2 hours ago Travel expert shares how to get 64 days off work in 2025 with annual leave hack

A travel expert, who works a 9-5 job, has worked out a clever way to use his holiday allowance to get more days off work - and it's all thanks to the calendar in 2025

Politics

5 hours ago Family 'lost everything' days after Christmas as two houses on same street go up in flames

Devastating double house fires on Friday morning meant a family in Garston lost 'everything' and were left 'traumatised' as two homes went up in flames over the Christmas period as

Society

4 hours ago Barcelona set to finally register Dani Olmo after agreeing VIP seating deal

Sale of boxes at Camp Nou likely to secure player’s futureBarça had to find way to comply with FFP by 31 DecemberFC Barcelona have reportedly closed a last-minute €100m (£82.9m) deal to sell VIP boxes at the newly renovated Camp Nou to Middle Eastern investors, enabling them to meet financial fair play rules and finally extend Dani Olmo’s registration.With the deadline for registration just three days away and Barcelona facing the prospect of Olmo leaving as a free agent just six months after joining on a a €55m (£45.6m) transfer, club president Joan Laporta exercised a sale option on Saturday which the club believe will see the first payment made before 31 December. Continue reading...

Economics

5 hours ago Barcelona in race to register Dani Olmo and avoid losing him on free transfer

Court denies request to register player beyond DecemberBarça have three days to comply with La Liga FFP rulesBarcelona have three days to find a way to comply with La Liga’s financial fair play rules or they will not be able to register Dani Olmo for the rest of the season – and face the prospect of him leaving as a free agent just six months after joining in a €55m (£45.6m) transfer.On Friday, a court in Barcelona published its decision to deny a lawsuit that the club had brought against the league’s rules, in which they requested a legal order to extend the player’s registration beyond 31 December. Continue reading...

Sport

1 hour ago Thousands of British soldiers to take part in NATO war games on border of Ukraine

Thousands of British troops will join a two-month long exercise in Romania, rehearsing rapid deployments to counter Russian threats and showcase NATO's defence readiness

Events

3 hours ago Photos show home's window riddled with bullet holes after 'gunman on bike' opens fire

Police are searching for a gunman who opened fire on a home on Friday (December 27), leaving the window riddled with bullet holes in what is believed to be a targeted attack

Culture

36 hours ago Coronation Street legend diagnosed with testicular cancer leaving family heartbroken

Coronation Street icon Kevin Webster is set for a heartbreaking new storyline after it was confirmed he will be diagnosed with cancer in scenes due to air in 2025

Science

7 hours ago BBC Saturday Kitchen's Matt Tebbutt issues show update that leaves fans stunned

BBC Saturday Kitchen viewers were left stunned on the latest episode of the show as Matt Tebbutt made a confession about the show being pre-recorded

Politics

8 hours ago Jamie Oliver's 'real winter warmer' comforting pumpkin and ginger soup recipe

Jamie Oliver’s pumpkin and ginger soup is an easy-to-follow recipe and whilst it tastes amazing, the ingredients will boost your immune system and keep the circulating colds and flu away this season

Society

4 hours ago Barcelona hope to finally register Dani Olmo after agreeing VIP seating deal

Sale of boxes at Camp Nou likely to secure player’s futureBarça had to find way to comply with FFP by 31 DecemberFC Barcelona have reportedly closed a last-minute €100m (£82.9m) deal to sell VIP boxes at the newly renovated Camp Nou to Middle Eastern investors. The club are hopeful the sale will allow them to meet financial fair play rules and finally extend Dani Olmo’s registration.With the deadline for registration just three days away and Barcelona facing the prospect of Olmo leaving as a free agent just six months after joining on a a €55m (£45.6m) transfer, club president Joan Laporta exercised a sale option on Saturday which the club believe will see the first payment made before 31 December. Continue reading...

Economics

24 hours ago 'I left Arsenal and ended up at Chelsea feeling disgusted and lying to club medical staff'

Emmanuel Petit spent just one season at Barcelona after leaving Arsenal for the Nou Camp in 2000, before moving to Chelsea, and he has admitted he regrets the decision

Sport

3 hours ago Father of the Bride director Charles Shyer dead at 83: 'His loss leaves an unfillable hole in our lives'

Father of the Bride director Charles Shyer, best known for penning the Oscar-nominated Private Benjamin alongside Nancy Meyers, died at age 82 on Friday.

Events

37 hours ago Hair experts explain frustrating Christmas symptom that has an easy solution

Hair experts have explained how to look after your hair during the Christmas season

Science

8 hours ago Trump versus trade: the global economic outlook for 2025 in five charts

Unpredictable change will sweep through America, while old problems, from war to inflation, are likely to afflict other countriesThe global economy is entering the new year with rising geopolitical tensions looming over its prospects, as the world’s leading central banks attempt to cut interest rates after the worst inflation shock in decades.Donald Trump’s second term in the White House is expected to dominate the economic agenda. Global trade tensions are on the horizon as the president-elect threatens to impose sweeping tariffs on US imports. Continue reading...

Politics

14 hours ago House of the Dragon actor: 'leaving London for Brighton has been really good for my mental health.'

House of the Dragon actor Sam Wilson found his life and career began to flourish when he left the capital

Society

7 hours ago People smugglers take to Tiktok to advertise £12,000 package deals for migrants targeting the UK

Adverts on TikTok show the deals 'package deals' promising cash-in-hand work and housing, with payment required only upon reaching Dover.

Economics

28 hours ago 'I regret my decision to quit Arsenal every day – I was left disgusted at Chelsea'

Emmanuel Petit made the controversial decision to leave Arsenal for Chelsea in 2001, but his time at Stamford Bridge was far from enjoyable as his club career fizzled out

Sport

6 hours ago Toxic mushrooms drove me out of my house: Film producer says leaky pipe caused catastrophic damage to his flat

Wayne Henry said 'catastrophic damage' has been caused to his ground floor flat in Earl's Court because of a leaky soil pipe running from the above apartment.

Events

8 hours ago Meera Sodha’s vegan recipe for leek, pistachio and jalapeño galette | The new vegan

A French-style tart stuffed with a zippy pistachio paste and covered in soft leeksWhenever I think of galettes, I think of my friend Henrietta Inman, who left London to set up Wakelyns bakery in Suffolk. Ever since she showed me how to make them, galettes have been my go-to when I need to whip up something impressive and beautiful, but also actually quite easy, and with a reasonably large margin for flexibility when it comes to ingredients and error, especially if, like me, you don’t consider yourself to be a particularly good pastry chef. Today’s recipe is a homage to some of my favourite greens: leeks, chives, pistachios and jalapeño chillies, to help usher in the New Year with a fresh dose of optimism. Continue reading...

Politics

21 hours ago A family of 4 died Christmas Day at their New Hampshire lake house after likely carbon monoxide leak

A Massachusetts couple and their two daughters were identified by authorities Friday as the victims of suspected carbon monoxide poisoning after they were found dead at their lake house in New Hampshire on Christmas Day

Society

20 hours ago Multimillionaire told he cannot raze his £8.8million waterfront mansion to the ground and rebuild it to have the tallest house on the street after planning objections

John Yeoman, 70, had applied to demolish his luxury £8.8million three-storey home he shares with his wife Deborah, despite it being only 20 years old, and replace it with a five-storey giant.

Economics

6 hours ago How I beat overwhelm: Tracking my heart rate left me feeling like a frustrated failure

Biofeedback devices promised a whole new world of mental and physical harmony. They did change my life, but not in the way I’d hopedI love to run, but ask me about my running times or distances and I will have no idea. For me, running is about squeezing exercise into a busy schedule, clearing my head and being in nature. I don’t need to measure it.But unfortunately I am not immune to the oh-so-pleasing dopamine injection of unboxing a new bit of wearable tech, personalising the app for hours and thinking this might just change my life – the new, calmer, fitter, stronger, smarter me dangling tantalisingly within reach. One such scenario occurred after researching the importance of human connection on mental and physical health: less stress, less inflammation, less illness. Human connection, I learned, can stimulate and be facilitated by the vagus nerve – a primitive part of the nervous system. Continue reading...

Events

8 hours ago ‘If we don’t look after this treasure, we’re going to lose it’: the fight to restore one of the UK’s most historic streets

Home to choir singers for 650 years, Grade-1 listed Vicar’s Close by Wells Cathedral is in need of funding to keep its medieval houses liveable – and its unique history aliveChoir singers have lived in two handsome terraces of silvery-pink-stoned medieval houses beside Wells Cathedral for more than 650 years. But the gated close – which is thought to be the most complete and continuously occupied medieval street in Europe – is now in desperate need of restoration.“It’s a privilege to live here – it’s a unique place,” says Matthew Minter, 52, who has lived in the close for almost seven years and sings in the cathedral. “But [the house] is cold. The windows leak £10 notes every time you put the heating on and the roof leaks actual water.” Continue reading...

Politics

25 hours ago White House reveals whether Russians shot down doomed Azerbaijan Airlines flight

The White House said there are 'indications' that Russians shot down the Azerbaijan Airlines flight that crashed in Kazakhstan on Christmas Day, killing 38.

Society

24 hours ago US to send $1.25 billion in weapons to Ukraine, in push to get aid out before leaving office

U.S. officials say the United States is expected to announce it will send another $1.25 billion in military assistance to Ukraine

Economics

7 hours ago The Chase star died in 'horrible circumstances' with shocked fans paying tribute

Fans of ITV's The Chase paid tribute to a contestant who tragically died in a house fire – just before his episode of the popular game show aired back in 2021

Events

10 hours ago Clever Christmas decoration storage hacks that make them easy to pack away

Although taking down your Christmas decorations isn't nearly as fun as putting them up, finding clever ways to store them can make the task a lot less daunting

Politics

27 hours 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

30 hours ago 'Perfect' Remington straightener on sale for £17 at Boots leaves hair 'soft and sleek'

The Remington Shea Soft Straightener is loved by shoppers who praised the 'perfect' hair tool, and it's currently on offer

Economics

7 hours ago Freak moment huge bridge collapses during news report killing nine and spilling sulphuric acid

Local residents had expressed worries about the bridge for years before it collapsed with several vehicles on, leaving at least nine deaths and several more people missing

Events

10 hours ago Royal expert reveals the real reason Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are disliked by Americans 

Prince Harry was once one of the most popular members of the Royal Family , but following his decision to leave and publicly criticise the institution, his reputation has plummeted.

Politics

29 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

31 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

8 hours ago Dark side of the Hackney Mole Man revealed: Eccentric engineer who built labyrinth of tunnels underneath his home was probed over sexual assault claims

EXCLUSIVE: Lyttle, an Irishman who had inherited the house on Hackney's Mortimer Road from his parents, first started burrowing beneath his double-fronted Victorian villa in the 1960s.

Events

10 hours ago Gerwyn Price's wife left shaking and in tears as 'disrespected' darts rival leaves immediately

After a PDC World Darts Championship epic, Price has now set up an All-Welsh clash with Jonny Clayton in round four

Politics

32 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

33 hours ago Aldi’s new fitness range includes exercise bikes for £79.99 – this is when it will be in stores

Whether it’s a £80 exercise bike or £2.49 resistance bands, the budget friendly supermarket has you covered

Economics

8 hours ago Horrifying moment laughing construction worker films bear charging towards him... before the animal kills three men and leaves two others critically wounded

The mood at the site on Sakhalin Island, Russia suddenly took a turn as from behind a ledge, a mother bear slowly appeared with another cub in tow.

Events

11 hours ago Isabel Allende: ‘My most expensive purchase? A Tesla for my former husband. He didn’t deserve it’

The writer on unattainable studs, erotic fantasies, and why she owes her birth father nothingBorn in Peru, Isabel Allende, 82, worked as a journalist and children’s writer. In 1982, she published her first adult novel, The House of the Spirits, which became an international bestseller. Her titles have been translated into 42 languages, and include a memoir for her daughter, who died at 29. Allende’s accolades include the US presidential medal of freedom and PEN Center lifetime achievement award. Her course, Magical Storytelling, is available on BBC Maestro’s online platform. She lives in California.When were you happiest? When my kids were little – and now, in my old age. Continue reading...

Politics

32 hours ago We're stuck in Britain's downsizing gridlock: As the price of bungalows soars, the retirees struggling to buy a smaller home with the proceeds of selling their larger family house

Anne Savory (pictured) and her husband Ted want to sell their three-bedroom bungalow in West Suffolk and move closer to their children.

Society

36 hours ago John Lewis shoppers race to buy designer £10 Radley bag before it sells out

"Light and neat but strong and easy to fold away. Carries quite a good amount too!"

Economics

8 hours ago Banged up abroad for the stupidest things! Meet the Brits serving hard time in foreign hell hole jails for idiotic crimes like owning a vape and 'leaving cocaine in their passport'

Every year, countless Brits find themselves on the wrong end of the law whilst on their holidays, and for some of them the consequences can be life changing in the extreme.

Events

11 hours ago I went to see The Lottery Winners at Manchester Academy and a generous act made me cry

The Leigh-born band kicked off their three-night Burning House Party at Manchester Academy on Friday night ahead of their upcoming Keep On Keeping On tour

Politics

32 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

9 hours ago Jameela Jamil hits out at ‘hard to watch’ trend: ‘I would rather leave this industry’

Actor and activist reflected on her own struggles as she shared an impassioned statement to Instagram

Events

13 hours ago EastEnders' Spencer Moon actor Chris Parker's unbelievable new career 22 years after soap

Christopher Parker played the role of Spencer Moon in EastEnders for three years from 2002 to 2005 - but what has the actor been up to since leaving the BBC soap?

Politics

32 hours ago Hobbit home boom in New Zealand: Nation embraces tiny house living amid affordable housing crisis where average home price is $1m

Tiny houses - small, functional dwellings with floor spaces of up to 60 square metres - are becoming increasing popular among families and single occupiers.

Society

9 hours ago Azerbaijan Airlines plane WAS shot down by Russia, White House says as Putin's aviation chief tries to blame plane crash that killed 38 on heavy fog

National security spokesperson John Kirby told reporters on Friday there were 'early indications' that the jet was brought down by 'Russian air defence systems'.

Events

35 hours ago Sydney to Hobart yacht race: LawConnect leads after two deaths in wild weather leave fleet rocked

Supermaxi LawConnect in box seat Friday evening to take line honours for second year runningAs at 5.30pm, 22 yachts from the 104-strong starting fleet had retiredThe Sydney to Hobart yacht race has been left reeling after the deaths of two sailors in wild weather that has forced a fifth of the fleet to retire.Supermaxi LawConnect was in the box seat on Friday evening to take out line honours for a second year running after rival Master Lock Comanche pulled the pin with mainsail damage. Continue reading...

Society

10 hours ago Sir Alex Ferguson's three words sent shockwaves through devastated Man Utd dressing room

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson didn't go easy on his players after their devastating Premier League title defeat to Manchester City in 2012

Events

16 hours ago When you should take down your Christmas tree as 'evil spirits' could remain

Many of us will be looking for the perfect time to take down our Christmas tree - but you might be surprised to hear that there could be bad luck if you leave it up for too long

Politics

37 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

10 hours ago Max Verstappen admits Red Bull doubts and 'meant' his threat to quit for F1 rival

He has a Red Bull Racing contract until 2028 but Max Verstappen's future was not always certain this year, particularly amid unrest among Red Bull chiefs behind the scenes

Events

18 hours ago Moment binman removes bag from top of bin before leaving it on the side of the road

A Hull resident posted a video of the incident to social media, tagging his local council with the comment: 'Remind me why I pay you over £130 a month [Hull City Council].'

Politics

38 hours ago As a student in London I yearned for home, until I found paradise: a vast old villa with perfect housemates | Andrew Martin

We cooked ragu and listened to records while lying on chaises longues. Then the M11 link road was built – and everything changedIn our end of year series, writers and public figures remember the place or time when they felt most at homeIn the mid-1980s, I was in my early 20s and was reading for the Bar in London. I was living in a mouldy Balham bedsit and returning regularly to the comfort zone of my native York, when a friend told me a room was going in a shared house in Leytonstone.I wasn’t expecting much of E11. I wasn’t expecting trees, for example, but my walk from the attractive art deco tube station took me along roads better described as avenues. The house itself seemed almost the last one in London, an illusion created by the proximity of Wanstead Flats. It was a rangy, detached 1920s house, white with a red roof, and it had a name, but I’ll just call it the villa.Andrew Martin is an English novelist; his latest book is The Night in Venice Continue reading...

Society

10 hours ago Golf world No.1 Scottie Scheffler to miss tournaments after freak Christmas injury

Scottie Scheffler, the world No.1 in golf, has been ruled out of the PGA Tour's Sentry Tournament after suffering a bizarre injury on Christmas Day, leaving him needing surgery

Events

21 hours ago Premier League releases statement as fans left baffled by 'easy' red card decision

Joao Pedro threw an elbow towards the head of Yehor Yarmoliuk during Brighton's 0-0 draw with Brentford on Friday night, but despite VAR looking at the incident, he escaped punishment because he didn't make contact

Politics

38 hours ago As a student in London I yearned for home, until I found paradise: a vast old villa with perfect housemates

As a student in London I yearned for home, until I found paradise: a vast old villa with perfect housemates  The Guardian

Society

11 hours ago White House suggests Russian involvement in Azerbaijan Airlines Christmas Day crash

US National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said there are ‘early indications’ of Moscow’s involvement in the downing of the flight

Events

22 hours ago Nebraska's governor to leave hospital after he was bucked off a horse and broke his ribs

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen will be released from the hospital Friday, two days after getting nine titanium plates installed during a surgery to stabilize the ribs he broke when he was bucked off a horse

Politics

39 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

15 hours ago New Year's warning for UK households as Brits face up to '6 months jail' and fines

As New Year's Eve approaches, the public are reminded to be wary of fireworks regulations - with potential fines and even six months in prison for any breaches

Events

26 hours ago Cristiano Ronaldo announces plan to follow in footsteps of David Beckham

Cristiano Ronaldo has been speaking about his plans for when he leaves Al-Nassr and retires from playing football, with club ownership a possibility he is considering

Politics

17 hours ago Man Utd transfer news: Ruben Amorim eyes Barcelona star amid Matheus Cunha battle

Manchester United could be set for a busy January transfer window, with a number of players potentially set to leave Old Trafford as Ruben Amorim revamps his squad

Events

27 hours ago David Beckham and Rio Ferdinand made feelings clear on Sheikh Jassim's Man United takeover attempt

Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani and the Nine Two Foundation withdrew their Manchester United takeover bid in October last year, leaving Ineos free to take charge

Politics

18 hours ago Driver behind China car ramming attack that killed 35 is sentenced to death

Fan Weiqiu, angry at his divorce settlement, caused ‘great social harm’ when he drove into people as they exercised in the city of Zhuhai, court saysA court in China has sentenced a man to death for killing 35 people last month by driving into a crowd, in an attack that raised national concern about mass killings.Fan Weiqiu was venting his anger because he was unhappy with his divorce settlement, the court in the southern city of Zhuhai said in handing down the sentence on Friday. The victims were exercising at a sports centre at the time of the attack. Fan pleaded guilty to endangering public safety by dangerous means, a court statement said. Continue reading...

Events

28 hours ago World's loneliest house is 2,000 miles from the UK and sits in the middle of the sea

An eerie white house has been standing alone on a remote island in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean for almost a century

Politics

20 hours ago 'I was Whitney Houston's bodyguard... But when she laid her head on my shoulder I was tempted to give up everything': British ex

David Roberts, who first became Whitney houston's bodyguard - and then The Bodyguard, the real-life inspiration for Kevin Costner's character in the movie for which Houston is most famous.

Events

28 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

20 hours ago UK's jails record 74 assaults every day as Tories accused of failing staff and victims

Alarming figures show there were 26,912 assaults in UK prisons in 2023 - up 28% from the year before, with the Lib Dems accusing the Tories of leaving a system that fails staff and victims

Events