2 h. ago The Magician of Tiger Castle by Louis Sachar review – whimsical fantasy in a kingdom long, long ago

In this first adult novel from the acclaimed children’s author, an immortal magician returns to tell the story of a royal court where he cast his spells some 500 years beforeThe American author Louis Sachar’s most celebrated book, 1998’s YA novel Holes, was a huge word-of-mouth success on both sides of the Atlantic. Its short, punchy chapters tell the story of plump, hapless Stanley Yelnats, sent to a summer camp for wayward boys, where a terrifying Warden has peculiar ideas about character reformation. The 5ft-deep holes the boys are required to dig turn out to have a surprising purpose. Shifts of time, register and perspective render a simple premise mesmerisingly intricate. It has peril, love, crime, wickedness, redemption and friendship in, well, spades.A quarter of a century later, Sachar has written his first supposedly adult novel, in which many of the same ingredients reappear. A man “dressed like a typical American tourist”, but with an odd habit of storing cake crumbs in t...

Politics

2 h. ago Trump alone in a room with Putin is a recipe for disaster – just look to their last meeting

The two plan to meet behind closed doors Friday in Alaska to discuss ‘land swapping’. What will happen this time?The lessons of Helsinki are clear: putting Donald Trump alone in a room with Vladimir Putin is an unpredictable – and often dangerous – affair.It was 2018 when the two leaders met at the invitation of Sauli Niinistö, the Finnish president, to discuss a collapse in US-Russia relations, accusations of elections interference, and the grinding war in east Ukraine, among other topics. Continue reading...

Politics

4 h. ago Liverpool Street Station set to be overhauled with fewer adverts and more departure screens for commuters

Rail bosses are planning to slash the number of advertising boards in London’s busiest station by more than 75%

Politics

5 h. ago Asian shares charge higher after US stocks rally to records on hopes for interest rate cuts

Shares have advanced in Asia after the U.S. stock market rallied to records when data showed inflation across the United States improved slightly last month

Politics

6 h. ago Vietnam wants to be the next Asian tiger and it’s overhauling its economy to make it happen.

Vietnam is launching its biggest economic overhaul in a generation, aiming to become Asia’s next “tiger economy.”

Politics

6 h. ago The Swiss lived in splendid isolation for years. Trump’s tariffs have shattered that complacency | Joseph de Weck

The shockwaves sent by the US president could finally push Switzerland closer to the EUGrowing up in Zurich often felt like being removed from the world. It shouldn’t be that way: after all, Switzerland is at the heart of Europe. Riding on the cosy Zurich trams, one hears all the world’s languages; and the airport offers more direct intercontinental flights than Berlin. And yet, coming of age in Switzerland is like sitting in an aquarium looking at the world through a thick bulletproof window.That glass was shattered last week when Donald Trump announced 39% tariffs on Swiss exports. The US is the most important destination for Swiss products: 18.6% of all its exports go there. If Trump maintains the tariffs, sales to the US “will be effectively annihilated”, said Switzerland’s industry lobbying group. The rightwing Swiss business minister, Guy Parmelin, announced a furlough programme to shield the economy from “mass layoffs”. The tabloid newspaper Blick captured the mood with a sta...

Politics

9 h. ago China’s crackdown on lavish civil servant perks will ‘harm’ the economy, experts warn

Updated regulations ban the country’s 40 million civil servants from lavish banquets, and restrict them from overseas travel for ‘personal leisure’Adjacent to a municipal government building in Beijing, a normally bustling restaurant is now eerily quiet, at lunchtime most of its seats are empty.The recent crackdown on civil servants frequenting restaurants – part of a government austerity drive intended to crack down on corruption – has likely affected business and caused liquor sales to plummet, admits one waitress who works in the opulent establishment. Continue reading...

Events

11 h. ago Live facial recognition to expand across the country amid Government overhaul of neighbourhood policing

The technology will be deployed to catch 'high-harm' offenders with new rules to support its use and ensure 'safeguards and oversight', the Home Office said.

Politics

13 h. ago ANDREW GRIFFITH: Almost four million people are signed off with no requirement to find a job. That's not fair on all the hard

If you ever wanted to know what the warning lights flashing red on the economy look like: this is it. Unemployment up for the tenth month in a row.

Society

14 h. ago Russell Martin tells Rangers to forget Champions League if one thing doesn't happen as he gives Dessers injury update

Rangers were poor despite progressing against Viktoria Plzen while Dessers had to helped off after suffering an injury

Sport

15 h. ago Grieving mother discovers body of daughter, 7, found with missing tongue and throat after autopsy

WARNING, GRAPHIC CONTENT: The horrific story has emerged out of Taiwan, leaving many in the East Asian country looking for answers as to why the girl's body was not returned to its original state

Events

15 h. ago Andrew Cuomo swipes at Zohran Mamdani over a classic New York topic: rent

As he seeks to boost his campaign for New York City mayor, Andrew Cuomo is proposing an overhaul to New York City’s rent laws and escalating his attacks on the frontrunner, Zohran Mamdani

Politics

16 h. ago UFC chief Dana White reveals White House fight night will happen on special date

The home of the World's most powerful man will now be the stage for some of the best scrappers on the planet, although fans may struggle to get tickets for the extraordinary event

Sport

17 h. ago Fresh blow to Starmer as Labour's approval rating slumps to its lowest EVER level

Labour's net approval rating under Keir Starmer slipped to -55, according to YouGov polling. It comes amid concerns about the number of small boats arrivals, the economy and justice.

Politics

18 h. ago Trump wants to put Washington DC under full federal control. Here’s why he probably can’t

Congress would need to repeal the Home Rule Act for it to happen

Politics

18 h. ago West Ham suffer Mateus Fernandes transfer setback after Southampton reject £30m bid

Hammers remain on the market for further reinforcements as part of a major squad overhaul

Economics

19 h. ago Pair of high profile monks arrested as femme fatale sex scandal takes dark turn

In a case that has shocked the south east Asian country, apparently pious monks have been secretly siphoning of money and playing for 'sugar daddy' for the operation's ringleader.

Events

19 h. ago Tuesday is World Elephant Day. 5 things to know about the world's largest land mammals

Tuesday is World Elephant Day

Politics

20 h. ago Notting Hill Carnival should be ticketed to avoid Hillsborough

Cost of policing annual event is almost £12m, and rising safety concerns mean it should be overhauled, report warns

Politics

21 h. ago Loose Women's Janet Street Porter sets record straight on show future after 'sad' setback

As part of ITV’s major 2026 overhaul, Loose Women will move to a seasonal schedule of 30 weeks per year and will no longer feature a studio audience

Politics