The police watchdog says it may investigate West Midlands Police over its handling of the decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from attending an Aston Villa game. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) told the BBC it can exercise its power to investigate “if evidence available to us appears to warrant” it, but…
The chair of the King’s Foundation Dame Ann Limb has admitted being “misleading” about her doctorate qualification. The education specialist, who was recently nominated for a life peerage by Labour, told the Sunday Times that she had not completed a PhD at the University of Liverpool, despite this appearing on her since-amended CV. “To be…
Joe Cullen says opponent Mensur Suljovic’s slow style of play is akin to cheating after the 32nd seed was knocked out of the PDC World Darts Championship. Austrian Suljovic denied using any specific tactics in his second-round success. “I never ever do this as a provocation,” said the 53-year-old. “I do it only for my…
This is the moment Robbie Williams made a 94-year-old fan’s wish come true. Norma, a resident of Humberston Care Home in North East Lincolnshire, told staff she had followed the singer from when he was in Take That and had always wanted to see him. The home organised for her to see a Robbie Williams…
Israel’s security cabinet has approved the recognition of 19 new settlements in the occupied West Bank as the government continues its settlement expansion push. Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a settler who proposed the move alongside Defence Minister Israel Katz, said the decision was about blocking the establishment of a Palestinian state. Israeli settlements in…
Thousands of revellers gathered at Stonehenge in Wiltshire on Sunday morning to welcome the sunrise on the winter solstice – the shortest day of the year. Wearing Celtic clothing and elaborate, nature-inspired headdresses, druids and pagans danced around the Neolithic stone circle in Wiltshire thought to have been built by distant ancestors to align with…
Liverpool fear Alexander Isak has sustained a significant lower leg injury after the striker was forced off in Saturday’s 2-1 win over Tottenham. The Swede came off the bench to break the deadlock for Arne Slot’s side, but was fouled by Micky van de Ven just after he got his shot away, and was ultimately…
The Electoral Commission has found no “credible evidence of potential offences of electoral law” over Nigel Farage’s election expenses. In a letter to Reform UK’s treasurer, shared with the BBC, the watchdog said it would take no further action. It comes after a former member of Farage’s campaign team claimed Reform spent more than the…
Aleem Maqbool,Religion editorand Catherine Wyatt,Religious Affairs producer BBC “It’s been an incredibly difficult two years,” says Phil Rosenberg, president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews. “I think our Jewish identity is being worn far more heavily these days given the pain of it all.” Conflict in the Middle East has, he says, had…
Caroline HawleyDiplomatic correspondent ESOHR Egyptian fisherman Issam al-Shazly was executed on Tuesday after being convicted of drug-related charges Saudi Arabia has surpassed its record for the number of executions carried out annually for a second year in a row. At least 347 people have now been put to death this year, up from a total…
