UK2.XYZ NEWS

Borthwick's holding pattern extended - with minimal confidence vote

England head coach Steve Borthwick's extra six months buys time but doesn't indicate reserves of confidence from his Rugby Football Union employers.

What ‘compulsory’ things did you only realise later in life was totally optional? 23 people tell how they joyously saw the light

Despite fervently believing we’re intelligent and autonomous beings, the truth is that, for the most part, we move through life thinking and doing the same thing as everyone else. Just because that’s how it’s always been done. So when we witness somebody stepping outside of what’s expected and making a completely maverick move, it can […]

The post What ‘compulsory’ things did you only realise later in life was totally optional? 23 people tell how they joyously saw the light appeared first on The Poke.

'Embarrassing' Pakistan break record in morning to forget

The only thing gloomier than the leaden skies at lunch on day of the third Test at Edgbaston will be the mood in the Pakistan dressing room as things went from bad to worse.

Donald Trump tried to honour a fallen 9/11 hero without making it about himself but just couldn’t pull it off – 17 appalled and totally on-point responses

The 25th anniversary of the horrific World Trade Center terrorist attack is this Friday. New York City has already started honoring the people it lost and the heroes who did everything they could to help in the moment. Here is one of the many heroes from that devastating day. That man’s name was Welles Crowther […]

The post Donald Trump tried to honour a fallen 9/11 hero without making it about himself but just couldn’t pull it off – 17 appalled and totally on-point responses appeared first on The Poke.

Actor Noel Clarke charged with sexual offences

Clarke has been charged with offences including sexual assault. BBC News has asked him for a comment.

Miliband rejects chief rabbi's claim British Jews in greater danger after sanctions move

The foreign secretary disagrees with the UK's chief rabbi who warns sanctions on Israeli settlements could put British Jews at greater risk.

Anthropic researcher believes more than 10% chance AI 'could kill all humans'

It is the latest in a series of increasing warnings about the safety threat posed by artificial intelligence.

Petrol prices rise by 5p over a week as Iran war sends oil higher

A litre of unleaded now costs 167.17p which is the biggest weekly increase since April, data shows.

Actor Noel Clarke charged with sex offences

Actor Noel Clarke has been charged with a series of sexual offences against five women in connection with alleged offending that took place between 2007 and 2016.

Prince William takes Prince George to Eton but ends up in 'unlikely fight'

Prince George has started at Eton College, and his parents, Prince William and Princess Kate, were there to support him on his first day; however, his father is reported to have ended up in an "unlikely fight"

Harry and Meghan's response to King's 'royal slapdown' signals 'further bad blood'

Those in the know say the new "clarification" from King Charles is a "royal slapdown" and likely to cause offence to Harry and Meghan, just weeks after they returned to UK shores.

Channel 4 to cut 340 jobs by the end of the year in major shake-up

It comes after the network conducted a review amid a "rapidly changing media landscape".

Hundreds line the streets for funeral of PC killed in wrong way crash on A66

Officers give PC Matthew Blades' coffin a guard of honour in Hartlepool.

This brilliant Dylan Moran rant about the way we live now just went viral again and it’s even truer now than when he said it

We love pretty much everything Dylan Moran does, from Black Books to his brilliant stand-up and everything in between. And that includes this fabulous rant from back in the day – turns out it’s eight years (heck) back in the day – about the state of the state of the nation and the way we […]

The post This brilliant Dylan Moran rant about the way we live now just went viral again and it’s even truer now than when he said it appeared first on The Poke.

Police say Nottingham attacks were 'not preventable'

Police say any mistakes were not missed opportunities to prevent the 2023 Nottingham attacks.

Learner drivers still forced to wait months to book tests

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency had been given a target to reduce average wait times to seven weeks.

Messi agrees to buy second Spanish club

Spanish second-division side Eldense say Argentina great Lionel Messi has reached a "preliminary agreement" to become the club's majority shareholder.

Brit drug lord with Pablo Escobar tattoo nicked after calling cops on burner phone

Andrew Savage - who ran a million-pound cocaine supply network - was captured after using his top secret burner mobile to call police and report a burglary

This hack for freeing a trapped electrical cord has absolutely broken people’s brains

We cross now to the fascinating mathematical field of topology, or rubber-sheet geometry – the study of properties that remain constant under multi-dimensional changes to an object. What we’re going to show you isn’t a Royal Institution Christmas lecture, or even a Ted Talk. It’s actualy a very handy life hack. Feast your eyes on […]

The post This hack for freeing a trapped electrical cord has absolutely broken people’s brains appeared first on The Poke.

Germany's Merz attacks AfD in stormy debate after far-right election win

Germany's chancellor clashes with AfD leader Alice Weidel, saying her migration policy amounts to "ethnic cleansing" for skilled workers.

People shared the times they splashed some serious cash and lived to regret it – 21 exquisite cases of severe buyers’ remorse

There’s no doubt that splurging money is fun, as anyone who has ever let themselves go a bit wild in an M&S food hall will know. However, there is a point where spending stops being gratifying and suddenly becomes highly regrettable. The exact threshold varies from person to person, but for SeaElk333, who posted the […]

The post People shared the times they splashed some serious cash and lived to regret it – 21 exquisite cases of severe buyers’ remorse appeared first on The Poke.

Kate Middleton's subtle gesture on Prince George's first day at Eton speaks volumes

Prince George attended his first day at Eton College on Tuesday (8th September), and one subtle gesture his mum, Kate Middleton, made at the school has got people talking

27 of the most fabulously inventive and staggeringly brutal comebacks from the takedown hall of fame

We feature no end of comebacks, takedowns, slapdowns – call them what you will! – on these pages, and most entertaining and supremely satisfying they are too. Well, most of the time. So what better place to round up 27 of our all-time favourites that all deserve a place in the hall of fame devoted […]

The post 27 of the most fabulously inventive and staggeringly brutal comebacks from the takedown hall of fame appeared first on The Poke.

Russia and Ukraine exchange strikes as two killed at Moldova border

Meanwhile, four people, including a child, were killed in the southern Russian city of Novorossiysk.

More than 10% chance AI 'could kill all humans' - Anthropic researcher

There is a more than 10% chance that "AI could kill all humans" in the next decade, a top safety researcher at Anthropic has said. 

James O’Brien said there were only two reasons far-right protestors wear masks and the fury he prompted made us like it even better

There was an interesting discussion on James O’Brien’s LBC show on Tuesday about face coverings and the difficulty of banning far-right protestors from wearing them. There was also a moment when the LBC man touched on why these people wear them in the first place and he could only think of two, neither of them […]

The post James O’Brien said there were only two reasons far-right protestors wear masks and the fury he prompted made us like it even better appeared first on The Poke.

Tom Daley unveils 22-foot Shaun the Sheep tapestry at Natural History Museum

Tom Daley has unveiled a giant Shaun the Sheep tapestry at London's Natural History Museum, ahead of the release of Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom.

Watch: Sinkhole at Nicolas Cage's Malibu house swallows driveway

The driveway of the beach-front house collapsed on Tuesday morning, according to local authorities.

Oil hits $100 a barrel for first time since July after US and Houthi strikes

Brent crude - the global benchmark for prices - rises after the US hit five Iranian tankers on Tuesday

Body found in search for missing teenager who was swept out to sea on family holiday

A body has been recovered during the search for a missing 15-year-old boy who was swept out to sea while on a family holiday.

A Glasgow woman read the riot act to a drunken bigot on the bus, and the internet cheered her to the rafters

A video originally shared by Chinese student Jack Lu, who is studying Medicine in Glasgow, with the words ‘Racial abuse on a First Bus service in Glasgow AGAIN.’, has gone wildly viral. The star of the incident is a feisty Scotswoman who stepped in to defend Jack from a drunken bigot who was subjecting him […]

The post A Glasgow woman read the riot act to a drunken bigot on the bus, and the internet cheered her to the rafters appeared first on The Poke.

Nick Ferrari said the RNLI had become a ‘taxi service’ for asylum seekers and got all the responses he surely deserved

To the studios of LBC where breakfast presenter Nick Ferrari has been thinking about asylum seekers in the wake of those terrifying far-right protests in the south of England this week. Many of those protestors aren’t happy with the good people of the RNLI doing their bit to safeguard people’s lives, or as Ferrari put […]

The post Nick Ferrari said the RNLI had become a ‘taxi service’ for asylum seekers and got all the responses he surely deserved appeared first on The Poke.

Watch: Emotional moment as Alan Carr honoured at National Television Awards

The comedian received the Special Recognition prize at Tuesday night's awards.

Who is air traffic control boss earning £1.5m facing backlash after chaos?

The latest IT glitch to hit the UK air traffic control provider NATS has raised further searching questions over its systems and leadership.

Shelton beats Alcaraz in latest-ever US Open finish to reach semis

Carlos Alcaraz's US Open title defence is over after a dramatic five-set quarter-final loss to Ben Shelton which ends at 03:34 local time.

GB News-er Michelle Dewberry is fed up with ordinary decent folk being labelled ‘far right’ and was brutally owned into next year and back

To the studios of GB News – no, stick with us – where one-time Apprentice contestant turned GB News presenter Michelle Dewberry is fed up with ordinary, decent folk being labelled ‘far right’. Ordinary, decent folk with a fondness for going out in the middle of the night wearing balaclavas and sitting in the middle […]

The post GB News-er Michelle Dewberry is fed up with ordinary decent folk being labelled ‘far right’ and was brutally owned into next year and back appeared first on The Poke.

Police swarmed UK high school as scared parents say 'not risking it' after 'threat'

Threatening messages were posted on social media targeting Calderglen High School in East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire, with an anonymous account on X claiming to have planted explosives — police searched the grounds and found nothing of concern

Ted Cruz tried to defend Donald Trump’s 9/11 nonsense and accidentally said what the entire internet was thinking

You will no doubt have seen elsewhere Donald Trump’s latest fantasy of what happened to him in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks 25 years ago. But just in case … Trump claims he was basically lifted out of the rubble on 9/11: “Two fireman, big strong guys, they grabbed me under the arms — […]

The post Ted Cruz tried to defend Donald Trump’s 9/11 nonsense and accidentally said what the entire internet was thinking appeared first on The Poke.

Defending champion out of US Open after latest-ever finish

The US Open has seen its latest-ever finish to a match after Ben Shelton beat defending champion Carlos Alcaraz at a little after 3.30am on Wednesday.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle 'overshadowed' proud day for William after 'warning shot'

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's surprise return to the UK has "overshadowed" Prince George's first day at Eton College, according to royal expert Phil Dampier, who said King Charles's letter was a "warning shot"

This Canadian public toilet named after Trump isn’t the throne he wants, but it’s the one he deserves – 17 takedowns that go way beyond bog standard

Donald Trump has spent most of his second term trolling Canada. He’s referred to them as the 51st state of the US, repeatedly called their prime ministers ‘Governor’, imposed massive tariffs on them, and posted meme after meme on Truth Social, mocking them. It’s no surprise, then, that Canada’s elbows are up, and they’ve set […]

The post This Canadian public toilet named after Trump isn’t the throne he wants, but it’s the one he deserves – 17 takedowns that go way beyond bog standard appeared first on The Poke.

What are my rights if my flight is cancelled or delayed?

Flights are cancelled owing to air traffic control problems, so what are your rights if you're affected?

Man charged over deaths of cyclists

A man has been charged following the deaths of two cyclists in Kent.

Oil rises above $100 a barrel as Middle East conflict escalates - use our tracker to see impact on prices

There is mounting concern over the impact of intensifying hostilities in the Middle East on the global economy, as oil prices topped $100 a barrel again.

Air traffic control boss breaks silence on cyber attack fear as airport chaos continues

Martin Rolfe, chief executive of air traffic controller Nats, said there will be a “very, very thorough investigation” into the technical problem that caused major flight as he weighed in on cyber attack rumours

Trump post showing Iceland and Greenland as part of the US 'completely inappropriate'

Denmark's foreign minister has criticised a "completely inappropriate" social post by Donald Trump appearing to show Greenland and Iceland as part of the US. 

UK to call up 95,000 retirees in WW3 preparation fears over Russia conflict threat

A major drill to mobilise a UK military reserve of 95,000 veterans is being planned for next year as WW3 preparedness fears rise over potential conflict with Russia by 2030

Nigel Farage vowed that if his hypothetical ministers failed, they’d resign or be sacked, and the irony was visible from outer space – 16 helpings of chinny reckon

Nigel Farage has been wanging on about what he’d do in his first 100 days as prime minister – an increasingly unlikely scenario – and it’s all looking a bit Trumpian. Farage says he would declare a stae of national emergency on day One That would give him unfettered power without challenge LET THAT SINK […]

The post Nigel Farage vowed that if his hypothetical ministers failed, they’d resign or be sacked, and the irony was visible from outer space – 16 helpings of chinny reckon appeared first on The Poke.

Are women better than men at endurance running?

Women have beaten men in some high-profile endurance events in recent months - are they better suited to these challenges?

Prince William's brutal two words after controversial moment with Prince Harry

Prince Harry has returned to the UK with Meghan Markle and their two children but tensions between him and Prince William are not believed to have cooled

'Very hot' drinks can increase the risk of developing cancer, largest study finds

Drinking "very hot" drinks can increase the chances of developing oesophageal cancer, the largest study of its kind has warned.

Divorcing abusive husband cost woman £105k

Annabelle Boucher wants the law changed after she paid thousands to divorce her coercive ex-husband.

25 of the Funniest Posts We’ve Seen on Bluesky This Week

It’s Wednesday, which means we’ll hit the halfway mark of the working week today, as well as teetering on the brink of the slide into the weekend. To celebrate, we’re sharing the 25 funniest things we’ve spotted on Bluesky in the past seven days. There’s something for everyone. Let’s dive right in. 1. Didn’t realize […]

The post 25 of the Funniest Posts We’ve Seen on Bluesky This Week appeared first on The Poke.

Cowboy builder tore my home apart and disappeared off the face of the Earth with £14k

Victims of cowboy builders describe how they were exploited with one couple left "scarred for life".

Drug gangs exploited and raped us as teens, then police failed us, women tell BBC

Four victims describe being targeted by criminals and then not being taken seriously by the authorities.

Donald Trump’s latest 9/11 lie about being carried from the area by firefighters is his most outrageous yet – 23 frank condemnations

Since the 9/11 attack 25 years ago, Donald Trump has made a number of claims about his own response to the atrocity. He has stated that he sent hundreds of construction workers to help, and that he also went to the site shortly afterwards to offer his assistance. Both of those accounts, along with his […]

The post Donald Trump’s latest 9/11 lie about being carried from the area by firefighters is his most outrageous yet – 23 frank condemnations appeared first on The Poke.

Sir David Attenborough wins NTA host gong alongside grim speech calling for help from the public

Sir David was crowned TV presenter of the year, but it was the 100-year-old's impassioned speech read out on his behalf that struck a chord with viewers

How cleaning up the air is speeding up global warming - and revealing a bigger problem

A curious online row over this summer's heatwaves points to a wider - and worrying - shift in climate science.

Hegseth is shaking up the Pentagon as the US wages war - but it comes at a cost

The upheaval in the military could shape the legacy of Trump's second term, writes the BBC's Tom Bateman.

'Constantly on my mind' - 9/11 agony endures for bereaved, 25 years on

As the 25th anniversary approaches, the wait for the alleged mastermind of the attack to be put on trial goes on.

I'm 27 and I've already written my will - here's why

For many young people making a will may not seem necessary, but here's why you shouldn't put it off.

Man shot by police after woman stabbed

A man has been shot by police in Luton after a woman was stabbed.

LIV files for bankruptcy protection with over $45m owed to players

LIV Golf has filed for bankruptcy protection with at least $45m (£33m) owed to players, who will now have the option to leave.

7 in 10 say their loved ones' chronic condition has impacted their mental health

A new study has found that many of those supporting loved ones with chronic health conditions struggle with their own mental health as a result

Why Has The UK Government Changed Its Approach to Israel?

UK imposes sanctions on Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

Over 50s urged to embrace the 'F-word' at breakfast to improve health

Over 50s are being urged to up their fibre intake as only one in three know whether they're getting enough

Young adults use more water than any other age group – as campaign urges 'small changes'

A campaign is urging Brits to make 'mindful choices' to cut water use, with young adults using more than any other generation.

Ray Winstone's frank response to Meghan Markle joining The Gentlemen Netflix series

Meghan Markle has been strongly tipped to star in Netflix hit The Gentlemen after her return to the UK - but one of the show's stars doesn't sound too keen on the possibility

Scientists launch bid to make humans 'snuggle a shark' and fall in love with Jaws monsters

Brits are being urged to fall in love with sharks as boffins launch a £1million mission to protect them. Scientists insist the fearsome fish swimming around our shores are actually “beautiful animals” and are a far cry from the man-eating monsters in Jaws.

Female masseuse installed rape alarm after client refused to wear towel

Ffion Price has put in place rape alarms after a man refused to wear a towel and got an erection whilst she was working.

Everything Brits should stockpile now to survive Super El Nino - see full list

Experts have revealed the different food items and kit we should be storing as the deadly weather event ramps up - with wetter and stormier conditions expected this winter

The White House tried to celebrate American workers on Labor Day and it was a spectacular slop-filled own goal for the ages

Magas desperately want to believe that their fearless leader has their best interests at heart. A major part of Donald Trump’s campaign focused on making sure illegal immigrants couldn’t take jobs away from deserving Americans. He also says he wants to bring back factories. Unfortunately, these priorities have taken a back seat to waging war […]

The post The White House tried to celebrate American workers on Labor Day and it was a spectacular slop-filled own goal for the ages appeared first on The Poke.

All London Heathrow and Gatwick Airport flights 'grounded' in major travel chaos

London Heathrow and Gatwick Airports are currently facing major disruption with departures this afternoon after Air Traffic Control encountered technical issues

‘What’s a skill almost everyone thinks they’re good at until they meet someone who’s actually great at it?’ – 21 things we all suck at, actually

Being a ‘jack of all trades’ means being pretty good at a lot of things, but not an expert in any of them, and that probably sums how most of us think about ourselves up pretty well. But it’s not until we come across someone who is a genuine master of a particular skill that […]

The post ‘What’s a skill almost everyone thinks they’re good at until they meet someone who’s actually great at it?’ – 21 things we all suck at, actually appeared first on The Poke.

Everyone noticed the same disrespectful detail from Donald Trump’s bumbling chopper exit – 17 withering takedowns

The President has a giant support staff that helps him handle his day-to-day responsibilities. Most presidents would treat that staff with the utmost respect for their sacrifice and dedication. Donald Trump is not most presidents. Look no further than his bizarre and supremely unpresidential behavior while returning to the White House from a long weekend […]

The post Everyone noticed the same disrespectful detail from Donald Trump’s bumbling chopper exit – 17 withering takedowns appeared first on The Poke.

Covid outbreak at UK hospital as health trust issues 'control processes' statement

The Northern Health and Social Care Trust has issued a statement following a Covid outbreak at Antrim Area Hospital in Northern Ireland, with enhanced infection prevention and control measures now successfully implemented

Adult model whose husband is older than her parents hits back at age-gap trolls

Olivia Eden - whose 63-year-old husband's children are all older than her - has revealed why she wouldn't want a man her own age anyway

‘What do you think will die out with the next generation?’ – 21 things it looks like we’ll lose, for better or worse

Life changes at a very rapid pace nowadays, for good or ill, and things that we once thought permanent fixtures have started to disappear. They’ve been discussing this on the AskUK subreddit after PaddedValls posed this question… What do you think will die out with the next generation? Are private phone calls on the way […]

The post ‘What do you think will die out with the next generation?’ – 21 things it looks like we’ll lose, for better or worse appeared first on The Poke.

'Michael Myers chases mum and toddler' on UK street as residents 'terrified'

A video showing a masked figure dressed as Michael Myers has been shared online after claims he chased a young mum and toddler, as well as others, in Batley, West Yorkshire

People in their 30s have been sharing what they definitely don’t regret doing in their 20s – 17 youthful follies that aren’t a waste of time

It can feel like there’s a lot of pressure when you’re young. You’ve got to pick the right job, meet the right person, and build the foundations of your life, right? Well, maybe not. That’s because according to the findings of NanookZappa, it seems like your 20s are best spent screwing around. And we know […]

The post People in their 30s have been sharing what they definitely don’t regret doing in their 20s – 17 youthful follies that aren’t a waste of time appeared first on The Poke.

Man who battered ex's dog with hammer gives thumbs up as 'love you babe' heard in court

WARNING, DISTRESSING CONTENT: Lewis Walker pleaded guilty to controlling or coercive behaviour at Liverpool Crown Court, admitting animal cruelty and domestic abuse spanning more than five years

Prince George receives 5-word message as Kate and William arrive at Eton College

Kate Middleton and Prince William have been seen accompanying Prince George on his first day at the prestigious Eton College, where he now follows in his father and uncle's footsteps

Seven weirdest things I saw at Reform conference - from Jeremy Kyle to incest warning

Daily Star reporter Sian Hewitt spent three days witnessing all the strange and frankly bizarre goings-on at the Reform party conference

Americanswers… on 5 Live! Why is Lindsay Clancy’s mistrial dividing America?

And will Trump succeed in limiting mail-in voting before the midterms?

Why Dolly Parton meant so much to so many around the world

Dolly Parton's death sparked an huge outpouring of love - why did she mean so much?

A vivid account of WHAM!'s legendary 1985 tour in China

Making pop history. Priceless footage tells the true story of a real 80s culture shock

BBC News app

Top stories, breaking news, live reporting, and follow news topics that match your interests