45 minutes ago Furore sparked by Jamie Oliver children’s book cultural appropriation opens wider debate

Another novel written by a UK author has been withdrawn as publishers and booksellers grapple with the issues of First Nations culture and history as plot pointsGet our weekend culture and lifestyle emailWhen British crime writer Elly Griffiths released her fourth novel in the bestselling Ruth Galloway mystery series, she did her homework.A Room Full of Bones, published in 2011 and republished in 2016, features mysterious deaths in horse racing stables and museums. Consequently the East Sussex-based author consulted a UK archaeologist, a UK museum curator, visited West Sussex’s Cisswood racing stables and picked the brains of a UK equine veterinarian specialist.Sign up for the fun stuff with our rundown of must-reads, pop culture and tips for the weekend, every Saturday morning Continue...

Society

69 minutes ago Republican blocks promotion of general involved in Afghanistan withdrawal

Markwayne Mullin stalls promotion of Lt Gen Christopher Donahue, photographed as last US soldier to leaveThe US general who was photographed as the last American soldier to leave Afghanistan is seeing a promotion blocked by a sole Republican senator, multiple outlets reported.The move comes amid separate reports that the incoming Trump administration is considering courts martial, for offenses including treason, for officers involved in the evacuation. Continue reading...

Politics

75 minutes ago Chelsea: Enzo Maresca confident in Premier League referees after David Coote scandal

Premier League returns for first time since scandal broke

Politics

75 minutes ago ‘I don’t talk about favourites’: Arne Slot refuses to get carried away by title talk

Liverpool head coach says City cannot be written off Leaders face bottom side Southampton on Sunday Arne Slot has said Liverpool will not get carried away with being tagged title favourites given the fine margins in the Premier League and Manchester City’s track record of reeling in rivals.Liverpool opened up a five-point lead over City before the international break and have made their best start to a Premier League season since winning the title in 2019-20. Opta now gives Liverpool a 60.3% chance of winning this season’s championship but Slot, whose side visit the bottom club, Southampton, on Sunday, insists recent history shows the reigning champions can never be written off. Arsenal held an eight-point lead over City on 1 April 2023. Liverpool were three points clear of City in Apri...

Politics

75 minutes ago ‘I love fighting for this club’: Guardiola on his drive to stay at Manchester City

Manager insists financial charges inspired him to stayHe claims most clubs want City relegated if found guiltyPep Guardiola has said he “loves” fighting Manchester City’s corner against allegations of financial breaches and his belief in the club influenced the decision to sign a new two-year contract.City’s most successful manager ended uncertainty over his future this week when extending his reign until 2027. The 53-year-old claimed the deal was agreed during a two-hour meeting with the City hierarchy, including the chief executive, Ferran Soriano, and outgoing director of football Txiki Begiristain, and he signed for two years to avoid another round of speculation over his future in 12 months’ time. Continue reading...

Sport

75 minutes ago Mikel Arteta returns from visit to owners to ignite Arsenal’s title challenge

‘Only one way to fulfil expectation – win big trophies’Saka and Rice back for Forest visit but Ben White outMikel Arteta returned from a visit to see Arsenal’s owners over the international break determined to turn up the temperature and ignite his side’s stuttering title challenge.The head coach was in an animated mood as he warmed up for a crucial run of fixtures, with the emphasis on playing with fire in the belly in Saturday afternoon’s home game against Nottingham Forest. Continue reading...

Politics

1 hour ago Nicaragua: Ortega and wife to assume absolute power after changes approved

Loyalist lawmakers give green light to constitutional amendment as authoritarian president, 79, tightens gripNicaragua’s President Daniel Ortega and his wife are set to assume absolute power after loyalist lawmakers approved a constitutional amendment elevating her to the position of “co-president” and boosting the pair’s joint control over the state.Under sanctions for human rights abuses, Ortega himself had proposed the change, which also increases the president’s control over the media and extends the presidential term from five to six years. Continue reading...

Politics

2 hours ago ITV I'm A Celebrity viewers all say the same thing as Dean leaves camp

I'm A Celebrity 2024 aired a surprise departure from main camp on Friday, as Dean McCullough was told to pack up his things and head elsewhere on the ITV series

Politics

2 hours ago Donald Trump 'will put people in camps run by military', claims MSNBC host in rant

MSNBC anchor Rachel Maddow let loose while speaking on a Sky News podcast, talking passionately about how Donald Trump's incoming government 'is really, really bad news for Ukraine'

Events

3 hours ago McKenna relishing ‘landmark’ of clash with his old club Manchester United

Despite his friendships at Old Trafford, Ipswich’s manager is planning a rude awakening for Ruben Amorim’s first gameIt takes little effort for Kieran McKenna to remember his first Manchester United game. He was about to turn eight when his father took him to Old Trafford in May 1994 and, while a goalless draw with Coventry might not thrill at first glance, there was the considerable bonus of seeing Sir Alex Ferguson’s side celebrate their procession to the title. Growing up in County Fermanagh you threw your lot behind United or Liverpool: the young McKenna took his pick and those ties took hold across the next three decades.On Sunday, though, United will come to McKenna and his impressive Ipswich side. It will be a fiery baptism for Ruben Amorim at Portman Road and, had this not been ...

Politics