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Gaël Monfils turned Court Philippe‑Chatrier into a celebration arena on Thursday, teaming with his wife Elina Svitolina to win a star‑studded exhibition titled “Gael & Friends.” The night blended tennis, music and heartfelt tributes as the French favorite prepared for his final French Open appearance.The Celebration Match on Court Philippe‑ChatrierThe event featured a line‑up of current and former champions, including Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Naomi Osaka, Maria Sakkari and rising American Iva Jovic. Former Davis Cup teammates Jo‑Wilfried Tsonga and Richard Gasquet added nostalgic moments, while Monfils and Svitolina capped the night by clinching the exhibition.Numbers Behind the Night: Titles, Appearances, and Age13 ATP titles won over his career.39 years old at the time of the farewell.19th main‑draw appearance at Roland Garros.Two‑decade professional journey, highlighted by a 2008 semifinal run.Key contributions to France’s Davis Cup finals in 2010 and 2014.Why Monfils’ Farewell Resonates Across French TennisMonfils’ charisma has long made him a crowd‑puller, and his willingness to blend entertainment with sport created a unique bond with French fans. The exhibition underscored his role as a cultural ambassador for tennis in France, reinforcing the sport’s popularity beyond pure competition.Looking Ahead: Monfils’ Legacy and French Tennis FutureWhile a Grand Slam title eluded him, Monfils leaves a legacy of showmanship and perseverance that younger French players can emulate. His final match against compatriot Hugo Gaston in the first round will be watched as a symbolic passing of the torch to the next generation.

The LeadA friend of mine was recently left in tears after filling up the car she relies on to drive to work. Thanks to the US-Israeli attacks on Iran, prices at the pumps have soared. She wasn't sure how her family was going to make it to the next paycheck.It is a personal story and a distressing one, but the big picture is truly obscene. Fossil fuel companies are raking in monstrous, unearned war profits taken from the pockets of people like you, me, my friend, and any of us who fills up a vehicle or pays an energy bill.The War-Profits Bonanza$30m an hour: that's the pure, unearned profits banked by the world's top 100 oil and gas companies in the first month of the conflict in Iran, purely due to the spike in the oil price. Now the first numbers are in, and that $30m may have been a major underestimate.Shell's profit for the first three months of 2026 more than doubled to $6.9bn, as did BP's, to $3.2bn. TotalEnergies profits also surged by more than 50%, up to $5.8bn. Even in the Gulf itself, where the flow of oil through the strait of Hormuz has been heavily restricted, some companies have still flourished. Aramco, the state oil company of Saudi Arabia, saw its profits soar by 26% to $33.6bn in the first quarter.The Financial Impact on ConsumersThose four companies alone, benefiting not just from the oil price hike but also bumper oil-trading profits, made $23m an hour for the whole of January, February and March. And the Iran conflict only started on 28 February.To get some idea of the scale of this, imagine I gave you $6,200. What would you do? Pay off a loan? Book a fancy holiday? A second later, I give you another $6,200; then again, for hours, weeks and months. That is the rate of profit of just those four companies.There is plenty more to come for the industry. Oil and gas supplies will take months to return to prewar levels, and reserves are getting dangerously low. Even if the oil price remains at today's level of about $100 a barrel, those 100 companies will make $234bn by the end of the year. Remember, the companies, and petrostates such as Russia, have done no extra work for this, just ridden a soaring oil price. Also remember, you are paying for this. Where I live in the UK, household energy bills are about to jump by £209 ($280) a year for the average home.The Industry's Climate ObstructionThe profits are extreme, but not new: big oil and gas has been wildly profitable for decades. It has made an average $1tn a year in pure profit for about 50 years. The fossil fuel sector also benefits from explicit subsidies that totalled $1.3tn in 2022, according to the International Monetary Fund.These riches have funded the lobbying and campaigns that block climate action and have done so for years, long after the science became crystal clear. As an example of the consequences, the UK's official climate advisers said on Tuesday that all care homes and hospitals will need air conditioning within the coming 10 years, to stop the heat killing people.The Green Transition AccelerationBut here's that silver lining I promised: these peak profits contain the seeds of their own downfall. Sky-high fossil fuel prices are pushing people, companies and nations to supercharge their rush towards green power for the simple reason that it is now cheaper and more reliable. Solar power does not need to transit through the strait of Hormuz, as Bill McKibben has observed.The numbers on the surge in renewable energy deployment, already exponential, are not yet in, but they will almost certainly be huge. Green funds are already attracting billions of dollars in new investments and one consultancy estimates that an oil price of $100 a barrel will drive $4tn of extra green investment by 2030.Big oil remains a formidable political force but, on the ground, people are already voting with their feet. Sales of new electric cars in the UK leapt by 59% in April, for example. The pain and anger of today's energy crisis may yet become a critical turning point in confronting the climate crisis.

Meta has reached a confidential settlement with Breathitt County Schools in Kentucky, ending a lawsuit that alleged the company’s social networks are engineered to be addictive and cause mental‑health harm to students.Meta Settles Kentucky School District Lawsuit Over Alleged Addiction DesignThe settlement was announced less than three weeks before the case was set to go to trial in federal court in California. While the exact terms were not disclosed, Meta emphasized its ongoing work on safety tools such as Teen Accounts and parental controls.Financial Stakes and Settlement LandscapeThe Kentucky district originally sought more than $60 million to cover mental‑health services and a 15‑year remediation program.Meta’s settlement follows similar agreements by TikTok and Snap with the same group of roughly 1,200 school districts.Recent jury verdicts ordered Meta and YouTube to pay $6 million in damages and Meta to pay $375 million in civil penalties for related claims.Implications for Social Media Regulation and Child SafetyThe case adds pressure on the industry to redesign features such as infinite scrolling and autoplay video, which plaintiffs argue are deliberately addictive. Lawmakers and advocacy groups are citing these lawsuits as evidence that existing self‑regulation is insufficient, potentially accelerating federal or state legislation aimed at protecting minors online.Future Legal Battles and Industry OutlookAttorneys for the remaining school districts say they will continue pursuing justice, with another 1,200 districts still in litigation. Upcoming trials include an individual case in California and a Tennessee attorney‑general suit slated for July, while a federal case by the Tucson Unified School District is scheduled for January 2027. The outcomes of these cases will likely shape the next wave of social‑media liability and could force broader industry changes.

Police Expand Probe into Prince Andrew's Alleged MisconductThames Valley Police (TVP) announced that their “unprecedented investigation” into Prince Andrew, 66 now covers a wide range of possible offences – from sexual misconduct to fraud and the illegal sharing of confidential information. The force is urging witnesses to contact them via the official online portal with any relevant details. Scope, Timeline and Key Evidence GapsFebruary 2026 – Prince Andrew arrested and questioned under criminal caution on suspicion of misconduct in public office (MIPO) linked to his role as a British trade envoy.Investigators are seeking original US Department of Justice documents that reference alleged information sharing with Jeffrey Epstein. Only printed extracts have been obtained so far.TVP is reviewing a claim from a US‑based woman who says she was taken to Windsor in 2010 for sexual purposes; the police have contacted her lawyer but have not opened a full criminal investigation.Three other UK forces are conducting separate criminal inquiries stemming from the same Epstein files, while the Metropolitan Police declined to open its own probe. Potential Political and Institutional RepercussionsThe investigation touches several sensitive arenas: the credibility of the royal household, the legal definition of MIPO for a trade envoy, and the UK’s cooperation with US authorities on high‑profile financial crimes. If evidence confirms that the prince used his diplomatic position to pass confidential information, it could trigger a constitutional debate over the limits of royal privilege and the Crown’s role in public office. What the Next Months May Hold for the InquiryPolice expect the probe to extend well into 2027, contingent on obtaining the original Epstein documents and completing forensic analysis of seized material from the prince’s Norfolk and Windsor residences. Formal discussions with the Crown Prosecution Service are already underway, suggesting that charges could be considered once the evidentiary threshold is met. Meanwhile, the appeal for public tips aims to fill information gaps that could accelerate the timeline.

Tonight’s Must‑Watch TV HighlightsThe Guardian’s latest TV guide showcases a mix of drama, comedy and culinary spectacle across Britain’s major broadcasters. From a stylish Cold‑War thriller on Sky Atlantic to the nation’s biggest curry restaurant on Channel 4, the line‑up promises both intrigue and comfort food for viewers.‘Ponies’: A Cold‑War Thriller Starring Emilia ClarkeEmilia Clarke headlines ‘Ponies’, a star‑filled, stylish and surprisingly fun Cold‑War drama airing at 9 pm on Sky Atlantic. Clarke plays Bea, a highly educated Russian‑speaking secretary who teams up with street‑smart Twila (Haley Lu Richardson). Together they investigate the mysterious deaths of their husbands in Moscow, operating as “persons of no interest”. The cast also includes Adrian Lester and Harriet Walter.Scheduling Slots and Audience Reach Estimates9 pm – Sky Atlantic: ‘Ponies’ (Cold‑War thriller)8 pm – Channel 4: “World’s Biggest Curry Restaurant” – a behind‑the‑scenes look at the Royal Nawaab in Stockport.9 pm – BBC Two: “Hidden Treasures of the National Trust” – cultural‑heritage documentary narrated by Toby Jones.10 pm – BBC Three: “Smoggie Queens” – comedy sketch series.10:05 pm – Sky Atlantic: “Hacks” – penultimate episode of the AI‑satire comedy.11:40 pm – BBC One: “St Denis Medical” – double‑bill US mockumentary.While exact viewership figures are not yet released, prime‑time slots on Sky Atlantic and Channel 4 typically attract 1–2 million live viewers, with additional streaming audiences on platform‑specific apps.Why Cold‑War Drama Is Resurfacing on UK TVThe renewed interest in Cold‑War narratives aligns with a broader cultural fascination for geopolitical tension and espionage, spurred by recent successful series such as *The Americans* and *Killing Eve*. By pairing a high‑profile star like Clarke with a genre that blends thriller, period intrigue and dark humor, broadcasters aim to capture both legacy audiences and younger viewers seeking fresh takes on historic settings.What This Means for Next Season’s Programming ChoicesGiven the strategic placement of *Ponies* alongside eclectic factual and comedy offerings, networks appear to be betting on a diversified schedule that balances prestige drama with accessible reality‑TV formats. If *Ponies* secures strong live and on‑demand numbers, we can expect more star‑driven, genre‑hybrid projects to fill prime‑time slots in the coming months, potentially nudging streaming services to compete with similar high‑budget, historically‑rooted series.

Senate Delays Immigration Enforcement Vote Amid Internal GOP PushbackThe Republican‑led Senate put off a vote on a $72 bn immigration enforcement package ahead of a long holiday weekend, marking a rare public rebuke of President Donald Trump from within his own party.Trump’s $1.776 bn “Anti‑Weaponisation” Settlement Sparks Senate ScrutinyOn Monday the administration announced a settlement that earmarked nearly $1.776 bn for an “anti‑weaponisation” fund intended to compensate parties the government allegedly treated unfairly. The settlement arose from Trump’s lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service over a 2019 tax‑refund leak. Senate Republicans summoned acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to question the use of Justice Department money that normally bypasses congressional approval.Senators voiced concern:Don Bacon (Nebraska) warned that the move “smells” of conflict of interest and has eroded Trump’s Senate backing.Thom Tillis (North Carolina) called the fund “stupid on stilts” and predicted public rejection.Fiscal Numbers: $72 bn Immigration Bill vs. $1.8 bn Settlement and $1 bn Ballroom Request$72 bn – total amount of the immigration enforcement bill slated for vote.$1.776 bn – allocated to the anti‑weaponisation fund.$1 bn – Trump’s proposed addition for a White House ballroom, later removed from the bill.The ballroom addition would have blocked the use of budget reconciliation, a streamlined voting process that requires only a simple majority.Political Ramifications for Trump and the Republican CaucusThe internal dissent highlights a fracture in GOP loyalty. Senate Majority Leader John Thune described the bill’s evolution as “more complicated than it should be,” noting that the ballroom request forced leaders to reconsider the legislative strategy.House Republicans also delayed a war‑powers resolution on the US‑Israeli conflict with Iran, further illustrating coordinated maneuvering ahead of the Memorial Day recess.What’s Next: Legislative Outlook After the Memorial Day RecessThe Senate reconvenes in June. Thune signaled that Republicans will “pick up where we left off,” suggesting the immigration bill may return without the ballroom provision, preserving the reconciliation pathway.Key questions moving forward:Will the anti‑weaponisation fund be re‑approved or redirected?Can Trump secure alternative funding for the ballroom without jeopardising the immigration package?How will the Senate’s internal pushback affect Trump’s broader legislative agenda ahead of the 2026 midterms?

The Deadly Attacks in Honduras Two incidents of gun violence have shaken Honduras, killing at least 16 people in the Central American country. On Thursday, gunfire was first reported on a remote palm farm in Rigores, part of the municipality of Trujillo in the country’s north. The Attack on the Palm Farm A spokesperson for Honduras’s National Police, Edgardo Barahona, said that as many as 10 workers were shot dead at the site, though the number is expected to rise. Barahona explained that some distraught family members had come to collect their loved ones’ bodies before investigators could secure the crime scene. Local media indicated that armed suspects fired indiscriminately on labourers, including some who had gathered at a local church. Photos showed bodies, some wearing thick rubber boots for work, strewn on the ground outside. According to one report, three sisters were among the dead. The Ambush of Police Officers Separately on Thursday, a second deadly incident unfolded in another part of northern Honduras, the Cortes department, near the border with Guatemala. In that case, police officers had travelled from the capital Tegucigalpa to Omoa, in Cortes, to carry out an anti-gang operation. But authorities describe what happened next as an ambush. According to reports, the officers entered a building to search for suspects and were fired upon. Six officers were killed, including a deputy commissioner named Lester Amador, according to the National Police. They were from the Anti-Maras, Gangs and Organised Crime Police Directorate (DIPAMPCO), a unit within the police force. Suspects may have also been killed or injured in the attack. The Government's Response After the two attacks, the National Police issued a statement, saying it “will proceed immediately with a direct intervention in the affected areas”. “The state will act firmly to capture those responsible, protect vulnerable communities and guarantee comprehensive justice for all affected victims,” it added. Honduras was under a years-long state of emergency to combat crime starting in 2022. Critics, however, denounced the emergency measures as weakening civil liberties and awarding law enforcement inordinate power, allowing it to carry out human rights abuses.

The latest analysis by Cancer Research UK reveals that melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer, hit a historic high in the United Kingdom last year, with 20,980 diagnoses in 2022. Experts warn that without stronger prevention measures, annual cases could climb to 26,500 by 2040, coinciding with hotter summers and an ageing demographic. Record Melanoma Diagnoses in 2022 For the first time, UK melanoma cases have exceeded the 20,000 mark. The surge reflects broader trends in skin‑cancer incidence and underscores the urgency of public‑health interventions. Projected Growth to 26,500 Cases by 2040 Forecasted annual cases for 2040: 26,500 Increase of 23% among men Increase of 26% among women Drivers: ageing population, higher UV exposure, and lifestyle factors Public Health Implications Amid Heatwave Alerts Heat health alerts have been issued for the upcoming bank‑holiday weekend, with temperatures expected to reach up to 30°C in parts of England. Elevated UV levels amplify the risk of sunburn and, consequently, melanoma development, especially for vulnerable groups. Preventive Strategies and Policy Recommendations Key voices—including Michelle Mitchell, CEO of Cancer Research UK, and Prof Peter Johnson, NHS England’s national clinical director for cancer—stress the importance of: Seeking shade during peak sun hours Wearing protective clothing, hats, and sunglasses Applying broad‑spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and reapplying regularly Promptly consulting a GP about new or changing moles, sores, or skin patches Outlook for Sun Safety and Cancer Prevention If the public adopts these preventive measures, the rise in melanoma cases could be mitigated despite demographic pressures and hotter summers. Ongoing education, stronger sunscreen regulations, and targeted campaigns during heatwaves are likely to shape the trajectory of skin‑cancer incidence in the UK over the next two decades.

The Grenfell Tower Fire Prosecution Delays Relief at this week’s news that police are sending files to the Crown Prosecution Service, recommending charges against 77 individuals and organisations for their roles in the Grenfell Tower fire, is mixed with grief and anger. On 14 June the disaster’s survivors and their supporters will gather for the ninth annual silent walk around the west London neighbourhood in which the ruined tower stands. Next year marks a decade since the fire. Investigation Findings and Criticisms The public inquiry into the disaster pointed the finger at multiple public and private bodies, decisions and individuals. Three construction firms, Arconic, Kingspan and Celotex, were found to have been deliberately dishonest about their products. Poor regulation of building safety was the fault of central government. Kensington and Chelsea council, and its tenant management organisation, were strongly criticised for poor fire safety and other lapses. So were the architects and contractors commissioned to oversee the block’s refurbishment. The London fire brigade was culpable for its dangerous “stay put” policy, which should have been changed following previous cladding fires, including the one that killed six people in Lakanal House, south London, in 2009. Prosecution Delays and Concerns These conclusions, and the inquiry’s 58 recommendations, were delivered in September 2024. Yet even now, the prospect of criminal trials remains painfully remote. With prosecutors expected to decide on which charges to bring by next June, cases are unlikely to come to court until 2028 at the earliest. One survivors’ group, Grenfell Next of Kin, responded to Tuesday’s announcement with a statement that its confidence in the system has been “shattered”. Another group, Grenfell United, said that survivors “cannot be expected to endure years more of delay”. Calls for Accountability and Change Criminal convictions have never been the only outcome sought. Campaigners welcomed the public inquiry’s findings and recommendations. Multimillion pound settlements of civil suits have been agreed. Earlier this year the government pledged dedicated funding for a long-planned memorial. Building regulation is in the process of being overhauled. A programme of cladding removal continues. Future Actions and Expectations But there is frustration about the pace of change, and concern that the laws on corporate manslaughter and negligence are too weak. Last year the Common Wealth thinktank warned of the “very high threshold for liability” and called for tougher penalties to ensure “meaningful deterrence”. Some of the firms who bear responsibility for the Grenfell fire continue to win public contracts – causing further distress.