11 h. ago ‘He massages Trump’s basest instincts’: why is Fifa’s Gianni Infantino cosying up to the US president?

For a man who insists football isn’t political, the Fifa boss is putting a lot of effort into into courting the most divisive politician on EarthGianni Infantino was 18 years old the first time he ran for office. It was a presidential election at FC Brig-Glis, the local amateur football club in the small Swiss town where he grew up. Running against two older men, and with no discernible footballing record of his own, the little red-haired kid with freckles was, unsurprisingly, the rank outsider in the race.But he had a vision. He had a ferocious work ethic, boundless enthusiasm, well-established networks in the town’s Italian immigrant community. And even at this tender age, he had a flair for an eye-catching scheme. To the shock of many veterans at the club, Infantino surged to victory: partly on the back of his pledge to attract new sponsors and revenue streams, and partly on something more tangible. Infantino promised that if he won, his mother Maria would wash all the players’ k...

Politics

49 h. ago Militant doctors launch ballot for more devastating strikes as they demand a 26 per cent pay rise

The British Medical Association would be free to inflict chaos on the NHS until August if members back the move in a major blow to patients.

Events

50 h. ago Carlos Alcaraz has £1.8m bonus fee taken away in major blow to tennis star's bank balance

World No.1 and six-time Grand Slam winner Carlos Alcaraz has been forced to give up a significant portion of his prize money due to a little-known rule in tennis.

Economics

52 h. ago Talks for UK to join EU defence fund collapse in blow to Starmer’s bid to reset relations

UK had been pushing to join €150bn Safe fund, a loan scheme that is part of bloc’s drive to rearm EuropeKeir Starmer’s attempt to reset relations with the EU have suffered a major blow, after negotiations for the UK to join the EU’s flagship €150bn (£131bn) defence fund collapsed.The UK had been pushing to join the EU’s Security Action for Europe (Safe) fund, a low-interest loan scheme that is part of the EU’s drive to boost defence spending by €800bn and rearm the continent, in response to the growing threat from Russia and cooling relations between Donald Trump’s US and the EU. Continue reading...

Politics

55 h. ago NHS advisors set to reject prostate screening programme for most men

Government advisors are today expected to reject calls for a widespread prostate cancer screening programme in a major blow to British men.

Politics

59 h. ago Jac Morgan set to miss start of Six Nations in major blow for Wales

The Wales captain has undergone surgery on a dislocated shoulder

Politics

3 d. ago Stranger Things fans shipping ‘Byler’ theory dealt major blow in season 5

‘It could not be more obvious what was happening,’ one fan said of Will, Mike and Robin scene

Economics

3 d. ago Blow to two major London transport projects as they miss out on funding at Budget

Whilst the DLR extension was given the green light by the Chancellor, there was no mention of funding for the Bakerloo Line or delivery of the West London Orbital

Economics

3 d. ago Stranger Things fans shipping ‘Byler’ dealt major blow in season 5

‘It could not be more obvious what was happening,’ one fan said of Will, Mike and Robin scene

Economics

4 d. ago Cash ISA cut confirmed in Rachel Reeves' Budget in major blow for savers

You can currently save up to £20,000 across any ISA accounts you may have - but Rachel Reeves today used her Autumn Budget to confirm big changes

Economics

4 d. ago Marcus Rashford sent direct message as Barcelona suffer Champions League nightmare vs Chelsea

Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford was back in England for Barcelona's Champions League clash against Chelsea with Hansi Flick sending a clear message before their 3-0 defeat

Sport

5 d. ago Virginia high school football coach vanishes during team’s undefeated season amid sex

The physical education teacher had led the football team to a postseason record of 11-0

Sport

5 d. ago I'm A Celebrity's Ant and Dec take swipe at BBC rival Strictly Come Dancing as they reveal major upside to Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman quitting show

The BBC ballroom show suffered a major blow this year when its star presenters Claudia Winkelman and Tess Daly announced this would be their final series.

Culture

5 d. ago Idrissa Gueye issues grovelling apology after Everton star slapped his own teammate in 'moment of madness' during 1

The 'moment of madness', as match-winner Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall described it, occurred just 13 minutes into the clash against Manchester United.

Politics

5 d. ago Everton star Idrissa Gueye breaks silence after slapping teammate in Man Utd win

Idrissa Gueye was sent off for slapping his Everton team-mate Michael Keane just 13 minutes into the Premier League clash against Manchester United at Old Trafford

Politics

5 d. ago Now Reeves hits prudent savers: As she prepares £15billion welfare splurge, Chancellor is to slash the annual cash Isa from £20,000 to £12,000

In a major blow to millions of hard-working savers, the Chancellor will significantly cut the annual £20,000 cash Isa tax-free allowance to £12,000, it emerged on Monday.

Economics

6 d. ago Huge blow for Alzheimer's patients as results of major Novo Nordisk trial issued

There had been hopes that the trial could have had "far-reaching implications" for Alzheimer's patients

Science

6 d. ago OBR to ‘downgrade growth forecasts for every year of this parliament’

The news will come as a major blow to the government, which has put economic growth at the centre of its plan for Britain

Politics

8 d. ago Jiménez averts danger for uncertain Fulham with late winner against Sunderland

Uncertain times at Fulham. The word is out that the club’s ownership would like to extend Marco Silva’s stay. The manager himself has been non-committal, having previously been explicit about a lack of summer transfer business. Raúl Jiménez’s winner, coming when it seemed Fulham were incapable of scoring, should at least still choppy waters for now and lifted Silva’s team away from the increasing threat of a relegation battle.The sheen has been fading from his regime, after last season’s record points tally and enterprising football, going a touch stale, though he could successfully argue little of that is of his making. The Khan family gambled on stasis, rarely a recipe for success when others spend money like it is going out of fashion. Continue reading...

Politics

8 d. ago Jiménez calms choppy waters at Fulham with late winner against Sunderland

Uncertain times at Fulham. The word is out that the club’s ownership would like to extend Marco Silva’s stay. The manager himself has been noncommittal, while also making explicit his dim view of a lack of summer transfer business. Raúl Jiménez’s winner, coming when it seemed Fulham were incapable of scoring, might still choppy waters for now. It lifted Silva’s team away from the increasing threat of a relegation battle but the manager stayed noncommittal. “I don’t need this type of performance to make important decisions,” he said.Last season’s record points tally and enterprising football has been replaced by staleness and sterility, and Fulham’s manager could argue little of that is of his making. The Khan family ownership gambled on stasis, rarely a recipe for success when others spend big. Jiménez’s goal was a measure of the veteran striker’s determination to keep trying when other heads would have dropped but relying on him remains an indictment of the lack of funding Silva an...

Politics