18 h. ago Loneliness is rife among young men. It’s time to get offline and talk to each other | Alexander Hurst

It’s tempting to scoff, but don’t dismiss the data. Modern man’s failure to forge real, meaningful friendships is bad for everyoneAt first I was startled when the psychologist Angelica Ferrara told me that most of the time it’s women, not men, who want to write about her research into male loneliness. But this is the crux of the issue, isn’t it? That we men need to talk, and we don’t: not nearly enough, anyway.Since 1990, there has been a sharp decline in how many people men say they are close to, says Ferrara, who is a postdoctoral fellow at Stanford and a visiting fellow at the London School of Economics. In the US, two-thirds of men aged between 18 and 23 think that nobody really knows them; one third haven’t seen anyone outside their household in the past week; only a fifth say they have friends they can really count on; and a staggering 69% of young men think “no one cares if men are OK”.Alexander Hurst is a Guardian Europe columnist Continue reading...

Politics

31 h. ago Trump says Putin ‘wants to get it done’ at tomorrow’s Alaska summit, as he floats idea of second meeting with Zelenskyy – Europe live

US president says threats of sanctions may have influenced Russian president to agree to Friday’s meeting in Anchorage, Alaskain BerlinGerman chancellor Friedrich Merz’s stab at heading up Ukraine diplomacy has received measured praise at home, with a perception that Donald Trump’s declarations after Wednesday’s video conference sounded slightly less alarming to European ears than before. Continue reading...

Politics

34 h. ago Wildfires claim third life in Spain as intense heat continues across Europe

Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez says threat remains extreme as overwhelmed governments call in support from neighboursEurope live – latest updatesWildfires raging across Spain have killed a third person as intense heat continues across vast swathes of Europe, forcing overwhelmed governments to call in support from their neighbours.A volunteer firefighter died after battling a blaze in Castile and León, authorities said on Thursday, after the death of a fellow volunteer in the same region on Tuesday. A man died on the outskirts of Madrid on Monday as he tried to save horses from a burning stable. Continue reading...

Events

35 h. ago Vladimir Putin praises ‘sincere efforts’ from US administration to end Ukraine war – Europe live

Russian president holds meeting with top officials as he prepares to meet US president at 11.30am local time in Anchorage, Alaska, on Friday 15 Augustin BerlinGerman chancellor Friedrich Merz’s stab at heading up Ukraine diplomacy has received measured praise at home, with a perception that Donald Trump’s declarations after Wednesday’s video conference sounded slightly less alarming to European ears than before. Continue reading...

Politics

36 h. ago Trump and Putin to have one on one meeting before wider meeting with delegations, says Kremlin – Europe live

US and Russian presidents to meet at 11.30am local time in Anchorage, Alaska, on Friday 15 Augustin BerlinGerman chancellor Friedrich Merz’s stab at heading up Ukraine diplomacy has received measured praise at home, with a perception that Donald Trump’s declarations after Wednesday’s video conference sounded slightly less alarming to European ears than before. Continue reading...

Politics

40 h. ago A journey to belonging: asylum seekers reflect on 10 years in Europe – in pictures

Ten years ago, 1 million people fled into Europe, escaping conflict and poverty. Many had travelled for years in search of peace, prosperity or stability, and found it in countries such as Italy, Germany and Belgium. But the journey to truly belong continues.A decade on, after finding work and learning a new language, four asylum seekers feel torn. They recall the woodlands of northern Nigeria, a river that flows through a Syrian town – or the nightmare of child abuse in Afghanistan. They are still homesick and wrestle with the possibility – or impossibility – of return. They are part of a new, transformed Europe Continue reading...

Events

54 h. ago Trump gives assurances to Europeans over talks with Putin on Ukraine

US president indicates before Alaska summit he will not make territorial concessions without Kyiv’s involvementDonald Trump told European leaders on Wednesday he would be seeking a ceasefire in Ukraine at his summit with Vladimir Putin on Friday and gave reassurances that he would not make any territorial concessions without Kyiv’s full involvement.Trump’s approach at the video conference, disclosed by France’s Emmanuel Macron, appeared to reassure some of the leaders, who were making a final collective plea to the unpredictable US president that he had a duty to protect Ukraine’s sovereignty – and European security – at the talks in Alaska. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Sunbed wars continue across Europe as people line up by pool gates in the early hours and 'sprint' to grab their spot in 'embarrassing' holiday trend

Sunseekers armed with towels, suncream, and flip flops were captured queuing at pool gates from as early as 6am just to bag their favourite lounger in resorts across Spain, Greece and Portugal

Events

3 d. ago FIREBALLS hit Spain as wildfires spark freak 'fire whirls' and reach Madrid, killing one person as Europe's heatwave hell continues

Extreme heat and strong winds in Spain caused 'fire whirls' on Monday night, as a hellish blaze burned several houses and forced the evacuation of hundreds of people, killing one person in the capital. 

Events

3 d. ago Spurs open Eze talks as they try to beat Arsenal to Palace attacker

Arsenal need to make sales firstSpurs unlikely to meet £68m release clauseTottenham have opened talks over a move for Eberechi Eze, whose £68m release clause expires on Friday, and are pushing to beat Arsenal to the Crystal Palace attacker. Arsenal have indicated they need to make sales in attack before pressing ahead with their pursuit of the England international.The delay from Arsenal, who are looking for buyers for Leandro Trossard, has opened the door for Spurs to act on their longstanding interest. Thomas Frank, the new Spurs manager, needs attacking additions after losing James Maddison to a long-term knee injury and missing out on the signing of Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White. They can offer Champions League football to Eze after winning the Europa League last season. Continue reading...

Events

3 d. ago EU leaders say Ukraine should have freedom to decide its future ahead of Trump

Statement on Ukrainian sovereignty endorsed by all European Union leaders except for Hungary’s Viktor OrbánRead all our coverage of the Ukraine warAll but one of the European heads of state and government have said that Ukrainians must have the freedom to decide their future, ahead of a high-stakes summit between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday.“Meaningful negotiations can only take place in the context of a ceasefire or reduction of hostilities,” the leaders said, adding that “we share the conviction that a diplomatic solution must protect Ukraine’s and Europe’s vital security interests.” Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago Ayahuasca and toad poison seized as police raid spiritual retreats in Spain

Three arrested and San Pedro cactus plants also found at rural properties that hosted lucrative ‘astral journeys’Police in eastern Spain have arrested three people and seized 11 litres of ayahuasca, 117 San Pedro cactus plants and several bottles of toad poison after raiding two rural properties that were used to host lucrative spiritual retreats promising “astral journeys”.Officers from the Guardia Civil force began investigating the business in the Pedreguer municipality of Alicante province five months ago after receiving a complaint from a former customer. They discovered that the retreat, which advertised online and billed itself as an award-winning and internationally renowned spiritual centre, offered “traditional curative medicine” breaks that were especially popular among European visitors. Continue reading...

Events

6 d. ago How to watch Manchester United vs Fiorentina: TV channel and live stream for friendly today

Beaten Europa League finalists looking to continue unbeaten pre-season run

Society

7 d. ago ‘No excuses’: Manchester United admit new £50m training hub must spark success

New centre includes F1 simulation room and padel courtDalot: ‘Now there’s going to be no excuses’ on pitchDiogo Dalot says there will be “no excuses” if Manchester United do not succeed after the opening of a new £50m training facility.The minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe cut the ribbon on the building for the men’s team at Carrington after Sir Alex Ferguson unveiled a plaque to the long-serving club receptionist Kath Phipps, who died last year. Ratcliffe said the renovations were befitting of a club with ambitions to be one of the best in Europe, as he continues his plan to return United to previous heights. Continue reading...

Economics

7 d. ago Timetables, tricky tickets and high prices: the problems with European cross

For all the fanfare over new routes, fast and efficient rail services between major cities remain a rarityExpanded high-speed rail network part of vision for Europe, says EU’s transport chiefAt 9.55am every day since December, a German ICE high-speed train has left the Gare de l’Est in Paris headed, via Strasbourg, Karlsruhe and Frankfurt, for Berlin Hauptbahnhof, where – all being well – it pulls in just over eight hours later.Remarkably, the service is the first direct, high-speed, centre-to-centre rail link between the capitals of the EU’s two biggest countries. Run by Deutsche Bahn (DB) and France’s SNCF, it has been hailed as a milestone in European train travel. Continue reading...

Politics

7 d. ago Donald Tusk says ‘freeze’ in Ukraine war may be close as US and Russia plan talks

Polish PM makes remarks after speaking with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, amid White House efforts to end the conflictThe Polish prime minister, Donald Tusk, has said a “freeze” in the war in Ukraine may be close as the White House and the Kremlin push forward with discussions for a high-level summit between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in the coming days.Tusk’s remarks came after he spoke with the Ukrainian leader, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who has communicated with Trump and European leaders in recent days as the White House continues to try to broker an end to the three-and-a-half-year war. Continue reading...

Events

7 d. ago ‘Freeze’ in Ukraine war may be close, says Tusk, as US and Russia plan talks

Polish PM makes remarks after speaking with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, amid White House efforts to end the conflictThe Polish prime minister, Donald Tusk, has said a “freeze” in the war in Ukraine may be close as the White House and the Kremlin push forward with discussions for a high-level summit between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in the coming days.Tusk’s remarks came after he spoke with the Ukrainian leader, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who has communicated with Trump and European leaders in recent days as the White House continues to try to broker an end to the three-and-a-half-year war. Continue reading...

Events

8 d. ago Europe's hellfire: France's killer wildfire the size of PARIS continues to rage after tourists in Spain are evacuated and country reports more than 1,000 have died from the heat 

The rapidly-growing wildfire, currently burning through an area larger than Paris, in southern France that broke out on Tuesday burned through some 16,000 hectares

Events

1 week ago Ukraine calls for greater pressure on Russia ahead of Witkoff visit – Europe live

Zelenskyy urges US and EU to fast-track sanctions and secondary tariffs a day before Trump’s envoy is expected in MoscowMeanwhile, the Netherlands is the first country to commit €500m to spend on US weapons for Ukraine under a new framework deal agreed by US president Donald Trump and Nato secretary general Mark Rutte last month.On Monday night, Dutch prime minister Dick Schoof said the new weapons for Ukraine were “badly needed” as “Ukraine is still fighting every day to defend itself against Russian aggression, such as large-scale drone attacks.”In doing so, Ukraine is also fighting for freedom and security in Europe. Continue reading...

Events

1 week ago Danish zoo asks pet owners to donate rabbits and horses to feed its predators

Zoological institution offers to euthanise animals that need to be put down so ‘nothing goes to waste’A zoo in Denmark is appealing for donations of healthy small pets to be “gently euthanised” and fed to predators.Aalborg zoo has urged willing chicken, rabbit and guinea pig owners to hand over their pets to be eaten whole by animals including European lynx. Continue reading...

Politics