1 hour ago Myths like King Arthur and Robin Hood are taking the place of religion for Brits

There's been a 'big surge' in interest of traditional myths and legends like King Arthur and Robin Hood across the UK, with one expert claiming it could be linked to the decline of religion

Politics

3 h. ago Is YOUR pension safe? Concerns over new law letting companies take 'surpluses' from schemes relied on by nine million Brits

Proposed changes to 'defined benefit' schemes would mean that 'surplus' cash can be extracted for profit or re-investment.

Economics

50 h. ago Pensions report cuts Reeves’ planned growth funds from £160bn to £11bn

Chancellor had anticipated surpluses from final salary schemes would boost investment in UK economyPlans to invest £160bn of surplus funds from final salary pension schemes to boost the UK economy over the next 10 years have been dealt a blow by a Whitehall assessment that found there was likely to be little more than £11bn available to spend.In a knock to Rachel Reeves’s growth agenda, a report by civil servants at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) found that the expected surpluses in occupational schemes would be used by businesses to offload their pension liabilities to insurance companies. Continue reading...

Economics

2 d. ago Russia is at war with Britain and US is no longer a reliable ally, UK adviser says

Government defence expert Fiona Hill warns UK to respond to threats by becoming more cohesive and resilientRussia is at war with Britain, the US is no longer a reliable ally and the UK has to respond by becoming more cohesive and more resilient, according to one of the three authors of the strategic defence review.Fiona Hill, from county Durham, became the White House’s chief Russia adviser during Donald Trump’s first term and contributed to the British government’s strategy. She made the remarks in an interview with the Guardian. Continue reading...

Events

9 d. ago Despotism v capitalism: PSG v Inter is clash of styles on and off pitch | Jonathan Liew

Champions League final features opposing tactical approaches and two radically different ownership modelsIn 2021, Oaktree Capital quietly rebranded its “Distressed Debt” division as the “Opportunistic Credit” platform. For decades the LA-based investment fund had specialised in picking up what is known in the trade as distressed assets, a strategy it described as looking for “good companies with bad balance sheets”.So let’s say your company is screwed. You’re deep in debt, severely short of cash, perhaps even at risk of bankruptcy or default. In sweep Oaktree. They have a mosey around, shake down some creditors, restructure your cost base, perhaps offer you a high‑interest loan to stop the bleeding. Once they’ve got you battle-lean they find you a buyer, you sell up, and they take a fat cut. Four years ago, as they cast an eye over the Covid-emaciated carcass of Inter, this was exactly the strategy they had in mind. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Let drug companies see NHS patient data to save lives, former cabinet minister urges

Exclusive: Ex-Tory business secretary Greg Clark backs calls for pharmaceutical giants to get easier access to health service records

Politics

2 w. ago We have a chance to prevent AI decimating Britain’s creative industries – but it’s slipping away | Beeban Kidron

The government has doubled down on a plans that would allow mass cultural theft, but we are fighting it at every stageBeeban Kidron is a film director and crossbench peer in the House of LordsFor months now, legends of music, literature, product design, the visual arts and more have been sounding the alarm about the British government’s plan to undermine copyright law. The fight kicked off when the government launched a consultation into regulating artificial intelligence with its own “preferred” outcome: letting AI companies steal copyrighted work by default unless the owners of that work “opt out”. But opting out is impossible to do without AI transparency. The plan is a charter for theft, since creatives would have no idea who is taking what, when and from whom.When the government stoops to a preferred outcome that undermines the moral right to your work and income, you might reasonably be angered. As Elton John said last weekend: “The government have no right to do this to my so...

Events

2 w. ago Why El Salvador President Bukele's foreign agents law is fueling democratic concerns

Human rights organizations, politicians and experts have sharply criticized a law approved by El Salvador’s Congress this week that seeks to limit foreign influence and corruption

Politics

2 w. ago Ministers said to be considering bill to wipe out British Steel’s debts

Chinese owner owed almost £1bn as government weighs up how best to attract buyer for Scunthorpe worksBusiness live – latest updatesMinisters are reportedly considering legislation to relieve British Steel of debts, which have risen to nearly £1bn, as the government considers how best to prepare the Scunthorpe steelworks for sale.The government took control of the business last month after it said that its Chinese owner, Jingye Steel, planned to close the plant within days. The effective takeover required emergency legislation passed in a historic recall of parliament. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago New national parking app being rolled out in change which could benefit millions of drivers

One change will bring relief to millions of British drivers

Politics

2 w. ago Thousands of Brits being sent letters with details of £90 payment

The Insolvency Service has since found that thousands of Brits had started the process of a Debt Relief Order (DRO) but didn't complete it - this means they are due a £90 refund

Economics

2 w. ago This is what I was born to do – Oliver Bearman ‘living the dream’ in Formula One

The 20-year-old Briton is relishing this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix.

Politics

3 w. ago I'm Gen Z and watched Little Britain... I was genuinely shocked, I actually squirmed a bit

Yeah but no but yeah but - Little Britain has some iconic characters, but there are also some relics from a time that's perhaps best left behind

Events

3 w. ago ‘Very disturbing’: Trump receipt of overseas gifts unprecedented, experts warn

White House remakes foreign policy under pay-for-access code that critics say could violate US constitutionFormer White House lawyers, diplomatic protocol officers and foreign affairs experts have told the Guardian that Donald Trump’s receipt of overseas gifts and targeted investments are “unprecedented”, as the White House remakes US foreign policy under a pay-for-access code that eclipses past administrations with characteristic Trumpian excess.The openness to foreign largesse was on full display this week as the US president was feted in the Gulf states during his first major diplomatic trip abroad this term, inking deals he claimed were worth trillions of dollars and pumping local leaders for investments as he says he remakes US foreign policy to prioritise “America first” – putting aside concerns of human rights or international law for the bottom line of American businesses and taxpayers. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago Oregon's landmark bottle redemption law may change due to concerns over drugs and homelessness

In 1971, Oregon became the first state in the nation to pass a “bottle bill."

Society

3 w. ago Doctors join chorus of opposition to assisted dying law with warning over 'concerning deficiencies' in legislation as it returns to Commons

MPs will take part in a five-hour session today during which various amendments to  the law will be debated and voted on.

Events

3 w. ago Your chance to stare down a god: inside the British Museum’s mesmerising look at Indian religions

A show full of deities, snakes and shrines puts three ancient faiths in the spotlight. Our writer seeks out its inspiration in the bustling metropolis of MumbaiIt’s the eyes that stay with you – piercing black discs that seem to vibrate against the intense orange of a goddess’s skin. The rest is a blur of silver, yellow and saffron as temple attendants encourage you to move, clockwise, around the murti, or sacred statue. For a moment it’s as if this shrine is the one fixed point in the whole city.The goddess in question is Mumba, the patron of Mumbai, her temple at the beating heart of one of the most densely populated areas on Earth. A few streets to the east is the green and white splendour of Minara mosque. To the north is the intricately carved Jain temple of Parshwanath. All around is the noise and commerce of a place that Indians regard as their version of New York and LA combined – “the city of dreams”. Yet, far from being a godless metropolis, this is a place where religion ...

Politics

3 w. ago Islamist protests threaten to derail women’s rights reforms in Bangladesh

Concern grows over religious hardliners exploiting fragile law and order situation to curtail women’s rights

Events

4 w. ago Panicking Starmer admits mass immigration risks making Britain an 'island of strangers' as he tries to head off Reform surge

Keir Starmer deployed the Brexit slogan at a press conference in Downing Street as he pledged to end the 'betrayal' of Britain's reliance on cheap foreign labour.

Events

4 w. ago Will this REALLY get immigration under control? Labour's plan says arrivals must be degree educated, have fluent English and wait 10 years for citizenship but NO cap on numbers

Keir Starmer is pledging to end the 'betrayal' of Britain's reliance on cheap foreign labour, hiking skills thresholds and toughening rules on fluency in English.

Science