50 minutes ago Australian Open 2025: Sinner sails through; Keys v Collins, Kecmanovic v Rune – live

Alex de Minaur beats Francisco Cerundolo on day sevenNo 2 seed Swiatek breezes past Raducanu 6-1, 6-0Any thoughts? Get in touch with John on emailEmma Raducanu and Iga Swiatek have completed their warm-ups on Rod Laver Arena and we’re about to get under way. But hang on, the second seed is have a word to the match official and seems to be concerned about a lack of towels. Well, I guess that sets the tone for what should be a heated clash in steamy conditions.There is plenty of action on the court to keep us entertained but it can be easy to forget the impact that tennis can have on families in the present day, let alone across generations.It’s been an odd experience. Esna died in 1966 so has always been an ethereal presence – a long-skirted woman with Princess Leia buns in an ageing photograph who my mother would chide me with when asking why I was so terrible at sport. Continue reading...

Politics

2 hours ago ‘It’s a PR battle’: inside the Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni lawsuits

The director and star of hit summer romance It Ends With Us are facing off with lawsuits alleging sexual harassment and defamationIt Ends With Us should have been a success story. The long-awaited film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel, a tale of cyclical domestic violence, premiered in August to decent reviews and wide audience interest; it grossed $350m, against a $25m budget, despite a tide of press and social media speculation over an alleged rift between its director, Justin Baldoni, and its star, Blake Lively. Most of the ire was trained on Lively – for glossing over the subject of domestic violence with florals, for simultaneously promoting her haircare and alcohol lines, for being gruff with reporters in the past, while Baldoni, who played the abuser in the film, championed abuse survivors. But the movie was a hit, demonstrating the viability of female-led, mid-budget melodramas at the box office.Not that anyone remembers that now. The film has become embroile...

Society

93 minutes ago February 2025 payment dates for benefits and pensions as DWP cuts rumoured

All the essential cost of living information you need

Economics

18 hours ago Brad Barritt interview: Saracens' Champions Cup strategy 'flying under the radar'

Sarries sixth favourites for crown but underdog approach may yet work out

Sport

66 minutes ago Nobody could help me with my psychosis. Then I was sent to jail for holding up a shop with a toy gun

I didn’t remember committing my crime but I knew I had fallen through the cracks of the system. Could prison really be my salvation?Sixteen months ago, I somehow found myself standing bewildered in the dock of a magistrates court, at my own bail hearing for attempted armed robbery, wondering if I was really there or not. I had inexplicably gone into a shop with a toy gun at 7.30am, pointed it at the cashier and screamed at him for money while in a psychotic, delusional state. In my mind, I hadn’t committed a crime at all; I was merely acting out a scene from a film. Legally I had committed a Schedule 15 offence – a list that includes kidnapping, sex offences, manslaughter and soliciting murder, grave crimes that can result in a maximum of 14 years’ custody. Bail wasn’t even considered, as the magistrate believed I underestimated the seriousness of my crime, didn’t think I’d surrender to my bail conditions and saw me as a flight risk. I don’t know if he banged a gavel or not – I like...

Events

17 hours ago Lottie Moss looks out of this world in a satin pink dress as she skips sister Kate's 51st birthday celebrations for a luxury holiday in Tulum

Lottie Moss skipped her supermodel sister Kate's 51st birthday celebrations in London for a swanky holiday in Tulum.

Culture

20 hours ago Elon Musk taking over TikTok could lead to 'unparalleled power' and change democracy

EXCLUSIVE: The goal of the ban is to put the US wing of TikTok into American hands or be pulled from app stores over fears of its connections to the Chinese government and, unsurprisingly, the name being touted is Elon Musk

Technology

12 hours ago A bargain holiday in Tuscany? Yes, really! How August week in Italy's rolling hills, sun

Consumer comparison site Which? has undertaken a survey of Brit's favourite travel destinations to try to uncover the cheapest week-long breaks for this upcoming August.

Science

66 minutes ago ‘We can all find beauty in everyday life – even in unpleasant places’: Jan Schölzel’s best phone shot

The German photographer hopes the image he shot in a public bathroom in Malaysia will inspire others to explore their own ideas of beautyIn 2018, when Jan Schölzel was on the Malaysian archipelago of Langkawi, some days were so humid, he found it difficult to leave his accommodation. “It was the hottest, most humid place I’ve ever been,” says Schölzel, who currently lives in Hanover, Germany. “This must have been one of the cooler days, because we went to visit a waterfall.”After fish head soup for lunch – a local delicacy – he spent some time in the water before heading to use a nearby bathroom. This image, taken on an iPhone SE, was shot facing the entrance. Continue reading...

Politics

3 hours ago What Spain’s property ‘100 per cent’ tax hike means for Brits looking for their dream holiday home

Spain's prime minister has set out plans to increase property taxes for non-EU buyers, which could drive Brits to purchase holiday homes elsewhere

Society

3 hours ago We tried a fish and chip shop that's in the UK's top 50 and found a £5.50 'Super Barm'

The award-winning chippy has been named one of Fry’s Magazine’s 50 Best Fish and Chip Takeaways in the UK

Economics

19 hours ago Football Daily | Erling Haaland signs up to take on Shearer and co’s scoring records

Sign up now! Sign up now! Sign up now? Sign up now! Continue reading...

Sport

2 hours ago ‘She couldn’t walk, she couldn’t talk’: music therapy helped Joni Mitchell recover from a stroke – could it ward off depression and dementia too?

When his friend, the legendary songwriter, had a catastrophic stroke, neuroscientist Daniel Levitin put together a programme of music therapy. Now he’s recommending it for a whole range of conditionsIn 2015, Joni Mitchell suffered a catastrophic stroke. According to her friend, the musician and neuroscientist Daniel Levitin, “when she got back from the hospital, she couldn’t walk and she couldn’t talk, and the doctors were so pessimistic about her recovery, they hadn’t scheduled any follow-ups”. For a while it looked as though one of the most gifted songwriters of the 20th century would be permanently silenced.One day, though, the nurses caring for her at her home found Levitin’s number on a piece of paper in the kitchen, and called him. They had noticed that Mitchell perked up when she heard music coming from their phones, and wondered if he had any suggestions for songs she might respond to. Remarkably, he’d helped her compile a CD of her favourite tracks for a seri...

Events

19 hours ago Coronation Street star Lucy Fallon shares intimate photo from birth of second child as co

She has been flooded with more congratulatory messages and gushing comments from her co-stars as she confirmed the name of her second child

Culture

18 hours ago Hot flashes and mood swings: why perimenopausal symptoms get misdiagnosed – and how to treat them

Symptoms like insomnia, bloating and emotional shifts can occur before menopause begins, but they are often improperly addressed by doctorsIn her 40s, Karen Cummings started to notice a shift in her menstrual cycle. The New Yorker’s typically mild and consistent symptoms had been replaced by bloating, emotional swings and overwhelm before she entered menopause five years ago, at 52.She thought she might need to switch up her birth control. Her doctor suggested an antidepressant. But the symptoms seemed tied to her menstrual cycle. “I’m not depressed,” she remembers thinking. “I’m on the wrong birth control.” Continue reading...

Science

67 minutes ago Surprising holiday destination that’s hot in February with no rain and fewer crowds

Want guaranteed good holiday weather? Here’s our handy calendar of the best places to visit, all year round – including 30+ degrees in February and 'shoulder season' ideas

Politics

8 hours ago Inside UK seaside town named Las Vegas of the North which tourists love

Tourists keep coming back to Blackpool year-after-year, with its impressive coastline and amusements keeping that retro, candyfloss, seaside feel for decades

Society

4 hours ago World's richest sports billionaires you didn't know about – £16bn footballer to £78bn mogul

While many would assume that Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are the richest athletes of all time thanks to incredible contracts, their net worth pales in comparison to other stars

Economics

22 hours ago Man City's dream XI to blast back into title race as FOUR January transfers confirmed

Pep Guardiola could make a number of additions to his Manchester City squad in January as the reigning Premier League champions look to work their way back up the table

Sport

4 hours ago Rami Malek on rebellion, racism, and still feeling like an outsider: ‘I’m white passing, but growing up in LA, we definitely didn’t fit in’

He was an unruly teenager in 90s Los Angeles, who became feted for his turns as Freddie Mercury and a Bond villain. Now he’s turning to Greek tragedy on the London stageRami Malek, in one graceful sweep, lifts the food delivery bags from an assistant and holds open the door of the photographic studio. He showers the room with greetings, asking names, responding to questions: he’s doing good, thanks; his Thanksgiving was good, thanks, his partner (actor Emma Corrin) threw a surprise dinner for him, trimmings and all, and he was blown away. He shakes hands with the crew, jokes about the music, apologises for being late. His fault, he maintains. But there’s something else. In all these small interactions, Malek is quick to flip focus on to the other person: no, but how are they? How is their Sunday? I wonder as I watch him, is this real? Is this who he is? I’d read that he liked the way Tom Hanks is attentive to all those he works with. That Malek learned this in 2010 while working on ...

Events

20 hours ago From Mulholland Drive to Twin Peaks via Lost Highway: all David Lynch’s films and TV shows – ranked

The great American film-maker died this week, leaving behind a body of work unmatched in its seductive strangeness and transcendent mystery. We put it in orderIt is one of life’s eternal mysteries that for the last two decades of his life, no one was willing to fund another feature by America’s greatest film-maker of the time. Almost as much of a mystery was his final completed feature: the evil twin of his previous film, Mulholland Drive. As Laura Dern’s hexed actor segues into the character she is playing, this digitally shot rampage down Hollywood’s boulevard of broken dreams dials up the narrative fragmentation of his late period. It runs the gamut from inspired camcorder surrealism to making-it-up-as-you-go-along incoherence (which is what it was: Lynch shot without a finished screenplay). Continue reading...

Culture

1 hour ago Australian Open 2025: Sinner v Giron, De Minaur through, Swiatek beats Raducanu – live

Alex de Minaur defeats Francisco Cerundolo on seventh dayNo 2 women’s seed defeats Raducanu 6-1, 6-0 at Melbourne ParkAny thoughts? Get in touch with John on emailEmma Raducanu and Iga Swiatek have completed their warm-ups on Rod Laver Arena and we’re about to get under way. But hang on, the second seed is have a word to the match official and seems to be concerned about a lack of towels. Well, I guess that sets the tone for what should be a heated clash in steamy conditions.There is plenty of action on the court to keep us entertained but it can be easy to forget the impact that tennis can have on families in the present day, let alone across generations.It’s been an odd experience. Esna died in 1966 so has always been an ethereal presence – a long-skirted woman with Princess Leia buns in an ageing photograph who my mother would chide me with when asking why I was so terrible at sport. Continue reading...

Politics

21 hours ago ‘The nearby schools have burned down’: LA teachers and students grapple with altered reality

Residents of less affluent Altadena worry their neighborhood will not have the same chance to rebuild as wealthy Palisades When Lydia Abraham-Traylor left the kindergarten class she teaches in downtown Los Angeles last Tuesday, her eyes were on the Palisades fire, which had started that morning.Abraham-Traylor, who lived with her eight-year-old daughter in Altadena, figured that fire was all the way across the city. The worst she’d have to handle was a power outage. Continue reading...

Society

7 hours ago Huge Welsh attraction loved by millions of families up for sale for £4.5m

Local residents, regional visitors, and holiday makers have all made special memories at this tourist attraction that's now up for sale

Economics

24 hours ago Haaland’s new contract, Slegers in at Arsenal, team news and football transfer latest – live

Latest news and press conferences before the weekendAny comment or thoughts? You can email DavidToday’s Rumour Mill allows us a segue involving Brighton. Read today’s whispers here Brighton were the other winners last night as they ended an eight-game streak without a Premier League victory (eight of those were draws, mind) with a 2-0 success at Ipswich to take them up to ninth. Nick Ames was at Portman Road. Continue reading...

Sport

4 hours ago Where are the original Gladiators now? From tragic death and prison stint to Hollywood acting career

The original set of Gladiators from the 1990s were cultural icons thanks to their fearsome names and battles with contestants.

Events

21 hours ago ‘Music is a magic’: how David Lynch used song and sound to transcend reality

He found global fame as a film-maker, but Lynch’s passion for music was life-long and resulted in work every bit as surreal as his moviesDavid Lynch, Twin Peaks and Mulholland Drive director, dies aged 78David Lynch: the great American surrealist who made experimentalism mainstream‘Music,” David Lynch said when I spoke to him for the Guardian last year, “is a magic”. We were discussing the album Cellophane Memories, which he had produced with singer Chrystabell: a beautiful, dreamlike, archetypically Lynchian record, which – with his death this week at the age of 78 – would be his last.While he started out as a painter and found global fame as a director through surrealist masterpieces like Twin Peaks, Blue Velvet and Mulholland Drive, Lynch maintained a passion for music all his life – from his bizarre sonic experiments for film, to his own albums, to his collaborations with the likes of Julee Cruise, Flying Lotus and Angelo Badalamenti. Continue reading...

Culture

1 hour ago West Ham XI vs Crystal Palace: Predicted lineup, confirmed team news, injury latest for Premier League today

Hammers boss Graham Potter lacking options up front for latest London derby showdown

Politics

26 hours ago Celebrate the new year with 35% off food at iconic Thai restaurant, Chaophraya

Chaophraya, the iconic Thai dining destination renowned for its authentic and innovative cuisine, is offering diners the perfect way to kick-start 2025 with an exclusive January promotion.

Society

12 hours ago DWP confirms PIP and Attendance Allowance payments increase from April 2025

The DWP recently announced that benefits, including Carer's Allowance, will rise by 1.7 per cent from April 2025

Economics

25 hours ago Renée Slegers is named permanent Arsenal head coach after 10 wins from 11

35-year-old had been in temporary charge since OctoberGunners are unbeaten since Jonas Eidevall left clubArsenal have named the interim head coach Renée Slegers as the permanent successor to Jonas Eidevall after an impressive temporary spell in charge.The 35-year-old has signed a contract to the end of the 2025-26 season after three months as interim. Continue reading...

Sport

5 hours ago Blind date: ‘Awkward moments? When she said I looked like her ex. And again when she said I looked like another ex’

Clemmie, 27, a television writer, meets Joe, 28, a civil servantWhat were you hoping for? A Hollywood romance story to tell the grandkids. Also, that he wouldn’t judge me for ordering pizza (I’d studied the restaurant menu in advance). Continue reading...

Events

21 hours ago Bonnie Blue's real name, private school husband and mum's surprise role in sex job

Bonnie Blue's life now is world's away from her 'quiet and reserved' upbringing. We look at the adult star's marriage and the role her family play in her huge empire

Culture

1 hour ago Liverpool XI vs Brentford: Predicted lineup, confirmed team news, injury latest for Premier League game today

Arne Slot has fresh fitness concern as Reds look to extend title lead in west London

Politics

17 hours ago Inside Roger Nores $10m lawsuit as Liam Payne's estate fear it will cause Bear 'irreparable damage'

Geoff Payne, the father of late One Direction singer Liam Payne, has been named in a US defamation lawsuit by the singer's friend and businessman, Roger Nores, over 'false statements' that were allegedly made in relation to the pop star's death

Economics

27 hours ago Arsenal transfer news: Viktor Gyokeres bid gets green light and Bryan Mbeumo answer

Arsenal are in the market for attacking reinforcements and Mikel Arteta is ready to splash the cash with a host of names being considered at the Emirates Stadium

Sport

5 hours ago ‘It raised our spirits’: Palestinian refugees in Syria on the ceasefire in Gaza

Yarmouk camp residents lived through fighting and starvation in the Syrian civil war and feel intimately connected to the suffering in the Gaza StripAfter 15 months of watching their relatives suffering in Gaza, residents of the Yarmouk Palestinian refugee camp in Damascus finally breathed a sigh of relief. The war in the besieged Palestinian territory was soon to be over.“Hearing that the fighting will finally stop, it raised our spirits. We don’t have any work or money, but now we have something at least to make us happy, now you hear people laughing in the streets,” said Rbeia Abu Hmeida, 45, a Palestinian refugee who lives in the Yarmouk camp. Continue reading...

Events

21 hours ago AP PHOTOS: In Spanish village, horses leap through flames in centuries

On a chilly January night, hundreds of people gathered on the steep and narrow cobblestoned streets of San Bartolome de Pinares — population 500 — to watch a dramatic sight: horses galloping through towering flames.

Culture

1 hour ago Arsenal XI vs Aston Villa: William Saliba latest, predicted lineup, confirmed team news for Premier League today

Mikel Arteta could be tempted to make changes for latest tough assignment in packed January

Politics

17 hours ago The relief I’ll feel if the Gaza ceasefire deal holds is tempered by rage. Because it could have happened so much sooner | Jonathan Freedland

The agreement reached this week is basically the plan Joe Biden unveiled in May. So much pain, terror and death could have been avoidedWhen news of the ceasefire and hostage-release deal between Israel and Hamas first broke on Wednesday, a friend offered the kind hope that now, at last, there could be a sense of joy. I wanted very much to feel that way but, at that moment, I could not – and here’s why.For one thing, a mere announcement did not seem enough. When it comes to the Middle East, “believe it when you see it” tends to be a good operating principle. Sure enough, there followed 48 hours of hitches and last-minute delays and even now, as I write this and after the Israeli security cabinet approved the deal, it seems like tempting fate to assume everything will run smoothly. Continue reading...

Economics

27 hours ago Australian Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic v Tomas Machac score, Naomi Osaka retires, Jack Draper in third

Jacob Fearnley is out after a straight-sets defeat to Alexander Zverev before Jack Draper takes on Australian favourite Aleksandar Vukic

Sport

6 hours ago Innocent person killed when cop chase with murder suspect who wanted to ‘call his mom’ ends in crash

The deadly incident occurred in Texas on Thursday at around 10.30 a.m. after the suspect, name as Gabriel Cerna, collided with another vehicle on the interstate

Events

22 hours ago BAFTA Film Awards Odds 2025: Here how the bookies rate all 12 lead actor and actress nominees' chances

It’s the biggest night of the year for the British film industry.

Culture

2 hours ago Emma Raducanu's Australian Open dream is over in brutal fashion after being outclassed by rampant No2 seed Iga Swiatek

Emma Raducanu suffered her heaviest defeat at a Grand Slam as she was crushed by No2 seed Iga Swiatek at the Australian Open, shipping 11 games in a row to lose in little over an hour.

Politics

17 hours ago Relief at this Gaza deal should be tempered by rage at Hamas and Netanyahu. How dare they take so long? | Jonathan Freedland

The agreement reached this week is basically the plan Joe Biden unveiled in May. So much pain and death could have been avoidedWhen news of the ceasefire and hostage-release deal between Israel and Hamas first broke on Wednesday, a friend offered the kind hope that now, at last, there could be a sense of joy. I wanted very much to feel that way but, at that moment, I could not – and here’s why.For one thing, a mere announcement did not seem enough. When it comes to the Middle East, “believe it when you see it” tends to be a good operating principle. Sure enough, there followed 48 hours of hitches and last-minute delays and even now, as I write this and after the Israeli security cabinet approved the deal, it seems like tempting fate to assume everything will run smoothly. Continue reading...

Economics

8 hours ago Fire reignites at California battery plant after evacuations amid toxic smoke

Blaze erupts in Monterey county at one of world’s largest battery storage plants, causing highway and school closuresA fire at one of the world’s largest battery-storage plants in northern California flared up again on Friday afternoon, sending up plumes of toxic smoke after authorities had said the blaze was mostly over.The fire in Moss Landing in Monterey county started on Thursday, forcing the evacuation of up to 1,500 people and the closure of a major highway. Fire crews were not engaging with the fire but rather waiting for it to burn out on its own, a local fire official said. Continue reading...

Events

22 hours ago Don’t Look Up director says ‘half a billion people’ have now seen film despite critics

Adam McKay says the Jennifer Lawrence and Leonardo DiCaprio-starring satire resonates with a widespread feeling of being deceived by government and mediaAdam McKay, writer-director of climate-crisis satire Don’t Look Up, says that the film’s popularity with viewers shows the popular will to tackle climate change, despite the critical brickbats the film attracted and political inertia around the issue.McKay was speaking to the NME during the wildfire emergency that is currently affecting Los Angeles, which has included many high-profile victims from the Hollywood community. Saying that while Netflix, the film’s distributors, would not release definitive audience figures, he estimated that “somewhere between 400 million and half a billion” people saw it, and that “viewers all really connected with the idea of being gaslit”. Continue reading...

Culture

2 hours ago A cold boiled egg pot may be a convenient shot of protein, but where’s the joy in that? | Lucy Dearlove

Somewhere between protein powders and chicken breasts in plastic containers, I fear the pursuit of wellness has become a thief of joyLast year, I needed to eat on the go between exercising and an evening class. Frequently, I would find myself striding up a hill in the dark eating cold boiled eggs from a plastic pot. The eggs had been cooked into submission, with a grey ring around the chalky yolk that plastered itself across my tongue and teeth. The whites were rubbery, and the bottom of the pot held a little pool of mysterious cloudy water that made me shudder.So why choose to eat the cursed eggs? I’m clearly not alone: Tesco recently revealed that boiled egg pots have ousted crisps from the top spot in its meal-deal league table (other retailers have reported equivalent growth in the snack’s popularity). It’s possible to read the “egg protein pot” as evidence of a joyless nation – a variation on the “joyless tubes”, the term the English writer Douglas Adams gave to sausages, bolst...

Politics

17 hours ago Solskjær arrives at Besiktas, Henry tipped for Belgium job, Haaland deal and more – live

Latest news and press conferences before the weekendAny comment or thoughts? You can email BarryOle direksiyonda! Turkish speakers can either smirk or correct me. So, it seems that former Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is in talks to take over at Turkish club Besiktas.(From PA Media) Continue reading...

Economics

9 hours ago Fire reignites at California battery plant after prompting evacuations amid toxic smoke

Blaze erupted in Monterey county at one of world’s largest battery storage plants, leading to highway and school closuresA fire at one of the world’s largest battery-storage plants in northern California flared up again on Friday afternoon, sending up plumes of toxic smoke after authorities had said the blaze was mostly over.The fire in Moss Landing in Monterey county started on Thursday, forcing the evacuation of up to 1,500 people and the closure of a major highway. Fire crews were not engaging with the fire but rather waiting for it to burn out on its own, the Mercury News reported. Continue reading...

Events

27 hours ago No Dylan but loads of Coldplay! What the songs with a billion streams on Spotify tell us about music taste today

Spotify’s Billions Club tracks the world’s most popular songs, but dozens of greats are nowhere to be found. From TikTok to TV soundtracks, we explore the forces shaping pop’s new canonIn 2011, Jacob Rubeck and Nick Rattigan were living in a basement in Reno, Nevada, and thinking about starting a band. One afternoon, Rubeck came up with a frisky Strokes-like guitar riff, Rattigan whipped up the melody and lyrics and Surf Curse’s Freaks was born. “We wrote the song in like 30 minutes,” the singer says.A catchy song about alienation and longing, Freaks was released in 2013 and became a raucous highlight of their live shows but didn’t trouble the wider world until 2021, when it was discovered, out of the blue, by TikTok users. Its Spotify streams kept going up and up and up, until last March it passed a remarkable milestone. Unlike Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Pink Floyd or Prince, Surf Curse can claim membership of Spotify’s Billions Club, the running playlist of every song to have a...

Culture

2 hours ago Everton vs Tottenham prediction: Kulusevski to star in narrow Spurs win

Read our free football betting tips ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash

Politics

19 hours ago Sky TV, Netflix and broadband deal drops £120 to its cheapest price ever

Sky's January sales have seen price drops of a raft of TV and broadband bundles, but there's one particular deal which really caught our eye

Economics

10 hours ago US and Turks and Caicos to inquire into failed SpaceX launch leading to debris

Starship test sent orange-glowing shards streaking over northern Caribbean and forced airlines to divert flightsThe US Federal Aviation Administration and officials from the Turks and Caicos Islands have launched investigations into SpaceX’s explosive Starship rocket test that sent debris streaking over the northern Caribbean and forced airlines to divert dozens of flights.“There are no reports of public injury, and the FAA is working with SpaceX and appropriate authorities to confirm reports of public property damage on Turks and Caicos,” said the FAA, which oversees private rocket launch activity. Continue reading...

Events

2 hours ago Man City XI vs Ipswich: Erling Haaland injury latest, confirmed team news, predicted lineup for Premier League

Newly re-signed striker appeared questionable for Portman Road trip

Politics

19 hours ago Marco Silva deals West Ham transfer blow as Fulham boss confirms Rodrigo Muniz latest

Cottagers boss confident Brazilian forward will remain at Craven Cottage

Economics

11 hours ago Censorship, homework help and cats: China’s RedNote users welcome ‘TikTok refugees’

Americans fleeing the looming TikTok ban have been warmly welcomed to app Xiaohongshu – or RedNote – despite China’s tight restrictions on what can be posted“It is the coolest thing,” says Huang Ziyan, a longtime user of Chinese social media app Xiaohongshu, describing the experience as a “21st-century Tower of Babel”.Huang is referring to the influx of US “TikTok refugees” fleeing the impending ban and the resulting cross-cultural exchange that has seen Americans warmly welcomed – and sometimes given a few helpful tips. Continue reading...

Events

2 hours ago Australian Open 2025: Sinner to come v Giron, De Minaur through, Swiatek beats Raducanu – live

Alex de Minaur defeats Francisco Cerundolo on seventh daySecond seed defeats Raducanu 6-1, 6-0 at Melbourne ParkAny thoughts? Get in touch with John on emailEmma Raducanu and Iga Swiatek have completed their warm-ups on Rod Laver Arena and we’re about to get under way. But hang on, the second seed is have a word to the match official and seems to be concerned about a lack of towels. Well, I guess that sets the tone for what should be a heated clash in steamy conditions.There is plenty of action on the court to keep us entertained but it can be easy to forget the impact that tennis can have on families in the present day, let alone across generations.It’s been an odd experience. Esna died in 1966 so has always been an ethereal presence – a long-skirted woman with Princess Leia buns in an ageing photograph who my mother would chide me with when asking why I was so terrible at sport. Continue reading...

Politics

21 hours ago Stunning part of Europe with £2.50 pints is 'cheapest' place for summer holidays in 2025

A stunning area in Spain has been named the cheapest all-inclusive destination to visit in summer 2025

Economics

12 hours ago Urgent Spain holiday warning as Brit tourist hotspot faces 'deadly wildfires like LA'

Spain has been highlighted as one country facing 'dire' risk of wildfires like those that have ravaged LA in recent days, with a warning issued to British citizens travelling overseas

Events

3 hours ago Relax, Australia: confected outrage about Sam Konstas hides the real issue | Barney Ronay

The energy expended on my ‘Ashes war of words’ would be better directed at the fight for the future of Test cricketAustralia: an apology. Earlier this week I wrote an article that compared one of that nation’s brightest sporting stars to a comedic figure with a short-lived pop celebrity lifespan, causing outrage among Australia’s media and elite cricketers. It was cheap, disrespectful and unfair. It is now time to make amends. Raygun, I’m sorry. I’m sorry I compared you to Sam Konstas.Joke! Just a joke. It was all just a joke. In fact, it was a single line buried 1,400 words into a 1,700-word article about the future of Test cricket. Referring to the fevered public reaction to Konstas scoring an unorthodox half-century on his Test debut, I wrote: “There was a sense during the India series of Konstas being installed as a cricketing version of Raygun the Olympic breakdancer, a fun, gimmicky approximation of the real thing.” Continue reading...

Politics

21 hours ago Erling Haaland’s record Manchester City deal to 2034 leaves Guardiola stunned

Striker signs nine-and-a-half-year extension Guardiola had to ask Txiki Begiristain to repeat newsPep Guardiola was so stunned when learning the length of Erling Haaland’s record new nine-and-a-half year contract that he asked Txiki Begiristain, Manchester City’s sporting director, to repeat himself.The 24-year-old’s fresh terms ties him to the champions until 2034 and will earn him a basic salary of around £500,000 a-week. It is the longest agreed by a player in domestic competition. Guardiola does not get involved in contract negotiations so was asked shortly after Haaland’s deal was announced how he reacted to the news from Begiristain. “I said: ‘Can you repeat?’ And he said to me. ‘[10].’ I said: ‘Sure?’ And he said: ‘Yes.’ So, good news. That means a lot.” Continue reading...

Economics

12 hours ago Mikel Arteta tells Bukayo Saka to take holiday after huge Arsenal injury blow

Gunners star not expected back until at least March due to hamstring problem

Events

3 hours ago Labour is right to forge more trade links with China – not doing so would be folly | Kerry Brown

From a ‘golden era’ to post-pandemic mistrust, the UK has had a turbulent relationship with the world’s second-largest economyKerry Brown is director of the Lau China Institute, King’s College LondonIn the last decade, Britain’s relations with China have been on a rollercoaster. In 2015, during the visit of Chinese leader Xi Jinping to the UK, then chancellor George Osborne was able to declare the two countries were in a “golden era”. He did this with the conviction that with a growing economy and rising middle class, China offered plenty of opportunities for Britain. But by 2022, Rishi Sunak had declared the “end of the golden era”. And in 2023, deputy prime minister Oliver Dowden labelled China Britain’s greatest economic security threat, to align closer with the position of the US, and through fears of deeper Chinese espionage and interference in the outside world. Seldom had a diplomatic boom-bust cycle happened so rapidly and so completely.In view of extremes such as these, to ...

Politics

21 hours ago Haaland’s new deal, Solskjær arrives at Besiktas, team news and transfers – live

Latest news and press conferences before the weekendAny comment or thoughts? You can email MichaelOle direksiyonda! Turkish speakers can either smirk or correct me. So, it seems that former Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is in talks to take over at Turkish club Besiktas.(From PA Media) Continue reading...

Economics

12 hours ago Meteorite strike captured in rare video from Canadian home’s doorbell camera

Sound was also recorded in footage of space rock hitting house entranceway, producing cloud of smoke and a crackleA doorbell camera on a Canadian home has captured rare video and sound of a meteorite striking Earth as it crashed into a couple’s walkway.When Laura Kelly and her partner returned home after an evening walk, they were surprised to find their walkway littered with dust and strange debris, according to the Meteoritical Society, which posted the video with its report. Continue reading...

Events

3 hours ago Donald Trump inauguration: how do donations to the inaugural fund work?

What to know about Trump’s inauguration committee – from what rules are in place to how much it has raisedDonald Trump’s inauguration committee has raised a record $170m for the bonanza of balls, receptions, parades, dinners and related events that will surround his swearing in as president on Monday.The financial takings – which, with money reportedly still coming in, could reach $200m by inauguration day – outstrips the $106m raised for the returning president’s first inaugural in 2017, itself a record at the time. It also far exceeds the $65m donated to Joe Biden’s inauguration four years ago. Continue reading...

Politics

23 hours ago Scots face £1,600 fine in Spain for doing one thing that's legal back home

Spain promises the lure of cheap holidays and beautiful beaches - but experts have warned the sunshine dream may turn into a nightmare if Brits don't take notice of a law

Economics

14 hours ago Who is still on The Traitors 2025 and who has been banished and murdered

Here is the full list of The Traitors still in the game, as well as those who have been banished and murdered

Events

3 hours ago Meera Sodha’s veghan recipe for lemon mousse with fennel seed shortbread | The new vegan

All the freshness of a posset and all the cool crumbliness of a good shortbread – and all without the dairyI didn’t know there was shortbread beyond Walker’s until I was in my mid-20s and working (briefly) at the Dock Kitchen, where, under the guidance of chef Richard Blackwell, I whipped up a batch. Each mouthful was unlike any other biscuit; it was rich, buttery, crumbly and melted enthusiastically in my mouth. I imagine it’s for this reason that shortbread is often paired with sharp and creamy posset, a smooth set cream and citrus dessert on which today’s mousse is based. The fennel seed, with its sweet, green flavour, acts as an excellent chaperone, helping to ease any tension between mousse and shortbread. Continue reading...

Politics

23 hours ago Which? names best and worst energy firms as fixed deals return to the market

If you are unhappy with your provider, now may be the best time to switch.

Economics

15 hours ago More than 40 Pakistanis feared drowned in the capsizing of a migrant boat off African coast

Officials say more than 40 Pakistanis are feared to have drowned in the capsizing of a migrant boat off West Africa’s Atlantic coastline

Events

3 hours ago Katie Price's friends are 'worried' about her as star prepares for surgery

Katie Price is said to be heading to Turkey later this month to undergo ear surgery, however, friends of the former glamour model are said to be 'worried' about her

Politics

23 hours ago Haaland’s new deal, Slegers in at Arsenal, Jota injury doubt, team news and transfers – live

Latest news and press conferences before the weekendAny comment or thoughts? You can email DavidOle direksiyonda! Turkish speakers can either smirk or correct me. So, it seems that former Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is in talks to take over at Turkish club Besiktas.(From PA Media) Continue reading...

Economics

15 hours ago Everton shirt sponsor Stake under investigation over social media posts

Gambling company’s logo superimposed on imagesAdvertising Standards Authority assessing the postsThe Advertising Standards Authority is investigating the trend of social media posts which superimpose the logo of the gambling company Stake on to viral images, many of which feature disturbing content.Stake, the Australian bookmaker which has been Everton’s front-of-shirt sponsor since the 2022-23 season, has been accused of working with accounts on X to promote its brand via unofficial advertising campaigns which appear to contravene gambling rules. Although the majority of posts originate outside the UK they can be freely viewed in the country. The ASA is responsible for ensuring gambling adverts are socially responsible, with “particular regard” to the need to protect children. Continue reading...

Events

3 hours ago Amanda Holden and Alan Carr make disgusting discovery in new TV renovation

Amanda Holden and Alan Carr have jetted off to Spain to renovate another property, but were left horrified when they made a grisly discovery in the bathroom.

Politics

25 hours ago Liam Payne fans outraged over close friend's $10m lawsuit against singer's grieving dad

Roger Nores, whose name featured prominently during the investigation into the death of the late One Direction singer, has taken legal action against the star's grieving father

Economics

15 hours ago US Senate forwards bill targeting undocumented immigrants accused of theft

Critics call Democratic lawmakers ‘spineless’ for joining GOP in making bill potentially big legislative win for Donald TrumpThe US Senate on Friday cleared the way for final approval of a bill that targets undocumented immigrants accused of theft-related crimes, a preview of how Republicans will use their majorities to help Donald Trump deliver on his long-promised border crackdown – and an early test of how Democrats will respond.The Laken Riley Act, named after a 22-year-old Georgia nursing student who was murdered last year by a Venezuelan national, cleared a key procedural hurdle by a vote of 61-35, with 10 Democrats joining Republicans to advance it. A vote on final passage was scheduled for early next week, making it potentially one of the first pieces of legislation he signs as president. Continue reading...

Events

3 hours ago Trump, Farage, Labour and that Senedd budget: How will politics play out in 2025?

Hooray! 2025 is to be an election-free year. That’s what’s promised for Wales anyway, although who knows in the current political climate? Nothing would surprise me at a time when the political terrain is as unstable as a drunk on an icy pavement.

Politics

26 hours ago Billy Bob Thornton: ‘I didn’t want Johnny Cash to catch me looking in his fridge in my underpants’

The actor and musician answers your questions on his time as a roadie, being intimidated by rich people and falling off a horse for Steven SeagalIs your music less important, more important, or about as important as your film work? BenderRodriguezHere’s the thing: I grew up in music. I saw the Beatles when I was eight. By the time I was nine, I had a band. Started with a little cheap guitar and then got a drum kit, which my father hated. I was playing pretty big concerts by the time I was 16 and then went on tour. I became a roadie from 18 to about 22. I went to LA to play music, accidentally got into acting. I’m still not sure how it happened. I always say that my success as an actor was out of ignorance, because I didn’t know how to be anything other than natural, and I think they liked that.I loved both of them. It’s all one vision, all out of the same brain. I couldn’t choose one over the other. I’d like to do both, as long as they’ll let me. Continue reading...

Economics

16 hours ago $10.24 a day to risk their lives – and a lot of pride: incarcerated LA firefighters speak out

People serving out their prison terms as firefighters form an integral part of the response to the devastating LA wildfiresEmbers were raining down, the flames were as tall as telephone poles and nearby palm trees were rapidly igniting as Sal Almanza and his firefighting crew arrived at the Los Angeles blazes.“I’ve never seen anything burn so quick,” said Almanza, 42, recounting the first day of the Eaton fire near Pasadena, California. “Our captains have to make the hard decisions: get yourselves killed or let the house burn.” His eyes welled up recounting the properties devoured as his crew had no choice but to retreat: “I was just so sad and emotional, because there was nothing we could do.” Continue reading...

Events

3 hours ago Australian Open 2025: De Minaur through, Swiatek beats Raducanu, Sinner to come – live

Alex de Minaur defeats Francisco Cerundolo on seventh daySecond seed defeats Raducanu 6-1, 6-0 at Melbourne ParkAny thoughts? Get in touch with Martin on emailEmma Raducanu and Iga Swiatek have completed their warm-ups on Rod Laver Arena and we’re about to get under way. But hang on, the second seed is have a word to the match official and seems to be concerned about a lack of towels. Well, I guess that sets the tone for what should be a heated clash in steamy conditions.There is plenty of action on the court to keep us entertained but it can be easy to forget the impact that tennis can have on families in the present day, let alone across generations.It’s been an odd experience. Esna died in 1966 so has always been an ethereal presence – a long-skirted woman with Princess Leia buns in an ageing photograph who my mother would chide me with when asking why I was so terrible at sport. Continue reading...

Politics

26 hours ago DP World Tour's feeder circuit rebranded for start of 2025 season in new deal

Farmfoods Scottish Challenge could be among events to additional investment

Economics

17 hours ago Big fire at California battery plant prompts evacuations amid toxic smoke

Blaze erupts at one of world’s largest battery storage plants in Monterey county, leading to highway and school closuresA large fire burning on Friday at one of the world’s largest battery storage plants in northern California is sending up flames of toxic smoke, leading to the evacuation of 1,700 people and the closure of a major highway.The blaze in Moss Landing started on Thursday. Fire crews were not engaging with the fire but were waiting for it to burn out on its own, the Mercury News reported. Continue reading...

Events