55 m. ago Does Trump truly care about Nigerian Christians? Of course not – he just knows faith sells | Simon Tisdall

In a bid to exercise absolute power, today’s crop of authoritarian leaders is recruiting – and exploiting – believersDonald Trump’s crusading threat to invade Nigeria and save Christians from Islamist terrorists is typical attention-seeking. Surely even he must realise that unilateral US military intervention would invite disaster. And he’s got his facts wrong. The threat of Islamist terrorism is real, but it affects Nigerian Muslims as much, if not more, than Christians. There’s no evidence of genocide, contrary to the alarmist claims of US far-right internet warriors. Trump’s intervention was about politics, not faith.In speaking out, he was massaging a key domestic constituency, not acting from genuine, God-fearing concern for “our cherished Christians” in a land he’s never visited. Christian nationalist votes helped clinch Trump’s two presidential victories despite the obvious insincerity of his professed beliefs. His support among white evangelical Protestants is much higher th...

Politics

1 hour ago ‘They treat men like vending machines’: Inside the hidden world of social media sperm selling

Parenthood can seem an impossible dream for many, and online sperm donor groups offer a solution, but they can be a murky world A man going by the name “Rod Kissme” claims to have “very strong sperm”. It may seem like an eccentric boast for a Facebook profile page, but then this is no mundane corner of the internet. The group where Rod and other men advertise themselves is a community where women and couples come, in many cases, to fulfil a lifelong dream: parenthood.There is a growing number of online sperm donor groups on social media. They offer people the chance of parenting children in an unregulated, dangerous but surprisingly straightforward way. Continue reading...

Politics

3 h. ago Snag's 'flattering' knitted dress is perfect for winter and it even has pockets

Crafted from cloud knit fabric, fans 'really love' the stylish dress from the size-inclusive clothing brand

Politics

5 h. ago Nearly 1,500 flights canceled on second day of cuts tied to government shutdown

Charlotte, North Carolina, has the most cancellations – at 120 – as industry experts say other sectors might also feel effectsUS airlines canceled 1,460 flights on Saturday, the second day of the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) order to reduce air traffic because of the government shutdown.So far, the slowdown at many of the nation’s busiest airports hasn’t caused widespread disruptions. But it has deepened the impact felt by what is now the nation’s longest federal shutdown. Continue reading...

Politics

7 h. ago TALK OF THE TOWN: Noel Gallagher's new oasis... star splashes his tour millions on a new mansion

I'm told Noel, 58, has splashed out on the mega-mansion from his multi-million pound earnings in the sell-out Oasis tour.

Politics

11 h. ago Strictly's Tess Daly stuns in a fitted halterneck dress while Claudia Winkleman dazzles in sequins on BBC show after announcing their shock exit

The presenters, who recently confirmed they would be stepping back from the show after its current series comes to an end, posed for photos backstage.

Events

12 h. ago More than 1,000 flights canceled on second day of cuts tied to government shutdown

Charlotte, North Carolina, has the most cancellations – at 120 – as industry experts say other sectors might also feel effectsUS airlines again canceled more than 1,000 flights on Saturday, the second day of the Federal Aviation Administration’s order to reduce air traffic because of the government shutdown.So far, the slowdown at many of the nation’s busiest airports hasn’t caused widespread disruptions. But it has deepened the impact felt by what is now the nation’s longest federal shutdown. Continue reading...

Politics

13 h. ago Primark issues product recalls for baby items over safety fears

Primark urged customers to stop using the product and return it immediately to their nearest store

Politics

15 h. ago Scotland v New Zealand live: All Blacks break Scottish hearts with dramatic win in Murrayfield thriller

Scotland 17-25 New Zealand: The Scots came agonisingly close to ending 120 years of hurt against the All Blacks but Damian McKenzie’s late try snatched victory for the visitors

Events

16 h. ago Selling Sunset producers set to replace Chrishell Stause with major celebrity after she quit hit series

Chrishell Stause shocked Selling Sunset fans on Friday after quitting the hit Netflix series after nine seasons.

Events

16 h. ago Scotland v New Zealand live: Hosts have All Blacks on the ropes with quickfire double in breathless Murrayfield clash

Scotland have never beaten the All Blacks in 120 years of trying — but could that change this afternoon?

Events

16 h. ago Selling Sunset producers to replace Chrishell Stause with huge star after shock departure

Selling Sunset producers are now on the hunt to replace Chrishell Stause with a big name and have even contacted Hollywood agents following Chrishell's shock exit

Events

16 h. ago Selling Sunset fans have 'one more reason to stop watching' after Chrishell's exit news

Selling Sunset fans have said they are 'done' after one star confirmed their immediate exit

Politics

16 h. ago Selling Sunset fans fume 'that's me done' after Chrishell's sudden exit news

Selling Sunset fans have called for the hit Netflix show to come to an "end"

Politics

17 h. ago Is the poppy in decline? As many WW2 veterans remember fallen comrades for possibly the last time, some sellers say fewer people are buying the historic symbol of remembrance

The number of people wearing red poppies in the run up to Armistice Day on November 11 and Remembrance Sunday has been in decline in recent years.

Politics

17 h. ago Selling Sunset's Chrishell Stause's real reason for exit as fans say they're 'done'

Selling Sunset fans had admitted they have "one more reason to stop watching"

Politics

17 h. ago Scotland v New Zealand live: Hosts fall behind to early try seeking historic first win over All Blacks

Scotland have never beaten the All Blacks in 120 years of trying — but could that change this afternoon?

Politics

18 h. ago Danny Rohl's Rangers ramblings point to worst case scenario that Hearts simply must hammer home – Hugh Keevins

Shug will be reclassifying McInnes if he somehow manages to finish begind this version of Rangers come the end of the season

Politics

19 h. ago Primark issues major recall and warning to parents over baby item safety risk

Primark has issued a product recall over two baby items, urging parents to stop their children using the items 'immediately' due to safety concerns

Events

19 h. ago Scotland vs New Zealand live: Hosts seek historic first win over All Blacks in international rugby clash

Scotland have never beaten the All Blacks in 120 years of trying — but could that change this afternoon?

Society