2 h. ago The Guardian view on Friedrich Merz’s grand coalition: gambling on a new centre ground | Editorial

The deal signed last week between the centre-right CDU and centre-left SPD paves the way for vital investment in Europe’s biggest economySome years ago, hundreds of German finance ministry staff dressed in black and formed a giant zero to salute their boss, Wolfgang Schäuble, as he left office. It was a tribute to Mr Schäuble’s extreme fiscal conservatism, which had delivered Germany’s first balanced budget in the postwar period. Amid resurgent prosperity in the Angela Merkel years, the so-called black zero – symbolising a constitutional prohibition on public debt – had gradually acquired cult status.As a new administration prepares to take power in Berlin, it seems unlikely that human euro signs will welcome the latest politician to take on Mr Schäuble’s former role. But in dramatic fashion, the spending taps are set to be turned on. Via a swiftly staged March vote in the outgoing Bundestag, “debt brake” dogma was consigned to history by the chancellor‑elec...

Politics

2 h. ago Thomas Partey and the Arsenal players at risk of Champions League suspension ahead of Real Madrid clash

Suspensions could hamper Arsenal’s dreams of European glory

Sport

3 h. ago Whittaker vs Cameron 2 start time, fight card, and how to watch on TV

The Olympic silver medalist runs it back with the tricky Cameron after a controversial finish to their first fight last October

Events

3 h. ago Government finally funds blast furnace raw materials after takeover

Ministers have agreed payment to fund coal and iron ore deliveries to keep Britain's last blast furnaces running 48 hours after taking control of the site from its Chinese owners in Parliamentary vote.

Politics

3 h. ago Rory McIlroy The Master: Heartbreak, Redemption, and Triumph

Rory McIlroy: From Heartache to Glory - The Story of a Golfing Legend

Politics

4 h. ago Trump blames Zelensky for Ukrainian war saying he and 'crooked Joe Biden did an absolutely horrible job in allowing this travesty to begin'

Taking to his Truth Social platform, the US President claimed he prevented the war from happening during his four year term, pinning the chaos on the former president Joe Biden .

Politics

4 h. ago Local elections 2025: Everything you need to know as millions to vote in May

Everything you need to know about the local elections are taking place across the UK in May

Politics

5 h. ago Tycoon wins gagging order against social media influencer accused of £1million explicit pictures blackmail attempt

The man - who cannot be identified - is a devout muslim and widower who brought the latest stage of his bid to prevent the woman from revealing intimate images of him.

Economics

5 h. ago Birmingham bin strike crisis continues as refuse workers reject ‘totally inadequate’ pay deal

The British Army have been brought in to help tackle the rubbish piling up on the streets

Economics

5 h. ago Four holes that helped Rory become the story and seal career grand slam glory

The 35-year-old was victorious in the Masters on Sunday.

Politics

5 h. ago Barbara Lee forged a historic path in Congress. Does Oakland want her back for mayor?

The progressive icon, 78, may be the frontrunner, but a more moderate contender may represent much-needed changeBarbara Lee represented Oakland in Congress for a quarter-century. Now, in what would probably be the capstone of her storied political career, the 78-year-old progressive icon is vying for the chance to lift the “city I love” out of crisis.“I’m always ready to fight for Oakland,” Lee said, announcing her bid to lead the city of roughly 440,000 residents, known for its liberal politics and deep legacy of civil rights activism. When she entered the mayoral race in January, she was widely seen as the presumptive frontrunner. Continue reading...

Politics

6 h. ago Union's bins at Birmingham office are spotless while rest of the city festers in rubbish as workers to vote on partial deal to end strike today

Aerial images of Unite's regional office in Jennens Road, Birmingham , show the union's bins are spotless and seemingly empty.

Economics

6 h. ago Kilmarnock boss backs players to 'win the fights' in bid for Premiership safety

Derek McInnes insisted there were bigger battles to come after their 5-1 loss to Celtic in the final pre-split fixture

Sport

7 h. ago X Factor star announces gender transition 13 years after show

Dylan Holloway, 31, appeared on X Factor in 2012 as Lots, singing in the double-act MK1 but he made a big decision as he opens up about his transition 13 years on from the show

Culture

7 h. ago Dancing On Ice star Greg Rutherford’s son, 7, rushed to hospital for emergency surgery

Olympian and Dancing On Ice star Greg Rutherford has revealed that his son Rex, 7, underwent surgery to have his appendix removed after being rushed to hospital over the weekend

Politics

7 h. ago Matt Hancock loses bid for instant victory in High Court libel battle with Andrew Bridgen

Matt Hancock has been sued in the High Court by Andrew Bridgen over a Tweet

Events

7 h. ago US military aid for Ukraine is about to cease. Is Europe ready? | David Shimer

Putin is planning for this war to continue. That leaves two key questions for Ukraine’s European alliesDavid Shimer was the director for eastern Europe and Ukraine on Joe Biden’s National Security CouncilThe war between Russia and Ukraine is approaching a historic turning point: unless the Trump administration adjusts course, US military aid for Ukraine is about to cease.In the months before leaving office, Joe Biden made a series of decisions to augment Ukraine’s stockpiles of vital munitions. Toward the end of 2024, the Department of Defense surged hundreds of thousands of artillery rounds, thousands of rockets and hundreds of armored vehicles to Ukraine, and that December, he approved an additional $1.25bn security assistance package for Ukraine, which has enabled the continued flow of US arms ever since (with the exception of the damaging pause ordered by Donald Trump in March).David Shimer served on the White House National Security Council from 2021-25, including as the direct...

Events

8 h. ago City giant's bid to lure workers back to the office with free lunch Fridays

Employees working at WPP headquarters in the capital had previously only been required to go into the office three days a week.

Politics

8 h. ago Rangers star struck by Europa League glory premonition as squad engulfed by mega confidence

Mohamed Diomande says the dressing room is full of belief ahead of the trip to Bilbao to face Athletic Club

Politics

9 h. ago Jihadi who plotted to bomb the Stock Exchange is recalled to prison for a fourth time

Mohammed Chowdhury was one of nine al-Qaida-inspired group members sentenced in 2012 for plotting to bomb the London Stock Exchange and build a terrorist training camp in Pakistan.

Events