89 m. ago Ukraine war briefing: Zelenskyy claims ‘important success’ as troops push back on Russian advances

President says Ukrainian forces in east have reclaimed 160 sq km of land and cleared another 170 sq km as counteroffensive ‘achieving results’. What we know on day 1,304See all our Russia-Ukraine war coverageUkrainian forces have pushed back some of the gains Russia made over the summer, Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said, calling the operation an “important success” after months of battlefield setbacks. The Ukrainian president said his troops had reclaimed 160 sq km (62 sq miles) of land near the eastern coalmining town of Dobropillia, where Russia pierced Ukraine’s defences in August. Russia did not immediately comment on the claims. Zelenskyy said after meeting troops in the eastern Donetsk region on Thursday that his army was “achieving results” in an ongoing counteroffensive there. In addition to reclaiming the 160 sq km, Ukrainian forces had “cleared” Russian troops from an additional 170 sq km of land but had not yet formally taken the territory, he said in a video address. Zelensk...

Events

3 h. ago Rachel Reeves' sums don't add up! Chancellor could be forced to spend ANOTHER £18 billion on public services if she fails to boost productivity, economists warn

The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) said the Chancellor is banking on making ambitious efficiencies - but that if she fails to meet her targets, she could be forced to top up her spending plans

Economics

3 h. ago The Lady from the Sea review – Andrew Lincoln and Alicia Vikander make waves in magnificent rewrite

Bridge theatre, LondonIbsen’s mysticism and mermaids are thrown out as director Simon Stone amps up the 1888 play’s psychological intensity with his eco-focused updateWriter-director Simon Stone is known for his rock’n’roll takes on the classics. This is a characteristically high-octane version of Ibsen’s play: loud, modern and led by screen stars Alicia Vikander and Andrew Lincoln. Yet his script, again created in the rehearsal process, retains all of Ibsen’s layers and adds some of its own in the updating.All mystical talk of the sea and mermaids is excised. The production brings a sharply lit realism to the privileged yet complex family at its heart that seems to be slowly drowning: Ellida (Vikander), as the young, second wife of neurologist Edward (Lincoln), is caught between life with her husband and a long lost, formative ex-lover, Finn (Brendan Cowell), who makes a reappearance. Ellida’s stepdaughters, Hilda (Isobel Akuwudike) and Asa (Gracie Oddie-James), are trying to stay ...

Politics

3 h. ago Reeves to face £18bn spending shortfall if bet on productivity gains fails

Chancellor would face ‘major fiscal issue’ if public service funding productivity remained flat, warns IFS

Economics

4 h. ago Scandal of doctors accused of rape and sexual assault left free to work in NHS

Experts warn the medical tribunal is ‘failing’ victims by handing out suspensions instead of outright bans

Events

4 h. ago Teflon diet, garlic milk and zebra cows triumph at 2025 Ig Nobel prizes

Researchers into idea to blend powdered PTFE into food as a zero-calorie filler to curb hunger win chemistry prizeFor decades scientists, doctors and public health officials have battled to solve the obesity crisis. Now researchers have won an Ig Nobel prize for a radical new approach: slashing people’s calorie intake by feeding them Teflon.The left-field proposal was inspired by zero calorie drinks and envisaged food manufacturers blending powdered polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) into their products in the hope it would sate people’s hunger before quietly sliding out. Continue reading...

Events

5 h. ago UK students lack entrepreneurial drive, says Business Secretary

The US commerce chief said America will ‘take care of the United Kingdom’ during talks to mark Nvidia’s UK deal.

Society

5 h. ago Cathie Wood and UAE in $300mn crypto bet on football business Brera

Owner of stakes in teams from Italy to Mongolia will begin stockpiling solana tokens

Economics

7 h. ago Trump administration to close Miami organ donation group it calls 'failing'

The Trump administration is moving to shut down a Miami nonprofit that recovers organs from deceased donors

Politics

7 h. ago Robo Shankar dead: Beloved Lion King star dies at 46 one day after collapsing on set

Tamil actor and comedian Robo Shankar has died at the age of 46, just one day after he was hospitalised following a collapse on the set of his latest production

Events

8 h. ago Emmerdale Mackenzie Boyd's 'unexpected' fate airs in major John Sugden bombshell

Viewers can finally watch what happened to Mackenzie Boyd after spending weeks held captive by John Sugden

Events

8 h. ago Asylum seeker fails in legal challenge to halt deportation under one

First deportation under UK-France deal finally goes ahead – but ministers face fresh legal woes

Events

8 h. ago Health board to pay almost £100k after unit flouted smoking policy

Hafan y Coed facility at Llandough hospital failed to comply with an enforcement notice issued by South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWFRS) after checks on patients smoking habits were not recorded

Economics

8 h. ago Simon Mann's fiancée leads mourners to pay tribute to mercenary behind failed 'Wonga Coup' at memorial service after his death aged 72

Simon Mann's fiancée leads mourners in paying tribute to the colourful mercenary who was previously jailed for his role in the failed 2004 Wonga Coup.

Events

8 h. ago Danny Boyle to curate celebration of youth culture at Southbank Centre

Goalhanger, the podcast production company co-founded by Gary Lineker, will record live editions at the site during the arts venue’s 2026 season.

Culture

9 h. ago The symptoms of ‘kissing bug’ disease to be on the look out for

Infection after a bite from an infected kissing bug can lead to heart failure and even sudden death

Politics

9 h. ago Liverpool owners FSG explain huge transfer overhaul after Arne Slot speaks out

Liverpool chairman Tom Werner has explained the club's thinking behind their incredible summer transfer window spend, as the Reds aim to defend the Premier League title

Politics

9 h. ago Russian soprano Anna Netrebko silences her critics with a tour de force as Tosca, says our critic Tully Potter

A pity, then, about the naff production. Gerald Finley is one of the foremost baritones of our day - but here, his portrayal of the sinister police chief Baron Scarpia is reduced to the status of a stockbroker.

Politics

9 h. ago The Guardian view on the Lib Dem conference: speaking for parts of England | Editorial

Sir Ed Davey’s party has plenty to look forward to, but also difficult choices to makeThe two largest parties in the House of Commons approach the 2025 autumn conference season with trepidation. Both Labour and the Conservatives are spooked by collapses in voter support and by the rise of Reform UK. Party anxiety, internal disagreements and even grassroots revolts seem possible at both of their conferences.The third-largest party, the Liberal Democrats, have no such worries at all. They start their conference in Bournemouth this weekend in resilient mood. Having won 72 Commons seats in 2024 – the best result by any third party for a century – Sir Ed Davey’s party cemented those gains in the 2025 English local elections. While Labour and the Tories lost both votes and seats to Reform UK, the Lib Dems did the reverse, gaining seats and capturing three county councils. As a result, Sir Ed claimed the Lib Dems were now “the party of middle England”. Continue reading...

Politics

9 h. ago Hyundai says it will spend $2.7 billion expanding the Georgia plant raided by ICE

Hyundai Motor Group confirms it's moving forward with expanding its Georgia plant

Economics