8 d. ago With thousands dead, the Iranian regime may survive these protests – but not in its current form | Sanam Vakil

With fear, surveillance and brute force only set to increase, there are disturbing parallels with Saddam Hussein’s IraqSanam Vakil is director of Chatham House’s Middle East and North Africa programmeIran is once again convulsed by protests that are threatening the Islamic Republic’s stability and future. What began as demonstrations over a collapsing currency and rising inflation has rapidly evolved into one of the most destabilising episodes of unrest the regime has faced in years. The protests have exposed both the resilience of Iranian society and the growing brittleness of a political system stubbornly unwilling to reform.It’s the scale, spread and momentum of the demonstrations that have been most alarming to the authorities. Protests have erupted across all provinces in the country, reaching more than 180 towns and cities, cutting across class, ethnic and regional lines. This time, the turn to openly anti-regime slogans has been rapid and widespread. Protesters are no longer ...

Events

1 week ago ‘Add blood, forced smile’: how Grok’s nudification tool went viral

The ‘put her in a bikini’ trend rapidly evolved into hundreds of thousands of requests to strip clothes from photos of women, horrifying those targetedLike thousands of women across the world, Evie, a 22-year-old photographer from Lincolnshire, woke up on New Year’s Day, looked at her phone and was alarmed to see that fully clothed photographs of her had been digitally manipulated by Elon Musk’s AI tool, Grok, to show her in just a bikini.The “put her in a bikini” trend began quietly at the end of last year before exploding at the start of 2026. Within days, hundreds of thousands of requests were being made to the Grok chatbot, asking it to strip the clothes from photographs of women. The fake, sexualised images were posted publicly on X, freely available for millions of people to inspect. Continue reading...

Events

1 week ago In Queensland tens of thousands of cattle die of thirst and hunger encircled by fresh water and grass

‘It sounds completely absurd,’ one grazier says. ‘But they are actually perishing because they are not drinking’Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastStranded upon sodden islands that dot the submerged plains of outback north-west Queensland, encircled by fresh water and with grass growing before their eyes, tens of thousands of cattle are dying of thirst and hunger.“It sounds completely absurd,” grazier Angus Propsting says. “But they are actually perishing because they are not drinking, even though they are surrounded by water.” Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Hockey fans throw thousands of teddy bears on to the ice for charity – video

Hockey fans threw thousands of stuffed animals on to the ice for the Hershey Bears annual teddy toss. The stuffed animals collected will now be distributed to over 60 local charities as part of the club’s Hershey Bears Cares program, where they will go to children in need.The Bears collected 81,796 stuffed animals, increasing the total number of teddy bears and stuffed animals collected to 648,246 since Hershey hosted its first Teddy Bear Toss event in 2001. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Spycops sent thousands of surveillance reports to MI5, inquiry documents reveal

Security Service was able to compile detailed files on members of legitimate protest groups infiltrated by undercover police officersThousands of surveillance reports compiled by undercover police officers who spied on political campaigners were routinely passed to MI5, documents obtained by the spycops inquiry have revealed.Police sent undercover officers on long-term deployments to infiltrate mainly leftwing protest groups and gather enormous quantities of information about their political and personal activities. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago I make up to £10k a month including while I sleep – how YOU can earn thousands without lifting a finger in 2026 too

WOULD you like to make money while you sleep?   Steph Ward is one of ­thousands of people not lifting a finger while cash drops into the bank overnight.   The 34-year-old, from Market Rasen, Lincs, runs a coaching business and sells online courses — putting her in the ranks of those with “passive income”.  Here, Mel...

Economics

2 w. ago ‘I’ve seen a lot of great pissheads’: Stephen Graham on booze, Baftas and the return of his bone

Stephen Graham and Steven Knight had an astonishing 2025. As A Thousand Blows explodes back, they talk about taking decades to become overnight sensations, the Peaky Blinders movie – and why it could be time for a scouse Bond villainStephen Graham had a stellar 2025. He didn’t just play Bruce Springsteen’s father in biopic Deliver Me from Nowhere but, of course, co-created and starred in Netflix mega-hit Adolescence – the game-changing drama that sparked global debate about online misogyny, incel culture and the “manosphere”.His friend and regular collaborator Steven Knight watched admiringly from afar as the devastating four-parter became event TV. “My God, it was a cultural phenomenon,” he says, puffing out his cheeks with pride. “Adolescence got people talking who don’t normally talk, about things they don’t normally talk about. Is there any finer achievement than having a direct, immediate and positive effect worldwide on human relationships? It’s like putting something on scree...

Politics

2 w. ago London rings in 2026 with thousands of fireworks shown in aerial footage

London rings in 2026 with thousands of fireworks shown in aerial footage  The Independent

Events

2 w. ago All the ways Rachel Reeves will raid your bank account in 2026 – how to protect yourself from losing thousands

IF you thought 2025 was painful, brace yourself. As we hurtle towards 2026, Rachel Reeves is sharpening her axe for a fresh round of raids on your wallet. The Chancellor promised she wouldn't tax "working people" — but if you're planning to retire, earn a slightly better wage or looking to invest next year, you...

Economics

2 w. ago Thousands ring in 2026 – after a year like no other in Manchester

The characteristic Mancunian rain held off for one night so our city, rocked by heartbreak in 2025, could start a new year in hope

Sport

2 w. ago Happy New Year! UK rings in 2026 with Europe's biggest firework display as tens of thousands flock to...

Happy New Year! UK rings in 2026 with Europe's biggest firework display as tens of thousands flock to...  Daily Mail

Events

2 w. ago In pictures: Manchester welcomes 2026 with a bang as tens of thousands watch huge firework display

There was a party atmosphere in St Peter's Square

Events

2 w. ago Happy New Year! UK rings in 2026 with Europe's biggest firework display as tens of thousands flock to London for 'best of British' show on Thames 

LIVEBLOG: Follow New Year's Eve celebrations across the globe as nations around the world throw parties to toast the final hours of the year before ushering in 2026.

Events

3 w. ago The NYE countdown begins: Britain prepares to welcome in 2026 in style as tens of thousands flock to London to watch Big Ben ring in the New Year with spectacular firework display on the Thames

Swathes of the capital are now closed off to the public for the spectacular annual show on the Thames.

Events

3 w. ago New Year 2026 LIVE: London prepares to celebrate as thousands gather to watch Sydney fireworks

In London, tens of thousands will flock to the banks of the Thames to watch the mayor's annual fireworks display

Events

3 w. ago New Year 2026 LIVE: Thousands gather to watch Sydney fireworks as celebrations to start around world

In London, tens of thousands will flock to the banks of the Thames to watch the mayor's annual fireworks display

Events

3 w. ago West London borough set for huge 2026 for house building with thousands set to begin construction

West London borough set for huge 2026 for house building with thousands set to begin construction  My London

Society

3 w. ago DWP confirms major update for 2026 that will affect thousands of workers

The Department for Work and Pensions has today issued details of changes coming in 2026

Economics

3 w. ago Fitness fans can grab a smartwatch for £5 before the New Year gym rush

Thousands will put 'get fit' on their 2026 New Year's resolutions. Fitness goers have seen an improvement when tracking with this inexpensive watch

Economics