News, culture and style

World

Lights out

Across the globe, internet blackouts have become a tool for autocratic regimes. Although Iran’s record-breaking information shutdown is now over, Russia, China and others are using access as control

By Liz Cookman

Crime

Step up to the plate

The DVLA has been urged to take action against ‘ghost’ licence plates being used by gangs to facilitate criminal activity, Catherine Neilan reports

Body politic

Bad seeds

Spermmaxing is beginning to take a new and increasingly important role in conversations about masculinity and health, Eva Wiseman explains

Q&A

Indira Varma

The actor speaks to Vanessa Thorpe about starring in an all-female Mamet play, being recognised by Pinter and inheriting a sense of the absurd from her mother

News in brief

Northern Ireland

Fresh protests erupt after Belfast stabbing

Middle East

Israel presses on with Lebanon offensive despite Iranian threats

Sport

Treatment of Iran team proves politics can’t be kept out of football

Gaming

It’s Barbie versus Grand Theft Auto in unlikely video game battle

For today

An octopus surge is reshaping England’s coastal waters

Nature

Fred Harter

An octopus surge is reshaping England’s coastal waters

Downsizing isn’t yet in Richard’s interest. That needs to change

Business

Ben Zaranko

Downsizing isn’t yet in Richard’s interest. That needs to change

Disclosure Day – the gospel according to Steven Spielberg

Film

Wendy Ide

Disclosure Day – the gospel according to Steven Spielberg

Travel

Chloe Frost-Smith

In the neighbourhood: East Neuk, Fife

Investigation

The global grooming pandemic

The prime minister has given tech firms three months to install software blocking children from sending or receiving explicit images. If the platforms refuse, the government will pass a law to force the issue. But for families of kids who have been groomed, this ultimatum has come much too late

By Rachel Sylvester

Listen

Online grooming: a mother’s story