17 h. ago We know that cosy games have big audiences – so where’s my epic Call the Midwife sim?

In a world overwhelmed by noise and with more players looking for solace, it’s time the triple-A developers pay attentionI am 85 hours into Death Stranding 2, an apocalyptic nightmare about Earth becoming infected with death monsters, and I’ve realised that I’m playing it as a cosy game. For hours at a time, I trundle along the photorealistic landscapes in my pick-up truck, delivering parcels to isolated communities and building new roads. The only reason I complete the main story missions is to open new areas of the map so that I can meet new people and build more roads. I find it blissfully enjoyable.Of course, I am far from alone in playing video games this way. “Cosy games” have become a thriving cottage industry over the past five years, led by crossover successes such as Minecraft, Stardew Valley and Untitled Goose Game, but also housing hundreds of smaller titles that appeal to highly engaged communities. On Steam this month you’ll discover Catto’s Post Office, a delightful g...

Events

42 h. ago I'm sorry Princess: Kieran Hayler's heartfelt apology to Princess Andre after she blamed his split from Katie Price on her mother's battle with drug addiction and suicide attempt

Katie Price's ex-husband Kieran Hayler has issued a public apology to his former stepdaughter Princess Andre after she admitted: 'I wish I could have had a happier childhood.'

Events

43 h. ago I'm sorry Princess: Kieran Hayler's heartfelt apology to Princess Andre after she blamed his split from Katie Price on her battle with drug addiction and suicide attempt

Katie Price's ex-husband Kieran Hayler has issued a public apology to his former stepdaughter Princess Andre after she admitted: 'I wish I could have had a happier childhood.'

Events

45 h. ago Girls Aloud star issues Strictly Come Dancing apology after major career move

Girls Aloud star Nicola Roberts announced she would be returning to London's West End despite being tipped to appear on BBC Strictly Come Dancing

Politics

46 h. ago Meghan Markle pays subtle tribute to Prince Harry in As Ever promo showing two 'profoundly connected' palm trees

A new post on the business's official Instagram page showed the silhouette of two palm trees against the backdrop of a pink-hued sky as the sunset in California

Politics

52 h. ago Post Office warning to passport holders to 'check this early'

A Post Office manager has issued a warning to anyone who is going abroad this summer

Events

64 h. ago ITV star issues apology after pulling out of This Morning at last minute

The reality star was due to appear on This Morning today but was forced to pull out at the last minute, and she has since issued an apology

Politics

2 d. ago Meghan Markle issues cryptic message about the UK as she teases As Ever update

In a new post shared on the firm's official Instagram page, a silhouette of a woman, presumably the Duchess of Sussex, 44, can be seen holding up a wine glass.

Politics

3 d. ago DWP orders probe into postmaster prosecutions amid calls to 'come clean'

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has ordered an 'independent assurance review' into prosecutions of Post Office staff for alleged welfare offences during the Horizon IT scandal

Politics

5 d. ago M&S Bank bans customers from making payments by cheque and giro

Account holders have been sent a letter saying that from October M&S Bank will stop accepting cheques or giro payments over bank, building society or post office counters.

Economics

5 d. ago Melania Trump celebrates as Democratic strategist apologizes and removes parts of podcast that alleged Epstein connection

James Carville issued an apology to the first lady

Politics

5 d. ago BBC Breakfast issues apology as show 'taken off air' after 'very odd' glitch

BBC Breakfast was hit by a technical glitch on Thursday morning but the BBC has since addressed the issue and issued an apology

Politics

5 d. ago BBC Breakfast issues apology after 'very odd' glitch disrupts live broadcast

BBC Breakfast has issued an apology after the show was 'pulled off air' due to a technical glitch, leaving viewers confused

Politics

6 d. ago Middle East crisis live: Israel security cabinet approves plan to take over Gaza City amid reports of disagreements with military

The announcement comes after Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel intended to take full control of Gaza and hand over the territory’s governance to friendly Arab forcesThe Axios reporter Barak Ravid has cited an Israeli official as saying Israel’s occupation of Gaza City is to involve besieging Hamas fighters there while carrying out a ground offensive.Ravid’s post on X says:Senior Israeli official tells me: The operation that the IDF is currently preparing for is only in Gaza City. The goal is to evacuate all Palestinian civilians from Gaza City to the central camps and other areas by October 7. A siege will be imposed on the Hamas militants who remain in Gaza City, and at the same time, a ground offensive will be carried out in Gaza City. The Prime Minister and the Defense Minister have been authorized to approve the IDF’s final operational plan1. Disarming Hamas of its weapons.2. Return of all hostages – both the living and the deceased. Continue reading...

Events

6 d. ago Citroen must urgently improve ‘chaotic’ airbag recall – Which?

A rare ‘stop-drive’ order has left 120,000 customers unable to drive their cars, and Which? warned that many had no alternative mode of transport.

Politics

6 d. ago Trump calls for new US census that excludes undocumented immigrants

Census has historically counted all residents regardless of citizenship status, as required by the 14th amendmentDonald Trump announced on Thursday that he has ordered the commerce department to conduct a new census that would exclude undocumented immigrants from the official count.In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the census would be “based on modern day facts and figures” and use “results and information gained from the Presidential Election of 2024”. He added that “people who are in our country illegally will not be counted”. Continue reading...

Events

6 d. ago Welsh council to hire new officer and pay them £100,000 salary

Pembrokeshire Council is to recruit for a new senior officer, a post which commands a salary of up to £101,000

Economics

8 d. ago O2 issues warning to customers as major change will stop HUNDREDS of popular phones from working

O2 has now issued a warning to customers as a major change will stop some phones from working.

Events

8 d. ago Masked thief caught on camera raiding Scots post office of cash and cigarettes

A masked thief made off with £1,500 worth of money and cigarettes from an Ayrshire post office.

Events

8 d. ago Trump’s shock new tariff move could add $80 to Scottish products sold in the USA, says Parcelhero

Despite previously announcing that the US would keep its de minimis tariff threshold until July 2027, President Trump is now set to scrap it at the end of this month. That means all goods worth $800 or less entering the US from Scotland and the rest of the UK will no longer be exempt from US tariffs, says the international delivery expert Parcelhero. However, there are two hacks that will help senders avoid the worst impact of the new duties.

Politics