8 d. ago Woody Allen rebuts Ukrainian condemnation over Moscow film festival appearance

The director said he did not ‘feel cutting off artistic conversations is ever a good way to help’ after Ukraine calls the film-maker’s participation a ‘disgrace’Woody Allen has denied claims that his participation in a Moscow film festival was “whitewashing” Russian atrocities, after condemnation of his appearance by Ukraine’s ministry of foreign affairs.Allen said in a statement to the Guardian: “When it comes to the conflict in Ukraine, I believe strongly that Vladimir Putin is totally in the wrong. The war he has caused is appalling. But, whatever politicians have done, I don’t feel cutting off artistic conversations is ever a good way to help.” Continue reading...

Culture

2 w. ago Do you have a high street full of gambling shops breeding poverty and addiction? I have a way to fight back | Dawn Butler

Communities feel powerless because the law gives betting firms the upper hand. But a simple change could transfer power to the people• Dawn Butler is MP for Brent EastWalking down their local high streets, people in Britain are increasingly unlikely to come across a local butcher, baker or grocery shop, and more likely to find betting shops, casinos, adult gaming centres (AGC) and so-called bingo venues, where traditional bingo is muscled out by money-sapping slot machines. These establishments are taking over our town centres at an alarming rate. From talking to my constituents in Brent, west London, and residents across the capital, I know that people have had enough.That’s why this summer I have launched a campaign for urgent reform of our gambling laws. Ministers must give local authorities and people greater power to tackle this issue and reclaim our high streets. Currently, billionaire-owned overseas corporations have too much power, and local people have none. That needs to c...

Politics

2 w. ago Ukraine believes Putin has just ‘one card left to play’ in ceasefire talks – and it gives Kyiv the upper hand

Exclusive: Ukraine and its allies believe European support and the threat of further sanctions give Kyiv the edge over Moscow – they just hope they have done enough to convince Donald Trump, writes world affairs editor Sam Kiley

Politics

2 w. ago Ukraine believes Putin has just ‘one card left to play’ in ceasefire talks – and it gives Kyiv an upper hand

Exclusive: Ukraine’s presidency thinks European support and further sanctions on Russia give it the edge over Putin - they just need to convince Donald Trump, writes world affairs editor Sam Kiley

Politics

3 w. ago Eberechi Eze transfer: Tottenham look to hijack Arsenal's £68m move and hold upper hand

Tottenham have tried to steal a march on Arsenal in the race to sign Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze - and they have one factor in their favour in the summer transfer window

Economics

3 w. ago Putin's sick catalogue of kidnapped Ukrainian kids sorted by eye and hair colour

Several hundred thousand Ukrainian children are believed to have been kidnapped by Vladimir Putin's forces and they have been put in a catalogue for adoption in Russia

Politics