73 m. ago From bank robber to scholar: the Knoxville dropout fighting to change how we see addiction

Kirsten Smith was 19 when she first tried heroin; within a few years she was in prison. She says she willingly made bad choices and wants society to stop treating addiction as a diseaseKirsten Smith was 16 when a boy from school injected her with morphine, 18 when she and a date Googled how to crush up and inject themselves with oxycodone, and 19 when she first shot up heroin. Living in Knoxville, Tennessee and modelling herself on Pulp Fiction’s freewheeling Mia Wallace, Smith spent her days experimenting with alcohol, cannabis, ecstasy, mushrooms, LSD and benzodiazepines. She read Kurt Vonnegut and the Beats, and wrote poems on an actual typewriter while listening to the Velvet Underground. For Smith, as for thousands of Americans who came of age in the early 2000s, drug use was a seemingly harmless lifestyle choice.That is, until she ran out of money. After Smith dropped out of high school and started regularly using heroin, she was caught stealing credit cards and chequebooks fr...

Events

1 hour ago Scottish town with scenic walks and 'brilliant Sunday roast' perfect for autumn day out

The ideal place to head to celebrate the start of the new season.

Politics

4 h. ago Eric Adams not dropping out of NYC mayoral race after reports Trump officials may offer him place in administration

There has been speculation Trump may intervene in the mayor’s race to thwart Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani

Politics

4 h. ago I have lost 21kg on Mounjaro, dropping from a size 18 to a size 10 in just six months... but now I fear coming off it will trigger the debilitating condition that's haunted my life

Scrolling through her online application for weight-loss jabs, Lauren Malone came to the section she had dreaded: Have you ever been diagnosed with an eating disorder?

Politics

6 h. ago NYC Mayor Eric Adams insists he isn't ending his reelection campaign

New York City Mayor Eric Adams is insisting that he isn’t dropping his reelection campaign after reports he had been approached about potentially taking a job with the federal government

Politics

7 h. ago American Eagle sees sales drop after controversial Sydney Sweeney ad sparks MAGA love

Sales for the clothing company slightly dipped in the second quarter, despite President Donald Trump saying the jeans were ‘flying off the shelves’

Politics

8 h. ago Wednesday fans all say the same thing about Tyler after major part 2 twist

Wednesday fans can’t stop talking about Tyler’s future after watching the second half of season 2.

Politics

8 h. ago Odds on Eric Adams dropping out of NYC mayoral race spike as Trump advisers reportedly mull offering him place in administration

There has been speculation Trump may intervene in the mayor’s race to thwart Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani

Politics

8 h. ago Robert Irwin reveals plans to honor late dad Steve on Dancing With The Stars

Robert is starring on the 34th season of the competition show, which begins September 16

Politics

8 h. ago Amy Dowden reveals advice she gave to ITV star after Strictly return

Amy Dowden has revealed the advice she has given to an ITV star ahead of the return of Strictly Come Dancing this month.

Politics

8 h. ago Warning West Lothian drug deaths drop could be reversed by synthetic opioids

The head of West Lothian’s Health and Social Care Partnership Alison White said “one death is too many" after 2024 figures revealed drug deaths had fallen across Scotland.

Events

9 h. ago Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale review – this silly, enjoyable nonsense should go on for ever

News of Lady Mary’s divorce is presented with impeccable seriousness in a watchable outing that shouldn’t be the lastGrand finale? Oh please. Let’s get real; there is no reason why this particular brand of gibbering, wittering, blithering and surreally enjoyable nonsense shouldn’t go on for ever, like Frank Sinatra’s farewell tour or shortbread manufacture in the Scottish Highlands. Both of the previous Downton films had a sentimental last-hurrah message that didn’t preclude another one dropping off the production line. We could make the next film Downton Abbey: The Royal Finale and the one after that Downton Abbey: The Imperial Finale.The last but one film finished on a funereal drone shot of Downton Abbey at sunset and the one after that was subtitled “A New Era” – but this one, it seems, has taken us back to the very end of the old era, inviting us to swoon loyally at the passing of something special and yet also at the same time doff our caps at the bluebloods’ insouciant gift f...

Politics

9 h. ago Number of drivers charged with speeding has fallen by more than 40,000 in a decade despite rising numbers of road deaths

There has been a 77 per cent drop in speeding offences, from 54,419 to 12,339, down more than 42,000 since 2015, including an 18 per cent fall between 2023-24 and 2024-25.

Events

10 h. ago Why Federico Chiesa was left out of Liverpool’s Champions League squad

The 27-year-old Italy international missed the cut despite featuring in every league game this season

Sport

10 h. ago Strictly's Punam Krishan drops cheeky confession ahead of latest season

Dr Punam Krishan who appeared in last year's season of Strictly Come Dancing made a cheeky confession about the hit BBC dance competition.

Politics

10 h. ago Federico Chiesa forced out of Liverpool's Champions League squad as Rio Ngumoha makes cut

Liverpool have confirmed their 22-man squad for the opening stage of the Champions League with Federico Chiesa the main absentee as the Reds look to go further than last season's last-16 exit

Sport

10 h. ago What is Morning Song in Wednesday? Origin of creepy cult finally explained

Wednesday fans finally learned the backstory of the ominous Morning Song cult in the second chapter of season 2.

Politics

11 h. ago Review: Baseus S1 Lite 2K solar security camera drops to under £50

A crisp 2K wireless security camera with solar charging and no subscription, the Baseus S1 Lite is now a bargain on Amazon - here’s what we think of it

Economics

11 h. ago Cadillac add IndyCar star to F1 ranks for debut season in 2026

While Cadillac have already announced their two drivers for next year, a testing role has also now been filled

Politics

12 h. ago Jamie Laing hates wife Sophie Habboo being pregnant due to her very strict house rule

Made In Chelsea star Jamie Laing has revealed his wife Sophie Habboo has laid down some strict rules as they prepare to welcome their first child as he admits he 'hates it'

Politics