55 m. ago Best UK beaches for a spring dip as Brits set to bask in 20C heat this week

It may only be April but as the British coastlines are set to be the envy of Europe - we take a look at the best beaches to bask in as Brits are set to make the most of the weather

Society

63 m. ago Val Kilmer regretted turning down cult classic movie in the 1980s: ‘I was just too shy’

Actor died this week at the age of 65

Politics

71 m. ago Grand National Festival 2025 Day 1 tips as Garry Owen naps Croke Park for Aintree glory

Crowds are set to flock to Merseyside this week with a huge three days of racing action and our man has you covered

Politics

78 m. ago Skunk Anansie to headline The Independent’s stage at The Great Escape Festival

Rare intimate performance will take place a week before the release of the band’s first album in nine years

Politics

78 m. ago Aldi releases Sage dupe pastel kitchenware and it saves you huge £220

Kitchen lovers are in for a treat and should be ready to rush to Aldi this week, as they're releasing a new set of pastel kitchenware that will elevate any living spaces - just in time for Easter

Economics

1 hour ago Val Kilmer woke up 'in pool of blood' during heartbreaking health battle

The Hollywood actor, who sadly passed away this week from pneumonia, previously faced a health battle where he had a "hard time swallowing" and even woke up in a "pool of his own blood"

Events

1 hour ago 'Extraordinary' Lewis Ferguson drives Bologna to brink of first Coppa Italia Final in 50 years

The Scotland star has been lavished with praise by a coach who says is getting better by the week

Politics

2 h. ago Lanarkshire Tesco customers can pick up extra bag to support struggling families

The popular donation bags pre-packed with healthy long life food items will be available in every large Tesco store across the UK over the Easter break to make donating the most-needed items easier.

Economics

2 h. ago Celebrity Big Brother 'sign up' huge US child star just days before 2025 launch show

US popstar JoJo Siwa has reportedly signed up for the upcoming series of Celebrity Big Brother, which is set to kick off next week on ITV

Politics

3 h. ago Cambuslang man will captain Scotland at Transplant European Football Championship

He only started training with the squad in January and will this week have the “huge honour” of leading the team out.

Sport

4 h. ago From Archie Vaughan to Rocky Flintoff – 5 potential County Championship stars

The new season begins later this week.

Politics

4 h. ago On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents

Packed with exclusive reporting, video interviews, and in-depth analysis, our On The Ground newsletter will bring you closer to the world’s most important crises and conflicts each week

Politics

4 h. ago East Kilbride can clinch rare feat this week as 'stars align' amid treble chase

The Lowland League leaders can secure the defence of their title tonight

Politics

4 h. ago Amber wildfire warning issued for most of England as temperatures hit 22C

The Met Office has issued an amber wildfire warning for large parts of the UK as temperatures are set to soar to over 20C this week, with fire services urging the public to take care

Events

5 h. ago From the archive: ‘The treeline is out of control’: how the climate crisis is turning the Arctic green – podcast

We are raiding the Guardian Long Read archives to bring you some classic pieces from years past, with new introductions from the authors.This week, from 2022: In northern Norway, trees are rapidly taking over the tundra and threatening an ancient way of life that depends on snow and iceBy Ben Rawlence. Read by Christien Anholt Continue reading...

Events

5 h. ago UK weather: Met Office heat maps show at least 45 areas will hit 20C or more this week

Our sunniest March leads into our first mini-heatwave as parts of the UK is set to reach highs of 20C on Thursday and 21C on Friday, with Brits receiving warnings of high UV levels

Society

5 h. ago SNP urges Rachel Reeves to 'change course' as benefit cuts risks 'social and economic damage'

Shona Robison spoke out after the UK Chancellor last week announced nearly £5 billion in benefit cuts by the end of the decade.

Events

7 h. ago ChatGPT downloads skyrocket as AI app releases viral new image feature

Global app downloads and weekly active users on the ChatGPT app grew 11 percent and 5 percent, respectively, from the prior week, while in-app purchase revenue increased 6 percent.

Events

7 h. ago Could Marine Le Pen’s guilty verdict help fuel the far right? – podcast

The parliamentary leader of France’s far-right National Rally party, Marine Le Pen, has been banned from public office for five years for embezzlement, ruining her chance of a presidential run. Angelique Chrisafis reportsIt is a sentence that has prompted anger among rightwing leaders across the world and led to accusations that democracy is being threatened. This week, Marine Le Pen, the parliamentary leader of the National Rally (RN), the largest opposition party in the French parliament, was banned for five years from public office for embezzlement. Along with more than 20 others, she was found to have used money for European parliament assistants to pay party workers.The shock sentence could end Le Pen’s hopes of running for president in 2027. She is now appealing and has hit back furiously, as have her supporters and allies. Some of her support could hurt her more than it helps, however. The Kremlin spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, said in response that “more and more European capi...

Politics

8 h. ago Blake Lively fans left disgusted by her shocking behavior during donut PR stunt that 'missed the mark'

Blake Lively is being called out for a 'disgusting' mistake she made while serving donuts at a friend's cafe this week.

Sport