1 hour ago I was warned my children would be ripped in half when we divorced. But I had no idea just how brutal custody cases can be

My experience of court was eye-opening. And when I sat in on other cases, I realised how often mothers are vilifiedIt’s 1836 and the French writer George Sand is swimming in the River Indre with her clothes on, weighed down by layers of ankle-length fabric. To anyone passing by, she must look mad or worse – driven by a death wish. But for her there is the relief of cool water sluicing hot skin, after walking for hours in 30C heat. She’s been moving all day because if she stops she’ll remember how frightened she is: she’s about to go to court to fight for her children against a husband driven by punitive anger.Custodire. To care. To look after. To guard. To restrain. Maternal care is, we are constantly told, the most natural of functions. But for century after century, women who transgress the expected norms of what a mother should be have battled for their children and been found wanting. Maternal care comes at a price when the law is involved. And all too often custody can be more ...

Events

3 h. ago Millionaire model stabbed to death by son after she 'slept with him'

WARNING: DISTRESSING CONTENT Barbara Daly Baekeland, who married into the Bakelite plastic fortune, was killed by her 25-year-old son Tony in her London home amid rumours of an inappropriate relationship.

Events

3 h. ago 'I was rushed through a dark tunnel and experienced dying at 19

One 19-year-old blacked out into oblivion in a Virginia field in 1979 and was taken on a fantastical journey that she later recognised as a near-death experience that changed her perception of reality.

Events

3 h. ago Strangest death ever to happen on Mount Everest as climber made 'insane' mistake

Wilson, a Bradford born British Army officer with almost no mountaineering experience, attempted to the climb the mountain all by himself, convinced that through prayer and, incredibly, through fasting, he would be able to safely reach the summit.

Events

3 h. ago Mount Everest's most haunting death as climber made 'unbelievable' mistake

Mount Everest has claimed the lives of hundreds of climbers over the years, but few deaths are as strange or as haunting as that of Maurice Wilson

Events

3 h. ago Haunting death of Brit on 'most dangerous ever climb' up Mount Everest

Maurice Wilson, a Bradford-born British Army officer with no mountaineering experience, attempted to climb Mount Everest alone

Events

5 h. ago My best friend died, then so did my dad, I knew exactly what was going to happen

"As soon as my dad was in hospital, I kind of knew... I've been here before. I know what's coming."

Events

6 h. ago Iran dubs Donald Trump a 'criminal' for supporting protests that killed 'thousands'

In a speech broadcast by state television on Saturday, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei admitted the death toll in the first indication from an Iranian leader of the extent of the casualties in the wake of the December protests that led to a bloody crackdown.

Events

6 h. ago Woman killed by falling tree branch in NSW storms as landslide and flood warnings issued for Sydney

Residents near Narrabeen Lagoon told to leave on Saturday night, after death of woman near WollongongFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastSummer storms on Australia’s east coast have claimed one life and threatened dozens more as flood waters rise.Residents and holidaymakers have been told they can return back after being evacuated Narrabeen Lagoon in Sydney’s northern beaches overnight on Saturday, while a landslide damaged three homes and injured at least one woman 20km north, at Great Mackerel beach. Continue reading...

Events

6 h. ago To warn or not to warn? Royal Shakespeare Company provides trigger warning to Hamlet audiences that play contains 'scenes of an adult nature' including death and grief

To warn, or not to warn, that is the question... And the Royal Shakespeare Company has decided that for audiences of its latest production of Hamlet 'tis better to warn.

Events

8 h. ago Mum fighting for answers after son's tragic death following night out with friends

Matthew McCallan, 15, died from hypothermia after going missing from Co Tyrone, in December 2022. His mother Frances is still seeking answers about the search response at an ongoing inquest

Events

9 h. ago European Figure Skating Championships: Costly mistake leaves Scottish ice dancers with bronze medal

The pair were lying in second after the rhythm dance

Politics

9 h. ago Scientists issue warning as thousands of rare penguins starve to death

In a devastating blow to wildlife, thousands of critically endangered African penguins have starved to death in South Africa due to a drastic decline in their main food source

Events

10 h. ago UK arms makers sound alarm over orders as spending fears mount

Tory defence spokesman James Cartlidge said it was the 'direct result of Keir Starmer's decision to prioritise higher welfare spending over properly funding defence'.

Events

10 h. ago US launches another retaliatory strike in Syria, killing leader tied to deadly Islamic State ambush

A third round of retaliatory strikes by the U.S. in Syria has resulted in the death of an Al-Qaeda-affiliated leader

Events

13 h. ago Clarkson's Farm star Charlie Ireland shares heartbreaking details of father's death

Charlie Ireland - who is best know as 'Cheerful Charlie' on the Amazon Prime series Clarkson's Farm - has shared the story of his father's health battle and death after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease

Events

13 h. ago Nursery worker 'suffocated baby to death days before first birthday for attention'

Little Harvey Mukebust was just five days away from celebrating his first birthday and died just days after another child suffered health issues at a nursery day care

Events

14 h. ago BBC The Traitors' Rachel and Stephen's downfall 'sealed' as fans spot 'biggest mistake'

Fans of The Traitors are convinced that two players will regret their decision

Politics

14 h. ago BBC The Traitors fans spot obvious clues as Rachel and Stephen make 'biggest mistake'

Viewers think it could cost them victory in the final

Politics

14 h. ago The easy mistake I made with my contact lenses that landed me in hospital

When I first started wearing contact lenses, I was terrified. You're given these foreign objects, and after a quick how-to from the optician, sent off to practise getting them in and out all on your own.

Politics