lifestyle
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Russell Brand, is it too late to ask for a manifesto recap?The comedian’s call to arms will surely overturn the old order any day now. But what will his brave new world look like? Thanks to former Oasis frontman Noel Gallagher, we now have some idea … -
There are many ways to be sexyMakeup artist François Nars's hottest looks There are many ways to be sexy
Makeup artist François Nars talks about using unconventional models, being inspired by Garbo and Dietrich, and always making work fun
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Pea and ham soupIs this the ultimate winter soup, or do you have something even more warming up your woolly sleeve? -
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Michael Jackson, Justin Bieber and the struggle to stay a superstarHe had the biggest album of the noughties and has dabbled in musicals, movies and mentoring. But could the R&B star be at a career crossroads? ‘Music is being used as free goods,’ he tells us, before announcing that his next single will be free with Cheerios -
Gluten-free meals on the go
The lunch box Gluten-free meals on the go
Think outside the bread box with some easy-to-make salads and cereals that don’t involve gluten -
A historical view
That Kim Kardashian cover A historical view
Naked images on the cover of Paper magazine by photographer Jean-Paul Goude hark back to his pioneering work with Grace Jones -
Is parenthood worth the effort?Readers answer other readers’ questions on subjects ranging from trivial flights of fancy to profound scientific concepts
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Fashion or faux-pas?
Pyjamas Fashion or faux-pas?
The notion of wearing PJs with anything other than a cosy dressing gown seems ludicrous – until we look to Katharine Hepburn for inspiration -
Is there anything we don’t know about Benedict?
Cumberwatch Is there anything we don’t know about Benedict?
From how he likes his tea to why he announced his engagement in the Times, news about The Imitation Game actor has hit new heights this week -
With a hi-tech twist
Sporty Christmas gifts With a hi-tech twist
A high-speed tennis ball machine, reflective tights and more of the best Christmas gifts for a sporty 2015, as chosen by the Guardian’s head of technology -
Would he be our mutual friend?
A date with Dickens Would he be our mutual friend?
Bored by the traditional dating format of bar+pricey wine, Marisa Bate tried something a bit different – what was the twist? -
From blue-collar uniform to hipsterwear to Interstellar
The Carhartt jacket From blue-collar uniform to hipsterwear to Interstellar
Morwenna Ferrier: In Christopher Nolan’s new film, Interstellar, the only thing to get more screentime that Matthew McConaughey is his sand-coloured Carhartt jacket. But its appearance is no accident... -
What would James Bond do?Sensing my fear, the doctor at the gender clinic dished out some helpful advice: imagine yourself as a movie character …
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In the kitchen, I got the powerWhen life gets out of control, there’s one refuge where I can play God
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My quest to buy a wedding dress for under £500
Bride on a budget My quest to buy a wedding dress for under £500
Wedding dress shopping: romantic fun or a great big bother? Could this bride-to-be find a bargain in the cut-price designer dresses on sale at Bicester Village? -
Boil an egg, the Heston Blumenthal way
Step by step Boil an egg, the Heston Blumenthal way
Yes, there is a trick to boiling an egg. And it’s the opposite of what you might think -
Who should win the Bad Sex award?
You decide Who should win the Bad Sex award?
Ten passages of highly coloured prose are up for the prize every author dreads -
Apocalypse-proof condos in a missile siloThe units in Kansas can withstand a direct nuclear hit – and sustain their occupants for five years underground
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What happened when I handed over my Twitter and Facebook
'No drunk posting' What happened when I handed over my Twitter and Facebook
Can social media managers make you more interesting and popular? One Guardian writer decided it was time to get professional help … -
Learn to love cycling in winter
Chill out Learn to love cycling in winter
Don’t put your bike away when the temperature drops: embrace the cold, wet months with good cycle lights and clothing -
Who has the best work-life balance?
US, UK or Europe Who has the best work-life balance?
America is the land of opportunity and success, but it comes at a price -
40 things you never knew about Leonardo DiCaprio
Happy birthday Leo 40 things you never knew about Leonardo DiCaprio
In honour of his 40th birthday, one piece of trivia for every year of the Hollywood actor’s life -
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Is Keira’s topless shoot the best form of protest?The actor posed topless on the condition that her breasts would not be photoshopped, in protest against artificially perfect images of women
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The sandwich is dead! Long live the sandwich!What was the Daily Mail thinking when it said there was no one left in Britain who can make a sandwich? From haggis toasties to lobster rolls, the humble sarnie is having a renaissance
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Mark Zuckerberg's T-shirts are more 'fashion' than he thinksThe Facebook boss has defended wearing almost identical T-shirts every day on the grounds that he refuses to ‘spend any of my energy on things that are silly or frivolous’. If only it were that simple …
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I am dry during sex with the man I loveWe have been together for several years and I still desire him, but am increasingly remaining dry. What can I do?
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An experience like no otherThe Company of Wolves is a ‘promenade theatre adventure’ that takes the audience on a mysterious night-time hunt for a rogue wolf – and it’s a running experience like no other
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What I see when I Google meThe singer explains why he always Googles his reviews and his ‘sadness that people have stopped being horrible’
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Give skin a winter treatIn winter, we suddenly have nothing better to do than sit in front of the telly eating poppadoms, so why not spend some time nursing skin back to health?
talking points
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Why don’t TV shows and papers cater to half their audience – women?From Dapper Laughs’ TV show to the Sun’s ‘date with a Page 3 girl’ prize, too much media and culture is created without women in mind. It doesn’t have to be this way, says Laura Bates
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The US size-10 model appears in the brand’s current underwear campaign. But her classification as ‘plus-sized’ has awoken the Twitter beastWhy Calvin Klein's new 'plus-size' model has caused a row
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Is it time to have a conversation about objectifying hot men on daytime TV?Both Ellen and The Price Is Right are searching for their own resident shirtless dude with talent competitions. Is this what equality looks like?
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I'm running three marathons for my sonTough challenge – but nothing compared to the 10,000 finger pricks, 350+ cannulas and three A&E emergencies my son has experienced
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Suzanne Moore: Every generation of women create ways to hate themselves and amplify their anxieties in public – and it’s time to stopSpare me the selfie school of feminism
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Piers Morgan believes that if rappers cleaned up their language, white people would stop using racial slurs. But black people don’t have that kind of powerCan black people really stop white people from using the N-word?
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The artist is mad that you think she’s ‘boy-crazy’ – and you don’t want to make Taylor Swift madTaylor Swift in the Blank Space video is the woman we've been waiting for
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Nerd is the new normalArthur Chu: It’s time to stop identifying ourselves as misunderstood weirdo outsiders. Because nerds run the world
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I totally get the Facebook founder’s wardrobe strategy – why spend precious mental energy on frivolous distractions such as what to wear when you could be spending hours developing unnecessary apps for your social networking siteHow to be as successful as Obama and Zuckerberg: wear the same clothes every day
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Is Allen Jones’s sculpture the most sexist art ever?Zoe Williams goes among the women as fetish furniture at the RA’s new show to find out
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No, no, no! Victorians didn’t invent the vibratorThe idea that orgasms were administered to women by doctors is pure fantasy
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Jessica Valenti: Breasts onstage. Breasts on Facebook. Breasts everywhere! Our body parts are just that: one part of who we are – and they’re not public propertyKeira Knightley is not alone: 2014 is the year we reclaimed our boobs
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Why are instruction manuals written in gobbledegook?Incomprehensible directions suck the joy out of a new purchase. What we really need are live demonstrators in shops
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I find older women attractive. I decided that youth doesn’t stop at 30As a report reveals that women are more likely to conceive if their partner is younger, 29-year-old Ankit Mathur explains why he is drawn to older women
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Le Coq: 'There’s moist and then there’s damp. This is damp chicken'The promise of really great roast chicken lures Jay to a new rotisserie. But will their version be as good as his own?
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Gordon Aikman has motor neurone disease. He doesn’t check work emails at home, fret over tiny problems or neglect friendshipsThe life of a dying young man is a model for us all
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How was your weekend running?
Running blog How was your weekend running?
Kate Carter: Are you a believer in suffering pain in the cause of running, or would you rather just have a nice drink? Today we’re talking massage – but as always, come and share your weekend triumphs and woes below the line -
What is it about the word ‘feminist’ that makes women flinch?Faint-hearted feminists? What’s Salma Hayek's problem?
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Politainment: why politicians should steer clear of showbizIt’s funny and inspiring when entertainers talk politics, but we’re on shaky ground when our politicians become entertainers
cook this
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Rillettes and pastries
Nigel Slater's herring recipes Rillettes and pastries
Salty and bright, the versatile herring can be eaten in dozens of ways. But these two dishes play to all its strengths, says Nigel Slater
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Mushroom pearl barley risottoI have an anarchic view of risotto – this one uses pearl barley instead of rice for a nutty flavour and interesting texture
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AnchoviesAdding a hit of unbeatable savouriness to a provençal classic, a host of salads, a breakfast special and a Roman roast
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The ultimate sandwich
Step by step The ultimate sandwich
Of the almost infinite possibilities suggested by the technique of putting something between two chunks of bread, one Edwardian great stands top-hat, head and shoulders above the rest – the shooter's sandwich
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Savoury squashesSquashes can be too sweet for their own good. For a deliciously savoury way of cooking them, add roast pork or a crunchy red onion and mustard gratin
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How to spice up your life (and baking)Whenever your baking is looking a little tired, try experimenting with these punchy aromatics.
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Game and applesThey are the big treats of the British autumn larder, so it pays to make the most of them while you can
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How to bake a potatoIt’s a quirk of the cosmos that baked potatoes taste their best when made at home and by your own hand
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Lamb tagine to confit of duck
Slow food recipes Lamb tagine to confit of duck
Five more delicious dishes that are worth the wait, including lamb tagine and Nigel Slater’s confit of duck, all chosen by Observer Food Monthly
advice
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Five difficult colleagues – and how to handle themAs another series of The Apprentice gathers speed, here are our tips on dealing with awkward workplace personality clashes
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I want my dad to move in with us but my sister is worried about the financesMy sister has queries about me receiving an inheritance early, as well as the tax implications and legal aspect of the arrangements
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Five career lessons to live byFrom accepting that you can’t always have a plan to making sure your voice is heard above the noise, these words of wisdom from five inspirational businesswomen are relevant to us all
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Top five makeup hacksFrom foolproof eyeliner to DIY manicures, everyone has a secret weapon in their beauty arsenal
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My mother, a former alcoholic, wants to move in with meA woman whose recently sober mother wants to live with her wonders how to say no
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How to teach your child about money
Six tips How to teach your child about money
With research showing that children copy their parents’ approach to finances, we look at how to pass on good money skills
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Agencies are rejecting me because I’m starting afresh in my mid-fortiesI’ve retrained in bookkeeping but I’m having no luck finding a job because of lack of experience
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How to create a successful podcastMy podcast is run on a shoestring from my living room, but it keeps winning listeners – and awards. Here’s how to do the same
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Which is the best tablet for gift-giving?A quick guide to six of the best tablet computers across Android, iPads and Windows to suit all budgets and needs this Christmas
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Are natural and organic bathroom products really ethical?To be sure ‘organic’ products are worthy of the label, look for the COSMOS-organic or COSMOS-natural stamps, which are on more than 10,000 products
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Standing desksStanding up crippled my productivity, because I’d stretch out toilet breaks – the only legitimate time I’d get to sit down – to about 20 minutes a pop
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My colleague is lying about her son dyingI have discovered that my colleague’s son is very much alive and away studying at university – she seems to be lying to abuse our trust
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I met my married hero – and he made a pass at meI run the risk of becoming infatuated with an unavailable man, which could prevent me from meeting someone else. What is the most sensible thing to do?
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I feel let down by my mum – againMy mother and my brother who sides with her have caused me great distress. How do I move on?
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10 dating apps to get your love life back on trackIf you fancy a quick fling or are in search of a life partner, there is an app to help
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Can my sister and I get a mortgage on a house my mum will be living in?We want to pay off my mum’s mortgage, let her live in her house and take out a joint mortgage, but want to know more details
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I’ve been with my boyfriend for three years, but he’s only ever made me climax a few timesI love my boyfriend, but our sex life is becoming a problem. What can I do?
pictures and video
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15 great weekend bags
Travel in style 15 great weekend bags
Don’t let a tired-looking weekend bag ruin your travel wardrobe. Invest in a new style for your autumn/winter mini-break -
Karen Elson's red-carpet riposteThe model puts up a classy defence of her frock after criticism from Jezebel
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Lighthouses to pine cones
Odd collections Lighthouses to pine cones
We asked readers to share their weird obsessions with us – what is the collective noun for Thermos flasks, anyway? -
Houses with offices
All in a day's work Houses with offices
From a stone-built garden eyrie in Cumbria to a glass-fronted garden room in Kent, we find properties where your office is but a few steps away -
Knee-high boots
10 of the best Knee-high boots
From chunky heels and colours to flat black and serious, here are our picks of the season’s offerings -
The Handlebar Club
Wax on The Handlebar Club
The Handlebar Club was formed in 1947 and since then has met in a London pub on the first Friday of every month
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The new contestantsYes, it’s the ultimate Z-list lineup (with one or two intriguing wildcards). From Tinchy Stryder to, ahem, Michael Buerk, here are the celebrities ready to rumble in the jungle
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Girls’ party outfitsSparkly princess dresses come with gender baggage, but parties are about fun. So leave the politics at the door
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Cool culottesCulottes are the buzz item of the season, but there has been much debate on the fashion desk as to how to wear them
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Top 10 jugs and pitchers
Interiors wishlist Top 10 jugs and pitchers
Perfect pourers or makeshift vases – here’s our pick of the best jugs and pitchers -
Grow your own raspberries and blueberries
Alys Fowler plants raspberries and blueberries, and explains about the conditions they need
puzzles
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Robert Louis Stevenson Day
The author of Treasure Island and The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde was also a poet and a travel writer. Celebrate his birthday by testing your knowledge of his life and work
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The carefully assembled Ikea quiz
Sweden voted to join the EU exactly two decades ago. Since then one of the country's most famous exports, Ikea, has flourished in Europe
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Movie murderers and mime artists
Today's questions cover Taylor Swift, postboxes, Roman emperors, metro systems, national borders and US politicians
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Big brands and American Beauties
Today's questions cover WD40, famous orchestras, brand logos, delicious cheese and three different American Beauties
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Dogs on film
Quiz Dogs on film
As Tom Hardy's pit bull makes an appearance in new film The Drop, see how many canine film stars you can identify
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Charlie Higson's pub quizIn his first monthly pub quiz, Charlie Higson lays out his rules: lots of arts and pop culture – and a mandatory James Bond question
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Fungal diseases and flowers
In our weekly reader-set quiz, Vin Miles tests your knowledge of supermarkets, jet fighters, arson, currency and Brian Eno
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The weekly quiz
In the quiz this week: A Hawk flies high, another turn from Paddington and a final bow from one of ballet's greats
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The weekly quiz
In the quiz this week: At home with Don Corleone, a view from the bridge plus it's the full monty on one South American beach
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G20 quiz: can you match the politician to the unusual fact about them?
The world's most influential leaders are about to descend on Brisbane for the G20. But can you work out which leader each of these facts applies to?
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Sudoku 2,967 hard
Fill the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 to 9
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Cryptic crossword No 26,416Cryptic crossword No 26,416
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Quick crossword No 13,889Quick crossword No 13,889
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How much do you know about Africa’s 'presidents for life'? – quiz
An uprising brought Blaise Compaoré's 27-year rule of Burkina Faso to an end last month, but his lengthy term in power was not unusual for the continent's leaders. Test your knowledge of those who have held top office the longest
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Sudoku 2,966 medium
Fill the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 to 9
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Cryptic crossword No 26,415Cryptic crossword No 26,415
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Quick crossword No 13,888Quick crossword No 13,888
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Sudoku 2,965 medium
Fill the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 to 9
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Cryptic crossword No 26,414Cryptic crossword No 26,414
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Quick crossword No 13,887Quick crossword No 13,887
people
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Day of the Imprisoned Writer: Gao YuElif Shafak’s open letter to the journalist Gao Yu celebrates the courageous writings for which she has been jailed in China, but which ‘echo far and wide’
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Taylor Swift 'booty' diss by Diplo inspires Lorde's wrathProducer annoys singer by tweeting that ‘someone should make a Kickstarter to get Taylor Swift a booty’
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Liam Neeson: ‘I've never been more nervous than when singing in front of Julie Andrews’Stuart Heritage: Liam Neeson on his amateur boxing glories, acting into his 90s and leaving voicemail messages on his son’s phone
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Judi Dench: people asking when I’ll retire drive me spareActor says she hates being asked if it is time to put her feet up and does not want to be told she is too old
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Warren Clarke: from A Clockwork Orange to TV detectiveActor best known as a gruff, hard-drinking detective in the TV series Dalziel and Pascoe
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Bono’s private jet loses rear hatch mid-flightPlane was coming in to land in the German capital but the Irish singer was never in any danger, Berlin airport authorities say
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Glastonbury headline favourites Foo Fighters have 'not been called' about festivalFoos singer Dave Grohl says that Emily Eavis has yet to call the group about playing Glastonbury, despite them being favourites to headline
big picture
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‘Living in the East End then was a nightmare. People had a better time during the war’
David Bailey's best shot ‘Living in the East End then was a nightmare. People had a better time during the war’
‘Living in the East End then was a nightmare. People had a better time during the war’
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Rare photographs of family life in the segregated South
Shotguns and sundaes Rare photographs of family life in the segregated South
Lost for more than 50 years since they were featured in Life magazine, Gordon Parks’s stunning images show daily life for one Alabama family in the shadow of race riots, bus boycotts and the fight for civil rights -
How to paint happiness
A masterclass from Matisse How to paint happiness
In 1905, Henri Matisse created the most perfect image of bliss. This is the story of Le Bonheur de Vivre -
Child models who won't get out of bed for less than 18 guineas a day
From the archive Child models who won't get out of bed for less than 18 guineas a day
Originally published in the Guardian on 11 November 1967: In a good year, some children can earn £1000 a year, says owner of specialist agency
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Women in WW1: 'I can't do the work if the men won't listen to me'
Readers' stories Women in WW1: 'I can't do the work if the men won't listen to me'
To mark the centenary of the first world war we’ve been asking readers to share their photos and memories -
The party season has arrived
Chiffon, silk and sequins The party season has arrived
Get ready to rock in chiffon, silk and sequins. The party season has never looked so opulent -
Everything you need for the party seasonWith the party season getting into full swing, it’s important that you are dressed and ready to sparkle
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Orphaned otter pup takes a bath
The newest resident of Chicago's Shedd Aquarium is an orphaned southern sea otter pup. Just five weeks old and weighing less than 6lbs, she was rescued along the California coast by state wildlife officials. Here she takes a bath at the aquarium and then is fed from a bottle
you may have missed
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What job would make you happiest?
Personality test What job would make you happiest?
If you want a career that fulfils you, you need to focus on your interests rather than your qualifications -
Air rage, booze, drugs, stag-party obscenities – I’ve seen it all
A flight attendant writes Air rage, booze, drugs, stag-party obscenities – I’ve seen it all
It’s not just celebrities. As a flight attendant I’ve seen everyone has a trigger – apart from the crew -
How many free samples is too many?
Easy pickings How many free samples is too many?
Etiquette varies from person to person, so how many samples is it socially acceptable to take? And should anyone ever be arrested for over-sampling?
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'I need my own time. I get stressed if I don’t have it'
Meet the loners 'I need my own time. I get stressed if I don’t have it'
Do crowds make you miserable? Would you rather be on your own or with just one understanding friend? You’re in good company -
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‘I didn’t feel drunk, not even tipsy'
Female drink-drivers ‘I didn’t feel drunk, not even tipsy'
Every year, a growing proportion of those convicted of drink-driving are women. Does it reveal a new – and often hidden – drinking problem? -
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I feel guilty but I hate my body
A feminist confesses I feel guilty but I hate my body
She’s a campaigner. She counts calories 24/7. Thinking about food takes up more energy than her career. Does Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett have an eating disorder? -
Are you a sexy dad?They work out, they look good with a pram, they know all the lyrics to Frozen. Can father-to-be Stuart Heritage measure up to the new breed of hot dads?
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I used to judge childfree womenSome people just don’t want to have children – how could I not see that?
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The ultimate homemade kebabI’ve made it my mission to make a proper kebab at home – including bread, pickles and other condiments. And I think I’ve cracked it
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On the run from my fatherWhen Gavan Naden was 10, his mother collected him and his sisters from school on the last day of term. But they didn’t go home – it was the start of a long summer of trying to stay one step ahead of his dad amid a bitter custody dispute
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How to make the perfect grilled cheese sandwichFluffy Mighty White or the fuller texture of artisan sourdough? Taleggio, Teifi or prepacked slices? And what is the best way to cook your sandwich: grill, griddle, frying pan or toastie machine?
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I came out in a country town, and everything changed in an instantI never could find out what might have been with my first love, Alexandra
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Which cheap ingredients are just as good as gourmet?From Grana Padano to frozen raspberries, skirt steak to good cava, there are numerous ingredients you can use as cheaper alternatives
Women, beware this army of sleazebags, saddos and weirdos