Suspect ended friendship after being ‘grassed up’, court hears
A suspect in the chopping down of the famous Sycamore Gap tree ended his close friendship with the co-accused after accusing him of “grassing on me”, a jury heard.
Adam Carruthers, 32, and Daniel Graham, 39, both deny criminal damage to the sycamore tree – and Hadrian’s Wall which it struck – on the night of 27 September, 2023.
They are accused of driving from Cumbria to the site in Graham’s Range Rover before one used a chainsaw to cut down the tree, and the other filmed the act.
The prosecution has told the jury at Newcastle Crown Court that the pair’s once close bond unravelled as the “public revulsion [over the chopping down of the tree] became clear to them”.
Yesterday, Carruthers was asked why his friendship with Graham ended. He told the jury that Graham came to see him at work one night and told him: “I’m going to go my way and you’re going to go yours – I believe you have been grassing on me.”
Andrew Gurney, defending Carruthers, asked if he had “grassed him up”, and the defendant said he had not.
Carruthers, of Wigton, and Graham, of Carlisle, have said they had nothing to do with the cutting down of the tree, which was famously located for 150 years in a sloping gap of Hadrian’s Wall.
US-UK trade deal with lower tariffs on cars and steel ‘just days away’
Britain is said to be days away from to securing a trade deal with the US which would lessen the impact of Donald Trump’s tariffs.
The UK has been in talks with the Trump administration as part of an attempt to agree a carve out from tariffs, which are wreaking havoc on the global economy.
Trade negotiators have returned to Washington this week and officials told the Financial Times that the trade deal could be agreed in the next few days.
It could include quotas that would exempt a certain number of UK exports from the full impact of 25 per cent tariffs on the British car and steel industry.
In exchange, the officials claimed that the UK has offered concessions on Britain’s digital services tax, which hits major US tech firms including Meta and Amazon. The 2 per cent levy, which was introduced in 2020, raises about £800m a year for the UK.
The UK government is also said to have offered concessions on tariffs on US car exports, as well as a reduction of levies on American agricultural products.
But ministers have repeatedly insisted it will not compromise on food production standards, meaning it is unlikely to compromise on imports of chlorine-washed chicken and hormone-treated beef.
It comes just a day after US treasury secretary Scott Bessent said some trade deals – which the US is looking at signing with as many as 17 countries – could be announced “perhaps as early as this week”.
He said several countries have so far made “good offers” to the US, but declined to provide further details.
Any compromise on the digital services tax is likely to spark backlash, with Labour MPs last month warning the government to avoid a “dash to let the US tech companies off the hook”.
Left-wing Labour MP Rachael Maskell said she would be “concerned if relief was granted” to US tech firms while disabled people in the UK “pay for the revenue loss” through welfare cuts.
Meanwhile, Labour MP for Norwich South, Clive Lewis, added: “This was entirely predictable given how desperate the government is to appease the Trump administration and tech oligarchs around it.
“This is extractive politics at it worst and exactly the kind of deal the Maga [Make America Great Again movement] wants. Rather than move closer to Europe and stand together we’re allowing ourselves to be ripped off.”
On Tuesday, the UK unveiled a £25bn trade agreement with India, which has lowered tariffs on UK exports including whisky, gin and cars as well as imports of clothing from India.
The government said the deal is estimated to add £4.8 billion to GDP per year from 2040.
But ministers were forced to deny the agreement undercuts British workers, after opposition politicians criticised part of the deal that exempts some temporary Indian workers from national insurance payments.
On Wednesday, Jonathan Reynolds described the claim as “completely false”, telling the BBC: “There is no situation where I would ever tolerate British workers being undercut through any trade agreement we would sign. That is not part of the deal.”
A government spokesperson said: “The US is an indispensable ally and talks on an economic deal between the US and the UK are ongoing – but we are not going to provide a running commentary on the details of live discussions or set any timelines.
“We will continue to take a calm and steady approach to talks and aim to find a resolution to help ease the pressure on UK businesses and consumers.”
Prince Harry speaks for first time since BBC interview at Diana Award
The Duke of Sussex has been seen publicly for the first time since he revealed he “would love a reconciliation” with the royal family in an emotional interview.
Prince Harry joined a panel at an event for the Diana Award – a youth initiative set up in memory of his late mother Diana, Princess of Wales.
The duke spoke in Las Vegas on Tuesday evening, days after an interview with the BBC about losing a legal challenge over his security provisions in the UK.
“Through the Diana Award, I’ve had the privilege of meeting young people who have turned adversity into action. That’s not just inspiring—it’s the kind of untapped potential we can’t afford to overlook,” Harry told the panel.
“Far too many young people are locked out of leadership pipelines because we’ve failed to build truly inclusive and accessible pathways.”
According to the Diana Award – which says it has the support of both of Diana’s sons – Harry’s appearance “underscores his continued commitment” to the initiative and “continues the legacy of his mother, Princess Diana, whose unwavering belief in the power of young people remains at the heart of this mission”.
He spoke to Legacy Award winners Sikander ‘Sonny’ Khan, from Michigan in the US, and Christina Williams, from Jamaica, about youth leadership and how employers can proactively create pathways for young people to enter and thrive in the workplace, as he helped launch their new Pledge to Invest initiative.
Meanwhile, the duke’s long-standing rift with his family was brought back into the spotlight last week, after he claimed the King will not speak to him and he does not know “how much longer my father has”, adding that the court battle over his security “is a family dispute”.
The prince stressed that better security was key to repairing his relationship with his family.
He said some members of his family would never forgive him for the book he wrote, Spare, in which he revealed a series of royal secrets.
“There have been so many disagreements between myself and some of my family,” he explained.
However, Harry said he had now “forgiven” them.
“I would love a reconciliation with my family. There’s no point in continuing to fight anymore,” he said. “I don’t know how much longer my father has.”
Trump envoy says Kyiv ready for demilitarised zone in Ukraine: Live
At least two people were killed and seven, including four children, injured in Kyiv overnight as Russia and Ukraine attacked each other’s capital cities just hours before Vladimir Putin’s temporary ceasefire takes effect.
In Russia, Moscow has been targeted by a swarm of Ukrainian drones for the third night in a row, leading to disruption of operations in the Russian capital for more than a day now.
Russian authorities said they were fighting off Ukrainian drones the entire day on Tuesday, when at least 105 hit Russia and at least 19 targeted Moscow ahead of Vladimir Putin’s grand Victory Day parade on Friday.
Moscow’s key airports were closed due to Ukrainian drones as Chinese president Xi Jinping was set to arrive to join Russia’s commemorations, which the Kremlin says will be joined by WW2 veterans and 29 foreign leaders.
Kyiv has warned that attendance would undermine countries’ claims to neutrality over Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Despite Mr Putin claiming to want a 72-hour truce this week to mark the occasion, Russia also launched a major drone strike on Kyiv overnight that set several apartments on fire, officials said.
The pivotal British and Irish Lions pick that will set the tone for Australia tour
A great much has changed in the 137 years since a rag-tag band of nascent rugby players first set sail for the Antipodes. The 1888 tour of New Zealand and Australia retrospectively considered the first in the Lions lineage spanned nearly six months and featured 35 games, beginning and ending on the SS Kaikoura in the docks of Gravesend, with a travelling party that included the only Manxman ever to wear the British and Irish colours. Initial tour captain Robert Seddon did not even make it home, meeting a sad demise after running into difficulty while sculling on the Hunter River.
One does not even look that far back to chart the changing course of a perhaps antiquated concept. As recently as 1997, those selected were left waiting for a Lions letter, with a mischievous Austin Healey hiding the invite of flatmate Will Greenwood, leaving the then-uncapped centre to find out about the honour of a lifetime from a Sky Sports reporter in the Welford Road car park.
Things will be rather different on Thursday afternoon as the 2025 hopefuls find out their fate. Across a two-hour live show at the O2 Arena in front of perhaps more than 2,000 fans, Andy Farrell’s squad will be unveiled in the latest step in the rampant commercialisation of one of rugby’s best-performing and enduring brands. Alongside those who have paid for the privilege to hear 38 or so names read out by Ieuan Evans, a great many more will tune in via the Lions’ broadcast partners for a grant meeting that could have been an email; an administrative necessity given the pomp and platform that the quadrennial adventure demands.
Just one of the selection will be in the arena in full knowledge of their fate, the Lions captain – presumed to be England lock Maro Itoje – joining Farrell and Evans to begin the considerable duties expected of the chosen pride leader. Waiting anxiously elsewhere will be the 70-or-so thought to have been under consideration by the staff – while the dissemination of selection may have changed over the years, making this assembly remains one of the sport’s greatest honours.
For many, it will be a once-in-a-lifetime chance; for Taulupe Faletau and Owen Farrell, a fourth tour is perhaps within reach. News of recent days has only strengthened Faletau’s case. The desperately unfortunate timing of the injury to Caelan Doris is a bitter blow for the Ireland No 8, presumed captain-elect mere months ago but now seemingly likely to miss the trip entirely. While Seddon would perhaps chuckle from on high at describing this as the cruellest of twists, it is a grand shame for Doris – even if Itoje had perhaps edged ahead in a battle to be named skipper. Faletau, England’s Tom Willis or Scotland’s Jack Dempsey are well-placed if Farrell can find a place for another No 8 among the scattered scavenging sevens likely to form the bulk of his back-row group.
The case of the other potential four-time tourist is rather more interesting. The Owen question is one that has loomed over his father since Andy’s announcement as Lions head coach, unfair nepotistic suggestions faced many times before by the former England assistant and yet brought fully into focus again. The thought was that Farrell senior might get ahead of the story, removing the millstone from his neck by taking his son off the table. There would have been reasons to do so: Farrell’s injury woes and mixed form at Racing 92, for one; his taking of an international sabbatical before moving to Paris another.
Yet no suggestion that the 33-year-old is out of contention has been broadcast or briefed. The younger Farrell would clearly add plenty were he to earn inclusion again, his ability to play 10 or 12 valuable on a trip like this, and his experience and competitive edge, too. Both Johnny Sexton, an assistant for this tour, and Finn Russell have spoken of how much they enjoyed working with the Englishman – his ability to drive standards would no doubt be desirable to a coaching team that includes a former half-back partner in Richard Wigglesworth.
No 10 is always an area of intense debate in these infrequent elections, yet this is perhaps the most intriguing group yet. Of the four constituent unions, only one began and ended the Six Nations with the same fly half in harness – whatever Russell’s differences with Sexton, it would be a serious shock if the Scot is not named.
Fin Smith’s coming-of-age continued with an ideal final audition in an Investec Champions Cup call-back, the Northampton playmaker outshining Leinster rival Sam Prendergast, perhaps up for the same part. One cannot rule out either of Smith’s compatriots, namesake Marcus and a resurgent George Ford, while there is also late momentum behind Tom Jordan – a United Rugby Championship (URC) winner at 10 but offering potentially vital versatility.
The task of projecting Farrell’s thinking is tricky for several reasons, an occasionally unconventional selector likely to throw a curveball or two. Equally, it is slightly unclear exactly how many players he will pick. Take too many – as Clive Woodward did in 2005 – and the group can become unruly and unwieldy; take too few, as Warren Gatland eventually concluded he had in 2017, and the head coach risks an unedifying repeat of the “Geography Six” saga, and accusations of cheapening the shirt.
Also at the forefront of Farrell’s mind will be a few injury frets. Can he afford to take someone like Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, yet to play in 2025 but perhaps back in action pre-tour? Mack Hansen, Duhan van der Merwe and Blair Kinghorn are all currently sidelined with issues of varying severity – availability can be one’s best ability at this stage. For those on the outside looking in come Thursday afternoon, staying sharp would be wise: it is unfortunately statistically likely that several of those selected fail to make it to the first Test. Any omissions need only remember the tale of Alex Corbisiero, called up as an injury replacement for Cian Healy at the urging of forwards coach Graham Rowntree in 2013 to have a pivotal impact in the Tests against the Wallabies.
All hope will not, then, be lost for those forced to digest difficult news on Thursday. But for the lucky few selected, a place in the pride will be an honour to last a lifetime.
Bucket-list beaches: Crystalline waters and secret shores in Dalmatia
Dalmatia’s coastline is, quite simply, spectacular. With the lion’s share of Croatia’s 1,200-plus islands, islets and reefs, Dalmatia’s stretch of the Adriatic has some of the country’s most beautiful beaches and seascapes. Whether you’re on the mainland coast or island hopping, you’ll be wowed by towering cliffs that hover over sheltered, pine-fringed coves, and broad sweeps of beaches
The sheer variety of swimming spots means there’s something for everyone; families in search of long stretches of beach with watersports, vibing beach bars and all the facilities to romantics looking for secluded pebbly coves to revel in tranquillity.
If Croatia’s beaches weren’t appealing enough, the coastal waters have just been crowned the cleanest in Europe, beating holiday hotspots including Greece, Spain and Italy to be ranked number one. The European Environment Agency checked out more than 22,000 beaches throughout the European Union, and Croatia’s coastal waters came out on top. In fact, out of nearly 900 Croatian beaches tested, over 99 per cent got the highest rating of ‘excellent’, owing to low industrial pollution, minimal over-construction and a lack of mass commercialisation.
So, beyond being picture-postcard idylls, Dalmatia’s beaches should be your top choice for a relaxed, sustainable holiday in a protected natural environment. To get you started, here’s a selection of Dalmatia’s unmissable beaches.
A popular inclusion in ‘world’s best beach’ lists, Zlatni Rat (pictured above) – also known as Golden Horn – is a curvy, V-shaped beach of fine white pebbles flanked by vivid turquoise waters on the southern coast of the island of Brač. Watch the windsurfers in action as you bask in the sun, or take respite at one of the wood-shaded beach bars. Follow the coastal footpath to the seafront promenade of the much-loved village of Bol – and as it’s only a 20-minute walk to Zlatni Rat, this makes the perfect base for your stay.
For a more laid-back vibe and beautifully calm sea, just a few miles west of Bol is the blissful Murvica. Find a shady spot under the pines to flop after your swim and snorkel in crystal clear waters, or take in vistas of Vidova Gora, the highest peak on the island. There’s a delightfully rustic beach bar where you can grab a cold drink and a bite to eat, and while you’ll have to bring your own parasols, you can reach the beach easily from the carpark.
Punta Rata’s Blue Flag beach is used to vying for the title of Europe’s top beach, and once you set foot on its long expanse of pebbles, it’s clear why. This breathtaking idyll, north of the Makarska Riviera town of Brela, appears to go on forever – fringed with pine trees and surrounded by waters that offer fabulous snorkelling. Look out for the Brela Stone, a giant rock that rises from the sea and is found on many local postcards.
It takes a bit of effort to reach award-winning Stiniva Bay on the southern coast of Vis island, but it’s 100 per cent worth it. Take the rocky footpath downhill to this glittering bay sheltered by two curving cliffs that almost close the cove off from the sea, with only the smallest boats able to squeeze through the gap. There’s just enough room for a beachside café, with its terrace offering superb views.
Heading to the northeastern coast of Vis, and easier to access than Stiniva Bay, you’ll find scenic Stončica Beach. Its sparkling blue waters and mix of white sand and pebble beach, shaded by woods, make this truly picture perfect. The shallow waters, with a very gradual slope, are perfect for children. Stop for lunch on the covered terrace of the waterside restaurant and feast on freshly grilled fish and meat.
Tucked away on Hvar island’s southern coast is the unassuming Dubovica beach – surrounded by tumbling slopes covered in maquis and olive trees. In contrast to the sophisticated beach clubs of Hvar Town, this tiny coastal treat, set in a cove beside a 17th-century church, is perfect for relaxing, while the turquoise waters are made for sea safaris. Refresh and refuel at the beach restaurant or bar.
Back on the mainland on the Makarska Riviera, Velika Duba is a peaceful, pebbly bay backed by fragrant pines and connected to the village of Blato via a pleasantly shaded footpath. It’s all about simple pleasures here: swimming in gin-clear waters, lazing in the sun, doing a bit of snorkelling, having a cold drink in the beachside bar and falling under the spell of a Dalmatian sunset.
For more travel inspiration, information and to plan your trip visit Central Dalmatia
Second $60M US Navy jet falls off USS Harry Truman and is lost at sea
A second U.S. Army jet from the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier has been lost in the Red Sea, the second jet to be lost from the carrier in just 8 days, sources have said.
The pilot and weapons systems officer were forced to eject after officials said the F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet failed to catch the wire at 9:45 p.m. Tuesday and suffered an arrestment failure as it attempted to land on the carrier.
Both aviators survived the incident but suffered minor injuries, said several people familiar with the matter to CNN.
Meanwhile, sources told the network that the Houthis “took a shot” at the Truman Tuesday, despite President Donald Trump announcing a ceasefire with the group hours earlier.
The carrier, which is usually stationed at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, was deployed in the Red Sea eight months ago to defend against threats to shipping vessels by the Iran-backed Houthi rebel group.
Based on initial reporting, an official said the tail hook failed to catch the wire, slowing down the aircraft. The aircraft continued to accelerate toward the bow and subsequently plunged into the water, according to NBC News.
The jet has still not been recovered after the crash, and an investigation is underway.
Just over a week prior, another fighter jet, an F/A-18E Super Hornet worth $67 million, fell into the water from the carrier and was considered lost.
A U.S. Navy statement on 28 April said: “The F/A-18E was actively under tow in the hangar bay when the move crew lost control of the aircraft. The aircraft and tow tractor were lost overboard,” a statement read on April 28.
One sailor sustained a minor injury.
“Sailors towing the aircraft took immediate action to move clear of the aircraft before it fell overboard. An investigation is underway,” it continued.
Trump spoke about the ceasefire inside the Oval Office on Tuesday.
“[The Houthis] just don’t want to fight, and we will honour that and we will stop the bombings, and they have capitulated,” Trump said, while he sat alongside Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in the White House.
Officials have not said whether the missing jet incidents are related.
The Houthi rebels began hijacking commercial ships in November 2023 and have since managed to sink two vessels, seize a third, and kill four crew members.
US-led naval forces have managed to thwart several attacks.
The Independent contacted the U.S. Navy for comment.
Tearing down Ukrainian flags will only serve to embolden Putin
In the shifting sands of British politics, Reform UK is starting to make waves – particularly at the local level. Their recent electoral success can’t simply be written off as a protest vote, and the two main parties are deluding themselves if they think multi-party politics isn’t here to stay.
But with power comes responsibility. Now in charge of ten councils, Reform’s policies are no longer just rhetoric –they’re being put into practice. And rightly, they’re now subject to far greater scrutiny.
Take, for example, Reform’s decision to remove Ukrainian flags from council buildings. This isn’t just a trivial gesture. It reveals a startling naivety about what the war in Ukraine is really about, the depth of Britain’s involvement, and the wider consequences for Europe – including Britain, if Russia is allowed to claim even a partial victory.
Flying the Ukrainian flag is not about “virtue signalling” or picking sides in a partisan scrap. It’s about standing with a democratic nation under siege. Ukraine is fighting for its sovereignty against an unprovoked, brutal invasion by a global aggressor.
Taking that flag down sends a message – whether intended or not – that Reform UK is either indifferent to, or quietly sympathetic toward, Russian aggression. That’s not bold leadership; it’s recklessness. And it risks putting Reform on the wrong side of history.
This war is difficult, no doubt. But the thousands of Ukrainian flags flying across Britain reflect the public’s clear and consistent support, and a sobering reminder of the danger Ukrainians face every day. The flag represents resistance to tyranny, a fight for self-determination, and a defence of democracy. The very values Reform claims to champion. So, again – why pull it down?
Some Reform councillors claim the flag is “divisive” or that “it’s not our war.” But in a world increasingly echoing the dark warnings of 1937, that’s a dangerously short-sighted view. Cyber attacks, espionage, coercion, intellectual property theft, sabotage of undersea cables – we are already in a conflict, operating in the so-called “grey zone.” Russia is not just attacking Ukraine, it’s targeting the West – and Ukraine is holding the front line for us.
Make no mistake: the optics matter. Putin’s regime watches Western disunity like a hawk. Every flag taken down is a signal. Every act of hesitation is seized upon. Reform UK may think it’s making a statement about British identity, but globally, it’s being read as weakness, division, and retreat.
From day one, Britain has been a leading ally of Ukraine – sending weapons, humanitarian aid, and training troops. Flying the Ukrainian flag at council buildings reflects that national stance. Reform’s decision to go off-script risks undermining the UK’s united front. What kind of message does that send to our allies? That solidarity only goes as far as a council vote?
No one is saying the flag should fly forever. But as long as Ukraine is under attack and Britain remains in the fight – symbolically, economically, militarily – the flag matters.
Reform UK wants to be taken seriously. That means knowing the difference between posturing and principle. Taking down the Ukrainian flag isn’t patriotic. It’s tone deaf. Let’s put those flags back up – and stand with them.