Sir Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak are beginning the first full week of the election campaign by trading blows on the economy and security. The Labour leader used his first keynote speech of the election campaign in the southeast to accept that many voters were still unsure whether the party can be...Sir Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak are beginning the first full week of the election campaign by trading blows on the economy and security. The Labour leader used his first keynote speech of the election campaign in the southeast to accept that many voters were still unsure whether the party can be...Sir Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak are beginning the first full week of the election campaign by trading blows on the economy and...
ANALYSIS
Rishi Sunak has a problem. His decision to call a snap election may have earned him a political advantage, but many of his MPs — and members of his cabinet — are furious. They believe that it is a mistake and that they are more likely to lose their seats because of it. The prime minister presented the July 4 election to his cabinet as a...Rishi Sunak has a problem. His decision to call a snap election may have earned him a political advantage, but many of his MPs — and members of his cabinet — are furious. They believe that it is a mistake and that they are more likely to lose their seats because of it. The prime minister presented the July 4 election to his cabinet as a...Rishi Sunak has a problem. His decision to call a snap election may have earned him a political advantage, but many of his MPs...
political sketch
The Labour Party has a new image consultant, a clergyman academic from Oxford with a talent for wordplay. “Change” may be the simple slogan on the lectern and on the placards waved at their rallies, but a more subtle message had been crafted by Dr Spooner for the first big speech of the campaign. With the Tories...The Labour Party has a new image consultant, a clergyman academic from Oxford with a talent for...The Labour Party has a new image consultant, a clergyman academic from Oxford with a talent for...
FIRST NIGHT REVIEW
video
What have the Victorians ever done for us? Well, along with those familiar things like inventing the telephone...What have the Victorians ever done for us? Well, along with those familiar things like inventing...What have the Victorians ever done for us? Well, along with those familiar things like inventing...
William Hague
I can’t complain. Four months ago, I set out on this page the arguments for a Nordic model of national service in...I can’t complain. Four months ago, I set out on this page the arguments for a Nordic model of...I can’t complain. Four months ago, I set out on this page the arguments for a Nordic model of...
Party pledges ‘sprint’ review to identify threats
exclusiveIn the wooded grounds of a former hunting lodge in a Hampshire forest, scientists are racing to protect Britain from the next ash dieback or Dutch elm disease. Ensconced in a highly secure containment lab, which staff say is “designed to let...In the wooded grounds of a former hunting lodge in a Hampshire forest, scientists are racing to...In the wooded grounds of a former hunting lodge in a Hampshire forest, scientists are racing to...
Photography
A new exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery charts the evolution of fashion photography from a commercial device into an art form. Curated by Nathalie Herschdorfer, director of Photo Elysée in Lausanne, Switzerland, and produced by the Foundation for...A new exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery charts the evolution of fashion photography from a...A new exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery charts the evolution of fashion photography from a...
Domestic abusers are being let out of prison early despite concerns being raised by probation officers about their threat to the public, whistleblowers have revealed. Two serving probation officers said that they were powerless...Domestic abusers are being let out of prison early despite concerns being raised by probation officers about their threat to the public, whistleblowers have revealed. Two serving probation officers said that they were powerless...Domestic abusers are being let out of prison early despite concerns being raised by probation officers about their...
Labour and the Tories have launched TikTok campaigns as they target younger voters on the social media platform. Political advertising is banned on the platform but the parties will be hoping to create content that performs...Labour and the Tories have launched TikTok campaigns as they target younger voters on the social media platform. Political advertising is banned on the platform but the parties will be hoping to create content that performs...Labour and the Tories have launched TikTok campaigns as they target younger voters on the social media platform.
Dispatch from ukraine
The Russian armoured column roaring towards his lines would be his men’s greatest challenge, the Ukrainian commander thought. Major Ruslan Habinet’s 5th Separate Assault Brigade had already seen off President Putin’s last big push to seize the town of Chasiv Yar, denying him a symbolic win before...The Russian armoured column roaring towards his lines would be his men’s greatest challenge, the Ukrainian commander thought. Major Ruslan Habinet’s 5th Separate Assault Brigade had already seen off President Putin’s last big push to seize the town of Chasiv Yar, denying him a symbolic win before...The Russian armoured column roaring towards his lines would be his men’s greatest challenge, the Ukrainian commander thought.
Israeli airstrikes on an area where displaced Palestinians have taken shelter have reportedly killed dozens of people. Aid groups said the strikes targeted the Tel al-Sultan neighbourhood where civilians were sheltering in tents, igniting a fire. According to Gaza’s civil defence agency operating in the Hamas-run territory, the bombing on...Israeli airstrikes on an area where displaced Palestinians have taken shelter have reportedly killed dozens of people. Aid groups said the strikes targeted the Tel al-Sultan neighbourhood where civilians were sheltering in tents, igniting a fire. According to Gaza’s civil defence agency operating in the Hamas-run territory, the bombing on...Israeli airstrikes on an area where displaced Palestinians have taken shelter have reportedly killed dozens of people. Aid...
Germany’s hard-right AfD failed to secure outright victories in local elections in its heartland state of Thuringia after a string of scandals and court defeats. The party made gains in the mayoral and county-level polls entering run-off votes for local government posts but failed to secure the landslides that...Germany’s hard-right AfD failed to secure outright victories in local elections in its heartland...Germany’s hard-right AfD failed to secure outright victories in local elections in its heartland...
video
A landslide in a remote part of Papua New Guinea has buried 2,000 people alive, according to local officials co-ordinating the rescue and recovery effort at the scene. The revised figure is three times higher than an earlier estimate of 670 deaths...A landslide in a remote part of Papua New Guinea has buried 2,000 people alive, according to...A landslide in a remote part of Papua New Guinea has buried 2,000 people alive, according to...
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s daughter is said to have dropped her father’s name as the former Hollywood golden...Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s daughter is said to have dropped her father’s name as the former...Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s daughter is said to have dropped her father’s name as the former...
Bordeaux’s most distinguished oenologist has accused the region’s châteaux of pursuing an “indecent” fad for fresh...Bordeaux’s most distinguished oenologist has accused the region’s châteaux of pursuing an...Bordeaux’s most distinguished oenologist has accused the region’s châteaux of pursuing an...
Six family members were infected with parasitic roundworms after eating under-cooked black bear meat. One of the patients, a 29-year-old man, was taken to hospital in July 2022 with symptoms including fever, severe muscle aches and swelling around...Six family members were infected with parasitic roundworms after eating under-cooked black bear...Six family members were infected with parasitic roundworms after eating under-cooked black bear...
From our correspondent
The daily descent of Lorenzo Rodríguez from the Madrid sunshine to the darkness of its labyrinthine sewerage system could well be called a heroic feat. For 34 years the grizzled madrileño has lowered himself through manholes to depths of up to 30...The daily descent of Lorenzo Rodríguez from the Madrid sunshine to the darkness of its...The daily descent of Lorenzo Rodríguez from the Madrid sunshine to the darkness of its...
IN maps and CHARTS
President Biden trails Donald Trump in five of the six swing states expected to decide the 2024 election, according...President Biden trails Donald Trump in five of the six swing states expected to decide the 2024...President Biden trails Donald Trump in five of the six swing states expected to decide the 2024...
Nikki Haley has confirmed that she will be voting for Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election, urging her...Nikki Haley has confirmed that she will be voting for Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential...Nikki Haley has confirmed that she will be voting for Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential...
Elon Musk’s xAI artificial intelligence start-up has raised $6 billion from investors including Andreessen Horowitz and Sequoia Capital, giving it an estimated valuation of $24 billion. It said the funds would be used to bring its first products to market, to build infrastructure and to...Elon Musk’s xAI artificial intelligence start-up has raised $6 billion from investors including Andreessen Horowitz and Sequoia Capital, giving it an estimated valuation of $24 billion. It said the funds would be used to bring its first products to market, to build infrastructure and to...Elon Musk’s xAI artificial intelligence start-up has raised $6 billion from investors including Andreessen Horowitz and Sequoia...
The Serious Fraud Office has been in contact with administrators investigating the Philips Trust Corporation scandal. Philips Trust collapsed into administration two years ago holding an estimated £138 million of more than 2,000 building society customers’ assets, including properties in trust and £44 million of invested savings. The...The Serious Fraud Office has been in contact with administrators investigating the Philips Trust Corporation scandal. Philips Trust collapsed into administration two years ago holding an estimated £138 million of more than 2,000 building society customers’ assets, including properties in trust and £44 million of invested savings. The...The Serious Fraud Office has been in contact with administrators investigating the Philips Trust Corporation scandal. Philips...
Private equity executives have received a tax break worth as much as £4 billion under the “carried interest” rules that Labour plans to abolish if it wins the general election, data obtained by The Times has revealed. The figures demonstrate that a lenient tax treatment of private equity executives’ profits has...Private equity executives have received a tax break worth as much as £4 billion under the...Private equity executives have received a tax break worth as much as £4 billion under the...
According to some forecasts, the past 18 months should have been a bloodbath for the housing market. Towards the end of 2022, in the wake of the infamous September mini-budget, there were predictions of a steep fall in house...According to some forecasts, the past 18 months should have been a bloodbath for the housing market. Towards the end of 2022, in the wake of the infamous September mini-budget, there were predictions of a steep fall in house...According to some forecasts, the past 18 months should have been a bloodbath for the housing market. Towards the end...
House prices have been strongest in rural areas over the past five years, outstripping growth in predominately urban locations. According to Nationwide, prices have risen by 22 per cent in the countryside, compared with 17 per...House prices have been strongest in rural areas over the past five years, outstripping growth in predominately urban locations. According to Nationwide, prices have risen by 22 per cent in the countryside, compared with 17 per...House prices have been strongest in rural areas over the past five years, outstripping growth in predominately urban...
need to know
State subsidies for new offshore wind projects may not be generous enough to drive the projects needed to achieve targets for boosting clean energy, a leading climate adviser to the government has warned. Baroness Brown of Cambridge, chairwoman of...State subsidies for new offshore wind projects may not be generous enough to drive the projects...State subsidies for new offshore wind projects may not be generous enough to drive the projects...
how i made it
Anthony Eskinazi, founder of JustPark, on his 16-year journey to sell the business
Food
The meal kit delivery firm has cut costs and laid off staff as it battles rising inflation and the return to the office
recruitment
For a profession that prides itself on selling, estate agency all too often has failed to sell itself. Despite agents handling more than a million home sales each year worth over £151 billion, agents rank a lowly fifth from bottom on the Ipsos Veracity Index, languishing below both bankers and private landlords. A lack of trust and regulation mean that few young people...For a profession that prides itself on selling, estate agency all too often has failed to sell...For a profession that prides itself on selling, estate agency all too often has failed to sell...
six from the best
Ann Francke is chief executive of the Chartered Management Institute, Britain’s professional body for management and...Ann Francke is chief executive of the Chartered Management Institute, Britain’s professional body for management and leadership. After more than two decades in senior executive roles at Mars, Boots and Yell, here is what she has learnt to become a better manager. 1. Ask for feedback, don’t just give it. It’s rare to...Ann Francke is chief executive of the Chartered Management Institute, Britain’s professional body for management and leadership.
Club hope to complete deal for Leicester City manager this week
Chelsea are expected to appoint Enzo Maresca as their head coach in the next few days after Kieran McKenna, who had been on their shortlist, moved closer to agreeing a new deal with Ipswich Town. The west London club have been given formal permission to talk to Maresca, 44, about replacing...Chelsea are expected to appoint Enzo Maresca as their head coach in the next few days after Kieran McKenna, who had been on their shortlist, moved closer to agreeing a new deal with Ipswich Town. The west London club have been given formal permission to talk to Maresca, 44, about replacing...Chelsea are expected to appoint Enzo Maresca as their head coach in the next few days after Kieran McKenna, who had been on...
Pep Guardiola has been assured that Manchester City’s summer transfer plans are in order as he contemplates a potential shake-up of his squad. Although City lost the FA Cup final to Manchester United, they still had a successful campaign, becoming the first English team to win four consecutive top-flight titles. Guardiola always speaks...Pep Guardiola has been assured that Manchester City’s summer transfer plans are in order as he contemplates a potential shake-up of his squad. Although City lost the FA Cup final to Manchester United, they still had a successful campaign, becoming the first English team to win four consecutive top-flight titles. Guardiola always speaks...Pep Guardiola has been assured that Manchester City’s summer transfer plans are in order as he contemplates a potential...
Steph Houghton interview
It is a mark of Steph Houghton’s character that she expresses no regrets over her football career. It would be perfectly understandable if, having retired this month, she leaves the game feeling somewhat bitter. Houghton, 36, was the face of the Lionesses before it was cool — or at least as cool as it is now. By...It is a mark of Steph Houghton’s character that she expresses no regrets over her football career.It is a mark of Steph Houghton’s character that she expresses no regrets over her football career.
Ian Hawkey
These are not wise times to prevaricate too long over the hiring or the firing of a new head coach. The market may be...These are not wise times to prevaricate too long over the hiring or the firing of a new head coach.These are not wise times to prevaricate too long over the hiring or the firing of a new head coach.
French Open
Andy Murray’s new racket failed to make a dent on the other side of the French Open net on Sunday night. As hard as...Andy Murray’s new racket failed to make a dent on the other side of the French Open net on Sunday...Andy Murray’s new racket failed to make a dent on the other side of the French Open net on Sunday...
FA Cup final | Paul Hirst
About 90 minutes after the final whistle of Saturday’s FA Cup final, Sir Alex Ferguson and David Gill left the Manchester United dressing room and headed towards Wembley’s underground car park with big grins on their faces. Not even a question from a reporter in the interview area could darken the mood. Ferguson, who fought many battles with the media during his 27...About 90 minutes after the final whistle of Saturday’s FA Cup final, Sir Alex Ferguson and David...About 90 minutes after the final whistle of Saturday’s FA Cup final, Sir Alex Ferguson and David...
Erik ten Hag jetted off on holiday on Sunday, seemingly still in the dark about his future. The under-pressure...Erik ten Hag jetted off on holiday on Sunday, seemingly still in the dark about his future. The under-pressure Manchester United manager partied with his players in London on Saturday night after they pulled off a shock 2-1 win over holders Manchester City in the FA Cup final. Club sources said that a review of the...Erik ten Hag jetted off on holiday on Sunday, seemingly still in the dark about his future. The under-pressure Manchester...
Champions cup | alex lowe
Championship play-off final
mike atherton
It was only a month ago, in an interview given to Steve James in these pages, that England’s white-ball coach Matthew...It was only a month ago, in an interview given to Steve James in these pages, that England’s...It was only a month ago, in an interview given to Steve James in these pages, that England’s...
Champions cup | stuart barnes
“Epic,” said my old commentary partner, Miles Harrison, in the bowels of Tottenham Hotspur Stadium when we bumped...“Epic,” said my old commentary partner, Miles Harrison, in the bowels of Tottenham Hotspur...“Epic,” said my old commentary partner, Miles Harrison, in the bowels of Tottenham Hotspur...
Monaco Grand Prix
Interview
He wrote such masterpieces as MacArthur Park and Wichita Lineman, and hung out with John Lennon and Brian Wilson. What does he make of today’s lyricists?
newEXTRACT
Chris Stein on Debbie Harry, drug addiction and the rare disease that changed his life
exclusiveExtract
The actress introduced Shekhar Bhatia, her first husband, to Shakespeare; he took her to see West Ham United. As he recalls in his new book, it was a disaster
Dr Mark Porter
Poorly applied sunscreen gives a false sense of reassurance
newinterview
Scrolling through Anna Lapwood’s videos on her TikTok, where the organist has become a social media star with nearly...Scrolling through Anna Lapwood’s videos on her TikTok, where the organist has become a social...Scrolling through Anna Lapwood’s videos on her TikTok, where the organist has become a social...
ASK PROFESSOR TANYA BYRON
Q. My nine-year-old son, the youngest of four, has sucked his thumb since he was born. In fact I’m pretty sure I saw...Q. My nine-year-old son, the youngest of four, has sucked his thumb since he was born. In fact...Q. My nine-year-old son, the youngest of four, has sucked his thumb since he was born. In fact...
FIRST PERSON
In 2017 my parents lived in a farmhouse in a little village in Carmarthenshire in Wales, where they had been for 20 years [says Gail Carter, 47]. Because they were so far away, we always wondered what would happen when they got older and if...In 2017 my parents lived in a farmhouse in a little village in Carmarthenshire in Wales, where...In 2017 my parents lived in a farmhouse in a little village in Carmarthenshire in Wales, where...
FIRST NIGHT REVIEW
FIRST NIGHT REVIEW
Safe to say it was a rollercoaster weekend for Nicki Minaj, the 12-time Grammy-nominated rapper. After a sell-out show in Amsterdam, on Friday she announced she was extending her Pink Friday 2 album tour due to popular demand. Things then took a...Safe to say it was a rollercoaster weekend for Nicki Minaj, the 12-time Grammy-nominated rapper.Safe to say it was a rollercoaster weekend for Nicki Minaj, the 12-time Grammy-nominated rapper.
Viewing GUide
MindGames
1 The subject of the 2008 documentary Not Quite Hollywood, Ozploitation films are made in which country? 2...1 The subject of the 2008 documentary Not Quite Hollywood, Ozploitation films are made in...1 The subject of the 2008 documentary Not Quite Hollywood, Ozploitation films are made in...
television
TELEVISION
TELEVISION
Television
TELEVISION
Television
This summer’s shades are all about collaborations, with big names from Lenny Kravitz to Keith Haring
Lymphatic drainage is a wonder treatment loved by Hollywood celebrities who need a quick fix. We round up the best UK practitioners
Simon de Burton visits the Italian workshop that lovingly restores old Cinquecentos to even greater glory
Lisa Johnson selects seven of the smartest holiday seaside homes — and the specialists for booking them
video
Since 1888 Lalique has produced some of the world’s most covetable crystals from its headquarters in France. The company was founded by René Lalique, a French jewellery designer who was part of the art nouveau design movement. Lalique began his...
Since 1888 Lalique has produced some of the world’s most covetable crystals from its headquarters...
Since 1888 Lalique has produced some of the world’s most covetable crystals from its headquarters...
A small-ship cruise around the underrated eastern isles of the Aegean visits places most people haven’t even heard of — let alone visited
video
Just a short drive from Caen, belle époque villas and glorious wellbeing treatments await in the back-in-vogue forested expanses of Bagnoles de l’Orne
video
When he was 19, our writer loved the country of squat loos, rip-off taxis and seedy auberges. Would a return visit give his children playground bragging rights?
video
When the TV presenter, her sister Wendy and their 91-year-old father discovered who their ancestor was, their next holiday destination was a natural selection
kathy lette | travel troubleshooter
Our travel troubleshooter advises on when to put friends before children and how to navigate a couple’s disparate holiday tastes
My usual preflight routine goes something like this: check passport and boarding pass, ensure I’ve downloaded a...My usual preflight routine goes something like this: check passport and boarding pass, ensure...My usual preflight routine goes something like this: check passport and boarding pass, ensure...
WHERE WAS I? COMPETITION
My friend is counting holes. “Fab. Four more!” he exclaims as we emerge from a golf club that dates from 1891.My friend is counting holes. “Fab. Four more!” he exclaims as we emerge from a golf club that...My friend is counting holes. “Fab. Four more!” he exclaims as we emerge from a golf club that...
video
The Amalfi coast is one of the prettiest parts of Italy — and therefore one of the most popular. In high season, the towns and villages strung along the winding coast are heaving. There are ways to find the uncrowded Amalfi, though: our expert...The Amalfi coast is one of the prettiest parts of Italy — and therefore one of the most popular.The Amalfi coast is one of the prettiest parts of Italy — and therefore one of the most popular.
Obituary
Composer who with his brother, Robert, wrote songs for family favourite Disney films such as Mary Poppins and The Jungle Book
Weather eye
From the archive
Kensington Palace
25th May, 2024 The Prince of Wales, President, the Football Association, this afternoon attended...Kensington Palace
25th May, 2024 The Prince of Wales, President, the Football Association...Kensington Palace
25th May, 2024 The Prince of Wales, President, the Football Association...
“ ‘NOW if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession.“ ‘NOW if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my...“ ‘NOW if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my...
MindGames and Brain Boost puzzles to print and solve at your leisure
The SNP leader John Swinney has conceded his party “has a lot of ground to cover” to catch up with Labour in the polls before the general election. Swinney, who took over as SNP leader from Humza Yousaf three weeks ago, said the party was already united behind him and “very focused on the...The SNP leader John Swinney has conceded his party “has a lot of ground to cover” to catch up with Labour in the polls before the general election. Swinney, who took over as SNP leader from Humza Yousaf three weeks ago, said the party was already united behind him and “very focused on the...The SNP leader John Swinney has conceded his party “has a lot of ground to cover” to catch up with Labour in the polls before...
The Liberal Democrats can replace the SNP as the third largest party in the House of Commons after the general election, the party’s leader has said. Starting the Scottish Liberal Democrats’ election campaign, Sir Ed Davey said he thought there could be “more liberals than nationalists” in the next parliament. This would boost the profile...The Liberal Democrats can replace the SNP as the third largest party in the House of Commons after the general election, the party’s leader has said. Starting the Scottish Liberal Democrats’ election campaign, Sir Ed Davey said he thought there could be “more liberals than nationalists” in the next parliament. This would boost the profile...The Liberal Democrats can replace the SNP as the third largest party in the House of Commons after the general election, the...
Iain Macwhirter | comment
First impressions are important. Psychologists tell us that we make lasting judgments about someone’s character and truthfulness in the first seven seconds of meeting them. In politics, as in life, how a party leader begins an election campaign can define how the voters view them right up to polling day. Hence, that...First impressions are important. Psychologists tell us that we make lasting judgments about...First impressions are important. Psychologists tell us that we make lasting judgments about...
Holidaymakers and day trippers in Scotland have been warned they face the prospect of flooding, lightning and thunderstorms during the late spring bank holiday. Millions are expected on the roads to enjoy the last official break before summer but...Holidaymakers and day trippers in Scotland have been warned they face the prospect of flooding...Holidaymakers and day trippers in Scotland have been warned they face the prospect of flooding...
The death of native-spoken Gaelic in its traditional heartland is being forecast following figures which show a substantial fall people using the ancient language. For the first time Gaelic speakers are in the minority in the Western Isles, with...The death of native-spoken Gaelic in its traditional heartland is being forecast following...The death of native-spoken Gaelic in its traditional heartland is being forecast following...
Comment
Labour’s foolish to rule out national service
William Hague
During an election it’s easy to trash the opponent, but creating a reserve army and forging a common identity will be vital
newTomiwa Owolade
Our oversharing culture debases privacy
libby purves
The best sitcoms can both shock and console
sathnam sanghera | notebook
Love is … not having to pick up the phone
sean o’neill
Public inquiries must have a way to enforce real change
Leading Articles
First Among Equals
Michael Gove has announced he will not seek re-election in July. A gifted and consequential political reformer, he sets a formidable example to his successors
Age Concern
Rishi Sunak’s proposal for mandatory National Service has real merits
Heritage Heights
Building new audiences for Britain’s country houses is a noble endeavour
letters to the editor
Starmer’s plan for VAT on private school fees
Sir, The decision to impose tax on such a valuable and precious asset as education will be prone to unintended consequences (“Speedy action on school VAT”, news, May 25). The only children who will suffer will be those whose parents are...Sir, The decision to impose tax on such a valuable and precious asset as education will be prone...Sir, The decision to impose tax on such a valuable and precious asset as education will be prone...
Daily Universal Register
Briefing
UK: Spring bank holiday.
World: Seventy-seventh World Health Assembly opens, the director-general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus to speak.
Nature notes
The bubbling, mechanical churr of a nightjar is one of the sounds most evocative of a warm summer’s night. In late April and May fewer than 10,000 of these extraordinary birds arrive from the Democratic Republic of Congo at lowland heaths in southern England to breed, departing again in August. A drastic collapse in their numbers in the second half of the last century has been partially reversed, perhaps due to climate change but certainly connected to the felling of forestry plantations which creates more of the habitat they like. By day, nightjars rest on a branch or on the ground, disappearing entirely due to their cryptic plumage. By night they hunt moths, aided by their huge eyes and wide gapes. Melissa Harrison
On this day
In 1937 200,000 people celebrated the grand opening of the Golden Gate Bridge, in San Francisco, by strolling across it. The US navy had wanted the bridge to be painted black and yellow for high visibility; in 1963 Jomo Kenyatta’s Kenya African National Union party won the country’s general election. The country was granted full independence from British rule on December 12, 1963, and became a republic on December 12, 1964. Kenyatta was president until his death on August 22, 1978, succeeded by Daniel arap Moi until the party’s defeat on December 30, 2002; in 1964 Jawaharlal Nehru, the prime minister of India, died aged 74 after suffering a stroke. He had been in power since independence was granted on August 15, 1947; in 2022 it was revealed that more than a million foreigners had been offered visas to live in the UK over the previous year, the highest figure on record, according to the Home Office. The UK granted 994,951 visas in the 12 months to March 2022. The UK also granted asylum to 15,451 people over the same period, taking the number given long-term residency to the highest since records began in 2005.
The Times
Birthdays today
Rebekah Brooks, chief executive officer, News UK, 56; Admiral of the Fleet Sir Benjamin Bathurst, first sea lord and chief of naval staff (1993-95), 88; Paul Bettany, actor, The Da Vinci Code (2006), WandaVision (2021), 53; Heston Blumenthal, chef, 58; Dee Dee Bridgewater, jazz singer, Good Morning Heartache (2010), 74; Pat Cash, tennis player, Wimbledon men’s singles winner (1987), 59; Alina Cojocaru, principal dancer, English National Ballet (2013-21), 43; John Conteh, boxer, world light-heavyweight boxing champion (1974-77), 73; Sarah Dines, Conservative MP for Derbyshire Dales, 59; Tim Farron, MP for Westmorland & Lonsdale, leader of the Liberal Democrats (2015-17), 54; Joseph Fiennes, actor, Shakespeare in Love (1998), 54; Lord (Roger) Freeman, chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1995-97), vice-chairman, Conservative Party (1997-2001), 82; Paul Gascoigne, footballer, England (1988-98), 57; Duncan Goodhew, swimmer, Olympic gold medallist (1980), 67; Isata Kanneh-Mason, pianist, 28; Jamie Oliver, chef and restaurateur, 49; Denise van Outen, presenter, The Big Breakfast (1997-98), and actress, Chicago (2001-02), 50; Miah Persson, soprano, 55; Edwin Poots, Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, MLA for South Belfast, leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (2021), 59; Sir Gerald Ronson, property tycoon, 85; Lily-Rose Depp, actress, The Idol (2023), 25; Ravi Shastri, cricketer, India (1981-92), head coach of India’s national cricket team (2017-21), 62; Siouxsie Sioux, singer-songwriter, Siouxsie and the Banshees, 67; Dame Rosemary Squire, co-founder, Ambassador Theatre Group and Trafalgar Entertainment, 68; Donna Strickland, optical physicist, Nobel prize in physics for inventions in laser physics (2018), 65; Sophie Walker, founding leader, Women’s Equality Party (2015-19), 53.