Three men killed in third attack this week amid Trump administration’s campaign against alleged drug boats The US military said it had carried out another strike Friday on a boat accused of smuggling drugs in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing three men in the third attack this week and pushing the overall death toll above 200 people. US Southern Command announced the latest strike in the months-long campaign against alleged drug boats traversing the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific with its usual language that the vessel was “engaged in narco-trafficking operations” and operated by a designated terrorist organization. It provided no evidence. Continue reading...

Ukrainian president calls on country to ‘protect your lives’; Nato fury as drone hits Romanian apartment block. What we know on day 1,557 Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russia is preparing a “massive new strike” on the country, calling on the population to take action to “protect your lives”. Kyiv was hit particularly hard last weekend by a huge Russian bombardment attack – one of the largest since the Kremlin’s full-scale invasion in 2022. Moscow has warned foreign diplomats to leave Kyiv, threatening to escalate attacks as it seeks revenge for a Ukrainian strike on a dormitory and high school in the Russian-occupied Luhansk region, which Moscow says left 21 people dead. “We have intelligence information about Russia preparing a new massive strike,” Zelenskyy said in a social media message. “Please pay attention to air alerts, protect your lives. Our services are working efficiently and are prepared; the Air Force and other defenders of our skies will be on duty 24/7, as always.” Zelenskyy has reiterated his call to allies to allow and finance the supply of Patriot missiles, which can intercept Russian ballistic missiles. He wrote to Donald Trump and the US Congress earlier this week asking for Patriot systems to respond to the intensifying Russian air attacks. A Ukrainian drone attack killed two people in a car in Russia’s border region of Belgorod, officials said early on Saturday. The region’s operational headquarters, in a post on Telegram, added that two people were injured. The region has been a frequent target of Ukrainian attacks in war between the two countries. A Russian drone that smashed into a Romanian apartment building set off furious condemnation of Russia by Romania and its Nato allies. Two people were injured in the first drone hit on a building outside Ukraine since the start of the war. Romania called the incident a “serious and irresponsible escalation” by its neighbour. Vladimir Putin attempted to suggest, without evidence, that the drone might have been a stray Ukrainian weapon. The drone hit the roof of an apartment building in the centre of the city of Galati, close to the border with Ukraine, sparking a fire and sending a 14-year-old boy and 53-year-old woman to hospital with injuries, officials said. The Nato secretary general, Mark Rutte, said the alliance was “ready to defend every inch” of its territory after the incident. “Russia’s reckless behaviour is a danger to us all,” Rutte wrote on social media after a call with the Romanian president, Nicuşor Dan. Romania summoned the Russian ambassador, and Dan convened a national defence council meeting on “the most serious incident to have affected our national territory” since Russia invaded Ukraine. The European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, said Russia’s “war of aggression” had “crossed yet another line”, pledging to increase deterrence on the EU’s eastern border. German chancellor Friedrich Merz said the incident showed Russia’s “willingness to escalate”, and Britain’s Keir Starmer condemned the “serious violation of Nato airspace”. Putin meanwhile said Russia has all the means necessary to destroy anyone who attempts to attack the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad. Putin was responding to a question about remarks made by Lithuania’s foreign minister Kestutis Budrys this month who said Nato had to show Moscow it was capable of penetrating Kaliningrad. Separately, responding to a question about Russian intelligence reports alleging that Ukraine had sent drone operators to Latvia, Putin reiterated that any location that posed a threat against Russia was considered a legitimate target. The UN has added Russia and Israel to a blacklist for sexual violence in conflict, citing abuse by security forces, including the rape of male detainees. Continue reading...

After dramatic qualification, an experienced squad could progress beyond the group stage if they beat Haiti in their opening game This article is part of the Guardian’s 2026 World Cup Experts’ Network, a cooperation between some of the best media organisations from the 48 countries who qualified. theguardian.com is running previews from three countries each day in the run-up to the tournament kicking off on 11 June. Continue reading...

Uways Hussain, 20, and Usmon Mahmood, 23, filmed themselves inhaling gas from balloon while speeding in Manchester A driver and passenger who inhaled nitrous oxide while travelling at speeds of up to 139mph in a 30mph zone before a fatal collision have been jailed. Uways Hussain, 20, and Usmon Mahmood, 23, filmed themselves inhaling the gas from a balloon, running red lights and weaving through traffic before hitting Sylvester Abayomi, 50, in Manchester. Continue reading...

Investigation launched into activity in Coalsnaughton, Clackmannanshire, a former mining village Nearly 100 homes have been evacuated following reports of ground movements in a former mining village in Scotland. Properties began being evacuated on 18 May and an investigation has since been launched into the activity in Coalsnaughton, Clackmannanshire. Continue reading...

When the US indicted Raúl Castro recently, it was another step in the escalating pressure campaign the Trump administration is conducting against Cuba’s communist government. As Cuba’s president warns of a “bloodbath” if the US engages in military action, how are Cubans coping and what outcome are they hoping for? Host Kai Wright speaks with Mónica Baró Sánchez, a Cuban reporter in exile in Miami, and the Guardian’s Cuba correspondent Ruaridh Nicoll in Havana, about what they’re hearing from Cuban citizens stuck between two governments. Continue reading...

England winger commits to Spanish giants to 2031 Of Newcastle: ‘I’ll be a fan for the rest of my life’ Anthony Gordon has signed for Barcelona from Newcastle in a five-year deal believed to be worth £69.3m. Both clubs announced the move on Friday night, with the Spanish giants saying in a statement that the 25-year-old winger will sign for “the next five seasons, until June 30, 2031”. Continue reading...

Djokovic had stormed into 2-0 lead on Philippe-Chatrier Brazilian 19-year-old wins 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, 7-5 As Novak Djokovic limped back to his chair four hours into a tennis match that had descended into hell, the 24-times grand slam winner did not have much more to give. A two-set lead had unravelled and his 39-year-old body had hit a wall against a shining opponent 20 years his junior. Having reached the umpire’s chair, Djokovic vomited into the red dust. Still, nobody has mastered the art of finding victory from a miserable position quite like Djokovic, so everybody inside Court Philippe-Chatrier knew he could conjure a path through. It took the most courageous, headstrong performance from Joao Fonseca to refuse his legendary opponent a way back. The 19-year-old Brazilian held on for a career-defining victory, closing out an astounding 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, 7-5 win after 4hr 53min. Continue reading...

Russian strikes in Kyiv, the Ebola outbreak, Eid al-Adha in Gaza and Sinner at the French Open – the past seven days as captured by the world’s leading photojournalists Continue reading...

Mikel Arteta must find the balance between newfound freedom and tried-and-tested solidity against Luis Enrique’s attacking machine Welcome to Budapest: city of stew, city of pavement squares, city of men in cotton smocks offering brisk muscular relaxation in geothermally heated cubicles. Eleven days on from the profound emotional release of winning the Premier League title it seems fitting Arsenal will approach their season’s endgame in a city that is basically perfect for a restorative summer city break. Saturday afternoon at the Puskas Arena already looks like a twin-track event for Mikel Arteta’s team, an occasion that changes shape according to the angle from which you see it. On one hand, victory against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final would represent the greatest day in Arsenal’s history. On the other, this is an occasion that feels strangely light, fun, celebratory, a free-hit kind of final. Continue reading...

Trial suggests patients with a low test score could be treated with hormone therapy alone with near-identical outcomes ‘Like Christmas’: woman’s relief after test finds she can skip chemotherapy Millions of women with breast cancer could be spared chemotherapy with a groundbreaking genomic test, according to the results of a trial that could transform healthcare guidelines worldwide. Treatment for breast cancer, the world’s most prevalent form of the disease, involves surgery to remove tumours. Chemotherapy is then usually recommended when doctors believe there is a risk the disease will return. Continue reading...

Ex-SNP leader says she appeared on more front pages than her husband this week, adding: ‘I don’t think that’s right’ Nicola Sturgeon said she “should not be held responsible for the wrongdoing of men” after Peter Murrell, her estranged husband, admitted to embezzling hundreds of thousands of pounds from the SNP this week. The former Scottish first minister told an audience at the Hay festival in Wales on Friday: “My picture has been on more front pages in Scotland this week than my former husband’s has, and I don’t think that’s right.” Continue reading...

Police said alleged filming by Ioannis Aidinidis using camera hidden in sock believed to be on behalf of Iran A Greek national has been accused of spying on an Iranian journalist in the UK by using a covert camera hidden inside a sock, a court has heard. Ioannis Aidinidis, who was born in Georgia and lives in Munich, Germany, is alleged to have carried out surveillance on a London-based journalist working for Iran International, a Persian-language TV channel. Continue reading...

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...