85 minutes ago Even as we mourn in Magdeburg, the AfD is trying to cynically exploit the Christmas market attack | Thomas Vorreyer

For years I’ve watched the far-right party mobilise in my home town. I fear Friday’s terrible events will galvanise it furtherOn Saturday afternoon in Magdeburg a man stood outside Johanniskirche (St John’s church), contemplating a lake of candles, flowers and soft toys. Then he loudly voiced his disbelief. “And then they say he supported the AfD. As if. You just can’t believe the media any more.”People had gathered here to mourn. The photo of a dead nine-year-old boy was being shown around. Used rescue blankets piled up at the roadside as police guarded the now empty market.Thomas Vorreyer is a Berlin-based journalist with a focus on East German politicsDo you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here. Continue reading...

Events

86 minutes ago Christmas Day opening times 2024: See hours for Target, Walmart and more

All Target and Walmart stores are closed on Christmas Day

Events

1 hour ago London New Year's Eve clubs: The best club nights to book for this New Year's Eve

The New Year’s Eve (and New Year’s Day!) parties you really shouldn’t miss. Say goodbye to 2024 in style

Politics

3 hours ago Celtic raise £400k for 2024 Christmas appeal in most successful festive campaign

The Celtic FC Foundation appeal not only supported grassroots work in Glasgow but also across the UK and Ireland and even the Canadian capital of Ottawa.

Economics

3 hours ago King Charles chooses former hospital for Christmas message in poignant break from tradition

For the first time in 14 years, the annual address has not been filmed in a royal estate

Politics

3 hours ago King Charles' Christmas speech first look as monarch makes major change

King Charles has broken with tradition in a major way after he recorded his 2024 Christmas message to the nation at a chapel in central London

Politics

4 hours 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

4 hours ago Christmas Eve 2024 opening and closing times for Aldi, Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury's, and more

When do the supermarkets close on Christmas Eve 2024? Here's what you need to know if you still have a few last-minute bits and bobs to get

Politics

7 hours ago A teenage road trip for the ages: Why you should see Gasoline Rainbow this Christmas

Jacob Stolworthy is revealing his 2024 picks in his 12 days of Christmas round up and on the tenth day he's picked road trip movie, Gasoline Rainbow.

Politics