2 h. ago BBC viewers reduced to tears as University Challenge host Amol Rajan sobs over bereavement 'too painful to think about' in emotional new documentary

Amol Rajan Goes To The Ganges (pictured), released on BBC One last night, followed the journalist and broadcaster, 41, on a life-changing trip to his birth country of India.

Culture

12 h. ago How releasing his father's soul left British journalist high as a kite: ROLAND WHITE reviews Amol Rajan Goes To The Ganges

In part to heal his grief, but mainly because the BBC suggested it, Amol flew to India to attend the Hindu festival of Kumbh Mela, a huge gathering of pilgrims on the banks of the Ganges.

Events

15 h. ago Amol Rajan Goes to the Ganges review – ‘I miss his love. Oh god, I loved him so much’

In this deeply moving and cathartic film, the presenter confronts his father’s death by going on a holy pilgrimage and ends up releasing his soul in the sacred river. BeautifulThree years ago Amol Rajan’s father died unexpectedly of pneumonia. Ever since, as the BBC journalist and broadcaster puts it at the start of Amol Rajan Goes to the Ganges, “I’ve been in a bit of a funk.” I get it. As a fellow second-generation kid of Indian immigrants (and journalist from southwest London to boot) I, too, have been in a funk since my mother died (two years before Rajan’s father, at the same age, 76, as him). In Rajan’s case, his grief plunges him into a search for belonging and an attempt to reconnect with his Hindu roots. Where might such a quest take him? To the largest gathering of humanity on earth. The Kumbh Mela, where over 45 days at the start of this year half a billion Hindus gathered on the sacred banks of the Ganges. The question Rajan poses, and it’s a pertinent one for many, is w...

Events

36 h. ago ROLAND WHITE reviews Why Cities Flood: Spain's Deadly Disaster

ROLAND WHITE: The news is very good at fires and rocket attacks and waves lashing the coastline in winds, but less confident about issues that involve dull people in suits sitting around a table.

Events

50 h. ago Words of War review – Maxine Peake leads line as murdered Putin

Peake stars opposite Jason Isaacs, as Politkovskaya’s husband, in this sentimental look at the life of a woman who, 19 years after her death, remains a folk heroThis British-American co-production offers a dramatised portrait of Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya (played by Maxine Peake) who was assassinated in 2006. Politkovskaya’s gutsy, impassioned reporting on the second Chechen war was highly critical of the Kremlin, the Russian army and Vladimir Putin personally. (The fact that she was murdered on his birthday was surely no coincidence.) Nineteen years after her death, she remains a folk hero worldwide for resistances to autocracy, especially given the rise in repression everywhere and constant threats to journalists.Given all that, the film deserves respect for the subject matter, even though this is a pretty basic rendition of Politkovskaya’s story, a little too sticky with hagiographic sentimentality and the cliches of crusading journalist-led movies. It also should be n...

Events

59 h. ago ROLAND WHITE reviews Death In The Desert: The Nurse Helen Mystery

One night in May 1979, a young nurse called Helen Smith was enjoying herself at an illegal alcohol party in a block of flats in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia .

Events

7 d. ago Children of Rangers fan killed in Turkey release Father's Day balloons at Ibrox

Christopher Potter passed on a European away trip before Rangers defeated 3-1 in their Europa League round-of-16 first leg.

Events

8 d. ago Heartbreaking update on how TikTok star Emilie Kiser's toddler drowned in pool

Trigg Kiser, 3, died after a tragic accident in the back garden of his family home. A newly released account from his father Brady Kiser has shed further light on what happened

Events

9 d. ago BBC University Challenge's Amol Rajan 'ashamed' for avoiding family death for three years

BBC University Challenge host Amol Rajan has spoken out about his grief of three years and why he'd facing it head on

Events

1 week ago MAGA barbie Savannah Chrisley shares heartwarming first hug with father Todd after prison release

The 27-year-old reality star and influencer celebrated her reunion with her father, who was was pardoned by President Donald Trump last month.

Events

1 week ago Prince William's children tackle their dad with cuddles in heartwarming Father's Day post

The Prince of Wales's children have released a heartwarming tribute to him for Father's Day.

Politics

2 w. ago Bakery 'plagued by woman called Sue' left high and dry after 'soul destroying' act

A famous bakery in Greater Manchester, has been run by the same family for three generations and is renowned for its occasion cakes and expertly crafted chocolates

Politics

2 w. ago CHRISTOPHER STEVENS reviews Jamie's Dyslexia Revolution on Ch4: All fired up like an angry Aga, chef Jamie gave the minister a roasting

CHRISTOPHER STEVENS: Has Radio 4's Amol Rajan been coaching Jamie Oliver on how to grill politicians? When he confronted the Education Secretary, she could barely finish a sentence.

Politics

2 w. ago Trump has unleashed something terrifying in the US – that even he may be powerless to control | Gaby Hinsliff

The protests in LA are what everyone feared, and a warning to countries that flirt with populismShe was live on air to viewers back home, her TV microphone clearly in hand, when the rubber bullet hit her. The Australian reporter Lauren Tomasi was the second journalist after the British photographer Nick Stern to be shot with non-lethal rounds while covering protests in Los Angeles sparked by immigration raids. But she was the first to be caught on camera and beamed around the world. There’s no excuse for not knowing what the US is becoming, now that anyone can watch that clip online. Not when you can hear her scream and see the cameraman quickly swing away to film a panicking crowd.It was the scenario everyone feared when Donald Trump took office. Deportation hit squads descending on the kind of Democrat-voting communities who would feel morally bound to resist them, triggering the kind of violent confrontation that creates an excuse to send in national guard troops – and ultimately...

Politics

2 w. ago Russia is at war with Britain and US is no longer a reliable ally, UK adviser says

Government defence expert Fiona Hill warns UK to respond to threats by becoming more cohesive and resilientRussia is at war with Britain, the US is no longer a reliable ally and the UK has to respond by becoming more cohesive and more resilient, according to one of the three authors of the strategic defence review.Fiona Hill, from county Durham, became the White House’s chief Russia adviser during Donald Trump’s first term and contributed to the British government’s strategy. She made the remarks in an interview with the Guardian. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago ‘This is my mission, my destiny’: a treacherous Amazon journey in the footsteps of Dom Phillips and Bruno Pereira

Three years after the deaths of the British journalist and Brazilian activist, the Guardian joined the Indigenous peoples continuing their dangerous and often gruelling work to protect the rainforestPhotographs by João LaetTataco grimaces and braces for impact as his canoe hurtles towards the banks of Brazil’s Jordan River into a blizzard of branches, vines and leaves. In the bow of the boat, his Indigenous comrade, Damë Matis, shields his face with his arms as he is swallowed by the vegetation, twigs gouging his muscular shoulders.“Get down! Get down!” Tataco yells, battling to control the vessel before its occupants are skewered by the lance-like boughs jutting out from the shore. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago ‘This is my mission, my destiny’: a treacherous Amazon journey tracing the steps of our murdered colleagues

Three years after the deaths of the British journalist Dom Phillips and Brazilian activist Bruno Pereira, the Guardian joined the Indigenous peoples continuing their dangerous and often gruelling work to protect the rainforestPhotographs by João LaetTataco grimaces and braces for impact as his canoe hurtles towards the banks of Brazil’s Jordan River into a blizzard of branches, vines and leaves. In the bow of the boat, his Indigenous comrade, Damë Matis, shields his face with his arms as he is swallowed by the vegetation, twigs gouging his muscular shoulders.“Get down! Get down!” Tataco yells, battling to control the vessel before its occupants are skewered by the lance-like boughs jutting out from the shore. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago Charlotte Alice Peet: Full story of British journalist found in Brazil after four months missing

Charlotte Peet told police she did not want to be contacted by family after she was found in Sao Paulo

Events

3 w. ago British journalist who disappeared in Brazil nearly four months ago is found in hostel

Police say Charlotte Alice Peet, who has written for The Independent, was out of contact with her family voluntarily

Events

3 w. ago Whisky experts release Father's Day malt with less than 500 bottles available

A limited-edition dram has been launched in honour of the annual holiday.

Politics