Our family’s holiday tradition? We throw caution to the wind and surrender to the novelty of free-to-air televisionI can see why kids who find themselves at a holiday shack where the only screen-based entertainment is an old TV would be perplexed. By the time you explain all the things the remote “control” doesn’t do, all you’re left with is a limited number of viewing options at any given time, and no control over when each starts or stops.In the age of smartphones and streaming, you could call it “dumb TV”. Or you could sell it as unique, novel, a game: “surprise TV”. Continue reading...

Politics

A little crate-digging can yield buried treasure – as our music writers found this year when they discovered everything from Taiwanese pop star to Cher’s disco eraThis year I completed Duolingo in French, but found myself no closer to being able to carry out what I would call a conversation. (Exchanging likes and dislikes doesn’t count.) I decided to go Paris to practise on some unsuspecting locals, procured via Hinge. One man proved surprisingly game: he not only spoke excellent English but was a self-described anglophile, more up to date than I am on UK politics and truly passionate about Marks & Spencer. Continue reading...

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Moe Hunter, 39, baffled doctors by waking from a coma with newfound artistic talents he never had before and has now released a book featuring his remarkable creations

Events

The 100-seater Azerbaijan Airlines flight circled Aktau Airport several times before crash landing in a fireball on the ground, with 67 passengers and five crew said to be on board at the time

Events

The 1% Club is one of the hardest quiz shows on TV, and the final question on Saturday repeat episode stumped viewers - but can you answer it?

Politics

Royal fans were thrown into a festive frenzy when this year's first cards were released,

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Pop superstar is gearing up to perform Netflix’s inaugural NFL Christmas Gameday halftime show

Politics

A starter guide on how to get off to the best start possible in EA FC 25 Ultimate Team and how to get a good team in no time.

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The iconic Only Fools and Horses moment from a 1989 episode is often voted the funniest in British sitcom history, but it's been revealed that Trigger wasn't originally meant to appear in the scene

Politics

The national team are looking forward having changed their colours just hours after Bashar al-Assad fled DamascusOn 9 December Syria were drawn in a 2027 Asian Cup qualification group with Myanmar, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Officials at the ceremony in Kuala Lumpur could have had lengthy conversations about how all four’s football fortunes have been damaged and held back by their respective leaders and governments. This time, however, there was even more than usual to discuss. Hours earlier, Bashar al-Assad had fled Damascus for Moscow, ending a dictatorship that had ruled for more than 50 years. As in other fields, there is a sense of uncertainty in football but also an optimism that there may be better times ahead and that the sport can, perhaps, help unite a nation that has gone through so much.The civil war that started in 2011 has resulted in the estimated deaths of more than 500,000 people and the displacement of many more. During that time football still functioned but reflec...

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