Dutch Far-Right Victory Sets Stage for Fraught Coalition Talks
Far-right Dutch politician Geert Wilders staged a shock victory in Wednesday’s elections. Now he has to work out
1970-01-01 08:00
Retailers ready to kick off unofficial start of the holiday season just as shoppers pull back
Retailers are kicking off the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season on Friday with a bevy of discounts and other enticements
1970-01-01 08:00
FPL Gameweek 13: Top captain picks
The top Fantasy Premier League captain picks for FPL Gameweek 13, including Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah. Powered by Fantasy Football Hub.
1970-01-01 08:00
Michael Mann: House of Gucci did not influence Adam Driver's Ferrari casting
'Ferrari' director Michael Mann has explained that his decision to cast Adam Driver as Enzo Ferrari was not impacted by his depiction of Italian fashion designer Maurizio Gucci in the film 'House of Gucci'.
1970-01-01 08:00
Jenna Ortega exits Scream 7 due to scheduling conflicts
Jenna Ortega will not be returning as Tara Carpenter in 'Scream VII' due to scheduling conflicts with the Netflix series 'Wednesday'.
1970-01-01 08:00
In Quito and Harare, advice and warnings about dollarization for Argentina
By Tito Correa, Nyasha Chingono and Miguel Lo Bianco QUITO/HARARE/BUENOS AIRES From Zimbabwe's capital Harare to Quito in
1970-01-01 08:00
Enrique Iglesias confirms next album will be final one
Enrique Iglesias has insisted he will stop making new albums after his next LP 'Final'.
1970-01-01 08:00
Cliff Richard has a picture with him and a 'thin' Elvis in his house amid fat shaming scandal
It has been revealed that Cliff Richard does have a photograph with Elvis Presley after all, following the singer’s bizarre fat-shaming comments about the legendary performer. Controversy arose earlier this week when Richard appeared on ITV’s This Morning and revealed he had declined the opportunity to meet and have a picture taken with the music icon Elvis because he had “put on a lot of weight”. It turned out that moment was the last opportunity Richard would get to have a photo with Elvis, as the singer died shortly afterwards in 1977. But, despite turning down the once-in-a-lifetime chance to meet the King of Rock and Roll because of his weight gain, it appears it didn’t stop Richard from getting a painting of the two of them together commissioned. A picture with apparent proof was hilariously shared by comedian and broadcaster Jon Holmes on X/Twitter, who claimed in the caption: “See, #cliffrichard actually *does* have a painting of him with (thin) #Elvis in his house. “A painting that he commissioned despite them never having met. I know this because we recorded a programme there some years back.” In the painting, which looks to be hanging above a piano, the two singers can be seen on stage performing together, with Richard singing into his microphone while a trim-looking Elvis stands alongside him. Holmes added: “Note how Cliff is taking the vocals, while Elvis stands watching in awe.” The revelation caused quite a stir as people poked fun at Richard’s apparent fatphobia. Someone commented: “The plot thicccckens, obsessed with (thin) Elvis. What’s wrong with this guy?” Another mocked: “The plot thickens! (Cliff won't like that, get the plot on a diet, quick).” How to join the indy100's free WhatsApp channel Sign up to our free indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
1970-01-01 08:00
Cliff Richard has a picture with him and Elvis in his house amid fat shaming scandal
It has been revealed that Cliff Richard does have a photograph with Elvis Presley after all, following the singer’s bizarre fat-shaming comments about the legendary performer. Controversy arose earlier this week when Richard appeared on ITV’s This Morning and revealed he had declined the opportunity to meet and have a picture taken with the music icon Elvis because he had “put on a lot of weight”. It turned out that moment was the last opportunity Richard would get to have a photo with Elvis, as the singer died shortly afterwards in 1977. But, despite turning down the once-in-a-lifetime chance to meet the King of Rock and Roll because of his weight gain, it appears it didn’t stop Richard from getting a painting of the two of them together commissioned. A picture with apparent proof was hilariously shared by comedian and broadcaster Jon Holmes on X/Twitter, who claimed in the caption: “See, #cliffrichard actually *does* have a painting of him with (thin) #Elvis in his house. “A painting that he commissioned despite them never having met. I know this because we recorded a programme there some years back.” In the painting, which looks to be hanging above a piano, the two singers can be seen on stage performing together, with Richard singing into his microphone while a trim-looking Elvis stands alongside him. Holmes added: “Note how Cliff is taking the vocals, while Elvis stands watching in awe.” The revelation caused quite a stir as people poked fun at Richard’s apparent fatphobia. Someone commented: “The plot thicccckens, obsessed with (thin) Elvis. What’s wrong with this guy?” Another mocked: “The plot thickens! (Cliff won't like that, get the plot on a diet, quick).” How to join the indy100's free WhatsApp channel Sign up to our free indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
1970-01-01 08:00
Daniel Craig's new look compared to a European politician
Daniel Craig looks like he was born to wear a suit. As James Bond, he pulled off daring stunts in a three-piece and helped save the world in some of the finest Savile Row custom fits, but his latest look has got people talking more than most. The actor, who officially retired from the role of 007 in 2021 with No Time To Die, recently appeared in a new YouTube video with GQ to talk about all things watches. Craig is well known for wearing Omega watches, which were permanently on his wrist during his tenure as Bond. But while the extensive interview about his collection will have pleased horology geeks everywhere, it was his look that caught the eye of a lot of viewers. Inside Daniel Craig's Iconic James Bond Watch Collection | Dialed In | Esquire www.youtube.com As well as a stylish suit, he was also seen wearing thin frame glasses – and many compared the look to that of a bureaucratic European politician. It's one of 2023's unlikeliest memes, with one writing: "He looks like he’s about to announce a new capital requirement on large European banks." Another said: "Wishing Daniël de Kroog and his DVV luck in today’s election, he’s exactly the kind of fresh face the Netherlands needs right now." It just shows that nothing is safe from internet meme culture - not even James Bond himself. Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter How to join the indy100's free WhatsApp channel Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings
1970-01-01 08:00
From Tesco to Starbucks: The Independent high street Christmas sandwich and drink taste test
With the end of the year almost upon us and before you whip out the advent calendars and dress up the tree, it’s time to answer an all-important question: which Christmas sandwich and drink is best? Every year, supermarket stalwarts like Tesco, Waitrose and Co-op elevate their selections, resurrecting old favourites and introducing new flavour combinations to add a dash of joy to the winter gloom. Meanwhile, treasured working lunch spots like Starbucks and Caffe Nero put forth their best concoctions to keep you in the festive spirit until the holidays. But no one enjoys a sad sandwich or a cold coffee so we’ve done the hard work for you: by taste testing a selection of this year’s Christmas sandwiches and drinks and ranking them out of five. We’ve roped in some of the most discerning palates from The Independent office: editor Geordie Greig, food and drink editor Hannah Twiggs, video producer Harry Pagés and Culture and Lifestyle reporter Maanya Sachdeva. See our live reactions in the video, read our verdicts below and keep checking back as we try as many sandwiches and drinks as is physically possible before Christmas arrives. Sandwiches Co-op’s Christmas Market Sandwich Average rating: 3.75 The Co-op’s Christmas Market Sandwich made its mark with a combination of fried and sliced pork sausage, curry-seasoned cheddar cheese, mayo, cabbage, spinach, gherkins, mustard and black pepper, all nestled between slices of dark rye bread. The panel was mostly impressed. Geordie, with an generous 4, praised the sandwich’s size, appearance and flavours. He found it spicy, wholesome and very filling, and would come back for seconds. Maanya, also giving it a 4, declared this sandwich her favourite. She appreciated the healthier feel with the inclusion of more vegetables than the others and an interesting flavour. She, too, wanted more. Hannah, with a conservative 3.5, said: “This is a good looking sandwich.” While she said it didn’t feel particularly Christmassy, she found the pickle punch from the cabbage and gherkins and the curry-spiked cheese a welcome addition. Harry, initially sceptical, surprised himself by giving it a 3.5. If this is what a Christmas market tastes like, it tastes pretty good. Subway’s V.I.Brie SubMelt Average rating: 3.5 Verdict: The panel’s reactions to Subway’s newest melt, available for a limited time only, were as diverse as the ingredients themselves. Geordie, with an enthusiastic 4.5, described the sub as huge, enticing and delicious. He was impressed by the right balance of fillings and the warmth of the sandwich, and said: “That’s my lunch sorted.” Hannah, a self-declared “cheese fiend”, gave it a more reserved rating of 3, finding that the bacon and cheese didn’t shine as expected and there was an overwhelming amount of caramelised red onion. Maanya, rating it a 3.5, drew a comparison with Starbucks’ entry, noting that the Subway creation was sweeter and felt more decadent. A fan of Subway sandwiches in general, she appreciated this melt’s Christmassy flavour. Harry, coming in at 3 out of 5, thought that the “big boy’s” size alone made it good value for money. “You could knock someone out with that,” he suggested, though we definitely don’t. While he enjoyed the sharp flavour and Christmas theme, he felt that the star ingredient brie was lacking in punch, leaving the name somewhat misleading. Starbucks’ Festive Feast Panini Average rating: 3 Verdict: Starbucks’ Festive Feast Panini, filled with chicken breast, mature cheddar cheese, smoky bacon, pork, bacon and caramelised onion stuffing, cranberry chutney and turkey gravy, has returned for the 2023 Christmas season but was met with mixed reviews from our panel. The sourdough ciabatta panini went down well with Geordie, who handed out a solid 4 for the sandwich’s warm embrace and crisp bread – he’d happily come back for seconds. Maanya, on the other hand, was less impressed. It was “super cheesy” but just “fine” and lacking that Christmas sandwich sparkle. Hannah had high hopes but landed at 2.5, calling it “a bit nothingy” – not a flavour fiesta but the bread was a solid plus. Panini pundit Harry gave it a 4, welcoming the good consistency, generous filling and sauce that hit all the right notes. Asda’s Festive Feast Sandwich Average rating: 2.75 Verdict: Asda’s Festive Feast Sandwich, bringing turkey breast, sausages, smoked bacon, gravy mayo, stuffing and a spread of cranberry chutney to the table, earned mixed reviews from the panel. The sarnie’s highest score was 3.5 from Geordie, who said it “fills a hole” and appreciated the bread but found it a bit too sweet for his taste. Maanya, ranking it 3 out of 5, found it vastly improved after the first bite, with the cranberry giving it a good Thanksgiving or Christmas vibe. Hannah, less than impressed with a 2.5, likened it to the “bog standard” roast dinners you get at school, and found it too heavy on the stuffing. Harry, with a 2, was charmed by its good looks but suggested the cranberry sauce might be masking some shortcomings. Despite having a lot going on, it fell short of his expectations. Waitrose’s Pigs Under Blankets Average rating: 2.5 Verdict: Despite being the sandwich that’s “so good we’ve brought it back”, with pork sausage, smoked bacon, cranberry and redcurrant chutney and mayonnaise in sliced malted bread, Waitrose’s Pigs Under Blankets fell short of our panel’s expectations. Geordie, with a rating of 3, praised its substantial and firm structure but found it a little bland, falling short of becoming his favourite filling. Maanya, more optimistic with a 3.5, expressed excitement for the “pigs under blankets” concept, appreciating its one-dimensional charm, but noting that it was a little bit messy. Perhaps not the best choice for a date. Hannah, surprisingly impressed with a 4, found the sandwich better than expected. She appreciated the flavour of the sausages and the balance of ingredients, a departure from the overwhelming nature of some Christmas sandwiches. Harry, however, with a resounding 1, declared the Waitrose entry “pretty grim”. It didn’t meet the expectations associated with Waitrose, and, in his view, even had the potential to dampen the Christmas spirit. Ouch. Tesco’s Chicken, Stuffing and Cranberry Sauce Sub Average rating: 2 Verdict: Tesco’s offering, with chicken breast, sage and onion stuffing, smoked bacon, mayonnaise and cranberry chutney, faced a tough crowd – and our panel didn’t hold back. Geordie, with a rating of 2, felt the sub had an imbalance, with too much bread and not enough filling, leaving it to fall short of the festive mark. Maanya, initially predicting a bready experience, adjusted her expectations with a 2.75. While noting the bread’s softness, she, too, couldn’t get the right bite and found it lacking in festive flair, deeming it “just a normal chicken sandwich”. Hannah, giving it a 1.5, was firmly part of the “nope” camp. The visual appeal didn’t win her over, with a critique on poor proportioning and a congealed, cold filling; nor did the overall taste experience, which she described as “just not good”. Harry, with a rating of 2, asked: what are we even doing here Tesco? The bread wins points for softness, but it sorely needs a flavour overhaul. Drinks Starbucks’ Hazelnut Crunch Hot Chocolate Rating: 4.5 Verdict: The Hazelnut Crunch Hot Chocolate is the only new addition to Starbucks’ festive drinks menu this year. With an ingredients list that includes chocolate flavoured whipped creamy, sprinkled chocolate on top and a hazelnut brittle topping, you might expect it to be too rich or too sweet. But our reviewer Harry described it as “like drinking a Kinder Bueno”. Plenty of nutty and chocolatey flavours and not too much of either. Caffe Nero’s Panettone Latte Rating: 4 Verdict: Do coffee and panettone go together? It’s not an age-old question but it is one Caffe Nero is trying to answer with their Panettone Latte. It went down well with our reviewer Maanya, who described it as “Christmas in a cup”. With cinnamon and plenty of spice, it’s instantly warming and a great addition to the seasonal offerings. Starbucks’ Eggnog Latte Rating: 3 Verdict: Starbucks’ Eggnog Latte is another festive favourite to make a return in 2023. While not an eggnog fan, our reviewer Hannah was pleasantly surprised by its aroma. It was thicker than a normal latte, and “exceptionally sweet”, but if you’d rather swerve the cinnamon and caramel that so often permeate Christmas drinks, this is a good alternative. It could do with some booze in it, though, she added. Caffe Nero’s Millionaire’s Hot Chocolate Rating: 3 Verdict: With salted caramel syrup, chocolate cream and an extra drizzle of caramel, Caffe Nero’s Millionaire’s Hot Chocolate might prove too sickly for even the sweetest of tooths. For our reviewer Hannah, the aroma and flavour didn’t quite nail the brief. It goes big on chocolate, but one too many of these and you’ll have to pay a visit to the dentist. Caffe Nero’s Florentine Mocha Rating: 2 Verdict: Speaking of unusual pairings, do florentine biscuits and mochas go together? According to our reviewer Harry, perhaps not. “That’s a pretty bog standard mocha,” he says of Caffe Nero’s Florentine Mocha. It’s not a bad drink, with salted caramel syrup, panettone syrup, whipped cream and chocolate chips, but it doesn’t feel very Christmassy. The results Of the sandwiches, Co-op’s Christmas Market Sandwich, which brought pops of colour and unusual flavours to the table, was the clear winner. The diverse ingredients tick a lot of boxes and the chunky size means you’re getting bang for you buck. In last place was Tesco’s Chicken, Stuffing and Cranberry Sauce Sub. The reviews ranged from criticising the imbalance of ingredients to a plain “nope”. The panel agreed that it just didn’t have enough festive flair. On drinks, Starbucks’ new Hazelnut Crunch Hot Chocolate was the clear winner, packing in plenty of chocolatey and nutty flavours without overdoing it. Meanwhile, Caffe Nero’s Florentine Mocha is proof that not all flavours are a match made in heaven. This one might keep the sweet tooths happy, but it won’t keep the Christmas vibes going. Read More From a £22 bag of pasta to £28 sandwich – why do they cost so much? How to host a dinner party for under £2 per portion Three new cookbooks worth buying, from James Martin to the Hairy Bikers Pearly Cow, Margate, restaurant review: Go for the steak, but stay for the potatoes Three authentic Thai recipes to try at home What does Saturday Kitchen’s Matt Tebbutt cook at home?
1970-01-01 08:00
How to get the Ice Spice Chia Pet
Rapper Ice Spice has released her very own Chia Pet in the latest of her big brand collaborations. The New York rapper, whose real name is Isis Gaston, has shot to fame in the last two years, going from relative obscurity to featuring on the Barbie soundtrack on a song with Nicki Minaj. Ice Spice is known for her signature bright ginger curly afro and has capitalised on the look to partner with the Chicago company Living Product to release a Chia Pet based on her. Chia Pets are terracotta figurines resembling anything from a famous person or film character to an animal. They are used to sprout Chia Seeds – as they grow, they start to resemble hair or fur. How to get the Ice Spice Chia Pet The Ice Spice Chia Pet is available to buy directly from Chia.com or on Amazon.com. It can also be purchased on icespicemusic.com from Friday 24 November. The terracotta planter depicts the rapper wearing a pink jacket and a large silver diamond necklace. It retails for $34.99 and includes enough seeds to replant it three times. The Chia Pet website explained: “The Ice Spice Chia Pet® is here and ready to add some baddie energy to your home décor! “The superstar rapper’s iconic style is on full display as a terra cotta home planter, complete with pink jacket and her signature diamond chain. Just spread the seeds, water, and watch her grow leafy green hair!” How to join the indy100's free WhatsApp channel Sign up to our free indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
1970-01-01 08:00