Exclusive: Some fear raising rate for people aged 18-20 will exacerbate unemployment while others point to lack of evidence Rising rates of youth unemployment have created a split at the top of government over how fast it should meet its promise to give young people the full minimum wage. Peter Kyle, the business secretary, is understood to believe now is not the time to give 18- to 20-year-olds the full minimum wage, which Labour promised to do in its manifesto. Continue reading...

Christian Castro was charged with assault and falsely reporting a crime after video emerged of non-fatal shooting in January Sign up for the Breaking News US newsletter email A federal immigration officer wanted for shooting a Venezuelan man during the Trump administration’s crackdown in Minnesota was arrested on Friday in Texas, authorities said. Christian Castro, of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency, was taken into custody 11 days after Minneapolis prosecutors charged him with assault and falsely reporting a crime in the 14 January non-fatal shooting of Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis. Continue reading...

Gunners face PSG in Budapest final on Saturday ‘We have one, and now we want the second one’ Mikel Arteta has dismissed suggestions the pressure is off Arsenal in Saturday’s Champions League final after their first Premier League title for 22 years and insists he and his players are hungry for more trophies. Paris Saint-Germain, who defeated Arsenal in the semi-finals last year before being crowned European champions for the first time, saw off Chelsea, Liverpool and Bayern Munich in the knockout stages and are strongly fancied to retain their crown. Jurriën Timber looks likely to start after Arteta confirmed the Netherlands defender had recovered from a groin injury, although he has not featured since the win over Everton on 14 March. Continue reading...

Organisation cites abuse by security forces, including rape of male detainees The UN has added Israel and Russia to a blacklist for sexual violence in conflict, citing abuse by security forces including rape of male detainees. . The UN verified sexual abuse of 31 Palestinian men, women and children from the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank between 2023 and 2025. Israeli attacks included repeated gang-rapes and the use of sexual violence as a form of torture, the report said. Continue reading...

Tehran denies deal has been reached that would open strait of Hormuz and eliminate country’s nuclear programme Donald Trump has claimed he could approve an Iran peace deal on Friday that contains major concessions from Tehran, including the opening of the strait of Hormuz and the elimination of the country’s nuclear programme. However, top Iranian officials signalled a final agreement had not been reached. The two versions indicate Trump may once again be practising his “art of the deal” as he seeks to talk his way out of a war that has disrupted global energy supplies and rocked the world economy. Continue reading...

Survey shows 44% increase on RSPB reserves of bird that almost became extinct in England in the 60s More than half a century after the Dartford warbler almost vanished from the English countryside, the charismatic heathland bird appears to be staging a comeback. A survey has revealed the highest number of Dartford warblers ever recorded on reserves run by the bird conservation charity RSPB, with 264 pairs counted in 2025, a 44% increase in five years. Continue reading...

The 15-week-old triplets get their first swimming lesson from their mum, Bonita, and dad, Manu. The two boys, Uca and Yali, are named after an area of the Amazon rainforest and the second largest region in Peru. The female pup is named Yara, which means ‘river spirit’ in Brazilian folklore. Endangered giant otters face an uncertain future as conservationists estimate that only a few thousand remain across South America. The pups have been born as part of the international conservation breeding programme in European zoos that is working to safeguard them from extinction Continue reading...

As Donald Trump looks for peace with Iran, Benjamin Netanyahu’s government escalates elsewhere – and Europe stands by “He’ll do whatever I want him to do,” said Donald Trump, addressing his discussions with Benjamin Netanyahu over their illegal war on Iran. The US president said on Friday that he was making his final determination on a deal – of sorts – with Tehran. As chief ally, funder and arms supplier for Israel, the US can rein in its prime minister. But with his hands tied on Iran, Mr Netanyahu seems bent on rekindling war elsewhere. Israel’s brutal escalation in Lebanon may be an attempt to gain ground while it can, or perhaps to destabilise the Iran peace initiative. The prospects for Gaza are grimmer. As Mr Trump talks up a new peace deal in the Middle East, Mr Netanyahu is trashing Mr Trump’s last effort. Israel this week killed another Hamas military chief, but this war has failed in its stated aim of destroying the group, while visiting untold horror on civilians. Israeli forces have expanded far beyond the half of territory they agreed to hold, attack Palestinians in an undefined zone around their positions and carry out airstrikes deeper into Gaza. Yet Nickolay Mladenov, the top diplomat for the Trump-appointed Board of Peace, has blamed Hamas for the stalling of the purported ceasefire. Now Mr Netanyahu says he has ordered the military to take control of 70% of Gaza. That would force more than 2 million Palestinians into less than a third of what was already overcrowded territory. Continue reading...

The first mistake was appointing the peer despite his links to Jeffrey Epstein. The next would be claiming his security risks were properly managed It is telling that the person who first floated the idea of Peter Mandelson as the next UK ambassador to America was probably himself. He seems to have looked at his global contacts and thought: this is why I’m useful. Whitehall’s security vetters, UKSV, looked at the same contacts and thought: this is why he’s not. The latest revelations illustrate something rotten about modern politics. What the wealthy and connected think makes them an asset is exactly what makes them a risk. In late 2024, Lord Mandelson was announced as the UK’s ambassador to Washington by Sir Keir Starmer. That posting ended in disgrace last year after US files exposed the depth of his links to the sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. But UKSV advised against giving security clearance to Lord Mandelson, flagging concerns over links to China’s finance minister, a sanctioned Russian oligarch, a former Israeli military intelligence chief and a British individual described as potentially compromising, as well as a £1m loan connected to an Israeli startup investment. Continue reading...

Former DUP leader’s barrister said the woman was mistaken in linking the letter to his alleged sex offences Jeffrey Donaldson told a woman who has accused him of sexual assault that he regretted inflicting “hurt, pain and distress” but his comments were not related to the allegations, a court has heard. A lawyer for the former MP and Democratic Unionist party leader told Newry crown court on Friday that Donaldson’s letter to the alleged victim had “nothing to do” with her accusations of sexual abuse and referred to other behaviour. Continue reading...

Nato has vowed to ‘defend every inch’ of its territory after a Russian drone hit an apartment building in Romania. The strike prompted swift condemnation and threats of repercussion from European leaders. So is there a risk the war could expand beyond Ukraine? Lucy Hough speaks to senior international correspondent Peter Beaumont Continue reading...

Opposition says bill to prevent ‘foreign influence’ in elections gives ruling party carte blanche to annul will of voters Sign up for the Breaking News US newsletter email Amid fierce criticism from opposition groups, Mexico’s senate has passed ‌a constitutional amendment to include “foreign interference” as grounds to annul election results in the country. The bill, which was presented by the country’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, defines foreign interference as “illicit financing, propaganda, the systematic ⁠dissemination of misinformation, digital manipulation, and ⁠the intervention of foreign governments ⁠or agencies”. Continue reading...

The England head coach has five key challenges to address in the buildup to next week’s first Test against New Zealand at Lord’s For all that the series was obviously a failure, England were competitive for periods of most of the Ashes Tests. But McCullum has repeatedly conceded that in the key moments when matches tend to be decided his side have a habit of stumbling. The question is why, and on Friday he made the telling admission: “I thought some of our guys were more ready for the pressure that was coming in Australia than they [actually] were.” So he has had to reconsider how to best prepare for such intangibles. England were widely condemned for a lackadaisical buildup to the first Ashes Test but McCullum implied that his players’ problem was not down to poor preparation, but actually to poor, or insufficient, coaching. Given that the removal of pressure has always been at the very heart of his coaching philosophy, this is essentially an admission of failure. “That’s always been one of our things, to try and take pressure away from the guys,” he said. “[But] it’s going to land with some guys before it’s going to land with others, and our job is to make sure it lands with everyone a little quicker than maybe it has done.” McCullum is now clear that for his players to overcome pressure he does not just have to create good vibes, but also put in hard work. “It’s making sure we’re a little bit more drilled down on some of those tactics so the guys have got absolute clarity in those pressure moments, so that we can hopefully be able to handle those better than we have in the bigger series so far,” he said. Continue reading...

He insists he is so right but gets so much badly wrong, not least the absurdity that the UK should have joined Donald Trump in the quagmire that is Iran Give the man credit. Tony Blair has achieved a goal that even a week ago seemed impossible, and which he scarcely managed in office: he has brought the Labour party together in sweet, harmonious unity. Thanks to him, Andy Burnham, Wes Streeting and the man they hope to replace, Keir Starmer, are singing in unison, joined in a chorus of denunciation – of one T Blair. Give the triple election-winner further credit. This is a political professional who still knows how to command the news cycle. Cannily timing the release of his nearly 6,000-word essay on the future of Britain, and the failings of Labour, to coincide with the parliamentary recess, he secured for himself massive coverage across all platforms over several days. Jonathan Freedland is a Guardian columnist Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here. Continue reading...

Kuss completes grand tour stage win trilogy Vingegaard stays 4min 3sec clear of Gall in the GC Teammates Sepp Kuss and Jonas Vingegaard dominated the high mountains for Visma-Lease a Bike on Friday as the former claimed a historic solo victory on stage 19 of the Giro d’Italia, and the latter firmly defended his overall lead. By winning the brutal mountain stage atop Piani di Pezzè in the Dolomites, Kuss became the 116th rider to complete the Grand Tour stage victory trilogy, with the American adding an Italian success to wins at the Tour de France in 2021 and the Vuelta a España in 2019 and 2023. Continue reading...

Landscape designer whose naturalistic schemes transformed public spaces and community gardens From a flower-filled moat at the Tower of London to a rooftop community garden on the Old Kent Road, the work of the landscape designer, horticulturist and educator Nigel Dunnett, who has died aged 63 from cancer, showed how urban landscapes could be visually dramatic, ecologically rich and experientially uplifting. Dunnett’s deep plant knowledge, design acumen and advocacy of biodiversity helped change how cities, institutions and public audiences understand the role of landscaping and naturalistic planting. As a pioneer of ecological and sustainable approaches to gardens, landscapes and public spaces, he saw planting not just as a cosmetic afterthought but as a living, evolving and inspiring part of urban life. Continue reading...

The activist opened up about her bodybuilding journey, personal growth and evolving relationship with her body and exercise In April, Elizabeth Smart, 38, won first place in her category in the Wasatch Warrior bodybuilding competition in Salt Lake City, Utah. This was Smith’s fourth bodybuilding competition – her first had been at the same event a year earlier. But despite being a public figure, no one outside her friends and family knew she had been doing this. She competed under her married name, Elizabeth Gilmour, and hadn’t posted any content about her bodybuilding. But after her win, a friend asked if she could post about Smart’s victory on Instagram. Continue reading...

Manager recalls Rangers tenure fondly before friendly Steve Clarke: Scotland should be qualifing regularly A smile flashed across the face of Dick Advocaat as he was reminded that, 27 years earlier to the day, he had watched his Rangers team complete a domestic treble at Hampden Park. “I was quite successful in this stadium, so you have to be careful tomorrow,” Advocaat said. Little could anyone have known in 1999 that in 2026 Advocaat would be bringing his World Cup-bound Curaçao to Glasgow for a friendly. During 11 minutes on Friday, Advocaat completed a verbal whistle-stop tour of everything from Martin O’Neill’s return to Celtic to his World Cup ambitions. At 78, it is remarkable to see Advocaat in this scenario. Reflections on the past in this city were inevitable. He will become the oldest coach in World Cup history when Curaçao face Germany on 14 June. Continue reading...

Continue reading...

Fleet Street’s first female advertising director rose to the top of a male-dominated industry and championed other women throughout her career Caroline Marland, the Guardian’s trailblazing former managing director who broke glass ceilings and helped others do the same, has died at the age of 80. Marland, who became Fleet Street’s first female advertising director, was a pioneer in spotting the potential of the classified ad market for newspapers. She rose to the top of the male-dominated newspaper industry and championed other women throughout her career. Continue reading...

Mohammed Fahir Amaaz and Muhammad Amaad denied assaulting PC Zachary Marsden in 2024 incident Two brothers who were accused of assaulting a police officer at Manchester airport in 2024 will not face a third trial after prosecutors failed to provide evidence. Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 21, and Muhammad Amaad, 26, were filmed having a physical confrontation with PC Zachary Marsden in July 2024. Continue reading...

Readers respond to coverage of an essay by the former Labour prime minister attacking the party’s current leadership and policies Wouldn’t it be great if Tony Blair kept his mouth shut about the Labour party (Tony Blair tells Starmer and rivals: abandon net zero and move closer to Trump, 26 May)? Since he entered his messianic phase, his utterances have undermined the leadership while attempting to push the party ever further to the right. He’s entitled to his views, but if he is still a party member, his are no more valid than anyone else’s. Does he think that the millions he has earned by leveraging his former office will protect his grandchildren from horrendous climate change if we abandon net zero ambitions? Having led us into one illegal war through becoming too close to a US president, does he think that going into another illegal Middle East war alongside the deranged inhabitant of the White House is really a good idea? Does he think that criticising the Employment Rights Act while decrying the change to non-dom status is a vote-winning strategy? Continue reading...

The perception of teachers and nurses as boundlessly, selflessly resilient is a classic example of survivorship bias, says Dr Jenny Andrew Gaby Hinsliff’s article about the Green MP Carla Denyer refers to “angry men on radio phone-ins asking why politicians can’t handle ‘a few emails’ without needing a lie-down when nurses and teachers just have to soldier on regardless” (The curse of burnout Britain affects politicians as much as everyone else: give Carla Denyer a break, 26 May). I have useful insight into how teachers cope with burnout, because I was one of the many who couldn’t. The perception of teachers and nurses as boundlessly, selflessly resilient is a classic example of survivorship bias – you just don’t hear from those of us who fall short; we don’t stay teachers or nurses for long. Continue reading...

Edward Leigh says there must be no cutting corners when rebuilding roads; Anthony Millett says if you are going to do something, do it once and do it properly Esther Addley (The pothole puzzle: the bumpy ride to fixing Britain’s broken roads, 23 May) quotes Phill Wheat, a professor of transport econometrics at the University of Leeds, describing the “spiral that we could get into” if funding for road maintenance is not increased. In truth, many highway authorities are already well down that spiral. Once holes and cracks start appearing in a road, they grow and proliferate quickly. Vehicle wheels act like jackhammers around every bump and dip. Once the surface starts breaking up and water loosens the lower layers of the road structure, the opportunity to dress or replace the surface soon passes, and rebuilding at much greater expense becomes unavoidable. So repair costs rise rapidly in the short term and multiply in the long term. Continue reading...

Readers respond to Jonathan Freedland’s article on Arsenal and one of its most famous fans Congratulations to Arsenal on winning the Premier League. However, I fear that Jonathan Freedland’s allegiances have led him to a flawed attempted analogy (Arsenal’s title win should be studied by politicians everywhere – and especially Keir Starmer. Here’s why, 22 May). Keir Starmer has already achieved success after a long period in the wilderness – winning a landslide victory in the 2024 general election. The analogy goes further: both achieved success by being boring – Starmer by avoiding radical ideas, Arsenal by shutting up shop and relying on set-piece goals. Both also took advantage of their main rivals’ weakness. The Tory party was in disarray, while both Manchester City and Liverpool have underperformed – achieving fewer points than usual or expected this season. Mikel Arteta and Starmer took advantage of structural advantages: Labour relying on first past the post and Arsenal the lax refereeing of fouls at corners. Peter Breitenbach London Continue reading...