9 h. ago One child is dead after Christmas holiday house fire injured five: Probe into what caused blaze continues

Six fire engines and a height vehicle were deployed to the semi-detached property, where crews worked to extinguish the fire, which had spread throughout the home.

Events

18 h. ago Fury as mountains of Christmas rubbish pile up on the streets of Birmingham after nearly 12 months of bin strikes

ENRAGED residents in Birmingham have been left "ashamed" and "depressed" by the state of their roads amid the ongoing bin strike. As rats roam the litter-strewn streets and bins overflow with rubbish in the wake of Christmas, locals have told of their deep frustration with the continued dispute. Shocking photos now show mountains of festive...

Events

27 h. ago Tommy Robinson says he found Jesus in prison. Churches disagree about how to respond

C of E faces dilemma as far right claims Christianity to push agenda that often clashes with gospel messageGary made sure he got to Whitehall early for the “unite the kingdom” (UTK) outdoor carol service in the run-up to Christmas. After about 150,000 people turned up for the last rally called by Tommy Robinson in September, the leader of the anti-migrant far-right movement, he wanted to be sure of a prime position.He needn’t have worried. About 1,500 people – perhaps 1% of September’s turnout – came to Whitehall to sing carols and hear preachers in the twilight of a mid-December day. Robinson had publicly insisted the event was a non-political celebration of Christmas; maybe that deterred some of movement’s more ardent activists. Continue reading...

Events

47 h. ago Dani Dyer shares sweet family snaps while Tom Daley flexes his muscles in a knitted green Christmas tree vest as stars continue to share festive celebrations

Dani Dyer shared a series of sweet festive family snaps on Instagram on Friday as she joined a host of stars continuing to celebrate the Christmas season.

Politics

61 h. ago Perry Bamonte, guitarist and keyboardist for the Cure, dies aged 65

Starting as a roadie and guitar tech, Bamonte joined the band in 1990 after its breakthrough album DisintegrationPerry Bamonte, longtime guitarist and keyboard player for the Cure, has died aged 65.The musician, known affectionately as Teddy, passed away after a short illness over Christmas, the band announced on their website. Continue reading...

Events

65 h. ago Cautious Middlesbrough lose ground on leaders with goalless Blackburn draw

Kim Hellberg’s determination to succeed as Middlesbrough manager runs deep. So deep that he decided it would be best if his wife and two small children spent Christmas in their native Sweden while he continued to put in 12-hour days on Teesside.Given that the Hellberg family will soon be reunited in a new home in North Yorkshire and Blackburn’s visit represented the first of four games in nine days it seemed a sensible sacrifice – even if such pragmatism failed to pay the desired Boxing Day dividends. Continue reading...

Politics

68 h. ago US warns of more Nigeria strikes as Abuja talks of ‘joint ongoing operations’

Pete Hegseth says ‘more to come’ as Nigerian minister confirms his country provided intelligence for first waveUS politics live: latest news updatesThe US defence secretary, Pete Hegseth, has warned of new strikes against Islamic State targets in north-western Nigeria, hours after the US military took action against militant camps in what Donald Trump has characterised as efforts to stop the killing of Christians.Hegseth wrote on X: “The president was clear last month: the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria (and elsewhere) must end. The [Pentagon] is always ready, so ISIS found out tonight – on Christmas. More to come Continue reading...

Events

68 h. ago Nigeria provided US with intelligence for strikes on Islamist militants, says foreign minister – US politics live

Yusuf Tuggar says strikes against group accused by Donald Trump of attacking Christian communities will be an ‘ongoing process’Explained: Why has Trump ordered strikes in Nigeria?Here are some images of the aftermath of US strikes in Nigeria that have come via the news wires today:Nigerians across Sokoto state told of their shock at Christmas Day strikes by the United States. Continue reading...

Politics

69 h. ago AI boom adds more than half a trillion dollars to wealth of US tech barons in 2025

Elon Musk’s net worth increased by nearly 50% to $645bn with founders of Google and Amazon also seeing huge wealth gainsA stock market boom in artificial intelligence companies has added more than half a trillion dollars to the wealth of America’s tech barons in the past year, data shows.The top 10 US founders and bosses of some of the world’s largest technology companies saw their finances swell to nearly $2.5tn, up from $1.9tn, in the year to Christmas Eve, according to figures from Bloomberg. Continue reading...

Science

3 d. ago Millions are forced onto roads with nearly 20million car journeys made today as Christmas rail shutdown continues on Boxing Day

Drivers are being warned to expect a surge in post-Christmas Day traffic as thousands of people will be hitting up the Boxing Day sales or visiting loved ones.

Events

3 d. ago Trump launches Christmas Day strike on ISIS in Nigeria over ‘slaughter of Christians’ and warns of more to come

DONALD Trump said the US forces launched "powerful and deadly" strikes against ISIS in Nigeria over the persecution of Christians. The commander in chief said that the Department of War executed "numerous perfect strikes" on Christmas Day - and vowed more attacks if the jihadists "continued killing Christians in the country. Trump wrote on Truth...

Events

3 d. ago Boxing Day Test 2025: Australia v England fourth Ashes Test, day one – live updates

Over-by-over updates from the MCG, hosts lead series 3-0 The Ashes top 100 | Follow us on Bluesky | And email Tim“And merry Christmas to you!” says Gareth Wilson. “If I can gently disagree with Andrew Benton, what is most galling, and slightly puts your lovely stat on runs difference to bed, is that Australia have not been amazing. They haven’t needed to be. Sure – one Travis Head innings, one Alex Carey Test, and some good Starc, but none of those by themselves should have been enough to go 3-squat up. ”England have faced a historically poor Aussie team and STILL blown it. It’s depressing, but hey, 0-0 right?“Love your work.” Thanks! The Christmas spirit is flowing. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Two men feared missing in sea off Devon beach on Christmas Day

Emergency services launched major search at Budleigh Salterton after reports of people in difficulty in the waterTwo men are believed to be missing in the water off a beach in Devon, after a number of people were reported to be in difficulty.Emergency services were called to Budleigh Salterton at 10.25am on Christmas Day following concerns for people in the water. Continue reading...

Events

3 d. ago Call the Midwife Christmas Special 2025: this quietly radical show continues to surprise

A tragedy in Hong Kong overshadows a festive episode of sidequests and subplots

Politics

3 d. ago Bondi Beach Christmas tradition continues in defiance of twisted hate attack

Christmas was in full swing in Bondi Beach as Aussies returned to one of Sydney's most famous attractions just days after terrorists tried to tear apart the well-knit community

Events

4 d. ago Cillian Murphy meets Barry Keoghan in first look at Peaky Blinders film

Two stars of Irish acting unite in eagerly anticipated film about Birmingham gangster Tommy ShelbyTwo stars of Irish acting are united as Cillian Murphy meets Barry Keoghan in the first look at the eagerly anticipated Peaky Blinders film.Murphy questions his identity as “famous gypsy gangster” Tommy Shelby in the 70-second teaser released by Netflix on Christmas Eve. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago Health bosses issue flu 'bounce back' warning as cases fall in England

The UKHSA has urged the public to take 'simple steps' this Christmas as flu continues to circulate

Events

5 d. ago World Darts Championship 2026: Schedule and latest results today after Peter Wright upset

Upsets continue before Christmas break as Peter ‘Snakebite’ Wright and Danny Noppert both fall

Politics

6 d. ago Operations could be cancelled unless progress on resident doctor pay talks

Operations face being cancelled if the first ever resident doctors strike in Scotland, planned for the second week of January, goes ahead.

Politics

6 d. ago Santa’s making a list but who’s checking it twice? | Fiona Katauskas

Not everyone understands the spirit of ChristmasSee more of Fiona Katauskas’s cartoons here Continue reading...

Politics