Watch: The first day of the conclave in a minute
After a lengthy wait, black smoke emerged from the Sistine Chapel's chimney at around 9pm local time.
Jon Voight defends Trump’s film tariff plan: ‘Something has to be done’
Oscar-winning actor gives first interview to Variety since working with Trump on plan to shake up Hollywood
Jon Voight, the actor who inspired Donald Trump’s surprise statement about placing a 100% tariff on foreign-made films, has given his first interview on the supposed plan to “give people back their dignity and their jobs”.
“Something has to be done, and it’s way past time,” the 86-year-old actor told Variety while he was, according to the magazine, “driving through what sounded like a car wash”.
Continue reading...Vance says Russia asking ‘too much’ in ceasefire talks with Ukraine
Trump says ‘it’s possible that’s right’ about the vice-president’s remarks amid frustrations with Russia
JD Vance has said that Russia is asking for “too much” in its negotiations with Ukraine in the latest sign of growing frustration from Washington with ceasefire talks to end the war between the two countries.
Speaking at a security conference of senior military and diplomatic leaders in Washington, the US vice-president said that the White House is focused on getting the two sides to hold direct talks and is ready to walk away if certain benchmarks are not reached.
Continue reading...US central bank: Trump tariffs causing ‘great deal of uncertainty’
US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said that Donald Trump’s tariffs are creating “a great deal of uncertainty.”
Syria’s al-Sharaa confirms indirect talks with Israel amid soaring tensions
Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa says Syria holding indirect talks with Israel 'through mediators'.
Denmark summons US ambassador over Greenland spying report
US spy agencies have been told to step up espionage around Greenland, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Denmark summons US ambassador over Greenland spying report
US spy agencies have been told to step up espionage around Greenland, according to The Wall Street Journal.
House panel on campus antisemitism likened to cold-war ‘un-American’ committee
Georgetown professor called to testify says Republican-led proceedings ‘an attempt to chill protected speech’
A congressional panel investigating antisemitism on US college campuses on Wednesday was accused of trying to chill constitutionally protected free speech and likened to a cold-war era committee notorious for wrecking the lives of people suspected of communist sympathies.
The comparison was made by David Cole, a professor at Georgetown University law centre, who told the House education and workforce committee that its proceedings resembled those staged by the House un-American Activities Committee (Huac) during and after the second world war.
Continue reading...Three ex-Tennessee officers acquitted of state charges in fatal beating of Tyre Nichols
Men, who have been convicted of federal charges, found not guilty in death of Black man, 29, after he fled traffic stop
Three former Memphis officers were acquitted on Wednesday of state charges, including second-degree murder, in the fatal beating of Tyre Nichols after he ran away from a traffic stop in 2023.
A jury took about eight and a half hours over two days to find Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley and Justin Smith not guilty on all charges after a nine-day trial in state court in Memphis. After the jury’s verdict was read, the defendants hugged their lawyers as relatives of the former officers cried. One relative yelled: “Thank you, Jesus!”
Continue reading...South African opposition politician hits out after failing to get UK visa
The UK Home Office was unable to process Julius Malema's application in time for his trip, the High Commission says.
Has UK-India trade deal ‘sold out British workers’ as Farage and Badenoch claim?
Row over exemption of national insurance contributions for Indian short-term workers overshadows deal
A multibillion-pound free trade agreement with India has long been touted as a big Brexit boon.
Cheaper clothes and shoes for British shoppers, a huge market for scotch whisky producers and luxury carmakers, and billions of pounds worth of extra trade are among the benefits of the agreement, which was finalised this week.
Continue reading...Macron welcomes Syria’s al-Sharaa in Paris
French President Emmanuel Macron welcomes Syria’s interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa to Paris.
Bedfordshire residents say they have been left out of Universal theme park consultation
Locals welcome plan but fear being pushed out of homes by theme park
When it was announced that Universal Pictures, one of the largest movie studios in the world, was opening its first theme park in Bedfordshire, fans were ecstatic.
Social media was filled with questions: Which film franchises will appear? How many rides would there be? Will there be a section dedicated to the Minions?
Continue reading...US Federal Reserve holds rates steady, warns of higher unemployment
The central bank will hold steady amid economic uncertainty driven by tariffs.
Ford to raise prices on three cars produced in Mexico: Report
The increased price tag is a result of US President Donald Trump’s imposed tariffs on auto imports.
Terrorists who cost U.S. billions of dollars were just lauded by Trump for their ‘bravery’ – NJ.com
- Terrorists who cost U.S. billions of dollars were just lauded by Trump for their ‘bravery’ NJ.com
- US-Houthi ceasefire deal does not include Israel, says Houthi spokesperson Reuters
- Shippers Are Skeptical of Trump’s Truce With the Houthis WSJ
- Trump says US to stop strikes on Houthis in Yemen CNN
- An ‘America First’ Deal With the Houthis The Atlantic
Are India and Pakistan at Risk of War? Here’s What We Know – WSJ
Chancellor Friedrich Merz calls for renewed Franco-German cooperation
Friedrich Merz says a reset in relations is vital to help Europe overcome its security and economic 'challenges'.
‘Ant Gang’ smugglers sentenced in Kenya wildlife trafficking case
Two Belgian teens caught with 5,000 rare ants in Kenya were sentenced to 12 months in prison or a fine of $7,700.
Russia says 60,000 air passengers stranded after Ukrainian drone attacks
Some 350 flights are affected in Moscow and other cities, as Russia claims shooting down 524 Ukrainian drones.