How the wars of 2024 brought together rivals and created enemies
BBC This has been one of the most eventful years since I began covering global security for the BBC in the aftermath of the 11 September attacks in 2001. The sudden toppling of Syria’s President Assad, North Korean soldiers fighting for Russia. British and US missiles sent to Ukraine and fired at Russia, Iranian missiles […]
Be a ‘secret agent’ and other new ways to exercise
BBC The BBC’s Justin Harper testing out a running app in Singapore It might have been one of my regular runs around the streets of Singapore, but the experience was spiced with danger. I was the hero in my very own spy story, speeding from one checkpoint to another to foil the bad guys. The […]
Emma Raducanu: What does 2022 hold for Sports Personality of the Year winner?
The British number one will also hope to forge a strong relationship with her new coach Torben Beltz. He is, as Raducanu says, “a really positive, cheerful guy who brings great energy to the team”. That could be a great partnership. As the US Open champion, Raducanu will encounter a string of highly-motivated opponents. Witness […]
Sinn Féin votes help unionist into Irish senate
First unionist to be elected by the Senate County Armagh farmer Ian Marshall has made a little bit of political history by becoming the first unionist elected by the Seanad (Irish senate). While there have been other unionist senators, he is the first elected by members of both the senate and Dáil. His achievement has […]
Women’s Scottish Cup: From Prima Donnas and Hooverettes to Hampden
When exactly that beginning was is a matter for debate. Go to the competition’s Wikipedia page and it lists Stewarton Thistle as the first Women’s Scottish Cup winners in 1970, when the side from the Ayrshire town’s 4-2 win left the aforementioned Prima Donnas somewhat deflated. The Scottish Football Association’s website does not start its […]
Scottish retailers see sales fall by 3.4% in April
Getty Images Retailers struggled on Scotland’s high streets in April as non-food sales slid to their worst monthly performance in six years. The SRC-KPMG retail sales monitor found total sales fell year-on-year by 3.4%. Non-food sales declined by 5.5% – the worst performance since April 2012 – while food sales were down by 0.8%. Experts […]
Heather Knight, Natalie Sciver and Anya Shrubsole honoured by Wisden
England’s Heather Knight, Natalie Sciver and Anya Shrubsole are among Wisden’s five Cricketers of the Year. Shrubsole also becomes the first woman on the front cover of the Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack All three were in the national side, captained by Knight, which beat India in the final to win the 2017 World Cup. Essex seam […]
New Zealand gun laws promise, and hotel party deaths
Getty Images Christchurch shootings: New Zealand cabinet backs new gun laws New Zealand’s government has backed new gun laws “in principle” following the shootings in which 50 people were killed. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern called a cabinet meeting, after which she said she expected to give details of the reforms by 25 March. “This ultimately […]
Seven proven ways to help the planet in 2025
Getty Images Slowing down climate change is an immense task, but small individual actions can add up to help reduce emissions. But it can sometimes feel overwhelming to know where to start. Which steps can actually make a meaningful difference? We have rounded up some of the most impactful actions you can take to live […]
Andy Murray: Serena Williams would face British number one
“He wants to play me? That would be fun,” Williams said after sweeping past French teenager Caroline Garcia 6-3 6-2 in round two at Wimbledon on Thursday. “He’s probably one of the top three people I definitely don’t want to play. “But, yeah, maybe we can have a little bit of a showdown.” Should an […]