37 m. ago Ed Sheeran’s Pollock homage has energy but no feeling or truth

Abstract art like this gives all abstract art a bad name, just meaningless concoctions that avoid proper scrutinyOne thing is obvious about Ed Sheeran the painter: he doesn’t want to ruin his clothes. He paints in a white protective suit, photos reveal, as if paint was radioactive material or sewage. It’s a telling contrast with a real artist like Jenny Saville, who gets completely covered with paint like a naughty three-year-old, let alone Van Gogh, who ate the stuff.Sheeran isn’t claiming to be one of those artists – is he? He’s in it for fun and charity. And his paintings have more energy than you’d think from the prissy hazmat suit. He must have moved about a bit, flicking and pouring the fizzy greenish blues, hot orange, lime, mixing them as if making cocktails. Continue reading...

Politics

71 m. ago Chelsea new boy Joao Pedro says sorry for brace that lands Blues Club World Cup final spot

Chelsea's new signing Joao Pedro made an instant impact as his two goals downed Fluminense to book the Blues a spot in the Club World Cup final, but the Brazilian was in an apologetic mood

Sport

97 m. ago Pedro Neto seeking Club World Cup success in honour of close friend Diogo Jota

Neto and Jota were both in the Portugal side that won the UEFA Nations League final last month.

Politics

2 h. ago Building the Band review – Liam Payne’s controversial final show is the kind of reality TV that made him

Is it ghoulish to posthumously release this singing contest featuring Payne as a judge? Or a moving tribute? Netflix’s mashup of Love is Blind, The Circle and The Voice certainly claims the latterNetflix’s new series is the latest in a long line of TV shows attempting to talent-spot the next big pop phenomenon. It feels as if the format has been dormant for a while, its role as A&R taken over by social media aeons ago. The glory days of American Idol and The X Factor have passed, and while The Voice trundles steadily on, it has been many years since those on-screen machines churned out the stars they were once capable of creating.Building the Band aims to modernise the format by bolting on parts of other reality TV shows. Its wannabe singers perform to other singers, sight-unseen, who then decide whether they’d like to be in a band with each other, by pressing a button, and collecting “likes”. It is Love Is Blind meets The Circle meets The Voice, though mostly, it is The Voice, ...

Culture

2 h. ago The new rules of small talk: how to nail every conversation, from first dates to weddings, parties and funerals

Dull questions, awkward silences, excruciating gaffes: socialising can be a minefield. Here’s how to avoid disaster – and even enjoy yourself The cliche about small talk is that everybody hates it. The misapprehension is that it has to be small. In fact, conversational interactions are objectively good. “The person who starts the conversation is in a better mood afterwards; they tend to feel more connected – and not just to the person they’re talking to,” says Gillian Sandstrom, an associate professor of psychology at the University of Sussex. “We all have a fundamental need to feel connected, valued and seen.” Even if small talk were not socially beneficial, society would demand it nonetheless – we are coming in to wedding season and we are all going to need some moves.However, we have this perception that there are rules, which haven’t really changed since the 50s: keep things light and relevant, avoid sex, religion and politics, stay on safe territory, such as the weather. But an...

Politics

3 h. ago Wimbledon briefing: Day eight recap as Norrie exits and Wednesday order of play

Novak Djokovic, on course to face Alcaraz in a third successive Wimbledon final, is among the four quarter-final ties scheduled for Wednesday.

Politics

3 h. ago Wednesday’s briefing: Joao Pedro fires Chelsea into final and Wales escape crash

The Football Regulator moved a step closer while Anthony Elanga closed on a move to Newcastle.

Events

3 h. ago Traffic warden caught parked on double yellow moments after dishing out £50 fine

A van used by enforcers in Ayr town centre was snapped parked illegally Monday afternoon.

Events

5 h. ago LAURA CRAIK's fashion verdict: Naomi Campbell channels Elvis Presley as supermodel hits Chanel's Haute Couture show in Paris with striking quiff

It was a striking look for the Streatham-born supermodel, 55, adding extra inches to her 5ft 10in and lending a retro feel to her Chanel tweed jacket and boot-cut trousers.

Events

5 h. ago Luis Enrique dodges Kylian Mbappe talk as PSG prepare for hostile reunion in Real Madrid showdown

Mbappe will face off against his former employers with a place in the Club World Cup final on the line

Politics

6 h. ago Latest ‘Tiger King’ twist as star ‘Doc’ Antle sentenced to prison time over animal trafficking

Antle's sentence is the final true-life chapter of the Tiger King saga

Events

6 h. ago All England Club faces controversy after blaming ball boy for AI line judge fault that halted Wimbledon quarter final

Red-faced bosses at Wimbledon have only just issued an apology after its faltering electronic line-calling system was accidentally turned off during a high stakes Centre Court match.

Events

7 h. ago Dad with 'twisted neck' condition urges Scottish Government to act for invisible patients

“It’s not life-threatening, but it’s life-changing. I’ve lived with this condition for 40 years and still feel like I’m falling through the cracks.”

Politics

7 h. ago Pundits praise Joao Pedro as Brazil forward’s brace seals place in Club World Cup final

The 23-year-old produced two brilliant finishes to seal a win against his old side in New Jersey

Sport

7 h. ago PSG or Real Madrid? Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca reveals preferred Club World Cup final opponent

Blues will face either PSG or Real Madrid in Sunday’s final

Sport

8 h. ago Joao Pedro in dreamland after firing Chelsea into Club World Cup final

The new recruit scored both goals on his full debut in a 2-0 win over Fluminense.

Sport

8 h. ago Moises Caicedo injury latest: Enzo Maresca delivers update as Chelsea handed scare before Club World Cup final

Blues midfielder could be a doubt for Sunday’s final

Society

8 h. ago Golden girl Keely Hodgkinson shows off abs in ice bath as she cools off in scorching heat

Team GB's Parisian golden girl Keely Hodgkinson showed off her toned abs in a serious of snaps on social media as she cooled off from the scorching heat in an ice bath

Politics

9 h. ago Ozzy Osbourne could make surprise return to the stage just days after farewell gig

Black Sabbath star played his final gig at special Birmingham show at the weekend - but we can reveal exciting move which could see him perform again

Politics

9 h. ago Fluminense vs Chelsea LIVE: Club World Cup result, latest updates and reaction after Blues reach final

Blues seal a place in the Club World Cup final after a comfortable win

Society