Rafa Trzaskowski still favourite to win as first round begins, despite KO's slow progress on promises since 2023Poles are voting in the first round of the presidential election on Sunday, in a vote seen a make or break" moment for the country's pro-European coalition government, which is still attempting to reverse damage inflicted on the rule of law by the previous populist-nationalist administration it ousted two years ago.Rafa Trzaskowski, the staunchly pro-European centrist Warsaw mayor from the prime minister Donald Tusk's Civic Coalition (KO), is the favourite to win the election, but his lead over his conservative rival, the historian Karol Nawrocki, has narrowed over the last few weeks of the campaign. Continue reading...
A far-right win is real possibility in eastern European state on same day as votes in Poland and PortugalRomanians are voting in a pivotal presidential run-off that could radically alter their country's strategic alignment and economic prospects, as voters in Poland and Portugal also cast their ballots in a European electoral super Sunday".The Romanian contest, the most consequential of the three, pits a brash, EU-critical, Trump-admiring populist against a centrist independent in a knife-edge vote that analysts have called most important in the country's post-communist history. Continue reading...
Zelenskyy attacks Kremlin over killing of civilians in minibus as European leaders remain focused on keeping troops out of Ukraine. What we know on day 1,180US president Donald Trump will speak to Vladimir Putin on Monday to stop the bloodbath" war in Ukraine, saying the conflict is killing thousands of soldiers a week, AND TRADE." Trump wrote on social media he would follow-up that chat with another with Volodymyr Zelenskyy so the war WILL END," Oliver Millman reports.The leaders of Germany and Italy said Europe is a long way away from deploying any troops in Ukraine as all efforts remained focused on an unconditional ceasefire deal from Russia. Friedrich Merz, Germany's chancellor, said there was no reason" to talk about troops, adding we are far from that."Zelenskyy called for tougher sanctions on Moscow after a Russian strike on a minibus killed 9 people. Ukraine said the vehicle was evacuating civilians from a town in the Sumy region that has recently come under repeated Russian attacks. All the deceased were civilians," Zelenskyy wrote on X. And the Russians could not have failed to understand what kind of vehicle they were targeting. This was a deliberate killing of civilians."The Ukrainian president has been meeting with a slate of leaders in Rome as he appeals for support in the ongoing talks. On X, Zelenskyy said he's focused on a ceasefire, humanitarian commitments from allies and efforts to rebuild Ukraine once the conflict ends.US secretary of state Marco Rubio suggested the Vatican could serve as a future venue for Russia-Ukraine peace talks, building on Pope Leo XIV's vow to make every effort" to help end the war. I think it's a place that both sides would be comfortable going," Rubio told reporters.Russia's foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, spoke with Rubio and said he welcomed the positive role" of the US in helping to continue talks between the Kremlin and Ukraine.But Russia's lead negotiator invoked the Kremlin's past wars as it threatened the potential for a long conflict in Ukraine, Pjotr Sauer reports. We don't want war, but we are ready to fight for a year, two, three - as long as it takes," Vladimir Medinsky reportedly told his Ukrainian counterparts. We fought with Sweden for 21 years. How long are you ready to fight?"Canada's prime minister, Mark Carney, reaffirmed the country's support for Ukraine in his first face-to-face meeting with Zelenskyy. Canadian people will stand in steadfast and unwavering support," Carney told the Ukrainian president. We underscore that there can be no peace without the full support and participation of Ukraine, and that you have our absolute support." The two met in Rome during the inaugural mass of the newly elected Pope. Continue reading...
Two pro-Palestinian protesters try to rush on stage as Yuval Raphael sings New Day Will Rise in BaselA Eurovision song contest crew member was hit with paint after two people tried to rush on stage to disrupt Israeli singer Yuval Raphael's performance on Saturday, organisers in Basel said.
Exclusive: Agreement could cut airport queues, caused by need to have passports stamped after BrexitBritish holidaymakers could face shorter airport queues this summer with negotiators on the verge of striking an agreement for UK passport holders to use e-gates across Europe.Downing Street said on Saturday that it was poised to strike a deal with the EU that would improve things for British families facing queues on holiday". Continue reading...
Two aircraft crashed just after noon on Saturday in wooded area near Eura airport in south-west of countryFive people were killed when two helicopters collided and crashed in a wooded area near Eura airport in south-western Finland, police have said.Police said the mid-air collision occurred shortly after noon on Saturday near the town of Kauttua, with the wreckage falling 700 metres from the Ohikulkutie road. Continue reading...
Man, 26, apprehended at Luton airport by counter-terrorism police in connection with fires that included damage to a carA second man has been arrested in connection with suspected arson attacks on two properties in London and a vehicle linked to Keir Starmer, police have said.
Met police say the three charged under National Security Act for allegedly assisting Iranian foreign intelligence serviceThree men have appeared in court charged under the National Security Act on suspicion of assisting the Iranian foreign intelligence service.Mostafa Sepahvand, 39, of St John's Wood, Farhad Javadi Manesh, 44, of Kensal Rise, and Shapoor Qalehali Khani Noori, 55, of Ealing, appeared before Westminster magistrates court on Saturday. Continue reading...
Keir Starmer says Britons have moved on but many in Thurrock think they were lied to in debate about leaving EUWhen Keir Starmer was asked last week whether he thought Britons had finally moved on from the issue of Brexit, his answer was a definitive yes.It's not difficult to see why the prime minister would hope to settle the question, before a week in which he hopes to reset the UK's relationship with the EU, clearing a way for easier access to a marketplace that could help increase the economic growth he badly needs. Continue reading...
Keir Starmer did not deny a rethink of benefit cut to 10 million pensioners blamed for Labour's electoral lossesDowning Street is actively investigating changes to the controversial winter fuel payment cut over growing concerns about the policy's deep unpopularity among voters.No 10 has stepped up its work on reviewing the policy by carrying out internal polling and focus groups on how voters would respond to potential modifications to it. Continue reading...
Deal that stops short of joining customs union or single market could pay for reversing benefit cuts, party saysA deeper trade deal with the EU that stops short of joining the customs union or single market could bring in 25bn of tax revenue and pay for reversing benefit cuts, according to research cited by the Liberal Democrats.The party is writing to all Labour MPs this week asking them to join forces in a push for a much more comprehensive deal with Brussels, saying that backing closer trade ties would help revive the public finances. Continue reading...
by Edward Helmore in Englishtown, New Jersey on (#6XBKZ)
John Alite, 62, was a top earner for John Gotti, the Teflon Don - now he says he's on a mission to do things right'John Alite has big plans for Englishtown, New Jersey, a small hamlet best known for potatoes, a drag racing strip, and the Battle of Monmouth during the revolutionary wars.But not everyone is certain they want Alite, 62, having a say over municipal matters in the town of about 2,350 people, where he was appointed a council member earlier this year and comes up for confirmation early next month. Continue reading...
Ukraine president describes strike on minibus reportedly carrying mostly elderly women as deliberate killing of civilians'Nine people have been killed in a Russian drone attack on a minibus Ukraine says was evacuating civilians, prompting Volodymyr Zelenskyy to call for tougher sanctions on Moscow.Local authorities said that most of those killed were elderly women being evacuated from Bilopillya, a town in the Sumy region that has come under repeated Russian attack. Continue reading...
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...
Euthanasia is most common response to welfare incidents in sheep, pigs and cattle with about 4% of animals experiencing serious incidents, research finds
by Jason Burke International security correspondent on (#6XBDZ)
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...
by Guardian staff and agencies in Mexico City on (#6XBAS)
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...
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...
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...
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