13 m. ago Streeting says BMA ‘shockingly irresponsible’ over tactics for doctors’ strikes – UK politics live

Health secretary welcomes talks with union but says members have been told not to inform trusts if they are going to take actionAs Rowena Mason revealed recently, No 10 has issued guidance that in effect bans civil servants from any level of speaking at events where journalists are present.Today the Times has published a letter signed by almost 30 experts – including former senior officials, thinktank leaders, academics and union leader – saying this policy is a mistake because it is having “a chilling effect on public discussion” and that it should be withdrawn. They say:The government’s new guidance that prevents public officials from participating properly in public or stakeholder events is a mistake. Effective government relies on public servants, whose salaries are paid by the taxpayer, hearing directly from businesses, charities, academics and citizens to help them make better policy. They should be able to explain government activity to those same groups. Continue reading...

Events

14 m. ago Plans to breathalyse passengers leaving Aberdeen International Airport during drink

The pilot project could potentially be rolled out to other areas.

Society

17 m. ago Schoolboys protest over shorts ban arguing girls can wear skirts in 30C heatwave

Pupils at Outwood Academy City, in Sheffield, South Yorks., have been banned from wearing shorts as the UK continues to see sweltering temperatures in the third heatwave of the year

Events

21 m. ago Reuben Owen's girlfriend shares true feelings about his famous family

Jessica, who hails from a neighbouring family farm, has known Reuben her whole life, but only began dating the star of Channel 5 show Reuben Owen: Life in the Dales eight months ago

Politics

87 m. ago Broxburn Academy pupil selected as first recipient of Robin Cook Internship

The internship, which runs over two weeks this summer, will see Lena gain first-hand experience of the work of an MP both in Westminster and at Gregor Poynton’s constituency office in Craigshill.

Society

99 m. ago Matthew McConaughey hailed a 'southern gent' after Kate Middleton gesture

Magic Mike and Dallas Buyers Club star Matthew McConaughey, 55, was pictured among the VIPs in the Royal Box at Wimbledon and one fan said the move star has clearly been 'raised right' after watching him on the telly

Politics

2 h. ago Starmer to meet Trump in Scotland this month as demonstrations planned against state visit – UK politics live

PM to meet US president during private visit in July as Stop Trump Coalition announces protest planned for SeptemberAs Rowena Mason revealed recently, No 10 has issued guidance that in effect bans civil servants from any level of speaking at events where journalists are present.Today the Times has published a letter signed by almost 30 experts – including former senior officials, thinktank leaders, academics and union leader – saying this policy is a mistake because it is having “a chilling effect on public discussion” and that it should be withdrawn. They say:The government’s new guidance that prevents public officials from participating properly in public or stakeholder events is a mistake. Effective government relies on public servants, whose salaries are paid by the taxpayer, hearing directly from businesses, charities, academics and citizens to help them make better policy. They should be able to explain government activity to those same groups. Continue reading...

Politics

2 h. ago 'We're sorry not all parents agree, but the skirt ban is happening'

Parents have criticised the decision to move to a trousers-only policy for girls and boys at Newhouse Academy in Heywood

Politics

2 h. ago I was on New York’s rent board. Zohran Mamdani’s ideas aren’t pie in the sky | Leah Goodridge

The Democratic mayoral candidate has faced controversy over his calls for a rent freeze. But the plan has plenty of precedent During the New York City mayoral primary campaign, Zohran Mamdani’s proposal for a citywide rent freeze became a contentious topic. The Democratic nominee says to achieve a cap on annual rent increases for the city’s 1m rent-stabilized apartments, he would appoint members to the city’s rent guidelines board who support it. Critics decry a rent freeze as a pie-in-the-sky, unrealistic proposal.I served as a rent guidelines board member for nearly four years, appointed by then mayor Bill de Blasio in 2018. And it’s clear this controversy isn’t just about rent freezes – there’s a larger agenda to deregulate rent-stabilized housing, under which rent ceilings prevent landlords from raising the rent too high and tenants must be offered renewal leases (unless the landlord shows legal reason not to). Continue reading...

Politics

3 h. ago Wizz Air stops flights from Middle East airport overshadowed by neighbouring Dubai

Last year, 92.3 million passengers traveled through Dubai, compared to 28.8 million for Zayed

Transport

3 h. ago Wet Leg Glasgow presales and prices: Here's how to see the band at the O2 Academy in November

The band are fresh from playing Glasgow’s TRNSMT music festival.

Economics

3 h. ago Lloyds offering customers £190 from next month as part of new student account

The high street bank is offering up to £190 to members for free if they open up a student current account with them from August

Economics

3 h. ago Zara McDermott’s blowdry brush works even if you’re ‘awful’ at hair – and is now on sale

Zara McDermott swears by this clever 2-in-1 styling tool for achieving a salon-worthy blowdry at home, and it's now on sale with over £150 off

Economics

3 h. ago DJ Nick León on Rosalía, regional Latin club sounds and rejecting success: ‘I was losing my edge’

Early success left the Miami producer feeling risk-averse. He quit touring to discover his muggy, magical sound – and accidentally scored another hit with Erika de CasierA few years ago, Nick León made a hit. Not a hit hit, like a Drake/Sabrina/Taylor hit, but a hit in certain circles. His single Xtasis, made with the Venezuelan producer DJ Babatr, was one of the defining club tracks of 2022. Named track of the year by Resident Advisor and a staple at parties throughout the summer and autumn, it launched León from his status as one of Miami’s most interesting underground DJs into the international club circuit.“It was like, we’re hitting the ground running – we’re gonna be touring and DJing all the time, and there was this mission of spreading the music that so many people have been playing already, from Latin America and the US,” León recalls of this period, sweating through his tie-dye T-shirt in an east London cafe in June. Continue reading...

Politics

3 h. ago Popular blusher which people say is ‘perfect shade of rosy glow’

Shoppers have been loving the 'heavenly glow' they say they have achieved

Politics

3 h. ago Postman who strangled, stabbed and decapitated girlfriend jailed for 23 years

Ewan Methven murdered Phoenix Spencer-Horn, 21, in the home they shared in East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire, last November.

Events

4 h. ago Scottish crime: Ewan Methven, 27, jailed for brutal murder of girlfriend Phoenix Spencer

He was sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow on Monday

Events

4 h. ago Hidden gem Cardigan Bay beach where you can see dolphins from golden sands

Aberporth Beach, split into Dyffryn Beach in the east and Dolwen Beach in the west, is the perfect place to visit with the family in the summer holidays, or at any other time of the year

Politics

4 h. ago Postman who beheaded girlfriend then texted her mum jailed for 23 years

Ewan Methven murdered his 21-year-old girlfriend Phoenix Spencer-Horn in the home they shared in East Kilbride, Lanarkshire, on November 16 last year

Events

4 h. ago Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian injured during Israel’s attacks

The attack came on the fourth day of a 12-day war Israel launched against Iran in June

Politics