Plus: 16 of the best podcasts of 2026 so far ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏

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The Essential List

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The Essential List

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23 June, 2026

Esther Hurst

Hello. Wimbledon is a British institution: queueing at dawn for tickets, eating strawberries and cream, sipping Pimm's in the sunshine and, of course, watching the tennis. To outsiders, it can seem a bit intimidating. That's why below, we share four rules to follow to fit right in. Plus, we round up 16 of the best podcasts of 2026 so far and delve into an unsettling hidden corner of TikTok. Thanks for reading – my colleague, Kate, will be back in your inbox on Friday.

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ESSENTIAL FEATURES

What to know before going to Wimbledon

Many first-time visitors to the tennis tournament don't realise that they're also signing up for an immersive introduction to British etiquette.

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Discover how the artist transformed a city square into something extraordinary in his 1888 painting – and what it means.

Take a look >

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A weird world the TikTok algorithm won't show you

Thomas Germain explains why a hidden corner of the app has left him surprisingly optimistic about the future of the internet. 

Dive in >

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Read this before you brush your hair

The secret to luscious locks depends on everything from your hair type to the brush you use.

What to know >

Aid worker Rob Lawrie and journalist Sue Mitchell have collaborated on their second audio series about people smuggling (Credit: Pishdaad Modaressi)

16 of the best podcasts of 2026 so far

From a series about people smuggling to an investigation into OnlyFans, these are the best new podcasts for you to listen to.

Get the list >

ESSENTIAL INSIGHTS

Sir Keir Starmer

Why did Sir Keir Starmer resign?

Pressure on the UK prime minister had been building for a while – here's what could happen next.

Keep reading >

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When supplements might do more harm than good

In the rush to optimise our health, we could inadvertently end up endangering it, some experts have warned.

Find out how >

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Are hydration break ads here to stay?

World Cup hydration breaks are heavily jeered by fans, but are likely to make millions for some broadcasters.

Keep reading >

ESSENTIAL WATCH

Is AI the new fall guy for layoffs?

Katty Kay side-by-side on a video call with Kathryn Anne Edwards

More companies say they're laying off employees because AI has boosted productivity. But how much of that is actually true? Katty Kay and economist Kathryn Anne Edwards talk about why some companies may be turning to a practice called "AI washing".

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