41 m. ago Should King Charles allow Andrew and Fergie to join in the fun at Sandringham for Christmas? Have your say in the Palace Confidential poll

You've read the headlines and heard our experts' opinions - but what do YOU think?

Politics

48 m. ago I want my sons to know masculinity can be kind – and my daughter to live without fear | David Lammy

Violence against women is a national emergency. As a minister, but also as a father, I see Labour’s new strategy as a matter of the highest priorityDavid Lammy MP is the deputy prime minister, lord chancellor and secretary of state for justiceIn the year leading up to March 2025, one in eight women in England and Wales had been a victim of domestic abuse, sexual assault or stalking. Almost 200 rapes are recorded every day. And on average, three women are killed by men in the UK every single week. Just pause and consider that.There has been plenty of tough talk on violence against women and girls over the past decade – but too little action. We will deploy the full power of the state in the largest crackdown on violence perpetrated against women and girls in British history. This violence is a national emergency. And as a dad to a daughter, it terrifies me. But as a dad to two sons, it drives home that we can’t keep doing things the same way.David Lammy MP is the deputy prime ministe...

Politics

49 m. ago Our beauty writer gives her perfume of the year – and it’s perfect for Christmas

The best-selling fragrance brings a mix of sweet, floral, citrus and wood components

Politics

49 m. ago Everyone says same thing as owner asks what to do when it's too cold for walks

'They already have baskets full of toys which they love, but toys don't always fix the zoomies, and with the Christmas tree up they can't play super rough like they normally do.'

Politics

49 m. ago Aldi urges shoppers 'check twice' as most forgotten Christmas dinner items named

A quarter of those who cook Christmas dinner have forgotten a key item before, with many only realising on Christmas morning

Politics

49 m. ago Aldi urges UK shoppers to 'check twice' to prevent Christmas dinner disasters

Cranberry sauce has been named the most commonly forgotten Christmas dinner item in a new poll of 2,000 adults, with 23% admitting they've forgotten key ingredients before

Events

59 m. ago UK weather map shows Christmas Day set for SNOW as arctic blast hits from Greenland

A weather map shows snow is forecast on Christmas Day as a low pressure system moves in from the east - and it could be cold enough for a white Christmas in several areas

Events

59 m. ago Pharmaceutical expert says 'superfood' lower cholesterol and blood pressure

It's often eaten at Christmas and one pharmacy expert said it contains key heart health antitoxidants

Events

59 m. ago Shoppers snapping up heavily reduced 2.4kg boxes of Celebrations chocolates in time for Christmas

"Now this is what I call a box of chocolates"

Politics

78 m. ago Thursday news quiz: AI mishaps, fan fury and a tiny baby hippo

Test yourself on topical news trivia, pop culture and general knowledge every Thursday. How will you fare?Welcome to the final Thursday news quiz of the year – a small festive tradition involving the news, a handful of jokes, and the knowledge that somewhere there are 1,057 pedants limbering up to find something to nitpick. And it is a bumper 20-question edition. Thank you for quizzing throughout the year, for your comments, corrections and good-natured quibbles, and most of all for the kind messages literally hundreds of you sent the quizmaster during the Great Thursday Quiz Hiatus of 2025™, when he was off sick. It really meant a lot. Allons-y!The Thursday quiz will return in the new year and wishes you a Merry Christmas, a great festive holiday period and all the best for 2026. Sign up for First Edition to get a Thursday quiz-style quiz of the year in your inbox on Christmas Day. Continue reading...

Politics

79 m. ago Millions of UK households issued urgent DWP warm home discount ‘fraudsters’ warning

Fraudsters may take advantage of the Christmas season and try and hit vulnerable people this winter

Events

81 m. ago Coronation Street's Sydney Martin 'shocked' as she responds to Betsy Swain's Emmerdale crossover role

EXCLUSIVE: The actress joined the ITV soap as Betsy Swain last year and will be in the historic crossover episode, Corriedale

Events

1 hour ago Waterloo train station closes for Christmas but will be reopen for New Year's Eve fireworks

No trains in or out of UK’s second busiest station from December 25-28, then limited service until January 5

Events

1 hour ago Voices: I’m dreading Christmas with my family – we’re so different

The Independent’s agony aunt Victoria Richards is here to help. Email dearvix@independent.co.uk for advice on love, work, family and relationships

Society

1 hour ago Emily in Paris season 5 review: Watching this feels like allowing your brain to regress in real time

Minnie Driver joins the cast, bringing a much-needed injection of camp, self-aware energy, but she still can’t save this terrible show from itself

Politics

1 hour ago Trump’s ‘Bah! Humbug!’ address suggests he is feeling the chill of opinion polls

Primetime speech – delivered with shouty spirit but no cheer – betrayed a figure dogged by a cost of living crisis and the looming release of the Epstein filesIt will go down in history as the “Bah! Humbug!” address.Surrounded by Christmas trees and garlands before a fireplace, Donald Trump on Wednesday gave a convincing rendition of Ebenezer Scrooge, the elderly miser who despises Christmas and blames everyone but himself. Continue reading...

Politics

1 hour ago Debenhams reduces £255 air fryer to £52 that's 'perfect' for Christmas cooking

'First-class air fryer"

Society

2 h. ago Swap screens for strings with last minute kids presents that 'boost concentration'

From keyboards to ukuleles, there are lots of options to help kids ditch the screen time this Christmas

Politics

2 h. ago Trump claims checks are ‘on the way’ to military service members for Christmas ‘warrior dividend’

It’s unclear where the estimated nearly $2.6 billion to fund these dividends is coming from

Events

2 h. ago A Chocolate Orange has doubled in price – and got smaller. Why?

From Quality Street to Toblerone to the Terry’s classic, festive treats are becoming more of a luxury – and it’s not just down to the price of cocoa You’re right – it is smaller. The Terry’s Chocolate Orange on shop shelves this Christmas weighs 12g less than it did this time last year. That’s a decrease in size of 8% – not as big a cut as when the product lost 10% of its mass in 2016, but a further whittling away of a favourite Christmas treat.Prices have been going up too, although it’s been a series of increases. Figures from market researchers Assosia show that across the big four supermarkets, the full price of a cChocolate oOrange has increased from £1.24 in December 2022 to about £2.25 today – a rise of 81%. If you factor in the size reduction, you’re actually paying 96% more. Continue reading...

Politics