Friday June 12 2026
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Starmer’s leadership in chaos as defence ministers quit

The prime minister’s authority has been dealt a devastating blow by John Healey’s resignation. Al Carns, the armed forces minister, has also quit


Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Defense Secretary John Healey laughing on the HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carrier.
After Streeting’s Exocet, Healey delivers an even more brutal blow

Faced with a spending package that he felt would not keep the country safe, the defence secretary hit the prime minister and chancellor where it hurts


A weapon of mass destruction delivered on House of Commons notepaper

John Healey’s neatly typed resignation letter is primed to blow Sir Keir Starmer’s government to smithereens



Mexico's Raul Jimenez celebrates scoring their second goal against South Africa at the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Three red cards and joy for Jiménez as World Cup comes home for Mexico

Mexico 2 South Africa 0: Quiñones and Jiménez score first goals of World Cup with three red cards at Azteca Stadium, a record for an opening match

World Cup


An opening night in Mexico with the ghosts of Pelé and Maradona

Nowhere on Earth has the World Cup myth been crystallised more than in this concrete bowl on the high plateau of Mexico City



Collage of two women singing and posing on stage, with two background dancers.


Trump says peace deal is close after calling off Iran strikes

President suggests JD Vance could attend the signing of a memorandum as early as this weekend in Europe


Portrait of Maysum Abdullah, a teacher who shielded pupils from a knife attack.
Portrait of Maysum Abdullah, a teacher who shielded pupils from a knife attack.
Girl, 14, charged with attempted murder after school stabbings

Trump says peace deal is close after calling off Iran strikes
Trump says peace deal is close after calling off Iran strikes
Trump says peace deal is close after calling off Iran strikes







Spectators holding up the Stars and Stripes flag at the 1994 FIFA World Cup.
What ‘godfather’ of US soccer learnt from 1994 World Cup — and his hopes for 2026

Alan Rothenberg masterminded the organisation of the tournament when America hosted it for the first time, when the sport had far less prestige




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UFC Freedom 250 stadium on the South Lawn of the White House.
In the red corner: Trump. In the blue: lightning. Welcome to the claw

Only an act of God could put a dampener the president’s birthday and ‘freedom celebrations’ on Sunday as he ‘makes combat history’ at the White House


Two cyclists on bikes on a zebra crossing.
‘Zebra crossing revolution’ will embrace walking and cycling

Chris Boardman, the former Olympic cyclist and national active travel commissioner, backs a £4.5bn government plan to transform local trips

Two cyclists on bikes on a zebra crossing.
‘Zebra crossing revolution’ will embrace walking and cycling


Energy grid expansion ‘four times costlier with underground cables’


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Editor's picks



Shakira performing at the FIFA World Cup Kick-Off Concert in Soweto, South Africa, surrounded by backup dancers.
Three Lions or Waka Waka? The six best World Cup songs

As the World Cup kicks off, our critic chooses his favourite anthems, from Shakira’s Waka Waka to Three Lions


Clare and Jack Mosley posing together, with Clare in a green suit and Jack in a blue shirt.
Clare Bailey Mosley: ‘Michael would have been such a lovely grandfather’


Illustration of Cary Grant superimposed on Hamlet's body with a skull in hand and a speech bubble reading "To be or not to be..."
From Spielberg’s Bond to Cary Grant’s Hamlet — the great lost films

Collage of film characters including a man with a pipe, a woman with dark hair, a man with a rifle, two men in a close embrace, Tom Cruise as Maverick, Cate Blanchett laughing, and a robot.
The 25 best films of the decade (so far)


Collage of a woman drinking green tea and images of broad beans and cranberries.


England captain Ben Stokes speaking with Director of Men's Cricket Rob Key.
It feels increasingly unlikely Stokes will lead again, but who else is there?


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Collage of Hezbollah fighters, Lebanese flag, and Tammam Salam.
Iran thinks it calls the shots over Lebanon ceasefire, says PM

Prime minister of Lebanon watched with dread as US and Israel prepared to attack Tehran. But he remains optimistic about reforming the economy



Pope Leo XIV attending a meeting with organizations working with migrants at the Port of Arguineguin.



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Even after Healey, Starmer wants to fight on

His defence secretary has resigned, much of the party is in despair but still the PM thinks there’s no case for him to go



Illustration of Donald Trump playing soccer with the globe.

Cartoon by Morten Morland



a bald man in a suit and tie looks at the camera
How US came round to the beautiful game






a bald man in a suit and tie looks at the camera
How US came round to the beautiful game







Elon Musk smiling and giving thumbs up while standing in front of a partially assembled SpaceX rocket.
Ian CowieI won’t be falling for the SpaceX hysteria



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Construction worker in a hard hat and high-visibility vest operating a drill on a metal beam, with a large yellow crane in the background.
Ardmore on brink, leaving major projects in limbo


The Euro currency sign, a blue 'E' with two horizontal bars and yellow stars, in front of the former European Central Bank (ECB) building in Frankfurt.
ECB raises interest rates for first time in three years

a man in a suit and tie is wearing glasses
Alistair OsborneHeathrow’s case for third runway doesn’t fly



Banks running up ‘huge bills from AI experiments’





England captain Ben Stokes speaking with Director of Men's Cricket Rob Key.

Listening to change of tone in angry director of cricket Rob Key did little to convince that captain will stay in role but there are few alternatives




Portrait of author M. John Harrison sitting on a bench.
The end of the world (in dry, witty prose)


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The Hoddington Arms pub in Hampshire, UK, with outdoor seating and a garden.
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