29 m. ago Germany election: Europe must boost defence capabilities quickly, says Merz

Leader of victorious conservative alliance says transatlantic alliance will be difficult with Trump’s ‘America alone’ mottoThe man expected to be Germany’s next chancellor has said Europe must act swiftly to increase its defence capability in the face of a US administration whose motto is moving towards “America alone”, adding: “This is really five minutes to midnight for Europe.”In a wide-ranging press conference after his conservative alliance’s victory in Sunday’s federal election, Friedrich Merz made it clear his focus was on the turbulent geopolitical landscape, saying that although he would seek good ties with the US he was also ready for “the worst-case scenario”. Continue reading...

Politics

41 m. ago Trump says Putin would accept European peacekeepers in Ukraine and twar could end ‘within weeks’ – live

US president says Zelenskyy may come to Washington to sign mineral deal this week or next; Russia open for economic cooperation with US, Putin envoy saysThe EU’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas earlier said that she would be travelling to the US tomorrow to meet with US secretary of state Marco Rubio, adding that what she called the “Russian narrative” is “strongly represented” in comments being made by the second Donald Trump administration.She told reporters “I think it’s good that we have as many interactions with the new administration in US as possible. I’m also travelling tomorrow to the US to meet Marco Rubio and others there to discuss these issues, because it’s extremely important.” Continue reading...

Politics

46 m. ago Southport attack yoga teacher hero Leanne Lucas' tormented life now and horror injuries

Heroic yoga instructor Leanne Lucas, who helped several children flee The Southport Attack, continues to live with the horrors of the tragedy, but her memories of the little girls who died that day continue to give her strength

Events

51 m. ago The Guardian view on Germany’s election result: Merz’s task is formidable | Editorial

The victorious CDU leader is likely to be more proactive on the European stage. He will also need to forge broad alliances at home to see off the far rightFriedrich Merz, the leader of Germany’s centre-right Christian Democratic Union party (CDU), has a reputation for being blunt. On Sunday evening, as it became clear that the CDU had won the snap election triggered by the outgoing Social Democrat chancellor, Olaf Scholz, he did not disappoint. “For me,” said Mr Merz in a post-election television debate, “the absolute priority will be to strengthen Europe as quickly as possible so that, step by step, we can really achieve independence from the USA.”As recently as a fortnight ago, such a statement from a German chancellor-elect would have been inconceivable. But these are new and extraordinary times. A convinced transatlanticist, Mr Merz has previously played down the dangers to western unity posed by Donald Trump. But crude electioneering on behalf of the extreme right Alternat...

Politics

61 m. ago Pope Francis sees ‘slight improvement’ but remains in critical condition

Prognosis for pontiff, 88, remains guarded as he is treated in hospital for pneumonia and kidney failurePope Francis, who is in hospital with pneumonia and “mild” kidney failure, remains in a critical condition although there was a “slight improvement” on Monday, the Vatican said.The pontiff, 88, has not had any further asthma-style attacks and “some laboratory tests have improved”, the Vatican said in a statement on Monday evening. Continue reading...

Culture

64 m. ago The Pope wrote resignation letter 12 YEARS ago in case he became too ill to continue

The Pope is suffering from kidney failure, pneumonia and an infection in both lungs after he was admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital on Valentine's Day.

Politics

67 m. ago Trump changed conversation on Ukraine ‘for the better’, says UK

Sir Keir Starmer reiterates that Britain is ‘ready and willing’ to put troops on ground in Ukraine to secure peace

Politics

71 m. ago Lester Holt to exit NBC Nightly News as MSNBC cuts Ayman Mohyeldin’s show

Holt to step down as anchor as Katie Phang and Jonathan Capehart, whose shows also canceled, to remain at MSNBCNBC’s Lester Holt is stepping down as anchor of its Nightly News show, and MSNBC’s Ayman Mohyeldin is stepping down from a similar role at his namesake weekend evening show as the liberal networks’ owners continue a major programming shake-up on Monday.Others at MSNBC affected by changes revealed on Monday include Katie Phang and Jonathan Capehart, the New York Post reported. Continue reading...

Politics

76 m. ago Joe Root backs ‘brilliant leader’ Jos Buttler as England face crucial game

Make-or-break match looms against Afghanistan Brydon Carse ruled out of tournament with injuryJoe Root has stressed Jos Buttler’s white-ball setup is in better shape than the Test side that buckled towards the back end of his own captaincy, as England attempt to keep their Champions Trophy hopes alive in their controversial match against Afghanistan on Wednesday.Battling to reach the semi-finals after the record-breaking five-wicket defeat against Australia over the weekend, England have endured a further blow with news that the fast bowler Brydon Carse has been ruled out of the tournament with the recurrence of a toe injury. Continue reading...

Politics

83 m. ago Now THAT'S chilling out: The igloo hotels in the Alps rebuilt each winter... from snow

There are three igloo villages in Switzerland, in Davos, Gstaad (1,900m) and Zermatt (2,700m); one in Austria, in Innsbruck (2,000m); and one in Germany, at Zugspitze (2,600m).

Politics

90 m. ago Chance of giant asteroid hitting Earth in 2032 falls to 0.0017%

Asteroid 2024 YR4 had reached a 3.1% likelihood of impact but further data has rendered it negligibleIt was a discovery that lead to panic-inducing headlines: a giant asteroid found to be hurtling towards Earth that, while unlikely to wipe out life, could do some serious damage.But now the world can breathe a sigh of relief. After the odds of a future collision rose earlier this year, the likelihood of an impact is now so low as to be negligible. Continue reading...

Events

92 m. ago ANDREW NEIL: A new age has begun. And, if he has the vision, Starmer can make his mark by leading the rearming of Europe...

We are at a historic watershed in the transatlantic alliance which has protected Europe so well these past 80 years since our continent emerged from the ashes of World War II.

Politics

98 m. ago Starbucks is culling 10 drinks from its menu in March — here’s what’s replacing them

The coffee giant will also bring back self-service condiments and free refills for in-store customers

Politics

1 hour ago New Zealand minister quits after having ‘placed hand’ on staffer’s arm

‘I took the discussion too far,’ says commerce minister Andrew Bayly, calling his own behaviour ‘overbearing’A New Zealand government minister said on Monday he has resigned from his post after “placing his hand” on a staff member’s upper arm during an “animated” discussion.The country’s minister for commerce and consumer affairs, Andrew Bayly, told reporters his behaviour towards the staff member had been “overbearing”. Continue reading...

Politics

1 hour ago Astounding court decision tells parents they had no right to know when daughter, 11, changed her gender identity

School officials used the 11-year-old's given name and she/her pronouns while speaking with the parents, but addressed the student using a preferred male name during class.

Events

2 h. ago Max Verstappen changes his tune dramatically after launching threat as FIA plea made

Max Verstappen was booed by F1 fans at the launch of the 2025 season, and it seems the Dutchman is ready to make a big statement by refusing to attend any more events in the UK

Events

2 h. ago FTSE 100 treads water while Germany’s Dax makes gains after election

The UK’s blue-chip index dipped 0.39 points to close at 8,658.98.

Politics

2 h. ago Meet the world's oldest pro footballer, 57, who relies on strict diet and daily routine

Former Japan star Kazuyoshi Miura is continuing to play professional football for Japanese side Atletico Suzuka as the striker nears his 58th birthday

Events

2 h. ago Met Police detective is sacked for football hooliganism after he threw a firework into crowd during Arsenal's defeat to Bayern Munich in Germany

Detective Constable Gordon Irikefe was found to have committed gross misconduct in acts of 'unacceptable' football hooliganism.

Sport

2 h. ago All the road tax rises coming in April 2025 as some drivers set to pay double

From April 1, 2025, a number of wide-sweeping changes to Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) will come into force - and they will impact a significant number of drivers

Economics