3 h. ago Ukraine war briefing: Russia ‘on verge of recession’, Putin minister tells economic showcase

Drone attacks on Kharkiv and Odesa; don’t forget about Ukraine because of Iran-Israel fighting, say Kyiv officials. What we know on day 1,213 Vladimir Putin’s economy minister has warned that Russia is “on the verge” of recession as he spoke on the second day of a signature event meant to bolster economic confidence. The minister, Maxim Reshetnikov, said at the St Petersburg economic forum that his view was based on “current business sentiment and indicators” pointing to a slowdown. “Everything else depends on our decisions,” Reshetnikov said, calling for the central bank to show a “little love for the economy”.Russia’s central bank raised interest rates to an eye-watering 21% in October 2024 to combat inflation and kept them at that level until this month when it eased them to 20%. Russia’s economic growth slowed to 1.4% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2025, the lowest quarterly figure in two years. Prices are rising across the economy driven up by massive government spending ...

Politics

5 h. ago Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s charities identify new ways to reuse current drugs

Experts said there are ‘commonalities’ between the diseases which mean some drugs may work for both.

Events

6 h. ago BBC Breakfast's Richard Frediani takes 'extended leave amid bullying allegations'

BBC Breakfast boss Richard Frediani has reportedly agreed to an extended period of leave after concerns were raised about alleged bullying behaviour

Politics

10 h. ago Royal Ascot provides free water but keeps dress code unchanged on hottest day of year

A crowd of 65,718 baked in temperatures near 30C which led the UK Health Security Agency to raise the heat-health alert level to amber

Politics

10 h. ago Thawing of relations between Pakistan and US raises eyebrows in India

Trump ends isolation of country once snubbed so badly Imran Khan had to take the subway to the UN general assemblyAfter years in the diplomatic deep freeze, US-Pakistan ties appear to be quickly thawing, with Donald Trump’s effusive welcome for Pakistan’s army chief, Gen Asim Munir, signalling a possible major reset.Once snubbed so badly that Imran Khan, a former prime minister, rode the New York subway to the UN general assembly in 2019 unescorted, Pakistan is now enjoying top-level access in Washington, including a White House lunch for Munir on Wednesday and meetings with top national security officials. Continue reading...

Politics

10 h. ago Elon Musk's drug test in doubt as hidden clues raise more questions for doctors

Tech tycoon and former First Buddy Elon Musk is speaking out about the media's attention on his alleged drug use in a way some say will do nothing to refute the rumors.

Events

11 h. ago Dartford Crossing charge to increase by 40 PER CENT in September

Drivers face an increase in pricing to use the Dartford Crossing for the first time since 2014 in what motoring groups have dubbed a blatant 'revenue raiser'.

Politics

13 h. ago Janhvi Kapoor and rumoured boyfriend Shikhar Paharia walk hand in hand in London, Khushi Kapoor third wheels. Watch | Bollywood

Janhvi Kapoor and rumoured boyfriend Shikhar Paharia walk hand in hand in London, Khushi Kapoor third wheels. Watch | Bollywood - Hindustan Times  Hindustan Times

Politics

13 h. ago Janhvi Kapoor and boyfriend Shikhar Pahariya walk hand in hand in London, Khushi Kapoor third wheels. Watch | Bollywood

Janhvi Kapoor and boyfriend Shikhar Pahariya walk hand in hand in London, Khushi Kapoor third wheels. Watch | Bollywood - Hindustan Times  Hindustan Times

Politics

13 h. ago Netanyahu is using Muslim women’s 'rights’ to justify his war. What hideous, hollow hypocrisy | Mona Eltahawy

As his troops slaughter civilians in Gaza, he claims to be standing up for Iranian women’s autonomy. He is far from the first warmonger to do soThe Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has invoked the Iranian regime’s heinous women’s rights record to justify his heinous war on Iran. This is the man whose genocide of Palestinians in Gaza killed more women and children in its first year than the equivalent period of any other conflict over the past two decades.“They’ve impoverished you, they’ve given you misery, they’ve given you death, they’ve given you terror, they shoot down your women, leaving this brave, unbelievable woman, Mahsa Amini, to bleed on the sidewalk for not covering her hair,” he told Iranians in an interview with Iran International.Mona Eltahawy writes the Feminist Giant newsletter. She is the author of The Seven Necessary Sins for Women and Girls and Headscarves and Hymens: Why the Middle East Needs a Sexual RevolutionDo you have an opinion on the issues rais...

Events

13 h. ago PE teacher aces testing London Marathon to raise nearly £3k for St Andrew's Hospice

Andrew Kennedy, 26, defied an injury suffered a few weeks before the event to complete the race in an impressive three hours, one minute and 15 seconds - and raise £2900 for the Airdrie charity.

Economics

13 h. ago MIKEY SMITH: 7 unhinged Donald Trump moments after furious rant at his old friends at Fox News

Donald Trump gives the impression of a man who wishes he could get back to the golf course. In fact, he kind of said exactly that to a reporter during the flag-raising

Politics

13 h. ago Supermodel Jourdan Dunn donates blood for sickle cell disease and calls on Black donors

Runway model, Jourdan Dunn, donated blood for World Sickle Cell Day to raise awareness of the importance and need for blood transfusions - the NHS say they need 250 donations per year to meet demands

Events

14 h. ago Peter Phillips and NHS nurse girlfriend Harriet Sperling walk hand

Taking part in the traditional royal procession, Charles, 76, sat next to Queen Camilla, 77, in the first carriage as it travelled past packed stands on the Berkshire course.

Politics

16 h. ago Ministers urged to publish legal advice on UK involvement in Israel

Calls follow news that attorney general advised government to limit its involvement to defending alliesUK politics live – latest updatesMiddle East crisis – live updatesMinisters are facing calls to publish legal advice given to the government on Israel’s war against Iran after reports emerged that the attorney general had warned that any UK involvement beyond defensive support would be illegal.Richard Hermer, the government’s most senior legal officer, is said to have raised concerns internally about the legality of joining a bombing campaign against Iran. Continue reading...

Politics

16 h. ago Raised wooden planter at 'just the right height to avoid back pain' gets £40 price slash

'These vegetable raised beds are great, just the right height to not hurt your back when tendering to the produce being grown.'

Economics

16 h. ago What caused the Bayesian to sink? Superyacht to be raised from seabed 10 months after tragedy

Billionaire tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch and his daughter Hannah were among seven people who died when the vessel sank off the coast of Sicily

Politics

17 h. ago Gut bacteria may hold key to protecting brain against Alzheimers

A bacteria best known for causing stomach ulcers could lead to a new strategy in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease

Politics

17 h. ago If you went to state school, do you ever feel British life is rigged against you? Welcome to the 93% Club | Alastair Campbell

The civil service, judiciary and media are still dominated by the privately educated 7%. Lasting change is not a pipe dream – but it’s up to usFor the first time in our history, we have a cabinet made up entirely of people who went to state schools. Several, including prime minister Keir Starmer, come from working-class backgrounds; some, such as deputy prime minister Angela Rayner, were raised in conditions of poverty that feel as if they ought to belong to another age.So far so good. What better signs could one ask for to show that Britain is a meritocracy, social mobility is real and anyone can rise to the top provided they have talent, commitment and determination?Alastair Campbell is a former journalist turned strategist and spokesperson for the Labour party. He is now a writer, podcaster, consultant strategist and mental health campaigner Continue reading...

Society

18 h. ago Pollution fines of more than £100m will go to environmental projects, Defra says

Concerns had been raised the cash from fines on water companies would not be ringfenced for schemes such as river restoration.

Economics