73 m. ago Voice of America and Radio Farda's Persian services cover Israel

Despite the Trump administration's efforts to dismantle or sharply cut back on U.S. government-run news outlets like Voice of America, two Persian-language services have been called into duty to report on Israel's war with Iran to Iranian audiences

Politics

83 m. ago Rampaging raccoons: how the American mammals took over a German city – and are heading across Europe

Many in Kassel have embraced the animal but the EU classes it as an invasive species and ecologists are divided about what to do nextIn Kassel, everyone has a story about raccoons. Some struggle with a family of them that moved into their roof and simply will not leave. Others recount how a picnic in the park turned into an ambush as gangs of the black and white animals, known in Germany as Waschbären, raided the food. Almost everyone seems to have a neighbour who feeds them, to the annoyance of the entire street.“We are the raccoon city. They are everywhere,” says Lars, a Kassel resident, as he tends his allotment by Karlsaue park in the fading light. Continue reading...

Politics

83 m. ago Europe must stand without the US – but the latest war in the Middle East shows it has no idea how | Nathalie Tocci

If Europe was not so in hock to Washington, it would sanction Israel over Gaza and condemn its unilateral attack on IranThe rupture in the transatlantic relationship has left European leaders struggling to know how to think, let alone act, with any autonomy. Europe most urgently needs a mind of its own on the Middle East.Tragically, EU governments were just beginning to turn the page after a year and a half of complicity with the Israeli government’s war crimes in Gaza. Donald Trump’s obscene plans for a Gaza “riviera” and “humanitarian” initiatives that breach humanitarian principles were creating distance with the US, and European governments were starting to craft their own course.Nathalie Tocci is a Guardian Europe columnist Continue reading...

Events

83 m. ago A Spree change: from Berlin to Oslo, Europe’s urban swimmers take the plunge

Parts of the Seine are opening to bathers and Berliners are pushing authorities to permit river dips, while other hotspots continue to delight city dwellersThe last time there was full-scale river swimming in Berlin’s city centre, before access was outlawed a century ago, there were probably fewer inflatable unicorns and fluorescent pool noodles.But this week, a “Dip-Dip-Hurrah” demonstration to push for the lifting of the roaring 20s-era ban saw about 300 people, many with colourful swimming caps and assorted flotation devices, bob down the Spree river as the golden-hour sun bathed the old Prussian monuments of the historic Mitte district in a warm light. Continue reading...

Politics

89 m. ago Photos of candlelight vigil honoring slain Minnesota lawmaker and her husband

Hundreds gathered outside Minnesota’s Capitol for a candlelight vigil honoring former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, who were fatally shot at their home. Governor Tim Walz, visibly moved, comforted mourners as the couple’s son, Colin, placed a photo of his parents at a growing memorial filled with flowers, flags and heartfelt messages.

Culture

1 hour ago Scots cop takes down puppy farm after dog bought for her kids dies days later

Julie Taylor was caught red-handed with 16 terrified dogs, of various breeds, being held in a filthy toilet and covered in dog waste.

Events

1 hour ago Fashion guru Stella McCartney hits back at 'false' objections to £5m Highland hideaway

The daughter of Beatle Paul and her husband Alasdhair Willis have been accused of threatening wildlife with their designs for a new home on the remote Moidart peninsula in Lochaber.

Economics

2 h. ago An implosion, a collapse or a transition: what would regime change in Iran look like?

Some western leaders have welcomed the idea of the toppling of Iran’s supreme leader, but no planning has been made for the aftermath if it happensAt the G7 in Canada, differences within Europe about the wisdom of regime change in Iran could not have been more stark.The French president, Emmanuel Macron, warned against toppling a government “when you have no idea what comes next”. Insisting that he had no time for the Iranian government, Macron argued that it was for the people of Iran to choose their rulers. Continue reading...

Politics

3 h. ago Hundreds gather to remember prominent Minnesota lawmaker and husband slain in their home

Hundreds have gathered outside Minnesota’s Capitol for a vigil to remember a prominent state lawmaker and her husband gunned down at their home

Society

3 h. ago Beautiful European seaside city named 'Dubai dupe' but with cheap £87 flights

This small seaside hospot is perfect for those who want to jet away but keep the costs down - and it's based right on the picturesque coast, perfect for catching some sunrays

Economics

4 h. ago Blake Lively's private texts with Taylor Swift WILL be released in Justin Baldoni lawsuit saga

Swift and Lively's relationship has cratered in recent months, with the singer left furious at being dragged into the case.

Society

4 h. ago Spain's smallest holiday island locals love is 'crumbling' with propped

Nueva Tabarca is the smallest inhabited island in Spain and sits off the coast of Alicante. It has become increasingly popular with locals, who descend on the tiny strip of land in huge numbers

Politics

4 h. ago What this picture tells us about Starmer's relationship with Trump... and why PM's obsession with Europe could wreck a genuine U.S. trade deal: DANIEL HANNAN

As symbolism goes, the physical dropping of the US trade deal was hard to beat.

Politics

5 h. ago Ukraine war briefing: Russia can defend itself, says Putin, as North Korea sends more soldiers

Death toll rises to 28 after Russian attack on Kyiv apartments; Zelenskyy planning to attend Nato summit in The Hague. What we know on day 1,212Vladimir Putin said on Thursday he was ready to meet with Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy but only during a “final phase” of negotiations “so as not to sit there and divide things up endlessly, but to put an end to it”. Putin made his customary false accusation that Zelenskyy is not Ukraine’s legitimate president.In a round-table interview in St Petersburg with international news agencies, Putin said on Nato: “We do not consider any Nato rearmament to be a threat to the Russian Federation, because we are self-sufficient in terms of ensuring our security.” Russia has brought in thousands of North Korean soldiers to help defend Kursk; and has relied on a flood of arms and ammunition from North Korea as well as Iranian drones and missiles to wage war on Ukraine; while also receiving suspected help from China to continue arming a “spec...

Events

6 h. ago The Latest: US says foreign students seeking visas must unlock social media accounts

The U.S. State Department says it is restarting the process for foreigners to apply for student visas but says all applicants must have their social media accounts set to ‘public’ to allow review by officials

Economics

7 h. ago Hunt for Russian 'spy' who escaped moving ‘sealed train’ in NATO state Lithuania

The 'spy', known only as 21-year-old Daniil M, jumped off a high-security train while in transit from his home nation in search for what his father said was a 'better life'

Politics

8 h. ago Knauff galvanises Germany as England stumble into Euro Under

England 1-2 Germany (Scott 76; Knauff 3 Weiper 33)Lee Carsley’s side face quarter-final against SpainWhen Lee Carsley expressed his hope that England’s Under-21 players could give Thomas Tuchel “something to ponder” with their performances while defending their European title in Slovakia, their first-half showing against Germany’s second-string side probably wasn’t what he had in mind.Needing a point to guarantee their place in the quarter-finals and trailing 2-0 at the break after goals from Ansgar Knauff and Nelson Weiper, Slovenia’s defeat to the Czech Republic in the night’s other match ensured they made it through anyway. Continue reading...

Politics

8 h. ago 28 Years Later review – sprinting zombies take evolutionary leap forward in badass threequel

This tonally uncertain revival mixes folk horror and little-England satire as an island lad seeks help for his sick mum on the undead-infested mainlandHere they are again, Danny Boyle and Alex Garland’s zombies – though unlike the usual stumbling slow-movers, of course, these things can sprint like Tom Cruise on steroids. Back in 2002, screenwriter Garland and director Boyle had a monster hit with their post-apocalyptic horror thriller 28 Days Later, about a “rage” virus that leaks from a lab and, turning people into aggressive zombies, causes a complete law-and-order breakdown in 28 days; Boyle famously made smart use of then-new lightweight digital tech which let him bring off miracles of unlicensed guerrilla shooting at dawn in the deserted London streets.That was fierce, muscular film-making, though I have never been a fan of zombies whose massed presence (then as now) requires silly, gurning, ketchup-strewn extras who can’t be clearly looked at for any length of time without la...

Events

8 h. ago Strictly Come Dancing in talks with married reality TV star as BBC bosses back him to resist show's 'curse'

The so-called 'Strictly curse' has been a tabloid staple for over a decade - rooted in the idea that taking part in the show often spells trouble for contestants' relationships.

Culture

8 h. ago Jodie Comer says being led by Danny Boyle in 28 Years Later was a ‘proper dream’

Comer features in the film alongside Ralph Fiennes and Aaron Taylor-Johnson.

Events