4 h. ago Six greats reads: a train ride to the future; searching for the ‘sky boys’ and wallaby hunting in the English countryside

Need something brilliant to read this weekend? Here are six of our favourite pieces from the last seven days Continue reading...

Politics

18 h. ago Jim Delahunt runs the rule over Celtic vs Hearts, Rangers’ trip to Kilmarnock, all the weekend fixtures plus his acca

COVENTRY are 10 points clear at the top of the English Championship and there's no reason to think Frank Lampard's players will take it easy away to Ipswich tomorrow. The Tractor Boys are 15 points behind the Sky Blues as they look to justify 13/10 favouritism and break into the top six but the visiting...

Politics

26 h. ago House of Ashur star teases 'huge consequences' thanks to unexpected cliffhanger

A Spartacus: House of Ashur star has described the new spin-off as a "train ride to Hell".

Politics

44 h. ago My son is a voracious reader, but he judges books by their covers. How can I help him see past them? | Leading questions

When you make art proof of virtue, you can make it feel like a drag, advice columnist Eleanor Gordon-Smith writes. Instead, encourage him to develop his own sensibilityRead more Leading questionsMy eight-and-a-half-year-old son is a voracious reader and budding writer. I am very happy that he enjoys reading and want to help him find the next good read. Unfortunately he’s extremely easily influenced by cover art. He will unwrap a gift book and immediately dismiss it and refuse to give it a go if he doesn’t like the cover. He doesn’t even read the blurb. When I was still reading to him, we had a pact that he had to listen to at least one page, and that’s how he was introduced to many of his favourite books despite initial reluctance. I completely understand the appeal of great illustration, but now that he reads chapter books, I wish he could get over the two least important pages. How can I help him not to judge a book by its cover?Eleanor says: I totally appreciate the virtue of get...

Events

4 d. ago ‘I can’t hear Mariah Carey for the 1,000th time!’ Professional Santas on their most loved – and hated – Christmas hits

A flock of Father Christmases share the seasonal songs that capture the magic, merriment and occasional heartbreak that comes with donning the red suit My father was a Santa and my wife got me into doing it. It’s the best thing I ever did. I do schools, universities, supermarkets, Christmas lights switch-ons As soon as Santa comes along, everybody melts. One little girl brought her guinea pig, who leapt off her hand and dived straight into my Santa beard. The parents were in stitches while we tried to get him out. My favourite Christmas songs are Eartha Kitt’s sultry version of Santa Baby, because it gets all the adults in the mood to get up and have a boogie with Santa, and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, because the lyrics are so pure. No Christmas songs drive me mad. It’s Christmas: they’re all great. Paul Fessi Continue reading...

Events

4 d. ago Christmas main course made easy: Max Rocha’s braised turkey legs with colcannon – recipes

Roast turkey breast is often dry and overcooked, so why not give everyone a leg instead and serve it with a traditional Irish potato-and-cabbage side?We often braise chicken and rabbit legs at Cafe Cecilia, because all the preparation and cooking can be done ahead of time, and it’s then just about heating them gently to serve. For Christmas, I often employ much the same process for turkey legs – it’s a lovely way to eat them. Serve with colcannon, although basmati rice, boiled new potatoes or roast carrots would also go great. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago ‘It would take 11 seconds to hit the ground’: the roughneck daredevils who built the Empire State Building

They wrestled steel beams, hung off giant hooks and tossed red hot rivets – all while ‘strolling on the thin edge of nothingness’. Now the 3,000 unsung heroes who raised the famous skyscraper are finally being celebratedPoised on a steel cable a quarter of a mile above Manhattan, a weather-beaten man in work dungarees reaches up to tighten a bolt. Below, though you hardly dare to look down, lies the Hudson River, the sprawling cityscape of New York and the US itself, rolling out on to the far horizon. If you fell from this rarefied spot, it would take about 11 seconds to hit the ground.Captured by photographer Lewis Hine, The Sky Boy, as the image became known, encapsulated the daring and vigour of the men who built the Empire State Building, then the world’s tallest structure at 102 storeys and 1,250ft (381m) high. Like astronauts, they were going to places no man had gone before, testing the limits of human endurance, giving physical form to ideals of American puissance, “a land w...

Events

6 d. ago England v China: women’s friendly football international – live

⚽ Updates from 5.30pm kick-off at Wembley⚽ Sign up for Moving the Goalposts | Email SarahThe lights show has happened, a concert by Self Esteem has been performed and the anthems are about to happen. This one is almost underway.Former England star Fran Kirby, who won the Euros in 2022, has been celebrated on pitch before this clash. She walked out at Wembley and posed with a framed 77 shirt. One of the Lionesses greats. Continue reading...

Society

7 d. ago Leaves on the line! Inside TfL's battle to keep the Piccadilly line running during autumn and winter

The Standard takes a ride on a ‘RAT’ train used to keep the overground sections of the London Underground free of leaves

Events

7 d. ago I visited the ‘Golden Mile’ of the UK’s best garden centres – it was epic with a Santa’s grotto AND a festive train ride

AS I turn the corner, I see a giant 6ft Santa, a wooden sleigh and thousands and thousands of Christmas trees - but I’m not in Lapland or the North Pole I’m in North London’s Crews Hill. The one mile strip is home to some of the UK’s best garden centres for anyone in search of...

Politics

7 d. ago Six great reads: the Beatles’ ‘eras’, lost living rooms, and the Free Birth Society

Need something brilliant to read this weekend? Here are six of our favourite pieces from the past seven days Continue reading...

Politics

7 d. ago We took a £12.50 train ride from Manchester to one of UK's best Christmas markets and found the real treats hidden away

It's always worth having a wander at these places

Economics

7 d. ago I travelled down the UK's longest village and was left with one burning question

Tucked away in the English countryside is a village of record-breaking proportions. Milo Boyd went to check out if the rumours were true and if he could make it to the other end

Events

1 week ago Get a FREE Luxury Mince Pie Tart at Dobbies Garden Centres with your Star

Get £5 off £25 in- store with our great reader offer until Friday, December 12, 2025 - PLUS get a free Luxury Mince Pie Tart!

Politics

1 week ago I booked the nicest room on the Caledonian Sleeper train to Scotland for $587. The overnight ride was luxurious but not perfect.

I booked the nicest room on the Caledonian Sleeper train to Scotland for $587. The overnight ride was luxurious but not perfect.  Business Insider

Politics

1 week ago Did Egg get a Michelin star? Did Super Hans make it to Macedonia? The TV shows that most need a comeback

From a newer, greener Top Gear to the greatest comedy of all time, here are the series Guardian readers most want back on our screensAs Line of Duty and Doctor Foster both return for new series, we asked what TV programmes you’d like to see revived next. Here are your responses. Continue reading...

Culture

1 week ago David Moyes says Manchester United upheaval is departure from club values

Everton manager says United needed rebuild in 2013Moyes goes to Old Trafford with United on good runDavid Moyes has said he believed Manchester United needed a long-term rebuild when he succeeded Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013 and the subsequent upheaval at Old Trafford represents a departure from the club’s values.Speaking before Monday’s return to Old Trafford with Everton, Moyes admitted his 11-month spell as United manager “didn’t work for different reasons” but insisted it has been consigned firmly to the past. However, despite inheriting a title-winning squad from Ferguson, Moyes said United’s wait for a 21st league title has come as no great surprise. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Inside 'move in ready' £210k home in Greater Manchester that's 'perfect for first

It boasts three bedrooms and has tasteful interior

Economics

1 week ago ‘Shellshocked’ Stokes urges England to move on from mauling in first Ashes Test

Head’s century gives Australia eight-wicket victoryStokes: ‘Let emotions in but get rid of them quickly’Ben Stokes has warned his England players not to wallow in the pain of losing to Australia inside two days. A hotly anticipated Ashes series got off to a catastrophic start in Perth and he said they must “feel it and get rid of it” if they are to have a chance of levelling the scores in Brisbane.The England captain said the tourists were “very confident in our ability to keep Australia to under 200 and win the game”, having set the home side a target of 205. Instead, they were marmalised by Travis Head, bumped up to open in place of the injured Usman Khawaja, who scored 123 off 83 balls to power his side to the verge of victory. It was a contribution the Australia captain, Steve Smith, described as “one of the great Ashes knocks”. Continue reading...

Events

1 week ago The hidden railway tunnel that is free for kids to visit – and it has a new ride

A HISTORIC railway tunnel in the UK has a new miniature train ride. The Glenfield Railway Tunnel in Leicestershire originally opened in 1832 as part of the Leicester and Swannington Railway and this year it reopened with a new experience. Visitors can head on tours of the first 365 metres of the disused railway tunnel...

Politics