Small pockets of resistance as Russia votes in election certain to extend Putin rule

Voters in Russia headed to the polls across 11 time zones yesterday for a three-day presidential election all but certain to extend Vladimir Putin’s 24-year rule until at least 2030.

Fraction of England's 'national landscapes' open to public, says Right to Roam study

England’s most stunning “national landscapes ” are largely out of bounds, and 22 of the 34 have less than 10% of their area open to the public, research has found.

Autistic man in hacking case asks minister to block extradition to US

A vulnerable autistic man is pleading with the government to block his extradition to the US on cybercrime charges where he faces up to 52 years in prison for alleged offending that began when he was a child.

Civil War: Garland offers US grim future warning

After months of online speculation, the writer-director Alex Garland’s button-pushing thriller Civil War has premiered at this year’s SXSW festival in Austin, Texas.

A new brand of cool All change as Nnadi conjures up a stylish British Vogue debut

A wardrobe overspilling with secondhand clothing and two fuzzy donkeys are just some of the more unexpected stars of Chioma Nnadi ’s debut British Vogue issue.

Sharp rise in number of abandoned French bulldogs, says RSPCA

They may be lauded in the show ring, adored by celebrities and feature in myriad adverts, but the number of French bulldogs being abandoned has risen sharply in recent years, data suggests.

Netanyahu gives green light to Rafah attack plan as aid ship reaches Gaza

Benjamin Netanyahu has approved plans for an attack on Rafah, the southernmost city in Gaza, where more than 1 million people displaced from elsewhere in the territory have sought shelter, officials in Israel have said.

'Positive meeting' Remarkable result of invitation from Brianna's mother

In an anonymous office in a Warrington business park , two mothers met last week for the first time. Esther Ghey and Emma Sutton sat down for what one restorative justice expert called the most “extraordinarily unusual” meeting he had heard of in 30 years.

A credibility crisis How febrile online rumours were fed by inept palace PR

On Tuesday, as the crisis in Gaza continued, turmoil built in Haiti and Joe Biden and Donald Trump were being confi rmed as their parties’ presidential candidates, the White House press secretary was asked a question by a journalist that caused her, briefl y, to laugh.

'No way' Handing back Hester's cash may not be viable option for Tories

Frank Hester will be the biggest Conservative donor in history, contributing £10m towards Rishi Sunak ’s election and potentially another £5m on top of that – if the party keeps his money.

Winners of election 'must face down food industry to make products healthier'

Britain’s political parties have been urged to show “ courage” by forcing food producers to make their products healthier, as new polling shows two-thirds of voters back the move.

Glazer 'should have stayed silent' on Israel at Oscars - Son of Saul director

László Nemes , the director of the acclaimed fi lm Son of Saul, yesterday publicly criticised The Zone of Interest director Jonathan Glazer’s Oscar acceptance speech.

'Everywoman' and a 'ghost of history' win places on the fourth plinth

A bronze sculpture paying homage to a woman of colour; and a hollow, lifesized person on a horse cast in a slime-green resin will be the next two artworks installed on Trafalgar Square’s fourth plinth.

Rwanda bill could be held up until after Easter

The passage of the government’s Rwanda deportation bill could be delayed until after Easter in a move that risks a backlash from Conservative MPs.

Calls for Tory donor in race row to lose NHS contracts

Unions representing GPs and health workers have called on the Conservative donor Frank Hester to stand down from running NHS contracts, saying his “racist and misogynistic comments” breach its fit and proper person test.

Sublime Kudus double powers West Ham into quarter-finals

The debate over David Moyes's future has its latest talking point. Those fans who want Moyes to go at the end of the season have something to ponder after seeing West Ham's charge into the last eight of European competition for the third successive season end with Mohammed Kudus decorating an emphatic triumph with two special solo goals.

White's England refusal shows loyalty shift to clubs

A potentially first-choice player is turning downa major tournament and we may have to get used toit

Galopin would be fitting winner of centenary Gold Cup

Ultimate test of chasing has anear-perfect roll call of National Hunt greats, both equine and human

Ferguson and Redknapp revel in Cheltenham glory

Sir Alex Ferguson hailed his \"greatest day in racing\" as his long wait to own a winner at the Cheltenham Festival ended with a quickfire double that summoned memories of his Manchester United side's Champions League final win in 1999.

Down to the wire Pressure on Chelsea as Hayes era ends and WSL title chase enters final straight

After the Premier League title race took centre stage last Sunday with Liverpool v Manchester City headlining, the Women's Super League has a potentially defining Friday when Chelsea host Arsenal at Stamford Bridge.

AI regulation What the proposed Brussels law will mean

The EU's proposed AI law was endorsed by the European parliament on Wednesday, and is a milestone in regulating the technology. The vote is an important step towards introducing the legislation.

Panic is over at the partnership but there's still a long way to go before the crisis is behind it

Is the crisis over at the John Lewis Partnership? Not yet. A pre-tax profit of £56m was a big improvement from a thumping loss of £234m last time, but remember that the group's definition of a sustainable annual return is £400m.

IMF head calls for drastic cut in inequality to ensure growth

The head of the International Monetary Fund has warned that the only way to boost global growth over the next century is by tackling inequality.

Climate activists condemn Shell after it waters down green target

The energy company Shell has watered down a key green target as it prepares to defy climate experts by growing its liquefied natural gas business and holding its oil production steady until 2030.

EU to take new step towards seizing Russian asset profits

EU leaders are to take a significant step towards confiscating a potential €27bn (£23bn) in profits generated in the next four years by frozen Russian state assets to help fund the war effort in Ukraine.

Holy rollers: priest sorry after listed frescoes painted over

A priest on the Spanish island of Tenerife has apologised after accidentally ordering a set of listed, 300-year-old frescoes in his parish church to be painted over as he attempted to ready the building for Holy Week.

Pioneering sports car designer Gandini dies aged 85

Marcello Gandini, the Italian car designer who pioneered the use of \"scissor doors\" in luxury sports cars and drew the sleek outlines of several eye-catching designs for manufacturers including Lamborghini, has died aged 85.

Rodrigo offers birth control at gigs in abortion-ban US states

Madelyn Ritter expected to leave the Olivia Rodrigo's Guts tour with some merchandise - but she didn't expect to also go home with some free emergency contraception.

Spanish MPs approve controversial amnesty for Catalan separatists

Spain's congress has approved the divisive Catalan amnesty bill that regional separatists demanded in return for helping the country's Socialist-led coalition government back into office after last year's inconclusive general election.

Wilders accepts he will not be Dutch PM after rightwing allies fail to back him

Geert Wilders, whose far-right Freedom party (PVV) shocked the Netherlands by finishing first in elections late last year, has conceded that he will not be the next prime minister because his potential coalition partners do not back him.