96 minutes ago What times does Luke Littler play at the World Darts Championship tonight?

‘The Nuke’ continues his quest to dethrone Luke Humphries this week, with a potential rematch of this year’s final in the final four at Alexandra Palace

Politics

3 hours ago Cheesy anchovy straws and chocolate meringue kisses: Yotam Ottolenghi’s recipes for party nibbles

Bite-sized treats that are big on flavour and will see out the year in styleHappy 2025 everyone, and may the New Year bring with it the positive changes we all so yearn for. Personally, I will be embracing change in a big way, because, after seven years, this is my final column for the Guardian’s Feast. From March, I will be writing a new, long-form quarterly column packed with recipes, personal experiences and general observations about the food world, so stay tuned. The Feast community is the most engaged and greedy I know, so thank you! And I hope you welcome the New Year with these party nibbles I have lined up for this weekend. Here’s to new beginnings! Continue reading...

Society

5 hours ago Get 25% off Tamnavulin Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky in Amazon deal

Top up your drinks cabinet in time for Christmas with Amazon's whisky deal.

Economics

58 minutes ago Jamie Carragher's 2025 predictions: Liverpool rival, Champions League and Ballon d'Or picks

Jamie Carragher has cast his eye over the next 12 months and cited Liverpool's only Premier League challengers, who is likely to land the Ballon d'Or and the Champions League's likely winners

Sport

32 minutes ago Demonstrators arrested outside Netanyahu’s Jerusalem home – Middle East crisis live

Protestors shouted through loudspeakers that the Israeli hostages in Gaza were suffering in the tunnels and were ‘cold, tortured and sick’Five Israeli demonstrators protesting for the release of hostages taken by Hamas on October 7 have been arrested outside the home of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem.Twenty protestors gathered outside the home in the early morning, shouting through loudspeakers at the prime minister that the hostages were suffering in the tunnels and were “cold, tortured and sick” while he enjoyed home comforts, Channel 12, an Israeli broadcaster, reported. Continue reading...

Events

1 hour ago ‘I saw the reflection of his back rolls in the glass door’: Spencer Ostrander’s best phone photo

The American photographer on capturing a moment of intimacy between himself and his baby sonOn a sunny Sunday morning in June, Spencer Ostrander returned from the local hardware store to find his wife, Sophie, gardening in their back yard in Brooklyn, New York. “I handed her the supplies she needed, and a hot coffee, and she handed over our son,” Ostrander says. Their boy, Miles, was six months old at the time.“As I was taking him inside, I saw the reflection of my son’s back rolls in the glass door.” Ostrander grabbed his iPhone 14 Pro and turned the front camera on. “He was teething back then; not crying, but not his usual pleasant self either. I was juggling a wiggling baby and my phone, so I could only take two frames.” Continue reading...

Culture

9 hours ago Revealed: How doctors struck off in Britain for permanently disfiguring patients, sexual assault and financial dishonesty are allowed to continue practising medicine

Surgeons who have committed serious misconduct, sometimes ending in death and life-changing injuries for patients, are continuing to operate on unsuspecting patients around the world.

Science

2 hours ago 'Nightmare' fog sparks cancellations at UK's busiest airports to 'maintain safety'

The UK's main air traffic control provider explained the essential cancellations were caused by the country's misty conditions, sparking festive chaos as disruptions continue

Transport

2 hours ago Don’t give in to pessimism, says Pope Francis in BBC Thought for the Day

Hope and kindness ‘touch the very heart of gospel’ and show people how to behave amid war and social injusticePope Francis has urged people not to be drawn towards “pessimism and resignation” despite wars and social injustices throughout the world, but to retain a “gentle gaze of hope”.The head of the Catholic church gave the Thought for the Day on BBC Radio 4 on Saturday, wishing listeners “peace, fellowship and gratitude” for the new year and emphasising the importance of humility. Continue reading...

Politics

19 hours ago Nick Knowles struggles to walk up stairs in video as he shares health update

BBC star Nick Knowles has had to undergo operations on both his leg and his arm, and updated fans on his walking progress ahead of DIY SOS and his wedding next year

Society

5 hours ago 'Fantastic' Ninja gadget shoppers 'wish they bought sooner' just £15 with deal stack

The time-saving Ninja Professional Stackable Chopper normally costs £29.99 but with TopCashback you can bag it for just £14.99

Economics

4 hours ago Mikel Arteta's two answers give honest portrayal of where Arsenal stand in title race

Arsenal managed to stay in touch with Premier League leaders Liverpool are seeing off Ipswich but Mikel Arteta admits they need to take strides forward if they want to land the title

Sport

45 minutes ago Jameela Jamil hits out at ‘hard to watch’ trend: ‘I would rather leave this industry’

Actor and activist reflected on her own struggles as she shared an impassioned statement to Instagram

Events

20 hours ago Our readers on their pick of 2024’s best films, music, TV shows and podcasts

From sci-fi epics to investigate deep-dives, the Guide readers have their say on the year’s finest cultureWelcome to the last Guide of 2024! I hope you all are enjoying your festive break, and have a better handle on which day it is than I do. As is tradition, after our own roundup of the year’s best culture, we are turning things over to you this week. Here are the films, TV shows, music, performances, and podcasts that wowed you in 2024.Thanks to everyone who sent in suggestions and sorry if we weren’t able to include yours. Enjoy the rest of your Christmas break, and see you on the other side of the new year, for our 2025 preview next Friday! Continue reading...

Culture

18 hours ago Severe weather threatens US flights during one of busiest travel weekends

Nearly 900 flights have been cancelled already as tornado watches are issued in Texas and LouisianaAs the US braces for one of its busiest travel weekends of the year, the threat of severe weather has already led to hundreds of flight cancellations.Tornado watches were issued in the southern states of Texas and Louisiana on Thursday, CNN reported. In Texas, the Federal Aviation Administration ordered ground stops at two airports, CBS reported. Governor Greg Abbott of Texas activated emergency response resources in the state on Thursday. Continue reading...

Transport

2 hours ago Israeli forces accused of taking Gaza hospital staff to detention centre for interrogation – Middle East crisis live

Gaza health officials said the IDF detained the director of a hospital, which the WHO said was put out of service by an Israeli raidNearly one in five of the world’s children live in areas affected by conflicts, with more than 473 million children suffering from the worst levels of violence since the second world war, according to figures published by the UN.The UN humanitarian aid organisation for children, Unicef, said on Saturday that the percentage of children living in conflict zones around the world has doubled from about 10% in the 1990s to almost 19%, and warned that this dramatic increase in harm to children should not become the “new normal”. Continue reading...

Politics

22 hours ago ‘It’s not just a dancefloor’: the precipitous decline of UK nightclubs

A cocktail of Covid-19 and the cost-of-living crisis has left larger ‘chrome and carpet’ venues high and dry as struggling chains look to party bars‘A taste of Ibiza in grotty King’s Cross’: memories of closed UK nightclubsWhen the patrons of Watford’s Pryzm nightclub celebrated New Year’s Eve on 31 December 2023, they were marking the end of an era, or rather, the end of seven eras. Like every beloved local club, the venue had been known by multiple names over the years: Top Rank, Bailey’s, Paradise Lost, Kudos, Destiny and Oceana.Now, it will be reincarnated no more, after failing to reach a deal with its landlord. Continue reading...

Society

10 hours ago Liverpool transfer news: Virgil van Dijk deal dismissed as Reds outline sale stance

Virgil van Dijk is one of three leading Liverpool players to have their contracts expire at the end of the season, with little public sign of progress to this point

Economics

13 hours ago Pereira hopes rejuvenated Wolves can cling on to ‘special player’ Cunha

Head coach has enjoyed an immediate impact but knows the importance of leading attacker staying put in JanuaryAs Wolves were on Friday night breathing a sigh of relief that Matheus Cunha is set to be available to face Tottenham on Sunday, there are plenty of other positives to be drawn from Vítor Pereira’s first week at the helm alongside their star player’s contributions.Cunha has scored in both of their new manager’s opening games as Wolves have climbed out of the relegation zone for the first time this season following the wins over Leicester and Manchester United. An FA misconduct charge is hanging over Cunha, but the governing body’s disciplinary panel is unlikely to meet before next week. Continue reading...

Sport

2 hours ago Don’t give in to pessimism despite wars and injustice, says Pope Francis

Pontiff calls for hope and kindness in BBC Radio 4 Thought for the Day messagePope Francis has urged people not to be drawn towards “pessimism and resignation” despite wars and social injustices throughout the world, but to retain a “gentle gaze of hope”.The head of the Catholic church gave the Thought for the Day on BBC Radio 4 on Saturday, wishing listeners “peace, fellowship and gratitude” for the new year and emphasising the importance of humility. Continue reading...

Events

2 hours ago Isabel Allende: ‘My most expensive purchase? A Tesla for my former husband. He didn’t deserve it’

The writer on unattainable studs, erotic fantasies, and why she owes her birth father nothingBorn in Peru, Isabel Allende, 82, worked as a journalist and children’s writer. In 1982, she published her first adult novel, The House of the Spirits, which became an international bestseller. Her titles have been translated into 42 languages, and include a memoir for her daughter, who died at 29. Allende’s accolades include the US presidential medal of freedom and PEN Center lifetime achievement award. Her course, Magical Storytelling, is available on BBC Maestro’s online platform. She lives in California.When were you happiest? When my kids were little – and now, in my old age. Continue reading...

Politics

23 hours ago We're stuck in Britain's downsizing gridlock: As the price of bungalows soars, the retirees struggling to buy a smaller home with the proceeds of selling their larger family house

Anne Savory (pictured) and her husband Ted want to sell their three-bedroom bungalow in West Suffolk and move closer to their children.

Society

20 hours ago Wowcher's £99 mystery holidays are back for 2025 with luxury getaways in Bali, Barbados and the Maldives up for grabs

Wowcher's lucky dip could land you an exciting European mini break or a long-haul trip somewhere exotic.

Economics

13 hours ago Arsenal player ratings: Kai Havertz continues to silence the doubters with crucial Ipswich winner

Arsenal moved up to second in the Premier League table after beating Ipswich.

Sport

2 hours ago Golf world No.1 Scottie Scheffler to miss tournaments after freak Christmas injury

Scottie Scheffler, the world No.1 in golf, has been ruled out of the PGA Tour's Sentry Tournament after suffering a bizarre injury on Christmas Day, leaving him needing surgery

Events

2 hours ago Peter Wright's World Darts Championship interview cut short as he struggles to breathe

Peter Wright was struggling to breathe after his World Darts Championship third round win over Jermaine Wattimena, with Sky Sports cutting his post-match interview short

Politics

26 hours ago Sydney to Hobart yacht race: LawConnect leads after two deaths in wild weather leave fleet rocked

Supermaxi LawConnect in box seat Friday evening to take line honours for second year runningAs at 5.30pm, 22 yachts from the 104-strong starting fleet had retiredThe Sydney to Hobart yacht race has been left reeling after the deaths of two sailors in wild weather that has forced a fifth of the fleet to retire.Supermaxi LawConnect was in the box seat on Friday evening to take out line honours for a second year running after rival Master Lock Comanche pulled the pin with mainsail damage. Continue reading...

Society

20 hours ago Gavin and Stacey fans spot continuity error during Mick's stag night tribute to Smithy

The gaffe comes as James Corden thanked fans for tuning into the finale after it secured the highest Christmas Day ratings since 2008

Sport

2 hours ago Top breast cancer expert reveals only diet change that guards against breast cancer...as disease continues to soar in under 50s

As a breast surgeon who was diagnosed with breast cancer at just 40, I feel strongly about raising awareness of lifestyle factors that could reduce risk of the disease.

Events

3 hours ago Cosby Show star seen working in grocery store after 'struggling to make ends meet'

The Cosby Show star Geoffrey Owens, who played Elvin Tibideaux on the sitcom, has said that he still 'struggles to make ends meet' after being pictured working in a grocery store

Politics

26 hours ago Homes Under The Hammer host's stark health update saying 'I don't know how much time I've got left'

A much-loved Homes Under The Hammer presenter has revealed to fans that he's not sure 'how long he has left' as he continues to battle with a serious heart condition

Society

20 hours ago Andreas Pereira must force Fulham transfer as Marco Silva speaks out after £14m offer

Brazilian giants Palmeiras are eyeing a January deal for Fulham playmaker Andreas Pereira but Cottagers boss Marco Silva has little interest in losing the 28-year-old mid-season

Economics

22 hours ago Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy's new golf league TGL gets fresh boost as UK TV partner confirmed

TGL, the innovative indoor golf league created by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, will be broadcast live on Sky Sports after striking a two-year exclusive TV rights deal

Sport

2 hours ago As Leona Lewis' One More Sleep becomes the UK's most played modern Christmas song, how much does The X Factor winner REALLY earn from the festive hit?

According to data from the Official Charts the hit has now accumulated the equivalent of 14 weeks of continuous airplay on radio and television since its release in 2013.

Events

3 hours ago The Guardian Footballer of the Year Sofie Junge Pedersen: ‘We wanted to send a message’

The Inter and Denmark player wins the award for her climate activism and being behind an open letter to Fifa regarding Saudi Arabia’s human rights issuesThe Guardian Footballer of the Year is an award given to a player who has done something remarkable, whether by overcoming adversity, helping others or setting a sporting example by acting with exceptional honesty.If the football had not worked out, perhaps Sofie Junge Pedersen could have run away to the circus. When her after-school youth club in Aarhus put on its annual week of performances there was one challenge that struck her in particular: the chance to juggle with fire torches and mock knives. “It was quite serious,” she laughs. “We practised a lot beforehand and I thought it would be fun. I just wanted to be the best.” So it proved and there is no evidence that anyone has beaten the time she set, aged 13, for keeping the two airborne simultaneously. Continue reading...

Politics

29 hours 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

22 hours ago French chateau money pit: Couple who bought mansion for £900k says spiraling heating bills have turned fairytale into a Christmas nightmare

Lionel, 64, and Claire Cherruault, 42 paid £900,000 for the property, that comes with three acres of land, eight bedrooms and its very own chapel, back in 2021.

Economics

25 hours ago Gavin and Stacey fans spot hilarious continuity error during Mick's touching stag night tribute to Smithy

The moving scene showed an emotional Mick describing Smithy as a second son to himself and wife Pam, after they struggled to conceive another child.

Sport

2 hours ago Strange 'red orbs' spotted over New Jersey by plane passenger as drone mystery continues

Americans have been gripped by the sightings of dozens of drones in the skies above New Jersey and New York with many conspiracy theories being shared to explain the phenomenon

Events

4 hours ago That Beautiful Atlantic Waltz by Malachy Tallack review – the joys of country music

A shy man leads a solitary existence until a young girl – and a cat – inveigle their way into his apparently contented life in this big-hearted taleAll Jack Paton ever wanted was to be a famous country singer, but somehow it never happened. Certainly, the odds were stacked against him: cripplingly shy, no self-confidence. And although he considers it “a landscape of country music”, it can’t have helped matters that he was born in one of the more windswept corners of Shetland, far from Texas or Tennessee, and has remained there ever since, keeping his dreams to himself.That Beautiful Atlantic Waltz, Malachy Tallack’s second novel, follows Jack, now approaching his 63rd birthday, as he spends his days pottering about in the cottage he has lived in since he was a child, listening to music, playing guitar and thinking of the past. The narrative flicks between Jack in the present, as he begins to question his life choices, and his parents, Sonny and Kathleen, decades earli...

Politics

30 hours ago Climate crisis exposed people to extra six weeks of dangerous heat in 2024

Analysis shows fossil fuels are supercharging heatwaves, leaving millions prone to deadly temperaturesThe climate crisis caused an additional six weeks of dangerously hot days in 2024 for the average person, supercharging the fatal impact of heatwaves around the world.The effects of human-caused global heating were far worse for some people, an analysis by World Weather Attribution (WWA) and Climate Central has shown. Those in Caribbean and Pacific island states were the hardest hit. Many endured about 150 more days of dangerous heat than they would have done without global heating, almost half the year. Continue reading...

Society

23 hours ago Coronation Street icon Kevin Webster is set to battle cancer in harrowing new storyline as his wife Abi struggles with her own ordeal

Michael Le Vell, 60, who plays the mechanic in the ITV soap, has starred as a main character on the Cobbles for 41 years, but his character will soon face his toughest battle yet.

Economics

26 hours ago Manchester United January transfer window guide: Ruben Amorim top priority clear, Marcus Rashford uncertainty

Amorim unlikely to have significant funds to spend despite club’s struggles on the pitch

Sport

2 hours ago From Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie to Pope Francis: the books to look forward to in 2025

New work from Zadie Smith, memoirs from Jacinda Ardern and Bill Gates, plus the third instalment in Rebecca Yarros’s romantasy series - here’s the biggest fiction and nonfiction for the year aheadNonfiction Continue reading...

Events

4 hours ago Former world’s tallest man calls for more compassion for vulnerable in UK

Hussain Bisad, who has had health problems, says government should do more for people with physical or mental illnessWhen Hussain Bisad first settled in north London as an asylum seeker after fleeing from war in Somalia 23 years ago, he did so in the hope of a new and more settled life. Little did he know that shortly after arriving he would be at the centre of the media spotlight, not for his story of escaping conflict but for something altogether different: his height.Bisad had been in the UK for five months when Guinness World Records measured his height as 2.3 metres (7ft 6.5in), making him then the world’s tallest living man. Continue reading...

Politics

23 hours ago Most ‘stunning’ structure in Greater Manchester set to get a £1.3m facelift

The Higher Woodhill viaduct in the Irwell Valley will have urgent repair work after receiving government cash

Economics

30 hours ago UFC, boxing and golf: what is Donald Trump’s relationship with sport? – podcast

The US president-elect’s ties with the Ultimate Fighting Championship and boxing, as well as World Wrestling Entertainment, might tell us about the kinds of sport he appreciates. But then there’s golf As the US prepares to host the World Cup and the Olympics during Trump’s presidency, Jonathan Freedland and Karim Zidan walk through his history with sport to see if it explains more about himArchive: BBC, WWE, Fox 9 Minneapolis, NBC 10 Philadelphia, PBS Newshour, TMZ, MSNBC Continue reading...

Sport

2 hours ago Ruben Amorim already facing storm clouds ahead as Man Utd crisis raises serious questions

Manchester United slumped to another defeat at struggling Wolves on Boxing Day and they could yet be dragged into a relegation battle if Ruben Amorim's men cannot put some points on the board soon

Events

5 hours ago Starmer wins historic landslide, Biden drops out and Trump survives assassination bid

New prime minister faced with riots while Grangemouth owners announce oil refinery closure

Politics

25 hours ago The only times you should use your fog lights and how to avoid £50 fine

Driving in fog can be tricky when there is limited visibility, but it's crucial to know when and how to use your fog lights correctly as it could result in fines, the RAC has warned

Economics

3 hours ago Fog is here to stay: Passengers are told to check with airports as disruption will continue over weekend after more than 100 flights were hit as Met Office issues weather warnings

Thick fog patches could reduce visibility down to just 100 metres in some areas today, the Met Office said.

Events

5 hours ago Why enigmatic and misnamed 'grass of Parnassus' must be saved for Scotland

Continuing our Scotland’s Wonderful Wildlife series, Dr Deborah Long explains why grass of Parnassus is one of her favourite plants and how gardeners can help it survive

Politics

26 hours ago Raheem Sterling stance on terminating Arsenal loan deal comes to light

Raheem Sterling has struggled for game time at Arsenal so far this season, having joined the Gunners on loan from their Premier League rivals Chelsea over the summer

Economics

3 hours ago ‘We need dramatic social and technological changes’: is societal collapse inevitable?

Academic Danilo Brozović says studies of failed civilisations all point in one direction – today’s society needs radical transformation to surviveFor someone who has examined 361 studies and 73 books on societal collapses, Danilo Brozović’s conclusion on what must happen to avoid today’s world imploding is both disarmingly simple and a daunting challenge: “We need dramatic social and technological changes.”The collapse of past civilisations, from the mighty Mayan empire to Rapa Nui (Easter Island), has long fascinated people and for obvious reasons – how stable is our own society? Does ever-growing complexity in societies or human hubris inevitably lead to oblivion? In the face of the climate crisis, rampant destruction of the natural world, rising geopolitical tensions and more, the question is more urgent than ever. Continue reading...

Events

5 hours ago UK can't just look on as Israel continues the 'most documented genocide in history'

Politicians need to take a more moral and humane stance on Israel’s military campaign in Gaza

Politics

27 hours ago Dunelm shoppers nab 'expensive looking' double bedding set for less than £14 using deal

Dunelm customers are raving about the retailer's 'gorgeous' bedding set that 'washes like a dream' - and you can get it for a fraction of the price using a TopCashback deal

Economics

4 hours ago ‘I don’t want flowers, I want my Ukraine’: women’s acts of resistance against Russian occupation

Zla Mavka movement – meaning ‘wicked forest spirit’ – drops fake rouble notes bearing pro-Ukrainian images and shares messages of solidarityOn 8 March 2023, International Women’s Day, Russian soldiers were handing out tulips and boughs of mimosa to women and girls in the city of Melitopol, southern Ukraine – a move designed to promote friendly relations between the occupiers and the inhabitants.But the night before, someone had been discreetly sticking posters to walls and lamp-posts. They bore the image of a young Ukrainian woman, dressed in a traditional embroidered shirt, smashing a bouquet over a Russian soldier’s head. “I don’t want flowers,” read the slogan. “I want my Ukraine.” Continue reading...

Events

5 hours ago 'I was really struggling': How the free Cyrenians art studio is helping young people open up

The Creative Natives project is run by Cyrenians, which is running a winter campaign to support those at risk of homelessness

Politics

6 hours ago ‘Bullets can make a real mess of bones’: the hospital where the war wounded have their lives put together again

At MSF’s pioneering centre in Amman, Jordan, the dedicated team deal with lives that have already been saved. Here they make those lives worth livingAs a sign of commitment to peace, help us support those affected by war | Kath VinerDonate to our charity appeal hereA girl slips through the corridors of the hospital’s fifth floor with her friend, the pair bright-eyed and shy. Today is her last chance to wear her sparkly new shoes, bought for a party last week. Tomorrow, the 12-year-old Iraqi will have a leg amputated.The operation was due two weeks ago but the surgeon, who had tried not to weep as he broke the news that amputation was necessary, agreed to delay surgery. She wanted the chance to wear her new shoes to the party first. Continue reading...

Events

5 hours ago Blind date: ‘The glare of the Christmas lights made his eyes look really beautiful and I just had to tell him’

Ash, 38, a photographer, meets Darren, 39, a TV producerWhat were you hoping for? To meet someone intelligent that I could have good conversation and a laugh with. Continue reading...

Politics

6 hours ago English wildlife ‘could be disappearing in the dark’ due to lack of scrutiny

Conservationists issue warning as figures show three-quarters of SSSI sites have had no recent assessments Conservationists have said wildlife could be “disappearing in the dark” after figures showed that three-quarters of England’s most precious habitats, wildlife and natural features have had no recent assessment of their condition.The warning follows the publication of figures covering assessments of protected natural sites known as sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs) in the last five years. SSSIs are legally protected because they contain special features such as threatened habitats or rare species, and together they cover more than 1.1m hectares (2.7m acres), about 8% of England’s land area. Continue reading...

Events

6 hours ago Marcus Rashford reality, Ruben Amorim's honest opinion and Man United escape route blocked

Manchester United news as Marcus Rashford continues to be linked with a move away from Old Trafford

Politics

7 hours ago "Mystery rash changed my life forever" Young Scot opens up on shock kidney disease diagnosis

A 24-year-old Scots guitarist's life was permanently altered when he was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive kidney disease that has caused a "lonely struggle".

Events

6 hours ago Labour must ‘stick to its guns’ on UK employment rights bill, says TUC chief

In new year message, Paul Nowak says ministers must resist pressure from business groups to water down plansKeir Starmer’s government has been urged to “stick to its guns” amid growing pressure from business leaders to water down its plans to improve workers’ rights as the UK economy grinds to a halt.The head of the Trades Union Congress said company bosses were demanding concessions as a “quid pro quo” for accepting tax increases in Rachel Reeves’ autumn budget as they sounded the alarm over Britain’s flatlining economy. Continue reading...

Politics

8 hours ago Indonesia receives official request from France to transfer death row prisoner Serge Atlaoui

Minister says request regarding welder arrested in 2005 on drugs charges will be discussed in January amid spate of transfer of high-profile detaineesIndonesia has received an official request from France to transfer a French death row inmate imprisoned on drugs charges since 2005, a senior Indonesian minister said on Saturday.“We have received a formal letter requesting the transfer of Serge Atlaoui on 19 December 2024. The letter was sent on behalf of the French minister of justice,” senior Indonesian law and human rights minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra told Agence France-Presse. Continue reading...

Events

6 hours ago How I beat overwhelm: I deleted my email app – and my sleep suddenly improved

Checking my emails at every possible opportunity had become distracting and draining. So I set myself new boundariesAs a freelance writer, the structure of my work day can often vary wildly. Sometimes, it feels as if I have too much to do – other days, too little.Yet no matter the shape of my 9 to 5, one thing remains constant: emails. I receive about 100 a day, ranging from the inane (Tesco Clubcard updates) to the infuriating (the PR who keeps sending me the fluctuating numbers of Taylor Swift’s Instagram following) and the important (editors, often wondering when the piece they have asked me to write might materialise). Continue reading...

Politics

8 hours ago Search for man missing off NSW north coast amid string of drownings across holiday period

21-year-old Taewoo Kim last seen going for a swim at Moonee beach, near Coffs Harbour, on Boxing Day; police say another man’s body found in sea south of WollongongGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA multi-agency search is under way for a man presumed missing in the ocean since Boxing Day, off the north coast of NSW, as another man’s body has been pulled from the water further south.Taewoo Kim, 21, was last seen around 1pm on Thursday, police said in a statement, going into the water at Moonee beach, north of Coffs Harbour.Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email Continue reading...

Events

6 hours ago Revisited: actor Jeff Goldblum, eccentric as ever at 71; and America’s top pronatalists on having ‘tons of kids’ to save the world – podcast

Fast-talking, finger-jabbing Jeff Goldblum on vanity, mortality and becoming a father in his 60s. Elon Musk (father of 11) supports their cause, thousands follow their ideology: to make it easier for everyone to have multiple children. Enter the unsettling world of Malcolm and Simone Collins, America’s premier pronatalists Continue reading...

Politics

8 hours ago ‘A joke’: Jordan Thompson hits out at doping ban for doubles partner Max Purcell

Australian has accepted provisional suspension for anti-doping breachThompson to play with Chris O’Connell at Brisbane InternationalThe doping ban of Australia’s two-time doubles grand-slam winner Max Purcell has been described as “a joke” by his US Open-winning partner Jordan Thompson.The 26-year-old Purcell was provisionally suspended over an alleged violation of tennis’ anti-doping program. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced on Monday that Purcell had voluntarily accepted the suspension, after admitting to a breach relating to a prohibited method. Continue reading...

Events

6 hours ago Man Utd ‘poised for six signings in 2025’ as Ruben Amorim has learned what’s ‘impossible’

Manchester United have struggled in the 2024/25 Premier League season, and Ruben Amorim's Red Devils may look to bolster their squad in next year's summer transfer window as a result

Politics

10 hours ago Driver behind China car ramming attack that killed 35 is sentenced to death

Fan Weiqiu, angry at his divorce settlement, caused ‘great social harm’ when he drove into people as they exercised in the city of Zhuhai, court saysA court in China has sentenced a man to death for killing 35 people last month by driving into a crowd, in an attack that raised national concern about mass killings.Fan Weiqiu was venting his anger because he was unhappy with his divorce settlement, the court in the southern city of Zhuhai said in handing down the sentence on Friday. The victims were exercising at a sports centre at the time of the attack. Fan pleaded guilty to endangering public safety by dangerous means, a court statement said. Continue reading...

Events

7 hours ago SNP and Labour engaged in 'blame game' ahead of 2026 Holyrood election as public services 'don't work'

EXCLUSIVE: Professor John Curtice said it was not in Labour or the SNP's interests to force an early Holyrood election in 2025 as both parties could struggle to form a government.

Politics

10 hours ago Scottie Scheffler undergoes surgery on injury suffered while preparing Christmas dinner

Reigning world No1 will miss the start of the 2025 PGA Tour season in Hawaii after hand wound caused by broken glass

Events