64 minutes ago England’s Lauren Filer: ‘I don’t want to hurt anyone, but to get a few helmets is fun’

The fast bowler says Australia ‘didn’t know who I was’ in the last Ashes but this time around they will be wary of the 24-year-old as she pushes the 80mph barrierIt’s not often that you hear a fast bowler describe themselves as “smiley”, especially not with an Ashes series around the corner. But with days to go until she spearheads England’s attack in Australia, that’s exactly what the 24-year-old Lauren Filer is claiming as her defining characteristic. “I’m a bit too smiley to be the scary fast bowler,” she says. “I tried to stare someone down in South Africa and I laughed because I just couldn’t do it.”Instead, her approach is to “let my bowling do the talking” – as it did, loudly, in last month’s Bloemfontein Test. On the second day Filer sent down two terrifyingly hostile spells with the new ball, reaching speeds of 78mph and twice hitting players on the helmet – an act of aggression rarely seen before in the women’s game. “I don’t want to hurt anyone, but to get a few helm...

Politics

17 hours ago LIVE: London and Wall Street sink as US jobs report blows past expectations

LIVE: London and Wall Street sink as US jobs report blows past expectations  Yahoo Finance UK

Society

4 hours ago 'Timeless' £60 Primark coat 'almost identical' to £5,700 designer version

Fashion fans looking for a classic longline coat will likely love Primark's stylish offering, which looks strikingly similar to a designer version

Economics

21 hours ago LookFantastic knocks 20% off 'spring in a bottle' Floral Street perfume

"The most gorgeous sweet smelling fragrance. It's the perfect fragrance for brightening up those dull days as it's such a fresh sweet smell it definitely puts me in a happy mood!"

Sport

79 minutes ago Coronation Street Mason Radcliffe star 'set for rival soap role' after getting killed off

Coronation Street's Mason Radcliffe actor Luca Toolan has been tipped to join a rival soap following his character's tragic exit from the ITV soap

Events

2 hours ago Trump's words on Greenland and borders ring alarms in Europe, but officials have a guarded response

President-elect Donald Trump has tossed expansionist rhetoric at U.S. allies and potential adversaries with arguments that the frontiers of American power need to be extended into Canada and the Danish territory of Greenland, and southward to include the Panama Canal

Politics

5 hours ago Booking.com scammers con over 500 holidaymakers out of £370k by hacking hotel providers

Scammers have fleeced at least 532 travellers out of £370,000 after hacking their way into hotel accounts - customers then receive emails from a fake account operated by a crime gang

Economics

97 minutes ago California fires live: progress made against some LA blazes but thickening smoke prompts ‘health emergency’

Palisades and Eaton fires start coming under control as fierce winds ease but forecasters predict another red flag warning for MondayFull report: 11 killed and 10,000 structures destroyed as blazes continueAfter the fire, the insurance battles: new ordeals to comeFleeing the LA fires alone on a wheelchair: ‘I had to take my chances’Californians: have you been affected by the wildfires?The psychological toll from the wildfires on a traumatized Los Angeles county of nearly 10 million people has yet to be assessed.Reuters reports that Pacific Palisades residents who ventured back to their devastated neighborhoods were shocked to find brick chimneys looming over charred waste and burnt-out vehicles as acrid smoke lingered in the air.At least to say goodbye until we can rebuild. I will let God lead me. Continue reading...

Events

4 hours ago Outraged man waiting seven months for lift to be repaired in Edinburgh flats

Michael MacDonald bought his Edinburgh flat 12 years ago. His home on Bredalbane Street, Bonnington has always had a chequered past with general lift breakdowns but they were always promptly repaired.

Politics

7 hours ago Rachel Reeves prepares to slash billions of pounds of disability benefits to calm debts crisis

Downing Street is said to believe that significant reductions are needed in the welfare budget, namely from personal independence payments (PIP).

Economics

4 hours ago One man dead after being stabbed in ‘targeted attack’ in Melbourne park

Police called after reports of a group of people fighting in Wyndham Vale on FridayGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA man has died after he was ambushed and stabbed during a late-night knife fight at a park in Melbourne’s west.Police were called to reports of a group of people fighting in a park on Haines Drive, Wyndham Vale, about 11.30pm on Friday.Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email Continue reading...

Events

4 hours ago Katie Piper shares video of doctor fitting new eye as she 'reaches the end of the road'

The TV star and campaigner was subjected to a horrific acid attack by an ex-boyfriend which left her blind in one eye but has inspired others in the years since

Politics

9 hours ago Labour planning to axe billions from disability benefits bill in order to ease debts crisis

Downing Street is said to believe that significant reductions are needed in the welfare budget, namely from personal independence payments (PIP).

Economics

4 hours ago Loose Women's Katie Piper shares brave eye surgery 'battle' update in new video

Katie Piper has shared a statement confirming that she's had a prosthetic eye fitted after years of surgery to try and save her real eye after a horrific acid attack

Events

9 hours ago Coronation Street stars discover future on ITV soap as cast face mass exodus

Two long-standing Coronation Street actors have secured their futures on the show amid recent cast shake-ups. With several departures announced, the contracts ensure their presence on the cobbles for years to come.

Politics

11 hours ago The Rochdale grooming gang that has run up £2m bill for taxpayers after fighting attempts to deport them

Members of a child sex grooming gang have cost taxpayers more than £2m in legal aid bills while battling deportation - with £285,000 paid to the ringleader, it emerged yesterday.

Economics

4 hours ago Violent teen girl gang batter and rob woman on bus leaving her covered in cuts and bruises

'I first felt the impact to my jaw, then one of them grabbed my hair and slammed my head forward jamming my face between my seat and the window.'

Events

10 hours ago Panama Canal will remain Panamanian and open to all nations, says official

Administrator rejects Donald Trump’s claims that China controls canal or suggestion US could take it backWho owns the Panama Canal and what does Trump want with it?The Panama Canal will remain in Panamanian hands, and open to commerce from all countries, according to the administrator of the waterway, who rejected claims by president-elect Donald Trump that the US should take it over.Ricaurte Vásquez denied Trump’s claims that China was controlling the canal’s operations, and said making exceptions to current rules concerning its operation would lead to “chaos”. Continue reading...

Politics

17 hours ago Londoners won't have to foot £150m bill to pedestrianise Oxford Street, vows Sir Sadiq Khan

Mayor’s new budget due next week could see his share of council tax bills hit £500

Economics

4 hours ago UK’s only safer drug consumption facility opening in Scotland is win for society

"Getting addiction off the streets and alleyways – and one step closer to treatment – is a win for all of society."

Events

11 hours ago He left a woman fearing for her safety after approaching her in the street

Gethin Jones has been jailed for 18 months

Politics

18 hours ago Coronation Street star Simon Gregson cuts a solitary figure as he's seen for the first time since it was revealed he 'could be forced to sell home if he doesn't pay back £250K loan'

The Coronation Street actor, 50, wrapped up warm in a thick padded jacket and gloves after snow fell in the region over night.

Economics

12 hours ago Salford’s Curtis Tilt goes from driving excavators to facing Erling Haaland

The 33-year-old defender will lead his team out for one of the biggest games of his career on Saturday.

Politics

19 hours ago Drugs courier found with £20,000 after travelling from London to south Wales

Erjon Xhika, 34, was involved in a conspiracy to supply Class A drugs through his membership of a crime gang and played a part in the transportation of 15kg of high-purity cocaine.

Economics

8 hours ago Steven Gerrard's stance on his daughter, 20, expecting baby with son of jailed gangster

Steven Gerrard's daughter, Lilly-Ella, announced she is expecting her first child with her boyfriend Lee Byrne, the son of notorious Dubliner Liam who was jailed last year

Events

13 hours ago James Bond fans spot 'sign' TV star has already signed up for iconic role

James Bond fans are awaiting an announcement on who will replace Daniel Craig as the lead of the franchise, with Aaron Taylor-Johnson and James Norton among the rumoured names

Politics

19 hours ago Corrie star Simon Gregson forced to deny split from wife Emma Gleave after court paper error as it's revealed he 'could be forced to sell home if he doesn't pay back £250K loan'

The Coronation Street actor, 50, must repay Simon Gregson Productions a sum of £1,500 per month, according to official papers.

Economics

8 hours ago West Ham: Graham Potter addresses Marcus Rashford transfer link as Hammers suffer fresh injury blow

Niclas Fullkrug’s injury has added to West Ham’s woes in attack

Events

17 hours ago Coronation Street spoilers tease huge double exit as cast face mass exodus

Coronation Street spoilers for this week have teased another two exits on the ITV soap amid multiple stars leaving the programme

Politics

23 hours ago Coronation Street star Simon Gregson 'SPLITS' from wife Emma Gleave and 'could be forced to sell home if he don't pay back £250,000 loan'

The Coronation Street actor, 50, must repay Simon Gregson Productions a sum of £1,500 per month, according to official papers.

Economics

9 hours ago Every terror attack is sickening, says MI5 head at FBI director’s leaving event

Sir Ken McCallum, who was knighted in the latest New Year Honours, gave a speech at the leaving event for FBI director Christopher Wray on Friday.

Events

17 hours ago ITV Coronation Street's David Platt star admits he never talks to axed colleagues

Coronation Street stalwart Jack P Shepherd, who has played David Platt on the ITV soap since 2000, has admitted he doesn't keep in touch with his former co-stars

Politics

30 hours ago Inside the £2.3m drug 'consumption room' where addicts can 'safely' use heroin while under 'legal supervision' in a UK first

The centre, the first in the UK, is aimed at ensuring addicts have medical back-up on hand when they take class A drugs, rather than risking overdose on the street.

Economics

10 hours ago Federal probe of 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre says 'no avenue' for criminal case in connection to attack

The first-ever U.S. Justice Department review of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre finds there is no longer an avenue to bring a criminal case in association with the attack by a white mob on a thriving Black district

Events

18 hours ago Plans to build blocks of flats on land in Johnstone submitted to Renfrewshire Council

Architects have unveiled proposals for 14 one-bedroom homes and a small retail unit in Macdowall Street.

Politics

31 hours ago Coronation Street's Simon Gregson 'could be forced to sell home if he doesn't pay back £250,000 loan'

The Coronation Street actor, 50, must repay Simon Gregson Productions a sum of £1,500 per month, according to official papers.

Economics

10 hours ago Elon Musk's grooming gang comments slammed as 'reprehensible weaponisation' of victim's trauma

A survivors' group has criticised the tech billionaire for 'retraumatising' victims of child sexual abuse with his social media posts about grooming gangs as the X owner lashes out at Keir Starmer

Events

18 hours ago Car parking charges to be introduced at five popular Welsh seaside locations

Vale of Glamorgan Council's cabinet members agreed in principle to introduce parking charges to a number on-street and off-street sites

Politics

13 hours ago Nigel Farage says he and Elon Musk are ‘still friends’ after social media attack

The Reform UK leader added that he had spoken to the tech mogul since his comments on X

Events

19 hours ago Corrie's Simon Gregson breaks cover next to 'for sale' sign day after 'estranged wife' mystery

Coronation Street actor Simon Gregson broke his cover after the Mirror revealed he could be forced to sell his house if he doesn't pay a £250k loan to his production company

Politics

14 hours ago Most grooming gang offences carried out by white men, police chiefs say

Elon Musk has used his platform X to wage an online campaign against the government over the issue of grooming gangs.

Events

19 hours ago Coronation Street fans point out Evelyn Plummer 'blunder' as they make same statement about exit

Viewers of the ITV soap recently saw the character deciding to go to university to read law

Politics

15 hours ago Saving Torah scrolls and saying prayers, Los Angeles fires leave congregants without worship spaces

Among the thousands of buildings destroyed in the Los Angeles wildfires were a mosque, a synagogue, a Catholic parish and a half-dozen Protestant churches

Events

19 hours ago Coronation Street legend 'set to leave cobbles' after four decades in devastating twist

Coronation Street's Kevin Webster will be diagnosed with testicular cancer in heartbreaking scenes but could this lead to Michael Le Vill's exit from the famous cobbles

Politics

15 hours ago Pensioner killed and eaten by neighbour's pigs in horror Christmas Day attack

The 75-year-old was killed and eaten by pigs at her home in a horrific Christmas Day attack.

Events

20 hours ago Coronation Streets fans spot 'classic foreshadowing' amid 'stop' demand for Carla Connor and DS Lisa Swain

It's good news for fans of the new couple in the ITV soap

Politics

15 hours ago Inside the postcode war ripping south London apart as Kelyan Bokassa, 14, fatally stabbed on a bus

Police fear further serious youth violence after a teenager was killed in Woolwich on Tuesday afternoon

Events

20 hours ago Coronation Street fans 'work out' Rob Donovan's next move as he makes U

Rob was less than welcoming and open to what his son Bobby had to say during their reunion

Politics

15 hours ago 'Watching Mason's murder on Coronation Street was an awful reminder of what happened to my son Charlie'

As Corrie fans saw Mason Radcliffe brutally stabbed to death this week, actor Luca Toolan reveals how the dad of a murdered teenager helped him do justice to the storyline

Events

20 hours ago Rise in national insurance taxes will probably lead to lower wages in 'long run'

'To be clear, I expect bank rate to come down over time as the effects of the large shocks of the past continue to abate'

Politics

16 hours ago Armed police descend on street after reports of 'disturbance' involving knife

Officers were called to Eccles earlier today

Events

20 hours ago 'Despondent' Corrie stars panic over brutal cull in secret WhatsApp group

Coronation Street has axed several actors over the past few weeks, and the remaining ITV stars are being 'worked like dogs' while fearing who might be booted out next

Politics

16 hours ago Police cleared of wrongdoing after dangerous dogs shot dead on Poplar footpath

Louie Turnbull was given a suspended prison sentence over the dog attack in Poplar

Events