2 h. ago Could Marine Le Pen’s guilty verdict help fuel the far right? – podcast

The parliamentary leader of France’s far-right National Rally party, Marine Le Pen, has been banned from public office for five years for embezzlement, ruining her chance of a presidential run. Angelique Chrisafis reportsIt is a sentence that has prompted anger among rightwing leaders across the world and led to accusations that democracy is being threatened. This week, Marine Le Pen, the parliamentary leader of the National Rally (RN), the largest opposition party in the French parliament, was banned for five years from public office for embezzlement. Along with more than 20 others, she was found to have used money for European parliament assistants to pay party workers.The shock sentence could end Le Pen’s hopes of running for president in 2027. She is now appealing and has hit back furiously, as have her supporters and allies. Some of her support could hurt her more than it helps, however. The Kremlin spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, said in response that “more and more European capi...

Politics

35 h. ago Guardian editors helped fuel Southport riots by showing contempt for the white working class, peer claims in explosive talk

At a debate at the Oxford Literary Festival, Lord Sewell reportedly said the disorder that followed the Southport attack stemmed from 'a combination of two people: Guardian editors and criminal arsonists'.

Events

40 h. ago A canine rescuer, a hobby horse and freezing rain: photos of the day – Monday

The Guardian’s picture editors select photographs from around the world Continue reading...

Events

44 h. ago Trump ‘very angry’ with Putin approach to Ukraine ceasefire and threatens secondary tariffs on Russian oil – Russia

US president takes aim at Russian president’s criticism of Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s credibilityThe Guardian’s defence and security editor, Dan Sabbagh, has this snippet about the ineffectiveness of Trump’s negotiating tactics in regards to trying to end the war in Ukraine. You can read the full story here.During the election campaign, Trump had said that he could end the Ukraine war within 24 hours, comments he more recently claimed were “a little bit sarcastic”. That has proved elusive and his tactics to force Russia and Ukraine into agreeing a ceasefire have so far been focused on bullying and pressurising Kyiv. Continue reading...

Politics

46 h. ago Harry and Meghan charity trustee's accusations that they bullied her and 'ruined' charity event are 'deflection', claim Team Sussex

In an explosive interview, Sentebale trustee chair Sophie Chandauka also claimed donors dropped their support because of the prince's reputation after he quit his royal duties.

Politics

53 h. ago Claims against Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are 'baseless' and a 'deflection' by charity boss, sources blast

In an explosive interview, Sentebale trustee chairman Sophie Chandauka also claimed donors dropped their support because of the prince's reputation after he quit his royal duties.

Politics

3 d. ago Britain has been paying a high price for Uncle Sam’s craziness. It’s time to turn to Europe | Simon Tisdall | Simon Tisdall

In his final column, the Observer’s foreign affairs commentator says America under Trump is not the first time it has caused trouble for alliesAmerica spells trouble for Britain. That’s undoubtedly true in the age of Trump – but maybe it’s always been so. The White House’s undisguised contempt for loyal allies in the UK and Europe necessitates a robust reciprocal rethink. How healthy – and desirable – is this partnership? Has it caused more problems than it’s worth?Those, myself included, who throughout their professional lives have taken close transatlantic ties for granted, face some awkward questions. Is the US-UK “special relationship” an embarrassment, even a strategic liability? Today’s America is evidently not a trustworthy, disinterested friend. Was it ever? Continue reading...

Economics

4 d. ago An earthquake in Myanmar and elephants by the sea: photos of the day – Friday

The Guardian’s picture editors select photographs from around the world Continue reading...

Culture

5 d. ago Yana the baby mammoth and Bosphorus swimmers: photos of the day – Thursday

The Guardian’s picture editors select photographs from around the world Continue reading...

Culture

6 d. ago Spring statement: Should a Labour government be making these cuts? – Politics Weekly UK

Amid poor economic growth forecasts and global instability, Rachel Reeves is trying to balance the books by cutting spending on benefits. So why is a Labour government choosing this path? John Harris is joined by the Guardian’s political editor, Pippa Crerar, and political correspondent Kiran Stacey to unpick what was in the spring statement, and what it will mean for you Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. ago Moment Southport riots suspect is hauled off plane after landing at Manchester Airport

The 35-year-old man from Greater Manchester was arrested by cops investigating disorder in Southport

Politics

6 d. ago Spring, salt lakes and a sea lion rescue: photos of the day – Wednesday

The Guardian’s picture editors select photographs from around the world Continue reading...

Events

8 d. ago Protests, prayers and pagoda statues: photos of the day – Monday

The Guardian’s picture editors select photographs from around the world Continue reading...

Events

8 d. ago What I learned from the woman who does 52 new things a year | Emma Beddington

I definitely can’t match her sense of adventure – and I find real pleasure in my daily routines. But it is time to escape my hummus-tinged comfort zoneAs part of my puny striving towards personal growth, I am choosing not to feel personally attacked by learning about York resident Sally Millington, who has been doing 52 new things a year since 2018. Millington’s 400-plus experiments span standup, bee-keeping, cliff-camping, jazz dance and busking dressed as a turkey (choose your own worst nightmare from that list). She’s clearly a force of nature and it’s an admirable commitment to getting out of your comfort zone. “Why not?” she told Radio York, explaining that her adventures helped to fuel her creative and critical thinking and forge connections with “amazing people I would never have ordinarily have met”.I struggled to stem the rising tide of inadequacy this threatened to unleash in me though, because I doubt I’ve done five new activities since 2018. I’m still struggling with the...

Politics

9 d. ago Glasgow demolitions and a Gaza umbrella: photos of the weekend

The Guardian’s picture editors select photographs from around the world Continue reading...

Culture

1 week ago Police officer who escorted Southport victims to morgue was brutally attacked by rioters just hours later

Sergeant Phillip Sinclair had been standing on the frontline trying to contain the disorder when he was hit by a flying brick and left with serious injuries.

Events

1 week ago A bumpy ride and twin panda cubs: photos of the day – Friday

The Guardian’s picture editors select photographs from around the world Continue reading...

Culture

1 week ago Druids and a dusty mountain bike race: photos of the day – Thursday

The Guardian’s picture editors select photographs from around the world Continue reading...

Culture

1 week ago The Guardian view on Germany’s new coalition: unleashing the radical centre | Editorial

A groundbreaking vote by outgoing MPs has given the chancellor-elect, Friedrich Merz, the chance to renew mainstream politicsThe first “grand coalition” government in Germany’s postwar history was formed in 1966 to address an unexpected economic downturn, amid concerns over a nascent neo-Nazi far right. Nearly six decades later, as the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Social Democratic party (SPD) prepare to join forces across the right-left divide for the fifth time, following February’s snap election, the circumstances are superficially similar. The scale of the challenges, however – and the sense of jeopardy – are of a different order.As geopolitical events have undermined its trade‑led business model, the German economy has been undergoing the most prolonged period of stagnation since the second world war. Not unrelatedly, the extreme-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party – elements of which are judged a threat to the democratic constitutional order by security s...

Politics

1 week ago The Guardian view on modern masculinity: boys need mentors, not marketers | Editorial

Sir Gareth Southgate is right to warn that social media is trapping boys in toxic ideals. It’s a crisis demanding real-world solutionsBoys used to be raised by their parents. Now, as they grow up, an increasing number are coming under the influence of toxic online figures who push a hollow, misogynistic version of masculinity. This isn’t helping their character or their relationships. But it does work for a digital world where worth is measured in money, status and appearance. Girls have long seen their mental health suffer from social media comparisons and phone addiction. But that doesn’t make it any less troubling now that boys are being similarly affected.In his Richard Dimbleby lecture for the BBC, Sir Gareth Southgate made a cogent case that young men are being failed by modern society – not just by absent role models, but by a culture that doesn’t acknowledge failure and vulnerability while exposing them to damaging digital influences. Without re...

Politics