77 minutes ago Pubs 'deeply and painfully wounded' in wake of Autumn Budget as industry chief warns of further closures and job losses following £650 million hit to the sector

Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, warned venues will shut, jobs will be lost and the price of a pint will go up in a £650m hit to the sector.

Economics

2 hours ago Energy boss tells customers to 'snuggle up' under electric blankets to beat the cold this winter

Octopus Energy founder Greg Jackson has encouraged those struggling to warm their houses this winter to use cheaper options such as electric blankets.

Economics

2 hours 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Another novel written by a UK author has been withdrawn as publishers and booksellers grapple with the issues of First Nations culture and history as plot pointsGet our weekend culture and lifestyle emailWhen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

2 hours ago 'Energy price hikes are a hard pill to swallow when providers can cope with price fluctuations'

Ofgem has raised the energy price cap for the second time in less than six months, claiming the hike is reflective of increasing wholesale prices - but that's a hard pill for families to swallow

Science

2 hours 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

2 hours ago Chelsea: Enzo Maresca confident in Premier League referees after David Coote scandal

Premier League returns for first time since scandal broke

Politics

2 hours 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

2 hours 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

2 hours 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

3 hours ago 'They're eating the cats, they're eating the dogs, and now they'll eat YOU, your majesty!' King Charles in fits of giggles over comedian's cheeky joke at the Royal Variety Performance

King Charles has been left in fits of giggles over a comedian Matt Forde's cheeky joke about Donald Trump at the Royal Variety Performance.

Politics