People urged to plan ahead as early Christmas benefit payments due to land in accounts tomorrow

Parasite director Bong Joon-ho and several South Korean creatives have called for a probe into the circumstances behind renowned actor Lee Sun-kyun’s death.Last month, the 48-year-old actor was found dead in an apparent suicide. At the time of his death, Lee had been undergoing a highly publicised investigation by South Korean police on suspicions of drug use.Earlier this week, the newly established Association of Solidarity of Cultural Artists released a statement calling for an investigation into Lee’s death, per The Korea Herald.

Ariana Grande has returned with a new single called ‘yes, and?’ – you can listen to it below.The pop star first announced details of the track last weekend, when she confirmed that it would be the lead song from her forthcoming seventh album – the follow-up to 2020’s ‘Positions’.Released today (January 12), ‘yes, and?’ sees Grande addressing her personal life and singing about “healing” over a house-inspired instrumental that channels Madonna‘s ‘Vogue’.“Now, I’m so done with caring/ What you think, no, I won’t hide/ Underneath your own projections/ Or change my most authentic life,” one verse goes. Later, the star calls on the listener to overcome their “dark situation” and “just turn on your light“.In the uplifting chorus, Grande sings: “‘Yes, and?’/ Say that shit with your chest, and/ Be your own fuckin’ best friend/ Say that shit with your chest/ Keep moving like, ‘What’s next?’/ ‘Yes, and?’ (Yeah).”Tune in here:Grande is due to share the official video for ‘yes, and?’ on YouTube at 3pm GMT today – you’ll be able to watch it here.

Public Enemy‘s Flavor Flav has spoken about his favourite Taylor Swift song and expressed his love for the singer in a new interview.The rapper recently appeared on HOT 97’s Ebro In The Morning radio show to discuss his extensive career. When asked about attending the recent 81st Golden Globes, he launched into a lengthy discussion of Swift, in light of Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour film’s nomination for the ceremony’s inaugural Cinematic and Box Office Achievement category. “Yes, I am a Swiftie,” Flav declared.

Almost three months after Bury’s indoor market hall was suddenly forced to close after dangerous concrete was found in the roof, the majority of affected traders have now been relocated. On October 26, 49 stallholders had their livelihoods snatched away and were thrown into uncertainty after the discovery of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in the roof.

Overcast and cloudy weather is forecast for Greater Manchester this weekend - ahead of 'disruptive snow' hitting the UK from next week.

A shop assistant caught selling a packet of illegal tobacco has been slapped with a hefty fine.

Strictly Come Dancing star Giovanni Pernice has spoken out on the 'support' he has been receiving as he offered a 'one-week' countdown. The dancer hasn't had a slow start to the New Year as he jumped straight back into rehearsals for his upcoming tour.

A heartbroken daughter has revealed that her mum desperately called for her help just minutes before she died in a horror crash.

Food delivery company HelloFresh has been fined £140,000 after a seven-month spamming campaign of 79 million emails and one million text messages.

A third Top Gun movie is in the works and a new report has revealed the actors from Top Gun: Maverick who are in talks to reprise their roles.

Jelly Roll gave a tearful and emotional testimony in front of members of Congress as part of the fight against the fentanyl crisis.

The Mean Girls movie musical is out in theaters now!

Olivia Rodrigo and best friend Conan Gray wrapped their arms around each other while out for dinner on Wednesday night (January 10) in Los Angeles.

The Book of Clarence, Jeymes Samuel‘s bold new take on the timeless Hollywood era Biblical epic, is now in theaters!

Plans to progress a new £24 million primary school for Craigshill in Livingston are expected to be approved next week. Education Executive are being asked to back plans that would begin the formal consultation process which is legally required to create a new primary school, at their meeting on Tuesday 16 January 2024. This process will also review the catchment area for the new school, and close both Riverside and Letham primaries once the new school is in place.

John McKeown insists his Shotts side will need to be at their best to take anything from high-flying Kilwinning Rangers this weekend.

Gartcairn boss Mick Dunlop has no problem with a call-off of Saturday’s West of Scotland Premier League clash at Largs Thistle – but the Airdrie side were there when it happened.

Netflix‘s Stranger Things, has revealed that he will not return for season five.While appearing on the Steve Varley Show on YouTube for an interview, Franco was asked why he had not been involved in the cast photo to kick off filming of the hit sci-fi series’ fifth and final season.Franco was then asked if Argyle will return for season five, to which he replied: “It’s nice to hear that there’s, there’s some sort of, you know, concern or something, you know what I mean? But I never got a phone call, so I think that’s it.”The character of Argyle was introduced in season four of the Netflix series, where he provided the role of comedic relief during more tense moments alongside the rest of the show’s cast.It is currently unclear if Franco’s absence from Stranger Things season five will last its entire production process, or if he just hasn’t been brought back yet as he isn’t scheduled to shoot for the time being. Netflix has yet to confirm Franco’s claims.A release date for Stranger Things‘ fifth season has yet to be announced.

BBC Radio 1‘s Live Lounge with a soulful cover of Taylor Swift’s ‘Cruel Summer’.Today (January 12), BBC Radio 1 released the soul-pop singer-songwriter’s piano-led rendition of Swift’s ‘Lover’ highlight, channeling his signature raspy vocals through Swift’s lyrics. In addition to his cover of ‘Cruel Summer’, the soul-pop singer also performed his hit song ‘Lose Control’, off his debut full-length ‘I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 1)’, which was released in 2023.Watch Teddy Swims’ cover of ‘Cruel Summer’ below:Teddy Swims is the latest to offer a rendition of ‘Cruel Summer’, following Bombay Bicycle Club’s recent cover of the track, which they also performed in an appearance on BBC Radio 1.In October, ‘Cruel Summer’ reached the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 four years after it was first released as a non-single track on 2019’s ‘Lover’.

Even though Tom Cruise inked a non-exclusive pact at Warner Bros earlier this week, it looks like he’ll continue to be busy with Paramount for some time. Reports tonight are that Top Gun 3 is in development at Paramount with Top Gun:Maverick co-writer Ehren Kruger currently writing a draft.

Kali Uchis has revealed her first pregnancy with Don Toliver in the new music video for ‘Tu Corazón es Mío’ and ‘Diosa’.Yesterday (January 11), the Columbian-American singer released the video for two new singles, ‘Tu Corazón es Mío’ (‘Your Heart Is Mine’) and ‘Diosa’ (‘Goddess’). Directed by Child, the video is split into halves, each dedicated to one of its two tracks.The former, attached to ‘Tu Corazón es Mío’, depicts Uchis in a domestic setting, baking in a kitchen with Don Toliver.

Lil Nas X is setting new personal bests for provocation with his new song and video, portraying “the man who had the best comeback”: “J. Christ.” After opening the gates of heaven for celebrity look-alikes of A-list stars including Taylor Swift, Kanye West, Mariah Carey, Oprah and Barack Obama, Nas sings the beginning lines of “J.

Jem Aswad Executive Editor, Music Ariana Grande’s first single under her own name in more than three years arrives with a feel-good, bouncy lilt in the melody and rhythm, and a clear inspiration from Madonna’s “Vogue” (along with a splash of mid-‘90s Janet Jackson). But first impressions can be deceiving, because the lyrics bear a refreshingly positive I-am-who-I-am, be-yourself-and-keep-it-moving message — but with teeth, as well as some well-placed expletives.

< 1 min read In a landmark announcement, Prime Minister of Greece Kyriakos Mitsotakis has revealed plans to legalize same-sex marriage and grant adoption rights to LGBTQ+ couples. This historic move marks a significant […]

Police have charged an uninsured Tesla driver after they were allegedly clocked travelling at 109mph in Aberdeenshire.

A Scots Airbnb owner has been left devastated after puppy breeders took over and trashed her pristine Highland holiday home. Tracey Parsons hit out after she discovered two litters of "emaciated" young Golden Retrievers and a horrific trail of damage at her holiday let in the Torbreck area of Inverness on Tuesday, January 9.

A lawyer representing hundreds of Horizon victims says Scotland is “lagging behind” in the race to exonerate wronged sub-postmasters as convicted Scots face court again today.

A serial road menace has been jailed for leading cops on a high-speed chase before smashing into a lamppost at 70mph.

The Pentagon is reacting to a conspiracy that Taylor Swift is a “psyop” or has been hired by the government.

Lil Nas X has dropped his new song “J Christ” and the music video explains the meaning behind his Jesus-inspired single.

Want to dress like Selena Gomez? Well the corset top that she’s wearing could be yours!

Fans are freaking out over the New Girl reunion that happened this week!

Ariana Grande is finally back with new music and you can listen to her new song “Yes, And?” right here!

Andrew Garfield might have a new love in his life!

Steven J. Horowitz Senior Music Writer It’s been nearly 10 years since D’Angelo released his last album “Black Messiah,” and roughly five since he last appeared on a new single. So it’s safe to say that it’s a full-fledged cultural moment when the R&B icon pokes out from hiding to drop music.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief “Parasite” director Boon Joon-ho led a press conference in Seoul on Friday, following the death by suicide of actor Lee Sun-kyun at the end of December. Lee had been investigated by police in Incheon for possible recreational use of drugs and was at the center of a maelstrom of media and social media commentary for the two months prior to his death.