Trump threatens military deployment nationwide as immigration protests flare up across US

The 700 Marines deployed by the Trump administration to Los Angeles are expected to be on the streets later today or Friday. They will support up to 4,000 National Guard troops in protecting federal property and agents, including on immigration raids.

In an interview with The Daily podcast, California Governor Gavin Newsom said the deployment, supposedly to restore order amid unrest sparked by ICE raids, was “theater, madness, unconstitutional.”

The governor and Mayor Karen Bass say the presence of troops has exacerbated tensions. Protests have been ongoing for six days.

Newsom called President Donald Trump a “stone-cold liar” after he claimed he spoke with the governor about federalizing National Guard troops and questioned his mental acuity.

Trump posted this morning that Los Angeles was “safe and sound for the last two nights,” despite continued unrest, saying it was due to the National Guard, despite their limited role, and the Marines, who are not there yet.

Police officers on foot and horseback dispersed crowds Wednesday evening in downtown LA before enforcing a curfew for the second consecutive night.

Protests have flared up in at least 37 cities since last Friday, The Independent has found. More are scheduled for today.

Mapped: Where have house prices risen the most over the past 20 years?

The extent to which house prices have soared across the UK over the past two decades has been revealed in new data – but some areas have seen far larger rises than others.

According to property website Zoopla, house prices have leapt by an average of 74 per cent since 2005, adding more than £150,000 to the average property value.

That means the average property price has risen from £113,900 to £268,200 over the past 20 years.

However, sharper rises in some areas could mean that people are priced out of buying a home in the area they grew up in.

The largest property price increases have been in London, with the cost of homes in the capital more than doubling since 2005, according to Zoopla. In the South East and East England, property values have also risen by 87 per cent.

By contrast, house prices in North East England have risen by 39 per cent during the same period. In Blackpool, average house prices have increased by 26 per cent, while in Sunderland they have risen by 22 per cent.

Scotland and Wales both saw similar levels of price increases – of 63 and 64 per cent, respectively – bringing average property prices to £168,000 north of the border, and to £206,500 in Wales.

The map below shows the increases in average house prices over the past 20 years, according to Zoopla. Figures show the average house price in 2005 followed by the average house price in 2025, and the percentage increase over the past 20 years:

To calculate the increases, Zoopla used its house price index, comparing the difference between average house prices in April 2025 and April 2024, as part of its research.

It also commissioned an Opinium survey among 2,000 people across the UK in June, which indicated that 52 per cent of people in the UK would consider moving back to the location where they grew up.

“If you grew up in north-east England, bought in London and are now returning to your roots, you’re in luck,” said Tom Bill, head of UK residential research at Knight Frank.

“You will get significantly more bang for your buck and the equity accumulated means your mortgage could be wiped out altogether. The gap between the capital and the rest of the country has narrowed in recent years as more affordable parts of the UK have seen stronger house price growth.

“The squeeze in London means more buyers are looking beyond the M25, and that often includes locations where they have roots, a trend that was accelerated by the pandemic and shifting work patterns.”

The following map shows the local authority areas with the biggest house price increases over the past 20 years in each region or nation as broken down in the previous map, excluding Northern Ireland, according to Zoopla:

And here are the local authority areas with the lowest house price increases over the past 20 years in each region or nation, excluding Northern Ireland, according to Zoopla:

Daniel Copley, a consumer expert at Zoopla, said: “Our latest analysis certainly brings to light the profound impact that two decades of house price growth has had on the dream of ‘returning home’.

“UK house prices have soared by 74 per cent since 2005, making that nostalgic return financially unattainable for many, especially in hotspots in the South East and eastern England.

“However, the picture is far from uniform across the UK. Our data shows that while some areas have seen dramatic increases, house prices have risen slowly, in line with incomes in northern regions. This means that for some, the dream of returning to their roots might be much more attainable than they think.”

Brian Wilson: the Beach Boys visionary who changed music forever

When former Beach Boy Brian Wilson announced in early 2002 that he was going to tour Pet Sounds, the 1966 album routinely held up as the greatest ever made, fans collectively held their breath. In the preceding 30 years, Wilson had struggled with drug addiction, had a series of nervous breakdowns and become a recluse, reportedly only leaving his bed to take delivery of his daily dose of cocaine. He was later diagnosed with bipolar schizoaffective disorder, which manifested in long bouts of depression and a cacophony of voices in his head.

In the Eighties, he famously fell under the influence of a psychologist named Eugene Landy, who promised to nurse him back to health, and who appointed himself Wilson’s manager and the beneficiary of his creative projects. Throughout this time, Wilson referred to Landy as his “master”. Landy was eventually given his marching orders, but Wilson remained in a fragile state. The idea that he could perform on stage at all, let alone play a complex and beautiful album cherished by millions, seemed – to put it mildly – outlandish.

I went to one of those shows at London’s Royal Festival Hall, driven by curiosity and preparing myself for the worst. In the event, it was utterly and profoundly moving. Wilson – who was greeted with a standing ovation before playing a note – spent most of it sitting behind a keyboard, grinning from ear to ear in a fluffy jumper. He looked like a retired president. But when he opened his mouth to sing, joining with his band for those rapturous harmonies, time seemed to stand still. Looking around, I saw that nearly everyone in the room was crying.

Wilson – who died today at the age of 82 – enjoyed magnificent highs and awful lows in his lifetime, but his moment in the sun was scorching. A composer, arranger, songwriter and singer, he was a bona fide genius, writing some of the sunniest and saddest pop music the world has ever known. There can’t be a musician in existence who doesn’t long to match the brilliance Wilson achieved while still in his teens and early twenties.

Throughout the Sixties, he and his fellow Beach Boys – his brothers Carl and Dennis, his cousin Mike Love and their friend Al Jardine – composed songs that perfectly encapsulated the innocence and optimism of California: “Good Vibrations”, “Fun, Fun, Fun”, “Surfin’ USA”, “Barbara Ann” and “I Get Around”.

If you want to know why Pet Sounds – conceived partly as a response to The Beatles’ Rubber Soul – is deemed the greatest of all pop albums, just look at its run of songs: “Wouldn’t It Be Nice”, “Don’t Talk (Put Your Head on My Shoulder)”, “Sloop John B”, “God Only Knows”, “Caroline No” and the eerily prescient “I Just Wasn’t Made for These Times”. That last song encapsulates what the world came to know about Wilson: musically, he existed in a higher realm, yet spiritually, he simply couldn’t find peace.

In 1964, Wilson had his first breakdown on a flight to a show in Houston. After that, he stopped performing live and retreated to the relative safety of the recording studio, leaving Dennis, Carl and Mike to keep up the band’s public profile on tour. It wasn’t until he set about writing Smile, the much-anticipated follow-up to Pet Sounds, that his demons, and the pressure of his talent, began to get the better of him. He had a grand piano placed in a specially built sandpit in his living room so he could feel the beach beneath his feet. Later, he set a fire in a bucket in the studio so that the musicians could draw inspiration from the smoke. Eventually, Wilson pulled the plug, Smile was canned, and he withdrew from public life.

Two years after those Pet Sounds shows, in 2004, I went to meet Wilson in Los Angeles. I was ostensibly there to interview him about his comeback album, the ominously titled Gettin’ In Over My Head, a patchy piece of work featuring collaborations with Elton John, Paul McCartney and Eric Clapton. By this time he was enjoying something of a renaissance, having played all over Europe and the United States (after performing Pet Sounds he and his band, The Wondermints, tackled Smile).

I found him in the presidential suite of a hotel in Universal City, just across the valley from his home, sitting bolt upright, his hands clamped anxiously to his knees. I quickly realised that if you asked him a leading question, he’d agree and parrot it back to you. Anything that could be answered with a simple “yes” or “no” would elicit just that.

But he also told me about his fear of failure, something that had plagued him since the early Sixties, and about his late father Murry’s reign of terror. Violent and domineering, Murry would take his own failures as a songwriter out on his sons, pushing them to the point of physical and mental exhaustion. Wilson also told me about the voices he still heard when he was alone that would sometimes soothe him and then switch into threatening mode, shouting at him: “You’re gonna get it, you’re gonna get it.” It was one of the rare occasions in my job as an interviewer that I felt I shouldn’t be there, that he was too vulnerable to be reliving some of the worst moments in his life with a stranger.

Wilson’s death comes just two days after the passing of another wayward genius, Sly Stone. The pair had much in common: both were visionaries who changed the face of music. Both were wildly erratic and put undue pressure on themselves to outstrip their own achievements. Both had drug habits that proved catastrophic to their health and to their creative lives. But just like Sly, Wilson leaves behind a remarkable legacy in the songs that successive generations know almost as well as their own names. His life in the spotlight was short, but what he created turned out to be timeless.

Bowel cancer rates are soaring in the under-50s – is this the reason why?

Ask someone about protein and they’ll evangelise about chicken breasts, spirulina and the dubious virtues of whey powder. Ask about fibre and you’ll likely get a blank stare or – if you’re lucky – a muttered reference to Bran Flakes. It turns out the most essential nutrient for long-term health is also the least talked about.

NHS guidance advises that adults should consume at least 30g of the nutrient every day, but data released by the Government’s Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) has shown a staggering 96 per cent of adults are now not meeting this requirement.

Vital for digestion and a healthy gut, these findings also come at a time when rates of bowel cancer are rising, especially among people in their twenties, thirties and forties. As rates soar among the under-50s, research now suggests that more than a quarter (28 per cent) of all bowel cancer cases in the UK could be caused by eating too little fibre

So, why does fibre get so little love? Jo Travers, expert nutritionist and dietitian for Discover Great Veg, has a theory. “Fibre has historically been associated with keeping people ‘regular’, which is not exactly exciting!” Essentially, fibre has an image problem. While protein gets gym bros and wellness influencers, fibre is stuck with prunes and allusions to bowel movements.

It’s time to change that. Because fibre isn’t just about digestive and gut health; it supports mental wellbeing, heart health, metabolism and even disease prevention. And it’s hidden in some of the best foods going – think kale, cavolo nero (a type of kale), pulses, nuts and berries. The good news? Getting more of it is easy. The bad news? We need to care enough to do it.

Part of the problem is convenience culture. “There has been a huge decline in fibre intakes with refined carbohydrates making up the bulk of people’s carbohydrate intake,” says Travers. “The wholegrain versions of these seem a bit boring or not as tasty.” White bread, white rice, white pasta – easy, fluffy and designed to disappear quickly. Compare that to their wholegrain equivalents, which require chewing and you start to see why we’re all struggling.

There’s also the ultra-processed food factor. “One of the things you rarely find in some ultra-processed foods is fibre,” Travers explains. “Because so much of the Western diet is made up of ultra-processed foods, it means that the gut microbiome can sometimes miss out on a source of food, and this can lead to a less diverse microbiome, less able to produce all of the beneficial compounds that keep us healthy.”

That’s the kicker: we’re not just missing out on roughage; we’re depriving our gut bacteria of the fuel they need to keep us functioning properly. And when our gut microbiome suffers, so does everything else.

Fibre isn’t just a single nutrient – it’s an umbrella term for various plant-based compounds that our bodies can’t digest but that our gut bacteria can. There are different types, each playing an essential role. Soluble fibre dissolves in water, forming a gel that slows digestion, keeps us fuller for longer and lowers blood sugar and cholesterol.

Oats, beans and fruit are rich sources of soluble fibre. Insoluble fibre doesn’t dissolve but instead bulks out our stools and keeps food moving through our digestive system. Wholegrains, leafy greens and nuts fit the bill. Prebiotic fibre feeds the good bacteria in our gut, which in turn produce vitamins and chemical messengers that interact with the immune system and even communicate with the brain.

Travers explains: “It used to be thought that fibre just travels straight through us, not really doing much except helping food move through the gut. We now know, however, that it is essential for keeping the gut microbiome healthy.”

The gut, it turns out, isn’t just a digestion centre; it’s an information hub. When gut bacteria digest fibre, they produce short-chain fatty acids that influence everything from immune function to mental health. “Bacteria in the gut eat the fibre from our diet and in turn produce chemical messengers such as serotonin, that communicate with the brain along the gut-brain axis,” says Travers. “Studies have found that increasing the fibre in your diet can reduce depression and anxiety.”

There is also emerging research looking at fibre’s role in cognitive health. Early studies suggest that eating more fibre could increase the volume of grey matter in the brain, potentially slowing the progression of diseases like Alzheimer’s. While the science is still developing, it adds to the growing list of reasons to prioritise fibre.

Fibre’s greatest tragedy is that it’s been branded as dull when, in reality, it’s in some of the most flavour-packed, satisfying foods available. The idea that fibre means cardboard-like breakfast cereals and bland grains is outdated. Kale, cavolo nero, walnuts, raspberries, chickpeas – these are all fibre powerhouses.

“It’s easy to make fibre-rich foods taste great,” says Travers. “Even if you aren’t a fan of vegetables by themselves, adding a dash of olive oil, garlic, herbs or spices can transform them into something much more interesting. And adding a couple of handfuls of leafy greens to a curry or a pasta sauce not only makes it more nutritious but also improves the flavour too.”

Surprisingly, dark chocolate, avocados and nuts are also excellent sources of fibre, proving that eating well doesn’t have to mean giving up indulgence.

The good news is that increasing fibre intake doesn’t require a radical diet change. In fact, “there are three really easy ways to increase fibre without changing much at all,” says Travers. Doubling the portion size of vegetables at meals is an easy place to start. Instead of having just a handful of greens, aim for two.

Swapping white carbohydrates for wholegrain versions, such as brown rice, granary bread or lentil pasta, is another simple shift with big benefits.

Adding extra fibre to meals doesn’t need to be complicated – just throw a handful of fresh or frozen vegetables, beans or lentils into whatever you’re cooking. Tinned lentils can be stirred into pasta sauces and spinach can be added to a chicken curry without changing the dish’s overall flavour.

For those who experience bloating when increasing their fibre intake, Travers advises drinking more water and adding fibre gradually. “Fibre either dissolves or absorbs water in the gut, so if you increase fibre, increase your fluid intake a bit too. If you still feel you have some bloating, then you may need to add the fibre a bit more gradually.”

The message is simple: eat more fibre and your body will thank you. From gut health to mood, heart health to longevity, fibre is the one nutrient that does it all. And, as Travers points out, “Even if you don’t quite make the 30g straight away, any increase is positive!”

So consider this your challenge: tomorrow, try hitting 30g of fibre. Your gut, your brain and your tastebuds will thank you.

Still think fibre means bland? These five dishes will change your mind. The ginger-harissa-roasted vegetable pilaf is smoky, spiced and packed with 24g of fibre per portion. The winter kale salad is a vibrant mix of kale, quinoa and walnuts, delivering an impressive 21g of fibre.

The tofu, spinach and bean soup is hearty, warming and offers 19g of fibre in a single serving. For something rich and comforting, the creamy potato and kale curry is proof that comfort food can be gut-friendly, with 18g of fibre.

And for those who love pasta, the kale and walnut pasta primavera combines wholewheat pasta with greens and nuts, delivering 13g of fibre per portion.

Fibre: 24g per portion

Serves: 4

Prep time: 15 minutes | Cook time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

2 parsnips, diced

2 carrots, diced

1 onion, diced

2 tbsp olive oil

5cm piece root ginger, grated

1 tbsp harissa paste

200g pack sliced cavolo nero

250g pouch super seeds with quinoa and chia

200g brown basmati rice

Juice 1 lime

Yoghurt to serve

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 200C, gas mark 6.

2. Place the parsnips, carrot and onion on a large baking tray and toss with 1 tbsp oil, ginger and harissa, season and roast for 20 minutes. Add the cavolo nero, the seed mix and toss in the remaining oil, roast for a further 10 minutes.

3. Meanwhile, cook the rice in boiling water for 20-25 minutes until tender and drain well.

4. Stir the rice into the vegetable mixture with the lime juice, season and serve with the yogurt.

Cooking tip: Great to use up leftover cooked rice. Try stirring in cooked prawns at the end.

Fibre: 21g per portion

Serves: 2

Prep time: 10 minutes | Cook time: 15-20 minutes

Ingredients:

50g quinoa

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 tbsp cider vinegar

2 tsp wholegrain mustard (15g)

½ x 180g pack kale

400g can butter beans, drained and rinsed

1 red apple, cored and sliced

50g walnuts, chopped

1 ripe avocado, sliced 100g

80g cooked beetroot, cut into wedges

Method:

1. Cook the quinoa according to pack instructions, drain and run under cold water.

2. Meanwhile, whisk together the oil, vinegar and mustard, season to taste. Massage the dressing into the kale in a large bowl until softened slightly. Add in the butter beans, apple, walnuts, avocado and beetroot.

3. Stir in the quinoa to serve.

Cooking tip: Make kale crisps with the remaining bag of kale, great as a healthy snack.

Fibre: 19g per portion

Serves: 4

Prep time: 15 minutes | Cook time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

1 corn on the cob (150g)

1 tbsp olive oil

1 leek, sliced (200g)

500ml vegetable stock

280g pack extra firm tofu, diced

400g haricot beans, drained and rinsed

½ x 250g bag spinach

1 tbsp red pesto 20g

Juice half lemon

Method:

1. Cut the kernels of corn off the core with a sharp knife.

2. Heat the oil in a large saucepan and fry the corn and leeks for 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in the stock, tofu and beans and simmer, covered, for 5 minutes, add the spinach until wilted.

3. Add a spoonful of pesto and a drizzle of lemon juice to serve.

Cooking tip: Try using smoked tofu and vegan pesto as an option.

Fibre: 18g per portion

Serves: 4

Prep time: 5 minutes | Cook time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

600g waxy potatoes, peeled and chopped into 1 inch cubes OR 600g salad potatoes (chopped in half if large)

2 tbsp veg oil

1 tsp cumin seeds

2 leeks, cleaned and trimmed

1 tsp turmeric

1 tsp ground coriander

3 garlic cloves, grated

½ tsp chilli flakes

5 tomatoes, roughly diced

200g red split lentils rinsed

500 ml veg stock

1 x 400ml low-fat coconut milk

250g bag of kale, trimmed

1 tsp garam masala

Method:

1. Add the potatoes in a large saucepan. Cover with boiling water and cook for 8-10 mins, or until just tender. Drain.

2. In the meantime, add the oil and cumin seeds to a frying pan. Allow them to sizzle to release their aromas.

3. Now add the leeks and remaining spices and fry for approx 5 minutes until tender.

4. Add the garlic and chilli flakes and stir to combine and fry for a further minute.

5. Add the chopped tomatoes and stir to combine.

6. Now add the red lentils, stock, coconut milk and simmer for 10 minutes.

7. Add the cooked potatoes, kale and additional water if needed (300ml) then cook for a further 5 minutes.

8. Finally, season to taste and add garam masala

Cooking tip: This is a hearty and substantial dish, so there’s no need for extra carbs. A vegetable side dish or raita is perfect. A great one for freezing.

Fibre: 13g per portion

Serves: 4

Prep time: 15 minutes | Cook time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

250g wholewheat penne pasta

100g frozen broad beans

100g frozen peas

180g bag kale

1 tbsp olive oil

1 leek, thinly sliced (200g)

75g walnuts, roughly chopped

2 tbsp chopped chives

165g tub light cream cheese

25g parmigiano reggiano, finely grated, plus extra to serve

Method:

1. Cook the pasta in boiling water for 12-13 minutes until just tender, remove with a slotted spoon and add the beans, peas and kale to the water, simmer for 4-5 minutes. Drain, reserving a little of the cooking water.

2. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large frying pan and fry the leek and walnuts for 4-5 minutes until softened. Stir in the chives, cream cheese and the parmesan, heat gently to melt, adding a splash of the reserved cooking water. Stir in the pasta and vegetables to evenly coat.

3. Serve sprinkled with extra parmesan.

Cooking tips: Try any vegetables you may have in the freezer. Also a great way to use up leftover cooked vegetables.

Recipes from www.discovergreatveg.co.uk

I’ve been lucky enough to watch Messi 42 times – it’s still not enough

When David Beckham got his first chance to watch Lionel Messi train at Inter Miami, he was giddy with excitement. The club co-owner was then duly amazed, although for one reason he didn’t expect. Messi didn’t seem to move outside a 10m square radius. And yet even within that he was still doing things that would fill most players’ career highlights. Beckham, perhaps the most famous person in the world, was blown away by the precision alone.

Messi is going to have to move a bit more for the Club World Cup’s opening match against Egypt’s Al Ahly on Sunday, given that the Hard Rock Stadium is 16 miles outside Miami and takes a bit to get to. The cavalcade ferrying him to the game will at least herald his grandeur, even if the distance appears to reflect a certain disconnect with this tournament on the ground. Many of the stadiums are far outside urban centres, and not exactly serviced by much public transport for the fans that managed to travel. At least it’s not at Inter Miami’s own Chase Stadium, which is 30 miles away from the city.

The club don’t have too many concerns about this since it’s all a chance to promote their more central Miami Freedom Park, opening next year. The literature describes the arena “as a symbol of Messi’s transformative impact on the club and his lasting legacy in Miami”.

Fifa will hope it goes much further than this. Rules were already massaged so Inter Miami could play in the tournament. They were afforded the host nation slot after winning the league phase of Major League Soccer, even though the US champions are decided not by the league but by the play-offs that follow. Such manoeuvres ensured Messi is now the face of the tournament; still here; still the great draw.

Even for his career, that’s remarkable longevity. His presence will be all the more pronounced since River Plate and other clubs failed in bids to sign Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of the tournament. Their final duel might have to wait until next year’s World Cup. Messi is already established as the face of American soccer, mind, and Fifa obviously saw the initial impact from his 2023 arrival.

People in the league excitingly talk of old-fashioned “Messi fever”. His first season brought an all-time attendance record for the entire MLS, as Apple TV immediately added 300,000 new subscribers to the competition’s “season pass” in his debut month.

Even the Messi effect, however, isn’t indefinite. You might have seen the reports that some student tickets for the opening game of the Club World Cup are going for only $20, with the promise of up to four complimentary tickets. Although perhaps that says more about certain unglamorous fixtures than it does about Messi.

Those who know the 37-year-old insist “his hunger is still crazy”. He still has the same drive, even if he is fully aware Inter Miami aren’t the same level of team he’s played for in such competitions in the past. There is a huge gap to the top Brazilian clubs, let alone the top European sides. The aim is still to compete and get something out of this.

Messi, of course, is famously adept at creating something out of nothing. The very image of him conjuring a previously unseen pass also fosters a more emotional resonance, far more important than flow charts or financial figures.

Some football purists will doubtless find the availability of such tickets for a Messi match almost sacrilegious, since this is a chance to witness greatness; to witness history. It might not be what it was, but it’s still like nothing else, akin to seeing a Beatle play.

The realisation of that also provokes a different emotion when you catch one of the many Messi clips on social media. There’s a poignancy. You’re usually watching a player do something that didn’t seem possible, and probably won’t be for anyone else.

We lived through greatness, and now it’s gone, at least in the form that will become immortal in memory.

For those of us of a certain age, you can still remember the first reports and the first glimpses: the leap into Ronaldinho’s arms after his lofted first goal, the terrorising of Chelsea. That has now passed in what feels the flick of a foot. Twenty years and one of the most storied careers, gone like that.

It’s possible that this is now an article on the ageing process rather than one of history’s great players, but that is partly what sport is about. The image of Messi’s left foot guiding the ball into the bottom corner of a net was as sweet as any madeleine, football’s own remembrance of things past.

And if you’ll forgive a further indulgence beyond such pretension and into the first person, I did – as a football journalist – attempt to recognise this as it was happening. I tried to make sure I covered as many Messi games as I could, and counted every one. The current number is 42, having watched him in three Champions League finals, most of his games in the 2014 World Cup and all of the 2022 World Cup.

Yet it still doesn’t feel enough. It still feels like I should have watched more, like every minute of his 1,137 professional games should have been appointment viewing – even if it was Barcelona eviscerating Levante or Numancia.

Messi’s genius worked against him in that sense. As Beckham immediately saw, there was such a constant stream of brilliance – of content, if you want to go there – that it almost felt routine. You might have heard of one divine Messi chip last week, that you now had to seek out, but there was very quickly another.

That perhaps partly explains why he picked his header in the 2009 Champions League final against Manchester United as his favourite goal. It wasn’t just the importance, but that the manner of it was so rare for him.

None of this is to say there was a total purity to Messi’s career. He’s been an ambassador for Saudi Arabia and played for Qatar-owned Paris Saint-Germain, all after Barcelona’s indulgence of him reached such bloated levels that it almost bankrupted the club.

Yet there was still a purity to his football. We are now seeing the last grains of it. That sense of finality fires this classic last act, that is about making money as much as it is about making history.

His career now feels like it is primarily measured in financial figures rather than all of those goals and assists. There’s the way in which Inter Miami’s valuation rose 103 per cent after he arrived, or that the club’s revenue tripled to $200m, with average ticket prices soaring by 1,700 per cent, at which point it brings to mind the line about dancing to architecture.

Messi might not move like he used to. He still moves us like no one else in football.

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The E2E Tech 100 Track 2025 revealed

The E2E Tech 100 is a celebration of the UK’s most dynamic and fast-growing technology businesses. These companies are redefining the future through innovation, digital transformation, and remarkable revenue growth, with artificial intelligence playing a central role in many of their business models.

Our headline partner for the E2E 100 2025 is Universal Partners.

The Tech 100 showcases groundbreaking tech companies, each surpassing £10 million in turnover over past 2 years, and setting new standards for innovation and growth across the tech sector.

Featured in the track and demonstrating extraordinary growth are:

Revolut Ltd – One of the world’s fastest-growing fintech super-apps, Revolut has revolutionised the way millions manage their finances. With services spanning banking, crypto, stock trading, and travel insurance, the company has scaled across continents under the leadership of CEO and Co-Founder Nikolay Storonsky. Now serving over 40 million users globally, Revolut’s seamless digital-first approach has set a new benchmark for financial innovation.

Cleo AI Ltd – At the cutting edge of artificial intelligence in personal finance, Cleo is reshaping how Gen Z manages money. Founded by Barney Hussey-Yeo, Cleo combines humour, data, and conversational AI to make budgeting and saving both intuitive and engaging. With tens of millions of interactions every month and strong traction in the US market, Cleo has emerged as a disruptive force in fintech.

Zilch Technology Limited is a leading UK-based buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) fintech company revolutionising consumer spending with a transparent, interest-free model. Founded by Philip Belamant, Zilch combines open banking and AI to offer smarter, responsible credit to over 3 million users. With a rapidly growing presence in both the UK and US markets, Zilch is redefining flexible payments for the digital age.

This initiative stands as a compelling testament to the UK’s thriving tech ecosystem, showcasing companies that not only drive significant revenue growth but also foster digital inclusion, enhance user experience, and shape global tech trends.

With founders from across the country, the E2E Tech 100 demonstrates the depth and diversity of talent in the UK, spotlighting entrepreneurs who are leading change through creativity, data, and purpose in an increasingly tech-driven world.

As the Founder and CEO of E2E said: “The E2E Tech 100 track recognises the exceptional achievements of technology companies that are scaling with speed, vision, and impact. From AI-driven solutions to inclusive fintech platforms, these businesses are solving real-world problems and transforming industries. It’s an honour to celebrate their growth, resilience, and leadership as they navigate and shape a digital-first future.”

Andrew Morley, CRO at The Independent, added: “We are delighted to partner with E2E in celebrating the UK’s top 100 tech innovators. These businesses embody what’s best about British entrepreneurship: bold thinking, digital excellence, and global ambition. Their stories inspire and remind us of the extraordinary potential within the UK tech landscape. Congratulations to all those featured in this year’s Tech 100.”

The track was carefully curated using trusted data from Experian and Creditsafe, ensuring only the most impactful and high-performing businesses have been recognised in this track.

Each E2E 100 track is supported by our partners: Universal Partners (Headline Partner), Fora, Lioncroft, Creditsafe, OakNorth, and Experian.

With London Tech Week underway, it’s an exciting time to spotlight innovation and entrepreneurship across the UK. As the nation celebrates tech talent, the E2E Tech 100 recognises the businesses driving real impact and growth.

For more information and to see the full E2E Tech 100 2025 track, click here.

To find out more about E2E, visit https://www.e2exchange.com/

Raducanu faces Sramkova at Queen’s after Boulter and Watson crash out

Emma Raducanu is back in action at Queen’s Club today as the Brit eyes a place in the quarter-finals of the singles draw.

British No 1 Katie Boulter slumped to a three-set defeat against fifth seed Diana Shnaider in the opening match on the Andy Murray Arena, having worked hard to defeat Ajla Tomljanovic over three sets on Tuesday.

And Heather Watson fell in straight sets to former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina, after beating Rybakina’s doubles partner Yulia Putintseva to reach the second round.

Her exit leaves just one Brit in the draw: Raducanu, who enjoyed a far more comfortable win over Spanish qualifier Cristina Bucsa, meets Rebecca Sramkova in the third match on court. The Slovakian claimed an eye-catching win over current Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova in the opening round.

Follow all the tennis scores and latest action from Queen’s Club below.

Drought declared in Yorkshire after extremely dry spring

Yorkshire has officially entered a state of drought due to critically low river flows and groundwater levels, exacerbated by one of the driest springs ever recorded, the Environment Agency (EA) has announced.

Thursday’s announcement escalates the region’s status from “prolonged dry weather” to “drought”.

This follows a similar declaration for the North West in late May, encompassing areas such as Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Cheshire, Cumbria, and Lancashire.

The UK experienced its hottest spring on record, coupled with the driest conditions in decades, placing immense strain on crops and natural habitats. Millions of households have been warned to prepare for potential water restrictions this summer.

Claire Barrow, Yorkshire environment, planning and engagement manager at the Environment Agency, said: “Our climate is changing, and we had 22 days of almost no recorded rainfall in May.

“While we have had some rain at the start of June, it has not been enough to reverse the impacts of the prolonged dry weather.

“We are working with Yorkshire Water to make sure they enact their drought plans.

“We also encourage people to be aware of the environmental impacts of droughts as we enter the summer period and note the small steps we can all take to save water.”

Water minister Emma Hardy said: “I am receiving regular updates from the Environment Agency.

“I’m doing everything in my power to hold Yorkshire Water to account to ensure we have the regular supply of water that is needed across the region.”

Met Office statistics show that West Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, East Riding of Yorkshire and South Yorkshire saw just 40 per cent, 43 per cent, 40 per cent and 41 per cent of the average rainfall for March, April and May.

Yorkshire Water warned that water restrictions are possible this summer unless the county sees “significant rainfall” in the coming months.

Dave Kaye, director of water at the utility, said: “We’ve seen water demand decrease in recent weeks thanks to the welcome rainfall and the efforts of our customers to save water.

“We had one of the driest springs on record, which has impacted our reservoir levels, meaning they are much lower than normal for this time of year.

“Without significant rainfall in the coming months, temporary usage restrictions are a possibility.”

Mr Kaye said that the declaration of drought does not immediately change the situation for customers, but added that the firm will continue to work closely with the Environment Agency to manage resources carefully and move water around the region to areas that need it most.

“We have 100 additional colleagues tackling leakage in the field, and we’d like to thank customers for continuing to report leaks to us so we can repair them as soon as possible,” he said.

Scientists have warned that drought conditions will become more intense in the UK with climate change, putting strain on water resources.

Dr Jess Neumann, associate professor of hydrology at the University of Reading, said: “The drought announcement in Yorkshire comes only a few weeks after parts of northwest England declared a drought.

“An unseasonably dry spring, the driest in nearly 90 years, means many reservoir levels are only 60-65 per cent full, well below the 80-85 per cent average for this time of year.

“The lack of rainfall is placing significant strain on public water supply, affecting agricultural crop production, and harming wildlife and the environment.”

Dr Neumann added that drought status in two large areas of England “raises important questions about the security of our water in the long term”.

“It is no longer abundant and plentiful. We urgently need to adjust to a future of climate change and water stress.”

While the northwest of England and Yorkshire are now in drought, three other areas – the North East, Yorkshire, East and West Midlands – are also experiencing prolonged dry weather.

Last week, officials said reservoir levels across England fell to new lows as the Environment Agency held its latest national drought group meeting of key players.

The group, which met last Thursday morning, heard that without further substantial rain, some water companies may need to implement drought measures this summer to conserve supplies, such as hose pipe bans.