44 m. ago Waterloo train station closes for Christmas but will be reopen for New Year's Eve fireworks

No trains in or out of UK’s second busiest station from December 25-28, then limited service until January 5

Events

45 m. ago Voices: I’m dreading Christmas with my family – we’re so different

The Independent’s agony aunt Victoria Richards is here to help. Email dearvix@independent.co.uk for advice on love, work, family and relationships

Society

50 m. ago Trump’s ‘Bah! Humbug!’ address suggests he is feeling the chill of opinion polls

Primetime speech – delivered with shouty spirit but no cheer – betrayed a figure dogged by a cost of living crisis and the looming release of the Epstein filesIt will go down in history as the “Bah! Humbug!” address.Surrounded by Christmas trees and garlands before a fireplace, Donald Trump on Wednesday gave a convincing rendition of Ebenezer Scrooge, the elderly miser who despises Christmas and blames everyone but himself. Continue reading...

Politics

55 m. ago Debenhams reduces £255 air fryer to £52 that's 'perfect' for Christmas cooking

'First-class air fryer"

Society

72 m. ago Swap screens for strings with last minute kids presents that 'boost concentration'

From keyboards to ukuleles, there are lots of options to help kids ditch the screen time this Christmas

Politics

98 m. ago Trump claims checks are ‘on the way’ to military service members for Christmas ‘warrior dividend’

It’s unclear where the estimated nearly $2.6 billion to fund these dividends is coming from

Events

1 hour ago A Chocolate Orange has doubled in price – and got smaller. Why?

From Quality Street to Toblerone to the Terry’s classic, festive treats are becoming more of a luxury – and it’s not just down to the price of cocoa You’re right – it is smaller. The Terry’s Chocolate Orange on shop shelves this Christmas weighs 12g less than it did this time last year. That’s a decrease in size of 8% – not as big a cut as when the product lost 10% of its mass in 2016, but a further whittling away of a favourite Christmas treat.Prices have been going up too, although it’s been a series of increases. Figures from market researchers Assosia show that across the big four supermarkets, the full price of a cChocolate oOrange has increased from £1.24 in December 2022 to about £2.25 today – a rise of 81%. If you factor in the size reduction, you’re actually paying 96% more. Continue reading...

Politics

1 hour ago UK weather map shows SNOW forecast for Christmas Day as Arctic bite looms

The Met Office says temperatures are set to tumble in the coming days and overnight frost and fog, or freezing fog, is likely too as the weather looks unsettled before Christmas

Politics

1 hour ago Will it snow this Christmas? Met Office issues latest verdict

The threshold for a ‘white Christmas’ requires just a single snowflake to be observed falling on Christmas Day, anywhere in the UK, say the Met Office

Politics

2 h. ago Rick Stein warns 'don't do it' as he shares how to avoid gravy 'nightmare' this Christmas

Rick, known for such shows as Rick Stein's Food Stories, recently shared some culinary pearls of wisdom to help take the stress out of our festive dinner preparations

Events

3 h. ago Trump to send checks to military as war looms with Venezuela

Donald Trump announced Wednesday night in a live White House address that he will be sending all active duty troops a $1,776 check before Christmas.

Events

4 h. ago Last year I had a gorgeous new lover and festive new home. Now it's turned to dust, says LIZ JONES... thanks to the mistake so many woman like me make

This year, I will be spending Christmas with my three border collies and rescued spaniel called Alice, writes LIZ JONES. There will be no company of the human variety.

Politics

5 h. ago Sainsbury's Grinch card is pulled from shelves after being identified as 'invalidating the lived experiences of trans people'

The card depicted the Dr Seuss character, The Grinch, alongside the caption: 'This Christmas, I'm identifying as a Grinch.'

Politics

5 h. ago Fans notice bizarre detail in Gary Busey's new video three months after he was handed groping sentence

'Hey, it's Gary Busey, and I have got a great Christmas present for you: listen to this,' said the 81-year-old, and then began loudly to honk like a goose.

Politics

6 h. ago Confessions of a cheater: The 12 words that quell my wife's suspicions. How I'm getting away with it. The one thing I fear. And why I can't resist. Yes I'm unrepentant, says Peter... so would you be?

Having survived ten Christmases as a cheating husband, I like to think I'm something of an expert...

Politics

6 h. ago Children's tsar urges parents to their ditch phones during Christmas family time

Smartphones are a 'tragedy' for family life as parents and children get swallowed up by social media. Campaigners and the Children's Commissioner are urging parents to ditch their phones

Society

6 h. ago I’m Celeb star horrified as thief steals Christmas present off her doorstep – and offers £500 reward for information

LADY Colin Campbell shared the shocking moment a brazen thief stole a package straight from the doorstep of her home. The former I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! star offered her fans a £500 for information they might have about bold thief. Lady C took to Instagram to plead for her help and...

Events

7 h. ago Keir Starmer slammed for not having the ‘baubles’ to ban ‘dangerous’ doctor strike

RESIDENT doctors are joined ­yesterday by their four-legged friends as five days of Christmas strike action gets under way. As some gathered outside ­London’s St Thomas’ Hospital, the PM condemned the “dangerous and utterly irresponsible” walkout by the hardline British Medical Association, which wants a huge pay rise. He said his message to resident doctors...

Events

7 h. ago Gogglebox's Dave and Shirley inundated with support after Christmas message

Googlebox fan-favourites Dave and Shirley Griffiths have shared a festive post with fans on Instagram

Politics

7 h. ago My petty gripe: office parties feel like work because that’s what they are

And don’t get me started on office Secret SantasAs we head into the so-called silly season – that sun-drenched summer of drinks and parties, barbecues and socialising – there’s a shadow looming over the festivities.The office Christmas party. Continue reading...

Politics