Latest news with #UK


Daily Mail
13 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Champion jockey Oisin Murphy wins at Doncaster just a DAY after being charged with drink driving after 'serious road traffic collision' left a woman in hospital
Oisin Murphy was among the winners at Doncaster on Friday, with the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) confirming the multiple champion jockey can continue to ride ahead of his court date next week. Murphy was charged on Thursday with two drink-driving offences following a car crash on April 27 which left a woman in her 20s in hospital with serious injuries. It is alleged that he was over the prescribed alcohol limit and failed to cooperate when asked to give a preliminary test at the scene. There has been little disruption to Murphy's schedule since he was arrested at the scene in Hermitage, Berkshire where a grey Mercedes A Class smashed into a tree just after midnight. The next day, he rode in five races at Windsor, picking up two wins and, last week, he had five winners at Royal Ascot. Given he is the reigning champion jockey — a title he has won four times since 2019 — Murphy is much in demand and his wins in the last two months have been for figures including Sir Alex Ferguson and Michael Owen, Lady Lloyd-Webber and leading bloodstock operations Cheveley Park and Juddmonte. On Friday, the BHA said there was nothing to prevent Murphy continuing to ride on an ongoing basis and he travelled to Doncaster for five mounts, winning the Doncaster Racecourse Supporting Racing Staff Week Handicap aboard the Andrew Balding-trained 8-13 favourite Displaying. The four-time champion is due to be in action at York on Saturday where his six booked mounts include Formal in the Group Three Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Criterion Stakes. Murphy, who leads the 2025 jockeys' championship by 17 from nearest rival William Buick, is due to appear at Reading Magistrates' Court on July 3. Murphy has not responded to requests for comment about the car crash since his arrest. Thames Valley Police said in a statement that: 'It is vital people do not speculate on social media as this is a live investigation.'


Daily Mail
17 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Holly Willoughby's effortlessly stylish Glastonbury mini dress is the ONLY festival outfit inspo you need this summer - and we've found it on the high street
When it comes to festival fashion, TV presenter Holly Willoughby rarely gets it wrong. And the 44-year-old made sure to turn heads on Friday when she landed at Glastonbury 's Worthy Farm wearing a stunning boho ensemble. While white might be a daring look to hit those famous muddy fields, Holly's look was perfect for keeping cool while walking through the crowds in the sunshine. Showing off her toned legs, she looked incredible in a gathered white mini dress which she teamed with a matching blouse, from Free People, which costs £158. Ithad lace inserts and a delicate silk tie. She wore £365 tan Nanette Grenson boots from her own collaboration with the brand and tied the look together with a felt hat in the same hue. And of course what celebrity would be seen without a pair of designer sunglasses. So if you want to be able to nab Holly's look on the high street, then we've found the most similar looks out there. DRESS EXACT MATCH: Free People £158 Shop Nobody's Child £55 Shop CO-ORDs Free People £188 Shop BLOUSES RIXO £72 Shop BOTTOMS £70 Shop Joules £20 Shop


Telegraph
17 minutes ago
- Climate
- Telegraph
Hottest start to Wimbledon in 147-year history amid 36C heatwave
Wimbledon is bracing for its hottest-ever opening day as a heatwave is forecast to peak at 36C on Monday. The previous record temperature for the start of the grass court Grand Slam event was set in 2001, when 29.3C was reached. The forecast for Monday could also be the hottest temperature ever recorded during the tournament at SW19. The previous highest being 35.7C in 2015. People queueing for tickets will likely face intense heat and should take precautions. British health officials have an amber heat health warning in place until 6pm on Tuesday July 1 for much of the country, including London. This warns of a rise in deaths, particularly amongst people aged 65 and over, or those with health conditions. Wimbledon's heat rule will likely come into force, which allows for a 10-minute break in play during extreme heat. The rule will apply after the second set for all best of three set matches, and after the third for all best of five set matches, with players allowed to leave the court during the break, but not to receive coaching or medical treatment. Wimbledon organisers are taking precautions to protect the general public and staff, including ball boys and girls (BBGs), as well as players. 'Adverse weather is a key consideration in our planning for The Championships, and we are prepared for the predicted hot weather, with comprehensive plans in place for guests, players, staff and the BBGs,' a club statement said. More free water refill stations will be provided around the grounds, and real-time weather alerts will be announced on big screens and via the tournament website. Five-day heatwave Staff shifts will also be adjusted to mitigate the heat, while 'shade-mapping' will help people get away from the sun. Guidance also advises tennis fans to 'wear loose, cool clothing, preferably trousers', as well as 'wide brim hats' to keep the sun away. A heatwave is predicted for much of England over the weekend and could last for a total of five days. The weather is caused by a high-pressure 'heat dome' over mainland Europe, which is trapping hot air and forcing it downwards. This creates more heat at the surface, clears away clouds, and leads to more sun exposure which further bakes an area. It leads to day-to-day increases in temperature until the lid holding the 'heat dome' in place is breached, often with powerful thunderstorms. A heat dome caused London to surpass 40C in 2022, and the Met Office says the physics behind this phenomenon are common in the UK. 'A 'heat dome' is a term not frequently used in the UK meteorological world, though the physics behind it are essentially what happens frequently in UK summers,' explained Dr Rob Thompson, a meteorologist at the University of Reading. Imperial research has found that the weather in June is now up to 4C hotter as a result of climate change, taking once pleasant summer temperatures into more hazardous territory. Ben Clarke, research associate in extreme weather and climate change at Imperial College London, told The Telegraph that the extreme European heat, which could reach a record 47C in Spain, will cause the mercury in Britain to surge in coming days. 'If the forecasts are correct, the high pressure that is currently over much of western Europe will intensify,' he said. 'This will drive the transport of very hot air from north Africa and the Iberian peninsula northwards, resulting in an intense heatwave over the weekend. 'Whether the high pressure system classifies as a 'heat dome' will depend on how intense the high pressure is and how long it lasts, but this certainly has the characteristics of one. 'The forecasts currently show the high pressure weakening over the UK by early next week (though temperatures will stay in the mid-upper twenties in the south), but holding over mainland Europe into the middle of next week – after that, forecasts become a lot less certain. 'The heat is also very likely being amplified by the low rainfall we've had here and in much of Europe through the spring, as the land is unable to cool through evaporation.'


Times
17 minutes ago
- Times
Calling white middle-aged women Karen ‘borders on racism'
Describing a middle-aged white woman as a 'Karen' is borderline unlawful, a judge has said amid a bitter row at a mental health charity. The slang term, used increasingly since the pandemic, refers to middle-aged white women who angrily rebuke those they view as socially inferior. Sitting in an employment tribunal, a judge has now said that the term is pejorative because it implies the woman is excessively and unreasonably demanding. Use of the term started as an internet meme. It is also associated with excessive use of Facebook, opposition to vaccinations and having a blonde bob haircut. Judge George Alliott made his remarks in a ruling on a claim brought by Sylvia Constance, a 74-year-old black charity worker who has accused bosses of targeting her because of her race and age. In what was described at a tribunal hearing in Watford as a 'trenchant' complaint, female managers at Mencap were accused of acting 'like the stereotypical Karen' by having 'weaponised their privilege and more powerful position' against Constance. 'There is also something very sordid about the way in which white, female management have facilitated racism … [and given] a misogynistic, racist view of the black complainant,' the grievance said. Alliott said the tribunal noted that Karen was 'a pejorative and borderline racist, sexist and ageist term'. Constance, who described herself as black British, joined the charity as a support worker for adults with learning disabilities in Harpenden, Hertfordshire, in 2016. She was based at a residential home that provided individual flats to 11 residents. Five years later, Claire Wilson took over as manager. The tribunal heard that on her arrival Wilson faced 'open hostility' from Constance, who 'sighed' at her, responded with one-word answers and on one occasion shouted at Wilson for 'hassling' her. The pair clashed on several occasions. The manager accused Constance of having 'blinkers on' and being 'too loud'. Wilson suspended Constance in 2021 over claims she had bullied residents and staff. A week later, while an investigation was under way, Constance filed a grievance. By the next year, Mencap managers had dropped the disciplinary process and took no action against Constance. Constance then went on sick leave and filed another grievance, written on her behalf by her friend, Christine Yates. 'The language used by Christine Yates in the document is trenchant,' the tribunal said, citing the reference to the term 'Karen'. The complaint went on to say that 'despite being reinstated', Constance had 'a significant loss of trust and confidence in Harpenden Mencap's current management structure'. It alleged that there was 'clearly a hostile environment for black staff' at the home, which made it 'unsafe' for Constance 'to return to face further victimisation'. The tribunal heard that over subsequent months managers repeatedly attempted to arrange a meeting to discuss the grievance with Constance. However, she refused to attend. A meeting was held in her absence and the grievance was rejected. Constance had failed to return to work after a year and was sacked because of 'an irrevocable breakdown in the relationship' with her bosses. That prompted legal proceedings for unfair dismissal, race and age discrimination and victimisation. The judge has now dismissed all the claims against the charity, saying that there was 'no suggestion that any of the actions of Claire Wilson were prompted by a racist sentiment'.


Times
18 minutes ago
- Politics
- Times
Iranian distrust of the British runs deep
B ritain has not bombed Iran, nor called for regime change in Tehran, nor mobilised against the mullahs. Britain's stance on preventing Iran from gaining nuclear weapons has not changed. And yet there is deep anxiety in Whitehall and the intelligence services that the conflict between Iran and Israel will become our fight, and Iranian anger and hostility will now turn on Britain. It already has. That is because suspicion of the UK, as the 'hidden hand' behind every plot and confrontation, is deeply embedded in Iran's politics, language, rhetoric and self-image. Distrust and dislike of Britain is part of Iran's cultural DNA. From the Iranian point of view, Britain has been meddling in Iran ever since the Great Game of the early 19th century, when the rival empires of Britain and Russia tussled for control of Central Asia using bribery, proxy forces, political manipulation, competing spheres of influence and, from time to time, direct military intervention.