Author: The Guardian

The US has ordered a series of reprisal strikes to be launched over more than one day against an Iranian-backed militia, the US defence secretary, Lloyd Austin, has said.Austin said all drones in the region attacking the US were of Iranian origin. The retaliatory strikes are expected to hit militia in Syria and possibly Iraq, though Austin did not specify the timing or precise location.“We will have a multi-tier response and we have the ability to respond a number of times depending on the situation,” he said at a Pentagon press conference on Thursday. “We look to hold the people…

Ukrainian forces have hit a Russian warship in a nighttime maritime drone strike near occupied Crimea, dealing another blow to Moscow’s Black Sea Fleet.Ukrainian military intelligence publish A grainy video showed several Ukrainian unmanned vessels, known as maritime drones, approaching the Russian missile ship Ivanovich, before cutting to footage of the ship on fire.Ukraine claimed the ship had sunk. “As a result of multiple direct hits to the hull, the frigate was damaged, rolled to the stern and sank. The ship is valued at approximately $60 million to $70 million [£47.4m-£55.3m],” the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense said in an online…

Every dog has its day – but some clock up more years than others. Now research has revealed that when it comes to longevity, small, long-nosed breeds are top dog, while flat-faced ones are more at risk of an early death.Once size, face shape and sex were taken into account researchers found that overall small, long-nosed female dogs tended to have the longest lifespans among pure breeds, notching up a median of 13.3 years.However, breeds with flat-faces – a trait that has become fashionable in recent years – had a median lifespan of 11.2 years, and a 40% increased risk…

Alex Mitchell has been surprisingly named in England’s starting XV against Italy on Saturday after recovering well from a leg injury and proving his fitness on Thursday morning.The Northampton half-back suffered a leg injury upon arriving at England’s training camp and was forced to miss training on Monday and Tuesday, with it being thought he was simply competing for a place on the bench. However, Steve Borthwick named the 26-year-old to start in England’s Six Nations opener in Rome, picking up five uncapped players in Round 23.The five-man group includes inside center Fraser Dingwall and wing player Ethan Roots, as…

Tony, 64, WarminsterOccupation Retired entrepreneurVoting record Usually Green or for an independent candidate, though has voted ConservativeAmuse bouche Campaigned in favour of Brexit in Frome. Everyone thought he was a Tory, but in fact, he’d been a member of the Green party since it was called the Ecology party (1985)Alistair, 64, near BathOccupation Barrister and mediatorVoting record Labour voter and sometime member. Left when Blair went into Iraq; rejoined when Corbyn became leader; left again when Starmer took overAmuse bouche Is a keen magnet-fisherFor startersTony He’s a very affable, likable chap. Communicative. Open-minded.Alistair My first impression was he’s slightly alternative. He’s…

A federal judge on Wednesday dismissed Walt Disney’s lawsuit against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and state board members over allegations the company retaliated after criticizing the state for restricting classroom discussions about sex, according to a court filing. .”This is an important case with serious implications for the rule of law and it will not end here,” a Disney spokesman said.”If left unchallenged, this will set a dangerous precedent and allow states to weaponize their official powers to punish the expression of political views with which they disagree. We are determined to continue to press our case.”DeSantis and other defendants…

The rectangle of the screen itself seems to bend and twist into a giant self-satisfied smirk for this unbearably smug caper from director Matthew Vaughn. It has all the interest of a men’s magazine cover-shoot: thin, flimsy, lumbered with a dull meta-narrative and dodgy acting, and boasting a blank parade of phoned-in cameos from the supporting cast. Argylle is a high-concept elevator pitch stuck between floors, a piece of colourful would-be franchise content that Vaughn is tiresomely trying to fold into the extended universe of his other work.I have in the past enjoyed this director’s raucous bad taste, and it’s…

Peers have criticized the British government for failing to reach an agreement with former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich to sell the London football club for £2.5 billion.Members of the House of Lords European Affairs Committee said it was “incomprehensible” that ministers had failed to spend the money on Ukraine nearly two years after the sale was agreed.Despite being sanctioned as one of seven “pro-Kremlin” oligarchs in Russia, the government agreed to allow Abramovich to sell Chelsea in 2022 on the condition that the money was used to help victims of the war in Ukraine.However, the money remains locked in a…

A Delaware judge on Tuesday ruled in favor of the investors who challenged billionaire Elon Musk’s $56bn Tesla pay package as excessive, a court filing showed. The judge found that Musk’s compensation was inappropriately set by the electric-vehicle maker’s board and struck down the package. If the decision survives any potential appeal, the Tesla board will have to come up with a new compensation package for Musk.“Never incorporate your company in the state of Delaware,” Musk responded on Twitter/X.Tesla shareholder Richard Tornetta filed the lawsuit five years ago, accusing the company’s chief executive of improperly dictating negotiations around the compensation…

England appear to be in good spirits as they land on India’s verdant east coast on Tuesday, with their head coach Brendan McCullum revealing Shoaib Bashir is in contention for a possible Test debut this week with a full-spin attack It’s not impossible.Bashir, the 20-year-old off-spinner, whose entry into India was delayed due to visa issues, arrived on Sunday to watch England’s 1-0 series lead. Hyderabad’s 28-run victory did not come without casualties, however, with Jack Leach now facing a game to suit up for the second Test starting on Friday after picking up a serious bruise on his left…