11 h. ago ‘People like happy endings. Sorry!’ Squid Game’s brutal finale hits new heights of barbarity

As the shockingly violent anticapitalist hit returns, its star and creator talk about spinoffs, the dangers of desensitisation, David Fincher’s mooted remake – and why they couldn’t say no to tie-ins with McDonald’s and UberWhen season two of Squid Game dropped, fans were split in their response to Netflix’s hit Korean drama. While some viewers loved the dialled-up-to-11 intensity of everything – more characters, more drama, more staggering brutality – others found the tone relentlessly bleak. And this was a show whose original concept – a cabal of rich benefactors recruit poor people to compete in bloodsports for cash – was already plenty dark. Anyone hoping the show’s third and final season, arriving this week, will provide a reprieve should probably just rewatch Emily in Paris instead.“The tone is going to be more dark and bleak,” says series creator Hwang Dong-hyuk, through an interpreter. “The world, as I observe it, has less hope. I wanted to explore questions like, ‘What is t...

Sport

13 h. ago The Bear is returning this week – here’s what you need to know about season 4

Television’s most intense chef returns

Politics

59 h. ago Man Utd transfer news: Marcus Rashford blow as striker 'prepares' for nightmare scenario

Marcus Rashford is preparing himself for a return to Manchester United next month, with the Red Devils due back for pre-season training in the first week of July

Events

68 h. ago Squid Game: the show’s worst characters are back and they’re as unbelievably wooden as ever

The South Korean smash hit drama that gripped global audiences returns for a final instalment. It’s brutal, cruel and, sadly, brings back the animal-mask wearing VIPs whose season one appearance caused global mockeryLook alive – Squid Game returns this week! There’s still no sign of any squid, which is the kind of false advertising that ruined The Pink Panther. But that’s good, because squid are terrifying. Once, showing off on holiday, I offered to cook for a group of friends. I didn’t speak the language where we were, and ended up leaving the fishmonger with a big bag of tentacles. As I attempted to remove the head, guts, beak and skin of the creatures, their internal sacs burst, coating me in viscous black ink. I suffered an allergic reaction, don’t eat squid any more, and don’t see those friends.Squid Game the TV show (Netflix, Friday 26 June) has proved even more traumatising. Set on a hidden island, the competition pits hundreds of desperate, indebted people aga...

Politics

3 d. ago Man City defender teases next move after transfer talks this week

Manchester City defender Juma Bah has been at the Etihad this week as he looks ahead to the coming season and where he will play.

Politics

7 d. ago The Bear is returning this month – here’s what you need to know about season 4

Television’s most intense chef returns

Politics

9 d. ago Love Island star Georgia Steel flaunts her toned abs as she enjoys loved

The former Love Island star, 27, jetted off with her boyfriend of almost a year Ipswich Town player Harry Clarke, 24, last week after the end of the football season.

Politics

2 w. ago Emmerdale spoilers: Robert Sugden return twist, Bear goes missing and cancer news

Emmerdale spoilers for next week have confirmed new twists ahead on the ITV soap, as Robert Sugden is back again leading to drama with John, while there's also a disappearance

Events

2 w. ago When does the Fortnite live even start? Countdown and when Death Star Sabotage goes live for you

The Fortnite Galactic Battle mini season is almost over, with the five-week long narrative coming to a climactic finale in today's Death Star Sabotage live event

Events

2 w. ago Meet Love Island Scot Alima Gagigo who is hoping for romance in the Majorcan villa this summer

Love Island is back for its 12th season next week and one Scottish singleton is hoping to find love in the sun this summer

Politics

2 w. ago Celebrity Bear Hunt has been AXED as the show will not return for a second season

Celebrity Bear Hunt will not be renewed for a second series.

Politics

3 w. ago Fema chief tells staff he did not know US has hurricane season

Staff reportedly baffled after remark from David Richardson – but spokesperson says comment was a jokeStaff of the Federal Emergency Management Agency were left baffled on Monday after the head of the US disaster agency said during a briefing that he had not been aware the country has a hurricane season, according to four sources familiar with the situation.The US hurricane season officially began on Sunday and lasts through November. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecast last week that this year’s season is expected to bring as many as 10 hurricanes. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 3 end date and when the new season starts this week

Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 3 is the biggest Star Wars-themed event in Fortnite history, with the Galactic Battle themed season bringing a new storyline and POIs to the Island

Politics

3 w. ago Alan Shearer warns Manchester United transfer targets will rethink Old Trafford switch

The Premier League season finished last week and Man Utd finished 15th in the table following a joyless campaign.

Events

3 w. ago Man City get frustrating John Stones injury update from England

Manchester City defender John Stones will link up with England this week after missing most of the season with injury

Events

3 w. ago Man City make decision on Rodri's future after being left astonished by state of fitness

Rodri made his return from injury in the final week of the Premier League season, and now Manchester City are going to be relying on him at the Club World Cup

Politics

3 w. ago Rachel Roddy’s recipe for spaghetti with prawns, courgettes and gremolata | A kitchen in Rome

Memories of an old teacher and friend inspire a plate of pasta that’s just in time to welcome the new season’s courgettesWhile tidying the freezer the other week, I found yet another reminder of my (late) friend and teacher Carla Tomasi in the form of a Tupperware box a bit larger than a matchbox. Unlike the rest of the unmarked boxes with identical sky-blue lids and opaque sides, I knew exactly what this was: a mix of parsley, garlic and lemon zest (otherwise known as gremolata or gremolada) made last June to go with braised chicken, but not finished, so the leftovers were put in the freezer. I exchanged messages with Carla all the time and, knowing how much she loved freezer-talk, I consulted her as to how long she thought the mix would keep in there. She gave two replies: an official one of three to six months, and an unofficial one of a year, which must have sunk into my unconscious like a preset alarm because, almost a year later (and 10 months since she passed away), I find my...

Politics

3 w. ago Man United drop clear transfer hint on six stars' futures as new shirt 'revealed'

Manchester United's squad are in Malaysia this week as they complete their post-season tour obligations before jetting off for their summer breaks

Politics

4 w. ago Alejandro Garnacho pictured with huge smile ahead of Manchester United post

Man Utd will play two post-season friendlies in Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong this week and they flew on Sunday..

Politics

4 w. ago Manchester United prepared to sell any player in transfer window

Man United's defeat in the Europa League final last week confirmed their worst season in 51 years and another squad rebuild is required.

Sport