Inside Putin’s gilded Kremlin apartment – with a baby grand piano
Vladimir Putin has given a rare tour of his home near the Kremlin, featuring gilded wood panelling, a white baby grand piano, and a home gym.
The corridor of the spacious apartment is lined with clothes racks filled with suits and shirts. “Everything is here,” the Russian president said, opening the gold-edged doors.
“As you can see, it’s not far away,” he says while bringing the camera crew into a sitting room, suggesting the apartment is close to the Kremlin.
It’s an insight into the private life of Putin, who opened his home for a state media documentary to mark 25 years as leader.
Putin said he has spent the last three years mostly living in the city apartment – having launched Russia’s invasion of Ukraine three years ago.
When the state media journalists posited that Ukraine and the West have wanted to provoke Russia over the past three years, Putin said that was correct.
“They wanted us to make mistakes,” Putin said, adding he hoped there would be no need to use nuclear weapons.
A gilded sitting room with heavy layered curtains and pale sofas that Putin said he once hosted former US president Bill Clinton in also features a white baby grand piano, which Putin said he “rarely” has time to play.
In the footage, he invites the film crew into a small kitchen and offers them kefir to drink, plating some chocolates that Putin said were a gift.
They then sit in a much larger dining room, complete with gold-framed mirrors and high ceilings for an interview.
Asked about any succession plan, Putin said, “I always think about it”.
“In the end, the choice is for the people, for the Russian people, for citizens, who have a chance to do something serious,” he said.
“The chances of truly achieving something are slim for a person who doesn’t have the trust of the people behind them.”
During the tour, Putin showed off the “most important part” of the apartment: his home gym, filled with exercise and weight machines and a mirrored wall. Putin told the journalist he spends 1.5 hours a day exercising.
In an ornate, wood-pannelled room, Putin points to a projector screen that can be pulled down to transform the room into a cinema.
Putin also showed off his home chapel, replete with Byzantine-style paintings, large golden candelabras and more gilding. Putin said he uses the chapel to pray.
Rebekah Vardy to pay £1.2m of Coleen Rooney’s fees after Wagatha trial
Rebekah Vardy has agreed to pay a substantial sum of nearly £1.2 million towards Coleen Rooney‘s legal costs, following the conclusion of their highly publicised “Wagatha Christie” libel case.
A specialist costs court had previously heard that Mrs Rooney, wife of former England footballer Wayne Rooney, accrued legal fees exceeding £1.8 million in successfully defending the claim brought against her by Mrs Vardy in 2022.
In written submissions for a hearing on Tuesday, Mrs Vardy’s barrister, Juliet Wells, said that Mrs Rooney’s total legal bill of £1,833,906.89 “has now been settled at £1,190,000, being c.£1,125,000 plus interest of c.£65.000”.
Ms Wells continued that Mrs Rooney is now claiming additional “assessment costs” of more than £300,000, which she described as “grossly disproportionate” and should be capped at “no more than £100,000”.
Lawyers for Mrs Rooney said in written submissions that Mrs Vardy was “the author of her own misfortune” and that she should “reflect upon her approach”.
The full amount of the assessment costs will be determined at the hearing before Costs Judge Mark Whalan, who said he was “pleased” that the two sides had come to an agreement after a “hard-fought” legal battle.
The judge also said that the agreed figure was “inclusive of VAT”, adding: “I commend both sides for reaching that accommodation.”
Tuesday’s hearing is expected to deal with matters including lawyers’ hourly rates and other costs.
In her written submissions, Ms Wells said that Mrs Rooney’s original £1.8m legal bill was “substandard” and included costs “of briefing the press” and others to which she had “no entitlement”.
She continued that the bill could have been settled sooner if Mrs Rooney had “engaged more constructively”.
She said that Mrs Vardy had offered to settle the legal bill for £1.1 million, excluding interest and assessment costs, in August 2024, which was rejected “out of hand”.
She said: “Mrs Vardy went to significant lengths to negotiate the bill despite being hamstrung by a lack of information and cooperation from Mrs Rooney’s camp.
“By contrast, Mrs Rooney’s tone when it came to settlement negotiations was intransigent and frequently belligerent.”
Robin Dunne, for Mrs Rooney, said in written submissions that Mrs Vardy had been “drip feeding” settlement offers.
He continued that Mrs Rooney’s lawyers had to complete “additional work” as “lurid headlines arising from briefings from Mrs Vardy’s camp dominated the press in the days before and during the hearings” in the case.
He said: “There will rarely be a case where it can be said with greater force that Mrs Vardy is the author of her own misfortune.
“She took every conceivable point in this assessment, put Mrs Rooney to very significant work on each and every aspect of the proceedings, raised highly technical and potentially damaging issues and failed to make any reasonable offers for the bill until the 11th hour.
“Her conduct has caused Mrs Rooney to incur £315,000 of assessment costs. This is higher than would have been the case had Mrs Vardy approached these costs proceedings reasonably.
“If Mrs Vardy now wishes that the sum claimed were lower, she need only reflect upon her approach and conduct throughout.”
In the viral social media post in October 2019 at the heart of the libel claim, Mrs Rooney said she had carried out a months-long “sting operation” and accused Mrs Vardy of leaking information about her private life to the press.
Mrs Rooney publicly claimed Mrs Vardy’s account was the source behind three stories in The Sun newspaper featuring fake details she had posted on her private Instagram profile – her travelling to Mexico for a “gender selection” procedure, her planning to return to TV and the basement flooding at her home.
After the high-profile trial, Mrs Justice Steyn ruled in Mrs Rooney’s favour, finding it was “likely” that Mrs Vardy’s agent, Caroline Watt, had passed information to The Sun and that Mrs Vardy “knew of and condoned this behaviour” and had “actively” engaged.
Neither Mrs Vardy nor Mrs Rooney attended Tuesday’s remote hearing.
Husband’s shock over ‘affair’ linked to British wife killed in France
The husband of a British woman stabbed to death in a French village has described his shock after police said an affair with a local man could have been a motive.
Alan Carter, 65, said the police investigation into the death of his wife of 30 years, Karen Carter, alleged a “relationship I did not want to believe”.
Ms Carter was found dying in her driveway with stab wounds on 29 April after she had been at a wine-tasting event in Trémolat, the Dordogne, earlier that evening.
A statement by French investigators said: “The investigation is focusing on the people who were likely after the victim or the couple she formed with her friend, both of whom were very active in the local social and community fabric.”
Mr Carter, who lives in South Africa and spent some of his time in France, told The Times that the police statement had compounded his grief and that of their children.
“I could not have imagined that Karen got caught up in what is being talked about as some sort of love triangle that resulted in her being murdered in France,” he said.
Ms Carter reportedly ran a cafe in the village with Jean-François Guerrier, a 74-year-old retired businessman, who worked as a volunteer. She lived in France and managed two holiday homes since visiting the country in 2009.
At one stage, she ran a lifestyle blog for women over 50 called La Vie est Belle (Life is Beautiful). She was also a leading player in the Queens of Football (Reines du Foot) team, which in early April completed a tour of South Africa.
Last week, a Trémolat resident said: “Everyone is in total shock. Ms Carter was a delightful, energetic person who got on with everybody.
“We saw emergency vehicles in the village, and then lots of police cars, and then the area around her house was cordoned off,” said the resident, who asked to remain anonymous for safety reasons.
“Nobody can understand how this could have happened in a peaceful place like this. We are all keeping our doors locked. It is deeply worrying.”
The Dordogne is an area of France hugely popular with British tourists, second home owners and expat pensioners.
In February, British couple Andrew and Dawn Searle, who previously lived in East Lothian in Scotland, were found dead at their home in the southwest village of Les Peques, north of Toulouse.
Seventy-two former Eurovision contestants call for Israel to be banned
Seventy-two former Eurovision contestants have signed an open letter calling for Israel and its national broadcaster KAN to be banned from this year’s contest.
The letter seen by The Independent is addressed to the European Broadcasting Union, which organises Eurovision, and blames the uproar that surrounded last year’s event in Sweden for leading to “the most politicised, chaotic and unpleasant in the competition’s history”.
It accuses KAN of being “complicit in Israel’s genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza and the decades-long regime of apartheid and military occupation against the entire Palestinian people”.
Israel vehemently denies that it is committing genocide. Court proceedings at the United Nation’s highest court, the International Court of Justice, are ongoing.
In 2023, KAN reporter Rotem Achihun was filmed joking with Israeli soldiers while appearing to write a “message for Gaza” on the side of a tank shell.
KAN received heavy criticism last year for its delegation’s alleged treatment of contestants.
Irish contestant Bambie Thug accused the network of “inciting violence against me, twice, three times”. The singer withdrew from dress rehearsals over the controversy, prompting the EBU to confirm it had spoken with KAN about its coverage.
Among the signatories of the letter are 2023 UK contestant Mae Muller, Ireland’s 1994 champion Charlie McGettigan, and Portuguese singer Fernando Tordo.
“By continuing to platform the representation of the Israeli state, the EBU is normalising and whitewashing its crimes,” the letter states.
“The EBU has already demonstrated that it is capable of taking measures, as in 2022, when it expelled Russia from the competition. We don’t accept this double standard regarding Israel.
“We stand in solidarity with this year’s contestants and condemn the EBU’s repeated refusal to take responsibility.”
Eurovision 2024 was plagued by controversy due to Israel’s participation in the contest amid its ongoing attacks on Gaza. Some critics accused the EBU of hypocrisy for refusing to remove Israel from the competition, having previously ejected Russia in 2022 following Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
“[It] can’t be one rule for Russia and a completely different rule for Israel. You bomb, you’re out,” Thea Garrett, who represented Malta in 2010 and who signed the letter, said.
Israel was ultimately allowed to compete last year with its delegate Eden Golan, despite threatening to withdraw after she was asked to amend her song “October Rain” due to its perceived lyrical references to the 7 October attacks.
This year, Israel is being represented by 7 October survivor Yuval Raphael, who will sing the track “New Day Will Rise”.
The letter is published after broadcasters for three participating countries questioned Israel’s role in the competition earlier this year.
Spanish broadcaster RTVE wrote to the EBU’s secretary-general for a discussion about the issue, while Iceland’s delegation and foreign minister called the country’s participation “strange” and Slovenia’s RTV SLO network backed calls for Israel to be banned.
In response, the EBU said it appreciated there are concerns about the “current conflict in the Middle East” and remains “in constant contact with those participating this year”.
Last year, over 56,000 people signed a petition calling for Israel to be banned while Iceland’s Association of Composers and Lyricists, along with over 1,400 industry professionals across Europe, called for Golan to be suspended.
During the event itself, there were several direct and indirect references to the war. The EBU expressing “regret” that Swedish candidate Eric Saade wore a Keffiyeh on stage. Irish delegate Bambie Thug later hit out at the EBU for “scapegoating” Ireland while refusing to address the “urgent” matter.
The full letter is included below and is to be published along with its full list of signatories on artistsforpalestine.org.uk:
“Exclude Israel from Eurovision: A call from former Eurovision participants”
“We, the undersigned former Eurovision participants, urge all members of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to demand the exclusion of KAN, the Israeli public broadcaster, from the Eurovision Song Contest. KAN is complicit in Israel’s genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza and the decades-long regime of apartheid and military occupation against the entire Palestinian people.
“We believe in the unifying power of music, which is why we refuse to allow music to be used as a tool to whitewash crimes against humanity. Last year, we were appalled that the EBU allowed Israel to participate while it continued its genocide in Gaza broadcast live for the world to see. The result was disastrous.
“Rather than acknowledging the widespread criticism and reflecting on its own failures, the EBU responded by doubling down — granting total impunity to the Israeli delegation while repressing other artists and delegations, making the 2024 edition the most politicized, chaotic and unpleasant in the competition’s history.
“Silence is not an option. When authoritarian movements and the far-right are on the rise around the globe, our duty to speak out has only become more pressing. We therefore join together to state that the EBU’s complicity with Israel’s genocide must stop.
“By continuing to platform the representation of the Israeli state, the EBU is normalising and whitewashing its crimes. The EBU has already demonstrated that it is capable of taking measures, as in 2022, when it expelled Russia from the competition. We don’t accept this double standard regarding Israel.
“We stand in solidarity with this year’s contestants and condemn the EBU’s repeated refusal to take responsibility.
“As singers, songwriters, musicians and others who have had the privilege of participating in Eurovision, we urge the EBU and all its member broadcasters to act now and prevent further discredit and disruption to the festival: Israel must be excluded from Eurovision.”
The Independent has contacted KAN and the European Broadcasting Union for comment.
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
Trump and Carney set for high-stakes tariff meeting at White House
President Donald Trump is set to welcome newly elected Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to the White House for a high-stakes meeting on Tuesday.
Just days after winning an election campaign with an aggressive focus on Trump, Carney is expected to make a bid for a comprehensive deal on trade and national security, while hoping to reset frayed U.S.-Canada relations. The high-stakes head-to-head between the two leaders is set against the backdrop of Trump’s repeated threats to annex Canada and the imposition of sweeping 25 percent tariffs.
While Carney said last week he is going to Washington to “get the best deal for Canada,” Trump told reporters Monday that, “I’m not sure what he wants to see me about,” before conceding: “I guess he wants to make a deal. Everybody does.”
The meeting comes a day after Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said that he is skeptical of striking a U.S.-Canada trade deal, telling Fox Business that the Canadian government is a “socialist regime.”
Trump’s former Vice President Mike Pence rebuked the sweeping tariffs on allies and trade partners in an interview with CNN Monday, stating they will “ultimately harm the American economy.”
M&S hackers tricked IT help desk workers to access system, says report
Hackers who targeted Marks & Spencer and the Co-op tricked IT workers to gain access into their companies systems, according to a report.
The “social engineering” attack on the Co-op allowed cybercriminals to reset an employee’s password before breaching the network, with a similar tactic used against M&S, sources revealed to BleepingComputer website.
Hundreds of agency workers at Marks & Spencer were told not to come into work as the retailer dealt with the fallout of a cyberattack which saw the company lose £650m of value in a matter of days.
The disruption began in April when contactless payments and click-and-collect orders were affected, before M&S chief executive Stuart Machin wrote to customers confirming the problem, adding that the retailer would be implementing “minor, temporary changes” to in-store operations as the company manages the ongoing “cyber incident”.
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has issued new guidance to combat the “social engineering” technique used against the UK supermarkets by the hackers from the Scattered Spider network.
“Criminal activity online — including, but not limited to, ransomware and data extortion — is rampant. Attacks like this are becoming more and more common. And all organisations, of all sizes, need to be prepared,” said Jonathon Ellison, NCSC’s national resilience director, and Ollie Whitehouse, its chief technology officer, in a blog post according to The Times.
They have advised organisations to “review help desk password reset processes” and pay particular attention to “admin” accounts, which generally have more access throughout a company’s network.
The Scattered Spider network is a group of young men in the UK and US who drew notoriety in September 2023 when members broke into and locked up the networks of casino operators Caesars Entertainment and MGM Resorts International, and demanded hefty ransoms. Caesars paid about $15 million to restore its network.
It specialises in “breaking down the front door” of networks before handing over to a “ransomware” gang who cripple the network and extort its owner, the Times reported.
Tyler Buchanan, a Scottish man accused of being a leading member of the group, was extradited to the United States from Spain last month after being charged with attempting to hack into dozens of companies, Bloomberg News reported, citing a US Justice Department official.
At the time of the attack, M&S said it is “working extremely hard to restart online and app shopping” and apologised again for the disruption to shoppers. It had already been unable to process click and collect orders in stores after being impacted by the “cyber incident”.
The company reported the incident to data protection supervisory authorities and the National Cyber Security Centre.