Chinese Grand Prix practice, sprint, qualifying and race times, UK times, plus weather forecast
Round two of the 2025 Formula 1 season heads to the Shanghai International Circuit for the Chinese Grand Prix from 21-23 March. China is the first of six sprint events this season, with Miami, Belgium, Austin, Brazil and Qatar hosting the other five. Tyre supplier Pirelli has chosen the C2 (white, hard), C3 (yellow, medium) and C4 (red, soft) compounds for the 56-lap race in Shanghai. Sunday's race starts at 07:00 GMT. McLaren's Lando Norris triumphed in an incident-packed Australian Grand Prix, beating world champion Max Verstappen and Mercedes' George Russell to take victory in treacherous conditions.
Source:The Times
March 16, 2025 12:46 UTC
Arrested Palestine activist Mahmoud Khalil worked for UNRWA and UK government
AP photoMahmoud Khalil: In His Own WordsMahmoud Khalil , the 30-year-old Palestinian-Syrian activist, arrested by ICE agents has been working for the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for four years while pursuing his graduate degree at Columbia University . New information about his background before becoming a student leader in last spring’s disruptive campus protests has surfaced.Born in 1995, Khalil grew up in a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria. After fleeing to Lebanon during the civil war, he earned a computer science degree and later worked at the UK embassy’s Syria office in Beirut. From June to November 2023, he worked for UNRWA.Before working for UNRWA, Khalil held a senior position at the UK’s Syria office in Lebanon, which would have required a strict background check and "rigorous security clearance," according to Andrew Waller, a former colleague of Khalil who spoke to The Guardian. Khalil’s attorneys on the other hand claim his detention violates his First Amendment right to free speech, calling it “retaliation” by the Trump administration for his political views.
Source:The Times
March 16, 2025 11:52 UTC
Council tells struggling Birmingham pubs 'evolve with the times or be left behind'
Council tells struggling Birmingham pubs 'evolve with the times or be left behind'Digbeth pubs have blamed the authority for 'killing off' their historic venuesRoad works and a bus gate outside The Moseley Arms (Image: Nick Wilkinson/Birmingham Live )Birmingham City Council's transport boss has told struggling pubs fearing they could go under that they 'need to evolve' with the times or be left behind. Digbeth pub owners say Birmingham City Council is "killing" their businesses (Image: Nick Wilkinson/BirminghamLive )In response to the publicans' concerns, Coun Mahmood said they needed to "evolve" with a changing city. The cabinet member for environment and transport said: "The city centre is evolving and the food and beverage offer needs to evolve with it. "You never know which way the council will shut the roads next," she said. Article continues belowWhen asked what action he would like to see from the cash-strapped council, Patrick said: "We need communication; actual support.
Source:The Times
March 16, 2025 11:31 UTC
When do clocks go forward UK? Date clocks change in 2025
Each year the clocks are moved back in autumn and moved forward again in spring, yet many of us still get caught out by an hour. The clocks moving forward in spring will mark the start of British summer as we move from Greenwich Mean Time to British Summer Time. When do the clocks go forward in 2025? The clocks always go forward at 1am on the final Sunday of March which this year falls on Sunday, March 30. The principal reason we change the clocks is to get the most out of the daylight.
Source:The Times
March 16, 2025 11:02 UTC
'Shocking' new blow for elderly British couple jailed by the Taliban in Afghanistan - as family say they have been moved to a maximum security prison and separated from each other
An elderly British couple detained by the Taliban in Afghanistan have been separated and moved to a maximum security prison in a 'shocking escalation' of their plight, their concerned daughter has revealed. Describing their detention as 'cruel' and 'unjust', Entwhistle pleaded with the Taliban to release her parents without further delay. Last month, a Taliban spokesman said the couple, who hold Afghan passports, would be released 'soon'. Describing the British couple, the employee said: 'They are the most honourable people I have ever met in my life. Taliban authorities have banned post-primary education for girls and women, restricted employment and blocked access to parks and other public places.
Source:The Times
March 16, 2025 11:00 UTC
Britain's Got Talent fans complain as show pulled from ITV
The 18th series of the popular ITV talent show began late last month (February). Britain's Got Talent may not be the telly this weekend, but we *promise* we'll make up for it next weekend! pic.twitter.com/47fyqU1bUz — BGT (@BGT) March 15, 2025One fan, posting on X (formerly Twitter), said: "Britain's got talent not on tonight so I am a little bit p****d about that. Britain's Got Talent will return to it's usual Saturday night slot next weekend. The next episode of Britain's Got Talent will air at 7pm on ITV, ITVX and STV next Saturday (March 22).
Source:The Times
March 16, 2025 10:09 UTC
UK’s new ‘Nostradamus’ made a chilling prediction using ancient Indian astrology - and it turned true!
Smoke billows from the MV Solong cargo ship in the North Sea, off the Yorkshire coast, Tuesday, March 11, 2025, England. (Dan Kitwood/Pool Photo via AP)What is Nadi astrology? Craig Hamilton-Parker , also known as the ‘Prophet of Doom’, eerily predicted a major maritime disaster in the North Sea Using Nadi astrology, an ancient Indian prophecy method, the New Nostradamus foresaw the oil tanker accident and shared it in his YouTube video on March 4. Meanwhile, all 23 crew members of the Stena Immaculate were rescued.Nadi astrology is an ancient form of astrology originating in the southern part of India, particularly in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. "Previously, Mr. Hamilton-Parker and his wife, Jane, have made predictions about the COVID-19 pandemic, Brexit, and the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
Source:The Times
March 16, 2025 05:20 UTC
Dicksons: A taste of tradition
He says: “It was a very strong business, but naturally without direction, and we blundered around in the dark for a bit. Then, anticipating significant legal changes to food hygiene and preparation under new EU regulations in 1990, Dicksons moved again to its current headquarters off Boldon Lane. Two years after setting up a family council, Dicksons was named Coutts’ UK Family Business of the Year in 2010. “The ice cream parlour closed when I was ten, but we spent Saturdays there as children. “I suppose my love of food was inevitable, as I was exposed to it on both sides of the family – ice cream on one side, pies and sausages on the other.
Source:The Times
March 16, 2025 05:13 UTC
Newly launched think tank looks to focus on the 'true' North
Former Carlisle MP John Stevenson launched his newest venture last week, the True North think tank, which will develop ambitious policy ideas and initiatives to benefit the north east and Cumbria. "First of all it's an opportunity to produce articles on topical issues and public policy," said Mr Stevenson, who is the chair of the group. True North views devolution as a path to accelerate economic growth and reduce the income gap in the region. (Image: LDR Service)The current make-up of the team at True North leans Conservative, however, they're keen to work with people from across the political spectrum. "It [True North] will probably have a potential centre-right emphasis, but actually it's about the common ground," said Mr Stevenson.
Source:The Times
March 16, 2025 05:02 UTC
Glasgow hotel named in list of top 100 places to stay in UK
House of Gods, which is located on the corner of Glassford Street and Wilson Street in Merchant City, came in at number 17 on the listThe list says the five-storey luxury boutique hotel is said to be "becoming one of the city's coolest hangouts" with it being praised for its "fun decor" and "affordable" prices. READ NEXT: American TikToker goes viral with video of 'unreal' Glasgow accentA review of the hotel also described it as "Merchant City's sexiest hangout". House of Gods opened its doors in April last year following a three-year renovation of the building. The hotel is known for its maximalist design and has a cocktail bar on the ground-floor as well as a rooftop bar.
Source:The Times
March 16, 2025 01:56 UTC
I held Holly Newton’s killer in headlock & was knifed 4 times… I regret not being able to save her, says hero boyfriend
5 Brave Alan Lawson shows one of his scars after he was stabbed four times while battling to save Holly Newton Credit: NNP5 Alan described victim Holly as gentle and said: 'She was nice and caring. I wasn’t thinking about myself, I was thinking about Holly and her family. They had split a number of times in the past, but shortly before her date with Alan, Holly had decided to end the relationship permanently. I ran outside, went down the alleyway and saw him on top of her. Passing sentence, Mr Justice Hilliard told MacPhail that Alan “heard Holly screaming and saying to you to stop and get off her.
Source:The Times
March 16, 2025 01:33 UTC
UK PM Urges Putin to Negotiate for Ukraine Peace Deal
Russia, Ukraine trade overnight aerial attacksRussia begins deminingUK premier Keir Starmer said the "ball was in Russia's court" and that President Vladimir Putin would "sooner or later" have to "come to the table," after a virtual summit on Saturday to garner support for a coalition willing to protect any eventual truce in Ukraine.The British leader told some 26 fellow leaders as they joined the group call hosted by Downing Street that they should focus on how to strengthen Ukraine, protect any ceasefire and keep up the pressure on Moscow. While Ukraine had shown it was the "party of peace" by agreeing to a 30-day unconditional ceasefire, "Putin is the one trying to delay," he said.Military chiefs will meet again on Thursday in the UK as the coalition moves into "the operational phase," Starmer said after the talks.Russia and Ukraine traded heavy aerial blows overnight, with both sides reporting Saturday more than 100 enemy drones over their respective territories. The attacks come less than 24 hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin met with US envoy Steve Witkoff to discuss details of the American proposal for a 30-day ceasefire in the war with Ukraine.Russian engineering units have started demining operations in reclaimed border areas of the Kursk region, the Russian defence ministry said Saturday. The efforts are aimed to facilitate the restoration of essential infrastructure and the resumption of economic activities following intense combat, it said.
Source:The Times
March 16, 2025 00:50 UTC
David McWilliams: We witnessed in the White House the ‘Doonbegisation’ of Irish foreign policy
We witnessed in the White House the “Doonbegisation” of Irish foreign policy, a nostalgic version of Oirishness – half Five Lamps, half Five Iron – a dreamy place that resides in the head of the US president. For decades Germany slumbered, allowing the US to set policy, happy to save money under the protective umbrella of the American deterrent. For the first time in this Brexit decade, the EU wants Britain and Britain wants Europe. Is a UK referendum on the EU a political risk 10 years after the last one? One June 2023 study estimated support at 61 per cent (excluding undecideds) against 39 per cent for staying out.
Source:The Times
March 16, 2025 00:02 UTC
Trump drafts three-tier US travel ban targeting 43 countries
Read our privacy policyPresident Donald Trump appears to have expanded the scope of the travel ban from his first term to include 43 countries, according to a report. Although Trump failed to reintroduce the “travel ban” on “day one” of his second term, as he promised, he did issue an executive order on January 20 directing cabinet members to draft a list of countries that should face full or partial travel restrictions because their "vetting and screening information is so deficient" within 60 days. Now, with that deadline approaching, a draft list of proposed countries banned from traveling to the US is circulating, the New York Times reported. The “red” list includes 11 countries whose citizens would be entirely forbidden from entering the US: Afghanistan, Bhutan, Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela and Yemen. Ten countries whose citizens will be limited from entering but not entirely banned, meaning they are required to have specific visas, were on the “orange” list.
Source:The Times
March 15, 2025 22:04 UTC
Short-term manager Tuchel picks short-term squad. What did you expect?
My only regret is that I wasn’t there to see Mark Bullingham’s face when news of that squad went round headquarters. One questioner informed Tuchel that the country were poring over his squad for clues to what England manager he might be. Yet if Tuchel does make use of him in either of the upcoming matches there is a small chance the player could be booed on to the pitch at Wembley, as has happened before. Yet this was never about winning friends, winning hearts or winning minds. It does not mean Ratcliffe does not want the women’s team to thrive, just that he knows the team doing the heavy financial lifting.
Source:The Times
March 15, 2025 18:04 UTC