26 h. ago Donald Trump’s UK state visit arrives at awkward moment after Mandelson exit

Sacking of Peter Mandelson over Epstein ties threatens to overshadow fanfare of US president’s two-day tripFor Donald Trump, the priority was to avoid any distractions. But as he arrives for his second state visit to the UK – an unprecedented honour for a US president – the crisis engulfing Keir Starmer’s government threatens to overshadow the proceedings.The circumstances of that crisis are especially awkward. Peter Mandelson was unceremoniously sacked as the UK’s ambassador to Washington on Thursday after emails were published in which he had urged his friend Jeffrey Epstein to fight for early release from prison in 2008. Continue reading...

Politics

39 h. ago The Guardian view on the UK’s dangerous moment: as Labour falters, the far right mobilises | Editorial

Political leadership is missing just as Britain needs it most. The government must step up as others stir division and disillusionment growsPeter Mandelson’s exit from public office in disgrace over his links to the millionaire sex offender Jeffrey Epstein should have been a low point for the government. Instead, it exposed a leadership in trouble, with further to fall. Sir Keir Starmer defended his ambassador after No 10 had seen the emails that sank him. Whether or not the prime minister read them, the damage is becoming institutionalised. Labour looks adrift – consumed by infighting as darker forces gather beyond Westminster.At the weekend, more than 110,000 marched through London in Britain’s largest far-right rally in decades. Organised by Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson, and billed as a “festival of free speech”, it quickly descended into conspiracy theories, Islamophobia and anti-migrant bigotry. There was violence: 26 police officers were injured. St...

Politics

4 d. ago Exit Mandelson — leaving questions about Downing Street’s judgment

Starmer’s backing of his ambassador was ill-advised but his speedy reversal was equally misjudged

Politics

7 d. ago Italian reporter forced to respond after leaving Hollywood stars horrified with Black Lives Matter question

Italian journalist Federica Polidoro's chat with Ayo Edebiri, Julia Roberts and Andrew Garfield about their movie After The Hunt on Italy 's ArtsLife Tv went viral.

Politics

1 week ago Rayner’s exit is a bombshell. But the real crisis for Starmer may have only just begun | Jonathan Freedland

From the outset her role has been crucial, and her fall will exacerbate all the doubts about the PM and his ability to keep Labour in powerSign up for our new weekly newsletter Matters of Opinion, where our columnists and writers will reflect on what they’ve been debating, thinking about, reading and moreA government that was already reeling has sustained another massive blow. Elected in a landslide slightly more than a year ago, Labour hit the midterm blues within a few months, currently has the poll numbers of an administration in its dying days – and has now witnessed a scandal and resignation close to the apex of power.Perhaps the many New Labour veterans now installed in Downing Street will be reassuring Keir Starmer that the storm of Angela Rayner’s departure will pass, reminding him that the Blair cabinet saw the exit of one Peter Mandelson – also over his homeowning arrangements, as it happens – similarly early in the first term, but paid no electoral price. And yet, the pri...

Events

1 week ago 'Unsolvable' maths question leaves people stumped but there's a simple solution

A tricky maths puzzle has left people scratching their heads - but the answer is so simple that it's 'glaringly obvious' once you know what it is. Can you solve it?

Politics

1 week ago Parents left stumped by the 21 questions toddlers ask every day

A poll of 500 parents with children aged two to four found the vast majority (94%) believe their little one's curiosity has no limits - with 'where does the sun go at night?' and 'do animals have friends?' among the questions leaving parents stumped

Politics

1 week ago British Toddlers Fire Off 21 Questions Daily as Parents Make Up Answers, Study Shows

'Where does the sun go at night?' and 'do animals have friends?' are among the 41 questions that leave parents stumped

Events

1 week ago Farage's US roasting is a reminder that not everyone is willing to look the other way as he tears the UK apart

US congress leaves UK broadcasters with questions to answer with an evisceration of Farage, his lies, double standards and his misinformation

Science

1 week ago Drastic Man City changes leave big transfer questions for Hugo Viana

Manchester City have rid themselves of some of their most-used players from last season, so how do they stop playing like that side?

Politics

2 w. ago Cat Deeley awkwardly avoids mentioning her divorce as she's asked about her summer during return to This Morning

In her first on-screen appearance since the break-up, Cat awkwardly side-stepped a question about how her summer went, leaving fans hyper aware of the elephant in the room.

Events

2 w. ago Australian Geographic nature photographer of the year 2025 winners – in pictures

A painterly, macro view of a cauliflower soft coral by Ross Gudgeon has taken out top prize in the Australian Geographic nature photographer of the year competition. ‘This is an exceptional photograph that skews perception and leaves us questioning reality,” the judges said. ‘Giving us a unique perspective on coral. There’s nothing fake here, but still we ponder, is this nature or a painting?’ An exhibition is on now at the South Australian MuseumThe week around the world in 20 pictures Continue reading...

Culture

2 w. ago Rio Ngumoha quit Chelsea for Liverpool after being convinced by three players

Rio Ngumoha has been one of the standout performers in the Premier League this season, but the Liverpool teenager's decision to leave Chelsea has been questioned

Sport

3 w. ago The sadness of a fading tennis generation leaves US Open question

The former ‘Next Gen’ of Alexander Zverev, Daniil Medvedev and Stefanos Tsitsipas hit a low at Wimbledon

Politics

3 w. ago West Ham: Three things we learned from Chelsea defeat as Graham Potter already looks out of ideas

A miserable performance leaves the manager and board facing big questions

Politics

3 w. ago Ridiculously tough GCSE maths question leaves parents scratching their heads

Students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are opening their GCSE, BTec and other Level 2 results this morning. Maths is a notoriously tough subject - can you crack this question?

Politics

3 w. ago Meghan Markle's silence questioned as Prince Harry leaves secret letter at royal event

Meghan has kept quiet while Harry has made attempts to heal the Royal rift in recent weeks.

Politics

3 w. ago BBC Strictly Come Dancing cocaine scandal 'risks leaving show with big questions'

Strictly Come Dancing is being rocked by a cocaine scandal with two stars accused of drug use, but what damage could this cause in the lead up to the new series?

Events

4 w. ago Strictly 'cocaine scandal' leaves BBC bosses with 'tough question' as fears grow

An expert has warned that Strictly Come Dancing is facing an 'identity crisis' as the show is hit with fresh scandal just weeks before the start of a new series

Politics

4 w. ago Love Island's Sammy Root breaks down in tears as he confronts Elma about split on TOWIE

Sammy Root and Elma Pazar thrashed out their split and he wanted some questions answered after she cooled their romance months after leaving the Love Island: All Stars villa

Politics