67 h. ago My cultural awakening: A Queen song helped me break free from communist Cuba

Listening to Brian May’s multi-tracked epic on a battered cassette player when I lived in repressive Havana inspired lit a spark of rebellion inside meThroughout my childhood and teenage years growing up in 80s Cuba, Fidel Castro’s presence, and the overt influence of politics, was everywhere – on posters, on walls, in speeches that could last four hours at a stretch. The sense of being hemmed in, politically and personally, was hard to escape.I had been raised to believe in communism, and for a long time I did. I even applied twice to join the Young Communist League, only to be rejected for not being “combative” enough: code for not informing on others. Friends were expelled from university or jailed for speaking too freely and my family included people in the military and police, so I had to be careful not to endanger them. But amid that stifling conformity, something else had begun to take hold. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago Forty years in the Siberian wilderness: the Old Believers who time forgot

In 1978, Soviet scientists stumbled upon a family living in a remote part of Russia. They hadn’t interacted with outsiders for decades. Almost half a century later, one of them is still thereIn the summer of 1978, a team of geologists exploring southern Siberia found something rarer than diamonds. While searching for a helicopter landing site amid the steep hills and forested canyons of the western Sayan mountains, their pilot caught sight of what appeared to be a garden, 150 miles from the nearest settlement. Hovering as low as he could, he saw a house. No people were visible, but someone was clearly tending the garden. He and his geologist passengers were shocked to find a dwelling in an area long considered too remote for human habitation.When the four geologists set up camp 10 miles away, it was the mysterious homestead that was first in their mind. Who could live here? Were the inhabitants the last Mohicans of the Brezhnev era? The geologists ventured to the settlement bearing ...

Politics

4 d. ago A century in the Siberian wilderness: the Old Believers who time forgot

In 1978, Soviet scientists stumbled upon a family living in a remote part of Russia. They hadn’t interacted with outsiders for decades. Almost half a century later, one of them is still thereIn the summer of 1978, a team of geologists exploring southern Siberia found something rarer than diamonds. While searching for a helicopter landing site amid the steep hills and forested canyons of the western Sayan mountains, their pilot caught sight of what appeared to be a garden, 150 miles from the nearest settlement. Hovering as low as he could, he saw a house. No people were visible, but someone was clearly tending the garden. He and his geologist passengers were shocked to find a dwelling in an area long considered too remote for human habitation.When the four geologists set up camp 10 miles away, it was the mysterious homestead that was first in their mind. Who could live here? Were the inhabitants the last Mohicans of the Brezhnev era? The geologists ventured to the settlement bearing ...

Politics

5 d. ago The tragic error before death of talented footballer, 15, as coroner probes 'missed opportunities'

'She said she believed at the time that it was the police's responsibility'

Events

6 d. ago In the face of Trump’s threats, Britain’s best path is clearer than ever: hurry back to Europe | Stella Creasy

Labour must urgently seek new roles and alliances, while also enhancing the UK’s own military capabilitiesStella Creasy is chair of the Labour Movement for EuropeIf the threats of Donald Trump prove anything, it is that the mantra of “shared values” with his administration is as much use as a chocolate teapot. Countries across the world are scrambling to adjust. Canada has announced a trade realignment towards China – and talk grows of counter-sanctions in Europe. If the UK wants to avoid being caught in the crossfire, there really is only one alternative: to finally take the brakes off rebuilding our common future in Europe.In the past few weeks, Nato has suffered life-changing injuries. This should not be surprising, given the repeated signals from Washington, from the anti-European screed in Trump’s National Security Strategy to the harassment of President Zelenskyy at the White House. When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time and act accordingly.Stella Cre...

Politics

6 d. ago Rare 'fairy circles' spotted in underwater forests off Scotland

Experts believe it is the first time the natural phenomenon has been captured on film in Scotland

Politics

6 d. ago Coronation Street fans heartbroken as they 'can't believe' time since character loss

They were dealt a reminder about one of the most upsetting deaths Weatherfield has ever seen

Politics

8 d. ago Celeb SAS star AJ Pritchard reveals key behind the scenes detail fans don't see

Former Strictly star AJ Pritchard opened up on his time on the show and names which Strictly dancers he believes could handle the brutal tasks

Politics

8 d. ago Why Winnie the Pooh is still an amazing first wander into the literary world 100 years on

It's the 100th anniversary of Winnie the Pooh this year, and despite the amount of time which has passed since his creation, I still believe the books are a great way to introduce reading to kids

Politics

1 week ago Eddie Hearn believes Anthony Joshua will return to boxing ‘when time is right’

The 36-year-old is expected to spend a considerable amount of time outside the ring following last month’s car crash in Nigeria.

Sport

1 week ago Stephen Hendry threatened drastic action after what John Higgins did at the Masters

Six-time Masters champion Stephen Hendry couldn't believe what he saw from John Higgins in the first round at Alexandra Palace

Events

1 week ago Alan Carr says 'this is wrong' after Amanda Holden marriage realisation

Britain's Got Talent judge Amanda Holden has been working closely with comedian Alan Carr on their property renovation TV series, with the pair spending so much time together she believes she sees him more than her husband

Politics

2 w. ago Mexico's next 'on the menu' as top Republicans roll over to grant Trump unlimited war powers

Top Republicans who could rein in President Donald Trump's ability to strike foreign nations largely believe he has carte blanche to order operations any time and at any place.

Politics

2 w. ago 'I served time behind bars and people won't believe what we do to avoid boredom'

Former inmates shared their experiences about life in prison, leaving many shocked at the creative activities and 'level of freedom' they experienced behind bars

Politics

3 w. ago Ukrainian official ‘targeted in car bomb attack’ as one man hospitalised days after three killed in Moscow car explosion

A SUSPECTED car bomb has destroyed a vehicle belonging to a senior Ukrainian officer in Kyiv. At the time of the blast, two people were believed to be in or near the vehicle. One man was hospitalised with shrapnel injuries, though his identity and current condition have not been disclosed. Kyiv’s prosecutor’s office said the...

Events

3 w. ago The Traitors star reveals she’s pregnant with first child after challenging fertility journey

THE Traitors legend Charlotte Berman has revealed she is pregnant with her first child. The marketing manager, 34, announced the happy news in a round-up of her 2025 highlights on New Year's Eve. Charlotte become an all-time show great when she fooled her co-stars into believing she was Welsh, while competing for the £94,000 cash...

Politics

3 w. ago Nicky Butt tears into Man Utd and points the blame with brutal 's***show' assessment

Manchester United have underwhelmed under the stewardship of Ruben Amorim and former star Nicky Butt does not believe that the tide will start to turn any time soon

Politics

4 w. ago How animals have been used for espionage from Hvaldimir the roving Russian whale to American 'bat bombs' and a 'spy squirrel' unit caught behind enemy lines

The first time animals are believed to have been used was after German pharmacist Julius Neubronner developed the pigeon photograph method in 1907.

Events