39 h. ago Voices: This baffling Chagos deal will forever haunt Keir Starmer

The roll-call of British politicians who put their fingerprints on the decision to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius are no fools – and yet the deal the prime minister has just signed looks foolish, says John Rentoul

Economics

39 h. ago Mauritius PM boasts of 'great victory' on Chagos Islands after Keir Starmer agrees Brits will pay £30BILLION to keep military base after handing over the British territory

Ministers have insisted the deal to transfer sovereignty of the British territory is 'good value' - despite Sir Keir's counterpart describing it as a 'great victory'.

Economics

40 h. ago Displaced Chagos islanders fear they will never go home after a UK

The British government has signed a deal to transfer the Chagos Islands’ sovereignty to Mauritius

Politics

4 d. ago ‘I don’t have a relationship with my face’: Judi Dench models for a live sculpture

To raise money for lymphoedema research, the actor sat before an audience for artist Frances Segelman, who admired her youthful, ‘pixie-like’ face while rendering it in clayIt began as a blob: a 12kg lump of clay the size of a watermelon. Three hours later, it had become Judi Dench’s head, 50% larger than usual, twinkle-eyed even in terracotta.At Claridge’s hotel in London on Monday evening, Frances Segelman hosted her latest ticking-clock sculpt: paying guests watch as she kneads a celebrity bust on stage, the subject sitting quietly beside her. In the past, Segelman has done Simon Rattle, Joan Collins, Joanna Lumley, Boris Johnson, Mr Motivator and major-league royals, almost always for charity. Continue reading...

Culture

5 d. ago Meghan gives wedding anniversary thanks to those who supported ‘our love story’

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are celebrating their seventh anniversary after marrying in St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, in 2018.

Politics

6 d. ago Duchess of Edinburgh looks radiant in a floral outfit and statement hat as she attends the Royal Windsor Horse Show

Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, appeared in great spirits today as she stepped out for the fourth day of the Royal Windsor Horse Show at Home Park, Windsor Castle in Berkshire.

Politics

9 d. ago Joan Collins, 91, goes from acting royalty to the British sovereignty in Wallis Simpson role for new biopic about the Duchess of Windsor

She made her name as the scheming Alexis Carrington in Dynasty. Now, at the age of 91, Dame Joan is taking on a very different dynasty - the British royal family.

Politics

9 d. ago First look at Joan Collins as Wallis Simpson in The Bitter End revealed

After marrying in June 1937, Edward and Simpson lived the rest of their lives in exile in France.

Politics

2 w. ago Actress Sheila Hancock says we should thank veterans by making ‘a better world’

Dame Sheila, who was evacuated as a child during the Second World War, is due to appear at the VE day concert on Thursday.

Politics

3 w. ago Tragic royal Thomas Kingston's company was chasing bad debts of nearly £50million when he took his own life

EXCLUSIVE: Financier Mr Kingston, 45, husband of Lady Gabriella Windsor, daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Kent, died in February 2024 of self-inflicted gunshot wounds.

Economics

3 w. ago ‘If I kissed some man, I would cut my lips off’: Terrence Howard explains why he declined Marvin Gaye biopic

The American actor told Bill Maher’s podcast that he had asked Quincy Jones about the singer’s sexuality and felt he couldn’t ‘play that character 100%’The actor Terrence Howard has said that he declined the role of Marvin Gaye in a film, because he didn’t want to kiss another man.Speaking to Bill Maher on his Club Random podcast, the actor said the “biggest mistake” of his career was turning down the leading role in a separate biopic of the singer Smokey Robinson – which Robinson had personally asked him to play. Continue reading...

Events