75 m. ago My mother was a famous feminist writer known for her candour and wit. But she was also a fantasist who couldn’t be bothered to spend time raising me

When Fear of Flying, her autobiographical novel about women’s sexual desires, came out in 1973, Erica Jong was suddenly big news. But growing up as her only child, I had a very different experienceIn August 1978, I was born in a hospital in Stamford, Connecticut. I came out with red hair. This was proof to my mother that I was special. The fantasy of my specialness continued my entire life. I was special even though I was dyslexic. I was special even though I got kicked out of college. I was special even though I was a drug addict. I was special despite my fatness. I was special despite all the evidence to the contrary. I was special because I was a piece of her.I read an interview with my mother in which the interviewer described me as a “stout” toddler. “Stout” means “kind of fat”. I never thought of a toddler as being able to be fat, but there it was. Continue reading...

Politics

80 m. ago We love living in Britain's WHITEST neighbourhood: Two Sri Lankans are the only ethnic minorities in the area

Brotton in North Yorkshire is a village with a unique claim to fame: it is the area with the UK's 'whitest' population. Of 1108 people recorded in the all but two identified as White

Events

2 h. ago Gardener shares five summer annuals to plant now for 'immediate floral colour'

Gardening expert Tom Watson says the summer annual garden-ready plugs arrive at this time of year, and he starts to plant them into the pots, beds and borders

Politics

2 h. ago LA protesters 'smash police car windows' as Trump vows to send in National Guard

After protests broke out across a number of Los Angeles neighbourhoods over immigration enforcement, Donald Trump promised to take drastic measures to put an end to the demonstrations

Events

3 h. ago Furious neighbours of King Charles's Highgrove say they have nowhere to leave their cars due to hordes of tourists

Residents living in Tetbury, Gloucestershire, near Highgrove House, pay for one of Britain's most expensive parking permits.

Politics

4 h. ago Man who burned Koran and shouted 'f*** Islam' faces imminent terrorist plot to murder him, police warn

Hamit Coskun, 50, was woken by officers at 2am on Saturday and told his life was in danger, according to his lawyers.

Events

4 h. ago Best Samsung washing machines with AI technology for your home

These Samsung appliances combine style, smart technology and energy efficiency for the perfect blend of affordability and innovation

Technology

5 h. ago Bruno Fernandes staying means Manchester United face all kinds of trade

Signing Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo are leaps of faith, as is hoping Ruben Amorim can solve all the problemsIn publicly rejecting the overtures of the Saudi Pro League, Bruno Fernandes has made it clear he wants to continue playing football at the highest level. That he wants to challenge for trophies. That he has no interest in wasting what remains of his peak years jogging around aimlessly in the service of a vast public relations project, providing lucrative content for a cruel and heartless regime. Despite all this, he’s more than happy to remain at Manchester United for now.There were other angles to this decision. In a sense, Al-Hilal’s courtship of Fernandes represented a kind of catch-22 for United, desperate to reinforce their underperforming squad while remaining compliant with profitability and sustainability rules. Only a player who truly loved United could contemplate leaving in order to help balance the books. But in signalling his willingness to leave, Fernandes me...

Politics

7 h. ago The £30 tree that will still bloom this summer and instantly brighten any garden

Upgrade your outdoor space with an extra large magnolia tree that blooms twice a year and has been slashed in by price by 50%

Economics

7 h. ago I fear Russell Martin is slow Rangers burner and not raging inferno fans want to torch Celtic immortality – Hugh Keevins

Shug admits the ultimate bragging rights coup puts pressure of Rodgers as well as Martin as 49ers better brace for Gers AGM

Events

8 h. ago Canada won’t become the 51st US state – but could it join the EU?

Donald Trump’s extraordinary threats have angered Canadians and Europeans, and the idea of a new kind of transatlantic alliance is gaining traction Joachim Streit has never stepped foot in Canada. But that hasn’t stopped the German politician from launching a tenacious, one-man campaign that he readily describes as “aspirational”: to have the North American country join the EU.“We have to strengthen the European Union,” said Streit, who last year was elected as a member of the European parliament. “And I think Canada – as its prime minister says – is the most European country outside of Europe.” Continue reading...

Politics

11 h. ago Tomato plants grow 'best ever fruit' with homemade fertiliser 'like liquid gold'

Tomato plants need a lot of nutrients to grow healthily and produce fruit compared to other crops - and it turns out that the main ingredient to make the best fertiliser is hiding in your garden

Politics

13 h. ago US billionaire dubbed 'the most powerful man on Wall Street' denies neighbours' claims he's plundering Wiltshire's underground water to fill his nine

A US billionaire's dream of creating a grand English country estate is facing backlash from neighbours convinced he is tapping into their water supply.

Politics

15 h. ago Brits preferred place to escape zombie apocalypse revealed as DIY weapon haven

A poll found most Brits reckon the garden shed is the best place to escape being eaten by flesh eating zombies, reasoning they may go undetected, and they could equip themselves with DIY weapons

Events

21 h. ago 'Sumptuous and gorgeous' summer bedding from TV interior designer now 20% off

Bring the summer garden inside with these beautiful blooms displayed on this reduced bedding set

Culture

21 h. ago Painter gets 'sweet revenge' on customer who refused to pay for garden fence job

A tradesman has shared his fury after a customer refused to pay for a service, so he decided to take matters into his own hands and get 'revenge' on the non-paying client

Economics

22 h. ago 'My neighbour had unhinged reaction when I told her she couldn't use my garden'

A woman has been left gobsmacked after her neighbour knocked on her door and demanded to be allowed to use her garden for an unexpected reason - and now things are very awkward

Politics

23 h. ago Couple locked in bitter feud with builder neighbour claim they have spent over £200k fixing home renovation gone wrong

EXCLUSIVE: Samantha Wright, 46, and her partner Craig Smith, 54, say they were taken advantage of by their 'rogue builder' nextdoor neighbour who abandoned their extension before it was finished.

Economics

23 h. ago We have lived in our homes for years... but now our neighbours are costing us thousands

Residents of a once-proud neighbourhood say their lives are being turned upside down.

Society

25 h. ago Woman fuming as neighbour refuses 'unhinged' reason to use her garden

Getting on with the neighbours contributes towards a stress-free home life but unfortunately, rows and fall-outs do happen - especially when a neighbour makes an "unhinged" demand

Politics