23 h. ago Kirkcudbright residents aim to keep up pressure to get new bridge for town

The existing bridge, which is nearly 100 years old, will finally reopen to some traffic by the start of July.

Events

25 h. ago Dogs are treated like ‘child surrogates’ by their owners, new study finds

People are choosing dogs because they are ‘easier to control and care for than a child’, researchers say

Politics

35 h. ago ‘When power can define madness’: China accused of using mental health law to lock up critics

More than a decade after China passed a groundbreaking mental health law, victims and activists say that involuntary hospitalisation remains commonZhang Po was barely one year out of school when an out of control mine-cart barrelled into him deep in a pit in Anhui province, causing injuries that ended his brief career as a coalminer. Since the accident in 1999, he has been living off disability allowances provided by his former employer in Huainan, Anhui’s coal city. But in 2024 Zhang was sent to hospital once again – this time to a psychiatric ward.Zhang was sectioned for 22 days in June after he protested outside the office of his former employer, demanding an increase in his disability allowance. “I endured more than 20 days of humiliation in there. There was no phone, and my belt and shoelaces were taken away,” Zhang said in a recent interview with Chinese media. Zhang said that he was forced to take medicines and tied to his bed for several hours a day. After the three weeks in...

Society

2 d. ago Chelsea determined to keep Enzo Fernández despite Real Madrid interest

La Liga club aiming to rebuild midfield before next seasonLiverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister also on shortlistChelsea have no intention of selling Enzo Fernández and are determined to see off any attempt by Real Madrid to sign the midfielder this summer.Xabi Alonso, who is due to take over from Carlo Ancelotti as Madrid’s manager, is looking to add more control to his midfield and Fernández is one of the names on the club’s shortlist. The La Liga side are also tracking Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Larsson. Madrid have considered trying to hijack Arsenal’s move for Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi but the Premier League side are confident that a deal for the Spain international will be sealed soon. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Tigers and lions kept by drug lords as pets in dramatic rescue from cartel war

Exotic pets have been caught in the horrific violence in the Mexican city of Culiacan where a desperate battle for control is being fought out between different factions of the Sinaloa Cartel

Events

4 d. ago Energy bills in Great Britain could fall this summer but ‘crisis not over’

Ofgem price cap on gas and electricity likely to drop by £129 to £1,720 a year, says consultancy Cornwall InsightBusiness live – latest updatesHousehold energy bills could drop this summer but experts have warned that “the crisis is not over” for households and manufacturers struggling to afford gas and electricity costs.The industry regulator’s quarterly price cap is expected to fall in July by an average of £129, or 7%, according to forecasts from Cornwall Insight, a leading energy consultancy. It has predicted that the cap will fall to £1,720 a year for a typical dual-fuel household this summer, from £1,849 under the current limits. Continue reading...

Events

5 d. ago Tracking apps might make us feel safe, but blurring the line between care and control can be dangerous | Samantha Floreani

Apps like Life360 and Find My Friends are changing the landscape of what’s considered to be an expression of love – and not necessarily for the betterGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastWho knows where you are right now? Your friends, your boss? Maybe your parents? How about your partner? According to recent research by the Office of the eSafety Commissioner, “nearly 1 in 5 young people believe it’s OK to track their partner whenever they want”.As a long-term and stubbornly-vocal privacy advocate, I find this alarming. It’s hard to imagine a bigger red flag than someone wanting to keep tabs on my daily movements. It’s not that I’m doing anything remotely secretive: my days are most often spent working from home, punctuated by trips to the bakery – scandalous! But it’s not about whether I have anything to hide from my partner. Everyone ought to have the right to keep things to themselves, and choose when they do or don’t share.Sign up for a weekly email featuri...

Politics

6 d. ago Yuki Tsunoda taken to F1 medical centre after car flips upside

The 25-year-old Japanese driver lost control of his car at the start of qualifying

Politics

8 d. ago Kirkcudbright Bridge to reopen under strict controls to cars and light vans by July 2025

Width restrictions and a 20mph speed limit, as well as a three tonne weight limit, will be introduced by the start of July.

Politics

8 d. ago A seadragon and flushing worms: Environmental Photography award winners – in pictures

Winning images from the 2025 Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation Environmental Photography award, selected from 10,000 images submitted globally. The contest aims to reward photographers who put their creativity to good use in raising awareness of the importance of environmental protectionShortlisted exhibited in Monaco from 3 June to 31 July 2025 then touring in various locations around the world Continue reading...

Events

1 week ago Driver was 'showing off' when he killed dog walker after losing control of car, court hears

Daniel Boucher, 28, denies causing the death of David Chaplin, 66, in Nelson, Caerphilly, as a result of dangerous driving but admits careless driving.

Events

1 week ago King Charles to host Emmanuel Macron for UK state visit in July

Buckingham Palace says French president and his wife have been invited to stay at Windsor CastleKing Charles is to host Emmanuel Macron on a state visit to the UK from 8-10 July, Buckingham Palace has announced.The palace said: “The president of the French republic, his excellency Emmanuel Macron, accompanied by Mrs Brigitte Macron, has accepted an invitation from his majesty the king to pay a state visit to the United Kingdom from Tuesday 8th July to Thursday 10th July 2025. The president and Mrs Macron will stay at Windsor Castle.” Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Cannes Festival tells celebrities: No nudity on our red carpet

The Cannes Film Festival red carpet is perhaps the most rigidly controlled red carpet in the world

Politics

1 week ago England Lioness Leah Williamson launches her own ice cream ahead of Women's Euros

Leah Williamson has created a limited-edition ice cream sundae, The Captain's Choice, to celebrate the UEFA Women's EURO 2025, which kicks off on 2 July in Switzerland

Politics

2 w. ago Heycar: UK used cars dealership with 1000s of vehicles for sale to close as Volkswagen pulls plug on website

The plug has been pulled on the car sales website as costs spiral out of control 🚨

Economics

2 w. ago Trade union advises staff at newly christened Reform UK councils to sign up after jubilant Nigel Farage promised Trump

Mr Farage warned council staff working on diversity or climate change initiatives to seek 'alternative careers' after his party took control of Durham council.

Politics

2 w. ago Charles Leclerc crashes before Miami F1 sprint even begins as Lewis Hamilton fumes

Charles Leclerc had been sent on a sighting lap before the sprint race at the Miami Grand Prix but the Ferrari star crashed into the wall after losing control of his car on a soaking wet track

Events

2 w. ago Moment driver left woman seriously injured after crashing into crowd at car meet

This the moment a driver lost control and struck a crowd of people at a car meet, leaving a young woman with serious injuries.

Events

3 w. ago Scissor Kick presents "Deep Wheel Orcadia": A Celebration of Language, Identity, and Survival in Sci

In a world where the future often feels uncertain and divided, one production is reminding us of the power of language, identity, and connection. Deep Wheel Orcadia, based on Harry Josephine Giles’ award-winning verse novel, is a thrilling new show that blends sci-fi with theatre, while offering a unique and much-needed celebration of minority language and queer identity. Produced by the acclaimed Scottish theatre company Scissor Kick, this spellbinding performance is set to make waves when it embarks on a tour across Scotland in June and July 2025.

Events

3 w. ago MSP hits out at lack of Scottish Government cash to solve Kirkcudbright Bridge problem

Tory MSP Finlay Carson believes Holyrood's stance shows Dumfries and Galloway is 'the ignored part of Scotland'.

Politics