35 minutes ago As a student in London I yearned for home, until I found paradise: a vast old villa with perfect housemates | Andrew Martin

We cooked ragu and listened to records while lying on chaises longues. Then the M11 link road was built – and everything changedIn our end of year series, writers and public figures remember the place or time when they felt most at homeIn the mid-1980s, I was in my early 20s and was reading for the Bar in London. I was living in a mouldy Balham bedsit and returning regularly to the comfort zone of my native York, when a friend told me a room was going in a shared house in Leytonstone.I wasn’t expecting much of E11. I wasn’t expecting trees, for example, but my walk from the attractive art deco tube station took me along roads better described as avenues. The house itself seemed almost the last one in London, an illusion created by the proximity of Wanstead Flats. It was a rangy, detached 1920s house, white with a red roof, and it had a name, but I’ll just call it the villa.Andrew Martin is an English novelist; his latest book is The Night in Venice Continue reading...

Society

2 hours ago Scots warned spending festive season around open fire could damage their health

Asthma and Lung UK Scotland is calling on Holyrood ministers to raise awareness of the dangerous pollutants that come from burning wood in our homes.

Events

3 hours 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

4 hours ago The luxury mansion saved from ruin after animals took over and water poured in

Take a trip to one of Wales' most historic homes in an enchanting location that was an epic struggle to save

Politics

5 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

5 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

6 hours ago BBC News Quiz of the Year, Part 2: What made horses run wild through central London?

BBC News Quiz of the Year, Part 2: What made horses run wild through central London?  BBC.com

Politics

6 hours ago Two in five rear seat car passengers killed in crashes not wearing seat belt

Motoring research charity the RAC Foundation called for parents to ensure buckling up becomes ‘second nature for their children’.

Events

6 hours ago Make it easier for those with lung cancer symptoms to get tests, experts say

Researchers called for the widespread adoption of services that allow patients to self-refer without a GP consultation.

Science

6 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

7 hours ago Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs faces fresh lawsuit from woman who says he ‘lured’ her through radio contest before abusing her

After the alleged incident, an unnamed woman is said to have called the then-23-year-old ‘threatening’ her not to pursue allegations against the rapper because he was a celebrity

Events

7 hours ago Dua Lipa is engaged! Boyfriend Callum Turner 'gets down on one knee' for romantic Christmas proposal following a year of dating

Dua Lipa and Callum Turner are reportedly engaged after the actor got down on one knee for a romantic proposal over Christmas.

Politics

7 hours ago Russia tried to make Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash in the sea by refusing permission to land after missile attack, then jamming its navigation to force hero pilot over water before crash killed 38

A Russian surface-to-air missile struck the flight on Christmas Day, causing the airliner to crash in Kazakhstan - a tragedy which claimed the lives of 38 people.

Events

7 hours ago Union accused of woke 'language policing' after banning pharmacists from referring to patients who faint as suffering from 'blackouts'

In what critics are calling woke 'language policing', a union has given staff a list of terms to avoid due to their 'racial undertones'.

Events

7 hours ago Call the Midwife fans predict Roger Noble's true identity as they fear for dark twist

Call The Midwife fans are convinced that newcomer Roger Noble has a dark secret after he began a romance with Nurse Nancy Corrigan.

Politics

7 hours ago Dua Lipa 'engaged' to actor Callum Turner after one year as she flashes huge ring

Pop star Dua Lipa is reportedly tying the knot with her famous actor boyfriend Callum Turner after the singer hinted she'd gotten engaged with snaps on Instagram

Politics

7 hours ago Democrat congressman calls for decriminalizing sex work after bombshell House report on Matt Gaetz

Illinois congressman says victims would be empowered to speak out if law changes

Events

8 hours ago Dua Lipa 'engaged' to boyfriend Callum Turner after less than a year of dating

Pop star Dua Lipa is reportedly engaged to her actor boyfriend Callum Turner after less than a year of dating, with a source claiming that the pair 'couldn't be happier'.

Politics

8 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

8 hours ago Dua Lipa engaged to actor Callum Turner as she flashes huge diamond ring

Pop singer Dua Lipa is set to marry actor and model Callum Turner after they became engaged over the festive season - less than a year after they were first linked together

Politics