Thursday January 1 2026
The Times & The Sunday Times
New Year's fireworks exploding above the London Eye and Big Ben.
UPDATED
New Year 2026: London marks occasion with spectacular fireworks

About 100,000 people gathered in the capital as the chimes of Big Ben rang out at midnight

London
16 minutes ago
A person with ADHD doodling on a blue paper during a seminar.
A person with ADHD doodling on a blue paper during a seminar.
Children ‘to lose right to Send support’ except in severe cases
Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaking at the Labour Party Conference.
Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaking at the Labour Party Conference.
NEW
Keir Starmer admits frustration at slowness of economic change
Shamima Begum in a light blue collared shirt, with sunglasses resting on her head, looking slightly upwards and to the right.
UPDATED
ECHR challenges removal of Shamima Begum’s citizenship
Exterior of Kensington Palace with a bronze statue of William III of Orange and ornate black and gold gates.
Exterior of Kensington Palace with a bronze statue of William III of Orange and ornate black and gold gates.
NEW
Man charged after intruder breaks into Kensington Palace twice
Royal family
Prince Charles and Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, greet each other at the premiere of "No Time To Die."
Prince Charles and Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, greet each other at the premiere of "No Time To Die."
King and Princess of Wales share family link in fight with cancer
Royal family
Shamima Begum in a light blue collared shirt, with sunglasses resting on her head, looking slightly upwards and to the right.
Shamima Begum in a light blue collared shirt, with sunglasses resting on her head, looking slightly upwards and to the right.
UPDATED
ECHR challenges removal of Shamima Begum’s citizenship
Shamima Begum in a light blue collared shirt, with sunglasses resting on her head, looking slightly upwards and to the right.
Shamima Begum in a light blue collared shirt, with sunglasses resting on her head, looking slightly upwards and to the right.
UPDATED
ECHR challenges removal of Shamima Begum’s citizenship
Exterior of Kensington Palace with a bronze statue of William III of Orange and ornate black and gold gates.
Exterior of Kensington Palace with a bronze statue of William III of Orange and ornate black and gold gates.
NEW
Man charged after intruder breaks into Kensington Palace twice
Royal family
Exterior of Kensington Palace with a bronze statue of William III of Orange and ornate black and gold gates.
Exterior of Kensington Palace with a bronze statue of William III of Orange and ornate black and gold gates.
NEW
Man charged after intruder breaks into Kensington Palace twice
Royal family
Prince Charles and Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, greet each other at the premiere of "No Time To Die."
Prince Charles and Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, greet each other at the premiere of "No Time To Die."
King and Princess of Wales share family link in fight with cancer
Royal family
Prince Charles and Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, greet each other at the premiere of "No Time To Die."
Prince Charles and Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, greet each other at the premiere of "No Time To Die."
King and Princess of Wales share family link in fight with cancer
Royal family
Shamima Begum in a light blue collared shirt, with sunglasses resting on her head, looking slightly upwards and to the right.
UPDATED
ECHR challenges removal of Shamima Begum’s citizenship
Exterior of Kensington Palace with a bronze statue of William III of Orange and ornate black and gold gates.
Exterior of Kensington Palace with a bronze statue of William III of Orange and ornate black and gold gates.
NEW
Man charged after intruder breaks into Kensington Palace twice
Royal family
Prince Charles and Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, greet each other at the premiere of "No Time To Die."
Prince Charles and Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, greet each other at the premiere of "No Time To Die."
King and Princess of Wales share family link in fight with cancer
Royal family
Shamima Begum in a light blue collared shirt, with sunglasses resting on her head, looking slightly upwards and to the right.
Shamima Begum in a light blue collared shirt, with sunglasses resting on her head, looking slightly upwards and to the right.
UPDATED
ECHR challenges removal of Shamima Begum’s citizenship
Shamima Begum in a light blue collared shirt, with sunglasses resting on her head, looking slightly upwards and to the right.
Shamima Begum in a light blue collared shirt, with sunglasses resting on her head, looking slightly upwards and to the right.
UPDATED
ECHR challenges removal of Shamima Begum’s citizenship
Exterior of Kensington Palace with a bronze statue of William III of Orange and ornate black and gold gates.
Exterior of Kensington Palace with a bronze statue of William III of Orange and ornate black and gold gates.
NEW
Man charged after intruder breaks into Kensington Palace twice
Royal family
Exterior of Kensington Palace with a bronze statue of William III of Orange and ornate black and gold gates.
Exterior of Kensington Palace with a bronze statue of William III of Orange and ornate black and gold gates.
NEW
Man charged after intruder breaks into Kensington Palace twice
Royal family
Prince Charles and Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, greet each other at the premiere of "No Time To Die."
Prince Charles and Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, greet each other at the premiere of "No Time To Die."
King and Princess of Wales share family link in fight with cancer
Royal family
Prince Charles and Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, greet each other at the premiere of "No Time To Die."
Prince Charles and Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, greet each other at the premiere of "No Time To Die."
King and Princess of Wales share family link in fight with cancer
Royal family
NEW
Single ten-minute workout could halt progression of bowel cancer

Scientists from Newcastle University say physical activity protects against the disease and boosts metabolism

36 minutes ago
Meg Lynch, the nurse allegedly attacked by an Afghan migrant, looking at the camera.
Nurse says she was nearly beaten to death in crowbar attack

Meg Lynch required stitches and a CT scan after she was one of six injured in the incident at a community hospital in Newton-le-Willows

NEW
Incoming Archbishop of Canterbury calls for better social care

In her first new year message the Right Rev Sarah Mullally, a former chief nurse, said community services could ease the strain on the NHS

36 minutes ago
Ed and Izzy Hudson on their wedding day with Ed using a physiotherapy unit to walk.
Paralysed at 23, I walked down the aisle five years later

An accident left Ed Hudson a quadriplegic, but help from a rehabilitation centre and an innovative exoskeleton meant he could fulfil one of his dreams

Illustration of a hand holding a phone, with ChatGPT, Gemini, and Grok logos displayed.
Which free AI is the best? We put Gemini, ChatGPT and Grok to the test

From voting preferences to favourite philosophers, The Times grills the leading platforms to find out how they compare

Anthony Joshua sitting shirtless in the back of a crashed vehicle.
Anthony Joshua sitting shirtless in the back of a crashed vehicle.
Anthony Joshua’s driver may face court over ‘speeding’ car crash

The collision with a stationary lorry in Nigeria on Monday killed two of the boxer’s friends and left him with minor injuries

Illustration of a hand holding a phone, with ChatGPT, Gemini, and Grok logos displayed.
Which free AI is the best? We put Gemini, ChatGPT and Grok to the test

From voting preferences to favourite philosophers, The Times grills the leading platforms to find out how they compare

Anthony Joshua sitting shirtless in the back of a crashed vehicle.
Anthony Joshua sitting shirtless in the back of a crashed vehicle.
Anthony Joshua’s driver may face court over ‘speeding’ car crash

The collision with a stationary lorry in Nigeria on Monday killed two of the boxer’s friends and left him with minor injuries

How to catch a fare dodger: what I saw on patrol at Waterloo

One woman evaded £49,000 of tickets with a simple trick that South Western Railway must combine data science and detective work to address

Sebastian Cizman, 12, smiling.
Sebastian Cizman, 12, smiling.
Boy shared an image of Squid Game character hours before he died
Andy Hill, co-director of Voicebox.
Andy Hill, co-director of Voicebox.
‘We shouldn’t treat boys as problems to be fixed’
A person riding a horse with a Garmin Blaze device attached to the horse's tail.
A person riding a horse with a Garmin Blaze device attached to the horse's tail.
Fitness tracker aims to help horses take racing in their stride
Two images of a cheeseburger and fries, the first image labeled "BEFORE" shows the burger patty appearing slightly gray, while the second image labeled "AFTER" shows the burger patty appearing pinker.
Two images of a cheeseburger and fries, the first image labeled "BEFORE" shows the burger patty appearing slightly gray, while the second image labeled "AFTER" shows the burger patty appearing pinker.
Fraudsters scam Deliveroo by making food look undercooked
South Western Railway Revenue Protection officers at Waterloo Station.
South Western Railway Revenue Protection officers at Waterloo Station.
How to catch a fare dodger: what I saw on patrol at Waterloo
South Western Railway Revenue Protection officers at Waterloo Station.
South Western Railway Revenue Protection officers at Waterloo Station.
How to catch a fare dodger: what I saw on patrol at Waterloo
Sebastian Cizman, 12, smiling.
Sebastian Cizman, 12, smiling.
Boy shared an image of Squid Game character hours before he died
Sebastian Cizman, 12, smiling.
Sebastian Cizman, 12, smiling.
Boy shared an image of Squid Game character hours before he died
Andy Hill, co-director of Voicebox.
Andy Hill, co-director of Voicebox.
‘We shouldn’t treat boys as problems to be fixed’
Andy Hill, co-director of Voicebox.
Andy Hill, co-director of Voicebox.
‘We shouldn’t treat boys as problems to be fixed’
A person riding a horse with a Garmin Blaze device attached to the horse's tail.
A person riding a horse with a Garmin Blaze device attached to the horse's tail.
Fitness tracker aims to help horses take racing in their stride
A person riding a horse with a Garmin Blaze device attached to the horse's tail.
A person riding a horse with a Garmin Blaze device attached to the horse's tail.
Fitness tracker aims to help horses take racing in their stride
Two images of a cheeseburger and fries, the first image labeled "BEFORE" shows the burger patty appearing slightly gray, while the second image labeled "AFTER" shows the burger patty appearing pinker.
Two images of a cheeseburger and fries, the first image labeled "BEFORE" shows the burger patty appearing slightly gray, while the second image labeled "AFTER" shows the burger patty appearing pinker.
Fraudsters scam Deliveroo by making food look undercooked
Two images of a cheeseburger and fries, the first image labeled "BEFORE" shows the burger patty appearing slightly gray, while the second image labeled "AFTER" shows the burger patty appearing pinker.
Two images of a cheeseburger and fries, the first image labeled "BEFORE" shows the burger patty appearing slightly gray, while the second image labeled "AFTER" shows the burger patty appearing pinker.
Fraudsters scam Deliveroo by making food look undercooked
How to catch a fare dodger: what I saw on patrol at Waterloo

One woman evaded £49,000 of tickets with a simple trick that South Western Railway must combine data science and detective work to address

Sebastian Cizman, 12, smiling.
Sebastian Cizman, 12, smiling.
Boy shared an image of Squid Game character hours before he died
Andy Hill, co-director of Voicebox.
Andy Hill, co-director of Voicebox.
‘We shouldn’t treat boys as problems to be fixed’
South Western Railway Revenue Protection officers at Waterloo Station.
South Western Railway Revenue Protection officers at Waterloo Station.
How to catch a fare dodger: what I saw on patrol at Waterloo
South Western Railway Revenue Protection officers at Waterloo Station.
South Western Railway Revenue Protection officers at Waterloo Station.
How to catch a fare dodger: what I saw on patrol at Waterloo
Sebastian Cizman, 12, smiling.
Sebastian Cizman, 12, smiling.
Boy shared an image of Squid Game character hours before he died
Sebastian Cizman, 12, smiling.
Sebastian Cizman, 12, smiling.
Boy shared an image of Squid Game character hours before he died
Andy Hill, co-director of Voicebox.
Andy Hill, co-director of Voicebox.
‘We shouldn’t treat boys as problems to be fixed’
Andy Hill, co-director of Voicebox.
Andy Hill, co-director of Voicebox.
‘We shouldn’t treat boys as problems to be fixed’
A person riding a horse with a Garmin Blaze device attached to the horse's tail.
Fitness tracker aims to help horses take racing in their stride

The Garmin Blaze wraps around the tail and sends data such as heart rate to a smartwatch in an effort to boost performance and health

Two images of a cheeseburger and fries, the first image labeled "BEFORE" shows the burger patty appearing slightly gray, while the second image labeled "AFTER" shows the burger patty appearing pinker.
Two images of a cheeseburger and fries, the first image labeled "BEFORE" shows the burger patty appearing slightly gray, while the second image labeled "AFTER" shows the burger patty appearing pinker.
Fraudsters scam Deliveroo by making food look undercooked

Takeaway customers are using AI to edit photos of their meal orders to con providers for refunds

South Western Railway Revenue Protection officers at Waterloo Station.
How to catch a fare dodger: what I saw on patrol at Waterloo
Sebastian Cizman, 12, smiling.
Sebastian Cizman, 12, smiling.
Boy shared an image of Squid Game character hours before he died
Andy Hill, co-director of Voicebox.
Andy Hill, co-director of Voicebox.
‘We shouldn’t treat boys as problems to be fixed’
A person riding a horse with a Garmin Blaze device attached to the horse's tail.
A person riding a horse with a Garmin Blaze device attached to the horse's tail.
Fitness tracker aims to help horses take racing in their stride
Two images of a cheeseburger and fries, the first image labeled "BEFORE" shows the burger patty appearing slightly gray, while the second image labeled "AFTER" shows the burger patty appearing pinker.
Two images of a cheeseburger and fries, the first image labeled "BEFORE" shows the burger patty appearing slightly gray, while the second image labeled "AFTER" shows the burger patty appearing pinker.
Fraudsters scam Deliveroo by making food look undercooked
South Western Railway Revenue Protection officers at Waterloo Station.
South Western Railway Revenue Protection officers at Waterloo Station.
How to catch a fare dodger: what I saw on patrol at Waterloo
South Western Railway Revenue Protection officers at Waterloo Station.
South Western Railway Revenue Protection officers at Waterloo Station.
How to catch a fare dodger: what I saw on patrol at Waterloo
Sebastian Cizman, 12, smiling.
Sebastian Cizman, 12, smiling.
Boy shared an image of Squid Game character hours before he died
Sebastian Cizman, 12, smiling.
Sebastian Cizman, 12, smiling.
Boy shared an image of Squid Game character hours before he died
Andy Hill, co-director of Voicebox.
Andy Hill, co-director of Voicebox.
‘We shouldn’t treat boys as problems to be fixed’
Andy Hill, co-director of Voicebox.
Andy Hill, co-director of Voicebox.
‘We shouldn’t treat boys as problems to be fixed’
A person riding a horse with a Garmin Blaze device attached to the horse's tail.
A person riding a horse with a Garmin Blaze device attached to the horse's tail.
Fitness tracker aims to help horses take racing in their stride
A person riding a horse with a Garmin Blaze device attached to the horse's tail.
A person riding a horse with a Garmin Blaze device attached to the horse's tail.
Fitness tracker aims to help horses take racing in their stride
Two images of a cheeseburger and fries, the first image labeled "BEFORE" shows the burger patty appearing slightly gray, while the second image labeled "AFTER" shows the burger patty appearing pinker.
Two images of a cheeseburger and fries, the first image labeled "BEFORE" shows the burger patty appearing slightly gray, while the second image labeled "AFTER" shows the burger patty appearing pinker.
Fraudsters scam Deliveroo by making food look undercooked
Two images of a cheeseburger and fries, the first image labeled "BEFORE" shows the burger patty appearing slightly gray, while the second image labeled "AFTER" shows the burger patty appearing pinker.
Two images of a cheeseburger and fries, the first image labeled "BEFORE" shows the burger patty appearing slightly gray, while the second image labeled "AFTER" shows the burger patty appearing pinker.
Fraudsters scam Deliveroo by making food look undercooked
South Western Railway Revenue Protection officers at Waterloo Station.
How to catch a fare dodger: what I saw on patrol at Waterloo
Sebastian Cizman, 12, smiling.
Sebastian Cizman, 12, smiling.
Boy shared an image of Squid Game character hours before he died
Andy Hill, co-director of Voicebox.
Andy Hill, co-director of Voicebox.
‘We shouldn’t treat boys as problems to be fixed’
South Western Railway Revenue Protection officers at Waterloo Station.
South Western Railway Revenue Protection officers at Waterloo Station.
How to catch a fare dodger: what I saw on patrol at Waterloo
South Western Railway Revenue Protection officers at Waterloo Station.
South Western Railway Revenue Protection officers at Waterloo Station.
How to catch a fare dodger: what I saw on patrol at Waterloo
Sebastian Cizman, 12, smiling.
Sebastian Cizman, 12, smiling.
Boy shared an image of Squid Game character hours before he died
Sebastian Cizman, 12, smiling.
Sebastian Cizman, 12, smiling.
Boy shared an image of Squid Game character hours before he died
Andy Hill, co-director of Voicebox.
Andy Hill, co-director of Voicebox.
‘We shouldn’t treat boys as problems to be fixed’
Andy Hill, co-director of Voicebox.
Andy Hill, co-director of Voicebox.
‘We shouldn’t treat boys as problems to be fixed’
A person riding a horse with a Garmin Blaze device attached to the horse's tail.
A person riding a horse with a Garmin Blaze device attached to the horse's tail.
Fitness tracker aims to help horses take racing in their stride
Two images of a cheeseburger and fries, the first image labeled "BEFORE" shows the burger patty appearing slightly gray, while the second image labeled "AFTER" shows the burger patty appearing pinker.
Two images of a cheeseburger and fries, the first image labeled "BEFORE" shows the burger patty appearing slightly gray, while the second image labeled "AFTER" shows the burger patty appearing pinker.
Fraudsters scam Deliveroo by making food look undercooked
Queen speaks of ‘anger’ about assault in Today interview with John Hunt
Queen speaks of ‘anger’ about assault in Today interview with John Hunt

The Queen recorded an emotional radio show with the racing commentator and his daughter after three members of their family were murdered in 2024

Royal family
Christine Blackmore and Finn Deegan embrace.
Christine Blackmore and Finn Deegan embrace.
From Zoom calls to V&A stroll: how age-gap bond ‘saved a life’
A derelict pub with boarded-up windows and a blue chalkboard sign that reads "OPEN TILL LATE Children Welcome".
A derelict pub with boarded-up windows and a blue chalkboard sign that reads "OPEN TILL LATE Children Welcome".
Britain’s ‘social fabric being lost’ as one pub a day closes
Food & Drink
36 minutes ago
Eloise Smith and racehorse Milldam celebrate their shared birthday.
NEW
Racehorses’ shared new year birthday — and other news in pictures
37 minutes ago
Danbury Ridge Wine Estate pinot noir production in Essex.
Danbury Ridge Wine Estate pinot noir production in Essex.
After sparkling success, English still wines build their reputation
Food & Drink
Wes Streeting, Angela Rayner, and Keir Starmer at a Labour Party event.
Wes Streeting, Angela Rayner, and Keir Starmer at a Labour Party event.
NEW
THE TIMES DIARY
Stars suggest Labour coup, but do they favour Rayner or Streeting?
36 minutes ago
Eloise Smith and racehorse Milldam celebrate their shared birthday.
Eloise Smith and racehorse Milldam celebrate their shared birthday.
NEW
Racehorses’ shared new year birthday — and other news in pictures
37 minutes ago
Eloise Smith and racehorse Milldam celebrate their shared birthday.
Eloise Smith and racehorse Milldam celebrate their shared birthday.
NEW
Racehorses’ shared new year birthday — and other news in pictures
37 minutes ago
Danbury Ridge Wine Estate pinot noir production in Essex.
Danbury Ridge Wine Estate pinot noir production in Essex.
After sparkling success, English still wines build their reputation
Food & Drink
Danbury Ridge Wine Estate pinot noir production in Essex.
Danbury Ridge Wine Estate pinot noir production in Essex.
After sparkling success, English still wines build their reputation
Food & Drink
Wes Streeting, Angela Rayner, and Keir Starmer at a Labour Party event.
Wes Streeting, Angela Rayner, and Keir Starmer at a Labour Party event.
NEW
THE TIMES DIARY
Stars suggest Labour coup, but do they favour Rayner or Streeting?
36 minutes ago
Wes Streeting, Angela Rayner, and Keir Starmer at a Labour Party event.
Wes Streeting, Angela Rayner, and Keir Starmer at a Labour Party event.
NEW
THE TIMES DIARY
Stars suggest Labour coup, but do they favour Rayner or Streeting?
36 minutes ago
Eloise Smith and racehorse Milldam celebrate their shared birthday.
NEW
Racehorses’ shared new year birthday — and other news in pictures
37 minutes ago
Danbury Ridge Wine Estate pinot noir production in Essex.
Danbury Ridge Wine Estate pinot noir production in Essex.
After sparkling success, English still wines build their reputation
Food & Drink
Wes Streeting, Angela Rayner, and Keir Starmer at a Labour Party event.
Wes Streeting, Angela Rayner, and Keir Starmer at a Labour Party event.
NEW
THE TIMES DIARY
Stars suggest Labour coup, but do they favour Rayner or Streeting?
36 minutes ago
Eloise Smith and racehorse Milldam celebrate their shared birthday.
Eloise Smith and racehorse Milldam celebrate their shared birthday.
NEW
Racehorses’ shared new year birthday — and other news in pictures
37 minutes ago
Eloise Smith and racehorse Milldam celebrate their shared birthday.
Eloise Smith and racehorse Milldam celebrate their shared birthday.
NEW
Racehorses’ shared new year birthday — and other news in pictures
37 minutes ago
Danbury Ridge Wine Estate pinot noir production in Essex.
Danbury Ridge Wine Estate pinot noir production in Essex.
After sparkling success, English still wines build their reputation
Food & Drink
Danbury Ridge Wine Estate pinot noir production in Essex.
Danbury Ridge Wine Estate pinot noir production in Essex.
After sparkling success, English still wines build their reputation
Food & Drink
Wes Streeting, Angela Rayner, and Keir Starmer at a Labour Party event.
Wes Streeting, Angela Rayner, and Keir Starmer at a Labour Party event.
NEW
THE TIMES DIARY
Stars suggest Labour coup, but do they favour Rayner or Streeting?
36 minutes ago
Wes Streeting, Angela Rayner, and Keir Starmer at a Labour Party event.
Wes Streeting, Angela Rayner, and Keir Starmer at a Labour Party event.
NEW
THE TIMES DIARY
Stars suggest Labour coup, but do they favour Rayner or Streeting?
36 minutes ago
ADVERTISEMENT

Editor's Picks

Michael Jackson in a red leather jacket and pants dancing with zombies in the Thriller music video.
Farewell to MTV Music — and to the glory days of the pop video

MTV has stopped broadcasting music videos in the UK, with artists now promoting themselves on social media. But will that ever compare to our pick of the best videos?

TV & Radio
Collage of Ella Mills and an aubergine taco.
NEW
Deliciously Ella: what the queen of healthy eating did next
Food & Drink
Collage of Boris Johnson, Dominic Cummings, and Michael Gove.
‘Dominic Cummings wants to run the country. Bad idea. But he did sack me’
Burnsall village, river, and bridge in Yorkshire Dales National Park.
Why you’ll pay a ‘paradise premium’ to live in a national park
Property & Home
Clarence House, a modern energy-efficient home in Woldingham, featuring a black brick and white facade, glass balconies, and an integral garage, built into a lush green hillside with trees in the background.
A very modern Clarence House or a castle in Northumberland for £2.5m?
Property & Home
Collage of a man in a light-colored shirt with arms crossed and the interior of a restaurant with set tables.
REVIEW
GILES COREN
Casa Felicia restaurant review: ‘Good, hearty Italian cooking’
Food & Drink
Collage of a woman and a child with an adult holding their hand.
NEW
COMMENT
DEBORAH ROSS
That GP isn’t the only woman to fib about childcare. I did it too
Parenting
Burnsall village, river, and bridge in Yorkshire Dales National Park.
Why you’ll pay a ‘paradise premium’ to live in a national park
Property & Home
Clarence House, a modern energy-efficient home in Woldingham, featuring a black brick and white facade, glass balconies, and an integral garage, built into a lush green hillside with trees in the background.
A very modern Clarence House or a castle in Northumberland for £2.5m?
Property & Home
Collage of a man in a light-colored shirt with arms crossed and the interior of a restaurant with set tables.
REVIEW
GILES COREN
Casa Felicia restaurant review: ‘Good, hearty Italian cooking’
Food & Drink
Collage of a woman and a child with an adult holding their hand.
NEW
COMMENT
DEBORAH ROSS
That GP isn’t the only woman to fib about childcare. I did it too
Parenting
Collage of Ella Mills and an aubergine taco.
NEW
Deliciously Ella: what the queen of healthy eating did next
Food & Drink
Collage of Boris Johnson, Dominic Cummings, and Michael Gove.
‘Dominic Cummings wants to run the country. Bad idea. But he did sack me’

World

Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenka walk side-by-side with other delegates on a red carpet.
Will year of the horse be when Xi Jinping’s China gallops ahead?

Beijing is showing a growing desire to play an ambitious role in global affairs, retreating from a position of focusing purely on domestic ambitions

A cargo semi-truck engulfed in flames at a logistics center after a Russian drone strike in Odesa, Ukraine.
A cargo semi-truck engulfed in flames at a logistics center after a Russian drone strike in Odesa, Ukraine.
Kremlin orders Russian army to advance into northern Ukraine
Russia-Ukraine war
Russian President Vladimir Putin delivering his annual New Year's televised address to the nation.
Russian President Vladimir Putin delivering his annual New Year's televised address to the nation.
We will be victorious, Putin tells troops in new year’s address
Russia-Ukraine war
Drone footage showing a tank in a snowy, wooded area firing a projectile, causing an explosion near the treeline.
Horseback troops face drones as old and new tactics clash in Ukraine
Russia-Ukraine war
Collage of fruit and an Italian village.
Collage of fruit and an Italian village.
Why farmers in Sicily are growing bananas — not lemons
A man walks past closed shops in the Tehran Grand Bazaar after protests.
A man walks past closed shops in the Tehran Grand Bazaar after protests.
Iran protests spread as shutdown is enforced in Tehran
Middle East
Drone footage showing a tank in a snowy, wooded area firing a projectile, causing an explosion near the treeline.
Drone footage showing a tank in a snowy, wooded area firing a projectile, causing an explosion near the treeline.
Horseback troops face drones as old and new tactics clash in Ukraine
Russia-Ukraine war
Drone footage showing a tank in a snowy, wooded area firing a projectile, causing an explosion near the treeline.
Drone footage showing a tank in a snowy, wooded area firing a projectile, causing an explosion near the treeline.
Horseback troops face drones as old and new tactics clash in Ukraine
Russia-Ukraine war
Collage of fruit and an Italian village.
Collage of fruit and an Italian village.
Why farmers in Sicily are growing bananas — not lemons
Collage of fruit and an Italian village.
Collage of fruit and an Italian village.
Why farmers in Sicily are growing bananas — not lemons
A man walks past closed shops in the Tehran Grand Bazaar after protests.
A man walks past closed shops in the Tehran Grand Bazaar after protests.
Iran protests spread as shutdown is enforced in Tehran
Middle East
A man walks past closed shops in the Tehran Grand Bazaar after protests.
A man walks past closed shops in the Tehran Grand Bazaar after protests.
Iran protests spread as shutdown is enforced in Tehran
Middle East
Drone footage showing a tank in a snowy, wooded area firing a projectile, causing an explosion near the treeline.
Horseback troops face drones as old and new tactics clash in Ukraine
Russia-Ukraine war
Collage of fruit and an Italian village.
Collage of fruit and an Italian village.
Why farmers in Sicily are growing bananas — not lemons
A man walks past closed shops in the Tehran Grand Bazaar after protests.
A man walks past closed shops in the Tehran Grand Bazaar after protests.
Iran protests spread as shutdown is enforced in Tehran
Middle East
Drone footage showing a tank in a snowy, wooded area firing a projectile, causing an explosion near the treeline.
Drone footage showing a tank in a snowy, wooded area firing a projectile, causing an explosion near the treeline.
Horseback troops face drones as old and new tactics clash in Ukraine
Russia-Ukraine war
Drone footage showing a tank in a snowy, wooded area firing a projectile, causing an explosion near the treeline.
Drone footage showing a tank in a snowy, wooded area firing a projectile, causing an explosion near the treeline.
Horseback troops face drones as old and new tactics clash in Ukraine
Russia-Ukraine war
Collage of fruit and an Italian village.
Collage of fruit and an Italian village.
Why farmers in Sicily are growing bananas — not lemons
Collage of fruit and an Italian village.
Collage of fruit and an Italian village.
Why farmers in Sicily are growing bananas — not lemons
A man walks past closed shops in the Tehran Grand Bazaar after protests.
A man walks past closed shops in the Tehran Grand Bazaar after protests.
Iran protests spread as shutdown is enforced in Tehran
Middle East
A man walks past closed shops in the Tehran Grand Bazaar after protests.
A man walks past closed shops in the Tehran Grand Bazaar after protests.
Iran protests spread as shutdown is enforced in Tehran
Middle East

Comment

Portrait of Sonia Sodha.
SONIA SODHAHappy new year — same unhappy old Keir

With his approval ratings through the floor, it will take a miracle for the PM to survive 2026 but can a replacement do any better?

Illustration of a train tunnel with "2026" written above it, a megaphone saying "WE'D LIKE TO APOLOGISE FOR FURTHER DELAYS AND CANCELLATIONS ON THE LINE," and a dove with an olive branch and a suitcase labeled "Peace Train" outside the tunnel.

Cartoon by Peter Schrank

a man wearing a green jacket with the letter m on it
ROHAN SILVAHow AI could turn us all into Dr Dolittles
a man wearing glasses and a blue shirt smiles for the camera
EDWARD LUCASMy battle with pension providers is so Soviet
a woman wearing a necklace with a cross on it
JANICE TURNER | NOTEBOOKPublic thank you from Starmer was a snub to all the rest
Richard Spencer wearing glasses and a dark jacket over a checkered shirt.
RICHARD SPENCER | THUNDERERAlaa Abd el-Fattah’s old tweets should not eclipse his courage
a man wearing a green jacket with the letter m on it
ROHAN SILVAHow AI could turn us all into Dr Dolittles
a man wearing glasses and a blue shirt smiles for the camera
a woman wearing a necklace with a cross on it
Richard Spencer wearing glasses and a dark jacket over a checkered shirt.
a man wearing a green jacket with the letter m on it
a man wearing glasses and a blue shirt smiles for the camera
a woman wearing a necklace with a cross on it
Richard Spencer wearing glasses and a dark jacket over a checkered shirt.
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Money

Silver 2015 VW Volkswagen Amarok Ultimate Tdi 4Motion A Bitdi 180 Bluemotion Auto 4Motion A32 Start/Stop LCV Double Cab Pick Up Diesel 1968 cc, 4Motion all-wheel drive, moving right to left on a road.
Firms forced to axe company vehicles after ‘van tax’ changes

Reclassifying vans as cars will land businesses and employees with higher tax bills

Illustration of a distressed elderly couple with stacks of coins representing financial concerns.
Holly ThomasWe paid £10,200 into an Isa 15 years ago. Then it vanished
Vicky Reynal in a white patterned blouse, dark trousers, and a leopard print belt, sitting with arms crossed.
Vicky Reynal‘My brother got £20k for Christmas. I got a sweater’
A woman placing a white rose on a coffin at a funeral.
Co-op told to pay £1,000 after cramming body into wrong-size coffin
Trader working at Vanguard Asset Management Ltd. in London.
It’s cheap, but is Vanguard worth it?
Emily Pomroy-Smith, a woman with dark curly hair and a white collared shirt, sits in front of shelves stocked with fabric.
‘Our zero-bill home cost us thousands — but it paid off’
NINTCHDBPICT001047409824
We’re the young doctors leaving the NHS to move to Australia
A woman placing a white rose on a coffin at a funeral.
Co-op told to pay £1,000 after cramming body into wrong-size coffin
Trader working at Vanguard Asset Management Ltd. in London.
It’s cheap, but is Vanguard worth it?
Emily Pomroy-Smith, a woman with dark curly hair and a white collared shirt, sits in front of shelves stocked with fabric.
‘Our zero-bill home cost us thousands — but it paid off’
NINTCHDBPICT001047409824
We’re the young doctors leaving the NHS to move to Australia
Illustration of a distressed elderly couple with stacks of coins representing financial concerns.
Holly ThomasWe paid £10,200 into an Isa 15 years ago. Then it vanished
Vicky Reynal in a white patterned blouse, dark trousers, and a leopard print belt, sitting with arms crossed.
Vicky Reynal‘My brother got £20k for Christmas. I got a sweater’

Life & Style

Collage of a smiling Carol Midgley and Claudia Winkleman in a vest over a striped shirt, with a large castle in the background.
CAROL MIDGLEY
Claudia could be the best female chat show host since Mrs Merton

The Traitors host Claudia Winkleman, who has just quit Strictly Come Dancing, is getting her own Friday night interview slot

Collage of a woman in a striped shirt and a woman in a white bra top against a wall of red roses.
The new social elite? They’re all ‘well women’
Health & Fitness
Woman looking sadly at a plate of greens with a drug injection pen in the foreground.
Will this be the year of fat jab food?
Food & Drink
Jo Tutchner Sharp of Scamp and Dude sitting at a table at home.
Ten years ago a brain bleed almost killed me. Now I’ve got an OBE
Health & Fitness
Collage of a model wearing a white shirt and ruffled orange skirt, and a woman in a black blazer and sheer black polka-dot dress.
Overnight  tweakments,  Bambi print, big shades  and flamenco skirts
Fashion
A person with braided hair and headphones DJing at the 6 Music Festival 2023.
How to play a DJ set — by Jamz Supernova
Illustration of three people at a table, with three cups of coffee, and one person writing.
How to write a quiz that your friends and family will love
Jo Tutchner Sharp of Scamp and Dude sitting at a table at home.
Ten years ago a brain bleed almost killed me. Now I’ve got an OBE
Health & Fitness
Collage of a model wearing a white shirt and ruffled orange skirt, and a woman in a black blazer and sheer black polka-dot dress.
Overnight  tweakments,  Bambi print, big shades  and flamenco skirts
Fashion
A person with braided hair and headphones DJing at the 6 Music Festival 2023.
How to play a DJ set — by Jamz Supernova
Illustration of three people at a table, with three cups of coffee, and one person writing.
How to write a quiz that your friends and family will love
Collage of a woman in a striped shirt and a woman in a white bra top against a wall of red roses.
The new social elite? They’re all ‘well women’
Health & Fitness
Woman looking sadly at a plate of greens with a drug injection pen in the foreground.
Will this be the year of fat jab food?
Food & Drink

Business

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks to workers in front of a Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jet.
FTSE 100 shrugs off tariffs and war to enjoy best year since 2009
A mobile phone displaying an energy bill next to a lit gas hob.
Energy bills set to drop by £138 in April after green tax shift
Patrick Hosking byline
Patrick HoskingThe UK is stuck, but there is still hope for 2026
a man wearing glasses and a suit smiles for the camera
Ed WarnerAnother FTSE birthday in the shadow of its American cousins
Political ignorance of business stunting growth, says Iceland boss
The winners and losers in 2025, a year of living dangerously
Meet the music fans fighting to save grassroots venues
Crypto investors forced to declare winnings to taxman
Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves takes a selfie with Richard Walker, Managing director of Iceland, outside an Iceland supermarket.
Political ignorance of business stunting growth, says Iceland boss
A sailor in uniform kisses a woman in front of the HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carrier.
The winners and losers in 2025, a year of living dangerously
Rachel McEntee posing at The Snug venue.
Meet the music fans fighting to save grassroots venues
Inflatable orange and white bull with "bitcoin.com" branding at the Australian Crypto Convention.
Crypto investors forced to declare winnings to taxman
Patrick Hosking byline
Patrick HoskingThe UK is stuck, but there is still hope for 2026
a man wearing glasses and a suit smiles for the camera
Ed WarnerAnother FTSE birthday in the shadow of its American cousins
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Sport

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola hugging Rodri, who is wearing a medal.
NEW
Pep warns Arsenal: We’ll be even better now Rodri’s back

Ballon d’Or winner expected to play some part in visit to Sunderland on New Year’s Day as Man City aim to move back within striking distance of leaders

Football
Pablo Felipe of Gil Vicente FC in action during a Liga Portugal Betclic match.
WINDOW WATCH
West Ham agree £17m deal for Brazilian striker as Palace and Forest eye Strand Larsen
Football
AFC Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo reacts on the field.
NEW
Semenyo’s £11m gift for old club Bristol City — three years after he left
Football
A darts player walks off stage as the crowd watches.
PROFILE
WORLD DARTS CHAMPIONSHIP
A window cleaner and the man who wants to open a Chinese — meet the last eight
Omar Alderete, Granit Xhaka, and Nordi Mukiele of Sunderland celebrate the team's first goal against Newcastle United.
From Accrington away to verge of Europe: ‘it’s just the start’ for Sunderland
Football
Christian Wade showing 9 fingers for the tries he needs for the record.
INTERVIEW
Wade: I want to leave legacy at Newcastle — and take Ashton’s record too
Rugby union
Dejected Liverpool players after Leeds United scored a goal.
ANALYSIS
PAUL JOYCE
How set-piece misery at both ends has derailed Liverpool’s title hopes
Football
A darts player walks off stage as the crowd watches.
PROFILE
WORLD DARTS CHAMPIONSHIP
A window cleaner and the man who wants to open a Chinese — meet the last eight
Omar Alderete, Granit Xhaka, and Nordi Mukiele of Sunderland celebrate the team's first goal against Newcastle United.
From Accrington away to verge of Europe: ‘it’s just the start’ for Sunderland
Football
Christian Wade showing 9 fingers for the tries he needs for the record.
INTERVIEW
Wade: I want to leave legacy at Newcastle — and take Ashton’s record too
Rugby union
Dejected Liverpool players after Leeds United scored a goal.
ANALYSIS
PAUL JOYCE
How set-piece misery at both ends has derailed Liverpool’s title hopes
Football
Pablo Felipe of Gil Vicente FC in action during a Liga Portugal Betclic match.
WINDOW WATCH
West Ham agree £17m deal for Brazilian striker as Palace and Forest eye Strand Larsen
Football
AFC Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo reacts on the field.
NEW
Semenyo’s £11m gift for old club Bristol City — three years after he left
Football

Culture

Claire Cohen stands with hands on hips, wearing a green sweater and jeans.
I’m a millennial Archers fan — it’s taught me so much about life

As the world’s longest-running serial drama celebrates its 75th anniversary, Claire Cohen explains why so many millennials can’t get enough of Ambridge life

TV & Radio
Jonathan Bailey attends the Omega Planet Ocean event.
COMMENT
How Jonathan Bailey became Hollywood’s highest grossing star
Film
Film still of a man smoking a cigarette and a woman looking forward.
REVIEW
Ben Whishaw’s bizarre movie feels twice as long as Avatar
Film
Amy Poehler laughing, against a background of colorful geometric shapes.
REVIEW
SUSIE GOLDSBROUGH ON PODCASTS
Good Hang review — Amy Poehler’s Golden Globe-nominated show is piffle
TV & Radio
The Night Manager S2 main character in a black suit.
NEW
VIEWING GUIDE
What’s on TV and radio tonight — The Night Manager
TV & Radio
37 minutes ago
Sheep in winter snow on Moel Siabod, Snowdonia.
REVIEW
FICTION
Do not read this creepy tale in an isolated cottage
Books
Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson in a red leather jacket and keyboard graphic t-shirt.
NEW
The best films to watch in 2026 chosen by the critics
Film
Amy Poehler laughing, against a background of colorful geometric shapes.
REVIEW
SUSIE GOLDSBROUGH ON PODCASTS
Good Hang review — Amy Poehler’s Golden Globe-nominated show is piffle
TV & Radio
The Night Manager S2 main character in a black suit.
NEW
VIEWING GUIDE
What’s on TV and radio tonight — The Night Manager
TV & Radio
37 minutes ago
Sheep in winter snow on Moel Siabod, Snowdonia.
REVIEW
FICTION
Do not read this creepy tale in an isolated cottage
Books
Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson in a red leather jacket and keyboard graphic t-shirt.
NEW
The best films to watch in 2026 chosen by the critics
Film
Jonathan Bailey attends the Omega Planet Ocean event.
COMMENT
How Jonathan Bailey became Hollywood’s highest grossing star
Film
Film still of a man smoking a cigarette and a woman looking forward.
REVIEW
Ben Whishaw’s bizarre movie feels twice as long as Avatar
Film

Travel

Laugarás Lagoon in Iceland under the Northern Lights.
Iceland’s new rival to the Blue Lagoon

The geothermal pools at Laugaras are within handy reach of the Golden Circle, with fewer tourists and a great restaurant too

The bay and mountains of Roseau Dominica with a small town in the distance.
Why you should visit this unspoilt Caribbean island in 2026
Nyhavn in Copenhagen at sunset, showing colorful buildings, boats, and people dining outdoors.
Six passport rules and entry requirements you (probably) don’t know about
The Basilica of Sacre Coeur in Montmartre, Paris.
I’ve found a £13 stay in Montmartre — but there’s a catch
Azura - one of the best P&O cruise ships
The cruise line that makes no-fly holidays from the UK a breeze
A suite's living room at Bulgari Hotel Milano, Italy
REVIEW
This luxury hotel is the place to be seen in Italy’s fashion city
Prestonfield House, a white historic house with red umbrellas, seen from a field of yellow flowers with a hill covered in yellow shrubbery behind it.
WHERE WAS I? COMPETITION
Win a luxury Edinburgh break worth up to £1,075 at Prestonfield House
The Basilica of Sacre Coeur in Montmartre, Paris.
I’ve found a £13 stay in Montmartre — but there’s a catch
Azura - one of the best P&O cruise ships
The cruise line that makes no-fly holidays from the UK a breeze
A suite's living room at Bulgari Hotel Milano, Italy
REVIEW
This luxury hotel is the place to be seen in Italy’s fashion city
Prestonfield House, a white historic house with red umbrellas, seen from a field of yellow flowers with a hill covered in yellow shrubbery behind it.
WHERE WAS I? COMPETITION
Win a luxury Edinburgh break worth up to £1,075 at Prestonfield House
The bay and mountains of Roseau Dominica with a small town in the distance.
Why you should visit this unspoilt Caribbean island in 2026
Nyhavn in Copenhagen at sunset, showing colorful buildings, boats, and people dining outdoors.
Six passport rules and entry requirements you (probably) don’t know about
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Obituaries

Stephen Leslie KC, wearing a tartan tuxedo, holding a glass of champagne.
Stephen Leslie KC, popular criminal advocate

Ebullient and colourful figure who became leader of the South Eastern Circuit at the Bar, dies aged 78

36 minutes ago
Stephen Leslie KC, wearing a tartan tuxedo, holding a glass of champagne.
Stephen Leslie KC, popular criminal advocate
36 minutes ago
Justin Toper, newspaper astrologer
36 minutes ago

Luxury

Today's puzzles

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