Embattled Macron seeks boost from reopening
Reuters Emmanuel Macron plans to use the reopening of the cathedral for a political boost A gravely weakened President Emmanuel Macron hopes to win a new lease of political life from Saturday’s ceremonial reopening of Notre Dame. Joined by US President-elect Donald Trump, Prince William and other international figures, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Macron […]
Capturing the scent of Palestinian life in a perfume bottle
Sebastian Usher Qassem Abu Khalaf and his wife Malak Hijaz have a library of hundreds of ingredients A young Palestinian couple in Jerusalem have produced a range of perfumes to embody the heritage of their people. Despite the horror of the war in Gaza, they hope their scents can still summon memories of a better […]
London pilot will GPS tag stalkers on prison release
More than 200 stalking offenders released from prison will be GPS tagged by March 2026 under a pilot scheme from the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan. People who have served custodial sentences for stalking offences will be tagged with a tracking device under strict licence conditions, City Hall said, to “protect victims and help prevent […]
Life-saving ‘baby box’ plan to be put to council
Alamy The boxes are based on a 1930s Finnish idea A proposal to introduce potentially life-saving ‘baby boxes’ is to be put before Brighton and Hove City Council this week. The boxes, which contain essential items such as clothes, blankets and nappies, are designed to help new mothers and tackle cot death rates in the […]
Wales women: How 2024 became the year they made history
The appointment of Rhian Wilkinson to succeed Grainger was a ginormous gamble from the FAW. By her own admission Wilkinson joined Wales after a difficult time in her life, having left her role with Portland after losing the confidence of the dressing room. By her own admission she felt “a little lost.” Wales’ players were […]
Bradford young people encouraged to visit city’s museums
Bradford Council Workshop activities included using natural dyes to decorate a tablecloth Young people have been encouraged to visit Bradford’s museums and galleries through a series of workshops run by others their age. The initiative was part of the city’s Young Ambassador programme, which aims to help people aged 16 to 25 learn new skills […]
Lionesses: Euro 2022 has helped 129,000 more girls get into football
Stacey Mullock, senior national development manager within grassroots football at the FA, says they have been overwhelmed with the success of the programme. “Without grassroots, you know we don’t really have a future England team,” Mullock said. “The game has grown so much over the last few years, and it gives us real hope for […]
Northern Ireland: Would an under-23 team help NI’s senior side?
Northern Ireland do not need to look too far afield to see the benefits of introducing an under-23s team to help aid player development and better prepare them for a move into senior international football. Reigning European champions England have had an under-23s squad for two years now after a restructuring of the age group […]
Battle of the Brits: Joe Salisbury and Harriet Dart clinch victory for Bulldogs
With the ATP and WTA Tours suspended since March and resuming this month, the Battle of the Brits allowed the players to build up fitness and sharpness in a competitive environment. Former world number one Andy Murray only played in the doubles as he continued to build up his fitness after struggling with pelvic and […]
New chairman says devolution debate ‘closed’
Getty Images The Welsh Conservatives have elected their new chairman The man elected to lead grassroots members of the Welsh Conservatives has rejected calls for the party to consider abolishing the Senedd. Former London Underground trade union official Bernard Gentry was announced as the new Welsh Tory chairman at the party’s annual general meeting on […]