Liam James

A survey of 35,568 Public and Commercial Services union members found that 20% of Department for Work and Pensions staff receive in-work benefits, more than double the proportion recorded six months earlier. It also found widespread food-bank use and secondary employment, with workers citing low pay, rising living costs and rent. PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka condemned ministers for leaving staff reliant on benefits and warned that failure to improve pay could lead to escalating civil-service strike action.

Experienced runner Stephen Shanks, 45, from Bingham in Nottinghamshire, died suddenly while travelling home after completing the London Marathon in two hours and 53 minutes. His wife Jessica announced his death, prompting tributes from his running club, fellow runners and BBC Radio 1 DJ Adele Roberts. London Marathon Events said the cause of death would be determined through medical examination, while friends established a fundraiser for the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

A visual roundup presents striking photographs from around the world, including a South Korea-US military drill, ice skating in London, wildlife at UK zoos, swimming in France, street art in New Delhi, high waves in Mumbai, the erupting Mayon volcano in the Philippines, protests by Barcelona taxi drivers and Beirut depositors, a newborn alpaca in Scotland, and drought in Finland.

A visual roundup presents striking photographs from around the world, including flamingos in Navi Mumbai, the Cannes Film Festival, a climate protest in Berlin, an Italian scarecrow fair, the Chelsea Flower Show, London Comic Con, the Popocatépetl volcano, the USS Wasp near the Statue of Liberty, an ocean documentary installation in Sydney, rain in Tokyo and Cannes arrivals.

A photo-led retrospective follows Reuters photographer Eric Gaillard’s 40 appearances at the Cannes Film Festival, from his first visit in 1981 to his retirement after the 2023 edition. The festival has grown from an intimate gathering where major stars could move around freely into a larger, more multicultural event with tighter restrictions on photographers and a much bigger audience. Images capture celebrities, filmmakers, athletes and political figures across four decades, as well as changes brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, including masks, the 2020 cancellation and the 2021 return under restrictions. Despite these changes and the rise of social-media photography, the festival’s glamour and appeal remain largely intact.

A selection of striking photographs from around the world features beachgoers in the Netherlands, a gosling in London, an installation in Singapore, Frankfurt at dawn, an elephant searching for food at a Sri Lankan dump, Ukrainian artistic swimmers competing in Spain, Buddhist monks celebrating in Thailand, a diving competition in Tehran and factory work on wind turbine towers in China.

A curated selection of striking photographs from around the world covers culture, news, politics, sport and lifestyle. Highlights include giant inflatable rubber ducks in Hong Kong, a 180-million-year-old ammonite fossil in Yorkshire, West Ham United’s trophy parade in east London, flooding near Ukraine’s Nova Kakhovka dam, wildfire smoke over New York, environmental protests in Indonesia, sporting events, and Donald Trump’s indictment.

A selection of striking photographs from around the world features events and scenes including horses near Frankfurt, Shanghai Ballet dancers in Amsterdam, an Afghan farmer with dried figs, Pope Francis at the Vatican and during a visit to Mongolia, preparations for a Hindu festival in India, a Kashmiri fisherman, and a blue supermoon over the United States.

A selection of striking photographs from around the world depicts heat in Beirut, a wooden maze in Ireland, sunflowers and grain fields in Germany, Belfast Pride, Mount Merapi’s eruption, flooding and rainfall, a wildfire rescue in Rhodes, Ashoura mourning in Tehran, stranded whales in Australia, cultural and sporting events, and daily life in cities including Mumbai and Kinshasa. The gallery also highlights Morocco’s Nouhaila Benzina becoming the first player to wear a hijab at a Women’s World Cup.

A curated selection of striking photographs from around the world features Novak Djokovic and Mirra Andreeva at Wimbledon, preparations for the Great Yorkshire Show, newborn care in Chennai, the Srebrenica memorial ceremony, demonstrations in Kenya and South Korea, Joe Biden at Windsor Castle, the Tour de France, Bastille Day in Paris, environmental cleanup in Indonesia, and contemporary art installations in Barcelona and Bristol.

A visual roundup from The Independent presents striking photographs from around the world, including storm damage in the Netherlands, a circus performance in Brisbane, crowds in Shanghai, an animal-rights protest in Pamplona, religious celebrations in Istanbul, Chennai and Macau, the Tour de France in southwestern France, a Philippine Air Force formation, an activist rave in London, Winston Churchill’s preserved cigar, and the Fourth of July hot-dog eating contest in New York.

A global photo gallery presents striking images from the week, including summer-solstice celebrations at Stonehenge and in New York, LGBTQ+ pride events in Singapore, Dublin and San Salvador, performances at Glastonbury, Royal Ascot racing, international sports competitions, political leaders in Berlin, conflict-related imagery in Rostov-on-Don, and cultural and wildlife scenes from around the world.

A selection of striking photographs from around the world features dark skies over Denmark, a rice-planting celebration near Kathmandu, spectators watching the Ashes at Lord’s, PSY performing in Seoul, Yayoi Kusama’s installation at the Manchester International Festival, Spain’s traditional Wine Battle, kayakers in North Tyneside and the destruction of seized drugs in Yangon.

Saul Leiter is portrayed as a major photographer known for vivid color images of New York in the 1950s and 1960s, while his studio work, painting, and previously unpublished nude and fashion photographs broaden understanding of his career. A comprehensive retrospective from Thames & Hudson marks the centenary of his birth, alongside a centennial exhibition at New York’s Howard Greenberg Gallery.

Joel Meyerowitz’s book A Question of Colour argues for the artistic superiority of saturated color photography, drawing on his six-decade-old challenge to the convention that serious photographers should work in black and white. The book juxtaposes his color and monochrome images, with accompanying text by Meyerowitz and Robert Shore, while acknowledging that his black-and-white work remains compelling and that the debate is unlikely to be settled.

Barbara Kruger is returning to London with her first major solo institutional exhibition in the city in more than 20 years. At the Serpentine, her iconic text-based works are reimagined as video installations, while additional pieces appear on the gallery, London black cabs and Outernet Arts screens. The exhibition revisits works addressing bodies, identity, consumerism and social politics, including the reproductive-rights poster Untitled (Your body is a battleground). Kruger says the issues in her work remain relevant, while Serpentine plans to use the exhibition to engage audiences across London. The show runs through 17 March.

A weekly selection of striking news and lifestyle photographs includes flooding in Hong Kong, a Ukrainian student’s first day at a Kyiv cadet lyceum, Pope Francis’s visit to Mongolia, an orangutan’s 46th birthday at Bali Zoo, preparations for a gun salute to King Charles III, International Literacy Day in Pakistan, horse racing celebrations in Britain, Indian army cadets performing Kalaripayattu, and young racers competing in West Sussex.

Emin Ozmen’s photographic book Olay documents more than a decade of turmoil in Turkey, including the Gezi Park protests, the failed coup attempt, political purges, military operations, natural disasters, economic hardship and refugee displacement. The retrospective combines his photographs with a historical timeline by Piotr Zalewski and personal texts by Ozmen, portraying Turkey as a place where violence and ordinary life, beauty and suffering continually intersect.

The Independent’s corrections column addresses several errors and awkward formulations in its recent coverage. It explains that calling Elon Musk a “centibillionaire” could imply a fortune of only $10 million rather than his estimated $415 billion, corrects the use of “wrest” in reporting on Donald Trump’s threats toward Greenland, and revises a headline about cold-weather health alerts. It also clarifies descriptions of Mark Carney’s role in the Scottish independence campaign and corrects an overstated claim about schools awaiting removal of dangerous RAAC concrete.

The inaugural Deer Photographer of the Year competition has recognized wildlife images submitted from around the world. Bence Mate-Gyulaj won the £5,000 top prize for a night-time photograph of a fallow deer in central Hungary, while photographers from the UK, Ireland and India received category and judges’ awards. Other notable images showed deer behaviour, human-wildlife relationships and the dangers of plastic waste, including a red deer that became trapped in farm baling material. The annual competition was created by Dorset physics teacher Mark Nicolaides to celebrate deer and raise awareness of their ecological role.

Real-time face-swapping and voice-cloning technologies are making video calls and phone conversations unreliable as methods of verifying identity. Fraud gangs share and improve these tools through online networks, using them in romance, investment, extortion and corporate impersonation scams. Reported examples include a woman losing more than £700,000 to a scammer posing as Brad Pitt, a failed attempt to impersonate Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna, and the theft of £20 million from an Arup employee during a manipulated video call. Experts warn that the proceeds are often moved into international organised-crime networks, while research indicates that deepfake attacks against consumers and companies are becoming increasingly common.

Siblings of teenagers killed in crashes involving young drivers are urging Prime Minister Keir Starmer to introduce Graduated Driver Licensing, which would impose restrictions such as limits on nighttime driving and carrying similar-age passengers during a transition period. The campaign follows fatal crashes involving Elliot Pullen, Daniel Hancock, Ethan Goddard and Alice Greenwood. Supporters cite evidence from the United States showing substantial reductions in fatal crashes among 17- and 18-year-olds after GDL policies were introduced. Despite previous support from roads minister Lilian Greenwood and backing from groups including the AA and National Fire Chiefs Council, the Department for Transport has ruled out GDL for its forthcoming road-safety strategy while exploring alternative measures.

Donn Delson, a former business executive who turned to professional photography after retiring in 2010, has built an international reputation for large-scale aerial images captured from helicopters. During a flight over London from Battersea Heliport, he photographed landmarks including the London Eye, Piccadilly Circus, Tower Bridge and the British Museum, emphasizing the city’s mixture of historic and modern architecture. His work uses high-resolution equipment and immersive, human-scale prints to give viewers unfamiliar perspectives on cities and landscapes.

The Independent corrects and clarifies several recent errors and awkward formulations. It explains that Ukraine’s Gravehawk projectiles are surface-to-air missiles capable of targeting drones as well as missiles, replaces an illogical claim about something becoming “more impossible,” and distinguishes “refute” from “rebut” in coverage of Rupert Lowe. Other corrections address the vague phrase “at pace,” an unclear description of Keir Starmer’s NHS England reform, the usage of “sat” instead of “sitting,” and a misleading caption about tugboats around the Stena Immaculate.

A year-long collection of leftover grocery packaging found that roughly half of the plastic had to be sent to general waste, probably for incineration, while the remainder had some chance of being recycled. The experience highlights major flaws in recycling systems and broader challenges facing efforts to reduce plastic waste and establish a circular economy.

A 74-year-old Canadian widow, identified as Diane, lost nearly half her life savings to a romance scammer posing as David Attenborough through fake Facebook pages, AI-generated video and messages on Telegram. The fraudster manipulated her with claims of financial and medical emergencies, marriage promises and emotional abuse, eventually persuading her to send more money even after she recognised the scam. The case illustrates how romance fraud exploits victims psychologically, particularly older people, and how cryptocurrency payments make losses difficult to recover. An investigation found that Facebook failed to remove 91 of 100 recently active fake celebrity pages reported by The Independent, although Meta removed most after direct escalation. Experts and anti-fraud organisations called for stronger verification and platform safeguards as romance fraud losses continue to rise.

The writer contrasts a quiet, attentive audience at New York’s Carnegie Hall with disruptive behavior at London’s Royal Festival Hall, including flash photography, phone notifications, squeaking seats, coughing and someone opening a can. They argue that Americans enforce social rules more directly, while Britons often avoid confronting strangers in the name of politeness. After recounting similar experiences in cinemas and concerts, the writer calls for British audiences to speak up against disruptive behavior and show greater respect for performers and fellow spectators.

The Independent corrects several recent errors and awkward formulations, including an unnecessary hyphen in “geopolitical,” an unclear description of energy-efficient homes, tautological wording about a Tesco bean shortage, the misuse of “marked” in a report about Elon Musk’s political spending, and an inaccurate caption describing anchored ships in the Singapore Strait as docked. The column emphasizes precision, clarity and avoiding inflated journalistic language.

Donald Trump and Melania Trump began their second UK state visit with a ceremonial welcome at Windsor involving King Charles III, Queen Camilla, William and Catherine, Prince and Princess of Wales. The programme included a military guard inspection, a Beating Retreat, the first Red Arrows flypast for a foreign state visit and a lavish banquet attended by prominent politicians and business figures. Around 5,000 people also protested in London against Trump’s visit, while Trump and King Charles delivered speeches marking the occasion.

Deadly heatwaves and drought have dramatically altered waterways and landscapes across Europe, with rivers and lakes reaching exceptionally low levels and wildfires spreading through France, Spain, Greece, Italy, England and elsewhere. Low water levels forced Romania to shut down both reactors at the Cernavoda nuclear plant, while the Rhine approached record lows and the Loire and Lake Brenets visibly receded. Europe is experiencing an above-average wildfire season as successive heatwaves dry vegetation, and temperatures are significantly above historical norms.

The UK has experienced three consecutive heatwaves, record temperatures and prolonged dry conditions, leaving landscapes brown, rivers depleted and more than 20 million people affected by hosepipe bans. England recorded its hottest June, while overnight temperatures also reached unprecedented levels. Met Office analysis indicates that recent years are among the warmest in UK history, with experts describing the conditions as evidence of human-influenced climate change. Similar extreme heat affected France and wider Europe, though temperatures in the UK have begun to ease, with another heatwave possible in early August.

The Independent’s corrections column explains several editorial mistakes. It discusses an awkwardly placed pull-quote, clarifies that Denmark summoned the US ambassador rather than recalling its own ambassador over a Greenland spying report, corrects the phrase “newer to” in a murder-trial report, and distinguishes “careered” from “careened” while acknowledging evolving usage. Reader feedback prompted or helped identify several of the corrections.

The Independent corrects a series of errors and awkward formulations, including a mistaken description of Mercury’s distance from Earth, an inaccurate caption about John Glenn, and the misuse of “claimed” in a report about Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky. The column also addresses redundant wording, the spelling of “backpedal,” incorrect prepositions, unclear phrasing about pregnancy discrimination compensation, and clumsy descriptions of a football referee’s action involving Jude Bellingham.

Roads minister Lilian Greenwood supported a proposed Graduated Driver Licensing scheme while in opposition but said after joining Keir Starmer’s government that ministers were not considering introducing it. The scheme would restrict newly qualified young drivers, including through night-time curfews and limits on young passengers, measures supporters say could substantially reduce casualties. Campaigners and road-safety groups cite 4,959 people killed or seriously injured in collisions involving young drivers in 2023 and are urging action after a fatal crash near Wakefield killed an 18-year-old driver and two teenage passengers. The Department for Transport says it is exploring alternative measures and wants to address the causes of these crashes without unfairly penalising young drivers.

The Independent reviews several recent language and reporting errors. It explains that “crossing the floor” is technically inapplicable to former MP Aidan Burley after his move to Reform UK, criticizes a misleading headline about Abbie Humphries, questions the unnecessary use of “iconic” and “famous,” corrects “swinging cuts” to “swingeing cuts,” and argues that “private parts” should be replaced with more precise anatomical language in a report on Taliban prisons.

The Independent acknowledges and explains several editorial errors. It clarifies that “unique” cannot be intensified or treated as interchangeable with “rare,” corrects wording that wrongly appeared to implicate a doctor in a drugging case, explains the ambiguity of a headline about Al Pacino becoming a father at 84, and notes inaccurate train-related wordplay in coverage of HS2 plans, including the incorrect use of “freighted” and “cheaper of all options.”

An exhibition at Thaddaeus Ropac’s London gallery presents Robert Rauschenberg’s Rauschenberg Overseas Culture Interchange (Roci), his seven-year cultural exchange project conducted from 1984 to 1991. The show includes paintings, sculptures, textiles, neon works, photographs and archival material from projects in ten countries, including Mexico, Cuba, China, Japan, the Soviet Union and Malaysia. Rauschenberg collaborated with local artists and cultural figures, translating his travels into new works that were exhibited alongside his broader practice. The project produced more than 125 works and reached over two million visitors, often providing the first solo exhibition by a contemporary Western artist in participating countries. The retrospective runs in London until 15 June.

Peter van Agtmael’s book Look at the USA: A Diary of War and Home combines photographs from his time embedded with US forces in Iraq and Afghanistan with images of domestic American life after 9/11. The work examines how war reshaped the United States through nationalism, militarism, Donald Trump’s rise, and the effects of race and class. Van Agtmael rejects the idea of the war photographer as a detached observer, describing his own experience as personal, morally confused and deeply connected to the condition of his country.

Administrators of The Body Shop dismissed around 270 head-office employees without notice or redundancy packages, leaving them to claim unpaid wages, holiday pay and statutory redundancy payments from the government. A further 489 job losses and 75 store closures followed. FRP Advisory admitted that employees and their representatives were not properly consulted, arguing that the company needed to reduce payroll costs quickly to protect creditors. Employment lawyers said this likely breached workers’ consultation rights, although it was not a criminal offence, and affected employees may seek compensation through an employment tribunal or Acas. Workers, including at least 15 women on maternity leave or expecting babies, described severe financial and emotional hardship.

Georg Kussmann’s photo book FRG documents a walking tour across Germany during the summer of 2015, when Angela Merkel’s government accepted more than a million refugees. The photographs depict ordinary scenes of work, leisure and urban life alongside homelessness, shuttered businesses, graffiti and signs of social unease. Published by MACK, the book explores Germany’s struggle to reconcile its historical burden with present-day economic and political tensions, including the rise of the reactionary AfD.

Andy Warhol: Beyond the Brand presents works from across Warhol’s career at Halcyon Gallery’s two Mayfair locations in London. The exhibition brings his Ads series of paintings and silkscreen prints together in the UK for the first time, alongside portraits, Campbell’s Soup Cans, Endangered Species prints, a portrait of Pelé and an immersive display of Keith Haring’s Andy Mouse portfolio. Curator Kate Brown frames Warhol’s work as a reflection of popular culture and Western capitalism, while the exhibition also emphasizes his influence on Haring, Jean-Michel Basquiat and the broader New York art scene.

The 2023 Contemporary British Painting Prize exhibition at Thames-Side Studios Gallery in Woolwich showcases a broad mix of oil and acrylic work by British painters. Rich Jellyman won the main prize for “Chicken (1),” receiving £8,000, CBP membership and a future judging role, while Robbie Bushe was Highly Commended for paintings built around detailed, science-fiction-inspired narratives. The exhibition runs until 17 December.

Photographer Chris Hoare’s photobook Seven Hills explores Bristol’s lesser-seen outskirts, where most residents live amid widening inequality and cuts to public amenities. The project contrasts the city’s prosperous centre and familiar landmarks with housing estates and communities affected by development, while examining the myths surrounding Bristol’s seven hills and the city’s history of wealth built partly through the exploitation of the African slave trade.

The piece introduces Sophie Howarth’s photobook An Opinionated Guide: British Cabins & Hideaways, published by Hoxton Mini Press. It highlights a range of distinctive remote retreats across Britain, including an eco-lodge near Hastings, a Welsh-border sanctuary, Devon’s Bowcombe Boathouse, Highland log cabins, a Dorset eco-cabin, a Shropshire A-frame, Cornwall’s treetop pods and a modernist hideaway on the Isle of Harris. The guide presents these locations as appealing alternatives for travelers seeking immersive countryside escapes.

Sophie Howarth’s Looking at Trees, published by Hoxton Mini Press, gathers more than 100 photographs of trees from around the world and encourages readers to pay closer attention to the trees in their everyday surroundings. The review links trees to stress reduction, urban wellbeing and possible preventative healthcare through forest bathing, while highlighting their broader ecological value. Public reaction to the felling of the Sycamore Gap tree is cited as evidence of widespread emotional attachment to trees amid accelerating environmental decline.

The Wagner Group became a major component of Russia’s war effort in Ukraine and operated in conflicts across the Middle East and Africa, but its reliance on prisoners, heavy battlefield losses and alleged human rights abuses drew scrutiny. Leader Yevgeny Prigozhin openly clashed with Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, accusing him of sabotaging Wagner and misleading Vladimir Putin about the invasion. In June 2023, Prigozhin led a short-lived mutiny, seized Rostov-on-Don and advanced toward Moscow before halting after negotiations mediated by Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko. The agreement transferred Wagner fighters to Belarus, the Russian military or civilian life, while the group surrendered weapons. Following Prigozhin’s reported death in a plane crash, Wagner’s future became uncertain, although its fighters continued training Belarusian forces and preparing for possible operations in Africa. The UK responded with sanctions against individuals and companies linked to Wagner’s activities in Mali, the Central African Republic and Sudan.

Photographer Angela Christofilou documented bingo sessions at St James Church Hall in Heywood, Lancashire, after joining the games while visiting her grandmother in 2019. Covid-19 lockdowns and restrictions brought the gatherings to an end, inspiring a book and photographic collection that commemorates the elderly community, its friendships and a fading local tradition. The Culture Co-op plans to display the work in Heywood’s new Outdoor Gallery, while Church Bingo, published by Pendle Press, builds on Christofilou’s wider documentary work covering community life, protest and activism.

A selection of striking photographs from around the world features hot-air balloons in Bristol, flooding in Myanmar, swimmers displaying Indonesia’s national flag, a bumblebee in France, football in Jakarta, a foal near Frankfurt, a watermelon fountain in Moscow, volcanic activity at Mount Merapi, and a gorilla at Kyiv Zoo.

A selection of striking international photographs covers anti-government protests in Kenya and Israel, Australia’s Women’s World Cup victory over Ireland, a wildfire evacuation in Greece, Rory McIlroy preparing for the Open Championship, synchronised diving at the World Aquatics Championships, and scenes from Japan, Indonesia, Pakistan and the UK. Environmental themes include a sea-turtle maze highlighting climate change and threats to marine life.

Around 40 shark species are thought to inhabit UK waters, including 21 resident species, although many are small and more than half are listed as threatened. The article maps eight of the largest species, including blue, porbeagle, smooth hammerhead, shortfin mako, thresher, Greenland, great white and basking sharks, describing their locations, seasonal patterns, size and conservation status. The Shark Trust says no shark species known to be dangerous to humans has been reported in UK waters, while researchers suggest warming seas and northward movement in search of seals could eventually bring great white sharks closer to Britain. Basking sharks are the most regularly encountered large species and support a small summer tourism industry in northern Scotland.

The Wagner Group, a Russian private military company led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, became deeply involved in Russia’s war in Ukraine after earlier operations in Crimea, Donbas, Syria and Africa. Its battlefield role and recruitment of prisoners made it important to the Kremlin, but Prigozhin’s repeated criticism of Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu over military failures, ammunition shortages and credit for victories escalated into an armed mutiny in June 2023. The Kremlin responded by restricting Wagner’s influence, including its access to prison recruits, while the group faced allegations of severe abuses and brutality. The confrontation exposed tensions within Russia’s war effort and raised questions about Putin’s control over powerful military actors.

The exhibition Punk: Rage and Revolution documents how Midlands punks have carried the movement’s values and community into later life. Based in Leicester and featuring then-and-now portraits, first-hand interviews, clothing, memorabilia and previously unseen photographs of The Clash, the show also presents work by photographers and artists associated with punk’s early history. It will run in Leicester until 3 September before travelling to Northampton and Nottingham, with contributions from local punks and figures including Jamie Reid, John Cooper Clarke, Don Letts and Jeannette Lee.

A study led by Imperial College London and funded by Cancer Research UK and the World Cancer Research Fund found that greater consumption of ultra-processed foods was associated with higher overall cancer risk, particularly ovarian and brain cancer, as well as increased cancer mortality. Using UK Biobank dietary and health data from 197,426 adults tracked for a decade, researchers estimated that each 10% increase in ultra-processed food consumption corresponded to a 2% rise in overall cancer risk and a 19% rise in ovarian cancer risk. Experts stressed that the observational findings do not prove causation and recommended front-of-pack warnings, extending the UK sugar tax, and subsidising fresh, minimally processed food, especially for lower-income households.

Keir Starmer has reportedly been advised to change his mobile number because former politicians and other figures frequently contact him with unsolicited advice. Tony Blair is said to focus on technology and modernity, while Gordon Brown remains a frequent adviser and worked on proposals for constitutional reform. Blair also recently spoke with Rishi Sunak, who later used a Blair quotation against Starmer at Prime Minister’s Questions. The article places these contacts in Britain’s longer tradition of former prime ministers continuing to influence their successors, sometimes publicly.

Marques Walker was sentenced at the Old Bailey to life detention with a minimum term of 19 years for fatally stabbing 14-year-old Jermaine Cools seven times with a machete in Croydon in November 2021. CCTV showed Walker attacking the unarmed boy, and prosecutors highlighted the extreme ferocity of the killing. Walker had previously been caught carrying large knives and was on bail for possessing a Zombie knife. He also admitted seriously injuring another detainee at Feltham. Jermaine’s parents criticised missed opportunities to address Walker’s weapons possession and urged stronger action against knife crime, while police warned about the availability of deadly blades to young people.

Russian missiles struck Ternopil, the Ukrainian university hometown of Eurovision entrants Tvorchi, during the 2023 contest in Liverpool. Local officials reported fires at warehouses and a religious organisation, with two civilians hospitalised for shrapnel injuries and burns. British ambassador Melinda Simmons linked the attack to Russia’s invasion and praised Tvorchi’s performance of “Heart Of Steel,” which reflected Ukrainian resilience. Ukraine was unable to host the contest because of the war, so the United Kingdom hosted it in Liverpool.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met Pope Francis at the Vatican and asked him to support Kyiv’s 10-point peace plan. The Vatican said the discussion focused on Ukraine’s humanitarian and political situation, continued aid to civilians and possible assistance in repatriating Ukrainian children taken to Russia. Zelenskyy also met Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who pledged Italy’s support for Ukraine for as long as necessary, rejected peace through surrender and backed Ukraine’s EU membership and closer NATO partnership. Germany announced a €2.7 billion military aid package ahead of Zelenskyy’s planned visit. The report also covered Russian forces’ withdrawal near Bakhmut, claims of poor morale, reported aircraft and helicopter losses near Bryansk, and diplomatic tensions over South Africa’s alleged support for Moscow.

The first UK baby created using mitochondrial donation treatment has reportedly been born after an IVF procedure designed to prevent mothers from passing harmful mitochondrial DNA mutations to their children. The technique transfers the mother’s nuclear DNA into a donor egg whose nucleus has been removed but whose healthy mitochondrial DNA remains, meaning the child’s DNA comes from three people but more than 98.8 per cent comes from the parents. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority confirmed that a small number of UK births have occurred, while the clinic withheld details to protect patient confidentiality. The UK approved the procedure in 2015, and similar treatment previously resulted in a birth in Mexico in 2016.

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves called King Charles III’s role as the country’s head of state “an absurdity” and said he hopes to end the constitutional link with the British monarchy during his lifetime. He said the country would remain in the Commonwealth and suggested Charles may be open to discussions about reparations and an apology for slavery. Saint Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Terrance Drew likewise said his country was not fully free under the monarchy and plans to begin a public consultation on becoming a republic. Buckingham Palace said Charles takes slavery profoundly seriously; he remains head of state in eight Caribbean countries.

William and Catherine, the Prince and Princess of Wales, released a five-minute behind-the-scenes film documenting their family’s activities during King Charles III’s coronation weekend. The footage includes preparations at home, the coronation ceremony, public walkabouts in Windsor, the Big Help Out volunteering event in Slough, and the coronation concert. Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte and Prince George feature prominently, while the video also includes new footage of Charles and William’s tribute to his father. Filmmaker Will Warr produced the film after recording several days of royal engagements.

Marques Walker, 17, was sentenced at the Old Bailey to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 19 years after pleading guilty to murdering 14-year-old Jermaine Cools in Croydon in November 2021. CCTV showed Walker approaching Cools with a machete and stabbing him seven times while he was on the ground. Walker evaded police for nearly six weeks before being found hiding in an address, and he later boasted about the killing in rap lyrics discovered in his prison cell. The case highlighted concerns about knife crime and victim blaming, with Cools’s mother stressing that any child can become a victim.

Lancashire Constabulary has been cleared by the Information Commissioner’s Office of enforcement action over disclosing Nicola Bulley’s alcohol-related and menopause information during the search for her. The Independent Office for Police Conduct also found no misconduct in an officer’s earlier contact with Bulley, though it identified weaknesses in body-worn-camera use and police record-keeping. A separate College of Policing review will examine the missing-person investigation, media engagement and the decision to disclose sensitive information, with findings expected in autumn.

A 36-year-old woman died in hospital after suffering handgun injuries during an armed police stand-off at a house in Priory Road, Dartford. Police and a negotiator had attended following reports of a disturbance, while witnesses said residents were ordered indoors and later heard gunshots. A 29-year-old man, treated as the suspect, was also seriously injured and remains in critical condition. Kent and Essex police are investigating the incident as murder.

Eighteen-year-old Jordan Kukabu, from Romford, died after being stabbed in the chest near Dagenham Heathway tube station on 5 May. His uncle, councillor Michel Pongo, urged gang members to abandon knives and the gangster lifestyle. Police said a second 20-year-old man was injured, while an arrest on suspicion of murder resulted in no further action; the man was released on bail for suspected violent disorder. Detectives are using witness information, forensic evidence and CCTV to identify those responsible.

Lillian Ip became stranded in dense bush near Bright, Victoria, after her vehicle got stuck in mud during a short trip. She survived five nights with only a bottle of wine intended as a gift, sweets and a few snacks, while staying beside her car because health issues prevented her from walking for help. After her family reported her missing when she failed to make a daily check-in, Victoria Police located her from a helicopter nearly 60 kilometres from the nearest town. Ip was treated for dehydration, observed in hospital and later returned home to Melbourne.

Thunderstorms, heavy rain and possible flooding are expected to bring a wet end to the UK’s coronation bank holiday weekend. The Met Office issued a yellow warning covering Northern Ireland and large parts of western Scotland, including Glasgow, citing risks from lightning, hail, standing water and flooding. Rain and scattered heavy showers are expected across much of the UK through Thursday, with temperatures around 18°C on Tuesday, while high pressure may bring drier conditions toward the end of the week.

At the coronation concert at Windsor Castle, Prince William praised King Charles III’s decades of service, environmental advocacy and creation of the Prince’s Trust, telling him, “Pa, we are all so proud of you.” William fondly remembered Queen Elizabeth II, thanked millions serving in the armed forces, schools, hospitals and local communities, and pledged to serve the King, country and Commonwealth. The article also provides the full text of his speech and describes the royal family’s participation in the celebrations.

Donald Trump said in an interview with Nigel Farage on GB News that he could end Russia's war in Ukraine within 24 hours if elected president again, arguing that he could negotiate directly with Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He blamed Joe Biden for allowing Russia to invade and criticized Biden for not attending King Charles III's coronation. Trump, who is seeking the 2024 Republican nomination, also faces multiple lawsuits and investigations, including criminal charges related to hush-money payments to Stormy Daniels, allegations he denies. He additionally repeated his claim that China should bear responsibility for the economic and social damage caused by Covid-19.

The Arcturus COVID-19 subvariant, XBB.1.16, has spread across most UK regions, with cases recorded in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland by 17 April. Five people in Britain had died after contracting the variant, but UK health authorities found no evidence that it causes more severe illness than previous subvariants. Arcturus was estimated to account for about 2.3% of new UK cases and was spreading rapidly in India, where it represented most reported global cases. Experts said it may become dominant in the UK but is unlikely to substantially increase hospitalisations or deaths because the country has already experienced an XBB.1.5 wave.

Ten people—seven men and three women—were arrested on suspicion of murder after a man in his mid-40s was found seriously injured and later pronounced dead in Brentford, west London. Police had been called to reports of intruders at a property on Brentwick Gardens early on 26 April. Emergency responders, including London’s Air Ambulance, treated the man, but he died at the scene. Detectives are investigating the circumstances, while police work to notify his next of kin and arrange a post-mortem examination.

Labour MP Jess Phillips is being investigated by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards over a possible breach of rules requiring MPs to register outside employment and earnings. The investigation, opened on 24 April, is reportedly connected to a television appearance for which guests would normally be paid, although Phillips did not receive a fee. She was reprimanded the previous year for registering several outside earnings late, including a payment for Have I Got News For You, which she attributed to an administrative oversight. The probe is one of several involving MPs, including Rishi Sunak, Matt Hancock, Scott Benton and Chris Pincher.

A 52-year-old fairground worker died weeks after suffering serious head injuries while performing testing and maintenance on a ride at Ocean Beach Pleasure Park in South Shields. Police, the Health and Safety Executive and other emergency services investigated the 19 March workplace accident and found no evidence of criminal offences. The case has been referred to the coroner; the park said the incident occurred at ground level before opening and that no other workers or visitors were hurt.

Lancashire Constabulary said divers had returned to the River Wyre at the direction of senior coroner James Adeley to assess riverbanks near where Nicola Bulley disappeared, not to conduct another search or recover items. The activity was intended to support the coronial process, and the coroner criticised speculation about it. Bulley’s body was found in the river on 19 February, and an inquest was scheduled for 26 June after further evaluation of police, post-mortem and dental-record evidence.

The Confederation of British Industry admitted that it hired culturally toxic employees and failed to remove staff accused of sexual harassment, allowing a climate in which victims felt unable to make formal complaints. President Brian McBride expressed collective shame, acknowledged organizational complacency and promised an immediate zero-tolerance approach, including dismissals for failing to meet expected standards. The admissions follow allegations involving more than a dozen women, including two rape allegations, the dismissal of former director general Tony Danker, and a large-scale departure of CBI members that has cast doubt on the organization’s future.

Police Scotland stopped a vehicle on the M74 near Glasgow and arrested two men and a woman after finding heroin and cocaine worth an estimated £10,000. The driver also failed a roadside cocaine swab test. A lamb found in the car was taken in and rehomed by a local farmer, while police dog Billy helped locate the drugs.

A forthcoming book by Anthony Seldon and Raymond Newell claims Boris Johnson was shocked and frightened when the 2016 Brexit referendum appeared to be going in Vote Leave’s favour, privately admitting that the campaign had no plan for victory. Former chancellor George Osborne describes Johnson’s strategy as highly cynical, while adviser Oliver Lewis says Johnson viewed either referendum outcome as beneficial to his leadership ambitions. The account also describes Johnson’s guilt over David Cameron’s defeat and his emotional reaction when Michael Gove challenged him for the Conservative leadership, ending his immediate path to becoming prime minister.

Humza Yousaf said the SNP was financially stable despite a police investigation into suspected fraud involving about £660,000 in party donations. Treasurer Colin Beattie resigned after being questioned and released without charge, leaving Yousaf temporarily overseeing the party’s finances. The UK government warned that the SNP could lose parliamentary short money if it fails to appoint auditors and file accounts. Senior SNP figures also feared Nicola Sturgeon could be questioned or arrested, while opposition politicians called for members under investigation to be suspended.

Piers Corbyn disrupted an Extinction Rebellion church service at St John’s Waterloo, denying the existence of manmade climate change and telling activists they were “working for the Devil” before being escorted out while attendees sang “Amazing Grace.” The incident occurred as Extinction Rebellion began a four-day London demonstration involving Christian organizations and an expected 40,000 to 50,000 participants. Authorities feared disruption to the London Marathon, although Extinction Rebellion and Just Stop Oil said they would seek to minimize it.

Paul O’Grady was laid to rest in a private funeral in Aldington, Kent, attended by family, friends and celebrity colleagues including Alan Carr, Ronnie Wood, Gaby Roslin, Jo Brand and Julian Clary. Battersea Dogs & Cats Home provided a guard of honour, reflecting O’Grady’s role as an ambassador and his work rehoming dogs on Paul O’Grady: For The Love Of Dogs. Local residents lined the streets, while tributes highlighted his influence as a comedian, television presenter, animal welfare advocate and LGBTQ+ champion. A private wake was planned at Port Lympne Safari Park, and fundraising for Battersea had exceeded £270,000 following his death.

Seventeen-year-old Alexandra Briess died at Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading on 31 May 2021 after suffering an unpredictable anaphylactic reaction to rocuronium during tonsil-removal surgery. Senior coroner Heidi Connor warned that the case reflects wider failures in national leadership, funding and research on anaphylaxis, citing three other fatal allergy cases with similar coroner concerns. She urged the government and NHS England to appoint an allergy tsar and require fatal reactions to be reported to the UK Fatal Anaphylaxis Registry. Allergy charities supported the calls, while the health secretary was given until 2 June to respond.

A joint investigation by Danish, Norwegian, Swedish and Finnish public broadcasters alleges that Russian vessels disguised as fishing or research ships have been mapping offshore wind farms, underwater cables and other critical infrastructure in the North Sea. Up to 50 suspected spy ships were identified, including the oceanographic vessel Admiral Vladimirsky, which reportedly disabled its tracking system and lingered near wind farms. Nordic intelligence officials described the programme as important to Moscow and potentially linked to preparations for sabotage, while Russia’s ambassador to Norway denied wrongdoing and said the vessels operate lawfully. The allegations come amid unresolved investigations into the Nord Stream explosions and warnings from the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre about Russian cyber threats to critical infrastructure.

The UK government is reportedly delaying the House of Lords’ scrutiny of the Retained EU Law Bill, which would automatically repeal more than 4,000 EU-derived laws by the end of 2023 unless ministers preserve them. The delay is said to be intended to avoid political controversy before local elections and create time for concessions to Conservative rebels, who object to giving ministers and civil servants substantial control while excluding Parliament. Critics and legal experts warn that the accelerated repeal process could cause legal and regulatory chaos, while the government denies retreating and says the bill remains central to removing burdensome EU laws and promoting economic growth and innovation.

The UK became the first European country to permit hands-free driving on public roads after the Department for Transport approved Ford’s BlueCruise system. Available initially on the electric Mustang Mach-E, the Level 2 system can control steering, speed, braking and lane positioning on 2,300 miles of motorways, but drivers must remain attentive and ready to intervene. Safety experts warn that drivers may struggle to retake control, while government research suggests widespread autonomous driving could increase delays. Fully autonomous cars remain restricted to approved trials, although further legislation may be introduced from 2025 and trials of more advanced vehicles and buses are underway.