2 h. ago The Guardian view on the BBC World Service: a boon to the UK, as well as audiences elsewhere | Editorial

Britain would benefit from pledging more sustained and committed support in this age of disinformation and global turmoilTwo years ago, BBC Arabic radio left the airwaves after decades. Soon afterwards, Russia’s Sputnik service began broadcasting on the frequency left vacant in Lebanon. That detail illuminates a larger picture. China, Russia and others see global-facing media as central to their global ambitions and are investing accordingly – pumping out propaganda to muddle or drown out objective, independently minded journalism. These outlets are state-controlled as well as state-owned.Meanwhile, conspiracy theories and disinformation proliferate online, attacks on press freedom intensify and the Trump administration is dismantling media organisations including Voice of America and Radio Free Asia (RFA), which have been essential sources of information for audiences under repressive regimes. Official Chinese media were gleeful at what RFA’s president, Bay Fang, cal...

Events

6 h. ago Susan Wokoma performs What If This Road by Sheenagh Pugh – video

The Enola Holmes actor shares a poem in memory of her mother. The film is part of a series to mark Celebration Day 2025 – a new annual moment, held on the last bank holiday Monday of May, to honour and celebrate those who have shaped our lives but are no longer with us. Directed by Oliver Parker at Abbey Road Studios, curated by Allie Esiri and published exclusively by the Guardian. On Celebration Day, join in by sharing your memories using #ShareYourStar• ‘He lived inside poetry’: Toby Jones and Helena Bonham Carter perform poems in memory of lost loved ones• Stephen Mangan performs I See You Dancing, Father by Brendan Kennelly – video Continue reading...

Politics

7 h. ago Harry Potter star rushed to hospital for emergency surgery after 'inability to breathe'

Harry Potter actor Stanislav Yanevski, who played Viktor Krum in the hit film series, has been rushed to hospital for emergency surgery after struggling with breathing problems

Politics

13 h. ago Whisky workers at Inver House Distillers in Airdrie will hold six days of strikes next month after pay talks broke down

GMB Scotland, one of the biggest unions in the whisky industry, said workers at Inver House Distillers were stepping up the action after overwhelmingly rejecting a three per cent pay offer.

Society

14 h. ago One of the most 'funniest and grossest' films of the decade is airing on TV tonight

The film was the fourth entry into a beloved series that began its life on TV

Culture

30 h. ago Stephen Mangan performs I See You Dancing, Father by Brendan Kennelly – video

The actor reads a poem in memory of his father: "I like to think of the younger, happier man." The film is part of a series to mark Celebration Day 2025 – a new annual moment, held on the last bank holiday Monday of May, to honour and celebrate those who have shaped our lives but are no longer with us. Directed by Oliver Parker at Abbey Road Studios, curated by Allie Esiri and published exclusively by the Guardian. On Celebration Day, join in by sharing your memories using #ShareYourStar• ‘He lived inside poetry’: Toby Jones and Helena Bonham Carter perform poems in memory of lost loved ones• Helena Bonham Carter performs Don’t Let That Horse by Lawrence Ferlinghetti – video Continue reading...

Culture

35 h. ago JoJo Siwa fuels Chris Hughes romance rumours with telling birthday post

JoJo Siwa celebrated her birthday earlier this week and has since shared photos from the celebrations, with some of them featuring former Love Island star Chris Hughes

Politics

52 h. ago Iconic distillery on Scotland's whisky island featured in BBC global film series

The Bruichladdich Distillery on Islay has been chosen as the only spirits producer featured in a global film series by B Lab Global and BBC StoryWorks

Culture

3 d. ago Eleanor the Great review – June Squibb takes on Holocaust survivor trauma in Scarlett Johansson’s iffy directing debut

The 95-year-old actor gives an enjoyably twinkly performance in a film that misjudges how seriously its story should be takenScarlett Johansson’s directorial feature debut, from a screenplay by Tory Kamen, is honestly intentioned and sweetly acted – notably by the film’s 95-year-old star June Squibb, whose remarkable career renaissance began with her being nominated for a best supporting actress Oscar for Alexander Payne’s 2013 film Nebraska. But this frankly odd film is misjudged and naive about the implications of its Holocaust theme. Its bland, TV-movie tone of sentimentality fails to accommodate the existential nightmare of the main plot strand, or indeed the subordinate question of when and whether to put your elderly parent in a care home.Squibb plays Eleanor Morgenstein, a widowed Jewish lady with a waspish way of speaking her mind to condescending youngsters, including the blandly unhelpful teen working in a supermarket who presumes to tell Eleanor that all pickles taste pre...

Events

3 d. ago The top 10 Islay whiskies from Scotland's famous 'whisky island' named

From Bunnahabhain to Laphroaig, the best whisky from Islay has been crowned.

Politics

3 d. ago Hebridean whisky and gin distillery to play starring role in BBC global film series

“We’re doing things that nobody in the history of whisky making on Islay has done before - that’s a privilege” – Adam Hannett, head distiller

Culture

6 d. ago Love Island bosses share major announcement weeks before 2025 summer series

Love Island turns 10 this year and to mark the occasion ITV2 will celebrate with a special one-off show called Love Island: A Decade of Love which will feature some familar faces

Politics

7 d. ago Lizzie Cundy joins glamorous Real Housewives Of London stars Juliet Mayhew and Amanda Cronin in Mayfair to film brand new series

Lizzie Cundy joined the glamorous new stars of Real Housewives Of London as they kickstarted filming in Mayfair on Thursday.

Society

7 d. ago Princess Andre wows on Mission Impossible red carpet in Leicester Square alongside dad Peter

Princess Andre posed for pictures on the Mission Impossible red carpet as fans brace for the final film in the Mission Impossible series, 'The Final Reckoning'

Politics

8 d. ago Job opportunity on Scotland's 'whisky island' with free cottage provided

The unique position pays a salary of £30,000.

Politics

1 week ago Zelenskyy to wait for Putin in Turkey, saying: ‘If he does not arrive, he does not want to end war’ – Europe live

Ukrainian president to meet Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Thursday and wait to see if Putin joins themGérard Depardieu has been found guilty of sexually assaulting two women during a film shoot in 2021.Depardieu, France’s biggest film star, who has made more than 200 films and TV series, is the highest-profile figure in the French film industry to be convicted of sexual assault since the #MeToo movement. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Modest townhouse that's home to unexpected Harry Potter magic inside

A three-storey townhouse has been transformed into a stunning tribute to the wizarding world of Harry Potter - and it's perfect for fans of the iconic book and film series

Society

1 week ago Gérard Depardieu found guilty of sexually assaulting two women

French actor, 76, convicted of assaulting set dresser and assistant director during film shoot in Paris in 2021Gérard Depardieu has been found guilty of sexually assaulting two women during a film shoot in 2021 and given an 18-month suspended prison sentence.Depardieu, France’s biggest film star who has made more than 200 films and TV series, is the highest-profile figure in the French film industry to be convicted of sexual assault since the #MeToo movement. His name will be added to the sex offender register in France, the judge ruled. Continue reading...

Events

1 week ago Kevin Costner facing major legal blow after Yellowstone exit that could cost him MILLIONS

The Hollywood Report claims New Line Cinema has filed an arbitration claim against Horizon Series, the company which produced Horizon, for alleged breaches to a deal done for the film series.

Economics

1 week ago Madonna limited series directed by Shawn Levy in the works at Netflix

Queen of pop will partner with the streamer and Deadpool & Wolverine film-maker for a project on her life and musicA television series on Madonna is in development at Netflix – with participation from the trailblazing pop star.The 66-year-old singer is partnering with Netflix and the Deadpool & Wolverine director Shawn Levy for a limited series about her life and music. Continue reading...

Politics