The number of Americans who’ve left the labor force has reached a new high under President Donald Trump — eclipsing spikes tied to the Great Recession and the Covid-19 pandemic, stunning new government figures show.

The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis tallied 105.8 million people over 16 who were unemployed and not actively seeking work in June, the New York Post reported Wednesday.

That number includes 832,000 who dropped out of the labor force last month, according to the Post, and it came after American businesses created just 57,000 jobs in June, less than half the 115,000 forecast by economists surveyed by The Wall Street Journal.

The White House didn’t immediately respond to an inquiry from The Independent.

Nicholas Eberstadt, an economist at the business-friendly American Enterprise Institute think tank, said the labor-force figures illustrated a “big problem” involving “the flight from work of prime-age men.”

“Very roughly speaking, there are about 7 million of these men who are out of the labor force for the 25-to 54-year-olds,” Eberstadt told the Post.

Eberstadt, the author of 2016’s Men Without Work, described that cohort as “the healthiest, best-educated Americans that have ever lived on the planet.”

And while “what’s been carrying the overall prime-age labor force participation has been the strong involvement of women,” about 3.5 million of them have also left the labor force, he said.

“There’s a growing group of dropout women who are neither working nor looking for work, have no children under the same roof with them and no husband present,” Eberstadt said.

Americans are considered “not in the labor force” if they don’t want a job, haven’t looked for one in more than a year or aren’t available to work if offered a job, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

They’re also not counted among the nation’s unemployed workers, who in June totalled 7.1 million.

Both that number and June’s unemployment rate of 4.2 percent have been largely unchanged for the past year, the BLS said.

About half of those who’ve left the labor force are retirees, and another 23.3 percent are receiving long-term benefits for illness, disability or other reasons, the Post said.

About 17 percent are full-time students and about five percent have stopped looking for work.

Ed Miliband is expected to meet with US secretary of state Marco Rubio a day after it emerged that the Trump administration was furious at his appointment as Foreign Secretary by Andy Burnham.

Mr Miliband in the Philippine capital Manila at the same time as Mr Rubio, with both attending the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) foreign ministers’ summit.

The event marks Mr Miliband’s international stage debut after his appointment by new prime minister Mr Burnham, who assembled his cabinet on Monday.

The White House is said to be “deeply concerned” about Mr Miliband’s appointment as foreign secretary, with a warning that Donald Trump has not forgotten scathing remarks the former Labour leader has made about him in the past.

The former energy secretary has previously clashed with the US president over net zero and his attitudes to democracy and in 2016 he described the president as “a racist, misogynistic, self-confessed groper”.

Mr Burnham was cautioned that Mr Miliband has some “serious diplomatic repair to undertake” in the US, after his promotion to the role on Monday sparked anger from the Trump administration.

At the Asean summit, Mr Miliband called for calm in the conflict between Iran and the US, as Mr Trump threatened to “bomb and destroy” bridges and power stations.

He told foreign ministers gathered in the Philippines that the UK would “work intensively with others to seek to de-escalate this conflict”.

But Mr Trump, writing on his Truth Social platform, vowed to retaliate “any time the Islamic Republic of Iran shoots at a ship in the Strait of Hormuz”.

Speaking on Wednesday, Mr Miliband told ministers from Asean member states: “I know in particular how much the Iran conflict is affecting Asean partners.

“You are feeling as much as anyone across the world the daily impact on your economies and the living standards of your citizens, as well indeed as the impact on seafarers from many Asean nations.

“We too in the UK, in our own way, are feeling the effects of the conflict on families and businesses in the impacts on the cost of living.”

The Foreign Secretary added London “will work intensively with others to seek to de-escalate this conflict and find a diplomatic way forward”.

Any solution “must include reopening the Strait of Hormuz and upholding the fundamental principle of freedom of navigation”, he said.

Mr Miliband also said he welcomed a memorandum of understanding signed in June between the US and Iran, which included a deal for toll-free passage through the Strait of Hormuz for 60 days.

But efforts to honour the deal stalled when Iran targeted tankers in the Strait of Hormuz earlier this month.

At the time, Mr Trump took to Truth Social to declare that “the Cease Fire is OVER!”

The US president took to the platform again on Wednesday, when he wrote: “From this point forward, any time the Islamic Republic of Iran shoots at a ship in the Strait of Hormuz, whether it be by Missile, Rocket, Drone, or any other device or weapon, the United States will bomb and destroy ONE BRIDGE OR POWER PLANT, including those located next to, or in, the Capital City of Tehran.”

The warning came after the US carried out another wave of strikes on Iran, where air defences opened fire over Tehran.

Iran launched a missile attack on Aqaba, Jordan, and alerts were issued in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

Jordan’s military said it intercepted four Iranian missiles over Aqaba, while two others fell in “uninhabited areas”.

Mr Miliband was named Foreign Secretary on Monday, shortly after Andy Burnham entered No 10 for the first time.

The new Prime Minister has already spoken to the American leader, and his spokesman said their call was “extremely warm”.

A Downing Street spokesperson said the leaders discussed Mr Burnham’s “commitment to defence and security”, and the UK’s “commitment to securing the movement of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz to support global supply chains and drive down costs for businesses and families across the country”.

After the call, Mr Trump said the Prime Minister “has got a big job ahead of him, but he will be able to do it” and pledged that the US “will be there to help”.

The Republican president had previously described Mr Burnham as “extremely liberal” and “mayor of a town”.

Mr Burnham will continue letting the US use UK bases for defensive strikes against Iran as hostilities between the two sides ramp up again.

Anthony Joshua says he is not ready for the loss of his two close friends and team members to “sink in yet” as he prepares for his first fight since their death.

Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele died when the vehicle they were travelling in, alongside heavyweight boxer Joshua and another passenger, collided with a stationary truck on a major road near Lagos, Nigeria, on 29 December 2026.

Joshua, who sustained minor injuries, is set to return to the ring against heavyweight Kristian Prenga on Saturday for his first contest since knocking out American YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul 10 days before the crash.

The 36-year-old told BBC Sport: “It’s tough, every time I think about it, it hurts.

“Even talking about it now… pictures… it hurts but I keep my mind occupied you know.

“If I stop, you let it sink in and I’m not ready for it to sink in yet.”

Ghami was Joshua’s full-time sport and exercise rehabilitation coach and worked with him for more than 10 years.

Hours before the crash, Joshua posted a video on Instagram of him playing table tennis with his long-time friend Ayodele, a personal trainer.

Prenga will be Joshua’s first competitive fight since his knockout loss to IBF world champion Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium in September 2024.

The former world champion admitted to feeling a “little bit nervous” before his return.

“It’s competition at the highest level,” he added.

“I want to perform for my team, I want to make them proud and make myself proud.

“It’s a balance of nerves but I understand what my job is. [I have] a lot of understanding and clarity on what I have to do.”

Witnesses believe a BB gun was recovered

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Scottish police have arrested two people after responding to an incident at a Glasgow shopping centre.

The armed officers were seen outside the Monterey Jack’s restaurant in St Enoch Centre on Wednesday, July 22 at around 7pm.

Police led two people away and witnesses believe a BB gun was recovered.

Footage from the scene appears to show an object on the floor beside officers, but Police Scotland have not confirmed what the object was.

This is a breaking story and updates will follow…

Hundreds of rugby players have been left in limbo after the lawyer at the heart of the sport’s big concussion lawsuit quit the case.

More than 1,100 players have been involved in the lawsuit after legal action was launched in 2020. Those involved claim that the governing bodies of both rugby union and league – namely World Rugby, the Rugby Football Union, the Welsh Rugby Union, the Rugby Football League (RFL) and the British Amateur Rugby League Association (BARLA) – failed to put in place reasonable measures to protect them from suffering serious brain injuries during their playing careers.

Around 50 former Wales internationals have been revealed to be part of the lawsuit, including Gavin Henson, Lee Byrne, Jonathan Thomas, Ian Gough and Colin Charvis. Meanwhile, Alix Popham, Ryan Jones and Dafydd James are among those to have gone public with their claims having all been diagnosed with early onset dementia. Full details here.

The budget retailer is tapping into a growing TikTok-driven food trend centred around bold, tangy flavours.

The craze has inspired everything from themed charcuterie boards and homemade dips to inventive drinks featuring pickle-based ingredients.

Joining the movement, Aldi has launched its Deli American Style Pickle Dip, according to creatorzine.com.

What can I use the new pickle dip for?

The 170g tub is now available in stores nationwide and combines sour cream and soft cheese with crunchy gherkins and dill to create a creamy, tangy flavour.

Aldi says the dip is versatile enough to go beyond standard snacks.

It can be used as a centrepiece for a charcuterie board, spread on burger buns or even drizzled over chips.

It said: “Calling all pickle lovers!

“Aldi has just launched the ultimate savoury summer essential that’s set to fly off shelves – the new Deli American Style Pickle Dip.

“This must-have creamy Pickle Dip is crafted with a rich blend of sour cream, soft cheese, crunchy gherkins and fragrant dill.”

Shoppers have already shared their enthusiasm online.

After food account UK Newest Foods posted about the product, one user tagged a friend and wrote: “I need to get this.”

The friend responded: “Na cos why does that sound unreal.”

Another shopper offered a glowing review, writing: “10/10 no notes.”

The Deli American Style Pickle Dip is now available in Aldi stores across the UK for 95p.

What other dips does Aldi do?

Dips have become incredibly popular over the last year, with M&S creating a whole range of loaded dips that went viral on social media.

Other shops, including Aldi, have joined the craze, with the brand creating its own loaded dips such as the Extra Thick Chicken Caesar Loaded Dip, which costs only £1.99.

You can also pick up the Extra Thick Layered Indian Style Loaded Dip and the Extra Thick Whipped Feta Loaded Dip.

The store also has some more basic dips like cheese and chive, guacamole, and a garlic aioli dip.

Will you be trying out the new Aldi Deli American Style Pickle Dip? Let us know in the comments.

Legally Blonde The Musical is running at Belfast’s Grand Opera House until July 25 and Amber Davies shines as Elle Woods

Taking an iconic movie beloved by millions and adapting it for the stage is a huge gamble – will the magic translate and captivate audiences in the same way.

Legally Blonde holds a special place in the hearts of many millennials, me being one of them, so when it was turned into a musical back in 2007 it’s been on my list to see.

Finally when the production rolled into Belfast this week, it was my turn to witness the magic and see if they could bring that sparkle that makes the movie so special and turn it into a musical format.

Stepping into the pink heels of Elle Woods is Strictly star Amber Davies who first shot to the spotlight in Love Island back in 2017. But underestimate this woman at your peril because she is a complete triple-threat powerhouse.

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In a poetic way she is the perfect person to take on the role of Elle Woods, who many underestimate as she embarks on a journey to Harvard Law School to follow her ex-boyfriend Warner.

She has to prove there is more to her than her blonde hair and show everyone what she is truly capable of in her own Elle Woods style. I would say Amber may feel an element of affinity with Ms Woods, shaking off any pre-conceptions people may have of a reality TV star to show her true self, a real musical theatre star.

This role was made for her as she perfectly nails Elle’s quick quips, iconic one-liners and boy can she sing. If you watched her on Strictly then you know she can move, but she really is the full package as her vocals pack a punch as well.

The musical is very true to the rom-com we all know and love and closely follows the story as Elle follows Warner to law school, seeks to prove herself and ends up discovering so much more about herself and what she is capable of.

Along the way she meets Emmett, played by George Crawford, who helps her be her true self. I loved the natural chemistry between these two who bounced off each other and you couldn’t help but root for them in the end.

The production is high energy with the ensemble cast bringing plenty of laughs, sparkle and fun to the stage. I didn’t know any of the musical numbers before seeing the show and although I really enjoyed the performances, I didn’t leave rushing to listen to the playlist afterwards.

It’s pink, sparkly fun but for me, the songs weren’t classics I’ll be belting out in the car myself.

It was a joy to see the movie’s most famous moments, such as the bend and snap, brought to life on stage. And special mention needs to go to Karen Mavundukure as Paulette, her solo runs were stand-out moments and she brought so much energy and pure joy to the stage.

So if you are looking for a trip down memory lane and your favourite movie moments brought to life then Legally Blonde is sure not to disappoint. It’s been a hit on stage for so long for a reason. A night of pure escapism with plenty of feel-good moments so you leave feeling on a high.

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The retailer’s new partnership expands on its existing Whoosh delivery service, offering more options for fast, store-to-door deliveries.

Tesco announced that the collaboration will launch in August and make Clubcard prices and points available to even more customers across the UK.

Expanding the delivery service to Uber Eats and Deliveroo is set to bring “benefits to even more customers”.

How will Tesco shoppers benefit from the new delivery services?

Ashwin Prasad, CEO of Tesco UK, said: “Whoosh has transformed the way millions of customers shop with Tesco – offering speed, convenience, and great value through the power of Clubcard.

“Launching with Uber Eats and Deliveroo will enable us to bring those benefits to even more customers.

“Our online business continues to go from strength to strength and these partnerships represent another important step in expanding our reach.

“By combining Tesco’s market-leading range, quality, and value with the scale of Uber Eats and Deliveroo, we’re making it even easier for more customers to shop with Tesco in a way that suits them best.”

The partnerships mean that customers will be able to earn Clubcard points and benefit from Clubcard prices on orders placed through both Uber Eats and Deliveroo platforms.

Saskia De Jongh, vice president at Uber Eats, said: “As the UK’s leading delivery platform we are thrilled to partner with Britain’s biggest supermarket.

“Uber Eats reaches over 90% of people in the UK, with more and more people choosing instant delivery for the everyday essentials that keep life moving.

“We cannot wait to help bring Tesco’s Clubcard Prices and quality products to an even wider range of customers this August.”

Tesco’s Whoosh service has offered customers rapid delivery since 2021, promising groceries in as little as 20 minutes from around 1,800 stores.

The company said Whoosh sales grew by 51 per cent over the past year, with around 1.5 million customers using the service across the UK.

Are you excited that Tesco will be offering deliveries through Uber Eats and Deliveroo? Let us know in the comments.

A Jacobean survivor on the Tees

Set at the west end of Gainford, the hall has been a landmark in the village for more than 400 years, its tall chimneys and clustered gables giving it the classic “Old Hall” silhouette that once made it a favourite subject for art students at Gainford Academy.

It sits on the edge of the village above the river, surrounded by old gardens, orchards and former farm buildings that tell the story of its working past.

Built for a colourful cleric

Gainford Hall was built around 1600–1603 for the village’s vicar, Reverend John Cradock, whose “remarkable” career took him from Durham to London and back again.

He is thought to have commissioned one of the earliest fully designed “double‑pile” houses in the North – two rooms deep, with central chimneys and staggered floors served by staircases at either end – a layout that was cutting‑edge for its day.

Dr Cradock was one of the most controversial and possibly corrupt clerics of his day, arrested by his enemies mid-service in Durham Cathedral and perhaps murdered by his own wife who had become fed up with his intrigues.

Without a rich clerical patron to continue updating it, the hall slipped into use as a farmhouse and was described as “dilapidated” by the mid‑19th century.

Some restoration work was carried out in the 1840s by architect William Burn, but for much of its life Gainford Hall survived by being largely left alone, its original form spared the heavy remodelling that changed many country houses beyond recognition.

From ‘at risk’ to restored

By the late 20th century, the Grade I‑listed hall and its 17th‑century dovecote were both on Historic England’s Buildings at Risk register, empty for years and in urgent need of major repair.

Raby Estates, which owns the property, has since funded a substantial restoration programme – including new roof timbers, repointing of external walls and steel ties to secure the structure – partly through new housing developments in Gainford and nearby Staindrop.

That work has now seen both the hall and dovecote removed from the risk register, with the interior refurbished as a large residential property.

It is arranged over six staggered floors, retaining fireplaces, high ceilings and views across the Tees to the south.

The estate describes letting the hall as a “truly unique opportunity” and was previously exploring long‑term, sympathetic uses that fit its heritage significance.

You might find yourself walking through the store with your arms full of items and struggling to carry them all.

You can either go all the way back to the shop’s entrance to pick up a basket or struggle to carry everything to the checkout.

After seeing shoppers walking through its stores with so many products, B&M has made a change to its stores that fans are calling “genius”.

How has B&M changed its stores?

In a video posted to TikTok, B&M has revealed it is adding baskets to the end of the middle aisles in the store as well as at the entrance.

The video was captioned with “game changer” and the text on it read: “When we decided to put baskets in the middle of the aisles.”

Fans of the store have flooded the video’s comments with praise for the change with one saying: “I saw these yesterday, with my hands full of stuff, and thought ‘genius’.

“Why did it take this long?

“No more trudging back to the doors for a basket!

“Plus, finally pull along ones.”

Another user commented: “If I had a pound for every time my mother-in-law says half way around ‘we should have got a basket’.

“Love this idea.”

Another fan has asked for trolleys to be added to the middle aisles as well for when people need to “upgrade”.

Others have already used the baskets in the middle aisle with one person saying: “Helped a girl out when everything was falling out of my hands.”

When did B&M open in the UK?

B&M is a discount retail store that sells a range of products from groceries and homeware to garden items and furniture.

B&M was founded in 1978 and has slowly become one of the leading retailers in the UK.

The first store was opened in Blackpool, and the brand now has more than 700 stores and employs more than 35,000 people.

Every week, more than four million customers visit B&M stores across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Are you excited by the new change introduced at B&M stores? Let us know in the comments.