The Guardian

Ray Blanchette admits he may be a ‘little crazy’ as he outlines chain’s hopes of building 1,000 outlets globally“I am a little crazy maybe,” admits Ray Blanchette, a former TGI Fridays kitchen manager who has taken on the revival of the bar-restaurant chain’s UK business in the face of blasting industry headwinds.Blanchette’s family investment firm, Sugarloaf, rescued the Dallas-based parent business from administration in 2025. He then went on to pick up its UK arm in January after the local franchisee got into difficulties, retaining 33 UK restaurants but closing 16, with the loss of 456 jobs. Continue reading... Source

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps said it was combing an area near where plane came down in south-western Iran; Israeli military strikes ‘Hezbollah infrastructure’ in Lebanon capitalUS F-15E jet confirmed shot down over Iran as Tehran releases wreckage imagesHello and welcome to our continuing live coverage of the US-Israeli war on Iran and its impact on the region, the world and the global economy.Iranian and American forces were racing each other early on Saturday to recover a crew member of the first US fighter jet to go down inside Iran since the start of the war.Tehran rejected a US proposal for

Budget proposal released on Friday outlines president’s desire to revive former federal prison in San Francisco BayDonald Trump is asking for $152m to restore Alcatraz, a former federal prison off the coast of San Francisco, according to a budget proposal released on Friday for the 2027 fiscal year.Last May, Trump first called upon the Department of Justice, the FBI and Homeland Security to rebuild the prison. He heaped praise on Alcatraz’s reputation in a Truth Social post. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/03/trump-alcatraz-prison Author : Uwa Ede-Osifo Publish date : 2026-04-04 00:09:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked

Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer says that his party ‘will make sure it never passes’Trump announces ‘fraud’ crackdown in Democratic statesSign up for the Breaking News US emailA reminder that my colleagues are covering the latest out of the Middle East at our dedicated live blog.This includes Donald Trump’s recent comments on Truth Social that “with a little more time” he could open strait of Hormuz. The president added that reopening the vital passageway would allow the US to “TAKE THE OIL, & MAKE A FORTUNE. IT WOULD BE A ‘GUSHER’ FOR THE WORLD.” Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/apr/03/trump-justice-department-bondi-blanche-epstein-latest-updates

Officials say other remains missing in first downing of US fighter plane since start of warMiddle East crisis – live updatesOne US service member has been rescued after a US F-15E Strike Eagle fighter was shot down over Iran, prompting a frantic effort to locate its two-strong crew, in the first such incident since the war began almost five weeks ago.US officials familiar with the situation said one crew member was still missing late on Friday, after Iranian state media released images of a tail fin and other debris accompanied by an initial claim that an advanced US F-35 had

Academics and youth workers say cuts to services, not social media, help explain recent unrest in south LondonIt started with a flyer sent around on Snapchat. Teenagers were invited to gather in a south London basketball court to celebrate the start of the Easter holidays. They were told to bring their own weed and laughing gas because it was going to be a late one.What followed in the hours after was chaos. Hundreds of young people came to the “link-up”, which happened last Saturday, and then gathered on Clapham High Street. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/apr/03/experts-respond-to-mass-teen-meet-ups-clapham-london Author : Sammy

Petrol has risen 19% and diesel 35%, and in England the north has had the sharpest increasesFuel prices have risen faster in Northern Ireland than in any other UK region since the beginning of the Iran war.Analysis of official data shows that petrol has jumped by 19% in Northern Ireland since the end of February, and diesel is now 35% more expensive. The rises are among the largest in Europe. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/apr/03/fuel-prices-northern-ireland-surge-iran-war-petrol Author : Krystina Shveda and Olivia Lee Publish date : 2026-04-03 14:00:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.

Country is torn between those who hope for end to Tehran’s influence and those loyal to Islamic republicOf all the countries being pulled into the US-Israeli war on Iran, it is Iraq – a country that still bears the emotional and physical scars of the last time the Americans tried to reshape the region by force – where the conflict has exposed some of the deepest rifts.The war is dividing those who see the attacks on Iran as a way to end Tehran’s longstanding influence over Iraqi politics from the self-declared loyalists of the Islamic republic, and cutting through state

Anna Turley questions revised £25,000 figure for failed attempt to reach Chagos Islands on jet linked to billionaireLabour has queried Nigel Farage’s claim that a return trip to the Maldives on a private jet linked to a billionaire donor cost as little as £25,000 as the Reform leader attempted to reach the Chagos Islands.Farage initially recorded his two-day trip to the Maldives as costing £12,500 funded by Thailand-based Reform megadonor Christopher Harborne, before upgrading this to £25,000 in the latest register of interests. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/apr/03/labour-challenges-farage-over-cost-of-private-jet-trip-to-maldives Author : Rowena Mason Whitehall editor Publish date : 2026-04-03 08:21:00

Iranian foreign minister criticises security council vote on military protection for shipping in the strait a ‘provocative action’Full report: Trump warns Tehran ‘more to follow’ after strike destroys Iran’s largest bridgeIran has said a second US F-35 fighter jet has been shot down over Iran, with the state news agency saying it’s unlikely the pilot survived, Reuters reports.The incident comes as Iran has been firing on targets across the Middle East, on Friday, including firing missiles at Israel and Bahrain, and setting alight an oil refinery in Kuwait with drone attacks. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2026/apr/03/middle-east-crisis-live-trump-urges-iran-to-make-deal-after-bridge-strike Author : Wendy

People receive rehab only three to four days a week in hospital – and one to two days once they are discharged, data suggestsThe NHS is failing stroke patients and limiting their chances of recovery because of a shortage of rehabilitation care staff, health leaders have said.More people are surviving strokes than ever before in the UK. But their hopes of getting better are being dashed because of a lack of physiotherapists and other specialist staff, according to the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Neurology. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/apr/03/nhs-rehabiliation-care-staff-shortage-stroke-patients Author : Andrew

Health minister Mark Butler says federal government is ‘not negotiating’ when it comes to removing price protections on common medicationsGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralia will not cave in to pressure from pharmaceutical giants and the Trump administration by removing consumer price protections on common medications, the health minister, Mark Butler says.Donald Trump imposed a new 100% tariff on branded pharmaceuticals imported into the US overnight, Australian time, trying to force manufacturers to agree to drug-pricing deals or commit to making their products domestically. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/apr/03/australia-says-it-wont-raise-drug-prices-after-trumps-100-tariff-on-pharmaceuticals-imported-into-us Author : Tom McIlroy and

Ryan Bridge is co-founder of Raise the Colours, which has been criticised for anti-immigrant rhetoric The leader of a flag campaign group has been arrested on suspicion of causing religiously and racially aggravated harassment.Ryan Bridge is the co-founder of Raise the Colours, which has put up hundreds of union and Saint George flags across England and attracted criticism for spreading anti-immigrant rhetoric. He was arrested on Tuesday and released on police bail the following day. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/apr/02/uk-flag-raising-group-leader-arrested-alarm-distress-raise-the-colours Author : Neha Gohil Midlands correspondent Publish date : 2026-04-02 22:41:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked

Latest data shows 209 cases recorded as assisted dying referred to CPS by police between 1 April 2009 and 31 March 31 this yearThirteen cases of suspected assisted dying are being considered by prosecutors in England and Wales, according to the latest data.Encouraging or assisting the suicide or attempted suicide of another person is against the law in England and Wales, under the Suicide Act 1961.In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie. In the US, you can call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or

Trump was reportedly frustrated with Bondi over the justice department’s handling of the Epstein filesTrump fires Pam Bondi as attorney generalSign up for Breaking News US email alertsDuring its brief pro forma session today, the US House took no action on the funding bill to end the historic DHS shutdown, after the Senate-passed legislation was sent to the lower chamber earlier today.The House’s next procedural meeting will be on Monday, meaning the lapse in funding for several subagencies will continue until at least next week. However, Republican House speaker Mike Johnson may even wait until lawmakers return from a two-week

Post your questions below to get insight from the Guardian’s politics live blogger on the future of Labour and the role of the political reporter Q: Do you agree with the Tories about wanting more oil and gas drilling from the North Sea?Davey says Kemi Badenoch claims she can get an extra £2.5bn in tax revenue by allowing more exploration in the North Sea. He says she is “just lying”. He says everyone knows that that is not realistic. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2026/apr/02/reform-uk-housing-grenfell-tower-keir-starmer-yvette-cooper-uk-politics-latest-news-updates Author : Andrew Sparrow Publish date : 2026-04-02 15:15:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to

Sale of Providence House believed to be the most expensive on record in LondonUK politics live – latest updatesNick Candy, the honorary treasurer of Reform UK and major donor, has sold his mansion in the Chelsea district of London for a reported £275m.The property developer declined to comment on the transaction, which was first reported by Bloomberg, but it is believed to be the most expensive on record in London and one of the biggest in the world. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/apr/02/reform-donor-nick-candy-sells-chelsea-mansion-providence-house Author : Rowena Mason Whitehall editor Publish date : 2026-04-02 12:37:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs

Poland’s prime minister says prospect of an energy crisis in Europe and Viktor Orbán’s moves to block support for Ukraine also play into Russia’s handsTalking to reporters during his trip to South Korea, France’s Emmanuel Macron dismissed Trump’s mocking comments from last night saying they were “neither elegant nor appropriate” and “they do not warrant a response.”Instead, he pointed to the continuing impact of the war, including rising energy prices, saying that “what needs to be done is the word towards de-escalation, a ceasefire, and a resumption of negotiations, which are the only way to truly resolve what is happening

Party’s housing spokesperson made comments while criticising safety regulations brought in after 2017 tragedyCampaigners for Grenfell families have called on Reform UK and its housing spokesperson to apologise after he said the tower fire was a “tragedy” but that “everyone dies in the end”.Simon Dudley, a former head of Homes England, had announced in February that he was joining Reform, as Nigel Farage said he was planning to bring more “experts” onboard to advise the party. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/apr/02/reform-uk-simon-dudley-grenfell-families-everyone-dies Author : Ben Quinn Political correspondent Publish date : 2026-04-02 07:40:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the

Former Labour mayor Jamie Driscoll aims to win central Newcastle ward after defecting to the Green party“Thank you very much to all you would-be penguins huddling together for warmth,” said Jamie Driscoll to the dozen supporters braving bitingly cold, blustery weather to begin knocking on doors and delivering leaflets.The former Labour North of Tyne mayor is one of the Green party’s highest-profile recruits. Standing for Newcastle city council in the central Monument ward, he was giving a pep talk to a group that would probably have been even bigger, were some not in London for a demonstration against the far

President says ‘little journey’ to Iran close to achieving US aims but offers little clarity on plan to wind down conflictMiddle East crisis – live updatesDonald Trump used a primetime address to the nation on Wednesday evening to declare the month-long war in Iran a success “nearing completion”, despite a spiraling conflict that has caused economic turmoil across the globe, fractured transatlantic alliances and eroded the president’s approval ratings.In remarks from the White House, Trump argued that the US’s “little journey” to Iran had nearly accomplished “all of America’s military objectives”, but offered little clarity on how he planned to

President is expected to offer a timeline for end of the war, and speak about his threat to withdraw the US from Nato as he faces falling poll numbers and global energy crisisTrump says he is ‘absolutely’ considering withdrawing US from Nato Israel hits Iran with waves of attacks and says it killed top Hezbollah commanderDonald Trump is 50 minutes away from delivering his first formal address from the White House since launching the war in the Middle East a month ago.It comes at a pivotal moment for the US president, as he faces accusations that he has lost control

Opposition leader calls for the prime minister to give more details about the fuel crisisGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast‘Might as well have told us what he was going to have for dinner’: shadow minister lambasts address to the nationThe quips continue coming in thick and fast against Albanese’s address to the nation. The shadow minister for energy, Dan Tehan, tells ABC Radio:He might as well have told us what he was going to have for dinner last night. There was nothing new in it. He didn’t take the Australian people into his confidence.He made

Follow latest updates, including how to watch the launch, as four astronauts prepare to set off on a 10-day, 685,000-mile journey with millions watchingAll four astronauts are now in their assigned seats in the Orion crew capsule, and have completed successful “loud and clear” communications checks to make sure all is working well ahead of their scheduled launch at 6.24pm ET.Nasa’s close-out crew that secured the crew into their seats and completing their final checks on the capsule, including the sealing of the hatch, and are preparing to leave the launchpad. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/science/live/2026/apr/01/artemis-ii-launch-nasa-orion-moon-trip-live-updates Author : Richard

More than 100 of the Baidu driverless vehicles stopped running because of a system malfunctionSome robotaxi passengers were left stranded in the middle of fast-moving traffic in a major Chinese city after their driverless vehicles stopped running, according to police and media reports on Wednesday.A preliminary investigation indicates more than 100 robotaxis came to a halt because of a “system malfunction”, police in the city of Wuhan said in a statement, without elaborating. No injuries were reported. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/01/china-robotaxi-outage Author : Blake Montgomery Publish date : 2026-04-01 16:43:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked