2 h. ago At the dark end of a brutal year, I’m grateful to these heroes for showing us the light | Jonathan Freedland

From Palestinians standing up to Hamas to the Bondi beach rescuers, great acts of courage offer hope even in the bleakest timesSome traditions are getting harder to maintain. Among them, my own custom of devoting the last column before Christmas to reasons to be hopeful. In recent years, amid war and bloodshed, that task has been especially challenging – and this week was no exception.It began with the news from Bondi beach, where 15 people were gunned down and dozens more injured, most of them Jews celebrating the festival of Hanukah. That came just two-and-a-half months after the deadly attack on Heaton Park synagogue in Manchester, on the holiest day of the Jewish calendar, Yom Kippur. To be a Jew at the end of 2025 is to fear that to gather together, whether at moments of joy or sorrow, is to take a mortal risk. That even to do relatively ordinary things together has become a matter of life and death.Jonathan Freedland is a Guardian columnist and the author of The Traitors Circl...

Politics

8 h. ago Police issue update after woman killed in Asda car park in Oldham

A 78-year-old woman was hit by a van

Events

9 h. ago Police issue update after alleged sexual assault in Manchester park

A cordon was in place as officers launched an investigation

Events

13 h. ago Horror in Asda car park as woman killed after being hit by van days before Christmas

A woman has been killed after being struck by a van in an Asda car park in Shaw, Oldham - Greater Manchester Police have now launched an investigation

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13 h. ago Horror as woman killed in Asda car park in Greater Manchester

Witnesses are asked to come forward

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22 h. ago Police race to Asda car park and tape off area amid reports of serious incident

Emergency services taped off part of the car park at the supermarket in Oldham

Events

30 h. ago Girl, 17 in 'gang rape' horror as teen sent text asking 'do you want a turn'

Authorities have charged Abdul-Hamid with five counts of aggravated sexual assault after the six-hour ordeal - two of the alleged attacks are said to have involved a hairbrush

Events

50 h. ago The tiny park with a funny name that could come to Piccadilly

It could include new technology

Politics

55 h. ago Police issue major update as stabbing forces Bury primary school to close

Police confirmed a stabbing on Cecil Street in Bury led to a primary school closure this morning four people, including two teenagers, have been arrested.

Events

3 d. ago Teenager arrested after alleged sexual assault at Greater Manchester park

A cordon was in place next to the playground on Tuesday morning

Events

3 d. ago The Greater Manchester park that’s among UK’s best for a Christmas Day walk

Gather the family together and venture out on a festive walk

Politics

3 d. ago Heaton Park Synagogue pays tribute to Bondi attack victims at Hannukah celebration

"This is known as where the righteous come in, this is a place of joy. Tonight we are reclaiming that joy and that light and shining it out to the whole world"

Events

4 d. ago Police issue update on three vehicle crash that brought M4 to a standstill

There was heavy congestion along the motorway following a crash involving three vehicles

Events

4 d. ago Bondi Beach shooting: Police issue major condition update on alleged shooter

One of the alleged shooters – 24-year-old Naveed Akram – suffered critical injuries and was taken to hospital under police guard. NSW Police has now given an update on Akram's condition

Events

5 d. ago Teenage girl sexually assaulted while cycling as cops release e

Cops have released an e-fit image of a man suspected of committing a sexual assault on a teenage girl. The alleged incident took place in Milton Keynes on November 27, where the girl was reportedly "touched inappropriately" on the V8 Marlborough Street. The teenager was cycling when the alleged attack took place. Thames Valley Police say...

Events

5 d. ago Guardiola impressed with fighting spirit as City’s title push gathers momentum

Head coach praises ‘real leader’ Dias as defence holds firmWin at Selhurst Park extends Manchester City’s run to fivePep Guardiola has warned that Manchester City are growing in resilience after Erling Haaland and Phil Foden secured the side’s fifth win in succession and maintained pressure on the Premier League leaders Arsenal.City gained revenge for their FA Cup final defeat by Crystal Palace in May with a ruthless 3-0 win at Selhurst Park after they saw off Real Madrid in the Champions League in midweek. It means they have won all five matches since enduring successive defeats against Newcastle and Bayer Leverkusen at the end of November and are back to within two points of Arsenal. Continue reading...

Politics

5 d. ago Police update issued after two killed in US university shooting

A 'person of interest' is in custody after two died and nine others were injured in the shooting

Events

5 d. ago Women fleeing Mali's conflict say they were sexually assaulted but silence hides many more

Women and girls from Mali are alleging rape and sexual assault by Russian fighters with Africa Corps, a new military unit under Moscow's control

Events

7 d. ago Oliver Glasner issues Crystal Palace demand ahead of crunch Man City showdown

Crystal Palace welcome Manchester City to Selhurst Park on Sunday in their first meeting since the South London club upset Pep Guardiola's side in the FA Cup final at Wembley

Politics

7 d. ago Police issue update after woman injured in shooting on Salford street

Three people had been arrested

Events