Category : Focus

Qantas agrees payouts over 'ghost flights'

Qantas agrees to pay millions to settle lawsuit accusing it of selling tickets to cancelled flights.

Train strikes: How May's disruption affects you

Train drivers are staging an overtime ban and strikes around the May Bank Holiday.

The rise of Sweden's super rich

Why the Nordic nation, despite its reputation for social equality, has so many billionaires.

Eurotunnel says no queues with new travel system

The firm's boss says extra lanes and technology means changes starting in October will go smoothly.

Eurovision winner Jamala says Ukraine ‘cannot afford’ to boycott contest

Singer says her country needs the opportunity to remind Europe of Russia’s invasionUkraine’s former Eurovision winner Jamala has said her country “cannot afford” to boycott the song contest because it needs the opportunity to remind Europe of Russia’...

The Responder series two review – another total TV triumph

Martin Freeman returns in the exquisitely painful study of a police officer’s breakdown – and it’s a rare second run that’s just as riveting and vital as the firstTwo years ago, the former police officer and debut screenwriter Tony Schumacher gave us...

I Kissed a Girl review – the sweetest, most touching reality TV in a long time

Like a lesbian Love Island, singles flirt, cry and snog on the terrace while openly communicating their feelings. It’s heartwarming stuff – but there is still plenty of drama and endless partner swapsFirst, let’s start with the premise: 10 singles ar...

May Contain Lies by Alex Edmans review – fake news rules… and that’s a fact

In our age of misinformation, this unsparing study of the many ways in which we can be deceived and how to counter the pernicious effects couldn’t be more timely“What is truth, said jesting Pilate – and would not stay for an answer.” Thus philosopher...

The Pogues review – triumphant tribute to energy and poetry of band’s early days

Hackney Empire, LondonAn inspired cast of guests from Nadine Shah to Jim Sclavunos stand in for the late Shane MacGowan in a raucous run-through of the band’s debut album and other highlightsWith late frontman Shane MacGowan replaced by a succession...

Scottish artist receives hundreds of copies of Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four in the post

People around the world have sent the book, with their personal stories, to Edinburgh for an installation to mark its publication 75 years agoCopies of George Orwell’s dystopian masterpiece Nineteen Eighty-Four have been arriving at an artist’s studi...

Free Madonna concert draws crowd of 1.6m to Brazil’s Copacabana beach

Area around Rio de Janeiro beach filled for several blocks as singer closes her Celebration world tourWith the world-famous statue towering over it from Corcovado mountain, Rio de Janeiro is well used to Christ the Redeemer. For one night only this w...

Bernard Hill, actor who rose to fame in Boys from the Blackstuff, dies aged 79

Hill’s portrayal of Yosser Hughes in 1982 BBC series launched career that included roles in Titanic and Lord of the RingsBernard Hill, the stage, television and film actor who rose to fame for his unforgettable portrayal of Yosser Hughes, has died at...

Bernard Hill, Boys from the Blackstuff and Lord of the Rings actor, dies aged 79

Hill’s portrayal of Yosser Hughes in 1982 BBC series launched career that included roles in Titanic and JRR Tolkien epicBernard Hill, the stage, television and film actor who rose to fame for his unforgettable portrayal of Yosser Hughes, has died at...

Dugsi Dayz review – young Muslim answer to The Breakfast Club fizzles out

Royal Court, LondonFour south London girls tell stories during detention at a mosque in Sabrina Ali’s play, which ends before we know much about themFour British Somali girls are thrown together in detention at a south London mosque, having erred in...

Blackbird Blackbird Blackberry review – a beguiling tale of midlife love from Georgia

Eka Chavleishvili is superb as an unmarried fortysomething woman whose life is turned upside-down by romance in Elene Naveriani’s handsome dramaThe local gossips, with their tittering, pitying glances, might find it hard to believe, but 48-year-old E...