UK2.XYZ NEWS

Judge wrong to spare rapists from custody, court told

Three teenage boys convicted of rape should have been detained, the Court of Appeal hears.

Man 'shot in the neck' on Merseyside street as armed police 'jump fences into gardens'

This is a breaking news story and is being constantly updated

Chelsea sign Italy defender Palestra for £47m

Right-back Marco Palestra, 21, becomes Xabi Alonso's first signing as Chelsea manager.

PlayStation will stop releasing games on discs in 2028

The firm said future games would still be sold in shops, but they would come with a digital code only.

JD Vance hopes that the Pope has learned his lesson from Donald Trump and these 17 replies were divine

Religion and politics have always had a somewhat tenuous relationship and that was before JD Vance started his WWE wrestling-style feud with the Pope. Vance’s latest taunt stems from the Pope’s stance on immigration (basically, let’s all try to help each other) and how it contrasts with Donald Trump’s views on immigration (lock up the […]

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Fire at Antwerp apartment block kills at least six

A man is seen clambering through a window to escape black smoke in the block where some 200 people live.

'Everything was worth it' - Evans bids emotional farewell as career ends

Dan Evans bids an emotional farewell at Wimbledon as he and Henry Searle lose in the final match of the Briton's career.

Williams' knee injury leaves Wimbledon doubles in doubt

Serena Williams' hopes of playing alongside her older sister Venus in the Wimbledon doubles look in doubt because of a knee injury.

Canada will take part in Eurovision Song Contest 2027

The country becomes the first new participant since Australia joined the contest in 2015.

Security guard stopped man from trying to rape woman in lane

A sex predator who tried to rape a vulnerable woman in a dark city centre lane was thwarted by a security guard who came to the victim's rescue.

Brewery boss who banned phones and swearing from pubs dies aged 81

Humphrey Smith had been at the helm of the Tadcaster brewer since the 1980s.

Pick your England XI to face DR Congo at World Cup

Who should start for England against DR Congo in their last-32 tie? It's time to put yourself in Thomas Tuchel's shoes.

The BBC’s Danny Murphy went full Partridge mode and told World Cup viewers a sad tale about his cat – 16 purrfect replies

We certainly have admiration for anyone who has the skills to be a sports commentator. Constantly having to think on your feet, filling any lulls in play with insightful and witty remarks – it’s a terrifying seat of the pants gig. So it’s not at all surprising when commentators get things wrong or make weird […]

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Halifax bank brand to be scrapped as 'changes' message issued to all customers

The 173-year-old Halifax bank brand is being scrapped and all customer accounts will be changed to Lloyds over time, Lloyds Banking Group has announced over two decades since taking ownership brand

Duke of York's Theatre to be renamed after Sir Tom Stoppard

A theatre in London's West End is being renamed after the playwright Sir Tom Stoppard.

Two dead after plane crashed during flight experience

The two-seat Cessna plane comes down off Mill Lane in High Ongar during a 30-minute flying experience on Tuesday.

'Terrified' Preston Davey killer 'refusing to leave cell' after making himself 'target'

EXCLUSIVE: Terrified Jamie Varley - serving a whole life term at HMP Wakefield for the torture, abuse and murder of little Preston Davey - is said to be refusing to leave his cell

This woman had a message for men who obsess about women’s ‘body count’ and it was simply magnificent

Takedown of the week, the month and possibly the year – any year, in fact – is surely this, a woman who was asked about men who go on about women’s ‘body count’. It’s a clip that went viral back in the day and it’s a proper cut and paste job for any man who […]

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Trump made more than $1bn from crypto in first year back in office

The president's crypto income far outpaces his earnings from real estate and Trump-themed items such as watches.

Hull sell two players hours before deadline to avoid points deduction

Hull City avoided the threat of a points deduction in the Premier League by selling two players hours before Tuesday's deadline.

‘What’s the funniest blunt remark you ever got from someone who didn’t mean any malice?’ – 24 drops of the purest cringe

There are some people who were born without the ability to use tact – or even to recognise that tact is needed in a certain situation. We all have that elderly relative who’ll blurt out “Are you wearing that shirt for your date, or do you have one that fits?” You know the type. Over […]

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Two dead after small plane crash in Essex field during short flight experience

Two people have died after a Cessna light aircraft crashed in a field in Ongar, Essex, during a short flight experience that departed from North Weald airfield

Up to 150 ex-WHSmith High Street stores to close as rescue deal approved

The sweeping restructuring, approved by a court, will see steep rent cuts on most remaining stores.

A man told his fiancee she was only interested in his money and her A++ response was a comeback for the ages

In an ever more uncertain and troublesome world, it’s always reassuring when someone gets exactly what was coming to them. And this tale of a woman whose fiancee wouldn’t stop suggesting she was only interested in her money is a small but supremely satisfying example of that. She went on the subReddit ‘Am I The […]

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Family of boy attacked by crocodile thank zoo staff who rescued him

The boy remains at Addenbrooke's Hospital in a stable condition, police say.

Two dead after light aircraft crashes during 'short flight experience'

Two people have died after a light aircraft crashed in a field in Essex yesterday afternoon, police have said.

Three die in Mexico City World Cup celebrations

More than one million people took to the streets of Mexico City on Tuesday to mark the country's win over Ecuador.

TG Jones may close around 150 stores with jobs at risk as chain saved from insolvency

TG Jones, formerly known as WH Smith, has been saved from insolvency after a plan was approved at the High Court, but could see around 150 stores set to close with jobs at risk

Prince William gets shown hairdryer and stuns people with cheeky joke

Prince William was recently shown a hairdryer during a public engagement, and floored people with his response. He made a cheeky joke that caught people off-guard

JD Vance said his faith is why he doesn’t like ‘low-wage foreigners’, and the internet read him chapter and verse – 19 biblical takedowns

JD Vance must be the world’s most famous Catholic convert since Tony Blair, and if he doesn’t get with the Gospel programme, he may find himself becoming the most famous excommunicate – American Pope or no American Pope. For example, we can’t remember whether it was Matthew, Mark, Luke or John who said ‘Blessed be […]

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An American footballer turned pundit said the only reason Brits don’t like World Cup ‘hydration breaks’ is because they’re American and Chris Sutton’s response spoke for the nation

Time to return to the World Cup which has been a bit of a treat so far – we write this ahead of England’s last 32 fixture against DR Congo, obviously – apart from one thing. Well, two things every match, to be specific, and that’s the wildly irritating ‘hydration breaks’ and their uncanny ability […]

The post An American footballer turned pundit said the only reason Brits don’t like World Cup ‘hydration breaks’ is because they’re American and Chris Sutton’s response spoke for the nation appeared first on The Poke.

Nowak case officers face gross misconduct investigation

Henry Nowak, 18, was handcuffed as he lay dying after being stabbed by Vickrum Digwa in December 2025.

Met Office confirms third UK 33C heatwave is coming – but it'll feel different

The Met Office has issued a new forecast for the third heatwave of the year, warning that temperatures could hit a peak of 33C next week as a high-pressure front moves in from the Azores

Man spends £40k house deposit on dad's World Cup dream

Jack Goodwin describes it as a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity" for him and his father.

An American trolled British cuisine and these 13 replies will make you proud to be a Brit

Time to return to the apparently bottomless well that is the cultural chasm that exists between the US and basically anywhere else. This time it’s food – specifially, British food – that this American chose to have a little pop at. It’s someone called @MoMohler who, according to their Twitter bio, is ‘Rated 100% pure, […]

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Village People frontman Victor Willis dies aged 74

Victor Willis was the band's frontman and co-wrote most of their hit songs including YMCA.

Family of boy 'thrown in crocodile enclosure' break silence after 'multiple surgeries'

A three-year-old boy who was allegedly thrown into a crocodile enclosure in at Johnson’s of Old Hurst, near Huntingdon, has underwent "multiple surgeries" as his family break their silence

At least six people killed in Belgian apartment block fire

At least six people have been killed in a fire at an apartment block in Belgium, police have said.

Time for Tuchel to show hand as England enter World Cup danger zone

England coach Thomas Tuchel must now play his strongest hand as he enters the danger zone in a World Cup of shocks, says chief football writer Phil McNulty.

Two Henry Nowak cops under investigation after 'don’t think you have mate' arrest

WARNING, DISTRESSING CONTENT: Two Hampshire police officers are under investigation for potential gross misconduct over the arrest and handcuffing of Henry Nowak and alleged failure to recognise he needed medical help

Family of boy, 3, who was seriously injured in crocodile enclosure at zoo releases statement

The family of a three-year-old boy who was seriously injured in a crocodile enclosure has thanked staff at the zoo who rescued their son.

An American questioned Stan Collymore’s credentials to critique World Cup ‘hydration breaks’ and Collymore’s A++ response had Brits everywhere applauding

The World Cup has already exceeded expectations we reckon, with a reassuring lack of politics and no end of memorable games and we’re only just into the knockout stages. But there’s one thing that’s got people talking more than any other and that’s the introduction of ‘hydration breaks’ halfway though each half, partly for the […]

The post An American questioned Stan Collymore’s credentials to critique World Cup ‘hydration breaks’ and Collymore’s A++ response had Brits everywhere applauding appeared first on The Poke.

GB News presenter Tom Harwood claimed ‘pumping oil hardly releases any CO2’, and got owned into the middle of the North Sea – 16 scathing takedowns

The recent record-breaking temperatures across Europe have fuelled the debate over man-made climate change. On the one hand, experts are in almost unanimous agreement that the increasingly extreme weather conditions have been caused by human activity. On the other hand, Billy Bunch O’Numbers on social media and some politicians who are funded by fossil fuel […]

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Chris Brown ordered to pay housekeeper $13m after dog attack

Maria Aliva was left with scarring, vision loss and nerve damage following the attack in December 2020.

Village People frontman dies after illness

Victor Willis, the frontman of the Village People and co-writer of their massive hit YMCA, has died, his family has said.

Glue trap ban comes into full force in Scotland

Scotland's glue trap ban has come into full force - with animal rights campaigners welcoming the move to outlaw the "inhumane devices".

A trip to India left me with 38 parasites in my brain

Lowri's headaches, seizures and psychosis were due to an infection caused by pork tapeworm larvae.

Five people injured after firebomb attacks targeting politicians in Greece

Three pre-dawn firebomb attacks apparently targeting the residences of members of Greece's governing conservative New Democracy party have left five people in hospital, with one in a serious condition, police have said.

JD Vance said Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez would run for president in 2028 and AOC’s killer response just won everyone’s vote

Only two years and a half years to go until the next presidential elections in the US (that’s assuming there is one – a United States, that is) and thoughts are already turning to who will run. Well, thoughts might be overdoing it, because in this instance it’s JD Vance who reckons Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez will […]

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Chris Mason: Starmer's defence plan leaves crunching trade‑offs for Burnham to confront

The BBC's political editor Chris Mason reflects on the fallout from the Defence Investment Plan.

You can now buy a breakdancing robot for under $5k, but there’s just no impressing some people – 17 underwhelmed replies

It seems the dream (or nightmare) of a future where intelligent robots walk amongst us is getting increasingly near to becoming a reality. With AI becoming more powerful and robot technology becoming cheaper, surely it can’t be long before we all have personal humanoid assistants to cater for our every whim? A Chinese robotics company, […]

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Is major pension change coming - and will Burnham listen to own advisers who hate triple lock?

Andy Burnham has publicly backed the pension triple lock, saying he will abide by the promises made in Labour's 2024 manifesto.

The Great American State Fair achieved the dubious (but hilarious) distinction of having more people on stage than in the ‘crowd’ – 26 reactions dripping in schadenfreude

The Great American State Fair in Washington DC is neither great, nor – technically – in one of the 50 US states. What it is, though, is the gift that keeps on giving. Just a day after a TMZ cameraman did the funniest pan to show an almost empty field as Dean Cain was boasting […]

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Is it really happening this weekend? What we do and don't know about Taylor Swift's wedding

The couple has been mum about their upcoming nuptials, but speculation has mounted about a multi-day celebration at Madison Square Garden.

Mexico rampant at fortress Azteca - and England could be next

Mexico have won all four games and not conceded a goal at this World Cup. Their last-16 opponents must also contend with playing at the Azteca Stadium.

News that ‘man of the people’ Nigel Farage made £22,500 p.h. advertising gold bullion was made all the more staggering by his plan to cut the minimum wage for young people – 21 24-carat takedowns

Later today, Labour MP Richard Burgon will lead a debate in Parliament on whether to ban MPs from having second jobs. He shared his invitation to the almost permanently absent Nigel Farage to attend the debate, since he’s a prime example of an MP not prioritising the job for which taxpayers are footing the bill. […]

The post News that ‘man of the people’ Nigel Farage made £22,500 p.h. advertising gold bullion was made all the more staggering by his plan to cut the minimum wage for young people – 21 24-carat takedowns appeared first on The Poke.

'We're still standing': Americans on the state of the nation in its 250th year

The BBC spoke to US citizens across the country ahead of its big anniversary celebration this weekend.

Woman raped by Superdry co-founder tells BBC she was working for him at the time

She described feeling fear and dread as she returned to her job, working for James Holder, after the attack.

It looks like an ordinary house - but our tropical garden is packed with poisonous plants

The garden was once a sun trap with decking - it is now filled with tropical trees and ferns shading it.

25 of the funniest posts we’ve seen on Bluesky this week

Happy Hump Day to all who celebrate. No matter which side of the Atlantic you’re on, we hope the political and climate turmoil isn’t frying your brain too much. We’ve been giving ourselves a break from the news with a deep dive into Bluesky to find comedy treasure, and we’re confident that’s what we’ve got. […]

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So how much did Trump make from crypto last year?

Donald Trump earned more than $1.4bn from his family's cryptocurrency ventures last year - all while pursuing policies to benefit the industry.

A plane crashed into a tower in Beijing but China is not saying what happened

The collision left holes on the side of the tower, but Beijing has scrubbed other visible traces of the incident.

Why Gen Z are planning for life without a state pension

Many younger people do not believe the state pension will exist when they are older

Women with PMOS should have yearly NHS checks, says health watchdog

Despite affecting millions of women in the UK, PMOS is still under-diagnosed and inconsistently managed, say experts.

What Does It Cost To Keep The UK Safe?

The government releases it’s long awaited defence investment plan.

Prison officer jailed for relationship with convicted murderer

Rebecca Green, 29, was jailed for one year and four months after entering into a relationship with convicted murderer John Otugade, who is serving a 25-year sentence

Preston Davey's murderers house back on market for £370k with warning to buyers

The former Grimsargh home of Jamie Varley and John McGowan-Fazakerley — jailed following the murder of toddler Preston Davey — has been put back on the market for £370,000, with prospective buyers warned about its previous owners.

Jude Bellingham excites bookies for Bond role as he eyes up 007 movie career

England’s ‘JB’ has admitted he fancies shifting his shirt number from ‘10’ to ‘007' when his footballing career comes to an end

Afghan nationals convicted of UK rape 'celebrated' escaping in lorry to France

Mehrab Safi, 21, filmed his two friends Awal Ahmadzai and Salman Habibkheil, both 19, laughing in the back of a lorry three days after they raped a teenager at a house in Bristol

The doorbell camera footage of a tired nurse’s funny attempt at opening the door had people sharing their own exhaustion-fails

The beauty of the Ring e-doorbell (other brands are available) is that it captures those notable moments that would otherwise go unseen. One such moment happened in 2022, when this exhausted health worker got home and forgot where he was. Ring explained – ‘Will is an Emergency Room Nurse Technician, and one day when he […]

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Secret hideouts of the world's worst criminals – from Bonnie and Clyde to El Chapo

Criminal masterminds have used secret boltholes for decades, where they do their utmost to avoid the authorities. Many have ended up meeting grisly ends after being discovered

Wimbledon's rich and famous will be called out for watching the World Cup in Royal Box

The grass court grand slam will not show any football action on its screens or even in the players’ dressing rooms, championship boss Sally Bolton said

Of all the takes on Trump’s calamitous 250th State Fair celebration, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s devastating one-liner was hard to beat

Calling out Donald Trump is nothing new to New York State Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. She’s called him out on his very obvious cognitive decline: 🚨 BREAKING: AOC just called out the media for spending years fixated on Biden’s cognition while barely touching Trump’s very real cognitive decline and escalating erratic behavior. None of this is […]

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'Thrill-seeking' boy, 15, involved in horror e-scooter crash that killed pal spared jail

Jacob Calland was sadly riding on the back of the vehicle when it collided with a car and he suffered a catastrophic brain injury

Thug who scalded police officer in boiling water attack is jailed for 14-and-a-half years

John Davies, 58, admitted maliciously wounding a female officer by scalding her with a kettle, assaulting a second officer, and attacking a member of the public

Woman told 'give me my dog before I punch you' in B&M row after 'pet left in hot car'

A woman was left 'shaken' after a man allegedly threatened to 'punch her in the face' during a furious row at a B&M store in Lichfield, over claims a dog was left inside a car in 30C-plus heat during the heatwave

Parents spend 38 minutes a day battling with kids over chores and hygiene

Parents are spending the equivalent of 10 full days a year locked in negotiations with their children over chores and hygiene and admit they don't always win.

UK heatwave warning as 26 counties face above 30C temperatures next week - full list

The Met Office has warned of a return to "warm or very warm" conditions in the UK early next week, with heatwave conditions "increasingly likely" in some areas as 26 counties face 30C temperatures

World Cup causes family tension as households split over who to support

One in four households are divided over who they’re supporting during the 2026 World Cup, with family members backing rival nations and adding tension on matchdays.

A couple told the BBC how packed lunches helped them retire at 40 and got precisely the responses they deserved

Financial advice time now, and a couple who had a hot tip for anyone who wants to retire by the time they turn 40 (what do you mean that was years ago?). Well, here’s their tip anyway – make your own packed lunch. We had packed lunches every day for 10 years and retired at […]

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'Stabbing' at UK holiday park after reports of a fight breaking out as one hospitalised

Devon & Cornwall Police were called to the Monkey Tree Holiday Park at the weekend following reports of a fight breaking out in the early hours as a man was found with stab wounds

Donald Trump was asked about housing affordability and his answer isn’t just saying the quiet part out loud, it’s screaming it from the roof tops

This may be shocking to hear, but the man who wants to encrust everything in solid gold doesn’t seem to be tapped into the most important economic concerns of the citizens of the country he rules. Donald Trump has had numerous opportunities to engage with the American people on the issue hitting most of them […]

The post Donald Trump was asked about housing affordability and his answer isn’t just saying the quiet part out loud, it’s screaming it from the roof tops appeared first on The Poke.

‘What’s something you’re attracted to that most people aren’t?’ – 17 things that prove beauty really is in the eye of the beholder

When it comes to what people find attractive, there are some popular options. But not everyone is a swimsuit model with a bulging bank balance. Thank goodness then that even the weirdest of features can appear attractive to the right audience. Glittering_Guest1422 wanted to learn more about these quirky appeals, so they put the following […]

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Home bought by Preston Davey's evil dads to rebuild lives after murder on sale for £79k less

WARNING, DISTRESSING CONTENT: A lavish Lancashire property purchased by Preston Davey's convicted adoptive parents just 22 days after the toddler's murder is back on the housing market at a reduced price after a failed auction

Inside haunting remains of the old Broadmoor jail with abandoned wards and decaying cells

An urban explorer has captured spine-chilling images from inside the abandoned, decaying Victorian wards of Britain's most notorious secure hospital, Broadmoor

Couple avoid jail after caught on CCTV dumping dog in bin bag and throwing it in canal

WARNING, DISTRESSING CONTENT: Terrence and Sadie Boyd were caught on CCTV carrying their elderly dog Maddie in a bin bag before throwing her into a Lancashire canal – the couple pleaded guilty to animal cruelty offences and the dog was later put to sleep

Has the Supreme Court just made Trump the most powerful president in history?

A landmark decision expands Trump’s presidential power

Two officers under investigation for potential gross misconduct in Henry Nowak case

Two police officers are under investigation for potential gross misconduct over how they dealt with Henry Nowak prior to his death.

Knockouts are here - what is England's path to the final?

BBC Sport takes a look at what England will need to do to reach the final after qualifying for the knockout stages.

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