Ministers plan a voluntary Army gap‑year for under‑25s from March 2026. Paid recruits receive basic training and life skills, with an option to leave or progress to service and operations. Starting with 150 places and modelled on Australia’s scheme, it aims to boost recruitment to over 1,000 a year.

Polls analysed by Sir John Curtice suggest politics is entering uncharted territory as Reform tops support and the Greens surge, pushing the combined vote of the two main parties to a record low. Labour faces losses on both flanks, with the Tories edging ahead and five parties above 10%.

Newly unsealed US files detail emails between Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell and addresses linked to Andrew, including messages from Balmoral and an alias “The Invisible Man,” discussing introductions to friends. A victim urges a UK investigation into the matter.

Luke Bunker, 29, developed silicosis, COPD and emphysema after cutting quartz‑engineered kitchen worktops. He calls for urgent safety checks and a ban on the material to protect workers from silica dust, amid rising cases reported in the trade.