Republican lawmakers took a first step in an effort to shutter the U.S. Department of Education, a move that President-elect Trump called for on the campaign trail. South Dakota Senator Mike Rounds introduced the Returning Education to Our States Act on Thursday. The bill would eliminate the Education Department and redistribute all federal programs under the department.

Britain’s new £3.2billion aircraft carrier has stocked up on ammunition and increased its ‘readiness’ after a Ukrainian military chief claimed ‘World War Three had begun’. HMS Prince of Wales sailed into Glenmallen on Loch Long, in Argyll and Bute in Scotland, as tensions between the West and Russia threaten to boil over. Posting on X, the 65,000-tonne ship’s official account wrote: ‘We have arrived into Glen Mallan to uplift our ammunition and increase our readiness.’

He may have been without his wife, Queen Camilla, but King Charles seemed delighted to see the stars at tonight’s Royal Variety Performance. Looking smart in a crisp dinner jacket, the monarch laughed as he entered the Royal Albert Hall – and was met by Sir Elton John. The red carpet was stolen by television presenter Amanda Holden, who was channelling her inner Little Mermaid – not to mention a set of killer abs.

In a notion that is sure to torment its liberal journalists, billionaire MAGA darling Elon Musk is flirting with the idea of buying MSNBC. The network has been spun off by owner Comcast in the latest sign of trouble after a dire year of plunging ratings and hysterical performances from anchors. While it’s not for sale, there’s been widespread speculation that it could change ownership.

Rebekah Vardy has been hit by another blow after her Wagatha Christie legal defeat. The WAG, 42, had hoped to cash in the courtroom drama by trademarking the name coined during her epic battle with Coleen Rooney, who is currently starring on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! But MailOnline can reveal that Rebekah has now lost a challenge from upmarket linen firm Christy which has blocked her from flogging Wagatha Christie-themed towels and sheets.

Is anyone else getting serious World War III vibes? The Russkies are threatening to bomb US air bases in Poland after launching nuclear-capable hypersonic missiles at Ukraine. This Putin escalation comes after a White House decision to greenlight Kyiv’s lobbing of long-range American-made rockets into Mad Vlad’s backyard, killing North Korean mercenaries.