Like many young girls growing up in Los Angeles, Meghan Markle dreamed of one day being a global superstar.

Politics

Jr NTR enjoys family time in London, buys toys for children at Hyde Park Wonderland  India Today

Society

As 2025 dawns, we looks back at the star players over the last 12 months of economic drama, mishap and scandalThe end of the year is a time for pausing, reflection and exhaustion. But before throwing ourselves into 2025, it’s worth sifting through the remnants of 2024 to see who in the business world has done something worth remembering.So, once more with gusto, the Observer Agenda page brings you its awards for the brightest – or perhaps most glaring – lights in the business world this year. Continue reading...

Economics

Manchester United will be without five players when they host Newcastle - including captain Bruno Fernandes - whilst the Magpies themselves have a number of absentees

Sport

The crash happened shortly after 9am local time as the plane returned from Bangkok

Events

The action-packed drama, which was recently revived for a sequel, will air on BBC Three tonight and is available to stream for free on iPlayer

Culture

Coronation Street boss Kate Brooks has revealed that ITV soap legend Kevin Webster, played by actor Michael Le Vell, will be diagnosed with testicular cancer in the new year

Science

Under current rules, vehicles registered more than 40 years ago no longer needs to undergo annual road worthiness check-ups as the general consensus is they are owned by enthusiasts.

Transport

The late feminist artists explored ideas of doubling and twinship, as well as helping to redefine notions of craft skillsThe photographer Colleen Kenyon made this new year portrait of her identical twin sister Kathleen in 1977. At the time the two of them were embarking on a shared artistic journey that put them at the forefront of feminist artists interested in reclaiming and redefining “craft” skills, using photomontage and hand-colouring techniques to celebrate and ironise traditionally “domestic” artistic expression, such as scrapbooking. Over the subsequent 25 years the twins, born in 1951, pursued this practice at the Center for Photography at Woodstock in upstate New York, where Colleen became executive director in 1981 and her sister joined her as associate director. Together they developed the exhibition space and a programme of workshops to make the institution a prime mover in the advancement of women in the arts, and for artists of colour.Their own distinctive photograph...

Politics

Only three players have outscored Isak in the Premier League this season, who has netted 11 times in 16 games - Mohamed Salah (16), Erling Haaland (13) and Cole Palmer (12).

Society

Green freeports will maintain high environmental standards and apply fair work principles, while helping Scotland play a leading role in the green energy revolution, writes Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes

Economics

‘The Nuke’ returns to action in a massive evening session on day 11 at Alexandra Palace

Sport

Manchester City are among the biggest spenders in world football since Sheikh Mansour's takeover in 2008, but their transfer history proves that money does not always bring results

Events

The 2000 film was revived for a star-studded sequel last month and viewers can now watch where it all started for free

Culture

Sir Chris Hoy was diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer earlier this year and the six-time Olympic gold-medallist has offered an update on his condition as 2024 comes to an end

Science

Same day delivery isn’t free, even with Prime membership

Politics

Alison Steadman, 79, is known for playing Pam Shipman in BBC's Gavin and Stacey. The series finale aired on Christmas Day, 2024

Society

New Year is not just about celebrating the start of another year. It's also a time for reflection, new resolutions and resolve, especially when it comes to financial matters.

Economics

A huge night of action awaits on day 11 at Alexandra Palace

Sport

Moscow has confirmed its air defences were repelling Ukrainian drones at the time of plane’s flight but has not admitted it shot it down. What we know on day 1,040Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has called on Russia to provide a clearer explanation of the Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash as he expressed condolences to his Azeri counterpart. “The key priority now is a thorough investigation to provide answers to all questions about what really happened. Russia must provide clear explanations and stop spreading disinformation,” Zelenskyy said on X after the call with Ilham Aliyev. On Friday, the White House spokesperson John Kirby said the US had seen “early indications” that Russia might have been responsible for the crash that killed 38 people. The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, on Saturday apologised to Azerbaijan’s leader for what the Kremlin called a “tragic incident that occurred in Russian airspace”. Although the Kremlin statement did not say Russia had shot down t...

Events

The American photographer on capturing a moment of intimacy between himself and his baby sonOn a sunny Sunday morning in June, Spencer Ostrander returned from the local hardware store to find his wife, Sophie, gardening in their back yard in Brooklyn, New York. “I handed her the supplies she needed, and a hot coffee, and she handed over our son,” Ostrander says. Their boy, Miles, was six months old at the time.“As I was taking him inside, I saw the reflection of my son’s back rolls in the glass door.” Ostrander grabbed his iPhone 14 Pro and turned the front camera on. “He was teething back then; not crying, but not his usual pleasant self either. I was juggling a wiggling baby and my phone, so I could only take two frames.” Continue reading...

Culture

The 27-year-old is playing for Larne in Northern Ireland after leaving Hamilton Accies following a decade in Lanarkshire

Politics

More than 7,500 shops remained shut on Thursday, with Next and Marks & Spencer claiming it was to allow staff more time with their loved ones over the festive season.

Economics

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW BY SAMI MOKBEL: The transition from professional footballer into retirement can be tricky business. For Ryan Bertrand, business is the operative word.

Sport

Many of us experience bloating from time to time, often the result of eating too much, but it can signal something far more serious.

Events

Covering 912 square miles, the Lake District is England's largest national park - and its most popular, with over 19million visitors each year. These photos take you back to a simpler, less crowded time...

Culture

The 25-year-old followed in the footsteps of a compatriot and ex Motherwell favourite when he moved to Fir Park

Politics

The theft was carried out just one week before the line was due to be energised for the first time

Economics

The latest Manchester United news as Newcastle United visit Old Trafford in the final game of 2024 with Ruben Amorim's side looking to bounce back from defeat on Boxing Day.

Sport

Arsenal are six poiints behind Premier League leaders Liverpool with an extra game played meaning Mikel Arteta's team could get active in the January transfer window

Events

The Godfather is still a highly regarded piece of cinematic history and fans of the movie can watch it for free this weekend

Culture

McCowan never doubted he was good enough but thought the transition might have been bumpier

Politics

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

Leading FFF teams include Donald Trump’s Mad Angry Geezers Athletic (Maga) and Vladimir Putin’s Greater Russia United (GRU)It’s been a gloomy old year, often reflected in this space – so maybe it’s time to inject some festive cheer with an exciting new Swiftian parlour game: Fantasy Football for Fascists (FFF). Ideal for dictators, autocrats, strongmen, neo-Stalinists, far-right nationalist-populists or just students of geopolitics, it’s fanatical fun for all the family!Under conventional fantasy football rules, imaginary teams are composed of real-life players from the Premier League. In FFF, the principal players are typically politicians and public figures who exhibit extreme totalitarian tendencies. Leading FFF teams include Donald Trump’s Mad Angry Geezers Athletic (Maga) and Vladimir Putin’s Greater Russia United (GRU). China has the Xi XI. Continue reading...

Sport

‘The Nuke’ experiences double trouble but still advances to set up Ryan Joyce clash in the fourth round

Events

Josh Campbell says kitman Gavin Gillies played a huge role in the win in Gorgie

Politics

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

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

Sport

Luke Littler will now face Ryan Joyce in the last 16 of the World Darts Championship

Events

Refusal to leave palace for successor backed by autocratic Georgian Dream party on day of departure stirs protestersIn Georgia’s turbulent political standoff, President Salome Zourabichvili has emerged as a defiant figure.Zourabichvili’s role in Georgia is ceremonial, but far from fading into irrelevance in the twilight of her presidency, she has become a rallying figure for those opposed to the erosion of democracy and the abandonment of Georgia’s European aspirations. On Sunday, she is supposed to step down and hand the Orbeliani Palace to her successor, Mikheil Kavelashvili, a former football player backed by the ruling party, Georgian Dream, but she has said she will refuse. Continue reading...

Politics

In the Kent commuter town of Dartford, locals say the town has slipped into a decline since the introduction of the sprawling Bluewater Shopping Centre in 1999.

Economics

Ruben Amorim needs to turn Manchester United's fortunes around and he can start by improving a dismal record at Old Trafford since the start of last season.

Sport

KIERAN GILL AT ALEXANDRA PALACE: Luke Littler remains in hot pursuit of his first world title, with the 17-year-old phenomenon into the last 16 at Alexandra Palace.

Events

The actor announced on social media that the ‘legal wedding’ was officiated by her sisterGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastRebel Wilson has married wife, Ramona Agruma, for the second time in Sydney and this time it was legal.Wilson, the Australian actor and director, revealed the “legal wedding” was officiated by her sister on Sunday via Instagram, in a post accompanied by photos of the couple standing in front of the Sydney Opera House with the Harbour Bridge in the background. Continue reading...

Politics

A Mega Millions player from Cottonwood, California, has won an incredible $1.22 billion jackpot as they matched all six numbers for huge Christmas lottery jackpot win

Economics

The Norwegian, 34, was defending his championship titles in New York on Friday when the chess governing body made the request for him to change his trousers.

Sport

Title favourite returns to action after wins for Michael van Gerwen and Chris Dobey on Saturday night

Events

Your brain is being tricked right now, this optical illusion is playing tricks on your perception – take a closer look and see if you can spot the truth!

Politics

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

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

The Nuke wasn't at his best but beat Ian White with minimal fuss to advance

Events

The International Chess Federation says top ranked player Magnus Carlsen has left the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships after refusing to change out of the jeans he wore to the competition

Politics

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

Economics

The film, which is available to stream on NOW and first hit screens in 1982, has stood the test of time and still remains a beloved favourite for film fans.

Sport

After Luke Littler’s march into the last 16 at the Paddy Power PDC World Championship, he has one more appointment to fulfil in 2024 - a date with Ryan Joyce on Monday

Events

Littler overcomes slow start to defeat Ian White 4-1Van Gerwen into last 16 by beating Brendan Dolan 4-2Luke Littler struggled to hit top form but still did enough to ease into the last 16 of the world championship with a 4-1 win over Ian White at Alexandra Palace. The 17-year-old survived a series of errant doubles and had set darts against him in the first and fourth sets before finding his range when it mattered to sink his veteran opponent.Littler, who averaged just under 98 for the match, told Sky Sports: “It was tough, Ian threw everything at me and I had to stay switched on. It was just a case of settling into it. I know what’s gone wrong tonight – the doubles – but most importantly, I’ve won.” Continue reading...

Politics

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

Economics

Player Roles are new for EA FC 25, and two new ones have recently been added, taking the total number of player roles to 33.

Sport

Luke Littler did not have it all his own way, but the 17-year-old favourite fought hard to clinch a nervy 4-1 win against veteran Ian White at Alexandra Palace on Saturday night

Events

Michael van Gerwen also through at Alexandra Palace as Luke Humphries prepares for Peter Wright grudge match

Politics

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

The latest cost-cutting measure instigated by Sir Jim Ratcliffe at Man Utd has seen the club end charitable donations to a former players' group.

Sport

The Royal Family has endured a tumultuous 2024 that nobody could have ever predicted this time last year - and it has been marred by health battles, ongoing bitter feuds and a heartbreaking tragedy

Events

Littler beat Ian White 4-1 to reach the fourth round.

Politics

The Rangers boss is toiling and the Belgian won't be relishing a clash against their fierce rivals

Sport

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

Luke McCowan says the delays that come with VAR are slowing games down

Politics

Manchester City cannot find a way out of their slump as the January transfer window prepares to open.

Sport

Gunners enter 2025 missing another key player for a period of months

Events

Van Gerwen wasn't quite convinced by his own performance at Ally Pally

Politics

Micah Richards believes Manchester United will welcome a whole host of new signings to Old Trafford in 2025, while Alan Shearer has pinpointed an impossible task for Ruben Amorim's current players

Sport

Crispin Glover played George McFly in the hit 1985 movie Back To The Future and now looks worlds away from his geeky character in the hugely successful cult film

Events

Kelvin Fletcher, who played Andy Sugden in Emmerdale, has opened up about his new life on a farm in the Peak District with his wife Liz and their four young children

Politics

Fans slammed the 'clueless' couple as they appeared to get confused over which teams had played, with Chrissy even wearing a Chelsea shirt to the game.

Sport

Smart speakers such as the Amazon Echo can help with daily tasks, give you instant updates on the weather, read you the latest news headlines, and even play your favourite song

Events

It is already one of the most anticipated movies of 2025, with Timothee Chalamet playing the lead role - and it has been described as the 'Wolf of Wall Street meets Catch Me If You Can'.

Politics

Sir Jim Ratcliffe's decision to stop giving £40,000 to a trust for former players of Manchester United has gone down like a lead balloon among already tetchy supporters

Events

Herbert throws three TDs as Chargers win 40-7Patriots lose sixth straight for second time in 2024Justin Herbert threw three touchdown passes and the Los Angeles Chargers clinched their second playoff appearance in three seasons with a 40-7 victory over the New England Patriots on Saturday.The win also secured the fourth postseason appearance in Jim Harbaugh’s five seasons as an NFL coach, adding to the three he made during his stint with the San Francisco 49ers. Continue reading...

Politics

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

Heidi Klum is having a very merry time up the American Rocky Mountains with her husband Tom Kaulitz - and she's refusing to let a recent toe injury dampen her spirits

Politics

Cat Deeley's future on This Morning has been confirmed just nine months after she made her debut.

Events