28 m. ago Reform UK on course to win in two mayoral contests – UK politics live

Polling predicts victory for party in Greater Lincolnshire and Hull/East Yorkshire with the Greens possibly taking West of EnglandThere are six mayoral elections next week. Two of them are for single-authority mayors (Doncaster and North Tyneside), but the others are for combined-authority mayors (or regional mayors – like metro mayors, but not just covering city regions). Today YouGov has released polling covering all four of these contests and it suggests Reform UK is on course to win two of them easily. And the Green party is narrowly ahead in a third, the poll suggests.Here are the polling figures.In theory the Tories should be winning in Lincolnshire as they hold most of the parliamentary seats in the area and have dominated local politics forever. But it’s also the most Reform-friendly part of the country. It contains Richard Tice’s constituency and numerous seats in which they came second. Plus their candidate is a former Tory MP – Andrea Jenkyns, famous for her Boris Johnson...

Politics

2 h. ago Brits doing Hajj pilgrimage told to get 'essential' jab after new cases of disease

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is reminding travellers to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) for Umrah and the upcoming Hajj pilgrimages to ensure they are vaccinated against meningitis

Politics

3 h. ago Reeves hints at priority as she says ‘trading relationship with Europe arguably more important’ than US – UK politics live

Chancellor said she understood the focus on possible deal with US, but added the EU remained ‘our nearest neighbours and trading partners’Water company bosses face up to two years in prison if they cover up illegal sewage spills under new laws coming into force, PA Media reports. PA says:The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said no prison sentences have been handed to water company executives since privatisation despite widespread illegal sewage discharges, and the tougher penalties were essential because some firms have obstructed investigations.Environment secretary Steve Reed said: “Bosses must face consequences if they commit crimes. There must be accountability. From today, there will be no more hiding places.”I’m now pretty optimistic that we are moving in a good direction.In the end, I think everybody understands that this is about our security in Europe. It requires cooperation between democracies, friends, allies, countries with the same values.The...

Politics

20 h. ago Cristiano Ronaldo is closing in on 1,000 goals – but may be running out of games

The finishes are still flowing for Al-Nassr but, at 40, his future for club and country is under increasing scrutinyOn Saturday, Cristiano Ronaldo can take a big step towards a first major trophy since moving to Saudi Arabia but the quarter-final of the Asian Champions League against Yokohama F Marinos also offers a chance to take a smaller stride towards an unprecedented personal milestone: 1,000 first-class goals.Pelé scored plenty but claims of 1,279, recognised by the Guinness World Records, included unofficial and exhibition games and perhaps, wondered Diego Maradona, backyard games against his nephews. The stats site RSSSF credits the Brazilian with a total of 778. Continue reading...

Politics

21 h. ago ITV Footballers' Wives cast now from soap success to scarring sex scene

From burned boobs and swapped babies to 'bonking' the manager to death, there was no shortage of drama on ITV's iconic Footballers' Wives, but what happened to stars including Zoe Lucker and Susie Amy once the cameras stopped rolling?

Sport

24 h. ago What life is REALLY like for a WAG in Saudi Arabia: Footballers' wives lift the lid on living in the conservative country

Football clubs in the conservative Middle Eastern nation fork out eye-watering sums to attract the sport's biggest names but that doesn't make life simple for their families.

Politics

24 h. ago Simon Jordan tells boxing supremo Turki Alalshikh to buy Championship 'powerhouse'

Turki Alalshikh has led Saudi Arabia's huge investment in boxing in recent years and he has been advised to buy Sheffield Wednesday from Dejphon Chansiri by Simon Jordan

Sport

26 h. ago Footballer's Wives cast now from Coronation Street to sex scene that scarred star for life

From burned boobs and swapped babies to bonking the manager to death, there was no shortage of drama on ITV's iconic Footballer's Wives, but what happened to stars including Zoe Lucker and Susie Amy once the cameras stopped rolling?

Politics

27 h. ago George Russell ‘pays price’ as Mercedes chief makes key admission about unexpected issue

George Russell struggled badly in the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix, only managing fifth place after raising concerns over whether he would even be able to finish the race

Economics

36 h. ago Max Verstappen slammed after 'disrespectful' act towards F1 rival spotted at Saudi GP

Max Verstappen was left furious at being handed a penalty during the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix, but his actions following the race have landed the Red Bull star in more hot water

Events

47 h. ago Badenoch declines to criticise Jenrick over Reform coalition comments – UK politics live

Spokesperson for Tory leader says she agrees with colleague that ‘we need to bring centre-right voters together’Rosie Duffield, the independent MP who left Labour after the election in part because she felt her gender critical views made her unwelcome in the party (although her resignation letter focused on welfare issues), has claimed that Keir Starmer no longer arguing a trans woman is a woman shows he is a “manager rather than a leader”.Speaking on LBC, Duffield said:It’s just another sign of the prime minister’s lack of leadership skills. I’m bound to say that, he’s a manager rather than a leader. He responds and reacts rather than leads from the front, and this is what we’re seeing again from him.Nigel Farage is peddling a dangerous fantasy by claiming the UK can be self-sufficient in gas.After sixty years of drilling, the truth is the UK has already burned most of its gas. That’s down to geology, not politics, and no amount of hot air from Farage will change that. Continue rea...

Politics

48 h. ago Starmer calls for ‘lower temperature’ in trans debate as Badenoch says he must admit he was wrong about defining women – UK politics live

PM faced questions at PMQs after No 10 spokesperson said on Tuesday he does not believe transgender women are womenRosie Duffield, the independent MP who left Labour after the election in part because she felt her gender critical views made her unwelcome in the party (although her resignation letter focused on welfare issues), has claimed that Keir Starmer no longer arguing a trans woman is a woman shows he is a “manager rather than a leader”.Speaking on LBC, Duffield said:It’s just another sign of the prime minister’s lack of leadership skills. I’m bound to say that, he’s a manager rather than a leader. He responds and reacts rather than leads from the front, and this is what we’re seeing again from him.Nigel Farage is peddling a dangerous fantasy by claiming the UK can be self-sufficient in gas.After sixty years of drilling, the truth is the UK has already burned most of its gas. That’s down to geology, not politics, and no amount of hot air from Farage will change that. Continue ...

Politics

49 h. ago Starmer calls for ‘lower temperature’ in trans debate as Badenoch says he must admit he was wrong about defining women – PMQs live

PM faces questions in Commons after No 10 spokesperson said on Tuesday he does not believe transgender women are womenRosie Duffield, the independent MP who left Labour after the election in part because she felt her gender critical views made her unwelcome in the party (although her resignation letter focused on welfare issues), has claimed that Keir Starmer no longer arguing a trans woman is a woman shows he is a “manager rather than a leader”.Speaking on LBC, Duffield said:It’s just another sign of the prime minister’s lack of leadership skills. I’m bound to say that, he’s a manager rather than a leader. He responds and reacts rather than leads from the front, and this is what we’re seeing again from him.Nigel Farage is peddling a dangerous fantasy by claiming the UK can be self-sufficient in gas.After sixty years of drilling, the truth is the UK has already burned most of its gas. That’s down to geology, not politics, and no amount of hot air from Farage will change that. Contin...

Politics

50 h. ago Lance Stroll responds to unwanted F1 record with pointed McLaren claim

Lance Stroll booked an all-time F1 record with his disappointing performance in Saudi Arabia but has suggested that he is not totally to blame for his woes in qualifying over the weekend

Politics

50 h. ago Lewis Hamilton’s F1 interviews a ‘very hard watch’ after poor Ferrari start

Hamilton was despondent after the Saudi Arabia GP and was gloomy about his hopes for the rest of 2025

Politics

3 d. ago Toto Wolff bemoans Mercedes F1’s ‘worst performance of the year’ in Saudi Arabia

Russell qualified third on the grid but only finished fifth, while Kimi Antonelli came home in sixth

Politics

3 d. ago George Russell sticks boot in on Max Verstappen after penalty changes Saudi GP result

Max Verstappen failed to secure victory at the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix after a contentious incident involving title rival Oscar Piastri on the opening lap in Jeddah

Politics

3 d. ago Lottie Moss stuns in a glitzy backless top as she parties in the Saudi desert with Love Island star Tina Stinnes

Lottie Moss looked incredible as she headed to the destert in Saudi Arabia for a holiday with her Love Island pal Tina Stinnes.

Politics

3 d. ago 'We're interested in rugby': Saudi Arabia sports minister weighing up bid for 2035 Rugby World Cup

Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal discussed the plans at Formula One’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

Politics

4 d. ago Saudi sports minister comments on future Mohamed Salah transfer bids despite new Liverpool deal

Mohamed Salah has committed his future to Liverpool by signing a new long-term contract, but Saudi Arabia's sports minister has hinted that the forward remains a target for the nation's Pro League clubs

Politics