40 m. ago Relive VE Day as it happened 80 years ago when Britain threw epic party to celebrate Germany's surrender in WWII

LIVE UPDATES: Follow minute by minute details of Britain's VE Day celebrations on May 8, 1945 as the nation celebrated victory over Nazi Germany and the end of the Second World War.

Society

49 m. ago Amanda Holden admits husband 'judges' her amid 'jealousy' over famous friend

The Britain's Got Talent star made a surprising claim about her marriage to record producer Chris Hughes, before batting off suggestions there was any strife between them

Events

1 hour ago On VE Day, remember the war – but can we resolve to honour all who fought in it? | Gary Younge

The heroism of soldiers from India, Africa and the Caribbean is too often airbrushed, as is the struggle of those who resisted colonial powersOn 8 May 1945, as the allies rejoiced at Germany’s unconditional surrender, some local people in the market town of Sétif in Algeria gathered not to celebrate their freedom but to demand it, carrying Algerian flags and placards calling for independence from France. The French police opened fire, unleashing a spiral of violence resulting in a notorious massacre. Algerian independence militants retaliated by killing about 100 settlers and wounding hundreds more over the next five days. Similar disturbances erupted in the nearby village of Guelma. The colonisers responded with brutal disproportionality – bombing small villages, shelling the area from the coast and running amok, inflicting collective punishment. Official estimates for the number of Algerians killed vary widely, ranging from about 8,000 from some French historians to 45,000 from th...

Events

1 hour ago Britain marks VE Day as nation celebrates 80 years since the end of World War Two

Millions are expected to attend street parties and celebrations across the country as four days of celebrations come to an end as today marks the VE Day anniversary

Events

2 h. ago ‘We’re not here to slander Sondheim!’ Inside the master’s wild final musical, completed at last

Here We Are, a satirical mashup of two surrealist movie masterpieces, was finished after musicals maestro Stephen Sondheim died – outraging some fans. As the show hits Britain, its stars and creators reveal their thrills and fearsThere’s an edge of febrile hilarity in the National Theatre rehearsal room. The company of Here We Are, Stephen Sondheim’s final musical, are off-book and getting the first act on its feet. But hitting your cues in a show as intricate as this is tough, whoever you are.Jane Krakowski fluffs an entrance and tries not to corpse. Martha Plimpton raises a glass a second after everyone else, and a cast-mate blows a raspberry from the sidelines. Jesse Tyler Ferguson is convinced it’s not him who is a beat off. “Do it exactly like Rory does,” suggests director Joe Mantello, and Rory Kinnear responds mock-haughtily: “That’s just a general note.” Continue reading...

Politics

2 h. ago The witnesses: second world war survivors from across Europe share their stories

On the 80th anniversary of the end of the second world war in Europe, survivors, including veterans from both sides, remember what happenedEighty years ago today, on 8 May 1945, the second world war in Europe came to an end with the unconditional surrender of Germany’s armed forces. The number of people who remember the war – and how it finished – decreases every year, even as European security feels ever more precarious.Here, seven people, aged between 85 and 100, from Estonia, Poland, Britain, Germany and Romania, talk to the Guardian about their memories.Dorothea is a passionate supporter of the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans and recently launched its Our Heroes Fund, to raise money for future trips for veterans to the continent and across the UK. Continue reading...

Events

3 h. ago Donald Trump’s 100% tariff on foreign films would 'annihilate' Scottish industry, says filmmaker

Bafta-nominated filmmaker Ryan Hendrick, from Glasgow, said the movie industry will fight back against the US president’s shock proposal.

Politics

3 h. ago Donald Trump may sign 'trade deal with Britain' in surprise announcement later today

President Trump hinted at a 'major trade deal' on his social media platform, with sources indicating that this is in fact the much anticipated US-UK trade deal

Politics

5 h. ago All migrants will soon have to be fluent in English to stay in Britain under 'new crackdown'

In a sweeping overhaul of the immigration system to be unveiled in a white paper next week to demand that overseas workers meet a higher standard of English before being granted a UK visa.

Events

6 h. ago The horrifying truth about how China could cripple Britain in just seconds

The Italian Job is giving Britain's intelligence agencies sleepless nights. In the classic movie, the gang of cockneys led by Charlie Croker hijacks a truck full of stolen gold.

Politics

6 h. ago Eat this snack if you 'want to live to 100', longevity expert says

Dan Buettner, an expert in longevity, says it is cheap, delicious, and healthy

Politics

6 h. ago Protesters arrested as Columbia calls in New York police to clear Gaza solidarity sit

Columbia Spectator reports protesters who staged library ‘emergency rally’ blocked from leaving by campus security officers unless they show IDColumbia University calls in police to clear pro-Palestinian protestersBritain is in “active discussions” with US officials over the extraordinary 100% tariff on all movies produced outside the US proposed by Donald Trump, as it tries to protect one of its biggest creative industries.“We are already in active discussions with the top of the US administration on this subject. We are working hard to establish what might be proposed, if anything, and to make sure our world-beating creative industries are protected,” creative industries minister Chris Bryant told parliament. Continue reading...

Events

6 h. ago The wild night Britain celebrated VE Day: Late drinking, fireworks and 'sex outside Buckingham Palace' as exhausted, battered but jubilant nation toasted Hitler's downfall after six long years of war

The Second World War in Europe had come to a halt on May 7, 1945, after nearly six years of toil, sacrifice, tragedy and loss. And so that night and on the evening of May 8 - VE Day - Britons celebrated.

Events

7 h. ago Britain’s top 10 most popular affordable areas for families revealed

Affordability was measured by comparing the average three-bed house prices with average earnings in the local area

Politics

7 h. ago US judge rules deportation flight to Libya would violate court order amid reported Trump plans – live

Brian Murphy rules in favor of immigrant rights advocates as reports suggest US military planned to begin deportations later this weekBritain is in “active discussions” with US officials over the extraordinary 100% tariff on all movies produced outside the US proposed by Donald Trump, as it tries to protect one of its biggest creative industries.“We are already in active discussions with the top of the US administration on this subject. We are working hard to establish what might be proposed, if anything, and to make sure our world-beating creative industries are protected,” creative industries minister Chris Bryant told parliament. Continue reading...

Events

7 h. ago NHS staff to be given special training in PTSD and combat wounds to treat Britain's war veterans as nation marks 80th anniversary of VE Day

The £1.8 million programme, designed to target the unique needs of former service personnel, was announced as the nation marks the 80th anniversary of VE Day.

Events

7 h. ago Starmer to warn of Second World War parallels as he hails ‘defence dividend’

The Prime Minister is also expected to announce a £563 million contract for Rolls-Royce for the maintenance of Britain’s fleet of Typhoon jets.

Events

8 h. ago US judge rules deportation flight to Libya would violate court order amid reported Trump administration plans – live

US federal judge blocks the deportation of migrants to Libya, ruling that such removals violate an existing court orderBritain is in “active discussions” with US officials over the extraordinary 100% tariff on all movies produced outside the US proposed by Donald Trump, as it tries to protect one of its biggest creative industries.“We are already in active discussions with the top of the US administration on this subject. We are working hard to establish what might be proposed, if anything, and to make sure our world-beating creative industries are protected,” creative industries minister Chris Bryant told parliament. Continue reading...

Events

9 h. ago Alex Pereira appears to threaten retirement while hinting at issues with UFC

Pereira hasn’t fought since losing his light heavyweight title in March

Events

9 h. ago Emma Raducanu into second round of Italian Open after win over Maya Joint

British player holds on for 7-5, 6-7 (1), 6-3 winNaomi Osaka beats Sara Errani to reach second roundEmma Raducanu continued her clay-court education in the notoriously slow, heavy nighttime conditions at the Italian Open as she held off a ­spirited comeback from the ­Australian 19-year-old Maya Joint and quelled her own nerves to reach the second round with a gritty 7-5, 6-7 (1), 6-3 win.The victory is Raducanu’s first in Rome in her second appearance at the event. In 2022, the only other time she had competed in this tournament, Raducanu was forced to retire in the first round against Bianca Andreescu. She will next tackle a familiar face in Ekaterina Alexandrova, the 21st seed, an opponent she has already battled twice this year. Continue reading...

Politics