Korean retailers report strong sales for Light and Thread, featuring speeches, essays and poems by novelistA book featuring Han Kang's Nobel prize lecture sold 10,000 copies in its first day on sale online.Light and Thread, which takes its title from Han's December lecture, is her first book to be published in South Korea since she was announced as the winner of the Nobel prize in literature last October. Continue reading...
Learning to discuss topics in which you differ is something people can get better at and can benefit relationshipsWhy can't the dirty plates go straight into the dishwasher? Whose turn is it to pick up the kids? And why do you insist on doing that thing you do when you know how much it annoys me? No honestly, don't worry, I'm fine.Perhaps - if you are part of a long-term couple - that kind of conversation sounds familiar. Or perhaps you are George and Amal Clooney and you never, ever argue. That, at least, was the actor's boast this week to a US morning show: in almost 12 years of marriage, he said, he and his lawyer wife have never had a single argument. We're trying to find something to argue about," he joked. Continue reading...
Shadow minister dismisses alliance with Nigel Farage's party and asks critics of Kemi Badenoch to give her a break'Robert Jenrick has ruled out a pact with Reform UK and has said he wants to send its leader, Nigel Farage, back to retirement" despite leaked comments suggesting he wanted to join forces with the rightwing party.The shadow justice secretary backed the Conservative leader, Kemi Badenoch, urging critics to give her a break" and appeared to row back on remarks he reportedly made last month about Reform. Continue reading...
The revelation is the latest in a string of security breaches involving the defense secretary. Plus, Elon Musk's xAI accused of pollution over Memphis supercomputer
Tony Blair was warned about possible problems with the original Fujitsu deal before it was signed in 1999The Post Office has paid more than 600m of public money to continue using the bug-ridden Horizon IT system despite deciding it needed to be replaced more than a decade ago.It has emerged that the government was warned about potential problems with the original 548m deal the Post Office struck with the Japanese company Fujitsu before it was signed in 1999. Continue reading...
by Penelope McRae and Aakash Hassan in Delhi, and Pet on (#6WVSP)
Countries trade blows across line of control in disputed Kashmir as tensions rise after deadly shootingTroops from Pakistan and India exchanged fire overnight across the line of control in disputed Kashmir, officials have said, after the UN urged the nuclear-armed rivals to show maximum restraint" after Tuesday's massacre of Indian tourists by Islamic militants.Relations have plunged to their lowest level in years, with India accusing Pakistan of supporting cross-border terrorism" after gunmen carried out the worst attack on civilians in contested Muslim-majority Kashmir for a quarter of a century. Continue reading...
by Jessica Elgot Deputy political editor on (#6WVB4)
Former British prime minister posts apparent criticism of US president over his plans for peace deal with RussiaBoris Johnson has issued stern criticism of Donald Trump's Ukraine peace proposals in one of his first apparent censures of the US president, saying under his terms the Ukrainians would get nothing".The former British prime minister, a strong supporter of Ukraine who remains close to Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has previously said there is method in the madness" of Trump's approach and that he believed the US president could bring peace. Continue reading...
Leeds crown court heard how Adrian Daniel, 33, died 10 days after he was hit by Akins, who was driving his seven-year-old daughter to a piano lesson in 2022The Mansfield Town forward Lucas Akins has been jailed for 14 months after causing the death of a cyclist he hit as he pulled out from a junction.Leeds crown court heard how Adrian Daniel, 33, died 10 days after he was hit by Akins, who was driving his seven-year-old daughter to a piano lesson in a Mercedes G-Wagon, near Huddersfield in March 2022. Continue reading...
Lib Dem move to ban practice is broadly welcomed, though some feel the party should focus on more important thingsDread" might not be the first word Mancunians reach for to describe their daily commute, but for Ross Kenyon, 45, reluctantly waiting at a tram stop on a cloudy morning in central Manchester, it's the feeling clawing at his body.Why? He hates the tram. So much so, he refuses to take it to work, preferring a half-hour walk to his office instead. He says the the buses are even worse. He avoids them completely. Continue reading...
by Mark Brown North of England correspondent on (#6WVRK)
Wealthy fans of Brideshead Revisited or Bridgerton may soon be able to stay at newly refurbished Castle HowardLaurence Olivier's elderly Lord Marchmain in Brideshead Revisited died in it and a pair of hot young newlywed aristocrats in Bridgerton made out in it.Now someone with deep pockets may be able to occupy that same 18th-century canopy bed at Castle Howard. In the morning they might take breakfast in a room with Canaletto paintings on the wall and Meissen plates on which to butter their toast. Continue reading...
by Ajit Niranjan European environment correspondent on (#6WVQC)
Exclusive: EU Transparency Register shows law firms also among lobbyists working for fossil fuel companiesA handful of small but dirty" public affairs and law firms in Europe are enabling pollution by lobbying extensively for big oil, an analysis has found, with most major companies in the industry working for at least one fossil fuel client.Several of the top spenders on activities to influence EU policymaking are on the payroll of oil and gas companies, according to an analysis of the EU Transparency Register by the Good Lobby nonprofit, but fossil fuel clients represent just 1% of the industry's revenue. Continue reading...
Charity set to reduce its workforce by more than a fifth this year amid mounting financial pressuresScope expects to cut more than a fifth of its staff this year amid mounting financial pressures, with about a third of those affected to be disabled employees.The disability charity announced a consultation last week over plans to place 124 of its 326 corporate roles at risk of redundancy, a move likely to result in about 70 job losses in the summer. Continue reading...
Two Bayeux scholars at loggerheads over whether dangling shape depicts dagger or the embroidery's 94th phallusIn a historical spat that could be subtitled 1066 with knobs on", two medieval experts are engaged in a battle over how many male genitalia are embroidered into the Bayeux tapestry.The Oxford professor George Garnett drew worldwide interest six years ago when he announced he had totted up 93 penises stitched into the embroidered account of the Norman conquest of England. Continue reading...
by Richard Partington Senior economics correspondent on (#6WVME)
GfK index falls by four points in April to -23 as domestic tax increases and rising bills also weigh on householdsConsumer confidence in the UK has fallen to the lowest level for more than a year amid concern that Donald Trump's trade wars could further drive up living costs for British households.The latest barometer of sentiment from the data company GfK fell in April to its lowest level since November 2023, as a combination of domestic tax increases, rising bills, and worries over the US president's tariffs weighed on consumers. Continue reading...
Reckless cycling is currently prosecuted under legislation from the 1860s, with a maximum two-year jail sentenceCyclists who kill pedestrians by dangerous cycling could face life imprisonment in England and Wales under new amendments to the crime and policing bill.The offence of causing death by dangerous cycling would be brought into line with driving laws under amendments tabled on Thursday, the Department for Transport said. Continue reading...
Department for Education criticised over funding rise from 2.58 to 2.61 per child per meal in SeptemberPrimary schools in England will be forced to subsidise free school meals for infants from their own budgets after the government's pitiful" 3p increase in funding, according to school leaders.The Department for Education announced that its funding for universal infant free school meals would rise from 2.58 to 2.61 per child in September, with the 3p rise well below expected inflation and wage increases facing schools. Continue reading...
Employees received text from EEOC on personal phones linking to survey asking if they are Jewish or IsraeliEmployees from Barnard Collegereceived text messages this week from the federally run Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) on their personal phones linking to a voluntary survey asking recipients if they are Jewish or Israeli and whether they have been subjected to harassment or antisemitism.The text, which was reviewed by the Guardian, states that the civil rights agency is currently reviewing the employment practices at Barnard College" and invites current and former employees to complete the linked survey. It is not clear how many college employees received the survey, but it appears to have been sent to a sizable portion of the faculty and other staff. Continue reading...
Met Office forecasts peak of 22C on Sunday but cooler and more comfortable conditions as runners set offSunny skies are expected for runners crossing the finish line of the London Marathon on Sunday as forecasters anticipate the beginning of a warm and settled spell across much of the UK.The Met Office said temperatures in the capital were expected to peak at about 22C on race day. Early conditions are likely to be cooler and more comfortable for runners as they set off in the morning. Continue reading...
Democrats including Schumer say Trump is using antisemitism as cover to defund schoolsFive Jewish Democratic senators have sent a strongly worded letter to Donald Trump condemning his administration's assault on universities" and questioning whether actions taken against higher education institutions are truly aimed at combating antisemitism.The letter - signed by Chuck Schumer, Senate minority leader, and senators Jacky Rosen, Richard Blumenthal, Adam Schiff and Brian Schatz - accuses the administration of using a real crisis as a pretext to attack people and institutions who do not agree with you". Continue reading...
President sought to unilaterally add proof of citizenship requirement to voter registration formA federal judge on Thursday blocked Donald Trump's efforts to add a proof of citizenship requirement to the federal voter registration form, a change that voting rights advocates warned would have disenfranchised millions of voters.The president sought to unilaterally add the requirement in a 25 March executive orders. The Democratic party, as well as a slew of civil rights groups, challenged that order, arguing the president does not have the power to set the rules for federal elections. Continue reading...
Speech made clear prime minister sees renewable energy as core to UK's future prosperity and national securityBritain will go all out" for a low-carbon future and accelerate the push to net zero instead of slowing down as some have demanded, the prime minister said on Thursday.In his strongest declaration yet of support for the net zero agenda, Sir Keir Starmer told a conference in London of more than 60 countries that tackling the climate crisis and bolstering energy security were in the DNA of my government". Continue reading...
by Angelique Chrisafis in Paris and agencies on (#6WVB5)
Boy, 15, arrested after at least one child killed and three injured at Notre-Dame-de-Toutes-Aides school in NantesThe French prime minister, Francois Bayrou, has called for a crackdown on teenage knife crime after a high-school student stabbed four other children at his school, killing at least one and injuring the others before being arrested.The 15-year-old reportedly attacked fellow students with a knife during lunch break on Thursday at the private Notre-Dame-de-Toutes-Aides secondary school in the city of Nantes on the Atlantic coast. The attack took place at around 12.30pm (11.30am BST), before teachers overpowered the boy. One female student was killed. At least one other student is in a critical condition in hospital. Continue reading...
Haaretz report comes as supreme court gives Israeli PM more time to respond to affidavit from fired Shin Bet chiefNew developments have come to light in the killing of 15 Palestinian medics and rescue workers by Israeli troops in the Gaza Strip last month, with evidence reportedly contradicting the Israel Defense Forces' claim that soldiers did not fire indiscriminately at the medical workers.The Israeli daily Haaretz reported on Wednesday that its analysis of the IDF's own materials collected as part of an internal investigation into the incident contradicted the army's claim that soldiers did not shoot indiscriminately at Palestinian ambulances and a fire engine in the early hours of 23 March. Continue reading...
The bar says it will ask the state supreme court to adjust scores after test-takers also faced platform crashesThe state bar of California has disclosed that some multiple-choice questions in a problem-plagued bar exam were developed with the aid of artificial intelligence.The legal licensing body said in a news release on Monday that it will ask the California supreme court to adjust test scores for those who took its February bar exam. Continue reading...
Maashorst council says print of Queen Beatrix from 1985 series Reigning Queens probably taken with the rubbishIn the hands of Andy Warhol, trash often became a work of art. So perhaps the pop culture icon would not be too upset to know that in the hands of one Dutch municipality, one of his artworks went the other way and was thrown out with the rubbish.Maashorst town hall on Thursday confessed that a rare silkscreen print by Warhol, who died in 1987, was among 46 valuable artworks that were most likely" taken away with the bins during extensive renovation work last year. Continue reading...
by Angela Giuffrida in Vatican City and Oliver Holmes on (#6WV9W)
More than 60,000 people have viewed body of late pontiff since Wednesday morning, says VaticanThousands of mourners lined up for hours on a second day to catch a glimpse of Pope Francis's body, after St Peter's Basilica stayed open all night to cope with the huge crowds who had come to pay their final respects.The 16th-century basilica, where Francis's simple wooden coffin is placed on the main altar, was scheduled to close at midnight on Wednesday but remained open until 5.30am to allow in those who still wished to enter. After just 90 minutes of cleaning, it was reopened at 7am. Continue reading...
by Andrew Sparrow (now) and Amy Sedghi (earlier) on (#6WTZP)
Party's education spokesperson says Farage's comments about doctors over-diagnosing children shows he wants to cut spendingJohn Swinney, the first minister of Scotland, is attending the funeral of the Pope on Saturday, the Scottish government has announced. In a statement Swinney said:His Holiness Pope Francis was a voice for peace, tolerance and reconciliation who had a natural ability to connect with people of all ages, nationalities and beliefs.On behalf of the people of Scotland, I am deeply honoured to attend the funeral of Pope Francis in Rome to express my sorrow, thanks and deep respect for the compassion, assurance and hope that he brought to so many.Eating the Tories for breakfast. @Keir_Starmer Continue reading...
The executive told business summit that most people no longer want cinemas and we deliver the programme to you in a way you want to watch it'Ted Sarandos, the co-CEO of Netflix, has defended his company's reputation, saying the streamer is saving Hollywood" by securing an audience for content which would otherwise disappear.Speaking at the TIME100 summit in New York on Wednesday, Sarandos said Netflix was providing a much-needed service to those people - for instance in rural areas - who are keen to see films, but without the means of going to a cinema. Continue reading...
by Hannah Al-Othman North of England correspondent on (#6WV7X)
Nicola Packer, 44, was arrested at a London hospital after reporting a miscarriage in 2020, court toldA woman has gone on trial in London accused of illegally taking pills in order to induce an abortion during the second coronavirus lockdown.Nicola Packer, 44, was arrested in November 2020 after she went to hospital having miscarried a foetus, and later reported to staff that she had taken abortion medication. Continue reading...
University president says popular US singer was felt to have made antisemitic, anti-Israel sentiments', after she made statements including long live the intifada'A performance by R&B star Kehlani at Cornell University in New York State has been cancelled, with the university's president saying the booking of the singer had injected division and discord" at Cornell, due to her making what were felt to be antisemitic, anti-Israel sentiments".Kehlani was due to perform at Slope Day, an annual Cornell celebration marking the end of the academic year. But president Michael I Kotlikoff wrote in a public statement: In the days since Kehlani was announced, I have heard grave concerns from our community that many are angry, hurt, and confused that Slope Day would feature a performer who has espoused antisemitic, anti-Israel sentiments in performances, videos, and on social media. While any artist has the right in our country to express hateful views, Slope Day is about uniting our community, not dividing it." Continue reading...
by Agence France-Presse in Dar es Salaam on (#6WV1B)
Chadema spokesperson says party's vice-chair John Heche and secretary general John Mnyika held on way to protest over treason chargesTanzania's main opposition party said on Thursday at least two of its officials had been arrested on their way to a rally to support the leading government opponent Tundu Lissu, who refused to appear at a virtual court hearing to face a charge of treason.Authorities in the east African country have increasingly cracked down on the opposition Chadema party ahead of presidential and parliamentary polls in October. Continue reading...
by Carlos Mureithi in Nairobi and agencies on (#6WTZR)
Both sides say they have resolved to end conflict through peaceful means after frank' talks facilitated by QatarThe Democratic Republic of the Congo and a coalition of militias including the Rwanda-backed M23 have agreed to work toward a truce to end the fighting that has engulfed the eastern part of the country since January.In similarly worded statements released on Wednesday night, the government and Alliance Fleuve Congo (Congo River Alliance) said their representatives had held talks facilitated by Qatar and resolved to end the conflict through peaceful means. Continue reading...
by Robyn Vinter North of England correspondent on (#6WV2Z)
David Stancombe and Sergio Aguiar running in memory of daughters and to raise money for charity and schoolThe fathers of two of the girls who were stabbed to death in the Southport attack will be running the London Marathon in memory of their daughters.David Stancombe and Sergio Aguiar said their daughters, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe and nice-year-old Alice Aguiar, would be with them in spirit as they run the 26-mile course on Sunday. Continue reading...
Coalition allies of Pedro Sanchez said the purchase of millions of bullets jeopardised country's efforts to hold Israel to account over war in GazaSpain has scrapped a 6.6m (5.7m) order for millions of bullets from an Israeli company after the junior partners in its coalition government denounced it as a flagrant breach" of the alliance agreement that jeopardised the country's sustained efforts to hold Israel accountable for its actions in Gaza.The country's socialist prime minister, Pedro Sanchez, has been one of the most outspoken critics of Israel's conduct during the war in Gaza, questioning whether it is following international humanitarian law and calling the number of Palestinian deaths truly unbearable". Continue reading...
The US musician was a major influence on post-punk and alt-rock scenes thanks to his spirited, chaotic styleDavid Thomas, who fronted the wild and free-thinking American rock band Pere Ubu, has died aged 71.A statement on Pere Ubu's Facebook page said that he died in his home town of Brighton & Hove, with his wife and youngest step-daughter by his side. MC5 were playing on the radio. He will ultimately be returned to his home, the farm in Pennsylvania, where he insisted he was to be thrown in the barn' ... We'll leave you with his own words, which sums up who he was better than we can: My name is David Fucking Thomas... and I'm the lead singer of the best fucking rock and roll band in the world.'" Continue reading...
by Aakash Hassan in Delhi and agencies on (#6WTWW)
Indian PM makes first speech amid increasing tensions with Pakistan after 26 men killed in contested Himalayan regionIndia's prime minister, Narendra Modi, has vowed to punish all those responsible for Tuesday's attack in Kashmir, pursuing them to the ends of the Earth".Twenty-six men were killed in the tourist hotspot of Pahalgam, in the deadliest attack on civilians in the contested Muslim-majority territory since 2000. Continue reading...
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