13 m. ago Ukraine war live: Zelenskyy and European leaders hold ‘fruitful’ phone talk with Trump

Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron, Friedrich Merz and Donald Tusk are in Ukraine for talks with ZelenskyyIt is the first time the leaders of the four European nations (France, the UK, Germany and Poland) have made a joint visit to Ukraine, reports Agence France-Presse (AFP).“We are clear the bloodshed must end. Russia must stop its illegal invasion,” the leaders said in a joint statement, adding:Alongside the US, we call on Russia to agree a full and unconditional 30-day ceasefire to create the space for talks on a just and lasting peace.We will continue to increase our support for Ukraine. Until Russia agrees to an enduring ceasefire, we will ratchet up pressure on Russia’s war machine. Continue reading...

Politics

36 m. ago Trump’s latest Fox News hire looks even worse than Pete Hegseth | Margaret Sullivan

Jeanine Pirro, who hasn’t held a government legal job in decades, does have a key qualification: relentless loyalty to the presidentThe revolving door between the Trump administration and rightwing Fox News took another wild spin this week, as America’s TV-obsessed president tapped Jeanine Pirro for a prominent legal post: top federal prosecutor for Washington DC.Pirro is unqualified, perhaps even more so than was her former Fox colleague Pete Hegseth when he was named Trump’s defense secretary a few months ago. In that crucial position, Hegseth has been a dangerous embarrassment, as his shockingly inappropriate communications have exposed national security secrets to the world.Margaret Sullivan is a Guardian US columnist writing on media, politics and culture Continue reading...

Politics

36 m. ago Crass, flashy, outrageous: Trump media blitz redefines meaning of presidential

White House communications have adopted a Trumpian air that’s ‘either completely malevolent or completely brilliant’There was a disturbance in the Force. Donald Trump celebrated “Star Wars Day” this week with an AI-generated image of himself as a muscle-bound warrior holding a red lightsaber in front of two US flags and eagles.It seemed like a bit of fun but appeared on the White House’s official X account with a dark political message: “Happy May the 4th to all, including the Radical Left Lunatics who are fighting so hard to bring Sith Lords, Murderers, Drug Lords, Dangerous Prisoners, & well known MS-13 Gang Members, back into our Galaxy. You’re not the Rebellion – you’re the Empire. May the 4th be with you.” Continue reading...

Politics

36 m. ago How many humans have gorillas killed as man vs beast death match row continues

The question of 'who would win between 100 men vs a gorilla?' has captured the internet in recent weeks – however the number of people gorillas have actually killed will leave you surprised

Events

37 m. ago UK Lawyers for Israel condemned over claim war may reduce obesity in Gaza

Palestinian rights group says remarks criticising a Lancet analysis on impact of the conflict are ‘sickening’A UK-based advocacy group for Israel has been criticised for suggesting a reduction in obesity resulting from the war in Gaza may increase life expectancy there.The comments by UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI), which came amid warnings of impending famine in Gaza, were condemned as “sickening” by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC). Continue reading...

Politics

60 m. ago Trump is a people person who could cut UK tariffs further, Mandelson says

Labour prime minister Keir Starmer's ambassador in Washington says US President also praised his good looks

Politics

63 m. ago Toxic cloud forces 160,000 people indoors in Spain’s tourism region

Residents in five towns were sent a message telling them to remain inside

Events

66 m. ago How ‘calm, pragmatic, serious’ Starmer hopes to sell frigates to Norway

The Independent’s political editor David Maddox accompanied the prime minister to the defence summit in Norway and saw a prime minister visibly emboldened by his ‘big win’ trade deals with Narendra Modi and Donald Trump

Politics

69 m. ago Barcelona fire: Toxic chlorine cloud covers part of major city as 160,000 people warned to stay indoors

This is a breaking story and is being constantly updated. Please return to this page for the latest updates.

Events

75 m. ago Celtic suspend fan from all matches after mocking of Ibrox disaster

Shocking video footage of Darren Malloch mocking the disaster went viral on social media.

Events

76 m. ago Ukraine war live: Macron calls for ‘direct talks’ between Russia and Ukraine as European leaders arrive in Kyiv

Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron, Friedrich Merz and Donald Tusk are in Ukraine for talks with ZelenskyyIt is the first time the leaders of the four European nations (France, the UK, Germany and Poland) have made a joint visit to Ukraine, reports Agence France-Presse (AFP).“We are clear the bloodshed must end. Russia must stop its illegal invasion,” the leaders said in a joint statement, adding:Alongside the US, we call on Russia to agree a full and unconditional 30-day ceasefire to create the space for talks on a just and lasting peace.We will continue to increase our support for Ukraine. Until Russia agrees to an enduring ceasefire, we will ratchet up pressure on Russia’s war machine. Continue reading...

Politics

76 m. ago Sir Keir Starmer urged by stars to protect creative industry amid copyright fears

Celebrities including Sir Paul McCartney, Coldplay and Robbie Williams are all asking Sir Keir Starmer to protect the creative copyright of their work

Politics

96 m. ago My immigrant mother can’t stop saying thank you. Why does that make me uncomfortable? | Gaia Neiman

Amid growing hostility to foreigners, my Italian-born mum feels she should be grateful to be in the UK. Yet she gives so much to a society lucky to have herOn the day of the last general election, my mother rose at 5am to head to the polling station. With any kind of voting, she volunteers her days off from work to help out with the ballots. Although she can’t vote in this country.My mother feels patriotic about her country of origin, Italy, but her home has been England for the past 15 years. She has a British partner, holds legal residence in the UK, and has been paying British taxes as long as she has been here. She never felt fully accepted by people in this country. She is often talked down to because of her accent, although her English is proficient. She also finds some difficulty with everyday things, such as worrying about being understood by her manager or applying for pension assistance – struggling with everything from British humour, to the country’s administration. And ...

Events

96 m. ago Coldplay and Dua Lipa urging PM to protect creative industry amid copyright fears

British pop superstars Dua Lipa, Sir Elton John and Sir Paul McCartney have urged the Prime Minister to protect copyright law and back a key amendment to the Data (Use and Access) Bill

Politics

1 hour ago Rangers daft scout unveils Ange 2.0 to batter Celtic as Barry warned to rap a loaded claim about rivals – Hotline

Graeme Young was awoken from his Saturday slumber to hear the list of grievances dividing a city

Events

1 hour ago Liam Payne and Cheryl Tweedy’s son Bear may have to wait until he is 25 to access £24m windfall

Tweedy is hoping to protect the millions as ‘she’s aware that people may want to befriend him [Bear] because they are aware of his situation’

Economics

1 hour ago Patricia Clarkson: ‘When women make equal pay, everybody wins’

The Oscar-nominated actor talks about her new role playing equal pay advocate Lilly Ledbetter and why the Trump administration should be carefulPatricia Clarkson, who portrays late equal pay activist Lilly Ledbetter in a biopic released this week, has a wish.The Oscar-nominated actor hopes her fellow American women collectively withhold sex from their partners – especially men in power – if the second Trump administration’s assault on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives ever takes aim at the gains won by the subject of her new film. Continue reading...

Politics

2 h. ago Nandos adds 6 items to new menu – but people are gobsmacked over the price

From next week, Nando's fans can get their hands on new menu items, including a burger and a tropical drink, and vote on a new sauce. However, not everyone is happy about the price of the new items

Politics

2 h. ago How Trump’s trade war threw his and America’s toys out the pram

Parents have reacted with anger at his latest remarks

Politics

2 h. ago Our neighbour built an extension without permission but has been allowed to KEEP it... now people will do whatever they want

Furious neighbours have blasted a decision to approve an 'out of character' loft conversion that overlooks adjacent properties and is 'not in keeping' with the area.

Events