69 m. ago It’s the first day of summer. Here’s what happens on the longest day of the year

The Northern Hemisphere has reached its peak sunshine, marking the summer solstice – the longest day of the year and the official start of astronomical summer. Conversely, for those in the Southern Hemisphere, it signifies the shortest day and the onset of winter.

Politics

1 hour ago Parts of Wales officially enter a heatwave on hottest day of the year

It comes as thunderstorms are threatening to hit large parts of the UK over the weekend

Politics

4 h. ago Thousands of Afghans are fleeing Iran every day to escape war and deportation

A major international aid agency and a Taliban official say thousands of Afghans are fleeing Iran every day to escape war and a deportation campaign

Events

8 h. ago Primark orders staff back into the office for four days a week to improve productivity

Primark has ordered employees in its product teams to be in the office for four days a week, as it becomes the latest major company to crack down on working from home.

Politics

9 h. ago Scotland Weather: Where will be the hottest day? Here's the weather for the weekend across the country

Scotland could see its hottest day of the year on Friday, according to the Met Office

Politics

9 h. ago Scotland Weather: Where will be the hottest today? Here's the weather for the weekend across the country

Scotland could see its hottest day of the year on Friday, according to the Met Office

Politics

10 h. ago Hong Kong teachers allegedly told to avoid US Independence Day events

Messages advise staff to also warn students off celebrations to avoid violating national security lawTeachers in Hong Kong have been warned to keep themselves and students away from any US Independence Day celebrations as they may breach national security laws, educators have alleged.A text message purportedly sent by the principal of a Hong Kong school to staff said the education bureau’s regional education office had reminded them “to be careful about Independence Day activities organised by the US consulate in Hong Kong, and not to participate to avoid violating the national security law and Hong Kong laws”. Continue reading...

Politics

19 h. ago Ukraine war briefing: Russia ‘on verge of recession’, Putin minister tells economic showcase

Drone attacks on Kharkiv and Odesa; don’t forget about Ukraine because of Iran-Israel fighting, say Kyiv officials. What we know on day 1,213 Vladimir Putin’s economy minister has warned that Russia is “on the verge” of recession as he spoke on the second day of a signature event meant to bolster economic confidence. The minister, Maxim Reshetnikov, said at the St Petersburg economic forum that his view was based on “current business sentiment and indicators” pointing to a slowdown. “Everything else depends on our decisions,” Reshetnikov said, calling for the central bank to show a “little love for the economy”.Russia’s central bank raised interest rates to an eye-watering 21% in October 2024 to combat inflation and kept them at that level until this month when it eased them to 20%. Russia’s economic growth slowed to 1.4% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2025, the lowest quarterly figure in two years. Prices are rising across the economy driven up by massive government spending ...

Politics

28 h. ago Hottest day of the year recorded as temperatures exceed 32C and Met Office warns of 'tropical nights'

The UKHSA alert warns there could be a "rise in deaths" as the mercury soars and Britain see's the hottest day of the year so far, but it's meant to get much warmer

Events

41 h. ago Met Office warns UK could see scorching 46C days and much longer heatwaves 

Brits should be bracing for extreme heat as UK heatwaves could become longer and hotter due to escalating climate trends, according to a new study by the Met Office

Events

52 h. ago UK weather maps turn red with 33C day as Met Office warns of 'tropical night'

Expect a bad nights sleep as scary weather maps show the UK hit 33 degrees while the first heatwave of the year grips the country and the Met Office warns of 'tropical night'

Events

69 h. ago HSBC considers ordering all staff back to office 3 days a week

Bank seeking to impose unified approach on sprawling global workforce

Politics

3 d. ago NYC mayoral candidate Brad Lander says ‘nobody’s safe right now’ after arrest by masked agents at immigration court

The city’s comptroller was grabbed by masked officers and accused of ‘assault’ days after US Sen. Alex Padilla was handcuffed at a Kristi Noem event on ICE enforcement in California

Events

3 d. ago UK faces daily water shortage of five billion litres a day by 2055 unless urgent action is taken as officials warn it will 'threaten way of life'

The shortfall - equivalent to a third of the country's daily use - is being blamed on climate change , population growth and more demand from businesses.

Events

3 d. ago England faces ‘huge’ water shortages of 5bn litres a day by 2055, officials warn

Urgent action is needed to cut leaks, curb demand and build new water supply schemes, the Environment Agency warns.

Events

4 d. ago Keir Starmer's personal ratings are worst of any PM from the past four decades after 300 days in office... even outdoing Gordon Brown's grim numbers

Political research firm Britain Elects aggregated polling data on premiers since Margaret Thatcher.

Politics

5 d. ago Police are working 'night and day' to catch Ballymena rioters after alleged sex attack on local girl sparks violent disorder

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has welcomed a reduction in disorder on Saturday night after several consecutive days of rioting and attacks on police officers.

Events

5 d. ago Authorities still searching for suspect in shooting of 2 Minnesota state lawmakers

A massive search is stretching into its second day for a man who authorities say posed as a police officer and fatally shot a Democratic state lawmaker in her suburban Minneapolis home

Events

6 d. ago UK weather forecast maps show official 34C heatwave as exact dates revealed

Temperatures across the UK could soon rise above the Met Office's official heatwave threshold for three consecutive days - the sizzling stretch may push thermometers to a blistering 34C

Society

6 d. ago Father's Day weather forecast as UK set for mixed bag as temperatures 'creep to low 20s'

As people hope to go on a nice walk or maybe have a nice barbecue this Father''s Day (June 15), the Met Office have urged us all to keep an eye on the weather as it's set to be a mixed bag of sunny or rainy

Politics