Jilly Cooper, British Romance Novelist, Is Dead at 88
A prolific writer and keen observer, she sold millions of copies of her juicy, sometimes racy “Rutshire Chronicles” series.
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French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu resigns after less than a month
The shock move comes 26 days after his appointment following the collapse of the previous government of François Bayrou.
Internal Audits Shed Light on Ukraine’s Secret Weapons Spending
The government reviews show the country’s challenge as U.S. support wanes and Kyiv pivots to production from a domestic arms industry with a long history of corruption.
Lecornu bemoans lack of compromise across political spectrum as he resigns as French PM – Europe live
Departure of Sébastien Lecornu after less than a month follows fierce criticism of Macron’s new cabinetSébastien Lecornu has spoken to reporters, about an hour after announcing his resignation.“I was ready to compromise, but each political party wanted the other political party to adopt its entire program,” he said from the courtyard of Matignon Palace, the prime minister’s headquarters.We don’t have this kind of culture. We have a culture of a leader who decides for others and the rest are in opposition, waiting for the next election to put forward or impose their ideas. So this is all unknown to us.” Continue reading...
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu Resigns
Sébastien Lecornu stepped down less than 24 hours after he had formed his cabinet.
He-Man poised to be next retro name to join UK toy ‘newstalgia’ trend
Films of old favourites help lift toy sales 8% this year, with 2026 Masters of the Universe movie tipped for similarA wave of “newstalgia” has fuelled a step up in growth of UK toy sales, with the muscle-bound 80s hero He-Man the latest retro name tipped for a revival thanks to the big screen.After falling almost 4% in 2024, UK toy sales are up 8% so far this year, buoyed up by the Minecraft and Lilo & Stitch films as well as parents rebuying toys they once owned as children such as Care Bears and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, according to new data. Continue reading...
Nobel prize for medicine awarded to immune system researchers
This is a breaking news story.
Reform UK ‘party of more spending and more debt’ Stride tells Tory conference – UK politics live
Shadow chancellor sets out cost-cutting plans as party conference continues in ManchesterMel Stride, the shadow chancellor, was doing an interview round for the Conservatives this morning, and Miatta Fahnbulleh, the faith and communities minister, was on the air on behalf of the government. They were both asked about the latest development in the flag phenomenon – the former footballer turned property developer Gary Neville saying that he took down a union flag flying at one of his building sites because he felt it was being used in a “negative fashion”.Asked if Neville (a Labour supporter) had a point, Fahnbulleh told ITV’s Good Morning Britain:I think he’s really right, that there are people who are trying to divide us at the moment …I spent a lot of time going around our communities, talking to people. People are ground down. We’ve had a decade-and-a-half in which living standards haven’t budged and people have seen their communities held down. And you will get people trying to stoke division, trying to blame others, trying to stoke tension.I think people that put up flags, the vast majority of people that do, do so for perfectly reasonable patriotic reasons. And I think reclaiming our flag as a flag of unity and decency and tolerance, which is the way most people see our flag, is a very positive thing.So I’m afraid I really cannot agree with the comments that he’s made. Continue reading...
Gaza ceasefire talks live: Israeli airstrikes continue with negotiations due to begin in Egypt
Negotiators from the US, Israel and Hamas are set to begin talks, as the US president said the first phase should be completed this weekIsrael continues Gaza bombardment as Trump plan negotiators arrive in CairoUnrwa, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, has published some key statistics on life in Gaza amid the Israeli assault:Nearly 90% of water, sanitation, and hygiene resources destroyed or damagedOver 60% of families lack access to soapOver 40% live near uncollected wasteHalf a million women and girls lack sufficient menstrual hygiene materialsUnrwa continues to distribute water, hygiene kits, and collect solid waste. Unrwa has the teams and systems in place to deliver.I can only extend my praise and appreciation for US President Donald Trump for his initiative that seeks a ceasefire in Gaza after two years of war, genocide, killing and destruction.A ceasefire, the return of prisoners and detainees, the reconstruction of Gaza and the launch of a peaceful political process that leads to the establishment and recognition of the Palestinian state means we are on the right path to lasting peace and stability. Continue reading...
VIP appearances, books and beer: what Valerie the dachshund is up to after her Kangaroo Island adventure
‘Australia’s bravest sausage dog’, who was lost in the wild for more than 500 days, now has an ambassadorial role, merchandise and an Australian Story episodeGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastWorld-famous dachshund Valerie, who was lost in the wild for more than 500 days, now has merchandise, an ambassadorial role, a public relations representative and a spot on Australian Story.In November 2023 Valerie’s owners, Georgia Gardner and Josh Fishlock, were visiting Kangaroo Island in South Australia with Valerie in tow. But she escaped from her pen and bolted. Continue reading...