Author: Benjamin

From long-standing independent businesses that had served their communities for decades to well-known national chains closing due to redevelopment and administration, 2025 brought significant change to the local food scene. Here’s a look at the restaurants we said goodbye to this year: Cool Breeze, Hither Green Cool Breeze West Indian Takeaway in Hither Green closed its doors in November after almost 30 years in business. Cool Breeze West Indian Takeaway in Hither Green closed its doors in November. (Image: Danielle Scott-Haughton) The much-loved Caribbean takeaway first opened in March 1997 and was run by owner Alice Muchanyuka, who became a…

Image Credit: Getty Images It’s almost time to ring in the new year! With 2026 just hours away, some are celebrating at the local bars, by hosting parties or, simply clubbing from the comfort of their couches. And with that, at-home partygoers are looking for ways to watch the famous New York City Times Square ball drop. Among the most popular television programs that broadcast live performances and fun discussions before midnight is Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve.  Below, find out how you can ring in 2026 by watching Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve and more ways to…

Firefighters are battling a blaze at an arts, music and comedy venue and community centre, which has seen the town’s high street cordoned off.Smoke could be seen coming from part of the Alexander Centre in Faversham and billowing across the town centre this afternoon.A firefighting crane vehicle is being used to access the roof space of the burning building behind the Alexander Centre in FavershamThe fire broke out in the roof of the Gatefield Hall in the Alexander Centre, which is located at the rear of the building and is used to host gigs and shows.Fire crews were called to…

Image Credit: Getty Images Isiah Whitlock Jr., a longtime character actor best known for his role on The Wire, died in December 2025 at the age of 71. His manager, Brian Liebman, confirmed the news on Instagram, revealing that Whitlock passed away in a hospital. “It is with tremendous sadness that I share the passing of my dear friend and client Isiah Whitlock Jr. If you knew him, you loved him,” Liebman wrote. “A brilliant actor and even better person. May his memory forever be a blessing. Our hearts are so broken. He will be very, very missed.” Learn more…

Image Credit: JACKSON LEE DAVIS/NETFLIX Outer Banks captivated fans with its intense and emotional fourth season—and Netflix quickly renewed the hit series for a fifth and final season. Filming wrapped in December 2025, with the cast shooting on location in Dubrovnik, Croatia, and the Pogues’ story is nearing its end. Season 5 has already stirred emotions among fans and cast alike. Madelyn Cline described the experience as “different” following the shocking death of JJ Maybank (played by Rudy Pankow) in season 4, while also calling it a bittersweet farewell to the show that defined much of their early careers. Production,…

View gallery Image Credit: Getty Images Isiah Whitlock Jr. died at the age of 71 right before the turn of 2026. His manager, Brian Liebman, confirmed his death on December 30, 2025, in an Instagram post, and later, he revealed that Whitlock Jr. had a “short illness.” “It is with tremendous sadness that I share the passing of my dear friend and client Isiah Whitlock Jr,” Liebman captioned his social media post. “If you knew him – you loved him. A brilliant actor and even better person. May his memory forever be a blessing. Our hearts are so broken. He…

Traffic will be diverted through a contraflow in the east tunnel, meaning drivers should expect slower journeys and potential delays. The closure forms part of a wider programme of maintenance works taking place across the Dartford Crossing from Friday, November 7 to Monday, November 10, affecting both the tunnels and the bridge. The Dartford Crossing, made up of the QEII Bridge and two tunnels, is one of the UK’s busiest routes and a lifeline for thousands of motorists every day. The temporary closures will bring an unusually quiet spell to this crucial stretch of the M25, which links Kent, Essex,…

Image Credit: COURTESY OF NETFLIX © 2025 It might be New Year’s Eve, but it’s also the most heartbreaking day for Stranger Things fans. The finale, titled “The Rightside Up,” is being released on December 31, 2025, right at the turn of the new year. So, the countdown to 2026 might be a tear-jerking one for viewers. But for those going to theaters to watch the ending, how long is the finale episode? It’s a historic day for TV, as one of Netflix’s most successful series concludes. The Vol. 2 episodes leading up to the finale featured scenes teetering on the…

From retirement hotspots and family-friendly rankings to happiness surveys and peace and quiet, Bromley has enjoyed a standout year of national recognition. Over the past 12 months, Bromley has repeatedly appeared in major national lists celebrating the best places to live in the UK and the capital. Judges and researchers have praised everything from its green spaces and transport links to its safety, community feel and even its low noise levels. Here’s a full roundup of every accolade Bromley has picked up this year and why it received them: One of the UK’s best places to retire – The Telegraph…

Image Credit: Getty Images Isiah Whitlock Jr., the actor best known for his performances in The Wire, Veep, Your Honor, The Residence and more, died on December 30, 2025. He was 71. Fans and peers of Whitlock Jr. were shocked to learn of his death, especially since he had made recent public appearances. Below, learn everything we know so far regarding Whitlock Jr.’s cause of death and his final days. How Did Isiah Whitlock Jr. Die? His Cause of Death Updates Whitlock Jr.’s exact cause of death was not immediately disclosed. However, his manager, Brian Liebman, told Deadline that the…