2 h. ago What the culture war over Superman gets wrong | Noel Ransome

Rightwing commentators are furious over the superhero’s positioning as an immigrant. But his story was crafted to cushion uneaseWe’ve entered the era of the superhero movie as sermon. No longer content with saving the world, spandex saviors are now being used to explain, moralize and therapize it. And a being from Krypton has shown up once again in a debate about real life; about borders, race and who gets to belong. Superman. Of all symbols.I’ve read reactionary thinkpieces, rage-filled quote tweets and screeds about the legal status of a fictional alien – enough to lose count. This particular episode of American Fragility kicked off because James Gunn had the audacity to call Superman “the story of America”. An immigrant, by definition, as he was always meant to be.Noel Ransome is a Toronto-based freelance writer Continue reading...

Events

2 h. ago William and Kate's favourite dog has replaced the French bulldog as the nation’s top pooch

Popularity of flat-faced breeds has plummeted after a decade at the top and now more traditional dogs have their tails wagging - but they still cost a pretty penny

Politics

6 h. ago 'My Tory MP husband raped me while I slept and screamed abuse at our newborn baby'

Former MP Kate Kniveton bravely opens up about the decade of abuse she endured at the hands of her ex-husband and Conservative MP Andrew Griffiths who raped her while she was sleeping

Events

6 h. ago Neighbours furious after being blocked from their own homes after shopkeeper installs barrier

The residents have used a private road to access their homes for decades, h owever, four years ago, Aspire Housing sold the road to a local shopkeeper who has now installed a barrier blocking cars from entering.

Politics

7 h. ago Inquiry launched after identities of SAS soldiers leaked in fresh data breach

Details about operatives in the secretive military unit have reportedly been available online for a decade

Events

7 h. ago ‘A disaster for all of us’: US scientists describe impact of Trump cuts

President’s assault on science –particularly climate science – has led to unprecedented funding cuts and staff layoffs“Our ability to respond to climate change, the biggest existential threat facing humanity, is totally adrift,” said Sally Johnson, an Earth scientist who has spent the past two decades helping collect, store and distribute data at Nasa (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) and Noaa (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration).Donald Trump’s assault on science – but particularly climate science – has led to unprecedented funding cuts and staff layoffs across federally funded agencies and programs, threatening to derail research tackling the most pressing issues facing Americans and humanity more broadly. A generation of scientific talent is also on the brink of being lost, with unprecedented political interference at what were previously evidence-driven agencies jeopardizing the future of US industries and economic growth. Continue reading...

Politics

7 h. ago Countryfile's Adam Henson's famous family from BBC star dad to EastEnders actor uncle

Adam Henson has been a firm favourite on Countryfile for more than two decades but the star comes from a long line of famous faces including his EastEnders actor uncle

Politics

7 h. ago David Mitchell's emotional confession about relationship with wife Victoria Coren

Comedian David Mitchell has been happily married to Victoria Coren for over a decade.

Politics

9 h. ago 'We've driven to our homes this way for decades until it appeared overnight'

The neighbours had always accessed their properties via a private road

Politics

11 h. ago 'I spent years battling flat hair, but this £26 volumising haircare range saved me'

Our shopping writer tried out Philip Kingsley's Body Building collection, and the results were amazing

Economics

12 h. ago Karen Pirie star Emer Kenny opens up on life with TV presenter husband and toddler son

Karen Pirie returns to screens for a second season as she delves into a new case that's haunted the nation for decades - but filming was just as intense for creator Emer Kenny.

Culture

13 h. ago A new Irish writer is getting rave reviews – but nobody knows who they are. That gives me hope | Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett

Pen names have a long history. Now Liadan Ní Chuinn is shunning publicity in an industry that demands ever more exposureWhat’s in a pen name? Irish writer Liadan Ní Chuinn’s debut short story collection, Every One Still Here, is receiving rave reviews and rapturous praise, but hardly anyone seems to know who they are. A cursory Google turns up no photos or biographical information. All we know is that the writer is Northern Irish and was born in 1998, the year of the Good Friday agreement.A statement from Irish publisher The Stinging Fly reads: “The Stinging Fly has been working with Liadan on these stories for the past four years. From early on in the process, they expressed a desire to publish their work under a pseudonym and to protect their privacy throughout the publication process. No photographs of the author are available and Liadan will not be participating in any in-person interviews or public events.”Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett is a Guardian columnist Continue reading...

Politics

13 h. ago Mansion found abandoned with 'lights still running' after millionaire disappeared

A valuable property just a stone's throw from London has stood empty for at least a decade, with two luxury cars left abandoned alongside dozens of personal items

Events

17 h. ago Retro diet that doctors say can be BETTER than weight loss jabs: New research shows it can burn fat fast, maintain muscle and slash your health risks

It was one of the most popular fad diets of recent decades - rocketing to fame in 2013 after a single tweet from Victoria Beckham.

Events

20 h. ago EastEnders legend set to make shock return to Walford after 11 years

An EastEnders favourite will make a shock return to Walford, more than a decade since he was last seen in Albert Square.

Events

23 h. ago Perth bass guitarists share musical experiences down the decades

Guitarists George and Frankie spoke about their love of the Fender Bass.

Politics

24 h. ago How Delta amenity kits changed across the decades, from shoehorns to spa

Delta introduced its first amenity kit in 1978 and has been keeping a photographic record of its evolution

Politics

24 h. ago BBC MasterChef's Gregg Wallace and John Torode were 'never friends'

Gregg Wallace and John Torode fronted the BBC cooking show together for two decades, but a new report claims they were "never friends" and Wallace actually spoke out against his co-star.

Politics

26 h. ago John Torode is seen with wife Lisa Faulkner for first time since he was sacked from Masterchef 'for using N

The Australian-born chef, 59, lost his job on the BBC show after two decades over allegations that he used the N-word, which he claims to have 'absolutely no recollection' of.

Politics

27 h. ago King Charles turns 'hooligan' as he teams up with 'chavvy' brand Burberry to flog £2,500 coats

King Charles has teamed up with "chavvy" brand Burberry to sell £2,500 coats, as a move to shed the hooligan image that has haunted the label for decades

Economics