UK

Why MPs keep talking about an early election despite Burnham’s denials

• Budget measures have fuelled talk of an early election.
• Burnham says there will be no poll in the next 12 months.
• MPs cite both political opportunity and economic risks.

Speculation about an early general election has grown after the Budget, despite Prime Minister Andy Burnham repeatedly ruling one out within the next 12 months. Some MPs see the timing of voter-friendly measures and the delay of difficult spending decisions as signs Labour may be preparing for a…

England see off USA, but fail to hit top gear

• England beat the United States after two losses to Canada.
• Moloney-MacDonald scored four tries in the nine-try win.
• Set-piece and attacking fluency remain concerns before April.

England beat the United States in New Jersey to end a run of two defeats to Canada, but the win did not settle questions about their form at the top of women’s rugby. The Red Roses scored freely, yet struggled at times with their set-piece and attacking flow…

Aston Villa threaten legal action over Jamie Carragher’s remarks

• Villa threaten legal action over Carragher’s comments.
• Carragher suggested United could approach Emery.
• He said his jibe at fans was meant as a joke.

Aston Villa say they will take legal action against Jamie Carragher over remarks the club described as “unacceptable insults”. The dispute followed the former England defender’s suggestion that manager Unai Emery might consider becoming Manchester United head coach, alongside a jibe telling Villa fans to “shut up”. In…

GCHQ’s missing drives, US campaign spending and airport’s revival

GCHQ cannot account for many removable drives that may hold sensitive data, while a New York campaign paid millions to an agency with far-right campaign links. Doncaster Sheffield Airport weighs reopening as councils urge Halloween visitors to respect “no trick or treat” signs.

Cox sets world record to win gold at Worlds

• Kadeena Cox set a world record to win C4 1km gold.
• James Ball and Aaron Pope won the tandem time-trial.
• Britain also claimed pursuit silver and two bronzes.

Kadeena Cox won C4 1km gold at the Para Cycling Track World Championships in the Netherlands, setting a world record. The victory gave the five-time Paralympic champion her seventh world title and her first since 2024. Cox finished in 1 minute 9.545 seconds, and Australian rival Tara Neyland…

Applebee’s Android app exposed customer database password, researcher finds

• A password in Applebee’s Android app exposed access to its customer database.
• The data included contact details, birth dates and recent login IP addresses.
• Dine Brands says it found no evidence of unauthorised access; the investigation continues.

Applebee’s fixed a flaw in its Android app that exposed a password for an internal customer database, allowing anyone who extracted it to access customer information. The incident matters because the credential could also have enabled changes to customer records, although the company says it has found no…

Lamb of God’s Headbangers Boat cruise will sail from Southampton in 2028

• Lamb of God’s fifth Headbangers Boat sails from Southampton in 2028.
• The cruise travels to La Coruña from 27 to 31 May.
• Five guest bands and band-led events are announced.

Lamb of God will take their Headbangers Boat cruise to Europe for its fifth voyage in 2028, sailing from Southampton to La Coruña, Spain. The UK departure marks a European route for the event, which combines live music with activities hosted by the band. The cruise is scheduled…

S Club Announces “Ain’t No Party…” Tour Dates Across UK & Ireland

• S Club will tour 12 UK and Ireland cities in October 2027.
• The tour opens at Glasgow’s OVO Hydro on 8 October.
• Five members are reuniting, with Boyzlife joining the opening dates.

S Club has announced a 12-city tour across the UK and Ireland, returning in October 2027. The reunion brings five surviving members back together to perform the group’s songs and celebrate its shared history, with Boyzlife joining the opening dates. The tour follows the group’s 2023–24 The Good…

‘The Mosquito Bowl’ Star Tom Francis on Singing in the Movie Last Minute and the ‘Visceral and Intense’ World War II Scenes

• Tom Francis was asked to learn a song for filming the next day.
• “The Mosquito Bowl” portrays four football stars serving in the Marines.
• Francis hopes to return to theatre in an original play.

Tom Francis says director Peter Berg added a staged singing scene for him at short notice in “The Mosquito Bowl”, a film about four college football stars who served in the US Marines during the Second World War. Francis, a British actor known for West End and Broadway…