Analysis: despite the EU’s solidarity in helping those escaping war, aid agencies are overwhelmed with many people stuck at borders

What’s going on in our theatres? A recent spate of rowdy behaviour – notably at jukebox musicals – raises the question: have audiences simply forgotten how to behave?A drunk woman in the seat next to me is softly caressing my hair as though stroking the ears of a particularly mild-mannered spaniel. It’s a strange sensation, but I can’t really complain because I’m at the theatre. You’re not meant to talk. Just as I rouse myself to say something, she stumbles to her feet and lurches her way to the exit. “Finally!” mutters the woman in front, who made the mistake of asking her to be quiet a few minutes earlier (when my neighbour was dancing in her seat and yelling “That’s right!” after lines she particularly enjoyed), resulting in a whispered row. Order is restored, and we settle down once more to watch Frozen, a moving family show about sisterhood and redemption.But your average West End audience is not always one big happy family. Especially not right now, when complaints about drunken, chaotic and argumentative audience behaviour have been reaching fever pitch. “It feels like every bloody day there’s a new debate coming up on Twitter about theatre etiquette,” says one theatre usher. “And I hate to stereotype, but the worst incidents seem to happen at jukebox musicals.” Continue reading...

Prime minister says press reporting conflict will not be cowed after Sky News team ambushed near Kyiv

Statistics watchdog wrote to the PM about ‘selective use of data’ after statement about number of people in workGovernment officials were warned repeatedly about making misleading claims about job figures before the official statistics watchdog reprimanded Boris Johnson over the matter.Ed Humpherson, the director general of the UK Statistics Authority (UKSA), said there had been “a series of informal discussions” before the regulator took the “unusual” step of issuing public rebukes to No 10 over the same issue twice last month. Continue reading...

Mariupol evacuation postponed as Russian troops fail to respect ceasefire; Volodymyr Zelenskiy says Nato ‘has given green light for further bombing’ after it rules out no-fly zone

Radwa Helmi sits on bench of state council, marking ‘historic’ step along road to equalityRadwa Helmi has made history as the first female judge to sit on the bench of Egypt’s state council, a top court in the Arab country.Helmi, making her appearance in a Cairo courthouse, was among 98 women appointed last year to join the council, one of Egypt’s main judicial bodies, after a decision by the Egyptian president, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. Continue reading...

Thai police say Warne was taken to hospital after being found unconscious at the Samujana Villas resort

The Sydney Mardi Gras parade began in 1978 as a march and commemoration of the 1969 Stonewall riots in New York. This is the parade’s 44th year and it was held at the Sydney Cricket Ground due to Covid-19 restrictions Continue reading...

Ordinary citizens are volunteering time and money – but the pleas for the government to do more are getting urgent

Hearing parents say ‘It’s OK to feel scared and I’m here to listen’ might provide comfort

Website update advises Britons to ‘consider leaving by remaining commercial routes’

The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, has criticised Nato for refusing to implement a no-fly zone over Ukraine, saying the decision gave 'the green light for further bombing' of the country.In an emotional nighttime address, he said: 'All the people who die from this day forward will also die because of you, because of your weakness, because of your lack of unity.'

Ukraine’s armed forces claim to have shot down a Russian military helicopter.Its operative command released video of a missile hitting a low-flying helicopter, which crashed seconds later

Premier Li Keqiang warns of risks in economic outlook as the coronavirus, a property slump and uncertainty in Ukraine play outChina has set its lowest annual GDP target in decades, as premier Li Keqiang warned of a “grave and uncertain” outlook against the backdrop of the coronavirus, a slowing economy and uncertainty over the war in Ukraine.Li announced on Saturday the unusually modest target of about 5.5% growth for 2022 – the lowest since 1991 – in an address to about 3,000 members of the National People’s Congress in Beijing’s cavernous Great Hall of the People. Continue reading...

Rio Jones, 18, charged with attempted murder as victim’s condition remains stableAn 18-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder after the shooting of a 15-year-old girl at a bus stop.Rio Jones, has been charged with two counts of attempted murder, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, and possession of a controlled drug, Merseyside police said. Continue reading...

The author of the Neapolitan quartet and the Pulitzer prize-winning novelist discuss identity, ambition, truth – and the ‘convulsive’ urge to writeThank you for all of your work. I am a huge fan, and I have read all your books, and by reading them I was able to take new risks with my own work. So thank you for that as well. In this new book you go deep, deep into the things that matter for readers and writers alike. I am very glad to be in a conversation with you about it.“And your novel?”“Oh, I put in my hand and rummage in the bran pie.”“That’s what’s so wonderful. And it’s all different.”“Yes, I’m 20 people.” Continue reading...

On a weekend away with friends, she tells everyone about my medical issues. I’d forgotten how indiscreet she isMy wife and I are setting off on a weekend away; she’s driving. After about 20 minutes conversation flags, and I take my phone out of my pocket.“Ow,” I say, examining my fingers. Continue reading...

Sam, 29, lawyer, meets Jenn, 30, HR managerSam on JennWhat were you hoping for?

Scientists identify impact of sudden cleaning of skies and drop in greenhouse emissions in 2020China’s record-breaking rainfall during summer 2020 was linked to Covid lockdowns, research suggests.Hundreds of people died and millions were evacuated as unprecedented rains fell over heavily populated regions of eastern China during June and July of 2020. Continue reading...

Use ‘all possible means of communication’ to directly contact Russian citizens, 17 signatories say

Women and girls have challenged conservative attitudes in the hallowed surf spot of Arugam BayGrowing up in a small fishing village along the east coast of Sri Lanka, Shamali Sanjaya would often sit on the beach and look out at the boisterous waves. She would watch in envy as others, including her father and brother, grabbed surfboards, paddled out into the sea and then rode those waves smoothly back to shore. “I longed for it in my heart,” she said.But as a local woman, surfing was strictly out of bounds for her. In Sri Lanka’s conservative society, the place for women was at the home and it was only the men, or female tourists, who were allowed to ride the hallowed waves in Arugam Bay, considered Sri Lanka’s best surf spot. Continue reading...

Linda Thomas-Greenfield tells emergency security council meeting Russia actions were ‘reckless’; Jens Stoltenberg warns of ‘more death, more suffering and more destruction’

A blogger in Ukraine's second-largest city of Kharkiv had been recording a video message to his followers as an airstrike hit near him. Nikita Demenkov was telling his followers about the use of donations they had sent when a missile exploded above him on Wednesday. The blast sent him scrambling to seek shelter in a basement.

BBC’s director-general says new Russian legislation ‘appears to criminalise the process of independent journalism’

Four players and a coach with Ukrainian clubs reveal how their lives have been turned upside down by Russia’s invasionOn the day the war began, I was in Kyiv with my family. I have been injured recently, so could not train with the team. At 5am my young son awoke, and my wife got up to calm him. Then we heard the explosions, one after the other. We thought there had been an accident, but then we read online that the war had begun. We quickly began to gather our belongings. I am Georgian, and was in Georgia in 2008 when Russia attacked our country, so this is not the first time I’ve been through a war. I told my wife: “Let’s get ready more quickly.” I drove the car closer to our house, loaded it with things and then waited for a couple of my teammates. They are foreigners and also have young families. We drove away from Kyiv together. Continue reading...

Footage shows team’s vehicle being attacked by a Russian ambush squad on Monday near KyivA Sky News crew has been evacuated back to the UK from Ukraine after journalists were shot during an ambush by a suspected Russian “death squad” on Monday.The team of five were attacked while out in a car, after unsuccessfully trying to visit the town of Bucha near Kyiv. Continue reading...

$27m boat impounded after EU blacklists owner Alexei Mordashov following Moscow’s attacks on UkraineItalian police have seized a yacht owned by Alexei Mordashov, the richest man in Russia before being blacklisted this week by the European Union following Moscow’s attack on Ukraine.The 65-metre (215-ft) “Lady M” was impounded in the northern Italian port of Imperia. Continue reading...

Tasmanians Rachel Lehmann Ware and her husband Duncan detail their journey from the basement of a school in Kyiv to an 18-hour train ride

His career statistics are extraordinary but he will be best remembered for playing the game with joy and panacheThe first thing I did was watch that clip. Shut your eyes and you can probably picture it. Shane Warne’s first ball in the Ashes, his choppy peroxide blond hair ruffling in the wind, the zinc cream smeared across his lips and the tip of his nose, his top button undone, his collar turned up, a flash of the gold chain bouncing around his neck. Seven steps, then he sweeps his arm over, sends the ball flying. It dips, hits the pitch, zips, spins the width of Mike Gatting, clips the off-stump. Bowled him! Warne roars, Gatting baffled, stares back down the pitch trying to figure out what’s just happened, umpire Dickie Bird tries to hide the ghost of a smile that’s crept across his face.It was some introduction. And it turned into some story, too. Continue reading...

At least 1,200 foreign students are thought to be stranded in Sumy, with some running out of food and water

Katharine Murphy speaks to the Australian National University’s professor of international security and intelligence studies John Blaxland and Guardian Australia’s foreign affairs and defence correspondent Daniel Hurst about the events leading up to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, what lies ahead for global peace and security, and the effect of Australia’s response on its international reputation and the upcoming federal election Continue reading...

The artist was in court for a dispute with two musicians who claim Shape Of You plagiarises parts of their songEd Sheeran has been accused of being a “magpie” who allegedly “borrows” ideas from other artists for his songs on the first day of a three-week copyright trial over his hit single Shape Of You.Sheeran, 31, appeared at the high court on Friday for the dispute with two musicians who claim Shape Of You – the UK’s bestselling song of 2017 and the most streamed song in Spotify’s history – plagiarises parts of their earlier song Oh Why. Continue reading...

Gustavo Zanchetta convicted by court in a major blow to Pope Francis, who had initially defended the bishopA court in Argentina has sentenced a Roman Catholic bishop to four and a half years in prison for sexual abuse of two former seminarians in a major blow to Pope Francis, who had initially defended the bishop.Gustavo Zanchetta, 57, was convicted on Friday of “simple, continued and aggravated sexual abuse”, with his offense aggravated by his role as a religious minster. Continue reading...

William Warrington in custody after his parents were found dead with stab wounds at separate locationsA man has been charged with the murder of his parents who were stabbed to death in Gloucestershire earlier this week.Clive Warrington, 67, and his former wife, Valerie Warrington, were found dead at separate locations about 15 miles apart on Wednesday. Continue reading...

Readers respond to an article by Nesrine Malik about how the invasion of Ukraine has been viewed differently to other conflicts across the globeNesrine Malik’s comment has one further compelling dimension to it: seeing this horror in Ukraine and all conflicts through the eyes of children (Let the horror in Ukraine open our eyes to the suffering of war around the world, 1 March). Fright, despair and bewilderment are etched on every face that appears on TV or in the papers. Adults should be ashamed of what we are doing to these innocents all over the world. Malik is right. We are appalled by what is happening in Ukraine, yet appear to ignore or be indifferent to other conflicts.Millions of children are frightened and starving to death in Afghanistan because of sanctions imposed upon a new government. Millions are frightened and starving in Yemen, where western arms support allows Saudi Arabia to cripple food supplies. Children in Syria are frightened and hungry as the civil war drags on. Iraq is failing and the children suffer. In Africa, starvation and fear permeate the continent in places such as Nigeria, Ethiopia, Somalia and Sudan. And everywhere the faces of children are a fierce and damning testimony to adult behaviour.

The anti-war movement is no supporter of Putin. But we can, at the same time, criticise our government’s dreadful war record

Shane Warne’s reputation as a cavalier cricketer, on and off the field, is justified but is not the whole storyThe shockwaves are not confined to Australia. Shane Warne, like Rod Marsh, was a global presence in cricket. We were all trying to come to terms with the loss of Marsh, reading the torrent of tributes including this one from Warne, which suddenly acquired a haunting quality: “Sad to hear the news that Rod Marsh has passed. He was a legend of our great game and an inspiration to so many young boys and girls. Rod cared deeply about cricket and gave so much – especially to Australia and England players.” Then the second thunderbolt struck and this time without any warning.Warne was a legend and an inspiration. He started under Marsh’s wing at the Adelaide academy before graduating in spectacular fashion to become the greatest spin bowler I’ve ever seen, someone who singlehandedly kept the art of wrist-spin bowling alive in the 1990s. Continue reading...

Anas Sarwar believes totally integrating social and health care is essential to NHS reformAnas Sarwar, the Scottish Labour leader, has pledged to spend nearly £1bn to provide free residential care for all elderly people and free home care in a bid to address Labour’s slump in support.Sarwar said Scottish Labour planned to expand the ethos of the NHS, which provides free care regardless of income, to the social care service. He said totally integrating social and health care provision was an essential prerequisite for NHS reform. Continue reading...

Government is planning to test entire population for virus but insists it will not impose ‘complete lockdown’

‘To be running around like a 65-year-old when you’re 95 catches up with you,’ says author Penny Junor

Hamilton says retaining seat with majority of 3,266 shows party is ‘finally turning a corner’The new Labour MP for Birmingham Erdington has said her byelection victory shows the party is “finally turning a corner” after she secured the seat with a majority of 3,266.Paulette Hamilton, a former nurse, will become the city’s first black MP after getting 9,413 votes, beating the Conservative candidate, Robert Alden, who got 6,147. Labour’s vote share rose to 55.5% from 50.3% in 2019. Continue reading...

At least 56 people killed in attack on Shia Muslim mosque in Peshawar during Friday prayersA suicide bomber has struck inside a Shia Muslim mosque in Pakistan’s north-western city of Peshawar during Friday prayers, killing at least 56 worshippers and wounding 194 people.No militant group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. Both the Islamic State group and the Pakistani Taliban – a militant group separate from the Taliban in Afghanistan – have carried out similar attacks in the past in the area, located near the border with neighbouring Afghanistan. Continue reading...

Prosecution under international law would ensure Russia’s leaders are held to account, says foreign minister

Dog borrowers are stepping in to help with the challenge of fitting new pets to a post-lockdown lifestyleAfter a difficult year including a bad breakup and her parents moving abroad, Aimée Lou McAvoy was desperate for a change of scene. She started occasional dogsitting, escaping London for days at a time to stay in country homes and care for adorable pets while their owners were away.With more people returning to the office after the end of the government’s advice to work from home because of the Covid pandemic, the business of looking after dogs has been booming. New customer inquiries at Barking Mad, which offers local dog home-boarding services, are up by 1144.36%, in the year to date for 2022 against the same period last year, and up by 482.75% compared with pre-pandemic demand in 2019. Continue reading...

Volodymyr Zelenskiy has appealed to Russians to stage protests over Russian forces' seizure of the largest nuclear power plant in Europe. A building at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant was set ablaze during intense fighting, triggering fears of a potential nuclear disaster.The Ukraine president also urged the west to consider imposing a no-fly zone for Russia in response to the attack

PlayStation 4/5; Polyphony Digital/Sony

Kyiv resident Mike, 43, describes how life has changed since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began a week ago