45 h. ago ‘I must have done something right!’: dance master Jiří Kylián on his festival, fierce critics and the Ministry of Silly Walks

At 78, the great choreographer is enjoying a career-spanning celebration in Oslo. He reflects on his leap from dance to visual art and why he feels snubbed by BritainA gang of young dancers, their black costumes offset by colourful hats, cascade down the sloping roof of Oslo’s opera house for a jubilant routine to a Prince song by the waterfront. The building’s huge glass facade has become an unlikely stage for sculptures, digitally scanned from dancers’ bodies, positioned as if they are plunging into the building like the nearby bathers in the fjord. Inside, there’s an eclectic bill of ballets including one inspired by a painting from the Edvard Munch museum next door. In the wings of the theatre is an installation drawing on the Buddhist Zen symbol ensō. The studio space is screening short films veering from slapstick to the profound.But this sprawling festival, spanning more than two weeks and then partially touring, has a singular focus. These are all works by Jiří Kylián, the C...

Culture

5 d. ago Man who mowed down young girl on scooter gets early prison release after just a few weeks

News of Dwyer’s release comes a week after Britain’s most senior police officer criticised ministers for failing to assess the impact on forces of its plans to release prisoners early

Events

7 d. ago Starmer in race against time to stop Trump’s shock 50% steel tariffs hitting UK

US President has announced a huge extra levy on a critical industry, while his trade deal with the Labour prime minister is still not implemented

Events

9 d. ago Starmer says he does not need ‘lessons’ from Farage on working people

The Prime Minister has been scathing in his criticism of the Reform leader.

Politics

1 week ago UK’s most senior police officer criticises early prison release scheme

Mark Rowley joins head of MI5 and National Crime Agency in letter to justice ministry to say public could be at risk Britain’s most senior police officer has criticised ministers for failing to assess the impact on forces of its plans to release prisoners early.Sir Mark Rowley said the scheme to free thousands of offenders early to ease overcrowded prisons would “generate a lot of work for police”. The Metropolitan police commissioner added: “Every time you put an offender into the community, a proportion of them will commit crime [and] will need chasing down by the police.” Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago The least ‘integrated’ part of British society isn’t the immigrants – it’s the elite | Andy Beckett

Politicians and the rightwing press talk about integration in a selective and politically loaded way. The reality is quite differentAmid all the acrimony surrounding Keir Starmer’s recent remarks on immigration – a row that could follow him into retirement and beyond – there has been one little-examined area of agreement between the prime minister and his critics. “When people come to our country,” Starmer said, “they should also commit to integration.” You may believe that integration is not best achieved by government decree, yet in conversations about what sort of society Britain should be, it has long been generally accepted that integration is a good thing – not just for immigrants but for everyone.Mixing, empathising and collaborating with people who aren’t like you has benefits, the argument goes, for individuals and the country as a whole. Perspectives are broadened. Inequalities are softened, at least a little. Lives are enriched, and feelings of loneliness and alienation a...

Events

2 w. ago Israel accuses Keir Starmer of 'emboldening the forces of terror' by failing to draw 'moral red lines' after gunman screaming 'free Palestine' murdered two embassy workers in US

Israeli ministers pointed fingers at Western leaders, including Starmer, arguing that recent criticism of Israel's military campaign and humanitarian blockade in Gaza has fuel violent sentiment.

Events

2 w. ago Hamburg Ballet dancers accuse artistic director of creating ‘toxic environment’ – reports

More than half troupe’s dancers write to minister criticising Demis Volpi – and five soloists announce resignationEurope live – latest updatesBallet dancers at a top German company have reportedly written an excoriating critique of their new artistic director, accusing him of creating a “toxic work environment.”More than half of the 63 dancers making up the troupe have complained of untenable working conditions under Hamburg Ballet’s artistic director, Demis Volpi, who joined the company last September, taking over from the US choreographer John Neumeier. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago Qatar prime minister says $400m gifts are ‘normal’ between friends, following Trump jet criticism

Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani dismissed accusations that the move was being used by Qatar to curry favor with the president and his administration to seek benefits for the country

Politics

2 w. ago EU reset deal puts Britain back on the world stage, says Keir Starmer

UK prime minister heralds a ‘win-win’ but faces criticism for concessions on fishing rightsKeir Starmer has vowed his EU reset deal will deliver cheaper food and energy for British people, heralding a “win-win” as he sealed the high-stakes agreement with concessions on youth visas and fishing.“Britain is back on the world stage,” the prime minister said after shaking hands on the deal with the EU’s Ursula von der Leyen in London. “It gives us unprecedented access to the EU market, the best of any country all while sticking to the red lines in our manifesto.” Continue reading...

Economics

3 w. ago Canadian PM criticises UK invitation to Trump for second state visit

Mark Carney says Canadians ‘not very impressed’ after Keir Starmer delivered invitation to US president in FebruaryCanada’s prime minister, Mark Carney, has criticised Britain’s invitation to Donald Trump for a second state visit, saying it undermined his government’s effort to project a united front against the US president’s talk of annexing Canada.Since taking office in January, Trump has repeatedly said he wants Canada to become the 51st US state, a suggestion that has angered Canadians and left Britain trying to tread a fine line between the two North American countries. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Farage claims Starmer learning from Reform UK as PM defends immigration speech

Plaid Cymru’s Westminster leader Liz Saville Roberts criticised the language used by the Prime Minister, saying ‘somebody here has to call this out’.

Politics

3 w. ago Backlash to Starmer’s immigration speech ‘overblown’ – minister

Sir Keir’s comments have been likened to Enoch Powell’s infamous ‘rivers of blood’ speech.

Politics

3 w. ago Canadian prime minister Mark Carney criticises King Charles over Trump UK state visit

Canadian prime minister Mark Carney has criticised King Charles’ decision to offer Donald Trump a second state visit to the UK.

Politics

3 w. ago Starmer ‘completely rejects’ claims he echoed Enoch Powell in migration speech

The Prime Minister warned the UK risked becoming an ‘island of strangers’ if migration controls were not tightened.

Politics

3 w. ago Minister: UK exploring alternative Gaza aid routes but land crossings critical

Foreign Office minister Hamish Falconer said the scale of aid required in Gaza highlighted the importance of opening land crossings.

Politics

3 w. ago Keir Starmer hit by growing backlash for 'island of strangers' warning on immigration to Britain

London MPs have heavily criticised the Prime Minister over his language

Events

3 w. ago Starmer defends plans to curb net migration after backlash from MPs

Prime minister’s ‘island of strangers’ speech was likened to rhetoric of Enoch PowellKeir Starmer has defended his plans to curb net migration after an angry backlash from MPs, businesses and industry to a speech in which he said the UK risked becoming an “island of strangers” without tough new policies.The rhetoric was likened by some critics to the language of Enoch Powell, and the prime minister was accused of pandering to the populist right by insisting he intended to “take back control of our borders” and end a “squalid chapter” of rising inward migration. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Starmer accused of echoing far right with ‘island of strangers’ speech

Prime minister’s immigration speech was likened by MPs to rhetoric of Enoch PowellKeir Starmer has defended his plans to curb net migration after an angry backlash from MPs, businesses and industry to a speech in which he said the UK risked becoming an “island of strangers” without tough new policies.The rhetoric was likened by some critics to the language of Enoch Powell, and the prime minister was accused of pandering to the populist right by insisting he intended to “take back control of our borders” and end a “squalid chapter” of rising inward migration. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Cutting immigration will 'damage' Scottish economy and hit NHS recruitment, warns John Swinney

The SNP leader criticised the Prime Minister's choice of language as he announced a plan to restrict immigration - and claimed Starmer was "terrified" of Nigel Farage.

Events