2 h. ago Tim Dowling: let my tortoise’s humiliating mishap be a lesson to him

A freak thunderstorm soaks the middle one on his way to our house (he’s come to raid the fridge), but the real drama is the toppled tortoise After an hour’s work on a hot morning I leave my office shed and return to the kitchen for a coffee. Halfway there I find the tortoise lying on his back on the path. He can’t have been there for more than an hour, as he wasn’t there when I came out.“What happened to you?” I say, setting him on his feet. But it’s pretty obvious what happened: he tried to exit the garden bed by climbing over the border of diagonally laid bricks and overbalanced. It’s an obstacle he surmounts without difficulty between five and 10 times a day in the warmer months, but occasionally – perhaps once every four years – he puts a foot wrong. So far, I have always been there to turn him back over. Continue reading...

Politics

5 h. ago Ukraine war briefing: Multiple injuries as Russia attacks Kyiv with drones and missiles

Explosions heard across capital and fires ignited while Russia and Ukraine begin largest prisoner swap of war. What we know on day 1,186See all our Ukraine war coverage Kyiv came under heavy drone and missile attack by Russian forces overnight into Saturday, triggering fires and injuring at least eight people, the Ukrainian capital’s mayor said. Explosions and machine-gun fire were heard throughout the city and many Kyiv residents took shelter in underground subway stations. Debris fell in at least four districts, said the Kyiv military administration, with six people requiring medical care. Pictures posted online showed smoke billowing from the top of one block of flats and flames leaping from part of another as emergency crews trained water on it.Russia and Ukraine on Friday began a major, complicated exchange of military prisoners of war and civilians, write Peter Beaumont and Pjotr Sauer. Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s president, said the first phase brought home 390 Ukrainians,...

Events

20 h. ago Travel experts warn 'stop booking seven, 10 and 14 day trips' for 1 good reason

The traditional week or fortnight in the sun is outdated, say experts

Events

26 h. ago Helen Goh’s recipe for coconut, vanilla and almond cake with strawberries | The sweet spot

Tropical and floral notes mix with the fresh tang of lime in this glorious cake that’s made for sharingThis cake is inspired by the scent of the gorse bushes along the Lizard peninsula in Cornwall, where my family and I go walking on summer holidays. The scent can be elusive, but occasionally, on a warm, sunny day, the breeze catches those golden flowers and diffuses their distinct, sweet scent – a mingling of coconut, vanilla and almond. I’ve added lime to freshen things up, should those flavours prove a little heady or rich. Continue reading...

Politics

61 h. ago What is Memorial Day and how has it evolved from its Civil War origins?

Memorial Day is supposed to be about mourning the nation’s fallen service members

Events

62 h. ago The Guardian view on Russia sanctions: a brittle economy is Putin’s weakness | Editorial

Ukraine’s allies must dial up sanctions to expose the fragility of the Kremlin’s strategy for perpetual warDonald Trump’s pledge to end the war in Ukraine on the first day of his second term as US president was a sign of his unsuitability as a peace broker. A clearer sign was his apparent sympathy with Vladimir Putin. Mr Trump’s tone regarding the Russian president has cooled somewhat on the discovery that the conflict cannot be frozen by White House diktat. There are hints of recognition that the peace process is failing because the Kremlin is cynically playing for time. Sadly, any such insight hasn’t evolved into outrage at the criminal aggression that started the war in the first place.Accounts of a telephone call between the two leaders earlier this week indicate no increase in American pressure on Russia. Mr Trump’s impatience with the whole issue seems likelier to result in him walking away. Mr Putin relishes that prospect.Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this ar...

Politics

69 h. ago Rail travel warning issued as delays and cancellations expected ALL DAY on busy line

Avanti West Coast services passengers are being warned to expect disruption

Events

3 d. ago Drivers warned major bridge used by 20,000 Londoners each day to shut over busy half

Albert Bridge, which connects Chelsea and Battersea, will close for the third time in 12 months amid ‘essential maintenance’

Events

3 d. ago Families abandoning 'disgusting' Irvine beach because of 'boozed

Volunteers claim they are collecting 'hundreds' of bottles each day during warm weather.

Society

3 d. ago Natwest customers urged to act ahead of huge change to bank accounts this month

The cut to interest rates comes as the Bank of England slashed its base rate by 0.25 percentage points to 4.25% earlier this month. On the day, savers were immediately warned about the impact the move would have on them

Economics

4 d. ago 'More help needed' despite Scottish Water customers saving 60 million litres a day since warning

Scots were slapped with a warning to reduce water usage after the country saw the driest start to a year since 1964.

Economics

4 d. ago Brace for Bank Holiday chaos: Warning 20 million cars will hit the roads each day as map reveals travel hotspots you should avoid

Congestion this weekend is likely to be localised around attractions, retail parks, town centres and coastal areas - with half of journeys in Britain set to be under 50 miles, according to The AA.

Events

5 d. ago Gaza ceasefire talks continue as Israel carries out fresh wave of strikes

Netanyahu signals openness to deal but lays out conditions while territory’s hospitals ‘overwhelmed’ with casualties• Middle East crisis – latest updatesCeasefire talks between Israel and Hamas have been continuing in Qatar for a second day as Israeli warplanes and artillery launched a fresh wave of strikes across Gaza, killing at least 103 people, according to health officials in the Palestinian territory.The Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, signalled on Sunday that Israel was open to a deal with Hamas that would include “ending the fighting” in Gaza, but laid out conditions that have been repeatedly refused by the militant Islamist organisation. Continue reading...

Events

5 d. ago Ukraine war latest: Russia launches ‘biggest drone attack since invasion’ ahead of Trump ceasefire call

Trump says ‘hopefully it will be a productive day, a ceasefire will take place, and this very violent war ... will end'

Events

6 d. ago Ukraine war latest: Trump insists ceasefire will take place after calls with Putin and Zelensky on Monday

Trump says ‘hopefully it will be a productive day, a ceasefire will take place, and this very violent war ... will end'

Politics

6 d. ago New PGA Championship tee times including Rory McIlroy as weather suspends play at Quail Hollow

Start of Moving Day held up after weather warnings at Quail Hollow

Politics

8 d. ago Gary Lineker aims a dig at new BBC boss who 'has no TV experience' and warns him not to mess with Match of the Day ahead of his final episode as host after being pushed aside

In his stead, the BBC has opted not to replace him with a single figure, as he replaced former host Des Lynam, but - as exclusively revealed by Mail Sport - with a trio of co-hosts.

Events

8 d. ago Boomtown, Reading and Leeds, and Love Saves the Day among 46 festivals uniting to fundraise for children affected by war

Music fans will be given a chance to win a pair of tickets to some of the UK’s top festivals this summer

Events

1 week ago Tesco issues 19 day warning for anyone who has a Clubcard as shoppers told 'don't forget'

Tesco shoppers have been urged to check their Clubcard vouchers before the end of the month

Events

1 week ago Scotland sees hottest day of 2025 so far warmer than California as scorcher continues

Ayrshire rivalled the baking heat of the Hollywood hills on Monday and the summer scorcher is set to continue

Events