2 h. ago Will Jacob Kiplimo be the first to run a marathon in less than two hours?

Hugh Brasher, the London Marathon race director, certainly thinks so but the Ugandan faces stiff competition from Eliud Kipchoge and Tamirat TolaEarlier this year Jacob Kiplimo produced a performance so staggering that it sent the jaws of even seasoned track and field watchers crashing to the floor. It came on the streets of Barcelona, where the 24-year-old Ugandan covered 13.1 miles in 56min 42sec – a half marathon time 48 seconds quicker than anyone else in history.Little more than two months later, Kiplimo is in London for his full marathon debut and the noise has only grown louder. Could he break the world record on Sunday? Could he even become the first man to break two hours in an official race? It is speculation that the event director, Hugh Brasher, is more than happy to stoke. Continue reading...

Politics

4 h. ago Copa del Rey final referee breaks down in wake of Real Madrid TV criticism

RMTV released video of De Burgos’s decisions in careerOfficial says: ‘It is not right what we are going through’Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea, the referee for Saturday’s Copa del Rey final between Real Madrid and Barcelona, was brought to tears on Friday, responding to a critical video published by Real’s in-house TV channel (RMTV).The video, released on Thursday, shows what RMTV claims is a series of errors made by De Burgos throughout his career. The release is the latest in a string of edits by RMTV, criticising Spanish officials. Continue reading...

Culture

4 h. ago Archaeologists find wreck of large medieval boat in Barcelona

Experts hope vessel’s old timbers and nails will help shed light on how boats were built during medieval periodArchaeologists excavating the site of a former fish market in Barcelona have uncovered the remains of a large medieval boat that was swallowed by the waters off the Catalan capital 500 or 600 years ago.The area, which is being dug up in order to build a new centre dedicated to biomedicine and biodiversity, has already yielded finds ranging from a Spanish civil war air-raid shelter to traces of the old market and of the city’s 18th-century history. Continue reading...

Events

4 h. ago Copa del Rey final referee brought to tears over critical Real Madrid TV video

RMTV gave produced a string of edits criticising Spanish officials

Culture

7 h. ago Who are the Swiss Guards watching over Pope Francis’s lying in state?

They date back to the 16th century when mercenaries first served Pope Julius II and form the world’s smallest armyWith their feathered helmets, ruffled collars and coloured, puffed-sleeve uniforms, the Vatican Swiss Guards are often likened by curious visitors to medieval court jesters.But appearances can be deceiving. The world’s smallest army, whose primary role is to protect the pope, has been rigorously trained and with no living pontiff to protect right now will join the huge security operation involving specialist Italian police units and the military given the task of keeping watch over Vatican City and Rome during the funeral of Pope Francis and the subsequent conclave. Continue reading...

Politics

14 h. ago Strictly's Chris McCausland admits he's 'I am a wreck' as he shares 'embarrassing' habit

Strictly Come Dancing champion Chris McCausland has opened up about his 'embarrassing' habit, which he blames on his struggles with anxiety

Politics

20 h. ago Historians dispute Bayeux tapestry penis tally after lengthy debate

Two Bayeux scholars at loggerheads over whether dangling shape depicts dagger or the embroidery’s 94th phallusIn a historical spat that could be subtitled “1066 with knobs on”, two medieval experts are engaged in a battle over how many male genitalia are embroidered into the Bayeux tapestry.The Oxford professor George Garnett drew worldwide interest six years ago when he announced he had totted up 93 penises stitched into the embroidered account of the Norman conquest of England. Continue reading...

Politics

25 h. ago Pep Guardiola and Cristina Serra 'are giving each other a second chance' and 'not all is lost in their marriage', claim reports in Spain after Man City boss 'spent three days in Barcelona'

According to Catalan newspaper El Nacional, Guardiola and Serra are reportedly prepared to 'give each other another chance' and state that 'all is not lost in their marriage.'

Economics

26 h. ago Barcelona XI vs Real Madrid: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup, injury latest for Copa del Rey final

Barcelona have the perfect replacement for their injured top scorer

Events

26 h. ago Real Madrid XI vs Barcelona: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup, injury latest for Copa del Rey final

The latest edition of El Clasico comes at a bad time for Real Madrid

Events

27 h. ago Arsenal and Chelsea still have ‘opportunity’ to reach Women’s Champions League final, says Anita Asante

Arsenal lost 2-1 against Lyon in the first leg while Chelsea will have to overturn a 4-1 defeat against Barcelona

Sport

30 h. ago Police intercept 11kg of cocaine hidden in wheelchair at airport

Police in Spain discovered 11kg of cocaine hidden in a wheelchair at Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport, video posted on X on Wednesday, 23 April shows.

Events

30 h. ago Open Day invite as model boat club prepares to set sail once again

Members have issued a special invite to the public to come along and find out more about the club and their activities.

Politics

31 h. ago Barcelona vs Real Madrid: Copa del Rey final prediction, kick

Huge Copa del Rey final is upon us

Politics

31 h. ago Horror as dad killed by freak lightening strike in front of bereft young son

Prison officer Santonio Catoe was fishing with his friends and nine-year-old son when a lightning strike threw him from the boat, with the former Marine leaving four children behind

Events

31 h. ago Doctor's urgent warning to women over trendy diet that could wreck chances of motherhood

An NHS surgeon has has warned the downsides of a trending diet that could wreak havoc with the female reproductive systems.

Events

31 h. ago Below Deck set for most chaotic season ever with cops called and forbidden romp

Below Deck is back for a jaw-dropping season 12, and it looks to be the most chaotic yet with maritime police called, an emergency on the boat, and a forbidden romp

Politics

32 h. ago Roy Keane claims Champions League final has Arsenal vs Barcelona 'written all over it'

Gunners are one step away from reaching a first Champions League final in 19 years

Sport

34 h. ago Met Office latest as Manchester to be HOTTER than Barcelona next week

Glorious sunshine is expected to hit the region

Politics

35 h. ago Arsenal: Thomas Partey contract preference revealed as talks held amid Barcelona interest

Partey could sign a new one-year contract with the option to extend for a further season

Politics