71 minutes ago 'I never do Christmas Eve boxes for my kids – my idea is cheap and much better'

A woman known as thebudgetingmum on TikTok admitted she's never done Christmas Eve boxes for her children. Instead, she's found a much more financially-friendly alternative

Politics

76 minutes ago Sociable Dogs: Here are the 10 most friendly breeds of adorable dog that get on with everybody

With demand for pups soaring, here are the breeds of dog that will get on well with pretty much everybody they see in the park, in the home and on the street.

Politics

81 minutes ago From bacon baubles to glitter gravy: a guide to this year’s must(n’t) try Christmas trends | Rich Pelley

Back away from the celeb endorsements and viral posts. As my gift to you, dear readers, I tried this stuff – so you don’t have toChristmas is all about traditions: repeating the same thing over and over, however silly it might be, because that’s just what you do at Christmas. But every time-honoured tradition has to start somewhere. In order to sell us tat we don’t need, and keep the PR industry ticking over, the holiday season has also become the time for all manner of daft fads, and celebs promising to give our favourite festive foods, games and pressies “a twist”. Not wanting to miss the (gravy) boat, I embarked on a spirited mission to try them all.This year’s hotly touted Christmas trends include “burr baskets” – a care package of cosy items such as blankets and socks given as a pre-Christmas gift, which sounds like an unnecessary extra faff. Then there’s a lot of talk about “Thriftmas”: re-gifting and buying secondhand gifts from charity shops, which my friend and I havebeen d...

Politics

83 minutes ago Suspected Russian sea mine with 480kg payload washes up on shore of Turkish holiday resort

Eight merchant ships were reported to be within ten nautical miles of the device when it was spotted

Politics

90 minutes ago Fire at Birmingham shop hit by car sounded ‘like a bomb went off’ – residents

West Midlands Fire Service said it responded to the incident at Stratford Road, Sparkhill, shortly before 4.55am on Monday.

Events

95 minutes ago Man dies after reports of car crashing through barriers and trolley store at busy Scottish supermarket

Emergency services attended the scene at the Tesco store

Events

97 minutes ago England coach slams ‘rammed’ Women’s Ashes schedule and blames Indian WPL

Jon Lewis wants more space between games in AustraliaWomen’s series begins on 11 January with three ODIsEngland coach Jon Lewis has criticised the “rammed” Women’s Ashes schedule, blaming the Women’s Premier League in India for the compressed nature of the tour.The series begins on 12 January in Sydney and involves thee ODIs, three T20s and a four-day Test in five different cities – all in the space of three weeks. With only four days between the conclusion of the third T20 and the start of the pink-ball Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, there is also no time for the usual red-ball warm-up. Continue reading...

Politics

2 hours ago Fire at Birmingham shop sounded ‘like a bomb went off’ – local resident

West Midlands Fire Service said it responded to the incident at Stratford Road, Sparkhill, shortly before 4.55am on Monday.

Events

2 hours ago Dan Casey red card is 'worst decision I've ever seen' says Motherwell boss as club appeals

Stuart Kettlewell initially said it was in his 'top three worst decisions'

Politics

2 hours ago Dan Casey to learn Celtic clash fate as Motherwell red card appeal date set after boss brands it worst decision EVER

Fuming Well boss Stuart Kettlewell branded whistler Chris Graham's decision as 'the worst he's ever seen'

Economics