Friday December 5 2025
The Times & The Sunday Times

UK bids to unlock £8bn of frozen Russian assets to aid Ukraine

Ministers are prepared to hand the frozen funds to Ukraine, warning that Putin is an active threat to Britain’s citizens and its security


Eden Golan from Israel holding the Israeli flag during the opening ceremony of the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 Grand Final.
Ireland and Spain boycott Eurovision after Israel allowed to compete

Continent divided, with the Netherlands and Slovenia also withdrawing and more expected to follow in a protest over the war in Gaza


Sacked workers could get unlimited payouts for unfair dismissal

Ministers want to ditch £118,000 limit for compensation to appease unions after Labour watered down employment rights reforms



England captain Ben Stokes celebrates dismissing Marnus Labuschagne of Australia during day two of the Second 2025/26 Ashes Series Test Match.
Stokes dismisses Labuschagne but Australia frustrate England

Opener Head out for 33 after being dropped on three; Joe Root’s unbeaten 138 helped England reach 334 all out

The Ashes
9 minutes ago


Virginia Giuffre’s estate is ‘worth $311,000’. Where are Andrew’s millions?

Giuffre received $12 million from the disgraced former Duke of York and millions more from Epstein’s estate; now her family are at war over her will


Edward Cornes, a student who died on his first night in halls during Fresher's week in London.
Edward Cornes, a student who died on his first night in halls during Fresher's week in London.
Family fight for truth over son’s ‘date-rape’ drug death

Despite 43 years in Assad jails, I am optimistic for Syria’s future

Ragheed al-Tatari was imprisoned when he refused an order to bomb his fellow citizens but believes his compatriots can learn to use power for good


A man in a suit jacket and bow tie stands in an arched brick corridor with several students in traditional uniforms blurred in the background.
A man in a suit jacket and bow tie stands in an arched brick corridor with several students in traditional uniforms blurred in the background.
A fifth of private schools slashed bursary funding before VAT fee hike

Collage of a man, Syrian flags, and war imagery.
Collage of a man, Syrian flags, and war imagery.
Despite 43 years in Assad jails, I am optimistic for Syria’s future







Five students pose in front of a green chalkboard filled with mathematical equations and diagrams.
School league tables 2026: the best UK secondary schools revealed

The top schools are preparing pupils to be curious, problem-solving and risk taking, ready for anything that comes their way — as well as academic success



Ed Miliband’s pledge to cut energy bills was doomed from start

Experts believe the government cannot meet its pledge to cut bills by £300. But it’s not all bad — investment now should pay off in future



Margot Robbie in a light blue ruffled dress with a large pink floral detail.
Margot Robbie: my Wuthering Heights co-star Jacob Elordi is next Day-Lewis

The Australian will prove himself in the new Wuthering Heights film, according to the Barbie star, who plays Cathy to his Heathcliff




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Benzy Oyugi pushing a bicycle next to a roadside market stand in Kenya.
‘A bike is more than transport. It puts safety in my own hands’

On the winding roads of rural Kenya, World Bicycle Relief offers a route out of poverty for farmers who would otherwise have to pay for hazardous motorbike trips



Choristers from the Westminster Abbey Choir in London hold candles while practicing for Advent and Christmas services.



Editor's picks



King Charles III delivers a speech at a state banquet, with Donald Trump and the Princess of Wales listening.
Secret royal diaries*: William, Kate, Andrew and Harry’s 2025

One disgraced prince, an ongoing feud and a last-minute state visit — just another year in the life of the royal family. *According to Hilary Rose


Gwyneth Paltrow wearing a red Valentino dress and matching textured jacket.
Forget Goop, Gwyneth the actress is back — how I’ve missed her


Marina Fogle sitting on grass with a white and a black Labrador dog, with a wooden caravan in the background.
In our family we kiss the dog. It’s healthy

Collage of various gift items including hair oil, a mushroom plushie, a red decorative flower, colorful sneakers, a green mug, and a yellow beanie.
This years’ chicest Christmas gifts — all under £50


Collage of four individuals associated with self-help podcasts.
Chin up: why British self-help podcasts rule the world



Brighton College with students walking and sitting outside the school building.
The best private schools in the UK

Boys’ schools are still performing well, but across the country teachers are focusing on the need for resilience and debate than just academic achievement

Brighton College with students walking and sitting outside the school building.
The best private schools in the UK


The best schools in London


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Soldiers in military fatigues and winter gear on a tank, with a red patterned blanket draped over part of the tank.

As more and more Russian troops go Awol, three former soldiers reveal their horror and guilt at fighting in Ukraine and the price they paid to get out



David Lammy’s picked a side — over to you Keir Starmer

Justice secretary is determined not to be a prisoner of circumstance, unlike many of his shrinking cabinet colleagues



Illustration of a man's face being "recognized" by a system called "Farcical Recognition" with a "Volte-Face" rating of 99.9% while other faces are verified as "mug" or "ham-fisted" or "system failure."

Morten Morland’s Times cartoon: December 5, 2025



a woman wearing a white sweater and gold earrings smiles for the camera
We do well on integration, so let’s not ruin it






a woman wearing a white sweater and gold earrings smiles for the camera
We do well on integration, so let’s not ruin it






Illuminated office towers at Boat Quay on the Singapore River at dusk.

The wealthy aren’t the only ones who see a better future abroad


Miners coming off the last shift at Kellingley Colliery.
John RalfeRachel Reeves’s £3.8bn miners pension giveaway is pure madness


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A hand holding an iPhone displaying the Trustpilot logo and website.
Trustpilot shares hit by ‘mafia-style extortion’ claims


Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves posing with her red ministerial box in front of 11 Downing Street.
Frasers executive attacks ‘chaos’ around Rachel Reeves’s budget

a man in a suit and tie looks at the camera
Patrick HoskingPre-budget kite-flying was a damaging own-goal by Rachel Reeves



Billionaires’ children and spouses inherit record amounts


What a sale of Marmite, Bovril and Colman’s would mean for Burton




England's Joe Root celebrates his century during the Ashes Series 2025.

Brisbane (England won toss): England batsman records most significant hundred yet as his side overcome loss of two early wickets to reach 325 for 9

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Film still from Eternity.

This love triangle between Elizabeth Olsen, Callum Turner and Miles Teller is sunk by the leads’ jaded inertia


The British Library building in London on a clear day.
Shhh! The British Library is in crisis



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