Joe and Evanna Giardina treasure memories of the affectionate 16-year-old they dubbed the ‘love machine’, who died in the 2004 disasterAt first, there seemed nothing to be afraid of. Joe Giardina, his wife, Evanna, and their 16-year-old son, Paul, were taking in the picture-perfect waters of Patong bay as they ate breakfast in their Phuket beachfront hotel on Boxing Day morning in 2004.“We were admiring the view and all of a sudden the water disappeared,” says Giardina, 67, speaking from his home in Rosanna, Victoria. The water level had dropped so quickly that fish were floundering on the exposed seabed. But rather than sensing any threat, curious onlookers made their way to the beach. “The locals thought, ‘This is fantastic.’ They were running around picking the fish up.” Continue reading...

Politics

A little crate-digging can yield buried treasure – as our music writers found this year when they discovered everything from Taiwanese pop star to Cher’s disco eraThis year I completed Duolingo in French, but found myself no closer to being able to carry out what I would call a conversation. (Exchanging likes and dislikes doesn’t count.) I decided to go Paris to practise on some unsuspecting locals, procured via Hinge. One man proved surprisingly game: he not only spoke excellent English but was a self-described anglophile, more up to date than I am on UK politics and truly passionate about Marks & Spencer. Continue reading...

Politics

I feel like I am always expected to drop everything for them and if I don't, they tell me I don't love them, or they say that they will stop talking to me, writes a distraught mother.

Politics

Arne Slot decided his wife and children should remain in the Netherlands after he joined Liverpool as manager, meaning he will be away from his family this Christmas

Society

Santa Claus stopped at maternity units up and down Scotland to make some extra special deliveries.

Politics

Two academy stars and a new goalkeeper could feature more prominently during the second half of the season

Economics

Pep Guardiola could look to add more players to his squad in the January transfer window as they seek to save their season

Economics

Aircraft carrying 62 passengers and five crew was en route from Baku to Grozny in ChechnyaAt least 32 people have survived after a passenger plane operated by Azerbaijan Airlines and carrying 62 passengers and five crew members burst into flames as it crashed near the city of Aktau in Kazakhstan.Kazakh authorities said on Wednesday that at least 29 of the survivors, a tally that is believed to include two children, were being treated in a nearby hospital. Azerbaijan’s foreign ministry said in a statement that some were in critical condition. Continue reading...

Events

Ruben Amorim could add some new faces to his squad when he oversees his first transfer window as Man United boss next month

Economics

Home of America's 'most inbred family' burns down over unknown reasons as charity fund set up to help rebuild their lives in Odd, West Virginia

Events