World news | The Guardian

Russian peace negotiator invokes Peter the Great's 21-year struggle to defeat Sweden, as Putin is fond of doingPeter the Great's long war against Sweden - a grinding conflict that claimed countless Russian lives - is rarely held up as a model for modern diplomacy. Yet behind closed doors on Friday, during the first direct peace talks with Ukraine in three years, Russia's lead negotiator, Vladimir Medinsky, cited it as an explicit warning: Moscow was prepared to fight for as long as it took.Just like when Russian troops rolled into Ukraine in 2022, the Great Northern War in the early 18th century began with humiliating defeats for Moscow. The tsarist Russian army was ill-prepared, poorly armed and easily outmanoeuvred. But instead of backing down, Tsar Peter I dug in. He conscripted peasants by the tens of thousands, poured resources into rebuilding his army, and waited. Twenty-one years later, he emerged victorious. Continue reading...

Labour members from Leeds West and Pudsey to write letter to chancellor over plans to reduce Pip paymentsRachel Reeves' local Labour party will call for the chancellor to abandon her plans to cut disability benefits as rebellion among MPs over the policy grows.The Leeds West and Pudsey constituency Labour party (CLP), which campaigned to return Reeves to parliament last year as its MP, has agreed to write to her as soon as possible" to make clear it does not support the cuts. Continue reading...

Building society offer means Virgin customers pay nearly 1,000 more in fees despite lender owning both brandsSome Virgin Money customers are crying foul over the fact that Nationwide borrowers are being offered better-value mortgage deals, even though they are now part of the same group.Nationwide bought Virgin Money last autumn, but the brands remain separate and some Virgin mortgage-holders claim that when it comes to moving on to a new deal, they are being treated as second-class citizens. Continue reading...

Jenny Chapman says the government is not treating reduction in spending on overseas aid to 0.3% as temporaryThe UK's drastically diminished aid budget is the new normal," the development minister, Jenny Chapman, has said, as she claimed Labour's approach would help repair voters' faith in overseas aid.Lady Chapman took up her post in February, after Anneliese Dodds resigned in protest at Keir Starmer's decision to slash overseas aid spending to 0.3% of gross national income from 0.5%, to pay for increased defence spending. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Seat Unique, a firm backed by stars including England captain Harry Kane, charged more than 3,000 for two seatsControversial dynamic pricing" has arrived in English football, the Guardian can reveal, after a company backed by sports stars including the England men's football captain, Harry Kane, charged more than 3,000 for two seats at the FA Cup final.Seat Unique, which sells VIP hospitality packages for events, has won endorsements and even financial backing from professional athletes and sports teams, promising to deliver exceptional, authentic experiences to fans". Continue reading...

The age of impunity is over for male violence against women, say campaigners after the actor was found guilty of sexual assaultWhen Gerard Depardieu, one of France's biggest cinema stars, was placed on the sex offender register this week after being found guilty of sexually assaulting two women on a film set in 2021, it was a historic moment for the #MeToo movement in the country.It was a message to all men in power that they are answerable to the courts and can be convicted," said Catherine Le Magueresse, who represented the European Association Against Violence Towards Women at Work (AVFT) at the trial. The message is: watch out, the impunity is over." Continue reading...

The 33-year-old Melbourne man was convicted of being a mercenary in an armed conflict' by a Russian-controlled court

Euthanasia is most common response to welfare incidents in sheep, pigs and cattle with about 4% of animals experiencing serious incidents, research finds

Fast food giant increasingly seen as too expensive for what it offers and under pressure from new chains, analysts say

IDF aiming to seize strategic areas as part of expansion of war against Hamas in attempt to force release of hostagesIsrael has announced a major new offensive in Gaza after launching a wave of airstrikes on the territory that killed more than 100 people, in what it said was a fresh effort to force Hamas to release hostages.In a statement late on Friday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said they had launched extensive attacks and mobilized forces to seize strategic areas in the Gaza Strip, as part of the opening moves of Operation Gideon's Chariots and the expansion of the campaign in Gaza, to achieve all the goals of the war in Gaza". Continue reading...

First week of testimony heard singer talk about in-patient treatment center she went to to help me with my trauma'Singer Casandra Cassie" Ventura, a former girlfriend of Sean Diddy" Combs and a key witness in the federal sex-trafficking and racketeering trial of the music mogul,concluded her testimony on Friday after further examination by Combs's legal team.Combs's defense team resumed their cross-examination of Ventura on Friday morning, with questions focusing on the time around the 2016 video footage of Combs attacking Ventura at the elevator lobby of a hotel in Los Angeles, and Combs's state of mind at that time.In the US, the domestic violence hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). In the UK, call the national domestic abuse helpline on 0808 2000 247, or visit Women's Aid. In Australia, the national family violence counselling service is on 1800 737 732. Other international helplines may be found via www.befrienders.org. Continue reading...

Big, gay' mobile performance unit used for LGBTQ+ events was stolen last month from the Bearded Ladies CabaretPhiladelphia's LGBTQ+ community is rallying around an unusual cause: the search for the missing Beardmobile, described as a big, gay mobile performance unit, glitterfully outfitted for socially distanced performances and political actions".The Beardmobile, a 14,000lb, custom-built performance truck decked out with a stage, sound system and pink eyelashes, was stolen from the parking lot of the Allens Lane Art Center in Mount Airy last month, Axios Philadelphia reported. Continue reading...

Maria Del Rosario Navarro, 39, accused of conspiring to provide material support to Jalisco New Generation cartelA 39-year-old woman has become the first Mexican national to be indicted in the United States on charges of providing material support to a cartel designated as a foreign terrorist organization, according to the US Department of Justice.Maria Del Rosario Navarro is accused of conspiring with others to provide grenades to the Jalisco New Generation cartel (CJNG), a powerful Mexican crime faction that the US in February designated as a terrorist organization alongside other criminal groups across Latin America. Continue reading...

Some workers at new network now face deportation as their visas are linked to their jobs

Danette Colbert, facing second-degree murder charge over death of Adan Manzano in New Orleans in February, jailedA woman facing a second-degree murder charge for the death of a television reporter who traveled to New Orleans to cover the Super Bowl in February was sentenced to 25 years in an unrelated case on Thursday.Danette Colbert, 48, had previously been given a suspended sentence by a New Orleans state court judge last year after being convicted of theft and fraud charges. Continue reading...

Top chefs and brands transform once-humble snack with growing number of imaginative flavouringsWhen it comes to crisps, British appetites have traditionally been sated by a packet of Frazzles or a bag of Skips. But, according to chefs, supermarket insiders and social media, 2025 is gearing up to be the summer of the posh crisp.Jay Ledwich, a crisp buyer at Waitrose, said demand for premium and unusual flavoured crisps was soaring". This week, the shop became the exclusive British supermarket stockist of what it is tipping to be the next viral hit in crisps - a fried-egg flavour from the Spanish specialist Torres. It follows other savoury sensations from the brand, including black truffle, caviar, and sparkling wine flavours. Continue reading...

Objections raised to Rantzen's accusation of undeclared religious beliefs' in five-hour Commons debateMPs opposed to assisted dying have criticised distasteful" claims from the prominent campaigner Esther Rantzen, who argued many are fighting against the changes to the law because of secret religious views.Rantzen made the remarks in a letter urging MPs to back the strong, safe, carefully considered bill" to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales. Continue reading...

As education secretary unveils 49m for school-based support and calls for grit', charity says many children have significant treatment needsMinisters' efforts to promote grit" among children are no substitute for better funded mental health support in England's schools, according to school leaders and experts.Bridget Phillipson, the education secretary, and Wes Streeting, the health secretary, claimed in an article for the Daily Telegraph that more mental health support teams (MHSTs) for schools would not only halt the spiral towards crisis but cultivate much-needed grit among the next generation - essential for academic success and life beyond school, with all its ups and downs". Continue reading...

Springsteen had told Manchester crowd that Trump was unfit' and treasonous', leading to angry outburst from the presidentDonald Trump has angrily insulted Bruce Springsteen after the veteran musician said Trump was heading a corrupt, incompetent and treasonous administration".Springsteen made a series of vehement speeches on stage in Manchester as he kicked off his latest tour, arguing that Trump was an unfit president" heading up a rogue government". He said that in the US, the richest men are taking satisfaction in abandoning the world's poorest children to sickness and death ... they're taking sadistic pleasure in the pain they inflict on loyal American workers ... They are abandoning our great allies and siding with dictators against those struggling for their freedom." Continue reading...

Exclusive: delegates met officials weeks before UK set out higher-than-expected cap on foreign state ownership of newspapersA delegation from the United Arab Emirates met Downing Street officials weeks before ministers announced a law change that allows the state to take a 15% stake in the Telegraph titles, the Guardian understands.Ministers disclosed the cap this week as part of a long-awaited clarification on the rules around state ownership of British newspapers. It is higher than the 5-10% ceiling envisaged by the previous Conservative government. Continue reading...

Tributes paid to courageous' journalist who covered police corruption, Rosemary West trial and Hatton Garden heistDuncan Campbell, the celebrated Guardian crime reporter, writer and broadcaster whose work highlighted corruption, the shortcomings in the justice system and miscarriages of justice, has died at the age of 80.Campbell was one of the most respected crime correspondents of his generation, fearlessly pursuing police corruption and reporting on some of the most iconic criminal cases of recent decades, including the Rosemary West trial and the Hatton Garden heist. Continue reading...

President says letters revealing rates will be sent out within weeks as Washington lacks capacity for individual deals

Judge says 300m collection should remain property of state, after attempt by family of Umberto II to reclaim jewelsA court in Italy has rejected a request made by the descendants of the country's last king to reclaim the crown jewels, with the judge ordering that the national treasures remain the property of the state.In February 2022, the descendants of Italy's last monarch sued the Italian state to reclaim the jewels, which for almost 78 years have been stashed in a treasure chest in a safety deposit box at the Bank of Italy - the country's central bank - amid a long-running saga over their ownership. Continue reading...

Order follows Pentagon's announcement to remove 1,000 military members who openly identify as transUS military commanders will be told to identify troops in their units who are transgender or have gender dysphoria, then send them to get medical checks in order to force them out of the service.A senior defense official on Thursday laid out what could be a complicated and lengthy new process aimed at fulfilling Donald Trump's directive to remove transgender service members from the US military despite years of service alongside all the other two million US troops. Continue reading...

President remains popular in conservative Shasta county despite plans to cut health, recreation and veteran servicesDonald Trump's administration has sought to remake the federal government at a breakneck pace. In far northern California - where he has strong support - people have backed those efforts. But even here, the speed and scale of the president's agenda has been cause for concern.Officials in Shasta county, a region of 180,000 perhaps best known in recent years for its turbulent far-right politics, recently voted unanimously to send a letter to the federal government expressing concern about how layoffs could affect the nearby Whiskeytown national recreation area, which brings as much as $80m to the local economy each year. Continue reading...

Ex-FBI director deletes Instagram post of shells in 8647' formation that Republicans claim is code for assassinationA now-deleted photo of seashells posted on Instagram by the former FBI director James Comey is being investigated by the US Secret Service, after the US homeland security secretary, Kristi Noem, said it constituted a threat" against Donald Trump, and set off warnings from other administration officials.On Thursday, Comey posted a photo of seashells forming the message 8647", with a caption that read: Cool shell formation on my beach walk." Continue reading...

El Salvador's Bukele has scored an Oval Office Trump meeting, nuclear deal and US prison supportUS government records reveal Latin American leaders have spent millions hiring Washington's top lobbyists to push for a laundry list of requests - from free-trade deals, security assistance and energy investments - heard by the Trump administration, according to an analysis by the Guardian and The Quincy Institute.Since the lead-up to Donald Trump's election as president in November 2024, Department of Justice records show that at least 10 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean have registered their top officials and envoys as foreign principals under the Foreign Agent Registration Act (Fara). Fara aims to promote transparency by requiring those working as foreign agents to disclose their activities and compensation. Continue reading...

Goal of Christian nationalist and director of OMB to dismantle federal workforce may be coming to fruitionRuss Vought's years-long quest to dismantle the federal workforce and consolidate power for the president is coming to fruition, and he may be given a major boost when he reportedly takes on Elon Musk's cost-cutting efforts as the billionaire bows out of the federal government.The director of the office of management and budget has worked alongside Musk's department of government efficiency" to slash through the federal government since Trump took office. The Wall Street Journal reported this week that Vought would take on an increased public role in Washington as Musk transitions out and the president's budget process advances. The outlet reported that Vought could use the budget process to make some of Doge's cuts permanent. Continue reading...

Over the course of an illustrious career, Strouse composed music for Broadway shows such as Bye Bye Birdie and Applause but was best known for Annie's evergreen songsThe composer Charles Strouse, a three-time Tony award-winner whose hits included Annie, has died at the age of 96. His death at home in New York on Thursday was announced by his four children.Over the course of a long and illustrious career, Strouse composed music for the Broadway shows Bye Bye Birdie, Golden Boy, Applause, Rags and Nick & Nora. But he was perhaps best known for his score for Annie which opened in New York in 1977 and ran for almost six years. The story of the plucky red-headed orphan featured evergreen songs (with lyrics by Martin Charnin) including Tomorrow, You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile and It's the Hard-Knock Life, which was sampled by Jay-Z in a 1998 single. Annie received seven Tony awards, including best musical and best original score, and won the Grammy for best cast show album. It was adapted as a film in 1982. Continue reading...

Los Angeles police open investigation after lawsuit filed against Motown singer alleging sexual assault of four former housekeepers over many yearsLos Angeles police have opened a criminal investigation into Smokey Robinson, after allegations of sexual assault made by four of his former housekeepers, which he denies.The unnamed women filed a lawsuit last week alleging that the Motown star was a a serial and sick rapist" who had assaulted them on numerous occasions between 2007 and 2024, across three residences. Robinson and his wife, Frances, are also accused of labour violations, including the failure to pay the women minimum wage and overtime. The women are seeking financial damages. Continue reading...

Increased mental health support for young people will give them resilience, say education and health secretariesSchoolchildren will be helped to develop much-needed grit" for life beyond school with increased mental health support, the education and health secretaries have said.Writing in the Telegraph, Bridget Phillipson and Wes Streeting said they would expand mental health support in schools to nearly 1 million extra children in England. Continue reading...

Refuges turn down 65% of requests for support, says parliamentary committee calling for better monitoringMinisters appear to be oblivious" to the true scale of harm caused by violence against women and girls and must do more to reverse the worrying rise in misogyny", MPs have said.Parliament's cross-party public accounts committee heard evidence that women's refuges are forced to turn down 65% of requests for support amid soaring cases, while other dedicated services operating in communities are only able to help about half of those who request it. Continue reading...

Met says animals found in field in west London had been tortured and dismembered'Police are trying to trace two teenagers seen near where the mutilated" remains of two kittens were found in west London.The Metropolitan police were tipped off on 3 May after reported sightings of a male and female allegedly dismembering the animals at Ickenham Road in Ruislip. Continue reading...

Online fundraiser launched as former Victorian Liberal leader hopes to avoid being forced to resign from parliament if he is unable to pay the sum

Traders anticipating increase in high-spending Americans are already working up Leo-themed beers and ice-creamsEven before the chimney on top of the Sistine Chapel emitted its last puff of white smoke, signalling to the world that the Roman Catholic church had a new pope, Atlante Star, a hotel with a privileged view over St Peter's Basilica from its rooftop terrace, began to receive inquiries about room availability over the following few days.Then, about an hour later, when the Chicago-born cardinal Robert Prevost was declared Pope Leo XIV, the inquiries turned into bookings as the tourists, mostly from the US, rushed to secure a place to stay in Rome in time for the pontiff's inaugural Sunday mass on 18 May. Continue reading...

Celebrity used trips to ancient Maya cities to advertise his own-brand snacks, drawing criticism from Mexico's archaeology and history instituteMexico is seeking compensation from YouTube celebrity MrBeast's production company, accusing it of using images of the country's ancient archaeological sites to advertise a chocolate brand.A video of the social media star visiting Maya ruins has been viewed around 60m times since 10 May on YouTube, where he has 395 million subscribers. Continue reading...

Police allege man menaced teacher and conveyed food was contaminated with lead acetate, which can cause irreversible neurological damage

NAO reports 1.9bn tax gap for wealthy individuals and urges ministers to redouble efforts to secure more revenueWealthy individuals in Britain could be avoiding more tax than thought, the government's spending watchdog has said, after a dramatic fall in the number of penalties being issued to the super-rich.In a report urging ministers to redouble their efforts to secure more of the money owed by wealthy people to the exchequer, the National Audit Office (NAO) said billions of pounds was going unpaid each year. Continue reading...

American R&B singer arrested in Salford over alleged 2023 London attack, after flying into UK for new tourThe US musician Chris Brown has been charged with grievous bodily harm with intent over an alleged bottle attack at a London nightclub two years ago.The 36-year-old rapper, a former partner of the singer Rihanna, was arrested at 2am on Thursday at the five-star Lowry hotel in Salford, Greater Manchester, after flying into the UK for a tour. Continue reading...

Met counter-terrorism police say 21-year-old Ukrainian faces three counts of arson with intent to endanger lifeA Ukrainian national has been charged over a series of suspected arson attacks on two homes and a vehicle linked to Keir Starmer.Police said Roman Lavrynovych, 21, was charged with three counts of arson with intent to endanger life. Continue reading...

Two sides set for first direct negotiations since March 2022 but Russia's lower-level delegation in Istanbul seen as snubVolodymyr Zelenskyy has sent a delegation to Istanbul for peace talks with Russia, paving the way for the first direct negotiations between the two countries since March 2022 - although Washington has warned that no breakthrough is likely unless Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin agree to meet.The talks are set to begin on Friday and Zelenskyy said that Kyiv would focus on pushing for an immediate 30-day ceasefire. Continue reading...

Study shows rollback of credits would increase energy expenses for American of both red and blue districtsAs House Republicans propose taking a sledgehammer to the green tax credits in Joe Biden's Inflation Reduction Act, new data shows the loss of those incentives could lower some Americans' household income by more than $1,000 a year due to increased utility bills and job losses.Though Donald Trump has called climate spending a waste" of money, the data - published by the industry group Clean Energy Buyers Association (Ceba) on Thursday - provides evidence that rescinding them would actually increase expenses for ordinary Americans in red and blue districts alike. Continue reading...

Ovaeed Rahman charged with animal cruelty offences after police, RSPCA and council officials visited Billericay propertyA man has been charged with a series of offences after the remains of 37 dogs were found at an address in Essex.Essex police said officers, colleagues from the RSPCA and Basildon council visited a property in the Crays Hill area of Billericay on Tuesday and the remains were discovered. Continue reading...

Failure to recruit NHS radiologists is creating vicious cycle whereby doctors are drawn to private work, says Royal College of RadiologistsThe NHS handed private firms a record 216m last year to examine X-rays and scans because hospitals have too few radiologists.The amount of money NHS organisations across the UK are paying companies to interpret scans has doubled in five years as demand rises for diagnostic tests. Continue reading...

Countries dispute ownership of Essequibo, oil-rich region where Venezuela claims it will hold elections this monthGuyanese soldiers have come under attack three times in 24 hours in an oil-rich border region also claimed by neighboring Venezuela, which says it will hold elections there this month.Armed men in civilian clothing carried out three separate attacks on troops conducting patrols on the Cuyuni River in the disputed Essequibo region, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) said. Continue reading...

Liberal leader holds productive' talks with David Littleproud as cloud hangs over future of longstanding partnership

Queensland senator's subtle-yet-pointed displays of defiance offer a window into the style of politician the Greens have chosen as their new leader

Famous reptile had a memorable scene in the 1996 comedy with Adam Sandler, along with other movies and TV showsMorris, a famous alligator known for his appearances in movies and TV shows, most notably the 1996 comedy Happy Gilmore, has died at around 80 years old at the Colorado Gator Farm.Adam Sandler, star of Happy Gilmore, posted a tribute to Morris in an X post on Wednesday, recalling the reptile's diva-like behavior on set. Continue reading...

In Cannes to promote his Stalinist drama Two Prosecutors, the film-maker said he feared the US and Russia would soon become equal'One of Ukraine's leading film-makers has spoken of the nightmare" of an emergent alliance between authoritarian leaders in Russia and the US, as his new film on contemporary echoes with the Stalinist era opens at the Cannes film festival.The events that unfolded in the past 100 days really surprised many people all over the world," said director Sergei Loznitsa, whose new film Two Prosecutors received its world premiere on Wednesday. One couldn't even imagine in a nightmare such a union, such an understanding between two authoritarian leaders." Continue reading...

Fema-run program withholds funds it owes service providers and claims they may have aided illegal activities'The Trump administration is accusing some state authorities and non-profits of in effect smuggling or harboring migrants after they provided food and shelter for such people - even though the services were funded through federal government programs and those being helped had already been processed and released by immigration officials.The administration has also withheld funds it owes to service providers, which spent up front to support vulnerable families recently arrived in the US, on the good faith agreement that, as is usual practice, they would be paid back by Washington. Continue reading...