68 m. ago 'Absolutely darling' Netflix film fans say is their 'best rom

This swoon-worthy new romantic-comedy is currently the most-watched film on the streaming platform

Politics

80 m. ago Zelenskyy says 3,500 drones launched at Ukraine this month as he calls for Trump to take ‘clear position’ on Russia — Europe live

Sanctions and security guarantees for Ukraine are among the ‘missing pieces’ the Ukrainian president asks for in overnight interview ahead of US president’s state visit to UK As I mentioned earlier, the EU’s von der Leyen is speaking now in Brussels on “one year after the Draghi report.”Painting a rather rosy picture, she argues that Europe “is not only a challenger, but a leader in many fields that will define that race” on innovation, including computing power and AI adoption.“Now is the time to implement the joint protection of our European skies with a multi-layered air defense system. All the technologies for this are already in place. What is needed are investments and determination – strong action.” Continue reading...

Politics

2 h. ago The 13 most controversial album covers of all time, from The Beatles to Nirvana: ‘We’re all naked really’

From flagrant nudity to cartoon bestiality, there are all sorts of reasons cover art can spark controversy. Kevin E G Perry picks some of the most memorable examples

Politics

2 h. ago Beauty chain closing 14 stores today after collapsing into administration

The firm appointed administrators from Interpath earlier this month and, at the time, said it was shutting 32 stores, with the loss of around 450 jobs

Politics

2 h. ago Unai Simón: ‘Winning a cup with Athletic fulfils me more than 10 titles anywhere else’

Athletic Club’s goalkeeper on hosting Arsenal in the Champions League and the magic of San Mamés“Sometimes you need some luck; that was mine,” Unai Simón says. “What I thought might happen in five, six, seven years happened in 19 days.”It was August 2018, Simón was 21 and although he had been training at Athletic Club for a decade, and with the first team for three years, the son of police officers from Vitoria didn’t think there was a chance of playing in Bilbao any time soon, if at all. It was all he wanted but he didn’t even live there any more, moving 800km in search of an opportunity with second division Elche. Which is when weird things started to happen. Continue reading...

Politics

2 h. ago I used to have wonderful vaginal orgasms. Why did they stop – and how can I get them back?

My husband and I still have sex – but something’s missing. Is stress the culprit?I’m a woman in my 50s and have been with my husband for decades. We have always had a wonderful sex life and I used to be able to climax vaginally very easily, often without clitoral stimulation. During an eventful time for the family a couple of years ago, my libido and ability to climax disappeared, though they did eventually return. A few months ago, I had a health crisis, which has slightly impaired my coordination on one side. Although I have recovered very well, I am again experiencing a loss of libido and sexual sensation.We continue to have sex regularly and I enjoy the intimacy. I can climax with clitoral stimulation but it takes a long time and can be almost physically painful. I really miss vaginal orgasms and the release they brought. Although I am of perimenopausal age, I have no obvious symptoms and a hormone test came back normal.Pamela Stephenson Connolly is a US-based psychotherapist wh...

Politics

2 h. ago Controversial 'See it, say it, sorted' transport public safety campaign to be updated... with even MORE announcements

The 'See it. Say it. Sorted.' slogan is being refreshed for the first time since it was introduced nearly a decade ago - with passengers set to hear updated announcements and see new posters.

Politics

2 h. ago Liverpool news: Arne Slot makes 'serious moves' for Man Utd transfer target as price set

Liverpool are said to be making "serious moves" to try and secure another massive signing in the January transfer window, this time from under the noses of rivals Manchester United

Events

3 h. ago The Great British Sewing Bee final: what time is series 11 final and who is it? Full line

The Great British Sewing Bee will crown its latest winner in just a few hours 🧵👀

Politics

3 h. ago Why three English players reflect growing crises at Spain’s biggest clubs

For the first time, all three of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid feature an English player at the same time, reflecting an interesting dynamic as the Champions League returns this week

Sport

3 h. ago Charlie Kirk's widow shares doting clip of him recalling their love story

Charlie Kirk's widow, Erika, shared a heartwarming clip of the conservative activist telling their toddler about the first time he met the former pageant queen.

Politics

3 h. ago Tape review – reverential Hong Kong remake of Richard Linklater drama of toxic masculinity

Linklater’s ahead-of-the-curve adaptation of a 1999 play about an alleged rape is reconfigured to try and reflect current concernsRichard Linklater’s 2001 movie Tape, and Stephen Belber’s 1999 play that preceded it, were ahead of the curve in their targeting of male sexual violence, blurred lines of consent, performative apologies and self-victimising aggressors. Now comes a remake from Hong Kong for the post-#MeToo era. It makes a few updates, such as situating the film in an Airbnb apartment (instead of a motel room), where two old high-school friends convene. But, somewhat too reverential towards the original, this new version from director Bizhan Tong doesn’t do enough either conceptually or aesthetically to dig down into today’s shifted gender battle lines.In Tong’s scenario, flippant lifeguard and small-time drug-dealer Wing (Adam Pak) invites his straight-laced school buddy Chong (Kenny Kwan) over to shoot the breeze at his apartment. Initially they smoke spliffs and banter t...

Events

3 h. ago Albert Square to be used for Christmas markets for the first time in 6 years with another SEVEN locations for festivities revealed

Fairground rides will be a feature on the square as it re-opens after years of town hall refurbishment

Politics

3 h. ago Lovely Jubbly! The time Ricky Hatton turned himself into Delboy Trotter

The Hitman was a life-long fan of Only Fools and Horses

Politics

4 h. ago I went home, to one of Labour’s safest seats, and it felt like a newly minted Reform constituency | Kirsty Major

Knowsley is a Labour stronghold. But judging by the polls and the people I spoke to, the messages of the right are truly cutting throughAt the weekend, I took the well-worn journey from London to Knowsley in Merseyside. I’ve made this trip so many times that I can execute it with military precision, arriving just in time before the train doors close, even with a toddler in tow this time around. My uncle picked us up from the station and as we turned on to the motorway, I saw St George’s flags hanging over us from the sides of bridges. Union jacks circled the roundabout just before we turned off to go to my auntie’s house. Knowsley is Labour’s fourth-safest seat in the UK, but it felt like a newly minted Reform constituency.It was a Friday evening, so we opened a bottle of wine and put pizzas in the oven. I was updated on various family milestones – a house sale had gone through, a baby bump was starting to show, the poor dog was on its last legs. My daughter entertained everyone wit...

Politics

4 h. ago Hidden European castles just hours from London perfect for a magical getaway

Avis has ranked the best hidden European castles for a magical and secluded holiday. The list includes a Gothic fortress in Romania and two marvels of the Scottish Highlands

Politics

5 h. ago Roman's £40 coatigan not only looks smart but 'keeps me warm at the same time'

"Absolutely beautiful coatigan. I wanted something smart but something that could keep me warm at the same time"

Economics

5 h. ago ‘I love you too!’ My family’s creepy, unsettling week with an AI toy

The cuddly chatbot Grem is designed to ‘learn’ your child’s personality, while every conversation they have is recorded, then transcribed by a third party. It wasn’t long before I wanted this experiment to be over ...‘I’m going to throw that thing into a river!” my wife says as she comes down the stairs looking frazzled after putting our four-year-old daughter to bed.To be clear, “that thing” is not our daughter, Emma*. It’s Grem, an AI-powered stuffed alien toy that the musician Claire Boucher, better known as Grimes, helped develop with toy company Curio. Designed for kids aged three and over and built with OpenAI’s technology, the toy is supposed to “learn” your child’s personality and have fun, educational conversations with them. It’s advertised as a healthier alternative to screen time and is part of a growing market of AI-powered toys. Continue reading...

Politics

5 h. ago Meta struggles to decouple from Chinese supplier of AI smart glasses

Goertek tightens grip on US tech giant’s supply chain, even as Zuckerberg aligns with Trump’s anti-China stance

Politics

5 h. ago What time tickets go on presale today for Ariana Grande's 2026 Eternal Sunshine Tour

Popstar Ariana Grande is heading to London next year to perform for five nights at the London O2

Politics