20 h. ago Photos of Egypt’s ‘strongman’ pulling ships, trains and cars in jaw

Ashraf Mahrous is Egypt’s “strongman.”

Culture

7 d. ago I’m on a boat bound for Gaza – sailing, scrubbing and warding off sea sickness – all so we can break Israel’s blockade | Naoise Dolan

It’s not likely we will reach Gaza. But until Palestine is free, we will show what solidarity we can from our vesselMy first task on the boat is to ease a red rope from the cockpit while a Danish participant opposite me tautens a white one. Between us, we hoist the sail. The coastline of Augusta, Sicily, fades behind us. There are seven people on board: three French, two Irish, one Dane and one Irish-Danish for good measure.Ours is the fastest boat of the Thousand Madleens flotilla sailing to Gaza just behind the Global Sumud ships. My boat was the last to depart; we saw off eight other ships at the port, having just shared a week of intensive training with those on board. All participants have been sleeping on our boats since we arrived, so we know their layouts well. I have found a space for each of my possessions to “live” in a cramped environment where everything must be kept in lockers. Continue reading...

Politics

7 d. ago While world leaders dither over a Gaza peace plan, I’m sailing with supplies, hoping to break Israel’s blockade | Naoise Dolan

It’s not likely we will reach Gaza. But until Palestine is free, we will show what solidarity we can from our vesselMy first task on the boat is to ease a red rope from the cockpit while a Danish participant opposite me tautens a white one. Between us, we hoist the sail. The coastline of Augusta, Sicily, fades behind us. There are seven people on board: three French, two Irish, one Dane and one Irish-Danish for good measure.Ours is the fastest boat of the Thousand Madleens flotilla sailing to Gaza just behind the Global Sumud ships. My boat was the last to depart; we saw off eight other ships at the port, having just shared a week of intensive training with those on board. All participants have been sleeping on our boats since we arrived, so we know their layouts well. I have found a space for each of my possessions to “live” in a cramped environment where everything must be kept in lockers. Continue reading...

Politics

8 d. ago ‘Out on a damn limb’: the daredevil photography of Lee Miller – in pictures

A fearless war photographer, a peerless surrealist, a chronicler of Egypt and Syria a new exhibition at Tate Britain explores how Lee Miller became one of the most urgent voices of 20th-century art Continue reading...

Culture

9 d. ago Spain issues red alert weather warning as heavy rain and floods hit the country, including Costa del Sol

Jaw-dropping footage shows streets transformed into raging rivers, cars swept away by murky torrents, and lightning striking as the violent weather unleashed chaos across towns and cities.

Events

1 week ago Strictly Come Dancing fans 'sorry' as they make Karen Carney prediction after 'jaw

The former Lionesses midfielder become the first footballer to top the Strictly leaderboard for 18 years

Politics

2 w. ago Former Ballon d'Or winner walks red carpet with 'bikini model' nearly 40 years his junior

Lothar Matthaus was snapped walking the Ballon d'Or red carpet with jaw-dropping bikini model Theresa Sommer - who is almost 40 years his junior

Politics

3 w. ago Pictured: Egyptian illegal migrant living in Hilton hotel who raped woman in Hyde Park

Abdelrahmen Adnan Abouelela, 42, was sentenced to eight-and-a-half years in prison for the sex attack, which happened in November last year.

Events

3 w. ago Vogue Williams looks incredible in plunging black gown as she and glamorous Olivia Attwood leads the stars on the red carpet at the National Television Awards

The TV presenter, 39, displayed her jaw-dropping figure as she arrived on the red carpet in a slinky black dress with a plunging neckline.

Politics