Ukraine dismisses Russian president’s claim, saying attack on dormitory in Russian-controlled region in the east ‘exclusively targeted the Russian war machine’. What we know on day 1,550 Russian President Vladimir Putin has blamed Ukraine for what he described as a deadly drone attack on a student dorm in Luhansk, a Russian-controlled region in eastern Ukraine, and has vowed to retaliate. Ukraine’s military denied the Russian accusations and said it had struck an elite drone command unit in the area. The Russian president said in a statement, carried by state TV on Friday, that he had ordered his military to prepare options to retaliate for the attack in Starobilsk that killed six people and wounded dozens, with 15 people still unaccounted for. He said Kyiv’s military must have known what it was targeting. At a UN security council emergency meeting called by Russia, Melnyk Andrii, the Ukrainian ambassador to the UN, rejeced his Russian counterparts’ accusations of war crimes, calling them a “pure propaganda show”. He added that the operations on Friday “exclusively targeted the Russian war machine” with strikes neutralising an oil refinery, “which was fuelling occupation forces, ammunition depots, air defence assets, and also command centres.” The Czech president, Petr Pavel, has urged Nato to “show its teeth” in response to Russia’s repeated testing of the alliance’s resolve on its eastern flank, suggesting a range of options including switching off its internet, cutting off its banks from global financial systems and shooting down jets that violate allied airspace. Speaking to the Guardian in Prague, Pavel called for “decisive enough, potentially even asymmetric” responses to counter Moscow’s provocative behaviour against the alliance or risk the Kremlin intensifying its actions. The UN’s nuclear watchdog said on Friday that Ukrainian authorities had advised that a fire had broken out at the Dniprovska 750-kilovolt electrical substation due to military activity, causing a nuclear power station to be partially disconnected from off-site power. The International Atomic Energy Agency said firefighters were tackling the fire but an operating nuclear power plant was partially disconnected from its off site power supplies at the request of the grid operator. Falling debris from drones has triggered a fire at an oil terminal in Russia’s Black Sea port of Novorossiysk, injuring two people and damaging several technical and administrative buildings, officials said early on Saturday. The injured men had been in the street when the drones attacked the port and were being treated in hospital. Ukrainian forces on Friday also attacked a Russian oil refinery in Yaroslavl, about 700km from the border. The Ukrainian Defence Ministry said on X on Friday that Ukraine hit 11 Russian oil facilities this month as of 21 May, including Kirishi, one of Russia’s largest refineries. Hundreds of Ukrainians have marched through Kyiv to demand that the government veto a bill they say could prematurely declare missing soldiers dead. The protest in Ukraine’s capital on Friday targeted Bill No. 13646 which addresses the legal status of missing persons. More than 90,000 people are listed as missing in Ukraine’s registry. US troop numbers in Europe are expected to drop from 80,000 after a review reflecting wider commitments, US secretary of state Marco Rubio said on Friday. In Helsingborg, Sweden for a Nato foreign ministers meeting, Rubio said it was “well understood in the alliance that the United States’ troop presence in Europe is going to be adjusted … you know, we have obligations in the Indo-Pacific, we have obligations in the Middle East, we have obligations in the western hemisphere”. Last week, the Pentagon said it would halt the rotation of 4,000 more into Poland, only for Trump to apparently reverse that on Thursday night on social media, in a hasty announcement that appeared to catch the Pentagon by surprise. A bipartisan group of US senators is pushing back on delays by the Department of Defense in sending about $600m in security aid to Ukraine and other allies in eastern Europe. They sent a letter to defense secretary Pete Hegseth on Friday that calls for the funding to be disbursed. Friction has grown between Congress and the Trump administration in recent weeks as lawmakers push for updates on what has happened to $400m in Ukraine aid and $200m more for defense programs in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania that was allocated by Congress last year. Continue reading...

Authorities in Orange county say tank holding methyl methacrylate ‘actively in crisis’ and urge residents to leave Authorities in Orange county, California have ordered the evacuation of 40,000 people over concerns about a chemical leak that threatened to spill or explode. The problem arose on Thursday at a facility owned by GKN Aerospace in the town of Garden Grove, where a storage tank holding methyl methacrylate began off-gassing and threatened to fail. The chemical, which is highly flammable, is used to fabricate resins and plastics. Continue reading...

More than 50 people have been arrested over alleged attacks on venues since April, but police still don’t know what’s behind the crime wave Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast The white Mercedes E300 sedan is stolen, the number plates cloned. Inside are allegedly three teenagers from suburbs in Melbourne’s outer west, and a jerry can. Police claim they have been recruited by someone they’ve never met to set alight hospitality businesses for no particular reason. Continue reading...

By the time a national vaccine blitz was announced this week, unlinked cases had already been reported in four states. Why did it take so long for governments to act? Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast The first time the Northern Territory GP and public health medical officer Dr John Boffa learned that the highly contagious bacterial infection diphtheria was spreading in his community was in late March – several months after the outbreak first began. “By the time we became aware of it, it had been grumbling along for some time,” says Boffa, who is chief medical officer with the Central Australian Aboriginal Congress Aboriginal Corporation, a community-controlled primary healthcare service in Alice Springs. Continue reading...

Dave Henshaw is enchanted by archery’s curiously addictive qualities and its ability to attract all-comers, including those turned off by other sports environments Dave Henshaw can’t quite explain the fascination of archery. That’s despite him coaching archers to Olympic events, helping his club become a diverse and thriving community, and earning a King’s honour for his services to the sport. “When you pick up a bow and start shooting, there’s just something about it,” the 83-year-old says. “Don’t ask me what it is – I don’t know.” Continue reading...

The launch is the 12th test flight of the mega-rocket that CEO Elon Musk is building to get people to Mars one day SpaceX launched its biggest, most powerful Starship yet on a test flight Friday, an upgraded version that Nasa is counting on to land astronauts on the moon. The redesigned mega-rocket made its debut two days after SpaceX CEO Elon Musk announced he’s taking the company public. It blasted off from the southern tip of Texas, carrying 20 mock Starlink satellites for release halfway around the world. Continue reading...

Change criticized by advocates marks the latest significant move by the Trump administration on immigration policy Foreigners seeking to adjust their immigration status in the United States to secure green cards will have to do so from outside the country via the state department, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) said on Friday, in a move criticized by aid groups, policy analysts and immigration attorneys. USCIS announced the move in a policy memo, which directed officers to consider relevant factors and information on a case-by-case basis when determining whether extraordinary relief is warranted. Continue reading...

Reijnen chase is sign Reds manager will stay as Moyes admits being despondent over a poor end to season Continue reading...

Emerald Fennell says period-realistic scene emphasising Cathy’s lack of razors was shot but did not make final cut The Wuthering Heights director Emerald Fennell said it was “unfortunate” that a scene showing Margot Robbie’s hairy armpits did not make the final cut, because women in period adaptations are often shown with clean-shaven underarms. Robbie’s character, Cathy, had “extremely hairy armpits” in the 2026 adaptation of the novel, but “unfortunately the scene that we see them didn’t make it in there”, said the director. Continue reading...

This weirdly endearing show is a total mash-up of genres – espionage drama, buddy caper, retro movie. But that makes it a unique watch, with cracking chemistry and a lot of laughs I don’t know what it is, but I like it. That, I think, is the fairest summary I can give to Ponies, the weirdly joyful and bizarrely endearing espionage thriller cum female buddy caper set in 1970s Moscow – filmed like a 70s movie (wipe screen! Split screen! Yellow typing across screen!), written with a modern feminist sensibility, and split over eight parts for TV. Fans of John le Carré should be warned that this new series, from Susanna Fogel (who also directs four episodes) and David Iserson, has none of the revelling in depictions of tradecraft that stories in his tradition usually prize. The setup is almost embarrassingly absurd and dealt with as swiftly as possible – nothing to see here, just accept it and move on to the good stuff! – as the wives of two dead CIA agents persuade their husbands’ boss to take them on as spies, on the grounds that the KGB will never suspect that women have been recruited. It is my understanding that the real KGB were many things, but not as thick as mince, so I am glad our widows are fictitious. Continue reading...

Montpellier 59-26 Ulster Dominant French side run in nine tries Ulster’s dreams of claiming a first trophy for 20 years were summarily dashed by a strong Montpellier side on a steamy night in Bilbao. Led by a revitalised Billy Vunipola the French side possessed too much power for their opponents and were duly rewarded with their third Challenge Cup triumph in 11 seasons. Vunipola, who last featured for England at the 2023 World Cup, was at the forefront of an increasingly dominant forward effort which steadily wore Ulster down in energy-sapping conditions. The wing Donovan Taofifénua collected two of his side’s nine tries as Montpellier, currently second in the Top 14 table, claimed the latest trophy of this distinctly French-dominated season. Continue reading...

White House reportedly forced Gabbard to resign after she was sidelined from Iran and Venezuela operations and becomes fourth woman to depart Trump’s cabinet US politics - live updates Sign up for the Breaking News US email Tulsi Gabbard is leaving her post as US director of national intelligence following a tumultuous stint in which she was largely sidelined as Donald Trump launched attacks on Venezuela and Iran. In a letter to the US president, she said she would resign and leave her post on 30 June. “While we have made significant progress … I recognize there is still important work to be done,” she wrote. Continue reading...

Our reviewer found Woolroom’s supportive, breathable and sustainable Standen mattress a total dream – but luxury comfort doesn’t come cheap • The best mattresses, tested The first time I slept on a wool mattress was a revelation. As is so often the case with bed-based Damascene moments, this one happened on holiday. The wool and pocket-sprung mattress in our Lake District hotel room was cosy but breathable even in the height of summer, and it proved far too comfy to leap out of for early morning walks. Back home, I soothed the post-holiday blues by seeking out wool mattresses to review. First, I tested the Millbrook Wool Luxury 4000, which is excellent but didn’t quite live up to that hallowed Cumbrian memory. Then came this Woolroom Standen Wool mattress, which did – and even nearly toppled the Otty Original Hybrid as best overall in our best mattresses roundup, where I called it “a masterpiece”. Continue reading...

Afghan nationals accused of being part of grooming gang, as part of investigation into group-based child exploitation Seven men have been accused of being part of a grooming gang and charged with rape and child sexual abuse offences, police said. The Afghan nationals were charged as part of an investigation into group-based child sexual exploitation in Norwich, Norfolk police said. They are accused of sexual offences committed between August 2023 and May 2025. Jamil Khalil, 20, of High Street, Dumbarton, Scotland, is charged with seven counts of rape, one count of human trafficking and one count of conspiracy to commit child sexual abuse. Ahmadin Ahmadzai, 21, of Pottergate, Norwich, is charged with nine counts of rape, one count of human trafficking, two counts of conspiracy to commit child sexual abuse and one count of perverting the course of justice. Qais Kaker, 20, of Black Horse Opening, Norwich, is charged with four counts of rape, one count of human trafficking, two counts of conspiracy to commit child sexual abuse and one count of perverting the course of justice. Fazal Auryakhel, 20, of Eleanor Road, Norwich, is charged with one count of rape. Mohammed Farooq Sinwary, 23, of St Benedicts Street, Norwich, is charged with two counts of rape. Ali Ahamad, 21, of Barnards Yard, Norwich, is charged with one count of rape and three counts of human trafficking. Sayed Wahid Daviodzai, 20, of St Benedicts Street, Norwich, is charged with four counts of rape and one count of conspiracy to commit child sexual abuse. Continue reading...

Defender’s wife, mother, sister and brothers criticise Thomas Tuchel for excluding player from World Cup squad Five members of footballer Harry Maguire’s family have now criticised the England manager, Thomas Tuchel, for omitting the Manchester United defender from his World Cup squad. Maguire has won 67 caps for the national team and was a mainstay under Tuchel’s predecessor, Gareth Southgate, for the squads that reached the final of Euro 2020 and the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup. Continue reading...

A sense of deja vu surrounds a fourth Champions League final between the Spanish champions and French champions in Norway You could be forgiven for having a sense of deja vu before a fourth Champions League final between the Spanish champions, Barcelona, and French champions, Lyonnes, on Saturday evening. The three-time champions and eight-time champions played each other in the final of Europe’s premier competition three times in six years between 2019 and 2024, with Lyonnes earning a 4-1 win over the Catalan giants in 2019 and a 3-1 win in 2022 before Barcelona delivered a 2-0 defeat of the French side in 2024. Continue reading...

Former general Petr Pavel says Moscow’s testing of alliance’s eastern flank should be met with firm line The Czech president, Petr Pavel, has urged Nato to “show its teeth” in response to Russia’s repeated testing of the alliance’s resolve on its eastern flank, suggesting a range of options including switching off its internet, cutting its banks off Russian from global financial systems and shooting down jets that violate allied airspace. Speaking to the Guardian in Prague, Pavel called for “decisive enough, potentially even asymmetric” responses to counter Moscow’s provocative behaviour against the alliance or risk the Kremlin intensifying its actions. Continue reading...

Manchester City manager turned on the charm as he met the media for his final pre-match press conference Pep Guardiola cracked a joke about fielding questions on facing Aston Villa as he entered the room. But after more than 1,100 press conferences in 10 years at Manchester City he knew this one was never going to be normal, requiring him to run through the past decade in half an hour. He has been building up to this for a while, the end nigh for weeks, the energy levels depleted and a break needed, especially from journalists. Guardiola recently revealed that John Stones experienced great relief after announcing he would be leaving City and the manager was embracing the same feelings. There was plenty of emotion initially, Guardiola admitting his leaving speech to the players earlier in the day was “a disaster”. Finding the right words in these situations was never going to be easy. It does feel at times as if City is the club Guardiola built. “I like to think my vibe and energy will be there for ever,” he said. Continue reading...

Saints’ self-destruction has left Kim Hellberg and Sergej Jakirovic tantalisingly close to fulfilling their dream in Saturday’s Wembley trip When the television cameras zoomed in for a closeup it became clear Hayden Hackney was crying. Middlesbrough’s best player had just watched his teammates lose the second leg of the Championship playoff semi-final 2-1 in extra time at Southampton. As he left his seat behind the away dugout and wandered across the pitch, the Redcar-born midfield playmaker looked utterly heartbroken. Continue reading...

Cannes film festival: This could be better paced but the crisis which descends on an up-against-it dairy farm is delivered by some very memorable goons There’s nothing like a home-invasion suspense thriller to provide a change of pace in the Cannes competition, and Léa Mysius’s film – adapted from the French bestseller Histoires de la Nuit by Laurent Mauvignier – isn’t at all bad, although it runs out of narrative steam in the third act and one particular shock-twist appears to unshock and untwist itself. Yet the film certainly delivers some sinister rural strangeness in the France profonde countryside and some gonzo shootouts; plus there is a ripe turn from Benoît Magimel, who with every film seems to morph further into a cross between Gérard Depardieu and Christopher Walken. In a very remote bucolic village, Thomas (Bastien Bouillon) is a hardworking dairy farmer who took over the family smallholding after his father killed himself. After a whirlwind romance, he married Nora (Hafsia Herzi), a rather glamorous city-slicker of a woman who just showed up in the neighbourhood; they have a daughter, Ida who has recently irritated Nora by posting a wacky video of the three of them doing a goofy “family dance”, which has gone viral. The family gets on very well with an elegant artist who lives alone next door, played by Monica Bellucci on pretty stately form. Thomas has clearly got money worries; we see him on the phone trying to borrow cash from someone who has reluctantly helped him out before, as he needs €300 to pay for Nora’s approaching 40th birthday party. On the day itself, three sinister tough guys show up in the house, played by Magimel, Paul Hamy and Alane Delhaye. We might think we know who they’ve come to see and why – but things are a little more complicated than that. Continue reading...

The Ebola outbreak, Israeli strikes in Gaza, Putin in Beijing and Arsenal win the Premier League – the past seven days as captured by the world’s leading photojournalists Continue reading...

Tuchel unhappy at Toney’s commitment in 2025 Head coach justifies not including Phil Foden Thomas Tuchel made Ivan Toney the wildcard selection of his World Cup squad after holding clear-the-air talks with him over his attitude. The England head coach also considered how Harry Kane likes to play alongside Toney before making the Al-Ahli striker the most eye-catching inclusion of his 26-man party for the tournament. Tuchel’s squad announcement at Wembley was dominated as ever by the players he overlooked – chiefly Cole Palmer, Phil Foden and Harry Maguire. Tuchel said Palmer had “just failed” to produce consistently this season, while he admitted he no longer knew Foden’s best position. Continue reading...

Upgrades for the grid’s leading team will be unveiled in Montreal, where wet weather could also play a part Four races into what has been a disjointed opening to the Formula One season, the sport is still in a period of rapid adaptation and adjustment as drivers and teams come to grips with their new cars. While this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix may offer some indication of the form to come and championship ambitions, it is also something of an outlier. The focus in Montreal will be of two-fold interest centred largely on Mercedes. The team have opened the new season with a dominant car that has claimed all four poles and all four wins. Yet with the new regulations offering enormous scope for improvement, a fierce development fight will define 2026. McLaren, Red Bull and Ferrari all brought their first major upgrades to the last round in Miami; Mercedes bring their opening salvo of major parts to Quebec. Continue reading...

Reform UK Makerfield team reportedly arrived as cafe run by people with special needs was holding celebration event The founder of a charity has asked Nigel Farage to apologise after the Reform UK leader and his entourage entered a cafe run by the charity unannounced in what she said was an “intimidating and overwhelming” manner, and allegedly took photographs and videos without permission. Farage was campaigning in Makerfield when he and his team stopped at a cafe run by the Hamlet Wigan CIC for a cup of tea and to use the toilets. The cafe supports young adult trainees with additional needs. Continue reading...

Year-long dispute led to French Open media protest Novak Djokovic chose not to participate in walkout Aryna Sabalenka insisted the player push for a greater financial contribution from the grand slams is primarily focused on improving the welfare of lower-ranked players as the world’s elite advanced with their eve-of-tournament protest at Roland Garros. “I feel like the whole point here, it’s not about me,” Sabalenka said. “It’s about the players who are lower in the ranking, who are suffering. It’s not easy to live in this tennis world with that percentage that we are earning. Continue reading...