17 h. ago Aldcroft holds nerve but England will need to raise level to go all the way at World Cup | Andy Bull

Red Roses were one more mistake away from missing out on the grand slam to France but it should not have been so closeThere’s no such thing as an easy grand slam and, in the very end, England’s turned out to be as hard-won as any of them. One point up with one minute to play after conceding a sixth try at the tail end of one of the great helter-skelter Test matches, their skipper, Zoe Aldcroft, had the smarts to lead the team in a slow march back from the posts to the middle of the pitch as the clock ran on into the red. The Red Roses were, at that point, one more mistake, one more missed tackle, one more France score away from going down to their first defeat since the last World Cup, in their final match before the next one.Twickenham was only half full, but the crowd was as loud as double the number. And in all the tumult, it was the French who folded. Taïna Maka knocked the ball on from the restart. The whistle went, the ball was dead, and the game was won. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago ‘We’ve waited a long time’ – Emma Caldwell’s mother as inquiry judge confirmed

The family hope Lord Scott KC will shine a ‘glaring spotlight’ on the actions of police and prosecutors in the murder investigation.

Events

4 d. ago Howard Webb clarifies two Liverpool vs Everton controversies including VAR 'error'

Liverpool saw off Everton in April's Merseyside derby but Howard Webb admits the referees and VAR made an error by not showing a red card - but backed their other major call

Events

4 d. ago Ronnie O’Sullivan holds narrow lead over Ali Carter in World Snooker Championship

O’Sullivan leads 5-4 on his return to competitionBoth players compile centuries in tight opening sessionRonnie O’Sullivan had to settle for a single-frame overnight advantage as the opening session of his World Snooker Championship first-round clash against his old foe Ali Carter failed to live up to its pre-match hype.The seven-time champion, returning to the tour for the first time since dumping his cue after losing a Championship League match in January, looked to have scrapped out a 6-3 lead to take into Wednesday afternoon’s scheduled conclusion. However, Carter dug deep after O’Sullivan missed a long red to the top corner in the final frame of the day, gradually reeling in a 51-point deficit and nervelessly clearing the colours to cut his overnight deficit to 5-4. Continue reading...

Politics

5 d. ago What is Earth Day? History, when do we celebrate, what is the 2025 theme, what's happening in Scotland?

This year will see the 55th annual Earth Day shine a spotlight on environmental issues.

Culture

6 d. ago Women’s Champions League and Super League: weekend talking points

Chelsea change under the spotlight, twins have Manchester City seeing double and Holland shines for LiverpoolWere Chelsea wrong to make a substitution while preparing to defend a corner? The former England midfielder Fara Williams criticised Chelsea for doing so in the 81st minute, when Nathalie Björn was replaced by Naomi Girma seconds before Barcelona scored their third goal, a far-post header from an unmarked Irene Paredes, with Williams telling TNT Sports, “You can see that there is a bit of confusion” in Chelsea’s organisation for the set piece. Sonia Bompastor said she had been forced to withdraw Björn because of an injury, and played down the incident. “I don’t think the substitution had an impact on the goal we conceded,” the head coach said. “When I talk about not making mistakes, maybe we didn’t have to concede that corner. If you have a better clearance from the goal and don’t concede that corner, you don’t give Barcelona the opportunity to score. I don’t think the substi...

Sport

6 d. ago Mark Williams outlasts Wu Yize to make World Snooker Championship last

Welshman comes from behind for 10-8 victoryXiao Guodong completes 10-4 win over Matthew SeltMark Williams was forced to dredge up every inch of his Crucible experience to sink rising Chinese star Wu Yize 10-8 and book his place in the last 16 of the World Snooker Championship for the 22nd time in his career.Williams, who turned 50 last month, delivered two near-faultless final frames to hold off his opponent, who had missed a golden chance to seize a 9-7 advantage when he missed a frame-ball red with the rest. Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. ago Mark Williams outlasts Wu Yize to make World Snooker Championship last 16

Welshman comes from behind for 10-8 victoryXiao Guodong completes 10-4 win over Matthew SeltMark Williams was forced to dredge up every inch of his Crucible experience to sink rising Chinese star Wu Yize 10-8 and book his place in the last 16 of the World Snooker Championship for the 22nd time in his career.Williams, who turned 50 last month, delivered two near-faultless final frames to hold off his opponent, who had missed a golden chance to seize a 9-7 advantage when he missed a frame-ball red with the rest. Continue reading...

Politics

9 d. ago NHS will be pursued if it does not follow new guidance on single

Baroness Falkner said the health service will be receiving guidelines after the UK Supreme Court unanimously ruled a woman is defined by biological sex under equalities law.

Politics

1 week ago Trump effect leaves Canada’s Conservatives facing catastrophic loss

Pierre Poilievre had hoped to be the next PM, but a sharp change in mood amid Trump tariffs has the party in turmoilWhen Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre finally emerged from a holding room, excited shouts erupted in a tsunami-like wave throughout the banquet hall. Party faithful – some in the ill-fitting free T-shirts handed out by staffers – craned their necks for a glimpse of the man they hoped will be the next Canadian prime minister.Hair perfectly parted and clad in his standard-issue crisp blue suit, Poilievre embraced the first supporter, a gesture that appeared to leave her overjoyed. Another supporter, wearing a red “Save Canada” shirt, was crestfallen when Poilievre seemed to miss him, before the leader turned and gripped the man’s hand in a firm shake. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago David Lammy says Sudan's warring parties must 'put peace first' at major summit

The Foreign Secretary David Lammy made the remarks as he opened a summit in London on the conflict in an attempt to shine a spotlight on one of the world's worst humanitarian crises

Politics

1 week ago Major high street greeting card chain says it will close more stores

The retailer had 1,000 stores in its heyday, but that number is now down to around 170.

Politics

1 week ago Major greetings card retailer looks to shut more shops ahead of two store closures

Despite the major gift card retailer overturning a profit earlier this week, several Clintons shops may be set to close after the company posted a warning about labour tax hikes

Politics

1 week ago Man died of lung cancer after doctors missed 'red flag' symptom

Jim Johnson died from lung cancer after doctors failed to spot a 'red flag' symptom on an X-ray a year before he was diagnosed.

Science

2 w. ago Mad House: new book exposes Capitol Hill’s absurdity and dysfunction

Reporters Annie Karni and Luke Broadwater shine a jaundiced spotlight on the foibles and foolishness of the US political classAnnie Karni, once of Politico, covers Congress for the New York Times. Her colleague Luke Broadwater, once a Pulitzer prize winner for the Baltimore Sun, makes the Trump administration his beat.As co-authors, at book length of Mad House, they deliver a sharp and wit-filled portrait of Capitol Hill dysfunction. Generally unflattering, Karni and Broadwater dedicate their book on modern US politics to “the leakers, gossips, and busybodies who populate the halls of Congress”. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Kirstie Allsopp shines spotlight on Scullion LAW's charity work

Scullion LAW is delighted to announce that it has won the Corporate Volunteer Award for the Home-Start UK Volunteer Awards 2025. This recognition highlights the unwavering support and dedication of the Family Law Team to Home-Start Glasgow North and North Lanarkshire (HSGNNL).

Politics

2 w. ago Next Nasa leader says he would prioritize US missions to Mars if confirmed

Billionaire Jared Isaacman has funded his own journeys into space and insists he would not abandon moon missionsThe next Nasa leader will prioritize sending American astronauts to Mars if he is confirmed, a Senate panel heard on Wednesday.But the billionaire Jared Isaacman, an entrepreneur who has privately funded his own journeys into space, insisted he would not abandon current plans to land humans back on the moon in 2027, despite placing greater emphasis on missions to the red planet. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Scottish Premiership club demand VAR change as rescinded red card becomes 'eighth incorrect decision against us'

Sending off deemed to be another VAR error

Politics

2 w. ago Lloyds is making major change for some customers who use their card abroad from next week

Club Lloyds customers will be able to use their Lloyds debit card to make purchases or withdraw cash anywhere in the world free of charge, from April 14

Economics

3 w. ago Tornadoes will become more frequent in coming weeks. Here's what to know if your home is destroyed

An average of 1,200 tornadoes hit yearly, and the United States will probably get more killer supercells spawning tornadoes and hail as the world warms

Politics