
-
UK starts online checks to stop children accessing harmful content
-
Root up to third on all-time Test list as England dominate India
-
Piastri outpaces Verstappen in opening practice at Belgian GP
-
Cambodian evacuees sheltering in temple pray for end to Thai clashes
-
French car dealer charged over Takata air bag injury
-
Iran meets European powers amid threats of UN sanctions snapback
-
Meta to ban political ads in EU due to bloc's 'unworkable' rules
-
UN urges UK to repeal 'disproportionate' Palestine Action ban
-
Tight security as Trump heads to Scotland for diplomacy and golf
-
Day of prayers for victims after Bangladesh jet crash
-
Thai woman herds cats under fire in Cambodia clashes
-
African armies turn to drones with devastating civilian impact
-
New cryptocurrency may be aiding Russia to dodge sanctions
-
French anger over bee-killing pesticide piles pressure on Macron
-
Philippine Supreme Court blocks VP Duterte's impeachment trial
-
Aid groups warn of starving children as European powers discuss Gaza
-
Markets turn lower as trade war rally fades
-
Cognac maker Remy Cointreau lifts guidance after China deal
-
'#Ishiba Don't quit': unlikely support grows for Japan PM
-
Martin Johnson pep talk fires up Lions ahead of second Test
-
UK, Australia back embattled submarine deal with US
-
Small businesses warn of Trump tariff impact on toy industry at Comic-Con
-
Boats bring Philippine flood victims to safety as death toll rises
-
Volkswagen takes 1.3-bn-euro hit from Trump tariffs
-
S.African DJ's murder exposes nexus between crime and power
-
Hong Kong issues bounties for 19 overseas activists on subversion charges
-
Trump trip to Scotland combines diplomacy and golf
-
Shock media closure deals new blow to press freedom in Balkans
-
UK water pollution alarms summer bathers
-
Lebanese militant released after 40 years in French jail
-
French court to rule on Assad immunity in chemical attack case
-
Fear and relief in Thai shelter as Cambodia clashes rage
-
Wallabies vow to put bodies on line in crunch second Lions Test
-
'Lungs of the Earth': the Indonesians fighting for peatland
-
Once a leading force, battered Tunisian party awaits elusive comeback
-
Asian markets turn lower as trade war rally fades
-
UK fears new summer of unrest, year after Southport riots
-
Thailand says over 100,000 civilians flee clashes with Cambodia
-
Balancing act for pro-Trump influencers as Epstein furor spirals
-
US regulators greenlight contentious $8 bn Skydance-Paramount merger
-
Puerto Rico's community-owned solar power: alternative to frequent blackouts
-
Google ordered to pay Argentine pictured naked in his yard
-
Argentina and Exeter lock Molina joins Western Force
-
US regulators let Skydance acquire Paramount Global
-
US chip maker Intel says revenue rose as it cut ranks
-
Macron says France will recognise State of Palestine
-
Mexico star Hernandez sorry for sexist comments
-
White House lashes out at 'South Park' Trump parody
-
Taiwan's opposition protests ahead of recall vote
-
England's Crawley 'owes' himself more good performances
CMSC | 0% | 22.43 | $ | |
RIO | -1.06% | 63.16 | $ | |
AZN | -1.46% | 72.62 | $ | |
GSK | -1.72% | 37.585 | $ | |
SCU | 0% | 12.72 | $ | |
NGG | -0.31% | 72.01 | $ | |
BTI | -0.44% | 52.39 | $ | |
SCS | -0.24% | 10.485 | $ | |
BCC | 0.47% | 86.84 | $ | |
RYCEF | -2.58% | 13.16 | $ | |
JRI | 0% | 13.15 | $ | |
BCE | -1.43% | 24.085 | $ | |
RELX | -1.03% | 53.165 | $ | |
RBGPF | 9.33% | 75 | $ | |
CMSD | 0.38% | 22.938 | $ | |
VOD | -1.81% | 11.315 | $ | |
BP | -1.16% | 31.76 | $ |

Verstappen and Red Bull embark on new era
Max Verstappen and Red Bull seek a successful re-set of their season as they launch a new era at this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix, their first without Christian Horner in charge.
As Formula One resumes after a mini-break McLaren duo Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris intensify their duel to succeed the Dutchman as world champion.
While Norris seeks his third consecutive win in a bid to reduce team-mate Piastri's eight-point lead it will be Red Bull under the greatest scrutiny as they embark on a new adventure under Frenchman Laurent Mekies.
Never before has a Red Bull team raced without the 51-year-old Briton Horner, who was dismissed unexpectedly two weeks ago following 20 years of success, including guiding Verstappen to four consecutive world titles from 2021-2024.
His successor Mekies, promoted from junior team Racing Bulls, faces a daunting challenge - not only in keeping the team's focus and performance at the majestic high-speed circuit in the Ardennes, but in bringing stability to Red Bull after a stormy period.
Verstappen, born in Belgium, has been linked with a move to Mercedes for 2026 and, while Horner has remained silent since his bombshell exit, the champion has welcomed the arrival of Mekies, who has an engineering background and avoids confrontation and discord.
His appointment brings an end to 18 months of rumour and intrigue during which Horner was investigated for alleged inappropriate conduct, the team lost the constructors' title to McLaren and saw key staff members leave.
"I was back at the factory last week to spend some time in the sim with the team," said Verstappen in a team release that made no mention of Horner’s departure.
"I'm looking forward to working closely with Laurent.
"Spa is a classic and always my favourite track on the calendar – a very old school circuit where you have to do everything right to get a good lap.
"I enjoy the high-speed corners such as Eau Rouge, the layout which is different to other circuits, and elevation changes that make the track more of a challenge to drive."
After a desultory outing at Silverstone, where he finished fifth after starting from pole position, Verstappen will enjoy returning to one of his 'home' events, hoping Mekies can rekindle the team's spark to bring him a fourth career win at Spa.
- Feisty mood -
Mekies said he would spend his first weeks in the job "meeting the guys and girls who do the magic behind the scenes...to try to understand this beautiful magic machine".
His first test will be a Saturday morning sprint race.
A win for Verstappen would not be a huge surprise as the characteristics of the Ardennes track favour his car, but he remains a distant third in a title race led by the McLaren men whose intra-team scrap may be their undoing.
After his outburst at receiving a 10-second penalty at Silverstone, Piastri is expected to be in feisty mood going into the Belgian and Hungarian double-header that precedes the August 'summer holiday' and another close contest is in prospect.
Like Piastri, Mercedes' George Russell will revel in a chance to show his speed in the often changeable conditions, having been stripped of victory last year because his car was underweight.
That handed seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton his 105th and last triumph – and he remains in search of his first podium with Ferrari who arrive in Belgium with intent and a major upgrade package.
Hamilton was fourth in his home British race where Nico Hulkenberg claimed his first career podium at the 239th attempt to endorse Sauber's momentum this year before becoming the Audi works team next season.
P.Keller--VB