94 minutes 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

64 minutes 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

4 hours ago Scotland's commercial property investors eyeing a ‘year of opportunity’

“Following a challenging period, the market shows clear signs of recovery, with investment volumes rising, interest rates easing and confidence returning” – Simon Cusiter, Lismore

Economics

4 hours ago Ruben Amorim has been given a transfer problem nobody expected at Manchester United

2025 is likely to be another transformative year for Man United in more ways than one.

Sport

1 hour ago Student's fury at missing out on surprise $1,000 gift handed to each of her classmates at graduation

University of Massachusetts Dartmouth graduates Emma Yell and her partner James Ristaino did not get a single penny when billionaire Rob Hale handed their classmates $1,000 each.

Events

4 hours ago Sir Lenny Henry addresses taking part in Strictly Come Dancing with telling 4

Comedian Sir Lenny Henry has spoken out on whether or not he'd do Strictly Come Dancing after showing off his dancing skills in New Year's Day thriller, Missing You

Culture

20 hours ago Constipated? Top gut doctor reveals 'expert level toilet hack' that WILL instantly get your bowels moving...

NHS Surgeon Dr Karan Raj told his 5.3 million followers that gently rocking back and forth on the toilet can help your bowels move.

Science

2 hours ago Matheus Cunha's January transfer stance as Man United 'prepare for exit'

Manchester United head into an important January transfer window next week as Ruben Amorim aims for a change of fortune

Politics

3 hours ago House of the Dragon actor: 'leaving London for Brighton has been really good for my mental health.'

House of the Dragon actor Sam Wilson found his life and career began to flourish when he left the capital

Society

8 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

5 hours ago Man City's next January signing must replace three players and have three specific qualities

Manchester City cannot find a way out of their slump as the January transfer window prepares to open.

Sport

2 hours ago Emmerdale's Jacob makes heartbreaking A&E discovery amid April Dingle missing storyline

Jacob Gallagher will make a heartbreaking discovery as his cousin April Dingle remains missing on Emmerdale

Events

20 hours ago Mission Impossible films 'get a HUGE update as Tom Cruise begins work on the next two movies in the iconic series'

The Hollywood legend, 62, could be on the hunt to find the perfect fit to play younger Ethan Hunt in the epic action franchise - in a bit to unveil more of the protagonists' past.

Culture

3 hours ago Overindulged over Christmas? Try this AI coaching app for a gentle but effective approach to weight loss

When it comes to weight loss, I’ve tried every trick in the book but nothing seems to stick. I was intrigued by the idea of using an AI coach to drop a few pounds so I tried the Simple app - and here’s what I thought.

Politics

12 hours ago A father failed to fly home for Christmas. Now his family have gone out to Spain to search for him

John George never made his flight home from Spain

Society

8 hours ago Multimillionaire told he cannot raze his £8.8million waterfront mansion to the ground and rebuild it to have the tallest house on the street after planning objections

John Yeoman, 70, had applied to demolish his luxury £8.8million three-storey home he shares with his wife Deborah, despite it being only 20 years old, and replace it with a five-storey giant.

Economics

7 hours ago Arsenal transfer news: Matheus Cunha sends message as Raheem Sterling makes loan decision

Arsenal have a few positions that could do with more quality - especially up front given their lack of a recognised No 9 - while some defensive cover would also be useful after injuries to Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu

Sport

2 hours ago Huge pop star tragically died at 35 weighing just 4 stone after tragic health battle

Late actress Lena Zavaroni was catapulted to fame on popular TV show Opportunity Knocks at the age of 10, but she tragically died aged 35 following a devastating health battle

Events

3 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

23 hours ago Homes Under the Hammer star Martin Roberts unsure ‘how much time’ he’s got left to live

Roberts was told he had ‘hours to live’ before undergoing emergency heart surgery

Society

14 hours ago Euro giants eye Celtic star, Rangers plot moves, Hearts ace 'has price', Scots boss return

The latest transfer news across Scottish football

Economics

13 hours ago 'I left Arsenal and ended up at Chelsea feeling disgusted and lying to club medical staff'

Emmanuel Petit spent just one season at Barcelona after leaving Arsenal for the Nou Camp in 2000, before moving to Chelsea, and he has admitted he regrets the decision

Sport

3 hours ago Colin Firth’s emotional reaction at meeting Lockerbie disaster victim's dad

Colin Firth stars as Jim Swire, whose daughter died in the 1988 Lockerbie plane crash, in new series Lockerbie: A Search For Truth, and he had the opportunity to meet both Jim and his wife

Events

4 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

26 hours ago What we know about Blake Lively’s lawsuit against Justin Baldoni over his alleged ‘smear’ campaign

Rumors of a rift between Baldoni and the cast of It Ends with Us began in August after the movie’s release

Society

18 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

13 hours ago What Snoop wants: Arizona Bowl gives NIL opportunities to players for Colorado State, Miami (Ohio)

When Snoop Dogg agreed to become the sponsor of the Arizona Bowl, he had a demand: It must have a NIL component

Sport

5 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

4 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

26 hours ago Blake Lively vs Justin Baldoni: A timeline of the feud and lawsuit between It Ends With Us co

Bitter feud is alleged to have begun while filming the box office hit ‘It Ends With Us’

Society

19 hours ago Brentford January transfer window guide: Chelsea exile could be ideal signing with transfer need clear

Bees had no plans to enter the market mid-season, but injury problems may now alter that approach

Economics

15 hours ago Arsenal in talks to sell winger as Mikel Arteta sets record straight on January transfers

Arsenal are open to strengthening their attacking options in the January transfer window but there could also be departures with winger Marquinhos now headed for the exit door

Sport

5 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

9 hours ago Mikel Arteta reveals Arsenal star Bukayo Saka will miss ‘more than two months’

Arsenal moved back up to second in the Premier League with a 1-0 home victory over Ipswich – their first fixture without Saka since his injury.

Politics

27 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

21 hours ago Palma 'living through hell' at Celtic as Hoops set out stall over £7m Bernabei sale – Parkhead transfer bulletin

A number of clubs are said to be eyeing the Honduran with his days at Celtic said to be 'numbered'

Economics

16 hours ago Gavin and Stacey fans spot huge errors in finale as Neil the Baby goes 'missing' from scene

Gavin and Stacey fans were left sobbing at the show's festive finale, but some viewers couldn't help but notice a few awkward blunders throughout the 90-minute episode

Sport

6 hours ago Man Utd transfer news: Ruben Amorim eyes Barcelona star amid Matheus Cunha battle

Manchester United could be set for a busy January transfer window, with a number of players potentially set to leave Old Trafford as Ruben Amorim revamps his squad

Events

10 hours ago Marcus Rashford 'truth' came from Jose Mourinho's lips after Man Utd sacking

Jose Mourinho gave an honest verdict on Marcus Rashford's ability which speaks volumes amidst the Manchester United forward's stand-off with new manager Ruben Amorim

Politics

23 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

18 hours ago Man United and Man City handed major Dani Olmo transfer update as agent visits Manchester

Dani Olmo is due to become a free agent next week after Barcelona were handed a huge registration blow ahead of January.

Sport

6 hours ago Houthi fighters fire missile at Israel airport hours after country's forces targeted runway in Yemen

The rebel group responded to Thursday's strikes in Sanaa by hitting Ben Gurion Airport - which is only ten miles away from Tel Aviv, after Israeli missils struck Sanaa airport on Thursday.

Events

12 hours ago Jota would welcome Celtic transfer return as Parkhead favourite reckons money side makes sense

Mark Wilson suuspects the Portuguese winger would be back in Celtic's price range amid tough time in France

Politics

26 hours ago Arsenal sent £70million Matheus Cunha transfer message as Wolves stance revealed

Wolves are desperate to keep Matheus Cunha, who highlighted his quality with a Boxing Day goal against Manchester United, as the club's new manager makes his views clear on the transfer interest

Economics

22 hours ago Luke Littler apologises to darts fan after 'hearing the TV camera move'

The Nuke missed D12 for what would have been his fifth nine-darter of the year in his World Darts Championship second round clash with Ryan Meikle, denying a fan a £60,000 payout

Sport

7 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

14 hours ago The key Kieran Tierney Celtic transfer concern as John Hartson doubts if they can make homecoming worthwhile

The Hoops diehard is set for the Arsenal exit door and talk is in overdrive about an emotional return to his boyhood club

Politics

22 hours ago Manchester United: How many games will Bruno Fernandes miss after third red card of the season?

Midfielder facing another suspension after being sent off against Wolves

Sport

9 hours ago Missing You on Netflix review: a brainless, satisfying New Year's treat from Harlan Coben

This has all the Coben hallmarks: cliffhangers, gore and juicy revelations

Events

15 hours ago 'Ruben Amorim must get Man Utd winning now – I'd love to help coach his defence'

A Manchester United legend has admitted he would jump at the chance to return to Old Trafford in a coaching capacity and warned Ruben Amorim's time at the club could be short-lived

Politics

23 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

9 hours ago Thermal imaging drone helps find elderly man with dementia lost in Malibu

The 78-year-old man left his residence to retrieve his mail, but failed to return, prompting a missing persons call

Events

15 hours ago Man Utd summer signing reveals Cristiano Ronaldo dream despite not yet making debut

Sekou Kone primarily plays a defensive midfielder and was headhunted by United scouts who watched him dazzle for Mali at the Under-17 World Cup - and now the 18-year-old is hoping to follow in the footsteps of a club legend

Politics

23 hours ago Chelsea January transfer window guide: Enzo Maresca has clear top priority with exits likely

Unlikely to be a busy month for the Blues but opportunities could arise

Sport

9 hours ago Bukayo Saka: Mikel Arteta reveals worrying new injury return timeline for Arsenal star after surgery

Gunners boss believes England winger is likely to miss more than two months after operation on his torn hamstring

Events

16 hours ago Real Madrid cult heroes reunited at Christmas – thanks to twin sister wives

Joselu left Real Madrid for Qatar in the summer transfer window, but retains a unique link to the Spanish giants thanks to his wife and veteran full-back Dani Carvajal

Politics

26 hours ago Transfer news LIVE: Man Utd lay out Rashford demands, Arsenal set for Cunha talks, Liverpool latest

Arsenal and Manchester United are just two of the Premier League clubs who are said to be weighing up their options in the market ahead of the January transfer window

Sport

11 hours ago Sugababes star almost died in horror crash after she 'blacked out' behind the wheel

Sugababes singer Keisha Buchanan has shared a photo from the scene of a horror car crash she was involved in last year as she told fans she'd "blacked out at the wheel"

Events

16 hours ago Tyson Fury brutally told to 'call it a day' after Oleksandr Usyk defeat

The 'Gypsy King' failed to level the series against the Ukrainian, with many in the boxing community now calling for the Brit to hang up his gloves

Politics

26 hours ago Ruben Amorim makes telling Manchester United admission as January transfer update given

The latest Manchester United news as we take a look at some of the stories around Old Trafford following a 2-0 defeat against Wolves on Boxing Day.

Sport

11 hours ago Man Utd target goalkeeper transfer after Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir mistakes

Manchester United goalkeepers Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir allowed Tottenham and Wolves to score directly from a corner in the last few games - and the Red Devils could now bring in Belgian starlet Senne Lammens

Events

16 hours ago Nato to boost Baltic Sea presence after suspected sabotage of underwater cable

Finland seizes ship it suspects of damaging cable connecting Estonia and Finland on Christmas DayNato is to increase its military presence in the Baltic Sea, the alliance has announced, after the suspected sabotage of an underwater power cable running between Finland and Estonia.The Estlink 2 submarine cable was disconnected from the grid on Christmas Day, little more than a month after two telecommunications cables were severed in Swedish territorial waters in the Baltic Sea. Continue reading...

Politics

29 hours ago Arsenal transfer news: Star's agent arrives to negotiate amid Benjamin Sesko update

Arsenal could be tempted to increase their firepower in front of goal in the January transfer window as they consider how to contend with Bukayo Saka's injury in the second half of the season

Sport

11 hours ago World No 1 Scottie Scheffler has surgery after freak Christmas dinner injury

American cuts hand on broken glass during festive periodGolfer will now miss the first tournament of seasonThe men’s world No 1 golfer Scottie Scheffler has had surgery on a hand injury he sustained while cooking Christmas dinner. The 28-year-old American has been forced to withdraw from the first tournament of the season, next week’s The Sentry in Hawaii, after cutting his right hand on broken glass.The PGA Tour said: “World No 1 and 2024 FedEx Cup Champion Scottie Scheffler has withdrawn from the PGA Tour’s 2025 season-opening tournament, The Sentry, which will take place next week, 2-5 January at The Plantation Course at Kapalua in Maui, Hawaii.” Continue reading...

Events

17 hours ago ‘Who knows what they’re going to do?’: US cannabis industry braces itself for Trump administration

The industry looks back wistfully on a past year of promise but little delivery, and wonders what next under TrumpFor those awaiting the end of cannabis prohibition in the US, 2024 began on a hopeful note, but as the year comes to a close, many of those hopes remain unfulfilled.“The big issue is rescheduling, and there was a lot of excitement about that, but it’s been sort of mired down,” said Alex Halperin, who has covered the cannabis industry in his newsletter WeedWeek since 2015. Rescheduling would mean that cannabis is no longer federally banned under the Controlled Substances Act. Continue reading...

Politics

11 hours ago Man accused of burning woman alive on New York City subway told police 'he drinks a lot'

Sebastian Zapeta is accused of setting fire to a woman inside the carriage of a New York subway train and then fanning the flames before watching on as the victim died

Events

17 hours ago I almost joined Liverpool but completed Man United transfer after one phone call

Former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez expressed an interest in Nemanja Vidic before signing for Manchester United

Politics

12 hours ago New TV documentary about mysterious death on British island to highlight 'inconsistencies' in case

The body of Josh Clayton was found on rocks near Tresco, Isles of Scilly days after he went missing following a party in September 2015, as a new TV doc about the case is released

Events

17 hours ago Manchester United XI vs Newcastle: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup and injury latest for Premier League

Ruben Amorim hit by suspensions for final United game of 2024

Politics

13 hours ago US saw dramatic rise in homelessness at start of 2024, housing agency says

US Department of Housing and Urban Development reports largest increase among families with childrenThe US saw a dramatic rise in homelessness at the start of 2024, counting 18% more unhoused people during its annual tally in January than the year before, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (Hud) reported on Friday.Cities reported counting a total of 771,480 unhoused people in January, a number that is larger than the population of Seattle. Representing 23 out of every 10,000 Americans, the number is the highest ever recorded during the tally. Still, experts consider the number an undercount, since it reflects one point in time and misses many people staying with friends or family. Continue reading...

Events

13 hours ago Azerbaijan Airlines crash: How brave pilots battled to save jet after being 'hit by Russian missile'

Pilots were able to guide the doomed Flight 8432 from Russian airspace following an 'explosion' that prompted panic inside the cabin, eventually crashing the aircraft in Kazakhstan

Events

17 hours ago Ruben Amorim admits he could be sacked by Manchester United if results do not improve

Amorim says ‘the manager of Manchester United can never be comfortable’ amid dismal run

Politics

13 hours ago Haunting final words of flight attendant on doomed passenger plane 'shot down by Russian missile' over Kazakhstan on Christmas Day

These are the heartbreaking last words of a flight attendant on board the doomed Azerbaijan Airlines plane that was reportedly shot down by a Russian missile on Christmas Day.

Events