7 h. ago Pope Francis funeral live: 400,000 bid farewell to pontiff after ‘potentially historic’ Trump

The late pontiff’s coffin has been transported from St Peter’s Square to the Basilica of St Mary Major, where it has been laid to rest

Politics

8 h. ago Pope Francis funeral live: Pontiff to be laid to rest after ‘potentially historic’ Trump

The late pontiff’s coffin has been transported from St Peter’s Square to the Basilica of St Mary Major, where it will now be laid to rest

Politics

9 h. ago Pope Francis funeral live: Trump and Zelensky meet in Vatican as mourners told pontiff wanted to ‘build bridges’

The late pontiff’s coffin has been transported from St Peter’s Square to the Basilica of St Mary Major, where it will now be laid to rest

Politics

10 h. ago Pope Francis funeral live: Cardinal says pontiff aimed to ‘build bridges, not walls’ in apparent Trump rebuke

Huge crowds have gathered near St Peter’s Square as major world leaders watch the solemn funeral service

Politics

11 h. ago Pope Francis funeral latest: Trump, Zelensky and Prince William join 200,000 mourners as service takes place

More than 200,000 people are believed to be attending the funeral, along with major world leaders

Politics

13 h. ago Pope Francis funeral latest: Historic service begins at Vatican as world leaders join thousands of mourners

More than 200,000 people are believed to be attending the funeral, along with major world leaders

Politics

14 h. ago Pope Francis funeral latest: World leaders arriving to pay respects at historic Vatican ceremony

More than 200,000 people are expected to attend the funeral, along with major world leaders

Politics

22 h. ago Pope Francis funeral latest: World leaders to pay respects to late Pontiff in historic Vatican ceremony

Pope Francis will be remembered as a humble leader and champion of the poor in a ceremony attended by world leaders

Politics

26 h. ago Zoe Ball lands huge TV hosting gig after stepping down from breakfast radio show

Zoe Ball, 54, will host VE Day 80: A Celebration to Remember, a live concert marking the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day, on May 8, the BBC has announced

Culture

32 h. ago Putin and Witkoff meet in Kremlin after car bomb kills Russian general near Moscow – Europe live

US envoy and Russian leader hold planned meeting following the death of Lt Gen Yaroslav Moskalik in BalashikhaPjotr Sauer is a Russian affairs reporter for the GuardianA senior Russian military official was killed in a car explosion near Moscow on Friday, just hours before a Kremlin meeting between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff. Continue reading...

Events

35 h. ago Reeves hints at priority as she says ‘trading relationship with Europe arguably more important’ than US – UK politics live

Chancellor said she understood the focus on possible deal with US, but added the EU remained ‘our nearest neighbours and trading partners’Water company bosses face up to two years in prison if they cover up illegal sewage spills under new laws coming into force, PA Media reports. PA says:The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said no prison sentences have been handed to water company executives since privatisation despite widespread illegal sewage discharges, and the tougher penalties were essential because some firms have obstructed investigations.Environment secretary Steve Reed said: “Bosses must face consequences if they commit crimes. There must be accountability. From today, there will be no more hiding places.”I’m now pretty optimistic that we are moving in a good direction.In the end, I think everybody understands that this is about our security in Europe. It requires cooperation between democracies, friends, allies, countries with the same values.The...

Politics

37 h. ago Steve Witkoff arrives in Moscow for further talks with Russia about Ukraine peace plan – Europe live

US peace envoy to meet Vladimir Putin to discuss Donald Trump’s peace plan for Ukraine ahead of US president’s 100 days in office next weekAnd the Interfax news agency has now reported that Steve Witkoff arrived in Moscow, where he is expected to meet Vladimir Putin.Reuters noted that Witkoff has emerged as Washington’s key interlocutor with Putin as Trump pushes for a deal to end the war in Ukraine, and has already held three long meetings with the Kremlin leader. Continue reading...

Politics

53 h. ago ‘Vladimir, stop!’: Trump criticises Putin as Starmer and von der Leyen warn over Russian energy ‘blackmail’ – Europe live

US president says he is ‘not happy’ over Kyiv attack as death toll rises to 12 with 90 people injuredWe understand that while the visit will be cut short after Zelenskyy’s meeting with Ramaphosa, their media activities will still proceed, meaning we should hear from the Ukrainian president in the next few hours.Rachel and I will keep an eye on this development to see if Zelenskyy takes part in a scheduled press conference in Pretoria in case he wants to say more about the attacks overnight. Continue reading...

Events

56 h. ago ‘Vladimir, stop!’ Trump criticises Putin over attack on Kyiv – Europe live

US president says he is ‘not happy’ with Russian attack and criticises the ‘very bad timing’ We understand that while the visit will be cut short after Zelenskyy’s meeting with Ramaphosa, their media activities will still proceed, meaning we should hear from the Ukrainian president in the next few hours.Rachel and I will keep an eye on this development to see if Zelenskyy takes part in a scheduled press conference in Pretoria in case he wants to say more about the attacks overnight. Continue reading...

Politics

56 h. ago Zelenskyy calls for more ceasefire pressure on Russia after ‘massive’ Kyiv attack – Europe live

Ukrainian president says his country, unlike Moscow, has agreed to ceasefire demands and calls on US to play a greater role in guaranteeing peaceWe understand that while the visit will be cut short after Zelenskyy’s meeting with Ramaphosa, their media activities will still proceed, meaning we should hear from the Ukrainian president in the next few hours.Rachel and I will keep an eye on this development to see if Zelenskyy takes part in a scheduled press conference in Pretoria in case he wants to say more about the attacks overnight. Continue reading...

Events

60 h. ago Zelenskyy to cut South Africa trip short after ‘massive’ attack on Kyiv – Europe live

Children among nine dead and at least 70 wounded by Russian attack, Ukraine saysWe understand that while the visit will be cut short after Zelenskyy’s meeting with Ramaphosa, their media activities will still proceed, meaning we should hear from the Ukrainian president in the next few hours.Rachel and I will keep an eye on this development to see if Zelenskyy takes part in a scheduled press conference in Pretoria in case he wants to say more about the attacks overnight. Continue reading...

Events

61 h. ago ‘Massive’ Russian attack on Kyiv kills nine and wounds 70 as Trump criticises Zelenskyy over peace talks – Europe live

Attack on Kyiv comes hours after Donald Trump accused his Ukrainian counterpart of being ‘harder’ to deal with than PutinWe understand that while the visit will be cut short after Zelenskyy’s meeting with Ramaphosa, their media activities will still proceed, meaning we should hear from the Ukrainian president in the next few hours.Rachel and I will keep an eye on this development to see if Zelenskyy takes part in a scheduled press conference in Pretoria in case he wants to say more about the attacks overnight. Continue reading...

Events

61 h. ago US trade war fears drive UK consumer confidence down to record low; Tesla’s European sales fall again – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsDonald Trump’s tariffs will make it harder for Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s car division, Ineos Automotive, to reach its first profit.Ineos Automotive’s CEO, Lynn Calder, told Bloomberg that the US president’s 25% tariff on foreign cars will make it harder to hit the earnings target.“For sure, this last week has put a dent in that and, for sure, delayed it,”“We’re stubborn as mules. We’re not easy to knock down.”“With fieldwork completed just days after Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs, it is unsurprising that consumer expectations for the economy plummeted to a record low. The original tariff schedule, since reduced for most countries, was expected to reduce growth in the UK and elsewhere. Yet despite this economic pessimism, expectations of retail spending rose slightly as the prospect of Easter shopping drew closer.The state of the economy dropped significantly to -48 in April, down from -35 in March.Their personal financial...

Economics

62 h. ago US trade war will hurt UK growth, Bank of England governor warns; Tesla’s European sales fall again – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsACEA’s latest European car sales report shows a continued decline in demand for fossil fuel-powered vehicles.While new battery-electric car sales grew by 23.9% in the first three months of 2025, to 412,997 units, petrol car registrations saw a significant decline of 20.6%, with all major markets showing decreases. Continue reading...

Economics

8 d. ago Derby v Luton kicks off a big day in EFL; European reaction and more: football – live

Premier League: 10 things to look out for this weekendHave any thoughts? Send them over to Yara via emailIt was an interesting night for Chelsea. They are through to a European semi-final but they got booed off the pitch as it happened. From west London, Jacob Steinberg wrote:Losing 2-1 to Legia Warsaw on the night was embarrassing. Chelsea, who seemed intent on giving the fifth-best side in Poland hope of pulling off a comeback for the ages at a disgruntled Stamford Bridge, were shambolic and easily could have crashed out.No wonder Maresca is not feeling the love from the crowd. Nobody celebrated Chelsea squeezing into a Conference League semi-final against Djurgården after winning 4-2 on aggregate. The defending was miserable and the attack was poor. Filip Jörgensen, Robert Sánchez’s understudy, was jittery in goal and the worries around Cole Palmer’s slump are not going away.It was a poor performance. We had a 3-0 lead – maybe that played a part in taking our foot off the gas. Ma...

Politics