60 h. ago The pub that changed me: ‘While drinking and singing there I met my partner’

I was a bit nervous when I first joined a pop choir that included a weekly pub singalong. I needn’t have worriedWhen I walked into Auberge, a pub near Waterloo station in London, on Thursday 21 October 2021, I didn’t know a soul. By kicking-out time, I had 50 new friends. I’ve been back almost every Thursday since. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Kobbie Mainoo breaks social media silence with Man United message after derby day win

Kobbie Mainoo posted on social media for the first time since October after his standout performance in Manchester United's victory over Manchester City

Politics

4 d. ago Yes, you CAN get on the housing ladder. LUCY EVANS ranks the 20 best cities to get a foothold

Between soaring house prices, which now average £270,000 across the UK, and stubborn mortgage rates, it is an increasingly difficult market for young buyers.

Politics

6 d. ago Brave Köln push Bayern but will it be enough to bring calm to Effzeh? | Andy Brassell

Amid grumbles, a winless run and negative banners, there are signs of life for Köln after a narrow loss to the championsWe didn’t see this coming, and not only because of the fog of pyro lingering over the RheinEnergieSTADION field that furnished us with 11 minutes of first-half stoppage time. In October’s equivalent fixture in the DFB Pokal, Köln had really rattled Bayern Munich in the first half and even taken the lead through Ragnar Ache – and still ended up on the wrong end of a 4-1 scoreline.The world around Geißbockheim has not been a particularly happy place since. Effzeh came into this Englische Woche on a run of seven games without a win, which was even harder to swallow after an extremely promising start. Worse still, head coach Lukas Kwasniok – who started this season embracing the city and the club’s spirit with his wearing of replica shirts on the touchline – was recently targeted by Köln fans in Saturday’s draw at Heidenheim, with a banner reading “Kwasni Yok” (“yok” b...

Politics

7 d. ago Paratici talks of ‘need to be based’ in Italy as move from Spurs to Fiorentina confirmed

Co-sporting director to go after January transfer windowParatici returned full-time to Spurs in mid-OctoberFabio Paratici will leave his post as Tottenham’s joint sporting director after the closure of the January transfer window to take up a similar recruitment job at Fiorentina.The Italian came back to Spurs on a full-time basis in mid-October to work alongside Johan Lange, who was promoted from his role of technical director. Paratici had been Spurs’s managing director of football between 2021 and 2023 before resigning after a Fifa ban for alleged financial malpractice during his time at Juventus. After an appeal, he was allowed to act for Spurs on a consultancy basis. Continue reading...

Politics

9 d. ago Why London’s lowest murder rate in more than a decade is drawing attention

Data for 2025 will be good news for the Met and the mayor Sadiq Khan as they bat away claims of a lawless city• Capital’s murder rate drops to lowest in more than a decadeThe number of murders in London in 2025 is drawing attention for being the lowest in more than a decade. Mark Rowley, the Metropolitan police commissioner, and Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, say figures show their policies and plans are working, which are best summed up as tough on crime, tough on the complex causes of crime.Has the Met turned a corner and can Khan shake off claims he presides over a city where crime is out of control? Continue reading...

Events

9 d. ago London’s homicide rate drops to lowest in more than a decade

Sadiq Khan says ‘public health’ approach has made the capital one of the safest cities in the western worldLondon’s murder rate has dropped to its lowest in more than a decade with police in the capital and the mayor saying it is now one of the safest cities in the western world.The figures come as those on the radical right criticise the city for having a crime problem, hoping to gain politically from such claims being believed. Continue reading...

Politics

9 d. ago Met reignites feud with Donald Trump after latest crime stats showed homicides in London dropped to lowest rate on record

Metropitan Police Deputy Commissioner Matt Jukes launched a robust defence of London's reputation - criticised by the likes of Donald Trump - after data showed homicides are at to record lows.

Politics

9 d. ago London homicide rate drops to historic low as Sadiq Khan blasts those 'talking city down'

New data shows London's homicide rate is considerably lower than cities including New York, Berlin, Toronto and Philadephia

Politics

2 w. ago Home sales expected to jump significantly in 2026 as experts say a rebound is on the horizon after slowdown

The National Association of Realtors’ prediction hinges on an expected mortgage rate drop to 6 percent in 2026

Politics

3 w. ago Average mortgage rate drops below 6.2% for first time since October 2024

‘Declining rates offer a timely and welcome gift for aspiring homebuyers,’ one expert said

Politics

3 w. ago Diddy begs for Christmas miracle and files appeal to get his conviction overturned: 'The judge acted like a juror!'

The disgraced rap mogul has been locked up in federal prison in New Jersey since he was sentenced in October, and in that time has been accused of flouting prison rules.

Events

last month UK consumers saving less as taxes squeeze incomes, data shows

ONS finds households’ savings ratio has dropped to lowest rate for more than a year across third quarterUK consumers saved less money during the third quarter of the year as higher taxes squeezed disposable incomes.The households’ saving ratio – which estimates the percentage of disposable income Britons save rather than spend – dropped 0.7 percentage points to 9.5%, the Office for National Statistics said. That is the lowest rate for more than a year. Continue reading...

Economics