65 m. ago The hill I will die on: Fan fiction is real literature, whatever the snobs say | Urooj Ashfaq

Yes, it’s messy, derivative and occasionally incomprehensible – but so is lifeFan fiction is democracy in its purest, most chaotic form. It’s the people seizing the means of production. Every “what if?” is a tiny revolution. What if the side character got a backstory? What if the finale didn’t end in heartbreak? What if Harry Styles and Zayn Malik kissed just once, for morale?Of course, many would argue that fan fiction isn’t real literature. It borrows worlds and characters that someone else created. It’s often unedited, published online for free and written by people with no verified experience. To the purists, it lacks originality, polish and commercial value, the hallmarks of what they believe “serious” writing should be.Urooj Ashfaq is a Mumbai-based comedian, writer and actor. Continue reading...

Events

87 m. ago Tommy Lee Jones breaks silence on daughter Victoria's death at 34 as witness lifts lid on final hours

Paramedics rushed to the upscale Fairmont San Francisco just before 3am on January 1, responding to a report of a suspected overdose with a victim who had experienced 'color change.'

Events

88 m. ago Pregnant Hailee Steinfeld shows off her growing baby bump and hints at possible name for her and Josh Allen's first child

Hailee Steinfeld offered fans a glimpse of her growing baby bump - just weeks after announcing both she and husband Josh Allen are expecting their first child together.

Politics

95 m. ago B&M fans 'obsessed' with £35 furniture set that 'looks charming' in living rooms

Shoppers loved a furniture set from the retailer when it was showcased in a viral video

Economics

1 hour ago Green shoots no laughing matter as Ben Stokes insists fifth Ashes Test is ‘big game’

England yet to settle on XI to play at SCG amid uncertainty over pitchCaptain concedes Australia bowlers ‘put us under heaps of pressure’“I don’t think a groundsman has ever been under as much pressure as the guy here this week.”Ben Stokes had a smile on his face during his final pre-match press conference of this Ashes series at the Sydney Cricket Ground, as he responded to a question about the likely nature of the pitch for the fifth Test, which starts on Sunday morning. Continue reading...

Events

3 h. ago World Darts Championship 2026: Schedule and latest results as Luke Littler faces Gian van Veen final

Ryan Searle and Gary Anderson beaten in semi-finals at Alexandra Palace

Sport

3 h. ago World Darts Championship LIVE: Gian van Veen beats Gary Anderson to set up Luke Littler final clash

New Dutch No1 holds nerve in semi-final classic after defending champion thrashes Ryan Searle

Sport

5 h. ago The Traitors fans in stitches after Amanda fires savage comeback to fellow player Hugo at the round table: 'You're not my type, I'm a lesbian'

The Traitors fans were left in stitches after Amanda fired a savage comeback at her fellow player, Hugo.

Sport

5 h. ago I'm A Celeb winner AngryGinge and Lewis Capaldi celebrate Luke Littler reach World Darts Championship final for a third year in a row

AngryGinge and Lewis Capaldi were among the celebrity faces spotted in the crowd on Friday night, as Luke Littler secured his place in the World Darts Championship final for the third year in a row. 

Sport

5 h. ago Pregnant Hailee Steinfeld shows off her growing baby bump just weeks after announcing first pregnancy with husband Josh Allen

Hailee Steinfeld offered fans a glimpse of her growing baby bump - just weeks after announcing both she and husband Josh Allen are expecting their first child together.

Culture

5 h. ago RICHARD KAY: The blueprint for Charles's annus mirabilis that could see a new home for Andrew and a big decision on Harry and Meghan

RICHARD KAY:There were times in the last tumultuous 12 months when the Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor drama threatened to obliterate all the good works of the Royal Family

Politics

6 h. ago Private jets, armed security and ‘Bari pitches’ including jet

EXCLUSIVE: The new CBS News editor-in-chief has chartered private flights for her armed security detail, made last-minute logistical changes and fired off ‘Bari Pitches.’ Weiss is once again accused of creating behind-the-scenes turmoil with her decision-making ahead of CBS Evening New’ latest reboot

Events

6 h. ago Fans mourn closure of cupcake vending machine company Sprinkles Cupcakes

A company known for its "cupcake ATMs" has shut down after decades in the U.S. Sprinkles Cupcakes' former owner Candace Nelson announced the closure Dec. 30

Politics

6 h. ago I visited the tiny Cornish fishing village from famous TV show – with treasure hunting and no crowds

WITH its tiny, twisty streets that lead to the harbour, there’s something magical about the small Cornish fishing village that is the setting for ITV’s Doc Martin.   The TV series, set in stunning Port Isaac, aired its final episode in 2022 but its legacy lives on.   Daily tours take in some of the most famous landmarks and...

Culture

7 h. ago PDC World Championship: Gian van Veen sets up final with Luke Littler

World No 1 Littler swats aside Ryan Searle 6-1 in semiVan Veen wins classic against Gary Anderson 6-3It’s barely a couple of years since a 16-year-old Luke Littler and a 21-year-old Gian van Veen came through a 96-player field at Milton Keynes to qualify for the final of the world youth championship. There’s a charming photo of the pair of them with their arms around each other, silly little smiles plastered on to their silly little faces, the cutest high-street haircuts you’ve ever seen. Two kids at the very start of an unforgettable journey.Did either of them foresee, in those sepia-tinted days of August 2023, that the journey would convey them this far, this fast? I reckon Littler did. There’s never been much room for doubt and scepticism in there. His whole world has been stepping up, throwing a dart and watching it go exactly where he wants it to. Four months later, he would go to Alexandra Palace and change the sport for ever. Continue reading...

Sport

7 h. ago Gian van Veen denies Gary Anderson in epic to set up final against Luke Littler

Van Veen wins classic against Gary Anderson 6-3World No 1 Littler swats aside Ryan Searle 6-1It’s barely a couple of years since a 16-year-old Luke Littler and a 21-year-old Gian van Veen came through a 96-player field at Milton Keynes to qualify for the final of the world youth championship. There’s a charming photo of the pair of them with their arms around each other, silly little smiles plastered on to their silly little faces, the cutest high-street haircuts you’ve ever seen. Two kids at the very start of an unforgettable journey.Did either of them foresee, in those sepia-tinted days of August 2023, that the journey would convey them this far, this fast? I reckon Littler did. There’s never been much room for doubt and scepticism in there. His whole world has been stepping up, throwing a dart and watching it go exactly where he wants it to. Four months later, he would go to Alexandra Palace and change the sport for ever. Continue reading...

Politics

7 h. ago ‘Stop whistling, you are witnessing greatness’ – World Darts fans fume at ‘idiots’ disrupting Van Veen vs Anderson epic

GIAN van Veen secured a spot in the World Darts final for the first time after an epic victory over Gary Anderson. The Dutchman overcame the veteran Scot - who enjoyed the overwhelming backing of the Ally Pally crowd - 6-3 in a match that included what many called 'the greatest set ever played'. But...

Politics

7 h. ago Luke Littler to face Gian van Veen in blockbuster World Darts Championship final

The Nuke earns Phil Taylor comparisons as he demolishes Ryan Searle to seal third consecutive showpiece appearance at Alexandra Palace

Sport

7 h. ago Littler and Van Veen set up World Championship final that could define darts’ future

A rivalry that may come to dominate darts will write a huge first chapter at Alexandra Palace on Saturday evening

Sport

8 h. ago World Darts Championship final date and start time for Luke Littler vs Gian van Veen

Luke Littler and Gian van Veen will go head-to-head in the World Darts Championship final at Alexandra Palace

Sport