2 h. ago Many in US and western Europe think ‘third world war likely within five to 10 years’

Exclusive: Poll before 80th anniversary of VE Day finds tensions with Russia seen as most probable causeEighty years after the second world war, polling shows many Americans and western Europeans believe an even more devastating third global conflict could break out within a decade, with tensions with Russia seen as the most probable cause.As Europe prepares to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, the YouGov polling also showed large majorities felt that events during and before the second world war were relevant today and must continue to be taught to younger generations. Continue reading...

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7 h. ago GCHQ release cache of spy chatter discussing VE Day before end of war announced

The documents released from GCHQ’s archives mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day.

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10 h. ago Actress Sheila Hancock says we should thank veterans by making ‘a better world’

Dame Sheila, who was evacuated as a child during the Second World War, is due to appear at the VE day concert on Thursday.

Politics

12 h. ago Royals lead VE Day tea parties as flypast marks 80 years since end of war

After family balcony appearance, Prince George, 11, joins senior royals at event with veterans

Events

16 h. ago UK marks VE Day 80th anniversary with large crowds and military pomp

Royal family and war veterans watch 1,300-strong military procession in London while street parties held around UKAs Big Ben chimed at noon and with the Cenotaph, the symbol of sacrifice, draped in the union flag for the first time since its unveiling in 1920, the UK marked the 80th anniversary of VE Day with military pomp before large crowds who had gathered in central London.Buckingham Palace may have served as the centrepiece of Monday’s spectacle before Thursday’s anniversary of Victory in Europe Day. At the event’s heart, however, were the VVIP second world war veterans, those remaining few who bore actual witness then and who today serve to remind. Continue reading...

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29 h. ago Ukraine war briefing: Three million shells coming from our allies, says Zelenskyy

Ukrainian attack over border largely destroys Russian electrical equipment plant; mayor reports drones headed for Moscow. What we know on day 1,167See all our Ukraine war coverageUkraine hopes to receive 3m artillery shells from allies and partners in 2025 including 1.8m under a Czech-led programme, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in Prague on Sunday. “The Czech artillery initiative is working brilliantly,” the Ukrainian president said. Prague steers a European drive to supply artillery ammunition to Ukraine, financed largely by Nato allies. “Not only North Korea is capable of helping [Russia] in the war – we have allies who are helping Ukraine,” Zelenskyy said in comments reported by the Kyiv Independent.Zelenskyy added there would be a meeting on Monday with “Czech defence companies”, with details to be announced later. Discussions were under way for a Ukrainian-Czech pilot training school for F16 fighter jets, which could not be established in Ukraine “due to current security concerns”....

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30 h. ago Royals put Prince Harry drama behind them to celebrate war heroes on VE Day 80

While the plans have long been in place, it is clear Buckingham Palace hopes their position at the forefront of the nation's commemorations will refocus attention on their unifying role.

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31 h. ago Second World War veterans to join the King for VE Day tea party

They will have prime spots to watch the military parade and flypast in central London as part the nation’s VE Day 80th anniversary events.

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50 h. ago AP PHOTOS: On Victory Day, veterans recall the Soviet Union's sacrifice in World War II

When she heard the news of Nazi Germany surrendering 80 years ago, Valentina Efremova couldn’t believe the devastating war was over.

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52 h. ago Ukraine war briefing: Maritime drone shoots down Russian fighter jet for first time, says Kyiv

Ukrainian military intelligence claims Su-30 destroyed over waters near Russian port city of Novorossiisk, drawing no comment from Moscow. What we know on day 1,166See all our Ukraine war coverageUkraine has destroyed a Russian Su-30 fighter jet using a missile fired from a seaborne drone, according to Ukraine’s military intelligence agency, in what it said was the world’s first downing of a combat plane by a maritime drone. The GUR’s statement on social media on Saturday said the fighter had been shot down by a military intelligence unit called Group 13 on Friday over waters near Novorossiisk, a major Russian port city on the Black Sea. The Russian defence ministry did not comment on the Ukrainian claim, but an authoritative Russian blogger believed to be close to the ministry said the jet had been shot down. “The pilots ejected and were picked up by civilian sailors,” the blogger, who goes by the name Rybar, said on Telegram. Meanwhile, the mayor of Novorossiisk declared a state o...

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55 h. ago Second World War sacrifices remembered ahead of VE Day 80th anniversary

Sir Winston Churchill’s victory speech, a military procession, a flypast and street parties are part of the build-up to May 8.

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55 h. ago Second World War veterans have memories of VE Day brought to life

Charity Blind Veterans UK released illustrations, stories and photographs which look to raise funds for war heroes living with sight loss.

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58 h. ago KEIR STARMER: 'Whole of Britain should unite to honour World War II heroes on VE Day'

The Prime Minister set the scene for a week of celebrations commemorating the end of World War II, with King Charles, veterans and hundreds of military personnel set to take part

Events

2 d. ago Ukrainian troops to join UK's VE Day procession as Putin's war rages on

The Ministry of Defence says that Ukrainian soldiers will join the UK's military procession marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day as a symbol of global support over Russia's invasion

Politics

3 d. ago My VE Day was nothing like our image of it today. I hope we can honour what it really meant | Sheila Hancock

Our street party tea was a muted celebration, full of uncertainty. Then, as now, we faced a long struggle towards a better world It is May 2025, it is 4am, and I am sitting up in bed, sleepless, looking out at a huge moon illuminating the still world.Eighty-five years ago, in 1940, a silently weeping seven-year-old lay on a cracked leatherette sofa in urine-soaked pyjamas, looking through an alien window, praying that that same moon would protect my mum and dad from the killer bombs falling in London. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago There is a war on journalists raging around the world: let their voices be heard | Annie Kelly

Today is World Press Freedom Day. The Guardian is determined to highlight the dangers faced by reporters working in some of the world’s most perilous places, and to tell their storiesSupport the GuardianThere is a war on journalists raging across the world. Last year, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) recorded the highest number of media workers killed since it began collecting data three decades ago.According to that data, at least 124 journalists and media workers were killed in 2024 – nearly two-thirds of them Palestinians killed by Israeli forces in Gaza and the West Bank. Continue reading...

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3 d. ago I'm 102 and the secret of my long life is a cocktail and teacake for breakfast every day

Gordon 'Pop' White was one of two survivors on a Royal Navy landing craft which was bombed during the Second World War. Nowadays he gets up at 4am and starts the day with a cocktail and chocolate teacake

Politics

3 d. ago Ukraine war briefing: Russia attacks Kharkiv with drone barrage, injuring 46

Nighttime strikes in four districts prompt fresh appeal from Volodymyr Zelenskyy to boost air defences. What we know on day 1,165See all our Ukraine war coverage Continue reading...

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3 d. ago Brits who saved Netherlands from Nazis issue 'fragile peace' warning before big mission

Twenty veterans are heading overseas for the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands ahead of VE Day and warn Brits to learn the lessons of war.

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3 d. ago Trump is renaming Veterans Day to honor World War I soldiers

The president also revealed he wants to change the name of VE-Day on May 8 to ‘Victory Day for World War II’

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