State Man lacks 'wow' factor but success helps Mullins close in on century

There was, as Willie Mullins conceded, no \"wow\" about State Man in the Champion Hurdle here yesterday, but on the softest ground on the Festival's opening day for many years, even the much-missed defending champion, Constitution Hill, might have struggled to find his usual turn of foot.

Nationwide bid would be windfall for Virgin Money CEO

Banking bosses at Virgin Money are in line for a £6m windfall if Nationwide Building Society pushes ahead with a proposed takeover of the lender, with more than half of that sum set to be pocketed by long-time chief executive David Duffy.

China President and party tighten grip on power

Xi Jinping did not speak at the Two Sessions China's annual parliamentary gatherings this year, but his presence was still felt.

First aid ship to Gaza leaves Cyprus port to open sea route after month in dock

An aid ship that has been docked in Cyprus for nearly a month has finally set sail for Gaza, taking almost 200 tonnes of aid in a pilot project to open a sea route for a population on the edge of famine.

Ukraine launches drone strikes on Russian oil facilities on election eve

Ukraine targeted Russian energy facilities yesterday in one of its largest cross-border drone and rocket attacks of the war, disrupting production at a major oil refinery, as armed groups claimed to have launched a large raid across the border from Ukraine.

Power vacuum in Haiti as leader quits after week of gang violence

Haiti is facing a dangerous power vacuum after the resignation of its prime minister, Ariel Henry, after a gang insurrection that erupted while he was on an overseas trip.

UK Foreign Office official floated idea of giving honour to Saudi royals fixer

A Foreign Office official floated the idea of giving an honour to a businessman who was later alleged to have helped facilitate millions of pounds of bribes to a Saudi prince and his high-ranking associates.

Nursery chains run by investment firms make bumper profits

Campaigners called yesterday for tougher regulation of childcare to safeguard taxpayers' money, as analysis showed that more than £1 in every £5 spent at English nurseries backed by large investment companies ends up as profit.

Vandalism on rise at historic sites amid cost of living crisis, says report

From York stone gouged from a 200-year-old bridge to graffiti sprayed on a 13th-century chapel, the nation's most cherished historic sites have seen a rise in theft and vandalism, with the cost of living crisis only expected to worsen the problem.

'Stop the poo' Community campaigns to end overflow of sewage

The brochure boasts of a family-friendly community located in tranquil green space within easy reach of high-speed links to London.

Families in Hull wait to see if funeral parlour has mixed up ashes

Families who used a funeral director where 35 bodies have been recovered by police over \"concern for care of the deceased\" are waiting to hear if ashes returned to them were those of their loved ones.

Sarah Jessica Parker among Olivier awards nominees

James Norton, Andrew Scott, Sarah Jessica Parker, Sarah Snook and David Tennant are among the stars to have received Olivier nominations in a year when British theatre was dominated by celebrity castings.

Stones of hope Camilla lauds militant suffragettes

Two stones thrown at Buckingham Palace's windows during a suffragette protest more than a century ago and saved for  posterity represented \"hope to the women who threw them\", the queen told equality campaigners.

Tate faces extradition to UK over allegations of rape and trafficking

British police investigating allegations of rape and human trafficking have been granted a warrant to extradite Andrew Tate to the UK.

Comments about me by £10m Tory donor were frightening, says Abbott

Diane Abbott has said it was \"frightening\" to hear of remarks made by the Conservative donor Frank Hester, who told colleagues that looking at her made you \"want to hate all black women\" and said the MP \"should be shot\".

Civil servants threaten to sue ministers if 'forced' to implement Rwanda bill

Civil servants have threatened ministers with legal action over concerns that senior Home Office staff could be in breach of international law if they implement the government's Rwanda deportation bill.

The sounds of thriving coral could lure their larvae back to ailing reefs

Underwater speakers that broadcast the hustle and bustle of thriving coral reefs could bring life back to more damaged and degraded reefs that are in danger of becoming ocean graveyards, researchers say.

"They're all high': rats eating drug evidence, say New Orleans police

Police in New Orleans are on the tail of a brazen gang who broke into their headquarters' evidence room and pilfered the pot: a swarm of rodents.

Fun takes centre stage in museum's celebration of Blackpool culture

Blackpool has many claims to fame: two spectacular ballrooms, three raucous piers and a tower so beloved that people wept when it was wrongly reported to be on fire last year. But until this week, in more than 170 years as one of the UK's most popular seaside resorts, it has not had a proper museum.

NHS England says children will no longer receive puberty blockers

Children who have gender dysphoria will no longer be given puberty blockers, NHS England has said, ahead of a radical change in how it cares for them.

Tory donor's remarks were 'racist and wrong' - No 10

Downing Street has described remarks made about Diane Abbott by the Conservative party’s biggest donor as “racist and wrong” after senior politicians from across the political spectrum piled pressure on Rishi Sunak to intervene.

Palmer powers Chelsea win as Newcastle fightback falls short

Up in the posh seats, Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali could have been forgiven for thinking that everything is going to turn out just fine. Nicolas Jackson, Chelsea's all-action forward, scored one and gave Newcastle's defenders nightmares. Cole Palmer, a definite contender for signing of the season, dazzled throughout and made another vital contribution.

FA to ask junior amateur club to remove corner flags displaying Palestine colours

The Football Association will ask an amateur club to remove the Palestine corner flags that led to their undereights match being called off on Sunday.

Arteta urges his ambitious Arsenal to make it happen’

Mikel Arteta has said Arsenal's ambition to win major trophies is growing as they go into the second leg of their Champions League tie against Porto at the summit of the Premier League.

Raducanu bows out after brave battle against Sabalenka

There are few experiences as valuable for a tennis player than staring down one of the best and seeing exactly where their level falls. For Emma Raducanu, that occasion came in the face of Aryna Sabalenka, now a multiple grand slam champion and desperate for more.

Bright way forward Being exciting and fluid has to be new Borthwick blueprint

England players have spoken about how they want to reconnect with supporters, to change where they get off the team bus to engage more with fans. The Rugby Football Union is doing its utmost too, whether it be with the pre-match pyrotechnics or the half-time show, but nothing gets the public on side like the performance England delivered against Ireland on Saturday.

Scarratt back for England's Six Nations campaign

England have named three uncapped players in their squad for the Women's Six Nations with the Exeter pair Maddie Feaunati and Lizzie Hanlon joining Vicky Laflin of Ealing Trailfinders as new faces.

Massa launches legal battle over Hamilton's win in 2008 title

Lewis Hamilton's first Formula One world championship is the subject of legal action after Felipe Massa filed a lawsuit against Formula One, its governing body, the FIA, and the sport's former supremo Bernie Ecclestone in London's high court.

Cheltenham chief expects crowd figures to fall again

The attendance at this year's Cheltenham festival, which begins today, is likely to fall short of last year's disappointing figure, Ian Renton, the track's managing director, said yesterday.

Four days to find out if the festival has lost its shine

Sluggish ticket sales and lack of competitive fields is worrying but expect plenty of feelgood moments this week,