47 m. ago Ukraine war latest: Putin compares EU to ‘burglars’ in rambling press conference after frozen assets plan dropped

EU Council president Antonio Costa says loan will cover Ukraine's military and economic needs for next two years

Politics

88 m. ago Heathrow taxis plaguing local communities hit with blitz of 6,250 parking fines

Hillingdon Council imposed a Public Spaces Protection Order to stop taxis and private hire vehicles waiting in local streets before picking up customers from the airport

Events

3 h. ago Chess: Magnus Carlsen back in World Rapid and Blitz as Fide signals jeansgate peace

The Norwegian world No 1 will compete at Doha next week, a year after he was penalised for wearing jeans in New YorkOne year ago, the world No 1, Magnus Carlsen, and the global chess body, Fide, were at loggerheads after the Norwegian was penalised for wearing jeans at the World Rapid in New York. The 35-year-old also agreed to share the World Blitz crown despite a rule requiring an outright winner.Relations worsened further when Fide opposed Carlsen’s wish for the new Freestyle circuit winner to be called a world champion, he announced that he was “done” with Fide. Continue reading...

Politics

4 h. ago As the US invests in fossil fuels, young climate activists push back in the courts

In this week’s newsletter: A generation is using the legal system to demand accountability for climate harm• Don’t get Down to Earth delivered to your inbox? Sign up hereRikki Held grew up on her family’s ranch in Montana, watching the land transform amid the climate crisis. The Powder River, which runs through the property, has sometimes dried up during drought, leaving crops and livestock without water. At other points, rapid snowmelt and heavy rains have caused flooding and eroded riverbanks, making the land difficult to use.Two years ago, the 24-year-old and a group of other young people won a groundbreaking legal victory, intended to prevent those impacts from worsening. In August 2023, a judge ruled in favour of plaintiffs in Held v Montana, in which 16 young people accused the state of violating their constitutional rights by promoting planet-warming fossil fuels. The state’s supreme court affirmed the judge’s findings late last year, but plaintiffs say lawmakers have since p...

Events

9 h. ago AI data centers may have created as much pollution as New York City and used a world’s supply of bottled water in just one year

Over the past few years, Silicon Valley's AI blitz has created skyrocketing demand for high-end computation in vast dedicated data centers

Politics

16 h. ago The Guardian view on the EU and Ukraine: a moment of truth for Brussels and Kyiv | Editorial

The plan to mobilise Russia’s frozen assets is morally compelling and ingenious. The problem is that its enemies will never see it that wayMorally, the decision facing the European Council in Brussels this week has been a no-brainer. Russia invaded Ukraine illegally and unilaterally. Moscow shows no sign of wanting peace. It actively threatens other countries too, including Britain. Ukraine is running out of money. Yet £184bn worth of Russian assets remain frozen in Europe, notably in Belgium. That money should therefore be mobilised to fund Ukraine. To many, this would be the enactment of a clear and present duty, proof positive that Europe can still be a heavy hitter.In the messy reaches of the real world, however, things have not been straightforward. Law, economics and politics all managed to insinuate themselves, sometimes venomously, into the intense buildup to Brussels. Reparations can have lethal political consequences. Seizure of assets will undoubtedly face legal...

Politics

17 h. ago This New Independent London Hotel Has Art Deco Rooms, Chess Nights, and Sandwich Trolleys

This New Independent London Hotel Has Art Deco Rooms, Chess Nights, and Sandwich Trolleys  AFAR

Politics

17 h. ago Pope blasts 'irrationality' of military deterrence in first annual peace message

Pope Leo XIV says peace is not only possible but necessary

Events

19 h. ago Pope’s naming of New York archbishop signals continued challenge to Trump on immigration

Ronald Hicks, who endorsed message condemning ICE raids, to lead one of biggest US archdiocesesPope Leo XIV has named a fellow Chicagoan as the next archbishop of New York, one of the biggest US archdioceses, in a signal that the church will continue its stance against the Trump administration on immigration.The US-born pope chose 58-year-old Ronald Hicks, the current bishop of Joliet, Illinois, to lead the church in New York, replacing retiring Cardinal Timothy Dolan who has served for 16 years after being selected by Pope Benedict XVI in 2012. Continue reading...

Politics

20 h. ago Ukraine may need to cut drone production if no deal reached on frozen Russian assets, says Zelenskyy – Europe live

Ukrainian president says case for transfer of assets to fund war effort is ‘morally clear and just’ Germany’s chancellor Friedrich Merz confirms his support for the EU’s reparations loan, saying he sees “no better option.”He diplomatically acknowledges Belgium’s concerns, and says he hopes “we can address them together” to “send a signal of strength and resolve towards Russia.” Continue reading...

Economics

20 h. ago Kremlin envoy set to visit Miami for talks on US peace plan for Ukraine

A U.S. official says a Kremlin envoy will travel to Florida to discuss a U.S.-proposed plan to end the war in Ukraine

Politics

20 h. ago Sudanese paramilitary group RSF killed more than 1,000 civilians in Zamzam camp in April, UN says

The U.N. Human Rights Office says in a new report that more than 1,000 civilians were killed in a three-day attack by the Sudanese paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces on Sudan's largest displacement camp

Events

20 h. ago UK actors vote to refuse to be digitally scanned in pushback against AI

Equity says vote signals strong opposition to AI use and readiness to disrupt productions unless protections are securedActors have voted to refuse digital scanning to prevent their likeness being used by artificial intelligence in a pushback against AI in the arts.Members of the performing arts union Equity were asked if they would refuse to be scanned while on set, a common practice in which actors’ likeness is captured for future use – with 99% voting in favour of the move. Continue reading...

Politics

20 h. ago Polish independence could be under threat if Ukraine forced to capitulate, Donald Tusk warns – Europe live

Warning comes as EU leaders discuss sending frozen Russian assets to UkraineGermany’s chancellor Friedrich Merz confirms his support for the EU’s reparations loan, saying he sees “no better option.”He diplomatically acknowledges Belgium’s concerns, and says he hopes “we can address them together” to “send a signal of strength and resolve towards Russia.” Continue reading...

Events

21 h. ago Polish independence ‘under threat’ if EU cannot come to decision on giving Russian assets to Ukraine, says Poland’s Tusk – Europe live

Warning comes as EU leaders attempt to reduce the risks from Russian retaliation against Belgium, which holds most of the €210bn of frozen Russian assetsGermany’s chancellor Friedrich Merz confirms his support for the EU’s reparations loan, saying he sees “no better option.”He diplomatically acknowledges Belgium’s concerns, and says he hopes “we can address them together” to “send a signal of strength and resolve towards Russia.” Continue reading...

Events

22 h. ago Russia warns it will ‘recover damages’ as EU leaders begin debate on giving frozen assets to Ukraine – Europe live

Zelenskyy warns of ‘big problems for Ukraine’ if no deal reached to unlock €210bn in frozen Russian assetsGermany’s chancellor Friedrich Merz confirms his support for the EU’s reparations loan, saying he sees “no better option.”He diplomatically acknowledges Belgium’s concerns, and says he hopes “we can address them together” to “send a signal of strength and resolve towards Russia.” Continue reading...

Events

23 h. ago Pope Leo condemns ‘blasphemous’ leaders who invoke religion for nationalism and war

The first US pope also warned against using AI in warfare in a message released ahead of the World Day of Peace

Politics

25 h. ago EU told to choose between ‘money today or blood tomorrow’ as leaders debate giving Russian assets to Ukraine – Europe live

European leaders meet in Brussels as Poland’s Donald Tusk issues warning to fellow EU statesGermany’s chancellor Friedrich Merz confirms his support for the EU’s reparations loan, saying he sees “no better option.”He diplomatically acknowledges Belgium’s concerns, and says he hopes “we can address them together” to “send a signal of strength and resolve towards Russia.” Continue reading...

Politics

30 h. ago The shortest day of the year is descending on the Northern Hemisphere. Here's what to know

Sunday marks the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, signaling the start of astronomical winter

Politics

38 h. ago Love Island winner Tom Clare devastated as football star teammate Ethan McLeod dies in horror M1 car crash

LOVE Island winner Tom Clare has been left feeling devastated as his football star teammate Ethan McLeod dies in a horror M1 car crash. The Macclesfield Town footballer took to Instagram to share the heart-breaking news of his friend. Tom posted an official image of his teammate Ethan McLeod and captioned it: "Rest in Peace...

Events