The internet’s go-to gathering place for those who rate and revere sticks is big and growing fast. The appeal is simple ...The first stick was small, and shaped like a revolver.It was late summer 2023 and two friends, Boone Hogg and Logan Jugler, both 31, were on a late summer hike heading towards Delicate Arch, a 16m red rock formation in Utah’s Arches national park, when Jugler spotted it on the ground. He picked it up and began rating its attributes – colour, shape, flexibility – out of 10, while Hogg filmed. Then they uploaded it to Instagram. Continue reading...

Politics

Greece, Costa Rica and Japan are among the world's elusive 'Blue Zones' where people are thought to have impressive life expectancies

Society

As a sociologist, my career couldn’t be further from that of my father, who spent his life on the road as a truck driver. It’s only in recent years, as illness has struck, that I’ve started to truly understand him. By José Henrique Bortoluci. Read by Felipe Pacheco Continue reading...

Economics

The Simple Sabotage Field Manual is going viral! All the kids are reading itSign up here to get an email whenever First Dog cartoons are publishedGet all your needs met at the First Dog shop if what you need is First Dog merchandise and prints Continue reading...

Sport

The Cambridge student was only 24 when she released her ostentatious debut. Critics and fellow writers fell over themselves with enthusiasm, hailing Smith the voice of fiction’s future. Now, 25 years later, the author speaks to Nick Duerden about the book that changed her life

Events

Sundance’s Free Leonard Peltier outlines the decades-long efforts to free the Indigenous activist from prison – up to the commutation of his sentence one week before the premiereOf all the documentaries at the Sundance film festival this year, perhaps none is as timely as Free Leonard Peltier, Jesse Short Bull and David France’s film on the Indigenous activist imprisoned for nearly half a century.Peltier, now 80 years old, is serving consecutive life sentences for the killing of two FBI agents during a shootout at the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota in 1975, though he has maintained his innocence. Activists, celebrities and liberation advocates such as Nelson Mandela have called for his release for decades, citing railroaded justice and evidence of prosecutorial misconduct; the FBI and law enforcement, meanwhile, have campaigned vociferously against any commutation of his sentence. Continue reading...

Culture

Thinking of upgrading? To help you choose the best top-tier phone for you, here’s a comparison of their cameras, processors, battery life, and AI features

Technology

40 percent of Wade’s right kidney was removed

Science

Nearly 25 years after the first film, the actor, her co-stars and the writer Helen Fielding discuss the ultimate singleton, love and loss – and why Bridget Jones is the female James BondMark Darcy is dead. Bridget Jones fans have been grieving since 2013, when Helen Fielding’s third novel, Mad About the Boy, was published sans Bridget’s hot human-rights lawyer husband. The outcry made front page news (as did the copies that were accidentally printed with 40 pages from David Jason’s memoir). People could not believe that romcom’s favourite reindeer-jumper-wearing dish, who proved that – ding dong! – nice men do kiss like that, was no more.“Someone ran out of the pub shouting: ‘You’ve murdered Colin Firth!’” Fielding says over a video call, tulips arranged on a huge wooden table in the background, as well they should in a boho-posh Primrose Hill kitchen. “I just want to point out that he is fictional. Colin Firth is not dead.” Continue reading...

Politics

Trinny Woodall stars on BBC as the guest Dragon on Thursday night's Dragons' Den - earning her seat on the panel with her worldwide multi million pound beauty empire

Economics

The two Russian figure skating coaches killed in the American Airlines crash were two-time Olympians and former world champions in the pairs event

Sport

Captain Chesley 'Sully' Sullenberger offered his expert opinion following the collision between an American Airlines plane and a Black Hawk helicopter in Washington DC

Events

The former Love Island star, 30, put on a very busty display in the hot pink two-piece and flaunted her envious figure.

Culture

EXCLUSIVE: Tim Peake, Britain's first astronaut to live on the ISS, says that NASA's stranded astronauts will be 'looking forward to coming home.'

Technology

The reality star first opened up about her undiagnosed condition in December

Science

Prince Harry has a deep rooted connection to Scotland with some very pivotal moments of his life taking place at the Royal Family's Balmoral estate where he spent many of his summers.

Politics

"Fits true to size. I was very happy with the weight and quality of these trousers. I ordered a second pair in the green colour"

Economics

Fans will often see the Loose Women star sharing a glimpse into life at Pickle Cottage

Sport

Haunting CCTV shows the final moments of a teenager's life as he fled two thugs who stabbed him in a park in broad daylight to steal his phone.

Events

An Antiques Roadshow guest pulled a face as the true value of a neighbour’s gift was unveiled

Culture

The Apprentice returns to screens on January 30, and among the power suits and cringe-worthy pitches is a viral sensation who has hit the headlines before the BBC show even begins.

Technology

Florence Mirsky, who dated record producer Scott Storch, says she’s taking ‘full accountability’ for her behavior

Science

As love stories go, it was, in key details, an age-old one. She was a young woman of show-stopping beauty, he had less obvious physical charms, being thickset, grey-haired and 27 years her senior.

Politics

According to his beloved wife Pauline, John Prescott spent the final few months of his life surrounded by loved ones in a local care home after she revealed he had been living with Alzheimer's

Economics

The latest rugby news from Wales and around the world

Sport

Some of those abandoning the frontline say the longer the war goes on, ‘the more people like me there will be’When Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine three years ago, Viktor* was ready to die for his country. He volunteered to defend Kyiv as enemy tanks appeared and joined Ukraine’s armed forces. In the spring of 2023 he was fighting in the village of Tonenke, near the eastern city of Avdiivka. “When I arrived I was super-motivated. If necessary I would give my life,” he recalled.Gradually, however, he became disillusioned. The battle was furious. “The Russians would smash our positions to the ground,” he said. Senior Ukrainian commanders gave unrealistic orders. Then, while he was defending a ruined building, a panel fell on his shoulder. After receiving injections to reduce the pain, he was told to return to the front. “I realised I’m nobody. Just a number,” he said. Continue reading...

Events

Race for Life will host a series of events over 12 days in the capital this summer

Science

Pictures that surfaced this week of a wheelchair-bound Anna Kournikova in the affluent Miami coastal resort of Bal Harbour say more about the former tennis star than a thousand glossy photoshoots.

Politics

The Apprentice is back on BBC One and Keir Shave is among the 18 hopefuls aiming to win Lord Alan Sugar's investment

Economics

A second soldier on board the doomed Black Hawk helicopter has been identified following a deadly mid-air collision with an American Airlines plane.

Events

Here’s how to start getting in ‘the best shape of your life’ with just one kettlebell

Science

A unique chanteuse, a chronicler of her era and once proclaimed the most beautiful woman of her generation, Marianne Faithfull was the Crown Princess of Swinging London.

Politics

Loose Women star Coleen Nolan has recently admitted that her panel show salary "goes straight on bills, mortgage and insurance" and confessed that she "has worries"

Economics

Sully, who famously landed a passenger plane on the Hudson River in 2009, has said that two factors could have made avoiding the chopper harder.

Events

New items include a Herby Falafel Wrap, Korean BBQ Pork rice box and the Chicken Caesar Salad as Leon's 'naturally healthy' approach

Science

The Hampstead born singer and actress lived an incredible life of highs and lows, influencing a number of music icons as well as topping charts with her own smash hits

Politics

'So in love! This set had all the scents that I wanted and I’m very happy with this purchase. I’m already getting so many compliments with the ‘not a perfume scent!'

Economics

A healthy body really could mean a healthy mind. For a study suggests that staying active before you hit the age of 50 could have stave off dementia in later life.

Events

Does the disgraced Prince Andrew, virtually entombed in Royal Lodge, feel aggrieved his late mother changed the tenancy rules before he moved in?

Politics

There's no better gift than something that lasts forever, and what a better way to show love than through everlasting dried flowers

Economics

Natalya Gudin and her husband Alexandr Kirsanov coached two young figure skaters and had to decide who would accompany them to the National Development Camp for figure skating.

Events

Fans couldn't wrap their heads around the 'confusing' scene, with many pointing out Curtis was 'manipulative'.

Politics

Moving from the UK to the United Arab Emirates has become a well-trodden path for Britons in recent years, and Amir Khan has become the latest to head to Dubai after a terrifying London gunpoint robbery.

Economics

Six members of The Skating Club of Boston were killed in the plane crash

Events

From knowing which after-school activity falls on which day to when the household bills are due, making sure family life runs smoothly is never simple.

Politics

United have agreed a short-term contract for the Scotland international after he secured a release from Luton Town

Events

Marianne Faithfull's life was one of the most colourful in rock and roll history, she dated Sir Mick Jagger and inspired some of the Rolling Stones' most iconic songs

Politics

In the face of those who refuse to see our humanity, I choose to imagine that we are humane enough to believe in theirsMy grandmother, Holocaust survivor Olga Horak OAM, passed away in August 2024 just days after her 98th birthday. Just one week before, she attended her great-granddaughter’s Jewish day school to share her remarkable story of survival with the Year 6 students. Her parting message was simple: “Never forget. Don’t hate”. Although she could no longer stand up straight, in her decades-long commitment to Holocaust education as a volunteer at the Sydney Jewish Museum, she was indefatigable until the end.When she died, we lost an empire of knowledge. Just as we do whenever we lose a survivor. Her strength of character, her disarming candour, her twinkly eyes, her testimony and her light have secreted themselves in the hearts of the thousands of people she touched, like little mirrors reflecting flashes of her life. A giant photo mosaic. Continue reading...

Events

A young woman has questioned if her outfit is 'inappropriate' following a comment her boyfriend made.

Politics

Presiding judge Mr. Justice Constable condemned the crime, calling it a "dreadful attack, shocking not just for its brutality and senselessness, but because it was orchestrated and carried out by children."

Events

Canada and Mexico draw plans to mitigate effect of duties Trump has threatened, possibly sparking a trade warTrump’s tariffs explainedAmerica’s biggest trading partners are bracing for Donald Trump to impose sweeping tariffs on their exports after the US president repeated his threat to hit Canada and Mexico with new duties.Officials in Ottawa and Mexico City have drawn up plans to retaliate against Washington with tariffs of their own, raising the prospect of a damaging trade war. Businesses inside the US and across the world have warned of widespread disruption if the Trump administration pushes ahead. Continue reading...

Politics

The 28-year-old pilot leaves behind a fiancé, his father said

Events

The music star was also an electrifying screen presence, from The Girl on a Motorcycle to Marie AntoinetteMarianne Faithfull, singular icon of British pop, dies aged 78Marianne Faithfull was a towering artist, not just the muse she was painted asOn the screen and also in life, Marianne Faithfull experienced something similar to her contemporary Anita Pallenberg – the condescension of being treated like an icon or a muse. Maybe her very real success in music ruled her out of a serious acting career in the eyes of some, but Faithfull for a while occupied the epicentre of the late-60s pop culture zeitgeist, for an intense flashbulb moment she found herself in the overlapping worlds of music, movies and the explodingly important world of celebrity itself.The famous photograph of her in 1967 on a couch between Alain Delon and Mick Jagger absolutely captures her magnetism: Delon is entranced by her, Jagger (her boyfriend) is jealous, looking grumpily down: she and Delon were starring toge...

Politics

Iconic singer-songwriter Marianne Faithfull has passed away age 78 after living a very colourful life, the talented star passed away peacefully in the company of her family

Events

BBC Radio host Melvin Odoom teased that he had a crush on Carol Vorderman whilst a campmate on I'm A Celebrity last year and shared an update with GK Barry on her podcast recently

Politics

Andrew Cornish criticises ‘token’ appointmentsECB has set new targets and could withhold fundingMiddlesex’s chief executive, Andrew Cornish, has risked ­antagonising the England and Wales Cricket Board by appearing to criticise a central ­element of the counties’ new diversity rules that come into force on Saturday.At a club forum last week Cornish told Middlesex members “we’re not gonna be woke and just do ­political correctness” before criticising “token” appointments based on “gender or ethnicity”. Continue reading...

Events

Vic Franklin, 78, was left 'covered with blood' and 'not moving' following the savage 11-minute attack carried out by two large canines called Ziggy, four, and Daisy, one in Bognor Regis in August 2023.

Politics

A double murderer will spend the rest of his life in prison after killing a woman and dismembering her in a park – this is the second time the man has faced a life sentence

Events

The WNBA star’s special meal will be available in US restaurants starting February 11

Politics

Kacper Dudek's girlfriend Molly, who was described as 'the most important love in his life', had written him a letter which was read in church during his funeral

Events

The traditional broadcasters beat the big players when it came to growing streaming services last year - and the trend has continued in 2025

Politics

Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox, PC (version played); Jump Over The Age/Fellow TravellerGareth Damian Martin’s dice-driven role-playing game takes you on a space road trip with the flotsam and jetsam of humanityIt’s good to be back in this far-flung future world. Like the game that preceded it, Citizen Sleeper 2 is packed with evocative portrayals of everyday life in outer space, from farmers tending zero-G crops in an asteroid greenhouse to water miners rising up against the cartel that controls them, everyone eking out a meagre existence in crumbling space stations left to rot by a long-dead mega corporation.Once again you’re cast as a Sleeper, a robot with a digitised human mind shorn of the memories of the person it was copied from. In the first game you were on the run from the firm that made you, attempting to wean your robot off its reliance on a stabilising drug. In the sequel you play a different Sleeper who has successfully managed to ditch Stabilizer, but at the cost...

Events

Brazilian actress and singer Claudia Raia made an appearance on live television where she made the shocking confession of gifting the sex toy to her young daughter

Politics

Jack Hemmings died on January 24 in hospital in Sussex, the Mission Aviation Fellowship charity announced.

Events

A former Love Island contestant has revealed Grace Jackson is much different to how she was last summer in the Love Island villa - and said she's showing more of her 'fun' side

Politics

US president Donald Trump outlined his theory on the Washington air crash in a bizarre press conference - we'll be bringing you the very latest updates, pictures and video on this breaking news story.

Events