Airlander maker HAV scales up to build world's biggest aircraft, which it says will have 90% lower emissions than a conventional planeIt's a dreary day in Bedford, but on a flight simulator the skies above San Francisco airport are blue and the wind is low. That is a good thing, because there is an amateur at the joystick of the world's biggest aircraft.The flight simulator models trips by the Airlander 10, which is part airship, part aeroplane. If all goes to plan for its designer, Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV), two dozen will be built each year from 2030 at a factory in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Continue reading...
Nathan Gill is accused of agreeing to receive money to make statements benefiting' Russian narrative on UkraineA former leader of Reform UK in Wales agreed to receive money to make statements benefiting" the Russian narrative on Ukraine while serving as an MEP, a court has been told.Details of the allegations against Nathan Gill, who served as a member of the European parliament for Ukip and later the Brexit party from 2014 to 2020, were laid out at Westminster magistrates court on Monday. Continue reading...
Kindoki Witch Boy film tells true story of Mardoche Yembi who underwent an exorcism as a childThousands of children in England have been falsely accused of witchcraft over the past decade, according to new figures that come alongside a film released on Monday.Faith-based abuse is a worldwide phenomenon but experts found 14,000 social work assessments linked to witchcraft accusations since 2015. In the year running to March 2024 alone, there were 2,180 assessments linked to witchcraft.Children accused of witchcraft can call Childline on 0800 1111 or NSPCC on 0808 800 500. Continue reading...
Global chart dominated by US acts including Benson Boone, Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish and Sabrina Carpenter, with K-pop bands also strongBritish pop stars have failed to reach the worldwide annual charts of the year's Top 10 biggest singles and albums for the first time in more than two decades.In 2022, UK acts such as Harry Styles and Glass Animals made up seven of the 20 entries in the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) list. This year, the leading UK act was producer and singer Artemas, for I Like the Way You Kiss Me.Taylor Swift - The Tortured Poets DepartmentBillie Eilish - Hit Me Hard and SoftSabrina Carpenter - Short n' SweetEnhypen - Romance: UntoldSZA - SOSSeventeen - Spill the FeelsMorgan Wallen - One Thing at a TimeSeventeen - 17 Is Right HereNoah Kahan - Stick SeasonStray Kids - ATEBenson Boone - Beautiful ThingsSabrina Carpenter - EspressoTeddy Swims - Lose ControlBillie Eilish - Birds of a FeatherShaboozey - A Bar Song (Tipsy)Hozier - Too SweetPost Malone - I Had Some Help ft Morgan WallenKendrick Lamar - Not Like UsTaylor Swift - Cruel SummerNoah Kahan - Stick Season Continue reading...
Environment Agency warns of risk of river and surface flooding, as climate crisis brings warmer and wetter wintersFlood warnings are in place across the UK after a weekend of heavy rain and high winds.As sunshine and scattered showers moved in on Monday, flood warnings were issued across much of Wales, the south and south-west of England and a few in central Scotland. Continue reading...
by Sally Weale Education correspondent on (#6VFRX)
Research reveals UK institutions educated 50 world leaders in post in 2022, despite job cuts, course closures and a fall in foreign studentsUniversities in the UK, many of which are in the grip of a financial crisis, educate more national leaders than any other country in the world", according to analysis.Research by Jisc, the UK's higher education digital, data and technology agency, found UK institutions had educated 50 world leaders who were in post in 2022, with the US in second place with 41, followed by the Russian Federation (14) and France (six). Continue reading...
by Seán Clarke, with design by Harry Fischer on (#6VFK0)
With all seats assigned, Friedrich Merz's CDU/CSU conservatives will be the biggest party in the Bundestag, but the far-right AfD have come second. Find full results from every constituency
In today's newsletter: The far-right AfD may have come second, but at 20% they have been held off by the performance of mainstream parties, with the CDU leader Friedrich Merz on course to be the new chancellorGood morning. Germany's elections always matter far beyond the country's borders - but yesterday's vote could be the most important in a generation.After decades as the stable linchpin of European liberal democracy, Germany has found itself sucked into the same crises that are erupting all over the continent - over its economy, attitudes to immigration and the war in Ukraine. And after the shocking interventions of JD Vance and Elon Musk in favour of the far-right Alternative fur Deutschland (AfD) party, the election became a symbol of a wider struggle for ideological supremacy - and posed a serious question over whether the centre can hold across the continent.Ukraine | Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he is not willing to cave in to intense pressure from the Trump administration to sign a $500bn minerals deal - adding that that he was ready to quit as president if it meant peace for Ukraine" or membership of Nato.Catholicism | Pope Francis, who is battling pneumonia and a complex lung infection, remains in a critical condition, the Vatican has said. Archbishop Rino Fisichella, a senior Vatican official, told participants at a mass in St Peter's Basilica on Sunday morning they should make their prayers for Francis stronger and more intense".Afghanistan | The Taliban have arrested a British couple in their 70s for teaching mothers parenting with children". Peter Reynolds, 79, and his wife, Barbie, 75, have been running projects in schools in Afghanistan for 18 years.Farming | Hospitals, schools and prisons are to be urged to buy more British food, as part of a government push to heal a rift with farmers over changes to inheritance tax. The environment secretary, Steve Reed, will set a target of sourcing at least half of public sector food from farms with the highest welfare standards, which should benefit British producers.Green economy | The net zero sector is growing three times faster than the overall UK economy, analysis has found, providing high-wage jobs across the country while cutting climate-heating emissions and increasing energy security. 22,000 net zero businesses generated 83bn in gross value added last year. Continue reading...
Two-thirds of businesses surveyed by trade bodies say jobs will go as they urge government to delay changesMore than two-thirds of hospitality businesses will reduce staffing as a result of tax changes taking effect in April, according to research by industry bodiescalling on the government to delay the changes.The survey of pubs, bars, restaurants and hotels found that 70% expected to cut back on employment levels because of the higher costs and reduction in rates relief announced in last autumn's budget. Continue reading...
by Jillian Ambrose Energy correspondent on (#6VFQ2)
Company says energy sector survey findings are at odds with satisfaction data from other bodiesBritish Gas has again emerged as Britain's worst energy supplier for customer service after a slide in satisfaction over the last six months, figures from a leading consumer group reveal.A Which? report shared with the Guardian found that the service offered by British Gas has worsened across all its satisfaction measures since its last analysis of the energy sector last year. Continue reading...
Aides say prime minister will try to balance the UK and Europe's interests while retaining good relations with unpredictable US presidentThe first time Keir Starmer met Donald Trump, the prime minister had a convivial two-hour dinner with the then presidential candidate in his luxury New York apartment, before Trump dimmed the lights to show off the Manhattan skyline.The stakes at the two leaders' second meeting at the White House this Thursday will be much higher. It will take place days after the third anniversary of Russia's full scale invasion of Ukraine, amid tensions at the United Nations and during a turbulent period in transatlantic relations. Continue reading...
Friedrich Merz can rebuild European relationships and be a driving force on defence spending, but faces Trump's upending of postwar certaintiesGermany has long been seen as the EU's indispensable nation" - the biggest, richest and most consequential power. But in recent years Berlin has widely been regarded as missing in action in the EU, hobbled by internecine feuding in a coalition government that has caused flip-flops and delayed decisions.Olaf Scholz has a cool relationship with Emmanuel Macron, slowing down the fabled Franco-German motor that powers the EU. The Polish-German relationship has also been rocky, strained by disputes over European air defence and historical grievances. Continue reading...
Continent is being told to take more responsibility for its own defence in light of US president's overtures to PutinA few days after Vladimir Putin sent Russia's invading forces into Ukraine in February 2022, the EU's then foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, asked his staff for an urgent military aid plan. They came up with 50m (41.4m) to help Ukraine.And I said: Are you crazy? We are talking about a war,'" Borrell recounted in late 2024, shortly before standing down. Do you know what does it mean, a war? Put three zeros behind! ... And then we started taking things seriously." Continue reading...
Screen Actors Guild awards go to Shgun and Conclave ensembles, while Jane Fonda gives a rousing political speech while accepting a life achievement awardTimothee Chalamet has won best actor in a surprise upset at the 2025 Screen Actors Guild awards for his performance as Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown, with Demi Moore and the ensembles of Shgun and Conclave also winning big.Chalamet won best male actor in a leading role, his first in an awards race that has been led all season by The Brutalist's Adrien Brody, who has picked up the Golden Globe, Bafta and Critics' Choice awards and is still widely predicted to win the Oscar next week. Continue reading...
Results show CDU/CSU will be largest party but success of Alternative fur Deutschland likely to complicate formation of a governmentThe conservative opposition has won the most votes in Germany's general election, but a dramatic surge by the far-right Alternative fur Deutschland (AfD) is likely to complicate the formation of a government to help spearhead a European response to growing global threats.The CDU/CSU candidate, Friedrich Merz, was preparing on Sunday night to try to form a ruling coalition after clinching almost 29% of the vote from a high turnout. Continue reading...
by Helen Livingstone (now), Maya Yang and Jakub Krupa on (#6VFB8)
This blog has now closed. You can read our full report on the election here and find all our coverage of the election hereOpinion is divided as Germany faces what some describe as the most important election in their lifetime". The country is expected to shift to the right as Friedrich Merz is in pole position to become Germany's next chancellor, while far-right party AfD could become the second most powerful party.So earlier today I asked voters at a polling station in central Berlin what they expected from the election and what they wanted the next chancellor to focus on. Continue reading...
Government ruled out giving 10bn to women born in 1950s whose pensionable age was raised to be equal with menCampaigners have threatened the government with legal action unless it reconsiders its decision to rule out spending 10bn compensating Waspi" (Women Against State Pension Inequality) women hit by the change in the state pension age.Last March, the parliamentary and health service ombudsman recommended compensation should be paid to women born in the 1950s whose pensionable age was gradually raised to be equal with men, arguing the changes had not been properly communicated to them. Continue reading...
UK prime minister and French president will separately meet Donald Trump this weekKeir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron have agreed to show united leadership in support of Ukraine" when they separately meet Donald Trump this week.The UK prime minister and the French president spoke on Sunday afternoon to reiterate the importance of Ukraine being at the centre of any negotiations to end the war, Downing Street said. Continue reading...
Business secretary says negotiations - now in their 15th round - are a top priority' for Labour governmentMinisters are relaunching negotiations with India this week in an attempt to clinch a multibillion-pound free trade agreement that they hope will boost the UK's flatlining economy.Jonathan Reynolds, the business and trade secretary, flew to Delhi on Sunday to meet his Indian counterpart, Piyush Goyal, for the first time since Labour won the election. Continue reading...
Alternative fur Deutschland projected to finish second in federal election with about 20% of the voteFor more than 150 years, the symbolism of the Siegessaule, or Victory Column, in Berlin's Tiergarten, has shifted alongside German identity: from emblem of the empire to strategic relocation by the Nazis and, finally, its adoption as an icon of Berlin's legendary love parade.On Sunday, as throngs of people gathered in its shadow, the golden statue bore witness to yet another shift - an election that had yielded an emboldened far right in a result that was unprecedented in Germany's postwar history. Continue reading...
Songs by the reluctant performer have been covered by The War on Drugs, Wilco, Pavement and Marc AlmondThe folk singer Bill Fay, known for songs such as The Healing Day and Thank You Lord, has died aged 81, his record label has announced with great sadness".Fay began work on his latest album just a month before his death, and his label Dead Oceans said they hoped to find a way to finish and release it". Continue reading...
Public asked to help with investigation after postmortem examination in October failed to find any DNAHe was wearing a wetsuit when police found his body floating in a Welsh reservoir in October. No clothes or belongings were discovered on the shoreline, and no car or bicycle was found nearby, despite it being a seven-mile hike to the nearest bus stop.A postmortem examination failed to find any DNA or fingerprint matches and two police appeals for information about the man were unsuccessful. Continue reading...
The country faces weeks or even months of coalition negotiations after no party won a majorityIt has been a extraordinary election in Germany, and the result has been keenly awaited around the world to see what new government might emerge in Europe's largest but ailing economy.Exit polls show a clear win for the CDU/CSU centre-right alliance, followed by the far-right Alternative fur Deutschland (AfD) - an anti-Islam party that has advocated remigration" for migrants as well as German citizens deemed to have integrated poorly - in second place. Continue reading...
Pontiff had fallen into critical condition, receiving high flows of oxygen and blood transfusions in hospital as he battles complex lung infectionPope Francis, who is battling pneumonia and a complex lung infection, remains in a critical condition, the Vatican has said.The pontiff, 88, was admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital on 14 February and was subsequently diagnosed with a respiratory tract infection and pneumonia in both lungs. Continue reading...
Teetering designs, upside-down fabrics and garments made from offcuts created a feel of topsy-turvy dramaWhere can you find the author Daphne du Maurier and the sculptor Phyllida Barlow, along with the actor Tippi Hedren and the costume designer Edith Head? Only at London fashion week.All four women were muses for designers on the third day of catwalks. Barlow's uncompromising art was the inspiration at Roksanda, where vast ballgowns in bright felt wobbled perilously on the 16th floor of an empty brutalist office block, channeling the audacious spirit of Barlow's teetering towers of fabric, rope, chicken wire or papier-mache. Continue reading...
Continued operation in Palestinian territory will leave 40,000 displaced people unable to return homeIsrael has sent tanks to the West Bank city of Jenin, in the first deployment of its kind in the area in more than two decades, as troops intensify operations in the territory that officials said will last at least a year.The Israeli defence minister, Israel Katz, said on Sunday that the latest operation across the West Bank was expanding, and that troops would remain in the area's urban hotspots for the coming year", meaning approximately 40,000 people displaced by the fighting will not be able to return to their homes. Continue reading...
Peter and Barbie Reynolds were detained in Bamiyan provice for teaching mothers parenting with children'The Taliban have arrested a British couple in their 70s for teaching mothers parenting with children".Peter Reynolds, 79, and his wife, Barbie, 75, were detained when returning to their home in the Bamiyan province on 1 February. Continue reading...
Formal identification of body discovered in remote area in Teesdale yet to take place, says Durham policeA body has been found in the search for a young runner who went missing five days ago.Jenny Hall, 23, was last seen leaving her home in Barracks Farm, County Durham, just after 3pm on Tuesday. Continue reading...
First Ukrainian refugee to arrive in UK after Russia invasion says even the British dogs are better behaved, but that the weather is sad'Sharing a bowl of homemade Ukrainian borscht with your neighbours is one way to make friends in a new country, according to the first refugee to arrive in the UK after Russia invaded her country three years ago.Ukrainian refugee Valentyna Klymova, 72, now settled in Erith in Kent, has done just that, lovingly preparing the traditional soup containing beetroot, other vegetables and meat stock, served with a dollop of sour cream and rye bread. She offers it to English people she knows and says it has had a positive reception. In turn, she has embraced quintessentially British fish and chips, although she has not yet tried to cook it at home. Continue reading...
Hasan Nasrallah, one of the founding members of Hezbollah, was killed during Israeli bombing in SeptemberTens of thousands of people have attended a funeral in Beirut for Hassan Nasrallah, who led the Iran-backed, Lebanese militia and political party Hezbollah for three decades before being killed in an Israeli bombing last September.The ceremony was held in a sports stadium in the southern suburbs of Beirut, which had extra seats installed prior to the ceremony in anticipation of the massive crowds. Continue reading...
Forecaster issues amber and yellow warnings, saying torrential rain could cause fast-flowing or deep flood water'A period of torrential rain will cause danger to life from fast-flowing or deep flood water in parts of the UK, forecasters say.The Met Office has issued an amber rain warning for south and mid-Wales from Newport to Carmarthen and north to Brecon between 3pm on Sunday and 6am on Monday. Continue reading...
The prime minister also criticised Reform UK over employment rights and potential NHS charges at the Scottish Labour conferenceKeir Starmer has condemned Nigel Farage and Reform UK for talking the language of workers' rights online but wanting to charge people to use the NHS and for fawning over Putin".The prime minister said Labour must be ready for the test Farage's party presents, saying there had been a rise in dangerous rightwing politics" and those who claim to be seeking to tilt politics towards the interests of working people". Continue reading...
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