The Week UK

The best of the media in one magazine. Each issue stitches together news and views from more than 200 global news sources into an utterly enjoyable, informative read.

It wasn’t all bad

The main stories… …and how they were covered

Starmer’s EU deal

THE WEEK

The Week

Politics

Spirit of the age

Good week for:

Bad week for:

Employment rights

Misogyny in schools

Poll watch

Europe at a glance

The world at a glance

People of the year • It was the year that Donald Trump caused chaos with tariffs, Elon Musk took a chainsaw to the US government, Angela Rayner was forced to resign, and Gary Lineker left the BBC. Here we take a look at some of the people who made the headlines in 2025

Best articles: Britain

Pick of the week’s Gossip

It must be true… the best tabloid stories of 2025

Cartoons of the year

Pick of the week’s correspondence

A conscionable strike?

Musical: Into the Woods • Bridge Theatre, London SE1 (0333-320 0051). Until 30 May Running time: 2hrs 40mins

Musical: Treasure Island • Bristol Old Vic (0117-987 7877). Until 10 January Running time: 2hrs 15mins

Podcasts of the year • For some years, people have been complaining that the podcast market is over-saturated, but more are coming out all the time – and some are well worth seeking out. Here is a selection of the best from the past 12 months

Some of the best shows of 2025 • In an era of limitless streamed “content”, it can be hard to settle on anything to watch. Here are nine shows worth trying

Films of the year • Audiences continued to defy the critics in 2025, with two widely panned films – A Minecraft Movie and the live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch – dominating the box office. Here are some of the films the critics did like, a few of which were also commercial hits

A round-up of works of art… …that made the news in 2025

Best books… Mark Kermode • The film critic picks his five favourites. His book, Mark Kermode’s Surround Sound: The Stories of Movie Music (Picador £18.99) came out earlier this year, and he will be speaking at next year’s Stratford Literary Festival

At-a-glance guide to the best holiday television

The Archers: what happened last week

Albums of the year

Properties of the year • A look at some of the most outstanding properties of the year

Winter pavlova with cranberry & lime • Pavlova is a Christmas favourite in Australia, where I spent much of my childhood, says Helen Goh – and no wonder, with so many berries and stone fruits in season. When I moved to London, I wanted to create a dish that had the celebratory vibe of an Aussie Christmas pavlova, but could be made in the depths of winter. This red pavlova, using fresh cranberries in season, is the answer.

Good-value champagnes and other festive fizz

The best… stylish, practical ski-wear

Tips of the week… dealing with a hangover

And for those who have everything…

Where to find… pop-up ice rinks

Two new Alpine hotels

Dreaming of holidays in the snow… …and of escapes to the sun

Beautiful Mozambique

The winners and losers of 2025 • It felt stomach-churning at times, but most asset classes made gains

Trends: houses, art and disposable CEOs

The Fab Footsie

Commentators

City profile

Among those who died in 2025

The race to make the greatest Christmas ad • Christmas advertising has become an arms race, as British retailers vie to win the nation’s heart over the crucial festive season. Stuart McGurk reports

Crossword

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