3 h. ago Catholics remember Pope Francis as a friend of Africa, with some setting theology aside

Pope Francis visited a record 10 African countries throughout his pontificate, often venturing to areas ravaged by war, poverty or natural disaster

Politics

4 h. ago ‘If Jesus and Buddha had our work schedule, they’d have fallen out too’: boyband Five on bullying, Britney and their blockbuster return

After being fast-tracked to stardom, the bad boys of Y2K pop butted heads and burned out. They explain how they faced their demons for an arena-sized reunion – and why Simon Cowell was ‘a proper winker’In September 1998, amid a rocketing pop career that would end up with every one of their 11 singles reaching the UK Top 10, British boyband Five went missing. They were due to visit the US, where the lascivious When the Lights Go Out had got huge, but Five – Ritchie Neville (curtains), Scott Robinson (spiky hair), Abz Love (hats), Sean Conlon (baby-faced), and Jason “J” Brown (eyebrow ring) – had other ideas. “We decided we wanted a couple of days off,” says Scott, now without spikes and sporting a thick salt-and-pepper beard. “So we booked our own flights back to the UK.”Rather than visit family like everyone else, J returned to the band’s shared house in Surrey. “There were fans camping outside, literally in tents on the little lawn,” he says, shaking his shaved head, now minus the ...

Politics

6 h. ago Sick murderer’s astonishing eight word confession before execution for 'twisted fantasy' killing

James Osgood was put to death on Thursday after he was found guilty of capital murder for the killing of Tracy Lynn Brown, in what one prosecutor said was one of the grisliest crimes he had ever seen

Events

7 h. ago Murderer James Osgood apologies for killing but is still executed on death row

James Osgood raped and murdered Tracy Lynn Brown in Chiltern County, Alabama, crimes for which he said he deserved to die before he was given a lethal injection

Events

7 h. ago Murderer James Osgood apologises for killing but is still executed on death row

James Osgood raped and murdered Tracy Lynn Brown in Chiltern County, Alabama, crimes for which he said he deserved to die before he was given a lethal injection

Events

7 h. ago The Browns bring in Journey for a concert before the start of the NFL draft

For most teams Thursday night was the end of the road to the NFL draft

Politics

7 h. ago NFL draft 2025 live updates: Jaguars trade up with Browns to get Travis Hunter at No 2

Titans pick Miami QB Cam Ward as No 1 overall pickExplainer: when and where to watch the draftEmail beau.dure@theguardian.com with your thoughtsNFL commissioner Roger Goodell has opted to ride a bicycle to the stage, accompanied by some legendary Green Bay Packers players and fans. That is a Green Bay tradition of which I was not aware. Booing the commissioner is also traditional, and that’s continuing this year.ESPN shows us an empty couch somewhere in Texas that is apparently where they expect to see Shedeur Sanders. It’s a nice couch, at least. Continue reading...

Politics

8 h. ago Venezuelans subject to removal under wartime act have 12 hours to decide on contesting, docs show

Migrants subject to removal from the U.S. under the contested Alien Enemies Act are getting only about 12 hours to decide if they want to contest their removal, according to court documents unsealed Wednesday

Events

9 h. ago ‘Disrespectful’ booing of welcome to country at Melbourne Anzac Day dawn service condemned

Small group booed and yelled at Bunurong elder Uncle Mark Brown’s welcome and Victorian governor’s acknowledgement of countryElection 2025 live updates: Australia federal election campaignGet our afternoon election email, free app or daily news podcastVictorian police have interviewed a man for offensive behaviour after attenders at Melbourne’s main Anzac Day dawn service booed and heckled during a welcome to country.A small group of people booed and yelled throughout the welcome delivered by Bunurong elder Uncle Mark Brown at the 5:30 am service at the city’s Shrine of Remembrance.Sign up for the Afternoon Update: Election 2025 email newsletter Continue reading...

Politics

9 h. ago Weedkiller ban could help swifts, starlings and toads thrive, says MP

Sian Berry warned that the Government had shown ‘worrying attitudes’ to nature ahead of a debate about banning toxic weedkillers.

Events

10 h. ago Hydrangeas will flourish this spring thanks to overlooked natural ingredient

Hydrangeas have long been a favourite among gardeners, and with a little extra TLC and a simple, overlooked ingredient you could have enormous blooms this springtime

Events

14 h. ago England legend Trevor Sinclair faces bankruptcy battle over £36k unpaid tax bill after his punditry stalled when he tweeted 'black and brown' people should not mourn the Queen

The judge damningly said 'Mr Sinclair has to wake up to the fact that there's no more head in the sand because this is serious'.

Economics

15 h. ago When dogs return to nature – just how domesticated are our pooches really?

Valerie the valiant dachshund has been demonstrating the surprising survival capabilities of even the most pampered pet dogs

Politics

15 h. ago Banish ants and flies in your home this summer using just one natural cure that they hate

As we enter the summer months, hungry flies and ants will be sneaking into UK homes hoping for a fermented feast. Fortunately, there is one cheap and easy way to put them off their dinner

Politics

16 h. ago Escape to the Country host lost for words as couple make announcement

Escape to the Country host Steve Brown was left gobsmacked as a couple made an unexpected announcement during the latest episode of the BBC show

Politics

16 h. ago Why to try Ayurvedic oiling, one of nature’s most powerful detoxers

Whether you want to improve your oral hygiene, enhance your sleep, or calm frazzled nerves, oiling is a great way to help, says Ayurvedic Dr. Shivani Misra

Politics

16 h. ago Why everyone should try Ayurvedic oiling, one of nature’s most powerful detoxers

Whether you want to improve your oral hygiene, enhance your sleep, or calm frazzled nerves, oiling can help, says Ayurvedic Dr. Shivani Misra

Politics

17 h. ago Council offers £12m to revamp overcrowded and inaccessible 'tourist hotspot' Tube station

South Kensington is gateway to Natural History Museum, Science Museum and V&A but has no step-free access

Economics

17 h. ago China jails most writers in the world for sixth year in a row

Iran named as one of the worst offenders for jailing mostly women writers protesting against suppression

Events

17 h. ago US writers at growing risk of crackdown on free speech, says PEN America

China again biggest jailer of writers in 2024, followed by Iran – with Israel in fifth place, says organisation’s annual reportWriters in the US are at growing risk amid a worldwide crackdown on free speech that has begun to spread to countries previously renowned for unfettered expression and openness, according to a leading writers’ advocacy group.PEN America said it was concerned about an emerging threat from the Trump administration as it published its annual Freedom to Write index report, which showed that the number of writers jailed worldwide had jumped for the sixth year running to 375 in 2024, compared with 339 the year before. Continue reading...

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