97 m. ago Manchester United in shock Marcus Rashford swap deal claim to land Arsenal target

Manchester United are looking to bolster their attacking options this summer

Events

1 hour ago The Guardian view on a new deal for travel in Europe: bring back student exchanges | Editorial

The EU is expected to push for special youth visas at next month’s summit. Sir Keir Starmer should say yesStrong hints that a rebranded “youth opportunity scheme” will top the EU’s wishlist at next month’s EU-UK summit are good news for anyone who regrets the diminished travel opportunities that were one result of Brexit. Rising expectations of new European train routes – possibly including direct trains from London to Italy – can only add to the appeal of a potential rule change.There were more consequential impacts of Brexit than restrictions on travel. The disruption of trade, which is predicted by the Office for Budget Responsibility to cause a 4% reduction in long-run productivity, is far more significant economically. Drug shortages continue to create risks to people’s health, and cause problems for doctors and pharmacists. Cancer research and trials have also been badly affected, according to a new report, because of the increased difficulty of attracting scientists and fundi...

Economics

2 h. ago I have rare brain condition that means I'm 'severed' like characters from hit Apple TV show

In the show Severance, people get brain surgery to split their memories between work and their personal life. But there's a real-life brain condition that's similar to this fictional procedure.

Events

5 h. ago Foreo Luna cleansing gadget that unclogs pores plummets from £140 to £30 in bank holiday deal

If you've been on the hunt for a skincare device that gives 'a cleaner, smoother, and softer complexion' in a flash, this Foreo Luna set is not one to snooze on as it's got £110 off its usual RRP

Economics

5 h. ago EastEnders fans 'sobbing' as four major characters make dramatic exit

EastEnders was a tear-jerker on Thursday night as four beloved characters made their exit from the soap in an emotional episode

Events

6 h. ago A ‘Black Snape’ in the new Harry Potter seems designed to cause controversy – but it could work | Jason Okundaye

Ignore the fuss: Paapa Essiedu is a brilliant actor who can bring his own depth and style to enrich the iconic characterAfter months of speculation, HBO has announced part of the cast of the latest round of Harry Potter IP-mining: the new TV adaptation of the original books will feature John Lithgow as Dumbledore, Nick Frost as Hagrid – and Paapa Essiedu as Snape. As the Mail and Telegraph’s headlines were quick to inform their readers, yes, this means a “Black actor” in that iconic role.There is a real concern that Essiedu is drinking from a poisoned chalice – that he will be associated with an author who is at the forefront of a gender-critical movement that has succeeded in redefining the rights of trans people to their detriment; that he will have to weather the racist storm of Potterheads enraged at the diversion from “book accuracy” (Snape is described as having “sallow skin”); and deal with opportunists looking to illustrate their next rant about how the world has succumbed t...

Politics

6 h. ago Moscow may gain key role in Iran nuclear deal as US talks progress

Russia touted as possible destination for Iran’s uranium stockpile and could also act as arbiter of deal breachesRussia could play a key role in a deal on the future of Iran’s nuclear programme, with Moscow being touted not only as a possible destination for Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium, but also as a possible arbiter of deal breaches.Donald Trump, who abandoned a 2015 nuclear pact between Tehran and world powers in 2018 during his first term, has threatened to attack Iran unless it reaches a new deal swiftly that would prevent it from developing a nuclear weapon. Continue reading...

Economics

7 h. ago Departing Kevin De Bruyne ‘a bit surprised’ not to be offered new Man City deal

The 33-year-old feels he can still perform at the highest level.

Economics

7 h. ago NHS doctor shares three symptoms of pancreatic cancer you 'cannot ignore'

Pancreatic cancer has one of the lowest survival rates of any form of the disease.

Science

7 h. ago Ollie Watkins' stance on Man Utd transfer as Ruben Amorim eyes Marcus Rashford swap deal

Ollie Watkins has fallen out of favour at Aston Villa under Unai Emery, with Marcus Rashford the first choice up front - and Manchester United could use the situation to their advantage

Economics

9 h. ago Sister Europe by Nell Zink review – ramshackle wanderers in Berlin

Zink’s seventh novel, about a night of conversation and adventure, is full of wit and marvellous writing, but ultimately trails offCalifornia-born, Berlin-based Nell Zink is an idiosyncratic writer. You never quite know where her sentences are going to go. “Oh God, Toto, you won’t believe what just happened,” says Avianca, a character in her new novel. “This angel stole my hat. Like a winged monkey. It was blue and kind of glowing and had feather wings.”Such delightfully surprising lines are frequent in Sister Europe, Zink’s seventh novel, which follows acclaimed titles The Wallcreeper, Doxology and Avalon, and is set over the course of a Tuesday night in 2023.Sister Europe by Nell Zink is published by Viking (£14.99). To support the Guardian and Observer order your copy at guardianbookshop.com. Delivery charges may apply Continue reading...

Politics

9 h. ago John McGinn makes Kieran Tierney feelings clear on Celtic return as Aston Villa hero convinced of one thing

The Hoops diehard is on his way back to his boyhood heroes this summer after penning a pre-contract deal from the Gunners

Politics

10 h. ago Stephen Mangan: ‘With three people in a bed, who goes in the middle?’

The Split actor and children’s author on throuples, using his sons as a focus group, and running the London marathonStephen Mangan, 56, was born in Enfield to Irish parents. He studied law at Cambridge but took a year out to care for his mother, who died of colon cancer aged 45. Weeks after her death, he successfully auditioned for Rada and went on to become a stage actor. His TV breakthrough came in Adrian Mole: The Cappuccino Years. He has since starred in Green Wing, Episodes and The Split. He co-hosts Landscape and Portrait Artist of the Year on Sky Arts, and a weekly show on Classic FM. He is currently appearing in throuple comedy Unicorn in the West End and is the author of six bestselling children’s books. His seventh is out in May.Your sister Anita illustrates your books. What’s it like working with a sibling? Great fun. Essentially we’re trying to make each other laugh, like we have done since childhood. But because I’m her annoying older brother, I deliberately put things ...

Politics

10 h. ago Amazon drops 31% off 'punchy' Jimmy Choo perfume shoppers say 'doesn't fade'

Update your perfume collection by taking advantage of this Amazon deal on the Jimmy Choo Original Eau de Parfum.

Politics

10 h. ago Inside Paloma Faith's life from heartbreaking divorce and being caught having sex in public

Celebrity Bake Off's Paloma Faith has been welcomed into the famous bake off tent alongside stars such as Doctor Who's Jodie Whittaker, comedian Munya Chawawa, and Made In Chelsea's Spencer Matthews.

Events

11 h. ago New NHS list reveals the 18 subtle cancer signs that no one can afford to ignore

The NHS ' top cancer doctor is urging the public to look out for subtle changes in their body which could be red-flag signs of cancer.

Politics

11 h. ago Chelsea star Mykhailo Mudryk breaks his silence with a cryptic post after failed drugs test last year

The 24-year-old - who joined in a £88m deal last in January 2023 - has not featured since a Europa Conference League match on November 28.

Events

12 h. ago ‘When medieval times return, I’ll be ready’: Bella Ramsey on friendship, fashion and The Last of Us

The young actor’s life has been transformed since they landed the lead role in what turned out to be a TV phenomenon. As the much-anticipated second season begins, they discuss growing up in the glare of fameBella Ramsey self-recorded their audition tape for The Last of Us at their parents’ home in Leicestershire and sent it off more in hope than expectation. Ramsey, who was 17 at the time, had never played the post-apocalyptic zombie video game on which the new TV series was based, but knew it was a big deal: released in 2013, it had sold more than 20m copies. It would later emerge that Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, the show’s creators, looked seriously at more than 100 actors for the role of Ellie, the sassy and quirky but also complicated and vicious American protagonist of The Last of Us. “Yeah, I’ve been told,” says Ramsey with a wry smile.When Ramsey got the first callback from Mazin and Druckmann, they joined the Zoom from their childhood bedroom. “I’ve gotten very used to ...

Events

12 h. ago Saturday Night Live has lost its bite, so why would we want it here? | Sarah Manavis

The once fearless, now formulaic, satirical show is on its way from the US. Can it bring back the fun?What makes good satire? The answer might vary depending on who you ask. What is more unifying, however, is what doesn’t. Most would agree it’s things like punching down, cheap jokes, obviousness or, worst of all, failing to actually be funny.We saw a unique combination of all of the above last weekend, when the American live sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live (SNL) attempted to parody the hit HBO series The White Lotus, setting it among current White House staff. Alongside middling caricatures of Donald Trump and the US health secretary, Robert F Kennedy Jr, the pre-recorded skit portrayed the English actor Aimee Lou Wood, who has a gap between her teeth, and her character from the show, Chelsea, as uncharacteristically stupid, with bulging eyes and buck teeth. Continue reading...

Politics

12 h. ago Saturday Night Live lost its bite long ago, and it’s unlikely to find it on British TV | Sarah Manavis

The once fearless, now formulaic, satirical show is on its way from the US. Can it bring back the fun?What makes good satire? The answer might vary depending on who you ask. What is more unifying, however, is what doesn’t. Most would agree it’s things like punching down, cheap jokes, obviousness or, worst of all, failing to actually be funny.We saw a unique combination of all of the above last weekend, when the American live sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live (SNL) attempted to parody the hit HBO series The White Lotus, setting it among current White House staff. Alongside middling caricatures of Donald Trump and the US health secretary, Robert F Kennedy Jr, the pre-recorded skit portrayed the English actor Aimee Lou Wood, who has a gap between her teeth, and her character from the show, Chelsea, as uncharacteristically stupid, with bulging eyes and buck teeth. Continue reading...

Politics