36 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

44 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

45 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

45 minutes ago Best of 2024: As a teenager, John was jailed for assaulting someone and stealing their bike. That was 17 years ago – will he ever be released? – podcast

Every Monday and Friday for the rest of December we will publish some of our favourite audio long reads of 2023, in case you missed them, with an introduction from the editorial team to explain why we’ve chosen it.From June: Indeterminate sentences are devastating to mental health, but prisoners with mental illness are less likely to be released. The result is a vicious cycle whereby the most vulnerable inmates often have the least chance of getting out – as John’s case shows. By Sophie Atkinson Continue reading...

Events

45 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

45 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

45 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

60 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

64 minutes ago Parents debate when they can finally stop giving adult children expensive Christmas gifts

Some people argue that 18 years old is the appropriate age to stop while others say the extravagent holiday gifts should always continue

Society

67 minutes ago Influencer goes viral for wearing $9k dress to her family Thanksgiving. What will she wear for Christmas?

Brigette Pheloung wore Parker Zinn’s Merino wool gown to Thanksgiving while her family wore Gap jeans

Science