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Showing posts from 2026

At least 25 people die in US as record heatwave scorches swaths of country

More than 20 states reported temperatures above 100F as heat dome sits over eastern US during holiday weekend At least about two dozen people have died amid the perilous climate crisis-driven heatwave that has scorched swaths of the US with record temperatures. As a huge heat dome sits over the county’s eastern half, extreme heat gripped millions of people in the days leading up to the US’s semiquincentennial on Saturday – and beyond it. More than 20 states experienced have reported stifling temperatures more than 100F (38C), marring celebrations. And more than 140 million people remained under active heat alerts across the US on Sunday. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/dyvxp0N

Paraguay v France: World Cup last 16 – live

⚽️ Kick-off time: 5pm local/7am AEST/10pm BST ⚽️ Player guide | Canada 0-3 Morocco | Mail Beau What’s the biggest upset you can remember from a World Cup knockout round? Not the group stage. The record books are full of teams that lost their first games to an unheralded underdog but went on to reach the final. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/T5n4FJv

Ever-improving Sabalenka sees off Ostapenko to move into third round

No 1 seed looks strong in 6-4, 6-4 victory against Latvian ‘The plan is to get better every day,’ says Sabalenka As Aryna Sabalenka marched towards a convincing victory over the ever-dangerous Jelena Ostapenko, she opted for a slight change of pace. Leading 6-4, 2-1 and 30-0, Sabalenka followed up a massive serve by immediately flitting to the net. She surely had visions of her serve and volley attempt ending in triumphant Tim Henman-esque fashion, but that is not quite how things played out. She instead misjudged the path of Ostapenko’s slow, lofty return, and her shanked smash landed harmlessly on the service line. Ostapenko calmly ended the point with a forehand passing shot winner. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/KGEIjcw

England’s game against Mexico could be moved to noon local time, 7pm UK time Sunday

Game originally set to kick off at 6pm local time Could be rescheduled due to risk of thunderstorms England’s World Cup game against Mexico on Sunday could be moved to noon local time (7pm BST), according to local media reports. The round of 16 game at the ‌Estadio Azteca was scheduled to start at 6pm local time (1am BST) but that could now change because of a risk of thunderstorms. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/mUdrbSc

Brutal heatwave scorches eastern US ahead of Fourth of July weekend

National Weather Service warns heat index could reach 115F as heat grips midwest, Ohio valley and east coast Sign up for the Breaking News US newsletter email A “prolonged, dangerous heatwave” was sweeping across parts of the central and eastern United States on Thursday, with forecasters warning that extreme record-breaking temperatures are expected to continue into the holiday weekend for millions of Americans. The National Weather Service (NWS) warned on Thursday that temperatures between 95F (35C) and 105F (40.5C), combined with high humidity, will push heat index values across parts of the region to between 100F and 115F. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/q5Jl8rs

Conflicts of interest? Trump only has one interest: himself | Robert Reich

The president made $2.2bn last year, with plenty of help from his own political decisions. This is called corruption, folks People in the US: share your views on Trump’s earnings in his second term In financial disclosures released on Tuesday, Trump reported earning more than $1bn last year from his several cryptocurrency ventures. All told – including other parts of his vast holdings, such as his real estate assets – Trump made at least $2.2bn last year, as opposed to the roughly $622m his businesses raked in in 2024, before he returned to the presidency. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/LtSXzvb

Albania warned EU accession at risk over Jared Kushner-backed resort plans

Proposed development of protected shorelines and wildlife zones violates EU environmental policy, says MEP MEPs have warned Albania that EU accession talks are at risk if the government does not “change course” over plans for a luxury resort backed by Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner. Tineke Strik, the Dutch MEP heading a European parliament fact-finding mission to the Balkan nation, said Albania’s leadership was “playing with fire” by pursuing the €1.4bn (£1.2bn) real-estate venture that would, she said, wreak havoc on virgin coastline. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/pUiEHo2

‘It’s going to be tough’: Declan Rice ready for DR Congo challenge in last 32

England midfielder’s experience with Arsenal last season taught him the need to be patient against teams unwilling to attack Declan Rice is reflecting on the pivotal moment of his season so far, the one when plenty of people thought it was about to go wrong for him and Arsenal. It was a narrow and painful defeat for them at Manchester City in mid‑April, which meant the clubs were stride for stride with each other at the top of the Premier League. The momentum was with City. Were Arsenal about to blow it? The TV cameras picked out Rice on the Etihad Stadium pitch and, as he shook his head, he was easy to lipread. “It’s not done,” the England midfielder said. It was not. Arsenal won all of their remaining league games, finding a way through unbearable levels of tension. City did not and Arsenal were champions for the first time since 2004. “It could have gone either way,” Rice says with a smile. “That would have lived with me for ever.” Continue reading... from The Guardian https://...

High-performing schools in England ‘should be encouraged to admit more white working-class pupils’

Report says once-in-a-generation changes needed to tackle why such children are lowest-performing large demographic High-performing primary and secondary schools in England should be encouraged to admit more disadvantaged pupils from white working-class backgrounds to help reverse a continuing crisis in underachievement, an independent inquiry has said. The independent inquiry into white working-class educational outcomes concluded the current education system was “not set up to serve white working-class children and families”. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/LCdmA0h

Arthur review – modern girl’s quest yields a good knight for all ages

Polka theatre, London Marietta Kirkbride’s enchanting take on the Arthur myth brings silliness and songs when young Grace travels back in time with Merlin the wizard Here is a sparkling new take on the King Arthur legend for the ages – and all ages – from Bucket Club theatre company. Our tale begins with young Grace waiting in A&E, Lego stuck up her nose and her brother hurt following a squabble. When Merlin appears in hospital, weaving a tale of mysterious adventure, Grace is pulled into an epic quest packed with enchanted forests and sparkling underwater realms. In the closing scenes, when Arthur finally pulls that famous sword from the stone, loud gasps ripple through an enchanted young audience. Magic. Writer Marietta Kirkbride’s contemporary take has lots of smart jokes for the parents to enjoy and a helping of Gawain the Green Knight thrown in for good measure. There are witty nods to today’s political climate, with a sixth-century England languishing without a king and stru...

Japan and Morocco face old order giants in the hope of a brave new world | Jonathan Wilson

Two eye-catching last-32 ties offer hope of a winner from outside the traditional powers – Brazil and the Netherlands could be gone The World Cup exists in a state of perpetual flux. It goes to new territories. It gets bigger. It experiments with second group phases and replaces playoffs for sides level on points with goal difference then head-to-head. And still one of the same eight countries from western Europe or South America wins it. Since Argentina in 1978, there have been two new winners, and those were France and Spain, from the heart of Uefa, their success based on maximising the advantages of being European and wealthy; no countries have been so successful at industrialising youth production, so much so that they now provide the models for every country seeking to invest in academy programmes. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/ZJbMDef

Trump administration moves to restart LGBTQ+ suicide hotline it initially ended

The Trevor Project non-profit that helped pioneer LGBTQ+ ‘press 3’ option for 988 hotline is being shut out as it restarts The Trump administration is moving to restart the specialized LGBTQ+ option for youth who contact the 988 crisis intervention hotline – but the group that helped pioneer the idea is being shut out. The Trevor Project, the New York-based leading non-profit for suicide prevention in LGBTQ+ young people in the US, may not be allowed to offer the service it had helped develop for the 988 Lifeline just a few years ago. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/6lvAkuX

Brahms’ Last Concert review – OAE and Emelyanychev take audience back to 1897

Queen Elizabeth Hall, London This recreation of the final concert that the composer attended – only weeks before his death aged 63 – featured his fourth symphony, Dvorak’s Cello Concerto and Haydn’s symphony no 73. Every period-instrument outfit has its shtick – its own version of what “historically informed performance ” might mean. The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment plays music from an increasingly generous historical tranche ( Stravinsky beckons next season ) but always on instruments dating from the same period as the works being performed. Except when they don’t. This performance marking the OAE’s 40th anniversary was not about imagining what certain compositions might have sounded like to their first audiences. Instead, it reproduced the exact programme of a concert held in Vienna on 7 March 1897. The 19th-century concert was the latest instalment in a series run by the eminent conductor Hans Richter , which turned out to be the final concert ever attended by Johannes Brah...

Trump accused of showing ‘complete indifference’ to Americans’ living costs after cancelling housing bill signing – US politics live

President was due to sign deal aimed at making life more affordable for Americans but shelved event to pressure Congress to pass restrictive voting bill Trump abruptly cancels signing of bill aimed at lowering housing cost Sign up for the Breaking News US email A man or a movement? That was the question being asked when Zohran Mamdani gambled his political capital on Tuesday’s elections in New York . The answer from voters was emphatic: they prefer Mamdani and his brand of democratic socialism to the Democratic party establishment and its lukewarm version of capitalism. America’s biggest city has swung even further to the left. This is a battle between the establishment and this insurgency. And the roof is collapsing on the Democratic party establishment tonight … This is no longer a movement; this is a movement and a machine at the same time. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/n1oqiSc

South Yorkshire police cleared after video of officers appearing to shove teenage girls

Excerpts of footage of response to incident earlier described as ‘shocking’ but review finds use of force justified A review of video footage that appeared to show South Yorkshire police officers shoving and drawing batons and stun guns on teenage girls has found the “the use of force was proportionate, necessary, and justified to keep all involved safe”. South Yorkshire police initially described the footage as appearing “nothing short of shocking” but a review by its professional standards department found that while there “is an opportunity for learning around de-escalation” the actions were appropriate. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/2i7Mcvd

Merlin the duck unruffled after meeting president of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum

Pet in a replica shirt is unofficial mascot of the World Cup Merlin’s owner, Karla Gómez, says it was ‘an honour’ Merlin, the pet duck in a mini Mexico shirt who has ⁠become a viral sensation and an unofficial mascot of the World Cup, met Mexico’s president on Monday. The duck waddled on ⁠to the stage ⁠at the ​start of Claudia Sheinbaum’s regular morning press conference, took a seat where ministers and officials are usually seen, and unfazed ⁠by the occasion, let out a few quacks. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/3wlAYVm

Nicholls’ experienced knock shows the way after callow England swatted aside | Simon Burnton

Brendon McCullum relied too much on youth in the second Test, while persistence paid dividends for New Zealand In December 2020 Henry Nicholls was a fixture in the New Zealand team, batting at No 5, but he was under pressure. In nine Tests since the end of their series against Bangladesh in early 2019 he averaged only 20.33. But they stuck with him and in his next game, against West Indies in Wellington, he scored 174 and was named player of the match. “In another time he may not have been offered that opportunity,” said one of the commentators covering the match on domestic television. “There’s many cases where guys haven’t had a sustained period to be able to find form, but a mark of this New Zealand side is their selection consistency, and they’re being rewarded.” Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/0WEkBOl

Uruguay v Cape Verde: World Cup 2026 – live

⚽️ Kick-off: 6pm local time/11pm BST/8am (Mon) AEST ⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Email Beau Beau will be here shortly. In the meantime, here’s what to know about Uruguay and Cape Verde before they meet in a few hours in Miami. Uruguay Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/wVObgfB

Lamine Yamal and Oyarzabal fire Spain to emphatic win against Saudi Arabia

Luis de la Fuente said he wanted a new jumper for his birthday but this was even better. On the day that the Spain coach turned 65, his players gave him the perfect afternoon in Atlanta, all the doubts from their opener blown away. Unable to find a way through in 97 minutes here against Cape Verde , this time they put three past Saudi Arabia before anyone had even stopped for the first drink. Life is there to be enjoyed, Lamine Yamal had said and they did. Lamine scored ten minutes into his first start since suffering a hamstring injury in April and Mikel Oyarzabal added two more in the first quarter. By the end it was four and it could hardly have worked out more nicely, Spain’s victory secured so early that the coach could use the occasion to offer opportunities to those that needed them, Mikel Merino and Nico Williams invited to join the party too. De la Fuente said that Spain wanted to be Spain again, and here they were. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/9UxHl...

Take me home: why Country Roads has struck a chord at the World Cup

John Denver’s classic has been belted out during US matches at this tournament. Its appeal lies in the story it tells about a united America Lumen Field was designed for a moment like Friday’s. Under a blue sky dotted with clouds, the US men’s national team celebrated their victory over Australia with a lap around the stadium to thank their fans for creating a worthy atmosphere. I’ve reported from four matches so far at this World Cup and the set list remains largely the same, no matter the venue. You’ll hear Dai Dai and Seven Nation Army. The growing boos that accompany the onset of a hydration break will be drowned out by Livin’ On A Prayer. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/01ZPxJ8

Janse van Rensburg fluffs chance on England debut in defeat against France

France XV 35-19 England XV South Africa-born back came on in 52nd minute Benhard Janse van Rensburg’s hopes of a try-scoring England debut were dashed by fumbling hands as France emerged conclusive 35-19 winners in their non-cap international in Vannes. South Africa-born Janse van Rensburg was brought on in the 52nd minute and shortly after he was presented with a routine run-in, only for the ball to slip from his hands. The opportunity was England’s last chance to start reeling in a 28-12 deficit and otherwise the Bristol centre’s involvement was limited. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/D3CTVPN

Ron review – bumbling standup swerves into Tarantino-esque odyssey

Riverside Studios, London Ted Walliker’s one-man play about a night gone spectacularly wrong is boldly ambitious but we need to know more about the man at the mic Watching a comedian crumble onstage is hellish. In Ted Walliker’s new play, the performer’s breakdown is deliberate but the show’s wider ambitions miss their mark. Pitched as a standup set that swivels into an absurd faux-confessional, this first foray into co-production for Riverside Studios is a one-man tangent. The trouble starts with how quickly the framing device of a standup show is shoved aside. When bumbling posh-boy comedian Tony (Walliker) fails to get the laughs he wants, he tries on a tougher persona and launches into a violent story of misadventure with Mike, his best friend, long-time crush and all-round scoundrel. A delirious pep enters Tony’s step as he outlines a gratuitously gruesome night of pulled-off faces and munched-up bones. Spiralling from a mistake in McDonald’s where we meet the titular character, w...

CDC to tap $107m in emergency funding for Ebola response in DRC and Uganda

Number of people infected now tops 1,000 though health officials say the global risk remains low Sign up for the Breaking News US newsletter email The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will tap $107m in emergency funding for Ebola outbreak response in the Democratic Republic of the Congo ( DRC ) and Uganda , officials said on Thursday. The continued Ebola outbreak in the DRC comes as Canada, Mexico and the US jointly host the Fifa World Cup , attracting visitors from around the world. The officials said the outbreak, now the third largest on record, required “strong immediate support”, but that the global risk remained low. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/hKWxIji

Walter Parazaider, founding member of Chicago, dies aged 81

The originating member of the band with hits like If You Leave Me Now and Hard to Say I’m Sorry died after a battle with Alzheimer’s disease Walter Parazaider, a co-founding member of the rock band Chicago, has died at the age of 81 following a battle with Alzheimer’s disease. His daughter confirmed the news in a Facebook post on Wednesday morning. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/vbcQ7aI

Lack of learning-disability nurses in UK is an ‘absolute crisis’, says union

Exclusive: Royal College of Nursing says 1.5m vulnerable people not getting the right care, as specialism is ‘consistently undermined’ The specialist learning-disability nurse workforce is in “absolute crisis” with the number of specialist nurses falling by a third across the UK since 2009, leaving many vulnerable adults with inadequate care, according to a report by the largest nursing union. The Royal College of Nursing review revealed that the number of learning-disability nurses employed by the NHS has fallen from 7,083 in 2009 to 4,768 in 2026. As a result of these falling numbers, 1.5 million people with learning disabilities were not being provided with their legal right to equitable access to health and care services. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/aEjf1LA

Canada eliminates human rights watchdog that oversees companies operating abroad

Mark Carney says Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise office hasn’t been ‘effective’ since its 2019 setup Canada is eliminating a watchdog that investigates alleged human rights violations committed by Canadian companies operating abroad, after Mark Carney said the office hadn’t been “effective” since it was set up in 2019. The move comes as Canada faces criticism from Donald Trump’s administration over its “unacceptable” efforts to combat forced labour. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/JNZVThA

CuraƧao enjoy their moment but Havertz and ruthless Germany show no mercy

The net rippled and CuraƧao’s bench exploded in every conceivable ­direction, their giddiness underpinned by a lucid awareness of the goal’s place in history. Livano Comenencia had just equalised against Germany and an island of 158,000 inhabitants, represented here by an accomplished group born almost entirely in the Netherlands, could revel disbelievingly in a moment it had dreamed of. Reality eventually bit, Julian Nagelsmann’s side declaring on seven and easily avoiding an embarrassment that would have outdone their group-stage exits in the previous two World Cups. They will surely reach the knockouts this time and could have made absolutely certain by adding several more. Nagelsmann will be pleased that threats emanated from across the pitch, half a dozen different scorers bearing testament to that, but it should go without saying that more accurate tests of strength await. Kai Havertz, rounding things off neatly late on with his second goal, will hope to be similarly efficient la...

Pilot and 11 skydiving passengers killed in Missouri plane crash

Crash reportedly occurred shortly after departure from Butler Memorial airport at 11.30am on Sunday Sign up for the Breaking News US newsletter email Twelve people were killed in a plane crash near Butler, Missouri , on Sunday. According to Bates county emergency management, a private plane that had departed Butler Memorial airport shortly before 11.30am turned back before crashing near Business 49 Highway, Fox 4 reported. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/9xNqWv1

Brazil v Morocco: World Cup 2026 – live

⚽️ World Cup kick-off 6pm EST, 11pm BST, 8am Sun AEST ⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Email Jeff While it was always a reach to project this tournament would feel like 104 Super Bowls, some matchups inevitably fit the blockbuster billing. Brazil and Morocco’s opener in Group C is this tournament’s first glamour fixture, pitting the five-time champions against the dark horse darlings of 2022, who arrive in great form. Few know exactly what to expect from Carlo Ancelotti’s first World Cup on the touchline. A gilded figure on the club side, Ancelotti picked a squad teeming with stout center-backs and dynamic dribblers, but with some uncertainty in midfield, at full-back, and up top. Endrick finally taking a long-awaited leap would do wonders to assuage those latter concerns, and will most likely be necessary if Brazil are to snap their 24-year drought. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/Yrb4VK2

Blake Lively awarded legal fees but no damages in Justin Baldoni dispute

The Gossip Girl star can recover legal fees and costs arising from It Ends With Us co-actor’s countersuit Blake Lively can recover some legal costs from fellow actor and director Justin Baldoni but not punitive damages and other relief she sought after settling her legal claims over their 2024 film It Ends With Us, a judge ruled on Friday. Judge Lewis J Liman said in a written ruling that Lively can recover legal fees and costs related to her defense against a countersuit Baldoni brought against her after she sued him in December 2024. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/4I6WFrY

Canada police investigate whether Toronto police death linked to global terror attacks

Constable Marc Pinizzotto, 43, was killed while executing search warrants related to a shooting at US consulate Authorities in Canada are investigating whether the killing of a Toronto police officer while he was executing search warrants related to a shooting at the city’s US consulate is linked a broader series of global terror attacks. Constable Marc Pinizzotto, 43, a member of the emergency taskforce, was killed on Thursday during a dawn search of an apartment building in the west of the city. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/3evXWmb

Bananas could vanish from US school meals. Here’s why

New Farm Bill places caps on non-US foods; nutritionists say it restricts availability of healthy meals for kids School nutrition workers and advocates have “lots of concerns about bananas”, said Erin Ogden, policy associate for federal child nutrition programs at the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI). Bananas are nutrient-dense foods that many children like. That makes them popular offerings in school cafeterias, since any healthy food that a kid will eat prevents waste and ensures that child isn’t eating either nothing or something less wholesome instead. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/rLZN1Ot

‘Pleasure and invigoration’: Diana Evans wins UK’s Jhalak prose prize

Awards for prose, children’s writing and poetry, for writers of colour in UK and Ireland, come with £1,000 Diana Evans has won this year’s Jhalak prose prize for I Want to Talk to You, a nonfiction collection on subjects ranging from Jean Rhys and Toni Morrison to lockdowns and the British monarchy. The book, described as a “pleasure and an invigoration” by the Guardian’s reviewer Alex Clark, was announced as the 10th winner at a reception on Wednesday evening. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/yUQrmlo

Attachment review – adoption is a marathon in this sprint of a show

Everyman theatre, Liverpool Julia Cranney’s play illustrates complex processes as it explores one woman’s plans to start a family but it hops too quickly through her life Adoption and the care system are at the emotional centre of Julia Cranney’s new monologue. There are hoops to jump through, questions that require you to crack your soul open and hope bubbling beneath it all. Mat (Paislie Reid) and her partner, James, are drawn into early permanence, a pathway in which babies and toddlers are placed with prospective adopters who initially foster them. There is, however, always the possibility that the child could return to their birth family. The script valuably sheds light on that process but Cranney’s play hops through Mat’s life too quickly to have a potent impact. When we meet her she is isolated, not keen on kids and working in a pharmacy. Then, she falls head over heels for James. Soon their relationship is flourishing, she has bonded with his daughter and they are making plans ...

Australia cruise to win over England in Women’s T20 World Cup warm-up

Eng 157-6; Aus 158-5. Aus win by five wkts England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt fails on return Ellyse Perry’s half-century guided Australia to a comfortable five-wicket win against England in their T20 World Cup warm-up match in Cardiff. Perry was superbly caught by Dani Gibson at deep midwicket off Lauren Bell for a match-winning 64 with two runs needed as Australia cruised to their target of 158 with 10 balls to spare at Sophia Gardens. After losing the toss and being put into bat, England were restricted to 157 for six, having recovered from 19 for three, and were then punished in the field for three dropped catches of varying difficulty. Opener Beth Mooney’s 26-ball 43, which included two sixes, ensured Australia stayed ahead of the run-rate, while Perry struck nine fours and faced 44 deliveries. Mooney was dropped by Danni Wyatt-Hodge and Gibson and Perry was given a let off when Bell spilled her one-handed attempt. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/qIpwB4N

FBI fires several analysts tied to disputed ‘Catholic ideology’ memo

Firings are part of a broader personnel purge under the leadership of director Kash Patel, a Trump loyalist Several FBI analysts tied to the creation of a 2023 memo warning of a potential threat from Catholic “violent extremists” were fired on Friday, according to their lawyer, the latest wave of terminations under the leadership of its director Kash Patel. The fired employees included four intelligence analysts and a supervisory analyst. The FBI declined to comment. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/ICDh3RE

If we are to counter medical misogyny, women can no longer be treated as unreliable witnesses of their own experience | Alison Downham Moore

The history of gynaecology fuses innovation, authority and violation – and radical surgery is not the unavoidable answer to suffering Until just a few weeks ago, Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome was reduced to ovarian cysts, much to the frustration and confusion of many patients with this systemic endocrine condition. The struggles of people with endometriosis to access patient-centred and appropriate care continue in many countries. These are examples of the despair many patients report when they try to access hormonal and reproductive healthcare, as described by the Australia Institute . Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/rXbOhFm

If this is Messi’s last World Cup, could he eclipse Maradona and win it twice?

After living in the Argentina idol’s shadow, the 39-year-old star of 2022 is still capable of a final glorious chapter Lionel Messi in Qatar felt like the perfect story. It was the great finale. He is doomed always to be compared with Diego Maradona and, placed alongside a life of operatic ups and downs, of injury and addiction, drugs bans and organised crime, the highest highs and the lowest lows, his narrative always seemed a little flat: a kid was good at football, and then was consistently good at it for two decades, winning title after title. Yes, there were tears and frustrations, moments of doubt, but he wasn’t nearly drowning in a cesspit, shooting at journalists with an airgun or using a fake penis to evade the drugs testers. Qatar offered at least a degree of dramatic intrigue. Club success evidently wasn’t enough. Messi was driven. He had overcome his natural reserve to become the true leader of the team while winning the Copa AmĆ©rica in Brazil the previous year. He gave tea...

The week around the world in 20 pictures

Attacks on police in Southampton, Russian strikes in Kyiv, the Ebola outbreak and PSG win the Champions League – the past seven days as captured by the world’s leading photojournalists Warning: this gallery contains images some readers may find distressing Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/GiaApmy

Senate Republicans vote to block motion to ban Trump’s ‘anti-weaponization’ fund – live

Republicans vote against amendment to kill fund after acting attorney general Todd Blanche told lawmakers earlier this week that DOJ was ‘not moving forward with the fund’ Sign up for the Breaking News US email Donald Trump ’s former national security adviser-turned-foe John Bolton is expected to plead guilty over mishandling classified documents, multiple outlets are reporting. According to CNN, which first reported the news citing three sources, Bolton intends to plead guilty to one count of illegal retention of sensitive national security documents, and has also agreed to pay a more than $2m fine. The New York Times hears the same, adding that he could face anywhere from no prison time to up to five years behind bars when he is sentenced. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/J8j7NMq

Alex Younger, former head of MI6, dies aged 62

Keir Starmer says Younger led an ‘exemplary life’, while foreign secretary says country owes him ‘an enormous debt of gratitude’ Alex Younger, the former head of MI6, has died at the age of 62 after being treated for cancer. Younger led the Secret Intelligence Service, the agency also known as MI6, between 2014 and 2020. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/PLyinKs

Trump administration proposes 25% tariffs on Brazil despite US trade surplus

US claims world’s 10th-biggest economy engages in ‘unreasonable’ trade practices that ‘restrict US commerce’ Sign up for the Breaking News US newsletter email The Trump administration proposed 25% tariffs on imports from Brazil , charging that the world’s 10th-biggest economy engages in trade practices that are “unreasonable’’ and that “burden or restrict US commerce”. Luiz InĆ”cio Lula da Silva said he received the decision “with indignation”. The Brazil president also blamed the decision by the US administration on his rival in October’s elections, FlĆ”vio Bolsonaro , the senator who visited Washington last week. The senator is the son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, once nicknamed “the Trump of the Tropics” by his allies. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/Vn6hiUa

Anthropic confidentially files for initial public offering on US stock market

Financial stakes of AI race rise as Elon Musk’s SpaceX, OpenAI and Anthropic are slated to go public this year Anthropic has filed confidentially for an initial public offering on the US stock market, the company announced on Monday. The AI firm makes the Claude chatbot, popular with software engineers and other business clients, and has seen a meteoric rise this year. The company did not disclose the valuation it will target on the stock market, nor did it make public other terms of the offering. The startup announced on Thursday that it had raised $65bn in funding to value the company at $965bn post-money. Anthropic was valued at $380bn in February. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/EYe4Vxj

Family visitation partly restored at New Jersey ICE facility after week of protests

Visits were canceled after detainees began hunger strike, which prompted heated protests outside detention center Family visitation at the Delaney Hall immigration detention center is being restored to at least part of the facility, New Jersey’s governor and US homeland security officials confirmed on Sunday morning, after a week during which heated demonstrations at the site were met with aggressive policing tactics. Meanwhile, families of detained immigrants grappled with conflicting information about exactly whom among them would get visitation after the announcement from governor Mikie Sherrill and the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS). And local officials by Sunday had also indefinitely imposed an overnight curfew beginning at 9pm for a blocked-off area including Delaney Hall. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/W5oIOv4

Cory Booker has ‘concerns’ with Graham Platner’s Senate bid after leaked texts

US senator says Platner, whose wife says he sent sexually explicit messages to other women, has ‘questions to answer’ A high-profile Democrat has expressed concerns with party candidate Graham Platner’s Maine US Senate campaign amid revelations that Platner reportedly sent a number of sexually explicit messages to other women while married. “Yes, I have concerns,” Cory Booker , the US senator from New Jersey, said Sunday on ABC’s This Week when host Jonathan Karl when asked about the Platner revelations. “ That guy has questions to answer – and that’s what campaigns are for.” Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/VMJSQbh

FSG agreed with Salah: loss of style meant Arne Slot had to go to win back fans | Andy Hunter

Club’s flawed recruitment meant coach did not deserve the vitriol, but Anfield boos led to executives needing to act Mohamed Salah’s parting shot was to demand the return of heavy-metal football at Liverpool and, in their reasoning for sacking Arne Slot , the club’s hierarchy have concurred. It is a brutal, but understandable decision to remove Slot on the basis that Liverpool’s style must evolve, though responsibility for this season’s regression does not rest with the coach alone. Liverpool have never sacked a title-winning manager on their title-winning watch before now. Sir Kenny Dalglish’s dismissal came in his second, League Cup-winning spell in charge. That underlines the scale of the decision to sack a head coach who won the club’s record-equalling 20th league title 13 months ago and who handled the unprecedented trauma of Diogo Jota’s death with dignity and professionalism last summer. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/OSw9VeQ

Greek man appears in court charged with spying on Iranian journalist in London

Police say alleged filming by Ioannis Aidinidis with a camera hidden in a sock was believed to be on behalf of Iran A Greek national has been accused of spying on an Iranian journalist in the UK by using a covert camera hidden inside a sock, a court has heard. Ioannis Aidinidis, who was born in Georgia and lives in Germany, is alleged to have carried out surveillance on a London-based journalist working for Iran International, a Persian-language TV channel. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/8jOuqI4

Your cutting board may be dirtier than a toilet seat. Here’s how to properly clean it

Cutting boards are some of the germiest kitchen items. We asked a food safety professor for the best ways to clean one to prevent bacteria The six best plastic-free cutting boards, tested Sign up for the Filter US newsletter, your weekly guide to buying fewer, better things Your cutting board could be dirtier than a toilet seat, according to germ experts. When we recently asked microbiologists about surprisingly filthy everyday items, they ranked cutting boards among the germiest household items (alongside kitchen sponges and water bottles ). Many things at home could technically be dirtier than toilet seats, a surface we emphasize disinfecting regularly. (We asked custodians for cleaning tips there.) So this is not something to spiral into a germaphobic panic about, but at dinner cleanup, it’s worth paying some special attention to that cutting board you just used to chop up zucchini or carve chicken. Knowing how to clean this kitchen surface is vital for avoiding unpleasant odors...

JD Vance says Trump ‘pushing forward’ with Golden Dome as he addresses Air Force Academy – US politics live

Vice president says Donald Trump is ‘improving military quality of life’ and says America’s ‘adversaries are studying this country every day’ Sign up to the Breaking News US email In one of the opinions shared by the Supreme Court Thursday morning, the Court has ruled in favor of a Black man who claims that there was racial bias in the make up of the jury that convicted him . In Pitchford v Cain , five of the Court’s justices sided with Terry Pitchford , a man sentenced to death for his part in killing a grocery story owner in Mississippi, over 20 years ago, reported AP. Trump v Cook: Donald Trump’s case for firing Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook, as he continues to exert greater control over the US central bank. Trump v Slaughter: A case which examines the legality of Trump’s firing of a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) member, Rebecca Slaughter. Trump v Barbara: In which the court will decide if the administration’s attempts to restrict birthright citizenship are unconstitutional...

Novel about ‘Disneyfication’ of nature wins climate fiction prize

Hum, Helen Phillips’ third novel, featuring a woman whose job is taken by a humanoid robot, is a terrifying look into a future where AI rules and nature is scarce A novel featuring a protagonist whose job is taken by AI has won the Climate fiction prize. Hum by Helen Phillips, the American writer’s third novel, is about a woman, May, who loses her job to a “hum” of the title – a humanoid robot. Struggling to find work, she becomes a guinea pig for an experimental injection that alters her face so it can’t be recognised by surveillance. When she gets paid for it, she splashes out on family passes to the Botanical Garden, the last remaining green space in her city. There, things take a turn for the worse. Hum by Helen Phillips (Atlantic Books, £16.99). To support the Guardian, order your copy at guardianbookshop.com . Delivery charges may apply. Helen Phillips will appear at Hay festival to discuss the book on Friday 30 May Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/X3wkTMS

Trump completes annual physical after year of public attention to health issues

US president, who turns 80 next month, frequently casts himself as fit but recent photos have added to questions about his health Sign up for the Breaking News US newsletter email Donald Trump, the oldest inaugurated president in US history, completed a physical exam on Tuesday at Walter Reed national military medical center, amid questions around his health. “Everything checked out PERFECTLY,” the US president declared in a social media post. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/v07ncYw

Agony and ecstasy in La Liga after a survival battle for the ages | Sid Lowe

At the end of a ‘crazy, crazy day’, Elche were safe. But opponents, Girona, were down with Mallorca and Oviedo Eder Sarabia wasn’t out there to see the tightest, tensest battle there has ever been end with liberation at last, but his mum and dad were and he wasn’t far away. Suspended for the final night of a season like no other, Elche’s coach was hidden down in the dressing room instead, watching the game that he knew was “us or them” on a TV set perched precariously upon a metal crate. There, as staff ran in and out delivering messages until it was his turn to set off on a sprint, he saw the match that defined five teams’ fate finish 1-1. Mobile in hand, alerts beeping, most of all he saw suffering. “Terrible, terrible, terrible,” he called it later, but by then at least it was done. Elche were safe. Their opponents, Girona, were down. Real Mallorca, like Real Oviedo, were going with them. “Crazy, crazy day, crazy match, a lot of emotions: this league was really crazy,” Sarabia sai...

Overheated chemical tank in southern California ‘will fail’, EPA chief says

Lee Zeldin says ‘low-volume release’ of flammable chemicals is most likely amid fears of explosion at Orange county facility near Disneyland Government officials in Orange county, California , have warned that an overheated chemical tank “will fail” and could result in a chemical explosion in the area, the Environmental Protection Agency administrator said on Sunday. “We’re being told that the tank will fail, but there are different scenarios as to what that means,” Lee Zeldin, told CNN’s State of the Union on Sunday. Zeldin, a former Republican congressman with no prior experience in environmental policy, was chosen by Trump as the head of the EPA . Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/5BQlwkE

F1 2026: Canadian Grand Prix race updates – live

️ Lap-by-lap news from Montreal race (9pm BST) ️ Send your thoughts to Alex by email here “We had a meeting yesterday and it’s all good, everything is settled,” says a smiling Kimi Antonelli as he’s asked trackside about his flashpoint with George Russell during yesterday’s sprint race . Toto Wolff will not want a repeat of Canada last year when two teammates – McLaren, not Mercedes – collided on the track. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/Ly8rnHp

F1 Canadian Grand Prix: qualifying – live

Follow latest updates from Montreal (Q1 at 9pm BST) Russell wins sprint race with Antonelli third | Email Philip Ouch. Lance Stroll’s car is in pieces. Suspension problem, Collins diagnoses. Lewis Hamilton zooms by on a scooter, setting a good example to any watching kids by wearing a helmet. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/IGrVswK

Pajor’s brilliance delivers Women’s Champions League victory for Barcelona against Lyonnes

Five times the bridesmaid, finally the bride, the Barcelona forward Ewa Pajor shrugged off the pain of all her Champions League final losses, scoring twice, as they punished a profligate Lyonnes to earn a fourth European title. Pajor stole the show, before Salma Paralluelo’s sublime double at the death doubled their tally. The Polish forward moved two goals clear of Alessia Russo’s nine to secure this season’s golden boot, but it was the trophy with sweeping ribbon-like handles that was all Pajor coveted. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/6mGlWPx

Domestic abuse law fails to recognise danger of tech abuse, Lords committee told

Policy adviser Jen Reed says tech-facilitated abuse has become ‘increasingly prevalent’ and calls for its inclusion in Domestic Abuse Act The Domestic Abuse Act fails to fully recognise the danger of technology-facilitated abuse, such as location tracking or hidden stalkerware, a Lords select committee has heard. Tech abuse has become “increasingly prevalent” and “very commonplace now within a domestic abuse context”, said Jen Reed, the head of policy at University College London’s Gender and Tech Research Lab, during an evidence session. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/UK7pre2

San Francisco turns to AI to save whales from ship strikes as deaths soar

Climate change is pushing starving grey whales to San Francisco Bay, where ship strikes led to 40% of 21 deaths Ferries, cargo ships and tankers cut through choppy waters in the San Francisco Bay on Tuesday as a whale surfaced nearby, its spout barely visible against the white caps. Until now, whales could easily go unnoticed by mariners, but an AI-powered detection network launched this week is designed to track them day and night. The system, called WhaleSpotter, scans the bay around the clock for whale blows and heat signatures up to 2 nautical miles away, alerting mariners to slow down or reroute when whales are nearby. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/nIrNeV1

Married at First Sight contestants urged to contact police over rape allegations

Metropolitan police says it is yet to receive criminal reports following claims made in BBC programme Police have urged potential victims of sexual assault who appeared on Married at First Sight (MAFS) UK to contact them, after female participants made allegations of rape and sexual misconduct. A BBC Panorama episode that aired on Monday evening documented accusations from contestants about their time on the reality TV show. Two women, who are not named, alleged they were raped by their on-screen husbands, while a third woman who agreed to be identified, Shona Manderson, accused her on-screen husband of taking things too far during sex. All the men deny the claims. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/WeT83tq

West Ham could have to raise £100m in player sales if they are relegated

Club reported £104.2m loss in last set of accounts Bowen, Fernandes and Summerville would have suitors West Ham will be under pressure to raise more than £100m through player sales if they are relegated. The club reported a loss of £104.2m in their last set of accounts and their financial problems will deepen if they are no longer in the Premier League. They are on the brink of going down after losing 3-1 at Newcastle on Sunday . Their fate will in effect be confirmed if Tottenham draw at ­Chelsea on Tuesday night and sealed if Spurs win. West Ham are realistic enough to know they will probably be in the Championship next season. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/RPTlpaA

Farm Fatale review – freaky scarecrows make hay out of climate crisis

Southbank Centre, London Between a sci-fi concert for eggs and an interview with a bee, the scarecrow broadcasters in Philippe Quesne’s oddball performance piece make the case for art as salvation and for farms as the lifeblood of humanity Bump into one of these scarecrows at night and you’d be forgiven for running a mile. But stick around to listen to this hay-laden gang of crop-protector castaways, who no longer have crops to protect nor birds to scare thanks to the climate crisis, and you’ll see they have only good intentions. The sensorily ambitious Farm Fatale joins five scarecrows with faces of melted plastic and voices of children swallowed by machines in the artificial studio of their pirate radio station. It is set in the near future, when the air is hard to breathe and birdsong is recorded. The only people getting by are the industrial farmers capitalising on the ruin of others. When the scarecrows interview a bee, with a microphone charmingly taped to a pitchfork, the little...

The Minnesota Timberwolves’ motley crew brought a burst of fun to the NBA playoffs

The Wolves probably won’t win a title without big roster changes, but their postseason run made their case as one of the league’s most entertaining teams The Minnesota Timberwolves are out of the NBA playoffs . It’s a miracle it took this long. In their first-round series against the Denver Nuggets, they saw two starters and another key reserve suffer significant injuries . The Nuggets entered the series on a 12-game winning streak and were favored from the jump. After somehow winning that series in six games, finding Denver’s weak points and pummeling them until they broke, the Wolves met an even more daunting opponent in the San Antonio Spurs. Though they’d have been forgiven for tiredly accepting a sweep, the Wolves swiped Game 1 on the Spurs’ home floor, then a close Game 4 at home. After that, the tank finally ran empty. But even in the losses – including Friday night’s in Game 6 – the Wolves found ways to frighten. They’d go down 18-3 and then tie the game by the end of the fir...

New Zealand sink England in rain-hit final women’s ODI to tie series

3rd ODI: England 181-7; NZ 141-4. NZ win by 17 runs (DLS) Play halted with tourists ahead on DLS – series drawn 1-1 New Zealand shared the series spoils – and the ICC Championship points – after winning the final one-day international at Cardiff on Saturday with six wickets in hand. Lauren Bell had initially reduced the tourists to 40 for three, before giving everyone a scare for next month’s World Cup when she toppled over in her follow-through and briefly left the field for treatment. She returned to bowl the 26th over of New Zealand’s run-chase, but the umpires called a halt to proceedings shortly afterwards. By then, a combination of Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday and Izzy Gaze had batted together for long enough and with enough assertiveness to ensure New Zealand were well ahead on DLS to level the series 1-1. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/cJprX7I

Thirteen years in the making: Madrid’s search for a saviour set to end in Mourinho return

The idea that one day Mourinho might return to the BernabĆ©u had hung in the air, if not really as a serious possibility. Now the impossible is probable The last time JosĆ© Mourinho was at the Santiago BernabĆ©u, he parked up in the bus. That night in late February the Benfica manager was suspended, a red card from the first leg of the Champions League playoff meaning he wasn’t allowed on the touchline he had prowled 13 years and a lifetime ago, so Real Madrid prepared a media booth for him to watch from. Situated on the eighth floor, Spanish radio to the left of him, Portuguese to the right, Cabin No 6 had been supplied with nuts, fruit, salad and jamón sandwiches. As kick-off approached, a crowd gathered by the door. But if the camera phones were out, he wasn’t. Mourinho never showed. Instead, he stayed in the basement 10 floors below, watching from an iPad on board the bus and leaving the post-match press conference to his assistant, JoĆ£o TralhĆ£o. The next time he comes, which could b...

American poet Sasha Debevec-McKenney wins Dylan Thomas prize for ‘blistering’ debut poetry collection

The £20,000 award for writers aged 39 or under goes to Joy Is My Middle Name, a collection about navigating race, addiction and womanhood A debut poetry collection with themes including race, addiction and womanhood has won this year’s Swansea University Dylan Thomas prize . American poet Sasha Debevec-McKenney took home the £20,000 prize – awarded to writers aged 39 or under in honour of the Welsh poet Dylan Thomas, who died at that age – for her debut collection Joy Is My Middle Name. She was announced as the winner at a ceremony in Swansea, Thomas’s birthplace. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/ptjb3ka

Forgiveness of a Monster review – psychodrama jostles with standup in foggy autofiction

Sherman theatre, Cardiff Connor Allen’s autobiographical show is a twister that winds in everything from gothic mystery to therapy sessions in an ambitious, rather incoherent mix Connor Allen’s autobiographical show features plenty of smoke and mirrors, literal and figurative. Smoke swirls from a pit on a darkened stage, jagged mirrors stand like rocks across it. It is an emotionally anguished play featuring a mixed-heritage protagonist (played by Allen) who has been abandoned by his Jamaican father and raised by his Welsh mother. His inability to forgive his father takes him back to Jamaica where he experiences a psychic watershed. This twister of a drama shifts ambitiously in form and tone, sliding between gothic thriller, family psychodrama and standup-style direct address at one point when Allen interacts with the audience with tipples of gin in warmly comic tones. At Sherman theatre, Cardiff , until 23 May Continue reading... from The Guardian htt...

Man sentenced to two years in prison for stealing unreleased BeyoncƩ music

Kelvin Evans pleads guilty to stealing hard drives and laptops from a car before singer’s Atlanta tour dates in 2025 A man arrested for stealing hard drives containing unreleased BeyoncĆ© music has pleaded guilty in an Atlanta court on Tuesday. Kelvin Evans was arrested by the Atlanta police department in September in connection to a July 2025 car robbery where two suitcases containing BeyoncĆ© music and tour plans were stolen from a rental car. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/afB8mS2

Keegan Bradley targets Ryder Cup 2027 return as player after haunting captaincy stint

‘It’s going to be really hard … but how fun would that be?’ Bradley is in field for this week’s PGA Championship Keegan Bradley still reflects on the pain of captaining the United States to a home Ryder Cup defeat last year but says he would love to make the 2027 team as a player. Bradley took full responsibility as his USA side endured a chastening first two days at Bethpage Black last September, slipping to a record 11.5-4.5 deficit, before a valiant fightback fell short. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/V1OU9YI

Premier League set to reject extended powers for VAR next season

VAR will rule on corners and second yellows at World Cup PGMO fears change will put more pressure on officials The Premier League is to reject widening the scope of VAR next season after talks with the refereeing body Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO). Under a regulation change approved by the International Football Association Board (Ifab) in February, the video assistant referee will be permitted to rule on the award of corners and second yellow cards from next month, with referees to use the powers at the World Cup after a request from Fifa. Ifab has made the new law discretionary, however, allowing leagues and competitions to decide whether to adopt it. The Premier League’s final decision will be made by the clubs at their annual general meeting next month, but PGMO has advised against extending the use of VAR. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/7BkyUe5

Wizards eye Dybantsa, Boozer, Peterson and Wilson at No 1 after winning NBA draft lottery

Washington last picked No 1 overall in 2010 Wizards had worst record in the NBA this season The league’s worst team this season are getting the No 1 pick in the NBA draft. The Washington Wizards won the draft lottery on Sunday and are poised to pick first overall for the first time since choosing John Wall in that spot in 2010. Wall was the Wizards’ on-stage representative for this year’s lottery. Utah won the right to pick No 2, Memphis will pick No 3 and Chicago will pick No 4. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/zpxD5j0

Foal review – British Asian’s search for belonging ripples between tenderness and rage

Finborough theatre, London Titas Halder’s raw solo play relays one young man’s feverish struggle in the face of racism, deftly played by Amar Chadha-Patel in his stage debut Titas Halder’s striking new one-man play is about a young British Asian man, A.K., growing up in Britain and experiencing increasingly brutal incidents of racism: bullying in the playground; casual jibes at work; parents who no longer feel safe in their family home. And at the centre of it all: a funny and sensitive man, struggling to find himself and fracturing in two. This is a strangely arresting production but there are some issues too. It feels like there’s a fairly specific play hiding in here but we’re only given scraps of details. A.K. spends his youth growing up on unnamed “Island” and later moves to the city, where he lives in a dingy flat on Seven Sisters Road. There are fleeting references to Walkmans in his childhood and, later, an allusion to the murder of Jean Charles de Menezes but the writing wav...

Fabio Wardley v Daniel Dubois: boxing heavyweight title – live

Main-event ring-walks scheduled for 11pm BST Wardley v Dubois is bout of uncertainty | Mail Alex “A real Rocky moment for Zak Chelli,” reckons Carl Frampton . It certainly was – the full-time supply teacher/boxer will be the talk of his school on Monday morning. Wow! We’ve had a stunning stoppage victory already in Manchester – and it isn’t the main event. Fulham’s Zak Chelli, a supply teacher by trade, has produced a sensational upset to defeat the Cuban former world champion David Morrell. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/Bz6YMO4

‘Your homes will be destroyed, your family killed’: the US has dropped millions of war propaganda leaflets – but do they work?

An exhibit of psyops leaflets released in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya finally shows American people the messages that were made in their name By Moustafa Bayoumi For over a century, the United States military has been dropping propaganda leaflets in deliberate psychological operations, or psyops, to achieve success in war. But the key question behind the effort remains unanswered: does it even work? In 1918, the US released more than 3m leaflets behind enemy lines by plane and hydrogen balloon. To their delight, they found the leaflets helped erode morale and unit cohesion among the Germans in the first world war. Or so the story goes. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/GZBO42I

Middlesbrough fury at ‘spying’ row as ‘venomous’ welcome awaits Southampton

Investigation too late for Saturday’s game at the Riverside Boro want process sped up amid sanctions uncertainty Middlesbrough remain furious with Southampton after catching a man they believe is a member of Tonda Eckert’s backroom staff allegedly spying on a vital training session ahead of Saturday’s Championship playoff semi-final first leg at the Riverside Stadium. Boro have reported the incident to the English Football League, as spying on opposition training is in breach of its regulations. The EFL is investigating the alleged misconduct and, as of Friday, was still waiting for an explanation of what happened from Southampton. Boro want the disciplinary process to be expedited but, as things stand, expect Saturday’s game to proceed as planned. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/kOK59Ns

Whirlpool warns of ‘recession-level’ slump as Iran war and tariff ruling hit sales

Appliance giant slashes earnings forecast and hikes prices by 10% with another 4% spike planned With the war in Iran and economic concerns putting pressure on consumers and how they spend their money, Whirlpool is having to adjust to Americans delaying big-ticket purchases while also raising prices to help stabilize its North American business. The company known for brands such as KitchenAid, Maytag and its namesake, said that the Iran war led to a “recession-level industry decline” in America as consumer confidence collapsed in late February and March. Revenue dropped nearly 10% in the quarter as sales of major appliances in North America declined more than 7%. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/cl5D0UH

Influencer Clavicular faces charges in Florida tied to alligator shooting video

Video shows ‘looksmaxxing’ influencer shooting an apparently already dead alligator in the Everglades A controversial social media influencer known as Clavicular is facing charges in connection with a live stream showing him shooting an apparently already dead alligator in the Everglades, local Florida media has reported. Clavicular, whose real name is Braden Eric Peters and is known for the practice of “looksmaxxing”, faces charges of unlawfully discharging a firearm in a public place or residential property, according to legal files obtained by television station ABC6 in South Florida. The charges stem from his alleged actions in a 26 March live stream. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/tzV1a0x

Ex-US spy for Israel calls for Gaza ethnic cleansing as he seeks Knesset seat

Jonathan Pollard, who served 30 years for selling US military secrets, advocates ‘forcible removal’ of Palestinians Jonathan Pollard, a former US navy intelligence analyst jailed for 30 years for spying for Israel , has said he will stand for election to the Knesset this year on a platform of ethnic cleansing. Speaking to Channel 13 television , Pollard said: “I personally prefer the forcible removal of all current residents of Gaza, and the annexation of Gaza and its repopulation by us.” Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/0icDJsw

Fire causes ‘substantial damage’ to Book of Mormon theater in New York

‘Deep-seated fire’ forces temporary closure of Eugene O’Neill Theatre, which is home to the long-running musical Sign up for the Breaking News US newsletter email A fire broke out Monday in the Broadway theater that hosts the The Book of Mormon , forcing the long-running musical to close, at least temporarily, as the historic venue undergoes repairs. The blaze, which began in an electrical room, caused “substantial damage” to the Eugene O’Neill Theatre, according to David Simms, New York fire department assistant chief. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/Nz81sn7

Teens storm Scientology church in New York in latest ‘speed running’ incident

Group broke through locked door in Manhattan, damaging property and injuring a staff member, church says A group of youths forced their way into a Scientology church in New York on Saturday in the latest in a string of nationwide “speed running” incidents that have gone viral on social media in recent weeks. The group broke through a locked door to gain entry to the Church of Scientology on West 36th Street in Manhattan, throwing objects, damaging the property and injuring a staff member as worshippers and visitors attended a seminar, the church said in a statement to the Guardian. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/DT40gLP

Bournemouth beat Crystal Palace with ease to keep Champions League dreams alive

By month’s end, Andoni Iraola and Oliver Glasner will depart their respective clubs. Having both taken their clubs into uncharted territory, neither’s task is yet complete. Bournemouth’s victory, a game all but won in the first half, was one for the club with their Premier League position as the priority. Bournemouth’s hopes of emulating Palace this season in playing European football for the first time were increased by a deserved, convincing win. The Champions League may even be in reach, Europa League permutations permitting. “We are in a good spot but need more points,” said Iraola, determined to leave a legacy and delighted by a “most dominant performance … we want to give the players the chance to play in Europe next season, it would be massive.” Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/D4MHjiq

Miami Grand Prix: main race qualifying after Norris wins sprint race – live

️ F1 qualifying updates from 9pm BST ️ McLaren one-two in sprint race | Mail Philip Button, who has a world title, confident that George Russell will be competitive come main qualifying as the Mercedes driver pursues a championship of his own. The heat is on in Miami. Drivers kept as cool as they can be by umbrellas as the cars receive their last touches. Jenson Button probably quite happy to not be wearing a race suit. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/nDQgkot

Olly Stone shines for Notts, Surrey’s Sibley hits century: county cricket, day two – as it happened

The Nottinghamshire bowler took five Leicestershire wickets at Grace Road while Dom Sibley dug in against Sussex A wicket at Grace Road , where Notts are pounding Leicestershire round the ground. Jack Haynes a fourth wicket for Ben Green. Joe Clarke is approaching his hundred. Notts 426-5. A pretty good looking crowd at Taunton, some huddling against a brick wall for warmth. Joe Root at first slip polishes the ball, Will Smeed, slow starting again, still on nought. Jack White on the money. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/Gpk6E2u

Ancient Roman gravestone found in New Orleans back yard returned to Italy

Nearly 2,000-year-old artifact handed over by FBI matches piece missing from museum near Rome for decades A nearly 2,000-year-old Roman grave marker discovered in a New Orleans backyard has now been returned to Italy. The marble epitaph – dating back roughly 1,900 years – was officially handed over to Italian officials in Rome on Wednesday during a ceremony led by the FBI. The event also marked the repatriation of another antiquity recovered in the US, the agency said. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/vo7wPYZ

Voting rights groups sue to block Louisiana from suspending primary elections

State’s governor has ordered congressional primary halted until state can redraw districts and dilute Black vote The American Civil Liberties Union filed a suit on behalf of Louisiana voting rights groups on Friday, asking a state court to block the state’s governor, Jeff Landry, and secretary of state, Nancy Landry, from suspending congressional elections . Landry suspended the state’s congressional primary election on Thursday – even after early voting had begun – to enact new districts for the 2026 election. The move came after the supreme court’s 6-3 decision in the Louisiana v Callais case on Wednesday, which invalidated swaths of the Voting Rights Act and declared that a Louisiana congressional district with a majority-nonwhite voting population violated equal protection provisions of the US constitution. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/5GfShb9

Venice Biennale jury quits amid row over participation of Russia

Decision follows backlash from Italian government and European Commission The jury of the Venice Biennale has quit just days before the prestigious art exhibition is due to begin, amid a row over the decision to allow Russia to participate. The resignation of the five-member international jury was announced late on Thursday in a brief statement by the Venice Biennale organisers, and came a day after the Italian culture ministry sent inspectors to Venice in search of information about the decision to allow Russia to have a pavilion at the event. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/Dg8rKbe

US gas prices hit $4.23 high as Hormuz fears drive oil surge

Blockade threat in vital strait and Trump’s stance lift crude, pushing pump prices to highest level since 2022 Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inbox Average US gas prices have hit a new high at $4.23 a gallon, their highest since 2022 and a record since the start of the war with Iran, according to the motor club AAA. The price of Brent crude, the benchmark that influences the price of gasoline in the US, now stands at $114.60 a barrel, up nearly 25% from the recent low since mid-April. US gas prices a year ago averaged $3.16 a gallon. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/ENKcd0t

‘Stole a charity’: Elon Musk accuses Sam Altman of betrayal in courtroom showdown

Trial is culmination of a years-long feud between Musk and Altman that has become increasingly vicious The trial pitting Elon Musk against Sam Altman and OpenAI began in earnest on Tuesday with opening arguments, as lawyers for the two tech moguls seek to convince a California jury of their client’s version of the AI company’s history. The trial is set to feature testimony from both billionaires, as well as some of the most powerful executives in the tech industry. Musk’s attorney argued that Altman, OpenAI and its president, Greg Brockman, broke a foundational agreement to better humanity when the non-profit pivoted towards a for-profit structure. Musk, who left OpenAI in 2018 after co-founding it with Altman and Brockman three years earlier, also alleged that his co-founders unjustly enriched themselves as the company raised billions of dollars and grew into the AI behemoth it is today. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/zuRhtm3

89-year-old man arrested over Athens double shooting

Multiple people injured when gunman opened fire inside a social security office and later an appeals court An 89-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of shooting and wounding several people in attacks on government buildings in Athens. Hours after the double shooting in the Greek capital, authorities announced a suspect had been detained in the western port city of Patras, reportedly attempting to flee to Italy. His arrest followed a countrywide manhunt. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/5mMYbHn

World Cup will be ‘bonanza of sportswashing’ under Trump, say human rights groups

Fans warned of uncertainty around protests and policing Lise Klaveness set to raise concerns over ICE with Fifa This summer’s World Cup will be a “bonanza of sportswashing” according to human rights organisations, who claim the Trump administration is using sport as a political tool to “cover up abuses”. With supporter groups warning they have “absolutely no clue” what will happen to fans if they do “stupid stuff” in the US during the tournament, the Sport and Rights Alliance (SRA), which includes Human Rights Watch (HRW) and Amnesty International, has called for more to be done to ensure the protection of individual rights at the World Cup, which begins in six weeks. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/HzUniGQ

European football: Inter fritter away two-goal lead; goalkeepers sent off for fighting in Spain

Nikola Vlasic scores Torino equaliser in 2-2 draw Dortmund seal Champions League spot with 4-0 win Champions-elect Inter were held to a 2-2 draw at Torino on Sunday, with the Serie A leaders letting slip a two-goal lead and leaving the title race ticking over with four rounds left. Inter appeared to be cruising after Marcus Thuram put them in front in the 23rd minute and Yann Bisseck doubled their lead 16 minutes after the break with another header but Torino clawed their way back into the game. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/6amVSxh

Drowning in the banter-sphere: how can the Premier League rivals handle the heat? | Barney Ronay

The current season has become a meme-war without end, an endless rolling wall of gloat and taunt in which players and managers must try to block out the noise In his new book, Saved, Gianluigi Buffon talks about feeling crushed by nerves even at the peak of his playing career. The day before the 2006 World Cup final Buffon and Gennaro Gattuso walked past the French squad after training and were immediately sent into a tailspin by their opponents’ intimidating size and athleticism. “We don’t stand a chance,” Gattuso joked, not actually joking. Buffon spent most of the night smoking in the hotel corridor with half the Italy team. At breakfast nobody could speak. They turned up at the stadium already feeling exhausted. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/SG5Amqi

Coco Gauff reaches fourth round despite vomiting on court at Madrid Open

American beats Sorana Cirstea 4-6, 7-5, 6-1 Gauff struggles as virus spreads through locker room Coco Gauff described how difficult it has been for players to remain healthy at the Madrid Open this year after she reached the fourth round despite vomiting on court and struggling with a virus that appears to have torn through the locker room . “I think I got a little cocky because I’ve been at tournaments where there were viruses and I never got it,” she said. “I saw it going around, I was like, ‘I’m not going to get it.’ And then here I am. I think it’s hard because you don’t know who’s sick, who’s not. I do a good job at using hand sanitiser and washing my hands and wiping my [training] mats and stuff before I use them. But sometimes some things are just hard to avoid when you’re all in a big building like this and have to pass each other and use the same equipment. Hopefully everybody’s all good by Rome.” Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/r85Cb6I