by Rob Davies, Simon Goodley and Anna Isaac on (#74KAY)
Mikhail Khodorkovsky says Russian security services may seek to create a sense of vulnerability' in BritainVladimir Putin is likely to stage another Salisbury-style attack on UK soil unless the government adopts more aggressive tactics against the Kremlin, the exiled Russian billionaire Mikhail Khodorkovsky has said.The former oil tycoon has emerged as a leading figure in Russian diaspora opposition circles and claims to be well-informed about current thinking and developments among Moscow's elite. Continue reading...
Five miles from their former city zoo, seven gorillas are exploring their new African forest' homeIt has been an eventful few months for Bristol's gorillas. The troop made headlines around the world when an urban explorer snapped pictures of them looking downbeat in their old, almost deserted home near the city centre. Then they were moved - under armed police escort - to a new out-of-town base and promptly suffered a shock bereavement.On Monday, in warm spring sunshine, the western lowland gorillas were to be found exploring a new woodland habitat at Bristol Zoo Project, five miles from their former city home. They clambered up the horse chestnut tree, as tall as a three-storey building, sampled the green shoots of a hawthorn and scanned the floor for treats. Continue reading...
Tehran says it will confront any land attack, as Trump says regime's export hub on Kharg Island could be taken very easily'. Plus, how Americans can rebuild their country's once robust peace movementGood morning.Iran has warned the US that it is prepared to confront any ground assault, accusing Washington of secretly planning a land attack while publicly seeking talks, as the war that has killed thousands of people and caused the biggest ever disruption to global energy supplies entered its second month.What has Donald Trump said? In an interview published last night, the president did little to assuage those concerns, telling the Financial Times that his preference would be to take the oil" in Iran, and saying of Iran's crucial export hub on Kharg Island: We could take it very easily."This is a developing story. Follow the liveblog here.Why is this important to Cuba? The thousands of barrels of crude would provide significant relief to Cuba, which, according to its president, Miguel Diaz-Canel, has not received any oil imports for three months, leading to strict rationing of gasoline and exacerbating an energy crisis that has resulted in multiple power outages across the country. Continue reading...
Exclusive: UK owner's version of Old Man with a Gold Chain reunited in Chicago with undisputed work by Dutch masterA portrait in a UK collection that has long been dismissed as a workshop copy of an almost identical painting by Rembrandt was in fact also painted by the 17th-century Dutch master, according to a leading scholar.Each of the paintings, titled Old Man with a Gold Chain and dated to the early 1630s, is a near-lifesize depiction of an older man wearing a gold chain and a plumed hat. Continue reading...
President is convening so-called God squad' to override provisions of Endangered Species Act for national security'Donald Trump is dispatching a so-called God squad" of top officials to revoke protections for endangered species in the Gulf of Mexico, purportedly to protect national security by expanding oil and gas industry operations.If successful, the administration may kill off dozens of protected species - from Rice's whales and whooping cranes to sea turtles. Continue reading...
The actor and comedian, posting on X, said that unlike in today's universities' the military would teach young people how truly great their country is'The actor and comedian Rob Schneider has urged the US to restore the military draft for our nation's young people" amid the ongoing war with Iran.Posting on X, Schneider, 62, who has not served in the military, wrote: Continue reading...
Review of Kai Schwemmer's broadcasts undermines claim process of growth' had led him to abandon bigoted viewsThe newly appointed College Republicans of America political director Kai Schwemmer has made racist, antisemitic, homophobic and sexist statements while espousing extremist rightwing views on abortion, a Guardian review of livestream recordings can reveal.Schwemmer said he would accept a world in which slavery was legal if abortion was criminalised, describes himself as very much an anti universal suffrage guy" and accepts a supporter's description of him as our Mormon Nick Fuentes" - referring to the white nationalist influencer whose platform he streamed on for years. Continue reading...
Woman assaulted after man was given key card to her room criticises CEO Jo Boydell over cancelled meetingA woman who was sexually assaulted by a man who was handed a key card to her room at a Travelodge has said she was shocked to learn the hotel chain's boss cancelled a meeting with a group of MPs seeking to discuss concerns about the case.More than 20 MPs had demanded the meeting this month to discuss the matter - including details of the chain's security processes and procedures that led to it offering the victim an insulting" 30 refund after the incident. Continue reading...
Abnormally strong jet stream triggers deluge in Middle East, while north Africa braces for 60-80mph gustsAn unusual weather pattern unleashed severe thunderstorms across parts of the Middle East last week, battering countries including the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. The Arabian peninsula - typically dominated by arid desert climates - received up to 150mm of rain in just a few days.The deluge was caused by an abnormally strong jet stream, which helped a deep area of low pressure to develop north of Saudi Arabia. This, in turn, drew moist tropical air from the Indian Ocean and triggered intense storms. Continue reading...
Twenty-two defendants, including intelligence agents and police, accused of committing crimes on behalf of Freemason mafiaTwenty-two people are to stand trial in France from Monday on charges of murder and other serious crimes centred on a masonic lodge accused of running hit squads.Seven defendants - including former intelligence agents, soldiers and businessmen - face possible life sentences. Prosecutors allege the group carried out murder, attempted murder, aggravated assault and criminal conspiracy on behalf of a mafia network inside the Athanor lodge in the Paris suburb of Puteaux. Continue reading...
by Cait Kelly, Benita Kolovos and Catie McLeod on (#74JZP)
Victoria police commissioner Mike Bush said the shooting was justified' and brought closure to the families of two police officers allegedly killed by Freeman in Porepunkah in August
Drivers planning nearly 21m leisure journeys from Thursday to Monday despite soaring fuel prices, say expertsThe four-day bank holiday weekend is expected to be the busiest Easter on the roads in four years, despite a surge in fuel prices caused by the conflict in the Middle East.Drivers are planning nearly 21m leisure journeys between Thursday and Easter Monday, according to a study by the RAC and the traffic analytics specialists Inrix. Continue reading...
New agreement delayed amid home secretary Shabana Mahmood's demands for more interceptions of dinghiesA renewed deal between the UK and France to stop small boat Channel crossings has not yet been signed, with a day to go before the current one expires, raising questions about whether people smugglers will be able to act unimpeded from later this week.Rishi Sunak and Emmanuel Macron announced the previous 468m deal on 10 March 2023, weeks before it came into force. The UK pays two-thirds of the cost of policing France's northern border and the current agreement expires on Tuesday. Discussions on it began last July at the 37th UK-France summit and British officials travelled to Paris last week for another round of talks. Continue reading...
Millions are dipping into savings or borrowing to get by as the Iran war drives up prices, survey showsThe Iran war has led to a surge in pessimism in the UK as half of households are already struggling to afford everyday essentials.The escalating conflict in the Middle East, which has driven the price of oil, gas, crop fertiliser and other raw materials sharply higher, threatens to cause another cost of living shock. Continue reading...
Four masked men entered Magnani Rocca Foundation villa, near Parma in northern Italy, and made off with artworksThieves stole paintings by Renoir, Cezanne and Matisse from a museum in Italy a week ago, police have said.Four masked men entered the villa of the Magnani Rocca Foundation, near Parma in northern Italy, and made off with the artworks on the night of 22 March, a police spokesperson said, confirming a report on the Rai television network. Continue reading...
Exclusive: Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Italy and Slovakia actively pursue regressive policies, watchdog findsGovernments in five EU member states are consistently and intentionally" eroding the rule of law, Europe's leading civil liberties group has warned, while democratic standards are deteriorating in six more, including historically strong democracies.Drawing on evidence from more than 40 NGOs in 22 countries, the Civil Liberties Union for Europe (Liberties) described the governments of Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Italy and Slovakia as dismantlers" that were actively weakening the rule of law. Continue reading...
Charity believes Middle East crisis may lead to even busier spring and summer in 2026The number of people helped by RNLI lifeguards on the beaches of the UK and the Channel Islands doubled last year and the charity believes the Middle East crisis may lead to an even busier spring and summer in 2026.While RNLI lifeguards went to the aid of about 18,000 people in 2023 and 2024, this leapt to more than 35,000 in 2025, the spike put down to a combination of good weather and an increased interest in seaside pursuits. Continue reading...
Even after electoral disaster, Iran war gives many MPs pause for thought about timing of leadership contestA week after Labour's election victory in July 2024, officials at Labour HQ held their first crisis meeting about the May 2026 local elections.The party had just secured a 174-seat majority and already strategists were predicting it would be very tough, though none were assuming the prime minister's own position would be vulnerable. Continue reading...
Apology published in News Corp paper as part of agreed joint statement to resolve legal dispute over undercover' story, with Cairo also apologising to activist Ofir Birenbaum
by Adam Fulton, Lucy Campbell, Kyriakos Petrakos, Yoh on (#74JJV)
This live blog has now closed. Our coverage of the US-Israel war on Iran and the wider crisis in the Middle East continues hereIran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, has condemned Israel's killing of three journalists in Lebanon on Saturday.On his Telegram, Araghchi said the killings amounted to targeted assassination" and flagrant violation of international law". He said they were a way of silencing the voices of those who tell the truth". Continue reading...
The factories, which buy cheap crude and turn it into fuel, are struggling as higher oil prices threaten their razor-sharp marginsThe towns that are the bulwark of China's energy security can, at a moment of global crisis, appear deceptively quiet. Trucks carrying oil trundle along wide-open highways that have little traffic, while a few boarded-up shops in crumbling low-rise buildings hint at a long-forgotten local buzz.A ramshackle noodle shop serving hand-pulled ribbons of dough was empty at lunchtime, save for a few construction workers and a teacher watching videos on Douyin, the social media platform, with his meal. Continue reading...
by Jessica Elgot Deputy political editor on (#74JYD)
PM will also cite Iran war as reason to stick with Labour, as party adopts new slogan: Pride in Britain'Keir Starmer will say that a vote for Reform UK will put at risk progress Labour is making on the cost of living, arguing that Britain's values are being tested in a volatile world.Launching the party's local elections campaign with a new slogan: Pride in Britain", Starmer will urge voters to stay the course with Labour. A dire set of results are predicted for the party in Wales, Scotland and English councils, especially in the north-east of England and London. Continue reading...
Model posted pictures of herself naked and in her full power' to celebrate Mother's Day, before Meta took them down for breaching nudity guidelinesThe model Erin O'Connor has spoken out about the need for social media platforms to apply clearer, more context-sensitive guidelines" after Instagram repeatedly removed two nude photographs she had posted on Mother's Day, celebrating her heavily pregnant body.The photos - which were removed, reinstated and then removed again by the platform - were taken in 2014 when O'Connor, who is 48, was eight and half months' pregnant with her son Albert. Continue reading...
Fresh attacks on Red Sea shipping would be devastating - but the Iranian proxy has reasons to be cautiousThe true significance of the long-awaited entry of Yemen's Houthis into the Iran war depends on whether the Tehran-backed proxy group is intending to send a few missiles and drones from a distance towards Israel or will instead capitalise on its proximity to the narrow Bab al-Mandab strait to effectively close off the Red Sea to shipping, just as Iran has in effect shut the strait of Hormuz.The combined effect of both waterways being shut to commercial traffic from countries that neither the Iranians nor Houthis favour would be devastating. Napoleon Bonaparte's remark that the policy of a state lies in its geography" has never seemed more apt. Continue reading...
Conflict shows signs of entering new, more dangerous phase as additional 3,500 US troops arrive in the Middle EastUS lawmakers responded to reports that the Pentagon is preparing for weeks of ground operations in Iran, as thousands of US troops assemble in the Middle East and the conflict showed signs of entering a new, more dangerous phase.Officials told the Washington Post that a ground operation in Iran could be limited to raids by Special Operations forces and infantry troops, but it was unclear whether Donald Trump would approve any of the Pentagon's plans. Continue reading...
by Denis Campbell, Michael Goodier and Carmen Aguilar on (#74JV2)
Exclusive: Health secretary's pledges in doubt as analysis shows health service will not deliver key improvementsThe NHS is set to miss key targets to shorten waiting times for help at A&E, cancer care and planned hospital treatment, leaving millions of patients facing persistently long delays.The health service in England will not deliver a series of milestone improvements in its performance that ministers demanded it achieve by the time the fiscal year ends on Tuesday, a Guardian analysis of the NHS's most recent data has found. Continue reading...
Weak and sick mammal has become stuck in shallow bays and experts say prognosis doesn't look good'The fate of a humpback whale stuck in shallow bays off Germany's Baltic coast hangs in the balance after it became stranded for a third time.The roughly 10-metre-long (33ft) mammal appeared weakened and sick on Sunday and was struggling to find a route back to the Atlantic when it ran into fresh difficulty. Continue reading...
Police say seven people sustained serious but not life-threatening injuries' and they are keeping an open mind about motives'A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a car struck several pedestrians on one of Derby's busiest streets.Derbyshire police said seven people were injured, sustaining a range of serious but not life-threatening injuries", in the incident in Friar Gate at about 9.30pm on Saturday. The force said that contrary to online speculation" there were no deaths.
Exclusive: Pubs, restaurants and hotels warn of mounting pressure days before rates rises and higher wage bills take effectOne in five hospitality businesses fear collapse in the next 12 months, according to an industry-wide survey that comes days before rises in tax and employment costs kick in.From Wednesday, many pub, restaurant and hotel companies face the prospect of a higher bill for business rates paid to their local authority, while an increase in minimum wage thresholds takes effect on the same day. Continue reading...
Following the US-Israeli strikes on Iran, gas prices, grocery bills and mortgage rates have all climbedThe US-Israel war against Iran has sent shockwaves through global markets, leaving many Americans grappling with a growing financial squeeze on everyday living costs.Following the US-Israeli strikes on Iran - prompting retaliatory attacks on US allies in the region and Iran's decision to close the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime passage - costs have surged across the US. Gas prices, in particular, have spiked sharply, with the national average rising by roughly 30% over the past month. Grocery bills, mortgage rates and fertilizer costs have also climbed. Continue reading...
Attendees at Conservative Political Action Conference express support and concerns amid rift over Trump's actionWherever you go, there you are, the saying goes. It was a lesson Donald Trump's Maga faithful may have been reminded of last week when they gathered in a convention center near Dallas for a revival of the president's political movement, only to find that there was no escape from the problems it faces.The annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) is usually a place of optimism, if not, triumph. It was on its stage last year that Elon Musk pumped a chainsaw in the air amid his abortive foray into clear cutting government bureaucracy, and where JD Vance named undocumented immigration as the greatest threat" facing the United States and Europe. Trump is a regular, regaling the audience with lengthy monologues about his accomplishments. Continue reading...
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