Bars are downsizing the cocktail, redesigning it as a cheaper, snappier or ‘starter’ drink

When it comes to cocktails, a new word has been added to the traditional order: as well as “shaken” or “stirred”, drinkers are increasingly asking that their martini be “small”.

Rather than the customary martini serving, which starts from 150ml upwards, British bars are serving mini versions, starting from as little as 30ml, as drinkers aim to keep a clearer head and spend less.

Continue reading...

Man beaten until he bled as a child says Stephen Conway, Jo Bailey Wells and 30 others must ‘look at their consciences’

One of John Smyth’s victims has called for more bishops to resign over the church’s cover-up of sadistic abuse, and claims the church is still failing to tackle safeguarding.

In the late 1970s and early 80s, the victim, who uses the pseudonym Graham, was made to strip naked in Smyth’s soundproof shed where he was beaten with a cane until he bled.

Continue reading...

The cringeworthy campaign for Harris made it clear – voters aren’t simply going to do what mega-rich celebrities tell them to

I wish celebrities would learn the art of the French exit. But they can’t, which is why Eva Longoria has announced she no longer lives in America . “I get to escape and go somewhere,” she explained. “Most Americans aren’t so lucky – they’re going to be stuck in this dystopian country.” What’s brought this on, apart from the obvious? “Whether it’s the homelessness or the taxes … it just feels like this chapter in my life is done now.” Great to learn that Eva dislikes both homelessness and taxes. America’s loss of this major political thinker is some other country’s gain – and this highly called-for intervention reminds us why celebrities should speak their brains even more often. If only into a pillow, or an abyss.

As always in these moments of the silly voters making a silly mistake, many stars have pledged to follow her. We’ll see. Either way, celebrities seem totally unaware that these high-handed statements of first-class migration are not the admonishment to the lesser orders that they are meant to be, and may even encourage them.

Marina Hyde is a Guardian columnist

A Year in Westminster: John Crace, Marina Hyde and Pippa Crerar. On Tuesday 3 December, join Crace, Hyde and Crerar as they look back at a political year like no other, live at the Barbican in London and livestreamed globally. Book tickets here or at guardian.live

Continue reading...

The Guardian’s picture editors select photographs from around the world

Continue reading...

Myles McHugh, Hannah Rebbeck and Mark Harper accessed data with ‘no proper policing purpose’, tribunal heard

Three Metropolitan police officers have been found guilty of gross misconduct for accessing files relating to the case of Sarah Everard with “no proper policing purpose”, a tribunal has found.

The police constable Myles McHugh has been sacked over the misconduct, while the panel said the former detective constable Hannah Rebbeck would have been sacked had she not previously resigned.

Continue reading...

Heavily spiced lumps of pure indulgence that are just begging for slabs of melting butter

Teacakes mean different things to different people, depending on where they’re based. These aren’t the chocolate-covered marshmallow kind, but rather the spiced bread variety. I’ve gone heavier with the spices than is traditional, using those found in a masala chai for something ultra-comforting. Serve warm from the oven with silly amounts of butter, and any leftovers will be even better toasted the next day. Again: don’t forget the butter!

Continue reading...

We asked young children (and their parents) what they’d really like to find under the tree from the big man in red this year

• Best Christmas gifts for children aged five to eight, chosen by kids themselves – from Squishmallows and slime to Lego

What does an under-five want for Christmas in 2024? Well, according to Ayla, two, from London, it’s “a rainbow in the sky”. But short of cloud-seeding, what actually are the best gifts to delight young children?

Whether you’re a parent whose repeated attempts to get them to write to Santa have failed, a grandparent panicking in John Lewis, or a close (but clueless) family friend, here are 28 ideas for Christmas presents for under-fives direct from kids, and their parents, themselves.

Continue reading...

Humanoid called Digit fuelled boosterism at Web Summit, but also raised concerns about jobs, safety and climate

This year’s Web Summit, in Lisbon, was all about artificial intelligence – and a robot sorting laundry.

Digit, a humanoid built by the US firm Agility Robotics, demonstrated how far AI has come in a few years by responding to voice commands – filtered through Google’s Gemini AI model – to sift through a pile of coloured T-shirts and place them in a basket.

Continue reading...

Feeling frazzled and drained at the end of the day? Try these expert micro-habits

If you’re often tempted to reach for a ready meal at the end of a busy day, it may be a good idea to add some ultra-easy home-cooked suppers to your arsenal. Nutritionist Sophie Trotman ’s secret weapon is breakfast for dinner – particularly when it’s high protein, as the macronutrient is satiating and helps to keep blood sugar balanced. “My ‘fast food’ is scrambled eggs on toasted rye bread,” she says, “with sauteed spinach on the side, if I’m feeling extravagant.” She also suggests mixing together eggs, banana, milled flaxseed, ground almonds and protein powder to make pancakes. “Serve with a dollop of Greek yoghurt and fruit.”

Continue reading...