2 h. ago The man and the mushroom kayak: can a boat made from mycellim change the future/

Sam Shoemaker’s record-setting voyage shows the promise – and limits – of fungi as a plastic alternativeOn a clear, still morning in early August, Sam Shoemaker launched his kayak into the waters off Catalina Island and began paddling. His goal: to traverse the open ocean to San Pedro, just south of Los Angeles, some 26.4 miles away.But upon a closer look, Shoemaker’s kayak was no ordinary kayak. Brown-ish yellow and bumpy in texture, it had been made – or rather, grown – entirely from mushrooms. His journey, if successful, would mark the world’s longest open-water journey in a kayak built from this unique material. Continue reading...

Politics

4 h. ago Driver filmed hurtling wrong way down M61 in horrifying footage

The dashcam footage was captured by another driver

Culture

5 h. ago A year under CEO Niccol: Starbucks workers’ long fight for a union contract

Twelve months since Brian Niccol took the top job and promised change, the union and CEO are still at loggerheadsIt’s been a year since Brian Niccol took the top job at Starbucks and promised change after years of bitter fighting with the company’s burgeoning union.“I deeply respect the right of partners to choose, through a fair and democratic process, to be represented by a union,” Niccol wrote in a letter to the union last September. “If our partners choose to be represented, I am committed to making sure we engage constructively and in good faith with the union and the partners it represents.” Continue reading...

Economics

6 h. ago 'Unbearable' Keira Knightly film breaks viewers as they refuse to rewatch

One of Keira Knightley's most gut-wrenching projects, which heartbroken film fans have branded utterly "tragic", has left audiences in tears as they promise to only watch once

Politics

7 h. ago Military sites may be used to house asylum seekers, says defence secretary

John Healey says Keir Starmer is ‘absolutely determined’ to end use of hotels for asylum housing earlier than plannedUK politics live – latest updatesMilitary sites may be used temporarily to house people seeking asylum as Keir Starmer is “absolutely determined” to end the use of hotels earlier than planned, a senior cabinet minister has said.John Healey, the defence secretary, said military planners were looking at possible sites for accommodation on defence bases, as the prime minister wants to end the use of hotels to house asylum seekers sooner than the promised date of 2029. Continue reading...

Events

7 h. ago UK military sites may be used to house asylum seekers, says defence secretary

John Healey says Keir Starmer is ‘absolutely determined’ to end use of hotels for asylum housing earlier than plannedUK politics live – latest updatesMilitary sites may be used temporarily to house people seeking asylum as Keir Starmer is “absolutely determined” to end the use of hotels earlier than planned, a senior cabinet minister has said.John Healey, the defence secretary, said military planners were looking at possible sites for accommodation on defence bases, as the prime minister wanted to end the use of hotels to house asylum seekers sooner than the promised date of 2029. Continue reading...

Events

7 h. ago Man recalls horrifying 'pop' as road rage driver 'used thumbs to gouge eyes out'

Ronnie Bushway, 46, was the victim of an alleged road rage incident after suspect Aaron Williams "cut the victim off, got out of his car and started the physical altercation"

Transport

9 h. ago China’s sinister organ harvesting industry as Xi promises Putin he can live forever

The Chinese leader's promise to the Russian President has reignited concerns over China's organ harvesting industry after a 'hot mic' moment captured a sinister conversation

Politics

10 h. ago Mystery of boy's torso found in Thames after 'voodoo ritual' remains decades later

More than two decades since little Adam's torso was discovered in the river Thames, police are no closer to finding the boy's killer after he was slaughtered in a horrific "voodoo ritual"

Politics

11 h. ago France’s political crisis reveals deep rift between the people and their politicians

The likely fall of prime minister François Bayrou exposes a political malaise that is likely to sour French politics well beyond the 2027 presidential election as the far right exploits the momentAs the French government faces likely collapse in a confidence vote on Monday, plunging the eurozone’s second biggest economy and key diplomatic power into a domestic political crisis, Jonathan Denis, a 42-year-old a bank manager and health rights campaigner, was concerned about the terrible impact it will have on France’s dying and terminally ill.The centrist president Emmanuel Macron had promised assisted dying and improved palliative care would be the biggest social reform of his second term but the bill, which had been scheduled to go before the senate next month, now risks being delayed once more by the unpredictable revolving door of four prime ministers in just over three years. Continue reading...

Politics

11 h. ago One by one, leaders learn that grovelling to Trump leads to disaster. When will it dawn on Starmer? | Simon Tisdall

As the US president’s state visit looms, he’s leaving a trail of broken promises across the globe. Britain can’t afford to look like a lackey stateSign up for our new weekly newsletter Matters of Opinion, where our columnists and writers will reflect on what they’ve been debating, thinking about, reading and moreSucking up to Donald Trump never works for long. Narendra Modi is the latest world leader to learn this lesson the hard way. Wooing his “true friend” in the White House, India’s authoritarian prime minister thought he’d conquered Trump’s inconstant heart. The two men hit peak pals in 2019, holding hands at a “Howdy Modi” rally in Texas. But it’s all gone pear-shaped thanks to Trump’s tariffs and dalliance with Pakistan. Like a jilted lover on the rebound, Modi shamelessly threw himself at Vladimir Putin in China last week. Don and Narendra! It’s over! Although, to be honest, it always felt a little shallow.Other suitors for Trump’s slippery hand have suffered similar heartbr...

Politics

12 h. ago Sydney Airport freight handler dies at work after being struck by a vehicle

An airport worker, believed to be aged in his 40s, has tragically died following a horrific incident at Sydney Airport this weekend - police are now investigating the incident

Events

20 h. ago The best pictures from Newport Pride 2025 as city awash with colour

Organisers promised the 'biggest and best' Pride in the 'Port

Politics

20 h. ago EastEnders Autumn storylines from Joel's 'comeuppance' to Lauren and Peter wedding drama

It's set to be another dramatic Autumn in EastEnders as Executive Producer Ben Wadey promises "drama ahead for lots of different families" and a potential Beale wedding

Events

22 h. ago Declan Rice header keeps unbeaten England rolling in trudge past Andorra

It was nothing more than a contractual obligation fulfilled. There was little to see here at Villa Park. Or get excited about. England beat Andorra, as they always do. They did not concede against them, as always. And Thomas Tuchel’s record in World Cup qualifying Group K now shows the maximum number of points from four ties – and four clean sheets. The manager had talked about bringing greater aggression; more speed and penetration, helped by a cleaner and simpler approach. But it was not a game that demanded intense analysis. Rather it was one to tick off and move on from.It was better than the away fixture against Andorra, which was played in Barcelona in June, when England grubbed home by the only goal after a flat performance, hearing boos at half-time and full-time. But long before this one was over, the thoughts of most supporters had begun to turn to the tie against Serbia in Belgrade on Tuesday. That promises to be hostile; the acid test of qualification. Continue reading...

Politics

22 h. ago England player ratings vs Andorra: Elliot Anderson shows promise on debut as Noni Madueke impresses again

Three Lions ease to victory over the minnows at Villa Park as a couple of players catch the eye

Sport

23 h. ago Silicon Valley wanted to build floating libertarian paradises on the ocean. The plan failed — but now seasteading is back

They promised utopian paradises, unshackled by governments and buoyed by tech. What they built instead was a costly illusion. Holly Baxter reports on how seasteading started, unraveled and is now rising again in popularity

Events

23 h. ago Farage confirms he wants to deport female asylum seekers back to the Taliban in Afghanistan

Farage also backtracked on a promise to stop small boat arrivals within two weeks of gaining power

Events

25 h. ago 'My sister was killed by SeaWorld orca Tilikum – it haunts me every day'

Dawn Brancheau was killed by Tilikum, a 5.4 tonne orca measuring more than 22ft in length, in a prolonged and violent attack in front of horrified onlookers at SeaWorld in Orlando, Florida

Events

25 h. ago SUE REID: As Government promises to stop the boats, revealing pictures of crowds queuing in France to catch traffickers' ride to Dover will startle and anger Britain

REID: All the migrants at the quayside bus stop were waiting for a free local ride to the beaches to run towards the boats which are now operated like a taxi service across to Dover.

Politics