6 d. ago Is it wrong to throw a birthday party for my dog? | Frances Ryan

A whopping 64% of pet owners in the UK now celebrate their animal companions’ birthdays even though it’s not entirely clear who the celebrations are forI’ve been telling Mabel she’ll be four soon for about a month. I bought her present similarly early, though I am unsure whether to wrap it. When the Amazon guy delivers a gift from my sister on the day, he wishes Mabel “happy birthday” through the gate. As I sing the opening bars, the build-up has clearly worked: she jumps up with excitement and licks my knees. I should clarify at this point that Mabel is not my child – she’s a cocker spaniel.If this sounds unhinged, I’d like to stress it’s statistically very normal, actually. “Pet birthdays” are a booming market, with the UK industry alone now worth an estimated £1.7bn. A recent survey by Moonpig found 64% of pet owners in the UK celebrate their pets’ birthdays, with as many as 83% of gen Z embracing gourmet treats or even themed parties. Continue reading...

Politics

7 d. ago Isle of Wight helicopter crash: Everything we know as three dead after flying lesson went wrong

Wojtek Kowalkowski had been gifted the flying lesson for his birthday, travelling down to the Isle of Wight with his partner Justyna Czoska for the experience before the helicopter crashed in a field

Events

8 d. ago Third victim of Isle of Wight helicopter crash pictured for first time

Simon Hewitt, 54, died alongside couple Justyna Czoska and Wojtek Kowalkowski, who were on the helicopter as a birthday gift from family

Events

8 d. ago Couple killed in Isle of Wight helicopter crash pictured for first time

Justyna Czoska and Wojtek Kowalkowski died in the crash which was a birthday gift from family

Events

2 w. ago Save £194 on 'classy' Emporio Armani watch that makes wearer 'the envy of all friends'

'This was a birthday gift for my husband and he absolutely loves it. His the envy of all his friends.'

Economics

2 w. ago Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac name key to Wrexham success with record set straight

Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac have credited Wrexham's meteoric rise to manager Phil Parkinson and his players, saying their hands-off style lets them bond closely with the squad

Politics

2 w. ago Tommy Hilfiger's 'best looking' watch that 'fits the wrist well' and is £60 off

'It was a gift for my partner's birthday and he loved it. Nice quality and it doesn't look too big on the hand.'

Economics

2 w. ago Snake surprise: Mum finds live snake in daughter's Peppa Pig birthday gift

Jennifer Baker, 30, thought it was a prank by one of her sons when a bright orange snake fell out of her daughter's new toy box after celebrating her birthday on Sunday (August 10)

Politics

3 w. ago Are you the most generous in your group? Find out your social spending persona

A quiz has been created to reveal where Brits fall on a 'social spending persona' scale, which includes questions about office leaving gifts, children's birthday parties and splitting restaurant bills

Politics

3 w. ago Back to school wear and birthday gifts as Style Squad peer inside Pandora's box at The Centre, Livingston

Lucky shoppers were presented with a £25 complimentary gift card to treat themselves

Politics

3 w. ago King Charles makes 'decision' on Princess Beatrice 'gift' as she celebrates birthday

Princess Beatrice is set to turn 37 on August 8, and a former royal butler has revealed how her uncle, King Charles, is expected to mark the special occasion

Politics

3 w. ago Shotgun ammo found at Scots recycling centre dumped in box of batteries

The live rounds were found after a routine check of the container.

Sport

3 w. ago King Charles makes 'decision' on birthday gift for Princess Beatrice, former butler claims

Princess Beatrice will celebrate her 37th birthday on August 8, and a former royal butler has shared how her uncle King Charles is likely to mark the occasion

Politics

4 w. ago PE teacher banned after allowing pupil with broken foot to play football

Oliver Barker, 28, was struck off after letting the pupil play football at Percy Hedley School in Tyne and Wear

Events

4 w. ago Epstein scandal broadens as trove of letters from famous figures published

New York Times reports on letters by Ehud Barak, Woody Allen and others written for Epstein’s 63rd birthdayThe long-running scandal surrounding the disgraced late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein broadened on Tuesday after the New York Times published a trove of previously unseen letters to Epstein from numerous powerful figures as well as unseen photographs from inside his Manhattan mansion.The letters, written to Epstein by a number of high-profile individuals, were reportedly compiled as a birthday gift for Epstein’s 63rd birthday in 2016. Their publication comes amid intense speculation around Donald Trump’s ties to Epstein, who was found dead in a New York jail in 2019 and had long cultivated a celebrity social circle of the rich and powerful. Continue reading...

Politics