The Times

BBC bosses were relieved to announce Anna Foster as the Today programme’s new presenter. Foster, a former Middle East correspondent and 5 Live presenter, is expected to bring valuable expertise to the Radio 4 show, which attracts almost six million listeners. Colleagues described Foster, who broadcast live from the Turkey earthquake in February 2023, as “utterly unflappable”. But her greatest test could be yet to come as she prepares to join the notoriously tough Today team, replacing the much-missed Mishal Husain

When Hero Hirsh was 19, she ate a piece of cheese that changed her life. She was working Saturday shifts at a cheesemonger’s in Pimlico, southwest London, while studying at catering college and planning to become a chef. Later this year, Hirsh will join 14 other candidates in an attempt to become the first master of cheese, a new international accolade awarded by the Academy of Cheese to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional knowledge, skill and commitment to cheese. 🧀 Can you tell your Emmental from your Edam? Take our quiz to see if you could be a contender: https://lnkd.in/e-cSX2ud

“The Tesla boss is so touchy he filed a lawsuit when I gave him a bad review. So how will he cope now that the eco hippies who used to idolise him have turned on his cars? I’d love to remind all you Tesla drivers that I warned you 17 years ago that no good would come of your buying choice. But you didn’t listen. You chose to believe Mr Musk. And now, because of the mob, you must park your car in a locked garage, use public transport and get used to the fact that, as you queue in this increasingly hysterical and unpleasant world, some people are going to drive past you in their proper cars” | ✍️ Jeremy Clarkson 🔗 Read the full story: https://lnkd.in/ebnUeuJV

Is your marriage a bit boring? Here’s why that’s a good thing. Few would admit to being in BBH — a Boring But Happy marriage. No one wants to be Mr and Mrs Average, set in their ways, a whisker away from pipe and slippers. Better surely to be that rare glamorous pair who still can’t keep their hands off each other and have more sex than their friends. And if you’re not that couple, there can sometimes be a worry that you’ve “settled”. Not so fast. An average relationship is what we should strive for, says therapist Jean Claude Chalmet

Lucy Letby is accused of trying to “control the narrative” and “use her own victimhood as a way of deflecting attention away from her actions”, according to legal submissions on behalf of the victims’ families. Representatives for the families of the babies killed by the nurse say a campaign to free Letby is based on flawed reasoning and factual errors, and that campaigners have made an “unprecedented” attempt to generate maximum publicity rather than appeal her conviction in a reasoned way

Tesco and Sainsbury’s have dominated Britain’s grocery market for years, fending off competition from struggling rivals Asda and Morrisons while holding their ground against the rise of German discounters Aldi and Lidl. Their grip has been reinforced by aggressive pricing strategies and well-honed loyalty schemes, helping them weather challenges in an increasingly cut-throat industry. But this month, a surprising force has re-entered the race to the top: Asda. The UK’s third-largest supermarket has been in decline in recent years, hindered by its private equity owners’ highly leveraged buyout. However, with an industry veteran at the helm, Asda is making a serious bid to reclaim market share among the UK’s top supermarket chains

More landlords than chicken shops — how did that happen? A record 61,517 limited companies holding buy-to-let property were set up last year — 23% more than in 2023, according to the estate agency Hamptons. Since 2016, when tax relief on mortgage interest payments was first cut for landlords, the number of buy-to-let companies has risen 332%. The number of buy-to-let property owners who are registered as a company is now higher than the number of fast food outlets. Rachel Mortimer explains why

Here’s how to play 18-holes on your lunch break — you just need €45k Imagine being able to fit in a game of golf on your lunch break or on a dark evening in winter, and in rain, hail or sunshine. Sure, moving to the Algarve might increase your opportunities to sneak in a round, but that is probably not practical for most. Some Irish golfers are instead choosing to bring the course to them, investing in state-of-the-art golf simulator rooms in their back gardens. The price tag? Expect a starting price of €45,000

When planning a trip, great eating places are often at the top of the must-visit list, but it is easy to get caught out with poor restaurants and expensive meals when you are not sure what’s hot and what’s not. To help you plan your next adventure, five leading Irish chefs share the restaurants where great dining is the destination. Exceptional Irish chefs, including Dervilla O’Flynn at Ballymaloe House Hotel and Danni Barry at Ballynahinch Castle, share their favourite restaurants 🧑🍳

How much does it really cost to raise children in the UK? A couple would need to make £88,000 a year to support two pre-school children and pay the mortgage while maintaining a “minimum” standard of living in England, research shows. For a family of four in England with a two-year-old, a four-year-old, one child in primary school and one in secondary school, a household would need to earn £120,960 — £60,480 each if split equally between both parents. About 60% of workers in the UK earn below the £44,000 annual salary each partner would need to pay the average mortgage and support two children. The median wage in the UK this year was £37,430. 🔗 Read the full story: https://lnkd.in/e4xux_Rf