1 hour ago Sydney to Hobart yacht race: third death averted as sailors prepare for ‘challenging night in the Bass Strait’

One sailor each on yachts Flying Fish Arctos and Bowline died after being struck by booms, a large pole at bottom of the sailGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastDetails have emerged of a “terrifying” incident in which a crew member fell from yacht Porco Rosso and drifted for more than a kilometre before being rescued on a deadly night of racing, during which two sailors on other yachts were killed.Two sailors on separate yachts, Flying Fish Arctos and Bowline, died at sea amid wild weather conditions that forced line honours favourite Master Lock Comanche to withdraw, among mass retirements.Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email Continue reading...

Events

3 hours ago Yoon Suk Yeol impeachment: court hearings to begin in South Korea over president’s martial law crisis

Yoon’s legal team will attend the first hearing in impeachment review on Friday, the same day that the acting president also faces an impeachment voteSouth Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol’s legal team are set to attend court on Friday as the constitutional court begins hearings into his impeachment by parliament over his short-lived imposition of martial law,The court has 180 days to decide whether to reinstate Yoon or remove him. In the latter scenario, a new presidential election would be held within 60 days. Continue reading...

Events

3 hours ago This monster raped and murdered my sister just a few months after he was released from jail

Jean Whitfield was brutally attacked and murdered by rapist Michael Wade (pictured) in 1999, after allowing him into her home in Gateshead, near Newcastle.

Events

3 hours ago Inside story of how it all went wrong at Cadbury's: It has skimmed, trimmed and many say ruined the taste of its chocolate, reveals JANE FRYER. And that's not the worst by a long shot...

John Cadbury - patriarch of Britain's most famous confectionery company and a doggedly good and relentlessly philanthropic example to us all - must be spinning in his grave in the village of Bournville.

Politics

4 hours ago Ukraine war briefing: Nato condemns possible sabotage of Baltic Sea cables

Nato chief Mark Rutte criticises all attacks on critical infrastructure; Putin says Slovakia has offered to be ‘platform’ for any peace talks. What we know on day 1,038See all our Ukraine war coverage Continue reading...

Events

4 hours ago Miraculous rescue of Utah man trapped in avalanche after his brother spotted his fingers poking out of snow

Two Utah brothers miraculously survived a giant avalanche one of them triggered while they were riding snowmobiles through the backcountry on Christmas Eve.

Events

4 hours ago Sydney to Hobart yacht race: third death averted on night of ‘big seas’ and wild weather

One sailor each on yachts Flying Fish Arctos and Bowline died after being struck by booms, a large pole at bottom of the sailGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastDetails have emerged of a “terrifying” incident in which a crew member fell from yacht Porco Rosso and drifted for more than a kilometre before being rescued on a deadly night of racing, during which two sailors on other yachts were killed.Two sailors on separate yachts, Flying Fish Arctos and Bowline, died at sea amid wild weather conditions that forced line honours favourite Master Lock Comanche to withdraw, among mass retirements.Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email Continue reading...

Events

4 hours ago Sycamore trees hit by devastating disease triggered by warmer weather, National Trust warns

After record breaking temperatures in 2022, the trees familiar to children from their 'helicopter' seeds - are being attacked by Sooty Bark Disease, the charity warns.

Events

4 hours ago EPHRAIM HARDCASTLE's Quiz Of The Year Part Two: Test yourself on the stars as quoted by our columnist in 2024

As the Christmas leftovers dwindle and the year draws to a close, it's time to put the brain in gear again for the second half of the annual quiz of what the stars said, as quoted by Hardcastle, in 2024.

Politics

4 hours ago Boxing Day Test 2024: Australia vs India fourth men’s cricket Test, day two – live updates

Updates from the Boxing Day Test at the MCGStart time in Melbourne is 10.30am AEDTAny thoughts? Get in touch with an email 89th over: Australia 324-6 (Smith 74, Cummins 16) Now the key battle of the morning: Steve Smith v Jasprit Bumrah. India’s master quick yesterday added 3-75 to his 21 wickets for the series. Smith has taken guard two inches outside leg stump to allow his now-customary stride across the pegs. He watches the first four warily, then flinches at the last with a half-shot, edging along the ground and through slips for four.88th over: Australia 320-6 (Smith 70, Cummins 15) Akash Deep will bowl the second over, probably to allow Bumrah to charge in from his preferred end. Deep went to stumps with 1-59 from his 19 wickets and he starts with a maiden today. Continue reading...

Politics

5 hours ago Dull and drizzly weather over coming days before ‘wet and windy’ New Year’s Eve

Those celebrating Hogmanay in Scotland next week may be hit by ‘disruptive weather’, according to the Met Office.

Politics

5 hours ago Wildlife faces ‘blurring seasons’ as 2024’s weather brings mixed fortunes

The National Trust’s review of the year’s wildlife and weather sees past drought give way to wet, mild conditions in 2024.

Politics

5 hours ago Bird flu virus shows mutations in first severe human infection in US, CDC says

Mutations are rare but have been reported in some cases in other countries and most often in extreme infectionsThe US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Thursday its analysis of samples from the first severe case of bird flu in the country last week showed mutations not seen in samples from an infected backyard flock on the patient’s property.The CDC said the patient’s sample showed mutations in the hemagglutinin (HA) gene, the part of the virus that plays a key role in it attaching to host cells. Continue reading...

Science

5 hours ago Arne Slot warns of ‘many challenges still ahead’ after Liverpool extend lead

Too early to celebrate says coach after win over LeicesterJones thanks Klopp for 100th-game reminderArne Slot said it was far too early for Liverpool to be celebrating a 20th league title despite his team going seven points clear at the top of the Premier League with victory over Leicester.Liverpool increased their lead over second-placed Chelsea, and also have a game in hand on their nearest challengers, after coming from behind to beat Ruud van Nistelrooy’s struggling side at Anfield. But despite Chelsea and others faltering in their pursuit of the league leaders, Slot reiterated his call for focus and perspective from Liverpool. Continue reading...

Events

5 hours ago Pictured: 'Loving' father who was 'stabbed to death' in his own home in the early hours of Christmas Day

Mr Price was victim of a suspected attack at the house where he lived with his parents in the quiet Staffordshire village of Norton Canes

Events

6 hours ago Azerbaijan Airlines plane 'shot down by Russian air defences' killing 38

The Azerbaijan Airlines plane crashed hundreds of miles away from its intended destination in Russia with dozens killed in the impact on Christmas Day.

Events

7 hours ago Deciding to read a book a week was the best new year resolution I ever made | Katie Cunningham

I read 52 books that year and I’ve kept the habit up in the years that followed, the routine now firmly establishedMore summer essentialsI’ve always been a reader. In primary school, I’d tear through 60-odd books in a month when the annual Read-A-Thon rolled around (they were mostly Babysitters Club books, but still). Then as a teen, I discovered the quiet beauty that could be found in great novels, taking solace in those pages as hormones and high school made the real world awful.In my 20s, though, my pace started to wobble. I was still getting through 15 or 20 books a year, but less consistently. Partly this was because I had to make time for an exciting new hobby called binge drinking. But I was also increasingly distracted by the bottomless pit that was my iPhone. It always went the same way: I’d be on a roll with reading until I hit a book that just wasn’t that interesting. I’d gradually stop reaching for it at night as doomscrolling on Reddit became a more appealing prospect, ...

Politics

7 hours ago Mo Salah rounds off Liverpool recovery to sink Leicester and stretch lead

Liverpool have kicked off at 8pm on a Boxing Day twice in their history. The first time was in 2019, when Jürgen Klopp’s team demolished Leicester en route to winning the Premier League title with ease. The second time ended with another convincing defeat of the Foxes. That may not be the only repeat.Arne Slot’s soaring leaders moved seven points clear of their closest challengers for the title, with a game in hand, courtesy of a controlled comeback against Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side. Leicester took a shock early lead through Jordan Ayew and, while Liverpool never hit the heights of their 2019 performance at the King Power Stadium, goals from Cody Gakpo, Curtis Jones and Mohamed Salah’s 19th of the season ensured the outcome remained the same. Continue reading...

Politics

7 hours ago Liverpool vs Leicester LIVE: Premier League result and reaction as Salah scores in comeback win for Reds

Arne Slot’s Liverpool welcome a struggling Leicester side, with the Reds looking to extend their lead at the top

Politics

7 hours ago I stayed in London’s top tech hotel with £30,000 massage bed and superfast Wi

I stayed in London’s top tech hotel with £30,000 massage bed and superfast Wi-Fi – but best bit was in the...  The Sun

Economics