launch amphibious assault from Sea of Azov

Move is largely symbolic but part of attempt to highlight resolve to stand up to Russia over Ukraine

Legal hearing challenges Home Office decision to prevent prince from paying for police protection when visitingThe Duke of Sussex received “insufficient information” about a decision to change his taxpayer-funded police protection when he is in the UK, the high court has heard.Prince Harry has brought a legal challenge against the Home Office after being told he would not be given the “same degree” of personal protective security when visiting the UK from the US – despite him offering to pay for it himself. Continue reading...

As invasion continues, people from worlds of entertainment, business and journalism voice opposition

UK watchdog says app was not clear about how data is used and it may consider ‘further regulatory action’

Garage worker, 36, pleads guilty at the start of his trial over death of schoolteacher in LondonA garage worker from Eastbourne has pleaded guilty to the “sadistic” murder of the schoolteacher Sabina Nessa in London last September.At the start of his trial at the Old Bailey in London, Koci Selamaj, 36, was asked how he wished to plead to the charge of murder. “Guilty,” he replied. Continue reading...

Russia continued to press its invasion of Ukraine to the outskirts of the capital, Kyiv, on Friday, with troops and tanks moving in from three sides. Ground forces coming from Crimea were caught on CCTV cameras as they advanced toward Kherson to the north-west. The footage shows troops stopping and climbing up the masts to point the cameras downwards

Air raid sirens wail over capital and heavy gunfire and explosions heard in residential district

The GB News man had a hot take for us, while adaptations of the same old Dickens leave me coldMondayJust over a week ago, I headed up to north London to see Spurs play Wolves. As we’d recently lost to both Chelsea (several times) and Southampton, my expectations weren’t high. Just some signs that the players vaguely recognised one another would have been nice. But even that was too much to ask. Wolves took the lead early on thanks to some chaotic defending, doubled it within 20 minutes and Tottenham never mustered a threatening shot on goal. Come the final whistle, the person in charge of the PA system immediately ramped up the music to drown out the sound of the boos from the few spectators who had bothered to stick it out to the end. On the walk back to the tube, Matthew and I wondered if the team had hit a new low. Going to matches was beginning to feel like a chore. Without even the excitement of a relegation battle to liven things up. Just an endless tide of mediocrity. Then came Saturday’s match away to Manchester City, one that took even the diehard optimists by surprise. An early goal to give you hope where previously you had none. Tick. A City equaliser to remind you it was only a matter of time before they scored again. Tick. A second goal totally against the run of play to reignite the hope. Tick. A third goal disallowed to make sure you’re not tempted to relax. Tick. A 90th-minute penalty conceded to allow City to level the game and for you to convince yourself a draw isn’t so bad and that you’re not secretly devastated. Tick. An improbable 95th minute winner to steal all three points. Tick. This was Classic Spurs. One week seemingly useless and unable to see where their next win is coming from and the next beating the best team in Europe. And nothing in between. It’s why I love and support the team. But God it feels exhausting. Continue reading...

Programme that involves small communities bidding for slice of €420m fund sparks controversy and divisionPerched on a rock surrounded by a vast nature reserve, the hilltop hamlet of Trevinano sent tremors across the Lazio region when it was announced this month that it and its 142 residents were in line for €20m (£16.73m) from a Covid recovery fund to save small villages on the verge of extinction – equal to a whopping €140,845 per resident.“This initiative is generating a lot of envy and bad feeling,” said Alessandra Terrosi, the mayor of Trevinano, who has the responsibility for spending the millions before 2026, when the funding programme ends. The hamlet’s good fortune has fuelled rancour among its neighbours who missed out, raised questions over how efficiently Italy will invest some of the €191bn coming its way from the EU’s post-pandemic recovery fund and had critics asking if €20m is just too much money for one small village. Continue reading...

Britain’s edgiest crime drama is about to return – and this time its scope is bigger than ever. Ashley Walters, Little Simz, Kano and more discuss turning Drake down, the call of Hollywood and not depicting BLMYou know a show has made it when it’s prepared to say no to its main backer, especially when that backer is a megastar rapper who is singlehandedly responsible for the show even being on TV. “When we first met Drake to talk to him about helping us to revive the series, he said, ‘Look, I’d love to be in it!’” says Top Boy creator Ronan Bennett, but this offer gave him a problem. “If Drake were to appear, it would have been a distraction. It would be hard to maintain Top Boy’s level of authenticity – so it didn’t happen.”Since its launch in 2011, Top Boy has had a reputation for an unblinking depiction of the drug trade rife on inner-London estates. Soon, viewers will be treated to its second, hyper-realistic season on Netflix, nine years after it was cancelled by Channel 4 following two runs. Longtime fan Drake helped convince Netflix to commission the series, becoming executive producer along the way. It was also helped by calls from fans – including famous ones. When Kane “Kano” Robinson, the grime musician who plays gang leader Sully in the show, met Noel Gallagher, the first thing Gallagher said was: “When’s Top Boy coming back?’” Continue reading...

The director of The Arbor and The Selfish Giant returns to her favourite city for her new film. She talks about celebrating lives on the margins and how an ice-rink kiss changed her lifeWould you like coffee?” Clio Barnard asks. “Is goat’s milk OK?” Ooh, that sounds exciting, I say. “There’s oat milk, too.” Barnard is scouring the fridge. “We’ve even got regular cow milk.” It’s early morning when I arrive at her house. Though, as she explains repeatedly, it’s not her house – she’s just renting it while working in London and Essex. It reminds me of Ali & Ava, her lovely new film. Every time Ali tells his friends that Ava is a teacher, she corrects him with “teaching assistant”. Details are important to Barnard.“Right, would you like some breakfast?” She couldn’t be a warmer host. Then we sit down to talk, and suddenly she’s a bag of nerves. She loses her words, apologises for going blank, and looks to her producer Tracy O’Riordan for support. She eyes my recorder enviously. “I’d much rather be the person with the tape machine on the table asking you questions.” She pauses. “I’m quite a shy person, Simon.” Continue reading...

Ukraine is expecting Putin’s tanks to attack Kyiv and citizens have been urged to resist Russian forces

Thirteen border guards died in air and sea bombardment on Snake Island in Black Sea after refusing to surrender

Last week tech billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes and Canadian asset management company Brookfield launched their extraordinary takeover bid for energy generator and retailer AGL. AGL is Australia's largest energy provider as well as largest polluter. Guardian Australia's environment editor Adam Morton breaks down the elements in the proposal and explains the strategy behind the consortium's offer

The British writer on discovering Barthes, channelling Burroughs and appreciating the talents of Patricia Highsmith’s Mr RipleyMy earliest reading memory

Musicians and their crew used to be notorious for their booze and drug consumption on tour. Now, however – partly thanks to the pandemic – there’s support for those who would rather try to stay soberRandy Blythe, frontman of the US metal band Lamb of God, remembers the first time he performed live sober. It was 18 October 2010, and the band were opening for Metallica in Brisbane, Australia. “I was thrown into the lion’s den,” he says. “On stage in front of 14,000 people, weeping uncontrollably – thank God I had long hair so it covered my face. I got sober on tour, surrounded by free drugs and alcohol. I felt if I could do it out there, I’d be able to maintain it anywhere.”Substance abuse and addiction can affect anyone. But with its tendency towards hedonism, the music industry can be dangerous for those who struggle with alcohol and drugs. We have watched many stars succumb to addiction, not to mention those who work behind the scenes. My own alcohol problem started before I became a music journalist, but I took full advantage of the late nights and heavy-drinking culture that came with the territory before I finally stopped. Now, as Covid-19 has forced a pause, change is afoot to help those who need it. Continue reading...

Many Guardian readers in Russia who got in touch with us said Putin was not representative of the country – and there was concern about sanctionsRussian forces have attacked Ukraine on the orders of Vladimir Putin who announced a “special operation” at dawn on Thursday. World leaders have denounced the invasion and warned that it could ignite the largest war since 1945.Though many Russians may support their president’s actions in Ukraine, others are against the conflict. A new poll released by the independent Levada Centre showed only 45% of Russians were in favour of Putin’s recognition move that preceded the invasion. There were protests against the war in town and cities across Russia on Thursday night. Continue reading...

Government says priority is to support British nationals and families in Ukraine first and people should go to first safe country

Officials claim the controversial barrier will stop migrant crossings, as well as drugs and contraband, from crisis-hit HaitiThe Dominican Republic has begun work on a border wall with Haiti, sparking controversy between the neighbouring Caribbean countries.Construction began this week on a concrete barrier that will span nearly half of the 244-mile (392km) border between the two countries, with Dominican officials claiming it will reduce flows of migrants, drugs, weapons and contraband. Continue reading...

A crowd of anti-war and pro-Ukrainian protesters have gathered in Martin Place in Sydney today, chanting 'stop Putin now!' and calling for further sanctions to be imposed on Russia. Undeterred by the rain, the protesters held aloft placards and wore the blue and yellow of the Ukrainian flag► Subscribe to Guardian Australia on YouTube