17 h. ago Our daughter is being controlled by a school friend. What can we do?

This is a horrible situation. It would be difficult even for an adult, so your daughter definitely needs actionOur 11-year-old daughter is in a “friendship” with a classmate, which we have come to realise is unhealthy and controlling. She was very shy and self-conscious through the early years of school and struggled to make friends, so we were initially delighted that she had found a close friend. However, we’ve become aware that there is a consistent pattern of control from this girl: demands about when and where they meet, or what our daughter can and can’t wear. If our daughter goes against her, she risks being shunned and ignored or spoken to aggressively.This girl does not let our daughter interact with others without her. There is a barrage of demanding messages and calls at home about arrangements, and we see our daughter being vigilant and tense, having to respond immediately. Sometimes there is unkindness, for example saying our daughter’s clothes are babyish. Around the c...

Politics

5 d. ago A Short History of Stupidity by Stuart Jeffries review – comfortably dumb?

From Shakespeare’s fools to Donald Trump, this exhilarating read considers stupidity in its many formsStupidity, no question, can be just as rich and subtle as its opposite. Three and a half decades on, I still sometimes meditate on what a school friend of mine said in a here’s-a-profound-thought tone of voice: “I’d rather be stupid than happy”.In this clever book, Stuart Jeffries starts out at a double disadvantage, though. First: he has an excellently snappy title but it’s open to question whether stupidity can be said to have a history in any meaningful sense. The quality of stupidity is just, sort of, there; and there’s lots of it. Could you write a history of happiness, or bad luck, or knees? You’d be on firmer ground, as he recognises, historicising the concept of stupidity: a short history, in other words, of “stupidity” – how successive societies and thinkers have defined and responded to reason’s derr-brained secret sharer. As an intellectual historian w...

Politics

9 d. ago Caitlyn Jenner sobs over Minnesota school shooting victims weeks after friend Sophia Hutchins died

Caitlyn Jenner couldn't contain her emotions on Thursday as she compared her grief over Sophia Hutchins' death to what parents of victims of a Minnesota school shooting were feeling.

Events

9 d. ago Cheating headteacher battered own deputy with wrench in 'sexual jealous rage'

Anthony Felton, 54, was the headteacher at a Catholic school when he attacked his colleague and friend with a wrench after becoming convinced he was in a relationship with his mistress

Society

9 d. ago Incredible story of hero boy who dived in front of his friend as bullets flew during school massacre: More victims are identified

Endre Gunter, 13, and Sophia Forchas, 12, are fighting for their lives in hospital after the shooter opened fire at the Annunciation Catholic School and Church.

Events

1 week ago Deliveroo driver floored by old school friend's reaction after food drop off

The man has struggled to find work related to his degree so took a job with Deliveroo to help make ends meet and support himself while looking for other income, but a former classmate had a strong reaction

Society

2 w. ago Loose Women star Kaye Adams' age lie was exposed in 'fight' with daughter's pal

Loose Women star Kaye Adams has spoken about the moment her age lie was exposed by her daughter Charly's best friend during an "argument" at school

Politics

2 w. ago A moment that changed me: I slipped in the shower, realised I was exhausted – and transformed my life

I was working non-stop as a standup comedian, and thought I loved the hustle. But when I found myself sobbing into the carpet after a back spasm, I had to reassess everythingFor as long as I can remember, I have been ambitious and desperate to prove myself. It started with a competitive spirit at school sports days, then a determination to land parts in local theatre productions, then a place at drama school. I was between acting jobs when a friend suggested I try standup. One gig and I was hooked.I quickly decided comedy was my future and I would do whatever it took to make it work. The rest of my life went out of the window. I gigged constantly – often six nights a week – determined to hone my craft and establish myself as a comedian. I was always knackered, but I revelled in it, telling myself I loved the hustle. I trod the boards at comedy clubs, art centres, theatres anywhere that would have me. I performed for six years at the Edinburgh festival fringe – the first two to very ...

Politics

2 w. ago Boy, 13, died after becoming trapped by tree or trolley in Welsh river

Kane Geraint Edwards got into difficulty after entering the River Tawe in Swansea for a swim with his friend after school. Despite a frantic search and rescue attempt, his body was later pulled from the water

Events

2 w. ago Priscilla Presley, 80, seen after slamming lawsuit claiming she 'pulled the plug' on Lisa Marie's life support

Priscilla Presley was seen for the first time since a bombshell lawsuit claimed she 'pulled the plug' on daughter Lisa Marie's life support to regain control of the Presley estate.

Politics

3 w. ago Priscilla Presley hits back at lawsuit claiming she 'pulled the plug' on daughter Lisa Marie's life support

Priscilla Presley has hit back at a bombshell $50million lawsuit claiming she 'pulled the plug' on daughter Lisa Marie's life support to regain control of the Presley estate.

Events

3 w. ago Dawn Dusk review – handbag designer deals with grief over murdered sister and dead friend

Not long out of high school, Chelli is finding her way through awful grief for her best friend, and for her sister, but this documentary loses sight of its subjectChicago-based Chelli Look, the subject at the centre of this diffuse documentary, seems like a nice person, with a talent for designing and making minimalist leather handbags. Not long out of high school, the best friend with whom she planned to start a business died in a car accident. Then her elder sister, Megan Henneberg, was murdered in 2007 by her husband Brian, leaving Chelli, her parents, siblings and extended family to deal with the harrowing loss.And yet, no matter how much sympathy you might feel for Chelli and her family’s trauma, or interest you might have in her bagmaking skills, or engagement with her as a person, somehow those core components don’t coalesce to make this feature-length documentary feel vital or even especially necessary. A self-described introvert, Chelli herself is a pretty opaque figure alt...

Events