Author Sarah Helm, married to Jonathan Powell, wrote to back novelist Sally Rooney’s support of proscribed direct action group

The UK’s national security adviser, Jonathan Powell, is under pressure to distance himself from a comment made by his wife, the award-winning writer Sarah Helm, in support of Palestine Action.

The post was made in defence of the critically acclaimed Irish novelist Sally Rooney, who said she had been forced to pull her books from shelves in the UK after pledging proceeds from their sales to Palestine Action.

Amid doubling prices and fraying tempers, shoppers hunt for elusive eyewear to prepare for rare eclipse of sun

• Europe solar eclipse – latest updates

A secretive WhatsApp group was pinging with notifications throughout Wednesday, letting its members know where in London the latest “drop” would take place.

The group’s focus, rather than being for an illicit substance, was for the much-coveted eclipse glasses, which have prompted a frantic rush on shops before the celestial event.

Military mobilises thousands of personnel after quake on southern Kyushu island that registered a maximum 7 on the Japanese shindo intensity scale

• Earthquake rocks southern Japanese island of Kyushu – in pictures

At least 13 people were killed when a 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck southern Japan on Tuesday, injuring hundreds and knocking out power and water to tens of thousands.

“There are people who are still waiting to be rescued, and it’s a race against time,” the prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, said on Wednesday. “We will go all out to find and rescue as many people as we can.”

Calls grow for global regulation as rising numbers of westerners use surrogates in countries with different laws

• Why Mexico is at the heart of ethical debate over global surrogacy

The rise in the use of surrogates abroad is leaving more babies at risk of becoming stateless, experts have said, amid growing calls for urgent global regulation of the practice.

The warning follows the suspension of a 15-year effort by The Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH) to establish a global surrogacy convention, which was paused due to divisions among member states.

Performer is being extended ‘forgiveness’ over antisemitic remarks, says Melvin Benn, despite calls for ban

The promoter of Wireless festival has stood by the decision to have Kanye West perform at the event, despite an outcry over the rapper’s antisemitic behaviour and calls to cancel his appearance.

West, who is legally known as Ye, has been criticised for making antisemitic remarks including voicing admiration for Adolf Hitler. Last year he released a song called Heil Hitler, a few months after advertising a swastika T-shirt for sale on his website.

Speaking publicly for first time, Radio 2 breakfast show host said he ‘fully cooperated’ with police at the time

Scott Mills was sacked after “new information” came to light relating to his conduct, the BBC said on Wednesday.

The corporation confirmed in a statement that it was first made aware of a police investigation into historical allegations of sexual abuse in 2017, but terminated the radio presenter’s contract on Friday in accordance with its “culture and values”.

Radio 2 breakfast show presenter departs over claims said to relate to a ‘historic relationship’ in latest crisis for BBC

• Analysis: BBC has acted with shocking speed

The BBC has been plunged into a new crisis after sacking the Radio 2 presenter Scott Mills over allegations about his personal conduct.

Mills, who hosted Britain’s most popular radio breakfast show, was blindsided by the decision to take him off the air last Tuesday. The corporation has opted to terminate his contact after claims made against him.

Mukund Krishna arrested by City of London police along with two former national board members

The head of the body representing most police officers has been arrested on suspicion of fraud by abuse of position, weeks after he called for greater whistleblowing about wrongdoing.

The chief executive of the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) since 2024, Mukund Krishna, 46, had helped oust powerful local leaders in the Metropolitan and West Midlands police forces and the federation, and had a salary and bonuses of £320,000 a year.

The prime minister is explaining his decision to allow the US to use British bases for military attacks after initially refusing

• ‘Simply not true’ UK is being dragged into Iraq-style conflict, says foreign secretary

After an unmanned drone struck the RAF Akrotiri base in Cyprus overnight – and two more drones heading toward the base were struck down on Monday – Greece will send two frigates and two F-16 fighter jets to Cyprus “to contribute to its defence against the threats it faces,” said Greek defence minister Nikos Dendias, who will also travel to Cyprus tomorrow.

For the latest on Europe’s response to US-Israel war on Iran, follow The Guardian’s live coverage here.

Exclusive: Total spending in England expected to double existing budgets, with funding for private providers rising threefold

• ‘He tried so hard to get help’: the tragic results of NHS right-to-choose for ADHD patients

The NHS is overspending by £164m a year on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) services, with an increasing amount going to unregulated private assessments, a Guardian investigation has found.

Analysis shows that total spending on NHS ADHD services is expected to be more than double existing budgets. Further data shows the amount spent on private ADHD services has more than tripled over three years.

Donald Trump’s capture of Nicolás Maduro follows months of military campaign and years of strained relationship

• US attacks Venezuela – live updates

The US carried out airstrikes across Venezuela overnight on Friday, with explosions rocking the capital, Caracas, before dawn. Shortly afterwards, Donald Trump announced that US forces had captured the Venezuelan president, Nicolás Maduro, and his wife, Cilia Flores, and flown them out of the country.

The US attorney general, Pam Bondi, said they would face trial in New York on charges of involvement in narco-terrorism. A fresh indictment was issued on Saturday.

Robert Purkiss appears in court after his arrest in relation to the death of 21-year-old Agnes Wanjiru in 2012

A man has appeared in court as extradition proceedings began in the case of Agnes Wanjiru, a Kenyan woman who was killed near a British army base in 2012.

Robert Purkiss, 38, who is originally from Greater Manchester, appeared before Westminster magistrates court on Friday and told the court he intended to contest the extradition to Kenya. He was arrested on Thursday night in Tidworth in Wiltshire by specialist officers from the National Crime Agency’s national extradition unit.