41 m. ago ‘The risk was worth it’: All Fours author Miranda July on sex, power and giving women permission to blow up their lives

The artist and author’s hit book had so much in common with her own life that even her friends forgot it wasn’t real. How did this revolutionary portrayal of midlife desire come to inspire a generation of women?When Miranda July’s All Fours was published in May last year, it triggered what felt like both a spontaneous resistance movement and the sort of mania last experienced when the final Twilight book dropped, except this time for women in midlife rather than teenage girls. Two friends separately brought it to my house, like contraband dropped out of a biplane. Book groups hastily convened, strategically timed for when the men were out of the picture.The story opens with a 45-year-old woman about to take a road trip, a break from her husband and child and general domestic noise. She’s intending to drive from LA to New York, but is derailed in the first half hour by a young guy, Davey, in a car hire place, to whom she is passionately attracted. The next several weeks pas...

Events

41 m. ago Tim Dowling: Why are my friends erasing me from their holiday memories?

I try to think of another detail from the weekend that will convince them of my presence, but absolutely nothing comes to mindAfter a sometimes fraught four-hour car journey, my wife and I and three friends arrive at a remote, sea-facing house in Greece. I’ve been here once before, a couple of years ago, but my memory of the place is fragmentary. I’ve remembered, for example, that you can’t get the car anywhere near the house – you have to lug your stuff across a beach and over some rocks – and have packed accordingly. But the view from the top of the rocks still comes as a disheartening surprise.“I forgot about the second beach,” I say, looking at the house in the distance. Continue reading...

Politics

1 hour ago Debenhams reduces £750 'very classy' and 'top quality' watch to £71 in 91% off sale

The Debenhams designer watch sale means shoppers can pick up a 'beautiful' watch with a big discount

Economics

3 h. ago Beautiful European seaside city ignored by tourists where locals go on holiday

This seaside city is one of Italy's best-kept secrets as it's where all the native Italian people will go for a holiday - and it's a little-known destination for tourists

Politics

4 h. ago Beautiful UK seaside town crowned one of the best in Europe for major feature

The small market town of Lymington in Hampshire has been named as one of the best in Europe - and it's perfect for foodies looking for the best seafood in the continent

Politics

4 h. ago UK households told to prune 4 plants immediately but only after common sign

Gardening expert and TV presenter Diarmuid Gavin has told Brits to get their pruning tools out for these four shrubs that may need trimming back

Politics

4 h. ago 'I'm a used car salesman but I'd never dream of buying these 3 brands'

While he acknowledges there are good examples of every car brand, the experienced motor trader warns against 'falling for a badge or bargain' because you could 'end up with a money pit'

Economics

5 h. ago How I watched the CCTV in horror from my bedroom as thieves TUNNELLED into my store and stole 55 handbags worth £260,000 in just three minutes

When villagers saw people popping in and out of a house in the centre of the pretty Cheshire village of Prestbury last week, they assumed they were all there to undertake renovation work.

Economics

6 h. ago Project to reduce falls to be rolled out across Falkirk Council care homes

Staff at Grahamston House in Falkirk were praised for the project that dramatically cut elderly residents' falls

Politics

6 h. ago US marines carry out first known detention of civilian in Los Angeles – live

Marcos Leao, a 27-year-old army veteran, told reporters after he was released that the marines who detained him were ‘just doing their job’With Donald Trump’s deployment of more troops in response to protests in LA, and as plans come together for a military parade in Washington DC on the president’s birthday, journalist Judith Levine tells Jonathan Freedland why she believes the US has entered a new era of authoritarianism in this week’s edition of US Politics Weekly. You can listen here.With predictions of as many as 200,000 attendees at tomorrow’s Washington parade, the Secret Service is preparing for protests by erecting 18 miles of anti-scale fencing and deploying drones to the city’s skies to keep watch. Continue reading...

Politics

6 h. ago He gave her a one star review. She ruined his life. A Fringe performer turns the tables on a critic.

Charlotte Runcie’s debut novel Bring the House Down draws on her time as a Festival reviewer and captures the fraught and funny frenzy of the city in August.

Politics

7 h. ago Friends of Idaho victims who were first in the house break their silence about arriving at murder scene

The new docuseries will debut on July 11, one month before accused murderer Bryan Kohberger’s trial is scheduled to begin

Events

7 h. ago Idris Elba unveils Mobo paving stone at college where he ‘got to dream bigger’

The Luther star returned to Barking and Dagenham College where he studied performing arts.

Politics

7 h. ago The Who’s Roger Daltrey ‘very humbled’ by ‘dream come true’ knighthood

The singer is being honoured for services to charity and music.

Politics

8 h. ago The Who's Roger Daltrey says it's a 'dream come true' after receiving knighthood

The Who frontman has said he is "very humbled" to have been made a been made a knight bachelor for his services to music and charity in the King's Birthday honours

Politics

8 h. ago Brit mum Beth Martin’s cause of death after Turkey hospital sparked fury removing heart

Beth Martin, 28, from Portsmouth, flew to Turkey with her husband and their two children for what was meant to be a dream getaway - but became delirious on arrival and died the following day

Events

8 h. ago Cause of death revealed for mum who died on 'dream holiday' to Turkey before 'heart removed'

Beth Martin, 28, became delirious on arrival to Turkey and sadly died the following day. Her family claim her heart was removed after death.

Events

9 h. ago Secrets of the £1.5m Scots mansion bought with the proceeds of an act of royal 'treachery' which saw the Queen's intimate confidante banished from the House of Windsor for life

The message on the smartly embossed card was so matter-of-fact that its true significance would have remained hidden to all but the most seasoned royal watcher.

Politics

9 h. ago Glamping pod complete with hot tub and outdoor cinema going to auction

The Hobbit house-style holiday let boasts a hot tub, cinema, pool table, bar and bath - and that's just outside

Politics

9 h. ago Police and fire brigade swarm to scene of house fire in East Lothian

Images from the scene show fire damage to the front door of the property.

Events