Sport

The Premier League began with a bang this weekend as Liverpool launched their title defence with a pulsating 4-3 win over new boys Leeds.

Leinster became the first side to win three consecutive PRO14 titles after breaking free of Ulster's resistence in the second half to record a 27-5 final win at the Aviva Stadium.

Everton completed the signing of James Rodriguez from Real Madrid on Monday, reuniting the Colombian playmaker with manager Carlo Ancelotti for a third time.

Chelsea coach Frank Lampard is under pressure to deliver a serious Premier League title challenge after a spending spree fuelled by his desire to catch champions Liverpool.

Albian Ajeti came off the bench to save Celtic from dropping points for the second time in their opening three league games as the Scottish champions edged out Dundee United 1-0 at

England international Jack Clifford, who captained the Under-20 side to the 2013 world title, is to retire due to a shoulder injury aged just 27, he announced on Wednesday.

Former England number one goalkeeper Joe Hart will compete to be number two choice to Hugo Lloris after signing for Tottenham Hotspur on a free transfer on Tuesday.

Exeter Chiefs extended their lead at the top of the English Premiership table by beating Leicester Tigers 26-13 in front of England coach Eddie Jones on Saturday in both sides' first game in

The English Premiership resumes on Friday when Sale Sharks play Harlequins, bringing to an end a 159-day hiatus forced by the coronavirus pandemic.

Three-time world snooker champion Mark Selby ended Australian Neil Robertson's hopes of a second world crown with a gritty 13 frames to 7 victory in their quarter-final at the Crucible
World News
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Europe’s heatwave deepens as Italy raises health alert and Hungary cuts power
Italy has placed all of its major cities under the highest level of heat-health alert as soaring temperatures continue to put pressure on infrastructure, energy supplies and public servicesRead More... -
UK tightens Russia sanctions with new measures targeting banks, oil and shadow fleet
Britain has announced a fresh package of sanctions targeting Russian banks, oil revenues and the Kremlin’s so-called shadow fleet, as the government steps up pressure on Moscow overRead More... -
Malaysia halts Myanmar refugee returns if lives could be at risk
Malaysia has said it will not return around 5,000 Myanmar refugees if officials conclude they could face persecution or threats to their lives.Read More... -
Rabobank plans €2bn technology push as profits hold steady
Dutch bank Rabobank is to invest up to €2bn (£1.7bn; $2.3bn) over the next three years in data, technology and artificial intelligence as it seeks to modernise its operations and respond toRead More... -
Shell sells European renewable energy assets to TotalEnergies as it retreats from low-carbon investments
Shell has agreed to sell its onshore renewable energy business in Europe to French energy major TotalEnergies, in the latest move by the British oil company to scale back its exposure toRead More...

Culture
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Bloomsbury keeps profit outlook unchanged as AI partnerships boost early-year trading
Bloomsbury Publishing has maintained its full-year financial outlook after reporting a solid start to the new fiscal year, supported by continued income from artificial intelligence licensingRead More... -
Salman Rushdie warns free speech is under threat as London honours his literary legacy
Author Salman Rushdie has warned that freedom of speech is facing growing threats around the world, saying the right to express dissenting views is under increasing pressure even inRead More... -
More than 400 UK towns compete for inaugural Town of Culture title as shortlist nears
More than 400 towns across the UK have entered the race to become the country's first-ever UK Town of Culture, as ministers prepare to unveil a shortlist in the coming weeks.Read More... -
Historic Bayeux Tapestry returns to England after nearly a millennium for landmark exhibition
The British Museum is preparing for overwhelming public interest as tickets go on sale for a once-in-a-generation exhibition featuring the legendary Bayeux Tapestry. The remarkableRead More... -
Universal unveils £5 billion UK theme park project, set to open in 2031
Comcast NBCUniversal has confirmed plans to invest more than £5 billion in building its first-ever European theme park and resort, marking one of the largest entertainment investments in theRead More... -
London gears up for biggest-ever summer of live music as global superstars take over the capital
London is preparing for a landmark summer of live music, reinforcing its status as the world's leading music city with an unparalleled programme of exclusive performances from some of theRead More... -
Eid festival marks 20 years in Trafalgar Square with music, food and family events
London’s annual Eid on the Square celebration will return to Trafalgar Square on Saturday, 30 May, as the popular event marks its 20th anniversary in the heart of the capital.Read More... -
Beatles’ final rooftop performance to be preserved in new London museum
The rooftop where The Beatles staged their iconic final live performance is set to become the centerpiece of a new museum celebrating the legendary band’s legacy.Read More... -
Rare Declaration of Independence to headline landmark exhibition on America’s founding
A major new exhibition marking 250 years since the birth of the United States is set to open this summer, bringing together some of the most important documents from the AmericanRead More... -
Newly released UK archives shed light on early years of Northern Ireland Troubles
Nearly 1,000 previously hard-to-access government records documenting the early years of the Northern Ireland Troubles have been published online, marking a significant step in openingRead More... -
£127.8 million lifeline for UK arts venues signals renewed push for cultural access
More than 130 cultural venues across England are set to receive a significant financial boost as part of a £127.8 million government investment aimed at widening public access to arts andRead More... -
Paddington and Sondheim lead the pack as Olivier Awards mark 50 years of theatre excellence
London’s theatre scene is buzzing ahead of this year’s Olivier Awards, where a charming Peruvian bear and a classic Stephen Sondheim musical are tied at the top of the nominations list.Read More...

British Queen celebrates
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