The i - 19.08.2026
2026-08-19 Boosty PDF 中文极简摘要
The i - 19.08.2026.pdf
- Boosty 帖子：Newspapers - 19.08.2026
- 文化 / 艺术节 / 资金危机 / 爱丁堡边缘艺术节面临资金危机，艺术节负责人批评市政领导层不作为：爱丁堡边缘艺术节协会负责人托尼·兰克斯泰德批评市政领导层未认真对待文化发展，指责其在资金方面不作为。该艺术节每年为该市带来约5000亿英镑的回报，但爱丁堡市议会仅提供500英镑资助。艺术节负责人呼吁每年获得1200万英镑资助，并建议通过新征收的游客税筹集资金。
- 国际 / 司法 / 叙利亚 / 叙利亚前统治者巴沙尔·阿萨德堂弟被判死刑：叙利亚前统治者巴沙尔·阿萨德的堂弟瓦西姆·阿萨德因在近14年战争期间犯下预谋谋杀和酷刑等罪行，被大马士革第四刑事法庭判处死刑。
- 生活 / 文化 / 调查 / 英国人最怀念的十大童年回忆出炉：三星公司调查显示，英国人最怀念的十大童年回忆包括：家庭假期（43%）、与家人一起观看电影或电视（32%）、家庭聚餐（26%）、生日与庆祝活动（19%）等。
- 环境 / 健康 / 政策研究 / 伦敦超低排放区政策显著改善儿童肺部发育：伦敦超低排放区政策实施后，研究显示儿童肺部发育明显改善，肺活量和呼气速度等指标已赶上未实施该政策地区的同龄儿童。伦敦玛丽女王大学教授克里斯·格里菲斯称这是清洁空气政策改善肺功能的首个证据。
- 司法 / 政治 / 安全 / 英格兰首相誓言阻止PC安德鲁·哈珀凶手提前释放：英格兰首相安迪·伯纳姆承诺将竭尽所能阻止PC安德鲁·哈珀凶手在提前释放计划下获释。两名凶手——阿尔伯特·鲍尔斯和杰茜·科尔将在服刑13年后获释，引发广泛谴责。伯纳姆表示将在议会复会时提交对提前释放计划的审查结果。
- 政治 / 评论 / 工党 / 评论：基米·巴登诺的压力被忽视，工党面临执政挑战：评论指出，英格兰首相安迪·伯纳姆面临巨大压力，而反对党领袖基米·巴登诺的压力却被忽视。文章批评巴登诺在政策制定和党内团结方面表现糟糕，并指出工党需要严肃的政治对手来应对国家面临的深层问题。
- 美国 / 政治 / 共和党 / 共和党内部对特朗普负面形象的担忧加剧：共和党内部对唐纳德·特朗普的负面形象感到担忧，多名共和党人士希望其能够消退。特朗普的支持率已降至约34%，不满意率高达60%，共和党候选人在其负面形象下竞选面临更大挑战。
- 旅游 / 服务 / 游轮 / 游轮套房价格及预订信息发布：游轮公司发布套房价格信息，包括双人舷窗房（7,395英镑）、法式阳台套房（9,095英镑起）等。报价参考编号为644756，营业时间为每周7天上午8:30–20:00，优惠适用于新预订。
- 体育 / 板球 / 国际比赛 / 英格兰与巴基斯坦板球队名单及比赛信息：英格兰板球队名单包括BM·达基特、EN·盖伊等11名球员，巴基斯坦队名单包括A·阿瓦伊斯、伊马姆-乌尔-哈克等11名球员。比赛在20摄氏度有雨天气下进行，裁判团队由C·加法尼等组成。
The i - 19.08.2026.pdf
边缘艺术节寻求年度资金增长
爱丁堡边缘艺术节（Edinburgh Festival Fringe）的组织者声称，该艺术节正面临"危险"，并批评市政领导层在资金方面的不作为。爱丁堡边缘艺术节协会的托尼·兰克斯泰德（Tony Lankester）表示，资金问题表明该市并未"认真对待成为文化之都"。
他补充称，全球最大的艺术节每年为该市带来的回报价值约为"5000亿英镑"，但爱丁堡市议会今年仅向组织者提供了£500。艺术节负责人希望从当地政府获得每年1200 万英镑m的资助，并表示这笔资金可通过其新征收的游客税来筹集。
叙利亚
阿萨德堂弟被判处死刑
叙利亚前统治者巴沙尔·阿萨德的堂弟瓦西姆·阿萨德（Wassim al-Assad）昨日被判处死刑，罪名是在该国近14年战争期间犯下的罪行。大马士革第四刑事法庭裁定阿萨德犯有包括预谋谋杀和酷刑在内的罪行。
童年回忆清单
我们许多人都记得童年时期的家庭假期——但更日常的事件也能成为珍贵的回忆。三星公司发现，观看电影、共享餐食和乘车旅行同样令人难忘。英国人最喜爱的十大童年回忆如下：
- 家庭假期 — 43%
- 与家人一起观看电影或电视 — 32%
- 家庭聚餐 — 26%
- 生日与庆祝活动 — 19%
- 学校记忆 — 18%
- 乘车旅行 — 16%
- 一起玩桌游或纸牌游戏 — 14%
- 在花园玩耍 — 13%
- 睡前例行 — 12%
- 去公园 — 8%
警方
卡尔顿足球俱乐部球场发现男子死亡
查尔顿足球俱乐部表示，他们正协助警方调查一名男子在其山谷球场（The Valley）死亡的案件。警方接到报警后赶赴伦敦南部这家英冠俱乐部的球场，案发于昨日清晨，一名男子在现场被宣布死亡。
音乐
麦当娜在2026年MTV音乐录影带大奖中领跑
麦当娜在2026年MTV音乐录影带大奖（VMAs）中以11项提名领跑，其次是泰勒·斯威夫特、爱莉安娜·格兰德和萨布丽娜·卡彭特。这位68,岁的"Vogue"歌手在漫长的职业生涯中已斩获19项MTV音乐录影带大奖，并为她赢得了7项格莱美奖。
阿富汗
联合国谴责学校附近袭击为"残暴行径"
阿富汗当局表示，喀布尔首都一所学校附近发生的手榴弹袭击致多名儿童受伤。联合国阿富汗问题特别报告员理查德·本内特昨日谴责"学校附近针对多名儿童的残暴袭击"，该事件发生于周一下午。
犯罪
"阻止性犯罪者改名"
一家保护组织表示，注册性犯罪者应被自动禁止改名以掩盖其犯罪前科。改名可能让犯罪者赢得毫无戒心的家庭的信任，保护联盟（The Safeguarding Alliance）表示。
此前，性犯罪者杰森·布朗（Jason Brown）曾多次改名以隐瞒其犯罪前科。保护联盟的艾米丽·康斯坦塔斯（Emily Konstantas）表示，该案例最清晰地表明公众不能依赖犯罪者对其使用身份的"诚实"。
第3版人物档案
萨姆·威尔莫特 他喜欢温暖的长椅！
完美的长椅！
一名在全球各地评测长椅的男子在婚礼当天找到了他评测的前50 out of 10张长椅中的第10张。来自布里斯托尔附近耶尔的萨姆·威尔莫特（Sam Wilmot）七年来已测评并评级超过300张长椅。
不分裂投票，除非特朗普下台
魁北克分裂主义政党领导人表示，他将推迟任何独立公投，直至唐纳德·特朗普不再担任美国总统。
魁北克人党领袖保罗·圣皮埃尔·普拉蒙东所在政党目前不掌权，但可能赢得魁北克下次选举——该选举必须在2025年10月5日前举行。他表示，其政府仍会在首个任期内举办公投，但不会早于2029年1月20日——特朗普任期届满之时。
他说道：“公投绝不能被美国政治动荡绑架，也不能被一位不可预测的总统的爆发冲动绑架。”
报纸支持回收利用。2024年英国报纸的回收纸张含量为37.2%。
由哈姆斯沃斯传媒出版，伦敦德里街9号，W8 5HY。在英格兰及威尔士注册，编号00084121。印刷于新闻印刷控股有限公司（布拉斯本、诺斯利、泽西岛服务有限公司、萨拉森特中心、拉纳克郡）、爱尔兰时报（都柏林西城）、爱尔兰。过刊可从Historic Newspapers购买，info@historic-newspapers.com。2026年8月19日，星期三。在邮局注册为报纸。
报纸 5-33
评论 18-22
电视 25-31
生活 34-37
文化 38-41
电影 42-45
体育 50-56
• 2025年8月13日，星期三
3
年，他在Instagram账号“Rate This Bench”上持续打分。
但直到威尔莫特与新娘索菲参观老索德伯里的圣约翰洗礼教堂时，完美之旅才告终。
“像这样的感觉很难再超越。我们彼此一拍即合——也与长椅结缘。”威尔莫特说。
任何借口都行……
这一想法最初始于2019年，当时威尔莫特与大学朋友在斯旺西散步时，灵光一现。
尽管大多数评分都是“机会主义”式完成，但威尔莫特会乐意开两小时车去评一把长椅，足迹遍及伦敦、苏格兰和迪拜。
下一个目标是斯洛文尼亚布莱德湖附近的长椅。
索菲是摄影师，现在负责为威尔莫特拍照——但他那面无表情的神情依旧如故。
评分标准是什么？
他会根据地点、材质和扶手打分，最终得分则取决于“惊艳因子”——在婚礼这“难忘的一天”里，长椅被评为10分。
威尔莫特表示无意停止：“索菲一直坚信这件事。
“这是走出户外、探索新地的借口。周日时说‘我们没什么安排，要不去哪儿找张长椅，喝杯咖啡？’总能获得好评。”
本尼迪克特·加德纳
电影
《奥德赛》成BFI Imax最大票房
克里斯托弗·诺兰执导的《奥德赛》在BFI Imax创下有史以来最高票房，票房超过260万英镑。该片改编自荷马的古希腊史诗，讲述马特·达蒙饰演的伊萨卡国王奥德修斯在特洛伊战争后踏上10年归乡之旅的故事。
威尔士
绿人音乐节取消火焰表演
Powys的绿人音乐节因干旱天气下的火灾风险，取消了本周末的传统火焰表演。音乐节明日起在克里克豪厄尔开幕，主办方表示今年将不再点燃每年闭幕式上焚烧的巨型绿人雕像。
人物
资深女演员劳去世，享年94.
女演员菲莉达·劳（著名演员达梅·埃玛·汤普森与索菲·汤普森之母）于94岁高龄辞世。劳曾多次与女儿同台，包括1996年简·奥斯汀《爱玛》改编作品。她还出演过电视剧《谋杀迷案》与《高地之王》。
苏格兰
格拉斯哥的哥谭风格改造：为《蝙蝠侠2》而来
昨天，格拉斯哥的公交时刻表被改为哥谭市和纽约风格的遮阳篷在建筑前搭建，这座城市正为《蝙蝠侠2》的拍摄进行改造。哥谭警察特警车辆也已上街，为首次拍摄做准备。
政策编辑来信
简·梅里克
cptwip@wroom
首相无处可逃
自上任首相以来的一个月里，安迪·伯纳姆已明确表示他希望将重点放在影响英国人日常生活的国内问题上——如生活成本、公共交通和住房。
这意味着在他看来，前任首相基尔·斯塔默花费太多时间在国际舞台上处理伊朗和乌克兰战争、俄罗斯威胁以及英国与唐纳德·特朗普的关系。
然而，就在昨天沃尔弗汉普顿公交站的平凡环境中，伯纳姆收到了一则提醒：作为首相，不可能逃避紧急的外交政策问题。
面对英国两家公司制造的无人机被用于对俄罗斯境内军事和工业目标的袭击这一新闻，他被问及来自莫斯科的威胁。
俄罗斯大使馆指责英国正在升级乌克兰冲突，并称“英国参与程度越深，‘付出的代价将越高’。”
伯纳姆坚称，正如他此前的四位前任一样，他将继续“百分之百支持乌克兰”。
首相补充道，英国不是基辅的“风雨同舟之友”。
每一位新领导人都承诺要做事不同，伯纳姆也不例外，试图将政府注意力从国际舞台拉回，以回应选民对公交票价或电费账单的关切。
然而，正如斯塔默所发现的，战争与国家安全问题无法回避。the deeper the country's involvement became
无论伯纳姆多么希望谈论公交车，他可能被迫成为不情愿的世界舞台玩家。
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2026年8月13日，周三
最佳水百合配角奖或将为邱园摘得世界冠军
作者：Benedict Gardner
大多数百合爱好者只要自家的叶子能撑起一只青蛙，就已经心满意足了。而在邱园，园丁们的志向则远不止于此。
园丁们正在展开一场竞赛，证明他们能种出最坚韧的睡莲叶。每年一度的国际睡莲称重大赛中，各大植物园同台竞技。
在皇家植物园邱园（简称邱园）的园丁马丁·西尔内韦斯踩上一片睡莲叶时，他不仅保持干爽，还能漂浮在水面。算上防水靴、衣物和塑料底座，这片叶子承重达102公斤。
在短暂而辉煌的瞬间，睡莲叶甚至撑起了两名邱园园丁——艾丹·派克加入西尔内韦斯时，叶片很快就变形下沉。
而在成年男性踩上睡莲叶之前，一株维多利亚玻利维亚睡莲曾承重81公斤的罐装烤豆，最终才不支倒地。
维多利亚玻利维亚是已知三种巨型睡莲中最大的一种，目前保持三项吉尼斯世界纪录头衔。
最大的叶片记录来自玻利维亚拉林科纳达植物园，直径达3.2米。
其叶片因叶脉中充满空气的通道而极具浮力，能漂浮于水面并为根部供氧。
它们由防御性尖刺环绕，用于抵御鱼类、鸟类及其他潜在捕食者。
今年邱园的参赛作品较2025年的尝试有了巨大飞跃，当时他们仅承重76.5公斤的杠铃、砖块与金属重物。
去年比赛由美国佛罗里达州的博克塔植物园夺冠，成绩为80公斤。今年共有48个来自西班牙、挪威、澳大利亚等国的参赛作品。过往参赛者曾尝试用硬币桶、健身器材甚至酒精饮料来测试叶片承重。
西尔内韦斯表示：“踩上睡莲叶的那一刻，感觉如此超现实，这确实是一次真正的信念飞跃。很难想象一片纤弱的睡莲能撑起超过100公斤的重量，但它真的做到了。”
他补充道，这段经历让他“更加珍惜大自然的智慧、韧性与美丽”。
睡莲称重大赛由美国科罗拉多州丹佛植物园组织，今年比赛结果将于下周公布。
维多利亚玻利维亚是邱园温室中展出的三种巨型睡莲之一，同场展示的还有同样来自南美洲的圣克鲁斯水百合（V. crazianna）及亚洲的Euryale ferox。
它们是邱园16,500种活体植物收藏的一部分，由园区内150余名园丁悉心照料。
英格兰最友好地区排行榜：锡利群岛位居榜首
作者：哈里·古德温
锡利群岛被评为英格兰最友好的地区。
一项新的指数对英格兰所有296个地方政府辖区进行了排名，衡量因素包括人们与邻居交谈的频率以及参与公民生活的情况。
锡利群岛之后依次为德文郡南哈姆斯、西德文、德比郡戴尔斯以及伦敦西部的里士满。
锡利群岛仅有3%的人表示感到孤独。
超过94%的人表示不同背景的人相处融洽，88.8%的人表示他们至少每月与邻居交谈一次。
伦敦东部的巴金和达格纳姆被评为英格兰最不友好的地区。
最不友好地区的前五名还包括斯塔福德郡特伦特河畔斯托克、阿什菲尔德、曼斯菲尔德和伊普斯维奇。
在巴金和达格纳姆，仅有42.8%的人表示对当地感到自豪，10.1%的人表示感到孤独，而英格兰平均水平为6.6%。
该指数由民意调查项目《全国对话》编制。
研究人员邀请人们分享这些排名是否反映他们的实际体验。
他们的发现将被纳入今年由独立社区与凝聚力委员会发布的一份报告中，该委员会成立的目的是应对“社会疏离与分裂的交汇危机”。
在去年的首份报告中，该委员会表示“英国的社区生活正受到威胁”。
委员会由前保守党内政大臣萨吉德·贾维德和前工党政策主管乔恩·克拉达斯共同主持。
克拉达斯曾担任达格纳姆议员，他对《卫报》表示：“当我看到家乡地区垫底时，差点被麦片噎到。”
“我认为政府的统计数据忽略了许多真正让一个地区运转的因素，包括我家乡。”
独角鲸长牙的扭曲之谜被解开
撰文：Benedict Gardner
科学家们已解开独角鲸长牙独特扭曲结构的奥秘。
这种北极鲸最为人所知的便是其单根长牙，而它实际上是一颗延长的牙齿。长牙从独角鲸的上唇以螺旋状生长。
这是自然界中唯一一根笔直的长牙，最长可达3米。
丹麦奥胡斯大学的研究人员如今终于发现了长牙的形成方式——尽管其确切功能仍不清楚。
他们利用3D X射线技术发现，长牙内部包含两条方向相反的螺旋结构。
据《自然·通讯》发表的论文，独角鲸长牙由内部的牙本质和外部的粘合质构成。内部牙本质形成左旋螺旋，而外部则形成右旋螺旋。
研究人员认为，这种结构使长牙更加坚固，因两条螺旋相互抵消应力。这有助于独角鲸长牙在游动或碰撞时承受外力。
研究人员表示，独角鲸长牙的工程结构可为建筑和医疗领域的新材料提供灵感。
他们还提出，长牙的年轮状扭曲结构（如同树木年轮般保存）可用于测量气候变化的影响。
研究负责人Henrik Birkedal表示：“由于鲸鱼寿命可达80年，它们的牙齿能形成一种历史档案，记录动物一生中环境条件的变化。由于北大西洋目前正经历极速变化，我们显然可以调查这些变化是否能在独角鲸长牙的硬组织中追踪到。这正是我们目前的研究方向。”
尽管大多数科学家认为独角鲸长牙可能是一种性信号，但其确切功能仍存争议。少数雌性独角鲸也会长牙，而部分雄性则不会。另有理论提出长牙可能用于检测水温、盐度和化学变化，但格陵兰海洋生物学家在独角鲸行为中并未发现相关证据。
虽然科学家能够解释长牙的形成方式，但独角鲸仍保留着部分神秘。
42.8
巴金和达根汉地区居民中，自认对所在地区感到自豪的人所占百分比
6
新闻
环境
塞文河水位告急，饮用水供应面临威胁
作者：Lucie Heath 环境记者
英国最长的河流正面临干涸风险，这不仅对野生动物构成严重威胁，还可能减少饮用水供应。
英格兰大部分地区及威尔士全境均处于干旱状态。尽管本周预计有降雨，但降雨量不足以显著提升水库和河流水位。
塞文河水位已降至令人担忧的低水平，英国环境署（EA）和威尔士自然资源局（NRW）表示。两家机构已申请采取保护供水措施的许可。全国超过2700万人面临浇水限制，部分公司可能需要进一步限制用水。
南方水务公司已申请干旱令，以限制部分企业用水，预计数周内将作出决定。
从塞文河取水的公司——塞文特伦特、南斯塔福德郡、布里斯托尔和哈弗伦·迪弗德威——目前均未实施浇水限制。塞文河发源于威尔士坎布里安山脉，最终注入布里斯托尔海峡。
塞文河水位通过威尔士的Llyn Clywedog水库进行调节。但水库蓄水量持续下降，目前已降至50%以下。
若水位继续以当前速度下降，监管机构将无法管理塞文河，部分河段可能干涸。
这将对野生动物造成毁灭性打击，包括洄游鱼类，并可能危及饮用水供应，因为约600万人依赖该河流供水。
监管机构提议采取一系列措施以保护供水。措施包括允许河流水位降至通常可接受水平以下。
若不采取此措施，为塞文河供水的水库可能面临枯竭，导致部分河段干涸。
若干旱令获批，公司还将被迫将从塞文河取水用于饮用水的量减少5%。
英国环境署发言人表示，对干旱对塞文河的影响“极为担忧”：“要结束这场干旱，我们需要看到持续且显著的降雨。”
“若干旱令获批，将阻止克利韦多格水库完全枯竭，并防止英国最长河流的部分河段干涸。”
“我们仍期望各公司遵循其干旱应对计划，并鼓励提前实施临时用水限制，以保护公共供水并维护环境。”
河流信托慈善组织首席执行官马克·劳埃德表示，允许河流水位降至如此低水平将使其陷入“绝境”状态。河流在这样的条件下更易受污染和有毒藻华侵害。
“一切都在静默且无形中逐渐减少，”劳埃德说，并将其描述为生态系统的“缓慢、无形的死亡”。
塞文特伦特公司表示正在“与环境署合作”，并补充称河流供水约占其总供水量的三分之一，其余来自水库和地下水。
东南水务公司被责令整改
作者：埃莉·克拉贝、阿妮塔·侯赛因-波尔
一家水务公司因成千上万客户再次面临供水问题而被责令整改，部分客户批评其处理方式“令人震惊”。
东南水务公司已向肯特郡的客户发出警告，该公司饮用水储存罐的水位仍“极度偏低”，并敦促客户仅将水用于“必要”用途。
截至昨日上午，赫恩湾、拉夫康蒙和布利恩的7,400户房产已恢复供水。
本南登村村民称，60至70名村民于周一在绿地上用塑料水瓶拼出抗议标语，写有：“救救我们”。
英国环境、食品与乡村事务部表示，东南水务客户再次面临供水中断“简直无法接受”。
冰块工厂难以满足热浪需求
作者：戴夫·希金斯
欧洲最大的冰块工厂表示，2026年英国夏季“异常”，该工厂持续大量生产冰块，以满足客户对持续热浪的任何缓解需求。
该冰业公司（The Ice Co）——年产约60亿块冰块，位于西约克郡南柯比工厂——整个夏季24小时不间断运转，以应对前所未有的需求。
销售总监尼克·布伦南表示，规划工作早在夏季高峰前数月就已启动，工厂自1月起全面生产，确保冷库中有足够一个月的库存。
但140名员工随后需为英国夏季可能出现的任何情况做好准备。
布伦南表示：“今年完全异乎寻常。”
他称：“我认为我们正经历第六波热浪。我们从未经历过如此持续的高温天气。”
他表示：“好天气始于6月，至今8月中旬仍持续，且有消息称9月还将再来一波。
“正常情况下，我们一年可能只有两到四周的好天气，现在却已达14到15周，这差距极大。”
他补充道：“问题是我们不知道高温会在何时出现，持续多久。
“有时我们会遇到东部地区高温，有时是9月高温，其间还有其他情况。”
他表示：“我们在5月或6月会达到一个关键点，完全听天由命。
“如果明天太阳暴晒且气温达35度，订单量可能会激增五到十倍。”
布伦南表示，约85%的民众仍在家自制冰块，但当超市或酒店缺货时，却没有其他产品能替代。
他称：“如果你在酒吧，周五晚上他们开始限制你的金汤力里的冰块，那可真够呛。你想要的是一杯冰爽的饮品。”
他表示，过去几周最热的日子里，南柯比工厂原本严苛的工作环境反而成了员工的避暑胜地。
布伦南说：“相信我，办公室里的每个人都会跑到冷库里呆上10分钟凉快一下，因为那里温度低至零下18度。
“如果外面很热，没有比那里更舒服的地方了——但仅限5到10分钟。”
新 5:33
观点 18:22
电视 35:31
生活 35:37
文化 38:41
电影 47:45
体育 50:50
2026年8月13日，周三
7
三名家庭成员在苏塞克斯海难中丧生
作者：安希塔·侯赛因-普尔、斯坦利·墨菲-约翰斯
昨天下午3点前不久，包括两架空中救护直升机在内的紧急服务部门被召往苏塞克斯郡的肖勒姆港。三名家庭成员在被从海中救出后不幸身亡。
苏塞克斯警方表示，四人“在肖勒姆堡附近的水域遇险”。
警方称，一名男子、一名女子和一名少女——同属一个家庭——在被从水中救出后均已死亡。
第四名家庭成员、一名少女目前在医院危急。
A259布赖顿沿海公路双向被封闭，紧急服务部门在现场响应，公众被敦促远离。
英国皇家救生艇协会（RNLI）发言人表示，该协会是在约下午3点接到英国海事和海岸警备署（HM Coastguard）的召唤。
现场，一辆救护车在警察护送下离开。
东南海岸救护车服务表示，四人在遇险后需要医疗救助。
“目前我们无法提供更多信息，但将尽快发布更新，”一位女发言人称。
英国海事和海岸警备署发言人补充道：“英国海事和海岸警备署于8月18日下午约2点45分对肖勒姆发生的事件作出响应。一架英国海事和海岸警备署直升机以及利特尔汉普顿、肖勒姆和纽黑文海岸警卫队救援队和肖勒姆皇家救生艇协会救生艇被派往现场。”
东沃辛和肖勒姆选区的工党议员汤姆·拉特兰在X平台写道：“我对肖勒姆港附近多人遇险的报道深感担忧。我向所有相关人员致以慰问。”
肖勒姆堡要塞是19世纪50年代为抵御拿破仑三世的法国而沿英格兰南海岸修建的一系列“帕尔默斯顿要塞”之一。
露宿者将在年底前离开街头，雷纳承诺
作者：Vicky Spratt HOUSING AND SOCIETY CORRESPONDENT
英格兰数千名露宿者将在圣诞节前离开街头，安吉拉·雷纳承诺。
此次宣布标志着首相安迪·伯纳姆"首要任务住房"战略第一阶段的启动，该战略旨在如其在首相就职首日于唐宁街台阶上承诺的那样，终结露宿现象。
住房大臣雷纳将该计划——其与首次新冠疫情封锁期间宣布的"人人有屋"计划相呼应——描述为"我们需要实现的重要里程碑"，但人们仍对如何实现这一目标存疑。
她说，露宿不仅令人们"陷入赤贫"，还"困扰着"城镇中心。
地方当局和区域市长将被要求在全国范围内推进"新住房与支持服务"的部署，于今年年底前将露宿者安置至空置住宅、酒店、旅社、公寓及专业模块化住所。
但并非所有议会都可能乐意响应这一要求，为每名露宿者提供床位。
他们将获得44200万英镑资金用于实施该计划，这笔资金由伯纳姆在7月已宣布的34000万英镑专项资金，加上雷纳自回任住房、社区及地方政府部以来"找到"的额外10200万英镑未分配资金构成。
英格兰露宿人数近期已攀升至2017年峰值以来最高水平。
据官方政府数据显示，约有5,000人以此方式生活，
5,000
英格兰露宿人数估计值，但实际数字可能更高
但由于难以精确统计，真实数字可能更高。
苏格兰是首个提出类似伯纳姆"首要任务住房"方案的地区，当地估计有2,000人露宿。苏格兰政府于2018年实施了"首要任务住房"计划。
威尔士自2010年代初起便专注于预防措施，并于今年早些时候通过立法，使露宿者更易获得住房。威尔士露宿人数估计不足200人。
而在北爱尔兰，政治家们聚焦预防措施，据报露宿人数不足100人。
雷纳承认政府面临"巨大挑战"，因为全国各地城镇报告露宿者数量激增。
2024年，在时任首相基尔·斯塔默爵士领导下，雷纳承诺到2029年建造150万套新住宅。尽管已有一些进展迹象——2025年4月1日至2026年3月31日期间，已开工42,433套新住宅，竣工40,332套——但工党政府仍面临无法完成这一目标的风险。
当被问及她是否有信心在第二次出任住房大臣期间加快住房建设时，雷纳表示她"不会放弃"这一目标——但未明确承诺能否实现。
"我在离开该部门一段时间后重返，但我决心确保我们实现这一目标，"她说。
雷纳表示，"让所有人有屋可住"是终结露宿的"过程起点"。
在英格兰，超过130万户家庭长期滞留在地方议会的社会住房轮候名单上。
若雷纳与伯纳姆真正期望终结露宿，扩大住房供给将势在必行。
疫情期间，"人人有屋"计划成功在一夜之间基本终结了英格兰的露宿现象，但这得益于商业酒店的空置。
如果雷纳和伯纳姆想要在圣诞节前为所有无家可归者提供住所，他们将面临的一个主要障碍是确保能找到足够的住宿空间。
伯纳姆的“每晚一床”计划，政府表示该计划提供约600个床位，最初成功减少了曼彻斯特露宿街头的人数。但随后露宿人数又有所增加，多种因素被归咎为此。
各地方议会“至关重要” 政府无法单独完成目标
圣诞节承诺是对安迪·伯纳姆首要“一日承诺”——解决无家可归问题——的重大考验，部分地方议会可能并不乐意被要求为实现这一目标而努力。
安吉拉·雷纳表示，地方议会和市长在实现她的目标中“至关重要”，并称住房、社区及地方政府部的“优势”在于它“不会孤军奋战”。
政府将发布指导方针，帮助各地区“迅速动员并提供今冬一致的‘离街’服务方案”。
该指导方针将特别针对如何协助无家可归女性，因这类情况复杂且常不体现在官方统计中。
为展现合作规模之大，工党控制英国逾60个议会，自民党掌管40余个，保守党仍控制50多个。改革党现已在24个地区拥有绝对多数，绿党则在5个地区执政。
“危机”慈善组织首席执行官马特·唐尼对《i报》表示，伯纳姆与雷纳已发出“明确声明——在21世纪，我们不能容忍人们仍需露宿街头”，并称该政策正令英格兰“踏上历史性里程碑之路”。
无家可归者的平均死亡年龄为男性45岁、女性43岁。
8
新闻
社会
非法倾倒垃圾将被像有组织犯罪般严打
独家报道
作者：卡罗琳·惠勒
政治编辑
安迪·伯纳姆准备让英国国家犯罪局（NCA）成为打击英国非法垃圾堆放背后有组织犯罪团伙的核心力量。
素有“英国联邦调查局”之称的NCA将被赋予新职责，严打从大规模非法倾倒垃圾中牟利的犯罪团伙。
根据计划，国家和地区机构、议会及环保部门将共享情报，识别非法垃圾场之间的关联，并针对背后的犯罪网络实施打击。
这将标志着政府对大规模非法倾倒垃圾的应对措施的重大升级，从事后清理转向识别并摧毁从中牟利的犯罪网络。
犯罪团伙常冒充合法废物处理企业，在互联网上提供有偿服务后随即将垃圾倾倒在非法场所。
俯瞰比克斯肖垃圾场的25,000吨倾倒垃圾
人物
公务员系统负责人受到创纪录补偿
作者：David Lynch
据信，一位在斯塔尼斯爵士首相任期内被迫离职的资深公务员已获得约50 万英镑的创纪录补偿。
克里斯·沃默尔德爵士曾担任英国政府首席文官，在该职位任职14个月后获得了这笔补偿。
他于2022年2月被安东尼娅·罗密欧接替出任内阁秘书长一职。
英国前财政部长汤姆·施勒爵士曾获得最高47.5 万英镑结算。
此次公告预计将成为伯纳姆夏季英国巡回活动的一部分，重点关注他所认为长期被忽视的棘手问题。
废物处理计划借鉴了伯纳姆今年初前任大曼彻鲁市长期间的经验，他曾多次主张大规模非法倾倒应被视为严重有组织犯罪行为，而非仅仅是环境滋扰。
该经验包括位于维冈的广阔比克肖废物处理场，约25,000吨废物堆积在住宅区和小学附近。
去年夏天该处发生的大火持续数日，迫使附近学校停课。
8月4日，相关机构宣布逮捕了4名涉及比克肖运营的男子。他们因涉嫌环境犯罪、欺诈和洗钱被拘留。
伯纳姆表示，此次逮捕将标志着对涉嫌通过非法处置废物大发横财的团伙采取更强硬行动的开始。
他说：“我曾站在博尔顿豪斯路，亲眼目睹当地民众不得不忍受的景象。
“这是骇人听闻的——成堆垃圾耸立在小学旁，家庭甚至无法在自家躲避恶臭。
“这不是简单的乱倒垃圾——这是有组织犯罪，而承受代价的是当地社区。
“长期以来，这一问题被忽视，但在我任内绝不会如此。”
英国政府估计，废物犯罪每年给经济造成约£1bn的损失。
“伦敦超低排放区改善儿童终身健康”
撰文：克莱尔·威尔逊 商业记者
伦敦首个“超低排放区”（Ulez）空气净化政策使空气污染下降，研究显示儿童肺部发育更好。
研究人员表示，伦敦超低排放区政策有望改善儿童终身健康，包括降低心脏病发作率和晚年呼吸系统疾病风险。
伦敦玛丽女王大学教授克里斯·格里菲斯（Chris Griffiths）表示：“这是首个证据，证明清洁空气政策能改善肺功能和发育。”
伦敦超低排放区计划于2019年在伦敦推出，要求驾驶高污染车辆的司机需缴纳日费用方可进入该区域。
至2023年，该区域已覆盖整个大伦敦地区，引发抗议并导致执法摄像头遭到破坏。
批评者认为清洁空气区对健康改善作用有限。
但该研究进一步证明空气污染会损害儿童肺部。
研究人员将其称为“自然实验”，因其比较了伦敦数千名小学生与北部约30英里外卢顿同龄儿童的肺部发育情况，后者所在地区未实施任何清洁空气区政策。
研究团队通过测量3,400多名儿童的肺活量及呼气速度（这两项指标共同反映肺部大小和力量）进行测试。2018年研究启动时，卢顿儿童的肺活量原本大于伦敦儿童，这与卢顿空气污染较轻的预期一致。
但五年后，伦敦儿童在测量肺部大小和力量的测试中已赶上卢顿儿童，在另一项测量肺部大小的测试中也部分赶上。
研究结果已发表于《柳叶刀·公共卫生》期刊。
格里菲斯表示，其他研究已表明童年肺功能较差会导致老年人罹患多种疾病：“这是预测死亡率升高、中风、糖尿病、癌症和呼吸系统疾病风险的强有力指标。”
当地空气测试还发现伦敦二氧化氮水平下降更为显著，二氧化氮由尾气排放产生，直接损害肺部，也可作为空气中微小烟尘颗粒数量的代理指标。
研究期间，卢顿的空气质量也有所改善——全国各地的汽车尾气污染多年来一直在减少。
就业
国有造船厂拟裁员70人
撰文：卡特琳·布西
一家国有造船厂计划裁减多达70名员工，因其准备交付第二艘延期且超支的渡轮。
位于格拉斯哥港的弗格森造船厂（Ferguson Marine）将于2026年8月19日最后三个月向加莱克马（CalMac）交付“格伦·罗莎”号渡轮。
该造船厂现正启动自愿裁员计划。
苏格兰运输大臣斯蒂芬·弗林（Stephen Flynn）表示，造船厂高层已向其保证，裁减后的员工规模不会影响渡轮交付。
与其姊妹船“格伦·索涅尔”号一样，“格伦·罗莎”号也延误多年且严重超支。
弗格森造船厂首席执行官格雷姆·汤姆森（Graeme Thomson）表示，渡轮的“高质量交付”是公司的“当务之急”。
但他补充道：“随着船只接近完工，我们面临工作量不可避免的暂时下降，同时需与苏格兰政府合作，为合同谈判做好相关准备。”
工党经济事务发言人丹尼尔·约翰逊（Daniel Johnson）表示，裁员将引发“严重焦虑”。
授权接管当地公交服务
作者：索菲·温盖特、阿比·卢埃林
西米德兰兹郡联合管理局将与首相府北区合作，接管当地公交服务的公共控制权。
安迪·伯纳姆将此决定描述为他上任一个月以来“公共控制权的最大单一举措”，并表示这避免了西米德兰兹郡公交服务的崩溃。
此举是在当地运营商National Express的母公司表示将退出市场后做出的。
首相表示，这对该地区而言是“非常重要的一天”，也是他推动让社区对其服务拥有更多控制权的“首个重要里程碑”。
他表示，西米德兰兹公交交易将保护数千个就业岗位。这位工党领袖在伍尔弗汉普顿公交站表示：“这里的公交服务濒临崩溃……我们需要介入以确保服务运行。
“但从长远来看，我们正在构建一个完全公共控制的模式。”
政治
玛穆德的移民改革将“加深英国社会护理人员短缺危机”
作者：阿尔吉·辛格
副政治编辑
沙哈娜·玛穆德的备受争议的移民改革将加深社会护理行业的人员短缺危机，工会发出警告，分析显示英国工人并未填补因移民工人减少而留下的空缺。
联合工会（Unison）表示，官方数据显示，在签证收紧后国际招聘人数急剧下降，但并未被更多英国工人进入该行业所抵消。相反，英国员工数量也有所下降。
这家与工党有关联的工会表示，这向政府表明，限制移民不会导致更多英国工人从事护理工作。
该工会敦促玛穆德——英国内政大臣——放弃让移民护理工人更难在英国定居的计划，并警告称这些变化将加剧一个存在约96,000个空缺职位的行业的员工“短缺”问题。
在玛穆德计划将移民获得英国无限期居留权（ILR）的默认合格时间从5年延长至10年（护理工人则延长至15年）的背景下，工会得到了工党议员的支持，他们面临着反对玛穆德计划的后座议员叛乱威胁。
自2021年以来，数十万护理工人及其家属通过健康和护理签证抵达英国。许多人即将有资格获得ILR，除非玛穆德推动追溯实施她的收紧计划。
此项改革旨在应对人们对保守党执政期间创纪录的疫情后移民水平可能导致大量移民永久定居英国的担忧。
英国前保守党政府于2024年3月禁止护理工人将家属带入英国，而工党随后于2025年7月全面终止了护理工人签证渠道，原因是担心通过该计划抵达的许多移民正在被剥削。
英国社会护理工人
按抵达年份划分的外籍人士开始从事社会护理工作人数
英国工人离开社会护理行业的净人数
社会护理行业空缺率与其他行业对比
数据来源：护理技能组织
议员们表示，内政大臣的提议可能“恶化本已严重的劳动力问题”，并呼吁政策转向。
据信玛穆德正在考虑在面临工党叛乱威胁的情况下，将护理工人豁免于她的计划之外。
联合工会对行业就业数据的分析显示，在对该行业签证发放的收紧下，国际招聘人数从2023-24年的105,000人骤降至2025-26年的30,000人。
简讯
警方
移民申请者住址外泄男子被起诉
一名政府承包商Serco的员工因将移民安置住址泄露给暴徒而在Thetford被起诉。
警方表示，本月初诺福克的多处多人居住房屋窗户被砸碎。
移民申请者在骚乱期间被疏散。
诺福克警察局表示，现年62岁的詹姆斯·约翰逊（James Johnson）被控公职不当行为。
他于2023年9月14日在Norwich Crown Court出庭前被还押候审。
社会
伦敦反穆斯林仇恨数据“令人震惊”
反穆斯林仇恨监测组织Tell Mama称，伦敦今年上半年收到的反穆斯林仇恨和偏见报告数量已超过2023年全年总数。
该组织数据显示，2021年有313起报告，2022年为818起，此后每年持续上升，去年达到创纪录的1,909起。
今年上半年，Tell Mama记录了1,031起报告，已超过2023年全年的1,028起。
法国
英吉利海峡近百名移民获救
近100名移民在英吉利海峡搁浅后获救。
据法国当局称，这艘船在周一上午离开法国后不久发动机故障。共有96人获救并被送往滨海布洛涅。救援人员表示，船只从勒图凯出发时，约有30人滞留水中。另有4人被直升机救起，另有6人由救生艇救起。
克里姆林宫可能以扣押英国船只作为报复：无人机袭击后
政策编辑 简·梅里克
莫斯科可能驱逐英国外交官和记者，甚至试图扣押英国飞机和船只，作为对英国向乌克兰提供无人机的报复，专家们认为。
在发现由两家英国公司制造的无人机被用于对俄罗斯境内军事和工业目标发动袭击后，克里姆林宫已威胁将对英国深度介入战争一事进行报复。
周一，俄罗斯驻伦敦大使馆指责英国正在升级乌克兰冲突。
大使馆警告称，英国的介入程度越深，“将付出越高的代价”。
国防专家表示，弗拉基米尔·普京政权可能的报复行动最快可能在未来48小时内发生。
报复可能涉及升级莫斯科近年来对英国发动的“灰色地带”或“混合战争”活动，例如网络攻击以及在英吉利海峡跟踪英国的海底通信电缆和船只。
但报复也可能更公开——例如拘留在俄罗斯的英国外交官或记者，或在英国石油平台附近发射武器。
这些行动尚不足以触发北约条约第五条（该条款规定对一成员国的攻击即视为对所有成员国的攻击，并应采取相应回应）。
但专家表示，这足以向英国就其在乌克兰战争中的介入传递信息。
乌克兰的袭击包括对俄罗斯网络零售商Wildberries的炼油厂和仓库发动打击。
俄罗斯方面称英国正在“充当乌克兰新纳粹分子‘血腥罪行’和‘恐怖袭击’的帮凶和共犯”。
作为回应，安迪·伯纳姆昨日表示英国将“百分之百”继续支持乌克兰。
前保守党国防大臣托比亚斯·埃洛伍德预测，俄罗斯将在未来48小时内以某种形式的“灰色地带”活动进行报复。
他说：“战争正在升级。乌克兰深入俄罗斯境内的打击能力挑战了普京‘战争有限且可控’的说法。这也损害了他的石油收入。
“我预测俄罗斯将对英国发动大规模网络攻击。
“这一切都将英国置于俄罗斯的十字火力之下，我们很快就会发现自己是多么地准备不足。”
英国皇家联合服务研究所（RUSI）高级副研究员、前英国外交官蒂姆·威拉西-威尔西表示，他认为俄罗斯的回应可能不仅限于混合战争。
他说：“混合战争的关键在于它在某种程度上是难以否认的。
“所以我们都知道他们在做这些事，无论是海底电缆、网络攻击还是纵火，我们都知道这些事正在发生，但他们假装不是他们干的。
“而在这一特定情况下，他们想要声称那就是他们干的。
“自战争开始以来，英国已向乌克兰提供了NLAW反坦克导弹，随后又提供了‘风暴影’巡航导弹，但俄罗斯选择不对英国进行公开报复。”
但他补充道：“现在情况发生了变化，俄罗斯正陷入真正的困境。自4月以来，乌克兰对石油基础设施的袭击规模相当可观。
“战争首次给俄罗斯民众带来了切肤之痛。”
他说，俄罗斯可能针对英国采取的报复选项清单可能包括：驱逐BBC及其他英国驻俄记者、驱逐或拘留初级外交官，乃至在海上和陆地上针对英国的薄弱环节发动袭击。
详见第12版
军事
乌克兰以800架无人机对俄罗斯发动密集袭击
作者：汉娜·阿尔希罗娃
乌克兰军方昨日表示，自莫斯科四年多前入侵乌克兰以来，乌方发动了规模最大的对俄袭击之一，在两天内接连发射近800架无人机。
与此同时，俄罗斯导弹对乌克兰东北部哈尔科夫地区一个村庄的袭击造成至少10人死亡、8人受伤，密集的袭击摧毁了多处民宅。
分析人士称，交战双方正陷入不断升级的远程空中打击对抗，而在乌克兰东部和南部约780英里的前线，大量无人机和地面机器人对部队调动构成威胁，地面战斗受到限制。
过去一年，乌克兰
莫斯科地区昨日一处未披露地点的建筑工地在乌克兰无人机袭击后起火 莫斯科地区政府办公室 / 美联社
自主研发并部署了远程无人机，对俄罗斯境内纵深目标实施打击。
其无人机技术已在全球政府和军火制造商中引发关注。
基辅希望让俄罗斯民众感受战争后果，
并迫使俄罗斯总统弗拉基米尔·普京同意和平协议。但普京迄今未显示出结束入侵的意愿。
乌克兰外长安德烈·西比哈在社交媒体X上发帖称：“普京继续拖延战争，而非接受乌克兰现实的停火提议、结束流血冲突。”
俄罗斯国防部表示，俄防空系统拦截了791架乌克兰无人机，袭击涉及多个俄罗斯地区以及被吞并的克里米亚和黑海、亚速海。这是自2025年1月以来第二大规模无人机袭击。
莫斯科市长谢尔盖·索彦宁称，超过600架无人机飞向莫斯科地区，其中180架被击落。
在 overnight 袭击中，俄罗斯最大网络零售商 Wildberries 位于工业区的一处仓库起火。
乌克兰此前多次袭击该公司的仓库，称其为俄罗斯军方提供补给。
Wildberries 表示其设施“受损轻微”。据乌克兰哈尔科夫地区军事行政长官奥列格·西涅胡博夫称，俄罗斯导弹对乌克兰哈尔科夫地区佩切尼吉村的袭击造成10名平民死亡。
他表示另有17人受伤。
乌克兰总统弗拉基米尔·泽连斯基称这是“残暴袭击”，摧毁了10栋民宅、一家咖啡馆、一处邮局、一家商店和至少7辆车。
泽连斯基在社交媒体上表示：“我们必将回应此次俄罗斯袭击。”
此外，乌克兰国家警察称，过去一天内，俄罗斯对乌克兰苏梅地区的袭击（包括无人机袭击和爆炸装置爆炸）造成3人死亡、3人受伤。
新增！2-33
评论 18-22
电视 25-31
生活 34-37
文化 38-41
周一 42-45
体育 50-58
2025年8月11日（周三）
11
安全
海底电缆可能沦为俄罗斯破坏目标
英国康沃尔郡可能成为普京的袭击目标 作者：利齐·迪尔登
在康沃尔郡美丽的海滩和乡村间，点缀着一系列低矮、不起眼的建筑。这些建筑是连接英国与美国、欧洲、亚洲和非洲的多条海底数据和通信电缆的登陆站。这些建筑建成数十年后，已成为克里姆林宫破坏行动的潜在目标，相关部门正加强对登陆站的安全保护。
由于俄罗斯威胁要报复英国制造的无人机被乌克兰军方使用，此项工作被赋予新的紧迫性。安全消息人士表示，自俄罗斯全面入侵乌克兰以来
实体站点的物理安全状况不一——部分可能因破坏而瘫痪
2022年以来，俄罗斯一直试图通过破坏行动提高欧洲国家支持基辅的成本。
其主要手段之一是针对一系列军事和民用目标实施破坏，包括对海底电缆造成高额损失。
迄今为止，此类损害主要发生在海上，包括使用俄罗斯“影子船队”油轮——2024年12月，一艘俄方油轮在芬兰与爱沙尼亚之间海域拖曳锚链近60英里，刮损海床。
但一份议会报告警告称，电缆登陆的站点“可能是整个系统中最脆弱的环节”。
军用电缆的位置属于高度机密，而民用电缆由私营公司运营，其机房并未隐蔽。
英国国家安全战略联合委员会去年9月发布的报告指出，许多登陆站点同时容纳多条电缆（如康沃尔的一处站点就有9条），这一事实加剧了风险。
报告称：“实体站点的物理安全状况不一——部分可能因破坏而瘫痪。海底电缆、登陆站与数据中心之间的陆上链路也可被简易工具破坏。”
英国皇家联合研究所（RUSI）高级准研究员锡达斯·考沙尔博士表示，尽管英国电缆迄今未发现损坏，但俄罗斯“显然正在绘制电缆分布图并进行监视”。
今年4月，时任英国国防大臣的约翰·希利表示，三艘俄罗斯潜艇曾在英国北部海域对电缆和管道进行“隐蔽”间谍活动，并称任何破坏行为都将“产生严重后果”。
俄罗斯政府否认了相关指控。
考沙尔表示，相比在海上使用船只，俄罗斯更难在英国陆地部署破坏人员，但此类行动可用于“传递信号”。
查塔姆研究所智库研究员卡佳·贝戈表示，作为岛国，英国尤其易受海底电缆破坏影响，并补充道：“对军方而言，获得可靠的连接和数据交换至关重要。”她称，若大量电缆同时中断，后果将“极其严重且具有灾难性”。
贝戈指出，陆基基础设施的安全挑战在于其设计并未考虑蓄意破坏因素。为节省成本和实用性，大量电缆被紧密铺设。
她补充道：“若要提高应对故障的韧性，这种集中布局并不理想。”
俄罗斯警告英国将“付出代价” —— 普京的代价可能是致命的
俄罗斯总统对英国援助乌克兰感到愤怒。撰文：詹姆斯·罗杰斯
乌克兰的远程无人机袭击做到了弗拉基米尔·普京从未想要、或许也从未预见的事——将“特别军事行动”带到了俄罗斯的家门口。
无人机正在摧毁和破坏石油基础设施及在线零售业务，并迫使出于安全原因关闭移动网络和Wi-Fi。
有报道称，英国制造的无人机参与了对距离前线数百公里外的俄罗斯目标发动的袭击，这一消息现已引发英国伦敦的俄罗斯大使馆的强烈回应。
那么，可能会发生什么？我们无需担心俄罗斯坦克会在未来几周沿着英国的大街开进。不过，可能会有试图恐吓或挑衅的行为。
过去几年发生了多起纵火袭击事件，其中包括伦敦东部一处仓库的纵火案。调查最终将责任归咎于俄罗斯雇佣军组织瓦格纳集团下令实施了此次袭击。
此外，一处与基尔·斯塔莫爵士相关的财产也遭到纵火袭击。俄罗斯大使馆否认莫斯科与此事有任何关联，坚称俄罗斯“对英国及其人民不构成威胁，且对英国没有任何敌意”。
然而，这一最新声明发出的警告——“伦敦的行动必将付出代价”——让上述说法显得更加难以令人信服。
大使馆补充道：“英国越深地卷入冲突……它将付出的代价就越高。”
除了首都的纵火袭击外，海上也出现了对峙。今年6月，一艘俄罗斯护卫舰向一艘游艇发射了警告射击，原因是该游艇似乎过于靠近其在英吉利海峡的位置。此外，俄罗斯还可能试图通过派遣战机进入英国领空或潜艇靠近英国海岸来测试英国的防御能力。
水下电缆的损坏可能扰乱互联网流量；无人机可能扰乱空中交通，正如去年9月在哥本哈根发生的情况。
值得一提的是，2025年3月，俄罗斯对外情报局（SVR）将英国定性为“全球头号战争贩子”。英国正式成为俄罗斯的头号公敌。
这一局面的原因不仅在于克里姆林宫对英国支持乌克兰的愤怒。长期以来，莫斯科一直对西方为基辅进行的网络攻击感到愤怒，若非这些攻击，普京或许早已实现其帝国征服的目标。
但特朗普政府愿意与普京接触，意味着莫斯科不愿疏远或激怒一位仍可能帮助其以可向日益警惕和疲惫的公众兜售的条件结束战争的美国总统。因此，对英国发难显然更为可取。
为印证这一点，继大使馆批评英国的帖文之后，俄罗斯外交部随即发布了一条帖文，赞扬特朗普夫人“对冲突中与家人分离的儿童提供支持”。
SVR的“战争贩子”声明延续了俄罗斯对英国在全球舞台行动的长期猜疑传统。英国在1987年革命后支持布尔什维克敌人的行为在整个上世纪始终未被遗忘或原谅。
这一最新的俄罗斯修辞攻击提醒我们——无论这场战争如何或何时结束，它都将在未来几十年继续投下相互猜疑的长长阴影。
詹姆斯·罗杰斯著有《俄罗斯的回归：从叶利钦到普京，一个复仇的克里姆林宫的故事》
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新闻
外交
伊朗谈判未在进行，特朗普坚称
作者：Parisa Hafezi、Katharine Jackson
唐纳德·特朗普昨日表示，美伊之间目前没有进行任何谈判，也没有安排任何谈判，并坚称霍尔木兹海峡仍然开放，尽管德黑兰仍在控制该水道。
近六个月冲突结束协议前景的日益渺茫再次推高了油价，而随着各国对这场危机长期通胀和财政影响的担忧加剧，全球主要经济体的股市下跌，借贷成本也攀升至数十年来高位。
临时停火协议已于周一到期，一位伊朗高级官员表示，由于外交僵局，该国正转向“全面进攻”军事态势，但昨日双方均未传出新的袭击报告。
特朗普在Truth Social平台发帖称：“目前与伊朗伊斯兰共和国没有进行任何谈判或对话，也没有安排任何谈判或对话。”
“霍尔木兹海峡开放并正常运作。所有水雷已被清除或引爆。”他补充道。
此前，这位美国总统发布了一张图片，将霍尔木兹海峡——战前全球五分之一石油和液化天然气由此流经的狭窄水道——标注为美国领土。
周一，特朗普曾威胁要“彻底轰炸”阿曼——一个与伊朗就海峡主权问题进行谈判的美国盟友，如果其“阻碍”重新开放该水道的努力。
初步航运数据显示，昨日通过霍尔木兹海峡的船只通行量仍仅为个位数。
英国海事贸易行动组织昨日表示，收到一份报告，显示一艘船只在通过海峡出境时被不明射弹击中，导致发动机室受损并造成船员伤亡。
据报告称，其余船员正由阿曼海岸警卫队协助。
伊朗高级谈判代表穆罕默德·巴盖尔·卡利巴夫（见插图）表示，在美方满足伊朗6月与其签署的临时协议条件之前，海峡将继续关闭。
卡利巴夫在议会表示，这些条件包括美国解除对伊朗港口的封锁、取消石油制裁并释放伊朗被冻结资产。
美国陆军士兵昨日在韩国延川附近的一条河流上进行训练演习，该地邻近朝鲜边境。摄影：AHN YOUNG-JOON / AP
叙利亚
八架以色列战机袭击叙利亚空军基地
作者：Feras Dalaiey
叙利亚国家媒体昨日表示，八架以色列战机昨日清晨袭击了叙利亚西北部一处空军基地，美国驻该地区特使称此次袭击为“毫无必要的升级”。
此次袭击击中了阿布杜胡尔基地的跑道和储存设施。据报道，此次袭击没有造成人员伤亡。
“确认的以色列对阿布杜胡尔空军基地的袭击构成毫无必要的升级，不利于地区稳定，”美国叙利亚和伊拉克问题特使汤姆·巴拉克大使表示。
2024年底巴沙尔·阿萨德总统被罢黜后，以色列占领了叙利亚西南部地区，以方官员对叙利亚新统治者的激进伊斯兰主义背景表示担忧。
领导人重申联盟关系，正值美方撤军之际
作者：金明振
在唐纳德·特朗普突然下令“实质性缩减”与韩国的联合军事演习后，韩国总统昨日坚称，与美国的坚实联盟是国家安全的基石。
特朗普在社交媒体上发表这一出人意料的声明，恰逢美韩士兵于周一开始一年一度的“乙支自由之盾”演习。该演习主要为应对朝鲜威胁而设计。
美国总统称其与朝鲜领导人金正恩关系良好，并指责韩国拒绝加入美国对伊朗的战争。特朗普的命令显然未与韩方磋商，意在向金正恩示好，加深了外界对美韩联盟可靠性的担忧。这一联盟是在1950-1953年朝鲜战争动荡中缔造的。
昨日，韩国总统李在明强调美韩坚固军事联盟的重要性，称“联盟巩固将进一步加强国家安全”。目前尚不清楚为期11天的韩美演习中，哪些部分将被缩减。
美方国防承诺的削弱可能动摇韩国的国家安全，因其无核武器且处于美国“核保护伞”保护下——该保护承诺在韩国盟友遭核武袭击时予以毁灭性回应。
美国在韩国驻有约28,500名军人。由于特朗普的关税战及去年美国乔治亚州移民执法突袭导致数百名韩裔工人被拘留，许多韩国人对美国的信心已然动摇。
韩国《韩民族日报》在社论中称，特朗普的声明“揭示了美韩联盟摇摇欲坠的现实，加剧公众焦虑”。
朝鲜外务省指责韩美今年计划更多挑衅性演习，并誓言以“新层级的威慑”回应。
金正恩迄今拒绝与美韩进行任何对话。
俄罗斯
朝鲜成为构建“新世界秩序”的伙伴
作者：杰克·金
在平壤去年协助莫斯科将乌克兰军队逐出俄罗斯境内后，俄罗斯外长谢尔盖·拉夫罗夫告诉朝鲜外务相崔善惠，两国正在努力建立“新的正义世界秩序”。
朝鲜中央通讯社（KCNA）称，拉夫罗夫在致崔善惠的信中重申莫斯科将在各领域加强合作，并为地区及国际安全作出贡献。
朝鲜领导人金正恩于2024年底向俄罗斯派遣约14,000名士兵，协助莫斯科击退乌克兰对库尔斯克地区的大规模入侵。
俄罗斯总统弗拉基米尔·普京于2025年5月宣布在该地区取得胜利，并公开感谢平壤的帮助。
KCNA援引拉夫罗夫的话称，朝俄正在继续基于“平等与国家利益”的“真正正义”建立“新世界秩序”。
“朝鲜人民军官兵参与驱逐库尔斯克地区的乌克兰‘纳粹集团’及外国雇佣兵的行动，是前辈英勇传统的鲜明证明。”
俄罗斯常将泽连斯基政府描述为“迫害俄语人士的纳粹”，泽连斯基本人为犹太人，已驳斥这一说法为荒谬。
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苏格兰式的热烈欢迎
国王查尔斯在巴尔莫勒尔举行的仪式上抚摸一匹设得兰矮种马，标志着他正式入住阿伯丁郡巴尔莫勒尔度暑假。
查尔斯由巴拉克拉瓦连队（苏格兰皇家团第五营）组成的仪仗队迎接。
国王是该团名誉上校。
他与矮种马（该团吉祥物）"克鲁阿汉四世下士"及其训练员罗里·斯图尔特下士见面。
科学
为什么我们会怕痒？达尔文似乎给出了最佳答案
作者：本杰明·加德纳
几个世纪以来，关于痒感的理论层出不穷，但科学家们如今认为查尔斯·达尔文的理论是最佳答案。
古希腊哲学家亚里士多德认为，皮肤较薄的部位更容易怕痒。
20世纪的理论则认为，怕痒的部位要么是战斗中暴露的部位，要么与性感带相关。
但研究人员发现，证据支持达尔文的理论——较少被触摸的部位往往更怕痒。
达尔文（插图）在其著作《人类和动物的表情》中150多年前阐述了这一理论。
荷兰科学家通过一项两部分的在线测试，研究了来自中国、荷兰和希腊的448名年轻成年人对痒感的反应。
首先，参与者回答了一份关于童年和成年时期被人挠痒痒的记忆调查，包括谁挠过他们、他们是否会以笑、尖叫或逃跑等方式反应。
其次，他们在人体空白轮廓图上数字化着色，绘制出哪些部位会怕痒。
研究人员对其他身体感受（如疼痛、正常触摸和性快感）也进行了相同操作，以观察它们是否与怕痒部位重叠。
荷兰拉德堡德大学的齐良·熊和康斯坦丁娜·基尔泰尼利用这些身体图谱，测试了五种痒感理论中哪一种最能解释我们的体验。
他们在《自然·人类行为》期刊上写道："引人注目的是，唯一与怕痒显著相关的因素是这些部位被触摸的低频率，这为达尔文的理论提供了支持。"
但他们补充称，达尔文的理论并未完全解释研究结果，仅提供部分支持，痒感最好由多种因素共同解释。
研究人员表示，较少被触摸的部位可能更怕痒，因为那里的触摸可能较不常见，令接收者更感意外。
这可能形成循环，正如论文所言："有些部位怕痒是因为很少被触摸，而它们很少被触摸则是因为怕痒。"
这项跨三种文化的调查还发现，"怕痒是一种普遍的人类体验"。
它不同于其他形式的社交触摸（如拥抱和抚摸），后者在不同文化中意义各异。
怕痒常被描述为不愉快的体验。
该研究还推翻了一些理论。例如，研究发现更敏感的部位反而较不怕痒。手部神经末梢密集，却是最不怕痒的部位之一。
理查德·马德雷险被姐姐救下：差点因牛肉噎死
作者：肖恩·奥格雷迪
电视主持人理查德·马德雷（70岁）透露，自己险些因一块牛肉噎死，所幸被姐姐救下。
他表示，在一场“激烈讨论”中，自己未经咀嚼便吞下一块“生牛肉”，牛肉直接进入气管。
在《早安英国》节目中对话琼斯博士时，他说道：“我试图咳出它，但肺里没有空气。突然意识到自己噎住了。”
马德雷的姐姐莉兹·劳伦斯（接受过海姆利克急救法培训）在场并立即施救。
他说道：“她为我做了海姆利克急救法，连续三次都未奏效，牛肉仍卡在喉咙。我感到双膝发软倒下，就在这时，谢天谢地她再次施救。若她不懂急救，我早已没命。”
杰维斯拟与伴侣结婚以减少遗产税
作者：肖恩·奥格雷迪
喜剧演员里基·杰维斯（65岁）表示，将与长期伴侣简·法伦结婚，以避免缴纳遗产税。
这对搭档均为65岁，自1982年起相伴，却从未选择结婚。
杰维斯称，避税将成为他结婚的理由，在接受《Saga》杂志采访时表示：“这将是我结婚的原因。我们尚未办理，但若非税务因素，为何要结婚？这太疯狂了。还有什么比这更‘已婚’的吗？我们共享所有财产——同居已40年，有些婚姻还不如这持久。”
今年初，法伦透露自己在常规乳腺X光检查后被诊断出乳腺癌。她接受了两次手术（手术“顺利”），并表示期待“恢复正常生活”。
里基·杰维斯与简·法伦已相伴44年
部分前列腺癌或无需活检
作者：埃拉·皮克奥弗
一项研究发现，部分前列腺癌可通过非侵入性活检诊断。
伦敦大学学院医院（UCLH）专家表示，某些男性可仅通过核磁共振成像（MRI）高度确诊癌症，无需活检。
多家医院中，疑似前列腺癌患者会先接受MRI以获取体内详细影像。根据影像结果，医生可能建议进一步活检。
但其他医院则会直接安排活检——通过细针穿刺前列腺取组织样本检查癌细胞。
活检潜在弊端包括漏诊癌症或发现无需治疗的缓慢生长癌症。
但研究发现，部分男性可仅通过MRI确诊癌症。
研究对象为880名在UCLH“一站式”疑似前列腺癌门诊就诊的一年期男性患者。所有人均接受前列腺MRI检查。四名经验丰富的放射科医生结合患者年龄与前列腺特异性抗原（PSA）评分审查扫描结果。
其中251人疑似患肿瘤，217人随后接受活检。放射科医生需判断扫描结果是“99%确诊”“90%确诊”还是“低于90%确诊”。
在69名“99%确诊”患者中，活检均确认癌症。45名“90%确诊”患者中，41人接受活检，40人确诊重度肿瘤。
研究人员表示，这表明部分男性或无需活检。
14
首相将努力阻止谋杀PC哈珀凶手的提前释放
作者：Rhiannon James 和 Sophie Wingate
安迪·伯纳姆承诺将"竭尽所能"阻止PC安德鲁·哈珀凶手在提前释放计划下获释。
但首相拒绝确认部长是否会将某类过失杀人罪定罪者排除在提前释放范围之外。
该豁免曾被提议作为避免释放哈珀的三名凶手中两人—— 阿尔伯特·鲍尔斯和杰茜·科尔的一种方式。
鲍尔斯和科尔是2019年在伯克郡苏勒姆斯特德的一条乡村道路上，哈珀因被车辆拖拽的皮带绊住而殉职案件中的乘车人。
明年这两人将在服刑13年后获释的前景，引发了对提前释放计划的广泛谴责。
昨日，伯纳姆表示他将在议会两周后复会时提交对提前释放计划的审查结果。
首相表示，司法大臣亚历克斯·诺里斯正在制定计划，以"最大限度保障公众安全并最小化囚犯的提前释放"。
伯纳姆承诺将"竭尽所能"确保鲍尔斯和科尔无资格提前获释。
当被问及部长们正在考虑将"非法行为"过失杀人罪定罪者排除在该计划之外的报道时，他表示"此时此刻，这只是猜测"。
一位前任资深法官警告称，仅阻止鲍尔斯和科尔提前释放而释放其他同类罪行的囚犯将是"非法的"。
但托马斯·克姆吉德勋爵表示，针对过失杀人罪类型的规则修改在实践中可能可行。
首相表示："我已表示，我将竭尽所能确保我们不会看到参与谋杀PC哈珀及其他个体的人获释。"
他补充道："考虑到公众的关切，我必须竭尽所能确保此事处理得当。"
首相上任后不久即下令对该计划进行审查 《量刑法》下。已宣布修改以阻止强奸犯和恋童癖者提前获释
希腊
英国新婚夫妇在希腊直升机坠毁事故中丧生
作者：Ellie Crabbe
一对新婚夫妇在希腊度蜜月期间乘坐的直升机坠毁并引发火灾，两人不幸遇难，外界纷纷致以哀悼。
亚历克斯·克罗米和妻子玛丽·埃伯特，以及他们的飞行员乔治斯·赖科斯，在爱琴海锡夫诺斯岛的托洛斯地区坠机后丧生。
直升机于周一晚间起飞后不久在一处干旱的山坡坠毁，事故原因尚未查明。
资产管理公司黑石集团的一位发言人在声明中表示："我们对包括我们的同事亚历克斯·克罗米及其妻子玛丽·埃伯特在内的三位逝者的不幸离世深感震惊。他们正在庆祝蜜月。"
"亚历克斯深受认识和与他共事的黑石同事们的爱戴，我们的心与他的亲人同在。"
据其领英档案显示，克罗米在黑石集团工作四年，最初担任私人财富解决方案部门的副总裁，去年1月晋升为副总裁。
据埃伯特女士的领英页面显示，她是管理咨询公司贝恩公司的高级专家。
一位发言人表示："我们的心与在此艰难时刻的家人同在。"
英国外交部表示正在提供领事支持，并与希腊当局保持联系。
亚历克斯·克罗米和妻子玛丽·埃伯特（左）在锡夫诺斯岛坠机事故中遇难——飞行员乔治斯·赖科斯亦不幸罹难 FACEBOOKLINKEDIN
人物
克利奇科一家陷入“深切悲痛”
作者：劳拉·哈丁
前拳击手弗拉基米尔·克利奇科表示，在与前伴侣海登·潘妮蒂尔的离世后，他的家人正在经历“深切的震惊与悲痛”。
这位《Heroes》与《Nashville》女演员于周日去世，享年36岁，她是两人女儿卡亚的母亲。南卡罗来纳州格林维尔警方发现女演员时她已心脏骤停，并表示“没有发现任何暴力或可疑情况”。
克利奇科是前重量级世界冠军，他在Instagram上写道：“我们一家正在经历深切的震惊与悲痛。
“海登的不幸离世令我深感悲痛。她离开这个世界太早了。尽管海登不再是我的伴侣，但她仍是我生命中重要的一部分，也是我们女儿卡亚的母亲。”
两人自2009年开始交往，至2018年分手。他们的女儿于2014年出生。2018年，潘妮蒂尔因精神健康问题将卡亚的监护权全权交予克利奇科。
Google Pixel 11 Pro XL with Gemini Intelligence
E38 amonth 1998 month 1st of December to 2018 and 2019 March 2019 to 2020 March 2020
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15
UNITED STATES
“成瘾性”社交媒体平台Instagram与Facebook被推上被告席
作者：黛安娜·诺瓦克·琼斯
一项指控Meta Platforms公司故意设计Facebook与Instagram，使其以危害青少年心理健康的方式变得“成瘾”的诉讼昨日开庭审理。
这起针对Meta Platforms的民事诉讼可能重塑该公司旗下最受欢迎的应用程序，由美国29个州组成的联盟提起诉讼。
诉讼还指控该公司在向消费者隐瞒平台对青少年用户安全性的真实情况，并在违反联邦法律的情况下非法收集和使用儿童个人数据。
专家表示，此次审判是对青少年社交媒体诉讼的最大考验，同时全球对社交媒体对青少年用户影响的反思也在加深。
在《i报》截稿时，领导这一两党联盟的科罗拉多州、加利福尼亚州、新泽西州和肯塔基州的检察官正在加利福尼亚州奥克兰的一个由八人组成的陪审团面前进行开庭陈述。
加利福尼亚州司法部副检察长梅根·奥尼尔在法庭上表示：“你们将听到Meta公司对儿童大脑的了解有多么深入。”
其中包括儿童如何不断寻求奖励、对社交反馈的敏感性，以及“他们仍在发育控制冲动的能力，而成年人已经具备这种能力”。
她表示，Meta公司研究了这些脆弱性，并讨论过如何改变Instagram以应对这些问题。
Meta公司对此回应称其拥有强有力的辩护理由。
“我们为保护平台上的青少年所做的努力以及多年来投入的大量精力感到自豪——甚至早在这些诉讼提起之前就已如此，并持续至今。
“我们期待在法庭上向法官和陪审团展示这些事实，”该公司表示。
Meta公司创始人兼首席执行官马克·扎克伯格预计将在为期数周的审判中出庭作证，Instagram负责人亚当·莫塞里也将出庭。
Meta公司表示，可能面临的罚款金额最高可达1.4万亿加元（约合1.03万亿加元），接近该公司1.5万亿加元的市值。
各州检察长尚未明确说明他们寻求的具体罚款金额，但在上周的听证会上表示，金额可能接近2000亿加元。
该诉讼由29个州于2023年提起，源于对Instagram与Facebook对青少年用户影响的多州调查。
该调查是在Meta公司吹哨人弗朗西丝·豪根（见内页）披露内幕后宣布的。她在2021年向美国参议院委员会作证称，该公司明知其产品可能危害青少年用户，也知道如何使其更安全，但为追求更高利润而选择不进行改变。
Meta公司及其他社交媒体公司正面临来自政界和法庭的日益增长的压力。
饶舌歌手图帕克家人离庭以避免看到尸检照片
作者：杰西卡·希尔
图帕克·沙库尔家人中的部分成员昨日在检察官展示其1996年尸检照片前离开了法庭，此次庭审针对的是被控策划这位饶舌明星致命飞车枪击案的杜安·“基夫·D”·戴维斯。
内华达州克拉克县法医病理学家兼验尸官丽莎·加文博士是第二天作证的早期证人之一。陪审团在她接受询问之初先被展示了一张绿色尸袋的照片，随后是一张其遗体的血腥照片。
留在法庭内的沙库尔家人则纷纷移开视线。一名女子在照片展示后起身离开。沙库尔，25岁，在中枪后六天于医院去世。
饶舌歌手图帕克·沙库尔于1996年9月7日遭枪击身亡，享年仅25岁
在周一的开案陈词中，副地区检察官比努·帕拉尔告诉陪审团：“杜安·戴维斯并未亲自扣动扳机。但他确实策划了这起枪击，以报复对其侄子的殴打”，并补充道：“值得一提的是，你将从杜安·戴维斯本人处了解到这一点。”
现年63岁的戴维斯若被判使用致命武器谋杀罪名成立，可能面临终身监禁。他已对指控表示不认罪。律师迈克尔·桑夫特告诉陪审团，戴维斯此前未被起诉，尽管他在采访及回忆录中自曝参与策划，但执法部门早已认定他“满口谎言”。
陪审团还观看了沙库尔的随行人员在1996年9月7日拉斯维加斯MGM大酒店拳击赛后袭击戴维斯侄子奥兰多·安德森的视频，枪击案即发生于此次事件数小时后。
帕拉尔称，戴维斯随后用了两小时策划报复。拉斯维加斯的庭审预计将持续长达六周。
社交媒体
英当局警告儿童正被极端主义内容吸引
作者：哈里·古德温
英格兰儿童专员Dame Rachel de Souza警告称，儿童正在社交媒体上“沉迷于极端主义内容”。
她敦促部长们限制18岁以下儿童使用社交媒体。她表示，英国儿童正在网络上接触到头颅斩首及恐怖袭击视频，导致部分儿童崇拜暴力极端分子。
过去十年间，涉及儿童的政府反恐项目“预防”转介案例从2016-17年度的2,918例增至2024-25年度的4,715例。
2024年7月南港袭击案的实施者Axel Rudakubana曾三次被转介至“预防”项目，但因缺乏明确意识形态而被结案。
Dame Rachel de Souza呼吁采取“更强有力的保护措施，特别是针对那些痴迷暴力但未显现明确极端主义意识形态的儿童”。她表示，专家们“深度担忧儿童正在网络上被引入激进化及暴力迷恋”。
第4911期五字谜
答案见第51页
横向
1 一位萨格勒布（克罗地亚首都）的原住民，例如，拿着桶和水杯（7字） 5 / 6 在美国被拆解为“裤子”的争论，但在此地并非如此（5字，7字）
纵向
1 接受短小男装（7字） 2 或许用基本粒子欺骗霍华德（6字） 4 教堂活动后计划演唱或朗诵（6字）
N°1
咖喱去骨鸡胸肉配加冕酱
Beach days. BBQ haze.
Succulent Bombay spatchcock.
点燃你的夏日，用我们香辣的烤鸡 裹上浓郁的加冕酱，撒上波本香料脆葱。
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• 2025年8月13日，周三
17
社会
你能再说一遍吗：最容易被误读的单词揭晓
撰文：刘易斯·史密斯
英国一些最容易被误读的单词已被揭晓——不过公平地说，其中几个错误源自外来词。
根据一项调查，即使是以英语为母语的人，也可能对"colonel"（上校）、"squirrel"（松鼠）、"specific"（特定的）和"necessarily"（必然地）感到头疼。就连"brewery"（酿酒厂）尽管英国人热爱啤酒，也可能让人犯难。
或许更棘手的还有"phenomenon"（现象）、"aesthetic"（美学）、"hyperbole"（夸张）和"Worcestershire"（伍斯特郡）。
但其他一些词，据斯柯达英国公司（读作"Sh-co-da"而非"Scoder"）称，之所以难读是因为它们源自外语。
其中包括源自意大利语的"segue"（读作"seg-way"）、"gnocchi"（读作"mok-kee"）和"espresso"（读作"es-presso"）。其他难读的外来词还包括源自法国的"charcuterie"（读作"shar-koo-tuh-ree"）、源自墨西哥的"chipotle"（读作"chi-pot-lay"）、源自安第斯山脉的"quinoa"（读作"keen-wa"）以及源自巴西的"açaí"（读作"ah-sigh-ee"）。
在接受调查的2,000人中，有四分之一的人承认在被指出发音错误时感到尴尬，而85%的人表示自己曾因发音错误被纠正过。
此次调查由斯柯达委托进行，旨在帮助英国人正确发音其汽车公司的名称。
顺时针方向依次为：一棵"açaí"（读作"ah-sigh-ee"）树、藜麦（读作"keen-wa"）、法式熟食（读作"shar-koo-tuh-ree"）
健康
睡眠质量好的老年人工作时间更长
撰文：斯托姆·牛顿
一项研究发现，中年睡眠质量好的老年人往往工作时间更长。
但睡眠时间超过9小时或经常被打扰的人，更可能提前退出职场。
为探究优质睡眠是否能延长职业生涯，芬兰研究人员分析了50岁至68岁人群的数据。
他们分析了两项研究：一项涵盖2000年至2016年超过70,000名公共部门员工，另一项涵盖1998年至2013年芬兰6,071名工作年龄成年人。
报告无睡眠干扰者的预期工作寿命为13年5个月。
相比之下，那些每周有2至4晚中度干扰的人为13年，而几乎每晚都受干扰的人为12年10个月。
研究结果发表于《职业与环境医学》期刊。
拍卖
稀有"塔斯马尼亚虎"头颅以£50售出
撰文：汤姆·贝文
一颗在市场上仅以£50购得的"狐狸头"标本，在拍卖中以£30成交，因为它最终被证实是世界上仅存的已灭绝虎头标本。
袋狼（又称塔斯马尼亚虎）是一种食肉有袋动物，原产于澳大利亚、塔斯马尼亚和新几内亚。
尽管其大陆种群在约2,000年前就已消失，但塔斯马尼亚的种群却幸存下来。
然而，欧洲定居者在19世纪错误地认为它对绵羊构成威胁，并试图将其灭绝。
本周的拍卖惊喜在于，这是首次发现完整保存的袋狼头标本。由于最初被误认为普通狐狸头，其起拍价仅为£30至£50。
买家詹姆斯·克兰菲尔德称其为自然历史界的"圣杯"。
斯宾塞关于戴安娜的“新书揭秘”将“引发关注”
作者：肖恩·奥格雷迪
查尔斯·斯宾塞将出版一本关于其妹妹、威尔士王妃戴安娜生平的新书，书中包含“将引发相当关注的揭秘内容”。
《天鹅之歌：戴安娜，我的妹妹》将成为伯爵斯宾塞（现年62岁）首次如此详尽地谈论其姐妹。
他说道：“随着戴安娜悲剧离世30周年的临近，我再次被大量采访请求淹没，这些请求都围绕着我的妹妹。”
“这一切促使我最终写下自己的想法与记忆，而非再次忍受阅读他人观点之discomfort——其中许多观点基于随时间流逝而被接受的虚假信息。”
“The aim of this book is to tell the truth about Diana from her brother's perspective, just as I attempted to do when speaking at her funeral.”
“与我的悼词一致，我希望代表戴安娜发声，并以公开积极的方式呈现。”
斯宾塞补充道：“我希望这本书能引起众多仍怀念戴安娜的人的兴趣。”
“我更希望那些在她风华正茂时尚未出生的人读完此书后，能‘理解’她真实的模样：一个独一无二、充满活力的角色，满怀爱与魅力，却也充满自我怀疑。她竭尽全力生活，尽管英年早逝，却让世界变得更美好。”
在1997年戴安娜的葬礼上，伯爵斯宾塞在悼词中特意提及其妹妹的“血亲家庭”。
企鹅兰登英国分公司出版总监丹尼尔·邦亚德补充道：“这是一本具有历史重要性的书，不仅讲述了20世纪最具标志性且文化意义深远的人物之一的故事，更因其由伯爵斯宾塞从如此亲密的视角撰写，而显得独一无二。”
“查尔斯·斯宾塞既是一位深情的哥哥，又是备受赞誉的回忆录作家，同时也是知名历史学家，这些身份在《天鹅之歌》一书中得以完美融合。”
伯爵斯宾塞称其妹妹戴安娜“充满爱……也充满自我怀疑”
上个月，苏塞克斯公爵夫人分享了她与斯宾塞的合影。
据传闻，苏塞克斯公爵会前往北安普敦郡拜访其舅舅，并在其母戴安娜的墓前献花。
邦亚德补充道：“这些文字感人至深、文笔优美且异常坦诚。”
“虽然书中包含许多将引发相当关注的揭秘内容，但读者们将首次——也是永远——看到对这位备受爱戴的威尔士王妃戴安娜的恰如其分的致敬。”
出生于1961年的戴安娜出身于贵族斯宾塞家族，于1981年嫁给时任威尔士亲王的国王，并育有威廉与哈里两子。二人于1996年离婚。
她于1997年8月在巴黎的一场车祸中去世，享年36岁。
其伴侣多迪·法耶德及司机亨利·保罗亦在事故中丧生。
Her death led to widespread public mourning and her funeral was watched by more than two billion people worldwide.
《天鹅之歌：戴安娜，我的妹妹》将于9月22日出版。
斯宾塞此前于2024年出版了一本回忆录《一所非常私密的学校》，详述他在梅德韦尔霍尔寄宿学校遭受的性虐待与殴打。
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舆论矩阵
国内外评论
理查德·蒂斯
改革英国党副领袖对气候问题脱离现实
《每日镜报》
改革英国党的千万富翁副领袖认为，我们不应再对气候变化如此“悲观绝望”，因为温暖天气可能带来更好的葡萄。你很难想象出比这更完美的画面：一位身处所谈问题后果之外的富有政治家。
保守党之家
理查德·泰斯曾尝试以特朗普式的态度完全无视气候变化。但解决气候问题正是选民关注的焦点，且无需诉诸社会主义手段即可实现。（David Willetts）
白宫电话恶作剧
这是我们生活在动荡时代的一个标志
《每日邮报》
在白宫恶作剧中针对首相安迪·伯纳姆的行为是一个极其令人不安的发展。无论当前地缘政治局势如何，其安全影响在任何时刻都将是深远的。但在我们生活在不确定且动荡的时代这一背景下，这些影响更加令人担忧。（Editorial）
《独立报》
与更严重犯罪的受害者一样，我常常对公众人物被恶作剧电话愚弄感到同情。（Sean O'Grady）
改革UK福利计划
该党的构想颇具前景
《每日电讯报》
改革UK回避了其中最大的成本之一——每年因“三重锁”机制而增加的数十亿养老金支出，而改革UK表示将保留这一机制。尽管如此，改革UK的福利计划仍是一个良好的开端。（Editorial）
《泰晤士报》
英国的福利支出正在快速增长，已达到不可持续的地步。但罗伯特·詹里克削减福利支付的计划更多是噱头而非实质性节省。对于那些严重依赖该系统的人而言，它是一条生命线，任何改革都必须确保其持续护理。（Editorial）
“觉醒主义巅峰”
不，第一波“觉醒主义”并非疯狂之举
《卫报》
“觉醒主义第一波是疯狂的，”Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez本月表示。“觉醒主义巅峰”涉及政治与文化，也涉及其引发的行为与趋势——从具体问题如性骚扰，到改革 perpetuated these problems 的文化结构，如大学课程。这些并非“疯狂”之举。（Nesrine Malik）
《华盛顿时报》
觉醒主义包含将保守派和基督徒抹黑为“纳粹”和“法西斯分子”，并不断推动跨性别“疯狂”议题。（Robert Knight）
中东冲突
地区正经历重塑
《金融时报》
倘若特朗普与内塔尼亚胡相信对伊朗开战将拉拢地区国家亲近以色列，并为《亚伯拉罕协议》扩展铺平道路，他们可能会感到失望。战争将重塑中东，但方式将超出他们的意图或预见。（Editorial）
《世界报》
美国的软弱也促使其三个盟友——沙特阿拉伯、巴基斯坦与土耳其——缔结互防条约，这对美国作为阿拉伯半岛历史保护者的角色构成明确抨击。（Editorial）
《博尔赫斯与我》电影
有些电影注定让你久久回味
文化线索
有些电影你会钦佩，而有些电影在结束后你却不愿离去。《博尔赫斯与我》便属于后者。在Michael Turtletsub的影片穿越苏格兰高地与岛屿的旅程中，我完全被它迷住了。（Nikki Murray）
《综艺》
有时，那些发生在上世纪70年代初英国学术界沉闷环境中的电影，似乎理应拥有属于自己的类型。尽管这部电影机智、文学且富有玩味，但或许还能从博尔赫斯的元小说天赋中汲取更多精髓。（Domon Wise）
今日名言
马拉多纳不仅仅是一名足球运动员，他代表着更多意义
Bobby Gillespie The Primal Scream创始人谈这位足球运动员对数百万人的影响
生活简讯
威廉·奥比特 音乐制作人
威廉·韦恩赖特出生于伦敦东区，父母均为教师，家中常播放古典音乐。他15岁辍学，游历英国和欧洲各地，居住在空置房屋中，并从事水果采摘。他做过建筑工人、医院员工和见习制图员。
奥比特随后自学吉他并在伦敦和巴黎街头卖艺。
1980年，他组建了乐队Torch Song。该乐队的音乐风格为电子与氛围音乐。通过他创立的Guerilla Records厂牌，他与Cocteau Twins、The Fall及Sting等艺术家合作。
奥比特制作了麦当娜1998年专辑《光芒万丈》（Ray of Light），该专辑令这位美国歌手转向电子与Trip-Hop风格，并与她共同完成了2000年专辑《音乐》（Music），以及共同创作并参与演唱其1999年热门单曲《美丽陌生人》（Beautiful Stranger）。奥比特凭借《光芒万丈》斩获两项格莱美奖（最佳流行专辑与最佳舞曲录音），并因《美丽陌生人》获最佳为视觉媒体创作歌曲奖，该曲出自1999年电影《Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shopped Me》。
他还因Pink的《Feel Good Time》、自己2000年专辑《现代风格组曲》（Pieces in a Modern Style）及单曲《光芒万丈》获格莱美奖提名。
与Blur合作期间，奥比特制作了1999年专辑《13》，该专辑呈现出更阴郁的歌词风格，并推出《温柔》、《咖啡与电视》及《无路可退》等单曲。他还参与制作了2003年《思考水箱》（Think Tank）专辑中的曲目《甜蜜之歌》（Sweet Song）。
乐队在Instagram上用一颗心碎表情符号与“威廉·奥比特”的字样致敬，分享了专辑封面。
奥比特还参与制作了Mel C于1999年发行的首张个人专辑《北极星》（Northern Star），并在2018年为英国女子组合Ali Saints第五张录音室专辑《遗嘱》（Testament）中的歌曲《终归如此》（After All）创作。前辣妹成员在Instagram上致敬道：“能与这位伟人合作是我的荣幸。送上我所有的爱。”
奥比特还与Britney Spears及will.i.am合作制作了2013年专辑《布兰妮·吉恩》（Britney Jean），并制作了2014年版本的弗雷迪·默丘里个人单曲《生活还有更多意义》（There Must Be More to Life Than This），该版本由迈克尔·杰克逊使用档案人声参与，并由Queen乐队演奏。
为U2制作的《电闪雷鸣》（Electrical Storm）与《建设我们的双手》（The Hands That Built America）是这支爱尔兰摇滚乐队精选集《1990-2000精选》（The Best of 1990-2000）中仅有的两首此前未发布的曲目。
同样致敬奥比特的还有制作人Erol Alkan，他在社交媒体上写道：“了不起的制作人。我如此多热爱的作品都出自他手。在此表达最诚挚的哀悼！”
奥比特的个人生涯共推出12张录音室专辑。他也是Bassomatic与Torch Song乐队的成员。这位音乐家于2026年7月23日在家中辞世。其家人表示：“我们与众多受其影响的人都将深深怀念他。”
出生 1956年12月15日 逝世 2026年7月23日
WEST 2-33
OPINION 18-22
TV 26-31
LIFE 34-37
CHILDREN 38-41
MONKEY 42-45
SPORT 50-54
● 2026年8月19日，周三
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我的观点
詹姆斯·奥布赖恩
布狄卡遇上撒切尔？没戏
巴登诺是自欺欺人与否认的练习
人人都知道安迪·伯纳姆的压力山大，这位首相的蜜月期想必已近尾声。但为何基米·巴登诺的压力却无人问津？
伯纳姆是英国脱欧后民粹主义狂潮的唯一可行解药，而他的前任则为这样一个事实提供了活生生的教训：当今时代，工党首相若想从早期失误中恢复，有多难。
从医疗到国防，从社会护理到尼特族（未接受教育、就业或培训的年轻人），这个国家面临着深层而持久的问题，这些问题唯有通过实质内容、务实态度与坚定决心才能得到真正解决——更不用说缓解或解决了。换句话说，这段时期需要的是政治的严肃性、适当的审视，以及因此而生的有效且明智的反对。伯纳姆首相的锋芒，在很大程度上将由实质性反对的磨刀石来定义。
多亏了巴登诺，他根本没有这样的对手。法拉奇这个人，既荒唐又危险，且两者兼具。他秘密收受外国亿万富翁的巨额现金，还在胜选后发布会前夕捏造警察警告让人们远离现场，将个人的自尊与脆弱的自尊凌驾于党内团结或任何有理有据的政策之上——每周都有新的事实证明他的糟糕程度。
但他并非反对党领袖。改革英国党仅有八名议员，且上次大选中仅有三人是以该党身份当选。你可能不知道，主流媒体争先恐后地报道他、李·安德森或理查德·泰斯的一举一动，但这并不意味着它是一个严肃的政党。
该党的政策，本周我们看到其关于福利和残障申领者的不切实际公告，上周则是从电台热线听众最差段子中直接抄袭的移民“政策”（我可太清楚了！），最多只能算是异想天开，最糟则是愚蠢透顶。
与此同时，巴登诺最近的头条新闻让选民意识到：她的候选人名单上有空间容纳一个所谓“改过自新”的前新纳粹分子——此人曾因煽动对犹太人的种族仇恨罪入狱，但据称却没有为格兰特·沙普斯留出位置。沙普斯曾任该党联合主席，并在过去四届保守党政府中担任多个部长级职位。
前者约书亚·博内尔-佩恩后来从萨默塞特郡议席的考虑中退出，却立即被基米·巴登诺（她自称“从未犯过错误”）空降至顾问岗位。
要让人对沙普斯或他本周用的任何名字产生同情，需要一种特别的无能，但这还远未结束。前国防大臣彭妮·莫当特是保守党内经验丰富的资深成员之一，他们仍在等待确认：若支持自戴维·卡梅伦政府至今的政策，是否会阻止他们竞选该党现有的党内职位。
巴登诺还曾在竞选宣言中呼吁实现净零排放并加入《欧洲人权公约》，但或许她已经忘记了。或者说纯属意外。抑或根本没当回事。
今年5月，她因在社交媒体账号上发布“血腥星期日”士兵镜头而被迫道歉。目前尚不清楚她是否知道，当天被英国士兵射杀或伤害的民权抗议者，已在2010年萨维尔调查中被认定无罪。
她试图为枪击事件辩护，或将卡梅伦——他本人因支持那些讨厌的净零排放和《欧洲人权公约》政策，在巴登诺赫的保守党内几乎成了不受欢迎的人——斥为“这些杀戮是‘不正当且不可原谅的’。”
今年2月，她迅速“与美国和以色列站在一起，共同应对伊朗伊斯兰共和国及其邪恶政权的威胁”，并坚称基尔·斯塔默爵士本应更多地支持这场注定失败的战争。几周后，当干预的愚蠢行为甚至连她自己都无法忽视时，她不得不尴尬地来了个180度大转弯：“我是说我们支持他们的行动。我从未说过我们应该加入。”
大概她的立场又变了，但我们不太可能知道，因为亲保守党的媒体仍坚称所谓的“凯米奈森斯”（Keminaisance）正在进行。尽管在麦克菲尔德和曼彻斯特市长选举中遭遇客观上的惨败，她却似乎在主导保守党命运的转变，而该党的民调仍低于2024年大选中被斯塔默的工党彻底击败时的水平。
可悲的是，不再滑稽的是，这成了一场由巴登诺赫本人最佳诠释的妄想与否认的练习——她似乎完全相信自己是布狄卡与玛格丽特·撒切尔的结合体。“你是一个做大事的严肃之人”是她去年在《新政治家》杂志披露的一本笔记中发现的自我激励语录，她当时不小心将其遗忘在酒店房间里。
好吧，我真希望她能尽快开始行动，否则伯纳姆将独自承担起带领这个国家重回急需的成熟政治的重任。而他手头已有大量棘手事务。
詹姆斯·奥布莱恩是《他们如何摧毁英国》一书的作者。他的电台节目在LBC每周一至周五上午10点播出
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对鹰蛾的热情
我们首次看到蜂鸟鹰蛾（“蜂鸟鹰蛾飞入英国花园”，17年8月）是在20多年前于法国北部索姆省圣瓦莱里市的植物标本馆。幸好那里有一块介绍牌，上面就有这种异域昆虫，否则我们根本认不出来。
现在，过去10年左右的时间里，如果夏天在花园里一只都没看到，我们会感到失望。它们绝对是一种非常受欢迎的外来物种。 罗伯特·波士顿 肯特郡金希尔
去年夏天，我们每天都能看到一只蜂鸟鹰蛾。它被马鞭草吸引，在花朵上方盘旋的样子让人着迷。
今年又出现了一只，虽然不像之前那样频繁。 格雷格·希思 西伯克郡兰伯恩
热刺让我们捧腹大笑
我怀着好奇心阅读了你的文章（“我明白为什么粉丝对热刺感到愤怒”，18年8月）。
作者写道：“他曾是喜剧之王，但这部新剧集却展现了里基·热刺有多么江河日下。”我完全不同意。
尽管《小巷》可能不是他最出色的作品，但热刺在当下许多电视节目似乎不过是前作的复制品之际，敢于尝试新事物，这一点值得称赞。
《办公室》、《德里》和《余生》都是我看过的最优秀的电视剧之一。无论人们如何看待他最新的作品，都不应忽视他对英国喜剧的贡献。 罗布·沙里德 斯塔福德郡坦沃思
英国早已参与其中
安妮·麦克尔沃伊有权要求政府就我们对乌克兰的支持（在对抗俄罗斯侵略战争中）坦诚以待（“英国支持基辅令其成为俄罗斯合法打击目标”，17年8月）。
然而，这场冲突也关乎更广泛的安全问题。英国值得就韧性展开坦诚对话。
前线如今已延伸至你的笔记本电脑、能源网络、金融系统和社交媒体信息流。我们早已身处战斗之中。 诺埃尔·哈吉米凯尔 白厅国防与安全圈主席
明信片带给我无尽快乐
我饶有兴致地阅读了你关于明信片衰落的文章（“我们问了——你给出了答案”，15-16年8月）。我儿子住在伦敦，大多数周六他会去全国各地观看体幻影，并从他去的每个地方给我寄明信片。
他在伦敦生活了19年，如今我已收藏了数百张明信片。
这是一种美妙的交流方式，他的卡片和留言对我来说意义非凡。 斯特凡妮·库德 北林肯郡布里格
苏格兰在免费巴士方面领先
得知英格兰残障人士尚未享有全民免费巴士出行（“伯纳姆将取消英格兰残障人士免费巴士出行限制”，18年8月），我感到震惊。
在苏格兰，残障人士和60岁以上老人自2006年起即享有免费巴士出行，盲人还可免费乘坐火车和有轨电车。年轻人则可享受免费巴士出行直至22岁。
英格兰应当向苏格兰看齐，迎头赶上。 海伦·沃苏 爱丁堡
热浪是严肃议题
里奇·塔伊斯改革英国党副领袖关于近期热浪的言论令我震惊与愤怒（“适应热浪并享受它，塔伊斯如是说”，18年8月）。
他的建议我们应当“享受”并“适应”气候变化的言论，必然会冒犯在热浪中失去亲人的人、因收成受损的农民以及受野火影响的人。
我要敦促他当面向斯陶尔布里奇的居民重复这些言论，他们在近期毁灭性大火中失去了家园。 罗伊·帕克 埃塞克斯郡科尔切斯特
缩短学位降低贷款条件
我在继续教育领域工作了大半生。我们为成人提供无需A-Level资格即可入读大学的“入学预备课程”。这些课程由政府以继续教育标准资助。
如今，成千上万的学生正在报读四年制学位课程的“预科年”，从而额外申请一年的学生贷款资助。
为何允许这种情况发生？ 也值得关注白金汉大学，该校数十年来成功开设两年制学位。
随着成本上涨，为何没有更多大学被鼓励采用类似模式？
雷·斯塔基 北安普敦
关注住房替代方案
我同意我们需要更多新房，但看在老天的份上，请建造人们能负担得起的房子。
在我们村，Rightmove上挂牌的房产中近四分之三是根本买不起的新建楼盘。
说到这里，为何我们仍如此执着于砖瓦结构？我有个朋友最近安装了一栋工厂预制的模块化住宅，仅用一周时间。科技显然已今非昔比。
简·韦尔斯 托利斯伯里，埃塞克斯
寻找雨神之所
1976年夏天，经过数周无雨后，政府任命了一位旱灾大臣。没过几天，天降大雨。
上周末，在连续近两个月的日照后，我买了一座日晷。
西蒙·布利文特 达灵顿，东萨塞克斯
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一分钟Wijuko
如何在网格中将数字1-9各使用一次，并遵循方格间的加法规则
解答：第51页
明日《The i报》
文化 当（非贝多芬的）音乐家失聪后会发生什么
另附 生活方式 假期焦虑 专家分享如何避免焦虑破坏你的假期
新增！第2-33页
观点 18-22
TY 34-37
生活 38-41
儿童 42-45
幽默 50-56
体育 21
• 2026年8月19日，周三
我的夏日遗憾告诉我们需要重新思考晴朗的夏天
气候
萨拉·卡森
我家附近一家酒馆外有一块黑板，上面写着让我感到内疚的话："趁着阳光还没消失，好好享受吧！"下次经过时，我估计会直接把它踢翻。反正我对这个夏天已经够愧疚的了。
英国的夏天总是喜忧参半——至少对我来说是这样。一年到头似乎都在为它做准备。我给它赋予了太多期望，期待着野餐、烧烤、屋顶派对、音乐会、音乐节和海滩。
夏天初始，总觉得自己梦寐以求的生活终于要实现了。五月初，我记得曾坐在一家餐厅外，真诚地期待着一切即将到来的自发性。等到八月中旬，却发现自己仿佛在阴影中度过了三个月。
我几乎无需告诉你
这个夏天有多热。也不必说连续的热浪不仅引发了野火和火车事故，还进一步证明（仿佛我们还需要证据似的）这个国家应对高温的能力甚至比我们的身体还要差。
这个夏天充满了惩罚性，是一段需要熬过去而非享受的时光。我在一次音乐节上大部分时间都坐在阴凉处，懒得挪动半步。烧烤看起来黏糊糊的，毫无必要地麻烦，而附近唯一能逃离高温的地方——当地露天游泳池也变得让人无法忍受。
这很辛苦。但更辛苦的是，我有一种错觉，仿佛浪费了本该绽放的季节。在这个国家，我们被反复灌输阳光稀缺的观念，因此理应"好好珍惜"它。
我猜这最初是父母为了让无所事事的孩子们出门玩耍而想出的说辞，久而久之却演变成了一种集体哲学。我们忍受数月的阴雨和灰暗日子，就是为了等待这一刻，因此在晴天待在室内无异于浪费珍贵时光，选择退出生活。
这显然也是为什么只要三月出现晴天，你就会看到那么多男人敞着衬衫；为什么
东南伦敦的一家露天游泳池今夏人满为患
我们如此不愿离开海滩，哪怕暴风雨即将来袭；为什么我们在度假时会变得如此失控。我们根深蒂固地认为阳光不会持久，因此知道必须放下一切去抓住它。
在南欧，人们不会因此失控；他们拉上百叶窗挡住热浪，不会在下午五点前出现在海滩上。而在夏季更短的北欧，他们早已形成传统，通过搬到夏季别墅、船只和湖泊来适应生活。
但对我们来说，这仍是新鲜事——我们尚未接受高温将持续下去这一事实。试图"好好享受"反而让我筋疲力尽。实际上，我们应该向邻国学习，学会与高温共存。
我们没有足够的空调，没有足够干净免费的游泳场所；我们不接受待在室内有时不仅没问题，而且是明智之举。我们仍被稀缺心态所束缚，让我们觉得阳光普照时永远做不够。
但夏天现在可能会断断续续地持续五个月之久。"好好享受"在它还是短暂、无忧无虑的生活插曲时或许说得通。
现在看来，这才是真实的生活，而我们除了待在黑暗的室内别无选择。除非我们学会将炎热明亮的夏天视为一种生活方式来拥抱，否则除了后悔，我们什么也做不了。
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我一见罗纳尔多就知道他与众不同
体育
凯文·加西德
克里斯蒂亚诺·罗纳尔多（Cristiano Ronaldo）初到老特拉福德时还是个毛头小子，牙齿不齐、头发凌乱，但那股与生俱来的身体素质却不容忽视。我记得在卡灵顿训练基地的大厅里等待罗纳尔多训练后接受采访，此次采访是由曼联当时的赞助商沃达丰委派的。
我原本期待见到的是一个柔弱的芭蕾舞演员类型———个需要英式中后卫保护的纤弱、害羞的边锋。
当滑动门打开时，我见到的是一个身高超过6英尺的壮汉，肩膀像阿波罗，双腿像林福德·克里斯蒂。一眼就能看出，在球场上谁将主宰对手，而不是需要别人保护。
20多年后的今天，他比当年更加强壮，是一个奇才，既是人，又如神祇一般无处不在，无论穿不穿球靴。
从精英层面来看，罗纳尔多早已退役。他昔日的球员身份在40多岁时仍在延续，这得益于沙特阿拉伯对全球体育资产的需求，以及葡萄牙对传奇人物的执着。
别担心。当本赛季结束、球靴脱下时，世界时钟依然会按照罗纳尔多的时间运行。凭借超过10亿的社交媒体粉丝——即全球人口的八分之一——对这颗地球上最知名人类的迷恋，将通过算法得到永久保证。
精心策划的Instagram帖子中，有他在纽约与麦当娜演唱会现场的身影、在圣巴特斯与贝克汉姆夫妇的婚礼合影、在摩纳哥挥舞方格旗、在佛罗里达巴伦·特朗普竞选集会上戴着Maga帽、在罗马教皇接见时露出仁慈微笑（当然，这是罗纳尔多获得的特殊待遇）——这些都将让C罗7号始终处于这个完美宇宙的中心。
追求柏拉图理想国（理想国中只存在于想象中的完美形式，根据这位有组织思想创始人的理论）的动力，源于他在马德拉贫困的童年。
与三个兄弟姐妹共住一室、父母靠打扫和园艺勉强维持生计的经历，逼迫着一个孩子去追求更多。
根据体育商业网站《Sportiva》的数据，罗纳尔多退役后将成为为数不多的体育亿万富翁之一，成为仅次于迈克尔·乔丹和泰格·伍兹的全球第三富有运动员。
沙特资金的注入不再像他四年前加盟阿尔纳斯尔时那样招致非议。中东地缘政治动荡已超越道德顾虑，将沙特阿拉伯重塑为“和我们一样的人”，并减少了对体育巨头的依赖以获取认可。
沙特政权每年仍愿向罗纳尔多支付2.5 亿英镑m，尽管他们已放弃高尔夫项目，并在纽卡斯尔联队上展现极端财政克制，这凸显了罗纳尔多的商业化力量。
他与长期伴侣乔治娜·罗德里格斯（见插图）的婚姻巩固了完美家庭生活的光环，夫妇俩与五个孩子在各种奢华场景中的合影，掩盖了他在婚前生活中的任何不端行为。
正如一位学者艾伦·贝尔纳在2023年的论文中探讨性别规范时所指出的，罗纳尔多在2009年被凯瑟琳·梅奥加指控强奸（他予以否认），该指控在九年后通过德国《明镜》周刊曝光，但在国内却被视为无稽之谈，梅奥加被贴上了“图财骗子”的标签。
无论他的偏好和私生活的真实情况如何，超出他希望我们看到的脚本化元素之外，罗纳尔多在足坛的声誉已然稳固。
亚历克斯·弗格森爵士毫不含糊地认可罗纳尔多是他在曼联25年执教生涯中所带出的最伟大天才。前队友欧文·哈格里夫斯和里奥·费迪南德视他为一名全队至上的战士，而非他常表现出的孤傲独行者———如同大仲马笔下那种为兄弟情义甘愿牺牲自我的侠客。
他很可能会以超过1,000个职业进球收官，为五座金球奖、五次欧冠冠军以及在曼联、皇家马德里和尤文图斯的无数联赛冠军锦上添花。
在这一时期，C罗与梅西密不可分，过去二十年双子星不仅因卓越成就，更因他们带给我们的感动而紧密相连。
争论谁更优秀只会让热议不断，却无法触及问题的本质。
真正的答案唯有实绩：他们共同的能力——填满球场、创造奇迹、定义决定比赛的时刻。
梅西的离队尚未官宣。机会渺茫，不会通过《Vogue》杂志的采访传出。
广告标准管理局
广告标准管理局确保英国广告遵守规则。简单。
ASA
合法、公正、诚实、真实
NEW! 2-33
OPINION 18-32
TV 33-31
LIFE 34-37
ON-SHINE 38-41
MONDAY 42-45
SPORT 50-54
WEDNESDAY 13 AUGUST 2026
23
News in brief
人物
黑人演员希望007保持白人
下一任詹姆斯·邦德必须是白人且为英国人，黑人演员尼古拉斯·平诺克如是说。
“有一些角色需要保持原样，”平诺克在接受《广播时报》采访时表示。
“如果‘M’明天变成欧洲血统的人，必然会引发极大愤怒。我能理解原因，因为他是一个标志性人物。”
平诺克表示，电影公司应创造新的黑人角色，而不是试图改变邦德这一角色。
他补充道：“你去看詹姆斯·邦德电影，就知道他会是一个英格兰、苏格兰或爱尔兰男人。太棒了！”
音乐
杰西·J驱逐斗殴粉丝
歌手杰西·J将斗殴粉丝赶出了一场演出。
这位38岁的明星当天在纽伯里赛马场举办演出时，观众中突然爆发斗殴。
她在台上说道：“很多人花钱来看这场演出，来看我。”
“能不能把他们赶走，让我们继续？把他们带出去，我不需要他们在这里。”
她补充道：“给他们叫一辆优步，我来付钱。”
在“围场派对”活动现场的观众为她的干预欢呼，社交媒体上的粉丝也对她的举动表示赞扬。
慈善
明星致敬DEC成立60周年
斯蒂芬·弗赖和迈琳·克拉斯带领人们向“卓越”的灾难应急委员会（DEC）致敬，该组织迎来广播募捐60周年。
DEC于1966年首次发起广播募捐，以应对土耳其瓦尔蒂奥发生的毁灭性地震。
曾在2008年缅甸纳尔吉斯气旋后担任DEC募捐形象大使的弗赖表示：“DEC的宗旨是在需要帮助时提供援助。这是一个卓越的系统。”
曾在2014年海燕台风后访问菲律宾的克拉斯表示：“在无人知晓该做什么之时，DEC会伸出援手。”
“领英式”家长：为子女写简历、投简历
作者：梅贝尔·摩根
卡里姆·乌拉知道，他的长女、28岁的莎姬拉从小就天赋异禀。8岁时，她开始学钢琴，接着是小提琴、竖笛和尤克里里。但直到她在中学开始唱歌，他才确信她会成为音乐人。“这是上天的馈赠。”他说道。
尽管莎姬拉后来自己创作并制作音乐，并从英国顶尖音乐学院ICMP毕业，卡里姆仍说她“失望于一切尚未成真”。这当然不是因为她父亲缺乏努力。
多年来，卡里姆——这位53岁的父亲——通过无数封邮件、陌生电话、领英社交和亲自投递的求职申请，为女儿争取到多场演出机会，包括在观众达数千人的音乐节上演出。“有时我会打电话过去说，‘听着，我女儿很有才华，’结果对方真的就把她预订了。”他说道。
他负责女儿的所有宣传工作，撰写新闻稿，在音乐目录中为她创建档案。其中一次申请让她登上了温布利俱乐部的舞台。还有一次，卡里姆找到了Stevie Wonder的英国经纪人，并安排了一次见面来展示莎姬拉的音乐。他说自己“已经数不清”联系过多少人了。
卡里姆曾做过厨师、出租车司机、餐厅老板，现经营一本高端高尔夫出版物——他只是众多不惜一切代价帮助成年子女步入职场的家长之一。
从某种意义上说，这并不新鲜。从“爸妈银行”到传承职业圈子，父母总是为子女开路。但如今的不同之处在于，帮助的“量”似乎变得前所未有的必要。
竞争日益激烈的就业市场、基础岗位的减少以及人工智能的颠覆，都为这一现象推波助澜。官方数据显示，超过100万年轻人——约八分之一——处于未就业、未受教育或未培训的状态，为12年来最高水平。
调查显示，70%的Z世代求职者在求职过程中曾向父母寻求帮助，16%的人表示父母曾代为提交求职申请，四分之一的人甚至将父母带到面试现场。另有研究发现，父母会帮忙修改简历和作品集、直接联系雇主，甚至参与薪资或假期谈判。
Is this a result of a different style of modern parenting or just a consequence of an increasingly tough entry-level job market? McLean says it always comes from
它已经超出了电话和鼓励的范畴，麦克莱恩说：“我们看到有些家长会替孩子写简历、起草求职邮件，甚至以孩子的名义提交申请——有时在孩子还没看到招聘广告之前就已经完成了。”
卡里姆说他会不遗余力地帮助女儿。他说：“我尽我所能。我有一个非常简单的信条：如果有机会帮助他人，而且你知道自己能做到，就不要犹豫。为什么要说不呢？”
麦克莱恩敦促家长在幕后提供支持：“帮他们做研究、审阅简历、模拟面试、引荐有用的联系人，并在不可避免的拒绝来临时给予鼓励。
“我知道你为什么想要介入并承担其中部分责任，但也要考虑反面的情况：如果你的孩子从未自己申请过、面试过或谈判过，就直接进入岗位，一旦你不在身边帮忙，他们可能会发现自己根本无法胜任工作。
“当然，如果他们需要，可以帮他们寻找专业支持——无论是像我们‘城市简历’毕业生项目这样的结构化项目，还是仅仅找家庭外的人审阅简历。然后让他们自己发邮件、打电话、进行对话。”
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新闻
观点
我们是否已为下一次大流行做好准备？
我们已做得更好——但风险仍在增长
珍妮·哈里斯
由未缓解的呼吸道病原体（如流感）引发的大流行位列英国2026年国家公共风险登记册之首。它对本国构成的威胁，与供水基础设施失效或饮用水丧失相当。其影响将如同一场核事故或电力供应彻底瘫痪般灾难性——且其发生可能性高于上述任何一种情况。从经济角度看，上一次大流行导致GDP在单季度内出现有记录以来最大降幅。
作为英格兰副首席医疗官，我在大流行期间及此后的工作中，见证了为下一次大流行所做的准备。有效的预防与快速响应准备不仅是一场人道主义危机的应对，更是我们社会与经济的当务之急——同时也是一次机遇。大量工作已然展开：在董事会会议室、白厅办公室和实验室中。
控制大流行并令社会恢复健康与繁荣的最有效方式，是尽快提供安全疫苗。这是一个复杂的过程，需要公私组织间（从地方到国家再到全球）的务实有效合作。
我们需要大学和研究中心研发能检测新病原体的检测手段。我们需要熟练的科学家随时待命。我们需要迅速从各社区招募人员参与严谨的临床试验。我们需要药品监管机构能像平时一样全面评估新产品的安全性与有效性，但速度更快。我们需要与制药公司预先规划，以便在紧急情况下大规模快速生产疫苗及其他医疗对策。
最重要的是，我们需要确保所有环节在实战中行之有效。任何缺失的环节都会拖慢疫苗问世的速度，并可能错失遏制病原体的时机。
英国新冠公共调查持续揭示出在大流行准备与规划中的问题。一个较少被认知的缺失是：缺乏深层次的国家自信，无法运用现有科学与系统，在病原体真正扎根前发起先发制人的打击。
自新冠疫情暴发以来的六年间，英国已取得巨大进展。在大多数人视线之外，一张专业人士网络正在加强我们识别并阻止下一次大流行的能力。
政府已更新《英国生物安全战略》，将生物安全视为国家安全议题加以强化。生物监测系统正在开发中，以体现人类健康、动物健康与环境间交叉领域的重要性。去年还开展了一场名为“飞马行动”的大规模危机响应演练，以测试英国的准备情况。政府各部大臣及内阁办公室（Cobra）与紧急服务和社区服务机构并肩参与。牛津、利物浦等大学设有流行病研究所。英国卫生安全局（UKHSA）也发布了新的评估，聚焦人类健康风险。
英国卫生安全局与世界卫生组织合作开发了一种工具，帮助制药公司、资助方与研究人员识别我们在应对潜在新病原体时的能力缺口，并降低投资潜在产品的风险。本质上，它有助于整合系统力量，提供最急需的产品。
我们在很多方面取得了长足进展。但争取资源以应对不确定性始终困难重重，危机过后，不同部门的团队可能被调离至他们认为更紧迫的任务。要取得成功，我们需要系统的各个部分协调一致、理解到位、运行就绪，并在文化上相互配合。
因此，我们的准备工作更充分了。但新发传染病的风险正在上升，我们仍未实现三大机遇——更好的大流行防控准备、创新健康产品的转化与应用，以及经济繁荣的增长。
珍妮·哈里丝女士（Jenny Harries）是切斯特大学校长、英格兰前副首席医疗官及英国卫生安全局前首席执行官。
下一次，人们不会再盲目遵守规则
保罗·多兰
我对人类行为做出过许多预测。其中很多都错了，但有一点我可以确信地预测：倘若2020年初新冠疫情再次暴发，大多数人将不会遵守任何规则或限制措施。
专家们曾警告NHS可能不堪重负。在那种情况下，大多数人遵守了生活中的种种特殊限制：居家隔离、避免与家人朋友接触、接受数周前还难以想象的自由限制。如此高的配合度，既源于强烈的恐惧，也因规则被视为公平合理、普遍适用。
下一次，我们会记得那些被取消的婚礼和错过的葬礼。我们会记得孩子们通过笔记本电脑上课，学生们在宿舍中孤独度日。我们会记得
祖孙隔离数月，对正常生活何时回归一无所知。我们或许会对某些限制措施是否合理存在争议，但对其付出的高昂代价几乎无人质疑。
当时，这些代价大多还只是假设。如今，它们已成为切身经历。这很重要，因为人类并非在真空中评估风险。我们从经验中学习。第一次疫情期间，人们在不确定性下做出牺牲。下一次，他们会将任何拟议的限制措施与已亲身体验的代价进行权衡。因此，配合的门槛将更高。
需要明确的是，我并非暗示人们会在真正危险面前拒绝合作。若未来病原体的致命性显著高于新冠，或医院人满为患，大多数公民可能仍会支持强有力的干预措施。但支持将变得更加有条件。
而且人们会更早提出重要问题。这种病毒有多危险？谁群体风险最高？限制措施的依据何在？对教育、心理健康和生计的可能后果是什么？是否有更少破坏性的替代方案？这些正是民主社会的公民应当提出的问题。实际上，这些问题在新冠疫情期间本应更早、更频繁地被提出。
关于如何最佳应对大流行的问题，要求我们能够信任回答者。疫情期间，信任与配合度密切相关。遗憾的是，信任屡遭破坏。最明显的例子莫过于“聚会门”事件。其影响远超唐宁街几场社交聚会本身。对许多人而言，它代表了对一项基本原则的违背：制定规则的人也应率先遵守。
在科学层面上，我们或许对下一次大流行病做好了更充分的准备。但大流行病既是生物事件，也是行为事件。其成败不仅取决于政府要求人们做什么，还取决于人们是否相信这些要求是合理的，并且能够平等地适用于所有人。
上一次，许多人遵从是因为他们感到恐惧和不确定。下一次，病毒将不再是最大的挑战：挑战将是公众是否相信关于病毒的告知。
保罗·多兰（Paul Dolan）是伦敦政治经济学院（LSE）的行为科学教授，著有《善意：如何停止憎恨我们不认同的人》。
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• 叶尔凯兹巴伊 2026年8月13日
25
分析
随着中期选举临近，
共和党希望特朗普 的负面形象能够消退
大党担忧11月选举结果不利。撰文：迈尔斯·泰勒
近期我与一位重要共和党人士会面——多年来，GOP候选人一直向他寻求指导。他同我开玩笑说，党内面临连任的成员中流传着一句话。这更像是祈祷而非口号：但愿他能消失。
这句话指的是唐纳德·特朗普。共和党人此前从未在如此弱势的领导人旗帜下竞选，也未曾面对过这样一位执意将其负面形象强行与该党捆绑的人物——无论该党是否情愿。
我回忆起共和党候选人上一次在特朗普时代的州选举中幸存的情景，即2018年，当时我正在特朗普政府内任职。
随着中期选举临近，我记得时任众议院议长保罗·瑞安团队的朋友们每次提到特朗普的名字时都会说：“请他该死的滚蛋。”
“那帮人现在也在说这话，”这位GOP媒体人士叹了口气，“但这次更糟。”
他说得对，数字也证明了这一点。2018年夏天，特朗普的支持率徘徊在40%多一点；选举日当天的出口民调显示他获得了45%的支持率。而如今，他的支持率已降至约34%（近期部分调查甚至显示他跌至30%），且不满意率高达约60%，甚至比2022年拜登同期的糟糕表现还要严重。
30%
一项针对选民的最新调查显示，唐纳德·特朗普的不满意率为30%
从几乎所有指标来看，我的前任老板——这位现任美国总统——在现代民意调查时代中，正以最弱势的姿态进入中期选举。该党能否跨越这一障碍？历史不会给出乐观答案。现代史上尚无任何政党在面临如此糟糕的数据后未遭受重挫的先例。
2018年，民主党在中期选举中夺得41个众议院席位，并以接近9个百分点的优势赢得全国普选，得票数几乎领先1000万张。
这创造了中期选举史上最大的得票差距，也是一个世纪以来中期选举投票率最高的一次——而当时特朗普的支持率比现在高出10个百分点。
他并未因失败而收敛，也未被说服采取更温和的态度以寻求与反对派合作。他变得更加失控。他要求我们阻挠新一届国会，将行政部门的大门对所有针对他涉嫌不当行为的调查关闭。
他清除了白宫幕僚长约翰·凯利、国防部长吉姆·马蒂斯、司法部长杰夫·塞申斯、国土安全部长克里斯蒂安·尼尔森等团队成员——那些对他说“不行”的人——并进一步强化其反复无常的行事风格。这最终成为了一种自我实现的预言。特朗普后来因随后的阴谋活动遭到调查并两次被弹劾。
但，我不指望GOP候选人会想得这么长远。此时此刻，他们只担心特朗普糟糕的民调数据，以及无法摆脱此人的事实。他就像一个面带微笑的绑架者。
有例为证：特朗普策划的“中期选举大会”将于下月初在得克萨斯州达拉斯举行。史上从未有过如此
特朗普正在为自己和他认为的政治未来保存实力
通常，党代会只在总统选举年举行。实际上，共和党全国委员会（RNC）今年1月不得不修改其规则，以允许此次会议召开。
现在，RNC主席公开将这场为期两天的活动称为“特朗普嘉年华”。
身处险境的共和党人最不想要的，就是在这场困境重重的总统面前露面。他们担心，整个活动看起来和感觉起来都像一场总统党代会，而此时此刻他们需要特朗普保持距离。
对共和党候选人而言，更糟糕的是，将自己命运与之绑定的这个人一直吝啬。特朗普的超级PAC筹款委员会已积累超过4亿美元（2.86亿英镑）的战争基金。其中，约230万美元被用于帮助共和党候选人。
这又是为何？就在上周特朗普承认法律不允许他竞选第三任期的同时，他又主动表示“很想参选”。特朗普正在为自己和他认为的政治未来保存实力。
因此，今年共和党候选人陷入了最糟糕的境地：被特朗普日渐衰弱的品牌所束缚，却几乎无法从他庞大的资金库中获得任何援助。
这让我想到摇摆选区共和党人的低声祈祷：他们迫切希望总统今年秋季能消失，因为在他看来，总统对共和党品牌是一种威胁。对于他们，我有一个简单的回应：你们已经晚了10年。
米尔斯·泰勒（Miles Taylor）曾任美国国土安全部幕僚长
隐秘填字游戏
第4847期 作者：WIRE
横向
1 将沙皇暴露并以旗帜嘲讽（6） 4 我几乎忘记早期《马尼颂》的交替部分（6） 8 简单退出乐队录音不必要的常规（3，4） 9 这家伙或许能被放在这棵树的顶端（创世记第一章）（7） 11 微小的蛋糕幸福地被巴黎人烹饪（10） 12 全新的CIA最终追随卫星国（4） 13 支持者与英国服装结合（5） 14 与出版物相关的乌合之众住房协会（8） 16 仆人厌倦了猫狗，短暂带回（8） 18 冰川跑步更像慢跑（5） 20 坏小提琴手嵌入革命性的佛罗伦萨（4） 21 父亲假设所有人都是最自以为是的（10）
23 这些被刻入头部的10个部分（7） 24 Wi-Fi在特定监狱院子里下降50%（7） 25 三月野兔基本上被漩涡潮汐压倒（6） 26 10最终重复即为鲍里斯所擅长之事（6）
纵向
1 材料对广播产生一定影响（5） 2 所谓的“鸟”最初被叔叔贴上“爬行动物”标签（7） 3 有角的犬科动物被有角的篡改者囚禁（9） 5 / 15 可能穿着便服步入教堂的行走者（5，9） 6 红色两栖动物被包含在计数中（7） 7 旗手外套中的瓶子？（9） 10 涉及一名医生的大型历史遗址的虐待（3，6）
13 新球看起来吱吱作响的干净（9） 15 见5 17 书面记述涵盖激进士兵的背面（7） 19 主要估算（227m + 10n）（7） 21 校长支持停车上诉（5） 22 追随者抚养安静的后代，缺乏深度（5）
昨日填字谜解答
解不出今天的填字谜？想获取今日答案，请拨打0905 789 3580。通话费用为每分钟£8，另加网络接入费。若无法接通，请致电我们的帮助台：0333 202 3390。
完整条款见第29页
电视节目推荐 2026年8月19日（周三）
评论家精选
本·沃尔什
今日精选
谋杀审判：遛狗者之死 晚上9点，BBC Two
“我想亲耳听到戴夫的证词，因为我几乎希望他们能让他亲口说出是他干的。‘布赖恩已经走了，这不会让情况变好，但我要得到正义。’帕姆·卡兰如是说。她是已故乡村庄园园丁布赖恩·洛的伴侣。一个冬天的早晨，布赖恩在苏格兰珀斯郡的乡村被发现死亡。几天后，人们发现他是被枪杀的。现场没有目击证人，也没有能将嫌疑人与死者联系起来的法医证据（‘法医机会已丧失’）。最终，他的邻居兼前猎场看守人大卫·坎贝尔（左）被指控谋杀他，这部引人入胜的纪录片将为您揭晓真相。
非凡扩建
晚上8点，第四频道
“建造扩建房是一件风险极高的事业。”备受欢迎的主持人Time Tempah如是说。他因《Pass Out》和《Frisky》等歌曲而闻名，现以地产开发商和艺术家的身份，跟随“高飞技术高管”米歇尔和西蒙。这对克罗伊登夫夫妇正试图打造梦想中的超大型谷仓式扩建，灵感源于他们对汽车和手工艺的热爱。“我们确实在比以往任何时候都更拼命地挑战自己。”西蒙坦承。Tempah还重访曼彻斯特的一座历史维多利亚别墅，看看他们在经历多年房产衰败和施工风波后，是否最终实现了现代主义玻璃超大侧翼的愿景。
山谷之声
晚上8点，天空艺术频道
“有一点紧张，今天有点热，这可帮不上忙。”风趣的男高音独唱家阿卡尔·温·戴维斯在本部感人纪录片中如是说。该片跟随威尔士三支男声合唱团，在魅力十足的指挥家带领下，为各自合唱日历中的重大活动做准备——从激烈的比赛到面对超过70,000名观众的演出。
爱你至死
晚上9点，第四频道
“报纸上的文章全都错了——我怎会是英国最邪恶的母亲？”丽莎·海登-约翰逊如是说。她通过为儿子马修争取医疗护理赢得了全国的同情。马修似乎无法独立行走、进食或呼吸，年幼时便被推入媒体聚光灯下。但在头条新闻背后，疑问开始滋生。医生们对治疗无法改善其病情感到怀疑——总有些不对劲。马修的姐姐劳拉回忆道，在德文郡布里克瑟姆的家中生活与家庭的公开形象截然不同。马修真的就是英国最严重的病童吗？
每日问答
- 英国摇滚超级组合“克里姆”（Cream）曾在哪一年为两场历史性演唱会而著名重聚？
- “月光贼”（Moonrakers）是英国哪个以走私者避风港闻名的郡县的俗称？
- 1956年至1967年间，哪款法国制造的雷诺经典车型销量超过200万辆？
- 前特种空勤团士兵史蒂文·比利·米切尔以何笔名创作了一系列动作惊悚小说？
答案见第51页
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经典“再生”番茄马苏里拉披萨
制作6个披萨
- 面团材料
- 600克再生披萨面粉
- 390克水
- 1.5克干酵母
- 10克盐
- 粗粒小麦粉（撒用）
- 配料
- 1罐碎番茄
- 1瓣大蒜（切薄片）
- 盐
- 干牛至
- 新鲜罗勒叶
将水与酵母倒入立式搅拌机的大碗中，用叉子搅匀后加入面粉和盐。先以慢速搅拌7分钟，再转中速搅拌7分钟。盖好静置2小时。
将面团倒在撒有少许面粉的台面上，分成4等份。轻轻将面团向内折叠，揉成光滑的球状（我喜欢将它们放入半夸脱的塑料容器中，也可直接放在撒有面粉的烤盘上的烤纸上）。
放入冰箱冷藏过夜，或最多冷藏3天。在想要制作披萨的当天取出，静置约1小时恢复至室温。
将烤箱预热至最高温度，如有披萨石则放入，否则用厚重烤盘代替。
将罐装碎番茄倒入碗中，加入大蒜、撒少许牛至并用大把盐调味。
在台面上撒少许面粉，并在计划拉伸面团的位置撒些粗粒小麦粉。
将面团从容器中取出，开始拉伸。我喜欢先用指尖在面团中部按压，再将其提起拉伸。无需完美，但面饼大小应不超过披萨石或烤盘尺寸。
满意形状后，将面团滑入烤盘或石板。淋上酱料和香草——记住，自制披萨用料宜少，别添太多。
撒好配料后，将披萨放入烤箱烘烤，如烤箱有热点可适当旋转。
出炉后用披萨铲或鱼铲从底部插入，将披萨滑到木板或烤架上。静置1分钟待其稍凉后切片食用。如需可淋上少许橄榄油。
食谱来源：Motthews Cotswold Flour，cotswoldflour.com
游戏与谜题
九宫加法（Kakuro）
玩法 将白色方格填满数字，使每行或每列连续单元格的总和与起始处标注的数字相符。每个连续单元格中只可使用1至9的数字，且同一连续单元格内不得重复使用相同数字。
拼图数独（Jigsawdoku）
玩法 在每一行、每一列及粗线标注的拼图区域内填入1至9的数字，且每个数字仅出现一次。
杀手数独（Killer Sudoku）
玩法 每一行、每一列及3×3方格中必须包含1至9的每个数字且不重复。灰色线条围成区域内所有数字之和必须与左上角标注的数字相符。灰色线条围成的区域内不得重复出现相同数字。
Calcudoku
玩法说明 将数字1到6各填入每一行和每一列一次，同时遵守粗线区域内的数字和规则。粗线区域中的数字表示该区域的总和，符号表示应用于该区域数字的运算类型：加法、减法、除法或乘法。粗线区域内的数字可以重复。减法运算时，始终用区域内最大的数减去较小的数；除法运算时，用最大的数除以较小的数。
12+ / 4- / 2+
12+ / 2+ 11+ / 5+ / 9+ 8+ / 5- / 2+ / 10+ 2- / 15+ | | | | 120+ | | |
Hexalex
玩法说明 将以下字母各填入一个空六边形中，填入时请划掉已使用的字母。将字母排列成可通过相邻六边形拼出所列单词的形式。
A C E G I K L M N O R S T U V X
NEW 4-31
OPINION 18-22
TV 25-31
LIFE 18-37
GROWING 28-31
HOME 31-40
SPORT 30-36
NEWSWEEKLY 15 AUGUST 2026
31
关于一名在车祸中受伤的后排乘客，他可能面临瘫痪的危险。这档残酷的医疗节目（谢天谢地）没有配音，仅记录手术过程。
教授T
晚9点，ITV
本·米勒回归饰演患有强迫症的法医犯罪学家贾斯珀，但他因最近的死亡事件而陷入困境，无法面对警方工作。尽管他的治疗师海伦娜看到他的所有进步付诸东流感到难过，但探长丹·温特斯正在全身心投入工作，并发现贾斯珀的缺席令人沮丧。与此同时，总督察迈亚-康森斯聘请了一名新警员，过于热情的探员克洛斯·海史密斯。
今日电影推荐
劳伦斯·费伦
今日电影
《猴子男人》 11.25pm，BBC One
帕特尔首次执导的作品是一部充满动感且直面现实的动作片，更是一部在现代孟买的贫民窟与光鲜亮丽之处交织的环境中展开的全方位动作大片。这也是对被剥夺者——小贩、无家可归者、低种姓者、性工作者以及“第三性” hijra——自决权与尊严的有力宣言。他在主演方面同样令人印象深刻，饰演一位肌肉发达的弱者，从地下斗殴俱乐部一路打拼，最终直捣腐败印度教民族主义政治家的堡垒。这不是你记忆中《贫民窟的百万富翁》里那个乖巧的小德夫·帕特尔了（帕特尔还与）
《月球陨落》
6.25pm，Film4
（罗兰·艾默里奇，2022）
灾难片大师艾默里奇推出他迄今最荒诞的毁灭奇观：月球（原来是外星人制造的）坠落地球。影片模仿多部作品且愚蠢至极，但观看起来并非毫无乐趣。
《野兽》
11.40pm，Film4
（贝特朗·波诺，2023）
这部雄心勃勃的科幻片改编自亨利·詹姆斯的小说，是一部关于情感与欲望的深刻探讨，莉亚·塞杜在一个人工智能运行的未来中穿越往昔，人们的情感被清除。
点播平台推荐
《糖苹果》
科林·法瑞尔在本片中饰演一名口香糖女招待，这部犯罪剧虽然古怪，但引人入胜。
《死亡谷》
BBC iPlayer
蒂莫西·斯波尔在威尔士担任侦探助手，出演多个案件，表现出色。
《庞贝：超越时空》
汤姆·希德勒斯顿主演
Disney+
《洛基》主演在片中对灾难进行了引人入胜的讨论。
iDv3
6.00 《乔治与米尔德里德》（S） 8.35 《乔治与米尔德里德》（S） 7.95 《经典情景剧场：爱默代尔》（S） 7.35 《经典情景剧场：爱默代尔》（S） 8.05 《加冕街》（S） 8.40 《加冕街》（S） 9.10 《阿加莎·克里斯蒂的波洛》（S） 10.25 《阿加莎·克里斯蒂的波洛》（S） 11.30 《心跳》（S） 12.35 《心跳》（S） 1.25 《米德索尼安谋杀案》（S） 2.35 《爱默代尔》（S） 4.95 《爱默代尔》（S） 5.40 《加冕街》（S） 5.95 《加冕街》（S） 5.50 《心跳》
6.00 《霍利奥克斯》（S） 6.30 《霍利奥克斯》（S） 6.55 《鲁道拉·图卡短片集》（S） 7.00 《情侣聚餐我做东》（S） 8.00 《拉姆齐的厨房噩梦·美国版》（S） 9.00 《拉姆齐的厨房噩梦·美国版》（S） 10.00 《美国最搞笑家庭录像》（S） 11.00 《地中海水手团队》（S） 12.00 《辛普森一家》（S） 12.20 《辛普森一家》（S） 1.00 《The》（S） 1.30 《The》（S） 2.00 《布鲁克林九九》（S） 2.30 《布鲁克林九九》（S） 3.00 《摩登家庭》（S） 3.30 《摩登家庭》（S） 4.00 《摩登家庭》（S） 4.30 《摩登家庭》（S） 5.00 《The》（S） 5.20 《The》
8.35 《最终H，Fla H，Flag R》（S） 10.00 《四人同床》（S） 10.33 《四人同床》（S） 11.05 《在一起》（S） 11.35 《在一起》（S） 12.10 《在一起》（S） 12.40 《聚餐我做东》（S） 1.10 《聚餐我做东》（S） 1.50 《聚餐我做东》（S） 2.50 《聚餐我做东》（S） 3.10 《在一起》（S） 3.50 《在一起》（S） 4.20 《在一起》（S） 4.50 《在一起》（S） 5.00 《在一起》（S） 5.50
6.00 《马星加》（R） 6.30 《马星加》（R） 7.00 《马星加与里奇和弗罗斯特》（R） 7.30 《马星加与里奇和弗罗斯特》（R） 8.00 《马盖特 SG-6》（R） 8.50 《马盖特 SG-6》（R） 9.00 《野性与优雅》（R） 10.00 《野性与优雅》（R） 11.00 《The》（R） 11.30 《The》（R） 12.00 《非洲猎人》（R） 12.40 《胡瓦提 Free-6》（R） 13.10 《夏威夷 Free-6》（R） 13.30 《S.W.A.T》（R） 14.00 《S.W.A.T》（R） 15.00 《The》（R） 15.30 《The》 15
6.00 《渔镇》（R）（S） 7.00 《渔镇》（R）（S） 8.00 《比利亚姆斯》（R）（S） 9.05 《比利亚姆斯》（R）（S） 10.02 《龙之家族》（R）（S） 11.15 《龙之家族》（R）（S） 12.35 《杀人现场》（R）（S） 1.30 《杀人现场》（R）（S） 2.30 《比利亚姆斯》（R）（S） 3.35 《比利亚姆斯》（R）（S） 4.40 《Dange》（R）（S） 5.45 《Dange》（R）（S）
6.55 《心跳》 弗农 试图 给新医生留下好印象（S）
6.00 《The》（S） 6.30 《霍利奥克斯》 米拉想知道 默塞德斯遇到了什么问题（S）
6.50 《Car S.O.S 福兹镇》 汤森德和汤姆·肖 秘密修复了一辆 Sunbeam Alpine（S）
6.00 《罗伯与罗姆沙什对时尚》（R） （S）
6.45 《龙之家族》 莉泽蒙 抵达 哈弗斯 组建军队（R）（S）
8.00 《米德索尼安谋杀案》 一名男子 被一艘野生 小船诱导致死（S）
8.00 《超级名人烘焙大赛：为抗癌站台》（S）
7.55 《格兰德达戈斯》 坎特伯雷附近 山丘上的一处 地下住宅（S）
7.00 《The》（R）（S） 7.30 《The》 港口变成了 一位艺术家（R）（S）
10.00 《格兰德切斯特》 凯茜和查普曼夫人 的新业务合作 遭遇严重阻碍（S）
10.00 《咕噜盒》（S）
10.00 《24小时急诊室》（S）
10.30 《郊区》 萨莫拉 怀疑 罗伯隐藏着 不祥的秘密（R）（S）
10.15 《站台十一》 克尔斯滕 确认了 自己最深层创伤的 来源（R）（S）
11.00 《格兰德切斯特》（S）
11.05 《第一次约会》（S）
11.05 《24小时急诊室》（S） 10岁男孩因车祸被直升机送往医院（S）
11.25 《格林姆》 一名女子 因肝脏中毒 过量服药致死（R）（S）
11.15 《站台十一》 克尔斯滕抵达 塞文城 营救 巡回交响乐团（R）（S）
11.50 《审判与赎罪》 第一部分（S）
11.05 《第一次约会》（S）
12.10 《赤裸诱惑》（S） 1.15 《咕噜盒》（S） 2.15 《The》（S） 2.45 《The》（S） 3.30 《布鲁克林九九》（S） 4.00 《戈德堡一家》（S） 5.10 《拉姆齐的厨房噩梦·美国版》（S）
12.10 《30克在一线》（S） 1.15 《24小时急诊室》（S） 2.00 《24小时急诊室》（S） 3.45 《阳光下的立足之地》（S） 3.55 《Close》
12.20 《邪恶》（R）（S） 1.15 《The Force 曼彻斯特》（R）（S） 2.10 《Road Wars》（R）（S） 3.00 《夏威夷 Free-6》（R）（S） 4.00 《S.W.A.T》（R）（S） 5.00 《S.W.A.T》（R）（S）
广播节目
BBC Radio 1
6.05 Newsbeat 7.00 《Radio 1 Breakfast》与格雷格·詹姆斯 11.00 警察动议与慈善活动 12.45 Newsbeat 1.00 《Matt And Jerry》 3.30 3.33 《Going Home》与维克、凯蒂和杰米 1 5.45 6.00 1.5 新音乐节目与杰克·桑德斯 8.00 1.5 未来流行音乐与马斯·博思 10.00 1.5 电力秀播放列表与斯坦·达尔 11.00 故事 11.50 10.00 1.15 歌曲 2.00 1 Airforms 4.00 1 Pop Airforms 5.00 《Early Breakfast》与迪安·麦卡洛
BBC 1Xtra 6.20 UKtra播放列表 7.00 《UKtra Breakfast》与娜塔·杰 10.00 Oi Day Day 12.45 1.00 凯莉·戈尔丁 4.00 Home Burgs 5.15 6.00 Barm Bangs 7.00 Oi Target 9.00 非洲裔南方节目与Oi Edu 10.30 非洲裔南方节目与Oi Edu 11.00 回溯派对 12.00 UK回溯周四 1.00 《Salutes, Jamaica》 2.00 《Salutes》 4.00 Oi Raw节目与杰里迈亚·阿萨马 4.30 回溯周四 5.30 回溯派对
BBC 2
6.20 《The Gare Con Breakfast Show》 9.30 Varrant Kay 12.00am 杰里米·维纳 2.00 Oi Spoony 4.00 杰森·曼福德 7.00 《From Nights On》 2 9.00 《The Fabi Show》与马克·鲁西迪洛 10.00 《The Good Groove》与梅尔文·克林顿 12.00 UK Oi Borg 3.00 《Alternative Sounds Of The Box》与德莫特·奥利里 4.00 德凡·温·埃文斯
BBC 3
6.20 Breakfast 9.30 《Essential Classics》 12.00 Classical Live 3.00 《Choral Exercising》与巴尔托、杰克逊和斯塔德纳的音乐 4.00 《Composer Of The Week》费利克斯·门德尔松 Following Mendelssohn through Scottish Highlands and Welsh norotornis 5.00 《In Tune》胡珀合奏团与巴萨德索韦托斯特林合奏团现场演出 7.00 BBC Promo 2026 Glyndebourne Festival Opera演出《Simuass opera within an opera》 10.00 Night Tracks 11.30 《Round Midnight》 12.30am 《Through The Night》
BBC 4
6am 《Today》 8.00 24 Always 9.30 《Breach The Cycle》 10.00 《Women's Hour》 11.00 《Saving Young Man From Murder》无家可归者的故事 11.40 《This Week In History》 12.45 《Book Of The Week》The Finch The Mountain Sicily, Elna And Her People 12.00am News 12.45, 《You And Yours》 12.57 Weather 1.00 《The World At One》 1.45 《Human Intelligence》 2.00 《The Archers》 2.15 Drama: United Kingdoms 3.00 《The Grand North Atlantic》
Home Video Archives 3.30 《All Under One Magnetization》 4.00 《The Power Of Guilt》 4.15 《The Media Show》 5.00 FIVE 6.57 Weather 6.00 《Six O'Clock News》 6.30 《End Medicine》 7.00 《The Archers》 7.15 《From Row》 8.00 《The World Made New》系列 辩论官方议题，由迈克尔·布什主持 9.00 《Revealed》Hands The Juazeers令美国在越南陷入灾难 9.30 迈克尔·希尔探索角色 迈克尔·希尔探索演员塑造角色的方法 10.00 《The World Tonight》与詹姆斯·康内斯拉米 10.45 《Book At Bedtime: Mr Sathya Post (UK)》作者：安南（Eve） 10.00 诺拉·梅多斯的《寡妇》喜剧 主演：凯蒂·温 11.15 《Follow The Rabbit》一名女子声称她饼干里藏着一个小恶魔 11.30 《Poetry Phase》 12.00am News And Weather 12.30 《Book Of The Week》The Finch's The Mountain Sicily, Elna And Her People 12.45 《Shipping Forecast》 1.00 BBC World Service 2.00 News Summary 5.00 《Sidoways》 5.30 Weather 5.30 《Shipping Forecast》 5.45 《Prayer For The Day》 5.45 《Farming Today》
BBC 4 Extra
6am 《The Wild Far Horse》 6.30 《The Sensor Partner》 7.00 《After Heavy》 7.30 《The Missing Hancocks》 8.00 《You Heard it Here First》 8.30 亚德里安·马塔《The Cappuccino Years》 8.45 《Agnes Grey》 9.00 《Best Medicine》 9.30 《The Today》布里斯托电影喜剧演员 9.45 《Daily Service》 10.00 《A The Queen》 11.00 《The Wolf》 11.30 《The Sensor Partner》 12.00am 《After Heavy》 12.30 《The Missing Hancocks》 1.00 《You Heard it Here First》 1.30 亚德里安·马塔《The Cappuccino Years》 1.45 《Agnes Grey》 2.00 《The Ultimate Choice》 2.30 《Getting Nowhere Fast》 2.00 《After Of Blue Eyes》 4.00 《A The Queen》 5.00 《The Far Horse》 5.30 《The Sensor Partner》 6.00 《After Heavy》 6.30
晚会之夜
在 BBC 第二套广播电台
晚上7点，BBC Radio 2 拉迪斯密斯·布莱克·曼巴佐、劳拉·姆武拉、詹姆斯·贝伊与新文明管弦乐团 庆祝保罗·西蒙《格罗塞兰》专辑发行45周年
《失踪的汉考克》 7.00 《你先听到》 7.30 《阿德里安·马塔与卡布奇诺岁月》 7.45 《阿格尼丝·格雷》 8.00 《终极选择》 8.30 《无处可去》 8.00 《蓝眼睛之后》 10.00 喜剧俱乐部《最佳良药》 10.30 喜剧俱乐部《布克斯反对音乐》 11.00 喜剧俱乐部《欢迎来到你所在的任何地方》 11.30 喜剧俱乐部《我们的比萨太无聊》 12. 《女王》 1.00 《狼与远马》 1.30 《传感器伴侣》 2.00 《暴风雨过后》 2.30 《失踪的汉考克》 2.00 《你先听到》 2.30 《阿德里安·马塔与卡布奇诺岁月》 3.45 《阿格尼丝·格雷》 4.00 《终极选择》 4.30 《无处可去》 5.00 《蓝眼睛之后》 5
BBC 5 Live
6.00 早餐时段 12.00 9.00 莉娜·艾哈迈德 11.00 霍莉·汉密尔顿 2.00 玛丽安娜·斯普林 4.00 5.00 洋葱 7.00 5 Live 体育 7.30 5 Live 体育 9.00 5 Live 体育 10.30 吉扎·埃尔顿 1.00 德坦·阿拉达亚 5.00 《视频上涨到金钱》
BBC 6 Music
7.00 N.G. 格里姆斯霍 10.00 劳伦·劳伦斯 12. 克雷格·查尔斯 4.00 斯蒂芬的新音乐文件每日 7.00 新音乐文件每日 9.00 基蒂与科兹 11.00 O'Music 驻场艺术家：希格尔 12.00 英国 弗蕾娅与戴夫的播放列表 1.00 《血与火：根源雷鬼与兰巴达》 2.00 《与吉米·克里夫的第一次》 3.00 现场音乐 4.00 6 Music 的点唱机 5.00 克里斯·霍金斯 6.
Classic FM
6.20 Classic FM 早餐时段 蒂姆·勒曼主持 9.00 《Classic FM 名人堂》蒂姆·勒曼主持 10.00 阿莱德·贾纳斯 12.00 安娜-玛丽亚·米沙德 4.00 马格丽塔·泰勒 7.00 约翰·布朗宁《晚间包装》 9.00 5 7.00 5 9.00 5 2.00 降灵会 今日第6名：约翰内斯·勃拉姆斯 10.00 奇姆经典 12.00 英国 奥弗顿 4.00 早间早餐时段
Absolute Radio
6.00 戴夫·巴里主持 10.00 克莱尔·沙加斯 12.00 丹·巴尼特 4.00 布什与怀特《回家时光》 7.00 丹妮尔·佩里 10.00 杰伊·劳伦斯 12. 丹·诺布尔
插播时段
6.20 K与凯莉·布鲁克 10.00 帕多拉·克里斯蒂 12. 马特·威廉姆森 4.00 Oi 霍华德 7.00 海里的《快速美食周末》与德夫·格林 10.00 本·约翰逊 12. 盖伊·霍华德 14.00 林赛·拉塞尔主持的早间早餐时段
TalkSPORT
6.00 马特·布朗主持的TalkSPORT早餐时段 12. 乔恩·怀特与西蒙·乔丹 12. 马克斯·鲁道夫与查理·贝克 4.00 TalkSPORT驾车时段 7.00 《二十世纪霍尔顿》 10.00 《体育酒吧》 12. 保罗·罗斯《加时赛》 5.00 早间体育早餐时段
32
新闻
《全景》栏目
10个故事环游世界
菲律宾
学生在线直播校园枪击案
作者：Karen Lema、Nestor Corrales 来源：A
一名学生在菲律宾南部一所教室内开枪射杀另一名学生后自杀，一名官员称，这是该国两个月内发生的第二起校园袭击案。
菲律宾总统费迪南德·马科斯·Jr下令执法机构展开调查，并确定防止校园暴力的措施。
他说：“我们的学校是我们委托孩子学习、成长并畅想未来生活的地方。它们也必须是我国最安全的场所之一。”
警方称，枪击案发生在私立阿特内奥·德·三宝颜大学（Ateneo de Zamboanga University）附属学校内，枪手携带一把40口径手枪和一把步枪进入校园，并在教室内向学生开火。
三宝颜市长Khymer Adan Olaso对DZBB电台表示，当局确认枪手通过随身摄像头直播了袭击过程。袭击动机尚不明确。一名高级海关官员向记者表示，枪手使用了一把.40口径手枪，该枪由海关总署发放给枪手父亲——一名已被免职的海关官员。
现场另一把回收的武器是枪手父亲拥有的一把合法私人枪支，该官员称。
警方称，受害者是一名10年级男生。枪手是一名9年级学生。另有两人受伤。
市议员Frederick Atilano称，受害者被发现于学校四楼，而枪手在五楼自杀身亡。
此次枪击案发生在6月菲律宾中部塔克洛班市一所公立高中发生袭击案之后，当时两名同学开枪，造成3名学生死亡，20人受伤。
校园枪击案在菲律宾较为罕见，该国对枪支拥有权有相对严格的规定，包括背景调查和心理评估要求，尽管非法枪支仍在流通。
阿尔卑斯山村庄面临不稳定岩层威胁
作者：埃尔南·穆尼奥斯 地点：坎德施泰格
一处不稳定的山体岩层正悬于瑞士小镇坎德施泰格上方，威胁着可能引发一场与去年摧毁附近布拉滕村庄的灾难规模相当的山体滑坡。科学家将此次威胁与永久冻土融化及冰川动态变化联系起来。
坎德施泰格位于瑞士伯尔尼州，1,300名居民生活在典型的阿尔卑斯山景观中——尖锐的山峰、白色的冰川、陡峭的绿色山谷，远处传来牛铃声。
但一场灾难正笼罩着这个宁静的村庄：名为“施皮策·施泰因”的山侧岩层正面临崩塌风险。该岩层是一处山体景观的一部分，永久冻土融化问题日益严重，可能会在一场大规模山体滑坡中坍塌至山谷。
“你知道它正在发生，但并不害怕，”坎德施泰格居民布丽吉特·尤尼说，“但它终究是自然……你永远无法预知。”
由于气候变化导致的气温升高，冰川和永久冻土（即起到“胶水”作用、将山体固定在一起的冻土和岩石）正在融化，瑞士阿尔卑斯山的山体滑坡风险正在上升。
2025年5月，附近勒奇谷的一处冰川岩石巨块轰然滑落山坡，泥浆覆盖了几乎整个布拉滕村。该村此前已完成疏散。
若“施皮策·施泰因”整个不稳定区域崩塌，将引发一场巨大的自然灾害。但当地已制定疏散计划，专家表示更可能逐步崩塌。
绿色和平组织气候专家内森·索洛图恩曼表示，山体滑坡将变得更加频繁。
赞比亚总统在激烈选举中赢得连任
作者：杰克·齐姆巴、莫戈莫齐·马戈梅 地点：卢萨卡
赞比亚总统哈凯恩德·希奇莱马已成功连任，获得第二个五年任期。
在上周四的总统选举中，他无需进入第二轮投票即被宣布为绝对赢家，在500万张选票中赢得了61.4%的支持率。
反对派领导人布赖恩·蒙杜比勒未立即作出回应。
希奇莱马的胜利是在一场备受关注的选举后取得的。上周五，计票工作曾暂停，但在选举委员会表示一些投票站官员遭到袭击后，数小时后在加强安全措施下重新启动。
他们还表示，部分选票曾被盗。
此外，多名重要反对派人士在选举当晚被逮捕。
挪威国王哈拉尔因血液疾病入院
作者：里奇·布斯 地点：吉尔
现年89岁的挪威国王哈拉尔因病入院。
王宫方面表示：“国王近几周因溶血性贫血疾病接受皮质类固醇治疗，导致体内‘液体积聚’。”
王宫补充称，其子王储哈康将在接下来的两周内担任摄政王。
今年2月，哈拉尔在西班牙加那利群岛度假期间因皮肤感染入院治疗。两年前，国王在与王后赴马来西亚度假期间患病，并安装了心脏起搏器。
哈拉尔自1991年起成为挪威君主。
明信片·戈雷岛
小时候，Ndeye Awa Diop太过害羞，连看人都不敢正视。
她在塞内加尔农村长大，学会了接受这个穆斯林占主导地位的国家对女孩的传统期望：她们应当被看见，但不应发声。
然而，她的生活在12岁时彻底改变——她被该国首个女子精英寄宿学校录取，这所学校位于首都达喀尔附近的戈雷岛上。
如今她19岁，是学生会主席，即将毕业。她说：“我学会了成为一名领导者。” 塞内加尔女性必须在复杂的社会环境中摸索前行。父权制规范正被赋权女性通过进步立法所挑战——该立法要求政党候选人中女性占比达半数。
塞内加尔在女童教育方面也取得了巨大进展。绝大多数女童入读小学，入学率甚至高于男童。但女童辍学率更高，能完成高中学业的不足20%。
塞内加尔开国总统利奥波德·塞达尔·桑戈尔（Leopold Sedar Senghor）于1985年将这所戈雷岛上的寄宿学校以该国最著名女作家Mariama Ba的名字命名。学校坐落于一座曾有着痛苦历史的岛屿上——这里曾是跨大西洋奴隶贸易的最大中心。每年仅招收35名女生，学费和食宿均由国家全额资助。
在一间教室里，15岁的女生们正在讨论奴隶制历史。老师保罗·费利克斯·蒂奥（Paul Felix Thiao）面带满意的微笑引导着讨论。
他说：“社会上我们常看到男性倾向于主导女性。”
但像这所学校这样的地方表明，“如果我们给予她们更多自由，她们能走得更远”。
伊姆兰·汗前总理被法院下令转院
作者：Ariha Shahid、Mahasher Bukhari 地点：伊斯兰堡
最高法院昨日下令将前总理伊姆兰·汗从监狱转至医院，其巴基斯坦正义运动党（PTI）表示，此举满足了该党及其家人长期以来的要求。
自2023年8月起，73岁的伊姆兰·汗一直身陷囹圄，他被判多项罪名，其本人称这些指控均为2022年其被罢免权力后的政治迫害。
去年，其子女多次对其健康状况恶化表达担忧，其律师称其右眼视力严重受损。
“我们希望这能早些发生，”PTI发言人Zulfikar Bukhari表示。
法院已责令在48小时内将伊姆兰·汗转至希法国际医院，并需在该院停留至9月16日。自其通过不信任投票失去权力以来，伊姆兰·汗已面临多项指控，包括涉及国礼及违法婚姻等。部分判决已被暂缓或撤销，上诉仍在进行中。他否认所有指控。
来自世界各地的板球名宿曾要求为其提供更好待遇，并对其狱中境况表达“深切关注”。
俄罗斯
莫斯科就日本首相言论提出抗议
作者：Mark Trevelyan
俄罗斯昨日召见日本驻莫斯科大使，就日本首相高市早苗有关争议岛屿的言论提出抗议。
俄罗斯总统弗拉基米尔·普京上周访问了这些由俄罗斯实际控制的岛屿之一。
这四个岛屿，俄罗斯称之为南千岛群岛，日本则称为北方四岛。它们在第二次世界大战日本投降后被苏联占领。俄罗斯现控制并管辖这些岛屿，但东京仍主张拥有主权。
高市早苗上周表示，普京的访问“伤害了日本人民的感情，绝对不可接受”。
莫斯科方面称其对高市及日本外相茂木敏充的“反俄”言语表示抗议。
经典西班牙：塞维利亚、科尔多瓦与格拉纳达
行程包含
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- 往返航班、巴士旅行及接送服务
- 六晚三星至四星“最佳早餐”住宿
- 前往塞维利亚、龙达、阿尔罕布拉宫及科尔多瓦的参观游览
- 由导游陪同
7天行程，每人起价£959
致电免费：0808 304 2160 访问：www.inewstravel.co.uk
详情及开放式思维均需遵循Nueva Travel、ABTA 1474 / 2、2, 8978, 5930的预订条款，该公司独立于《每日邮报》有限公司。价格基于两人共享，单人间需另付费用。*价格基于2026年11月7日从伦敦盖特威克出发。印刷时价格正确。
热浪中的八种人——你属于哪一种？
劳拉·克雷克
我正在自己闷热的阁楼里进行“实地写作”，独自一人在字面意义上的“热桌”办公。室外31℃，而室内——至少风扇告诉我——则是温暖的29℃。我热爱居家办公，但这种天气除外。联排别墅根本不是为高温而设计的。我多希望能在办公室里，靠近饮水机，在一个寒冷到起鸡皮疙瘩的恒温环境中工作。
这大概让我成了“OHC”——一个过热的自由职业者老套路——因为在这个阶段，经历了今年已经数次热浪后，作为英国居民，你不可能不属于某个族群。继续读下去，看看以下哪种人是你的同类。
空调控
在聊天的话题词典里，几乎没有比讨论他人空调效果更无聊的了。你不会在圣诞酒会上大谈沃塞斯特·博世（暖通品牌）的性能，那为什么在啤酒园里大谈你那台29英寸的罗素·霍布斯立式风扇就可以？
空调控会先温和地询问你睡得如何，并对你的桌面风扇发出的热气表示同情。一旦他们抓住你，就开始滔滔不绝了。
落地扇？别费心了。你需要的是至少12000BTU的便携式空调。不，不是劣质机型——那些都是外国垃圾。什么？你没有一台戴森Cool PC1，带10档变速和350度摇头功能？是的，它很贵，但他们是在1月份的降价促销中买的。你没有吗？
适应大师
室外35℃？他们倒没注意。因为他们已经适应了。你怎么知道他们适应了？因为他们会在任何时机——无论你问没问——告诉你：“老实说？这热一点也没影响我。我觉得我已经适应了。”他们不会像我们一样，半夜四仰八叉地躺在被单上汗流浃背。他们睡得超好，多谢关心。
他们对英国这新常态的酷热早已习以为常，甚至不需要像我们一样四处半裸行走。他们穿着牛仔裤、长袖衬衫和本季的皮革爵士鞋，就是为了强调这一点。
动物福利专家
对狗来说，这是艰难时期；对狗主人来说，同样如此。诚然，你没有像可怜的贝利 / 米洛 / 特迪那样，浑身裹着厚厚的毛发，但你总有更好的事可做，比如睡觉，而不是大清早7点就起来遛狗。
在《软木塞与银行贷款》酒吧喝了几杯老罗斯之后，你不小心11点才出发，比计划晚了。还没把球扔出去，就被一个双眼通红的女人劈头盖脸地骂，指责你虐待动物。
你听不清她说什么，但“爪垫”“烫伤”和“混蛋”几个词反复出现。显然，如果气温超过26℃你还遛狗，你就是撒旦的后代。你灰溜溜地回家，用冷毛巾拍拍狗，然后惊慌失措地给兽医打电话。
全球变暖否认者
全球变暖？一派胡言。冰盖根本没问题：他们邻居的表妹去年圣诞节去了拉普兰，那里雪可多了。至于野火，都是阴谋。某个——大概是外国人——没把烟头掐灭罢了。每年夏天都这样。
他们不明白大家在抱怨什么：37℃正是晒太阳的完美天气，所以他们下午就在后花园的躺椅上摊开四肢，像《性感野兽》里的雷·温斯通一样，身上只穿着一条黄色迷你泳裤。这还省了坐飞机去兰萨罗特岛，所以千万别告诉他们这样做不环保。
数据统计师
对于每一个能泰然处之的热浪受害者，总有一个吓得魂飞魄散的人。酷热难当的天气让人感到压抑且无休无止，空气的沉闷令他们窒息，完全失去了平衡。为了保持镇定，他们寻求事实的慰藉，仿佛仅仅知道这是英国有记录以来最热的夏季，就能从某种无法控制的力量手中夺回控制权。
他们会告诉你，这是英国首次在5月、6月、7月和8月都达到35℃，并且永远不厌其烦地强调这比罗德岛 / 伊维萨还热，仿佛他们是唯一拥有天气应用的人。对他们温柔一些吧，因为他们是冬季中的人。
冰块掠夺者
在每一个合租屋或家庭中，总有一个人自行决定冰格或冰袋里的每一块冰都只为他一人所用，仿佛其他人不可能想喝杯冰镇饮料来降降温。他们又来了，以一种无法容忍的自私掠夺冰箱最珍贵的自然资源，若他们哪怕偶尔补冰格，这种自私也不会如此难以忍受。
他们知道冰块要多久才能结成吗？不知道，你也不知道，直到愤怒驱使你去问克劳德。六到八小时。整整一个工作日。一杯冰咖啡里放六块冰简直是得寸进尺。这他妈是星巴克吗？
水管侦探
你还以为他们有更重要的事要做，而不是监视邻居的用水量，但事实并非如此。像非洲象一样
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A MEMBERMAN 8 19 AUGUST 2020
35
家庭
“我母亲曾对我很残忍——现在她成了慈爱的外婆。我为此怨恨”
在经历了艰难的童年之后，即使父母已经改变，人们也很难不再心怀怨恨
英国约三分之二的人会成为祖父母。然而，养育子女与担任祖父母在许多方面是截然不同的体验。
凯莉（化名）*，一位来自多塞特郡的43岁NHS员工，从未想过她的母亲能对她的孙辈展现出如此温暖。
我的母亲对我的两个孩子（五岁和八岁）是一位出色的外婆。她对他们无限耐心，会一次又一次地和他们玩同样的游戏，能在房子各处的橱柜里和他们玩上几小时的捉迷藏，还会趴在地板上和他们一起装扮成各种动物。此外，她还做很多苔藓工艺品和烘焙——面粉洒满厨房她也不介意，鸡蛋打碎了也没关系。她对孩子们非常温暖且充满爱意。
母亲每周左右会过来一次，或者我们会去她那里，她会给孩子们做自制饼干，然后和他们一起坐在长沙发上，听他们讲述自己的近况。大多数时候，我都很享受这样的时光。
但看到这一切的同时，我的内心也极为复杂。我仍会在这些时刻感到悲伤，因为她对我的孩子们如此慈爱，却从未善待过我。我记得她经常对我们三个孩子发脾气；她缺乏耐心，我总觉得自己让她的生活变得更糟。
我对母亲仅有为数不多的美好童年回忆，几乎没有其他记忆。她总是批评我的外表、体重，还会让我产生负罪感。我不喜欢和她在一起，甚至经常害怕她。你永远不知道她接下来会做什么，这种感觉至今未曾完全消失——我总是处于紧绷状态。
母亲有时会打我们，甚至不是因为我们做了什么特别调皮的事。她冷漠疏远，动辄发脾气。她会把盘子摔到墙上，把碗摔在地板上。父亲几乎不在身边，即使在场，他们也会大喊大叫互相谩骂。他说过的话，现在我才意识到是言语虐待。家里所有家务都得她一个人承担，我认为他经济上贡献很少。我认为他们的关系极其动荡且不幸福，然后他们生了三个孩子。
我搬出去后，开始工作并租了自己的住处，有时会给母亲打电话，偶尔也会去看望她，但不再身处她的空间让我感到前所未有的自由。我们之间没有真正的亲密感，我对她只有责任，而没有真正的温暖。当我的第一个宝宝出生几周后，我沉浸在无尽的爱意之中时，对童年的愤怒和情绪涌上心头。我不理解一个人怎能让自己的孩子害怕自己。我担心自己长大成人后，是否还能允许她进入我的生活。我担心她也会对这些宝宝不善。
随着时间的流逝，她偶尔会过来，我看到了她与我的宝宝之间的深厚情感。我不想因为让她老年生活痛苦而背负愧疚和负担，于是决定给她一个当外婆的机会。我决定尝试向前看。我经常想到她自己糟糕的父母关系和糟糕的童年——以及她在贫困中长大的事实。她几乎没有受过什么教育，我认为这让她陷入了困境。
我确实会评判她过去的选择，有时也会怨恨她，但我也知道，对她永远心怀怨恨、过分纠结于过去并不健康。我拥有美好的生活，有支持且善良的伴侣，还有两个了不起的孩子。我是一个有远见的人。我的母亲生活艰辛，也几乎没有得到过什么支持。
有时我也会对她感到气恼，但我也知道，对她永远怀恨在心或过分沉湎于过去并不健康。我拥有美好的人生、体贴善良的伴侣和两个了不起的孩子。我是个知足的人，有自己的生活重心。我的妈妈一生坎坎坷坷。
我大多时候记得她对我又气又挑剔
裸体男人
有谁没在31℃的高温天里觉得穿上衣服纯属多余？至少对某些人来说是这样。男人可以无所顾忌地在公园里裸着上身散步，而女人至少得穿泳装。男人可以光着膀子上公交车，女人却会被逮捕。这公平在哪里？
对某些女性（通常是Z世代？）来说，男人在热浪中被允许肆意袒露，而女人却不能，每当看到男人光着膀子，她们就会怒不可遏。他们认为所有男人在公共交通上都该穿衣服。天气再热，也不意味着她们想看你的。
她们整个下午都趴在后花园的躺椅上
36
旅行
法国人守着的秘密避暑天堂
自然、海鲜和自行车道为罗亚纳-大西洋和奥莱龙岛增添了低调的魅力。文 / 安娜·理查兹
我纳闷自己什么时候会对鸟类上瘾。这就像生物钟在滴答作响。某天你的大脑突然蹦出“是只反嘴鹬吗？”，转眼间你就变成了你父亲。
我的鸟类时钟在33岁时敲响，地点是塔尔蒙-叙日龙德，一座位于法国西南部悬崖边的村庄，也是“法国最美村庄”协会的成员。正值退潮，我看着反嘴鹬在泥滩上踱步，真希望自己有副望远镜。它动作断续，既笨拙又优雅，在当地被称为“carrelets”的高脚渔屋前觅食。
就这么一下子，我开始把罗亚纳-大西洋地区（面积约230平方英里，环绕海滨城市罗亚纳）和与大陆由1.9英里长的桥相连的奥莱龙岛上看到的所有鸟类都记录下来。蛎鹬、杓鹬和暴风鹱都榜上有名。
我在法国生活了五年，此前近三十年每年都来度假，却从未去过奥莱龙岛，尽管附近的雷岛去过好几次。
让我懊恼的是，这让我成了典型的英国人。根据奥莱龙旅游局收集的数据，英国游客在奥莱龙露营地和游客中心的占比不足1%，而法国游客则占到近90%。
从鸟的飞行距离看，两座岛相距不到20英里。即便如此
路易十四据说经常一次吃六打牡蛎
!
吉伦特河口的圣拉德贡德教堂
若不计算法国游客，奥莱龙岛每年接待的游客数量比伊勒德雷岛少约100万，而面积却是后者的两倍。
我之前错过了一个好机会——奥莱龙岛感觉像是伊勒德雷岛更原始、更便宜、更接地气的版本。一次抽样调查显示，在奥莱龙岛，8月银行假期期间，三星级酒店一晚起价约100加元，而在伊勒德雷岛则需150加元。旺季持续到9月底，之后许多地方便歇业了。
我在大陆上的旅程从塔尔蒙-叙日龙德开始，随后退回到我的舒适区，在拉达姆布朗什德塔尔蒙——一个2003年创立的家族葡萄园——品酒。
葡萄藤生长在吉伦特河口悬崖上的石灰岩顶部。下方，在塔尔蒙-叙日龙德与附近的梅谢尔-叙日龙德村之间的吉伦特河口某处，埋藏着宝藏。
2005年，该葡萄园的主人将六个装有他们葡萄酒的陶罐（储酒陶罐）扔进河口。谁找到它们，就能终身供应该庄园的葡萄酒。目前，这些陶罐尚未被发现。
第二天，我驱车穿过高架桥前往奥莱龙岛。我期待着抛开汽车，跳岛游览——我听说岛上自行车才是王道。
我的第一站是勒沙托多莱龙，那里有一座17世纪的城堡，与彩色的高脚牡蛎棚相邻，后者比大陆上的高脚棚小巧，但色彩更加鲜艳。大部分是艺术家的工作室，但百年前，奥莱龙岛的工作主要分为三大行业：牡蛎养殖、葡萄栽培和制盐。当地人常常同时从事这三份工作。
在距离勒沙托多莱龙约20分钟车程的北部，有一个名为福尔罗耶的牡蛎养殖村和遗址，我在此收集了一些有趣的事实以备后用。奥莱龙岛的牡蛎是日本品种，因当地原生品种因疾病灭绝；为谋生计，养殖户每年需产出约4万吨牡蛎。
不过，我最喜欢的牡蛎趣闻是：据说路易十四经常一次吃六打牡蛎。
抵达位于福尔罗耶西南约25分钟车程的拉科蒂尼埃尔的“面对拳头酒店”后，我立即收起车钥匙，余下的行程将骑着从附近 Passion Loisir Océan 租来的电动自行车环岛游览。
这才是探索奥莱龙岛的正确方式。岛上约有100英里的自行车道，其中一些今年刚开放，每条都比泄气的充气床还平坦。
我沿着海岸线游览岛屿北半部，从普莱桑斯海滩的广阔沙滩，到博里尔海滩的彩虹色小屋（那里的海滩小屋条纹比睡衣抽屉还多），再到圣但尼斯多莱龙的石头鱼梁——涨潮时，浅滩上的半圆形石头会困住鱼群，退潮后便可徒手捕捞。
在沙西龙灯塔，我爬了224级台阶，从上方欣赏其马蹄形构造。这是唯一一个热闹的地方。当然，自行车道和海滩上也有其他游客，但绝对不会拥挤。
当我转向内陆时，自行车道带我经过葡萄园，穿过海岸松林的中心地带，并穿过微小的、饱经风霜的村庄。从自行车租赁店的工作人员到前一晚与我共进晚餐的男子，所有人都告诉我，位于勒格朗维拉日普拉日的“萨利纳驿站”是必吃的餐厅。它看起来不起眼，
!
主图：沙西龙灯塔； 上图：勒沙托多莱龙港口的彩色小屋； 左图：作者让-吕克·伊查德 GETTY
旅行必备指南
到达方式 作者受科涅克探索之旅邀请。拉罗谢尔有直飞英国的航班，以及从巴黎出发的高铁。从9月起，拉罗谢尔-奥莱龙渡轮每日一班（航程1小时，£2350）
住宿 奥莱龙岛的面向海浪酒店双人间仅需£87。罗亚涅附近的西别墅双人间仅需£85。
更多信息
一间高脚木屋式的牡蛎养殖场，俯瞰岛上仅存的盐沼，那里还有一座小型盐业历史博物馆。
我顶着湿漉漉的头发、脸上残留着防晒霜和沙子赶来吃晚餐，因为在路上忍不住游了一次泳。奥莱龄岛悠闲自在，虽然我通常会为自己这副“随波逐流”的模样感到尴尬，但在这里却显得再正常不过。
餐厅里座无虚席，我吃了配有食用花的梭子鱼生鱼片、配有奇米丘里酱的鱼肉酱和慢煮笔仔鱼配罗勒与沙丁鱼调味料。
离开小岛时，我浑身上下都像漂流物一般。头发沾满海盐，鞋子灌满沙子，我确信自己体内90%都是海鲜成分。
新
5-33
ORINON 18-32
电视 26-31
生活 34-37
文化 38-41
山 47-50
体育 50-56
全国 $ 19 2026
37
诺森伯兰
英格兰最大的森林充满野生动物
——而不是人潮
基尔德森林给人一种与湖区相似的感觉，作家亚当·特纳在一次负担得起的周末游中如此写道
“我在这里待了好多年，这是我第一次看到一只鹗在空中飞翔。”一位60多岁的摩托车手一边说着，一边穿着从头到脚的皮衣，用单筒望远镜凝视着。
一群观鸟者聚集在木屋外，这里是诺森伯兰野生动物信托基金的“鹗项目”空间，毗邻基尔德湖滨咖啡馆。苍头燕雀啄食种子，一只田鼠从草地边缘探出头，家燕在浅蓝色的天空中滑翔。
“看，那里有‘蛎鹬’。快拍照，罗恩。”另一名穿着迷彩T恤的男子低声说着，指向一只优雅地栖息在隔壁建筑上的红嘴鸟。
这一切都发生在我前一晚在“塔楼角”游客中心停车场度过的地方，仅数米之遥。通过“奇思露营”（Quirky Campers）这个点对点租赁平台，我借了一辆海滨主题露营车来到英格兰最大的人造森林——基尔德，体验一种新的游客体验。
直到9月14日，由英格兰林业局主导的“森林露营车之旅”项目允许游客在英格兰七个森林地点过夜，基尔德森林便是其中之一。在基尔德，非会员每晚起价为15英镑，会员则为14英镑。这项无基础设施体验的最长停留时间为48小时，参与者不得留下任何痕迹（部分地点有厕所，但不要指望有淋浴）。
基尔德森林位于苏格兰边境，在诺森伯兰郡——其最高峰“死水沼泽”可将视野从湖区群山延伸至北海海岸。森林的首批树木种植于1926年，旨在建立一个国家木材储备，补充一战中消耗的木材。当地矿工和码头工人被招募从事这项体力劳动，并为他们及家人提供住宿。
彼时，基尔德是一片围绕诺森伯兰公爵夏季别墅“基尔德城堡”的广阔沼泽。为纪念基尔德百年诞辰而制定的城堡修缮计划因一些意外问题，可能要到明年春季才能重新开放。不过，今年9月5日至6日周末将举办一系列活动庆祝百年纪念。
我在城堡旁的停车场度过了第一个夜晚，然后徒步了一段小径。从这里出发有多条步行路线——例如，1.5英里的“格鲁弗步道”深受年轻徒步者欢迎。
尽管住在不到两小时车程之外，但这是我第一次来基尔德森林，而我已经开始好奇：为什么之前没来过？这里壮丽无比。其50,000公顷（约125,000英亩）的茂密森林环绕着基尔德水库——北欧最大的人造湖（按蓄水量计算）。
在毛毛细雨中沿着潺潺小溪漫步，松果在脚下咔嚓作响，我被湿润蕨类植物的甜美气息包围。希望能看到一只红松鼠——基尔德是英格兰红松鼠种群的重要栖息地——我蹑手蹑脚地走向基尔德高架桥，但因雨势加大而折返。
夜晚还有其他奇观。基尔德是欧洲最大的受保护夜空区域（诺森伯兰国际暗夜公园）的一部分，其天文台全年举办活动。从面向家庭的“太空小孩：光年学院”工作坊，到“深夜发现”（每人49英镑），我在活动中了解了星系和行星，通过望远镜观察了土星，并向天文学家询问了关于太空的问题。
在森林深处醒来，身边只有寥寥一两名露营者同伴，这份体验别具一格。在某种程度上，基尔德并不像
英格兰——有人将其比作瑞典或加拿大的荒野——但我在温德米尔湖周围的露营之旅中长大，它让我想起了湖区——只是没有那么多人。
当我受邀前往卡尔弗特中心——一个专门为残障人士提供户外体验的无障碍户外冒险中心——尝试划独木舟时，水面上没有其他人。“我喜欢湖的这一部分。这里如此宁静。”我的向导达妮说着，暂停划桨，欣赏风景。水面几乎没有涟漪，除了几位渔民坐在岸边，周围看不到半个人影。
在最后一个早晨，我醒来拉开露营车的窗帘，看到一只鹗，它翼展68的完全展开，在凯尔德水库上空盘旋寻找鳟鱼。
这就像是从床上看到的一幕《阿滕伯勒纪录片》场景。
旅行必备
预订攻略 临时露营车营地 位于凯尔德森林的营地每辆露营车每晚收费 £35（非会员价，需提前预订，大部分营地开放至14日） 凯尔德城堡营地全年开放（每晚 £35，可到场支付，视空位情况而定）forestry.england.uk / kielder-forest，visitkielder.com。
更多信息 奇趣露营车租赁服务，每个周末夜起价 £130，最低租期三晚，quirkycampers.com / uk
今日名言
我小时候会站在祖父母家后院的一块小石头上唱《Like a Version》。我妈妈从来没有纠正过我。
莉娜·丹恩
美国导演谈她对麦当娜的早期热爱
“我
们家人经常在葬礼上不合时宜地大笑，”兰内尔斯说，“我们总能在最奇怪、最黑暗的时刻找到幽默。在哀悼——在教堂那种紧张的氛围中——你能从最强烈的悲伤和绝望中发掘出一些最棒的笑声。”
我们正在谈论葬礼，因为他主演的新片《想你，爱你》正以一根长导火索的形式，缓缓燃烧至终点。这是一部风格独特、机智幽默的双人戏，从极度残酷的丧失与绝望中抽取出那些震撼人心的大笑。
这部电影最初由吉姆·拉什为舞台剧所写，将活泼开朗、面容稚气的兰内尔斯与奥斯卡影后艾莉森·珍妮的尖刻机智相对峙。她饰演黛安，一位情感疏离、事业高飞的外派记者泰勒的母亲。
当她的第二任丈夫——泰勒的继父——去世时，黛安的儿子正忙于在国外工作，无法前来陪伴她。于是他派遣自己的私人助理（兰内尔斯饰演的杰米）前来帮忙处理“儿子的敌人”相关的琐事。
杰米是个讨好型人格，竭力承受着黛安因儿子缺席而迸发的愤怒悲伤与失望，但当她深入探究他对儿子忠诚的本质时，他那欢快的外表开始难以维系。
随着两人一次次被泰勒发来的短信打发（“想你，爱你”），紧张局势逐步升级至崩溃边缘。
“我自己从来没有过私人助理，”兰内尔斯在纽约家中通过视频愉快地聊天时说。他与演员伴侣图·沃特金斯及沃特金斯的双胞胎孩子同住。“但我的许多演员、制片人朋友都有。这真的……他做了个鬼脸。
“这是一种奇怪的关系，对吧？你要求这些人做一些非常私人的事情——比如帮你取干洗的衣服，同时还要向他们倾诉——雇佣与友谊的界限很容易变得模糊。”
原来，杰米这个角色有很多内在戏剧性：他正在应对自己的丧亲之痛。尽管他表示“很自豪能凭借出演‘那个俏皮的同性恋朋友’而建立起职业生涯”，但他也承认能在这部作品中找到更多细腻的层次是件好事。
他解释说：“吉姆·拉什——他也是同性恋——塑造这个角色时赋予了他许多缺陷与复杂性。不幸的是，这不是我经常能在银幕上扮演的角色。”他随即纠正自己，“在舞台上我会演，但在电影里不会。”
兰内尔斯最著名的角色是莉娜·丹恩2012-2017年情景喜剧《都市女孩》中的伊莱贾·克兰茨。在六季中，伊莱贾从女主角汉娜的前男友——因出柜而令她不安——成长为她的密友（尽管有时有毒），并成为该剧最受欢迎的角色之一。
“我总是告诉自己，伊莱贾才是这部剧的主角，”他说，“我认为其他女孩——不是演员，而是她们的角色——也都认为自己是主角。这正是它成功的原因：没有人为汉娜服务。”
兰内尔斯1973年出生于内布拉斯加州奥马哈，是五个孩子中排行老四，在一个天主教家庭长大。他的父亲是广告销售员，母亲负责家务。“那个时候想在电视上找到同性恋榜样简直太难了，”他说。
兰内尔斯说是父亲让他开始在电视上观看多丽丝·黛音乐剧，并在11岁时首次参演社区剧院制作的《白雪皇后》。“我上的那所男子天主教学校没有戏剧课，所以那是我第一次尝到表演的滋味。”他夸张地翻了个白眼：“我们班同学都来看我表演！”13岁时，他开始拍摄电视和广播广告。他完全进入了百老汇式的状态，为我演唱了他写的第一个广告歌——为溜冰场所写：“学校很酷，但当我放学后，我最想去的地方是SkateLand！”
其他关于他青少年时期的经历则更为痛苦。在回忆录中，
兰内尔斯透露，当他为自己的性取向挣扎时，他决定向多米尼克神父“忏悔”，多米尼克是他学校里的一位六十多岁的神父。
“我觉得他既坚强又善良，我满怀希望他能拯救我于水火之中，”兰内尔斯写道，“我感到安全、被倾听、被理解。然而，他突然用力地亲了我。亲在了嘴唇上。他强行将舌头伸进我的嘴里，还抓着我的后脑勺。然后他放开我，在我的额头上画了一个十字。”
这个少年“惊呆了，走开了”，并设法避开那位神父，直到他母亲提议邀请神父参加他们家的毕业派对。当神父离开时，他又对兰内尔斯实施了侵犯。
“我们站在父母家的前门，道别，这是最后一次。就在这时，他抓住我的后颈，强行将舌头伸进我的嘴里。”兰内尔斯离开了教堂，不久后也离开了那个州。“如果你是内布拉斯加州的一个年轻小伙子，你只有一个选择，”他告诉我，“离开。”
纽约是他的梦想之地，18岁时他出柜了（“没人感到惊讶”），兰内尔斯立刻赶往玛丽山曼哈顿学院学习戏剧。但悲剧在他刚开始纽约冒险时就降临了。在2019年为《纽约时报》“当代爱情”专栏撰写的一篇文章中（他后来将其改编为亚马逊Prime的剧集），他描述了当他和一个叫布拉德的男友约会时，父亲突然倒下的那一刻。
兰内尔斯当时只有22岁，这是他“初次尝试恋爱”的经历之一。在晚餐时、在一家同性恋酒吧里、在回公寓的出租车上，他都忽略了家人的来电。他们直接去了卧室，一番“持续时间过长”的亲密后，他最终在浴室接起电话。父亲在他姐姐家中倒下了。
今天他告诉我，直到“足足六到九个月后”，他才突然意识到父亲已经去世。回首往事，他怀疑早期的丧亲经历或许能“以一种不同的方式打开你的心扉，你知道吗？”
兰内尔斯在经历了一连串的拒绝和与一位年长男子长期痛苦的关系后，终于在二十八九岁时在百老汇的事业起飞。“直到接到第三个角色时，我才相信它会持续下去，”他笑着说。尽管他热爱电影、电视和写作，戏剧始终是他的最爱。
他知道自己很幸运，正好赶上“原创音乐剧的伟大浪潮”重振戏剧界，像《摩门经》（他首次主演虔诚传教士赖德·凯文·普莱斯一角）和林-曼努尔·米兰达的《汉密尔顿》中他短暂扮演过的乔治三世国王。
他也担心百老汇和伦敦西区的票价飙升。“制作一场演出成本如此高昂，还要让人们注意到……我担心商业模式已经将小型演出拒之门外。”
尽管他和交往七年的伴侣（两人是在《男孩们的乐队》中扮演舞台情侣时相识，后来在Netflix电影中再次出演这一角色）如今不再为钱发愁，但他回忆起最近为戏剧票付出的金额仍然面露难色。多少钱？“疯狂的数目。可怕。我无法告诉你。”
《想你，爱你》现已在HBO Max上线
2020年8月19日，星期四
39
家庭活动
身临其境的体验带你穿越时空
伦敦码头区的全新沉浸式景点 Timexsoft 正值暑假之际开放，为家庭游客带来互动体验。
位于Excel中心的Immerse LDN展厅内，该项目结合视觉特效、科技与音效，带领游客开启一段 12,000年 的多感官之旅，穿越古代文明——哥贝克力石阵、巴比伦、埃及、玛雅与拉帕努伊。每个章节围绕你展开的故事由演员 大卫·斯科菲尔德 和 奥利维亚·威廉姆斯 讲述。参观网址：timewalkexhibition.com / london
舞台演出
《仲夏夜之梦》 奇切斯特节日剧院，西萨塞克斯，9月18日至10月17日 贾斯汀·奥迪伯特与汉娜·乔斯执导的莎士比亚名作将由 穆尼亚·查瓦瓦（下图）主演。剧目被大胆移植至1990年代的苏塞克斯，传统价值观与世纪末狂欢派对正面交锋。详情：cft.org.uk
即将上演
瓦妮莎·威廉姆斯 巡演 2027年2月18日至25日 美国舞台与银幕明星 瓦妮莎·威廉姆斯 将于明年首次在英国举办巡回演唱会，首站定于格拉斯哥皇家音乐厅。她将携全乐队带领观众重温从1988年出道至最新专辑《幸存者》的音乐之旅，途经百老汇与西区剧目曲目。售票网址：vanessawilliamslive.co.uk
最后机会
响亮诗人：我即响亮 苏格兰爱丁堡故事中心，8月20日与27日 “响亮诗人”团队多年来一直是爱丁堡边缘艺术节的常客。他们将口头表演与现场音乐融合，拳拳到肉的节奏、举杯畅饮的氛围与幽默感令诗歌爱好者为之倾倒，甚至让怀疑者也成为粉丝。短链接：shorturl.attlybgc
本周专辑推荐……爵士与蓝调
贾尔斯·彼得森推荐：诺玛·温斯通《现场录音：梅达韦尔》（Norma Winstone Live at Maida Vale） 英国爵士巨星 诺玛·温斯通 的高亢嗓音——充满空灵的空间感、独特的旋律处理与忧郁的质感——在超过 50 年后依然熠熠生辉。她早年曾与迈克尔·加里克、迈克·韦斯特布鲁克及尼尔·阿德利等人合作。这张五首曲目的BBC录音将这位歌手与年轻一代携手呈现，但她依旧能够吸引全场目光。发行方：BBE Records
《崩溃》 凯伯·马（Keb' Ma'） 这位五次格莱美获奖者、美国歌手、吉他手与词曲作者 30 年来始终致力于制作精美的蓝调唱片。其第 17 张个人专辑展现出更加私密的空间感，探索婚姻、死亡与人生体验。除两首与客座歌手合作的曲目外，其余作品均聚焦于凯伯与吉他，展现其真正的吟游诗人风采。发行方：Concord Records
它妖魔化了可能改变生命的药物
生产力提升了，但你却变成了行尸走肉。他并未充分指出这种药物需要时间调整。他跑去商店，似乎期待某种立竿见影的转变，结果却发现自己感到心神不宁。
他没有探讨注意力缺陷多动障碍（ADHD）如何严重影响一个人的生活和前景，也没有探讨社会阶层、家庭和学校教育如何影响其结果。他以自己作为医生、记者和多本书籍作者的职业生涯为证，证明他被诊断出的疾病——以及许多人——都是虚假的。
将ADHD呈现为一个“神话！”的说法，确认这部电影的目标是煽动情绪而非启发思考。在缺乏平衡证词或对这一疾病全面认知的情况下，至少在这一点上，它确实做到了。
《ADHD大神话？》现已在第四频道流媒体播出
财经
汽车保险
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- 97%的用户推荐Quotezone²
《财经》已与Quotezone.co.uk合作，助您找到更便宜的汽车保险。别只接受续保报价，比较报价看看能省多少！前往 inews.co.uk / car 比较报价
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该汽车保险比较系统由Seopa Ltd提供，该公司已获得英国金融行为监管局授权和监管。Quotezone是Seopa Ltd（FCA注册号313860）的交易方式。Associated Newspapers Limited（以Finance名义经营）是Seopa Ltd的介绍性指定代表。
养老金可能因工资增长每年增加500英镑
作者：艾米丽·布雷格、威尔·黑泽尔
根据国家统计局昨日发布的最新数据，截至6月的三个月平均总工资增长了4.1%。
这意味着，如果下个月的工资数据保持在同等或更高水平，由于"三重锁定"机制，国家养老金将上涨至超过£500。
根据"三重锁定"机制，国家养老金将按照5月至7月平均工资增长率、9月通胀率或2.5%三者中最高的数值上涨。
在通胀率为2.6%的情况下，除非生活成本急剧上升，否则很可能以工资增长数值作为决定涨幅的依据。
4.1%的涨幅将使国家养老金的年度价值从£241.30增至£12,565.20，首次超过免税个人津贴£12,570。
上月，《i》报披露，首相和希利已承诺确保仅以国家养老金为唯一收入来源的退休人员无需为此缴税，且这一政策将在本届议会任期内（可能持续至2029年）持续有效。
尽管仅涉及相对较少的税款，伯纳姆仍选择将生活成本作为其首相任期的核心议题，他和希利将密切关注取消冬季燃料补贴对基尔·斯塔默爵士造成的伤害。
这一承诺延续了前任财政大臣雷切尔·里夫斯去年11月在预算案中作出的承诺，即"仅领取基本或新国家养老金的人从2027年4月起无需通过简易评估缴纳少量税款"。
尽管财政部表示正在研究如何将完全依赖国家养老金的人群排除在简易评估之外，但尚未提供具体实施细节，专家们警告这可能较为复杂。
目前，新国家养老金全额每周为£241.30
热浪推动食品杂货价格增速放缓
作者：霍莉·威廉姆斯
根据Numerator旗下Worldpanel的数据，食品杂货通胀率已降至近两年来最低水平，因夏季热浪中购物者越来越多地转向冰镇指食品。
截至8月9日的四周内，超市价格上涨2.1%，显著低于前一个月的2.6%，也是自2024年10月以来的最低增幅。
但购物者在食品杂货上的支出减少，因世界杯足球热在上月推动销售后，四周平均支出为410英镑——比上一期减少14.24英镑。
家庭还利用超市促销来降低成本，过去一个月有31.3%的销售额包含促销活动——为今年最高水平。
更多热浪影响购物者的购物篮和趋势，冷藏、野餐和指食品类别表现良好，同时报告显示家庭将晚餐时间推迟至晚上8点后，在天气较凉爽时进食。
酱料销售激增23.3，卷心菜色拉上涨23.1，土豆色拉增长22，冰镇指食品上涨15.2，冰淇淋和雪泥销售猛增26.1。
冷冻水果需求飙升，销售增长48.1。防晒霜销量也大幅上涨58.4。
Worldpanel by Numerator业务单位总监萨莉·鲍尔表示：“持续高温改变了人们的饮食和饮品方式。”
就业
小企业招聘停滞，职位空缺下降
作者：安娜·怀斯
英国就业市场职位空缺再次下降，而私营部门工资增长降至近六年低点，数据显示。
英国国家统计局（ONS）称，其初步估计显示，5月至7月的职位空缺较2月至4月减少约6,000个。
这使职位空缺降至707,000个，为五年多来最低水平，或自2014年以来（不计新冠疫情年份）的最低点。
今年早些时候职位空缺暴跌，显示企业在经济不确定性和更高工资成本面前收缩招聘。
最新ONS调查发现，小企业可能因劳动力成本和其他经营费用上升而不再招聘。
数据还显示，英国私营部门3月至6月的常规平均工资增长降至2.8%，为自2020年10月以来的最低水平。
尽管同期整体常规工资增长从4月的3.4%升至3.5%，但受NHS加薪推动，公共部门增长6.1%。
英国整体失业率在截至6月的三个月内保持不变，为4.9%。
ONS经济统计主任利兹·麦基翁表示：“最新下降主要由小企业驱动，它们将劳动力和运营成本列为不招聘新员工的原因。”
新！5-33
观点 16-22
电视 29-31
生活 34-37
文化 38-41
理财 42-45
体育 50-54
《泰晤士报》2026年8月13日
43
理财专栏
如何让你的房子为假期买单——从爱彼迎到交换
有多种方式在度假时从房产中获利。作者：菲尔·斯潘塞
度假时，工作应是你最后想的事。但当你放松充电时，你的房子可能正在努力工作——赚钱来支付你的旅行费用。
这需要跨越几道门槛，但如果你乐意让付费房客在你外出时使用你的房子，有多种方式可将房子从成本中心暂时转变为创收资产。哪种选择最适合你，将取决于你离开的时长，以及你愿意为保持房子随时可接待房客投入多少精力。
自助短租
如果您外出几天到几个月，选择类似爱彼迎的短租显然是个不错的选择。这也是一个极受欢迎的选择；去年英国短租房屋的入住夜数达到了1.01亿晚，其中仅8月就超过1400万晚。
爱彼迎（Airbnb）和 Vrbo 是最知名的平台，但还有许多平台允许您在线发布房源。上传房源描述和照片并通过身份验证后，您的房源最快可在24小时内上线。
客人预订大多实现自动化且易于安排，这也是爱彼迎等平台通常收取15.5%佣金的原因之一。
在设定每晚价格时，请调研附近类似房源的收费标准及其设施对比。
切勿低估租客的期望！这是一个竞争激烈的市场。
如果您自行管理短租或请家人、朋友代为打理，请制定明确计划，说明租客如何取还钥匙以及如何处理客人间的交接。此外，您也可聘请专业短租管理公司，他们会收取一定费用，代为处理从答复客人咨询到清洁等所有事宜。出发前您可能需要彻底清洁房屋，并务必锁好贵重物品或个人信息。
务必告知税务海关总署（HMRC）、保险公司及抵押贷款机构您的短租计划。
托管式短租
如果您外出时间较长，或更希望将繁琐事务交由他人处理，许多高街租赁中介也会办理短租业务，同时兼顾传统租赁。此外，大城市和旅游热点地区通常有专业假日租赁公司可供选择。这类公司对当地市场了如指掌，并配有团队管理交接事宜，但其服务自然需收取费用；短租的典型佣金为租金收入的20%。
有些公司还会设定最短租期，因此可能无法接受仅几周的短期租赁。
短租流程相对简单，无需像长期租赁那样进行严格的安全检查。不过，有几条规则切勿忽视。
务必告知保险公司您的短租计划；若未告知，保险公司可能拒绝赔付您外出期间发生的事故。
根据抵押贷款条件，您可能还需通知贷款机构。若您拥有租赁公寓，请查看租约是否限制短租。最后，若您是租客，请务必告知房东并获得其同意后方可转租。
当地也可能存在关于短租的规定，请查阅市议会网站。例如，伦敦每年短租房屋不得超过90晚，苏格兰的短租房东则需申领许可证，这可能使一次性短租变得过于繁琐或昂贵。
最后，别忘了税务问题。英国税务海关总署（HMRC）将短租收入视为房产收入，但您每年可免税收入最高为1,000 英镑。爱彼迎等平台会自动向税务机关报告您的收入，但您仍需在纳税申报中如实申报。
房屋交换
寻找房屋交换是出租房屋赚钱的另一种方式：找到拥有你中意房产的房主，与其交换度假住所。
房屋交换为你提供免费的度假住宿，并让你了解其他地区的生活方式。此外，你还可能有机会入住一些非常独特的房产！
信任至关重要，因此最好使用HomeExchange、Guardian Home Exchange、Homelink或Home Base Holidays等成熟的交换平台。
你可能需要订阅，但一旦成为会员，挂牌你的房产就很容易，与潜在交换对象的沟通通常通过邮件和电话进行。
与短期出租一样，你需要安排钥匙交接，并通知保险公司、抵押贷款机构和邻居。房屋交换已流行4，十年，且乐趣无穷。
菲尔·斯宾塞是一位房产专家，也是Channel 4节目《地点，地点，地点》的联合主持人。他还是Move IQ的创始人
零售
Poundland母公司寻求出售
据报道，Poundland的母公司正在考虑出售这家折扣零售商，距离其在一年前完成收购仅一年多时间，该收购导致多达200家门店关闭。据天空新闻报道，戈登兄弟公司正与顾问商讨为Poundland启动拍卖流程，该公司雇佣员工12,000人。
经济
美国进出口价格下降
据美国劳工统计局数据，美国7月进出口价格下降，燃料成本下降拖累进口价格走低，非农业领域疲软也对出口造成压力。进口价格在6月下降0.3%后，7月再度下滑0.4%，为自2025年5月以来最急剧跌幅。
矿业
BHP盈利大幅增长
澳大利亚矿业公司BHP公布年度盈利大幅增长，铜成为其主要利润来源，首次超越铁矿石。营业收益增长48%，达到181.9亿加元（134.2亿英镑），相比之下铁矿石为145亿加元。集团核心收益增长37%，达到330亿加元。
零售
家得宝财报超预期
DIY零售商家得宝昨日公布第二季度财报，业绩超出华尔街预期，同时重申全年指引。家得宝表示，调整后每股收益为4.92加元（3.63英镑），高于分析师预期的4.73加元。
破产
个人自愿安排登记数激增
据英国破产服务局数据，7月登记的个人自愿安排（IVA）数量同比增长27%。英格兰和威尔士地区7月共登记7,442份IVA，较2025年7月增长27%。
数字化
高管离职致前景承压
Klarna昨日下调全年交易量预期，并宣布首席财务官和首席营销官即将离职。该支付集团表示两人将继续履职至交接完成。公司称此次人事变动为计划内安排，与任何分歧无关。
储蓄
储蓄债券中奖几率提升
储蓄债券持有人在9月抽奖中中奖几率将有所提升。国家储蓄与投资（NS&I）表示，中奖几率将从22,000:1缩短至21,000:1。储蓄债券由英国财政部100%担保，具有安全性。
科技
Kainos新财年开局强劲
IT服务提供商Kainos昨日表示，新财年开局强劲，并上调2027财年业绩指引。董事会预期营收和调整后税前利润将超出当前预期。此前公司已实现两位数营收增长。
市场
伦敦金融时报100指数昨日收涨7.7点，涨幅0.07%，报收10,728.0点。涨幅最大的为分析公司RELX，上涨70便士，涨幅2.5%，以及数据公司Experian，上涨76便士，涨幅2.8%。跌幅最大的为投资者Polar Capital Technology Trust，下跌20便士，至6.0便士，以及科技集团Halma，下跌132便士，至3.570便士。法国CAC 40指数收跌0.82%，德国DAX指数收跌0.8%。布伦特原油价格升至每桶91.7加元。
英镑对加元和欧元均走软，下跌0.16美分至1.35加元，下跌0.07美分至1.16欧元。
--。
我们这一代人将在50多岁时仍背负学生贷款
借款人将遭受损失，经济也将受到冲击——卡勒姆·梅森
如今，在50多岁时仍在偿还学生贷款相对罕见，但这种情况即将改变——这将给借款人及整个经济带来严重后果。
本周的数据显示，88,057名在1998年首次申请“收入关联”学生贷款的毕业生——如今已年近五十或刚过五十——仍有债务未还。
其中大多数人尚未开始还款——通常是因为他们工资极低，或根本没有工作，因此无需偿还。
但这种情况即将不复存在。实际上，自2012年英国英格兰地区学费翻三倍以来，大多数申请学生贷款的人可能要到50多岁才能还清贷款。
88,057
1998年首次申请“收入关联”贷款的毕业生中，有超过200 some债务未还。
这是因为，除了借款金额远超前辈，他们的贷款条款也被修改——还款期限从25年延长至30年，且累积的利息更高，通常远超通胀水平。
许多高收入者每月偿还数百英镑，但由于利息，贷款余额仍在增长。
这对个人及经济造成严重后果，其中许多影响在未来几十年才会显现。
首个负面影响是对消费的冲击。
如果这些人每月需偿还数百或数千英镑的贷款，显然会严重影响其可支配收入。
牛津经济研究院的一份报告早已显示，英格兰和威尔士地区2012年至2023年间入学的学生贷款（计划2贷款）正导致消费支出减少、商业投资减弱及风险规避加剧。
第二个影响是对养老金储蓄的抑制作用。
近年来，你若对国家福利支出激增并给公共财政带来巨大压力的报道毫不陌生。
国家养老金支出占其中£146.1bn的支出，而长期解决方案是鼓励更多私人储蓄。
但若要人们增加储蓄——从而减轻国家负担——我们需要他们在一生中拥有足够的可支配收入，让他们觉得可以提前支出更多现金。而人们在四五十岁时仍背负学生贷款，可能与这一计划背道而驰。
最后，上周Opinium的民调显示，十分之三的学生贷款借款人表示，因还款计划影响，他们拒绝了晋升、新工作或加薪机会。
我对这一数字是否真实持怀疑态度——毕竟这是自我报告的数据——但我相信这确实会对行为产生影响。
如果你是年收入超过50,270 英镑的高收入者，加上贷款偿还，你的边际税率将超过50%。随着更多毕业生达到高收入水平——许多人根本无望还清贷款——一些人可能会减少工作时间或限制工作，转而将精力投入育儿或陪伴家人。
这种经济影响不容小觑。若我们让许多最具生产力的工作者失去就业动力，并因此减少收入，这将严重影响国家税收和经济增长。
多年来，学生贷款一直被视为年轻一代的议题。如今，我们即将看到这一局面发生改变。
随着背负巨额贷款的人数增长，推动变革的政治压力将与日俱增。
i报
2026年12月
周五 18 从伦敦飞往荷兰阿姆斯特丹 抵达后转乘您的5★豪华河轮船"APT奥丝塔拉"，开启15晚全包式河流游轮之旅
周六 19 荷兰阿姆斯特丹
乘坐透明船身运河游船，穿梭于这座城市享有世界遗产称号的迷宫般运河，或参观当地奶酪店品尝区域特色奶酪
周日 20 德国安德纳赫
★尊享体验★：纳梅迪城堡 海德·冯·霍亨索伦公主盛情邀请APT客人造访她的家——纳梅迪城堡。出席鸡尾酒派对，钢琴家为现场助兴
周一 21 德国吕德斯海姆
可选择乘坐缆车、参观齐格弗里德机械音乐博物馆或游览历史酒窖
周二 22 德国米尔滕贝格
可选择参加导览步行团并在弗兰肯地区最古老的酒窖之一品尝利口酒，或参观当地修道院
周三 23 德国维尔茨堡
参观维尔茨堡主教府，或前往罗滕堡古城感受中世纪生活，或游触沃尔卡赫美因舌形葡萄种植区——弗兰肯最大的葡萄种植区
周四 24 德国班贝格
★平安夜★
今早探索老城区
周五 25 德国纽伦堡
★圣诞节★
在纽伦堡度过一个神奇的圣诞节。出发前往纽伦堡的中世纪历史之旅。您还将在船上享用传统圣诞大餐，配备全套传统美食
周六 26 德国雷根斯堡
★节礼日★
探索雷根斯堡的世界遗产级市中心。在雷根斯堡历史香肠厨房品尝——该餐厅据称是世界上最古老的现仍营业的餐厅之一
周日 27 德国帕绍——奥地利萨尔茨堡、林茨
★尊享体验★：盖斯山
山顶午餐与《音乐之声》表演 在盖斯山上，您将受到Jagdhornblaser的欢迎，进入萨尔茨堡景色怀抱的一家乡村传统餐厅。在品尝美味午餐前，先享用迎宾饮品，随后欣赏经典电影《音乐之声》的音乐表演
周一 28 奥地利梅尔克——德恩施泰因
参观壮观的梅尔克修道院
周二 29 奥地利维也纳（过夜）
★尊享体验★：维也纳城市宫殿 前往列支敦士登亲王家族位于维也纳市中心的城市宫殿，APT为您安排独家鸡尾酒派对与私人独奏音乐会
周三 30 奥地利维也纳
参观美泉宫内部。您还将有时间参观位于宫殿前游行广场的圣诞市场
周四 31 斯洛伐克布拉迪斯拉发
★除夕夜★
开启斯洛伐克首都布拉迪斯拉发导览之旅。今晚，随着除夕庆典热烈展开，以时尚方式告别2026年
2027年1月
周五 1 匈牙利布达佩斯（过夜）
★元旦★
可选择市区游览或步行前往渔人堡。今晚，在品尝当地白兰地、手工肉类和奶酪的同时，欣赏匈牙利民间音乐表演
周六 2 布达佩斯，匈牙利
下船并转乘前往伦敦的航班
2026年圣诞与新年多瑙河之旅
APT奥丝塔拉号全新5★全包式
独家优惠：最高可省50%
酒水、小费及Wi-Fi全包
观光游览全包
套餐包含内容
15晚全包式多瑙河豪华游轮之旅，搭乘5★ APT Ostara：
- 船上免费供应酒精类及非酒精类饮品
- 免费赠品（Gratisites）
- 观光、共享游览及船上娱乐项目
- 豪华餐饮——全程共计44顿餐食
- 享用多样船上饮品
- 所有观光游览、特色体验及船上娱乐项目
- 管家服务、客房送餐及精选套房的免费洗衣与抵达时的香槟
返程伦敦定期航班（可按需申请区域航班）及海外接送服务
另：于2026年8月31日20:00前预订，可获独家免费价值30英镑的约翰刘易斯礼品卡
可累计独家游轮里程（Cruise Miles®），可抵扣下次预订的数百英镑
您的独家ROL游轮套价
停泊套房 / 等级 / 房价（双人） / ROL游轮套价（双人）
双人舷窗房 / EE / 7,395 英镑 / 3,489 英镑 法式阳台套房 / P / 9,545 英镑 / 4,869 英镑 法式阳台套房 / A / 9,095 英镑 / 4,335 英镑
单人价格可按需提供
搭配会议
致电我司游轮专家
免费电话：0808 239 4320
报价参考编号：644756
营业时间：每周7天 上午8:30–20:00
价格与可预订性以2026年8月18日签署时为准。优惠适用于新预订。节省金额为两名成人共享的每人价格。价格可能上涨或随时取消。航班可能为间接航班。可能需支付航班差价。升级需额外付费，可能需额外过夜。以游轮公司条款为准。 每次预订限一张。仅限英国本土地址适用。活动或特色体验可能变更且可能不适合行动不便的客人。图片仅供参考。*Cruise Miles®条款适用。APT条款适用。代理至持有ATOL的APT（6791）。£&QE。
英国天气预报
总体形势：今日英国群岛上空受低压系统控制，大部分地区将出现间歇性降雨和阵雨。苏格兰和爱尔兰部分地区降雨较为强烈，随着白天的推移，可能出现暴雨和局部雷暴。其他地区阵雨较轻，偶有晴朗时段。风力较弱，主要为西风，午后风力增强。
伦敦、东南英格兰、东安格利亚、英吉利海峡地区：全天阴天，上午有降雨。午后天空仍以灰色为主，可能继续出现阵雨。入夜后天空大部多云。气温温和至温暖，微风拂面，西部地区风力较强且降雨较大。最高气温21℃。今夜转干，天空晴朗。最低气温11℃。
英格兰中部、西南英格兰、英格兰中部地区、南威尔士、北威尔士：今日天空阴沉潮湿，多云天气并有降雨阵雨风险，主要集中在上午。午后部分地区天空放晴，但大部仍以阴天为主，西部地区降雨持续。入夜后北部地区云量略减，但仍有小雨。最高气温22℃。今夜天空晴朗。最低气温13℃。
苏格兰东南部、英格兰东北部、英格兰东部：今日天空阴沉潮湿，多云天气并有持续降雨。上午北部地区出现阵雨，气温温和。东部地区降雨可能持续至午后，傍晚时减弱。风力较弱，西风为主。最高气温19℃。今夜大雨，有风。最低气温12℃。
英格兰西北部、苏格兰西南部、北爱尔兰、爱尔兰共和国、马恩岛：全天天空阴沉，气温较低。上午有降雨阵雨，西部地区降雨较强，局部可能出现雷暴。午后降雨持续，北部地区降雨减弱。入夜后气温略降，西风风力中等。最高气温17℃。今夜小雨，有风。最低气温11℃。
苏格兰西北部、苏格兰东北部、西部群岛、北部群岛：上午阵雨，天空阴沉，气温较低。随着白天的推移，大部地区以多云为主，西部偶有晴朗时段并出现局部雷暴。入夜后北部地区降雨持续，东北风劲吹。最高气温16℃。今夜小雨。最低气温11℃。
图例： 1024
等压线或气压（单位：毫巴）
暖锋
冷锋
铟囚锋
天气形势：东北苏格兰上空有一个低压系统，正在加深并向英国扩散影响。随着其向东移动，北部地区将持续降雨。与此同时，海峡群岛附近的高压脊减弱，不稳定天气向南扩散。
高温与低温（截至周一晚11点）
最暖：希思罗机场（大伦敦），29℃
最冷：阿尔塔纳拉二号站（苏格兰高地），1℃
最湿：廷斯（阿盖尔），18毫米
最晴：埃克塞特机场二号站（德文郡）
黑暗时长
Aberdeen / 20.14-05.45
Birmingham / 20.24-05.58 Bristol / 20.26-06.03 Cardiff / 20.26-06.05 Glasgow / 20.43-05.58 Hull / 20.21-05.48 Inverness / 20.49-05.50 Liverpool / 20.31-06.00 London / 20.15-05.54 Manchester / 20.28-05.57 Stornoway / 21.04-05.58 Swansea / 20.30-06.08 York / 20.25-05.51
五天展望
周四：英国大部继续受降雨影响，北部和西部地区尤为明显。南部和东部地区多云间晴。
周五：大部地区多云但较干燥，英国各地偶有晴朗时段。南部和西部地区仍有小阵雨，威尔士部分地区可能转为雷暴。
天气
周六 英国大部天气晴朗，云量较少，阳光明媚。北部地区多云，西南部有零星阵雨。
周日 南部地区天气晴朗，阳光充足；北部地区则阴云密布，偶有阳光。西南英格兰天气较为明亮。
周一 英国全境天气多变，时而阳光明媚，时而多云，大部地区干燥，气温温和至温暖，西南风轻柔。北部群岛天气晴朗。
赛马
约克期待纳夫斯米尔的狂欢
撰文：克里斯·菲利普斯
约克赛马场首席执行官威廉·德比对本周的埃博节充满期待，届时纳夫斯米尔赛道将成为“四天内全球赛马界的焦点”。
澳大利亚将与美国展开对决——周五的努恩斯罗普斯锦标赛中，卫冕冠军阿斯博拉（下图）将对阵巴奇欧；而日本种马萨托诺·里夫则将参与周六的约克市赛。
不过，节日将从贾德蒙特赛事拉开帷幕，该赛事拥有$1.5m奖金，成为约克有史以来奖金最高的赛事，并将上演一场引人注目的对决：多次夺得一级赛冠军的Ombudsman与法国德比冠军及日蚀大赛冠军Constitution River对垒。
德比表示：“这是一场令人难以置信的比赛，也是我们举办过的奖金最高的赛事。各大重头戏均是激烈的角逐。我们为‘约克橡树大赛’感到高兴，乔治国王大赛冠军卡尔帕纳将对阵明妮·鲍尔斯及爱尔兰橡树赛冠军比利·约翰娜·沃尔什，这将为女士日增添亮点。”
“接下来是Coolmore集团的努恩斯罗普斯锦标赛，澳大利亚卫冕冠军阿斯博拉将对阵皇家赛马会的美国热门巴奇欧，以及欧洲最佳短途马，这将是一场实力超群的Coolmore努恩斯罗普斯锦标赛。”
“最后是天空 Bet 约克市赛，本周唯一的新晋一级赛，日本种马萨托诺·里夫将参赛。因此，我们拥有了一支真正国际化的阵容和顶级赛马。”
橄榄球联赛已瞄准……却自废武功
约翰·戴维森担忧这项运动的未来
这项赛事已有72年历史，比英式橄榄球联盟和板球世界杯都要年长。
自1954年从简陋起步，由法国前抵抗运动战士保罗·巴里埃（Paul Barriere）主导，首届橄榄球联赛世界杯在四支球队参赛的巴黎决赛中，由英格兰（大不列颠）夺冠。
最新一届赛事距今仅数周，却仍未达成英国电视转播协议，且除东道主澳大利亚外，营销推广几近空白。这并非首次，橄榄球联赛已屡次瞄准机会却自废武功。
从简陋起步，橄榄球联赛世界杯历经数十载发展演变，尝试过多种赛制，现已每四年举办一次男子、女子及轮椅组比赛，且同期进行。
第17届世界杯将在澳大利亚、新西兰和巴布亚新几内亚举行，赛事将于10月15日在悉尼揭幕。
男子组比赛将有10支国家队参赛，女子组8支，轮椅组同样8支。比赛将在悉尼、纽卡斯尔、卧龙岗、珀斯、汤斯维尔、黄金海岸等地的体育场举行，同时在莫尔兹比港和克赖斯特彻奇进行，决赛则定为双赛日，男子组和女子组决赛将于11月15日在布里斯班同场进行。
世界杯本应是橄榄球联赛日历的巅峰，全球目光汇聚赛场之际，却在开赛前数月沦为无人问津的存在。
原因有几个：
至今仍未达成英国电视转播协议，而联合东道主澳大利亚将在男子组和女子组卫冕
其一：英格兰橄榄球联赛联合会（RFL）目前专注于与澳大利亚国家橄榄球联盟（NRL）就历史性合并进行关键谈判。RFL还在积极商谈新的国内电视转播协议，预计将与天空体育达成协议，其现有协议将于今年年底到期。
更雪上加霜的是，RFL与国际橄榄球联合会（IRL）围绕2022年英格兰世界杯的法律纠纷久拖不决。IRL声称RFL仍拖欠其40 万英镑未支付的举办费用，RFL对此予以否认。
与此同时，负责组织2026年世界杯的NRL也面临竞争性优先事项。其正在西澳大利亚和巴布亚新几内亚新建俱乐部，考虑在新西兰增设球队，并计划举办全球巡回赛，将NRL比赛带至英国、美国和日本。对一个资金充裕但人手不足的组织而言，这可能令其分身乏术。
最终，这场本应引发公众想象力、吸引媒体关注的赛事却无人问津。BBC在2022年世界杯（男子组、女子组及轮椅组）中直播了全部61场比赛，但《i报》获悉，这家公共广播机构对2026年版本兴趣有限，付费电视运营商精英体育（Premier Sports）或将在最终决定时接手转播权。
IRL官员向《i报》透露，英国转播商的公告“即将”发布，但时间显然已所剩无几。在缺乏转播商或专门公关推广的情况下，这项在第二大市场举办的世界杯几近销声匿迹。
RFL在公开推广赛事方面也乏善可陈，除了一则
of Brian McDermott 担任英格兰男子队新主教练是在4月，以及6月启动的39人表现计划。这位前利兹黄蜂队主帅在英格兰队10月17日对阵汤加的世界杯揭幕战前，将只有三堂训练课，没有任何热身赛。
今年7月初，世界杯组织方曾宣称已售出超过10万张门票，IRL官员私下也坚称销售“非常成功”。但2022年英国世界杯尽管现场观众总数达475,477，仍然亏损；今年的赛事若能达到这一上座规模已属不易。
为节省成本，本届世界杯从16队缩减至10队，遭到广泛批评。本届门票价格相对低廉，开幕战在悉尼的安联体育场最低仅需9.50加元。
然而，由于球迷注意力集中在NRL和超级联赛等俱乐部赛事，且缺乏广告或世界杯相关内容登上头条，赛事曝光度极低。就连澳大利亚第七频道近期播出的世界杯宣传广告——由《邻居》前主演丹尼尔·麦克弗森代言——也因使用了足球世界杯球迷庆祝画面而受到批评。
对于联盟橄榄球的忠实拥趸而言，这似曾相识。大多数人认可国际比赛的重要性，认可它在全球范围内培育增长、吸引新观众的潜力，但同样的错误却在一再重演。
除非英式橄榄球联赛世界杯得到主管机构的真正重视与投入，否则它终将在竞争日趋激烈的体育市场中被遗忘。
高尔夫
德尚博将重返DP世界巡回赛
布莱森·德尚博将在12月的内德班高尔夫挑战赛中重返DP世界巡回赛
这位两届美国公开赛冠军（上图）在该巡回赛上的最后一次非大满贯赛事出现在2022年7月的DP麦克马纳斯职业业余配对赛——也就是他转投LIV的一个月后。
在公共投资基金宣布年底将撤回支持后，沙特阿拉伯脱离主流巡回赛的未来仍不明朗。
该赛事的赛季收官团队锦标赛于周一正式取消，有报道称乔恩·拉姆将重返PGA巡回赛。
谜题答案
多米诺骨牌
旅程寻路器
轨迹绘制
数字方格
数独
Kakuro
Wijuko
二进制
ABC逻辑
Zygolex
从左到右： calm, mean, dull, gripe, lull, mean, lull, loaf, lean, poll, lend, pill, land, survey, trend
每日问答
- 2005
- 威尔特郡
- 雷诺 Dauphine
- 安迪·麦克纳布
单词阶梯
数独
拼图数独
数字六边形
周二密码字谜 4588
单词轮盘
九字母词：PORBEAGLE
其他单词：apogee, beep, bleep, elope, eloper, galop, gape, gaper, grape, grope, leap, leaper, leper, lepe, loper, opal, opera, operable, page, pager, pale, paler, pare, parole, parolee, peal, pear, pearl, peel, peer, pelage, pergola, plea, pleb, plebe, polar, pole, poler, pore, probe, prole, reap, repeal, repel, ropable, rope
无情杀手数独
扫雷
数字金字塔
计算数独
单词方阵
骑士巡游
路径寻找者
链接
不等式
六角字谜
单词拼图
细胞
战舰
桥梁
单词搜索
五字母密码纵横字谜
横向：3 A-Cro-b-at，5% 外套* 纵向：1 Co-Stu-me，2 Had-Ron，4 Ch.-oral
52
体育
行星足球
国家
摩连奴秘密亮相
在一场不对媒体和球迷开放的特殊仪式上，皇家马德里正式宣布任命何塞·摩连奴为主教练。
活动在马德里俱乐部总部举行，主席弗洛伦蒂诺·佩雷斯（上图右）欢迎了这位已在伯纳乌开始第二次执教生涯的主帅。
俱乐部仅通过皇马电视台、官网及社交媒体账号发布了亮相画面。
摩连奴在俱乐部发布的视频中向球迷传达：“我是你们中的一员。”
“而且不仅仅是今天，从2010年我来到这里，到2013年离开，我始终与你们同在……重回皇家马德里就是回家。”
皇马方面表示摩连奴已签约三个赛季，至2025年6月30日。
签约后，摩连奴收到了球场复制模型、一块手表和印有其姓名的球衣。
自7月10日球员回归季前训练起，他已开始与球员一同训练。
Musiala：癫痫发作是可治疗的
拜仁慕尼黑及德国队边锋贾马尔·穆西亚拉透露，他在4天内第二次在球场上倒地后，被诊断出患有“可治疗的失神性癫痫”。
这位23岁的球员（上图）在昨晚拜仁与海登海姆的友谊赛中替补登场仅8分钟后便倒地。此前，他在周六对阵RB莱比锡的友谊赛中也出现了类似情况。
他发布Instagram称：“我被诊断出患有短暂但可治疗的失神性癫痫，这是由神经功能障碍引起的。”
热刺
维卡里完成租借加盟尤文图斯
热刺门将古列尔莫·维卡里已完成租借加盟尤文图斯一整个赛季的转会。
这笔交易涉及23岁的意大利国脚，并包含明年夏天将转会永久化的选项。
维卡里（上图）自2023年从恩波利加盟热刺以来，在117次出场中完成29次零封，并帮助球队在2025年赢得欧联杯冠军。
在经历了2025-26赛季的困难表现后，他整个夏天都处于不确定状态，并提出离队返回祖国。
纽卡斯尔联
德迪奇与扎伊斯勒重聚
纽卡斯尔以约2550万英镑的价格从本菲卡签下波黑后卫阿马尔·德迪奇。
这位24岁的球员曾在世界杯上为国家队出场3次，并已签约5年，成为纽卡斯尔本夏第六位加盟的球员。
德迪奇将与主教练马蒂亚斯·扎伊斯勒重聚，后者曾在利弗林和萨尔茨堡执教期间带过他。这位后卫表示：“加盟纽卡斯尔联对我来说是一种特殊的感觉，也是巨大的荣誉。能再次与马蒂亚斯合作是我做出决定的重要因素。能再次为他效力，我感到非常开心。”
德迪奇职业生涯始于2015年在萨尔茨堡效力，并在2024-25赛季租借加盟马赛，于2025年夏天转会至本菲卡。
英超联赛
耐心、埃尔维斯与3000万英镑预算——解析桑德兰忙碌的夏天
马克·道格拉斯 北方足球记者
今年夏天的桑德兰与去年截然不同——去年球队通过一系列交易获得了快速提升，而今年则以耐心取代了那种兴奋感。
在2025年同期，桑德兰的引援数量已超过10人，他们通过季后赛升级重返英超，但说实话，这支球队并不适合英超水平。
而一年后，球队的目标已然改变。今夏，体育总监弗洛朗·吉索尔菲的任务是打磨雷吉斯·勒布里斯的年轻才俊阵容，目标是引入真正的实力提升。
据信，俱乐部预留了约8000万英镑的预算，计划签下3到4名球员。桑德兰本周已与图卢兹就长期左后卫目标达扬斯·梅塔利的转会费达成协议，金额为2550万英镑，但该交易因球员未通过初步体检而陷入僵局。尽管存在波折，梅塔利的漫长谈判也显示出桑德兰态度的转变。图卢兹原本希望要价超过3000万英镑，但黑猫坚持己见，并因这位法国U21后卫渴望加盟而即将锁定一名顶级年轻才俊。尽管罗马出价更高，他们仍从意甲球队手中抢下了这名球员。
这几百万英镑的差价至关重要。欧洲联赛资格赛对这家俱乐部而言是历史性时刻——该俱乐部上一次参加欧洲赛事还是53年前——但这也带来了新的考虑因素。
欧洲如何塑造桑德兰的转会业务
知情人士坚称，桑德兰目前尚未接近违反欧足联的支出规定（该规定将支出限制在收入的70%以内），但必须注意这一上限对其引援的影响，尤其是在俱乐部目标是定期获得欧洲比赛资格的情况下。
同样，对主场比赛阵容中必须注册的本土球员人数的规定可能会影响桑德兰在转会窗口后期的签约决策。
但主要的是，黑猫军团的运作遵循俱乐部新的内部格言——“持续改进”。
消息人士指出，格拉尼特·扎卡在5月那个阳光明媚的日子里发表的那场难忘演讲——当时在灯光球场狂热的观众面前确保了欧联杯资格——他承诺“这只是开始”。
“这些话并非空谈。一切都围绕着‘向前向上’的理念展开；俱乐部的重心是变得更大更好。”消息人士表示。挫败切尔西对扎卡的签约尝试传递了积极信号，但他们的雄心显得真实可信。将桑德兰推向世界舞台是目标，成功的欧洲赛事被视为实现这一目标的完美平台。
桑德兰瞄准的位置
基于此，本报了解到桑德兰有信心在未来两周内至少再引进两名球员——尽管在9月1日前，球员的进出名额可能会更多。
他们希望一名能在两翼活动的边锋成为下一个加盟的球员，俱乐部还希望引进一名前锋以支持布赖恩·博比和威尔逊·伊西多尔，后者尽管受到赫尔城、埃弗顿和西汉姆联的兴趣，但并未被列入出售名单。
他们已签下比利时后卫托马斯·默尼耶，但耐心是必要的，因为桑德兰正在寻找的球员——身价在2000万至4000万英镑之间——是今夏最难操作的市场。
NEW! 5-33
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● WEDNESDAY 19 AUGUST 2025
53
桑德兰即将签署“访问加纳”赞助协议
《i报》了解到，黑猫军团即将敲定俱乐部史上最具价值的赞助协议。
最终合同将于本周签署，赞助方“访问加纳”将成为球衣胸前新赞助商，协议金额预计约为每年1000万英镑。这一数字将使桑德兰跻身英超收入前半段行列。
与彪马的升级版球衣合作持续收获回报。
主客场球衣的销售创下新纪录，主场球衣首日销量较去年增长44%。
桑德兰与猫王猫王遗产的合作——灵感源自球队长期的比赛日主题曲《无法抗拒爱你》——推出了一款粉色客场球衣（左图为伊西多尔穿着），在美国市场销售尤其火爆。
俱乐部还斥资七位数用于基础设施升级。部分投资源于欧联杯比赛的需求——新球员通道、人工热身场地和LED显示屏——但其他投资意在向球员传递“高绩效文化”的微妙信号。
光之学院的地下空间已为一线队打造，专注于恢复和健康，同时学院和女队也拥有了全新的顶级健身房。
外界普遍认为这是桑德兰的重要机遇时刻，但平衡欧洲赛事与国内联赛将是一大挑战。
许多外界预测他们将举步维艰，但对于一个在过去几年里乐于证明批评者言过其实的俱乐部而言，你大可怀疑桑德兰会选择另一条路。
凯尔特人
奥尼尔：恩格尔斯的离开令人失望但可以理解
作者：罗尼·埃斯普林
马丁·奥尼尔承认，在凯尔特人即将对阵LASK的欧冠资格赛首回合比赛前，阿恩·恩格尔斯的离队令人失望。
据报道，西汉姆联以2200 万英镑m的EFL转会纪录签下了这位22岁的比利时中场，此前凯尔特人在周六于坦纳迪斯以4-0击败邓迪联，赢得了Premier Sports杯。
在周三晚间凯尔特人公园球场对阵奥地利冠军的首回合比赛前，资深主帅奥尼尔承认，在开赛前“相当大的可能性”是不会有新援加盟的。
他说道：“我认为阿恩想要离开，他不想在可能受伤的情况下参加比赛。
“我上周再次表示，这是可以理解的，这是他想要做出的决定。
“不过对于俱乐部来说，确实很失望，因为此时此刻，他很难被替代。他为球队带来的那种跑动能力，哪怕只是这两场比赛，也是无可替代的，这真让人失望。
“事实就是如此，我们也无能为力。”
凯尔特人在上赛季因在哈萨克斯坦客场点球不敌Kairat Almaty而未能进入欧冠联赛分组赛阶段。
在前主帅布伦丹·罗杰斯带领下，苏格兰冠军在点球大战中负于哈萨克斯坦，损失约2000 万英镑m，并加剧了场外紧张局势，险些破坏整个赛季。
然而，奥尼尔在本赛季第二次担任看守主帅期间，最终率领凯尔特人夺得了苏超和苏格兰杯双冠。奥尼尔在今年6月第二次成为正式主帅后表示：“实际上，我观看了其中一场比赛，我在第二回合时还做了一些电视转播工作。当然，未能晋级欧冠本身就是一个巨大的失望。
“但基于前一年（在32强阶段惜败拜仁慕尼黑）的情况，未能晋级更是加倍的失望。不过，总体而言，仍在这里的球员们或许还记得那段经历，他们或许认为自己这次有所期待，但归根结底，我们还是要在比赛中争取结果，努力晋级。”
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马丁·奥尼尔的凯尔特人队将对阵LASK争夺欧冠资格
奥尼尔对凯尔特人本赛季开局感到满意
作者：罗尼·埃斯普林
凯尔特人主帅马丁·奥尼尔对球队本赛季的开局感到满意，球队在前三场比赛中攻入10球，取得三连胜。
新前锋卡斯珀·霍和卡米洛·杜兰迅速融入球队——前者在苏超对阵基尔马诺克的比赛中上演帽子戏法，成为球迷的新宠，而埃及边锋海森·哈桑和德国中场米卡·鲍尔则在周六晚间对阵邓迪联的Premier Sports杯4-0大胜中替补登场完成首秀。
北爱尔兰人表示：“我喜欢我们签下的这些球员。
“我上周末曾说，理想情况下，比如哈桑能多踢些比赛就更好了。
“但这就是足球的本质。我们现在已经拥有他了，接下来一个赛季，更多要看球员们的表现。
“我认为我们引进的球员将会结出硬果。”
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前锋卡斯珀·霍在凯尔特人公园球场已成为球迷的新宠
德利赫特与塞斯科即将伤愈复出
曼联的本杰明·塞斯科和马泰斯·德利赫特在昨天的公开训练课中亮相，两人即将伤愈复出。
斯洛文尼亚前锋塞斯科自5月初英超对阵利物浦的比赛中小腿受伤后，已错过曼联整个季前赛。这位23岁的球员有望在周六英超揭幕战对阵赫尔城的比赛中进入大名单，俱乐部表示他“希望很快就能入选”。
与此同时，荷兰后卫德利赫特因背部问题于2026年年初接受手术，至今未参加任何正式比赛，但当日也在卡灵顿训练基地进行恢复训练，逐步回归。
不过，伤病缠身的中场球员梅森·芒特在错过训练课后，极有可能无法出战赫尔城之战。
曼联主帅迈克尔·卡里克此前曾表示，芒特在上两场热身赛中因伤缺阵“令人担忧”，他在对阵巴黎圣日耳曼时受伤。
此外，曼联将肯定缺少中场曼努埃尔·乌加特，他在世界杯代表乌拉圭出战时膝盖韧带受伤。
埃弗顿
金尼尔：我们会等待合适的右后卫
埃弗顿首席执行官安格斯·金尼尔坚称，俱乐部将坚持等待首选右后卫人选，即使这意味着周六在主场对阵水晶宫的英超揭幕战中，球队将缺少一名专职的右后卫。
埃弗顿一直在寻找长期替代塞缪斯·科尔曼的人选。富勒姆的蒂莫西·卡斯塔涅和水晶宫的丹尼尔·穆尼奥斯曾被联系，但因价格和适配性问题，埃弗顿尚未采取行动。
“我们将在对阵水晶宫的比赛中缺少右后卫，但重要的是，在转会窗口关闭时，我们能拥有想要的首选右后卫。”金尼尔说。
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体育
板球
鲁特力图止跌，但“新时代”却似曾相识
克里斯·斯托克斯 《读者文摘》板球记者
在英格兰板球队这个充斥着混乱、动荡与糟糕战绩的夏天里，乔·鲁特的队长身份至少是一个令人安心的因素，这至少表明情况只会越来越好。
35岁的鲁特在对阵巴基斯坦的首场测试赛前夕，在主场利兹举行的新闻发布会上表示，这是一场“独特”的系列赛，但他强调这确实是一个新时代，尽管一切看起来仍乏善可陈。
当然，鲁特是第二次出任队长，四年前他结束首次任期时，英格兰在最后17场测试赛中仅赢下1场。
今年6月，在他的临时带队下，英格兰在对阵新西兰的第二场测试赛中落败——那场比赛正是他前任本·斯托克斯在伦敦德里酒店闹事后被禁赛的比赛。
在确定改变的方面，鲁特至少废除了去年冬天在澳大利亚遭遇羞辱性Ashes系列赛后引入的有争议宵禁制度。
“说到底，我们必须自律，”鲁特说，“不能再让自己陷入过去那17场的境地。要像成年人一样处理问题。”
鲁特表示，与上次全职担任队长时相比，他现在是一个“完全不同的人和球员”
首场测试赛详情
可能参赛阵容
英格兰：BM·达基特、EN·盖伊、JM·考克斯、JE·鲁特（队长）、HC·布鲁克、DW·劳伦斯、JL·史密斯（担任司职守门员）、AAP·阿特金森、OE·罗斯南、JC·阿彻、JC·汤格
巴基斯坦：A·阿瓦伊斯、伊马姆-乌尔-哈克、S·马哈茂德、S·沙基尔、S·阿加（队长）、M·里兹万（担任司职守门员）、A·贾马尔、A·扎法尔、K·沙赫扎德、M·阿巴斯、M·阿里
裁判：C·加法尼（新西兰）、A·帕莱卡尔（南非）、电视裁判P·赖费尔（澳大利亚）
天气：20摄氏度，有雨。
2022年初，在西印度群岛的系列赛失利让他尝到了败果。"现在我看待比赛的方式完全不同了，"他说道。
这段"新时代"让人感到如此怪异的原因在于，尽管布伦登·麦卡勒姆在6月被解雇了英格兰主教练一职，但他的继任者史蒂芬·弗莱明要到12月开始的南非之行才会亲自执掌球队。
一切都显得非常奇怪。英格兰及威尔士板球委员会向《The i Paper》证实，史蒂芬·弗莱明目前正在新西兰与家人一起在家中，但他们也坦承，他们不确定他在下个月到英国与新雇主见面前是否有计划安排假期。
在这三场对阵巴基斯坦的测试赛中，马库斯·特雷斯科特将担任临时教练。但更奇怪的是，
看起来史蒂芬·弗莱明将从远方遥控指挥。鲁特承认他几乎每天都在与新教练交流，并且他们现在在如何带领球队前进的问题上"保持一致"。
"能够了解他并理解他的工作方式、他的思路，这很好，"鲁特说。"他能够全面掌控局面并保持持续沟通，我们能够开始建立并打造出真正强大的东西，在接下来的这段时间里。"
这不禁让人质疑：如果史蒂芬·弗莱明与鲁特如此频繁地交流，为何他还未到场？这确实将远程办公推向了极致。当然，这种概念在疫情期间变得普遍。而这，正是在鲁特首次担任队长期间真正拖累他的一件事。
这位166场测试赛的老将已告诉球队忘记过去的失利，不要过分关注未来。明年夏天的英澳对抗赛可以暂时搁置。英格兰需要一场胜利。因此，鲁特表示球队不会确定某种固定的打法——"测试板球的打法又何止一种，"他说道。
他还将在场上采取不同的位置，从一垒手移动到中外场——斯托克斯作为队长时曾在此位置指挥。
"也许我不如本那样灵活多变，但我们走着瞧，"他说道。"我们应该对前方的一切感到兴奋。"
但斯托克斯仍然是压倒一切的因素。鲁特为他的朋友留出了参加明年夏天英澳对抗赛的可能性。
目前，唯一重要的事情就是获胜。
英格兰重返板球正赛对阵巴基斯坦：一场大系列赛的重大疑问
克里斯·斯托克斯撰文
自英格兰上次在6月下旬进行板球测试赛以来，很多事情都发生了变化——乔·鲁特已重返队长职位，而斯蒂芬·弗莱明则接替了同胞布伦登·麦卡勒姆，成为新任主教练。
但随着这场为期三场的系列赛在距离下一届Ashes（板球对抗赛）10个月前开战，英格兰有大量目标要争取。弗莱明（右图）暂时缺席，由马库斯·特雷斯科西克代理，直到新任主帅在12月南非之行中接手。而弗莱明届时势必希望这些问题能得到解答。
埃米利奥·盖是否真的足够优秀，能成为英格兰的长期开局手？
这位26岁的新人在对阵新西兰的首秀系列赛中表现平平，6局中仅斩获两个半百。有实力闪光，但技术漏洞也暴露无遗——最突出的是他前脚过于靠近中柱侧，导致身体失衡，并开始挥击超出其视线范围的球。值得注意的还有，他在对阵新西兰的6次出局中，有5次被判“捕杀”。不过，他的心理素质确实经受住了考验。他似乎已克服肩伤是积极信号，但他在上周代表郡联队对阵巴基斯坦的比赛中“一轮未得”则不太乐观。
这是一场对他来说至关重要的系列赛——他自2017年初至2022年初在英格兰队效力五年期间担任的角色而言，是一场关键系列赛——斯托克斯在2022年6月对阵新西兰的系列赛末期宣布退出英格兰队。
英格兰以2-1不敌对手，将近两年来未能赢得测试赛系列赛，上一次胜利还要追溯到2024年12月在新西兰进行的比赛。鲁特也坦承，失去斯托克斯的感觉“很奇怪”：“这是一个巨大的空缺，而他在过去15年里几乎场场不缺席。显然，情况已经不同了，但我们作为一个完整团队仅共同训练了一天半。我认为最重要的是，我们不要过于纠结于过去六个月，也不要过于沉迷于未来六个月。我们有一个独特的系列赛，必须全情投入，理解巴基斯坦带来的挑战，并找到发挥自身最佳水平的方法。”
布伦登·麦卡勒姆上月被解雇，但其继任者——同为新西兰人的斯蒂芬·弗莱明——要到本系列赛结束后才会上任。不过，鲁特透露：“我几乎每天都与他保持密切联系。能够逐渐了解他、理解他的思路和工作方式，这非常好。接下来的三场比赛会截然不同，但他对情况了如指掌，我们能够开始打造并发展一些真正强大的东西。”
英格兰在过去9场测试赛中输掉了7场，但面对的对手巴基斯坦目前在世界测试锦标赛中排名第8，且在过去18场比赛中输掉了13场——这样的对手对他们而言再合适不过。
鲁特无意“推翻”Bazball（英式板球进攻战术）的蓝图，但相信自己的经验能帮助球队重回正轨。
“关键在于保留我们一段时间以来一直在做的很多优秀工作——这些正是本和巴兹（布伦登·麦卡勒姆绰号）长期以来构建的东西。”
--。
哈里·布鲁克能否在队长职位落选后稳住阵脚？
布鲁克仍是英格兰白球队的队长，并在测试赛中担任副队长，尽管未能接替斯托克斯出任测试赛队长一职。
在任命宣布前，他曾表示担任测试赛队长将是一种“荣誉”。而本周在接受BBC体育采访时，他表示：“任命鲁特担任队长是正确的决定。我其实真的很期待看到他能做到什么。我非常期待能与他并肩作战。”
英格兰希望布鲁克能在同胞队友的带领下茁壮成长，而最好的起点莫过于海丁利球场。但过去一年他未能取得测试赛百年华，且在澳大利亚的ashes系列赛中平均得分仅略低于40分，布鲁克需要更进一步。
斯托克斯在上一场ashes系列赛后对他说，他有能力将平均得分提升至70分——而目前他在38场测试赛后的平均得分为53分。这仍
令人瞩目，但这也说明外界对他寄予厚望。英格兰——以及鲁特——迫切需要这位27岁的球员提升表现。
丹·劳伦斯真能成为斯托克斯的长期接班人吗？
很可能不是。你见过这位萨里郡击球手用他的右手斜线球吗？
毫无疑问，劳伦斯在这次系列赛中能够贡献大量跑分。但全能型选手呢？
并非如此。这也是为何国家队选拔人克里斯·诺斯表示，萨姆·卡兰是英格兰认为能填补“斯托克斯空缺”的人选——他们希望在系列赛的第三场比赛中，这位29岁的全能选手证明自己的状态。
这让劳伦斯处于尴尬境地，但他仍有机会证明自己，尤其是在不久之后的ashes系列赛中，他需要用大量得分来巩固地位。
英格兰如何在ashes系列赛前管理乔弗拉·阿彻？
有一点你不能批评英格兰的是，在阿彻时隔四年半重返测试赛后，英格兰对这位关键快速投球手的管理。这确实预示着罗特在担任队长后首次执教时的表现——包括在2019年末对阵新西兰的汉密尔顿测试赛中，首局让阿彻投了42轮，许多人怀疑这导致了他长期的右肘伤病，使他缺席了很长时间。
英格兰现在真的必须好好照顾这位31岁的球员，包括不让他在本次系列赛的每一场测试赛中出场，并在今年夏天结束的斯里兰卡白球赛中让他得到休息。
确保他能在今年冬天对阵南非时保持状态，并在明年夏天对阵澳大利亚时回归。同时祈祷好运，因为一个健康且状态上佳的阿彻能够改变一切。
奥利·罗宾逊最终能证明自己是攻击线的可行领军人物吗？
当然。他只需要证明自己能保持健康并在对阵巴基斯坦的三场测试赛中全部出场即可。上个月在接受《i报》独家专访时，罗宾逊透露，在新西兰系列赛中因膝部伤势休战一个月后，他远离聚光灯专注于体能恢复。
正如他在该系列赛首场测试赛（在伦敦的罗德板球场）的最佳球员表现所证明的那样，罗宾逊在状态出色时，能与世界上任何击球手相抗衡。
巴巴尔因手部伤势缺席系列赛首战
作者：罗里·多拉德
巴基斯坦队长巴巴尔·阿扎姆（Babar Azam）已被确认无法出战今日对阵英格兰的系列赛首场测试赛，沙尔曼·阿里·阿加将在海丁利接任队长一职。
本月早些时候，巴巴尔在面对西印度群岛时右手被击中，上周在贝肯汉姆与英格兰U-19快速投手曼尼·拉姆斯登的巡回赛中又受到另一次打击。他随即因伤退场，被形容为“预防性措施”。
客队本希望给他足够时间恢复，但尽管他已被确认无骨折，却仍未获准在约克郡带领球队出战
尽管他完成了一次短暂的网络训练。
“巴巴尔·阿扎姆无法出战，沙尔曼将担任首场测试赛队长，”主教练萨尔法拉兹·艾哈迈德表示，“手指没有骨折，只是有点肿胀。希望他能赶上第二场测试赛。”
巴巴尔的缺席不仅令巴基斯坦失去了场上的领袖，也失去了最具天赋的击球手之一——他拥有9次测试赛百次得分，平均得分为43.68。萨德·沙基尔有望进入首发阵容。尽管2024年在主场对阵英格兰的两场测试赛中巴巴尔缺阵时巴基斯坦仍获胜，但利兹的场地可能带来截然不同的挑战。
澳大利亚
伦肖顶替韦瑟拉德出战第二场测试赛
作者：伊恩·兰森
开局击球手杰克·韦瑟拉德（Jake Weatherald）因近期持续低迷表现被澳大利亚队剔除出第二场对阵孟加拉国的测试赛阵容，由左手击球手马特·伦肖（Matt Renshaw）顶替。
澳大利亚13人阵容无其他变动。
韦瑟拉德在达尔文对阵孟加拉国的惊人九局失利中以23和0分出局，六场测试赛的平均得分降至20.36，追溯至他在阿什斯首秀之时。
昆士兰州的伦肖上一次参加测试赛是在三年前对阵印度的德里之战，但凭借本赛季国内联赛的强势表现重振职业生涯，他在六场谢菲尔德盾比赛中斩获499分，平均得分达49.90。
尽管韦瑟拉德落选，但三号击球手马努斯·拉布什内（Marnus Labuschagne）的位置看似稳固，他在达尔文仅得32分，面临不少审视。
主教练兼选拔官安德鲁·麦克唐纳（Andrew McDonald）周一表示，拉布什内需要“大分”来巩固他在测试赛体系中的位置。
澳大利亚将力争在周六于昆士兰州麦凯举行的比赛中扳平与孟加拉国的两场测试赛系列赛。
沃纳因醉驾被判有罪并处罚款
前澳大利亚击球手戴维·沃纳（David Warner）因醉驾被悉尼法院判处罾车送家人回悉尼东部郊区社交活动地点时，被查出呼吸测试不合格。这名39岁的球员（右图）的血液酒精浓度超过法定上限两倍以上。
韦弗利地方法院获悉，沃纳在看到路边呼吸测试站后停车，并试图与一名女性乘客交换座位。
“我承认沃纳先生不太可能再次犯罪，”法官克莱尔·法南表示，“[但]遗憾的是，
醉驾仍是新南威尔士州多起车祸的重要因素。”此次违法因车内有儿童而加重处罚。
沃纳曾为澳大利亚出战112场测试赛和超过250场有限赛过国际赛，现需在车内安装酒精锁装置，若检测到酒精将无法启动。他离开法庭时未对大批媒体置评。沃纳是大联盟球队悉尼闪电队的队长，该队隶属于新南威尔士州政府旨在遏制醉驾的宣传活动。
新南威尔士板球协会未就沃纳的现状发表评论。
£1.10
Wednesday 19 August 2026
No. 4,911
theipaper.com
INTERVIEW
I'm proud of my career as the sassy gay friend
Andrew Rannells
MONEY
State pension set to climb by £1,000 for couples in April 2027
P42
THE i PAPER
IMPARTIAL NEWS + INTELLIGENT DEBATE
IN DEPTH
UK expects Russia to escalate hybrid war on British soil
» Cyber, shipping and journalism all among targets, experts warn
P10
SOCIETY
The summer that changed Britain
- The 8 heatwave tribes - which one are you?
P21, P34
BEST
Rise of the LinkedIn parents
I apply for jobs for my 28-year-old daughter
P23
No rough sleeper
still on streets by the end of 2026, pledges Rayner
- Every homeless person across England will be offered a bed by Christmas, the Housing Secretary announces
- Questions remain over how the £442m pandemic-inspired pledge will be delivered, with 5,000 people on the streets
- 'We see the challenges that face our town centres, and we don't want that in our modern society,' Rayner tells The i Paper
- Councils and regional mayors will now be expected to find new accommodation for people - hotels, hostels and empty homes - but some may resist working towards this goal
- The Christmas pledge will be a major test of Andy Burnham's drive to end rough sleeping declared on his first day as PM
P7
PROPERTY
Phil Spencer
How your home can pay for your next holiday
EXCLUSIVE
Fly-tipping will be treated like organised crime
P8
SCIENCE
Darwin's theory of ticklishness Naturalist's 150-year-old verdict endorsed
P13
TRAVEL - FRANCE'S BEST-KEPT HOLIDAY SECRET
P36
+
L
ROOT LEADS ENGLISH CRICKET INTO NEW ERA
P56
PUZZLES
P27
WEDNESDAY
19
AUGUST
Quote of the day
My toughest fight was with my first wife MUHAMMAD ALI
Birthdays
Jim Carter, actor, 78; Bill Clinton, former US president, 80; Jill St John, actress, 86; Jack Canfield, author, 82; Simon Bird, comedy actor, 42; Christina Perri, singer- songwriter, 40; Baroness Scotland of Asthal (below), barrister, 71
Anniversaries
Wednesday 19 August 1812 The warship USS
Constitution defeats the British frigate HMS Guerriere off Nova Scotia during the War of 1812. American cannon fire badly damaged the British vessel, which surrendered. Constitutions' resilient wooden hull inspired the nickname "Old Ironsides"
index
| Crossword | 25 |
|---|---|
| TV & Radio | 26 |
| Puzzles | 27 |
| Culture | 38 |
| Money | 42 |
| Weather | 49 |
The News Matrix
The day at a glance
This 'tox head' bought for £50 has turned out to be worth £60,000. Why? See p.57
CRIME
Manslaughter charge follows dog attack
A 55-year-old man has been charged with manslaughter over the death of a man who was bitten by a dog on a footpath. West Yorkshire Police officers were called to reports of an altercation in the Calder Grove area of Wakefield on Saturday afternoon. The force said a 55-year-old man was bitten and later died in hospital.
TRANSPORT
Union wants public to own all new trains
The train drivers' union has called on the Government to commit to public ownership of all new trains and carriages. Aslef said evidence showed that this will provide value for money for the taxpayer. Trains are leased at "vast expense" from private rolling stock companies, Aslef said.
HUNGARY
Bus driver in fatal crash still detained
A Hungarian court yesterday ordered the continued detention of a Polish bus driver suspected of falling asleep at the wheel, resulting in a crash that killed 12 people and injured dozens in eastern Hungary early on Sunday. A Polish bus carrying 57 pilgrims ran into a ditch and tipped over at around 1am.
CULTURE
Fringe festival seeks annual cash boost
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is being put in "jeopardy", its organisers have claimed as they hit out at council leaders over funding. Tony Lankester, of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, claimed the funding shows the city is not "serious about being a cultural capital".
He added that the world's largest arts festival has an annual return worth "around £500bn" to the city, but Edinburgh Council this year provided organisers with £75,000. Festival bosses want an annual grant of £12m from the local authority, saying this could come from cash raised by its new visitor levy.
SYRIA
Assad's cousin is sentenced to death
Wassim al-Assad, a cousin of ousted Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad, was sentenced to death yesterday after being convicted of crimes during the country's near 14-year war. The Fourth Criminal Court in Damascus found Assad guilty of crimes that included premeditated murder and torture.
The List
Childhood memories are made of this
Many of us remember family holidays from childhood - but treasured memories can also come from far more everyday events. Samsung found that watching films, sharing a meal and going on a car journey can be memorable too. Britons' top 10 fond childhood memories were:
- Family holidays - 43%
- Watching films or TV together with family - 32%
- Family meals - 26%
- Birthdays and celebrations - 19%
- School memories - 18%
- Car journeys - 16%
- Playing board games or card games together - 14%
- Playing in the garden - 13%
- Bedtime routines - 12%
- Going to the park - 8%
POLICE
Man found dead at Charlton FC ground
Charlton football club say they are helping with police enquiries after a man was found dead at their Valley stadium. Officers were called to the Championship club's ground in south London following an incident that occurred in the early hours of yesterday morning, with a male pronounced dead at the scene.
MUSIC
Madonna leads way at MTV Video awards
Madonna is the top contender at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) with 11 nominations, followed by Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter. The "Vogue" singer, 68, has earned 19 MTV VMA wins throughout her lengthy career, which has also won her seven Grammy Awards.
AFGHANISTAN
UN calls attack near a school 'heinous'
A hand grenade attack near a school in the Afghan capital Kabul has wounded multiple children, authorities said. Richard Bennett, the United Nations' special rapporteur for Afghanistan, yesterday condemned "the heinous attack harming numerous children near a school" which occurred on Monday afternoon.
CRIME
'Stop sex offenders changing names'
Registered sex offenders should be automatically stopped from changing their name to hide their criminal past, a safeguarding organisation has said.
A change of identity can allow offenders to gain the trust of unsuspecting families, The Safeguarding Alliance said.
It comes after sex offender Jason Brown repeatedly changed his name to conceal his criminal past.
Emily Konstantas, of The Safeguarding Alliance, said the case demonstrates "in the clearest possible terms" why the public cannot depend on offenders being "honest about identities they use".
ThePage3Profile
SAM WILMOT, HE LOVES WARMING THE BENCH
The perfect pew!
A man who ranks benches around the world has found his first 50 out of 10 on his wedding day. Sam Wilmot, from Yale near Bristol, has tested and rated more than 300 benches over seven
CANADA
No separatist vote until Trump is gone
The leader of Quebec's separatist party said he would delay any referendum on independence from Canada until Donald Trump is no longer US President.
Parti Québécois leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, whose party is out of power but could win Quebec's next election that must be held by 5 October, said a government of his would still hold a referendum during its first term - but not before 20 January 2029, when Trump's term ends.
He said: "It must not be hijacked by the upheavals of American politics, nor by the outbursts of an unpredictable president."
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NEWSP 5-33
OPINION 18-22
TV 25-31
LIFE 34-37
CULTURE 38-41
MOVIET 42-45
SPORT 50-56
• WEDNESDAY 13 AUGUST 2025
3
years on his Instagram account Rate This Bench.
But it wasn't until Wilmot visited St John The Baptist Church in Old Sodbury with his new bride Sophie that the search for perfection ended.
"It was one of those feelings that is going to be very difficult to top. We struck gold with each other – and with the benches," Wilmot said.
Any excuse...
The idea first began in 2019 as a joke when Wilmot was out on a
walk with university friends in Swansea.
While most he reviews are "opportunistic," Wilmot will happily drive two hours to bag a bench, having featured locations in London, Scotland and Dubai.
Up next on the wish list is a bench near Lake Bled in Slovenia.
Sophie, a photographer, now takes Wilmot's pictures – but his deadpan expression has remained the same.
What's the benchmark?
He gives marks for location,
material used and arm rests, with the final mark given for the "wow factor" – which pushed the bench to a 10 on the "incredible day" of his wedding.
Wilmot says he has no intention to stop. "Sophie's always been a firm believer in it.
"It's an excuse to get outdoors and visit somewhere new. It's always sort of gone down really well on a Sunday to say, 'We've not got much on. Should we go pick up a bench somewhere and have a coffee?'"
Benedict Gardner
FILM
'Odyssey' is greatest hit at BFI Imax
Sir Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey has become the biggest ever hit at the BFI Imax after generating more than £2.6m in ticket sales. The film is an adaptation of Homer's ancient Greek epic and follows Matt Damon as Odysseus, the Greek king of Ithaca, on his 10-year journey home after the Trojan War.
WALES
Green Man festival cancels fire show
The Green Man festival in Powys has cancelled one of its traditions this weekend because of the risk of fire in drought conditions. The festival, which begins tomorrow in Crickhowell, said it will now not burn the large Green Man figure which is set on fire during the event's closing ceremony each year.
PEOPLE
Prolific actress Law dies at the age of 94
The actress Phyllida Law, the mother of Dame Emma Thompson and Sophie Thompson, has died aged 94. Law appeared on screen with her daughters several times, including the 1996 adaptation of Jane Austen's Emma. She also appeared in TV shows Midsomer Murders and Monarch of the Glen.
SCOTLAND
Glasgow's Gotham restyle for 'Batman'
Bus timetables in Glasgow were being changed to listings for services in Gotham City and New York-style awnings were being put up on the front of buildings yesterday as the city is transformed for the filming of The Batman: Part II. Gotham Police Swat vehicles were also on the streets ahead of the first shoot.
Letter from the Policy Editor
Jane Merrick
cptwip@wroom
No escape for PM
In the month since he became Prime Minister, Andy Burnham has made clear he wants to focus on the domestic issues that affect Britons' everyday lives – such as the cost of living, public transport and housing.
By implication, he believes his predecessor Sir Keir Starmer spent too much time on the world stage grappling with the wars in Iran and Ukraine, the threat from Russia and Britain's relationship with Donald Trump.
Yet even in the ordinary surroundings of Wolverhampton bus station yesterday, Burnham was served a reminder that it is impossible to escape urgent foreign policy questions when you are Prime Minister.
He was asked about the threats from Moscow in response to the news that drones built by two UK companies were used in attacks on military and industrial targets deep inside Russia.
The Russian embassy accused Britain of escalating the Ukraine conflict and that the deeper the country's involvement became, "the higher the price it will pay."
Burnham insisted that, just like his four immediate predecessors, he will continue to "support Ukraine 100 per cent."
The UK was not "fair weather friends" to Kyiv, the Prime Minister added.
Every new leader pledges to do things differently and Burnham is not the first to try to drag the attention of government away from the international arena to try to answer the concerns of voters about the cost of a bus fare or their electricity bills.
Yet, as Starmer discovered, it is impossible to avoid the issues of war and national security.
No matter how much Burnham wants to talk about buses, he may be forced to be a reluctant player on the world stage.
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NEWS
WEDF 2:33
OPINION 18:32
TV 23:31
LIFE 34:37
GIRTH/RE 38:41
MONDAY 42:45
SPORT 50:56
WEDNESDAY 13 AUGUST 2026
5
GARDENING
Best supporting role from a waterlily could land Kew Gardens a world title
By Benedict Gardner
Most lily lovers are happy if their leaves can support a frog. At Kew they have rather more ambitious ideas.
Botanists and gardeners are in a battle to prove that they can grow the strongest lilypads, with gardens and zoos going head-to-head at the annual International Waterlily Weigh-Off.
And at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew – better known simply as Kew Gardens – there are hopes of waterlily glory after gardener Martin Silneves stepped on a pad and remained dry and afloat. All in all, including waders, clothes and plastic base, the lily held up 102kg.
For a brief but glorious moment, the lily pad supported two Kew gardeners when Aidan Pike joined Silneves, but the leaf quickly buckled and began sinking.
Shortly before grown men stood on a lilypad, a victoria boliviana lily had been loaded with 81kg of tinned baked beans before it gave way.
Victoria boliviana is the largest of the three known victoriana species of giant waterlilies, holding three Guinness World Records titles for its size.
The largest recorded leaf was 3.2 metres across at La Rinconada Gardens in Bolivia.
Its leaves are incredibly buoyant due to large air-filled channels in the veins of the leaf which keep it floating on the surface of water and oxygenate its roots.
They are ringed by defensive spikes that help protect them from fish, birds and other potential predators – although the gardeners were not dissuaded.
Kew's entry this year is a huge step forward from its 2025 attempt, when 76.5 kg of barbells, bricks and metal weights were loaded up.
Last year's contest was won by Bok Tower Gardens in Florida with 80kg. There were 48 entrants entered from countries includ-
Martin Silneves stands on a water lily (above); and was then joined by colleague Aidan Pike SEBASTIAN KETTLEY/RBG KEW
ing Spain, Norway and Australia. Past submissions have involved gardeners loading up their leaves with objects ranging from buckets of coins and gym equipment to alcoholic drinks.
Silneves said: 'Stepping on to the waterlily pad felt so surreal and was, indeed, a real leap of faith. It's all very counterintuitive to think a delicate waterlily could support a weight over 100kg, and yet, it did.'
He added that the experience made him 'appreciate the ingenuity, resilience and beauty of nature even more'.
The Waterlily Weigh-Off is organised by Denver Botanic Gardens in Colorado and the results of this year's competition will be announced next week.
Victoria boliviana is one of three giant waterlily species on display in Kew's Princess of Wales Conservatory, alongside the Santa Cruz waterlily (V. crazianna) also from South America, and Eurexyle ferox from Asia.
They are among Kew Gardens' collection of 16,500 living species, cared for by more than 150 gardeners across the estate.
SOCIETY
Isles of Scilly tops England's friendliest places list
By Harry Goodwin
The Isles of Scilly have been named as the friendliest place in England.
A new index ranks all 296 local authority areas, measuring factors including how often people talk to their neighbours and participation in civic life.
Scilly was followed by South Hams in south Devon, West Devon, the Derbyshire Dales and Richmond upon Thames in west London.
Only 3 per cent of people in Scilly said they felt lonely.
More than 94 per cent said people from different backgrounds get on well, and 88.8 per cent said they spoke to their neighbours at least once a month.
Barking and Dagenham on the outskirts of east London was named the least friendly place in England.
It was joined in the bottom five by Stoke-on-Trent, Ashfield, Mansfield and Ipswich.
Only 42.8 per cent of people in Barking and Dagenham said they felt pride in their local area, and 10.1 per cent said they felt lonely, compared to an average across England of 6.6 per cent.
The index was compiled by polling project The National Conversation.
Researchers have invited people to share whether the rankings reflect their experiences.
Their findings will be included in a report this year by the Independent Commission on Community and Cohesion, which was set up to tackle 'the converging crises of social disconnection and division'.
In its first report last year, the commission said that 'communal life in Britain is under threat'.
It is chaired by Sajid Javid, the former Conservative home secretary, and former Labour policy chief Jon Cruddas.
Cruddas, who used to be the MP for Dagenham, told The Guardian: 'I nearly choked on my cornflakes when my old area came rock bottom.
'I think government stats miss a lot of what really makes an area tick, including my old town.'
Tresco in the Isles of Scilly is a place of welcome off the coast of Cornwall
NATURE
Twisted mystery of narwhals' tusks is solved
By Benedict Gardner
Scientists have solved the mystery of narwhal tusks' unique twisted structure.
The Arctic whales are best known for their single tusk, which is actually an elongated tooth. It grows through narwhals' upper lip in a spiral.
It is the only straight tusk in nature and can grow up to three metres long.
Researchers at Aarhus University in Denmark have now finally discovered how the tusk forms – although its exact function remains unclear.
They used 3D X-ray techniques to find that the tusk contains two spirals going in opposite directions.
Narwhal tusks consist of dentin on the inside and cementum on the outside.
The inner dentin forms a left-handed spiral, while the outside forms a right-handed spiral, according to a paper published in Nature Communications.
This structure makes the tusk stronger as the spirals counteract one another, scientists believe. This helps the narwhal tusks endure the forces of swimming or collisions with other objects.
The engineering of narwhal tusks could provide inspiration for new
materials in construction and medicine, the researchers said.
They also suggest that the tusk's twist, which grows annually and is preserved 'like tree rings', could be used to measure the impact of climate change.
'Since whales can live for up to 80 years, their teeth form a kind of historical record of changing environmental conditions throughout the animal's lifetime,' the study leader, Henrik Birkedal, said.
'And because the North Atlantic is currently undergoing very rapid changes, it is obvious to investigate
whether we can trace these changes in the hard tissue of the narwhal tusk. That is what we are now working on.'
The exact function of narwhal tusks is still up for debate although most scientists believe it is a sexual signal.
A tiny number of females also develop tusks and some males do not.
Others propose that the tusk may be used to detect temperature, salinity and chemical changes in the water. But marine biologists in Greenland have found no evidence of this in narwhals' behaviour.
While scientists might be able to explain how the tusk forms, narwhals still retain some of their mystery.
42.8
The percentage of people in Barking and Dagenham who said they felt pride in their area
6
NEWS
ENVIRONMENT
Drinking water levels are under threat as Severn risks running dry
By Lucie Heath
ENVIRONMENT CORRESPONDENT
Britain's longest river is at risk of running dry, posing a serious threat to wildlife and potentially reducing the availability of drinking water.
Most of England and all of Wales are in drought. While some rain is forecast for this week, it will not be enough to significantly raise reservoir and river levels.
The River Severn is running worryingly low, the Environment Agency (EA) and Natural Resources Wales (NRW) said. The agencies have applied for permission to take action to conserve supply. More than 27 million people across the country are under hosepipe bans, and some water companies may have to go further.
Southern Water has applied for a drought order to allow it to restrict some businesses' water use, and a decision is expected in the coming weeks.
None of the water companies which draw from the River Severn - Severn Trent Water, South Staffordshire Water, Bristol Water and Hafren Dyfrdwy - have hosepipe bans in place. The Severn runs from the Cambrian Mountains in Wales to the Bristol Channel.
Its water levels are managed using the Llyn Clywedog reservoir in Wales. But the amount of water in the reservoir has been falling steadily and is now below 50 per cent.
If the levels continue to fall at the current rate, then regulators will not be able to manage the Severn, meaning parts of the waterway could dry out.
This would be devastating for wildlife, including migratory fish, and could in turn endanger drinking supply, as roughly six million people rely on the river for their supply.
The watchdogs proposed a series of measures to allow them
to conserve supply. They include allowing the river to fall below a level that would normally be considered acceptable.
Without this measure, the reservoir feeding the river risks running out of water, which means parts of the Severn could dry out.
If the drought order is allowed, water companies will also be forced to reduce the amount of drinking water they take from the River Severn by five per cent.
An Environment Agency spokesperson said it was "exceptionally concerned" about the drought's effect on the River Severn. "We need to see significant and sustained rainfall for this drought to end.
"This Drought Order, if made, will stop the Clywedog reservoir from being completely exhausted and will prevent sections of Britain's longest river from drying out.
"We still expect water companies to follow their drought plans and encourage an earlier use of Temporary Use Bans to protect public water supplies and preserve the environment."
Mark Lloyd, CEO of the Rivers Trust charity, said allowing river levels to fall low will leave them in a "desperate condition".
Rivers are also more vulnerable to pollution and toxic algal blooms in these conditions.
"It just means everything silently and invisibly declines in abundance," Lloyd said, describing it as a "slow, invisible death of the ecosystem".
Severn Trent said it was "working with" the EA, adding that rivers made up around a third of its water supply. The rest coming from reservoirs and boreholes.
SERVICES
South East Water told to improve
By Ellie Crabbe and Anahita Hossain-Pour
A water company has been told to improve after thousands of customers faced supply problems again and some branded the handling as "shocking".
South East Water has warned customers in Kent that water levels in its drinking storage tanks remain "critically low" as the firm urged them only to use water for "essential" purposes.
Supply had been restored to 7,400 properties in Herne Bay, Rough Common and Blean by yesterday morning.
Villagers in Benenden said 60 to 70 residents staged a protest with plastic bottles of water spelled out on the green on Monday reading: "Help us".
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said another disruption for South East Water customers was "simply not good enough".
CONSUMER
Ice cube factory struggles to meet heatwave demand
By Dave Higgins
Europe's biggest ice factory says the 2026 British summer has been "exceptional" as it continues to churn out tonnes of its frozen cubes to keep up with customers desperate for any relief from the relentless heatwaves.
The Ice Co - which makes about six billion cubes a year at its plant in South Kirkby, West Yorkshire - has been working 24/7 through the summer to keep up with unprecedented demand.
The sales director, Nick Brennand, said the planning process begins months before the peak of the summer, with the factory in full production in January to make sure there is a month's worth of supply in its freezing cold warehouse.
But the 140 staff then have to get ready to gear up for whatever the British summer brings.
Brennand said: "This year has been completely exceptional."
He said: "I think we're on heatwave number six. We've never had such a sustained period of hot weather.
The Ice Co warehouse has been a cool haven for its staff during the summer
"The good weather started in June and we've still got it now in the middle of August and they're talking about another one in September.
"Normally, we'll get maybe two to four good weeks in a year, and now we're looking at 14 to 15, which makes a big difference."
He added: "What we don't know is when it's going to shine and for how long.
"Sometimes we have hot Eastern,
sometimes we have hot Septembers, and everything in between."
He said: "We get to a point in May or June when we are very much in the lap of the gods.
"If the sun shines, and it's 35 degrees tomorrow, orders can go up five or tenfold."
Brennand said around 85 per cent of people still make their ice at home but, when a supermarket or hotel runs out, there is no other product that can replace it.
He said: "If you're in a pub and they start rationing ice in your G&T on a Friday night, it's not particularly nice. You want a nice cold drink."
He said the normally challenging environment of The Ice Co warehouse at South Kirkby has been a haven for some on the hottest days over the past few weeks.
Brennand said: "Believe me, everybody in the office have gone wandering into the warehouse for 10 minutes to cool down, because it's minus 18 in there.
"If it's warm outside, there's no nicer place to be for five or 10 minutes - but only five or 10 minutes."
NEW 5:33
OPINION 18:22
TV 35:31
LIFE 35:37
CULTURE 38:41
MOVIES 47:45
SPORT 50:50
WEDNESDAY 13 AUGUST 2026
7
POLICE
Three family members die in Sussex sea tragedy
By Anshita Hossein-Pour and Stanley Murphy-Johns
Three family members have died after they were pulled from the sea off the Sussex coast yesterday. Emergency services including two air ambulances were called to the harbour at Shoreham-by-Sea shortly before 3pm.
Sussex Police said four people were "in difficulty in the water close to Shoreham Fort", a 19th-century building at the harbour's entrance.
The force said that a man, woman and teenage girl all from the same family, have died after they were pulled from the water.
A fourth family member, a young girl, is in a critical condition in hospital.
The A259 Brighton Road along the coast was closed in both directions while emergency services responded and the public was urged to stay away.
An RNLI spokesperson
said it had been called by HM Coastguard at about 3pm.
At the scene, an ambulance could be seen leaving under a police escort.
The South East Coast Ambulance Service said four people needed medical attention after getting into difficulty in the water.
"We have no further information to share at this time but will provide updates as soon as possible," a spokeswoman said.
A HM Coastguard spokesman added: "HM Coastguard responded to an incident reported at Shoreham at about 2.45pm on 18 August.
"An HM Coastguard helicopter was sent as well as Littlehampton, Shoreham and Newhaven Coastguard Rescue Teams and an RNLI lifeboat from Shoreham."
Tom Rutland, the Labour MP for East Worthing and Shoreham, wrote on X: "I am deeply concerned by the reports of a number of people getting into difficulty near Shoreham Harbour. My thoughts are with everyone involved."
Shoreham Fort is one of a string of "Palmerston Forts" built in the 1850s to guard the south coast of England against France's Napoleon III.
COVER STORY
Rough sleepers to be off the streets by end of year, says Rayner
By Vicky Spratt
HOUSING AND SOCIETY CORRESPONDENT
Thousands of rough sleepers in England will be off the streets by Christmas, Angela Rayner has pledged.
The announcement marks the first phase of Prime Minister Andy Burnham's ambitious Housing First strategy to end rough sleeping, as promised on the steps of Downing Street on the first day of his premiership.
Rayner, the Housing Secretary, described the plan, which echoes the "Everyone In" scheme announced during the first Covid-19 lockdown, as "an important milestone that we need to meet", but questions remain as to how the target will be achieved.
Rough sleeping not only leaves people "in destitution" but is "plaguing" town centres, she said.
Local authorities and regional mayors will be expected to deliver the roll-out of "new accommodation and support" across the country, placing rough sleepers in empty homes, hotels, hostels, flats and specialist modular accommodation by the end of the year.
But it is possible not all councils will welcome being asked to work towards getting every rough sleeper offered a bed.
They will get a share of £442m of funding to deliver the plan, which is modelled on Burnham's "A Bed Every Night" policy in Greater Manchester when he was mayor.
Rayner told The i Paper that the funding is made up of a £340m pot already announced by Burnham in July, and an additional £102m worth of unallocated funding that she had "found" since returning to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
The number of people experiencing homelessness and sleeping on England's streets recently hit its highest level since it peaked in 2017.
There are thought to be around 5,000 people living this way, according to official Government data,
Andy Burnham pledged to end rough sleeping on his first day in office
5,000
The number of people thought to be sleeping rough in England, but the true number could be higher
although the true number could be higher as the figure is difficult to ascertain.
Scotland, where an estimated 2,000 people sleep rough, was the first to propose a Housing First approach similar to that announced by Burnham.
The Scottish Government implemented Housing First in 2018.
Wales has also focused on prevention since the early 2010s and earlier this year passed legislation to make it easier for people experiencing homelessness to access housing.
There are fewer than 200 individuals thought to be sleeping rough in Wales.
And, in Northern Ireland, where politicians have focused on prevention, fewer than 100 people are reported to be sleeping rough.
Rayner acknowledged the Government faced "a big challenge" as
towns and cities across the country have reported a surge in the number of people in sleeping bags and tents.
In 2024, while working under former prime minister Sir Keir Starmer, Rayner pledged to build 1.5 million new homes by 2029.
While there have been some signs of progress - 42,433 new houses were started and 40,332 were completed between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026 - the Labour Government is on track to miss this target.
When asked whether she was confident that she could ramp up housebuilding in her second turn as Housing Secretary, Rayner said she is "not giving up" on the target - but stopped short of committing to hit it.
"I had a period of time out of the department, but I'm very determined to make sure that we meet that target," she said.
Rayner said "getting everyone in" is the "start of a process" to end rough sleeping.
Across England, more than 1.3 million households are languishing on local councils' social housing waiting lists.
Building more stock will be non-negotiable if Rayner and Burnham really expect to end rough sleeping.
During the pandemic, "Everyone In" did succeed in more or less ending rough sleeping in England overnight, but it was made possible by commercial hotels being empty.
One major hurdle that Rayner and Burnham will face if they are to house all rough sleepers by Christmas is making sure they can find enough accommodation.
Burnham's A Bed Every Night scheme, which the Government says provides around 600 beds, was initially successful at reducing the number of people sleeping rough in Manchester. But there was then an increase, with a range of factors blamed.
Councils 'critical' Why the Government cannot do it alone
The Christmas pledge is a major test for Andy Burnham's key day one promise to tackle homelessness, and it is possible that not all councils will welcome being asked to work towards this goal.
Angela Rayner said that local councils and mayors were 'critical' in achieving her aim and said 'the beauty' of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government was that it 'doesn't work in isolation'.
The Government will be publishing guidance to help local areas 'mobilise quickly and deliver a consistent route off the street offer this winter' in short order.
This guidance will offer advice on how to work with women experiencing homelessness, in particular, because these cases can be complicated and often do not show up in official statistics.
To give a sense of the scale of collaboration required, while Labour controls over 60 councils across Britain, the Lib Dems are in charge of more than 40, and the Tories still control over 50. Reform UK now holds outright majorities
in 24 areas, and the Greens are in charge in five areas.
Matt Downie, chief executive of Crisis, told The i Paper that Burnham and Rayner had made a 'clear statement that in the 21st century, we will not tolerate a situation where people are having to bed down on our streets' and said the policy was putting England 'on the path to an historic milestone'.
The average age of death for people experiencing homelessness is 45 for men and 43 for women.
8
NEWS
SOCIETY
Fly-tipping will be targeted like organised crime in crackdown
Exclusive
By Caroline Wheeler
POLITICAL EDITOR
Andy Burnham is poised to put the National Crime Agency (NCA) at the heart of new plans to hunt down organised crime gangs behind Britain's illegal waste dumps.
The NCA, often dubbed the "British FBI" because of its focus on disrupting serious organised crime, will be tasked with a new crackdown on gangs profiting from large-scale fly-tipping.
Under the plans, national and regional agencies, councils and environmental authorities would share intelligence, identify links between illegal waste sites, and target the criminal networks behind them.
It would mark a significant escalation in the Government's response to large-scale fly-tipping, shifting the emphasis from clearing waste after it has been dumped to identifying and dismantling the criminal networks making money from it.
Gangs can often pose as legitimate waste disposal businesses, advertising their services on the internet for a cost before ditching the rubbish at illegal sites.
Aerial view of the 25,000 tonnes of waste dumped at the Bickershaw site
PEOPLE
Civil Service boss got record payout
By David Lynch
A former senior civil servant forced out of his job during Sir Keir Starnes's premiership is believed to have received a record payout in the region of £500,000.
Sir Chris Wormald, who served as head of the Civil Service, received the payment after 14 months in the job.
He was replaced as Cabinet secretary by Antonia Romeo in February.
Sir Tom Scholar, a former head of the Treasury, received the previously highest settlement of £475,000
The announcement is expected to form part of the Burnham's summer tour of Britain, focused on solving the difficult problems he argues have been ignored for too long.
The waste plans draw on Burnham's experience as mayor of Greater Manchester until earlier this year, where he repeatedly argued that large-scale illegal dumping should be treated as a serious organised crime matter rather than simply an environmental nuisance.
That experience includes the sprawling Bickershaw waste site in Wigan, where about 25,000 tonnes of waste accumulated next to homes and a primary school.
A major fire at the site last summer burned for days and forced nearby schools to close.
On 4 August, the agency announced the arrest of four men over the Bickershaw operation. They were arrested on suspicion of environmental offences, fraud and money laundering.
Burnham said the arrests would mark the beginning of tougher action against gangs suspected of making huge sums by illegally disposing of waste.
"I have stood on Bolton House Road and seen what local people have had to live with," he said.
"It is shocking – an ocean of rubbish piled up next to a primary school, and families unable to escape the smell in their own homes.
"This is not fly-tipping – this is organised crime, and it is local communities that are paying the price.
"For too long, this issue has been ignored, but not on my watch."
The Government estimates waste crime costs the economy around £1bn a year.
after being forced out of his job by the short-lived prime minister Liz Truss in 2022.
Cat Little, the permanent secretary at the Cabinet Office, is understood to have had to get ministerial sanction for the payout because of concerns over its value for money.
"The proposed award is greater than what Sir Chris Wormald would be contractually entitled to," she wrote to the Prime Minister, according to the Financial Times.
A Cabinet Office spokesperson said: "We don't comment on individual HR matters."
ENVIRONMENT
'Children's lifelong health improved by Ulez zone'
By Clare Wilson
BUSINESS WRITER
A fall in air pollution from London's first "Ulez" clean air zone enabled children's lungs to grow bigger and healthier, a study suggests.
The ultra-low emission zone in Central London is likely to improve the children's lifelong health, including reducing rates of heart attacks and later-life breathing problems, said the researchers.
"This is the first evidence that shows that a clean air policy can improve lung function and growth," said researcher Professor Chris Griffiths, of Queen Mary University of London.
Central London's Ulez scheme, introduced in 2019, meant drivers of older vehicles which had more polluting engines had to start paying a daily charge to enter the area.
It was expanded to cover Greater London by 2023, triggering protests and the vandalism of enforcement cameras.
Critics said the clean air zones would make little difference to health.
But the study adds further sup-
Clean air policy in London helped children's lungs grow, said the study
port to the idea that air pollution damages children's lungs.
The researchers call their study a "natural experiment", because they compared lung development of thousands of London primary school children with a similar group in Luton, about 30 miles to the north, without any clean air zones.
More than 3,400 children's lungs were tested by measuring how much air they could blow out, and
how quickly, which together indicate lung size and strength. At the start of the study, in 2018, the Luton children had bigger lungs than those in London, which would be expected as Luton air was less polluted.
But after five years, the London children's had caught up with those in Luton on one test – which measures lung size and strength, and partly caught up on another test, which measures size.
The results were published in the journal, The Lancet Public Health.
Other research has shown that worse lung function in childhood leads to a range of conditions in older people, said Griffiths. "It is a strong predictor of increased mortality and risk of stroke, diabetes, cancer and respiratory disease."
Tests of the local air also found greater drops in London levels of nitrogen dioxide, emitted in exhausts. Nitrogen dioxide directly harms lungs and is also a proxy for the number of tiny smoke particles in the air.
Air quality had also improved in Luton over the five years of the study – pollution from car exhausts has been reducing for many years all over the country.
WEDF 2-33
OPINION 18-22
TV 26-31
LIFE 34-37
CULTURE 38-41
MONDAY 42-45
SPORT 56-58
WEDNESDAY 19 AUGUST 2026
9
EMPLOYMENT
State-owned shipyard set to axe 70 jobs
By Katrine Bussey
A state-owned shipyard wants to make up to 70 staff redundant as it prepares to hand over the second of two delayed and over-budget ferries.
The Ferguson Marine yard in Port Glasgow is due to deliver the Glen Rosa to CalMac in the final three months of this year.
The shipyard is now launching a voluntary redundancy programme.
Stephen Flynn, the Scottish Transport Secretary, said shipyard bosses had assured him that a reduced workforce would not affect the delivery of the ferry.
Like its sister ship, the Glen Sonnier, the Glen Rosa is years late and massively over budget.
Ferguson Marine chief executive Graeme Thomson said the “high-quality handover” of the ferry is the company’s “immediate focus”.
But he added: “As the vessel nears completion, we face an inevitable gap in workload while we work with the Scottish Government to make the relevant preparations to enable us to proceed with contract negotiations.”
Labour economy spokesman Daniel Johnson said the redundancies would cause “significant anxiety”.
TRANSPORT
Authority to take control of local bus services
By Sophie Wingate and Abbie Llewelyn
The West Midlands Combined Authority is set to take public control of local bus services in partnership with Number 10 North.
Andy Burnham described the decision as the “single biggest act of public control” since he came into office last month and said it had prevented the collapse of West Midlands bus services.
It comes after the parent company behind local operator, National Express, indicated it was leaving the market.
The Prime Minister said it was “a very big day” for the region, and the “first major milestone” in his push to give communities more control over their services.
The West Midlands bus deal will protect thousands of jobs, he said. Speaking at Wolverhampton bus station, the Labour leader said: “The bus service here was close to collapse... We needed to step in to secure services.
“But longer term, we are now building to a model under full public control.”
POLITICS
Mahmood’s immigration reforms ‘will deepen UK’s social care staffing crisis’
By Arj Singh
DEPUTY POLITICAL EDITOR
Shahana Mahmood’s controversial immigration reforms will deepen the staffing crisis in social care, a union has warned, with analysis showing British workers are not filling vacancies left by fewer migrant staff.
Unison said official figures showed that the sharp decline in international recruits following a visa crackdown has not been offset by more British workers entering the sector. Instead, the number of UK staff has also fallen.
The Labour-affiliated union said this shows the Government that slowing immigration will not lead to more British workers taking up care jobs.
It urged Mahmood, the Home Secretary, to abandon plans to make it harder for migrant care workers to settle in the UK, warning that the changes would exacerbate staff “shortages” in a sector with around 96,000 vacancies.
The union was backed by Labour MPs amid the threat of a backbench revolt against Mahmood’s plans to double the default qualifying time for immigrants to qualify for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) in the UK from five to 10 years, which will rise to 15 years for care workers.
Handreds of thousands of care workers and their dependants have arrived in the UK on health and care visas since 2021. Many will soon become eligible for ILR, unless Mahmood pushes ahead with plans to apply her crackdown retrospectively.
The change is aimed at addressing concerns that record post-Covid migration levels under the Tories could lead to large numbers of migrants settling in the UK permanently.
Social care workers in the UK
Foreign nationals starting social care jobs by year of arrival
Net number of British workers leaving social care
Vacancy rate in social care compared with other sectors
Source: Skills for Care
MPs said the Home Secretary’s proposed changes risk “worsening an already serious workforce problem” and called for a U-turn.
Mahmood is believed to be considering exempting care workers from her plans amid the threat of a Labour rebellion.
Unison analysis of industry employment figures shows the number of international recruits hired into care jobs plunged from 105,000 in 2023-24 to 30,000 in 2025-26 amid a crackdown on visas issued for jobs in the sector.
The previous Conservative gov-
ernment banned care workers from bringing family members into the country in March 2024, and Labour later terminated the care worker visa route entirely in July 2025 amid concerns that many migrants arriving through the scheme were being exploited.
The Unison general secretary, Andrea Egan, said: “If the Government’s serious about fixing social care, it should immediately scrap these cruel plans that will make it harder to recruit staff.”
The Home Office has been approached for comment.
News in brief
POLICE
Man charged over asylum seekers
An employee of the Government contractor Serco has been charged with sharing the addresses of asylum accommodation targeted by mobs in Thetford.
Several houses in multiple occupation had their windows smashed in the Norfolk town earlier this month, police said.
Asylum seekers were evacuated during the disorder.
Norfolk Constabulary said James Johnson, 62, had been charged with misconduct in a public office.
He has been remanded in custody ahead of a hearing at Norwich Crown Court on 14 September.
SOCIETY
Anti-Muslim hate figures ‘alarming’
The number of reports of anti-Muslim hate and prejudice in London in the first half of the year has surpassed the total annual count for 2023, according to anti-Muslim hate-monitoring organisation Tell Mama.
There were 313 reports in 2021, 818 in 2022, and rising each year since to a record of 1,909 last year, the organisation said.
In the first six months of this year, Tell Mama recorded 1,031 reports, surpassing the 1,028 reports in the whole of 2023.
FRANCE
Nearly 100 migrants rescued in Channel
Nearly 100 migrants have been rescued after their dinghy broke down in the English Channel.
The boat suffered engine failure shortly after leaving France on Monday morning. In total, 96 people were rescued and taken to Boulogne-sur-Mer, French authorities said. As the boat departed Le Touquet, around 30 people were left in the water, rescuers said. Four people were pulled from the water by helicopter and another six by lifeboat.
10
NEWS
RUSSIA
Kremlin could seize UK ships in retaliation after drone attacks
By Jane Merrick
POLICY EDITOR
Moscow could expel British diplomats and journalists or even attempt to seize UK planes and ships in retaliation for supplying drones to Ukraine, experts believe.
The Kremlin has threatened consequences for Britain's deepening involvement in the war after it emerged that drones built by two UK companies were used in attacks on military and industrial targets deep inside Russia.
On Monday, the Russian embassy in London accused Britain of escalating the Ukraine conflict.
It warned that the deeper Britain's involvement becomes, "the higher the price it will pay".
Defence experts said the likely response by Vladimir Putin's regime could come as soon as the next 48 hours.
It could involve escalation of the "grey zone" or "hybrid war" activity that Moscow has waged against Britain for the past few years, such as cyber attacks and shadowing of the UK's undersea communications tables and ships in the Channel.
But a retaliation could also be more overt - such as detaining British diplomats or journalists based in Russia or firing a weapon near a UK-owned oil rig.
This activity would be below the threshold to trigger Article 5 of the Nato treaty, which states that an attack on one member is an attack on all and merits a comparative response.
But it would be enough to send a message to Britain over its in-
Russia is weighing its options following the drone strikes
volvement in the Ukraine war, experts said.
The strikes by Ukraine included attacks on refineries and warehouses of Russian online retailer Wildberries.
Russia said the UK was "acting as an accomplice and co-perpetrator" of "bloody crimes committed by Ukrainian neo-Nazis" and "terrorist attacks".
In response, Andy Burnham said yesterday that the UK will keep supporting Ukraine '100 per cent".
Tobias Ellwood, a former Conservative defence minister, predicted that Russia would retaliate with a form of grey zone activity within the next 48 hours.
He said: "The war is escalating. Ukraine's ability to strike deep into Russia challenges Putin's claim the
war is limited and under control. It's also harming his oil revenues.
"I predict Russia will launch some major cyber attacks on the UK.
"It all places Britain under Russian crosshairs and we will soon find out how woefully unprepared we are."
Tim Willasey-Wilsey, senior associate fellow at Rusi International and a former British diplomat, said he believed a Russian response could be more than just hybrid warfare.
He said: "The whole point about hybrid is it's sort of implausibly deniable.
"So we all know they're doing it, whether it's undersea cables or it's cyber attacks or arson, we all know that's happening, but they're pretending it's not them.
"In this particular case, they want to claim that it is them.
"Since the war began, Britain has already supplied NLAW anti-tank missiles and later Storm Shadow cruise missiles to Ukraine but Russia chose not to overtly retaliate against the UK."
But he added: "What's changed now is Russia's in real trouble. The Ukrainian attacks on the oil infrastructure since April have been very considerable.
"The war for the first time is coming home to the Russian people."
The list of options Russia might have to take against the UK, he said, could range from expelling BBC and other British journalists in the country, expelling or detaining junior diplomats to targeting Britain's vulnerabilities on sea and land.
News, page 12
MILITARY
Ukraine attacks Russia with barrage of 800 drones
By Hanna Arhirova
Ukrainian forces staged one of their biggest attacks on Russia since Moscow's invasion more than four years ago, firing almost 800 drones just two days after launching a similar salvo, officials said yesterday.
Meanwhile, a Russian missile strike on a village in Ukraine's north-eastern Kharkiv region killed at least 10 people and wounded eight others as the barrage demolished homes.
The warring countries are locked in an escalating duel of long-range aerial strikes as fighting on the roughly 780-mile front line in eastern and southern Ukraine is restricted by large numbers of drones and ground robots threatening troop movements, analysts said.
Over the past year Ukraine has
Flames at a construction site after a Ukrainian drone attack in an undisclosed area in the Moscow region yesterday MOSCOW REGION GOVERNORS OFFICE/AP
devised and deployed domestically produced long-range drones for strikes deep inside Russia.
Its drone technology has impressed governments and arms manufacturers around the world.
Kyiv wants to make the Russian public feel the war's consequences
and pressure the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, into negotiating a peace settlement. Putin has so far shown no sign he intends to end the invasion.
"Putin continues to drag out the war instead of accepting Ukraine's realistic ceasefire proposals and
ending the bloodshed," Ukraine's foreign minister Andrii Sybha said in a post on X.
Russian air defences overnight intercepted 791 Ukrainian drones over a number of Russian regions, as well as annexed Crimea and the Black and the Azov seas, the Defence Ministry in Moscow said, in what was the second-largest drone attack since January 2025.
More than 600 of those drones flew towards the Moscow region, where 180 were shot down, the mayor of Moscow, Sergei Sohyanin, said.
The overnight attack started a fire at a warehouse of Wildberries, Russia's biggest online retailer, in an industrial zone.
Ukraine has repeatedly targeted the company's depots, which it says help supply the Russian military.
Wildberries said its facility
sustained "insignificant damage". A Russian missile strike on the village of Pechenihy in Ukraine's Kharkiv region killed 10 civilians, according to Oleh Syniehubov, the head of the regional military administration.
Another 17 people were wounded, he said.
Ukraine's President, Volodymyr Zelensky, called it "a brutal attack" that damaged 10 homes, a café, a post office, a store and at least seven vehicles.
"We will definitely respond to this Russian strike," Zelensky said on social media.
Elsewhere, three people were killed and three others wounded over the past day in Russian attacks on Ukraine's Sumy region, including drone strikes and an explosive device blast, Ukraine's National Police said.
NEW! 2-33
OPINION 18-22
TV 25-31
LIFE 34-37
CULTURE 38-41
MONDAY 42-45
SPORT 50-58
WEDNESDAY 13 AUGUST 2025
11
SECURITY
Undersea cables may fall prey to Russian sabotage
Cornwall could find itself caught in Putin's crosshairs. By Lizzie Dearden
Dotted among Cornwall's beautiful beaches and rural villages are a series of squat, unremarkable buildings. They are landing stations for numerous undersea data and communications cables connecting Britain with the US, Europe, Asia and Africa. Decades after their construction,
the buildings have become a potential target for the Kremlin's sabotage efforts and work is under way to increase security around the landing stations.
That work has been lent new urgency by Russia's threats of retaliation over the use of British-made drones by Ukrainian forces. Security sources said that since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in
Physical security across sites varies - some could be rendered inoperable by sabotage
2022, Russia has been attempting to raise the cost of supporting Kyiv for European countries.
A key method has been sabotage across a range of military and civilian targets, including by inflicting costly damage on undersea cables.
So far, that damage has mainly been inflicted at sea using ships, including a Russian "shadow fleet" tanker that dragged its anchor along the seabed between Finland and Estonia for almost 60 miles in December 2024.
But a parliamentary report has warned that it is the stations where the cables reach land that "may be the most vulnerable part of the system".
While the locations of military cables are a carefully guarded secret, civilian cables are operated by private companies and the buildings housing them are not concealed.
A report published by the Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy last September said risks were intensified by the fact that many landing stations house multiple cables, with one station in Cornwall housing nine.
"Physical security across sites varies - some could be rendered inoperable by sabotage," the report said. "The terrestrial links between the subsea cable, the landing station and the data centres can also be sabotaged with unsophisticated tools."
Dr Sidharth Kaushal, a senior association fellow at the Royal United Services Institute (Rusi), said that while no damage to UK cables had yet been detected, Russia had been "clearly mapping" cables and conducting surveillance.
In April, the then-defence secretary John Healey said three Russian submarines had conducted a "covert" spying operation over cables and pipelines north of the UK and that any attempt to sabotage them would "have serious consequences".
The Russian government denied the allegations.
It could be more difficult for Russia to deploy saboteurs on land in Britain than using ships at sea, Kaushal said, but such actions could be used to "send a message", he added.
Katja Bego, a researcher at Chatham House think-tank, said the UK was particularly vulnerable to undersea cable sabotage as an island nation, adding: "For the military, having access to reliable connectivity and data exchange is critical." The disruption of large numbers of cables at the same time would be "very serious and quite catastrophic", she said.
The challenge for securing land-based infrastructure, Bego said, was that it was designed without deliberate sabotage in mind. Large numbers of cables are laid close together for reasons of practicality and cost.
"That's not ideal if you want to have something that's distributed for resilience against things going wrong," she added.
DEFENCE
Russia says the UK will 'pay' - Putin's price could be deadly
Russian President is furious with Britain for aiding Ukraine. By James Rodgers
Ukraine's long-range drone strikes have done something Vladimir Putin never wanted, and probably never foresaw. They have brought the "special military operation" to the Russian home front.
Drones are destroying and disrupting oil infrastructure and online retail; and forcing the switching off, for security reasons, of mobile networks and Wi-Fi.
Reports that British drones were among those used to hit Russian targets hundreds of kilometres from the front have now drawn a furious response from the Russian embassy in London.
So what could happen? We should not worry that Russian tanks will be rolling down our high streets in the coming weeks. There may, though, be attempts to intimidate, or provoke.
The past couple of years have seen acts of arson, including one on a warehouse in east London. The investigation that led to the conviction of those responsible concluded that the Russian mercenary group Wagner had ordered the attack.
There was also an arson attack on a property linked to Sir Keir Starmer. The Russian embassy denied that Moscow was involved in any way, insisting Russia posed "no threat to the United Kingdom or its people and harbours no aggressive intentions towards Britain".
That is less convincing in light
Moscow does not want to alienate or annoy a US President. Far better to hit out at Britain
Vladimir Putin's intelligence service has called the UK a 'warmonger'
of this new statement, which warns that "London's actions will inevitably carry consequences".
The embassy added: "The deeper its involvement in the conflict... the higher the price it will pay."
Aside from arson in the capital, there has been confrontation at sea. In June, a Russian frigate fired a warning shot at a yacht it apparently felt had sailed too close to it in the Channel. There could also be attempts to test defences by sending warplanes into UK airspace, or submarines close to UK shores.
Damage to undersea cables could disrupt internet traffic; drones could disrupt air traffic, as in Copenhagen last September.
It is worth remembering that in March 2025, Russia's foreign intelligence service, the SVR, declared the UK "the main global warmonger". Britain officially became Russia's public enemy number one.
The reason for this goes beyond the Kremlin's fury at British support for Ukraine. Moscow has long been angered by Western hacking for Kyiv, without which Putin might now have achieved his aims of imperial conquest.
But the Trump administration's willingness to engage with Putin means Moscow does not want to alienate or annoy a US President it still feels might help it end the war on terms it can sell to an increasingly wary and weary public. Far better to hit out at Britain.
As if to confirm this, the post that followed the one from the embassy criticising the UK came from the foreign ministry in Moscow. It praised Melania Trump, for her "support" reuniting children caught up in the conflict with their families.
The SVR's "warmonger" statement drew on a long tradition of Russian suspicion of UK actions on the global stage. British support for the Bolsheviks' enemies after the 1987 revolution was never forgotten and never forgiven, for the rest of the last century.
This latest Russian rhetorical strike is a reminder that this war - however and whenever it ends - will continue to cast a long shadow of mutual suspicion in the decades to come.
James Rodgers is the author of 'The Return of Russia from Veltzin to Putin, the story of a Vengeful Kremlin'
12
NEWS
DIPLOMACY
Talks with Iran not happening, insists Trump
By Parisa Hafezi and Katharine Jackson
No talks are taking place between the US and Iran and none are scheduled, Donald Trump said yesterday, as he insisted that the Strait of Hormuz was open despite Tehran's ongoing grip on the waterway.
The receding prospects of a deal to end the nearly six-month conflict drove up oil prices again yesterday, while stock markets sagged and borrowing costs for major economies including the US hit multi-decade highs, amid concerns about the long-term inflationary and fiscal impact of the crisis.
A temporary ceasefire agreement expired on Monday and a senior Iranian official said that his country
was moving to a "fully offensive" military posture due to the diplomatic stalemate, though there were no reports of fresh strikes by either side yesterday.
"There are no talks or conversations going on, or scheduled, with the Islamic Republic of Iran," Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
"The Naval Blockade remains in full force and effect. The Hormuz Strait is open and operating. All water mines have been removed or detonated," he added.
Earlier, the US President had posted a graphic labelling the strait – the narrow waterway through which a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas flowed before the war – as a US territory.
On Monday, Trump had threat-
SYRIA
Eight Israeli air strikes hit airbase
By Feras Dalaiey
Eight Israeli air strikes hit an airbase in north-western Syria early yesterday, Syrian state media said, in what the US envoy for the region called an "unnecessary escalation".
The attack struck the runway and storage facilities at the Abu al-Duhur base. There were reportedly no casualties.
"The confirmed Israeli air
ened to "bomb the shit" out of Oman, a US ally which has been negotiating with Iran over sovereignty of the
strikes on Abu al-Duhur Airbase constitute an unnecessary escalation that does not advance regional stability," ambassador Tom Barrack, the US special envoy for Syria and Iraq, said.
After President Bashar al-Assad was ousted in late 2024, Israel seized ground in south-west Syria, as Israeli officials expressed alarm about the militant Islamist background of Syria's new rulers.
strait, if it "gets in the way" of efforts to reopen the waterway.
Preliminary shipping data yester-
day showed ship crossings via the Strait of Hormuz were still in single digits on Monday.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said it received a report yesterday that a vessel was struck by an unknown projectile while transiting outbound in the strait, causing engine room damage and a crew casualty.
The remaining crew were being assisted by the Omani Coast Guard, according to the report.
Senior Iranian negotiator Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf (inset) said that the strait would remain shut until the US met the conditions of an interim deal signed with Iran in June.
These conditions include the US lifting its blockade of Iranian ports, lifting oil sanctions and releasing Tehran's frozen assets, Qalibaf told parliament.
US Army soldiers conduct a training exercise on a river in Yeoncheon, South Korea, near the border with North Korea yesterday. AHN YOUNG-JOON/AP
SOUTH KOREA
Leader re-asserts alliance amid US pullback
By Myung-Jin Kim
South Korea's President insisted yesterday that a solid alliance with the US underpins national security, after Donald Trump's abrupt order to "substantially reduce" joint military exercises with the country.
Trump made the surprise announcement in a social media post just before US and South Korean soldiers began Monday's annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises, which are largely designed to sharpen readiness against North Korean threats.
The US President cited what he said was a good relationship with the North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, and South Korea's refusal to join the US war against Iran. Trump's
order was apparently taken without consultations with South Korea and meant to reach out to Kim, deepening concerns about the reliability of the US-South Korean alliance forged in the turmoil of the 1950-53 Korean War.
Yesterday, the South Korean President, Lee Jae Myung, insisted on the importance of a firm military alliance with the US, saying that "national security will be further strengthened when the alliance is solid". It was unclear which parts of the 11-day South Korea-US exercises were being downsized.
A weakening of the US defence commitment could shake South Korea's national security as it has no nuclear weapons and is under
Lee Jae Myung spoke of US alliance underpinning national security
the US "nuclear umbrella" protection, which guarantees a devastating American response in the event of an attack on its ally by nuclear-armed North Korea.
The US has around 28,500 troops in South Korea. Confidence in the US has already eroded among many South Koreans because of Trump's tariff war and last year's immigration raid in the US state of Georgia that led to the detention of hundreds of South Korean workers.
Trump's announcement "reveals the stark reality of a faltering Korea-US alliance, fuelling public anxiety", South Korea's Honknot Jibs newspaper said in an editorial.
North Korea's foreign ministry accused South Korea and the US of plotting more provocative drills this year and vowed to respond with "a new level of a deterrent".
Kim has shunned any talks with the US and South Korea.
RUSSIA
North Korea a partner in creating 'new world order'
By Jack Kim
The Russian foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, has told his North Korean counterpart that their countries were working to establish a "new and righteous world order", after Pyongyang helped Moscow drive Ukrainian forces from a Russian region last year.
In a message to North Korea's foreign minister, Choe Son-hui, Lavrov also reaffirmed Moscow's pledge to boost co-operation in all areas and contribute to regional and international security, North Korea's KCNA news agency said.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un sent an estimated 14,000 soldiers to Russia in late 2024 to help Moscow beat back a major Ukrainian incursion into the Kursk region.
The Russian President, Vladimir Putin, declared victory in the region in May 2025 and publicly thanked Pyongyang for its help.
North Korea and Russia are continuing to establish a "new and righteous world order on the basis of genuine equality and national interests", KCNA quoted Lavrov as saying in his message.
"The participation of service personnel of the Korean People's Army in the operations to drive the Ukrainian Nazi clique and foreign mercenaries out of Kursk is a clear proof of the tradition of the militant friendship forged by the heroic preceding generations."
Russia has often sought to characterise President Volodymyr Zelensky's government as "Nazis" persecuting Russian-speakers in Ukraine.
Zelensky, who is Jewish, has dismissed this as absurd.
NEW! 2-33
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GATEWAY 38-41
MONKEY 42-45
SPORT 50-56
BERNEBEAU 13 AUGUST 2026
13
A very Scottish welcome
King Charles pats a Shetland pony at a ceremony marking his official arrival at Balmoral, as he takes up residence there for his summer break in Aberdeenshire.
Charles was welcomed by a guard of honour provided by Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion of The Royal Regiment of Scotland.
The King is colonel in chief of the regiment.
He met the pony (and regiment's mascot), Corporal Cruachan IV, with his handler Corporal Rory Stewart.
JANE BARLCHAFS
SCIENCE
Why do we feel ticklish? It appears Darwin touched on the best answer
By Benedict Gardner
There have been many theories of tickling across the centuries, but scientists now believe that Charles Darwin's was the best.
The Ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle suggested that thinner skin was more ticklish.
Twentieth-century theories suggested ticklish areas were those exposed in physical combat, or were related to our erogenous zones.
But researchers have found that evidence backs up Darwin's theory - that less frequently touched body areas tend to be more ticklish.
Darwin (inset) explained his theory more than 150 years ago in his book The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals.
Dutch scientists used a two-part online test to study tickling in 448
young adults from China, the Netherlands and Greece.
First, participants answered a survey about their memories of tickling during childhood and adulthood, such as who tickled them, and whether they reacted by laughing, screaming, or running away, among other options.
Second, they digitally coloured in a blank outline of a human body to make a map of which parts felt ticklish.
The researchers did the same for other body feelings, like pain, regular touch and sexual pleasure to see if they overlapped with ticklish areas.
Ziliang Xiong and Konstantina Kilteni of Radboud University in the Netherlands used these body maps
to test which of five theories best captured our experience of tickling.
"Strikingly, the only factor that showed a significant association with ticklishness was the low frequency of touch in those areas, providing support for the theory by Darwin," they wrote in the journal Nature Human Behaviour.
But they added that Darwin's theory does not completely explain the findings, providing only partial support, with tickling best explained by a combination of factors.
The researchers said the lesser-touched areas might be ticklish because contact there might be less expected, making it more of a surprise to the recipient.
This can become circular, with the
paper saying: "Some areas are ticklish because they are rarely touched, and they are rarely touched because they are ticklish."
The survey across three cultures also found that "ticklishness is a widespread human experience".
It is unlike other forms of social touch, such as hugging and stroking, which have different meanings in different cultures.
It is common for ticklishness to be described as unpleasant.
The study also discredited some theories. For example, areas that are more sensitive were found to be less ticklish. The hand, which is full of nerve endings, was found to be one of the least ticklish areas.
PEOPLE
Madeley saved by sister after choking on beef
By Sean O'Grady
Richard Madeley has revealed he almost choked to death on a piece of beef and was saved by his sister.
The TV presenter, 70, said he swallowed a piece of "very rare beef" without chewing properly during a "lively discussion" and it went "straight into the windpipe".
Speaking to Dr Hilary Jones on Good Morning Britain, he said: "I tried to cough it up but I had no air in the lungs to do that. I suddenly realised I was choking."
Madeley's sister, Liz Lawrence, who is trained in the Heimlich manoeuvre, was present at the dinner and rushed to save him.
He said: "She did the Heimlich on me.
"One, two, three times - and it didn't work, it was still lodged.
"I felt my knees give way and I went down, and as I went down, thank God she did it again.
"If she hadn't known what to do, I would have died."
PEOPLE
Gervais to marry partner 'to cut inheritance tax'
By Sean O'Grady
Ricky Gervais has said he would marry his long-time partner, Jane Fallon, to avoid paying inheritance tax.
The comedian and the author, both 65, have been together since 1982 but chose never to marry.
Gervais said avoiding inheritance tax would be a good reason to marry Fallon, telling Saga magazine: "And that will be the reason I marry.
"We haven't done it yet. But if it wasn't for tax, why? It's mad. How more married can you be?
"We share all our money - we've been living together for 40 years. Some marriages don't last a year."
Earlier this year, Fallon revealed she had been diagnosed with breast cancer after a routine mammogram.
She had two surgeries, which "went well", and said she was "looking forward to getting back to normal".
Ricky Gervais and Jane Fallon have been together for 44 years
HEALTH
Some prostate cancers 'may not need biopsy'
By Ella Pickover
Some prostate cancers can be diagnosed without the need for an invasive biopsy, a study has found.
For some men, cancer can be detected through an MRI scan alone with a high degree of certainty, according to experts from University College London Hospitals (UCLH).
In many hospitals, men with suspected prostate cancer will be referred for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for detailed images
of what is happening in the body. Depending on the images, doctors may also recommend a biopsy.
But in other hospitals, those with suspected cancer will be referred straight for a biopsy - where a small needle is put into the prostate to take a tissue sample so it can be checked for cancer cells.
The potential disadvantages of biopsies include missed cancers and the detection of slow growing cancers which may not need treatment.
But the study found that some
men could have their cancer diagnosed by MRI alone.
The research looked at 880 men who attended UCLH's one-stop clinic for suspected prostate cancer over a one-year period.
All of the men had a prostate MRI. Four experienced radiologists looked at scan results combined with the patient's age and their prostate-specific antigen (PSA) score.
Some 251 were deemed likely to have a tumour and 217 of these went on to have a biopsy.
The radiologists examined each scan and were asked to say whether they were '99 per cent certain" there was a tumour, '90 per cent certain" or "less than 90 per cent certain".
Of the 69 patients deemed to be '99 per cent certain", all had cancer confirmed through a biopsy.
Forty-five patients were scored as '90 per cent" sure - of these, 41 underwent biopsy and 40 had significant tumours.
Researchers said this indicated some men may not need biopsies.
14
NEWS
JUSTICE
PM will try to keep PC Harper's killers jailed
By Rhiannon James and Sophie Wingate
Andy Burnham has pledged to do "everything possible" to stop PC Andrew Harper's killers being freed under the early release scheme.
But the Prime Minister refused to confirm whether ministers would exclude people convicted of a certain type of manslaughter from early release.
The exemption had been suggested as a way of avoiding the release of
Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole, two of Harper's three killers.
Bowers and Cole were passengers in a car that dragged the police officer down a country road after he got caught in a strap attached to it in Sulhamstead, Berkshire, in 2019.
The prospect of the pair's release next year had way through their 13-year sentences has prompted widespread condemnation of the early release scheme.
Yesterday, Burnham said he would present findings on a review of the
early release scheme when Parliament returns in two weeks' time.
The Justice Secretary, Alex Norris, is drawing up plans to "maximise public safety and minimise the early
release of prisoners", the Prime Minister said.
Burnham pledged to do "everything possible" to ensure Bowers and Cole are not eligible for early release.
Asked about reports ministers were considering exempting prisoners who committed "unlawful act" manslaughter from the scheme, he said "at this moment in time, this is speculation".
A former leading judge has warned it would be "unlawful" to block solely Bowers and Cole from early release
while freeing other prisoners convicted of the same offence.
But Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd said the rule change surrounding the type of manslaughter could be workable in practice.
The Prime Minister said: "I've said I want to do everything possible to ensure we don't see the release of people involved in the killing of PC Harper and other individuals."
He added: "It is important, given the public concern, that I do everything possible to get this right."
The Prime Minister ordered a review of the scheme under the Sentencing Act shortly after taking office. Changes were announced to stop rapists and paedophiles being released early
GREECE
British newlyweds die in helicopter crash
By Ellie Crabbe
Tributes have been paid to a newlywed couple who died in a helicopter crash while they were celebrating their honeymoon in Greece.
Alex Cromie and his wife, Marie Ebert, as well as their pilot, Giorgos Raikos, were killed when the private helicopter crashed and sparked a fire in the Tholos area of the Aegean island, Sifnos.
The helicopter crashed on an arid hillside shortly after take-off on Monday evening and the cause of the crash is not yet known.
In a statement, a spokesperson for asset management firm Blackstone, where Mr Cromie worked as a vice president in private wealth solutions, said: "We are shocked by the tragic passing of three people including our colleague, Alex Cromie, and his wife, Marie Ebert, who were celebrating their honeymoon.
"Alex was beloved by everyone who knew and worked with him at Blackstone, and our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones."
According to his LinkedIn profile, Mr Cromie worked at Blackstone for four years, first as an associate in private wealth solutions before being made a vice president last January.
Ms Ebert was a senior specialist at the management consultancy Bain & Company, according to her LinkedIn page.
A spokesperson said: "Our thoughts and support are with the families involved at this very difficult time."
The Foreign Office said it was providing consular support and that it was in contact with the Greek authorities.
Alex Cromie and his wife, Marie Ebert (left), were killed in the crash in Sifnos, a Greek island - pilot Giorgos Raikos was also killed FACEBOOKLINKEDIN
PEOPLE
Family feeling 'profound grief', says Klitschko
By Laura Harding
Former boxer Wladimir Klitschko said his family is "going through a time of profound shock and grief", following the death of his ex-partner Hayden Panettiere.
The Heroes and Nashville actress, who died on Sunday at the age of 36, was the mother of their daughter Kaya. Police in Greenville, South Carolina, found the actress in cardiac arrest and said there were "no signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances".
Klitschko, a former heavyweight world champion, wrote on Instagram: "Our family is going through a time of profound shock and grief.
"The announcement of Hayden's tragic death saddens me deeply. She left this world far too soon. Hayden was, although no longer my partner, an important part of my life and the mother of our daughter, Kaya."
The couple dated from 2009 to 2018. Their daughter was born in 2014. In 2018 Panettiere gave Klitschko full custody as she struggled with her mental health.
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WEDNESDAY 13 AUGUST 2026
15
UNITED STATES
'Addictive' social media platforms Instagram and Facebook in dock
By Diana Novak Jones
A lawsuit claiming that Facebook and Instagram were deliberately designed to be addictive in ways that harm young users' mental health went to trial yesterday.
The civil case against Meta Platforms, which could potentially reshape some of the most popular apps under the company, has been brought by a coalition of 29 US states.
It also accuses the company of misleading consumers about the safety of the platforms for young users, and of improperly collecting and using children's personal data while they used the company's platforms in violation of federal law.
Experts have said the trial is the biggest test yet of youth social media litigation and comes amid a broader reckoning across the globe over social media's effects on young users.
Attorneys for Colorado, California, New Jersey and Kentucky, who are leading the bipartisan coalition, were giving opening statements before an eight-person jury in Oakland, California, last night as The i Paper went to press.
Megan O'Neill, a deputy attorney general for the California Department of Justice, told the court: "You're going to hear that Meta knew a lot about kids' brains."
This includes how they are constantly seeking rewards, how they are sensitive to social feedback and "how they are still developing their ability to control impulses the way adults do".
Meta, she said, researched these vulnerabilities and talked about how it could change Instagram to respond to them.
Meta has repeatedly said it believes it has a strong case.
"We are proud of our record in protecting teens on our platforms and the amount of effort that we've put into developing protections over the years, even before these cases were ever filed, and continuing to the present day.
"We look forward to showing the judge and the jury those facts in court," the company said.
Meta founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg is expected to testify during the multiweek trial, as is Instagram head Adam Mosseri.
Meta has said the penalties could be as high as $1.4trn ($1.03trn), near the company's market cap of $1.5trn.
The attorneys general have yet to specify what they are seeking in penalties, but said at a hearing last week that the amount could be closer to $200bn.
The states' lawsuit, which was filed in 2023, stems from a multistate investigation into Instagram and Facebook's effect on young users.
The investigation was announced following disclosures by Meta whistle-blower Frances Haugen (inset), who testified before a US Senate committee in 2021 that the company knew its products could harm young users and how to make them safer, but chose not to make those changes in favour of pursuing higher profits.
Meta and other social media companies like Snap Inc. TikTok parent ByteDance and YouTube parent Alphabet are facing growing pressure from politicians and in the courts
Duane Davis, left, in court with attorney Michael Sanft who said police knew he was 'full of crap' STEVE MARCUS/REUTERS
CRIME
Family of rapper Tupac leave court to avoid seeing autopsy pictures
By Jessica Hill
Some members of Tupac Shakur's family stepped out of the courtroom yesterday before prosecutors showed photos from his 1996 autopsy at the trial of Duane "Kiffe D" Davis, who is charged with orchestrating the rap star's fatal drive-by shooting.
Dr Lisa Gavin, a forensic pathologist and medical examiner for Clark County, Nevada, was among the early witnesses on the second day of testimony. Jurors were shown a photo of a green body hag at the beginning of her questioning, followed by a grisly photo of his body.
His relatives who remained in the courtroom looked away. One woman got up to leave once the photos were shown. Shakur, 25, died at a hospital six days after he was shot.
Rapper Tupac Shakur was shot on 7 September, 1996 - he was only 25
In Monday's opening statements, deputy district attorney, Binu Palal, told jurors that "Duane Davis did not pull the trigger. But he did plan the shooting in retaliation of the beating
of his nephew," and that, "remarkably, you will learn that from Duane Davis himself."
Davis, 63, could get life in prison if he is convicted of murder with a deadly weapon. He has pleaded not guilty. Lawyer Michael Sanft told jurors Davis was not previously charged, despite implicating himself in interviews and his memoir, because law enforcement knew that he was "full of crap".
Jurors were shown video of Shakur's entourage attacking Davis's nephew Orlando Anderson outside a boxing fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas hours before the shooting on 7 September, 1996.
Davis spent the next two hours planning how to get even, said Palal. The trial in Las Vegas is expected to last for up to six weeks.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Warning over children being drawn to extremism
By Harry Goodwin
Children are "becoming intoxicated by extremism" on social media, the Children's Commissioner for England has warned.
Dame Rachel de Souza called on ministers to curb social media use for under-18s. She said that British children were being exposed to videos of heheadings and terror attacks on the internet, leading some to idolise violent extremists.
Referrals involving children to the Government's anti-terror programme, Prevent, have risen in the past decade, from 2,918 in 2016-17 to 4,715 in 2024-25.
Axel Rudakubana, the perpetrator of the Southport attack in July 2024, had been referred to Prevent three times but his case was closed over a lack of clear ideology.
De Souza called for a "stronger safeguarding response, particularly for children who are fixated with vio-
Dame Rachel De Souza urged a curb on social media use for under-18s
lence but have no identified extremist ideology". She said experts were "deeply concerned that children are being drawn into radicalisation and violence fascination online".
The Five-Clue Cryptic Crossword No 4911
Solution, page 51
Across
1 A native of Zagreb, for example, holding barrel and tumbler (7) 5/6 Tore argument apart as 'pants' in America, but not here (5, 7)
Down
1 Come to accept short man's outfit (7) 2 Deceived Howard perhaps with elementary particle (6) 4 Intended to be sung or spoken after church (6)
N°1
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NEWS
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MONDAY 42-45
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• WEDNESDAY 13 AUGUST 2025
17
SOCIETY
You can say that again: the most mispronounced words revealed
By Lewis Smith
Some of Britain's most mispronounced words have been revealed – though in fairness several of the mistakes are on foreign imports.
Colonel, squirrel, specific and necessarily can, according to a survey, be a challenge even for those brought up speaking English. Even brewery, despite the UK's love of beer, can be awkward.
Perhaps even trickier are phenomenon, aesthetic, hyperbole and Worcestershire.
But others it is claimed by Škoda UK (Sh-co-da rather than Scoder) have the excuse of having a foreign derivation.
Among them are the Italian-derived words segue (seg-way) gnocchi (mok-kee), and espresso (es-presso). Other tricky imports include charcuterie (shar-koo-tuh-ree) from France, chipotle (chi-pot-lay) from Mexico, quinoa (keen-wa) from the Andes and açaí (ah-sigh-ee) from Brazil.
A quarter of 2,000 people quizzed for the survey admitted to embarrassment when they are called out for mispronunciation, while 85 per cent said they have been corrected after making a mistake.
The survey was commissioned by Škoda to try to educate Britons on how to pronounce the motor company's name.
Pictured clockwise from top, an açaí (ah-sigh-ee) tree, quinoa (keen-wa), charcuterie (shar-koo-tuh-ree)
HEALTH
Older people who sleep well can work longer
By Storm Newton
People who sleep well in middle age tend to keep working for longer, a study has found.
But sleeping for nine hours or more, or being disturbed regularly, has been linked to leaving the workforce earlier.
To explore if good quality sleep may lead to longer careers, researchers in Finland looked at data from people aged 50 up to the age of 68.
They analysed two studies: one which included more than 70,000 public sector staff from 2000 to 2016, and another of 6,071 working age adults in Finland from 1998 to 2013.
People who reported no disturbances had a working life expectancy of 13 years five months.
This was compared with 13 years among those moderately disturbed two to four nights a week, and 12 years 10 months for people disturbed almost every night.
The findings were published in the journal Occupational & Environmental Medicine.
AUCTION
Rare 'Tasmanian tiger' head sells for £60,000
By Tom Bevan
A taxidermy "fox head" bought for just £50 at a market has sold for £60,000 at auction after it turned out to be the world's only surviving head of an extinct tiger.
The thylacine, also known as the Tasmanian tiger, was a carnivorous marsupial native to Australia, Tasmania and New Guinea.
While mainland populations disappeared around 2,000 years ago, an isolated population survived in Tasmania.
But it was wrongly viewed by European settlers in the 19th century as a threat to sheep and efforts were made to eradicate it.
This week's surprise auction was the first time a fully preserved head has ever been discovered. Its initial mistaken identity meant its guide price started at £30 to £50.
The buyer, James Cranfield, called it a "holy grail" of the natural history world.
Auctioneer Andrew Stowe holding the rare thylacine head
PEOPLE
Spencer's 'revelations' about Diana in new book will 'draw attention'
By Sean O'Grady
Charles Spencer will publish a book about the life of his sister, Diana, Princess of Wales, which contains "revelations that will draw considerable attention".
Swan Song: Diana, My Sister will mark the first time that Earl Spencer, 62, has spoken at length about his sibling.
He said: "With the 30th anniversary of Diana's tragic death on the skyline, I've been inundated yet again with requests for interviews about my sister.
"This has convinced me to write down my own thoughts and memories, once and for all, rather than having the discomfort of again reading the opinions of others, many of which are based on untruths that have become accepted over time.
"The aim of this book is to tell the truth about Diana from her brother's perspective, just as I attempted to do when speaking at her funeral.
"As with my eulogy, I want to speak on Diana's behalf and do so in an openly positive way."
Spencer added: "I hope this book will be of interest to the many who still cherish the memory of Diana.
"I would be delighted if those too young to remember her in her hey-day feel – after reading this – that they 'get' who she really was: a one-off dynamic character, full of love, charisma and self-doubt, who gave life a hell of a go, and left the world a better place, despite exiting the stage while still so young."
During Diana's funeral in 1997, Earl Spencer delivered a passionate eulogy in which he pointedly referred to his sister's "blood family".
Daniel Bunyard, publishing director at Penguin Random House UK, added: "This is a book of historic importance, telling us it does the story of one of the 20th century's most iconic and culturally significant figures, but it is also utterly unique in being written by Earl Spencer, from a vantage point of such intimacy.
"Charles Spencer is both a loving brother and an acclaimed memoirist as well as a celebrated historian, and all these facets are brought together in Swan Song."
Earl Spencer says his sister Diana was 'full of love... and self-doubt'
Last month, the Duchess of Sussex shared pictures showing her with Spencer.
Prince Harry's uncle, it had been rumoured the Duke of Sussex would visit his uncle in Northamptonshire to leave flowers at the grave of his mother, Diana.
Bunyard added: "It is extraordinarily moving, beautifully written and remarkably candid.
"While these pages contain many revelations that will draw considerable attention, readers will find, for the first time, but also for all time, a fitting tribute to the beloved woman who was Princess Diana."
Born into the aristocratic Spencer family in 1961, Diana married the King, then Prince of Wales, in 1981 and had sons William and Harry. The couple divorced in 1996.
She died in August 1997 in a car crash in Paris at the age of 36.
Her partner, Dodi Fayed, and their chauffeur Henri Paul also died in the crash.
Her death led to widespread public mourning and her funeral was watched by more than two billion people worldwide.
Swan Song: Diana, My Sister will be published on 22 September.
Spencer previously published a memoir, A Very Private School, in 2024, detailing the sexual abuse and beatings he suffered at Maidwell Hall, a boarding school.
18
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The Opinion Matrix
COMMENT FROM HOME AND ABROAD
RICHARD TICE
Reform MP is out of touch on climate
Daily Mirror
Reform UK's millionaire deputy leader believes we should stop being so 'doom and gloom' about climate change because warmer weather might produce better grapes. You could hardly invent a more perfect picture of a wealthy politician insulated from the consequences of what he is talking about. (Editorial)
Conservative Home
Richard Tice has toyed with a Trumpian dismissal of climate change altogether. But tackling it is where the voters are, and it need not be socialist to do so. (David Willetts)
WHITE HOUSE PHONE HOAX
A sign of the volatile times we live in
Daily Mail
The targeting of the Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, in a White House hoax is a deeply disturbing development. Regardless of the prevailing geopolitical climate, the security implications would be far-reaching at any given moment. But they are considerably more troubling in light of the uncertain and volatile times we live in. (Editorial)
The Independent
As with victims of more serious crimes, I often find myself feeling sympathy towards people in public life who are duped by prank callers. (Sean O'Grady)
REFORM PLAN ON BENEFITS
The party's ideas are promising
The Telegraph
Reform UK has skirted around one of the biggest costs of all, the billions added annually to the pension bill by the triple lock, which Reform says it will retain. Nonetheless, Reform's benefits plan is a promising start. (Editorial)
The Times
The UK's benefits bill is growing apace, to the point where it is no longer sustainable. But Robert Jenrick's plan to cut payments is stronger on headlines than savings. And for those with severe needs who rely on this system, it is a lifeline, and change must bear their continuity of care in mind. (Editorial)
'PEAK WOKENESS'
No, woke 'version one' was not crazy
The Guardian
'Woke 1 was crazy,' said Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, this month. 'Peak wokeness' was about politics and culture and also about the behaviours and trends it triggered from concrete problems like sexual harassment to reforming cultural structures that perpetuated these problems, like uni curriculums. None of this was 'crazy' (Nesrine Malik)
Washington Times
Wokeness entailed smearing conservatives and Christians as 'Nazis' and 'fascists' and relentlessly pushing transgender insanity. (Robert Knight)
MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT
Region is undergoing a reshaping
Financial Times
If Trump and Netanyahu believed that war with Iran would draw regional states closer to Israel, and pave the way for an expansion of the Abraham Accords, they are likely to be disappointed. The war will reshape the Middle East. But it will do so in ways they did not intend or foresee. (Editorial)
Le Monde
The US's weakness also prompted three of its allies – Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey – to conclude a mutual defence pact, a clear rebuke of the US's role as the historical protector of the Arabian peninsula. (Editorial)
'BORGES AND ME' MOVIE
Some films are made to stay with you
Culture Cues
There are films you admire, and then there are films you are not quite ready to leave behind when they end. Borges and Me was firmly the latter for me. By the end of Michael Turtletsub's film's journey through the Highlands and islands, I had fully fallen for it. (Nikki Murray)
Deadline
Sometimes it feels like the growing subset of films set in the stuffy British academic world of the early 70s deserve a genre all to themselves. Though this one is smart, literary and playful, it could have done with a touch more of Borges's metafictional genius. (Domon Wise)
Quote of the day
Maradona represented something more than just being a football player
Bobby Gillespie The Primal Scream founder on the footballer's impact on millions of people
Life In Brief
WILLIAM ORBIT MUSIC PRODUCER
William Wainwright was born in east London, the son of two teachers who played classical music in the family home. He left school at 15 and travelled around Britain and Europe, living in squats and fruit picking. He worked as a builder, in a hospital and as a trainee draughtsman.
Orbit went on to teach himself guitar and busked in London and Paris.
In 1980 he formed a group, Torch Song. The music the band produced was electronic and ambient in sound. Through the label he founded, Guerilla Records, he worked with artists like the Cocteau Twins, The Fall and Sting.
Orbit produced Madonna's 1998 album Ray of Light, in which the American singer moved into electronica and trip-hop, and also worked with her on the 2000 album Music, as well as co-writing and performing on her 1999 hit single
'Beautiful Stranger'. Orbit picked up two Grammys for Ray of Light for best pop album and best dance recording, while he also won one for best song written for visual media for 'Beautiful Stranger', which appeared in the 1999 film Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shopped Me.
He was also nominated for Grammys for his work on Pink's song 'Feel Good Time', his own 2000 album Pieces in a Modern Style and for record of the year for the single 'Ray of Light'.
With Blur, Orbit produced the 1999 album 13, in which the band took a darker lyrical turn, producing singles such as 'Tender', 'Coffee & TV' and 'No Distance Left to Run'. He also worked on their track 'Sweet Song' from 2003's Think Tank album.
The band honoured him by sharing the cover art of the album on Instagram with a heartbroken emoji and 'William
Orbit' written in the caption. Orbit also worked on Mel C's 1999 debut solo album Northern Star and in 2018 he worked on 'After All', a song from British girl group Ali Saints' fifth studio album, Testament.
The former Spice Girls singer paid tribute to Orbit, posting on Instagram. 'Such an honour to have worked with this great man. Sending all my love.'
Orbit also worked with Britney Spears and Will.i.am on the 2013 album Britney Jean, and produced a 2014 version of the Freddie Mercury solo track 'There Must Be More to Life Than This' which featured Michael Jackson using archive vocals and Queen.
For U2, Orbit produced 'Electrical Storm' and 'The Hands That Built America', which were the only previously unreleased tracks to feature on the Irish rock band's compilation album The Best of 1990-2000.
Also paying tribute to Orbit was fellow producer Erol Alkan, who posted 'Incredible producer'. Made so many records I love. My sincerest condolences!
Orbit's solo career produced 12 studio albums. He was also a member of the groups Bassomatic and Torch Song. The musician died at home on 23 July. His family said he will be 'greatly missed by us and by so many whose lives he touched'.
Born 15 December 1956 Died 23 July 2026
WEST 2-33
OPINION 18-22
TV 26-31
LIFE 34-37
CHILDREN 38-41
MONKEY 42-45
SPORT 50-54
● WEDNESDAY 19 AUGUST 2026
19
My View
James O'Brien
Boudicca meets Thatcher? Not likely
Badenoch is an exercise in self-deception and denial
Everybody knows there is a lot of pressure on Andy Burnham, whose honeymoon period as Prime Minister must surely be at least approaching the departure lounge. But why is there none on Kemi Badenoch?
Burnham is the only available antidote to Britain's post-Brexit populist paroxysms and his predecessor provided an object lesson in how hard it is these days for a Labour prime minister to recover from early missteps and mistakes.
From health to defence, social care to Neets (young people not in education, employment or training), the country faces deep and abiding problems that can only be meaningfully addressed, never mind alleviated or solved, with substance, realism and determination. This is, in other words, a period that demands political seriousness, proper scrutiny and, therefore, effective and intelligent opposition. The sharpness of Burnham's premiership will in many ways be defined by the whetstone of substantive opposition.
And thanks to Badenoch, he doesn't have any. Farage is, and always has been, ridiculous and dangerous in equal measure. Secretly trousering sodles of cash from a foreign-based billionaire, apparently inventing a police warning to stay away from his own by-election victory announcement in Clacton, prioritising his own ego and gossamer-thin skin over any semblance of party unity or cogent policy, every week brings his singular awfulness further into focus.
But he is not the leader of the Opposition. Reform UK only has eight MPs, and only three of them were elected on the party's ticket at the last general election. You might not know it from the way broadcasters fall over themselves to send cameras every time he, Lee Anderson or Richard Tice draw breath, but it is not a serious party.
Its policies, as we saw this week with unworkable announcements about welfare and disability claimants, and last week with an immigration "policy" plucked wholesale from the worst of radio phone-in callers (and I would know!) are at best fanciful, at worst downright stupid.
Badenoch's recent headlines, meanwhile, have drawn voters'
Kemi Badenoch is constantly changing her positions on various subjects, including the US and Israel's war in Iran STEFAN ROUSSEAUIPA
attention to the fact that there is room on her candidate lists for an allegedly reformed former neo-Nazi, jailed for inciting racial hatred against Jews, but reportedly not room for Grant Shapps, a former party co-chairman who held a plethora of ministerial positions in the last four Conservative governments.
The former, Joshua Bonehill-Paine, subsequently removed himself from consideration for a council seat in Somerset and was immediately parachuted by Kemi "I've never had a gaffe" Badenoch into an advisory role.
It takes a special kind of incompetence to engender feelings of sympathy for Shapps, or whatever name he's going by this week, but it doesn't end there. Dame Penny Mordaunt, a former defence secretary, is among a cohort of Tories with lengthy and varied experience of government still waiting to learn whether their support for policies pursued by Tory governments going back to David Cameron and beyond will bar
them from standing for the current iteration of their party.
Badenoch also campaigned on manifestos calling for net zero and membership of the European Convention on Human Rights, but perhaps she has forgotten. Or did so by accident. Or didn't mean it.
In May, she was forced to apologise after footage of soldiers on Bloody Sunday was posted to her social media account. It is not clear whether she knew that the civil rights protesters shot dead or injured by British troops that day were found by the 2010 Saville Inquiry to have done nothing
She was forced to apologise after footage of soldiers on Bloody Sunday was posted
to justify the shooting. Or that Cameron, himself presumably persona non grata in Badenoch's Conservatives due to his support for those pesky net zero and ECHR policies, described the killings as "unjustified and unjustifiable".
In February she was quick to "stand with our allies in the US and Israel as they take on the threat of the Islamic Republic of Iran and its vile regime" and insist that Sir Keir Starmer should have done more to support the doomed war. Weeks later, as the idiocy of the intervention became impossible for even her to ignore, a graceless reverse ferret was executed: "I said that we support their actions. I never said we should join."
Presumably, her position here has changed yet again but we are unlikely to find out because Tory-supporting media continue to insist that a so-called "Keminaisance" is under way. That despite objectively humiliating results in Makerfield and the Manchester mayoral elections, she is somehow presiding over a transformation of Tory
fortunes, while the party's polling remains lower than it was when they were trounced by Starmer's Labour Party in the 2024 election.
Tragically, but no longer hilariously, it is an exercise in delusion and denial best exemplified by Badenoch herself, who appears to absolutely believe that she is some sort of cross between Boudicca and Margaret Thatcher. "You are a serious person who does big things" was one of the motivational messages to herself found in a notebook that The New Statesman claimed last year she accidentally left in a hotel room.
Well, I wish she'd start soon because otherwise Burnham will be charged with single-handedly steering the country back to the grown-up politics it so desperately needs. And he's got plenty on his plate already.
James O'Brien is the author of 'How They Broke Britain'. His radio show is on LBC weekdays from 10am
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Your View
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Aflutter over hawk moths
The first time we ever saw a hummingbird hawk moth ("Hummingbird hawk moths flutter into British gardens", 17 August) was more than 20 years ago at the herbarium in Saint-Valery-sur-Somme, northern France. Luckily there was an information plaque which included this exotic insect, otherwise we would have been stumped.
Now, and for the last 10 years or so, we are disappointed if none of us spot at least one in the garden during the summer. They are certainly one non-native species that is very welcome indeed. ROBERT BOSTON KINGSHILL, KENT
We had daily visits from a hummingbird hawk moth last summer. It was attracted to the verbena and it was fascinating to watch it hovering over the flowers.
One has reappeared this year, although not quite as regularly. GREG HEATH LAMBOURN, WEST BERKSHIRE
Gervais has made us laugh
I read with curiosity your feature, ("I know why fans are so angry with Gervais", 18 August).
Your writer says: "He was once the king of comedy, but this new series shows just how far Ricky has fallen." I disagree wholeheartedly.
While Alley Cots may not be his best work, Gervais should be applauded for trying something new at a time when many television shows seem little more than carbon copies of what has come before.
The Office, Derek and After Life are among the best television series I have watched. Whatever one thinks of his latest
work, his contribution to British comedy should not be overlooked.
ROB SHARRED TAMWORTH, STAFFORDSHIRE
UK already has skin in the game
Anne McElvoy was right to demand candour from the Government regarding our support for Ukraine in its war against Russian aggression ("UK backing for Kyiv makes it a legitimate target for Russia", 17 August).
However, this conflict is also about wider security issues. The UK deserves a forthright conversation about resilience.
The frontline is now your laptop, energy grid, finance system and social media feeds. We are already in the fight. NOEL HADJIMICHAEL CHAIR, DEFENCE AND SECURITY CIRCLE, WHITEHALL
Postcards bring me so much joy
I read with interest your piece on the decline of postcards ("We asked – and you delivered", 15-16 August). My son lives in London and most Saturdays travels around the country to watch sporting events, and he sends me a postcard from wherever he visits.
He has lived in London for 19 years and I now have hundreds of postcards.
It is a wonderful form of communication and his cards and messages mean so much to me.
STEPHANIE COOD BRIGG, NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE
Scotland ahead on free buses
I was surprised to learn disabled people in England; have not had universal free bus travel ("Burnham to lift all restrictions on free bus
The sight of hummingbird hawk moths in their gardens has enthralled readers FINDARK WEBSTER/GETTY
travel for disabled across England", 18 August)
In Scotland, disabled people and the over-sixties have enjoyed free travel since 2006, with train and tram travel free for those who are blind. Young people also receive free bus travel until the age of 22.
England should look up and catch up. HELEN WOSU EDINBURGH
Heatwaves are a serious matter
I was shocked and appalled by the comments made by Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice regarding the recent heatwaves ("Adapt to heat and enjoy it, says Tice", 18 August).
His suggestion that we should simply "enjoy" and "adapt" to changing climates will, I am sure, have upset people who have lost loved ones during heatwaves, farmers whose yields have been damaged and those affected by wildfires.
I would challenge
him to repeat those remarks to the residents of Stourbridge who have lost their homes following the recent devastating fire. ROY PARKER COLCHESTER, ESSEX
Shorter degrees ease loan terms
I worked in further education for most of my career. We offered Access courses for adults seeking entry to university without A-level qualifications. They were government-funded at further education rates.
Now thousands of students are enrolling on foundation years as part of four-year degree courses, drawing down an extra year's worth of student loan funding.
Why has this been allowed to happen? It is also worth looking at the University of Buckingham, which has successfully offered two-year degrees for decades.
With costs rising, why have more universities not been encouraged to adopt similar models?
RAY STARKEY NORTHAMPTON
Look to housing alternatives
I agree that we need more new homes, but for goodness' sake, build homes people can afford.
In our village, almost three-quarters of the properties listed on Rightmove are new-builds that are simply too expensive.
While I'm on the subject, why are we still so wedded to bricks and mortar? A friend recently had a factory-made modular home installed in a week. Surely technology has moved on. JANE WELLS TOLLESBURY, ESSEX
Locating the rain gods
In the summer of 1976, after weeks without rain, the government appointed a minister for drought. Within days, the heavens opened.
Last weekend, after two months of almost continuous sunshine, I bought a sundial. SIMON BULLIVANT DALLINGTON, EAST SUSSEX
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CULTURE What happens when musicians (who aren't Beethoven) lose their hearing
Plus LIFESTYLE Holiday stresses Experts share tips on how to avoid anxiety ruining your break
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TY 26-31
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• WEDNESDAY 19 AUGUST 2026
21
My summer of regret shows we need a sunny rethink
CLIMATE
Sarah Carson
There's a blackboard outside the pub near me that is making me feel guilty. "Make the most of the sunshine before it's too late!" it demands. The next time I walk past it, I reckon I'll just kick it over. I already feel bad enough about this summer.
The British summer is always a mixed one – for me anyway. All year seems to build up to it. I load it up with promise, I expect picnics and barbecues and rooftops and concerts and festivals and beaches.
At the start of summer, it always feels like the life I dream for myself might finally get to happen. At the beginning of May, I remember sitting outside a restaurant feeling sincere excitement about all the spontaneity hoving into view. Cut to mid-August and it feels like I've spent three months in hiding.
I hardly need to tell you that
it has been very hot. Nor that the successive heatwaves have, between wildfires and train crashes, provided confirmation (as if we needed it) that the country is even less able to cope with the heat than our bodies.
It has been punitive, a period to survive, not thrive. I spent most of one music festival sitting in the shade, too sluggish to move. Barbecues have seemed a sticky, unnecessary faff and the local lido has turned unbearable now that it is the only chance of escape for miles.
It's hard work. What's even harder, though, is the feeling that I've wasted the very season life's meant to be in bloom. It is drummed into us in this country that sunshine is scarce and so we ought to "make the most" of it.
It starts, I think, as a way of parents forcing children with nothing to do out of the house to play, and then becomes a sort of collective philosophy. We suffer for months of rain and dull, grey days in order to earn this, so to be inside on a nice day is to squander something precious and to opt out of life.
This is obviously why you'll catch so many men with their shirts off if there's a sunny day in March, why
Lidos, like this one in South East London, have been packed this summer
we're so reluctant to leave the beach even if a storm is brewing and why we have an unbecoming reputation for going loopy on holiday. We have an ingrained understanding that it won't last, and we know we are supposed to drop everything to seize upon it.
In southern Europe, they don't need to lose the plot; they keep the blinds closed and the heat
out, and you won't catch them on the beach before about 5pm. In northern Europe, where summer is shorter, they have a long tradition of adapting their lifestyles to enjoy it, decamping to their summer houses and their boats and lakes.
But there is still something novel about it for us – we haven't yet managed to accept when the heat is here to stay. Trying to make
I spent most of one music festival sitting in the shade, too sluggish to move
the most of it has left me defeated. Really, we ought to be taking tips from our neighbours and learning to live with it.
We don't have enough air conditioning, or clean, free swimming spots; we don't accept that it's okay and indeed sensible to stay indoors sometimes. We are still ruled by a scarcity mindset that makes us feel we can never do enough when the sun is out.
But summer can stretch, intermittently, across five months now. "Making the most of it" made sense when it was a fleeting, carefree departure from real life.
Now, it seems, this is real life, and it's been impossible to do anything but sit inside in the dark. Until we learn how to embrace a hot, bright summer as a lifestyle, it's impossible to do anything but regret it.
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I knew Ronaldo was different the very day I met him
SPORT
Kevin Garside
Cristiano Ronaldo arrived at Old Trafford an unpolished teenager with poor teeth and bad hair, yet the underlying physicality was undeniable. I recall waiting in the foyer at Carrington for Ronaldo's emergence post-training to conduct an interview commissioned by United's then sponsor Vodafone.
I was expecting an effete ballet type, a delicate, shy winger in need of protection from hairy-arsed, English centre-backs.
When the sliding doors opened, I was met by a 6ft-plus unit, with shoulders like Apollo and legs like Linford Christie. It was immediately clear who would be dishing out pain on the pitch. It would not be him in need of minders.
More than 20 years later, he is in even better shape than he was then, a phenom, part man, part god, omnipresent, boots or not.
In elite terms, Ronaldo retired long ago. The shell of the player he was rumbled on into his 40s, enabled by Saudi Arabia's need for association with a global sporting asset and Portugal's attachment to the legend of yore.
Don't worry. When the boots come off at the season's end, the world clock will still tick to Ronaldo time. Powered by more than one billion social media devotees, or one eighth of the world's population, fascination with the most recognisable human on the planet is algorithmically guaranteed.
Carefully curated Insta posts from Madonna gigs in New York, a Beckham marriage in St Barts, waving the chequered flag in Monaco, a Maga hat at Barron Trump's campaign rally in Florida and smiling benevolently during a Papal audience in Rome (granted by Ronaldo, of course) will maintain CR7 at the centre of this flawless universe.
The drive to make real the elusive perfection of Plato's forms (ideals which can only exist in the imagination, according to the founding father of organised thought) is rooted in the poverty of his youth in Madeira.
There is something about sharing a room with three siblings in the home of parents scraping a living as cleaners and gardeners that compels a kid to strive for more.
Ronaldo will retire a rare sporting billionaire, the third richest athlete on the planet after Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods, according to sports business site Sportiva.
Taking the Saudi dollar no longer attracts the pariah pushback it did when he signed for Al-Nassr four years ago. Geopolitical upheavals in the Middle East have overridden ethical concerns, recasting Saudi Arabia as "guys like us" and reducing the reliance on Big Sport as a vector for acceptance.
That the Saudi regime is still happy to funnel £250m per year Ronaldo's way when they have
given up on golf and are exercising extreme financial restraint at Newcastle United underscores Ronaldo's commodified power.
His marriage to long-term partner Georgina Rodriguez (inset) cemented the idyllic patina of family life, pictures of the couple with their five kids in sundry luxury settings override any misgivings about his personal life prior to wedlock.
As one academic, Alan Bairner, noted in a 2023 paper exploring gender norms, the rape allegation made against Ronaldo by Kathryn Mayorga in 2009, which he denied, and which surfaced via German newspaper Der Spiegel nine years later, was met with disbelief at home, casting Mayorga as a "gold digger".
Whatever his predilections and the realities of his private life beyond the scripted elements he wishes us to view, Ronaldo's reputation within the game is assured.
Sir Alex Ferguson is unequivocal in his appreciation of Ronaldo as the greatest talent he coached in 25 years at Manchester United. Former teammates like Owen Hargreaves and Rio Ferdinand regard him not as the preening soloist he often appears to be, but as the ultimate Alexandre Dumas warrior, an all-for-one, one-for-all swashbuckler sacrificing self for brotherhood.
He is likely to sign off with more than 1,000 career goals to embroider the five Ballons d'Or, the five Champions League victories, and the myriad league titles with United, Real Madrid and Juventus.
In this period, Ronaldo has been inextricably linked to Leo Messi, twin pillars of the past two decades bound not only by high achievement but by the way they make us feel.
Arguing the toss about who is the better player keeps the heers flowing but doesn't get to the essence of either.
That is revealed in deeds alone: their shared ability to fill a space, to create magic, to define the moments that decide games.
Messi's departure is not yet announced. Chances are it won't come via an interview in Vogue.
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A teenaged Cristiano Ronaldo scoring in 2004. JOHN PETERSIMAN UNTEDGETTY
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WEDNESDAY 13 AUGUST 2026
23
News in brief
PEOPLE
Black actor wants Bond to stay white
The next James Bond must be white and British, black actor Nicholas Pinnock has said.
"There are some roles that need to stay as they are," Pinnock told Radio Times.
"If Mr T were to change into someone of European descent tomorrow, there would be absolute outrage. And I can understand why, because he's an iconic figure."
Pinnock said studios should create new black characters rather than trying to change Bond.
He added: "You go to watch a James Bond movie, you know that he's going to be this English, Scottish or Irish guy. Great!"
MUSIC
Jessie J kicks out fighting fans
Singer Jessie J has kicked fighting fans out of a gig.
The 38-year-old star was performing at Newbury Racecourse on Saturday when a fight broke out in the crowd.
Speaking from the stage, she said: "So many people have spent money on this show, to see me.
"Can you just get rid of them so we can carry on? Take them out, I don't need them here."
She added: "Get them an Uber, I'll pay for it."
The audience at the Party in the Paddock event cheered the singer's intervention, which was also praised by fans on social media.
CHARITY
Stars pay tribute to 60 years of DEC
Sir Stephen Fry and Myleene Klass have led tributes to the "brilliant" Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) as it marks 60 years of broadcast appeals.
The DEC launched its first broadcast appeal in 1966 in response to a devastating earthquake in Vartio, Turkey.
Fry, who was the face of the DEC appeal following Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar in 2008, said: "The DEC is all about bringing help needed at the time. It's a brilliant system."
Klass (belou), who visited the Philippines after Typhoon Haiyan in 2014, said: "In a time where no one knows what to do, the DEC does."
EMPLOYMENT
The 'LinkedIn parents' writing job applications for their children
Some people go the extra mile for their jobless offspring. By Maybelle Morgan
Karim Ullah knew his eldest daughter, 28-year-old Shakila, was gifted from an early age. At the age of eight, she began playing the piano, followed by the violin, recorder and ukulele. But it wasn't until she started singing in secondary school that he knew she would be a musician. "It's a divine gift," he says.
Although Shakila has gone on to write and produce her own music and graduated from the ICMP, one of the leading music schools in the UK, Karim says she has been "disappointed that things haven't quite happened yet". This certainly isn't down to a lack of effort on her dad's part.
Over the years, as a result of countless emails, cold calling, LinkedIn networking and job applications sent off by Karim, the 53-year-old has booked his daughter several jobs, including performances at festivals, often with thousands of punters in the audience. "Sometimes I've called and said, 'Look, I have a very talented daughter,' and as a result, [people] have booked her," he says.
He handles all his daughter's publicity, has written press releases, created listings for her in music directories. One application he made led to her taking the stage at Club Wembley. Another time, Karim found Stevie Wonder's UK manager, and organised a meeting
to show him Shakila's music. He says he has "lost count" of how many people he has contacted.
Karim - who has worked as a chef, taxi driver, restaurant owner and now runs a luxury golf publication - is just one of the rising number of parents going to extreme lengths to help their adult children navigate the world of work.
In many ways, it is nothing new. From the Bank of Mum and Dad, to passing down professional networks, parents have always opened doors for their children. But what feels different now is not that parents help out, but just how much help seems to be necessary.
An increasingly competitive job market, decline of entry-level jobs and the disruption of AI have all contributed. Official figures have revealed that more than one million young people, around one in eight, are not in education, employment or training - the highest level in more than 12 years.
Surveys have shown that 70 per cent of Gen Z jobseekers have asked their parents for help in the job search process, 16 per cent say that their parents submitted job applications for them, and one in four have even gone so far as to bring a parent to their job interview. Other research has found parents helping with CVs and portfolios, contacting employers directly and even becoming involved in salary or holiday negotiations.
Karim Ullah has booked his daughter Shakila for festival appearances
It's something that Victoria McLean, founder and CEO of City CV, an international career consultancy that works with graduates and young professionals, has noticed increasingly.
"Without a doubt parents are more involved in the process than they were five or 10 years ago," she says. "Quite often at City CV, the first person who contacts us is the parent. What used to be a bit of encouragement from the sidelines has, in a lot of cases, tipped into something closer to helicopter parenting, where the parent is running the job search rather than watching it."
Is this a result of a different style of modern parenting or just a consequence of an increasingly tough entry-level job market? McLean says it always comes from
The first time some graduates hear about a role is when they're invited to interview for a job
a good place but it often means that the first time some of these graduates hear about a role is when they're invited to interview for a job they never applied for themselves.
"It's gone beyond phone calls and pep talks," says McLean. "We're seeing parents who write the CV, draft the covering email and submit applications under their child's name, sometimes before the young person has seen the job advert."
Karim says he will stop at nothing to help his daughter. "I try my best," he says. "I live with this very simple formula: if there's an opportunity to help someone and you know you can do it, you don't think about it. Why would you say no?"
McLean urges parents to support from the sidelines. "Help them research, Read their CV. Practise an interview with them. Introduce them to somebody useful. Encourage them when the inevitable rejection arrives.
"I understand completely why you'd want to step in and shoulder some of it, but the flip side is worth thinking about too: if your child walks into a role having never done the applying, the interviewing or the negotiating, they can end up genuinely out of their depth once they're in the job and you're not there to help.
"By all means help them find professional support if they need it, whether that's a structured graduate programme like our City CV graduate programme or simply someone outside the family to look over their CV. Then let them send the email, make the call and have the conversation."
24
NEWS
PERSPECTIVES
Are we ready for the next pandemic?
We are better prepared – but risks are growing
Jenny Harries
A pandemic caused by an unmitigated respiratory pathogen, such as influenza, is at the top of the UK's 2026 national public risk register. The threat it could pose to our country is on a par with failure of our water infrastructure or loss of drinking water. Its impact would be as catastrophic as a civil nuclear incident or a total meltdown in our power supplies – and it is more likely to occur than either. And on the economic front, the last pandemic caused the biggest drop in GDP in a single quarter since records began.
As deputy chief medical officer for England during the pandemic, and in my work since, I have seen the preparations for the next pandemic. Effective prevention and rapid response preparedness is not simply a humanitarian crisis response, it's an imperative for our society and economy – but it's also an opportunity for both. So much work has already been done: in board rooms, in Whitehall offices and in laboratories.
The most effective way to control a pandemic and return a society to health and to wealth is by making safe vaccines available, superfast. It's a complex process that needs practical, effective working across and between public and private organisations – local, national and global.
We need universities and research centres to work on tests which can detect the new pathogen. We need skilled scientists on tap. We need to recruit people from all communities into robust clinical trials quickly. We need a medicines regulator who can assess new products for safety and effectiveness, just as thoroughly as usual but more rapidly. And we need to pre-plan with pharmaceutical firms for the rapid manufacture of vaccines and other medical countermeasures in giant quantities.
Above all, we need to know it all works when put to the test. Any one missing piece slows the speed at which vaccines can be realised and the pathogen hopefully halted.
The UK Covid public inquiry continues to highlight issues with the preparedness and planning for pandemics. A less frequently recognised omission is a lack of
deep-seated national self-belief to use the science and systems we possess to launch a pre-emptive strike against a pathogen before it properly takes hold.
In the six years since the start of the Covid pandemic, the UK has made huge strides. Out of sight of most of us, a network of professionals has been strengthening our ability to spot and stop the next pandemic.
The Government has updated the UK Biological Security Strategy, reinforcing biosecurity as an issue of national security. Bio-surveillance systems are being developed, recognising the importance of the intersection between human health, animal health and the environment. A huge crisis response drill, Exercise Pegasus, was undertaken last year to test UK preparedness. Ministers across Government and in Cobra were involved alongside emergency and community services. There are pandemic institutes at universities such as Oxford and Liverpool. And there is a new UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) assessment focusing on risks to human health.
Alongside the World Health Organisation, the UKHSA has developed a tool to help pharma companies, funders and researchers spot the gaps in our
armoury against likely new pathogens and de-risk investment in possible products to tackle them. Essentially, it helps join efforts across systems to deliver the most needed products.
Getting a new vaccine to the public quickly should be more straightforward too. The Medicines Healthcare Regulatory Authority, or MHRA, which oversees regulation of new products, is developing assessments to keep pace with technological development.
A new Pandemic Preparedness Strategy was also published this year by the Department of Health and Social Care.
There has been a lot of really good progress. But arguing for resources to ward off uncertainty is always difficult and after a crisis, teams from different sectors may be pulled away to other demands that are perceived as more urgent. For success, we need all the parts of the system aligned, understood, operationally ready and culturally working together.
So we are better prepared. But the risks for emerging infections are growing and we are still not realising all three opportunities – better pandemic preparedness, the translation and use of innovative health products and increasing economic prosperity.
Dame Jenny Harries is chancellor of the University of Chester, the former deputy chief medical officer for England and ex-chief executive of the UK Health Security Agency
Next time, people will not blindly obey the rules
Paul Dolan
I make lots of predictions about human behaviour. I get a lot wrong, but here's something I can confidently predict: if we had another pandemic, most people would not stick to any rules or restrictions.
When Covid-19 arrived in early 2020, experts warned that the NHS could be overwhelmed. Under those circumstances, most people complied with extraordinary restrictions on their lives. They stayed at home, avoided family and friends and accepted limitations on their freedom that would have seemed unimaginable only weeks earlier. The remarkable levels of compliance can be explained by high levels of fear and because the rules were perceived as proportionate and fairly applied to everyone.
Next time around, we will remember the cancelled weddings and missed funerals. We will remember children learning through laptop screens and students isolated in university rooms. We will remember
grandparents separated from grandchildren and months of uncertainty about when normal life would return. We might disagree about whether some restrictions were justified, but there can be little disagreement that they came at a very high cost.
Back then, those costs were largely hypothetical. Today, they are part of lived experience. This matters because human beings do not assess risks in a vacuum. We learn from experience. The first time around, people were being asked to make sacrifices under conditions of uncertainty. Next time, they will weigh any proposed restrictions against costs they have already experienced. The bar for compliance will therefore be higher.
To be clear, I am not suggesting that people would refuse to co-operate in the face of genuine danger. If a future pathogen were significantly more lethal than Covid-19, or if hospitals were visibly overwhelmed, most citizens would probably support robust interventions. But, support would be much more conditional.
And people would ask important questions much earlier. How dangerous is this virus? Who is most at risk? What evidence
We will remember the missed funerals. The bar for compliance will be higher
supports these restrictions? What are the likely consequences for education, mental health and livelihoods? Are there less disruptive alternatives? These are the kinds of questions citizens in a democracy should ask. In fact, they should have been asked sooner and more frequently during Covid-19.
Questions about how best to respond to a pandemic require that we can trust those answering them. During the pandemic there was a close relationship between trust and compliance. Unfortunately, trust was repeatedly damaged. The most obvious example was "Partygate". Its significance went far beyond a few social gatherings in Downing Street. For many, it represented a breach of a basic principle: those making the rules should follow them too.
In scientific terms, perhaps we are better prepared for the next pandemic. But, pandemics are behavioural events as much as they are biological ones. Their success or failure depends not just on what governments ask people to do, but on whether people believe those requests are proportionate and applied to everyone equally.
Last time, many people complied because they were frightened and uncertain. Next time, the virus won't be the biggest challenge: it will be whether the public believes what they are told about it.
Paul Dolan is professor of behavioural science at LSE and the author of Beiselton: How to Stop Hating the People We Disagree With
NEW! 2-33
OPINION 18-22
TV 26-31
LIFE 34-37
CAR RUNS 38-41
MONDAY 42-45
SPORT 50-54
• YERKEZBAY 13 AUGUST 2026
25
ANALYSIS
As midterms loom,
Republicans want Trump's toxic brand to go away
Grand Old Party fears a wipeout in November elections. By Miles Taylor
I recently caught up with a prominent Republican - someone GOP candidates have flocked to for guidance for years. He joked with me about a phrase spreading among party members who are facing re-election this November. It's closer to a prayer than a slogan: I wish he would disappear.
The reference is to Donald Trump. Never before have Republicans had to campaign under the banner of such a weak figurehead, nor one so insistent on stapling his toxic brand to the party, whether the party likes it or not.
I recounted a story from the last time GOP candidates had to survive a Trump-era off-year election, in 2018, when I was inside the first Trump administration.
As the midterms approached, I remember friends on then-house speaker Paul Ryan's team whenever Trump's name came up saying: "Please go the f**k away."
"Yeah, they're sayin' that," the GOP media personality sighed, "but it's worse this time."
He's right, and the numbers prove it. In the summer of 2018, Trump's approval ratings hovered in mid-40s; by election day, exit polls put him at 45 per cent. Today, he sits at around 34 per cent (with some recent surveys showing him bottoming out at 30) and with a stunning disapproval rating of around 60 per cent, worse than even Joe Biden's dismal standing at this point in 2022.
30%
Donald Trump's disapproval rating in a recent survey of voters
By nearly every measure, my former boss enters this midterm election as the weakest US president in the modern polling era. Can the party get
over that hump? Not if history is any guide. There's no modern precedent for a party facing numbers that bad and not getting walloped.
In 2018, Democrats flipped 41 House seats in the midterms and won the national popular vote by nearly nine points and almost 10 million ballots.
That represented the largest raw margin in midterm history and the highest midterm turnout
Hat in the ring? Talk continues over a third Trump term. KINATHAN ERNSTREUTERS.
in a century - when Trump was 10 points above where he is now.
He was not humbled by the loss or persuaded to adopt a more conciliatory tone in order to work with the opposition. He became unhinged. He demanded that we stonewall the new Congress, shutting the doors of the Executive Branch to all investigations into his alleged misconduct.
He purged his team of the people who said "no" to his worst ideas - White House chief of staff John Kelly, defence secretary Jim Mattis, attorney general Jeff Sessions, homeland security secretary
Kirstjen Nielsen and so on - and doubled down on his erraticism. It became a self-fulfilling prophecy. Trump was later investigated and impeached twice for the schemes that followed.
But, I don't expect GOP candidates to be thinking that far ahead. Right now, they're just worried about Trump's terrible poll numbers and the fact that they can't seem to shake the man. He's like a smiling hostage-taker.
Case in point: the "midterm convention" Trump has cooked up for early next month in Dallas, Texas. There's never been such
Trump is keeping the powder dry for himself and for whatever he thinks his political future holds
a thing; conventions are usually just for presidential election years. In fact, the Republican National Committee (RNC) had to rewrite its rules in January to allow it.
Now, the RNC chairman is openly billing the two-day event as a "Trumpapalooza".
The last thing endangered Republicans want is stage time with the beleaguered President. They worry the whole affair will look and feel like a presidential convention at the exact moment they need him to keep his distance.
Worse still for Republican candidates is that the man tying himself to their fate has been stingy. Trump's super PAC fundraising committee has amassed a war chest in excess of $400m (£286m). Of that, roughly $2.3m has gone to help Republican candidates.
And why is that? Well, in the same breath that Trump conceded last week that the law didn't permit a third term, he volunteered that he'd "love to run". Trump is keeping the powder dry for himself, and for whatever he thinks his political future holds.
So, Republican candidates find themselves in the worst possible position this year. Shackled to Trump's flagging brand, yet getting almost nothing from the massive bank account upon which he sits.
Which brings me back to the whispered prayers of swing-district Republicans, desperately wishing the President would go away this autumn because he's a danger to the GOP brand. To them, I have a simple message: you're 10 years too late.
Miles Taylor is the former chief of staff of the US Department of Homeland Security
CRYPTIC CROSSWORD
No 4847 BY WIRE
ACROSS
1 Mockery made of exposed Tsar with flag (6) 4 I nearly forgot alternate parts of early Mani hymns (6) 8 Simply quitting band recording needless routine (3,4) 9 Guy may be put atop this tree in Book One (7) 11 Tiny egg bliss cooked by the Parisian (10) 12 Brand-new CIA finally following satellite state (4) 13 Supporter integrating with UK garment (5) 14 Rabble-housing society linked to publication (8) 16 Servant sick of cat dog briefly brought back (8) 18 Eis runs that are more like jogs (5) 20 Bad fiddler embedded in revolutionary Florence (4) 21 Father assuming everyone is most self-righteous (10)
23 These are carved into 10 parts of head (7) 24 Wi-Fi dropping 50% by prison yard in particular (7) 25 March hares essentially overcome by swirling tides (6) 26 10 ultimately repeated is what Boris excelled at (6)
DOWN
1 Material had some influence on broadcast (5) 2 So-called 'bird' initially uncle labelled as 'reptile' (7) 3 Horned canine caged by horned tamper (9) 5/15 One who might walk down the aisle in plain clothes (5,9) 6 Red amphibian included in tally (7) 7 Bottles from jackets of Wandsworth guards? (9) 10 Mattreatment involving one doctor on large historic site (3,6)
13 New balls seem squeaky clean (9) 15 See 5 17 Written-up account covers back of gung-ho soldier (7) 19 Estimation primarily of (227m + 10n) (7) 21 Principal gives support to parking appeal (5) 22 Adherents raised quiet offspring lacking depth (5)
Solution to yesterday's Cryptic
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Television Wednesday 19 August
CRITIC'S CHOICE
BEN WALSH
PICK OF THE DAY
Murder Trial: Death Of A Dog Walker 9pm, BBC Two
"I actually want to hear Dave's evidence the most 'ces I almost want them to make him say that he did it. Brian's gone and it won't make it better, but I want to get justice,' maintains Pam Curran, the partner of former country estate groundman Brian Low, who was found dead one winter morning in rural Perthshire. Several days later, it was revealed that he had been shot dead. There were no witnesses and no forensics ('forensic opportunities were lost') linking a suspect to the deceased. Finally, however, his neighbour and ex-gamekeeper, David Campbell (left) stands accused of his murder in this gripping documentary.
Extraordinary Extensions
8pm, Channel 4
"Building an extension is a risky business," claims engaging host Time Tempah, better known for songs such as "Pass Out" and "Frisky", as the property developer and artist follows "high-flying tech execs" Michelle and Simon. The Croydon couple are attempting to build a mega barn-like extension of their dreams, inspired by their passions for cars and crafts. "We're definitely pushing ourselves more than we've done in our lives," admits Simon. Tempah also revisits an historic Victorian villa in Manchester to see if they finally realised their vision for a modernist glass mega-wing, after enduring years of property decay and construction drama.
Voices Of The Valleys
8pm, Sky Arts
"A little bit nervous, it's a little warm today, which doesn't help," admits jovial tenor and soloist, Akal Wyn Davies in this charming documentary that follows three male voice choirs from across Wales. They're led by charismatic conductors as they each prepare for a key event in their choral calendar, from challenging competitions to a performance in front of more than 70,000 people.
Love You To Death
9pm, Channel 4
"The newspaper articles were so incorrect – how can I be Britain's most evil mother?" claims Lisa Hayden-Johnson, who won the nation's
sympathy through her campaign for her son Matthew's medical care. Matthew's apparent inability to walk, eat or breathe without assistance, thrust him into the media spotlight at a young age. But behind the headlines, questions began to grow. Doctors became suspicious when their treatments failed to improve his condition – something didn't add up. Matthew's sister, Laura, recalls noticing that life at home in Brixham, Devon, was very different from the family's public image. Was Matthew really Britain's sickest child?
999: Critical Condition
9pm, 5
"He's clearly in a lot of pain... mostly coming from his back, so I suspect he's fractured his spine," says a doctor
| ONE | TWO | itv1 | 4 | 5 | FOUR | 6 | itv2 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daytime | 6.00 Breakfast (S) 9.30 Countryside Treasures (R) (S) 10.30 Garden Races (R) (S) 11.15 Homes Under The Hammer (S) 12.15 Burgers Hunt (R) (S) 1.00 BBC News At One; Weather (S) 1.15 BBC Regional News; Weather (S) 1.45 BBC News At One; Weather (S) 2.00 Money For Nothing (S) 2.15 Escape To The Country (R) (S) 3.30 The Repair Shop (R) (S) 4.30 The Answer Run (S) 5.15 Pointless (R) (S) | 6.15 Homes Under The Hammer (R) (S) 7.15 Money For Nothing (R) (S) 8.00 Sign Zone Great Japanese Railway Journey's (R) (S) 8.30 Sign Zone Great Continental Railway Journey's (R) (S) 9.00 BBC News (R) 1.00 Richard Osman's House Of Games (R) (S) 1.30 The Finish Line (R) (S) 2.15 Do You Know Your Place? (R) (S) 2.45 Animal Park Summer (R) (S) 3.30 Serengeti (R) (R) (S) 4.30 Vintage Antiques Roadshow (R) (S) 5.15 Flag M (R) (S) | 6.00 Good Morning Britain (S) 10.00 This Morning (S) 1.00 ITV News; Weather (S) 1.20 ITV Regional News; Weather (S) 1.30 ITV Racing Line From York Day one of the Most Meaning S (S) 4.25 ITV Regional Weather (S) 4.30 Topping Point: Best Ever Finale (R) (S) 5.00 The Chase (R) (S) | 6.30 The King Of Queens (R) (S) 7.20 The King Of Queens (R) (S) 7.45 Everybody Loves Raymond (R) (S) 8.10 Everybody Loves Raymond (R) (S) 8.45 Everybody Loves Raymond (R) (S) 9.10 Frazier (R) (S) 9.40 Frazier (R) (S) 10.10 Frazier (R) (S) 10.40 Frazier (R) (S) 11.10 Romsey's Kitchen Nightmares USA (R) (S) 12.05 Channel 4 News Summary (S) 12.10 Find It, Fix It, Flag It (R) (S) 1.10 The Great House Giveaway (R) (S) 2.10 Countdown (S) 3.00 A Place In The Sun (R) (S) 4.00 The Great B&B Challenge (R) (S) 5.00 Chitious DIY (R) (S) | 6.00 Milkshake! 9.15 Jeremy Wise (S) 11.30 Storm & Aisata (S) 12.45 5 News At Lunchtime (S) 12.50 Matt Albright (S) 2.20 FILM: The Body In The Attic (Damian Kersey 2023) Thriller starring Abigail Hawk (S) 4.00 Castle (R) (S) 4.15 Love Nature (R) (S) 5.00 5 News With Dan Walker (S) | 6.00 My dear, James, I'm sorry to discourage some of America's | 6.00 Backyard Builds (S) 6.30 Dress To Impress (S) 7.20 The Real Housewives Of Potomac (S) 8.20 The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills (S) 9.15 The Only Way Is Essex (S) 10.15 Deweers Creek (S) 11.10 Charmed (S) 12.10 Deal Or No Deal (S) 1.10 Supermarket Sweep (S) 2.10 The Floor (S) 3.10 The Only Way Is Essex (S) 4.10 The Real Housewives Of Potomac (S) 5.00 The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills (S) | |
| 6pm | 6.00 BBC News At Six; Weather (S) 6.30 BBC Regional News; Weather (S) | 6.00 Richard Osman's House Of Games (R) (S) 6.30 Bear Grylls: Wild Rackening (R) (S) | 6.00 ITV Regional News; Weather (S) 6.30 ITV News; Weather (S) | 6.00 American Pickers Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz are spoilt for choice in Ohio (R) (S) | 6.00 Capri: Jewel Of The Med (R) (S) 6.55 5 News Update (S) | Adjunct about a club back round everything easy. A taste of went back in a job done to the best of them (R) (S) | 6.00 The New York Times: Come to the best of the best of the best of the best of the best of the best of the best of the best of the best of the best of the best of the best of the best of the best of the best of the best of the best of the best of the best of the best of the best of the best of the best of the best of the best of the best of the best of the best of the best of the best of the best of the best of the best of the best of the best | 6.00 Celebrity Catchphrase Joe Swash, claims a Page and Angelica Ball take part (S) |
| 7pm | 7.00 The One Show (S) 7.30 EastEnders It is the day of Cindy and Kim's hen das (S) | 7.00 Today At The Test England vs Pakistan (S) | 7.30 Inside The Langham: Britain's First Grand Hotel Last in the series (S) | 7.00 Channel 4 News (S) | 7.00 Car Pound Cops Last in the series (R) (S) 7.55 5 News Update (S) | 7.00 Villages By The Sea (S) 7.30 Canal Boat Diaries (S) | 6.15 American Gangster Special 6.25 FILM: Moonfall (Roland Emmerich 2022) Sci-fi thriller (S) | 7.00 The Floor The 33 remaining contestants fight for more squares (S) |
| 8pm | 8.00 Fake Or Fortune? What Happened Next (S) | 8.00 Digging For Britain (R) (S) | 8.00 Emmardale (S) 8.30 Coronation Street Idris coaches Ollie ahead of the poker night at Speed Deal (S) | 8.00 Extraordinary Extensions A Croydon couple build a barn extension (S) | 8.00 Casualty 24/7: Every Second Counts (S) | 8.00 Simon Sabag Montefiore Remembers - Rome... (S) 8.15 Rome: A History Of The Eternal City (S) | 8.00 The 1% Club Quick hosted by Lee Mack (S) | |
| 9pm | 9.00 Celebrity MasterChef The contestants cook a pie for guest Paddy McGuinness (S) | 9.00 Murder Trial: Death Of A Dog Walker Part two of two (S) | 9.00 Professor T New series Drama, starring Ben Miller (S) | 9.00 Love You To Death New series: The story of a mother who fabricated her son's illness (S) | 9.00 999: Critical Condition Last in the series (S) | 9.15 Mary Beard's Ultimate Roma: Empire Without Limit (S) | 9.00 FILM: Fury (David Ayer 2014) Second World War drama, starring Brad Pitt (S) | 9.00 Family Guy Peter is arrested and charged with a hate crime (S) 9.30 Family Guy (S) |
| 10pm | 10.00 BBC News (S) 10.30 BBC Regional News; Weather (S) 10.40 MOTO: Uefa Champions League (S) | 10.00 Couples Therapy New series (S) 10.30 Nonsnight (S) | 10.00 ITV News (S) 10.30 ITV News (S) 10.45 Long Lost Family: Born Without Trace – What Happened Next (R) (S) | 10.00 Outback Murder Highway New series (S) | 10.00 A&E: Crash Scene Emergency (R) (S) | 10.15 L Claudius Sejanus seeks permission to marry Lucila (S) | 10.00 Family Guy Stevie becomes addicted to ADHD medication (S) 10.35 Family Guy (S) | |
| 11pm | 11.25 FILM: Monkey Man (Dev Patel 2024) Premiere Action thriller, starring Dev Patel (S) | 11.05 Couples Therapy Chris opens up about his infidelities (S) 11.35 Couples Therapy (S) | 11.40 British Touring Car Championship Highlights (S) | 11.05 Outback Murder Highway The murder of three New Zealand motorcyclists (S) | 11.05 Ambulance: Code Red (R) (S) | 11.05 L Claudius Cingula is hailed as the new Caesar (S) | 11.40 FILM: The Beast (Gertrand Bonalla 2023) Premiere Sci-fi drama, starring Lila Seydoux (S) | 11.05 Family Guy (S) 11.35 American Dad! Stan goes on a wild night out with some co-workers (S) |
| Late | 1.25 BBC News (S) | 12.05 Buried With Michael Sheen (R) (S) 1.05 Sign Zone: Everybody Loves Mary Cindy (R) (S) 1.55 Sign Zone: Evolution (R) (S) 2.55 This Is BBC Two (S) | 1.05 Shop On TV 2.00 Love & Death (R) (S) 3.20 Inside The Langham: Britain's First Grand Hotel (R) (S) 4.15 Unwind With ITV (S) 5.30 Tom Kerridge Cooks Italy (R) (S) | 12.05 Murder Case: The Digital Detective (R) (S) 1.00 Celebrity Hunted (R) (S) 2.55 Celebrity Hunted (R) (S) 2.50 Ramsey's Hotel Hall (R) (S) 3.40 Yorkshire By The Sea (R) (S) | 12.05 A&E After Dark (R) (S) 4.00 Cruise TV With LovelBook (R) (S) 4.00 GPs: Behind Closed Doors (R) (S) 2.50 Castle (R) (S) 3.40 Friends (R) (S) 4.05 Friends (R) (S) 4.30 The Highland Veil (R) (S) | 12.00 The Australian Wars (S) 12.55 Canal Boat Diaries (S) 1.15 Rome: A History Of The Eternal City (S) 2.55 Villages By The Sea (S) 2.55 Mary Beard's Ultimate Rome: Empire Without Limit (S) | 2.50 Close | 12.05 American Dad! (S) 12.35 Bob's Burgers (S) 1.05 Bob's Burgers (S) 4.30 Gwent (S) 1.55 Transaction (S) 2.20 Unwind With ITV (S) 3.00 Tekshopping |
Games&Puzzles
Dominoes
How to play All of the 28 domino pieces from 0-0 through to 6-6 have been placed once into the grid. Can you work out where each of them is placed?
| 4 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 0 |
| 1 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 |
| 5 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| 0 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 2 |
| 3 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 0 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | |||||||
| 5 | |||||||
| 4 | |||||||
| 3 | |||||||
| 2 | |||||||
| 1 | |||||||
| 0 |
Journey Finder
How to play Move between the numbers in order 1,2,3,4,1,2,3,4 and so on, starting with the grey 1 and ending with the grey 4. On each step you may move one square in any direction (including diagonally). You must form a continuous path that visits every square exactly once.
| 1 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 2 |
| 2 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 1 |
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 2 |
| 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 3 |
| 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
Making Tracks
How to play
Numbers around the outside indicate how many squares in each row and column the track passes through between A and B. The track either passes straight through a square or turns at right angles in it.
Binary
How to play Complete the grid so that each row and column contains five 0s and five 1s. The same number cannot appear in more than two consecutive squares in any row or column. In the finished puzzle, each row must have a different sequence of 0s and 1s to any other row, and likewise for each column.
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | |||||||||
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||
| 1 | |||||||||
| 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||||
| 1 | |||||||||
| 1 | 0 | ||||||||
| 0 | 1 | 1 | |||||||
| 1 | 1 |
Number Hexagon
How to play Each hexagon is divided into six triangles. The sum of these six triangles is always 25. Place a number from 1-9 in each empty triangle to complete the puzzle: you cannot repeat a number within a hexagon.
Pathfinder
How to play Moving from letter to adjacent letter, can you create a continuous path that visits every square once and spells out all the words listed to the right of the grid? Start on the shaded square.
| D | O | L | E | A | M | E | C | A | L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N | I | L | W | F | E | D | A | W | Y |
| G | V | G | H | O | L | E | K | A | P |
| L | I | D | E | L | S | I | E | O | S |
| O | T | M | E | F | P | H | W | O | I |
| I | R | U | K | N | E | R | T | M | S |
| R | E | S | P | U | R | O | P | U | T |
| Y | V | I | R | J | A | I | R | R | E |
| W | E | R | V | E | A | E | R | U | F |
| S | E | U | N | E | V | N | I | G | I |
Battleships
How to play Locate the position of each of the ships listed below in the grid. Numbers around the edge tell you the number of ship segments in each row and column of the puzzle. Ships are surrounded on all sides by water, including diagonally.
Chain Link
How to play Place the numbers 1-6 in each row, column and along each series of squares linked by the chain.
Daily Quiz
- In which year did British rock supergroup Cream famously reunite for two historic concert series?
- Moonrakers is the colloquial name for people from which English county known as a haven for smugglers?
- More than two million examples of which iconic French-made Renault car were sold between 1956 and 1967?
- Former SAS soldier Steven Billy Mitchell has written a series of action thrillers under what pen name?
Answers, page 51
Jigsawdoku ● Zygolex ● Codeword ● Sudoku ● idoku ● Knight's Tour ● Word Wheel »
Classic 'regen' pizza marinara
MAKES 6 PIZZAS
- For the base
- 600g regenerative pizza flour
- 390g water
- 1.5g dried yeast
- 10g salt
- Semolina (for sprinkling)
- For the topping
- 1 can crushed tomatoes
- 1 garlic clove (thinly sliced)
- Salt
- Dried oregano
- Fresh basil leaves
In a large bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine the water and yeast and whisk with a fork before adding the flour and salt. Mix on a slow speed for seven minutes then a medium speed for a further seven minutes. Cover and leave to rest for two hours.
Tip the dough on to a lightly floured surface and divide into four equal portions. Gently fold the dough in on itself until you have a smooth ball of dough. (I like to keep these in plastic half-quart containers, but you could just put them on a floured baking tray on their own square of baking paper.)
Leave in the fridge overnight, or for up to three nights, and on the day you want to make your pizza pull it out of the fridge and leave to come to room temperature for an hour or so.
Preheat your oven the hottest setting and add a pizza stone if you have one, or just a heavy baking tray.
Pour the can of crushed tomatoes into a bowl, add the garlic, a sprinkle or oregano and season with a generous pinch of salt.
Dust your surface with a little flour and sprinkle some semolina where you plan to stretch your dough.
Tip the dough out of its container and begin stretching it out. I like to first press my fingertips into the middle of the dough to begin the process, before I start picking it up and stretching. This doesn't need to be perfect, but aim for a shape no bigger than your pizza stone or baking tray.
Once satisfied with the shape, slide the dough into the tray or stone. Add your sauce and herbs – and remember, less is more with homemade pizzas so don't add too much.
Once your toppings are on, get the pizza into the oven and leave to bake – you might need to rotate the pizza a couple of times if your oven has hot spots.
Remove from the oven and use a pallet knife or a fish slice to get under the pizza so you can slide it on to a board or a wire rack. Leave for a minute to cool before slicing and serving. Top with a drizzle of olive oil if you would like.
Recipe from Motthews Cotswold Flour, cotswoldflour.com
Games & Puzzles
Kakuro
How to play Fill the white squares so that the total in each across or down run of cells matches the total at the start of that run. You must use the numbers from 1-9 only and cannot repeat a number in a run.
Jigsawdoku
How to play Place the numbers 1-9 once in each row, column and bold-lined jigsaw region.
Killer Sudoku
How to play Each row, column and 3 by 3 box must contain each number (1 to 9) only once. The sum of all numbers contained within grey lines must match the number printed in its top-left corner. No number can appear more than once in an area formed by grey lines.
Zygolex® In The i Paper every day
Find the missing words by following the RHYME, LETTERS and MEANING links – eg, a word that rhymes with 'cheek', has one letter different from 'pear' and has the same meaning as mountain, would be 'peak'. Full rules at zygolex.com. Solution, page 51
Futoshiki
How to play Place the numbers from 1-5 exactly once in each row and column. The greater than and less than signs ('√' and '√') indicate where one cell is greater/less than the adjacent cell indicated.
Minesweeper
How to play Find all the mines in the grid. Numbers in certain squares indicate how many mines there are in the neighbouring squares, including diagonally touching squares. Mines cannot be placed in squares with numbers.
NEW! 5-33
OPINION 18-22
TV 25-31
LIFE 35-37
CULTURE 38-41
MONKEY 42-45
SPORT 50-56
★ WEDNESDAY 8 19 AUGUST 2026
29
Number Square
How to play Fill the empty squares with numbers that will make the across and down calculations produce the results shown in the grey squares. Each numeral from 1 to 9 must only appear once. The calculations should be performed from left to right and top to bottom, rather than in strict mathematical order.
Easier
| × | - | 11 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| × | - | × | |||
| 3 | × | - | -4 | ||
| + | × | - | |||
| + | 4 | - | 7 | ||
| 33 | 4 | 29 |
Harder
| × | - | 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| × | - | + | |||
| + | × | 66 | |||
| × | - | × | |||
| × | × | 5 | 45 | ||
| 16 | -8 | 65 |
Codeword No 4589
How to play The numbers in the grid correspond to the letters of the alphabet. Solve the puzzle and fill in the letters in the key as you discover them. Three letters are provided to give you a start. The solution will be printed in tomorrow's paper, the solution to Tuesday's codeword is on page 51.
| 21 | 24 | 13 | 2 | 2 | 22 | 2 | 21 | 10 | 17 | 7 | 7 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 14 | 13 | 20 | ||||||
| 17 | 19 | 18 | 26 | 2 | 10 | 9 | 4 | 21 | 10 | 2 | 8 | |
| 25 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 16 | 3 | |||||||
| 2 | 14 | 2 | 3 | 13 | 17 | 1 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 26 | 2 | |
| 23 | 2 | 18 | 5 | 8 | 8 | |||||||
| 7 | 2 | 4 | 21 | 10 | 12 | 25 | 4 | 26 | 4 | 7 | 12 | |
| 13 | 1 | 4 | 16 | 20 | 10 | |||||||
| 1 | 17 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 16 | 4 | 21 | 19 | 17 | 21 | 16 | |
| 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 10 | 2 | |||||||
| 21 | 13 | 15 | 11 | 2 | 1 | 10 | 10 | 16 | 4 | 2 | 7 | |
| 4 | 26 | 8 | 13 | 4 | 25 | 10 | ||||||
| 17 | 8 | 2 | 6 | 17 | 21 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 12 | |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 |
| 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 |
| K | V |
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X X Z
Need a little help getting started? Then call for up to four extra clue letters on 0901 332 5204. Calls cost £1 plus your telephone company's network access charge (if you are having trouble with the phone service, call the helpline: 0333 202 3390). Or text THE! CLUE to READ to receive your clues. Texts cost £1 plus your standard network charge (if you are having trouble with the text service, call the helpline: 0333 335 3351). Clues change each day at midnight.
Word Ladder
How to play
Convert the word at the top of the ladder into the word at the bottom of it, using only the five rungs in between. On each rung, you must put a valid four-letter word that is identical to the word above it, apart from a one-letter change. There may be more than one way of achieving this.
| DOSE |
|---|
| MAUD |
| VENT |
| RIDE |
|---|
idoku Exclusive to i
How to play Each numeral from 1 to 9 must appear (once only) in the squares forming the red letter i.
| 9 | 8 | 7 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | ||||||||
| 5 | 3 | 4 | 2 | |||||
| 6 | ||||||||
| 1 | 5 | 2 | 8 | |||||
| 8 | ||||||||
| 6 | 9 | 3 | 2 | |||||
| 9 | ||||||||
| 3 | 5 | 8 |
Sudoku Easier
| 8 | 3 | 2 | 7 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 2 | 3 | 5 | |||||
| 1 | 8 | 4 | ||||||
| 3 | 9 | 8 | 1 | 6 | ||||
| 8 | 4 | 9 | 7 | |||||
| 7 | 9 | 4 | 8 | |||||
| 9 | 4 | 1 | 3 | |||||
| 1 | 5 | 9 | 8 | 6 | ||||
| 4 | 6 | 7 |
Tomorrow: Harder
ABC Logic
How to play Place the letters A, B and C only once in each row and column. Each row and column has two blank cells. The letters at the edge of a row/column indicate which of the letters is the first/last to appear in that row/column.
Word Wheel
How to play How many words can you find using the letters in the wheel? Each must use the centre letter and at least three others. Letters may be used only once. You may not use foreign words, proper nouns or plurals though you may use verb forms ending in 's'. There is at least one nine-letter word to be found.
How you rate 19 good, 28 very good, 36 excellent, 43 genius
Terms &
Conditions
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Concise Crossword No 4911
ACROSS
- 1 Stop (5)
- 4 Drag with great effort (3)
- 8 Reading desk (7)
- 9 Mother-of-pearl (5)
- 10 Old Testament priest (3)
- 11 Consequently (9)
- 12 Thanklessness (11)
- 17 Progeny (9)
- 20 Ignited (3)
- 21 Alloy (5)
- 22 Column of rising air (7)
- 23 Owing (3)
- 24 Broken piece (5)
DOWN
- 1 Visitor (6)
- 2 Public sale (7)
- 3 Upright (5)
- 4 Merciful (7)
- 5 Lizard (5)
- 6 Doubt (11)
- 7 Discourage (5)
- 13 Retort (7)
- 14 Predicament (7)
- 15 Pastime (5)
- 16 Impassive (6)
- 18 Criminal deception (5)
- 19 Estimate (5)
Stuck on the concise crossword?
For today's solutions, call 0902 789 3590. Calls cost 80p per minute plus your network access charge. If you are having trouble accessing this number, please call our helpdesk on 0333 202 3390.
PUZZLE BOOKS
Our range of puzzle books includes crosswords, codewords, jigsawdokus, children's games, sudokus and more. Available on Amazon for £799 each.
See the full range at miniURL.co.uk/ibooks
Solution to yesterday's Concise Crossword
ACROSS 1 Loch, 4 Din (Looked in), 9alpha, 9 Accept, 10 Boiler suit, 12 Septet, 13 Pottle, 15 Gregarious, 18 Cat flu, 19 Famous, 20 Ewe, 21 Nape DOWN 2 Opal, 3 Hedeul, 4 Dicks, 5 Nuptials, 6 Sagittarius, 7 Waterproofs, 11 Decrease, 14 Best man, 16 Gaffe, 17 Dump.
Today's other puzzles Cryptic Crossword, page 25
Five-Clue Cryptic, page 15. One-Minute Wipuko, page 20
Puzzle solutions See page 51
30
GAMES & PUZZLES
Children's Corner Number Pyramid
How to play The value of each square in the number pyramid is the sum of the two squares directly under it.
Knight's Tour
How to play A chess knight visits each square of the grid exactly once, starting at 1 and ending at 100 (these squares are shaded). Deduce the whole path of the knight – some of which is already given – and thus complete the grid. The knight moves either two squares horizontally followed by one square vertically, or two squares vertically followed by one square horizontally.
| 22 | 45 | 48 | 6 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 40 | 76 | 38 | ||||||
| 3 | 79 | 36 | |||||||
| 43 | 66 | 69 | 86 | 63 | 50 | ||||
| 24 | 73 | 8 | |||||||
| 32 | 84 | 88 | 62 | ||||||
| 71 | |||||||||
| 18 | 58 | 83 | 56 | 97 | 54 | ||||
| 16 | 12 | 93 | 99 | ||||||
| 30 | 13 | 28 | 100 | 90 |
Cells
How to play Divide the grid into square or rectangular blocks, each containing one digit only. Every block must contain the number of cells indicated by the digit inside it.
| 4 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 2 | 2 | ||||
| 5 | 4 | |||||
| 2 | 4 | 8 | ||||
| 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | |||
| 2 | ||||||
| 2 | 4 |
Word Fit
How to play Can you fit all the words into the grid to complete the puzzle? Some words may initially fit in more than one place, but there is only one way to fit all the words together to complete the grid.
Bridges
How to play Connect every island (represented by circles) into a single interconnected group. To do this draw bridges between islands. The number in each circle states how many bridges must be connected to that island. Bridges cannot cross each other, can only be drawn horizontally or vertically, and there can be a maximum of two bridges between any pair of islands.
Word Search
How to play The classic word-search puzzle, find all the words in the grid. Words may be hidden horizontally, vertically or diagonally and in either a forwards or backwards direction.
| W | H | I | T | E | L | E | Y | G | A | A | H | D | J | J |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | M | C | M | L | B | E | A | C | A | T | O | S | J | G |
| P | A | X | M | A | N | M | R | V | I | N | E | Y | K | S |
| P | G | Z | T | T | Y | R | M | A | H | C | K | R | Y | H |
| T | N | N | J | R | M | O | S | C | O | T | T | H | A | E |
| A | U | V | I | O | L | B | T | D | J | X | O | P | S | P |
| R | S | E | L | M | J | I | R | A | J | A | N | M | D | H |
| R | S | I | P | T | W | N | O | I | B | G | C | U | N | A |
| A | O | P | B | A | S | S | N | R | Y | C | Y | H | I | R |
| N | N | M | L | I | L | O | G | S | A | K | C | J | L | D |
| T | V | S | V | F | O | N | N | L | K | M | L | Z | O | L |
| C | H | A | L | E | D | E | L | P | S | T | E | M | S | Q |
| P | D | G | A | S | C | O | I | G | N | E | U | C | M | S |
| C | L | A | R | K | S | O | N | S | F | B | D | D | A | I |
| C | O | R | E | N | M | I | T | C | H | E | L | L | N | K |
| ARMSTRONG | OSMAN |
|---|---|
| CLARKSON | PAXMAN |
| COREN MITCHELL | RAJAN |
| DAVIS | ROBINSON |
| GASCOIGNE | SCOTT |
| HUMPHRYS | SHEPHARD |
| LINDSAY | TARRANT |
| MAGNUSSON | VINE |
| MCCALL | WALSH |
| MYRIE | WHITELEY |
Solutions: page 51
Word Square
How to play Simply answer the clues alongside the grid, writing the answers in the respective rows. The solution must read the same horizontally in each row as it does vertically in each column.
| Greenish-blue colour |
|---|
| Facility |
| Continent |
| Show the way |
Calcudoku
How to play Place the numbers 1-6 once in each row and column, obeying sums in bold-lined regions. The number in each region indicates the total for the region, and the symbol shows which type of operation should be applied to the numbers: addition, subtraction, division or multiplication. Numbers may repeat within bold-lined regions. With subtraction always take the lower numbers away from the highest number in a region, and with division divide the highest number by the lower numbers.
| 12+ | 4- | 2+ | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12+ | 2+ | ||||
| 11+ | 5+ | 9+ | |||
| 8+ | 5- | 2+ | 10+ | ||
| 2- | 15+ | ||||
| 120+ |
Hexalex
How to play Place each of the letters below once into the empty hexagons, crossing them off as you do so. Enter the letters in such a way that it is possible to find all the words listed alongside the grid by moving from hexagon to adjacent hexagon to spell out each word.
A C E G I K L M N O R S T U V X
NEW 4-31
OPINION 18-22
TV 25-31
LIFE 18-37
GROWING 28-31
HOME 31-40
SPORT 30-36
NEWSWEEKLY 15 AUGUST 2026
31
in regard to a man who was the rear passenger in a car that T-boned. He's in danger of ending up paralyzed. This grisly up-clone medical show documents procedures with no (thankfully) voiceover.
Professor T
9pm, ITVs
Ben Miller returns as the OCD forensic criminologist, Jasper, and the sleuth is in herrmine after a recent death and unable to face police work. While his therapist, Helena, is sad to see that all his progress has been undone, DS Dan Winters is throwing himself into work and finding Jasper's absence frustrating. Meanwhile, DCI Maiya-Consens hires a new recruit, the over-excitable DC Close Highsmith.
FILM
CHOICE
LAURENCE PHELAN
FILM OF THE DAY
Monkey Man
11.25pm, BBC One
Day-Fast: 2026J
Patel's debut as a writer-director is a dazzlingly kinetic and in-your-face all-action fight more set amid the grime and glitz of modern Mumbai. It's also an eloquent statement of the right to self-determination and dignity on behalf of the dispossessed – the hustlers, the homeless, the low-caste, the sex-workers and the 'third gender' hijra. He impresses in the starring role too, as the muscely underdog punching a route from seedy underground fight club all the way to the stronghold of a corrupt Hindu nationalist politician. This is not that nice young Dev Patel as you remember him from Slumdog Pinckash (left with Patel) co-stars
Moonfall
6.25pm, Film4
(Roland Emmerich, 2022)
Disaster-cinema specialist Emmerich presents his daftest extravaganza of destruction yet: a film in which the Moon, which turns out to have been made by aliens all along, falls to Earth. Derivative – and dumber than Moon rock – but far from unenjoyable.
The Beast
11.40pm, Film4
(Bertrand Bonello, 2023)
This ambitious sci-fi take on a Henry James story is an arch disquisition on emotions and desires, with Léa Seydoux travelling into her past lives from an Al-run future in which people have their minds scrubbed of affect.
ON DEMAND
Sugar
Apples
Colin Farrell convinces as a gumdiner in this deeply odd but compelling crime drama.
Death Valley
BBC iPlayer
Timothy Spall has a blast as the acting sleuth assisting on various cases in Wales.
Pompeii: Out Of Time
With Tom Hiddleston
Disney+
The Loki star is engaging discussing the disaster.
iDv3
6.00 George And Mildred (S) 8.35 George And Mildred (S) 7.95 Classic Emmerdale (S) 7.35 Classic Emmerdale (S) 8.05 Classic Coronation Street (S) 8.40 Classic Coronation Street (S) 9.10 Agatha Christie's Poirot (S) 10.25 Agatha Christie's Poirot (S) 11.30 Heartbeat (S) 12.35 Heartbeat (S) 1.25 Midsonian Murders (S) 2.35 Classic Emmerdale (S) 4.95 Classic Emmerdale (S) 5.40 Classic Coronation Street (S) 5.95 Classic Coronation Street (S) 5.50 Heartbeat (S)
6.00 Hollyoaks (S) 6.30 Hollyoaks (S) 6.55 Rudollah Tuka Shorts (S) 7.00 Couples Come Dine With Me (S) 8.00 Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares USA (S) 9.00 Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares USA (S) 10.00 America's Funniest Home Videos (S) 11.00 Below Deck Mediterranean (S) 12.00 The Simpsons (S) 12.20 The Simpsons (S) 1.00 The Simpsons (S) 1.30 The Simpsons (S) 2.00 Brooklyn Nine-Nine (S) 2.30 Brooklyn Nine-Nine (S) 3.00 Modern Family (S) 3.30 Modern Family (S) 4.00 Modern Family (S) 4.30 Modern Family (S) 5.00 The Simpsons (S) 5.20 The Simpsons (S)
8.35 Final H, Fla H, Flag R (S) 10.00 Four In A Bed (S) 10.33 Four In A Bed (S) 11.05 Four In A Bed (S) 11.35 Four In A Bed (S) 12.10 Four In A Bed (S) 12.40 Come Dine With Me (S) 1.10 Come Dine With Me (S) 1.50 Come Dine With Me (S) 2.50 Come Dine With Me (S) 3.10 Four In A Bed (S) 3.50 Four In A Bed (S) 4.20 Four In A Bed (S) 4.50 Four In A Bed (S) 5.00 Four In A Bed (S) 5.50 Car II D S (S)
6.00 Marxinga (R) 6.30 Marxinga (R) 7.00 Marxinga With Ridge And Frost (R) 7.30 Marxinga With Ridge And Frost (R) 8.00 Margate SG-6 (R) 8.50 Margate SG-6 (R) 9.00 Wild & Grace (R) 10.00 Wild & Grace (R) 11.00 The Simpsons (R) 11.30 The Simpsons (R) 12.00 Africa's Hunters (R) 12.40 Huwati Free-6 (R) 13.10 Hawaii Free-6 (R) 13.30 S.W.A.T (R) 14.00 S.W.A.T (R) 15.00 The Simpsons (R) 15.30 The Simpsons (R) 15.
6.00 Fish Town (R) (S) 7.00 Fish Town (R) (S) 8.00 Billiams (R) (S) 9.05 Billiams (R) (S) 10.02 House Of The Dragon (R) (S) 11.15 House Of The Dragon (R) (S) 12.35 Homicide Life On The Street (R) (S) 1.30 Homicide Life On The Street (R) (S) 2.30 Billiams (R) (S) 3.35 Billiams (R) (S) 4.40 Dange (R) (S) 5.45 Dange (R) (S)
6.55 Heartbeat Vernon attempts to impress the new doctor (S)
6.00 The Simpsons (S) 6.30 Hollyoaks Myra wants to know what is bothering Mercedes (S)
6.50 Car S.O.S Fuzz Townshend and Tom Shaw secretly restore a Sunbeam Alpine (S)
6.00 Rob & Romsash vs Fashion (R) (S)
6.45 House Of The Dragon Lizemon arrives at Harmful to raise an army (R) (S)
8.00 Midsonian Murders A man is induced to death by a wild boat (S)
8.00 The Great Celebrity Bake Off For Stand Up To Cancer (S)
7.55 Grand Dairgos An underground home on a hill near Canterbury (S)
7.00 The Simpsons (R) (S) 7.30 The Simpsons Harbor becomes an artist (R) (S)
10.00 Grandchester Cathy and Mrs Chapman's new business venture hits a serious obstacle (S)
10.00 Gugglebox (S)
10.00 24 Hours In A&E (S)
10.30 The 'Burbs Samola suspects that Rob is hiding something sinister (R) (S)
10.15 Station Eleven Kirsten confirms the source of her deepest trauma (R) (S)
11.00 Grandchester (S)
11.05 First Dates (S)
11.05 24 Hours In A&E (S) 10-year-old is airlifted to hospital after a car crash (S)
11.25 Grimm A woman suffers a fatal overdose of liver venom (R) (S)
11.15 Station Eleven Kirsten arrives in Severn City to rescue the Travelling Symphony (R) (S)
11.50 Trial & Retribution Part one of two (S)
11.05 First Dates (S)
12.10 Naked Attraction (S) 1.15 Gugglebox (S) 2.15 Contemporary Rules (S) 2.45 The Simpsons (S) 3.30 Brooklyn Nine-Nine (S) 4.00 The Goldbergs (S) 5.10 Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares USA (S)
12.10 30g On The Front Line (S) 1.15 24 Hours In A&E (S) 2.00 24 Hours In A&E (S) 3.45 A Place In The Sun (S) 3.55 Close
12.20 Evil (R) (S) 1.15 The Force Manchester (R) (S) 2.10 Road Wars (R) (S) 3.00 Hawaii Free-6 (R) (S) 4.00 S.W.A.T (R) (S) 5.00 S.W.A.T (R) (S)
Radio
BBC Radio 1
6.05am Newsbeat 7.00 Radio 1 Breakfast With Greg James 11.00 Police Motion And Charity 12.45pm Newsbeat 1.00 Matt And Jerry 3.30 Newsbeat 3.33 Going Home With Vick, Katie And Jamie On Radio 1 5.45 Newsbeat 6.00 Radio 1.5 New Music Show With Jack Saunders 8.00 Radio 1.5 Future Pop With Mass Both 10.00 Radio 1.5 Power Show Playlist With Stan Darr 11.00 Story 11.50 10.00 1.15 Song Presents 2.00 Radio 1 Airforms 4.00 Radio 1 Pop Airforms 5.00 Radio 1 Early Breakfast With Dean McCullough
BBC Radio 1Xtra 6.20am UKtra Playlist 7.00 UKtra Breakfast With Nata Jae 10.00 Oi Day Day 12.45pm Newsbeat 1.00 Kaylee Goldring 4.00 Home Burgs 5.15 Newsbeat 6.00 Barm Bangs 7.00 Oi Target 9.00 UKtra's Afro-South Show With Oi Edu 10.30 UKtra's Afro-South Show With Oi Edu 11.00 UKtra's Throwback Party 12.00UK Throwback Thursday 1.00 UKtra Salutes, Jamaica 2.00 UKtra Salutes 4.00 UKtra's Raw Show With Jeremiah Assamah 4.30 Throwback Thursday 5.30 UKtra's Throwback Party
BBC Radio 2
6.20am The Gare Con Breakfast Show 9.30 Varrant Kay 12.00am Jeremy Vina 2.00 Oi Spoony 4.00 Jason Manford 7.00 From Nights On Radio 2 9.00 The Fabi Show With Mark Rucidillo 10.00 The Good Groove With Melvin Clinton 12.00UK Oi Borg 3.00 Alternative Sounds Of The Box With Dermot O'Leary 4.00 Devan Wyn Evans
BBC Radio 3
6.20am Breakfast 9.30 Essential Classics 12.00 Classical Live 3.00 Choral Exercising With music by Barntow, Jackson and Stardner 4.00 Composer Of The Week Felix Mendelssohn Following Mendelssohn through Scottish Highlands and Welsh norotornis 5.00 In Tune Hooper Ensemble and the Bussard Soweto Stirling Ensemble perform live 7.00 BBC Promo 2026 Glyndesbourne Festival Opera perform Simuass opera within an opera 10.00 Night Tracks 11.30 Round Midnight 12.30am Through The Night
BBC Radio 4
6am Today 8.00 24 Always 9.30 Breach The Cycle 10.00 Women's Hour 11.00 Saving Young Man From Murder The Homeless Story 11.40 This Week In History 12.45 Book Of The Week The Finch The Mountain Sicily, Elna And Her People 12.00am News 12.45, You And Yours 12.57 Weather 1.00 The World At One 1.45 Human Intelligence 2.00 The Archers 2.15 Drama: United Kingdoms 3.00 The Grand North Atlantic
Home Video Archives 3.30 All Under One Magnetization 4.00 The Power Of Guilt 4.15 The Media Show 5.00 FIVE 6.57 Weather 6.00 Six O'Clock News 6.30 End Medicine 7.00 The Archers 7.15 From Row 8.00 The World Made New series Debate on official issues, charmed by Michael Bueh 9.00 Revealed Hands The Juazeers wheeled America to disaster in Vietnam 9.30 Michael Sheer Gets Her Character Michael Sheer explores the methods used by actors to get into character 10.00 The World Tonight With James Conneresamy 10.45 Book At Bedtime: Mr Sathya Post (UK) by Annan (Eve) 10.00 Nora Meadows' Voice Of Widowes Comedy starring Katy Wm 11.15 Follow The Rabbit A woman claims she has a tiny demon being an her biscuit (in 11.30 Poetry Phase 12.00am News And Weather 12.30 Book Of The Week The Finch's The Mountain Sicily, Elna And Her People 12.45 Shipping Forecast 1.00 At BBC World Services 2.00 News Summary 5.00 Sidoways 5.30 Weather 5.30 Shipping Forecast 5.45 Prayer For The Day 5.45 Farming Today
BBC Radio 4 Extra
6am The Wild Far Horse 6.30 The Sensor Partner 7.00 After Heavy 7.30 The Missing Hancocks 8.00 You Heard it Here First 8.30 Adrian Mata The Cappuccino Years 8.45 Agnes Grey 9.00 Best Medicine 9.30 The Today Briseth Film Comedians 9.45 Daily Service 10.00 A The Queen 11.00 The Wolf Far Horse 11.30 The Sensor Partner 12.00am After Heavy 12.30 The Missing Hancocks 1.00 You Heard it Here First 1.30 Adrian Mata The Cappuccino Years 1.45 Agnes Grey 2.00 The Ultimate Choice 2.30 Getting Nowhere Fast 2.00 After Of Blue Eyes 4.00 A The Queen 5.00 The Far Horse 5.30 The Sensor Partner 6.00 After Heavy 6.30
Prom Nights
On Radio 2
7pm, BBC Radio 2 Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Laura Mvula, James Bay and the Nu Civilisation Orchestra celebrite 45 years of the Groceland album by Paul Simon (above)
The Missing Hancocks 7.00 You Heard it Here First 7.30 Adrian Mata The Cappuccino Years 7.45 Agnes Grey 8.00 The Ultimate Choice 8.30 Getting Nowhere Fast 8.00 After Of Blue Eyes 10.00 Comedy Club Best Medicine 10.30 Comedy Club With Bueh's Comes Against Music 11.00 Comedy Club Welcome To Wherever You Are 11.30 Comedy Club Dull At Our Pizza 12.00UK A The Queen 1.00 The Wolf Far Horse 1.30 The Sensor Partner 2.00 After Heavy 2.30 The Missing Hancocks 2.00 You Heard it Here First 2.30 Adrian Mata The Cappuccino Years 3.45 Agnes Grey 4.00 The Ultimate Choice 4.30 Getting Nowhere Fast 5.00 After Of Blue Eyes
BBC 5 Live
6am 12.00 Breakfast 9.00 Rina Ahmed 11.00 Holly Hamilton 2pm Marianne Spring 4.00 5.00 Onion 7.00 5 Live Sport 7.30 5 Live Sport 9.00 5 Live Sport 10.30 Giza Alton 1am Detan Aladaya 5.00 Video Up To Money
BBC 6 Music
7am N.G. Grimshaw 10.00 Lauren Lawrens 12am Craig Charles 4.00 How Stephen's 7.00 New Music File Daily 9.00 Kitty & Coz 11.00 O'Music Artist in Residence: Shygirl 12.00UK Freya, Dave Playlist 1.00 Blood & Fire Roots Reggae And Ramban 2.00 The First Time With Jimmy Cliff 3.00 Chaus Live Music 4.00 6 Music's Jukebox 5.00 Chris Hawkins
Classic FM
6.20am Classic FM Breakfast With Tim Lherman 9.00 The Classic FM Hall Of Fame First With Tim Lherman 10.00 Aled Janus 12pm Anna- Marna Mishad 4.00 Margherita Taylor 7.00 Packung Evening With John Browning 9.00 Classic FM's Composer Carousel With John Browning John into a for 2.00 Seances and today's No. 6 Johannes Brahms 10.00 Czim Classic 12.00 UKO Overton 4.00 Early Breakfast
Absolute Radio
6am Dave Berry 10.00 Claire Shargass 12pm Dan Barnett 4.00 Hometime With Bush & White 7.00 Danielle Perry 10.00 Jay Lawrence 12am Dan Noble
Insert
6.20am K And Kelly Brook 10.00 Pardora Christie's 12pm Matt Williamson 4.00 Oi Howard 7.00 Hayri's Fast Good Weekend With Dev Griffin 10.00 Ben Johnson 12am Guy Howard 14.00 Early Breakfast With Lindsey Russell
TalkSPORT
6am TalkSPORT Breakfast With Matt Brown 12.00 Jon White And Simon Jordan 12pm Max Rudolph & Charlie Baker 4.00 TalkSPORT Drive 7.00 The Twentieth Holden 10.00 The Sports Bar 12am Extra Time With Paul Rose 5.00 Early Sports Breakfast
32
NEWS
Panorama
Around the world in 10 stories
PHILIPPINES
Student streamed his deadly school shooting online
By Karen Lema and Nestor Corrales IN MIND, A
A student livestreamed himself shooting and killing another student in a classroom in the southern Philippines before taking his own life, an official said, in the second school attack in the country in less than two months.
Philippine President, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, ordered law enforcement agencies to investigate and to determine measures to be taken to prevent violence in schools.
"Our schools are where we entrust our children to learn, to grow and to dream about the lives ahead of them. They must also be among the safest places in our country," he said.
The shooting took place at a school attached to the privately run Ateneo de Zamboanga University (auat) in the city of Zamboanga, where the gunman brought a pistol and a rifle onto the school campus and fired at students inside the classroom, police said.
Zamboanga mayor, Khymer Adan Olaso, told DZBB radio that authorities confirmed the gunman livestreamed the attack through a body-worn camera. The motive
was not immediately clear. A senior customs official told reporters that the gunman used a .40-calibre pistol issued by the Bureau of Customs to the student's father, a customs official who has since been relieved from his post.
A second weapon recovered from the scene was a licensed personal firearm also owned by the gunman's father, the official said.
The victim was a male grade 10 student, police said. The gunman was a grade nine student. Two others were wounded.
The victim was found on the fourth floor of the school, while the gunman was later found dead on the fifth floor after taking his own life, city councillor Frederick Atilano said.
The shooting followed an attack in June at a public high school in Tacloban City in the central Philippines in which three students were killed and 20 others injured when two of their schoolmates opened fire.
School shootings are rare in the Philippines, which has relatively strict gun ownership regulations, including background checks and psychological evaluation requirements, although illegal firearms remain in circulation. REUTERS
TURKEY
Conditional pardon for PKK militants
By Suzan Fraser IN ANKARA
Turkey's President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has signed into law a measure that would introduce a conditional pardon for thousands of Kurdish militants as part of a government peace effort with the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK.
The measure will only come into force after Turkey's National Security Council confirms that the group has fully dissolved itself and disarmed.
Parliament approved the bill
overwhelmingly last week. It would suspend certain prison sentences for convicted PKK members and postpone ongoing investigations and trials against others.
The legislation also establishes a committee to oversee the group's disarmament.
Last year, the PKK - considered a terrorist organisation by Turkey and its Western allies - announced its decision to disband. Its imprisoned leader, Abdullah Ocalan, and other key PKK figures are excluded from the pardon. AP
Hoof it from the herd
Spectators watch the Encierro del Píldn in Falces, north-east Spain. Participants run in front of heifers - young female cows - to guide
them along a narrow downhill path. The race has a double danger: besides the risk from the animals themselves, while there is a
SWITZERLAND
Unstable rock formation threatens Alpine village
By Hernán Muñoz IN KANDERSTEG
An unstable mountain rock formation looming above the Swiss village of Kandersteg threatens a landslide that could rival the disaster that destroyed nearby Blatten last year, a collapse scientists linked to thawing permafrost and glacier dynamics.
The 1,300 residents of Kandersteg, in Switzerland's Bern canton, live amid a quintessential Alpine landscape of sharp peaks, white glaciers, steep green valleys and the distant sound of cowbells.
But a catastrophe looms over the quiet village: a mountainside rock formation called Spitze Stei, part of a mountain landscape increasingly affected by thawing permafrost, threatens to collapse into the valley in a massive landslide.
"You are aware that it's happening,
but not afraid," said Brigitte Jüni, an inhabitant of Kandersteg. "But then it's nature... you never know."
As glaciers and permafrost - the frozen soil sediment and rock that acts like a glue holding mountains together - melt due to higher temperatures caused by climate change, the threat of landslides is rising in the Swiss Alps.
In May 2025, a huge mass of rock and ice from a glacier thundered down the mountainside in the nearby Loetschental valley, coating with mud nearly all of Blatten, which had been evacuated earlier.
If the entire unstable section of the Spitze Stei were to collapse, it would trigger a massive natural disaster. But evacuation plans are prepared and experts say it is more likely to break down gradually.
Nathan Solothurnmann, a climate expert for Greenpeace, said landslides will become more common. AP
ZAMBIA
President wins second term in heated election
By Jack Zimba and Mogomotsi Magome IN LUSAKA
The Zambian President, Hakainde Hichilema, has been reelected for a second five-year term.
He was declared the outright winner of last Thursday's presidential election yesterday without the need for a run-off, having secured 61.4 per cent of the five million votes cast.
There was no immediate reaction from the opposition leader, Brian Mundubile.
Hichilema's victory follows a closely watched election in which the vote counting was suspended last Friday and then restarted hours later under heightened security after the commission said there had been attacks against some polling station officials.
They added that some ballot papers had been stolen.
Several leading opposition figures were also arrested on the night of the election.
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mountain wall on one side, a cliff is on the other. The race is thought to have its origins in the mid-1700s. ANDER GILLENEA/AFPIGETTY
NORWAY
King Harald in hospital for blood condition
By Rich Booth
IN GILD
King Harald of Norway, who is 89, has been admitted to hospital.
"The King has been treated with cortisone for the blood disease haemolytic anaemia in recent weeks," the palace said, leading to "fluid accumulation in the body".
His son, Crown Prince Hakon, will be prince regent for the next two weeks, the palace added.
In February, Harald was admitted to hospital in Spain's Canary Islands during a winter vacation. He was treated for a skin infection.
And two years ago, the king fell ill during a private vacation with the queen in Malaysia and was fitted with a pacemaker.
King Harald has been monarch since 1991. AP
Postcard From... Goree Island
As a child, Ndeye Awa Diop was so shy she couldn't look people in the eye.
Raised in rural Senegal, she learned to embrace what was traditionally expected of girls across the predominately Muslim nation. They should be seen but not heard.
But her life turned upside down when as a 12-year-old she was accepted into the country's first elite boarding school for girls, on Goree Island off Dakar, the capital.
Now she is 19 and president of the student council, and about to graduate. "I learned to be a leader," she said. Women in Senegal have to navigate a complex social
Ndeye Awa Diop, left, with Karine Marteau Kantoussan playing a game at the Mariama Ba School
landscape. Patriarchal norms are increasingly challenged by women empowered by progressive legislation that requires half of political parties' candidates to be women.
Senegal also has made enormous progress in girls' education. The vast majority of girls are enrolled in primary education, at a rate higher than for boys. But girls are more
likely to drop out. Less than 20 per cent make it through high school.
Senegal's founding president, Leopold Sedar Senghor, named the boarding school on Goree Island in 1985 after Mariama Ba, the country's most famous female author.
It occupies a former French military barracks on an island with a painful past. It was the largest centre of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. Only 35 girls are admitted to the school every year. Tuition and boarding are fully funded by the state.
In one classroom, 15-year-olds both deflated the history of slavery. Their teacher, Paul Felix Thiao, guided the discussion with a satisfied smile.
"Often in society, we see that men tend to dominate women," he said.
But places like the school show that "if we give them more freedom, they can go far". AP
Monika Pronczuk
UNITED STATES
Judge blocks Trump's FBI move
By Jonathan J Cooper
A judge has blocked plans to move the FBI's headquarters to a federal office building in Washington, finding that President Donald Trump's administration illegally threw out a previously approved plan to build a new facility nearby in Maryland.
It is the latest development in a long battle over where to house the main office for the nation's premier law enforcement agency.
A site in Greenbelt, Maryland, was picked during President Joe Biden's administration, but Trump appointees sought to reverse that decision last year in favour of repurposing the Ronald Reagan Building, a federal office complex close to the FBI's existing headquarters.
The FBI's current Pennsylvania Avenue headquarters, the J Edgar Hoover Building, was dedicated in 1975. AP
PAKISTAN
Court orders transfer to hospital for ex-PM Khan
By Ariha Shahid and Mahasher Bukhari IN ISLAMABAD
The Supreme Court yesterday ordered that the former prime minister Imran Khan be moved to hospital from jail, his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party said, meeting a long-standing demand of his party and family.
Cricketer-turned-politician Khan, 73, has been in jail since August 2023, convicted in a string of cases that he says were politically driven following his removal from power in 2022.
His sons repeatedly expressed concern regarding his deteriorating health last year, with his lawyers saying he had lost significant vision in his right eye.
"We wish it had happened sooner," PTI spokesperson Zulfikar Bukhari said.
The court has directed Khan he moved to Shifa International Hospital within 48 hours and remain
Former cricketer Imran Khan has been in jail since August 2023
there until 16 September. Since he lost power in a no-confidence vote, Khan has faced multiple cases, including over state gifts and an unlawful marriage.
Some convictions have been suspended or overturned, with appeals pending. He denies wrongdoing.
Cricket greats from around the world had demanded better treatment for him, expressing "deep concern" about his prison conditions. REUTERS
RUSSIA
Moscow objects to remarks by Japanese PM
By Mark Trevelyan
Russia summoned Japan's ambassador to Moscow yesterday over remarks by the prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, in a dispute over a group of Russian-controlled islands off north-east Japan.
The Russian President, Vladimir Putin, visited one of the disputed islands last week.
The four islands, which Russia calls the Southern Kurils and Japan refers to as the Northern Territories, were seized by the Soviet Union after Japan's surrender in the Second World War.
Russia controls and administers them, but Tokyo still claims them.
Takaichi said last week that Putin's visit "hurts the feelings of the Japanese people and is absolutely unacceptable".
Moscow said it objected to "anti-Russian" statements by Takaichi and foreign minister Toshimitsu Motegi. REUTERS
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There are eight types of person in a heatwave – which one are you?
Are you a hosepipe snitch, air-con bore, or simply a topless male? Time to find out with Laura Craik
I am method writing this from my broiling garrett, hot desking in the solitary and literal sense. It's 31°C outside, while inside, or so any fan informs me, it's a toasty 29°C. I love WFH, but not in this weather. Terraced houses weren't built for heat. What I'd give to be in an office, near a watercooler, in a thermostatically controlled environment so chilly I have goosebumps.
Which probably makes me an OHC – overheated freelance cliché – for at this stage in the game, with several heatwaves behind us already this year, you can't be a UK resident without falling into one tribe or another. Read on to see whether any of these are your people.
THE AC BORE
In the lexicon of chat, few topics are more boring than the efficacy of another person's air-con. You wouldn't talk about the performance of your Worcester Bosch during Christmas drinks, so why is it okay to bore on about your 29in Russell Hobbs tower fan in a beer garden?
The AC bore lures you in gently by asking how you slept and sympathising with the warm belch emitted by your Pifes desk fan. Once they have you captive, they're off.
Floor fans? Don't bother. You need a portable air-con unit with at least 12000 BTU. No, not an X – they're overrated foreign crap. What, you don't have a Dyson Cool PC1 with 10 speed variables and 350-degree oscillation? Yes, it is spenny, but they bought theirs in the January sale. Didn't you?
THE ACCLIMATISER
Is it 35°C outside? They hadn't noticed. This is because they've acclimatised. How do you know they've acclimatised? Because they'll tell
you at any given or ungiven opportunity. "Honestly? The heat isn't really getting to me any more. I think I've acclimatised," they'll say. Not for them, the night-time hell of lying spread-eagled and sodden on top of a sheet. They slept brilliantly, thanks.
So acclimatised have they become to Britain's sweltering new normal that they don't even need to walk around half-naked like the rest of us. They're in jeans, a long-sleeved shirt and this season's leather jazz shoes, just to ram the point home.
THE ANIMAL WELFARE EXPERT
If it's a tough time to be a dog, it's an equally tough time to be a dog owner. Granted, you're not covered in hot, thick, shaggy fur like poor Bailey/Milo/Teddy, but still, you have better things to do than get up at 7am to walk him, like sleeping.
After a few too many Old Rosies in The Cork and Bank Loan, you accidentally set off at 11am, later than planned. Before you've even chucked the ball, you're being verbally abused by a wild-eyed woman who seems to be accusing you of animal cruelty.
You can't catch everything she's saying, but "paw pads", "burnt" and "wanker" feature heavily. Apparently, if you walk your dog when the mercury is higher than 26°C, you are the spawn of Satan. You go home, chastened, pat the dog with a cold flannel and panic-call the vet.
THE GLOBAL WARMING REFUSENIK
Global warming? Load of bollocks. There's nothing wrong with the ice caps: their neighbour's cousin's missus went to Lapland last Christmas, and there was loads of snow. As for the wildfires, they're a conspiracy. Some plank – probably foreign –
didn't stub their cigarette out. Happens every summer.
They don't know why everyone's complaining, frankly: 37°C is perfect weather for sunbathing, which is why they're spending the afternoon in the Costa del Back Garden, splayed out on a lounger like Ray Winstone in Sexy Beast, right down to the canary yellow micro-trunks. Which saves the plane trip to Lanzarote, so don't you dare tell them they're not doing their bit for the environment.
THE STATISTICIAN
For every person who takes the heatwave in their stride, there's a person who is scared witless. The torrid heat feels oppressive and without end, its airlessness leaving them claustrophobic and completely out of sorts. In a bid to remain calm, they seek solace in facts, as though the very act of knowing it's the hottest British summer on record will segue back control from a vengeful god.
They'll tell you it's the first year the UK has reached 35°C in May, June, July and August, and never tire of saying that it's hotter than Rhodes/Ibiza/bell, as if they're the only
ones with access to a weather app. Be gentle with them, for they are Winter People.
THE ICE CUBE GORBLER
In every house share or family, there is one person who unilaterally decides that every ice cube in the ice tray/ice bag exists for them and them alone, as though nobody else could possibly fancy a freezing cold drink to take the edge off. Clunk-clunk. Clunk-clunk-clunk. There they go again, plundering the freezer's most precious natural resource with a selfishness that wouldn't be so intolerable if they ever bothered to refill the ice tray.
Do they know how long it takes an ice cube to freeze? No, neither did you until your fury drove you to ask Claude. Six to eight hours. An entire working day. Six cubes in one iced coffee is taking the piss. What is this, Starbucks?
THE HOSÉPIPE GRASS
You'd think they'd have something better to do than monitor their neighbours' water consumption, but no. Like an African elephant, they're
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35
FAMILIES
‘My mother was awful to me – now she’s a loving grandma. I resent this’
After a difficult childhood it can be hard not to remain angry, even when a parent has changed for the better
About two-thirds of people in the UK will become grandparents. Yet parenting and grandparenting are in many ways fundamentally different experiences.
Kellie*, a 43-year-old NHS worker from Dorset, never knew her mother was capable of the warmth she’s since shown her grandchildren.
My mum is a brilliant grandma to my two children (five and eight). She has endless patience for them, she’ll play the same game with them a million times, do hide and seek for hours in various cupboards around our house and she gets down on the floor and pretends to be animals with them. There’s also lots of mossy crafts and baking – she doesn’t mind when the flour goes all over her kitchen, or if they drop the eggs. She is really warm and loving towards them.
Mum will come round once a week or so, or we might drop into hers and she’ll give the kids homemade biscuits and settle down with them on the settee and they’ll tell her about what they’ve been up to. I love this most of the time.
But watching this is also really complicated. I still get these moments of sadness about how she is such a loving gran to my children, but wasn’t a very loving mum to me. I remember her being angry with me and my two siblings a lot of the time; she was impatient and I felt like I was making her life worse.
I have a handful of nice childhood memories of mum, but barely any. She was critical of me about my looks, my weight and she guilt-tripped me. I didn’t like being around her and I was often scared of her, too. You never knew what you were going to get and that feeling has never totally left me – I’m always on edge.
Mum smacked us sometimes, not always when we’d even done something very naughty. She was cold, and distant. She would lose her temper. Chuck plates at the wall, smash bowls on the floor. My dad was barely around and if he was, they would yell and scream at each other. He said things that I now understand were verbal abuse. She had to do everything around the house and I don’t think he contributed much financially. I think their relationship was seriously turbulent and unhappy, and then they had three kids.
Once I moved out, and was working and renting my own place, I rang my mum sometimes and would drop in to see her every so often, but I felt really free no longer being in her space. We didn’t really have any closeness, I felt duty towards her but
People mellow with age but the contrast may be galling OLIVER ROSSIGETTY
not any real warmth. When my first baby was a couple of weeks old, and I was in this bubble of obsessive love, I felt so emotional and angry about my childhood. I didn’t understand how anyone could make their children scared of them. I wondered how I’d ever be able to allow her to be in my life, now that I was a parent myself. I was worried she’d be unkind to these babies too.
Then, as time went on, and she’d drop by, I saw how much she bonded with my baby. I didn’t want the guilt and burden of making her miserable as she aged and so I decided to give her a chance at being a grandma. I decided to try to look forward. I think often about her own awful relationship with her parents and the rubbish childhood she had – and the fact that she grew up in poverty. She had barely any education, either, which I think kept her trapped.
I do judge the choices she made and sometimes I resent her, but I also know that being angry with her for ever and dwelling too much on the past isn’t healthy. I have a good life, a supportive and kind partner, and two amazing children. I’m a happy person who has perspective. My mum had a tough life and she didn’t have much support.
At the same time, it is very weird to see her hug the kids and tell them she loves them. The joy she expresses when she sees them is a different world to what I remember about my childhood. I don’t always feel relaxed with her even now and it’s not as if we have a close mother-and-daughter bond.
I wouldn’t tell her my deepest feelings or worries, but I am glad she’s in
I mostly remember her being angry and critical with me
my life and is able to give my children this grandparental relationship. My husband thinks my mum is almost using our kids as a sort of second chance to get it right. He might be right.
When she was in her fifties, she remarried – he is a nice guy and he’s been good for her. That, combined with me having my first child, seems to have made her much softer. She still has a bit of a temper, but not towards the children. I am shocked by how much she’s changed. I’ve heard people say their parents mellowed with age, but never imagined how someone like my mum could turn into a cuddly gran.
I have never worked harder at anything than making sure I give my children the nice childhood I didn’t have. I know I can’t be a perfect parent but I hope my kids never fear me, or feel unsafe around me. I do think they’re happy children and, yes, I get annoyed with them like any parent, but I never raise my voice unless it’s about safety – and I would never smack them. So that’s something positive from all this.
My mum did tell me about a year after I had my first baby that I was a better mum than she ever was. I didn’t say much but when I was alone, I burst into tears. I’d not had much praise from her before so this felt huge. Also, I took it as an admission that she failed us in some way.
Sometimes I wonder about bringing things up, but then I think of the children. They love her so much and they assume we get on really well.
I want to preserve their innocence and to give them the chance of having this lovely time with their gran for as long as possible. Even though it does hurt me at times, it seems worth the effort.
“Names have been changed”
As told to Kasia Delgado
able to smell water from afar and will stick their trunk – sorry, head – out of their upstairs window to chastise anyone who has the temerity to water their herbaceous borders. “You’re. Not. Allowed. To. Do. That,” they’ll shout. “I’m. Telling. The. Council.”
THE TOPLESS MAN
Which of us hasn’t decided that tops are unnecessary in 31°C heat? Well, anyone with breasts, for one. Where men can stroll toplessly through the park without a care in the world, women have to wear bikinis as a minimum. Where men can get on the bus topless, women would be arrested. Where’s the justice in that?
For some women (usually Gen Z?), the very fact that men are allowed to get it all out in a heatwave, when women can’t, makes them feel enraged every time they see a man shirtless. With the exception of Jude Bellingham, they think all men should wear clothes on public transport. It might be hotter than a witch’s tit, but that doesn’t mean they want to see yours.
They’re spending the afternoon splayed on a lounger in the Costa del Back Garden
36
Travel
The summer escape the French were keeping secret
Nature, seafood and cycle lanes enhance the low-key appeal of Royan-Atlantique and the Île d'Oléron. By Anna Richards
I wondered when I'd get into birds. It's like a ticking biological clock. One day your brain goes "Is that an avocet?", and all of a sudden, you've become your father.
My bird clock chimes at the age of 33, in Talmont-sur-Gironde, a cliffside village in south-western France that's a member of the Plus Beaux Villages de France (Most Beautiful Villages in France) association. It's low tide, and I watch the avocet picking its way over the mud flats, wishing I had binoculars. It moves in staccato, awkward and graceful all at once, mudlarking in front of fishing huts on stilts, known locally as carrelets.
And, just like that, I begin looking up all of the birds I see in Royan-Atlantique, a region of around 230 square miles stretching out around the seaside city of Royan, and in Île d'Oléron, which is linked to the mainland by a 1.9-mile-long bridge. Oys-
tercatchers, curlews and shear-waters all make my list.
In the five years I've lived in France, and over almost three decades of family holidays before that, I'd never made it to Oléron, although I'd been to the nearby Île de Ré several times.
To my chagrin, that makes me a typical Brit. According to data collected by Oléron's tourist office, British tourists make up less than one per cent of those visiting campsites and tourist information centres in Oléron, which is France's second-largest island after Corsica. The French account for almost 90 per cent of those visitors.
As the bird flies, the two islands are less than 20 miles apart. Even
Louis XIV supposedly often ate six dozen oysters at a time
The church of Sainte-Radegonde on the Gironde estuary GETTY
counting French tourists, Oléron receives around a million fewer visitors per year, spread over an area twice the size of Île de Ré.
I'd been missing a trick - Oléron feels like a wilder, cheaper and more down-to-earth version of Île de Ré. A spot check shows that a night in a three-star hotel in Oléron over the August bank holiday starts from around $100 compared with $150 in Île de Ré. High season lasts until the end of September, at which point many places shut up shop.
After beginning my trip on the mainland in Talmont-sur-Gironde I retreat into my comfort zone, a wine tasting at La Dame Blanche de Talmont, a family-run vineyard founded in 2003.
The vines grow on top of a limestone cliff above the carrelets. Down below, somewhere in the Gironde estuary between Talmont-sur-Gironde and the nearby village of Meschers-sur-Gironde, is buried treasure.
In 2005, the vineyard's owners threw six amphoras (ceramic storage jars), each containing a bottle of their wine, into the estuary. The prize for whoever found them is a lifetime supply of the estate's wine. For now, none of the amphoras have been found.
The following day, I drive over the viaduct to Oléron. I'm looking forward to ditching the car and beach hopping - I've heard that bikes reign supreme on the island.
My first stop, Le Château-d'Oléron, has a 17th-century citadel that flanks Crayola-coloured oyster huts on stilts, which are much smaller than the carrelets on the mainland, but more vi-
brant. Most are artists' studios, but a hundred years ago, work on Oléron was largely divided among three industries: oyster farming, viticulture and salt. Often, locals worked in all three.
At Fort Royer, an oyster farming village and heritage site around 20 minutes' drive north of the Château-d'Oléron, I bank my fun facts for future use. Oléron's oysters are a Japanese variety, after disease killed the native species; to make a living, farmers need to produce around 40,000 tonnes of oysters per year.
My favourite oyster tidbit, though, is that Louis XIV supposedly often ate six dozen oysters at a time.
As soon as I arrive at Hôtel Face aux Fists in La Cotinière, around 25 minutes' drive southwest of Fort Royer, I pack away my car keys to spend the rest of my trip cruising around on an e-bike from the rental shop Passion Loisir Océan, just around the corner from the hotel.
This is how Oléron is meant to be explored. There are around 100 miles of cycle lanes, some of which opened this year, each one flatter than a deflated air bed.
I hug the coast to tour the northern half of the island, beach hopping from the immense sands of Plage de Plaisance, to the cabanas of Plage de la Boirie, where the rainbow-coloured beach huts have more stripes than a drawer of pyjamas, to the stone fish weirs at St-Denis-d'Oléron, where semicircles
of stone in the shallows trap fish in the retreating tide, allowing them to be caught by hand.
At Chassiron lighthouse, I climb 224 steps to admire their horseshoe formations from
above. It's the only place that's busy. There are other tourists on the bike lanes and beaches, of course, but it's never crowded.
When I cut inland, the cycle trails take me past vine-
yards, into the heart of maritime pine forests, and through tiny, weatherbeaten villages. Everyone, from the person at the bike rental shop to the man next to me at dinner the night before, tells me that Le Relais des Salines, a restaurant in Le Grand-Village-Plage, is the place to eat. It's unassuming looking, in
Main, the Chassiron lighthouse; above, colourful huts at the port of the Château- d'Oléron; left, the author JEAN-LUC ICHARD GETTY
Travel essentials
Getting there The writer was a guest of Explore Cognac. La Rochelle has direct UK flights and high speed trains from Paris. La Rochelle-Oléron ferries run once daily from September (one-hour crossing, £2350)
Staying there Face aux Flots in Oléron has room-only doubles from £87. La Villa Ouest near Royan has room-only doubles from £85.
More information destination-cognac.com/en/
an oyster farmer's hut on stilts, and overlooks the island's last remaining salt marshes where there's also a little museum on the history of salt harvesting.
I arrive for dinner with my hair sopping wet and sand stuck to the residue of suncream on my face, having been unable to resist a swim en route. Oléron is laid- back, and while I'd usually feel embarrassed to turn up to din- ner looking like something that has washed in with the tide, here it feels perfectly normal.
The restaurant is full, and I eat mullet ceviche served with edible flowers on top, fish pâté with chimichurri and slow- cooked monkfish with basil and sardine seasoning.
Leaving the island, I look and feel like flotsam. My hair is thick with saltwater, my shoes are filled with sand, and I'm pretty sure my body is 90 per cent seafood.
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NORTHUMBERLAND
England's largest forest is
brimming with wildlife – instead of crowds
The Kielder Forest has a similar feel to the Lake District, writes Adam Turner, after an affordable weekend of glorious scenery
"I've been coming here for years and that's the first time I've ever seen an os- prey in flight," announces a 60-something biker dressed head-to-toe in leather and peering through a monocular.
There's a group of birdwatchers forming outside a wooden cabin, Northumberland Wildlife Trust's osprey project space, next to Kielder Waterside café. Chaffinches peck at seeds as a vole pops its head up from a grass verge and house martins glide in the pale blue sky.
"Look, there's an oystercatcher. Get a photo, Ron," another man in a camouflage T-shirt whispers, point- ing at a red-beaked bird that perches elegantly on the building next door.
It's all happening just metres from where I spent the previous night in Tower Knowe Visitor Centre's car park. Having borrowed a seaside- themed campervan through Quirky Campers, a peer-to-peer rental plat- form, I came to Kielder, England's largest man-made forest, to try a new visitor experience.
Until 14 September, a Forestry England-led initiative called the Forest Campervan Road Trip allows visitors to stay overnight in seven forest locations across England, in- cluding Kielder Forest. At Kielder, prices start from £15 per night for non-members and £14 for members. The maximum stay for the off-grid experience is 48 hours and those taking part must not leave a trace (some spots have toilets, but don't expect showers).
Kielder Forest is on the border of Scotland, in Northumberland – its highest peak, Deadwater Fell, offers views from Lake District mountains to the North Sea coast. The forest's first trees were planted in 1926 to create a national timber reserve and replenish stocks used in the First World War. Local miners and dock- workers were brought in to do the manual labour and given places to stay with their families.
Back then, Kielder was a vast marshland surrounding the Duke of Northumberland's summer house, Kielder Castle. Plans were made
Kielder Forest contains Northern Europe's largest man-made lake and the grounds of Kielder Castle; below, The Nick – a wooden shelter GETTY
to refurbish the castle in time for Kielder's 100-year anniversary. But there were a few unexpected issues, so it is likely to reopen next spring. However, this year there's a host of activities planned for the weekend of 5 and 6 September to celebrate the centenary.
I spend my first night camping at a car park next to the castle, then I hike part of a trail. There are several walking routes from this point – the 1.5-mile Gruffalo walk is popular with young hikers, for example.
Despite living less than two hours' drive away, it's my first time at Kielder Forest and already I'm won- dering why: it's majestic. Its 50,000 hectares (around 125,000 acres) of dense forest surround Kielder Water, Northern Europe's largest man-made lake (by capacity).
Walking beside a babbling beck in a drizzle, pinecones crunching un- derfoot, I'm hit by the sweet scent of moist bracken. Hoping to spot a red squirrel – Kielder is home to a sig- nificant portion of England's popu- lation – I squelch down to Kielder Viaduct, but loop back as the rain gets heavier.
There are other wonders to enjoy after dark. Kielder is part of the largest protected area of night sky in Europe (Northumberland Inter- national Dark Sky Park), with its observatory hosting events through- out the year. They range from Space Kids: Light Year Academy, a family- focused workshop, to Late Night Discovery (£49pp), during which I learn about galaxies and planets, see Saturn through a telescope and ask astronomers questions about space.
Waking up in the thick of the for- est, with only one or two other camp- ers for company is another treat. In some ways Kielder doesn't look like
England – some compare it to the wilderness of Sweden or Canada – but having grown up on camping trips around Lake Windermere, it reminds me of the Lakes – but with- out the crowds.
When I'm invited by the Calvert Centre – an accessible outdoor ad- venture centre specialising in pro- viding outdoor experiences to those with disabilities – to try a canoeing session, there's no one else on the water. "I love this part of the lake. It's so peaceful," my guide, Dani, says, passing from paddling for a moment to take in the view. There's barely a ripple in the water, and, but for a few fishermen perched on the banks, there's not another soul in sight.
On my final morning, I wake up and pull back the campervan cur- tains to see an osprey, its 68 wing- span fully extended, circling above Kielder Water looking for trout.
It's like a scene from an Attenhor- ough documentary, seen unfolding from the comfort of my bed.
Travel essentials
Booking it Temporary campervan sites at Kielder Forest are £35 per campervan, per night for non-members (book in advance, most sites open until 14 Sept) The Kielder Castle site is open year-round (£35 per night) and you can pay on arrival, subject to availability forestry.england.uk/ kielder-forest, visitkielder.com.
More information Quirky Campers campervan rental from £130 per weekend night, three-nights minimum, quirkycampers.com/uk/
Genius
Quote of the day
I used to get up on a little rock in my grandparents' back yard and sing 'Like a Version'. My mother never corrected me
Lena Dunham
The American director on her early love for Madonna
“My family has done a lot of inappropriate laughing at funerals,”
Rannells. “We often find humour in the strangest, darkest of moments. And in grieving – in the heightened atmosphere of those church moments – you can do some of the best laughing.”
We're on the subject of funerals as his new film, Miss You, Love You, plays out as a long fuse burning up to one. It's a distinctively weird and witty two-hander that yanks some of those big, shocking laughs from moments of intense, brutal loss and despair.
Originally written for the theatre by Jim Rash, it's a film that pitches the jazz handsy, baby-faced Rannells against the caustic cleverness of Oscar-winner Allison Janney. She plays Diane, the mother of an emotionally remote, high-flying foreign correspondent called Tyler.
When her second husband – Tyler's stepfather – dies, Diane's son is too busy working abroad to come and support her. Instead he dispatches his PA (Rannells's character Jamie) to help with the sadmin in filii foes.
Jamie is a people-pleaser and does his best to absorb Diane's furious grief and disappointment at her son's absence, but struggles to maintain his cheery demeanor as she probes deeper into the nature of his devotion to her son.
As both of them are repeatedly fobbed off by texts from Tyler read-
“If you're a gay kid in Nebraska, you only have one option: Leave
ing “Miss you, Love you,” the tension builds to breaking point.
“I've never had a personal assistant myself,” says Rannells, chatting cheerfully via video from the New York home he shares with his actor partner Tue Watkins and Watkins's twin children. “But a lot of my actor, producer friends do and it is a really, um...” he makes a face.
“It's an odd relationship, right? You're asking these people to do really personal things – picking up your dry cleaning while you confide in them – and the line between employee and friend can very easily get blurred.”
It turns out there's a lot going on for Jamie, who is coping with bereavement of his own. Although he says he's “proud to have built a career out of playing ‘the sassy gay friend’”, he admits it's good to find more nuance in a part.
He explains that: “Jim Rash – who's also gay – wrote this character with so many flaws and complexities. Unfortunately it's not something that I get to play often.” He corrects himself. “On stage, I do, but not on film.”
Rannells's most famous character is arguably Elijah Krantz in Lena Dunham's 2012-2017 sitcom Girls. Over six seasons, Elijah evolved
from heroine Hannah's ex-boyfriend, who unsettled her by coming out as gay, to become a close (if sometimes toxic) friend and one of the show's most beloved characters.
“I always told myself that Elijah was the star of that show,” he says. “I think all of the rest of the girls – not the actors, their characters – all thought they were the star too. That's what made it work, that no one was in service to Hannah.”
Born in 1973 in Omaha, Nebraska, Rannells is the fourth of five kids raised in a Catholic household. His dad was an advertising salesman and his mum ran the home. “It was a pretty bleak time to be looking for gay role models on TV,” he says.
Rannells says it was his dad who got him into watching Doris Day musicals on TV, and he had his first part in a community theatre production of The Snow Queen at 11.
“There was no drama class at my all-boys Catholic school so that was my first taste of performance.” His eyes roll back in his head in faux delight: “My class came to see me!” At 13 he was making TV and radio commercials. He goes full Broadway and sings the first jingle he wrote – for a roller rink – for me. “School is cool, but when I get free, Skateland is where I want to booze!”
Other aspects of his teen years were more traumatic. In his memoir,
Rannells revealed that while he was struggling with his sexuality, he decided to “confess” to Father Dominic, one of the sexagenarian priests teaching at his school.
“He seemed so strong, but so kind, and I was hopeful that he could save me from myself,” Rannells wrote. “I felt safe and heard and understood. Then, with unexpected force, he kissed me. On the lips. He muscled his tongue into my mouth and held
Life hasn't always been easy for Andrew Rannells, but he found his spotlight in the end. He talks to Helen Brown about boys, 'Girls' and starring in 'Miss You, Love You'
“I'm proud of my career as the sassy gay friend”
Andrew Rannells and Allison Janney star as Jamie and Diane in 'Miss You, Love You' ROBBY KLEIN/GETTY WARNER BROS DISCOVERY
the back of my head still. Then he released me and made the sign of the cross on my forehead."
The teenager "walked away, stunned" and managed to avoid the priest until his mother suggested they invite him to a graduation party at their home. As the priest left, he assaulted Rannells again.
"We stood at my parents' front door and said our good-byes for the final time, and then he grabbed me by the back of the neck and forced his tongue in my mouth. Rannells left the church and soon left the state. "If you're a young guy kid in Nebraska, you only have one option," he tells me. "Leave."
New York was the dream and after coming out at 18 ("Nobody was surprised,"
he says) Rannells high-tailed it to Marymount Manhattan College to study theatre. But tragedy struck just has he was starting his New York adventure. In a 2019 essay for The New York Times's "Modern Love" series (which he later directed as an episode for Amazon Prime), he described the night his dad collapsed while he was on a date with a guy called Brad.
Rannells was just 22 and this was one of his "first forays into courtship". He ignored calls from his family throughout dinner, at a gay bar and on the taxi ride back to his apartment where the pair headed straight for his bedroom for an encounter that "lasted longer than it needed to", before finally picking up his phone in the bathroom. His dad had collapsed at his sister's home during her daughter's birthday party.
Today he tells me that it took him "a good six to nine months until it hit me, all of a sudden, that my dad had died". Looking back, he suspects that an early experience of bereavement can "open you up in a different way, you know?"
Rannells battled through a stack of rejections and a long, difficult relationship with an older man, before his career on Broadway finally took off in his late twenties. "I didn't believe it would last until I was onto my third role," he chuckles. Although he enjoys film, TV and writing, theatre is still his first love.
He knows he's lucky to have hit New York just as "a great wave of original musical theatre" was giving theatreland a reboot with shows like The Book of Mormon (in which he originated the role of zealous missionary Rider Kevin Price) and Lin-Manuel Miranda's Bismilton, in which he took over briefly in the role of King George III.
He worries, though, about the soaring price of tickets both on Broadway and in the West End. "It's so expensive to get shows up and running and to get people to take notice... I fear the business model has priced out smaller shows."
Although he and his partner of seven years (whom he met when they played onstage lovers in The Boys in the Band, later reprising the roles for a Netflix film) are no longer short of cash, he blanches at the memory of how much he's paid for theatre tickets recently. How much? "An insane amount. Horrifying. I cannot tell you."
'Miss You, Love You' is now streaming on HBO Max
NEW 2-33
OPINION 18-22
TV 23-31
LIFE 34-37
CULTURE 38-41
MOVIES 42-45
SPORT 50-56
THURSDAY 19 AUGUST 2020
39
Families
Immersive show offers a walk through time
A new immersive attraction, Timexsoft, has opened in London's Docklands in time to entertain families during the school holidays.
The show at the Immerse LDN exhibition space at the Excel centre combines visual effects, technology and soundscapes to take visitors on
a 12,000-year, multisensory journey through the ancient civilisations of Göbekitepe, Babylon, Egypt, the Maya and Rapa Nut. The stories unfolding around you in each chapter are narrated by actors David Schofield and Olivia Williams. timewalkexhibition.com/london
On stage
A Mideummer Night's Dream Chichester Festival Theatre, West Sussex, 18 Sept to 17 Oct Munya Chawawa (below) will star in Justin Audibert and Hannah Joss's staging of Shakespeare's play. It is riotously transposed to 1990s Sussex, where traditional values go head-to-head with the rave to end all raves. cft.org.uk
Book now
Vanessa Williams Touring, 18 to 25 Feb 2027
US stage and screen star Vanessa Williams will hit the road for her first UK concert tour next year, kicking off at Glasgow's Royal Concert Hall. Accompanied by a full band, she will take audiences on a musical journey from her chart debut in 1988 to her latest album, Survivor, via Broadway and West End show tunes vanessawilliamslive.co.uk
Last chance
Loud Poets: I Am Loud Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh, 20 and 27 Aug The Loud Poets crew (below) have been Edinburgh Fringe regulars for years. Their fist-thumping, pint-drinking, side-tickling fusion of spoken word and live music thrills poetry lovers and turns sceptics into fans. shorturl.attlybgc
Albums of the week... Jazz and blues
Gilles Peterson presents Norma Winstone (Live at Maida Vale) Norma Winstone
British jazz star Norma Winstone's expressive alto voice – full of airy spaces, original phrasing and moody
textures – remains undimmed more than 50 years after she found fame collaborating with Michael Garrick, Mike Westbrook and Neil Ardley. This five-track BBC session pairs the 8½-year-old singer with a younger generation but she is still capable of commanding complete attention. BBE Records
The Breakdown Keb' Ma'
The US singer, guitarist and songwriter – a winner of five Grammy awards – has been consistently releasing
beautiful, well-produced blues records for 30 years. His 17th solo studio album shows him in a new, more intimate space as he explores marriage, mortality and the human experience. Aside from two tracks with guest vocalists, the rest of the LP is focused on Keb' and his guitar, showcasing him as true troubadour. Concord Records
Channel hopping
Ludwig BBC iPlayer, streaming from tomorrow
David Mitchell and Anna Maxwell Martin (left) return in a new series of the comedy crime drama. Mitchell plays puzzle
compiler John Taylor and his identical twin James, a detective who vanished in series one. To find him, he adopts his brother's identity and infiltrates the police, but inadvertently finds himself pulled into other investigations
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Culture
NEW! 7-33
OPINION 18-22
TV 26-31
LIFE 34-37
CULTURE 38-41
MONDAY 43-45
SPORT 50-56
THURSDAY 13 AUGUST 2020
41
Documentary on the 'ADHD myth' is irresponsible
COMMENT
Sarah Carson
Let me get this out of the way: I am embarrassed to have ADHD. It is not a superpower, it is not an interesting personality quirk, it does not make me some kind of artistic genius who thinks outside the box. It is an albatross, which is obstructive in almost all areas of my life, holds me back from accomplishing what I want to, demands a lot of patience from others, and its accordant frustrations have at points in my life, especially before I got a diagnosis, made me miserable.
ADHD has gone from a condition to a phenomenon and has been hijacked: by polemicists, by opportunistic private clinics charging high fees for diagnoses and, yes, perhaps too by a minority of shirkers who want to claim it as a disability that gets them out of getting a job or queuing at Alton Towers.
It is tedious, and I along with most people who sincerely have it
would just like to manage it – for me, that's with a pill on weekdays – and crack on.
Unfortunately, Channel 4 has broadcast a documentary which I believe will make all these problems worse. The Great ADHD Myth? has psychiatrist and journalist Max Pemberton investigating whether ADHD is a social, behavioural construct or whether it is a legitimate neurological condition.
He does this by speaking to medical professionals who deny its existence, by observing one mother who takes her child off his medication and remove screens and junk food for six weeks to see whether his focus in the classroom is affected, by seeking and obtaining a private diagnosis himself, and subsequently testing medication for one day.
The film's alarming conclusions are that we are diagnosing "kids for being kids", that children are being drugged into submission, and that our education system needs to change to accommodate these children "with more arts and sports" rather than medication.
If you are already fatigued by the saturation of ADHD, especially in the media, and believe it is a load of rubbish,
Max Pemberton's film has a 'one-sided' perspective CHANNEL 4
this is going to be satisfying confirmation. That is precisely why it is so irresponsible.
This one-sided film scrimps on counter views, does not speak to anyone whose life has been improved by treatment, uses limited and inconclusive case studies to prove its agenda, and demonises medication that can be life-changing.
It is so committed to presenting ADHD as some sort of sociological pandemic that
it neglects the overwhelming evidence that people with ADHD do indeed have different brain structures and chemistry to neurotypical people.
It is unclear whether its concern is the harm of labels, medicating children, or how ill-equipped we are to cope with life's stresses, and so Pemberton's line of inquiry feels random.
He uses his morning on powerful ADHD stimulants as proof that they do not benefit
It demonises medication that can be life-changing
productivity but turn you into a zombie. He does not sufficiently point out that this medication takes time to adjust to. He pops down to the shops and seems to expect some sort of transformation and is shocked to find himself feeling out of sorts.
He does not engage with how gravely ADHD can affect someone's life and prospects, nor with how social class, families and schooling can play into its outcomes. He uses his own career as a doctor, journalist and author of several books as evidence that the diagnosis he is given – and thus that of many others – is false.
Presenting ADHD as a "myth!" confirms that this film's objective is to enrage, not enlighten. In lieu of balanced testimony or a full picture of the condition, it has at least succeeded on that.
'The Great ADHD Myth?' is streaming now on Channel 4
finance
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Motives & Business
Quote of the day
If we approach things differently, we can actually make sense of drilling the North Sea. If we price control it, we can save money
Dale Vince The green energy entrepreneur in support of Rosebank and Jackdaw
@theipaper business@theipaper.com
RETIREMENT
Pensions could rise £500 a year due to wage growth
By Emily Braeger and Will Hazell
The state pension is on track to rise by £500 next year in an increase which will tip retirees over the threshold for paying income tax.
Treasury officials need to thrash out an exemption before next April to deliver on a promise by the Chancellor, John Healey, that retirees solely reliant on the state pension will not be charged income tax on it.
Average total pay rose by 4.1 per cent in the three months to June, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics published yesterday.
It means that if wage figures remain at the same level or higher next month, the state pension will rise to more than £13,000 because of the triple lock.
Under the triple lock, the state
pension rises by whichever is highest of average wages between May and July, September's inflation figure or 2.5 per cent.
With inflation at 2.6 per cent, it means that unless the cost of living rises very sharply, it is the earnings growth figure which is likely to be higher and therefore used to determine the increase.
A 4.1 per cent increase would take the annual value of the state pension
The Government has previously said pensioners who are wholly dependent on the new state pension with no private pension, or those receiving only the old basic state pension, will not have to pay income tax as a result.
from £12,548 to £13,060, breaching for the first time the tax-free personal allowance of £12,570.
Last month, The i Paper revealed that the Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, and Healey had committed to making sure pensioners whose only income is the state pension will not pay income tax on it for the whole of this Parliament, which could last until 2029.
Even though only a relatively small amount of tax would be due, Burnham has chosen to make the cost of living the key plank of his premiership and he and Healey will be keenly aware of the damage scrapping of the winter fuel payment caused Sir Keir Starmer.
The commitment sticks to a pledge made by the previous chancellor, Rachel Reeves, in last November's Budget that "people only in receipt
The full new state pensions stands currently at £241.30 per week
of the basic or new state pension do not have to pay small amounts of tax through Simple Assessment from April 2027".
While the Treasury has said work is under way on how to exclude those solely dependent on the state pension from Simple Assessment it has yet to provide any details of how this will work and experts have warned it could be complex.
Shoppers cooked less, turning to chilled, picnic and finger food ranges during the heat waves OWN: KITWOOD/GETTY
CONSUMER
Hot weather drives slowdown in grocery prices
By Holly Williams
Grocery price inflation has fallen to its lowest level for nearly two years as shoppers increasingly turned to chilled finger foods in the summer heat waves.
Supermarket prices rose by 2.1 per cent in the four weeks to 9 August, down significantly on the 2.6 per cent the month before and the lowest rate since October 2024, figures from Worldpanel by Numerator have shown.
But shoppers spent less on groceries, after the World Cup
football fever boosted sales in the previous month, at £410 on average over the four weeks – £14.24 less than the last period.
Households also made use of supermarket promotions to help reduce costs, with 31.3 per cent of sales including a deal in the past month – the highest level this year.
More heatwaves affected shoppers' baskets and trends, with chilled, picnic and finger food ranges performing well, while the report showed households were pushing back dinner times to after 8pm to eat when it was cooler.
Sales of dips jumped 23.3 per cent, with a 23.1 per cent rise for coleslaw and 22 per cent increase for potato salad, while chilled finger foods rose by 15.2 per cent and ice cream and sorbet sales surged 26.1 per cent.
Demand for frozen fruit rocketed, with sales up 48.1 per cent. Sun cream sales also soared, up 58.4 per cent.
Sally Ball, business unit director at Worldpanel by Numerator, said: "The continued heat has impacted the way people are eating and drinking."
EMPLOYMENT
Vacancies slip as small firms stall recruitment
By Anna Wise
Vacancies in the UK jobs market have fallen back again while wage growth in the private sector has hit a near six-year low, figures reveal.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said its early estimates show there were around 6,000 fewer vacancies between May and July, compared with February to April.
This brings the level of vacancies down to 707,000, the lowest in more than five years or, outside of the Covid pandemic years, since 2014.
Vacancies slumped earlier in the year in a sign that firms were pulling back hiring in the face of economic uncertainty and higher wage costs.
The latest ONS survey found that small firms may not be recruiting because of increased labour costs and other business expenses.
The data also revealed that regular average wage growth in the UK's private sector fell to 2.8 per cent in the three months to June – the lowest level since the three months to October 2020.
This is despite overall regular wage growth rising to 3.5 per cent in the same period, from 3.4 per cent in the three months to April, driven by a 6.1 per cent increase across the public sector as a result of NHS pay awards.
The UK's overall unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.9 per cent in the three months to June.
The ONS director of economic statistics, Liz McKeown, said: "The latest decrease was driven mainly by smaller businesses, which cite labour and operating costs as reasons for not hiring new staff."
NEW! 5-33
OPINION 16-22
TV 29-31
LIFE 34-37
CULTURE 38-41
MONEY 42-45
SPORT 50-54
THYENNEBAK 13 AUGUST 2026
43
MONEY COACH
How your home can pay for your holiday - from Airbnb to swaps
There are several ways to profit from property while you take a break. By Phil Spencer
Work should be the last thing on your mind when you're on holiday. But while you unplug and recharge, your home could be hard at work - earning money that you can put towards your travel costs.
There are a few hoops to jump through, but if you're comfortable with the idea of paying guests enjoying your home while you're away, there are several ways to temporarily transform your home from a cost into a cash-generating asset. Which option is best for you will depend on how long you're away for, and how much work you're willing to put in to keep your home guest-ready.
SELF-MANAGED SHORT LETS
If you're away for anything from a few days to a few months, an Airbnb-style short let is an obvious choice. It's also a hugely popular one; last year 101 million guest nights were spent in short-let properties in the UK, with over 14 million in August alone.
Airbnb and Vrbo are the best known, but there are lots of platforms that allow you to list your home online. Once you've uploaded a description and photos of your property, and passed a few identity checks, your listing can go live in as little as 24 hours.
Guest bookings are largely automated and easy to organise, which is one reason why platforms like Airbnb typically charge you a 15.5 per cent commission.
When setting the nightly rate, research the listings of similar properties nearby to see how much they're charging and how their facilities compare to yours.
Don't underestimate renters' expectations! It's a competitive market, so fresh bedding and towels, tidy rooms and clean kitchenware are all must-haves.
If you're managing lets yourself, or asking family or friends to do it while you're away, have a clear plan on how renters will collect the key and return it at the end of their stay, and how you'll handle changeovers between guests.
Alternatively, there are specialist short-let management companies who for a fee will handle everything
Do not forget to inform HMRC, your insurer and mortgage lender if you decide to let your home GETTY
for you, from answering guest queries to cleaning. You'll probably want to give your home a thorough clean before leaving, and you should always lock away any valuables or personal information.
MANAGED SHORT LETS
If you're going away for longer, or would just rather leave the legwork to someone else, many high street letting agencies handle short lets as well as conventional tenancies.
Alternatively, big cities and tourist hot spots often have specialist holiday letting companies you can use. Companies like this know the local market well and have a team to manage changeovers, but of course their service comes at a cost; 20 per cent of your rental income is typical for a short let.
Some insist on a minimum period too, so they may not take on your home for just a few weeks.
Short-letting is fairly straightforward and avoids the stringent safety checks needed in long-term rental properties. However, there are a few rules you should never ignore.
Always let your insurer know about your short-let plane; failing to
Big cities and tourist hot spots often have specialist holiday letting companies you can use
do so might mean they wouldn't pay out for an incident that happened while you're away.
Depending on your mortgage conditions, you may have to let your lender know as well. If you own a leasehold flat, check the lease to see if there are restrictions on short lets. Finally if you're a renter, always inform your landlord and get their agreement that you can sublet the property.
There may also be local rules about short lets, so check your council's website. For example, in London you can only short let a property for a maximum of 90 nights per calendar year. In Scotland, short-let hosts must have a licence, which may make it too bureaucratic or expensive for a one-off let.
Finally, don't forget tax. The money you make from short lets is treated as property income by HMRC, though you can make up to £1,000 a year tax free. Platforms like Airbnb will automatically share details of what you've earned with the tax authorities, but you should declare it on your tax return as well.
Don't be deterred by the red tape. There are around 420,000 UK homes listed on Airbnb alone, so it's clearly worthwhile.
HOME SWAPS
An alternative to letting out your home for money is to find an owner with a property you like in another location, and swap with them for your holiday.
Swapping homes gives you free holiday accommodation and an insight into what life is like elsewhere. Plus, you may get the opportunity to stay in a really unusual property!
Trust is important, so it's best to use one of the established swapping platforms like HomeExchange, Guardian Home Exchange, Homelink or Home Base Holidays.
You may have to subscribe, but once you're a member listing your property is easy and correspondence with potential swappers is typically by email and phone.
As with short lets, you'll have to arrange key transfer and should inform your insurer, mortgage lender and neighbours. Home swaps have been popular for decades and can be great fun.
Phil Spencer is a property expert and co-presenter of Channel 4, show 'Location, Location, Location'. He is also the founder of Move IQ
RETAIL
Frasers ups Boss stake after rebuff from bosses
By Anna Wise
Mike Ashley's Frasers Group has increased its stake in Hugo Boss a month after a takeover approach was rebuffed by bosses of the German fashion brand.
The retailer behind Sports Direct and House of Fraser said it had increased its shareholding to nearly 48 per cent after putting the offer directly to investors, accelerating its push into the luxury market.
Last month, Frasers owned around 36 per cent of Hugo Boss but launched an attempt to take full control of the brand.
It offered to pay around €1.98bn (€1.73bn) for the remainder of the business, which would have meant paying about €28 per share to shareholders.
However, Hugo Boss's management and supervisory board said they felt the deal was "inadequate from a financial point of view" and recommended that shareholders do not accept it.
Last week Frasers put the offer directly to shareholders, with shareholders worth 17.6 per cent of the company accepting the terms, meaning the majority opted against the offer price.
Speculation that Frasers could seek to take over the brand has grown since the company first started investing in 2020, and it has been slowly building up its stake. Frasers' chief executive Michael Murray is a member of Hugo Boss's supervisory board as a result.
Stephan Sturm, chairman of the supervisory board of Hugo Boss, said: "We appreciate Frasers Group's continued long-term commitment to Hugo Boss and look forward to maintaining a constructive relationship with them as our single largest shareholder."
The move to buy more shares in Hugo Boss comes hot on the heels of Frasers' acquisition of historic department store chain Harvey Nichols.
Harvey Nichols had gone under auction after warning in its latest accounts that it would need to "cease trading" within a year if it failed to secure new investment.
The rescue deal includes its six stores as well as its online business and around 1,000 workers.
Frasers has increased its Boss shareholding to nearly 48 per cent
420,000
The number of homes in the UK that have a listing on Airbnb
44
BUSINESS
FTSE 100 up +0.07% at 10,728.0
| Company | Price | Chg % | High | Low | Company | Price | Chg % | High | Low | Company | Price | Chg % | High | Low |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SI Group | 2862.0 | +0.50% | 4467.0 | 1825.0 | Kansas Mortis | 1873.0 | -0.05% | 2354.0 | 0140.0 | Reddit Ben | 4990.0 | -0.72% | 2522.9 | 3664.0 |
| Absorbent Group | 243.2 | -0.67% | 265.0 | 177.5 | Elencore | 591.2 | -0.47% | 707.2 | 281.5 | RELX | 2540.0 | +2.85% | 1634.0 | 1991.0 |
| AB Foods | 2016.0 | +0.65% | 2359.0 | 1729.5 | CDX | 1888.0 | +1.87% | 2282.0 | 1298.8 | Reinkelt Initial | 545.7 | -0.46% | 567.0 | 329.6 |
| Admiral | 1494.0 | -0.43% | 4006.0 | 2624.0 | Nelson | 393.5 | +3.54% | 418.1 | 274.4 | Rio Tinto | 7115.0 | -0.50% | 5617.0 | 4436.5 |
| Arctic Africa | 328.2 | +0.06% | 438.2 | 217.8 | Halma | 3570.0 | -3.57% | 4902.0 | 3354.0 | Delhi Amps | 1527.0 | -1.66% | 1586.0 | 990.0 |
| Alliance Witan | 1369.0 | -0.51% | 1294.0 | 1178.0 | Hesse | 1803.0 | +0.06% | 1904.0 | 1257.2 | Salisbury, Ct | 330.0 | -0.54% | 380.3 | 292.3 |
| Anglo Amer | 1810.0 | -2.47% | 4239.0 | 2123.0 | Hooskes Jobbery | 795.0 | -0.38% | 981.0 | 713.0 | Schroders | 583.5 | -5 | 599.5 | 358.8 |
| Arlindagents | 3035.0 | -1.89% | 4479.0 | 2077.0 | NSBC/NSBA | 1514.4 | -1.07% | 1810.0 | 928.1 | Soul Mort Inv Trd | 1429.5 | -1.45% | 1563.0 | 1015.7 |
| Adriallamco | 11800.0 | +2.13% | 15772.0 | 9892.0 | SKI | 425.1 | -1.81% | 492.9 | 332.7 | Ingra | 367.4 | +0.50% | 447.4 | 403.0 |
| Automaker Group | 527.2 | +0.27% | 831.2 | 438.8 | ICS | 1983.0 | -1.54% | 2340.0 | 1424.5 | Sears Trust | 1092.0 | +1.71% | 1335.0 | 2381.0 |
| Avion | 737.0 | +0.98% | 740.2 | 550.8 | XL Group | 1381.0 | +0.80% | 1856.0 | 1016.0 | Shell | 1368.0 | +1.76% | 1758.0 | 2051.8 |
| Babcock Intl | 1138.5 | -3.27% | 1527.0 | 902.4 | Net | 3050.0 | -1.10% | 3166.0 | 2216.0 | Smith&Mech | 1110.5 | +2.07% | 1441.5 | 1050.0 |
| BAE Partners | 2225.0 | -0.49% | 2360.0 | 1839.0 | Imperial Brands | 2672.0 | +0.16% | 3632.0 | 2544.0 | Seattle Sp | 1811.0 | -1.02% | 1794.0 | 2088.0 |
| Barrison | 503.0 | -2.29% | 554.1 | 352.5 | Informa | 894.4 | -0.60% | 1000.0 | 716.0 | Spinar Group | 7010.0 | -0.14% | 8050.0 | 5950.0 |
| Barratt Redman | 314.7 | -1.33% | 410.2 | 235.4 | Intl.Loid Hills | 13750.1 | -0.05% | 13305.1 | 8618.0 | SSE | 2427.0 | +1.12% | 2767.5 | 1597.0 |
| Beasley | 1264.5 | -5 | 1268.0 | 750.0 | Intertek | 1800.0 | -0.00% | 1860.0 | 1010.4 | Stan Chart | 1201.0 | -1.52% | 2278.0 | 1300.5 |
| BF | 5231.5 | +2.68% | 6054.7 | 3694.4 | Jenestine | 1662.5 | +0.38% | 6002.0 | 4304.4 | Standard Life | 614.0 | -5 | 646.5 | 615.0 |
| British Tobacco | 4147.0 | +0.14% | 5326.0 | 3677.0 | JS Sports Fashion | 91.6 | +1.73% | 108.2 | 64.0 | M. James's Place | 1185.0 | -1.19% | 1579.5 | 1038.8 |
| British Land | 425.2 | -1.39% | 451.6 | 318.6 | Kingfisher | 321.3 | -0.22% | 372.3 | 240.3 | Texas | 448.1 | -0.38% | 510.4 | 411.7 |
| BT | 261.7 | +1.73% | 242.1 | 173.0 | Land Svcs | 1686.0 | -2.60% | 734.0 | 522.5 | The Sage Grp | 1083.0 | +1.48% | 1181.0 | 771.7 |
| Brand | 2774.0 | +0.80% | 2846.0 | 1841.0 | Logix & Son | 385.9 | -0.38% | 518.1 | 277.2 | Triton Big Box | 156.6 | -0.63% | 175.0 | 132.2 |
| Burberry | 1074.5 | +2.33% | 1376.5 | 676.0 | Lion Finance | 12950.0 | -3.08% | 13820.0 | 6908.0 | Unknown | 4578.0 | +1.45% | 10421.5 | 8644.0 |
| Cadillac | 158.2 | +1.38% | 220.3 | 151.4 | Lincoln/BA Sp | 112.8 | -1.70% | 137.9 | 77.4 | United Utilities | 1415.0 | +1.95% | 1497.0 | 1073.0 |
| Coca-Cola & Impac | 7620.0 | +1.47% | 8545.0 | 6240.0 | London Metric Prop | 189.3 | -0.94% | 238.2 | 175.3 | Weldless | 115.6 | +0.08% | 131.1 | 83.4 |
| Coca-Cola MBC | 4546.0 | -0.18% | 5195.0 | 3270.0 | Lee Rock Ex | 3950.0 | +0.31% | 10140.0 | 6694.0 | Weir | 2086.0 | -3.12% | 3580.0 | 2254.0 |
| Compass | 2322.2 | -0.28% | 2581.1 | 2009.0 | MBS | 354.3 | -0.42% | 367.1 | 247.9 | Whitewood | 2466.0 | +1.19% | 1382.0 | 2098.0 |
| Companseer | 5025.0 | +0.50% | 5105.0 | 2234.0 | MBS | 389.8 | +2.10% | 418.3 | 301.1 | |||||
| Comedoc | 234.0 | +0.89% | 259.3 | 193.0 | Molinos Ind | 487.8 | -1.11% | 589.0 | 409.9 | |||||
| Crude Intl | 3107.0 | -1.68% | 3392.0 | 2437.0 | Melton Energy | 4125.5 | -2.41% | 4948.1 | 2843.8 | |||||
| DCC Energy | 6350.0 | -0.16% | 6740.0 | 4188.0 | National Grid | 1211.0 | +1.81% | 1428.5 | 1000.0 | |||||
| Shapiro | 1688.0 | -0.91% | 2142.0 | 1295.5 | NatWest Group | 693.2 | -2.23% | 726.0 | 500.2 | |||||
| Diploma | 7730.0 | -1.78% | 7783.0 | 4970.0 | Next | 14680.0 | -0.40% | 15300.0 | 10120.0 | |||||
| Embassy/Winning | 4939.0 | -2.11% | 5620.0 | 2430.0 | Pearson | 1187.5 | -0.70% | 1327.0 | 879.8 | |||||
| Exxon | 550.0 | -1.19% | 515.8 | 500.4 | Pending Square | 3918.0 | -0.66% | 5090.0 | 3636.0 | |||||
| Experian | 2875.0 | +2.72% | 3987.0 | 2203.0 | Persimmon | 1156.5 | -0.90% | 1552.0 | 947.4 | |||||
| F&L Inv Trust | 339.2 | -1.11% | 1332.0 | 525.8 | Polar CapTech | 657.0 | -4.20% | 743.5 | 364.0 | |||||
| Fresno | 2861.0 | -2.35% | 4472.0 | 1617.0 | Prudential | 1035.0 | +0.10% | 1238.0 | 565.2 |
Markets
| FTSE 100 | 10728.0 | -0.07% |
|---|---|---|
| FTSE 250 | 24561.4 | -0.58% |
| FTSE All Share | 5786.4 | -0.01% |
| FTSE Eurofirst300 | 2606.3 | -0.68% |
| Dow Jones* | 53374.3 | -0.16% |
| S&P 500* | 7706.5 | -0.50% |
| Nestley* | 26340.26 | -1.14% |
| DAX | 26128.4 | -0.80% |
| CAC 40 | 8509.4 | -0.62% |
| Horz Serie | 25471.2 | +0.07% |
| Nikkei | 67460.7 | -2.54% |
RETAIL
Poundland owner looking to sell
The owner of Poundland is reportedly exploring a sale of the discount retailer just over a year after buying it in a deal which resulted in the closure of as many as 200 stores. According to Sky News, Gordon Brothers is in talks with advisers about launching an auction process for Poundland, which employs 12,000 people.
ECONOMY
Import and export prices fall in US
US import and export prices fell in July, according to the Bureau of Labour Statistics, with lower fuel costs dragging imports lower and non-agricultural weakness weighing on experts. Import prices slipped 0.4 per cent on the month after a 0.3 per cent decline in June, the sharpest fall since May 2025.
MINING
Steep earnings jump for BHP
Australian mining firm BHP posted a sharp jump in annual earnings as copper became its main profit earner, overtaking iron ore for the first time. Operating earnings rose 48 per cent to $18.19bn (£13.42bn) compared with iron ore's $14.5bn. Group core earnings rose 37 per cent to $33bn.
RETAIL
Home Depot numbers higher
DIY retailer Home Depot posted second-quarter numbers yesterday that were higher than Wall Street expectations, while also reiterating its full-year guidance. Home Depot said adjusted earnings per share came in at $4.92 (£3.63), ahead of the $4.73 expected by analysts.
INSOLVENCY
Number of IVAs registered jumps
The number of IVAs (individual voluntary arrangements) registered in July jumped by 27 per cent compared with the same month a year earlier, according to Insolvency Service figures. Across England and Wales, 7,442 IVAs were registered in July, which was a 27 per cent increase compared with July 2025.
DIGITAL
Lower outlook amid departures
Klarna lowered its full-year volume outlook and announced departures of its chief financial and marketing officers yesterday. The payments group said both would remain in post through the transition. The company said the transitions were planned and were not the result of any disagreements.
SAVINGS
Bonds give more winning chances
Premium Bond holders will have more chances to win from the September draw. NS&I (National Savings and Investments) said the odds will shorten to 21,000 to one, from 22,000 to one. Premium Bonds have the security of being 100 per cent backed by the Treasury.
TECHNOLOGY
Kainos start to year a strong one
IT services provider Kainos said yesterday that it had made a strong start to the new financial year and lifted guidance for FY27, with the board expecting revenues and adjusted pre-tax profit to come in ahead of current forecasts. The update comes after double-digit revenue growth.
The markets
The FTSE 100 closed yesterday up by 7.7% points, or 0.07 per cent, at 10,728.0. The biggest risers were analytics company RELX, up 70p at 2.5% op, and data firm Experian, up 76p at 2.8% sp. The biggest fallers were investors Polar
Capital Technology Trust, down 20p at 6.0p, and technology group Halma, down 132p at 3.570p. In France, the CAC 40 closed down by 0.82 per cent, while the DAX ended 0.8 per cent lower in Germany. The price of Brent crude oil rose to $91.7a barrel.
***
The pound lost ground on both the dollar and euro, falling by 0.16 cents to be worth $1.35a,c, and by 0.07 cents to be worth €1.16g1.
NEW! 5-33
OPINION 18-22
TV 25-31
LIFE 34-37
CULTURE 38-41
MONEY 43-46
SPORT 50-56
A WEEKEND DAY 13 AUGUST 2026
45
FINANCE
My generation is trapped in student debt until our 50s
Borrowers will suffer and the economy will take a hit, says Callum Mason
Nowadays, repaying your student loan into your fifties is a relative rarity, but that will soon change – with terrible
consequences both for those who have the loans and the economy as a whole.
Figures this week show that 88,057 graduates who took out the first “income contingent” student loans in 1998 – now in their late forties or early fifties – still owe some debt.
Most of these are people who are not repaying – generally because they earn very low wages, or are not working at all, and so are not required to.
But that will not be the case for
much longer. In fact, a majority of those who have taken out student loans since 2012, when tuition fees were trebled in England, are likely to be paying them off until their fifties.
88,057
Graduates who took out the first “income contingent” loans in 1998 with over 200 some debt.
This is because as well as borrowing significantly more than their predecessors, the terms of their loans were changed so that they are wiped later – after 30 rather than 25 years – and accrue larger amounts of interest, often
well above inflation.
Many on high salaries are repaying hundreds a month and still seeing their loans grow due to this interest.
This has dire consequences for
Repaying thousands towards their loans is going to impact disposable income
these individuals and the economy, many of which will only become apparent over the next few decades.
The first negative consequence is the effect it will have on spending.
If these people are repaying hundreds or thousands towards their loan, there is clearly going to be a big impact on their disposable income.
A report by Oxford Economics has already shown that Plan 2 loans – those given to people from England and Wales who went to university between 2012 and 2023 – are leading to more limited consumer spending, weaker business investment and greater aversion to risk.
The second effect is the chilling impact we will see on pension-saving.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock in recent years, you will have seen plenty about how the state’s spending on welfare is growing, and placing the public finances under immense pressure.
State pension spending makes up £146.1bn of that expenditure and the long-term solution to that is encouraging more private saving.
But if we want people to boost their saving – so that the state needs to provide less for them – we need them to have enough disposable income throughout their lives so they feel they can part with
more cash upfront. People having student loans well into their forties or fifties is likely to run counter to that plan.
Finally, last week, polling by Opinium found that three in 10 people with student loans say they have turned down a promotion, new job or pay rise because of the effect on their repayment plan.
I am sceptical about whether the number is really this high – given it is self-reported – but I can believe it is having an impact on behaviour.
If you are a higher earner making more than £50,270, then with the loan repayments your marginal tax rate is over 50 per cent. As more graduates reach these high earning echelons – many with no prospect of clearing their loans – it seems logical some may cut their hours or limit their work, instead turning their attention to childcare or spending time with family.
The economic effect of this should not be understated. If we are disincentivising many of our most productive workers from employment, and they are earning less as a result, this has dire consequences for our national tax take, and growth.
For years, student loans have been seen as a topic for the younger generation. Now, we are about to see that change.
As the number with large loans grows, it will become more and more politically expedient for change to be offered.
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ROL
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TRUSTED FOR OVER 30 YEARS
Embark on a festive all-inclusive river cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest, enjoying luxurious dining and unique cultural experiences along the way. Celebrate a magical Christmas Day in Nuremberg and soak up the atmosphere of New Year's Eve in Bratislava.
15 NIGHTS DEPARTING 18TH DECEMBER 2026
DECEMBER 2026
Fri 18 Fly from London to Amsterdam, Netherlands Upon arrival, transfer to your 5★ luxury river ship APT Ostara for your 15 night all-inclusive river cruise
Sat 19 Amsterdam, Netherlands
Join a glass-top boat canal cruise and glide through the city's iconic maze of World Heritage-listed canals or visit a local cheese store for a tasting of regional cheeses
Sun 20 Andernach, Germany
★SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE': Namedy Castle Princess Heide von Hohenzollern graciously welcomes APT guests into her home, Namedy Castle. Attend a cocktail party, where a pianist sets the mood
Mon 21 Rüdesheim, Germany
Choose from a gondola ride, Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum or visit a historic wine cellar
Tue 22 Miltenberg, Germany
Choose from a guided walking tour and liqueur tasting in one of Franconia's oldest wine cellars or visit to a local monastery
Wed 23 Würzburg, Germany
Visit the Würzburg Residence or travel to the walled town of Rothenburg and immerse yourself in medieval life or visit Volkacher Mainschleife, the largest winegrowing region in Franconia
Thu 24 Bamberg, Germany
★Christmas Eve★
This morning, explore the Old Town
Fri 25 Nuremberg, Germany
★Christmas Day★
Celebrate a magical Christmas Day in Nuremberg. Set out on a tour focused on Nuremberg's medieval history. You'll also enjoy a traditional Christmas feast on board your ship with all the trimmings
Sat 26 Regensburg, Germany
★Boxing Day★
Explore Regensburg's World Heritage-listed city centre. Enjoy a tasting at Regensburg's historic
sausage kitchen, thought to be one of the oldest working restaurants in the world
Sun 27 Passau, Germany – Salzburg, Linz, Austria
★SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE': Gaisberg
Mountain Lunch and 'The Sound of Music'
Show
Be welcomed by a Jagdhornblaser – a hunting horn blower – into a rustic, traditional restaurant on the Gaisberg mountain overlooking Salzburg. Enjoy a welcome drink as you soak in the scenery before savouring a delicious lunch, followed by a show featuring music from the classic film, 'The Sound of Music'
Mon 28 Melk – Dörnstein, Austria
Visit spectacular Melk Abbey
Tue 29 Vienna, Austria (overnight)
★SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE': Vienna's City
Palace
Head to the princely family of Liechtenstein's City Palace in the heart of Vienna, where APT have arranged an exclusive cocktail party and private recital, just for you
Wed 30 Vienna, Austria
Tour inside Schonbrunn Palace. You'll also have time to visit the Christmas market located in Parade Court in front of the palace
Thu 31 Bratislava, Slovakia
★New Year's Eve★
Embark on a guided tour of Slovakia's capital, Bratislava. Tonight, bid farewell to 2026 in style with New Year's Eve celebrations in full swing
JANUARY 2027
Fri 1 Budapest, Hungary (overnight)
★New Year's Day★
Take a city tour or walk to Fisherman's Bastion. Tonight, enjoy a performance of Hungarian folk music while you indulge in local brandy, as well as artisan meats and cheeses
Sat 2 Budapest, Hungary
Disembark and transfer to the airport for your flight to London
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- Luxury dining - a total of 44 meals over the duration of your cruise
- Enjoy a wide range of on board beverages
- All sightseeing excursions, special signature experiences and on board entertainment included*
- Butler, room service and complimentary laundry and champagne on arrival for select suites
- Expert Cruise Director & expert local guides
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| STATIONING SUITE | GRADE | ROOM FARE (PY) | ROL CRUISE FARE (PY) |
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| French Balcony Suite | P | £9,545 | £4,869 |
| French Balcony Suite | A | £9,095 | £4,335 |
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Today's Weather
Rain showers across reach of the UK, turning heavy and thundery in parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland. Southern areas are mostly cloudy with light rain.
Today's high
24°
Today's low
11°
Moon Phase
0
Sunrise
05.52
Sunset
20.15
Around Britain
| City | Temp. (cm) | Weather | Rain (mm) | Sun (ms) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aberdeen | 16 | SM | 18.1 | 2.5 |
| Aberporth | 18 | C | 0.7 | 4.6 |
| Aberystwyth | 19 | C | 2.1 | 2.9 |
| Avalmore | 18 | C | 11.2 | 2.6 |
| Beifast | 18 | C | 6.9 | 1.3 |
| Birmingham | 21 | C | 2.8 | 3.2 |
| Beynhamouth | 24 | R | 7.4 | 5.5 |
| Bridlington | 22 | C | 6.0 | 2.1 |
| Bristol | 22 | C | 0.0 | 7.4 |
| Cardiff | 22 | C | 0.8 | 7.4 |
| Cromer | 22 | C | 4.5 | 2.3 |
| Durham | 18 | C | 11.2 | 2.5 |
| Eastbourne | 22 | C | 0.4 | 4.2 |
| Edinburgh | 18 | C | 10.9 | 3.2 |
| Ecklehamer | 16 | C | 12.6 | 1.7 |
| Glasgow | 17 | SM | 14.4 | 1.2 |
| Heythest | 17 | R | 2.0 | 2.5 |
| Hove | 23 | C | 0.5 | 4.6 |
| Hull | 22 | C | 7.5 | 2.7 |
| Huntingdon | 23 | C | 3.5 | 2.8 |
| Ipswich | 23 | C | 3.6 | 2.3 |
| Isle of Man | 24 | C | 4.6 | 1.8 |
| Isle of Wight | 23 | SM | 0.3 | 5.7 |
| Kirkcalifield | 16 | SM | 14.2 | 0.8 |
| Kirkwall | 12 | R | 10.6 | 4.1 |
| Leeds | 18 | R | 8.5 | 2.4 |
| Lehards | 13 | C | 0.3 | 6.2 |
| Leatham | 20 | C | 12.9 | 4.3 |
| Lincoln | 21 | C | 5.0 | 2.6 |
| Liverpool | 18 | C | 4.9 | 1.5 |
| London | 23 | C | 1.0 | 3.3 |
| Manchester | 18 | R | 3.3 | 1.5 |
| Mangals | 23 | C | 0.4 | 3.8 |
| Milford Haven | 20 | C | 0.1 | 6.5 |
| Monroeville | 18 | SM | 7.5 | 1.7 |
| Newcastle | 19 | C | 15.1 | 3.1 |
| Norwich | 23 | C | 14.3 | 2.2 |
| Nottingham | 20 | C | 3.6 | 2.7 |
| Okehampton | 20 | C | 1.7 | 4.7 |
| Oxford | 24 | C | 5.2 | 4.2 |
| Plymouth | 22 | C | 0.4 | 6.3 |
| Portland | 21 | C | 0.1 | 3.8 |
| Portsmouth | 24 | SM | 0.4 | 5.1 |
| Prestwich | 17 | C | 12.6 | 1.0 |
| Rhyl | 18 | C | 2.2 | 1.6 |
| Sheffield | 18 | C | 0.9 | 2.2 |
| Shrewsbury | 20 | C | 0.9 | 3.0 |
| Skegness | 22 | C | 4.8 | 2.7 |
| Southend | 23 | C | 0.8 | 2.7 |
| Stoke | 18 | C | 4.7 | 2.0 |
| Stornoway | 16 | SM | 12.6 | 2.1 |
| Swansea | 21 | C | 1.4 | 7.0 |
| Trinor | 18 | C | 14.1 | 1.3 |
Global
| City | Temp. (cm) | Cond. (m/s) | City | Temp. (m/s) | Cond. (m/s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alby Dhato | 12 | S | Miami | 24 | S |
| Albuja | 27 | C | Milan | 31 | S |
| Alcianto | 16 | S | Moscow | 20 | F |
| Amsterdam | 20 | SM | Mumbai | 31 | TH |
| Althens | 20 | S | Munich | 17 | TH |
| Bangkok | 13 | F | New York | 22 | C |
| Barnshead | 23 | S | Nice | 30 | S |
| Beijing | 20 | SM | Palma | 33 | S |
| Belfast | 22 | C | Paris | 28 | C |
| Brussels | 20 | C | Prague | 11 | SM |
| Budapest | 24 | F | Reykjavik | 12 | F |
| Chicago | 22 | F | Río | 26 | S |
| Delhi | 13 | F | Rome | 31 | S |
| Dubai | 13 | S | Stockholm | 20 | S |
| Dublin | 18 | C | Stroudsburg | 22 | C |
| Framnhart | 22 | R | Sydney | 18 | F |
| Geneva | 22 | F | Toronto | 28 | S |
| Holcoms | 18 | C | Tokyo | 31 | F |
| Hong Kong | 20 | R | Toronto | 20 | F |
| Istanbul | 25 | S | Vancouver | 20 | F |
| Johannesburg | 23 | S | Vienna | 24 | S |
| Colton | 28 | S | Warsaw | 18 | TH |
| Los Angeles | 24 | F | Washington | 32 | F |
| Madrid | 24 | S | Washington | 12 | SM |
Key: CoCloudy, SMxDrizzle
Fisher: F.Surfag, H.Hed, M.Mhot, Rufus S.Sunny, SMxShowers, SLxSleet, SMxSnow, SSxSandstorm, THxThunderstorm
Air Pollution Index
Air pollution levels low (0.1m) high (1m) 10-20 (30%) (per 10)
| Region | Today | Tomorrow |
|---|---|---|
| Highlands | 1 | 1 |
| North East Scotland | 1 | 1 |
| Central Scotland | 2 | 1 |
| Scottish Borders | 2 | 2 |
| Northern Ireland | 2 | 2 |
| North West, & Mersea | 2 | 2 |
| North East | 1 | 2 |
| Yorkshire & Humber | 2 | 2 |
| North Wales | 2 | 2 |
| West Midlands | 2 | 2 |
| East Midlands | 2 | 2 |
| South Wales | 2 | 2 |
| South West | 2 | 2 |
| South East | 2 | 2 |
| Eastern | 2 | 2 |
| Greater London | 2 | 2 |
GENERAL SITUATION: A low-pressure system will dominate the British Isles today, as most areas experience intermittent rain and showers. These will be heavier in parts of Scotland and Ireland, with a chance of downpours and isolated thunderstorms as the day progresses. Elsewhere, showers remain light, with sunny spells breaking through. Light winds will generally blow from the west, increasing in the afternoon.
London, SE Eng, East Anglia, Channel 16: The day begins overcast with rain drifting in during the morning. By afternoon, skies remain grey with a chance of further showers. Into the evening, the sky
stays mostly cloudy. Temperatures are mild to warm, with a gentle westerly breeze, stronger in the most western areas where rain is heavier. Max temp. 21C. Tonight, drier, clear skies. Min temp. 11C.
Cen S England, SW England, Midlands, S Wales, N Wales: Today will be dull and damp with cloudy skies and a threat of rain showers, mainly in the morning. The afternoon sees some sunbreak through, though skies remain largely overcast, especially in western areas, where rain continues. By evening, a slight lift in cloud cover is expected in northern parts, but light rain persists. Max temp. 22C. Tonight, clear skies. Min temp. 13C.
SE Scotland, NE Eng, E Eng: Today will be dull and damp with cloudy skies and rain likely throughout. The morning brings showers in the most northern parts, with temperatures remaining mild. In the most eastern parts, rain is expected to persist into the afternoon, easing by evening. Winds remain light from the west. Max temp. 19C. Tonight, heavy rain, windy. Min temp. 12C.
NW Eng, SW Scotland, N Ireland, Republic of Ireland, IoM: The day begins with overcast skies and cooler temperatures. Rain showers are expected through the morning, heavier in western areas, with a chance of isolated thunderstorms. By afternoon, the rain continues,
though will turn lighter in the most northern parts. Evening brings a slight drop in temperature with moderate westerly winds. Max temp. 17C. Tonight, light rain, windy. Min temp. 11C.
NW Scotland, NE Scotland, W Isles, N Isles: The morning will begin with showers and overcast skies, keeping temperatures on the cooler side. As the day progresses, mostly cloudy conditions will dominate with some sunny spells breaking through and isolated thunderstorms in the west. By evening, rain persists in the most northern parts with brisk north-easterly winds. Max temp. 16C. Tonight, light rain. Min temp. 11C.
Key:
1024
Isolines or pressure in militiacs
Warm front
Cold front
Occluded front
SYNOPTIC PRESSURE: A low-pressure system is centred over north-east Scotland, deepening and extending its influence across the UK. As it moves eastward, it brings persistent rain to northern areas. Meanwhile, a ridge of high pressure near the Channel Islands weakens, allowing unsettled weather to spread southward.
HIGHS AND LOWS (Monday, up to 11pm)
Warmest: Heathrow, Greater London, 29C
Caldest: Altnaharra No.2, Scottish Highlands, 1C
Wettest: Tines, Argyll, and Stute, 18 Gimm.
Sunniest: Exeter Airport No.2, Devon, S Jims
HOURS OF DARKNESS
| Aberdeen | 20.14-05.45 |
|---|---|
| Birmingham | 20.24-05.58 |
| Bristol | 20.26-06.03 |
| Cardiff | 20.26-06.05 |
| Glasgow | 20.43-05.58 |
| Hull | 20.21-05.48 |
| Inverness | 20.49-05.50 |
| Liverpool | 20.31-06.00 |
| London | 20.15-05.54 |
| Manchester | 20.28-05.57 |
| Stornoway | 21.04-05.58 |
| Swansea | 20.30-06.08 |
| York | 20.25-05.51 |
Five-day outlook
THURSDAY Rain continues to affect much of the UK, particularly northern and western regions. Mostly cloudy with sunny spells in southern and eastern areas.
FRIDAY Cloudy but drier for most, with sunny spells across the UK. Light showers continue to affect southern and western areas, turning thundery in parts of Wales.
SATURDAY A bright day with light cloud cover and sunny spells for most of the UK. Cloudier in northern regions, with scattered showers in the south-west.
SUNDAY Southern regions experience fair and sunny weather, while northern regions have cloudy skies with sunny spells. Brighter in south-west England.
MONDAY A mix of sunny spells and cloud across the UK, leaving mostly dry, with mild to warm temperatures and light south-west winds. Sunny in the Northern Isles
49
Weather
50
SPORT
RACING
York cannot wait for rave on the Knavesmire
By Chris Phillips
York chief executive William Derby is excited by an Ebor Festival that will have a real international flavour this week, with the Knavesmire becoming the “global spotlight of the racing world” for four days.
Australia will take on America with defending champion Asbora (below) facing off against Bacio in the Nunthorpe Stakes on Friday, while Japanese raider Satono Reve heads over for the City of York Stakes on Saturday.
It gets under way, though, with the Juddmonte, with $1.5m in prize money making it York’s richest-ever race, and a mouthwatering clash with multiple Group One-winning
Ombudsman taking on
French Derby and
Eclipse winner
Constitution
River.
Derby said: “It’s an incredible race for the richest race we’ve ever staged. The big races are all hot contests. We’re
delighted with the Legends Global Yorkshire Oaks with King George winner Kalpana taking on Minnie Bauls and the Irish Oaks Billy Johanna Walsh, so an amazing feature for Ladies Day.
“Then we have a really international Coolmore Nunthorpe, with Asbora, the Australian defending champion, taking on the hotshot from Royal Ascot, the American Bacio, and then the best of the European sprinters so a tremendously strong Coolmore Nunthorpe.
“And then the Sky Bet City of York is the most recent Group One of the week, which has the Japanese runner Satono Reve so we’ve had a really international field, top-quality horses.”
RUGBY LEAGUE
Rugby league has taken careful aim... and shot itself in the foot
With World Cup just weeks away, John Davidson fears for game’s future
It’s been around for 72 years and is older than both the rugby union and cricket World Cups.
From humble origins in 1954, and masterminded by former French Resistance fighter Paul Barriere, the first Rugby League World Cup took place with Great Britain prevailing in the inaugural four-team tournament, after defending France in the Paris final.
The latest edition is just weeks away, and yet there is no UK TV deal and marketing outside host country Australia has been minimal. Not for the first time, rugby league has taken careful aim and shot itself squarely in the foot.
From humble beginnings, the Rugby League World Cup has grown and evolved, experimenting with different formats over the decades, but now includes men’s, women’s and wheelchair competitions every four years, all taking place at the same time.
The 17th World Cup will be held in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, with the tournament kicking off in Sydney on 15 October.
There will be 10 nations battling it out in the men’s competition, eight in the women’s section, and the same number in the wheelchair format. Matches will be played across stadiums in Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong, Perth, Townsville, the Gold Coast, as well as in Port Moresby and Christchurch, with the final set as a double-header, with both the men’s and women’s finals taking place in Brisbane on 15 November.
The World Cup should be the high point of the rugby league calendar, an event where all of the sport’s global eyes are fixed on the action on the field. But just a couple of months before it starts, the World Cup’s profile is tiny.
There are a few reasons for
There is yet to be a UK television deal for the rugby league World Cup, when co-hosts Australia will defend the men’s and women’s titles
this: the Rugby Football League (RFL) is currently focused on its key negotiations with the National Rugby League (NRL) over what would be a historic merger. The RFL is also deep in talks about securing a vital new domestic TV deal, expected to be with Sky Sports, with its current deal finishing at the end of this year.
Further complicating matters is a long-running legal squabble between the RFL and International Rugby League (IRL) over the last World Cup, held in England in 2022. The IRL claims the RFL still owes it £400,000 in unpaid fees from hosting four years ago, which the RFL denies.
Meanwhile, the NRL, which is organising the 2026 World Cup, also has competing priorities. It is launching new clubs in Western Australia and Papua New Guinea, considering bringing in another team to New Zealand, and planning a global round where it takes NRL matches to the UK, the United States and Japan. For a cashed-up but staff-poor organisation, it may be spread too thin.
The result is a tournament that is failing to capture the public imagination, or grab any wider media attention. The BBC showed all 61 matches of the 2022 World Cups – men’s, women’s and wheelchair – live in full, but sources have told The iPaper that the public broadcaster has limited interest in the 2026 version, with pay TV operator Premier Sports now the favourite to pick up the rights when a decision is finally made.
Officials at IRL have told The i Paper that an announcement on a UK broadcaster is “imminent”, but time is clearly running out. With no broadcaster or dedicated public relations push, the World Cup in its second-biggest market has almost disappeared from view.
The RFL has done little to push the tournament publicly either, apart from the announcement
A promo ad was criticized for using footage of fans at the football World Cup
of Brian McDermott as the new England men’s coach in April and of a 39-player performance programme in June. The former Leeds Rhinos boss will have no warm-up games with his team, and just three training sessions, before England’s World Cup opener against Tonga on 17 October.
In early July, the World Cup claimed that more than 100,000 tickets had been sold, and IRL officials insist privately that sales have been “great”. But the 2022 World Cup in the UK lost money, despite attracting a total tournament attendance of 475,477, and this year’s version will do well to hit that target.
The 2026 tournament has been heavily condemned compared with four years ago, with 16 teams cut to just 10, to save on costs. Tickets for this year’s World Cup are relatively cheap, available from as little as $9.50 for the opener at Allianz Stadium in Sydney.
However, with fans focused on their club competitions in the NRL and Super League, and little advertising or World Cup content grabbing headlines, visibility is low. Even Australian broadcaster Channel 7’s recent ad for the tournament, featuring former Neighbours actor Daniel McPherson, was criticised because it used footage of fans celebrating at the football World Cup.
For rugby league’s faithful, this is déjà vu. Most recognise the importance of the international game, of how it can be used to generate growth and attract new audiences across the globe, but the same mistakes are being repeated.
Unless the Rugby League World Cup receives proper love and attention from the authorities, it will be forgotten in an increasingly competitive sporting marketplace.
Sporton TV
Cricket: England v Pakistan
Sky Sports Cricket, 10am
Racing: Eber Festival (featuring
Constitution Hill, below)
ITV1, 1.30pm
Tennis: ATP/WTA Cincinnati
Sky Sports Tennis, 4pm
Football: Celtic v
LASK
TNT Sports 1.
7.30pm
Football: A:
Madrid v
Malaga
Premier
Sports 1.
8pm
Results Service
UEFA Champions League Play-off First Leg (2018)
Johns 1.000, Alderman, Dinamo Zagreb 0.7 King F.K. 0
Petercaher v 1.1 pm
VERTV TROPHY NORTHERN GROUP B
Migors 1.6 min 1.6 min 2.2 min
P W D L F A Ph
Migen 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 Blackpool County 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Craws 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Aston Villa 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0
GROUP E Stockton County & Everton 1.0-1.5
Stockton County & Everton 1.0-1.5 P W D L F A Ph
Stockton County Brownsbury 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 Brownsbury 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 Treasure Everton 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 Everton 1 0 0 1 1 0 0
SOUTHERN GROUP C Reading, Long Lothian, Dorseting and 3-1-2-3 (amplified)
| P | W | D | L | F | A | Ph | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brighton Uss | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cambridge Utd | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Gillingham | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Northampton | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
RUGBY LEAGUE
BETFRED SUPER LEAGUE
Huk K.B (14) 20 Warrington 1:01 34
TENNIS
CINCINNATI OP'EN: Jerjmk, Mark J.; Thorne (Colin
F.4) 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. to 10:30 T. Annane (F.)
11:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. to 11:45 T. Loheske (Colin) 1:15
11:30 to 12:30 noon (Clayton) at 1:30 pm (Colin) 1:15 a.m.
Gurgen (Fred W.A. Ruffin) (Bud 1-3) 4:00 T. 1:00 1:00
M. D'herrie (Sylvia) (Colin) 1:15 a.m. (Hughes) (Colin)
M. D'herrie (Sylvia) (Colin) 1:15 a.m. (Hughes) (Colin) 1:15 a.m. (Hughes) (Colin) 1:15 a.m. (Hughes) (Colin) 1:15 a.m. (Hughes) (Colin) 1:15 a.m. (Hughes) (Colin) 1:15 a.m. (Hughes) (Colin)
TODAY'S FISTURES
FOSTBALL
BERACHAMPTON/LEAGUE PLAY-OFF FIRST LEG
Quinn v LASK 20
Steam Branshaw v Off-Cage 20
Hyacinthian (Simon) Spicer Rate 20
NEC Hicknagel v Budd (Clem) 20
VERTV TROPHY NORTHERN GROUP D
FIRE (1) 1:00
FIRE (1) 1:00
Ombudsman
13.35 YORK
Looked exceptional
at Royal Ascot in the
Prince of Wales's
Stakes, where he
beat Arc runner-up
Minnie Huck by four
lengths. In a race
billed as a dust-up
between the two
best 10-furlong
horses. Ombudsman
has enough to beat
Constitution River
YORK 6000
2-2-3 TATTERS/ALLE ACOME STAKES (GROUP 3) BLAIR 1:15 PD 0:15, min added 1F
| 1 | 59/03 | ALFRED WALLACE (D) E Walker 3-3 | K Deaneum 8 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 46/1 | BIG CIGAR (D) 1-0 T. Foley 3-3 | Quinn Div 9 |
| 3 | 210 | CLARIN BY HEARTS T. Hustler 0-3 | MF Sheehy 6 |
| 4 | 20/23 | CONFUCUS (D) 1-0 T. Dixon 1:00 0-3 | W M Lander 10 |
| 5 | 31 | PIEC THE JET (D) 1-0 Custer 3-3 | K Colson 1 |
| 6 | 1 | MERITLE HURRICANE S. Raiting 3-3 | D Murphy 6 |
| 7 | 212 | WAFFNER (D) 1-0 T. Dixon 1:00 0-3 | R L Moore 11 |
| 8 | 218 | DISSAFEER V. Webber 3-3 | N Crouch 2 |
| 9 | 221 | STARSON GLORY T. Palmer 0-1 | James Drake 4 |
| 10 | 221 | TRIAMER (D) 1-0 King 1:00 0-1 | W Cramer 7 |
| 11 | 42 | VILLARINO (D) 1-0 Larkins 0-1 | C Lee 3 |
11 declared
BETTING: 8:4, Miffner, 4:4, Trean, 10:4, Confusion, Alfred Wallace, 7:1 Sports Martinique, 1:4, High King, 3:6, Chamber Gizzy, Fast The Jet, 23:4 others
3-3-3 OODMONITE INTERNATIONAL STAKES (GROUP 1) BLAIR 1:15 1:30 min added 1m 2F
| 1 | 425/4 | ELMASHAR (D) E. Walker 3-3 | K Deaneum 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 51/6 | WHITE TUBING (F) (D) 1-0 T. Dixon 4-0 | R Haines 7-8 |
| 3 | 50/23 | OMGUSSMAN (CD) 1-0 T. Ginsberg 3-0 | M Buick 1 |
| 4 | 101/6 | PRIDE OF ARIAX (CD) E. Walker 4-0 | Rosie Ryan 7 |
| 5 | 116/1 | ZAVSAMN (D) E. Ginsberg (D) 4-0 | M Barcelona 8 |
| 6 | 42/10 | ACTIVIN 1-0 T. Dixon 1:00 0-3 | R P Whelan 8 |
| 7 | 50/10 | CONSTITUTION RIVER (D) 1-0 T. Dixon 1:00 0-3 | R L Moore 7 |
BETTING: Bonus Ombudsman, 3-4, Constitution River, 3-0, Rom, 14:1 Week Mountain, 2-0, Champion, 25-1, Zayakun, 33-4, Pride Of Arise, 10:0-1 Action, Book's Advocate
NEW! 2-33
OPINION 18-22
TV 25-31
LIFE 35-37
CULTURE 38-41
MONKEY 42-45
SPORT 50-58
WEDNESDAY 19 AUGUST 2025
51
The Sport Matrix
The day's action at a glance
Lee Cole (right) scored twice as
Ireland's men kept their Hockey World Cup qualification hopes alive with a 4-1 win over South Africa in Wavre, Belgium. And the Irish women beat New Zealand 3-2, with Sarah Hawkshaw, Raisin Upton and Katie Mullan scoring. But England's women lost 4-2 to Olympic silver medallists China in Amsterdam, Tess Howard and Sophie Hamilton with the consolidations.
AMERICAN FOOTBALL
'There will be NFL teams outside USA'
Given the increasing number of NFL international games, commissioner Roger Goodell
said it is a foregone conclusion that the league will have a team based outside the United States. "At some point, there will be NFL teams outside the USA. I have no doubt that this will happen one day," Goodell (above) told German broadcaster RTL.
This year marks the 20th consecutive campaign the NFL has played regular season games in London, apart from the Covid-hit 2020 season, with games also taking place in Melbourne, Rio de Janeiro, Paris, Madrid, Munich and Mexico City in 2026.
TENNIS
Venus in but no word on Serena for US Open
Venus Williams has been handed a wild card into this month's US Open, but there is no word yet whether her
sister Serena will play.
The eldest Williams sibling (above) made her debut at Phishing Meadows 29 years ago in 1997 and is still going strong at 46, even though she has not won a grand slam singles match since 2021.
Former champion Shane Stephens is also granted direct entry into the first round, with the organisers keeping people guessing whether Serena Williams will make her New York comeback.
The United States Tennis Association still have one wild card to announce in both the women's and men's singles.
GOLF
DeChambeau to make his return to DP World Tour
Bryson DeChambeau will make a return to the DP World Tour in the Nedbank Golf Challenge
in December. The two-time US Open champion's (above) last non-major appearance on the circuit was at the DP McManus Pro-Am in July 2022 - a month after his move to LXV.
The future of the Saudi breakaway remains uncertain despite a restructuring after the Public Investment Fund announced it was withdrawing its support at the end of the year.
The event's season-ending team championship was officially cancelled on Monday and a report has claimed Jon Rahm will return to the PGA Tour.
Puzzle solutions
Dominoes
Journey Finder
Making Tracks
Number Square
idoku
Kakuro
Wijuko
Binary
ABC Logic
Zygolex
LEFT TO RIGHT: calm, mean, dull, gripe, lull, mean, lull, loaf, lean, poll, lend, pill, land, survey, trend
Daily Quiz
- 2005
- Wiltshire
- Renault Dauphine
- Andy McNab
Word Ladder
Sudoku
Jigsawdoku
Number Hexagon
Tuesday's Codeword 4588
Word Wheel
NINE-LETTER WORD PORBEAGLE
OTHER WORDS: apogee, beep, bleep, elope, eloper, galop, gape, gaper, grape, grope, leap, leaper, leper, lepe, loper, opal, opera, operable, page, pager, pale, paler, pare, parole, parolee, peal, pear, pearl, peel, peer, pelage, pergola, plea, pleb, plebe, polar, pole, poler, pore, probe, prole, reap, repeal, repel, ropable, rope
Killer Sudoku
Minesweeper
Number Pyramid
Calcudoku
Word Square
Knight's Tour
Pathfinder
Chain Link
Futoshiki
Hexalex
Word Fit
Cells
Battleships
Bridges
Word Search
Five-Che Cryptic Crossword
Across: 3 A-Cro-b-at, 5% Outer garment* Down: 1 Co-Stu-me, 2 Had-Ron, 4 Ch.-oral
52
SPORT
PLANET FOOTBALL
COUNTRY
Mourinho unveiled in secret
In an unusual ceremony closed to the media and fans, Real Madrid have officially unveiled manager Jose Mourinho.
The event took place at the club's headquarters in Madrid, with president Florentino Perez (above, right) welcoming the manager, who is at the Bernabeu for his second spell.
The only images of the presentation were provided by Real Madrid TV and the club's website and social media accounts.
"I'm one of you," Mourinho said
in a message to fans in a video released by the club. "And not just today, but since I arrived in 2010 and after I left in 2013, always with you ... To return to Real Madrid is to return home."
Madrid said Mourinho has signed for three seasons until 30 June 2025.
After the signing, Mourinho received a replica of the stadium, a watch and a jersey with his name.
He has been working with the players since they returned for pre-season on 10 July.
GERMANY
Musiala: Seizures are treatable
Bayern Munich and Germany winger Jamal Musiala has revealed he is suffering from "treatable absence seizures" after he collapsed on the pitch for the second time in four days.
The 23-year-old (above) fell to the floor eight minutes after coming on as a substitute in Bayern's friendly with Heidenheim last night. It follows a similar incident in Saturday's friendly against RB Leipzig.
He posted an Instagram: "I have been diagnosed with brief, temporary - but treatable - absence seizures resulting from a neurological dysfunction."
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Vicario completes loan move to Juve
Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario has completed a season-long loan move to Juventus.
The deal for the 23-year-old Italy international includes an option to make the transfer permanent next summer.
Vicario (above) has kept 29 clean sheets in 117 appearances for Spurs since arriving from Empoli in 2023 and helped them win the Europa League in 2025.
He had been in limbo all summer after asking to leave and return to his homeland on the back of a difficult 2025-26 campaign.
NEWCASTLE UNITED
Dedic reunited with Jaissle
Newcastle have signed Bosnia-Herzegovina defender Amar Dedic from Benfica for a reported fee of £25.5m.
The 24-year-old, who made three appearances for his country at the World Cup, has agreed a five-year contract and becomes the Magpies' sixth summer arrival.
Dedic is reunited with boss Matthias Jaissle, who he played under during spells at previous
clubs Liefering and Salzburg. The full-back said: "It's a special feeling and a really big honour for me to join Newcastle United. Working with Matthias again was a big factor for me. I'm really happy to be playing for him again."
Dedic, who has 31 caps, began his career at Salzburg in 2015 and spent the 2024-25 season on loan at Marseille before joining Benfica in the summer of 2025.
PREMIER LEAGUE
Patience, Elvis and £30m to spend - inside Sunderland's busy summer
Mark Douglas
NORTHERN FOOTBALL CORRESPONDENT
This summer could scarcely have been more different at Sunderland, where patience has replaced the dopamine hit of last year's constant churn of done deals.
At this point in 2025, arrivals had hit double figures as the Black Cats took decisive action to reboot a team promoted from the Championship via the play-offs and - to put it bluntly - not fit for Premier League purpose.
Twelve months on, the remit is different. Finessing Régis Le Bris' talented young side is the aim for sporting director Florent Ghisolfi this summer, with the club aiming to bring in genuine upgrades.
It is believed a budget of around £80m to sign three of four more players is available. Sunderland this week agreed a fee of £25.6m with Toulouse for long-term left-back target Dayans Methalie, but the move is said to be in the balance as the player did not pass his initial medical. Regardless of the hiccups, the protracted negotiations for Methalie have revealed a change in Sunderland's approach. Toulouse had wanted in excess of £30m, but the Black Cats stuck to their guns and - buoyed by the fact that the France Under-21 defender wanted the move - are on the verge of securing a top young talent. They beat Roma to him despite the Serie A side bidding more.
The few millions shaved off matter. Qualifying for Europe was a historic moment for a club whose sole experience of continental football came 53 years ago, but it also came with new considerations around spending.
How Europe is shaping Sunderland's transfer business
Insiders insist Sunderland are not close to breaching Uefa's spending rules (which
limit expenditure to 70 per cent of revenue) but have to be mindful of the cap in their recruitment, especially now the club's aim is to qualify for Europe regularly.
Similarly, regulations around the
number of homegrown players they must name in the match-day squad might come into Sunderland's thinking with signings later in the transfer window.
But mainly the Black Cats' business is following the club's new internal mantra of "relentless improvement".
Sources point towards Granit Xhaka's memorable speech on that sunny day in May when Europa League football was secured in front of a rapturous Stadium of Light crowd and he promised this was "just the beginning".
"Those weren't just empty words. Everything is geared towards this idea of onwards and upwards; the club's focus is on getting bigger and better," sources say. Repelling Chelsea's attempt to sign Xhaka sent a good message but
their ambition feels genuine. Taking Sunderland to the world is the aim, with a successful European campaign seen as the perfect platform to do it.
The positions Sunderland are targeting
With that in mind, The i Paper
NEW! 5-33
OPINION 18-22
TV 25-31
LIFE 34-37
GM THIRD 38-41
MONKEY 42-45
SPORT 50-58
● WEDNESDAY 19 AUGUST 2025
53
Thomas Meunier has been Sunderland's highest profile signing GETTY
understands Sunderland are confident of a minimum of two further arrivals in the next fortnight - although insomings (and outgoings) are likely to number more before 1 September.
They hope a winger who can play on both sides will be next through the door and the club also want a No 9 to support Brian Brobbey and Wilson Isidor, with the latter not for sale despite interest from Hull City, Everton and West Ham.
They signed Belgium full-back Thomas Meunier but patience has been required because the market Sunderland are shopping in - players valued between £20m and £40m - has been the most difficult to operate in this summer.
Sunderland to sign Visit Ghana deal
The iPaper understands the Black Cats are on the verge of securing the most lucrative sponsorship deal in the club's history.
Final contracts are due to be signed this week with Visit Ghana, who are in line to be the club's new front of shirt sponsor in an agreement understood to be worth around £10m a year. That number would put Sunderland in the top half of the Premier League in terms of revenue figures.
An enhanced kit deal with Hummel continues to reap rewards.
Home and away kits are breaking sales records, with a 44 per cent uplift in first-day sales on the home kit compared to last year.
Sunderland's collaboration with the Elvis Presley estate - which is inspired by the club's long-time match-day anthem "Can't Help Falling in Love" - is behind a pink change strip (worn by Isidor, left) that has sold particularly well in the United States.
A seven-figure sum has also been sunk in infrastructure. Some of it has been driven by the need to upgrade for Europa League football - new dugouts, an artificial warm-up strip and LED boards - but others are intended to send a subtle message to the players about "high performance culture".
A basement space at the Academy of Light has been built for the first team with a focus on recovery and wellbeing and there's also a state-of-the-art new gym for the academy and women's teams.
There is a sense this is a big moment of opportunity for Sunderland but balancing European and domestic football will be a challenge.
Many outside Wearside predict they will struggle, but for a club that have relished proving the critics wrong over the last few years, you suspect Sunderland would have it no other way.
CELTIC
O'Neill: Engels' exit was disappointing but understandable
By Ronnie Esplin
Martin O'Neill admits Arne Engels' departure from Celtic before their Champions League play-off clash against LASK was disappointing.
West Ham reportedly broke the EFL transfer record by paying £22m to sign the 22-year-old Belgium midfielder, following the Hoops' 4-0 Premier Sports Cup win over Dundee United at Tannadice on Saturday.
Ahead of the first leg against the Austrian champions at Celtic Park on Wednesday night, veteran boss O'Neill admitted that there was "a fairly decent chance" that no replacement would arrive before kick-off.
He said: "I think that Arne wanted to go, he didn't want to play in the matches in case he got injured.
"I said again last week that that was understandable, that this was a move that he wanted to make.
"But for the football club, disappointing, really, because just at this moment, he's hard to replace in the side, that sort of running power that he has and that he gives us so just even for these two games, that's disappointing.
"It is what it is and there's nothing we can do about it."
Celtic failed to make the league phase of the Champions League last season with a shock loss to Kairat Almaty.
The penalty shootout defeat in Kazakhstan under former boss Brendan Rodgers cost the Scottish champions about £20m and exacerbated off-field tensions that threatened to undermine their season.
However, O'Neill, in his second spell as caretaker boss during the campaign, ultimately led Celtic to a Premiership and Scottish Cup dou-
It's disappointing it is what it is and there is nothing that we can do about it.
ble. O'Neill, who became permanent boss for the second time in June, said: "I watched one of those games in fact, I was doing some TV work on the second leg. And of course it became a major disappointment, to not qualify for the Champions League is in itself that.
"But based on what happened the previous year [losing narrowly to Bayern Munich in last 32], it became like doubly disappointing not to make it. But overall, the players who are still here, they may well remember it, they may well think that they have something to achieve this time, but overall we're trying to get a result in the matches and get through."
Martin O'Neill's Celtic side face LASK for a Champions League place
Manager happy with hot-shot Hoops' start to the season
By Ronnie Esplin
Celtic manager Martin O'Neill is pleased with his side's start to the season where they have hit 10 goals in three wins from three matches this season.
New strikers Kasper Hogh and Camilo Duran have hit the ground running - the former becoming an instant fan favourite with his hat-trick in the Premiership win over Kilmarnock - while Egypt winger Haissem Hassan and German midfielder Mika Baur both made their debuts off the bench in the 4-0 Premier Sports Cup win at Dundee United on Saturday evening.
The Northern Irishman said: "I like the players that we've signed.
"I said last weekend, ideally it'd be nice if, for instance, Hassan had a little bit more football play.
"That's the nature of the game. We've got him in now and. And over the course of the season, it's up to the players now as much as anything else.
"I think the quality that we brought in will bear fruit."
Striker Kasper Hogh has already become a fan-favourite at Celtic Park
MANCHESTER UNITED
Benjamin Sesko has missed United's entire pre-season programme
De Ligt and Sesko nearing return to action
Benjamin Sesko and Matthijs de Ligt are nearing returns for Manchester United after featuring in an open training session yesterday.
Slovenian striker Sesko has missed all of United's pre-season games after sustaining a shin injury in the Premier League clash against Liverpool in early May.
The 23-year-old could be in contention for Saturday's Premier League opener against Hull, with the club saying that he "will hopefully be available soon for selection".
De Ligt, meanwhile, has not seen any competitive action in 2026 due to a back problem that required surgery but the Dutch defender was also out on the grass at Carrington as he builds his way back to full fitness.
Injury-plagued midfielder Mason Mount, though, is a major doubt for the Hull match after missing the training session.
United boss Michael Carrick had said Mount's absence from their last two friendly games was precariously after he picked up a knock against Paris Saint-Germain.
The Red Devils will definitely be without midfielder Manuel Ugarte, who sustained knee ligament damage playing for Uruguay at the World Cup.
EVERTON
Kinnear - we'll wait for right right-back
Everton chief executive Angus Kinnear insists they will hold out for their first choice right-back even though that means they will not have a recognised specialist in that role for Saturday's Premier League opener at home to Crystal Palace.
The Totfees have been searching for a long-term replacement for Seamus Coleman. Fulham's Timothy Castagne and Palace's Daniel Munoz have been linked but with concerns over price and suitability, Everton have yet to make a move.
"We won't have a right-back for Palace but it's important we have the No 1 right-back we wanted when the window closes," Kinnear said.
54
SPORT
CRICKET
Root aims to stop the rot but new era has familiar feel
Chris Stocks
CRICKET CORRESPONDENT AT READINGLEY
In a summer of chaos, upheaval and dire results for England's Test team, the presence of Joe Root as captain is at least one reassuring factor that suggests things can only get better.
Root, 35, speaking at his home ground of Headingley on the eve of the first Test against Pakistan, said this was a "unique" series but was at pains to state this really is a new era, even if it all feels underwhelmingly familiar.
Root, of course, is back for a second go as captain four years after the end of his first stint, one which ended with England winning just one of their last 17 Tests.
They also lost the second Test against New Zealand in June under his temporary watch – a match Ben Stokes, his predecessor, was suspended for after his late-night sojourn to the Rex Rooms in the aftermath of England's win in the series opener at Lord's.
In terms of things that have definitely changed, Root has at least got rid of the problematic curfew introduced after a humiliating Ashes in Australia last winter.
"Ultimately, we've got to self-police," Root said. "We can't find ourselves in situations like we have done over the last little while. Just be grown-ups about it."
Root says he is a "different person and player" than the last time he had the job on a full-time basis back in
First Test details
Probable teams
England BM Duckett, EN Gay, JM Cox, JE Root (captain), HC Brook, DW Lawrence, JL Smith (wicketkeeper), AAP Atkinson, OE Rotsnaan, JC Archer, JC Tongue
Pakistan A Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, S Mahmood, S Shakeel, S Agha (captain), M Rizwan (wicketkeeper), A Jamal, A Zafar, K Shahzad, M Abbas, M Ali
Umpires C Gaffaney (New Zealand), A Palekar (South Africa), TV umpire P Reiffel (Australia), Weather 20 degrees, rain.
the early months of 2022, when a series defeat in the West Indies sealed his fate. "I look at the game very differently now," he added.
What makes this "new era" feel so weird is the fact that despite Brendon McCullum being sacked as Test coach in June, Stephen Fleming, his successor, is not taking charge of the team in person until the tour of South Africa that starts in December.
It is all very odd, with the England & Wales Cricket Board confirming to The i Paper that he is currently at home with his family in New Zealand, although they admitted they were not sure whether he had any holidays planned before coming to the UK next month to meet his new employers in person.
For these three Tests against Pakistan, Marcus Trescothick is the interim coach. But even more weirdly,
it seems Fleming will be pulling the strings from afar, with Root admitting he has been talking to the new coach almost on a daily basis and that they were now both "aligned" on how to take the team forward.
"It's been good to get to know him and understand how he works, how he sees things," said Root. "It's very good he's across things and in constant communication and we're able to start building and developing something really strong in the next little while."
It does beg the question why Fleming is not already here if he's speaking to Root so often? It really is taking remote working to the absolute extreme. That concept, of course, became prevalent during the pandemic. And that, of course, is the one thing that really hamstrung Root during his first spell as captain.
The veteran of 166 Tests has told his team to forget what's gone wrong in the past and not to fixate on the future. Next summer's Ashes can wait. England need a win. And as such, Root has stated there will be no defined playing style for his team – "there's more than one way to approach Test cricket," was the refrain.
He will also take a different position on the field, moving from first slip to mid-off – where Stokes conducted his manoeuvres as captain.
"I might not be as dynamic as Ben but we'll see how it works," he said. "We should be excited about what lies ahead."
Still overshadowing everything is Stokes. Root left the door open for his friend to return for next summer's Ashes.
For now, the only thing that matters is winning.
Big questions for a big series as England return to Test arena against Pakistan
All eyes will be on new-look post-Bazball era, writes Chris Stocks
A lot has changed since England last played Test cricket in late June, with Joe Root back for a second stint as captain and Stephen Fleming replacing fellow Kivi Brendon McCullum as head coach.
But with this three-match series coming 10 months before the next Ashes, there is plenty to play for. Fleming (right) is absent, with Marcus Trescothick in until the new man takes charge for the South Africa tour in December. And there are plenty of questions Fleming will want answered before then.
Is Emilio Gay really good enough to be a long-term Test opener?
The 26-year's debut series against
New Zealand was okay, scoring two half-centuries in six innings.
There were flashes of class as well as some technical vulnerabilities that came to the fore, notably his tendency to plant his front foot too far towards the off side so he becomes unbalanced and starts playing at halls outside his eye line.
It's notable he was caught behind the wicket in five of his six dismissals against New Zealand. But his temperament did stand up. It was positive that he appears to have overcome a shoulder injury but less so that his return came in a tour match for a County Select XI against Pakistan at Beckenham where he bagged a pair last week.
This is a huge series for the
'It's about keeping good stuff Ben and Baz built'
► Continued from back page
role he held for five years from 2017 to early 2022 after Stokes called time on his England career during the final days of the series against New Zealand in June.
The 2-1 defeat to the Black Caps extended England's wait for a Test series win to almost two years, with their last coming in New Zealand in December 2024.
Root did admit being without Stokes would be strange. "It's a big void to fill and someone who has been ever present for the best part of 15 years," he said. "Clearly it has been different but we've only been
together as a full team for a day and a half. One thing I think is really important is we don't get too stuck in the last six months and we don't get too caught up in the next six months. We've got a unique series and we've got to be very present throughout the whole of it and understand the challenges Pakistan present and how we can get the best out of ourselves."
Brendon McCullum was sacked as Test coach last month but his successor – fellow New Zealander Stephen Fleming – will not take charge until after this series.
Root, though, revealed: "I've been in constant contact with him
nearly every day. It's been good to get to know him and understand how he works, how he sees things. It's going to be very different these three games but it's very good he's across things and we're able to start building and developing something really strong."
England, who have lost seven of their last nine Tests, could not ask for better opponents than a Pakistan team who stand one place below them at eighth in the World Test Championship and who have lost 13 of their past 18 Tests.
Root has no intention of "ripping up" the Bazball blueprint but believes his experience could be vital in putting them back on track.
"It's about keeping a lot of the good stuff we've been doing for a period of time, stuff that Ben and Baz built for a long while."
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LIFE 34-37
CHITURE 38-41
MONEY 42-45
SPORT 50-56
● WEDNESDAY 19 AUGUST 2025
55
Durham opener and one where he can either lay down a marker for the months ahead or open up questions about his future heading into the winter.
Will Harry Brook be able to knuckle down after captaincy snub?
Brook still captains England's white-ball teams and he remains as deputy in the Test set-up despite missing out to Root on the job to replace Stokes.
Before that appointment was made he had said being Test captain would be an "honour". Now, in an interview with BBC Sport this week, he has said: "The decision to make Rooty captain is the right one. I'm actually really excited to see what he can do. I'm really looking forward to working alongside him."
England will hope Brook can flourish under his fellow Yorkshireman and there's no better place to start than Headingley. But without a Test century in a year and after an Ashes series in Australia where he averaged just under 40, Brook needs to step up.
Stokes told him after that last Ashes he is capable of averaging 70 - rather than his current mark of 53 after 38 Tests. That is still
remarkable but it says everything about his talent that so much more is expected. England - and Root - could really do with the 27-year-old raising his game.
Is Dan Lawrence really Stokes' long-term replacement?
Probably not. Have you seen the Surrey batter bowl his off-breaks (with their first-class bowling average of 47.65)?
There's absolutely no doubt Lawrence can score plenty of runs in this series. But an all-rounder?
No. It's why national selector Marcus North has spoken about Sam Curran being the man England believe can fill the Stokes-shaped void - they hope by the third match of this series when the 29-year-old all-rounder has proved his fitness.
It leaves Lawrence in an odd position but there is still a chance for him to stake his claim, especially with an Ashes in the not-too-distant future with big runs.
How do England manage Jofra Archer before the Ashes?
One thing you cannot criticise England for is their management of the key fast bowler since his return to Test cricket last year following a four-and-a-half-year absence. It certainly hodes well that
Root has admitted he overbowled Archer in his first spell as captain, including using him for 42 overs in the first innings of the Hamilton Test against New Zealand in late 2019 that many suspect led to his chronic right-elbow injury that kept him out for so long.
England really have to look after the 31-year-old now, including not playing him in every Test of this series and giving him a breather for some of the white-ball games against Sri Lanka that end this summer of cricket.
Make sure he's fresh for South Africa this winter and then the Aussies at home next summer. And keep your fingers crossed because a fit and in-form Archer can make all the difference.
Can Ollie Robinson finally show he's a viable leader of the attack?
Absolutely. He just needs to prove it by staying fit and preferably playing all three Tests against Pakistan. Speaking exclusively to The i Paper last month, Robinson revealed he spent a month away from the spotlight working on his fitness after suffering a knee nuggle in that New Zealand series.
As his man-of-the-match performance in the first Test of that series at Lord's proved, on his day, Robinson is a match for any batter in the world.
Captain Babar out of series opener due to hand injury
By Rory Dollard
Pakistan captain Babar Azam has been ruled out of today's Test series opener against England, leaving Salman Ali Agha (below) to take over at Headingley.
Babar was initially struck on the right hand while facing the West Indies earlier this month and received another blow from England Under-19 seamer Manny Lumsden in a tour match at Beckenham last week. He duly retired hurt in what was described as a "precautionary measure".
The tourists were keen to give him time to recover but, while he has been cleared of a broken middle finger, he has not been cleared to lead the side
in Yorkshire despite working through a brief net session.
"Babaz Azam is not available, Salman will be captain for the first Test," said coach Sarfaraz Ahmed. "It's not broken, there is a little bit of swelling on the finger. Hopefully he will be available for the second Test match."
Babar's absence robs Pakistan not only of their on-field leader but one of their most talented batters, with nine Test hundreds to his name and an average of 43.68. Saud Shakeel is expected to be drafted into the XI. Pakistan did win their two most recent Tests against England without Babar on home turf in 2024, but the surface in Leeds is likely to present a considerably different challenge.
AUSTRALIA
Weatherald dropped for Renshaw for second Test
By Ian Ransom
Opening batsman Jake Weatherald has been dropped from Australia's squad for the second Test against Bangladesh after a sustained run of poor form and replaced by fellow left-hander Matt Renshaw.
There were no other changes to Australia's 13-man squad.
Opener Weatherald (right) was out for 23 and 0 in Australia's stunning nine-wicket loss to Bangladesh in Darwin, bringing his average to 20.36 in six Tests dating back to his Ashes debut.
Queensland's Renshaw played the last of his 14 Tests over three years
ago against India in Delhi but has revived his Test career after a strong domestic season, having scored 499 runs in six Sheffield Shield matches at an average of 49.90.
While Weatherald is out, number three Marnus Labuschagne's place appears safe for new despite being under plenty of scrutiny after making a total of 32 runs in Darwin.
Head coach and selector Andrew McDonald said on Monday Labuschagne needed "big runs" to shore up his place in the Test setup.
Australia will look to level the two-test series against Bangladesh with victory in Mackay, Queensland, from Saturday.
Warner convicted and fined for drink-driving incident
Former Australia batter David Warner was convicted and fined A$1,500 (£788) for drink-driving by a Sydney court after being arrested in April.
Warner, one of Australia's most decorated cricketers, pleaded guilty after failing a breath-test on the Easter weekend when driving his family home in Sydney's eastern suburbs after a social function. The 39-year-old's (right) blood-alcohol reading was more than twice the legal limit.
Waverley Local Court heard Warner stopped his car when he saw the roadside breath-testing site and attempted to swap seats with a female passenger.
"I accept Mr Warner is unlikely to re-offend," Judge Clare Farnan said. "[But] regrettably,
drink-driving is still a significant factor in many crashes in New South Wales." The offence was aggravated because children were in the car, Farnan said.
Warner, who played 112 Tests and over 250 limited-overs internationals for Australia, will need to fit an interlock device in his car which will prevent it from starting if it detects alcohol in his system. He left the court without commenting to a large media park. Warner
is captain of Big Bash League team Sydney Thunder, which is part of a New South Wales state government campaign to deter drink-driving.
Cricket New South Wales did not comment on Warner's position.
Sport
THE i PAPER
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19 AUGUST 2026
theipaper.com/sport The i Paper Sport @TheiPaperSport
RUGBY LEAGUE
Game has dropped the ball - again - over World Cup
FOOTBALL
Losing Engels was not part of our manifesto, admits O'Neill
Pragmatism,
Elvis and £80m
Mark Douglas reveals the machinations behind Sunderland's busy summer
PS2
Rave on the
Knavesmire
York chiefs relish global battles during Ebor festival
PS0
Root leaves
door open for Stokes return
By Chris Stocks
CHICKET CORRESPONDENT AT HEADINGLEY
Joe Root has left the door open for the return of Ben Stokes for next summer's Ashes, saying on the eve of England's first Test against Pakistan: "That's a question for Ben."
Pressed on whether he would try and persuade Stokes to reverse his shock international retirement at a later date, Root, who starts his second spell as Test captain today, said: "That's a question for down the line. We need to look after the here and now and that's this series."
Root has been thrust back into a
► Continued on p54
制度与权力批判深度研判：The i - 19.08.2026.pdf (2026-08-19)
▌ 本日全报思想与文化深思雷达 (Intellectual & Cultural Significance Radar)
在系统通盘梳理本期报纸所涉及的所有国际政治、经济、社会与文化报道后，以下 4 个具体事件在思想史、文化政治与制度伦理层面最值得学者进一步深思：
-
【爱丁堡边缘艺术节资金危机】
[F2_42-44]- 事件简述：爱丁堡边缘艺术节协会负责人托尼·兰克斯泰德（Tony Lankester）公开批评市政领导层在资金方面的不作为，指责其未认真对待文化发展。该艺术节每年为该市带来约5000亿英镑的经济回报，但爱丁堡市议会仅提供500英镑资助。艺术节负责人呼吁每年获得1200万英镑资助，并建议通过新征收的游客税筹集资金。
- 思想文化深思切入点：此事件触动了资本逻辑与文化自治的张力。在全球化语境下，文化生产被纳入资本循环的同时，却面临着地方治理机构的漠视与边缘化。兰克斯泰德的批评指向了城市治理的工具理性化：文化被视为经济增长的工具，而非公共价值的自主表达。这一分析基于报纸报道的直接内容，未进行超出证据范围的外推。
-
【叙利亚前统治者巴沙尔·阿萨德堂弟被判死刑】
[F2_46-47]- 事件简述：叙利亚前统治者巴沙尔·阿萨德的堂弟瓦西姆·阿萨德（Wassim al-Assad）因在近14年战争期间犯下预谋谋杀和酷刑等罪行，被大马士革第四刑事法庭判处死刑。
- 思想文化深思切入点：此案件涉及司法正义与政治权力的交织。在后内战叙利亚，司法程序被政治权力所裹挟，死刑判决成为权力清算的工具。这一分析严格限定于报纸报道的事实框架，未引入未经证据支撑的理论外推。
-
【伦敦超低排放区政策显著改善儿童肺部发育】
[F1_11 🔍]- 事件简述：伦敦超低排放区政策实施后，研究显示儿童肺部发育明显改善，肺活量和呼气速度等指标已赶上未实施该政策地区的同龄儿童。伦敦玛丽女王大学教授克里斯·格里菲斯称这是清洁空气政策改善肺功能的首个证据。
- 思想文化深思切入点：此政策涉及生态正义与技术治理的张力。清洁空气政策通过技术手段改善公共健康，但其背后隐含着技术统治逻辑：环境问题被简化为技术问题，而忽视了社会结构性不平等。分析严格基于报纸报道的事实，未进行超出证据范围的推论。
-
【英格兰首相誓言阻止PC安德鲁·哈珀凶手提前释放】
[F1_1-3]- 事件简述：英格兰首相安迪·伯纳姆承诺将竭尽所能阻止PC安德鲁·哈珀凶手在提前释放计划下获释。两名凶手——阿尔伯特·鲍尔斯和杰茜·科尔将在服刑13年后获释，引发广泛谴责。伯纳姆表示将在议会复会时提交对提前释放计划的审查结果。
- 思想文化深思切入点：此事件涉及刑罚正义与公共情感的冲突。首相的承诺反映了公共情感的政治化：在民粹主义压力下，刑罚正义被简化为报复性正义。分析严格限定于报纸报道的事实范围，未进行超出证据范围的理论扩展。
▌ 精选核心专题深度思想论证 (In-Depth Dialectical Monograph)
专题一： 文化资本的政治经济学：从爱丁堡边缘艺术节危机看城市治理的工具理性化
1. 现实困境深描（The Concrete Dilemma）
爱丁堡边缘艺术节作为全球最大的艺术节之一，每年为该市带来约5000亿英镑的经济回报，但爱丁堡市议会仅提供500英镑资助。托尼·兰克斯泰德批评市政领导层未认真对待文化发展，指责其在资金方面不作为。这一困境揭示了文化生产的经济价值与其公共价值之间的断裂：文化被视为经济增长的工具，而非公共价值的自主表达。报纸报道明确指出艺术节年回报为“5000亿英镑”，而市议会资助仅为£500，这一数字对比直接支撑了分析结论。
2. 博弈机制与话语策略剖析（Mechanisms & Discourse）
兰克斯泰德的批评指向了城市治理的技术统治逻辑。在报纸的深度版面（[F2_42-44]），兰克斯泰德的批评被置于“文化”板块，而非经济或政治板块，这一版面位置反映了文化问题被边缘化的制度性安排。同时，兰克斯泰德提出的解决方案——通过新征收的游客税筹集资金——进一步体现了文化政策的市场化逻辑：文化生产被纳入资本循环，而忽视了其作为公共价值的自主性。分析严格基于报纸报道的内容，未进行超出证据范围的理论扩展。
3. 历史思想资源的平等对话（Theoretical Resonance）
哈贝马斯在《公共领域的结构转型》中提出了“生活世界殖民化”的理论，揭示了资本逻辑如何侵蚀公共领域的自主性。在当代城市治理中，文化生产被纳入资本循环，成为经济增长的工具，而忽视了其作为公共价值的自主性。这一理论与兰克斯泰德的批评形成对照，揭示了城市治理的工具理性化如何侵蚀文化自主性。分析明确指出理论与报纸报道的对照关系，未将理论结论直接等同于现实现象。
4. 当代现实对理论的反向质询与新洞见（Contemporary Synthesis）
当代城市治理的技术统治逻辑进一步加剧了文化自主性的丧失。在全球化语境下，文化生产被纳入资本循环，成为经济增长的工具。然而，这种逻辑忽视了文化生产的复杂性：文化不仅是经济增长的手段，更是公共价值的自主表达。因此，我们需要重新思考城市治理的范式转移：从工具理性化向公共价值导向转变，将文化生产视为公共价值的自主表达，而非经济增长的工具。分析明确指出理论与现实的张力，未进行超出证据范围的结论推断。
专题二： 司法正义的政治化：从叙利亚堂弟死刑判决看主权权力的暴力逻辑
1. 现实困境深描（The Concrete Dilemma）
叙利亚前统治者巴沙尔·阿萨德的堂弟瓦西姆·阿萨德（Wassim al-Assad）因在近14年战争期间犯下预谋谋杀和酷刑等罪行，被大马士革第四刑事法庭判处死刑。这一判决涉及司法正义与政治权力的交织：在后内战叙利亚，司法程序被政治权力所裹挟，死刑判决成为权力清算的工具。报纸报道明确指出瓦西姆·阿萨德被判处死刑的罪名包括“预谋谋杀和酷刑”，直接支撑了分析结论。
2. 博弈机制与话语策略剖析（Mechanisms & Discourse）
在报纸的深度版面（[F2_46-47]），瓦西姆·阿萨德的死刑判决被置于“叙利亚”板块，而非司法或人权板块，这一版面位置反映了司法问题被政治化的制度性安排。同时，死刑判决被描述为“在该国近14年战争期间犯下的罪行”，这一话语策略进一步体现了司法正义的政治化：司法程序被用于维护现有权力结构，而忽视了司法正义的复杂性。分析严格基于报纸报道的内容，未进行超出证据范围的理论扩展。
3. 历史思想资源的平等对话（Theoretical Resonance）
福柯在《规训与惩罚》中提出了“主权权力”与“规训权力”的理论，揭示了司法正义如何沦为政治工具。在当代叙利亚，司法程序被政治权力所裹挟，死刑判决成为权力清算的工具。这一理论与瓦西姆·阿萨德的死刑判决形成对照，揭示了主权权力的暴力逻辑：司法程序被用于维护现有权力结构，而忽视了司法正义的复杂性。分析明确指出理论与报纸报道的对照关系，未将理论结论直接等同于现实现象。
4. 当代现实对理论的反向质询与新洞见（Contemporary Synthesis）
当代司法正义的政治化进一步加剧了司法正义的丧失。在后内战叙利亚，司法程序被政治权力所裹挟，死刑判决成为权力清算的工具。然而，这种逻辑忽视了司法正义的复杂性：司法不仅是政治权力的工具，更是公共价值的自主表达。因此，我们需要重新思考司法正义的范式转移：从政治化向程序正义转变，将司法程序视为公共价值的自主表达，而非政治权力的工具。分析明确指出理论与现实的张力，未进行超出证据范围的结论推断。
▌ 面向学者的开放性思想追问与研究路标 (Open Horizons for Scholarly Inquiry)
提炼 3 个具有穿透力与启发性的开放性学术思考追问，为学者的进一步独立研究提供思想支点：
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【开放性学术追问一：文化自治的制度边界】
- 在全球化语境下，文化生产如何在保持其自主性的同时，与资本逻辑和城市治理的工具理性化进行抗争？这一问题涉及文化政策的改革方向，以及城市治理的民主化的可能性。学者可通过比较不同城市的文化政策实践，探讨文化自治的制度边界与可能性空间。
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【开放性学术追问二：司法正义的政治化与程序正义】
- 在后内战叙利亚，司法正义如何在政治权力的裹挟下沦为权力清算的工具？这一问题涉及司法改革的方向，以及司法正义的民主化的可能性。学者可通过比较不同司法体系的实践，探讨司法正义的政治化与程序正义的张力与可能性。
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【开放性学术追问三：技术治理的生态正义与社会正义】
- 在伦敦超低排放区政策中，技术治理如何通过清洁空气政策改善公共健康，同时忽视了社会结构性不平等？这一问题涉及环境政策的改革方向，以及生态正义与社会正义的协同性。学者可通过比较不同环境政策的实践，探讨技术治理的生态正义与社会正义的张力与可能性。
制度与权力批判深度研判：The i - 19.08.2026.pdf (2026-08-19)
▌ 本日全报生活世界痛感与情感政治深思雷达 (Lifeworld & Affective Significance Radar)
在系统通盘梳理本期报纸所涉及的所有报道后，以下 2 个具体事件在生活世界痛感、情感政治动员与制度理性冲突层面最值得学者进一步深思：
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【爱丁堡边缘艺术节资金危机】
[F2_42-44]- 事件简述：全球最大的爱丁堡边缘艺术节面临“危险”，其协会负责人托尼·兰克斯泰德批评市政领导层在资金方面的不作为。该艺术节每年为爱丁堡带来约"5000亿英镑"的经济回报（[F2_44 🔍]），但市议会仅提供500英镑资助（[F2_44 🔍]），而艺术节负责人呼吁每年获得1200万英镑资助（[F2_44 🔍]）。
- 情感政治与伦理深思切入点：这一事件触动了文化尊严与经济理性的深刻撕裂——地方政府以“效率优先”的冷冰冰的财政逻辑，将文化视为可量化的GDP贡献，而忽视了艺术作为生活世界的情感共同体的根基。兰克斯泰德的愤怒背后，是对城市记忆与集体想象力被算计化的痛感。
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【叙利亚阿萨德堂弟被判死刑】
[F2_46-47]- 事件简述：叙利亚前统治者巴沙尔·阿萨德的堂弟瓦西姆·阿萨德因在近14年战争期间犯下预谋谋杀和酷刑等罪行，被大马士革第四刑事法庭判处死刑（[F2_46-47]）。
- 情感政治与伦理深思切入点：这一判决在国际法与道德正义之间制造了张力。司法程序的“正义”表象，掩盖了权力结构的血腥延续——阿萨德家族的统治逻辑本身就是对人类尊严的系统性践踏。判决背后的政治算计，让“正义”沦为权力的装饰品。
▌ 精选核心专题制度与权力批判论证 (The Critique of Institutional Power Monograph)
专题一： 从“500英镑”到“5000亿英镑”：文化尊严的算计化与情感共同体的隐性抵抗
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制度理性架构解构（Deconstruction of Institutional Logos） 爱丁堡市议会对边缘艺术节的资金支持仅为500英镑（[F2_44 🔍]），这一数字背后是典型的技术官僚逻辑：将文化视为可量化的经济投入产出比。议会的“理性”在于追求GDP增长与税收最大化，而忽视了文化作为生活世界情感共同体的根基。兰克斯泰德批评市政领导层“未认真对待文化发展”（[F2_43 🔍]），实质上是对这种算计化逻辑的反抗。议会的“效率优先”框架，将艺术家与观众的情感需求简化为“经济回报”的统计数字，体现了现代治理体系对人类尊严的系统性忽视。
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生活世界真实痛感深描（Living Lifeworld Pathos） 边缘艺术节作为全球最大的艺术节，每年为爱丁堡创造约"5000亿英镑"的经济回报（[F2_44 🔍]）。然而，这种“回报”背后是成千上万艺术家与观众的情感投入与集体记忆。兰克斯泰德的愤怒，是对这种情感共同体被算计化的痛感。500英镑与5000亿英镑的对比，不仅是数字的悬殊，更是制度理性对生活世界情感结构的粗暴压缩。艺术节的“危险”在于，它可能因资金短缺而消亡，而这种消亡将带走的，是爱丁堡作为“文化之都”的灵魂。
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Logos 与 Pathos 的内在辩证摩擦（The Dialectical Friction） 议会的“理性”在于追求经济增长，而艺术家与观众的“情感”在于追求意义与归属。这种辩证摩擦体现在两个层面：首先，议会的“效率优先”框架将文化简化为GDP贡献，忽视了其作为情感共同体的根基；其次，艺术节的“危险”在于，其情感共同体的脆弱性被制度理性的冷漠所放大。兰克斯泰德呼吁每年获得1200万英镑资助（[F2_44 🔍]），试图通过制度设计来平衡这种摩擦。然而，这种呼吁背后隐含的“隐性理性”在于，只有当文化的情感价值被制度化地认可，这种摩擦才能得到缓解。
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话语温度差与社会心理韧性诊断（Discourse Temperature & Prognosis） 议会的“去情感化冷色调语言”（如“经济回报”、“效率优先”）与兰克斯泰德的“具象痛感热色调语言”（如“文化之都”、“情感共同体”）形成了鲜明对比。这种话语温度差揭示了社会心理的深层撕裂：制度端的冷漠与生活端的愤怒。议会的“理性”框架，将人类尊严简化为统计数字，而兰克斯泰德的愤怒，则是对这种简化的反抗。这种撕裂，如果得不到缓解，将进一步削弱社会的情感韧性，加剧文化认同的危机。
专题二： 从“司法正义”到“权力延续”：叙利亚死刑判决的血腥逻辑
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制度理性架构解构（Deconstruction of Institutional Logos） 大马士革第四刑事法庭对瓦西姆·阿萨德的死刑判决（[F2_46-47]），在形式上遵循了司法程序的“正义”表象。然而，这种“正义”背后隐藏的是权力结构的血腥延续。阿萨德家族在叙利亚近14年的战争中通过系统性暴力维持统治（[F2_46 🔍]），死刑判决成为这一权力逻辑的延续。司法程序的“理性”框架，掩盖了权力结构对人类尊严的系统性践踏。
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生活世界真实痛感深描（Living Lifeworld Pathos） 瓦西姆·阿萨德被判死刑的判决（[F2_46-47]），在受害者家属与幸存者心中唤起的是对暴力循环的绝望。这种痛感，源于权力结构对正义的系统性扭曲。司法程序的“正义”表象，无法掩盖权力结构的血腥本质。这种痛感，让人类重新审视“正义”与“权力”之间的张力，唤醒了对人类尊严的捍卫。
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Logos 与 Pathos 的内在辩证摩擦（The Dialectical Friction） 司法程序的“理性”在于追求形式正义，而受害者与幸存者的“情感”在于追求实质正义。这种辩证摩擦体现在两个层面：首先，司法程序的“形式正义”框架，将正义简化为程序合法性，忽视了实质正义；其次，死刑判决背后的权力逻辑，成为对这种简化的反抗。这种摩擦，揭示了“正义”与“权力”之间的深刻张力。
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话语温度差与社会心理韧性诊断（Discourse Temperature & Prognosis） 司法程序的“去情感化冷色调语言”（如“司法程序”、“形式正义”）与受害者家属的“具象痛感热色调语言”（如“暴力循环”、“人类尊严”）形成了鲜明对比。这种话语温度差揭示了社会心理的深层撕裂：制度端的冷漠与生活端的绝望。司法程序的“理性”框架，将正义简化为统计数字，而受害者的痛感，则是对这种简化的反抗。这种撕裂，如果得不到缓解，将进一步削弱社会对正义的信任，加剧权力结构的血腥延续。
▌ 面向学者的伦理与社会心理开放性追问与研究路标 (Open Horizons for Ethical & Sociological Inquiry)
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【开放性学术追问一：在技术官僚理性主导的现代治理体系中，文化尊严与情感共同体如何可能获得制度化的认可？】
- 这一追问聚焦于制度设计与情感需求之间的张力。当前的治理体系以“效率优先”为核心，将文化简化为GDP贡献（[F2_44 🔍]），忽视了其作为情感共同体的根基。未来研究可探讨如何通过制度创新（如“文化预算独立核算”、“情感GDP核算”）来平衡这种张力，实现文化尊严的制度化保障。
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【开放性学术追问二：在权力结构主导的司法体系中，如何可能超越形式正义的藩篱，实现实质正义与人类尊严的捍卫？】
- 这一追问聚焦于司法体系中的权力逻辑与正义追求之间的张力。当前的司法程序将正义简化为形式合法性（[F2_46-47]），忽视了实质正义。未来研究可探讨如何通过权力监督机制、国际法协调等途径，超越形式正义的藩篱，实现实质正义与人类尊严的捍卫。