Author: The Guardian

Ukraine has sunk a Russian warship near the Kerch strait in occupied Crimea, it said, in a further blow to Moscow’s naval power and its control over the Black Sea despite Ukrainian losses elsewhere.The HUR military intelligence agency in Kyiv said it attacked the Sergei Kotov on Monday night with naval drones. The vessel, which was on patrol, suffered damage to the stern, right and left sides, and then sank, the agency said.Dramatic video footage showed Ukrainian kamikaze drones closing in on the vessel, seen in ghostly silhouette. A drone hits its hull and there is a large explosion. More…

Torrents falling from the sky are having a knock-on effect on the cliffs that support some of California’s most expensive real estate. Southern California received nearly 18 inches of rain in the first two months of the year, about 8 inches above normal so far, and more rain is expected this week.California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in eight counties covering more than 20 million people, and flash flood warnings were issued in parts of Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties.In affluent coastal cities like San Clemente and Dana Point, homeowners watched every moment…

British negotiators have flown to India in a last-ditch attempt to clinch a trade deal amid concerns that Narendra Modi’s administration intends to hold out for a Labour government.A team of negotiators led by a senior civil servant flew out on Monday with a mandate to resolve the goods and services chapters, which are among the thorniest outstanding issues in the talks.Boris Johnson and Liz Truss also sought to secure a multibillion pound free-trade agreement (FTA) with India, a booming economy of 1.4 billion people. It is seen as one of the biggest Brexit prizes.A UK government official said the…

John Higgins came close to becoming the first snooker player to score 167 as the World Masters took place in Saudi Arabia.Higgins put all 15 red and black balls into the pot, but in the second round against Mark Williams he ran out of position on the yellow ball in the first frame. If Higgins completes the traditional perfect score of 147, he will have the chance to win the 20-point “Golden Ball” and win a cash prize of £395,000.The golden ball was introduced at the inaugural tournament in Riyadh and will remain on the cushion as long as maximum…

The UN’s special envoy on sexual violence in conflict has reported “clear and convincing information” that some women and children hostages held by Hamas had been subjected to rape and sexualised torture and that there were “reasonable grounds” to believe such abuses were “ongoing”.The special envoy, Pramila Patten, also reported on Monday that there were “reasonable grounds” to believe sexual assaults including rape and gang-rape in several places took place during the 7 October attacks by Hamas.Patten led a nine-strong team of experts to Israel and the West Bank in the first half of February, but cautioned that there were…

Josh Kerr has slammed athletics’ lack of funding, calling the $40,000 (£31,500) prize money offered to World Athletics Indoor Championships gold medalists “insane” compared with other sports and urging new Investment – whether from Saudi Arabia or elsewhere.The 26-year-old, who won the 3000m world indoor title with a stunning performance on Saturday, also made clear his support for Michael Johnson’s recently announced plans to establish a new US-funded world championship in 2025. Athletic Union. Johnson is a four-time track and field athlete. The former Olympic gold medalist is said to have raised millions in an attempt to revolutionize the sport…

Sam Kerr, the Chelsea and Australia footballer, is to face trial in the UK accused of the racially aggravated harassment of a police officer.The 30-year-old appeared in court on Monday accused of using insulting, threatening or abusive words that caused alarm or distress to an officer who was responding to a complaint over a taxi fare in Twickenham, south-west London, on 30 January 2023.Kerr, who appeared at Kingston crown court via video link, spoke only to confirm her name and to enter a not guilty plea to the charge, the Daily Mail reported.In a statement, the Metropolitan police said: “Samantha…

Paul Tierney will not officiate a Premier League game this weekend but will take on VAR duties for Arsenal’s game against Brentford.Refereeing body Professional Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) said the appointment was not punishment for his mistake in Liverpool’s 99th-minute winner at Nottingham Forest last Saturday.Tierney has been a top referee since 2015 and has refereed 22 Premier League games this season and served as VAR 23 times. He was subject to VAR four times last month, most recently in Burnley’s home game against Arsenal on February 17.Forest were so furious at Tierney’s failure to properly enforce the law in…

‘What’s great about my age,” says Hannah Starkey, “and going through the menopause, is that you leave the male gaze behind. And it’s really liberating. You can’t really sell me anything. And I’m dangerous – because I can tell you the truth!”A piercing, perilous honesty and a fully emancipated female gaze are characteristics that rebound in Acts of Resistance: Photography, Feminisms and The Art of Protest, a major show at South London Gallery, organised with the V&A. Crossing continents and generations, this galvanising group show seeks to join up ideas about image-making and dissent, offering a visual manifesto for a…

Kimberley Woods fell off a high ramp into the rough waters in her sleek kayak. As the rain descended relentlessly on London’s Lee Valley White Water Center last September, Woods faced pristine conditions and the demons of her past on the course where she became a world champion. In less than five months, she aims to win gold in the wild and joyous event of the Paris Olympics and complete an uplifting story of hope and healing.Woods has endured years of bullying, depression and self-harm, and the 28-year-old slalom kayaker has a good chance of winning an Olympic medal in…