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The artist was found dead at his apartment in Nice in southern France on Saturday, his publicist saysThe self-taught Scottish painter Jack Vettriano, who became hugely popular despite being shunned by critics, has been found dead at his apartment in Nice in the south of France, his publicist has said.Vettriano, who was born Jack Hoggan on 17 November 1951 in Methil, Fife, was found on Saturday, the publicist said.Those are all great artists. Vettriano is not even an artist. He just happens to be popular, with ordinary people" who buy reproductions of his pseudo-1930s scenes of high-heeled women and monkey-suited men, and celebrities who fork out for the originals of these toneless, textureless, brainless slick corpses of paintings. I urge you to visit the National Gallery. Look at great paintings for a few hours. Now take a look at Vettriano. I'm not arguing with you; I'm telling you. I look at art every day and I know what I don't like." Continue reading...

Council of Europe's Michael O'Flaherty urged leaders not to give in to populist rhetoric over migrationEurope's most senior human rights official has said there is evidence of asylum seekers being forcibly expelled at EU borders, as he urged mainstream politicians not to concede to populists on migration.The Commissioner for Human Rights at the Council of Europe, Michael O'Flaherty, told the Guardian he was concerned about the treatment of asylum seekers at the EU's external borders in Poland and Greece, as he warned against a securitisation response" that goes too far. Continue reading...

Keir Starmer's plan to replace upper house was scaled back to scrapping hereditaries - but even that is proving difficult

Charity calls for banking industry to take totally new approach over type of financial abuse that leaves victims saddled with unpayable debtsJoanna Thomas* was working for a UK government department when she received a bonus. Her earnings, as had been the case since she got married in her early 20s, went into her only bank account: a joint one shared with her now ex-husband.The cash landed in the account in the morning. By the afternoon, her then-husband messaged to let her know he had withdrawn it all to buy a boat on eBay. Continue reading...

Big rises for BAE, Rheinmetall, Thales and Leonardo amid European push to support possible Ukraine peace deal

New York-listed Capri could reportedly agree to sell the brand back into Italian ownership this monthPrada is in talks to buy the Versace fashion brand from the US investor Capri Holdings for a price that could reportedly reach nearly 1.5bn (1.2bn).Milan-based Prada and the New York-listed Capri could reach a deal for Versace this month, Bloomberg reported, although the talks could still fall apart. Continue reading...

Mohammad Javad Zarif implies move was endorsed by supreme leader, as his exit sends stock market into a tailspin

The 3.9-magnitude quake shook the North Hollywood area late on Sunday night, but no significant reports of damage have been receivedAn earthquake has hit Los Angeles just after the Oscars ceremony wrapped up.According to a report from the United States Geological Survey, an earthquake measuring 3.9 on the Richter scale struck the North Hollywood district of the city at 22:23 local time on 2 March, with its epicentre 15km below the surface. Continue reading...

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In today's newsletter: After Friday's clash meeting in the Oval Office between Trump and Zelenskyy, Keir Starmer and his European allies will try to broker the peace Ukraine desperately needsGood morning. After the shocking treatment he received at the White House on Friday, Volodymyr Zelenskyy was on friendlier turf yesterday - but whether a bear hug from Keir Starmer and an audience with King Charles will ultimately prove consequential for the war in Ukraine is still anyone's guess.The Ukrainian president was in the UK to attend a European summit, convened by Starmer, to take steps towards new proposals that might be able to find support in Kyiv and Washington alike. And while there were some signs of European unity, the White House and its surrogates were still suggesting that Zelenskyy was guilty of some sort of insult to the United States that might be enough to make a durable peace impossible. Last night, Zelenskyy refused to say whether he believed he had been ambushed - but said that he was ready to talk to Trump again.Gaza | Israel has cut off humanitarian supplies to Gaza in an effort to pressure Hamas into accepting a change in the ceasefire agreement to allow for the release of hostages without an Israeli troop withdrawal.UK news | At least 25 undercover police officers formed sexual relationships with members of the public and deceived them about their true identity, the Guardian can disclose. The total equates to nearly a fifth of all the police spies who were sent to infiltrate political movements.Religion | Pope Francis has thanked well-wishers for their support after missing his Sunday Angelus for the third week in a row as he remains in hospital with pneumonia. The pontiff, 88, was in a stable condition after a breathing crisis on Friday.Sick pay | More than 1 million of the lowest-paid UK workers are to be guaranteed sick pay worth up to 80% of their weekly salary from the first day of sickness. The government says that 1.3 million of the UK's lowest earners will be up to 100 a week better off.Oscars 2025 | Low-budget comedy Anora has triumphed at this year's Oscars winning five awards, including best picture and best actress, while Adrien Brody took home best actor for his role in The Brutalist. Scroll down for more of the Guardian's coverage of the ceremony. Continue reading...

Best supporting actress Oscar winner addressed complaints about the Netflix musical after a journalist said it was really hurtful'

No one uttered the US president's name, and speeches bore few references to Gaza or Ukraine, focusing on the LA fires

Workers earning under 123 a week to get 80% of salary in sick pay, keeping more people off benefitsMore than 1 million of the lowest-paid UK workers are to be guaranteed sick pay worth up to 80% of their weekly salary from the first day of sickness, under changes intended to boost living standards.The UK has one of the stingiest rates of statutory sick pay in the developed world, according to the Resolution Foundation, with those earning less than 123 a week not entitled to anything. For the rest, the rate is set at just 116.75 a week at present, rising to 118.75 - or 3 an hour - for full-time workers from April, but that only kicks in after three days of sickness. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Medics more sleep deprived now than during Covid crisis amid staff shortages and surging demandOne in three doctors in the NHS are so tired that their ability to treat patients is impaired, according to a report that reveals medics are more sleep deprived now than during the Covid-19 pandemic.Longer hours, staff shortages and soaring demand for care on top of the backlog that worsened during the Covid crisis are causing extreme tiredness among doctors, leading to memory blanks, problems concentrating and patient harm. Continue reading...

Sean Baker's film picks up five awards including best picture while Israel-Palestine documentary No Other Land also gets major win

Outrage over targeting of one of New Zealand's alleged green fairies' who provide cheaper medicinal cannabis without prescriptionPolice have shut down the alleged medicinal cannabis operation of one of New Zealand's most renowned green fairies", prompting an outpouring of support from a prominent politician and the hundreds of people who rely on such products to ease their pain.Police raided the rural Northland property of 66-year-old Paul Smith - more widely known as Gandalf" - last week, destroying plants and greenhouses and seizing cannabis products. Smith was charged with cultivating, possessing for supply and selling cannabis - which could carry an eight-year jail sentence - and was summonsed to court. Continue reading...

Albanese government and opposition leader downplay prospect of sending troops to join coalition of the willing' peacekeeping force

Director who made his name with microbudget indie films wins with his self-penned drama about a lapdancer who falls for one of her clients

Former youngest-ever winner of best actor Oscar wins award again for his portrayal of fictional architect in Brady Corbet's epic drama

Sole previous scoring credit on a full-length film for the singer, guitar player and visual artist is The World to Come

Brazil's official entry beats beleaguered French favourite Emilia Perez to the podium

Self-distributed film about Israeli displacement of a Palestinian community beat out Porcelain War and Sugarcane

Warren, 68, lost out to the song El Mal from Emilia Perez

This blog has now closed. In the meantime you can read our full report on Volodymyr Zelenskyy's visit to the UK here, all our Ukraine coverage hereKemi Badenoch said she does not agree that the Oval Office clash was part of an orchestrated ambush", as some had suggested, as both Kyiv and Washington were representing their respective national interests".The leader of the opposition, Kemi Badenoch, says there is no difference between Labour and Conservative in terms of British support for Ukraine. When asked about the furious exchange between Trump and Zelenskyy at the White House, the Conservative party leader said her heart went out" to the Ukrainian president while she was watching it.I couldn't believe what was happening. He was being humiliated. I don't think we should conduct these sort of difficult conservations in front of the cameras and we have to remember that President Zelenskyy is a hero.He is the person who represents that strength and resilience of the Ukrainian people and whatever difference and difficulties we might have during negotiations we need to be able to set them aside when everyone is watching because the only person who would have liked that wild have been Vladimir Putin. Continue reading...

The award follows previous triumphs at the Baftas, Golden Globes and more

Academy Award goes to writer-director of film starring Mikey Madison as a dancer who gets married to a Russian playboy

Latvian adventure centered on a cat has triumphed over blockbusters Inside Out 2 and The Wild Robot

Committee says firms should be required to say how they will tackle modern slavery in supply chainsThe government must close loopholes that enable firms exploiting workers to undercut British businesses or risk the UK becoming a dumping ground" for goods made in poor conditions, MPs have said.In a report published on Monday, the business and trade select committee calls on the government to make it mandatory for companies to say how they will tackle modern slavery in their supply chain and to introduce bigger penalties for firms that do not comply, including naming and shaming" businesses. Continue reading...

Sluggish' pace in tackling gender pay gap and worsening employment levels push UK back to 18th in PwC index of OECD countriesWomen's worsening unemployment and participation in the workforce has pulled the UK behind Canada to its lowest ranking for workplace equality among large economies in a decade.The sluggish" pace of change on women's earnings relative to men's - which means closing the gender pay gap could take more than 30 years at the current pace - has knocked the UK back one place to 18th in the Women in Work Index produced by advisory firm PwC. Continue reading...

Employers lobby group says business activity is falling with most firms expecting worse to comeBusiness activity across the UK private sector declined in the last three months, a survey has found, as weak consumer spending hits companies.The latest growth indicator produced by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) shows that UK private sector activity fell again in the three months to February, at a faster rate than in the quarter to January. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Housing minister says overhaul of feudal-era system would take place before end of this parliamentThe housing minister has promised to abolish the centuries-old leasehold system in England and Wales before the end of this parliament, as the government takes the next steps towards an outright ban on new leasehold developments.Matthew Pennycook said he was committed to ending the feudal-era system - which applies to 5m homes in England - after years of complaints from leaseholders about crippling service charges and crumbling buildings. Continue reading...

The continent's role in any ceasefire will be limited unless countries commit more to Kiev and the Zelenskyy-Trump relationship is repaired

PM takes centre stage amid calls for new era of diplomacy but declines to point finger at chaos in the White House

Phrase holds memories of 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq in which UK played supporting role

Ukraine's leader invited to Sandringham following gathering of European leaders hosted by Keir StarmerThe king has met Volodymyr Zelenskyy at his Norfolk estate, Sandringham, shortly after Ukraine's president attended the prime minister's summit for European leaders.Three days after Charles sent a personal invitation to Donald Trump for an unprecedented second state visit to the UK as part of a charm offensive, the king was again deployed by No 10 on the international diplomatic front. Continue reading...

Agencies say health situation is a catastrophe' and recent aid deliveries were a fraction of what is neededBriefing the Israeli press after Benjamin's Netanyahu's order to turn off the aid supply to Gaza, government officials claimed that the Palestinian territory had several months' worth of food stockpiled from earlier deliveries. However, the announcement led to an immediate jump in prices of basic necessities in Gaza, with residents saying they had doubled.Aid agencies say the population of Gaza remains highly vulnerable and that the blockade of humanitarian supplies to a civilian population is unacceptable in any circumstances. Continue reading...

Charity calls for help to be speeded up as research shows families incur on average 700 a month in extra expensesYoung people with cancer in England are waiting an average of seven months before receiving disability benefits to support their treatment, research shows, prompting calls for people with a diagnosis to qualify for help immediately.Research by the charity Young Lives shows the families of children with cancer on average face almost 700 each month in additional expenses during their treatment. Continue reading...

PM's decision to bring forward Zelenskyy meeting and forge Franco-British peace plan shows UK can still play global leadership role

As crisis talks loom, Trump and the bloc's own populist spoilers have driven it away from its old quest for unanimity

Fastest expansion in three months as new orders rise at Chinese factoriesChina's manufacturing activity expanded at the fastest pace in three months in February, despite the looming threat that Donald Trump will impose tariffs this week.Production at China's factories returned to growth last month, an official survey showed, thanks to higher new orders and purchase volumes. Continue reading...

One HSBC banker was paid up to 16.6m in 2024 while figure at Barclays was 14.8m after loosening of pay rulesThe demise of the UK banker bonus cap has sent pay soaring at Barclays and HSBC where the highest-paid bankers have received their biggest payouts since at least 2014.Analysis of pay documents released this month shows payouts for their most expensive staff surged more than 50% to nearly 20m (16.6m) last year, after the banks took advantage of looser pay rules and allowed staff to be paid bonuses worth 10 times their salary. Continue reading...

Government must scrap English baccalaureate to make arts more accessible to working-class children, critics sayLeading cultural figures have expressed doubts about the government's commitment to restoring the creative arts in English schools, with one warning that Labour has lost the plot" and the current signs are they are worse than the Tories".When Labour won the election, it promised to expand opportunities for working-class children by broadening the school curriculum to include more drama, art, music and sport alongside the core academic subjects. Continue reading...

Officers in Operation Castle attend every reported break-in and no longer treat such crimes as low level'When Sean Edwards found his car and his neighbours' houses had been broken into in Longsight, Greater Manchester, in 2022, he was not expecting much from the police based on previous experiences.I expected them to dust for prints and take statements, then give us a crime reference number and nothing else happen," he said. Continue reading...

Russian attacks on Ukrainian city that was initially spared worst have increased since Washington-Moscow detente

Visceral videos of people playing with slime or braiding hair soothe those who feel overwhelmed by in-person contactYounger adults are increasingly overwhelmed by in-person interaction and soothing themselves instead with sensory online content, according to a report on the wildly popular online content known as ASMR.ASMR - autonomous sensory meridian response - describes a particular sensory phenomenon that is triggered by specific sights or sounds, which usually begins with a tingling sensation across the scalp and results in feelings of deep calm and relaxation.47% of those aged 25-34 said they felt overwhelmed in noisy or busy places such as shopping centres or train stations, compared with 35% of those aged 55-64.39% of those aged 18-24 felt the need to shut out noise, for example using noise-cancelling headphones in public, compared with only 21% of those age 45-54.Younger age groups were also more likely to prefer chatting to people online rather than face to face and to prefer to work alone rather than around other people. Continue reading...

Tommy Cash says he did not expect Espresso Macchiato to cause such offence with references to the mafia and coffeeEstonia's entry for this year's Eurovision song contest has said he never intended to offend Italy with his song that pokes fun at Italian stereotypes of coffee-drinking, spaghetti-eating mafiosi - and said he submitted the song after his grandmother cried over it.There have been calls in Italy for Tommy Cash's catchy song, Espresso Macchiato, to be banned from the competition, which takes place in Basel, Switzerland, in May. Continue reading...

Harris running mate discussed campaign missteps after saying he'll run for third term as Minnesota governorTim Walz, Kamala Harris's running mate in the November presidential election won by Donald Trump, says he deplores how much time he spent addressing the opposing campaign's decision to spread false, racist rumors of pets being abducted and eaten in Springfield, Ohio.They sucked me in on" that, Walz said in a recent episode of The New Yorker Radio Hour podcast. Echoing similar remarks that he made on a recent episode of the Fast Politics With Molly Jong-Fast podcast, he added: I was just horrified and angry when they were demonizing folks in Springfield, Ohio. [And] there I was talking for almost a week about immigration, right where they wanted us to be." Continue reading...

President bullying countries' leaders into collaborating with his deportation agenda that critics say violates rightsCentral America has long been a source of immigrants, and in recent years, it's also become a major transit route for those from around the world heading to the United States.That shift led to record numbers of immigrants arriving at the US border, and contributed to the supposed crisis that helped Donald Trump win the election this past November. Continue reading...

Total shows scale of dishonesty in undercover operations over more than three decades

Director says Seven Jewish Children by Caryl Churchill, which provoked fury at its first production in 2009, is a family story' at heartThe premiere of Caryl Churchill's short play Seven Jewish Children at the Royal Court theatre 16 years ago proved to be one of British theatre's most controversial opening nights.Audiences were immediately divided by the British playwright's deliberately stripped-back treatment of Jewish generational fear and Israel's history of conflict. Continue reading...