4 h. ago Inside the dirtiest race in Olympic history: ‘It wasn’t fair. I wasn’t on a level playing field’

How did the women’s 1500m in the 2012 London Olympics get its unenviable reputation? Athletes who were cheated out of medals talk about what happened that day – and how the results have slowly unravelledThe tunnel in which athletes wait before they enter a stadium ahead of a major race is “by no means a friendly place to be”, says Lisa Dobriskey – and as a former Team GB athlete who won Commonwealth gold and world championship silver at 1500m, she has stood in enough of them to know. “Different people handle it differently,” she says. “Some people are really relaxed and friendly; other people just look right through you. It’s scary. I remember my coach saying to me, ‘When you go to the Olympics, you’ll be standing next to the meanest, toughest, hardest people that you’ll ever face.’ Everybody wants to win.”As it turned out, the wait to walk into London’s Olympic stadium for the final of her event in August 2012 was even more stressful than she’d been warned. With British excitement ...

Sport

12 h. ago Government bank holiday update with eight more before end of 2025

The government has confirmed when and where the rest of this year's bank holidays will take place, but there are no plans to introduce any extra bank holidays in 2025

Politics

53 h. ago Paralysed rugby player returns to the field where horror incident changed his life forever and defies the odds by completing a heroic act

Exactly three years after a horror injury on the footy pitch changed his life forever, the 38-year-old has returned to the site of the accident and has defied the odds.

Sport

59 h. ago The EU fined Apple and Meta – but failed to really hold them to account. Was that to appease Trump? | Alexander Hurst

Instead of bazooka-level fines on global turnover, this €700m was no more than a slap on the wrist. It’s a missed opportunityThe European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, had some tough words for big tech this week, but it seems that at the last minute, the EU lost its nerve. Under the Digital Markets Act, companies that the EU has designated as “gatekeepers” – that is, digital platforms that provide core services such as search engines, app stores and messenger services – have special obligations and constraints that are meant to ensure a fair playing field for other companies.Apple, which takes a significant cut of purchases (including subscriptions) made through its App Store, violated the act by preventing developers from directing customers to their own websites to get around the “Apple tax”. In Meta’s case, the company was fined for forcing Facebook and Instagram users to either consent to letting Meta use their personal data, or pay a monthly fee to remove ads.Alex...

Politics

2 d. ago London Metal Exchange plans to introduce green metals premium

London Metal Exchange plans to introduce green metals premium  Financial Times

Politics

3 d. ago Swastikas painted in children's play area at popular north London park

The Met are investigating a hate crime incident after Nazi-era symbols were daubed on rocks in Stoke Newington’s Clissold Park

Politics

3 d. ago Outrage as swastikas painted in children's play area at popular north London park

The Met are investigating a hate crime incident after Nazi-era symbols were daubed on rocks in Stoke Newington’s Clissold Park

Politics

3 d. ago How to Fight Loneliness at the Park Theatre review: this assisted dying play is repetitive and reductive

Neil LaBute made a name for himself with brisk, electrifying plays. Where’s that spark now?

Events

3 d. ago Manfred eager to see how many fans turn out for the MLB Speedway Classic at Bristol

Major League Baseball has played at the “Field of Dreams” movie site

Politics

3 d. ago Luke Littler to headline darts festival this summer as Luke Humphries to feature

The all-star line-up also includes big names such as Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen and Fallon Sherrock who will play in front of thousands in the capital’s famous Hyde Park

Politics

4 d. ago Spurs and Forest's Premier League clash without VAR as Stockley Park evacuated

Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest had to play without VAR after a fire alarm at Stockley Park saw the system out of use at the start of the second half

Politics

9 d. ago Body found in bags at play park as police scour near school for more remains

"Tiny kids were playing right next to literal bits of human arm."

Events

9 d. ago Controversial plans that will allow Stevie Wonder and Alanis Morisette to play at Cardiff park updated

Some residents have raised concerns about the potential impact of events on Blackweir Fields and the potential impact on traffic

Politics

2 w. ago The beautiful Victorian park in Greater Manchester you need to visit on a sunny day

This grade-II listed park has several features kids will love including water fountains, a play area and an aviary

Politics

2 w. ago Great Britain face new challenge at Billie Jean King Cup and must beware underdog threat

Injuries and absences have evened the playing field for this all-important qualifying tie, but Great Britain should still have the edge

Events

2 w. ago Masters field urged to show better pace of play example to young golfers

Time limitations could be introduced at next year’s Drive, Chip & Putt Finals at Augusta National

Politics

2 w. ago More choice, less stress: Largo Leisure Holidays unveils new ways to book your break in Scotland

Largo Leisure Holidays, who own six-holiday parks in Scotland, is stepping up to support holidaymakers amid the ongoing cost-of-living crisis and rising energy bills in the UK. As economic uncertainty continues to weigh heavily on household budgets, the company has introduced new, payment plans designed to make holidays more accessible and affordable for families and individuals alike, allowing people to enjoy a well-deserved break without the added stress of financial strain.

Politics

2 w. ago Police issue statement on filming in public after Paisley play park incident

Assistant chief constable Catriona Paton says there must be respect for everyone when capturing a picture or recording a video.

Events

2 w. ago Stirling residents give ‘strong initial response' to tourist tax consultation

Stirling Council says it has received a "strong initial response" over proposed plans to introduce a new 'tourist tax' on visitors coming to Stirling.

Politics

2 w. ago Igor Tudor injects fury into Juventus to rev up race for Champions League | Nicky Bandini

New manager has transformed mood and on Sunday halted the seven-match winning streak of Claudio Ranieri’s RomaIgor Tudor was on the pitch, stepping out of his technical area and on to the playing field as he gestured frantically at his defenders, jabbing a pointed finger so close to Stephan El Shaarawy that it appeared he might tap the Roma forward on the shoulder. It has been a little over 20 years since Tudor played his last game for Juventus, but all that time away does not appear to have lessened his passion.The Bianconeri had needed this, needed something, an injection of purpose, of fury, of life. All their energies seemed to have expired under Thiago Motta, four defeats in six games telling only a part of the story. Anyone could lose a match to Atalanta, but 4-0? At home? And to follow that up with a 3-0 thrashing by one of your club’s favourite victims, Fiorentina? Continue reading...

Sport