7 h. ago Swim, run, ride and row for charity: 10 challenges for 2026 in the UK, Europe and beyond

Climbing, skiing and paddleboarding also feature in our round-up of this year’s charity challengesSwimQuest’s annual Isles of Scilly challenge is a 15km island-hopping swim, broken into five sessions with walks in between. The longest swim is the 6km leg from St Agnes to Bryher; the shortest is 600 metres from Bryher to Tresco; and the island walks in between are no longer than 45 minutes. Swimmers can opt to complete the challenge in one tough day, or space it out over two – there is a party after both events.Entry is £299 for the one-day challenge on 20 September or £379 for two days (17 and 18 September), no minimum fundraising, scillyswimchallenge.co.uk Continue reading...

Politics

31 h. ago Hebridean high: joy, tears and camaraderie on a 100km trek for charity across the Isle of Skye

A 100km hike to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer proves uplifting and challenging in equal measure, with friends made for lifeThe day starts with a gentle trek. We clamber up from Flodigarry to circle under the black cliffs of the Quiraing where clouds flood around the bizarre rock formations. At the pass, we meet a howling wind and force our way down with shrieks of laughter.I’m walking on the Isle of Skye, specifically a section of the Trotternish Ridge for CoppaFeel!, the young people’s breast cancer awareness charity. There are 120 participants in total, split into four groups of 30. Over five days, we will trek about 100km on the island’s rugged trails, traversing sea cliffs, climbing mountains, passing ruined castles, crossing bogs and jumping over rivers to raise money for the charity. Continue reading...

Politics

39 h. ago Rachel Reeves branded 'delusional' after taking credit for FTSE 100 reaching record high

In a boost for Britain's savers and investors - and a promising start for New Year trading - London's leading share index soared above the landmark figure.

Politics

50 h. ago Two Premium Bonds savers start 2026 with £100,000 prizes from holdings below £5,000

Two Premium Bonds savers have sprung into the new year with big Premium Bonds prizes won with small holdings.

Economics

4 d. ago EasyJet discount code to get £400 off holidays as airline launches Big Orange Sale

EasyJet has launched a major sale that could see you save up to £400 off a package holiday, while some getaways start from as little as £187 per person with everything included

Economics

4 d. ago Start 1p challenge on New Year’s Day to save £667 by next Christmas

Setting aside £5 before the end of January could help kickstart your savings pot for 2026.

Economics

4 d. ago Kate Middleton's journey from newlywed to confident future Queen in pictures

From her spectacular wedding day on 29 April, 2011, Kate has risen to the challenge of royal duties with grace to create an album of treasured memories

Politics

8 d. ago The 1p challenge backed by Martin Lewis will save you £667 before next Christmas

You could save £667.95 a year if you start the simple money saving challenge on January 1

Economics

2 w. ago There are only two things wrong with this England team. They can’t Baz. And they can’t ball | Barney Ronay

Even losing seems to involve doing so without the qualities that were supposed to make England winIt’s a cruel, cruel summer. By the close of play in Adelaide, on the kind of superheated afternoon when just going outside basically involves setting fire to your own hair, it was clear this was the day the music finally died for England’s Ashes tour; even if that music has long since faded, like the tinkle of a haunted pianola in an empty house.The start of day two had presented a familiar challenge. Here was another occasion where it was necessary to bat properly. And yes, it is always this day. The bat properly day. Do it. Do the batting. The proper batting. By now this seems to raise some very basic existential questions. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Brockwell Park festival organisers submit planning application for first time after controversy

Residents can have their say on Brockwell Live that features festivals such as Mighty Hoopla, Cross the Tracks and Field Day after legal challenge to events

Politics

2 w. ago The one change that worked: sharing ‘accountability’ notes has made life better for both of us

Would telling a buddy my to-do list was done – before I’d done it – really make it more likely to happen? But leaving her a voice note every day has increased my productivity, and deepened our friendship When my friend Rosamund suggested we try a productivity technique of leaving each other a voice note every day, I immediately said yes – even if I suspected, deep down, that we might not keep it up for long. I was circumspect because we both lead busy lives, 3,500 miles apart. She lives in London and I’m based in Brooklyn. It is hard to keep in touch sometimes. Even talking on the phone feels tough, what with the time difference and our schedules. Adding another thing to do every day, even a small, two-minute task, felt like a challenge.The technique is simple enough. You send a friend a voice note in the morning saying what you “did” that day. You always speak in the past tense for accountability. The theory is that once you tell a friend you have “done” something, you will be more...

Economics

3 w. ago Shabana Mahmood tells Andy Burnham to 'focus on the day job' amid fresh claims he's ready to challenge Keir Starmer

The Home Secretary warned her party not to 'waste a single second' of being in power as she attempted to dampen down questions about the Prime Minister's future.

Events

3 w. ago Start 1p savings challenge on New Year’s Day to pocket £667 by next Christmas

Setting aside £5 before the end of January could help kickstart your savings pot for 2026.

Economics

4 w. ago Kevin Sinfield gets Royal approval on latest day of his challenge

Sinfield is once again raising funds for MND.

Politics

4 w. ago Man only eats Wetherspoons for three days and is left floored by total bill

British YouTuber Just Deano documented his three-day Wetherspoons challenge, eating a variety of meals including festive pizza, Christmas dinner and lasagna - and was stunned by the price

Politics