Parties clash over communal issues in increasingly charged campaign amid concerns unseasonably hot weather affecting voter numbersIndia has held the second phase of the world’s biggest election, with prime minister Narendra Modi and his rivals hurling accusations of religious discrimination and threats to democracy amid flagging voter turnout.Almost...

Inaugural contest at Crab Museum in Margate allows crustaceans to pick the winner, with the help of tinned fish used as baitHow did the crab get out of prison? And why did the crab get bad grades?The answers to these conundrums and other clawsome jokes were among the competitors for the inaugural World’s Funniest Crab Joke competition, held by the Crab...

The Azov brigade, which leaders say has a culture of ‘mutual respect’, is tasked with repelling relentless Russian attacks as the invaders make most of artillery mismatchFifteen miles east of the garrison town of Lyman, a desperate fight has been taking place on Ukraine’s eastern front for months. The once verdant Serebryansky pine forest has been reduced...

As mayor aims to win third term, what has he achieved so far on air pollution, the climate crisis and nature?When Sadiq Khan launched his campaign for a third term as Labour mayor of London, he put his green policies front and centre, highlighting his work on air pollution, the climate crisis and nature.For seasoned Khan watchers, this came as little...

Amid the threat of big tech, Greens senator says News titles are ‘trusted news providers’ and a royal commission should look at the whole industryAustralian politics podcast: Sarah Hanson-Young on the debate around free speech on social mediaGet our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcastThe Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young...

US defence secretary announces aid as Zelenskiy pleads with west for more Patriot systems to defend Ukrainian citiesThe US will provide Ukraine with additional Patriot missiles for its air defence systems as part of a massive $6bn additional aid package, the defence secretary has announced.“This is the largest security assistance package that we’ve...