1 hour ago ‘Beware of 419!’: how a playwright delved into Nigerian scams – and what it taught him about money

When Inua Ellams, writer of Barber Shop Chronicles, went to Lagos, he became aware of how much fraud suffused the city – so he decided to tell the story of its consInua Ellams was walking through the streets of Lagos, the bustling former capital of Nigeria, when he began noticing a recurring phrase, spray-painted on to the sides of homes. “This house is not for sale,” it read. “Beware of 419.”The number refers to section four, chapter 19 of the Nigerian criminal code, which specifically deals with fraud – obtaining goods or property by false pretences – and the warnings were painted on houses to deter conmen who would access empty properties and sell them without the owner’s consent. Now the criminal code reference has become a catch-all term for Nigerian cons and illicit financial activity. Continue reading...

Events

1 hour ago Average UK house price suffers monthly fall of 0.1%, figures show

The affordability of a home remains ‘stretched’ compared with the longer term, Nationwide Building Society said.

Politics

3 h. ago North Sea oil and gas will disappear 'within years, not decades' without Labour tax reforms

The industry body for the North Sea has called for the Chancellor to reform a controversial tax policy in her autumn Budget.

Events

4 h. ago Investors underestimate Trump’s threat to the Fed, economists warn

FT survey cites fears that president’s assault has caused long-term damage to the US central bank and economy

Events

8 h. ago Before and after: Trump’s extreme goldening of the Oval Office

An extravagant – and ongoing – makeover of the White House’s decor has taken place during the president’s second term. One colour theme stands outIn just seven extraordinary months, Donald Trump’s administration has left an unprecedented mark on the United States. From rewriting the rules of free trade to upending the norms of due process and challenging scientific orthodoxy, no corner of the country has remained untouched, including the president’s own centre of power: the Oval Office.Leaning into his former career as a real estate developer and hotelier, the president has, in his own words, applied some “Trump touches” to the room’s decor. The results have split opinions, with some calling the revamped office a symbol of America’s new golden age, while other have compared it to a professional wrestler’s dressing room. Continue reading...

Politics

14 h. ago Jonas Vingegaard powers to Vuelta stage nine win with Valdezcaray climb

Dane cuts nearly two minutes off gap to leader TræenTom Pidcock and João Almeida finish second and thirdThe twice Tour de France champion Jonas Vingegaard won stage nine of the Vuelta a España with a solo attack on the climactic climb to Valdezcaray on Sunday, shaving nearly two minutes off the gap to the overall leader Torstein Træen, who is ahead by 37 seconds.Visma-Lease a Bike’s Vingegaard dominated the 13.2km category one climb at the end of the 195.5km ride from Alfaro to the Valdezcaray ski resort and although Tom Pidcock and João Almeida tried to chase, they finished 24sec off the pace. Continue reading...

Politics

17 h. ago Tories pledge to extract all remaining North Sea oil and gas reserves

Kemi Badenoch says UK move away from fossil fuel extraction is an ‘act of economic disarmament’

Politics

17 h. ago Piastri opens gap in title race after Norris forced to retire from F1 Dutch GP

Win extends Australian’s championship lead to 34 pointsLewis Hamilton crashes out early after unforced errorOscar Piastri won the Dutch Grand Prix with a dominant drive to victory from pole position, a win which may have turned the course of the world championship after his title rival Lando Norris was forced to retire from second place as an oil leak hit his car just seven laps from the end.The race was also marked by a remarkably uncharacteristic, apparently unforced, error from Lewis Hamilton which led to the seven-time champion crashing out early in the race, his hope for a fresh start in this second half of season at Ferrari ending in bitter disappointment. Continue reading...

Politics

17 h. ago Boyhood Chelsea fan Alejandro Garnacho reveals club legend which inspired him to join

The Argentine has signed a long-term deal with the club he supported as a child

Sport

19 h. ago Brooklyn Beckham suffers backlash from furious followers after he is filmed riding his Harley Davidson one

The influencer sparked concern after taking to the streets of Los Angeles for a ride on his powerful Harley Davidson chopper - a passion he appears to have inherited from dad David Beckham

Politics

21 h. ago Tories promise to extract "all" remaining oil and gas from North Sea

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch will make a speech in Aberdeen on Tuesday in an attempt to use energy policy as a political dividing line.

Politics

22 h. ago Richard Tice hits back at C of E criticism of Reform immigration policy

Deputy leader says archbishop should stay out of matter after Stephen Cottrell calls policy isolationist and kneejerkReform UK has engaged in a war of words with the Church of England over the party’s plans to deport all asylum seekers who arrive in small boats, after the church’s most senior bishop called the proposal “isolationist, short-term [and] kneejerk”.Richard Tice, the party’s deputy leader, hit back against the archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, on Sunday, accusing him of interfering in domestic politics. Continue reading...

Events

22 h. ago Kemi Badenoch vows Tories will back draining every drop of oil and gas from North Sea

Tory leader will use speech in Aberdeen to “call time” on the “impossible ideology of net zero”

Politics

22 h. ago Women cope better when their partner dies. I’ll have to go before him, out of spite

Should your partner be your best friend? After David Mitchell mansplained relationships, I asked my husband and his answer surprised meDavid Mitchell is probably the only male on the planet who could get away with defending mansplaining, so that is what he has done. “I feel there’s an unfairness to the term, which is taken to be men explaining things in a boring way to women,” he told the Sunday Times. “Because they do it to each other, and they take turns, and that’s what men call a conversation.”In the same interview, Mitchell and his comedy partner Robert Webb are asked how each counselled and supported the other through various personal challenges. They are confused and slightly aghast at the idea that they might have discussed such matters. What do men talk to one another about, then? “Well, yes,” says Mitchell. “That’s a question [my wife] Victoria’s asked me many times. And I never really know.” Continue reading...

Events

23 h. ago Air travel will become more of a bumpy ride due to 'serious' reason that will only get worse

An expert has warned that holidaymakers could be in for a bumpy ride soon as one key 'serious' issue will make air travel very different during trips in the near future

Politics

23 h. ago Voices: I’m a secondary school teacher: SEND provision changes lives (and there’s nowhere near enough of it)

Jeremy Hunt’s eye on the special needs budget is short-term when schooling prepares children for their working future, writes teacher Charlotte Harrison. We need to support students even further to let them succeed – and remember that we benefit from their success

Society

23 h. ago Badenoch in pledge to ‘get all our oil and gas out of the North Sea’

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said a Conservative administration would maximise extraction.

Politics

24 h. ago Kobbie Mainoo transfer twist as Man Utd nervously wait for update after Burnley clash

Kobbie Mainoo was called into action during Manchester United's Premier League win against Burnley but his longer-term future remains the topic of plenty of debate

Events

25 h. ago Snooker’s answer to Luke Littler? Meet teenage sensation Stan Moody

Halifax youngster has entered world’s top 64 and is spark the sport needs to find mainstream attention in the UKIt is commonly known these days as the Luke Littler effect. A teenage phenomenon bursting on to the scene and almost becoming a bigger force of nature than the sport he or she was born to succeed in. But while darts is only experiencing that boom now, snooker has tasted this sensation before.In the 1990s, it was Ronnie O’Sullivan’s arrival on the baize as a teenager that revitalised snooker’s fortunes in the UK. In the mid-2000s, Ding Junhui’s emergence led to the explosion of the game in China – which has just produced its first world champion in the shape of Zhao Xintong, one of millions who was inspired to pick up a cue by Ding. Continue reading...

Politics

28 h. ago Bitcoin boom spurs newly wealthy to splurge on luxury travel

High end private jet and cruise companies accepting payment in cryptocurrency to tap into growth market

Politics