81 m. ago DWP confirms major PIP change to start in April for new claims

The measure is part of plans to reduce the Work Capability Assessment backlog and separate from the Timms Review.

Politics

85 m. ago Chess: Magnus Carlsen back in World Rapid and Blitz as Fide signals jeansgate peace

The Norwegian world No 1 will compete at Doha next week, a year after he was penalised for wearing jeans in New YorkOne year ago, the world No 1, Magnus Carlsen, and the global chess body, Fide, were at loggerheads after the Norwegian was penalised for wearing jeans at the World Rapid in New York. The 35-year-old also agreed to share the World Blitz crown despite a rule requiring an outright winner.Relations worsened further when Fide opposed Carlsen’s wish for the new Freestyle circuit winner to be called a world champion, he announced that he was “done” with Fide. Continue reading...

Politics

85 m. ago Finally, Labour is finding its nerve and getting Britain’s bad Brexit deal undone | Polly Toynbee

Rejoining Erasmus should just be a first step – as the economic evidence piles up, the need for closer ties with Europe could not be clearerMonth by month, Labour is bringing us closer to Europe. This week, the UK announced it is rejoining the Erasmus+ youth exchange programme. This will open the door beyond the many young people who attend university – its remit includes FE students, apprentices, and youth and school groups. A whoop of excitement greeted the announcement, with opportunities for those involved in education, training, culture and sport, and a commitment to maximise take-up by disadvantaged young people. Widening experience, encouraging adventure: Erasmus+ may help cure Britain’s monolingual handicap and the catastrophic decline in language courses. Last year in the UK, less than 3% of A-levels were in languages.This all eludes Europhobes such as Andrew Neil, who posted on X that “extra taxes now being inflicted on working people will be used to finance some ‘study’ i...

Economics

97 m. ago Love Island's Ched Uzor engaged to girlfriend two months after going official

One Love Island star has finally got their happy ending after appearing on the dating show five years ago as Ched Uzor has announced he is engaged to his girlfriend two months after going official

Politics

2 h. ago Pete Davidson becomes a dad as girlfriend announces birth of first child with sweet name

Pete Davidson has become a dad as Elsie Hewitt shared photos of the couple's first child together, announcing the name they have chosen for their adorable baby girl

Politics

5 h. ago Paddington and Wonka director Paul King to direct Labubu movie

Film based on popular plush toys is in early development after Sony Pictures acquired screen rightsPaul King, director of the global hit Paddington films and the Timothée Chalamet-led musical Wonka, is set to direct the Labubu film.In November it was announced that Sony Pictures, fresh off the global success of KPop Demon Hunters, had acquired the screen rights to the Chinese plush toy sensation with a feature film already in early development. Continue reading...

Politics

6 h. ago Gisele Bundchen flaunts taut body in skintight dress as she returns to Brazil before first Christmas with new baby

The 45-year-old is marking her first Yuletide since the birth in February of her baby son by steamy jiu-jitsu instructor Joaquim Valente, who also hails from Brazil.

Politics

8 h. ago Australia launches biggest gun buyback in 30 years after Bondi beach terror attack

Prime minister announces first firearm buyback since Port Arthur massacre, and designates Sunday a national day of reflection in honour of Hanukah shooting victimsVictims of Bondi beach shootingTen minutes of terror: how the Bondi mass shooting unfolded in real time – videoFollow the latest live updatesThe federal government will launch a new gun buyback scheme in response to the Bondi beach terror attack in what Anthony Albanese says will be the biggest collection of weapons since the Port Arthur massacre nearly three decades ago.It comes as New South Wales announced a suite of gun control measures including capping the number of firearms most recreational shooters can hold at four. Continue reading...

Events

9 h. ago It's beginning to look a lot like...Easter? B&Q shoppers left 'disgusted' after hardware store stocks rabbit decorations before Christmas

Usually Easter decorations tend to pop up in supermarkets around the end of February or start of March. But shoppers at a were horrified to see Easter decorations instead.

Events

9 h. ago Local elections face further delays as councils struggle to reorganise in time

Opposition parties say Labour is ‘scared of voters’ but government says merging authorities have voiced concernsLocal elections could be delayed again as merging councils lack the capacity for reorganisation, the government has announced, triggering claims from opposition parties that Labour is “scared of the voters”.Sixty-three council areas could opt to postpone elections until 2027 after some were already delayed until May 2026 as two-tier authorities are being combined into single unitary councils. Continue reading...

Politics

10 h. ago WNBA players authorize strike ‘when necessary’ as talks over new CBA stall

Players vote overwhelmingly to authorize strikeRevenue sharing and salaries remain key issuesCBA deadline set to expire on 9 JanuaryWNBA players have authorized their union’s executive council to call a strike if necessary, the union announced Thursday as it continues to negotiate a collective bargaining agreement with the league.The WNBPA and league have been negotiating a new agreement for the past few months, extending the deadline a couple of times with the latest one set to expire on 9 January. The move gives union negotiators another tool to use in talks. Continue reading...

Sport

10 h. ago Huge 80s band announce headline gig at Rochdale Town Hall Square

The synth-pop icons will return for the huge concert in the town where they recorded their debut single

Politics

11 h. ago Kennedy Center board votes to add Trump’s name to DC arts institution

Joe Kennedy III, JFK’s grandson, said he doubted the Trump-Kennedy Center name change was legalThe board of the Kennedy Center in Washington DC is moving ahead with a proposal to rename the arts and culture-focused institution, named after President John F Kennedy, in honor of Donald Trump, according to an announcement from the White House on Thursday.If the White House move succeeds it would be called the Trump-Kennedy Center, though it is unclear if this change would be legal. Continue reading...

Politics

11 h. ago Crystal Palace in Conference playoffs after blowing lead against KuPS

The bad news for Oliver Glasner is that Crystal Palace’s marathon season is about to get even longer. A thrilling draw against Finnish side KuPS in their 27th game of the campaign means that they must now contest a two-leg playoff at the end of February after finishing outside the top eight in the Conference League table.Having selected an entirely different starting lineup that included four teenagers from the side that lost to Manchester City at the weekend, Glasner saw his second string impress as Christantus Uche gave them a deserved lead at half-time. Continue reading...

Politics

11 h. ago Trump’s announcement for ‘Patriot Games’ instantly mocked online

Social media users wondered whether the president was announcing the Hunger Games — but no one has yet volunteered as tribute

Politics

13 h. ago Huge boost in bid for 4am Scots World Cup pubs as millionaire Wetherspoons boss gives update

WEATHERSPOONS boss Sir Tim Martin has backed an unprecedented bid to keep Scots pubs open as late as 4am so the Tartan Army can watch their side’s World Cup matches. The hospitality icon has thrown his weight behind the bold efforts after the Scottish Beer and Pub Association announced they'd be writing to First Minister John Swinney...

Economics

14 h. ago White House announces Kennedy Center will be renamed to ‘Trump

Donald Trump showed little interest in the Kennedy Center during his first term

Politics

14 h. ago Denmark says Russia was behind two ‘destructive and disruptive’ cyber

Intelligence service says attacks were work of groups connected to Russian state in ‘clear evidence’ of hybrid warThe Danish government has accused Russia of being behind two “destructive and disruptive” cyber-attacks in what it describes as “very clear evidence” of a hybrid war.The Danish Defence Intelligence Service (DDIS) announced on Thursday that Moscow was behind a cyber-attack on a Danish water utility in 2024and a series of distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks on Danish websites in the lead up to the municipal and regional council elections in November. Continue reading...

Politics

15 h. ago Why is The One Show not on tonight as Alex Jones announces BBC shake

The One Show isn't on screens tonight as usual, here's everything you need to know about why it has been taken off air

Politics

15 h. ago Coronation Street and Emmerdale stars pay tribute after Waterloo Road actor's tragic death

Actress Debbie Rush has been flooded with messages after she announced the tragic death of her 31-year-old son

Events