53 m. ago Girl Taken review – Alfie Allen is incredible in this twisty tale of teen abduction

This tale of a family dealing with a kidnapped daughter is a deeply engaging, psychologically complex thriller that is a cut above the restA summary of Girl Taken is disheartening; a teenage girl is abducted by a man she trusted and kept for his own grim purposes in a remote secret location, and must use her wits to survive the depravities and maybe one day escape. But in full, Girl Taken, like the 2016 book Baby Doll by Hollie Overton on which it is based, is something much better. It takes the neglected parts of such stories – the sadder, quieter, far less titillating and voyeuristic aspects of what it means to take a person out of her home, her world and her life, and away from those of the people who love her – and fleshes all that out instead. It makes for a slower burn, but a much more deeply engaging and psychologically complex thriller than we customarily expect from such a setup, and – in asking what it really means to survive an act of profound violence – harrowing in a mo...

Politics

3 h. ago Four contestants’ fate in the balance as The Traitors set to reveal next murder

The last episode, which aired on Wednesday night, saw Reece, Maz, Sam and traitor Stephen vulnerable to the traitors’ next murder.

Events

3 h. ago The Killers frontman Brandon Flowers reveals when fans can expect a new album as he confirms band have 'been writing' after five

Confirming that they have 'been writing,' the singer, 44, said 'the best Killers record' is right around the corner.

Events

4 h. ago Caring for patients in corridors is so 'normal' NHS hospitals are installing plug sockets and call bells in them, investigation reveals

Senior staff told the Health Services Safety Investigations Body (HSSIB) that they made the investment as they 'could not avoid using these spaces'.

Science

4 h. ago Ukraine war briefing: Allies yet to provide details of security guarantee, Zelenskyy says

Ukrainian president says he has received no ‘unequivocal answer’ from European allies about how they would defend Ukraine if Russia attacked again. What we know on day 1,415Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he has received no “unequivocal answer” from European allies about how they would defend Ukraine if Russia attacked again after a peace deal was reached. On Tuesday, European leaders and US envoys announced they had agreed key security guarantees for Kyiv, including a European multinational force that would be deployed if a ceasefire could be reached. But when asked if he was sure that European allies would step in and defend his country in the event of another Russian invasion, Zelensky said on Wednesday he had no “clear” answer on that.“I personally very much want to get a very simple answer: yes, if there is aggression again, all partners will give a strong response to the Russians. And that’s the exact question I put to all our partners. And so far I haven’t receiv...

Events

4 h. ago I knew I was right!': The Traitors' viewers celebrate working out who the secret Traitor was

The Traitors viewers say they worked out who the secret Traitor was before it was revealed on Wednesday night's show.

Politics

5 h. ago Chickenpox made me so ill I was sure Mum was trying to kill me: JENNI MURRAY

My relationship with my mum could never be described as close. But it wasn't until I had chickenpox, aged 11, that my latent fear of her bossiness revealed itself.

Events

5 h. ago Calum McFarlane reveals Liam Rosenior talks with Chelsea stars before Fulham trip

New Blues head coach was at Cobham on Tuesday before watching west London derby defeat from Craven Cottage stands

Politics

5 h. ago Patrick Swayze's brother Sean dead at age 63 as cause of death is revealed

Sean died on December 15th in the Los Angeles area, his son Jesse Swayze told TMZ.

Events

5 h. ago Darren Fletcher reveals who will lead Manchester United against Brighton in FA Cup

The Red Devils host the Seagulls on Sunday afternoon

Politics

5 h. ago Beyonce's mom reveals bizarre reason for granddaughter Blue Ivy's name as 'world's greatest' nepo baby turns 14

Beyoncé's mom Tina Knowles took to Instagram on Wednesday to wish her granddaughter Blue Ivy a happy 14th birthday.

Politics

5 h. ago Serial rapist David Carrick among Met Police officers not properly vetted before joining force

Carrick, who was given 37 life sentences for his crimes, was not properly vetted in 2017, with checks failing to reveal an allegation of domestic abuse against him

Events

5 h. ago Serial rapist PC David Carrick slipped through police background checks

The former Met officer was among 131 rogue officers who committed offences after the force failed to follow vetting guidelines because of pressure from chiefs to boost workforce numbers, report reveals

Events

5 h. ago Met Police diversity push let sex predators & violent offenders serve in force after overturning vetting failures

A POLICE diversity drive let sexual predators and violent offenders serve as officers or support staff, a review reveals. The Metropolitan Police approved applicants from minority groups who failed vetting, just to boost its recruitment targets under former PM Boris Johnson. They included rapist Cliff Mitchell, who is now serving 17 and a half years...

Events

6 h. ago The Traitors star Ross breaks silence over girlfriend reveal and says 'she would not speak to me'

Ross was the latest contestant to be banished from the hit BBC series

Politics

6 h. ago US seizes two tankers as Trump widens oil grab and says Venezuela will buy American goods with proceeds from oil sale – live

US takes over two tankers, one Russian-flagged in the North Atlantic and the other Venezuela-linked in the Caribbean; Trump says Caracas will be ‘purchasing only American Made Products’Explainer: why so much interest in a rusty tanker in the Atlantic?Meanwhile, in the UK, Nigel Farage has offered his take on Trump’s plans to control Greenland, saying it would be “outrageous” for the US to seize it from Denmark.Farage says he agrees with Starmer that the fate of Greenland must be decided by Greenland and Denmark, not the US – but sided with Trump on “some genuine security concerns” that require further presence there.“What I will say is this. There are some genuine security concerns around Greenland and that becomes ever more relevant with a retraction of the ice caps as we head towards the North Pole. There is a strong feeling in British intelligence circles, and many in Nato, that there needs to be a significant Nato base located directly on the north of Greenland.At the moment, it...

Politics

6 h. ago Home and Away star, 25, reveals her devastating cancer fight after she noticed a problem with her smile

Former Home and Away actress Alea O'Shea has revealed the devastating impact of her treatment for brain cancer.

Politics

6 h. ago I knew I was right!': The Traitors' viewers celebrate working out who the secret Traitor was...but are disappointed it was revealed so early in the game

The Traitors viewers say they worked out who the secret Traitor was before it was revealed on Wednesday night's show.

Politics

6 h. ago The Secret Traitor is revealed! But what is the family tree theory?

The Secret Traitor was finally revealed (as very evil indeed) in an episode stuffed with twists, turns and revelations...

Society

6 h. ago Strictly star John Whaite reveals he has been rushed to hospital after being run over in near

The Great British Bake Off star, 36, took to Instagram to recall the terrifying moment he 'rolled over the bonnet, went splat on the road before crawling to safety'.

Politics