52 minutes ago Barclays, Lloyds and Halifax to shut 42 branches in January 2025 – here's the full list

Banks are closing their doors in January 2025 with Halifax shutting 22, Lloyds closing 11 locations, Barclays six and Bank of Scotland three - his your branch under threat

Politics

1 hour ago U.S. homelessness crisis surges to record levels alongside rising rents and immigration

Advocates demand urgent action on housing and family support while Trump promises tent cities and ‘mental institutions’

Society

5 hours ago DWP confirms new payment dates for benefits including Universal Credit

Benefit payments are not paid on bank holidays - so for example, Universal Credit payments due on Wednesday, January 1, will be paid a day earlier on Tuesday, December 31

Economics

32 hours ago Ancient martyrs, fighting rules and disappearing cats – take the Boxing Day Thursday quiz

Questions on general knowledge and topical trivia, plus a few jokes, every Thursday, even on Boxing Day. How will you fare?The Thursday quiz cares not for your so-called Christmas traditions and bank holiday. It is Thursday, and so here we are, regardless of whether it is a national holiday in the UK or not. Although in reality, the quiz master is stuffed full of yesterday’s Christmas dinner and off to see Leyton Orient at home to Crawley Town, before stuffing himself again with festive leftovers, and actually wrote this weeks ago, with every question in it loosely tied to boxes. Have fun, guess well, and a very happy new year to you all!The Thursday quiz, No 190 Continue reading...

Sport

52 minutes ago Pet owners urged to immediately check pet food as cat dies after eating bird

A cat has died from avian influenza after consuming contaminated pet food, and a voluntary recall has now being issued for the product that was found to contain the virus

Events

33 hours ago Santa Dash, Festive Alpaca Farm and 100 year old artificial tree feature in quirky Christmas TV show

Watch some of the runners and paddleboarders who got in the festive spirit by racing in Santa Claus suits, in a Christmas Special of the Unconventional Brits TV show.

Culture

24 hours ago Revealed: Popular Christmas leftover could help with weight loss and improve gut health, experts say

With the many elements of a British Christmas Dinner, along with the giant roasted turkey, many find themselves too full to finish their plates more often than not. But are leftovers actually good for you?

Science

86 minutes ago Exact date UK could get extra Bank Holiday day off in 2025 with four day weekend planned

Brits could enjoy an extra Bank Holiday in 2025 to celebrate 80 years since the end of the Second World War - a Mirror poll shows most Brits are keen for an extra day off to mark the occasion

Politics

7 hours ago Jamie Oliver's 'super easy' turkey stew recipe for Christmas leftovers

If you're sick of turkey curry, then this delicious stew could be the answer to your prayers - and you'll also be making the most of any leftover stuffing you have

Society

5 hours ago Family of four who spent £250 on Christmas dinner can't believe what they are served

A family were left reeling on Christmas Day after forking out more than £60 per person for food alone during their festive meal at a hotel – and were not pleased by what was plated up

Economics

67 minutes ago A 9th telecoms firm has been hit by a massive Chinese espionage campaign, the White House says

A top White House official says a ninth U.S. telecoms firm has been confirmed to have been hacked as part of a sprawling Chinese espionage campaign that gave officials in Beijing access to private texts and phone conversations of an unknown number of Americans

Events

2 hours ago Gardeners urged to take action if they spot robins this winter, say experts

They may symbolise the festive season for many but red-breasted robins face a struggle for food in the coldest months and we can help them out, advises The Woodland Trust.

Politics

11 hours ago Debenhams £222 air fryer reduced to under £40 that's 'perfect' for anyone making New Year's Eve party food

It's the ideal budget buy for making festive picky teas and party spreads

Society

6 hours ago Walmart accused of illegally forcing over 1 million of its drivers to open bank accounts

Walmart called the lawsuit factually inaccurate and said the agency didn’t give the company a fair chance to present their case

Economics

4 hours ago Sudan: first aid convoy reaches besieged Khartoum area since start of civil war

The deliveries of vital food and medical supplies will help 200,000 families, according to aid groups and local volunteersAn aid convoy has reached a besieged area of Khartoum for the first time since Sudan’s civil war broke out in April 2023, bringing food and medicines in a country where half of the people are at risk of starvation.The 28 trucks arrived in southern Khartoum on 25 December, according to the World Food Programme (WFP), which provided 22 trucks loaded with 750 tonnes of food. Continue reading...

Events

3 hours ago Cocktail of the week: Gothic Bar’s red nose gimlet – recipe | The good mixer

A festive and fancy gin and lime with hints of cinnamon, a hit of apricot brandy and a sherbet-frosted rimThere’s a bit of prep involved here – you need to make the syrup a day ahead, for instance – but this is a great drink for impressing guests. If you opt to rim the glasses with lime sherbet, either buy some in ready-made or make your own by finely crushing a few lemon drop sweets in a mortar – dip the rim of the glass first in lime juice and then in the lemon drop dust. The excess syrup will keep in the fridge for about a month – use it up in puddings, apple-based ones especially.Jack Porter, head bartender, Gothic Bar, The Midland Grand, London NW1 Continue reading...

Politics

12 hours ago Jamie Oliver's turkey stew recipe is 'super easy' way to use Christmas leftovers

Take your Christmas dinner leftovers to the next level with this delicious turkey stew recipe from Jamie Oliver which is 'super-easy' to make and only takes an hour

Society

6 hours ago Family buying hotdogs at Christmas market mortified after seller's £618 mistake

Laura Brumpton, 34, and her husband Alan, 37, were enjoying a festive outing to a Christmas market when they decided to treat their children to two hotdogs – but they got a shock when they checked their bank balance

Economics

4 hours ago Woman burned to death on New York subway still unidentified after five days

‘It just adds another level of tragedy,’ says homelessness activist as police may have to use DNA and dental recordsFive days after a woman believed to be homeless was burned to death by a passenger inside a New York City subway car, city officials have still not been able to confirm her identity.Investigators may have to rely on dental records or DNA analysis to make an identification of the victim. Continue reading...

Events

4 hours ago Psychic pig names World Darts Championship winner – and it's not Luke Littler

Psychic animals are back in vogue - and the latest mystic to test their hand, or hooves, is Truffles the pig from Ouseburn Farm in Newcastle

Politics

7 hours ago 'I paid £62 per head for Christmas dinner – I couldn't believe what arrived'

A family of four forked out a combined £248 for food alone for their Christmas dinner at a hotel – but they were horrified when their plates arrived at their table

Economics

4 hours ago Disgusting ingredient in American chocolate that explains why foreigners hate our sweets

American-made chocolate is often criticized by Europeans for being poor quality. Food scientists suggest there are several factors, beyond just butyric acid, contributing to these taste differences.

Events

4 hours ago Here’s how long Christmas leftovers can really last before they need throwing away

Who is for turkey sandwiches for the next four days?

Politics

24 hours ago 'Landlord kicked my family out 5 days before Christmas and served my child the eviction notice'

After being evicted and living in unsafe conditions, families like Emma, Aimee, and Zee are finding hope this Christmas, thanks to Shelter's support in securing safe, stable homes

Society

19 hours ago Charities to get cash from £15m fund to redistribute surplus farm food

The scheme will give grants of £20,000 or more to the not-for-profit food redistribution sector in England.

Economics

6 hours ago Noddy Holder battles to save Banks's Mild after Carlsberg announced it was axeing the famous Midlands beer

Rock legend Noddy Holder has thrown his support behind the movement to save one of the Midlands' most famous beers which is due to be scrapped by Carlsberg next week.

Events

5 hours ago Deserted beaches, wild rivers and seaside chill: four days walking in NSW’s largest coastal park

The Yuraygir coastal walk in northern NSW offers 65km of beachy bliss broken up by tiny towns with food and shelter – ideal for hardcore hikers and ragtag families alikeThe tiny town of Brooms Head in northern New South Wales is not much more than a headland, a row of Norfolk Island pines and a sprawling caravan park separating the main road from the beach. It’s the kind of place with one shop, where the bestsellers are bait, mixed lollies and icy poles.On a day trip there from nearby Angourie, our family lay sprawled on the beach, eating Cornettos in the sun, when four men walked past wearing packs – big, proper ones, adorned with damp swimmers. I gave chase. Continue reading...

Politics

30 hours ago Festive cheer as homeless charity cooks up Christmas dinners for hundreds of Manchester's most vulnerable

"I've never seen so many clean plates."

Society

42 hours ago Bank of Mum and Dad want their money back! Parents are calling in their loans after handing out nearly £10BILLION last year

It is often the lender most turn to for cash when all else fails. But now it seems even the bank of mum and dad is no longer a guaranteed insurance policy.

Economics

8 hours ago Police search gardens and sheds for tourist last seen at Scots beauty spot on Christmas Eve

"We also ask people to check gardens, sheds and outbuildings in case he has sought shelter."

Events

5 hours ago You're making Yorkshire puddings wrong – vital step makes them 'extra fluffy'

If you've always wanted to know how to make extra fluffy Yorkshire puddings that are crispy and and delicious, this simple recipe could help you get there with ease

Politics

35 hours ago In a Japanese restaurant in west London, this Chinese woman felt truly at home | Xinran

In my younger years I travelled all over China. But on a culinary tour of Bayswater with my son, I tasted belongingIn our end of year series, writers and public figures remember the place or time when they felt most at homeIn 2006, during his gap year before starting university, my son Pan set out to discover a “world beyond books”. After spending four months backpacking through Australia and New Zealand, he shared with me his most profound realisation from his travels: the meaning of home.He told me: “Some people live in luxurious mansions but rarely share dinners or weekends with their families. Others, in crowded cottages, are enveloped daily by the sounds of children playing and the aroma of home-cooked meals. Some reside deep in the mountains, knowing every blade of grass, bird and rabbit, while others traverse busy city districts yet remain strangers to their own neighbours.” His words made me think about the places I have called home.Xinran is founder of the Mothers’ Bridge o...

Society

13 hours ago 'We fall and we rise': Some amputees in Sierra Leone turn to farming to combat discrimination

Sierra Leone's brutal civil war from 1991-2002 created about 28,000 amputees

Events

6 hours ago Full list of 42 banks closing in January 2025 including Barclays, Halifax and Lloyds

Halifax will close 22 locations in January, while Lloyds will shut 11 sites, Barclays will close six, and Bank of Scotland will say goodbye to three branches

Politics

13 hours ago AP PHOTOS: A river route for food and crime: The dual nature of a major South American waterway

From its headwaters in Brazil, the Paraguay River flows hundreds of miles south to where it joins the Parana River to form a single 2,100-mile waterway that carries much of the agricultural and mineral wealth of South America to the Atlantic

Events

7 hours ago Jamie Oliver's panettone bread and butter pudding is a delicious way to use up leftovers

If you went a little overboard with the Christmas shopping, then Jamie Oliver's panettone bread and butter pudding tart recipe will help turn your leftover panettone into a British classic with a twist

Politics

16 hours ago Walkers rejoice as Labour axes looming deadline for historic plans to be registered

The move has been welcomed by enthusiasts but has sparked another row with landowners following Labour's inheritance tax raid on farms.

Events

7 hours ago From Christmas pie to turkey stew: Top chefs share their best festive leftover suggestions

Anyone for Tom Kerridge's 'epic' turkey sub'that'll 'keep you going until New Year's Eve'?

Politics

17 hours ago Investigation of disappearance of children in Ecuador was delayed for days despite video evidence

A probe into the military’s role in the disappearance of four children in Ecuador this month was delayed for almost two weeks, even though police had access to surveillance videos implicating soldiers in the disappearance

Events

9 hours ago The 15 finest Italian restaurants across the UK according to DesignMyNight

Craving an authentic pasta dish? Here are the best Italian restaurants to visit 🍝

Politics

19 hours ago Emmerdale spoilers: Will Taylor's 'real cause of death revealed' and sad April update

Emmerdale is lining up some emotional scenes on the ITV soap over January, from the fallout to Home Farm Christmas drama to a discovery amid April Windsor's disappearance

Events

10 hours ago People still don't know what time between Christmas and New Year's is really called

As the excitement of Christmas Day fades away, we find ourselves in an odd period of festive downtime where leftover snacks, sweets and crisps dominate and nobody knows what day it is

Politics

22 hours ago Cartels using 'animals and poor people' to test deadly new Fentanyl before flooding market

Mexican drug cartels are luring homeless people into becoming test subjects, offering only $30, to trial new formulations of fentanyl in a bid to dominate the fentanyl drug trade

Events

11 hours ago Mum's 'fully loaded' festive sandwich using Christmas leftovers – and it's quick to make

A recipe for a 'fully loaded' festive panini has gone viral after being shared on Instagram page @lifeofcharlouise - and it looks absolutely delicious

Politics

22 hours ago Mother livid at 'low life' Joe Biden for commuting sentence of her daughter's killer who shot her in cold

Katie Skeen, 36, and Donna Major, 59, were killed by an armed robber while they were working at a bank. But President Joe Biden's pardon of death row inmates includes their killer Brandon Council.

Events

12 hours ago Brits can save hundreds of pounds next year as Monzo launches 1p challenge

This new feature will help bankers save more than £600 in a year

Politics

23 hours ago Recall of raw and frozen cat food in Oregon after feline dies of bird flu

Northwest Naturals has told customers to throw out Feline Turkey Recipe pet food after batch tested positive for virusA voluntary recall of raw and frozen cat food has been issued in Oregon after a cat that died of bird flu was linked to the product, state officials have said.Northwest Naturals has instructed customers of its Feline Turkey Recipe raw frozen pet food to throw out the product if its sell-by date falls between 21 May 2026 and 23 June 2026. Continue reading...

Events

12 hours ago How to get 65 holiday days in 2025 by only using 26 days of annual leave

You can maximise your time off by booking your annual leave around the bank holidays and making the most of the weekends either side

Politics

25 hours ago 'I thought I'd hit the jackpot, then my daughter was in the back of an ambulance'

Chelsea Garman has been left 'traumatised' after her daughter's nursery gave her food which caused a severe allergic reaction

Events

12 hours ago How to get 59 holiday days in 2025 by only using 27 days of annual leave

You can maximise your time off by booking your annual leave around the bank holidays and making the most of the weekends either side

Politics

27 hours ago Urgent warning over pet food contaminated with bird flu after cat dies as recall issued

The Portland-based pet food brand, Northwest Naturals, has voluntarily recalled bags of its "Turkey Recipe" raw frozen pet food after a cat died from eating the bird-flu contaminated product

Events

12 hours ago We tried cheap champagne from Aldi, Tesco, Lidl, Asda, M&S, Sainsbury's, Morrisons, Waitrose

Our bubbles taste test of champagne from all the UK's supermarkets - and one came up fizzing

Politics

28 hours ago Christmas bloat? Key mistake when eating leftovers could cause embarrassing gut problems, experts warn

A common food prep habit leads to a change in the chemistry of foods, impacting how our guts break them down and causing uncomfortable symptoms.

Events

13 hours ago Use your Christmas leftovers easily with delicious sandwich recipe that takes minutes

If you have leftovers in your fridge from Christmas Day, or bags of roast potatoes you didn't get round to using, make this viral festive treat that takes minutes in an air fryer

Politics

32 hours ago Jeremy Clarkson's girlfriend Lisa Hogan is flooded with messages of support as she shares an emotional Christmas Day message from Diddly Squat Farm

Taking to X, formerly Twitter , Lisa Hogan posted a short video from the Cotswolds farm she manages with the former Top Gear host alongside a thoughtful address to their many fans.

Events

13 hours ago The real Celtic party is yet to come but greedy Hoops prove hungry for more than Christmas dinner leftovers

It was a first Boxing Day home match for the Hoops in 14 years and they made up for lost time

Politics

33 hours ago Police found huge Christmas Day cannabis farm but there's a mystery behind it

Forensic, financial and traffic enquires have drawn a blank

Events