12 books you need to read in 2026

Fictional gems, debut thillers, cracking biographies and everything in between.

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Jethro Tull founding member dies aged 82

Lead singer Ian Anderson says Mick Abrahams was "vitally important" to the band's early line-up.

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Tributes to TikTok star gaming gran who died aged 78

Agnes, or EpicGamerGrandma as she was known online, passed away in hospital after suffering from a stroke.

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Binge-watching 2025's Christmas films: The good, the bad and the so-bad-it's-good

Kiefer Sutherland, Michelle Pfeiffer and Kate Winslet all star in new festive films this Christmas.

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Why Hollywood battle could change how you watch sport

A multi-billion dollar takeover fight is being played out in Hollywood - and Premier League bosses will be watching on closely.

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Call of Duty co-creator Vince Zampella dies in California car crash

The influential video game developer died after his car crashed and caught fire on a highway in Los Angeles.

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We stripped to our pants a lot - Brydon on new series

The Welsh actor and comedian has been speaking about his latest series with Steve Coogan.

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Bake Off, Strictly or Amandaland? The TV highlights over Christmas

Stranger Things, Two Doors Down and The Celebrity Apprentice are among this year's highlights.

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Thomas Skinner claims BBC rigged Strictly vote removing him

The former contestant alleges he received an "anonymous" email from a BBC executive with stats showing he received "far more" votes.

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Community cast 'does city proud' in culture finale

Thousands gather in Bradford for the first of two events bringing the curtain down on culture year.

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BBC overhauls editorial committee after Trump speech row

The committee will take a "robust and transparent approach" to tackling editorial concerns, a report says.

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Are viral band Boy Throb the real deal or a TikTok gag?

The group has been campaigning for one million TikTok followers to help get a band member a US visa.

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Keith Lee wins top prize at first TikTok Awards in US

Actress La La Anthony hosted the inaugural awards show in the US, which took place at the Hollywood Palladium.

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Wiz Khalifa sentenced to nine months jail in Romania for smoking cannabis on stage

The rapper, who has been sentenced in absentia, had admitted to smoking a cannabis joint on stage at a festival last year.

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Kylie beats Wham! to Christmas number one - she'll do a jigsaw to celebrate

The pop star tops the Christmas charts, but says she's planning a low-key celebration in Australia.

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Timothée Chalamet on table tennis, his twenties and his love of... Susan Boyle

The US actor is tipped for an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of table tennis star Marty Mauser.

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BBC declares it will fight Donald Trump's defamation claim - but should it?

As the US president follows through on his threat to sue the BBC, what are the options for the corporation?

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Bake Off finalist says he 'hates baking cakes'

Aaron Mountford-Myles, of Stoke-on-Trent, says the series was the best experience of his life.

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What we know about Nick Reiner, son arrested in death of director Rob Reiner

The middle child of the filmmaker and his wife Michele, who has been arrested on suspicion of murder, struggled with substance abuse.

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Everyone is invited to be the fourth Haim sister

As they celebrate an historic Grammy nomination, Haim say everyone is welcome to join their band.

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Rob Reiner's son Nick arrested for murder after director and wife found dead

The couple's son is in custody after the couple was found dead in their home on Sunday.

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LA police investigate 'apparent homicide' at Rob Reiner's home

Authorities were called the storied Hollywood director's home on Sunday and found the bodies of a man, 78, and a woman, 68.

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'Songwriting is my therapy', says Tom Walker

The Leave A Light On singer wants to reduce stigma around discussing mental health struggles.

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Zoe Ball steps down from BBC Radio 2 Saturday show

Broadcaster Emma Willis will take over presenting the Saturday afternoon programme.

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Taylor Swift shown breaking down in tears after she met Southport attack families

Backstage footage shows the singer in tears after meeting survivors of the attack during her world tour.

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Charlotte Church reveals she has ditched deodorant

The Traitors star says she stopped using it because she was concerned about chemicals.

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Clair Obscur sweeps The Game Awards with nine wins

The French-made role-playing game is named game of the year on a night of prizes and announcements.

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Eurovision winner Nemo to return trophy in protest at Israel

The Swiss singer sees a "clear conflict" between Israel's participation in the event and Eurovision's values.

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Barbican to close for a year for £191m revamp

The Grade-II listed building which is the home of London Symphony Orchestra is set to be overhauled.

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Author Sophie Kinsella remembered as a 'wonderful, warm woman'

The author of the Shopaholic series of novels had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer.

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Iceland becomes fifth country to boycott Eurovision

Iceland joins Spain, Ireland, Slovenia and the Netherlands in saying it will boycott the 2026 contest.

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Kate Winslet says her family never watch The Holiday

The Oscar-winning star says watching herself on screen is "an excruciating experience."

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Man who grabbed Ariana Grande kicked out of Lady Gaga concert

The incident in Australia comes after the man was jailed for nine days and deported from Singapore for public nuisance.

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Judge Grants Request to Unseal Grand Jury Records in Maxwell Case

By Benjamin Weiser from NYT New York https://ift.tt/PbO4wAU

Golden Globes 2026: The full list of nominees

The biggest and best films and stars are on the shortlists as Hollywood award season gets under way.

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Alina Habba, a Trump Loyalist, Resigns as New Jersey’s Top Prosecutor

By Jonah E. Bromwich, Tracey Tully and Devlin Barrett from NYT New York https://ift.tt/kJXzUsi

How My Retirement Savings Are Betraying America

By Jonathan E. Hillman from NYT Opinion https://ift.tt/BlIV341

King and Queen reveal this year's Christmas card

The card features of photograph of the royal couple taken in April during their state visit to Italy.

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The Married Scientists Torn Apart by a Covid Bioweapon Theory

By Katie J.M. Baker from NYT U.S. https://ift.tt/TlNw76E

How Biden Ignored Warnings and Lost Americans’ Faith in Immigration

By Christopher Flavelle from NYT U.S. https://ift.tt/aTB72pz

Frank Gehry’s Buildings Sound as Marvelous as They Look

By Joshua Barone from NYT Arts https://ift.tt/Vui3JCY

What Trump Is Really Doing With His Boat Strikes

By Phil Klay from NYT Opinion https://ift.tt/jWtyVKx

Panel Votes to End Recommendation for Hepatitis B Shots for All Newborns

By Apoorva Mandavilli from NYT Health https://ift.tt/7jxJd92

Trump Returns Coast Guard Helicopter to Oregon Fishing Town After Uproar

By Anna Griffin from NYT U.S. https://ift.tt/QodhyF4

Miley Cyrus confirms engagement to musician Maxx Morando

The Grammy winner says she was "so surprised" after her partner of four years proposed on a trip.

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The ‘Useful Idiots’ From America Whom Putin Is Playing Like a Flute

By Thomas L. Friedman from NYT Opinion https://ift.tt/zmCx2Dk

Joan Armatrading on her choral work celebrating people of Birmingham

Singer-songwriter Joan Armatrading says Homeland focuses on Birmingham, her home since 1958.

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They Were Supposed to Save Europe. Instead, They’re Condemning It to Horrors.

By David Broder from NYT Opinion https://ift.tt/i0m1znJ

College Instructor Put on Leave Over Zero Grade for Gender Essay

By Mark Arsenault from NYT U.S. https://ift.tt/9PkJxSQ

Fallout stars say post-apocalyptic worlds captivate people

The hit TV show is an adaptation of the popular role-playing gaming of the same name.

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Traitors stars, Sienna Miller's baby bump and more pictures from the Fashion Awards

Designers, models and celebrities gathered at the Royal Albert Hall for the glitzy ceremony.

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British Fashion Awards: Baby bumps and Traitors stars

Designers, models and celebrities gathered at the Royal Albert Hall for the glitzy ceremony.

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Sir Andreas Whittam Smith, co-founder of the Independent, dies aged 88

The Independent was the first paper not to have a permanent allegiance to a political party.

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The Transgender Cancer Patient and What She Heard on Tape

By Joseph Goldstein from NYT New York https://ift.tt/VSrDhF2

‘The Holiday’: A Festive Cocktail, Equal Parts Charm and Cringe

By Maya Salam from NYT Movies https://ift.tt/sRUvtMu

RuPaul's Drag Race UK winner reveals plan for prize money

Four finalists were put through their paces one last time during series seven's grand finale.

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We Had a Long, Mostly Good Marriage. It’s OK That It Ended.

By Cathi Hanauer from NYT Opinion https://ift.tt/bo3I9ap