UK - The Independent

*Please note: The news links below will open a new window.

1. Joe Rogan slams Trump’s ‘insane’ war with Iran which he says could ‘start a World War III’

   ‘That’s the scary thing about old leaders — it’s like, death is imminent,’ Rogan said

2. Pressure mounts on Starmer to fix student loans as MPs launch inquiry

   The Commons Treasury committee is to look at student loans and graduate taxation, warning students have become ‘intensely dissatisfied’ with the current system

3. Man arrested at airport after trying to smuggle 2,238 live ants in his luggage

   Investigators said a search of Zhang Kequn’s luggage recovered 2,238 ants

4. Calls for Mandelson to give £75k to charity amid outrage over payout

5. F1 2026 Chinese GP schedule: Race start time, sprint details and TV coverage

   F1’s new era moves on to the Shanghai International Circuit for the first sprint weekend in 2026

6. Rory McIlroy to make late call on Players Championship participation after back problem

   McIlroy said he was taking it ‘hour by hour’ with his Players Championship title defence in the balance

7. First six days of the Iran war cost more than $11.3B, Pentagon tells Congress in closed-door briefing: report

   Democrats, frustrated with a lack of public details about the war, are calling for hearings on Capitol Hill

8. Target boycott over DEI practices is not over, activists say, despite protest leader’s claim

   Big box retailer opposed by demonstrators over move to end diversity hiring initiative – but future of movement now unclear given disagreement among leadership

9. Jeremy Doku sure Man City can turn around Real Madrid tie in Champions League

   City were stunned by a brilliant first-half hat-trick from Federico Valverde.

10. Cheltenham Festival weather: Latest forecast for day three with cloud cover and dry spells

    The rain held off on day one with Wednesday’s forecast looking similarly dry