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December has only just started, but the Pope on a plane with a baseball bat is already the Meme of the Month – 18 funny favourites

The Pope has just made his first official overseas visit as Pontiff, which started with Türkiye, formerly Turkey. Pope Leo XIV has issued a message before he heads to Turkey for Thanksgiving: "I would encourage all people, especially with this beautiful feast that we have in the United States, which unites all people, people of […]

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Major waste firm warns vapes causing more than one fire a day

Six months after disposable vape ban, waste firm calls for stronger measures to control them being disposed of incorrectly.

'Arsenal deserve to be clear - but who's best placed to challenge?'

MOTD pundit Alan Shearer explains where Chelsea and the rest of the chasing pack need to improve if they are going to challenge Premier League leaders Arsenal.

Over 120,000 home cameras hacked for 'sexploitation' footage

The cameras were located in private homes, karaoke rooms, a Pilates studio and a gynaecologist's clinic.

I have high levels of forever chemicals in my blood - what can I do about it?

The chemicals would "most likely" impact my health, but there are ways to bring levels down, I was told.

Labour MP Tulip Siddiq sentenced to two years in prison at corruption trial in Bangladesh

Labour MP Tulip Siddiq has been sentenced to two years in jail for corruption in Bangladesh.

Tulip Siddiq MP given jail sentence in Bangladesh after trial in her absence

The former minister and niece of Bangladesh's ousted former leader, who received a two-year sentence, says the charges are politically motivated.

Forget Sleepy Joe – this photo of Dozy Don dropping off in the dining room set alarm bells ringing. 21 top burns

The narrative that the then 82-year-old Joe Biden was old, tired, and therefore not fit for the presidency was such a non-stop talking point across all forms of media that the Dems subbed in Kamala Harris with a cobbled-together campaign. That narrative was initially driven by Trump’s renaming of the President as ‘Sleepy Joe’. Trump: […]

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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.

Japanese 'One Piece' singer stopped mid-show after China-Japan feud

The sudden cancellation of Japanese events in Shanghai have sparked criticism and fanned nationalist sentiment.

Most drivers want alcolocks fitted to drink drivers' cars, survey suggests

Four in five drivers in the UK support alcolocks for drink-drivers, a new survey suggests.

Dignitas founder dies by assisted suicide aged 92

The founder of Dignitas, the Switzerland-based assisted suicide clinic, has died aged 92, according to the organisation.

Heads of UK Special Forces suppressed SAS war crime evidence, inquiry hears

An officer tells the Independent Inquiry relating to Afghanistan UK Special Forces leadership was "very much suppressing" the allegations.

Why 2026 will be a year like no other for India's Sun mission

For the first time Aditya-L1 will be able to watch the Sun in its maximum activity cycle.

The Papers: Reeves 'denies lies' and 'must face sleaze probe'

The fallout from last week's Budget continues to dominate the papers.

David Dimbleby: Can William's 'ordinary Joe' approach win back more support for the monarchy?

Polls suggest public approval for the monarchy has declined, which raises the question of what King Charles and Prince William could do to win back more support for the institution.

Feuds, boycotts and the birth of Your Party

The path to this weekend's founding conference has been overshadowed by splits in the party.

An angry confrontation and online abuse: Inside the asylum protests in a divided town

A Disclosure documentary uncovers the figures behind the protests around asylum hotels which have divided communities.

WW1 toxic compound sprayed on Georgian protesters, BBC evidence suggests

Anti-government demonstrators are likely to have been targeted with camite, our investigation finds.

Greek sheep and goat cull raises fears of feta cheese shortage

Livestock is being culled across the country due to an infectious disease outbreak.

Charlie Kirk murder 'consequence of terrifying gun culture', says Salman Rushdie

Sir Salman Rushdie has told Sky News that Charlie Kirk's murder was a "consequence of US gun culture".

Family of man who died on Benidorm holiday say they have new evidence of foul play

The family of a father-of-four who died on holiday in Benidorm say new evidence has further convinced them that foul play was involved in his death.

Danger to life warning for parts of UK as 'month's worth of rain' to fall in 24 hours

There could be a "danger to life" from heavy rain and flooding across much of Wales until Tuesday, with up to a month's worth falling within 24 hours, forecasters have warned.

Police stop traffic on M1 as queues on busy commuter route after collision

This is a live news story - more to follow

Ukraine talks 'productive' but more work needed, Rubio says

American and Ukrainian delegations meet in Florida to discuss the outlines of a peace deal with Russia.

'I saw them driving over injured people' - the terrifying escape from war in Sudan

The BBC visits a camp where people are taking refuge after the fall of el-Fasher city.

'Rage bait' named Oxford word of the year 2025

The phrase - meaning to get angry scrolling through social media - beats aura farming and biohack to the title.

Tories urge financial regulator to investigate Reeves and Treasury over Budget build-up

Shadow chancellor Mel Stride calls for the financial regulator to investigate "possible market abuse" over briefings in the run-up to the Budget.

'Qatar GP shows anything can happen in three-way title showdown'

Formula 1 is heading into its first final-race championship showdown between more than two drivers for 15 years, and anything can happen.

Three-time Ballon d'Or winner Bonmati breaks leg in training

Spain midfielder Aitana Bonmati is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after breaking her leg in training.

Dignitas founder dies by assisted suicide aged 92, group says

Ludwig Minelli founded the group in 1998, which has since helped thousands of people to die.

'Learning point' as Arsenal miss chance to extend lead

Arsenal complete a tough week with a draw at Chelsea, but there is a feeling it could have been even better.

Ousted Oxford Union president-elect 'threatened' over Kirk posts

George Abaraonye lost a no-confidence vote after appearing to celebrate the death of Charlie Kirk.

Aspinall diagnosed with rare eye condition

Tom Aspinall is diagnosed with a rare eye condition after being accidentally poked in both eyes by Ciryl Gane at UFC 321.

10-man Chelsea hold Arsenal to draw in feisty London derby

Chelsea produce a defiant performance to hold Premier League leaders Arsenal to a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge after going down to 10 men following Moises Caicedo's first-half dismissal.

Neil deGrasse Tyson’s hilarious struggle to cope with these unhinged Maga science questions is straight from the hall of fame

A 2024 episode of the Daily Show saw Ronny Chieng interview Astrophysicist and promoter of science, Neil deGrasse Tyson. Using genuine tweets and claims from members of the Republican Party, he presented it as though it were a public Q&A on science – though, as we have all seen, the people in question prefer to […]

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Is this the start of Liverpool's life without Salah?

Is this the start of Liverpool's life without Mohamed Salah after he was dropped for the 2-0 win at West Ham, asks chief football writer Phil McNulty.

'Is this the start of Liverpool's life without Salah?'

Is this the start of Liverpool's life without Mohamed Salah after he was dropped for the 2-0 win at West Ham, asks chief football writer Phil McNulty.

Verstappen's Qatar win takes F1 title fight to final race

Lando Norris, Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri will contest a final-race championship showdown in Abu Dhabi after the Red Bull driver won a gripping Qatar Grand Prix.

UK special forces unit had 'deliberate policy' to 'kill fighting-aged males' in Afghanistan, inquiry told

There was a "deliberate policy" to "kill fighting-aged males... even when they did not pose a threat" among some members of a British special forces unit in Afghanistan, an inquiry has heard.

More HIV testing can help end new cases in England by 2030, says Streeting

Extra HIV testing means the government's goal of ending new transmissions in England by 2030 is "within reach", the health secretary has said.

Altrincham town centre 'disturbance' sees four injured as businesses remain shut

Altrincham town centre has seen a huge police cordon keep many of its shops closed while they investigate a major incident that saw four people suffer injuries

This list of assaults on the English language is by no means definitive, but it’s a good start – 19 linguistic irritants

Over on Bluesky, a year ago, the wonderful Merriam-Webster Dictionary account asked people to share certain aspects of speech and writing that they’ve spotted others constantly getting wrong. This was their question. For all intensive purposes, what idioms or colloquialisms do people seem to constantly get wrong? — Merriam-Webster (@merriam-webster.com) December 30, 2024 at 2:12 […]

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The Budget: Rachel Reeves denies claims she lied in the run-up

The chancellor says she can be trusted, after claims she misled the public before Budget.

LNER and Northern issue 'do not travel' warning after incident at Leeds train station

Leeds train station has seen chaos for passengers after signal issues thanks to a power outage have caused major delays for numerous routes that travel through the West Yorkshire station

Aldi recalls 'dangerous' chocolate snack as shoppers warned 'do not eat'

If you have a peanut allergy and shop at Aldi, you need to check your shopping right away or you could be in danger, the discount supermakert has issued an urgent recalling

Amazon warehouse worker dies on the job but family demand 'the truth'

A warehouse worker's family left reeling after his sudden death at work fear the inquest failed to explain the tragedy, with conflicting accounts and long delays in getting help

Altrincham town centre street shut after two hospitalised as police swarm area

Greater Manchester Police have confirmed that the two men taken to hospital following an incident in Altrincham town centre have both suffered "serious injuries"

Evri driver sacked as neighbours go full on detective after not receiving parcels

A crooked courier is out of a job after locals from Merseyside got suspicious over their missing parcels and found CCTV footage proving their fears were justified

Ant Middleton wants to be Mayor of London but seems confused about what a mayor is – 16 NSFW educational suggestions for him

You might not have heard, but SAS: Who Dares Wins presenter Ant Middleton wants to become Mayor of London in 2028. Ant is certainly angling for the job, and not just by saying it outright. https://t.co/727LXZBsjr — Ant Middleton (@antmiddleton) November 29, 2025 He’s also signalling intent by calling out Khan for putting up a […]

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'I'm a kinky spanking model and have no regrets – it was my top career choice'

A 'spanking model' from Kent insists that her chosen career as a sex worker has made her 'happy and rich' without a single 'dangerous or traumatic' experience

UK prison guard filmed playing FIFA with lag in his cell as colleague watches

A fun moment behind bars took a serious turn after a video of a prison officer battling a lag at FIFA was posted online with an illicit phone

Michael Gove tried to be clever correcting someone’s spelling – then Michael Rosen came for Gove’s grammar and it was just poetry

You have to get up pretty early in the morning to get anything past children’s author and all-round legend Michael Rosen – just ask Kirstie Allsopp. You can now add former Tory MP and minister, Michael Gove, to the Rosen roasted. Here’s what happened. It started a few days ago, when Gove took issue with […]

The post Michael Gove tried to be clever correcting someone’s spelling – then Michael Rosen came for Gove’s grammar and it was just poetry appeared first on The Poke.

Pimlico Plumbers ex-pat patriot Charlie Mullins tells British people to abandon the UK for Dubai – 16 responses he can stick in his pipe

It has been a busy weekend for Pimlico Plumbers founder and Reform party supporter, Charlie Mullins. Patriotic Charlie – who lives between Spain and Dubai but seems to have a lot of opinions about what’s wrong with Britain – first posted a video in which he threatened to return his OBE unless Rachel Reeves is […]

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Brits' favourite candy has 'secret names', and you'll never guess what they are

If you're one of the two-thirds of Brits who rank Jelly Babies as their favourite sweet treat, you could be in for a surprise... Each of the six types has its special name!

Meghan Markle's jewellery offers clue to 'Duchess Difficult' nickname

Rumours have it that Prince Harry agonised over the design of his wife Meghan Markle's engagement ring - but is the ring on the Duchess' finger the original design?

This guy in an England flag hat got very upset in his local Tesco about “Evergreen Trees” and was heckled all the way to the North Pole

Another day, another video of someone getting outraged about Tesco’s Christmas tree offerings. We’re now into week three (Four? Five? Who can even tell anymore!) of the entirely silly “controversy” over Tesco’s selling of “Evergreen Trees”. Cut to this brave soldier, who visited his local Tesco dressed in England flag paraphernalia to harass an employee […]

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This terrifying advert is a powerful reminder to parents not to over-share details about their children on social media

How parents and leaders keep children safe online in an increasingly digital world is one of the defining – and scariest – topics of our time. The UK has brought in the Online Safety Act to try to mitigate some of the risks and there have been similar moves in other places too, such as […]

The post This terrifying advert is a powerful reminder to parents not to over-share details about their children on social media appeared first on The Poke.

Tommy Robinson’s pal Danny Tommo has gone to France to ‘stop the boats’ – 16 heroically mocking responses

Everybody relax about immigration and border crossings: Tommy Robinson’s pal, Daniel Thomas aka Danny Tommo, is on the case. This week, Tommo and men from the ‘Raise the Colours’ flag group travelled to France as a vigilante group to disrupt migrant crossings across the Channel. They have been documenting what they’re calling ‘Operation Overlord’ (the […]

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McDonald's fans fuming after chain reduces popular menu item in 'shrinkflation' row

McDonald's is facing fury online after its 'Big Tasty' switched to a smaller bun and drew mockery from burger fans as the 'Small Tasty'

Heartbreaking reality of homeless children this Christmas as B&Q and Shelter unite

The charity and DIY giant have teamed up with visual artist David Tovey to create a powerful statement

The Donald Trump v Zohran Mamdani show

How long can the US president and next mayor of New York continue to get on?

This hilarious masterclass in how to handle a scammer is absolutely epic and will surely never be bettered

Over on a subreddit called r/ScamBait, a Redditor named u/heythereitsbeth posted her scam experience with this title. ‘Just came across this sub and thought I’d share mine from the start of the year.’ And while we’ve featured lots of posts about scammers on these pages over the years, this particular takedown is surely head and […]

The post This hilarious masterclass in how to handle a scammer is absolutely epic and will surely never be bettered appeared first on The Poke.

'Master of Wine' reveals best wine pairings for every Christmas occasion

Master of Wine Jane Masters has shared the best wine pairings for the festive season to impress your guests

A ‘high value man’ had some advice for unmarried women and of all the mockery that ensued this A++ takedown beat all-comers

We’re not sure we’ve come across the expression ‘high value man’ before but we’ve already made our mind up that anyone who calls themselves one is surely the exact opposite. We say this after someone styling themselves as @DefiantBaptist took time out from offering ‘Christian News By Christians, For Christians’ to offer some entirely unsolicited […]

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Andrew Tate said only losers like food and was owned all the way to the pit of his pitiful stomach

We’ve featured no end of posts about Andrew Tate on these pages. Not to big up what he’s got to say, obviously, but to mock him to the degree that only the clown prince of the toxic manosphere deserves. Which is to say, a lot. And of all the nonsense Tate spews out on Twitter, […]

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Our 25 Favourite Funny Tweets of the Week

Welcome to our Friday round-up of funny tweets, or ‘X posts’ to people who use AI to tell jokes at parties. As ever, we’ve scoured Twitter to find comedy gold, and we hope you enjoy what we picked. 1. To the person who's Van is blocking my driveway can you please remove it ASAP. pic.twitter.com/QDqTfdOZ2C […]

The post Our 25 Favourite Funny Tweets of the Week appeared first on The Poke.

Victoria Derbyshire threw a truth bomb back at Tory criticism of Rachel Reeves’ tax rises and more of this sort of thing please

No-one expected the vast majority of the media to do anything but savage Rachel Reeves’ budget and so it proved. The £26bn tax raiser didn’t so much rinse the rich as dip their little toe in the water, but it’s a start we suppose. The Conservatives weren’t happy, obviously, which we mention only because presenter […]

The post Victoria Derbyshire threw a truth bomb back at Tory criticism of Rachel Reeves’ tax rises and more of this sort of thing please appeared first on The Poke.

30 superbly satisfying times people incorrectly corrected someone else only to land flat on their pompous little face

It’s always good seeing a particularly irksome know-it-all being taken down a peg or two. Pomposity pricked, if you will. And it’s rarely more satisfying than these examples of people taking the time to correct someone online, only to be entirely, 100% wrong themselves. They are all from the corner of Reddit called ‘incorrectly correcting’ […]

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People shared the peculiarly British slang and phrases that really get their goat and these 19 are all top tier irritants. Just sayin’

We’re grateful to u/Markleshark1 for the question they posted on r/AskABrit. What British slang/phrase really gets to you? They added – “Saw this on AskReddit and I replied with my answer but thought it might be a touch too British for the rest of the world. Platty Joobs. Urgh.” The answers contain some NSFW language […]

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A woman reporter asked a question Donald Trump didn’t like and his furious response was like the grimmest of insights into the president’s very soul

There’s only one thing Donald Trump likes less than a reporter asking a question he doesn’t want to answer. And that’s when the reporter’s a woman. And we’ve just got exhibit C in the American president’s abuse of female journalists – after he called one ‘piggy’ and another ‘ugly’ – when this reporter dared to […]

The post A woman reporter asked a question Donald Trump didn’t like and his furious response was like the grimmest of insights into the president’s very soul appeared first on The Poke.

Benedict Cumberbatch’s name has a very funny effect on Patton Oswalt – and it’s contagious

Actor and comedian Patton Oswalt is a big fan of Benedict Cumberbatch – and quite right, too. However, when the pair of them recently appeared on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert, it caused Patton to confess to the strange effect the British actor’s six-syllable name has on him. Be warned – it’s sort of […]

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Arch Maga Laura Loomer announced that she wants a king, and got a right royal roasting – 17 top takes

You may remember Maga cultist Laura Loomer from such flashes of brilliance as – Calling the Pope a Marxist … Threatening a vote strike … This vile comment about the introduction of a short-lived makeshift prison in the middle of a swamp, nicknamed Alligator Alcatraz … For reasons best known to herself, she has now […]

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Pokemon GO player brutally murdered after Facebook post that sparked row

Carl Gregory was targeted in a shopping centre car park

Nick Knowles exposes household hacks Brits swear without knowing they work

TV presenter teams up with Smart Energy GB to debunk popular myths as survey shows nearly half of Brits question whether their household habits actually work

Woman's heartbreaking last words to partner, 28, as he died in jet ski crash in front of her and their baby

Ali Watson, 28, was killed in a jetski crash in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), as his partner Charlotte Lescott watched on helplessly while holding their four-month-old baby

Chaotic M5 crash sees drivers 'get out of cars' after bus collides with car

A bus and car crash caused long delays on the motorway

Two women die and boy, 9, seriously injured in early-morning horror crash

A teenager has been arrested on suspicion of death by dangerous driving after the tragic incident on the border of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire in the early hours

Film producer couldn't handle Emmerdale actress moving on, so did something 'crazy'

Kevin Proctor has been fined at Manchester Magistrates' Court after admitting stalking his ex-girlfriend, actress Nicola Holt, after their relationship turned 'toxic'

Luke Littler lovin' it at McDonald's as he swaps dart boards for Happy Meals

The 18-year-old - who was recently crowned World Number One - was at the Sidac Social Club in St Helens, Merseyside as he prepares for the World Darts Championships

Pete Wicks TV show boosts dog adoptions as Christmas special announced

Reality star Pete Wicks' heartwarming series 'For Dogs' Sake' has driven a remarkable increase in dog adoptions and donations

Cancer patients waiting for treatment felt 'anxious, lost, and out of control'

A new study has brought to light how cancer patients felt in the period between diagnosis and treatment.

First Dates Fred Sirieix makes acting debut in 'cheesy' rom com spoof series

TV's Fred Sirieix has recreated some of the most iconic festive rom com scenes in a 'cheesy' acting debut

Man arrested after arriving at Manchester Airport over Heaton Park synagogue attack

Greater Manchester Police have confirmed an arrest has been made at Manchester Airport in connection Heaton Park synagogue attack after man arrived on a flight today

'This is journalism at its most raw': Go behind the scenes on the frontline with new-look Sky News show

A new-look Sky News series takes viewers straight into some of the world's most hostile environments.

The Brontë sisters' extraordinary battle for recognition

The story of the Bronte sisters, who overcame a life of hardship to become great writers.

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