The ongoing anti-government protests in Iran remained prominent in newspapers on Sunday, with the Mail covering the events from a defence spending perspective. Reformist British leader Nigel Farage accused Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer of taking a “spineless” approach to defence spending. accusing him of making Britain appear insignificant in the face of ongoing global conflict. “We may soon be involved in operations in Iran.” He told the newspaper, citing a “failure to properly fund” the armed forces. Under the departmental spending plans set out last year, the Defence Ministry’s budget is set to grow in real terms by 3.6% through 2029.
The Sunday Times says hundreds of people are believed to have been killed during the protests in a “gruesome crackdown” by security forces loyal to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The newspaper, citing an unnamed doctor, reported that six hospitals in the capital, Tehran, collectively recorded at least 217 deaths on Thursday night alone. The newspaper could not independently verify this death toll.
The front page of the Sunday Telegraph reads, “Trump vows to help Iran protesters,” after speculation that the US president was planning military strikes in Iran. Former Pentagon officials told the newspaper that Trump could either “authorise a covert CIA operation to destabilise Tehran” or “give Israel the green light to launch its own attack.”
The Sunday People reports that filming Love Island: All Stars has been postponed after the villas were evacuated due to bushfires. The newspaper says this will delay the series’ planned premiere on Monday.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has made an “impassioned promise” to “save Britain’s high streets” in an article for the Sunday edition of the Express. In the paper, Badenoch blames Labour’s “punishing job tax” and skyrocketing business rates for the decline of town centres and pledges to “end the crisis of boarded-up shops.”
Six pictures depicting the events of the past week are on the front page of the Observer, which leads with the headline, “A world without rules.”
Survivors of the 2017 Manchester Arena attack are offering support to children caught up in a stabbing in Southport, the Mirror reports.
According to the Sun, the Duchess of Sussex could be making her first UK visit in four years. The newspaper says if the couple gets security clearance, she will attend the Invictus Games in Birmingham next year with her husband, the Duke of Sussex.
“Jailhouse Frock Crackdown,”, the star announces, as prisons enforce strict dress codes for visiting inmates.
In an interview with the Sunday Times, an unidentified resident of Tehran described the situation in Iran as “terrible” while leading protests. The newspaper reports that medical facilities are overflowing with victims. The Sunday Telegraph reported similar claims, with protesters stating that they have seen “hundreds of dead people.” A former Pentagon official has told the newspaper that the US could attack arms supplies belonging to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. The Sun on Sunday urges the British government to provide more support to Iranian protesters if it genuinely supports freedom, democracy, and independence.
The reviewer asserts that we are witnessing “a world without rules”, where a series of cartoons depicting recent events occupy the main page. One shows an Iranian woman who has taken off her hijab and is lighting a cigarette next to a burning photo of the country’s supreme leader. The cartoon is titled “The Ayatollah’s Last Stand.” Wire: It is also said that Downing Street and European allies are discussing deploying troops to Greenland. It said European countries hope that increasing their presence in the Arctic will persuade Donald Trump to abandon his efforts to acquire the island.
The Mail on Sunday features an article by Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, who has accused Sir Keir Starmer of being “spineless” and of turning Britain into a military midget. Farage has described a reported £28 billion cut in defence spending as “appalling”—at a time when, says the Mail, “the world is on the brink of multiple conflicts.” The government previously said it inherited an “underfunded defence system” from the Conservatives.
The Tory leader, Kemi Badenoch, has expressed her views to the Sunday Express, advocating for the preservation of high streets and the revitalisation of Britain. He accused the Chancellor of treating small businesses like mere financial assets. Badenoch says the Conservatives want to reduce energy bills and remove business rates from the smallest high street shops.
Under the heading “We are healing together”, survivors of the Manchester Arena bombing are offering advice to teachers of children involved in a stabbing in Southport, explaining how they can support their pupils. The 2017 attack survivors claim their schools received insufficient information about their experiences and how to provide support. A headteacher from Southport told the Mirror that those affected by the tragedies “share a passion for making things better.
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka captured back-to-back Brisbane International titles as she avoided becoming Marta Kostyuk’s latest top-10 scalp in Sunday’s final.
Sabalenka won the match 6-4, 6-3 in one hour and 17 minutes, successfully retaining the trophy she had first secured a year ago by defeating Polina Kudermetova, and she did not drop a set throughout the entire week.
Kostyuk had defeated Amanda Anisimova, Mirra Andreeva, and Jessica Pegula in straight sets en route to the final but fell short against Sabalenka’s powerful groundstrokes, as her hopes of a second career title after the ATX Open in March 2023 were dashed.
Image: Sabalenka now has 22 career titles, the third-most among active players on the WTA Tour
Sabalenka –
who is now up to 22 titles, the third-most among active WTA players behind only Iga Swiatek (25) and Venus Williams (49) – will look to take this form into the Australian Open from January 18.
The Belarusian has reached the last three finals in Melbourne, beating Elena Rybakina in 2023 and then Zheng Quinwen a year later before losing to Madison Keys in 2025.
Sabalenka exacted an element of revenge on Keys this week in Brisbane by defeating the American 6-3 6-3 in the quarter-finals.
Kostyuk: I play every day with pain in my heart
Image: Runner-up Marta Kostyuk has beaten three top-10 players on her way to the Brisbane final
After her defeat, Kostyuk spoke passionately about the plight of people in Ukraine after further Russian bombing, saying, “I play every day with a pain in my heart. There are thousands of people who are without light and warm water right now.
“It’s minus 20 degrees outside, so it’s very, very painful to live with this reality every day.” It’s very hot in Brisbane, so it’s difficult to imagine. But my sister is sleeping under three blankets because of how cold it is at home.”
Over in New Zealand, Kostyuk’s fellow Ukrainian Elina Svitolina claimed a 19th career title by seeing off China’s Xinyu Wang 6-3 7-6 (8-6) to win the ASB Classic in Auckland.
Image: Elina Svitolina kisses the trophy after winning the ASB Classic in Auckland, her 19th career title
Top seed Svitolina had battled back from the brink in her quarter-final against Britain’s Sonay Kartal earlier in the week, with Kartal serving for the match at 5-3 in the deciding set before losing 7-5 in a tie-break.
Svitolina said after winning the title, “It feels amazing, especially after a not great end to last season.
“It was nice to get tough matches here this week and win the final. Hopefully we can build on that for the rest of the season.”
Former Gurkha and Britain’s Pride hero Hari Buddha Magar tried to take his own life after having both his legs amputated, but is now achieving the ‘impossible’ with his record-breaking feats.
Britain’s Pride hero Hari Buddha Magar has made history by becoming the first double amputee to complete the Seven Summits challenge. (image: )
Pride of Britain hero Hari Buddha Magar has made history by becoming the first double amputee to complete the Seven Summits challenge —climb the highest mountain on each of the world’s continents.
The former Gurkha called us after reaching the summit of Mount Vinson in Antarctica on Wednesday, January 7, where – where he planted a mirror flag – he climbed 4892 metres on artificial legs specially designed to cope with snow and ice.
He told The Mirror: “It’s a wonderful feeling. I don’t know how we did it – but seven summits have been completed. As an amputee – with two half-knee amputations – I’ve done the impossible and climbed them all. I feel very emotional.”
After losing his legs in an IED blast in Afghanistan in 2010, Hari experienced extreme despair and attempted suicide.
At 46 years old, Hari has overcome his challenges and embarked on an incredible journey to climb Mount Everest. He has also generously donated £884,900 to five remarkable charities: Gurkha Welfare Trust, Blesma, Pilgrim Bandits, On Course Foundation, and Team Forces. Hari said, “Hopefully, our historic climb and completion of the Seven Summits will send a positive message around the world that anything is possible. I’ve been told ‘no’, ‘you can’t do it’, ‘it’s too dangerous’, and ‘it’s not for you’ many times – as many disabled people do. But look at me now!”
The Seven Summits challenge is known as ‘the world’s most prestigious mountaineering achievement’. These include Mount Everest (8848 m) in Nepal, Asia; Mount Kilimanjaro (5895 m) in Tanzania, Africa; Denali (6194 m) in Alaska, USA; Aconcagua (6962 m) in Argentina, South America; Vinson Massif (4892 m) in Antarctica; Carstensz Pyramid, New Guinea (4884 m); and Mount Elbrus (5642 m) in the Caucasus Mountains, Russia.
Hari has conquered all except the Russian peak, which is currently inaccessible to Westerners. Instead, he climbed Mont Blanc (4808 m) in France and this has been recognised by Guinness World Records. Speaking about the dangerous conditions on Vinson, he said, “Every two minutes, I doubted myself. It was so hard. So painful. I stumbled, which scared me. My legs weren’t working properly sometimes. My fingers were freezing, and my face was freezing and burning. I don’t believe in God, but I was praying that we’d make it and that the high winds wouldn’t force us to turn back – or worse. It was difficult.”
Hari Buddha Magar on the summit of Mount Vinson in Antarctica, where he planted a mirror flag. (image: )
Before reaching the summit, Hari and his team set off from Antarctica’s Union Glacier, where there is 24-hour daylight, to Base Camp and then High Camp – the most technical and dangerous part of the climb, with crevasses and potential avalanches at every turn. “I got terrible blisters. But it was worth it. At the top, it was amazing, such a beautiful view. My glasses were foggy with tears. You could see what felt like all of Antarctica; there was snow as far as the eye could see. It was majestic. Otherworldly. It almost felt like heaven.”
Born in a cowshed in Nepal, at the age of 19, he joined the Gurkhas – having successfully applied to join the British Army, being one of 230 selected from 12,000 applicants. For the next 15 years, he served Britain on five continents, operating in Brunei, Kosovo, the Falklands, and other continents. Father-of-three Hari, who now lives in Canterbury, Kent, moved to the UK from Brunei in 2009 with his wife, Urmila, who lives at home.
But, in 2010, two weeks into his Afghanistan tour, he lost his legs to an IED blast while on foot patrol. He was saved only because of quick-thinking fellow soldiers and a nearby helicopter. I thought of the soldiers who saved me when I thought I couldn’t take another step up Vinson Climb,” he said.
In 2010, two weeks into the Afghanistan tour, Hari Budh Magar lost his legs due to an IED blast while on foot patrol. (Image: Handout)
After a period of tortured drinking and attempting suicide, a day of skydiving gave him the courage to try other sports, including climbing, which changed his life. He has now created history by successfully conquering Everest in 2023. The first person he called after meeting Vinson was his wife. Hari said, “My wife was very happy – she was relieved that I was OK. And I was OK too.”
Hari will soon be flying back to the UK – but he has no plans to rest – as Mirror Books will be publishing his life story later this year. “It’s time to start writing!” Said Hari, who was awarded an MBE for his services to disability awareness in 2024 and also won a Pride of Britain Award – he was heading to 10 Downing Street to meet Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer along with other winners.
He said, “I want to inspire people to climb their own mountains. I want to give hope and optimism to people around the world. I have dedicated my life to the disabled community. This challenge – the pride – the joy is for them. And for all those who have ever been told ‘no’.”
Dubai, United Arab Emirates – Nationwide unrest challenging Iran’s theocracy. Protestors were seen pouring into the streets By Saturday night and Sunday morning, the country’s capital and its second-largest city had crossed the two-week mark. US-based activists said at least 203 people have been killed in violence during the protests, with fears the death toll is much higher.
With the internet down in Iran and phone lines cut, it has become even more difficult to assess the demonstrations from abroad. But the death toll from clashes between protesters and Iranian security forces has continued to rise, according to the US-based Human Rights Activist News Agency, which relies on a network of contacts inside the country.
Human rights activist News Agency said that of those killed, 162 were protesters and 41 were members of the security forces. The agency also acknowledged that it has received far more death claims than anticipated so far, as more than 3,280 other people have been arrested. The group has offered an accurate toll on previous periods of unrest in the Islamic Republic. The Iranian government has not presented any total casualty figures for the protests.
Facing their most significant challenge in years, Iran’s religious rulers have issued stern threats to protesters they claim are influenced by the US and Israel – and have responded to the threat of US intervention by President Trump with their own respective threats.
Iran’s parliament speaker warned that US forces and Israel would be “legitimate targets” if the US attacked the Islamic republic, as Mr Trump had threatened. Qalibaf issued the threat as lawmakers climbed onto the stage in the Iranian parliament and began shouting, “Death to America!”
Those abroad fear the information blackout will embolden radicals within Iran’s security services to launch a bloody crackdown, while Mr Trump has warned he is prepared to attack the Islamic republic if protesters are killed.
Iranians gather, blocking a road during a protest in Tehran, Iran, on January 9, 2026.
On Saturday afternoon, Mr Trump wrote on Truth Social that “Iran is looking toward freedom perhaps never seen before. America stands ready to help!”
Maziyar Bahari, editor of the IranWire news website, told CBS News, “I’m sure it has really frightened many Iranian officials and affected their actions in terms of confronting the protesters, but at the same time, it has inspired many protesters to come out because they know that the leader of the world’s main superpower is supporting their cause.”
The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, citing unnamed US officials, said on Saturday night that Mr Trump had been given military options for attacking Iran but had not made a final decision.
Iranian lawmaker says “threat signals” could lead to attacks on US troops
Iranian state television broadcast Sunday’s parliament session live. Qalibaf, a hardliner who has run for president in the past, gave a speech praising the police and Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, particularly its all-volunteer Basij, for “standing firm” during the protests.
“The people of Iran should know that we will deal with them in the most severe manner and punish those arrested,” Qalibaf said.
He began to directly threaten Israel, the “occupied territories” and the US military, possibly with a preemptive strike.
“In the event of an attack on Iran, the occupied territories and all US military centres, bases and ships in the region would be our legitimate targets,” Qalibaf said. “We do not limit ourselves to reacting after action and will take action based on any objective indication of threat.”
It is unclear how serious Iran is about the attack, especially after seeing its air defences destroyed during it. 12-day war in June with Israel, which also saw the US attack its nuclear facilities. Any decision on war will depend on Iran’s 86-year-old supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The US military has said it is deployed to the Middle East “with forces that extend the full range of warfighting capabilities to protect our forces, our allies and partners, and US interests.”
Meanwhile, Israel is “closely monitoring” the situation between the US and Iran, said an Israeli official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to journalists. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke overnight with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Iran and other topics, the official said.
Iranian American forces targeted Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar in June, while the U.S. The U.S. Navy has deployed its Middle East-based 5th Fleet to the island kingdom of Bahrain.
Iran threatens protesters with the death penalty.
Online videos sent from Iran, possibly using Starlink satellite transmitters, reportedly showed gatherings in the Punak neighbourhood of northern Tehran. There, authorities appeared to have closed roads, and protesters were waving their burnt mobile phones. Some protesters beat metal while fireworks exploded around them.
Other videos reportedly showed protesters marching peacefully down a street and others honking their car horns on the road.
“The pattern of protests in the capital has transformed into largely dispersed, short-lived and fluid gatherings, an approach shaped in response to the heavy presence of security forces and increasing field pressure,” the human rights activist news agency said. “At the same time, reports were received of surveillance drones flying overhead and security forces’ activities around protest sites, indicating ongoing surveillance and security controls.”
A large crowd of protesters gathers on the Vakil Abad Highway in Iran’s northeastern city of Mashhad, chanting slogans while burning a fire, in a video image posted on social media on January 10, 2026.
In Mashhad, Iran’s second-largest city, about 450 miles northeast of Tehran, video reportedly showed protesters clashing with security forces. Burning debris and dustbins can be seen on the road, blocking the road. Mashhad is home to the Imam Reza shrine, the holiest in Shia Islam, so the protests there are of great importance to the country’s religious order.
Kerman, 500 miles southeast of Tehran, also witnessed protests.
On Sunday morning, Iranian state television emulated the protesters by showcasing quiet areas on the streets in several cities through correspondents wearing date stamps on their screens. Tehran and Mashhad were not included. They also held pro-government demonstrations in Qom and Qazvin.
Despite US warnings, Khamenei has hinted at upcoming repression. Tehran stepped up its threats on Saturday, with Iran’s attorney general, Mohammad Movahedi Azad, warning that anyone taking part in the protests would be considered an “enemy of God”, and face charges punishable by death. The statement carried by Iranian state television said those who “helped the rioters” would also face charges.
Iran’s theocracy cut the country off from the internet and international telephone calls on Thursday, although it allowed some state-owned and semi-official media to publish. Qatar’s state-funded Al Jazeera news network reported live from Iran, but they appeared to be the only major foreign outlet able to operate.
Iran’s exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, who had called for protests on Thursday and Friday, asked protesters to take to the streets on Saturday and Sunday in his latest message. He urged protesters to take down Iran’s old lion and sun flags and other national symbols used during the Shah’s time to “claim public spaces as their own”.
Pahlavi’s support for Israel has drawn criticism in the past – particularly after the 12-Day War. Protesters have chanted slogans in support of the Shah at some protests, but it is unclear whether this is support for Pahlavi or a desire to return to times before the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
The demonstrations began on December 28 following the collapse of the Iranian rial currency, which trades at 1.4 million to $1, as the country’s economy has been hit by international sanctions imposed over its nuclear programme. As the protests grew more intense, they evolved into a direct challenge to Iran’s theocracy.
Pope Leo calls for dialogue
Pope Leo XIV on Sunday prayed for those killed in protests in Iran and the conflict in Syria and called for dialogue and peace.
“My thoughts these days are focused on what is happening in the Middle East, especially Iran and Syria, where continuing tensions are leading to the deaths of many people,” the US-born Pope said during his weekly Angelus prayer at the Vatican. “I hope and pray for the cultivation of patient dialogue and peace, for the general well-being of society as a whole.”
Conservative government will ban under-16s from using social media
Kemi Badenoch said the Conservative government will ban under-16s from using social media to stop them spending hours on “addictive” sites. The Tory leader vowed to introduce age limits on social media apps if his party wins the next general election.
He argued that we should not leave children in the “Wild West” of the Internet and advocated for enhanced protections for them. The mother of three told the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme that the platforms were profiting from children’s “anxiety” and “distraction” and were “designed to be addictive”.
The Conservatives said tech companies like TikTok and Snapchat would be required to use age checks that don’t rely on government digital IDs.
It comes as teachers’ union NASUWT said the government should bring in laws that would prevent big tech platforms from blocking children from accessing their platforms. In Australia, a ban on social media for under-16s came into effect in December.
Mrs Badenoch said, “What we want to see is common sense – protection for children and freedom for adults. We want to give parents some sense that the government understands what they are doing. That’s why we want to bring in the age limit.”
Following her interview, Andy Burnham, the Labour mayor of Greater Manchester, wrote, X: “I find myself agreeing with everything Kemi Badenoch is saying about children and social media. I feel that parents would welcome a cross-party consensus for more bold action.”
NASUWT surveyed 5,800 teacher members in 2025 and found that four in five (81%) reported an increase in the number of pupils displaying violent and abusive behaviour.
Nearly three in five (59%) of respondents in the same survey said they believed social media was one of the factors behind worsening behaviour. In a separate survey of 300 members, NASUWT found that 89% said they would support statutory social media bans for under-16s.
Former schools minister Lord Nash said, “I strongly welcome Kemi Badenoch’s bold step to put children first. Raising the age limit for social media is now being supported across all political parties, including Labour and Liberal Democrat MPs, the NEU and NASUWT.
“The evidence is abundant and the political support is there. The government should support my amendment and begin to reverse the devastating harm it is causing to a generation of children.”
A government spokesperson said, “We support headteachers to take the necessary steps to prevent disruption in their schools – supported by our guidance, the vast majority already restrict phone use during the school day so that they do not disrupt learning.
“Through the Online Safety Act, we have taken some bold steps to ensure children have an age-appropriate online experience anywhere in the world, mandating that social media companies protect children under 18 from harmful content.
“We are striking the right balance: protecting children from harm and ensuring they can safely benefit from the digital world.”
An avalanche at a popular French ski resort claimed the life of a British skier.
The man, in his 50s, was found under 2.5 meters (eight feet) of snow after about an hour of searching.
The body of a man around 50 years old was found under eight feet of snow. Credit: GettyThe man was skiing off-piste when the accident occurred. Credit: Getty.
More than 50 rescue workers were deployed to search for him.
Unfortunately, he could not be revived.
He was skiing off-piste, according to a statement issued by La Plagne ski resort in southeastern France.
Tragically, his death was one of three reported in three separate avalanches in the French Alps on Sunday.
He’ll arrest
The owner of the Swiss bar, where 40 people died, ‘wants to apologise’ following her husband’s arrest.
helicopter disaster
Helicopter crashes after becoming entangled in ski lift cables
Yesterday, three other skiers died in similar incidents, bringing the weekend death toll to six.
Rescue teams recovered the body of another skier who was buried in an avalanche in Courchevel, the resort said, without giving further details.
And the local gendarmerie said on Sunday that a 32-year-old off-piste skier died after being caught in an avalanche in Vallorsin, in the Haute-Savoie region of the Alps.
Two separate avalanches killed three off-piste skiers in the French Alps on Saturday.
French weather forecasters warned of a high risk of avalanches this weekend.
Authorities in the Savoie region recorded at least six avalanches in the department’s ski areas on Sunday morning.
It happened after a British skier died of a heart attack while skiing the slopes in Italy.
The 49-year-old man was descending a slope on the North Clavier slope in Italy when his heart suddenly stopped beating.
The alpine tragedy occurred at about 10.50 am on 4 January when a man fell without warning.
Local media reports indicate that ski patrol teams launched an immediate response, performing emergency CPR on Brittain and using a defibrillator.
A helicopter rescue team from Azienda Zero also arrived at the scene, as access to the location was difficult on the slope.
Despite their best efforts, Brittany was pronounced dead at the scene.
Many more to follow… Keep checking back with The Sun Online for the latest news on this story.
Thesun.co.uk is your destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, stunning photos and must-see videos.
Michael B. Jordan is nominated for Best Actor for his performance in the 1930s vampire drama Sinners
The Golden Globes is a major milestone of the film awards season and is held less than a fortnight before the Oscar nominations are announced (January 22).
Sinners, Marty Supreme and One Battle After Another are among the films set to compete at the Golden Globe Awards this Sunday night.
Frankenstein, Sentimental Value, Hamnet and Wicked: For Good are some of the other films going for gold medals at the festival in Los Angeles.
A new category, Best Podcast, has been introduced this year, while Adolescence, The Pit, and The Studio have been nominated in the TV categories.
The Globes hand out more trophies than many other ceremonies because they divide their film categories by drama and musical or comedy.
Timothée Chalamet, Emma Stone, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jessie Buckley and Michael B. Jordan all received acting nominations this year.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of this year’s event.
Main film nominees
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Chase Infiniti, Leonardo DiCaprio and Teyana Taylor are all nominated for One Battle After Another
Kate Hudson is nominated for Song Sung Blue, while Timothée Chalamet could win for Marty Supreme
The Golden Globe Awards will air on the CBS network in the US and will also stream on Paramount+.
Sadly, the UK has no legal way to watch the ceremony, but BBC News will cover it all night.
The ceremony begins at 01:00 GMT (Monday morning) and usually lasts between three and four hours.
It is broadcast live from the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California.
Which films are nominated?
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Sentimental Value Stars (left to right) Inga Ibsdotter Lilias, Elle Fanning, Renate Reinsve and Stellan Skarsgård
One Fight After Another, about a former revolutionary whose daughter is kidnapped, is leading the pack this year after becoming one of the most critically acclaimed films of 2025.
Its competition includes sentimental value, A Norwegian drama about two sisters who, after their mother’s death, reconnect with their estranged father, a film director who is planning his comeback.
sinners, The film, a vampire horror-drama set in 1930s Mississippi, was one of the first Oscar contenders out of the gate, achieving box office success on the heels of last year’s Academy Awards.
Elsewhere, the screen adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s novel explores the family tragedy that many believe led William Shakespeare to write one of his most famous plays.
A new adaptation of Frankenstein provides a more emotional take on Mary Shelley’s novel about a mad scientist and the creature he creates than a blockbuster like Wicked: for good.The origin story of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, concludes.
The kidnapping drama, which is one of the best films of this year’s awards season and the winner of the top prize at the Cannes Film Festival, tells the story of a man who seeks revenge on the former officer who tortured him in prison.
Marty Supreme follows a table tennis player in 1950s New York who tries to stay economically active while establishing himself as an athlete.
Other nominated films include the conspiracy theory drama Bugoniakorean black comedy No Other Choice. The Brazilian political thriller Secret Agent and the animated musical smash K-Pop Demon Hunter are also nominated films.
Which actors are leading the race?
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Rose Byrne is in the running for Best Musical Comedy Actress, while Jessie Buckley could win Best Drama Actress
Box office titans Timothy Chalamet (Marty Supreme) and Leonardo DiCaprio (One on One Battle) will compete fiercely in the Best Musical or Comedian category. Ethan Hawke (Blue Moon) has the potential to emerge as a surprise contender.
In Best Drama Actor, Michael B. Jordan (Sinners) has a strong chance, though the more international tilt the Globes have taken in recent years suggests we shouldn’t count out the Cannes winner. Wagner Moura is a secret agent.
While the Best Musical or Comedy Actress field is led by experienced professionals Rose Byrne (If I Had Legs I Would Kick You) and Kate Hudson (Song Sung Blue), it has stiff competition from relative newcomer Chase Infinity (One Fight After Another).
It’s very easy to predict the best drama actress, Jessie Buckley (Hamnet), is considered to be far ahead of even its strongest competitors. Renate Reinsway stands out due to her emotional value.
Supporting actor and actress contenders include amy madigan (Weapon), Jacob Elordi (Frankenstein), benicio del Toro, and Sean Penn. Teyana Taylor is also a contender, competing against the others one after the other.
Who is hosting the Golden Globes?
golden globes
Nikki Glaser was photographed earlier this week before hitting the Globe’s red carpet in Los Angeles.
American comedian Nikki Glaser is returning to hosting duties after at least a year of barnstorming performances at the ceremony.
She delivered an opening monologue that rivalled the Globes’ greats—Ricky Gervais, Tina Fey, and Amy Poehler—and roasted the A-list celebrities in the room.
Afterwards, Glaser expressed that hosting the Golden Globes was the most enjoyable experience of her career.
But, Glaser told the BBC’s Regan Morris earlier this week, she often feels intimidated by all the “star power” in the room, adding, “When I’m on stage I get my eyes misty; I’ll do it so hard at night.”
Why are teens still being enrolled?
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Adolescence continues to win awards, including last week’s Critics’ Choice Awards
It’s been almost a year since most people watched the Netflix hit about a teenage boy accused of stabbing his classmate, and the series has already racked up wins at the Emmys, Critics’ Choice, and National Television Awards.
But because many other awards shows run more or less according to the calendar year, teens are only being recognised at events like the Golden Globes.
Expect to see even more of Owen Cooper, Stephen Graham and Erin Doherty at other upcoming events – like the Actors Awards (formerly the SAGs) in March and the BAFTA TV Awards, which won’t take place until May.
Which awards have already been given?
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Dame Helen Mirren and Sarah Jessica Parker have already received their lifetime achievement awards
Two special awards recognising lifetime achievements are usually given on the night, but this year they were presented at the inaugural Globes Eve ceremony last week.
While receiving the Carol Burnett Award for Outstanding Contribution to Television, Sarah Jessica Parker was recognised, and Dame Helen Mirren received the film’s counterpart, the Cecil B. DeMille Award.
During his acceptance speech, Dame Helen said the award was “career recognition for me.”
“But”, she added, “I like to think of it as a life lived, a life lived, a life enjoyed, a life sweated, and a life carried forward, hopefully.”
In his speech, Parker thanked friends, colleagues and family who had supported him throughout his decades-long showbiz career and told him, “You have been an integral part of an unimaginable life; it is a reward. Thank you.”
Why are the Golden Globes important?
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Weapons star Amy Madigan is hoping to repeat her supporting actress win at last week’s Critics’ Choice Awards
An actor or film that wins at the Golden Globes won’t automatically win at the Oscars, but it can help strengthen its chances of a nomination.
As one of the opening ceremonies of awards season, the Globes can provide a significant boost in momentum, as a win or a well-received acceptance speech will encourage more Academy voters to see a particular film.
Stars like Sebastian Stan, Demi Moore, and Fernanda Torres all secured Oscar nominations after winning the Globes last January, although Stan’s nomination was for a different film.
Movies like “Flow” and “I’m Still Here” had their awards campaigns get off to a strong start thanks to early wins at the Golden Globes, and both films later swept the Oscars in the animated and international categories, respectively.
Affectionately known as the “drunken uncle” of awards season, the Globe Awards are a much less formal affair than the Oscars.
You can expect the celebrities to be in a relaxed mood and ready to have fun with their speeches—as long as they can avoid getting roasted by Nikki Glaser first.
The owners of The Very Group, one of Britain’s largest online shopping platforms, are to launch a £2bn auction of the company just months after taking control.
US private equity giant Carlyle is partnering with Barclays and JP Morgan to handle the sale of Very, which sells a wide range of fashion, toys and electrical goods, Sky News has learnt.
The auction is expected to begin soon and will come after a series of pre-sale plans drawn up under the ownership of the financially troubled Barclay family were put on hold.
The government has announced new parking rules.
The proposal to launch an “immediate” sale process was disclosed in a filing by administrators at Companies House to VGL Holdco, a corporate entity that no longer has any connection with Very’s operations.
PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) was appointed to oversee the bankruptcy of VGL Holdco in November, enabling Carlyle – a long-time lender – to take control of a token amount of £1.
Very, which has annual revenues of more than £2 billion and is chaired by former Conservative Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi, is expected to report strong sales next week for the Christmas and Black Friday period.
The change of control last autumn ended more than 20 years of involvement by the Barclay family in the business, which was known as Littlewoods when it last changed hands in a £750 million deal in 2002.
Very Group’s capital structure,
Nasdaq-listed Carlyle had invested several hundred million pounds in Very Group’s capital structure, initially in 2021, to support it during the Covid pandemic.
This support, which included an additional £85 million from Carlyle in 2024, paved the way for it to take ownership control under the terms of the financing.
In documents filed at Companies House this week, PwC said the M&A process “will be conducted on the basis of the timescales expected for a business of the size of the operating group”.
One insider said Carlyle’s ownership was always intended to be transitional, timing the sale forward to maximise value for all stakeholders.
IMI, the Abu Dhabi-based media group which was also part of efforts to take control of The Daily Telegraph from Barclays, is also a lender to Very.
Formerly known as Shop Direct, the Very Group employs thousands of people and sells general merchandise under the Very and Littlewoods brands, including electrical goods, home goods, fashion and toys.
It has 4.4 million customers and operates a major consumer finance business, helping buyers manage their payments.
Last year, the company borrowed £600m from Arini, a Mayfair-based fund, as it sought to avoid a cash crunch and buy itself relief space.
Retail industry insiders believe the business is likely to be valued at around £2bn–£2.5bn, lower than the valuation the Barclay family placed at an auction several years ago.
People familiar with the situation declined to comment on the potential price of the sale, saying it would be determined by the level of interest from bidders.
Very’s most recent quarterly figures show flagship brand Very UK is growing 3.7% year-on-year, while revenues at the group’s Very Finance arm are up 5.7% to £113m.
Barclays, which owned London’s Ritz hotel, has already lost control of other corporate assets, including the Yodel delivery service, as well as Telegraph newspapers.
In recent weeks, the decline in their business affairs has accelerated after it was reported that HSBC, another of their long-term creditors, had filed a bankruptcy petition against senior members of the family.
The Telegraph also revealed that IMI had engaged advisers to sell Barclays’ assets, aiming to recover a portion of its outstanding debt.
Liam Rosenior won his first game as Chelsea’s new head coach, beating Charlton 5-1 in the FA Cup third round.
In his pre-match press conference, the Blues boss urged fans to judge him on performances and results and got off to a good start with victory at The Valley.
He opted for a youthful starting XI – as many Premier League teams do at this stage of the competition – and his team saw plenty of the ball and pressure around the Charlton area throughout the first half.
Addicks goalkeeper Will Mannion – making just his second appearance of the season – was worked too, but Charlton’s low block was a clear frustration for a Chelsea XI who love to show off their tricks.
Image: Jorrel Hato’s sumptuous volley in first-half stoppage time put Chelsea 1-0 up at Charlton
The breakthrough came precisely in the fourth minute of first-half injury time. A Moises Caicedo cross was kindly cleared into Jorrel Hato’s path, and his ferocious shot on a tight angle arrowed past the goalkeeper.
Chelsea added another five minutes after the break. Facundo Buonanotte sent in a wicked free kick, which Tosin Adarabioyo nodded home.
Image: Tosin Adarabioyo headed in from a free-kick as Chelsea went 2-0 up early in the second half
But Charlton were not about to make life easy for Chelsea or Rosenior and halved the deficit soon after, sending the fans into raptures. It came from a corner, with Lloyd Jones’ header rebounding into Miles Leaburn’s path. The Addicks academy graduate then fired home from close range.
However, Chelsea restored their two-goal lead shortly after the hour. Alejandro Garnacho – who took boos from the Charlton fans all evening – sped down the pitch before finding Buonanotte. His shot was weak but the parry from Mannion landed directly to Marc Guiu, who slotted it home.
Charlton had a late penalty shout turned down as Enzo Fernandez appeared to go through the back of Lloyd Jones, but referee Chris Kavanagh waved away the claims. But after Pedro Neto turned home Chelsea’s fourth, the referee did award the Blues a late spot kick.
Image: Miles Leaburn (centre) pulled a goal back for Charlton, 2-1.
Estevao was fouled as he tried to round Mannion, and Kavanagh pointed to the spot. With the last kick of the game, Fernandez powered his penalty into the back of the net to book Chelsea’s place in Monday’s fourth-round draw.
Despite a spirited performance from Charlton, their dismal run in the third round of the competition goes on, now exiting at this stage for a sixth successive season.
Rosenior: A positive start
Image: Marc Guiu’s goal restored Chelsea’s two-goal lead over Charlton at 3-1
Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior to TNT Sports: “A positive start. Professional.
“I thought the first goal came at an important time in the game. Charlton stood up really well; they defended in a block, which was difficult to break down.
“Jorrel was fantastic. I thought he was really good at Fulham; he deserved to play today. He put in a strong performance.
“We scored a goal from a set piece, which always makes you happy. Then we concede, but I’ve said it from the start – the quality of my players – they’re outstanding. Strong start, something to build on; bring on Wednesday night.
“Goals change games, and that comes down to quality. We had control in the first half, but I don’t want just control. To get the goal was really good – but when Charlton score, they want the second.
“It’s a cup tie, and they have to deal with me bringing on Estevao, Enzo Fernandez, and Liam Delap, but I was delighted with the starting players. I thought Marc Guiu was good and deserved his goal – Jamie [Gittens] and Ale [Garnacho] were really good on the wings. While it’s a promising start, we shouldn’t overreact just yet.
“It’s something that’s happened here already. I was delighted with Jorrel – he actually played as a No. 10; he took his goal really well. I was delighted with Tosin and Big Ben at the back. I could discuss the entire team, but overall, I was very pleased with their performance.
“It’s a busy two months, but the last 48 hours I was really pleased. The lads have been really receptive. If we keep working like that, I’m excited for the future.”
What did we learn from Rosenior’s first game?
Image: Liam Rosenior picked up an FA Cup third-round victory in his first match as Chelsea head coach
Analysis from Sky Sports’ Charlotte Marsh at The Valley and Noah Langford:
It was perhaps a bit of a false positive watching Liam Rosenior’s first Chelsea side, having made eight changes from defeat at Fulham and blooded a lot of his younger players.
Perhaps the most significant difference was the use of a back three, which was his preferred line-up at Strasbourg. In a season where jobs have hinged on the make-up of a defence, it will be interesting to see if he persists with it going forward or whether it’s a case of “sticking to what you know” for the first game.
That said, wingers were used more than in recent games.
Tosin was spraying passes all game, and Jamie Gittens and Garnacho felt more involved in comparison to games gone past.
There had been times too in the early exchanges when cute balls were attempted through the middle to try and find Guiu, but that soon came to an end when it proved ineffective.
But the youngsters certainly weren’t afraid to play directly at Charlton, even if it’s not the best way to try and beat a low block. Of course, the scoreline might say otherwise, but there was at least a sense of trying to make something happen.
When asked whether his team were close to where he wants them to be – with a wry smile – Rosenior responded, “I’m one game in. Some of our passes were beautiful to watch. We’ve got magnificent players.
“My personal view on football is not significant.” It’s about winning games of football consistently. It’s a good start, but it’s just a start. We have to stay consistent now in a very, very hectic schedule.
“We are a good team. They’ve been well coached; I’ve made no secret of that.
“There are additional aspects of football beyond just tactics.” Tactics are one element. Shape, systems, and technique – they’re all wonderful things.
“But there are other things that I feel like maybe we can improve on. That’s what we’ll keep working on as well as the tactical side of the game.”
Ultimately, we will have a better idea of where he intends to take this Chelsea team when they face Arsenal in the midweek Carabao Cup semi-final first leg and Brentford in the Premier League on Saturday.
Rosenior has made a strong start, but he still has a lot to prove.
Jones disappointed with conceding ‘schoolboy’ goals
Charlton manager Nathan Jones: “For long periods, we competed really well. My biggest disappointment is just the second and third goals because, late on, they’re playing with the flourish and I think the fifth goal isn’t a pen; it’s a decision.
“The fourth goal, we’re a little bit open but the second and third goals kill us really and they’re schoolboy; they’re poor.
“We can’t concede from that type of set play and we do the work and it’s just too easy for them to get ahead of.
“The third goal really disappoints me because it’s stuff that we work on; we preach to them, we show them, we blow it up, and we give them clear pictures about the edge of the box and how we defend counter-attacks and we don’t drop in and think that it’s a safe haven when we drop all the way into a box when people wait on the edge of the box.
“We’ve conceded from that in the past and that’s the frustration because at the time when we thought, ‘Can we have a rouse in?’ we did something that cost us the game effectively.”
Some people are waiting more than a year for their disability benefit claims to be processed, putting them at risk of being pushed into debt and poverty, MPs have warned.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) aims to process 75% of new claims for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) within 75 working days, but last financial year only 51% of claims were processed within this time frame.
A report by the cross-party Public Accounts Committee (PAC) said the department was providing “unacceptably poor service levels.”.
The DWP said that at the end of October, the average time to a decision on a PIP claim was 16 weeks.
A spokesperson said the department’s aim is always to process claims “as quickly as possible” and that the ongoing review of PIP will ensure “it is appropriate and fair for the future”.
PIP is the primary disability benefit in England and Wales.
PIP – which is paid to people with a long-term physical or mental health condition – is the main disability benefit in England and Wales.
It’s not linked to someone’s income or whether they’re in work and provides extra help with living expenses.
The number of people claiming PIP has been increasing in recent years, with benefits awarded to approximately 3.7 million people.
The PAC report said the long waiting times for Pip’s claims to be processed were “unacceptable,” with people having to wait more than a year in some cases.
The DWP told the committee that these experiences were not reflected in its data but acknowledged that this was a real situation that needed to be addressed.
The department is trialling an online application process in some postcodes, which it says has reduced the processing time for claims to the typical 20 days.
It previously told the committee it intended to process up to 20% of PIP claims using the new online service by 2026 but has since said it is confident it can reach this target by 2029.
“This is too long for claimants to wait to receive better service,” the report said.
The committee’s chairman, Conservative MP Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, said, “Our committee received assurances three years ago that the reforms would have come forward by now; now we have been told there is a further three years of delay.
“This is simply no good for our constituents, who we know are at risk of being pushed into debt or poverty by a department unresponsive to their needs.”
Government sources say more than 90% of new PIP claimants can now submit their health information online after starting their claim.
The committee’s report also raised concerns about Universal Credit claimants’ first meeting with a work coach being shortened from 50 to 30 minutes.
It warned that without reduced action from the government, “claimants with more complex needs will not get the support they need.”
Last year, the government abandoned plans that would have made it harder for people to claim PIP in the face of a major rebellion from Labour MPs.
The government estimated that the proposals would save £5 billion a year by 2030.
Instead, it launched a review of PIP, led by Social Security and Disability Secretary Sir Stephen Timms, which is expected to report by the autumn.
The government has said that the aim of the review is to ensure that Pip is “fair and fit for the future rather than generate proposals for further savings”.
A DWP spokesperson said, “By giving claimants the support they need to get into good, secure jobs and out of poverty, we are fixing the broken welfare system we have inherited.
“We have carried out the most ambitious employment reforms in a generation, as well as redeploying almost 1,000 work trainers to help sick or disabled people who have been left behind.
“These improvements are being made as we replace ageing systems through our ambitious £647m modernisation programme.”
