Culture, consistency and Lamine Yamal – inside De la Fuente’s Spain
Luis de la Fuente’s Spain are closing in on greatness. They are bidding to become just the fourth team to hold both the World Cup and European Championship crowns at the same time; following their compatriots in 2010, France in 2000 and West Germany back in 1974. De la Fuente is now into his fourth […]
‘Cool in 90 seconds’ – the fake portable air conditioners sweeping the internet
As parts of the UK brace for another hot weekend, online adverts have been appearing for portable air conditioners claiming to be “designed by former Nasa engineers” and able to “cool a room in 90 seconds”. The adverts have emerged on platforms including Facebook and YouTube, but the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has now warned […]
Meghan will not appear at public events during Harry UK trip
The Duchess of Sussex is no longer expected to appear at any of the public events this week, during her husband the Duke of Sussex’s visit to the UK, it has been confirmed. It had already been announced that Meghan and their children Archie and Lilibet would not join Prince Harry at the start of the week, […]
Ukrainian agent accused of murdering Monaco bomb suspect changes story
A Ukrainian intelligence agent who confessed to killing the woman suspected of trying to assassinate a multimillionaire and his family in Monaco last week, has now claimed he did not pull the trigger. In court in Kyiv for a custody hearing on Thursday, Vladyslav Reut – who a few days ago led investigators to Anastasiia […]
We’ve saved £6,000 on holidays by swapping homes with strangers
Would you swap homes with a stranger in exchange for a cheaper holiday? Or would the idea of someone sleeping in your bed and using your kitchen while you were away put you off? Henry Vanderpump, 42, his wife Elliw, 39, and their two young children have had two home exchange holidays in the past […]
Bayeux Tapestry arrives in UK for first time in 900 years under police guard
Nick Cullinan, the director of the British Museum, told me: “We’ve just witnessed something rather extraordinary, which is the arrival of the Bayeux Tapestry at the British Museum but specifically it is returning to England for the first time in almost 1,000 years. “It feels like a really remarkable thing not just to witness but […]
Burnham set to be next PM as 322 Labour MPs back him in first nomination tally
Andy Burnham has taken another step towards becoming the next Labour leader and prime minister, after the vast majority of Labour MPs nominated him to replace Sir Keir Starmer. Burnham’s Labour leadership bid has been backed by 322 out of 403 Labour MPs as he remains the only declared candidate. It makes him just one […]
India orders Meta to remove ads promoting child sexual abuse
The Indian government has directed Meta to immediately disable advertisements and content on Instagram that promote or facilitate child sexual abuse material, a senior official said. It has been found that Instagram has been running paid adverts promoting child sexual abuse material in India. In a notice to the tech company, the government also sought an explanation […]
ITV sells media and entertainment arm to Sky for £1.6bn
ITV is selling its media and entertainment divisions to Sky in a £1.6bn deal that the companies say will create a strong rival to global streaming giants. The sale includes ITV’s broadcast channels and its ITVX streaming service, and Sky chief executive Dana Strong called it “a defining moment for British media”. It is one […]
An incredible night when England heroes were made
England’s players dropped to their knees in sheer elation and exhaustion at the end of a performance fit for heroes as Mexico’s great fortress of the Azteca was breached. On a spine-tingling night of drama, emotion and pure theatre in one of sport’s most atmospheric arenas, England delivered one of their great World Cup victories. […]
Farage says he’s ‘done no wrongdoing’ after benefits from ally not declared
Nigel Farage said he has “done no wrongdoing” after it emerged he did not declare benefits provided by an ally once convicted of fraud in the US. George Cottrell’s support included security and social media staff who worked on Farage’s online content in the year before he was elected. It also claims Farage used a […]
At least 11 killed in second Russian strikes on Kyiv in a week
At least 11 people have been killed in Kyiv following a second night of Russian strikes on the Ukrainian capital in a week, the city’s top military administrator has said. Some 46 people have been injured, including five children, Timur Tkachenko added. Three more people were killed in the wider Kyiv region, emergency officials said. […]
From ‘a beautiful night’ to ‘world’s greatest hangover’, guests react to Taylor and Travis’s wedding
It’s been two days since Taylor Swift’s wedding to Travis Kelce, and some of their superstar friends have started giving us tantalising glimpses into what it was like. About 1,000 names were reportedly on the guest list, including some of the biggest celebrities from music, Hollywood and sport. Details of the wedding had been a […]
Prince Harry to stay at Buckingham Palace for part of UK trip, his spokesperson says
Prince Harry has formally accepted an invitation to stay at Buckingham Palace for part of his visit to London this week, a spokesperson for the Duke of Sussex has confirmed. His stay at the palace will take place as part of a trip to the UK to get ready for the Invictus Games, which will […]
Eala wins ‘for all the girls with ruffled socks and chubby cheeks’
Three years ago, Alexandra Eala was presented with her graduation diploma from the Rafael Nadal tennis academy by Iga Swiatek. The Pole was world number one and had just won her third French Open title. She told the players assembled in front of her that she hoped they “would give 100%” to whatever they did […]
Police inquiry into Yes Scotland campaign’s ‘missing £1.5m’ claim
Police are making inquiries after a complaint was made about the finances of Yes Scotland, the group which campaigned for independence in the 2014 referendum. It has been reported on claims that income of more than £1.5m was unaccounted for. The newspaper said the complaint was made by David Henry, who was one of those whose […]
‘I’ve seen a lot of changes in the NHS since 1971’
Growing up in poverty in Mauritius was a world away from the life Savitri Cameron went on to lead as a nurse in the NHS. As she retires from her role as an advanced nurse practitioner in unplanned care in Bradford, Savitri has been looking back at her 55 years of service. “I didn’t have […]
Pakistan, Türkiye reaffirm $5 billion trade goal, pledge to deepen economic ties
Pakistan and Türkiye on Saturday reaffirmed their commitment to raising bilateral trade to $5 billion and expanding cooperation in sectors ranging from energy and mining to information technology, as the two allies sought to deepen economic ties alongside growing diplomatic coordination in the region. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif traveled to Istanbul at the invitation of […]
TikTokers on how Manchester became an ‘influencer heaven’
Towers of luxury apartments loom over waterside bars beside Deansgate-Castlefield station. On hot sunny days, the area is packed. “Everyone is always there during the summer,” Ruwaydah says. “It’s like influencer heaven.” She began making TikTok videos about her favourite places in Manchester six years ago, after moving into one of the city’s sky-scraping apartments. […]
Masked men to morphine addiction: The original TV Little House on the Prairie was a true American horror story
A Netflix spin on the classic children’s books is about to launch. It remains to be seen how it compares to the 1970s adaptation – which is much darker and grimmer than most remember. When it comes to TV credits sequences, few evoke as much nostalgia as that for Little House On The Prairie, the […]
A mayor in Japan announced her maternity leave – and got the whole country talking
When the mayor of a small town in western Japan announced she was taking maternity leave, she expected some raised eyebrows. But the reaction was far stronger – and more divided – than Shoko Kawata had ever anticipated. The 35-year-old has been plunged into a national debate about whether elected officials should take time off […]
Rare copy of US Declaration of Independence found by volunteer in UK archives
A rare surviving copy of the Declaration of Independence has been discovered at The National Archives in Kew, the only known example of its kind outside the US. The document was uncovered by a volunteer in February while cataloguing the papers of Royal Navy captains from the American Revolutionary War. It is one of 11 […]
Pubs allowed to stay open until 5am for England Mexico match
Pubs in England and Wales will now be allowed to stay open until 05:00 on Monday, allowing football fans to watch the Three Lions’ World Cup clash with Mexico to the final whistle. The round-of-16 match in Mexico City kicks off at 01:00 UK time. The government had initially said it would not relax licensing […]
I take responsibility to fund defence plan extremely seriously, says Burnham
Andy Burnham has said he would take his responsibilities to fund the defence investment plan “extremely seriously” if he becomes prime minister. The plan, published on Tuesday, provided a £15bn spending boost to defence but is projected to leave the next prime minister with a £4.7bn funding gap to fill. Burnham told LBC he had not seen […]
UK
Meghan will not appear at public events during Harry UK trip
The Duchess of Sussex is no longer expected to appear at any of the public events this week, during her husband the Duke of Sussex’s visit to the UK, it has been confirmed. It had already been announced that Meghan and their children Archie and Lilibet would not join Prince Harry at the start of the week, […]
Prince Harry to stay at Buckingham Palace for part of UK trip, his spokesperson says
Prince Harry has formally accepted an invitation to stay at Buckingham Palace for part of his visit to London this week, a spokesperson for the Duke of Sussex has confirmed. His stay at the palace will take place as part of a trip to the UK to get ready for the Invictus Games, which will […]
‘I’ve seen a lot of changes in the NHS since 1971’
Growing up in poverty in Mauritius was a world away from the life Savitri Cameron went on to lead as a nurse in the NHS. As she retires from her role as an advanced nurse practitioner in unplanned care in Bradford, Savitri has been looking back at her 55 years of service. “I didn’t have […]
Rare copy of US Declaration of Independence found by volunteer in UK archives
A rare surviving copy of the Declaration of Independence has been discovered at The National Archives in Kew, the only known example of its kind outside the US. The document was uncovered by a volunteer in February while cataloguing the papers of Royal Navy captains from the American Revolutionary War. It is one of 11 […]
More than 300 arrests in organised immigration crime crackdown
More than 300 people have been arrested across the UK, including 57 migrants who had crossed the Channel by boat, as part of a police crackdown on illegal trade and organised immigration crime. The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) said more than £1m cash was seized during the five-day operation between June 15 and June […]
Woman raped by Superdry co-founder
A woman who was raped by Superdry co-founder James Holder has told she had been working for him at the time of the attack and had to return to work to face him just days later. Gemma, not her real name, was attacked by the disgraced fashion boss in her own home after Holder got […]
Refugees would be told to repay around £10,000 under new asylum bill
People granted asylum in the UK face having to pay back around £10,000 towards the cost of their accommodation and support once they start earning, under government plans. The new measures, which are part of the Immigration and Asylum Bill, are aimed at recovering costs from all adults with sufficient funds. Asylum seekers who have […]
Harry still hoping to bring Meghan and children on UK visit
The Duke of Sussex is still planning to bring his wife and children on a visit to the UK next week, if security arrangements can be put in place. There had been uncertainty about whether the Duchess of Sussex and their children, Archie and Lilibet, would travel with Prince Harry on a trip from their […]
Harry reconsiders bringing Meghan and children on UK trip
The Duke of Sussex is reconsidering plans to bring his wife and children to the UK next month after his request for police protection was rejected. Prince Harry, his wife Meghan and his two children, Archie and Lilibet, were due to make a family visit to the UK for the first time in four years. […]
Thunderstorms delay hundreds of Heathrow and Gatwick flights
Hundreds of flights at London’s Heathrow and Gatwick airports have been delayed as the UK’s air traffic control service warned disruption was expected to continue into Sunday. More than 900 inbound and outbound flights at the two travel hubs have been delayed for up to 11 hours and dozens cancelled, according to tracker FlightAware, many […]
Heatwave ends but experts warn of more heat to come
Met Office forecasts show the record breaking heatwave in the South West and Channel Islands has come to an end – but climate experts warn that periods of high temperature will continue to become more frequent, intense and prolonged. Jersey and Guernsey both recorded their hottest days on record on Thursday reaching 39.3C (102.7F) and 36.4C […]
Jail time and unlimited fines planned under conversion practices ban
Those who carry out conversion practices – commonly known as “conversion therapy” – could be jailed for up to five years under landmark new plans. The draft Conversion Practices Bill, which criminalises “abusive acts” aiming to change someone’s sexual orientation or transgender identity, was laid before Parliament on Thursday. The Cabinet Office said the Bill […]
TV Festival to move from Edinburgh to Manchester
The TV Festival is relocating from Edinburgh to Manchester next year after half a century. Organisers said it was moving from the Scottish capital “amid increasing challenges around accessibility, affordability and sustainability” across the television industry. The TV Foundation, which has run the event since 1976, praised Greater Manchester’s vision for the festival which “combined […]
Boy, 3, no longer critical after crocodile attack
A three-year-old boy who was seriously injured after ending up in a crocodile enclosure is no longer in a critical condition, police confirmed. The boy was attacked by at least one crocodile following an incident at Johnsons of Old Hurst near Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, on Thursday. Cambridgeshire Police has arrested and bailed a 30-year-old man on suspicion of […]
King penguin lays park’s first egg in six years
A king penguin egg has been laid at a bird park in Gloucestershire for the first time in six years. The 289g (10oz) egg was laid by a younger female king penguin named French at Birdland Park and Gardens in Bourton-on-the-Water earlier this week. A spokesperson for the park said the “precious egg” had to […]
Scientist researching her mum’s incurable cancer
A university scientist said it was a “great feeling” to be awarded funding to research a form of blood cancer that her mother has been diagnosed with. Dr Lucy Goudswaard had been researching cardiovascular disease at the University of Bristol, but when her mum Joy Goudswaard was told she had incurable myeloma in 2021, she was inspired […]
Linkin Park ignore the noise with triumphant set at Download Festival
Rock and metal has been far from a man’s game for a long time. But some habits have been harder than others to break – Download Festival and its predecessor Monsters Of Rock have had to wait until 2026 for a female-fronted band to headline the festival. Linkin Park took that title on Sunday night, and […]
Meningitis B vaccine to be offered to a million young people
A million young people in England, Wales and Scotland will be offered a vaccine to help protect against meningitis B. The one-off programme has been launched after concerns over the UK’s largest and fastest growing meningitis B outbreak to date in Kent this year and two further “unusual” clusters in Weymouth in Dorset and Reading […]
David Sullivan banned from contact with West Ham women’s and youth teams since 2023
West Ham co-owner David Sullivan has been banned from having contact with the club’s women’s and youth teams for the last three years because of safeguarding concerns. The Football Association opened a safeguarding investigation in 2023 after receiving allegations about the conduct of Sullivan, the co-owner and then the co-chair, of West Ham United. In […]
Birmingham City Council fines itself £472,000 for Clean Air Zone breaches
Birmingham City Council has paid more than £470,000 to itself in daily charges and fines because its own vehicles break the rules of its Clean Air Zone (CAZ) policy. Even though there has been a year-long bin strike in the city, most of its vehicles facing daily charges were from the waste department. The authority said […]
Starmer says case of girls raped by boys spared custody ‘appalling’
The teenager was 15 when she was raped in an underpass by the River Avon. She had travelled to meet one of the boys for the first time in November 2024 after he had begun a “relationship” with her on social media platform Snapchat. The second victim was raped in a field. The boys filmed […]
Parents of Southport survivors say anonymity has erased their girls from the story
Twenty-three girls survived the attack. They include a girl who was stabbed 33 times, and two sisters who were both injured as the elder tried to shield her younger sibling. Some parents said their daughters had missed out on support from local authorities after officials told them they did not know who their children were. […]
Junior school pupil treated for meningitis in fourth Reading case
A junior school pupil is being treated for meningitis in Reading, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has said. The Westwood Farm Junior School pupil is the fourth young person to contract the infection, with all four linked to the same wider social network, the UKHSA said. Last week, Lewis Waters, who attended The Henley […]
Town prepares to cheer on Eurovision local hero
The home town of the electronic musician representing the UK at the Eurovision Song Contest is preparing to cheer him on. Sam Battle, known as Look Mum No Computer, will perform at the final on Saturday in his bid to become the first British entry to win since 1997. The artist and YouTuber is well known around […]
World
Ukrainian agent accused of murdering Monaco bomb suspect changes story
A Ukrainian intelligence agent who confessed to killing the woman suspected of trying to assassinate a multimillionaire and his family in Monaco last week, has now claimed he did not pull the trigger. In court in Kyiv for a custody hearing on Thursday, Vladyslav Reut – who a few days ago led investigators to Anastasiia […]
At least 11 killed in second Russian strikes on Kyiv in a week
At least 11 people have been killed in Kyiv following a second night of Russian strikes on the Ukrainian capital in a week, the city’s top military administrator has said. Some 46 people have been injured, including five children, Timur Tkachenko added. Three more people were killed in the wider Kyiv region, emergency officials said. […]
A mayor in Japan announced her maternity leave – and got the whole country talking
When the mayor of a small town in western Japan announced she was taking maternity leave, she expected some raised eyebrows. But the reaction was far stronger – and more divided – than Shoko Kawata had ever anticipated. The 35-year-old has been plunged into a national debate about whether elected officials should take time off […]
Nigeria to seek compensation for property abandoned by citizens fleeing South Africa
Nigeria says it will seek compensation from South Africa for its citizens who have left the country following recent protests targeting undocumented migrants. Foreign ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa told that the issue would be discussed between the two governments “at the highest levels”. Acting High Commissioner to South Africa Alexander Ajayi said on local […]
Late singer Oliver Tree’s body returned to US after helicopter crash
The body of US singer-songwriter Oliver Tree has been returned home to California, with an Instagram post on his account saying “he can finally rest”. Tree and six others died in a helicopter crash over Rio de Janeiro last week, when it collided with another helicopter. The social media post also said his family would be honouring his “final […]
US-Iran talks postponed as Vance pulls out of Switzerland trip
A new round of direct talks between the US and Iran have been postponed after Vice-President JD Vance delayed a planned trip to Switzerland. The White House announced late on Thursday that Vance would not be travelling to the talks and said the logistics had not been “simple or predictable”. It comes a day after […]
Iran deal presents political nightmare for Netanyahu
The US ceasefire agreement with Iran has presented Israel’s prime minister with a political nightmare, smashing the three cornerstones of Benjamin Netanyahu’s political career, and leaving him trapped in a new security dilemma. How can the man who styled himself as the political whisperer of Washington, with real influence over American politicians, be sidelined quite […]
Man apologises for making racist gesture at Korean in World Cup match
A Mexican man caught on video pulling the corners of his eyes during the World Cup match between South Korea and the Czech Republic has apologised after the clip sparked a backlash. A South Korean content creator had posted a video of herself at the match last Friday, where Ulises Fernando Bernal Miramontes, seated behind […]
Trump claims deal to end Iran war near as Tehran says ‘nothing’ finalised
US President Donald Trump claimed an agreement to end the war with Iran was close on Thursday, hours after cancelling a third consecutive night of strikes. Trump had declared the US would strike Iran “very hard”, but hours later said his negotiators had “just made a great settlement” with Iran. He told reporters it was […]
US and Iran exchange fire after American patrol helicopter downed in Hormuz
The United States says it’s completed a series of strikes against Iran, which has retaliated by launching drones and missiles. The US military said it targeted air defence systems, ground control stations and radar sites in response to the downing of an American helicopter on Monday. In response, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said […]
Israel PM orders strikes on Beirut suburbs as Hezbollah conflict escalates
Israel’s prime minister has ordered attacks on the southern suburbs of Lebanon’s capital, Beirut, as its conflict with the Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah escalates. Benjamin Netanyahu said “terror targets” in the Hezbollah stronghold of Dahieh would be struck in response to its rocket and drone attacks on Israeli civilians and other violations of a ceasefire […]
Australia charges woman who returned from Syria with joining Islamic State
A woman with links to the Islamic State group who returned to Australia from Syria last year has been charged with being a member of a terrorist organisation and entering a declared conflict zone, police have said. The 34-year-old arrived in Australia in September along with another woman, police said, and was to appear in […]
It’s like the Olympics – except steroids are allowed
Under the blazing Vegas sun, giant billboards advertise “Live Enhanced” as the baritone voice of a sports announcer pretends to introduce British swimmer Ben Proud and other athletes. The announcer is practising at a new open air arena hosting one of the most controversial events in recent sporting history: the Enhanced Games. Think Olympics on […]
Alberta to hold referendum on whether to remain in Canada
Alberta will hold a referendum on whether the province should remain in Canada or move ahead with a second binding vote on separation, marking the first significant test of the country’s unity in decades. Thursday’s announcement by Premier Danielle Smith comes after a citizen-led petition calling for separation gathered more than 300,000 signatures early this […]
Bodies of missing Italian divers found in Maldives
The Italians were found inside a 60-metre-deep (197ft) cave in Vaavu Atoll by a joint team of highly trained Finnish and Maldivian divers, the officials said. The body of a fifth Italian diver, a member of the group, had already been recovered shortly after Thursday’s accident. A Maldivian rescue diver also died on Saturday while […]
US planning to criminally indict ex-Cuban leader Raúl Castro
The US justice department is reportedly preparing to indict aging Cuban leader Raúl Castro in the coming days over the shooting down of two aircraft three decades ago. The reported charges, which would need to be approved by a US grand jury, emerged as the director of the CIA travelled to Cuba to meet officials […]
Flattery and fanfare as Trump welcomed to China – but thorny issues remain
Xi Jinping threw a grand welcome for Donald Trump on the first day of a visit that could reset ties between the rival superpowers. The military honour guard lined up outside the Great Hall of the People to welcome Trump, complete with a gun salute and a band playing the US national anthem. The president […]
International cyber attack disrupts swathe of universities and schools
A cyber attack hit several universities and schools in the US, Canada and Australia, causing chaos, confusion and major disruptions amid the high stakes end-of-year season. The hacking group ShinyHunters reportedly claimed responsibility for the attack, which caused the academic software Canvas used by thousands of schools and universities to go offline this week. By […]
To stay or risk the ‘Road of Death’ – Ukrainian civilians trapped in frontline city
“The road is mined. So, we’re stuck here,” says Ludmilla, over the phone from the rooftop of a fire-damaged house in southern Ukraine. “People are trying their best to survive.” Her frontline home city of Oleshky has, according to multiple accounts, been largely cut off from fresh supplies of food or medicine for months. Ludmilla […]
Three dead in suspected virus outbreak on Atlantic cruise ship
Three people have died and a UK national is seriously ill in hospital after a suspected hantavirus outbreak on a small cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean. The operator of the MV Hondius ship, tour company Oceanwide Expeditions, said a Dutch husband and wife, as well as a German national, had died but the cause […]
Germany troop cuts send wrong signal to Russia, say two top US Republicans
Two senior US Republican lawmakers have criticised a decision by the Pentagon to cut 5,000 US troops stationed in Germany, saying it risked undermining deterrence and would send the wrong signal to Russia. Roger Wicker and Mike Rogers, who chair the Senate and House armed services committees respectively, said that rather than being withdrawn, those […]
Trump tells Congress ceasefire means he does not need their approval for Iran war
President Donald Trump has told Congress that US hostilities with Iran have “terminated” during an ongoing ceasefire, as he argued he did not need to meet a deadline for legislative approval of the war. By law, a US president must receive Congress’ approval within 60 days of notifying lawmakers of military action, or else cease […]
Trump says he will hike tariffs on EU cars to 25%
Donald Trump is increasing the tariffs charged on cars and trucks from the European Union to 25%. The US president accused the EU of “not complying with our fully agreed to trade deal” in a post on Truth Social, but did not explain how. “I am pleased to announce that… next week I will be […]
‘Washington in shock’ and ‘King keeps calm’
“Washington in shock,” says the Guardian. “Bedlam in the ballroom,” is the Sun’s headline. The Financial Times reports that questions are mounting about the “repeated security lapses” around President Donald Trump. The Daily Mirror says experts have called the security breach a “historic failure”. A couple of the papers carry accounts of Saturday’s attack from their correspondents who attended the dinner. […]
Politics
Burnham set to be next PM as 322 Labour MPs back him in first nomination tally
Andy Burnham has taken another step towards becoming the next Labour leader and prime minister, after the vast majority of Labour MPs nominated him to replace Sir Keir Starmer. Burnham’s Labour leadership bid has been backed by 322 out of 403 Labour MPs as he remains the only declared candidate. It makes him just one […]
Farage says he’s ‘done no wrongdoing’ after benefits from ally not declared
Nigel Farage said he has “done no wrongdoing” after it emerged he did not declare benefits provided by an ally once convicted of fraud in the US. George Cottrell’s support included security and social media staff who worked on Farage’s online content in the year before he was elected. It also claims Farage used a […]
Police inquiry into Yes Scotland campaign’s ‘missing £1.5m’ claim
Police are making inquiries after a complaint was made about the finances of Yes Scotland, the group which campaigned for independence in the 2014 referendum. It has been reported on claims that income of more than £1.5m was unaccounted for. The newspaper said the complaint was made by David Henry, who was one of those whose […]
I take responsibility to fund defence plan extremely seriously, says Burnham
Andy Burnham has said he would take his responsibilities to fund the defence investment plan “extremely seriously” if he becomes prime minister. The plan, published on Tuesday, provided a £15bn spending boost to defence but is projected to leave the next prime minister with a £4.7bn funding gap to fill. Burnham told LBC he had not seen […]
From Truman’s pension to Trump’s billions – a White House windfall unmatched by any president
Harry Truman left the White House without any income other than his Army pension of $113 (£85) per month. The 33rd US president later wrote that it was wrong to “commercialize on the prestige and dignity of the office of the presidency”. George W Bush put his investments in a blind trust before running for […]
Starmer quits as Labour leader and paves way for contest for new prime minister
Sir Keir Starmer has said he will quit as Labour Party leader, paving the way for a contest to decide a new prime minister. Speaking in Downing Street, Sir Keir said he accepted he was not best placed to lead Labour into the next general election and he had informed the King of his decision […]
Who is Andy Burnham? Returning MP who wants to be prime minister
Andy Burnham is no stranger to Labour leadership contests. More than 10 years ago he ran twice, unsuccessfully, for the top job. Now he’s backed by many Labour MPs as the party’s best chance of recovery, after months of languishing in the polls and a devastating set of election results in May. Burnham’s victory in the Makerfield […]
Labour risks handing power to Reform without drastic change, says union leader
Andrea Egan is about to attend her first conference of the country’s biggest union, Unison, as its leader. A grassroots campaigner for more than 30 years, she upset expectations when she defeated the incumbent general secretary, Christina McAnea, in December last year. She has suggested that the union had previously been “a sleeping giant” which […]
Farage vows to ban foreign nationals from social housing
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has said his party would ban foreign nationals from living in social housing, with tenants required to find private accommodation within three months or face possible deportation. The party confirmed the ban would apply retrospectively, regardless of how long someone has been living in the UK, under Reform’s policy of abolishing […]
Dissent fizzes again at the top of the Labour Party
After the spray of resignations, fury and anger a month ago following Labour’s calamitous election results, the Makerfield by-election campaign had put a temporary cork in the bottle of the party’s dissent. Or so we thought. It turns out we didn’t have to wait to find out if the Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham would […]
Scrap legal equality duty for public services, says Badenoch
The Conservatives want to scrap rules requiring public bodies such as schools and hospitals to consider promoting equality in their decisions. In what the party described as the first step in a programme to “restore common sense”, Kemi Badenoch said the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) has resulted in some groups being “preferred over others”. […]
Burnham and Streeting accuse Blair of ignoring inequality as they hit back at ex-PM
Andy Burnham and Wes Streeting have accused former Labour Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair of underestimating the impact of inequality in his critique of the government. Sir Tony used a 5,600-word essay to argue the Labour government had “no coherent plan” for the country and had introduced policies that had held back business. He urged Labour not […]
UK net migration needs to fall further, says Andy Burnham
Andy Burnham has said UK net migration “needs to fall further”, after new government figures showed it had almost halved since 2024. Labour’s by-election candidate in Makerfield said people on the doorstep have “raised their concerns about immigration” with him. He added the latest figures on net migration – the difference between those entering and […]
Rubio says Cuba is threat to US as Havana accuses him of ‘lies’
Cuba poses a “national security threat” to the US and the likelihood of a peaceful agreement is “not high”, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said. His comments come just a day after the US charged Cuba’s former president Raúl Castro with murder over the 1996 downing of two planes resulting in the killing […]
Swinney defends food prices policy ahead of first minister vote
SNP leader John Swinney has denied his food prices policy is an attempt to force a fight with the UK government. He said people were “struggling to afford a very basic shop” and that he had a “public health responsibility” to provide an affordable nutritious diet. Under the SNP manifesto pledge, large supermarkets would be compelled […]
Trump warns Taiwan against declaring independence, hours after summit with China’s Xi
US President Donald Trump has cautioned Taiwan against formally declaring independence from China. “I’m not looking to have somebody go independent,” the US president told Fox News on Friday, at the end of his two-day summit with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Beijing. Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te has previously stated that Taiwan does not […]
‘Where we need vision, we have a vacuum’ – read Streeting’s resignation letter in full
Wes Streeting has resigned as health secretary, writing in a letter to Sir Keir Starmer that despite the prime minister’s “courage and statesmanship”, “where we need vision, we have a vacuum”. Here is that resignation letter in full: Dear Prime Minister, The results are in and I am pleased to report that I have delivered […]
Election results show politics in the UK has fragmented
The overnight local election results have confirmed that, for the time being at least, electoral politics in Britain has become highly fragmented. Reform are certainly the winners. The party has won most seats – 30% of those declared so far. Meanwhile in a sample of over 500 wards where the detailed voting figures have been […]
Political parties make final pitches ahead of key elections
Political parties and their candidates have been making their final push for votes on the last full day of campaigning ahead of elections across England, Scotland and Wales. Voters in Scotland and Wales will choose who should run their national governments, while seats on dozens of councils and mayors are up for election in England. […]
Some Iranians fear the regime is now more entrenched – and ready for revenge
They are still there. There is no evading the simple fact. Everywhere the people walk. Wherever they drive. Whenever they switch on the television. The faces of assassinated leaders, and those of new rulers, dominate the public space. Protests have come and gone. A war. Then a ceasefire. But the regime of the Islamic Republic […]
Tories pledge to tighten household benefit cap rules
The Conservatives say they would stop some households being able to get unlimited benefit payments, by reforming the household benefit cap. The cap is a limit on the total amount of benefit payments most working age people can receive. However, there are exemptions for people on some benefits, including Personal Independence Payment (Pip), and for households […]
Polanski apologises for sharing post criticising police
Zack Polanski has apologised for sharing a social media post condemning the actions of police officers who arrested the suspect in the Golders Green attack. The Green Party leader had reposted a message on X accusing officers of “repeatedly and violently kicking a mentally ill man in the head when he was already incapacitated by […]
Pro-Palestinian marches have been hijacked, says minister
A justice minister has said pro-Palestinian marches in British cities have been “hijacked” by people seeking to sow division, as the government’s approach to the demonstrations comes under renewed scrutiny. Alex Davies-Jones said antisemitic activity had taken place during the marches, and insisted the government was prepared to approve bans where necessary. But she said […]
Canada’s Carney has enjoyed a long political honeymoon. Now comes the test
Mark Carney arrived on Canada’s political scene last year as an Ivy League and Oxford educated economist and a former central banker for two countries. He had an impressive resume and ambitions to be prime minister but had never run for public office until replacing Justin Trudeau as Liberal leader. There was concern his lack […]
Business
We’ve saved £6,000 on holidays by swapping homes with strangers
Would you swap homes with a stranger in exchange for a cheaper holiday? Or would the idea of someone sleeping in your bed and using your kitchen while you were away put you off? Henry Vanderpump, 42, his wife Elliw, 39, and their two young children have had two home exchange holidays in the past […]
ITV sells media and entertainment arm to Sky for £1.6bn
ITV is selling its media and entertainment divisions to Sky in a £1.6bn deal that the companies say will create a strong rival to global streaming giants. The sale includes ITV’s broadcast channels and its ITVX streaming service, and Sky chief executive Dana Strong called it “a defining moment for British media”. It is one […]
Pakistan, Türkiye reaffirm $5 billion trade goal, pledge to deepen economic ties
Pakistan and Türkiye on Saturday reaffirmed their commitment to raising bilateral trade to $5 billion and expanding cooperation in sectors ranging from energy and mining to information technology, as the two allies sought to deepen economic ties alongside growing diplomatic coordination in the region. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif traveled to Istanbul at the invitation of […]
Pubs allowed to stay open until 5am for England Mexico match
Pubs in England and Wales will now be allowed to stay open until 05:00 on Monday, allowing football fans to watch the Three Lions’ World Cup clash with Mexico to the final whistle. The round-of-16 match in Mexico City kicks off at 01:00 UK time. The government had initially said it would not relax licensing […]
US blocks long-term renewal of North American trade deal
The US has declined to renew the landmark US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) in its current form, according to a senior US official. This decision means the trilateral trade pact will miss out on an automatic 16-year extension. The official said the administration “chose not to rubber stamp a USMCA renewal without addressing existing issues” and that “the United States […]
Fake romance to missed deliveries: How to protect yourself from three common scams
Nobody thinks they will become the victim of a scam, until they are. A record four million cases of fraudsters stealing money were registered last year, according to UK Finance, a banking trade body – with plenty more going unreported. Sam Little, a 35-year-old former contestant The Traitors, revealed last week he had lost £40,000 […]
Brexit cost 6% of UK economy, Bank of England company data suggests
The UK economy has taken a 6% hit from the effects of Brexit, according to economists’ analysis of internal Bank of England data about the decisions, views and financial results of thousands of British companies since the referendum a decade ago. Examining data that the Bank uses to decide on interest rates, the study analysed […]
Japan raises interest rate to highest for 31 years
Japan’s central bank has increased its main interest rate to a new 31-year high after a surge in global energy prices. On Tuesday, the Bank of Japan (BOJ) raised its so-called policy rate to 1% from 0.75% – a level not seen since 1995. The decision comes as some other central banks have raised interest […]
UK and Japan agree £18bn investment deal
The UK and Japan have agreed a multi-billion pound investment deal which UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said will build a “new era of co-operation” between the two nations. Japanese firms will spend more than £9bn on UK infrastructure and financial services and up to £9bn on UK offshore wind, creating tens of thousands […]
Elon Musk’s SpaceX raises $75bn ahead of world’s biggest stock market launch
SpaceX has raised $75bn (£56bn) from financial firms ahead of it becoming a publicly traded company on Friday, in what is expected to be the highest-value stock listing in history. In a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, the space exploration and artificial intelligence (AI) company said it had sold $75bn in shares […]
World’s largest chipmaker does not rule out price rises as costs increase
The world’s largest chipmaker has told that inflation is pushing up the cost of doing business, and did not rule out price rises. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) makes the most advanced chips designed by companies such as Nvidia, AMD and Apple, so any increase in pricing could ripple through to the cost of AI […]
Nvidia announces new AI chip for personal computers
Nvidia has announced a new chip for PCs as it moves into the consumer market for devices integrated with AI technology. “This reinvention of the computer is as big of a deal as the reinvention of the phone into what we now know as the smartphone,” Nvidia’s chief executive Jensen Huang said as he unveiled […]
The world’s carmakers are struggling to compete with China
Global carmakers are facing a reckoning as US, European and Japanese brands lose ground to Chinese rivals setting the pace not only in electric vehicles, but also in batteries, design and software. They visited factory floors in Beijing and Hefei on the sidelines of Auto China 2026 – the world’s largest car show – and […]
UK officials suggested single market for goods with Europe
UK officials suggested establishing a single market for goods trade with the EU as part of the next phase of its Brexit reset. Industry figures briefed on the move said the idea has not been taken forward at this point, after EU scepticism, as attention focuses on the details of existing negotiations over food, farm […]
Bank boss sorry after describing workers as ‘lower value human capital’
The boss of Standard Chartered has apologised after describing employees whose jobs are vulnerable to being replaced by Artificial Intelligence (AI) as “lower value human capital”. Discussing how automation was likely to lead to thousands of job cuts at the bank at a recent conference, Bill Winters said it wasn’t about cost cutting but “replacing, […]
Swatch boss says crowds are ‘good news’ after watch launch sparks chaos
The boss of Swatch has defended the launch of its collaboration with Audemars Piguet after shops in cities around the world saw disruption when large crowds attempted to buy its new pocket watch. CEO Nick Hayek Jr told there had been “overcrowding like hell” at some of its stores for the Royal Pop timepiece but […]
Beckhams become billionaires as Oasis make rich list for first time
Sir David Beckham has become the UK’s first billionaire sportsman, and Oasis brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher have made it onto the annual Sunday Times Rich List of the UK’s 350 richest individuals and families for the first time. The collective wealth of Sir David and his wife, Lady Beckham, is estimated at £1.2bn, while the Gallaghers […]
UK economy sees surprise growth in March despite Iran war
The UK’s economy saw surprise growth in March, despite the month seeing the first impact of the Iran war. The economy grew by 0.3%, confounding analysts’ forecasts of a small contraction, although the effects of the conflict are expected to hit growth later this year. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said there were signs […]
The companies making billions from the Iran war
As households across the globe count the costs of the US-Israel war in Iran, some companies have been counting bumper profits instead. The uncertainty sparked by the conflict, and Iran’s effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, is driving up the cost of living and hitting the budgets of firms, families and governments. But while […]
Oil prices drop and stock markets rise after reports of deal to end Iran war
Oil prices have dropped and global stock markets have risen following reports that the US and Iran are close to a deal to end the war. Brent crude futures, the global benchmark oil price, fell to $97 (£73) a barrel after the reports before rebounding to over $101. The price was over $108 earlier in […]
Samsung family pays off record $8bn inheritance tax bill
The family behind the South Korean corporate giant Samsung has completed its payment of a 12 trillion won (£6bn; $8bn) inheritance tax bill, the largest such settlement in the country’s history. Chairman Lee Jae-yong and other members of the family, including his mother Hong Ra-hee and sisters Lee Boo-jin and Lee Seo-hyun, paid the sum […]
Voters will judge Trump on the economy – how is it doing?
Donald Trump once predicted the US-Israeli war in Iran would last no longer than six weeks. It has now entered its third month. The conflict has caused a global energy shock on a par with the oil crises of the 1970s, driving up prices of everything from fuel to groceries. Despite piling additional pressure on […]
Spirit Airlines shutting down after rescue talks collapse
Spirit Airlines is shutting down as a business after failing to secure a $500m (£368m) bailout from the Trump administration. The budget airline was in talks with the US government about a rescue deal which would have saved it from collapse. But discussions collapsed and the carrier said in an announcement on its website on […]
Crayola toys recalled over possible asbestos contamination
Two Crayola craft boxes for children have been withdrawn and a recall issued over concerns sand in the kits may be contaminated with asbestos. Owners of the Crayola Touchy Feely Craft Box and Crayola Discovery Craft Box should stop using the products immediately and keep out of the reach of children, the government said. The Office for Product Safety […]
Tech
‘Cool in 90 seconds’ – the fake portable air conditioners sweeping the internet
As parts of the UK brace for another hot weekend, online adverts have been appearing for portable air conditioners claiming to be “designed by former Nasa engineers” and able to “cool a room in 90 seconds”. The adverts have emerged on platforms including Facebook and YouTube, but the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has now warned […]
India orders Meta to remove ads promoting child sexual abuse
The Indian government has directed Meta to immediately disable advertisements and content on Instagram that promote or facilitate child sexual abuse material, a senior official said. It has been found that Instagram has been running paid adverts promoting child sexual abuse material in India. In a notice to the tech company, the government also sought an explanation […]
TikTokers on how Manchester became an ‘influencer heaven’
Towers of luxury apartments loom over waterside bars beside Deansgate-Castlefield station. On hot sunny days, the area is packed. “Everyone is always there during the summer,” Ruwaydah says. “It’s like influencer heaven.” She began making TikTok videos about her favourite places in Manchester six years ago, after moving into one of the city’s sky-scraping apartments. […]
AI is ‘not smart’ so what’s next in artificial intelligence?
“We don’t have robots that are nearly as good at understanding the physical world as a rat,” says Yann LeCun, one of the leading figures in the world of artificial intelligence. He worked at Facebook-owner, Meta, for a decade, where he was chief AI scientist, but left in 2025 and founded Advanced Machine Intelligence Labs […]
AI could flag issues with council homes sooner
Artificial intelligence (AI) could be used to flag issues with council homes before they become critical. Researchers at the University of Cambridge are developing the new AI tool alongside Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council. It will scan data from thousands of properties and flag the ones most likely to deteriorate, as well […]
London’s driverless revolution: Awe, anxiety and the unknown
The driver has taken his hands off the wheel, and the car starts driving itself. I am suddenly dumbstruck and lost for words. The car slows down at a zebra crossing and lets a pedestrian cross and then accelerates away. My brain can’t understand what is happening. It is a mixture of disbelief, amazement, slight […]
Social media ban – bold and blunt, but no silver bullet
When I arrived at 10 Downing Street this morning to hear the prime minister announce the UK’s social media ban for under-16s, I had to hand in my phone for security reasons. The temporary anxiety it gave me was perhaps a small insight into how many of the nation’s 13 to 15-year-olds were feeling, as […]
When will social media ban start, and which apps will be affected?
The UK has announced it is going to ban social media for under-16s. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said that the ban would take effect in early 2027. He said keeping children off social media was “the right step for Britain” and the best way to keep them safe online. The ban will cover platforms […]
University to launch defence technology courses
New courses to train students in national security and defence technology threats are set to be launched by Bournemouth University. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has given the university about £2.8m to develop courses, which will include the creation of two new facilities for students to gain practical experience in realistic settings. The Cyber Defence […]
Champion ethical hacker warns AI tools like Mythos will make competing harder
An ethical hacker who just won major prizes at a prestigious international competition says her days of competing could be numbered due to the rise of AI tools like Claude Mythos. Valentina Palmiotti – better known as Chompie – was the most successful individual at the annual Pwn2Own hacking competition in Berlin. She told that, […]
AI used to fake evidence that ended Korean actor’s career, say police
South Korean police are seeking an arrest warrant for a YouTuber who allegedly faked evidence that defamed actor Kim Soo-hyun and fuelled a scandal which ended his career. Authorities say the YouTuber had manipulated screenshots of text messages and shared an audio file made with AI to give the impression that the actor had dated […]
Why the AI industry is the real winner of the Musk-Altman trial
It is not only OpenAI but the AI race itself that was vindicated in the California courtroom last night. Even though Elon Musk essentially lost on a technicality, there’s a clear signal from the verdict that making lots of money from AI and competing fiercely with rivals is simply business. The industry sometimes tries to display […]
The boldest new cars unveiled at Beijing Auto Show 2026
Auto China is the world’s largest auto show, and Chinese companies are redefining what cars of the future are capable of – from five‑minute EV charging, to vehicles with no steering wheels at all. As software, AI, and manufacturing merge at breakneck speed, journalist Suranjana Tewari finds out why China is emerging as the new […]
Big tech bets on new mascots in bid to seem more cuddly
Some of the world’s biggest and most powerful brands are attempting to be more cute and cuddly. Tech giants Microsoft and Apple are among a wave of businesses who have recently introduced new cartoon character mascots, a tactic experts say is often used to make a brand seem more human and friendly, and to build […]
Sony, Nintendo grapple with memory price surge as AI boom constrains supply
Nintendo and Sony both flagged the impact from surging memory prices on their games businesses on Friday, as the artificial intelligence boom constrains chip supply and deepens disruptions across the tech sector. Memory chip prices doubled in the first quarter alone from the previous quarter and are forecast to climb up to 63% in the current quarter […]
Huawei Mate 90 series to adopt new 50MP, 200MP main cameras
Huawei Mate 90 series will take mobile camera photography to a whole new level as the company is reportedly testing two new main cameras for the top-tier flagship. New information has leaked, revealing a few imaging specs of the 2026 Mate phones. Weibo tipster @SmartPikachu noted that Huawei is evaluating two new main cameras for the Mate 90 […]
Public urged to beware of fake financial firms
Members of the public have been warned not to fall foul of unauthorised financial service providers. The Jersey Financial Services Commission (JFSC) said it was continuing to see an increase in scams in Jersey, with criminals becoming more sophisticated. The warning followed a public statement from the commission highlighting a scam entity called Sky Dove […]
Musk’s AI told me people were coming to kill me. I grabbed a hammer and prepared for war
It was 3am and Adam Hourican was sitting at his kitchen table, a knife, hammer and phone laid out in front of him. He was waiting for a van full of people he thought were coming to get him. “I’m telling you, they will kill you if you don’t act now,” a woman’s voice told […]
Spotify adds ‘Verified’ badges to distinguish human artists from AI
Spotify is introducing a ‘Verified’ badge to help users identify when artists on its platform are human, not AI-generated. The world’s most-used music streaming service said the ‘Verified by Spotify’ text and green checkmark icon would appear next to artist names when they meet “defined standards demonstrating authenticity”. This could include having linked social accounts […]
Apple says iPhone 17 ‘most popular ever’ as sales soar
Apple has seen demand for its iPhone reach new heights with sales growth in China outpacing all other regions. Overall, sales of Apple products grew 17% to $111bn (£81bn) in the first three months of the year, compared to the same quarter a year ago, the company said in financial results released Thursday. Sales in […]
Anthropic investigating claim of unauthorised access to Mythos AI tool
Anthropic is investigating a claim that a small group of people gained access to its Claude Mythos model – the cyber-security tool which the AI firm says is too powerful to release to the public. “We’re investigating a report claiming unauthorized access to Claude Mythos Preview through one of our third-party vendor environments,” the company […]
Meta to cut one in 10 jobs after spending billions on AI
Meta will cut thousands of jobs next month as it spends more than ever on artificial intelligence (AI) projects. The company told employees in a memo on Thursday that it planned to cut 10% of its workforce – roughly 8,000 staff. It said it would also not fill thousands more open jobs it had been […]
Billionaire backer sues Trump family’s crypto firm over alleged extortion
The Trump family’s World Liberty crypto venture is being sued by one of its billionaire backers over allegations of extortion. Justin Sun has accused World Liberty of an “illegal scheme” to seize his WLFI tokens, a cryptocurrency issued by the company. Sun alleges the firm, co-founded by US President Donald Trump and his son Eric […]
How will Apple change under ‘product guy’ John Ternus?
Apple will have been planning this succession for a long time. Rumours were circulating for a while that 65-year-old Tim Cook was thinking about stepping down, and while a few potential replacements popped up, the name which stuck was the firm’s vice president of hardware, 51-year-old John Ternus. I had an informal meeting with him […]
Sport
Culture, consistency and Lamine Yamal – inside De la Fuente’s Spain
Luis de la Fuente’s Spain are closing in on greatness. They are bidding to become just the fourth team to hold both the World Cup and European Championship crowns at the same time; following their compatriots in 2010, France in 2000 and West Germany back in 1974. De la Fuente is now into his fourth […]
An incredible night when England heroes were made
England’s players dropped to their knees in sheer elation and exhaustion at the end of a performance fit for heroes as Mexico’s great fortress of the Azteca was breached. On a spine-tingling night of drama, emotion and pure theatre in one of sport’s most atmospheric arenas, England delivered one of their great World Cup victories. […]
Eala wins ‘for all the girls with ruffled socks and chubby cheeks’
Three years ago, Alexandra Eala was presented with her graduation diploma from the Rafael Nadal tennis academy by Iga Swiatek. The Pole was world number one and had just won her third French Open title. She told the players assembled in front of her that she hoped they “would give 100%” to whatever they did […]
Huge VAR call prolongs Ronaldo’s last dance but ends Modric’s
Trailing 2-1 to Portugal after a dramatic and chaotic second half, Croatia thought they had equalised when Josko Gvardiol tapped home from close range in the 13th minute of stoppage time. They celebrated wildly, while Cristiano Ronaldo, who had earlier scored his first ever World Cup knockout goal for his country before being substituted, looked […]
‘He’s stored in a hard disk in my head’ – watching the World Cup as a manager
I’ve loved the World Cup since I saw Denmark at Mexico ’86 as a boy – my dad would record the matches overnight so I could watch them with my sister before school the next morning, a lot like kids today are still doing 40 years later! I can still enjoy it like a fan […]
The heavily jeered $250m goldmine – are hydration break ads here to stay?
Four minutes and 20 seconds per match. Or seven hours, 30 minutes and 40 seconds across the tournament. That’s how much extra TV advertising some football fans around the world are watching during mandatory hydration breaks at the World Cup. While viewers in the UK watching are seeing players refuel and hearing extra tactical insight […]
A day of tears, scuffles & history as injury mars Canada’s moment
It should have been a moment of pure joy. Canada, 40 years after playing in their first World Cup, secured their first-ever win at the tournament in emphatic fashion, thrashing Qatar 6-0 in front of a packed and loud Vancouver Stadium. They are almost certain of a place in the last 32. But celebrations were […]
Tuchel’s England deal subject to performance clause
England head coach Thomas Tuchel’s two-year contract extension is subject to a performance clause, Football Association chief executive Mark Bullingham has revealed. With his original deal having been due to expire at the end of the World Cup, the FA and Tuchel agreed a new two-year contract earlier this year that takes the German to the end […]
Hamilton’s first Ferrari win a statement to himself and rest of F1
Lewis Hamilton’s historic first victory for Ferrari in the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix was a statement to himself as well as to the rest of Formula 1, and the watching world. It answered doubts Hamilton admitted to having at times himself about whether he could still do the job at the pinnacle of the sport he […]
We need to feel love playing for England
The tournament in North America got under way on Thursday as Mexico – hosts alongside USA and Canada – beat South Africa 2-0. England’s tournament does not get under way until next Wednesday, when they take on Croatia in Arlington, Texas. Bellingham was part of the England squad that reached the final of Euro 2024, where […]
Williams rolls back the years on return at Queen’s
Serena Williams rolled back the years at Queen’s with a winning performance on her comeback to tennis after 1,375 days away from the sport. Fans with the hottest ticket in town packed out the Andy Murray Arena on Tuesday evening to watch one of the greatest players of all time return to action. Playing doubles […]
The most iconic Champions League final performances ranked
It’s European football’s grandest stage, where goalscorers are etched in Champions League folklore and match-winning performances can define careers. You know the drill. With Saturday’s showdown between Arsenal and holders Paris St-Germain on the horizon, we’re looking at the most iconic individual Champions League final performances of all time. I’ve ranked my top 10 below […]
Raducanu beaten in French Open first round
Emma Raducanu’s French Open campaign came to an early end as she suffered a frustrating first-round defeat by Argentina’s Solana Sierra. After failing to win a single game in a dismal first set that only lasted 25 minutes, the British number one fought back from a double-break down in the second to force a tie-break. […]
Portugal’s Ronaldo set for record sixth World Cup
Cristiano Ronaldo is set to play in a record sixth World Cup after being selected in Portugal’s squad for this summer’s tournament. The 41-year-old forward, who holds the men’s record for all-time international appearances (226) and goals (143), is one of six players to have played in five World Cups. That group includes his former […]
McIlroy recovers as problem solvers flourish at testing US PGA
The second day of the US PGA Championship crystallised what was already becoming clear: Aronimink is a course for the smartest-thinking golfers who adapt quickly. Maybe there should be little surprise that Maverick McNealy, an intelligent but unheralded American who once considered snubbing golf for a business career, is leading the way. Just like on […]
Will F1 go back to the future with its engines?
Formula 1 is in the midst of two parallel sets of engine discussions, both important for the future of the sport. The more immediate one is to find a short and medium-term fix for some of the problems that have arisen with the new engines introduced this year. This one needs an answer within a […]
Real Madrid in crisis – inside the conflict and chaos at the Bernabeu
What should have been a week focused entirely on a high-stakes El Clasico against Barcelona has instead become dominated by reports of conflict and crisis inside Real Madrid’s dressing room. Defeat on Sunday against Barcelona will hand Real’s fiercest rivals their second consecutive La Liga title. But while Barca – who were themselves in turmoil not so […]
Smaller balls for women’s rugby ‘worst decision ever’
England fly-half Zoe Harrison says the introduction of smaller balls for this autumn’s WXV Global Series is “the worst decision someone has ever made”. Size 4.5 balls – about 3% smaller, but the same weight as a regulation size five – will be used for the tournament in September and October. World Rugby held a […]
Mourinho’s Benfica still unbeaten – but miss out on title
With two games left in Portugal’s top flight, Jose Mourinho’s Benfica could join the list of ‘invincibles’ to have gone an entire season without losing. Remarkably, however, that achievement will not be enough to deliver the club’s 39th league title. Porto have already been crowned champions after moving nine points clear of second-placed Benfica at […]
Miami race brought forward because of storm threat
The Miami Grand Prix has been moved forward by three hours to 18:00 BST (13:00 local time) because of the threat of thunderstorms. And world champion Lando Norris says the Formula 1 drivers will be “thrown in at the deep end” by the expected wet weather on Sunday. The McLaren driver is one of the […]
‘A man who inspired millions in the face of unbelievable adversity’
Alex Zanardi, who has died aged 59, was a 21st century hero. A man who inspired millions through his unquenchable spirit in the face of unbelievable adversity. An icon of two different sports. The Italian died on Friday, just under six years after suffering serious head injuries in a road accident while racing his handbike, a […]
Van Gerwen punched in face during bar attack
Darts player Michael van Gerwen was punched in the face by a stranger in a bar in the Netherlands on Monday. In footage shared online, Van Gerwen can be seen talking with a man and a woman in a bar in the city of Den Bosch on King’s Day – a public holiday in Van […]
James leads Lakers to brink of play-off series win
LeBron James made a three-pointer to force overtime before the Los Angeles Lakers moved to the brink of a series victory in the NBA play-offs. The NBA’s four-time Most Valuable Player levelled the score with 13 seconds left against the Houston Rockets and almost clinched victory as he hit the rim with a three-pointer on […]
Prestianni gets six-match ban for homophobic conduct
Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni has been given a six-game ban by Uefa for homophobic conduct during their Champions League knockout play-off match with Real Madrid in February. The match at the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon was halted for 10 minutes after Real’s Vinicius Jr accused Prestianni of racially abusing him. Prestianni, 20, denied making a racist […]
An incredible night when England heroes were made
July 6, 2026
Ent/Lifestyle
Bayeux Tapestry arrives in UK for first time in 900 years under police guard
Nick Cullinan, the director of the British Museum, told me: “We’ve just witnessed something rather extraordinary, which is the arrival of the Bayeux Tapestry at the British Museum but specifically it is returning to England for the first time in almost 1,000 years. “It feels like a really remarkable thing not just to witness but […]
From ‘a beautiful night’ to ‘world’s greatest hangover’, guests react to Taylor and Travis’s wedding
It’s been two days since Taylor Swift’s wedding to Travis Kelce, and some of their superstar friends have started giving us tantalising glimpses into what it was like. About 1,000 names were reportedly on the guest list, including some of the biggest celebrities from music, Hollywood and sport. Details of the wedding had been a […]
Masked men to morphine addiction: The original TV Little House on the Prairie was a true American horror story
A Netflix spin on the classic children’s books is about to launch. It remains to be seen how it compares to the 1970s adaptation – which is much darker and grimmer than most remember. When it comes to TV credits sequences, few evoke as much nostalgia as that for Little House On The Prairie, the […]
Is Taylor Swift really getting married at Madison Square Garden?
Taylor Swift fans are making their way to Madison Square Garden in New York City for the chance to catch a glimpse of the rumoured wedding festivities between the pop star and NFL player Travis Kelce. Props including a grand piano, carpets and a box of mirror balls have been seen being taken into the […]
Johnny Marr to auction guitars he played with The Smiths and Billie Eilish
Johnny Marr is to auction almost 100 of his guitars, including the ones he played on The Smiths’ This Charming Man and the Billie Eilish song No Time To Die. The sale also includes a 1960 Cherry Red Gibson ES-355, given to Marr by music mogul Seymour Stein as an incentive for The Smiths to […]
Married at First Sight Australia allegations ‘disturbing’, says country’s watchdog
Allegations that Married at First Sight Australia stars were not told about their on-screen partners previous drug and violence convictions are “serious and disturbing,” the country’s media watchdog has said. The claims, reported in a BBC News investigation on Saturday, have also prompted a response from the UK’s media regulator Ofcom, who called them “deeply concerning”. Several […]
US musician Oliver Tree dies in helicopter collision in Brazil
The alt-pop US musician and internet personality Oliver Tree was among six people who died when the helicopter he was travelling in collided with another in Brazil. The 32-year-old had been on a world tour when the crash occurred over Rio de Janeiro on Sunday. One of the helicopters then fell onto the car park […]
Do not use my music, Ariana Grande tells White House
US pop star Ariana Grande has asked the White House not to use her music, after it did so in a social media video promoting its immigration policies. The TikTok reel shared on Monday depicts border agents placing people in handcuffs, with Grande’s 2024 hit Bye as a soundtrack. It is captioned: “Bye-bye… President Trump […]
Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater split after three years
Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater have ended their relationship after nearly three years together. The couple separated “quietly” and in an “amicable” manner several months ago, a source told US magazine People. “They gave lots of time and careful consideration and decided to go their separate ways,” the source told the publication. “They are still friends […]
An unhealthy focus on sex – Married at First Sight UK insiders on show’s ‘toxic’ culture
Senior staff on Married at First Sight UK had an “unhealthy” focus on whether cast members were having sex, former workers on the show. Producers would deliberately try to make contestants angry or upset for the sake of generating watchable drama, they say. The former workers on the Channel 4 show have spoken following a Panorama […]
Lupita Nyong’o rejects criticism of Helen of Troy role
Actress Lupita Nyong’o has told people who have criticised her casting as Helen of Troy in Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey to remember that “this is a mythological story”. The Oscar winner will play Helen, whose beauty famously “launched a thousand ships” and resulted in the Trojan war, according to Homer’s ancient Greek legend. But her […]
Married at First Sight UK rape allegations serious, says DCMS
Rape claims involving Channel 4’s Married at First Sight (MAFS) UK show are “serious” and there must be consequences for “criminality or wrongdoing”, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has said. Regulator Ofcom said broadcasters needed to take “due care” over the welfare of show participants. Holiday company Tui told it was pausing […]
New Zealand’s Māori Queen meets King Charles at Buckingham Palace
New Zealand’s Māori Queen Te Arikinui Kuini Nga Wai hono i te po has met King Charles III at Buckingham Palace. The meeting with the British monarch was Te Arikinui’s first since she became queen in 2024, following the death of her father, Kiingi Tuheitia. The visit marks a near 200-year relationship between the indigenous […]
Madonna, Shakira & BTS to headline World Cup show
Madonna, Shakira and K-pop boy band BTS will co-headline the Super Bowl-style half-time show at this summer’s World Cup final. The tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, concludes with the final in New Jersey on 19 July. The BBC understands the show will be 11 minutes long. There have […]
King and Queen lead tributes for David Attenborough’s 100th birthday
King Charles III and Queen Camilla are among well-wishers to share a birthday message celebrating Sir David Attenborough turning 100. The royal couple also shared photographs of Sir David, including one of him with a young Prince Charles and Princess Anne in 1958, in which he is introducing them to Cocky the cockato. The King […]
Ted Turner, media mogul who revolutionised TV news by launching CNN, dies at 87
Media mogul Ted Turner, who pioneered the modern 24-hour news culture when he launched the CNN channel, has died at the age of 87, the network has announced. In 1980, Turner launched Cable News Network as the first dedicated rolling news channel, which soon became a central part of the media landscape. US President Donald […]
Met Gala 2026: How to watch, the price of tickets and this year’s theme
The dresses have been sewn, the jewellery has been polished and New York’s hairdressers and make-up artists have been fully booked ahead of the Met Gala 2026. Around 450 A-list guests will begin arriving later for fashion’s biggest night of the year, which raises money for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute. Beyoncé, Nicole […]
Laufey on making jazz cool again (and the fish that brought out her inner rage)
It’s probably fair to say that most of us have never slapped someone so hard with a wet fish that they fall, fully clothed, into a swimming pool. Until recently, that was also true for Icelandic jazz-pop phenomenon Laufey. Then she released a song called Mad Woman, whose video required her to hit Heated Rivalry […]
The hottest trend in TV: Get generations to fight each other
The feud between the generations was a popular TV theme in the 1970s, and now the interactions and frictions between Gen Z, Gen X, millennials and boomers are all over our screens once again. Why does the generation gap continue to make us laugh – and can the laughter help to heal the rift? More […]
George Michael’s Faith jacket sells for £176,400
A jacket worn by George Michael in the music video for his 1987 hit Faith has sold for £176,400 at auction. It was among several pieces of music memorabilia being sold by Hertfordshire-based auction house Propstore, including a gold microphone used by Queen singer Freddie Mercury and one of the last autographs signed by John […]
How climate change threatens the economic backbone of the Pacific
The vast Pacific Ocean and the islands dotted within it produce more than half of the world’s tuna. Among the islands are 33 scattered across the centre that encompass the country of Kiribati. Here more than 70% of government revenues come from selling tuna fishing licenses to foreign fleets – the highest proportion of any […]
‘Singing my own songs live was terrifying’
A Jersey singer-songwriter said she used to be “terrified” of performing live during the early years of her career but now found it a “magical” experience. Nerina Pallot, 51, has released eight studio albums, with a new album called Fire Escape Symphonies set to be released next month as well as her new single Come […]
Headscarf with a beret: Muslim designers showcase floral dresses and boxy streetwear in Paris
Paris has held its first ever Modest Fashion Week – hosting nearly 30 designers whose collections include loose, long-cut garments and headscarves. It’s the kind of clothing many Muslim women choose to wear in line with their religious principles – covering their arms, legs and sometimes hair. There was a particular significance to setting it […]
Rebel Wilson’s claims against actress are ‘malicious concoctions’, Australian court hears
Claims by Rebel Wilson that a young Australian actress was sexually harassed by a producer but then hid it to better her career are “malicious concoctions”, a Sydney court has heard on the first day of a defamation case against the Hollywood star. In 2024 and 2025, Wilson posted on Instagram that Charlotte MacInnes – […]
Opinion
What we get wrong about dopamine
Sometimes dubbed the ‘pleasure chemical’, dopamine is often wildly misunderstood. Nikolay Kukushkin delves into what the much-discussed neurotransmitter really does to our brains. Our brains are amazingly useful things. But it seems that something’s broken in our relationship with them. As humans, we often feel that we are at war with ourselves. We want what […]
What is driving the Houthis’ decision-making on joining the Iran war
By Ahmed al-Shalafi: During the first month of the US-Israel war on Iran, the Houthis adopted a cautious approach, even though many expected them to move faster based on the nature of their close relationship with Tehran. This assessment is not wrong — the relationship is indeed strong — but what this view misses is […]
What’s the most painful sting in the world?
Top contenders for the nastiest sting range from bullet ants to warrior wasps and tiny jellyfish. To find out which is most painful, some adventurous experts have spent their lives getting stung. Would you rather be walloped by boxer Mike Tyson or take a jackhammer to the kidneys? That’s what it feels like to receive […]
‘It’s joy in a pot’: Why houseplants could make you happier
Jonny Balchandani is so passionate about plants he turned his spare bedroom into a greenhouse. Known as the Bearded Plantaholic, he posts about his collection of thousands of plants to one million followers on social media and it has become a “lifestyle” for the 39-year-old. From watering days that involve a few hundred plants to […]
Here’s the news from Iran – Donald Trump is making America lose wars again
By Simon Tisdall: Donald Trump menaces the world. He’s global public enemy number one. He’s steadily losing the illegal war with Iran he started but cannot stop. His violence-addicted Israeli sidekick, Benjamin Netanyahu, is terrorising Lebanon. And ordinary people everywhere, their security threatened, face a huge economic bill for his reckless folly. Add Trump’s war-making to his daily debasing […]
Can plastic-eating fungi help clean up nappy waste?
Before Leila Green became a mother of triplets three years ago, she envisaged she’d be the kind of parent who would use reusable nappies. “But as soon as my babies arrived, I realised I just couldn’t – I was flat out looking after the three of them so I went for the easy option.” “I’d […]
Iran Guards say will block oil exports as long as war continues
TEHRAN (Reuters): Iranian forces will not allow the export of oil from the region to allies of the United States and Israel as long as the war continues, a Revolutionary Guards spokesman said Tuesday.“The Iranian armed forces… will not allow the export of a single liter of oil from the region to the hostile side […]
Shakira sets up record for largest concert ever in Mexico City
LOS ANGELES (Showbiz Desk): Singer-songwriter Shakira has set a new record after her recent live performance. The singer performed to more than 400,000 people at Mexico City’s Zocalo over the weekend, the largest crowd ever recorded at the iconic square. The free event turned the capital into a full scale celebration as fans travelled from […]
Could a huge data centre revitalise Ayrshire – or ruin it?
It is currently a large, unassuming patch of farmland in East Ayrshire – but within years it could be one of the largest artificial intelligence data centres on Earth. About 100 hectares (250 acres) of land near HMP Kilmarnock has been earmarked for a technology hub by energy firm ILI Group. ILI says the development […]
What we get wrong about dopamine
April 10, 2026
What’s the most painful sting in the world?
April 8, 2026