England rugby star Tom Voyce was almost 3x drink drive limit when car was swept away during storm, inquest hears
Coroner Andrew Hetherington ruled the death was an accident and found that Mr Voyce had not taken his usual route home in the prevailing conditions that night. Mr Wood said they drank alcohol in the pub, but he observed no ill-effects in Mr Voyce that evening. Dr Bloxham said there were no signs of external or internal damage and that Mr Voyce was "a well-built, muscular man". She said Mr Voyce, who was not a regular, was "good conversation" and stood at the end of the bar in good spirits. The couple, who had a son, Oscar, moved to Northumberland where Mr Voyce set up a business, having previously worked in banking after he retired from rugby.
Source:The Times
September 22, 2025 13:10 UTC
Decision to recognise Palestine is borne of urgency and principle
We have taken it now because the dire situation in Gaza and the West Bank puts the two-state solution in profound jeopardy. Advertisement• What does recognising a Palestinian state mean in practice? In the face of such despair, it would be easy for faith in a two-state solution to disappear beneath the rubble. So our decision to recognise Palestine is born of urgency and principle: a moral and practical step taken alongside France, Canada and Australia, joining more than 148 other countries which have already done the same. We need reform of the Palestinian Authority and President Abbas has himself confirmed that a Palestinian state should be demilitarised.
Source:The Times
September 22, 2025 12:46 UTC
Newspaper headlines: 'Starmer's big Gaza gamble' and 'Maga send-off'
The Daily Telegraph, external leads on the Reform UK leader, Nigel Farage's pledge to deport hundreds of thousands of legal migrants. The main headline in the Daily Express reads "West warned ISIS could be reborn in 24 hours". The paper says prison camps holding extremists in Syria are on the verge of violent uprisings which could see thousands of prisoners freed. The Sun, external says a British special forces soldier was shot seven times by accident during a training exercise. The paper says live ammo was used instead of blanks during the hostage drill and that the soldier was saved by a bulletproof vest.
Source:The Times
September 22, 2025 12:28 UTC
Bristol Universities climb in Times Guide 2025 rankings
Both UoB and UWE have risen up the best universities of the UK ranking. 8 hours agoThe University of Bristol has secured the position of the tenth best university in the UK, according to The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide. Bristol University is the 54th best university in the world, also ranking its courses in engineering, including aeronautical and manufacturing engineering, as well as civil engineering, among the UK’s top five. Whilst UWE Bristol jumped 26 places to come 38th in the UK. Bristol University is now among the top 10 universities in the UK, and UWE is now ranked among the top 10 modern universities in the UK.
Source:The Times
September 22, 2025 11:37 UTC
Flynn calls on Miliband to change oil and gas regime
He added: “It is damaging our economy, risking our energy security and leaving Scotland’s world-leading industry at breaking point”. Mr Flynn said that Mr Miliband has “the chance to right this wrong” and recommends implementing the plan by John Underhill. He wrote: “Everyone in the energy industry knows that the supply chain to deliver clean energy security is exactly the same supply chain that is delivering our energy security at present. Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce chief executive, Russell Borthwick, said: “These reports hint at welcome small steps towards more flexibility on North Sea licensing. “Jobs in oil and gas have halved since 2014 despite hundreds of licences issued during that time.
Source:The Times
September 22, 2025 11:36 UTC
US H-1B order: UK mulls free visas; Starmer explores 'global talent' reforms
“We’re kicking around the idea of cutting costs to zero," they added.The task force is chaired by Starmer’s business adviser Varun Chandra and science minister Lord Patrick Vallance. The visa is aimed at people recognised as leaders or future leaders in science, engineering, medicine, humanities, digital technology, or arts and culture. She is now reviewing inheritance tax rules for non-doms before the autumn Budget.Universities have welcomed the review but urged more support. The H-1B programme has long been the main route for skilled foreign workers, especially Indians, to take up jobs in America’s technology, research, and healthcare sectors. David Bier of the Cato Institute warned it would deal a “devastating blow” to American innovation and competitiveness.
Source:The Times
September 22, 2025 11:33 UTC
UK’s best university for 2026 revealed — and it’s not Oxford or Cambridge
Rank University Total score 1 London School of Economics and Political Science 1000 2 University of St Andrews 933 3 Durham University 906 4= University of Cambridge 903 4= University of Oxford 903 6 Imperial College London 890 7 University of Bath 861 8 University of Warwick 839 9 University College London 837 10 University of Bristol 814The UK’s higher education system, long dominated by Oxford and Cambridge , has seen a major shift in the 2026 rankings. The London School of Economics has emerged as the top university, while Durham University secured third place. For the first time in more than three decades, Oxford and Cambridge both fell out of the top three in The Times UK Universities Rankings 2026.According to The Times report, the London School of Economics secured the top position with a perfect score of 1000. The University of St Andrews followed in second place with 933 points, while Durham University ranked third with 906.Oxford and Cambridge, historically fixtures at the top, were jointly placed at the fourth position with 903 points each. This marks the first time in 32 years that neither university appeared in the top three.The rankings are based on factors including teaching quality, employment outcomes, and sustainability measures.
Source:The Times
September 22, 2025 11:10 UTC
UK taxes to rise steadily to combat mounting public spending pressures – KPMG
Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy noticeThe UK Government faces tough tax choices in the years ahead with mounting public spending pressures versus sluggish economic growth, according to new forecasts. The accountancy giant is forecasting UK gross domestic product (GDP) to rise by 1.2% over 2025 and 1.1% in 2026. This is likely to result in tax rises in the autumn Budget, rather than cutbacks to spending on public services, KPMG forecast. Ms Selfin said the Bank of England will “proceed cautiously” but that slowing economic growth and a weakening jobs market means it is likely to ease borrowing costs before the end of the year.
Source:The Times
September 22, 2025 11:06 UTC
=23rd in the UK and 4th in Scotland in Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026
=23rd in the UK and 4th in Scotland in Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026Dear colleagues,I am pleased to report that the University has continued to perform well in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026 published today, with a ranking of =23rd within the UK and 4th in Scotland. It is particularly pleasing to see that the University remains ranked in the national top quartile band for Student Experience, Entry Standards, Graduate Prospects and Good Honours. Going forward, the University will be focusing on improving performance under various measures, including the National Student Survey metric for Teaching Quality. The People & Planet metric introduced last year, which focuses on sustainability, is the area with the greatest potential for improvement. We have also been ranked in the UK Top 10 in another six subjects: Anatomy & Physiology (6th), Politics & IR (6th), English (6th), Geology (7th), Drama, Dance & Cinematics (8th), and Education (9th).
Source:The Times
September 22, 2025 09:11 UTC
uk global talent visa: UK considers scrapping visa fees to attract top global talent
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is weighing proposals to abolish visa fees for leading scientists, academics, and digital experts as part of efforts to drive growth, the Financial Times reported. While the Home Office has not yet formally taken up the proposals, officials confirmed that visa routes remain under review. “This isn’t about diluting our determination to bring down net migration but it’s about getting the brightest and best into Britain. There is unity across government on this,” said one official.Chancellor Rachel Reeves is also reviewing the tax system to ensure it supports the UK’s ability to attract top global talent. Her recent changes to the non-domicile tax regime have raised concerns about wealthy individuals leaving Britain, though early data suggests the impact has been limited.In the year ending June 2023, the number of global talent visas granted rose 76 per cent to 3,901.
Source:The Times
September 22, 2025 05:20 UTC
'Performative': US on recognition of Palestinian state by UK, Australia, Canada; terms Israel's security 'priority'
The United States has termed the recognition of Palestinian state by key allies like Britain, Australia and Canada a "performative gesture." It further cleared its stance on the middle east crisis listing Israel's security as one of it priority, along with the release of hostages. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized a two-state solution, called for a Gaza ceasefire, and rejected Hamas’ role in governance. Over 65,000 Palestinians have died and roughly 1,66,000 have been injured, according to the health ministry. Nearly 90% of the population has been displaced, and famine conditions are emerging in Gaza City, as the conflict fuels ongoing international diplomatic concern and condemnation.
Source:The Times
September 22, 2025 04:05 UTC
Hamas sees Keir Starmer’s Palestine statement as vindication for murder
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Source:The Times
September 22, 2025 00:06 UTC
Times letters: Keir Starmer’s faltering start as prime minister
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Source:The Times
September 21, 2025 23:27 UTC
Why Keir Starmer has finally recognised Palestine as a state
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Source:The Times
September 21, 2025 23:10 UTC