Baby slings tied to statues as activists call for improved paternity leave

Men campaigning for enhanced paternity leave attached lifesize model babies in slings to statues of men across central London yesterday and called on the government to improve parental leave options, which are ranked the least generous in Europe for fathers.

'A sign of panic' Operation lacks strategic value other than triggering escalation

It may not have been acknowledged by Israel, but the extraordinary, coordinated attack on Hezbollah, blowing up thousands of pagers used by members of the Lebanese group, is almost certainly a Mossad operation.

Glasgow to host scaled-down Commonwealth Games in 2026

The Scottish government agreed arescue deal yesterday for a scaled-down version of the 2026 Commonwealth Games to be hosted by Glasgow, after Australian authorities offered a \"multimillion-pound commitment\" to save the event.

UK aid to hit 17-year low if budget does not top it up, NGOs warn

UK aid spending will fall to its lowest level since 2007 unless the government takes urgent remedial action in the autumn budget, a group of more than 100 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the aid and humanitarian sector warned today.

'I am a rapist, like the others in this room,' husband tells trial that shocked France

A 71-year-old French man accused of drugging his wife so that he and dozens of strangers could sexually assault her at her home told a court yesterday that he admitted the charges.

Starmer defended amid row over gifts

One of the most powerful figures in government defended Keir Starmer yesterday amid a row over gifts from a party donor, insisting the prime minister is a man of integrity who is not just delivering a diet of doom and gloom.

Hezbollah vows to strike back at Israel after deadly pager attacks

At least nine killed and thousands hurt in series of blasts in Lebanon

Do it for Gary Villa mourn 1982 hero on return to European elite

Unai Emery has said Aston Villa plan to dedicate victory to Gary Shaw if they beat Young Boys in the Champions League after the 1982 European Cup winner died yesterday aged 63.

A new dawn, or just the richest clubs winning in ever more lucrative ways?

Uefa's new format is not about greater jeopardy, explains Jonathan Liew, but its desire to supplant sporting integrity with the thrills of the TV game show

"That trophy, the moment lives with you for ever'

As Aston Villareturn to Europe's elite competition, we catchup with some of the squad who won the 198? final

'I literally just cried. I curled up into a ball'

Tom Curry feared a hip injury would end his career but the Sale and England flanker is back after gruelling recovery

Higher and higher Villa fans' lame resistance to ticket price greed gives hierarchy free pass

If the powers that be at Aston Villa were remotely concerned their decision to charge extortionately high prices for tickets to Champions League home games this season might lead to repercussions in the form of any sort of meaningful fan protest, they were sent a very clear message on Saturday night.

John Lewis Hopes that former Tesco boss will speed up retail revival

Jason Tarry started his first day as chairman of the John Lewis Partnership yesterday with a full in-tray, after his predecessor, Sharon White, handed over control.

Blow for Belfast shipbuilding as Harland & Wolff goes bust

Harland & Wolff, the owner of the Belfast shipyard that built the Titanic, is to enter into administration this week after failing to find new funding, in a blow to UK government hopes of shipbuilding in the city.

France's European commissioner quits in row with EU chief

France's European commissioner, Thierry Breton, has resigned, citing \"questionable governance\" at the EU executive led by Ursula von der Leyen.

Israeli strikes on residential buildings kill 16 in Gaza, officials say

At least 16 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes across central Gaza on Sunday night and yesterday morning, including five women and four children, Palestinian health officials said.

At least 16 dead as 'catastrophic' rain and flooding hit central Europe

The death toll from torrential rain and flooding in central and eastern Europe rose to at least 16 yesterday, with several more people missing, as officials reported deaths in the Czech Republic, Poland and Austria, and warned the worst may be yet to come.

Waheed Alli Media chief turned Labour fixer who 'gets things done'

By the time Keir Starmer entered Downing Street, his ally and donor Waheed Alli had become so much part of the Labour operation that no one at the top of the party was surprised to see him floating around the building.

Meloni: Starmer 'interested' in the Italy-Albania deal to cut migration

Keir Starmer has shown \"great interest\" in the Italy-Albania migration deal, the Italian prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, has said, as the UK vowed to send £4m to support her controversial crackdown on irregular migration.

Five women on 2024 Booker prize shortlist

Five female authors including Rachel Kushner and Anne Michaels have been shortlisted for the 2024 Booker prize, the highest number of women in the 55-year history of the award.

Edwards given suspended prison sentence over child abuse images

The former BBC presenter Huw Edwards has been given a six-month suspended prison sentence, completing an extraordinary fall from grace after admitting accessing indecent photographs of children as young as seven.

Bitter dispute over proposed changes to Margate's 'brutalist masterpiece' tower

The 18-storey Arlington House in Margate, Kent, has long been considered a brutalist masterpiece. It inspired the English rock band Hawkwind's song High Rise and recently featured in Sam Mendes's Bafta-nominated film Empire of Light.

Lib Dems aiming to replace Tories 'at top table of politics', says Davey

The Liberal Democrats could take dozens more seats from the Conservatives at the next general election if the Tories select a leader who keeps pushing them to the right, party officials believe.

Khan to ban traffic from struggling Oxford St

Traffic will be banned from London's Oxford Street under plans announced by the mayor, Sadiq Khan, using new powers from Labour to push through long-thwarted pedestrianization of the capital's famous shopping strip.

Suspect charged after apparent assassination attempt on Trump

Former president calls Biden and Harris enemy within’ after incident

Prendergast plays hero in Ireland's historic triumph

Ireland secured their first Twenty20 win against England yesterday, completing a record run chase off the penultimate ball after Mady Villiers attempted to force a run-out, missed the stumps and allowed the two Irish batters to run an overthrow.

British hopes end with double defeat to Canada

Dan Evans and Jack Draper fall to straight-sets losses in front of record home crowd.

Set-piece killer Jover part of mania for detail that separates the Gunners from Tottenham

Yes, well, of course that was going to happen. Ange Postecoglou has a particular manner on the touchline, a way of standing in the same spot for long periods of time, fists bunched in his pockets, a little hangdog and sad, like a long-suffering dad at sports day.

Explainer What the charges against City mean

As an independent commission prepares to assess the 115 charges, here is everything you need to know

Barnes' blast sinks stumbling Wolves as Howe calls for 'unity'

If there is a civil war raging in the background, it seems to be suiting Newcastle very well.