96 m. ago ‘I’d rather die than go back there’: How a vulnerable teenager was failed by a scandal

When Ruth Szymankiewicz’s family placed her in the care of Huntercombe Hospital they thought she would be safe. Months later, she was dead, as health correspondent Rebecca Thomas reports

Events

2 h. ago Greg Iles, Mississippi author of 'Natchez Burning' trilogy, dies of cancer at 65

Mississippi author Greg Iles has died at 65

Events

2 h. ago 'Doomsday' floods and landslides kill more than 300 in Pakistan and Indian Kashmir with mass funerals held

One witness in Buner said he ‘saw the entire area shaking, like it was the end of the world’

Events

4 h. ago Stephen Brannigan remembered as ‘kind and thoughtful’ person at funeral

The body of the 56-year-old was discovered last weekend in Downpatrick.

Politics

4 h. ago Mass grave of 39 murdered people found as cops thought smell was 'huge gas leak'

A mass grave was uncovered in the Dominican Republic after police first thought it was a gas leak caused by fuel leakage, with signs suggesting the bodies were buried for some time

Events

4 h. ago Man vanishes after Scots car crash as missing person probe launched

Officers want to check that Paul Smith is "safe and well".

Events

4 h. ago VJ Day heroes remember those who paid ultimate sacrifice for freedom

Veterans of the appalling conflict in the Far East in World War Two gathered for a poignant ceremony of remembrance marking the day fighting came to an end 80 years ago

Politics

6 h. ago Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk speaks out on alleged racist abuse aimed at Antoine Semenyo as he offers support to Bournemouth forward

It has been alleged that the person who directed the abuse at Semenyo was a Liverpool fan sitting in a wheelchair in the bottom row of Anfield's Main Stand.

Events

6 h. ago Tradies descend on Sussex in show of support amid industry's mental health crisis

Fix Radio, a UK radio station aimed at those working in the trade and building industry workers, has launched FixFest, a music festival for builders - thought to be the first of its kind.

Events

6 h. ago Sheridan Smith says she ‘used to drink’ to cope but now is a ‘totally different person’

‘I was always going back and forth between drinking and sobriety,’ actor said

Politics

7 h. ago Chilling thoughts of the UK's young men revealed: Shocking survey shows what 18 to 25

Tate, who has been charged with a string of offences including rape, human trafficking, controlling prostitution and actual bodily harm, has attracted an army of fans in recent years.

Events

8 h. ago Australia v South Africa: third men’s T20 international – live

Updates from the T20I series decider in CairnsPlay at Cazalys Stadium starts 7.15pm localAny thoughts? Get in touch with Geoff Lemon1st over: South Africa 2-1 (Rickelton 1, Pretorius 0). Hazlewood takes no time to find his line and length. Markram and Rickleton pick up a single each before the Australia quick strikes with a trademark delivery outside off stump.Josh Hazlewood gives Australia the ideal star as the removes the South Africa captain. Markram steps onto the back foot and swings hard but a thick edge is comfortably grasped by Green at slip. Continue reading...

Society

8 h. ago American woman living in the UK reveals the British attitude she finds totally shocking as she says: 'I thought I knew England. I was wrong.'

Ellen Ferrara Bencard, who originally hails from the US, shared her observations of British culture on her TikTok channel, racking up 50,000 views on the app.

Events

9 h. ago Buildup to Premier League, EFL, La Liga action and more – matchday live

Latest news before weekend action begins Get in touch! Share your thoughts with BarryMeanwhile in the EFL: Hillsborough stages its first match of the season when Sheffield Wednesday welcome Stoke City this afternoon and more fan protests are expected from the locals as they implore their owner Dejphon Chansiri to sell his beleaguered club for a reasonable asking price before it goes out of business.Ipswich Town will host Southampton at Portman Road, with Kieran McKenna’s side hoping to get their first win of the season on the board after securing an extremely fortuitous draw agasinst Birmingham City on the opening day of the season, before losing to lowly Bromley on penalties in the League Cup. Southampton, by contrast, are looking for their third consecutive win under Will Still, having already beaten Wrexham in the Championship and seeing off Northampton in the League Cup.Aston Villa v Newcastle United (12.30pm BST)Brighton v Fulham (3pm)Sunderland v West Ham (3pm)Tottenham Hotspu...

Politics

9 h. ago Arsenal told they should've signed Man Utd star years ago as Bukayo Saka point made

Theo Walcott made his thoughts clear on Bryan Mbeumo and admitted Arsenal missed a trick in not signing him before Manchester United forked out £71million for his services

Politics

10 h. ago ‘Now it's about personal happiness’: popular Granny Wang dating show belies China’s plummeting marriage rate

Zhou Mei’s matchmaking show draws crowds in person and online, but young Chinese increasingly choose singledomThe crowd is sweltering under a red and gold awning, but Granny Wang has them rapt. Packed into the space in front of the 62-year-old’s small stage, and spilling out on to the wooden bleachers above, hundreds of people have gathered to hear Granny Wang – real name Zhao Mei – play matchmaker to young men and women at a daily show in a theme park in Kaifeng, an ancient city in central China’s Henan province.One man who volunteers to be set up comes on stage and tells Zhao that a previous relationship broke down due to a lack of time. “Well, now that you’ve met your ideal partner here, you’ll have the time,” she assures him, and the crowd cheers. Continue reading...

Culture

10 h. ago Gary Lineker's thoughts clear on new MOTD hosts and admits he probably won't watch on Saturdays

Gary Lineker stepped down from his role as Match of the Day presenter after over 25 years in the hotseat, with three presenters stepping in to take over his role this season

Politics

11 h. ago My Cultural Awakening: Years & Years helped me accept my bisexual identity

Olly Alexander’s stage presence and his band’s lyrics pulled together the two sides of my nature, and accept my desire for menI first discovered Olly Alexander, of Years & Years, by accident. I was teaching English as a foreign language in South Korea, and I showed a video of a BBC Glastonbury roundup on the projector as part of the lesson. I remember glimpsing an incredibly cute blond guy on stage, and being transfixed. I knew immediately that he was gay because the way he moved was unashamedly fluid and graceful. He was doing a pirouette.The clip was so short there wasn’t even a mention of the name of the band, so I had to do some detective work. I Googled something ridiculous like “bleached hair gay man Glastonbury 2015” and trawled through hundreds of search results until I found him. Continue reading...

Politics

11 h. ago Latest death notices across Wales as families remember loved ones

Our thoughts are with those who have lost a loved one

Events

12 h. ago Tim Dowling: it’s time to name our band’s new album, and there are no bad ideas (in theory at least)

For the final flourish on our latest record, we’ve wheeled in a harmonium. If only I knew how to play it I’m in a recording studio with two other members of the band I’m in, listening to stuff we’ve recorded, with an eye toward finishing touches. But really it’s a last chance to fix mistakes: ropey backing vocals; mistimed bass notes; a banjo part played with an out‑of-tune B string.“I can easily redo it,” I say, thinking: I don’t even remember playing it in the first place. Continue reading...

Culture