12 h. ago My mother was a famous feminist writer known for her candour and wit. But she was also a fantasist who couldn’t be bothered to spend time raising me

When Fear of Flying, her autobiographical novel about women’s sexual desires, came out in 1973, Erica Jong was suddenly big news. But growing up as her only child, I had a very different experienceIn August 1978, I was born in a hospital in Stamford, Connecticut. I came out with red hair. This was proof to my mother that I was special. The fantasy of my specialness continued my entire life. I was special even though I was dyslexic. I was special even though I got kicked out of college. I was special even though I was a drug addict. I was special despite my fatness. I was special despite all the evidence to the contrary. I was special because I was a piece of her.I read an interview with my mother in which the interviewer described me as a “stout” toddler. “Stout” means “kind of fat”. I never thought of a toddler as being able to be fat, but there it was. Continue reading...

Politics

58 h. ago American stunned by 'unique' British city and says people are 'a different breed'

A US tourist who visited the UK has shared his thoughts on a popular city in the north and was left shocked by the whole experience, including how 'chilled' it was

Politics

59 h. ago Midea recalling 1.7 million of its popular air conditioners due to mold concern

Midea is voluntarily recalling about 1.7 million of its popular U and U+ Smart air conditioners because pooled water in the units may not drain fast enough, leading to mold growth

Politics

5 d. ago Demand for oral nicotine pouches growing fast, British American Tobacco says

The Velo brand is the fastest growing within BAT’s so-called ‘new category’, which includes non-tobacco products like vapes.

Politics

6 d. ago American living in the UK slams the taste of British chicken

A TikTok influencer whose content is focused around her life as an American in the UK has had a rude awakening after accidentally consuming raw chicken.

Politics

8 d. ago States are rolling out red carpets for data centers. But some lawmakers are pushing back

The explosive growth of the data centers needed to power America’s fast-rising demand for artificial intelligence and cloud computing has spurred states to dangle incentives in hopes of landing an economic bonanza

Politics

2 w. ago American makes full English for the first time but 'one thing is missing'

An American living in London decided to put British cuisine to the test by making himself a full English breakfast for the first time, but he quickly argued that one thing was lacking

Events

2 w. ago American travel influencer breaks silence on 'extremely disturbing' stalking ordeal after being targeted by British obsessive with rope in his suitcase who warned her to 'get kidnap insurance'

Talking for the first time since Rob Keating's (pictured) conviction, Alexandra Saper said his 'extremely disturbing' actions had 'rattled' her sense of identity and left her feeling scared.

Events

2 w. ago Elizabeth Hurley, 59, gazes adoringly at Billy Ray Cyrus, 63, as the loved up couple make their red carpet debut at swanky bash in Rome

The British actress, 59, and American singer, 63, strolled arm-in-arm just a month after going public with their shock and unlikely romance.

Politics

2 w. ago Elizabeth Hurley, 59, and Billy Ray Cyrus, 63, put on a loved up display as they make FIRST outing as a couple at swanky bash in Rome

The British actress, 59, and American singer, 63, strolled arm-in-arm just a month after going public with their shock and unlikely romance.

Politics

2 w. ago Trump says Samsung and other smartphone manufacturers will also be subject to 25% Apple tariff – business live

US president says 50% tariff on EU goods to come in 1 June; Apple iPhones and those of other manufacturers made overseas to face 25% tariffTrump says he is hitting EU with 50% tariff as trade talks are ‘going nowhere’As well as cutting UK energy costs (see earlier), Donald Trump can also take credit for growing the German economy!New GDP data this morning shows that Germany’s GDP rose by 0.4% in January-March, twice as fast as the first estimate of 0.2% growth in the quarter.“The reason for the slightly higher growth compared to the initial estimate was the surprisingly positive economic development in March.”“In particular, production in the manufacturing sector and exports performed better than initially expected.The German economy had its best quarterly performance since the third quarter of 2022, and the reason for it seems to be Donald Trump. As a result of the announced tariffs and in anticipation of ‘Liberation Day,’ German industrial production and exports surged in March.Ne...

Economics

2 w. ago European markets suffer losses after Trump ‘recommends’ 50% tariff on EU, and threatens Apple with 25% tariff – business live

US president Donald Trump reignites trade war with threat to impose high tariffs on European goods, and Apple iPhones made overseasTrump says he is hitting EU with 50% tariff as trade talks are ‘going nowhere’As well as cutting UK energy costs (see earlier), Donald Trump can also take credit for growing the German economy!New GDP data this morning shows that Germany’s GDP rose by 0.4% in January-March, twice as fast as the first estimate of 0.2% growth in the quarter.“The reason for the slightly higher growth compared to the initial estimate was the surprisingly positive economic development in March.”“In particular, production in the manufacturing sector and exports performed better than initially expected.The German economy had its best quarterly performance since the third quarter of 2022, and the reason for it seems to be Donald Trump. As a result of the announced tariffs and in anticipation of ‘Liberation Day,’ German industrial production and exports surged in March.Net export...

Economics

2 w. ago Trump ‘recommending’ 50% tariff on EU, and threatens Apple with 25% tariff – business live

US president Donald Trump reignites trade war with threat to impose high tariffs on European goods, and Apple iPhones made overseasTypical energy bill in Great Britain to fall 7% to £1,720 a year from JulyAs well as cutting UK energy costs (see earlier), Donald Trump can also take credit for growing the German economy!New GDP data this morning shows that Germany’s GDP rose by 0.4% in January-March, twice as fast as the first estimate of 0.2% growth in the quarter.“The reason for the slightly higher growth compared to the initial estimate was the surprisingly positive economic development in March.”“In particular, production in the manufacturing sector and exports performed better than initially expected.The German economy had its best quarterly performance since the third quarter of 2022, and the reason for it seems to be Donald Trump. As a result of the announced tariffs and in anticipation of ‘Liberation Day,’ German industrial production and exports surged in March.Net exports an...

Politics

2 w. ago Moment British stalker tells American travel influencer he wants to go '50 Shades of Grey' on her is shown in court

Rob Keating, 39, was seen in creepy videos he recorded and sent to Instagram star Alexandra Saper in Bali, detailing graphic sexual fantasies and threatening to kidnap her.

Events

2 w. ago American 'solves' British argument on how to prepare a scone but Brits aren't impressed

An American woman has divided the internet after she shared her unusual method of spreading jam and cream onto a scone, with Brits branding the technique 'disgusting' and 'uncomfortable'

Politics

3 w. ago ‘There’s no excuse for ugly people’: controversial dentist Mike Mew on how ‘mewing’ can make you more attractive

The orthodontist’s strange mouth exercises are beloved by incels seeking a manlier shape – and a fast-growing TikTok trend in classrooms around the world. So why has he been struck off the dentists’ register?In a two-storey house in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, Dr Mike Mew perches on an ergonomic kneeling chair in front of two vast computer monitors, a microphone and three dazzling studio lights mounted on a rig, a vision mixing console and a studio camera complete with Autocue. Behind him, on a white shelf, is an enormous plastic mouth with perfectly aligned teeth.Among stacks of files on the shelves below the oversized mouth, there are board games, a crystal-making kit, a pottery craft set – unwelcome reminders that this is not actually a dental clinic but a family home. The toys will need to be covered up before Mew’s new plans can be put into action. “The final thing for me to do is to go to Ikea and buy some white boxes,” he tells me. “Then I can sit here and I can change the world.”...

Politics

3 w. ago Waitrose rules out buying American beef and chicken as supermarket vows to 'stand with British farmers' following US trade deal

The supermarket giant made the commitment to 'stand with British farmers' after Sir Keir agreed to cut tariffs on US beef imports.

Economics

3 w. ago Man from America tries UK Chinese food for the first time and has honest verdict

An American couple travelling through England decided to try British Chinese food for the first time, and he had an honest verdict as he shared a TikTok video about the meal

Politics

4 w. ago Backstabbed US auto companies blast Trump’s trade deal with Britain

Trump has put American automakers at a disadvantage with their British competitors, they complain

Politics

last month Yearly blood tests to detect earliest signs of cancer could prevent half of cases reaching advanced stage

The experts trialled a multi-cancer blood test on a group of people aged between 50 and 79, using both fast-growing tumours and aggressively-expanding tumours.

Events