45 h. ago What happened next: how KPop Demon Hunters became a global phenomenon and outranked Lady Gaga

It’s the Korean fantasy movie that came out of nowhere to become Netflix’s most-watched film ever. And social media mentions of its characters are outranking those of real-life superstarsWhen KPop Demon Hunters landed on Netflix in late June, no one predicted it would become a globe-sweeping, chart-topping phenomenon. The near-instant success of the animated kids’ film caught the industry by surprise, and six months later, fans are still hungry for merchandise, music, spin-offs and more stories. Here’s what you may have missed.It’s an animated ‘musical urban fantasy film’The story follows a K-pop girl group called Huntr/x (pronounced “Huntrix”), who are also demon hunters, responsible for protecting humanity from supernatural threats with their combat skills and empowering pop. Their rivals are the Saja Boys, who are secretly demons. When the groups are pitted against one another, the stakes are peace on Earth, and in particular the Honmoon: the magical barrier that protects humans ...

Politics

3 d. ago Christmas is over. Here’s what to do with your tree other than take it to the dump

Some 10 million live Christmas trees end up in landfills every year

Politics

3 d. ago Songs about love, poverty and swimming in Bacardi lemon: Dutch ‘levenslied’ captures a new generation

The Netherlands’ guttersnipe answer to French chanson and German schlager is as popular as ever – but has it lost its roots as the defiant voice of the working class? Our writer sways along at the Muziekfeest van het Jaar to find out‘Uw doet wat, precies, meneer?’ My chic twentysomething hairdresser throws me a puzzled look: “You’re doing what, exactly, sir?” I am not behaving like an Englishman. I have just told her that I have bought tickets for the Muziekfeest van het Jaar (Music of the Year festival) in Amsterdam’s cavernous Ziggo Dome: a two-night extravaganza that is being recorded to be broadcast on New Year’s Eve as a kind of Dutch equivalent to Jools Holland’s Hootenanny, all dedicated to the brassy, sentimental, often untranslatable and still monumentally popular Dutch pop known as levenslied.“Levenslied” roughly translates as “songs about life”, and although popular throughout the land, especially in North Brabant, it is commonly associated with Amsterdam, and specificall...

Politics

6 d. ago Young country diary: Our local river is clean again – and the birds are back too | Theo

River Wandle, south London: I can see the water from my bedroom window, the pollution has gone and it’s bursting with lifeMost mornings now, I peek out of my bedroom window and immediately feel happy. Right outside, the River Wandle is awake and bursting with life. The grey heron swoops down and swiftly lands with a big splash, then stands up, still as a statue. Once I spotted an electric-blue kingfisher zapping along so quickly that I could barely see it.Sadly, in February at half-term, there was a diesel leak into the river. A putrid stench came out of the water and the shock of the smell was overwhelming. The shimmering rainbow swirl of oil seemed to kill any fish that were in its path. My family and I were so worried, especially about the birds. The community worked together to clear the spill and monitor the river, and someone came to do a clean-up. Continue reading...

Politics

8 d. ago Decaying landmark from iconic movie gets a $50million new lease of life after laying abandoned for decades

The New York State Pavilion has been standing in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park - where the US Open also takes place - since the World Fair in 1964.

Economics

1 week ago ‘Intriguing’ new period drama fans will ‘devour in one day’ now streaming

A new period drama based on the life of a famous composer has landed on Sky.

Sport

1 week ago Scots dad paralysed in horror cycling accident left operating wheelchair with his chin

Aeneas Wilder believes the helmet he was wearing saved his life, as he flew over the handlebars and landed on his head.

Events

2 w. ago Luke Littler explains SPOTY 'snub' as darts sensation misses out to Rory McIlroy

Luke Littler did not finish in the top-three at the Sports Personality of the Year awards and was unable to attend the event due to ongoing practice for the PDC World Darts Championship.

Politics

2 w. ago Teenager with more followers than Kylian Mbappe has nightmare vs Man Utd and Kai Rooney

The 16-year-old has already landed a major sponsorship and has plans for life after football

Politics

2 w. ago Moon landings with Tom Hanks and legendary fashion shows brought to life in unique 360

'You could do anything with this room - you could walk on the moon in here'

Culture

2 w. ago Water levels across the Great Lakes are falling – just as US data centers move in

Region struggling with drought now threatened by energy-hungry facilities – but some residents are fighting backThe sign outside Tom Hermes’s farmyard in Perkins Township in Ohio, a short drive south of the shores of Lake Erie, proudly claims that his family have farmed the land here since 1900. Today, he raises 130 head of cattle and grows corn, wheat, grass and soybeans on 1,200 acres of land.For his family, his animals and wider business, water is life. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Hong Kong court finds democracy advocate and media tycoon Jimmy Lai guilty of sedition

British citizen Jimmy Lai faces prospect of spending the rest of his life in prison after his landmark national security trial

Events

3 w. ago ‘Like lipstick on a fabulous gorilla’: the Barbican’s many gaudy glow

The brutalist arts-and-towers complex, where even great explorers get lost, is showing its age. Let’s hope the 50th anniversary upgrade is better than the ‘pointillist stippling’ tried in the 1990sThe Barbican is aptly named. From the Old French barbacane, it historically means a fortified gateway forming the outer line of defence to a city or castle. London’s Barbican marks the site of a medieval structure that would have defended an important access point. Its architecture was designed to repel. Some might argue, as they stumble out of Barbican tube station and gaze upwards, not much has changed in the interim.The use of the word “barbican” was in decline in this country until the opening in 1982 of the Barbican Arts Centre. Taking 20 years to build, it completed the modernist megastructure of the Barbican Estate, grafted on to a huge tract of land devastated by wartime bombing. The aim was to bring life back to the City through swish new housing, energised by the presence of cult...

Politics

3 w. ago The Lands’ End Christmas shop showcases luxurious knits, cosy nightwear and more

Explore perfect presents for women and men this festive season

Politics

3 w. ago Strictly Come Dancing icon wants 'quieter life' away from show as he lands new BBC role

The Strictly pro opened up about his hopes to create a 'calmer' lifestyle for him and his family

Culture

3 w. ago Strictly Come Dancing star says he wants 'quieter life' as he lands new BBC role

The Strictly Come Dancing professional opened up about wanting to explore a "calmer" lifestyle.

Politics

3 w. ago Darts sensation, 15, misses out on Luke Littler record but lands life

Darts sensation Mitchell Lawrie, 15, missed out on eclipsing Luke Littler's sporting record when he was beaten in the final of the WDF World Championship

Politics

3 w. ago Lavish life of Lando Norris' glamorous girlfriend and why she sparked fury with F1 rivals

Whilst Lando Norris chases F1 glory, it’s his glamorous Portuguese model girlfriend, Margarida Corceiro, who’s sparking envy in the paddock, all while drama among F1 rivals continues to unfold

Politics

4 w. ago Norris’ date with F1 destiny arrives as he aims to keep Verstappen and Piastri at bay

He has a 12-point lead before Sunday’s Abu Dhabi GP but the British driver vows to ‘crack on’ if the title goes elsewhereThe atmosphere at a season-deciding finale in the Formula One world championship is like no other. The paddock positively hums with a febrile, pulsing excitement and sense of expectation that is impossible to ignore. Amid all of which the title favourite, Lando Norris, finds himself at the moment he has dedicated his life toward, destiny lying in his own hands.After a gruelling 23-race trek around the world, the conclusion of all the work, sacrifice and effort will be decided in just an hour and a half on Sunday afternoon in Abu Dhabi. Continue reading...

Politics