Middle East crisis live: Egyptian delegation due in Israel seeking to kickstart Gaza ceasefire talks, say reports

Israeli media reports planned visit, citing unnamed officials, in the wake of stalled talks mediated by Qatar, the US and Egypt

• See all of our Israel-Gaza war coverage

Here are some of the latest images sent to us from Lebanon over the news wires which show the aftermath of an Israeli strike on Shebaa.

Palestinian news agency Wafa reports that seven Palestinians have been detained by Israeli security forces during raids inside the occupied West Bank. The riads have been near Jenin, Nablus and Ramallah.

Anglo American rejects BHP’s £31.1bn takeover proposal; Darktrace accepts takeover offer – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news, as FTSE 100 hits another record high as Anglo rebuffs BHP’s approach

• BHP’s takeover bid for Anglo American is clever but far too low

Darktrace’s decision to accept the terms of Thoma Bravo’s takeover offer will add yet more fuel to the argument that the London Stock Exchange is in some trouble.

Indeed, Darktrace takes a swing at the London market today, saying it hasn’t been properly valued since floating three years ago.

Whilst the Darktrace Board remain confident that Darktrace’s strategy can continue to deliver attractive returns for shareholders and that Darktrace has a strong future as a public company, the Darktrace Board believes that Darktrace’s operating and financial achievements have not been reflected commensurately in its valuation with shares trading at a significant discount to its global peer group.

China warns relations with US could slip into ‘downward spiral’ if red lines crossed

Wang Yi tells Antony Blinken ‘disruptions’ could arise amid threat of sanctions over China’s support for Russia’s defence industry

China’s foreign minister, Wang Yi, has warned the US that the recent improvements in the two countries’ relations were being jeopardised by “disruptions” that could take them back to a “downward spiral” leading to rivalry, confrontation and even conflict.

Wang was speaking at the start of a meeting in Beijing with the US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, at a time of renewed tension in the relations between the superpowers. The US, he said, should not step on China’s “red lines”.

Ukraine pulls U.S.-provided Abrams tanks from the front lines over drone threats

Five of the 31 tanks have already been lost to Russian attacks in Ukraine, where the use of surveillance and hunter-killer drones had made it difficult for them to operate.

Here's why Spain's prime minister Pedro Sánchez is considering stepping down

Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez left Spain in suspense after announcing he may step down because of what he called an "unprecedented" smear campaign against his wife.

Ukraine agriculture minister detained in multimillion-dollar corruption inquiry

Mykola Solskyi accused of illegally seizing land worth more than $7m when he was head of major farming firm and an MP

Ukraine’s agriculture minister, Mykola Solskyi, has been detained after being named a formal suspect in a multimillion-dollar corruption inquiry.

Blighted by severe corruption scandals since the fall of the Soviet Union, Kyiv has pledged to bolster its anti-graft efforts as part of its bid for EU membership.

Two men charged in connection with deaths of five people in Channel

Yien Both, from South Sudan, and Tajdeen Adbulaziz Juma, from Sudan, charged with immigration offences in UK

Two men have been charged with immigration offences in connection with the investigation into the deaths of five people, including a child, who were trying to cross the Channel.

Yien Both, a 22-year-old from South Sudan, has been charged with assisting unlawful immigration and attempting to arrive in the UK without valid entry clearance.

UK minister appears to mix up Rwanda and Congo on Question Time

Chris Philp gets confused over neighbouring countries when discussing government’s Rwanda deportation policy

The policing minister, Chris Philp, appeared to confuse the countries of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo on BBC Question Time on Thursday.

When discussing the government policy of deporting asylum seekers to Rwanda, the MP for Croydon South responded to an audience member’s question during the BBC One programme by asking: “Rwanda is a different country of Congo, isn’t it?”.

UK Rwanda policy is ‘kneejerk reaction’ to migration, says Ireland’s deputy PM

Micheál Martin says UK asylum seekers fearful of being removed to Rwanda are seeking sanctuary in Ireland

The UK government’s Rwanda policy has been described as a “kneejerk reaction” to migration by Ireland’s deputy prime minister and said an influx of asylum seekers could arrive in Ireland as a result.

Micheál Martin, Ireland’s Tánaiste, reportedly said asylum seekers fearful of being removed from the UK to Rwanda are seeking sanctuary in Ireland.

Chess: Gukesh, 17, shocks favourites to become youngest challenger for title

The Chennai teenager won the Candidates by just half a point and will take on China’s Ding Liren for the world crown in a 14-game series later this year

Gukesh Dommaraju became, at 17, the youngest ever Candidates ­winner and world championship challenger on Sunday after edging out the favourites Fabiano Caruana, Hikaru Nakamura and Ian Nepomniachtchi in a marathon six-hour final round in Toronto.

Gukesh will now meet the holder, China’s Ding Liren, in a 14-game series for the world crown from 20 November to 15 December. The world No 1, Norway’s Magnus Carlsen, abdicated his title in 2023 after a 10-year reign.

‘Trump was my mentor’: David Pecker to testify for fourth time in hush-money trial

Ex-National Enquirer publisher was instrumental in coordinating payments to quash negative stories of Trump during 2016 election

Former tabloid publisher David Pecker is taking the witness stand on Friday, his fourth day this week, in Donald Trump’s New York criminal trial.

Pecker was instrumental in coordinating three hush-money payments that were paid during the 2016 election to quash negative stories about Trump. Pecker has testified that American Media Inc (AMI), the publisher of the National Enquirer, paid $30,000 to a former Trump Tower doorman who said Trump had a child out of wedlock. Another $150,000 was paid to Karen McDougal, a former Playboy model who said she had an affair with Trump in 2006.

Week in wildlife – in pictures: a lazy leopard, a moonwalking elephant and hitchhiking ducklings

The best of this week’s wildlife photographs from around the world

New EU nature law will fail without farmers, scientists warn

Open letter calls for green policies that empower farmers, after months of protests jeopardise future of flagship biodiversity deal

The EU’s nature restoration law will only work if it is enacted in partnership with farmers, a group of leading scientists has said, after months of protests have pushed the proposals to the brink of collapse.

In an open letter, leading biodiversity researchers from across the world said that efforts to restore nature are vital for guaranteeing food supplies – but farmers must be empowered to help make agriculture more environmentally friendly if the measures are to succeed.

Mount Fuji view to be blocked as tourists overcrowd popular photo spot

Fujikawaguchiko town official says choice to erect huge barrier is ‘regrettable’ and last resort

A huge barrier to block views of Mount Fuji will be installed at a popular photo spot by Japanese authorities exasperated by crowds of badly behaved foreign tourists.

Construction of the mesh net – 2.5 metres (8ft) high and the length of a cricket pitch at 20 metres – will begin as early as next week, an official from Fujikawaguchiko town said on Friday.

Police allegedly use rubber bullets and teargas at university protest in Georgia

Multiple arrests at crackdown on Emory University campus encampment focused on Palestine and Cop City

Police have carried out multiple violent arrests at Emory University in Decatur, Georgia, in what appears to be the first campus crackdown in recent days to involve rubber bullets and teargas after students set up an encampment in solidarity with Palestine and against Cop City.

On Thursday, Emory students set up multiple tents on the campus’s lawns in protest against the university’s ties to Israel, as well Atlanta’s Cop City, a police and fire department training center that is being constructed on a 171-acre plot in a forest south-east of Atlanta.

David Crowell: Point/Cloud review – minimalism that sparkles with joy

(Better Company Records)
The New York multi-instrumentalist, who has played with Philip Glass and Steve Reich, shows great flair for making minimalism rich and harmonically complex

Crowell has been an in-demand musician around New York for more than a decade – playing saxophone, flute and guitars with the likes of the Philip Glass Ensemble, the Bang on a Can All-Stars, Steve Reich and in his own outfits Empyrean Atlas, Spirit Stout and Eco-Tonal – but Point/Cloud foregrounds his work as a composer. Here he delegates performance duties to several very different ensembles – other guitarists, a percussion troupe, a singer and cellist – to create a diverse suite unified by a singular vision.

Minimalism is often robotic, repetitive and melodically stunted, but Crowell’s minimalism is wonderfully rich and harmonically complex: busy arpeggios sketch out dense, extended chords that constantly mutate and move in unexpected directions. The three-part title track, like Pacific Coast Highway, is a piece of baroque flamenco with Daniel Lippel multitracking multiple electric and nylon-strung guitars: it’s apparently inspired by Steve Reich’s Electric Counterpoint, but also nods to Vini Reilly and John Fahey.

Private Revolutions by Yuan Yang review – an intimate account of how China is changing

A social and economic revolution observed through the lives of four women in their 30s

Yuan Yang, the former Financial Times China correspondent, has written an engrossing new book that meticulously reports on a country in the throes of change, using the lives and choices of four women from her own generation as a lens.

Leiya, Sam, June and Siyue, born in the late 80s and 90s, all hail from different regions and social classes – but they share the trait of being “unusually accomplished idealists”. Lieya, who drops out of school to work in a factory, later goes on to run a childcare collective. Sam, “born into a special sliver of her generation: the urban middle class”, is drawn into the world of labour activism after interviewing an injured factory worker for a university sociology course. June is just 13 when her mother is killed – crushed on a conveyor belt in a coal mine. She becomes the only one of her village primary school classmates to make it to high school, and then university. Headstrong Siyue’s stressful childhood is characterised by the rising and falling fortunes of her parents, who try their hands at various business ventures (repairing Nokia handsets, for example). Later, as a single mother, she is adamant about parenting her daughter differently – and giving her own mother (who she tricks into going on her first ever holiday, to Bali) a new outlook on life, too.

Wave of exceptionally hot weather scorches south and south-east Asia

Warnings of dangerous temperatures across parts of Philippines, Thailand, Bangladesh and India as hottest months of the year are made worse by El Niño

Millions of people across South and Southeast Asia are facing sweltering temperatures, with unusually hot weather forcing schools to close and threatening public health.

Thousands of schools across the Philippines, including in the capital region Metro Manila, have suspended in-person classes. Half of the country’s 82 provinces are experiencing drought, and nearly 31 others are facing dry spells or dry conditions, according to the UN, which has called for greater support to help the country prepare for similar weather events in the future. The country’s upcoming harvest will probably be below average, the UN said.

City flats for sale in Great Britain for less than £500,000 – in pictures

From a modern development in the heart of Edinburgh to a Grade II-listed townhouse in Ramsgate

Portugal commemorates the Carnation Revolution – in pictures

Thousands in Lisbon celebrated the 50th anniversary on Thursday of Portugal’s Carnation Revolution, which toppled the longest fascist dictatorship in Europe and ushered in democracy. The almost bloodless revolution was conducted by a group of junior army officers who wanted democracy and to put an end to long-running wars against independence movements in African colonies

‘Ahead lay cypress-lined Tuscan roads waiting to be discovered’: readers’ best road trips

Our tipsters navigate Alpine passes, serene backcountry and dramatic coastlines across Europe, stopping off for the odd hike, cycle or dip in the sea

Driving through the Tuscan hills, the sun beginning its slow descent in the hazy, glowing heat on an August evening was one of the most exquisite experiences I have ever had. Travelling slowly along small, winding roads near Siena in our old Polo, we settled in to the rhythm the locals live by. The peaceful embrace of the Tuscan way of life was felt at every turn, with every smile we saw and every vineyard we gazed across. The cypress trees lining other, yet-to-be-discovered roads in the distance added to our awe at our surroundings.
Lotta

Hanging in there and a dichroic shopper: Photofairs Shanghai 2024 – in pictures

A selection of highlights from the ninth instalment of Photofairs Shanghai, the contemporary art fair for photography

• Shanghai Exhibition Centre | April 25-28, 2024

Guatemalan AG raids Save the Children office over a migrant children rights complaint

Prosecutor Rafael Curruchiche said that the complaint filed by an unidentified foreigner had raised serious concerns because it involved allegations of abuse of children.

Pandabuy: police raid ‘20 football stadiums’ worth of alleged fake goods warehouses

Arrests as Chinese authorities working with UK police and international trademark agencies seize millions of parcels bound for customers worldwide

Chinese authorities have targeted a major online sales platform accused of supplying counterfeit goods, raiding warehouses holding millions of packages destined for overseas buyers.

Earlier this month police raided the Hangzhou office and several warehouses of Pandabuy after reported legal action by 16 brands over copyright infringement. More than 200 public security branch officers, 50 private sector investigators and local police were involved, according to reports.

The cost of living crisis has made the UK a poorer, more anxious nation – and worse is yet to come | Andy Beckett

Instead of buy-one-get-one-free offers, everyday life now involves carefully comparing prices and feeling increasingly powerless

Under capitalism, prices are supposed to be the centre of everything. They are the key agreement between buyer and seller. They are the one clear and reliable piece of information, on which the whole often opaque and unstable system depends.

So it struck me as strange when some of my local London shops stopped displaying the prices of some goods a couple of years ago. It started with upmarket fishmongers, and I wondered whether this was because wealthy customers didn’t need to count their pennies. But then the practice spread to corner shops and greengrocers, with a wider clientele, and to everyday purchases such as fruit and vegetables. There was a cost of living crisis going on, the worst in Britain for 40 years, but parts of Hackney seemed to be in denial.

Andy Beckett is a Guardian columnist

What does Taiwan get from the foreign aid bill and why is the US economy among the biggest winners?

The sweeping foreign aid package passed by congress has drawn the ire of China, but billions of dollars will actually stay in the US

Taiwan’s president Tsai Ing-wen has praised the US Congress for passing a sweeping foreign aid package this week which included arms support for the island, and has drawn the ire of China.

After months of delays and contentious debate, the bill was signed into law by Joe Biden on Wednesday. Described as $95bn in aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, the legislation actually contains provisions that broadly affect many parts of the Asia-Pacific, while also spending billions of dollars at home in America.

‘We got no heads up’: Kirk Cousins surprised by Falcons’ Penix Jr selection

• Atlanta selected the Washington QB with No 8 pick in the draft
• Cousins signed $180m contract with Falcons this offseason
• Bears tap Caleb Williams with No 1 pick as six QBs go in top 12

The Atlanta Falcons provided the shock of the first round of the NFL draft by selecting quarterback Michael Penix Jr with the No 8 overall pick on Thursday night.

The Falcons extended their recent trend of selecting offensive skill players in the first round by drafting Penix one month after signing Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180m contract with $100m guaranteed. Using a draft slot normally targeted for players expected to make an immediate impact, the Falcons picked Penix as the apparent long-term successor to the 35-year-old Cousins. The Falcons had been expected to use the pick to boost their pass rush.

Reparations to be paid to survivors of wartime sexual violence in Ukraine

First payments to be made during an ongoing conflict is ‘important step towards restoring justice’, says first lady, Olena Zelenska

The first reparation payments are to be made in the next few weeks to survivors of wartime rape by Russian soldiers during the invasion of Ukraine, in a move that Ukraine’s first lady, Olena Zelenska, called “an important step towards restoring justice”.

Up to 500 Ukrainian survivors of conflict-related sexual violence are being identified and awarded with interim reparations this year, including financial, medical and psychological support.

‘We are with them’: support for Hamas grows among Palestinians in Lebanon

Aspirations for statehood revived among younger generations in refugee camps where war has consumed daily life

The red inverted triangle is everywhere – stencilled on walls, sprayed on store shutters, a constant theme guiding visitors through the narrow alleyways that dissect the Burj al-Barajneh refugee camp in Beirut.

Appearing initially in combat videos released by Hamas in which its fighters target Israeli tanks in Gaza, the newfound ubiquity of the logo in the camp 170 miles (270km) away signals a shift in opinion in favour of armed struggle.

Is there humour left in the White House? – podcast

The annual White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner returns this Saturday for a night of comedy ‘roasting’ – where the great and the good are ruthlessly mocked in celebration of the freedom of the press.

In recent years, however, the night has taken on a different tone, with the atmosphere of warm self-deprecation and bipartisan bonhomie replaced by something more scathing and serious.

This week Jonathan Freedland is joined by Jeff Nussbaum, a former senior speech writer to Joe Biden, to discuss the art of writing gags for presidents and whether there is still space for humour in US politics.

Thank You, Goodnight review – Bon Jovi’s surprisingly devastating ode to lost youth

There’s plenty of great stuff in this documentary to keep super fans happy – but you only need to know 80s banger Livin’ on a Prayer to get emotional as the ageing band break down before your very eyes

Every pop biography has the same dilemma: fans of the artist want to know all the details, while viewers with only a passing interest just want to get to the good stuff. You can tell which side of the line Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story falls on by looking at the running time. Its four episodes are all well over an hour long.

By far the strongest instalment is the opener, which can be watched in isolation as an evocative charge through the period leading up to the band’s formation and breakthrough. The best rockumentaries have the power to pitch us into a past moment we wish we could hang out in – the place and time here that crackles with fantastic potential is New Jersey in the back half of the 1970s.

Married at 10, abused and forced to flee without her children: an Afghan woman on life under the Taliban

Now living in comparative freedom in Iran, 26-year-old Mahtab Eftekhar describes facing motherhood at 12 and explains why seeking justice for other women means she no longer fears death

At the age of 10, while still in the third grade, I received news from my mother and stepfather that we would travel to Helmand province for my brother’s wedding. Little did I know, it was to be my own wedding, as my family had arranged my marriage to my cousin and sold me for 40,000 Afghanis [£500], without my knowledge or consent.

That night, after the wedding, I went to sleep beside my mother and little brother, only to wake up next to my cousin. Trembling from confusion and fear, I fled the room in tears and screams. But my mother and her sister coerced me back into that room. It was then that I was told I had been married to my cousin.

Residents still have concerns about Flint's water

It's been a decade since the Flint water crisis began. Residents told CBS News the scandal still weighs heavily on the city.

Former Tesla SVP Drew Baglino is selling $181.5 million worth of stock, SEC filing says

Drew Baglino, who announced he'd be leaving Tesla on April 15, is selling 1.14 million shares of the electric car company, according to a filing on April 25.

The US college protests and the crackdown on campuses - podcast

Police have arrested dozens of students across US universities this week after a crackdown on pro-Palestine protests on campuses. Erum Salam and Margaret Sullivan report from New York

As the Israel-Gaza war grinds on amid a worsening humanitarian crisis, the world’s attention this week was captured by a battle on the campuses of elite US universities. Pro-Palestine student protesters were arrested en masse by New York City police at the prestigious Columbia University, prompting outrage that spread across other college sites.

Guardian US reporter Erum Salam tells Michael Safi that the scene on Columbia’s campus was one of orderly drum circles and organised anti-war demonstrations, not the all-out violent chaos that might have been imagined.

17 states challenge federal rules entitling workers to accommodations for abortion

The lawsuit comes after federal regulations were published on implementing the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. The language means workers can ask for time off to obtain and recover from an abortion.

US troops begin construction of Gaza aid pier as questions remain over distribution

About 1,000 US troops will support the military construction efforts, but Joe Biden has ordered them not to set foot on the Gaza shore

US troops have begun construction of a maritime pier off the coast of Gaza that aims to speed the flow of humanitarian aid into the territory, the Pentagon has said, but the complex plan to bring more desperately needed food to Palestinian civilians is still mired in fears over security and how the aid will be delivered.

“I can confirm that US military vessels, to include the USNS Benavidez, have begun to construct the initial stages of the temporary pier and causeway at sea,” Pentagon spokesperson Maj Gen Patrick Ryder told reporters.

India election: fears that Modi’s BJP will polarise voters in fight for key state

Muslims worry Modi’s party will rely on familiar tactics of drawing on religious divisions as it battles Congress to to retain seats in Karnataka

The sun scorched the carpeted car park at Mudipu Junction outside Mangalore in Karnataka state as volunteers arranged rows of red plastic chairs and placed mounds of biryani and fruit on the table for a public iftar, the moment Muslims break their fast during Ramadan.

But this was no ordinary iftar. India is in the midst of a general election during which prime minister Narendra Modi and his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are seeking a third term, and factionalism is rife.

Astronauts confident Boeing's Starliner is finally ready for crew flights

Astronauts Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams say they have complete confidence in the Starliner despite questions about Boeing's safety culture.

Harvey Weinstein 2020 rape conviction overturned by New York's highest court

Harvey Weinstein's 2020 conviction​ on felony sex crime charges has been overturned by the State of New York Court of Appeals.

2024 NFL Draft: Day 1 recap of first-round picks

An unprecedented six of the first 12 picks were quarterbacks, an NFL Draft record.

Microsoft says cloud AI demand is exceeding supply even after 79% surge in capital spending

Microsoft has more demand than supply for running artificial intelligence models in the cloud.

Trump trial hears new details about alleged "catch and kill" scheme

Former National Enquirer boss David Pecker appeared on the stand for the third day, detailing an agreement the tabloid made with a former Playboy model.

Intel shares fall after company provides weak forecast for the current quarter

Intel's report was the first since the company revealed that it had restructured its financial reports to make Intel Foundry a separate line item.

New York appeals court overturns Harvey Weinstein's verdict

The New York State Court of Appeals ruled Thursday that disgraced former media mogul Harvey Weinstein did not receive a fair trial in a 2020 case in which he was found guilty of sexually assaulting two women. In a 4-3 decision, the appeals court determined that the judge in the case "erroneously" admitted testimony from women whose claims were not part of the charges. Jericka Duncan has more on the decision and what could come next.

Pro-Palestinian protests roil colleges nationwide

Hundreds of arrests were made this week as pro-Palestinian protests continue at universities across the U.S. Police tore down tents at Emory University in Atlanta Thursday morning, while officers used batons to disperse a large crowd of protesters at USC in Los Angeles Wednesday night. Jason Allen reports on the chaos.

Ex-National Enquirer publisher David Pecker continues testimony in Trump "hush money" trial

David Pecker, former publisher of the National Enquirer, took the stand Thursday for the third day in former President Donald Trump's "hush money" trial in Manhattan. Pecker told the jury that he declined to purchase Stormy Daniels' story himself, but he advised then-Trump attorney Michael Cohen "to buy this story and take it off the market." Robert Costa reports.

Supreme Court hears Trump immunity case

The Supreme Court on Thursday heard three hours of arguments over whether former President Donald Trump should be immune from criminal prosecution for official acts he took while in office. A decision, which is not expected until June, will have ramifications on the federal case that accuses Trump of attempting to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Jan Crawford has details.

Why U.S. law enforcement struggles to combat online romance scams

Local and federal authorities face challenges in investigating and prosecuting romance scammers because the scammers are often based overseas. Jim Axelrod explains.

My partner concealed he had more than one ex-wife. Should I be nervous about our future? | Leading questions

This omission demonstrates a troubling facility with concealment, writes advice columnist Eleanor Gordon-Smith. To move forward, you need to be satisfied there are no more big surprises

After several months of dating, my partner revealed he had another ex-wife and three teenage children. He’d only ever mentioned one ex-wife and two small children. He explained his rationale and I decided to continue with the relationship. I had been single for 15 years and I feel I’ve really connected with him.

We have the best time together, and although he’s away a lot with work, he’s communicative, considerate and has given me the sort of relationship I never thought I’d find. I feel he genuinely loves me and wants the best for me. He’s always saying how much he appreciates me. But I am nervous about the future as he has so many commitments (I don’t have children but hope to one day, and he’s on board).

"CBS Evening News" headlines for Thursday, April 25, 2024

Here's a look at the top stories making headlines on the "CBS Evening News with Norah O'Donnell."

ByteDance would shut down TikTok in US rather than sell it, sources say

App’s ‘secret source’ algorithm reportedly core to operations of parent company, which sources say make a sale highly unlikely

ByteDance would prefer to shut down TikTok rather than sell it if the Chinese company exhausts all legal options to fight legislation to ban the platform from app stores in the US, four sources said.

The algorithms TikTok relies on for its operations are deemed core to ByteDance’s overall operations, which would make a sale of the app with algorithms highly unlikely, said the sources close to the parent.

American arrested in Turks and Caicos after ammo found in luggage out on bail

Ryan Watson, who faces a possible 12-year prison sentence after ammo was allegedly found in his carry-on, said he feels " incredibly blessed that people have been responding in such a powerful way."

Luke Littler silences Liverpool boo boys with Premier League darts win

• Teenager beats Rob Cross 6-2 at the M&S Bank Arena
• Manchester United fan enjoyed some lively banter

Luke Littler silenced the boo boys by claiming a sweet Premier League victory in Liverpool. The 17-year-old was on the receiving end of jeers at the M&S Bank Arena but turned them into cheers as he hammered Rob Cross 6-2 in the final, where the hostile crowd could not help but watch in admiration.

The 17-year-old has been a fans’ favourite since bursting on to the scene at the world championship over Christmas but his antics on social media have not been well received on Merseyside. Littler is an avid Manchester United fan and has enjoyed goading bitter rivals Liverpool in recent weeks as their quadruple hopes have crumbled.

Premier League: 10 things to look out for in this weekend’s football

Liverpool await a dead-ball salvo, Luton have to keep their chins up and things could get spicy at City Ground

David Moyes will surely have taken note of Liverpool’s struggle to defend set pieces against Everton. Jürgen Klopp, who must be delighted with a 12.30pm kick-off on Saturday, should prepare his team for another bruising test when they visit West Ham. For Moyes, this is a chance to repair the sizeable damage to his reputation caused by last weekend’s collapse at Selhurst Park. West Ham were 4-0 down to Palace after 31 minutes and are preparing to part company with Moyes at the end of the season, but they should take heart from how Everton unsettled Liverpool in the Merseyside derby. Everton scored twice from set pieces and West Ham pose a similar threat from dead balls. James Ward-Prowse’s deliveries towards Tomas Soucek, Kurt Zouma and Michail Antonio will have Klopp’s defenders sweating. Jacob Steinberg

West Ham v Liverpool, Saturday 12.30pm (all times BST)

Fulham v Crystal Palace, Saturday 3pm

Newcastle v Sheffield United, Saturday 3pm

Manchester United v Burnley, Saturday 3pm

Microsoft cloud growth accelerates on back of AI push

Microsoft saw a pickup in the segment containing video games after buying publisher Activision Blizzard in October.

Nevada parents arrested after boy found in makeshift "jail cell"

Misty Scanlan, 46, and Jeffery Scanlan,41, were taken into custody and each booked on one count of child abuse and neglect.

Maryland educator framed principal for racist rant using AI-generated voice, police say

A former high school athletic director was arrested Thursday morning after allegedly using artificial intelligence to impersonate the school principal in a recording that included racist and antisemitic comments.

Manchester City’s well-oiled winning machine shows no sign of exhaustion

Pep Guardiola’s complaints about his team’s tiredness were hard to believe as they strolled to victory against Brighton

It had been tempting to wonder if some kind of elaborate gag was taking place when the Brighton fan and noted stamina enthusiast “The Hardest Geezer” was paraded on the pitch before kick-off at the Amex Stadium. What was that, Pep? Your team’s a bit tired? Why not tell it to the guy who’s just become the first person in history to run the length of Africa? He must be dying to hear about Bernardo Silva’s hamstrings.

Nobody is really buying it. The thing about City is that they are built to go the distance. Not only do they have the best technicians in the league, they also have a team packed with physical power.

Paramount and Skydance inch closer to a merger as key hurdle looms, sources say

Paramount Global and Skydance are getting closer to final terms on a merger agreement, sources told CNBC, but a renewal with Charter remains an obstacle.

Man who hoped to be first Black astronaut in 1960s finally heading to space

In 1961, Ed Dwight was selected by President John F. Kennedy to enter an Air Force training program known as the path to NASA's Astronaut Corps. But he ultimately never made it to space.

Rise in all-cash transactions turbo charge price gains for luxury homes

Some 46.8% of luxury homes were bought entirely with cash in the three months ended February 29, the highest share in a decade, according to Redfin.

Why experts say inflation is relatively low but voters feel differently

Grocery prices are a key component of any household budget, and rising food prices can sour the electorate's mood.

Trump trial: Defense attorneys begin cross-examination of David Pecker

The New York criminal trial of Donald Trump resumed with testimony from former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker.

Trump immunity case suggests new role for supreme court: kingmaker

Oral arguments over former president’s claim of immunity seem to have left Trump happier than the justice department

“Well,” said one reporter to another as they left the supreme court chamber, sometime after noon on Thursday. “Looks like we’re getting a king.”

Notwithstanding a certain mordant hyperbole on a momentous day in American history, the sentiment seemed within bounds.

Cost of buying a home in America reaches a new high, Redfin says

The median mortgage payment jumped to a record $2,843 in April, up nearly 13% from a year ago, a new analysis finds.

Southwest cuts growth plans, warning effect of Boeing airplane delays will last into 2025

Southwest Airlines is one of Boeing's biggest customers and flies only 737s.

Kim Kardashian visits the White House to highlight criminal justice reform

Vice President Harris and Kardashian are meeting with four people convicted of non-violent drug offenses who received pardons this week from President Biden.

FCC votes to restore net neutrality. Here's what that means.

U.S. regulators are reviving a rescinded rule, laying the groundwork for for a major court fight with the broadband industry.

Open seating no more? Southwest CEO says airline is weighing cabin changes

Southwest stands apart from other large airlines because it does not have seat assignments.

Hollywood reacts to overturning of Harvey Weinstein rape conviction: ‘Beyond disappointed’

Surprise reversal of producer’s New York conviction led to anger from stars and accusers, including Ashley Judd and Mira Sorvino

Hollywood has reacted with shock to the news that the disgraced producer Harvey Weinstein’s rape conviction has been overturned by a New York court.

The fallen movie mogul was sentenced to 23 years in 2020 for two sex crimes, a decision that a court of appeals has now called the result of an unfair trial.

Venice becomes first city to charge a daily tourist fee

Visitors will have to pay five euros, a fee designed to offset some of the costs of accommodating tourists.

Red Bull stunned by shock news F1’s top designer Adrian Newey is to leave

• Newey believed to be unhappy with events this season
• News deals blow to Red Bull hopes of keeping Verstappen

Red Bull’s chief technical officer, Adrian Newey, is expected to leave the team, it has been reported. Newey is the most successful designer of the modern Formula One era and has been an instrumental part of Red Bull’s success but is said to have become uncomfortable with his ­position at the team since the team principal, Christian Horner, was cleared after an investigation into accusations of inappropriate behaviour by a female employee.

The 65-year-old Newey has been with Red Bull since 2006, only one year after the team was formed. He has since designed cars that have won seven drivers’ titles and six constructors’ championships for Red Bull and his talents have long been sought after by rivals across the paddock. Losing him would be an enormous blow to the team.

Few small popular SUVs succeed in new crash prevention test

Only one vehicle of the 10 small SUVs tested earned a good rating.

Judge upholds $83m E Jean Carroll defamation verdict against Trump

The former president’s motion for a new trial was denied and his argument deemed ‘entirely without merit’

A federal judge on Thursday upheld the verdict and award of more than $83m to the writer E Jean Carroll in a defamation case against Donald Trump after he called her a liar for accusing him of sexually assaulting her.

Judge Lewis Kaplan, a senior district judge on the US district court for the southern district of New York, denied Trump’s motion for a new trial and affirmed that Carroll suffered harm caused by Trump’s 2019 public statements.

Haiti's Prime Minister Ariel Henry has resigned as a transitional council takes over

Haiti's de facto prime minister, Ariel Henry, has formally stepped down and a new transitional council has been sworn in. Finance chief Michel Patrick Boisvert is the new interim prime minister.

‘It should feel like an extension of the living room’: radical study centre is named best building in Europe

A ‘non-hierarchical’ university space that can be continually altered or even moved has won the EU’s biennial prize for contemporary architecture

A lightweight university study centre designed to be easily disassembled has won the prize for the best building in Europe. Longevity, permanence and a sense of immutability might be the ambition of most architects, but Gustav Düsing and Max Hacke would be delighted to see their building adapted and reconfigured, or ultimately dismantled and moved somewhere else altogether.

“We imagined the project as a changeable system,” says Düsing, co-designer of the new study pavilion for the Technical University of Braunschweig, Germany, which has been named this year’s winner of the EU Mies award (formerly the Mies van der Rohe award), the biennial European Union prize for contemporary architecture. “We wanted it to be a counter model to the university’s high-rise building and its conventional one-sided lecture halls. It’s more like an extension of the landscape that can be forever modified, a non-hierarchical space that the students can make their own.”

Protests over Israel-Hamas war lead to hundreds of arrests on campuses

Hundreds of people have been arrested in California, New York, Massachusetts, Texas, Georgia and other states during the tense protests on college campuses.

Rafael Nadal prolongs Madrid farewell by dispatching teenager Darwin Blanch

• Spaniard eases to 6-1, 6-0 victory over 16-year-old wildcard
• Veteran to face Alex de Minaur in second round of Madrid Open

As Rafael Nadal prepared to enter the Estadio Manolo Santana for what could have been his final match on home soil, like every one of his matches this week could be, much of the 12,400 capacity crowd filled out the walkway around the stadium. He emerged to a prolonged standing ­ovation, necks craning to catch a fleeting glimpse of his entrance.

It was a moment. The start of a final homecoming for the greatest athlete from these lands, but it remains to be seen if he has more to give. Against an extremely young opponent out of his depth, Nadal moved into the second round of the Madrid Open with ­efficiency and ease, dismantling Darwin Blanch – 21 years his junior – 6-1, 6-0 in an hour. “At least two more days,” said Nadal afterwards. “In the end, I’m happy.”

Amazon Ring customers getting $5.6 million in refunds, FTC says

PayPal payments are being made to 117,044 consumers whose videos may have been accessed by unauthorized users.

Supreme Court appears skeptical of Trump's blanket presidential immunity argument

Donald Trump was not at the Supreme Court to hear the immunity arguments because he was required to attend his New York criminal hush money trial.

As more borrowers qualify for student loan forgiveness, incoming college freshmen are set to rack up $37,000 in new debt, report finds

Most families take out student loans to cover the rising cost of college. A new report found that incoming freshmen may have $37,000 in debt by graduation.

US supreme court eyes returning Trump immunity claim to lower court after arguments

Justices appeared unlikely to grant request for absolute immunity from criminal prosecution to former president

• Key takeaways from Trump immunity case
• Sign up for our free Trump on Trial newsletter

The US supreme court on Thursday expressed interest in returning Donald Trump’s criminal case over his efforts to overturn the 2020 election back to a lower court to decide whether certain parts of the indictment were “official acts” that were protected by presidential immunity.

During oral arguments, the justices appeared unlikely to grant Trump’s request for absolute immunity from criminal prosecution, with both Trump’s lawyer and the justice department’s lawyer agreeing there were certain private acts that presidents would have no protection for.

Body believed to be missing trucker found, but death remains mystery

David Schultz's wife said that the person found was wearing boots that matched her husband's, and his keys were found in the pants pocket.

TikTok could soon be sold. Here's how much it's worth.

President Joe Biden has signed legislation that could lead to TikTok being sold or banned. Here's who might buy it — and for how much.

A key deadline for student loan forgiveness consolidation is just days away. Here's what to know

Borrowers hoping for student loan forgiveness have just a few more days to act before an April 30 deadline.

‘Born cool’ – why the varsity jacket is still leader of the pack

Originally the preserve of Ivy League sportsmen, the jacket has seen incarnations from the likes of Salt-N-Pepa, Palace and Prada. And now Louis Vuitton’s NFT version is going for £7,000

There are few items of clothing as iconic – or as purely American – as the classic varsity jacket. Yet, lately, it has been making a comeback, thanks in part to Italian powerhouse Prada, who featured a chic all-leather take on it at Milan fashion week in February. It has also been a central piece in much-hyped recent collaborations between Gap and Palace, and Supreme and MM6 Maison Margiela. Not even the digital space is safe: Louis Vuitton has been selling a “phygital” – AKA an NFT (non-fungible token) – version of a varsity jacket from the Pharrell-designed FW24 collection – yours to have and not hold for nearly £7,000.

Instantly recognisable thanks to its two-tone leather sleeves and boiled wool body, the varsity jacket has served as a symbol of jock masculinity in classic films such as Teen Wolf and The Breakfast Club, and was worn onstage by Michael Jackson and more recently has been adopted by celebrities from Rihanna to Bella Hadid.

Venice residents clash with riot police as city launches world’s first tourist entry fee

The pilot program means day-trippers to Venice, one of Italy's most picturesque and historic cities, will need to pay a charge of 5 euros (US$5.40).

‘The heat is burning’: Harry Hunter, 76, becomes oldest Briton to complete Marathon des Sables

Former Household Cavalry officer ran epic 250-km, seven-day race across the Sahara

On the morning of his 76th birthday earlier this month, Harry Hunter emerged from a bivouac in southern Morocco to line up with more than 800 other runners in the Sahara.

Bar the chorus of Happy Birthday they greeted him with, there was little other celebration of this milestone, which saw Hunter subsequently become the oldest Briton to complete the epic Marathon des Sables, a 250-km (155-mile), seven-day race through rolling sand dunes and rocky mountains.

Ukrainian men abroad: share your views on Poland and Lithuania’s statements on conscription

After Poland and Lithuania said they are prepared to help Ukrainian authorities return men subject to military conscription, we want to hear how you feel about it

Poland and Lithuania have pledged to help Ukrainian authorities repatriate men subject to the military draft after Kyiv announced it is ending consular services for such men who are abroad.

We would like to speak with Ukrainian men living abroad about their views on this development. Whether you left Ukraine following Russia’s full-scale invasion or years before that, we want to hear how you feel about the statements and Kyiv’s suspension of consular services for émigrés.

Federal judge denies Trump's bid for new trial in E. Jean Carroll case

A federal judge has denied former President Donald Trump's request for a new trial in the civil suit brought by the writer E. Jean Carroll, who was awarded an $83.3 million judgment.

Venice tests a 5-euro fee for day-trippers as the city grapples with overtourism

The fragile lagoon city of Venice launched a pilot program to charge day-trippers an entry fee that authorities hope will discourage crowds on peak days and make the city more livable for residents.

That sinking feeling: why long-suffering Venice is quite right to make tourists pay | Simon Jenkins

The overcrowded city is leading the way with a tax on day trippers. Surely other great European destinations should follow suit

Venice has had enough. It is sinking beneath the twin assaults of tourism and the sea and believes the answer lies in fending off visitors by charging them to enter. It is not alone. Tourism is under attack. Seville is charging for entry to the central Plaza de España. In Paris, the Mona Lisa is so besieged by flashing phones she is about to be banished to a basement. Barcelona graffiti shout, “Tourists go home, refugees welcome.” Amsterdam wants no more coach parties, nor does Rome.

The Venice payment will be complicated. It will apply at specific entry points only to day trippers to the city centre, not hotel guests. It will be a mere five euros and confined to peak times of day over the summer. This will hardly cover the cost of running it. It is a political gesture that is unlikely to stem the tourist flow round the Rialto and St Mark’s Square, let alone leave more room for Venetians to enjoy their city undisturbed by mobs.

Simon Jenkins is a Guardian columnist

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Bristol Myers Squibb beats on revenue, launches $1.5 billion cost cuts as it posts quarterly loss

Bristol Myers Squibb said the charges primarily reflect its acquisition of Karuna Therapeutics and collaboration agreement with SystImmune.

The hidden costs of unpaid caregiving in America

An estimated 53 million Americans are unpaid caregivers, many as part of the "sandwich generation" — simultaneously raising children and caring for aging parents.

Honda to build $11 billion electric vehicle hub in Canada

Honda and its joint venture partners plan to invest $11 billion in Ontario, Canada, to create a "comprehensive EV value chain," the automaker announced.

Southwest says it's pulling out of 4 airports. Here's where.

These are the airports Southwest is pulling out of completely as it looks to save costs.

After two Boeing 737 Max crashes, families are still seeking answers from DOJ

More than five years after two 737 MAX crashes killed 346 people, families of the victims are still pushing the Justice Department to hold Boeing accountable. They're frustrated by the response.

‘Recipe for disaster’: Venice entry fee sparks confusion and protest on day one

Some residents say €5 fee aimed at curbing tourist numbers goes against principle of freedom of movement

For more than 160 years, visitors have been arriving at Venezia Santa Lucia train station and disembarking straight into the heart of one of the world’s most historic and beautiful cities. Until Thursday, however, they had never been met by a group of stewards in white and yellow bibs demanding to know if they had downloaded their QR code.

On the first day of what the mayor of Venice has hailed as a bold experiment in reducing over-tourism, day-trippers faced a €5 (£4.30) charge, which kicked in at 8.30am on Thursday and will apply on 29 peak days until 14 July as part of a trial.

Some 300 musicians, from Diplo to Nile Rodgers, lobby Congress for ticketing reform

Billie Eilish, Fall Out Boy, Nile Rodgers, Cyndi Lauper, Lorde, Sia, Diplo and Chappell Roan are among the signatories of an open letter urging a Senate committee to support the Fans First Act.