2 h. ago Concerns about ageing society ignore huge opportunities, says population expert

Sarah Harper says society must create new ways of living and working amid potential ‘silver economy’ Concerns over an ageing population are overblown and society should learn to celebrate and capitalise on its “massive cohort of healthy, active, older, creative adults”, a leading population expert has said.While pundits and pressure groups have raised concerns over falling fertility rates, highlighting the challenges for the economy and healthcare, others are more upbeat, arguing the rise of the “silver economy” brings new opportunities for growth. Continue reading...

Politics

2 h. ago People just learn why Sally in Nightmare Before Christmas has a familiar voice

The Nightmare Before Christmas is a hugely popular festive film – but despite this, many people are only just discovering who voiced the iconic character of Sally

Politics

3 h. ago ‘We were treated like enemies of society’: Japan’s dangerous hardcore punk scene looks back to its roots

The pressure to conform in Japanese society made being a punk risky – even before you factor in the flamethrowers. As a new rash of reissues arrives, 80s stalwarts Lip Cream, Death Side and the Nurse recall the thrills and threatsA few short years after punk’s initial shock-and-awe inspired thousands of teenagers to spike their hair and learn three chords, the genre mutated into hardcore: a leaner, meaner and fiercely independent hybrid that would soon be tearing up squats, church halls and dive bars around the world.Forty-five years on, hardcore is enjoying a moment in the mainstream thanks to bands such as Turnstile, Speed and Knocked Loose. There are hardcore bands on talkshows, in fast-food ads and on $40 T-shirts – all things that the 1980s artists would probably have gobbed at. Continue reading...

Politics

3 h. ago People are only just learning what Yuletide means this Christmas

Yuletide is featured in several Christmas songs and films - but do you know what the word actually means? It turns out many of us had no idea where the term originated

Politics

5 h. ago ‘A quick learner’: how Declan Rice went from Chelsea reject to Arsenal’s Rolls

Midfielder will be part of the conversation for a Ballon d’Or if he continues his ascent with trophies for club and countryDeclan Rice likes to call it “clean feedback”, which sounds like a euphemism for a bollocking, though he would probably say that is a misconception. Rather, it is part of the reason why Rice is being discussed as one of the best players in the world.“You can’t eff and blind, you can’t bully people,” says Terry Westley, the head of West Ham’s academy when Rice was there. “But we should be able to have a conversation and say: ‘Look, that ain’t quite good enough and we want to help you because this is what we need to do.’ Continue reading...

Sport

6 h. ago Wild animals are great gift givers – and there’s one present in particular I’d love to receive for Christmas | Helen Pilcher

Penguins hand over pebbles; scorpionflies give spitballs. But I’m hankering after a sea sponge presented by a dolphinThis Christmas morning, are you worried you didn’t choose quite the right gift for that someone special? I always try my hardest, but everywhere I turn I’m bombarded with unhelpful suggestions. No, I don’t want a candle that smells like turkey, because, well, we’ll be cooking turkey. Nor do I want a sunrise alarm clock that mimics natural light, because I can leave the curtains open. And I definitely don’t want a salmon DNA pink collagen jelly mask (Good Housekeeping’s Best for Beauty Lovers), because said DNA comes from milt. AKA semen. If I wanted fish sperm on my face, I would tickle some pollocks.So if, like me, you’re always looking for inspiration, my advice is: learn from the animal kingdom. Humans didn’t invent gifting. The practice has been around for at least 100m years, long before our species evolved. With a little help from natural selection, this has giv...

Politics

22 h. ago Choreographer of Royal Ballet’s Nutcracker reflects on ‘enduringly popular’ show

The 99-year-old spoke about his ballet production, reflecting on its ‘special moments’.

Culture

29 h. ago Song Sung Blue review – Neil Diamond tribute act gets sweet treat of movie thanks to Jackman and Hudson

Film that follows a Milwaukee married couple as they rise to fame with a real-life band called Lightning and Thunder is undeniably entertainingHere is a startlingly strange, undeniably entertaining true-life story from the heartland of American showbusiness; a lovable crowdpleaser whose feelgood flavour won’t prepare you for the way the plot repeatedly and savagely twists like an unsafe fairground ride. I actually had my eyes closed and mouth open at certain key points, and was grabbing the seat in front of me with both fists. It also may yet prove that, yes, Hugh Jackman really is the greatest showman (his role here is much more interesting than his bland impersonation of PT Barnum) and his co-star Kate Hudson brings just the same performance megawattage.Mike and Claire Sardina, terrifically played by Jackman and Hudson, were a Milwaukee married couple with kids from previous relationships who in the 90s formed a cheesy Neil Diamond tribute act called Lightning and Thunder; they be...

Culture

29 h. ago Managing Arsenal: Arteta repeats transfer trick for 'next Maldini' as £61m star signs deal

Arsenal are currently top of the Premier League and have been tipped to plan for the future during the January transfer window

Economics

37 h. ago Some like it hot: why cold Christmases are a feeble imitation of celebrating in summer | Eleanor Burnard

This time of year is stressful enough – but at least we don’t have to deal with seasonal depression on top of it allIf we have learned anything from the influx of holiday movies, mass-produced decorations, Mariah Carey and the smorgasbord of other jingle bell-infused songs that Big Northern Hemisphere has embedded into our lives, it’s that the cultural zeitgeist has determined that Christmas is a holiday best served cold. Whatever!The bigwigs in the top of the equator might have convinced the world of such, but that’s only because they lack the innate knowledge that us southern hemisphere folk know all too well: a warm Christmas is simply superior. This time of year is stressful enough – regardless of temperature – but hey, at least we don’t have to deal with seasonal depression on top of it all. Continue reading...

Events

37 h. ago Ukraine war briefing: Pope Leo expresses ‘great sadness’ at Russian rejection of truce calls

Pontiff calls for ‘day of peace’ on Christmas Day after huge Russian attack in Ukraine kills three and cuts power to several regions. What we know on day 1,400Pope Leo XIV has called for a global truce on Christmas Day, expressing “great sadness” that “apparently Russia rejected a request” for one. “I am renewing my request to all people of good will to respect a day of peace – at least on the feast of the birth of our saviour,” Leo told reporters at his residence near Rome on Tuesday. Russia has repeatedly rejected calls for a ceasefire in its war on Ukraine, saying that would only give a military advantage to Kyiv. The pope said: “Among the things that cause me great sadness is the fact that Russia has apparently rejected a request for a truce.” Referring to conflicts in general, Leo said: “I hope they will listen and there will be 24 hours of peace in the whole world.”A massive Russian drone and missile attack on Ukraine has killed three people and cut power to several Ukrainian ...

Events

39 h. ago Three things we learned from Arsenal win as changes pay off for Mikel Arteta amid William Saliba boost

Kepa Arrizabalaga’s penalty heroics adds to a positive night for the Gunners

Politics

40 h. ago Terrifying moment doctor caught repeatedly punching helpless patient in bed

A video of a doctor in India viciously attacking a patient after an alleged argument between them went viral on social media, with an investigation now underway

Events

40 h. ago REVEALED: Police were repeatedly called to Rob Reiner's Brentwood mansion for years before son 'murdered him and his wife'

LAPD records obtained by the Daily Mail show police were called to the Reiners' $13.5 million property several times.

Events

41 h. ago TikTok star Epic Gamer Grandma dies as heartbroken fans pay tribute

Born in 1948, the star - whose real name is Agnes - proved it's never too late to learn a new skill and became a global sensation

Events

41 h. ago Gladiators star Fury almost pulled out of Strictly Christmas Special

Jodie Ounsley is better known as Gladiators star Fury and she faced a very tough time going into the Strictly Festive special learning new moves alongside grief

Politics

43 h. ago Dylan Lobban has 'learned' from Aberdeen red card as Jimmy Thelin sets his stars a Christmas challenge

The Dons have a sold-out home game and the manager wants to hand the Red Army their own present.

Politics

45 h. ago Youths 'throwing eggs at vulnerable peoples' homes' on Welsh estate

Police say they've had reports from vulnerable people on the street that they're being repeatedly targeted

Politics

45 h. ago Come Dine With Me 'whisk guy' claims he never got paid for iconic TV appearance

EXCLUSIVE: Come Dine With Me legend Kev Riley says he’s never earned a penny from the viral whisk moment – despite repeats, YouTube views and global fame

Politics

47 h. ago Motorists baffled as they learn what 'odd' structures over motorways are

Many drivers have spotted the wire and net structures over UK roads and motorways without knowing that they actually serve a very specific purpose to help save drivers and animals from collision

Politics