56 h. ago Former England players criticise Ben Stokes’ captaincy and Bazball ‘cult’ after Ashes thrashing by Australia

England arrived in Perth in November with big ambitions of a rare Ashes win on Australian soil but were outplayed for most of the five Test matches and leave empty handed

Sport

3 d. ago The Spin | Revealed after 100 years: how a corrupt official robbed Percy Fender of the England captaincy

Documentary makers seeking funds to finish making film of an extraordinary man and his influence on the gameAfter a mere 100 years the Spin, always first with the news, is finally able to reveal the details of one of the more extraordinary secrets in the history of English cricket. The story comes from the private family archives of the former Surrey captain Percy Fender, which are being compiled into a fascinating new documentary film. It has always been a mystery that Fender, who was described by Wisden as “the shrewdest county captain of his generation” was never picked to lead England. After all these years, it now appears he was blackmailed out of the job by a corrupt cricket official.In a private audio recording made shortly before his death in 1985, Fender explains that in May 1924 he was approached “by a gentleman who was very well known in the cricket world” who, during the course of a conversation over two half-bottles of champagne in Fender’s flat at the Adelphi, offered ...

Politics

5 d. ago US to slash routine vaccine recommendations for children in major change experts say creates doubt

Jabs to prevent influenza, rotavirus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and other vaccines are no longer fully recommendedThe Trump administration will slash routine vaccine recommendations during childhood from 17 to 11 jabs – the biggest change to vaccines yet under the purview of longtime vaccine critic Robert F Kennedy Jr.The changes, which US health officials announced on Monday afternoon and are effective immediately, will erode trust and reduce access to vaccines while allowing infectious diseases to spread, experts said. Continue reading...

Politics

5 d. ago Root hits masterful century for England before Head leads Australia fightback

Fifth Ashes Test; day two: Australia 166-2, England 384Root makes 160 but hosts’ opener helps reduce lead to 218The Richies were out in force on an eventful second day at the Sydney Cricket Ground, an entire block of supporters decked out in either cream, bone, white, off-white, ivory, or beige. Bathed in sunshine, flags fluttering over the two heritage-listed pavilions, the backdrop for Joe Root’s 41st Test hundred was absolutely marvellous.This has not been the case for Root here over the years. In 2014 the SCG witnessed the one and only time he has been dropped by England. In 2018 he made scores of 83 and 58 not out here but ended up on a drip due to extreme heat, his side having crumbled to a 4-0 series defeat. Four years later came a duck and 23, England saving the Test to dodge the whitewash but his captaincy long since sunk. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago Revealed: Scottish Labour MPs have spent thousands on external media spin doctors since general election

Scottish MPs have spent thousands in public money on external spin doctors since the general election.

Politics

2 w. ago British officials feared ‘top man’ in Northern Bank robbery would avoid arrest

Downing Street chief of staff at the time, Jonathan Powell, said the robbery ‘had knocked up the price’ of peace negotiations.

Events

2 w. ago JOHN MURDOCH'S DRIVE TIME: We take a spin in the Chery Tiggo 7 super hybrid and reveal how Mercedes will soon be offering new GLB seven

The name Chery may not be familiar to you, but it is a giant company that owns the Jaecoo and Omoda brands and has already launched them into our market with some success.

Politics

2 w. ago Ben Stokes makes England captaincy decision after brutal Ashes defeat

England captain Ben Stokes addressed the media after Australia secured victory in Adelaide to wrap up victory in their home Ashes series with two tests to spare

Politics

3 w. ago Analysis: how prices for the cheapest World Cup tickets have rocketed

A Guardian study of past ticket prices for the men’s World Cup, compared with current 2026 figures, shows how the barrier for entry has been raised for most fansIn the past, a fan’s ability to attend a World Cup hosted in their nation hinged more on bid books than their checkbooks. For 2026 in the US, Mexico and Canada, even the least expensive tickets are a luxury commodity by comparison.An analysis by the Guardian of men’s World Cup ticket pricing shows that amid the general rise in ticket prices for the 2026 World Cup, the most extreme of those hikes have often applied to the cheapest tickets. The analysis is based on official Fifa pricing dating back to 1994, with more robust data available starting in 2006. Prices for 2026 games are accurate as of 16 December 2025, and do not include the 1.6% of sellable tickets for each game that Fifa recently made available for a fixed $60 price. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago Strictly's Karen Carney stunned by 'amazing' surprise final message from 1990s music icon

Karen revealed on the Strictly spin-off It Takes Two that she's close friends with a Scottish music sensation

Politics

3 w. ago The Latest: Rob Reiner's son in custody after deaths of director

A law enforcement official told The Associated Press that Rob Reiner’s son has been taken into custody after deaths of the director-writer and his wife Michele

Events

3 w. ago Ben Stokes calls on England to show some ‘dog’ in Adelaide and keep Ashes hopes alive

Captain cites summer Lord’s win over India as good exampleEngland must win in Adelaide to have chance of regaining the AshesBen Stokes has called on his England players to summon up the rage witnessed against India in the summer and show some “dog” as they look to keep their slim Ashes hopes alive in Adelaide.After going 2-0 down in Brisbane, Stokes spoke of Australia being “no country for weak men” and stressed the same went for the England dressing room under his captaincy. Looking ahead to the third Test that gets under way on Wednesday, that comment was seemingly no slip of the tongue. Continue reading...

Politics