The Guardian - March 13, 2025

In this issue

March 13, 2025

West waits for Putin's verdict on Ukraine ceasefire

Donald Trump suggested yesterday he could target Russia financially as Ukraine's president urged him to take strong steps if Moscow failed to support a 30-day ceasefire agreed by Ukrainian and US delegations.

4 mins

Starmer faces MPs' anger over major cuts to welfare

Exclusive PM could see huge rebellion as dozens call on No 10 to rethink

4 mins

Clarke keeps trying to turn claims back against accusers, libel trial told

Noel Clarke is trying to create \"moral equivalence\" between his alleged sexual misconduct and the behaviour of his accusers, the high court heard yesterday.

2 mins

Study Shows Marriage Triples Obesity Risk for Men

Marriage triples the risk of obesity for men, but does not affect women's risk, according to research.

3 mins

A writer's viewpoint OpenAI's short story is beautiful

A writer's viewpoint

3 mins

ChatGPT firm claims it has created AI model that is 'good at creative writing'

The company behind ChatGPT has revealed it has developed an artificial intelligence model that is \"good at creative writing\", as the tech sector continues its tussle with the creative industries over copyright.

2 mins

Diplomatic escapology

How UK and France repaired vital alliance

4 mins

'One day I'll tell you.' Cautious Zelenskyy keeps his barbs subtle and the US on side - for now

Britain and France have been working on how to deal with a volatile Trump. Part of the advice has been for Zelenskyy to talk less

3 mins

EU fights back against American tariffs with €26bn 'countermeasures'

The EU has announced it will impose trade “countermeasures” on US goods worth up to €26bn (£22bn) in retaliation to Donald Trump’s tariffs on steel and aluminium imports, escalating a global trade war.

2 mins

Pharma Trump says Ireland 'took' US drug firms

Donald Trump has accused Ireland of stealing its pharmaceutical industry and the tax revenue that should have been paid to the US Treasury, in a blow to the Irish premier, Micheál Martin, who had hoped to emerge unscathed from a visit to the White House marking St Patrick's Day.

1 min

I feel utter anger Move to boycott US spreads far

\"I feel utter anger. I cannot go on with this feeling inside. I cannot just go and play a tour of beautiful concerts,\" he said, describing his horror at the authoritarian policies of Donald Trump.

3 mins

BBC apologises to former staff for failing to act on reports of stalking

The BBC has issued a \"full and unreserved apology\" to four female former employees after admitting it did not do enough to protect them from a presenter who was later jailed for stalking Jeremy Vine.

2 mins

'First of a kind' pill for endometriosis is approved for NHS

A new daily pill that could transform the way endometriosis is treated has been approved for use on the NHS across England, the medicines watchdog has announced.

1 min

Cheltenham festival sees snow three days after highs of 18C

Snow coated Cheltenham racecourse yesterday morning, three days after the area experienced sunny weather with highs of 18C.

1 min

Sturgeon to step down at next year's Holyrood elections

Scotland's former first minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced she is standing down as an MSP.

1 min

Action urged to boost 'perilous' teacher numbers in England

Teachers are abandoning the classroom in England over worsening pupil behaviour, stagnant pay and inflexible working practices, leaving vacancies at their highest rate on record, according to a critical report.

2 mins

British police question Russian captain of ship that hit oil tanker

Police were questioning the Russian master of a container ship yesterday over the North Sea collision as salvors planned to board the second stricken vessel to assess the damage.

2 mins

Spinal Tap II Teaser Promises Rock Revival Will Turn It 'Up to 11'

A teaser has been released for Spinal Tap II: The End Continues as singer-songwriters Sir Elton John and Sir Paul McCartney are confirmed to be joining the rock mockumentary sequel.

1 min

Regulators Say They Will Not Impose New Diversity Regulations on Financial Sector

The City's top two regulators have said they will not bring in new diversity and inclusion rules for financial firms because they want to avoid imposing extra \"regulatory burdens\" and costs, in the latest sign of a retreat from efforts to help underrepresented groups.

2 mins

Thinking big Saint Laurent closes Paris with bold intent

Saint Laurent has cross-generational cool. On the last night of Paris fashion week, Kate Moss sat next to Catherine Deneuve, both in black tailoring, sheer blouses and high heels.

2 mins

Hillsborough claims of police misconduct upheld, families told

Multiple allegations of misconduct against police officers relating to the 1989 Hillsborough disaster have been upheld by the police standards watchdog, bereaved families have been told.

2 mins

Nasa Launches Satellite Viewer to Capture Origins of the Universe

Nasa's newest space telescope rocketed into orbit on Tuesday to map the sky like never before, taking a sweeping look at hundreds of millions of galaxies and their shared cosmic glow since the beginning of time.

1 min

Bones from human face up to 1.4m years old found in Spain

Bone fragments unearthed at an ancient cave in Spain belong to the oldest known human face in western Europe, researchers say.

2 mins

Theatre review Slow explosion of tragedy in classic tale of family torment

The Glass Menagerie Yard theatre, London ★★★★☆

1 min

AI to replace civil servants' work if it can be done to the same quality, Starmer to say

AI should replace the work of government officials where it can be done to the same standard, under new rules that have prompted unions to warn Keir Starmer to stop blaming problems on civil servants.

3 mins

There Is No Moral Case' Backbenches Alarmed Over Welfare Plans

Ever since ministers began to put the \"moral case\" defence for cutting spending on UK benefits, emotions have been running high among Labour MPs.

2 mins

Tariffs? What tariffs? MPs of both sides hope that if they ignore the trade war it'll go away

Well, that went well, didn't it? Weeks of finding new and ever more ingenious ways to flatter the US president.

2 mins

They all backtrack on promises Will voter anger give hope to Farage?

Labour used to be the party of the working class. I haven't got a clue what it is now,\" was how Richard, a retired welder, described his feelings towards Keir Starmer's fledgling government.

3 mins

Under-eights should avoid slushie drinks, doctors warn

Children under eight should not drink slushies containing glycerol, paediatricians have warned.

1 min

It's exciting' Locals hail new stadium as boost for Manchester

Even on a freezing, rainy day with no match taking place, the area surrounding Old Trafford is abuzz with football fans from far and wide. Just a day since Manchester United unveiled their plans for a new 100,000-capacity stadium, there is a sense of excitement; the plans promise 92,000 jobs and a large-scale regeneration of the area, including 17,000 new homes.

2 mins

Man found guilty of murder after driver clung to stolen van

A \"career criminal\" has been found guilty of murdering an Amazon delivery driver who was trying to stop his van from being stolen.

2 mins

Girl charged with murder and arson after woman found dead

A 13-year-old girl has appeared in court charged with murder and arson after the body of a woman was found in a house in Northamptonshire.

1 min

Police Were Right Not To Classify Southport Killer As Terrorist - Watchdog

The decision not to classify Axel Rudakubana as a terrorist after the Southport murders was right because it would be unhelpful to stretch the definition of terrorism to cover all extreme violence, the UK's terror watchdog has concluded.

2 mins

Too hot to handle? Saucepan sparks navy bomb team alert

The Royal Navy's bomb disposal squad was scrambled after \"potential ordnance\" was found on a Dorset beach - only to find it was an upturned saucepan.

1 min

Bruce Willis' wife speaks up for carers after death of Hackman

Emma Heming Willis, the primary carer for her husband, the actor Bruce Willis, who has a rare form of dementia, has issued a statement in the wake of the deaths of Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa.

1 min

Peers paid by City firms dominate panel scrutinising financial sector

Committee criticised watchdog's plan - now shelved - to name and shame companies under investigation

3 mins

Analysis: Domestic Issues Take Precedence Over Independence

It was an election fought on the global stage with sporadic commentary from Donald Trump. But in the end, it was domestic issues that drove Greenlanders to the polls to vote overwhelmingly for change.

1 min

Greenland's Voters Deliver Shock After Election in Shadow of Trump Threats

Greenland has voted for a total overhaul of its government in a shock result in which the center-right Democrats more than tripled their seats after a dramatic election campaign fought against the backdrop of Donald Trump's threats to acquire the island.

2 mins

Israel Will Occupy Syrian Buffer Zone for 'Unlimited Time' - Minister

Israel's defence minister has reaffirmed the country's intention to occupy a swath of Syrian territory beyond Israel's contested northern borders for an \"unlimited amount of time\" during a visit to the strategically important Mount Hermon.

1 min

Freed Israeli hostage tells of beatings by Gaza captors

An Israeli hostage freed by Hamas last month has described the distressing conditions and abuse he endured during 505 days held in Gaza.

2 mins

New York court delays ruling on detained activist

A Manhattan federal court hearing yesterday morning over the arrest and detention of Mahmoud Khalil, a prominent Palestinian activist and recent graduate of Columbia University, ended without a decision on whether he would be released from custody.

1 min

Dozens killed as Pakistan frees hostages taken in train hijacking

An operation to rescue hundreds of people taken hostage when a train was hijacked by a separatist militant group in remote south-west Pakistan has ended with dozens killed in the onslaught, a spokesperson for the army said last night.

2 mins

Former Philippine president in ICC custody after arrival in Netherlands

The former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte has landed in the Netherlands, where he will face accusations of crimes against humanity at the international criminal court for overseeing death squads in his bloody \"war on drugs\".

2 mins

Rising crocodile numbers bring ninefold surge in prey since 1979

A rise in saltwater crocodiles in the Northern Territory of Australia has led to them consuming nine times more prey than they did 50 years ago, research suggests.

1 min

Concern that outbreak of measles in rural Texas will spread rapidly

Texas doctors say they are worried about measles spreading to population centers in an outbreak that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) expects to \"expand rapidly\".

1 min

President of Ecuador allies with US mercenary for 'war on crime'

Ecuador's president, Daniel Noboa, has announced a \"strategic alliance\" with the Donald Trump-supporting founder of the private military firm Blackwater, supposedly to reinforce his controversial \"war\" on crime.

1 min

Man fitted with artificial heart walks out of hospital in Australia in world first

An Australian man with heart failure has become the first person in the world to walk out of a hospital with an entire artificial heart implant.

2 mins

Fresh hunt for father and children in New Zealand wilderness

New Zealand police are launching a fresh operation in the North Island wilderness to find a fugitive father and his three children who have been missing for more than three years.

2 mins

Shake-up of cash Isas to be dropped from Reeves' spring statement

A mooted shake-up of cash Isas will not be announced in the spring statement this month, but the government is still considering cutting the limit that savers can put in, it has emerged.

1 min

City watchdog drops 'name and shame' for firms under scrutiny

The UK's financial watchdog has bowed to pressure and ditched a plan to frequently \"name and shame\" companies it is investigating.

2 mins

Poor results at Puma and Zara owner amid fears demand in US is slowing

Unexpectedly poor results from the sports brand Puma and the fashion group Inditex, which owns Zara, have fuelled fears about slowing consumer appetite in the US amid uncertainty over Donald Trump's tariffs.

1 min

FCA Has Retreat Too Far On Plans To Name And Shame Firms Under Investigation

Lobbying victories for the City do not come much more comprehensive.

2 mins

EV battery company Northvolt files for bankruptcy in Sweden

The electric vehicle battery startup Northvolt has filed for bankruptcy in Sweden, marking the end of a company once seen as Europe's best hope of challenging the dominant Asian battery industry.

1 min

UK's Housing Market Slows as Stamp Duty Deadline Looms

Momentum in the UK housing market slowed last month as confidence was dampened by a looming stamp duty deadline and concerns over stubbornly high interest rates and the world economic picture.

2 mins

Ex-Barclays boss had sex with member of Epstein's staff in New York apartment

The former chief executive of Barclays, Jes Staley, has admitted to having sex with a member of Jeffrey Epstein's staff in an apartment owned by the child sex offender's brother in New York, a court has heard.

2 mins

Warner set for Hundred debut but Anderson left on the shelf

David Warner will call Lord's home this summer.

1 min

Formula One 'I'm a competitive guy, I like to be good at everything I do'

Ollie Bearman has a full-time drive in F1 with Haas at the age of 19 but has made plenty of sacrifices to get there

4 mins

McIlroy insists he will walk away from golf before he is 50

As Tiger Woods begins his recovery from yet another injury, Rory Mcllroy has firmly dismissed any notion of his own career stretching into his 50s.

1 min

Marine Nationale victory inspires O'Sullivan tribute

Jockey who died last month rode the same horse to victory two years ago

3 mins

Day three Il Est Francais can land classy Ryanair Chase

While the Gold Cup tomorrow revolves around the odds-on Galopin Des Champs and his bid for a third consecutive success, the Ryanair Chase over two and a half miles today is more open, with live contenders from Britain, Ireland and France, and the prospect of seeing Il Est Francais tackling Cheltenham for the first time, with top-class opponents including Fact To File and Protektorat in hot pursuit, is one to savour.

2 mins

'Our aspiration is to win the tournament...that's not changed'

Luke Cowan-Dickie back in for Jamie George at hooker; Ben Curry returns at flanker, Ben Earl shifts to No 8 and Tom Willis is on the bench.

1 min

Borthwick Can't Be Accused Of Conservatism After Bold Calls For Cardiff Test

Pick the bones out of that. Four openside flankers in the squad, three fly-halves, just two second-rows and one centre. It does not stop there, with a first start on the wing and a debut in waiting on the bench in Cardiff – a place that has a habit of swallowing up and spitting out fledgling England careers.

3 mins

Time is ticking for Liverpool's stalwarts to make more history

Champions League defeat by PSG had echoes of 2020 exit against Atlético that warned of issues to come for Klopp

4 mins

Suspending relegation will lead to WSL TV contract review

The Women's Super League's £65m TV contract with Sky Sports and the BBC will have to be renegotiated if it removes relegation from the top flight.

1 min

Amorim agrees with Ratcliffe on criticism of United players

Ruben Amorim has said that Sir Jim Ratcliffe was correct to criticise Manchester United players, saying he and they are \"underperforming\".

1 min

Driouech's deft chip earns PSV draw but Arsenal march on

On a night when Arsenal ended the game with four left-backs on the pitch, this may not have been the biggest stage of Raheem Sterling's illustrious career.

3 mins

Asensio double for rampant Villa sinks 10-man Brugge

When Unai Emery accepted the challenge of reviving Aston Villa at a time when the club was fretting about relegation to the Championship, he voiced his desire to return to European competition.

3 mins

Maresca's muted Chelsea approach testing patience

Club's supporters have not taken to manager's style of football and he needs to find a way to quell the criticism

4 mins

Van Dijk: 'If anyone says they know if I'll stay, they are lying'

Virgil van Dijk has said he has \"no idea\" whether he will be a Liverpool player next season.

1 min

Borthwick's plan for three No 10s to keep title bid alive

Steve Borthwick is prepared to unleash his triple threat of No 10s simultaneously against Wales on Saturday, with the head coach insisting England are heading to Cardiff intending to win the Six Nations title.

2 mins

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