2 hours ago Emily Blackwell gives birth to baby girl 10 weeks early in 'hardest time of her life'

Made In Chelsea star Emily Blackwell has opened up about giving birth to her baby girl 10 weeks early and the emotional journey she has been on with her daughter in an intensive care unit.

Politics

5 hours ago 'Say it's carol singers': Love Actually mews house listed to rent for £15,200 a month

The house is on St Luke’s Mews, where Mark (Andrew Lincoln) makes his famous declaration of love to Juliet (Keira Knightley) in Richard Curtis’ film

Society

94 minutes ago Iran arrests Italian journalist and throws her 'in solitary confinement' after she 'released podcast about woman who rejected conservative values'

Cecilia Sala, 29, who works for Il Foglio newspaper and podcast company Chora Media has been under arrest for the past week after she was detained by police in Tehran on December 19.

Economics

6 hours ago Man United and Man City handed major Dani Olmo transfer update as agent visits Manchester

Dani Olmo is due to become a free agent next week after Barcelona were handed a huge registration blow ahead of January.

Sport

65 minutes ago U Guessed It rapper OG Maco dies aged 32 just weeks after tragically shooting himself

The U Guessed It star had been hospitalised after suffering a gunshot wound to the head on December 12.

Events

5 hours ago Our readers on their pick of 2024’s best films, music, TV shows and podcasts

From sci-fi epics to investigate deep-dives, the Guide readers have their say on the year’s finest cultureWelcome to the last Guide of 2024! I hope you all are enjoying your festive break, and have a better handle on which day it is than I do. As is tradition, after our own roundup of the year’s best culture, we are turning things over to you this week. Here are the films, TV shows, music, performances, and podcasts that wowed you in 2024.Thanks to everyone who sent in suggestions and sorry if we weren’t able to include yours. Enjoy the rest of your Christmas break, and see you on the other side of the new year, for our 2025 preview next Friday! Continue reading...

Culture

3 hours 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

3 hours ago Severe weather threatens US flights during one of busiest travel weekends

Nearly 900 flights have been cancelled already as tornado watches are issued in Texas and LouisianaAs the US braces for one of its busiest travel weekends of the year, the threat of severe weather has already led to hundreds of flight cancellations.Tornado watches were issued in the southern states of Texas and Louisiana on Thursday, CNN reported. In Texas, the Federal Aviation Administration ordered ground stops at two airports, CBS reported. Governor Greg Abbott of Texas activated emergency response resources in the state on Thursday. Continue reading...

Transport

2 hours ago Wham!’s Last Christmas remains top of UK singles chart for another week

Duo’s festive record made history when it became Christmas No 1 two years in a rowWham! have continued their belated festive domination after Last Christmas remained top of the singles chart, a week after being crowned 2024’s Christmas No 1.The pop duo of George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley made history last week after their 1984 single Last Christmas became the first UK Christmas No1 to top the chart for two years in a row. Continue reading...

Politics

8 hours ago My family call it Old Lady Clubbing, but my giddy ‘nights out’ have lit up a dismal 2024 | Gaby Hinsliff

Dance till you drop, then home by 10pm – daytime events offer a glorious escape for those of us bogged down by responsibilityLast Saturday night, I went clubbing with friends. Once upon a time, this wouldn’t have been a remotely odd sentence to type, because it was what I did pretty much every weekend. But a lot has changed since then – let’s just say that in my peak raving years there was a Labour government in power, only it was actually popular – and like most people whose happy place was once on the dancefloor, inevitably with time comes the feeling that you no longer belong. Deep down, you still come to life when the bassline kicks in. But you morph from hardened raver to the kind of person who’s always up for dancing at parties and weddings, and then finally into the kind of person whose friends aren’t getting married any more and who spends their Saturday nights giving their children lifts to parties. So eventually you tell yourself sadly that those days are over now, and tha...

Society

4 hours ago Got a new phone for Christmas? Casetify's holiday sale cuts price of iPhone and Samsung cases

If you've recently acquired a new smartphone, you'll be needing a case - and Casetify has a dizzying array of options on offer right now for a very attractive price

Economics

28 hours ago Squid Game season 2 ending sparks outrage as Netflix fans brand it 'worst' episode

Netflix's Squid Game returned for its second season earlier this week but the final episode of the South Korean drama has left fans feeling disappointed.

Sport

94 minutes ago Mark Wahlberg, 53, and wife Rhea Durham, 46, show off sizzling beach bodies in Barbados

Mark Wahlberg and wife showed Rhea Durham looked as loved-up as ever as they enjoyed a beach day in Barbados this week.

Events

20 hours ago Ant and Dec open up on their 'rare disagreement' while filming ITV Limitless Win

Ant and Dec's Limitless Win returns to ITV this weekend and the duo have opened up about a "rare disagreement" they had on the show while acting as lifelines for the contestants

Culture

20 hours ago Bird flu virus shows mutations in first severe human infection in US, CDC says

Mutations are rare but have been reported in some cases in other countries and most often in extreme infectionsThe US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Thursday its analysis of samples from the first severe case of bird flu in the country last week showed mutations not seen in samples from an infected backyard flock on the patient’s property.The CDC said the patient’s sample showed mutations in the hemagglutinin (HA) gene, the part of the virus that plays a key role in it attaching to host cells. Continue reading...

Science

3 hours 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

15 hours ago Climate crisis exposed people to extra six weeks of dangerous heat in 2024

Analysis shows fossil fuels are supercharging heatwaves, leaving millions prone to deadly temperaturesThe climate crisis caused an additional six weeks of dangerously hot days in 2024 for the average person, supercharging the fatal impact of heatwaves around the world.The effects of human-caused global heating were far worse for some people, an analysis by World Weather Attribution (WWA) and Climate Central has shown. Those in Caribbean and Pacific island states were the hardest hit. Many endured about 150 more days of dangerous heat than they would have done without global heating, almost half the year. Continue reading...

Society

31 hours ago Former Chelsea star Oscar says goodbye to China after eight years and £166m in wages

Oscar is returning to hometown club Sao Paulo following eight years in Shanghai where the former Chelsea star earned £400,000 per week and became the Chinese Super League's biggest foreign star

Economics

30 hours ago Young rugby player battling leukaemia after diagnosis weeks before Christmas

Talented football and rugby player Aston Bevington and his family have received an 'army' of support after the devastating diagnosis earlier this month

Sport

2 hours ago Wham! top Christmas Number One charts with major record tying with Whitney Houston

George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley's Last Christmas is the UK's biggest festive hit, and has topped the charts for an incredible 10 weeks in total

Events

3 hours ago Emily Blackwell gives birth 10 weeks early as baby daughter discharged from intensive care unit

Made in Chelsea star Emily Blackwell has given birth to her first child 10 weeks early as she admitted she's had the 'hardest time of her life' as her baby went into intensive care

Politics

36 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

44 hours ago Mega Millions prize soars to $1.15 billion, the highest ever in month of December

If a winner is drawn this week, they’ll win the fifth-largest jackpot in Mega Millions history

Economics

33 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

2 hours ago Comedian plays ‘ghost’ of UnitedHealthcare CEO on Netflix three weeks after murder

Tim Dillon appeared in front of a projection reading: ‘UnitedHellcare CEO’

Events

3 hours ago Friday night pub quiz: Test your general knowledge with these 20 questions

See how you fared in this week's leaderboard

Politics

36 hours ago Royal family sets sights on return to normality with more overseas tours in 2025

The King and Queen and other members of the royal family are also expected to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day – and welcome a new royal baby.

Society

2 hours ago U Guessed It rapper OG Maco, 32, dies weeks after tragically shooting himself

U Guessed It rapper OG Maco has died at the age of 32, just weeks after suffering a gunshot wound to the head as he was admitted to hospital and put in critical care

Events

3 hours ago Destiny 2 Xur Exotics today: All items for sale and where to find him on December 27

Destiny 2's Exotic vendor, Xur, is back again this week – here's how to find him, what he's selling, and whether we recommend his offerings before he vanishes again

Politics

3 hours ago Biden administration pledges additional military aid to Ukraine amid Russia war

Security assistance package in works as North Korean troops are deployed in Kursk after Putin-Kim agreementThe Biden administration is pledging to approve fresh military aid to Ukraine in the coming days, including crucial air defense systems, as North Korean forces face mounting casualties in their first major deployment to a European conflict.John Kirby, the US national security communications adviser, told reporters on Friday that in just the last week North Korean troops had suffered more than 1,000 casualties in what he referred to as failed “human wave” assaults near the Kursk border-region, which confirms similar figures reported by South Korea. Continue reading...

Events

3 hours ago Weekend Wishlist: Our top 9 fashion and beauty picks from the Boxing Day sales

From Charlotte Tilbury to Oliver Bonas, we share the best wardrobe staples, beauty bargains and home buys of the week

Politics

4 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 Max George reunited with beloved pup as The Wanted star finally discharged from hospital

The Wanted star Max George has finally returned home after spending weeks in hospital and having a pacemaker fitted as he reunited with his beloved pitbull Albert

Politics

5 hours ago Handré Pollard back at Twickenham and still enjoying pressure of big occasions

Leicester fly-half returns to scene of South Africa’s autumn triumph, where his opposite number is also a familiar face There will be those at a sold-out Twickenham on Saturday who will be sick of the sight of Handré Pollard. The 30-year-old fly-half returns to the stadium with Leicester six weeks after his accuracy from the tee kept the Springboks out of reach against England, his goalkicking once more a dagger to the heart of Steve Borthwick. That his opposite number will be Harlequins’ Marcus Smith only heightens the sense that England’s bete noire is back.As was the case in the 2023 World Cup semi-final, Pollard began November’s victory over England on the bench, only to come on and turn the screw from the tee. He is the elder statesman of South Africa’s pool of No 10s but is at home playing the role of safe hand on the tiller, just when Rassie Erasmus needs it. For the Springboks it has been a year of experimentation, all the while maintaining their place at the top of the worl...

Events

4 hours ago Civil servants vote to strike after bosses ordered them back to the office for three days a week

The Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) said around 3,800 of its members based in 14 offices were being given the new working hours.

Politics

5 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

4 hours ago NATO will step up Baltic Sea patrols as Finland probes the possible sabotage of undersea cables

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte says the military alliance will step up patrols in the Baltic Sea area as Finnish investigators work to establish whether a ship linked to Russia sabotaged undersea cables there this week

Politics

6 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

4 hours ago MIC's Emily Blackwell reveals premature birth of daughter as she details newborn's 53 days in NICU

The E4 star announced the early arrival of her daughter Eva, born 10 weeks premature, after a challenging two-month stay in NICU

Politics

6 hours ago Convicted terrorist suing Saracen's Head landlords over 'racist' pub signs says he'll donate court winnings to Gaza orphans

Convicted terrorist, Khalid Baqa, who is pursuing civil action against Saracen's Head publicans over its 'racist' name says he will give his court winnings to Gazan orphans. 

Events

4 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

6 hours ago Israeli forces raid Gaza hospital after staff reported killed in strike

Staff arrested, injured and killed as Israeli forces burn departments and attack buildings surrounding one of the area’s last remaining hospitals, says directorA fire has broken out at one of northern Gaza’s only functioning hospitals, while medics and patients have been forced to leave by Israeli forces, who raided the hospital on Friday morning, according to staff members.Kamal Adwan hospital and the surrounding area has been under increased attack this week, according to the hospital’s director, Dr Hussam Abu Safiya, who said five medical staff were killed in a strike on Thursday. Continue reading...

Events

5 hours ago MAGA civil war ramps up as Trump ally Laura Loomer lays into Elon Musk — and loses her blue check

“[Musk] has removed my blue check mark on X because I dared to question his support for H1B visas, the replacement of American tech workers by Indian immigrants,” Laura Loomer tweeted Thursday.

Politics

7 hours ago ‘Every coach is in danger’: Amorim wary of job risk if United’s poor form rolls on

Amorim: ‘United manager can never be comfortable’Manager points out he has only had four training sessionsRuben Amorim has said he is aware his job will be at risk if he fails to reverse Manchester United’s alarming slide and acknowledged supporters are “tired” of the team’s shortcomings. Amorim recognises the volatile state of management and is determined to thrive on the pressure.The coach said he is not immune from danger because United paid €10m (£8.3m) to release him from his contract at Sporting in November and knows he must win to prevent scrutiny from building. Amorim’s successor at Sporting, João Pereira, was sacked this week after eight matches in charge. Continue reading...

Events

5 hours ago Biggest games of 2025: GTA 6 and Switch 2 expected to headline stacked year of releases

2025 is right around the corner, and it's packed with a staggering array of releases across all platforms so there's something to look forward to whatever system you own

Politics

8 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 ITV Coronation Street's Helen Worth 'likely' to join rival soap after Gail exit

Coronation Street icon Helen Worth is leaving the cobbles behind after almost five decades playing Gail Platt - and it seems she may soon be making her mark on another soap.

Politics

11 hours ago Martin Lewis' MSE issues warning as supermarket axing loyalty rewards next week

Co-op axed its cashback perk for members back in January and set a deadline of December 31 to spend any balance that you may have previously built up

Events

5 hours ago Grace Kelly's grandson Louis Ducruet and his wife Marie share festive family portrait

The adorable photo, shared to Instagram , features the happy Monaco couple and their children - along with their trusty pooch Pancake.

Politics

11 hours ago Female prison officer is suspended 'after being filmed having sex with burly, tattooed inmate in jail cell'

A female prison officer, 19, has been suspended after allegedly being filmed having sex with a 'burly, tattooed' inmate in HMP Five Wells in Wellingborough last week. 

Events

5 hours ago Strange Hogmanay Traditions: Here are 12 quirky ways people around the world celebrate New Year

Depending on where you live in the world you might mark the start of the New Year wearing red pants or jumping off a chair.

Politics

11 hours ago Coronation Street boss warns cast to expect brutal culls after Helen Worth's exit

Coronation Street's new boss Kate Brooks has warned that a number of characters will be leaving the soap in the coming months as she makes her mark

Events

6 hours ago My son’s girlfriend has taken over his life and I fear he’s being suffocated | Ask Annalisa Barbieri

You are better off keeping your son close so that he knows he can come to you if there are problemsEvery week Annalisa Barbieri addresses a problem sent in by a readerA year ago, our almost 18-year-old son began seeing a girl, who is a year older than him and is his first ‘real’ girlfriend. Soon he stopped seeing his friends and he spent all of his free time with her. When they were not actually together, they were on the phone or playing remote video games.We barely saw him over the summer, as he was with her all the time. He refused to go on holiday with us unless we invited her too, which we were not willing to do . Continue reading...

Politics

11 hours ago Dad posts heartbreaking Christmas photo with baby after young mum killed in hit

Marguerjsonita Sheridan, 21, died last week in a road tragedy.

Events

6 hours ago Made In Chelsea star gives birth to baby 10wks early and shares cute name as she opens up about 'hardest times of our lives'

Made In Chelsea’s Emily Blackwell has announced the arrival of her baby, who was born 10 weeks prematurely, and has revealed her daughter’s adorable name

Politics

13 hours ago Can Europe switch to a ‘wartime mindset’? Take it from us in Ukraine: here is what that means | Oleksandr Mykhed

Nato’s warning reached me as I braced for a missile attack in Kyiv – where we’ve learned how to survive in the era of Russian hybrid warfareDay 1,024 of the invasion. Kyiv, 7am. Friday the 13th. In a former life, someone would have observed that this is a day that portends bad luck. But in a country where shelling is a daily occurrence, it has become irrelevant. I wake up to the sound of an app on my phone warning me of an increased missile threat. While my partner and I are hiding in the corridor, I read the news that the Nato chief, Mark Rutte, has called on members of the US-led transatlantic alliance to “shift to a wartime mindset”.With the first bang of the air defence system, a thought strikes me: for those who have not already been living with it for nearly three years, how would you explain this mindset? What is this wartime thinking? Continue reading...

Events

6 hours ago Gavin and Stacey viewers 'in tears' over tribute to beloved late character in finale

Gavin and Stacey: the Finale aired earlier this week and some fans were thrilled by the reference in one scene to a character who did not appear in the Christmas special

Politics

14 hours ago Coronation Street killer set for dramatic return 13 years after ITV soap debut

Coronation Street's Mark Baylis is reprising his role in the soap as Rob Donovan with his return set to air in the new - and he will cause plenty of chaos for Carla Connor and Lisa Swain

Events