5 h. ago ‘People told me it gave them a sense of hope’: Ismail Zaidy’s best phone picture

The Moroccan photographer intended this portrait of his sister, taken during the Covid pandemic, to bring optimism in uncertain timesIsmail Zaidy took this image, with the help of his siblings, in the gardens of the famous La Mamounia hotel in Marrakech. The Moroccan photographer received special authorisation to shoot there in 2021, when Covid restrictions were in place. He took his brother, Othmane, as shoot assistant and his sister, Fatimazahra, was the model in the image, wearing a vintage dress their mum had bought at a flea market. The small team fixed flowers to a plastic sheet and took a number of shots over a three-hour period; Othmane appeared in some, too.Zaidy recalls what a treat it felt to be outside. “Getting access to open spaces was limited, so being outdoors – even briefly – felt refreshing and special,” he says. “ It was a fairly chaotic period for all of us, but over time things calmed down and we found a rhythm. It actually gave us more time to cr...

Politics

50 h. ago Southmead fire LIVE: Huge blaze near hospital amid urgent 'avoid area' warning

Avon Fire and Rescue Service has urged people to stay away from a blaze close to Southmead Hospital in Bristol with people nearby told to close their windows and doors

Events

3 d. ago Hope: An evening of storytelling in central Glasgow, hosted by MSF

Telling stories is one of our most ancient and powerful forms of expression. Join us for an evening of storytelling on Tuesday, July 15 in ‘The Venue’ at Òran Mór, top of Byres Road, Glasgow G12 8QX. Our storytellers are MSF staff who, reflecting on the theme of ‘hope’ in its many forms, will share a short story about an experience that has made a lasting impact on them whilst working with MSF. We warmly welcome you to register to attend this evening of unique, vivid and ultimately uplifting stories told by the people at the heart of our projects.

Politics

3 d. ago RNLI crews and lifeguards rescue 18 kayaking and paddleboarding in strong winds

Crews were told that 32 people were in trouble at Cullercoats Bay, North Tyneside.

Events

3 d. ago Andrea Bocelli's son Matteo will sing at Jeff Bezos' star studded wedding

A source told PEOPLE magazine that Matteo will be at the star-studded event to perform on the day.

Politics

4 d. ago My marriage is healthy – except for my wife’s total refusal to touch me

I don’t want sex, I just long to be cuddled. But she continues to reject any such suggestion, and my resentment is growingAfter years of no sexual intimacy with my wife, I am now craving the comfort of somatic connection. Not actual sex, but simply cuddling and being held close while nude. But my wife has refused. I have suggested we try “progressive desensitisation” therapy, which would involve lying down together, with one item of clothing removed, but with no physical contact. We would build from there in the knowledge that this would not lead to sexual contact. My wife, when I suggested it, was not at all interested in this, and in fact, she was actively opposed.She told me the problem was in my head and that she had zero interest in physical intimacy. She also said that this was normal for older women. I told her it was my impression that older people actually craved appropriate physical touch. She then agreed that I could just lie in her bed fully clothed before retiring to my...

Politics

6 d. ago People told 'do not travel' to specific area by police after illegal gathering

Police have warned people about an illegal gathering that is still believed to be continuing on Sunday morning

Events

7 d. ago ‘I want my viewer to ask – what is happening here?’: Meysam Hamrang’s best phone picture

This image captures the passion and solemnity of an Islamic ritual in IranFor Meysam Hamrang, this image was years in the making. The Iranian photographer took it in 2019 at a religious ceremony in the village of Masuleh, part of a historic city in the northern province of Gilan, Iran.“On the sixth day of Muharram – the first month of the Islamic calendar – Shia Muslims mourn the martyrdom of Imam Hussein in a ritual called Alam Bandan,” says Hamrang. “It’s held in a 1,200-year-old shrine. People from surrounding villages gather to participate in, or observe, the ritual.” Continue reading...

Politics

9 d. ago Millions of people told not to dry clothes outside this week

Wales is set to sizzle this week with temperatures of 30C forecast in some areas, but experts are urging people not to hang their washing out to dry outside during the heatwave

Politics

9 d. ago Live updates as firefighters called to Greater Manchester blaze and people told to keep doors and windows closed

Images show fire crews battling to contain the blaze

Sport

1 week ago Amazon boss tells staff AI means their jobs are at risk in coming years

Andrew Jassy tells white collar workers that such technology means fewer people will be needed for some jobsThe boss of Amazon has told white collar staff at the e-commerce company their jobs could be taken by artificial intelligence in the next few years.Andrew Jassy told employees that AI agents – tools that carry out tasks autonomously – and generative AI systems such as chatbots would require fewer employees in certain areas. Continue reading...

Events

1 week ago All British people in Israel told to 'register' to get information on leaving country

Tensions are high between Israel and Iran

Politics

1 week ago Makers of air fryers and smart speakers told to respect users’ right to privacy

Information Commissioner’s Office takes action as people report feeling powerless over data gathering at homeMakers of air fryers, smart speakers, fertility trackers and smart TVs have been told to respect people’s rights to privacy by the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).People have reported feeling powerless to control how data is gathered, used and shared in their own homes and on their bodies. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago People told to get out of the water as body is found in Cardiff Bay

Officers say an investigation is ongoing surrounding the circumstances of a man's death whose body was found in water at Cardiff Bay.

Politics

1 week ago Expert reveals the phone lock screen which could mean that you're a self

Choosing what to use as the background of your phone screen is a small but important decision, as it could say a lot more about you than you think - as the US president learned last week.

Politics

1 week ago In White Sox stadium broadcast, Pope Leo XIV sends message of hope to Chicago and the US

In his first words directed specifically to Americans, Pope Leo XIV told young people on Saturday how to find hope and meaning in their lives through God and in service to others

Events

2 w. ago ‘The rain brings out a cinematic quality’: Eric Van Nynatten’s best phone picture

A neon sign reflected in a puddle in New York City’s Theater District inspired this enigmatic shotIt had been raining all day in New York City. After meeting a friend in a coffee shop near Manhattan’s Theater District, professional photographer Eric Van Nynatten decided on a spontaneous street photography session.“The rain had been nonstop, which most people would find messy and chaotic, but I feel it brings out a cinematic quality in the city,” he says. “The wet streets become shiny and reflective, and at night it looks a lot like a painting. I ended up walking down Broadway as evening fell. It’s an area that’s already a visual spectacle – there are all these amazing retro marquees, billboards and neon signs. I spotted this sign reflected in a puddle just off the sidewalk and set up my composition.” Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago People told 'stay indoors' as Met Office issues rare amber warning for parts of UK

Rare amber thunderstorm warnings have been issued by the Met Office with a "potential risk to life and property"

Events

2 w. ago The misogyny of the metaverse: is Mark Zuckerberg’s dream world a no

Graphic sexual content, bullying, abuse and threats of violence are rife in the metaverse - and the NSPCC says a huge proportion of online grooming offences take place on Meta-owned products. Is it too late to change course?Everybody knows that young women are not safe. They are not safe in the street, where 86% of those aged 18 to 24 have experienced sexual harassment. They are not safe at school, where 79% of young people told Ofsted that sexual assault was common in their friendship groups and almost a third of 16- to 18-year-old girls report experiencing “unwanted sexual touching”. They are not safe in swimming pools or parks, or at the beach. They are not even safe online, with the children’s safety charity the NSPCC reporting that social media sites are “failing to protect girls from harm at every stage”.This will come as no surprise to any woman who has ever used social media. But it is particularly relevant as Meta, the operator of some of the biggest soc...

Politics

2 w. ago Misogyny in the metaverse: is Mark Zuckerberg’s dream world a no

Graphic sexual content, bullying, abuse and threats of violence are rife in the metaverse - and the NSPCC says a huge proportion of online grooming offences take place on Meta-owned products. Is it too late to change course?Everybody knows that young women are not safe. They are not safe in the street, where 86% of those aged 18 to 24 have experienced sexual harassment. They are not safe at school, where 79% of young people told Ofsted that sexual assault was common in their friendship groups and almost a third of 16- to 18-year-old girls report experiencing “unwanted sexual touching”. They are not safe in swimming pools or parks, or at the beach. They are not even safe online, with the children’s safety charity the NSPCC reporting that social media sites are “failing to protect girls from harm at every stage”.This will come as no surprise to any woman who has ever used social media. But it is particularly relevant as Meta, the operator of some of the biggest soc...

Politics