40 m. ago ‘It’s the only thing between me and a divorce!’ The remarkable rise of the big family planner

Many households would descend into chaos without somewhere to jot down work commitments, after-school activities, birthdays, holidays, anniversaries But do you run the planner, or does the planner run you?Our wall planner is pinned on to a large cork board in the kitchen. Structured month by month in rows, it is parma violet, coral pink and butter yellow, and huge – a good metre long, almost the size of the table beneath it.I bought mine online after a friend, who keeps hers Blu-Tacked by her front door, told me half-jokingly: “It’s the only thing between me and a divorce.” Ours is not quite so important. Still, as I wield my felt-tip pen, marking up school plays and holidays with our weird, inscrutable code, I do feel calmer. As if I’m scooping out my brain and smearing it all over the paper, leaving me free to track down more stuff to fill it with. Continue reading...

Politics

44 m. ago Russian attack on Kyiv leaves two dead a day after largest assault of war

Another huge wave of Russian missiles and drones hit Ukraine’s capital as Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov due to meet with Marco RubioA huge wave of Russian strikes on Ukraine’s capital killed two people and left more wounded, Kyiv’s military administration said early on Thursday, with reports of loud blasts echoing over the city throughout the night.The administration warned of a threat from drones and ballistic weapons and told all residents to “immediately head to the nearest shelters”. Dozens of residents of the capital took shelter in a central metro station during the attack, an Agence France-Presse reporter said, sleeping on mats, calming pets or waiting out the attack on camping furniture. Continue reading...

Events

94 m. ago The Secret Service suspended six staffers without pay or benefits after Trump assassination attempt

The Secret Service deputy director admitted President Donald Trump’s first assassination attempt was an “operational failure” and detailed the consequences some agents have faced

Politics

3 h. ago Appeal after £10,000 stolen from man at Paddington train station

British Transport Police have released images of three women as part of their investigation

Economics

4 h. ago We were trolled when our boy died of cancer and again now our daughter is dying... all we want is to make her last months bearable using £100k raised for our son but charity won't let us

Craig Evison and Victoria Morrison's 'world broke down' when their 'happy', 'very smart' and 'loving' boy Ryan was diagnosed with brain cancer, but cruel trolls still abused them online.

Economics

5 h. ago City Corporation says UK urgently needs 'one stop' investment hub for financial services

UK has seen a 4% fall in its market share of financial and professional services foreign direct investment projects since 2017

Economics

5 h. ago Man, 24, drowns in nine inches of water in 'freak paddling pool accident'

Roan Bloore, 24, was found face down in nine inches of water where he had been for 10 minutes with oxygen having been cut off to his brain, resulting in organ failure

Events

7 h. ago Historic rainfall leads to deadly flooding in New Mexico: a timeline of emergency alerts

The summer rainy season in New Mexico usually brings daily alerts about the potential for flooding around the arid state

Events

7 h. ago Kate Middleton's right hand woman makes bombshell move after 15 years of loyal service

Kate Middleton's right hand woman, Natasha Archer, has been her personal assistant since 2010.

Politics

8 h. ago One of America’s largest Catholic dioceses said parishioners can skip mass over deportation raid fears

A rare decree from San Bernadino Bishop Alberto Rojas says ICE raids pose a ‘grave inconvenience’

Politics

8 h. ago A Georgia election with few voters: Turnout is 'miserably low' in the race for utility regulator

Officials are calling voter turnout “miserably low” in the Democratic runoff for the Georgia Public Service Commission

Politics

10 h. ago Don’t believe the myth: Britain’s services have been hit hard by Brexit

Export growth has been strong but not lived up to its potential

Events

10 h. ago Major Scottish railway line blocked and properties evacuated as fire crews attend garage blaze

Changes to services have been announced as emergency services respond to a fire.

Events

10 h. ago Police investigating mass brawl on Bournemouth beach release CCTV

Dorset Police says a girl and a number of officers were injured in the incident

Events

11 h. ago Man killed 'Good Samaritan' after driving car into middle of brawl at sister's wedding

Hassan Jhangur boasted about his actions to officers at the police station after his arrest

Events

11 h. ago Man accused of spying 'tried to give Russians information about Tory MP'

Howard Michael Phillips, 65, is standing trial at Winchester crown court for allegedly trying to pass information to Russia’s foreign intelligence service

Politics

11 h. ago I’ve started strutting like Liam Gallagher – and the power is great indeed | Adrian Chiles

I happened to be in Cardiff during the Oasis gigs. Before I knew it, my legs developed a mind of their own, my shoulders got involved and my jaw was chewingBy the time I got into Cardiff Central just before 8am on Friday, the early birds of the Oasis flock were already arriving. With a full 12 hours to go until showtime, this wasn’t a bad effort. Respect. I wasn’t there for the big reunion concert. I’d have liked to have been going, but I couldn’t face the hassle. If a ticket package had been available which transported me to my seat, à la Star Trek, just before the gig started, and then transported me straight to bed when the curtain came down, I would have paid handsomely for it. As it was, I enjoyed bystanding, breathing in the thick air of anticipation, like a kind of passive smoker, detached yet vaguely intoxicated by it all.I was there to present my radio programme from BBC Wales, just across the way from the station. My studio afforded me a view of the crowds thickening outsi...

Politics

12 h. ago British rowers smash Pacific record to raise £50,000 for brain tumour foundation

Businessman and team member Kevin Gaskell has become the oldest person to row across the Pacific.

Economics

12 h. ago Government makes deal with Google to provide free tech for UK public services

Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said he is determined to ‘break free’ from the ‘ball-and-chain’ technology currently used in many systems.

Politics

12 h. ago Jaguar restoration expert, 81, 'gestured for help' from daughter on CCTV before his grandson, 33, launched fatal attack after all

Jaguar restoration expert John Brown, 81, was seen pleading for help on a security camera - before he was fatally attacked by his own grandson in Bulkington, Warwickshire, a court heard.

Events