4 h. ago Britons smoke nearly 30 billion cigarettes every year, study finds

An estimated 28.6 billion cigarettes are smoked in Britain each year, equating to 78 million every day, according to a new analysis that highlights stark inequalities in consumption across the country. Researchers are now calling for targeted public health efforts to address these disparities and tackle persistent smoking rates.

Events

4 h. ago Two thirds of London teachers concerned their pupils will experience 'holiday hunger'

An estimated 98,000 school children in London could experience holiday hunger because their parents cannot afford to feed them

Politics

4 h. ago Questions about surrogacy are raised in case of California couple with house brimming with kids

The removal of 21 children from a Los Angeles-area couple has put a spotlight on the practice of using surrogates to build a family

Politics

4 h. ago Netanuyahu apologises after tank fire hit Catholic Church and killed three

The Latin Patriarch said a tank shell slammed directly into the church around 7:30am, but the Israeli military later said an initial inquiry 'suggests that fragments from a shell... hit the church mistakenly'.

Events

5 h. ago Powell defends Fed’s management of $2.5bn headquarters refurbishment

Central bank chair has faced intense criticism from Trump administration over the project

Politics

7 h. ago Louisiana cancels $3B repair coastal restoration funded by Deepwater Horizon oil spill settlement

Louisiana is officially canceling a $3 billion coastal restoration project funded by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill settlement

Economics

8 h. ago Britain and Germany to build ‘super missile’ in joint military project

London and Berlin signed a friendship treaty on Thursday intended to deter Russian aggression in Europe

Events

8 h. ago Elanga eager to ‘showcase talent’ at Newcastle but stays noncommittal on Isak’s future

Swede ‘staying super-focused’ amid Liverpool interestElanga praises collective spirit of Newcastle teammatesNewcastle’s new £55m signing Anthony Elanga has insisted that Alexander Isak is “super-focused” in training but the winger sidestepped a series of invitations to predict precisely how much longer his Sweden teammate intends to remain part of Eddie Howe’s squad.Elanga’s arrival on Tyneside last week coincided with intense speculation that Liverpool were readying a £130m bid for Isak. Although Newcastle have repeatedly reiterated that they are determined to keep their prized centre-forward, and the Anfield board are in advanced negotiations to sign the Eintracht Frankfurt forward Hugo Ekitike, Isak’s thoughts on the future remain unknown. Continue reading...

Politics

8 h. ago Massive Attack announce alliance of musicians speaking out over Gaza

Brian Eno, Fontaines DC and Kneecap say group will support those subject to ‘aggressive, vexatious campaigns’ by pro-Israel advocatesMassive Attack, Brian Eno, Fontaines DC and Kneecap have announced the formation of a syndicate for artists speaking out about Israel’s military assault on Gaza, who they say have been subjected to “aggressive, vexatious campaigns” by pro-Israel advocates.Posting on Instagram, the musicians said their aim was to protect other artists, particularly those at early stages of their careers, from being “threatened into silence or career cancellation” by organisations such as UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI). Continue reading...

Events

9 h. ago DeSantis under fire for using disaster funds to build migrant detention jail

Analysis of $20m spent on ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ shows some contracts went to governor’s donors or alliesOfficials in Florida diverted crucial disaster preparedness and response resources to support the hasty construction of the so-called Alligator Alcatraz migrant detention jail by the Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, a newly published report has claimed.Some of the $20m in contracts analyzed by Talking Points Memo (TPM) before they inexplicably disappeared from the Florida department of financial services website went to donors or political allies of DeSantis, the report said. Continue reading...

Events

9 h. ago I deplore Brexit, says German chancellor, as he signs treaty with Starmer

Prime minister and Friedrich Merz sign biggest UK-German treaty since Second World War

Politics

9 h. ago Post Office systems go DOWN: Major outage hits customers at branches across Britain

People over the UK attempting to send out parcels this afternoon ran into trouble as systems crashed while they were in store.

Economics

9 h. ago Former Eagles special teams ace Bryan Braman dies from rare form of cancer at 38

Bryan Braman, a key special teams player for the Philadelphia Eagles’ first Super Bowl championship team, has died from a rare and aggressive form of cancer

Events

9 h. ago Crocs 'lightweight' and 'super comfortable' platform sandals are slashed by 33%

Amazon has slashed the price of Crocs' wedge sandals by 33%, reducing the price from £55 to £37 and giving you a saving of almost £20 on the 'comfortable' and 'lightweight' sandals

Politics

10 h. ago Merz calls for UK, Germany and France to align on migration and defence

German chancellor’s proposal for strategic axis comes as London and Berlin sign first treaty since second world warThe German chancellor has called for a strategic axis between London, Paris and Berlin to tackle illegal migration and deepen defence cooperation, despite declaring that he “deeply deplores” Brexit.Friedrich Merz appeared alongside Keir Starmer at a press conference in Stevenage after the signing of the Kensington treaty, the first formal pact between the UK and Germany since the second world war. The agreement, signed at the V&A Museum and followed by a meeting at Downing Street, sets out plans for closer cooperation on migration, defence, trade and education, including a framework for school exchanges.A mutual assistance clause on national security, including shared recognition that Russia poses “the most significant and direct threat” to both countries.Joint procurement and development of defence technologies including Typhoon jets, Boxer vehicles and long-range ...

Politics

10 h. ago Save £20 on ‘super comfortable’ Crocs sandals that are ‘lightweight and easy to clean’

Amazon has slashed the price of Crocs’ wedge sandals by almost £20, taking them from £56 to under £37 as shoppers praise how comfortable and lightweight they are to wear

Economics

10 h. ago UK special forces, MI6 spies and British MPs were on Afghan database that was lost by Government that obtained super

So that's why ministers wanted to hush it up: secret database the Government lost contained details of more than 100 British operatives as well as the 18,800 Afghans, defence sources revealed

Politics

10 h. ago England v Sweden live: Women’s Euro 2025 team news as Lionesses build up to quarter

England face a rematch with Sweden in a bid to reach the Euro 2025 semi-finals

Politics

11 h. ago Adam Hills backs Aussie stars to be fired up for Ashes clash and aims subtle England dig

England’s last win against the Kangaroos came 30 years ago while their most recent Ashes series win was 25 years before that in 1970 as Great Britain

Events

11 h. ago Merz says he ‘deplores deeply’ UK’s decision to leave EU after signing UK

UK PM and German chancellor answered media questions after signing first treaty between two countries since second world warWhile Rushanara Ali is answering the urgent question in the Commons, Keir Starmer is speaking at the event where he is announcing a “civil society covenant”.There is a live feed here.Why does this government think a 16-year-old can vote but not be allowed to buy a lottery ticket or an alcoholic drink, marry or go to war, or even stand in the elections they’re voting? It isn’t the government’s position on the age of maturity just hopelessly confused? Continue reading...

Politics