Parliament may be destroyed by 'catastrophic' event, MPs warn // There is a risk Parliament could be destroyed by a "catastrophic incident" before repair works are carried out, a group of MPs has warned. The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) said there was a "critical need" to restore the building. Up to £2m a week is being spent on repairs but there is still a growing list of health and safety incidents, some involving asbestos.
Rishi Sunak seeks closer ties with Japan ahead of G7 summit // Rishi Sunak has agreed new defence and economic deals with Japan in a visit to Tokyo, ahead of the G7 summit in Hiroshima. Speaking on board the JS Izumo aircraft carrier, the PM announced a partnership featuring closer UK-Japanese co-operation between armed forces, cyber-agencies and semiconductor companies. He also said Japanese firms would be investing almost £18bn in the UK.
Vauxhall-maker warns Brexit may force it to close UK factory // One of the world's biggest carmakers has warned it may have to close UK factories if the government does not renegotiate the Brexit deal. Stellantis, which owns Vauxhall, Peugeot, Citroen and Fiat, had committed to making electric cars in the UK, but says that is under threat. It warned it could face tariffs of 10% on exports to the EU due to rules on where parts are sourced from.
Johnny Depp: Critics lukewarm to comeback film Jeanne du Barry // US film star Johnny Depp has returned to the international stage for the first time in three years, appearing on the red carpet at the opening night of the Cannes Film Festival. He signed autographs and took selfies with fans before the premiere of Jeanne du Barry, in which he plays Louis XV alongside actress and director Maïwenn. It is Depp's first major role since a series of high-profile court battles with his ex-wife Amber Heard.
TikTok ban: What could it mean for creators? // Is TikTok going to be banned? It's a question lots of people are asking. And the answer, for now, seems to be no. It's unlikely that the massively popular app's going to disappear anytime soon. But the US government has been talking about outlawing it, and politicians in America have been grilling its boss over privacy and national security concerns. One state, Montana, has just passed a law that will ban TikTok on personal devices from next year.
Ant and Dec taking break from Saturday Night Takeaway 'to catch their breath' // Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly will take a break from Saturday Night Takeaway after the 2024 series, ITV has said. Reaching the "milestone" of 20 series seemed like the "perfect time to pause for a little while and catch our breath," the presenting duo said. The series previously took a pause in 2009 - returning four years later.
Ivan Toney: Football Association to block any attempt to get round ban by leaving England // Brentford striker Ivan Toney would be blocked from any attempt to get around his eight-month football ban by joining a club outside England. Toney was suspended until January 2024 and fined £50,000 by an independent panel after admitting 232 breaches of Football Association betting rules. The ban, which the FA will enforce, only applies in England.
Rafael Nadal out of 2023 French Open and plans retirement in 2024 // Rafael Nadal will miss the French Open for the first time in 19 years after a hip injury ruled out the record 14-time men's singles champion.The 36-year-old Spaniard, who has won 22 major titles, also said he plans to retire after the 2024 season.
Kevin Sinfield carries Rob Burrow over Leeds marathon finish // Rugby league legend Kevin Sinfield stopped short of the finish at the inaugural Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon to carry his friend over the line. The event named after former Leeds Rhinos star Burrow, who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2019, saw more than 12,000 people take part.
Bank of England economist sorry for 'accept you're poorer' remark // The Bank of England's top economist has said he is sorry for using "inflammatory" language to suggest people must accept they are poorer. Huw Pill recently said people needed to stop asking for pay rises to keep up with soaring prices because this risked keeping inflation higher for longer. However, his remarks prompted criticism, including from his own boss.
Record numbers not working due to ill health // The number of people not working in the UK due to long-term sickness has risen to a new record, official figures show. More than two and a half million are not working due to health problems, the Office for National Statistics said. It blamed an increase in mental health issues in younger people and people suffering back and neck pain, possibly due to home working, for the rise.
Eleven million Britons struggling to pay bills // The number of adults struggling to pay their bills and debts has soared to nearly 11 million, new figures show. Some 3.1 million more people faced difficulties in January than they did in May last year, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said. It found that 11% of adults had missed a bill or loan payment in at least three of the previous six months.