6 h. ago Can I tame my 4am terrors? Arifa Akbar on a lifetime of insomnia – and a possible cure

From Van Gogh’s starry skies to the nocturnal workings of Louise Bourgeois and Patricia Highsmith, sleepless nights have long inspired heightened creativity. Could those artistic impulses actually help us to sleep?I can’t remember when I first stopped sleeping soundly. Maybe as a child, in the bedroom I initially shared with my brother, Tariq. I would wait for his breathing to quieten, then strain to listen beyond our room in the hope of being the last one awake, and feel myself expanding into the liberating space and solitude. By my early 20s, that childhood game of holding on to wakefulness while others slept began playing out against my will. Sound seemed to be the trigger. It was as if the silence I had tuned into as a child was now a requirement for sleep. Any sound was noise: the burr of the TV from next door, the ticking of a clock in another room. When one layer of sound reduced its volume, another rose from beneath it, each intrusive and underscored by my own unending thoug...

Events

9 h. ago ‘It’s a complete assault on free speech’: how Palestine Action was targeted for proscription as terrorists

It started as a group of activists on a budget – now it could be banned under terrorism laws. But were lobbyists behind the proposed ban?If this interview had taken place in a week’s time, Huda Ammori might have been arrested. If this interview had been published in a week’s time, the Guardian might also have been breaking the law.Ammori, a co-founder of Palestine Action, said she was finding it “very hard to absorb the reality of what’s happening here”. She said: “I don’t have a single conviction but if this goes through I would have co-founded what will be a terrorist organisation.” Continue reading...

Events

9 h. ago Free speech target or terrorist gang? The inside story of Palestine Action – and the plan to ban it

It started as a group of activists on a budget – now it could be banned under terrorism laws. But were lobbyists behind the proposed ban?If this interview had taken place in a week’s time, Huda Ammori might have been arrested. If this interview had been published in a week’s time, the Guardian might also have been breaking the law.Ammori, a co-founder of Palestine Action, said she was finding it “very hard to absorb the reality of what’s happening here”. She said: “I don’t have a single conviction but if this goes through I would have co-founded what will be a terrorist organisation.” Continue reading...

Events

10 h. ago Kneecap to perform at Glastonbury amid calls for them to be banned

Band member Liam Og O hAnnaidh appeared in court last week charged with flying a flag in support of proscribed terrorist organisation Hezbollah.

Events

10 h. ago Shop staff share terror as meat cleaver thug launched attack before £2k till raid

Police have launched a probe after £2,000 was stolen from the Premier Bathville store in Armadale, West Lothian, at around 8.15pm on Thursday.

Economics

11 h. ago Doorbell camera caught 4am garden intruder getting instant karma

The camera captured something quite unusual in the middle of the night

Events

17 h. ago Former Venezuelan intelligence chief pleads guilty to US drug charges

Hugo Carvajal faces narco-terrorism and weapon charges amid accusations he helped lead a drug-trafficking groupA former top Venezuelan military intelligence chief has pleaded guilty in a Manhattan federal court to narco-terrorism conspiracy, drug-trafficking and weapons charges, piling further US pressure on the government of Nicolás Maduro.Hugo Armando Carvajal Barrios, AKA “El Pollo” or “The Chicken,” was the director of Venezuela’s military intelligence under presidents Hugo Chávez and Maduro. On Wednesday, days before his trial was set to begin, he pleaded guilty to four federal counts, related to accusations that he helped lead a drug-trafficking group within the Venezuelan government. Continue reading...

Events

18 h. ago Arena bombing survivor battered in her own home by thug who shouted: “I’m going to be a terrorist”

A Manchester Arena bombing survivor was left “at rock bottom” after a violent thug stormed her home, shouted “I’m going to be a terrorist” and launched a brutal attack — just as she was starting to rebuild her life.

Events

18 h. ago Thug told arena bombing victim "I'm going to be a terrorist" then battered her

Lewis Tucker had previously been 'looked out for' by the woman he attacked

Events

23 h. ago The Mancunian Way: ‘I somehow managed not to soil myself in terror’

PLUS: Liam as a little lad

Events

23 h. ago ‘Orchestrated grovel’: critics react to Europe’s attempts to tame Donald Trump

Nato chief Mark Rutte derided for calling US president ‘daddy’ and showering him with praise over IranHistory may record this week as the one in which Donald Trump came to Europe to discuss defence spending.Diplomats may remember it as the week in which the art of obsequiousness reached new highs and the sycophants plunged new lows. Continue reading...

Politics

26 h. ago Katy Perry receives a message of support from Lauren Sanchez after ex Orlando Bloom cosied up to another woman

The pop star, 40, is currently on her Lifetimes Tour in Australia while Lauren prepares to say 'I do' to billionaire Jeff Bezos in Venice.

Politics

27 h. ago Four people are arrested by terror cops after aircraft is vandalised at RAF Brize Norton

Two men and a woman have been arrested on suspicion of a terror offence after two aircrafts were damaged at RAF Brize Norton, police have said.

Events

27 h. ago Terror arrests after vandalism of planes at RAF base claimed by Palestine Action

A woman and two men, who were arrested on suspicion of preparing acts of terrorism, have been taken into custody.

Events

27 h. ago Four people arrested after Palestine Action incident at RAF Brize Norton

Two women and two men held after damage caused to two Voyager aircraft, say counterterrorism policeFour people have been arrested on suspicion of a terror offence after two Voyager aircraft were damaged at RAF Brize Norton in an action claimed by the campaign group Palestine Action, counterterrorism policing south-east said on Friday.In a statement the force said: “A 29-year-old woman of no fixed abode, and two men aged 36 and 24, both from London, were arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism, contrary to section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000. Continue reading...

Events

27 h. ago Three arrested on suspicion of 'terrorism' after RAF aircrafts vandalised

Palestone Action claimed responsibility for the incident at RAF Brize Norton.

Events

28 h. ago Three arrested on suspicion of terror offences after Palestine Action damage at RAF Brize Norton

A 29-year-old woman and two men aged 36 and 24 have been arrested on suspicion of a terror offence after two Voyager aircraft were damaged at RAF Brize Norton in an action claimed by campaign group Palestine Action, Counter Terrorism Policing South East said.

Events

41 h. ago Brad Pitt's home terrorized by thieves who scaled fence to break in

The thieves scaled a fence before ransacking the actor's home Los Angeles home and making off with property.

Events

41 h. ago Brad Pitt's home fence scaled by thieves in terrifying break

Hollywood icon Brad Pitt's home has reportedly been terrorised by thieves, with it alleged three suspects tried to scale the fence at his Los Angeles property

Events

43 h. ago Katy Perry enjoys day out amid Orlando Bloom split allegations

Katy Perry visited Australia Zoo during a pit stop on her Lifetimes tour Down Under, amid speculation over an alleged split between the pop star and her partner Orlando Bloom.

Politics