44 m. ago ‘Trump is a horror story, isn’t he?’ Stephen King on villains, dark secrets and dreams

One of the world’s most successful authors answers readers’ questions on his sources of inspiration, the colour of fear, knowing when to quit – and why manual labour is invaluable for writersI once entered a short story competition in the Guardian, judged by you, but failed. Is it simply a case of trying until something sticks? Or is accepting a lack of talent a relief over chasing an impossible dream? EvolAnthWell, it’s not necessarily a lack of talent. I think everybody has talent, but you have to hone it. The more you do it, the more you like it. And when you have talent, you want to do it, you know? You signed my copy of Christine with the words “Keep on screaming for vengeance” because I was wearing a Judas Priest badge. Is music still important to you? RobFramptonYeah, music is still important to me. I’ve moved on from Judas Priest because I couldn’t get the rights to use the lyrics from You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’ for my [2008] novel, Duma Key. So I’ve moved on to Rancid,...

Politics

46 m. ago Trump updates: National Guard patrol streets of Washington, DC amid president’s federal takeover

National Guard troops were spotted at armory and Washington Monument as first night of troop operations in Trump’s crime crackdown got underway

Politics

85 m. ago National Guard troops on the streets of DC to fight what Trump calls ‘out of control’ crime in the nation’s capital

The presence of troops in the capital is expected to grow over the next week and the president is threatening to take similar tactics to other Democratic cities

Politics

92 m. ago Trump live updates: National Guard patrol streets of Washington, DC amid president’s federal takeover

National Guard troops were spotted at armory and Washington Monument as first night of troop operations in Trump’s crime crackdown got underway

Politics

3 h. ago Family's car bursts into flames in front of horrified shoppers as temperatures hit 30C

Footage shows a black Vauxhall Insignia being engulfed by an engine blaze in Bournebrook, Birmingham , at 5.45pm on Monday.

Events

3 h. ago Dragons' Den icon Theo Paphitis warns 'high streets will not survive if shops are hit in next Budget'

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has already increased business rates - with speculation growing she may pile on the pain in the autumn.

Events

3 h. ago National Guard descends on streets of Washington DC after Trump vows to 'rescue capital from bloodshed'

Troops with the National Guard arrived into the capital late on Tuesday night in a bid by the White House to curb violent crime.

Events

4 h. ago National guard begins deploying on DC streets after Trump police takeover

Officials say troops to start appearing in nation’s capital on Tuesday night as president’s move widely condemnedUS politics live – latest updatesThe Washington DC national guard will begin deploying on the city’s streets on Tuesday night, a day after Donald Trump ordered their arrival and took control of the city’s police force, calling Washington DC a “lawless” city, despite official crime statistics saying otherwise, a White House official confirmed.The national guard is expected to “begin being on the streets starting tonight”. Defense officials said a small number of the roughly 800 guard members planned for the mission had already been mobilized by Tuesday afternoon, with more expected to arrive in the coming days. Continue reading...

Politics

5 h. ago RSPCA issue warning to cat owners after ‘horrific’ 30% surge in attacks

The incidents have seen cats ‘screaming in pain’ and left unable to use limbs

Events

5 h. ago How crazed Target gunman shot girl dead in front of her grandfather before running naked out of porta pottty

Astrid, 4, died after she was shot in the back of her grandparents' car outside a target in Austin, seconds after her grandfather Adam Chow, 65, was gunned down, allegedly by Ethan Blaine Nieneker, 32.

Events

5 h. ago ICE ordered to improve conditions at NYC facility after lawsuit alleges unsanitary cells where immigrants lack food and water

Detainees say they were forced to sleep with ‘horrific stench’ of sweat, urine and feces in cells with open toilets

Events

5 h. ago Boy, 15, is charged with rape after 'teenager attacked near tennis courts'

The teenage boy has been charged after a 17-year-old girl was reportedly attacked at Cripplegate Park in Worcester.

Events

6 h. ago Target shooter 'coldly executed girl, 4, in back seat of car after making her watch as he murdered her grandpa'

Target worker Hector Machuca, 24, was killed along with Adam Chow, 65, and his four-year-old granddaughter as Ethan Blaine Nieneker, 32, rampaged through the store in Austin.

Events

6 h. ago American tried to assassinate her lover's enemy on Birmingham street wearing flip

Aimee Betro, 45, was found guilty on Tuesday of travelling 4,000 miles from her Wisconsin home to carry out a 'hit' on a man in Birmingham.

Politics

7 h. ago Guatemalan judge finds six people guilty over deaths of 41 girls in 2017 fire

Two officers and four ex-child protection officials found guilty after fire at state shelter that had a history of abuseA Guatemalan judge has found six people guilty over the deaths of 41 girls in a raging 2017 fire at a state shelter for vulnerable youths that had a history of abuse.The sentencing is a step towards closure in one of the most horrific and deadly events in Guatemalan history. The tragedy drew international attention and highlighted pervasive abuse in the government’s shelter system. Continue reading...

Events

7 h. ago Keir Starmer to join crucial Ukraine talks with Donald Trump ahead of major Putin summit

Downing Street said the Prime Minister is 'absolutely focused' on a solution to the conflict - now in its third year - but insisted it must be 'grounded in Ukraine's national interests'

Politics

8 h. ago Coronation Street Carla and Lisa’s wedding 'ruined' as legend 'set to return to cause chaos'

Coronation Street's Carla Connor and Lisa Swain are set to get engaged it seems - but some fans think a legendary character will return to stop the wedding

Events

8 h. ago Driver faces $110,000 fine for speeding on Swiss street... but he can afford it

The millionaire motorist, and repeat offender, was caught on camera hurtling along a Lausanne street at 48mph in a 31mph zone.

Politics

8 h. ago Coronation Street legend 'to return' to stop Carla and Lisa’s wedding in revenge twist

Coronation Street could be welcoming back a soap icon in a major wedding twist

Politics

8 h. ago High street fashion giant with 170 UK shops closes 23 stores and sack staff

Fatface is closing all 23 of its US stores as it moves its North American operations to an online-only model. The move will result in the loss of 145 jobs, the company said.

Politics