34 h. ago Stranger Things season five vol 2 review – the fact that this isn’t unbearable is a miracle

Yes, the kids are now 90% Adam’s apple. Yes, Winona Ryder has been unforgivably sidelined. And yes, some characters are trapped in a room filling with yoghurt. But despite our misgivings, this show still absolutely slapsListen, this isn’t the place for newcomers. Stranger Things has been around for almost a decade, and it has spent almost all this time building a mythology that has grown so unwieldy that trying to explain it would cost me my wordcount and my will to live.However, in fairness, this new penultimate batch of episodes gives it a good try. The content of these new episodes can neatly be split into three categories. There’s action, which is high-octane and fun, and probably why you’re watching. Then there’s dialogue, which is less successful because it causes characters to stop moving and emote at each other, even though they should probably be concentrating on the imminent end of the world. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago DWP in new Christmas 2025 benefit payment dates alert as changes made

Officials have issued a new warning that people need to check when their usual payments are coming

Events

4 d. ago Premium Bonds prize checker: When is January’s NS&I draw and how can I check if I’ve won?

Everything you need to know about Premium Bonds

Politics

4 d. ago New DWP Christmas 2025 benefit payment dates alert as 4 changes made

In an update the Department for Work and Pensions highlighted how people on benefits in the UK will be paid on differnet days this festive period

Events

4 d. ago DWP to pay Universal Credit, State Pension, PIP and more tomorrow

Many benefit and State Pension recipients will receive payments tomorrow due to Christmas bank holidays

Economics

4 d. ago Major money changes coming in 2026 including benefits, taxes, and pensions

Here is everything you need to help you keep on top of your finances in the New Year

Economics

5 d. ago Scotland records largest increase in domestic abuse convictions since laws came into force

Over the festive period alone last year – December 2024 and January 2025 – the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service received 5,172 crime reports related to domestic abuse.

Events

5 d. ago January 2026 payment dates for benefits and pensions plus cost of living support

All the essential cost of living information you need for the new year

Economics

5 d. ago Amorim warns against panic buying after Fernandes joins Manchester United injury list

Captain Fernandes injured in defeat at Aston Villa‘We need to find solutions, we continue with our plan’Ruben Amorim insisted Manchester United risk making mistakes in the January transfer window if they panic after Bruno Fernandes joined their growing injury list. Amorim said he expects the United captain to miss their home Boxing Day game against Newcastle and fears Fernandes will be sidelined “for a while” after being forced off at half-time in the defeat against Aston Villa.Fernandes clutched his left calf after a sixth-minute tackle from Boubacar Kamara and was later fouled by another Villa midfielder, Amadou Onana. He was replaced by Lisandro Martínez at the interval. The Argentina centre-back played alongside Manuel Ugarte at the base of United’s midfield, with Kobbie Mainoo absent with a calf issue sustained in training on Saturday. Continue reading...

Events

6 d. ago DWP tells PIP and Universal Credit claimants to prepare for 'face

The Department for Work and Pensions told benefits recipients they’re drastically ramping up the number of in-person assessments

Politics

7 d. ago January 2025 payment dates for benefits and pensions plus cost of living support

All the essential cost of living information you need for the new year

Economics

7 d. ago DWP warning as pensions, PIP, and other payments risk being stopped

It is estimated that 24 million people throughout the UK are recipients of benefits or State Pension

Events

7 d. ago I've watched Godless and American Primeval — one BBC western is better than them both

Netflix's American Primeval launched in January 2025, but BBC's 2022 western series The English starring Emily Blunt is being hailed as the superior show

Politics

7 d. ago Sri Lanka tea workers struggle in poverty. Flooding cost many their lives

After Sri Lanka struggled through one of the worst storms in its history, tea plantation workers are taking temporary refuge in government schools and temples as entire villages were buried in mud in the central highlands

Events

8 d. ago Semenyo a January target for Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United

Forward thought to favour move to LiverpoolRelease clause understood to be a bit less than £65mManchester United are vying with Liverpool and Manchester City to sign Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth in early January, with Ruben Amorim having first expressed an interest in the 25-year-old last summer. The forward is thought to favour joining Liverpool, with City his second choice, so United’s head coach faces a fight to convince him.Semenyo, who scored in Monday’s 4-4 draw at Old Trafford, has a release clause understood to be slightly less than £65m, with the sum including loyalty money and agent payments. It has to be triggered early next month, the Guardian understands. Tottenham are also interested but appear to have a slim chance of landing the former Bristol City player. Continue reading...

Events

8 d. ago Semenyo a January target for Manchester United as well as Liverpool and City

Forward thought to favour move to LiverpoolRelease clause understood to be a bit less than £65mManchester United are vying with Liverpool and Manchester City to sign Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth in early January, with Ruben Amorim having first expressed an interest in the 25-year-old last summer. The forward is thought to favour joining Liverpool, with City his second choice, so United’s head coach faces a fight to convince him.Semenyo, who scored in Monday’s 4-4 draw at Old Trafford, has a release clause understood to be slightly less than £65m, with the sum including loyalty money and agent payments. It has to be triggered early next month, the Guardian understands. Tottenham are also interested but appear to have a slim chance of landing the former Bristol City player. Continue reading...

Events

8 d. ago New update on heating payments for pensioners, people on disability benefits and low income households

Thousands of people have already received payments with the vast majority expected before New Year.

Society

9 d. ago UK pensioners eligible for DWP payments that could be worth thousands

Around 13 million state pensioners could be eligible for DWP benefits including Pension Credit

Economics

1 week ago FTSE 100 Live 17 December: Stocks surge amid inflation cheer, interest rate set to fall

The rate of inflation fell far more quickly than expected last month, paving the way for another cut in interest rates tomorrow.

Economics

1 week ago All films and shows leaving Netflix by 2026 from Friends and Harry Potter to Hunger Games

Netflix is set to remove major franchises including Friends, Harry Potter films and Hunger Games from its platform between December 2025 and early January 2026

Culture