Rightmove says figure has risen in May by 0.6% compared with April despite lower demand from new buyersThe average asking price of a home in Great Britain has hit a new record high for the second month in a row, with sellers seeking almost 380,000 on average in May, according to a property website.Across England, Scotland and Wales, the asking price for homes coming on to the market has risen by 2,335 or 0.6% in May compared with April, Rightmove found. This took the average asking price to a new record of 379,517, after a previous record was set last month. Continue reading...

Polar jet stream to break down areas of high pressure, while cold winds could bring snow to South AfricaThe extremely dry spring weather in north-western Europe has continued this month, with swathes of the UK, northern France, the Low Countries and Germany receiving just 10% of their normal May rainfall.The summery conditions, caused by semi-permanent high pressure across the region, are expected to change significantly this week, ending the dry spell for many and delivering much-needed rainfall. Continue reading...

Chief executive Michael O'Leary says full-year results are robust' and airline will pay about 400m in dividends

Staff tell Guardian ripped-off Americans will have nowhere to turn' if Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is undoneDonald Trump's bid to gut the top US consumer watchdog has left the agency unable to protect consumers amid mounting fears of recession, according to workers.For months the Trump administration has pushed to dismantle the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and fire the vast majority of its workforce. Ripped-off Americans will have nowhere to turn" if it succeeds, staff told the Guardian. Continue reading...

Talks continue following election defeat as MPs jostle for shadow cabinet positions

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Sixty-two people pulled from water overnight after boat broke up, including child and his mother suffering from hypothermiaOne person has died after a small boat sank while trying to cross the Channel overnight, French authorities said.Sixty-two people were pulled from the water after the overloaded" boat broke up, the Maritime Prefect of the Channel and the North Sea said. Continue reading...

Expert tells court that phone records show potential' for accused to have been in Outtrim and Loch days after reports of deadly fungi were posted online

AEC vote recount expected in Sydney north shore seat after Liberal candidate Gisele Kapterian overtaken in final surge

Attempts to bring down the price of the Japanese staple have had little effect amid a cost-of-living crisisJapan's government is battling record-low approval ratings as consumers voice anger at soaring rice prices just weeks before key national elections.Attempts to bring down the price of the Japanese staple have had little effect, prompting calls for a reduction in the consumption (sales) tax to ease the cost-of-living crisis. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Survey commissioned by children's charities shows UK voters want to see families prioritisedCharities and a Labour-aligned pressure group are ramping up calls on Keir Starmer to scrap the two-child limit on benefits, as polling shows support for action on youth poverty remains high, and is equally solid among Labour voters tempted by Reform.As discussions continue in government ahead of the forthcoming child poverty strategy, a survey commissioned by a coalition of charities suggests voters want to see families prioritised. Continue reading...

Campaigners say secretive ownership structures are becoming the go-to vehicle for kleptocrats'The owners of nearly a quarter of a million properties in England and Wales worth a combined 64bn are hidden behind opaque trusts, according to research that prompts concern that such structures are the go-to vehicle for kleptocrats" stashing money in Britain.The government introduced a register of property held through offshore vehicles in August 2022, revealing a string of unknown owners, including high-profile figures such as Lewis Hamilton and James Dyson, as well as sanctioned Russians, Gulf royals and the Chinese state. Continue reading...

Families of the disappeared' say kidnapped children may be living across EuropeWomen whose relatives were murdered and disappeared under Argentina's military dictatorship will meet EU officials in Brussels on Monday to seek support for expanded DNA testing to identify missing children.A delegation from the Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo, a campaigning group, will denounce efforts by the far-right president, Javier Milei, to dismantle the search for missing persons. They will seek support for continuing their efforts to find the children of the disappeared who were illegally adopted, many of whom may be in Europe. Continue reading...

Billionaire's comments come in wake of former SAS soldier losing his appeal against defamation case ruling

Results show Bucharest mayor taking 54.2% of vote in presidential race, with far-right rival George Simion on 45.8%The centrist mayor of Bucharest, Nicuor Dan, is set to win Romania's pivotal presidential election with 99% of votes counted, according to official figures showing the pro-EU independent eight points clear of his far-right rival, George Simion.The figures from Romania's central election authority showed Dan, who had cast the second round vote as a battle between a pro-western and an anti-western Romania", on 54.2%, while Simion, a self-professed Trump admirer, had 45.8%. Continue reading...

European Commission president raises prospect to two-way stability' as PM reaffirms support for Ukraine and speaks to Pope Leo XIV about his mother

Exclusive: Cardiologist Dr Jon Byrne warns true death toll could be 800 a year as not all specialist centres shared data

Presenter expected to host his last Match of the Day on Sunday and will not front 2026 World Cup coverageGary Lineker is expected to announce he is leaving the BBC on Monday after apologising for amplifying online material with antisemitic connotations, the Guardian understands.The Match of the Day host will reportedly not present the 2026 World Cup or next season's FA Cup after bowing out by mutual agreement" with the broadcaster. Continue reading...

This blog has now closed. You can read the latest updates on the parliamentary elections in Portugal here, Romania's presidential race here and Poland's presidential first round poll here.That's a higher result for Nicuor Dan than perhaps expected. The turnout clearly plays a role here, too.But these are just exit polls, and they do not seem to account for the crucial diaspora vote. Continue reading...

Incumbent Democratic Alliance, led by caretaker prime minister Luis Montenegro, falls well short of majorityPortugal's incumbent, centre-right Democratic Alliance (AD) has won the country's third snap general election in three years - but once again fallen well short of a majority - as the underperforming socialists were left vying for second place with the far-right Chega party, which took a record 22% of the vote.By midnight on Sunday, with 99% of the votes counted, the AD - led by the prime minister, Luis Montenegro - had won 32.1% of the vote and taken 86 seats in Portugal's 230-seat assembly, leaving it far shy of the 116 needed for a majority. The Socialist party (PS) had taken 23.4% of the vote t0 Chega's 22.6%, and the two were tied on 58 seats each. Continue reading...

Exhibition at Holburne Museum features 32 experimental land and seascapes that chart artist's evolution

Fleet of tankers sailing under flags of convenience estimated to carry up to 85% of Russia's oil exportsCalls to step up and coordinate the interdiction of the unflagged Russian shadow fleet" of oil tankers in the Baltic Sea were made this weekend before the EU foreign ministers' meeting on Monday, which is expected to impose sanctions on 180 ships, taking the total number of ships sanctioned by the EU to 350.The efforts to stop the fleet, estimated to be carrying as much as 85% of Russia's oil exports and so funding roughly a third of Russia's budget, are seen as a critical proof of the EU's determination to keep the economic pressure on Russia. Continue reading...

Encounter between Ukrainian president and JD Vance comes after Russia launches largest attack since start of warUkraine's president Volodymyr Zelenskyy met US vice-president JD Vance and secretary of state Marco Rubio to prepare for a planned call on Monday with Donald Trump over a way to end three years of war in Ukraine.The encounter took place on the sidelines of Pope Leo's inauguration on Sunday. Continue reading...

Though analysts still expect multiple rate cuts this year, expectations for major drops are evaporating

The premier has been upbeat but there are signs of cuts to come and one analyst warns the state's financial strategy needs a course correction'

Gathering of face and voice data went unnoticed for one month after it was automatically enabled for video conferencing app users in March

Merger of Liberal Judaism and Reform Judaism will be first in any major religion for more than half a centuryTwo Jewish movements in the UK have united to form Progressive Judaism, embracing female rabbis, same-sex marriage and mixed-faith couples and representing about a third of British Jews who are affiliated to synagogues.Liberal Judaism and Reform Judaism took the historic step of voting to unite at parallel meetings on Sunday. Each vote easily exceeded the required 75% threshold for the move, with about 95% in favour. Continue reading...

Volodymyr Zelenskyy and JD Vance among 150,000 present as Leo says he wants Catholic church to be leaven of unity'Pope Leo XIV said he wanted the Catholic church to be a small leaven of unity" in a time of too much discord and too many wounds", during his inaugural papal mass attended by world leaders including the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and the US vice-president, JD Vance.Calling for more love and unity, Leo said the church's true authority" was the charity of Christ. He said: It is never a question of capturing others by force, by religious propaganda or by means of power. Instead, it is always and only a question of loving as Jesus did." Continue reading...

Palliative care consultant says insufficient consideration given to how disadvantaged communities may be affectedMinisters have not adequately considered how assisted dying would affect disadvantaged communities, a palliative care doctor and clinical academic has said.Bradford-based Jamilla Hussain said the equality impact assessment for the assisted dying bill was lightweight", and her own research had highlighted concerns that had not been reflected in the document. Continue reading...

Former cabin crew member Charlotte May Lee, 21, reportedly accused of trying to bring 46kg of cannabis strain kush into countryUK officials have said they are supporting a British woman arrested in Sri Lanka amid reports a former cabin crew member has been accused of smuggling cannabis into the South Asian country.MailOnline and the Sun reported that Charlotte May Lee, 21, from Coulsdon, south London, was detained at the main airport in the country's capital Colombo on Monday after arriving on a flight from Bangkok. Continue reading...

Starmer's island of strangers' immigration speech brings wave of condemnation from anti-racism campaignersLabour faces a watershed moment in its relationship with Black and Asian voters, experts warn, as the fallout from Keir Starmer's immigration speech continues with a wave of condemnation from anti-racism campaigners.The prime minister's claim that uncontrolled" migration had done incalculable" damage to British society has been labelled a betrayal by equalities groups. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Politicians including Andy Burnham call for councils to be given powers to stop new sites openingSlot machine companies are targeting Britain's poorest neighbourhoods and channelling the proceeds to billionaire-owned overseas corporations and a Wall Street fund that uses an offshore lending structure, the Guardian can reveal.The number of slot machine shops has risen by 7% since 2022, as companies -friendly planning and licensing laws to flood Britain's high streets with new adult gaming centres" (AGCs), most of which are open 24 hours a day. Continue reading...

Some conservatives rejected Francis for his leftist leanings, but Leo could be able to realize his forerunner's visionsRightwing Catholic Americans in positions of power - from the vice-president, JD Vance, to Leonardo Leo - may have breathed a brief sigh of relief when, after the white smoke cleared, Pope Leo XIV emerged on the balcony of St Peter's Basilica donning a traditional red mozzetta with a papal stole.It was, observers pointed out, a starkly different choice than his predecessor Pope Francis, a reviled figure among many staunch conservatives, who had worn all white on the same occasion in 2013 to symbolize his desire for simplicity and humility. Continue reading...

Kyiv officials believe Moscow is not interested in peace despite talks in Istanbul and Trump's interventionUkrainian officials believe a largely stalemated war of attrition with Russia is likely to continue for several more years, despite international efforts pushed by Donald Trump to end the fighting.After the inconclusive breakup of the first direct talks between Kyiv and Moscow in Istanbul on Friday, and despite the US president's planned calls with Russia's Vladimir Putin and Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy, they see no evidence that Moscow is serious about peace. Continue reading...

Regulator says claims over failures no longer limited to the cost of a ticket in bid to toughen accessibility rulesRailway operators in the UK could soon have to pay out far greater sums in compensation to disabled passengers left unable to access trains despite booking assistance.The rail regulator, the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), has warned companies running trains and stations that compensation claims for failures can no longer be limited to the cost of a ticket. Continue reading...

Lib Dem MP says UK's recent tone is tougher but in terms of concrete actions, not much has changed'Layla Moran has told the UK government to match its tougher tone on Israel with action as she warned that people in Gaza face unbearably cruel levels of destitution".The Lib Dem MP called for further action, including recognition of a Palestinian state, in a renewed appeal for the family of Mohammad, an NHS doctor who operated on her last year, whose elderly parents remain stuck in northern Gaza. Continue reading...

This blog is now closedLiberals must build from the bottom up' after election disaster - RustonAsked why the Liberals were now reviewing their embrace of the Paris climate agreement under the former government of Scott Morrison, Ruston says the walloping voters handed the party meant absolutely everything" was up for review.To be quite frank, we have to build from the bottom up again because that election result was quite disastrous for the Liberal party and we need to be open and honest with ourselves about what we need to take forward so that we are meeting Australia where they are and not talking about where we are.Clearly we need to be doing something different. I think, you know, keeping an open mind, making sure we're honest and open with that analysis of what went wrong, and actually come out with a policy proposal and a modern Liberal party, still maintaining all of the values that we hold so dearly.Oh God, no, no, anything but, please. We have been there before many times over the past 20 years or so and to reopen the climate wars, as you aptly describe them, is like reopening an old wound. Continue reading...

Residents of India-administered Kashmir worry root cause of conflict remains and return of violence is inevitableA week after fleeing artillery fire from across the border, Rina Begum returned to find her home in Kashmir devastated. The walls were cracked, the roof crumbling, windows blown inward, and glass shards scattered across the floor, mingling with the ashes of her daughter's books.The 45-year-old gazed out through a fractured window frame at the looming mountains. Hell has been raining down from there," she said. Continue reading...

Israel finished second, with Estonia third and the pre-contest favourites from Sweden fourthAustria has won the Eurovision song contest after JJ triumphed in Basel with their song Wasted Love, an operatic ballad with soaring vocals that mutates into a club anthem for the finale. It is the third time the country has won, with JJ following in the footsteps of Udo Jurgens in 1965 and Conchita Wurst in 2014.Switzerland, which hosted the first ever Eurovision song contest in 1956, was the venue this year after Nemo won in Malmo last year with their song The Code. They presented the trophy to JJ, who called for more love". After finishing a reprise of their winning song, a clearly emotional JJ said thank you Europe, I love you all" Continue reading...

New deputy leader also signals he will be part of energy debate but stops short of saying whether nuclear reactors should remain policy

Cash-strapped council may seek to raise funds from rate-payers, state and federal governments, or road users to fix 85-year-old Story Bridge

Athens takes legal action after its most famous monument given role in creating extremely unpleasant image'Greece is taking legal action after authorities were caught unaware by the fifth-century BC Acropolis playing a star role in an Adidas advertising campaign.The decision to feature the western world's enduring symbol of democracy for commercial purposes in a hi-tech drone show has left Athens with no choice but to press charges, the country's culture minister said. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Guardian investigation reveals guidance for retailers in England changed after campaign by global food firmsGovernment legal guidance urging retailers in England to offer millions of consumers deals and discounts on minimally processed and nutritious food was dropped after a lobbying campaign by the world's biggest ultra-processed food firms, the Guardian can reveal.Ahead of new regulations banning junk food promotions from October, the Department of Health and Social Care issued advice to thousands of shops, supermarkets, online retailers and other businesses to help them comply with the law. Continue reading...

Libertarian far-right Sawomir Mentzen and hard-left Adrian Zandberg among challengers as country prepares to vote in presidential electionHidden off a charming market square in central Poland, a bar offers the closest physical experience to walking into the internet.Stretching incongruously through medieval basements, Pub Mentzen in Toru feels like it was designed by someone on a full-fat diet of online politics. As you enter, a gallery wall displays mugshots of customers we don't serve", but instead of rowdy patrons, it features Polish political leaders, including at least five prime ministers. Continue reading...

This live blog is now closed, you can read our full report hereAn Iraqi political official, speaking to the Associated Press (AP) on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to comment, said that Iran's al-Quds force commander Esmail Ghaani had paid a visit to Baghdad prior to the Arab League summit and conveyed messages of support for the Iranian-American negotiations" for a nuclear deal and a demand for the lifting of crippling sanctions on Iran.The Arab League is meeting in Baghdad on Saturday to discuss Gaza and other regional crises, but some leaders are expected to miss the talks that come straight after US president Donald Trump's Gulf tour. Continue reading...

Blaze which killed Jennie Logan, 30, Martyn Sadler, 38, and David Chester, 57, reminder of courage and sacrifices' made by firefightersTributes have been paid to the three people, including two firefighters, who were killed in a fire at a business park in Bicester.Firefighters Jennie Logan, 30, and Martyn Sadler, 38, were killed at the former RAF base in Oxfordshire. David Chester, 57, a father of two from Bicester, who worked at the site, also died. Continue reading...

Immigration rises up the agenda and housing remains key issue as polls point to a similar result to 2024 votePortugal will return to the polls for the third time in just over three years on Sunday to vote in a snap general election triggered by the country's centre-right prime minister, Luis Montenegro, who is under pressure over his family's business activities.Montenegro, who leads the Social Democratic party - the largest party in Portugal's ruling Democratic Alliance (AD) coalition - is facing political and judicial scrutiny over a data protection consultancy that he founded in 2021 and which he transferred to his wife and sons the following year. Continue reading...

French president thought to be reconsidering June announcement at UN meeting, which would push back a similar move from the UKBritish officials are dubious that Emmanuel Macron intends to press ahead with French recognition of a Palestinian state next month - the first by a G7 nation - which could also push back the UK government following suit.The French president indicated last month that Paris might recognise Palestine, joining 148 other countries, but said he wanted to do so at a UN conference in New York in June as part of a wider process. Continue reading...

As festivalgoers do whatever it takes to pay for the summer season, struggling organisers innovate to sell ticketsFrom Monday to Friday, Jessica Heath works as a civil servant in central London - but when the weekend comes, it's not time to relax. For the past two years, the 28-year-old has also worked evening shifts most Saturdays and Sundays at a nearby wine bar, with one clear aim - to save up for her summers.Heath has been a huge music festival fan since she first went to Leeds as a teenager and each year, including day events, she takes in at least seven, some as a volunteer. Without that and her second job, she'd never be able to afford it, she says. Continue reading...

Tayshan Hayden-Smith says Chelsea flower show celebrates exclusivity over equity' and he was naive to think he could bring changeA gardener and activist hired by the Royal Horticultural Society to help it reach out to younger and disadvantaged people has said its flagship Chelsea flower show celebrated exclusivity over equity" as he walked away from the role.Tayshan Hayden-Smith, 28, was asked in 2022 to become the charity's ambassador for young people and communities. But now he says that after three years working with the RHS, he has lost hope that it genuinely wants to become more accessible. Continue reading...