Public asked to monitor decline in blackbirds

Beloved of Shakespeare and the Beatles, the blackbird and its sweet song have captured the imagination of Britons for centuries.

Chess prodigy, nine, is youngest player to be picked for England

She is a nine-year-old prodigy who has already caused a commotion in the chess world with her fearless play and spectacular victories.

Time for a change? Voters in super-safe Tory seat consider shift to the right

As the traders pack up under the striped awnings of the market stalls in the centre of Alford, east Lincolnshire, Matthew Warner is loading balls of yarn from his shop into the back of his car.

Polls All signs point to a big Labour win - but final seat tally may still surprise

It's been six weeks since Rishi Sunak, in his rain-sodden jacket, announced that the next UK general election would be held on 4 July.

The disconnected Younger voters are unsure politics can change anything

A handmade banner bearing the words \"Generation Fucked\" hangs in the window of Earache Records in Nottingham. It is a relic of a past band signed by the label long ago.

'No drama Starmer' How Labour plans to set tone as government that gets on and fixes things

When the exit polls are announced at 10pm tomorrow, Keir Starmer will be watching from Labour headquarters in London. \"It's just another working night,\" he has told his senior team.

Challenges Policies that Starmer's MPS could seek to influence

While Keir Starmer may not end up with the majority that some of the polls have been predicting, the turnover of MPs at the election will potentially mean he has hundreds of new faces on his backbenches.

Tory campaign More porkies than a whole farm of red piggy banks

On Monday, a senior Tory said the party's current campaign was \"the worst in my lifetime\".

End of an era as injured Murray pulls out of singles at Wimbledon

Andy Murray's 19-year Wimbledon singles career has come to an end after a back injury forced him to withdraw from the men's draw at his final championships on the morning of his scheduled first round match yesterday.

Nearly half of nursing students in England consider quitting

Almost half of nursing students in England have considered quitting before they graduate, according to the largest survey of its kind, which lays bare the worst workforce crisis in the NHS's history.

Backlash over 'antisemitic' Tory attack on Starmer

Keir Starmer has accused the Conservatives of \"desperate\" tactics amid claims that Tory criticism of his defence of family time was insensitive and had antisemitic undertones.

Paris a 'city of resistance' against far right - mayor

The mayor of Paris has sought to reassure visitors that the festive mood at the Olympics will not be dampened by Marine Le Pen's electoral successes in France's snap parliamentary elections, with less than a month to go before the city hosts the Games.

Sabalenka leads exodus amid injuries and upsets

One big withdrawal could be regarded as unfortunate for a tournament, two a bit of a fluke.

France do it again as deflected strike sees off Belgium

Four games into Euro 2024, no France player has found the net from open play but here they are, unbeaten and into the quarter-finals, the tournament favourites progressing thanks to another strike from their top scorer: own goal.

‘Wait this monster out’: Hurricane Beryl warning in Caribbean

Hurricane Beryl has made landfall on the Caribbean island of Carriacou after becoming the earliest storm of its strength to form in the Atlantic, fuelled by record warm waters.

Gaza hospital head says he was tortured during months of Israeli detention

The head of Gaza's biggest hospital has accused Israel of torturing him and other detainees, following his release after seven months in Israeli detention facilities.

Shows of loyalty and damage control, but Democrats are jostling for position

With the White House scrambling to prevent Joe Biden's candidacy entering a full-blown crisis, several state governors were said to be subtly positioning themselves as late substitutes - while avoiding being seen to do so.

French parties scramble to strike voting pacts to keep out far right

France's left and centrist parties are scrambling to cobble together a united front after Marine Le Pen's resounding victory in the first round of snap parliamentary elections on Sunday brought her far-right, antiimmigration party a step closer to power.

Moths attract following as importance comes to light

Everyone loves bees and butterflies, but now moths are finally getting their chance to be in the spotlight.

Migrant nurse in line for £13,000 payout in unfair dismissal case

A migrant nurse could be eligible for a significant payout from a British healthcare company after an employment judge ruled he was likely to win his case for unfair dismissal, in a judgment that could pave the way for dozens of other such cases.

Brain-controlled bionic leg helps amputees to walk and climb stairs

A brain-controlled bionic leg has allowed people with amputations to walk more quickly and navigate stairs and obstacles more easily ina groundbreaking trial.

Murray fans happy to queue despite risk he may not play

Andy Murray had yet to decide if he was fit enough to play at Wimbledon, but fans were still queueing for the chance to see the Scot play in what could be his last singles game at SW19.

Trans rights Gen Z used as 'political footballs', say activists

'Politics is unavoidable\" for the transgender and non-binary young adults Oscar Hoyle works with, he says. Many of them will be voting on Thursday for the first time.

'People are demoralised' Former Corbyn backers feeling politically adrift

When Jeremy Corbyn as Labour leader spoke at events seven years ago, crowds blocked roads and scaled street furniture to catch sight of him.

John Swinney Election fight is still on in Scotland, says first minister

The election is \"over and done with\" in England, but in Scotland the contest between Labour and the Scottish National party is still on, says John Swinney.

Party funds Donor influx illustrates turnaround in Labour's fortunes

Labour HQ was shocked and delighted to discover the party had raised £4m in the first two weeks of the election campaign, while the beleaguered Tories managed just £290,000.

Lib Dems Poll could reshape UK's political scene for decades - Davey

Tactical voting and disaffection with the main parties makes this Thursday a once-in-a-lifetime general election day that could reshape the political landscape for decades, the leader of the Liberal Democrats has argued.

Military horses break loose in London for second time in three months

Three military horses bolted through central London yesterday, the second incident in the capital in three months involving army animals breaking loose.

McKellen, 85, withdraws from Player Kings tour after stage fall

Sir Ian McKellen is withdrawing from the national tour of Player Kings after he was injured when he fell off a West End stage last month.

Fewer prison inmates completing rehabilitation courses than in 2010

The number of prisoners completing rehabilitation programmes in England and Wales under consecutive Conservative governments has fallen by 74%, according to research.