43 m. ago Raphinha, the man who almost left, leads Barcelona to verge of dream title | Sid Lowe

Captain has swapped rejection for affection and added to a season of unbelievable highs in thrilling clásicoBarcelona couldn’t get the player they wanted so they just had to settle for the best. At the end of another wild, joyous and exhausting afternoon, another clásico won their way, the captain called them all into the middle of Montjuïc. And where Raphael Dias Belloli calls, his teammates follow, all the way to the title. Which was why, an arm raised, a wrist wrapped in a blue bandage lifted above the crowd like a symbol of strength, the Brazilian who has been better than anyone anywhere, now gathered them round and led them into a lap of honour together. It was time to give thanks; time to get thanks, too.They had earned it. Real Madrid, who were supposed to be invincible, had been beaten again. Sunday was the fourth time time this season, a record unmatched in 125 years: four victories in as many cities, Barcelona scoring four goals to go with the three, five and four in the p...

Politics

74 m. ago ‘Cheap foreign labour’ – this is how Keir Starmer denigrates the migrant carers looking after your loved ones

The government’s claims about immigration driving down wages are so demonstrably untrue, it’s hard to feel the appropriate level of outrage I would love to know what exactly happens, in the top-level meetings where the prime minister decides to be even tougher on immigration. Is there anyone in there saying: “This will not halt Reform. This will not make Reform less obnoxious. This will not make them more moderate, and it will not stop people voting for them. All it will do is make your own supporters despair.” If there is, are they screaming it, or whispering it, with a thousand-yard stare?It’s bad enough that the government has swallowed this anti-immigrant rhetoric wholesale; that it’s decided to land its misdirected toughness on the care workers is dumb on so many levels. First, Starmer’s claim that that migrant care workers are “cheap foreign labour”. Pause to note how extraordinary it is, to hear this kind of denigratory language coming from a human-rights lawyer. It is also u...

Events

77 m. ago DWP State Pension could be boosted by £4,000 a year after 'five minute call'

Experts are advising pensioners to check they are not missing out on thousands in additional support by submitting a simple claim

Economics

87 m. ago Trump repeats disputed claim that white farmers suffering ‘genocide’ in South Africa as first ‘refugees’ are flown in to US

No evidence of widespread violence or persecution of white South Africans exists to support US president’s claim

Events

97 m. ago AD FEATURE: UK car finance scandal: Key dates and guide to claiming £1,000s in overcharges

The UK's highest court is currently hearing a case on car finance, with a ruling expected in the coming weeks. It could see tens of billions of pounds returned to drivers

Economics

98 m. ago Ruben Amorim gets it in the neck from Match of the Day pundit over Man Utd comments

Ex-Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy has slammed Ruben Amorim's "negative" attitude at Manchester United, claiming the manager should be thinking more "positively" about his team despite recent results

Politics

1 hour ago Chris Kamara reveals heartbreaking reason why he apologised to his wife

The 67-year-old was one of the game's most amusing and beloved personalities during his 20-year tenure in front of the cameras and most notably on Sky Sports News.

Politics

1 hour ago Arsenal’s statistical victories only hide some very obvious flaws | Jonathan Wilson

Mikel Arteta has explanations for his team’s shortcomings that may hold water, but ultimately the Gunners simply couldn’t get it done when neededSign up for Soccer with Jonathan Wilson hereThe problem is that when the game doesn’t matter, other elements begin to take over. In other circumstances, Arsenal’s 2-2 draw at Liverpool on Sunday would have been an intriguing minor classic; but then, in other circumstances, it might not have gone like that. As it was, with the title won and Arsenal secure in the Champions League qualification slots, a clash between the top two became the stage for discussion of the booing of Trent Alexander-Arnold and a weird confected online fury about whether Myles Lewis-Skelly had applauded Liverpool with sufficient gusto in the guard of honour.At least, from Arsenal’s point of view, the game followed the opposite pattern to the one with which we’ve become familiar. Arsenal have dropped 21 points from winning positions this season (Liverpool just 13), whi...

Politics

1 hour ago Minister defends PM’s ‘island of strangers’ claim amid Labour backlash

The Prime Minister used a Downing Street speech on Monday to lay out plans to ‘significantly’ reduce net migration.

Politics

2 h. ago Cyclist slams 'entitled drivers' for making this 'selfish mistake' on the roads

Confrontations between cyclists and motorists are nothing new, but this individual pointed out a particular bugbear that has sparked a heated debate online

Transport

2 h. ago Supermarkets suspend ties with pig farm over animal abuse claims

Meat producer’s shares have plunged after shocking video emerged

Economics

2 h. ago Russian honeytrap spy ‘controlled and coerced by fellow agent boyfriend’

Vanya Gaberova ‘slipped into criminality’ under the influence of Biser Dzhambazov, her barrister claimed.

Politics

2 h. ago Wrexham's wild Las Vegas party pictures emerge as Hollywood stars join them

The trip has cost Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney over £500,000.

Society

2 h. ago BBC Strictly Come Dancing star gives verdict on Giovanni Pernice's return to ballroom after 'copying' claim

Vito Coppola opened up about the upcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing, which the BBC confirmed will feature a number of new dancers

Politics

2 h. ago Sky issues final warning as cheapest ever TV, Netflix, and broadband deal ends this week

Sky's spring sale saw the Essential TV and Full Fibre 300 broadband package fall to a record low to rival Virgin Media and BT, but time is running out to claim the deal

Events

2 h. ago Cutting immigration will 'damage' Scottish economy and hit NHS recruitment, warns John Swinney

The SNP leader criticised the Prime Minister's choice of language as he announced a plan to restrict immigration - and claimed Starmer was "terrified" of Nigel Farage.

Events

2 h. ago 'I was forced out of job as NHS nurse after patient claimed I was pregnant with his child'

Jessica Thorpe was suspended from her role with the Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust when a psychiatric patient lied and said she was pregnant with his child

Society

2 h. ago Carlo Ancelotti confirmed as first foreign manager of Brazil men’s team

Real Madrid head coach to start Seleção job on 26 May Brazilian FA hails ‘the coming together of two icons’Carlo Ancelotti has been confirmed as the next manager of the Brazil national team. The Brazilian football confederation (CBF) has announced that Real Madrid’s Italian head coach, one of the most successful managers in the history of European club football, will take up the position from 26 May.The appointment had been widely predicted, with it also expected the 65-year-old would be leaving his post at the Bernabéu at the end of the Spanish domestic season. Continue reading...

Politics

2 h. ago Missing cat trapped under floorboards for three weeks survived by drinking French lager and eating bugs

Ben Smith, 83, believed his inquisitive pet cat Leia vanished after sneaking under a neighbour's open floor during renovation work without anyone realising.

Events

2 h. ago What Tijani Reijnders would offer Man City is obvious amid £60m transfer claim and clear ambition

Manchester City will be looking to strengthen their squad in the summer transfer window

Economics