2 hours ago SARAH VINE: Sorry, Kemi, but nobbling Naughty Nigel must be your No 1 priority

There's no room for sentimentality in business. It's simple: give people what they want or they'll take their custom elsewhere. This is the problem facing the Tories.

Politics

10 hours ago Beaches, beer and a rare suspended lake why can’t Nigeria attract more tourists?

Visitor numbers to the African country lag far behind its neighbours due to lack of infrastructure and national planning. Now some are starting to demand changesAt the top of the Ado-Awaye hills lies a lake suspended 433 metres above sea level. Local people say the lake is named Iyake (Yoruba for “crying woman”) after a weeping, barren woman who fell in the water hundreds of years ago, conferring on it powers of fertility.This belief in the divine is evident in the foothills, where a huge boulder is emblazoned with the words, written in golden letters: “Here we come: African Jerusalem.” Continue reading...

Society

5 hours ago All I want for Christmas is $1.22bn: Mega Millions ticket matches all six numbers

Circle K in Cottonwood, California, where ticket was sold celebrates $1m bonus as winner remains unknownThe new year will ring in brightly for a lucky Mega Millions winner in California: after three months of the top lottery prize rolling over, a ticket worth $1.22bn matched all six numbers in Friday night’s drawing, according to the lottery’s website.The winning ticket was sold at the Circle K in Cottonwood, a rural town of about 6,000 people roughly 145 miles (233km) north of Sacramento just off Interstate 5 in Shasta county. The winning numbers, including the Mega, were 3, 7, 37, 49, 55 and 6. Continue reading...

Economics

7 hours ago Manchester United target Premier League star as Ruben Amorim eyes first transfer

Manchester United are interested in signing Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, who has impressed for the Seagulls since joining the club from Anderlecht in 2023

Sport

1 hour ago At least 62 people killed as plane veers off runway and catches fire at South Korean airport

Jeju Air’s Boeing 737 passenger plane with 180 people on it caught fire at the airport in the South Korean city of Muan

Events

11 hours ago Young Outnumbered stars hope show returns after filming Christmas special reunion

Daniel Roche, Tyger Drew-Honey and Ramona Marquez loved reuniting to make this year’s Christmas special, so they’re keen to do more episodes - now they are hoping people power can make it happen

Culture

10 hours ago Julia Bradbury on lifestyle change and going teetotal after cancer diagnosis

The presenter revealed in 2021 that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer and later underwent a mastectomy.

Science

3 hours ago All the people to refuse an honour from the Queen or King as New Year's honours list due

While many see being recognised as an honour there are many high-profile people who have rejected honours from the Queen or King

Politics

16 hours ago ‘Selfless parents gave their child’s organs to save my son. I’m in awe of them’

One year after Ralph was given a life-saving multi-organ transplant, his mother Katie Tatham tells why she is calling for more people in the UK to come forward to helpJust over a year ago, the parents of Ralph Tatham didn’t know if they would make it to Christmas, or if liver cancer would take away their three-year-old son.Now the little boy is just a few weeks away from celebrating his fifth birthday, after receiving a lifesaving multiorgan transplant to replace his liver, pancreas and intestines. Continue reading...

Society

9 hours ago Outcry over Labour's plans for free weight loss jabs on the NHS as majority of Brits believe people should pay for treatment privately

Health secretary Wes Streeting has backed the prescribing of the drugs to obese patients in the hope it can tackle the nation's bulging waistlines.

Economics

11 hours ago Alexander Isak drops Newcastle vs Man United gameplan hint as four players could be targeted

Manchester United welcome Newcastle to Old Trafford on Monday night with a victory the priority for the Reds in the Premier League

Sport

1 hour ago South Korea plane crash horror: 62 dead after aircraft carrying 175 passengers and six crew crashes off runway and erupts into ball of flames

At least 62 people are dead after a plane carrying 181 people crashed off the runway and smashed into a wall at a South Korean airport.

Events

12 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

19 hours ago Flu hospitalisations almost double in Scotland as pressure mounts on health boards

The number of people consulting their GP about the illness also reached the highest level recorded in seven years.

Science

8 hours ago Celtic linked with TRIPLE Premier League transfer raid – but how likely are all 3 deals?

It's unlikely they'll sign all three, but individually...

Politics

12 hours ago Cat Deeley 'signs £600k deal' to continue on This Morning for further year

Presenter has been in hot seat alongside Ben Shepherd since Holly Willoughby’s departure

Economics

15 hours ago Boxing got its first AI judge for Tyson Fury fight – now AI ring girls are ready to rule

EXCLUSIVE: AI Influencers are becoming big business, racking up thousands of followers on Instagram, securing brand deals, and earning upwards of £20k per month on subscription platforms like Fanvue

Sport

2 hours ago South Korea plane crash: death toll reaches 47 after Jeju Air flight skids off runway at Muan airport – live updates

Authorities warn that provisional death toll could rise after Boeing 737-800 with 175 passengers and six crews hit airport fenceReport: South Korea plane with 181 onboard veers off runway and hits fenceDozens are feared dead after a plane skidded off the runway while attempting a landing without landing gear at Muan international airport in South Korea on Sunday morningThe exact casualty figures have not yet been tallied, though authorities are provisionally reporting that 28 people are believed to have died, according to news agency Newsis. Fire officials have warned that given the severe damage to the aircraft, the number of casualties could rise.Jeju Air flight 2216 from Bangkok to Muan was carrying 181 people – 175 passengers and six crew – when it came down, skidded along the runway and hit fencing and a wall around the perimeter before catching fire.Rescues are underway, with two people brought out of the wreckage so far. Emergency services are continuing their search operatio...

Events

21 hours ago How TikTok doctor Julie Smith had to rewrite her own rules on coping in a crisis after she was diagnosed with breast cancer

Psychologist Dr Julie Smith has helped millions of people via her TikTok. But when she discovered she had breast cancer, she had to rewrite her rules

Science

8 hours ago Putin already plans to 'reject Trump's peace deal proposal as he will not compromise'

Vladimir Putin has already turned down Trump's deal to end the war, saying he will not back down on previous demands which include dismantling the Ukrainian government

Politics

12 hours ago Alabama Barker, 19, divides fans as she shows off her £239k designer gift haul

Fans of reality star Alabama Barker - who is the daughter of Blink-182 icon Travis Barker - were stunned by the huge haul of expensive gifts that she showed off on TikTok

Economics

2 hours ago South Korea plane crash horror: 29 dead after aircraft carrying 175 passengers and six crew crashes off runway and erupts into ball of flames

At least 28 people are dead after a plane carrying 181 people crashed off the runway and smashed into a wall at a South Korean airport.

Events

22 hours ago The bowel cancer symptoms to look out for as cases in young people rise sharply in England

Diet, obesity, alcohol and smoking could be explanations for the rising cases of early-onset bowel cancer

Science

9 hours ago Brits hate small talk as 60% find polite conversions 'difficult and annoying'

Women are marginally more likely to find small talk more annoying than men with 61% admitting they dislike taking part compared to 58% of men while people over 70 find it 'dull'

Politics

12 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

2 hours ago At least 28 people killed as plane veers off runway and catches fire at South Korea airport

Jeju Air’s Boeing 737 passenger plane with 180 people on it caught fire at the airport in the South Korean city of Muan

Events

10 hours ago Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko pardons 20 people jailed for ‘extremism’

Putin apologises over Azerbaijan plane crash; Russia’s Gazprom announces it will halt gas supplies to MoldovaReport: Putin apologises for Azerbaijan plane crash without admitting Russia at faultItalian police said on Saturday that they were investigating cyberattacks claimed by a pro-Russian group targeting several websites including Milan’s airports and the foreign ministry.The websites of the ministry, Malpensa and Milan-Linate airport, and the transport systems in Siena and Turin were hit, according to national cybersecurity police spokesman Marco Valerio Cervellini, Reuters reports. Continue reading...

Politics

12 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

2 hours ago South Korea plane crash sees 28 people killed as aircraft with 175 passengers explodes in fireball

A flight from Thailand crashed into a wall at Muan International Airport on Sunday morning, causing a huge fireball and fears of many fatalities

Events

10 hours ago Woman's 'Christmas dinner' called 'minging' until people realised their mistake

"A lot of people are doing what I'm doing now. But maybe I’ve set a trend."

Politics

13 hours ago Flavio Briatore opens up on Alpine F1 talks with Carlos Sainz and why deal fell through

Alpine adviser Flavio Briatore, who returned to the Renault-owned team earlier this year, also explained why he believes legendary F1 designer Adrian Newey would not be the right fit for the outfit

Economics

3 hours ago South Korea plane crash: dozens feared dead after Jeju Air flight skids off runway at Muan airport – live updates

Authorities provisionally reporting 28 dead after Boeing 737-800 with 175 passengers and six crews hits airport fenceReport: South Korea plane with 181 onboard veers off runway and hits fence Dozens are feared dead after a plane skidded off the runway while attempting a landing without landing gear at Muan international airport in South Korea on Sunday morningThe exact casualty figures have not yet been tallied, though authorities are provisionally reporting that 28 people are believed to have died, according to news agency Newsis. Fire officials have warned that given the severe damage to the aircraft, the number of casualties could rise.Jeju Air flight 2216 from Bangkok to Muan was carrying 181 people – 175 passengers and six crew – when it came down, skidded along the runway and hit fencing and a wall around the perimeter before catching fire.Rescues are underway, with two people brought out of the wreckage so far. Emergency services are continuing their search operation.The Boei...

Events

12 hours ago A ceramicist’s personal take on commemorative blue plaques – in pictures

For more than 25 years, Horace Lindezey has been making art at Venture Arts, a Manchester-based studio working with learning disabled artists. In his ever-growing collection of ceramic blue plaques, created with the assistance of ceramicist Caroline Tattersall, he celebrates people who have meant something to him – family members, friends, TV personalities and musicians – focusing on life’s central milestones: births, marriages and deaths. “I feel happy with making the plaques,” says Lindezey. “I roll the clay on to the mould, paint it white, then I put the letters on it. I like showing them in exhibitions, in Blackburn and London. I like to see them out there – they are nice memories of some people that have died.”A limited edition book of The Blue Plaques (£25), signed by the artist, is available at venturearts.org Continue reading...

Politics

14 hours ago Ruben Amorim 'pushing' Sir Jim Ratcliffe to sanction first Man United deal

Latest Manchester United transfer news and gossip as Harry Maguire's future at Old Trafford remains uncertain as he approaches the final six months of his contract

Economics

3 hours ago Plane carrying 175 explodes in huge fireball after smashing into airport wall as multiple killed

A plane carrying 175 passengers has crashed and burst into flames at Muan International Airport in South Korea, with at least 28 people reported to be dead

Events

12 hours ago Tina Knowles defends daughter Beyonce with damning statement amid NFL show backlash

Beyonce Knowles was the target of online criticism following her NFL Christmas halftime display, but her mum was quick to jump to her defence of what she called a 'flawless' performance

Politics

4 hours ago South Korea plane crash: 62 killed as aircraft carrying 175 passengers explodes at Muan International Airport

62 people have been confirmed dead so far after what is thought to be a Boeing 737 flying from Bangkok to South Korea crashed at Muan International Airport in another festive horror

Events

12 hours ago World War Three fears: Experts tell Trump that Putin won't stop with Ukraine deal

Professor Anthony Glees, a security and intelligence expert from the University of Buckingham, claims Putin has no intention of giving up his quest to seize more land.

Politics

17 hours ago Men’s transfer window January 2025: all deals from Europe’s top five leagues

All the latest Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, Ligue 1 and Serie A deals and a club-by-club guideWomen’s transfer interactive – all the January deals Continue reading...

Economics

7 hours ago Woman found nail bomb after opening Galaxy chocolate tin left on doorstep

The pharmacist was preparing for a weekend away with her sister when she received the package.

Events

13 hours ago Debenhams Blue Cross sale slashes thousands of pounds off designer watches

Huge savings have been applied to stunning watches from the likes of Gevril, GV2, STÜHRLING and more as part of the Debenhams sale

Politics

18 hours ago People smugglers offer migrants ‘package deals’ to UK as Channel crossings top 150,000 since 2018

Sir Keir Starmer has put international co-operation with law enforcement agencies in Europe at the heart of his bid to cut the number of arrivals

Economics

8 hours ago Two mums decide to go public after one donates dead daughter's heart to save other's little girl

Amy Anderson and husband Carl made the selfless decision to donate their daughter Mia's heart, liver, pancreas and kidneys after her death to save the lives of four people who needed urgent transplants

Events

13 hours ago How will AI reshape the world? Well, it could be the spreadsheet of the 21st century | John Naughton

Large language models have changed how big corporations function, and the arrival of AI ‘agents’ – essentially automated Moneypennys – could prove irresistibleIf 2024 was the year of large language models (LLMs), then 2025 looks like the year of AI “agents”. These are quasi-intelligent systems that harness LLMs to go beyond their usual tricks of generating plausible text or responding to prompts. The idea is that an agent can be given a high-level – possibly even vague – goal and break it down into a series of actionable steps. Once it “understands” the goal, it can devise a plan to achieve it, much as a human would.OpenAI’s chief financial officer, Sarah Friar, recently explained it thus to the Financial Times: “It could be a researcher, a helpful assistant for everyday people, working moms like me. In 2025, we will see the first very successful agents deployed that help people in their day to day.” Or it’s like having a digital assistant “that doesn’t just respond to your instruct...

Politics

18 hours ago Sir Chris Hoy opens up on his 'unimaginable' year after his terminal cancer diagnosis and reveals how he has dealt with coming to terms with stage 4 disease in public

Hoy, 48, was given between two to four years to live by doctors after being diagnosed with primary cancer in his prostate which then spread to his bones.

Economics

8 hours ago Man Utd target Prem goalkeeper so Ruben Amorim can ditch calamity Andre Onana

EXCLUSIVE: Brighton's Bart Verbruggen is on the radar of Manchester United boss Rubin Amorim after a difficult few matches for goalkeeper Andre Onana

Events

14 hours ago Odds of machine learning wiping out humanity in 30 years shortened by 'Godfather of AI'

A technology expert has warned of accelerating progressions in AI development that could be putting humanity in danger, raising the alarm about the threat of 'AIs that are smarter than people'

Politics

20 hours ago Editor picks top deals in Antler's Winter Sale with up to 40% off on premium luggage

Antler's big Winter Sale is now live and you can save up to 40% off suitcases, luggage sets and travel bags in a variety of sizes and colours for all your holiday needs

Economics

8 hours ago 'Gift of life you could offer others after your death by donating organs is priceless'

There are 7,900 people waiting for transplants, the highest number in a decade, and 280 of them are children. Last year 400 people died before organs were available.

Events

14 hours ago 'Best rugby try ever' watched by over 7 million people as crowd left in stitches

He went the full 100 metres!

Politics

21 hours ago ‘The impact has been out of this world’: the stranger who gave away a £100,000 inheritance to his neighbours

When David Clarke’s mother died, it took him 10 years to work out what to do with the money she left him. This year, a panel of locals in Liverpool made the decision for himIt was a quiet act of generosity that briefly captured the news agenda: David Clarke, a researcher in Liverpool, made the extraordinary decision to give away the £100,000 he had inherited from his late mother a decade ago. But instead of donating it to one cause, Clarke did something radical. He wrote to 600 addresses in the L8 postcode, where he lives, inviting people to nominate where the money should go.Clarke lost his mother in a cycling accident. “Her death was a devastating shock to me,” he says. “She had a huge social conscience and was interested in the world and how it worked – a lot of my moral framework comes from her. I don’t believe in holding on to inherited wealth, so I spent a long time thinking about what to do with the money.” Clarke wanted to do something that would speak to his mother’s values...

Economics

9 hours ago MAGA meltdown as Elon Musk threatens 'war like you've never seen' with Republicans and vows to kick out 'hateful, unrepentant racists' from party

The Tesla founder and billionaire, who was recruited by US President-elect Donald Trump to co-lead his new Department of Government Efficiency, has expressed his support for the H-1B visa.

Events

15 hours ago Britain's youngest chippy boss reveals what the busiest day of the year for the trade is and whether cod or haddock is the nation's favourite

She has gone viral on TikTok after becoming 'Britain's youngest chippy boss' at just 19 and she is now answering the industry questions we've all been dying to know.

Politics

23 hours ago Get 25% off Tamnavulin Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky in Amazon deal

Top up your drinks cabinet in time for Christmas with Amazon's whisky deal.

Economics

9 hours ago Why people in Spain eat 12 grapes at midnight on New Year's Eve – 'It really works'

The centuries-old Spanish grapes of luck tradition has been commandeered by TikTokers who say eating the 12 grapes a the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve has found them love

Events

15 hours ago ‘All people could do was hope the nerds would fix it’: the global panic over the millennium bug, 25 years on

Planes were going to drop out of the sky, nuclear reactors would explode. But then nothing. What really happened with Y2K? People still disagree Just before midnight on New Year’s Eve, 25 years ago, Queen Elizabeth II stepped off a private barge to arrive at London’s Millennium Dome for its grand opening ceremony. Dressed in a pumpkin-orange coat, she entered the venue with Prince Philip, taking her place alongside Tony and Cherie Blair and 12,000 guests to celebrate the dawn of a new millennium. At the stroke of midnight, Big Ben began to chime and 40 tonnes of fireworks were launched from 16 barges lined along the river. The crowd joined hands, preparing to sing Auld Lang Syne. For a few long moments, the Queen was neglected – she flapped her arms out like a toddler wanting to be lifted up, before Blair and Philip noticed her, took a hand each, and the singing began. A new century was born.One politician who wasn’t in attendance at the glitzy celebration was Paddy Tipping, a Labou...

Politics

23 hours ago 'Fantastic' Ninja gadget shoppers 'wish they bought sooner' just £15 with deal stack

The time-saving Ninja Professional Stackable Chopper normally costs £29.99 but with TopCashback you can bag it for just £14.99

Economics

9 hours ago Mexico tests app for migrants in U.S. to warn family if they’re detained as Trump’s deportation plans near

Mexico is developing a cellphone app that will allow migrants to warn relatives and consulates if they think they are about to be detained by U.S. immigration officials

Events

15 hours ago Ruben Amorim's reason for nearly quitting club as Man Utd boss faces huge challenge

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has not had to deal with such a torrid run of results since his first managerial job in Portugal, which he ended with a bold change in tactics

Politics

28 hours ago Liverpool transfer news: Virgil van Dijk deal dismissed as Reds outline sale stance

Virgil van Dijk is one of three leading Liverpool players to have their contracts expire at the end of the season, with little public sign of progress to this point

Economics

11 hours ago 'He'll cope there' – £4m Rangers transfer bombshell drops as target's close ally speaks out

Darius Olaru is reportedly a target for Rangers and his former manager has spoken out

Events

15 hours ago 'We're not a poor country, we have poor people in it and I think we can do a lot better'

Chairwoman of the Work and Pensions Committee and Labour MP Debbie Abrahams also said sick and disabled people had been targeted and used as a 'political football'

Politics

11 hours ago People smugglers take advantage of the fog to slip more migrants across Channel two days after total topped 150,000 since records began in 2018

People smugglers appear to have taken advantage of the UK's dreary weather with small boat crossings across the English Channel continuing today despite foggy conditions.

Events

16 hours ago Abortions are up in the US. It's a complicated picture as women turn to pills, travel

Even with abortion bans in place in most Republican-controlled states, the number of people obtaining them has grown slightly

Politics

11 hours ago UK's predatory loan sharks exposed – inside thugs' horror tactics and vile threats

Exclusive figures released by the debt charity StepChange to the Mirror showed that around 14.5million people in the UK will struggle to afford Christmas this year

Events

16 hours ago Trump’s threat to defund all US public media has NPR and PBS on the back foot

President-elect’s agenda and Project 2025 playbook align in stripping Corporation for Public Broadcasting’s licenseOn the campaign trail this year, Donald Trump routinely criticized US media. The president-elect called for CBS to be stripped of its broadcast license after it aired an interview with Kamala Harris, refused to participate in an interview with 60 Minutes and routinely called journalists the “enemy of the people”.But perhaps no American media has attracted as much ire from the president-elect as the Corporation for Public Broadcasting – a non-profit corporation created by federal law in 1967 to distribute funding to public media organizations like PBS and NPR. Continue reading...

Politics

12 hours ago ‘Create our own history’: Alisson targets title to mark new Liverpool era

The Liverpool goalkeeper expected ‘hard work’ for Arne Slot but flying start to season means their end goal is clearIf 2024 included the final chapter of Jürgen Klopp at Liverpool, the year may yet be recalled as the start of something else special. It was on 26 January that devastated fans learned one of the best-kept football secrets of modern times, that Klopp could give no more. In late December, a renewed team, more patient in style, far less exuberant yet just as potent, already threatens to emulate Klopp’s finest achievements.The bond between Klopp and former players remains firm. When Curtis Jones made his 100th Premier League appearance against Leicester on Boxing Day, he realised only because his former manager had congratulated him on the milestone. When Klopp returns to public life next week as head of global football for the Red Bull conglomerate, the sight of him in the stands, talking to the media, will take some getting used to. Continue reading...

Events