85 m. ago Officials demand marriage age lowered to solve country's lack of babies crisis

One Chinese official wants to 'unleash reproductive potential' in the country by lowering the legal marriage age - China's population is currently on the decline

Politics

87 m. ago EastEnders' Cindy's revenge against Ian and Kathy Beale 'revealed' as Michelle Collins 'exits'

EastEnders' Cindy Beale announced she'd be leaving Walford for a while on Tuesday's episode, but fans are convinced it won't be the last they'll see of the character

Politics

90 m. ago Meghan Markle fans furiously defend Duchess as trolls launch nasty 'attack'

Meghan Markle has been the subject of negative comments recently after she announced the new name of her lifestyle brand and wore a jumper in the same colour as Princess Diana's

Politics

94 m. ago Taliban says ‘misunderstanding’ led to arrest of British couple in Afghanistan

After an evaluation a Taliban spokesperson said Peter and Barbie Reynolds would be released as soon as possibleA British couple were arrested in Afghanistan due to a “misunderstanding” that they had fake Afghan passports, the Taliban said on Tuesday.Peter and Barbie Reynolds, 79 and 75, were detained by the Taliban’s interior ministry on 1 February while returning to their home in the central province of Bamiyan. Continue reading...

Events

1 hour ago White House won’t tell the public who the DOGE administrator is: ‘I’m not going to reveal the name’

Trump administration officials have repeatedly refused to name agency leadership but insist it’s not Elon Musk

Events

1 hour ago Tim Westwood inquiry report: what new allegations against him have emerged?

The document contains a series of previously unpublished claims, including 22 from members of the publicThe independent inquiry into what the BBC knew about the former Radio 1 DJ Tim Westwood’s conduct has been published almost three years after a joint investigation by the Guardian and BBC News.The investigation told the stories of a number of women who accused the 67-year-old of sexual misconduct and predatory behaviour.“Hounded” a 17-year-old Black woman with phone calls and texts.Invited a girl who was 15 or 16 back to his home following an under-16 night, after she had added him on Blackberry to get information about the event.Contacted a woman who had shared her business card, and appeared agitated when she did not want to meet late at night.“Hurled” a can of drink at a woman who was serving in a club.A former BBC staff member told the corporation their son had witnessed Westwood propositioning a 15-year-old girl in a night club in around 2007. The BBC reported the complaint t...

Politics

1 hour ago House Republicans to vote on spending deal that could slash Medicaid funding

Budget central to Trump’s agenda might get stalled before 14 March deadline as lawmakers warn of nearly $1tn in cutsHouse Republicans are planning to vote on Tuesday on a spending blueprint central to Donald Trump’s agenda, but the package faces potential derailment over nearly $1tn in Medicaid cuts that could fracture their slim majority.The fiscal year 2025 proposal includes approximately $4.5tn in tax cuts alongside increased spending for defense and border security. To offset these costs, the plan tasks congressional committees with finding about $2tn in spending reductions over the next decade. Continue reading...

Economics

1 hour ago Atletico Madrid XI vs Barcelona: Starting lineup, confirmed team news, injury latest for Copa del Rey

Diego Simeone has already confirmed Jan Oblak will play no part against Barcelona

Events

1 hour ago Barcelona XI vs Atletico Madrid: Yamal IN, starting lineup, confirmed team news for Copa del Rey

Barcelona are sweating on the fitness of Lamine Yamal ahead of the huge first-leg showdown

Politics

2 h. ago Bonmatí ‘has to believe’ change will happen after Rubiales conviction

Midfielder hopes the fight of Hermoso was not in vainSpain squad ‘thankful’ for support shown by EnglandAitana Bonmatí said she “has to believe” that change will happen and that the fight of Jenni Hermoso and Spain players has not been in vain, after the conviction of Luis Rubiales for sexual assault.Speaking before England host Spain at Wembley on Wednesday, the first meeting of the two sides since Spain’s 1-0 victory in that World Cup final in Sydney, the two-time Ballon d’Or winner, when asked whether she thought change would happen, said: “I have to believe. I believe this case happened for a reason and makes us more respected as women. People will realise that it has been important, and it doesn’t need to happen any more.” Continue reading...

Politics

2 h. ago Pope Francis remains ‘critical but stable’ in hospital with pneumonia

Pontiff has carried on with work, including holding a meeting in hospital to approve two people for sainthoodPope Francis, who has been in hospital for 12 days battling pneumonia and other ailments, remains in a “critical but stable” condition, the Vatican said on Tuesday.The pontiff, 88, has not suffered further “acute respiratory episodes” and tests checking blood circulation “continue to be stable”, the Vatican said in its evening update. Continue reading...

Culture

2 h. ago Starmer denies Trump is setting UK policy as defence spending is increased

The Prime Minister announced the increase ahead of a meeting with US president this week

Politics

2 h. ago White House says it 'will decide' which news outlets cover Trump, rotating some traditional ones

The White House says its officials "will decide" which news outlets cover President Donald Trump

Politics

2 h. ago Chelsea XI vs Southampton: Starting lineup, confirmed team news, injury latest for Premier League today

Blues set to play winger up front again

Politics

2 h. ago Snow maps show exact date '4 inches per hour' Arctic storm to hit

A weather map shows that snow is on the way for Scotland in the coming days.

Events

2 h. ago Washout leaves Australia set for last four but potentially short of game time | Geoff Lemon

They should beat Afghanistan to progress, but the batters would have benefited from a hit-out against South AfricaIf you were an Australian supporter of a certain pragmatic bent, you might be quite pleased with a washout against South Africa at the Champions Trophy. With a win already banked, you slide past your most dangerous opponent in Group B without having conceded any advantage to them. It leaves you level with them on three points and guaranteed a semi-final as long as you can beat an Afghanistan team that, despite their recent advancements and the memorably close result last time you played, you should still beat anytime, anywhere across a format as extended as 50 overs.If you’re an Australian supporter of the sort of bullishness natural to Australian supporters, including any past or current Australian player, you would say that you always want to play the best teams because you’ll beat them while having a grand old time in the process, and that sliding past your most dange...

Politics

2 h. ago Trott defends Afghanistan’s men with cloud hanging over England game

Taliban’s ban on women playing cricket has led to calls for a boycott by the ECB, but Champions Trophy match proceedsA day out from what is a must-win game for both Afghanistan and England, Jonathan Trott, head coach of the former, addressed the issue that is impossible to ignore during this Champions Trophy. The Taliban continues its brutal clampdown on women’s rights back in Afghanistan and Trott outlined the position his players find themselves in.“They know the difference between right and wrong,” said Trott, drawing a distinction between a team that play their cricket in exile under the previous Afghan flag and the regime at home. “They are under no illusions about where they have come from and they’re very courageous. You see that in their cricket and that’s the one thing I’ve not tried to change at all. They know who they are playing for and representing.” Continue reading...

Politics

2 h. ago Conor Benn shows true colours with jibe about Chris Eubank Jr's dad

The two British rivals went face-to-face in Manchester for the first time since their mouthwatering dust-up in April was officially announced

Politics

2 h. ago This is a hard choice. We believe in foreign aid – but we have to make cuts. We must keep the UK safe | David Lammy

Putin’s Russia is a threat to all Europe, including the UK. Vital aid work will be hit as we spend more on defence, but we must deal with the world as it isThere are moments in history when everything turns, but the extent of change is not perceived until later when the fog has cleared. These are hinge points that require clear leadership and bold action. In the late 1940s, my Labour predecessor and hero Ernie Bevin, alongside Clement Attlee, saw through the fog when they led Britain into Nato and the UN, and secured the development of Britain’s nuclear deterrent. In the 1960s, Harold Wilson saw through the paranoia of the cold war, refusing Lyndon Johnson’s request to send British troops to Vietnam. In the 1990s, Tony Blair understood that unless we stopped the president of Serbia, Slobodan Milošević, there would be no peace in the Balkans.Three years into Vladimir Putin’s brutal war, this is again a hinge point for Britain. Keir Starmer’s commitment to dramatically raise defence s...

Politics

2 h. ago Starmer defends aid cuts to boost defence as ‘necessary’ amid charity criticism

Sacrificing aid funding to bolster Britain’s war chest was branded ‘reckless’ by charities and aid organisations.

Politics