1 hour ago White House conducting massive overhaul of National Security Council, officials say

President Donald Trump is ordering a massive overhaul of the National Security Council that will shrink its size and return many career appointees back to their home agencies

Events

2 h. ago Elon Musk's mother shares son's 1989 aptitude test to answer genius question

Today, the tech billionaire has an estimated personal fortune of more than $421 billion, but Maye has previously said the family were short of cash while Elon was growing up

Politics

3 h. ago Bruce Springsteen's lyrical view of America has long included politics — even more so as he ages

Even as his fame and wealth have soared over the decades, Bruce Springsteen has retained the voice of the working class’ balladeer

Politics

4 h. ago Graeme Shinnie sick of Celtic growing his Aberdeen collection nobody gets to see thanks to bogieman Brendan Rodgers

Shinnie has been on the losing end in three finals against Celtic and is desperate to buck his personal Hampden trend this Saturday

Politics

5 h. ago Trump says Samsung and other smartphone manufacturers will also be subject to 25% Apple tariff – business live

US president says 50% tariff on EU goods to come in 1 June; Apple iPhones and those of other manufacturers made overseas to face 25% tariffTrump says he is hitting EU with 50% tariff as trade talks are ‘going nowhere’As well as cutting UK energy costs (see earlier), Donald Trump can also take credit for growing the German economy!New GDP data this morning shows that Germany’s GDP rose by 0.4% in January-March, twice as fast as the first estimate of 0.2% growth in the quarter.“The reason for the slightly higher growth compared to the initial estimate was the surprisingly positive economic development in March.”“In particular, production in the manufacturing sector and exports performed better than initially expected.The German economy had its best quarterly performance since the third quarter of 2022, and the reason for it seems to be Donald Trump. As a result of the announced tariffs and in anticipation of ‘Liberation Day,’ German industrial production and exports surged in March.Ne...

Economics

6 h. ago European markets suffer losses after Trump ‘recommends’ 50% tariff on EU, and threatens Apple with 25% tariff – business live

US president Donald Trump reignites trade war with threat to impose high tariffs on European goods, and Apple iPhones made overseasTrump says he is hitting EU with 50% tariff as trade talks are ‘going nowhere’As well as cutting UK energy costs (see earlier), Donald Trump can also take credit for growing the German economy!New GDP data this morning shows that Germany’s GDP rose by 0.4% in January-March, twice as fast as the first estimate of 0.2% growth in the quarter.“The reason for the slightly higher growth compared to the initial estimate was the surprisingly positive economic development in March.”“In particular, production in the manufacturing sector and exports performed better than initially expected.The German economy had its best quarterly performance since the third quarter of 2022, and the reason for it seems to be Donald Trump. As a result of the announced tariffs and in anticipation of ‘Liberation Day,’ German industrial production and exports surged in March.Net export...

Economics

7 h. ago The Guardian view on the BBC World Service: a boon to the UK, as well as audiences elsewhere | Editorial

Britain would benefit from pledging more sustained and committed support in this age of disinformation and global turmoilTwo years ago, BBC Arabic radio left the airwaves after decades. Soon afterwards, Russia’s Sputnik service began broadcasting on the frequency left vacant in Lebanon. That detail illuminates a larger picture. China, Russia and others see global-facing media as central to their global ambitions and are investing accordingly – pumping out propaganda to muddle or drown out objective, independently minded journalism. These outlets are state-controlled as well as state-owned.Meanwhile, conspiracy theories and disinformation proliferate online, attacks on press freedom intensify and the Trump administration is dismantling media organisations including Voice of America and Radio Free Asia (RFA), which have been essential sources of information for audiences under repressive regimes. Official Chinese media were gleeful at what RFA’s president, Bay Fang, cal...

Events

7 h. ago Kari Lake brought back a skeleton crew to Voice of America. They’re ‘angry most of the time’

‘To me, it feels like emotional terror to ensure obedience,’ VOA White House bureau chief Patsy Widakuswara, who is on administrative leave, told The Independent

Events

7 h. ago The number of hate groups in the US is shrinking — but their voice is growing louder

In 2024, there were 533 active hate groups, including those promoting anti-LGBTQ+, anti-immigrant, antisemitic and anti-Muslim views

Politics

8 h. ago ‘A new form of mass murder’: the terrifying, twisty unsolved mystery of the Tylenol killer

One of the most shocking true crime stories of the 80s is re-investigated in Netflix docuseries Cold Case: The Tylenol Murders“You’ve got an old one, huh?” asks James Lewis, eyeing the bottle of Tylenol with suspicion.“No, just off the shelf today,” replies a voice off camera. Continue reading...

Events

9 h. ago Spain pushes ahead with plan to hit Brits with 100% holiday home tax

Spain's government is going ahead with a controversial plan to slam Brits with a 100% tax on holiday homes in order to tackle a growing housing crisis. 

Events

9 h. ago Florian Wirtz joining Liverpool could cause immediate exit as Barcelona 'grow confident'

Florian Wirtz has been linked with a move to Liverpool, but further reports claim a move for the German could open the door for one Merseyside star to join Barcelona

Politics

9 h. ago Former LA Deputy Mayor of Public Safety reaches plea deal over threats to blow up city hall for Israel support

Brian Williams, 31, was in a meeting when he used the Google Voice application on his personal cell phone to make the threat, officials say

Politics

10 h. ago Voices: Criticising Netanyahu is not antisemitic – this Jewish rebellion shows why

Last month’s declaration by 36 members of the Board of Deputies of British Jews against an escalation of the war in Gaza – in which ‘Israel's soul is being ripped out’ – is not only still reverberating through their own community, but has a much wider significance, writes Donald Macintyre

Culture

10 h. ago Olly Murs cancels two UK tour dates after contracting respiratory infection

The singer apologised to fans in Glasgow for walking off the stage on Thursday after he experienced issues with his voice.

Politics

11 h. ago Jussie Smollett to pay $50K to charity to settle lawsuit over cost of police investigation into his ‘hate crime claim’

‘He still loves the people of Chicago but is pleased to put this ordeal in his rearview mirror,’ an attorney for the actor said in a statement

Economics

11 h. ago Gardener's mulching hack makes the job 'much easier' and doesn't harm plants

Adding mulch to your garden can help fertilise plants, keep them warm and even stop the growth of weeds - but it can be a tricky job. An expert has shared a clever hack to make it much easier

Politics

11 h. ago Voices: I’ve spent decades inside prisons – here’s how I’ll fix them for good

In light of the Gauke sentencing review, prisons minister Lord Timpson explains why, to end the perma-crisis in our justice system, we must now embark on the largest expansion of jail places since the Victorian era

Events

11 h. ago Growing roses? Here’s how to deal with the most common problem gardeners face

An expert gardener shares how you can combat this all-too-common rose problem

Economics

11 h. ago 'I feel empty and utterly lost and alone since my kids flew the nest'

Resident agony aunt Coleen Nolan has advice for a woman whose children have grown up and moved out to do their own thing, but she now feels she has no real purpose

Politics