13 h. ago Giorgia Meloni serenaded by Japanese prime minister for her birthday

Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni was serenaded by her Japanese counterpart to celebrate her 49th birthday during a visit to Tokyo.

Politics

15 h. ago Italian premier Giorgia Meloni bonds with fellow female leader Sanae Takaichi of Japan over birthday cake, selfies and a deep love of Margaret Thatcher

The two leaders bonded over birthday cake, selfies and a shared admiration for Margaret Thatcher during their first extended talks since Takaichi took office last autumn.

Politics

31 h. ago Timothy Busfield sexual misconduct allegations mount as wife Melissa Gilbert expresses support

Actor held without bond in New Mexico on child abuse charges stemming from twin brothers’ complaintWith allegations of prior sexual misconduct against him continuing to mount, Timothy Busfield received an expression of support from his wife and fellow actor, Melissa Gilbert – as he was also ordered held without bond in connection with on-set child abuse charges in New Mexico.A statement that a representative for Gilbert, known best for her work on Little House on the Prairie, shared with media outlets said she “supports her husband” and was keeping “her focus on supporting and caring for their family, as they navigate this moment”. Continue reading...

Politics

44 h. ago Rightwing leaders endorse Viktor Orbán in Hungarian election campaign video

Italy’s Giorgia Meloni and France’s Marine Le Pen among figures showing support for Hungary’s prime ministerRightwing leaders from around the world have come together to endorse Hungary’s Viktor Orbán, hinting at the symbolism that the country’s elections hold for global far-right movements even as the populist leader lags in the polls.A campaign video published online by Orbán this week includes endorsements from nearly a dozen leaders including Italy’s Giorgia Meloni and Matteo Salvini, France’s Marine Le Pen and Germany’s Alice Weidel. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Italian influencer Chiara Ferragni cleared of aggravated fraud charges in Pandorogate trial

Italian influencer Chiara Ferragni has been cleared of aggravated fraud charges in the Pandorogate trial

Politics

3 d. ago Asian benchmarks are mixed after Wall Street pulls back and global uncertainty grows

Asian shares are trading mixed after Wall Street pulled back from its recent records and as political uncertainty brewed in various regions, including in Iran

Politics

4 d. ago ‘Opportunity of a lifetime’ as Red Arrows appoints first female leader

Wing Commander Sasha Nash has taken on the role of Officer Commanding.

Politics

4 d. ago ‘Should we storm McDonald’s?’ Meloni mocks calls to distance Italy from US

Giorgia Meloni has responded to calls for Italy to distance itself from the US, mockingly asking if they should “storm McDonald’s” too.

Events

4 d. ago Japan’s Takaichi poised to call snap election just 4 months after taking office

Prime minister seeking to capitalise on strong approval rating to boost her party’s seat tally

Politics

6 d. ago Andrew Clements, Guardian’s classical music critic, dies aged 75

An outstanding critical voice, his deep knowledge and love of music was evident in everything he wroteThe Guardian’s long-serving and much admired classical music critic Andrew Clements died on Sunday aged 75 after a period of illness.Clements joined the Guardian arts team in August 1993, succeeding Edward Greenfield as the paper’s chief music critic. His appointment was clinched by a personal recommendation to the editor from the late Alfred Brendel, who argued for Clements to get the job on account of his deep understanding of contemporary music. For the next 32 years, Clements ranged across all fields of classical music in his writing for the Guardian, and often beyond. Continue reading...

Events

9 d. ago Fact check: Defence spending fell below 3% of GDP in the 1990s

John Major’s government cut defence spending to below 3% of gross domestic product (GDP) in in 1995, and it has not risen above that level since.

Politics

1 week ago China announces another new trade measure against Japan as tensions rise

China has escalated its trade tensions with Japan by launching an investigation into imported dichlorosilane, a chemical gas used in making semiconductors

Events

1 week ago How did The Lord of the Rings end up so beloved by the right wing?

Elon Musk, JD Vance and Giorgia Meloni have all described JRR Tolkien’s fantasy novels as fundamental to their respective world views – but it’d be too easy to claim they’ve simply misunderstood them. As Peter Jackson’s film adaptations return to cinemas 25 years after they began, Xan Brooks dives into the world’s most complicated fandom

Politics

2 w. ago Revealed: Labour MP was used by Communist spies to 'give a KGB propaganda speech' to 'discredit' Margaret Thatcher's fight against the Soviet's nuclear threat

Frank Cook spoke at a CND event in 1987 to spread Russian disinformation branding Britain as a secret warmonger, files say.

Events

2 w. ago Next Chelsea manager odds: Strasbourg coach heads favourites to replace Enzo Maresca

The Italian departs with the club fifth in the Premier League table

Sport

2 w. ago Enzo Maresca leaves Chelsea in shock exit as Blues line up potential next manager

The Italian departs with the club fifth in the Premier League table, 15 points adrift of leaders Arsenal

Events

2 w. ago Enzo Maresca leaves Chelsea as club look to ‘get season back on track’

The Italian departs with the club fifth in the Premier League table.

Politics

2 w. ago Japan PM Sanae Takaichi joins women lawmakers to press for more toilets in parliament

Cross-party petition highlights how historic legislature lags behind growing female presence

Politics

2 w. ago Inside horrific Ant Hill Kids doomsday cult: Twisted leader nailed children to trees, impregnated all female followers and made others break their own legs with sledgehammers to prove their devotion

Thériault's pitiful followers were forced to break their own legs, sit on lit stoves, shoot each other and eat dead mice and human waste to prove their devotion to him

Politics

2 w. ago Female MPs in Japan seek to flush out sexism with call for more toilets

PM Sanae Takaichi joins petition asking for better facilities for women to match improved representationNearly 60 female lawmakers in Japan, including the prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, have submitted a petition calling for more toilets in the parliament building for women to match their improved representation.Japanese politics remains hugely male-dominated, although the number of women in the parliament rose at the last election – and Takaichi became the first female prime minister in October. Continue reading...

Politics