48 minutes ago Does your washing machine leave you in a spin? Almost of half of Brits don't know how to use home appliances and stick to same settings, poll reveals

The poll reveals that four in ten always stick to the same washing settings because they are scared of using the wrong one, while some considered the washing machine the most confusing piece of tech

Politics

16 hours ago Greater Manchester weather LIVE with amber weather alert in place after week of snow and ice

The region is still in the midst of a cold snap

Society

72 minutes ago British literary giant George Orwell famed for his novels 1984 and Animal Farm to be honoured on £2 coin

George Orwell, author of 1984 and Animal Farm, will be celebrated on a new £2 coin design marking 75 years since he died.

Economics

30 minutes ago Police search icy Aberdeen river for sisters who went missing six days ago as officers say they are 'seriously concerned' for the women's safety

Eliza and Henrietta Huszti were last seen in the centre of Aberdeen in the early hours of last Tuesday crossing a bridge over the River Dee, as fears grow for their safety amid plunging temperatures

Events

16 hours ago Truth behind Macy Gray's Masked Singer meltdown and what ITV didn't show you

The Masked Singer fans were stunned when Toad in The Hole star Macy Gray stormed off stage following the decision to reveal her - but not all of the antics were shown on air

Culture

3 hours ago Britain's A&E crisis! Fury as half a million patients languished on hospital trolleys for 12 hours or more last year

The rate is 400 times higher than the 1,306 reported a decade ago in 2015 and comes amid a major shortage of beds which is preventing staff moving new arrivals on to wards

Science

1 hour ago Artificial intelligence will 'turbocharge' Labour's growth plans and transform the lives of ordinary Brits, claims Keir Starmer

Artificial Intelligence will 'turbocharge' Labour's growth plans as well as transforming the lives of ordinary people, Sir Keir Starmer will claim on Monday.

Politics

5 hours ago How to protect YOUR money from an economic meltdown: JEFF PRESTRIDGE on what you need to do NOW

Are the wheels coming off Rachel Reeves's 'wagon'? Political allegiance may determine your answer to this question, but financial markets are adamant in their opinion.

Economics

62 minutes ago Britain's biggest companies slam the brakes on job creation at the hardest pace since the Covid pandemic, figures show

Beleaguered Rachel Reeves is facing further economic gloom as new figures show major employers slamming the brakes on job creation thanks to her £25 billion national insurance raid.

Events

2 hours ago Who is Jacob Fearnley? Britain’s rising star facing Nick Kyrgios at Australian Open

The 23-year-old Scot is prepared to face the unique challenge of playing Kyrgios on John Cain Arena

Politics

12 hours ago 'We're with you': Supermarket giant Morrisons backs farmers' protests against Labour's inheritance tax raid in fresh blow for Rachel Reeves

In a video posted on social media, the grocery chain told Britain's farmers it shared their concerns about the impact of Labour's action, adding: 'We're with you.'

Economics

1 hour ago Bitter cold snap coming to an end with flooding possible as snow and ice melt

Ice and snow is expected to melt, with localised flooding possible, the Met Office said.

Events

3 hours ago Major plan for AI to be unleashed across Britain launched by Keir Starmer

In a challenge to tech billionaires in Silicon Valley, Prime Minister Keir Starmer will announce an AI Opportunities Action Plan to 'win the global race' in developing AI

Politics

13 hours ago WW2 heroes reduced to skin and bone in Japan's horrific POW camps: Harrowing pictures reveal ordeal of Brit troops... and the fearsome devices used to torture them

Heinous images depict the horror hundreds of starving prisoners suffered, with some wearing false legs having undergone amputations, often brought about from being tortured.

Economics

3 hours ago Heartbreaking tributes flood in for sport star's fiancé after her body was found in river

Róisín Cryan, the fiancé of footballer Conor Loftus was tragically found dead in the River Moy in Ireland.

Events

3 hours ago Londoners strip down for the infamous No Trousers Tube Ride with dozens braving the cold with bare legs... and cheeks

Despite biting temperatures in the capital, attendees donned their tighty-whiteys, budgie smugglers and whatever else needed to protect their modesty - while showing off a lot of leg.

Politics

16 hours ago Rachel Reeves 'making Britain a laughing stock' on China trip as she returns with 'puny' £600m investment deal

The Tories said the Chancellor had 'come back with next to nothing' from her trip to Beijing, which she ploughed ahead with despite fresh alarm at her economic plans.

Economics

3 hours ago Rescue teams searching for Brit missing since New Year's Day make shock discovery

Aziz Ziriat, 36, and Samuel Harris, 35, both from London, were hiking in Italy's Dolomites mountains when they went missing on January 1. Now rescue teams have found items belonging to Ziriat

Events

3 hours ago Edinburgh's forgotten pair help Darcy Graham and Duhan van der Merwe flourish in atmospheric Brittany

Win over Vannes strengthens Sean Everitt’s side’s lead in Pool 3 of Challenge

Politics

20 hours ago ‘A welfare state with a budget on the right side of zero’: Iceland’s youngest

Kristrún Frostadóttir, who entered politics just four years ago, speaks to the Observer about feminism, the far right and reopening talks on joining the EUNearly 45 years ago, Iceland made history by producing the world’s first elected female president of a country, setting it on a path to being the global feminist frontrunner it is today.Since then it has had multiple female presidents and prime ministers, but it wasn’t until three weeks ago, when social democrat Kristrún Frostadóttir took office, that the country’s two top positions were both held by women at the same time. It comes after Halla Tómasdóttir became Iceland’s second female president in August. Continue reading...

Economics

4 hours ago Private school teachers are being sacked and having their pay cut because of Labour's VAT raid on fees, union warns

The policy is hitting some of the country's most prestigious private schools hard with cost cutting measures implemented to offset the cost of the tax announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in October

Events

3 hours ago Lewis Hamilton legally changes name for touching reason ahead of pivotal F1 season

Lewis Hamilton will be known by a different name when he takes to the track for the 2025 Formula 1 season as the British driver looks to honour his mother's side of the family.

Politics

23 hours ago How to protect YOUR money from Rachel Reeves's economic meltdown: Finance guru JEFF PRESTRIDGE talks to Britain's top experts to reveal what you need to do NOW

Are the wheels coming off Rachel Reeves's 'wagon'? Political allegiance may determine your answer to this question, but financial markets are adamant in their opinion.

Economics

4 hours ago Police searching Dolomites for missing Brits make fresh discovery after first hiker's body found

Hikers Aziz Ziriat, 36, and Samuel Harris, 35, have not been heard from in 11 days after visiting the Dolomites in Italy and authorities have given an update on the search

Events

4 hours ago Labour's Tulip Siddiq is under fresh pressure to quit as Bangladesh's new leader says London properties given to the anti

Labour's anti-corruption minister is under fresh pressure to quit over her links to Bangladesh's ousted regime after the new leader of the country intervened in the controversy.

Politics

4 hours ago Jeremy Clarkson says Trump should buy Britain after declaring he wants Greenland

Creepy Jeremy Clarkson says the MAGA man himself, Donald Trump, should be free to buy Britain following the orange manbaby's declaration that he wants to take over Greenland

Politics

6 hours ago Body of missing man, 46, found in landfill two months after he vanished as police try to track down murder suspect who is thought to have fled the country

Police have identified the body as that of missing man Cumali Turhan (left) as they continue to appeal for information on the whereabouts of the suspect in the case, Ceyhan Dinler (right)

Events

6 hours ago Weather map reveals where temperatures are set to reach 12C as cold snap begins to ease

Comparatively milder weather arrived on Sunday, to even some of the coldest areas which have been under a blanket of snow and ice.

Politics

6 hours ago Missing Londoner's belongings found in Dolomites as rescuers continue search

Searchers in the Dolomites said they have found items belonging to Aziz Ziriat, 36, who has been missing since January 1

Events

7 hours ago The Guardian view on Argentina’s austerity year: painful cuts, rising poverty and a geopolitical gamble | Editorial

In his first 12 months Javier Milei has imposed drastic economic measures – sparking protests while banking on an IMF bailoutThe first foreign leader to meet Donald Trump after his victory last November was Argentina’s president, Javier Milei. The affinity is obvious: both are political outsiders united by extreme-right rhetoric and a penchant for anarchic capitalism. Mr Milei promised a war on bureaucrats, brutal public spending cuts and sweeping deregulation of Latin America’s second-largest economy. Predictably, the outcome has been devastating: a recession plunged more than half the country into poverty within the first six months of 2024.Mr Milei did not so much win the last election as the previous government lost it. When voters went to the polls in October 2023, monthly inflation stood at around 8%, fuelling frustration with the established parties and anxiety about the future – sentiments Mr Milei skilfully exploited. After his victory, monthly inflation soared to...

Politics

7 hours ago Northern Irish nun killed in Ecuador earthquake takes step towards sainthood

Beatification ceremony for Clare Crockett, former party girl from Derry, draws more than 100 people to MadridA nun from Northern Ireland who was killed in an earthquake while she was teaching music in Ecuador has taken a step closer to sainthood.A ceremony on Sunday afternoon started the process of beatification for Clare Crockett, who died in the Portoviejo, Ecuador during an earthquake in April 2016. The 33-year-old had been working in the country as part of her work as a nun, which had also taken in placements in Spain and the US. Continue reading...

Events

7 hours ago Ministers from 17 countries meet for Saudi talks on speeding aid to Damascus

Riyadh meeting also discussed keeping pressure on Syria’s new leadership to meet commitment to inclusive transitionMinisters from 17 Middle East and western countries have met in Riyadh to discuss how to speed aid to the new Syrian government while keeping pressure on the caretaker leadership to meet its commitment to run an administration representative of all religions and ethnic groups.The meeting on Sunday came as protesters in Syria called on the west to move faster on lifting economic sanctions, and so persuade more refugees to return from Europe and the states surrounding the country. Continue reading...

Politics

7 hours ago Swedish PM says country neither at war nor at peace as armed forces enter Baltic

Ulf Kristersson says ‘hostile intent cannot be ruled out’ as increased surveillance follows suspected cable sabotage The Swedish prime minister has said that his country is neither at war nor at peace as he announced that Sweden would be sending armed forces into the Baltic sea for the first time as part of increased surveillance efforts amid a spate of suspected sabotage of undersea cables.The country announced it will contribute up to three warships and a surveillance aircraft to a Nato effort to monitor critical infrastructure and Russia’s “shadow fleet” as the alliance tries to guard against sabotage of underwater infrastructure. Continue reading...

Events

9 hours ago UK snow maps reveal how likely ANOTHER January blizzard is as Met Office issues 'icy' verdict

With millions of Brits still reeling from this week's snow and freezing temperatures, advanced weather modelling maps now show just how likely a second January blizzard is

Politics

7 hours ago Sweden neither at war nor at peace, says PM, as warships sent to Baltic Sea

Ulf Kristersson says ‘hostile intent cannot be ruled out’ as increased surveillance follows suspected cable sabotage The Swedish prime minister has said that his country is neither at war nor at peace as he announced that Sweden would be sending armed forces into the Baltic Sea for the first time as part of increased surveillance efforts amid a spate of suspected sabotage of undersea cables.The country announced it will contribute up to three warships and a surveillance aircraft to a Nato effort to monitor critical infrastructure and Russia’s “shadow fleet” as the alliance tries to guard against sabotage of underwater infrastructure. Continue reading...

Events

10 hours ago 'I'm British but have lived abroad for six years – there's reason Spain is better'

A British man shared his experiences after living in Spain for six years – and it doesn't look like he misses the UK very much! Here's what he made of the move

Politics

7 hours ago Body is found in hunt for missing woman, 57, a week after she disappeared amid Britain's ice blast

Lynda, 57, was last seen leaving her home on Parish Drive in Ainsworth, by Bolton, at around midday on January 4, sparking a week-long search amid the cold conditions

Events

10 hours ago Popular fish and chip shop reveals the real reason British delicacy used to be wrapped in newspaper

Sankey's Seafood Restaurant and Pub in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, shared an informative video about the origins of the newspaper tradition - and unexpectedly went viral on TikTok.

Politics

7 hours ago Missing Briton’s belongings found in Dolomites as rescuers continue search

Searchers in the Dolomites said they have found items belonging to Aziz Ziriat, 36, who has been missing since January 1.

Events

10 hours ago ‘More complicated than we think’: the untold story of LGBTQ+ rights in the American Revolution

Gay historian John McCurdy uncovers the little-known tale of Robert Newburgh – a British army chaplain accused of homosexuality – in new book Vicious and ImmoralIndividual rights are synonymous with the American Revolution. While many of the debates that built up to the revolution centered around taxes, a little-known legal controversy from the era suggests that the crown and colonists also differed when it came to LGBTQ+ rights.Serving with the 18th Regiment of Foot in Philadelphia, the British army chaplain Robert Newburgh was accused of having had sexual relations with a man – or as it was known at the time, buggery. Viewing his standing within the regiment as undermined, Newburgh sought recourse in a variety of court cases culminating with a court martial in 1774 – the year before the revolution. Continue reading...

Politics

10 hours ago Family of British hiker missing in the Dolomites release heartbreaking statement as they refuse to give up hope

Aziz Ziriat, 36, and Samuel Harris, 35, both from London , went missing in the northeastern Italy's Dolomites mountains on January 1.

Events

11 hours ago King Charles and Queen Camilla brave icy temperatures as they drive to church service at Crathie Kirk

The King and Queen appeared in high spirits as they arrived at Crathie Kirk near Balmoral this morning to attend a Sunday service.

Politics

10 hours ago Sweden to contribute up to 3 warships to reinforced NATO presence in the Baltic

Sweden's government says the country will contribute up to three warships to a NATO effort to increase the alliance’s presence in the Baltic Sea as it tries to guard against sabotage of underwater infrastructure

Events

11 hours ago Canada’s election is about to have an Elon Musk problem with Trudeau’s exit

The world’s richest man looks to move Canada to the right as the beleaguered prime minister prepares to departThe decision by the Canadian prime minister, Justin Trudeau, this week to resign as head of the Liberal party has set in motion a leadership race against the backdrop of a looming general election, which will be held amid political turmoil triggered by Donald Trump’s America First economic nationalism. It has also given Tesla’s CEO, Elon Musk, an opportunity to inject himself into yet another country’s political turmoil.Since Trudeau’s resignation on Monday, Musk has posted repeatedly about Canadian politics on X – the platform formerly known as Twitter he bought in 2022 for $44bn. He has praised clips of Pierre Poilievre, the leader of Canada’s Conservative party, while relishing in Trudeau’s downfall and engaging with rightwing Canadian influencers. Continue reading...

Politics

13 hours ago Teenage girl cried with her family and mourned grandfather's shock death for months

Brittney Jade Dwyer, then 19, from Redbank Plains, Queensland , stabbed 81-year-old Robert Whitwell in the neck and chest at his Adelaide home in August 2016.

Events

12 hours ago Alive in the Merciful Country by AL Kennedy review – peace of mind meets a monster from the past

This provocative novel contains two narratives: the memoir of an activist starting a new life and the violent manifesto of a spy cop who knew herAnna McCormick, as many people did, is discovering that the first pandemic lockdown is playing havoc with time. Becalmed in her deliberately fortress-like London home with her young adult son Paul, she is simultaneously under pressure – teaching primary school children on Zoom, maintaining her stockpile of tinned goods, attempting to communicate with her mother’s care home – and forced into unnatural, unwanted inaction. As a survivor of domestic abuse, and several other threats to her safety and sanity, she is aware of the immense prize – a sanctuary, a job, meaningful relationships – she has secured, but also of its precariousness. Amid these conditions of unbidden contemplation, she begins to write a sort of memoir.So too does Buster, the shape-shifting, monstrous undercover cop who once infiltrated the OrKestrA, the “merry little band of...

Politics

14 hours ago Masked Singer fans praise Jonathan Ross' reply to 'sulking' Macy Gray after she stormed off

The Masked Singer UK viewers have called out judge Jonathan Ross for his 'awkward' response to Macy Gray's 'meltdown' after she was unmasked as Toad in the Hole

Events

13 hours ago Elon Musk 'reluctant' to talk to MPs despite hundreds of posts about British society

Chi Onwurah, chair of the Commons’ tech committee, has invited Elon Musk to give evidence to MPs for its inquiry into social media, misinformation and harmful algorithms

Politics

14 hours ago California wildfires: Former British child star dies on family estate after ‘water shut off’

British-born star, who was born blind and lived with cerebral palsy, was unable to be rescued

Events