Unnamed source said Andy Street was likely to win mayoral vote thanks to Middle East not West Midlands Local and mayoral election results live updates Labour has condemned a racist comment provided by an unnamed party source to the BBC after it lost support in heavily Muslim areas. The source told the BBC they believed the West Midlands mayor, Andy Street, was on course to win as a result of the Middle East not West Midlands and called Hamas the real villains. Continue reading...

The buzzy coming-of-age film, about teens obsessed with a schlocky TV show in the 90s, makes for a haunting allegory As a trans teen in the 1990s, I well remember the flickering glow of the TV screen. Late nights, once everyone else in the house had gone to sleep and I could have a measure of privacy, were the main time in which I could access something even remotely resembling my true self. Watching the trans film-maker Jane Schoenbruns new film, I Saw the TV Glow , took me right back to this p

Polls saying the nationalist cause is no priority among voters are misleading. The aspiration to once again be a sovereign European state has only been strengthened by devolution Like an arthritic old tree in autumn, the Scottish National party is shedding its voters. It does this almost seasonally, a shrivel followed years later by another spring. And yet the SNPs soul and cause, independence, isnt shedding its supporters. Backing for that stays roughly where its been for a decade, at just unde

Stalwart defender is edging towards 940 games for the League Two club where he began his career among the Crazy Gang Dean Lewington made his first professional appearance as an 18-year-old in April 2003, a few months before the launch of MySpace and 938 games later (814 in the league) he is preparing for the League Two playoffs, as driven and professional as ever. Lewington, who turns 40 in a fortnight and remembers the days when away games meant the team bus stopping at Trowell services on the

The founding members of the band on early gigs, a magical brush with a Beatle, and being lifelong friends Tom Chaplin and Tim Rice-Oxley are childhood friends and founding members of Keane, agroup from Battle, East Sussex. The band formed in 1995 and released their debut album, Hopes and Fears, in 2004. It won them a Brit award, and became one of the bestselling albums in UK chart history. The band took a hiatus in 2013, with Chaplin releasing a solo album and Rice-Oxley forming side project Mt

With the ex-president punished for violating a gag order, the third week of the hush-money trial resembled his fraud case It was deja vu for Donald Trump at his Manhattan criminal trial this week in more ways than one. Six months ago a New York judge threatened to throw a former US president in prison for violating a gag order. Remarkably, in a courthouse up the street just six months later, Trump was again threatened with jail time. Continue reading...

A rocky patch in Ava and Logans marriage forced them to talk openly about their desires and now theyre having their best sex ever How do you do it? Share the story of your sex life, anonymously We watch porn frequently, which is a positive thing we do together. Ive learned new things about my own body Continue reading...

Students across the US are forging bonds in the face of brutal power structures. You might say theyve already won Teaching an undergraduate class on democracy at Princeton Universitys School of Public and International Affairs this semester has felt urgent and clarifying. In the classroom, weve been looking at backsliding and the slow corrosion of democratic norms in so-called democratic countries. Meanwhile, whats been happening outside the classroom in more than 120 universities around the US

Inscrutable bureaucracy and monstrous insects may not sound immediately appealing, but once youre lost in Kafkas world you wont want to escape Kafka has become such a cultural icon that even the most private, obscure, or fragmentary of his writings have reached huge audiences: diaries , letters, unpublished notes, mystifying aphorisms, or conversation slips he made while dying. Because so much of his work is available to readers (even a selection of documents from his day job at the Workers Acci

The theatre adaptation of Studio Ghiblis beloved animation sold out in Japan in four minutes. As it comes to the UK, we meet the international team of creatives bringing its giant dragons and tiny soot sprites to life The dragon stirs to life as Toby Oli plucks it up by its tail. He spirals itthrough the air and, quick as ripping off a plaster, tears the creature in two. Even when hewas curled up on the floor, the puppet designer says, undoing another of the dragons joints, he took up too much s

Ex-PM turned away from South Oxfordshire police commissioner vote for not having valid ID a rule he introduced Local and mayoral election results live updates Boris Johnson has thanked three villagers who turned him away from a polling station on Thursday for trying to vote without a valid ID. The former prime minister was told by polling station staff that he would not be allowed to vote in the police and crime commissioner election for South Oxfordshire without proving his identity. Continue

The full set of folios published by John Gould will be presented at Firsts book fair in London in mid-May John Gould was one of the most sought-after taxidermists in 19th-century London, commissioned by King George IV to stuff the first giraffe to arrive in England. But Goulds lasting legacy is birds. He travelled the world documenting and cataloguing as many avian species as he could find, many of them never seen before, earning him the nickname the Bird Man and the appointment as official bird

I love intercourse so why has it been so long since I actually had any? I first had sex when I was 16; I have since had quite a few people inside my body. Some were more welcome than others like the surgeon who removed my inflamed appendix, and that incredibly hot Dutch photographer in a Utrecht Airbnb, to whom I would have given my appendix, had he asked. Others have only penetrated me with their words or in my fantasies. Some of the experiences feel unreal, like the guy who referred to himse

What was once a niche product is being embraced by more people. We examine the options at a range of prices They are de rigueur in Scandinavian and Nordic countries, with as many as one for every household in Finland, where the old saying goes: First build the sauna, then the house, and it appears Britons are now following suit. Google UK searches for home sauna rose by 84% between January and March 2024 and the same period in 2020, according to the marketing company Semrush. Hampson Architects

They can communicate with each other about threats, summon help from predatory killers and some can even count but does this mean plants are conscious? Last month, at a gathering at New York University, agroup of prominent biologists and philosophers widened theperimeter of a very exclusive club. They declared that there is a realistic possibility thatinsects, crustaceans and fish experience consciousness. This was anexpansion of an earlier declaration , made in 2012, in which researchers asse

From the Turkish Riviera to the le de R, we select quiet and unspoilt places to stay for sun, sand, snorkelling or just snoozing Theres something quite particular about small but perfectly formed Assos butterscotch and rose-pink houses line a horseshoe bay, with Venetian ruins scattered between the narrow alleys. There are two small beaches, but the real joy is to rent a motor boat and discover the small bays and coves that fringe this part of the Cephalonian coast. Walkers can follow the path

Forward, 30, is clubs all-time top scorer in womens football It has been one of the biggest privileges of my life Fran Kirby has announced she will end her incredible journey at Chelsea at the end of the current season. The 30-year-old England midfielder has helped the club to six WSL titles, five FA Cups and two League Cups since signing from Reading in 2015. In an emotional interview on the clubs website , she said: To leave with the trophies that I have won, with the teammates Ive played with

What could be quicker and tastier than a bowl of instant noodles topped with a frankfurter octopus and a crisp fried egg? This makes a feast of a meal for one or many. Ive given quantities for a solo dinner, but its very easy to scale up according to how many youre feeding. Its also easily adaptable, because you can top the noodles with all manner of things. Its a bowl of midweek home comfort for me, and something I eat with my own family all the time. This recipe is an edited extract from Simpl

With large language models needing quality data, some publishers are offering theirs at a price while others are blocking access OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT, knows that high-quality data matters in the artificial intelligence business and news publishers have vast amounts of it. It would be impossible to train todays leading AI models without using copyrighted materials, the company said this year in a submission to the UKs House of Lords, adding that limiting its options to books and draw

The photographer on an ambiguous image inspired by Greek, Roman and Egyptian art A former mentor, Elinor Carucci, recommends taking pictures daily as a sort of gym for the photographic mind, Esteban Kuriel says. On this day, Kuriel was staying at St Ermins hotel in London and had visited the Sir John Soanes Museum, which houses a collection of Greek, Roman and Egyptian figurative sculptures. The fragmented, contorted bodies inspired me, and I returned to my room to make this image. Photographing

Only women can rid the club of the guardians of the Y-chromosomes weve always done it this way misogyny Heres a surprise: the Garrick Club is a really lovely place. Its full of lively and fascinating people. The staff are superb, the food is great, the wine list divine. The library is to die for (or in), we have the finest theatrical portraiture in the world, sumptuous sitting rooms and chic bedrooms a wallets throw from the Royal Opera House. Continue reading...

Covid vaccines, chemtrails, the Great Reset Why do people invent false conspiracies when there are so many real ones to worry about? Theres only one way to find out: ask a believer I am a conspiracy theorist. I believe that groups of people conspire secretly against our interests to line their pockets, cover their backs or achieve political goals. By this definition I suspect you are, too. We see evidence of these conspiracies every day. We see them in the Horizon scandal , in which the Post Of

This Morning presenter told his friend not to moan and gave him advice that ultimately proved fatal Gyles Brandreth has said he blames himself for the death of Rod Hull , the entertainer who fell to his death as he was trying to adjust the TV aerial on the roof of his home. Hull, 63, famous for his antics with his puppet Emu , fell from a ladder outside his bungalow in Winchelsea, East Sussex, in 1999. Continue reading...

Majority of councils in England and Wales declared on Friday, but other contests will conclude on Saturday afternoon Local elections 2024: full council results for England Rishi Sunak is braced for the result of key mayoral elections in London and the West Midlands, after the Conservatives were trounced in the first day of local election results . The Conservatives are facing one of their worst local election results in 40 years , with striking Labour gains across England and Wales in key battle

Congress partys Arun Reddy held over fake video of interior minister Amit Shah Indian police have said they have arrested the social media chief of the countrys main opposition party over a doctored video widely shared during the ongoing national election. Arun Reddy of the Congress party was detained late on Friday in connection with the edited footage, which falsely shows Indias powerful interior minister, Amit Shah, vowing in a campaign speech to end affirmative action policies for millions o

The Texas singer on her crush on Emma Stone, a faux pas in France, and why the news makes her cry Born in Scotland, Sharleen Spiteri, 56, worked as a hairdresser before forming Texas with Johnny McElhone aged 17. They went on to have hits I Dont Want a Lover, Say What You Want and Inner Smile. Last year they released The Very Bestof 1989-2023 and played Glastonbury. This March, Texas released The Muscle Shoals Sessions with Spooner Oldham, and in September there will be a UK arena tour. Spiteri

Kim makes crucial birdie at last in CJ Cup Byron Nelson English teenager is son of former LGPA player Ji-Hyuh Suh English teenager Kris Kim became the youngest player to make the cut on the PGA Tour in 11 years after a birdie at the last saw him get through to the weekend of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson in Texas with a shot to spare. Amateur Kim, the son of former LPGA player Ji-Hyun Suh, made a second-round four-under-par 67, which included a run of five birdies and one bogey over his front nine. Co

Intentions badges also launched, as dating app sector sees drops in share prices and moves to diversify In the end it was the data that killed me, says Penny* about her decision to leave the dating app Bumble. If she opened the app she might receive 100 likes, 25% of which she might be interested in. She would look at their profiles and write individualised messages; a few would respond, perhaps one would result in a date. Thats a lot of effort to get one date, she says. Its exhausting. Continue

They face spiralling costs and insecure work, so Im glad to help them. But I cant afford the big rise in my cost of living Thank goodness for the bank of mum and dad: now theres an expression to make me a bit sick in my mouth. I am the parent of two adult children who have moved back home in recent years because they cant afford to rent somewhere to live. And they are not alone. In January, the Office for National Statistics reported that rental prices had risen 6.2%, the highest annual increase

Hamas and US CIA officials will meet Egyptian mediators on Saturday, according to an Egyptian security source A new sea route for Gaza aid is on track, USAid says On-the-ground preparations are on track in Gaza for humanitarian workers to be ready to deliver food, treatment for starving children and other urgent assistance by early or mid-May when the American military expects to finish building a floating pier to receive the shipments, according to a US Agency for International Development (USA

A look at Britains answer to prosecco as M&S launches product previously more associated with hipster bars in Shoreditch Its a sunny afternoon and a crowd of twentysomethings has gathered for a reunion. They are at Tillingham, an English winery in Kent, drinking Britains answer to prosecco, a sparkling wine called pet nat. They are not the only ones. Walk into any hipster restaurant these days and there will be pet nat on the wine list. This week, Marks & Spencer became the first supermarket to

Cruise control sensors taken by thieves, forcing drivers to pay to replace them or face higher insurance premiums Volkswagen owners targeted by thieves who have stolen cruise control sensors from cars across London are furious after discovering the cars poor design that makes them so easy to steal is set to cost them 1,600 each. The sensors, which cost about 700 each, are fitted behind the VW badge, and appear to be a popular target for thieves. Continue reading...

As his dazzling debut, Shallow Grave, gets a 30th anniversary rerelease, heres to an extraordinary career that ranges from Trainspotting to Slumdog Millionaire and that unforgettable London 2012 Olympic opening ceremony Lancashire-born film-maker Danny Boyle holds a special place in the nations heart, having been responsible for not one but three defining moments in our recent pop-culture history. In 1996, his daringly inventive adaptation of Irvine Welshs Trainspotting changed the face of young

Palestinian restauranteur speaks from Bethlehem, where food stalls are sparse as farmlands are under attack Fadi Kattan looked forlornly at the stalls inside the Bethlehem vegetable market bearing small quantities of oranges, watermelons and cauliflowers. This stall should be heaped with products, he said. And over there should be piles of aubergines and courgettes. The watermelons from Jenin looked too small for the season, while he wasnt sure where the boxes of oranges were from. They would no

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More frequent heatwaves mean bees are unable to thermoregulate their hives further endangering a species already in decline Bumblebee nests may be overheating, killing off broods and placing one of the Earths critical pollinators in decline as temperatures rise, new research has found. Around the world, many species of Bombus , or bumblebee, have suffered population declines due to global heating, the research said. Bumblebee colonies are known for their ability to thermoregulate: in hot condit

Adaptability and ease is the order of the day for this tinned fish crostata with chermoula topping and conchiglie with smoked oyster sauce My cupboards are rarely without a tin or two (or three) of tinned fish. Sardines, anchovies, tuna, smoked oysters: theyre all usually on standby, and Im crazy about all of them. I find them very reassuring, too, because they mean Im never more than about two minutes from a meal, whether theyre just spread on toast, or mixed with a little Tabasco and lemon jui

Even products marketed as organic may be toxic, say campaigners, with risks for the wider ecosystem Gardeners are inadvertently killing scores of earthworms with soil conditioners marketed as organic, experts fear, as they call for tighter regulation on products that poison the invertebrates. Earthworms may appear humble, but Charles Darwin thought their work in improving soil structure and fertility was so important he devoted his final book to them and said: It may be doubted if there are any

The Argentinians afterlife a horror story of allegations and legal wrangles has taken another turn The noise from the middle tier of the stand at the Spartak Stadium was strangely persistent, rising above the pre-match hum of Argentina versus Iceland in Moscow, the pitch a humid pocket of shade, the far end still pounded by heavy mid-afternoon sun. It was a banging noise. And a rattling noise. And a yelling noise. People had already begun to turn and point. Looking up, the first thing you saw

The all-rounder is confident his local knowledge and coolness under pressure can help England retain their title in the Caribbean After England showed their hand for the T20 World Cup in the week, Jofra Archer fired up his Instagram live, transporting anyone who clicked to the sunshine of Barbados. It was a hardworking net session firing down white Kookaburras alongside Chris Jordan, his friend being the second headline recall on the day. Their stories have been intertwined over the years, Jorda

A world championship move away from its storied home would have implications in south Yorkshire beyond snooker Picture the scene. There is live sport on a big screen, and on the artificial grass deckchairs are laid out, with pints of lager flowing. It sounds like a scene from continental Europe during a major football tournament: but this is Sheffield city centre on a grey, murky Friday morning. It is perhaps fitting that Tudor Square, the part of Sheffield where the Crucible Theatre is situated

From calfskin to cut-and-paste, a tribute to the graft and craft that goes into books As well as the stories inside books, there are the stories behind them tales of printers, binders, typesetters and paper-makers who are mostly unheard of. Adam Smyth, a literature professor who is also part of a printing collective, wants to do these men and women justice. Rather than go back to ancient China or dwell on obvious names ( Gutenberg , Caxton ), he picks out a handful of talented individuals whose

The ninth and final series of the ever-inventive black comedy is packed with stars and cements its status as a classic. Its such a shock America hasnt tried to copy it yet Oh, so weird. Ithought they were meant to be more careful with these. Anyway Ive been given a leaked script from the new and final series of Inside No 9 (8 May, 10pm, BBC Two), so I suppose it is my duty as a journalist to publicly leak it. Shame to spoil the series but that is part of the job. I take no pleasure in reportin

Lilys bringing in six figures but Michelle earns less than half that. Who needs to change their ways? You decide whos in the wonga More money disputes where you can be the judge Shes richer, more money-focused, and a bit obsessive over spending Continue reading...

This quiet island in the Small Cyclades has one small town, several wild sandy bays and a plethora of panoramic walking and running trails Elias, quiet and unassuming, meets us at the tiny harbour and says he could drive us to the house but it would be quicker on foot. He directs us up a narrow alley past a bustling kafeneio , where people are debating the news of the day over coffee. One of a little cluster of houses, ours has a pergola of rough-hewn logs and bamboo, and looks out to sea across

From Cai Guo-Qiangs Sky Ladder to the Chipmunk Song, test your knowledge with the Saturday quiz 1 What makes up an estimated 68% of the universe? 2 Which great of English literature wrote novels in his third language? 3 Two gaurs feature on the logo of which drink? 4 Which TV personality founded the Womens Equality party? 5 Which transport service is run by Waymo in San Francisco and Phoenix? 6 What is Natos second largest army? 7 Which song features a whaling ship called the Billy o Tea? 8 Fig

For two years, a viral joke mocking the singers dancing threatened to overshadow her record-breaking success but the laser-focused star had the last laugh. And now she has her sights set on building a media empire The London hotel room is huge, with a grand piano in one corner. In the middle is a stash of crisps, nuts and drinks, laid out as if we were in a high-end store. And on a sofa I can just about make out Dua Lipa, lost in the vastness. She could be a top footballer red hair tied back,

I get advice about my age on social media (not all of it friendly), but Im sanguine about life without youthful anxieties How old is old? That depends on how old you are, for as you age you will nudge that number upwards. A recent German study asked people over the age of 40 that same question eight times over a period of 25 years, and it found old gets older as we age . Of course it does. Would Paul McCartney, fit at 81, choose 64 now as the time hed need feeding ? Jumpin Jack Flash at 80 is as

Third-party hospitality packages are outlawed, yet agency part-owned by associates of Rafael Nadal and LeBron James promises access to top events as well as to stars Members of the global super-rich are spending as much as $500,000 (400,000) on ultra-exclusive packages for the Paris 2024 Olympics that promoters claim include meeting athletes, access to the athletes village and the chance to be part of the opening ceremony. GR8 Experience, an international experience agency part-owned by the busi

For 30 years, Brian McNeill hunted the worlds second-biggest fish from small boats off the wild west coast of Ireland. Now the species has made a recovery so rapid it has astounded scientists The ambush was simple. A spotter on a hill would scan the sea and when he saw the big black fins approach, he would shout down to the boatmen. They would ready their nets and quickly row out to the kill zone. When a shark got tangled in the mesh, Brian McNeill would wait a minute or two while it struggled,