70 m. ago I don’t plan to have children. That doesn’t mean I want them banished from my life | Rachel Connolly

As Britain’s birthrate falls, hostility towards children in public spaces seems to be rising. That’s sad for all of usIt struck me recently that, as a woman in my 30s, I am almost never asked about my plans to have children. Even in the few instances I have been, the question arose naturally in a related conversation and each time, when I said “Oh I don’t think I want children”, the other person responded politely and didn’t push any agenda.We could draw conclusions on what this says about other people’s impressions of my lifestyle or my mothering instincts. But let’s choose to see this anecdote in a positive light. I imagine that, even as recently as 10 years ago, I would have had to endure endless hectoring and intrusive comments about the so-called “biological clock”. Or about ending up lonely in my old age or having a life which feels somehow empty or unfulfilled, as if that never happens to people with children.Rachel Connolly is the author of the novel Lazy City Continue readi...

Politics

83 m. ago Woman dies in horror fall at Scottish waterfall in front of 'distraught' crowd

A woman died after falling at a beauty spot on one of the hottest days in Scotland for two years - emergency services raced to waterfalls at Campsie Glen in East Dunbartonshire on Saturday afternoon

Events

1 hour ago BBC Motherland star admits she's 'given up' on learning to drive after spending a fortune

Motherland and Cunk on Britain star Diane Morgan has opened up about her chaotic life, explaining that she has plenty in common with her on-screen alter ego, Mandy Carter.

Politics

1 hour ago Susanna Reid's 'stunning' red dress costs £36 and is still in stock at Next

The Good Morning Britain presenter looked 'spectacular' in her high street dress

Economics

1 hour ago Swansea Ironman live updates as race begins and road closures in force

Thousands of athletes will be taking part in the gruelling event which will see participants swim, cycle, and run across the city

Politics

2 h. ago ‘An enormous scar’: the battle over solar farms and pylons as Reform UK takes aim at net zero

In the fourth part of a series, we look at how climate orthodoxy is coming under fire in LincolnshireAn unjust transition?: Teeside divided over net zeroIt breaks my heart’: how a refinery closure is hitting jobs and politics‘They feel betrayed’: how Reform is targeting manufacturing heartlandsIn early summer the wide open fields of Lincolnshire seem to expand beneath even larger clear blue skies. Travel north through the breadbasket of Britain towards the North Sea, from Grantham to Grimsby, and farming gives way to factories, refineries and the Humber docks. Each sector tells a story of Britain’s industrial decline: the demise of heavy industry on the banks of the Humber, the closure of coal power plants, fishing fleets decimated by the cod wars of the 1970s and 80s.Lincolnshire is at the heart of the government’s plan for the greatest economic step-change since the Industrial Revolution: a green re-industrialisation to help galvanise the country’s net zero agenda, create jobs and...

Events

2 h. ago ''It's very, very sad what's happened, my heart goes out to Blackpool... it's a real shame'

The seaside town has been a popular spot for Greater Manchester holidaymakers for decades

Politics

5 h. ago Child with measles dies at UK hospital as officials fear it could 'spread like wildfire'

This year there have been 529 confirmed measles cases, the majority, 357, were children under ten. But cases of measles are increasing in Britain because low vaccination rates leave children vulnerable

Events

5 h. ago Hundreds turned out to protest JD Vance’s family vacation to Disneyland. The next day the park shut down rides for his visit

Vice President JD Vance and his family visited Disneyland on Saturday after protestors condemned his California vacation amid ICE raids in the state.

Events

5 h. ago Hundreds turned out to protest JD Vance’s family vacation to Disneyland. The next day ride lines were long due to his visit

Vice President JD Vance and his family visited Disneyland on Saturday after protestors condemned his California vacation amid ICE raids in the state.

Events

6 h. ago California farmworker who fell from greenhouse roof during chaotic ICE raid dies

A farmworker who fell from a greenhouse roof during a chaotic ICE raid this week at a California cannabis facility has died

Events

7 h. ago Beautiful UK seaside village home to one of Britain's best ranked beaches

This quaint seaside village is famous for its thriving fishing communities and mouth-watering seafood - but its endless stretch of golden sands is what really sets it apart from the rest

Society

8 h. ago UK special forces carry out secret 'kill' operation against top Isis bomb

The 'kill' was ordered on June 10 - three weeks later, David Lammy became the first British minister in 14 years to visit the country.

Events

8 h. ago You've got a high IQ if you can spot all 3 hidden animals in 15 seconds

A deceptively difficult brainteaser is asking Brits to find 3 animals in a series of objects in less than 15 seconds - which requires laser-sharp vision, rapid reaction skills and a genius-level IQ

Politics

8 h. ago Travis Kelce strikes fan with wayward golf shot as boozy round with brother Jason takes chaotic turn at star

On the banks of Lake Tahoe, Nevada, the fairways of Edgewood Tahoe South golf club presented a scene of serenity. That was until the Kelce brothers took to the course.

Events

8 h. ago Peter Mandelson says Trump should expect ‘warm reception’ on full state visit to UK later this year

US president Donald Trump’s UK visit is reportedly taking place in September

Politics

8 h. ago ZIA YUSUF: No money for potholes... but plenty for migrants' Big Macs

If you want to know why Britain feels broken, why the public no longer trusts government at any level, look no further than the scandal uncovered by Reform UK's DOGE unit.

Events

8 h. ago Sophie reveals her emotions on taking Duchess of Edinburgh title, as she pays tribute to late Queen Elizabeth II

Speaking during her visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina this week, the duchess said her change in title in 2023 'felt like quite a big moment'.

Politics

9 h. ago Tour de France Stage 9 preview: Route today as sprinters head for ‘Cavendish City’

The Tour heads to Chateauroux, scene of three Mark Cavendish victories, for another sprint finish

Politics

9 h. ago I was Charles Manson's henchman and butchered pregnant Sharon Tate. Here's the truth about that night

Charles 'Tex' Watson grew up in small-town Texas, seemingly destined to be an all-American success story. Then, a visit to California in 1967 changed his life - and American criminal history.

Politics