48 minutes ago Bethlehem plans another somber Christmas under the shadow of war in Gaza

The city of Bethlehem in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, the traditional birthplace of Jesus, will not have the usual trappings of the city's favorite holiday: no public Christmas tree, no raucous scouts march, no decorations and no twinkling lights, in deference to the ongoing war in Gaza

Events

51 minutes ago Shakira reveals Chris Martin checked in on her ‘every day’ after her split from Gerard Piqué

The ‘Hips Don’t Lie’ singer split from her partner of 11 years in 2022

Politics

56 minutes ago What to stream: 'Squid Game' returns, the movie 'Bird' and Mariah Carey teams up with the NFL

The long-awaited second season of “Squid Game” on Netflix and singing superstar Andrea Bocelli's Christmas TV special are some of this week’s new streaming entertainment releases

Sport

56 minutes ago The Christmas that went wrong: I met my new girlfriend’s family – and talk turned to my book on masturbation

My partner’s family knew I was writing about self-discovery and self-pleasure, but I wasn’t prepared for where the discussion would take usI flew from London to New York on Christmas Eve 2014 to spend Christmas Day with Cassie’s family. It’s the sort of thing you’re supposed to do when you’ve been going out with someone for 10 years, but I’d only known Cassie a few months. She came out to her father about dating me and it didn’t go down well. Then, a few weeks later, she told him over a family dinner that I was writing a book about masturbation. Her sister and mother took her aside in the kitchen afterwards. “Why didn’t you just tell him she’s writing a book on travel, or something?” her sister asked.Spending Christmas Day together was supposed to smooth things over, but no sooner had we sat down to eat than her father asked me about what I was writing. Maybe he thought I’d changed my mind, and gone for something a bit more Downton Abbey? Cassie’s sister looked at me intently, darin...

Politics

57 minutes ago The French city that's home to one of the world's best Christmas markets

The French city of Strasbourg is the perfect place to get into the festive spirit, as it's home to one of the world's best Christmas markets

Politics

57 minutes ago Hilarious moment Princess Anne gifted King Charles a toilet seat for Christmas

The Princess Royal found the perfect tongue-in-cheek Christmas present for her older brother Charles when she presented him with his very own leather toilet seat

Politics

57 minutes ago King Charles 'replaces' Prince Harry as 'Royal Family joker' for Christmas tradition

The Royal Family has a long-standing tradition of exchanging joke gifts at Christmas - and it seems that King Charles is the one who is now carrying on the tradition

Politics

58 minutes ago Russia urged to act lawfully after video purportedly shows Australian man fighting for Ukraine captured

Dfat making inquiries about footage showing man who identifies himself as Oscar Jenkins, PM confirmsGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe federal government has urged Russia to adhere to international law obligations regarding prisoners of war, after a video purporting to show the Russian capture of an Australian man fighting for Ukraine on the war’s eastern front circulated online.The man, who identified himself as Oscar Jenkins, is struck several times and questioned roughly in Russian in the video, which was circulating on the messaging service Telegram. Nine newspapers, which broke news of the video, reported that the footage was first shared by the Russian journalist Alexander Sladkov. Continue reading...

Culture

62 minutes ago GB Energy will bring opportunities and risks for Scottish financial institutions

Funding challenges and generational divides will come into play when the headquarters in Aberdeen opens for business, writes Chris McLauchlan

Events

72 minutes ago Travel news live: Christmas getaway delays as snow hits M62 and trains, ferries and flights cancelled

RAC estimates 22.7 million drivers will hit the roads as people get away for Christmas

Events