An international team of astronomers and astrochemists has reviewed years of data to assess whether cosmic dust is porous. The grains, which help form stars and planets, are found in regions such as the Pillars of Creation, and the work appears in Astronomy and Astrophysics Review. The study involved Professor Martin McCoustra of Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh among its contributors. Researchers describe the dust grains as far from solid rocks. […]

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has announced a widening of the free breakfast clubs scheme, with around 2,000 primary schools in England expected to join the rollout. The plan is supported by £80 million (€92.0 million), and ministers say families could save up to £450 a year in childcare costs (€517.5). Ms Phillipson unveiled the plan as Labour delegates prepared to attend the party’s annual conference in Liverpool. She said: 'The […]

West Ham United have dismissed Graham Potter as head coach after nine months in charge. Potter was relieved of his duties two days ahead of West Ham's Premier League clash with Everton. The club's supporters had turnover against Potter following last weekend's defeat to Crystal Palace, and the owners have acted as West Ham seek a fourth manager in 18 months. In a club statement, West Ham United said: "West […]

Guinness World Records is marking its 70th anniversary by revisiting notable feats and introducing 70 records that have not yet been claimed. The first edition appeared on 27 August 1955 after a discussion in County Wexford, Ireland, in which Sir Hugh Beaver, then managing director of the Guinness Brewery, argued over the fastest game bird in Europe. Beaver and his hosts sought a reference to settle pub arguments and, in […]

The King and Queen are to hold a first audience with Pope Leo XIV during a state visit to Vatican City in late October to mark the 2025 jubilee year, Buckingham Palace said. Leo XIV was elected earlier this year following the death of Pope Francis. The couple’s planned Vatican trip in early April was cancelled because of the pope’s health, but they later met the pontiff privately in Italy […]

Education unions, school governors and head teachers have urged the government to scrap the two-child limit as part of the forthcoming child poverty strategy. In a letter to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, the NGA, NAHT, ASCL, NEU, NASUWT and Unison warned there is a pressing need to remove the policy, arguing that it harms hundreds of thousands of children in schools and classrooms. They described the measure as cruel […]

Roksana Lecka, from Hounslow in west London, has been jailed for eight years after admitting seven counts of cruelty to a person under 16 and being convicted on a further 14 counts linked to abuse at two nurseries. The offences were uncovered in June 2024 after she was sent home from Riverside Nursery in Twickenham for pinching a number of children. At Kingston Crown Court, many of the victims’ parents […]

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told world leaders at the United Nations that Israel must finish the job against Hamas in Gaza, delivering a defiant speech amid mounting international criticism of the Gaza war. Dozens of delegates from several nations walked out during his remarks, while the United States delegation remained in its seats. He charged Western leaders with buckling under pressure and said: "Your disgraceful decision will encourage terrorism […]

The Scottish Conservatives have published a policy paper named Back On Track outlining steps to cut red tape and prioritise economic growth. It proposes a Reduction of Red Tape Bill to let businesses list regulations they want removed and grant ministers the power to repeal rules agreed should go. The plan also calls for merging Scottish Enterprise, the Scottish National Investment Bank and Skills Development Scotland into a single organisation […]