The Times & The Sunday Times Homepage
British troops could be sent to Ukraine for training as the UK seeks to forge a new leadership role on the war, the defence secretary suggested. John Healey said the UK needed to “make the training a better fit for what the Ukrainians need” as he left the door open for it to take place in the...British troops could be sent to Ukraine for training as the UK seeks to forge a new leadership role on the war, the defence secretary suggested. John Healey said the UK needed to “make the training a better fit for what the Ukrainians need” as he left the door open for it to take place in the...British troops could be sent to Ukraine for training as the UK seeks to forge a new leadership role on the war, the defence...
dispatch from Kyiv
Not much makes John Healey, the defence secretary, lose sleep but deciding whether to send soldiers into battle is something that plays on his mind regularly. “The part of this job that makes me lose sleep, and not much does, is weighing that decision to commit our UK men and women into areas they may be at risk,” he says on a Soviet-era...Not much makes John Healey, the defence secretary, lose sleep but deciding whether to send soldiers into battle is something that plays on his mind regularly. “The part of this job that makes me lose sleep, and not much does, is weighing that decision to commit our UK men and women into areas they may be at risk,” he says on a Soviet-era...Not much makes John Healey, the defence secretary, lose sleep but deciding whether to send soldiers into battle is something...
On April 9, 2013, the day after Margaret Thatcher’s death, Elon Musk posted a simple tribute to the former British prime minister on the platform he would later own. “Always admired Margaret Thatcher — she was tough, but sensible & fair, much like my English Nana,” the billionaire tech entrepreneur wrote on Twitter.On April 9, 2013, the day after Margaret Thatcher’s death, Elon Musk posted a simple tribute to...On April 9, 2013, the day after Margaret Thatcher’s death, Elon Musk posted a simple tribute to...
A Times investigation reveals the growing reach of Islamic law in Britain
After suffering an onslaught of psychological abuse from her husband and increasingly unhappy in her marriage, Aisha finally decided she wanted a divorce. There was one problem, however: her husband refused to allow it unless she paid him a five-figure sum covering all the money he spent on her during their marriage. She offered instead to return her rings but he...After suffering an onslaught of psychological abuse from her husband and increasingly unhappy in...After suffering an onslaught of psychological abuse from her husband and increasingly unhappy in...
Britain has become the “western capital” for sharia courts with men able to end their marriages by saying “divorce”...Britain has become the “western capital” for sharia courts with men able to end their marriages by saying “divorce” three times. An investigation by The Times also discovered that polygamy is so normalised that an app for Muslims in England and Wales to create Islamic wills has a drop-down menu for men to say how...Britain has become the “western capital” for sharia courts with men able to end their marriages by saying “divorce” three times.
Gordon Ramsay has got a busy 2025 ahead of him, with his opening early in the year of three restaurants, a cookery...Gordon Ramsay has got a busy 2025 ahead of him, with his opening early in the year of three...Gordon Ramsay has got a busy 2025 ahead of him, with his opening early in the year of three...
deborah ross
Some people, I know, will have looked at that photograph of Nick Candy, Elon Musk and Nigel Farage gathered in front...Some people, I know, will have looked at that photograph of Nick Candy, Elon Musk and Nigel...Some people, I know, will have looked at that photograph of Nick Candy, Elon Musk and Nigel...
The Duchess of York has helped to persuade the duke that a quiet Christmas away from the cameras would be the best option all round
The King is “very grateful” to Sarah, Duchess of York, for her role in smoothing matters between him and his brother the Duke of York, the Times understands. On Wednesday the Duke and Duchess of York confirmed that as well as staying away from the royal family’s Christmas Day celebrations, they would not be attending a lunch at Buckingham Palace for the wider family on...The King is “very grateful” to Sarah, Duchess of York, for her role in smoothing matters between...The King is “very grateful” to Sarah, Duchess of York, for her role in smoothing matters between...
A controversial Chinese university in Britain named part of its campus after the Duke of York’s Pitch@Palace...A controversial Chinese university in Britain named part of its campus after the Duke of York’s Pitch@Palace organisation, just days before he invited Yang Tengbo, the alleged spy, to Buckingham Palace. Prince Andrew was invited as a guest to the Peking University HSBC Business School UK (PHBS-UK), the first British...A controversial Chinese university in Britain named part of its campus after the Duke of York’s Pitch@Palace organisation, just...
POLITICAL SKETCH
Elon Musk’s potential donation to Reform UK raises questions about foreign influence in British politics
Labour MPs try to force vote on payouts worth up to £10bn as parliamentary ombudsman criticises ministers for rejecting settlement
The UK will close its Afghan refugee schemes, with a maximum nine-month stay in hotels
A Google Street View image of a man loading a large white plastic bag into the boot of his car has led to the arrest of two people on suspicion of murder. The alleged crime took place in the sparsely populated Spanish province of Soria in the...A Google Street View image of a man loading a large white plastic bag into the boot of his car...A Google Street View image of a man loading a large white plastic bag into the boot of his car...
One in three children with a potentially fatal food allergy has not been prescribed an adrenaline auto-injector “pen” that could save their life, experts have warned. The devices, which deliver a shot of adrenaline, are designed to help people who...One in three children with a potentially fatal food allergy has not been prescribed an adrenaline...One in three children with a potentially fatal food allergy has not been prescribed an adrenaline...
Universities will be told to merge courses and share libraries under a review to help institutions balance their books.Universities will be told to merge courses and share libraries under a review to help...Universities will be told to merge courses and share libraries under a review to help...
THE TIMES DIARY
We here at The Times are grateful to the foreign secretary for his support after Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of...We here at The Times are grateful to the foreign secretary for his support after Dmitry Medvedev...We here at The Times are grateful to the foreign secretary for his support after Dmitry Medvedev...
DISPATCH
After a decade living in a remote spot on the Jordanian border, the displaced people of Rukban camp thought they would never see home again
The overwhelming changes in Syria have brought relief to one forgotten group of people: the 10,000 residents of one of the world’s most inaccessible and beleaguered refugee camps. For nine years, the population of the Rukban displacement camp were stranded in the remote eastern Syrian desert...The overwhelming changes in Syria have brought relief to one forgotten group of people: the 10,000 residents of one of the world’s most inaccessible and beleaguered refugee camps. For nine years, the population of the Rukban displacement camp were stranded in the remote eastern Syrian desert...The overwhelming changes in Syria have brought relief to one forgotten group of people: the 10,000 residents of one of the...
Relatives of Israelis held captive in Gaza have said that briefings by government officials talking up the prospect of a hostage deal have only provided Hamas with greater leverage at the negotiating table. Hopes of a ceasefire agreement have been growing over the past few days, with Israel Katz, the Israeli defence minister, saying at the...Relatives of Israelis held captive in Gaza have said that briefings by government officials talking up the prospect of a hostage deal have only provided Hamas with greater leverage at the negotiating table. Hopes of a ceasefire agreement have been growing over the past few days, with Israel Katz, the Israeli defence minister, saying at the...Relatives of Israelis held captive in Gaza have said that briefings by government officials talking up the prospect of a...
in depth
Donald Trump told voters he would shut down the Department of Education, saying he did not think the federal government should have control over schools as it was staffed with “people that hate our children”. “We will drain the government education swamp,” he said on the campaign trail, “and stop the abuse of your...Donald Trump told voters he would shut down the Department of Education, saying he did not think...Donald Trump told voters he would shut down the Department of Education, saying he did not think...
david charter | analysis
National Rally leader says French president has fallen out with everyone and no longer has influence in the EU
President Macron is “finished” and will soon be forced to quit, paving the way for an early presidential election, Marine Le Pen has said. The National Rally leader’s comments to Le Parisien newspaper raised speculation that she might be prepared to join the push for a second confidence vote in the government that is expected to be formed this week by François Bayrou...President Macron is “finished” and will soon be forced to quit, paving the way for an early...President Macron is “finished” and will soon be forced to quit, paving the way for an early...
video
Russia has arrested an alleged Ukrainian agent over a bombing that killed a high-ranking general outside his home in...Russia has arrested an alleged Ukrainian agent over a bombing that killed a high-ranking general outside his home in Moscow. Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov and his assistant died when a bomb detonated at the entrance to an apartment block on Tuesday morning. He is the most senior Russian military official to have...Russia has arrested an alleged Ukrainian agent over a bombing that killed a high-ranking general outside his home in Moscow.
The cost of borrowing Stateside falls for the third time this year, to a range of between 4.25 per cent and 4.5 per cent
The Federal Reserve cut its key interest rate on Wednesday by a quarter-point but signalled that it expects to reduce the cost of borrowing more slowly next year, sending shares on Wall Street sharply lower. Jerome Powell, head of the US central bank, said the economy is “performing very, very...The Federal Reserve cut its key interest rate on Wednesday by a quarter-point but signalled that it expects to reduce the cost of borrowing more slowly next year, sending shares on Wall Street sharply lower. Jerome Powell, head of the US central bank, said the economy is “performing very, very...The Federal Reserve cut its key interest rate on Wednesday by a quarter-point but signalled that it expects to reduce the cost...
The Guardian Media Group has finalised the terms of its sale of The Observer to news start-up Tortoise Media for an undisclosed sum. The Observer has been sold to the media venture founded by James Harding, the former Times editor and boss of BBC News, in a deal with the Scott Trust, the fund controlling the Sunday paper and its sister...The Guardian Media Group has finalised the terms of its sale of The Observer to news start-up Tortoise Media for an undisclosed sum. The Observer has been sold to the media venture founded by James Harding, the former Times editor and boss of BBC News, in a deal with the Scott Trust, the fund controlling the Sunday paper and its sister...The Guardian Media Group has finalised the terms of its sale of The Observer to news start-up Tortoise Media for an undisclosed...
The chief executive of Imperial Brands, the maker of Gauloises and JPS cigarettes, has seen his total pay reach more than £9 million, making him one of the best-paid bosses on the FTSE 100. Stefan Bomhard, 57, was paid almost £9.1 million for the year to the end of September, up from £8.9 million the previous year...The chief executive of Imperial Brands, the maker of Gauloises and JPS cigarettes, has seen his...The chief executive of Imperial Brands, the maker of Gauloises and JPS cigarettes, has seen his...
ALISTAIR OSBORNE | BUSINESS COMMENTARY
Just what you want for Christmas: a new pylon from National Grid. The company is gearing up to spend an...Just what you want for Christmas: a new pylon from National Grid. The company is gearing up to...Just what you want for Christmas: a new pylon from National Grid. The company is gearing up to...
patrick hoskING
Some startling figures came out of the Home Builders Federation the other day. Housebuilders have crunched the...Some startling figures came out of the Home Builders Federation the other day. Housebuilders have...Some startling figures came out of the Home Builders Federation the other day. Housebuilders have...
One of Britain’s biggest restaurant chains is to take the most significant step in its international expansion after announcing its first site in the United States. Pizza Express has linked up with Purple Square Management Company, a large...One of Britain’s biggest restaurant chains is to take the most significant step in its...One of Britain’s biggest restaurant chains is to take the most significant step in its...
Unilever is poised to sell two food brands that have been in its portfolio for almost a century as part of a plan by its new boss to focus on “fewer and bigger” labels. The consumer goods group behind Marmite and Dove Soap said...Unilever is poised to sell two food brands that have been in its portfolio for almost a century as part of a plan by its new boss to focus on “fewer and bigger” labels. The consumer goods group behind Marmite and Dove Soap said...Unilever is poised to sell two food brands that have been in its portfolio for almost a century as part of a plan by...
Neil Woodford has attacked the Financial Conduct Authority in a remarkable 90-minute video in which he weeps at one point and describes his treatment by the regulator and the media as “so unfair”. The 64-year-old fund manager...Neil Woodford has attacked the Financial Conduct Authority in a remarkable 90-minute video in which he weeps at one point and describes his treatment by the regulator and the media as “so unfair”. The 64-year-old fund manager...Neil Woodford has attacked the Financial Conduct Authority in a remarkable 90-minute video in which he weeps at one...
LAUREN ALMEIDA | TEMPUS
Sustainability
Food supplements
Company whose brands include Wellman and Pregnacare lifts payout by 50% after rise in profits amid burgeoning market for food supplements and vitamins
RECRUITMENT
With a 33% growth in the past year, the demand for corporate investigators is soaring. Here’s how to get into the industry
Saying you’re employed as an “investigator” conjures up images of sleuths lurking in the shadows, but the new breed of corporate investigator is one of the UK’s fastest-growing professional careers. The incoming 2025 introduction of the new “failure to prevent fraud” offence — which will hold large firms to account they profit from fraud committed by their employees —...Saying you’re employed as an “investigator” conjures up images of sleuths lurking in the shadows...Saying you’re employed as an “investigator” conjures up images of sleuths lurking in the shadows...
SIX FROM THE BEST
It’s the busiest week of the year for jewellery sales. Anna Blackburn, managing director of the family-owned retailer...It’s the busiest week of the year for jewellery sales. Anna Blackburn, managing director of the family-owned retailer Beaverbrooks, began her career on the shopfloor at its Trafford Centre store in Manchester 26 years ago and is the first female, non-family member to lead the chain. Here, she shares her pearls of...It’s the busiest week of the year for jewellery sales. Anna Blackburn, managing director of the family-owned retailer...
carabao cup
Arsenal 3 Crystal Palace 2
It’s the right time of year, of course, for Jesus to finally arrive and as with the other story, this was also about the ones who made it happen. After previously scoring twice all year, Gabriel Jesus scored three here in 27 minutes, his hat-trick enough to win Arsenal a wild and thrilling cup tie, which Crystal Palace led in the fourth minute and never gave up, right...It’s the right time of year, of course, for Jesus to finally arrive and as with the other story...It’s the right time of year, of course, for Jesus to finally arrive and as with the other story...
Marcus Rashford looks set to miss Manchester United’s Carabao Cup quarter-final against Tottenham Hotspur despite...Marcus Rashford looks set to miss Manchester United’s Carabao Cup quarter-final against Tottenham Hotspur despite the club’s head coach Ruben Amorim saying he wanted the forward to stay. Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho were omitted for the Manchester derby at the weekend but while Garnacho is set to return for...Marcus Rashford looks set to miss Manchester United’s Carabao Cup quarter-final against Tottenham Hotspur despite the club’s...
interview
Nobody ever says that Newcastle Falcons are one of the greatest teams on the planet. And Dean Richards certainly won’t because heaping praise on his own work is the last thing he’d do. But I suspect that is what he’s often thinking. He shifts uneasily in his chair. Not because he is uncomfortable with the subject, but because bits of him are gradually ceasing to work.Nobody ever says that Newcastle Falcons are one of the greatest teams on the planet. And Dean...Nobody ever says that Newcastle Falcons are one of the greatest teams on the planet. And Dean...
Red Bull have terminated Sergio Pérez’s contract early after a torrid season in which missing out on the...Red Bull have terminated Sergio Pérez’s contract early after a torrid season in which missing out on the constructors’ title cost the team millions. Liam Lawson, the 22-year-old New Zealander, is expected to be Pérez’s replacement, beating Yuki Tsunoda to the role of drivers champion Max Verstappen’s team-mate. He...Red Bull have terminated Sergio Pérez’s contract early after a torrid season in which missing out on the constructors’ title...
Mike atherton
No international team has truly dominated since the game has moved into its three-format stage. Australia have come...No international team has truly dominated since the game has moved into its three-format stage.No international team has truly dominated since the game has moved into its three-format stage.
paul joyce
Everton’s tortuous takeover saga is finally set to be resolved on Thursday with The Friedkin Group (TFG) confirmed as...
Everton’s tortuous takeover saga is finally set to be resolved on Thursday with The Friedkin...
Everton’s tortuous takeover saga is finally set to be resolved on Thursday with The Friedkin...
Premiership Guide
Friday, 7.45pm
TNT Sports 1
Despite being a team that cannot defend, Gloucester could find themselves in third come Friday night, albeit only until Saturday afternoon, if they get five points in Shed City. There is every chance they do it, as...Friday, 7.45pm
TNT Sports 1
Despite being a team that cannot defend, Gloucester could...Friday, 7.45pm
TNT Sports 1
Despite being a team that cannot defend, Gloucester could...
unseen gallery
Rugby played at under-16 and academy level, an Army Corps Championship match and Premiership rugby feature in my Unseen Gallery this week. This gallery shows all aspects of the game, from employing my drone over Leicester to show the proximity of...Rugby played at under-16 and academy level, an Army Corps Championship match and Premiership...Rugby played at under-16 and academy level, an Army Corps Championship match and Premiership...
first person
In February, Molly Guinness, 38, was told she had a 4cm tumour. This is what the past 10 months have taught her
How does a man with 17 Michelin stars to his name make festive celebrations special?
Moderate drinking is beneficial, a study has found. But didn’t the last one say it was bad, asks Maria Lally
COMMENT
A team of evolutionary biologists claim men race to the bar to compete for females
CAITLIN MORAN’S CELEBRITY WATCH
INTERVIEW
A comedian? Doing surprisingly well on Strictly Come Dancing? What are the chances? You wouldn’t put it past...A comedian? Doing surprisingly well on Strictly Come Dancing? What are the chances? You...A comedian? Doing surprisingly well on Strictly Come Dancing? What are the chances? You...
COMMENT
An initial listen to Adele’s Million Years Ago against the Brazilian singer Martinho da Villa’s 1995 samba hit...An initial listen to Adele’s Million Years Ago against the Brazilian singer Martinho da Villa’s...An initial listen to Adele’s Million Years Ago against the Brazilian singer Martinho da Villa’s...
Winter can be a quieter time of year for gardens, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t some fabulous plants and trees to see. At this time of year, as the trees become bare, you are more likely to spot wildlife — and, with a little luck, less likely...Winter can be a quieter time of year for gardens, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t some...Winter can be a quieter time of year for gardens, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t some...
review
Inside M&S at Christmas (ITV1) was a masterclass in the art of the wearisome “promo-documentary”, a show which...Inside M&S at Christmas (ITV1) was a masterclass in the art of the wearisome...Inside M&S at Christmas (ITV1) was a masterclass in the art of the wearisome...
Scores of residential high-rise buildings are gathering dust as a bottleneck of delayed safety checks post-Grenfell...Scores of residential high-rise buildings are gathering dust as a bottleneck of delayed safety...Scores of residential high-rise buildings are gathering dust as a bottleneck of delayed safety...
INTERVIEW
My place in Hampshire is both a home and work space. Every week the garage gets turned into a studio and kitchen for the Saturday Morning show. When I moved in almost 20 years ago the first thing I got stuck into was the garden. That was what got...My place in Hampshire is both a home and work space. Every week the garage gets turned into a...My place in Hampshire is both a home and work space. Every week the garage gets turned into a...
first night review
first night review
first night review
★★★★★
Is there a smarter, funnier, sexier or more romantic adult alternative to traditional holiday fare than...★★★★★
Is there a smarter, funnier, sexier or more romantic adult alternative to...★★★★★
Is there a smarter, funnier, sexier or more romantic adult alternative to...
first night review
You know something’s wrong when the King gets involved. Before this concert a brief statement from Charles III was read.You know something’s wrong when the King gets involved. Before this concert a brief statement...You know something’s wrong when the King gets involved. Before this concert a brief statement...
A LIFE IN THE DAY
CHRISTMAS VIEWING GUIDE
The number of truly great movies this year — from Anora to The Zone of Interest — was as high as anyone could wish for. And surprise hits such as The Taste of Things and Wim Wenders’s Perfect Days, which played for a record-breaking 30 weeks, showed cinephilia to be alive and well. OK, there was no “Barbenheimer” to lift the box-office slump until Wicked came along...The number of truly great movies this year — from Anora to The Zone of Interest — was as high as...The number of truly great movies this year — from Anora to The Zone of Interest — was as high as...
CHRISTMAS VIEWING GUIDE
There’s no better way of getting in the mood for Christmas than by settling in for a fine festive film. Whether it’s...There’s no better way of getting in the mood for Christmas than by settling in for a fine festive film. Whether it’s a classic Christmas movie like It’s a Wonderful Life with James Stewart or a more modern festive favourite like Will Ferrell’s Elf, the best Christmas movies take just a moment to transport you to...There’s no better way of getting in the mood for Christmas than by settling in for a fine festive film. Whether it’s a classic...
Television
TELEVISION
TELEVISION
TELEVISION
TELEVISION
television
Television
MindGames
1 Magic Kingdom opened as the first part of which Disney resort on October 1, 1971? 2 The name “Nobel’s Safety...1 Magic Kingdom opened as the first part of which Disney resort on October 1, 1971? 2 The name...1 Magic Kingdom opened as the first part of which Disney resort on October 1, 1971? 2 The name...
photography special
It’s been a seismic year, with voters in more than 60 countries going to the polls, often with the aim of ousting incumbents. Labour won by a landslide in the UK, and Donald Trump — revitalised after a close encounter with a would-be assassin’s...It’s been a seismic year, with voters in more than 60 countries going to the polls, often with...It’s been a seismic year, with voters in more than 60 countries going to the polls, often with...
carol midgley
Sad news. Prince Andrew seems to have been “uninvited” to the royal family’s Christmas at Sandringham after an...Sad news. Prince Andrew seems to have been “uninvited” to the royal family’s Christmas at...Sad news. Prince Andrew seems to have been “uninvited” to the royal family’s Christmas at...
A war has reportedly broken out between the so-called city elites and country folk. For once, despite being a...A war has reportedly broken out between the so-called city elites and country folk. For once...A war has reportedly broken out between the so-called city elites and country folk. For once...
Nothing under the tree yet? Worry not, these opulent spas experiences are certain to please
CONVERSATIONS
Banish the daily existential crisis of choosing what to wear by finding the benefits of a capsule uniform, says Emma Freud
video
Travel to Italy and learn just how the famed Galleria bag is made at the historic brand’s factory
Vacheron Constantin’s collaboration with the French designer Ora Ïto has resulted in a stylish watch inspired by the spectacle of a solar eclipse
Some people’s homes are just so chic. Don’t be intimidated, let Nick Vinson help you choose them the perfect present
Little Luxembourg, at the crossroads of Belgium, France and Germany, has twinkly markets and magical castles — but its roads and towns stay crowd-free even at Christmas
From the rocky residences of Matera to the baroque brilliance of Lecce, there are countless treasures just off the beaten track
Chase the northern lights, go husky-sledging, or — deep breath — take a traditional ice dip for an unforgettable Arctic experience. Our expert shares his top picks
Chief travel writer Chris Haslam picks out his favourite tried and tested stretches of sand for the colder months — complete with cosy places to stay afterwards
Our writer makes tracks for Switzerland, and discover the joys of riding the lines on an immersive, visually stunning — and more importantly, smooth — holiday
Crack open the Toffifee and dig out the slanket — TV viewing season is upon us. It’s when the temperature drops and...Crack open the Toffifee and dig out the slanket — TV viewing season is upon us. It’s when the...Crack open the Toffifee and dig out the slanket — TV viewing season is upon us. It’s when the...
Nip the January blues in the bud and head south to Athens for a bargain post-Christmas pick-me-up. While you...Nip the January blues in the bud and head south to Athens for a bargain post-Christmas pick-me-up.Nip the January blues in the bud and head south to Athens for a bargain post-Christmas pick-me-up.
OBITUARY
Maverick management guru whose strategy was to spend ‘100 days a year earning, 100 days writing and 100 days on fun’
video
The Times has been publishing life stories of the great and the good (and the not so good) for more than 170 years. Now the obituary is also becoming a podcast, explains Anna Temkin
THE LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters...THE LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads...THE LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads...
Buckingham Palace
18th December, 2024 The King held an Investiture at Buckingham Palace this morning. The...Buckingham Palace
18th December, 2024 The King held an Investiture at Buckingham Palace this...Buckingham Palace
18th December, 2024 The King held an Investiture at Buckingham Palace this...
MindGames and Brain Boost puzzles to print and solve at your leisure
mindgames
18 questions to get you thinking
lawyer of the week
out of court
The cases, the chatter, the chaos: what’s really going on in the law
interview
As trials for offences allegedly committed in 2020 are being listed for 2028, a London solicitor-advocate questions the public interest in pursuing half of the crown court backlog of 73,105 cases. Manisha Knights, a criminal defence specialist and...As trials for offences allegedly committed in 2020 are being listed for 2028, a London...As trials for offences allegedly committed in 2020 are being listed for 2028, a London...
‘We’ve provided the money, they’ve got the powers’, prime minister says
Sir Keir Starmer has said that the SNP has “run out of excuses” after it was revealed that NHS Scotland’s long-term waiting list is 100 times higher than south of the border. In September, nine of the fifteen health boards in Scotland had more patients who had been waiting more than two years for...Sir Keir Starmer has said that the SNP has “run out of excuses” after it was revealed that NHS Scotland’s long-term waiting list is 100 times higher than south of the border. In September, nine of the fifteen health boards in Scotland had more patients who had been waiting more than two years for...Sir Keir Starmer has said that the SNP has “run out of excuses” after it was revealed that NHS Scotland’s long-term waiting...
The Scottish organiser for Reform UK has been dismissed after his links to loyalist paramilitaries came to light. Craig Campbell was a senior figure in Nigel Farage’s party north of the border until an investigation revealed that his father and his uncle had been among nine people who were jailed for pub bombings in Glasgow in the 1970s.The Scottish organiser for Reform UK has been dismissed after his links to loyalist paramilitaries came to light. Craig Campbell was a senior figure in Nigel Farage’s party north of the border until an investigation revealed that his father and his uncle had been among nine people who were jailed for pub bombings in Glasgow in the 1970s.The Scottish organiser for Reform UK has been dismissed after his links to loyalist paramilitaries came to light. Craig...
alex massie
Here’s a starter for ten: according to the results of recently published international tests, which European country’s school children score the best in maths and science assessments? The results of the latest Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (Timss) assessments make for some startling reading.Here’s a starter for ten: according to the results of recently published international tests...Here’s a starter for ten: according to the results of recently published international tests...
5 OF THE BEST | BEST OF 2024
The river that flows through Glasgow should be granted the “same rights as people”, campaigners say. A petition has been launched to enshrine the River Clyde’s legal “right to personhood” to safeguard it from pollution and overdevelopment. The...The river that flows through Glasgow should be granted the “same rights as people”, campaigners say.The river that flows through Glasgow should be granted the “same rights as people”, campaigners say.
A court superintendent suffered fatal injuries while celebrating his final day at work when he fell down a staircase...A court superintendent suffered fatal injuries while celebrating his final day at work when he...A court superintendent suffered fatal injuries while celebrating his final day at work when he...
SCOTTISH BUSINESS DIGEST
Hello and welcome to our daily digest of business, financial and economic news from around Scotland. 1. A quarter of...Hello and welcome to our daily digest of business, financial and economic news from around Scotland.Hello and welcome to our daily digest of business, financial and economic news from around Scotland.
OUTSIDE | Best of Alba
This signposted circular walk initially follows the Southern Upland Way along the peaceful east bank and through the remnants of a former royal hunting forest before joining an old drovers’ path to return to the start. Start from the neck of land...This signposted circular walk initially follows the Southern Upland Way along the peaceful east...This signposted circular walk initially follows the Southern Upland Way along the peaceful east...
Comment
Biggest victim of Brexit is not UK but EU
Rohan Silva
With no Britain to challenge them, three hugely interventionist pieces of legislation mean Europe is falling behind on tech
Iain Martin
Make no mistake, Farage is coming for Starmer
hugo rifkind
Costner’s cowboy soap shows how the US thinks
janice turner | notebook
Here’s to an athlete who deserves all her medals
Jawad Iqbal
Debt-laden council should ditch green goals for the basics
Leading Articles
Sting in the Tail
The government is right not to spend billions of pounds compensating ‘Waspi’ female pensioners born in the 1950s. But Labour has played a double game
Degrees of Pain
Militant university union leaders are threatening yet more damaging strike action
Martha’s Gift
The new right to an urgent second opinion is already helping to save patients’ lives
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Rejection of compensation for Waspi women
Write to [email protected] Sir, It is hardly surprising that Labour MPs are rebelling against the government’s rejection of the parliamentary ombudsman’s Waspi recommendations (Dec 18). After years of pre-election promises of support...Write to [email protected] Sir, It is hardly surprising that Labour MPs are rebelling...Write to [email protected] Sir, It is hardly surprising that Labour MPs are rebelling...
Daily Universal Register
Briefing
UK: Sir Keir Starmer makes his first appearance before the Commons liaison committee, which is made up of the chairs of other select committees; the government report Transport Statistics for Great Britain 2024 is released detailing trends in road, rail and air travel; the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs publishes statistics gathered from the Farm Business Survey on farm incomes, outputs and costs for the various farm types, farm sizes, regions and economic performance in 2023-24; the public accounts committee holds a session on HS2; the House of Lords rises for Christmas recess.
Belgium: EU heads of state and government attend the European Council leaders’ summit in Brussels, with President Zelensky of Ukraine also attending.
On this day
In 1154 King Henry II was crowned at Westminster Abbey. On July 6, 1189, he died after a riding accident at Chinon, France; in 1863 Frederick Walton patented his invention of linoleum, named for linum (flax) and oleum (oil); in 1887 the bare-knuckle boxers Jake Kilrain and Jem Smith “Woolie” fought for 106 rounds and nearly three hours in drizzle and eventual darkness on an island in the River Seine near Dieppe, France, watched by 79 paying spectators. In round 106 Kilrain, an American, knocked the English champion down, though the crowd forced the referee to call a draw — but on his return to the US Kilrain was declared heavyweight champion of the world. In 1889 Kilrain lost to John L Sullivan in the last heavyweight bare-knuckle bout under London Prize Ring rules; in 1981 the eight crew of RNLI Penlee lifeboat Solomon Browne lost their lives off Cornwall while attempting to rescue a stricken coaster’s eight crew and passengers, who also died; in 2016 12 people were killed and about 50 injured when a terrorist drove a lorry into a Christmas market in Berlin. The killer was shot dead by police in Milan after a five-day manhunt.
Nature notes
We don’t have a very good idea of our mammal numbers. Unlike birds, mammals are frequently secretive and rarely form huge, countable flocks. Neither do mammals have the knowledgeable army of ornithologists who so brilliantly survey nesting birds. Highly visible as they bask on shores, seal numbers are perhaps easiest to estimate. Britain’s grey seal population is thought to be about 120,000, with the misnamed common seal at about 55,000. Since deer are large and gregarious feeders (especially the females), approximating their numbers isn’t entirely impossible — the total deer population is thought to be in excess of two million, more than at the time of William the Conqueror. Counting the numbers of most other mammal species is merely guesswork. Jonathan Tulloch
Jonathan Tulloch
Birthdays today
Jennifer Beals, actress, Flashdance (1983), 61; Upamanyu Chatterjee, Indian civil servant and novelist, English, August: An Indian Story (1988), 65; Rosemary Conley, writer and dietician, 78; Béatrice Dalle, actress, Betty Blue (1986), 60; Tim Eggar, Conservative MP (1979-97), chairman, Oil and Gas Authority (2019-Sep 2024), 73; Daisy Goodwin, TV producer, Victoria (2016-17), and novelist, Diva (2024), 63; Jake Gyllenhaal, actor, Brokeback Mountain (2005), 44; Richard Hammond, presenter, The Grand Tour (2016-24), 55; Anna Hemmings, six-time canoe marathon world champion (1999, 2001, 2005-07), 48; Richard Hounslow, slalom canoeist, two-time Olympic silver medallist (2012, 2016), 43; Steven Isserlis, cellist, 66; Abigail Johnson, chairwoman and chief executive, Fidelity Investments, 63; Syd Little, comedian, 82; Dame Kathryn McDowell, managing director, London Symphony Orchestra, 65; Sean O’Brien, writer, It Says Here (2020), 72; Tim Parks, author, Europa (1997), 70; Pratibha Patil, the first woman to serve as president of India (2007-12), 90; Bridget Phillipson, education secretary and minister for woman and equalities, Labour MP for Houghton & Sunderland South, 41; Karen Pickering, swimmer, four-time world champion (1993, 1999, 2000-01), 53; Ricky Ponting, cricketer, Australia captain (2004-11), 50; David Douglas, Marquess of Queensberry, ceramics designer, 95; Sir Peter Roth, High Court judge, president, UK Competition Appeal Tribunal (2013-21), 72; Prof Christopher Smout, historiographer royal in Scotland (1993-22), 91; Douw Steyn, founder of BGL Group (insurance and financial services, the parent company of Comparethemarket.com), 72.