6 h. ago Baby name experts share top boys and girls options for 2026 and people are divided

If you're expecting a baby in 2026 – or know someone who is – why not take a look at this list of the top monikers expected to be around next year. It's proven pretty divisive

Politics

11 h. ago Baby name experts divide opinions after sharing biggest monikers for 2026

Baby name experts have predicted the biggest name trends they think will inspire parents in 2026, including some inspired by romantasy and ancient civilisations, and some of the names have divided opinions online

Politics

57 h. ago ‘A defining moment of our nation’: Cape Verde goes wild to celebrate historic World Cup spot

By blending diaspora players with homegrown talent the island nation of fewer than 600,000 people has qualified for 2026 tournament On 5 July 1975, the Cape Verdean flag was raised for the first time at Estádio da Várzea in the capital city of Praia, marking the nation’s declaration of independence from Portugal. At that moment, there was no national football team – and no sign of what was to come.Exactly 100 days after the 50th anniversary of independence, the same flag was waved at the very same ground, where crowds gathered to celebrate Cape Verde’s historic first World Cup qualification with the players who had earlier secured the decisive 3-0 win over Eswatini five miles away at the National Stadium. This island nation off the coast of Senegal, with a population of fewer than 600,000, has become the second-smallest country to qualify for the tournament, after Iceland in 2018. Continue reading...

Culture

6 d. ago Expert reveals what leads to a big baby after ‘giant’ 5.8kg newborn goes viral

While baby Cassian was born heavier than average, he’s not unique

Politics

7 d. ago Together at last! Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana to share a stage for the first time since bitter 'sexist boys club' rift threatened to derail new left

They will address events in Liverpool tonight and Manchester tomorrow after a summer of turmoil that led to a very public falling out.

Events

7 d. ago State Pension uprating will not be paid to thousands of older people in April

Around 453,000 older people will not get new State Pension payments during the 2026/27 financial year.

Politics

9 d. ago 10 baby names with secret meanings you should never give your child including Scottish title

A common Scottish name has appeared on the list of baby names experts say you should never give your child

Society

1 week ago Some experts claim you CAN choose the sex of your baby by timing when you conceive

Trying for a girl? Tuck a wooden spoon or pink baby clothes under the bed - or pop a nickel in your mouth during conception.

Politics

1 week ago Baby name experts lists 12 classic 'vintage' names that are making a comeback

SJ Strum has shared that it may be better to look at the past for baby name inspiration, rather than making up weird and wonderful names. And these ones are making a comeback

Politics

2 w. ago Stewartry to be left with just one bank as Bank of Scotland closure confirmed

The Castle Douglas branch will close in January 2026 with Lloyds Banking Group claiming more people are doing their banking online.

Economics

2 w. ago Baby name expert's three rules can help you avoid 'common pitfalls'

A baby name expert has shared the three key things to keep in mind when it comes to choosing a moniker for your little one, which should help you avoid common pitfalls

Politics

2 w. ago Which one of these young footballers do you identify with? Amit Lennon’s best photograph

‘It captures a certain adolescent awkwardness. It’s fun as a viewer to think about which of the boys is most like your younger self. I wouldn’t be the one manspreading!’These boys were playing for Colebrook Royals, a football club in Chigwell, Essex. It was 2019 and they were in the dressing room before team practice for a photoshoot arranged by the charity YoungMinds. The plan was that, after the photos, the boys would speak to two dads – Nick Easey and Ryan Smith – who had lost their teenage sons to suicide. The fathers wanted the boys to share their own feelings about mental health, to normalise such conversations, even in a very male environment such as football training.This shot was taken before the main shoot. I’d set up my lights and chose what part of the dressing room to shoot in and let the boys sit where they wanted. As we waited for the dads to arrive, I noticed something interesting going on and I took a single shot. Continue reading...

Culture

2 w. ago Baby name expert lists three things you must do before naming your little one

Baby name expert SJ Strum has shared how you can avoid embarrassing baby name fails and ensure you're choosing a moniker that will suit your child throughout their life

Politics

2 w. ago People born after this date will lose £13,000 in 2026 in 'pensions steal' says expert

A BBC expert has explained how the changes will affect people born on or after one date and added 'the losses don't stop there'

Economics

2 w. ago 'I'm a baby name expert and these are my predictions for top monikers in 2026'

SJ Strum, a baby naming expert, shared the names she thinks will be seriously popular in 2026, and they fall under three categories and have some gorgeous monikers to consider

Politics

3 w. ago DWP winter fuel payment threshold set to cost thousands of people money in 2026

The payment was means-tested in 2024, but was restored last year

Economics

3 w. ago I’m a bioacoustics researcher. This is what a baby’s cry can actually tell us

Many parents feel immense pressure to become ‘cry experts’

Politics

3 w. ago ‘Send your daughters or you get no aid’: the Taliban are making religious schools girls’ only option

Food handouts and employment are increasingly tied to Afghan families’ agreement to strict Islamic educationWhen the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in August 2021, Nahid, 24, was midway through an economics degree. She had hoped to work in a university after she graduated.Instead, Nahid now spends her mornings at a religious school in the basement of a mosque in the western city of Herat, sitting on the floor and reciting scripture with 50 other women and girls, all dressed in black from head to toe. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Lucy Letby could 'meet tragic end' in prison as expert calls for her to be freed

As a crowd of supporters grow in favour of releasing the convicted baby-killer, an expert warns that prison may provide an early demise for former nurse Lucy Letby

Events

3 w. ago Jon Lee and Celebs Go Dating boyfriend Jordan share cute marriage plan and 'perfect' Christmas

EXCLUSIVE: S Club 7’s Jon Lee and boyfriend Jordan Fairhurst open up about tough times and finding true romance, as popstar reveals he went 'completely off the rails'

Politics