5 hours ago The Westminster whistleblower: how my friend Sergei tried to expose the Kremlin plot against Britain

Russian-born UK citizen and Tory party activist Sergei Cristo fought to make MI5 sit up and take notice of the Russian political interference operation now threatening democracy in Britain – and around the worldIn the dark days of the spring in 2022, as Russian troops terrorised Bucha and every day brought shocking new scenes of Ukrainians fleeing for their lives, I rang an old acquaintance, Sergei Cristo. Cristo is a Russian-born British citizen and I prepared for what I suspected might be a long conversation: he is a talker. He was born in Rostov-on-Don in southern Russia, but he moved to Britain when he was 19 and it’s fair to say we’re not the most obvious of allies. He loves the royal family and is a passionate Conservative party activist. He used to be on the committee of a donor club for young Conservatives, “and then I became vice-chairman, I knew the cabinet, I knew the leader, everybody”.He’s not kidding. He has photos of himself with everyone from Margaret Thatcher to Bor...

Politics

7 hours ago Neil Critchley reveals why Hearts are different and how he's coping with the biggest job he's ever had

Critchley has been in charge at QPR and Blackpool but there's something about the Jambos that just hits different

Society

4 hours ago Man City's mega Erling Haaland deal leaves us all waiting for an answer to the BIG question

Erling Haaland's new enormous Manchester City contract is being celebrated by some fans of the club as evidence that they are set to escape serious punishment - but we just don't know

Economics

28 hours ago The workaholic Welsh rugby coach now looking for a new job after 30 years

The former Wales international will leave his role with Canada after nearly eight years in charge

Sport

6 hours ago ‘Stuff happens and it sucks’: Brooke Shields on abuse, ageing and telling her own story

Brooke Shields, sexualised child star at just 11, is no stranger to tabloid controversy. Now 59, perhaps now she can tell us how she ended up so normal?Brooke Shields was at a party, drifting off. The host, a small man with bare feet, was giving her a tour of his wine cellar and she was losing interest, if she’s being honest – which she is now as a matter of principle, after a lifetime of smiling politely and pretending everything’s fine. Her mind was wandering. They say wine gets better with age, she was thinking, “but isn’t there a moment when it turns to jam? And I said to him, ‘I’m 58 and I’m wondering if ’ I didn’t even get the rest of the sentence out before he said, ‘Oh, I wish you hadn’t told me that.’”That’s curious, she replied. “I asked him, ‘Did my age make him older?’ I was interested in the psychology of it, that kneejerk reaction.” It was partly, she thinks, her fame – people imprint on a child star, and when they grow up they take it personally. “It felt so indicativ...

Events

6 hours ago 'I played for Sir Alex Ferguson and Pep Guardiola – this is my answer to who's better'

One player who played under Sir Alex Ferguson and Pep Guardiola is Gerard Pique, and the ex-Barcelona and Manchester United defender discussed his experiences under the two managers

Politics

13 hours ago I did a favour for a friend but it ended with a TikTok lawyer sharing a deepfake of me being racist... I was sent home from work and nearly jailed

May 2 last year, Cheryl Bennett, 27, agreed to help out a colleague, Qasim Mughal, who was standing in the local elections that day by delivering Labour Party leaflets.

Society

7 hours ago SNP poised to draw up wealth tax plans to tackle incoming £8.8bn benefits bill

A Labour MP will table a bid at next month’s Scottish conference for the party to adopt a wealth tax policy

Economics

36 hours ago The Traitors fans left 'emotional wrecks' as the contestants open up during heartfelt dinner party

During the meal every revealed plans for how they'd spend the show's prize money as shared insight into their lives away from the castle.

Sport

7 hours ago Alex McLeish reveals invaluable Denis Law inspiration as he remembers 'absolute genius' for Scotland and Man Utd

The legendary Tartan Army hero sadly passed away at the age of 84 following a battle with Alzheimer's

Politics

25 hours ago Inside Mauricio Pochettino lunch meeting that nearly landed him lucrative managerial job

Mauricio Pochettino is the manager of the United States men's national team, but had things been different, he could be in charge of one of the world's giants

Society

7 hours ago Boss of AI firm says Scottish councils could save frontline services from the axe by embracing technology

Expert urges authorities to consider ‘third way’ instead of slashing services or raising charges

Economics

13 hours ago Man charged with attempted murder after allegedly setting woman on fire at home south of Brisbane

Woman, 34, in hospital after alleged domestic violence incident in Kingston on SaturdayGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA Queensland man has been charged with attempted murder for allegedly setting fire to a woman in a horrific act of domestic violence in a home south of Brisbane.After being treated by paramedics at the scene in the Logan suburb of Kingston on Saturday morning, the 34-year-old woman was rushed to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s hospital in a serious condition. Police say she sustained serious burns.Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email Continue reading...

Events

7 hours ago ‘I snubbed Man Utd despite the fact Sir Alex Ferguson, Roy Keane and David Gill all wanted me’

John Obi Mikel famously signed for Chelsea in 2006 after initially agreeing to join Manchester United, and the midfielder has now revealed just how much the Red Devils wanted him

Politics

14 hours ago Kemi Badenoch's means testing plan puts income of 11 million pensioners at risk

The Tory leader said on Thursday that her party would look at ways to reduce the pension bill by removing benefits from some elderly people

Economics

16 hours ago LA firefighters helped by lull in winds, but more fire weather in forecast

Crews make progress but strong winds anticipated in Los Angles basin next week, carrying potential perilAnother round of fire-provoking Santa Ana winds are anticipated to sweep across the Los Angeles basin next week, carrying new peril as the area continues to assess the damage of the wildfires that devastated the Pacific Palisades and Altadena communities 10 days ago.“We’re looking at more Santa Ana winds and high fire danger. It could be a prolonged event next week,” said Alex Tardy, meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in San Diego. “The bottom line: we’re in uncharted territory this deep into the winter, or rainy season,” in having barely any rain, he added. Continue reading...

Events

8 hours ago Sir Alex Ferguson, Roy Keane and David Gill all wanted me – but I snubbed Man Utd

Not many can resist rejecting Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United, but John Obi Mikel did in favour of Chelsea after an infamous transfer saga

Politics

14 hours ago Man City's £1billion splurge signals end of historic Premier League charges case

Manchester City are set to complete a number of major signings in the January transfer window, including Lens centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov and Eintracht Frankfurt forward Omar Marmousch

Economics

17 hours ago Man, 27, charged with attempted murder after child found with 'critical injuries'

The child remains in "critical condition" in hospital.

Events

11 hours ago Inside David Moyes' first week back at Everton: A challenge to Dominic Calvert

LEWIS STEELE: The Scotsman, who returned to management exactly 27 years after his first match as the fresh-faced boss of Preston, has taken charge of 698 Premier League games.

Politics

23 hours ago Paul O'Grady's furious neighbours accuse widower of trying to 'cash in' on 'best house in Kent' after slashing asking price of £3.5m Edwardian mansion following holiday let row

Paul O'Grady's widow has infuriated neighbours again by knocking almost £1 million off the price of the star's mansion.

Economics

19 hours ago Man charged with attempted murder of infant found in 'critical condition'

Rhydian Jamieson is set to appear in court on Monday, January 20

Events

11 hours ago Nigel Farage proclaimed ‘Britain’s future PM’ at champagne fuelled Trump celebration party

The Independent’s political editor David Maddox and White House correspondent Andrew Feinberg were at the Hay Adams hotel opposite the White House as Brexiteer Brits hosted the biggest inauguration party in town and plotted a populist future with their US allies

Politics

30 hours ago Jessica Alba's divorce from Cash Warren 'complicated' thanks to film career and $640M Honest Company

Alba's money comes not just from her high-profile movie career which includes films such as Honey, but it also is from her success as the founder of Honest Company.

Economics

20 hours ago A$AP Rocky’s shooting trial is set to begin. Here’s what to know about the case

A$AP Rocky is about to go to trial on charges that he fired a gun at a former friend outside a Hollywood hotel in 2021

Events

15 hours ago Farage proclaimed ‘Britain’s future PM’ at champagne fuelled Trump celebration party

The Independent’s political editor David Maddox and White House correspondent Andrew Feinberg were at the Hay Adams hotel opposite the White House as Brexiteer Brits hosted the biggest inauguration party in town and plotted a populist right future with their US allies

Politics

32 hours ago Nearly £3m of free school meal debt wiped out during cost of living crisis

Green MSP Ross Greer hailed the write-off after his party had pushed for a fund to help parents.

Economics

23 hours ago Three more are charged with murder after mother, 44, was killed in drive

Three men have been charged with murder after Michelle Sadio, 44, was killed in a drive-by shooting outside the River the River of Life Pentecostal Church in north west London.

Events

16 hours ago Snoop Dogg fans appalled by rapper’s performance at Trump inauguration party

Rapper was filmed performing at the ‘Crypto Ball’ in Washington D.C. on Friday

Politics

23 hours ago Tory coalition of chaos with Nigel Farage 'would lead to NHS charging for ops'

The warning comes as the two right-wing parties have been neck and neck in polls in recent weeks - with Tory leader Kemi Badenoch already facing questions about joining forces with Reform UK

Events

17 hours ago The inside story of how an unlikely alliance of Trump and Biden led to historic Gaza ceasefire deal

The two presidential camps worked together to bring about the talks that led to the pause in the conflictIt was a subtle, but significant flex of power by Donald Trump’s new envoy to the Middle East. Ten days before tomorrow’s presidential inauguration, he called Israel to announce he was coming to Tel Aviv to meet Benjamin Netanyahu.Trump had demanded a deal to release Israel’s hostages before he took his oath of office, and the man charged with making that happen was Steve Witkoff – a New York property developer confident that a long relationship with Trump could offset a lack of diplomatic experience. Continue reading...

Politics

27 hours ago Sir Rod Stewart calls Denis Law his 'hero' after Man United icon's passing

Sir Rod Stewart has paid tribute to Manchester United legend Denis Law after the club announced his passing on Friday night.

Events

21 hours ago Tory voters are split on whether party should merge with Reform UK, polls show as Nigel Farage plots to make cost of living next key battleground

With the Tories trailing behind both Reform and Labour in the polls, Farage is making a determined push to capture voters, setting his sights on the cost of living crisis as the next battleground.

Politics

32 hours ago Sir Alex Ferguson signed 'terrible pro' who 'tucked into everything then ordered Chinese'

Sir Alex Ferguson didn’t make many bad decisions during his era-defining reign at Old Trafford but the Scot admitted to signing a ‘terrible pro’ who ordered a Chinese following a game

Events

23 hours ago World's most remote EV charging port installed on tiny island in middle of Atlantic

An EV charging port has been installed on the tiny island of St Helena and it is believed to be the most remote in the world in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean

Politics

36 hours ago South Carolina man pleads guilty to the carjacking and killing of a New Mexico police officer

A South Carolina man has pleaded guilty to charges that he gunned down a New Mexico state police officer who had stopped to help him

Events

23 hours ago West Lothian Council to increase service charge for people in temporary tenancies

The move will standardise rent charges and include service charges which until now have been paid out of council funds.

Politics

23 hours ago Australian Open 2025: Kecmanovic v Rune in fifth set, Keys beats jeered Collins – 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 Rob 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

24 hours ago California pals Tien, 19, and Michelsen, 20, are 2 of 4 US men in the Australian Open's 4th round

Two friends from California, Learner Tien and Alex Michelsen, have both reached the fourth round at the Australian Open

Politics

24 hours ago Australian Open 2025: Kecmanovic v Rune, Keys beats jeered Collins – 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

25 hours ago ‘The two of us book a karaoke room for an hour. It’s like tiramisu for the soul’ What’s on your dopamine menu?

From a ‘starter’ of dishing out compliments to a ‘dessert’ of smashing laptops in rage rooms, scientists and authors share 15 ‘portion-sized’ ideas for a positivity boostDopamine has a reputation as the body’s “feelgood” hormone, but it’s “really more about motivation than about positive affect”, says happiness researcher Sonja Lyubomirsky. This is the chemical that nudges you towards things you enjoy, helping you muster the effort required to attend a party you’re on the fence about, then showering you with a sense of reward when you actually have a great time. Dopamine works with other neurotransmitters like serotonin to give you a sense of momentum: do one thing to give yourself a mood boost, and the cascading effects of that decision can help you break out of a rut and resuscitate your zest for life. January, with its clean slate, is the ideal time to rev this process up.Enter the concept of the dopamine menu: a fresh sheet of stimulating activities designed to lift your spirits...

Politics

25 hours ago Australian Open 2025: Collins faces Keys and jeering crowd, 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

26 hours ago 'I let Cristiano Ronaldo take my place in queue at Man Utd – Sir Alex Ferguson was livid'

Cristiano Ronaldo has been a football superstar for two decades since making his name at Manchester United but Sir Alex Ferguson wasn’t happy with the way he was treated by a young team-mate

Politics

26 hours 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