32 m. ago Epstein files live updates: Critics accuse Trump of breaking law over heavily redacted release

The late sex offender is pictured with a host of celebrities, including Michael Jackson and Bill Clinton, in newly released files

Politics

49 m. ago Russian missile strike on Odesa kills 8 as US hosts a Kremlin envoy for talks on peace plan

A Russian missile strike on port infrastructure in Odesa has killed eight people and wounded 27, according to Ukraine’s emergency service

Events

56 m. ago Christmas ads put on a diet as UK ban on TV junk food advertising bites

Gone are shots of puddings and sweets as advertisers try to market other foods to stay within rules coming into force on 5 JanuaryThe festive season is traditionally a time of national culinary overindulgence but eagle-eyed viewers may have noticed that this year’s crop of big-budget Christmas TV ads have been decidedly lean and sugar-free.From Tesco and Waitrose to Marks & Spencer and Asda, the UK’s biggest exponents of extravagant festive food marketing have put their Christmas ads on a diet to comply with new regulations banning junk food products from appearing in TV ads before 9pm. Continue reading...

Events

56 m. ago It’s the Stephen Collins Christmas cartoon challenge. Can you spot 20 people who made headlines in 2025?

Who’s propping up the bar with quizmaster Keir Starmer? Answers below (no cheating now!)Click here for a larger version of the puzzleSpotted all the famous faces? See how you did 1 Sydney Sweeney’s on the bar there, in her denims. Does this mean she is a eugenicist? No, it doesn’t. Are you OK? Continue reading...

Politics

56 m. ago Unseen Tennessee Williams radio play published in literary magazine

The Strangers, a horror tale written during the playwright’s college days, appeared in the Strand magazine this weekAs one of the 20th century’s most successful playwrights, Tennessee Williams penned popular works at the very pinnacle of US theater, including A Streetcar Named Desire and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.Years before his almost unparalleled Broadway triumphs, however, the aspiring writer then known simply as Tom wrote a series of short radio plays as he struggled to find a breakthrough. One is The Strangers, a supernatural tale offering glimpses into the accomplished wordsmith that Williams would become, and published for the first time this week in the literary magazine Strand. Continue reading...

Politics

57 m. ago Mystery behind Tess and Claudia's Strictly exit as former BBC pro speaks out

EXCLUSIVE: Former Strictly pro Brendan Cole has questioned why hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman have decided to step away from the show "at the same time", despite bags of money

Politics

83 m. ago 'Donald Trump has given white South Africans hope': Refugee fleeing the country for new life in US details horrific torture being inflicted in farm attacks as president is hailed for 'fighting evil'

In October the Trump administration announced it would limit the number of those seeking international protection to 7,500, giving priority to Afrikaner and white South Africans.

Events

89 m. ago Tess Daly shares emotional posts as she prepares for Strictly exit tonight

‘My heart is so full,’ wrote the presenter, who has been at the helm of the BBC competition for more than two decades

Politics

91 m. ago 'Best TV series ever' based on real life is returning to the UK

An iconic family drama will soon be ready to watch in the UK after a 10-year break away.

Culture

94 m. ago Tom Skinner breaks silence on early Strictly Come Dancing exit as he 'seeks legal advice' after claiming 'BBC bosses rigged official voting figures'

The Apprentice star, 34, had already been deemed a controversial signing due to his outspoken Right-wing views, and was the first star to be voted off the show in October.

Politics

1 hour ago Strictly's Thomas Skinner breaks silence on 'BBC lawsuit' reports and final absence

Apprentice star Thomas Skinner has issued a statement addressing reports he would be suing the BBC for 'rigging voting' after his Strictly Come Dancing exit

Politics

1 hour ago Saturday Kitchen guest calls dish 'minging' as they reel 'that is rubbish'

BBC viewers saw host Matt Tebutt cook for the likes of Maisie Adam and Alex Horne on the latest episode of Saturday Kitchen

Politics

1 hour ago Donald Trump in another Epstein files photo partying with bikini

The Justice Department's limited disclosure of files related to the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein hardly included any new information about his friendship with the President - unless you look very closely

Politics

1 hour ago Beloved BBC show Mandy pulled from Christmas schedule in last minute shake

The Mandy Christmas special has been pulled from BBC's festive schedule just days before it was due to air, with Beetlejuice moved up to fill the slot

Politics

1 hour ago ‘Geometric lines, strong colours and shadows created a striking image’: Anne Rayner’s best phone picture

A sci-fi playscape at an exhibition in Gateshead had the photographer’s granddaughter entrancedAnne Rayner was enjoying a day out with her husband, Bob, and two-year-old granddaughter Phoebe when she took this photo. The three of them had headed into Newcastle city centre to find some fun, while Rayner’s daughter-in-law was caring for Phoebe’s siblings, six-month-old twin boys, at home.Walking along the quayside and crossing the Gateshead Millennium Bridge, they pointed out landmarks to Phoebe as they went: the Tyne Bridge, the Glasshouse International Centre for Music. They arrived, eventually, at the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, where Harold Offeh’s exhibition The Mothership Collective 2.0 was showing (it’s on until 18 January). Continue reading...

Events

1 hour ago Jim Ratcliffe chemical firms received up to £70m of UK state aid in last four years

The government is preparing a £50m bailout for Ineos’s Grangemouth plant, after Jim Ratcliffe asked for help in OctoberChemical companies owned by the billionaire Jim Ratcliffe had already been granted as much as £70m in UK state aid in the past four years, before this week’s £50m government bailout for its Grangemouth plant in Scotland.State aid to Ineos in the last year alone was between £16m and £38m, according to government disclosures published this week. Since August 2022 the company has received between £28m and £70m. Continue reading...

Economics

1 hour ago Strictly's Tom Skinner breaks silence on BBC lawsuit claims and slams 'unfair' treatment

The Apprentice star, Thomas Skinner, has broken his silence after it was reported he would be 'suing the BBC for rigging voting' following his early exit from Strictly Come Dancing

Society

2 h. ago Strictly Come Dancing: Who are the rumoured names to replace Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman?

Tonight’s grand final will mark the pair’s last time presenting the BBC shiny floor show

Politics

2 h. ago UK defence chief breaks silence on WW3 conscription – 'we need to step up'

With tensions continuing to rise between Russia and the West, one top defence chief has spoken out on Britain's readiness for war, and admitted the army needs to heed the call

Politics

2 h. ago Strictly Come Dancing pro says 'it is the dream' as they address hosting role

Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman announced they were leaving the BBC show after this series.

Culture