6 h. ago Voices: ‘I don’t regret opting out’: Readers on why skipping family gatherings can be the best Christmas gift

Our community say the best Christmas is on your own terms – and advise those who don’t get on with their relatives to ditch stressful family gatherings and set clear boundaries

Politics

18 h. ago Four ways to save on your favourite seasonal tipples this Christmas

GET the party started with some special festive drinks – without splashing the cash. Whether you’re serving a warming mulled wine, glass of fizz or Christmassy cocktail, there’s bargains to be had. So gather your glasses for these low-cost tipples. MULL IT OVER: Transform a cheap bottle of red wine or cider by adding spices....

Politics

25 h. ago UKHSA urges people to take four steps to protect from flu around Christmas

Flu cases have stabilised but it’s too early to say if the peak is behind us yet, as experts issue warnings for Christmas gatherings

Politics

61 h. ago Keir Starmer slammed for not having the ‘baubles’ to ban ‘dangerous’ doctor strike

RESIDENT doctors are joined ­yesterday by their four-legged friends as five days of Christmas strike action gets under way. As some gathered outside ­London’s St Thomas’ Hospital, the PM condemned the “dangerous and utterly irresponsible” walkout by the hardline British Medical Association, which wants a huge pay rise. He said his message to resident doctors...

Events

3 d. ago Liverpool legends gather as message sent to Wales great Ian Rush

A group of former Liverpool players gathered together for the annual Christmas get together and the pictures have been shared on social media

Politics

3 d. ago King Charles sells boozy £20 Christmas puddings at Sandringham based on Queen Elizabeth’s own royal recipe

KING Charles is selling boozy Christmas puddings inspired by the late Queen’s own royal family recipe.  His large £19.99 puddings contain raisins, sultanas, mixed peel, breadcrumbs, sherry and brandy.  They are on sale at the King’s Sandringham estate shop in Norfolk. It said: “Perfect for family gatherings or a solo treat, our Christmas pudding is made to a classic...

Politics

4 d. ago Super flu nightmare: See hotspots and whether your hospital is struggling

A nightmare super flu is spreading around the UK and has sent a surge of patients to hospital amid fears further strain could be put on the NHS as people gather for Christmas

Science

4 d. ago Super flu nightmare: See UK hotspots and whether hospital near you is struggling

A nightmare super flu is spreading around the UK and has sent a surge of patients to hospital amid fears further strain could be put on the NHS as people gather for Christmas

Science

4 d. ago Diabetes myths leave many 'dreading' Christmas as they avoid festive gatherings

Brits with Type 2 diabetes say misconceptions about the condition make them dread the festive season

Politics

5 d. ago After the Bondi attack, all Australians must support the right of Jews to live without fear

Long before the shocking killings in Sydney, the threat of antisemitic violence was often left unchallenged. That must changeLike all Australians, Bondi isn’t just a place to me, it lives in my heart as a symbol of who we are. As a child I spent many Sundays on the beach at North Bondi life-savers as a “nipper”, and as a former mayor of Waverley council and a local councillor for more than a decade, I have walked its concrete ramparts thousands of times, in all its seasons.In a few weeks, visitors from every corner of the globe will gather there to celebrate Christmas. For locals, it is a place of peace and play. For the small Jewish community, it is also a place where festivals are marked openly and proudly. Continue reading...

Events

5 d. ago After the Bondi attack, all Australians must support the right of Jews to live without fear | George Newhouse

Long before the shocking killings in Sydney, the threat of antisemitic violence was often left unchallenged. That must changeLike all Australians, Bondi isn’t just a place to me, it lives in my heart as a symbol of who we are. As a child I spent many Sundays on the beach at North Bondi life-savers as a “nipper”, and as a former mayor of Waverley council and a local councillor for more than a decade, I have walked its concrete ramparts thousands of times, in all its seasons.In a few weeks, visitors from every corner of the globe will gather there to celebrate Christmas. For locals, it is a place of peace and play. For the small Jewish community, it is also a place where festivals are marked openly and proudly. Continue reading...

Society

5 d. ago Dog play afternoon: dachshunds overrun Hyde Park for Christmas walk

Hundreds of sausage dogs gather for annual festive parade that organiser started to help her puppy socialiseThe pitter-patter of tiny paws has brought joy – and more than a little chaos – to Hyde Park in London as hundreds of dachshunds and their owners gathered for the annual sausage dog Christmas walk.Now in its eighth year, the event was started by organiser Ana as a way to help her dachshund, Winston, socialise as a puppy. Meeting at noon by the Physical Energy statue in the centre of the park, the dogs – well, the owners really – competed in a best-dressed competition before enjoying an hour of play and socialising before the parade. Ana said previous years’ events had ended up attracting as many as a thousand people and dogs. Continue reading...

Politics

7 d. ago Aldi's affordable £9 drinks flight paddle has landed and it's ready for Christmas hosting

Aldi's budget-friendly Drinks Flight Paddle costs just £8.99 and offers three different serving options, making it ideal for Christmas entertaining and festive gatherings

Economics

8 d. ago The Queen's last Christmas Day speech was also her most personal as she mourned the loss of 'my beloved Philip'

FOR more than 60 years, families gathered around their televisions to watch Queen Elizabeth II's Christmas message, which became a lodestar for the nation and a reflection of their hopes and fears.

Politics

8 d. ago Ethan Hawke admits 'regret' over nepo baby daughter Maya Hawke's 'really hard' childhood

Ethan Hawke has voiced his 'regret' over his nepo baby daughter Maya Hawke 's 'really hard' upbringing.

Politics

8 d. ago Christmas sausage rolls recipe includes 4 festive ingredients for a sweet and nutty flavour

This sausage roll recipe is perfect for Christmas parties and gatherings, and is a great way to use up leftover cranberry sauce and cooked chestnuts

Events

2 w. ago Crystal Palace fans are literally fighting each other. How has it come to this?

Clashes between rival factions are the culmination of a long-running feud involving claims of racismIt should have been a night for Crystal Palace supporters to savour. About 1,500 officially made the trip to Strasbourg for their second away match of the Conference League group stage last week, although plenty more had gathered in the pretty Alsatian city famous for its expansive Christmas market.Yet while most were enjoying being part of Palace’s first European campaign after May’s FA Cup win, “a tiny majority” – as the club’s statement the following day described them – had different ideas. Footage of bottles and chairs being thrown as two rival groups of supporters of the same club clashed before the game in one of the city’s squares went viral on X. “Palace fans fighting each other in Strasbourg,” read the message, not surprisingly sparking widespread confusion. Continue reading...

Sport

2 w. ago ‘Distraught’ boyfriend of Scots student, 21, killed in crash ‘planned to propose’ on Christmas Eve

THE heartbroken boyfriend of a student who died in a horror car crash planned to propose to her on Christmas Eve. Earlier today, hundreds of mourners gathered to pay their respects and say a final farewell to Chloe Hipson. The 21-year-old, from Bellshill, died alongside four pals in a crash on a winding stretch of...

Events

3 w. ago Amy Childs puts on a very leggy display in a festive mini dress and knee high boots as she gets into the festive spirit alongside Lauren Goodger to film the TOWIE Christmas special

Gathered together to film the Christmas special episode, Amy, 35, stepped out in a burgundy fluffy jacket and crimson skater dress as she arrived at a Christmas market.

Culture

3 w. ago Feast on sports week: what to watch during Thanksgiving Week

Thanksgiving week is a time for family gatherings, big meals and maybe a little early Christmas shopping

Sport