Black smoke appears above Sistine Chapel again as Cardinals fail to elect new pope

Black smoke has poured from the Sistine Chapel chimney, signalling that no new Pope has been elected.

It is the second smoke signal from the secret conclave after the 133 cardinal electors sent up a black smoke signal on Wednesday evening as they work to come to a two-thirds majority to elect a successor to Pope Francis.

The smoke is the only public sign of what is happening during the Papal Conclave, after the cardinals handed in their phones and took oaths of secrecy while the Vatican shut down mobile phone towers to protect the deliberations.

The assembled cardinals vote up to four times a day, while crowds gather in St Peter’s Square to wait for the white smoke that signals the Conclave has selected a successor to Pope Francis, who died last month aged 88.

The conclave began with a mass in St Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday morning, and senior cardinal Giovanni Battista Re prayed for the cardinals to be enlightened to choose “the Pope our time needs”.

Cardinals Pietro Parolin and Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle have been among the favourites to succeed Pope Francis, who made liberal changes to the Catholic Church during his 12-year papacy.

Zelensky hits out at Putin’s Moscow ‘Victory Day’ parade as ‘bile and lies’

Volodymyr Zelensky has hit out at Russia’s upcoming Victory Day commemorations as a “parade of bile and lies”, in a passionate rant walking through the streets of Kyiv.

“Tomorrow, the atrocities of the Nazis will be brought up by the organiser of mass graves in Bucha,” the Ukrainian president said in a post to mark Victory in Europe Day, one day before Russia’s Victory Day on 9 May.

“It will be a parade of cynicism, there is just no other way to describe it. A parade of bile and lies, as if it were not dozens of allied states but Putin personally who defeated Nazism.”

Vladimir Putin earlier welcomed his “dear friend” Chinese president Xi Jinping to the Kremlin on Thursday morning, a symbolic visit in which the Chinese president will join ceremonies marking the 80th anniversary of Russia’s “sacred” WW2 victory.

Mr Putin had called a unilateral 72-hour Victory Day ceasefire, which Kyiv has accused it of breaching within minutes of it coming into effect.

One person has been killed in Russian attacks on Ukraine’s northeastern Sumy region as Russia continues to attack the frontline, Ukraine’s military said – but no ballistic missiles or drones were recorded overnight.

Kyiv has made no commitment to the ceasefire.

Arteta comments reveal Arsenal delusion and why rivals dislike them

On a night when Arsenal couldn’t do enough, there were more of those moments when Mikel Arteta doesn’t help himself.

Paris Saint-Germain had beaten Arsenal 3-1 on aggregate, to only extend this feeling that they are Europe’s most exciting – and probably best – side. Despite that, Arteta came out with the following.

“I don’t think there’s been a better team in the competition”, before saying that was “especially across 160 minutes” of the semi-final. That was on top of the curious pre-game comments where Arteta had said Liverpool had won Premier League with fewer points than his own team had managed in the previous two seasons. A mere glance at points-per-game records illustrated this to be nonsense.

It didn’t go down brilliantly within Liverpool, and it is one reason why Arteta has not exactly been one of the Premier League’s more popular managers. Staff at some clubs openly dislike him, and you can’t but notice a certain public glee at Arsenal’s disappointment. At least part of that is down to the manager.

It wasn’t a glee shared on the PSG bench, however. Some of their staff told Arteta they thought Arsenal were excellent. Luis Enrique said the same, even if he wouldn’t go as far as agreeing they were the better team.

Arteta did go as far as saying Gianluigi Donnarumma was “the difference”.

“When you analyse both games, who has been the best player? The MVP has been the same player, the goalkeeper.”

One of the issues with statements like that is that no one wants to really give it credence after a tie where you were beaten by two clear goals, amid a league season where you have dropped from 2.34 points per game to 1.9.

There’s a perception of being in denial, or even delusion. It has certainly played into some opinions about Arteta.

At the very least, PSG always looked like they had more to give, that their attackers could go to another level.

And yet that is precisely why Arteta’s staff would insist there is actually credence in what he has said.

While PSG had such a wealth of options that a rampant Ousmane Dembele was left on the bench, Arsenal had a number-eight playing as a stand-in centre-forward. Despite that, their xG was far superior – 3.14 to 1.74 on the night, 5.11 to 3.08 for the tie – and they felt they created at least seven high-quality chances. Even with some of their lower-quality chances, then, Donnarumma made fine saves.

Arsenal, not for the first time this season, were missing that edge.

“To win a competition, you need that,” Arteta added.

Where there might be more measured criticism is in whether this is connected to some of the season’s wider issues. Injuries have sapped Arsenal of so much attacking intensity, but there is a fair debate to be had about Arteta’s response. In seeking to compensate for his team not being able to attack in the same way, there might have been too much compromise in terms of excessive caution and an over-reliance on set-pieces.

There were many quips within the game about the reliance on Thomas Partey’s long throws. Tony Pulis’ old Stoke City team greatly enjoyed it, as illustrated by some of Glenn Whelan’s social media comments.

Those within Arsenal would argue that this was essential to mitigate the very effects of those injuries. They did score 89 goals in 38 games from a high-pressing approach last season but if you try and play the same way without the same players, you will collapse. There are no clearer examples than Manchester City in autumn and Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool over 2020-21 and 2022-23. The latter went from 2.42 points per game to 1.76, and didn’t even make the Champions League.

In other words, you have to look at other options. The strident argument is that a perceived caution is not by choice. Otherwise, the effect of these injuries would be much worse.

That’s also why he says some of the eyebrow-raising things he says. They are messages to his players, so as to fortify belief and not give excuses. A certain “delusion” is almost necessary.

“Probably in the condition that we are, it’s very unlikely to happen but it was there to happen again and we made it very, very close to happen,” Arteta said. “So just finding those reasons, but actually didn’t. Instead of the things that we don’t have, with the things that we have, we can actually do more to help them.”

For Arteta’s part, too, some people in football might not like him but the vast majority do greatly respect him as a coach. Enrique made that abundantly clear as he said “it was the match we suffered the most”. “They are a great team.”

And for all the derision towards many of Arteta’s comments, there is that extra context.

He has restored Arsenal to being a serious side, that competes at this kind of level. That is something many people thought beyond the club when he took over, and they were a basketcase.

It’s sometimes remarkable in football how you get more criticism the closer you get to the summit.

Many will point to the huge expenditure but, on the last published accounts, Arsenal only had the fifth highest wage bill in the Premier League. They were £80m behind Manchester City and £58m behind Liverpool. People may scoff at mere mention of that but the fact of the matter is that there is a 90 per cent correlation between wage bill and league finish. It is the financial metric that matters most because it reflects the going rate and a club’s ability to match it. Arteta’s staff would similarly point to how it took both City and PSG billions before they got to their first Champions League finals.

Some of the financial differences are admittedly influenced by Arteta’s indecision over a forward, which has now been the club’s recurring issue for two seasons. That has to be rectified, but it is at least something explainable and solvable.

Arsenal are clearly close. They maybe weren’t quite as close as Arteta made out here. That isn’t necessarily something to be laughed at, though.

Meghan releases new photo of Archie to mark sixth birthday

The Duchess of Sussex has marked Prince Archie‘s sixth birthday with a touching tribute.

Sharing a photograph of Archie silhouetted against a fiery sunset, Meghan captioned the image, “Our son. Our sun.”

She added the message: “Happy 6th birthday to Archie! Thank you for all of the love, prayers, and warm wishes for our sweet boy.

“He’s six! Where did the time go?”

The Duchess also revealed that the family had held a celebration to mark Archie’s birthday.

“For all of you who came to celebrate with us at his party last weekend, thank you for making his birthday so incredibly special,” she wrote.

Archie’s celebrations, held thousands of miles away from the royal family in the US, took place after the Duke of Sussex’s bombshell interview with the BBC in which he said the King will not speak to him and he does not know how much longer his father has left.

Harry, speaking after losing a Court of Appeal challenge over his security arrangements while in the UK,  said he “can’t see a world in which I would be bringing my wife and children back to the UK at this point”.

On Tuesday, Meghan revealed that she consulted an Ayurvedic doctor during her pregnancies with Archie and his little sister Lilibet.

On the latest episode of her Confessions of a Female Founder podcast, she discussed her interest in the ancient Indian holistic health system while interviewing Hannah Mendoza, the founder of Clevr Blends.

The conversation also explored the benefits of adaptogens, including mushrooms, which are thought to reduce stress.

Acknowledging that some might view this approach as unconventional, Meghan noted, “I think a lot of people when they hear mushrooms, they go ‘OK, she’s talking about being hippie-dippy, grounded in all these things’”.

She also admitted that the fungus often carries other “connotations”.

“If you aren’t familiar with adaptogens, you can go to this place of ‘Oh, it’s feeling a little psychedelic and super woo-woo’,” she said.

Former Britain’s Got Talent finalist cleared of raping two women

Former Britain’s Got Talent finalist Andrew Johnston, 30, has been found not guilty of raping two women.

Andrew Johnston, 30, competed as a singer on the ITV programme in 2008.

Mr Johnston was charged with raping and sexually assaulting one woman and raping another.

However, he told the Southwark Crown Court during trial that both women had told “a pack of lies”.

He was never aggressive and the sex was consensual, he said.

A jury of nine women and three men found him not guilty on all the charges.

Mr Johnston, wearing a grey suit, held his head in his hands and sobbed as the verdicts were read out.

The alleged offences happened a number of years after Mr Johnston shot to fame as a choirboy on the ITV show, Maryam Syed KC, prosecuting, told the jury previously.

Ms Syed said Mr Johnston, of Carlisle, Cumbria, had been “engaging in consensual sexual activity” with one of the women, but he allegedly removed his condom.

The woman said she “repeatedly told Mr Johnston to stop” but he did not.

The woman told the jury that after the alleged rape she stayed over because she “felt frozen”.

The other woman told police she engaged in consensual sex with the singer and asked him to use a condom.

However, he put his hands around her throat and removed the condom before carrying on, it was alleged.

Mr Johnston was born in Dumfries, Scotland, but moved when he was about eight months old.

After appearing on Britain’s Got Talent, he released an album that went to number four in the UK charts and appeared on tour with other finalists.

He told the court during the trial he had “never sung a note” after the allegations were made.

He has suffered from depression, his mental health is “terrible” and he has lost a relationship, he said.

“I was in a bad place. I was just in a really bad place.”

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

Lions squad set to be unveiled as captaincy selection revealed

The British and Irish Lions squad is set to be named this afternoon as head coach Andy Farrell unveils the group to take on the Wallabies in Australia this summer.

For the first time, the Lions selection will be made live in front of fans, with the Indigo venue at London’s O2 Arena set to host thousands of supporters as the group is confirmed by chair Ieuan Evans. Farrell will be in attendance to explain his decisions, with key calls to be made at fly half – where son Owen is very much in contention – and in the back row, with competition for places huge over the last few months.

Also in attendance at the event will be the leader of the Lions, with lock Maro Itoje set to be named captain after an injury to Ireland’s Caelan Doris. Itoje’s excellent first campaign as England skipper during the Six Nations saw him emerge as a top contender for the role with the Saracens second row set to make a third trip with the quadrennial touring side.

Follow all of the latest as the Lions squad is revealed with our live blog below:

Snow weather warnings issued in Spain as UK temperatures soar

Tourists hoping for a weekend of sun in Spain and the Balearic Islands will be left sorely disappointed as heavy rain and hail is set batter the holiday destination.

A Status Orange storm warning has been issued for large swathes of the country, with thunderstorms predicted in the northern regions, including Barcelona and Madrid.

Popular hotspots across Catalonia, Andalusia, Castile and Valencia have been hit with storm alerts throughout Thursday afternoon and Friday, with forecasters warning of the possibility of snow in higher areas.

AEMET, the state weather agency, has warned that there is a possibility that the conditions will be “accompanied by hail”, with poor weather set to continue throughout the weekend.

It is in stark comparison to the warm and sunny weather expected in the UK on Saturday, with temperatures set to reach 21 degrees in London and highs of 20 degrees in the Scottish Highlands.

The poor weather is being caused by a low-pressure system moving in from the Atlantic, as well as a cold air mass that is making its way across the Iberian Peninsula.

Despite the balmy temperatures usually expected this time of year in Majorca and Menorca, holidaymakers can only expect highs of 20 degrees, with heavy rain, thunderstorms and cloudy conditions running until next Wednesday.

Beach days in Alcudia or cocktails in Palma may require the extra assistance of an umbrella, while the Canary Islands have also been unable to escape the onslaught of bad weather to hit the Mediterranean.

Despite warmer conditions in Tenerife, the island is set to see heavy rainfall over Friday night and through until the weekend, with highs of 22 degrees.

In a post on social media, the forecaster wrote: “Thursday marked by storms. Attention, they will be strong in areas of Galicia and the centre and east of the Peninsula. They may be accompanied by hail.

“In parts of the interior of the Valencian Community, they could be very strong, adn the alert is orange (significant danger).”

Meanwhile, the UK will see “classic” spring weather over the coming days, with temperatures of up to 26C and patches of frost overnight, forecasters have said.

Conditions from Thursday through to Saturday are expected to be broadly similar, with dry weather and sunny spells forecast across the country, according to the Met Office.