EU could end penalties for companies that break Russian gas contracts

The European Commission is considering plans that would allow European companies to break long-term Russian gas contracts without paying penalties to Moscow, it has been reported.Citing three officials with knowledge of the plan, the Financial Times reported that the commission was studying the possibility of allowing companies to declare force majeure, which would absolve importers of their obligations to pay penalty fees for ending contracts.The plans are reported to be part of a roadmap on how the EU will rid itself of Russian fossil fuels by 2027, a document scheduled to be published on 6 May, following repeated delays.A commission spokesperson declined to comment.The commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, said last month at a press conference, when asked about the delays, that she was committed to phasing out Russian gas: “This is absolute must

Global carmaker shares rise on tariff exemption hopes; British Steel to get furnace supplies today – business live

Shares in carmakers have risen around the world, after Donald Trump said last night that he was considering possible temporary exemptions to his tariffs on imported vehicles and parts, to give carmakers more time to set up US manufacturing. “I’m looking at something to help some of the car companies,” the US president told reporters in Washington, adding that automotive manufacturers “need a little bit of time” before they can start making components in the US, rather than in countries such as Canada and Mexico.The European car and parts share index rose by 2.3%. Shares in Japan’s Toyota and Honda increased by 3

Revealed: Chinese researchers can access half a million UK GP records

Researchers from China are to be allowed access to half a million UK GP records despite western intelligence agencies’ fears about the authoritarian regime amassing health data, the Guardian can reveal.Preparations are under way to transfer the records to UK Biobank, a research hub that holds detailed medical information donated by 500,000 volunteers. One of the world’s largest troves of health data, the facility makes its information available to universities, scientific institutes and private companies. A Guardian analysis shows one in five successful applications for access come from China.For the past year, health officials had been assessing whether extra safeguards were needed for patient records when added to the genomes, tissue samples and questionnaire responses held by UK Biobank

Pixel 9a review: Google’s cut-price Android winner

Google’s latest cut-price Pixel offers the best bang for your buck in Android phones and is arguably better in many areas than some models costing twice the price.The Guardian’s journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more.The Pixel 9a starts at the same £499 (€549/$499/A$849) as last year’s equally good value model

The Breakdown | Rugby World Cups aren’t adding up for major unions and there is no easy fix

South Africa no longer see hosting as viable and World Rugby is under pressure to deliver for its membersThe starting gun has been fired on the race to host the 2035 and 2039 Rugby World Cup tournaments. Expressions of interest have been made: Spain’s proposal has piqued interest, Italy’s too, while the Middle East stalks along as the elephant in the room. The idea of going back to Japan within 20 years of a first World Cup in Asia is a popular proposition.News came over the weekend, however, that South Africa has all but ruled out a bid for either edition of the tournament. South Africa threw its hat into the ring in 2011, 2015, 2019 and 2023 but was overlooked on each occasion and the SA Rugby president, Mark Alexander, was brutally honest when asked about the prospect of doing so again

‘This was for her’: how boxing brought a mother and son back from the brink

Reese and Desiree Mistretta are the first mother-son pair to win New York’s prestigious Golden Gloves, but their deeper bond is how boxing helped them survive life’s hardest hitsReese Mistretta wasn’t thinking about history after he climbed through the ropes on Saturday night. He was thinking about his legs, which felt like cement. About his lungs, which wouldn’t quite fill. And about the man across from him: Ali Conde, a sinewy technician from El Maestro’s Gym in the Bronx who has made his mark by waiting for opponents to strike first, then exploiting their openings.Two nights earlier, Mistretta had narrowly beaten Conde under the lights of Madison Square Garden in the elite 176lb final of the Ring Masters Championships, New York’s premier amateur boxing competition