News

Former senior civil servant accused officials behind small boats policy of 'harbouring racist views'

A former senior civil servant criticised some of the policymakers behind the illegal migration bill, accusing them of "harbouring racist views" about immigrants, it has emerged.

Stocks sink, oil surges on reports of Middle East attacks

By Kevin Buckland TOKYO (Reuters) -Asian shares and bond yields sank on Friday while safe-haven currencies, gold and crude oil jumped after reports of a sharp escalation in Middle East hostilities. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares dived 2.3% and U.S. stock futures pointed 1.5% lower following media reports Israeli missiles had hit a site in Iran. U.S. long-term Treasury yields

Pregnant woman evacuated from Disney cruise ship

A pregnant woman was evacuated from a Disney ship after experiencing health complications while the ship was in transit.

Mental health sicknotes to be harder to get as PM tries to cut £69bn benefits bill

GPs could no longer be responsible for issuing fit notes, under the proposals, with it instead falling to occupational health specialists to make the call

Sunak vows to end ‘sick note culture’ as he says number of economically inactive young people is a ‘tragedy’

Sunak vows to end ‘sick note culture’ as he says number of economically inactive young people is a ‘tragedy’ - Fit claimants to have their benefits removed if they refuse to take a job after 12 months under PM’s ‘new welfare settlement for Britain’ as he comes under fire for ‘unbelievably damaging’ rhetoric

Two female BP execs to leave in first reshuffle since Looney stepped down

Leigh-Ann Russell (pictured), chief technology officer, is departing after 18 years while Anja-Isabel Dotzenrath will stand down after just two years.

Japanese doctors demand damages from Google over ‘groundless’ reviews

The medics want to highlight the potential dangers of unpoliced technology.

Prosecution of woman for climate trial sign not in public interest, court told

The prosecution of a woman for contempt of court for holding a sign reminding juries of their rights is not in the public interest, the high court has been told. During a hearing on Thursday, the court heard arguments for and against an attempt by the solicitor general to bring a case against Trudi Warner, 69, who was charged last year for holding a sign – outside the trial of climate activists – reminding juries of their right to acquit a...

Will Tu-22M3 takedown reduce attacks on Ukraine: Expert's opinion

The downing of the Russian Tu-22M3 bomber indicates an expansion of Ukraine's defense capabilities, enabling them to reach further and threaten enemy strategic aviation. Olexandr Musiienko, Head of the Сenter of Military Law Researches, explained in a comment to RBC-Ukraine that recent strikes on airports in Dzhankoy, Russian radars in Mordovia and...

'Blasts' shown over Iran in IRGC video

Footage, which Sky News cannot independently verify, surfaced on Telegram appearing to show blasts of light over Isfahan in Iran

Britain’s former ‘secret weapon’ diplomat now with Russian diamonds in her sights

A senior British diplomat who left the Foreign Office earlier this year is now lobbying Western governments over their plan to ban Russian diamonds, The Telegraph can reveal. Emma Wade-Smith, who was the UK’s consul general in New York until January, is running a worldwide campaign to alter a G7-designed scheme to stop Russian diamonds being sold i...

Emma Raducanu continues stunning form on clay with emphatic win against Linda Noskova

Emma Raducanu continued her comeback to tour-level tennis in fine fashion after securing a fourth straight win – the first time she has achieved such a feat since her 2021 US Open triumph – to move into the quarter-finals of the Stuttgart Open. The Briton played some of her finest tennis in recent years as she powered past Czech sensation Linda Nos...

London Covid booster programme to launch on Monday as 800,000 people urged to get jab

London Covid booster programme to launch on Monday as 800,000 people urged to get jab - People aged over 75 or with a weak immune system urged to come forward

Presenter Martine Croxall sues BBC for age and sex discrimination

The BBC is facing another damaging row over equal pay, with the presenter Martine Croxall taking legal action against the broadcaster for age and sex discrimination. Croxall is suing the corporation after being off-air for more than a year following the merger of the BBC’s News and World News channels, according to listings for London Central tribunal court for 1 May. The BBC declined to comment. Last year BBC insiders warned of a potential...

Charity watchdog investigates woman over possible pro-Hamas news network funding

The Charity Commission said it had launched an inquiry into Aozma Sultana, who was sanctioned by the UK and US governments last month.

Liz Truss's book in breach of rules in place on minister's memoirs

Liz Truss's memoir broke the rules in place for ministers publishing works about their time in office.

China’s cities are sinking – because there are too many people in them

There's a 'sinking belt'.

Britain's Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a US resident

Britain's Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a US resident - Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident

Signs twinning seaside town with Israeli city removed

Signs twinning an Israeli city with a British seaside town have been removed. There were four signs on the outskirts of Bournemouth, Dorset recognising one of its twin cities – Netanya in Israel. But the signs have now been taken down by an unknown person, sparking uproar in the coastal resort. Anne Filer, the town’s Jewish mayor, said she was “ver...

Shakhtar Donetsk admit plans to sell £60m-rated Manchester United target

Manchester United are one of several clubs reportedly interested in signing Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Georgiy Sudakov. According to the Standard, United are one of four Premier League clubs monitoring the playmaker ahead of a potential transfer in the summer.

Two seated jurors are struck from Trump hush money trial as court struggles to find impartial New Yorkers

Two seated jurors are struck from Trump hush money trial as court struggles to find impartial New Yorkers - One dismissed juror expressed concerns that news reports about her may have helped her friends and family identify her

Fernando Alonso made Aston Martin decision ‘with gun to his head’ amid Mercedes offer – report

Did Fernando Alonso receive a Mercedes offer before being pushed into signing a new Aston Martin contract?

France’s seizure of villa belonging to Putin’s ex ‘illegal’

The Kremlin has condemned the seizure of a £7.6m palatial French villa linked to Vladimir Putin’s ex wife as “illegal”. Nicknamed Suzanna, the palatial, art deco home was purchased for €5.4 million in 2013, with renovations totalling up to €3.5 million, according to French media. The villa, 300m from the beach, is reported to be owned by a real est...

Jurgen Klopp ‘not concerned’ by Mohamed Salah dip in form

Jurgen Klopp ‘not concerned’ by Mohamed Salah dip in form - The Reds exited the competition 3-1 on aggregate

Inside the secretive crime platform at the centre of cyber scams

'Unusual' beaver die-off in Utah caused by 'rabbit fever,' which can also infect humans

At least nine beavers and a vole have been found dead in Utah after an unusual outbreak of tularemia, also known as rabbit fever, which can infect and kill humans, cats and dogs. Experts warn people to be wary of ticks, which can transmit the disease across species.

Secrets of Winchcombe meteorite’s brutal space journey revealed in new analysis

The space rock was repeatedly smashed apart and rebuilt in a violent odyssey that lasted millions of years.

Chelsea star worth €35-40m tells club he wishes to leave this summer

Chelsea fans want him to stay...

Drone captures aftermath of powerful tornado in Ohio

Several tornadoes touched down in Ohio, USA, on Wednesday. With peak winds of 110mph, the severe storm downed trees and power lines, and caused extensive damage to homes. The National Weather Service confirmed that at least five tornadoes touched down in several counties. Fortunately, no casualties or injuries have been reported.

Airlines reroute flights after Israeli attack on Iran

By Jamie Freed (Reuters) - Airlines changed flight paths over Iran, cancelled some flights, diverted others to alternate airports or returned planes to their departure points on Friday due to airspace and airport closures and security concerns after an Israeli attack on Iran. Iran closed its airports in Tehran, Shiraz and Isfahan after the attack and cleared flights from the western portion of

Longest Covid infection recorded at 613 days

The virus mutated around 50 times during the 613-day period

Is Fallout returning for season 2? Here's what we know so far

Looks like we'll be heading somewhere familiar...

Peter Murrell re-arrested in SNP finances probe

Peter Murrell re-arrested in SNP finances probe - The former SNP chief executive was initially arrested and released without charge in April 2023.

VV Brown shares experience of bullying within the music industry

VV Brown shares experience of bullying within the music industry - Artists are urging fellow music professionals to share their experiences in the newly launched anonymous YourSafetyYourSay survey.

‘An absolute disgrace’: decision to scrap FA Cup replays met with fury

New changes to the format of the FA Cup, including an end to replays and the final being played during the league season, have been met with strong criticism with the decision-making process described as an “absolute disgrace”. Replays are to be dropped from the first round onwards from next season and the final moved to the penultimate weekend of the Premier League campaign, as part of a deal agreed between the FA and Premier League. Mark...

Thursday evening news briefing: Labour destroyed documents that could have revealed Rayner’s living arrangements

Good evening. It has emerged that Labour destroyed documents that could have revealed where Angela Rayner claimed to be living when she applied to be a parliamentary candidate. Elsewhere, Nicola Sturgeon’s husband Peter Murrell, the former Scottish National Party chief executive, has been re-arrested as part of an investigation into the party’s fin...

Arrest over Russian plot to assassinate Volodymyr Zelensky

A man suspected of aiding a plot by Russian intelligence services to assassinate Volodymyr Zelensky has been arrested in Poland. The Polish national, named only as Pawel K, is suspected of supplying information to Russian military intelligence to help Russian special forces plan an attempt on the Ukrainian president’s life, Polish prosecutors said....

Netflix shares sink as company announces halt in reporting subscriber tally, weak outlook

Shares of Netflix took a sharp tumble of about 5 per cent as the market closed, spurred by the streaming video pionaeer's decision to cease disclosing subscriber numbers and prioritise viewer engagement metrics.

Liverpool abandon Sporting CP pursuit in favour of better option to kickstart new era

The Reds have switched their attention away from the Sporting CP man, knowing the importance of the position they're looking to fill

Philanthropist Julia Rausing dies aged 63

Philanthropist Julia Rausing dies aged 63 - In a statement, her family said: ‘She leaves behind an extraordinary legacy across many charities which we will continue in her name.’

Post Office was urged by external lawyers to ‘suppress’ key document, inquiry hears

The Post Office was urged by its external law firm to “try and suppress” disclosure of a key document for “as long as possible” as branch owner-operators tried to mount legal action against the state-owned postal company, a public inquiry has heard. Rodric Williams, a senior in-house lawyer at the Post Office giving evidence to the inquiry into the Horizon IT scandal, was asked about an email sent to him in which it was suggested that his...

Nevada Supreme Court rulings hand setbacks to gun-right defenders and anti-abortion activists

Nevada Supreme Court rulings hand setbacks to gun-right defenders and anti-abortion activists - Nevada's Supreme Court has handed setbacks to gun-right defenders and anti-abortion activists in two new rulings

Further spike in driver Shanghai concerns after shock painted track reveal

The Shanghai International Circuit has been painted ahead of the first Chinese GP in five years.

Netanyahu has done what the world warned him not to

Israel’s strike on Iran on Friday morning will not come as a surprise to Western observers – but it will cause great concern in Washington and London as the region tips closer towards an all-out war. Following Iran’s attack on Israel on April 13, itself a response to an Israeli strike on an Iranian consulate, Israel was clear a response would be re...

Graham Linehan launches social media campaign to get his stalled Father Ted musical on stage

Graham Linehan launches social media campaign to get his stalled Father Ted musical on stage - The writer claims he turned down an offer of £200,000 to take his name off the planned stage version of the hit TV show

'Mikel maybe does not want to hear this!' Thomas Tuchel rates Arsenal after Bayern loss

'For me they are an elite team.'

US ‘most wanted’ fugitive captured by Italian police in Rome

US ‘most wanted’ fugitive captured by Italian police in Rome - Moises Tejada, 54, was picked up in St Peter’s Square near the Vatican last week, and found to be carrying three concealed knives

New vaccine promises broad protection against SARS-CoV-2 and other sarbecoviruses

By Dr. Sanchari Sinha Dutta, Ph.D. Scientists at the Georgia Institute of Technology and the University of Wisconsin, USA, have developed a broad-spectrum vaccine that can protect against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants as well as bat sarbecoviruses. The ...

'Bitcoin halving' is coming. So what is it all about?

As the clock ticks down towards the next "bitcoin halving" – an event coded into the cryptocurrency's algorithm to slow down the introduction of new coins into circulation – we take a deep dive into the history of bitcoin and the blockchain technology powering it. Plus, Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro remains defiant after the US decision to reimpose sanctions on his country's oil sector.

I’m choosing the Nintendo Switch 2 over PS5 Pro — here’s why

The Nintendo Switch 2 won't beat PS5 Pro on power and I'm okay with that.