2 h. ago ‘A palette unlike anything in the west’: Ben Okri, Yinka Shonibare and more on how Nigerian art revived Britain’s cultural landscape

To mark a new exhibition at Tate Modern, leading British-Nigerian cultural figures trace the impact of their heritage on their work, and consider its growing influence on the world stageSome primal energy was unleashed among Nigerian artists in the years leading up to independence. The century-long reign of colonialism was nearing its end and the people of Nigeria, with its over 300 tribes, its ebullient energy, were poised for a new future in which they would determine the shape and context of their lives.And the people who most articulated that double position, that paradox of modernity and tradition, were artists in all their stripes. Artists across the country, in constant dialogue with one another, created works that evoked their traditions but in a contemporary context. Artists such as Yusuf Grillo in the north, Bruce Onobrakpeya from the midwest, Ben Enwonwu from the east and Twins Seven Seven from the west were remaking the dream of art in a rigorously Nigerian context. The ...

Politics

2 h. ago Powerful new exhibition amplifying Black British voices launches for Black History Month

The media platform, Seasoned, has launched an immersive exhibition in Central London to highlight research from the Runnymede Trust and amplify Black British voices

Politics

7 h. ago David Attenborough outfoxes foxes in a bid to expose London's critters for new doc

Sir David Attenborough is set to explore the wildlife of London in a new BBC programme, which will see the naturalist delve into the unique landscape of the city he has called home for 75 years

Politics

11 h. ago Abandoned Belfast shopping centre left to rot with mossy floors and 'crumbling' roof

Jamie Robinson, a 25-year-old urban explorer, told how a shopping centre near Belfast, which he used to visit as a child has been left 'abandoned' and 'crumbling'

Economics

13 h. ago Legendary hard man Scott Brown sent off in CHARITY MATCH with Celtic ace fuming as ref gives him a cheeky wave

SCOTT BROWN is three years retired but his notorious warrior spirit is still burning red hot. The former Scotland hard man was so furious with a penalty being awarded against him that his protests got him sent off - in a CHARITY MATCH. Brown was part of the star-studded crew of Celtic legends who faced...

Politics

18 h. ago The Emerald Isle in a bygone era brought back to life in colour: Fascinating images transformed from black and white show life in Ireland in the 19th and 20th

They offer a fascinating glimpse into a bygone era - when horses filled the streets, people perched on mail trucks, and food and livestock were traded in lively public squares.

Events

18 h. ago US TikTok star joins huge queues at Welsh bakery for doughnuts branded 'world's best'

Kalani Ghost Hunter said they were the best-looking doughnuts he'd ever seen

Politics

18 h. ago ‘Death to Spotify’: the DIY movement to get artists and fans to quit the music app

Musicians have long criticized the streaming service’s paltry payouts, but a new wave of boycotts is emergingThis month, indie musicians in San Francisco gathered for a series of talks called Death to Spotify, where attenders explored “what it means to decentralize music discovery, production and listening from capitalist economies”.The events, held at Bathers library, featured speakers from indie station KEXP, labels Cherub Dream Records and Dandy Boy Records, and DJ collectives No Bias and Amor Digital. What began as a small run of talks quickly sold out and drew international interest. People as far away as Barcelona and Bengaluru emailed the organizers asking how to host similar events. Continue reading...

Events

19 h. ago Beaming King Charles gets behind the wheel as he drives to Sunday service at Crathie Kirk

The King was in high spirits as he drove up for a Sunday service at Crathie Kirk this morning.

Politics

19 h. ago Eerie haunted Scottish fortress where prisoners' screams echo through the walls

The castle is one of the UK's most haunted sites and is said to be home to a host of restless spirits, with visitors reporting a range of ghostly encounters

Events

19 h. ago I explored the English destination with some of the best UK beaches and award

IF your perfect holiday includes wide skies, sandy beaches, clifftop walks and ending the day with a pint in a country pub, North Devon ticks every box. This corner of the South West is famous for its dramatic coastline, rolling countryside and some of the best beaches in the UK. Add in historic villages, family-friendly...

Events

20 h. ago People gobsmacked after learning true reason some windows have 'circles' on them

Many people have been left fascinated after learning the reason why some windows have these bizarre circles on them - and you'll never be able to unsee them

Politics

21 h. ago The story behind the spy stories: show reveals secrets of John le Carré’s craft

How author researched his plots and letters from Alec Guinness feature in Oxford exhibition Lamplighters, pavement artists, babysitters – they have taken on whole new meanings thanks to John le Carré. As his fans will know, they are part of tradecraft practised by the spies he wrote about so evocatively. Now, almost five years after his death, an exhibition, with the title Tradecraft, reveals the techniques and motivations of the characters’ real creator, David Cornwell.As you enter the exhibition in Oxford University’s Bodleian library you are greeted with a large portrait of Cornwell, wearing a black bucket cap, looking straight ahead with piercing eyes, his chin resting on his gently clasped hands. Accompanying the photo are two of his quotes. “I am not a spy who writes novels, I am a writer who briefly worked in the secret world,” one says. The second, after questioning whom, if anyone, we can trust, continues: “What is loyalty – to ourselves, to whom, to what? Whom, if anyone, ...

Politics

23 h. ago People are only just learning why some windows have bizarre circles on them

Have you ever noticed some old pubs and buildings have windows with bizarre circles on them? It turns out there's a fascinating reason for them, dating back to medieval times

Politics

25 h. ago Inside abandoned 'ghost ship' hotel left to rot after tragedy and sickness

A massive, seven storey ship that was once used as a luxury hotel in a Thai resort was deserted after reports of a curse and the apparent death of one of its workers

Politics

33 h. ago Fires Which Burned Brightly by Sebastian Faulks: How Jane Austen and a fascination with mental illness led to the writing of Birdsong

Ysenda Maxtone Graham discovers the childhood of one of our best loved authors, Sebastian Faulks.

Events

37 h. ago Here’s to the birdwatchers! Optimistic, slightly eccentric custodians of wonder and joy and passion and love

At its heart, birdwatching is an act of quiet rebellion, says Natalie Kyriacou. It is the gentle act of noticing – the willingness to see the world around youThey are the most curious creature of all. Hyper-focused. Single-minded. Intense. Devoted. Often single. They speak in reverent tones and hushed whispers and can walk with preternatural silence across a bed of leaves. They wield binoculars with the nonchalance of a sommelier sampling a Dom Pérignon. They can crouch in shrubbery for endless hours. They speak in code and use hand signals. They have lists and notebooks and write with lead pencils. They dress with military precision: khaki pants, fitted belt, cedar-brown shirt, wide-brimmed hat, waterproof boots. Their social calendars are governed by migration patterns and their conversations are peppered with whispered phrases like “Was that the trill of a reed warbler?”They are bearers of universal mysteries. Holders of ancient wisdom. They are birdwatchers. Continue reading...

Politics

41 h. ago Nudists plan to strip off as they prepare for Christmas dinner with a twist

In the hopes of boosting spirits for the festive season, naturists across the UK have been asked to attend a luxurious Christmas feast — but there's an interesting twist

Politics

43 h. ago A Place In The Sun presenters reveal the best bargain unknown towns and villages across Europe and beyond that are set to become hotspots among British expats

As A Place In The Sun celebrates its 25th anniversary this month, our fascination with people pursuing the sun-kissed Mediterranean dream shows no signs of slowing down.

Politics

43 h. ago Most beautifully scenic Wales road trip with stops that have 'something for everyone'

A couple of holidaymakers have shared what they believe is the best road trip that explores everything there is to see in Northern Wales - and people were quick to agree with them

Politics