CATEGORIES

Sixfold rise in asylum seekers caught in appeal hearings backlog

The number of asylum seekers left in limbo while they appeal against a rejected asylum application has risen almost sixfold over two years, putting renewed pressure on the taxpayer, according to analysis by the Refugee Council charity.

Stranded ISS astronauts can go home at last as new crew arrive

There were emotional scenes of smiling astronauts hugging in zero gravity on the International Space Station (ISS) yesterday.

Gaza's ruins Custodians vow to rebuild the historic treasures damaged by war

Hamouda al-Dahda stands in the ruins of the Pasha Palace in Gaza City, where before the war the golden limestone walls of the 800-year-old building towered above him and the cool vaulted halls held hundreds of priceless historical artefacts.

Merino sinks lacklustre Chelsea and keeps Arteta's slim hopes alive

Mikel Arteta had promised Arsenal would not give up on their title dream easily and, although they remain 12 points behind the champions-elect Liverpool after one of the most comfortable 1-0 wins you will see, there remains hope in this part of north London.

US flies hundreds of alleged gang members to El Salvador despite court ruling to halt flights

The US deported more than 250 mainly Venezuelan alleged gang members to El Salvador over the weekend despite a US judge's ruling to halt the flights on Saturday after Donald Trump controversially invoked the Alien Enemies Act, a 1798 law meant only to be used in wartime.

Gay society 'in greatest danger' under Trump

Russell T Davies has said gay society is in the \"greatest danger I have ever seen\" in the wake of the election of Donald Trump as US president in November.

Putin agrees with Trump peace deal 'philosophy', says Witkoff

Donald Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff said yesterday that he expected the US president to speak with Vladimir Putin this week and that the Russian president \"accepts the philosophy\" of Trump's ceasefire and peace terms.

Igamane's late winner claims Old Firm spoils

Hamza Igamane drove in a glorious late winner as Rangers beat Celtic in an Old Firm thriller at Parkhead.

Reeves meets regulators to outline plans for abolition of quangos

Rachel Reeves will meet regulators today after calling for more action to restrict their scope and power in order to spur economic growth.

Party Tyne Newcastle end 70-year wait for a major trophy

Eddie Howe lauded Newcastle's Carabao Cup final win against Liverpool as a day the club \"will never forget\" after securing their first major domestic trophy in 70 years.

In the frame Respected art expert blamed for 1951 theft of Van Dyck

In 1951, a leading British art expert visited Boughton House, a stately home in Northamptonshire.

Mourning week declared after nightclub fire kills 59 in North Macedonia

North Macedonia has declared a seven-day period of mourning after a fire in a nightclub that left at least 59 dead and scores injured, as authorities detained 15 people for questioning and the interior minister said a preliminary inspection revealed the club was operating without a proper licence.

The look of the Irish From film to fashion, how a 'green wave' is ruling pop culture

After decades of stereotyped portrayal, Ireland has finally broken free from the clichés imposed on it. From Paul Mescal, Cillian Murphy and Saoirse Ronan charming Hollywood to fashion falling for designers such as Simone Rocha and authors including Sally Rooney and Paul Lynch scooping up literary prizes, a green wave is ruling pop culture.

Farrell set to overlook Borthwick's assistants

Andy Farrell looks likely to overlook England's assistants when selecting his British & Irish Lions coaching staff, with Steve Borthwick revealing he has not been approached about members of the backroom team.

Buy-to-let companies outstrip takeaways to become UK's largest type of business

Buy-to-let businesses have become the largest single type of business in the UK - with nearly four times as many companies as there are fast food takeaways or hairdressers.

Experts warn of mental health stigma after Streeting's overdiagnosis remarks

Wes Streeting's comments that there is an \"overdiagnosis\" of some mental health conditions has prompted experts to warn against stigmatising and punishing people.

Isak strike allows Toon Army to savour taste of glory at last

The black-and-white-clad hordes had turned up wondering if it would finally be the day.

'Inferno' threat to parliament after asbestos incidents and 44 fires

1,057 The number of items in the Palace of Westminster found to contain asbestos that should be removed

Wilder watches United put 'pride' in the shirt as Brewster settles derby

The Steel City derby has not exactly been renowned for goals in recent times: the past five meetings of Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United have yielded just two but, goodness, when they are scored they are mightily significant.

Fisher discovered alive after 95 days lost at sea

A Peruvian fisher has been found alive after drifting at sea for 95 days.

There's a darkness' Distress in Washington as Maga seizes control

It was an audience more accustomed to stifling a cough. But when they spotted the vice-president, JD Vance, taking his seat at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington on Thursday night, the concertgoers erupted in unrestrained boos, jeers, and shouts of \"You ruined this place!\"

How the world was painted a deep rich shade of Dan Burn

Sometimes football just can't help itself. Even now, in its glazed and managed state, plaything of propaganda machines and sharp-fanged hedge funds, it will still give you these moments, will follow its own gorgeously hammy storylines.

'It changes the energy': the cafes stopping customers from using their laptops

\"To the Coffee-house, and there all the house full of the discourse of the great fire,\" wrote Samuel Pepys of his trip to a 17th-century cafe - the nerve centre of London's gossiping elite.

Relentless Newcastle find new identity in slice of history

After decades of being a club built on resistance, this may be the moment they joined football's establishment

Legacy of a virus How Covid has changed our attitude to death

Five years from the start of Britain's first lockdown, the Guardian looks at how the pandemic altered the way we live and our relationship with mortality

Home Office cancels fine for couple who reported stowaway

A couple fined £1,500 after reporting a boy who had stowed away on the back of their motorhome on their journey from France to Essex have had the penalty cancelled.

Anger grows over Starmer's '£675 a month' disability cuts

MPs and campaigners raise fears over major changes to benefit rules

Sancho's form part of wider malaise for Maresca's men

Jadon Sancho will go down in history as having been on the pitch at the Emirates Stadium.

Norris tames the tempest with precision and iron will

If he is to make a tilt at the Formula One world championship this season, Lando Norris can consider he made the case as leading contender definitively at the opening meeting of 2025.

Employment rights bill 'will help prevent repeat of P&O scandal'

The employment rights bill has made important strides to prevent another P&O Ferries scandal but more remains to be done, according to trade union leaders.