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Stephen Doughty says US withdrawal of support means bill cannot complete passage through parliamentA treaty over ceding sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius has become impossible to agree at political level" and the corresponding bill will not complete its passage through parliament, a Foreign Office minister has said.Stephen Doughty told the Commons that the agreement with Mauritius was initially negotiated in close coordination with the US, but Donald Trump's position appears to have changed". Continue reading...

Brian Hooker says wife Lynette fell overboard from dinghy but family members have cast doubt on that accountPolice in the Bahamas on Monday were set to again interview a US man who said his wife fell overboard from their boat.In a statement on Sunday to the Guardian, Brian Hooker's attorney, Terrel Butler, said: The police have requested another interview with [Brian Hooker] tomorrow." Continue reading...

US president's previous threat to block strait of Hormuz had led to a 6.9% increase in earlier trading

Review of original train order is meant to prevent service problems north of Birmingham, but it may do the oppositePlans to change the size of HS2 trains to maximise capacity are likely to inflate costs and mean fewer seats and slower services north of Birmingham, a senior government and rail industry figure has warned.The 2bn order for 54 high-speed trains, to be built in Britain by a joint venture of Alstom and Hitachi, is under review as HS2 Ltd seeks to cut costs and renegotiate contracts. Continue reading...

Alexandre Ramagem fled country after he was sentenced to 16 years for his role in plotting military coup in BrazilWhen Brazil's former president Jair Bolsonaro was sentenced to nearly 30 years in prison for an attempted coup, six other members of his cabinet were also found guilty and all began serving their sentences - except for one.Days before the verdict, Alexandre Ramagem, Bolsonaro's former spy chief, fled by car to Guyana and boarded a flight to the United States, where he has remained ever since. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Analysis of government figures indicates public finances will gain 600m not 10bn if migrants' access to benefits is reducedShabana Mahmood's migration changes are expected to save just 600m - about 6% of the 10bn the home secretary claimed, according to the government's own data.Under the plans, most people would have to wait 10 years to qualify for settled status, rather than the existing five-year period, which the home secretary argued would save costs on public services. Continue reading...

Orban is out in Hungary and talks have failed to end the war in Iran - ill-fated roadtrip has been setback for Maga aimsShortly before JD Vance's ill-fated week crisscrossing the world, Donald Trump asked him during a private Easter brunch about how the Iran negotiations were shaping up. If it doesn't happen, I'm blaming JD Vance," Trump said to laughs in the room. If it does happen, I'm taking full credit."The joke at Vance's expense contained an unfortunate nugget of truth: this is not an administration that rewards failure. Continue reading...

Dozens of feral pachyderms linked to drug kingpin to be killed because of threat to native species and villagersColombian officials have authorized a plan to cull dozens of hippos descended from animals brought to the country in the 1980s by Pablo Escobar, after the feral beasts displaced native species and threatened local villagers.The environment minister, Irene Velez, said the decision was reached because other methods to control their population had been expensive and unsuccessful, including neutering some of the animals or moving them to zoos. Velez said that up to 80 hippos would be affected by the measure. She did not say when the hunting would begin. Continue reading...

The home secretary made the comments after an inquiry revealed that the system completely failed'Keir Starmer has confirmed that he wants to stop children being exposed to addictive scrolling features on their phones as part of measures to protect them from social media.The PM is under pressure to implement an Australian-style ban on social media for under-16s, and the government is consulting on whether to go ahead with a full ban, or whether to just impose more specific restrictions.It's not a question of if we do something, it's what we do.The addictive scrolling mechanisms are really problematic to my mind, they need to go.Despite some lower-income households receiving a long-overdue real-terms increase in their benefits, we now estimate - based on market-forecasts for the rise in energy prices consistent with market pricing after the announcement of a ceasefire - that average income growth for the poorest fifth this year is now set to be just 1.2 per cent, down from 2.8 per cent before the conflict.The picture is brighter for families in the bottom half of the income distribution with three or more children. Even after the inflation shock, the abolition of the two-child limit is estimated to deliver 7.7 per cent income growth for this group this year - compared to 0.0 per cent for poorer families with fewer than three children.Despite hopes for a sustained peace, the path of this conflict remains uncertain and energy prices remain well above pre-war levels, meaning many households face a decline in their purchasing power this year. Continue reading...

Wife of Pawel Bukowski criticises care husband received over depression he suffered following failed procedureA man who took his own life was suffering from depression after a failed dental procedure in Turkey left him without any teeth, an inquest has heard.Pawel Bukowski, a 48-year-old forklift driver, had travelled to a private clinic in the country in January 2025 to have his teeth replaced after suffering from periodontal disease, a chronic bacterial infection that can erode the gums and lead to tooth and bone loss.In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie. In the US, you can call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org Continue reading...

Exclusive: Pre-chemotherapy tests previously did not look for gene variant that put some ethnicities at higher risk of serious side effectsThousands of cancer patients from minority ethnic backgrounds will have access to groundbreaking" genetic testing on the NHS that previously discriminated against them.This routine form of genetic testing, used before chemotherapy treatment, could save the lives of Black and minority ethnic cancer patients who already face poorer health outcomes after diagnosis compared with their white counterparts. Continue reading...

Geoffrey Robertson says proposals to reduce backlog are betrayal of party's values and a cure worse than the disease'The founder of Keir Starmer's barristers' chambers has condemned the planned restriction of jury trials in England and Wales as a betrayal of the values for which Labour purports to stand".Geoffrey Robertson KC, founding head of Doughty Street Chambers, where the attorney general, Richard Hermer KC, and the justice secretary, David Lammy, also had their professional homes, has written a more than 9,000-word polemic to coincide with the committee stage of the courts and tribunals bill. Continue reading...

Report finds there were dozens of warning signs about Axel Rudakubana as far back as 2019 and identifies five main failures of those involved

Judge rules complaint fails to outline malice after Trump argued lewd drawing allegedly sent to Epstein at heart of story was fakeA Florida judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed last summer by Donald Trump over a Wall Street Journal report that he had sent a bawdy" letter to the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein in 2003, though the judge has given the US president two weeks to refile the case.Trump, who has had a habit of suing media companies inside and outside the White House, had argued that a lewd drawing at the heart of the story was fake. The lawsuit was especially notable because one of the defendants was Rupert Murdoch, one of Trump's top media allies, whose News Corporation media empire owns the Journal. Continue reading...

The Tisza leader said the electorate voted not just for a change of government but for a change of the regime'in BrusselsThe EU will start work with the new Hungarian government as soon as possible" to make progress on issues including energy and the release of frozen European funds, the head of the European Commission has said.We will start working with the government as soon as possible on the topics you mentioned and much more to make a swift and overdue progress to the benefit of the Hungarian people."I think moving to qualified-majority voting in foreign policy is an important way to avoid systematic blockages as we've seen in the past. And we should use the momentum now really to move forward on that topic." Continue reading...

Michelle Dick accused of dousing musician with unknown substance in March and damaging his car before fleeingA woman who is accused of stalking former Fleetwood Mac guitarist Lindsey Buckingham has been arrested in Indiana, according to local police.Authorities in Fort Wayne, Indiana, said in a statement over the weekend that they took 55-year-old Michelle Dick into custody on Saturday as she was wanted on a warrant out of California for stalking" Buckingham. Continue reading...

Shortage of pickled mini-cucumbers has caused Pret a Manger to pull its jambon beurre from the shelvesWith their sharp flavour and crunch, pickled cucumbers are an essential component of any sandwich worth its salt.But an unexpected shortage of cornichons has caused consternation in sandwich shops across the country as cafes scramble to get their hands on jars of the small green pickles. Continue reading...

Lafarge fined more than 1m and its former boss jailed for paying nearly 5.6m to groups including Islamic StateA French court has fined the cement group Lafarge more than 1m (870,000) and sentenced its former boss to six years in prison for paying protection money to Islamic State and other terror groups to maintain its business in war-torn Syria from 2013 to 2014.The ruling follows a 2022 case in the United States in which the French firm pleaded guilty to conspiring to provide material support to US-designated terrorist" organisations and agreed to pay a $778m fine (580m) - the first time a company had faced the charge. Continue reading...

Shabana Mahmood calls Axel Rudakubana a vile and sickening indiviudal' and pays tribute to the immense bravery' of families of the three girls who died and the survivors

Golfer puts spotlight on Rosie and Gerry McIlroy's sacrifices to support his dream in emotional victory speechIn a sport filled with pushy parents the McIlroys do things differently: Rory McIlroy had to push his parents to attend the scene of his greatest triumph.Rosie and Gerry McIlroy feared their presence might jinx their son's defence of the Masters, so they planned to steer clear of Augusta National. Continue reading...

Attacks on Saturday bring number of people killed in boat strikes by US military to at least 168The US military said that it blew up two boats accused of smuggling drugs in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing a total of five people and leaving one survivor, as the Trump administration pursues its campaign against alleged traffickers in Latin America while preparing a naval blockade of Iranian ports.The attacks on Saturday bring the number of people who have been killed in boat strikes by the US military to at least 168 since the Trump administration began targeting those it calls narcoterrorists" in early September. Continue reading...

Participants reported enjoying the human connection regardless of whether they thought the topic was dullThe human aversion to dull experiences was nailed by the author Paulo Coelho when he declared: I can stand defeats, pain, anger. But I can't stand boredom."But the natural desire to avoid boring conversations comes at a cost, according to researchers, who found that people enjoyed chatting about tedious topics far more than they expected. Continue reading...

Developing countries face possible shelving of crucial green action plan at IMF and World Bank spring meetingsGovernments desperate for cash to protect their citizens from the growing impacts of the climate crisis are being put in a beyond absurd" situation this week at global finance talks: they are being urged not to mention the climate, even as they address the current oil crisis.The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG) spring meetings take place this week amid a fragile ceasefire in Iran and upended geopolitics. One of the priorities was to forge a new climate change action plan" (CCAP) for the world's biggest provider of funds to developing countries, to replace the current strategy, which expires in June. Continue reading...

Experts say natural kratom may offer benefits and blame synthetic derivatives for surge in poisonings noted by CDCA recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report shows that kratom poisonings have soared in the US, but experts say this is probably due to synthetic derivatives like 7-OH, and that blanket kratom bans could harm people using natural kratom to aid pain management or addiction recovery.Walter Prozialeck, a pharmacology professor at Midwestern University, said he was unsurprised by the report, which found that kratom-related poisonings went up by about 1,200% over the last decade, with a marked surge in 2025. Continue reading...

Inspection reveals use of force after protest by detainees being deported under one in, one out' schemeAsylum seekers who protested against being forcibly removed to France under the Home Office's controversial one in, one out" scheme, were transported out of the UK in waist and leg restraints, an inspection report has revealed.The report by the chief inspector of prisons for England and Wales, Charlie Taylor, inspected a flight to France that took place on 20-21 January this year and on which it found no force was used. Continue reading...

Tehran said the move would be a breach of the ceasefire. Plus, Viktor Orban ousted in Hungarian election in blow to global far right

As Trump's actions spark a desire for stability, analysts say Carney is in effect assembling a union governmentCanada's prime minister, Mark Carney, is on the brink of securing a majority government, with his Liberal party poised to win at least two closely watched byelections and courting an almost unprecedented" string of defections from rival parties.Carney's ability to turn a strong minority into a narrow majority through electoral gains and floor crossing has strengthened his reputation as a pragmatic leader above the cut and thrust of partisan politics. But his efforts to bring in lawmakers from across the political spectrum has also sparked a fierce internal debate over the Liberals' values and the risks of consolidating more power. Continue reading...

Resolution Foundation says Britons face rising costs from higher bills for energy and filling up

Singer voluntarily enters facility after erratic driving incident, where she was found to have drugs and alcohol in her systemBritney Spears has entered a rehab facility after her arrest in March for driving under the influence.The pop singer was stopped by police in Ventura county, California, after driving erratically, and was found to have drugs and alcohol in her system. She was briefly detained, and her manager called Spears' actions completely inexcusable. Britney is going to take the right steps and comply with the law and hopefully this can be the first step in long overdue change that needs to occur in Britney's life." Continue reading...

Zegler won the Olivier award for best actress in a musical for her role in Jamie Lloyd's genius' production

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Liberal senator James Paterson had called decision by One Nation to rehire Sean Black absolutely extraordinary'

No 10 understood to be ready to drop block on intelligence services being covered after concerns from families and MPsThe delayed Hillsborough law could come into force after a shift by the government on forcing intelligence services to give evidence to public inquiries. Disagreement on the issue had halted the bill's progress earlier this year.Downing Street is understood to be willing to give way over a block on intelligence staff coming under the law's terms, which enforces a duty of candour on public officials and contractors in the aftermath of disasters. Continue reading...

Late-night gallery tours and new venues signal a city staking its claim as a regional arts capitalOn a recent weekday evening, the doors of more than a dozen galleries and museums across Abidjan stayed open till midnight, several hours later than usual, as art enthusiasts went around town on a bus tour. It was the Night of the Galleries, designed for people to drop in after work and enjoy Abidjan art week to the fullest.The after-hours special showcase was first tested in January 2024 on the sidelines of the Africa Cup of Nations football tournament hosted and won by Cote d'Ivoire. The tradition continued this year during the art week's third edition, which ran from last Tuesday to Sunday. Continue reading...

In today's newsletter: Orban concedes defeat after 16 years in power, ushering in a new era for Hungary's relations with the EU, US and RussiaGood morning. The people of Hungary are waking up in an unfamiliar political landscape - one in which Viktor Orban, who has served as prime minister since 2010, is stepping aside after defeat to Peter Magyar, whose Tisza party has won an election likely to reshape the country's ties with the EU, the US and Russia.Less than three hours after polls closed on Sunday, Orban conceded defeat after what he described as a painful but unambiguous" result. Magyar, who has pledged to repair Hungary's strained relationship with the EU, crack down on corruption and channel funds towards long-neglected public services, said Tisza voters had rewritten Hungarian history and that truth prevailed over lies".Middle East | Donald Trump has said the US will begin blockading the strait of Hormuz in an attempt to take control of the strategic waterway from Iran in the aftermath of failed peace negotiations.Carers | Thousands of unpaid carers will continue to be hit with hefty and potentially unfair benefit repayment demands, as a government initiative gets under way to fix welfare injustices that have drawn comparison to the Post Office scandalUK news | The Home Office is to announce the closure of 11 asylum hotels this week as part of its pledge to close all such facilities by the end of this parliament.Ireland | Police have cleared a blockade of central Dublin by farmers and hauliers who were protesting about fuel prices, signalling a possible end to six days of protests that have rocked Ireland.UK politics | Ministers are planning to reshape Britain's relationship with the European Union, with new legislation that could result in the UK signing up to EU single market rules without a normal parliamentary vote. Continue reading...

Researchers say hardship is a direct legacy of welfare benefit cuts imposed by Tory governments in recent yearsMore than a fifth of all austerity generation" British children have been scarred by poverty for at least half their childhood, a direct legacy of the welfare benefit cuts imposed by Conservative governments in recent years, research reveals.The proportion of children born after 2013 who spent at least six of their first 11 years of life in hardship surged after ministers froze working age benefits levels and imposed policies such as the two-child limit, it found. Continue reading...

Exclusive: MPs say profit-making levels in England are scandalous' and call for cap on amount private companies can make from NHSPrivate firms providing services to the NHS including healthcare and consultancy have made 1.6bn in profits over the last two years, research reveals.The findings - on the basis of contracts worth 12bn - have prompted claims of scandalous" profiteering, concern that the health service is being taken for a ride" and calls for ministers to impose a cap on maximum profit levels.2bn of the 12bn of contracts went to firms with owners based outside the UK.533m of that 2bn went to companies owned by people living in tax havens such as Jersey and the Cayman Islands.Firms, especially those owned by private equity outfits, used 353m of their 12bn NHS income to pay interest on debts. Continue reading...

Coach believes there's no limit to 18-year-old's talent while athlete himself says he's ready for more'Having cracked the 20-second barrier with a sizzling run over 200m - and in the process fulled comparisons with the great Usain Bolt - the question now is, how fast can Gout Gout go?How long's a piece of string?" said Gout's coach and mentor, Di Sheppard, after he clocked 19.67sec at the Australian championships in Sydney on Sunday. Continue reading...

Congratulations pour in from across EU, with leaders from Spain, Poland, France, Britain, Denmark, Romania, Sweden and beyond hailing a new chapter

Australian prime minister says it's disappointing' that there was no resolution on freedom of movement during weekend's talks

Officials grant Grade II* protection to rare building that raises more questions than it answers'It is an elite list with some of the most significant and beautiful buildings and structures in England, including Battersea power station, Middlesbrough's Transporter Bridge and the London Coliseum.Now the Grade II* landmarks are being joined by a mysterious, limestone rubble barn" on a grassy knoll in the Lake District, which was most recently used as a shelter for sheep and cows. Continue reading...

Peter Magyar's Tisza party wins election as prime minister concedes defeat, in result likely to reshape ties with EU

Appointment part of senior defence changes as navy chief Mark Hammond promoted to chief of defence force

This blog is now closed. Our live coverage continues hereA post about an hour ago on the Israel Defense Forces Telegram channel claimed that overnight, the IDF identified a rocket launcher positioned and ready to launch toward the State of Israel in the area of Jouaiyya in southern Lebanon".Shortly after the identification, the launcher was struck and dismantled in a rapid closure cycle, thwarting the launch before it could be carried out. Continue reading...

Musician says he wanted to attend the protest despite the consequences a potential arrest could have on his music careerMassive Attack frontman Robert Del Naja has been arrested on suspicion of showing support for a proscribed organisation after attending a mass protest against the ban on Palestine Action in central London on Saturday.Del Naja, also known as 3D, was among hundreds of fellow demonstrators in Trafalgar Square on Saturday afternoon, holding a sign that read I Oppose Genocide, I Support Palestine Action". Continue reading...

Exclusive: Documents viewed by Guardian Australia reveal private prison contractor told staff restraints must be used' for all risk levels

This live blog is now closed. You can read more about election night hereEurope correspondentNot a regular observer of Hungarian politics? We've got you. Continue reading...

Ministers admit carer's allowance penalties will continue while review of more than 200,000 cases is carried outThousands of unpaid carers will continue to be hit with hefty and potentially unfair benefit repayment demands, it has emerged, as a government initiative gets under way to fix welfare injustices that have drawn comparison to the Post Office scandal.Ministers will on Monday launch an audit of more than 200,000 historical carer's allowance benefit cases, with an estimated 25,000 carers issued with unlawful overpayments since 2015 likely to see their repayment debts cancelled or reduced as a result. Continue reading...

Campaigners welcome first update of school food standards in 13 years, which aims to help lower obesity ratesThe government is to announce an overhaul to school food standards in England that will lead to calorific classics such as fish and chips and steamed sponges being banned.The new rules of the first major update to school food standards in 13 years will apply from September. They are part of efforts to lower the rates of childhood obesity, with data for 2024 released by the NHS in January showing that 24% of nursery and primary school children were overweight or living with obesity. Continue reading...