US renews push to end Ukraine war, reportedly on terms favourable to Russia – key US politics stories from 24 April

During his election campaign Donald Trump had promised to end the war in 24 hours. But almost 100 days into his second term the US president has appealed directly to Russian president Vladimir Putin, telling him on social media: “Vladimir, STOP!”

Trump’s remarks referred to the deadliest attack on the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv this year, which killed 12 people and injured at least 90 on Thursday. The attack comes as Trump has made a renewed push to end the Ukraine war, reportedly on terms favourable to Russia.

Late-night hosts discuss Donald Trump’s plans to install two 100-ft flagpoles at the White House, and Elon Musk stepping back from Doge to focus on Tesla

With many late-night hosts still on holiday, Jimmy Kimmel looks at Donald Trump’s new White House flagpole obsession and Elon Musk’s Tesla woes.

Our writers highlight the films they find endlessly rewatchable, including Notting Hill, You’ve Got Mail and Mamma Mia!

“Feelgood” movies are often thought of as big-hearted romantic comedies, comforting classics, or childhood favourites that still hold up decades later. In our series, My feelgood movie, Guardian writers reflect on their go-to flick, and explain why their pick is endlessly rewatchable.

This list will be updated weekly with further picks.

The Guardian’s picture editors select photographs from around the world

Two Belgian 19-year-olds have pleaded guilty to wildlife piracy – part of a growing trend of trafficking ‘less conspicuous’ creatures for sale as exotic pets

Poaching busts are familiar territory for the officers of Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), an armed force tasked with protecting the country’s iconic creatures. But what awaited guards when they descended in early April on a guesthouse in the west of the country was both larger and smaller in scale than the smuggling operations they typically encounter. There were more than 5,000 smuggled animals, caged in their own enclosures. Each one, however, was about the size of a little fingernail: 18-25mm.

The cargo, which two Belgian teenagers had apparently intended to ship to exotic pet markets in Europe and Asia, was ants. Their enclosures were a mixture of test tubes and syringes containing cotton wool – environments that authorities say would keep the insects alive for weeks.

Donald Trump signs orders that attack funding and accreditation as his administration pushes to reshape colleges – key US politics stories from 23 April

Donald Trump has signed executive orders targeting US universities as his administration seeks to reshape higher education institutions and crack down on diversity and inclusion efforts.

The actions address foreign gifts to universities as well as college accreditation, which the president has referred to as his “secret weapon” to upend US universities.

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Stretch of major highway shut as 3,000 people moved to safety and homes left without power

A fast-moving wildfire burning in New Jersey forced thousands of people to temporarily evacuate on Tuesday, closed a stretch of a main highway and reached a shuttered nuclear power plant.

Flames from the Jones Road wildfire in Ocean county had reached buildings on the campus of the Oyster Creek nuclear power plant, according to the local Lakewood Scoop newspaper.

Highlights from the 2025 edition presented by AIPAD, which will run from April 23 to 27

Ex-advertising executive, who hosted a Fox News show and has criticised Kamala Harris, will stand as a Republican

David Cameron’s former top adviser Steve Hilton has joined the 2026 race for California governor, running as a Republican to replace the Democrats’ Gavin Newsom, who is prevented by law from seeking a third term.

Hilton, who hosted a show on Fox News for six years, launched his campaign with the theme “Golden Again: Great Jobs, Great Homes, Great Kids”. His campaign said Hilton would be “reinforcing his commitment to positive, practical solutions instead of today’s ideology and dogma”, and that his brand of “positive populism” would focus on helping working families.

Jury finds newspaper not liable for allegedly defaming former Alaska governor in 2017 editorial about gun control

Sarah Palin on Tuesday lost in the retrial of her defamation case against the New York Times – a second defeat in the efforts by the former Republican vice-presidential candidate.

A federal jury in New York deliberated for two hours then found the newspaper not liable for allegedly defaming Palin in a 2017 editorial about gun control. Palin appeared dejected as she left the courthouse in Manhattan.

As if they weren’t perfect enough, Amal and George Clooney have revealed they never, ever argue. Luckily, we’re not bitter

Name: The zero-argument marriage.

Age: Potentially ancient.

The Guardian’s picture editors select photographs from around the world

Amid the ongoing war between the Sudanese armed forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the Nuba people of South Kordofan region uphold their centuries-old wrestling traditions. Originally designed to build combat skills, it has evolved into a community celebration, uniting ethnic groups. Tariq Zaidi travelled to South Kordofan to capture the enduring custom

Pope Francis, head of the Roman Catholic church and sovereign of the Vatican City state, has died. He was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on 17 December 1936