US steps back from Russia-Ukraine peace talks

US officials have finalised new economic sanctions against Russia to intensify pressure on Moscow to embrace President Trump’s efforts to end its war, sources say.

The targets include state-owned energy giant Gazprom and major organisations in the natural resources and banking sectors, an administration official said. Mr Trump would need to approve the package.

Earlier, the US pulled out of mediating in peace talks between Russia and Ukraine.

State department official Tammy Bruce said envoys would no longer “fly around the world at the drop of a hat” to mediate.

She said it was now “between the two parties” to present concrete ideas on ending the conflict.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said either a breakthrough towards peace was needed “very soon” or President Trump would have to decide how much time the US would dedicate to the conflict.

On the battlefield, Russia says its forces are continuing to create a “security strip” in border areas of Ukraine’s Sumy region after driving Ukrainian troops out of Kursk, just across the border.

Ukraine says its forces still have a foothold in Kursk, but that it is concerned about a possible Russian advance into Sumy.

Russell Brand granted bail after court hears comedian ‘raped woman in hotel room’

Russell Brand has been granted bail after a court heard he allegedly raped a woman in a hotel room when she attended a Labour Party conference.

The comedian and actor appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday after flying back to the UK from the US for the hearing.

The 49-year-old spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth, address and that he understood his bail conditions during the short hearing.

Brand, wearing an open shirt and jeans and holding his sunglasses behind his back, listened intently to the details of the charges as he sat in the dock.

He was charged by post last month with one count each of rape, indecent assault and oral rape, as well as two counts of sexual assault, relating to four separate women.

The court heard that Brand allegedly raped a woman in a hotel room when she attended a Labour Party conference.

Following a theatrical event in Bournemouth in 1999, it is alleged that while the woman went to the bathroom, Brand removed some of his clothing and later pushed her on the bed, removed her underwear and raped her.

The court heard another of Brand’s alleged victims, who accuses him of indecent assault, is alleged to have been grabbed by her forearm by the actor as he attempted to drag her into a male toilet at a television station in 2001.

The court heard the third alleged victim was a television worker Brand met in Soho in 2004.

He is accused of grabbing her breasts before allegedly pulling her into a toilet and orally raping her.

The final complainant is a radio station worker who met Brand while he was working for Channel 4 on Big Brother’s Big Mouth between 2004 and 2005, the court heard.

Brand is alleged to have grabbed her by the face with both hands, pushed her against a wall and kissed her before grabbing her breasts and buttocks.

A criminal probe was launched after a joint investigation by Channel 4 Dispatches and The Sunday Times in September 2023, in which several women accused Brand of rape, sexual assaults and emotional abuse.

Brand did not speak to reporters as he walked the short distance from his car into the court – which took over two minutes as he moved through photographers attempting to take his picture.

In a video previously posted on his X account, Brand said he welcomed the opportunity to prove his innocence. He will appear at the Old Bailey on 30 May for a plea and trial preparation hearing.

Brand, who was born in Essex, rose to fame as a comedian and media personality in the noughties, performing at the Hackney Empire and the Edinburgh Fringe.

Through the decade, he became a household name as he moved into broadcasting and presented Big Brother spin-off shows Big Brother’s Big Mouth and Big Brother: Celebrity Hijack.

He also hosted a BBC Radio 2 show between 2006 and 2008. before he left the role following an on-air prank in which he left a “lewd” voicemail for Fawlty Towers actor Andrew Sachs about his granddaughter.

Brand, formerly of Hambleden, Buckinghamshire, now lives in the US with his wife Laura Gallacher, the sister of TV presenter Kirsty, with their two children.

UN judge jailed for forcing young woman to work as slave

A United Nations judge has been sentenced to six years and four months in prison for enslaving a young Ugandan woman.

Lydia Mugambe, 50, exploited her position of power over the victim while studying for a law PhD at Oxford University.

The court found Mugambe guilty of taking “advantage of her status” in the “most egregious way.”

Mugambe, who is also a High Court judge in Uganda, stopped the woman holding down steady employment and forced her to work as her maid and provide childcare, prosecutors said.

Judge David Foxton, sentencing Mugambe at Oxford Crown Court on Friday, said it was a “very sad case”, outlining her legal accomplishments, including work concerning the protection of human rights.

Mr Foxton added that the defendant “showed absolutely no remorse” for her conduct and that she looked to “forcibly blame” the victim for what happened.

In a written statement, read to the court by prosecutor Caroline Haughey KC, the victim described living in “almost constant fear” due to Mugambe’s powerful standing in Uganda.

The young woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said that she “can’t go back to Uganda” due to concerns of what may happen to her and added that she may never see her mother again.

Mugambe was found guilty in March of conspiring to facilitate the commission of a breach of UK immigration law, facilitating travel with a view to exploitation, forcing someone to work, and conspiracy to intimidate a witness after a trial.

According to her UN profile page, Mugambe was appointed to the body’s judicial roster in May 2023 – three months after police were called to her address in Oxfordshire.

Sycamore Gap suspect thought it would be ‘good trophy’, court told

One of two men on trial for cutting down the Sycamore Gap tree had a “fascination” with it and thought it would make a good trophy, Newcastle Crown Court heard on Friday.

Adam Carruthers had a “strange interest” in the tree, prosecutor Richard Wright KC said.

Mr Carruthers, 32, and Daniel Graham, 39, each deny two counts of criminal damage to the Northumberland sycamore and to the nearby Hadrian’s Wall, which was damaged when it came down in September 2023.

On the fourth day of their trial, Mr Graham said his co-accused had spoken of wanting to cut down the tree beside the Roman wall, keeping a piece of string in his workshop to measure its circumference and ordering a chainsaw he said was “big enough” for the job.

Mr Graham also told the court his co-defendant rang him the morning after the tree was felled and claimed to be the person responsible.

He claimed Mr Carruthers asked him to take the blame for the crime “because he had mental health issues” and would be treated more leniently.

Prosecutors say Mr Carruthers, a mechanic, and Mr Graham, a groundworker, drove from Carlisle overnight during Storm Agnes to the Northumberland landmark.

The court had already heard the men sometimes worked together and had experience felling large trees.

Richard Wright KC put it to Mr Graham that Mr Carruthers had “a fascination” with and a “strange interest” in the tree, saying: “He talked about it in the sense of it would be a good trophy.”

Graham replied: “I suppose so, yeah.” He said he remembered Mr Carruthers ordering a big bar chainsaw and saying it was big enough to cover the circumference of the Sycamore Gap tree.

He also said his former friend had mentioned the tree in 2021. “He laid this string on the floor, put it in a big circle, that was the circumference of the Sycamore Gap tree,” Mr Graham told jurors.

“At the time I didn’t know of the tree… He told me it was the most famous tree in the world.”

Mr Graham said Mr Carruthers had used the string to measure the tree’s circumference.

He said he first realised his Range Rover had been taken out that night when he saw it had been moved the next morning.

He said it was not unusual for him to leave his phone in the vehicle overnight because he “liked to get away from his phone” after a day at work.

He told the jury other people could use his iPhone, including people who worked for him who used it to connect to the internet as a hot spot.

Earlier, the court heard that Mr Graham made an anonymous call to the emergency services’ 101 number, saying his former close friend was responsible for the crime.

Mr Graham said they had been friends for about three years but he turned on Mr Carruthers when the Sycamore Gap investigation started affecting his business.

He told the court: “My name is associated with my business and I started to have people phoning my business giving me abuse about the tree.”

The trial was adjourned until Tuesday.

Kemi Badenoch can’t rubbish net zero unless she has a plan to save us

I am trying to imagine Kemi Badenoch in June 1940. “We shall not yet fight on the beaches,” she might have said. “We need a reality check before we commit to fighting on the landing grounds. We will not rush to fight in the fields and in the streets. We are not going to set a random target for fighting in the hills. It’s all very well to promise ‘we shall never surrender’ – but we have to consider whether it would mean a drop in our living standards.”

“This is not the end,” she might have concluded with a rhetorical flourish. “It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning of a consultation process to assess whether a period of reflection is necessary before scrapping arbitrary woke goals about what it means to ‘win.’”

Unfair? But who’s to say whether the threat to millions from climate change is any less urgent or existential than the threat from Hitler when Churchill made his famous speech? He was trying to inject a sense of crisis and resolve into a nation that had been beguiled into a hopelessly false sense of security by the appeasers who did nothing while claiming that talk of war was irresponsible and unnecessary.

There are parallels.

I’m not making a direct comparison between appeasement and those who now line up to denounce net zero, the target to which every Conservative leader since Cameron – barring Badenoch – had committed. But neither is the comparison entirely ridiculous.

It is, thankfully, mostly considered beyond the pale to be an outright climate change denier these days, though such creatures are occasionally to be glimpsed on GB News. But it is deemed entirely acceptable to be in the camp that rubbishes the only agreed framework that Britain has to help prevent the world from heating up in a way that will make our own grandchildren’s lives precarious, and will threaten the lives of many millions of others.

The political calculation is a risky one. According to most polls, net zero is a broadly popular aspiration, even if people understandably worry about the cost. YouGov found last month more than 60 per cent of us “strongly or somewhat” support the aim of cutting carbon emissions to net zero by 2050, with only 24 per cent on the other side of the ledger. The difficulty is that Nigel Farage is opposed, and – for now, anyway – he exerts a centripetal force that sucks in anyone too weak to stand firm.

Of course, it’s perfectly legitimate to question both the goals and the timescale for reducing emissions that parliament agreed on in 2019. Tony Blair garnered a rush of headlines this week for appearing to do just that in the foreword he wrote for a report by his own institute.

But the report itself was more concerned with the psychology, narrative, and politics of achieving the goal of zero emissions. At least a third of the report offered ideas and solutions to achieve roughly the same goal.

What sticks in the gullet is the small, but growing, tribe of pontificators, politicians and columnists who can be relied on to mock and demolish net zero without suggesting any alternatives. This is just climate denialism in a posh suit. If the best you can do for our grandchildren is shrug your shoulders, history will not be kind.

It’s not clear that Kemi Badenoch herself currently has any ideas to offer. As a guest on ITV’s Peston show recently, she sat slab-faced as Anushka Asthana rattled through a few charts to suggest that she doesn’t have much of a clue about this issue. Badenoch’s best riposte was that China might be using child slave labour to produce solar panels. Which, if true, is indeed shameful. But what’s your alternative, Kemi?

Badenoch seems to be drawn to culture war issues like a moth to a bright flame. Two weeks ago, she used up all six questions at PMQs to needle Starmer about the transgender controversy. This week, all six questions were devoted to a proposed inquiry into grooming gangs. Both important subjects. But meanwhile, the Middle East is in flames; the war in Ukraine is still raging. There are off-the-scale crises over trade and defence alliances. The threat/opportunity of AI hastens by the day. Our erstwhile closest ally is in some form of constitutional meltdown. And each year, the world gets progressively hotter.

Meanwhile, the Conservative Party leader wants to stoke a culture war around how to obstruct the people trying to mitigate it.

What an opportunity for journalism to bring some calm perspective to the issue and to root the debate in actual facts. But, alas, too many editors find it easier to join in the culture war than stick to the evidence. And that’s not counting the BBC, which has apparently decided that heat pumps are too polarising and has told the host of a podcast on the issue, Evan Davis, that discussing the technology risks “treading on areas of public controversy”.

If the craft of journalism stands for anything, it stands for the separation of news from comment. And it stands for the ability to use cool detachment to locate reliable evidence and to explain it simply.

Sadly, that form of journalism doesn’t appeal to a lot of people now spotting in net zero an opportunity to open a new front in the culture wars. It’s, in general, not the fault of the foot soldiers but the media big cheeses who believe that ideology sells better than humble old facts.

So noise replaces science. The shouters drown out the quietly knowledgeable. Slogans supplant debate. And once again, we allow an ignorant populist to dictate the terms of the argument.

What Churchill would have made of it? I don’t think he’d be sitting on his hands.

Why this Mediterranean region is perfect for a Summer escape

Summertime in Dalmatia: lazy days swimming in sparkling waters and feeling the salt dry on your skin, feasting on freshly grilled fish in a rustic beach bar while watching the sun set over the Adriatic, losing yourself in centuries of history surrounded by intense beauty – it’s the stuff of dreams. But oh so easy to turn into reality. Between Dalmatia’s stretch of the Croatian coast and the enchanting islands just a ferry ride away, you have everything you need for a relaxing and rejuvenating summer break. Choose between laid-back islands with quiet coves to lively beach resorts offering watersports and entertainment – all of which you can fit into the same trip. To get you inspired, here are some of the highlights of a Dalmatian holiday.

Croatia’s sunniest island is also the country’s most visited, which isn’t surprising when you first set eyes on Hvar Town. Step into St Stephen’s Square, the largest in Dalmatia, and take in the baroque beauty of its cathedral. Follow the path uphill to the 16th-century Spanish Fortress for fantastic views before checking out Hvar Town’s chic beach clubs. Away from the island capital, Stari Grad offers a slower pace of life, despite being on a major ferry route from Split. Once you’ve explored its colourful port, take a hike in neighbouring Stari Grad Plain, a UNESCO-listed site, where you can still see the vineyards and olive groves planted by the ancient Greeks nearly 2,400 years ago.

Surrounded by mesmerising blue-green waters, the smooth white pebbles of V-shaped Zlatni Rat on Brač’s southern coast create Croatia’s most famous beach. Its unique geography draws windsurfing fans from around the world to the pretty nearby village of Bol as they zoom across these waters. Bol is also a handy base for hikes up to Vidova Gora, the highest point in Dalmatia and worth the visit for far-reaching views. Head to the northern coast for picturesque villages such as Pučišća, whose stonemasonry school is the oldest in Europe and continues a centuries-old tradition. When you explore the hinterland, you’ll be tempted to stop by rural restaurants that serve authentic Dalmatian cuisine featuring produce from their own farms and olive groves.

Off limits to tourists until 1989 while it served as an army base, the far-flung island of Vis has been slow to catch up on Croatia’s tourism boom – which suits everyone just fine. The long Venetian-style waterfront of Vis Town will look familiar to fans of Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, which was filmed here. The island’s other main village, Komiža, is a delightfully laid-back spot from where you can join boat trips to the jaw-dropping natural phenomenon that is the Blue Cave on the tiny neighbouring island of Biševo. There’s more awe in store when you make the rocky trek down to Stiniva Bay on the southern coast, where the pebbly beach is almost entirely encircled by towering cliffs.

Just across the sea from Split but curiously off most tourists’ radar, Šolta is one of Dalmatia’s lesser-known jewels. Sailors will have moored in its deeply sheltered coves such as Šešula Bay, as well as its attractive villages Maslinica and Stomorska, which bookend the island and give an enticing slice of Dalmatian life. In between you’ll see acres and acres of olive groves that produce award-winning liquid gold – a delicious companion for Šolta’s indigenous robust red wine. Explore Šolta’s heavily indented southern coast if you want true serenity while swimming in secluded pebbly coves backed by fragrant pine-covered hills.

For nearly 40 miles, the Makarska Riviera south of Split offers one alluring beach resort after another – Brela, Tučepi, Baška Voda, Podgora, Drvenik, Gradac and Makarska itself – all in the shadow of the impressive Biokovo Mountains. The sheer variety of beaches and resorts is extraordinary, including the beautiful Punta Rata Beach in Brela and peaceful Nugal Beach just south of Makarska. Follow the long seafront promenade to Baška Voda’s family-friendly beaches including the outstanding Nikolina Beach. And above it all are the hiking trails in Biokovo Nature Park, including the hair-raising Biokovo Skywalk, whose D-shaped glass floor hovers over the cliff and gives you an unforgettable thrill – rather like summer in Dalmatia itself.

For more travel inspiration, information and to plan your trip visit Central Dalmatia

O’Sullivan crashes out to China star Zhao in World Championship semis

Ronnie O’Sullivan crashed out of the World Snooker Championship with a session to spare as Chinese sensation Zhao Xintong booked his place in the final at the Crucible Theatre.

O’Sullivan suffered a damaging morning in his bid for a history-writing eighth snooker world title, with Zhao securing every frame in the early session in Sheffield.

The pair had matched each other in Thursday’s opening session to close at 4-4, but Zhao surged into a 12-4 lead with a fine display of potting, capitalising on regular opportunities offered by an error-ridden O’Sullivan. He then held off a comeback to win three of the final four frames of the evening session to seal a 17-7 win, sealing his final spot.

In the other semi-final, the world No 1 Judd Trump and Mark Williams continued a nip-and-tuck affair as the Welsh veteran squared affairs at 8-8. Trump had extended his overnight advantage from 5-3 to 7-3 and had chances to further swell his tally, but Williams showed all of his experience to edge a couple of nibblers and leave the match beautifully poised ahead of the weekend.

Relive the clash between Ronnie O’Sullivan and Zhao Xintong and all the key action from the World Snooker Championship below.

Uefa confirm Europa League final stance if Man United play Tottenham

The Europa League final in Bilbao will not be moved if Manchester United face Tottenham Hotspur on May 21.

Both teams are in a strong position to contend for the trophy after winning the first legs of their semi-finals on Thursday night, with United beating Athletic Bilbao 3-0 away from home and Tottenham earning a 3-1 advantage over Bodo/Glimt ahead of next week’s return leg in Norway.

An all-English final would give two of the Premier League’s underperforming teams a chance to save their seasons and gain direct access to next year’s Champions League. United are in 14th place in the Premier League and Tottenham, who have not won a trophy since 2008, are 16th.

However, there is no chance that a Manchester United-Tottenham final could be moved to an English venue, with Bilbao’s San Mames stadium awarded the rights to host the Europa League final way back in 2021, the same year that Uefa decided the Basque city would host the 2024 Women’s Champions League final.

The San Mames has an official capacity of 53,289 but demand for tickets from Manchester United and Tottenham supporters will be far higher than what both teams would be allocated if they reach the final.

Uefa has confirmed that the two teams who reach the final will receive up to 15,000 tickets each, with a further 11,000 tickets up for general sale and the remainder offered to hospitality and sponsors.

And, as has been the case for recent all-English European finals between Manchester City and Chelsea in 2021 (Porto), Liverpool and Tottenham in 2019 (Madrid) and Arsenal and Chelsea in 2019 (Baku), the final will be played in Bilbao regardless of who advances.

Athletic Bilbao were dreaming of appearing in the Europa League final at their home stadium but United produced their finest performance under Ruben Amorim to win 3-0 against the 10-man hosts.

Tottenham were in a commanding position against Norwegian underdogs Bodo/Glimt but their late goal means there remains some danger for Ange Postecoglou’s side before a potentially tricky trip to the Arctic Circle next week.