The Guardian

Robert Hayward predicts Reform will be big winner, taking seats from both Labour and the Conservatives Lower grades in parts of a watchdog’s new report cards “actively penalise” schools more inclusive to pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (Send), a headteachers’ union has said. The Press Association reports: Analysis by the NAHT headteachers’ union of Ofsted inspections under …

Whitbread to call time on restaurants in UK and Ireland blaming higher costs and taxes for latest strategic reset Premier Inn owner Whitbread is to cut about 3,800 jobs in the UK and Ireland and shut its remaining Beefeater and Brewers Fayre restaurants as it resets its five-year business strategy, amid tax rises and pressure from a US activist investor . The cuts will affect about 12% of Whitbre…

Sotheby’s said collection of billionaire Spurs’ owner Joe Lewis and daughter Vivienne expected to fetch more than £150m in June sale A major group of masterpieces by some of modern art’s biggest names is to be auctioned by Sotheby’s in what is expected to be the most valuable collection ever offered in London. The works, consigned by Joe Lewis and his daughter Vivienne – whose family owns Tottenh…

All signs point to a record-low performance for Labour in May in what will be a moment of high jeopardy for Keir Starmer Labour is on track for its worst local election performance next Thursday, data analysed by the Guardian shows, in a blow that will pile further pressure on Keir Starmer’s leadership. Barring a drastic change in fortunes, Labour’s vote-share could fall to historic lows across e…

Media tycoon honoured in absentia as critics decry his 20-year sentence under national security law The jailed media entrepreneur Jimmy Lai has been awarded Deutsche Welle’s freedom of speech award for his contribution to Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement. The German public broadcaster said on Thursday that Lai would be presented in absentia with the 12th iteration of the award on 23 June at the…

Mother of Kumanjayi Little Baby, whose body was found after five-day search near Alice Springs, says ‘it’s going to be so hard to live the rest of our lives without you’ • Warning: This article contains references to Indigenous Australians who have died Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Police in the Northern Territ…

US president’s statement follows comments by German chancellor that the US was being ‘humiliated’ in conflict US president Donald Trump threatened to reduce the number of troops deployed in Germany last night, after chancellor Friedrich Merz said this week that the US was being “humilitated” by Iran. Trump said the US was “studying and reviewing the possible reduction of troops in Germany, with a…

Royal Navy chief says unified naval force will deter future Russian threats from the ‘open sea border’ to the north Britain has agreed to create a unified naval force with nine European countries to deter future Russian threats from the “open sea border” to the north, the head of the Royal Navy has announced. Gen Sir Gwyn Jenkins said that despite the ongoing crisis in the Middle East, where the …

Syrian officials say a group of Australians are ‘awaiting a solution’ as Albanese government refuses to repatriate them The Trump administration says it is in “active communication” with countries, urging them to repatriate citizens stranded in Syria, while the Australian government maintains its hardline stance towards Australian women and children detained since the fall of Islamic State. A gro…

The government has announced £25m to increase security for Jewish communities Jonathan Hall, the UK’s independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, said attacks on Jewish people have become “the biggest national security emergency” since 2017. “There are Brits in London in particular, Manchester, but probably all around the country, who are now thinking they cannot live a normal life. And it’s n…

The earnings from the tournament in the US, Mexico and Canada will make it the most lucrative competition in the history of sport, even if some of the 48 competing countries say they are struggling to make ends meet A World Cup that Fifa’s president, Gianni Infantino, billed at the draw last December as “the greatest event that humanity has ever seen” will certainly be the most lucrative competit…

Oil markets spooked as Donald Trump appears willing to maintain the US Navy blockade and Iran keeps strait of Hormuz all but shut The price of Brent oil soared above $126 a barrel on Wednesday, its highest level since 2022, after Donald Trump warned the US blockade of Iranian ports could last months and peace talks remained stalled. Surging more than 13% in 24 hours, Brent crude hit a record pric…

Fadi Saqr is accused of mass killings of civilians in Tadamon, Damascus, where people say he must face justice A Syrian rights commission is preparing a case accusing Fadi Saqr, a militia leader within the Assad regime , of involvement in crimes against humanity and war crimes, a senior Syrian official has told the Guardian. Saqr is a former commander of the National Defence Forces (NDF) militia …

Some travellers spent hours in lines at airport, with kiosks not working, little seating and few staff on hand to help Some travellers passing through the new EU entry-exit system (EES) have faced huge delays at border checks, with some waiting for up to three hours , airports say. The new rules have gradually been introduced in Europe since October 2025, and came into effect on Friday in the Sch…

Pair apologise in court after being accused of defrauding buyers including some of New York’s most prominent fine art auction houses A father and daughter in New Jersey have pleaded guilty to running a years-long counterfeiting scheme to trick art galleries and auction houses into buying forged paintings of works by prominent artists such as Andy Warhol, Banksy and Pablo Picasso. Federal prosecut…