2 h. ago Israel’s attack has exposed Iran’s lack of firepower – but conflict could yet turn in Tehran’s favour

Iran has struggled to respond effectively after Israel killed many of its top military commandersIt is a week since Israel began its largest attack ever on Iran, and in conventional military terms it is clear that Tehran is under extreme pressure. Israel has been able to achieve superiority over Iran’s skies at extraordinary speed, within hours of launching its surprise assault. Its military claimed on Monday to have knocked out 120 Iranian air defence systems through a mixture of air and drone strikes, about a third of Tehran’s pre-war total.In response, Iran’s most effective weapon has been its stock of high-speed ballistic missiles, estimated at about 2,000 by Israel’s Defence Force (IDF) at the outset of hostilities last week. But the heavy targeting by Israel of launch sites in western Iran, in underground bases such as at Kermanshah – coupled with Israel’s grimly effective targeted killing of Iran’s top military commanders – have left Iran struggling to respond militarily and ...

Events

3 h. ago Exam bosses accused of 'patronising' Wales and students in Welsh GCSE paper

Exam board WJEC and regulator Qualifications Wales argued the works look at themes of identity and diversity

Politics

3 h. ago EastEnders legend Ross Kemp reveals fears over his game show Bridge of Lies

TV legend Ross Kemp has opened up about his career and says he gets nervous when he's hosting his game show Bridge of Lies, in case things get too tense for contestants

Politics

3 h. ago Pupils in England face lost learning from flooding and extreme heat, study finds

School leaders call for action on adaptation measures as DfE research warns of potential impact of climate crisisChildren in England face prolonged “lost learning” caused by extreme heat and flooding at school, according to research on the potential impact of the climate crisis on education.School leaders and teachers said the scenarios published by the Department for Education made for grim reading and urged ministers to move quickly to improve school resilience. Continue reading...

Events

6 h. ago ‘What are you trying to incite?’ Billy Porter asks thorny questions with This Bitter Earth

The Cabaret and Pose star is making his UK directorial debut with Harrison David Rivers’ play about love and activism. We join rehearsals with Omari Douglas and Alexander LincolnWhen Billy Porter talks, people listen. They have no choice. The actor, fresh from a stint as Emcee in the London run of Cabaret, and about to reprise the role on Broadway, speaks in a poised, purposeful, regal fashion. Each word is selected with care and weighed in his hand as if it were an avocado in the fruit and veg aisle, the gaps between words so lengthy that it isn’t always clear when he has finished speaking. Seated around the table in the south London studio where Porter is overseeing rehearsals for This Bitter Earth, which marks his UK directorial debut, are the playwright Harrison David Rivers and the actors Omari Douglas (It’s a Sin) and Alexander Lincoln (Emmerdale). Everyone maintains an attentive silence while Porter is speaking, until there can be no doubt that he has completed his thought.“T...

Politics

6 h. ago Kids taught in cupboards as brutal school reality laid bare after neglect

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said she was appalled at the lack of investment in schools as she vowed a huge cash injection would finally turn things around

Politics

6 h. ago North Lanarkshire Integration Joint Board appoints new chair

Brian Moore served as vice-chair since June 2022 and was previously chair of the board’s performance, finance, and audit committee.

Politics

6 h. ago University principal resigns after criticism in report into financial crisis

The University of Dundee announced last year it was wrestling with a £35 million black hole.

Politics

6 h. ago Kirsty Coventry vows to stay humble as the first female president of the IOC

Zimbabwean opts against using luxury hotelsCoventry wants IOC members to speak their mindsKirsty Coventry has promised to not let power go to her head when she becomes the first female president of the International Olympic Committee next week.Her predecessor, Thomas Bach, would always stay in a suite paid for by the IOC at the five-star Lausanne Palace hotel, costing about £2,000 a night, whenever he was in the city. However, the Zimbabwean confirmed her family would not be following suit. Continue reading...

Politics

6 h. ago Kirsty Coventry to swerve palaces and focus on responsibility as first female IOC president

Zimbabwean takes over from Thomas Bach next weekCoventry speaks of making ‘right decisions’ in the roleKirsty Coventry has promised to not let power go to her head when she becomes the first female president of the International Olympic Committee next week.Her predecessor, Thomas Bach, would always stay in a suite paid for by the IOC at the five-star Lausanne Palace hotel, costing about £2,000 a night, whenever he was in the city. However, the Zimbabwean confirmed her family would not be following suit. Continue reading...

Politics

7 h. ago Scottish Universities Ranked: 11 universities in Scotland ranked best to worst in new 2025 league tables

The Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2025 has been published - and 11 Scottish universities feature on the list.

Politics

7 h. ago Jourdan Dunn donates blood and calls for more black heritage donors

The 34-year-old model, whose son has sickle cell anaemia, gave blood herself at Brixton Donor Centre in south London.

Events

7 h. ago 'Hitman' wanted in Spain for gunning down two Scottish gangsters at Costa Del Sol Irish bar appears in court

Michael Riley, 44, is charged with the murders of Lyons gang members Ross Monaghan, 43, and Eddie Lyons Jnr, 46, at Monaghans Bar in Feungirola on May 31.

Events

8 h. ago Relationship coach reveals common mistake that kills intimacy with your partner

Katarina Polonská, an Oxford-educated relationship coach, said that intimacy between two partners breaks down due to one particular behavior.

Events

8 h. ago The three Royal Caribbean mega cruise ships set for an upgrade in 2026

Royal Caribbean passengers will be able to enjoy three ‘amplified’ cruise ships in 2026

Politics

8 h. ago 'I scoffed the best Sunday Roast ever – it was Indian but hear me out'

EXCLUSIVE: News editor Abigail Hunt has committed what some would call blasphemy as she tried an Indian Sunday Roast dinner... yes, you heard it right. But don't knock it 'til you try it

Politics

8 h. ago West Lothian lime trees in historic street saved from the chop

West Lothian Council’s Development Management Committee was asked to decide on whether to support the TPO that was imposed in March.

Politics

9 h. ago Man accused of Ross Monaghan and Eddie Lyons murders in court over killings

Michael Riley's court hearing was adjourned until tomorrow due to technical problems.

Events

9 h. ago Use closed London schools to help tackle SEND crisis, urges Education Secretary

Exclusive: Bridget Phillipson urges councils to ‘think creatively’ about how to use London’s old school buildings

Events

10 h. ago Scotland rejects climate change committee advice to cut livestock herds by a quarter

Farmers welcomed the move, saying grazing livestock are “part of the solution, not the problem.”

Society