Visitors to this website who wish to use the search function must first grant permission for Google Custom Search to operate, a process that relies on cookies and similar tracking technologies. Without that consent, the search box will remain inactive, blocking access to a tool many readers rely on to navigate stories quickly. The requirement reflects a broader shift in how publishers handle user data, balancing functionality against privacy regulations.
What consent means and why it is required
Consent, in this context, means actively agreeing to the loading of a third‑party service — Google Custom Search — into your browser. When a user clicks “Allow and Continue”, they permit the service to set cookies or employ other tracking methods. These are used to remember search preferences, improve results, and sometimes to gather analytics. The necessity stems from data protection laws, particularly the UK’s implementation of the General Data Protection Regulation, which demands that websites obtain clear, informed permission before deploying such technologies. Without affirmative consent, the website’s own code cannot legally trigger the external search engine. This is not a technical limitation but a legal one: the search bar is deliberately disabled until a user makes a choice, ensuring that no data is processed without authorisation.
For the reader, this means the first step when visiting any page is to decide whether to enable the search feature. The option is presented as a straightforward prompt, with no pre‑ticked boxes or automatic acceptance. The site’s privacy policy, linked from the same notice, explains what data might be collected and how it is used. The policy itself covers broader practices, but the consent prompt specifically addresses the search function because it is a separate, third‑party component that operates under its own terms.
How to proceed
To activate the search bar, a user must click the button labelled “Allow and Continue”. This single action registers consent and triggers the loading of Google Custom Search. Thereafter, the search tool behaves normally: typing a query returns results from the site’s content, powered by Google’s index. If a user declines or ignores the prompt, the search field remains greyed out or hidden, and no further data is exchanged with Google. There is no penalty for withholding consent; the rest of the website, including articles and navigation, remains fully accessible. The only restriction is the loss of the search convenience.
Readers who later change their mind can adjust their consent settings through the website’s cookie or privacy preferences panel, which is typically found in the footer. Revoking consent will disable the search function until it is re‑granted. This process is designed to give the user full control at all times, in line with regulatory expectations that consent must be freely given and easily withdrawn.
Privacy considerations and the broader picture
Behind the consent prompt lies a careful balance between functionality and privacy. Google Custom Search is a widely used tool, but it operates by sending search terms and browser‑level data to Google’s servers. This can include your IP address, the page you are on, and the query you typed. The website itself does not store that information, but the third‑party service may use it for its own purposes, such as improving search algorithms or serving targeted advertising. By requiring explicit consent, the site ensures that users are aware of this data flow and can choose to opt out.
This approach mirrors a growing industry practice. Many news organisations now implement similar consent walls for features that rely on third‑party code, especially after regulatory fines and public scrutiny over data misuse. The trade‑off is clear: a seamless search experience comes at the cost of allowing a third party to process limited data. The site’s privacy policy, which is referenced in the consent notice, provides full transparency about what is collected, who processes it, and how long it is retained. Readers are encouraged to review that document before making a decision.
Once a user does give consent, the search function opens the door to the site’s full archive. For example, a reader searching for recent news about the Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler would find details of her current health situation. Tyler, 74, underwent emergency intestinal surgery at a hospital near her home in Faro, Portugal, earlier this week. While initial reports on Wednesday indicated the surgery had been successful, a further update on Thursday evening confirmed that doctors had placed her in a medically induced coma to aid her recovery. Her spokesperson stated that the coma was induced deliberately and requested privacy, promising further statements when possible. One Portuguese report described her as unconscious and connected to a breathing ventilator in intensive care. The singer, who was preparing for her “Jubilee Tour” to mark 50 years since her breakthrough hit “Lost in France,” had been feeling fit and enjoying performing as recently as March, though she had undergone successful “washout” surgery for knee issues. She released two new singles in 2026: “One Love” and “One World One Home.” It remains unclear whether her scheduled European tour dates, including performances in Malta and Germany this month, will need to be rescheduled.