Man guilty of murdering couple before dumping remains on bridge
A man has been found guilty of murdering a couple before dumping their remains in suitcases near Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol.
Yostin Andres Mosquera, 35, was found guilty at Woolwich Crown Court of murdering civil partners Albert Alfonso, 62, and Paul Longworth, 71, in July last year in their flat in Scotts Road, Shepherd’s Bush, west London. He then dumped their remains in suitcases near Clifton Suspension Bridge.
Mosquera, who was staying with the couple, “decapitated and dismembered” them, froze parts of their remains and put the rest in luggage, according to the prosecution.
He is alleged to have repeatedly stabbed Mr Alfonso, who suffered injuries to his torso, face and neck. Mr Longworth was attacked with a hammer to the back of his head and his skull shattered, jurors heard.
Mr Alfonso enjoyed “extreme sex” and Mosquera, whom he met online years earlier, was part of that world, jurors heard.
The 62-year-old was stabbed to death during a filmed session; the court was shown footage of Mosquera singing and dancing in the aftermath of the attack.
Prosecutor Deanna Heer KC said that Mosquera planned to hurl the suitcases over the bridge to dispose of the remains after the “calculated” and “premeditated” killings.
Mosquera admitted to killing Mr Alfonso but claimed it was manslaughter by reason of loss of control; he pleaded not guilty to murdering the men and instead insisted Mr Alfonso killed Mr Longworth.
He alleged that he feared for his own life and believed he was going to be killed when he stabbed Mr Alfonso. He claimed he thought that Mr Alfonso would do to him what he claims he had already done to Mr Longworth, adding he felt “intimidated” and threats had been made to his family in Colombia.
His defence counsel suggested his actions after stabbing Mr Alfonso, including singing and dancing, could be an outburst as he was overwhelmed by what had happened.
The jury deliberated for five hours and three minutes before they unanimously found Mosquera guilty.
The judge, Mr Justice Bennathan KC, said he would sentence Mosquera on 24 October after ordering a psychiatric report.
“I am not going to pass sentence on you today although the only one I can pass on you is one of life imprisonment,” he said.
“I am going to order a psychiatric report on you. It is in your interests to cooperate with the psychiatrist so that I can decide the minimum term you are going to serve.”
The judge then acknowledged the difficult nature of this case for jurors, thanking them personally: “We put serious demands on jurors, in this case more than most.
“It went on much longer than the two weeks you were expecting. In this case you have had to look at a very tough video.
“They were terrible brutal events and to read about it is a dreadful thing but to see it is really shocking. If you do want to seek help then speak to the court staff – above all, thank you.”
Detective chief inspector Ollie Stride of the Metropolitan Police described it as “one of the most harrowing murder investigations” he had ever dealt with.
The senior investigating officer in the case told PA: “I think certainly this is probably one of the most traumatic, harrowing murder investigations I’ve dealt with by virtue of that video, and the fact that it took place during their sexual activity in their own home.”
Wimbledon tennis site set to triple in size as campaigners lose high court battle
Plans to almost triple the size of the Wimbledon tennis site are set to proceed after a campaign group’s legal challenge against the decision to approve the proposals was dismissed by a High Court judge.
The proposals, submitted by the All England Club, would see the construction of 38 new tennis courts and an 8,000-seat stadium on the grounds of the former Wimbledon Park Golf Club, which would allow it to host Wimbledon qualifiers on site.
Save Wimbledon Park (SWP) took legal action against the Greater London Authority’s (GLA) decision to grant planning permission last year.
Barristers for SWP told the High Court earlier this month that the decision to approve the plans was “irrational” and should be quashed, as Wimbledon Park – a Grade II*-listed heritage site partly designed by Lancelot “Capability” Brown – was covered by restrictions on how it could be used.
The GLA and the All England Club defended the challenge, with the court told that the decision was a “planning judgment properly exercised” and that the restrictions were not “material”.
In a ruling on Monday, Mr Justice Saini dismissed the challenge.
He said: “In short, the defendant’s decision on the relevance of deliverability, applying to both the statutory trust and the restrictive covenants, was a planning judgment rationally exercised and having regard to appropriate and relevant factors.”
The proposals would see seven maintenance buildings, access points, and an area of parkland with permissive public access constructed, in addition to the courts and associated infrastructure.
They would also include work on Wimbledon Lake, which would involve building a boardwalk around and across it.
After Merton Council approved the plans, but Wandsworth Council rejected them, the Mayor of London’s office took charge of the application, but Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan recused himself from the process after previously expressing public support for the development.
Planning permission for the scheme was granted by Jules Pipe, London’s deputy mayor for planning, who said that the proposals “would facilitate very significant benefits” which “clearly outweigh the harm”.
Debbie Jevans, chair of the All England Club, said at the time that the proposals would deliver 27 acres of “newly accessible parkland for the community”, and would allow the qualifying tournament for Wimbledon – currently staged at Roehampton – to be held on site.
In written submissions, Sasha White KC said that the All England Club acquired the freehold for the golf course in 1993 and the leasehold in 2021.
The barrister told the two-day hearing in London that the land was subject to a “statutory trust requiring it to be kept available for public recreation use” and that when the freehold was acquired, the club entered into “restrictive covenants” governing its use.
He said this meant any plans could not “restrict its use so as not to impair the appreciation of the general public of the extent or openness of the golf course land”.
He continued that separate High Court proceedings were ongoing over whether a statutory trust existed, and that if it does, the All England Club has “accepted” that this is “incompatible with the development of the proposal”.
In court, he said: “You could not have a more protected piece of land within the planning system, frankly.”
Mark Westmoreland Smith KC, for the GLA, said in written submissions that Mr Pipe received “detailed advice” over the “relevance” of the “alleged” trust and covenants, and made his decision on the assumption that they existed.
The barrister said that the decision was a “planning judgment properly exercised and having regard to the appropriate and relevant factors”.
He said: “Officers advised that the alleged obstacle that they may present to delivery of the development was not itself a material consideration which should weigh against the grant of planning permission.”
In his written arguments, Russell Harris KC, for the All England Club, said that planning officers “acknowledged and had regard to” the trust and covenants, but deemed they were not “material”.
Trump ‘named twice’ to FBI by Epstein accuser: Live
A Jeffrey Epstein accuser told the FBI twice that President Donald Trump had ties to the disgraced financier, according to a new report.
Maria Farmer said she urged the bureau to investigate people in Epstein’s social circle, including Trump, in 1996 and again in 2006 after a “troubling encounter,” she told The New York Times.
Farmer recalled that during an alleged visit to Epstein’s office in 1995, Trump “started to hover over her” and allegedly stared at her legs, leaving her feeling frightened. “‘No, no. She’s not here for you,’” Epstein reportedly told Trump, according to Farmer. The White House denied that Trump ever visited Epstein’s office.
The report lands amid MAGA backlash over the Trump administration’s handling of the Epstein case. Amid the fallout, Democrats have accused Trump of trying to “change the subject” by promoting Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard’sconspiracy theory involving former President Barack Obama being linked to the origins of the Russia investigation into Trump’s 2016 campaign.
Trump shared an AI-generated video on Truth Social Thursday, showing Obama being arrested by FBI agents in the Oval Office set to The Village People’s “YMCA.”
Trump threatens NFL stadium deal unless Washington Commanders change name back to Redskins
President Donald Trump is threatening to scuttle the Washington Commanders’ new Washington, D.C. stadium deal if the team refuses to change its name back to the “Redskins.”
After rebranding the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America earlier this year, the president is now calling for the Washington Commanders and the Cleveland Guardians to revert their names to the Washington Redskins and Cleveland Indians, respectively.
But his demands for the Commanders comes with a threat: go back to the Redskins, or lose your stadium.
Graig Graziosi has the details.
Trump threatens stadium deal for Washington Commanders over Redskins name
GOP lawmaker ‘disappointed’ Bondi’s handling of case
On CNN News Central this morning, anchor Kate Bolduan spoke with Republican Rep. Tim Burchett of Tennessee on his calls for the Department of Justice to release evidence against Jeffrey Epstein as the scandal continues to swirl around the Trump administration.
Burchett said he is “disappointed” in Attorney General Pam Bondi’s handling of the Epstein case, but “would trust her” if she “finishes strong.”
Here’s what he said:
I have a saying, it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish. If she finishes strong, then I would trust her. In the past, I didn’t think that things that she had done were — were — I won’t say appropriate. I just don’t think they were as efficient as they could […] The president brought her in pretty quick after … the failed attempt of putting somebody else in there. And they confirmed her very fast. So, I suspect the learning curve was very steep. So, yes, I’m disappointed in her. I’ve been disappointed in her. But … that’s the process. And, generally, you don’t speak out against somebody in your own party. But generally, I haven’t really followed those rules. I don’t — if I’m unhappy with somebody, I just say it … I’m very much on transparency, ma’am.”
Burchett also spoke about the issues of Epstein’s flight logs and the need to screen out innocent people who have flown on his plane.
How the Epstein scandal reignited after Trump returned to White House
Jeffrey Epstein may have been dead for six years, but the circumstances surrounding his death and the evidence supporting federal charges of child sex trafficking continue to make headlines.
Here’s how the scandal reignited in President Donald Trump’s second term:
The Epstein Files: How the saga unfolded within Trump’s administration
Bessent calls for full review of role of Federal Reserve
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has called for a comprehensive review of the Federal Reserve, questioning the institution’s overall success. Speaking on CNBC on Monday morning, Bessent suggested the central bank needed to be examined, citing what he described as “fear-mongering over tariffs” despite minimal inflationary impact.
During an interview, Bessent declined to comment on reports that he had advised President Donald Trump against dismissing Fed chair Jerome Powell, stating such a decision would rest with the president. However, he reiterated his belief that the institution warranted scrutiny.
“I think that what we need to do is examine the entire Federal Reserve institution and whether they have been successful,” Bessent said, adding that he was scheduled to deliver a keynote speech at the U.S. central bank later that evening to open a regulatory conference.
He drew a stark comparison, stating: “If this were the (Federal Aviation Administration) and we were having this many mistakes, we would go back and look at why. Why has this happened? All these PhDs over there, I don’t know what they do.”
President Trump has repeatedly criticised Powell, urging him to resign over the central bank’s reluctance to implement interest-rate cuts. More recently, the president has also targeted a $2.5 billion renovation project at the Fed’s Washington headquarters, which has exceeded its budget, raising concerns about potential fraud and suggesting it could be grounds for Powell’s removal.
Last week, Powell responded to demands for information regarding the cost overruns, explaining that the project’s large scope included numerous safety upgrades and the removal of hazardous materials.
Bessent refrained from speculating on predictions that U.S. financial markets could crash if Powell were to be ousted.
Powell’s term as chair is set to conclude in May 2026, though he is scheduled to remain a Fed governor until January 2028.
With reporting from Reuters
Obama-appointed Florida judge to preside over Trump’s $10bn Murdoch and WSJ lawsuit
The federal judge randomly assigned to oversee Donald Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal is a former federal prosecutor appointed to the bench by Barack Obama.
Judge Darrin P. Gayles with the Southern District of Florida, a former U.S. attorney, was appointed by the former president in 2014. He was unanimously confirmed in the Senate by a vote of 98-0.
Alex Woodward reports.
Obama-appointed Florida judge to preside over Trump’s WSJ lawsuit
CNN contributor’s young son crashes tense Epstein discussion live on-air
CNN correspondent Brian Stelter’s son has stolen the spotlight after providing a light-hearted moment during an intense on-air discussion.
During a live CNN segment Sunday, the 39-year-old chief media analyst was discussing President Donald Trump’s $10 billion defamation lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal, after the newspaper published the president’s alleged birthday card to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Amber Raiken has the story.
Moment CNN contributor’s young son crashes tense Epstein discussion live on-air
Michael Wolff and Trump’s former fixer candidly discuss Trump-Epstein relationship
Author and journalist Michael Wolff sat down with Donald Trump’s former attorney and personal fixer, Michael Cohen, to discuss the “person most implicated” by their ties to Jeffrey Epstein: Donald Trump.
Wolff, known for his insider accounts of Trump’s presidency, also claims to have recorded roughly 100 hours of interviews with Jeffrey Epstein.
Watch the clip from his appearance Sunday on Cohen’s Mea Culpa podcast:
Trump attacks cashless bail as driving crime
President Donald Trump has attacked the use of cashless bail for offenders as driving crime in American cities.
He wrote on Truth Social:
Crime in American Cities started to significantly rise when they went to CASHLESS BAIL. The WORST criminals are flooding our streets and endangering even our great law enforcement officers. It is a complete disaster, and must be ended, IMMEDIATELY!
Musk isn’t letting up on Epstein files release
Nearly two months after Elon Musk dropped his “really big bomb,” alleging that Donald Trump “is in” the Jeffrey Epstein files, the tech billionaire shows no signs of backing down.
In two early morning tweets on Monday, Trump’s former First Buddy continued to push for the release of the full, unredeacted Epstein files.
In one post, Musk replied to a clip of Mark Levin speaking to House Speaker Mike Johnson with a single eyebrow-raising emoji after the Fox News host said, “We can’t waste our time on Epstein.”
About three minutes later, Musk posted a bullseye emoji in response to Kentucky Representative Thomas Massie, who wrote: “Was George Orwell talking about the Epstein ‘hoax’ when he wrote… ‘The party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command.’”
Swimmers protest against removal of rafts from Weymouth beach
Protesters have taken to the sea in Weymouth over the sudden removal of the “beloved” floating sea rafts – which had been in place for over 80 years – over health and safety concerns.
The town council removed the two platforms due to safety concerns around blind spots to the RNLI lifeguards on duty, but the move has been accused of being a “cost-cutting measure”.
Local residents have taken to the waters to protest against their removal and demand their return as soon as possible.
Jade O’Brien, who launched a petition to the council, said: “For over 40 years the rafts have stood in these waters, providing safe recreation and cherished experiences for generations.
“Weymouth town council decided to remove these beloved rafts, citing safety concerns of blind spots to the lifeguard on duty.
“However, incidents have been rare, and Greenhill Beach has consistently maintained a strong safety record. It doesn’t make sense.”
She continued: “The rafts not only signify leisure but are integral to our community. They encourage children to exercise, learn to swim, and develop water confidence.
“By removing them, we are not only subtracting an element of enjoyment but also diminishing the vitality of Greenhill Beach.”
Nearly 4,000 people have signed a petition to restore the rafts, while the council have denied it forms part of a cost-cutting move.
In a statement on their website, they said that the council had been informed on 10 July that RNLI would not include a platform or pontoon as part of their primary or secondary areas of operation, and so the rafts would not be considered as part of their immediate responsibilities.
This was due to them creating a “blind spot for the lifeguards which operate from the beach and therefore pose a risk to members of the public”.
As a result, the council’s insurance providers confirmed they were unable to offer cover in the event of claim for incident or accident.
A spokesperson for the council said: “We remain committed to trying to find a way to get the rafts returned to Greenhill Beach. To do this we will continue to work with our partners and take advice on how we can achieve this.
“Our goal is to get the rafts back out in the sea as soon as possible, whilst ensuring that the council’s legal health and safety obligations are met.”
The Observer apologises for ‘racist’ cartoon of Zarah Sultana
The Observer has apologised and taken down a cartoon portraying Zarah Sultana after the former Labour MP accused the publication of racism.
The newspaper’s cartoon of the week depicted Ms Sultana on the front of a box of raisins in the style of the brand Sun-Maid as part of a mock invite to a Jeremy Corbyn party following news that the two were forming their own political party.
Ms Sultana said of the caricature: “Brownfacing a box of raisins and mocking my surname. Exactly what you’d expect from a right-wing hack who is the daughter of an aristocrat and ex-Tory MP” in reference to cartoonist Saffron Swire, daughter of Sir Hugo Swire.
She later called the cartoon “racist trash” in a separate post.
In response, a spokesperson from The Observer said on Monday: “We are genuinely sorry for any offence caused and we are in the process of removing the cartoon.”
Ms Swire’s cartoon depicted Mr Corbyn dressed in a bright red jumpsuit with hammer and sickle decorations, in which the former labour leader said from a speech bubble: “Let’s paint the town red!”
As well as the depiction of Ms Sultana on the raisin box, there was a picture of Karl Marx’s Das Kapital in the cartoon, with the slogan “with goodie bags for the many (not the few)”.
Ms Sultana responded to The Observer’s apology, calling it “mealy-mouthed.” She added it “refuses to call it what it is: racism.
“It doesn’t even have the decency to name me, let alone offer a direct apology,” she continued. “Supine journalism from The Observer, but sadly that’s what we’ve come to expect from the mainstream media.”
Ms Sultana resigned from Labour earlier this month to form a political party with Mr Corbyn, which still has no name. Rumours suggested early on that the Islington North MP had not fully committed to join after he was initially quiet.
Mr Corbyn broke his silence to declare: “Real change is coming.
“One year on from the election, this Labour government has refused to deliver the change people expected and deserved. Poverty, inequality and war are not inevitable. Our country needs to change direction, now.
“Congratulations to Zarah Sultana on her principled decision to leave the Labour Party. I am delighted that she will help us build a real alternative.”
He added: “The democratic foundations of a new kind of political party will soon take shape. Discussions are ongoing – and I am excited to work alongside all communities to fight for the future people deserve.
“Together, we can create something that is desperately missing from our broken political system: hope.”
Ms Sultana had the whip removed from her while she was a Labour MP last year after voting to scrap the two child benefit cap.
When my friends were facing cancer, a community of people stepped up
When I was younger, I used to worry incessantly about my parents getting cancer. I’d lay awake at night, ruminating on what would happen to my brother and I if they did. Who would support us? Thankfully, both are still cancer-free, well into their seventies.
However, now that I’m a parent myself, I worry about my children. Many people believe that cancer only really happens to people in old age, but that’s just not true. One beloved friend’s daughter died of leukaemia in 2020, aged just five; an unthinkable horror that changed the lives of everyone who knew her and her family.
And with Macmillan Cancer Support reporting that almost 3.5 million people in the UK are living with cancer, I also worry about my friends – parents themselves, their lives touched by cancer. One friend sat me down in our favourite local café, our toddlers playing at our feet, to break the news that she was about to undergo a double mastectomy. We cried together.
Another friend, Sarah, a single parent to two teenage girls, was diagnosed with breast cancer the day before we heard that King Charles had cancer, and a month before the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, announced her own diagnosis in March last year. It seemed like cancer was everywhere.
As a result, Sarah put 2024 on hold – she missed her daughter’s last sports day and last concert at primary school and had to find a whole new way of co-ordinating family life.
“I’m lucky in some ways that my children are teenagers, so they are able to look after themselves to some degree – but I’m also a single parent, so there are some things that they can’t do, or struggle with, due to their age,” she tells me.
“I have even set up multiple alarms on our Alexa reminding them to put their packed lunches in their bags or leave for school, just in case I can’t get up.”
Sarah says she thought she knew quite a lot about cancer prior to her diagnosis, but now admits she “really didn’t”. She explains: “There are so many terms and procedures to understand – stages and grades, not to mention over 100 different chemotherapy drugs.”
Sarah tells me about the exhausting cumulative effect of chemotherapy, which she endured every three weeks during her cancer treatment: “After the very first lot, I slept for a few hours and felt much better pretty quickly. For my last rounds, I slept for 48 hours solid and even days later, I needed to have a nap in the middle of the day and was in bed by 8pm.”
Sarah’s now finished chemotherapy and, a year on from her diagnosis, is turning 50. She’s throwing a huge party to celebrate not only the birthday milestone, but getting over this “annus horriblis” – a year she couldn’t have gotten through without the people around her.
“People can do so much for us when we are unwell – and I am forever grateful,” she says. “I’ve been really overwhelmed by the support that my friends have given me; from ferrying around my children to and from after-school events and sleepovers when things get bad, to my 75-year-old neighbour mowing the lawn. One friend popped round with a huge pot of pasta sauce and I even had a gift box from a recruiter at work.”
What talking to my strong, resilient friends about their cancer journeys has made me realise most, is the power of community: for when we receive the worst news imaginable, what we need is people around us to see us through. A community of other women: friends, school mums, neighbours.
They had people willing to make them food, pick up their children, go shopping for them or to just sit with them and listen. They had support when they decided to raise money for cancer support charities, when they did fundraisers such as hosting a Macmillan Coffee Morning.
It takes a village to raise a child – and that village will be with you every step of the way when you need them most.
Find out how you can help raise vital funds by hosting a Macmillan Coffee Morning. Sign up now on the Macmillan website
Macmillan Cancer Support, registered charity in England and Wales (261017), Scotland (SC039907) and the Isle of Man (604). Also operating in Northern Ireland.
Ukraine latest: Moscow opens door to Trump-Putin meeting in China
Europe has promised more air defence systems and ammunition for Ukraine hours after Kyiv was hit by another barrage of Russian drones and missiles overnight.
Speaking at a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) on Monday, UK defence secretary John Healey said Ukraine and its allies stand at a moment of “maximum opportunity” to bolster Kyiv for negotiations to end the war. He called on the UK and other allies to use Donald Trump’s 50-day ultimatum to Vladimir Putin to start a “50-day drive” to arm Ukraine ahead of any talks.
Politico reported London and Berlin confirmed that Germany will spend €170 million in UK-led procurement of air defence ammunition for Kyiv.
The announcement comes only hours after Russia unleashed one of its largest aerial assaults on Ukraine in recent months, launching 450 drones and missiles, according to Ukraine’s air force.
The hours-long attack killed two people and wounded 15, including a 12-year-old, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said.
The heaviest strikes hit Kyiv’s Darnytskyi district, where a kindergarten, supermarket and warehouse facilities caught fire. In Kyiv’s Shevchenkivskyi district, a drone struck the entrance to a subway station where people had taken cover.
Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Vladimir Putin would visit Beijing for events to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two in September, and said there could be a meeting with Donald Trump if he is there too.
‘Putin wants us to panic’: How Russia has amped up its aerial strikes on Ukraine
‘Putin wants us to panic’: How Russia has amped up its aerial strikes on Ukraine
Russian airstrikes hit Konstantinivka, damaging homes and warehouses
Russian forces have launched fresh airstrikes on the eastern Ukrainian city of Konstantinivka, damaging residential buildings and warehouses but causing no casualties, local officials have said.
Sergii Horbunov, head of the city’s military administration, said two FAB-250 bombs were dropped on the city on Monday, striking at least eight sites, including warehouse premises, private homes and a car.
“Fortunately, there are no victims among the civilian population,” Mr Horbunov said, describing the attack as “another example of targeted terror against civilians.”
He also urged residents still living near the front lines to evacuate if possible, warning of ongoing danger from further strikes.
Europe promises more air defence for Ukraine
Europe has promised more air defence systems and ammunition for Ukraine hours after Kyiv was hit by another barrage of Russian drones and missiles overnight.
Speaking ahead of a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG), Politico reported the German defence minister Boris Pistorius said: “Together we have to stop this war machine by joining forces to support Ukraine with all our might. First and foremost, this requires us to urgently bolster Ukrainian air defense.”
Germany will spend €170 million in UK-led procurement of air defence ammunition for Kyiv, London and Berlin confirmed on Monday, according to the publication.
Ukraine’s allies stand at ‘moment of maximum opportunity’ – Healey
Ukraine and its allies stand at a moment of “maximum opportunity” to bolster Kyiv for negotiations to end the war, John Healey has said.
The Defence Secretary said the UK and other allies must use Donald Trump’s 50-day ultimatum to Vladimir Putin to start a “50-day drive” to arm Ukraine ahead of any talks, to strengthen its hand against Russia.
Speaking at the 29th meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG), Mr Healey told allies gathered from 52 nations: “This is a moment of maximum opportunity.
“Last week, President Trump announced a new plan for large scale Nato weapons transfers, and committed to getting these, he said, quickly distributed to the battlefield.
“The UK backs this policy. We will play our full part in its success.”
Mr Healey added: “Alongside this new agreement to ensure that Ukraine has what it needs to defend itself, President Trump also started the clock on a 50-day deadline for Putin to agree to peace or to face crippling economic sanctions.
“And as members of this UDCG, we need to step up, in turn, a 50-day drive to arm Ukraine on the battlefield and to help push Putin to the negotiating table.”
Poland readies ‘how to’ guide to coping in case of war
Poland is preparing a manual on how to cope in case of war or natural disaster, officials have said.
The 40-page pamphlet, titled “Safety guide”, gives advice on getting clean water, responding to air raids or blackouts and locating bomb shelters, as part of the first public awareness campaign of its kind in Poland in decades.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has repeatedly warned that the threat of a global war is serious and real, especially in the context of the war in Ukraine and allegations of Russian sabotage, disinformation and cyberattacks against the West.
Russia has repeatedly denied that it engages in sabotage or cyberattacks on other countries and says it has no intention of starting a war with Nato.
“Wars are not won on the front lines. The Ukrainian example shows it very clearly,” said Robert Klonowski, Polish interior ministry deputy director.
The booklet warns that during a crisis, supplies of food, medicine, and gasoline could run short, the government said.
The booklet, which will be released online in September in Polish, will later be translated into English and Ukrainian, with plans to produce a Braille and children’s version, the ministry added.
The ministry plans to deliver printed copies to all 14 million households in Poland.
‘Putin wants us to panic’: How Russia has amped up its aerial strikes on Ukraine
Russia has launched fresh aerial strikes on Ukraine overnight, killing two people and injuring several others.
Ukraine’s air force said Russia launched 426 drones and 24 missiles overnight, bringing the total number of strikes on the country this month to 5,402.
In response, president Volodymyr Zelensky urged Ukraine’s allies to scale up production of air defence systems and interceptor drones to help protect against future attacks.
Russia’s aerial attack on Ukraine is the latest in a streak of record-breaking aerial attacks over the past two months. Below, The Independent looks at how, and why, Russia has decided to target Ukraine’s cities with such devastating force.
‘Putin wants us to panic’: How Russia has amped up its aerial strikes on Ukraine
How the EU aims to put the squeeze on the Russian economy with new sanctions package
How the EU aims to put the squeeze on the Russian economy with new sanctions
Poland prepares safety manual in case of war
Poland is preparing a manual on how to cope in case of war or natural disaster, an interior ministry official has said.
The manual aims to strengthen national resilience amid heightened regional uncertainty including conflict in neighbouring Ukraine.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has repeatedly warned that the threat of a global war is serious and real, especially in the context of the war in Ukraine and allegations of Russian sabotage, disinformation and cyberattacks against the West.
Ukraine needs $6 billion to close defence gap: Kyiv
Ukraine needs $6 billion to close this year’s defence procurement gap, Defence Minister Denys Shmyhal has said.
During an online meeting with Western allies to discuss weapons supplies to Ukraine, Shmyhal said the additional funds would allow for the production of more drones to maintain frontline defence lines, strengthen air defence, and for more deep strikes on Russia.
Lionesses respond to Carter abuse and Williamson injury latest
England are building up to their Euro 2025 semi-final against Italy and have revealed an update on the fitness of captain Leah Williamson before travelling to Geneva as they look to return to the final.
Williamson was forced off with an ankle injury during England’s dramatic quarter-final win over Sweden but the Lionesses are “very optimistic” that the defender will be available to play against Italy.
And there was a further boost as Williamson took part in England’s training session this morning, while manager Sarina Wiegman will also give an update in her press conference later this evening.
The Lionesses are continuing to support Jess Carter after the defender revealed she has been receiving racist abuse since the start of Euro 2025.
England’s players will not take the knee before Tuesday’s semi-final and want stronger action from the FA over the abuse suffered by Carter, with some players pushing for a boycott of social media.
Sarina Wiegman aiming for third Euros final
Sarina Wiegman can become the first coach in 20 years to reach a third consecutive European Championship final if England beat Italy tomorrow night.
The Dutch coach took the Netherlands to the Euro 2017 final and then the Lionesses to the Euro 2022 final, with her team going on to lift the trophy on both occasions.
Gero Bisanz (1989, 1991, 1995 with Germany), Even Pellerud (1991, 1993, 2013 with Norway) and Christina Theune-Meyer (1997, 2001, 2005 with Germany) previously reached three in a row.
England’s semi-final record
England have reached a sixth consecutive major tournament semi-final, the best of results in their history. The Lionesses have won their last two semi-final appearances under Sarina Wiegman, at the 2023 World Cup and Euro 2022, but lost the previous three.
Euro 2025: vs Italy
World Cup 2023: 3-1 vs Australia – W
Euro 2022: 4-0 vs Sweden – W
World Cup 2019: 1-2 vs United States – L
Euro 2017 – 0-3 vs Netherlands – L
World Cup 2015: 1-2 vs Japan – L
What is the England team news before Euro 2025 semi-final?
Leah Williamson has recovered from the ankle injury which forced the England captain off against Sweden while Lucy Bronze and Lauren James have also trained after England’s gruelling win on Thursday night. Sarina Wiegman will give an update in her pre-match press conference later.
The nature of England’s first-half performance means there may be some changes anyway, with Chloe Kelly pushing for more involvement after her explosive impact off the bench against Sweden.
Jess Carter, who has revealed she has received racist abuse throughout Euro 2025 and is stepping back from social media, struggled in defence before England’s reshuffle and Morgan and Niamh Charles could be involved if Williamson is unavailable and Wiegman decides to make more changes either side of Alex Greenwood.
Abuse facing women’s footballers getting ‘worse and worse’, says Lucy Bronze
Lucy Bronze, who is England’s most senior player at Euro 2025, says the online abuse faced by women’s footballers is getting “worse and worse” the bigger the game becomes.
“We’re obviously open to critics – that’s why we love the sport – but we’re not open to abuse,” said Bronze, who is playing in her seventh major tournament for England.
“We see it more in the stadiums in men’s football and online, but I think with women’s football there seems to be a real target online.
“It’s something that we’re very aware of. There is a way to make a change. There is a solution. I don’t have the answer, but I’m sure that there is one.”
Taking the knee has ‘lost its purpose’, says England’s Alex Greenwood
England defender Alex Greenwood said taking the knee has “lost its purpose” and said the Lionesses want to stake a stand against racist abuse after Jess Carter revealed her ordeal at Euro 2025.
“We hope other organisations, and other teams, have the same feeling as us and also want to do something to make a change,” Greenwood said to BBC Radio 5 Live.
“But the responsibility lies with us in our team right now and what we’ve decided to do, we feel really passionate and strongly about.
“I know we can only do so much, but what we are capable of doing, we will continue to do.”
Why did goalkeeper Jennifer Falk take Sweden’s fifth penalty against England?
On the eve of Sweden’s Euro 2025 quarter-final against England, in what transpired to be his final match in charge, Peter Gerhardsson was asked for an insight into how he prepares his team for penalty shoot-outs. Gerhardsson gave a long response, essentially explaining that it was impossible to pick five players to take a penalty until the moment actually arrived.
Against England on Thursday, Gerhardsson and his coaching staff made a choice that would later define the shoot-out. There was an audible gasp in the Stadion Letzigrund as goalkeeper Jennifer Falk stepped forward to take Sweden’s fifth penalty.
Why did goalkeeper Jennifer Falk take Sweden’s fifth penalty against England?
England cannot afford to ignore their biggest concern at Women’s Euro 2025
Sarina Wiegman’s side were lucky to beat Sweden and semi-final opponents Italy have been handed a clear look at how to beat the Lionesses.
England cannot afford to ignore their biggest concern at Women’s Euro 2025
Lucy Bronze inspires England’s mentality before Euro 2025 semi-final
England defender Esme Morgan said Lucy Bronze’s warrior spirit is inspiring the Lionesses at Euro 2025, with the veteran’s “passion, energy and fight” spreading around the team as they prepare for Tuesday’s semi-final against Italy.
Bronze scored England’s decisive penalty in the dramatic shoot-out victory over Sweden and created an iconic image as she removed the tape on her leg and defied tightness in her hamstring to step up for her country.
The right back is appearing at her seventh major tournament for England and with the Lionesses now through to their sixth consecutive semi-final, Morgan said Bronze remains as important as ever.
“I don’t think it can really be put into words,” Morgan said. “She is such an incredible leader in this team. We are all inspired by her mentality. She’s a freak really, in that she just has so much passion, energy, fight, and she infects everyone else with it.”
‘She’s a freak’: Lucy Bronze inspires England’s mentality before Euro 2025 semi-final
Italy aim to make history at Euro 2025 three years after turning professional
Italy’s women’s national football team is one win from the European Championship final, a stark contrast to just three years ago when its players couldn’t even get professional contracts in their own country.
Veteran captain Cristiana Girelli was visibly emotional after her two goals inspired Italy to a 2-1 victory over Norway last week, securing their first semi-final appearance at the tournament in 28 years.
The Azzurre next play defending champions England on Tuesday in Geneva.
Reflecting on the achievement, Girelli, still wiping tears from her eyes, articulated the profound significance of their journey.
“It’s a great joy to be among the top four in Europe and it is a happiness that we want to share because we know how important it is to bring home the results in Italy and especially for the new generations,” she said.
Italy aim to make history three years after turning professional
Why teenage wildcard Michelle Agyemang is the key to England’s chaos theory
As England prepare for their Euro 2025 semi-final against Italy on Tuesday night, Sarina Wiegman knows she can rely on a 19-year-old striker who thrives when the Lionesses are in trouble.