5 h. ago ‘My name is Manchester United’: the superfan who fought to change his identity

There are supporters and then there was the Bulgarian Marin Levidzhov, who died this week aged 62Ask any Manchester United fan of a certain age what 26 May 1999 means to them, and they will tell you the date has marked them for life. It was the night injury-time goals from Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjær sealed United’s 2-1 comeback in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich at the Camp Nou. It was also the night the life of one United fan in Bulgaria, who has died this week at the age of 62, changed for ever.That supporter was born Marin Zdravkov Levidzhov in Svishtov, a town on the Danube with a population of 22,000. Growing up in communist Bulgaria adoring football, he dreamed of changing his name to Manchester United. To claim the name of a football club from the capitalist west, however, was mission impossible. Had Marin tried to do so before the fall of the regime, he would almost certainly have ended up in jail. Continue reading...

Sport

8 h. ago Bright spark Callan came from the land down under and learnt his trade in West Lothian

The Livingston man was named SIJB Apprentice of the Year 2025

Politics

16 h. ago Tawny frogmouth named 2025 Australian bird of the year winner

Perennial runner up finally claims the crown in the biennial Guardian/BirdLife Australia poll, ahead of Baudin’s black cockatoo and gang-gang cockatooMore Australian bird of the year contentDownload your free official 2025 bird of the year posterGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe tawny frogmouth has been named Australia’s 2025 bird of the year, after taking second place in the biennial Guardian/BirdLife Australia poll three times running.More than 310,000 votes were cast after polling opened on 6 October and the tawny led the charge from the start, despite being hotly and persistently pursued by two cockatoos: the Baudin’s black cockatoo and the ever-popular gang-gang.Get Guardian Australia environment editor Adam Morton’s Clear Air column as an email Continue reading...

Politics

31 h. ago The strangest pet names of 2025 including ‘Mr Disco Beef’ and ‘Scampi Goujon’

These names are bound to turn a few heads when out on your daily dog walk.

Politics

31 h. ago Top Dog Names 2025: Here are the 10 most popular male and female puppy names of the year so far

These are the names you’ll likely be hearing shouted at your local dog walking hotspot.

Politics

54 h. ago 55 vintage baby names for boys and girls making a grand return in 2025

It turns out certain older and rarer names that have remained in vogue over the decades are making a comeback

Politics

56 h. ago Jamaica international Taylor Hinds named in England’s first squad since Euro 2025

Hinds, Katie Reid and Lucia Kendall have received their first England call-ups ahead of the friendlies against Brazil and Australia but Leah Williamson, Lauren James and Lauren Hemp miss out due to injury

Politics

6 d. ago The world's 50 best bars have just been named for 2025 and four are in London

The world's 50 best bars have just been named for 2025 and four are in London  Times Series

Politics

7 d. ago Norway braces for Trump’s reaction if he does not win Nobel peace prize

US president may impose tariffs, demand higher Nato contributions or even declare Norway an enemy, analyst saysWith hours to go until the announcement of this year’s Nobel peace prize, Norwegian politicians were steeling themselves for potential repercussions to US-Norway relations if it is not awarded to Donald Trump.The Norwegian Nobel Committee pointedly said on Thursday that it had reached a decision about who will be named 2025 peace prize laureate on Monday, several days before Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire under the US president’s Gaza plan. Continue reading...

Politics

7 d. ago ‘Spectacular’ hidden Scottish pub named in World’s Best 50 Bars list for 2025

A Scottish speakeasy has been named as one of the best in the world in the 2025 top 50 bars list.

Politics

7 d. ago Luxury Scottish golf and spa resort named among Europe's best for its 'Glaswegian hospitality'

The resort has been named Europe’s twentieth best resort in Condé Nast Traveller’s 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards

Politics

7 d. ago World's 50 best bars 2025: Four familiar London names make the list

In a fresher list than in previous years, London had two bars in the top 10

Politics

7 d. ago New French PM to be named by Friday as Macron resists pressure to call snap elections

Government spokesperson says it may be ‘last chance’ for politicians to regain credibility and cut risk of far right taking powerEmmanuel Macron will name a new prime minister by Friday evening, his office has said, hinting at the French president’s hopes that a sixth prime minister in less than two years will manage to steer a budget through the country’s deeply fragmented parliament.“This might be the last chance,” government spokesperson Aurore Bergé told RTL radio on Thursday. “I believe this is the last chance for politicians to regain credibility ... all of this is only strengthening the chances and capabilities of the far right to take power.” Continue reading...

Politics

8 d. ago 10 Scottish hotels with ultimate luxury experiences and scenic locations named among UK's best

Ten Scottish hotels have been named among the UK’s best in the 2025 Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards.

Society

8 d. ago Welsh pumpkin patch has been named one of the best to visit for 2025

Gower Fresh Christmas Trees in Swansea has ranked fifth among the UK’s best pumpkin patches to visit for 2025.

Politics

9 d. ago The five best haunted theme parks in the US named for 2025: list

These attractions are sprawling playgrounds of fear and theatricality set to scare the daylights out of you for Halloween

Politics

9 d. ago Stephen Lawrence’s father says killer should name others before parole considered

Neville Lawrence, 83, is preparing for David Norris, now 49, to appear for first time to plead for his freedomStephen Lawrence’s father says one of his son’s killers should name the other members of the gang who murdered him before being considered for parole.Neville Lawrence, 83, is preparing for David Norris to appear before a Parole Board for the first time to plead for his freedom. Continue reading...

Events

1 week ago Strictly Come Dancing fans name '2025 winner' and are left with 'no words'

George Clarke took to the stage with his partner Alexis Warr and impressed Strictly fans on Saturday night

Politics

1 week ago Strictly Come Dancing 2025 winner 'named' in 'one to beat' confirmation amid first exit

The hit BBC One dance show returned to screens in September

Politics

1 week ago Sarah Mullally is named as first female archbishop of Canterbury

No 10 announces decision although role will not legally be taken on until January, before an enthronement serviceSarah Mullally has been named as the first female leader of the Church of England as Downing Street announced the 106th archbishop of Canterbury nearly a year on from Justin Welby’s resignation over the handling of a safeguarding scandal.This is the first time an archbishop of Canterbury has been chosen since the Church of England allowed women to become bishops in 2014. Continue reading...

Politics