6 h. ago ‘They like a good night out’: German darts fans find a (mostly) friendly rivalry at Alexandra Palace

Around a quarter of all tickets for the PDC world championship were sold to German fans. How did a country with no world-class player get hooked?They walk among us, sit among us, sing among us. They speak perfect English, hunt in packs, down industrial quantities of Amstel just like everyone else. And yet to the trained eye, to the seasoned Ally Pally veteran, there is just something different to them. A comportment and a vibe. Perhaps the fact they speak perfect English. You can even spot a subtle distinction in the choice of fancy dress; less jockeys and 118 118 runners, more woodland animals and flag suits, less postmodern ironic and more Euro-kitsch. They come, mostly, in love and peace. Even so, the divide is real. Enmity? Perhaps a bit strong. Either way: don’t tell them your name, Pike.Slowly and by degrees, the Germans are coming. At first in small scattered groups and landing parties, then larger expeditions, and then finally the full-scale mass incursion. A battery of tour...

Politics

6 h. ago Tortuous snare traps that catch running animals by neck with noose to be banned

Animal welfare campaigners have long been calling for England to ban cruel and indiscriminate snare traps to bring the country in line with Wales and Scotland

Events

34 h. ago Bavarian pensioner lays trap to catch phone fraudster who was after his gold

Second ‘exemplary’ success for 85-year-old who had already rumbled bogus police officer demanding €60,000An 85-year-old Bavarian has managed – twice – to ensnare phone fraudsters trying to shake him down for cash and valuables.The German pensioner received an apparently urgent call on Tuesday from a man posing as a police officer telling him a family member was in distress – a common trick used to dupe elderly people. Continue reading...

Politics

34 h. ago Bavarian pensioner lays trap to catch phone fraudster who was out for his gold

Second ‘exemplary’ success for 85-year-old who had already rumbled bogus police officer demanding €60,000An 85-year-old Bavarian has managed – twice – to ensnare phone fraudsters trying to shake him down for cash and valuables.The German pensioner received an apparently urgent call on Tuesday from a man posing as a police officer telling him a family member was in distress – a common trick used to dupe elderly people. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago SSPCA in cash crisis as nation's animal rescue workers face losing jobs

SSPCA says the redundancies are essential to keep its animal care and investigations running. Staff have complained of "chronic low pay"

Events

2 w. ago Demonstrator interrupts Fashion Awards 2025 as animal rights activist runs on to red carpet to hold up a PETA sign while Wallis Day poses for photos

The animal rights activists stood beside actress Wallis Day while she posed for photos ahead of the ceremony.

Culture