The Times & The Sunday Times Homepage
Former PM fears landslide victory for Starmer
updatedBoris Johnson has joined the election campaign trail at the eleventh hour, warning that a Labour landslide victory is “pregnant with horrors” and deriding Nigel Farage as a “Kremlin crawler”. The former prime minister appeared before Rishi Sunak at a campaign rally in central London in a...Boris Johnson has joined the election campaign trail at the eleventh hour, warning that a Labour landslide victory is “pregnant with horrors” and deriding Nigel Farage as a “Kremlin crawler”. The former prime minister appeared before Rishi Sunak at a campaign rally in central London in a...Boris Johnson has joined the election campaign trail at the eleventh hour, warning that a Labour landslide victory is “pregnant...
Kemi Badenoch may be unable to stand in a future Conservative leadership contest because of delays in sending out postal votes in her constituency. Dozens of councils have implemented emergency measures such as delivering postal votes by hand after complaints that ballot papers have failed to arrive on time and that some people will be left...Kemi Badenoch may be unable to stand in a future Conservative leadership contest because of delays in sending out postal votes in her constituency. Dozens of councils have implemented emergency measures such as delivering postal votes by hand after complaints that ballot papers have failed to arrive on time and that some people will be left...Kemi Badenoch may be unable to stand in a future Conservative leadership contest because of delays in sending out postal votes...
POLITICAL SKETCH
It had to be a wind-up, didn’t it? Come on. It’s been consistently speculated since the moment Rishi Sunak wandered out of No 10 and into the middle of his own private thunderstorm that the whole campaign has been one long wind-up. A political Brewster’s Millions; a giant bet to see by how much they can possibly...It had to be a wind-up, didn’t it? Come on. It’s been consistently speculated since the moment...It had to be a wind-up, didn’t it? Come on. It’s been consistently speculated since the moment...
in depth | series
video
global roundtable
President Biden is in an “obvious losing position” in the US election but his team appears unwilling to tell him he must go and so will continue “driving to the edge of the cliff”, the Times columnist Daniel Finkelstein has predicted. “I wouldn’t...President Biden is in an “obvious losing position” in the US election but his team appears...President Biden is in an “obvious losing position” in the US election but his team appears...
first person
Did you get the message? You know, the viral message circulating on the private school WhatsApp group chats, the one...Did you get the message? You know, the viral message circulating on the private school WhatsApp...Did you get the message? You know, the viral message circulating on the private school WhatsApp...
SOPHIA MONEY-COUTTS
Have you ever spent much time on a sperm bank website? I have. I made a podcast about egg freezing and the issues...Have you ever spent much time on a sperm bank website? I have. I made a podcast about egg...Have you ever spent much time on a sperm bank website? I have. I made a podcast about egg...
political SKeTCH
The former commando says he can be more influential in parliament than outside, as the war in Ukraine rages on
The mother of a British teenager missing in Tenerife said that words could not describe the “pain and agony” the...The mother of a British teenager missing in Tenerife said that words could not describe the “pain...The mother of a British teenager missing in Tenerife said that words could not describe the “pain...
A student nurse has been found guilty of attempting to launch an Islamic State-inspired suicide attack after taking a...A student nurse has been found guilty of attempting to launch an Islamic State-inspired suicide...A student nurse has been found guilty of attempting to launch an Islamic State-inspired suicide...
The serial child killer Lucy Letby has been found guilty of the attempted murder of a baby girl, bringing the total...The serial child killer Lucy Letby has been found guilty of the attempted murder of a baby girl...The serial child killer Lucy Letby has been found guilty of the attempted murder of a baby girl...
the times diary
Never mind the opinion polls, a better omen for how the election will go can be seen in sales of novelty underwear.Never mind the opinion polls, a better omen for how the election will go can be seen in sales of...Never mind the opinion polls, a better omen for how the election will go can be seen in sales of...
President Macron’s office urged Marine Le Pen to “keep her cool” after she accused him of mounting an “administrative coup d’état” by appointing state officials who she claimed would obstruct any government led by her party. She said the president was rumoured to be about to name officials “with...President Macron’s office urged Marine Le Pen to “keep her cool” after she accused him of mounting an “administrative coup d’état” by appointing state officials who she claimed would obstruct any government led by her party. She said the president was rumoured to be about to name officials “with...President Macron’s office urged Marine Le Pen to “keep her cool” after she accused him of mounting an “administrative coup...
In normal times, French presidents enjoy an array of powers that confer upon them a status widely described as “elected monarch”. They pick the prime minister, dictate the legislative agenda, have their finger on the nuclear button and control hirings and firings in a swathe of top jobs in sectors including the civil service, education...In normal times, French presidents enjoy an array of powers that confer upon them a status widely described as “elected monarch”. They pick the prime minister, dictate the legislative agenda, have their finger on the nuclear button and control hirings and firings in a swathe of top jobs in sectors including the civil service, education...In normal times, French presidents enjoy an array of powers that confer upon them a status widely described as “elected monarch”.
The Chinese military has built a series of models of American fighter jets in a remote desert in the northwest of the country, apparently to use as target practice. The copies, picked up on satellite imagery, include mock-ups of F-35 and F-22 fighter jets, among the most advanced used by the US and its allies. They...The Chinese military has built a series of models of American fighter jets in a remote desert in...The Chinese military has built a series of models of American fighter jets in a remote desert in...
At least 116 people are feared to have been killed after a crowd stampeded at the end of a religious event in northern India, with many women victims. More than 150 others were injured and taken to hospitals after the crush in a village in the...At least 116 people are feared to have been killed after a crowd stampeded at the end of a...At least 116 people are feared to have been killed after a crowd stampeded at the end of a...
Featuring contestants including Jade Goody, Shilpa Shetty, George Galloway and “Nasty Nick” Bateman, the reality television show Big Brother has never been short of talking points. But the Indian version of the programme, known as Bigg Boss OTT...Featuring contestants including Jade Goody, Shilpa Shetty, George Galloway and “Nasty Nick”...Featuring contestants including Jade Goody, Shilpa Shetty, George Galloway and “Nasty Nick”...
Prosecutors investigating Jeffrey Epstein in Florida “sabotaged their own case” and missed an opportunity to stop...Prosecutors investigating Jeffrey Epstein in Florida “sabotaged their own case” and missed an...Prosecutors investigating Jeffrey Epstein in Florida “sabotaged their own case” and missed an...
A marathon-running former spy chief has been sworn in as the Dutch prime minister and head of a coalition of...A marathon-running former spy chief has been sworn in as the Dutch prime minister and head of a...A marathon-running former spy chief has been sworn in as the Dutch prime minister and head of a...
The history of the Canary Islands before they were conquered in the 15th century by Europeans is one of Spain’s enduring archaeological mysteries. Researchers, however, now believe that they have solved a major piece of the puzzle, suggesting that...The history of the Canary Islands before they were conquered in the 15th century by Europeans is...The history of the Canary Islands before they were conquered in the 15th century by Europeans is...
Shares in Elon Musk’s electric carmaker hit five-month high — but is BYD about to overtake it on vehicle deliveries?
Tesla deliveries beat Wall Street expectations on Tuesday as the electric carmaker’s price cuts and incentives helped stimulate demand. The carmaker run by Elon Musk delivered 443,956 vehicles in the three months to the end of June, a 4.8 per cent fall year-on-year but better than the 438,000 that had been predicted by analysts for the second quarter. The update sent...Tesla deliveries beat Wall Street expectations on Tuesday as the electric carmaker’s price cuts...Tesla deliveries beat Wall Street expectations on Tuesday as the electric carmaker’s price cuts...
The founder of Hipgnosis Songs Fund is to step down as chairman of its investment adviser as part of the $1.58...The founder of Hipgnosis Songs Fund is to step down as chairman of its investment adviser as part of the $1.58 billion takeover of the London-listed music rights investment company by Blackstone. Merck Mercuriadis, 60, will depart Hipgnosis Song Management, the investment adviser, once Blackstone’s $1.31-per-share...The founder of Hipgnosis Songs Fund is to step down as chairman of its investment adviser as part of the $1.58 billion takeover...
business commentary
Corporate deals throw up all kinds of questions. So here’s one based on the latest takeover stats. Are they fresh...Corporate deals throw up all kinds of questions. So here’s one based on the latest takeover stats.Corporate deals throw up all kinds of questions. So here’s one based on the latest takeover stats.
comment
The idea of “a wall of money” has almost legendary status in UK general elections. Before Margaret Thatcher’s third...The idea of “a wall of money” has almost legendary status in UK general elections. Before...The idea of “a wall of money” has almost legendary status in UK general elections. Before...
The European Central Bank is “very concerned” about member states breaching Brussels’ fiscal rules, amid fears that the central bank would not be able to use an emergency tool to protect France from a bond market sell-off after the forthcoming...The European Central Bank is “very concerned” about member states breaching Brussels’ fiscal...The European Central Bank is “very concerned” about member states breaching Brussels’ fiscal...
comment
First came fintech. Now it’s the turn of lawtech. Balderton Capital’s Sivesh Sukumar has declared that this is no...First came fintech. Now it’s the turn of lawtech. Balderton Capital’s Sivesh Sukumar has declared...First came fintech. Now it’s the turn of lawtech. Balderton Capital’s Sivesh Sukumar has declared...
market report
Heavyweight insurers suffered a stormy session on Tuesday, with listed companies weighing on London’s top indexes...Heavyweight insurers suffered a stormy session on Tuesday, with listed companies weighing on...Heavyweight insurers suffered a stormy session on Tuesday, with listed companies weighing on...
Julian Richer | comment
RECRUITMENT
Ex-forces hires are increasingly attractive to UK businesses hoping to boost sluggish growth rates. But how can they be recruited?
Could calling in the military solve the UK’s productivity crisis? With record sickness levels, underinvestment and an absence of joined-up policymaking, productivity in this country has barely grown since the 2007-2008 financial crisis. However, with their aptitude of getting stuff done, ex-forces hires are increasingly attractive to businesses hoping to boost...Could calling in the military solve the UK’s productivity crisis? With record sickness levels...Could calling in the military solve the UK’s productivity crisis? With record sickness levels...
recruitment | six from the best
Former Lieutenant Colonel Neil Jurd OBE taught leadership at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and led on overseas...Former Lieutenant Colonel Neil Jurd OBE taught leadership at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and led on overseas operations. Now chief executive at the experiential leadership training company LeaderConnect and author of The Leadership Book, these are his tips to lead with military precision. 1. Have a...Former Lieutenant Colonel Neil Jurd OBE taught leadership at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and led on overseas operations.
WIMBLEDON | MaRTIN SAMUEL
With Andy Murray, it was always going to end this way. A sporting reconstruction of the Mel Gibson film, The Passion of the Christ. So much pain, so much suffering. Really, did we need to go through all that? Did he need to go through all that? We know Murray’s story, just as we knew the...With Andy Murray, it was always going to end this way. A sporting reconstruction of the Mel Gibson film, The Passion of the Christ. So much pain, so much suffering. Really, did we need to go through all that? Did he need to go through all that? We know Murray’s story, just as we knew the...With Andy Murray, it was always going to end this way. A sporting reconstruction of the Mel Gibson film, The Passion of the...
euro 2024
It was in the second half of extra time in Frankfurt when the natural order of things was restored. Cristiano Ronaldo had wiped away his tears and Portugal’s monopoly of the ball meant they leapfrogged back above England as Euro 2024’s pass masters. Roberto Martínez’s men have made 2,730 passes in the tournament with an accuracy rate of...It was in the second half of extra time in Frankfurt when the natural order of things was restored. Cristiano Ronaldo had wiped away his tears and Portugal’s monopoly of the ball meant they leapfrogged back above England as Euro 2024’s pass masters. Roberto Martínez’s men have made 2,730 passes in the tournament with an accuracy rate of...It was in the second half of extra time in Frankfurt when the natural order of things was restored. Cristiano Ronaldo had wiped...
euro 2024 | james gheerbrant
Something ended in Düsseldorf, at the moment of Belgium’s 1-0 defeat by France. This has been a remarkable era of Belgian football, an age of audacious ambition, when a small country built an extraordinary edifice of individual talent, but never quite succeeded in gilding the ceiling. Of the players who have spanned...Something ended in Düsseldorf, at the moment of Belgium’s 1-0 defeat by France. This has been a...Something ended in Düsseldorf, at the moment of Belgium’s 1-0 defeat by France. This has been a...
euro 2024 | paul hirst
tour de france | david walsh
wimbledon | stuart fraser
euro 2024 | martin samuel
Jude Bellingham probably does not see himself as a cog in a wheel. Good. He’s not meant to be. Cogs in wheels don’t...Jude Bellingham probably does not see himself as a cog in a wheel. Good. He’s not meant to be.Jude Bellingham probably does not see himself as a cog in a wheel. Good. He’s not meant to be.
Alex Lowe
Steve Borthwick is excited about the emerging crop of young props who are playing in the Under-20 World Championship...Steve Borthwick is excited about the emerging crop of young props who are playing in the Under-20...Steve Borthwick is excited about the emerging crop of young props who are playing in the Under-20...
wimbledon | alyson rudd
There was a lot at stake out on No 8 Court. The winner between a qualifier and a wild-card entrant would be rewarded with a second-round match against Novak Djokovic. Which might sound like excellent news for the Serb with his sights on an eighth Wimbledon title, but it will be a more spiky and passionate affair than he was anticipating as the crowd will be rooting for...There was a lot at stake out on No 8 Court. The winner between a qualifier and a wild-card...There was a lot at stake out on No 8 Court. The winner between a qualifier and a wild-card...
wimbledon | Tara moore interview
Before the spring of 2022, Tara Moore was best known for producing one of the greatest comebacks in tennis, when she...Before the spring of 2022, Tara Moore was best known for producing one of the greatest comebacks in tennis, when she rallied from 6-0, 5-0 and a match point down to win an unglamorous first-round tie at an ITF World Tour event in Sunderland. However, the two hollowing years separating the former British doubles...Before the spring of 2022, Tara Moore was best known for producing one of the greatest comebacks in tennis, when she rallied...
county championship
The wait was more than worth it. After two days in which they had either watched Lancashire bat or the rain pour down, the folk who were determined to see James Anderson prepare for his final Test at Lord’s next week by playing what might well be his last match for Lancashire were gloriously rewarded when he took six wickets in 36 balls on the third morning of the match...The wait was more than worth it. After two days in which they had either watched Lancashire bat...The wait was more than worth it. After two days in which they had either watched Lancashire bat...
Sir Geoffrey Boycott has revealed that he has had throat cancer diagnosed for a second time and will undergo surgery...Sir Geoffrey Boycott has revealed that he has had throat cancer diagnosed for a second time and will undergo surgery to treat the illness.
Boycott, 83, said he was told last week that the cancer had returned more than 20 years after he was treated for it with a combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
“In...Sir Geoffrey Boycott has revealed that he has had throat cancer diagnosed for a second time and will undergo surgery to treat...
Gareth Southgate will oversee his 100th match as England manager when his team play in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals against Switzerland on Saturday. We explore the facts and figures behind his stewardship of the national team, before the landmark...Gareth Southgate will oversee his 100th match as England manager when his team play in the Euro...Gareth Southgate will oversee his 100th match as England manager when his team play in the Euro...
first person
Michael Odell is aiming for a target look that combines Zac Efron, the Rock and Obama
SOPHIA MONEY-COUTTS
A new Netflix documentary about a man who fathered 1,000 children? I’m not surprised, says our writer
First Person
As a consequence of Marine Le Pens success, Alix O’Neill’s view of her adopted nation has changed
first person
With Labour set to add tax to fees, parents at Arabella Byrne’s child’s prep are discussing tactics
What I’ve learnt
Comedian Rob Brydon, 59, grew up in south Wales and started out as radio presenter. The first two series he co-wrote,...Comedian Rob Brydon, 59, grew up in south Wales and started out as radio presenter. The first two...Comedian Rob Brydon, 59, grew up in south Wales and started out as radio presenter. The first two...
first person
Culture war? What culture war? While the Garrick’s illustrious membership was, until the election of Dame Judi Dench...Culture war? What culture war? While the Garrick’s illustrious membership was, until the election...Culture war? What culture war? While the Garrick’s illustrious membership was, until the election...
As the Times fashion editor, it is my job to suggest — sometimes — that people might try new things. Ask most British women to consider wearing shorts to the office, however, and you might think from the reaction that I had proposed they turn up in their underwear instead. The anxiety seems to centre on being “too” something for shorts — old/short/big — or on looking...As the Times fashion editor, it is my job to suggest — sometimes — that people might try new things.As the Times fashion editor, it is my job to suggest — sometimes — that people might try new things.
Compared with the travails women face, as with most things in life men have such an easy ride when it comes to shorts.Compared with the travails women face, as with most things in life men have such an easy ride when it comes to shorts. The mind boggles at how you lads can make things so unnecessarily difficult for yourselves. Three directives only: nothing above mid-thigh unless you are swimming/gay; sensible colours only; stop...Compared with the travails women face, as with most things in life men have such an easy ride when it comes to shorts. The mind...
A LIFE IN THE DAY
Russell Jarvis is drawn to the wild life. In 2015, at the age of 40, he took a five-year break from his career in finance to travel the world. He was in Antarctica when the pandemic struck, and was forced to return to Britain. After years roaming the planet, sleeping in yurts in Mongolia and climbing volcanoes in Guatemala, he felt cooped up in his apartment in Bath and...Russell Jarvis is drawn to the wild life. In 2015, at the age of 40, he took a five-year break...Russell Jarvis is drawn to the wild life. In 2015, at the age of 40, he took a five-year break...
comment
If your voting intention tomorrow is influenced by housing targets, you may think the Tories have it by a slender...If your voting intention tomorrow is influenced by housing targets, you may think the Tories have it by a slender margin. The Conservative manifesto promises to build 1.6 million homes over the life of the next parliament against Labour’s 1.5 million. But we are nowhere near the most recent target of 300,000 new...If your voting intention tomorrow is influenced by housing targets, you may think the Tories have it by a slender margin. The...
Viewing GUide
For full TV listings for the week, see our comprehensive TV guide Battle of the Bagpipes
Sky Arts/Now, 9pm
With Euro 2024 and Wimbledon taking up large chunks of prime time this week there are slim pickings in terms of new series to watch...For full TV listings for the week, see our comprehensive TV guide Battle of the Bagpipes
...For full TV listings for the week, see our comprehensive TV guide Battle of the Bagpipes
...
TELEVISION
tELEVISION | STREAMING GUIDE
MindGames
1 A casus belli is an act that provokes which state of armed conflict? 2 Which artist’s sound work Telephone Piece (1964) features the words: “Hello, this is Yoko”? 3 Marie Rose sauce is made from a base of ketchup and which white sauce? 4 Which 1933 Disney cartoon features the song Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf? 5 Which drummer married the Liverpool...1 A casus belli is an act that provokes which state of armed conflict? 2 Which artist’s sound...1 A casus belli is an act that provokes which state of armed conflict? 2 Which artist’s sound...
The best ones come from Japan and can be costly. Tony Turnbull spends an hour in Soho with a knife concierge in search of a slice of perfection
Nick Vinson selects the most desirable models with curves in all the right places. Photography by Beppe Brancato
It’s not just the Gustavo Dudamel effect — LA has a long history of pioneering classical music making
The tennis star known for her prowess on court could just as easily have been a motocross racer
Beautifully made and able to transport anything from caviar to violins — it’s no wonder that vintage LV luggage remains a status symbol
video
A luxurious stay with a bird’s eye view of the forest proves there’s more to the Loire Valley than châteaux and fine wines
The warmer weather is finally here and sunnier days are on the horizon. Here are the top spots that will make a splash, whatever the forecast
Deal’s chic, colourful pier is great for a family getaway, especially this cottage complete with its own ship’s mast, palm tree and sunshine-inspired colour scheme
Cruise for less by opting for an inside stateroom on one of these ships. You’ll have access to all the same facilities, and more cash to splash on extras
Kathy Lette | Travel Troubleshooter
Kathy Lette on what it means when your partner opts for a solo upgrade and how to navigate the first holiday as a stepmum
WHERE WAS I? COMPETITION
video
The Cotswolds is a lot bigger than most think. It’s spread over five counties — Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, Warwickshire, Wiltshire and Worcestershire — and provides visitors with countless golden villages and sprawling estates to explore. The...The Cotswolds is a lot bigger than most think. It’s spread over five counties — Oxfordshire...The Cotswolds is a lot bigger than most think. It’s spread over five counties — Oxfordshire...
video
The Times has been publishing life stories of the great and the good (and the not so good) for more than 170 years. Now the obituary is also becoming a podcast, explains Anna Temkin
court circular
Palace of Holyroodhouse
2nd July, 2024
The King this morning was received in the garden of the Palace of...Palace of Holyroodhouse
2nd July, 2024
The King this morning was received in the garden of...Palace of Holyroodhouse
2nd July, 2024
The King this morning was received in the garden of...
Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was...Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind...Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind...
MindGames and Brain Boost puzzles to print and solve at your leisure
Party claims safe Nationalist seats are now vulnerable
Labour is targeting seats previously seen as unwinnable from the SNP and believes it can succeed by winning over disaffected Conservatives. Sir Keir Starmer’s party has been buoyed by internal and external polling, as well as canvass returns from candidates and activists, which led it to believe...Labour is targeting seats previously seen as unwinnable from the SNP and believes it can succeed by winning over disaffected Conservatives. Sir Keir Starmer’s party has been buoyed by internal and external polling, as well as canvass returns from candidates and activists, which led it to believe...Labour is targeting seats previously seen as unwinnable from the SNP and believes it can succeed by winning over disaffected...
An SNP MSP has been accused of adding confusion to the postal vote chaos after incorrectly telling the public to hand in their ballots as they “may not arrive in time to be counted” for the general election on Thursday. Jackie Dunbar suggested, in a now-deleted post on Twitter/X, that ballots returned by post on Tuesday or Wednesday may not...An SNP MSP has been accused of adding confusion to the postal vote chaos after incorrectly telling the public to hand in their ballots as they “may not arrive in time to be counted” for the general election on Thursday. Jackie Dunbar suggested, in a now-deleted post on Twitter/X, that ballots returned by post on Tuesday or Wednesday may not...An SNP MSP has been accused of adding confusion to the postal vote chaos after incorrectly telling the public to hand in their...
Kenny Farquharson
On Thursday many Scots will vote Labour for the first time or, for the more seasoned, the first time in a while. And for many of them a big reason will be Fomo. For anyone who does not keep up with the fast-moving argot of 21st-century English, Fomo is an acronym for “fear of missing out”. People want to be part of...On Thursday many Scots will vote Labour for the first time or, for the more seasoned, the first...On Thursday many Scots will vote Labour for the first time or, for the more seasoned, the first...
Traditionally it is known as Royal Week, when the monarch travels to the Palace of Holyroodhouse for events to celebrate Scottish culture, community and achievement. This year, however, the King’s time at his official Scottish residence has been...Traditionally it is known as Royal Week, when the monarch travels to the Palace of Holyroodhouse...Traditionally it is known as Royal Week, when the monarch travels to the Palace of Holyroodhouse...
A former Boys’ Brigade leader who abused seven boys in his care over two decades has been jailed for 12 years. Craig...A former Boys’ Brigade leader who abused seven boys in his care over two decades has been jailed...A former Boys’ Brigade leader who abused seven boys in his care over two decades has been jailed...
This will be the most closely fought election in Scotland for decades, with the prospect of major changes in the...This will be the most closely fought election in Scotland for decades, with the prospect of major...This will be the most closely fought election in Scotland for decades, with the prospect of major...
Tiger Woods and Justin Timberlake have been given the green light to transform a historic Scottish cinema into an entertainment venue. The duo will convert the New Picture House in St Andrews into a premium sports and entertainment gastropub in the town renowned as the home of golf. Woods and Timberlake, who already operate a bar under the T-Squared Social name in...Tiger Woods and Justin Timberlake have been given the green light to transform a historic...Tiger Woods and Justin Timberlake have been given the green light to transform a historic...
One of Glasgow’s flashiest attractions on the south side of the Clyde at Pacific Quay, built with millennium dosh.One of Glasgow’s flashiest attractions on the south side of the Clyde at Pacific Quay, built with millennium dosh. It’s an impressive, titanium-clad mall committed to educate and entertain, with an Imax cinema and planetarium (both £3.50pp) plus a 127m tower, three floors of interactive exhibitions and fun things...One of Glasgow’s flashiest attractions on the south side of the Clyde at Pacific Quay, built with millennium dosh. It’s an...
![Rana Yared, general partner at Balderton Capital, said the firm believes “that offering [parental support] gets better outcomes for founders, therefore better investment returns”](https://www.thetimes.co.uk/imageserver/image/%2Fmethode%2Ftimes%2Fprod%2Fweb%2Fbin%2F88832cb3-e0c8-4882-b517-6bc038225082.jpg?crop=2591%2C1728%2C205%2C88&resize=320)
Comment
Labour’s victory will be wide but shallow
Daniel Finkelstein
Politics is in flux and even after this week both main parties have big decisions to make about who they want to appeal to
ROGER BOYES
Jihad is back and has plenty of willing recruits
ALICE THOMSON
Don’t replace the culture war with class war
MATTHEW PARRIS | NOTEBOOK
Tale of train driver’s fatal bravery fills me with awe
James MacMillan
Traditional Latin Mass is a jewel that must be treasured
THE TIMES LEADING ARTICLE
Sunak’s Fortunes
The Times Leading article
Disenfranchised Voters
letters to the editor
Green growth and building on the green belt
Sir, Have we become so divorced from the natural environment that many people, including politicians, don’t see the...Sir, Have we become so divorced from the natural environment that many people, including...Sir, Have we become so divorced from the natural environment that many people, including...
James Kanagasooriam | NOTEBOOK
We should be wary about the growth of sectarian politics
No one, ever, has claimed that British politics needs Ulsterisation. Sectarianism in the UK has historically been...No one, ever, has claimed that British politics needs Ulsterisation. Sectarianism in the UK has...No one, ever, has claimed that British politics needs Ulsterisation. Sectarianism in the UK has...
Daily Universal Register
Briefing
UK: Final day of campaigning for the general election; more than 1,400 JobCentre security guards employed by G4S who are members of the GMB union strike in a dispute over pay; King Charles, accompanied by the Duke of Rothesay (Prince William) and the Duchess of Edinburgh, attends service at St Giles’ Cathedral, Edinburgh, for the installation of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh to the Order of The Thistle; Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition, Carlton House Terrace, London SW1; National Film Awards UK take place in London (6.30pm); Methodist Church annual conference in Leeds (to August 3).
On this day
In 1806 the first large-fruited market-quality strawberry was exhibited, by Michael Keens, to the Royal Horticultural Society. Most modern varieties are related to his later Keen’s Seedling strain; in 1928, in London, John Logie Baird demonstrated the first colour television transmission, with a basket of strawberries used as the test subject; in 1938 Joan Noele Gordon, aged 18, became the first woman to be seen on TV sets when she took part in John Logie Baird’s first motion colour transmission. She would go on to play Meg Mortimer in the long-running soap opera Crossroads (1964-81, 1983). Gordon died on April 14, 1985, aged 65; in 1969 Brian Jones, the 27-year-old original leader of the Rolling Stones, died, three weeks after being fired from the group. He was pulled, unconscious, out of the swimming pool at his home in Hartfield, East Sussex; in 1996 the prime minister John Major announced that the Stone of Scone (Stone of Destiny), ancient symbol of Scottish kings, would be removed from Westminster Abbey to Scotland after 700 years.
Nature notes
Among their many accomplishments, ants are skilful teachers. Rock ants (Temnothorax albipennis), a scarce British species of coastal cliffs and screes, have developed a technique known as tandem running. When one ant locates a food source, it teaches another how to find it, not only by leading it there, but by stopping frequently to make sure that its “pupil” has fully assimilated the way. The “teacher” will only continue when it can feel the other’s antennae tapping its legs and abdomen. This feedback signal shows that the “pupil” has understood and will be able to do the journey again by itself. The two-way nature of tandem running makes the process an act of teaching rather than mere instruction. Jonathan Tulloch
Jonathan Tulloch
Birthdays today
Julie Burchill, pictured, writer, Not In My Name (2008), 65; Julian Assange, WikiLeaks founder (2006), 53; Sir Adrian Bird, Buchanan professor of genetics, University of Edinburgh, 77; Baroness (Katy) Clark of Kilwinning, Scottish Labour MSP for West Scotland, 57; Vince Clarke, musician and songwriter, Erasure, A Little Respect (1988), 64; Tom Cruise, actor, the Mission Impossible film series, 62; Axel Dumas, executive chairman, Hermès, 54; Dame Tracey Emin, artist, 61; Brigitte Fassbaender, mezzo-soprano, 85; Martin Griffiths, diplomat, under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief co-ordinator, United Nations (2021-Jun 2024), 73; Sir Richard Hadlee, cricketer, New Zealand (1973-90), 73; Joanne Harris, novelist, Chocolat (1999), 60; Charlie Higson, actor, The Fast Show (1994-2014), and author, the Enemy book series, 66; Jenny Jones, snowboarder, the first Briton to win an Olympic medal for a snow event (2014), 44; Kirsty Lang, journalist and broadcaster, 62; Siân Lloyd, TV presenter, the UK’s longest-serving female weather forecaster (1990-2014), 66; Shane Lynch, singer-songwriter, Boyzone, 48; Audra McDonald, actress, The Good Fight (2018-22), and singer, winner of six Tony awards, 54; Iain MacDonald-Smith, yachtsman, Olympic gold medallist (1968), 79; Rohinton Mistry, novelist, The Scream (2008), 72; Susan Penhaligon, actress, Bouquet of Barbed Wire (1976), 75; Guy Perricone, chairman, Northern Ballet, Royal Academy of Dance (2015-23), 62; Stephen Pound, Labour MP for Ealing North (1997-2019), shadow Northern Ireland minister (2010-19), 76; Dame Gail Ronson, president, Royal National Institute of Blind People, and philanthropist, 78; Harrison Schmitt, scientist-astronaut, the 12th and most recent living person to set foot on the moon (Apollo 17, 1972), 89; Sir Tom Stoppard OM, playwright and writer of screenplays, Anna Karenina (2012), 87.