Historic

Special, secretive operation will ship 11th-century artwork across Channel without jolts, bumps or shakesAs the Bayeux tapestry wends its way across the Channel in a top secret operation there will be no jolts, no bumps, no shakes or vibrations – unlike the voyage of William the Conqueror whose 1066 victory at Hastings the artefact recounts.“Nothing has been left to chance,” Catherine Pégard, the French minister of culture told a gathering to mark the historic loan, which will be physically achieved with the tapestry, which is really an embroidery, transported in a specially constructed cradle within a container, the minister said. Continue reading...

• West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee led a day-long Trinamool Congress (TMC) protest at Kolkata's Esplanade following a historic election loss. • During the demonstration, Banerjee alleged widespread post-poll violence and condemned the alleged assault on her nephew and MP, Abhishek Banerjee. • The protest also highlighted concerns regarding the eviction of hawkers and targeted attacks on various party leaders.

• A massive volcanic eruption in prehistoric northeastern China unleashed a catastrophic surge of ash, gas, and burning rocks that engulfed a lush forest. • The event acted similarly to the burial of Pompeii, instantly trapping dinosaurs in their tracks and preserving some in mid-sleep positions. • This rare discovery provides scientists with a high-resolution "snapshot" of prehistoric life and behavior, offering unique insights into dinosaur sleep patterns.

• The Eurovision Song Contest 2026 maintained its status as a global television phenomenon, drawing millions of viewers across Europe and international markets. • Viewing patterns were highly polarized, with some nations achieving record-breaking ratings while others saw significant declines and historic lows. • These fluctuations in viewership were primarily driven by the strength of local contestants' results and varying levels of domestic interest.

Backlash grows among European staff against radical cuts to pay off Covid-era debt, with some accusing council of ‘colonial attitude’The historic Palacete building at 31 Paseo del General Martínez Campos in Madrid’s upmarket Chamberí district has been home to the British Council in Spain for about 70 years.About 5,000 students each year pass through its 35 classrooms, learning English, attending exams, and forging cultural ties with the UK. Over the years that is hundreds of thousands of Madrileños (people from Madrid), while it also serves as a centre for the expat community. Continue reading...

In today’s newsletter: Labour has been decimated, Reform has taken up the official opposition, and the Senedd has expanded massively – taking the country’s new leadership into uncharted watersGood morning. While Westminster-watchers were obsessed with Labour’s leadership shenanigans, a new chapter in the relationship between Cardiff and the UK government opened.After claiming power in this month’s elections, Plaid Cymru has wasted no time in testing Keir Starmer’s “openness” to reform. In London, the party tabled an amendment to the king’s speech, calling for a number of justice, infrastructure and welfare powers to be devolved to the Senedd.UK news | A rescue deal for Thames Water is under threat because of a potential change in prime minister, government insiders have said.UK politics | Andy Burnham drew the battle lines for the future of the Labour party on Monday as the Greater Manchester mayor promised he would “change Labour” and win back the voters the party had lost.US news | Five people, including two suspects, were killed in a shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego, California, in what authorities said was being investigated as a hate crime.Middle East | Iran has made a new proposal for a deal to definitively end the war, officials in the region said, with Donald Trump claiming he had postponed new military strikes so talks could continue.Technology | A jury ruled in favour of Sam Altman in the culmination of a long and bitter legal battle that pitted the richest person in the world against a leader of the AI boom. Continue reading...

Film-maker and longtime Corbyn ally says ‘poor behaviour’ squandered chance to unite the left in fight against far rightKen Loach has accused Your Party of squandering an opportunity to unite the left in the fight against the far right after the upstart socialist movement founded by the former Labour figures Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana became mired in infighting.“There was great hope when Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana joined forces; 800,000 people expressed interest – that’s three times the size of a political party,” he said. “But I’m afraid some of the behaviours were very poor and they lost a historic opportunity.” Continue reading...