1 hour ago Britain will never be great again until we stop flogging our top companies to the US | Will Hutton

Tech selloffs not only cost tax revenue and jobs, but are turning the UK into a vassal stateThere is much to admire about the US. The great French social observer Alexis de Tocqueville, nearly 200 years ago, lauded its commitment to civic virtue, individual self-improvement and hard work – legacies of its puritan founders.Those traits are still evident today, but alongside them a darker one has emerged. The US, the hegemon of the 20th century still committed to democracy, has changed. It has transmuted into an imperial power careless of democracy but ever readier to exact economic tribute from its vassal states. Continue reading...

Politics

16 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

31 minutes ago The dark side of Home Alone star Devin Ratray: How Buzz McCallister actor pleaded guilty to two counts of domestic violence 'after strangling his girlfriend' in fall from grace

By their very nature, Christmas movies are supposed to be feel-good films for the whole family to enjoy.

Events

11 hours ago Man who lost partner in her sleep 'sells everything to give her Cinderella send

"I've sold everything I can to get her a Cinderella carriage for her funeral."

Politics

16 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

12 hours ago Leicester’s Cole and Pollard thwart Harlequins in thrilling Big Game draw

Premiership: Harlequins 34-34 LeicesterDan Cole try and Handré Pollard conversion seal drawThere may be a grassroots rebellion soon descending on Twickenham, torches and pitchforks in tow, but here was some festive fun before the bonfire begins. Ultimately, it ended honours even – thanks to Dan Cole’s last-gasp try and Handré Pollard’s conversion via a post – and with a slight sense of anticlimax for the sellout crowd. There can be no mistaking they got their money’s worth, however, a nail-biting encounter after a weekend of whitewashes.This was the third time Leicester were the opponents for this annual festive fixture and remarkably, the two previous clashes, in 2008 and 2019, also ended in draws. All the more astonishing is that it was Cole who scored the try to force the draw. It was no less than Leicester deserved, with Michael Cheika unapologetic his side chose to kick the ball out in the dying seconds rather than push for victory. Continue reading...

Events

13 hours ago Dean Phillips, early Democratic critic of Biden, reflects on party’s presidential loss

Outgoing representative, whose assessment of campaign now feels prescient, saddened to be vindicatedDean Phillips, the Democratic representative from Minnesota who bucked his party to become the only elected official to challenge Joe Biden for the Democratic primary earlier this year, has said he is “saddened” by the accuracy of his prediction at the time that the outgoing president could not win re-election.“If what I feel now is vindication, it’s awfully unsatisfying,” Phillips told Politico, adding: “The fact was, he was not in a position to win. The fact was his approval numbers were historically low. The fact was his physical decline was real.” Continue reading...

Politics

19 hours ago Boots has up to 60% off items in massive sale with prices starting less than £1

Available to shop online, the Big Boots sale sees huge discounts on Estee Lauder, No7, Remington, Sol de Janeiro, Dyson and more

Economics

19 hours ago Union boss’s stark warning to Keir Starmer – 2025 is the time to deliver

TUC general secretary Paul Nowak warns Labour to learn the lessons of Donald Trump’s victory in the US and ensure workers feel better off

Events

15 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

26 hours ago Debenhams' Estee Lauder beauty set worth £110 that 'smooths fine lines' now under £50

This comprehensive three-piece set includes a luscious overnight serum, eye gel and mascara for long lashes.

Economics

23 hours ago Top breast cancer expert reveals only diet change that guards against breast cancer...as disease continues to soar in under 50s

As a breast surgeon who was diagnosed with breast cancer at just 40, I feel strongly about raising awareness of lifestyle factors that could reduce risk of the disease.

Events

16 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

20 hours ago This is how we do it: ‘I struggle to fully enjoy sex because I’m so conscious of what I look like’

Alexandra and Jake contend with insecurities, but are slowly discovering sexual intimacyHow do you do it? Share the story of your sex life, anonymouslyWhen we’re doing missionary it’s a lot easier, but if I’m on top I feel as if there’s nowhere to hide Continue reading...

Politics

23 hours ago I was sacked as a soap extra after 35 years for the most outrageous reason

Two former soap background actors have revealed what work on some of the country's most popular TV is really like - and the reasons they were booted out of their beloved jobs.

Politics

24 hours ago 'I've used this tens machine device for months, I finally feel relief from painful periods'

'I've used this TENS machine for five months and it's the only thing that's given me a slight glimpse of relief'

Politics

24 hours ago 'Our Gran Canaria honeymoon was ruined by what our neighbour's Ring doorbell captured back home'

The couple saw Ring doorbell footage that showed a fire being set close to their home in Bootle, Merseyside, after being alerted by their daughter while they were on holiday

Politics

24 hours ago DEAR CAROLINE: My son said it's 'pretty lame' to be at a New Year's Eve party with us

Our relationships counsellor answers your problems

Politics

24 hours ago From cashmere sets to tracksuits, the YOU team reveal their loungewear favourites

It's the season to get snuggly. From cashmere sets to tracksuits, the YOU team reveal their feel-cosy favourites

Politics

26 hours ago Tim Dowling: my year in numbers (yes, most of them involve the new dog)

I’ve had a topsy-turvy year, but the statistics prove beyond doubt that my chief distraction of 2024 was the acquisition of a small furry menaceAs the year barrels toward its end, I feel in many ways as if I have survived a difficult and challenging period, worse than the year before, and the year before that, if possibly better than anything one dares expect from 2025. But impressions can be deceiving, and I find that when I’m reviewing the year gone it helps to rely on nothing but the latest and most verifiable statistics. Here, then, is my look at 2024 in cold, hard numbers.1 New dogs acquired in 2024. Have I mentioned this at all? I’m sorry, I never wanted to become the sort of person who has a very long answer to the question, “So, how’s your dog?”, but that’s what I am. I also have 250 pictures of the dog on my phone, and I am willing to show you all of them. My only defence is that having a puppy is so time-consuming, the havoc it wreaks so comprehensive, ...

Politics