8 h. ago Heartache turns to hope as South Africa seek to shake ‘chokers’ tag in WTC final | Daniel Gallan

The Proteas choking when it matters most is a tale as old as the country itself as history again weighs heavy on their World Test Championship hopesA South African cricket fan’s standout World Cup catastrophe will depend on when they were born. Baby boomers cite the time, back in 1992, when Brian McMillan was left needing 22 runs off one ball after rain in Sydney washed away any hope of a chase. Millennials are forever haunted by Alan Donald’s dropped bat in that tied semi-final in 1999. Gen Zs must still be wondering how Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller failed to get over the line with 30 needed off as many balls in last year’s T20 final.The Proteas choking when it matters most is a tale as old as the country itself. Longer, in fact, if you consider that Nelson Mandela was elected president two years after this story began. And throughout it all, one antagonist has loomed largest. Continue reading...

Politics

14 h. ago Gavin & Stacey icon Ruth Jones' secret life in one of Britain's most remote corners

Ruth Jones enjoys a tranquil 'second' life in one of Britain's remotest corners, a thousand miles away from her home in Wales.

Politics

42 h. ago Alzheimer’s blood test can spot people with early symptoms, study suggests

New test accurately diagnoses dementia by examining two proteins in blood plasma, US researchers findA new blood test for Alzheimer’s disease can accurately detect people with early symptoms, research suggests.Experts from the Mayo Clinic in the US have provided further evidence that blood tests can work to accurately diagnose dementia by examining two proteins in blood plasma. Continue reading...

Events

55 h. ago ‘Lots of bumps in the road’: Keir Starmer faces testing month before one

From spending review to China audit to assisted dying vote, June’s events have potential to lift or darken Labour moodAs Keir Starmer approaches his first anniversary in Downing Street, there will be several things he wishes he had done differently. But before he can contemplate that July milestone, he faces a busy month strewn with political bear traps.June has proven a difficult time for successive prime ministers: Theresa May, Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak all had to contend with deeply unhappy parliamentary parties reeling from heavy local and European election losses. Continue reading...

Politics

59 h. ago Best home security system 2025: Top alarms tried and tested by an expert

These are the best smart, connected systems for keeping your home secure

Events

3 d. ago Andre Russell hits back over Kohli’s Test comments: ‘It’s different being from West Indies’

Cricketing superstar has no regrets over career in shorter format with lack of Test opportunities in the West IndiesAndre Russell has a favourite six. One that he thinks of when his head hits the pillow at night. Out of all the cloud-busting strikes that have flown from his blade in the last 15 years, all the boundary-clearing smites across the globe, delivered with dead-eyed assassin temperament under his trademark bleached mohawk. One shot stands out. One six to rule them all.“The one off Hardik Pandya at the Wankhede in the 2016 World Cup,” he says. “That one was just massive. Perfect swing. Right out of the middle.” There’s a moment of silence before Russell blows out his cheeks at the memory. “That one was crazy.” You can look it up and decide for yourself, watch the umpire Richard Kettleborough’s chuckle of astonishment as the ball soars into the top tier of Mumbai’s famous stadium and he signals the obvious. Yeah, that’s a six all right. Continue reading...

Events

4 d. ago The Spin | Why neutrals should back South Africa against Australia in WTC final

Wealth of Big Three is skewing Test cricket and a big win for Australia at Lord’s would only emphasise this gulfOn a recent episode of The Grade Cricketer podcast, the hosts, Sam Perry and Ian Higgins, tore lumps out of South Africa in a foul-mouthed tirade about the World Test Championship final against Australia. Perry predicted a finish “inside three days” and Higgins, practically thumping the table, said: “If I don’t look at a scorecard and South Africa are three for spit my TV is going through the window.” Cue big alpha chuckles and main-character knee slaps.I know they were joking, skewering Australian arrogance as much as South African frailty, and that they have built a formidable brand that runs on side-mouthed jibes and hyperbolic bluster. Still, the lizard part of my brain lit up in protest. How dare they dismiss my countrymen? I wasn’t alone in taking offence. Continue reading...

Politics

5 d. ago After weeks of silence, Erin Patterson begins to tell her side of the story to deadly mushroom lunch trial

Accused triple murderer gives emotional testimony as she faces questions on beef wellington lunch that killed threeErin Patterson accepts beef wellington served at fatal lunch contained death cap mushrooms, triple murder trial hearsErin Patterson had been in the witness box for 142 minutes, a window to her right showing the rain falling outside in regional Victoria, when her barrister Colin Mandy SC said: “I’m going to ask you some questions now about mushrooms”.Patterson had already spoken to the court about her children and her family, her hefty inheritances, her relationship with her estranged husband, Simon, and their slow and gradual decoupling, in her evidence on Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning. Continue reading...

Events

5 d. ago 'Yuck!': Guardian Australia staff taste test viral 'healthy' TikTok mousse recipes – video

Boiled eggs? Tofu? Avocado? Are these high-protein, low-sugar alternative mousse recipes the new way to make the chocolate dessert? TikTok certainly seems to think so. Guardian Australia staff put them through a taste test so you can decide if you should try making these at home – or give them a miss and keep scrolling instead ► Subscribe to Guardian Australia on YouTubeCurd surge: TikTok recipes drive a national cottage cheese shortage‘My face is leaking’: taste testing the spicy ramen deemed too dangerous for Denmark Continue reading...

Society

6 d. ago Ukraine delegation arrives in Istanbul for talks with Russian officials following drone attack in Siberia – Russia

Second round of peace talks follows Kyiv drone attack on Russian air bases A Ukrainian delegation has arrived in Istanbul for talks with Russian officials with a meeting planned for Monday afternoon, the spokesperson for Ukraine’s foreign ministry said.The two sides are set to hold their second round of direct peace talks since 2022, but are still far apart on how to end the war amid an increase in fighting.Ukraine said on Sunday it had destroyed Russian bombers worth billions of dollars as far away as Siberia, in its longest-range assault of the war. In a spectacular claim, Ukraine said it had damaged $7bn worth of Russian aircraft parked at four airbases thousands of kilometres (miles) away, with unverified video footage showing aircraft engulfed in flames and black smoke. A source in the Ukrainian security services (SBU) said the strikes hit 41 planes that were used to “bomb Ukrainian villages”.Several Russian and Ukrainian media outlets reported that Ukraine had carried out the ...

Events

7 d. ago French Open 2025: Carlos Alcaraz survives 'angry' test to beat Ben Shelton and reach Roland Garros last

Alcaraz will face Tommy Paul in the quarter-finals

Events

9 d. ago Imane Khelif must undergo mandatory sex testing to compete, World Boxing says

Governing body singles out Algerian in statementWorld Boxing says new rules will ‘ensure safety’Imane Khelif must undergo what World Boxing describes as “mandatory sex testing” if she wishes to compete in any women’s event organised or sanctioned by the governing body.Gender-row boxer Khelif won gold in the women’s 66kg category at last summer’s Olympic Games, having been cleared to compete despite being disqualified from the 2023 World Championships organised by the International Boxing Association for allegedly failing to meet eligibility criteria. Continue reading...

Politics

9 d. ago Best vacuum cleaner deals 2025 on our tried and tested models

Bag a new handheld, upright or robot vacuum cleaner for less, with these top discounts

Economics

9 d. ago 11 best bedding sets 2025, tested by an expert for the prefect night’s sleep

Snuggle up in style and comfort with this range of dreamy duvet covers

Politics

9 d. ago Best microwave deals in June 2025: Save on top tried and tested models

We’ve found the cheapest options from Samsung, Salter and more

Economics

9 d. ago Proton VPN review 2025: The best privacy features of any service I’ve tested

If you’re looking for a VPN with solid privacy credentials and fast speeds, Proton VPN delivers the goods

Politics

9 d. ago New AI test can predict which men will benefit from prostate cancer drug

Artificial intelligence tool determines best candidates to take abiraterone, which can halve risk of death from diseaseDoctors have developed an artificial intelligence tool that can predict which men with prostate cancer will benefit from a drug that halves the risk of dying.Abiraterone has been described as a “gamechanger” treatment for the disease, which is the most common form of cancer in men in more than 100 countries. It has already helped hundreds of thousands with advanced prostate cancer to live longer. Continue reading...

Events

1 week ago US firm that tests eligibility for UK disability benefits reports 23% rise in profits

British arm of Maximus is biggest provider of functional assessment services for DWPThe British arm of a US contractor that tests whether some people in the UK should receive disability benefits has reported a 23% rise in profits.Maximus, a Virginia-based business, reported an increase in pre-tax profits for its UK arm from £23.6m to £29.1m in its financial year to the end of September, accounts lodged at Companies House show. Its revenue rose 2%, from £294m to £300m. Continue reading...

Economics

1 week ago US firm that tests eligibility for UK disability benefits pays £10m in dividends

British arm of Maximus, which provides DWP assessments, reports a 23% rise in pre-tax profit in annual figuresThe British arm of a US contractor that profits from testing whether some people in the UK should receive disability benefits has paid £10m in dividends to its investors.Maximus, a Virginia-based business, reported a 23% rise in pre-tax profit for its UK arm, from £23.6m to £29.1m, in its financial year to the end of September, accounts lodged at Companies House show. Its revenue rose 2%, from £294m to £300m. Continue reading...

Economics

1 week ago US firm that tests eligibility for UK disability benefits pays out £10m in dividends

British arm of Maximus, which provides DWP assessments, reports a 23% rise in pre-tax profit in latest annual figures The British arm of a US contractor that profits from testing whether some people in the UK should receive disability benefits has paid out £10m in dividends to its investors.Maximus, a Virginia-based business, reported a 23% rise in pre-tax profit for its UK arm, from £23.6m to £29.1m, in its financial year to the end of September, accounts lodged at Companies House show. Its revenue rose 2%, from £294m to £300m. Continue reading...

Economics