2 hours ago Keir Starmer's bond with little brother he lost to cancer: How PM stood up for labourer Nick as he was bullied because of learning difficulties during 'really tough life'

Keir Starmer is typically private about his family, particularly his younger brother Nick, who died on Boxing Day aged 60.

Politics

7 hours ago Will house prices go up in 2025? Six property experts give their verdict

We revisit six experts and ask them for their house price predictions for 2025, as well as where the housing market hot and cold spots will be.

Society

6 hours ago 'House prices to top £250k barrier and average road speeds 55mph' in 2025 forecasts

Accountancy giant PwC's predictions for 2025 include jump in electric car sales and green energy production, plus "bright spots" for UK economy

Economics

2 hours ago Gavin and Stacey fans in disbelief after spotting massive blunder in Christmas finale

Gavin and Stacey fans expressed their shock after discovering Smithy's full name during the 2024 Christmas special, with one joking they "watch the show too much"

Sport

93 minutes ago Met Office issues weather warning for heavy rain to hit parts of UK by New Year's Eve

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for heavy rain that could bring "significant disruption" to parts of the UK ahead of New Year's Eve, and some areas may also see snow

Events

37 hours ago ‘I get spotted in the M&S knicker department’: Lorraine Ashbourne on her 2024 TV takeover

From Bridgerton to Sherwood and Alma’s Not Normal, the actor has lit up our screens all year – and her ‘victory lap’ is only just starting Lorraine Ashbourne has had a massive year. “I know! People keep saying: oh God, Lorraine, get off the telly, we want somebody else,” she says. “But it has been extraordinary.” She kicked things off in January with ITV’s entertaining disaster thriller After the Flood, playing Sophie Rundle’s tough, grieving mother, Molly. As the year went on, she returned to two of her biggest and most significant roles yet, as the former secret spy cop Daphne Sparrow in Sherwood, and Grandma Joan in the wrenching, hilarious second series of Alma’s Not Normal. Has she ended up in such outstanding shows because she’s picky? “Absolutely not. I’ll do anything! I’m a cheap date. It’s just timing that these things have fallen into place.”Right now, Ashbourne is at home in north London. She grew up in Manchester, where she went to drama school. She met her husband, Andy...

Culture

1 hour ago Snow maps show '2cm per hour' flurries will sweep UK on New Year's Day

Snow is set to fall '2cm every hour' and blanket parts of Britain in the coming days, with purple weather maps showing exactly where will turn white next week

Science

10 hours ago Road closed near busy M6 junction after car hits telegraph pole and building

A person was rescued from the vehicle

Transport

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

16 hours ago The terrible secret I can never tell my husband: I slept with his brother before I met him... and I still get a rush of desire over the family dinner table even 25 years later

This year's Christmas dinner was the hardest so far; I could barely handle the tension. As the roast potatoes were handed down the table at my in-laws', excitement passed through me.

Society

9 hours ago Shoppers fume after spotting unlikely items on supermarket shelves on Boxing Day

They say Christmas comes earlier every year, with supermarket shelves often stocked with festive treats months before December 25 – but it's not the only holiday getting shoppers riled up early

Economics

3 hours ago Gavin and Stacey fans spot huge errors in finale as Neil the Baby goes 'missing' from scene

Gavin and Stacey fans were left sobbing at the show's festive finale, but some viewers couldn't help but notice a few awkward blunders throughout the 90-minute episode

Sport

1 hour ago Sir Keir Starmer’s ‘wonderful’ brother dies aged 60 after suffering from cancer

The Prime Minister praised his brother for meeting all the challenges in his life with ‘courage and good humour’.

Events

5 hours ago Man airlifted to hospital after 'medical emergency' on Loch Lomond island

The Loch Lomond Rescue Boat (LLRB) were called in to assist the man before the Coastguard airlifted him to hospital after a 'medical emergency' on Inchmurrin Island on Loch Lomond.

Science

3 hours ago Denise Welch, 66, jokes husband Lincoln is 'too old' as she pokes fun at age

Actress Denise Welch has poked fun at the 14-year age gap in her relationship with her husband Lincoln Townley as she wished him a happy birthday this morning

Politics

24 hours ago Met Office rules on fate of New Year's celebrations as 'erratic weather' set to hit

The start of 2025 is expected to ring in "erratic changes" in the weather according to the Met Office, bringing rain, stronger winds and even snow in some parts of the UK, but not for long

Society

26 hours ago The 18 best villages to invest in NOW: Prices are low, but not for much longer in these up

The property spotlight is firmly fixed on villages right now, both as desirable locations to live and as possible investment hotspots.

Economics

4 hours ago Gavin and Stacey fans spot continuity error during Mick's stag night tribute to Smithy

The gaffe comes as James Corden thanked fans for tuning into the finale after it secured the highest Christmas Day ratings since 2008

Sport

2 hours ago Morrison Hotel featured on The Doors’ album cover burns in Los Angeles fire

Blaze engulfed landmark building where Jim Morrison and bandmates posed for a photograph for their 1970 LPFlames engulfed the historic Morrison Hotel, featured on the cover of The Doors’ 1970 album of the same name, after a fire hit the landmark downtown Los Angeles building.More than 100 firefighters responded to the fire, which began around 11am Thursday, and had the burn under control in under two hours. Several dozen people inside were able to escape, including possible squatters and three people rescued by firefighters on the third floor. Continue reading...

Events

7 hours ago Small fraction of hydrogen trapped under Earth can power humanity for centuries, scientists say

US Geological Survey researchers say there could be 5.6 trillion metric tonnes of hydrogen in rocks and underground reservoirs

Science

3 hours ago Christmas chocolates replaced with unlikely item on Boxing Day in supermarket

Shoppers have been left fuming after they spotted an unexpected item lining supermarket shelves just a day after Christmas – and have taken to social media to share their thoughts

Politics

27 hours ago Iconic 60s child actor who starred in classic family comedy with a twist spotted in rare Los Angeles outing

He played the youngest member of a TV family, complete the well-meaning father, the loving mother, the unsophisticated teen and the live-in relative with weird habits.

Society

27 hours ago Ninja's Boxing Day sale has landed and you can get the £30 travel mug for under £4

Ninja has launched its Boxing Day sale with major savings across kitchen appliances and gadgets, and savvy shoppers have spotted a way to get the £30 travel mug for under £4

Economics

6 hours ago Gavin and Stacey fans livid as they spot huge 'blunder' in final episode

Gavin and Stacey officially bowed out after a thrilling final episode, but some eagle-eyed viewers were less than thrilled when they spotted a bizarre plot hole in the story

Sport

2 hours ago Morrison hotel featured on Doors’ album cover burns in Los Angeles fire

Blaze engulfed landmark building where Jim Morrison and bandmates posed for a photograph for their 1970 LPFlames engulfed the historic Morrison Hotel, featured on the cover of The Doors’ 1970 album of the same name, after a fire hit the landmark downtown Los Angeles building.More than 100 firefighters responded to the fire, which began around 11am Thursday, and had the burn under control in under two hours. Several dozen people inside were able to escape, including possible squatters and three people rescued by firefighters on the third floor. Continue reading...

Events

23 hours ago ITV Coronation Street's Sue Nicholls diagnosed with 'dangerous cancer' after fan spotted sign

Coronation Street star Sue Nicholls - who has played Audrey Roberts for decades - was once contacted by a viewer who had spotted a suspiciously shaped mole on her shoulder

Science

4 hours ago Tributes paid to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's 'wonderful' younger brother, who died on Boxing Day

Nick Starmer died on Boxing Day at the age of 60.

Politics

33 hours ago Met Office weather map shows when UK can expect more snow ahead of new year

The Met Office's long-range forecast warns of colder air moving southwards, heightening the likelihood of sleet and snow as the New Year begins.

Society

28 hours ago Man City vs Everton LIVE: Result and reaction as City slip again with Pickford saving Haaland penalty

Man City 1-1 Everton: Bernardo Silva gave City the lead but Iliman Ndiaye equalised and Pickford repelled Haaland’s spot-kick to add to City’s woe

Economics

8 hours ago Gavin and Stacey fans spot hilarious continuity error during Mick's touching stag night tribute to Smithy

The moving scene showed an emotional Mick describing Smithy as a second son to himself and wife Pam, after they struggled to conceive another child.

Sport

3 hours ago 2 Florida tourist spots halt drones in shows following a separate accident that injured a boy

A theme park resort and a huge hotel in central Florida either have stopped using drones or canceled their drone-based shows after several drones collided and fell from the sky during a separate holiday celebration in downtown Orlando

Events

4 hours ago 'Unglamorous' Sandringham Christmas arrangements revealed as royals sleep in 'fish finger beds'

Sandringingham has been a royal residence since 1862 and is the private home of the Queen for much of the year - so it is the obvious choice for King Charles and his family

Politics

28 hours ago Man City's winless run extended as Erling Haaland pays the penalty against Everton

MANCHESTER CITY 1-1 EVERTON: Bernardo Silva put the hosts ahead before they were pegged back by Iliman Ndiaye with Erling Haaland missing a golden opportunity to win the game from the penalty spot

Economics

21 hours ago Equestrian champion 'was tortured for 21 YEARS in Syrian jail' after he beat dictator Bashar al Assad's older brother in a competition

Adnan Kassar, who won several gold medals and captained the national equestrian team in the 1980s was a close friend of Assad, whose elder brother Bassel was also a fellow equestrian.

Sport

3 hours ago One owl rescued by a Minnesota woman is euthanized; efforts to save the other continue

One of the two owls rescued by a Minnesota woman in a story that went viral this week has died, but the other is still getting medical care

Events

4 hours ago You have 'eyes of a sniper' if you can spot tiny Lego piece hiding on carpet

A Reddit user shared a snap of the intricate patterns of a rug hiding a small Lego piece and challenged people to find it. Can you spot the brown piece of Lego in the image?

Politics

30 hours ago Poker player turned £40 into £31million – then lost it all and got banned from casino

Archie Karas passed away in September at the age of 73 - and he will be remembered for his incredibly wild poker career in which he turned £39 into £31million before losing his fortunes

Economics

34 hours ago Gavin and Stacey fans spot 'hidden' detail in finale that leaves them in stitches

More than 18million Brits tuned in to watch the last ever episode of Gavin and Stacey on Christmas Day this year, but there were only a few who spotted some clever "hidden" details

Sport

4 hours ago One month's rainfall in just two days to deluge UK as weather warnings issued

The Met Office says rain and snow are expected next week as the transition between 2024 and 2025 becomes unsettled - and Strathclyde, including Glasgow, will see the heaviest rainfall

Events

5 hours ago Gavin & Stacey Christmas special viewers point out glaring continuity error

Viewers spotted blunder during Smithy’s stag night

Politics

31 hours ago Boxing Day shoppers form massive queues at early hours as Brits to splurge £4.6million

Boxing Day bargain hunters have been spotted forming massive queues across UK high streets early today.

Economics

39 hours ago Mariah Carey sparks fury as livid fans spot glaring problem with her NFL Christmas match performance

Mariah Carey has been accused of lip syncing after she performed her hit single All I Want For Christmas Is You during the NFL Christmas games on Friday as Netflix streamed Kansas City Chiefs vs Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens vs Houston Texans

Sport

4 hours ago Starmer pays tribute to ‘wonderful’ brother Nick who died on Boxing Day

The Prime Minister thanked those who cared for his brother, saying ‘their skill and compassion is very much appreciated’.

Events

5 hours ago ‘Why are my biceps so small?’ The boys and young men turning to steroids

A generation of young people are being raised on a vision of masculinity that glorifies muscular bodies. Performance and image enhancing drugs offer a quick – but potentially risky – way to achieve their goalOne month ago, Nick*, an 18-year-old university student living in the United States, got some devastating news: his little brother has cancer. It’s one of the worst times of Nick’s life, he says, but he’s “still positive”.“I wake up with a smile on my face,” he says. Not because of family support or a miracle cure, but because he has a potent combination of chemicals coursing through his veins: steroids.Sign up for a weekly email featuring our best reads Continue reading...

Politics

33 hours ago Boxing Day sale bargain hunters join massive shop queues to splurge £4.6BILLION

Shoppers have been spotted in their droves in towns and cities across the UK as they hope to make the most of today's biggest deals.

Economics

5 hours ago Weather warning issued for heavy rain in Scotland on final days of 2024

The Met Office said there could also be snow and strong winds in some areas on December 30 and 31.

Events

5 hours ago Hawk Tuah girl's 'spit on that thang' eerily spotted in 1992 The Simpsons episode

The internet has gone into overdrive with memes after spotting a connection between viral sensation Haliey Welch and a character from The Simpsons TV show

Politics

5 hours ago ITV Emmerdale fans spot three clues Will Taylor is 'still alive' after deadly twist

Emmerdale fans are convinced that Will Taylor is still alive following the ITV soap's horror Christmas scenes, where he appeared to be killed off

Events

5 hours ago Keir Starmer's younger brother Nick dies of cancer aged 60: Prime Minister pays tribute to 'wonderful' sibling after he passed away on Boxing Day

The Prime Minister had been set to go on holiday with his family today but it is understood he will now stay at home.

Politics

5 hours ago Keir Starmer pays tribute to ‘wonderful’ brother Nick who died on Boxing Day

Nick Starmer died from cancer at the age of 60 on 26 December

Events

5 hours ago Only people with 'eyes of a sniper' can spot Lego piece that's hiding on carpet

A Reddit user challenged others to find a piece of Lego their child dropped on the carpet, with intricate patterns and a range of colours

Politics

5 hours ago PM Sir Keir Starmer pays tribute to 'wonderful' brother after Boxing Day death

Nick Starmer, 60, passed away on December 26, a Downing Street spokesman has said - his brother, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer today shared his heartache saying 'we will miss him'

Events

6 hours ago Zara Tindall's Christmas Day burgundy handbag is still available to buy and comes in four colours

Zara Tindall is a big fan of her Lalage Beaumont handbag, which she has been spotted with on numerous occasions, with its most recent appearance being on Christmas Day

Politics

5 hours ago Eurostar passengers trapped inside Channel Tunnel for 3 hours in Christmas chaos

Almost 800 people were left stranded in the tunnel today for hours.

Events

6 hours ago Eurostar passengers 'trapped for hours' in Channel Tunnel after train breaks down between London and Paris

Eurostar passengers 'trapped for hours' in Channel Tunnel after train breaks down between London and Paris  Sky News

Politics

6 hours ago Charity warns of five symptoms to look for in family members that could reveal hidden condition

Vital advice if you spot someone who might be suffering with the UK's biggest killer

Events

6 hours ago Royal Family's Sandringham sleeping arrangements from 'fish finger beds to staff quarters'

The Royal Family traditionally gathers at Sandringham to celebrate Christmas with the King but the estate is one of the smallest and least grand so it's a tight squeeze for all.

Politics

6 hours ago Keir Starmer's heartbreak as brother Nick dies from cancer as PM says 'we'll miss him'

We'll be bringing you the latest updates on this Breaking Politics News story. Please check back regularly for updates on this developing story

Events

7 hours ago The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie audiobook review – a starry whodunnit

Peter Dinklage’s resonant turn as Hercule Poirot gives the beloved writer’s debut a charismatic rebootWhen an army captain, on leave during the first world war, visits a family friend for the weekend at their country pile in Essex, he is hoping for some sunny respite from the frontline. Captain Hastings and John Cavendish are childhood friends, so Hastings is well acquainted with his family, who also include John’s brother Lawrence and their stepmother Emily.The widowed Emily, we learn, has recently married Alfred Inglethorp, an American 20 years her junior, much to the ire of her children who believe him to be a gold digger. One night, Emily is taken ill and cries out from her bed. By the time Hastings and Lawrence arrive on the scene – they are forced to break down the door, as it is locked from the inside – she is dead. The next morning Hastings announces he has called a friend to investigate: a moustached Belgian named Hercule Poirot. Continue reading...

Politics

6 hours ago Eurostar passengers trapped in Channel Tunnel during Christmas travel chaos

The Eurostar train reportedly suffered a breakdown this morning during a journey from London to Paris with hundreds of passengers having to be evacuated to Calais

Events

7 hours ago Scotland in for 'erratic' New Year's weather as rain and 'severe' snow on the way

Those with Hogmanay plans could be in for disruption.

Politics

7 hours ago Eurostar chaos after hundreds of passengers trapped in Channel Tunnel for nearly 3 hours

The Eurostar train reportedly suffered a breakdown this morning during a journey from London to Paris with hundreds needing to be evacuated to Calais, in France

Events

7 hours ago Seaside Scottish town with famous beach named 'perfect winter staycation' spot

Just in time for 2025, a charming and historic Scottish town has been named "the perfect winter staycation destination" — and it is home to a famous beach and acclaimed restaurants.

Politics

8 hours ago Weather tracker: storm brings well over a metre of snow to peaks in Alps

Several days of snow brought avalanche risk at Christmas, as wintry weather also caused four deaths in IndiaA snowstorm developed across the Alps on Saturday 21 December due to a low-pressure system situated over the Adriatic Sea. This depression allowed relatively warm and moist air to push into the Alps, condensing and falling as snow as it met the much colder alpine air mass. Snowfall continued for several days, allowing some of the peaks to see well over 1 metre of snow, with significant snowfall also seen across many ski villages. Consequently, there was a significant avalanche risk over the Christmas period.Ski resorts in Bulgaria also experienced significant snow starting on Christmas Day, which caused disruption in the mountainous west, where ski resorts had to temporarily shut down due to road closures. Towns such as Troyan, Samokov and Teteven were particularly badly affected with snowdrifts and power failures. Continue reading...

Events

9 hours ago Inside Sandringham sleeping arrangements from 'fish finger beds to unglamorous staff quarters'

King Charles hosts traditional Christmas celebrations for his family at his Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, however it is reportedly a tight squeeze for the 45 royals in attendance

Politics

8 hours ago Weather tracker: Storm brings well over a metre of snow to peaks in Alps

Several days of snow brought avalanche risk at Christmas, as wintry weather also caused four deaths in IndiaA snowstorm developed across the Alps on Saturday 21 December due to a low-pressure system situated over the Adriatic Sea. This depression allowed relatively warm and moist air to push into the Alps, condensing and falling as snow as it met the much colder alpine air mass. Snowfall continued for several days, with well over 1 metre of snow on some peaks and significant snowfall across many ski villages. Consequently, there was a significant avalanche risk over the Christmas period.Ski resorts in Bulgaria also experienced significant snow starting on Christmas Day, which caused disruption in the mountainous west, where ski resorts had to temporarily shut down due to road closures. Towns such as Troyan, Samokov and Teteven were particularly badly affected with snowdrifts and power failures. Continue reading...

Events

11 hours ago Hubris by Johannes Krause and Thomas Trappe review – learning from the Neanderthals

Why did we succeeded when other hominins didn’t, and can lessons from our evolutionary past help rein in our destructive impulses?In an institute in Germany, scientists are growing “Neanderthalised” human brain cells in a dish. These cells form synapses and spark as they would have done in a living Neanderthal as she (they are female cells) foraged or breastfed or gazed out of a cave mouth at dusk. That is the spine-tingling opening gambit of a book co-authored by one of the directors of the institute, Johannes Krause, and the information that sets it apart from a host of popular science books that attempt to predict humanity’s future based on our evolutionary past.A mere 90 genetic differences distinguish modern humans, Homo sapiens, from Neanderthals, Homo neanderthalensis. That’s paltry, given the roughly 20,000 genes that make up the human blueprint, and not all of them affect the brain. Yet those 90 differences could explain why Neanderthals died out, s...

Politics

8 hours ago Easy way to make your radiators heat up faster as UK snowstorm forecast

With more cold weather and snow on the way, it's a good chance to make sure your radiators are working as efficiently as possible to help keep you warm over the frosty spell

Events