18 m. ago Conclave live: black smoke emerges from chimney as cardinals fail to agree on new pope

Signal from Sistine Chapel chimney shows deliberations will continue over new leader of the Catholic church Explainer: how does the conclave work?Leading candidates to be the next popeHistorically, some of the conclaves were really drawn out: in 13th century, they needed three years, over 1,000 days, to choose Gregory X.There was also one that ended on the first day, when Julius II in 1503 was elected after just 10 hours. Continue reading...

Events

23 m. ago US and UK set to announce trade deal today – UK politics live

US president set to announce ‘full and comprehensive’ trade deal between UK and US with Starmer due to make statementThe Liberal Democrats treasury spokesperson Daisy Cooper has reiterated the party’s position that any trade deal with the US should be put to parliament for approval before being ratified, saying Labour “should not be afraid” of a vote if they are confident a deal is in the country’s best interests.Cooper, the MP for St Albans, said in a statement:Parliament must be given a vote on this US trade deal so it can be properly scrutinised.A good trade deal with the US could bring huge benefits, but Liberal Democrats are deeply concerned that it may include measures that threaten our NHS, undermine our farmers or give tax cuts to US tech billionaires.If it’s correct, and you know, whilst we haven’t been named publicly, it does sound like something’s happening, nevertheless, it would be wholly speculative [to comment].As you appreciate and know full well, with any deal like ...

Politics

24 m. ago Luke, I am an INTJ? Darth Vader would slice hurtful colleagues in half – not take them to an employment tribunal

An NHS worker received £28,989 after being compared to the Sith Lord because of a Star Wars-themed Myers Briggs test. But I’d rather be Darth than Obi-WanThis is undeniably a bad time to be Darth Vader. A few weeks ago, Tony Gilroy revealed that Vader would not be appearing in his Andor series, despite fans assuming that he would play a significant part in its climax. A few days ago, the White House shared an AI-generated image of Donald Trump as a confusingly musclebound Sith Lord, subtly undermining Vader as the go-to Star Wars baddie. And now a woman has been awarded almost £30,000 for being compared to him.Yesterday, it was reported that NHS blood donation worker Lorna Rooke had received £28,989.61 from a Croydon tribunal after complaining that a colleague had taken a Star Wars-themed Myers-Briggs Type Indicator personality test on her behalf online, and then informed her that her results aligned with Darth Vader. This upset Rooke and made her feel so unpopular that she resigned...

Politics

29 m. ago Trailer for Clarkson’s Farm Season 4 revealed as Jeremy Clarkson faces new challenge

Season four follows Clarkson as he opens his pub, The Farmer’s Dog

Politics

30 m. ago Not 'back of the queue' any more! Tories credit Brexit for allowing the UK to become the first big nation to strike a trade deal with Donald Trump

They spoke out ahead of an announcement Donald Trump is expected to make at the White House this afternoon that would ease his protectionist tariffs.

Politics

31 m. ago Environment Secretary accuses Tories of trying to ‘weaponise’ farmer deaths

Victoria Atkins asked whether Steve Reed will ‘on a point of principle’ resign if Labour does not change its approach to inheritance tax.

Events

59 m. ago DWP warning to everyone who claims benefits ahead of second May bank holiday

The Department for Work and Pensions has issued a payment warning to anyone who claims benefits ahead of the second bank holiday in May, which falls on Monday, May 26

Events

1 hour ago Gleaming labs turned to rubble: scientists mourn the loss of decades of medical progress in Sudan

Universities and laboratories in Khartoum are looted or in ruins, with vital research and medicines destroyed, including pioneering work on tropical diseases“All that I did over 40 years has turned to ashes before my eyes,” says Prof Ahmed Fahal, of the destruction of his research centre in Sudan’s capital, Khartoum. His once-gleaming laboratory, where a team of white-coated expert clinicians once busied over their work, is now little more than rubble.“I built everything from scratch. I knew every corner, every brick of the building. I can’t describe the pain,” he says. Continue reading...

Science

1 hour ago Conclave live: Cardinals vote again after black smoke signals no pope chosen on first day

The assembled cardinals vote up to four times a day, while crowds gather in St Peter’s Square to wait for the white smoke that signals the Conclave has selected a successor to Pope Francis

Politics

1 hour ago 'Even better than latest AirPods' wireless Beats earphones land on sale with mega £130 off

Savvy shoppers can currently get their hands on a pair of wireless Beats earphones that have been hailed 'better than AirPods and Bose' with a massive £130 off while this deal lasts

Economics

2 h. ago Cardinals resume voting as world watches Vatican City for white smoke

Up to four rounds of voting can take place each full day of conclave, two in the morning and two in the afternoon.

Events

2 h. ago The secret ingredients that turn the conclave smoke black or white

The smoke is used to signal whether a new Pope has been elected, but what exactly is in it?

Events

2 h. ago Conclave live: Cardinals to vote again after black smoke signals no pope chosen on first day

The assembled cardinals vote up to four times a day, while crowds gather in St Peter’s Square to wait for the white smoke that signals the Conclave has selected a successor to Pope Francis

Politics

2 h. ago Child Benefit payments will stop for thousands of parents at the end of this month

You can claim Child Benefit if you're responsible for a child under the age of 16, or if they are under the age of 20 and still in approved education or training

Society

2 h. ago Conclave live: Catholic cardinals gather for second day to elect new pope

Up to four rounds of voting expected with history suggesting white smoke might be seen todayExplainer: how does the conclave work?Leading candidates to be the next pope If you want to see the latest scenes from the Vatican, there is now a live stream showing St Peter’s Square and the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel pinned at the top of this page.What makes today slightly more tricky to follow is that while we have four rounds of voting, we may not get smoke after every one of them. Continue reading...

Politics

3 h. ago Jill Biden's explosive secret White House diary could make her and Joe $30 million in tell

Joe and Jill Biden are re-emerging from their post-White House life in time to push back against a spate of new books revealing embarrassing details about the former president's declining health.

Events

3 h. ago DWP benefits and payments people can claim from State Pension age

There are more than a dozen benefits and discounts available for men and women aged over 66.

Economics

3 h. ago White Stuff's 'summery' £75 midi dress that's 'flattering over tummy' drops to £45

'The Lucy dress is absolutely fantastic. The styling makes picking an outfit effortless. It hides the bits I don’t want to draw attention to and highlights the bits I do'

Economics

4 h. ago Major change to contactless payments at Tesco, Aldi and Asda with key date this week

BBC expert says big change at the till is on the horizon and could impact anyone who does their weekly shop at supermarkets like Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda and Morrisons

Politics

6 h. ago Trump expected to announce framework of UK trade agreement, sources say

President teases deal ‘with representatives of a big, and highly respected, country’ but specifics remain unclear Donald Trump is expected to announce the framework of a trade agreement with the UK, according to two people familiar with the matter, after teasing a major announcement with a “big and highly respected, country.”The specifics of any agreement were not immediately clear and there was no comment from the White House or the British embassy in Washington on whether an actual deal had been reached or if the framework would need further negotiation. Any agreement would mark the first such deal for the administration since it imposed sweeping tariffs against trade partners last month. Continue reading...

Politics