'It gives us control': rise in women exploring sexual fantasies in middle age

A new generation of sexually adventurous middle-aged women are exploring kink and fantasies without shame, according to the founder of one of the UK's largest sex-positive communities.

Darts prodigy Littler makes history with semi-final place

The 16-year-old darts prodigy Luke \"the Nuke\" Littler kept a remarkable sporting dream alive yesterday, imperiously defeating a player three times his age and becoming the youngest player, by some margin, to get to the semi-finals of the world championships.

Ofsted bows to pressure and halts inspections after head's suicide

New watchdog chief says training is key to learning from Ruth Perry’s death

Arsenal wobble worsens as De Cordova-Reid fires back

The good news for Arsenal is that they start 2024 only two points off the league leaders Liverpool. The bad news is just about everything else.

Klopp says rising standards make for competitive league

Jürgen Klopp believes the improvement of teams lower down the table has contributed to a more competitive and unpredictable Premier League this season, as his Liverpool team prepare to face an out-of-sorts Newcastle.

Spurs weather the storm to send Son away on a high

The more Tottenham change, the more they stay the same.

Boulter's biggest win fails to prevent Britain's defeat

Great Britain were beaten 2-1 by the United States at the United Cup despite Katie Boulter sealing the biggest win of her career against the world No 5, Jessica Pegula, in Perth.

Dennis reportedly charged with causing death of wife Hoskins

The Australian Olympic cyclist Rohan Dennis has reportedly been charged with causing the death of his wife, the fellow professional cyclist Melissa Hoskins, after she was hit by a car in Adelaide on Saturday.

Is the Tories' number up? Weakness aplenty - and a year ending in a four

Labour governments have come to power five times in the past century and three of those occasions have come in years that end in a four: 1924, 1964 and 1974. If Rishi Sunak does call an election in 2024, history suggests he will lose.

'Almost an inevitability' Modi and BJP look set to win Indian election

India's prime minister, Narendra Modi, has cut a confident figure in recent weeks. As his Bharatiya Janata party (BJP) swept three major state elections in December, Modi did not hold back from predicting that \"this hat-trick has guaranteed the 2024 victory\".

Rivals cry foul after president re-elected in DRC with 73% of vote

The president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Felix Tshisekedi, has won a second term in office with a landslide victory, according to provisional results, in a vote that opposition leaders have dismissed as a \"sham\".

Red Sea US navy shoots down Houthi rebel missiles fired at container ship

The US navy has shot down two anti-ship missiles and sunk three small boats after responding to distress calls from a container ship that was attacked twice by Houthi rebels as it crossed the Red Sea over the weekend.

Israeli airstrikes kill dozens in Gaza as war enters new year with no end in sight

At least 68 people in Gaza were killed in the 24 hours to yesterday afternoon as the devastating three-month conflict between Israel and Hamas rolled into the new year with no end in sight and only tentative Israeli government plans for discussing \"the day after\" the war ends.

Coben's novel approach Master of the plot twist brings new series to TV

He's one of the world's most influential crime novelists, with many of his books adapted for television.

Flooding Growing proportion of England's defences are in disrepair

Ministers have been told they will be \"punished\" by voters after analysis revealed the decline of vital flood defences across England.

Concentration of power in London is 'UK disease', says Bristol mayor

Marvin Rees, the outgoing mayor of Bristol, has called for more power to be put in the hands of city leaders to help tackle issues such as decaying infrastructure and the climate emergency.

UK accused free activist of failing to help jailed in Egypt

The family of the imprisoned BritishEgyptian writer and activist Alaa Abd el-Fattah has said the British government has failed to act to free him, a year after the prime minister, Rishi Sunak, told his sister the government was \"totally committed to resolving your brother's case\".

NHS data showing rise in cancer checks in England 'misleading'

NHS figures that show more people than ever are being checked for cancer have been criticised as \"misleading\" by experts.

John Pilger hailed as 'giant of campaigning journalism' after his death aged 84

The renowned Australian journalist and documentary maker John Pilger has died, his family said yesterda

Russia pounds Kharkiv in retaliation for 'terrorist attack' on border city

Moscow said yesterday that the wave of drone and missile strikes that wounded at least 28 people in Ukraine's second-biggest city late on Saturday was launched in retaliation for the \"terrorist attack\" on the Russian border city of Belgorod earlier the same day that reportedly killed 24 people.

New Year's Eve events cancelled amid high winds, heavy rain and weather warnings

Bad weather caused several New Year's Eve firework displays to be cancelled last night, as heavy rain and high winds threatened to dampen the party spirit of thousands of revellers.

Campaign group granted judicial review hearing over XL bully ban

A judicial review hearing has been granted for campaigners seeking to overturn the UK government's ban on XL bully dogs, with owners becoming subject to tight restrictions as the legislation came into force yesterday.

Venice limits size of tour groups and bans use of loudspeakers to ease overcrowding

Venice is to limit the size of tourist groups in an attempt to reduce the pressure of thousands of visitors crowding its squares, bridges and narrow walkways each day.

Margrethe II, queen of Denmark for 52 years, announces surprise abdication

The queen of Denmark has announced that she is to abdicate after 52 years on the throne.

Luke 'the Nuke' Littler, 16, still on target to be youngest world darts champion

On Saturday night, as the 16 -year old darts sensation Luke “the Nuke” Littler surged to an easy win over one of the game’s greatest-ever players, the TV commentator remarked: “It’s almost as if the kebab shop is closing at 10 and he’s rushing to get there on time.”

Doctors told to consider risk of air pollution when assessing patients

Doctors at Great Ormond Street are being encouraged to consider air pollution levels at their patients’ home addresses when assessing the causes of their illnesses, under an innovative pilot scheme.

Anger over PM's 'secret Cummings meetings'

Conservative MPs have expressed anger and alarm at the claim that Rishi Sunak offered Dominic Cummings a secret deal to help him win the election, with one saying Boris Johnson’s former chief aide should have “no place in political life”.

Savings Grab the best rates while they are still on offer

If Christmas hasn't cleaned you out financially, now could be the last chance to grab one of the UK's highest-paying fixed-rate savings accounts.

Property market What can we expect in the new year?

Whether you are a first time buyer or remortgaging, we look at what 2024 could bring.

Streaming 2.0 As Netflix returns to form, others get a reality check

It's official: this year has marked the end of the era of the winner-takes-all battle for global streaming supremacy.