37 minutes ago Ant and Dec tease their 'first booking' for next year's ITV I’m A Celebrity

I'm a Celebrity presenters Ant and Dec have revealed who their 'first booking' is for next year's show after a celeb friend put their wife in the frame

Culture

53 minutes ago France has the highest cannabis consumption in Europe. It’s high time to tax it | Alexander Hurst

With the nation’s finances in a parlous state, decriminalisation could raise millions of euros – as well as cut crimeFrance might not be broke, but the state of its public finances is, well, definitely not good. Total debt stands at €3.2tn – 112% of GDP. Interest payments on that debt are the second largest public expenditure after education (which includes everything from crêche, or preschool, to universities) and are higher than the amount spent on defence. And this year’s budget deficit is projected to be 6%, three points above the EU’s 3% limit.If it weren’t for the euro, France might very well be in the throes of a fiscal crisis – as it is, interest rates on some French debt are higher than for Portugal or Spain. Continue reading...

Politics

1 hour ago Is it cheaper to turn my central heating on or use a fan heater for one room?

Using a fan heater can work out cheaper, but the decision about whether to put on central heating or not does not just hinge on money.

Politics

1 hour ago British mother of Egyptian political prisoner to press Lammy to take action

Laila Soueif is to meet the foreign secretary, who in opposition called for the release of Alaa Abd el-FattahThe British-born mother of an Egyptian political prisoner who has been on hunger strike for 58 days is preparing to meet the foreign secretary, David Lammy, to urge him to secure her son’s release.Laila Soueif’s son Alaa Abd el-Fattah, a British and Egyptian dual citizen who wrote eloquently about the Arab spring and its aftermath, was jailed for five years for “spreading false news”. He was due to be released in September, but has not been freed. Continue reading...

Events

1 hour ago Boxer David Jamieson 'ready to ride the rollercoaster' after bagging title win

Jamieson's Silver Commonwealth title win over Josh Sandland gives him a mandatory shot at the full belt

Politics

2 hours ago Trump’s return raises questions over future of CIA’s Russian recruitment drive

Intelligence agency has been trying to entice Russians disaffected by invasion of Ukraine but president-elect is likely to want to make an ally of KremlinFor the past three years, the CIA has run an unusually bold outreach programme. It targeted Russians within the country’s government and security services, attempting to turn them into double agents.Slickly produced recruitment videos portrayed cooperation with the US secret agency as the patriotic choice for officials disaffected with Vladimir Putin’s regime and the war in Ukraine. The videos ended with instructions on how to contact the CIA in a secure manner. Continue reading...

Politics

3 hours ago Harvey Weinstein’s lawyers file legal claim alleging substandard prison conditions

Lawyers for the disgraced movie mogul prepare lawsuit accusing Rikers Island jail of negligence and failing to provide adequate medical treatmentHarvey Weinstein’s lawyers have filed a legal claim against New York City alleging he is receiving substandard medical treatment in unhygienic conditions while in custody at the Rikers Island jail complex.The notice of claim – the first step in filing a lawsuit against the city – accuses the facility of failing to manage the former movie mogul’s medical conditions, which include chronic myeloid leukemia and diabetes, and negligence ranging from “freezing” conditions to a lack of clean clothes. Continue reading...

Events

4 hours ago Colombia’s president says visa restrictions to be imposed on British citizens

It comes after changes came into force meaning visitors from Colombia will now need a visa to travel to the UK.

Politics

4 hours ago Hidden clues over Hannah Kobayashi's 'kidnapping': Mystery of the missing 30

Written neatly on a notebook page adorned with doodles, 30-year-old Hannah Kobayashi had set down everything she'd planned to do on a 4,900 mile 'bucket-list' trip from Hawaii to New York.

Events