3 h. ago ‘It was very difficult to hold on to’: are Michelin stars a blessing

The esteemed restaurant guide has struggled to stay relevant, with some leading chefs even barring reviewers or asking for their stars to be removed. Is this the end of fine dining?Time was, the ultimate honour for any ambitious chef was to gain a Michelin star or two. Better still, three. But these days, the world of fine dining is in a state of flux. Far from going to any lengths to schmooze critics or diners, restaurateurs are taking them on, from publicly berating customers who don’t spend enough to ejecting anyone who even threatens to leave an unfavourable review.Nowhere is this gear change more noticeable than in attitudes towards the esteemed “red book”, the Michelin Guide. Last October, Giglio, a restaurant in the Italian town of Lucca, asked for its star to be removed from the guide. It had become a burden, according to co-owner, Benedetto Rullo. Many diners were deterred by the prospect of “fussy” food and a formal atmosphere. “One should be able to go to a fine restauran...

Politics

3 h. ago Peter Hargreaves to join Hargreaves Lansdown board following £5.4bn takeover

Investment group’s biggest shareholder to return to oversight role on company he co-founded in 1981

Economics

6 h. ago Mystery as dozens of ordinary homes and businesses across Britain are covered in red paint

Take a walk down Chingford Road and you'll find an unremarkable street of terraced family homes and shared flats. Unremarkable, that is, except for one feature.

Politics

9 h. ago F1 news LIVE: Red Bull weigh up official appeal after Max Verstappen penalty

Follow all the reaction with Piastri taking the win ahead of Verstappen after their first-lap clash

Politics

11 h. ago Oscar Piastri just taught Lando Norris a lesson and made stroppy Max Verstappen fume

Max Verstappen started the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on pole but Oscar Piastri benefitted from a penalty for the Red Bull driver to win while Lando Norris limited the damage to his title charge

Politics

13 h. ago Surprise! Gender reveal party’s pink flare mistaken for marine emergency

Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade was called out to the party over reports of a red smoke flare - but it turned out the flare was pink and part of the celebrations

Politics

13 h. ago Mark Williams outlasts Wu Yize to make World Snooker Championship last

Welshman comes from behind for 10-8 victoryXiao Guodong completes 10-4 win over Matthew SeltMark Williams was forced to dredge up every inch of his Crucible experience to sink rising Chinese star Wu Yize 10-8 and book his place in the last 16 of the World Snooker Championship for the 22nd time in his career.Williams, who turned 50 last month, delivered two near-faultless final frames to hold off his opponent, who had missed a golden chance to seize a 9-7 advantage when he missed a frame-ball red with the rest. Continue reading...

Politics

13 h. ago Mark Williams outlasts Wu Yize to make World Snooker Championship last 16

Welshman comes from behind for 10-8 victoryXiao Guodong completes 10-4 win over Matthew SeltMark Williams was forced to dredge up every inch of his Crucible experience to sink rising Chinese star Wu Yize 10-8 and book his place in the last 16 of the World Snooker Championship for the 22nd time in his career.Williams, who turned 50 last month, delivered two near-faultless final frames to hold off his opponent, who had missed a golden chance to seize a 9-7 advantage when he missed a frame-ball red with the rest. Continue reading...

Politics

13 h. ago BREAKING: Max Verstappen punished minutes into Saudi GP as Martin Brundle slams penalty

Max Verstappen was penalised for his actions while duelling with Oscar Piastri at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix which annoyed both the Red Bull driver and Martin Brundle

Politics

13 h. ago Max Verstappen punished minutes into Saudi GP as Martin Brundle slams penalty

Max Verstappen was penalised for his actions while duelling with Oscar Piastri at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix which annoyed both the Red Bull driver and Martin Brundle

Politics

14 h. ago Roy Keane tears into Leif Davis after Ipswich Town star's horror Arsenal challenge

The full-back saw red as the struggling Tractor Boys were trounced by the Gunners and Keane was not impressed

Events

14 h. ago Mikel Arteta offers Bukayo Saka injury update after ‘dangerous’ tackle

The winger was on the end of a red-card tackle by Leif Davis in the comfortable Premier League win at Ipswich

Events

14 h. ago I was a CIA agent. There is growing proof Hitler faked his death... and I think I know where he was hiding

Details of a Hitler sighting in Colombia in 1955, a Nazi jungle hideout in Argentina and a nuclear fusion lab have got experts questioning what they thought they knew about the Führer.

Events

15 h. ago Israeli military admits ‘professional failures’ over Gaza paramedic killings

IDF says it is dismissing deputy commander for giving ‘inaccurate report’ on shooting that caused global outcryIsrael’s military has admitted to several “professional failures” and a breach of orders in the killing of 15 rescue workers in Gaza last month, and said that it was dismissing a deputy commander responsible.The deadly shooting of eight Red Crescent paramedics, six civil defence workers and a UN staffer by Israeli troops, as they carried out a rescue mission in southern Gaza at dawn on 23 March, had prompted international outcry and calls for a war crimes investigation. Continue reading...

Events

15 h. ago Red Bull take action over their drivers once again with Yuki Tsunoda decision

Qualifying for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix underlined the performance gap between the two Red Bull cars with Max Verstappen on pole and Yuki Tsunoda eighth, almost a second off the pace

Politics

15 h. ago Pilot's chilling final words before plane crashed in Russia and killed president

This month marks the 15th anniversary of the crash which killed all 96 on board, including the President of Poland. The Smolensk air disaster left two countries in a bitter war of words over who was to blame

Events

17 h. ago Premier League explain red card during Arsenal vs Ipswich after 'dangerous' tackle

The Premier League have explained the decision behind Leif Davis' red card for a late challenge on Bukayo Saka in Arsenal's Premier League trip to Ipswich Town

Sport

17 h. ago Row over calls for wrestling legend British Bulldog to be honoured in hometown

EXCLUSIVE: With red, white and blue bursting from every inch of his hulking 19st frame, Davey Boy Smith was one of the most recognisable stars in wrestling history, but he is yet to be honoured in Wigan

Politics

17 h. ago Premier League issue explanation on red card after horror tackle in Arsenal vs Ipswich

Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka required several minutes of treatment after a poor tackle from Ipswich Town defender Leif Davis, who was subsequently shown a straight red card

Politics

17 h. ago Bukayo Saka left needing treatment after 'disgusting' tackle sees Ipswich ace sent off

Bukayo Saka was left requiring treatment following a 'disgusting' tackle from Ipswich Town defender Leif Davis saw him receive a straight red card

Politics