Iranian officials absent from pre-World Cup football events in Canada
It is unclear whether football officials from Iran were issued Canadian visas to attend AFC and FIFA congresses.
The UAE’s OPEC exit is not about oil; it is the end of Gulf solidarity
The move reflects a widening confrontation with Saudi Arabia and a fundamental realignment of alliances.
Two stabbed in Golders Green, north London, says Jewish group
Man has been arrested after incident in north-west London, says volunteer organisation Shomrim
A man has been arrested after two people were stabbed in Golders Green, north-west London, the Jewish neighbourhood watch group Shomrim has said.
The man was seen running along Golders Green Road armed with a knife and “attempting to stab Jewish members of the public”, Shomrim said on social media.
Continue reading...Five charts that show the rise of global militarisation
As countries spend more on their militaries, what does that mean for spending on healthcare and education?
France urges citizens to leave Mali after rebel attacks
The UK has issued similar advice, telling citizens who stay, that they do so at their own risk.
Sussex University overturns £585,000 fine as high court rejects free speech breach claim
Ruling is blow to Office for Students after it issued record fine for allegations over professor’s trans rights views
Sussex University has overturned a £585,000 fine by England’s higher education watchdog after the high court rejected claims the university had breached free speech regulations involving its former professor Kathleen Stock.
The ruling is a damaging blow to the credibility and management of the Office for Students, after the court rejected the regulator’s lengthy investigation, following Sussex’s handling of the protests aimed at Stock over her views on transgender rights and her subsequent resignation in 2021.
Continue reading...FIFA confirms new World Cup rule on yellow cards to reduce suspensions
Single yellow cards will be cancelled after the group stage and then again after the quarterfinals, FIFA says.
Cynthia Erivo interrupts Dracula performance after spotting audience member’s camera
Wicked star’s one-woman West End show was stopped in response to an increasingly common problem for theatres
A performance of Dracula in the West End on Monday night was halted after its star, Cynthia Erivo, spotted that an audience member appeared to be filming the show.
A representative for the production, in which Erivo plays all 23 roles, confirmed that there had been a short stop caused by the incident. A commenter on the forum Theatreboard, who said they had been at the show, wrote that Erivo – roughly an hour into the performance – “looked out into the audience and said: ‘Are you filming? Is someone filming?’ and stopped the show”. Another commenter said that they had attended Dracula – which is at the Noël Coward theatre – the following night and that there were extra reminders to the audience about taking photos and filming.
Continue reading...Russia to hold Victory Day parade with no military hardware amid Ukraine strike fears
Annual event in Red Square to feature no armoured vehicles or missile systems for first time in two decades
Russia’s annual Victory Day parade will be held on 9 May without military hardware for the first time in almost two decades because of fears of a long-range attack by Ukrainian drones.
The defence ministry said no armoured vehicles or missile systems would roll across Red Square during the parade, which marks the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany, citing “the current operational situation”.
Continue reading...Exclusive: Nigel Farage was given undisclosed £5m by crypto billionaire in 2024
Reform leader changed his mind about standing as MP after gift from Thai-based crypto tycoon Christopher Harborne
Nigel Farage was given £5m by the crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne shortly before announcing he would stand in the 2024 British general election, the Guardian can reveal.
Farage had stated he did not intend to stand as a prospective MP but U-turned in June 2024, within weeks of receiving the personal gift from the Thailand-based businessman.
Continue reading...Why has the UAE left Opec – and why does this matter?
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is quitting oil cartel Opec after nearly 60 years of membership.
European Commission president calls for diplomacy to end Iran war
European Commission president calls for diplomacy to end Iran war
Germany arrests Kazakhstan citizen accused of spying for Russia
Prosecutors say the man, identified only as Sergej K, has been in 'continuous contact' with Russian intelligence.
Musk accuses Altman of stealing a charity as courtroom battle begins
The case over OpenAI's history and public commitments could have major implications for the future of AI.
First Thing: Justice department indicts ex-FBI director James Comey over Instagram seashells post
Comey, one of Donald Trump’s political enemies, charged with two felonies. Plus, Disneyland introduces facial recognition
Good morning.
The justice department filed new criminal charges against James Comey, the former FBI director, on Tuesday.
What has he been charged with? Two felonies: making a threat against the president, and transmitting that threat, via social media, across state lines.
What does the indictment say? That the seashell numbers were something a reasonable person “would interpret as a serious expression of an intent to do harm to the President of the United States”.
And how about Comey? He published a video of himself saying: “Well, they’re back. This time, about a picture of seashells on a North Carolina beach a year ago. And this won’t be the end of it, but nothing has changed with me. I am still innocent. I am still not afraid. And I still believe in the independent federal judiciary. So, let’s go.” He continued: “It’s really important that all of us remember – this is not who we are as a country, this is not how the Department of Justice is supposed to be, and the good news is we get closer every day to restoring those values. Keep the faith.”
Continue reading...DNA links Florida man in Philippines to 1989 child abduction
US suspect held in south-east Asia after genealogical DNA identified him in Tampa-area case involving 7-year-old girl
A man accused of kidnapping and sexually abusing a 7-year-old girl in Florida in 1989 was recently arrested in the Philippines, according to authorities.
Preserved DNA and genealogical research allowed investigators to identify Young Tom Talmadge, 69, as the suspect in the Tampa-area case, the Philippines’ government said in a statement.
Continue reading...CEOs of US’s top energy firms received average pay raise of $12.3m, review finds
Utility bills are up as much as 40% in some regions, and companies shut off power to customers 13m times in 2025
The US’s top utilities’ CEOs enjoyed a 16% pay raise last year – to an average of $12.3m – even as consumers shoulder the pain from high bills spurred by continuing inflation, the Iran war and datacenter growth, a new review of industry financial documents shows.
Utility bills are up as much as 40% in some regions since 2021, and, nationwide, utilities shut off power to customers 13m times last year, federal data shows.
Continue reading...Afghan women’s refugee team allowed to play in FIFA tournaments
Afghan Women United can now represent Afghanistan at international football competitions, including the LA Olympics.
Palestinian football body appeals FIFA ruling on Israel at top sports court
Meanwhile, visa issues are affecting Palestinian and other delegations to the upcoming FIFA Congress.
Endangered antelopes flown to Kenya from Czech zoo in ‘historic homecoming’
The mountain bongo is a rare antelope endemic to Kenyan highland forests, with less than 100 in the wild.