I would not take my son to an Old Firm game, says Swinney after latest disorder
Speaking to the Press Association this week, John Swinney said the actions of the fans involved were “completely and utterly unacceptable”. John Swinney condemned the violent scenes which marred the end of the Old Firm tie at Ibrox last weekend (Andrew Milligan/PA)“The risk to other fans, to members of the stewarding staff, to police officers, to players, was just terrible,” he said. Asked if he would take his teenage son Matthew to an Old Firm game, the First Minister said: “No.”But he stopped short of suggesting future Old Firm games should be played behind closed doors, without supporters in attendance. “The way through this, I think, is it’s got to involve, first of all, the people responsible being apprehended, and the police are pursuing that,” he said. “We’ve just concluded a consultation on football banning orders – we have football banning orders available already, we’ve got to review them periodically to see if they remain appropriate for the times.
Source:The Times
March 14, 2026 12:08 UTC
Cotswolds pub 1 hour drive from Herefordshire named UK's best
The Times and The Sunday Times have revealed their definitive list of the 50 Best Places to Stay from across the country. Releasing on March 9, the guide has declared the Wild Duck Inn in Ewen, which is in the Cotswolds, as the Pub with Rooms of the Year winner. The Cotswolds pub is just a half hour's drive from Oxfordshire. Also in the list was Oxfordshire's Estelle Manor in North Leigh near Witney, which was named as the best hotel in central England for 2026. The Times guide said: "It’s impossible not to have fun at this country club-hotel hybrid."
Source:The Times
March 14, 2026 11:27 UTC
10 lovely last-minute Easter escapes in the UK and Europe
Details Seven nights’ B&B for £1,008pp, including flights and transfers, departing on April 12. Details Three nights’ room only for a family of four for £1,610, including flights, departing on April 8Advertisement4. Details Four nights’ half-board from £1,695pp, including flights, private transfers and a UK airport lounge pass, departing on April 3 (elegantresorts.co.uk)5. Details Seven nights’ B&B for a family of four for £6,940, including flights and transfers, departing on April 17. Great lunches at the charming Bankes Arms Inn and the Pig on the Beach hotel are also within walking distance.
Source:The Times
March 14, 2026 11:01 UTC
Jane Lapotaire, British acting legend of stage and screen, dies aged 81
Jane Lapotaire, star of the stage and screen who appeared in episodes of The Crown and Downton Abbey, has died aged 81. The Royal Shakespeare Company described Lapotaire as a “truly brilliant actress” in a tribute on Thursday. On screen, Lapotaire first appeared in an episode of Sherlock Holmes in 1968, before going on to star in Casualty, Midsomer Murders and Lucan in later years. She joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1974, playing Viola in Twelfth Night and Lady Macduff in Macbeth. The Royal Shakespeare Company wrote in a statement paying tribute to Lapotaire: "We are saddened to hear of the death of RSC Honorary Associate Artist, Jane Lapotaire.
Source:The Times
March 14, 2026 10:46 UTC
1000's of XL Bully dogs at the risk of being destroyed
In order to obtain a certificate of exemption, XL Bully owners must obtain third party public liability insurance for their dog. The charity said it will stop issuing new insurance policies and renewing existing insurance policies for banned breed dogs after June 30 2026, as per The ECHO. Current XL Bully laws in the UKAccording to the government, it is a criminal offence to own or possess an XL Bully dog in England and Wales unless you have a valid Certificate of Exemption. It’s also an offence to:sell an XL Bully dogabandon an XL Bully dog or let it straygive away an XL Bully dogbreed or breed from an XL Bully doghave an XL Bully in public without a lead and muzzleA spokesman for the charity, which supports bully breed dogs, said on Facebook: "Carla Lane Animals in Need are appalled to see the horrifying, disappointing and fear-inducing email sent to thousands of exempted dog owners today confirming that Dogs Trust are withdrawing third party liability insurance, one of the conditions that keeps exempted dogs legal. The removal of insurance policies will apply to all banned breed dogs, not just XL Bullies.
Source:The Times
March 14, 2026 09:47 UTC
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle furiously hit out at claims
"He has made a career out of constructing ever more elaborate theories about people he does not know and has never met. Prince Harry's reaction to the claim that he was "brainwashed" by Meghan Markle. According to Bower’s account, William and Kate believed Meghan “lamented Harry’s unlikely chances of one day being king, just as she regretted the possibility that she would never be the queen”. “The unpredicted and unimagined humiliation of Andrew shocked Harry,” Bower writes. “Rightly, Harry fears that the future King William could remove all the Sussexes’ titles and effectively banish him from Britain.”
Source:The Times
March 14, 2026 09:30 UTC
Buxton School's Secret Garden allows pupils to grow
The garden helps pupils understand the natural world (Image: Buxton School)Once a small green patch, the area in the Leytonstone school now blooms with flowers, vegetables, and laughter, providing hands-on lessons in science, teamwork and sustainability. The beehive in the Secret Garden produces prize-winning honey (Image: Buxton School)The garden features a beehive, maintained with help from Bushwood Bees volunteers, and primary pupils benefit from workshops led by Plant Environment that link classroom learning to nature. Students care for the garden all year round (Image: Buxton School)Staff from Bupa have also contributed through volunteer days, planting and improving the space for the school community. The garden relies on community support for maintenance. The Secret Garden was the ideal location for a Teddy Bears Picnic (Image: Buxton School)For more information or to get involved, contact the school office at: office@buxtonschool.org.uk.
Source:The Times
March 14, 2026 08:34 UTC
My life as an A-list photographer — and the night John Huston tried it on
My life as an A-list photographer — and the night John Huston tried it on Carole Latimer photographed over 3,000 stars in her glittering career. In an extract from a new memoir, she recalls her most memorable encounters
Source:The Times
March 14, 2026 08:33 UTC
Minori, Pinner to host Irish Night for St Patrick's Day
Students from the Rochford School of Irish Dance will take to the stage at Minori, an Italian restaurant in Pinner, during a night celebrating Irish culture and community. The Rochford School of Irish Dance was established in 2011 by Denise Rochford TCRG and now runs classes in Hatch End and Harrow. Minori Restaurant, based at 410 Uxbridge Road, Pinner, recently made headlines for its 'Hero Discount' programme supporting current and former service personnel. "We always look forward to St Patrick’s Day and this year our Irish Night promises a great evening of traditional Irish music and dance, paired with authentic home-cooked Italian food. Entry to the Irish Night is free.
Source:The Times
March 14, 2026 07:35 UTC
Magpies out to prove they’re no longer underdogs in cup final showdown
Towards their best-ever points total, perhaps even their highest ever finish in the FA Women’s National League Division 1 South West. Worthing were dispatched 6-0 away from home prior to their county cup semi-final win on penalties against Milton Keynes Dons. “Who they are, who they play for, if they’re under contract, what their strengths and weaknesses are, if they fit with the Maidenhead way and what a Maidenhead player is. If we’re all about the result, when it gets hard, players hide and that’s not what we want to encourage. Training is one of the things in my week that I look forward to most, because they’re such a great bunch.
Source:Express
March 14, 2026 07:12 UTC
Rachel Reeves to offer support over rising heating oil costs
About 1.7 million households in England and Wales rely on kerosene for heating and hot water but, unlike gas and electricity, prices are not capped and are subject to volatility. Almost two-thirds of homes (62.5%) in Northern Ireland rely on heating oil. Since the start of the US and Israel's assault in Iran, households using heating oil have seen their bills double, orders cancelled - and some have been unable to get heating oil at all. However, prices are still about a third higher than before the war in Ukraine, and billpayers in debt have ballooned. As the conflict continues to rage in the Middle East, gas and electricity bills could face dramatic hikes from July - after Ofgem's price cap lifts - due to increases in wholesale gas prices.
Source:The Times
March 14, 2026 07:07 UTC
Carlisle's flood risk stepped down as warnings removed
Six flood alerts and warnings were in force across Cumbria this morning, following heavy and persistent rainfall on Thursday. Two flood warnings, which mean flooding is "expected," were in force for the River Eden in Carlisle. Warnings have now been removed for the areas but a flood alert, the least severe form of flooding notification, remains in place for the Lower River Eden. The EA has also removed flood alerts which were issued yesterday for the Rivers Esk and Irthing north of Carlisle and the Rivers Ellen and Wampool in Allerdale. Further flood alerts and warnings could be issued for Cumbria as intermittent showers are expected throughout today.
Source:The Times
March 14, 2026 03:30 UTC
Liverpool hopeful over double boost for Tottenham clash as Alisson injury explained
British expats who fled the Gulf desperate to avoid being hit with huge tax bills after returning to LondonBritons who fled Gulf desperate to avoid tax bills after London return
Source:Express
March 14, 2026 02:55 UTC
The budget blockbuster! Lidl launches £30 jacket inspired by celebrity
Lidl is bringing a little celebrity stardust to those on a budget with the Supermarket Dupreme jacket,Costing just £30, the item comes in the chain’s iconic colourway of blue, yellow and red. Only 30 will go on sale and are only available through an online ballot, with all proceeds donated to the NSPCC. Joanna Gomer, marketing director at Lidl GB, says: “We wanted to bring a playful Lidl twist to the world of streetwear with the launch of the Supermarket Dupreme jacket. “It’s perfect for making you feel like a celebrity, even if you don’t have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. “This ultra-limited edition drop will leave you feeling like a fashion sensation without stepping foot on the red carpet.”The new fashion drop follows the success of the Oasis-inspired Lidl By Lidl jacket, which sold out in two minutes last summer.
Source:The Times
March 14, 2026 00:39 UTC
Air Mauritius promised us £2,000 compensation last summer. Where is it?
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Source:The Times
March 14, 2026 00:33 UTC