Simms hat-trick wrecks chance of upset to end heroic Maidstone run

So heartening, magical, and, at times, mesmeric has the Maidstone United story been this season, there is a line of thinking that George Elokobi and his side are to thank for singlehandedly saving the FA Cup, having reminded us of its raw charm.

Kudos to Kane Bayern's £86m ace is not cursed: he is putting together one of the great seasons

There was another Harry Kane moment at the weekend: those moments when the air feels thin and the pulse races just a little faster and the margins have sharpened to a fine point.

Liverpool have a plan but Chelsea's project remains in chaos

Carabao Cup winners rode wave of emotion they have earned against asquad thrown together for 1bn

Competition watchdog to investigate housebuilders

The UK competition watchdog has opened an investigation into eight housebuilders after it found evidence they may be sharing commercially sensitive information that could affect the price of homes.

'You're being fooled' Rahul Gandhi seeks to win votes of India's 'low caste' majority

His voice hoarse from all the speeches he had made during his 4,000-mile march across India, Rahul Gandhi urged people H at a rally in Uttar Pradesh state to think hard about caste.

Fears that voter fraud tool linked to Trump ex-lawyer skirts law

A tech company supported by Donald Trump's former lawyer has been facilitating mass challenges to voter registrations in Georgia, with state officials warning its methods are inaccurate and probably skirt state law.

Poland's opposition critical of plan to cut curriculum size by 20%

Poland's new government is seeking to slim down the material taught in schools by about 20%, saying a cramming of the curriculum under the previous rightwing populist administration has left teachers and students exhausted.

Assault on Rafah would be 'nail in coffin' of aid to refugees in Gaza

Aid reaching Gaza fell by half in February from the month before, the UN said yesterday as the secretary general, António Guterres, warned an Israeli assault on Rafah would be \"the nail in the coffin\" of deliveries to starving people in the territory.

Stage review Locking horns and trading punches in lockdown

James McDermott's new play takes us back to the Covid-19 lockdowns in form and content.

'Bright star', 16, took his own life after blackmail over nude photographs

A 16-year-old described by his parents as a \"golden boy\" took his own life after being blackmailed over nude photographs, an inquest heard.

Star's scar shows final moments of asteroid it 'gobbled up'

Astronomers have spotted a star with a dark metallic \"scar\" on its surface, thought to be the imprint of a doomed planetary fragment that came too close to its sun.

Met officer sacked for racism is back in the force

A Metropolitan police detective initially sacked for racism has been reinstated and sent on a leadership course, the Guardian has learned.

US aid Russia 'gains every day' that military help for Ukraine is stalled, warns Biden adviser

Vladimir Putin \"gains every day\" the US House does not pass a new aid package for Ukraine, Joe Biden's national security adviser said yesterday as the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, warned of dire outcomes unless US military aid was received within a month.

'Historic day' Hungarian MPs approve Sweden's entry into Nato after months of delays

Hungary's parliament has approved Sweden's Nato accession nearly two years after the historically neutral country applied to join the alliance, bringing to an end months of diplomatic wrangling.

Writer of Slave Play wary of celebrity castings despite star's role

The writer of Slave Play, a controversial Broadway production about race and sexuality that caused protests and broke Tony nomination records, has criticised commercial theatre's dependency on casting celebrities, saying it turns performances into a \"Disney World attraction\".

Fujitsu Jeremy Hunt gave top executive advice on contracts

Jeremy Hunt gave advice at a Conservative fundraiser to a senior Fujitsu executive who lobbied him in relation to government spending on AI and supercomputers, according to released emails.

Post Office MPs told of top-level 'toxic culture' over compensation for operators

Newly published documents show that a \"toxic culture of disbelief\" persists at the top of the Post Office when it comes to wronged post office operators, MPs have been told.

Commons speaker rejects SNP request for emergency debate on Gaza ceasefire

The Commons speaker, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, has rejected an SNP request for a further Gaza ceasefire vote after last week's angry scenes at Westminster amid concerns that it could be a further breach of protocol.

Rising fear 'It has become acceptable to say negative things about Muslims'

The driver was said to have slowed down to let Misbah Sadique, 37, T and her friend Kulsum cross the road.

Grassroots Tory activists back Lee Anderson and say Sunak is a 'snake'

Grassroots Conservative supporters have branded Rishi Sunak a \"snake\" over Lee Anderson's suspension as MPs on the Tory right said he should be given a route back in.

Cat killer jailed for life for murdering man as part of a sexual fantasy

A cat killer obsessed with violence and death has been jailed for life with a minimum of 24 years behind bars after being convicted of murdering a man she deliberately targeted as part of a sexual fantasy.

Wild bathers could get 27 new sites but warn sewage risks remain

Twenty-seven new bathing sites are being considered for England, but campaigners have said that swimming remains dangerous in many areas because of the pathogens caused by sewage dumping.

Antarctic charity offers the ideal job - if you don't mind noisy penguins

For people who never moan about the cold, can take or leave showers and would get used to a relentless thrum of hooting trumpet noises, ideal jobs have come up.

Labour plan to battle misogyny in schools

Labour would help schools train young male influencers to counter the negative impact of people such as Andrew Tate, the shadow education secretary has said.

Mass London protests putting other police priorities at risk, MPs warn

Frequent and disruptive mass protests in central London are a drain on police resources and are putting other policing priorities at risk, an influential committee of MPs has claimed.

Sarabia strikes to pile more woe on Blades

When Gary O'Neil arrived at Wolves four days before the start of the Premier League season after Julen Lopetegui's shock resignation, many were expecting Molineux to be the stage for a lengthy battle for survival.

Van Dijk heroics keep bid for quadruple alive

When Liverpool won the corner towards the very end of extra-time that would prove decisive, Jürgen Klopp applauded and just found himself smiling at the romance of it all.

Years of complacency force Borthwick into decision on team's path

England's head coach may have nothing tolosein promoting younger players as ageing servants struggle

Jurel and Ashwin turn tables on England to put India in sight of series victory

Tourists tumble to 145 all out after losing last seven wickets for 35 runs on chastening day

Miners' strike Forty years on, unions regain the upper hand

Forty years ago, Britain was hurtling towards the pivotal industrial struggle of the postwar era.