5 h. ago Pope Francis funeral latest: World leaders to pay respects to late Pontiff in historic Vatican ceremony

Pope Francis will be remembered as a humble leader and champion of the poor in a ceremony attended by world leaders

Politics

7 h. ago Real Madrid deny they considered Copa del Rey final boycott over referee

Real Madrid refuse to turn up for pre-match eventsClub had previously demanded action from RFEFReal Madrid have denied that they ever considered refusing to play the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona after they boycotted the pre-match activities, prompting uncertainty that the game would go ahead. A statement from Madrid finally confirmed that they would play after 10pm on Friday night, just 24 hours ahead of kick-off.A previous statement from Madrid had demanded that the Spanish football federation (RFEF) take action after comments made by the referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea in the buildup to the game. That came after Madrid had refused to show up for the pre-match press conference, training session or the managers’ photocall at the Cartuja Stadium in Seville. Amid reports from media close to the club that they were contemplating refusing to play the match, Madrid finally confirmed their participation late on Friday night. Continue reading...

Politics

8 h. ago Real Madrid may boycott Copa del Rey final over referee comments

Real Madrid refuse to turn up for pre-match eventsClub not ruling out no-show for Saturday showpieceJust 24 hours before kick-off, the Copa del Rey final was at risk of not going ahead after Real Madrid demanded that the Spanish football federation (RFEF) take action following comments made by the referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea in the build up to the game.Although Madrid did not explicitly ask for the official to be removed from his duties nor publicly threaten to boycott the match, they refused to turn up for the pre-match press conference, training session or the managers’ photocall and did not rule out a no-show on Saturday evening. Continue reading...

Politics

9 h. ago Zoe Ball lands huge TV hosting gig after stepping down from breakfast radio show

Zoe Ball, 54, will host VE Day 80: A Celebration to Remember, a live concert marking the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day, on May 8, the BBC has announced

Culture

10 h. ago Hard sell of Eubank Jr v Benn fails to disguise ugly fight loaded with danger and spite

Age, weight and whispers have raised doubts over who might triumph on Saturday but once the sound and fury fade we will be left with nothing to show for itBen Shalom and Eddie Hearn usually do not like each other but on Thursday evening, at the final press conference for the troubling bout between Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn, the promoters were almost breathless in their audacity and unity as they hailed a gift from the boxing heavens.Shalom, Eubank Jr’s promoter, lauded “the biggest British boxing story ever”, “a monumental event” and “an unbelievable show” which has been “35 years in the making” as he suggested that Saturday night’s showdown completes the trilogy between two families – after the fighters’ fathers, Chris Eubank Sr and Nigel Benn, shared a couple of seismic bouts in the early 1990s. Hearn, who promotes Benn, spoke of “a fight for the generations an iconic main event an incredible time for boxing” and urged us to “remember this night this is what it’s all about.” ...

Events

14 h. ago Watch: JD Vance holds press conference during India trip to discuss trade deal

Watch again as US vice president JD Vance held a press conference during his trip to India on Tuesday (22 April) as New Delhi looked to avoid tariffs and negotiate a bilateral trade deal with Washington.

Economics

14 h. ago Chris Eubank Jr reveals exactly what was said during Conor Benn face

There was no repeat of the chaotic scenes in Manchester at Thursday night's press conference, but the pair were involved in an intense face-off ahead of their fight this weekend

Politics

15 h. ago Putin and Witkoff meet in Kremlin after car bomb kills Russian general near Moscow – Europe live

US envoy and Russian leader hold planned meeting following the death of Lt Gen Yaroslav Moskalik in BalashikhaPjotr Sauer is a Russian affairs reporter for the GuardianA senior Russian military official was killed in a car explosion near Moscow on Friday, just hours before a Kremlin meeting between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff. Continue reading...

Events

17 h. ago Live press conference updates as WRU set to unveil new director of rugby

The WRU are set to unveil a new director of rugby and elite performance

Politics

17 h. ago Live press conference updates as WRU unveil new director of rugby

The WRU have unveiled a new director of rugby and elite performance

Politics

18 h. ago Eddie Howe 'not 100%' as Newcastle United boss opens up at first press conference since health scare

The Magpies boss was back in front of the media on Friday morning after a traumatic couple of weeks

Events

18 h. ago Reeves hints at priority as she says ‘trading relationship with Europe arguably more important’ than US – UK politics live

Chancellor said she understood the focus on possible deal with US, but added the EU remained ‘our nearest neighbours and trading partners’Water company bosses face up to two years in prison if they cover up illegal sewage spills under new laws coming into force, PA Media reports. PA says:The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said no prison sentences have been handed to water company executives since privatisation despite widespread illegal sewage discharges, and the tougher penalties were essential because some firms have obstructed investigations.Environment secretary Steve Reed said: “Bosses must face consequences if they commit crimes. There must be accountability. From today, there will be no more hiding places.”I’m now pretty optimistic that we are moving in a good direction.In the end, I think everybody understands that this is about our security in Europe. It requires cooperation between democracies, friends, allies, countries with the same values.The...

Politics

19 h. ago Why ‘pain and pressure’ are at the heart of Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn’s inherited rivalry

Eubank Jr and Benn engaged in a war of words for the final time before their hotly-anticipated clash on Saturday

Events

19 h. ago Ruben Amorim press conference live Manchester United team news vs Bournemouth and injury latest

Ruben Amorim will preview Man United's Premier League clash with Bournemouth today and provide the injury latest ahead of a crucial few weeks for the club.

Events

20 h. ago Steve Witkoff arrives in Moscow for further talks with Russia about Ukraine peace plan – Europe live

US peace envoy to meet Vladimir Putin to discuss Donald Trump’s peace plan for Ukraine ahead of US president’s 100 days in office next weekAnd the Interfax news agency has now reported that Steve Witkoff arrived in Moscow, where he is expected to meet Vladimir Putin.Reuters noted that Witkoff has emerged as Washington’s key interlocutor with Putin as Trump pushes for a deal to end the war in Ukraine, and has already held three long meetings with the Kremlin leader. Continue reading...

Politics

20 h. ago Mark Williams stunned Crucible as bizarre press conference unfolded

The Welshman is no stranger to causing a bit of a stir

Politics

21 h. ago Eddie Hearn storms off stage at Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn press conference

Eddie Hearn stormed off stage following a back and forth with Chris Eubank Jr at a press conference ahead of the latter’s fight against Conor Benn.

Events

29 h. ago Why ‘pain and pressure’ is at the heart of Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn’s inherited rivalry

Eubank Jr and Benn engaged in a war of words for the final time before their hotly-anticipated clash on Saturday

Events

31 h. ago Chris Eubank Jr silences Eddie Hearn and pledges to ‘take out’ Conor Benn

In a circus-like press conference, Eubank Jr goads his rival while Benn threatens to ‘take his head off’The latest saga in the endless hyping of a bout that should not be happening unfolded in a pantomime atmosphere at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Thursday evening when Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn held their final press conference. Eubank Jr would not allow Eddie Hearn, Benn’s promoter, to talk as he constantly interrupted him and pointed out that people wanted to hear from the fighters rather than their salesmen.It presented an easy victory for Eubank as the normally garrulous Hearn soon retreated from the stage and asked his CEO at Matchroom Boxing, Frank Smith, to take over. Smith is in a relationship with Eubank Jr’s sister, Emily, but his attempts to thank various people were not much more successful. Continue reading...

Events

31 h. ago Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn get deep on ‘pain and pressure’ as rivalry grows again

Eubank Jr and Benn engaged in a war of words for the final time before their hotly-anticipated clash on Saturday

Economics