University of Oxford named best in the world for 10th year
The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026 has named three UK institutions in the top 10 with Oxford taking the first spot once again. The University of Oxford was ranked the best university in the world for the 10th year running(Image: Oxford University)Overall, 11 UK universities made it into Times Higher Education’s top 100 worldwide. Times Higher Education ranked 109 UK institutions out of the 2,191 total. University of Leeds saw its best ever year as it climbed from 123rd to 118th, while the University of Liverpool jumped from joint 160th to 143rd. Elsewhere in the world, Ireland’s best university – Trinity College Dublin – has seen its ranking fall from 139th to 173rd, its worst performance.
Source:The Times
October 09, 2025 05:01 UTC
Hamas agrees to first phase of Gaza peace deal
Hamas and Israel have agreed to the first phase of Donald Trump’s peace plan. The terror group has pledged to release all Israeli hostages and Israel will withdraw its troops to an “agreed-upon line”. The US president hailed the “historic and unprecedented event” in a late-night announcement, adding that it was the first step towards peace in the Middle East. News of an agreement drew celebratory gatherings from hostage families in Tel Aviv and cautious optimism from some in Gaza. Hamas intends to release all 20 living hostages in a matter of days, while the Israeli military will begin a withdrawal from the majority of Gaza.
Source:The Times
October 09, 2025 03:05 UTC
‘It hit me and I shook it off’: Swimmer fights off great white shark attack
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Source:The Times
October 09, 2025 02:31 UTC
Israel and Hamas agree on first phase of Gaza peace plan, says US
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Source:The Times
October 09, 2025 00:45 UTC
Oxford is still top of the class but UK universities perform their worst in a decade amid warning of 'new world order'
Oxford is still the best university in the world despite the worst performance in a decade from the UK overall, according to new rankings. A total of 28 UK universities lost ground in the ranking, more than double the 13 that made improvements, while 64 retained their positions. The UK had 11 universities in the global top 100, including University College London, Edinburgh and King’s College London. Mr Baty said that while UK universities were losing ground, ‘East Asian nations, led by China, continue to thrive and surge up the table’. A Universities UK spokesman said: ‘The UK’s universities are world leading, and continue to punch above their weight in global league tables and research partnerships.
Source:The Times
October 09, 2025 00:33 UTC
Three UK universities make top 10 in prestigious world rankings
Overall, 11 UK universities made it into Times Higher Education’s (THE) top 100 worldwide. THE ranked 109 UK institutions out of the 2,191 total. THE said the UK is joint fourth for most represented country in the rankings behind the United States, India and Japan. “The US and much of western Europe have suffered significant lost ground in the world rankings, while East Asian nations, led by China, continue to thrive and surge up the table. “It’s important to note that methodologies differ and in the recent 2026 QS World University Ranking, Trinity improved its position to rank 75th in the world,” they added.
Source:The Times
October 08, 2025 23:12 UTC
Victoria Beckham review — Posh Spice shows she has grit as well as style
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Source:The Times
October 08, 2025 23:03 UTC
New Ed Sheeran musical special coming to Netflix next month
The musical special, set for release next month, will follow Ed in New York during one afternoon, performing in real-time while interacting with fans and passersby. Ed Sheeran has created a groundbreaking, one-shot music experience directed by Adolescence’s Emmy Winner Philip Barantini. Now, the new Netflix series with Ed Sheeran will also follow the one-shot style, which has become a hallmark of Barantini's directing style. Recommended reading:When will the new Ed Sheeran Netflix special be released? 'One Shot With Ed Sheeran' is due to release on Netflix on November 21, 2025.
Source:The Times
October 08, 2025 15:12 UTC
Times letters: Keir Starmer’s denouncement of ‘un-British’ protests
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Source:The Times
October 08, 2025 15:00 UTC
Trade in focus — But will UK ease visa rules for Indians? What PM Starmer said
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Wednesday landed in Mumbai with a 125-member delegation of business leaders, entrepreneurs, and university representatives. The visit comes two and a half months after India and the United Kingdom signed a landmark free trade pact expected to double bilateral trade by 2030.Hours before departing for Mumbai, Starmer was asked whether his visit would also lead to expanded access to UK visas for Indians. The British prime minister struck a measured tone, saying that the focus of his trip was trade, investment, and economic cooperation. The visit also carries a strong cultural and sporting focus — Starmer toured Yash Raj Films studios to encourage film collaborations and attended a Premier League football showcase aimed at deepening sports diplomacy.Welcoming Starmer, Modi wrote on X, “Welcome Prime Minister Keir Starmer on your historic first visit to India with the largest ever trade delegation from the UK. Looking forward to advancing our shared vision of a stronger, mutually prosperous future.”
Source:The Times
October 08, 2025 12:28 UTC
King’s Counselling: Wait Times Rise as Students Express Dissatisfaction
Roar spoke to 43 students who have used King’s counselling services. King’s counselling services offer cognitive behavioural, integrative, or psychodynamic group or individual therapy, depending on students’ mental health needs. Alternatively, KCL offers Mental Health Advisors who provide advice on more moderate and short-term mental health difficulties. 53.5% of respondents surveyed by Roar answered ‘No’ when asked if King’s counselling services offered enough appointments and services for their needs. Rhiannon Thomas, Director of Student Support and Wellbeing at King’s said:“At King’s, we take the wellbeing of our students very seriously.
Source:The Times
October 08, 2025 11:06 UTC
India-UK trade deal: Starmer wants FTA implementation as soon as 'humanly possible'! Biggest deal since Brexit
‘Story does not stop there’India-UK FTAAgreement conclusionUK PM visits IndiaBritish PM Keir Starmer wants the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) agreement between India and UK to be implemented as soon as “humanly possible.”Speaking with delegates in Mumbai, Starmer described the deal as a major opening for both countries saying that it provides huge opportunities.The PM also mentioned that he had instructed his team to ensure the deal is implemented “as quickly as humanly possible” adding that the agreement represents Britain’s largest post-Brexit trade achievement so far.“I think the opportunities are already opening up... Our job is to make it easier for you to seize the opportunities,” he told business leaders, as cited by Reuters.Starmer also called the FTA a “launchpad” for future economic cooperation.“We signed a major trade deal with India in July—the best secured by any country—but the story doesn’t stop there,” he said.“It’s not just a piece of paper, it’s a launchpad for growth. This reduction is likely to give British whisky brands a stronger position internationally.The agreement was concluded in May after three years of on-and-off discussions, which sped up because of growing global trade tensions due to US tariffs, Reuters reported. Economists say the pact between the world’s fifth- and sixth-largest economies could increase trade by about £25.5 billion ($34 billion) by 2040. UK officials have described this figure as a starting point, with potential for much more growth.Starmer arrived in India on Tuesday with a high-level delegation of more than 125 business, cultural, and academic leaders, including senior figures from Rolls-Royce, British Telecom, Diageo, London Stock Exchange, and British Airways to ensure that they make the most of the landmark trade deal, PTI reported.He will be meeting PM Modi on Thursday as part of his visit. He also visited the Yash Raj Studios after meeting the delegates.
Source:The Times
October 08, 2025 10:03 UTC
Sad sign of the times as charity shop to shut in Newcastle
Sad sign of the times as charity shop to shut in NewcastleCancer Research UK is shutting one of its town centre storesView Image The Cancer Research UK shop on Ironmarket, in Newcastle-under-Lyme, pictured during the coronavirus pandemicCharity Cancer Research UK is shutting 190 of its shops - including one in North Staffordshire. The Newcastle-under-Lyme branch - on Ironmarket - is on an initial list of 88 shops to be closed by May. Cancer Research UK has blamed higher national insurance contributions, inflationary pressures, changing consumer habits, reduced footfall, and growing competition for the decisions. Article continues belowCancer Research UK chief executive Michelle Mitchell said: "Without action, we predict many of our shops will become unprofitable. A smaller, high-performing retail operation will mean we will fund more life-saving cancer research and better serve our customers, staff and volunteers.
Source:The Times
October 08, 2025 09:24 UTC
The Times and The Sunday Times launches The Business
The Times and The Sunday Times today announce the launch of a new weekly business podcast, The Business, hosted by respected journalists Hannah Prevett and Dominic O’Connell. Dominic covers business news for Times Radio, is a columnist for The Times, a former presenter of the Today programme for BBC Radio 4 and business editor of The Sunday Times. Hannah understands the business world inside out; her contacts include female founders, small business owners and the CEOs of some of the UK’s biggest companies. Kate Ford, executive producer and deputy head of podcasts, said: “The Times and The Sunday Times are renowned for their in-depth business coverage. With The Business podcast, we're excited to bring that expertise into audio.
Source:The Times
October 08, 2025 08:45 UTC
Scotch whisky in spotlight as UK PM Keir Starmer begins India visit
Live Eventsas a Reliable and Trusted News Source Addas a Reliable and Trusted News Source Add Now! "The historic trade deal the UK government struck with India this year is great news for Scotland and especially our whisky industry; but having secured the deal, our challenge and responsibility now is to put this deal into action," said Douglas Alexander, UK Secretary of State for Scotland. "Leading this trade mission, the Prime Minister will be beating the drum for Scotland's finest products. "This deal with India could be transformative for the industry over the long term. The British government's analysis indicates the agreement will increase bilateral trade by 25.5 billion pounds, hike UK GDP by 4.8 billion pounds, and boost wages by 2.2 billion pounds every year in the long run.
Source:The Times
October 08, 2025 06:08 UTC