Dining across the divide: ‘I was nervous – was he going to attack me for being a snowflake?’

The 07:00 GMT train service from Manchester to London will operate without passengers for five months, as mandated by the rail regulator. This decision affects the usual operations of the train, which will now only transport staff to London.

The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea has confirmed that a cyber-attack resulted in the theft of data from its systems, prompting the council to advise residents to remain vigilant against potential phishing attempts via calls, emails, or text messages. The attack has raised concerns about the security of personal information for the borough's 147,500 residents.

Tracey Smith has been sentenced to jail for harassment after sending 22 emails and 10 voicemails to Ellie Reeves, the solicitor general and sister of Chancellor Rachel Reeves, accusing her of transphobia and alleging physical assault by Rachel Reeves. This case highlights the serious consequences of harassment in political contexts.

Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative leader, has not dismissed the possibility of a coalition deal between the Tories and Reform in Wales, as polls indicate a competitive landscape ahead of the 2026 Senedd election, with Reform and Plaid Cymru vying for dominance.

Skye Gyngell, the pioneering Michelin-starred chef known for her advocacy of local ingredients and the slow food movement, has died at the age of 62 after battling Merkel cell carcinoma, a rare skin cancer. Gyngell gained prominence with the opening of Petersham Nurseries Café in London in 2004, where her culinary style emphasized simplicity and elegance.

An alleged mercenary has been arrested in London in connection with a plot to kidnap the leader of an Albanian crime gang. This operation is reportedly in retaliation for a significant drug theft valued in the multimillion-pound range.

A new 28-point peace plan proposed by the US for Ukraine appears to be faltering as diplomatic efforts are overshadowed by continued Russian military aggression, including recent missile strikes on Kyiv. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba emphasizes the need for Europe to unite against further Russian territorial expansion.