3 h. ago ‘They can’t take away your imagination and creativity’: Nazanin Zaghari

Zaghari-Ratcliffe made clothes for her daughter while waiting for her eventual release. Now, the idea of creativity as a form of resistance is the theme of a new collaboration between London’s Imperial War Museum and the fabric department of Liberty. When Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe returned home to London after six years of arbitrary detention in Iran, she brought back with her a small patchwork cushion. Pieced together from scrap material and made with the single sewing machine available in the prison, it was the product of a communal craft circle.“It’s something very, very precious to me,” she said. So precious, in fact, that she has worked on a new collaboration between London’s Imperial War Museum (IWM) and the fabric department of Liberty, creating three new prints that explore experience as a prisoner. Continue reading...

Politics

6 h. ago ‘We have to end the melancholy’: the French leftwing MP intent on resisting the far right

Clémentine Autain believes only a leftwing alliance united behind one leader can fend off the threat of a far-right presidentAt a busy market in Sevran, a low-income suburb north of Paris, the local MP, Clémentine Autain, was shaking hands and posing for selfies, arguing that only a left alliance could stave off the threat of a French far-right president being elected in less than 18 months.“The French far right is high in the polls and riding an international Trumpian wave,” said Autain, 52. “Without the left uniting behind a radical project, we can’t beat them.” Continue reading...

Politics

6 h. ago Only Europe can save Ukraine from Putin and Trump – but will it? | Timothy Garton Ash

Whether using frozen Russian assets, ramping up defence production or deepening the relationship with the EU, it is up to us to secure Ukraine’s future – and our ownEurope, you have been warned. President Vladimir Putin has waged a full-scale war against Ukraine for nearly four years and this week threatened that Russia was “ready right now” for war with Europe if need be. President Donald Trump has demonstrated that the US is ready to sell out Ukraine for the sake of a dirty deal with Putin’s Russia. His new US National Security Strategy prescribes “cultivating resistance to Europe’s current trajectory within European nations”. How much more clarity do you need?Now it’s up to us Europeans to enable Ukraine to survive armed assault from Moscow and diplomatic betrayal from Washington. In doing so, we also defend ourselves. For a year now, people have been telling me that Trump will eventually get tough on Russia. It’s been the geopolitical version of Waiting for Godot. Then his perso...

Politics

6 h. ago Why is Timothée Chalamet suddenly everywhere? Seven things you need to know – from Oscars to puppies

The 29-year-old star is getting his best reviews ever for the upcoming film Marty Supreme – but he’s also making waves with his idiosyncratic approach to celebrity and maintaining his status as the internet’s boyfriendEverybody’s talking about Timothée! The gen-Z French-American heart-throb and original “internet boyfriend” is receiving the best reviews of his career for Josh Safdie’s frenetic ping-pong flick Marty Supreme, while also making waves for his idiosyncratic approach to celebrity in an age somewhat lacking in star power. He has even got Gwyneth Paltrow’s seal of approval. Here are seven reasons why “Chalamania” is back.1. He seems a cert for an Oscar Continue reading...

Politics

13 h. ago 'Best talent': Mikel Arteta reacts after double Arsenal transfer deal confirmed

Gunners make statement of intent with signing coup as excitement builds for future

Economics

17 h. ago Edinburgh Rugby make bold selection calls and position switch for Champions Cup return

Everitt gives youth its chance as French cracks Toulon come to town

Politics

19 h. ago Saracens hatch plan to put dent in French dominance against Clermont

Even without Maro Itoje, Ben Earl and Jamie George, the English club are set to deploy a formidable lineup against their depleted opponentsJudging by the Saracens side starting their Champions Cup campaign against Clermont Auvergne on Saturday, a show of strength is the aim.Owen Farrell, Elliot Daly, Tom Willis and Nick Isiekwe are some of the distinguished names who will line up in north London aiming to put a small, symbolic dent in the notion that French clubs are poised to dominate the competition again. Even without the rested England captain, Maro Itoje, and back-row Ben Earl – both recently returned from a successful autumn campaign – the quality of the lineup indicates the depth required for a deep tournament run. Continue reading...

Politics

19 h. ago Pam Bondi tells law enforcement agencies to investigate antifa groups for ‘tax crimes’

Exclusive: Move is part of Trump’s broader crackdown on leftwing groups, including designation of antifa as ‘domestic terrorism’ groupUS politics live – latest updatesThe US attorney general, Pam Bondi, instructed law enforcement officials on Thursday to investigate antifa and other supposed domestic terror groups, and specifically directed them to search for “tax crimes” the groups may have committed, according to a memo obtained by the Guardian.The document signals how the Trump administration and Bondi are ramping up efforts to crack down on leftwing groups. Antifa, short for antifascist, is not a clearly defined organization, but rather a loose network of activists. Trump signed an executive order in September declaring it a domestic terrorism organization – something legal experts say he does not have the authority to do. Continue reading...

Events

20 h. ago France intercepts illegal drone overflight at nuclear submarine base

French officials are investigating an illegal drone overflight of the Atlantic coast base for France's nuclear-armed submarines

Events

21 h. ago ‘Civilisational erasure’: US strategy document appears to echo far

Official text, signed by Donald Trump, outlines plan to ‘cultivate resistance’ in EU nations to their ‘current trajectory’Donald Trump’s administration has said that Europe faces “civilisational erasure” within the next two decades as a result of migration and EU integration. In a policy document, it argues that the US must “cultivate resistance” within the continent to “Europe’s current trajectory”.Billed as “a roadmap to ensure America remains the greatest and most successful nation in human history and the home of freedom on earth”, the US National Security Strategy makes explicit Washington’s support for Europe’s far-right parties. Continue reading...

Politics

21 h. ago ‘Cultivate resistance’: policy paper lays bare Trump support for Europe’s far right

Text signed by president seems to echo ‘great replacement’ theory, saying Europe faces ‘civilisational erasure’ Donald Trump’s administration has said Europe faces “civilisational erasure” within the next two decades as a result of migration and EU integration, arguing in a policy document that the US must “cultivate resistance” within the continent to “Europe’s current trajectory”.Billed as “a roadmap to ensure America remains the greatest and most successful nation in human history and the home of freedom on earth”, the US National Security Strategy makes explicit Washington’s support for Europe’s far-right parties. Continue reading...

Politics

22 h. ago ‘No mistrust’ between Europe and US over Ukraine, Macron says

French president’s remarks come a day after a report claimed he had warned Washington could betray KyivEmmanuel Macron has said there is “no mistrust” between Europe and the US, a day after a report claimed the French president had warned privately there was a risk Washington could betray Ukraine.“Unity between Americans and Europeans on the Ukrainian issue is essential. And I say it again and again, we need to work together,” Macron told reporters during a visit to China. Continue reading...

Politics

22 h. ago French 'Josef Fritzl’ had '3 kids with daughter and forced son to have sex with mum'

WARNING, DISTRESSING CONTENT: A man has been dubbed 'French Josef Fritzl’ after being accused of having three children with his own daughter and allegedly forcing his son to have sex with his mother

Politics

23 h. ago Wayward England pace attack fumble their golden chance to strike with new ball | Simon Burnton

So good in the first innings in Perth, England’s bowlers were dismal in the opening session on day two to let Australia off the hookJofra Archer’s first ball zinged towards Jake Weatherald and screamed just past the bat. His second arrowed into his pads, knocking him off his feet, and after a review the umpire raised his finger.Forty-five overs later, Australia were all out for not many. But that was Perth, a bowling performance that started with a statement of intent from England’s premier fast bowler and a lead followed by his teammates. Continue reading...

Events

24 h. ago Keir Starmer reveals he's enlisted the help of German and French leaders on how to beat Nigel Farage's Reform UK

The Prime Minister revealed the trio of 'centrist' politicians recently discussed how to take on 'populists' such as Mr Farage.

Politics

24 h. ago 'French Josef Fritzl' admits fathering three children with his daughter and forcing his 11

A 58-year-old man has admitted to fathering three children with his daughter and forcing his 11-year-old son to have sex with his mother. 

Politics

25 h. ago US national security strategy calls for ‘cultivating resistance’ in Europe

Policy document blasts traditional allies while failing to criticise Russia

Events

25 h. ago Bel Powley's guide to London: from Tube shortcuts to Bar Termini

Actor Bel Powley heads to Bar Termini for a chic date, sips a martini at Brat and can’t resist Diptyque

Politics

26 h. ago Laura Cannell: Brightly Shone the Moon review | Jude Rogers' folk album of the month

(Brawl)The violinist sets out on her darkest exploration of yuletide yet, giving a murky and melancholy twist on familiar Christmas standardsTraditional music finds its popular, cosy home in the carol, despite the uncanniness that surrounds the nativity story, and the fraying thread back to the past that each winter brings. A veteran explorer of the season (in 2020’s sparkling Winter Rituals EP with cellist Kate Ellis, and 2022’s starker New Christmas Rituals, with amplified fiddle-playing from André Bosman), Laura Cannell sets out on her best and darkest journey yet here, exploring the time of year when, as she writes on the liner notes, “joy and heartache try to exist together”.Named after the line in Good King Wenceslas before the cruel frosts arrive, Brightly Shone the Moon begins at the organ – a nod to Cannell’s childhood Christmases in the Methodist chapels and churches of Norfolk. Cannell’s fiddle then quivers around the 16th-century folk melody of O Christmas Tree/O Tannenb...

Politics

26 h. ago One Battle After Another voted best film of the year by Sight And Sound

The British Film Institute’s international film magazine has crowned acclaimed action comedy One Battle After Another the best film of the year.

Politics