Terry Martin thought the rubies in the slippers were real gems, but they were in fact made of glass.

Israel and Hamas will agree to prolong a truce in Gaza that had been due to expire on Tuesday, mediator Qatar said, as hostage and...

Phil Mickelson was in the hunt at LIV Golf

By Renee Maltezou and Angeliki Koutantou ATHENS A wildfire raging on the Greek island of Rhodes forced thousands

The Los Angeles Dodgers avoided a four-game sweep with a 3-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves to complete their meeting of the NL’s top two teams

Antonee Robinson did a series of backflips after scoring a stunning goal.

New Zealand’s economy is expected to remain sluggish for another two years, although the overall picture is rosier than many observers had feared, new figures indicate

Britain’s House of Commons has endorsed a report that found Boris Johnson lied to lawmakers about lockdown-flouting parties in his office

By Jesse Winter OSOYOOS, British Columbia (Reuters) -An evacuation order for the Canadian town of Osoyoos and its surrounding district

Back-to-school shopping can create a hole in parents’ budgets at the best of times, but with a cost-of-living squeeze in full swing, money is particularly tight this year. At a time when every cutback counts, here are some ways to save some money on the costs that will earn you top marks for effort. 1. Check what you have This can be particularly useful if you have more than one child and need to pass items down. When sorting clothing, create piles of those that are in good condition, those that need repairs, and items that are beyond salvaging. Alice Haine, a personal finance analyst at investment platform Bestinvest, says: “Carry out a full audit to see what uniform, stationery items, lunchboxes and water bottles you already have. “You may find unused items still in pristine condition at the back of a cupboard, or used items that are good to go for a second or third academic year – after all, you only want to buy new if you have to.” 2. Create a ‘sell’ pile Haine suggests: “If your child has outgrown some of their uniform, sell them on Facebook Marketplace or WhatsApp groups, and use the cash to buy new items.” Vinted is worth a try, too. 3. List everything you need Once you’ve sorted through everything, make a list of the items you need to acquire. If you have a clear idea, you’re less likely to waste money doubling up, plus, you can buy what’s needed as and when you spot special offers. Depending on your circumstances, it may also be worth checking your government website for grants which could help with school uniform costs. 4. Be clear on school rules You could end up wasting your money if you buy items which don’t match school policies. Haine says: “If you are heading to a new school, check the uniform policy before you buy. Some schools may demand a certain style or colour.” 5. Team up with parents for ‘bulk buys’ “Some multipack prices may seem like great deals, but you might not need four items, so team up with a fellow parent to share the cost,” says Haine. 6. Remember that the cheapest price isn’t always the best value “When it comes to shoes, it can pay to go for a slightly better brand,” suggests Haine. “Cheap shoes can have a short shelf-life when you consider how much they get battered at school. Keep the receipt, because if shoes do fall apart over a short period of time, some stores may replace them with a new pair.” 7. Make sure there’s ‘growing room’ “Always go a size up if your child is still growing, especially on the pricier items, such as blazers, to ensure you get the most out of the investment,” says Haine. “Some brands even sell trousers with a grow-proof hem that can be let down and pressed with an iron, to ensure clothes last longer.” 8. Go refurbished Abigail Yearley, a spokesperson for website TopCashback.co.uk, says: “There are plenty of trustworthy and reliable sites that sell second-hand or refurbished tech, which works as good as new. Just make sure it comes with good warranty before buying.” You may also be able to buy refurbished devices directly from the manufacturer, she says. 9. Look out for second-hand items Check the school’s website for information on buying second-hand uniforms. “Many schools offer a pre-loved uniform service, so checking if that’s available to you should be the first point of action,” suggests Yearley. “If that’s not an option, check on the parents’ group chat if anyone is looking to give away or swap items they no longer need. It’s also worth scouting out Facebook Marketplace and popping into your local charity shops.” 10. Compare prices online Browsing online is a fast way to research and compare prices. Websites such as TopCashback can also help people to get some cashback on purchases from brands such as Clarks, Wilko and Dell, for example. 11. Look out for supermarket staples Tesco, for example, is running a discount deal on selected stationery and lunchtime essentials for its Clubcard members, until September 7, subject to availability. Yearley says: “All the big supermarkets tend to run back-to-school events during the summer months, so make sure you keep an eye out for them. “It’s especially worth checking out discount supermarkets like Aldi, as their back-to-school events are known for bargain prices. “Even if you’ve missed the special event, it’s worth checking their middle aisle, as often you’ll find things like stationery and lunchboxes, which are still cheaper than buying elsewhere.” 12. Get something back for donating M&S has expanded its ‘shwopping’ scheme, with dedicated school uniform shwopping boxes in over 200 stores, to encourage families to donate pre-loved school uniform, to be resold in Oxfam and through a pilot shop with eBay. As a thank you for shwopping school uniform, M&S Sparks customers can receive 20% off selected kids clothing from the retailer. Similarly, if last year’s school shoes are now a battered pair of Kickers, you can recycle them through their Reskinned initiative, which will also get you £15 towards a pair for the new school year. And Schuh offer a £5 voucher for every pair of unwanted shoes you donate, as part of their Sell Your Soles scheme. All these savings really do add up. Read More How to help your child make friends at secondary school Parents should already start getting their kids ready to go back to school, according to research Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

The warnings were there. Speculation about Yevgeny Prigozhin's eventual fate began soon after his march on Russia two months ago.

There are few college coaching trees as impressive as the one stemming from Mike Leach.We may have lost "The Pirate" Mike Leach late last year, but he has so many proteges and disciples who will always proudly swing their sword in honor of him.Leach may have cut through all the noi...