51 m. ago John Lithgow says he was surprised at backlash to being cast in Harry Potter TV series

Many have called for a boycott of future Harry Potter projects, due to JK Rowling’s gender critical views

Culture

56 m. ago Snooker’s transgender inclusion policy to be reviewed after Supreme Court ruling

The sport currently allows trans women to compete in its female category.

Events

63 m. ago Lidl reveals the 52 locations in Scotland it wants to open new stores in

“We’re proud to be one of the fastest-growing supermarkets in the country, and with this investment we’re taking another big step in our journey” – Richard Taylor, Lidl GB

Politics

75 m. ago ‘It’s all about tone of voice’: three dog trainers on how to beat behavioural problems

From pulling on the lead to excessive barking, jumping up at strangers and separation anxiety, here’s what you need to know to bond with your dog and help it live its best lifeFirstly, make sure that you have got the right equipment, says Graeme Hall, AKA The Dogfather, a dog trainer, presenter of Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly and author of Does My Dog Love Me? “If you have got a harness, attach the lead to the chest instead of on the back, this gives you a bit of steering and you can move them sideways, which makes a difference.” Continue reading...

Politics

75 m. ago ‘I’m terrified my husband’s growing success will bring past infidelities to light’

In this week's Lalalaletmeexplain column, one reader reveals that their partner's successful business has made them anxious about the prospect of previous indiscretions being made public

Events

76 m. ago No extra money for pay rises says Downing Street, amid threat of renewed strikes

Ministers have only budgeted for a 2.8% rise for public sector workers.

Events

80 m. ago Hong Kong's business, political elite turn out for funeral of property Lee Shau

Hong Kong political and business leaders paid tribute to the city’s late billionaire property tycoon Lee Shau-kee, who led one of the biggest real estate empires in the former British territory

Politics

89 m. ago US tariff war hurting trade with China; M&S tells hundreds of warehouse agency staff not to come to work after cyber

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsBack in Beijing, China’s foreign ministry has said President Xi Jinping had not spoken to Donald Trump.The ministry also denied that the two administrations are in talks to strike a tariff deal, which contradicts a claim from Trump last week.“As far as I know, the two heads of state have not called each other recently,“I would like to reiterate that China and the U.S. have not conducted consultations or negotiations on the tariffs issue. Continue reading...

Economics

1 hour ago Did ‘Vatican diplomacy’ change Trump’s mind on Ukraine? I’m sceptical for three reasons | Orysia Lutsevych

Zelenskyy, Starmer, Macron they all had his ear at Pope Francis’s funeral. But he is just as easily swayed by the elevator doormanThe most recent diplomatic effort to find a way to stop Russia’s invasion of Ukraine took place at the most unlikely of events: the funeral of Pope Francis. The image of Presidents Zelenskyy and Trump leaning toward each other, under Carlo Maratta’s late-17th-century painting, The Baptism of Christ, rekindled hopes that the US might, at last, hear Kyiv out. Would this unexpected setting make Trump’s compassion, so frequently expressed for the loss of human life, real? And could it lead to a better strategy for ending this criminal and brutal war?The goal of Kyiv and the coalition of the willing – a group of 31 nations that back Ukraine in its fight against Russia – is to distance Trump from what has become a dangerous rapprochement between the Washington and Moscow. But this will be an uphill battle – Europe and Kyiv are trying to fight their way to Trump...

Politics

2 h. ago Pep Guardiola shows playful side as he left Wembley amid firm message from Man City hero

Rico Lewis has sent a clear message to Pep Guardiola over his future role, having struggled to hold down his preferred midfield position this season.

Politics

2 h. ago Canada election live: Carney’s lead over Poilievre narrows as voters head to the polls

The election has been dominated by Donald Trump’s trade war as the Conservatives look to end the Liberals decade in power

Politics

3 h. ago Sea bass in space: why fish farms on the moon may be closer than you think

The Lunar Hatch project aims to blast eggs into space, hoping that aquaculture will provide protein for astronauts on missionsAt first glance, there doesn’t seem to be anything special about the sea bass circling around a tank in the small scientific facility on the outskirts of Palavas-les-Flots in southern France. But these fish are on a mission.When fully grown, they will produce offspring that will be the first to be launched into space as part of a scientific project called Lunar Hatch that is exploring whether sea bass can be farmed on the moon – and eventually Mars – as food for future astronauts. Continue reading...

Technology

3 h. ago How a solar storm could lead to a US nuclear disaster worse than Chornobyl | Mark Leyse

Solar storms as intense as a 1921 superstorm have the potential to cause a nightmare scenario – and we are unpreparedOn 14 May 1921, a powerful solar storm – called the New York Railroad storm – caused the northern lights to illuminate New York City’s night sky. On Broadway, crowds lingered, enjoying “flaring skies” that remained undimmed by city lights. The following morning, excess electric currents shut down the New York Central Railroad’s signal and switching system in Manhattan, stopping trains. A fire broke out in a railroad control tower that was located at Park Avenue and 57th Street. Smoke filled the air. Along a stretch of Park Avenue, residents “were coughing and choking from the suffocating vapors which spread for blocks”.When a solar storm’s electrically charged particles envelop Earth, they cause geomagnetic storms that generate electric fields in the ground, inducing electric currents in power grids. Solar storms as intense as the 1921 superstorm have the potential to...

Events

3 h. ago Leeds chairman flying to UK for talks with Daniel Farke over manager’s future

Paraag Marathe travelling from San Francisco on MondayDoubts among owners over Farke despite promotionThe Leeds chairman, Paraag Marathe, is flying in from San Francisco on Monday for talks with Daniel Farke over the manager’s future.The American will attend Monday’s Championship game against Bristol City at Elland Road, with Leeds needing to win to move back to the top above Burnley on goal difference with one game remaining, before meeting Farke later in the week. Continue reading...

Politics

4 h. ago Housebuilding in London slumps to its lowest level since 2009

Work was started on just 1,210 new private flats and houses in the first quarter of the year, according to latest figures from Molior.

Politics

4 h. ago Eurostar urges potential rivals to invest in new depot facilities

Access to a suitable depot for maintaining and storing trains is a critical requirement for companies to launch services competing with Eurostar.

Politics

4 h. ago Car financing firm to hire 50 new workers for Scottish headquarters

“We are growing quickly and investing in the people and systems that underpin our success” – Alastair Grier, CEO

Economics

5 h. ago Helen Flanagan's Coronation Street future 'confirmed' after she asked for job back

Blonde bombshell Helen Flanagan is eyeing up a return to Corrie's Weatherfield as Rosie Webster, but it seems like she's been dealt a crushing blow by soap bosses

Politics

5 h. ago Lidl to open 40 UK stores in £500 investment and Deliveroo takeover 'bid'

Watch the stories making today’s business headlines in under two minutes as Deliveroo targeted for takeover and Lidl plans £500m UK expansion. But despite the positive news, Business Editor Mark Morris fears an economic storm against the backdrop of this week’s mini-heatwave.

Economics

5 h. ago Lidl to open 40 UK stores in £500m investment and Deliveroo takeover 'bid'

Watch the stories making today’s business headlines in under two minutes as Deliveroo targeted for takeover and Lidl plans £500m UK expansion. But despite the positive news, Business Editor Mark Morris fears an economic storm against the backdrop of this week’s mini-heatwave.

Economics