Author: INDEPENDENT

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emailsSign up to our free breaking news emailsFrench firefighters are battling a blaze at Rouen cathedral, with thick black plumes of smoke billowing into the sky.The spire of the cathedral in Normandy has been evacuated, according to the city’s mayor, with around 70 firefighters and 40 fire engines dispatched to the scene.A jewel of French medieval gothic architecture, the cathedral dates back to the 12th century and was painted multiple times by impressionist artist Claude Monet in the 19th century, lifting its…

Sign up to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter sent straight to your inbox for freeSign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter Europe’s best strikers have been vying for individual honours as well as team success as they aim to top the scoring charts at Euro 2024.The quadrennial continental tournament is currently taking place in Germany with many of the world’s top marksmen on show and battling it out for the Golden Boot.Cristiano Ronaldo became the leading scorer in competition history with five goals at Euro 2020 taking his overall aggregate to 14 and sealing the Golden Boot in…

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inboxGet our free Inside Washington emailDespite attempting to dig himself out of the political crisis that has engulfed him since his debate debacle, Joe Biden appears to become more entrenched with every swipe of the shovel.Fourteen House Democrats – nine publicly and at least five privately – and one Senator have so far called on the president to drop out of the race for the White House, as of Thursday. At least 19 futher current and former senior party members have publicly raised…

Sign up to our free sport newsletter for all the latest news on everything from cycling to boxingSign up to our free sport email for all the latest newsWatch live on Thursday (11 July) as Walter the oracle orangutan predicts the winner of England and Spain’s Euro 2024 final.England reached the Euro 2024 final after Ollie Watkins’ superb last-minute strike secured a 2-1 win over the Netherlands to face Spain on Sunday.A lively start in Dortmund saw Xavi Simons punish Declan Rice in possession with a stunning strike from range.But the Three Lions responded, just as they did against Switzerland…

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekdayYour briefing on the latest headlines from across the USA one-year-old baby who survived two days of stormy weather was found crawling along the side of the road in America.A Louisiana sheriff says the “miracle baby” was spotted by a truck driver crawling along a roadside the day after his four-year-old brother was found dead and his mother was arrested in Mississippi. Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Gary “Stitch” Guillory said the baby had numerous bug bites but otherwise appeared to be in good condition. Autopsy reports…

Sign up to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter sent straight to your inbox for freeSign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter England are through to a second consecutive European Championship final after beating the Netherlands in Dortmund. Gareth Southgate’s side suffered a heartbreaking defeat to Italy in the final of Euro 2020 three years ago, losing on penalties at Wembley. But the Three Lions will have the chance to win their first major men’s international tournament in 57 years in the Euro 2024 final. Despite poor performances in the group stages, England have beaten Slovakia, Switzerland and Netherlands…

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emailsSign up to our free breaking news emailsA father in Australia has been charged with murder after he allegedly set fire to his home and trapped his children inside.The 28-year-old man, who was not named by the police, has been charged with killing his two boys, aged three and six, and a five-month-old baby girl.He first attacked his partner before setting his Lalor Park home on fire and then attempted to trap his seven children inside at about 1am on Sunday, the…

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the worldSign up to our free Morning Headlines emailA major supermarket will close its Express stores in England early on Sunday for the Euro 2024 final following the Three Lions win in their semi-final against the Netherlands on Wednesday.Earlier, the UK’s biggest grocer Tesco said its more than 1,800 Express stores will close at 7.30pm instead of the usual 10pm or 11pm to allow employees to watch a final involving England.Tesco said the move would allow thousands of colleagues to get home or to the pub in time…

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekdayYour briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Prosecutors sought to cast Alec Baldwin as someone who flouts rules and has little regard for safety at the first day of his New Mexico trial in the shooting of a cinematographer. Special prosecutor Erlinda Ocampo Johnson repeatedly referred to Baldwin playing “make-believe” with a revolver on the set of the film “Rust,” and said it led to very real danger and the death of Halyna Hutchins, whom she called “a vibrant 42-year-old rising star.”…

Sign up to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter sent straight to your inbox for freeSign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter And so the ultimate clash of philosophies is off. Spain against England is a final of teams who had seemed to be road-testing theories on the route to Berlin: Spain that it was impossible to win Euro 2024 without playing well in every game, England that it was possible to win it without playing well in any.Until, as though scarred by the elimination of their soulmates from France, England delivered something that had come to feel out…