The former French PM says the US is no longer an ally of Europe – but has joined Russia and China as an ‘illiberal superpower’

• Live reaction to Zelenskyy’s clash with Trump and Vance

Dominique de Villepin made his name with a memorable speech to the UN security council in February 2003, just before the US-led invasion of Iraq. De Villepin, the then French foreign minister, in effect signalled France’s intention to veto a UN resolution authorising the war, forcing the US and UK to act unilaterally. He warned that Washington’s strategy would lead to chaos in the Middle East and undermine international institutions. The prophetic plea was met with applause, a rare event in the security council chamber. It led to the career diplomat’s inclusion as a character in David Hare’s 2004 anti-war play, Stuff Happens.

Now the veteran statesman, who warned about the risks of Europe’s over-reliance on the US many years before it became a mainstream opinion in Paris or Berlin, is back with advice on how to respond to the most serious breakdown in Europe’s relationship with the US in 80 years.

New Mexico town shocked by deaths of actor, wife and dog – but answers to critical questions may take time to emerge

As New Mexico authorities investigate the deaths of Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, their adopted home town of Santa Fe is grappling with the mystery of what happened to the couple.

Hackman, a Hollywood legend with two Academy Awards picked up over a 60-year career, and Arakawa, a classical pianist, had lived in the area for decades and had embraced the close-knit community that is New Mexico’s capital city.

Supermarkets, bakers and chefs are modernising the hot cross bun with everything from tiramisu to jerk lamb

Is nothing sacred? The hot cross bun, a spiced bun traditionally served with butter and a cup of tea, around the time of Good Friday, is modernising.

This year, a quick whip round the supermarkets will find you an embarrassment of alternative hot cross buns, flavoured with lemon curd, salted caramel or tiramisu. There are buns spiked with rhubarb and custard or Red Leicester. Head to Asda for a tiramisu version, Co-op for one cross-germinated with apple crumble.

Though scientist was not thought to be a great drinker, he may have used beer as an ingredient in the homemade ink in which he wrote his greatest work

Isaac Newton has long been a familiar figure in museums around the world. Now, one of the famed scientist’s most prized possessions is due to go on display for the first time in 160 years: his beer mug.

The wooden mug will be on public display at the Royal Society, in central London, from 4 March, alongside items including Newton’s greatest work, the Principia, and the scientist’s death mask, which was prepared shortly after his death to serve as a likeness for sculptures.

If chefs were footballers, Nord’s Daniel Heffy would be in a league of his own

Nord, 100 Old Hall St, Liverpool L3 9QJ. Snacks £6.50-£11; small plates £15.50-£27, large plates £20-£36, desserts £11-£16, wines from £32

A midweek night and the restaurant is completely empty. Music thrums and staff drift about looking purposeful, despite being a little short on purpose until we show up. This has nothing to do with Nord and everything to do with football. At the exact time of our booking, Everton are kicking off against Liverpool, two miles away at Goodison Park, for what has been described to me as not just a game, but the game. As well as being a local derby, it’s also the last ever match to be played between the two at the stadium before Everton move to their new home at Bramley-Moore Dock. Even a blithering football ignoramus like me can recognise the significance of such a game to a city like Liverpool and why that might suppress bookings.