1 hour ago On embracing the ‘urgency of now’ and unconditional love on MLK Day

People across the US are moving on from the empty platitudes MLK Day often evokes – and embodying King’s wordsThis year, the Dr Martin Luther King Jr holiday forces Americans to grapple with the crisis and protests that have spread across the country, particularly in Minneapolis. Each year on this holiday, we reflect on King’s life and legacy. We wonder about what he might make of this moment. Though civil rights protesters in the 1950s and 60s were repeatedly met with extreme state violence, Americans are now facing a president who is troublingly more powerful than past figures such as the notorious segregationist and Alabama governor George Wallace.Militarized and masked federal police forces, abetted by a corrupted justice department, are expansive and employ far more deadly weapons against protesters today. Civil rights leaders often sought federal intervention to combat localized racial violence in the south. But now, local and state officials, along with ordinary citizens who ...

Politics

2 h. ago MLK Day 2026: What’s open and what’s closed for the federal holiday

Most schools, banks and stores are closed in observance of the federal holiday

Politics

2 h. ago Ukraine plots revenge as Russia plans to mobilise more than 400,000 new troops

As Kremlin war chiefs scramble to mobilise close to half a million troops in 2026 Ukraine's commanders declare they will take the fight to Russia as they defend against ferocious attacks

Politics

25 h. ago Masters snooker final prize money – How much does the winner get?

The 2026 Masters draws to a close on Sunday, with players vying for a huge six-figure grand prize in what is fast becoming one of snooker's most favoured events

Politics

54 h. ago The restaurants, pubs, and bars in Greater Manchester that have closed in the first two weeks of 2026

It's not a great start for hospitality

Politics

3 d. ago The pub that changed me: ‘It was close. It served Guinness. And it had (just about) functioning toilets’

Every week my DisOrient FC team and I would show up at the Park Tavern, our second home, drown our sorrows after a five-a-side match and forge ongoing friendshipsWhatever else you might say about the Park Tavern, you can unequivocally say this: it is, without question, the closest pub to the five-a-side pitches where my team DisOrient FC used to play every Tuesday night from 2011 to 2016. Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. ago Six hospitality firms a day could close without rates help, warns trade group

UK Hospitality estimates that 2,076 firms could close in 2026 as a result of rising property taxes.

Events

7 d. ago Major high street chain to close eight Scottish branches in 2026

Find below of the upcoming closures will affect you area?

Politics

9 d. ago Macy's to close 14 stores in 2026 as retail giant continues major overhaul

US department store giant Macy's will close 14 underperforming stores in 2026, mostly in the first quarter, as the company continues its sweeping transformation plan.

Politics

9 d. ago When is every England match at the FIFA World Cup 2026? Dates and kick

As the countdown to the World Cup 2026 continues, we take a closer look at when England's matches will be played - and what their potential route to the final could look like

Politics

9 d. ago FIFA World Cup 2026 tickets: How to buy and full price list for every match

The World Cup 2026 is edging ever closer, with fans anxious to secure tickets for their country's matches across the USA, Canada and Mexico

Economics

1 week ago Scots face huge council tax increases in 2026 as local authorities 'close to bankruptcy'

The majority of Scotland's 32 local authorities have warned they are at risk of insolvency.

Economics

1 week ago Carrick running Solskjær close in race to become Manchester United’s interim manager

Solskjær remains the slight favourite for roleDarren Fletcher will oversee Sunday’s FA Cup tieMichael Carrick has edged closer to Ole Gunnar Solskjær in the bid to become Manchester United interim manager, though the Norwegian is still the slight favourite, the Guardian understands.Omar Berrada, the chief ­executive, and Jason Wilcox, the ­director of ­football, will not make an ­appointment until interviewing both men face-to-face. With the ­current interim, Darren Fletcher, leading United to a 2-2 draw at Burnley on Wednesday, the interviews are expected to take place on Thursday and possibly ­Friday, if required. Continue reading...

Sport

1 week ago Prepare for takeoff: which football teams play closest to airports? | The Knowledge

Plus: goals (not) on film and was Liverpool’s substitution chain at Spurs the longest in football?Mail us with your questions and answers“After St Mirren beat Celtic in the Scottish League Cup, I wondered where it actually is,” writes Dan J. “The answer is (as everyone bar me knew) Paisley, right next to Glasgow airport. Which got me wondering, which team is closest to an airport? I reckon Glentoran, next to Belfast City, and Eastleigh, virtually in Southampton airport, are in with a shout. And Charlton if you are happy to swim part of the way. Any closer ones?”We had so many answers to this question, so thank you to one and all. Let’s start with a ground that is but a thunderclap away from the nearest airport. “The Icelandic football club Valur is near Rekjavík airport, which is mostly a domestic airport, but also has some international flights,” writes Kári Tulinius. “The distance from the fence around the airport to Valur’s fence is about 150 metres. From training pitch to the ne...

Politics

1 week ago Top FTSE bosses to have made more by midday TODAY than the average worker will earn in whole of 2026

By midday Tuesday - dubbed 'Fat Cat Tuesday' - the average FTSE 100 chief executive will have been paid close to £40,000 for 2026 so far.

Economics

1 week ago The long and unrelenting battle to establish Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Martin Luther King Jr. Day's reach has only grown in its 42 years

Events

2 w. ago Schools Closed Today: Here is the full list of schools closed in Scotland today, January 5

With several Scottish councils closing all schools and nurseries due to snow, here is the full list of school closures today.

Politics

2 w. ago Starmer says closer ties with EU single market preferable to a customs union

Prime minister gives clearest sign yet that government is seeking to further deepen Britain’s links with BrusselsCloser ties with the EU single market are preferable to a customs union, Keir Starmer has said, in his clearest sign yet that the government is seeking to further deepen links with Brussels.The prime minister said the UK should consider “even closer alignment” with the single market. “If it’s in our national interest then we should consider that, we should go that far,” he told the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago When does the 2026 January transfer window open? Deadline day and time it closes

Everything you need to know about the January 2026 transfer window, including opening dates, Deadline Day and key registration rules for clubs

Events

2 w. ago January transfer window 2026: When does it open, time it closes and deadline day details

The January transfer window is upon us with many clubs across the country and overseas already making moves for some new signings

Events