73 minutes ago How we met: ‘We got chatting on the plane – and she suggested I move in with her’

Kate, 49, and Abby, 52, struck up a conversation on a flight from New York to London in the 90s. They have been close friends ever sinceAs a friendly student who loved to travel, striking up a conversation on a flight wasn’t unusual for Kate. But when she boarded a plane headed from New York to London in January 1996, she had no idea she would be making a friend for life. “I’d spent the previous summer interning for Rolling Stone magazine and a publishing company in New York, and I was returning for New Year to visit pals,” she says. “I was then going back to university in London.”She introduced herself to Abby, in the neighbouring seat. “I’d studied in Bristol during my junior year in college and fallen in love with a British boy,” says Abby. “After completing my studies in the States ...

Politics

73 minutes ago Brit tourists banned from the sea on one of best beaches for winter sun

British tourists have been told to keep away from a popular holiday spot in Tenerife due to health and safety fears over the water quality at Playa Jardín in Puerto de la Cruz

Society

73 minutes ago Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis give powerful hidden message in clothes at royal event

The Royal Family are known to carefully consider their outfits and sometimes even send messages with them, and reports have claimed that George, Charlotte, and Louis are no exception

Politics

87 minutes ago Zelenskyy presents 'victory plan' to EU, saying it could end Ukraine war by 2025 – video

Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented his 'victory plan' to the EU on 17 October, pitching for a Nato membership invitation and a major increase in military support for Kyiv's campaign against Russia's invasion. The plan contains requests that Ukraine's allies have so far declined, such as a call for an invitation to join the Nato military alliance and permission to use western weapons to strike deep inside Russia. Zelenskyy presented the plan at a critical time, as Moscow's forces advance in the east, a bleak winter of power cuts looms and a US presidential election casts uncertainty over the future of western supportZelenskyy lays out Ukraine ‘victory plan’ which Moscow calls an escalationUkraine war briefing: Australia to send 49 Abrams tanks to Kyiv Continue reading...

Events

89 minutes ago 'Pensioners are an easy target': Clashes over winter fuel payment controversy

The decision from the Labour government has had a ripple effect within local authorities trying to support residents, say critics

Economics

92 minutes ago Charities unite to challenge Winter Fuel Payment cuts as half a million people sign online petitions

Several charities have launched campaigns calling for Winter Fuel Payment cuts to be scrapped.

Economics

1 hour ago Soups, salads and cake? 17 delicious and surprising ways with celery, the neglected vegetable

Celery is very versatile, but rarely essential – and too often left to wilt in the fridge. These recipes put it centre stageWhile people who dislike celery tend to have strong feelings about it, the rest of us find it hard to believe such an innocuous vegetable could even inspire opinion, much less divide it. A couple of chopped celery stalks can almost always add something to a dish, even if its subtlety means it sometimes goes unnoticed.In fact, celery’s versatility presents a problem: we buy it because it’s so useful, but we often forget to include it because it tends to be optional. Instead, we leave it to go bendy in the fridge until it’s time to buy more (although you can quickly revive limp celery by standing the cut stalks in cold water, like flowers in a vase). Continue reading...

Politics

1 hour ago Elderly to get extra help claiming Pension Credit in wake of winter fuel allowance cut

Extra staff to be deployed following cut to winter fuel allowance

Politics

2 hours ago Monty Don's urgent warning for gardeners as 'time is running out' to complete key task

Gardening legend Monty Don has warned Brits to make sure they do one key task as winter approaches. Seasonal changes impact how healthy your garden will be come spring

Events