Opinion: Cruel farm sale will leave tenant farmers homeless
Many have been in touch with me to raise the alarm about changes Powys County Council is making to its Farm Estate. The farmland that Powys County Council owns – 138 holdings over 10,700 acres – is the largest agricultural estate in Wales. This stops any of the tenants from buying the farm they have worked for years, if they have the means to do that. The council’s Farm Estate is managed in-house. I call on Powys County Council to work with me and manage this with the compassion and understanding that these farmers deserve after having been loyal tenants for decades.
Source:The Times
April 27, 2025 05:38 UTC
JD Wetherspoon removes chicken bites from UK pub menus
The £6.49 chicken bites are listed as "temporarily unavailable" on menus at Wetherspoons pubs across the UK, according to The Express. The Wetherspoon staple features 10 crispy chicken bites, chips and an array of sauces. Why are Wetherspoon's chicken bites "unavailable"? A Wetherspoon spokesperson, via The Express, said: “We can confirm that they (chicken bites) are currently not available on the menu in our pubs". However, customers have been speculating about why Wetherspoon's chicken bites are currently unavailable.
Source:The Times
April 27, 2025 00:07 UTC
Inside Birmingham bin strike union’s bid to disrupt UK as members were balloted on industrial action 2k times in 2 years
THE militant union behind the six-week Birmingham bin strike has balloted members on industrial action 2,040 times in just two years, The Sun on Sunday can reveal. The accounts reveal Unite asked staff to vote on action 1,066 times in 2023. Raised eyebrowsWorkers voted to strike, or take action short of a strike, on 25 occasions, wrecking 557 days of work across a range of industries. During the action, Unite said a nationally agreed pay rise for refuse workers was not enough and continued to tell members to shirk work. “They lose pay while union leaders call for industrial action four times every working day.
Source:The Times
April 26, 2025 23:07 UTC
The UK’s 20 best wild saunas
Want to find the ideal place to unwind, reconnect with nature and experience the deep relaxation that comes with a deliciously hot sauna? Here are some of the best spots in the UK, whether you fancy a cabin overlooking the beach in Devon or an artfully converted truck beside a natural cold pool in Scotland. Many places offer accommodation as well, from bell tents to cosy cottages, so you can make a weekend of it. The Wildwood Spa’s sauna seats up to 35Tucked away in a glade amid the mixed woodlands of the glamping site the Park, and a few minutes’ walk from Mawgan Porth beach, the Wildwood Spa occupies a beautiful secluded setting. The 5m-diameter sauna seats up to 35 and the site also has an outdoor pool, traditional copper, tin
Source:The Times
April 26, 2025 20:32 UTC
Pahalgam Terror Attack Live Updates: 'Terrorists, their masters want Kashmir to be destroyed once again,' says PM Modi
Pahalgam Attack Live Updates: In his 121st episode of Mann Ki Baat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, and assured the victims’ families that justice would be served. Everyone has strongly condemned this heinous terrorist attack... “The Government of India has revoked all existing Visas issued to Pakistani nationals, except Long Term Visas, Diplomatic and Official visas, with immediate effect from 27th April 2025. Medical Visas issued to Pakistani nationals will be valid only till 29th April 2025,” the ministry said. The move signals a major policy shift by the Ministry of Home Affairs, aimed at enhancing border security and regulating the presence of Pakistani nationals in the aftermath of the April 22 terror strike.
Source:The Times
April 26, 2025 18:13 UTC
Jeremy Clarkson thinks Top Gear comeback needed – but he won't return
He said that, for the past 40 years, motoring programmes were unnecessary "by and large" – but that's changed recently. "Because [when] I look at a kilowatt per hour car, I have no idea what that means," he explained to The Times. Alongside fellow Top Gear hosts James May and Richard Hammond, he went on to present The Grand Tour on Prime Video. AdTry Radio Times magazine today and get 10 issues for only £10 – subscribe now and celebrate the 60th anniversary of Doctor Who with a special issue of Radio Times. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Source:The Times
April 26, 2025 17:22 UTC
Football gossip, paper talk and transfer rumours: Arsenal lining up bid for Barcelona defender Jules Kounde
THE SUNArsenal are lining up a £55m bid for Barcelona defender Jules Kounde. Manchester City's Premier League rivals each face a £5m bill - if the dethroned champions win their crunch legal battle with League bosses. DAILY TELEGRAPHWhite men have been blocked from applying for jobs at Premier League football clubs. THE ATHLETICTickets for Liverpool's likely coronation as Premier League champions when they face Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on Sunday are being listed by touts online for more than £3,000 each. Premier League giants Newcastle United and French cracks Lyon are among five teams chasing former Celtic striker Eseosa Sule, it's being claimed.
Source:The Times
April 26, 2025 17:14 UTC
I reckon a bull market’s coming! Here’s what I’m buying for my Stocks and Shares ISA
shares using my Stocks and Shares ISA. I’m hoping that the aerospace and defence group will benefit from improved earnings, as well as investors taking more of an interest in UK shares in general. In my opinion, the London Stock Exchange is undervalued compared to its peers, and could benefit from the current turbulence in the United States. Uncertain timesPresident Trump’s erratic policies are causing mayhem and are in danger of tipping the country into recession. A strong growth storyOver the next three financial years, the consensus forecast is for underlying earnings per share of 23.56p (2025), 27.72p (2026) and 30.96p (2027).
Source:The Times
April 26, 2025 16:49 UTC
Times letters: Trump’s ‘land for peace’ deal for Ukraine
Write to letters@thetimes.co.ukSir, Europe is facing the biggest and most dangerous security threat since the Second World War. Quite rightly, the US is being roundly criticised for equating defence with trade deals. However, it is now the case that the EU is doing the same by insisting on better fishing rights from the UK before British defence companies are allowed to bid for the new €150 billion EU defence fund (“EU arms deal ‘will come at expense of UK fishing’”, Apr 22). It is sad that Britain is not in a position to tell both of these mercenary outfits where to go. Paul LewisEdinburghSir, Your editorial (“Art of the Steal”, Apr 25) highlights the lack of western leverage
Source:The Times
April 26, 2025 15:24 UTC
Pahalgam terror attack triggers airline surge pricing: Why India needs regulation to curb crisis profiteering
Live EventsWithin hours of Tuesday's Pahalgam terrorist attack , ticket prices for flights out of Srinagar - especially to Delhi and other metros - spiked dramatically, raising concerns about opportunistic pricing during a crisis. Ticket prices for a one-way economy seat from Srinagar to Delhi reportedly surged to ₹65,000, up from the usual ₹6,000-8,000. Reports suggest that airlines such as IndiGo and Air India responded by adding extra flights, deploying larger aircraft, and waiving cancellation or rescheduling charges. Their balance sheets may be stressed, but the social licence to operate comes with moral obligations, especially in times of national crisis. Surge pricing in Srinagar wasn't just a failure of regulation; it was a failure of responsibility.This is not just an economic debate but a moral one.
Source:The Times
April 26, 2025 12:26 UTC
Man who killed Plymouth University lecturer jailed for life
A man has been jailed for a minimum of 27 years for the murder of his estranged wife. Paul Butler, 53, of Stangray Avenue, Plymouth, previously pleaded guilty to stabbing to death 48-year-old university lecturer Claire Chick. Ms Chick was found seriously injured in West Hoe Road on the evening of 22 January and died later in hospital. Judge Robert Linford at Plymouth Crown Court told Butler it was "nothing less than sheer murderous brutality".
Source:The Times
April 26, 2025 08:52 UTC
Epstein Case: What were Virginia Giuffre’s accusations against Prince Andrew
Allegations against Prince Andrew:The aftermath:Epstein, Prince Andrew Accuser’s Injuries RAISE Eyebrows; PLOT HOLES In Virginia Giuffre's Story? Not just allowing but participating in it".Prince Andrew was friends with Jeffrey Epstein – a relationship, as per Prince Andrew’s claims, was initially put together by his old friend, Ghislaine Maxwell.Prince Andrew reportedly met Virginia Giuffre at the Tramp nightclub in London. According to Giuffre's claims, she was taken to the club by Maxwell, where she met and danced with Andrew. In the interview, Prince Andrew says he met Epstein in 1999 through Maxwell; this contradicts comments made by Andrew's private secretary in 2011, who said the two met in "the early 1990s. The Duke said that he met Epstein for the sole purpose of breaking off any future relationship with him.
Source:The Times
April 26, 2025 07:32 UTC
Drew Barrymore reveals secret to 'aging gracefully'
The only thing I do know is don't judge other people because they do things differently. I see a lot of turkey neck or I have a lot of other time where I'm like 'Oh Wow, we're there now. '"Barrymore subsequently offered some thoughtful life advice to her fans, reports femalefirst.co.uk.She said: "I want to tell myself not to be so mean to myself. "Earlier this year, the actress shared that she was feeling "so excited" to turn 50.The 'E.T. I feel like Frodo (in 'The Lord of the Rings'): I see that brass ring and I'm so excited!
Source:The Times
April 26, 2025 04:37 UTC
Pakistan official in UK seen making throat-slit gesture at Pahalgam attack protesters; watch video
Poll What should be the primary response to acts of provocation in diplomatic protests? Protesters chanted slogans demanding justice and accountability, and urged the UK government to take diplomatic action. "This is not just insensitivity—it is provocation," said one of the protest organisers. What happened in Pahalgam reminded us of the Hamas attack on Israel.”The government has responded to the Pahalgam attack by suspending the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, closing the Attari land border, and ordering Pakistani nationals to leave by May 1. Diplomatic staff strength at High Commissions on both sides is also being reduced.
Source:The Times
April 26, 2025 03:50 UTC
Balfour Beatty’s My Contribution programme features in The Times
Balfour Beatty’s employee engagement programme, My Contribution, has featured in The Times exploring how employees can help organisations to run better and save money, but only if employers value their contribution. Launched in 2015, My Contribution has played a key role in helping Balfour Beatty go from strength to strength, harnessing the enthusiasm, knowledge and expertise of employees to crowd-source ideas, innovate and problem solve to drive the business forward. One idea stemmed from the company’s Tilbury flood barrier site where an employee suggested that instead of installing cabling for high-powered lights during construction, that the company use solar-powered lights instead. “We have so many experts across Balfour Beatty who understand what the business needs, what works and what doesn’t, and ultimately how we can improve things for the company and our people. My Contribution gives them the voice, but Balfour Beatty truly wants to hear what they have to say.
Source:The Times
April 25, 2025 22:02 UTC