71 m. ago Why did 30 Met officers kick the door down at a teenage tea and biscuits meeting in a Quaker house?

When six young women hired a room to discuss the war in Gaza, the gathering ended with 30 officers storming in to make arrestsWhen six young women gathered in central London to discuss the climate crisis and the war in Gaza, the setting could not have been more appropriate. The building in which they sat was a Quaker meeting house, the home of a movement whose centuries-long history is rooted in protest and a commitment to social justice. On the table were cups of jasmine tea, ginger biscuits and a selection of vegan cheese straws.But the events that brought this apparently convivial gathering to an abrupt end have sparked protests of a different kind and raised questions about how justice is administered by the UK’s largest and most embattled police force. Continue reading...

Society

82 m. ago WSL season reaches finish, Premier League, playoffs and more – matchday live

Premier League: 10 things to look out for this weekendShare your thoughts with matchday live or post BTLAnd on this day in 1986, Liverpool did the Double by beating Everton in the FA Cup final. Thanks to the wonders of technology, Scott Murray was able to cover it on the information superhighway.On this day in 1978 Liverpool retain the European Cup. Here’s David Lacey’s report from that night at Wembley. And if you don’t want to click on anything – anything – written by David Lacey, I’m afraid I can’t help you. Continue reading...

Politics

1 hour ago Believe the hype: make Pollock the Lions midweek captain and watch him flourish | Ugo Monye

Northampton flanker brings energy and excitement and can thrive if given the honour and responsibility by Andy FarrellA couple of months ago, after Henry Pollock scored his first Premiership try against Sale in what is sure to be a contender for try of the season, I got a little excited. I called Phil Dowson – someone I have known since he was 19 – to speak to him about this star in the making. I asked if I was getting carried away with myself. Phil said he is a good kid who works hard on his game, and the next day I’m thinking about Pollock as a midweek captain for the British & Irish Lions.Fast forward two months and I’m of the same opinion. This isn’t me getting swept up in the hype, and that certainly isn’t to say Pollock cannot force his way into the Lions Test team or squad, but just give him the responsibility and let him flourish. Continue reading...

Politics

1 hour ago Can the term ‘cloud fascism’ help us understand – and resist – the hard right? | Ece Temelkuran

Like clouds, far-right ideology moves here then there with absolute randomness. The danger is that those who can, shrink under their umbrellas Continue reading...

Politics

1 hour ago Beans are being genetically engineered to grow in the UK – but how do they taste?

Three types of beans have been more than a decade in the making and hit shelves amid booming interest in legumesThe pan of beans on my cooker have taken a long time to prepare. It’s not just because I soaked them overnight and have now simmered them for about an hour: more than 12 years has gone into the creation and production of these beans. After all that, they had better taste delicious.These beans are the creation of Prof Eric Holub, a geneticist and researcher at the University of Warwick, who has spent more than a decade developing three new varieties of beans, engineered to be grown in the UK. Continue reading...

Politics

1 hour ago Nottingham Forest vs Leicester prediction: Hosts to take another step towards Champions League qualification

Read the latest odds and tips ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash

Sport

2 h. ago No phones, lots of prayer: Australian cardinal’s insight into secretive Vatican conclave

Australia’s sole representative at recently concluded conclave in Rome says electing new pope nothing like the Hollywood film ConclaveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralia’s highest-ranking Catholic has provided a rare insight into the process of electing the new pope, describing the secretive conclave as the highlight of his life.Cardinal Mykola Bychok – Australia’s sole representative at the recently concluded conclave in Rome – joked it was a relief to shut off the outside world for an extended period.Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email Continue reading...

Politics

2 h. ago Leaders of Britain, France, Germany and Poland arrive in Kyiv to push for 30

Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron, Friedrich Merz and Donald Tusk arrive in Ukraine in show of support amid US intelligence warning of possible air attackThe leaders of Britain, France, Germany and Poland have arrived in Kyiv for a symbolic visit to Ukraine, one day after Vladimir Putin hosted a set-piece military parade on Red Square. The visit comes as the US warned of intelligence about a big impending air attack on Ukraine.Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron, Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv on the same train on Saturday morning, while Donald Tusk travelled on a separate train. The four leaders met in the Polish city of Rzeszow on Friday night before departing. On Saturday, they will meet Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a show of support for Ukraine, Downing Street said in a statement issued late on Friday. Continue reading...

Politics

2 h. ago Buck up, Michelle Obama – nothing is more fabulous than an empty nest | Kathy Lette

The former US first lady says she’s in counselling after her daughters left home. She and Barack should run around the house naked. Yodelling. With antlers on their headsYour kids are the greatest love affair of your life, and that love is unconditional Although wait, on second thoughts, there are a few conditions. No child must ever be allowed to take up the bagpipes, drums or descant recorder. Come meal times there are two options – spag bol or adoption. No mother should have to teach a child to drive while simultaneously going through the menopause. And, most important of all, progeny must be out the door by 24.Without a doubt, the two nicest words in the English language are “empty” and “nest”. And yet my kitchen is constantly full of female friends weeping into their wine about how much they will miss their kids when they leave for university, flat shares or gap year travels.Kathy Lette is a comedy writer and novelist. Her latest book is The Revenge Club Continue reading...

Politics

2 h. ago Whiplash reversals mean Trump’s erratic trade policy is as clear as mud

The specifics of the administration’s economic masterplan – from strollers to movies to China – change by the dayDecades of economic orthodoxy failed millions of Americans, according to Donald Trump, who marched back into the White House promising to shred the status quo. But the specifics of his alternative – exactly how his administration claims it will make America great again – change by the day.The US president declared this week to be a key milestone of his second term, as he unveiled his first major trade deal since returning to office following accelerated talks with the UK. Continue reading...

Politics

2 h. ago Readers' Letters: Trade deal with mercurial Trump isn't worth a dime

Keir Starmer’s trade deal with Donald Trump didn’t impress a correspondent

Politics

3 h. ago Ocean with David Attenborough, Forever and PinkPantheress: the week in rave reviews

As he turns 99, the natural historian makes a passionate case for the planet’s oceans and the TikTok star returns with more pithy pop music. Here’s the pick of the week’s culture, taken from the Guardian’s best-rated reviews Continue reading...

Politics

3 h. ago Are we heading for another world war – or has it already started?

The rules-based world order is in retreat and violence is on the rise, forcing countries to rethink their relationshipsIn a week in which former allies in a redividing globe separately commemorated the 80th anniversary of the end of the second world war, the sense of a runaway descent towards a third world war draws ever closer.The implosion of Pax Americana, the interconnectedness of conflicts, the new willingness to resort to unbridled state-sponsored violence and the irrelevance of the institutions of the rules-based order have all been on brutal display this week. From Kashmir to Khan Younis, Hodeidah, Port Sudan and Kursk, the only sound is of explosions, and the only lesson is that the old rules no longer apply. Continue reading...

Events

3 h. ago Six great reads: the ‘misogyny slop ecosystem’, Attenborough at 99, and the pain of Ticketmaster

Need something brilliant to read this weekend? Here are six of our favourite pieces from the last seven days Continue reading...

Politics

3 h. ago Blind date: ‘A mullet is always going to make a strong first impression – and I’m a bit of a mullet

Imogen, 31, a commissioning editor for a publishing company, meets Sam, 28, a teaching assistantWhat were you hoping for?Not to have met him before, but to want to meet him again. Continue reading...

Politics

3 h. ago Meera Sodha’s recipe for dolcelatte tart with sage and pine nuts

Sweet, gooey soft cheese cased in flaky pastry is a cheese-lover’s delight. Serve with a pear and leaf salad for a weekend lunchImagine a cheeseboard in a tart, but one you can have as a main course rather than having to wait for pudding: that’s the brief I set for myself when I was thinking about today’s recipe. First, I needed an excellent cheese, which is where the sweet, tangy dolcelatte comes in. Then something crisp and flaky to eat it with – the pastry. And then something nutty, jammy and herby to break up the richness, hence the caramelised shallots and pine nuts. Serve with a sharp, vinegary and fruity salad for the full monty. Continue reading...

Politics

3 h. ago High street fashion chain Select shuts another store after closing 35 earlier this year

The announcement of the move came in the form of a post on the branch's Facebook page. The post read: "It is with a heavy heart that we tell all our lovely customers that our store will be closing"

Politics

4 h. ago Where does Pope Leo XIV stand on key issues like sexual abuse, climate and poverty?

He has been described as a peace-seeking bridge builder but he opposes female ordination and abuse survivors are waryWhat is the position of Pope Leo XIV on the issues that face him and the Roman Catholic church? Continue reading...

Events

5 h. ago Prospective Hearts messiah knows all about Scottish football through army of informants

Brighton owner Tony Bloom is ready to make Hearts a major force in Scottish game, armed with data gathered from every club as he stayed a step ahead of the bookies.

Politics

5 h. ago Marta Kostyuk praises Daria Kasatkina ‘courage’ and shakes hands at Italian Open

Ukrainian lauds former Russian for switching nationalityKasatkina makes point of shaking hands with world No 15Daria Kasatkina’s switch from Russian tennis to play for Australia has been given a stamp of approval from her Ukrainian conqueror at the Italian Open.Marta Kostyuk, one of the women’s tour’s in-form players, has made a high-profile point along with many of her fellow Ukrainian players of not shaking hands with Russian or Belarusian opponents after matches in protest at the invasion of her homeland. Continue reading...

Politics