Apple has finally released the headline feature of its new Watch. The Apple Watch Series 9 was launched last month, alongside new iPhones and other products. But Apple said that its top feature – the ability to navigate the Watch without touching it, by pressing your fingers together in a gesture Apple calls “Double Tap” – was not actually available. Apple said the feature would instead come later this year. And now with the latest software update numbered WatchOS 10.1, it has finally launched. The feature will also come to the Apple Watch Ultra 2. Apple says that older Watches that lack the latest chip do not have the processing power to accurately recognise the gesture, and so it will not be available on those devices. The new Double Tap feature is intended to be used when the user only has one hand free. Apple has pointed to the example of carrying a cup of coffee or walking a dog. To use it, the Watch’s owner taps their two fingers together to select whatever is on screen. The Watch’s sensors are able to detect that gesture – using the accelerometer, gyroscope, and optical heart sensor – and the software will register it as an input. That input allows users to take whatever action is displayed on screen, so long as it is in one of Apple’s apps. Pressing it will end a phone call, snooze an alarm, or replying to messages, for instance. Apple has not said whether future updates will bring the option to use the feature with third-party apps. But for now, users can control notifications from third-party apps but not the apps themselves. The feature is turned on by default but can be switched off in settings. It is automatically off in some apps, such as during workouts. Read More Apple Watch 7 pre-order: How to buy the new smartwatch in the UK Apple introduces new version of Watch with complete redesign iPhone 13 - live: UK contract deals and prices for Apple, EE and O2

Poland's lawmakers have voted to approve an amended but divisive law on Russian influences believed to be targeting the opposition and criticized by the U.S. and the European Union

The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate rose again this week, bad news for Americans seeking to upgrade or buy their first home

Richard Branson doesn’t plan further investments in Virgin Galactic Holdings Inc., the unprofitable space tourism venture he founded,

Manchester United were among the clubs offered the chance to sign Joao Felix this summer before he joined Barcelona on loan, according to Atletico Madrid legend Paulo Futre.

The Southeastern Conference is leaning on help from high-profile transfers to replace some of the departed star power at quarterback

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WhatsApp may be moving towards allowing people to be found by usernames rather than just phone numbers, according to a new update to the software. The system would let people choose a unique username that could then be used to start new chats. That would allow people to more easily share their contact details without also giving away their phone number. The new update is found in a beta version of the app that has been made available for Android, according to WABetaInfo, which has a track record of finding unannounced features in the app. That beta version shows a part in the settings that allows people to choose a WhatsApp username. “This is your unique username,” the app says, alongside the separate option to choose a name, which is available in the app now and shows alongside messages. The option to select a username will be found within the WhatsApp settings and then the “profile” option, the report indicated. It is inside the latest beta version of the Android app – though is not fully supported even in that system, being still under development and not visible to early testers. There is no real indication of how those usernames might work. WABetaInfo speculated that the system could be relatively limited – such as simply allowing communication with businesses without giving up a phone number to them – to the more general usage as a way to speak to other people on the app. Conversations initiated using usernames appear to keep end-to-end encryption, the report said. WhatsApp has recently rolled out a host of changes intended to protect the privacy of users. Those have included new changes that let people control the information they give up alongside their chats, letting people leave group chats more quietly and allowing people to choose specific people who can see when they are online, for instance. The company has said repeatedly that its aim is to allow WhatsApp conversations to feel like real life, with the privacy and temporary nature that brings. Other related features have included the option to delete messages and edit them after they are sent. Throughout all those changes, however, WhatsApp has always used the phone number as a way of creating and verifying accounts, as well as finding other people on the app. As such, it has meant giving up your phone number in order to talk to anyone, including businesses who may abuse it with spam calls or other marketing. Read More WhatsApp will let you edit messages after they are sent — but there’s a catch Major WhatsApp update enables secret chats WhatsApp unveils new feature to protect ‘your most intimate conversations’

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The Europa Conference League final was stopped briefly after West Ham fans threw objects towards Fiorentina’s players. Plastic pint glasses were hurled from the West Ham end throughout the first half at the Eden Arena in Prague. Referee Carlos Del Cerro Grande eventually halted play after Fiorentina captain Cristiano Biraghi was hit by another missile as he went to take a corner shortly before half-time. Biraghi had suffered a cut to the back of his head and required treatment and a bandage. A message over the PA system urged supporters to stop throwing objects on to the pitch and to respect the players, before play eventually resumed with the score still 0-0. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

Georgia prosecutor Fani Willis has requested a 23 October trial for all 19 defendants in the 2020 election subversion case, including former President Donald Trump. Ms Willis was responding to the request for a speedy trial from one of the defendants, lawyer Kenneth Chesebro. His filing didn’t get much attention on Wednesday as former New York Mayor and Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani stole the spotlight as he surrendered to the authorities in Atlanta and had his mugshot taken. Mr Chesebro made the filing as a legal gamble to throw a wrench into the proceedings in the hopes that Ms Willis wasn’t ready for it, but Ms Willis seemingly called his bluff, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The issue of the trial date is now up to the Judge in the case. More follows...