52 h. ago Still sport of the King: Windsor interest keeps Royal Ascot alive and kicking

As attendances at other meetings decline, the monarch’s presence makes Ascot a soft power asset for BritainAscot will mark the 200th anniversary of the first Royal procession at its showpiece race meeting next week. The intermittent noise of jets on the final approach to Heathrow will be one of the few deviations from the sights and sounds when George IV first trundled his way up the course in 1825. The king and queen will ride in the first of the horse-drawn carriages, their liveried attendants will be upright in the saddle and, as they pass the Royal enclosure, the gentlemen’s top hats will be doffed in the familiar mark of respect.There is little else, in sport or the wider world beyond, that remains just as it was in the immediate aftermath of the Napoleonic wars. Demand for the Royal Ascot experience also remains strong. Following a post-Covid surge, attendances are in decline at both the Derby and Cheltenham’s festival meeting in March. At Royal Ascot 2024, though, the year-on...

Politics

56 h. ago Beyoncé fans have one last chance to buy tickets for Cowboy Carter

Beyoncé will be hitting Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the final time this week.

Sport

58 h. ago John Terry agrees with frustrated Chelsea fans as he issues Todd Boehly challenge

John Terry rubs shoulders with Chelsea fans when he goes to away games as a supporter and believes the trophy-laden times are on pause as he challenged Todd Boehly to create a plan that they can get behind

Sport

4 d. ago Council tax warning as thousands of households could be due £1,000s in refunds

If you suspect you might be on too high of a council tax band, you may be able to challenge it and lower your bills going forward

Economics

5 d. ago EastEnders fans convinced major return set for Kat and Alfie's wedding

An episode this week will serve as the show's Executive Producer's final one

Politics

5 d. ago Beyond the apathy: the Manchester City and Chelsea fans off to the Club World Cup

Many were put off by sky-high prices for the month-long tournament but some found themselves unwilling to miss itThe Club World Cup, it is fair to say, has not captured the imaginations of domestic Manchester City and Chelsea supporters. Very few are talking about the tournament and, it appears, only true diehards will make the trip to the USA for the month-long end-of-season endurance test.Fifa slashed the prices of match tickets after poor uptake from fans and the UK broadcaster showing the tournament will be Channel 5, the home of World Seniors Snooker. Meanwhile, many, if indeed not most, players taking part are not overly enamoured by the prospect of losing five weeks of time off to recover from another gruelling campaign. Continue reading...

Sport

5 d. ago Thames Water LIVE: Thousands of east London homes without water supply

Thames Water has apologised to customers after thousands of households across east London have been left without water including those in Whitechapel, Shoreditch, Spitalfields and Bethnal Green

Society

5 d. ago LA protests: Trump sends thousands more troops in ‘authoritarian’ move

California leaders decry mobilization of 700 marines and 4,000 national guard members as tensions escalateLA protests – live updatesAbout 700 US marines were en route to Los Angeles on Tuesday after Donald Trump mobilized them the day before in response to protests over immigration raids. The president also doubled the number of national guard members to 4,000, in an extraordinary mobilization of troops against US residents that California leaders have called “authoritarian”.The Pentagon mobilized the 700 active-duty marines after tensions between the federal government and the nation’s second-largest city dramatically escalated over the weekend, with residents taking to the streets to demonstrate against a series of brutal crackdowns on immigrant communities. The raids have affected garment district workers, day laborers and restaurants, and agents also arrested the president of a major California union who was serving as a community observer during the raids. Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. ago Pat Cummins: ‘We want to play hard and fair, and I think we’ve got it right’

The Australia captain talks about leading the side against South Africa and not getting too big for his boots – but plays a dead bat regarding the Bairstow dismissal at Lord’sAs Pat Cummins opens up at the pavilion end, while gazing across the vast empty space of Lord’s a few days before Australia face South Africa in the World Test Championship final, it’s clear that the unexpected opponents this week have helped to frame his remarkable career.On Wednesday morning, while towering a foot over Temba Bavuma, his 5ft 3in South African counterpart, Cummins will lead Australia for the 34th time, in his 68th Test. The fast bowler stands at the summit of world cricket, his grizzled matinee idol charm allied to the grit which has helped him to become such a successful captain. Australia have won almost everything during his tenure of three and a half years and they are expected to retain their Test title. Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. ago Who is Mamadou Sarr? Why Chelsea fans should be excited about 'scary' new signing with 'world

Young centre-back takes inspiration from Virgil van Dijk and is being tipped for a big future

Sport

6 d. ago Families urged to apply for cost of living cash worth up to £600

The Household Support Fund is a cost of living scheme that is run by local councils - it is a pot of cash awarded to local authorities, which they then distribute to residents

Economics

8 d. ago Man charged with targeting MLB and NFL stars in home burglary spree

Earl Henderson Riley – described as the ‘ringleader’ of a burglary gang – faces four counts including residential burglary and first degree robbery, according to authorities

Events

8 d. ago Tour de force! British soldiers don their finest uniforms for the Colonel's Review

The occasion transforms the Mall as crowds line up the streets waving flags as 1400 soldiers parade alongside 200 horses and 400 musicians from Horse Guard's Parade to Buckingham Palace .

Events

1 week ago Martin Lewis urges 'four checks' for anyone paying Council Tax as UK households could be owed thousands

There are four reasons why you might be owed thousands back from Council Tax, according to Martin Lewis

Economics

1 week ago Sophie Habboo debuts baby bump after revealing she’s expecting first child with Jamie Laing

Ex-Made in Chelsea star offers fans first glimpse of her growing bump

Politics

1 week ago Martin Lewis' Council Tax warning for anyone who has moved house this year

Money-saving guru Martin Lewis has urged all Brits who have moved house in the last six months to check their Council Tax band - as hundred of thousands of households are thought to be overpaying

Events

1 week ago Families, pensioners and disabled people due between £59 and £305 in one

Thousands of households will receive additional cash support from the Scottish Government.

Economics

1 week ago Coronation Street spoilers for next week: Devastating funeral, surprise return and shock arrest

Coronation Street fans may want to get the tissues next week, as the soap are set to air the final goodbye for PC Craig Tinker - but one resident fails to attend

Events

1 week ago Martin Lewis' MSE issues new alert as thousands of households due up to £1,000

The energy regulator Ofgem has announced that £5.6million will be paid out by eight energy companies to 40,000 customers in total, following a review

Economics

1 week ago Martin Lewis’ MSE issues alert as thousands of households due up to £1,000

The energy regulator Ofgem has announced that £5.6million will be paid out by eight energy companies to 40,000 customers in total, following a review

Economics