35 m. ago From the archive: ‘I pleaded for help. No one wrote back’: the pain of watching my country fall to the Taliban – podcast

We are raiding the Guardian long read archives to bring you some classic pieces from years past, with new introductions from the authors.This week, from 2021: As the fighters advanced on Kabul, it was civilians who mobilised to help with the evacuation. In the absence of a plan, the hardest decisions fell on inexperienced volunteers, and the stress began to tellBy Zarlasht Halaimzai. Read by Serena Manteghi Continue reading...

Politics

35 m. ago The left is rising, and the far right is reeling. Will I finally see the Finland I dreamed of? | Mike Watson

My adopted home has been a dark place of late. But in last week’s local elections, voters turned against cruel politics – and raised hopes of a more progressive futureThe Finns say “spring comes in swinging” – when winter gives way to spring, and green shoots meet the final flurries of snow, often well into April. In Finnish politics, too, some hope is beginning to emerge after a long, dark winter.In municipal, regional and mayoral elections held across the country last week, rightwing populist parties were roundly defeated, while parties on the left gained ground. In particular, the far-right Finns party saw its vote share collapse, from 20% in the general election of 2023 to as low as 7.6% now. This leaves the coalition government of which it forms a part severely weakened and the centre-left Social Democratic party (SDP) with the biggest vote share nationwide (23%). When the Finns party leader, Riikka Purra, admitted defeat on results night, she complained that a punainen aalto, ...

Politics

35 m. ago Shakespeare did not leave his wife Anne in Stratford, letter fragment suggests

Professor says text shows Hathaway lived with playwright in London, upending the established idea of an unhappy marriageIt has long been assumed that William Shakespeare’s marriage to Anne Hathaway was less than happy. He moved to London to pursue his theatrical career, leaving her in Stratford-upon-Avon and stipulating in his will that she would receive his “second best bed”, although still a valued item.Now a leading Shakespeare expert has analysed a fragment of a 17th-century letter that appears to cast dramatic new light on their relationship, overturning the idea that the couple never lived together in London. Continue reading...

Politics

95 m. ago Liverpool news: Arne Slot's costly Darwin Nunez decision as Reds given Tottenham warning

Liverpool are on the verge of being crowned Premier League champions, with Arne Slot's squad set to meet up on Wednesday night to watch title rivals Arsenal face Crystal Palace

Events

3 h. ago How fake 'Reese Witherspoon' tried to cheat us out of thousands: She sent this convincing video and showed ID. But now we expose this devious new crime wave

Mark Lewis and Nick Stapleton, hosts of Scam Interceptors, went undercover to reveal the tricks of scammers using deepfakes of Hollywood stars. Here they reveal how you can beat them...

Events

4 h. ago Freddie Mercury's sister 'secretly spends £3M to get back singer's memorabilia amid battle with his 'wife' Mary Austin over star's possessions'

Mary Austin was the woman who won the heart of the rock legend and has been the beneficiary of his fortune since his death from AIDS-related pneumonia in 1991.

Economics

4 h. ago ALEX BRUMMER: Far from making America great again, Trump Slump has caused global chaos

Donald Trump has presided over an economy that is reviving memories of the Great Depression. Unless he sees sense, his decisions will continue putting all our savings at risk.

Politics

5 h. ago Elon Musk makes bombshell announcement about his future with DOGE as Tesla's profits drop 71%

Elon Musk says he´ll dedicate more time to Tesla and his role as 'First Buddy' will 'drop significantly' starting in May after the company reported a downfall in first quarter profits.

Events

5 h. ago Rachel Reeves warned she can't just blame Donald Trump's tariffs for faltering economy as IMF slashes its growth forecast for Britain

In a brutal verdict on Labour's economic record, it said domestic factors had played the 'biggest role' in its decision to downgrade its UK growth forecast.

Events

5 h. ago Texas Lottery executive resigns after investigation into recent winning tickets

Ryan Mindell notified the lottery’s commission board of his decision as the agency faces scrutiny from state officials

Events

6 h. ago Trump says he is ‘entitled’ to deport people without trials – live

President says it’s not possible to have trials for everyone he wants to deport and that US would otherwise be a ‘very dangerous country’Hegseth blames ousted officials for leaksSpeaking in India, JD Vance has warned that the 21st century could be “a very dark time for all of humanity” depending on the decisions made over global trade and global partnerships at this juncture.The US vice-president said “We are now officially one quarter into the 21st century, 25 years in, 75 years to go. And I really believe that the future of the 21st century is going to be determined by the strength of the US-India partnership. Continue reading...

Politics

6 h. ago Pete Hegseth did share classified information with wife and brother despite White House’s claims, report says

Defense secretary accuses media of trying ‘to slash and burn people and ruin their reputations’

Events

6 h. ago Welsh Tory to quit at next Senedd poll to fight general election betting charges

Russell George, who is among 15 people under investigation, says he wants to focus on clearing his nameA Welsh politician who is among 15 people charged after bets were placed on the timing of the 2024 general election is to quit at the next Senedd election. Russell George, the Conservative member for Montgomeryshire, said he was withdrawing his candidacy to stand in next year’s election to focus on clearing his name. The Senedd member was one of a number of people linked to the Conservative party reported to have made bets on the election date, which was called by then-prime minister Rishi Sunak. Senedd Conservative leader Darren Millar withdrew the whip from George last week after the Gambling Commission announced the charges, meaning he now sits as an independent within the Welsh parliament.George, 50, said in a statement on Tuesday: “I was shocked and surprised to have been informed by the Gambling Commission that I am facing charges for cheating. “To be clear, I have never chea...

Politics

7 h. ago Is Kai Trump the next Alex Cooper? President’s granddaughter turns to interviews as her social media profiles rises

Kai’s popular content could nudge more young women and girls towards the MAGA movement, and the GOP more broadly

Politics

7 h. ago X Factor's Tom Mann 'finds love with fellow singer' three years after the tragic death of his fiancée Danielle Hampson on their wedding day

The songwriter, 31, was left heartbroken in June 2022 after his wife-to-be and mother of their son Bowie died suddenly the morning they were set to say 'I do'.

Events

7 h. ago Tesla sales plunge as carmaker warns ‘political sentiment’ could impact future demand

Profits slide 71% to $409m as analysts conclude Elon Musk’s role in White House has caused branding crisisTesla saw a 9% drop in revenue year over year in the first quarter of 2025. The company brought in $19.3bn in revenue, well below Wall Street expectations of $21.45bn. The company reported an earnings per share of 27 cents, also well under investor expectations of 43 cents in earnings per share.Tesla profits also slid 71% to $409m compared with $1.39bn in net income the previous year. Continue reading...

Events

8 h. ago Man United icon Gary Neville gives honest Marcus Rashford verdict after major decision confirmed

Marcus Rashford departed Manchester United on loan in the January transfer window and has rediscovered some of his form at Aston Villa

Politics

8 h. ago Abusive thug strangled girlfriend and 'set fire to her hair' in violent relationship

'Danger to the public' Ryan Black, 40, set his girlfriend's hair on fire and accused her of cheating on him during a violent relationship where he left her unconscious

Events

8 h. ago Brooklyn Beckham and wife imitate his parents in new snaps amid family feud

Brooklyn Beckham and his wife, Nicola Peltz, channelled his parents as he shared a couple of new snaps on his Instagram page amid a rumoured family feud

Society

9 h. ago Emmerdale's Liam 'sealed' as John's next victim in sinister scene

Emmerdale villain John Sugden appeared to target a new villager on the ITV soap on Tuesday night, as Liam Cavanagh's decision left the secret killer furious with him

Events