45 minutes ago Squid Game season two review – TV that will make you uncomfortably bloodthirsty indeed

When we get into the actual games, the smash-kit K-drama finds its feet. But it spends far too many episodes dragging its heels extremely painfully. Series three must do betterOne of Hollywood’s many bad habits is the bloat caused by splitting a story in half in a bid to double the profits (cough, cough, Dune and Wicked). Squid Game was always a perfect one-series story. Gambling addict Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) became Player 456, a desperate man who attempts to pay off his debts by taking part in a twisted underground fight-to-the-death competition. He beats the odds by surviving every one of its potentially fatal playground games. When it first appeared, it was horrifying, it was thrilling, and its satirical edge – which examined capitalism and class in South Korea – was clever and acidic. The world took to it in vast numbers.That it became one of Netflix’s most successful, and therefore most profitable, series of all time placed it in a creative bind. Inevitably, it was renewed...

Events

66 minutes ago Why this Scottish menstrual health innovation matters in chase for multi

“The evidence from the review indicates a global femtech market which is expected to treble in size over the next 10 years, alone providing major opportunities for Scottish businesses capable of accessing this market” - Scottish Enterprise

Politics

1 hour ago Sydney to Hobart yacht race 2024: reigning champion LawConnect leads fleet out of heads

Favourite for line honours Master Lock Comanche was in hot pursuitFleet of 104 expected to move quickly down NSW coast in north-easterly breezeReigning line honours champion LawConnect has led the Sydney to Hobart fleet out of the Sydney Heads as the 79th running of the blue-water classic gets under way.Favourite for line honours Master Lock Comanche was in hot pursuit behind her rival 100ft supermaxi, the pair leaving the iconic Sydney Harbour behind at about 1:15pm – 15 minutes after the start. Continue reading...

Sport

2 hours ago Mikel Arteta sent clear message from Premier League rival over replacing Bukayo Saka

Bukayo Saka could be out until as long as March after sustaining a serious hamstring injury in Arsenal's 5-1 win at Crystal Palace before Christmas, leaving big shoes to fill

Politics

2 hours ago Time for alcohol to leave the bloodstream and when you can safely drive after drinking

It's vitally important to be safe and know the laws around drink-driving so you can make sure you stay safe on the roads this Christmas

Events

3 hours ago See the shocking moment Virat Kohli bullies Aussie star Sam Konstas in ugly clash as the teenager stuns the cricketing world at the MCG

Aged just 19 and on debut on Aussie cricket's biggest stage, Sam Konstas left fans and experts in disbelief with his stunning innings - despite some shocking treatment from Virat Kohli.

Events

3 hours ago Taylor Swift breaks silence on Travis Kelce's Christmas touchdown for the Chiefs

Moments after Travis Kelce broke the Kansas City Chiefs record for the most receiving touchdowns in a career, Taylor Swift broke her silence on the accomplishment.

Politics

3 hours ago Harrowing videos from inside Azerbaijan Airlines plane show passengers' 'final calls to loved ones'

Footage shows survivors emerging from the wreckage of a plane crash in Kazakhstan which has killed 38 people, amid rumours it may have been shot down by Russians

Culture

3 hours ago Almost nobody can solve branches riddle but it requires specific approach

All you have to do is work out what an object is from a brief clue that's given to you - but don't let the correct answer leave you stumped as it's not as easy as it first seems

Politics

4 hours ago My wife went to the doctor for a simple cough only to be told she had just 18 months to live. She's suffering from a rare and incurable form of cancer

EXCLUSIVE: This time last year, Tim Davies had never heard of Mesothelioma - a rare and incurable form of cancer that affects the lining of the lungs.

Society